PEARL WINNERS!

Dear Friends,

Thanks for all your support with this fun fundraising endeavor!

Winners were picked via random number generator (Okay, I would have had this done this morning, but I seriously spent ALL DAY thinking it was Monday, again. Oh, stop it. You've done it, too.) and it's always anguish for me because I want you ALL to win!

Winner time!

The gorgeous strand of WHITE pearls goes to none other than the illustrious:

BRITTANY KJAR of New York!!!

(send me your addy, kay?)

And the lovely strand of PINK pearls goes to the brilliant and lovely:

NAE of Orem, UT!!!

I'm very excited for you both, because you are both totally and completely deserving and awesome and will so totally ROCK these.

Thanks, again, everyone!

(Aren't giveaways fun?!)

If you didn't win and would like to order a strand, Tori said that she could extend the deadline for today, only - so shoot me an email if you'd like to order! (Limited Supply on the Pink, just to warn!)

Win a Strand of Freshwater Pearls

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I love pearls. To me, they are classic, simple and lovely.

There’s something about a strand of them hanging about my neck. Or peeking coolly from my ear when I brush my hair from my shoulders. 

They are my favorite. A day I get to wear pearls is a good day.

I love the interesting irregularity of a strand of freshwater pearls. The way they glint, more subtly than a diamond. Understated and self-assured. Like a classy woman. She makes her presence known without showing off.

This is why I’m so excited to be able to offer two of my lovely readers a 50+ inch knotted strand of freshwater pearls! I know, right?! Best. Giveaway. Ever!

One in white…

One in Pink…

Not only do you get to have one of these beauties of your very own (retail value of $100!), you get to help my very charming, very deserving cousin go on Ballroom tour.

Meet Tori.

All proceeds (Giveaway included, so enter one and all!) from these pearls go directly to helping Tori go on Ballroom Tour.

I went on Ballroom Tour when I was in High School. It is a BIG DEAL! A great adventure, a wonderful learning opportunity, and a ridiculous amount of fun. She has to go. So lets get her there, shall we?

To enter to win, leave a comment telling me which strand you’d like. And, because we’re trying to get this girl on tour, you get an extra entry for each share (facebook, twitter, blog post, google+, instagram?, vine? Or heck, just email your best friend!); just come back and leave a new comment for each shared entry.

Enter to win a strand for yourself, but consider, perhaps, a strand for your Mother or Grandmother? Or (elbow nudge to the husbands) your beautiful wife? Remember that Mother’s Day is next month – and what better way to honor the great women in your life than by presenting them with a symbol of their own power and purity?

Right now, and because Tori’s dad is in the jewelry biz and is incredibly generous, you can order a strand of the white pearls for the low low price of $25 each. That’s ¼ of what you’d pay in store. You can get a strand of the pink pearls for $30.

Yes. Yes, I’m serious.

You have until the 15^th of April (that’s Monday, people!) to let me know how many you’d like to order.

Tori will even gift wrap on request (even if you’re buying a strand for yourself, because who doesn’t like to open a pretty box?).

Out of state readers – we are happy to ship anywhere within the United States for an additional $2.50.

So count up your birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, and just-becauses (and, of course, the Mothers in your life!) and let me know how many you’d like by April 15^th (MONDAY!). Stepperthemighty at gmail dot com.

Giveaway ends Monday, April 15th at midnight and will be announced Tuesday.  

GOOD LUCK!

(The opinions herein are mine in truth. I was not finagled, bribed or in any way coerced into sharing this sweet deal with you except that, well, I like you. And also, Tori is an excellent babysitter.)

BRAVE Winners!

Thank you for sharing your stories of bravery.

I feel humbled and grateful to know such incredible people. So many of your stories resonated with me - and some of your stories I know well on a tender and personal level.

To those who were brave enough to enter and share your stories and your hopes for bravery, I nod to you.


I thought having three CD's to give away would feel better - but I'm still anguishing over the fact that you ALL deserve one. Sigh.

So I'm going to give my copy away, too. It's gently used (I did live in it for three weeks), and doesn't have the clear cellophane wrapping around it that's so satisfying to remove - but hey! That means FOUR WINNERS!

(woot!)

WINNER 1 - GRANDPA RUSTY!

Who said: "When my sweet wife, who incidentally is your Mother, had to endure cancer surgery and treatments for much of a year; I witnessed bravery beyond anything I've ever had to face. Despite how miserable she felt, she still made time for family and work. I marveled at her - how her drive to get well overshadowed any and all discomfort. She is my hero. In my mind, the definition of bravery just has a picture of her face."


WINNER 2 - RISCH

Who said: "There are times in my life when I think I have been brave, but it's hard to know for sure. But the times I do know for sure that I have been brave are too private to share because they are the times when I had to let go and completely trust in the Lord to forgive, to send peace, to bring knowledge, to be humble, to be healed."


WINNER 3 - ALI

Who said: "I think the time I had to be most brave was just after having Malachi. There were times that I wanted to lock Steve up to keep him from deploying. How could I face a year alone raising a new little baby all by myself. That year I learned one of the biggest lessons of my life. Sometimes the bravest strongest thing you can do is admit your own limitations and ask for help."


WINNER 4 - TAMSIN

Who said: "I'd like to be more brave in taking on the challenge of raising and caring for TWO children instead of one. Me and Espen, we're good. We know the drill and have our routine. As much as I'm looking forward to our daughter (!!!), I can't help but feel a little scared that I'm not going to be good at it."


Congratulations, guys. I'll be in touch.

And, really, thanks to everyone for sharing your stories. I think it was pretty BRAVE of you.

Soldier Girls

"I was raised to be brave.

To stand up & stand out."

I unwrapped the clear plastic around Katherine Nelson's album and shoved it into the side of William's iMac (thinking to myself how nice it will be when my computer is finally fixed). His music player popped up and I hit play.

I was happy to hear a confident and talented voice and a professional and well-rounded sound. And Katherine's message was a good one - I am woman, I am a fighter, I am strong and the world rides on my capable shoulders.

I understand the beauty of this message - but ever since my years spent surviving as an English Major at University - I can't help but feel an instant suspicion for anything that tends toward Feminism. I just don't buy it. In my experience, the truly strong women are those with the quiet strength. Not the loud, stompy women who loudly proclaim that women rule, and everyone had just better get out of the way!

In my experience, these are the women who have something to prove.

And the women I've always admired for their strength and courage are those who fight unseen, who build from within.

So the first two of Katherine's songs were fun. They were well done. But I admit I sort of shrugged the album off at this point as one of those that was pleasant, but not one I'd be really living in. 

But then the lilting tones of Soldier Girls surprised and pleased me. Again, the message was one of a battle-cry, but the undertones suggested the haunting ache of femeninity in weighty armor. We fight the war not because we are built for it, but because we believe in it. And the pioneer women were absolutely soldiers fighting in the One Great War.

I started to pay attention.

Katherine sings a song about Emma that dug deep. And, I felt stupid for not knowing before, but after a bit of research, I learned that Katherine actually played the part of Emma in the movie Emma Smith: My Story. This made the song that much more tender to me, knowing the depth of research and reading and identifying Katherine would have had to do to play the part of that great and uncompromising woman.

There's a very sweet song called "Virgin's Lullabye", with parts sung by a shepherd, the three kings, the angels in attendance, and - of course - the Virgin.

There's another heart-gripper about adoption.

Basically, when I allowed myself to truly listen to Katherine's music, there was depth and truth that I would not have gleaned from a mere surface listening.

And so - to my surprise and delight - I've been living in this album for the past few weeks.

There are songs I like better than others, but there are songs that I really, really like.

And I get to give three of them to my readers! To enter, just make a comment, telling me a time you have been brave, or a way you wish you could be more brave.

Winners announced tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.

Born Brave

This past week, I've been living in Katherine Nelson's new album Born Brave (release on August 1st!). And when I say living in it, I really mean living in it.

This past week, I've had much demand for inner strength and bravery. And more than I'd care to admit, I've struggled to keep calm and carry on. So when I opened Katherine's album and her clear voice admonished me to remember who and what I am, there were times I wept with the sheer relief of understanding - and times I felt the roar of my inner beast swell again within me.

I am woman. That is complicated and overwhelming, sometimes - but always beautiful. And always - Katherine reminds us - always capable.

And, as Katherine says, "I truly believe that when we strengthen women, we strengthen the world."

Katherine is a talented performer. Her vocal control serves her well. At times in her album, her voice reminds me of the piercingly honest voice of Mindy Gledhill's first album (which remains my one and only favorite of hers). Sometimes a little Kelly Clarkson, the occasional belting of Martina McBride; but always her own. It's a good voice to listen to.

