Blue Bird Bride Giveaway

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Y'all remember how I love bubble necklaces? Well, Diana of Blue Bird Bride makes and sells bubble necklaces in her Etsy shop, along with some other beautiful jewelry pieces at affordable prices.

"Blue Bird Bride believes all woman should be able to look and feel great no mater their budget. We keep this in mind while creating on-trend, quality pieces that don't break the bank!"

 

Diana is gracious enough to let one of you win $20 GiftCard to her shop. You can enter the giveaway through the Rafflecopter widget below. Everyone can enter the giveaway as it is open internationally. Also, the giveaway ends on December 24th at 10:00PM EST with a winner being picked & emailed on Christmas Day!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

She is also giving everyone a 20% off coupon code, just enter the code: BLOG20 at checkout. Also, right now the bubble necklaces are on sale for $22.99 and buyers receive a free pendant with purchase! If you are still looking for that last-minute Christmas gift Blue Bird Bride ships out 90% of their items the same, or next day. Perfect for that last minute shopping!

Packing and Traveling Tips

I've been thinking about doing a packing post for awhile now...since some years we do tend to do a lot of traveling and I've learned some things about packing & traveling. Well, anyhow, since we will be leaving next week for the beach I thought it was the perfect time to do this post. Plus, many people will be traveling for Christmas soon.

First off, when packing I like to make a list. I'm a huge fan of lists. But when I'm making this list I like to think about the following things:

- Where will I be going?

- What is the weather like there?

- Will I be outside a lot? Or will I be spending my time mostly indoors?

- What places will I visit?

- What is the main "style" of city I'm visiting? Is it more of a preppy town? Country? Beach? Upscale?

- Where will I be staying?

- Will I be eating out at nice places?

- What do I really need on my trip?

- Will I be able to wash my clothes?

You can see my packing list for the beach next week here. In fact, it is in PDF form so you can download it for future reference. 

If you are able to wash your clothes on your tip, less is better. I've discovered that I tend to want to re-wear my favorites while on a trip. So keep your packing light & try to pack a few of your favorites for your trip {I tend to have a lot of favorites that I need to narrow down when packing}. 

If you are unable to wash your clothes on your trip, put still want lots of options. Make sure EVERYTHING or mostly everything you pack into your suitcase mixes-and-matches. This way you can mix-and-match what you packed into a bunch of different outfits without over stuffing your suitcase {which I've been known to do}. 

Now I find it easier to pack lighter during the summer. As clothes are more compact and you don't need as many layers when it is warm outside. Of course, if you fly in the winter to a warmer location you don't have to worry as much about making sure to have clothes for all seasons when you drive to your location {like we do}. Since I don't do much flying, all of my tips will be for those who drive on their vacations.

Remember when I mentioned discovering the main "style" of the city you are visiting? Well, if you don't want to stick out as a tourist I recommend you follow this step. Me & my mom did this when we visited London, UK back in 2009 and people thought we were from the area. It always shocked them that we were Americans. Once you have a general idea on how the people dress in the area you visiting. Think about your personal style, and what you plan on doing your trip and adapt your trip wardrobe accordingly. Let me give some packing theme's I've come up with on my travels. 

Charleston, SC = Preppy East Coast

Chattanooga, TN & Atlanta, GA = Country Southern Girl

Los Angles, CA = Vintage Beach Girl

Boston, MA = Classic Traveler

London, UK = Fit in with the Locals

Walt Disney World = Comfy Yet Dressy 

~Packing & Traveling Tips~

- When I'm packing my bag I like to do a mix of the rolling method, and just folding everything as small & tight as possible. Of course, after all of your pre-planning you might still run out of room in your suitcase. This is when you must really think, Do I really need everything in this suitcase? I've discovered that I like to cram in has many favorites as possible into my suitcase {leaving me with a bulging suitcase}. Which is not good when you share a suitcase most of the time, or we are trying to fit everything into our minivan trunk. Plus remember, there is a chance you will buy things while on your trip {like clothes/shoes/etc...} and they will need to fit in your suitcase. So plan accordingly. 

- Charge all of your electronics before you leave. You don't want your batteries dying before you reach your final destination on the first day. You will be thankful later. 

