Chair in the Shade is Turning Two!

Can you believe it?  June 26 will mark Chair in the Shade's second birthday!  Time really does fly.  I've changed directions, and learned so much since I started.  I've met so many interesting people and really love the community blogging provides.

I've really been working on simplifying my life in all areas as of late- whether it be what I eat, how much stuff I have, or what I buy.  So I decided to do a giveaway full of some simple pleasures and what is more simple than good coffee, a great book, or a relaxing bath?  To see more about all the prizes, please read on.

So much in the way that I filled a bag with a bunch of favorite things last year for my Blogiversary giveaway, I thought I'd do the same this year.

Here's what in this year's prize pack:

•  A bag made by yours truly in a funky pink and turquoise batik with turquoise lining and accents.  Great for lugging things to the beach, hauling books to the library or filling with snacks for a road trip.
• A bag of Panera Bread's Columbia coffee- my current coffee of choice.
• A brand new copy of Michael Pollan's The Botany of Desire.  It's not a diet book, there are n recipes, but it will really change your thoughts about food.
• A pair of copper hoop earrings from Copper Harbor, Michigan.  These little cuties are engraved with flowers.  I have a similar pair, and they're my most favorite earrings.  They go with everything.  You can dress them up or down.  And they're unique.
• Two bath tea bags of Maple Hill Farm's Relaxation bath tea.  (Love these guys- it's locally and family owned and and run)
• A large Moleskine notebook.  Perfect for journaling, making lists, or plotting what to do with your life.

Prize value is approximately $50.  Unfortunately, due to the weight of the prizes, contest is only open in the US.  But don't worry!  There will be future contests open to all.

Just enter using the Rafflecopter widget below and be sure you leave an email address where I can reach you if you are a no reply blogger.  Giveaway runs from today through my blogiversary.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for celebrating my Blogiversary with me and good luck!

A Little Tweaking

That says tweaking not twerking people!  So you may have noticed that my blog is wearing a new little outfit today.  I just use blogger with a background from ShabbyBlogs.com and I've used one called "Zen and Now"pretty much from the start.  Then last Thursday I logged on and the background was gone, link broken.  I go to Shabby Blogs and the website is down, but the blog had a post from a few days before stating Shabby Blogs was for sale.  I figured someone had bought it and shut down the website for whatever reason and who knows how long.

Meanwhile, it was the first day of the "Spring Fling" Giveaway and I couldn't very well have my blog be naked.  So, I found a new background on a different website, but I had to change my Blogger template and while it was cute enough, it just didn't feel like it was me.

So, last night I went back to Shabby Blogs looking for clues and any signs it was going to be resurrected, and it was back up and running!  The for sale post on the blog was gone, and instead was a heart felt post about blogger burn out up instead!  That's totally understandable. 

I was going to go put my background back to "Zen and Now", but then I got thinking that now might be the perfect time to try something new.  So I dug around and found this background called "All That Glitters" and while I initially thought it was a little too fancy-pants for my blog, it really grew on me.  It's nice and bright and adds a little pizazz without being too distracting.

If you're a blogger looking for an easy to install background on Blogger or Wordpress, go check out Shabby Blogs.  They're super easy to use and lots to choose from.  And from today's blog post, it looks like Meg over there has a lot of new ideas cooking.  There's also pictures, buttons, headers, etc.

Like this one:

Which is a perfect excuse to share links to the TWO giveaways I currently have going on.

1.  Win the Craftsy Artisan Breadmaking Class!
2.  Enter to win my bundle of Dover Publications and Smens goodies in the Spring Fling giveaway!


And if you have any feedback on my blogs new outfit, let me know.  :)  Have a great day!

Spring Fling Giveaway! {Open in US and Canada}

Welcome to the Spring Fling Giveaway Hop

hosted by Lauren Paints | a beautiful life

Spring is here!

I've teamed up with a FANTASTIC group of bloggers to
celebrate the spring equinox with a giveaway hop!
After you enter my giveaway you should enter to win

a  $100 Kohl's Gift Card over on Lauren Paints!

Here's what I'm giving away:

It's a prize pack from affiliate Dover Publications.  I thought this giveaway would be a great way to show you some of the awesome things they have available.  You'll receive:

• 3 Scented Pens in Passion Fruit, Wild Berry, and Orange (note- these are not from Dover)
• Mini Sticker Book of 16 of Monet's Masterpieces
• A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle  (The basis of the BBC Sherlock Episodes "A Study in Pink" and "The Sign of Three".)
• Flower Paintings Mini Sticker Book featuring sixteen floral masterpieces
• The Hound of Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (The basis for the BBC Sherlock episode of the same name.)
• Mary Cassatt gift wrap (Two identical sheets of wrapping paper made up of Mary Cassatt paintings)
• The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy (one of my favorite books)
• Large Old Fashioned Luggage Label sticker book

Total value of my giveaway is over $30!