I'll do a full review of Katherine's album on Monday, but I want to get a few of these albums out into your hands.

Would  you like one?

Good - because this time, THREE of my wonderful readers will receive a copy of Katherine Nelson's new album.

The Drill:


To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me why you are, or why you wish to be more BRAVE.


If you'd like, you can improve your chances by blogging, face-booking or tweeting this giveaway and linking back. Each earns you another entry (be sure to mention each entry in a separate comment below).

Giveaway ends the day of the album's release: August First!

Ready?

Go!

Massage Giveaway!

You are in for a real treat.

Today, I am partnering up with Relax, Replenish, Renew (a local/family owned company - yay!) to offer one of my readers the chance to win a full, 50 minute massage.

You heard me.

What could be better? Well, I'll tell you. Ali, the illustrious massage therapist (and my beautiful sister) will travel. Yes, folks. She'll come to you! 

Ali has been a practicing massage therapist for 3 years. She believes in making massage accessible to everyone - especially Moms with young families who are often home-bound and on a tight budget because, well, because she's been there. She believes that "everyone who has a body needs and deserves massage."

And so, not only will Ali travel to you (so you don't need to work out what to do with the kids and/or how to juggle the family car), she also offers her professional services at a fraction of the market-cost. 

Normally, a 50 minute, full body massage from a massage therapist with Ali's skills runs $60 to $120. Ali usually offers hers for $40. But from now until the end of this giveaway, Ali is offering all my readers a 25% discount. 

That's a full body, 50 minute massage IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME for $30.

Ali is trained in all the modalities, and is wonderful with targeting areas of soreness. Because I'm her favorite sister (right?), she gave me a massage when I was pregnant and complaining (only slightly!) about my achy body. Afterward, I felt like I could run the marathon (except I was fairly pregnant at the time). It was the best thing ever. And I told her that I want a massage bed like hers to sleep on every night. Holy comfort, batman! 

But don't take my word for it (ba-dum bum!). 

Check out a review of Ali's work by Ari (and Ari knows massages)!

Can you imagine a better Mother's Day gift? (husbands, pay attention!)

Or a birthday gift!

Or for the exhausted and relieved graduate!

Or after a long day of yard work.

Or a stressful week at the office.

Or, because, you know - like Ali said - you have a BODY. So you deserve one.

You can order as many certificates as you want at this price now through Saturday the 12th, Midnight (that's the day before Mother's Day, people - so if you happen to have, say, a deserving Mother-In-Law but a forgetful husband, we can accomodate). 

To order, call 801-787-0160 or email her at relaxreplenishrenew at gmail dot com.

And - let's not forget - Ali is offering one of you the chance to WIN a massage just for stopping by. 

If you live in Utah and South Salt Lake counties, you have the option of having her travel to you. If you live outside those parameters (or just want to get out of the house), you can still enter and travel to her! She's equipped to give massages out of her home in Eagle Mountain.

Here's how to enter:

Leave a comment describing who you'd like to win the massage for (even if it's yourself!) and why they (you) deserve it.

Easy, right?

If you'd like to up your chances, you can earn extra entries for helping to spread the word:

1. mention (and link to) this giveaway on Facebook

2. tweet about it (linking back)

3. blog about it (linking back)

Giveaway will close Friday, 5/11/12 at Midnight, Mountain Time. Winner announced, then.

Rain, Rain - stay oh stay! But for my friends, a GIVEAWAY.

I admit it. I have really been enjoying the cooler spring weather. Give me grey clouds and hoodies-required evenings - you can keep your clear skies and that blasted sunshine.

But I know I'm the minority. And I kind of think it keeps raining due in large part to the fact that I keep washing my car. Murphy's law and all that.

So. Because I feel a little bit bad about my revelry in the gloomy offerings of this spring (and because the weather promises to get better. Really) I'd like to make an offering.

Not to the gods of warmer weather, 'cause - like I said - I'm good with the rain. No, I'd like to make an offering to you. Yes, you, dear reader.

Would a colorful blossom perched charmingly upon your finger improve spirits?

How about a delightfully sweet bud worn at each ear? Would that brighten outlooks?

