Visit my Zazzle store and check out the new products featuring "The Frenzy"

View more personalized gifts from Zazzle.

The Frenzy Skateboard from Zazzle.com

The Frenzy Skateboard from Zazzle.com

THE FRENZY SKATEBOARD

You may also want these to go with your new board:

http://www.zazzle.com/pro_keds_frenzy_shoes-167574065911025047


Check out other products with The Frenzy design. http://www.zazzle.com/nyphotoshoot?rf=238205537459205790

Kids on the right track



http://www.asklistenlearn.com/



This week I had the privelege of working with the The Century Council and Congressman Michael Grimm of Staten Island at an assembly at The Totten Intermediate School regarding the Ask, Listen and Learn program.   The Ask, Listen, Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don't Mix program empowers kids to say "YES" to a healthy lifestyle and "NO" to underage drinking.



http://www.asklistenlearn.com/



Search Amazon.com for underage drinking books



Photographer Christina Martinez Introduces Her Sunset Series



Sunset Series - No. 2



May 10th, 2011 - Howard Beach, NY

Christina Martinez has released her Sunset Series for purchase on Fine Art America. There are currently five different sunsets in the series with more to come. Please visit http://nyphotoshoot.artistwebsites.com/index.html to purchase one or all five of the beautiful sunsets in the series.

Published photographer, artist, poet, mother, and daughter, Christina Martinez was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Her fascination with photography began at the age of 17 while studying at Fashion Industries High School. She began by being inspired by photographing the landscapes of New York City and the millions of chances to capture all the wonderful traits of this city and it's inhabitants. The result of her talent is amazing frozen moments in time. She has been published by the New York Times, the Jackson Sun and internationally by Cadetto, a Japanese medical industry magazine.

Purchase my Fine Art Prints

You can purchase my art prints at Fine Art America. 

Post on Mis Alas Naturally! blog feature photo

mis

Fusion Hair Replacement Before and After photo
Copyright © Christina Martinez 2011



Vegas, Vegas, Vegas show

Show pictures from March 12, 2011 from the Union City Performing Arts Center show.  Click the title to view the slideshow.

My day at the beach

Hi all. I wanted to share some casual moments at the beach. Check out the photos and share the link with friends.  Click the title to view the slideshow.

Wedding Etiquette Do's and Don'ts

What you are about to read are things to do and not to do at your wedding. Some of the information comes from professional etiquette guides and other information comes from what we've learned through the years. So if you want to pull this day off the PROPER way keep reading. If you don't fancy etiquette rules, FB has given you a few suggestions.

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INVITATION PROBLEMS

If you don't want children at your wedding, you have 2 options:

When addressing your invitations, leave the children's names off it and also don't mention them in the invitation.

Have friends and family pass the word around that you don't want children there.

How many people know or understand etiquette. In some cases you have to cut straight to the chase and say what you mean. We suggest adding one of these phrases to the bottom of your reply card:

Adult Reception

We hope that the (# of) of you will be able to join us

(# of) seats have been reserved in your names

Other invitation stuff:

If someone hasn't responded to your invitation, 1 week past the "Reply by" date, call him or her and confirm over the phone.

Children over the age of 16 get their own invitations.

Your officiant and their better half get an invitation

Send your parents and wedding party invitations, as a keepsake. They don't have to reply.

You have to put return postage on your RSVP's.

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WEDDING GIFTS

It is considered rude to put "cash only gifts", or other wording meaning the same thing on the invitation.

You're not supposed to put registry information on your wedding invitation. It's left up to friends and family to inform everyone. However, you can put gift information on an insert in your bridal shower invitations. FB Says: If you have a personal wedding website with info for bridal party and guests (and gift registry info), you can include an insert with the link to your website in your wedding invitation.

You're not required to open your gifts at the reception or in front of anyone.

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IF YOU CANCEL OR POSTPONE THE WEDDING

You're supposed to return the engagement ring (now that's hilarious!!!)

You have to send back all the gifts with a brief explanation why it was cancelled. (So don't use anything until you say, "I do".)

It's written that if a gift is engraved or personalized, you don't have to return it.

Don't speak poorly of your ex because somewhere down the line you might get back together. (Darsi added this one all by herself.)

You should inform out-of-town guests first so that they can change or cancel their travel and lodging arrangements.

If you're postponing your wedding, of course every guest has to be contacted. Etiquette pros say that you have to send another invitation with the new date.

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WHEN IT'S THE BRIDE'S SECOND MARRIAGE

If you've been married before or have children it's perfectly acceptable to wear white.

If you've been married before or have children you're not supposed to wear a veil or have a train attached to your dress or carry orange blossoms. (Must be a sign of purity or virginity thing).

The second time around, your parents are not obligated to pay for anything.

If you get along with your ex-husband and his family and it's fine with your fiancé, then it's acceptable to invite them to the wedding. (why you'd want to is another story)

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THE DREADED RECEPTION SEATING PLAN

Don't seat battling relatives together.

So that everyone has a good time, seat teens together, aunts and uncles together, etc. Try seating groups either by their relationship to you or by their ages.

As for the head table, the rule has changed so often that there isn't one anymore. You and your better half can sit at a raised table with your wedding party below you. You can have your own table with a table on either side of you with your wedding party. You and your husband in the middle of a long table with men on one side and women on the other, or boy, girl, boy, girl. Parents and grandparents at the table or not, it's up to you.

Stick to table numbers. Famous couples, places you've been, etc., are hard to see from across the room. We've heard many complaints by guests at weddings, when they have to search for their tables.

Reserved tables are all you need. Why put yourself through the extra work of having a reserved chair for each guest? It just gives people something else to complain about.

It's a good idea to have a "Reserved" card at the parents seats. They are the only ones that need preferred seating.

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IF YOU'RE WEARING GLOVES

Gloves give your wedding attire such an elegant look. You can take them off sometime before you put on your wedding ring and hand them to your maid of honour. She'll give them back to you at an appropriate time.  It's appropriate to wear your gloves in the receiving line and the first dance. When it comes time to eat and party, the gloves come off.

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JUST A FEW RULES FOR THE GUESTS

Don't assume that the couple knows you're coming to their wedding. You must send back your reply card before the "Reply by" date.

If you have declined an invitation, you are not expected to send a gift.

If you arrive at the church during the procession, you should wait until the bride has gone down the aisle before entering. Also, don't peek through the doors to watch because you'll be in her photos.

If you are late for the ceremony, you should walk down an outside aisle and find a seat quickly and quietly.

If you are of a different faith, you are not required to participate in the rituals, but if you want to that's fine.

You have to buy the couple a gift.

The gift should be something that they can both use.

If you have sent a wedding gift through the mail, then you don't have to bring another one to the reception.

It's wise to give a cash gift to couples that are getting married out-of-town because they will have to ship everything back home and that's an added cost to them.

Many couples that have lived together for awhile will not register for gifts. That's because they already have everything they need. In this case, cash in a wedding card is appropriate.

Guests pay for their own transportation and lodgings.

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OKAY, THE REALLY BIG QUESTION? WHO PAYS FOR WHAT?

Bride's Family

All Reception Costs

Church Fees

Groom's Rings

Invitations
Flowers for Church, Bridesmaids and Reception
Music for Ceremony
Transportation for Bridal Party
Gifts for Bridal Party
Groom's Gift
Lodging for Bridesmaids, if necessary


Bridal Party

Your Attire
The Shower
If you're from out-of-town, Transportation to the Town the wedding is in
Gift for the Couple
The advice above is traditional. We realize that things have changed in the past 50 years.


