And the WINNERS of the Ashley Sorbello Photography 1000th fan contest are....

Happy Friday!!  It's Ashley again from Ashley Sorbello Photography here to announce the winners.  I just wanted to thank you all again for being such amazing fans & getting me this far! Also a HUGE thank you to all of the amazing vendors!  Congratulations to the winners! I hope you enjoy your products...

Winner # 1- Regina Peterson

- Creative creations by chantelle-hat : http://www.facebook.com/creativecreationsbychantelle
-Somewhere over the rainbow: http://www.facebook.com/MYSomewhereOverTheRainbow
- Cutie patootie-Hanging Basket Prop....retail value $75
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cutie-Patootie-Photography-Props/117800458295442
-Kawaii Crochet-slug hair clip http://www.facebook.com/kawaiicrochet
-The design junkie: http://www.facebook.com/thedesignjunkie
- Soy boutique-)10oz candle any scent listed on our page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Soy-Boutique/205443463104
-Scotts wood products-$25 gift certificates http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scotts-Wood-Productions/126212594089446
-Jenn liebman creations- winner's choice of sizes: newborn to 3 months, 3 to 9 months, 9 to 12 months and 12+ months.made with 100% cotton yarn.
- http://www.facebook.com/JennLiebmanCreates
-Neenas-$10 gift certificates- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Neenas-Brick-Oven-Restaurant/136262613058068
-Beautiful photo props- http://www.facebook.com/BeautifulPhotoProps
-Heidis knits & tutus: hat- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heidis-Knits-and-Tutus/109045839126854
- Visions to visions : $15 to the shop, must be used by 7/5/11, this excludes any of the templates
offering custom & pre made logo's as well as business cards, postcards, fliers etc. Also template designs, and an e-file posing guide
http://www.facebook.com/Visions2imagesdesign
-Photographers bling- action package set http://www.facebook.com/photographersbling
-Ashley Sorbello Photography- One free Mini session worth $125 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashley-Sorbello-Photography/129713797046449

Winner # 2- Mallory Reiss


-Somewhere over the rainbow-: http://www.facebook.com/MYSomewhereOverTheRainbow
-Glorious Memories: gift cert http://www.facebook.com/GloriousMemoryTemplates
-Chic Bebe romper http://www.facebook.com/pages/ChicB%C3%A9b%C3%A9/146984665315790
-Spark by AdvoCare-14 serving box : http://www.facebook.com/Spark.Two.Nine?sk=wall
-Mateo James spa- $50 gift card http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mateo-James-Salon-Spa/122473404487033
-Maternity and newborn photography prop shop(pic): Action 3-Pack! A $55 Value!! http://www.facebook.com/MaternityandNewborn.Photography.Prop.Shop
-Heathers hobbies:$ 25 gift cert http://www.facebook.com/heathershobbiess
-Yellow ribbon- Details Soft Elastic 16" unstretched
Bridal netting
Feather Fluffs
Rhinestone Center accents
Brown and Green flower
I would retail it for $15.00
Shipping will be 3.00 to be paid by the winner via paypal
https://www.facebook.com/tammysyellowribbon
- H-b photo: $50 gift card code : http://www.facebook.com/pages/HB-Photo-Packaging/77770574023
-Tinker bows & accessories: spiker bows: http://www.facebook.com/TinkerBows
-Tizzi lish- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tizzi-Lish/197477280280512
-Scotts wood products- $25 gift certificates http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scotts-Wood-Productions/126212594089446
- Neenas-$10 gift certificates- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Neenas-Brick-Oven-Restaurant/136262613058068
-Ashley Sorbello Photography - One free Mini session worth $125 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashley-Sorbello-Photography/129713797046449
Bellies & blessings- http://www.facebook.com/belliesandblessingsphotographysarasota
Silhouette Guide $120 value

Winner # 3- Kara Thompson

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SizzleStrapz/126015047456573
-Somewhere over the rainbow-: http://www.facebook.com/MYSomewhereOverTheRainbow
-McCarthy Photo- templates & pose guide: http://www.facebook.com/McCarthyPhotography
-Treasured moments by tiffiney- 3 cheese cloths: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Treasured-Moments-by-Tiffiney/132659796788732
- Beautiful photo props: http://www.facebook.com/BeautifulPhotoProps
-Children-more-1 EasyLearn Spanish Summer Camp, 1 week, half day, in any of my Cherry Hill locations worth $ 150.00 and 1 target gift certificate for $ 30.00
http://www.facebook.com/ChildrenMore
-Warm fuzzies by cortney- 3 strand head band w flower http://www.facebook.com/warmfuzziesbycortney
-Little loves crochet-Phillies hat http://www.facebook.com/littlelovescrochet
- Just dandy- $15 gift certificate
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Just-Dandy-Designs/155993657757526
-Scotts wood products- $25 gift certificates http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scotts-Wood-Productions/126212594089446
-Neenas-$10 gift certificates- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Neenas-Brick-Oven-Restaurant/136262613058068
-Photo card boutique- $25 gift card
http://www.facebook.com/PhotoCardBoutique
-Ashley Sorbello Photography - One free Mini session worth $125 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashley-Sorbello-Photography/129713797046449
-Cushy company http://www.etsy.com/shop/CushyCompany?ref=si_shop
scarf (dont contact vendor I have it)

Winners - please contact the vendors that are on there list & tell them they're the winner from Ashley Sorbello Photography giveaway unless otherwise noted :)

Ashley Sorbello Photography Giveaway

Ashley Sorbello is here from Ashley Sorbello Photography to share her 1000th fan giveaway with you.  She started her photography business less than a year ago...and it is already a HUGE success...

...and you don't have to ask why when she produces pictures like these that capture those very special moments :)  Without further delay I introduce you to Ashley...

Hi I'm Ashley...I'm a wife and mom, and I have ALWAYS had a love for photography.  I started taking photos of my family, friends, and friends kids.  They asked me why I wasn't doing it for a living but I was always afraid to take that next step until I thought about it... and I realized they were right! With the support of my husband, family, and friends I took the leap and started my business in July of last year (2010).  Photography is something I LOVE to do! How many people can actually say they love what they do for a living? Well I honestly can! I have the best clients in the whole world.  They are who inspire me every day to "do what I love"...and that is how Ashley Sorbello Photography came around...I am just so excited to see what the future holds!

As a way to thank my loyal fans for their continued support I'm hosting a HUGE giveaway this week and I hope you will ENTER TO WIN...

1,000th Fan Giveaway

There will be THREE LUCKY WINNERS! ). There are 4 total chances to win, but only 2 REQUIRED! The more you do, the more likely are your chances of winning. The giveaway will last until Friday, June 17th. The winners will be picked via Random.org and will be announced on Friday, June 17th. Good luck to all!

By entering this giveaway, you are acknowledging that the giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Facebook.

Entry #1 (REQUIRED):
Like Ashley Sorbello Photography leave a comment telling us you did
Entry #2 (REQUIRED):
Fan all Vendors pages & tell us you did tell them I sent you!
Entry #3 (Optional):
Post a link to Ashley Sorbello Fan page & this blog page on your favorite message board
Leave a comment telling us
Entry #4 (Optional):
Blog about this giveaway with a link
Leave a comment telling us

HERE are some of the AMAZING prizes you can WIN:

Creative creations by chantelle - hat

Sizzle straps- strap- camera strap

Somewhere over the rainbow- 3 bows

McCarthy Photo- templates & pose guide

Glorious Memories- gift cert

Treasured moments by tiffiney- 3 cheese cloths

Spark by AdvoCare- 14 serving box

Mateo James Spa- $50 gift card

Beautiful photo props- tutti frutti hat

Maternity and newborn photography prop shop- Action 3-Pack! A $55 Value!!

