stella & dot jewelry giveaway.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with jewelry and accessories of any sort. If you ask my mom, she’ll tell you that as a little girl I didn’t go a day without being decked out in plastic jewelry and clip-on earrings.

Oh wait…there’s proof.

Although my jewelry preferences have gotten just a tad more mature as I’ve gotten older, I still love jewelry that is fun and makes a statement. That’s why I was so excited when Marie from Stella & Dot reached out and asked if I’d like one of their pieces.

Based on my style and love for studs, Marie thought I’d like this Pyramid Double Wrap Bracelet. She was right. Very right.

I absolutely love this bracelet. It’s casual and can add just enough edginess to any look. I also love layering it with other bracelets, and even my watches.

And guess what? Marie was kind enough to send me not one but TWO bracelets…

…so that I can give away the other to one of my lovely readers as well!

The Renegade Cluster Bracelet is such a great piece because it has that edgy glam that can be worn alone or easily be mixed, matched, and layered with other bracelets. LOVE this!

Here’s how to enter:

1) Leave a comment saying what your favorite piece of jewelry is right now.

Two more optional forms of entry:

2) Tweet about the giveaway: “I entered @alagracie’s @stelladot giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/b8czfrc

3) Like Marie’s Facebook page

***Please be sure to leave a comment for each entry in order for them to be counted accordingly***

The giveaway ends on Friday 3/8 at 5pm EST, so get your entries in! Open to U.S. residents only.
Good luck :)

Update: winner has been emailed!

3-in-1 spring style + tide pods review & giveaway!


I don’t know about you, but as soon as the holidays end I seem to automatically get a severe case of spring fever. There’s just something about the months of January and February that are so…well, bleh. But, thankfully, with the help of fun tools like Pinterest and fashion blogs, I’ve learned to appreciate these last few months of winter as the perfect time to start planning my wardrobe for the next season…spring!

For me, planning a wardrobe for any season always means making good use of what I’ve already got. When I go shopping I really try to aim for pieces that:

a) can be worn in more than one season
b) will still be at least somewhat in style a year from now
c) can easily be mixed and matched with different styles of outfits

For example, take this simple cotton floral top of mine. Here are three different ways I’ve been able to wear the same shirt.

With dress shorts for an afternoon bridal shower:

Layered with a cardigan for a casual evening out:

With high-waisted, belted black skinnies for a night out of dancing:

That’s a 3-in-1 success if I ever saw it.

With this sort of wardrobe planning, there’s one other very important thing to keep in mind: keeping the clothes fresh and clean. And, speaking of a 3-in-1 plan, I’ve very much grown to rely on Tide Pods.

I’ll be honest – I usually dread doing laundry. But, living in New York where I’m constantly walking around in many interesting elements, I need to make sure to do it often. Thankfully Tide Pods have made the job so much easier - and more efficient - thanks to it being a powerful 3-in-1 detergent that cleans, brightens, and fights stains. Not to mention it really doesn’t get easier – all you have to do is pop it in the washing machine.

Tide Pods is the the only 3-chamber unit dose on the market, and just one removes more stains than 6 caps of the liquid bargain brand (based on stain removal performance of one pac of Tide Pods vs. 6 doses of the leading liquid bargain brand base variant in a standard top loading machine). So, when planning my wardrobe and making sure my clothes are ready to be mixed, matched, and worn out on the town…I’m definitely sticking to what works best. Pop in a whole new kind of clean with Tide Pods.

Tell me about something in your wardrobe that’s versatile and provides 3-in-1 style. By leaving a comment, you’ll be entered for the chance to win a Visa gift card for$100. Pop In. Stand Out.

Rules

No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

  1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
  2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion, including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
  3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
  4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 2/19/13 – 3/19/13. Be sure to visit the Tide Pods brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

what i’m loving right now.

I know I’m a little late to the game on this one, but I’m still loving all things studded. There’s definitely a fine line when it comes to studded accessories (I’m generally not a fan of anything that looks like a psychopath attacked by a bedazzeler), but in moderation they can make for a great edgy addition to your look. My recent studded purchase is this shoulder bag conveniently found at DSW.

Hudson Common is one of my favorite new venues in the city. BlackBook nailed it by describing Hudson Common as “a living room on an epic scale. Couches and communal tables fill brick-walled Hudson Hotel lobby that was once Hudson Hall. Beer garden gets elevated, with stylish exposed bulbs overhead, leather and dark wood accents. Built for the common man, at least as far as comfort food and good brews go. Burgers are char-broiled, fries are cooked in duck fat. Cocktails highlighted by spiked soda fountain classics, think root beer floats with rum, cream sodas with vodka. Taps say drink local, Sixpoint and Southampton in the mix. Bring the whole entourage—there’s room.”

Oh, and we just so happen to be hosting there every Thursday :)

(If you’re in New York, join us one week!)

As much as I love the coziness of winter…oh, who am I kidding? I’m totally ready for summer. That’s why I’m loving this Beach Wood Yankee Candle – paired with a good a sunless tanner and putting the heater on full blast - I can make my room feel like a little summer escape.

