Friday, June 24, 2011

Présent (The First Giveaway)

Item No. 1
Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can. ~Danny Kaye


THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. 
To enter the August giveaway, go here.

The day has arrived.

The day to begin the first Inspired Monthly Giveaway.

Yes, technically, the plan was to wait until July1st to begin. However, as of yesterday morning, I hit 100 followers, and I simply got far too excited to wait another moment.

And so...here goes.

Our first fabulous giveaway is courtesy of the lovely Holly at Five Little Gems


Holly has generously donated three of her AMAZING pieces to this giveaway, and I could not be more delighted with her work. Her entire shop is flooded with stunningly beautiful necklaces, earrings, hair combs, wire work, and more. 


I can honestly say that I have the faintest twinges of envy for those who will be receiving her beautiful artistry through this giveaway...if only I could win... 


Item No. 2
The items to be won are shown in order throughout the post, and here they are: 


Item No. 1: Burgundy pearl bar necklace with antiqued gold

Item No. 2. Denim blue jade faded nugget bar necklace

Item No. 3: Pink crystal and grey pearl earrings

Here is how to enter in this giveaway (each entry number counts as +1, and each one must be left in a separate comment)!

Entry No. 1 (required entry): Comment on this post with your favorite lovely "simple" things that you enjoy in the spring and summer months. What little joys make you smile, the things that would normally be overlooked in daily life?

Entry No. 2 (required entry): Follow/be already following the blog, and post my BLOG button (not my 100 posts button!) somewhere on your blog.

Entry No. 3: Tweet/blog/both about the giveaway, and either leave the link to the post or your Twitter username in your comment.

Item No. 3 
Entry No. 4: Go to Holly's shop and pick a favorite item from her listings. Be sure to tell me what it is about that item that draws you in. Also, follow Holly on Twitter (hollynichols1) and add Five Little Gems  to your favorite shops, if you have an Etsy.  

There are three items to be won, and as such, three winners will be randomly chosen (using www. random.org) on July 31st. Winners will have 48 hours to contact me, or a new winner for each "abandoned" item will be chosen. 


I am incredibly excited, overwhelmed, overjoyed, and blessed by this entire process...I really hope that you are, too!

It's the simple things, the little things that illuminate my heart with joy. 

I cannot wait to see

that same joy

in you.

To live remains an art which everyone must learn, and which no one can teach.  ~Havelock Ellis  


68 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for hosting my giveaway, Rachel! You truly have a beautiful blog and I'm very happy to be part of it.

    Also, for anyone who might want to purchase items from my shop I've created a coupon code you can use in my Etsy shop for 25% off during the course of the giveaway:

    DramaticElegance5LG

    Thanks again to Rachel and to everyone participating and I look forward to shipping these items off to the winners at the end of July!

    -Holly

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  2. Wow what gorgeous prizes!!!

    The thing I look forward to in the spring and summer months is getting to go barefoot aaaall the time. Though I do go barefoot sometimes in the fall and winter... I get some pretty weird looks though. :P

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  3. I follow your blog and I posted your button to it as well :)

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  4. I posted about the giveaway on my blog!

    http://shayleen-c-b.blogspot.com/2011/06/really-cool-giveaway.html

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  5. Here's my favorite item

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/70815240/necklace-antiqued-bronze-fairy-wish-door

    I am completely obsessed with lockets... and this one is so unique and gorgeous!

    Also I favorited fivelittlegems on Etsy!

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  6. This is a beautiful blog! I love it.
    First Entry-I love taking pictures of sunsets and animals. I live on a farm so it's pretty easy to get access to stuff like that. Eating raspberries is just lovely. And being geniunely engaged in a conversation with a friend, boyfriend, or family member.

    -aBBi giRL
    -trueblueabbi.blogspot.com

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  7. Entry Two-I'm following your blog and just put your blog button on my sidebar!