- When traveling wear comfy and easy to slip off shoes. This applies not only to flying, but driving too. I know I enjoy taking off my shoes on a long car ride, but sometimes I need to quickly put on my shoes again so lots of buckles/shoe laces/boots can sometimes be not so nice. Of course, if you are traveling during the winter wearing easy slip-on fashion boots can be a huge plus in several ways {you don't have to worry about packing them!}. 

- If you like visual lists instead of paper ones, try making one on Pinterest. You can make it public, or private. 

If you would like more packing tips check out Lauren Conrad's book, Style. It is one of me & Gaby's favorite fashion books ever! We also highly recommend her beauty book too.

What are your favorite packing/traveling tips? Share them below in the comments. 

Movie Quote Quiz

It has been way too long since I've done one of these movie quote quizzes. That I thought it was high time that I do another one these. Oh, and my quotes used in this quiz will be from old & new movies, and old & new tv shows. Just so y'all know.

Here are the rules:

1. Pick 20 of your favorite movies/TV shows.

2. Go to IMDB.com and find a quote from each movie/TV show.

3. Post them for everyone to guess.

4. Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.

5. NO cheating and doing a google search!


1) Character 1: I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. - David Tennant as the 10th Doctor in Doctor Who. (Summer~, Amy, Logan O'Bier, and Miss Virginia)

2) Character 1: How do you feel?
Character 2: Taller. - Captain America: The First Avenger (Rachel, Amy, Scottish Gal, Miss Virginia, and  Caitlin I)

3) Character 1: Is everything a joke to you?
Character 2: Funny things are. The Avengers (Caitlin I)

4) Character 1: Just once can you two behave like grown-ups? BBC Sherlock (Miss Virginia)

5) Character 1: I keep telling you, Papa, when you sell a fake masterpiece, that is a crime!
Character 2: But I don't sell them to poor people, only to millionaires. How to Steal a Million (Rachel, Amy, Logan O'Bier, Miss Virginia, Vicki, Caitlin I, Achaia, and FrancineL) 

6) Character 1: My name is Rochard. You'll think I'm a bride but actually I'm a husband. There'll be a moment or two of confusion but, if we all keep our heads, everything will be fine. I Was a Male War Bride (Rachel, Scottish Gal, Miss Virginia, and FrancineL)

7) Character 1: It's gone!
Character 2: What?
Character 1: There's a body missing. It's the one body I don't wanna have missing. Come September (Achaia) 

8) Character 1: How do you tell a child that she was born to be hurt?

9) Character 1: Joe, Joe, Joe, darling, Joe. I thought I'd lost you. I didn't know where to look. The Clock (Vicki)

10) Character 1: Snakes are my life, in a way.
Character 2: What a life!

11) Character 1: Taxes we do not like. BBC Robin Hood (Rachel)

12) Character 1: It's just like my Aunt Agnes used to say... The Dick Van Dyke Show (Rachel and Amy)

13) Character 1: Hold on to yourself, Bartlett. You're twenty feet short. 
Character 2: What do you mean, twenty feet short? 
Character 1: You're twenty feet short of the woods. The hole is right here in open. The guard is between us and the lights. The Great Escape (Rachel, Allison, Achaia, and FrancineL)

14) Character 1: I'm going to have a foal! Felicity: An American Girl Adventure (Eowyn, Amy, Lady M., Allison, and Charlotte Boyer) 

15) Character 1: Have you ever married? 
Character 2: No. 
Character 1: Have you ever been in love? 
Character 2: Yes I have. Tell me what kind of paper does this school run? 
Character 1: Oh, all the students read it. Character 2: I'll bet they do. The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (Caitlin I, Achaia, and FrancineL)

16) Character 1: Trailer brakes first! The Long, Long Trailer (Rachel and Charlotte Boyer)

17) Character 1: A mother's love holds fast and forever. A girl's love is like a puff of smoke - it changes with every wind. North & South (Rachel, Lady M., Allison, Kerry, and FrancineL)

18) Character 1: They're running! They're getting away! 
Character 2: No they're not. We're going after them! 
Character 1: Hey, wait a minute! They outnumber us three to one! 
Character 2: Well, if it makes you nervous, don't count 'em. The Santa Fe Trail (Vicki, Achaia, and Lauren)

19) Character 1: Tell me, Honey, how come you're so cute?
Character 2: I had to be if I was going to get such a good-looking fella. Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (Vicki and Achaia)