Heathers hobbies- $ 25 gift cert

Yellow ribbon- Details Soft Elastic 16" unstretched
Bridal netting
Feather Fluffs
Rhinestone Center accents
Brown and Green flower

Cutie patootie- Hanging Basket Prop....retail value $75

Children-more- 1 EasyLearn Spanish Summer Camp, 1 week, half day, in any of my Cherry Hill locations worth $ 150.00 and 1 target gift certificate for $ 30.00

Kawaii Crochet- slug hair clip

H-b photo- $50 gift card code

The design junkie- doll house furniture

Tinker bows & accessories- spiker bow

Warm fuzzies by cortney- 3 strand headband w/flower

Photographers bling- action package set

Soy Boutique- 10oz candle any scent listed on our page

Tizzi Lish- Newborn flower headband

Little loves crochet- Phillies hat

Just dandy- $15 gift certificate

Scotts wood products-  (3) $25 gift certificates

Jenn liebman- winner's choice of sizes: newborn to 3 months, 3 to 9 months, 9 to 12 months and 12+ months.made with 100% cotton yarn

Neenas- 3 $10 gift certificates

Photo card boutique- $25 gift card

Beautiful photo props

Your day your way-hair & makeup

Heidis knits & tutus- hat

Visions to visions- $15 to the shop, must be used by 7/5/11, this excludes any of the templates offering custom & pre made logo's as well as business cards, postcards, fliers etc. Also template designs, and an e-file posing guide

Cushy Company- scarf

Bellies & Blessings Photography- Silhouette Guide $120 value

Ashley Sorbello Photography- One free Mini session worth $125

GOOD LUCK!! The giveaway ends Friday, June 17th!!

Planting Season

I LOVE this time of year!  Everywhere you look everything is in full bloom!  As soon as the weather breaks I can't wait to get my hands dirty and get some planting done around my yard. 

 This year our back yard is UNDER CONSTRUCTION, and interfering with my normal garden growing.  Since a tree fell on our garage this past winter during a snow storm, we are in the middle of building a new garage right where our vegetable garden normally goes.  This also means that in a few weeks the old garage will come down leaving a MESS behind.   So for right now we are on hold with gardening the back yard…but that hasn’t stopped me!  I have done a lot of planters with flowers to spruce up the yard for the time being and even did a herb garden in small pots on my patio. 

A few weeks ago I had my son help me plant some seeds…which he thought was great…although he did think it was a good idea to plant rocks with the seeds.  Ignore the dark night time pictures…I’m a working mommy and sometimes this is when things get done! 

I used letter stickers I picked up at Joann’s on clearance to label my pots.  That way they can be peeled off and relabeled next year if necessary.

 

My son LOVES to help water the plants…and we are finally stating to get some spouts!

Planting any kind of garden is a great outdoor project for kids and getting dirty is so much fun!  What better way to get your kids to eat vegetables, then for them to EAT what they help GROW!

~Kara

Vegetable Quiche and Spring Strawberry Salad

Last minute (and I mean Saturday) we decided to host a small Mother's Day brunch.  Since my dad was in charge of dinner and it included surf and turf on the grill...I knew we didn't want to spoil that and I needed to create light brunch menu.  I decided on a vegetable quiche and spring mix strawberry salad with raspberry vinaigrette.  Here are the recipes I used to pull this brunch together quickly and easily:

Vegetable Quiche

• 2 (9-inch) refrigerated pie crust
• 1 (10-ounce) container fresh baby spinach
• 1 large green pepper
• 1 large onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 3/4 cup grated Sharp Cheddar
• 1/2 cup grated Mild Cheddar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 12 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Heat a large skillet and saute finely diced onion and pepper with 2 tbs olive oil about 5 mins.  Add spinach and saute until it is wilted.  Set aside to cool. 

Press pie crust into the bottom and up the sides of 2 9-inch pie pans.  Set aside.

In another bowl combine ricotta, sharp cheddar, 2 tbs grated Parmesan, milk, eggs, Dijon, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.

Place 1/2 cooled spinach and vegetables on top of each uncooked crust.

Spoon egg mixture on top of vegetable mixture in prepared pie crusts and top both with remaining Parmesan and mild cheddar cheese.

Bake 40 minutes, until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean and crust is golden brown.

This serves 8, 2 slices each (and the leftovers are great!)

