I decided to narrow my selection to dresses that would be perfect for spring—day or evening. I was pulled to the dresses that were BRIGHT BRIGHT BRIGHT! I love to wear colorful + cheerful dresses in the spring. After much deliberation, I’ve chosen Mariposa Grove. I am in love with the color and the simple elegance the dress exudes. It looks so easy and comfortable to wear; yet, with the petal details around the neckline, the cap sleeves, and scoop neckline on the front and back, this dress is full of style. It would be perfect for an outdoor wedding, a bridal shower, luncheon, or brunch with friends. Okay, I’m sold!

And for my male readers, this dress would be a wonderful gift for Valentine’s Day!!

Giveaway Details

PRIZE: Shabby Apple’s Mariposa Grove Dress (no exchanges for the winning dress)

TO ENTER: “Like” Shabby Apple on Facebook, then leave a comment below saying: “LIKED!”

BONUS ENTRY: Leave a second comment below with where you would wear this dress!

LOCATION: United States

GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Friday January 27th at 9 PM EST

P.S. If you purchase anything from Shabby Apple within 30 days, enter the code “ripple10off” to receive a 10% off coupon on your order. Just enter the code at checkout!

P.P.S. I did not receive compensation for this giveaway. I just love giving stuff away—especially items that I would love to receive myself :). I live vicariously through my giveaway winners!!

UPDATED WITH WINNER (Sun 1. 29.2012 @ 3:00 PM EST)!!

Congratulations, Susan Harmony!! I will be emailing you soon to receive all of your information!!

Related posts:

1. Less No, More Yes
2. A Travel Inspired Giveaway: Simone France
3. I Am Project Giveaway

I am thrilled, honored, and humbled to announce I am on the roster of twenty contributors to Desire to Inspire:  Using Creative Passion to Transform the World by Christine Mason Miller. In Desire to Inspire, readers will be introduced to twenty extraordinary women – writers, artists and entrepreneurs – all of whom share a unique example of how they create a meaningful life and, in turn, make a positive impact on the world. The stories and examples explore the roots of their desire to inspire and how they manage to pursue their passions in the midst of all the twists and turns life has given them. In addition to a beautiful collection of quotes, stories, and anecdotes, readers are given substantive, encouraging exercises aimed at supporting their own journey towards a meaningful, mindful life. It will be available  December 20^th through Amazon and you can pre-order your copy today!

To be a part of Christine’s second book project is something I could never have imagined when I began A Beautiful Ripple Effect. The title of my blog is taken from Christine’s first book, Ordinary Sparkling Moments. This book was the catalyst for a multitude of positive changes in my life. I cannot begin to envision what the impact of this second book will be. However, I do know, it will be powerful.

To celebrate the release of her new book, Christine is generously giving away a gorgeous wall art piece to one recipient.

Giveaway Details

PRIZE: One of three wall art pieces (your choice from the three in the image above!)

TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the words “INSPIRE!”

BONUS ENTRY: Where would you put your inspiring new wall art? Answer in the comments.

LOCATION: No restrictions!

GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Sunday December 11^th at 9 PM EST

**Updated (12.12.2011): winner is… Stephanie! Stephanie, check your email for a message from me shortly :)!**

Related posts:

1. The Why of Desire to Inspire
2. A Turn in the Pathway
3. I Am Project Giveaway

I am excited to announce an incredible travel inspired giveaway from Simone France. Simone France, a celebrity facialist, has been hailed by Vogue as Manhattan’s last beauty secret. The Simone France product line empowers consumers to create personalized skincare regimens (and customers cannot stop raving about the results – read the customer raves to get the full “wow” effect).

The lovely team at Simone France is offering a huge giveaway for one recipient: a travel size complete system ($120 value).

Giveaway Details

• PRIZE: Travel size complete system ($120 value)
  • 1/2 oz. Light Moisture
  • 1/2 oz. Refining Scrub
  • 4.5 oz. Soap
  • 30 Disposable Cleansing Cloths
  • 2 oz. Light Milk
  • 2 oz. Gentle Toner
  • 1/2 oz. Complexion Perfection
  • 1/2 oz. Instant Radiance
• TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the words “TRAVEL!”
• BONUS ENTRY: Dream destination? Answer in the comments.
• LOCATION: No restrictions!
• GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Friday November 18th at 9 PM EST

image: simone france

**updated: november 20th @ 2:20 PM

GIVEAWAY RECIPIENT: SHANNON!

Congratulations, Shannon. Check your email :)! Thank you to everyone for participating!!