    -aBBi giRL
    -trueblueabbi.blogspot.com

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  8. Annddd....Entry Three-I just posted about your giveaway on my blog!
    http://trueblueabbi.blogspot.com/2011/06/giveaway-at-de.html

    -aBBi giRL
    -trueblueabbi.blogspot.com

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  9. Walking barefoot in our backyard,swinging on a swing on a summer evening.

    (great givaway by the way)

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  10. I follow you and took your bloging givaeay button.

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  11. I love her .Pearl and Crystal Flower Vine Necklace Wire Twisted in Silver.

    Very pretty it is. I hearted her shop.

    my etsy shop is A Farmgirls Boutique

    asimplefarmgirl.blogspot.com

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  12. Darling ~ I'm so proud of you! Over 100 followers on your blog and I'm thrilled to be one of them. I've never heard of a blog give away before. Guess I'm behind the times! :-)

    Simple things in spring and summer....

    For my particular season of life with my "baby" flying away from the nest this summer, I'm awestruck with the babies in my world. It seems that everywhere I turn there is a baby face looking into my eyes.

    There is no joy that quite compares with the wonder of making a baby's face smile back at you. When this happened to me last week, it was with little 3 week old Joshua David. I was holding him and pulling down on his little chin like the nursery workers did for our first Family Camp video oh so many years ago. Do you remember Rae? They did a baby "lip sync" by tugging on a little guys chin at the end of the video.

    When I did this same thing to Joshua David, he gave me the biggest newborn baby smile...my heart melted into a puddle! Snuggling with a baby and watching them smile or hearing them do a belly laugh...well there is no cost to this pleasure but no end to this delight!

    I love you sweet baby Rae!

    M.D.

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  13. Hi!

    My favorite simple joy this summer is going barefoot while I have lovely painted toe nails :).

    Thanks for hosting this giveaway...
    Moe

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  14. I follow your blog and LOVE it!!

    Moe

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  15. My favorite lovely simple thing is walking through a wooded area listening to the birds sing and seeing the natural beauty in nature.

    ~Bree from

    breezybugsblog.blogspot.com

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  16. I follow you and I added your blog button to my sidebar!

    ~Bree from

    breezybugsblog.blogspot.com

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  17. The thing that makes me smile in the spring and summer are flowers. I love all of the little daisies that pop up in our yard. :)

    xxxx~Kelsey

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  18. LOVE this necklace!!! http://www.etsy.com/listing/70903846/key-charm-and-cubic-zirconia-necklace-in

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  19. My favorite simple thing, hmm.....probably waking up to the sun! I hate exercising, so it makes it soo much better to wake up at 5am to the sun instead of the dark!! =)

    godslilbookworm@hotmail.com

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  20. So many things have made me smile this summer, albeit a little sadly, as I remember the treasures of this past year. Now that my fiance, Greg, is in heaven, the "little things" are more poignant than ever before. I smile as I recall spontaneous piggy-back rides, sitting on a bench by the river with our arms entwined, watching the fireworks together, catching fireflies, listening to love songs,holding hands when we went for walks, the sound of laughter, and seeing love reflected in each other's eyes.
    I smile because the joys we experienced through this love here on earth cannot even begin to compare to an eternity of love with the Father.
    ~Melody Hemmer
    melodyh83@gmail.com

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  21. I posted about the giveaway and shared a link to your blog too!
    melodyh83@yahoo.com

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  22. I went and looked through all of the jewelry and each piece is fabulous! I'm addicted to necklaces and earrings, and these were so gorgeous I couldn't pick a favorite. I love the earrings that look like flowers...
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/70876813/earrings-teal-lucite-flower-dangles-with

    melodyh83@gmail.com

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  23. @Melody: Can I have the link to that post, please? =)

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  24. The beautiful butterflies floating around.
    itsonlyjc AT hotmail DOT com

