Monday, August 31, 2009

The Other Mama's Birthday Bash- Day 2- Lisa Leonard Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed. Random.org said the Winner is commenter #34 Lori from Building Our Nest. Congrats, Lori!!

The thing I love most about jewelry is that I don't have a fat day necklace. I don't have to suck in when I wear certain bracelets and I don't ever have a bad earring day {unless I lose one which does happen occasionally}. Spanx are not needed for any piece of jewelry that I own- and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Classic jewelry looks great on everyone! For example, I am pretty sure we passed around the same set of pearls for those sorority composite pictures in college. You know the one where your face is a miniscule oval, but you obsess over YOUR teensy, tiny oval? No matter what color shirt the committee decided you would all wear, you all looked good in classic pearls year after year.

The same holds true for Lisa Leonard's jewelry. It is hands-down, my most commonly worn item that I own. I have 2 of her necklaces and I get compliments on them almost every day. Because I wear one of them almost every day.
I try really hard to not wear them at the same time because that would be ghetto and I wouldn't treat Lisa like that. But my main decision in the morning is which one to wear.

This is the tiny squares necklace that has my kid's names on it.

tiny squares necklace

And this is the oval monogram necklace that has my monogram on it, of course.
It's H D H. And I love that it's symmetrical.
Hi. I'm Hillary. And I'm quirky.

oval monogram necklace

This jewelry is absolutely perfect for a gift! If you are of the male species, please take note. This is the perfect Mother's Day, Anniversary, Let Me Out of the Doghouse Day or It's Just Wednesday gift.

Since it's my birthday and we are talking about gifts, please allow me to give a few gift pointers:

1) Do not regift unless you use the go-to phrase, "Someone gave this to me, but I knew you would enjoy it more". Much like, "Bless her heart" following "She just can't back away from that dessert table" exonerates the sayer of such harsh words, that phrase allows you to re-gift.

2) Do not regift and leave the original card in the present.
This happened to me at a baby shower. It was all I could do to not read the card out loud, but I just let it slide and laughed really hard on the inside. And then passed the gift along to someone else later.

3) Don't make a big deal out of asking for gifts if it's your birthday.
This drawing of attention to oneself is generally frowned upon and tacky.

Hillary's 10th birthday party

1988- my 10th birthday party at my grandmother's pool
I was wearing my pink OP swimsuit that I thought was the coolest thing since Max Headrom.

4) Don't ever send a singing telegram. Period.

5) You can never go wrong with flowers {and not carnations, people}. I have a flower delivery story for another time that would go perfectly here, but I am already rambling. Quick version: me nursing with blinds semi-open+ really persistant flower delivery guy looking for signature= no tip.

6) Know the political affiliation of recipient.
Here is my fourth birthday party. {Not quite the small, quiet affair we threw for Ollie's 4th birthday last week.}

Hillary's 4th birthday

I'm pretty sure those lovely faux flowers were not part of my gifts, but that Donkey Party box was. What in the world? Did my family used to have members of the Donkey Party in it? This was 1982, so I'm positive it did not. I was a little Alex P. Keaton in training, so I'm thinking that was a pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game.
And that bowl cut? Yes. Still there. It had a long run.

7) Do not give sisters joint presents just because they share the same birthday. This goes for twins, too. But for us, my sister and I have one day between our birthdays and would get puzzles to "share". Just what every 9 and 5 year old want.

8) Do not, under any circumstanes, give someone a perm for their birthday.
Specifically someone who had a bowl cut in the first place.

Hillary's birthday party -qu.

I'm pretty sure this is my 11th birthday party. Skating at Bob-A-Lou.
Can any LA peeps tell me if that fine establishment is still open?

9) Always, always ALWAYS go with some good jewelry!
And that brings us back to my friend, Lisa. She's become super famous now and I'm so proud to know her. You will love her, too!

Today's Giveaway is a $50 Gift Certificate to Lisa's Jewelry Store: Lisa Leonard Designs.

