$210 Handmade Package! Christmas in July Giveaway!

The Christmas in July Giveaway Event is here!!!! I am so excited! There are over 120 blogs participating in this amazing hop! So be sure to jump from one to the next to enter to win the amazing prizes!!! This giveaway will last from July 25th- July 31st! Woo Hoo!

My package is worth over $210 depending on what items you choose!
Now, let's get to the prizes...

A Custom Anklet from Jewels for Hope!

Retail Value $25.00

** Please note, this will not ship until the week after the giveaway ends**

A Custom Handmade Ruffle Scarf from Hooked on Yarn CT

Retail Value: $29.95
*** This will be shipped within the month after the giveaway... depending on color choice of winner***

A Red Flower Headband from Sew Stylish Boutique

Retail Value: $11.95

*** Please note, this will not ship until August 4th ***

A Diaper Cake (you choose boy or girl) from DanielleDurand

Retail Value: $35

A Yellow Flower Clutch from Black Gypsy Designs

Retail Value: $50.00

ANY ONE Item you choose from Pics Petals Scents!

Retail Value: Up to $25

A handmade jacket from CapurroCustoms23

Retail Value $35

*** Please note, the actual jacket may differ depending on size availability***

Want to win this all?

Below is the rafflecopter entry form for quick and easy entries! I made all of mine simple... "heart" each of their etsy shops and you're good to go!

Want more entries? Feel free to stop by the below links for all the "Extra Entries" that have been going on since Mid-July!

Extra Entries Sew Stylish Boutique

Extra Entries Jewels for Hope

Extra Entries DanielleDurand

Extra Entries Hooked on Yarn CT

Extra Entries Black Gypsy Designs
Extra Entries Pics Petals & Scents

***This Giveaway is only open to the U.S.***
This will be open until 11:59pm Est July 31st!

******** Please note, even though the rafflecopter form states no entries before 9am, this has changed!You can enter this giveaway as soon as it is posted!!! ********

Jewels for Hope PROMOTION CODE & FREE GIFT w/Purchase!

Hello All!

As most of you know, I will be on vacation for the next couple of weeks- which means we cannot ship any order until August 9th.

To say we are sorry, Jewels for Hope would love to give you all a 20% Coupon Code PLUS A FREE GIFT with purchase!

Yep! So that means if you purchase anything from now until August 9th you will get a great little surprise gift as well as 20% off your order! All you have to do is use code: JEWELSFORHOPE20 when on our website!

And even with this great promotion, we ALWAYS donate portions of our proceeds to one of the following organizations:

Hope for Caregivers

Hospice

The American Parkinson's Association

The Michael J Fox Parkinson's Research Foundation

Breast Cancer Research

The American Cancer Association

So with every you purchase you will be helping a cause!

 Donating never looked so good!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR SITE!

Check out some of our new items:

#ChristmasinJuly #Giveaway ends TONIGHT!

Get your last minute entries in today! The Christmas in July Giveaway ends TONIGHT, JULY 31ST AT 11:59PM (est)!!!

You could win a TON of great handmade items from amazing artists!!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

And when you're there- don't forget to hop along to the other great blogs! They ALLLLL have prize packages OVER $50! What are you waiting for?!!

Vacation, Here I Come!

Tomorrow morning at approx. 4am I will be heading down to Ocean City Maryland for my 2 week vacation! WOOO HOOO!!!

I am so excited I cannot breathe! I have so much to do today though- I hope I can get it all done!

My family is leaving bright and early tomorrow morning- I will be leaving my fiance behind since he is taking summer classes and will not be finished until the 3rd or 4th. He will be driving down once he is finished and then we take the extremely long road trip to Florida!!!

He is taking care of my lovely babies Ava & Leroy. I wrote out a verrrrry detailed list for him.. so fingers crossed he actually reads the list!

Anyway..... Since I am super excited to take a vacation, I would like to share some past pictures of our family vacations- and yes, I know I have done this before- but Oh well. I like reminising. If you actually took a look at my Snapfish account you would see 4 MILLION PICTURES. Yea, I have an issue with pictures... don't judge.

I love vacation time. All of us stuffed into a mini van for 7 hours. Half asleep. Fun. hahaha

No really though, I am so excited about this trip! Then after leaving Maryland I get to go to Florida for a week with my fiance, and best friends <3

Don't worry though! I wouldn't leave my amazing blogging community alone for TWO WHOLE WEEKS! Oh, No! I'll be posting throughout the two weeks and alsssooo-- I have a TON of amazingly fabulous guest bloggers here--- I have never had a guest poster on my blog- so that should be great to see! So be sure to stop by and make sure to show some love to the guest bloggers!!!


Now, I should start to pack................

Nice People Really Make Me Smile!

Everyone knows that a lot of people in the world are not really nice. Some people are rude, arrogant, or just plain mean. I feel like when I meet someone who is really nice, they should be recognized.

This brings me to my post....

I would love to show some love to Anita from Olimax Soaps. I don't know if you remember, but Anita sponsored a previous giveaway on my blog! I have stayed in touch with her and I recenetly thought of her for an opportunity I came across.

Well, Anita was so grateful that I thought of her, she sent me out a little gift!!! I thought that was the nicest thing! I wasn't expecting anyting in return! See? Some people are just truly good people. Anita is definitely one of them!

She sent me a great lip balm and a Sweet Pea Perfume Oil!

The funny part about this is that LITERALLY last night my mother and I were talking about how much I love the scent Sweet Pea! It was fate!

Along with having great items like shown above- Anita also makes amazing soaps! Perfect for any age! Check some out:

As I started this post off.... Nice people deserve to be recognized! So I'm doing my part to tell everyone about Anita and how nice she is! So feel free to stop by her facebook page and say hello!!

Very Low AD Rates on Jewels for Hope!

Hello all of my fabulous readers! I decided to do a little post to advertise my advertising spots! ha ha. I am offering extremely low rates and would love the opportunity to have you be a part of my blog!

Here is some info... (also found on my "advertise page")

Large Ad's

Large ads: $5.00 per month

Small Ad's

Small ads: $3.00 per month

Along with having ads on my sidebar- every month I will write about each of my sponsors and they will get the opportunity to host a giveaway on my blog or guest blog (if they want!).

As well as posting on my blog- I will post on both my Facebook page and Twitter account about my sponsors. See below for stats.

Blog Stats As of today (7/28/2011) :

I have 602 google friend connect followers

I have 82 Network Blog Followers

I have 1787 Facebook Friends

I have 1500 Twitter Followers

Twitter Reach (with Triberr): 145,000 people

If you are interested in this, please email me at stevielynn.dandrea@yahoo.com

Payments for ad spots are through PayPal only

#ChristmasinJuly Giveaway! Come Enter!

Don't forget to enter my fabulous Christmas in July pakage! You could win $210 worth of gorgeous handmade items from amazing artists! Stop on by and see what you could win!

Really easy rafflecopter entry form! This giveaway ends on July 31st so be sure to stop by and enter! You can't win if you don't enter!

CLICK HERE to enter!

I HAVE 600 FOLLOWERS!

I have to write a short post about this because I am SO EXCITED!!!! I can't believe I actually made it to 600! I feel like yesterday I was just starting out with this blog, and now I have a ton of AMAZING followers. Thank you all so much!

I feel so special that so many people actually stop on by my little section of the internet. I know most of the time I ramble on about nothing but- it makes me feel good some people still follow along through my crazyness!

To all of you followers out there, I hope you all have a fabulous, fantastic day!
Thank you for making my day!!! :)

Plum District- Awesome Deal Site!

I love a good deal. I can't help it. I probably have signed up for a million different deal websites to try and find what is the best way to spend my nonexsistant money.

I came across Plum District through blogging. I swear, I never would have thought that by becoming a blogger I would get thrown into the world of deals and discount shopping MORE then I already was!

On Plum District I actually got a Totsy gift code of $30. I bought a ton of stuff for one of my friends for her baby shower. And I pretty much paid $0 for it with promo codes! Plum District has such great offers- and the best part about it is that you get $5.00 when you sign up from someone else's link. So if you were to just type in Plum District in google and sign up- you get nothing. But if someone were to click on, say, MY LINK HERE you would get $5.00 credit. And so would I. I won't try and hide that haha.

But the same thing would go for you too! If you sign up through my link then buy your first deal I get the $5.00. Then you post your special link on fb/twitter/blog and when someone clicks on yours- YOU get $5.00.

As I have said, I have been a memeber of discount sites for as long as I could remember- I rarely ever get any credits for these sites- most of them don't even offer a great deal like that. Which is why I really like Plum District.

What is your opinion on it? Have you joined?

They have such an assortment of items on a discount- it's easy to just browse for awhile to see what looks good! From discount hotels to discount hair products or even discount codes for amazing sites like Totsy! Yea, this one is one of my faves. If you're on Plum District tell me how you like it! And if you're not-- well, sign up with my link! hahahahahaha c'mon, help the unemployed girl out! lol

I *heart* belly rings.

I absolutely love belly rings! I got mine pierced when I was 15- so almost 10 years ago (ah!). I didn't even really want it pierced back then, but I went with my younger sister for her to get hers done and for support to her I did mine too. I'm a big baby when it comes to needles and piercings, but it wasn't bad. Now, almost a decade later, I can't imagine my stomach without a belly ring in it!!

