Archive for the ‘Give-Away / Contest’ Category

Our previously drawn winner did not claim her prize, so we re-random.org “drew” … #27!

I’ve emailed Kelly D., and now she has 48 hours to respond and claim the costume of her choice.

Congratulations, Kelly.

Random.org decreed that the winner of the costume of their choice from AnytimeCostumes.com was…

Comment #15, which was Ladytink.

I’ve already emailed her, and she has 48 hours to claim her prize!

Stay tuned, as there will be two more costume giveaways in the next couple of months…

I was thinking of keeping this all to myself, but I guess you deserve to know about it, too.

Just click the image above to go visit Hallee the Homemaker, and you can enter to win an AMAZING prize package, including a grain mill and tons of goodies!

What a blessing this would be…

We are so thankful for our friends at AnytimeCostumes.com!

Last year, Jewel was able to review a lovely Princess Costume from them.

We just got this fun “Plus Size Hercules” costume for Nick! (He doesn’t want to be “Hercules”, just liked the gladiator look)

This is our first experience ordering Plus Size costume, and it did have its wrinkles. As I have found with any large sized clothes, sometimes they are simply extrapolated from the smaller size pattern, and the results miss a few key elements.

In this case, two noticeable things: The costume has some upper-arm bands that close with velcro, but would barely go around Nick’s arms (and popped off if he flexed!). And it had wrist bracers that were supposed to fit snugly, with a stretchy lyrca panel to allow them to slide on over your hands — Except that they were huge, and he could have worn them as upper-arm bands (you’ll notice their lack in the photo).

The costume itself was very well put together, from both an artistic and a construction standpoint. The shin guards were very clever, and the studded headband was a nice touch. (That’s one of Wolf’s collector swords, not a costume accessory)

We’ve had similar fit problems with some of the accessory pieces even on Jewel’s costumes over the years, so I didn’t find it particularly distressing. A one-size-fits-all solution just never is… but as a starting point, it sure gives me a lot of relief from both planning and sewing!

WIN YOUR OWN!

One lucky As For My House reader will win a costume of their choice from Anytime Costumes (up to a $50 value)!

Sorry, but you must have a USA mailing address for this giveaway. Make sure to leave your email address with each comment. (Used only to contact the winner. If your email is entered in the form it will be saved for me but not displayed).

1. Head on over to Anytime Costumes and leave a comment here telling me what you would pick if you won. (You can change your mind later, don’t worry!)

Extra Entries (leave separate comments for each). Once you have completed #1, you can earn additional entries by doing any or all of the following:

2. Become a Facebook Fan of Anytime Costumes, and Facebook NetworkedBlogs Follow As For My House.

3. Follow Tiffany and Anytime Costumes on Twitter.

4. Subscribe to As For My House in your favorite feed reader, or by email. (Current subscribers count, too!)

5. and 6. Post this giveaway to your Facebook wall (leave your Facebook name), or Tweet about it (and leave the link)! Each may be done daily for extra entries.

In addition to these, there are MANY more ways to earn extra entries. You know, all the usual stuff like sharing on Facebook, Tweeting, and so on? Just click over to our Giveaway Policy page for all the details!

This giveaway ends 8/7/11 at 11:59pm (Central), or more likely some time around 5 am the following morning when I log in again.

The winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on the blog, as well as contacted by email. Winner must respond within 48 hours, or a new winner will be selected.

** Comments are now closed. Look for the winner to be announced soon! **

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Having been covering my hair for awhile now, I am beginning to run across other situations that had never occurred to me as “issues” before.

Like swimming.

We don’t go swimming much… Public beaches and water-parks are just too immodest for any of us to feel comfortable.

But I do want the children to learn to swim… For safety when they may be near water (fishing, boating, etc.), or even the occasional time we may want to go swimming – in a quiet “swimming hole,” at a friend’s house, who knows?

Jewel had some lessons last year through the local public pool, and I was excited to see that this year we were in time to sign her up for lessons at the base pool. When we went for registration, we learned that they also have “Mommy/Daddy & Me” lessons for R.T.’s age.

Hmmmm.

Suddenly my “it doesn’t matter” solution of just wearing a bandanna headcovering when we were near the water (something I could easily care for if it happened to get wet) didn’t seem to get the job done. A soaked bandanna is clearly not going to stay put when I’m swishing around in the pool with R.T.

I was delighted to find Princess Modest Swimwear. An Israeli company, they provide modest swimwear with an eye towards traditional Jewish modesty requirements – including headcoverings.

I picked out this one, “Aqua and Black”, which goes with the makeshift swim outfit I am wearing this season. (Swimwear, yeah, that’s got to be an entire separate post, don’t you think?)

It is essentially an ordinary lycra swim cap in the base color, with a black triangle “bandanna” of peachskin microfiber (the quick-drying stuff that men’s swim suits are often made of) sewn along one edge. You can then wrap and tie it in a variety of ways.

Looks cute, dries quickly, and it’s even SPF 50+.

My only concern was one that is, while of course not “unique,” certainly one that most of you needn’t worry about – it’s One Size Fits All.

As I explained to someone recently (someone else who sold clothing items, who should have known better!), being tall makes a lot of difference in everything. Someone who is six feet tall is simply proportionately bigger in every respect than someone who is five feet tall. So, while of course everyone is shaped differently, overall the taller person will tend to have a bigger shoe size, a bigger wrist measurement for bracelets, and – yeah – a bigger hat size. (And on top of that I do have quite a bit of hair).

I exchanged a few emails and a phone call with Galia, the owner of Princess Modest Swimwear, who proved knowledgeable and very sweet. She described the fit, said that it was roomier than last year’s, and suggested I check out the photos of the woman in the purple suit on the website, who had very big hair. In the end, though, she didn’t want me to purchase it if I was going to wind up unhappy.

Given all that, I decided to purchase it, with the clearly stated intention that I would take the chance, give her feedback on the fit either way, and pass it on to bless someone else if it turned out not to fit. That’s where you come it – skip down to the bottom if you can’t wait!

The magic of Google allowed me to find a lycra swim cap in an XL size (in a cute coordinating print, even), which is working out very well for actual pool usage. (Heads-up if you go on such a search – sites that have swim caps also often carry advertisements for swim suits, and not modest ones, either!)

I can certainly see, though, that if I was going to be spending the day with Wolf and Jewel while they fished (not my thing), or similarly “hanging out” in a possibly-wet-but-not-swimming setting, it would be nice to have the additional “scarf” piece to reduce the possibly dorky I’M A SWIM CAP look.

Maybe Galia will take pity on me,
and offer an XL size next year!

BUY IT!

Order your own stylish Swim Head Covering directly from Princess Modest Swimwear.

As of today (disclaimer just in case someone digs this up later) they sell for $14, with Free Shipping in Israel, or $5 Shipping anywhere else in the world.

WIN IT!

One lucky As For My House reader will win their own Aqua/Black Swim Head Covering

This is the one that I ordered to check out. It has only been tried on, never worn out of the house or around water…

Make sure to leave your email address with each comment. (Used only to contact the winner. If your email is entered in the form it will be saved for me but not displayed).

1. Leave a comment here letting me know what you currently do (or don’t do!) about headcovering in the water.

Extra Entries (leave separate comments for each).

Once you have completed #1, you can earn additional entries by doing any or all of the following.

2. Become a Facebook Fan of Princess Modest Swimwear.

3. Subscribe to As For My House in your favorite feed reader, or by email. (Current subscribers count, too!)

4. and 5. Post this giveaway to your Facebook wall (leave your Facebook name), or Tweet about it (and leave the link)! Each may be done daily for extra entries.

In additon to these, there are MANY more ways to earn extra entries. You know, all the usual stuff like sharing on Facebook, Tweeting, and so on? Just click over to our Giveaway Policy page for all the details!

This giveaway ends 7/11/2011 at 11:59pm (Central), or more likely some time the following morning when I log in again. (If you can still leave a comment, you can still enter).

The winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on the blog, as well as contacted by email. Winner must respond within 48 hours, or a new winner will be selected. I will ship to your U.S. mailing address only. You may choose to pay the difference if you would like insurance, or shipping to anywhere else – Canada, Costa Rica, or wherever!

** This giveaway is now closed. Look for the winner to be announced in a separate post. **

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The winner of the Amazing Grace CD was chosen by Random.org as #1! That’s Kelly!

For the Rejuvenate with Serene DVD, the winner selected was #8: Katherine!

I’ve contacted both ladies by email, and they have 48 hours to claim their prizes.

Congratulations, and enjoy your new media!

As you watch the program, it does have some earmarks of being made much earlier in the filmmakers’ careers, such as less money for staging, less smooth editing, and that funny camera man in the background of some of the shots…

But the material it presents is still engaging and useful. Many people will probably also enjoy Serene’s “whimsical and entertaining style”, although personally it wasn’t my favorite.

With a keen awareness of the situation, Franklin Springs continue to offer the DVD for sale, but they have it priced at only $9.95. Thanks, guys!

I would have preferred a few more specifics and recipes be included, especially since her cookbook is out of print and not as inexpensive or easy to get as one might wish.

Serene has some great background information on the consequences of unhealthy eating, and some vivid metaphors to help folks understand why things need to change. Then she offers some good overarching principles for eating better, and strategies for incorporating more raw foods (the “secret” to health!) into your diet.

I would venture a guess that anyone who reads my blog is probably interested in this topic, and unless you’re already well down the road of raw food, you’re likely to get some useful tips from this pleasant little encounter.

BUY IT!

Order it directly from Franklin Springs: Rejuvenate with Serene DVD for only $9.95, or as part of the Above Rubies combo pack including (her mother!) Nancy Campbell’s DVD The Family Meal Table.

WIN IT!

One lucky As For My House reader will win their own copy of Rejuvenate with Serene!

Make sure to leave your email address with each comment. (Used only to contact the winner. If your email is entered in the form it will be saved for me but not displayed).

1. Leave a comment here sharing where you are on your journey to healthy eating – whether you are just finding out about it and want to get started, or whether you’re already growing your own food and cooking from scratch full-time!