Groom's Family

Bride's Ring
Clergy Fees
Bride's Bouquet, Corsages and Boutonnieres
Rehearsal Dinner
Transportation for Groomsmen
Gifts for Groomsmen
Bride's Gift
Lodging for Groomsmen, if necessary


Groomsmen

Your Attire
The Stag
If you're from out-of-town, Transportation to the Town the wedding is in
Gift for the Couple

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STANDARD ANNIVERSARY GIFTS

1st Anniversary - Paper
2nd Anniversary - Cotton
3rd Anniversary - Leather
4th Anniversary - Linen
5th Anniversary - Wood
6th Anniversary - Iron
7th Anniversary - Copper or Brass
8th Anniversary - Bronze or Electrical Appliance
9th Anniversary - Pottery
10th Anniversary - Tin or Aluminium
11th Anniversary - Steel
12th Anniversary - Silk 13th Anniversary - Lace
14th Anniversary - Ivory
15th Anniversary - Crystal
20th Anniversary - China
25th Anniversary - Silver
30th Anniversary - Pearls
35th Anniversary - Coral or Jade
40th Anniversary - Rubies or Garnets
45th Anniversary - Sapphires
50th Anniversary - Gold
55th Anniversary - Emeralds
60th Anniversary - Diamonds

Color of Fashions has expanded! Bridal Makeup and now Accessories too!

Guess what! Color of Fashions has expanded even more.

Besides offering headpieces for brides, jewlery flowergirl baskets, etc., they are now offering fashionsable handbags, rings, necklaces holiday gifts for her/him ,even gifts for your bridal party.

The link is below to the store. It is on my home page on the left called ELENNI. It's a Greek name for Helen pronounced Eh leh knee. Olga will be your rep.  All you have to do is go to the store (3rd link below) and see what you like add it to the cart and it will be shipped directly to you.

http://coloroffashions.com/Accessories.htm

http://elenni.com/profiles/coloroffashions

http://elenni.com/store

Thank you and hope you will find what like you at Elenni.com


Olga V - Color Of Fashions

Your Beauty is our Business

website: www.coloroffashions.com

facebook: search for Olga Ballerina

Wedding Wire:

http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/color-of-fashions-woodside/7202b409d032f1b0.html [?]

email: Olgav@coloroffashions.com or olgavcoloroffashions@gmail.com

Tel: 347 581 1371

12 Month Wedding Checklist

After the engagement dust settles, you'll need to get down to the business of planning your wedding.

Wedding planning can be no small undertaking so we've put together a 12 Month Wedding Checklist to help you stay focused and organized. Listed below is the entire 12 month list - however, for a printable version, please visit http://www.thewedclub.com/weddingchecklist.html

12 Months Before

• Select a wedding date and time
• Start a budget and establish who will pay what expenses
• Determine style and size of the wedding you want (including the guest list)
• Reserve a location for both the ceremony and reception
• Book your photographer
• Book your wedding consultant
• Check with your wedding officiant for any pre-marital requirements
• Create a personal wedding website

9 Months Before

• Alert out-of-town guests of your wedding date and location
• Research accommodations and have a list available for out-of-town guests
• Finalize color scheme, style of wedding and attire
• Select wedding party
• Start shopping for your wedding gown and bridesmaid's dresses
• Check and secure any rental needs
• Book your ceremony music
• Book your reception entertainment (DJ or live band)Book your videographer
• Book your florist
• Book a bakery and cake
• Select travel agent specializing in honeymoons and book your honeymoon
• Start your honeymoon registry
Book your caterer

6 Months Before

• Order wedding gown
• Choose headpiece and bridal accessories
• Order bridesmaids dress (be sure to get correct measurements)
• Select men's formalwear
• Start your wedding gift registry
• Shop for wedding rings and bands
• Make transportation arrangements
• Book any additional décor
• Arrange for newspaper announcements

4-5 Months Before

• Select your invitation style and wording
• Finalize guest list
• Order all invitations and other stationary
• Book beverage caterer (espresso bar and/or traditional bar services)
• Shop for wedding favors
• 
• Select the reception menu
• Meet with hair and makeup stylist for wedding day look - do a trial run
• Check for marriage requirements and blood testing laws
• Select and coordinate mother's dresses and accessories
• Make appointment for first fittings for all bridal attire

