Summer Lovin'

We have had a pretty fun summer so far and still have lots to look forward to.  I thought I'd share the things I've been loving and using most this summer.

1.Superfeet Sandals

Bijuju Gifts for the Holidays

I am super excited to share this online accessory boutique with you today!  They seriously have the BEST selection and their accessories are a really really great quality and really great prices!

Let me introduce you to Bijuju:

JewelMint Review & Giveaway

So, I had heard of JewelMint from a couple blogs that I follow and it sparked my interest.  I just love Kate Bosworth and especially her style, so the fact that she has teamed up with Cher Coulter makes me even more excited about it.  I also thought it was interesting that it included a monthly membership.  

JewelMint offers new pieces every month and helps you find the pieces that fit your own personal style. 

I chose the Paramour Necklace to review and was definitely NOT disappointed!  For one thing, it shipped very promptly and the packaging was really cute (always a plus in my book.)

I have worn this with so many outfits already!  I am always looking for jewelry that I can wear with anything, and I love that about this necklace. 

The one pic I have of the necklace on :)

JewelMint has offered one credit to their collection (one piece) of choice to one of you!



To enter the giveaway (first make sure you are a follower of A Few of My Favorite Things):


Leave a comment on what piece you might choose.
Follow them on facebook
Follow them on twitter



Leave a comment for each of the entries and good luck!

Posh Patina Giveaway!

We have such a great giveaway today!  Kate, owner of Etsy shop Posh Patina, makes some really gorgeous jewelry, most of which is hand-painted and all of which is VERY affordable.  Some of my favorite pieces from her shop were these:

Kate sent me a pair of her "Bahama Mamas" in turquoise and I just love them.  They are very light weight and the perfect size.  They go with pretty much everything and add just a bit of color to my outfits.

Kate has offered one lucky reader a piece of their choice from her shop!  To enter the giveaway go take a look around then leave a comment and tell me what you would choose.

For extra entries:

Add her shop to your favorites

Be a follower/subscriber to A Few of My Favorite Things

Like A Few of My Favorite Things on facebook

Share this giveaway on twitter/facebook/your blog (5 extra entries)

Thanks so much Kate!

Noor's Jewels Handmade Jewelry Giveaway

I am so excited to do a Noor Jewels giveaway today!  Amina is the artist behind this amazing Etsy shop and she sent me some beautiful leaf earrings to review.  I love that they are light and don't bother my ears, and they go with pretty much everything.  You can see some more amazing pieces she has in her shop:

Amina has offered this coin pearl and silver orchard necklace to one lucky winner!

Isn't it pretty?

To enter the giveaway, check out Noor Jewels and tell me what else you love.

For extra entries (leave a comment for each:)

Add Noor Jewels etsy shop to your favorites
Follow her on twitter and/or facebook (1 each)
Follow/Subscribe to my blog (1 each)
Like me on facebook
Share the giveaway on twitter/facebook/your blog (5 entries each)

Thanks Amina!

What I'm Loving Right Now

These earrings and pretty much everything else in this shop:

This photographer:

Also, wanting this:

Happy Memorial Day - Cap Creations Giveaway!

Happy Memorial Day!  How about a fun jewelry giveaway to celebrate?

A couple weeks ago I was given the chance to review a piece of jewelry from Cap Creations.  They make personalized, hand-stamped jewelry for everyone in your family.

"We strive to make our quality products meaningful, personal, and unique because they are centered around your personality and what you value most. Each person in the family can enjoy our creations whether they are sweet and dainty, sporty, or masculine!"

They also help raise money for families trying to adopt children.  They have everything from necklaces to key chains and many are sterling silver.  Not only are their pieces original and personal, they are also very affordable.

I chose to review the stamped ring.  I have been wanting a simple band with my children's names and birth dates on each one, so I finally got one for Allie.  I wanted to wear it on my right hand pointer finger, so I had to measure really carefully, but their sizes are right on and it fits perfect.

Cap Creations has offered one lucky reader a $40 gift certificate to their shop!

To enter please take a look at their site and leave a comment on the item you love.

For extra entries:

Follow/Subscribe to my blog or their blog (1 entry each)

Like Cap Creations or Favorite Things on Facebook (2 entries each)

Share this giveaway on facebook/your blog/twitter (5 entries each)

Leave a comment for each entry.  Good luck!

Thanks to Cap Creations for sponsoring!

Two Mermaids Giveaway

So last summer, my mom was walking around Maple Valley Days (our little city fair in WA) and she stopped at this booth with the most beautiful beads she had ever seen.  They are made by the nicest lady named Cindy.  Here is a little about her and her shop from Etsy:

Cindy Carpenter is the sole designer for Bella, her business for 9 years. Her love of the ocean comes through in each piece, whether it be in color, fresh water pearls or the tiny mermaid that you will find hidden on many pieces that is done in love for her “two mermaids”, Emily & Abby. She uses Swarovski crystals, pearls, beachglass, vintage and lampwork beads and finishes her work with a signature sterling heart clasp. 

Cindy was so sweet to send me one of her Mermaid Keychains.  These pieces truly seem like a piece of treasure when you hold them in your hand.  There are so many pretty beads on them and are from all over the world. 

Cindy has generously offered one of my lucky readers a set of beads.  These are so beautiful and you can make any piece of jewelry you would like!  I think I would make some earrings with mine...

 Aruba:

Pool Side:

These ones are called Disneyland :)

There are so many other sets that I love.

