Favorite Things about October

The year is continuing to wind down as October is now coming to a close.

I had 2 link ups to participate in today, so you can read my reflection on being a Blog Angel here.

So, it's time to link up with Dancing with Ashley for Favorite Things.

Here are a few of my favorite things from October:

1. Participating in the #ACraftersDream Christmas Giveaway-This is a huge giveaway link up with 51 different blogs giving away prizes. There's still time to enter my giveaway here.
I'm giving this away:

2. Going to the Conservators' Center-Lee found this deal on Groupon and it was a lot of fun! We got to see lots of animals and they were so active. This is the best place I've ever gone to see animals.

3. Starting to take sponsors- I began taking sponsorship for my blog this month. I'm glad to be offering sponsorship because I love helping people and connecting with new people and this is a great way to do both! If you're interested in sponsoring my blog, my prices are super low plus right now you can use the code acraftersdream to get 50% off and if you sponsor my blog, you get 25 entries in the giveaway mentioned in #1.
Check out the awesome sponsors I already have!


 
 
 
 
 

4. Getting 2 books in the mail that I'm SO excited to read.
Adopted for Life 
I'll be sharing more about this book during Ornaments for Adoption one Monday.


Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking
I'm thinking about doing a book club about this book starting in January. Would anyone be interested?


5. FALL- The leaves are changing. The weather is cooler. There are state fairs to attend and pumpkins to carve. Halloween movies are on TV. I'm wearing scarves, boots, cardigans, etc.

What are your favorite things from the month of October?

Blog Angels Reflection

Happy Halloween!

A couple of months ago, I saw a blogger that I follow reflecting on her experience with Blog Angels. It looked like something I would be interested in. You basically are paired with a blogger that you secretly help for half of the month then you build a relationship with them and help them the rest of the month. All the while, someone else is doing the same for you. To learn more, you can click the button below. 

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, you'll want to check out the next one coming up in December. It's being called the ULTIMATE edition of Blog Angels.

I am a Blog Angel for Candice from Lily Through the Valley.

 I started off by following Candice's blog.

Then, I started reading her post and commenting.

One of my favorite posts by Candice was this one about social networking manners. She makes some great points!

Then, I saw an opportunity to give Candice some advice when I found out she was a "no-reply blogger." I told her about this and shared a link with her on how she could fix it. She even wrote this post afterwards.

I have also shared some of her posts on Twitter and Facebook.

One of my favorite things I did this month was start offering sponsorship and I gave one of my large ads to Candice for free! Isn't her button pretty? She will also get a guest post on my blog on November 9, so be sure to check back for that.

My blog angel was Emily from Stop! She's got a camera! Unfortunately, I was orphaned for the first half of the month and Emily did not become my Blog Angel until right before the half way point. Emily is good to comment on my posts and Google+ them.

I look forward to continuing to get to know these lovely ladies.

Now onto some blog business:

A Crafter's Dream Christmas Giveaway will be coming to an end in 4 days! If you haven't entered, you're going to want to get in on this. There are 51 giveaways to choose from because this is a giveaway link up. I'm giving this away.

You can find the giveaway here. There are 84 entries you can earn.

You can earn 10 entries just by following one of my lovely sponsors (like Candice).

You can earn 25 entries by sponsoring my blog yourself. My prices are SUPER low and I love doing whatever I can to promote your blog (or business). To make it even better, I'll give you 50% off all ads if you use the code: acraftersdream. This code will expire once the giveaway is over.

I'm also linking up with Dancing with Ashley today for Favorite Things. You can see that here.

I hope you have a great Halloween and a happy Wednesday!

I {heart} Harry! Week 5

There are some new things going on with this link up this week.

First of all, it got a button!

Second, it got some awesome co-hosts!
This link up was created by Ashley @ Simply, Ashley.
Her new co-hosts are 2 of my lovely sponsors: Kim @ Living on a Latte and a Prayer
and Kathy @ That's What She Said.

If you could ask J.K. Rowling to explain something about the Harry Potter world further, what would 

 it be? 

This one is tough. I would love to just sit down and chat with her about the whole series! If I have to pick one thing, I guess I would want to know more about Harry's family history. Was it simply coincidence that his family lived in the same place as Dumbledore's family? Was he related to the Peverell brothers? Where were his grandparents? Did he have no other family but the Durseley's? 

