Pillocase Surprise & Jen Johnson Photo Shoot Winners!

The Last Winners of the Birthday Bash!!
Wow that was one amazing Whirlwind of giveaways!!

The Winner of the Pillowcase surprise is...

Ashley from AP Free Writing 101

Her daughter Jenny has already received the first one and it was a total hit!!

The winner of the Family Photo Shoot with Jen Johnson Photography is...

Jessica from Fringies!

Thank you to all the amazing people involved with our 3rd Birthday Bash. It was AWESOME!!

Didn't win?

Check out all the sponsors. They have stunning products AND amazing blogs!!

Get ready to add them to your reader!

P.S.

There is one Suzie Says apron giveaway that we decided to push closer to Christmas AND we liked the giveaway thing so much we decided to keep up up... but only once a month!!

In alphabetical order a review of all the great stuff...
Blah Blah Blah Blogger – Free photo session!!

Blessed Nest - a Nest Egg pillow

BYOG – Hip mama’s delivery gown

Domestic Chicky (aka The Apronista) - A custom header/button combo. See her work here.

Eli’s Lids – Your choice of a Rock n’ Roll Lid AND an iPod Shuffle

French Garden House – Luxurious Mink Couture Baby Jacket

The Glamorous Life – Blogging T-shirt (Bloggers - you will laugh out loud when you read these tees!)

Joy’s Hope – Messy bow (I have my eye on the owl one)

Karen Eileen Designs - Your choice of a tee or onsie.

Kristen’s Custom Creations – Teenie Tiny Initial Necklace (see the necklace I bought here)

Monkey Moon – Family photo sitting & and up to 10 high-res images free to print as you choose!

Sewing the Seed – Two precious onesies. (see our X-mas shirts here)

Single Mom Sanctuary – Up to $50 worth of loot for Pampered Chef

Suzie Says (that’s right folks, my mom) - 5 vintage inspired cake plates, & one special kiddo will win a fun new pillowcase in the mail for 6 months!! (Everything lovingly handmade by my mama!!)

This Mama Makes Stuff - The This is Me Kid's Journal

Thank you, my friends!!!

Side note:

I didn't receive anything free for these giveaways.

Nada. Zip. Zero.

They are REALLY just my friends (in real life or via the blogsphere) who were gracious enough to participate and who I wanted to promote!!

Joy's Hope and Design Chicky Winners!!!

The winner of the Messy Bow from Joy's Hope is... AmyMom24 from Our Journey into Parenthood & My Journey into Photography

The winner of the Custom Blog Header & Button from Design Chicky is...
Mommy Daisy

But don't fret! If you didn't win you can get your own Messy Bow here and recreate your blog here!!

Don't forget to enter all our current Birthday Bash giveaways...
...Family Photo shoot for OC folks here! Ends 10/22
...Pillowcase surprise in the mail for 6 months(you have to read about it to get it) here. Ends 10/20

#16 Jen Johnson Photography

Remember last month when we got our pictures taken by the fabulous Jen Johnson...Awesome right!?!
You also may remember that I've know Jen a long time... so long that I still call her Jenny and she doesn't even care.
Jen's work is awesome and I love her fresh modern style... see...
Just to prove to all of the OC her awesomeness she is offering one of our lucky readers:
90 minutes at a location of your choosing.
AND
10 high res images
AND
5 low res images for blogging and Facebook on a disc
AND
another 20 images in an online slideshow available for purchase.

Do you think she is being so generous because our moms are buddies?
It doesn't matter.
Just enter to win so you'll be the only one in the play group with your Christmas card pictures done!!

Here's How You Win...
*****MUST be a Southern California Resident or willing to travel to Orange County, CA for the shoot!!!*****
Main entry (mandatory): Click on over to Jen Johnson Photography, then come back here and let me know one of your favorite shots! (FYI - Our shoot was September 2nd and it is fantastico!)

