Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I know I haven't written many posts lately other then my sponsor spotlight posts. I have been so busy with the new job, Jewels for Hope, and most importantly- my Halloween costume.

Yes. My Halloween Costume.

I decided I am crazy. I am out of my mind nuts- and I am totally okay with that.

I love Halloween. I love dressing up, everyone having a good time, no one worrying about what they look like. I just love it.

Well, this year I couldn't afford a real costume--- even with the new job, I can't really pay my bills still since it's only part time... so spending any extra money isn't really an option. And as most of you know- Halloween costumes are EXPENSIVE.

$60 for an outfit I'll wear once? No thanks.

So I went the more creative route. I went to good will, bought a $5 jacket and got to work.

This took me roughly 15 hours to do. Yep... 15 HOURS. I'll go back to my original sentence of- I'm crazy.

Well, it was totally worth it. All the time spent, eyes gone blurry from bedazzling, glue stuck all over my hands and fingernails.... worth every minute.

I. AM. LADY. GAGA.




I individually glued each bead on. EACH. BEAD.

And yes, that is my real hair. Keystone Light cans courtesy of my mother.

Seeing as how this entire costume (maybe) cost me $10- I think it kicks major ass.

How was your Halloween Weekend? Do you have fun outfits!? I hope everyone had a safe and happy halloween!

And of course, I'll leave you off with some pictures of the party I went to.... Love seeing people in costume! <3











HAPPPPPY HALLLOWEEEEEEENNNN

Coupon Cabin's 25 Days of Giveaways! Sponsor Little Shop of ElleSee

I know I'm pretty luck to have all of these amazing sponsors for this giveaway! And since this is my last sponsor spotlight post- I want to give a big shout out to all my sponsors- THANK YOU!

Now, onto the sponsor. Little Shop of ElleSee.

Yes, you read that correctly. You may have seen Little Shop of ElleSee sponsor my last giveaway that only ended a mere days ago. I am so happy that she has decided to do another giveaway!

This shop offers Cute, Simple Drawings and Illustration Art Prints, Nursery Art and Home Decor. Vibrant Landscape and Nature Photography from Canada and the United States. Stationery, Greeting Cards and Artist Trading Cards!

Personally, I think LC's drawings are just the cutest things I have ever seen. As you probably know from previous sponsor posts... I love her "little monster" drawings!


Cute, funny, adorable... all words I use to describe her work. Every time I browse through her site it always puts a smile on my face.

For those of you who did not see my previous post(s) on this shop- I'll show you some great items LC sells....




A mouse holding balloons? C'mon, I know your smiling. I know I am!

Well, Since LC is amazing- she is giving another item away for this great blog giveaway event starting on November 1st. Stop back around and enter! You'll love the prize package!!!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Coupon Cabin's 25 Days of Giveaways! Sponsor Seasons of Wool

Brrrrr, I know it's snowing here in Connecticut right now- so my next sponsor's items would be perfect right about now!!

Seasons of Wool!

Seasons of Wool has great products like blankets, hats, coasters, and so much more! Lucy, the creator of these great items, is offering to sponsor this Coupon Cabin Giveaway that is starting SO SOON (November 1st!). I am so happy she is offering up something for you awesome readers.

I met Lucy also through The Artisan Group. She is so talented and I truly love her work. Here is some great shots of some of her pieces!




Um, I absolutely love the mittens that have L and R on them! I just think that is the best thing since sliced bread. (yes, I said it.)

And a little about Lucy? Sure!


I am one of those people who doesn't feel complete unless they are working on one project or another. It might be cooking or baking, gardening, knitting, felting, sewing, or teaching my daughters a new skill. My professional training is as an environmental educator, while my art is self taught. It is amazing how the two have blended so well together. I've always had a love of nature and the outdoor world, something which comes through in my work. Much of my inspiration comes while exploring outdoors and in the textures, shapes and colors I see around me.