What's your best guess of what animal your patronus would be?

I think my patronus would be a pig. I like pigs, plus they're very intelligent animals.

Have you noticed any inconsistencies within the books that you'd like J.K. Rowling to explain? (In other words, any errors)

I'm sure I could answer this better if I had recently read the books. One thing would be, how come Fred & George never noticed Peter Pettigrew with their brother all the time on the Marauder's Map?

Are you on Pottermore/what's your username? Let's rejoice in our nerdiness and add each other as friends, shall we? 

I signed up for Pottermore, but I'm not really sure what to do next. I'd love for someone to help me out. My name is WizardGold22632.

Have you ever been to a midnight release of the movies or books?
 I've never been to a midnight release of a book. I did go to most of the midnight premieres of the movies, though. I'm not a late night person.

Have you read The Tales of Beedle the Bard?

No, but I would like to own it.

What would you see looking at yourself in the Mirror of Erised?

I would see my husband and I with 3 (or 4) kids living in a beautiful house in the mountains.

Ornaments for Adoption: Links to Share

Hello lovely followers! (Wow, that sounds like I'm leading some kind of cult)

Hello friends! (Better.)

Thank you so much to those of you who have supported Ornaments for Adoption in some way. It makes me so happy to see you posting my button on your side bar or spreading the word through your blog, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Googlt+ or anything else that's out there. 

A big thanks also to those of you who have ordered ornaments! I'm loving making them.

We are not quite half way through Ornaments for Adoption! There's still plenty of time to spread the word or buy your own ornament (or two). 

To learn more about ordering an ornament, you can visit the Ornaments for Adoption page found at the top of my blog. 

For the past 2 weeks, I've had some awesome people guest post about adoption. If you missed any of the previous OFA posts, you can read them here:

Meet the Brocks

Why Adoption? 

Adoption Challenge from Christie at Satisfaction Through Christ

 Megan Shares her Heart from {All Things New} 

I also have some great guest posts coming up in the next 5 weeks. You don't want to miss them!

This week I would like to share some things with you.

First, I would like to share some blogs that I've come across and enjoy reading that are written by adoptive or prospective adoptive families. 

I found this first blog through Pinterest. This is the blog that gave me a new perspective about adoption. I have bought 2 shirts from this family to help fund their adoption. They had great designs!

Live Out Love

This blog is the blog of a wife of a seminary professor where my husband goes to school. Lee told me about the blog. Her husband has written a book about adoption (which I will talk about in December) and they have adopted 5 kids. 

Be the Glory

This next blogger actually found me first. I'm fairly new to her blog, but she is hilarious! She has adopted 3 children from China.

Can I get another bottle of whine?

Dawn is a great blogger I've recently come across. (Plus she's a JASTG sponsor) She hosts a Sunday blog hop and she will be guest posting for OFA in December. Dawn has experience with adoption that is not often discussed.

Dawn's Disaster- Dawn's personal blog

A Birth Mother's Story- Dawn's adoption blog

I recently found this blog through Facebook although I've been following her sister-in-law's blog since I started blogging. She has recently adopted a little girl from Taiwan who is adorable!

Overwhelmed by Joy

This bloggy friend you should already know because she guest posted for me last week. Megan and her family are in the process of adopting from Africa. She is also starting a blog Bible study which I am looking forward to participating in. 

{All Things New}

You should also already know this bloggy friend. She guest posted for me 2 weeks ago and she has been very supportive of OFA. She adopted a little girl and has had an adoption fall through as well. Christie hosts a link up called Christian Adoption Link Up where you can find more adoptive families.

Satisfaction Through Christ

Now, I'd like to share with you websites where you can help families trying to adopt.

This first one is something that I enjoy doing every Monday. Every Monday, this website introduces us to a new family and you can make a donation of at least $1. Every little bit helps! These are all families adopting from Africa.

Give 1 Save 1

I was very excited to find this website. It's a directory of adopting families. You can choose one to help by shopping in their online store. They have some great t-shirt designs.

Adoption Bug

I really like this family's tshirt and would love to buy one: Defined by the Divine.

I ordered this bracelet, but you can order your own with a verse that's important to you: BrimmingGrace

I also want to order one of these ornaments: For the Fatherless

I really hope you'll visit some of these blogs. I also hope you'll consider visiting some of the other sites and finding a way that you can support adopting families. 

If you know of another great adoption blog or website, I'd love to know about it.

Just Going with the Flow...

About a month ago, I won a prize in a giveaway! I was very excited. I love to win stuff! I mean...who doesn't? My prize was 2 months large ad space at Going with the Flow. Free advertising! I was all for it.

I've enjoyed getting to know Desirae better through this time. So, we decided to give you a little variety today by switching blogs. She's posting here on my blog and I'm posting over there on her blog. So, read below and meet Desirae then head over to her blog to read my post and get to know her better by looking around.

***

Well hello there, to all of the Just a Small Town Girl's followers and readers. My name is Desirae and I blog over at Going with the Flow. I blog about everything. I'm a blogger, a wife, a parent, and I'm just me. Going with the flow of life, everything being thrown at me. 

I'm super stoked that Megan and I are blog swapping today! I've met so many awesome people in this little blogging world. 

For today's blog swap post, I figured I would introduce myself to you all. Tell you a few things about myself, share some of my favorite things, some of my least favorite. All of the good stuff. 

I am a 22 year old wife to a 22 year old husband. 

I'm also a mother.

My son had a heart transplant at 3 weeks old. Isn't he a cutie?

I am on a weight loss journey. I still have 23 pounds to go to get to my goal weight, 5 pounds to get to my pre-baby weight. I tend to word vomit a lot about my weight loss on my blog. 

I believe in juicing. It has helped me keep fruits and veggies in my diet, as well as lose over 15 pounds. I might blog a little about that here and there, also. 

I also believe in a good glass full of an adult beverage. Preferably a Riesling. 

I have a pretty decent sense of humor.

 

Or a ridiculously corny and lame one, depending on how you look at it.

And I am beyond obsessed with Grey's Anatomy. Beyond. Obsessed. I'm pretty sure it's real life.

I like to cook. I love to bake. Especially toddler friendly foods. My kid eats everything.

I love my family.

Despite everything, we are happy. And I couldn't ask for a different set of boys in my life.

Well now that you basically know my life story a little about me, I would love to get to know you. You can stop by Going with the Flow any time and introduce yourself. I like meeting new bloggers here in this bloggy blog world. 

Thank you to Megan and all of her fabulous readers and followers for letting me take over for the day. Until next time, au revoir!

One Thousand Gifts Week 7

Before you go on, you need to go read this post by my awesome new sponsor, Kim at Living on a Latte and a Prayer. We've all had at least one post we wrote that was really hard to write because we were being completely honest and talking about a difficult subject. Well, that's Kim's post today so go show her some love.    Also, if you start following (or are already following) Kim or any of my other lovely sponsor, that can earn you 10 entries in #ACrafter'sDream Christmas Giveaway.  *** It's week 7 of the book club. I missed last week and I've been having trouble keeping up with my reading because of everything else I have going on. So, this post is going to be short and sweet.

You can read my thoughts from Week 1,  Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, or Week 5 if you missed them.

The world is full of beauty. Do we take the time to stop and appreciate it? To me, it's the little things. A couple holding hands. A child's laughter. Changing leaves. Sun reflecting off water. A red delicious apple.

If we don't stop to notice these things, we will become immune to them. 

{Don't we also become immune to God in our lives when things are going well?}

Beauty is easy to see on a bright and sunny day. However, when a rainy and cloudy day comes along we have a hard time finding it. 

We think the beauty is gone, but it's just harder to see. The Earth is still the same whether it's sunny or rainy.

In the same way, God is still there when we experience the "rainy days" of life. We just have to seek Him.

  ^"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

-Jeremiah 29:13

He doesn't change. We do. He doesn't turn His back on us. We turn ours on Him.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

-Hebrews 13:8

I want to be sure that I don't only thank God and notice all the little things on my sunny days. 

I want to also be thankful and see the beauty on my rainy days.

***

Since you read this short little post, here's another #ACrafter'sDream Christmas Giveaway "tip" for you. If you sponsor Just a Small Town Girl, you can earn 25 entries! You can now use the code acraftersdream to get 50% off all ads. If the ad you want is not available, you can still use the code and have an ad lined up for next month.

 

The Triple Crown

Have I mentioned lately how much I love blogging? 

I have met so many WONDERFUL people. It's amazing how easily you can connect with someone through blog posts/comments, emails, and Twitter/Facebook exchanges. 