In addition to the main entry you can get loads of extra entries if you...
~Subscribe to the Jen Johnson Photography RSS Feed in the navigation bar. (3 entries)
~Follow Jen on twitter HERE! Leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (2 entries)
~Tweet about the giveaway, can be done daily. Copy and paste this for the tweet: "So Cal residents!! Enter to win a free photo session from @ElisLids w/ Jen Johnson Photography here http://bit.ly/16RnRP Pls RT!" If you don't have twitter you can FB for this one. (3 entries per day)
~Follow Jen's personal DYI blog the Blah Blah Blahger (2 entries)
~Subscribe to the Blah Blah Blahger RSS feed (2 entries)
~Add the "Eli's Lids Giveaway" button in our sidebar to your blog or let me know you already did (1 entry per blog)
~Follow the Eli's Lids blog (2 entries)
~Follow Eli's Lids on Twitter, leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (1 entry)
For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you the Eli's Lids blog leave 2 separate comments.
***Giveaway open one week! Ends Thursday October 22nd 9:00pm PST***

Now you get to have a little chat with Jen...

Tell us a bit about YOU…
I'm a southern CA lifestyle photographer who loves vibrant colors and natural moments. During the day, I work as the director of public affairs for a large developer and have spent my career in politics and government affairs. In the evenings and on weekends, I'm building a photography business, attend Mariners Church, spend time with family and friends, and love nothing more than an afternoon of wine tasting.
Three words that describe your blog
Three words that describe my personal blog: DIY, cooking, irony.
Three words that describe my photoblog: crisp, colorful, emotional.
2 DIY tools you couldn’t live without.
I can't live without the following tools: electric screwdriver and electric sander.
What do you try to capture during your photo shoots?
In photo shoots, I like to capture organic and natural moments. Laughter, eye contact, and sweet smooches make every photo beautiful!
Favorite photo shoot?
I don't really have a favorite photo shoot because they've all been special. There's something about the trust your clients place in you that makes you want to make it the best shoot ever. Having said that, this year, my friend Clare has allowed me to practice on her a number of times and although at times I likely didn't have much confidence in myself, she loved the photos and made me feel great about the end result!

#15 Pillowcase Surprise from Suzie Says

Do your kiddos love mail?
Really!?!?!
So do mine!!
(Heck, I love mail!)
This giveaway is probably the one I was looking forward to most with our 3rd Birthday Bash Giveaways because to me it embodies four of the funnest things about being a kid: getting mail, the holidays, surprises & presents!! Here's the Deal-E-O...
The winner will get one pillowcase in the mail for their kiddo every month for the next 6 months!
The first 3 (October, November, December) are holiday themed and the kiddo will get them before Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas (for my Jewish friends, we'll nix the Christmas one for the Festival of Lights!).
The last 3 will be custom made (by me or my mama, Suzie Says) for the winner. If a girl wins and she loves Disney princesses & ladybugs she'll get a Disney princess pillowcase then a ladybug one... If a boy wins and he loves Fire engines & diggers...
You get the idea.
You have to admit that is SUPER cool!
You may be asking yourself...
Why Pillowcases!?!?
Well... My mom and grandmom started making them for my kiddos as gifties or as fun things to send in the mail (easy to ship) and they were a total hit! Eli and Cora Jane love having something special from Nanny and GG to snuggle up with. And lets face it, there is only so long you can have Little Mermaid sheets!
To see ones my kiddos have go here.

Here's how you win...
Main entry (mandatory): Leave a comment here with something crafty (sewing, painting, knitting... anything!) that you love to make or you wish you could make.
In addition to the main entry you can get loads of extra entries if you...

