Giveaways | Beauty and The Boys

free to be an adventurous busy momma

May 8, 2015 - 6 Comments

This post is sponsored by all free clear but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Having a house full of boys means we are always on the go and we are always getting messy! The twins have recently started baby food and the get messy trying to grab the spoon before I can get it to their mouth. Hello sticky fingers and then of course baby food gets all over their little clothes. So does drool and spit up. It’s true what they say, babies are messy. Kids are even messier!! My boys are always climbing on stuff, playing in the dirt, running around outside, and one of their favorite things ever is playing in the mud! Especially after it rains, which we’ve been getting a lot of lately! So, of course playing the mud and making mud pies is a must in this house!

We love spending time outside whether it’s swinging, running around the yard, playing tag, building stick figures, digging in the dirt with shovels, and just all out having good ol’ fun! I have always embraced a messy, chaotic, and fun life and all free clear laundry detergent helps me to do just that! I know that it’s not irritating my little one’s skin because it’s the #1 recommend laundry detergent brand by Dermatologist, Allergist, and pediatrics for sensitive skin! I love knowing that it’s tough enough to fight all those dirt, grass, and mud stains that four boys wind up with, but gentle enough for the whole family. That’s winning in my book!

Let the fun, messy memories continue!! What is your favorite messy memory?!

I am giving away a $25 gift card to Target. Use the rafflecopter below. All entries will be verified. The winner must calim the prize within 48 hours of the winning being announced!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

———————————
Stay connected with me:

Creative Rebel Designs Interview and Giveaway

September 8, 2014 - 5 Comments

I am SO freaking excited for today’s post. Elle is no stranger to my blog, but she has recently re branded her blog and opened up a brand new shop that I am so in love with! I just knew I had to interview her and let my readers know about her talent! Elle is seriously my best friend and if it wasn’t for blogging, we never would have met! I am so thankful for her friendship and I’m blown away by her talent! Make sure you read all of the interview because, at the end, Elle is giving a little something away!

Let’s get started!

Elle!! I am SO beyond excited to be interviewing you today! You and I have been friends for what seems like forever! I know so much about you, but my readers don’t and I would love for you to share a few things about yourself with them!

My name is Elle. I love long walks on the beach and romantic comedies… oh… wait… While all of that is true this is a little more accurate: I am from a small town in the Rocky Mountains, but currently live in Greenville, South Carolina.

I’m a creative designer, avid blogger, screenprinting enthusiast, and coding addict with a passion for helping people and small businesses reach their creative goals. I spend most of my day sitting behind my MacBook designing, while tweeting, blogging, listening to music and drinking lots and lots of coffee. When not tethered to my laptop, I also enjoy photography, kayaking, hiking, travel, flea markets, reading, motocross riding and playing sports with my two boys: The Professor & Mayhem.

1. One thing I love about blogging is how it brings people together who never would have had the chance of meeting otherwise. It’s because of our blogs that we have the friendship we do today so, on that note, how long have you been blogging and what made you get started?

I started my first blog way back in 2009. We had just moved 2300 miles from everybody we knew and it was easier to share all of our new adventures with friends and family “back home” via the Internet. It slowly progressed into a few other outlets and I am currently in the process of starting up the brand new Creative Rebel Blog. I love the connections and the outlet and just the overall freedom of being able to express myself and get feedback from others. It’s awesome!

2. Now that my lovely readers know that you’ve been writing for awhile, lets share what they don’t know! That you are also a shop owner! When I got my package of goodies from your shop, I literally did a happy dance from the mailbox all the way back inside, but what I wasn’t expecting, was to be completely blown away by the packaging and products I found in it. Tell us a little bit about Creative Rebebl Designs. What type of products do you sell and why did you decide to open up a shop?

Creative Rebel Designs is a full-service branding, design and apparel boutique by a creative for creatives. I love design with minimalist freshness and modern originality that is sure to make your friends jealous and help you stand out from the crowd (in a good way)! It’s also about designing accessories for women who don’t always feel comfortable in dresses and heels.