Related posts:

1. The Glitter Inspired Giveaway
2. Paris Travel Diary
3. Giveaway for Paper Lovers

About the I Am Project:

Our wish is to affirm and inspire the beauty in every woman, to celebrate the uniqueness in each of us, as well as the commonalities that unite us as women. We want to create a space to confront the dark places that come with growth; to witness women being valued for more than their bodies, clothes, or societal projections; to feel inspired by stories and images; and to become more deeply rooted in who we are as women. We want to become a net of resources that will nurture and fortify each other’s confidence, and fill women with awareness of the extraordinary beauty that each of us uniquely brings to the world.

Giveaway Details

• PRIZE: A print of your choice (5×7″ or 8×10″ format) from the I Am Project print shop.
• TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the words “I AM!” and …
• BONUS ENTRY: Follow The I Am Project on Facebook
• LOCATION: No restrictions!
• GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Friday October 7th at 9 PM EST

images: i am project

* * *

GIVEAWAY RECIPIENT: HALEY!! Congratulations, Haley! We will be in touch via email :). Thank you to everyone for entering!

Related posts:

1. Inspired by The I Am Project
2. Share Your Hearts: A Giveaway Celebration
3. Desire to Inspire: A Sparkling Giveaway

Journaling E-Course Giveaway

A lot of people tell me they want to journal, but don’t do it for one of the following reasons:

1.     They don’t know what to journal about.
2.     They don’t like their handwriting.
3.     They don’t know what supplies to use.
4.     They don’t have the time.

Well, I thought it would be fun to have a giveaway to help work through these issues and get journaling! The more the merrier – after all, journaling is a healthy habit.

To enter into the giveaway, just leave a comment telling me what is holding you back from journaling, or if you are already are an avid journaler, what do you love journaling about the most?

One random winner will be chosen, and they will win the following:

A spot in one of my four journaling classes. They all, to varying degrees, give you ideas of what to journal about, tips and techniques, supplies and quick ways to journal so you can see you don’t need much time to journal.

My Moleskine cahier of choice and and a few of my favourite pens. They will be packaged up and posted to you (international contestants welcome). Please note the photo is not showing the exact items you will be receiving.

Good luck! The giveaway is open until Friday September 23rd 9 PM EST. Winner will be chosen shortly after! Be sure to check back to see if you’ve won!!

***

The Winner of the Giveaway Is . . . Julie Campbell! Check your inbox soon for a message :)

Related posts:

1. Pen & Paper: Overcoming Your Journaling Fears
2. Pen & Paper: 13 Books for Journaling Inspiration
3. Pen & Paper: Journaling the Non-Beautiful

Super simple giveaway with THREE winners :). Each winner chooses one item from the glittery eye candy below.

Giveaway ends Friday September 2nd at 9 PM EST. Enter by leaving a comment below – share how glitter makes you feel! The winners will be announced on ABRE Saturday September 3rd Tuesday September 6th. Check back to find out if you’ve won!! This giveaway is open to US residents.

Let the glittery fun begin!

giveaway items: tinygalaxies organic silver post earrings with white gold | social proper glitter stripe note set | deborah lippmann nail polish set | martha stewart glitter (set of 12)

additional image credits: glitter background (paper source) | glitter + glam photo (via pinterest)

* * *
This giveaway was not sponsored by any of the featured companies. I just genuinely love *glitter* and my incredible readers. This is a little thank you from me to you for your support and generosity. However, if you’re interested in sponsoring a future giveaway just send an email to carolynblog (at) me.com.

* * *

The Winners of the Glitter Inspired Giveaway Are . . .

Congratulations Chelsea, Deb, and Darnita!! Check your inbox for a glittery message :)!

Related posts:

1. A Travel Inspired Giveaway: Simone France
2. Giveaway for Paper Lovers
3. Pen & Paper: Journaling E-Course Giveaway!

I’m excited to host a giveaway that will appeal to paper addicts and even non paper addicts (i.e., people who see paper as paper — oh, I can’t imagine).

The Giveaway: 250 Die Cut Business Cards from UPrinting

All of the juicy details are outlined at the bottom of this post.

If you’re not a paper lover, skip to the giveaway details below. Fellow paper lovers, let’s let our imaginations run wild! Think of all the fun things you could do with this giveaway (and business cards, in general). Business cards are no longer limited to business information. In fact, many people are getting creative and using the cards in a multitude of ways. For example, you could put your name on the cards and use the white space to write a memorable message or idea (e.g., “loved chatting over coffee. you are such a lovely person”). Wouldn’t that card be nice to slip into your friend’s bag after coffee… or to give to a potential client as a more personal memento to trigger positive thoughts when they think about working with you (a little psychology trick)? You could use the cards as “blog cards” and list your blog’s name and web address so you can spread your reach beyond the blogosphere … when you chat with someone at yoga who would love your content (hand them a little blog card) or to give to fellow bloggers at a conference or workshop. Or one of my favorite ideas: create cards with a positive message and leave them in random spots for others to find. I told you I was a paper addict!

