Win Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

on dvd or blue-ray at Kindred Spirit Mommy blog!

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Chocolates by Joanne review and GIVEAWAY!

I've been to plenty of weddings in my lifetime and my favorite thing is the wedding favor that is sitting by my plate. I always hated those hard candies. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about (and maybe you love them).

I am of the personal belief that you can never go wrong with chocolate, especially the artisan chocolate that you really can only get at specialty shops.

When Joanne from Chocolates by Joanne sent me some samples of her chocolate, I fell in LOVE.

I received a couple of chocolate-covered Oreos, a chocolate daisy lollipop and a chocolate sunflower lollipop.

I'll start with the chocolate-covered Oreos. So when Oreo announced double-stuffed cookies, I thought God had answered my prayers. Little did I know Oreos could be used for something better! The confetti all over the Oreos were fun... and the taste... oh the taste... yum yum yum!

The next day I tried the chocolate sunflower lollipop. (Are you all impressed with my ability to wait a day before trying another sample?) The smooth and creamy chocolate melted in my mouth. It was so delicious that I sucked on the lollipop stick for a long time before finally realizing I had eaten every little bit of chocolate.

All of the chocolates are made out of creamy and delicious Merckens chocolate. The majority of chocolate is molded. Some designs are done by hand. ALL of the designs are painted by free hand.

Joanne started making chocolates almost 20 years ago as gifts for family members. Her popularity grew and now she has an online store! In addition, several private shops and boutiques in the New York and New Jersey area sell her chocolates.

When you check out the website for Chocolates by Joanne, you will see that there is a chocolate favor for any occasion! There are over 5000 items from which to choose, so if you don't see what you want on the website, feel free to contact Joanne and ask!

I bet your mouth is watering. You are dying for a chocolate-covered, decorated Oreo huh?

How about 9 of them?

Joanne has kindly offered a giveaway prize of 9 Chocolate Covered Party Oreos in a Box to one (1) lucky winner!

If you can't wait to win, visit Chocolates by Joanne and use the coupon code bloggers for 10% off orders valued $60 or more!

Mandatory Entry:
visit Chocolates by Joanne and leave a comment with your favorite item! Don't forget to include your email address with ALL comments!


Extra Entries:  
Leave 1 comment if you are a google friend follower of Roxy Shops (new or existing).
Leave 1 comment if you friend Chocolates by Joanne on facebook  and leave the email address you use for facebook or your facebook user name.
Leave 1 comment for each giveaway on my blog that you enter.
Leave 5 comments if you make a purchase from Chocolates by Joanne.
Leave 5 comments if you blog about this giveaway. Make sure to include a link to your post in the comment!


*contest ends 4/30/2011 at 11:59pm EST


*Chocolate samples were given to me gratis by the sponsor with no monetary compensation. Thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.


*Winner will be contacted by email with further instructions and will have 48 hours to confirm win.


*Neither blogger (me) nor sponsor are responsible for lost or damaged prize.

Yoga Bag review and GIVEAWAY! (CLOSED)

I was introduced to Groupon less than a year ago, and as a foodie and fitness lover I've been taking advantage of many deals in the Boston area.

When a deal came up for yoga, I thought I'd give it a shot. A girl-friend of mine was already into the practice at the same studio so I started going with her.


It takes a little getting used to, but I now love it. It has been such an inspiration and stress reliever that I just had to share it with you guys.

So when Carolyn from Shop Earthangie on Etsy sent me a yoga bag to review, I thought the perfect way to introduce you guys to my interest in yoga would be with a GIVEAWAY!

This hand-made yoga bag tote is made with fabric. It has more than one layer to make it sturdy. There is a nice long handle to throw it over your shoulder and a pocket for small items such as car keys. The thing I love the most is that it can be thrown in with your next load of laundry!

Carolyn made this yoga bag when she thought about how easy it could be to make her own. She tried with success and then decided to make more and sell them for less so people could still buy something and have money left over for class!

Most of Carolyn's sewed "creations" do not come from a pattern, yoga bags included. She will start with the most simple layout,  master the pattern and then start to get fancy. Over time,  she found different ways to attach straps. In addition, some bags have buttons, some have drawstrings, some have velcro flaps and some are left open. Some have pockets on the outside and some don't. Anything can be requested of Carolyn, she lets people tell her what they want if they don't see what they need.

Carolyn has been crafty since childhood. She started with art, which can be found here, and crafts popped up here and there throughout her life. Her inspiration comes from an Affinpincher, named Emma, from "Little Paws 4 U", an organization based out of Rhode Island that transports mistreated and abandoned dogs up north to new homes.

Emma

Being a "southern belle" and not fond of rain or wind, going outside for Emma quickly became an obstacle as it was autumn when she was adopted getting COLD! Carolyn's mother had sewn together a one layer, two piece fleece for her chihuahua so Carolyn took the pattern and made one for Emma. Then Carolyn thought - why not make and sell dog coats?

