Jerri at Simply Sweet Home

Bead Crochet Jewelry Book Review & Giveaway

August 7, 2012 1 Comment

Today I’ve got a fun book review and giveaway for you. As you know, I love promoting books and products that teach you how to make things, so I was really excited to have the opportunity to share the new book Bead Crochet Jewelry: An Inspired Journey Through 27 Designs (Jewelry Design) with you.

Synopsis: Beading experts, teachers, jewelry designers, and mother-daughter team Bert and Dana Freed share their techniques and complete step-by-step directions for a delightful array of bead crochet jewelry projects. Using a wide range of stunning beads in lovely color combinations, the 27 bead crochet pieces may look complicated but are very easy to make following their clearly explained techniques and expert tips. BEAD CROCHET provides all the inspiration and skill you need to create unique jewelry pieces to wear or give as wonderful gifts. From dangling earrings to chunky necklaces and plaited bracelets, these beautiful and intricate-looking pieces are sure to standout and be admired by all.

What I love about the book is that it’s perfect for crafters of all skill levels. If you’re just making bead crochet jewelry for the first time, it will tell you everything you need to know about the materials that you’ll need and how to get started. And if you already makde bead crochet jewelry, it will teach you some great new tenchniques.

I also love the variety of projects that it shows you how to make, and I love that it shows you step by step instructions in written and in picture form.

Buy it! Order your copy of Bead Crochet Jewely on Amazon.

Giveaway: One Simply Sweet Home reader will win a copy of Bead Crochet Jewerly.

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book for review purposes but was not otherwise compensated for the post. Giveaway copy is being provided by St. Martin’s Press.

Filed Under: crafts, Giveaways, jewelry

Back to School – BOGO + 15% Off at Famous Footwear

August 7, 2012 1 Comment

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Famous Footwear for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

There is nothing like a nice new pair of shoes to get your kids sent off to school in style! But with growing kids and the need for multiple kinds of shoes like dress shoes, tennis shoes, boots, and more, it can get expensive very quick, but you can save big this fall at Famous Footwear.

They have hundreds of brands and thousands of styles, and yet their store is designed to help customers get in and out as soon as possible so they can get on to their other errands. And if the shoe you want is not in store If the shoe a customer wants is not in store, they will get it for you through home delivery or on www.famous.com. Customers can also order shoes online at famous.com and have them shipped to their favorite store for pick-up at no charge.

They consider all this a victory, and to celebrate this victory, they are offering their customers a Buy One, Get One Free deal, plus 15% off. Just present this BOGO + 15% off Famous Footwear Coupon.

Print this coupon and redeem it anytime between August 2 and August 18 to take advantage of great Back to School savings.

Also, get more great savings when you join Famous Footwear's Rewards program. You can earn 1 point for every $1 you spend in-store or online and use these points to earn certificates up to $100 a year, and you also get discount offers and other perks just for joining.

Here's just a few pairs of shoes that I love from their site:

What kind of shoes are you hoping to save big on this fall?

Filed Under: Uncategorized

13 Fun Pancake Ideas

August 5, 2012 26 Comments

This month I thought it would be fun to share some breakfast ideas for the back to school season. Pancake days were always special for me, so over the weekend I gathered together some pancake recipes that I’d thought you’d like. I’ve got everything from Lucky Charms and S’more Pancakes to Nutella Donut Pancakes! Hope you enjoy!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: recipes Tagged With: breakfast, chocolate, pancakes

Lamp Click: Lamps, Lighting, & More

August 5, 2012 Leave a Comment

When you are redecorating a room, the right lighting can make all the difference in the world. In fact, just added new lighting to a room can really change things in a big. Lamp Click is an online retailer that specializes in all types of lighting to fit your decorating and renovating needs. They carry everything from the simplest of lamps to ceiling lights, wall lighting, and outdoor lights. And they also have a whole host of other home decor like clocks, vases, candleholders, wall art, and picture frames

You may enjoy the Sonneman Collection from lampclick.com. It includes a mix of modern and contemporary lighting in both bronze and chrome finishes. Above are just a few pieces from this collection. My favorite is the Flute-Sconce on the bottom left. I love its modern appeal, and I just think it’s very stlish and unique.

And then I also like the Sonneman Lighting Transitional 8 Light Heirloom 8 Light Round Pendant on the bottom right. I think this would be great for someone who wants to dress up a room without making it too formal.

I also rather enjoyed browsing through all their table lamps. One of my favorite pieces is the Uttermost Lighting Iris Buffet Designed By Carolyn Kinder (pictured above). I love the green and auburn glass. It is so pretty and unique.

