Blogtographie: Small Biz & Blogger Photography Course

Enroll for the Blogtographie course now NOW starting Sunday, May 3rd 2015!

Blogtographie is a special photography course for bloggers and small business owners! The instructors of the course are two very special Northern VA photographers: Beryl Ayn Young and Alicia Bruce. Alicia is a 30-something "quirky and cute" owner of Love Knot, which is a wedding photography business here in Leesburg, VA. Her photography begs me to get married all over again!! Beryl Ayn Young is an old soul with a flair for teaching others. Miss Beryl loves teaching so much that she also teaches mums during the evening hours on how to use their cameras. The teaching never ends and I am pretty sure she loves it! Both of these talented ladies(behind the camera lens) are going to teach you how to use your DSLR camera to its maximum potential. You know your fancy Nikon or Canon that you have in the closet collecting dust? My friends...it is time to learn how to use it!

Who is this course for? Anyone that has a profession that revolves around online selling. That's you overworked blogger and small business owner! The most important part of selling your products, a brand, or your blog is imagery! It is the difference between a mediocre piece of work or product and an extraordinary one. It is your job as a small business owner or blogger to sell yourself and your brand. No one else can sell yourself or your product better than you can! Learning how to use your DSLR camera correctly does more than give you a competitive edge. It allows you to stand out from the crowd.

Now is the time to learn how to use your DSLR camera! It is the beginning of a New Year and a beautiful new direction for your business and blog. Get more details and enroll now for Beryl and Alicia's Blogtographie course March 8th located in Fairfax, VA!!

The 28th Annual Chocolates Galore & More event

Purchase Tickets for The 28th Annual Chocolates Galore & More event.

“Chocolates Galore is a unique event that brings community members together to support programming for our children to learn and grow,” said Laura Fears, Executive Director, YMCA Loudoun County. “This is the largest annual fundraiser for the YMCA, garnering funds that are used to help children in need take part in life-changing programs such as mentoring, summer day camp, and after school programming.  Without the community’s support of the YMCA, we would not be able to support youth programming at the level we currently do.”  

The 28th Annual Chocolates galore & More event, hosted by Lansdowne Resort, is taking place this Friday, February 20th, 2015 from 7:00pm to 11:00pm. Be prepared for an evening of chocolate indulgence, all in support of the YMCA Loudoun County's Caring for Community Program to ensure no child or family is ever turned away regardless of inability to pay. Hundreds of chocolate enthusiasts will be in attendance as well as dessert presenters, restaurant presenters and Lisa Herndon(from WINC-FM) who will be the mistress of ceremonies. You could be there too!

Attendees will be greeted with Flowing champagne, decadent chocolates, exquisite desserts, and drool-worthy hor d’oeuvres. There will also be dancing with music and entertainment provided by "The Walker Fox Project" band. As an esteemed guest, you will be assisting to judge the areas finest restaurants and caterers for "Best Presentation" and "Best Taste" alongside Chef Cynthia Anderson(Chef/Owner of Intimate Sentiments) and Rebekah Pizana (whom is a food and travel journalist). Dance, sip, and nibble the night away while helping out your local Loudoun County YMCA and their vital programs for this community. You still have time to get your tickets for this Friday and be in attendance for The 28th Annual Chocolates Garlore & More event!

The cost is $50 to attend($35 tax deductible) and includes unlimited champagne, dancing, and even reduced rates for an overnight stay at the Lansdowne Resort! For more information on how to purchase tickets please visit YMCA and their Chocolates Galore & More event page.

Special Thanks to the title sponsor this year Transaction Network Services(TNS). TNS is located in Reston and is an industry leader in payments, financial, and telecommunications industries.

Cooperative Preschool of Loudoun{Open House + DIY}

VISIT Cooperative Preschool of Loudoun and Like'M on FACEBOOK

"There is no other preschool in Loudoun County that allows and encourages the parents to be a large contribution to their child's early education. We are truly growing our children together." {Heather Paulding, Second Year CPL Mum}

Both of my boys attend the Cooperative Preschool of Loudoun{CPL} established in 1969. It is the only "Cooperative" preschool in Loudoun County. They cater to Pre-K children ages 2 to 5 1/2 years old. CPL offers flexibility in the days of attendance per week and choices between AM or PM classes. I opted for PM classes, because I wanted my boys to have the luxury of sleeping in or waking at their leisure. CPL affords parents the opportunity to view how their child interact socially with other children and also how they learn in the classroom. It has been a remarkable experience and I feel like I have learned so much about both my children and myself.

