tiny prints christmas cards | giveaway!

This giveaway is closed and the winner is Cindy P!

Christmas cards are one of my favorite parts of the Holiday season. Right up there with turkey on Thanksgiving and black friday shopping, and with white lights and that evergreen smell. This year I had a couple of options that I considered before settling on my final design. My first option cracks me up (I shared it yesterday), but it's PG-13 so not appropriate for everyone, the one I decided on is fun too...(sorry you don't get to see it yet as they haven't been mailed).

I am loving the foil stamped options this year at Tiny Prints. I'm not usually a "gold" person, but this year I just can't get enough of all the white and metallic and glitter (oh my!). This may also explain why I had to buy new white stockings, and a white tinsel tree. (That, and black friday prices).

Anyway these are some of my favorites:

 Golden Holiday

 Joyful Glow

 Scintillating Snowfall

Wonder Overlay

Can you guess which one of these I chose? All were contenders but I finally settled on one. I received my order this weekend and the quality is great (as usual). I am quite pleased with the signature matte finish (which is included at no additional charge), and I skipped the rounded corners this year. The paper is a nice heavy weight and I'm really looking forward to mailing them out! After I address them...ugh, that takes forever...maybe I should have gone for the option Tiny Prints has that will address and mail them for me?

In honor of it being that time of year, and to motivate you to get your booty in gear if you haven't already...Tiny Prints is offering one of my readers 30 free cards. I'm going to make this giveaway super quick so the winner can get their cards ASAP. Leave a comment on this post to enter, and I'll choose a winner on Friday.

If you need some more inspiration here are some of our cards from Christmases past:

I received my Christmas cards courtesy of Tiny Prints in exchange for my honest review. And Tiny Prints is supplying the prize for the giveaway. All opinions are (obviously) my own.

Samsung Google Chromebook | Review and a giveaway too!

Staples asked if they could send me a Samsung Google Chromebook. (Um...YES?!) and after a lot of deliberation (or actually none at all) I accepted their offer. It's pretty sweet.

Right out of the box it'll ask you for your Gmail address (if you don't have one you can get one for free. see also: who doesn't have a Gmail address?) and then you're good to go.

Seriously it's that easy. Kind of like the easy button.  (See what I did there?)

Anything you can do on the internet you can do on this Google Chromebook.
Email? Check.
Shop? Check. (Not that I would ever do that of course).
Facebook? Duh.
Watch Breaking Bad? Check.
Word processing and spreadsheets? Yes! (With Google docs)
General web surfing? Check.

Blog? Check.

The Chromebook is pretty much a cross between a tablet and a laptop.  It's nice and petite (small AND lightweight) like a tablet, but with a keyboard like a laptop. Plus it's shiny.

Unfortunately for ME it can't replace my laptop because I can't load photoshop or lightroom on it, and I can't upload pictures to it (it's only got ~ 16GB of storage). However I COULD use it with an online photo storage/editor like photobucket or flickr. But for non-photogs I think it's the perfect laptop replacement! It would be great for students, and at $249 completely affordable. 

Staples also sent me a bunch of other goodies including a few of these MOLESKINE Legendary notebooks. And I'd love to share them with you. Who doesn't LOVE a fresh clean notebook?

What's your favorite thing to do on the internet? Leave a comment below if you want a chance to win a notebook or two and maybe even a gel pen. I'll choose a winner at random sometime this week.

THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED AND THE WINNER IS: KRISTALYN!




Staples provide me with a Samsung/Google Chromebook and some other goodies free of charge. All opinions are (obviously) my own.

*CLOSED* Target Mom giveaway!

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED. #6 Cortney is the winner with 33% of the votes!

*****

 You guys have blown me away with these nominations. I so wish I could give each of these moms a little extra something. But alas, we have to narrow it down to one. Or I should say, YOU do! Please vote (below) on who you think is most deserving of the $50 Target Gift Card. And if you want your favorite to win, feel free to ask your friends to vote as well.

And the nominees are:

#1
I think Anne definitely deserves a target mom gift card.  She has a new little baby and just had to go back to work.  I remember my first day of work and how hard it was to leave my little one.  And how much I cried.  She's even nursing through all of this.  She's such a wonderful mom, and loves her boy so.  She has been really tired and exhausted form working but keeps at it.   She could use a Target giftcard and a peaceful night away.  
*****
 #2

I nominate Dana as deserving a Target splurge.

In the past year, she opened her home and heart to a set of siblings from an abusive situation.  Those foster kids will never know abuse again… their adoption was just final!

This has grown their family of five – to eight.  She has given them the gift of being loved and being unafraid to be loved.  I heart her.  A lot.

*****
#3
I'd like to nominate SuLee. I don't know her super well, but the more I learn the more impressed I'm become. I have to admit that sometimes she annoys me with how cute her family photos are, with her little girls in matching outfits and her damn cake pops. As much as she looks like super mom from the outside, I know she's had some real struggles and yet she has remained so faithful.
As a younger mom, I've appreciated her authenticity, wisdom and contagious smile. Her kiddos are pretty blessed.
*****
 #4
If anyone deserves a Target gift card, it's my cousin!  She has two boys, ages 4 and 2. Her oldest was diagnosed with Autism about two years ago, just before her husband was deployed to Iraq/Kuwait for a year. She spent that entire year trying to figure out how best to treat her Autistic child while tending to an infant! Her husband is home now, but he's leaving for a month for a work trip soon! She hardly does anything for herself and deserves a little pampering!
*****
#5
My friend Liz is an amazing mom. She is pregnant with her 3rd baby and has a 4 and 2 year old as well.  Her husband works LONG hours, and she's often tired, but she always finds energy to play with her kids, make up games, sing, teach them French- and cook dinner from scratch. And she's never too busy to drop everything for a friend in need. If you have a problem, she is there with a smile on her face, ready to help. 
*****
#6
I want to nominate my little sister, Cortney.  I know it's unusual for an older sibling to say this, but I look up to her, especially as a mother.  She is the most selfless person I know & one of the most amazing mothers I've witnessed in my life.  She was by my bedside & wept with me as I kissed my son goodbye.  And she has been by my side rejoicing with me as I welcomed another son & a daughter into this world.
Not long before her son's birth, Cortney decided that she would leave her career behind to be a mother & wife to her US Marine.  Her sacrifices for her son & husband do not go unnoticed by me.  She went from being able to buy herself & her husband whatever they needed/wanted to clipping coupons & she never once complained about the adjustment.  She is happy to do this for her family & her country.  She has always been a public servant & has always believed her calling to be helping others.  I'd love for us to be able to give her a little something to celebrate her this Mother's Day!

*****

#7

My friend, Ann, posted today that her Mom just died. Not to play the sympathy card but Ann also had a daughter, Kathleen, that passed away from SIDS and then she wasn't able to have any more children of her own. Ann adopted a baby, named Simon. Then she was able, thanks to a donated egg, have her daughter, Delia. Ann's former husband then had to have brain surgery and wasn't quite the same afterwards so they divorced but she has since remarried. Ann will do anything for anybody. She has driven out of her way just to bring me a meal. My first year here she had me over for Thanksgiving because I was alone. I know Ann doesn't really spend money on herself--every cent goes towards children or her business. This Mom deserves a giftcard to spend on HERSELF! 

*****

#8

I would like to nominate my teaching partner, Dannie. Dannie is a hardworking, single mom to a 15 year old daughter. She gives so much of herself to others and NEVER asks for anything in return. She’s been working hard to lose weight and I know that $50 to Target would help her feel special. Dannie deserves this so much!
*****
#9

I nominate my sister-in-law, Julie:

A mom who lost her own while a teen; who with hope blossoming in her womb met loss again and again; whose husband flies in an occupied country; whose daughter has so many needs their insurance company would happily drop them.

But upon meeting this mother and even knowing her well, you would never guess this was her story. Her daughters smile wide and laugh often. They have learned this from their mother. 
*****
#10
My neighbor is an elderly Malaysian woman who has always treated my sons like they are her own.  She never hesitates to babysit or stop at our door with delicious homemade Asian food.  My mom lives on the other side of the world but thankfully, my boys have a grandmother like her here, a kind woman with her arms always open, calling out in the few English words she knows, “Come eat, eat!” 
*****
#11
I want to nominate my best friend Nikki.