Interested in winning?  Contest is open in US and Canada, just follow the Rafflecopter giveaway below.  And once your done with that, scroll down for more giveaways!
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Check out all of the giveaways listed below:


Disclaimer: This contest will run through 4/4/2014 at 11:59 pm EST.  Please note, Lauren Paints | a beautiful life AND Chair in the Shade are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes, please contact laurenpaintsflorida@gmail.com if you have any questions or if you are interested in participating or sponsoring a future event. 


And don't forget to enter to win my Craftsy Artisan Bread Making Class giveaway by clicking this link!  Open worldwide!  

Celebrating the New Year & an All New You Giveaway (US Only)

So the new year is here and I'm teaming up with Lauren Paints {a Beautiful Life} and a bunch of other bloggers to host a fun giveaway. 

It's time to Celebrate the New Year & an All New You 

with this giveaway hop hosted by LaurenPaints.com!

So what's my prize?   Glad you asked!  There's a whole hodge podge of things I like.

Here's a little bit about the prizes.

 

First up is a copy of Sarah Ban Breathnach's A Daybook of Comfort and Joy.  I wrote about how much I loved this book this past summer.  It's all about simplifying your life and being happy with what you have, but still dreaming big dreams for yourself.  It's not preachy or self righteous, but if you really read it, I guarantee it will change your outlook on life.

 

Next up is a set of three mini lined notebooks and a cinnamon scented pen from Smencils.  These are great if you're trying to get organized.  I carry a little notebook like this in my purse for keeping lists and writing reminders for myself.

Having a cup of coffee every morning is my little ritual to get my day started.  I usually brew up a cup and savor it while I read my email, check in on Facebook, and just ease into the day.  (That's one of the advantages of working predominately afternoons and evenings.  No rush-rush to get ready in the morning.)  So, I'm sending a bag of Cameron's  "African Cinnamon" coffee.  This is a company out of Shakopee, Minnesota, that a lot of the grocery stores around here sell.  I think they're pretty good.  I'm also including Dream coffee mug from my affiliate, Dayspring Cards.  The mug says, "DREAM God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.  Ephesians 3:20", and 

on the back, "higher than a mountain, deeper than the sea, wider than the world - for the size of our dreams tells not how big we are but how big our God is."

 

And lastly, I'm all about the natural health and beauty, so I'm including a jar of my homemade sugar scrub- peppermint scented.  (If you want to make your own, you can find the instructions here.  I'm also including a bar of homemade soap that is smells great.  I didn't make it, but it was made locally.  It's oatmeal almond scented and smells great.  Both will come in handy when you need a little pampering.

Estimated retail value of this prize pack is $30.  You can enter using the Rafflecopter form below.  It's mandatory to answer the question, "What's one thing you hope to accomplish in the New Year" with  blog comment, but all other entry options are optional.  Giveaway ends January 20.   And is only open in the US, simply due to the weight of the package.  Don't worry international friends, I still love you and will do my best to include you in future giveaways.  Winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond.  If there is no response after 48 hours a new winner will be drawn.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

After entering my giveaway head over to LaurenPaints.com

to enter to win the Grand Prizes,

One winner will win a $100 Visa GC 

and another will win a $50 Sephora GC!

This event will run from January 3rd {12:01 am EST} through January 20th{11:59 pm EST}

Be sure to check out all of the other giveaways below, there are some GREAT prizes included:

Are you a store or company looking to participate in this Giveaway Hop Event? 
Contact laurenpaintsflorida@gmail.com to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

Giveaway for Six Patterns Bundle

Week two's giveaway is here. Enter to win 6 patterns from McCall's, Simplicity, and Butterick!  Are you new to sewing or just looking to expand your pattern library?  Then this is the giveaway for you.

I went through my patterns and gleaned some for this giveaway.  Here's the skinny on what you could win:

Simplicity 2929, McCall's Easy Stitch'n Save M5566, Butterick B5330, Simplicity 4116

 

McCall's M5598, McCall's M6090

Simplicity 2929 is a dress pattern with four different variations.  It's size 10-18.
McCall's Easy Stich'n Save M5566 is drawstring waist skirt with godets.  It's size large to x-large.
Butterick B5330 is maxi skirts in a couple different variations and pull on pants.  It's sizes 8-14.
Simplicity 4116 is a dress with a couple different variations including a peter pan collar, as well as a purse.   Pattern is size 6-14.
McCall's M5598 is a purse/tote bag pattern in three different sizes.
McCall's M6090 is a purse in three different sizes.

This giveaway is open world wide.  To enter, simply tell me one thing on your Christmas list.  You can get additional entries by following on Bloglovin or Pinterest.