That's where she started on etsy and entered the craft world of selling and going to shows, through dog coats. With her "distracted" brain, Carolyn has veered off and done tons of different things.

When Carolyn walks into a store, she keeps her eyes open to notice pretty things. When she does she thinks, "how can I figure out how to make that?" Then she doe... and hopes you like it too.

And I think you will, as one of you lucky readers will win this Sweetheart Yoga Mat bag!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
Visit Shop Earthangie on etsy and comment with your favorite item! You must leave your email in the comment as well.


Extra Entries:
1 entry to follow my blog as a google friend
1 entry for other giveaways entered on my blog. Leave one comment per giveaway.
5 entries for posting this giveaway on your blog (comment 5 separate times and include link to your blog)


*Entries will be verified. Winner will be notified by email with further instructions. Neither sponsor nor the blogger (me) are responsible for items lost or damaged in the mail.

*Yoga bag was sent to me gratis. Thoughts are opinions in this post are honest and mine. Winner will receive the exact yoga bag I was sent.

Contest ends April 21st at midnight EST

Shopbop giveaway on Closer to Lucy blog!

I adore the online store shopbop.com. I've bought several things from there. The shipping is almost always free and returns are easy.

Closer to Lucy blog is having a giveaway for a shopbop.com gift card!

Click Here to enter.

Jewelry with an Edge and DISCOUNT!

I just celebrated one of my best friend's 30th birthday. As a gift, I gave her a "gladiator-esque" ring. She loved it and wore it the whole night. At the end of the night, back at her apartment, we were chatting away about life. She thanked me for her ring and then said how much she loved my bracelet.

Rachel, the designer behind the shop Green Hide on etsy, sent me this leather bracelet for a review. I explained to my friend that it was made from a recycled leather belt and disassembled vintage jewelry.

We both marveled at the bracelet and then proceeded to talk about how it's a good thing we had jobs since we could never be as creative as Rachel.

Rachel became a jewelry designer when she envisioned a leather necklace that she could not find anywhere. Even online.  So she decided to try and make it herself by buying inexpensive leather from the thrift store.

Ultimately, she ended up leaving with a cart full of old leather coats, skirts, etc. of as many colors as possible.  After making her first piece and receiving a plethora of compliments from strangers,  she decided to make more and eventually started to sell them.

In the Fall of 2010, Rachel turned her talent into an actual business with her etsy site and showcasing her pieces at local craft/handmade events.

Everything made by Rachel is 100% recycled and 100% unique. No two pieces are exactly the same... and if you've got some antique jewelry, vintage pieces, etc, Rachel is more than happy to work with you to create something modern you'll love!

As a special treat, Rachel is offering all of my readers a 20% discount on purchases at Green Hide on etsy!

If you happen to be a shop owner, feel free to contact Rachel through etsy to discuss a partnership.

Her mens' collection is gaining popularity, too!  This tie is just one example of something unique for the man in your life. Rachel is constantly adding more mens' items as well!

A HUGE thank you to Rachel for sponsoring my blog.

*I received the bracelet gratis. No monetary compensation was provided to me. Thoughts and opinions of mine are honest and truthful.

tjr1 Handcrafted Earrings

White and lace are huge this fashion season, but it's still freezing in the northeast so I haven't given summer a thought. And then Tara, the designer behind tjr1 Handcrafted Earrings on etsy, sent me a pair of funky orange earrings to review.

These earrings are made with orange abalone, circular shell like beads and sparkly orange glass beads. I put them on and all I could think about was the beach, citrus fruits, white wine and sunsets... all things I associate with the summer!

Tara has always been interested in arts and crafts and tried out her talent when she realized she couldn't really find the jewelry she wanted to buy for herself. What started out as a simple "do it yourself to get it done right" attitude turned into requests for jewelry and ultimately a shop on etsy.com.

Tara loves creating pieces for herself and friends. She takes custom orders and has especially enjoyed recent projects creating for weddings. She will even give discounts for multiple orders for one occasion. Simply email her your requests.

My request is for summer to come quickly so I can wear these funky orange earrings!

Thank you so much Tara for sponsoring this review! I encourage everyone to visit tjr1 on etsy to view Tara's talent and see what she can do for you!

*disclaimer: earrings were sent to me gratis by the sponsor. I received no monetary compensation. Thoughts and opinions are honest and mine alone.

Canon Camera

A couple years ago for graduation, my boyfriend at the time bought me an amazing Canon camera.

Fast forward to this past winter, I'm at a couples weekend with my fiance. I trust one of his friends with my camera and it's lost. No one said sorry. No one offered to replace it.

So now i"m hoping I'll win one since I just don't have the patience to find something new nor the funds to buy it.

Canon has always been a trusted name for me, so I hope I win this on Granny Loves Gift Basket Reviews and Giveaways!

Click Here to Enter

Contest ends 4/5/2011

*pic borrowed from GLGBR&G blog