Costume Express {Review}

October 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment

We had our very first trick or treater on Thursday.  My little niece.  A little early, but she likes to be prompt.  You know to make sure she doesn’t miss a single house.  She arrived wearing the most adorable Little Red Riding Hood costume that I ever did see!

Isn’t she just the cutest???

Costume Express sent the costume over to my house and I knew that it was just perfect for this little reviewer.  She’s darling, so everyone is going to want to bail on their previous costume idea and go with this one.  Am I right?  It’s super cute, super great quality, and super unique design.  You can’t beat that!  Well, now…  What day is it already???  You better hurry, because the 31st is almost here!  Halloween is in T-3 days!  Have you got your Little Red Riding Hood costume yet???  There’s still time to get your costume if you order right now through Costume Express!  You have until October 29th at 2:59pm CDT to be exact.

At Costume Express all the members of your family can get in on the action with the other characters:

    

Or isn’t this a cute family theme?

 All can be found at Costume Express, so you better get ordering!  🙂

 

*This posting was sponsored by Costume Express, but all views and opinions are strictly my own.

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Just Beccuz {Giveaway} ***ENDED***

April 23, 2012 by 7 Comments

Last weekend an event took place around here that made me happy and sad at the same time.  My Banjo turned 4.  Can you believe that he’s that old now???  I cannot!  Or rather I just don’t want to believe it.  When many of you first met him on this blog he was only 1 and a half!  Where does the time go?  My baby is growing up.  🙁   We celebrated the entire weekend.  First with the friend party and then we headed up to Illinois to my parent’s home.  Banjo had the best time!  His Gran and Boompa made his dreams come true with a big boy bike and he was fascinated by all the birthday balloons.  My mom is the best thrower of parties and unlike me she always remembers the balloons.  Now the birthday banner on the other hand…  It has seen better days.  This banner has made an appearance at birthday parties for well over 10 years now:

Seeing it again reminded me that I need to introduce my mom to Just Beccuz.

Just Beccuz is all about parties and decorations, so it’s definitely her kind of place!

I’m thinking that Banjo’s Illinois party next year will be complete with this banner making its debut on the deck:

 

In preparing this feature I must admit that this particular banner made me get all weepy all over again:

 

Just Beccuz also has some gorgeous banners perfect for decorating at weddings:

 

Or can’t you envision an engaged couple of bride and groom hold these banners in pictures???

 

Baby shower banners?

Just Beccuz takes care of that for you, too!

 

And for my LDS readers…  Just Beccuz even has Visiting Teaching Packets!

(What is visiting teaching?  Learn more about it here.)

Who’s ready to enter to win?  Well, one very lucky winner is going to receive a $25 gift certificate to spend at Just Beccuz!

*This giveaway is open to US entries only.

*Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won! The winner of this giveaway will be posted on Monday, April 30th. Be sure and check back then to see if you won, so you can claim your prize!

 
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CrinkledNose.com {Giveaway} ***ENDED***

February 6, 2012 by 27 Comments

It’s always an exciting time when a new baby joins the household and our dandy household is no exception to that rule!  Banjo literally tells everyone that he has a new baby sister.  Only he leaves out the sister part.  It’s “I have a new baby” or “That’s my baby”.  It’s really cute!  Banjo hasn’t really seen a soul (outside of our household) over the last week, because he has been sick.  He hasn’t even been allowed to be around Ruby, because he is sick with RSV!  Scary times at our house.  We kept Ruby isolated from him as soon as we found out he had it.  Unfortunately over the weekend she began to have breathing problems that took us to the ER.  She tested positive for RSV, but is slowly on the mend.  Now that she has it we will still not being seeing people for awhile as she will be sick for another 7 days.  🙁  It’s a good thing that CrinkledNose.com let us create her baby announcements so people will be able to see her!  The announcements, cards, invitations, calendars, and note pads at CrinkledNose.com are totally different from what you will find elsewhere.  What makes them so special?  All all available for a magnet upgrade!  Picture this.  A baby announcement with a magnetic back built right in.  Announcements and such always end up on the refrigerator for all to see and CrinkleNose.com makes that easily done!

Here’s just one of their adorable baby announcements:

And like I said there’s also….

Cards:

Invitations:

Calendars:

Notepads:

Right now you can even get 25% off your order when you use “dandy25” at checkout!  Alright.  Are you ready to find out what’s being given away from CrinkledNose.com?  Well, one very lucky winner is going to receive 10 personalized magnetic photo calendars!  And…  It’s winner’s choice of design and size!  So enter away my dandy readers!   🙂

*** This giveaway is open to US entries only***

There are 7 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 7 chances then leave 7 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Go to CrinkledNose.com, have a look around, and then tell us your favorite baby announcement! (ex: “Dandy Smith = Love, love, love the Pink Wallpaper Birth Announcements! )

(3): Vote for Dandy Giveaway on Picket Fence Blogs.  You can vote once a day, so each extra day you vote is an extra entry!  :)    (ex: “Dandy Smith= voted”)

(4): Like CrinkledNose.com on Facebook or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= like”)

(5):  Tell people about this giveaway and then tell us how you did!  (ex: “Dandy Smith= emailed, called, texted, etc.”)

