Queen for a day...blogaversary giveaway!!

I am a little late in celebrating my actual blogaversary, but I am a big believer in "better late than never!"  Hard to believe this is already my 2nd year!

I have learned a lot about blogging and myself over the last 2 years.  When I started my blog, I did it with the intent of sharing my creations I would be designing for the opening of my Etsy.  That plan did not happen.  We found out that we would be moving unexpectedly. Then with the move to our new home we started lots of new projects with remodeling.  It has been a whirlwind to say the least!  I am just at a point that I finally feel I can focus on a few other things other than our home.  Still lots to do, but I know in time it will all come together.

In thinking about celebrating with you all for my blogaversary, I wanted to not only celebrate my success of being able to keep my blog a float with all the changes in my life, but I really want you all to know how this little blog would be nothing without you! Your visits, sweet comments and love really keep me going.  I know I have not been able to blog as often as I would like too, yet you all are still here and giving support.  Thank you!! It means more to me than I can put into words.  Blogging has brought me happiness with lots of new friendships, inspiration and connection with other like minded women.  That has been very fulfilling!

As I thought about how to celebrate my anniversary this year, I became lost in deep thoughts...you know daydreaming.  I really want to honor each and everyone of you.  Of course I wish I was rich enough to give you all something, but I can only give you each an opportunity to win a gift that I have put much thought and love into.

As women we give so much of ourselves to others.  Whether it be family, friends, work, charity's, schools, neighbors, churches...you know, just life! Many times we might feel overwhelmed and even at times unappreciated.  We love to give of ourselves to others, but a lot of the time we cut our own rope too short and leave very little to take care of ourselves...are you all still with me?!

So I started thinking and asking the question...what is it that we as women really want for ourselves? Many times the answer is "just a day for me".  A day to do whatever we want, when we want, to be treated in a way that makes us feel appreciated, refreshed and rejuvenated. Hmmm...how could I give this to you all?  A "a ha" moment came to me...wouldn't it be great if I could make you feel like a "Queen for a day?"  

so the thoughts started coming.  If I was "Queen for a day", I would...

*you can find some of these images on my Pinterest boards*

start my day with some yummy strawberry crepe`s and not worry about the calories...

proudly display my "Queen" badge so that my family doesn't forget that it's my day...

surrounded myself with beautiful and fragrant flowers...

If I was "Queen for a day"....

I would spend my day doing things I love, like...

going on a romantic picnic with my sweetheart...

or do a little shopping in my favorite boutiques...

I would take some time to pamper me, maybe even get a pedicure...

Hmmm....If I was "Queen for a day" I would... 

find a special place to retreat to and read a great book, like...

Romantic Prairie Style by the ever so talented, pretty and sweet Fifi O'Neil...

*Photo permission from Fifi herself*

I would also be enjoying some of these in my little getaway...

then to finish off my day,  I would have the luxury of soaking in this...

with lots of bubbles and a wonderful fragrance filling the air...

my own secret wonderland!

This is how I envision my "Queen for a day"...

A perfect ending to a perfect day!

So...I want to know.  How would you spend your day if you were "Queen for a day"? 

Here is my gift to you to help make your day even more special...

Your own Romantic Prairie Style book signed by Fifi O'Neil , Bath and Body Secret Wonderland bubble bath and lotion, A $50 Visa gift card to spend however you would like, A decadent box of Godiva chocolates to enjoy, a whimsy "Queen" badge handmade by me with vintage lace, ric rac and ribbon, and a crown to wear on your special day! 

I hope you all know how much I appreciate each and everyone of you that has brought joy to my blogging experience...Thank You Friends!! Here is to many more years together!!  

All you have to do to enter...

Leave a comment on how you would spend your day if you were "Queen for a day"! 

Here are a few more ways you can enter too...

1.  Let me know if you follow here along on my journey or if you are now.

2.  FB me on my business page...you like me, you really, really like me! 

3.  Put this on your sidebar or blog this!

4.  Share a Tweet!

5.  Post it on FB!

That gives you 6 ways to enter!! Let's celebrate big! I would love for you to share my blogaversary with your friends and family too!! This giveaway will end on Saturday April 30th, 2011.  I will announce the winner on Monday May 2nd, 2011!  The random generator will pick the lucky number!  Good luck to you friends!!

