Role Models and Heroes

I was four-years-old in 1977, but I remember the movie of the year, “Star Wars.”  Sorry, George Lucas, it wasn’t the groundbreaking special effects or your fantastic writing; it was the portrayal of Princess Leia by then 21-year old Carrie Fisher.  I would beg my mom to put my little girl hair into that honey-bun hairdo and would pretend my white fancy dress was Leia’s white gown. 

But it wasn’t the clothes or the hair that had me spellbound, it was Leia’s spunk.  I admired that she was on the side of good, committed to defeating a powerful evil.  I loved how a princess got in there and fought with the boys, but always with wit and sarcasm that set her apart.  I studied her conflicted face when she looked from Luke to Han.  Oh how could she choose?  Sigh. 

Sure, there were the traditional Disney Princesses in my life, but after Leia, they seemed, well, so trite and helpless.  Leia would never wait to be rescued, she would grab a Blaster and find her R2 unit and get a message through to the Rebel Alliance one way or another even at a great sacrifice such as blowing up her home planet of Alderaan.  It probably helped too that I am blessed with a younger brother who liked to play “Star Wars” with me well after 1983’s “Return of the Jedi.”  We would run around the yard shooting things, using sticks as light sabers and swinging across our swing set like Luke and Leia over that cavern inside the Death Star (ok, maybe not so dramatically, but we what did we know, we were like four and six years old).

My son has recently become a huge “Star Wars” fan much to his father and my delight so now I am seeing these movies again as an adult.  That’s why recently I was reminded of how much a young me admired Princess Leia.  I wish I could say that I was as witty as the princess, but, of course, I was scripting my life and it was real, not a Hollywood movie.  Thankfully for me, I had some wonderful real life female role models, namely my mother, grandmothers and aunts, and close family friends.  These women were smart, funny, hard working, serious about their families, and often faced amazing challenges only to overcome; these women loved and sometimes loved and lost and still remained solid.  They may not have worn metal bikinis, but their hearts were pure as gold; for example, my mother showed me how to be both tough and loving, my aunts showed me that it’s ok to fall in love again, my grandmother reminded me that women can be smart in business, other family and friends showed me how resilient women can be when dealing with the loss of or life altering injury to a spouse or child.         

Of course, now as an adult, I realize that Ms. Fisher was dealing with much more than Darth Vader in her life during the filming of these movies.  She was battling addiction and the real life struggles of love and relationships.  Having read her book Wishful Drinking, I can say that her life was really a crazy ordeal and I hope she continues on her road of recovery and discovery.  Does it take the shine off Princess Leia to know Ms. Fisher was using cocaine and drinking to excess in her 20’s?  Actually, no.  It makes me feel like the real actress and the character she was playing have a bond of sorts.  Both fighting for something in their own way—Ms. Fisher for sobriety and balance in her life, Princess Leia for freedom and peace; these aren’t so different, are they?  

I see heroes every day; on my Facebook the young widow struggling to raise her family and run a business, the friend with M.S. dealing with flare ups and job woes, the teachers rushing to their cars to lovingly support their own kids activities such as ballet and football, my friend who gave up a law career to become an environmental advocate, the people who volunteer at our school, the secretary who politely answers the same questions all day long from harried clients, a dear soul who battled depression to the brink and emerged victorious… you get the idea.  Heroes in any form, on the movie screen or in real life, inspire us and help make us who we are.  From them we get the tools we need to face life’s toughest battles.  So, as we cross into this new year, pause and tell the many heroes in your life, “may the Force be with you” or at least thanks for being an inspiration. 

New Life for Recycled Jars

I'm writing up some sample articles that I hope to get published through an online site.  Here's the first one-- trying to play off things I know.  Would love your feedback!

