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Feb 13, 2010

Pink Lemonade Asymmetrical Necklace Winner

Yay - we have another winner. This winner will receive the pink lemonade asymmetrical necklace!

Here's the winning comment:

409cope said... 49

I follow you on twitter as 409cope. entry #2 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

The winner has been emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Congratulations 409cope!! I hope you love the necklace.

Feb 12, 2010

Review of EZ Combs (As Seen on TV)

So I NEVER buy anything that I see on infomercials, because I can't hold it in my hands and look it over before I pay for it. I had seen the EZ Combs commercials and really thought they were cute and looked easy to use, but still didn't buy them. When I saw them at a local store, I thought hmmmm. Well, I went ahead and bought them.

I have to admit - they're really cute! That's what attracted me to them in the first place. It seemed like a quick way to pin up your hair without using a pony tail or clippie and it looked elegant and pretty. They're also really easy to put into your hair by yourself. Also, they look really great at first - creating the different styles is easy and I really like the way the beads look in the hair.

The problem? Within 10 minutes, they come out of my hair. I even referred to the handy little step-by-step styling guide that came with the combs. They hold for a little while and then one side slips out and my hair goes tumbling down. Maybe my hair is too thick for them? But the guide does say:

"Best of all, EZ Combs work on any hair type...thin, thick, curly or straight."

Well, they don't work on my hair! I'm pretty disappointed because I really do think they're cute and a good idea, but I'm really unhappy with the way they hold. I DEFINITELY need something that is going to hold my hair for more than 15 minutes at a time. What a shame! Have any of you tried these? Were you happy with the performance? As for me...

I did notice as I looked up other reviews that they have a similar product called HairZing. Has anyone had any experiences with this product? If so, let me know how you liked it.

Barking Maddison Customized Leather Cuff Winner

Hurray! We have a winner for the fabulous custom leather cuff bracelet!
The winning comment:

Amber said... 25

I heart BarkingMadison's shop!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

I've emailed Amber and she'll have 48 hours to respond or I'll generate another winner! Congratulations Amber - I know you're going to LOVE this bracelet.

Also - we have several giveaways ending within the next few days, so hurry and enter. You never know when your number is going to be picked!!

Another Chance to Win a $25 Gift Certificate to Girlz Lyfe

The Girlz Lyfe Review and Contest I'm doing here is getting a lot of responses. It's a great shop!! If you want another chance to win, the girls from Girlz Lyfe are holding a contest on their blog too! You can enter it here. Be sure to follow their blog to take advantage of special giveaways in the future and read some entertaining posts!

Feb 10, 2010

Rosebud Lips Ethereal Beauty Rosebud Headband Giveaway (CLOSED)

Wow. I have found an absolutely fabulous shop called Rosebud Lips on Etsy. The seller, Lauren, is so nice - she didn't hesitate a bit when I told her I'd love to do a giveaway with her! She's a stay-at-home mommy of a precious baby girl and she is amazingly talented.

Every single one of Lauren's headbands and necklaces are so feminine and pretty, and many of the head clips can also double as brooches! Most of the headbands can be worn by adults or children - which would be fabulous for me since my little girl steals all of my hair things and jewelry anyway!

About the Designer:

Rosebud Lips. That's the nickname that my mom gave me when I was a little girl, and then my daughter (her grand-daughter). All three generations shared the Rosebud Lips. I have always been creative, and learned to sew at a young age. I was taught by my grandmother (Nana) and my mom (Tama). I have always loved fashion, and at a young age moved to New York City. I had the opportunity to intern for designer Cynthia Rowley, which was an amazing experience.


To tell you why I became a designer would have to be because of my sweet memories of being a little girl (about 4) and dancing around in my Nana's silk bed sheets (my cape), adorned with her costume jewelry. I felt like a princess. My Nana has collected jewelry from my family generations back, and I felt like each piece had a story. This inspired me to use antiques in my pieces. I love textures, antiques, fabric and jewelry.


Together, these form my concepts for my collection-- Making every woman feel beautiful
I started the company in 2009, shortly after my mom passed away from Cancer. She was my best friend, and my biggest supporter. She was an artist herself, and she told me to follow my dreams and be creative. This motivated me to leave the marketing/PR world that I worked in for over 5 years. She has changed the course of my life, and I'm so excited for what the future holds.