And let’s not forget how much I love my Rebel Boys T-Shirt Line. There are rows of shopping centers with little stores for girls, but finding a decent shirt for a little boy that doesn’t have a cartoon action figure or a character from some movie is like trying to find Waldo on that all red and white page (90’s children know what I’m talking about). It’s possible, but it’s difficult. So I’m in the process of creating a bunch of new designs for little boys who want to “be cool” and not like everybody else. (There will soon be a Monster and Robots section that my two boys are super excited for!!)

3. One of my favorite pieces from your shop is the new necklace that I never plan on taking off. I am a huge fan of the hunger games and a huge fan of yours, I don’t know if you had the hunger games in mind when you created this necklace, but that is immediately what it took me to and I knew I had to have it. The arrow, the word rebel {which for me personally, brands you and my favorite fictional character together in my mind}, and how beautiful it looks. Where does your inspiration comes from when it comes to making products? Not just this necklace, but the wide variety of items you create?

That’s funny you say that. I actually didn’t have the Hunger Games in mind when I made that necklace, but My Man actually said the same thing when I showed him. I love arrows. I’m a huge fan. They can only move forward and they are only shot with pure intent. As for inspiration, it’s all around. It’s in everything, in the music I listen to, in the nature I see on hikes, in the games and conversations I have with my kids. Inspiration is always there, you just have to be open to new ideas and let the thoughts come as they may. I think people get stuck in ruts about conforming to this or that. Life changes. Daily. Just go with it and see where you end up. It’s really exciting and you’ll never imagine the new things you’ll find.

4. I’m really curious as to how you do it all? My readers are only getting a glimpse at what you do, but you and I have had long conversations about life and everything in it. I know many people can relate to the busy life of a mom, especially when you throw in extra things. How do you balance it all?

Sometimes not well. LOL. Let’s be honest. Balancing is hard! But I strive very hard to make sure I make time for me at least a few times a week. If I don’t, then I get rundown and boring and depression strikes. For me, being able to sit down in front of a computer and create something or to swipe that squeegee across the wet ink and see a new shirt come to life – that’s when I know that I’m still me. Even after kids, and work, and household chores, and bills, and school, and everything else, somewhere in there, I’m still me and when I know that. Then I can be all those other things for all those other people.

5. Is there any advice you would like to offer or any knowledge you would like to share about starting/managing a blog and/or shop?!
Do it! Try! Go for it! What do you have to lose? If you want something, stand up and do it!

Thanks so much for letting me interview you Elle and sharing a little bit about yourself and your blog + shop!

For the giveaway, Elle is letting the winner choose one item from her shop! Lucky you! She has a wide variety and I love it all! She has Jewelry, Adult t-shirts, Framed Quotes, Boys T-shirts, and Key Fobs. I told you she was talented!

Use the rafflecopter below to enter! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

———————————
Stay connected with me:

My makeup routine & a giveaway

March 15, 2014 - 11 Comments

Last time I shared my beauty products it was in a horrible video and you could barely see the products. So, I thought it would be fun to re-do my everyday makeup routine doing only pictures until I get video making down.

This routine literally takes me ten minutes if that and it is one I use daily when I am just trying to get ready real quick. There is also a little giveaway at the end of this post to make your nails beautiful too.

First – I am a little scary without makeup or I look like a kid. I get that a lot so let’s not even go there.

First, I apply my eyeshadow. For this post, I used one of my favorites – my elf eyeshadow. I use an eye makeup brush instead of an eyeshadow thing. {I don’t even know what it’s called, I don’t speak a whole lot of makeup.} One tip I did learn from my beautiful sister in law, is never judge your eyeshadow until you apply mascara and she was beyond right.

Next up, I apply my base. I’m trying out this new CC cream I got from CVS. I’m pretty sure I like it, but I haven’t fully decided. I think I may still love the BB cream one I use.

Then I apply my powder. I use Covergirl trublend minerals and I beyond love it.

My mascara has NEVER changed. I have been using this mascara since I first started doing my makeup. The only difference is, I normally get the one with the bigger brush, but I really love this one. I also apply eyeliner, but I didn’t take a pic of that.

Then I use my new favorite lip product. It is such a pretty light color that it almost looks natural and it feels amazing. It’s called Juicy by Wet N Wild.

Now, onto the giveaway! I was provided these nail decals in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.

One of the things I am horrible about is painting my nails and making them look cute. I have all these gorgeous nails pinned on my pinterest board and I am always longing to make my nails look pretty. If you have been following this blog for awhile, then you have probably seen my nails either plain or with my nails professionally done. Very rarely are they painted. However, when I received these gorgeous Nailed it decals, I got to work on my nails. I painted them as perfectly as I could. I was a little nervous about putting the decals on since I have never used decals before, but I only messed up once and I LOVE them. I have a super busy life and two rambunctious boys who are eighteen months apart. My hands are not hands that are calm or non dirty, etc. My hands are always moving, getting dirty, washing dishes, doing laundry, etc. I was a little nervous about them staying on, but they have stayed on this whole time and I’ve had them on for almost a week now! I plan on ALWAYS having nail decals on my nails now because they just make them look SO much cuter and I have gotten several compliments on them! Nailed it decals is definitely a new favorite.

All you do is:
1. Paint your nails the color of your choice.
2. Apply decals and trim with scissors if needed.
3. Finish with 2 coats of top coats.

Today, I am giving away the silver sheet set you see in the picture! I hope whoever wins them, loves them as much as I do! If you don’t want to wait to see if you can win the giveaway. Use code LLL0VE20 in Summer’s shop to get 20% off your purchase!

All entries will be verified. Use the rafflecopter below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

———————————
Stay connected with me:

3 year blogging anniversary giveaway

February 2, 2014 - 16 Comments

Today, it has been three years since I started blogging. Three years since I sat down, wrote that first very small post and hit publish. I never knew the journey it would take me on. I never knew all of the amazing women I would meet along the way. I never knew I would find myself through my writing. I never knew I would be so encouraged and inspired from YOU. Yes, you – my readers, who have lifted me up, cried with me, laughed with me, inspired me and encouraged me so many times that I can’t even count. This has been one amazing ride so far and I am really looking forward to what this year of blogging will bring. What new friendships I will make and what new path I will take during this blogging world. Whether you are a long time reader or brand new. I want to thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming back every day, for reminding me what friendship is like, for reminding me I’m never alone in my struggles or my laughs, for reminding me that there really is amazing people in this world.

Thank you for making me apart of your daily reads. Without my readers, this blog would be nothing but my words. Y’all are the ones who blow me away constantly and for that I wanted to thank y’all in a really big way. Today, myself and a group of wonderful ladies have teamed up to bring you a fabulous giveaway!

Top to bottom, left to right:

I Heart Motherhood : Impractical Composition : Craft Dictator :

Songs Kate Sang : The Nerdy Katie : Insanity rules with four little boys :

Singing Steph : Hi Lovely

Those are the beautiful ladies that have teamed up with me to bring you today’s giveaway!
- a $50 Target gift card
- 5 winners will win 1 month of social media sponsorship from me
- Pair of Kendra Scott Earrings
- $25 shop credit
- Winner’s choice of a little lady ear warmer
- Winner’s choice of two subway art prints
Use the rafflecopter below to enter and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

———————————
Stay connected with me:

Meet Nay + a giveaway

January 18, 2014 - 19 Comments

I hope you are all having a good Saturday night or Sunday morning depending on when you first see this!

Today, I have a very sweet blog friend, who also happens to be a sponsor this month, guest posting today.

She also has a giveaway at the end that I so wish I could win! Take it away Nay!

—————————

Hi Live. Laugh. LOve. readers!

I am so very happy to be here today to introduce myself a bit and give you a little surprise

So here we go!

I’m Nay

and I blog over at

My home on the www.