~Follow the Eli's Lids blog or let me know you already do (3 entries)
~Become a fan of Eli's Lids on Facebook here (3 entries)
~Tweet about the giveaway, can be done daily. Copy and paste this for the tweet: "Win pillowcases for your kiddo in the mail for 6 months from the @elislids Birthday Bash http://bit.ly/4q7V7C " If you don't have twitter you can FB for this one. (2 entries per day)
~Add the "Eli's Lids Giveaway" button in our sidebar to your blog or let me know you already did (2 entries)
~Enter one of our other giveaways then come back to this post and leave a comment telling me which one. (2 entries)
~Check out all the Suzie Says posts, then come back to this post and leave a comment with your favorite one. (1 entry)
~Follow Eli's Lids on Twitter, leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (1 entry)
For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you add our giveaway button to your blog & follow us on twitter leave 2 separate comments.
***Giveaway open one week! Ends Tuesday October 20th 9:00pm PST***

Don't forget to enter all our current Birthday Bash giveaways...
...Messy Bow from Joy's Hope here Ends 10/16
...Custom Header/Button combo from Design Chicky here. Ends 10/17
See the full list of giveaways coming the next 2 months here!

French Garden House & Blessed Nest Winners!

The winner of the beautiful Faux Mink baby coat is...
Katie from Meet the Browns
The winner of the very useful and just plain awesome Nest Egg is...
Wendy from Life of a Barefoot MomLadyHow are the winners chosen? (you ask)
First, I go through all the entries and make sure everything is legit. (YES, every single one!)
Second, I put every valid entry in the order it was received.
Third, I click on over to http://www.random.org/ and type in my numbers.
Fourth, I hold my breath because I get so nervous... even though it doesn't matter.
Last, I get super excited to see the winner!

#14 Design Chicky

Deanna can do it all: photography, cooking, blog design... AND to top it all off she loves Yanni!

I met Deanna here and got to chat the night away. She is just so talented and somehow manages to balance work, hubby, kiddos (2 boys!!), and blogging.

Her blogs (yes, she keeps up 4 blogs), Domestic Chicky, The Apronista , Simply Fabulous Photography and her blog business, Design Chicky are creative, fresh and fun!

She is offering a custom Header/Button combo to the one of our lucky readers!!

I know!!

I wish I could enter my own giveaways!!!

Here's how you win...
Main entry (mandatory): Head on over to Design Chicky's A La Carte section then come back over to this post and comment on one thing you saw there. (I think you'll be happily surprised to find her designs are awesome AND affordable!!)

You must do the main entry!!!

In addition to the main entry you can get loads of extra entries if you...
~Follow the Domestic Chicky or let me know you already do (3 entries)

~Subscribe to the Domestic Chicky blog (top right of the blog) or let me know you already do (3 entries)

~Follow the The Apronista or let me know you already do (3 entries)
~Follow Deanna on twitter here. Or let me know you already do. Leave your Twitter ID in the comment. (2 entries)
~Tweet about the giveaway, can be done daily. Copy and paste this for the tweet: "Win a custom blog header/button combo hosted by @DomesticChicky at @ElisLids Birthday Bash here http://bit.ly/270JQZ" If you don't have twitter you can FB for this one. (2 entries per day)
~Enter one of our other giveaways then come back to this post and leave a comment telling me which one. (2 entries)
~Add the "Eli's Lids Giveaway" button in our sidebar to your blog or let me know you already did (2 entries per blog)
~Follow the Eli's Lids blog (2 entries)
~Become a fan of Eli's Lids on Facebook or let me know you already are (2 entries)

~Let us know why you want a custom header and what you want on it! (1 entry)
~Follow Eli's Lids on Twitter, leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (1 entry)
For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you add our giveaway button to your blog leave 2 separate comments.
***Giveaway open one week! Ends Saturday October 17th 9:00pm PST***

Don't forget to enter all our current Birthday Bash giveaways...
...Organic Take-along nursing pillow from Blessed Nest here. Ends TODAY!! 10/10
...Messy Bow from Joy's Hope here Ends 10/16
...Custom Header/Button combo from Design Chicky here. Ends 10/17
See the full list of giveaways coming the next 2 months here!

#13 Joy's Hope

I have no clue how I found Julie from Joy's Hope.

REALLY.

But as soon as I found her blog I fell in love.

REALLY.

Read 'My Story' (the What's in a name? series starting with part one) and have the Kleenex close by.

REALLY!

Even though we have never met she has graciously offered to donate one of her whimsical Messy Bows to our Birthday Bash!!