Also, she is currently raising money for Japan by donating all of the earnings from her Japan Beads.  They are just $5 each and come on a piece of black hemp that you can wear as a bracelet:

To enter to win the set of beads first go take a look at Cindy's bead sets then come back here and tell me which set is your favorite.

For extra entries(leave a comment for each:)

Tell me what other piece you love from her shop

Add her shop to your favorites

Make any purchase (10 entries each)

Follow/Subscribe to my blog (2 each)

Share this giveaway on twitter/facebook/your blog (3 entries each)

Good luck to all and thank you so much Cindy!!

Frugal and Fabulous: Inexpensive Ways to Look Like a Million Bucks

This guest post was written by Gemma O., who has written at length about the importance of radiology technicians and regularly discusses the pros and cons of Christian counseling degree programs.

Inexpensive Ways to Look Like a Million Bucks

When you’re raising a family, your own wants and needs often take the back burner to those of your children or partner. Unfortunately, this often goes out the window along with your free time to shop, accessorize, and create outfits that make you feel great about yourself. But looking good helps you feel good, and feeling good makes you approach the world from a place of confidence and poise. Luckily, it’s not difficult to look like a million bucks, even when you’re shopping on a frugal budget. Below are some easy, helpful fashion tips to make you feel great about the way you dress.

• Accessorize! Nothing spices up an outfit more than gorgeous accessories. They need not be pricy to look fabulous – sometimes the best bangles, scarves, or headbands can be found in stores’ sales sections with clearance price tags on them for $1, $2, or $5. Start a collection of hats, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, scarves, watches, etc. to draw from when you get dressed every morning. Goodness knows we’re all in a hurry to throw on some clothes and make it out the door, but a couple of accessories thoughtfully added to an outfit will make you look more put together.

 via ActressSnaps.com

• Shop at discount stores. Places like Marshall’s and Ross are excellent places to find brand-name clothing are rock-bottom prices. You might have to do some digging to find pieces that look chic, but there are plenty of well-made, classy clothes for the finding. Many designers and major department stores send their leftover, unpurchased goods to stores like this, and there are unbelievable deals on designers like Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and Tommy Hilfiger.
• Find a fabulous, good-for-everything purse. Women’s purses are a catch-all for everything – phone, wallet, the mail, makeup, paperwork, you name it. But finding one versatile purse that matches any of your outfits and that is the right size for your needs will make all the difference in your fashion style. Rather than spending a bunch of money on several purses and have to hassle with switching between them, buy one solid well-made purse that you will last you a long time, and that you’re confident will accessorize well with most of your wardrobe.

image via the cherry blossom girl

• Become a thifting fashionista. You can find amazing things at thrift stores! And thrifting is half the fun – sifting through racks, digging through bins, and trying on funky things lets you explore and push your fashion boundaries without breaking the bank. Look for statement pieces and accessories especially. The best part about thrift stores is that you’ll buy and wear things that no one else is wearing because they aren’t this season’s rage at all the stores. Thrifted clothes will set you apart, and won’t make a sizeable dent in your pocketbook.
• Wear shoes that make a statement. Even if the rest of your outfit is neutral, plain, and ordinary, wearing a pairing of fun shoes makes all the difference. Whether it’s the color, fabric, heel height, peep-toe, having fun shoes makes you feel fun! Check out stores like Payless, Target, Cathy Jean, DSW Shoes, JC Penney for great shoes at low prices.

via space for inspiration

• Layer your clothes for added dimension. Layering doesn’t even require that you buy anything new – it just requires that you play with fun combinations in your closet that you might not have worn before. Instead of walking out of the house in a tshirt and jeans, throw on a cute cardigan, bright necklace, funky bracelet, and pretty scarf. Put on a pair of leggings under your skirt, or a vest over a button-down. This will add depth and dimension to your outfit, and you will look “styled” without looking over-done.
• Shop the sales racks. Half-yearly sales, Black Friday shopping, and clearance sales are a great way to get high-end clothes at discounted prices. If name-brands are important to you as well as cheap price tags, then you should stick exclusively to sales racks. If you see something at full price that you absolutely love, odds are that in one to two months, you’ll see it on the sale rack. Be vigilant and check back in to see when the store is shifting between seasons to score great pieces that are a steal.

Favorite Things Friday: Last One????

I have noticed in the last couple of weeks that Favorite Things Friday has begun to dwindle... What do you think?  Should I keep it up or should we call it good?  For now and next week I will leave it up.  Maybe if all of you could post the button on your blogs and on your posts we can get it going again.  As always, I love to see what your favorite things are every week and all the creative things you come up with.  Here are a few of my faves from last week:

Some cool antique buttons from Still Parenting

A shabby chic picture ladder from The Polka-Dot Umbrella

A super cute toddler necklace from MiaMoo Designs

How to reupholster a couch from Condo Blues

A cute kids art gallery from House on Ashwell Lane

A Ruffled Zip Pouch from Just Sew Sassy

This gorgeous dresser redo from Momma Hen

PS:  Enter the 2 shoe giveaways on the top right on my blog while you still can! Winners will be drawn this weekend!!!

Garden Leaf Design Review

Garden Leaf Design is a Sea Glass Jewelry and Floral Art shop on Etsy with gorgeous pieces.  Take a look at some of them:

I just love sea-inspired jewelry and I was so lucky to get to review this one:

It is very well-made and such a pretty piece.  I can't wait to add a cute picture of Allie in the frame.

Their prices are pretty reasonable, especially for a nice gift for memento.
Go check it out!