Word Decor-N-More - With Giveaway

Vinyl accents are all the rage right now...and it's no wonder. Finally an affordable decorating tool that is easily personalized to any living space. Have a favorite quote or design that would just finish off a room perfectly? Word Decor-n-More offers so many ideas to help you find that perfect accent for your home. Not exactly sure what you want? Check out their *Pre-Designed Quotes* (with a whole scad of categories)  and *Finishing Touches* sections for inspiration. Don't see something that's exactly what you want? Go ahead and *Design Your Own* for a truly personal touch. I have heard wonderful things about their *custom design* tool - so don't be afraid...Try it out and see what you come up with!  There is truly something for everyone.

Naturally I was THRILLED when I was given the opportunity to review an item of my choice from their site. Because I am generally pretty indecisive and there are a few rooms in our home that still need to be redone, I was a little unsure of what to pick. I scoured the site...read the quotes (I love quotes), considered the designs and finally decided on THIS one for my daughter's room. Having recently redone it, I knew it was the best room to choose. The circles were perfect and just a fun element to have on the otherwise bare walls. Of course it didn't hurt that the sample photo used almost the exact colours of her room. I put in my request for the Circles in Apple Green and Bubblegum Pink and awaited their arrival.

I think the sample photo was a little deceiving, as I expected the exact pattern to arrive ready to put on the wall. Which would have been fine of course, but was I ever pleased to see there were two sheets, each filled with multiple circles in each of the colours. It really left the creativity to me which was a little daunting but loads of fun at the same time. There is truly no *wrong* way to do it. The more and more I see her room, the more I love it. (She has a framed magnetic board that needs to be hung over her dresser, so only parts of the *lone* circles will be visible.) And while I am anxious to get shelves up in her room as well, now I don't feel the need as badly. The walls are no longer bare!  Putting them on was so easy, and because they are so removable, I was able to change my mind as I went. I love that! Now just to finish off the other rooms in our house so I can do some serious shopping :D

Don't forget to check out their Bargain Bin and Just Released sections as well. Looking through I came across THIS - I may have to redo my son's room. *grin* It's soooo cute!

Andrea at Word Decor-n-More has not only sent me this awesome set for review but she is offering one lucky winner their very own $50 gift certificate! I can't lie, I'm kind of bummed I don't get to enter. LOL

To enter, comment below and let me know which of their designs you would love to have in your home. You must do this in order for additional entries to count.

For ADDITIONAL entries:

 Please make each a separate comment 

*Subscribe to our newsletter (button on sidebar) - 1 entry
*Become a follower of this blog - 1 entry
*Follow us on twitter (button on sidebar) and tweet this giveaway - 1 entry

*Blog about this giveaway and send me the link - 1 entry

*Order from Word Decor-n-More and let me know! - 5 entries

    **Psst...it's a flat $6 shipping charge for the USA and Canada...and free for orders over $75**

*Host an E-Party that begins while this giveaway is running - 5 entries

**NEW**

*Tell a friend about this giveaway (THEY need to leave a comment with YOUR name) - 5 entries EACH

This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the US 
and will close Monday April 19, 2010.

What's on your list?

I've been taking more time in the last few months to sit down and relax a bit more...I've watched more movies, gotten more done around the house (with lots still left to do), played more games, tried to get to bed at a better time, and of course gotten more things organized work wise (www.cutelikeme.com) - which is sooo exciting). But I still have a long list of things to do....most of them I am going to tackle this week. It's time to really utilize my time the best I can. I'm pretty happy sleeping in every morning and luckily my kids are really accomodating to that, though my daughter rarely wakes up before me. LOL Today was though my last day for doing this. I lose about 2 1/2 hours every morning where I could be getting some other things done instead of *wasting away* with unnecessary sleep. Though I love it - it's not the habit I want to continue in our home....at least not EVERY day. Anyways, here's my list for the week:

1. Wake up early to exercise every morning, either at home or the gym
2. I have 2 review and giveaway posts to write, and a few other just review posts coming
3. I have inventory to update on my website
4. I need to update my journal (it's been a year....thank goodness I keep track of everything on the calendar so updating is really easy)
5. I need to update my personal blog documenting  my journal since Brent and I were dating - oh I'm only 7 years behind *gah*. I'd really like to get this up to date this year - it's definitely not a this week thing. LOL
6. Keep the kitchen and house clean of course
7. Laundry (always)
8. Finish organizing Craft room - it's almost there....and is looking so awesome!
9. I have gym classes pretty much every night to go to that I LOVE!
10. Outside play time with the kids because the weather has been great!
11. Mail out a couple of orders as well as the package for Kayla
12. and many other little things I'm sure (I am waiting on a bunch of review/giveaway items to post about as well)
13. Clean Front Room 
14. Complete 4 small sewing projects
15. Clean Brooklyn's room (she did it)

It's going to be a busy week, BUT I love making lists and getting things accomplished...and I love having lots on the go. 

