Three Giveaway Winners!

Giveaway Package #2 Winner

angela said...

I like going for a long walk after a big Thanksgiving meal or doing any physical activity. There's nothing that makes me feel more uncomfortable than a big food baby in my tummy!

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Giveaway Package #1 Winner

Kelly said...

Cheese Potatoes. On Thanksgiving, Christmas, 4th of July, and any other holiday that I can somehow incorporate a huge pan of them into :)

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The Rice Babies Winner

jen said...

oh, my daughter is turning 1 next week and i would love to have one of these sweet dolls to give her. my favorite toy was a baby doll. it was one of those bald, hard plastic ones. my grandpa would draw on it-eyelashes, hair, lipstick-i loved that. she didn't have a name though-just "baby".

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If you're one of the lucky winners please e-mail me so I can pass it along to our lovely giveaway hosts! You can reach me at racheldenbow (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks to everyone who took part and for our lovely giveaway hosts for their generous donations! If you're interested in being a sponsor for December we still have a few medium and small ad spots available for you! E-mail Frecklednest (at)gmail (dot) com for details to secure your spot for December!

xoxo,
Rachel

Home For The Holidays: Janae Hardy's Terrarium DIY

Hello, Smile and Wave readers! I just adore Rachel's blog and I am so happy to be a guest blogger today! I love Christmas time. It is a time to bring out new decorations and renew everything around the house. I have a little girl named Hazel who is almost two. She likes to be involved with everything lately. The other day we made a winter terrarium.

I think terrariums are a wonderful thing. You can make a plant grow in one or make a little dreamland. Hazel and I made a Christmas forest terrarium by using things from around the house and also a couple things from a craft store. What we used:

-jar with a lid

-floral foam

-faux moss

-twigs from our yard

-scrap fabric

-tulle

-mini woodland creatures

-lots of sparkles!

First, I cut the floral foam to fit inside of the jar. Then, I covered the foam with faux moss. I used a glue gun to secure the moss to the foam.

Then we went outside and found some little sticks to work as the "trees". After we found the perfect sizes, we made sure they fit inside the jar. I pulled out some vintage fabric to be the "foliage" on the tree.

I cut circles out of the fabric (large to small) and cut a tiny hole in them to fit over the tree. The hole needs to be small enough to hug the tree, but if you cut the hole too big, just secure it with a dab from your hot glue gun. I alternated the fabric and tulle layers to make the tree more puffy.

We stuck the trees in the foam and added some woodland creatures.

We got out the sparkles and sprinkled some "snow" on the trees and ground. Hazel loved this part.

Each day I will take down the terrarium from the mantel and let her pour "snow" on the trees. It's a fun way to have her involved and proud of something she helped make.

I hope you make your own version of a Christmas forest terrarium. The sky is the limit when it comes to ideas and materials for this little project! Thanks for letting me be a part of your blog, Rachel! -Janae

I really love the idea of letting Hazel take part in this easy but charming DIY! Janae is such a great mom and has one of the most loving hearts. She's also a talented photographer and has the golden touch when it comes to repurposing thrifted and vintage items. I'm so thankful that we get to hang out in real life when our schedules permit! They are expecting a little boy on Christmas Eve so this time of year will always hold an extra sense of excitement and anticipation. Thanks for sharing, Janae!

Be sure to check in regularly this week and next for more 'Home for the Holidays' inspiration.

<center><a href="http://racheldenbow.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://s1028.photobucket.com/albums/y347/racheldenbow/" /></a></center>
xoxo,
Rachel

Home For The Holidays: Danielle Thompson's Home Decor

For the next two weeks I'll be sharing the Christmas feature 'Home for the Holidays': inspiring home decor inspiration, DIY's, adorable wrapping ideas, family traditions, and other special ways to make your holiday season merry and bright! I've lined up some special blogging friends to share from their expertise what makes up part of their holiday experience.

One of the first things I plan on doing to get in the Christmas spirit this year is to decorate our new home with my collection of vintage bulbs, the full set of vintage Santa mugs I received as a birthday gift from my MIL, plenty of paper snow flakes, and white lights everywhere! Until we get those boxes opened I'd love to share photos from one of the most inspiring and well styled holiday homes in my book.

Danielle Thompson of Thompson Family Life has a pension for curating lovely vintage vignettes in her home and creating beautiful home decor with vintage pieces and basic craft supplies (see what I mean!).

Her color palette is right up my alley and I am honestly blown away with everything she creates. Her attention to detail, strong aesthetic, and eye for color is apparent in both her home decor and the blog she keeps to document it all.

I have always loved aluminum trees and this vintage styled aqua tree perched on a table covered in a vintage quilt just about takes the cake.

