Spotlight Saturday Blog Hop

It's Spotlight Saturday Hosted By

Between the Lines, Survey Junkie, and Little Yaya's

<a href="http://www.betweenthelines-kel.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Between the Lines" src="http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab13/jacquiblogger/LINES%203/Spotlightanimated2.gif" /></a>

Welcome to our fun blog hop with a twist!  Every week swing by to link up your blog and one you want to spotlight!  Did you find a new blog you liked this week?  Is there one you visit on a daily basis?  Well, simply link up your Spotlighted blog right under yours.  We will Spotlight our favorite blogs of the week in spots 4, 5, and 6.  

This week is Spotlight your Review/Giveaway Blog!  I'm Spotlighting Stacie from Simply Stacie !  Next week we will be spotlighting one of our favorite Blogs!

How it Works

1) Link up your own blog.
2)Link up a blog you want to spotlight for the week.(ex. Spotlight: Roslyn's Closet)
3) Follow your three hosts.
4) Grab our button and post it on your sidebar or in a Spotlight Saturday Post.
5) Follow as many blogs from the list as you like and leave a comment so they know you stopped by.
6) Return the favor by following blogs that followed you.
(Be aware that URL's cannot be duplicated so please have a second spotlight choice in mind. If your blog's URL has already been spotlighted, just add one you'd like to spotlight. And don't forget to leave a comment with the blog you spotlighted so they can come and join the blog hopping fun! )

Snow

It is amazing to me that 8-10 inches of snow, accumulating over a 6-8 hour period, can cause so much damage.  Now I know those of you out there who live in the Northeastern States or even up towards Nova Scotia are probably rolling your eyes about now, but those 8-10 inches brought two states and the Nation's Capital to a standstill yesterday evening.  And when I say standstill, I mean a literal standstill.  People were actually stopping their cars on major and back roads and just walking away.  Some had run out of gas, some couldn't make their car go any further, and some were just tired of driving at 10 mph.  It took my poor husband about 5 hours to get home last night.  I couldn't believe his rotten luck.  But then I started talking to other friends and realized that he actually made good time. My friend and neighbor's husband didn't get home until 1am after driving about 9 hours and some of my other friends' husbands didn't even make it home at all.  Many people just gave up, turned around, and went back to work.  Unfortunately, many of them returned to offices without power or heat.  So although I had to shovel this morning until my arm hurt this morning and I'm getting cabin fever stuck in a house full of 11 people, we are truly blessed to how power, heat, and our Daddy home safe.  How does your state deal with snow storms?  Are they effective?  Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!

NOVICA Giveaway!

I am very excited to welcome NOVICA back to Between the Lines.  NOVICA, in association with National Geographics, is a company that works with artisans from around the world to bring amazing products to you and me. “It’s a place to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow. At the deepest essence of our philosophy, we want to create a bridge between you and the many talented artisans across the globe. We want you to know about who you’re buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it. In the spirit of the Internet, let us bring you together. NOVICA. The World is Your Market.” (taken from site)

Alok Jain

Last time, the wonderful people from NOVICA gave me the opportunity to explore their extensive website and choose something around $30 to review. NOVICA has a great variety of Unique Gifts, including gifts for her, corporate gifts, and Handmade Jewelry. They also have Home Décor, paintings, and apparel made from all over the world. After browsing their site, I decided on a new necklace for my sister. With so many wonderful and unique choices, it was very difficult to choose. I ended up purchasing the “Angelic Bouquet” Necklace shown above. This beautifully, hand-crafted, pearl pendant was designed by Alok Jain from India. The clusters of pearls represent purity, honesty, and innocence.

 This beautiful necklace came snuggled in a lovely jewelry box and was accompanied by an artisan story card and a thank you post card from Alok Jain. When you have time to explore NOVICA’s site, be sure to check out more beautiful jewelry from Alok Jain including the beautiful bracelet shown below.

Thanks to generous people from NOVICA, one lucky reader of Between the Lines will win a $30 gift certificate to use on their site. And if you really love what you see and want to support these wonderful artisans, visit HERE, to see how you can help.

Mandatory Entry: Visit NOVICA and leave a comment telling me something you may use the gift certificate on if you won.