(6): Follow CrinkledNose.com on Twitter and then tweet about this giveaway. (ex: “Dandy Smith= twitter & tweet”)

(7): Become a follower of the CrinkledNose.com Blog “CrinkTalk” or if you already follow.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= follow CrinkledNose.com.”)

***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won! This giveaway will be open for entries until Sunday, February 12th at 5:00 pm CST.  Be sure and check back on Monday, February 13th to see if you won, so you can claim your prize! ***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won!

This posting and giveaway was sponsored by CrinkledNose.com, but all opinions are strictly my own.

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{Giveaway} SuLu Gifts ***ENDED***

January 30, 2012 by 57 Comments

The audiologist man and I were married for almost 6 years before we had Banjo.  During that time we lived in San Antonio and enjoyed furnishing our first home.  One of our favorite purchases was this coffee table:

We thought it was a cool table, because it has all of these great compartments to store books, blankets, throw pillows, etc.  Shortly after buying said table I watched in horror as a little girl who was visiting drove a matchbox car across the top of it.  Now this car didn’t have very good shocks, because metal was all that touched the table!  Of course leaving distress marks that weren’t meant to be there.  I was near tears.  When our guests left audiologist man instantly said that it was going to be okay and it was just a coffee table.  I remember asking him if the girl even realized that she had done harm to a Ralph Lauren coffee table!  He just told me that one day we would have kids and they would ruin things.  To which I replied that we didn’t have kids yet, so we were supposed to have nice things until then.

When Banjo came into our lives Ralph became good at storing toys in the living room:

And unbeknownst to us until the damage was already done…

Ralph became a teething table:

 

Fast forward several years and we still have Ralph.  He may have acquired a few more scratches here and there, but I’m still quite protective over him.  For instance coasters are to always be used on his scratched up surface!  In fact I’m really in need of these ceramic tile coasters to protect Ralph:

Aren’t they gorgeous?  Where can you get them???  Well, I’m going to tell you…

SuLu Gifts!  This shop has so many fun gifts and supplies for your next party.  Totally cute party favors:

 

 

 

How cute are these for Valentine’s Day?

In addition to the ceramic coasters SuLu Gifts also has these unique photo coasters:

Talk about a really unique gift for the person who has everything!  Totally customizable and totally cute!

And guess what’s being given away?  A set of 4 photo coasters personalized with your own photos!

*** This giveaway is open to entries in the US only***

There are 7 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 7 chances then leave 7 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Get Dandy in your inbox by signing up for the brand NEW newsletter in the right hand sidebar.  (ex: “Dandy Smith = signed up!)

(3): Follow Dandy Giveaway on Twitter (or if you already do) and then tweet about this giveaway.   (ex: “Dandy Smith= twitter and tweet”)

(4): Like SuLu Gifts on Facebook or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= like SuLu Gifts”)

(5):  Tell people about this giveaway and then tell us how you told!  You get an entry for each one that you do!  (ex: “Dandy Smith= emailed, blogged, texted, called, etc.”)

(6): Go to SuLu Gifts, have a look around, and then leave a comment telling us your favorite item.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= I love those monogram ceramic tile coasters!”)

(7): Become a follower of Dandy Giveaway through Google Friend Connect (in the right hand sidebar) or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= follow Dandy”)

***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won! This giveaway will be open for entries until Sunday, February 5th at 5:00 pm CST.  Be sure and check back on Monday, February 6th to see if you won, so you can claim your prize! ***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won!

This posting and giveaway was sponsored by SuLu Gifts, but all opinions are strictly my own.

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{Giveaway} Just Beccuz ***ENDED***

July 18, 2011 by 83 Comments

When the audiologist man and I got hitched we were given this really cool red plate that reads “You are special today”.  It’s the perfect addition to someone’s special day.  For the birthday dinner girl or boy.  Or just a day that’s made special by an employment raise or school accomplishment.  Or one that deserves to be special just because.  The red plate is one of my most favorite wedding gifts.  (It has been almost 9 years since it joined our family!)  And it looks spectacular with my yellow and red kitchen decor!  Remind me to share a picture sometime of my kitchen, because I absolutely love my kitchen.  Lots.  Probably because I feel like it’s the only room in our house that’s put together…  Anyway, back to the special plate.  I enjoy things that carry a special meaning, but also are creative and original.  Basically anything that makes someone feel like a lot of work and effort went into it.  Now I’m not saying that I’m the one who puts the a lot of work into things.  I’m not that creative or original!  So when there’s someone who has the knack for that type of thing then they become my new best friend.  Like Becca at the shop Just Beccuz.  Everything in her shop is perfect for making anyone feel extra special!  So without further ado here are my favorites…

I’m a sucker for anything yellow,

so of course this Happy Birthday Banner is a winner in my book!