Extra Entries (leave separate comments for each).

Once you have completed #1, you can earn additional entries by doing any or all of the following.

2. Become a Facebook Fan of Franklin Springs Family Media.

3. Subscribe to As For My House in your favorite feed reader, or by email. (Current subscribers count, too!)

4. and 5. Post this giveaway to your Facebook wall (leave your Facebook name), or Tweet about it (and leave the link)! Each may be done daily for extra entries.

6. enter the Amazing Grace CD Giveaway, then leave a comment here letting me know you did.

In additon to these, there are MANY more ways to earn extra entries. You know, all the usual stuff like sharing on Facebook, Tweeting, and so on? Just click over to our Giveaway Policy page for all the details!

BE QUICK!! This giveaway ends 6/20/2011 at 11:59pm (Central), or more likely some time the following morning when I log in again. (If you can still leave a comment, you can still enter).

The winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on the blog, as well as contacted by email. Winner must respond within 48 hours, or a new winner will be selected. Your DVD will ship directly from Franklin Springs.

*** Comments are now closed. Look for the winner to be announced soon in a separate post. ***

I was delighted when I got an email from Discovery House asking me if I would like to host a review and giveaway for the CD Amazing Grace: Celtic Hymns & Blessings. Not everyone “gets it”, but I always joke that in a way I do have Celtic roots, since my heritage is Viking.

Anyhow, the CD is every bit as delightful as I hoped it would be.

Both singing and instrumentals are soothing, and have a typical Celtic sound to them. In an era of rock guitar and a thumping beat, this was a very calming interlude.

Production quality is excellent, and I have no complaints! (Wow, how often do I get to say that?)

You can listen to samples of the various songs on Amazon.com by clicking through the banner above, and you can order the CD directly from there, as well.

Make sure to leave your email address with each comment. (Used only to contact the winner. If your email is entered in the form it will be saved for me but not displayed).

1. Leave a comment here telling me the first thing that comes to mind when “Celtic” is mentioned.

Extra Entries (leave separate comments for each).

Once you have completed #1, you can earn additional entries by doing any or all of the following.

2. Subscribe to As For My House in your favorite feed reader, or by email. (Current subscribers count, too!)

3. and 4. Post this giveaway to your Facebook wall (leave your Facebook name), or Tweet about it (and leave the link)! Each may be done daily for extra entries.

5. Enter the Rejuvenate with Serene DVD Giveaway, then comment here letting me know you did.

In additon to these, there are MANY more ways to earn extra entries. You know, all the usual stuff like sharing on Facebook, Tweeting, and so on? Just click over to our Giveaway Policy page for all the details!

This giveaway ends 6/19/2011 at 11:59pm (Central), or more likely some time the following morning when I log in again. If you can still leave a comment, you can enter!

The winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on the blog, as well as contacted by email. Winner must respond within 48 hours, or a new winner will be selected. Your CD will ship directly from the sponsor.

*** Comments are now closed. Look for the winner to be announced soon in a separate post. ***

Although this was closed and decided long ago, I somehow never posted the winner.

The Franklin Springs George Washington Carver DVD was won by comment #4 – Diana D!

And in current business (drumroll, please):

For the lovely toddler dress from the Practical Inspirations Etsy shop, the winner is #15 – Chelsey of Sowing Dandelion Seeds.

All winners are selected by the good ol’ Random.org method, and have 48 hours to respond to my email.

Congratulations!

More giveaways are in the works, so stay tuned…

First, head on over to Erin’s blog, Connected to Christ, and read her review of Practical Inspirations.

Cute little dresses, eh? She calls them sundresses, but to me, of course, it’s a jumper…

Anyhow, they fit size 2T – 4T. Something I failed to notice when I entered the drawing, and was lucky enough to win!

It won’t fit Jewel, so I’m going to spread the love around to one of you.

Make sure to leave your email address with each comment. (Used only to contact the winner. If your email is entered in the form it will be saved for me but not displayed).

1. Leave a comment here telling me who the adorable little dress would be for.

Extra Entries (leave separate comments for each).

Once you have completed #1, you can earn additional entries by doing any or all of the following.

2. Subscribe to As For My House in your favorite feed reader, or by email. (Current subscribers count, too!)

3. and 4. Post this giveaway to your Facebook wall (leave your Facebook name), or Tweet about it (and leave the link)! Each may be done daily for extra entries.

5. Leave a (reasonable) comment on any non-giveaway post, and comment back here letting me know which one(s).

In additon to these, there are MANY more ways to earn extra entries. You know, all the usual stuff like sharing on Facebook, Tweeting, and so on? Just click over to our Giveaway Policy page for all the details!

This giveaway ends 5/15/2011 at 11:59pm (Central), or more likely some time the following morning when I log in again. If you can leave a comment, you can enter!

The winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on the blog, as well as contacted by email. Winner must respond within 48 hours, or a new winner will be selected. Your dress will ship directly from Practical Inspirations.

*** Comments are now closed. Look for a winner to be posted soon! ***