Hugs and love to you all!

My Favorite Things...Blog Anniversary

Amazing how fast a year can come and go.  When I started blogging a little over a year ago, I never realized how much it would change my life. 

The fall before 2009 I had decided to start designing and sewing handbags, aprons, pincushion's, and more. I wanted to do something from home that would allow me to be with my family, but also give me a little extra income for things I wanted to do in our home. I started doing some research on the computer for things I would need to do in order to start my business and came upon a site called Etsy.  


This was an amazing site to me...full of creative, talented women and their businesses...I felt an instant connection.  Women just like me that loved to sew, design, paint...women who still wanted to be home with their families, but also to fulfill their dreams of creating.  I started noticing on some of their Etsy sites a thing called...a blog.

I had heard very little about blogs and wasn't even sure how to start one. I knew it was something like a journal and had a couple of friends who had blogs about their families. I for one very rarely wanted to use the computer, in fact most of my friends and family knew I was not very good about checking  my e-mails...my thought " I just don't have time." 

Little did I know that my world was about to open. Blogging was going to add many new friends, inspiring ideas and new possibilities to my life. How grateful I have been for the happiness it has given me in being able to share my thoughts, ideas and design with all of you. Thank you!

With unexpected news of moving last year, I decided to wait on opening my Etsy until after we had moved and settled. I wanted to be able to focus and give my energy into doing what I love...creating! I am happy to say, that I am hoping to open my Etsy late Spring and have lots of  ideas I am excited to design.

I thought, what better way to celebrate my blog anniversary than to share my favorite things.  I wanted to give you a little more insight about who I am.  Here are just some of the things I love...

 

Pictures via~Google

A few of my favorite things... 

 1. Cellos...one of my favorite instruments. I used to play and miss it.  I want to play again.

2. Janet Hill...I love her beautiful paintings!  I have 3 of her prints I am excited to frame and display in the dining room. 

3. My favorite color...turquoise! I love splashes of it here and there in my home, just puts a smile on my face. 

4. Chandeliers, you can never have too many!

5. I love when my toes are painted red...it just makes me happy!

6. Cake design fascinates me.  I like to dabble in it, but would love to devote time to learning so much more.


7. The Beatles is my all time favorite band!  I grew up listening to all their songs on the record player and still love their music.

8.I have a love for flowers.  Peonies is just one of my favorites along with Dahlias, Hydrangeas and Gerber Daisy's!

9. I love to drink ice cold water!  I very rarely order anything else when we go out and it is what I always want at home. 

10. Tanya Whelan is an amazing fabric designer!  I have fallen in love with all her collections.  Beautiful!

11. My favorite food...this was a toss up between Chinese and New Mexican...being raised in NM, it won!

12. Blue Topaz is one of my favorite gems. It is gorgeous!

13. Carrie Raphael is my favorite Interior Designer. She is so inspiring and love her pops of color with soft pastels.

14. Cheesecake is my very favorite dessert...plain or topped with blueberry's!  Yum!

15. I have a dream of going to France.  Not necessarily to see Paris, but the countryside.  Someday... 

16. Ina Garten...great recipes!

I hoped you enjoyed learning a little more about who I am.  I put a lot of thought in what I wanted to giveaway for my Blog Anniversary. There are many parts that make up me.  What better way than to give you all a chance to win some of my favorite things! 


 Here is how it will work.  I have 5 different pkgs. to giveaway to 5 Whimsy readers/followers.  I want you to decide which one is your favorite and that is the one you will leave a comment about to enter.  I am going to give 2 other ways to make your chance of winning even better...  

1. If you follow my blog or are now following, leave a second comment.

2. Post on my giveaway gives you a 3rd entry.

It's that easy...o.k. maybe it won't be that easy trying to pick just one of the pkgs. for your favorite, but entering to win...that is!