What's on your list this week....I think lists are awesome and a great way to stay organized and prioritize! It can perhaps seem overwhelming to consider ALL that we want to accomplish, but there are some on the list that are always relatively *easy* to finish....so start with those so your time is more free to spend on the bigger items.

Let's have a great week everyone! A giveaway will be posted later today!

Gift Bags...

It always amazes me when I see the price of gift bags in stores...moreso when usually just a few blocks a way there's a dollar store where you could get 10+ for the same price. It blows me away....So naturally I was completely THRILLED when I happened upon this find at Zellers....13 - yes THIRTEEN gift bags for $2.84 or something like that. that's even better than the dollar store....and the bags - sooo cute!!! Definitely girlie, but definitely worth having a stock of. These are considered *medium* size - 8"x4.25"x10" - and are perfect for loads of things...

I am SO excited about them!!! I may have to go back and get more...I'll try and post a photo sometime tonight so you can see them!

Stay tuned...a review and giveaway for Word Decor-N-More is on its way :D

Life Changes...

One year ago today...life changed....at this very moment exactly one year ago my husband and I were sitting with our kids, his sister and her then boyfriend (Chris) in his house completely unsure of what to do in our state of shock.

Earlier that evening at my parents house for Sunday Supper, in the middle of my mom and I's weekly Scrabble game we got a phone call. Expecting it was my sister in law letting us know their uncle had finally passed away (had not been doing well for a long time and had recently had a nasty fall)...I think Brent assumed the same thing when he heard his sister on the other end. But his reaction said it all....the repetitive *WHAT?* as though he hadn't heard correctly - when really it was plain and simply that he didn't want it to be what he had heard. Never did it cross my mind that something had happened to his dad.

Two days after officially retiring and beginning what was going to be an awesome and relaxing summer filled with family and friends and loads of memories....at our Condo in the states (first trip there since buying into it)....just the second day there...riding his bike down the hill to meet everyone at the pool. My sister in law and mother in law were driving to the pool and came upon the fire truck only letting one car through at a time. Not only did she have the thought to stop *in case dad had been hit by a car* but she actually stopped and they checked (inspired). Seeing his shoes first, then his bike...it was clearly him. Not hit by a car, thank goodness....but a heart attack. Just 60 years old. A complete shock...complete....

And my husband's uncle, though that was not his time, did pass away later on in the year. And so 2009 brought two sisters into their new lives as widows. Thank goodness they have each other. But there were too many memories still left to make...no, nothing was left unsaid or undone out of *putting off* but sometimes circumstances don't allow for things.....just 3 weeks before Brent was to graduate (this put a real kink in that and set him back a year), 6 weeks before my sister in law gave birth to her 3rd (and final) child, and a few months before my brother in law's wedding. Not to mention the countless other times since then that his presence has been sorely missed.

Life goes on. It  has to. But we miss him...and often we see or do things...the kids say or do something...and we can' t help but wish he was right here seeing it too. Sometimes loved ones are really taken much too early...and while I've seen a lot of young people die in my life - for the first time I have begun to really and deeply understand the finality of no longer having their constant presence. And let's be honest. It sucks.

Life changes...we do what we can. We miss, we love...we cherish...and we give even more to those around us because we know. we understand....we've been rudely awakened (even if we didn't need to be) to the reality that we just never know. And we are better people because we had him in our lives. But wish we could have had him a little bit longer - no, A LOT.

As my cousin would say, le sigh. And we move forward...

I AM IN LOVE....

With THESE...

I love shoes....though I haven't always been able to add to my collection like I want to. It's always fun to find something different, unique....something that not everybody else has. And really, shoes can be the best way to dress up an outfit - add some pizazz and personality. I seriously JUST happened upon this Etsy shop about 10 minutes ago and had to come right on here and blog about it. I had to smile when I saw their initial statement in the description of the Obsession Shoes:

Shoes. Perfume. Purses. Dresses. We don't have obsessions with buying the things that we like. It's really a form of passion; not obsession.

Cocopunkz is a collaboration of two artists (based in Vancouver, Canada - yay Canada) who love shoes, art and style that stands out. Each pair of shoes is lovingly hand painted, and with the high standard they place on themselves shoes are not listed unless both are satisfied with the results. Never duplicating a style, you can be sure yours will be unique! See a style in their shop that isn't in your size - don't fret....they'll lovingly create a similar custom design that's perfect for you.