And don’t even get me started on how much I love monkeys…

This birthday package would complete any monkey themed party!

 Then…

Check out this entire Baby Shower Package:

Isn’t it simply diva divine?

And oh be still my heart:

It’s no wonder that I LOVE this banner!  🙂

Then who could go wrong with this for the newly marrieds:

 Just Beccuz also has handmade cards:

Now that’s extra special!

What’s being given away this week from Just Beccuz?  One lucky winner is going to receive a $25 gift certificate to spend at Just Beccuz!

*** This giveaway is open to US entries only***

And…

***Open for entries for 2 whole weeks!***

There are 7 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 7 chances then leave 7 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Go to Just Beccuz, have a look around, and then tell us your favorite item. (ex: “Dandy Smith = Definitely that yellow Happy Birthday Banner!)

(3): Get Dandy in your inbox! Sign up for our newsletter in the right hand sidebar or if you already have. (ex: “Dandy Smith= newsletter”)

(4): Like Just Beccuz on Facebook or if you already do. (ex: “Dandy Smith= like”)

(5): Place a Just Beccuz Gifts & Greetings button on your own blog (found in the right sidebar of her blog).  (ex: “Dandy Smith= blog button”)

(6): Follow Just Beccuz on Twitter and then tweet about this giveaway. (ex: “Dandy Smith= twitter & tweet”)

(7): Become a follower of Dandy Giveaway through Google Connect or if you already follow.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= follow Dandy”)

***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won! This giveaway will be open for entries for 2 whole weeks!  So from July 18th-July 31st at 5:00 pm CST.  Be sure and check back on Monday, August 1st to see if you won, so you can claim your prize! ***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won!

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{Guest Posting} Party Decorations!

February 23, 2011 by 1 Comment

Hello all, My name is Edith and you can usually find me blogging over at Edeenut Creates. My good friend Tara asked me to join her today on Dandy Giveaway and share a fun and simple decoration idea for any party.

While deciding how to decorate for a recent Valentine’s Day party, I saw these cool looking paper plate balls and thought they might be cool to make. The instructions are found here at Family Fun, so you can make your own if you desire.

My basic idea was to slip a string of white Christmas lights inside each ball and poke some light tips out through the holes illuminating in the dim party room.


The light idea was put aside after more consideration and so were the paper plate balls in fact. But I still really like the balls and this image makes them look so fun for a party. Even though I didn’t actually use the paper plate balls for decorations I thought I would still share how easy and inexpensive they are to make if you want to make your own.

While I was contemplating the whole pink paper plate ball idea, I tried to find some pink paper plates to use. The only ones I found were in packs of 10 and would have been pretty pricey because for each ball you need 20 plates. The pack of 10 plates were almost $2.00 each.

I bought a pack of 100 white paper plates and a can of pink spray paint. The paint was $3 and the plates were $1.50.

In my back yard, I made sure the wall was protected with paper and cardboard, then working with 20 plates at a time, I sprayed a thin coat of paint on each one. They were in direct sunlight and so they dried fast.


By the time I sprayed the last one I could go back and move the first one off the paper to dry completely on the wall. But by this point though they were pretty much dry. I just didn’t want them to stick together if stacked up.


When I was completely done with 60 plates I was out of paint. I think I could have done 40 more plates though if I would have not done two coats of paint on some plates. Because I was out in the bright direct sunlight my eyes didn’t quite see the color of pink on the plates as it really was so I added another coat thinking it needed it. But after going inside with the plates I could see the color would have been fine with one coat.


Here is one ball hanging up above my table. I used clear nylon thread to hand it so it looks as if it’s floating in mid air. Even though here you can see the ceiling fan chains hanging down.
Also, you can see the pink color indoors is really rich with two coats. But if you want a deep rich color you could always do as many coats of paint as you wanted.


This painting method also makes these polyhedrons easy for any party idea. You could paint them in any color you want to go with your theme. Blue, red and white for the 4th of July would be very fun. Green for Your St. Patties Day get together. Make them for a baby shower, or Birthday. The possibilities are endless.

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{Dish} Party! Party! I Said a Pirate Party!

October 4, 2010 by 16 Comments

One of our very best gals turned 3 recently — and she chose a pirate party for her big day.  And we likes to party, so we got to work — gettin’ ready for her maraudin’ parrrrrty.

Of course we needed a fancy and festive welcome for the little buccaneers:

What’s a birthday party without treats?

Inspired by these at the Celebration Shoppe, we whipped up these swashbucklers and stuck them into this high-tech treat holder (a block of styrofoam wrapped in fabric).

A custom-made pink pirate pinata. This was an absolute hit! (Pun totally intended, by the way.) 

Every small sea robber got their very own glow-in-the-dark pirate sword, eye patch and earring —

And the pirate princess could not have been happier… And that’s what it’s all about.

 
(Did I use enough pirate synonyms?  Can you think of any others?)
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