I love the feel of natural fibers, and because much of my work is felted, wool is the focus. I love experimenting with new fibers and techniques. One of my favorite things is seeing how the yarn or fiber changes during the felting process. Rarely is it the same twice. The scientist in me relates to how the processes work. The artist relates to taking a raw material and creating something that is beautiful and unique. 


So please be sure to come back on November 1st to check out this giveaway. You won't be sorry!

New Etsy Shop! 20% OFF Discount Code!!!!!!

Hi All!

My mother and I opened up a new Etsy Shop! J4H; Jewels for Hope, A Shorter Name- Lower Prices!

In honor of this new store and Halloween- we want to offer you fab readers a 20% off discount!!! 
Valid until Tuesday!

Go to This Site and enter code: HALLOWEEN20

Want to see some great products from our new site? Sure!



Coupon Cabin's 25 Days of Giveaways! Sponsor Tina Dean Designs

More Sponsors! I know... it's crazy! But these sponsors for the Coupon Cabin Giveaway are so great I seriously get so excited to introduce you to them!

Tina Dean Designs is my next sponsor I will be telling you about.


Tina Dean Designs is owned and operated by mompreneur, Tina Dean Allen. Tina Dean Designs specializes in hand-crocheting and upcycling plastic bags into beautiful, useful accessories that are eco-friendly, easily cared for and fashionably fabulous.

TDD recently had product featured in The Artisan Group's exhibit at the GBK 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Gift Lounge. Catherine O’Hara, Nia Peeples and Kathryn Joosten posed for a professional photograph holding TDD's display piece. You may view these photos here: http://photobucket.com/TDD_GBKEmmyGiftLoungePhotos


Yep, you read that correctly. Tina Dean Designs were in the Emmy's Gift Lounge!! How freakin awesome is that? Yep. It's awesome. Click on the link above and see all her photos. They are great!!! 


I absolutely love Tina's items. Eco Chic in my opinion. She has a very wide range of items from handbags to bath accessories. Tina (along with most of my fabulous sponsors) is a member of The Artisan Group- which is how I got to know her. She is so sweet and always helps people whenever she can. I am so happy to introduce you to her work!


Now... for some pics of her great items- because I know you all want to see!


 




These fingerless gloves make me smile.  They are so cute! And I absolutely love that color. I could totally rock those out haha <3

I told you- I have amazing sponsors. So be sure to check back on November1st (so soon!) to enter the giveaway! It's going to be fabulous!!! <3

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Coupon Cabin's 25 Days of Giveaways! Sponsor Fanny & Claude

Yep, it's time for another sponsor for this amazing giveaway! You are going to love love love this sponsor!

Fanny & Claude's Fabulous Concoctions. 

First and foremost- I love this name. It is so fun and whimsical to me. There is a lovely explanation of how they came about this name- you must read it! I wouldn't do it justice to try and paraphrase it here lol. So please- GO READ IT!

Well, Fanny & Claude  has fabulous skincare items! This company is ran by Christine and Siobhan. Neither of them come from a skincare background --- they both wanted a career change and Fanny & Claude was created!

I think that is absolutely amazing! I love it when people follow their dreams!

Now- on to the products, because I know you are dying to hear about them.... They have bath salts, shea butter, and lip balm! Ohh, it all looks so good!





Here's a short little bio on them!


Decadent Pampering.......the natural way........

Our range is inspired by a vintage beauty regime, from a time when skincare products were made using good quality ingredients with natural scents and without the cocktail of chemical components that appear in most modern products.
We don't claim to maxi-lift or plump your skin or generally defy your age, but we do know that moisturising and taking good care of your skin is a really important part of looking after yourself and the more naturally you can do that, the better. Fanny & Claude make natural skincare products using really good quality ingredients and they are all made by us with love and care, for you.

Fanny & Claude have been involved in making hand-made skincare products for over eight years and we have built a small but successful range of products selling direct to people locally. A year ago we decided to sell to shops too so now Fanny & Claude's Fabulous Concoctions are beginning to be seen all over the country...email us to see if we have an outlet near you or have a look at our products in our online shop.


