Lynda Payne Photography Open House Event | Central Florida Portrait Photographer

So in case you hadn't heard, I had an open house event over at Urban Flats in downtown Winter Garden on March 10th.  I wanted to create an event that allowed me to spoil my clients and their friends with goodies, giveaways, delicious food, and just a night out.  It was so much fun, and it was so nice to spend some time just enjoying the great company of my clients and friends and the great food and atmosphere Urban Flats has to offer!  Here's a little recap of the evening.

We had a nice turnout, and I really enjoyed seeing so many of your smiling faces there.  Here's just a few of the people who came out to join us. 

 

I brought lots of studio samples so clients could get a close look at my products and actually handle things like greeting cards, mini accordion albums, and cube decor. 

A big shout out goes to my wonderful husband for taking on the project of creating a new backdrop for me that doubled as a way to display samples at the event!  He painted, distressed, and hinged the doors, and he mounted the gallery block, bamboo mount, acrylic print, print wrap, and frames for me.  He's pretty awesome!  Now we just have to patch a few holes from hanging the samples, and these will be ready to use at a session.  I can't wait!



My mom created this beautiful and tasty cake for the event and even used my logo colors as inspiration for the layers!

Goody bags included discounts and other goodies from The Flour Shop, Little Diva and Dude Designs, Birdie Baby Boutique, Alyssa Huang - Origami Owl Independent Designer, Rosie Hatfield - Stella & Dot Independent Stylist, Stephen Huang - Massage Therapist/Acupuncturist, and of course, Lynda Payne Photography! 

One of the items I knew I had to have in the goody bags was a gourmet sugar cookie made by The Flour Shop featuring my logo.  They turned out even cuter than I had imagined!  (And I had imagined they would be pretty darn cute.)  The Flour Shop really did an excellent job with them!

Avery got to try one the next day. He approved.

And we had prizes to give away too!  The prizes included a set of headbands from Birdie Baby Boutique, a pettiromper set from Little Diva and Dude Designs, a pair of Stella & Dot earrings from Rosie Hatfield, a cake pop bouquet from The Flour Shop, a wine basket from Urban Flats, and a photo session with me.

A few of the happy winners who were there when their names were drawn...

I want to thank everyone who came out to the event and all the other businesses who contributed items for the giveaways and discounts for the goody bags!  You all made this event such a great experience!  I loved doing this for my clients, and I'm looking forward to doing it again in the future.

Abracadabra Ice Cream Factory | Spots About Town | Orlando Area Business Feature

Happy Thursday everyone!  Welcome to my new feature here on the Lynda Payne Photography blog... Spots About Town.  I'll be blogging about all the great spots to shop, eat, have fun, be entertained, or just take some time for you.  I'll be featuring a business every other Thursday here on the blog so come back to learn about some of the great local businesses in and around Clermont, Orlando, and everywhere in between.

This week I'm featuring Abracadabra Ice Cream Factory located at 2393 South Highway 27 in Clermont in the Clermont Landing shopping area. This spot has some very tasty treats for you to try and a unique experience as well.   Read on to find out more!

Abracadabra is owned by John Gramley. After visiting a friend's house, John's daughter Sabrina begged him to take her out for ice cream at this place where they froze the ice cream right in front of you. John and his wife were curious, so they went to check it out. John thought the idea was so cool that he did some research and a year later, he opened Abracadabra in Clermont.

Abracadabra Ice Cream Factory uses liquid nitrogen to freeze your very own ice cream creation right in front of you in just seconds.  Temperatures reach 328 degrees below zero!  "Magic Clouds" flow across the countertop creating a magical experience for children of all ages.

 

In addition to ice cream, gourmet cupcakes are available on the weekends courtesy of Becky, John's wife who also creates custom cakes.

Within less than a year of opening their Clermont location, a second location was opened in downtown Kissimmee at 520 N. Main Street.  The Kissimmee location happens to be the former location of the ice cream shop where John's daughter brought them and inspired them to open their own.  Pizza is offered at the Kissimmee location as well.

Abracadabra can bring the magical ice cream experience to your next party.  They can set up an ice cream station and prepare the ice cream on site.

  You can host a party at Abracadabra as well.  They will put together a package for you that suits your needs.  Their Kissimmee location even offers a mini arcade, a playground with three swing sets, spinning see saw, and can accommodate several bounce houses on site!

Abracadabra gives back to the community by offering fundraising events for schools, churches, and all different types of organizations.  They will come to you, or you can hold a fundraising event at either of their locations.

And as you can see, my son likes the ice cream quite a bit. So do I!

You can keep up to date with Abracadabra Ice Cream Factory on their facebook page here and visit their website here.

Thank you to Abracadabra for participating in this feature!!  Keep an eye out for more great local businesses coming to the blog soon!

If you own a local business or know of one you'd like to see featured here on the Lynda Payne Photography blog, please email me here. 

Vendor Spotlight Feature | Little Diva and Dude Designs

Hi everyone!  It's Thursday again!  And this week that means it's time for my new vendor spotlight feature.  I'll be showing off some of my favorite vendors here on the blog every other Thursday.  You'll learn about some of the awesome businesses where I get my props and maybe even get to save a little if you shop with them too!  So with my Spots About Town feature on opposite Thursdays, that means every Thursday you'll find something new here on the blog.
Let's get started, shall we?

I'm starting this new feature off with one of my favorite prop shops who just so happens to be local to me!  How lucky am I that I live in the same town as Kristi of Little Diva and Dude Designs?!  Heck, I've even met her on a few occasions and had the pleasure of collaborating with her on a custom project for a modeling shoot I did.  So without further delay, here's the scoop on Little Diva and Dude Designs!