There are a few things I hate to throw into the recycling bin, namely useful glass jars.  I especially like the jars my family’s preferred spaghetti sauce comes in and I’m always washing them and removing the paper labels so that I can repurpose the jars in a variety of ways.  I typically start by washing the jars with soap and water, running them through the dishwasher and then rubbing 91% Isopropyl Alcohol over whatever bit of the label and glue is still stuck to the glass.  A little scrubbing and it’s sparkling!

Here are a few ways I use recycled glass jars.  When I need a quick gift for a teacher or a neighbor I often turn to my pantry for a glass jar.  I tie a little ribbon around the lip to cover the glass thread track and then pack the jar with flowers either cut from my garden or picked up at the grocery store (usually for less than $5). 

I’ve also found these glass jars wonderful additions to outdoor entertaining.  Adding wire to the lip and creating a loop, these jars become hanging lanterns.  You can add a ribbon to cover the glass thread and wires.  I use especially long loops to attach the lanterns to the supports under our large market umbrella, added tea light votive candles and voila! Instant twinkle lights that are simple and charming.  The same idea works well when attaching the jar lanterns to trees in the garden. 

Another use for recycled glass jars is to use them on picnics, which is why I try not to throw out the lids when I clean the jars.  If you think about it, this is actually a return to the original use of the jar.  I like to pack items such as pasta salad or garnishes into the jars.  It’s so much easier to add salsa or chutney topping on location rather than deal with a soggy sandwich.  The jars are surprisingly durable for transport, but usually I wrap a cloth napkin or towel around them and pack them tightly in our picnic tote just to be safe.  You can use the napkins or towels as part of the picnic too.  Cloth napkins are not only more elegant, but are more difficult to blow away in the wind.    

Glass jars are great to have around when it comes to craft projects.  When my little boy wants to pull out his paints, I pull out the jars which I then fill with water for washing his brushes between colors.  Why dirty up a drinking glass when I have jars that could go into the recycling when they get too messy to clean.    

I encourage you this week, as you use items in your kitchen or around the house, to see if you can think of another way to use everyday items before you put them on the curb for recycling.  

Do you have ideas on recycling glass jars and other household items?  Share them with me!  

Fall-Winter Mini Shoots

I've been so excited about all the inquiries about fall-winter mini-shoots and it's not even September!!  Wow-- thank you, thank you, thank you!

There are so many wonderful places to shoot in Central Arkansas during October-December.  Some of my favorites are featured in this video I created using "a few of my favorite" photos from the past year or so.  Hopefully you will be inspired to try one of our on-location shoots.  The $75 price includes 5 edited photos and a disk of all your images plus an online/password protected gallery.  You also get permission to print and use the photos making it ideal for holiday photo cards and digital scrapbooking.  Where else are you going to find a deal like that for just $75?!   

Below is the flyer I created about the Fall-Winter 2011 Mini-Shoots.  Take a look at a few of the dates and locations and let me know soon if you'd like to book.  Additional dates in November to be posted soon, but if you're interested in a November date, just give me a shout and we'll see what we can do.

Best Wishes,
Mandy

Mandy Stanage Shoptaw
501.766.1879
mandy@mandyshoptaw.com
www.mandyshoptaw.com

KATV: July 23, 2011

Three Entertaining Ideas for Summer
As Seen on KATV, Channel 7, Saturday Daybreak

You know I take photos, but I also plan weddings and events and I try to exercise a lot of the ideas I share with my brides and hostesses when I entertain at home.  Now, this has been a doozie of a summer and this means that much of my entertaining has been moved from outside on our deck back into our house.  I thought I would share with you three summer entertaining ideas that have been working for me that you might be able to use in your home.