This week, I'd love to give three of my readers a set of these vintage-inspired goodies. Winners will receive via post a ring and a pair of earrings in the color of their choice.

ring color choices

earring color choices

(Choices subject to availability.)

To enter, leave a comment below telling me which color you'd most enjoy.

Extra entries for the following:
1. share the giveaway on FB
2. tweet it
3. blog mention

This giveaway will close Thursday at Midnight. Winners announced Friday.

Also - I've got a REALLY exciting giveaway planned for later this week (I know, doubling up! I must really like you guys!) - a PERFECT gift idea for Mother's Day. You'll love it. I kinda wish I could just keep it. It's that good.

Meeting William Joseph (and Giveaway!)

Disclaimer: Please to forgive the grainy photos. I was in the back. With my iphone. I'm sad about it, too.

When I was invited with one other blogger to attend a last minute invitation-only in-house concert in my home city, I had no idea what I was in for. I didn't know what to expect from the evening; so I grabbed my good friend and fellow music lover Mikelle and a green smoothie and headed into the rainy evening. Embarrassingly, I thought - sure! I'm always up for helping to support and promote local talent.

I learned very quickly that the performers I enjoyed last night didn't need any kind of promoting, and those of us lucky enough to attend last night's performance basked in a constant wash of talent so fine that when William Joseph made his final bow and thank-you and the applause finally died down, we all stood and reeled and staggered about with wide eyes, whispering, "wow".

William Joseph owns the piano. He was charismatic and good looking (amiright?) and told engaging stories and was a warm and delightful performer - but when he sat down at the piano (and all I could see was his mess of dark hair swaying and bobbing above the audience's heads from where I was sitting in the back) it was something else entirely. We were all transported to his head-place by the music he created - sometimes spontaneously! - and it was a wonderful, wonderful ride.

Just so you know - William was discovered by David Foster (responsible for discovering talents like Celine Dion, Michael Buble' and Josh Groban) when he asked if he could play David's piano at an event, and David said, "Sure, play something." He sat down to play an original composition, and Foster started leading, bringing in other musicians until William had an orchestra fleshing out his sound. After a standing ovation, Foster said, "Are you coming tonight?" But the $800/plate event was a bit steep for newlywed William Joseph. Foster said, "Nonsense. You're coming tonight, and you're the opening act."

Next thing he knew, William was touring with Josh Groban. And the rest is history.

But, like, a really really musically gifted history.

When he played A Mother's Heart, he dedicated it to all the mothers in the room. He said he had so much respect for mothers and the unseen work we do every day.

"I was sitting right next to Dick Chaney, and I was like, please don't talk to me!"

He got so animated talking about his latest project, Be Still. He said he had been wanting to do an album of Hymns for forever! He said his favorite hymn is Come Thou Fount. The simplicity of the melody makes his soul ache. I loved that. And when he was finished playing it, I may have seen him make a quick brush at his eye with his sleeve.

He told the story of a time when he was 14 and asked to play for a wedding. In a mall. He got distracted while playing the wedding march and ended up playing...

William played (and bantered) with his friend and fellow musician Aaron Ashton. Aaron played the violin - so you know I felt an affinity - and the two of them completely filled that room with their two instruments. Mikelle leaned over and whispered, "there can't be just one piano and one violin."

Aaron Ashton breaking out into some Irish fiddling

William and Aaron were delightful. The venue perfect (thank you, Dyer family, for opening your home to us for the evening! You have very talented daughters!).

"The Stage" at the Dyer home

I felt very small next to such talent, but screwed up my courage and thought of Jenny (who meets incredible talent and does this sort of thing all the time, it seems!) and asked for a picture with William and Aaron.

Mikelle, the talented William Joseph, & Me - I'm always so surprised by how round my face is.

Just a couple of violinists! But just one that's, you know, nationally recognized.

They were delightful in person - and William may have invited us to the release party a few weeks from now. Details pending.

If you're feeling sad that you missed this - don't despair. I have a signed copy of Wiliam Joseph's latest CD to give to one of my readers! I know, right?

I've been listening to my own copy, and it's wonderful.

To enter:

Leave me a comment telling me why you'd like to win.
Extra entries for tweets and blog mentions (please mention these in a separate comment)

Giveaway will close Sunday, midnight. Winner announced Monday.

Like always, I hope you ALL win!

Pretty Littles Giveaway!

Friends!