 You might be asking, "What is a Cooperative preschool"? Ah, a fine question. A "cooperative" preschool means that we as parents are directly overseeing the teaching and overall operation of the school. CPL is run by a board of parents. Every parent is involved in one way or another. Whether it's helping in the classroom, attending board meetings, or organizing events - the parents are a helping hand. CPL classrooms are run from Mount Hope Baptist Church in Ashburn, VA off of Belmont Ridge Road. Religion is not part of the curriculum here at CPL. You can learn more about CPL's curriculum at our Open House in February!

I thought since we were here that I would feature some fun DIY winter projects for toddlers! A DIY Eco Notebook that is perfect for Valentine's Day and some good ole frozen creatures in ice. Hours or minutes of fun. Anyway, I hope to see you Saturday, February 7th for CPL's Open House and I hope you enjoy these DIY winter activities too!

Sijang Tacos #NomNom

*I was monetarily compensated. All words and thoughts are my own.
Sijang Crowdfunding<>Sijang Facebook<>Sijang Twitter

Sijang needs your help! Their Crowdfunding campaign is LIVE! They need support and funds to make their dreams a reality. Please share with your family and friends. Thank you for supporting local Northern Virginia businesses!

My mouth is watering at the anticipation of eating one of Sijang's culinary creations! Chris Fitzer(pictured above) is the Chef and mastermind behind Sijang located right here in Northern Virginia. Sijang is what I would consider Fusion Cuisine. Chris combines Mexican, Korean, and Vietnamese influences. This next point is particularly important to all you foodies: Chris states that it is very important to him to respect the cultural influences these creative dishes are coming from. As you can imagine, the end results are some mighty interesting and tasty dishes. Drooling yet? Stay with me.


The Sijang "Pho Dog".

Nom nom nom nom nom....Okay, I am back:) The Sijang "Pho Dog" is the dish I am coveting the most. I cannot wait to eat the Pho Dog! Get in my belly now. The pho dogs are served on a lightly 
toasted bun, the inside of the bun is brushed with hoisin sauce, topped with thai basil, bean sprouts, 
 and a ginger-sesame based slaw. 


 The Sijang " Korean-Mexican Taco".

The Korean-Mexican inspired taco from Sijang also looks incredible! Where are you? I want to eat you. Again, in my belly. They are served on two warm corn tortillas with beef marinated in soy, sesame, and honey(traditional Korean BBQ style) topped with a napa cabbage slaw. A soy, sesame, and ginger vinaigrette is served on top with cilantro and red onion. Limes are served on the side.

Chris and Sijang care deeply about the community of Northern Virginia and about "giving back". Chris recently had a food drive for the Woodbridge Homeless Outreach Association. He also plans on donating a portion of his profits from Sijang to local homeless shelters. So every time you eat a Sijang dish, you can feel good inside and out knowing your belly is full and that you are helping someone else have a full belly too! Now pat your head and belly simultaneously, while visiting Sijang's Crowdfunding page! Good Luck Sijang! We are cheering for you all the way.

Well & Good Shopping Gift Guide #WellGoodHoliday

*I was monetarily compensated for this post. All words are mine. Well & Good is located at 118 South Street SE, Leesburg, VA 20175 in Market Station. wellandgoodstudio.com

Well & Good is a piece of Eco beauty heaven right here in Loudoun County, Virginia! They offer top shelf Organic beauty products and holistic care consulting sessions with the owner Lauri Bosserman(whom is a Registered Nurse and holistic health coach). According to Lauri, “I have taken the time to carefully review the ingredients in each product to ensure they are clean, healthy, and effective. Understanding every ingredient is essential to your overall health and the performance of the product. If I refuse to put something in my body; I don’t want to put it on my skin either. Our skin is our largest organ, and what we put on it, is absorbed into our body".

Lauri founded the boutique following her sister's diagnosis with breast cancer. Her mission is to educate men and women on the importance of clean beauty products for their health internally and externally.Among the top brands at Well & Good are RMS beauty, May Lindstrom, Josh Rosebrook Skin and Haircare, Ilia Beauty, and Earth Tu Face.

Well and Good are also huge small business supporters and have located the best local area artisans to include: Skincando, Waxing Kara, Karmalades, Oh So Good Organics, Sydney Hale Co., and Eco Bathhouse. Lauri Bosserman wants to share with you her top holiday gift picks at the Well & Good studio! Without further adieu, I give you The Well & Good Holiday Shopping Guide!!!

The Jet Setter 
One Love Organics has the perfect Organic skincare gift for the avid traveler. Whether you are traveling for pleasure or work this gift set full of "love" will not let you down. Inside your will find:Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser, Brand New Day Microderma Scrub & Masque, Skin Savior Waterless Multi Balm, and My New Best Friend Skin Shammy. Stroll into your new destination with "face aglow" confidence!

