If you’re looking for a unique or customized gift this Valentine’s Day, I’d suggest checking out Red Envelope.  I shopped there recently and was really impressed with the selection.  The site is super easy to navigate as well.

Red Envelopes have always reminded me of Valentine’s Day! I can remember being in school and coming home with a whole bagful on February 14th.

Red envelopes have happy connotations for me. Here are some of my favorite choices at Red Envelope gifts.

For her, I love this Murano Heart Bracelet.

For him, I really like this hidden message tie, with a secret romantic flair.

For the little ones, I find this adorable! This one-piece puts their name in your heart.

They also have delicious treats, so I decided to go with…… chocolate! Yes, I am a chocoholic and it had been a while. I ordered a dozen of these delicious gourmet dipped fancy berries for a reasonable price.

They came beautifully packaged and very quickly.  Each large strawberry was fresh and dipped in milk, dark, or white chocolate.  The consensus here from everyone was that they were absolutely delicious and to be ordered again for sure. Just very fruity and sumptuous and the presentation was gorgeous.

The other item I ordered were the Handmade Artisan Sea Salted Caramels. I thought these were very special and would make a fabulous gift as well. You get 4 classic salted caramels with Murray River Pink Flake Salt, 4 Vanilla Bean Caramels with Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt, 4 Honey Caramels with Vanilla Bean Fleur de Sel and 4 Orange Blossom Caramels with Hawaiian Black Lava Salt.

Melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness and some of the best caramels I’ve ever tasted. I love salt with caramel and chocolate so this was ideal. Believe it or not, I still have some left. Yes, they are the kind you want to savor. 

One of my favorite brands of sleepwear for men and women, SHEEX, is having a wonderful contest beginning tomorrow, February 1! You can win a little something special (up to $120 value) from their brand new line of performance sleepwear, so be sure to check it out. There will be more than one winner, so best of luck!

I’ll be back soon with my own SHEEX Sleepwear review, but, let me just say, I love them. Perfect Valentine’s Day gift!

I am funny about shoes, always have been. On any given day, you will find me in flip flops, boots or barefoot. No uncomfortable restrictive shoes for me. I love freedom of movement.

However, that doesn’t mean I can’t be stylish and cool – which is why I love Havaianas. 

Living in the moment, indulging my bohemian spirit, Havaianas are a state of mind as well as a fashion statement. They make me smile more, dance more, and stop to notice sunsets and the way the trees bend in the wind. 

The very first pair of Havaianas were born in 1962, inspired by the Zori, Japanese sandals composed of fabric straps and rice straw soles. For this reason, the foot-bed of all Havaianas sneakers,
espadrilles and flip flops have a textured rice pattern and are super comfortable.

I also love their positive spirit. Havaianas, along with its parent company, Alpargatas, are big on social and environmental responsibility, participating in many programs and contributing to organizations that support society and our planet.

Havaianas has rolled out some new hot styles for Spring, and some more good news is that they now offer $1 flat rate shipping.  I love shopping online, but always hate exorbitant shipping, so this is great for me. I am already perusing the new arrivals at Havaianas  and have more than a few that I adore! 

So why not bring a little spring, a little bliss, a little imagination into your life with the new flat-rate $1 shipping?

I think these would make an ideal Valentine’s Day gift!

You can follow Havaianas on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter as well! 

This is a sponsored post however all opinions are strictly mine.

With Valentine’s Day so close on the horizon, I have been thinking a lot about gifts, both giving and receiving. I must admit, that although I enjoy something different, I also love the classics: flowers, chocolate and jewelry!

Although flowers die and chocolate gets eaten, a lot of jewelry pieces I have are ones I cherish always. Whether it’s the person who gave it to me, or the piece itself, it’s very special. I’ve been perusing online jewelry stores and found Jewelry Kind.

They have a great selection of rings, pendants, bracelets, earrings and lots more in every price range, so you can find something lovely to fit your budget and style. They’re also committed to great customer care which I find very important.