I think she deserves more credit & totally deserves this! She has so much on her shoulders yet some how manages to do it all. Works full time, goes to school. She is involved in Hailey' school activities. Volunteers. Hailey has done dance and now plays soccer. Time is limited so she makes all the time she does have with Hailey special and really important. Nikki does everything for everyone and really deserves something for her!

 

Minted Giveaway!

This giveaway is sponsored by minted.com. I'm receiving a credit to the site for hosting the giveaway, and they are supplying the prize as well.

Have you heard of minted.com? It's an online boutique of paper goods. Yeah. It's cool. I just spent the past hour. (I'm not kidding), browsing the site and I am in love. Their designs are totally classy looking.

 From their floral thank you notes:

 

To their wide selection of art prints

(of course I'm going to choose the bike print):

To their "mommy calling cards" (or Triple Thick business cards!):

To their selection of announcements including these New Digs ones

(I would totally get these when we finally move!):

They've also got wedding invitations, announcements of any kind, party things (think invitations to bunting to favors), journals, stationary, you name it. I'm warning you though, if you go to the site you'll get stuck there. For like an hour. Unless you have amazing willpower. Which apparently I do NOT.

The lovely people at minted are offering one of my readers $75 to spend on anything on their site!

Want in? I knew you would. Enter via the rafflecopter entry below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Mothers' Day from Target! A Giveaway!

This giveaway is sponsored by Target. I'm receiving a gift card for running the giveaway, and Target is supplying the prize for one deserving mom as well.

Nominations are now closed. Click here to vote for your favorite now.

Target wants to make Mothers' Day for one mom a little more special. $50 more special, to be exact!

YOU get to nominate one mom in your community who you think is deserving of a little extra something from Target! Simply email me with "Target Mom" in the subject and tell me (in 75 words or fewer) who you nominate and why this mom could really use a $50 Target gift card! THEN, next week I'll post the best nominations and you all get to vote for the winner! The winner will receive a $50 gift card from our friends at Target, AND the person who nominated the winner will get a little extra treat from ME! (Because I think we all deserve a little extra something for Mothers' Day, don't you?)

So nominate a deserving mom today, and come back next week to vote for the winner!

 I made these people, and they made me a mom.

Three generations of mothers, and the one who made me a mom first!

PS What would YOU spend $50 bucks at Target on? What if you could only spend it on yourself, not your kids?

it's barely fall which means only one thing...it's christmas card season!!

I got an email last week from a friend who asked if I had my Christmas Cards ordered yet. WHAT THE HECK? I hate the fact that I had to admit, no, I hadn't even begun thinking about them! But now that she reminded me it's pretty much all I can think about. So I've been browsing Shutterfly's Photo Christmas Cards and I've selected a few of my favorites to share with you!

Funny isn't it, looks like I am particularly drawn to black and white this year? Maybe that's a hint as to what our card will end up like this year. Here's last year's card (also from Shutterfly):

and 2010 was just their plain card (meaning I designed the whole thing) and also my favorite Christmas Card in the history of the Drechsel family:

I always select the matte finish option (I think it looks much more expensive), and I love the flat (unfolded) cards too.

I have used Shutterfly for photo books as well (my Dear Charlie books have both been through Shutterfly) and been quite happy with them. And if you're patient, Shutterfly ALWAYS has some special offers going on. (Currently 20% of cards with code CARD20 and free shipping on orders over $30 with code SHIP30)!

And one lucky And Then, She Snapped reader will win $50 credit to spend at Shutterfly (does not include shipping and cannot be combined with other promos). Simply leave a comment (and make sure I have a way to contact you) to enter. (I'll accept entries until next Tuesday).



PS Need a family photo taken for your holiday card this year? My daughter, Grace has teamed up with my friend Lindsy to offer mini sessions on November 10th! If you're local please check it out here!

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I was compensated in the form of free product, and Shutterfly is providing the prize for the giveaway as well. However, all opinions are (obviously) my own.

because I love you and stuff

When I was at EVO last month (I know, I know, I'll quit talking about it soon. ish.) I got lucky.