This week, I am partnering with Pretty Littles to offer you - wonderful reader! - the chance to win a $20 credit toward their winsome wares! And just in time for Easter!

Pretty Littles specializes in adorable accents for little girls - but they create for adult sizes, too! And - get this - they are FULLY CUSTOMIZABLE!

Have an Easter Dress for your darling in a specific color? Or need something to match your eyes? No sweat, says Pretty Littles, give us the info and we'll create what you covet - just for you!

It's a well known fact around here that my little Hank has a ginormous noggen 'cause of all them smarts he keeps up there. He needed a wintry hat - and so I approached my charming friends over at Pretty Littles to inquire after a customized hat for Hank.

I was so impressed with the quality of craftsmanship and the speed of turnaround (because, as those of you who know me well can attest, I'm a bit of a last-minute gal) - not to mention how RIDICULOUSLY SWEET my little monkey looked in his monkey hat!

$15 child, $20 adult

Here's just a small sampling of what Pretty Littles has to offer:

Darling hair accessories for girls ~

$3 each set

$4 ea.

$5

I think I might need this purple headband in my size ~

$10 ea.

 
And right now, they have some adorable spring accents just in time for Easter! ~

$3 set

Are you - or someone you know - expecting a spring baby? (or any kind of baby for that matter?)

Mary Janes! $12

Boots: $15, Hat: $20 or $35 for the set

Pretty Littles also has fun offerings for the boys/men in your life (I almost got one of these for my Dad) ~

$20 child, $25 adult

... And some cute things for the home. I'm loving the simple, fresh look of this wreath ~

$25

As you can see, a $20 credit could go a long way! You can check out the rest of their great stuff over on their PAGE.

But Stepper, How Do I Win?!

Easy!

Just go check out their page, then come back here and leave a comment listing which item(s) you would most like to win!

Bam! Entered.

(Extra entries for a tweet or blog mention linking back to this post.)

Winner will be randomly selected.

Giveaway ends Midnight on Friday, March 24 2012.

BUT THERE'S MORE!

Now through the end of the month, you can receive 10% off your entire order at Pretty Littles just by telling them that Stepper sent you.

They ship anywhere, and accept Paypal.

So what are you waiting for?! Head on over here to check them out!

did you win?

let's find out!

Thanks to everyone for participating. I enlisted the help of the BILL to randomly pick the winners (see: pull name out of a hat) because I was likely to cheat, I wanted you all to win so badly. So you can thank Bill's dexterous fingers if you won! (or if you lost)

The winner of the fashionably fresh white rose earrings is:

Rischelle!

Who said:

I love to have a window into the life of my most creative niece. i hope someday her young cousins follow in her footsteps since they all love to write.

Thank you and congrats! (oh, and uh...are you serious about craft night with your girls? Because I would LOVE THAT.)




The winner of the ohsoawesome book (and my favorite reading treats!) is:

Tamsin!

Who said:

I don't have a favorite book because I enjoy so many. However, I would like to point out that the Little Prince is the only book I have ever read in three languages: English, Norwegian and French. Yup, I sure am awesome :/


I really had to laugh that you won this particular prize - because do you also own this book in three different languages?


The winner of the cooly-cool fabric flower hair/clothing accessory thingies (there really has to be a better name for these) is:

Cheryl!

Who said:

I read NieNie because of your post about her quite a while back now. I discovered CJane's blog through NieNie's, and I read that more sporadically. Even though we have very different lives, we're all mothers and women. They're always an eye-opening, inspirational, humorous, and sometimes emotional read. (Also, I don't know about the banana blog, but I do open them that way now...so much easier!). :)

Cheryl - that is just awesome. Spread that blogging love! (and hello to J. and A.!)

And the winner of their very own MONSTER is:

Amber!

Who selflessly entered for her delightsome offspring and said:

Stepper, my four year old son neeeeds a monster! Small enough to tote around, but big enough to snuggle and green for sure. He would of course be in charge of naming his little guy and I couldn't even begin to guess what he would come up with.

Congratulations! You'll have to (no, really) let us know what he names his new friend!

With the exception of the Monster (because, hello! Custom made, people!), I will be sending you your winnings by the end of the week.

If I don't have your address, (or if you have a really good joke) please ping me via email with your numbers so's I can send your goodies along!

stepperthemighty at gmail dot com.

Thanks, all!

I'm-a go to bed, now.