Extras: (Remember each entry must have a separate comment and an email address is needed to contact winner.)
~ Follow NOVICA on Twitter (2)
~ Like NOVICA on Facebook (2)
~ Follow Between the Lines on Facebook (5)
~Follow Between the Lines (3)
~ Subscribe to my email (5)
~ Grab any of my buttons and leave a link of where it’s displayed (5)
~Add me to your Blogroll and leave a link (5)
~Follow me on Twitter (2)
~Tweet this giveaway leaving me your link. (3x a day not back to back) (1 entry each)
~ Enter any of my other current giveaways (1 each)
~ Grab my Twitter Hop or Blog Hop button and leave a link (3 each)
~Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link (10)
~Make a purchase from NOVICA during giveaway(10)

This giveaway will end on February 10th @10p.m Eastern

*This giveaway is open to all. Winner will be chosen randomly. An email notification will be sent to the email address provided by the winner. The winner must respond within 48 hours. Failure to do so will result in being disqualified and a new winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer:  The opinions & thoughts expressed are my own. I received no compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball Winner

Congratulations to TheCuttingEtch!  You are the winner of Risa Green's The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball.  TheCuttingEtch won with comment number 21, " follow on GFC".  The winner has 48 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will randomly be selected.  Thanks to everyone who entered and thanks to Risa Green for writing such a fun book!

Boost Your Buzz $1000 Giveaway!

<center><a href="<a href="http://sjunkie.com/" target="_blank">http://sjunkie.com/</a>" target="_blank"><img src="<a href="http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx62/sjunkie/boostyourbuzz125.gif" target="_blank">http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx62/sjunkie/boostyourbuzz125.gif</a>" alt="Survey Junkie" border="0" /></a><br /></center>

Increase your Social Media presence and online exposure with Boost Your Buzz!! Are you looking for more Facebook fans, Twitter followers, Email subscribers, Google Friend Connect follower's and want to get your name out there and seen by thousands of people? We can help you do just that!

From April 1st through the 15th Simply Stacie, Little Yaya's and Survey Junkie will be hosting the Boost Your Buzz $1,000 Giveaway where one lucky person will win $1,000 cash. The giveaway will be similar to our highly successful Follower Giveaway Tours where participants will follow various social media accounts of different companies/blogs ( ie. Google Friend Connect,Facebook and Twitter ) to gain entry into the giveaway. They will be given one entry for each blog/business they follow/like/subscribe, etc..

We would love to include your blog or business in our giveaway and have the entrants follow, like or subscribe to YOU! Join the Build Your Buzz Giveaway and we will send our readers to your sites and ask them to follow or subscribe to you in exchange for their entry.

Visit Survey Junkie to view packages and get signed up

Make sure you let us know that Kelly from Between the Lines sent you :)

Handmade With Love Winter Giveaway: Stephanie Gleichsner

 Are you ready for another fun giveaway hop?  If so, join us along with hosts Simply Stacie, Survey Junkie, Little Yaya's, and Kelly's Lucky You for some great giveaways starting February 2nd.  With over 140 blogs participating it is sure to be a great time!  The Handmade With Love Winter Giveaway will run for 5 days and all blogs will be giving away prizes that have been made by hand especially for you. Between the Lines is lucky to be featuring some wonderful companies and I will give you little previews throughout the month of January.

I'm sure you all remember me introducing you to our next sponsor.   Stephanie Gleichsner is a wonderful high school friend that I found again through Facebook.  I was excited to discover that she had followed her dream of creating art and jewelry. When I first introduced you all to Stephanie's art, I featured her wonderful bracelets.  However, Stephanie creates more than just jewelry, she also draws, paints, and designs cards.

Stephanie offers a great variety of watercolor cards.  Some are created with a picture design and others with a simple, yet meaningful one word design. The images on her cards range from bunnies (for the Chinese Year of the Rabbit), to Valentine's art.  However, I was immediately drawn to the one word concept, as I loved the idea of inspirational words. 

 

 Stephanie took this one word concept and created a painting for my kitchen.  In order to create a piece that was sure to match, I sent her a photo of the colors in my house.  Using the photo she created this beautiful canvas painting.  Of course you can't see from this picture, but the neighboring wall is the red color.  It was a perfect fit and now serves as a daily reminder to be grateful for all that we have.  Don't forget to come back for the Giveaway Hop for your chance to win your own painting, using your own word and colors.