To enter to win:
* Go to Lisa's site and shop around.
* Leave a comment in the comments section and tell me what you would purchase if you won. To do this, click the word "COMMENTS" directly below this post. Then type in the big blank section and click post. Easy peasy.
* You have to leave your e-mail address with your comment. If you know your e-mail is attached to your Blogger account, then that's fine, too. Want to do this and don't know how? Read my quick tutorial on it here.
* One entry per comment.
* But you can gain another entry by becoming a blog follower and then leaving a comment to tell me so. If you already follow this blog, then you can click for another comment to let me know that. Please read my view of becoming a blog follower and what it is if you have any questions.
* Or you can Tweet about this giveaway and reference the post and leave a comment to tell me you did.
* Or you can write about it on your blog and link to this post and leave a comment to tell me you did. {WOW that's FOUR ways to enter!!} {And a max of 4- not 4 per day.}
* One winner will be chosen at random on Friday at noon and will be notified via e-mail.
* Please let me know if you have any questions at all about entering.
* Each giveaway is separate, so if you entered yesterday's great Homemade Gourmet giveaway, you need to also enter this one separately. That HG Giveaway is open until Thursday at noon, so mosey on over there and sign up, if you haven't already!

This post is linked to Amanda's Top Ten Tuesday {fine, I went with 9} at Oh Amanda and Jo-Lynne's Things I Learned This Week at Musings of a Housewife.

Happy shopping! Lisa also has an amazing personal blog, too. She is an awesome photographer. So hop by there, too, and tell her hey from us!

Happy Birthday Bash! I'm having so much fun! Thanks for playing along!

136 comments:

Melissa Stover said...

i really like the cherish necklace.

Dawn said...

i loved your list of gift giving tips :) along with the great photos... my favorite tip? never give a perm as a gift! that made me laugh!!

so i scouted out the jewelry... and i kinda fell in love with that mama necklace :)

Stacy K said...

I am in love with the dew drops necklace! Beautiful Jewelry...I bookmarked the site for my hubby...my birthday is coming! LOL kattness@hotmail.com

Nikki B said...

Sadly, Bob-a-lu closed down about 2 years ago. It got run out of town by FunZone. I'm pretty sure it's a church now! And I don't normally do the giveaways, but I LOVE the family tree necklace. I enjoyed the pictures and trying to figure out who was who! Happy birthday week!

Denise said...

This is so fun and I am so glad Lauren pointed me in the direction of your blog. I love the tenie tiny initals necklace, the open circle and the oringinal...I don't know how I would pick just one but I am going to enter in hopes that I have that problem!!! denisenichols1@gmail.com

Ashley said...

I love love love the tiney square necklace w/ kids names on it, that would be something to cherish! I hope I win!
Ashley
ashleyandcraig@msn.com

Brandi said...

Beautiful jewelry. I love all things monogrammed! HAPPY day 2 of your BIRTHDAY BASH! :) Great pics.

busyrunningmama said...

I went over to the website and I love, love , love all of the jewelry!! I think I would like to have the Family Tree Necklace!!
tobi@3rdware.com

busyrunningmama said...

I am already a follower!!!
tobi@3rdware.com

Brandi Bartee said...

This is super awesome and I heart this stuff big time. Thanks for sharing all these great ideas.

Becky said...

1. ollie totally looks like you at 11. henry has you owned right now.

2. i actually looked at a site called "rink time" and it said that bob-a-lu is no longer an "operating location".

3. about 3 seasons ago on the biggest loser, bob harper was sporting a blue bob-a-lu shirt, skate and all. i nearly fell off the couch and "spilt" my ice cream.

4. this is my first entry to say i love all things square and haven't decided what i'd get, but it would be square. cause i'm a little dorky.

Becky said...

aaaaaaaaaand i'm a follower. you know that.

Shae D Stafford said...

Happy Birthday, Hillary! Thank you for offering these giveaways; I have given Scott Lisa's website for future gift reference for me! I love the family tree necklace and the laundry line; thanks for sharing your favorite things!!!

Rachel said...