Set Hope Free is a project that I'm so passionate about. It's about redeeming women who have been held captive and have been sold into slavery. Human trafficking doesn't just happen in other countries, but in our cities. Every item that is sold through Rosebud Lips contributes to a care package that is being sent to help these women reclaim their dignity. To make them feel beautiful again. My heart desires to set hope free among these women and children. To bring awareness of trafficking, so that we may protect our loved ones, and rescue those that have been enslaved. To learn more, go to www.iamchange.org and see what we are doing. Thanks so much, Lauren

I am absolutely in love with the beautiful accessories at Rosebud Lips, and you MUST check out the bridal items available! Everything there is so pretty and sweet. What Lauren does for the above organization is both noble and inspirational as well! Lauren has offered to give one of you lucky readers your very own Ethereal Beauty Rosebud Headband. (below) I love. this. headband!!


  • How to Enter: Visit Rosebud Lips on Etsy and browse through the absolutely beautiful collection of headbands, clips and jewelry. Come back here and tell me what your favorite is!
Extra Entries:

  • Follow this blog publicly. (1 Extra Entry)
  • Subscribe to this blog via email. (2 Extra Entries)
  • Purchase something from the Rosebud Lips Shop on Etsy. (10 Extra Entries)
  • Put my button on your blog, and leave me the link. (3 Extra Entries)

This contest will end February 17, 2010 at 8PM Est and the winner will be chosen by Random.org. Please don't forget to leave a comment for each entry so every one of them counts. Also, leave me your email address in your comments if it's not available in your profile. Good luck everyone!

Feb 9, 2010

Steampunk Trunk Review and Giveaway (CLOSED)

Until recently, I had no idea what 'steampunk' jewelry even was! Now, I'm completely sold - I love how each piece is so unique and whimsical. I've had a wonderful opportunity to interview the fabulous and talented seller behind The Steampunk Trunk on Etsy - and test out a gorgeous necklace she sent me. She's also generously offered to give one of you lucky readers a special surprise, which you'll find out at the end of this post.

Interview:

Let's meet the mastermind behind the gorgeous jewelry available at this shop.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I'm a stay at home Mother of 3 wonderful young men whom I am very proud of. The oldest (22) is in School for plumbing, the middle (19) is in the US Army stationed in the states but with every phone call from him my heart sinks at the thought of him telling me has been deployed...Thankfully that hasn't happened yet. My youngest is 10, he is so much fun and loves to try to help me in the studio which is right smack dab in the middle of our home.



You have such beautiful and unique designs. What inspires you to create a piece?

I let my components inspire me, Ive never been on to sit down and pump out a bunch of pieces just because I have the parts. I will let pieces sit for months before they are complete and trust me there are many pieces get torn apart if they are not just right, esp the pocketbooks. The actually take months to complete from conception to listing.

How long have you been creating steampunk jewelry and accessories?

I have been making jewelry for about 15 years and really had no idea what steampunk was. I had made many, many pieces of what some would call steampunk but at the time I called it altered art. An Etsy customer of mine steered me straight, I thank her often:)



Do you have a favorite piece?

I sold a piece many months ago that I just adored, it was an antique pocket watch case which I filled with a pocket watch face, a small main spring, the gorgeous gold hands from the watch and filled it with Jewelers resin. It was called Pieces of Time...it pained me when it sold but I was proud too.

In your opinion, what's the coolest thing about the Steampunk Trunk items?

The coolest thing about "The Trunk" is that my pieces are so unique. I have some very cutting edge items that you will only find here...the pocketbooks and the Extreme Rotating Cufflinks are just a couple. I am working on some new designs that will hopefully be released over the next week or so...stay tuned. "You never know what you'll find in The Trunk."

The Review:

She is absolutely right - the pieces are so unique and gorgeous! I absolutely love them. I was sent a vintage typewriter key necklace that I think is so unique. It has the vintage look I love and has gotten so many comments on it's uniqueness and beauty.


Isn't this really cool? Mine had an asterisk and I think the fact that she sent the typewriter key necklace was perfect, since I'm a writer. It's a necklace that I'm really going to cherish for a long time! I have to tell you that the quality of the jewelry from The Steampunk Trunk is fabulous. You can certainly be sure that it will last for a long, long time.



The Giveaway:

One of you are going to get the same necklace I got - but with a special twist! She's going to customize it for you so you can add initials of your kids or your 'special someone!' It will come on a 22 inch 18k white gold chain, too!