First of all, have you ever been to someones home or an event where everything was laid out flat on the table.  I like to call this, "When Flat Attacks!"  While this is, of course, a utilitarian way to serve, especially buffet style, I like to vary the height of my food display to give it more interest.  Also, in our small house, it helps to bring items up, allowing two or three items to occupy the same space.  You can pre-purchase stackable serving trays that vary in height or you can make your own.  For a more formal event, you can take sturdy boxes or plastic containers and flip them over and cover with a tablecloth to make different heights on the table.  You can also pull out cups or vases and use them under platters or pieces of glass.  For a less formal look, you could use something like these benches.  My parents have been making these as a fundraiser for my uncle who has cancer.  The colors are bright and cheerful and you can use them to bring height to the table.  A child's bench could work just as well.  But if you'd like to purchase benches like these, please contact us at www.steveschainofhope.org.

Now when it's hot, I hate to sit down to a big heavy meal.  I'd rather nibble throughout the evening as I feel hungry.  You know, I went to a facility once where they taught portion control and it was interesting that the plates they served us on were about 1/4 smaller than what we typically use and the portions significantly smaller.  After a long, hard day working my co-worker was ready to dig into a big meal.  Our host said that he should eat what was on his plate first, drink a glass of water and wait 20 minutes.  If he was still hungry he could have a second helping.  So if you want to keep people grazing all night, add to this display smaller plates, like salad sized plates.

Instead of a full meal, I have long followed the idea of serving small appetizer portions.  Now, I didn't know there was a real name for this until about 11 years ago when I was in The Netherlands and a young man at our hotel suggested that we go to a tapas bar nearby; Tapas comes from the Spanish tradition of serving a wide variety of small appetizer portions.  Guest are able to fill a plate with different flavors and experiences and by the end, they have made a complete meal out of it.  I like these bite sizes because you can enjoy them throughout the night as you feel hungry.  Just be sure to listen to your body and know when to stop.

Interesting trivia here:  The word "tapas" comes from the Spanish word tapar which means to cover or a lid.  Legend has it that the tradition started with King Alfonso the Tenth of Castile.  Now King Alfonso was getting over an illness and he would have these small meals with his wine throughout the day.  After his recovery, he ordered taverns to serve a small snack or tapas with their wine.  As you can imagine, you start to mix salty meats with sweet wine and before you know it, you're thirsty for another glass and so alcohol sales were boosted and "tapas" became just as important to pubs as the drink.

There are a lot of great tapas recipes out there, but here are a couple of really easy things that I like to throw together when we are having a cocktail party.  Many tapas start with a base of bread or a Crostini, Italian for "little toasts."  I love that we're getting to really work our Romance languages today.  To make a crostini you just slice a baguette, brush with olive oil and perhaps a sprinkle of herbs and then toast them or grill them.  Now you top with cheese, meats and/or vegetables... heck, I've even topped with fruits (like goat cheese and strawberries with a splash of balsamic vinegar).

This simple tapas recipe is a crostini topped with Boursin cheese and thin slices of a grilled fillet.  Before you ask, let me tell you about Boursin.  It's kind of a specialty cheese that's sold in most grocery stores here in the United States.  It came to us from Normandy and was created by Francois Boursin in 1957.  According to the company's website, Boursin was inspired by the long-standing traditional dish, fromage frais or fresh cheese, where guests would kind of mix their own soft cheese by adding fresh herbs and seasonings.  Monsieur Boursin named the type of cheese he developed Gournay, for the small town in France where he grew up.

Speaking of things store bought, I purchased this chicken salad at Sam's, but I've seen similar at other stores, and I top a crostini with the chicken salad and voila! A yummy tapas.

Another quick and easy tapas is to take cucumbers, dab a bit of hummus on top and then add chopped tomatoes, basil and a little feta cheese.  You can also use pita instead of the cucumber as the base, but I think in the summer the cucumber is so fresh and refreshing, not to mention low in calories.  

I also take the idea of a BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomato) and turn it into a wrap.  Heart of romaine lettuce, a small squirt of spicy may and a fresh tomato and a crumble of bacon.  Sometimes you need to use a toothpick to make it wrap up, but it's mummm good.  For another taste of summer, how about bite size wedges of watermelon with a sprinkle of blue cheese on top?  This combination gives you sweet and savory all in one bite.