Speaking of summer, thanks to Pinterest I’m already getting ideas for fun new summer style ideas. Right now I’m loving (and on the lookout for) exposed-back tops.

As much as I try to be mindful of my health, I’ll probably never be one of those people who gives up caffeine. While coffee is my caffeine de choix, I’ve recently come to appreciate the quick-fix solution of popping a Foosh Energy Mint, which I was sent samples of. One mint has the caffeine amount of a cup of coffee, as well as ginseng, taurine and five B vitamins. They taste pretty good too!

My favorite new makeup product: Loreal Colour Caresse. I don’t usually love lipstick because it feels so heavy (and sometimes sticky), but Colour Caresse goes on light and smooth – almost like a lip balm. I got it in the Merino Mauve shade.

What are you loving right now? Any good beauty/fashion trends or products?

mprint jewelry giveaway.

A couple of weeks ago Em from MPrint reached out to me to check out her jewelry line. Em, who is also one of my lovely GML readers, is the creator of the unique and fashionable Maine-based line of jewelry. I’m a huge fan of jewelry and accessories to begin with, but the story behind MPrint is one that I find especially intriguing. From the website:

Dressing up in her mother’s upcoming styles, digging through countless old jewelry boxes, intricate coin collections and admiring the women of her family, Emily has always had an eye for vintage, timeless treasures.

Every place Em has gone she has carried her family heirlooms with her, interchanging lockets with new chains, and refurbishing old pieces to be on trend with the season. Each piece she wears tells a story, or holds a date in time for a family member that she feels connected to. This has led to her first ‘travel’ collection.

I absolutely love the idea of viewing jewelry as not just an article of fashion but as a treasure that holds some sort of meaning to it. That’s why I was more than excited when Em offered to send me this gorgeous Honolulu Transit Ring.

I’m obsessed with this ring! I’ve worn it out three times already and have gotten compliments every time. It’s a great statement piece - not to mention that it has that tribal vibe to it, which is very in style right now.

And guess what? Em was kind enough to offer the Honolulu Transit Ring to one of my readers as well!

How to enter:

1) Leave a comment saying what piece of jewelry you own that holds the most meaning to you.

2) Tweet “I entered @alagracie’s @mprintjewelry giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/avxzlle(optional)

***Please be sure to leave a comment for each entry for them to be counted accordingly.***

The contest will end on Thursday 1/24 at 4pm. Open to U.S. residents only. Good luck!

p.s. check out the rest of the MPrint store and look book for some more amazing jewelry pieces.

Update on 1/25: WINNER HAS BEEN EMAILED!

12 things i learned in 2012.

1) January. This isn’t exactly life-changing, but…

…oh, who am I kidding? Yes it is. Pinterest totally changed my life.

2) February. The month I began experimenting with different varieties of Cake Batter Blondies.

Also noteworthy from February, some lessons in NYC dating.

3) March. My birthday month! I learned that I don’t hate celebrating my own birthday that much after all.

4) April. When I learned about one of my favorite Manhattan escapes – Smorgasburg.

Also, that true beauty has nothing to do with how you look.

5) May. Speaking of how you look, I learned how freeing it is to go sans makeup.

6) June. Always save up more than you think you’ll need before moving. Way more.

7) July. This month must always be spent in the Hamptons from now on. No exceptions.

8) August. Is it horrible that I have nothing great to say about August? The only thing this past August made me realize is how much I love and look forward to the fall.

9) September. Hard work really does pay off. Hello, FreelyBe.

10) October. Where to even begin? Hurricane Sandy changed everything and made me realize what’s truly important in life. People.

11) November. I learned how the concept of “being myself” isn’t as cliché as I once thought.

12) December. This past month I’ve been reflecting on the year, and – to be honest - 2012 wasn’t exactly my favorite year. It was, though, the year that I’ve learned more about life and myself than ever before. 2012 brought a ton of unexpected trials but also unexpected blessings, and I wouldn’t have had it be any other way.

Other favorite posts from the year:

the nyc girl workout
fall fashion favorites
7 tips for more flattering outfits
how to be an LOP
never before seen, via my iphone
reese’s pieces cookie bars
five beauty products every girl should own
so you want to live in NYC: the social life
cake batter fudge

What things did you learn in 2012?

keep ‘em coming.

Who says the cookie baking has to end after Christmas? I say keep ‘em coming.

(Looks like I’m not the only baker in the house – my sister made these Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies!)

Good old fashioned hellos. Who knows what could happen? Keep ‘em coming.

Selfies get a bad rep. So you take a picture of yourself that you like? Who cares? Own it. And I want to see it. Keep ‘em coming.

My best friend Jessi always has good advice for me. Sometimes it’s from her own experience, and other times it’s just pointing me to what God has to say. Text messages like this? Keep ‘em coming.

Oversized sweaters with fun prints and patterns for the winter? Definitely keep ‘em coming.

What do you love lately that you want to keep it coming?
And what are your thoughts on selfies??