  • How to Enter: Visit the Steampunk Trunk and browse through the awesome treasures there and come back here and let me know what you think is the coolest! Make sure you leave a comment for every entry and your email address if it's not public in your profile!
Extra Entries:

  • Follow this blog publicly or let me know if you already do. (1 Extra Entry)
  • Subscribe to this blog via email. (2 Extra Entries)
  • Enter any of the contests over at Champagne Wisdom, then come back here and let me know. (2 Extra Entries)
  • Leave a comment on any blog post here that is not a giveaway. (1 Extra Entry)
The contest will end February 16, 2010 at 8PM EST and the winner will be selected by Random.org. Good luck, everyone!

I was sent an item to review free of charge by the sponsor of this giveaway. I was not compensated monetarily for my opinions and they are 100% mine and honest!

Best and Worst Valentine's Gifts Ever + Valentine's Day Movie


To celebrate Valentine's Day - both the movie and the holiday, Ashton Kutcher and more of the all-start cast of the movie have created a little YouTube campaign. It's a fun way to help people stay away from the bad Valentine's gifts and go for the good ones. Basically, they're going to compile a list of the worst and best Valentine's gifts ever, but they want you to help.

You're supposed to upload a video with a brief explanation of your best or worst Valentine's Day gift story, and tag it #VDAYGIFT so it can be easily found. Videos can be uploaded until February 19th, and then they'll compile a list of the top 100 best and worst gifts of all time. Your video may even be featured on the Valentine's Day movie official channel.

If you think this is something fun you'd like to participate in, you can learn more by watching Ashton's video here: http://www.youtube.com/valentinesdaymovie

Photo Credit: http://www.valentinesdaymovie.com/

Feb 8, 2010

Girlz Lyfe Review and $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway (CLOSED)

Sprinkles, sparkles and jewelry - how can you possibly go wrong with that combination? You can't! Adding something colorful and eye-catching to my jewelry box is ALWAYS fun and Girlz Lyfe has a huge variety of jewelry that meets that criteria. The girlz there are as sweet as their jewelry, and sent me a Heart with Sprinkles necklace and a Love ring to review.

Guess what - those are *real* sprinkles inside that necklace - but don't worry, they're sealed up completely! Isn't it absolutely beautiful? I love how this necklace is eye-catching, fresh and so pretty - plus...it matches anything! My first thought was that this was the perfect Valentine's necklace because it symbolized love and sweet stuff!

This ring is super-duper cute, and it's adjustable, so one size fits all. It's silver-plated and so sparkly that it really does draw attention. I love how the surface is smooth and coated, but it still looks like you should be able to shake your hand and send sparkles all over the place! I love BOTH pieces and...so does my daughter! Ha!


The Girlz Lyfe store is absolutely FILLED with treasures like this. Check out the following treasures I found -


This beautiful necklace is so whimsical and unique - with soft colors and an antique look. There's more than jewelry at Girlz Lyfe, though...



This gorgeous v-neck shirt is SO me! Isn't it elegant and stylish? I just love the huge selection of great items at Girlz Lyfe and the prices are so darn good! Here comes the part you know and love...

The Giveaway

The Girlz have so generously offered to give one of you lucky readers a $25 gift certificate to their shop so you can select something perfect for you - or for a friend! Every item highlighted above is $25 or under and there are so many more that you can pick from! You're going to get addicted to this shop.

  • How to Enter: Visit the GirlzLyfe store and browse through their super-awesome treasures. Leave me a comment letting me know which item you'll get if you win the giveaway. NOTE: Remember to leave me a comment for EACH entry so it will count - and leave your email address if it's not public in your profile.
Extra Entries

  • Follow this blog publicly. (1 Extra Entry)
  • Tweet about this giveaway. Example: "Win a $25 Gift Certificate from @GirlzLyfecom and @2LilMuffins - http://tinyurl.com/ydzd3h8" (2 Extra Entries - Can be done daily.)
  • Purchase something from the Girlz Lyfe Shop. Come back here and let me know which item you purchased so I can confirm. (10 Extra Entries)
  • Enter any giveaway from Champagne Wisdom and let me know which one. (2 Extra Entries)
  • Sign up for my partner Yona Williams' RSS feed for her blog - she has great info, reviews, discounts! Left of page - scroll down a bit to find the button. (2 Extra Entries)
This contest will end February 15, 2010 at 8pm EST and the winner will be chosen by Random.org. Good luck!

I was sent items at no cost to me to review, but the opinions in this post are 100% mine and honest!