I love how she's displayed so many holiday treasures on this entertainment center and now I want to watch holiday movies! You can find Danielle's felt tree DIY from a few years ago here.

The stockings on the mantel are just perfect with the little Christmas town above. Danielle, I'm not sure which element of last year's holiday decor I love the most! I can't wait to see what she's got up her sleeve for Christmas 2010. If you're already familiar with her work you can attest to the fact that she always outdoes herself!

Danielle also offers a large selection of downloadable embroidery designs through her Etsy shop, Tiny Bazaar, as well as digital designs for scrapbooking, tag making, and a host of other crafty projects through Kitschy Digitals. She's quite the talented woman and a regular inspiration to me so if you're not yet a follower head over and see what you've been missing!

Be sure to check in regularly this week and next for more 'Home for the Holidays' inspiration.

<center><a href="http://racheldenbow.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://s1028.photobucket.com/albums/y347/racheldenbow/" /></a></center>
xoxo,
Rachel

Vintage Here, Vintage There: Week Four, Date Night Edition and our First Vintage Mama Feature

Ruby and I decided to take this vintage show on the road and designated this week's outfit post as Date Night Vintage! Technically, I wore this little number to Elsie's birthday gathering on Commercial Street two weekends ago but it was dark when we went out and I knew I'd get a bad photo. So, I have recreated what I wore on our most recent date night minus a fancy hounds tooth trench that my mom bought me last year (I left it at my MIL's this week!).

I found this vintage, lace dress on opening day of the new Red Velvet Dress Shop and was so thrilled to find something a little extra fancy. I layered it over a black slip and black patterned tights but may try something more colorful for a slightly more playful look next time. The shoes I wore are from JCPenney's and were purchased to wear for the Grand Opening of the RVA handmade shop in 2009.

I think this dress has magic powers. Brett and I were feeling pretty tense as we were rushing to get ready for the party, trying to get the kids in bed, looking for our shoes, etc. and I remember thinking it was no way to start the evening. I didn't want our date night to be ruined by bad moods! We hadn't reached the car door when Brett stopped me and told me how nice I looked and I felt the tension fly out the window as we drove away leaving our kids in the care of my SIL. We had a great time and I only checked my phone for missed babysitter calls once.

Ruby didn't wear this on our date night because she was in her pajamas, sleeping in her bed. She DID wear this to her first of two Thanksgiving events with family last week. Once again I missed the opportunity to take a photo of her but not because of the lighting. That time it was intermittent rain and freezing temps. We both recreated our vintage looks on our last lovely Sunday afternoon in our current backyard.

Ruby wore:
Cardigan: thrifted
Vintage Polly Flinders dress: thrifted
Tights: Target
Robeez boots: thrifted

She is officially a walker. She has been flirting with the idea for about a month but has made up her mind that crawling is for the birds.

Some of my favorite women's party dresses on Etsy are being sold by FlourVintage, RedBoxVintage, BohemianBisoux, and PoppyPistolsVintage. I love to browse and think about the places those dresses were debuted!

In other news, one of the reasons Ruby and I wanted to start a vintage outfit feature was to share the styles of some of our favorite online, vintage wearing mamas and their fancy kiddos. It's been our pleasure to have interviewed Heather from 3ringcircus and her lovely daughter, Penelope (a.k.a. 'Pip'). I love seeing how older kids' opinions and tastes weigh more heavily in the styling process and how mom's both encourage and guide them to make their own fashion statements!

Vintage Mama Feature

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Hi, my name is Heather and I am thrilled that Rachel and Ruby asked me to be featured on Vintage Here, Vintage There! I love searching for vintage treasures for children to sell in my etsy shop 3ringcircus . I have a blog called pippiparade where I document my daughter’s vintage and recycled clothing. I have two boys that I can sometimes convince to wear vintage but will always wear hand me downs because they are “cozier”. 



Me

Vintage 1980s plaid dress: thrifted
Blue tights: ralph lauren
Blue oxfords I have had forever ~ pre kids!

Pip
Polly flinders turquoise dress: thrifted
Pink durango cowboy boots: hand me downs

Q: When did you start wearing vintage and why?


A: Ever since I was little I have gone to thrift and consignment stores with my mom. When I was in high school I inherited my great grandmother's vintage clothing collection. That started my love of vintage. I have been wearing it ever since. Wearing vintage is a way that our family recycles. 



Heather

Vintage poncho was my mom's from the 70's
Thrifted jeans
Vintage minnetonka moccasins: my mom's from the 70's

Pip
Vintage mushroom dress bought off etsy (can't remember who from)
Blue leggings: target Red converse: hand-me-downs from older brothers

Q: What do you look for in a piece when you're shopping?