Photo by +Second Ave Photography at Well & Good Studio in Leesburg, VA

 Photo by +Second Ave Photography at Well & Good Studio in Leesburg, VA
Stuff that Stocking
RMS beauty is the Organic make up standard. Well & Good Studio carries RMS beauty and those little pots fit perfectly into a stocking*wink wink*. The living luminizer, Beloved Lip2Cheek, and Sacred Lip Shine are Lauri's personal recommendations! Another thumbs up from Lauri, goes to Amber Blue Anti-aging serum. Amber Blue's little blue bottle chocked full of 16 skin nourishing Organic oils will fit nicely into any young ladies stocking;-) Looking for another quick and sweet treat for the stocking? How about a Waxing Kara Honey Lollipop? Delicious straight up or in a nice spot of tea!

 Photo by +Second Ave Photography at Well & Good Studio in Leesburg, VA

 Photo by +Second Ave Photography at Well & Good Studio in Leesburg, VA
Oh Ladies!
May Lindstrom is one of my all-time favorites and she made Lauri's list too! The Good Stuff body oil rejuvenates, hydrates, and leaves your skin glowing! I heard it smells fabulous too with a mixture of cocoa, rose, lavender, and ylang-ylang. Sign me up! Another great gift for the ladies is the natural soy candles from Sydney Hale Co. These local and natural soy candles will impress even the most difficult ladies to please and purchase for! Lauri(and I for that matter) highly recommend this next brand: Earth Tu Face.

Lauri recommends that you grab the Dead Sea Salt Scrub to exfoliate and moisturize those winter skin woes away! Another Earth Tu Face honorable mention is the Jasmine Body Lotion. This magnificent sounding body lotion contains three types of Jasmine flowers as well as Aloe Leaf Juice, Organic Olive Oil, and Vitamin E to protect and nourish your skin These gifts are great for the girlfriends who already have everything!

 Photo by +Second Ave Photography at Well & Good Studio in Leesburg, VA
Something for the Boys!
Inside this cabinet lies the skincare miracle of Skincando! They have skincare for THE entire family. The Combat-Ready Balm, however, is the balm that can do it all! It helps with eczema, chaffes, minor burns, scrapes, bug bites, severe dryness, jock itch, you name the ailment and it probably does something;-) My kids call it the "boo boo cream". Whenever they get a minor scratch they call for it by name! Ahhhh...Instant relief.

As you can see, Well & Good Studio has something Merry, Organic, Beautiful, and Ethically made for the entire family! So give your loved ones the gift of Organic Beauty & Wellness this holiday season. Have a very Happy Holiday season from our family to yours!

American Cancer Society Event #loudouncounty

The American Cancer Society invites you to help the Relay For Life right here in Loudoun County. Come out Wednesday, December 10th from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM to help in the fight against cancer. A portion of the night's proceeds at MacDowell Brew Kitchen will go directly in support of the American Cancer Society. We have all been affected by cancer either personally or indirectly with someone that we love. Come out to dinner and support the Relay for Life.

Also, feel free to partake in the delicious cookie exchange and get ready for some giveaways! The Virginia Bloggers Club, MacDowell Brew Kitchen, and the American Cancer Society look forward to seeing you and your family in December!

Top Blogger series on YouTube

In our new YouTube series Top Blogger, Carin Kilby Clark of Memoirs of a Clueless Woman and I are exploring every detail of what it take to become a Top Blogger. No longer do you have to wander "the Google" searching for the answers you seek. Follow along during our YouTube and *coming soon*Podcast series to see if you have what it takes to climb the mountain to influential stardom.

Why are we starting the Top Blogger series? To help young aspiring bloggers and to bring attention to the NEW Virginia Bloggers Club. Carin and I want to help connect local and national brands with the perfect dedicated blogger for their campaign. Also, we want to bring awareness to blogger equality. Some small businesses will attempt to pay bloggers with paperclips and sticks of bubble gum. That is not okay. Likewise, bloggers must insist on being compensated(as any trained professional should be) for their time and efforts.

The Virginia Bloggers Club is helping to connect businesses that know the value that bloggers bring to their businesses, products, and services. Bloggers have an established audience of online friends that trust their opinions and feedback. Most bloggers(even when paid) speak honestly without a filter when reviewing a product and/or service. They cherish the bond they have with their audience. The Virginia Bloggers Club is getting quality and motivated DMV bloggers the financial compensation they deserve and small businesses are getting high-end promotions as a result.

Stay Tuned as Top Blogger picks up speed for tips and tricks of the trade. Also, please leave us questions and feedback. We will be doing special Q&A sessions with your questions and feedback. Thank you for joining us and good luck on your blog endeavors! Cheers to the influencers of the world!