The place that you can visit and be you.

See, what I want for my Loveys (read: blog readers, my little nickname for them) is for them to come to my little space in BlogLand and leave empowered, inspired, encouraged…

where you can feel that way and remember that you are Enough.

I have been writing at coffee-n-ink for a little over a year and have found out that I have a voice for those that need to be reminded of theirs.

Want to be uplifted?

Want to know that you can do hard things?

Want to know that although sometimes there are bad days but it doesn’t mean it’s a bad life?

Well, I think you’ll like coffee-n-ink

coffee-n-ink came about because I have a love of writing and well…um, coffee. Lots of coffee. A please-don’t-let-the-caffeine-run-out kinda place.

But most importantly, a place where I can just write. I write the posts as they come to me and as fast as I can publish them. I don’t schedule posts if I don’t have to. I want to let you in on my little world as the thoughts flow.

I am so very thrilled to be here to share myself with you and my bloggy home. I wanted to make this guest post special, though. Adding a little extra umph, you know?

So my brain quickly put together a wonderful idea!

I’d share my “so you wanna write?” essentials!

I ran over to the store and picked you up a few things!

Two Journals

A Package of My Favorite Pens

A Little Packet of Post-its

{for when the mood strikes and you don’t want to forget those words}

and

{not pictured} a $5 Starbucks coffee card!

You can win this from little ole me to wonderful, fabulous you.

Whatcha think?

Good idea?

Um…what are you waiting for?

Enter, lovey!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And then…

maybe stop by and visit me!

{Bloglovin’ – FB – Twitter – Pinterest – Instagram}

I’d love to have you over.

Thanks to my favorite bloggy friend, Cassie!

She rocks my socks!

———————————
Stay connected with me:

A letter to my future self and a giveaway

November 21, 2013 - 19 Comments

Today is my birthday! Not only do I think it would be fun to share a letter I wrote to my future self, but to have a little giveaway too!

Dear future me,

I hope you are living those dreams you had at the age of twenty four & still had going into twenty five. I hope your books are sold in stores and bought from Amazon and are downloaded onto kindles. I hope your love of photography and wanting to have a photography biz made it. I hope you take the most beautiful pictures. Trust me, I remember how excited you were to get your first camera. It was the kind of excitement found in birthday and Christmas, it was like someone sprinkled magical dust on you because, you lit up like the fourth of July. I hope you never gave up and I hope you are at the place you want to be in life.

I hope you stopped and smelled the roses. I hope that you learned how to push your fears aside and really live. I hope you cuddled with the boys as often as you could until they grew out of the cuddling stage. I can only imagine the amount of tears you cried when that happened, just thinking about that day now has tears stinging my eyes. I hope you continued to raise them with respect, love, patience and understanding. I hope they grew up to be confident in who they are because, you were always confident in who you are. I hope they grew up to work hard like their daddy wants and I hope they know how to really love because, you love them so.

I hope you created more memories than you can remember. I hope you laughed throughout the years. The kind of laughter that fills a room. The kind of laughter that doubles you over. I hope you have shed some tears. Growing up you were always a sensitive person and you cried weather it was happy or sad tears. I hope you held onto that sensitivity and didn’t let others ruin it. I hope you held onto your passion and you compassion too. I hope you still try to see the best in people and I hope you still love with your whole heart.

I hope you and Hubby have traveled. I hope y’all took the kids on endless vacations and created endless memories, but I hope y’all also took vacations for just the two of you because, those memories are important too. I hope y’all still love each other with the fierce passion you do right now. I hope y’all are still as happy, if not happier, than you are now.

More than anything, I hope you are proud of yourself, the life you have lived so far, the boys you raised and the man you married. I hope you can look back over the years and remember that you truly lived life and that you worked hard to get where you are today. I hope you never lost your sense of wonder.