20) Character 1: I want it to be a soft green, not as blue-green as a robin's egg, but not as yellow-green as daffodil buds. Now, the only sample I could get is a little too yellow, but don't let whoever does it go to the other extreme and get it too blue. It should just be a sort of grayish-yellow-green. Now, the dining room. I'd like yellow. Not just yellow; a very gay yellow. Something bright and sunshine-y. I tell you, Mr. PeDelford, if you'll send one of your men to the grocer for a pound of their best butter, and match that exactly, you can't go wrong! Now, this is the paper we're going to use in the hall. It's flowered, but I don't want the ceiling to match any of the colors of the flowers. There's some little dots in the background, and it's these dots I want you to match. Not the little greenish dot near the hollyhock leaf, but the little bluish dot between the rosebud and the delphinium blossom. Is that clear? Now the kitchen is to be white. Not a cold, antiseptic hospital white. A little warmer, but still, not to suggest any other color but white. Now for the powder room - in here - I want you to match this thread, and don't lose it. It's the only spool I have and I had an awful time finding it! As you can see, it's practically an apple red. Somewhere between a healthy winesap and an unripened Jonathan. Oh, excuse me...
Character 2: You got that Charlie?
Character 3: Red, green, blue, yellow, white.
Character 2: Check. Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (Rachel, Vicki, Caitlin I., Achaia, FrancineL, and Lauren)

Christmas Gift Guide 2012

Hello everyone! It is time for me to do my Christmas gift guide post. This series is mostly for the girls/ladies on your list, but some of the items will work for guys too. I would do a gift guide for guys except I'm always stuck on what to get the ones on my list. If any of you have suggestions, leave them in the comments below!

1) TARDIS mug {$12} from the Etsy shop, Cheers 2 Geeks. -- Perfect for all the Whovians in your life. Olivia also has some other DW themed mugs in her shop that you might want to check out. 

2) Bow Belt {$12} from the Etsy shop, Wool and What-not. -- I bet y'all have someone on your Christmas shopping list who is a real girly girl {or just someone who would love to own a bow belt}, am I right? Well, why not buy her this adorable bow belt made by Natasha. Tasha also a bunch of other lovely things in her shop that you might want to check out.

3) Vera Bradley Zip-Around Wallet {$39} -- Can I just say, I'm in love with this Vera Bradley wallet. If you have the money to spend {and she loves Vera Bradley}, think about getting this cute wallet for her. It looks like the perfect wallet to carry around when running some quick errands around town. 

4) Bath & Body Works Candle{s} {$3.50/$10/$20} -- Recently I've discovered the joy of lighting candle's in my bedroom at night. It helps create a warm & cozy atmosphere in any room! Plus, these candles smell AMAZING!!

5) Bath & Body Works Shower Gel {$11} -- What girl doesn't love receiving some amazing shower gel in her favorite scent, or in one she has never tried out - yet. Plus Bath & Body Works is having a special right now, buy 3 get 3 free. You might want to check into that deal.

6) Doctor Who Series 7 Part 1 {$17.32} -- Perfect for those who haven't seen the latest series of DW! {I'll be doing a another gift series post tomorrow with more movie/TV suggestions.}

7) Amazon Gift Card -- If you have no ideas on what to buy someone I'm sure they would be delighted on receiving a Amazon gift card {I know I would}. That way they can pick out what ever their heart desires.

8) Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter {$5 - $8} -- For that girl who loves lip products, or just that girl who adores receiving beauty products. Me & Gaby love ours and recommend that everyone tries them out!

9) Frank Sinatra CD {$6+} -- Personally, I think you can never go wrong with giving a Frank Sinatra CD. Of course, that could just be me. *wink*

10) Butter London Nail Polish {$10 - $17} -- Sometimes when giving gifts it is fun to splurge on something special - like expensive nail polish. As girls who love nail polish may dream to someday own a more expensive nail polish {like Butter London, or some designer}. Why not treat them to one bottle of their dreams? I would be forever grateful if someone bought me one of my dream nail polishes.

11) Route 66 Skirt Pattern from Marie-Madeline Studio {$14.95} -- Perfect for all those sewers on your list who are looking for the perfect long skirt pattern.

