Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts

December 13, 2013

Empowerment & Love

This week has been fabulous. Especially yesterday. 

I tutored the nursing students I've been helping for the past two months and it really is so wonderful when they are confused or lacking information on something they need to know and, with your help, it clicks and they "get it" by the end of the session. And when they say that the advice and tricks you gave have actually started working. Maybe this is a sign that I should go back to school to become a Nurse Educator?

Caribou was celebrating its 21st anniversary, so all drinks were buy one, get one for 21 cents. That in itself is reason to celebrate. But here's the part that made me smile: I ordered 2 Northern Lite Carmel Highrise with no whip. Little did I know that when you order that, it's the same as a Northern Lite Carmel Latte...and the latte is cheaper, so she changed my order to save me money AND I got another buy one, get one free for this weekend. It's the little things, people.

Most touching to me, though, was when I received this tweet:




and then saw this:




If you remember back to my post on Wednesday, I wrote my review and experience with the book "He Never Liked Cake" by Janna Leyde. I tweeted about it, as I do with many of my blog posts, as do most bloggers. I expected that she would probably see it, but never that I would receive the response from her I did. You can also see a comment from her on the post. Most touching was the fact that she took the time out of her day to personally e-mail me. I'm not going to share the e-mail on here, but I will say that she made me tear up. I'm so, so, so glad that my post could touch her and do the book justice. Because it so, so, so deserves that.

Another reason it's a good week? Bath & Body Works 3-wick candles are $8 HOLLA today in stores!

And Frances from Hello, Frances and her sponsors (including me!) are giving away $20 to Ulta!

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I'm just very thankful this week for where my life is at right now, even if it's not what I originally expected or wanted and even if I'm not doing what I really intended or hoped to be doing at this point in time - one year after graduating from Luther.

I feel empowered, supported, and loved this week. I feel lifted up and renewed in my spirit of what I'm supposed to be doing. I feel incredibly thankful for the platform and experiences that blogging has given to me (WHITNEY, YOUR POST THE OTHER DAY...YESSSS!!). I'm thankful that, though my love is nursing and I would give anything to be doing that at this point in time, I have other passions that have developed in the past year that I've been out of school: my love for and commitment to blogging and my passion and advocacy for ending sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.

"When you least expect it, something great will come along. Something better than you ever planned for."

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS WEEK A JOYFUL ONE!

Now for the music aka #backthatazzup! I'm giving you three because I can.

1. You know that Glade commercial with the children's choir singing "This is My Wish". Well, I wanted that song in my iTunes ever since I heard it. And it turns out they recorded a version with Jordin Sparks singing with a children's choir and have it for free download on glade.com through 12/31.



2. This song is amazing! I was tearing up watching Lea talk about Cory on Ellen yesterday.



3. Zach Sobiech was a teen from Minnesota who died last May. He had wrote a song called "Clouds" that became a huge hit and about a week or so ago, thousands gathered at the rotunda in the Mall of America to sing his song along with a bunch of choirs. It is amazing and gives me goosebumps every time I watch it.



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December 9, 2013

These are a few of my favorite things.


TV Shows
- Law and Order: Special Victims Unit
- Glee
- New Girl
- Most reality TV shows
- One Tree Hill
- E.R.
- Orange is the New Black

Songs at the moment
- "All of Me" by John Legend
-  "Underneath the Tree" by Kelly Clarkson
-  "Story of My Life" by One Direction
-  "Still Into You" by Paramore
- "Mirrors" by Justin Timberlake
- "On This Winter's Night" by Lady Antebellum
- "And the Radio Played" by Lady Antebellum
- "Compass" by Lady Antebellum
- "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus
- "Clarity" by Zedd
- "Sweet Annie" by Zac Brown Band
- "Glass" by Thompson Square

Restaurants
- Wildwood
- T-bock's
- Glynner's
- Ground Round

Movies
- Any and all Nicholas Sparks movies
- Crossroads (aka the Britney Spears movie cause it's awesome)
- Pretty Woman
- Elf
- Life As We Know It
- Pitch Perfect

Blogs
- I Wore Yoga Pants to Work
- Sunny with a Chance of Sprinkles
- Fal Finds Happiness
- Becoming Autumn
- Helene in Between
- Life: Oceanside
- Not Entirely Perfect
- Two Thirds Hazel

Little bit of everything
- a good cup of coffee
- fulfilling a Starbucks/Caribou/Moka craving
- crawling in to freshly washed sheets
- lots and lots of Christmas lights
- reading a really good book
- Christmas Eve (you'll see why tomorrow!)
- writing a blog post & you feel better after writing it
- boots + skinny jeans or leggings + oversized flowly button-ups
- Netflix marathons
- puppy cuddles
- baby cuddles


Dara from Not in Jersey and some of her sponsors (me included!) are giving away some of of our favorite things to share with you this Christmas season!