I am so excited they are one of my sponsors! You have to be sure to come back and enter the giveaway! I know you won't be sorry!!!! So be back here on November 1st! Woo Hoo!

Coupon Cabin's 25 Days of Giveaways! Sponsor TG Bears

I love giveaways! And this Coupon Cabin 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveaways is going to be amazing! I am so excited about my prize package I can't wait to introduce you to my sponsors.

My first sponsor is the fabulous TG Bears.

TG Bears has the most adorable teddy bears. Yes, I will completely admit I am a sucker for teddy bears. They are just so cute.




These bears make me smile. The top is called Noel, then Chloe, then Earth Bear. I love the names. I feel they give the bears so much character <3

Well.... Now that I have shown you a bit about the fabulous bears.... let's get down to the creator... Monica. Here's a bit about how she started!

My name is Monica and I have a long standing love for teddy bears and that is how TG Bears was born. It is a bear family that started with a Classic Teddy called Theodore, but has since grown to include a lot of others. But no matter who they are, they sport their family emblem on their left sole, leaving no doubt as to their heritage. The right sole can be personalized for yourself or that special person.


I make all the bears you see on this website myself from start to finish, there is no modular sewing operation. Each bear is made with love, fashioned with affection and hugged when completed. By nature of being handmade, each bear has a slightly different “something” about them, making no two exactly identical in features and expression.

Along with creating fabulous bears, Monica also donates. She has two bear lines that are for charity. She donates to Angels for Epilepsy and Henry's Hope. (you can find more info here!)




Well... Monica was so kind to be one of the amazing sponsors for this giveaway starting November 1st! So be sure to check back here and enter! You DEFINITELY will want to enter this giveaway!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Golden Globes Gift Lounge Prep

As some of you who have been reading my blog for some time now know, Jewels for Hope will be gifting 100 items in the Golden Globes Gift Lounge and 100 items in the Oscars Gift Lounge, both hosted by GBK Productions.

I haven't been blogging as much lately because we have been working so diligently on the items for the swag bags.

We wanted to make something classy and elegant. Nothing like our big chunky twisted wire pieces--- because we totally understand that those kind of items are not for everyone. But we figured, simple & classy can be worked into any outfit.


Here is 100 necklaces.

Yep. 100. We are so completely thrilled to be done with them! We poured our heart and soul into these pieces.

They are all different colors- representing each of the fabulous organizations we donate to.

A couple close up shots? Well... if you insist....




These necklaces are all Swarovski Crystals and Pearls. swooon.

Today I actually started packaging some the items. I am so happy they look so good! We had looked long and hard for the perfect boxes, perfect ribbons, and perfect stickers for the boxes. Everything has to be just right- I mean, these are going to the celebs here. Can't use damaged goods!

We actually were so excited that we found out about this company that has ribbon-- they were only like an hour away!!!!! It's called May Arts!

This ribbon is absolutely perfecccct. Using it today I was so pleased that we purchased from this company. The ribbon has such a great feel to it- really high quality. I'm used to rummaging through the dollar bin at Michaels for my ribbon- so this was a treat to use such pretty sturdy ribbon!



Look how fun this design is! They are the same colors as our cards that are in the boxes- we love that turquoise./mocha combo. It looks so sharp! And hello? Double sided ribbon! Can't beat that. May Arts had so many designs to choose from- but this one definitely won in the end. We love this funky-fresh design!

I know you all are dying to see how some of the boxes came out. Unfortunately, I'm going to make you wait. *evil laugh*.

Don't worry though- I will be writing tons of posts about my progress getting ready for the Golden Globes Gift Lounge! And who knows.... maybe after the gift lounge I'll be able to come back here with some great photos of some CELEBS wearing our products *fingers and toes crossed for us please*

Thursday, October 20, 2011

In Honor of The Tatas Giveaway Event! $162 Package!