You can find them on facebook here and in their shop on Etsy here.

1) Tell me about Little Diva and Dude Designs.

Kristi:  Little Diva and Dude Designs actually started as Little Diva Designs after I had my oldest daughter, I always called her my "little diva" and so the name came from there.  I just started out making hair clips and bows for her and it all grew from there.  After I had my twins my mother and I decided to team up and really start the business and we decided we needed to add in the "dude" as I then had a son too (I had boy/girl twins) and to start offering boy items.  We have now evolved into offering a wide range of accessories for little ones (and some bigger ones). Everything from headbands and tutus to bowties and dresses.  A lot of what we make are also used by photographers as props for their shoots.  We are always experimenting and offering new items.

2) What made you decide to start the business?

Kristi:  I have always crafted with my mom even as a little girl I always loved a good glue gun and my mom is an amazing seamstress (starting in childhood she would make her own clothes).  We talked a lot about starting a business together we even thought about making a dog clothing line (my dog was my baby before my babies:)) but it didn't work out.  So when I started making bows mom started making dresses and onesies and we would get a lot of people asking about purchasing them.  So we knew that was what we were going to do.

3) Tell me a little about you.

Kristi:  I have a 6 year old daughter, and almost 4 year old boy/girl twins.  I also have an amazing husband who has been so wonderful and supportive of this journey we have been on with LDDD. My children are my heart and are the reason I do what I do.  I am fortunate to stay home with them, and so part of why I started this business was to help support our family so I could continue to do so.  I LOVE to craft (obviously) but also love creating new Pinterest projects for our home.  My second love to crafting is photography, in being in the photography prop business I have admired so many amazing photographers and have wanted to try it for years.  I even took a photography class back in school and last year my wonderful hubby got me a DSLR for Christmas and I just can't put it down!  Thankfully living here in the sunshine state I get to use it almost daily outside snapping shots of my kiddies!

The other half of LDDD is my wonderful mom, she is retiring soon and moving closer (she is about an hour away now) so we can't wait to be able to spend some quality time with her and will be able to work closer and create lots more LDDD goodies!!

Here's a little something from that modeling shoot I did.  Hat and tank top are by Little Diva and Dude Designs which they made to match the pettiskirt I found online.  I'd say they did an amazing job!

Kristi is generously offering a 20% off discount to my readers!  Use code 20OFF when checking out in their Etsy shop: www.littledivaanddude.etsy.com

Thanks Kristi! Can't wait to see what you come up with next!  I know it will be beautiful!

Plaster Cottage of Clermont | Spots About Town | Orlando Area Business Feature

Yes, I am posting Spots About Town a day late. Valentine's Day was a little crazy around here!  Happy Thursday Friday, and Happy Valentine's Day (a day late)!  Welcome to my new feature here on the Lynda Payne Photography blog... Spots About Town.  I'll be blogging about all the great spots to shop, eat, have fun, be entertained, or just take some time for you.  I'll be featuring a business every other Thursday here on the blog so come back to learn about some of the great local businesses in and around Clermont, Orlando, and everywhere in between.

This week I'm featuring Plaster Cottage of Clermont located at 1203 West Highway 50, Suite E in the Emerald Lakes Shopping Plaza.  This spot offers a great place to have some fun and get creative.   Read on to find out more!

Plaster Cottage is a "do-it-yourself" art studio.  You can paint plaster or ceramics, or create your own mosaic or unique piece of jewelry.

Plaster pieces are painted with acrylic paints and a spray sealer can be applied.  Glitter can be added too!  These pieces don't get fired, so you can take them home with you the same day, and the prices start at only $1 each!

 

Prices include all paint, finish, and firing, so there is never a studio or firing fee.  Here are just a few of the colors available to use on the plaster items.

Booster seats and a play area with toys and a TV are available, so feel free to bring your little ones!  My son absolutely LOVES this place!  When we get out of the car, he knows where we are, and he can't wait to get inside.  He's always very anxious to get started, and he likes to use a lot of color as you can see.  Oh, and that paint comes off of him easily with a wipe or a little soap and water!

 

These are some of the ceramic items that can be painted.  These are fired, and unless it's a busy time of year, pieces can typically be picked up in one week.

Just a few of the color options for the fired ceramic pieces.

Want to plan a girls' night out?  Just call or email ahead of time, and you can make arrangements for an evening event.  You can bring in food, and there are group discounts available.  Check out the FAQ page on the Plaster Cottage website for more details.

 
Plaster Cottage hosts birthday parties as well.  They are great!  I know because I've been to one.  Parties include reserved tables, a party table, you can bring in whatever you'd like for refreshments, and they even have a freezer to keep ice cream cold for you too!  The birthday boy or girl's name will be displayed on a paper banner in the window, they receive a gift certificate, and Plaster Cottage staff provides assistance with projects as needed.  More details can be found here on their website.

Friday nights are Kids Nights at Plaster Cottage and are very popular.  Bring your kids over at 6:00 pm for plaster painting, pizza, and fun!  Each child may choose two plaster pieces to paint.  Also included is pizza from Spiros next door and juice, water, or soda to drink.  Parents may sign in and drop off if children are "school age" or stay and hang out with the kids.  Pick up is 8:00 pm.  The cost is $12 per child.  If your child wishes to paint ceramics, create a mosaic or design a piece of jewelry, the cost is the price of the project plus $3 for pizza and a drink.

You can keep up to date with Plaster Cottage of Clermont on their facebook page here and visit their website here.

Thank you to Plaster Cottage for participating in this feature!!  Keep an eye out for more great local businesses coming to the blog soon!

If you own a local business or know of one you'd like to see featured here on the Lynda Payne Photography blog, please email me here.