Find Stephanie at:
Website - www.sgleichsner.co
Facebook - sgleichsner
Twitter - sgleichsner
 

Recipe Corner: Honey French Bread

I just had to share this new recipe I discovered from allrecipes.com.   It is a Honey French Bread that is made using a bread machine.  This recipe is so easy to make and uses minimal ingredients.  But it comes out soft, sweet, and delicious!  I have already made this bread several times for my family.  The entire loaf disappears before dinner in done each time!  The recipe on allrecipes.com is a bit smaller than the one I'm posting.  I figure if I'm going to make this delicious bread, I want a little left over for the next day!  Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 cup and 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 3 cups bread flour
• 2-1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons honey (optional, but soooo good!)

Directions
 - Add to your bread machine per manufacturer instructions. I use my French bread setting with light crust. While bread is baking, drizzle with honey if desired. 

Review and Giveaway from Unique Gifts For Women

Valentines Day is approaching in just a few short weeks and I have the perfect website for you to "carelessly" leave open on HIS computer.  Unique Gifts For Women! is an online store that offers...well...Unique Gifts For Women!  Unique Gifts For Women offers personlaized gifts and ideas that are perfect for any occasion.  Whether you are looking for the perfect Valentine's, birthday, anniversary, or just because gift, they have something special for you.  Does your mom love to read?  The Monthly Book Gift Set may be the perfect idea for her.  Does your sister love jewelry?  Why not personalize her a necklace?  And don't forget your beloved Grandma.  A shirt featuring her grandchildren will definitely make her smile.

Unique Gifts For Women recently sent me a beautiful photo necklace and bracelet to review. The bracelet is a fun way to add a little style to your day and keep your precious photos close by.  Here is what Unique Gifts For Women had to say about their bracelet:

Women love wearing a unique photo bracelet! Stretchy antique silver photo bracelets hold 6 photos for all to see.  Women are raving about these unique picture bracelets! Perfect for an anniversary gift, birthday gift, Mother's Day, Christmas, and more!  Each photo bracelet is packaged in a pretty pink gift box, complete with a bow and handwritten gift enclosure card. All photo bracelets are shipped for FREE via USPS Priority Mail unless the Express Shipping option is selected. All standard orders arrive within 5-7 business days.  Choose from 3 sizes: Small (6.5"), Medium/Large (7"), or Extra Large (7.75"). A photo template and easy-to-follow directions are included with your bracelet so she can insert and interchange the photos with ease. Print your own photos right at home! Holds photos measuring .687" X .562"

The Vintage Photo Necklace is a simple, yet charming necklace that is available in either a silver snake chain or leather cord as seen in the picture above.  This beautiful necklace makes the perfect accessory to any outfit.  Here is what Unique Gifts For Women had to say about the necklace:

The Vintage Photo Necklace is an elegant necklace with a unique photo charm dangle designed to slide across your choice of a leather cord or snake chain necklace.  This stunning photo necklace can be worn on a dressy occasion, such as with that little black dress, or for everyday. However she wears it, she'll be sure to receive many compliments!  Holds photo size: 0.52” x 0.52”. A protective cover keeps your photos looking great and enables you to easily slide your photos into the frame. Your vintage photo necklace arrives in a beautiful pink bracelet box. Regular shipping is FREE for this item; express shipping is an additional $18. 

 Thanks to the generous people from Unique Gifts for Women, one lucky reader of Between the Lines will have a chance to win a photo bracelet and vintage photo necklace ($76).

Mandatory Entry:  Visit Unique Gifts For Women and leave me a comment telling me something you'd love to receive or something you'd love to give.  Please leave your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner.

Extras: (Remember each entry must have a separate comment and an email address is needed to contact winner.)

~ Follow me on Facebook (5)

~Follow Between the Lines (3)         

~ Subscribe to my email (5)

~ Grab my button and leave a link of where it’s displayed (5)

~Add me to your Blogroll and leave a link (5)

~Follow me on Twitter (2)

~ Add my Spotlight Saturday button and leave a link (5)

~Tweet this giveaway leaving me your link. (3x a day not back to back) (1 entry each)

~ Enter another one of my current giveaways (1 each)

~Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link (10)

~ Make a purchase from Unique Gifts For Women(must be purchases no earlier than January 24) (10 entries)

This giveaway will end on February 8th @10p.m Eastern

Giveaway open to US only.  Winner will be chosen randomly. An email notification will be sent to the email address provided by the winner. The winner must respond within 48 hours. Failure to do so will result in being disqualified and a new winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received complimentary jewelry in exchange for my honest review. The opinions & thoughts expressed are my own. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review. Prizes are mailed out by the distributor and Between the Lines cannot be held accountable for prizes not sent.