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December 6, 2013

Random Information You Want to Know

Today I slept in until 9:30am. Not on purpose. I seriously haven't done that in years. Needless to say, it did not make me feel good and rested. I felt lazy.

I started using my new Chi shampoo this morning. Now I can't stop wanting to smell my hair.

I can't wait until January so I can start using my 2014 May book in all it's chevron glory.

I finished my Victim Assistance Training this past weekend. It doesn't explicitly relate to nursing and probably won't help me get a job at all. But I feel informed and knowledgeable. And you would be surprised how often information like the VAT comes into play with patients, even though it's most often the social worker dealing with the brunt of that work.

I'm teaming up with Frances and friends for the 25 Days of Christmas. Every Friday through the 20th, we're giving away a giftcard and on Christmas Eve, there will be some fun prizes as well!

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November 27, 2013

Happy (Early) Thanksgiving!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving readers!! I'll be back to posting on Monday!

Enjoy your time with family, friends, or whoever you may be spending it with. Eat all the turkey and sides your little heart desires. Score some awesome Black Friday/Thanksgiving deals.

And, maybe try to win a $150 Visa giftcard!





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November 26, 2013

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

I have a bone to pick with one Miss Taylor Swift.

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I'll be honest: I still do listen to her music. In fact, I actually enjoy it. Well, the recorded versions. Not live.

I've been annoyed by T. Swift for quite some time now. Her awkward stances. Her fumbling through shocked gratitude. I mean, hello, you're soon-to-be 24 years old. It's not cute anymore.

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But what really irks me is her affiliation with country music.

She was a country music singer. Was being the operative word here. I remember when she first came out: a 16 year old girl with cowboy boots, super curly hair, and singing all her own songs. America fell in love. And so did I.

But her newest album, Red, is not one ounce country. Not even a little bit. That ish is straight up Pop/Rock. In fact, when I uploaded Red into my iTunes (yes, I own it. Like I said, I don't mind her music), it categorized itself automatically as Country.

NOPE!

I went in and changed it to Pop.

The American Music Awards the other night are what really threw me off the edge with Miss Swift.

She was nominated for Best Country Album (and won.) and Best Pop/Rock Album. Yes, Justin Timberlake was also nominated for Best Pop/Rock Album and Best Soul/R&B Album. But either way, I don't think it's fair to be nominated under two entirely different genre categories. I love me some JT, but I still don't think it's fair.

And then Taylor won Best Country Female. Against Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood.

Aw hell no!

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You can definitely tell an award show like this is fan-voted. All the little teenyboppers rally around Taylor and vote for her. Watch the CMA's or ACM's. They are voted on by industry professionals. Taylor never wins anything there anymore. 

I don't know. Maybe I'm just getting old and don't appreciate the youth of America these days and what they're (skewed) opinions are.

So, I'm sorry Taylor, but We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.



Like ever.

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I'm helping out Miss Erin with her Black Friday giveaway. Get this: you have a chance to win a $150 Visa Giftcard!! How awesome would that be?!





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November 22, 2013

25th Birthday Blog Bash Day 5: Birthday Weekend Playlist [iTunes Giveaway]




Today's birthday topic would really be better if I was still in college and celebrated my birthday with a weekend of drunken nights out dancing. However, I'd still like to grace you with a super-duper playlist to celebrate. Just in case, ya know, you do go out to dance and get drunk tonight. By all means, have fun and drink one for me. I've also included a few of my favorites that maybe aren't party songs. But when I get drunk, in addition to being overly friendly and wanting to hug people, I also apparently like to have deep and meaningful conversations. Therefore, I've chosen some deep and meaningful songs too. Not really, but you get my drift.

Really I just wanted to Back That Azz Up with Whitney.