I am particularly taken by a few pieces, some gorgeous heart rings and pendants that I will be dropping hints about.

With dragons, zodiac charms, cobras, dolphins, hearts, stars, celtic designs, abstract pieces and more, there’s lots to peruse and put on your wish list.

So, do you drop hints for Valentine’s Day or just hope to be surprised?

This is a sponsored post. 

 

“Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you…” 

Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there was a blogger who loved what she did. Writing, sharing, communicating with the world made her happy.

She had been writing poetry since she could write and loved each word the way the sun loves each tulip in spring. One day, she woke to a particularly good morning. The birds sang outside her window even though there was snow decorating the trees.

She felt an unexplainable feeling of joy, and since she loved those best, she was simply enjoying the day.  Suddenly, out of the cobalt blue, a fairy appeared, and, not just any fairy, but The Fairy Hobmother. As far as she knew, this was an urban legend told by her blogger buddies, but, no, he had visited her blog.

“I had a look at your site and you obviously work hard on it, so I’d like to reward that hard work with a gift in the form of a $50 voucher for Amazon!” he said.

That day, the sunset was a particularly beautiful color, light pink and magenta, and she dreamt of fairies and a land where everything was possible!

So, yes, that blogger is me. I had heard of the Fairy Hobmother, read about him, and commented on blogs wherever I had seen him, but I never knew he truly existed until today. He is still a mystery, mind you, as it should be, because, really, without mystery, life would be really dull! I do know that his fairy overlords live in a magical kingdom at Appliances Online. I’ve visited. I thought it was pretty cool.

The Fairy Hobmother also told me that if any other bloggers comment on this post and leave a link to their blogs, he may soon be paying them a visit as well!

So, good luck to my fellow bloggers. May you get a visit from The Fairy Hobmother soon and may your dreams come true.

Starflower

When a cursed dragon-witch kidnaps the lovely Lady Gleamdren, Eanrin sets boldly forth on a rescue mission…and a race against his rival for Gleamdren’s favor. Intent upon his quest, the last thing the immortal Faerie needs is to become mixed up with the troubles of an insignificant mortal.

But when he stumbles upon a maiden trapped in an enchanted sleep, he cannot leave her alone in the dangerous Wood Between. One waking kiss later, Eanrin suddenly finds his story entangled with that of young Starflower. A strange link exists between this mortal girl and the dragon-witch. Will Starflower prove the key to Lady Gleamdren’s rescue? Or will the dark power from which she flees destroy both her and her rescuer?

Author Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a passel of cats, and one long-suffering dog. When she’s not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and studies piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of HEARTLESS, VEILED ROSE, MOONBLOOD, and STARFLOWER, with DRAGONWITCH due to release in 2013. HEARTLESS and VEILED ROSE have each been honored with a Christy Award.

BookBlast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 1/31/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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A loving heart is the truest wisdom – Charles Dickens

It’s a month away from Valentine’s Day, one of my favorite holidays as it’s all about love! Love for your sweetie, love for your friends, love for your children, love for your parents, love for your teachers, love for yourself, love for the stranger at the coffeeshop who gave you an extra shot of espresso or the one who helped pick up your groceries when they fell in the rain.

Love has no limits.

From now until Valentine’s Day I will be posting some of my favorite Valentine’s Day picks. Some will be reviews and many will be reviews and giveaways. Enjoy!

Heart of the Ocean
by Heather B. Moore

A dark secret . . . a grieving ghost  . . . a handsome stranger  . . .
What more could Eliza Robinson want?
Except for maybe her life.

In Heather B. Moore’s enthralling 1840’s historical romance, Heart of the Ocean, Eliza Robinson has turned down the very pretentious Mr. Thomas Beesley’s marriage proposal. As a business partner of Eliza’s father, Thomas quickly discredits the family and brings disgrace to the Robinson name.