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  25. Hooray-sies! I'm am especially loving number three- I wear a lot of earrings. :)
    I'm already following you, have your button on my "Clickitty-Links" page, am tweeting about this (@LadyGraceD) and will now follow this lovely seller on Etsy and Twitter as well!
    Can I get an extra entry for being your and your blog's biggest fan-girly fangirl? ;)

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  26. Oh! Silly me! I hit enter before telling you my favorite Summer things.
    I love
    The way the sharp blades of grass tickle my bare feet.
    The smell of sunscreen.
    The golden-blue of the light at sunset when you close your eyes and let the hues seep through your closed lids.
    The way that fresh watermelon tastes, and how it runs all down your chin and gets all over your clothes, no matter what precautions you take, or how careful you are.
    There. :)

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  27. I love you girl! Way to go on the blog!

    I love

    The way the way my car is drenched in pink petals every morning here in New Orleans from the trees

    The way birds chirp outside my window

    The thunderstorms that beg for a book to be read

    The adventures that come with summer months

    Laying out for hours just soaking up the suns rays

    The way a peppy song can make any summers day a memory

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  28. Marissa (auntmissy321 at yahoo.com)June 27, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    My favorite simple thing in spring is the field of lilies that blooms just behind my farmhouse!

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  29. One of my favorite simple things about spring and summer? Hmmm...that's a toughie. Probably...tea on the porch at sunset, when it's still 90 degrees outside, and I have a blanket wrapped around my shoulders :))
    -Jocee <3

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  30. I put your button on my blog!!
    -Jocee <3

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  31. I tweeted it!!
    http://twitter.com/#!/whitelily16
    (It's under Sandra, but it's me :P)
    -Jocee <3

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  32. This is my favorite item from her Etsy:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/72539923/necklace-champagne-and-pearls-smokey
    What draws me in is the simplicity of it, and I know that I could wear it with just about anything!!
    And, I'm following her twitter :))
    -Jocee <3
    P.S. I don't have an Etsy

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  33. The simple things? Going barefoot. Time to read. Bike rides into town to buy and eat ice cream with friends. Sunburns that eventually fade into tans. Writing in my notebook outside in the sun. Driving with the windows down, sunroof open, and radio turned up loud. Small sweet kittens. Hair blowing the the breeze.

    Yes, these are the simple things that make me happy during summer.

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  34. You better believe I follow you. =)

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  35. I really love Holly's Midnight Blue Flower Earrings...there's something so fresh and whimsical about them, but they're beautiful and sophisticated.

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  36. Hi! I posted about your giveaway!

    http://breezybugsblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/dramatic-elegance-awesome-giveaway.html

    ~Bree from

    breezybugsblog.blogspot.com

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  37. Simple things... Rain (the sight, the sound, the smell), Lightning (the AWEsomeness of it-- I love how it reminds me of how great God is), Freshly bloomed wildflowers, the deliciousness of a good classic book. :)

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  38. I love the decrease of chaos and more relaxation outside and bonding too.

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  39. I love losing myself in a book and reading into the wee hours of the night...I love spending more time with my family...And I love going on nature walks.

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  40. I'm following your lovely blog and I put your blog button on my sidebar. :)

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  41. The simple things that make me smile...My little brother smiling, his voice, his skinny arms around my neck, his laughter...all of him. Nothing brings a smile or a sad look to my face quicker than he can. I just love him so much. Other girls tend to take their siblings for granted, but not me with Noah.
    Other things are storms, daisies, toddler girls, the sound of laughter, and vanilla twilight. ;)

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  42. Your button is on my sidebar [under "good reads"] and I follow. :)

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  43. I posted about the giveaway on my blog!
    http://faeries-and-beads.blogspot.com/2011/07/estel.html (at the bottom of the post)

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  44. My favorite item on her etsy is the Amethyst Gemstone and Purple Crystal Earrings. I love the amethysts... They are so beautiful. I added her to my favorite shops!