The time has come! Are you ready for this amazing giveaway, In Honor of the Tatas!
Gifts

In honor of breast cancer month, in October Makobi Scribe and Boobies, Babies, and a Blog will be hosting the “In Honor of the TaTas” Giveaway Event.
I am so happy to be a part of this event. Here, you will be able to go from blog to blog and enter all these great Pink giveaways- all valuing over $50 each!

So, are you ready to see what I have for ya? Let's get right to it!

My package is worth $162!!!!



Pink Necklace $35.00


Pink & Green Scarf $20


Bib/Burp Cloth Set- $20


Gift Card- $40


Pink Sock Monkey- $25


Little Shop of ElleSee
Photograph: $12.00


ME!
Pink Picture Board $10.00


**US Only**
*** NO MANDATORY ENTRY!***
Enter as many or few options as you'd like <3







In Honor of The Tatas- Sponsor Spotlight- Old Chateau

Without even realizing it, my next sponsor is actually a local sponsor from right near me!! So I am thrilled to introduce you to, Old Chateau!

Jennifer, the creator of Old Chateau has an adorable line of baby gear such as bibs, burp cloths, and blankets (say that 3x fast?). Personally, I kinda wish I had a baby just to buy all the cute things for he/she. But since I definitely do not see that happening anytime soon (no matter how much the fiance pushes for it) I guess I can ooohhh and ahhhh over these adorable patterns and pieces and hope I have a baby shower to go to in the near future.

Old Chateau has very cute items! Here.. I'll show you and you'll totally understand what I'm saying....





What I have shown you are some burp cloths and some adorable blankets! Perfect for cuddling with the little one!

Now, I know you all are just dying to know a little bit about the woman behind the brand... so here you have it....

Hello! My name is Jen and I live in New England, where the changing seasons remind us that everything we encounter in life has an underlying symmetry and beauty –if we are open to it. In addition to nature, I am inspired by my three amazing young children. I consider creativity as one of life’s many gifts to me, and am so very fortunate to have had over a dozen of my projects published over the past few years in crafting, sewing and special edition baby magazines. 
 
My OLDCHATEAU line of baby items was birthed at the same time as my youngest son, while my husband was deployed in Afghanistan. I had taken a break from other craft projects and was thrilled when the idea for sewing bibs, burping cloths and baby blankets out of designer fabrics popped up.
I am happy to share that we are reunited as a family, and that my creative forces are in full swing. I hope you enjoy my little shop and find something that you love!


Jennifer is also a member of The Artisan Group- which is how I came about her fabulous work!

I am so grateful that Old Chateau will be donating an item for the In Honor of the Tatas Giveaway starting in just 1 day!!!!!!!!! I won't let you know what item she is donating though- because really, that wouldn't be any fun for me. So you're just going to have to come back and see (and enter!). Love Pink <3

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

In Honor of The Tatas- Sponsor Spotlight- Contemporary Jewelry

You may have recently seen me post about the lovely shop Contemporary Jewelry! Beatriz, the owner, was one of my sponsors for the Fall Fashionista Giveaway that just ended!

Well... We are going to be giving you another chance to win some Contemporary Jewelry since Beatriz is now going to be a sponsor in the In Honor of the Tatas giveaway event too!! Woo Hoo!

Did you miss my last post about Contemporary Jewelry? Well, don't worry- you'll find out more about it now!!

Contemporary Jewelry has exquisite pieces of work! Take a look!








Want to know a little about Beatriz?


I try to surround myself with tranquility and peace. Music, books and open space are very important to me and, I believe, are echoed in my work. I like to make pieces with simple outlines but that are striking and have a modern feel.

All my pieces are of my own design and execution. By shaping metal with hammer, saws and files, I create individual pieces, highlighted by carefully chosen stones.



Well- you will have another chance to win some fabulousness from Contemporary Jewelry! But- you'll have to come back on October 21st to see! Love Pink <3