2-3 Months Before

• Shop for gifts for your attendants
• Schedule 2nd fitting for bridal attire
• Reserve men's formalwear
• Confirm ceremony and reception locations
• Confirm details with all wedding professionals involved
• Finalize honeymoon plans; apply for passports and/or visas if required
• Book accommodations and flights for out town guests
• Select a calligraphy expert to address invitations
• Mail out invitations
• Purchase wedding day accessories: ring pillows, candles, glasses & cake knife
• Book rehearsal dinner location
• Plan wedding party celebrations
• Design and order your wedding program.
• Get your marriage license

1 Month Before

• Start compiling your wedding day schedule
• Prepare a list for table assignments and order of receiving line
• Schedule final fitting for wedding dress and attendants
• Schedule formal bridal portraits
• Begin writing thank you notes
• Finalize rehearsal dinner plans
• Purchase bridal party gifts

Day Before Wedding

• Prepare payment envelopes and choose a responsible person to distribute after the wedding
• Attend Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Relax and go to bed early

The BIG Day!

• Eat a good breakfast and drink plenty of fluids
• Review the day's schedule
• Have your suitcases and travel documents delivered to the hotel

After the Wedding

• Get your dress cleaned and preserved
• Write and mail thank you notes
• Complete your name change kit
• Meet with photographer and videographer to finalize decisions regarding albums and video

Happy Valentine's Day!

Images from the most Romantic Movies

Viva l'amor!

#1 Put a Thumbtack in it!

My service listing "Freelance Photographer" is ranked #1 among photographers in New York.



You can see for yourself here:

http://www.thumbtack.com/ny/new-york/photographer/

Freelance Photographerby NY Photoshoot Photography

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Photographers, New York

Looking for a great bridal shower gift?

Check out this great product.  Brides and Grooms alike will appreciate how organized they can be on their wedding day despite all the jitters that make you crazy. 

Divine DIY!

I came across a great company for all you brides that want to Do It Yourself and are on a tight budget but don't want it to look like you got all your wares from Walmart!

Check out http://www.divinedisposables.com/
Wedding Place Settings with Divine Disposables


 
 
Janyce Robins Granoff for providing harried brides and budget minded couples a simple, budget-friendly, yet very elegant and sophisticated look at the reception in "Wedding Place Settings with Divine Disposables." And...no one has to do the dishes!

Trend: The Candy Buffet

Every bride wants her wedding day to be perfect.  One way to set a very sweet tone for your wedding reception is by doing away with traditional wedding favors and opting for the increasingly popular candy

buffet.

We are all still children at heart, and nothing will bring that child out faster than seeing a beautifully decorated table overflowing with a bounty of candy. Sure, the wedding cake will always take center stage as the iconic sweet, but the candy buffet will satisfy your guests' need for sweets long after the cake has been cut. With the right amount of attention to detail, a candy buffet can be a hit for all ages and one wedding detail no guest is soon to forget.

Craft the perfect candy buffet.

There are endless possibilities for a gorgeous candy buffet. The hardest part might be finding your staring point. If your wedding already has a clear theme, it's relatively easy to find candy to match. It goes without saying that the best way to tie your candy buffet into your wedding theme is through color. An array of different candies can be found in every color you might need. Be creative, and make sure to get a variety of yummy sweets! Some people are more partial to fruity candy, while other are diehard chocoholics. Please them all and offer up a smorgasbord of everything sweet.
Shop around online to see what kinds of candy best suit your tastes and theme, just make sure that you get plenty! You'll probably want to purchase more than you think you need if you want to make a strong visual impact. While the candy is there to be consumed, do remember that it is also part of your wedding reception décor.