So here goes, more of my favorite things that you all can win...

 Beauty

1. Of course one of my very favorite things is my beautiful daughter...but the giveaway is the scarf! I love scarfs...this one came from Macys.  

2. I get told all the time that I couldn't possibly have 5 kids and that I look  like I am 25...I am turning 37 this year!  I have been using Oil of Olay since I was in High School...proof that it works. ;)  

3. My very favorite scent...Love Spell by Victoria Secrets! I never tire of it and everywhere I go I get compliments on how "good" I smell. It is after all my secret...   

4. Winter time is the worst on my skin.  I am constantly having to keep my feet moisturized.  This foot scrubber is the best one I have ever used to keep your feet smooth!  The foot balm is extra protection.  Keep all your cuticles soft with almond oil...it is the best!  It also helps your polish dry faster and smells good too!

5. For beauty and health tips, Allure is a great magazine! 

6. Mentha Organics from Bath and Body. The greatest lip gloss e.v.e.r!  A friend gave me some as a gift years ago and I have never gone to anything else. Keeps my lips soft and kissable...a nice peppermint taste! 

Creative

 

1. Every creative person needs a glue gun...enough said!

2. Somerset Life...this is not only a beautiful book, it has so many great ideas to create!

3.I use my craft knife for all kinds of projects!

4.I always keep a little notebook in my purse...you never know when you will be inspired!

5.I treasure my fine tipped pens...Great for scrapbooking, photos to adding a fine detail in a drawing.

6.Love, love, love...did I say love?  These are the best scissors for fabric! They are spring loaded so your hand won't get tired from cutting. 

 Foodie

1. I don't drink coffee, but I do enjoy a hot cup of herbal tea every now and then. One of my favorites...True Blueberry!  It has a great blueberry taste...so good!

2. You can never have enough great kitchen tools.  The ones I go to all the time... my Kitchen Aid kitchen scissors and fruit/vegetable peeler. 

3.  This Sea Salt has a great taste and comes from France.  A tiny bit goes a long way!

4. I love a good chocolate!  For me the darker the better!  A little taste of Heaven with each bite of Godiva truffles.

5.  These are so cute and whimsical.  Recipes that read a smidgen, pinch or dash...you now have a measurement for!

6.  Taste of Home always has great recipes that my family loves!  This magazine has recipe cards ready to be cut and put in your recipe box.

Home

1. A cute cottage jar.  Love the tiny beading and simplicity!

2. I could look at this magazine over and over!  So many beautiful and inspiring rooms!

3. As I have posted before...the smell of your home is just as important as the feel.  I love Vanilla Buttercream tealights from Pier One...so good!

4.  A sweet birds nest and some pretty robin egg soaps are so cute together.  

5. Scalloped eyelet trim, embelish these cream 300 count pillowcases...add sophistication to your bedroom.

6. 20 Porcelain number orbs big and small will give your home some Whimsy!  Would be so cute in an apothecary jar.

DIY

1. Always great to have a level handy!  No more tilted pictures and with a magnetic torpedo level you can check just about any angle.

2. I use my needle nose pliers all the time. They are great for cutting wire too!

3. With all the spray painting I do, I love this nozzle holder...makes it so much easier!


4. Purdy has some of the best paint brushes I have ever used!  I love this angle brush.


5. This DIY book from the Handyman has so many great ideas and instructions on storage and projects.


6. I never leave home without a trusty tape measure in my purse...you never know when you might find that just right piece!


There are so many more favorite things.  I hope you have found your favorite and are ready to enter!  Don't forget:


Comment on the 1 that is your favorite by putting either Beauty, Creative, Foodie, Home or DIY...and you can enter your chance of winning it 2 more times by being a follower and posting about it!


I thank you all for reading my blog, leaving such great comments and staying with me through this move/remodel.  I look forward to another great and exciting year ahead with lots more to come!


Have a wonderful week and good luck!  This giveaway ends February, 26th 2010 Friday 12 am pacific standard time.  Make sure I have your e-mail or a way to contact you if you win!


Hugs everyone,