Here's how you win...

Main entry (mandatory): Head on over to Julie's shop then come back to this post and leave a comment telling us your favorite Messy Bow

You must do the main entry!!!

In addition to the main entry you can get loads of extra entries if you...

~Follow the Joy's Hope blog or let me know you already do (3 entries)

~Follow Julie on twitter here. Or let me know you already do. Leave your Twitter ID in the comment. (2 entries)

~Tweet about the giveaway, can be done daily. Copy and paste this for the tweet: "I just entered to win a Messy Bow hosted by @JoysHope at @ElisLids Birthday Bash here http://bit.ly/ogOMQ" If you don't have twitter you can FB for this one. (2 entries per day)

~Enter one of our other giveaways then come back to this post and leave a comment telling me which one. (2 entries)

~Add the "Eli's Lids Giveaway" button in our sidebar to your blog or let me know you already did (2 entries per blog)

~Follow the Eli's Lids blog (2 entries)

~Become a fan of Eli's Lids on Facebook or let me know you already are (2 entries)

~Follow Eli's Lids on Twitter, leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (1 entry)

For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you add our giveaway button to your blog leave 2 separate comments.

***Giveaway open one week! Ends Friday October 16th 9:00pm PST***

B.Y.O.G. Winner!

The winner of the amazing labor and delivery gown from B.Y.O.G. is...

Kristen over at Meringue Bake Shop

.

You may remember Kristen from this.

.

.

.

In case you can't see Kristen's Dreamy Autumn cupcake...

# 12 Blessed Nest

Donna over at Blessed Nest is one of my dear friends and has helped me SO much through this Eli's Lids Journey. She is one of those people you just love to talk to because she is genuine and laughs at all your jokes. She is also one of the masterminds behind Blessed Nest Nesting Pillows (the best nursing pillow out there!!).
One of the latest additions to the Blessed Nest product line is the Nest Egg. The Nest Egg is an awesome nursing pillow by itself or as a compliment to the Nesting Pillow or... well... I'll let you read Donna's interview for the rest of that!! All you need to know now is that a Nest Egg can be yours!
Here's How...
Main entry (mandatory): Head on over to Blessed Nest then come back to this post and leave a comment telling us your favorite fabric pattern for the Nesting Pillow.
.
You must do the main entry!!! (I'll take you out of the contest if that isn't done, no matter how many extra entries you do!!)In addition to the main entry you can get loads of extra entries if you...
~Follow the Blessed Nest Perch (blog) or let me know you already do (3 entries)
~Become a fan of Blessed Nest on Facebook here. (3 entries)
~Follow Blessed Nest on Twitter here. Or let me know you already do. Leave your Twitter ID in the comment. (2 entries)
~Tweet about the giveaway, can be done daily. Copy and paste this for the tweet: "Win an Organic Nest Egg (aka take-along nursing pillow) hosted by @blessednest at @elislids Birthday Bash here http://bit.ly/4XKia" If you don't have twitter you can FB for this one. (2 entries per day)
~Check out the Blessed Nest Perch and leave a comment on another one of their post, come back here and leave the URL of the post. (1 entry)
~Add the "Eli's Lids Giveaway" button in our sidebar to your blog or let me know you already did (2 entries per blog)
~Follow the Eli's Lids blog (2 entries)
~Become a fan of Eli's Lids on Facebook or let me know you already are (2 entries)
~Follow Eli's Lids on Twitter, leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (1 entry)
For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you add our giveaway button to your blog leave 2 separate comments.
***Giveaway open one week! Ends Saturday October 10th 9:00pm PST***
Tell me a bit about your family…

I have a wonderful husband and two sweet little girls, Tabitha age 6 and Sophie age 4. They are both Daddy's girls and I'm sure Tabi will be taking up skateboarding soon just like Daddy. Both girls love Ballet and we are a home school family.

How was Blessed Nest born?

