Monday, Monday

Just a warning that this is a really wordy post but scroll to the bottom of the post to find out how to win a $100 Visa gift card!

Hello dolls!  Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  I was missing from blogland + twitter as I was in Mexico all last week!  Weather was crappy at first but cleared up beautifully for the wedding we shot.  We had a wonderful time with the bride and groom and their families.  I adore destination weddings as you get to really know your clients and they truly become friends.

On a bad note, I came home to discover that someone had stolen a large sum of cash from our hotel room (that I had in my wallet in my purse).  I know, I know, I should have had it in the safe and I have always used the safe when we travel but for some reason I left my purse out thinking it would be okay.  NOPE!  I checked my cash the day before we left and everything was in tact and then I didn't notice anything until I got home because the travel day was so busy and I still had money in my wallet.  Meaning, the thief had gotten to me the night before we left and then left just enough for me to think that I still had money in my wallet but when I finally got home and dug through my purse, I discovered just how much was missing.  It had to have been someone on staff because my room was very far away and upstairs in the middle of a huge building so it had to have been someone with access to our room via key.  I'm so disappointed by the whole thing but I've learned my lesson not to leave anything out.  Don't trust anyone when you travel!

Anyway, I have a ton of things that I've been wanting to write posts about but just haven't so decided to compile them into this post...

I've had a bad case of people stealing from me lately, mainly picture stealing.  Lots of pictures being stolen from my blog and the person not giving credit for it and implying like they took it.  I had to shut down my facebook as I discovered someone on facebook stealing my pictures and posting it on their own facebook.  I know taking my facebook down won't help much but it's one less way for people to steal my pictures.  I already had someone steal my header, I really don't need people stealing my pictures and content too.  I'm keeping up our style.ish fan page as I've heard from clients and potential clients that they really like to keep up with us through facebook.  I just won't be using my personal page anymore.  I wasn't a big fan of facebook anyway I'm much more active on twitter so feel free to follow me on twitter if you want to know what I'm up to!  Also, I get a lot of followers but I don't know who is actually a reader or who's PR, etc... if you want me to follow you, just send me an @styleish, I always love to interact with my readers, I just don't know who you all are!

Another thing, I also don't like people taking pictures from my blog to promote their business.  After I posted about my eyelash extensions a few blog posts from other eyelash extension businesses have popped up using my picture (MY FACE!) talking about eyelash extensions.  They gave me credit but I'm just not comfortable with them using my picture as it's not fair for them to use it for their business when I did not use their services.  I've contacted them to tell them to take down my picture.  If you come across one of these, please let me know.  In my opinion it is never okay to use someone else's picture, especially without their permission to promote your business.  It's one thing if you sent me a dress and I'm wearing it in my lookbook but if I had nothing to do with your business, do not use my picture to promote it.

I want to be clear that I'm fine with anyone wanting to use my pictures for your blog or tumblr or similar stuff (but to promote your business is another thing).  Really, I'm flattered when people want to repost my pictures and I really do appreciate the readers who have used them and credit me and/or email me to let me know that they've used the pictures.  I don't ask for much, just a simple email to let me know where my pictures are being used.  Even if you don't email me, a simple I am Style-ish credit with the link back here is all I want.

In general I'm getting super super tired of all the picture stealing.  I know that it's something that I can stop by just not blogging anymore but it's unfair for me to make that decision when all I ask is that people give me credit or ask me for permission when using my pictures.  You will notice coming up that I am going to start using a copyright tag.  It is my best way to stop this blatant picture stealing.

Sorry for the downer post.  Lookbooks to come the rest of the week!

And just a note to my husband, throughout everything that we've been through lately, the terrible traveling adventures, my work trips, my everyday drama, thank you for being there and supporting me, thank you for taking care of me, keeping the house clean, making me coffee every morning and making me laugh every single day of my life.  I love you, I love you, I love you.

These pictures were shot by a client of ours (Hi Nancy!) during her senior portrait session.  She turned our cameras onto us!  It was such a fun session capturing her for her last year of high school and love that she got a mini photo lesson from us!  She did a great job capturing J and I how we really are.  Always laughing.  :)

Finally, I've got a fun giveaway for you!  Click on over to my reviews blog to read my review on Ritz Crackerfuls!  And make sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!