Wait. What are YOU thinking? What I mean is I won a drawing for a fabulous Kaboo Bag! I had never heard of these bags before EVO but they are super cute, and padded to protect all your things. They have a special interior pocket just for your iPad. (Or mine, if I had one, which I don't). And I would feel just fine throwing my camera in there. OK, maybe not THROWING it in there, but I'd definitely be OK with setting in there semi-gently. Anyway, I came home with the Riley, in black. And because I already own a camera bag that I made myself and kind of adore I decided I would give away my prize to one of you, my lovely and adoring fans. (Ok, maybe not fans, but readers?) This bag has a retail value of $125!

So here it is. See? I told you it was adorable. And look at all the pockets! 

Um, chevron inside? Could this bag BE any trendier?

So go ahead and enter. And share. And tweet. And tell your friends.

Also, if you just can't wait to WIN one of your own: Kaboo Bags is offering my readers $25 off any bag in their shop with code SNAP25. What the WHAT??!! So what are you waiting for? go shop! 

 

This giveaway is not sponsored by Kaboo Bags. It is sponsored by ME. It's my bag that I have chosen to give to one of you. I was not compensated for this post. I'm just giving it away out of the goodness of my heart.
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

i feel a giveaway coming on

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED TO NEW ENTRIES. CONGRATULATIONS COMMENT #23, CHRISTINA HAMMOCK!

I'm bored. and Charlie is being naked. so I'm giving away one of my camera strap covers. to enter just leave a comment telling me what you're doing today. leave a separate comment telling me any (or all) way(s) that you follow me (Google Friend Connect, RSS, Facebook, Twitter) or share about the giveaway (on your facebook or twitter). either way you can leave up to 4 comments (for 4 entries). I'll end the giveaway when I get bored again. or you know, when I feel like it. I'll use random.org to select the winner, so please leave me a way to reach you if you win!

mikarose review and giveaway!

I'd never heard of Mikarose until they contacted me and asked if I'd like to do a giveaway for y'all. Heck yes, please! I browsed the site and found quite a few things that I liked. I chose the Kristy dress in burnt red. It's really lovely. The color is not a true red, more of a pinky red, which I actually prefer, so I was pleasantly surprised. The site told me to size up if I preferred it not to be form fitting. I ignored them and ordered a small. I probably should have ordered a medium, if I plan on continuing to eat the amount of ice cream that I do. I feel like the dress is a tad snug in the butt/stomach area. (Which also happen to be the areas I'm most conscious of ). This particular dress is a "faux" wrap dress...the only part that actually wraps is the part over my right boob...otherwise it's a pull over your head kind of dress. I have no problem with this, as it makes it feel a more secure than a traditional wrap dress. I also love that this dress is just a tad below my knee. So many dresses are really too short (for me anyway)...and this one is just a perfect length. Perhaps this is what their motto, "reinventing modesty" is all about?

All in all I think this dress is super cute. It is something I will definitely wear. It's semi-dressy, but the stretchy cottony fabric keeps it casual.

Mikarose is offering one of my readers a $50 credit to their online boutique!! The giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. Enter via rafflecopter below through Friday at midnight. I will contact the winner via email and if no response is given within 48 hours I'll choose another winner.



Disclosure: I received the Kristy dress free of charge in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise compensated. All opinions are (obviously) my own. a Rafflecopter giveaway

shabby apple giveaway

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED TO NEW ENTRIES. CONGRATULATIONS JESSICA PETERS!

I know you've heard of Shabby Apple, a great online boutique for women's dresses and accessories. Last week I was super excited to get my very own dress from Shabby Apple for review. I chose the Ballerina dress because I love the wrap dress style, and I really like the color.

The ballerina dress runs really big. I ordered a size small, but I think an XS would fit me better. The color is really pretty, looks just like the photos. The fabric is a stretchy t-shirt type material, and holds everything in place, if you know what I mean. The ruched middle section is great for hiding tummies when you don't feel like holding it in. The bottom edge is unfinished, which gives the dress a more casual feel. I think this would be super cute with tights, boots, and a cardigan, or when it gets a little warmer with just some cute sandals.

