Billboard-lovesparklepretty

I am so thankful to have met Tori from The sTORIbook. She has been the sweetest and so incredibly gracious with her kind words! Today, she is hosting the very first giveaway of 2014 for Love Sparkle Pretty and what perfect timing before Valentine's Day (my favorite holiday).

I am giving away a valentine's inspired floral crown (valued at $65) to one lucky winner! Head on over to The sTORIbook to enter. Good luck my friends!

It's been a whirlwind of craziness lately! I've been so busy in and outside of the craft room. I'm certainly not complaining though because it's all been really good. I've had meetings with brides for coordinating their 2014 weddings, cranking out floral crowns for the new line and the photo shoot this Friday (received 60+ model applicants in one day!!), birthday celebrations, family reunion, house work, yard work, running around with baby love, working on shop orders and everything in between.

Today though, I'm giving you a preview of some giveaway pretties I just shipped out for Creative Tea Time next weekend. Remember that uber pretty and super fun craft event I attended back in September? Well, I'm going back for round 2 this Saturday! So excited to sip tea, eat YUMMY food and work on some fun crafts with inspiring ladies once again!

This is my contribution for another lovely day.

Welcome to the $200 Cash Giveaway!

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Enter to win $200 Cash via PayPal as well as signed copies of Stillwell, Brood X and a kindle download of The Hanging Tree

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The funniest part about today was definitely when Tara was telling me about a recent post by The Life of Bon entitled "how to become a fashion blogger." The topics she named were HILARIOUS! So funny in fact that I had actually spewed some of my coffee out on the table from laughing so hard.
 Some of the things she listed were posing and taking photos in a crowd of people (they will think you are a celeb or model), pop your elbow or your knee (or both)-you'll look "legit" (See Tara below) and stick your head out as far as possible toward the lens-your head my look big but your waist will look oh so tiny. My fav? If all else fails, hide behind a big purse, a plant, or a dog.
Seriously, read this people!
Now, I'm no fashion blogger but I do enjoy reading a few of them. I can totally see how these laughable ideas were given. I don't know how they can style themselves super cute with a pair of heels just about EVERYDAY (I know you aren't really wearing those heels in the snow to run your daily errands) and take photos of themselves. I commend their efforts! It takes creativity and certainly motivation to pick out cute wardrobe all the time.
What are some of your favorite fashion blogs?

Last but not least, last week we posted a giveaway of a pretty beaded bracelet from my shop as well as some adorable crochet hearts handmade by Tara.
The winner has been chosen.
Congrats and Cheers to Courtney of Air Force Wife & Our Life!! 
Have a lovely day friends!

Of course with littles running around, you can't have pictures without them photo bombing. Keeping snacks nearby sustains their happiness. Even if it's only temporary while you try to take photos with a friend. ;)

The last thing we would share on our coffee date with you is our neat little giveaway we prepared as a special THANK YOU for our readers that we love so much!!
Tara has handmade some adorable crochet hearts that you can use to brighten up a room. You can also use them as toppers, favors for a small party, props for a little girls photo shoot or even attach a table number to each and use them in centerpieces!

To add to this great prize, I created a pretty pink and gold bracelet for one lucky winner. With faceted beads on a dainty gold colored chain, get it before it's available in the shop!
Enter below and the winner will be chosen next Friday, the 16th.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's a bit hectic in the craft room today + a dentist appointment + house hunting so I will keep this post short and sweet.
Last night, I posted a giveaway on my Instagram just because and I wanted to share it with all of you as well.
I will be adding pretty little bracelets to the shop soon but before I do, I wanted to give you a chance to win a set!
You could win this pretty little mint and gold combo by following me on Instagram (@lovesparklepretty) and re-posting this photo with #lovesparklepretty. Simple right?
I will be choosing the winner tomorrow around noon. GOOD LUCK my friends!

P.S. I hope everyone is having a great Thursday so far. I feel like the weekend is just creeping up pretty fast. Any plans this weekend?

So far, I have really enjoyed this summer-which is weird to say because I very much dislike the heat. With trips to my mom's pool, a date night to the Tim McGraw concert, a Laughlin trip this weekend, photo shoots, visits with some good friends and another concert coming up, I can say it's been a pretty amazing season so far. Know what else would make this summer even more amazing (for you anyway)? Winning $500 CASH!! Seriously!
I have teamed up with several sweet bloggers to bring you this great giveaway. Think about all of the things you can do with $500 this summer! What are some of the ways you'd spend this great prize? I'd probably put it towards our family Hawaii trip we are saving for next year. The husband will be 30 so what a way to celebrate right? Let me know your ideas in the comments below. :)Good luck my friends!

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Enter to win $500 cash via PayPal.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A couple months ago, I had the pleasure to "meet" a very talented gal who actually lives in a city that I used to. I saw a link on the Elevate Facebook page for some adorable ruffled pouches made by the shop, Edeenut. I immediately fell in love! I couldn't resist and had to purchase a little zippered pouch to put my business cards and lip gloss in when I attended Elevate back in May.

To my surprise, I also received another cute pouch in my swag bag by the same handmade shop owner. I was ecstatic! Since then, I have gotten to know Edith of Edeenut a little more and asked her to share a bit about herself on my blog.
I am a huge supporter of handmade shops and when I really believe in something, I want to share it with others who will love it as well.
With that said, here is Edith of the sweet little shop-Edeenut.
Tell us a little about yourself (outside of the "sewing/crafting world"). 

Most of you may know (especially if you follow me on Instagram) that I have been planning a minion themed baby shower for a dear friend of mine. Today, it all came together and I am SO excited to share a sneak peek with you guys!

The entire post will be coming soon but FIRST, I am so thrilled to introduce someone to you guys today!

