Tote Winner & My Dad's Words

Before I share the winner of the giveaway, I thought I would share my dad's comment on his ideal picnic:

Grilling out on the farm with my sons, daughter, best son-in-law, and the grand children. Nature is part of everything. Connecting with animal which provides me a calm I wish I could describe and I see it's affect on all. The open space with all it's borders edged with nature ever changing beauty. Watching the grand kids look on their faces as the fish pops out of the water. The best part of all is watching all the expressions of love and having the deep sense of family.To me this is the best of life. This is one of the reason we take the time and effort to go on a picnic. -Pops

For a man who doesn't take pen to paper much (or keystrokes to the computer), I thought those words were so beautiful. Dad, thanks for taking the time to write that. Very sweet.

Thanks for all sharing your picnic dreams with me. The winner of the giveaway is Jennifer N, so please email me your address and I'll send your sweet tote to you. 

Canvas Market Tote

How poignant is this picture? I just love it.

One of my most used possessions is this canvas tote that I have had for a few years now. Mainly, it corrals all my reusable shopping bags in my car, but I am often dumping them out so I can put my tote to use. Besides getting groceries, I use this thing on so many of my outdoor adventures with the kids. This summer it was my pool bag/picnic basket/camera bag all in one. (Not a great combination, but it worked.)

It's official name is Market Tote, which makes me think it should be filled with fresh produce from the farmers' market, local bundle of flowers, and a big baguette sticking out of it, of course. But this tote is so much more. It's the best picnic basket, and I would like to give one away to one of you this week. 

Whether it's filled with a wonderful assortment of diverse salads/colorful fruit and cheese plates/sparkling juice or a bunch of happy meals and some oreos, this thing is awesome on picnics. In honor of The Great Outdoors and the perfect picnic weather, I'm giving away this black one (USA only).

To enter to win, please leave a comment of your favorite picnic location. Keep it real too: from a vineyard in Tuscany to pizza on the floor in front of the TV, where do you like to picnic?

I'll pick a winner sometime on Saturday and post it then. 

Some Lovely Things, Winner

Using random.org, I got my winner!!!  (Want to waste some time, stop there!)

Winner-winner, chicken dinner...all the bated breath paid off, Keri.  You won!  

 "Exciting! Wildflower is my fav! Thanks for having a give-away. I am almost completely out of stationary, and am waiting for my victory notification with bated breath!"

Heidi will be mailing your cards to you!

Some Lovely Things, Giveaway

It's no secret that I am a stationary junkie.  If there was an award for the biggest stationary variety bought, tested and used, then I would win or at least get honorable mention.

 I love it because it makes letter writing even more appealing.  Don't get me wrong, I'll take a letter on ANYTHING.  Napkin, styrofoam raw meat tray, whatever.  But, if I'm going to write and send something, it's gonna.be.cute!  

I have the supplies to make my own for a more casual approach.  In fact, I have a whole desk full of supplies as well as a variety of envelopes with different textures, colors, and sizes.  

But, nothing is as great as having my own personal stationary that is exactly what I want and is completely unique.  For my birthday this year, I worked with Heidi of Heidi Gruner Design to design my own personal stationary.  I LOVE it.  It's turned me into a lean, mean, letter-writing machine.  I highly recommend checking her out HERE and getting some yourself.

Recently, she launched Some Lovely Things, unique stationary designed for you, me and all letter lovers to enjoy.  So, here it is, are you ready for this, she is going to give away eight cards to one very lucky reader.  How fun!  She has the cutest cards to choose from and they all have funky names like:

 
The Youngest Child

Takeover

 
Hello Gorgeous

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Here's how you can enter to win:

1. Check out her site by clicking HERE and pick which cards you love and would like to win.

2. Come back here and leave a comment, letting me know.

3. Blog or facebook about it and get an extra entry. (just leave an extra comment letting me know you did so.)

Contest will close on Friday (1/14, day after my momma' burfday) at midnight, est.  Winner announced this weekend!

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I'm so, SO EXCITED that one of my readers gets to share in the excitement of receiving, using and passing along a Heidi Gruner Design.  It will come to you wrapped up quite nicely, something a little like this: