Winning...ruffled hoodie & countdown blocks

First off, I won a super cute Ruffled Zip Up Hoodie from Dear Lillie a couple months back, made by Evy's Tree.  I totally forgot to do a little blurb about it, but I really do love it!  I took this hoodie with us when we went to Colorado, it was cute and kept me warm!  I can't wait to wear it in the fall with some cute jeans and boots.  Dear Lillie has fun tutorials on house decor, awesome photography, and their own store where you can purchase some of the things you see on their blog.  This is by far one of my favorite blogs, too cute!

So cute, don't you just love it?!
Click here to order yours (they have other colors/styles)!!

Next I won some Countdown Blocks from Ginger Snap Crafts a couple of weeks ago, made by Alaynas Creations.  They are super cute, and I can't wait to start using them.  The "backgrounds" on each side of the blocks are different and cute, and the numbers are done in white vinyl.  Ginger Snap Crafts blog is loaded with awesome tutorials (click to go see all of them), and she even hosts a {Wow Me} Wednesday linky party every Wednesday, and then feature's her fav's (I party there).  I seriously love her blog, it's awesome. 

Click here to check out other Countdown Blocks she offers

Be sure to go check out Dear Lillie and Ginger Snap Creations blogs for some fun!!!


I was not compensated to do a blurb about these blogs, I just think it's nice to show some love!! :)

Our 4th & Laundry!

It's Thursday and I'm just now writing "Hope you had an awesome 4th!!" blog post.  No, but seriously, I hope you all had a great one!  Ours was awesome, but I didn't capture any pictures.  =( 

Friday my Mom came into town; we went out for supper and beers with some friends, it was a lot of fun!  Saturday I realized that our washer & dryer were almost capootz, and we should probably go see if there were any fabulous deals going on for the 4th.  I'm so glad we did, because we got an awesome steal from Sears!!  They had a "Hot Buy" for the weekend, washer and dryer were marked down to $699 each!  That price was already 40% off of the original price, plus we got an additional 5% off our total if we used our Sears Card (which also lead us to 0% interest for 6 months)...SCORE!  But the steal didn't stop there...D was looking online at the store and realized that online had a promotion going on for when you purchase the washer & dryer at the same time, they'll take even more off of the washer.  So online the washer was marked down to like $429 (in that price range anyways).  The store manager didn't really like the idea of giving us that deal in the store, so we were about to purchase our set online.  We wanted to put it on our new Sears Credit Card, but needed the info...the call center wouldn't give us the expiration date or the code on the back.  There is a really good reason behind that...they didn't want us to think they would just give our info out to anyone that called in.  So, yes, thank you Sears Credit Card company for protecting us.  But we were back at square one.  We were getting a little discouraged, and I think the salesperson was too.  The store manager was looking online to see what promo we were talking about...he finally saw it with his own eyes.  I kept asking (mainly just for fun!) "are you sure you can't give us that deal?!", until he finally broke down.  The deal steal was ours!!!  OMG...we couldn't believe it...he actually gave into us!!  We practically got the washer for free when you look at the original price!  Now that's what I call WINNING!!!  Moral of the story...it doesn't hurt to keep asking for something you may/may not get!


Kenmore Elite Top Load Washer and Electric Dryer


We went last night to pick it up and I can't wait to get our old set out, and to hook up our new set!  We aren't going to know what to do with ourselves...it will actually be really quiet in our house when we're doing laundry!  And no more washer scooting across the room!!

Back to our weekend...Saturday night on our way back we stopped at the Casino for supper with family and friends, and to do a little gambling.  We didn't do very good, but I didn't put that much money in either.  I'm not a huge gambler, so like in an hour or so I'm finished!  Sunday, Mom and I got our food together for the pool party, potted a new hibiscus plant for our porch, watched a movie, and finally went to the pool.  D worked on their new water truck for the fire department all day, and joined us for a little bit before having to leave to go work the fire show.  The pool was a blast, and the firework show was ok.  Monday, we didn't do a whole lot, mainly rested up from the long weekend.  D got called out on 2 fires Monday afternoon, thankfully they were the only ones the whole weekend.

Did you guys do anything fun over the 4th?

Winning...a bunch of Cupcake Goodies!

A couple weeks ago I won an awesome giveaway package from Amber over at From The Hearts Of blog.  I actually received this package last week, but I am just now getting to blog about it since I was busy getting stuff ready for 4 days worth of Prairiesta festivities in my {small} hometown (more on that later, still trying to catch up on sleep!! ;) ).  Seriously check out everything I won...


