A Northern Girl in a Southern City

Celebrate the Haulidays with Chronicle Books

2010-11-29T21:09:00.002-05:00

For those of us who LOVE books of all kinds, Chronicle Books has a dream contest going on right now. They're asking bloggers to compile a list of their favorite Chronicle books (up to $500 worth!) for a chance to win the whole list! Can you imagine? So I spent some time on www.chroniclebooks.com and put together my list. Here it goes:

- Bird Song Bible: for my dad, a retired wildlife officer. This book would be the ultimate reference guide for him.
- Giant Pop-Out Farm: to add to my niece's library - because all kids should have a great stash of books!
- Thirty-Six Views of the Eiffel Tower: this is one book that caters to my love of all things Parisian.
- Overnight Sensations, Asia Pacific: because I dream of taking a vacation to the exciting Far East one day.
- Flour: the ultimate dessert cookbook - but wait, didn't I say I was going gluten-free?
- Blackbird Bakery Gluten Free: because, well, see above - the whole gluten-free thing I'm considering.
- Fast, Fresh & Green: because I need to balance my love of sweets with the health benefits of veggies.
- Mastering the Art of Chinese Cooking: yum...my favorite cuisine!
- Tapas: who can resist small plates of goodness?
- Mexicocina: next to Chinese, Mexican is my favorite food!
- The Glorious Soups & Stews of Italy: a perfect cookbook for the wintertime.
- 52 Christmas Actvities: I love these "52" decks. And what better one than one that helps us celebrate the season?
- The Lifeboard: as the new year rolls around this board can help me plan, prepare and visual my future.
- Bedside Dream Journal: haven't you always wanted to write down those strange dreams to see what they really mean? This bedside journal is perfect for doing just that.
- 1,001 Ways to Live in the Moment: Maybe this book can help me be more spontaneous!
- Great White, The Majesty of Sharks: I love sharks! But they scare me, too! I guess it's a fascination thing...
- Around the World: a retrospective of travel to inspire me in my future travels.
- Love in Spoonfuls: a book of baby foods. Perfect for my niece.
- City Walks in Paris: I have and have used these cards before. But this is the new updated version. Perfect for my next trip to Paris!

Wow! Is this a dream list or what? Everything from travel to food to family to arts! It would be a dream come true for a book lover like me to have all of these in my possession.

So tell me, what kinds of books to you like to read?

Kolcraft Contours Classique 3-in-1 Bassinet Giveaway

2010-06-12T01:15:00.003-04:00

So, I've blogged lately that my oldest niece announced she's pregnant. After the shock wore off (a little), I decided to put my hobby of sweepstaking to really good use and be on the lookout for baby items she'll need.

Enter the Piece of Me blog. Since I subscribe to their emails, I saw that they've reviewed the Kolcraft Contours Classique 3-in-1 Bassinet and are actually giving one away to one lucky winner...I hope it's me!

From all reports, the bassinet seems easy to put together, which is great. I also like it's sleek and somewhat modern style. Additionally I like that there is storage underneath. Babies seem to come with so much stuff!

So if you're in need of a bassinet, why not try to win one? Head on over to the Piece of Me blog, read the review to be sure it's the right bassinet for you, and enter for your chance to win!

http://bit.ly/dnOM4w

Nautica Gift Card Giveaway!

2010-05-26T10:44:00.002-04:00

With Father's Day just around the corner I'm going through the usual struggle of what to get the man who has everything. So wouldn't it be nice if I really didn't have to think about this too much? If I had a $100 Nautica gift card to spend on clothes for dad? Their men's styles are timeless and classic and would certainly fit my dad's summer style.

Well, the fine folks over at www.yachtcandy.com are offering up just that. Entry is easy and entries are accepted through 5/31. So click the link below, check out the giveaway and just maybe you'll have your Father's Day shopping all wrapped up!

http://www.yachtcandy.com/nautica-giveaway/

Safety 1st Air Protect Car Seat Giveaway

2010-05-24T19:23:00.004-04:00

Okay - so here I go again, on the hunt for baby stuff! Never thought I'd find myself doing this, but as I mentioned a few posts ago, my oldest niece is expecting her first baby later this year. So I'm now on the hunt for baby things for her. Since she's a starving college kid, I hope to be able to help her out with the more expensive baby things she'll need.