While her father scrambles to restore his good name in New York City, Eliza flees to the remote Puritan town of Maybrook to stay with her Aunt Maeve. Although relieved to be away from all- things-male and unforgiving gossip columns, odd things start to happen to Eliza, and she is plagued by a ghostly voice. Her aunt’s explanation? That Eliza is being haunted by a woman who died of a broken heart twenty years ago.

After Aunt Maeve is tragically killed, Eliza’s life is put in danger as she tries to uncover the mystery of her aunt’s death. She encounters Jonathan Porter in Maybrook, whose presence in the town seems suspicious, yet she finds herself drawn to him. When she discovers that Jonathan’s dark secrets may be the link between the dead woman who haunts her and her aunt’s murderer, Eliza realizes that Jonathan is the one man she should never trust.

Author Heather B. Moore
Heather B. Moore is the award-winning author of ten novels, two inspirational non-fiction books, and two anthologies, including The Newport Ladies Book Club Series, A Timeless Romance Anthology, and Christ’s Gifts to Women (co-authored by Angela Eschler).

Her historical fiction is published under the pen name H.B. Moore. She is the two-time recipient of Best of State in Literary Fiction, two-time Whitney Award Winner, and two-time Golden Quill Winner for Best Novel. Her most recent historical novel under H.B. Moore is Daughters of Jared (2012 LUW Gold Award of Excellence & 2012 LUW Best Book Trailer).

Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 1/27/12

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Daisy: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Presidential diarist and author Janis F. Kearney transforms civil rights legend Daisy Gatson Bates’ life from black and white, to living color.  The author, who interviewed Bates many times; recreates her conversations and interviews to “fill in” places left un-filled, and colors incidents and experiences, to bring Daisy Bates to life. Kearney plums the mysterious murder of Bates’ mother, and the orphan’s childhood; the young woman’s prophetic decision to share a traveling salesman’s life; her non-traditional role as co-publisher of an award winning newspaper; and her leadership role at a time, and place where women rarely led.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place is Daisy’s “look back” at her life, and…finally, a self-analysis of how, and possibly, why she became the Daisy Gatson Bates for which she is known throughout the world.  Author Janis F. Kearney recounts the leader’s many friendships, relationships and associations that helps define who she was in the eyes of the world – from Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Clinton; First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt; the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.; Roy Wilson, NAACP President; Thurgood Marshall and Wiley Branton, NAACP attorneys, Maya Angelou and Jackie Robinson… and countless others.

The author met Daisy Bates in the summer of 1969, at the age of16. From that moment, the high school student dreamed of working for the woman her father called one of Arkansas’ greatest leaders – black or white.  The book is based on the author’s personal interviews, oral histories, conversations and in-depth research.

BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 1/21/12

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Dead Running

Cassidy Christensen is running.
Running from the mercenaries who killed her parents.
Running from a scheming redhead intent on making her life miserable.
Running from painful memories that sabotage her dreams of happiness.

With two very tempting men competing for her attention, she hopes she’ll finally have someone to run to, but can she trust either of them? When secrets from her past threaten her family, Cassidy decides to stop running and fight for her future.

Dying to Run

Cassidy Christensen wants to run.

Captured by the traffickers who killed her mother, her only hope is Dr. Tattoo, a man she loves but nobody trusts. When she finally gets a chance to run, someone else she cares about is taken. Running might be her only chance at survival, but she won’t allow another family member to be killed in her place.

This must-read sequel to Dead Running will have you laughing, biting your nails, and hoping for more.

Author Cami Checketts

Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of four future WWF champions. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and reading Bernstein Bears, she gets the chance to write fiction.

Cami graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Exercise Science. Cami teaches strength training classes at her local rec and shares healthy living tips on her fitness blog: http://fitnessformom.blogspot.com.

Cami and her family live in the beautiful Cache Valley of Northern Utah. During the two months of the year it isn’t snowing, she enjoys swimming, biking, running, and water-skiing.

#BookBlast Giveaway

Details
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
$50 Gift Card to Running Chics
Ends 1/31/12
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway