I don’t know if you’ve heard, but this weekend is Memorial Day weekend and that means summer’s here. It’s sure beginning to feel like summer in these parts, at least (read: humid and muggy). Speaking of summer, I’m really bad with my beach wardrobe. In fact, I haven’t bought a swimsuit or beach cover-up since I gained my post-college weight nearly five years ago. It all still fits so I kind of leave it at that. Needless to say, I was pretty psyched when Albion Fit contacted me about reviewing something from their swimwear and fitness clothing line.
If you’ve never heard of Albion Fit before, let me clue you in. They’re the real, made in America, family owned, earth friendly deal. And they’re mission is to provide us ladies with flattering, comfortable workout apparel at a decent price. Winner.
Anyway, they sent me the awesome Balboa tunic dress and I think it’s pretty awesome. So does my beach wardrobe. The fabric couldn’t be any lighter and they airy feel is to die for. Plus, I’m kind of in love with the length. Shorties unite! Finally a beach cover-up that doesn’t swim on us!
Definitely enter to win this tunic for yourself in either white or black down below! We can be like beach cover-up twins and it will be great. Plus, use the code ordinary15 now through May 25th to receive 15% off any online order. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I’m up an hour earlier today to write this post. Otherwise you wouldn’t have heard from me until Sunday and I just didn’t feel right about that. On Wednesday, I had the fifth grade boy I tutor read an article on self-reflection. We concluded our hour in quiet with a few moments to reflect and I found that I needed the practice more than him. It’s been a wild week.
To cap it all off, I had one of those teacher days yesterday where you are reminded that your job will always be so much more than that of an instructional leader. One of those days that just leaves you itchy inside and outside, worried about these kids that are driving you nuts with spring fever and sending you to an early grave through exhaustion.
I didn’t mention Boston at all on here because, well, what can I say that you haven’t already thought or heard already? I posted that Mister Roger’s quote on Facebook Monday afternoon and it went super viral. Gosh, that made me really uncomfortable. I had to delete a few extremely inappropriate comments, which sent me over the edge in regards to the Boston Marathon. So I’ve been quiet.
Anyway, we’re here! It’s Friday! And I’m doing things differently starting this month. Because a sidebar ad is nothing but a sidebar ad unless you do something about it, I’m here to share a little bit about some of my sponsors here today. Plus, if you entered Tuesday’s $100 J. Crew giftcard giveaway, chances are you’re now following these gorgeous ladies and you probably want to get to know them better.
————————————————————————————————-
Up first is Holly from Scuttle. She thinks that if you win the J. Crew giveaway, you probably should splurge on this amazing wrap skirt. We both think homemade chocolate chip cookies are a gift from God. That’s all you really need to know. But, actually, Holly and I have a ton in common and ever since we found each other, I’ve been loving her blog. She has the sort of style that I wish I could pull off. It’s so effortless. I particularly love her outfit in this post. Go visit Holly if you haven’t already and fall in love with her beautiful blog!
Next we have one of my in real life friends, a colleague and extremely close friend of mine, Brooke from Who Moved My Cheesecake. Brooke’s another one with amazing style. Case in point- last night we went out for dinner and drinks and she had a mohawk. Girl can rock it, trust me. Brooke started blogging again this school year and she’s writing about that real, important stuff that I don’t think I have the guts to do sometimes. She also talks about her amazing weight-loss journey and her online dating mishaps. Go say hello. She’s like my bff. I demand it. Oh, and she’s picked out the maritime blazer for you when you win the giveaway.
While we’re on the teacher front, meet Sando from The Daily Deelight. Sando and I met online awhile ago and it was sort of like, whoaaaaaa. You’re a teacher, too? Your husband’s a teacher, too? You live in Maryland, too? We haven’t met, yet, but I need to head up to Frederick soon and change that. Maybe over the summer. Anyway, we don’t have everything in common. For example, Sando can cook. Like, cook, people. You know what’s around the corner? Cinqo de Mayo. Make her enchiladas. You won’t be sorry. You also won’t be sorry if you take her recommendation and put some of your J. Crew giftcard towards this gorgeous green scarf.
I think MacKensie is the funniest girl out there in blogland. If she can’t make you smile, you’re really in trouble. Plus, she thinks she’s schizo. She’s also a runner. The kind of runner I used to be. Like, running races and stuff. And she makes good, paleo healthy food. But, seriously, she’s another one with great style and she’d be thrilled if you spent your giveaway earnings on these striped shorts. I love those shorts, MacKensie.
Last but certainly not least, we have Rachel from Postcards from Rachel. Don’t you love this blouse she’s picked for you at J. Crew? Man, I want her life. This girl has traveled the world with her husband. She’s my favorite travel blogger. If there’s such a thing? But on the home front, she’s been sharing her wedding with everyone recently and her pictures are gorgeous. Who doesn’t love wedding pictures? Gosh, I’m obsessed.
Okay. So. Since you’re following them already because you really want $100 to spend at J.Crew, you can thank me for introducing you to some new best friends. They wish you luck.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Or might we call it the “you, too, can dress like Tina” giveaway. Friends, if I weren’t hosting this giveaway, I’d try and rig it so that I won. See? I’ve already picked out my winnings:
Exhibit A: adorable snail print bikini Exhibit B: lovely scalloped shift Exhibit C: navy anchor shorts
So here’s the deal. For the month of April, my lovely sponsors and I decided to do you a favor and help freshen your closet. Sound good? Thought so. Between this gift certificate and J. Crew’s abundance of sales, I’m certain you’re going to walk away from this giveaway happy. You better start shopping.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Today I have a wonderful giveaway from across the pond with Leanne of Print Me Prettiful. I find her collection of stationary, prints and blog designs to be so refreshing, contemporary and clean. She’s giving away a print of your choice to one lucky Like Ordinary Life reader.
Leanne made me this awesome monogrammed print with our anniversary date that I just love. And it fits in so well in our master bath. I think I accidentally ended up going with a monogrammed theme or something terrible like that. Speaking of this master bathroom….. I’ll be painting those walls in the near future. No clue what color. Something whiter, with more of a cool tone than a warm tone. Suggestions are welcome!
Anywho, stop by Leanne’s Etsy shop and have a peek around. For the month of April, she’s offering Like Ordinary Life readers 15% off all purchases using the code PMP0413. And be sure to enter the giveaway below for your chance at a free printable of your choice! Good luck.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Let’s talk skincare for a moment. I was blessed with an imperfect complexion. You remember the teenager that had pimples, but never enough to illicit a trip to the dermatologist? Yeah, that’s been me my entire life. I also flush super easy. If I am stressed, nervous, angry, upset, drink too much wine, go outside in the heat… shoot, if I breathe wrong my face gets red.
This year has been particularly difficult for my skin because I’ve been on antibiotics on and off since Labor Day 2012 (thanks, pre-k). And while antibiotics can really clear up a breakout for a few days, gosh does my skin make me pay for it a week later. It’s been rough.
My friend, Stephanie, always swore by Clarisonic. And then Natalie did a review of the Clarisonic Mia. So I decided I had nothing left to lose. And let me tell you, I did break out for about 2 weeks when I started. My pores must have been clogged to the umpteenth degree.
But since those first two weeks, I’ve seen unbelievable results with my Mia. If I get a pimple, it disappears nearly immediately. My skin has never been this soft and smooth and as a result, I use less face wash and lotion and see greater results. This little gadget is awesome and the brush heads last 3 whole months!
So, anywho, I’m teaming up with Postcards from Rachel again to offer a brand new Mia 2 to one of you lucky readers. Isn’t she pretty? She comes in so many wonderful colors. I particularly like the peacock blue up above. My old Mia is just a silly little lavender color. So, please, enter this giveaway!!! (And when you win, you can pick the peacock blue and ship it to my doorstep, mmmkay?)
But in all seriousness, good luck. This is a great prize!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
You know what I’ve been obsessing over lately? Prints. Okay, maybe this isn’t new. If you’ve ever been welcomed into any of my current or past dwellings, you know that I kind of have a thing for prints. Photo prints, quoted prints, drawings, paintings… oh, to decorate without prints and I’d be utterly and terribly lost.