And one of those is, of course, a car seat. I was lucky to find www.ourordinarylife.com blog which is graciously giving away a Safety 1st Air Protect Car Seat to one lucky participant! I hope it's me! One thing that's great about this car seat is that it has the Air Protect system which helps protect the child's head. It's designed for children between 5 and 100 pounds, so can be used in both forward facing and rear facing situations.

So, head on over to this link and check it out! The giveaway ends 5/25/10.

http://www.ourordinarylife.com/2010/05/safety-1st-air-protect-complete-air-carseat-giveaway/

Kodak Easyshare Digital Camera Giveaway!

2010-05-22T17:52:00.002-04:00

Well here's another great giveaway from The Shopping Mama blog! To celebrate Kodak's partnership with the movie "Babies", The Shopping Mama is giving away a Kodak Easyshare M580 Digital Camera and a photo gift card to one lucky person.

Go here to follow the easy instructions to enter: http://bit.ly/bT1dCM

I hear that the camera's new "Share" button makes it easier than ever to share photos. You can post them to Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, via email - so many ways to stay connected with your family and friends!

So head on over, check out the giveaway and try for your chance to win!

Win! Organic Cupcake Onesies

2010-05-22T17:35:00.002-04:00

Normally, since I don't have kids or babies, I pass right over giveaways for children's things. Occasionally I will take a look because several friends have little ones and I do enjoy gifting them with cute baby items. But now, I'm going to be looking at baby things in a whole new light!

My oldest niece just announced she's pregnant with her first baby! Talk about a shocker - I wasn't expecting this! She's certainly old enough (21), but I still think of her as my baby.

So now I'm on the hunt for cute baby things and just came across this blog post on The Shopping Mama. They've previewed some items from www.babybunch.com and are offering up the Organic Cupcake Onesies. Go check them out - they are adorable!
These onesies or any of their other items would make the cutest baby gift. I really like the Crayon Rompers for those occasions when you don't know if someone is having a boy or a girl. And the Baby Bouquets? "Flower" bouquets made out of baby clothes? So unique and one-of-a-kind!

So if you'd like the opportunity to win some cupcake onesies, follow the link below to The Shopping Mama's giveaway. With just a few easy clicks you're in it to win it! Good luck!

http://bit.ly/chFQrA

Nestle Ice Cream Varieties at Sam’s Club + $500 Freezer Giveaway

2010-05-22T12:49:00.003-04:00

Ahhh - summertime is right around the corner here in the South. The recent weather has been very changeable, going from hot and sunny to cool and rainy in the span of a day or two. A little unusual for this part of the country and this time of year. But, no matter - I know the endless days of Carolina Blue Skies are just around the corner!

So, to get ready for the cookouts, get togethers and other endless summertime activities, I suggest you hop on over to Sam's Club and stock up on Nestle Ice Cream varieties. Nestle has several types of ice cream treats and there's sure to be a flavor for everyone in your family.

While I'm sure I should lean toward the Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches, I just can't help loving the Drumsticks - especially when I can get the variety pack that includes original, chocolate and carmel filled - YUM! And now I even hear Nestle has a snack pack that includes Lil Drums and Dibs! This one truly would provide something for everyone.

If you're like me, you love to have the ice cream treats on hand, but sometimes have trouble squeezing those family size boxes into the freezer. If so, I suggest you head on over to the 3 Kids and Us blog to check out their freezer giveaway! With just a few simple actions you can get yourself entered into Cat's giveaway for a GE(R) 13.7 CU FT Frost-free upright freezer valued at over $500! Definitely what each of us needs to store all these great Nestle Ice Cream treats!

So use this link and head on over to check it out...good luck!

http://bit.ly/9yE1bY

Curl up with a Book and a Nook! Contest

2009-12-25T10:23:00.001-05:00

Immortal Danger Contest

2009-02-28T17:19:00.002-05:00

I'm a really, really big reader. I LOVE books of all kinds. To me there is nothing better than spending a few hours wandering the aisles of my local bookstore or curling up in a big easy chair with a book and a blanket.