After giving birth to my first daughter, I was having trouble breastfeeding, and the nursing pillows available to me at that time only added to my frustration. I was certain that Heather could come up with something better. And she did. The Nesting Pillow saved my back and my breastfeeding experience.
The Nesting Pillow that was inspired in response to a friend’s ( my) practical need has evolved into a truly exceptional pillow used by families all over the world. The unique shape and organic buckwheat hull filling allows it to contour to any body, providing the most support and comfort possible for both mom and baby.

What are some of the things people use the Nest Egg for?

The Nest Egg was originally designed as a take a long nursing pillow. It is light weight and fits nicely in a diaper bag. Just as the Nesting Pillow has uses way beyond nursing so does the Nest Egg. Use the Nest Egg like this.....

* great travel pillow for adults and kids.

* car seat pillow

* snuggle pillow

* sleep pillow for children over age 2.

* doll pillow

* security "pillow" easy for any walking child to drag around by the tag..my girls take it everywhere!

Who makes all these amazing Nesting Pillows and nest eggs?

Heather Anderson who is the founder, designer, CEO and head creative crafter at Blessed Nest. She is also my sweet friend who originally designed the Nesting Pillow just for me. Our sewing team is made up of Moms, Aunties and Grandmas who enjoy working from home. Lovingly made in the USA!

What are 3 easy things for those of us who want to be more “green?”

Take the common sense approach. We use organic fabrics and buckwheat in our products at Blessed Nest not because we are "green" but because it is safe for Mom, baby and the planet. It just makes sense! Heather's research found that chemicals in fabrics and pesticides cause breathing difficulties in babies and young children. There was no other choice in her opinion then to use organic. No need to compromise when we want what is safe for our families. We have become pretty "green" in the past 6 years.

Here are some choices we've made on our journey to make our homes safe, healthy and eco friendly.

1) Buy organic foods. I save $200.00 a month buying organic. I can't just throw items in the cart. I read all labels and shop at stores who buy locally and or fair trade. COOK MORE! Save money! Support farms in the USA.

2) Switch your cleaning products over to organic.

3) Get rid of all plastic. You won't miss it!

Karen Eileen Designs & Cake Plate Winners!!!

Winner of a tee or onsie of their choice from Karen Eileen Designs is...

Natural Mama from Five Little Monkeys

(our winner also has a giveaway blog called Canadian Natural Mama Product Reviews)

The lucky four ladies who get one of my mom's amazing cake plates are...

Meg from 11th Love

Sarah C
April from Fresh Picked
&
Monica from Hanging with my Pumpkin

How are the winners chosen? (you ask)

First, I go through all the entries and make sure everything is legit. (YES, every single one! I must say, there were a lot of invalid entries for the cake plates and I was more then picky about who would get one of my mom's handmade creations!)

Second, I put every valid entry in the order it was received.

Third, I click on over to http://www.random.org/ and type in my numbers.

Fourth, I hold my breath because I get so nervous... even though it doesn't matter.

Last, I get super excited to see the winner!

#11 French Garden House

French Garden House.
Doesn't that name just invoke thoughts of a French chateau filled with antiques and surrounded by meandering gardens!?!
It does for me.
Probably because I know Lidy the owner of French Garden House and her home does have a lovely garden and is filled with beauty! And it does one better than a French chateau... her place is just a hop skip and a jump from the California coast!!
Lidy is an amazing woman with impeccable style and a flare for decorating. She is a natural host and her home is not just beautiful, it's cozy!
I met Lidy at the same time I met (Karen and Andrea) and she is the one who introduced me to this whole blogging world. She had me over to her beautiful home for tea and we set up my blog. She patiently answered my questions like " How do I go on other people's blogs?" "How do I leave a comment?" REALLY! I was pathetic, but left with the promise that if I just dove right in I would love blogging.
She was right!
Lidy has graciously offered to host our next Birthday Bash Giveaway! Our next winner will receive a Luxurious FAUX Mink Couture Baby Jacket directly from the French Garden House Les Petits Boutique. The Jacket comes in sizes 6-12 months and 12-24 months in Cream and 12-24 months in Chocolate. Perfect for the upcoming winter chill or for the glamorous baby's Halloween costume!

