I don’t know about you, but the last time I had a professional headshot taken was at a bloggers conference back in 2011. It was really time for a new one.

I truly believe that having a professional headshot is important to have for your LinkedIn account, business cards etc. I know we can all snap photos with our smartphones these days but nothing beats a professional photo that is taken in a studio.

Recently I had the opportunity to have a professional headshot taken for me by a talented local photographer, Justine Apple.

She took the time on the phone to brief me before the session on a variety of important topics:

1. makeup 2. hair and 3. wardrobe.

Therefore I arrived at my session bearing a make up kit, hair product to control my frizzy hair and three shirts (black, white and red).

Justine ensured that I was the perfect model! (which is hard work by the way). She gently reminded me how to stand, how to angle my body, and to r-e-l-a-x.

On the occasion she jumped down from her step stool to show me the photos..which were great!!

Here are two of my favourite headshot by Justine. Which one do you prefer and why? Feel free to leave a comment below. I absolutely hate making these types of decisions so I would really love your help.

Or this photo?

I would highly recommend Justine for all your photography needs. She does headshots, family photos, corporate and social events, parties, bar mitzvahs etc.

Here’s how to contact her:

Email: applejustine@gmail.com

Instagram: @applejustine

LinkedIn: Justine Apple

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I seem to be taking a lot of photos of my “table settings” these days. I will admit, I also take a lot of photos of the food I’m serving too!

There are four elements that I believe are necessary to set a “pretty” table.

a) Flowers

b) Vases – I won’t tell you how many I own or where I store them seeing as I live in a 950 sql condo but let’s just say “I’m creative”. LOL

c) Napkins – again, I won’t tell you how many I own.

d) Placements – see comment above

Here’s a few ideas:

a) A Silver Theme: The inspiration for this table setting came from my from mom who bought me the placemats from Bowring 

a) A green and brown combo: The inspiration for this table setting came from the napkins. Expensive but worth it. The brand is called Paviot and can be found at stores like All the Best Fine Foods and Summerhill Market.

b) An orange/red/brown combo…again the inspiration came from the Paviot Napkins.

c) This was my table setting from Chanuka. ..the inspiration for this table came from the runner which I picked up for $3 at a dollar store. 

e) A red/white theme. …the inspiration for this table came from the placemats that I bought on a trip to Barcelona. They were cheap and easy to pack! Scored.As you can see I love setting my table and I love entertaining.

I have a feeling I will do a blog post about some of my favourite serving dishes too. I have a few. LOL

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Several times a year I get an email inviting me to an event that is truly a unique experience and  the reply is always:  “COUNT ME IN”. This was the case when I received an email inviting me to the media day for  the Canadian International Air Show. I had never been to this annual event before so I figured it was about time!!

I must admit that it was pretty cool to be able to be so close to these magnificent aircraft.

See what I mean?

The second part of the media day included a chance to actually go up in a plane. Let me put this into perspective for you about my fear….I don’t even go on the Kiddie Rides at Wonderland.  However all the lovely staff (errr…Colleen) reassured me that I would be perfectly safe.

I specifically asked for the “SAFE HORSE”..not the one that bucked. Therefore I was put in the capable hands of Paul, who took me up in this tow plane which is used for the air cadet program. Yup – I was SAFE.  Before you knew it, I was strapped in and off we went….Up, Up and Away!!

My view:

Some of my twitter friends like YYZ Events, went up on a plane that did stunts. Who knows, I might try that next year!! Note the word “might”.

After such an experience, I went to the CNE for the very first time (but not my last time)  to watch the the Canadian International Air Show do it’s stuff. I found a lovely log to sit on and watched the show along with many other air show enthusiasts.

The Canadian International Air Show takes places on Sunday Sept 1 and Monday Sept 2 from 1 to 4:30 pm. (location: at the waterfront, south of South of Bandshell Park). If you want to know who will be performing, this link will help you out.

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This past weekend, I had the opportunity to play tourist in my hometown, Ottawa. I visit this amazing city almost every 6 weeks for the last few years but this particular weekend I got to know Ottawa in a different way!!

