LuShae Jewelry Review

LuShae Jewelry recently asked me to do a review for them and I was happy to oblige. First of all, because I have heard good things about them. And second of all, because my typical answer to most questions involving the word "jewelry" is "yes please!"

I immediately checked out their earrings, since I have needed a pair of simple studs for a long time now. It appeared that all settings are either Sterling Silver or Goldtone (plated) and most of the stones used are Cubic Zirconia - and this was pretty much what I was looking for: a classic style and good quality.

Since a lot of my jewelry is either White Gold or Platinum, I would have preferred the Sterling Silver and CZ studs, but alas there were none in stock (in either size option). So I decided to give the Goldtone a try. This was probably for the best since I'm allergic to most metals (including Silver) and can only be sure of Gold and Platinum. Gold plate is generally fine though. Here are the earrings I picked:

That's from the website (obviously) - but I took some of my own too:

Not a great representation of the earrings - but Eleanor was my shadow the entire time I was trying to take pictures. This is what most of them looked like pre-cropping.

This is the best shot I could get of the setting. I've always been a big fan of the "basket" for diamonds.

I wanted to feature a picture of them in my ears, but none of those shots came out very well. And honestly - there is something a little scary about a picture of a giant ear...

I have to say - I've worn these earrings pretty much every day (and have even forgotten to take them out before turning in at night) and they've been perfect. They go with everything and feel very secure (I have lost many an earring due to loose backings).

I had one minor problem when I thought it looked like the gold plate was wearing off (you know that brassy, dirty gray) in the area of the prongs. But then I remembered that the earrings were Silver under the plate. And sure enough - it just turned out to be tarnish.

I don't know why I have such problems with tarnishing here (Washington, DC area) since in the Winter when it's pretty dry... But I have to do a lot of silver polishing upkeep. Quick tip - you can use regular old toothpaste to remove tarnish. It's like magic.

So crisis averted. My perfect earrings are still perfect. And I could write a stellar review.

Thanks so much to LuShae for this generous review offer!

Wendy Mink Sample Sale for Haiti

I just got word that Wendy Mink is running an online sample sale for Haiti February 5-8. Fifty percent of proceeds will go to the Red Cross.

Here are a few styles from the sale:




Also - if you have your eye on something for everyone's favorite Hallmark holiday, Valentines Day, you'll recieve free shipping on any order over $150.

So FYI Chris - I think that this should more than cover that:


Just in case you were wondering...

One World One Heart Global Giveaway Event

I learned of this giveaway extravaganza through Du Buh Du Designs. The lovely and talented Christine will be giving away one of her breathtaking handmade dolls:


I've wanted one of these for so long... And it's next to impossible to buy one since they disappear from her Etsy shop the second she adds them (but you could settle for a lovely print of one of her dreamy images...)

But enough about dolls - and back to my original train of thought. Christine is hosting her giveaway as a participant of One World One Heart, a global giveaway event created by A Whimsical Bohemian.


The giveaways will run through February 15th (and if you want to add one - you have until February 8th). There are currently close to 1,000 participating blogs. The idea of looking through all of them is pretty overwhelming, but totally doable with a little OCD and time management...(I've looked at about 200 so far).

Don't miss this one: Robin of Around the Island (an As Good As Cake giveaway sponsor) is offering an 8x10 inch print of her famous Ancient Oliver Tree:


Good luck to anyone who enters to win something. I'll keep my own fingers crossed for you as I wish really really hard for that doll and that Ancient Oliver Tree print...

Frigidaire's Make Time for Change Program: Play with Your Kids for a Chance to Win Daily Prizes

I just heard about a great campaign from Frigidaire. They're teaming up with Jennifer Garner to support Save the Children's U.S. Programs, dedicated to helping children living in poverty in the United States.