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Giveaway for Pretty Little Purses and Pouches

Happy Thanksgiving, American friends!  If it's not Thanksgiving where you are, then I hope you're having a good day however you are spending it.  Today is the first of several giveaways being held here on Chair in the Shade from now until the New Year.

Today's prize is a hardcover copy of Pretty Little Purses and Pouches (affiliate link).  This book is great for beginning bag makers, or sewers looking for some fresh ideas.  There's directions for 29 different purses and pouches as well as hints and tips on inserting zippers, linings, pockets and the like.  Lots of fun patterns that you can customize however you like.  And great ideas if you want to make some of your own Christmas presents this year.

To enter, simply tell me how much stuff is in your purse.  Mine is pretty big, I usually carry my wallet, phone, lip balm, a note book, day planner, a book, Excedrin, and various other odds and ends.  I'm one of those people who would rather have anything I could possibly need than realize I forgot something at home.  You can also earn bonus entries for following on Twitter and Bloglovin.


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In a Book Rut... and Some Giveaway Shout Outs

Do you guys ever start reading a book and you're not really into it, but you keep reading it thinking it will get better? I frequently do this with movies. (Sometimes Netflix can be a total crap shoot.) But, with books, I feel like I need to keep giving it a shot, but then get frustrated and I just quit reading all together. That's how it is with Forever by Peter Hamill.  I read the first couple chapters, wasn't really feeling the vibe of the book, and set it down thinking I just needed to give it more of a shot to get into it.  I haven't picked it up since and that was over a month ago.  Now the thought of trying to get back into it makes me feel less than enthused.

So, last night I decided to chuck it back into the book shelf for a try again later and run off with an old standby.  Whenever I get into a book rut, I turn to an author I've been reading sense I was in junior high, Agatha Christie.  First off, she wrote like a hundred books so there's plenty to choose from.  Second, she has a handful of different detectives- Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, Harley Quinn, a couple others- and plenty of books that have an amateur sleuth that only appears in that story.  So, there's plenty to choose from, their entertaining, and pretty quick reads.  Just what a girl needs to get her back in a reading groove and out of a book rut.  By the way, if you're interested in which book I picked, I went with Third Girl which a Hercule Poirot mystery.

Anyhow, it got me thinking.  Agatha Christie's detectives deserve a reboot, ala Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock and Elementary.  Especially Harley Quinn, he just seems like there's more there than what he lets on. I'd even settle for a show where Agatha Christie solves mysteries.  I really loved The Unicorn and the Wasp episode on Doctor Who.

Agatha Christie and Doctor Who

And finally, on a completely unrelated not.  I won't be around tomorrow due to Thanksgiving lunch with the family and then off to work.  But, I do have my first giveaway of the Christmas season all queued up and ready to go, so be sure to check back for that.


And, I'm also sharing some links to a couple other giveaways going on hosted by some of the blogs I follow.

Mom Does Reviews is giving away a doggie natural prize pack.  US only, ends 11/29
Mom and More is giving away a $100 Kohl's gift card.   Ends 12/6.

Griperang's Bookmarks is giving away a SoyL Scent Candle Gem.  US only, ends 12/9.

We Have a Winner!

Congratulations to Lana B., the winner of the Whatever Goes Giveaway hop here.  She's already responded to my request for mailing information, so her prize pack full of Symbolic Imports will be going in the mail today.  Lana's favorite food smell is pumpkin pie.  That's a pretty good one in my book.

If you entered, but didn't win, never fear, there's many more giveaways to be had before the end of the year.  I hope to do one a week starting the week of Thanksgiving.  There will be sewing patterns, fabric, crafty little things, and more!  So, keep checking in to see what you can win.

I've also signed up for Lauren Paints A Beautiful Life's New Year & an All New You hop which is running from January 3 to January 20.  If you're a blogger and would like to sign up, just click the picture below and follow the directions.

Hope you're all having a good Tuesday.  It was 18 degrees out when I came home from work last night.  I don't think I'm ready for winter yet, but I guess it's coming whether I'm ready or not.

Giveaway Round Up for 11.10

Don't forget!  The Whatever Goes Giveaway Hop  ends Monday at Midnight.  There's 55 shops participating, including mine!  If you haven't entered to win the Symbolic Imports treats, I highly suggest you do.  There's salted caramel lip balm, butter cream lip balm. gingerbread cookie roll on perfume, pumpkin soap, all tucked in one of my cosmetic bags.  It's open worldwide, so enter and then check out the other 54 giveaways for more goodies. 

Here are some other giveaways I've found online this week.  I'm not co-hosting any of these, but everyone likes to win things, so go check them out.

There's a Sample the States giveaway full of goodies from Maine hosted by The Adventures of My Family of 8 along with some other bloggers.  Giveway ends 11/14

Win a $25 Gift Card to Hobby Lobby from Simply Stacie.  Giveaway ends 11/22

There's a big giveaway for a new serger and gift certificates for some awesome fabric shops over on Sewbon plus a whole collection of gift ideas for you.  Giveaway ends 11/15

You can win a Singer sewing machine, gift card to Joann's and a bunch of other prizes over at Flamingo Toes.  Giveaway ends 11/30

Win custom candles from Lissy's Lit Wicks over on Mary's Cup of Tea.  Giveaway ends 11/19

Whatever Goes Giveaway

Welcome to the "Whatever Goes" Giveaway Hop hosted by Mommy's Favorite Things and Mama's Baby Cupcakes. 

This hop is an open theme so whatever the blogger wants to showcase goes!! After visiting my giveaway, make sure you use the linky below to take a look at the other bloggers and see what they have to offer! Each blog has a minimum prize package of $25 per winner. 

>>>>>----<<<<<

So what do I have up for a prize?  Well, remember a few weeks ago when I was talking about how much I loved Symbolic Imports' Gingerbread perfume?  It's delicious without smelling like a gigantic cookie.  So, I got some roll on gingerbread perfume, some butter cream lip balm, some salted caramel lip balm, and a bar of pumpkin soap, all made by Angel from Symbolic Imports.  And all these goodies will arrive tucked into a zipper cosmetic bag, made by myself.

My giveaway is open world wide, so use the Rafflecopter giveaway to enter for your chance to win.  And then be sure to check out the links to everyone else's giveaway.

And PS- if you don't want to wait for the giveaway to get your hands on some goodies from Symbolic Imports, check out their Etsy shop.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want to Win a Kindle Fire (or an Amazon gift card)?

Hey, how would you like to win a Kindle Fire?  I'm teaming up with a bunch of other blogs and authors to give some lucky soul the chance to win.  It's a Rafflecopter giveaway.  If you follow me on Twitter or follow on Bloglovin you already have earned two entries (just click the coordinating blocks on the Rafflecopter widget).  And there's plenty more chances so scroll down and start entering.  Good luck!

 

  This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT!

Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HD 7″.

Kindle Fire HD 7″ Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7″ Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

Sponsoring Authors & Bloggers

1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
2. Feed Your Reader
3. Candace's Book Blog
4. Every Free Chance Book Reviews
5. Author Lori Verni-Fogarsi
6. Ketch's Book Nook
7. Author Rachael Renee Anderson
8. Author Karey White
9. Buku-Buku-Didi
10. Author Marcia Lynn McClure
11. Author Bella Street
12. Brooke Blogs
13. Author Anna Kyss
14. Author Ednah Walters
15. These are but Shadows
16. The Real Bookshelves of Room 918
17. Fae Books
18. Magical Manuscripts
19. Chair in the Shade
20. The Book Bellas
21. Page Flipperz
22. Romance Schmomance
23. A Bookish Escape
24. bookitty blog
25. Author S.A. Larsen
26. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
27. Jessabella Reads
28. Author Jennifer Laurens
29. Bea's Book Nook
30. Books 4 Tomorrow
31. Meredith's Musings
32. Libby's Library
33. Author Deanna Roy
34. Word to Dreams
35. Bookhounds
36. Diva Book Nerd
37. Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf
38. Author Kim Cresswell
39. Author Inger Iversen
40. Author Elizabeth Isaacs
41. Lori's Reading Corner
42. Author Lena Sledge
43. Author Kerry Taylor
44. Author Brinda Berry
45. Author Niecey Roy
46. Author Kary Radar
47. Author Josh Baker
48. Author Helen Smith
49. Author Annette K. Larsen

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7″ HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International).

There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire.

Sponsor a future Kindle Fire Giveaway.  Details can be found here.

Ends 9/30/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Fugly Fabric Party Link Up

Guess what!  I'm linking up with Charm About You's "Fugly Fabric Party", and giving away some fabric.

 The goal of the party is to help people get rid of that fabric they just don't get warm fuzzies over anymore.  I'm giving away a one yard piece of fish fabric I got on Ebay a few years ago.  It's really cute fabric, but the background is so light that I never quite know how to incorporate it into things.    There's also four fat quarters I'm just not loving.  There's a blue piece with blue whales, a tan piece with little dogs and blocks on it, a green piece with clovers, and some psychedelic swirls in purples, blues, and greens. 

Fugly Fabric Giveaway!

How do you enter to get all this fabulous fabric for free?  Fill out the Rafflecopter Giveawy form below!  Leaving a comment is mandatory to enter, but you can get bonus entries by following on Bloglovin', Twitter, or Tweeting about it.  I will ship worldwide, so feel free to enter even if you aren't in the USA. 

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