One last easy tapas, take Scoops tortilla chips, fill with cooked-seasoned taco meat, sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and bake in a warm oven until the cheese is melted, then serve.  If you're not into meat, simmer together canned black beans with taco seasoning, spoon mixture into the Scoops and top with Mexican white cheese, such as asadero, meaning "roaster" or "broiler" cheese; put into a warm oven until cheese is melted then serve.

So on to item number three for entertaining during the hot summer.  You want to keep people refreshed and hydrated, but you don't really want the refrigerator door opening 500 times, right?  How about stuffing a bucket like this with ice and adding your cold drinks (from beer to bottled water).  You can put it in the sink if you're worried about it sweating and at the end of the night it's really easy to clean up.  Another idea is to have pitchers of drinks sitting out so that people don't have to mix up drinks.  A really fun one is spiked lemonade.  You can have kiddy lemonade and then grown up lemonade.  Since we've been talking about the whole Spanish inspired tapas, how about a Spanish inspired cocktail, Sangria?

I could go on and on with ideas about entertaining during the summer... and maybe I will soon... right now, all this heat and talk about entertaining makes me long for fall.  I'm looking forward to gathering around the big table on the deck with friends and enjoying the breeze from the great big oak tree in our backyard while nibbling on some of my favorite tapas and beverage recipes.

Coupons for You

Below are some WONDERFUL coupons from area businesses participating in a coupon exchange.  We personally use Music Lessons in Your Home for piano and have been very happy with our teacher and Anthony's progress.  Of course who doesn't love Planet Smoothie-- yum! And Caroline's Children's Consignment is offering a free hair bow with a $25 purchase.  My coupon is for a free 5x7 photo when you book an appointment.  Take a look at the other great offers and be sure to let these vendors know where you heard about their specials.  Have a great week! -Mandy       

Mother's Day Gifts

Sunday, May 8th, is Mother's Day this year and it's only a few weeks away.  Mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and other special women in our lives will be celebrated.  If you're looking for a gift, here are three ideas:

First, support www.steveschainofhope.org by purchasing one of these hand-made benches for only $30. Here's a great idea-- roll paint onto the kids hands and put their prints on the top of the bench.  Easy and customized!  They come in pink, blue, lime-green, and buttery yellow.  The tops can be painted in gingham as in the photo to the right.  Contact info@steveschainofhope.org for more info.  Benches can be picked up at Clear Creek Farm on Highway 171 (between Hot Springs and Malvern, Arkansas) or arrangements for delivery can be made in the Little Rock metro area.  We'll need approximately 10 days to custom build/paint your bench so get your order in ASAP for Mother's Day.

Idea number two, a mandyshoptaw.com gift certificate.  For new moms or mommies to be, consider a maternity shoot so you'll always remember this special time and your "baby bump" or you may wish to document your little ones hands, fingers, toes, and nose with a baby-parts shoot.  Baby-part shoots are ideal around 1-month.

Mom can use the gift certificate for one of our late summer-early fall specials shot on location at Clear Creek Farm.  These shoots are perfect for Christmas or holiday cards.  Besides just printing great photos, we can also use your images to make custom stationary, coffee cups, t-shirts, and other gift items.  Think of it this way-- your Mother's Day gift card could help you with your holiday gift giving too!  Contact me at mandy@mandyshoptaw.com for more info.

Speaking of late summer/early fall, here's a sneak peek... we are planning five or so set ups on location at Clear Creek Farm including a girls tea party area, a canoe with antique oars and a barn and/or rustic building facade.  The farm is a wonderfully natural area and ideal for family, couple and children photography.  The shoots will take about 1 hour and clients will get to pick three of the set ups.  We are so looking forward to welcoming many guests out to the farm for what will prove to be a visually inspiring shoot fun for the whole family.

OK, now, the last gift idea: I've been making these initial canvases and they have been getting nice reviews.  They work well as a decorative door hanging or as wall art and for $20 you can have one.  They make great gifts for mothers as well as classroom, music or other teachers.  Let me know your background color and any preferences about the letter design.  Shipping is extra but they do ship well in post office padded envelopes.  48 hours is needed to complete the design.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read all of this and here's wishing everyone a happy and safe spring!

Best Wishes,

Mandy

www.mandyshoptaw.com 

mandy@mandyshoptaw.com 

Photo Book of Baby Girl

Click here to view this photo book larger

Will be doing some newborn photos soon and wanted to share this book I created last year for a special family.  This is a "baby parts" book.  Years ago my photographer friend Heather Williams created one of these for my baby boy and I have treasured it.  I'm so glad that I have been able to do these for others. 

Updated Spring Shoot Schedule

If you'd like to book, please contact me at mandy@mandyshoptaw.com or at 501.766.1879.  These are spring mini-shoots which last 30-45 minutes, are $75 and YOU GET A DISK of your images.  More details at mandyshoptaw.com.

GARVAN WOODLAND GARDENS

Saturday, March 26*

Garvan Woodland Gardens 

Hot Springs, AR

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30

Admission prices to the garden to be paid at the Visitor's Center Garvan Gardens: Visitor Info

*I have to book at least four sessions in order to keep this date

ARGENTA NEIGHBORHOOD

Saturday, April 2**

Argenta Neighborhood, Main Street

North Little Rock 

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30

Sunday, April 3**

Argenta Neighborhood, Main Street

North Little Rock 

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 BOOKED, 4:30 BOOKED  

**The tulips may be running EARLY this spring-- if so I will contact you for alternate dates

CLEAR CREEK FARM

Saturday, April 23 (Saturday before Easter, ideal for families) 

Clear Creek Farm, Highway 171

Between Hot Springs and Malvern

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things (this week anyway)

From time to time I like to share some of my favorite things.  This week I wanted to showcase four things that have made me smile recently.  


First, Mac cosmetics... my friend Shawn Berry is a Mac expert based in Little Rock's Park Plaza Mall and I finally went up one evening and let her show me some awesome stuff.  Well, I'm sold.  I don't even like to wear lipstick but I can't help it-- when I put on this Mac 'Lustre' that is a nearly nude shade it's heavenly.  I love that it really stays in place and after you smile it's not all over your teeth.  I also got some Mac Select Sheer Pressed powder and I love it too.  It's good to have a make up artist as a friend!  

Arkansas weather has been crazy.  Recently we had a warm spell and a lot of the girls pulled out their sandals.  I haven't had a pedicure in a while but I needed some quick color on my tootsies.  At the grocery I saw a "new" product by Sally Hansen called Color Quick Fast Dry Nail Color Pen.  It reminded me of those nail paint pens I used in the 1980's so I thought, what the heck, I'll give it a try.  It was really cool.  Think of a paint pen but with a polish bottle's bristles.  It went on easily and has stayed nice for about a week.  Ideal for quick fixes and the snap tight cap will travel well in purses or pool go-bags.  

My Facebook friend Hannah was talking about the old TV show Quantum Leap (NBC, March 26, 1989 to May 5, 1993, for five seasons) the other day and my hubby suggested that if I wanted to see some episodes that I just watch them online.  I did some research and found that I could get to them at:  TV.com Quantum Leap Show.  


Last but certainly not least, Lipton's Vanilla Caramel Truffle black tea.  This is a great low cal after dinner treat and perfect when the temps dip at night.  Yum!!     

Hope you'll try some of these favorite things and share some of your favorites with me!