Spring Strawberry Salad

• 1 large container organic spring mix lettuce
• 1 large container fresh strawberries
• 1 small red onion sliced very thin
• Fresh pecans (I used praline candied ones we brought back from our recent trip to SC)
• 1 Good Seasons Italian Dressing packet- prepared as directed
• 3 tablespoons raspberry jam

Whisk 3 tablespoons raspberry jam into the prepared Italian dressing and refrigerate until needed.  Place spring mix in a large bowl.  Add strawberries and onion both thinly sliced .  Add fresh pecans just before serving.
This is so easy to throw together and looks like it came from a fancy restaurant!!

I served mine with some bakery bought croissants.  And of course what's a brunch without Mimosas!

My mom raved about the quiche and my grandmother had two helpings of salad....so I would say it was a success!!  Hope you enjoy these recipes too!

~Kara

Mother's Day

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." - Washington Irving

I spent this Mother's Day, with two of my favorite mothers...my mom and my grandmom!  Without them I would not be who I am today!

I had an amazing day that started off with church with my family...

 Then a little brunch at our house (I'll share my recipes tomorrow)...

And lots of time spent with my little man!!

There is nothing better in the world than being a mommy!  I am so lucky for the family and friends I have in my life...especially the wonderful mothers, including my own, that inspire me every day!

~Kara

Oreo Cupcakes

I've seen Oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookies popping up all over blogland...
So I decided to make an Oreo stuffed cupcake...

Oreo Stuffed Cupcakes

1 pkg.  (14oz) OREO Cookies

1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist White Cake mix, prepared as directed
(You can certainly make your own cake batter, but I used a short cut since it was a weeknight)

Put about 1 tablespoon of batter in the bottom of the cupcake liners, put in an Oreo and put another tablespoon of the batter on top. 

Bake as directed.  Let cool.

Oreo Icing

2 sticks butter, softened
1/2 pkg. (4oz) Cream Cheese, softened (I used Philadelphia Fat Free Cream Cheese)

1/2 container (4oz) Cool Whip

2lb bag powdered sugar

Remaining OREO Cookies, finely crushed

Mix cream cheese, butter, and cool whip until well blended.  Slowly add powdered sugar while mixing.  Finely crush Oreos in a food processor, and add to the icing.  Mix well.  Use a plastic bag to pipe on icing...and ENJOY!

Now I'm sure that you have had ENOUGH of the OREO recipes! Do you have an Oreo lover in your family?  These cupcakes make the perfect birthday treats!

 

I am taking the weekend and Monday OFF to enjoy the Easter holiday with my family!!  I'll be back next week with some great projects I've been working on.

 

Happy Easter to you and your family!!

 

~Kara

Oreo Madness

I mentioned last week that my brothers birthday is TODAY!  So first Happy Birthday to my first real friend and still one of my best friends, my little brother! 

My brother just LOVES Oreos so here is his favorite recipe and one with a twist:

Traditional OREO Balls

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 pkg.  (16.6 oz.) OREO Cookies, finely crushed

Melting Chocolate of your choice

MIX cream cheese and cookie crumbs until well blended
SHAPE into 48 1-inch balls. Dip in melted chocolate; place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Sprinkle with sprinkles of your choice.
REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

Then just as I was working on this post yesterday I stumbled upon this Easter twist, HERE on Kraft Food's website.  These would be the perfect addition to any Easter event this weekend.

Spring OREO Cookie Balls

6 oz. (3/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 tsp.  orange zest

1 pkg. (16.6 oz.) Spring OREO Cookies, finely crushed

2 pkg.  (6 squares each) BAKER'S White Chocolate, melted, divided

2 drops each red, yellow and blue food coloring

MIX cream cheese, zest and cookie crumbs until well blended. Shape into 40 (1-inch) egg-shaped balls. Freeze 10 min. Meanwhile, spoon 1 Tbsp. melted chocolate into each of 3 small bowls. Tint each with a different color food coloring.

DIP balls in remaining (untinted) melted chocolate; place in single layer in shallow waxed paper-lined pan. Decorate with tinted chocolate.
REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm.

Stay tuned tomorrow, for the Oreo cupcakes we will celebrate my brother's birthday with :)

~Kara