Thank you and welcome to all the new followers from Allie's giveaway. That thing was so successful and I'm glad to have you and look forward to getting to know you better!

Thank you and welcome to all the new followers from the Crafter's Dream Giveaway. This one is still going on and I'd encourage you to check it out. The prizes are awesome and you have 57 to choose from!

While I'm talking business, I'd LOVE to have you sponsor Just a Small Town Girl. I want to promote you and your blog and/or business. I LOVE to help people. My prices are super low and in celebration of 200 followers, I'm giving 20% off with the code wow200.

***

I am so honored to have received 3 awards within the last 2 weeks!

This month has been crazy busy for me both in the blogging world and in the "outside" world. So, I'm sorry I'm just getting around to this.

I was nominated for 2 Liebster Awards. The Liebster Award is for up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. I was nominated while I still had less than 200 followers and while I'm happy to have gained new followers, I'm kind of sad that I've moved on beyond the qualifications of this award.

First, I received one Liebster Award from Sabz at The Eclectic Grab Bag. Sabz was one one of the first people to support and promote Ornaments for Adoption after I posted about it.

Then, a couple of days later I received another Liebster Award from Amy at Consider Me Inspired. Amy always leaves the sweetest comments.

As part of winning, you're supposed to write 11 random facts. Well, I wrote 100 random facts when I hit my 100th blog post. If you want to learn more about me, you can read all 100 of them here.

Then, you're supposed to answer your nominator's questions. A few of their questions were similar, so some have been combined.

1. What made you start your blog and how long have you been blogging?

I started blogging because I was getting married and moving away from home. I wanted to keep my family and friends updated on my life. I started that on May 5, 2010. Then, around March of this year I decided I wanted to expand my blog to join the blogging community. I wanted to use my blog as a way to help people. So, I've been a serious blogger since about March 2012. 

2. How often do you post?

I set a goal for myself when I became a serious blogger to post at least 3 times a week. Realistically, I usually post anywhere from 4-7 times a week. 

3. What is your favorite things about being a blogger?

My favorite things is meeting and connecting with people.

4. Do you follow any blog hops?

I do participate in several blog hops. I haven't been doing them as much recently because I just don't have time to do much "hopping."

5. Do you have a blog you follow religiously?

I do have some blogs that I am going to read no matter what. The blogs I follow religiously are the people I feel that I have made a connection with. I read their blogs and comment, they respond and we have a little conversation. They read my blogs and comment, I respond and we have a little conversation. I lose interest in a blog if I don't ever get responses from the blogger and I don't feel like I'm getting to know them. 

6. What is your favorite food, thing to drink, and flower?

Oreo blizzards. Water (it's all I drink). Lily.

7. Do you have any fun hobbies or talents?

Well, blogging is a hobby that takes up a lot of my time. I also like to craft. I would love to develop a photography hobby. I used to be able to play the clarinet and the piano (probably could still play a little). I also used to do color guard and a little dance. I'm pretty boring and average actually.

8. What is your best quality and worst habit?

I guess my best quality would be that I am very compassionate and sensitive. My worst habit would be the fact that I bite my nails and pop my fingers. Those are the bad habits I've had the longest.

9. What is the thing you dislike doing the most?

I don't like washing clothes or dishes. I probably dislike those things the most because you have to do them so often.

10. Where have you traveled to?

I've been to several states: Alabama (duh that's where I'm from), Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina (duh that's where I live now), West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington D.C. (I know this is not actually a state), Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. They're mostly in the south east. I would love to travel to more. I've also been to Mexico once this past summer.

11. What is your guilty pleasure and what are you a sucker for?

My guilty pleasure(s) are eating cookie dough, watching reality TV, and listening to 90's pop. I'm a sucker for a man being manly. You know like if you see a guy fixing something or building something or playing a sport or going hunting.

12. Who is your celebrity crush?

I honestly try not to think of any man in that way (including celebrities) so that my heart and mind are solely for my husband. Obviously, there are celebrities that I find attractive. Not to spoil the fun, I had a huge crush on Leonardo DiCaprio when I was younger. It all started with Titanic.

13. What is your go to makeup routine?

I'm not a big makeup person. I wear it out of necessity. So, it's nothing fascinating- primer, foundation, powder, and a little blush and mascara so I don't look dead.

14. If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I'd want the ability to be invisible. I'm actually a pretty nosey person (which should probably have been mentioned under guilty pleasure). 

15. Describe yourself in 5 words.

(I got 3 of these from my husband because I don't like talking about myself like this) He said intelligent, caring, and prudent. I'll add introvert and sensitive.

16. Books or movies?

  Books.

Then, you're supposed to nominate up to 11 people, but I'll be honest I've won this award 5 times now so I won't be nominating for this particular award this time.

But....check out this award where I will be nominating people at the end:

I also received a new award from Dawn's Disaster.

Thanks!

Here are the rules for this award:

1) Copy the award picture and put on your post.

2) Thank and link the blogger who gave you the award.

3) List 7-15 random things about yourself.

4) Nominate 5 deserving blogs, list, and link them on your post and tell them they've won!

(For random facts remember you can view here.)

I nominate:

1. Candice @ Lilly Through the Valley

2. Angi @ Backroads and Microphones

3. Allison @ Always Allison

4. Allie @ Tales of a TwentySomething

5. Halie @ Penguins, Pasta, & Polka Dots

Harry Potter Link Up #3 and #4

Do you love Christmas? Then, you MUST check out this HUGE Christmas giveaway while you're here!

Last week was VERY busy for me in the blogging world. (Actually, this week is pretty busy too!) But I wanted to participate in the last 2 rounds of Harry Potter questions.

You can find my answers to the questions from week 1 or week 2 if you missed them.

Here is last week's questions that I didn't get a chance to answer last week.

1)Do you prefer the books or the films?

Books-no question. I enjoy the movies, but nothing can compare to the connections you can make with a book and its characters. Plus, you get SO much more information. 

2)If you could meet one member of the cast who would it be and why?

Emma Watson. She *seems* like a very normal, down to earth girl. It doesn't *seem* like she let fame or growing up in the spotlight go to her head.

3) If you could punish one of the characters and not get in trouble, who would it be and why?

Dudley Dursley. That child needed some punishment. He was spoiled rotten.

4)What parts of the films and books made you cry if any?

I cry easily, so there were several things. In the book- I cried when Sirius died, Dumbledore died, learning Neville's backstory, and pretty much throughout the whole last book-ESPECIALLY when Harry goes into Snape's memories. In the movie, the only time I remember crying is when Harry goes into Snape's memory and when they're showing all the people who died after the battle. 

5) Scene from a book you wished was in the movie? 

This is tough. I wish they could follow the book exactly when making a movie, but I understand why they can't.  I also don't always notice things that are left out because when you've read the book, you already know the things. Looking back, I can see a lot that they left out of certain movies, but resurfaced later which probably confused people who've only seen the movies. I can't choose just one. Here are my top 5 things I wish they'd included:

1. More about Dumbledore and Voldemort's backstories

2. Neville's backstory-including what happened to his parents and how he could have been the one from the prophesy

3. Who are the Marauders? It is never explained who the makers of the Marauder's Map was or how Peter Pettigrew was changed to the Secret Keeper for the Potter's at the last minute and how Sirius was framed because it was supposed to be him.

4. Harry Potter and the HALF BLOOD PRINCE is the name of the book (and movie) yet very little attention is given to the Half Blood Prince in the movie. It's never explained. The only reference to it is Snape saying it was him.

5. Percy Weasley. He was such a jerk to his family for most of the series, yet was able to redeem himself in the end.

6)Were you satisfied with the epilogue?

No, I can't believe I'm admitting this. As much as I loved the whole series and think JK Rowling is an amazing author, the epilogue disappointed me. 

7)If you could do ONE spell, without a wand..what would it be? 

Accio. I can be so lazy sometimes. I hate when you sit down and get comfy only to realize you forgot something you need and you have to get up.

Here are this week's questions.

1)If you could ask Harry one question what would it be?
 Before you found out you were a wizard, what got you through 10 years of living with the Dursley's?

2)Who is your favorite marauder?
Padfoot-Sirus Black. He was a father figure to Harry when Harry really needed it. It hurt me when he died. Harry needed him. 

3) Least favorite house?
 Slytherin. They never seemed to belong. They were the house everyone else was against. They were the house you were meant to not like.

4)Do you think it was important for Dobby to die? What about his funeral in the film? Did you love it or hate it?
I don't like for anyone to die, but I can see the value of the sacrifice he made for Harry. Dobby was so loyal to Harry. I think the funeral was appropriate in the movie. There was so much to pack into that movie that (to me) were more important than extending Dobby's funeral.

5) Would you have chosen a rat, cat or owl for your animal companion?

An owl. Owls are so cute plus they can carry messages for you. What can cats and rats do?

6)If you could have one of the Hallows which would you choose? 

I would choose the invisibility cloak. I would love to be able to "disappear" sometimes. It would also be a good tool for spying on people. :)

7)Time turner or Pensieve? Why? 
Pensieve. I love looking at pictures, so I think having a Pensieve would be an amped up version of looking through pictures. You could actually go back and relive old memories.  

This is hilarious! Who comes up with this stuff?

Raising them right from the beginning. I want my {future} child to have this.

Mind=Blown

I need this. If only I could really perform this spell.

Ornaments for Adoption: Megan's Heart

It's Monday! That means it's all about Ornaments for Adoption today.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been so supportive!

Today, I am excited to have another guest post. Megan blogs over at {All Things New}. I was excited to have found her blog in the first place, but I was even more excited when I found out that her family is in the process of growing through adoption. 

I have enjoyed getting to know Megan better and I look forward to seeing God take them through the rest of their adoption journey. 

***Turning it over to the other Megan***

I cannot begin to tell you how excited and blessed I am to participate in Ornaments for Adoption. When Megan first contacted me and asked me if I would be interested in fundraising for the Brock family, I did not hesitate, because I know first-hand how hard it is to sacrifice and somehow stretch an already tight budget to bring a child into a forever family, as our family has been called to adopt from Ethiopia.

It has been my experience so far in our own adoption journey that God often provides the funds through people like me and you- strangers who have no personal ties to the adoptive family- but who understand that the church is obligated to care for the least of these, as Jesus commanded. {For a list of Biblical references on the Church’s responsibility to care for the orphaned, visit my orphan care/adoption page}.

 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress... James 1:27

Most of us will begin, if we haven’t already, Christmas shopping for our loved ones. Why not give a double blessing this year? When you purchase an ornament through Ornaments for Adoption, you will not only bless your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, with an adorable custom made ornament, but you will bless this precious family with the means to bring their child home.

The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:40

Will you pause for a moment and contemplate how different your life would be if you did not have the love of a family? Will you give the gift of a family this year?

***Back to Small Town Girl Megan***

There are new ornament pictures being added weekly on my Facebook page as I complete orders. I hope you'll check it out and consider ordering an ornament of your own. To see more information on ordering, you can visit my Ornaments for Adoption page.

#ACrafter'sDream Christmas Giveaway

I'm so excited to bring you A Crafter's Dream Christmas Giveaway! I have been looking forward to this giveaway for several weeks now!

This giveaway is hosted by My Merry Messy Life, Earning-My-Cape and Tutus & Tea Parties and has a Christmas, crafting, and supporting small business theme! Each blogger is offering their own giveaway worth $25 or more! This giveaway blog hop will be going on now through Sunday, November 4, 2012.

Christmas is just around the corner, and the time to start crafting our gifts for friends and family is now! Some of the blogs in the giveaway group will be giving away some awesome crafting supplies! Sometimes we want to give a handmade gift, but just don't have the time or know-how to make them ourselves. This is a great opportunity to support small businesses and shops who offer handmade items! Some of the blogs in our giveaway group will be highlighting such small businesses and offering giveaway items for them, as well. Even if you don't win the giveaway, we hope that you will keep these small businesses in mind when shopping for that perfect gift for your special someone.

***

I am happy to be teaming up with my friend Megan from Dots and Curlz to bring you this awesome prize:

 How cute is that?! You know you want this on your door this Christmas season! Or maybe you're feeling generous and want to win this as a gift for someone else.

*Prize Details*
This super cute ornament door hanger is a wood cut out that has been hand painted.
It is embellished with green and red tulle.
YOU get to choose the message you want. (This one says "Merry Christmas," but your prize can say anything you'd like.)
It is about 24 inches tall.
It is valued at $50 when you include shipping and handling.
This giveaway is open to US residents only.
The winner will be contacted via email within 24 hours of the giveaways ending. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Now you can hop from blog to blog entering as many giveaways as you want!