Giveaway!

Who isn't a fan of stools?

The nice people who sell cooking supplies and stools over at http://www.cookware.com/ and http://www.allbarstools.com/ got in touch with me about hosting a giveaway. That's right! I just started this blog about my winnings and now I get to offer something to someone else!

I'll update more about the giveaway soon. Right now I'm thinking of offering a nice porcelain Paula Deen pan with lid. This is a piece of cookware that can be all-purpose-- soups, saute, and it can even go in the oven. It's really pretty. Take a look at:

http://www.cookware.com/Paula-Deen-19252-EEN1014.html

Now the company also runs allbarstools.com, and they want you to take a look at their huge collection of stools at http://www.allbarstools.com/.
Some of their designs are really funky!

I'll be back soon with details about the giveaway.

review

Ok, I got a few things in the mail recently and I wanted to write a bit more about them.

First of all, I was happy to win some applesauce from alittleoftheother.com, but sad when I opened the box and it had leaked all over the package :( No applesauce for me.

I got a Wish gift set from SpaDayR3 at Leslie loves veggies. I am in love with this stuff. It came with a large and small size each of lotion and body spray. The scent is wonderful, reminds me a lot of the smell of Philosophy's purity facial wash. Very fresh and clean.

I got some FuzziBunz cloth diapers that I gave away to a new mom, and she reports that they are great and will keep growing as her baby get bigger. So good score on that one!

And the benefit sampler came from Mod Goddess. I swear, everything I try from this company is the best. thanks for the extra samples too, Mod Goddess! You should check out her blog if you haven't already. Lots of good advice in the comments.

The last thing I'll note is that we won a gift card to my pleasure. Put in an order and are waiting for it to arrive. I have a feeling this one is going to be my favorite win yet....

things i won

So I haven't had as much time to get this blog rolling as I thought. One thing I'll do to keep my spirits up is to make a list of some of the things I've won recently. I seem to be on a bit of a roll! I have read blogs for a long time, but only recently started entering contests on blogs. For some reason I figured that I'd never win. I think I was really wrong! Maybe I'm just lucky and didn't know it?
I'm going to include a few things that my partner (creep4ward) won as well (we often enter contests together).

Things we won:
$10 Restaurant.com gift code from Living With Cents
Benefit Bestseller Kit from Mod Goddess
M.L. King concise audio book from sweeps4bloggers
Targus laptop bag from LSC Warehouse
Nourish Body and Soul skin care package from Leslie Loves Veggies
SkinMD lotion from Ladybugs and Tonka Trucks
FuzziBunz diapers from Givedaddy.com


Woohoo!

I think this is my new favorite way to spend time! Not only do I learn about all sorts of new products, get advice, and meet fun and interesting people, but it feels so good when I actually win something! I know it's all chance and luck, but it still makes me happy!

It makes a lot of sense for the companies, too, since I've already started purchasing or recommending products I've won or seen on blogs. It just feels safer buying a product when you know a regular person like you already tried it and posted their opinions and experiences. With so many products to choose from, these blogs help cut through the mess of options.

Another thing I love is that most of these products are from small companies, often handmade, and that means you are supporting small family businesses who might not get their items carried in a big box store like Target or Wal-Mart. I feel better knowing I'm helping an entrepreneur get their business off the ground instead of putting money into the pockets of fat cats in charge of large corporations.

That's it for now! I hope everyone had a good King day and took some time to learn more about King's life and social justice work.

-HJ

first try

Ok, here's my first attempt blogging! I like to enter contests so I'll see if I can pass some links on to you!