I have been looking at her necklaces for a while now and hinting to my husband about them, too. I love the family tree necklace or the tiny squares one. Beautiful things!

Melissa Tash said...

Hey Woman... 2 days til the big day! I'm warming up my singing voice... warning, you're going to call you and sing on Thursday. I LOVE all of Lisa's stuff... hmmmm, think I'd get the open circle necklace...

Melissa said...

So I can't type! So you're going to get a call... and I'm going to sing.

Jennifer said...

Pick me, Pick me! I have been wanting the tiny squares custom necklace from Lisa Leonard for months!

Jennifer said...

I'm now a proud follower.

amydc said...

I love both the "teenie tiny initials" & the "oval monogram" necklace.

amydc said...

Now, I am a follower. :} You are so funny. Your list cracked me up.
Happy Birthday week!!!

Amanda said...

After 4 days of birthday bonanza around here I could really use the "Be Still" necklace. I too have a symmetrical monogram and love it!

annieck said...

As always, lovin' the 'back in the day' pics!!! Ha!
I would pick the sweet daisy necklace. I KNOW I'm going to win this one! :):):)

annieck said...

I am a proud blog follower! :)

Elyse said...

Lovin' the photos! So much fun!
I'd get the teeny tiny initials necklace. Good luck to me!

Emily said...

yay..love her stuff!!
its a terribly tough choice..i only picked out 5 or 6 things that i love. here are a few: sweet & simple birdie necklace, large link bracelet and tiny squares.

Emily said...

And again..."follower" of this blog

Lane Gunter said...

You are killing me with these giveaways! :)
I've been dreaming of a mommy bracelet since I was in high school. (is that weird?)
I don't think my husband has gotten the hint yet....and Mary even sent him an email...with a link!
So I'd sure love to win and if I did, I'd either get the large link charm bracelet or the petite original necklace.

Emily said...

AND..just posted on MY blog with a link to YOUR blog!! that's 3 for me!!

mary caroline said...

hello on day 2! I love the large initial necklace....my monogram may change someday ;)

Jennifer said...

so hard to choose...your's are so cute and looked great with that black shirt last night.

Probably the mama necklace or the tiny squares.

Jennifer jls@alacad.com

Jenny said...

I'm still a fan of the tiny squares necklace!!! Love it! And LOVE your perm...I suffered through some of my own back in the day, and all I can say is WHAT WERE WE THINKING??? :)

Jenny said...

I'm still a follower/stalker/adorer, etc, too! ;)

Lauren said...

I like the sweet and simple birdie necklace!

laurenhbeck (at) yahoo.com

Lori said...

I'm in love with the Sweet & Simple Birdie necklace! :)

LeAnne said...

okay, i think i'm a copy cat...i would def. get the tiny squares. ADORABLE!

The Writer Chic said...

I'd want the rectangle key chain. =)

April said...

Love the oval monogram necklace!

April said...

I'm a follower

Katie said...

Hey! So we've discussed before that I'm a fan of this jewelry already and have two necklaces, the tiny squares one and the family tree one, so I think I might go for a bracelet this time if I actually WON a give-away towards one! I'm thinking the open circle bracelet might go nicely with my fab necklaces(sure hope Santa's reading here too!).

ohAmanda said...

I'm going to read all the ways I can win that sweeeet Lisa Leonard jewelry but...first of all can I say that I love you. *sigh* Your posts make me happy. BRB.

LeAnne said...

i'm already a follower!! YAY!!!

Katie said...

Following....the Big Guy and your blog.
BTW, I've visited the famous Bob-A-Lou with my very own poodle perm. Perhaps we couple skated next to each other to a little Debbie Gibson at some point. Was it just me or did those lights on the floor sometimes trip you up?

The Writer Chic said...

And, of course, I'd follow you to the ends of the earth. Well, as long as you'd packed some form of carbohydrate along with the trail mix.

punkinmama said...

Love the "be still necklace".

Mandy Lassiter West said...

I love the large initial necklace and the tiny squares necklace for the names of the children. I am definitely sending this site to my dear hubby for gift ideas! mandywest@knology.net

Anonymous said...