Their new Make Time for Change Spin & Win game gives you the opportunity to win gift cards for spending quality time with your children. This could be anything from reading books together to working on crafts to just watching movies as a family. They're giving away a prize every day. Plus, you could also win a brand new Frigidaire Affinity washer and dryer.

That last one sold me. I'm SO tired of the revolving door for appliance repairmen that I have recently installed in my house. I would LOVE to win that washer/dryer... While my luck generally runs along the lines of winning lower price point items - I'll still give it a try. According to the Lotto people in my area, "you gotta play to win!"

And every time you play, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children, as part of their $250,000 commitment to support Save the Children's CHANGE program, dedicated to providing nutritious snacks and promoting healthier lifestyles for children living in poverty in the United States.

Want to play? Visit: http://www.maketimeforchange.com/.

LadybugsNButterflies: Eleanor's "Special Pretties"

Probably the most exciting moment of my life as a mother was the day that I could finally get a barrette to stay in my daughter's fine blond hair. You see, unlike her brother who had a full head of brown hair from the day he was born, Eleanor was bald until her second birthday.

Okay - so that may not have been my MOST exciting moment...but it is worthy of an honorable mention at the very least.

Eleanor was happy to enter the world of hair accessories as well and has always called these ornaments, her "pretties."

So how could I say no when LadyBugsNButterflies asked me to do a product review for them?


I was asked to select three styles in either the traditional French barrette or the toddler or infant clip. Since Eleanor's wisps aren't completely barrette friendly just yet, I opted for the 1 3/4" toddler clips. The styles I selected were (from left to right) Alison Kate in Ivory, Sierra Rose in Aqua and Bethany Rose in Pink.

Because her twin brother George doesn't quite grasp society's opinion of gender appropriate apparel yet and will happily don a tutu if his sister has one...I had to come up with a reason why these lovely little accessories would be for Eleanor only.

So we called them Eleanor's "special pretties" (and he got to wear the cheap plastic ones I buy at Safeway). Here are some pictures of Eleanor in her Special Pretties:






I have to say, these are the nicest embellished barrettes we've ever had. Almost anything that we've received as a gift seemed to involve hot gluing a ribbon to a clip - which was of course immediately destroyed by big brother Oliver. I think Oliver would have a hard time peeling these pretties apart.

All accessories are handmade "with the finest ribbons and embellishments." Grip material is also added to the hair clips so "they will stay in the finest of toddler hair." And in addition to the barrettes and and clips, you can find headbands and "pony o" options.

I was pretty impressed with the clips we received. My only complaint is that I think Eleanor is getting a little old for the look of toddler clips. And I also think that the bow of the Sierra Rose would look far better if it lay completely flat as it would in a French Barrette style (although I'll admit that it was done pretty artfully on the clip - so if Eleanor had a bit more volume to her hair, you probably wouldn't notice the difference).

I really like this company and found the prices to be pretty reasonable as well in light of the quality of their product. I'd love to buy more barrettes from them in the future. I - I mean Eleanor would love the Kaitlyn Brooke starfish for Summer...

They're also running a little Valentines Day special right now in which you can get two Hailey Lynn Valentines barrettes/clips or Pony O's free of charge with any order of $50 (pre-tax/shipping). After you place your order, LadyBugsNButterflies will e-mail you to coordinate the free gift.

To see more styles, visit http://ladybugsnbutterflies.com/. Thanks for the opportunity LadyBugsNButterflies - we'll definitely be back!

20% Discount from Iddos Jewelry!

Have any leftover holiday money? If you don't have it earmarked for something as mundane as mortgage payments, car repairs or "that procedure" not covered by insurance...(sigh)...consider treating yourself to a little bauble.

I was just informed that one of my new favorite online jewelry shops, Iddos Jewelry would like to offer my readers a 20% site wide discount (http://www.iddosworld.com/). Just use the code 20off. The offer expires next Friday, January 22.

If I could have my pick of anything in the shop, I'd love to buy one of these cocktail rings:



Okay - maybe both. I mean they tell such different color stories - how can I predict which one any of my given moods would require?