The Juicy Giveaway Details
Prize: 250 die cut business cards (1 recipient)
- Dimensions & Shape: 2 x 3.5″ Rounded Corners, 2 x 2″ Rounded Corners, 1.75 x 3.5″ Rounded Corners, 2 x 3.5″ Leaf, 2 x 3.5 Rounded one corner, 2 x 3.5″ Half Circle Side, 2 x 3.5″ Oval, 2.5″ Circle
- Paper Type: 14pt Cardstock Gloss / Matte / High Gloss (UV), or 13pt Cardstock Uncoated
- Die-cut business card templates available for download
- Free Shipping
Restriction: Limited to US residents 18 years old and above only.
To Enter: Leave a comment to enter, and for an additional entry, follow me on twitter (@clrsimple2)!
Giveaway Closes: Thursday July 21st at 5pm EST. The recipient will be announced on this post shortly after.

For Legal Lovers: This business cards giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given for hosting. For more information about online printing services, please visit UPrinting,com. Image provided by UPrinting.

UPDATE (July 21, 2011 – 5:25 PM EST): GIVEAWAY RECIPIENT

CONGRATULATIONS MARSANNE! Marsanne, I will be emailing you with details tonight!

Thank you to everyone for participating in this giveaway. I really enjoyed hearing from fellow paper lovers :).

Related posts:

1. Pen & Paper: Journaling E-Course Giveaway!
2. A Travel Inspired Giveaway: Simone France
3. The Glitter Inspired Giveaway

In this post, I’m responding to a #reverb10 prompt on wonder. And I’m also going to announce a wonder filled giveaway – are you in?

(image: anthropologie – have you been to their section called cabinets of curiosity? if not, you must! you can even rotate the different “curiosities” virtually — seriously too much fun!)

Throughout December, I will be sharing my personal responses to the prompts of Reverb10. To read more about Reverb10 and how my journey began, you can read this post.

Prompt #4: Wonder.
How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?
(Author: Jeffrey Davis)

This past year has been a time filled with wonder coupled with an exploration of that wonder. For me, this wonder was cultivated intrinsically — by allowing myself the freedom to be vulnerable and deeply explore parts of my identity that were neglected or created according to outdated criteria.

I got to dream and scheme, create and write — all simply based on passion — a research project in which I was the sole subject.

Between December 2009 and July 2010, I had no academic obligations for the first time in my life (yes, I’m only 25, but so what!). It was scary and unnerving to feel like I was starting all over. For awhile, I felt as if I were in the midst of a quarter-life crisis and maybe I was, but oh my goodness, this time — it was wonderful!

By embracing a beginner’s mind and transforming worry into curiosity, I began to accept uncertainty rather than avoid its presence. I gave myself permission to seek wonder and then fully lean into it.

Over the past year, I have learned to become mindful of where I am and acknowledge the challenges that I face, but not by devaluing myself. This shift has been HUGE for me. It has truly cultivated a sense of wonder and awe in my life.

I am on my side and using all of my inner passion and strength to navigate the waves — becoming much more creative, resilient, and less intimidated along the way.

. . . . .

A Wonder Filled Giveaway

There is one store in Boston that provides hours of wonder for me. I don’t need to buy anything — just stepping inside its large doors is enough to spark my inner sense of wonder and curiosity. The store: Anthropologie.

The Giveaway: TWO Anthropologie $25 Gift Certificates (the gift certificate come inside of Anthropologie’s Likes & Loves mini-journal)

The Details:

• Enter the giveaway by responding in the comments to the question from above: How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?
• You can double your chances by letting others know about The Wonder Filled Giveaway. You can tweet, post a link on facebook, or mention it on your blog.
  • After you spread the holiday cheer, come back here and leave a comment with a link to where you mentioned the giveaway.

Comments closed on Thursday December 16th at 12 PM EST.

Update: Congratulations to the two winners, SheilaC and Roxann. Hope you use your gift certificates on something lovely and wonder-full!

…

I have never sponsored giveaways on ABRE, but may begin to include a few special giveaways in 2011 from readers of ABRE or sponsors that are willing to giveaway something that the ABRE community would LOVE! If you are interested in sponsoring a giveaway, please submit your request via this lovely form.