Want one of your own? Well then you're in luck! I get to give away the Ballerina dress from Shabby Apple! Please enter via the rafflecopter entry form below! If you win we'll totally be twinsies.

birthday giveaway!

It's my birthday so I want to give YOU the chance to win one of my awesome camera strap covers!

All I ask is that you are a follower of this little blog (either through Google Friend Connect down at the bottom of the page, or as an RSS subscriber).

The winner will get to choose any camera strap cover from my current inventory!

I'm trying out rafflecopter for this giveaway, so let me know how you like it. ONLY entries via the rafflecopter entry form will be counted (not comments on the blog post).

awesome Oreck Magnesium review and giveaway!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED TO NEW ENTRIES. CONGRATULATIONS #40, EM S. PLEASE EMAIL ME WITHIN 48 HOURS OR I WILL SELECT A NEW WINNER.

I am ridiculously excited to share with you my new vacuum cleaner. I recently received the Brand New Oreck Magnesium Vacuum Cleaner and I may or may not have done a giddy little dance when it arrived on my doorstop. Who am I kidding?, I TOTALLY did a giddy little dance when it arrived.

But wait! I'm not going to just sit here and brag about how awesome my new vacuum cleaner is...(which it TOTALLY is). Well, actually I am going to brag about how awesome my new vacuum cleaner is, but I'm also going to give one of you the chance to win the same awesome vacuum cleaner! 

Seriously. First, look at this baby. 

(see what I did there? you don't know if I'm referring to Charlie or my new Oreck)...he he.

I love the simplicity of it. One easy button turns it on, adjusts the speed (high or low) and turns it off.

Charlie likes that it's not "too loud".

I love how TALL the handle is. My husband can vacuum with this thing, and he's 6' 5". No more excuses about not wanting to bend over to vacuum!

But also? It is SUPER light. Like I vacuumed my entire downstairs as well as the stairs themselves and didn't get the slightest bit sweaty. It handled my hardwood floors AND my carpets perfectly. I'm kind of in love.

Plus it just plain looks cool.

But WAIT! There's more! (I feel like one of those as seen on tv commercials)...

It also came with the New Ultimate Handheld Vac!

This little guy is perfect for cleaning stairs, furniture (think under the sofa cushions), car interiors, window coverings, cobwebs, etc etc etc!

So easy a super cute and adorable toddler can use it!

Cleaning is serious business. Obviously.

Next Grace wanted her turn. Have you ever had kids fighting over who gets to do the chores? This was a first for me! I think I'll just put my feet up and eat bon bons!

{photo courtesy of Oreck.com}

I LOVE my new Oreck. And I am so excited that one of you gets to win one too!

So HOW can you win the amazing Magnesium Vacuum and Ultimate Handheld Vac (valued at $599)*? 

It's easy peasy lemon squeezy.

There is one Mandatory Entry (that means you MUST do this before you do the extra entries):

Visit Oreck.com and leave a comment here telling me one thing you learned about the Magnesium.

If you want more chances to win you can:

• Follow @oreck on Twitter.   
• Follow me on Twitter.
• Subscribe to and then, she snapped via rss or gfc.
• Like Oreck on Facebook.  
• Sign up for Oreck’s email list by clicking on “Sign up for Email” in the top navigation bar and entering your email address. 
• Tweet the following (DAILY if you want):  I just entered to win an awesome new vacuum from @oreck and @racheldrechsel http://bit.ly/yEhrhm please RT

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry (and PLEASE, make sure I have a way to contact you). 

Good LUCK!!

       

Rules and fine print and stuff:

This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. 48 contiguous states. The giveaway will be open for entries until Sunday February 5th, 2012. Winner will be chosen via random.org and winner will have 48 hours to get back to me or a new winner will be chosen.

Oreck Corporation provided the prize for the sweepstakes but is not the sponsor of the sweepstakes.

I was provided the Oreck Magnesium and Ultimate Hand Vac free of charge for my review, but all opinions are (obviously) my own. No other compensation was received.