“MINE ON MONDAY” and a little GIVEAWAY for fun!

Okay… So I know you’ve seen them… different blog titles for different days of the week. Some I’ve seen are; “Wordless Wednesday”, “Fashion Friday”, “Toddler Tuesday”, “Five on Friday”…..just to name a few. Well in an attempt to keep up with one of my goals for the new year, I’ve come up with my own: “MINE ON MONDAY”

A little over 3 years ago I started blogging in an attempt to keep some sort of a journal of my kids and family. Shortly after, I purchased my first DSLR camera in hopes that I would be able to incorporate beautiful photos of my children into those blog posts. The camera became a quick addiction and obsession and soon my children were SICK of me and the big black box stuck to my face. So… I moved on to other people’s children. That little choice made my addiction slowly(quickly) turn into a little(big) side business. Now I’ll admit that I LOVE my job! I love being able to capture memories for others! And quite honestly, this little business has been a blessing to me and my family at many times. BUT… somehow in all this picture taking for others, my blog has turned into a business blog and my camera has turned into a business tool. These things won’t change, I like it this way, but I want more…. I want to get back to taking more photos of my own family and sharing them. They’re

beautiful. They’re funny. And I want to remember to capture my own memories along the way. SO…for the next year my goal will be to dedicate my Monday posts to my own children. This will give me the weekend prior to remember to pull out my camera and capture something… anything. It might just be silly snapshots that I share with you, but I want…I need to be okay with that.

Now to make it even more fun, I want some friends to join in the “MINE ON MONDAYS” theme with me. My mom used to say that I have to make a party out of everything, so Let’s GET THIS PARTY STARTED! To entice you all to join in the fun I’m going to have a little contest.

A little background on the prize…. Before purchasing my camera (and for a few months after) I owned a jewelry business called “BEAD WITH ME”. I have THOUSANDS of beads in little tackle boxes that I would pack into hostesses homes and we would have a “beading party” (see- my mom was right). Everyone got to design and create their own necklaces, bracelets, earrings… you name it! Well… as the camera obsession took over,

the beads slowly made their way to the back of the closet. AND… I’m not exaggerating when I say THOUSANDS. So as part of my effort to get the beads out and sold one way or another, I started by creating a bracelet to give away in this little contest. (What I’ll do next, I don’t know.) So the prize is a bracelet made by moi. All my beads are very high quality so this particular bracelet is made with freshwater pearls, swarovski crystal, and hand made bali silver! If you made this bracelet at one of my oh-so-fun “Bead With Me” Parties, it would cost you about $45.00. IF you

walked into the store and bought it, it would probably cost ya double. (How’s my enticing so far?)

Okay – So here is how you can enter:

1. Sometime before next Monday, blog about starting the “MINE ON MONDAY” theme with a link back to my blog. Leave me a comment with a link back to your blog post and get 1 entry.
2. Facebook about the “MINE ON MONDAY” contest with a link back to my blog. Leave me a comment that you did that and get 1 entry.
(If we’re not already facebook friends you can also include your full facebook name or link so I can add ya)
3. Become a FAN of my Facebook Page. CLICK HERE Leave me a comment that you did that and get 1 entry.
4. Next Monday, January 4th, Create a “MINE ON MONDAY” blog post on your own blog. Leave me a comment that you did that with a link back to your post and get 1 entry.
5. Book and Pay for a 2010 session with AMANDA ANDREWS PHOTOGRAPHY and get 6 additional entries!

WOW! That’s a total of 10 possible entries you can get towards winning the bracelet!

So Come on… Join in on my Party!!! The Winner will be randomly drawn and announced HERE next Tuesday January 5th, 2010!!!!

* Booked sessions are non-refundable, but dates may change with advanced notice
* Prize can not be exchanged or redeemed for cash
* Winner will be announced on January 5th. Winner must contact me at: aaphotography@rocketmail.com within 2 weeks or the prize will be forfeited

now for the point of the post… a few of “MINE”….