#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Shutterfly Dinner & Apres Thanksgiving Bloggers Feast {Giveaway}

November 26, 2012 · Ad-Free, Narrative

Shutterfly dinner - me and sarah
(me and Sarah from Sarah’s Cucina Bella)

Last year, I got together with some of my favorite bloggers to celebrate a second Thanksgiving.

I mean, really.

It was an evening filled with a vegetarian-inspired feast and lively conversation.

So you know it was going to become an annual tradition.

Natch.

(Or a twice-annual tradition, since we also do it for Valentine’s Day too.)

But this year, there was a slight twist. The generous folks at Shutterfly sponsored our dinner. Which was pretty perfect because it meant we could concentrate on making dessert, and checking out their new holiday catalogs.

Win.

Win.

Shutterfly dinner - sarah

And dessert? Well, it was bountiful. As all good blogger feasts should be. Sarah made her Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies, Patsy brought a Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake with Creamy Pumpkin Glaze, a recipe she got from Kristen of Dine & Dish, and Joanne brought a Bourbon Pumpkin Bread Pudding. The kids had individual ice cream cups from a local dairy, and everyone was sent home with Jersey Cream cupcakes from a local cupcake place (profits of which are going to restore the shore after Hurricane Sandy had her way with it). Decadence? Yeah, we’ve got that.

Luckily the Shutterfly folks sent some card samples for us to  oooh and aaah over. Which is how I discovered, and subsequently fell in love with, their matte cards. Thicker than the average glossy photo card, these are so very much more. A smooth finish and vibrant color. I was so hooked I ordered my cards the very next day. And since snapping the photo and ordering cards was one of my small goals from last week, I snuck in just under the wire.

Phew.

I happened to get the perfect shot while we were at my sister’s for Thanksgiving. Posed, but full of happy smiles, and lots of color.

Which, next to a candid shot, is my favorite thing.

Although I do keep an eye on our photographs during the year for the perfect picture for our holiday cards, since I take so many, I really aim to use a picture from the last quarter of the year because the kids change so much at this age. I was just looking at a picture of Madeline from August, and she has changed physically since even just then, a mere three months ago.

If you still need ideas on capturing the #CardWorthy shot of your family, check out Shutterfly’s family photo page for all sorts of tips.

My biggest tip? Throw the generally accepted idea of perfection out the window, and go with what’s perfect for you and your family. Sometimes the silliest, craziest pictures are the very best ones, capturing your family’s personality at its finest (and most real).

Candids are, without a doubt, my absolute favorite.

Those unscripted moments.

Love.

And now to help you with your holiday shopping (’tis the season!), Shutterfly is giving a $50 gift code to one of YOU! And with all their awesome sales, fifty bucks goes a LONG way.

PRIZE: One $50 Shutterfly promotional code
TO ENTER: Leave a comment and share your favorite Shutterfly product or photo tip.
FOR MORE ENTRIES: Tweet this post with the hashtag #CardWorthy. Or Pin this post and comment that you’ve done so. Or follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram, if you don’t already (and come back and tell me you do). Or follow Shutterfly on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram, or their blog. And tell me you’ve done so. That’s a lot of extra entries!
GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Monday, December 3, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST
WINNER ANNOUNCED: In an upcoming post and via Twitter. If winner doesn’t respond with address info within 48 hours, a second winner will be chosen.
NUMBER OF WINNERS: One
FINE PRINT: The winner will be selected using random.org.

Want to win even MORE? Some of my favorite girl bloggers are also giving away $50 Shutterfly gift codes, so you can go enter on their sites as well … Joanne from Eats Well with Others, Sarah at Sarah by the Sea, and Patsy of Fam, Friends, and Food.

Good luck!

Tomorrow? A chili recipe that is waist-friendly.
Wednesday? A restaurant review.
Thursday? Craft time!
Friday? A recipe for Caramel Apple Cheesecake.

*This post and our dinner was sponsored by Shutterfly.

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Posted In: Ad-Free, Narrative · Tagged: bloggers, cardworthy, dessert recipes, holiday card, Shutterfly

Comments

  1. debbie jackson says

    November 26, 2012 at 10:59 pm

    love the calendars and photobook. I just made a photobook djackson1958@hotmail.com

    Reply
  2. debbie jackson says

    November 26, 2012 at 10:59 pm

    fblike them as djackson1958@hotmail.com

    Reply
  3. debbie jackson says

    November 26, 2012 at 11:00 pm

    google them as djackson1958@hotmail.com

    Reply
  4. debbie jackson says

    November 26, 2012 at 11:00 pm

    follow them on tw as jacksondeb djackson1958@hotmail.com

    Reply
  5. debbie jackson says

    November 26, 2012 at 11:00 pm

    follow them on pin as jacksondeb
    djackson1958@hotmail.com

    Reply
  6. Cathy says

    November 27, 2012 at 12:03 am

    I love love love the photo cards – and notebooks :-)

    Reply
  7. Cathy says

    November 27, 2012 at 12:04 am

    I follow you on twitter

    Reply
  8. Cathy says

    November 27, 2012 at 12:05 am

    Followed Shutterfly on twitter

    Reply
  9. Cathy says

    November 27, 2012 at 12:06 am

    I follow you on instagram

    Reply
  10. Cathy says

    November 27, 2012 at 12:07 am

    followed shutterfly on instagram

    Reply
  11. Cathy says

    November 27, 2012 at 12:07 am

    follow shutterfly on facebook

    Reply
  12. Cathy says

    November 27, 2012 at 12:09 am

    following shutterfly on pinterest

    Reply
  13. Joanne says

    November 27, 2012 at 7:30 am

    I lOVE our tradition…definitely one of my favorite days of the year! <3
    Joanne recently posted..Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranates {GIVEAWAY}

    Reply
  14. patsy says

    November 27, 2012 at 10:04 am

    I can’t wait for that cheesecake recipe!! LOVED it!
    patsy recently posted..Blogger Thanksgiving & Shutterfly {giveaway!}

    Reply
  15. Alyson says

    November 27, 2012 at 11:25 am

    Love their calendars! And photobooks! And Christmas cards! I just love Shutterfly!