I’m also a quote fanatic. Oh, quotes! Remember back when Facebook was brand new and cool and you had to be invited to join? Yeah, I suppose it helped to have a freshman year roomie from Boston (Hi, Phuongnhu!), but I rode that Facebook wave from it’s very beginnings, my friends. And my favorite part? Decorating my profile with quotes! Quotes! The music of literature!
Anywho, today’s giveaway is pretty awesome if you like your prints and your quotes. Or, really, anything printable. Ashley, from Printable Wisdom, is giving away any printable of your choice! All you have to do is enter in the Rafflecopter below.
And, if you’re like me and you just can’t wait a week for a giveaway winner to be announced, she’s also offering 20% off all purchases to her Etsy shop for Like Ordinary Life readers! Just enter LOL20 at checkout!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
So I’m teaming up with one of my favorite bloggers, Rachel from Postcards from Rachel, and a few other lovely ladies to give away a $110 Kate Spade gift card to one lucky reader. Eeks!!!!
I love Kate Spade. We acquired some fabulous Kate Spade wedding items back in the day (I say it like it was decades ago…). We love her Mr. and Mrs. collection. Anyways…. the giveaway. Yes.
For the record, if I were gearing up to win this gift card, I’d put it straight toward this lovely top. Or this amazing dress for Easter. How about these fabulous pumps? And this polka dot scarf that just cries to be paired with those pumps? The bows! The bows! Let’s talk about those bows for a minute. Bows are like, in, people. And this is a fashion trend I can follow because Audrey would most definitely wear Kate Spade bows.
Oh, we’re giving away some Julep nail polish, too. Just to sweeten the deal, ya know? Also, sort of like a cherry on top, you’re already ahead for being one of my readers. Like, four whole entries ahead! So go on now with your fashionable self and enter to win this gift card!
1. Simply, Ashley. 2. Penguins, Pasta & Polka Dots 3. Like Ordinary Life 4. Lounging with Lindsey 5. Taingamala 6. The Way I Wanderlust 7. Andrea’s Adventures 8. Sparkles and Shoes 9. Chevron & Sweet Tea 10. Dreaming of Dimples 11. Polish and Sugar 12. Postcards from Rachel
a Rafflecopter giveaway
So celebrate we will. My great friend and neighbor, Caryn (of Caryn Taylor Photography), and I have teamed up to give you quite an awesome gift. It should look rather familiar to most of you…..
Yes. That awesome picture. Of my shoes just chillin on the dock in downtown Annapolis. That she took many, many moons ago. You’ll get your very own 11x14 print of my shoes!!!!
Oh, but that is not all. No, there is so much more for the winning!
You see, I’ve met some amazing friends through blogging this past year and they are also here to help me celebrate my 1st year of blogging. So, without further adieu, I introduce to you some more of my friends:
(in order from l-r, top-bottom): 1 month of ad space from Sando at The Daily Deelight; 1 month of ad space from Rachel at The Random Writings of Rachel; a Starbucks gift card and a lovely bracelet from Ashley at Piloting Life; and 31 organizing tote and 1 month of ad space from Pam at Our Love Nest; monogrammed mug filled with hot cocoa for those cold winter nights from Kelly at Today Was A Fairytale; set of postcards from Kristin at Vignettes; BB Guns Black Ale ad space from Beth at Until Only Love Remains; custom post signature from Chelsea at Yours Truly; and another gorgeous 8x10 print from Sheila at The Failte House.
Best of luck!
THIS GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED.
Remember how I told you I would give you an opportunity to win my stenciled throw pillow? This is it! Kristin from Vignettes, Sheila from The Failte House and, well, myself have put together this lovely little handmade fall giveaway for our happy readers.
Isn’t there something so wonderful about a one of a kind, creative, handmade gift? Something about opening a gift and seeing that it’s unique, put together with love and care? That something that makes you feel warm and loved inside?
Well, we sure hope you’ll love our gifts! And be sure to check out their crafty tutorials as well! Your prize will include three chalkboard frames from Sheila, a leaf printed candle from Kristin, and a stenciled throw pillow from me. We can’t wait to send you your loving, handmade fall goodies.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
