If you're like me, you a) have let waaaay too much time pass by since your last family or child portrait session, and b) are looking for ways to save moolah. Here's a great way to kill two birds with one stone: Kidaround photographer Penny Sylvia's mini-sessions!

Various locations make for beautiful backdrops for either family, child, or baby portraits, and sessions fees are only $50 (session is approximately 1/2 hour long). Best of all, two 5×7s are included with your mini session!

Email Penny at penny@pennysylvia.com with the date you'd like and they will call to confirm date and schedule a convenient time slot.

Saturday, October 3rd - Davis Arboritum
Friday, October 9th - WPA Garden
Saturday, October 17 - WPA Garden
Friday, October 23 - Capitol Park
Saturday, Octber 24 & 25 - Beach Location (Marin area)

Remember the photoshoot for our Jan/Feb 09 issue we did with Roseville maternity boutique Bellybou and KCRA's Deirdre Fitzpatrick? Well...the fabulous Roseville maternity boutique just opened their webstore! It's at www.bellybou.com and it's got a great selection of designer maternity denim, and designer maternity brands you can't find in your chain maternity stores! It also has a fun selection of hip baby clothes and all the newest baby accessories! So check them out...they did a nice job with the site, and don't forget to check their blog for the latest and greatest.

The Esquire IMAX® Theatre is going digital for its launch of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: The IMAX® Experience on the worldwide IMAX opening day, Wed., July 29! Visit YouTube to hear all of the contest details. Show your best Harry Potter costumed pose at the Esquire IMAX Theatre and post it with the tag “HPEsquireIMAX”. Entries are accepted through 11:59 pm Monday, August 10, 2009. Winner will be the one that posts the most creative and entertaining photo. Winner wins a party for ten people to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: The IMAX Experience on Tuesday, August 11, 2009.

Tonight, May 24th join TwinSoup as they present A Fashion Night Stand, a one night affair of the fashion variety at MiX featuring fashions by Madam Butterfly & Velvet Leaf, styling by Suede Salon, the models of Cast Images and Swag by yours truly.

Swag Sneak Peek? Our favorite girly goodies from Brown Bag Botanicals, Just B Cosmetics, Vitamin Water10, Ell Designs, PeptoGirl Jewelry, The Pink House, Mejor Tequila, Cookie Connection, Madam Butterfly, Serendipity Boutique, Mason's, Ma Jong's, Kidaround Magazine, Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento Press.com & more! (Valued at $350+ each)

*To get your hands on our swag, be one of the first 50 ladies at the door to mention TwinSoup.

A Fashion Night Stand will be this Sunday, May 24th at MiX. Doors open at 6pm for pre-party, runway at 9:30pm, post show party hosted by 100.5 The Zone w/music by DJ Billy Lane til late. 21+

Join Kidaround and Penny Sylvia Photography at Mercy's 2009 Road to Motherhood events this month! Join Mercy doctors, birthing specialists, nutritionists and Women's Center professionals as they share a wealth of information about the topics important to women considering motherhood. Guests will be treated to delectable appetizers, discussions about health and fitness before and during pregnancy, plus more about what to expect along the your exciting journey. Your $5 registration includes a chic maternity fashion show presented by A Pea in the Pod or Bellybou, as well as pampering massages and a chance to win a romantic getaway for two at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel.

Thursday, May 7—The Citizen Hotel, Sacramento
Thursday, May 14—Valley Hi Country Club, Elk Grove
Wednesday, May 20—Rocklin Sunset Center, Rocklin
Thursday, May 28—Lake Natoma Inn, Folsom

Select the best location for you and register online today at mercymoms.com.

Join 300 people at Sacramento's finest restaurants for a night to remember Monday, May 18th in midtown Sacramento. Sample local venues with menus crafted just for the evening. You'll select a restaurant for appetizers and one for dinner at one of these magnificent dining venues: Waterboy, Mulvaney’s B & L, Lounge on 20, Aioli Bodega Espanola, Zocalo, L Wine Lounge & Restaurant. They are all within easy walking distance so you only need to park once! Meet at 18th & L Streets for a no-host reception. Then, walk to your first restaurant for appetizers, then walk to your second restaurant for dinner, and back to 18th & L for a dessert extravaganza and dance to the sounds of My92.5.

Purchase tickets here! Proceeds support the Down Syndrome Information Alliance and their family programs, which support new and expectant parents and their babies with Down Syndrome.