Spring Shoots Announced

Announcing the Spring 2011 

Mini-Shoot Schedule 

Argenta Neighborhood, North Little Rock, Spring 2010

Each client gets 30-45 minutes of photography for just $75 (plus tax; does not include admission fees if applicable at shooting location). Client will get a disk of images, password protected online gallery where photos can be printed and shared PLUS the option to pick up to 5 photos for additional photoshop editing. Remember YOU GET A DISK OF YOUR IMAGES with the rights to reprint and upload to social media (as long as mandyshoptaw.com is given credit). Turn around time from shoot to finished product approximately 2 weeks.  More info at mandyshoptaw.com including inclement weather policy.

GARVAN WOODLAND GARDENS

Saturday, March 26

Garvan Woodland Gardens 

Hot Springs, AR

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30

Admission prices to the garden to be paid at the Visitor's Center Garvan Gardens: Visitor Info

Sunday, March 27

Garvan Woodland Gardens 

Hot Springs, AR

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30

Admission prices to the garden to be paid at the Visitor's Center Garvan Gardens: Visitor Info

ARGENTA NEIGHBORHOOD

Saturday, April 2

Argenta Neighborhood, Main Street

Argenta Neighborhood, Spring 2010

North Little Rock 

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30

Sunday, April 3

Argenta Neighborhood, Main Street

North Little Rock 

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30

CLEAR CREEK FARM

Sunday, April 17 (Palm Sunday, ideal for families)

Clear Creek Farm, Highway 171

Between Hot Springs and Malvern

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30

Saturday, April 23 (Saturday before Easter, ideal for families) 

Clear Creek Farm, Highway 171

Between Hot Springs and Malvern

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30

BOOK TODAY

Call or Email me:

Mandy Stanage Shoptaw

mandy@mandyshoptaw.com

501.766.1879

mandyshoptaw.com

My Valentine's Day Wish

This Valentine's Day I won't be thinking about chocolate hearts or roses, I will be thinking about my uncle, Steve Lane, Sr., a father, grandfather, businessman, and a regular guy who is now facing the fight of his life.  That's why I am asking you to send a special Valentine this year to Uncle Steve by  making a $1 (or greater) donation to Steve's Chain of Hope. 

I saw Uncle Steve last spring at a baby shower for my cousin, Whitney.  Part of my contribution to the party was taking photos for my family since so many of us were together.  Uncle Steve had come up from Texas to this event so that he could see his sisters and mother. His brother, Joe, was serving in Iraq at the time and everyone was very aware of how important the bonds of family are knowing that Joe was in danger on a daily basis. Joe came home safely a few months later but what no one knew during the baby shower, not even Uncle Steve, was that Steve was also fighting an enemy: Cancer. 

Steve Lane is no stranger to hard work and long hours so when he started to feel a little run down both Steve and his doctors initially thought it just a normal reaction to stress and his body fighting off different common ailments like a stomach bug or a cold. However, as Steve’s condition worsened his doctors became concerned and started running tests. His kidneys were failing and his body shutting down. As more and more tests were preformed over two weeks it was determined that Steve has Blood Plasma Cancer (Multiple Myeloma) that has metastasized to the bones (Bone Cancer) and Kidney Cancer (End Stage Renal Disease or ESRD Stage 5).

Uncle Steve is a businessman who owns a catering company in Longview, Texas, and works as much as his condition allows; still, at the end of 2010, Steve’s “past due” medical bills rose to more than $100,000. Steve says that although the prognosis is not good, survivability is much better with a Stem Cell and Kidney Transplant. Each transplant costs $250,000 or more.  

Until a transplant is possible, Steve is on a routine of dialysis and chemotherapy. He is being treated in both Longview and in Dallas at Baylor Medical Center and will soon be making a visit to Little Rock's UAMS. 

Part of Steve’s disease is called Light Chain Type K with 17th Chromosome Destruction which is why we are forming a “Chain of Hope.” Please send your prayers, your thoughts and good wishes as well as your financial contribution and become a link in Steve’s Chain of Hope.  Thank you!!  

Visit the website and learn more by clicking the below link:

Steve's Chain of Hope