1) Winslow T {$59.98} from StyleMint -- I adore my tees from StyleMint and highly recommend them to anyone! They are on the pricy side, but they are so comfy and of good quality. Plus, they are always sending out coupon codes & deals for you to use each month. Oh, and this a subscription site {but you can skip from being charged before the 5th of every month. This doesn't mean you can't buy anything that month - it just gives you more time to think.}

2) Pale Green Silver Plated Elven Earrings {$7.99} from Shealynns Faerie Shoppe -- These earrings are breathtaking and I adore them! These earrings would add a little whimsy to any outfit. If you decided to place an order I do have a coupon code of free flat shipping within the USA for y'all! Just enter the code: BRAMBLEWOOD2012FREESHIP at checkout.

3) 1970s Vintage Navy Blue Shift Dress {$25} from Bee Dee Vintage -- If you know someone who loves vintage fashion {and you know their measurements, or someone who does} buying them a fantastic vintage article of clothing is a brilliant idea! For affordable vintage items check out Bee Dee Vintage the sister site of Better Dresses Vintage {both sites have an amazing vintage selection}. Once again, if you decided to place an order with either site I have a coupon code for you. Just enter the code: Bramble10 for 10% off any order from either site! Also, if you purchase items from both sites at once, any shipping fees will be refunded. Another thing, domestic shipping is always free at Better Dresses Vintage.  

4) Charade (1963) {$11.95} -- I'm always happy to receive a "new" old movie to watch! They are one of my favorite hobbies and I'm always on the lookout for my next new favorite movie {which is over a mile long, btw}. Some of my favorite movies can be found in this Amazon e-Store I made. I also have a TV show section, music section, and book section.

5) EOS Sweet Mint Lip Balm {$2.99} -- These sweet little lip balms are perfect for stocking stuffers & for putting in a gift bag for anyone who adores lip balm. They work wonders and we all love these in our house!

6) Sweater Tights {$12.00} from Target -- With the hard cold winter days ahead of us, a pair of sweater tights are always a good idea!

7) Sepia You Soon Clutch in Paris {$39.99} from ModCloth --  If you know someone who really loves Paris this clutch may be just the thing for them!

Remember, if you have any other suggestions for gifts to leave them in the comments below for others to see. Happy shopping!

It's the Time of Year For Swaps!!

I don't know about you, but I love buying gifts for people. Which is why I love the blogging world around Christmas time, people start hosting blogging swaps!!! I've done some swaps in the past with some not so good results. But this year was different. They were all fantastic! Anyhow, let me share about the swaps I've done this month.

First off, the Stocking Stuffer Swap that Amy & Teresa co-hosted. I was paired off with Kim of Latte and a Prayer {go to her blog to see what I bought her}. Anyhow, Kim bought me a plaid scarf {the plaid is very Burberry like}, a salted carmel candle, and a Butter London nail polish in the color Blowing Raspberries. You can see it all in the video below.

 The other swap I did was with Rebecca of Singing in His Name. Who I've know for awhile now. Let's see here...we first "met" on the Sense & Sensibility forum and then we met in person for the first time in the JFK airport for the first Historical Costume tour in London, UK that Mrs. Jennie Chancey did back in September of 2009. Anyhow, she asked me if I would be interested in doing a swap with her and that film our reactions when opening up our packages and post the videos up on YouTube. Of course, I said yes. *grin*

You can also see what I bought Becca below. I LOVE seeing people opening up my gifts to them, it is part of the joy of giving for me.

I hope y'all enjoyed seeing these videos!! I know I had a lot of fun doing them. *smile*

What I Wore | Captain America Tee + Jean Jacket

::What I'm Wearing:: Pleated Skirt ASOS // Captain America Tee JCP // Jean Jacket Express via Simply Chic // Flats Ruche // Earrings F21 // Nail Polish Sally Hansen xtreme in Red Carpet

Alright, so I have a record going on right now. I've been wearing this jean jacket everyday since November 25th {come Sunday I will have worn it for two weeks straight}. You can kinda say I'm obsessed with my jean jacket right now. It goes with so many outfits {even for work, church & Christmas parties}. Hmm...maybe I should do a jean jacket challenge next year and wear it for a certain amount of days. Would any of you be interested in that?

I've also been obsessed with my new green flats from Ruche. Which by the way, is my first item that I ever bought from them. The brand of the shoes is, Qupid and they do run a little small. I'm usually between a size 7 or 6 1/2 {depending on the weather & brand of shoe} (yes, the weather effects my feet, crazy I know). But after breaking the shoes in they no longer hurt my feet as much as they first did when I tried them on.