A: when shopping for vintage clothing I look for items that can be machine washable. “Dry cleaning only” does not seem like a wise choice for me with three kiddos. Although if I do find something I cannot live without I won’t leave it at the thrifts. I love anything with pockets and clothing from the 1940’s or 1970’s. I am a big fan of mixing vintage tops with jeans. When shopping for my kids the wackier the better!



Q: Favorite vintage find to date?


A: My favorite piece {and best score to date} is an early 1960’s ocelot print ¾ length sleeve coat in perfect condition that I paid $7.00 for.

Me
Orange 70s leather coat: thrifted
Maroon 70s polyester sweater: thrifted
Wool plaid 80's skirt: thirfted
Frye boots: TJMaxx

Pip
Maroon vintage sears dress: thrifted
Striped tights old navy: hand me downs
T-strap maryjanes stride rite: hand me downs

Q: The one piece that got away (or would've broken the bank!)


A: Aw! The one piece that got away was a 1970’s Navajo print sweater coat that was less than $10. it was 95˚ out and I was so hot that I put it back! I am kicking myself over that one and I have been on the hunt for one ever since.



Q: How do you style your daughter?


A: Penelope aka Pippi is a fan of thrifting and finding “treasures” with me so she has a big say in what she wears. We love to pair a vintage dress with some leggings or jeans. I am a sucker for really bad 80’s dresses for kids. Some how she can pull them off! Though my favorite era for her is also the 70’s. I guess it is because I was a product of that time period. Once when we were shopping in a thrift store a nice old man told me that Pip looked like those kids from the 70’s with the big eyes! So I guess I achieved the look I was going for!

Here are a few of Heather's favorite online vintage sources.

Little Ocean Annie
http://www.etsy.com/shop/littleoceanannie

Frecklewonder
http://www.etsy.com/shop/frecklewonder

MsTips
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MsTips

Lishyloo
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lishyloo

Store to visit
https://www.wastelandclothing.com/

Don't forget to head 'over there' to see what Rubyellen and her crowd are wearing!

xoxo,
Rachel

Vintage Here, Vintage There: Week Three, Part Two

Part two from last week's Vintage Here, Vintage There is finally here!

I wore a vintage dress that I picked up from the new Red Velvet Dress Shop and paired it with jeans and mocs for a relaxed feel. The dress has a really fun print that reminds me of California.

I had to bribe Sebastian to get off of the swing for a minute so I could use it to take a photo. I owe him a dollar. ;)

I'm wearing:
Vintage dress: Red Velvet Dress Shop
Belt: Thrifted
Skinny Jeans: Target
Vintage Moccasins: Thrifted

Rubyellen has saved her Part Two from last week to share with you so we'd be on the same page so be sure to see how she styled her Southern Californian kids. Here are the last few Vintage Here, Vintage There posts!

Vintage Here, Vintage There: Week One
Vintage Here, Vintage There: Week Two
Vintage Here, Vintage There: Week Three, Part One

Oops

I didn't plan on being offline for most of the week! We've been traveling (as I'm sure many of you have been) but we're back and have spent Friday evening and Saturday packing, sewing, laundry, etc. I have some giveaway winners to announce on Sunday and another fabulous giveaway to share! Expect plenty of loveliness this coming week as I'm starting my Christmas feature 'Home for the Holidays' on Monday as well as the usual 'Vintage Here, Vintage There' with a lovely mama/daughter feature from California!

Can I tell you what I've decided I'd like for Christmas? A power sander. Brett bought me a band saw and two saw horses our second Christmas after getting married and I couldn't have been a happier girl. I've got a few other items on the list but that's for another post. In the meantime it's back to packing, cleaning, and daydreaming about getting our new home cozy for the holidays!

SHOP TALK

If you'd like to join Smile And Wave as a sponsor for the month of December we've got a few spots left! It's the last month to take advantage of the holiday sales and new readers that will be visiting from guest blogging posts for the next two weeks! My new small ad rate (only $20) was a hit last month and is a great way to see if SAW is a good fit for your online shop or blog.

Send all enquiries to Frecklednest(at)gmail(dot)com.

I hope your week was lovely!
xoxo,
Rachel

GIveaway Package #2

I have the loveliest sponsors for the month of November, many of which have kindly offered a giveaway to one lucky Smile and Wave reader! I've grouped the prizes together so that the winner doesn't get just one exciting treat but four! Take a look at what my sponsors are offering in Giveaway Package #2.

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Laughing Dog Photo

"My name is April and I'm the girl behind the lens of LaughingDogPhoto. Photography is my greatest passion, besides my husband and fur children. I love being reminded of my youth and I try to bring this out in my photography. I love old buildings, pretty flowers, and the beach, but I have a special place in my heart for old signs, specifically motel signs. The prints available in my shop reflect my love of the beautiful world around us all. Art can be such a personal thing and it really touches my heart to be a part of someones decor." -April

Giveaway: Free 8 x 10 of the winner's choice. Valued at $20.