I didn't have time to take my own picture, so here's the one from Amber's blog!

The awesome package includes: Deceptively Delicious Cookbook (has tons of fun and yummy recipes in it, I can't wait to try!), 75 "Sweet" Cupcake liners, 24 "Cupcake" Cupcake liners with matching picks (how adorbs!), cute cupcake tin (I think I'll stash all of my cupcake liners that I have in there!), really cute journal, a magnetic notepad (will be perfect for to-do lists and grocery lists!), and a lilac candle!  Whew...that is a lot of great stuff!! 

I've been on a "winning" kick lately, should I go purchase some lottery tickets?!?! ;)

Are you a follower of Amber's blog From The Hearts Of?!  She is an inspired baker, who shares many of her stories success & fails (I have fails too!), and not to mention an adorable little girl!  She also loves to plan parties, which is something I love to do as well!  Amber is fairly new to blogging, so why don't you go over and check her out!!  Here are some of my favorites...


Chocolate Chip Banana Bread...mmm!



TagAlong Cupcake with PB Filling...wowza!!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcake....sounds so good and pretty!!

Thank you very much Amber for randomly picking me to win all of those goodies...I can't wait to bake some cupcakes!!  I'll leave the rest to all of you bloggers...go check out her blog out and let her know that I sent ya! ;)

Winning...Foxers, Love!

I managed to win another giveaway a couple weeks ago from Mrs Adventure!  It was for Foxers...yep female boxers!  Only they aren't like guy boxers...they are sexy and fun!!  Have you ever heard of them?  I know I hadn't until Mrs Adventure was giving them away...sign me up!  I was so excited when I won 4 pairs!  Here are the pairs I picked out...


White with Navy Lace Boxers (love the lace, so cute!)
Black with Blue Stripe Thong

 

Gray with Gray Strip Boxer Brief
Black with Aqua Rose Stripe Boyshort (my fav and now it's on closeout ;( )

I will probably have to order some more, they are just too fun and not to mention really comfy!! <3

I've already done a little shout out about Rachel and her blog (click here to read the shout out), but if you're not already a follower you should totally go check her blog out!!  I'm an avid stalker reader!  Let her know I sent ya ;)  Also, go check out Foxers...they have some really cute stuff!!  Thank you Mrs Adventure and Foxers!! :)

Winning...Silverware Keychain!

Apparently I've been on a bit of a lucky streak with winning giveaways!  I wish I had the same luck when it comes to scratch tickets, but I don't!  Anyways, back to my recent winning...

Gina over at The Shabby Chic Cottage, was hosting a slew of giveaways in honor of her blog anniversary back in April.  She randomly picked the winners for all of her giveaways, and if those winners didn't contact her within a specific time, she had to repick.  Luckily for me the person who won Cha Cha's Treasure Giveaway didn't contact her in time, which she then picked ME!!  I was ecstatic, because like I've said before I normally don't win anything!!!  I was able to pick any key chain from Cha Cha's Etsy Store, and then Cha Cha sent me my prize!  I received it last week; isn't she cute?!


I love all of her curves!!

On to Gina's blog...she is an amazing DIY'er!!  Her beach inspired cottage is adorable, which happens to be the home she grew up in!  She also hosts a weekly linking party called Transformation Thursdays.  Here are some of my favorite projects she's shown us along the way...


Her DIY Fire Place Mantel...check out the transformation!



Check out those Ruffled Curtains!!
Gina...you want to make me some?!?!



Check out those gorgeous Farmhouse Kitchen Chairs,
and the pretty Farmhouse Kitchen Table!  Swoon!



Last but not least this fabulous Pottery Barn knock off Lamp!
Love this!


Not only does she share with us what she's doing in her cottage, but she also has her very own etsy shop!  I love all of her stuff in there!!  Anyways, I'd like to say thank you to Gina for randomly picking my name (second chance) and thanks to Cha Cha (she also has a blog) for offering a key chain in Gina's giveaway.

So what are you waiting for...go browse around Gina's blog, The Shabby Chic Cottage and her Etsy Shop!  There is a lot more than what I've listed above!!

Winning...Necklace & Earrings set!

My last giveaway that I won was a really fun necklace and earrings set from Courtney over at Not So Homemade.  I love anything Black and Silver, it goes with pretty much everything!  So when I opened my package the other night, I was so excited when I saw the Necklace and Earring set Courtney put together for me...


Thank you so much Courtney!! I love it!