Love,
twenty four year old me.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sponsor love and starbucks gift cards giveaway

September 23, 2013 - 17 Comments

Happy Tuesday friends! Since Monday is always no fun, I want to make today better! Today I am highlighting my wonderful sponsors. I am sharing some of my favorite posts from them and their is a giveaway! Woo woo! Let’s do this.

First up we have the lovely Cece who blogs over at Pink Sunshine. A little about her:

I’ve been married for 3 years and live in Sunny San Diego. I started blogging because I really love writing. I used to post on My Space because it was the only thing I knew of and I was absolutely thrilled with I discovered blogger and the blogging community. My blog is a lifestyle blog for lack of a better description.

A few of my favorite posts from Cece: I love this post she wrote on Love and Loss. “I literally asked out loud as if someone would answer; Why do people have to die? It’s such a childish question and I am old enough to know the answer. It’s the circle of life.” I can’t tell y’all how many times I’ve said those words too! Another favorite is, Her tips on learning manual mode on your camera! She made it very easy to understand! One more, I adore all of the pictures she took using manual mode! She is a great photographer!

————-

Up next we have the inspiring and beautiful Annelise who blogs over at Aunie Sauce. A little about her:

Aunie Sauce is the blog filled with the life & sauce of Annelise Rowe. I enjoy writing about fitness, faith, style, and all the sauce in between.

A few of my favorite posts from Annelise: I love, love, love this leopard and neon outfit she is rocking. Not only does she look amazing, she totally inspired me to try out this look! Another favorite is, She shared her mans favorite outfit that she wears! Go tell her what your husband’s favorite outfit is! Last but not least, she shares her very real, very raw and honest journey through Trichotillomania. She is beyond inspiring.

————-

Next up we have Elle who blogs over at Dig Deep Studio. A little about her:

I’m a designer, writer, photogeek, proud momma, dreamer, and full of just plain ol’ spontaneous awesomeness.

Here you can marvel at my latest design work, get educated on all things brand, design and blog worthy, and enjoy my own personal inner monologue about being a mamma to two amazing little boys. So grab a seat and start everyday off with a little family/freelance entertainment.

A few of my favorite posts from Elle: I love this post about things you should not do when it comes to blogging. I guess I need to work on number five! Another one is, She shares how being different is good. I can absolutely relate and I bet you can too! Last but not least, I love this post about how life should be! It’s so inspiring and so true!

She is giving away: $20 Starbucks Gift Card

————-

Next up is the very real and hilarious Megan from Absolute Mommy. A little about her:

I’m a mommy blogger who blogs about everything. I mean everything. I’m honest, sarcastic, and a sucker for laughs. You can find me on Facebook and Twitter, but if you really want the details you should follow me on Instagram. Take a chance on me, a mommy who is fumbling through motherhood and life. My motto is: I wasn’t built for motherhood, it built me. It’s a work in progress.

A few of my favorite posts from Megan: She is an amazing writer and she proved that with this short story called the dress. This post on stupid parents had me nodding my head in complete agreement! I can’t stand stupid parents. Lastly, I could not agree more with this post about how different motherhood is your second time around!

She is giving away: $15 Starbucks giftcard

————-

Lastly, we have the beautiful Tricia who blogs at Mama marchand. A little about her:

I am rooted in Jesus and madly in love with my husband and little girl. I love all things vintage, handmade, colorful, and caffeinated. I’m addicted to coffee, yoga, thrifting, and good books. My lifestyle blog is all about faith, fashion, motherhood, marriage, and just about everything in between. When I’m not blogging at Mama Marchand’s Nest, you’ll find me Instagramming my heart out at @mamamarchand.

A few of my favorite posts from Tricia: I love that she put herself out there and wants to lead a healthy lifestyle. Go give her lots of encouragement! Next we have, I love the meaning behind her newest tattoo. It’s beautiful and I love where she put it! Lastly, You must see how beautiful her home is! She is an amazing decorate her and her taste is flawless!