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Gadanke

"Start celebrating your story with a Gadanke journal. Katie's handmade shop is full of Christmas daily journals, travel books, gratitude journals, and baby books. Each Gadanke book has writing prompts to get the creativity flowing. The 100% recycled papers, Italian papers, old school library cards, and pockets are just perfect for documenting your world. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll never forget.

Flip through the pages of readers' journals, and be ready to celebrate your stories." -Katie

Giveaway: $25 gift certificate to Gadanke.

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Kaeleh Bee

"Hi Smile & Wave readers! I'm Kaelah Bee and I write at the blog Little Chief Honeybee. I'm a 22 year old southern belle with bright red hair and an abundance of tattoos and piercings. My life motto is to "Dress as though every day is a tea party". My blog is a hodgepodge of daily outfits, foodie features, free mixtapes, wedding wednesdays and everything I find inspiring! You'll also see a lot of my stellar boyfriend Mike and my two lovable bulldogs, Georgia Sue and Pipkin LaRue. I make handmade hair accessories in my spare time and I'll soon be expanding my etsy to include my entire owl collection as well as lots of vintage goodies! I hope you'll stop by and say hello!" - Kaelah

Giveaway: 2-pack of autumn-inspired fabric rosette headbands.

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Hollie Would Vintage

"My name is Hollie and I live in Western PA with my sweet English Bulldog, Wheezy. I became a vintage lover/hunter about 2 years ago after I started to tag along to yard sales with my mom. Each Saturday morning is now devoted to treasure hunting with her. I focus mostly on vintage housewares and decor and find it so thrilling to discover that one piece sitting in the corner waiting for a new life. My own personal vintage collections at the moment consist of gnomes, birds and cameras!" - Hollie

Giveaway: I am giving away a sweet vintage necklace/brooch. It pictures 3 horses in a cameo type setting and hangs on a thicker gold chain. It can also be taken off of the chain and worn just as a brooch. It will look great with any vintage dress! :) (valued at $22)

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TO WIN ALL FOUR PRIZES:

Share your favorite Thanksgiving afternoon activity!
Winner will be announced on the 26th.

xoxo,
Rachel

Giveaway Package #1

I have the loveliest sponsors for the month of November, many of which have kindly offered a giveaway to one lucky Smile and Wave reader! I've grouped the prizes together so that the winner doesn't get just one exciting treat but four! Take a look at what my sponsors are offering in Giveaway Package #1.

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Sunshine and Carousels

"Hello there Smile and Wave readers. This is Erin from Sunshine and Carousels and I am so happy to be sponsoring and hosting a giveaway here on the Smile and Wave blog. I have a blog where I write about crafty things, motherhood, decor,shopping, vintage, recipes and more. I love to make pretty happy little things for your everyday wear. I absolutely love pairing beautiful colors and creating intricate details. My favorite thing to do is create. Today I'm offering a $30 dollar credit to my shop for one of you lovely Smile and Wave readers. So get your entries in and have a lovely day." -Erin

Giveaway: $30 shop credit

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APT 22

"Hello! My name is Candice and my husband Mike and I started our vintage shop, apt22, about a year ago. We had taken up the hobby of collecting vinyl and began scouring thrift stores and flea markets looking to add to our collection. While digging through old piles of dusty records we began discovering tons of amazing vintage finds. Knowing we couldn't keep everything for ourselves but wanting to share all of our great finds, we started apt22, named for an apartment we had while living in New York. You can read more about our shop and us by visiting Candice's blog: The Design Boards which catalogs our thrifting adventures, interior, fashion and style inspirations, and our journey in renovating our mid century home." - Candice

Giveaway: $25 shop credit

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Made Ya Look

MadeYaLook brings you vintage from the Midwest. I have tons of fun with this hobby. I want to share a Christmas package to start off your holiday season that combines vintage crafts (think sequined light fixture covers) with vintage Christmas (the coolest vintage card EVER!). -Cheryl

Giveaway: Everything in the photo. Retail value $37.

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Vividot

My name is Molly and Vivi Dot is my collection of handmade accessories. The most recent additions to my line include Polaroid Necklaces (a collaboration with Our.City.Lights Photography) as well as a bunch of new pendants and statement necklaces. Most of the fabrics are designed in house (by me and my fiance) especially for each item. My blog documents my adventures in decorating my new rental house, cooking, crafting, and planning a wedding.

Giveaway: The winner will receive one of my new Polaroid Necklaces that comes with a matching Our.City.Lights post card print. $24 value.

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TO WIN ALL FOUR PRIZES:

Share your favorite Thanksgiving food craving!
Winner will be announced on the 26th.

xoxo,
Rachel