Here is how you can win...

Main entry (mandatory): Check out one of the 12 French Garden House boutiques then come back to this post and leave a comment telling us one of your favorite things.

.

You must do the main entry!!! (I'll take you out of the contest if that isn't done, no matter how many extra entries you do!!)In addition to the main entry you can get loads of extra entries if you...

~Follow the French Garden House Blog or let me know you already do (3 entries)

~Subscribe to the French Garden House RSS feed, in their header (3 entries)

~Follow French Garden House on twitter here! Or let me know you already do. Leave your Twitter ID in the comment. (2 entries)

~Tweet about the giveaway, can be done daily. Copy and paste this for the tweet: "Win a Luxurious Mink Couture Baby Jacket @elislids Birthday Bash hosted by @frenchgarden here http://bit.ly/2j0qTP" If you don't have twitter you can FB for this one. (2 entries per day)

~Visit one of the other French Garden House boutiques (as in a different one from your main entry) and let us know another item that you are in love with. (1 entry)

~Add the "Eli's Lids Giveaway" button in our sidebar to your blog or let me know you already did (2 entries per blog)~Follow the Eli's Lids blog (2 entries)

~Become a fan of Eli's Lids on Facebook or let me know you already are (2 entries)

~Follow Eli's Lids on Twitter, leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (1 entry)

For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you add our giveaway button to your blog leave 2 separate comments.

***Giveaway open one week! Ends Monday October 5th 9:00pm PST***
Now meet, Lidy, one of my favorite blogging friends...
Tell us a bit about your family…
I married my European boyfriend when I just turned 19, that was 35 years ago! {He just gets nicer as the years go by.} We have two daughters, one son in law and the most adorable grandbaby. We live near the Beach in Southern California, where the weather is mostly perfect.
What will readers find when they visit the French Garden House blog?
I try to combine all the things I love on my blog. I happily write about the antiques I love and sell, going to flea markets,our garden, making a happy home, recipes,
pretty much a blend of anything and everything! Since it's also the blog for my shop French Garden House, I also highlight what's new at the shop, and give tips on how to buy vintage and antique.

Your home is filled with beauty! 3 tips for our homes...
1. More than anything, the thing that makes a home beautiful is the love that fills it. It doesn't really matter what your style is, or how much money you can spend, your home should make everyone inside of it feel comfortable and hugged. It doesn't take a huge amount of time to arrange a few things in a charming way, light a candle, fill a bowl with apples to make it "HOME"
2. Make your home personal, put your family's stamp on it! When we moved into this house, our family choose a scripture to paint over our doorway. After much debate, we chose: With God All Things Are Possible Matthew 19:26. I wanted that to be the last thing any of us saw before we headed out to the outside world.
3. Use seasonal decorations. Right now I love bowls of Apples, and Pears as centerpieces. {Not just pretty, a handy and healthy snack too} Cut a few flowers, and put them in a little vase. I have had wonderful "floral arrangements" that were just a few branches from the garden. Anytime you bring nature into your home, it's a treat. That's really what bringing beauty into your home is, isn't it? To take just a little time to bring beauty inside of your home.
Your two favorite items for sale?
I really can't choose two. I only sell what I love, so I love all of them! I have a weakness for anything Victorian, especially Children's clothes, shoes and toys.
I love French Antiques, from furniture to Porcelain Tea Cups. I love antique books, I love gardening pots, you get the idea. I love all of them. {sorry!}
What inspires you?
I get inspiration from so many things. I am very visual, so my inspiration usually comes from something I see. Artists and Designers inspire me. Our garden inspires me, Antiques and their untold stories of the past inspire me. Other women I know {like you!} who have their own business and are holding firmly to their dream while still being wives and mothers inspire me.

Don't forget to enter all our current Birthday Bash giveaways...
...vintage inspired cake plates from Suzie Says here! Ends 9/29
...designer Labor and Delivery Gown by B.Y.O.G. here! Ends 10/2
See the full list of giveaways coming the next 2 months here!