Birthday by Breanna Friedrich on Grooveshark


If you don't already own all those songs, first off, why not? But have no fear because today I am giving one of you $25 to iTunes to purchase all those guilty pleasure songs you are missing out on.
.....
Or, fine, normal music you might be into....


Terms & Conditions: The Cliffnotes Version
- Only open to U.S. residents.
- Must reply to e-mail within 48 hours to claim prize or it will be given to someone else.
- If you are not honest with your entries, all of your entries will be deleted. Honesty's the best policy!
- Each giveaway will be open for 3 days, so get your entries in!

I'd also like to say a huge THANK YOU to the ladies who helped me with this week of celebrating. When I first came up with the idea of this Birthday Blog Bash, I really wasn't holding my breath or expecting it to be as big of a success as it turned into. Like I've said before, the generosity of bloggers always floors me and I am so glad to be a part of this wonderful community. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH! *end acceptance speech & cue music*

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November 21, 2013

25th Birthday Blog Bash Day 4: Birthdays of Years Gone By [Sephora Giveaway]

What's the number one thing in a mom's mind as they approach their kid turning 1? THE BIRTHDAY PARTY! Duh!

I never had any elaborate birthday celebration. Maybe I'll save that for my 30th. But I thought I would share some birthday party memories with you.

Whenever a kid in my family's birthday came around (until they were 18), we always celebrated by going over to their house that night to open presents and eat cake. Every. Year. No wonder we all looked forward to our birthday so much!

1st birthday with my cousins

One.

Two.

2nd birthday with my aunt. "GIVE ME MY DAMN CAKE!"

My Grandma always made our cakes. Minnie Mouse, Big Bird, Pocahontas, Barbie. She had a pan for every little kid's fantasy! 

Third. I am adorable, I know.

One of my most vivid birthday memories from that townhouse above is getting this Rollerskater Barbie from my Grandma. I went into the kitchen to play with it with my brother. I don't remember the exact details, but I do know it ended with my brother ripping the Barbie's head off and me in tears. 

Four. Look at that hair!

Five. You know McKayla Maroney's "not impressed" face? Well, this is mine. And boy, am I bejeweled or what?!

Six. AKA my boy cut year.

I loved my sixth birthday because when it was your birthday in Kindergarten, you were the "special person" that day and your name was mentioned in the note at the beginning of the day. You also got to take home that note. It was proudly posted in the living room that night when everyone came over.

When I turned eight, I had my first party with friends. I invited a bunch of girls over to my basement and we played game. It was definitely one of my favorite parties. I can't find any group pictures though!

 Posing for pictures since age eight.

I distinctly remember that was Alex Mack playing on the TV and I loved that Teacher Barbie set.

For my ninth birthday, three of my friends came with me to Shakee's (remember those?) and we got our faces painted.


I had a literal dance party for my tenth birthday. We went to this old elementary school and someone taught us a bunch of dances. Looking back, it was very strange. Fun at the time though!



The next party I had wasn't until my Sweet Sixteen!! I went cosmic bowling, took a limo ride, and there was a dance at my high school.


I always loved college birthdays the most!

For my 19th, I watched the season finale of The Bachelor with a bunch of floormates (remember the season where Brad rejected both woman? We were furious.), ate cake, & opened presents.

My 20th, I had a group birthday party with my best friend's cousin, who was turning 21. We all went out to the bars and danced, played darts, & (shh!) I had my first alcoholic drink (outside of the house).




Get this: for my 21st, I hung out with my BFF in her dorm with some friends, watched a movie, and drank two bottles of wine. YES!


Although, my BFF's birthday is five days before mine, so I may or may not have went out to the bar with her on her actual birthday and celebrated.

That, despite how it may look, is not milk.

For my 22nd, I went out to dinner with my housemates, came home and watched a movie, and had cake! Again though, my BFF had a party at her house & we definitely had our share of fun...



23rd birthday = Went out for dinner with my sister, aunt, and mom. Went over to some of my nursing classmates apartment and hung out while pigging out on food and drinking.

24th birthday = I had community nursing clinical bright & early at 8am that morning, but, by golly, I made sure I looked cute! I baked chocolate chip bars for my nursing class, ordered in pizza, and watched Dancing with the Stars.

Man, the more these birthdays go on, the older I feel my definition of "party" is!