Related posts:

1. A Four Day Celebration Giveaway Event
2. Are You Unraveling?
3. Begin with Intention

Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with their song still in them. –Henry David Thoreau

Life is a journey that can never be defined by odds. We—not others—choose how we live our lives. If we decide to believe in ourselves, then nothing can diminish our potential.

Chris Guillebeau’s new book, The Art of Non-Conformity, ingeniously presents a different way to live your life, a life that you wholeheartedly desire based upon your own rules. While I tend to shy away from books with such lofty goals (i.e., read me and change your entire life!), I knew this book would be different due to Chris’ real-life experience, truly walking the talk and sharing his journey (the ups and downs, with life lessons always learned) with full transparency on his blog.

Before I continue, I must reveal that I hesitated writing about The Art of Non-Conformity. With so many people singing its praises within the blogosphere, I didn’t want to seem disingenuous. But I never write about other books so a desire to write about this one in particular has to mean something, right?!

AONC in 140 characters:

Empowering readers to let go of labels and expectations, to embrace the unknown, and to begin to transform “someday” into “today.”

AONC in more than 140 characters:

The Communicatrix says it best:

From the beginning, where he establishes the likely mindset that indicates readiness to explore an unconventional life/style through the end, where he wraps up with a sensible warning that everything he’s gotten you fired up about is always fiery at a cost (and, like its rewards, an unending one), Chris slowly conditions your brain for the thrilling, difficult work ahead. The book is generous, it’s unrelenting, it’s highly specific in its instructions and it’s thoroughly, impeccably earnest.

If I’m making AONC sound just a bit overwhelming, that’s because it’s very possible that it is—at least, to someone who’s not in the place to hear or use it. That’s fine. As Chris himself says at the outset, this book assumes four critical prerequisites (numerals mine):

1. You Must Be Open to New Ideas
2. You Must Be Dissatisfied with the Status Quo
3. You Must Be Willing to Take Personal Responsibility
4. You Must Be Willing to Work Hard
   

One of my favorite sections is entitled: Smashing Through the Brick Wall of Fear. In this section, Chris outlines seven highly personal things that he was afraid of at the time of writing. I plan on sharing my personal fear list in an upcoming post.

The Silver Lining (the little details that did not go unnoticed):

- Quote Selection and Placement: Chris could compile the quotes selected for this book and sell them as a completely separate book. They are brilliant and placed not only in the beginning of each section, but in the sidebars with the themes aligned with the content. As a writer, this is TEDIOUS to do and quality is almost always sacrificed. Not here.

- Personalization of all the common book standards (ex. “extraordinary praise” rather than “praise” or “advanced praise”; “gratitude” rather than “acknowledgments”), using Chris’ language to replace the normal stock copy that is placed in books that as a reader you never notice, until of course, it changes.

- Summaries at the end of each section entitled, “Remember This” that are truly remarkable.

- An online emporium of resources and additional content that allow the book to evolve beyond its pages.

The Take-Home Message:

If you’re ready for a new perspective that will steer you towards creating inner harmony, The Art of Non-Conformity will help you prepare to play a bigger game, translate knowledge into action and action into change, and of course set you up for world-domination!

Need to Start Reading NOW?!

Well of course you do! Leave a comment below for a chance to receive one of two copies that will be given away on A Beautiful Ripple Effect!

–> Comments open for the giveaway until Sunday November 14th at 5:00 PM EST. The recipients will be announced on A Beautiful Ripple Effect on Monday November 15th!

* I received this book from Chris prior to release. However, I only decided to review it after spending an entire day devouring each section (canceling all appointments and emailing Chris to let him know that he owed me an apology** for “ruining” my schedule!).

** For the record, Chris apologized.

Related posts:

1. Day Three of the Giveaway Celebration Event
2. Year In Review
3. A Wonder Filled Giveaway

Let’s create a personal treasury of our favorite etsy gems! Share a favorite Etsy shop in the comments for a chance to receive an Etsy item of your choice ($25 or less). There will be TWO giveaway recipients! So be sure to chime in and share your favorite picks by Friday October 8th at 10 PM EST. The recipients will be announced by Monday October 11th!

Ready!? I am! Share your Etsy Hearts! And be sure to spread the love by inviting others into our fabulous little soiree!

images (top left to right): indobaytextiles, olive; (bottom left to right): tuuni, eatpraycreate

Updated October 14th: Giveaway Winners!! (chosen via a random number generator)

Winner 1: Janelle (Etsy Fave: Hijirik’s Studio)

Winner 2: Clearly Composed (Etsy Fave: Aged and Opulent Jewelry)

Related posts:

1. I Am Project Giveaway
2. Pure Bliss: Images to Make You Smile (and lovely giveaway)
3. A Beautiful Ripple Effect Celebration Finale