I started off the weekend, by attending Nepean High School 90th Anniversary Celebration. I haven’t been thru their doors since 1984 so it was kind of neat just to be inside the building again. Oh the memories!

Sadly not a lot of people were there from my year (sniff…)

On Saturday, my mom and I REALLY played tourist. We boarded a double decker bus  (at the corner of Elgin and Sparks St) that is operated by a company called Lady Dive.  This 75 minute tour (which leaves every hour on the hour) is truly the best way to see the city as you can Hop On and Off at a variety of stops, such as: Museums, Parks, Galleries, the Byward Market, the Parliament Buildings, Rideau Hall and more.

Our tour guide was entertaining and certainly knew his stuff. My mom and I were amazed at what we learned in such a short period of time about important landmarks in our own city! We loved every minute of this double deck bus tour and would certainly recommend it to visitors.

Playing tourist meant that I got the chance to visit the Tulip Festival TWICE over the weekend. I simply could not stop taking pictures. See what I mean?

And more…LOL

For more info:

Lady Dive Tours:  Reservations-  613 524 2221  PS. many tour options are available so please visit their website to learn more.

Tulip Festival – May 3 to 20th,2013  Ottawa/Gatineau

Ottawa Tourism

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Back in November, my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary. This was a BIG deal and I wanted to mark this special occasion with the right gift. I knew how much my parents loved personalized gifts and wanted to give them one of those “special photo books”but I didn’t have the TIME or the SKILLS to do it. (in that order)

Then I had one of those “aha” moments. I called up an acquaintance (Susan) that I’ve known in the school yard for the last 14 years who did this as a business. She was all too happy to help me out. All I had to do was drop off photos at her house and she would do the rest.  Not to mention the photo book would be directly mailed to my parents in Ottawa, just in time for their anniversary.

My parents were thrilled with their personalized gifts and I was thrilled with this service.

My special parents!

The photo album contained some nostalgic photos:

That’s me in the blue overalls

There were some recent photos as well that I included:

My mom = a ton of laughs

I am so lucky to have such cool parents and to witness their amazing marriage. They are truly amazing individuals and amazing as a couple as well.

If you want to get in touch with Susan to help you make this type of personalized gift, here’s how you can reach her:

Susan Yalowsky

Photo Solutions Consultant, Reconnecting You With Your Memories!

416-630-8821

www.mycmsite.com/susanyalowsky

cm-susan@rogers.com

P.S. It’s not too early to start thinking about Valentines Gifts (#justsayin’)

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There are no words to describe the perfect scenery that I have witnessed while vacationing in the Cayman Islands. It’s been a wonderful week of great weather, great books, and DOING NOTHING. This blog entry will be short and sweet – just like my vacation.

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Posterjack to the rescue!!

There are projects I love doing and there are  projects I hate doing. We all have this problem (I think).

Projects I love: cooking, entertaining, shopping (lol), researching recipes, etc.

Projects I hate doing: putting away the laundry, cleaning my car and PUTTING ART ON THE WALL.

My problems are now solved. All I did was upload a photo, click, click, click and a lovely tube arrived in the mail ready for me to simply PEEL and STICK to a wall. It took just a few minutes and now I don’t have a white wall anymore. WOOT.

The biggest issue was simply deciding which photo I wanted to upload. But once I decided it was a simple process.

I love technology!!

Please visit Posterjack for further information about this great service and this great product.

Now my daughers’ room is looking a bit more complete. Dont you think?

p.s that’s Snuffles on the pillow. He is from the Gund Collection and his tag says 1980!! He was my fav. stuffed animal and now he sits proudly on my daughters bed. But thats another blog post!!

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This is the best time to take photos outside.
Don’t you agree?

More..

Just a few more…Hee Hee.

OOPS wrong tree…!!

So what’s your favorite season to take photos?

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A Winner!!

I love vegetables..can you tell?

YUM

More goodness…

Love the Colors!!

More…

Perfect!

And the winning dish…Fig, Acorn, Squash and Goat Cheese Pizza.

So Interesting..

Happy Cooking!!

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