Now onto a little about Courtney's blog...She's a little like me when it comes to her blog.  She blogs about random happenings in her life, recipes, and even some crafts.  She loves to make jewelery, she hosts a weekly linky party called What's Cooking Wednesday (here is this weeks link), and she even does some blog designing for other bloggers and even shares some of her tips when it comes to blog design (here is a link to a post that has a whole bunch of blog design tips). 

Here are a few of my favorite recipes she has shared with us...

Fried Pork Chops...mmm my mouth is watering!



Tex-Mex Lasagna...I can't wait to try this!

Mmm...Calzones! Reminds me of Old Chicago!

Here are a couple of my favorite craft posts...


Bridal Shower Card...so pretty!



Custom Designed Candles...seriously looks like something from Pottery Barn or Pier 1!

And some of her and her mom's jewelery that they make...

I would like to thank Courtney again for randomly picking me to win some jewelery, I can't wait to wear it out!!  She's also been so kind to feature some of my recipes on her blog!  So that's the last giveaway, be sure to head over to Not So Homemade and check out Courtney's blog...let her know I sent ya! ;)

Winning...Pampered Chef Garlic Press and Panera Bread Gift Card!

The next Giveaway that I won was from Haley over at At Home With Haley.  When Haley hit 100 followers she decided to giveaway a Pampered Chef Garlic Press and a Panera Bread Gift Card!  I was so excited when I learned that I actually won!!  I already have a Garlic Press, but it's a cheapo that doesn't really work the greatest.  I was stoked to get a new one, let alone a Pampered Chef one!!  I love Pampered Chef, seriously!!  Who doesn't?!  We dont' have a Panera Bread near me, but when I go back to the {big} city I can always hit it up.  I love their Sandwiches, Cinnamon Crunch Bagels, and Potato Soup!  Not all together of course, but those are my favs!

Thank you Haley!!!

Now on to Haley's blog....lets just say she is awesome!  She's always baking up some fresh homemade bread (can you send some my way, please?!) and other yummy food, she hosts fun Recipes I Can't Wait To Try parties every week (she actually makes some of them after we link them up!), and shares some personal stories from time to time!  I think she is an awesome person, even though I've never met her, I can just tell!

Here are some of my favorite recipes that she's shared with us...

Turtle Brownies...Ohh.Emm.Gee!



Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread...seriously, can you overnight me some of this?!



Kolaches...Yum! These remind me of a German Pastry/Bread that my Grandma makes!



Cinnamon Roll Pancakes...oh my heck, I think I need to start working out now!

 Are you guys hungry yet, because I know I am!!!  Now go check the rest of her blog out, and if you like to link your recipes up give her weekly party a try!  Don't forget to check out her Homemade Cinnamon Rolls while you're at it!! :)  Thank you so much Haley!

Winning...Imprint Mat!

I actually won something...and I never win!  Within a 4 week period I actually won 3 giveaways from 3 different blogs, all of which I loyally follow!  I'm going to do a little blurb about each prize and the corresponding blog that I won it from...so here we go with the first awesome prize!

Rachael, who is the voice of Mrs. Adventure, had a giveaway for an Imprint Mat.  This awesome Imprint Comfort Mat showed up last week (the runner size), just in time for me to start baking for my Grandma's birthday party!  Once I got it out of the box, I fell in love with it!  You see, we don't have a dishwasher...well we do, and her name is Kayla (me, ha!), so I spend a lot of time in the kitchen baking, cooking, and doing dishes.  Most of the time my back is killing me before I'm even close to being done.  This mat is really comfortable to stand on, and I found shortly after I got it out of the box, very easy to clean up (I'm also a really messy cook!).  Thank you Rachael for randomly picking me to win, and thank you Imprint Comfort Mat for letting her give one away!


This is the one I got...Cobbleston Pattern in Espresso!
Photo Source

Moving on to Rachael and her fantastic blog, Mrs Adventure...I've been a follower for a few months now and I love reading all of her posts.  She's witty, funny, creative, and not to mention gorgeous!  She loves to tell stories from past and present, and she also shares recipes and craft projects with us.  She also is very eco-conscious when it comes to products that she reviews. 
Here are a couple of my favorite recipes that she has shared with us (there are too many yummy ones to choose from!)...

Blueberry Goodstuff...wowza!



Flank Steak Wrap...really want to try this asap!

Now that I'm hungry, lets go look at a couple of my favorite crafty/home projects she's done...


Cute makeover on this wooden cabinet!

 

Pine Cone Fire Starters...how creative!


Now what are you waiting for...go check out the rest of her blog!! :)