And I also like their other home decor, especially the wall mirrors. One in particular that I found interesting was the Fine Art Lamps Beveled Arcs Girandole. I really like the sconces on either side, and I also like the frame around this mirror. It sort of reminds me of the mirror on the wall from Snow White. It has a romantic yet mysterious look to, and it would definitely make a great show piece.

Head over to lamp click to check out their other selections in fine lighting and home decor!

Filed Under: decorating, shopping

Buddig Be a Reader Virtual Book Drive (and a $50 Amazon Giveaway)

August 4, 2012 23 Comments

As children, we all have our favorite books. One of my childhood favorites was Hattie and the Fox by Mem Fox, and as a teen I instantly loved The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

Unfortunately there are many children living in poverty who don’t get a chance to discover great books. In many areas of these low-income neighborhoods, there is only 1 book for every 300 children. Fortunately a new campaign has been launched to help these kids. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Causes/Charities, School/College

Artful Collage from Found Objects Book Review

August 4, 2012 Leave a Comment

Did you miss out on my Christmas in July giveaway? If so, you missed out on chance to win some great craft books! One of the books I gave away was Artful Collage from Found Objects. This new book by Ellen Spector Platt features 46 projects for creating beautiful collage artwork by repurposing keepsakes, leftover craft materials and items you can find around the house or even along the street. [Read more…]

Filed Under: crafts, product review

Friday Favorites – Week 127

August 2, 2012 11 Comments

Happy Friday! And Happy August! Since August is the official back to school month, I’m participating in few fun giveaway evens for back to school. The first is an organic skincare giveaway from Simply Rustic. They have a gift certificate for you worth $25.

And then I’m also participating in an event, where we’re giving away Sony Vaio Laptop and $100 shopping cards to some awesome stores. Check them out! (After linking up, of course!)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Friday Favorites

Spotlight on Design-Glassware.com

August 1, 2012 Leave a Comment

As you know, I love highlighting great gift retailers. Today I’m taking a look at design-glassware.com. If you are looking for fine gifts for women, you will love their site. They have fun and stylish gifts that are perfect for birthdays, Mother’s Day, bridal showers, and bridesmaid gifts.

Design Glassware by Mont Bleu is known for their genunie glass nail files and crystal nail files. These are made of the highest quality materials and are manufactured in the Czech Republic. They also offer personalized nail files. You can order your glass nail file decorated in Swarovski Crystals with either your name or your initials. [Read more…]

Filed Under: shopping

Back to School Blast and Simply Rustic Giveaway

July 31, 2012 70 Comments

Welcome to the Back To School Blast hosted by This Flourishing Life, Tailor Made Momma, and Generations Of Savings. This event features items for all of your back to school needs. Each blog participating is giving away a prize or prize pack with a minimum value of $25, and the hosts are giving away prize packs with a total value of $1000!

For my Back to School Blast giveaway, I have an awesome prize from Simply Rustic. They are a natural skincare company whose products are 100% handmade using fair trade, organic, raw, and wildcrafted ingredients.

The company is owned by Amanda, who is a a mother of 4. Go here to learn more about Amanda and the unique story behind the founding of her wonderful company.

Simply Rustic’s line of products include body butters, body scrubs, bath salts, lip balms and polish, and face food. And each product has ingredients with unique health benefits to fit your skin type and needs.

Personally I’d love to try their Face Food for Oily/Combination Skin, and I’m also interested in the Peaceful Body Butter or Relax Body Butter, and I think all of the Bath Scrubs sound great!

And if you’d like to try a little bit of everything, they have spa packs, lip balm samplers, and travel/sample packs.

Connect: Shop | Facebook | Twitter

Giveaway! One Simply Sweet Home reader will win a $25 gift certificate to Simply Rustic.

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And after you’ve entered my giveaway, go over to our event hosts’ blogs and enter the grand prize giveaways!

Grand Prize: This Flourishing Life, Generations Of Savings, and Tailor Made Momma are all hosting the grand prizes on their blogs. They are featuring prizes totaling $1000 in back to school gear for all ages. Head on over to their sites to enter! And also check out these rest of the great back to school giveaways!

Filed Under: Giveaways

The Trendy Boutique Featuring Interchangeable Magnetic Jewelry

July 31, 2012 Leave a Comment

I’m am so proud and excited to welcome back The Trendy Boutique as a sponsor to my blog. Julie, a mom from Georgia, has really put a lot of work in to this boutique! And with the back to school shopping season in full swing, this is the perfect time to go by and see everything they have to offer!

With handbags, flip flops, scarves, backpacks, and a whole host of jewelry, they are your own stop shop for fun and stylish accessories! [Read more…]

Filed Under: fashion, jewelry, shopping, Sponsors