Create drama.
Simply placing a few jars of candy on a table is not going to make an impact. Make sure your candy buffet doesn't flop by adding tons of visual stimuli. Elegantly draped fabric, different sized jars, bowls, and dishes, and extra touches such as rose petals, mirrors, and candles can add much needed drama to the buffet table. Don't forget to provide your guests with scoops for the candy and a take away box. You can opt for simple cardboard boxes or cellophane bags if your budget is tight. Want something with a little more bang? Provide your guests with organza bags or monogrammed favor boxes. There are plenty of online companies that offer you a range of favor boxes and bags in any color you might need.
Here are some quick ideas based on common wedding themes to get you started.
Beach Theme
Drape tan or blue fabric on your table to create a seaside feel. Use real shells, sand dollars, and coral as added visuals for your buffet. You can even sprinkle sea glass or marbles around the tabletop to create interest and reflect light. Find dishes shaped like seashells to fill with candy and use alongside larger glass jars, vases, and/or bowls. If your wedding budget allows, offer specialty chocolate seashells and starfish. Looking for something more budget friendly? Buy bulk candy in your wedding colors. M&Ms, flavored Tootsie Rolls, and gummy candies can all be found in a range of colors.

Winter Theme

Nothing is more gorgeous than an all-white winter wedding. Take advantage of the beauty of a monochromatic color scheme and dazzle your guests with an all white candy buffet. Provide visual interest with different textured fabrics on your tabletop. Use a lace or organza overlay on your linen to add an air of delicacy. Light some tea candles around the buffet to bring warmth and reflect light. You can use strands of white Christmas lights to spruce up your buffet. Place some in the bottom of large vases and bowls or string them around your buffet. Fill your glassware with all white candies. White chocolates and white chocolate covered pretzels are sure to please. Rock candy in white and crystal clear will make a beautiful visual statement.

Asian Inspired

Use natural material such as a linen or silk for your tabletop. Bamboo placemats will add a nice detail. Include a few potted lucky bamboo plants to enhance an Asian theme. Subtle lighting provided by tea candles is always pretty, or you can hang some oriental lanterns over the buffet table. A jar full of fortune cookies is a must for a Chinese or Asian fusion themed wedding. Play off a yin and yang theme with jars of black and white candies placed side by side. Hit up your local Asian food store for some authentic regional candies. Your guests will delight in a new flavor experience. Don't forget to set out plenty of Chinese take-out boxes in your wedding color.

Customize your buffet.

This is your day, so make it your candy buffet! Make sure to include your favorite childhood goodies. Did you love candy necklaces? Did your groom grow up loving chocolate covered raisins? Let your guests know. Feature your favorite candies front and center with a sign that tells about your love affair with the delicious sweets. It's sure to make your guests nostalgic about their childhood favorite as well. Enjoy creating your one-of-a-kind candy buffet. You can delight knowing it will be a crowd pleaser.

Not that into candy?

If you prefer, you can take a similar approach to the candy buffet and create a dessert buffet. Offer up a range of cookies, pies, cakes, brownies, etc. Provide your guests with a cake box that matches your wedding colors or theme in which to take home their favorite dessert...or two. The possibilities are endless! Just remember to have fun and be creative. Your guests will appreciate an interactive favor, and extra sweets will make for an extra sweet wedding reception!

Children and pets

Admittedly children and pets are the most challenging subjects to photograph but they are also the most fulfilling once captured. 
So here are some tips for you folks that want to take great pictures of your kids and pets this holiday season.
I would love to hear from you on how you made these tips work for you so don't be shy and leave me some comments.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!


KID TIPS
Be patient
Don't expect to get the perfect shot immediately. Sit back and wait for the right moment, then shoot quickly.


Shoot at eye level
Eye-to-eye contact is as engaging in a picture as in real life. So try sitting on the ground and snapping some photos from the child's perspective. Expressions will look more natural, your flash photos will be more evenly lit from nose to toe, and the background will probably look a lot better, too. This also works great for pets!


Take candid pictures
Ignore the impulse to force your subjects to always pose staring at the camera. Variety is important. Take candid pictures to show them working, playing, leaning against a banister chatting, or relaxing.