————-

Now, get to entering the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Life lately + easy canvas print giveaway

September 15, 2013 - 1 Comment

Our weekend was one that we absolutely needed. I wound up unplugging for most of it. I wound up taking more pictures for future blog posts. I was able to get tons of writing done {non blogging related of course}. We laughed and cuddled. We let the kids stay up too late and we had tons of family time. Needless to say, I didn’t snap too many photos on my phone for life lately, but I did share a few on Instagram.

This is apparently how Jay watches TV.

One of my favorite songs

On the rare occasions that I actually crave chocolate, it is always snickers or snickers minis!

Friday, was also Hubby’s birthday. He had to work that day, but we pretty much celebrated all weekend long, aka I spoiled him all weekend. This year I had wanted to get something Hubby really wanted {a new TV cough, cough}, but that wasn’t really it then cards. Well, a few weeks ago I was contacted to do a review for a canvas print. Insert giddiness here. At first I was having such a hard time deciding what type of picture I wanted to use and which one and everything that comes with finding the perfect picture.

As I was browsing my ridiculous amount of photos, it had hit me Hubby’s birthday was coming up and I knew right then and there that I didn’t want this canvas for me, I wanted it for him. I quickly selected a photo I knew he would love and then patiently waited for it to arrive in the mail.

Y’all I couldn’t even wait for his birthday to give it to him. I loved it that much that I knew he had to have it right then. I left a little note with the box on the counter, wishing him a happy early birthday. Let’s just say he, he was extremely happy and I quote, “I freaking love it.”

Sigh, I done good. Yes, I did.

Don’t go yet though because the lovely people at Easy Canvas Prints wants to give one of my readers a free 8×10 canvas. They also do Custom shirts + signs. Even if you don’t win the giveaway, I truly believe you should check them out and I WILL be ordering future canvases from them.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided this canvas for free, for an honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Photos on Canvas

Firmoo Giveaway

July 16, 2013 - 2 Comments

Firmoo is the World’s Most Popular Online Eyeglasses Store. We have always been committed ourselves to offering customers the best quality products at the most affordable prices which start at 8 dollars- 80%-90% lower compared to that in local store. Furthermore, Firmoo has launched First Pair Free Program for new customers to test our products and service for free by paying shipping only.

Today I have teamed up with Firmoo to bring you this stylish giveaway! Firmoo has so many different types of sunglasses and prescription glasses that are GORGEOUS! You don’t even have to buy you first pair of glasses, they have a first pair free program, and I can say from experience you won’t regret getting them!

I have yet to go to the eye doctor to find out if I need glasses yet {ahem I’m pretty sure they are going to say yes} but, when I do – I will be browsing their classic series. I love the different colors and styles!

Have questions – be sure to visit their How to place an order page!

Now, on to the giveaway!

Firmoo is giving away 6, yes you read that right SIX $20 vouchers to six lucky winners! The voucher includes the frame and 1.50 single vision lenses! Some frames are under $20, so winners just need to pay a little on shipping because the voucher doesn’t include it.

If there are 40 qualified contestants or above, we’ll provide a pair of Firmoo glasses as grand prize, shipping included!

You MUST do the mandatory entry.

You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

You must live where they ship too.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This months in-post ad
——————————

My Gracie B wishlist + a giveaway

June 25, 2013 - 19 Comments

I had every intention of showing y’all another way to style one of my favorite dress. However, life got the best of me aka dealing with a kidney stone, trying to keep up with my boys and my house and not to mention working on my book – yeah, getting all dressed up and cute yesterday was not in the cards and you know what that’s okay because I have put together a little wish list from Gracie B!

If you haven’t heard of Gracie B you NEED too! This is directly from her website:

“Our mission is to provide a fun + affordable online boutique experience. This is a matter we take very seriously. An insane amount of time is spent scouring the globe for new designers and artisans in order to bring our shoppers the best there is to offer in apparel, accessories, and jewelry. We hope that stopping by our corner of the world wide web will spark a feeling of whimsy that leaves you inspired. It is our belief that great style holds the key to incredible things and we want to help every woman achieve that.”

Um yes, yes and yes. Now onto my wish list!