Recently, Jewels for Hope started making belly rings! I am so excited! I used to scour the malls whenever summer came around to try and find the perfect dangly belly ring. I stopped doing that a couple of years ago because I could never find anything I loved enough to spend $20-$25 on--- because I feel the dangly ones are always much more expensive then the standard ones. And me being the frugal woman that I am, couldn't justify spending $25 on a belly ring that people would only see when I wore a baithing suit.

So, over the past couple of weeks, my company decided to make belly rings!!!

And this morning, I worked my tail off to make little cards to place the belly rings on- to give it a little bit more of a professional look... tell me what you think!

We are making ours more "affordable" then others we see around here.

ours will range from $10-$15

We plan on selling these on our website- as well as all of the fairs we have coming up- because we actually have 3 fairs in August/September (yay!)!

How do you feel about belly rings? Do you have one and now can't live without it? Have you been on the hunt for he perfect one to fit your style? Or am I just crazy and am the only one who has ever searched for belly rings, haha.

Scent-a-Licious Candle WINNER!

Thank you everyone who entered to win the Handmade Scent-a-licious Candle! Woo Hoo!

Now, the winner?

Winner: #20! AMY BREWER!

I used RANDOM.ORG to pic the winner- unfortunately, it won't show up in my post- but it was used to choose the winner!!!!!!

Thank you to everyone who entered!!!

Christmas in July is Here! $210 Prize!

Christmas in July Giveaway is now here! Come and Enter my $210 prize package!!!!

Scent-a-licious Candle Giveaway ENDS TONIGHT!

Hi All! Don't forget to enter to win a Scent-a-licious Handmade Candle of your choice!!!!!!! Low Entries!!!!!!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

Winner! Wash Cloth Bouquet!

To Everyone who entered the Wash Cloth Bouquet giveaway- THANK YOU! I wish you all could win.... but we do have to choose only 1!

The winner?

**Sorr about this huge print screen lol I'm on a new computer and can't get it to save any other way!**

The winner is.... LYNDA, COMMENT 202!

Shared on Facebook (FB: Lynda Clark)
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=172528129484476&id=100001838920263

Thank you everyone! Have a great day and check back on JULY 25TH to win a Diaper Cake from DanielleDurand!

I Love Avon & Mark.

I was lucky enough to win a perfect summer Avon- Mark. package! It is everything a girl could need for the summer- or for any other time for that matter.

I won this package from Mark Makeup Gal (Francine). She is such a sweetheart and has been so nice to offer up this giveaway! Obviously, I was thrilled when I found out I actually won!

I have always been a huge Avon fan for as long as I could remember. When I actually had a job, way back when, one of my bosses sold Avon- I had trouble saying no to any item! I love browsing through the catalog and seeing what I want.

For this package that I won- it came with the best items! A beach bag, aviator sunglasses, "glow" moisturizer, a lip gloss, an eye shadow, "get a tint" moisutizing lotion and some great samples!

Of course, I don't have the sunglasses to take a picture of since my younger sister IMMEDIATELY swiped those- she says thank you Francine!

I have been DYING to try this glow lotion- so I will definitely let you know how it works out. Francine says it is one of her favorite items-- have any of you ever tried this lotion? Have any thoughts/opinions on it?

I am so excited to have all this nice stuff! If any of you decide you want to purchase anything from Mark please use this link! I would love to send some traffic Francine's way since she really has been so great during this transaction!

 Especially since  along with this package I received- I accidentally recieved SOMEONE ELSE'S package- The post office put the exact same label on another package that was meant for 2 grandaughters (from their grandparents). Francine called where she mailed this out from and are having them look into it so I can have this shipped back to the correct owners! Isn't that so nice of her? I was going to call the post office tomorrow and once I told her that she went and called the actual place she shipped it from! So if I can help Francine out by getting her some sales-- that would be great :)

I'll keep you all updated on the package issue as well as let you know how I like the glow product! Have a great day all! :)



Want to Guest Blog on Jewels for Hope?

Hello everyone! I am currently looking for Guest Bloggers here on Jewels for Hope! I am going on vacation from July 31st - August 14th and would love to have some guest bloggers here! I currently have 2-3. I have never had guest bloggers here before and I am super excited to try this out!

Please email me at stevielynn_dandrea(at) fitnyc (dot) edu  if you would like to guest post! Please put (guest blogger) in the subject line :) The post can be about anything you like!  :)

I look forward to hearing from you!

Global Resort Homes & a much needed Vacation!

I am super excited so I have to post about this now!
For Blogmania I won Life with 5 Monkies Package... which was a weeks stay in Global Resort Homes in Orlando Florida! Yes, I couldn't believe it either. I am so excited to go on vacation I am practically bursting at the seems!