    Reply
  16. Alyson says

    November 27, 2012 at 11:27 am

    Liked Shutterfly on FB

    Reply
  17. Crystal says

    November 27, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    I love the Shutterfly photo books, I make one every year. It’s our family version of the best of 2012!

    Reply
  18. Staci A says

    November 27, 2012 at 1:39 pm

    I love their photobooks and holiday cards!

    Reply
  19. Staci A says

    November 27, 2012 at 1:40 pm

    I follow you on Twitter @mommastacia

    Reply
  20. Staci A says

    November 27, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    I follow your boards @mommastacia

    Reply
  21. Staci A says

    November 27, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    I follow Shutterfly on Twitter @mommastacia

    Reply
  22. Staci A says

    November 27, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    I liked Shutterfly.

    Reply
  23. Staci A says

    November 27, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    I follow Shutterfly on Pinterest @mommastacia

    Reply
  24. Staci A says

    November 27, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    I follow Shutterfly on google +

    Reply
  25. Meg says

    November 27, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    Adore Shutterfly! In addition to their awesome photo books (just finished another one for my boyfriend’s mom this morning), I love their calendars — and the fact that you can personalize them with your own dates and photos on specific days (like birthdays!). So fun.
    Meg recently posted..Book review: ‘Lunch With Buddha’ by Roland Merullo

    Reply
  26. Meg says

    November 27, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    I follow you on Twitter (@writemeg).
    Meg recently posted..Book review: ‘Lunch With Buddha’ by Roland Merullo

    Reply
  27. Meg says

    November 27, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    I follow you on Instagram (writingmeg).
    Meg recently posted..Book review: ‘Lunch With Buddha’ by Roland Merullo

    Reply
  28. Meg says

    November 27, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    And I follow you on Pinterest (writemeg)!
    Meg recently posted..Book review: ‘Lunch With Buddha’ by Roland Merullo

    Reply
  29. Meg says

    November 27, 2012 at 3:50 pm

    I follow Shutterfly on Twitter . . .
    Meg recently posted..Book review: ‘Lunch With Buddha’ by Roland Merullo

    Reply
  30. Meg says

    November 27, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    And I follow Shutterfly on Instagram . . .
    Meg recently posted..Book review: ‘Lunch With Buddha’ by Roland Merullo

    Reply
  31. Meg says

    November 27, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    And I follow Shutterfly on Facebook . . .
    Meg recently posted..Book review: ‘Lunch With Buddha’ by Roland Merullo

    Reply
  32. Meg says

    November 27, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    And, last but not least, I follow Shutterfly on Pinterest. Thanks, Cate! :)
    Meg recently posted..Book review: ‘Lunch With Buddha’ by Roland Merullo

    Reply
  33. Suzi says

    November 27, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    love the shutterfly idea..last year my friends made a photobook for their parents…best gift that year!

    Reply
  34. Tammy says

    November 28, 2012 at 3:14 am

    My favorite product are the photo books and cards.

    Reply
  35. Tammy says

    November 28, 2012 at 3:17 am

    I follow you on Twitter. @melia57

    Reply
  36. Tammy says

    November 28, 2012 at 3:17 am

    I follow you on Pinterest.

    http://pinterest.com/melia57/

    Reply
  37. Tammy says

    November 28, 2012 at 3:18 am

    I like Shutterfly on Facebook.

    Reply
  38. Tammy says

    November 28, 2012 at 3:18 am

    I follow Shutterfly on Twitter.

    @melia57

    Reply
  39. Tammy says

    November 28, 2012 at 3:19 am

    I follow Shutterfly on Pinterest.

    http://pinterest.com/melia57/

    Reply
  40. nicole w says

    November 28, 2012 at 6:19 pm

    i love the merry little tree card

    Reply
  41. nicole w says

    November 28, 2012 at 6:20 pm

    https://twitter.com/mrsnaweiss/status/273914223241863169

    Reply
  42. nicole w says

    November 28, 2012 at 6:22 pm

    http://pinterest.com/pin/262475484504501129/

    Reply
  43. nicole w says

    November 28, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    following you on twitter as mrsnaweiss

    Reply
  44. nicole w says

    November 28, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    following you on pinterest as nicole weiss

    Reply
  45. nicole w says

    November 28, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    following shutterfly on twitter as mrsnweiss

    Reply
  46. nicole w says

    November 28, 2012 at 6:27 pm

    following shutterfly on fb

    Reply
  47. nicole w says

    November 28, 2012 at 6:28 pm

    following shutterfly on google+ as nicole w

    Reply
  48. nicole w says

    November 28, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    following shutterfly on ointerest as nicole weiss

    Reply
  49. nicole w says

    November 28, 2012 at 6:30 pm

    following shutterflys blog via email mrsnaweiss/at/aol.com

    Reply
  50. Kristen says

    November 29, 2012 at 9:24 pm

    I like the card called Triple Furry Wishes.

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

Pinterest

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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