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  45. The simple things. I love seeing the double rainbow after a summer drizzle, the croak of frogs on a humid night. The slow turning colors of our tomatoes in the backyard. I mostly like the little things, cuz everyone else likes the big. The photographer in me sees, or at least tries to see, what others overlook.

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  46. I follow you, and have your blog's button on my sidebar.

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  47. I added Holly's shop to my faves on Etsy.

    And I can't decide for which ONE I like best...
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/70903846/on-sale-30-off-key-charm-and-cubic
    (Because I have a thing for keys, since one of my novels revolved around a key necklace :-D)

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/72126919/on-sale-30-off-necklace-coral-pink
    (Anyone who knows me well, knows I am THE pink girl)

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/73072075/on-sale-30-off-necklace-ivory-pearls
    (Pearls. It has been said that Diamonds are a girl's best friend, but I think mine is pearls. Without a doubt!).

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  48. I love those perfect days where it isn't too hot, not cold. those make me smile

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  49. The day's that are so sunny, it is just impossible to be grumpy. :D

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  50. One thing I love about summer is all that exrta time to read!
    Bethany
    www.royal-daughters-of-the-king.blogspot.com {You can contact me here on our contact page}

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  51. I follow you and put your button at this link:
    http://wardfamblog.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html
    Bethany
    www.royal-daughters-of-the-king.blogspot.com {You can contact me here on our contacting page}

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  52. I posted about it here:
    http://wardfamblog.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html
    Bethany
    www.royal-daughters-of-the-king.blogspot.com {You can contact me here on our contact page}

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  53. I LOVE her earrings! Her shop is in my favorites on Etsy! {I don't have a Twitter account so I wasn't able to do that one}
    Bethany
    www.royal-daughters-of-the-king.blogspot.com

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  54. What a perfectly lovely giveaway!!! :)
    Some of my favorite "simple things" are:
    When I'm sitting under my favorite tree in our front yard and a butterfly comes and flutters around me for a few minutes.... <3
    When I have a chance to twirl around in a pretty dress/skirt... :)
    When someone special tells me I'm beautiful... <3

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  55. And I am happy to say that I now follow you - so glad I found your sweet blog!!! :)

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  56. Just blogged about it:
    {http://beesonbunch.webs.com/apps/blog/show/7869676-dramatic-elegance-}
    and I hope it's ok that I put your button in the post, instead of the sidebar... ? :) (I forgot that was supposed to be part of the 2nd entry...) :-/

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  57. Ok... it took me a while - she has such AMAZING jewelry, I love it all!!! But my favorite would either have to be this:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/72681141/on-sale-30-off-earrings-frosted-white
    or this:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/72139540/on-sale-30-off-earrings-coral-pink
    She is so talented... I may just have to buy something anyway, because I love it soooo much! :D (And I also, of COURSE, hearted her shop, too!!!)

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  58. What a lovely giveaway!! :) I am so excited to come across it and your lovely blog.

    Hmmm the things I love about Spring and summer are..... the beautiful sunsets that come every evening, and the relaxing and long talks with my mom.

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  59. I am now a follower of your lovely blog! :)

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  60. This is my favorite item from her super wonderful shop!!!! :)

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/72739921/on-sale-30-off-earrings-ivory-pearls-and

    I love them because pearls have always been a favorite of mine and they always look great in my ears. :)

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  61. I love the the peaceful early mornings in Springs and summer when I can drink a nice hot cup of coffee while reading my bible and listening to the early birds songs.

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  62. I am now a follower of your blog! :)

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  63. I like these earrings because sky blue has always been a favorite color of mine and they just fit my kind of style so well.

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/71280775/on-sale-30-off-blue-crystal-earrings-in

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  64. Oh I am very excited to come across your giveaway!! :)

    I love Spring and summer because I can go outside barefoot and go on long walks with my kitties

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  65. I just love this necklace for how different it is! Never seen one of its kind before! :)

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/51770603/on-sale-30-off-pearl-and-crystal-flower

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