I haven't been on vacation in 2 years. Normally, my family goes on vacation every year but my grandmother passed away in 2009 and then I was sick for most of 2010 so we didn't go on vacation. My family really needs a good vacation. When I won the Global Resort Home vacation in April (I think?) I was so excited and of course offered it up for my family. See, usually we go away to Ocean City, Maryland every year.

We have had our vacation to O.C. planned since last year- we are leaving on July31st and Staying until August 6th. My family declined the trip to florida since we can't really afford TWO vacations. Hell, we can't really afford ONE vacation, but as I said before.. we need this. Look how much fun we had years ago there:

So I will be accompanying my family to OC this year and then the fiance will be driving down on August 4th and on August 5th me and him will be driving to Florida! Our stay in the Global Resort Home will be from August 6th- August 12th. My bestie, Paul will be flying down and joining us. Then my other bestie, Loren, who lives in Florida, will be staying with us!

I am so excited that this is actually going to happen! I haven't seen Loren in 2 years!!

And within that  2 years, she had a baby boy, Bradyn. I FINALLY get to meet him!!!!! Um, look how cute he is!

After throwing up 20x a day for 8 months last year... this vacation is something I really am looking forward to. Granted, I don't really have the money since I am still unemployed, but the nice fiance plans on paying for most of my stuff- since I have $20 in my account for this vacation... yea... no joke.. Who knows, I may even get a job before I go on vaca? (I had an interview this morning over the phone, keep your fingers crossed for me!).

Are you going on vacation this summer? Are you excited as I am about mine??

Giveaways with Under 20 Entries!!

Early Entries for the Christmas in July Hop! Enter here! The total of my package is $190!! Get your early/extra entries in now for a chance to win a great bundle of handmade items! <3 All of the below have less than 20 entries each!

Extra Entries: Sew Stylish Boutique Headband

Extra Entries: Jewels for Hope Anklet

Extra Entries: DanielleDurand Diaper Cake

Extra Entries: Hooked on Yarn CT Scarf

Extra Entries: Pics Petals Scents Item

Extra Entries: BlackGypsyDesigns Clutch

Want to win more stuff? Enter to win this gorgeous Wash Cloth Bouquet Ending TOMORROW!

The Artisan Group; How to get your items to Celebs!

I previously wrote a post about Jewels for Hope actually giving items for the Swag Bags at the Gifting Lounge for the Oscars! But of course, I didn't go into full detail about HOW we got into that. And I know all you handmade artists out there would love more information about this... so here I am to explain!

All by chance (thank god!) I came across The Artisan Group (TAG). This group heps handmade artists get into celebrity swag bags at major events such as The Emmys, The Oscars, The Golden Gobes, and many more!

This group of handmade artists have exceptional talents! In order to get into TAG you have to be approved by the head of the group. You have to submit your work on their website and then within a couple of days they will let you know if you are "in".

Once you get accepted into the group you can sign up for their events. They have tons of different levels to get your work into the swag bags to finally get it in the hands of celebs! I know, that is our dream to get a celebrity to actually notice or work!

Now, just to be clear on this, you do have to pay to get your item into these events. The price can differ between $50-$400. Which is absolutely INCREDIBLE! We were actually approached by a different company a couple of weeks ago to set up a table at The Emmys...they wanted $10,000. We almost had a heart attack when they said that.

The difference in price from the Artisian Group to the insanely expensive offer we received is that TAG splits the cost in order to showcase a ton of artists. Which is why they offer a certain amount of slots at each price level- so you can contribute the right price that you want to contribute!

I highly recommend this group to any artist out there who wants to get their product in the hands of celebs. Jewels for Hope has not participated in any events yet, so we cannot confirm the results personally for you... but if you check out their website they show a ton of pictures of celebs holding handmade items from their display stand!

Along with helping you get your items in the coveted hands of celebs... this truly is a special group of people! Everyone is so welcoming and answer all of your questions! I know I have asked a ton of questions so far and everyone is happy to help. It is a great group to show off your items and ask for opinions. I have found some great items already through this group and love to keep searching through everyone's shops!

I will definitely report back here once we participate in our first event. We are so excited about it we can't wait! Wish us luck!!

Extra Entries Christmas in July: Pics Petals & Scents!

We all know I love a good candle and good soap! Well, Pics Petals & Scents has an amazing assortment of items!

Marcy let me review some of her handmade soaps and they are absolutely amazing! To read my review on these fine soaps, please click here!

Marcy is one of the amazing sponsors for the Christmas in July Giveaway! Woo Hoo!

Want some extra entries into the giveaway?

*** This giveaway is only open to the U.S.***

**** This Extra Entry will be open until July 31st! ****

***Please leave your email address in your comment if it is set to private ***

"Like" Pics Petals & Scents on Facebook and Leave your fb name (1 Entry)

You also get the chance to win one of her candles EARLY!

Click here to view her pre-event giveaway ending on July 24th!