While the prices may be higher than you're used to, rest assured there is no compromising quality like you're used to. There's something to be said about a one of kind piece - perfect for work, special events, and especially some of those one of kind events. One customer even wrote saying Cocopunkz made her a custom pair for her wedding. How awesome is that! These have easily taken a place on my *to save up for* list - I love them....and with a 10th anniversary party just 2 1/2 years away it would be pretty awesome to celebrate in my very own custom pair of Cocopunkz shoes.

Winner - Peek A Boob Strips

 It pays to follow the contest rules ladies.....The winner of this awesome prize SHOULD have been LUCKY #9, BUT she did not comment stating which item she would use the product for.....It actually pains me to pass the prize on to someone else for something as trivial as this - BUT rules are rules. So unfortunately dear commenter #9, this prize will not be making it's way to you. :(

The re-drawn winner is Comment #8 - CONGRATULATIONS!!!

imalarsen@gmail.com said...

I have a dress that the top half is a button up and i have a peek-a-boob when I wear it, also every one of my button up shirts!

Winner has been notified and has 48 hours to respond.

Out of the Box Sampler - Review (AND SALE!!!)

I blogged about this company on my Cute Like Me Blog after my contribution had been you tube'd by a customer! How exciting is that - she loved the hair clip so much she video'd her daughter wearing it. Turns out, this particular clip happens to be the exact colours of her school uniform - excellent! 

I absolutely love this idea. In business since 2006, Out of the Box Sampler helps bring together buyers and sellers in the world of *handmade*.  So if you are tired of searching for the best candles, bath and body products, jewelry, gourmet goodies, and other handmade items, let them do the work for you. 

Each month boxes are filled to the brim with 15-17 different businesses' samples for you to enjoy. The boxes are overflowing with items like melts, scrubs, candles, gourmet foods, jewelry, coupons, and much much more. All from some of the best *e-tailers* on the web.

I was thrilled when Michelle offered a sample box for review - I love finding new companies. February's sponsor list was huge and my box was definitely full of fun items. I've only had the chance to try a few so far but I am definitely impressed. The first to be tested (and tasted) was the gourmet popcorn from Michele's Sweet Shoppe. A perfect individually sized bag of Choco Caramel Coconut popcorn awaited our tastebuds. I'm not generally a fan of chocolate so I passed the bag to a friend and my husband to try. HEAVEN...though my friend nearly polished off the whole bag herself, she did insist that I have one taste. It was seriously delicious and we immediately checked out the website to see the other flavors....there are some yummy sounding ones for sure.

I was also really excited to find a small bath bomb/fizzer from Bathgasm as my kids and a friend used up NINE large bath bombs about a month ago in ONE bath....oh yes they did (they really did smell pretty amazing after though lol). So one Sunday after church I immediately locked myself in the bathroom for a delicious bath sans kids. And it was perfect! I loved the sample size of the bath fizz - I usually take a hammer to the large ones and just a piece for each bath. And the smell was soooo nice. When the time comes that I take the plunge and buy more bath fizzes not only will I be hiding them better, but Bathgasm is certainly a store I'll be checking out.

I also tried the Spicy Taco Seasoning from Lip Smackin' Creations and both my friend and I were THRILLED. It was really delicious - it's always kind of fun to have a specialty product to use. Sometimes they have that extra little kick that makes everything taste just that much better. Check out her etsy store for everything from spices to pancake mix to dessert. If her taco seasoning is any indication, you are certain to be THRILLED!

I definitely have more to test out and will be writing reviews along the way - hopefully some will also include giveaways. But certainly check out Out of the Box Sampler for an assortment of great items. Some may be filled with a few similar items (bath products for example) but I actually love that...I can try products from a few companies and compare. In addition, I think this is a great purchase if you want to have some fun little gifts on hand. Or purchase one to send to a friend for their birthday - what an awesome gift AND you don't have to take care of the packing or the shipping! It's brilliant! And how adorable is the packaging - I'm not sure why exactly but I LOVE these boxes.....

Now you  may be wondering how much something like this will cost. In the USA not only is shipping FREE, but right now the box is just $22.50!!! And for Canadian orders, shipping is just $10 for a total of $32.50. I really don't think you can beat that. 

So take a minute to check out their March box...and of course, let me know if you get one! I'm going through the list of March sponsors right now and am seriously tempted to get one myself. LOL 

Have a great week everyone!