Include friends
Don't forget to include your kids' friends in some of your pictures. In years to come, these pictures will remind them of happy times and the bonds that were so strong. "Look! That was right after Carrie tried to cut her own hair!" "Whatever happened to Sara?" "I wonder what we were giggling about."


Get close
Fill the camera's viewfinder or LCD display with your subject to create pictures with greater impact. Step in close or use your camera's zoom to emphasize what is important and exclude the rest. Check the manual for your camera's closest focusing distance.


Lock the focus
A picture of several people can come out blurry because most auto-focus cameras focus on the area in the center of the viewfinder. When photographing two people, this can spell disaster—the tree in the background will be in perfect focus, and your subjects blurry. To remedy this, lock the focus on the subject. Usually you do this by centering the subject in the viewfinder and then pressing the shutter button halfway down. Continue holding the button halfway down while you move the camera until your subject is where you want it in the viewfinder. When you are satisfied, press the button all the way down to take the picture.


Let kids record their world
It's a whole new world when seen through a child's eyes. One-time-use cameras and digital cameras provide easy ways to let kids take pictures of each other and to capture what's important to them. You might just be surprised!


Place your subject off-center
Placing your subject to one side of the frame can make the composition more interesting and dynamic. But if your camera is an auto-focus model, the picture may turn out blurry because those cameras focus on whatever is in the center of the viewfinder. Check your camera manual for how to use the focus lock feature to prefocus on the subject. Usually it is done by pressing the shutter button halfway down and then recomposing the picture while still holding the button halfway down.


PET TIPS
Try pointing your camera at a cat or dog. Their inquisitive nature will drive them to come right up to the camera and sniff the lens. You move away and they'll follow. Sit them in a convenient spot and they'll bounce back. Frustrated? You will be!




Pet Tip 1 give the dog a bone
Give your pet something to take their mind of the camera. The only problem now is they will be chewing or playing around and are highly unlikely to look at you, let alone the camera.


Pet Tip 2 Squeaky toy
Use a squeaky toy to attract their attention. Place it behind the camera so they look in the right direction. The bone they're chewing will be more interesting, but at least they will look up long enough for you to fire the shutter. (act quickly and make sure you get the shot in the first or second take). They'll soon get wise or bored of your attention seeking activity.


Pet Tip 3 Wait until the right moment
Cats and dogs are easy to catch out when they are sleepy. Time for the squeaky toy again. Just as they're nodding off squeak the toy and you'll get a moment of alertness shot and relax.


Pet Tip 4 Get help
You could ask someone else to entertain the pet while you walk around taking the photos. Try to keep the person out of the frame and the shots will be more natural. Digital photographers could get the person to hold the animal in place and then erase them later, this is time consuming but good if you want great pet portraits.

Marketing and Designing for ads and web....new

So to add to my repertoire I have begun to design for an already existing photo client.  I am designing marketing ads, brochure and website for Mis Alas by Lisa Marie.  This natural beauty company is growing and is beginning to make people sit up and take notice.  Mis Alas is marketing their all natural hair care, facial care and cosmetic products on Facebook and elsewhere on the internet.  I personally use Lisa Marie's products and can tell you that no other products have done for my curly hair what her products Visit Mis Alas and find your inner natural beauty!

Christening

Well I had the pleasure of photographing Christopher's christening in NJ on Sunday, October 17, 2010.    Cute as a button.

He and his sister made for a great pair.

1st Birthday

I really enjoyed watching little Simi during her 1st Birthday party on September 19.  At first she was quite fussy and seemed to follow me with her eyes in strange disbelief that this person was following her every move.  Simi felt most comfortable with her mom and dad because of all the comofion of friends and family wishing her well on her very first birthday.   She then relaxed after a moment of triumph when she stood alone on top of the table.  From that moment on it seemed like she gave me the ok to continue to record her special day.  Happy Birthday Simi!