So, I would love to win Cyntia Eden's Immortal Danger contest. The top prize is a $100 GC to Amazon! How much fun would that be?

See below to read about Cynthia's upcoming book and related contest. Who knows, maybe you'll win too!

Superbowl Time!

2009-01-27T22:01:00.006-05:00

Woo hoo! Go Steelers! Well, it's that time of year again - SUPERBOWL!!! I'm so excited for this game. Being from the North, my family and I are big Steelers fans, so we're super-psyched about this matchup!

In the spirit of winning, I'm posting this blog about a sweepstakes being run by Wholesale Furniture Brokers. They're giving away a recliner to the person who can pick the final Superbowl score...so here goes my pick:

Steelers 31
Cardinals 17

And the recliner I'd like to win? The Oasis Full Leather Club Chair by True Contemporary. Check out the picture above! I love the dark leather color - it's so versatile. And I love the traditional, yet contemporary flare of this particular recliner. It can go with most any decor. I think this one would look great in either my living room or master bedroom. I can see myself relaxing, kicked back while watching football (my favorite spectator sport!) this fall. Check the link below to see all the recliner options available from their site. They've got them in every size and color - but leave the Oasis one for me!
Recliner

Is It Time For Vacation Yet?

2009-01-10T01:03:00.000-05:00

Wow, can't believe its the first week of January! The holidays have come and gone and we're all trying to settle back into a routine. And, of course, we're all talking about where our next vacation will be. Hopefully somewhere warm and sunny!

If you're like me and want to dream about days on the beach and nights on the town, then head on over to www.sunglasswarehousegiveaway.com to enter for the vacation of your choice. Who knows, you could be leaving the frigid temps behind for a few days in the sun!

The Holiday Season - A Time To Give Back

2008-12-26T19:18:00.000-05:00

Well, it's Dec 26. Christmas has come and gone, we've "after Christmas shopped" for the requisite wrapping paper, ribbons and name tags for next year, and we've returned the few (thank goodness!) presents that didn't quite make the cut. After all the hubbub, it's certainly time to reflect for a few minutes.

It's a time to think of others and of how each of us can make a difference with even a small act of kindness. To that end, Libby's (the food company) is giving away a $300 grocery shopping spree - $150 for the winner to keep and $150 to be donated to the charity of the winner's choice.

Here's the charity I would support: the Caring Kitchen in my small hometown in Ohio. Being back home over the holidays really opened my eyes to the impact the bad economy is having around the country. Living in a big city now, it isn't always apparent. But in a small town, it's very, very obvious. You can see depression and defeat carried on the shoulders of people you pass on the street. The closing of several factories - and the threat of more closures - has everyone walking on eggshells. My parents, who often support the Caring Kitchen, called earlier this week to ask what they might need. They said they had a lot of adults staying there and anything would be appreciated. So, if I would be fortunate enough to win the $300 shopping spree from Libby's, I'd support this great organization.

Here's hoping and praying for a better 2009 for all...

HP Magic Giveaway

2008-12-12T21:33:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm writing this in hopes of being chosen as the winner of the HP computer package being given away by Living in Theory.

Here's what I would do with the goods if I win.

First of all, it's certainly the season to think of others. And I'd do that by donating computers to two organizations close to my heart. The first is the Charlotte Rescue Mission (charlotterescuemission.org). They do incredible work, helping those in need in this city. I've been a supporter of theirs for a few years now. And, of course, always hope to be able to do more for them.

The second organization is in my small hometown in Ohio. It's the Caring Kitchen, a food pantry/shelter/assistance ministry that helps many, many people in need. Most of my family still lives in this small town and my parents are active supporters of this group. We personally know several people who have been help by this organization in times of need.

It's so unfortunate that the economy is so bad this year. While charities always need help, they will need even more than ever this time. So, I'd be thrilled to win this HP package to be able to pay it forward and be part of the magic this year. Thanks!