Hi Hillary, I'm giving this a try. :) The questions is - what wouldn't I buy? All Lisa's jewelry is beautiful. My faves are the Be Still and Family Tree necklaces. Love it. So glad you're excited about your Homemade Gourmet meals. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Mel

Jennifer said...

I just blogged about your giveaways!

http://talesofapeanut.blogspot.com/2009/09/birthday-giveaways.html

Jennifer said...

And I'm a follower!

Jennifer said...

I love the teeny tiny initials necklace!

Jamie said...

I would love to have the necklace like yours with my kiddos names on it. Too CUTE and it would make me feel like such a better momma, or it would at least remind me throuhout the day that I am a momma...lol!

Jamie said...

Oh and of course I'm a follower of Christ and a blog stalker of you...lol! Happy Birthday

Kelli said...

I think I'd get the bangle bracelet with mine and all my siblings name on it for my mom - it's so perfect!

Kelli said...

I'm a follower :)

Unreasonable Grace said...

I'd love that silver band inscribed with Craig + Kim.

Thanks for the regifting tips. In the future I won't look so lame. Instead of looking guilty, now I'll have something snappy and cute to say.

btw, on #2.... did you leave both previous cards in the box?
kim

Tami VanHoy said...

How fun that this is one of your give aways. I stumbled on this website about a week ago and sent a link to my incentives manager to consider these as a gift for recognition rewards in 2010 for Homemade Gourmet consultants. I could do a tremendous amount of shopping therapy with Lisa, but I think that if I were to win, I'd get me one of those sterling rings that I can wear all the time that says.. "Know that I am God" from my favorite verse Psalm 46:10

Lydia said...

I really love the oval monogram necklace...I'm a sucker for anything with my name or initials! I also love the sweet and simple birdie necklace.
I also sported the bowl cut a la perm. I feel your pain! :-)

Lydia said...

I'm also a "follower."

Ashley said...

and I"m still a follower!!!
Ashley
ashleyandcraig@msn.com

Susannah said...

Oh my goodness, it's been so long since I've seen Tricia Woodham, Laura Brewton, Tara ?? Brereton? Hayley Cluck, Kerry Thomley, I still see Bonnie Ryals from time to time. I just LOVE these old memories, this is FUN!! I would love to win too!

Susannah said...

And I'm a follower, as you know! :)

Goat Gal said...

I really like the key to my heart necklace and the laundry line necklace. So creative.

Alison said...

I love the teeny tiny initials necklace. But the tiny squares necklace with the kids' whole names on it is great, too.

Decisions, decisions!

Susannah said...

i love the forever necklace

Eve said...

LOVE the tiny squares necklace!

Eve said...

And, I'm already a follower!

Melissa @ The Littlest Lobo said...

I blogged yesterday about your giveaway, but I forgot to include the link. I'm a dork. So here it is:

http://thelittlestlobo.blogspot.com/2009/08/birthday-giveaway-extravangza.html

Melissa @ The Littlest Lobo said...

The double heart cuff is my fave! Of course I picked the most expensive thing, 'cause that's how I roll!

Melissa @ The Littlest Lobo said...

I'm still following you!

The HoneaBees said...

I love the monogram necklace!! But, would probably end up giving one to my mom with all of the g-kids names on it. Just to be nice and unselfish.

The HoneaBees said...

Oh, and I follow you too-but not really "follow"

Kristine said...

I have loved her stuff for so long!! I love the "be still" necklace! Thanks for the giveaway! kristine. toone @gmail .com

Kristine said...

I'm a follower!

Jacqueline Sasser said...

Hey Hillary! I am the "other Owen's" mom from our spring YMCA soccer team (Jacquleine Sasser). I love your blog and stalk it regularly! I LOVE the large link charm bracelet. Her stuff is so cool. Maybe we will see you on the soccer field this fall :)

Jacqueline Sasser
djsasser@comcast.net

amykat said...