If I had a birthday party for my 25th, I would choose to have a makeover/spa day with girlfriends. Spending the day getting pampered along with some wine sounds wonderful!

Today, I'm giving you the chance to win a $25 giftcard to Sephora so you can buy some things to pamper yourself!


Terms & Conditions: The Cliffnotes Version
- Only open to U.S. residents.
- Must reply to e-mail within 48 hours to claim prize or it will be given to someone else.
- If you are not honest with your entries, all of your entries will be deleted. Honesty's the best policy!
- Each giveaway will be open for 3 days, so get your entries in!

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November 20, 2013

25th Birthday Blog Bash Day 3: 30 Goals Before 30 [Amazon Giveaway]

I've never really been one to get into writing down a list of goals or something like 101 in 1001. However, being that I just turned 25 and it's hit me like a truck that I'll be 30 in just 5 years (oh boy!), I thought I would come up with thirty things I would ideally like to accomplish before I turn 30. Not necessarily things I need to get done, but something that I can look at and be like, "Yes, that's what I would like to do".

 image found here

1. Land my first nursing job & hone my craft.
2. Change my hair dramatically.
3. Take at least one trip to Nashville.
4. Become a pediatric or NICU nurse.
5. Meet Mr. Right. 
6. Go on a girl's weekend with my besties at least once a year.
7. Find a home, apartment, or townhome of my own.
8. Save $1000 
9. Pay off a big chunk of my student loans
10. Go on a blate. (blog + date, duh)
11. Develop some semblance of a healthy lifestyle.
12. Become an official advocate for domestic violence/sexual assault.
13. Get floor seats to a concert.
14. Finally decide if I want to go back to school for my Master's.
15. Fly in an airplane.
16. Take more pictures.
17. Read at least eight new books each year.
18. Participate in an event to raise awareness for an organization or topic I support.
19. Sign up for a walk/run that benefits a charity.
20. Learn how to perfect curls in my hair.
21. Do at least ten things that make me step outside my comfort zone.
22. Grow my blog (in whatever context that means to me).
23. Keep a jar of happy moments and quotes throughout the year and open it on New Year's Eve.
24. Adopt a shelter pet.
25. Attend Luther College homecoming as often as possible with friends.
26. Treat myself to a spa day or shopping spree.
27. Get a celebrity reply on Twitter.
28. Try a new recipe each month.
29. Attend my ten year high school reunion.
30. Make an effort to do at least one thing that makes me happy each day.

Today, what makes me happy is giving one of you the chance to win $25 to Amazon. Maybe you can use it to help complete one of your goals!


Terms & Conditions: The Cliffnotes Version
- Only open to U.S. residents.
- Must reply to e-mail within 48 hours to claim prize or it will be given to someone else.
- If you are not honest with your entries, all of your entries will be deleted. Honesty's the best policy!
- Each giveaway will be open for 3 days, so get your entries in!

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November 19, 2013

25th Birthday Blog Bash Day 2: My 24th Year [Starbucks Giveaway]

Y'all, I am officially 25! What?!


When did I get to be a quarter-of-a-century old? Jeez!

To be honest, sometimes I still feel 21. Not that I'm complaining.

To welcome myself to 25, I thought I'd take a look back on the best moments of my 24th year. AKA a photo dump of wonderful memories.




















Finishing college/Christmas Nursing Party/Fingerpainting while being a nanny/Hitting 100 followers in December/Down by the Riverside/New Years Eve/Day drinking/Community Nursing/Nannying/Dean's List/Puppy cuddles/Rose/Becoming an RN/NCLEX prep classes/Too cool for school/Christmas at Luther

Little Big Town/New hair/Renaissance/Thanksgiving Hair/Halloween brownies while being a nanny/Nights out/Diploma/Selfies

And what better way to celebrate the beginning of my 25th year than to reward one of you lovely readers with $25 to Starbucks.

Because, let's face it, I am literally addicted to Starbucks. Instagram proof:



Terms & Conditions: The Cliffnotes Version
- Only open to U.S. residents.
- Must reply to e-mail within 48 hours to claim prize or it will be given to someone else.
- If you are not honest with your entries, all of your entries will be deleted. Honesty's the best policy!
- Each giveaway will be open for 3 days, so get your entries in!

 photo BirthdayBashCollage_zpsddabccc6.png


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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