Recently, I have had the pleasure to meet a sweet creative artist-Natalie of PaperFlora. She contacted me to sign up for a bridal workshop and when I saw her shop, I was in love! She creates beautiful pieces from clutches to bridal sashes as well as makeup brush rolls and even ring pillows!
I asked her to share a bit about herself because there is such a greater experience when you get to know the person behind the pretty pieces. Speaking of pretty pieces, she wants to give a handmade chevron clutch to one of you lucky readers! Awesome right? I told you she was sweet.
Without further ado, I give you Natalie...

Tell us a little bit about yourself (outside of the crafty world).

Chelsea from Sunny with a Chance of Sprinkles is having a HUGE 2 year blogiversary giveaway! This is the perfect package for all things bloggy including sponsorships on Living in Yellow (love Erin!), Casey Leigh, Sunny with a Chance of Sprinkles and Hoppy Bottoms! {Amazing-ness} + I'm pretty excited to be a part of this!
Go enter the giveaway here (only 4 days left) + good luck.

Today.*I received my V-day package in the mail today from a mug swap I joined! I certainly feel loved! Thank you Diana! (A whole post about this ever so lovely gift will come later this week.)

*I also started on a new blog design. I'm not completely done with it but what do you guys think?
It may change again once I get my new website up...hopefully within the next couple months.

*I went to the post office again today to send off a few more orders. I'm pretty sure the people that work there are thinking that I'm there more than they are! I really need to get a scale so I get send off all my packages from my house!

*I read another "day" in my Nehemiah devotion for women's bible study. It's really quite amazing what you can learn when you actually take time out to read God's word!

*My 14 month old son threw mac n' cheese at me today...what's new?

*My husband gave me a bit of "mommy time" to go to Joann's for a wee bit. This trip had a purpose though, I didn't allow myself to wander.

*Finally, I am able to "reply" to everyone's comments! Sorry for not getting back to you guys sooner. I don't know why it wasn't allowing me to respond to your sweet remarks, but it is now and I'm thankful for that!

*Currently, I am sipping some pumpkin spice coffee with Lilo and Stitch on the T.V. while my son is dancing to his piano and my husband is sound asleep since he has to work in a few hours! {Run-on sentence?} lol

What do your Monday nights consist of?
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Don't forget about these awesome giveaways that I am a part of!

Head on over to Going with the Flow to enter to win the gold chain headpiece from my shop.

Want to win the aqua blooming headband from my shop? Head on over to A Life Worth Living to enter!


{Have a beautiful night!}

I was asked a few questions from Luisa over at LaBelleMadeleine which consisted of some things that most of you may not know from my blog. I shared a bit about myself including where I get my inspiration, my dreams and a funny piece of info (or at least my husband thinks it's funny). :) Oh! You can also win a blooming headband from my shop-perfect for Valentine's Day!

Need I say more?
Head on over to LaBelleMadeleine to enter!
Good luck!

There are two giveaways that I am a part of this week and both end SOON-like in a few hours-SOON!
The first, is a HUGE giveaway is over at LenaB,Actually.
Not only can you win the gold-plated chain headpiece from my shop, but you can also win several other prizes that value at about $150!!
This giveaway ends in 3 hours!!!!
So go enter right HERE
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The other is over at Why Girls Are Weird.
(Love her blog!) You can win $15 shop credit toward whatever you would like from my shop!
It's the first time ever giving away shop credit so it's quite exciting. :)
It ends in 2 days so go enter right HERE.

Thank you guys SOOOOO much!
Tomorrow, I will be posting a DIY of a pretty, PRETTY, cake stand!
Total cost= $3!!
So, come back tomorrow. :)

This morning, our family went on our annual trip to Oak Glen to enjoy some fall festivities. We arrived at about 8:30 am and headed straight to the homemade apple and cinnamon donuts (I have been craving them for a while now)-sooo YUMMY! We then went and had some breakfast, walked around to see the vendors, fed some deer, played with the softest bunny rabbits ever, and did some shopping which leads me to sharing my awesome finds today! (Or at least I think they are awesome!)  I found this cool red and gold statement ring for super cheap amongst lots of other trinkets. I think it makes a perfect fall ring-see the leaf shapes? :)

Next up, see those little "chocolate covered strawberries?" I was SOOOO excited to stumble upon these! I almost didn't even see these because they were clustered in with so many other random items but as soon as my eyes met them, I HAD to have them (& at $2.99 each, even more so).
Why would I need fake little strawberry desserts might you ask? Well, I created this little cake stand (my tutorial here) and I got these chocolate scented-chocolate truffle candles to add to the stand in our kitchen. I decided that I would go on a hunt for more little dessert pieces to add to the collection and so, when I saw the strawberries, they were perfect!
Next up, cupcakes and donuts! :)

On our way home driving through Yucaipa, we spotted a yard sale which is where I found this piece (& only $2)! This would be a cute decor piece for parties, styled shoots, etc. I'm going to get a few glass plates from the $1 store (white) & paint the iron either ivory (shabby chic style) or gold. Not sure yet.
What do you think?

I thought those were all quite exciting pieces don't you?
hahaha :)

Now for some pictures of the day.
(My camera on my phone started acting up and adding a crazy glare so I didn't take as many as I wanted)

{Enjoy.}
                                                    
    A beautiful morning in the mountains.  There were peacocks running around! So pretty! & our little family.(^see the crazy glare I'm talking about?) It was such a good little family day! If you haven't gone yet, I highly recommend the homemade donuts and the caramel apples! DELISH!**REMINDER** The shop is now reopened! Want a 10% off discount? "Like" my Facebook page and get a promo code-will post again to the news feed! :) & don't forget the GIVEAWAY! Want to win a free scarf from the shop? Click here for all of the details! It could be YOU!