The Dew Drops necklace. Totally love this stuff! I'm already thinking Christmas presents! Thanks for turning me on to this...
I'm sure my husband would not be so thankful.. :)
amy

Jacqueline Sasser said...

Oh, and now I am "following" your blog ( I really want to win). Not that I wouldn't have followed you before!

Unknown said...

Hello again! It is so hard to choose...wish necklace, be still necklace, sea star necklace...love 'em all!

Unknown said...

and I'm still following...

Unknown said...

just tweeted...

Lane Gunter said...

I follow you!

Kim said...

I would buy it all.....but then, I wear lots of jewelry, even more than one necklace at a time ;). If I had to choose just one, I would need to go with the thin sterling cuff.....because it would match and coordinate with all my other sterling silver bracelets and rings!

Kim (willifam@charter.net)

Kim said...

I'm a follower....and I love it!

Anonymous said...

Hillary,
I'm loving the "sweet and simple birdie" necklace. I love birds, which remind me of my next-door neighbor growing up who had a bird feeder! I'm already a follower, but don't see my picture showing up so I'll have to see if I can fix that:). Happy Birthday - what a great idea! Shani

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Rachel Olsen said...

Now that I've gotten up off the floor after finding out the shocking news that you are in the other 20% ... I've fallen again ... for Lisa's "Sweet & Simple Birdie" necklace.

That's what I would get and wear in any season. It's just so simple and sweet - aptly named.

Happy soon birthday!
rachel@proverbs31.org

The Writer Chic said...

Tweet is done, my dear!

Sarah said...

VERY funny post. Love the pictures :) I love the laundry line necklace!!

Sarah said...

I am already a follower of the blog :)

WhoMe? said...

I want the single tag key chain! (My old key chain broke, so I need a new one.) Love it!

Ashley
adc_1@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Wow what beautiful jewlery! Have a wonderful day! Only 1 more day until "the day"!
Tonya

Diana said...

Of course I love them all! But right now, I think I love the little feet necklace the best right this second.

Diana said...

And I'm still following you...

Diana said...

And my blog reference to you today :)

http://nuggetsofknowledge.blogspot.com/2009/09/free-credit-report.html

Candace said...

i love it all... got to get a piece of this jewelry! tonight i'm loving the family tree necklace.
loveya!

Candace said...

hey.... i'm a follower of Christ... and your blog :)

pcb said...

I'm a follower!

pcb said...

Hard to decided, but probably the large link charm bracelet or open circle bracelet.

pcb said...

Hard to decided, but probably the large link charm bracelet or open circle bracelet.

Rhonda said...

Hmmm...I love both the "dewdrops" and the "jumble of charms". I also have a B-day coming up so here's to hoping!!

Loved the pics btw.
R

Lisa said...

I'm loving the tiny squares necklace. Of course I love it all though! :) Her stuff is yummy.

Happy Birthday!!!

Lisa Adkins

adkins03@bellsouth.net

Tina said...

I LOVE the Be Still necklace...but also love the open circle one that you can personalize. Tough to choose!

tina (at) the-miles (dot) org

Blondie said...

"I hold your heart in mine."



Is there anything sweeter than that?

Mel said...

I love the tiny squares necklace with my kids' names on each.
mel42101@gmail.com

Carrie said...

I love the sea star or the family tree. Hard decisions!

Carrie said...

Just to make you feel weird...
"wherever you go, I will follow" hehe! ;-)

Candace said...

without a doubt the "tiny squares" necklace with the boys name.
ps~ i actually have a picture of me in front of a "Haley's Comet" backdrop too! now i'm determined to find it... on second thought, maybe not.

happy birthday week!
~candace
csanderson719@comcast.net

Candace said...

oop! alert~ email correction!

csanderson@KNOLOGY.NET

you'd think i would have figured that out since i switched 6 months ago!!

sorry.

candace said...

baa ha ha ha!

email correction ~ TAKE 2!

csanderson719@knology.net

that is my final answer~

i swear i'm not trying to cheat!