I also liked these earrings:



The little ones would look perfect with an up do (not to self: figure out once and for all how to achieve a self styled up do).

And two of the pendant style necklaces caught my eye.



Very different from each other, no? Typically, I'm more drawn to stones and color - but there is something about that simple silver circle... It's also the least expensive of my favorites, so with that 20% discount...

I should consult Chris about whether we really need to repair that leaky faucet right now... What's a little Chinese water torture in comparison with a beautiful new necklace? We have to have our priorities.

2009 Holiday Giveaways: Cafe Press Personalized Holiday Ornaments

WINNERS: Congratulations...

Teach Mama

Amy

Carolina

One last giveaway! After this, I will only be posting winners and reminders for open giveaways. And just in time for mid-holiday month, this one is holiday themed.

I was recently contacted by Cafe Press and asked to review their personalized porcelain holiday ornaments AND host a giveaway for three winners.


The process is quick, easy and fun. All you have to do is select your ornament design, then upload a picture (unless you go with a text only ornament) and finally do a little adjusting to center/resize your image and add text as required.

I tried out a few designs before selecting one. And if you are wondering who that adorable baby is - no, I didn't have another one recently. That would be my cousin's baby, Tessa, AKA the cutest baby born in 2009. Here are my favorites:






Can you guess which one I ordered?

While I am always drawn to more traditional/vintage looking ornament styles, there was something about that little gingerbread baby that made me smile.

There are other non-Christmas ornament styles as well, like pet themes, wedding and engagement designs and (of course) Twilight. And one of the ornament styles is completely blank - so you creative types can design your own image and upload it as the full design.

There are some examples of these on ornament home page. Here are a few that caught my eye:




The ornaments are a pretty good value at $12 and could make great hostess gifts for holiday parties.

Here's how to win one of the three free ornaments:

Leave me a comment here (any comment) and you get an entry.

You can get additional entries for telling your contacts about this giveaway (or the series). Just let me know what you did in separate comments. This could include messages over Twitter and Facebook, e-mails to friends and family, blog posts (you get three extra entries for that!)...really anything you can think of. Just make sure to leave a separate comment for each.

Finally, you can get one guaranteed entry to ALL of the giveaways by putting the button below on your own site. Just send an e-mail to bigpieceofcake@gmail.com when it's up.


<a href="http://www.asgoodascake.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/oo233/k8hood/buttongiveawaysround.png" border="0" alt="As Good As Cake" /></a>
I will select a winner via random.org in two weeks. So this giveaway will be closed at midnight EST on Thursday, December 31st (or whenever I wake up on the first since I highly doubt I'll be ringing in the new year at my computer...one would hope...).

The following giveaways are still open. So don't forget to enter!

Little Alouette handmade wooden teether (Congratulations Anna See!)

Beads by Mer chalcedony drop earrings (closes Friday, December 18th)

Beautify My Blog blog makeover (closes Sunday, December 20th)

Feather Report iphone app (closes Monday, December 21st)

Around the Island Photography 8x10 print (closes Tuesday, December 22nd)

Polarn O. Pyret 6-9 month size jacket (closes Wednesday, December 23rd)

Christy Wood Jewelry Design necklace (closes Thursday, December 24th)

Ms. Stacy Cakes Bakeshoppe $50 store credit (closes Friday, December 25th)

CSN Stores set of 15 glass tumblers (closes Monday, December 28th)

Closet Confidential book with personal dedication and/or haiku from author Winona of Daddy Likey (closes Tuesday, December 29th)

Ojolie e-cards - three one-year memberships (closes Wednesday, December 30th)

The Gentle Copywriter 2,500 words of free copywriting services (closes Thursday, December 31st)

E-mail me with any questions or interest in doing a future giveaway here. Be sure to keep checking back for upcoming WINNERS!