Matt, Carrie, Lucy and Molly Allen said...

i won the first lisa leonard giveaway you had and she has so many cute things i would love another one!

Matt, Carrie, Lucy and Molly Allen said...

and i am a follower...and i wanna win!!!

Moore Minutes said...

What a fun website. Another great giveaway too...I would pick the basic square and customize it, but that's a hard choice!

Moore Minutes said...

I tweeted about this.

http://twitter.com/cnlisa

As You Wish said...

Happy Birthday Week! Beautiful jewelry. I think the sweet & simple birdie necklace is my favorite. Lovely.

As You Wish said...

I am a follower.

Julie said...

I would get the dewdrop necklace or maybe the laundry line. It's super cute!

Julie said...

follower!

Jen said...

I would HAVE to buy the I hold your heart in mine necklace!! My son had open heart surgery at 4 weeks old. He just turned one on the 27th and he has a perfectly healthy heart!! Praise God!! Happy Birthday!!

Jen said...

Follower...

Ashleigh said...

I don't live in LA but know friends who know friends that do and I don't think there is still a bob a lou there.

Darby said...

I love the basic rectangle! But really I love them all and it's really hard to choose 1!!! Happy Birthday again!

Stephanie said...

We are adopting two precious boys from Haiti and my dream is to someday own the Family Tree necklace.

Ivy said...

I love the teenie tiny initials necklace! So cute!!!

CLS said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
CLS said...

Blogged it!

CLS said...

I would order the Mama necklace for my sister! Love it!

CLS said...

And you know I follow you!

Lauren said...

I'm already a follower.

laurenhbeck (at) yahoo.com

Amy Kennedy said...

I really need some new jewelry-something monogrammed or the sweet birdie necklace!

Beth said...

Ok- I would get the open circle bracelet... and this is why. A few weeks ago we realized I would be needing to rejoin the away-from-home workforce. Now, I did not intend to be a SAHM and tried the SAHM/working at home thing for a bit but that was just too chaotic for me. (I know, I'm sure you're thinking... just wait till you have more than one child and try to doing anything). Anyway... I grew in to loving being a SAHM and focusing on being a mom and housewife... something I never thought I would enjoy. Now that I'm not SAH anymore, I am very sad every morning that I drop my cutie son off to baby jail... I mean daycare. I would love to have this bracelet so I could get it inscribed with my son's name so I could always have him close to me. In fact, even if I don't win- I might take some money from a future paycheck and get myself a birthday present anyway :-)

Sonia Parker said...

I am offically a follower! :) If I had my home computer, I would add a fun picture for you to see! Lisa Leonard jewlery is my favorite! It is so simple and cute! I LOVE the captured heart necklace! ;)

Sonia Parker said...

Okay...I usually know exactly what you are talking about, but what kind of game is donkey party?

Zoe said...

Happy b-day! I just found your blog from Kelly's school pics... and I am laughing so hard at your adorable blog. I will be back to read more!

And how fun, a week of giveaways! I love Lisa Leonard's stuff, though don't actually own any of it personally. But I would like to! :) My faves are the 'sweet and simple birdie' necklace, and the 'tiny monogrammed hearts' necklace, and oh, the family tree necklace is awfully sweet too... decisiveness is not one of my gifts, ha ha.

Zoe said...

and I just became a 'follower' too. I am totally with you on the whole follower thing - why can't they call it 'readers' or 'friends' or something like that? I guess it could be worse, we could be called 'stalkers' or 'nosy neighbors' or something like that...

Unknown said...

Love the jewelery!!!
This will make easy shopping for Boots-- just hope he listens after all these years

Anonymous said...

I love Lisa's jewelry...I would get the open circle necklace with Love and xo. So cute.

You've done well on the blog this week...love the way you combined cute stories from your life with the giveaways, birthday girl!

Allison.anointedwithgrace [at] gmail [dot] com

Jennifer said...

I got the wish necklace for Mother's Day and I love it! I would probably get the be still necklace.

jlwdavis at hotmail dot com

Jennifer said...

I am also now a follower!

Blog Widget by LinkWithin