Jenn's b-day

Hope you are enjoying the Birthday Giveaway Extravaganza! All the giveaways have posted, so make sure to scroll down and get your entries in. As always, lots more giveaways to come. If you are interested in me reviewing your product, email me here. Now to start getting caught up on what has been going on the last couple weeks....

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Shane and I are are so completely thrilled that our friends Jenn and Brandon have moved here from North Carolina. When we first moved to the South, they had just arrived as well. We spent every holiday together and most Sunday dinners. I cried for a week when we moved away from them. Now they have moved to us!!! Jenn came over for her 30th birthday last weekend. We had a lovely late summer BBQ. Check out Jenn's blog. She makes delicious healthy food and has just started a blog to share some of her creations and recipes.

Jenn and Brandon have two adorable girls and Lydia seems to have found her soul mates :)

It is amazing how twinkle lights can make a swing-set magical.

Smores and trifle! Check out the raspberry and lemon trifle recipe here.

Happy Birthday Jenn!

The winner of the Sisty Uglers Giveaway is Jess! Congrats! Email me and I can get you your prize.

Leesaland Jewelry Giveaway

For my birthday, my friend Lisa sent me the cutest yellow earrings from her etsy shop, Leesaland. You may know Lisa from her wedding pics that were featured on several wedding blogs a while back. Best dress ever!

Lisa makes the loveliest jewelry at great prices. I always envision her delicate jewelry being worn at a garden party. I may just have to throw a yellow themed one just to have the perfect occasion to wear my new earrings. Lisa is going to send one reader a pair of yellow flower dangles, just like mine! P.S. They can be shortened if that is more your style :)

Want to win? There are four chances to enter:

• Go to Leesaland and check out some of Lisa's wares. Come back here and leave a comment mentioning some of your favorites.
• For a second entry, mention in a separate comment that you are a natalie's sentiments follower.
• For a third entry, grab my button and place it in on your blog. (It is on top of my left hand sidebar.) Let me know in a separate comment that you have done so.
• For a fourth entry, Blog about this giveaway extravaganza and leave a comment on this post providing me the link. You only need to blog about the extravaganza once to get the extra entry on all 7 giveaways!

I will announce the randomly selected winner on September 13th. Good luck!

ThisHoliday.com Giveaway

My family and close friends know that I am all about the snail mail. There is something so exciting about opening your mailbox to find a hand written envelope mixed in with all the daily bills and ads. Unfortunately my penmanship resembles a seven year old's, but I try all the same. Last year I planned to send out our best Christmas cards ever. We had our photos taken by the famous Randi of M photo (formally flutter photography) and I started searching for cards. I found some I loved, paid way too much and waited in anticipation for them to arrive. Oh how disappointed I was. The quality of the paper was terrible and the buyers remorse was worse.

I really wish I had known about ThisHoliday.com. They have a great selection of holiday cards to choose from and they are half the price of what I spent last year. Most of the cards are under 60 cents! All of the cards are printed on 100% recycled card stock.

You have two ways to go about ordering holiday cards. You can choose a card, upload the file, type in your message and voila! You're done. OR if you have something specific in mind, you can use the custom design service where a designer will work with you until you have exactly what you want. You can choose from classic Christmas cards, Christmas baby cards/announcements, and New Home Christmas cards. Send the the new home cards out right after Thanksgiving, and then everyone will have your new address to send Christmas cards and gifts. The above card is the "Holidots Green". I used the custom design service to get the font and spacing just how I wanted it. If you aren't keen on sending cards with photos there are lots of cards that don't require one.

ThisHoliday.com is offering one reader 75 customized Christmas cards!!!

Want to win? There are four chances to enter:

• Go to ThisHoliday.com and check out some of the great Christmas cards. Come back here and leave a comment mentioning some of your favorites.
• For a second entry, mention in a separate comment that you are a natalie's sentiments follower.
• For a third entry, grab my button and place it in on your blog. (It is on top of my left hand sidebar.) Let me know in a separate comment that you have done so.
• For a fourth entry, Blog about this giveaway extravaganza and leave a comment on this post providing me the link. You only need to blog about the extravaganza once to get the extra entry on all 7 giveaways!

I will announce the randomly selected winner on September 12th. Good luck!

So many good giveaways going on this week! This is the one I want to win.

Sew Cute Shop "Auty Top"

When I very first checked out Brandy's Sew Cute Shop on Etsy, it had exactly one thing for sale and no sales. In just a few short months, she has racked up well over 100 sales (that doesn't include all of her non-etsy sales), created a very popular blog and been spotlighted by several "blog celebrities". All of this, and she has donated a huge percentage of her profits to a great local charity. It is hard to go anywhere in Chattanooga without spotting someone wearing one of her creations.

I often check out Sew Cute Shop and when I spotted her "Auty Top" I knew I had found my new birthday garb. (I always wear something new on my birthday. A little treat I give myself.) Since Brandy has a 2-3 week waiting list, I contacted her last month to get the ball rolling. She said she had the perfect fabric and surprised me with a darling yellow and black top. Have I ever mentioned that I love yellow? :) Just like every product she sends, it was wrapped beautifully. Don't you love when you order something and it comes wrapped like a gift?

The Auty top seems like it would be just for summer, but it is fabulous with a long sleeve top underneath. I personally wear mine with a black cardigan and chunky earrings. When I want to nurse my baby, I just untie the top. LOVE it! (Brandy - you and I have got to meet girl! You have such great style. Lydia is dying for one of your owls.)

Brandy is offering one of you a Auty top of your own! You even get to choose the fabric.

Want to win?? There are FIVE ways to enter:

• Go to the Sew Cute Shop and check out some of the great products. Come back here and leave a comment mentioning some of your favorites.
• For a second entry, mention in a separate comment that you are a natalie's sentiments follower.
• For a third entry, grab my button and place it in on your blog. (It is on top of my left hand sidebar.) Let me know in a separate comment that you have done so.
• For a fourth entry, Blog about this giveaway extravaganza and leave a comment on this post providing me the link. You only need to blog about the extravaganza once to get the extra entry on all 7 giveaways!
• For a fifth entry, become a follower of the Sew Cute Shop and tell me you have done so in a separate comment.

I will announce the randomly selected winner on September 11th. Good luck!

How to have a great birthday 101

A few tips from past years birthday weeks for your reading pleasure: Just click on the link!

Tip #1 - Personalize it

Tip #2 - Feel fabulous

Tip #3 - Create family traditions

Tip #4 - Get your husbands to give you the birthday you deserve.

Also - a cute video of Lydia singing happy birthday, in case you are interested.

Feel free to leave comments if you like. I will still get them. Comments are like mini birthday cards, don't you think :)

The Blue Buggy Giveaway

I will never forget the first time I took Lydia to the park. I was still nervous at the whole "mommy" thing and wasn't quite sure I would fit in with the park moms. While swinging Lydia, I met a nice women with a daughter just Lydia's age. We had a good time talking and the women mentioned that we should have a playdate sometime. Score! My first successful park pickup! I started searching my diaper bag for a pen, when the women smoothly reached into her bag and handed me "her card". I took it from her, expecting to see a business card, but was shocked to see a mommy calling card. I had never in my life heard of such a thing. It was just what the name implies. A card with her basic information - name, contact info and kids names. Everything you need to get together for lunch, a playdate or even network your blog. I loved this idea! Instead of just meeting this new mom once and then seeing her around occasionally, we actually got together and eventually started a mom's dinner out club.

I finally have my own mommy calling cards, mainly because I discovered The Blue Buggy. Within minutes of pursuing the site, I immediately decided I had to have one of their creations. The Blue Buggy also specializes in birth announcements, birthday invites, holiday cards, personalised thank you cards, mailing labels and custom photo cards. I am seriously considering the "kiss me" valentine's day cards for next year. (I told you I plan early.)

The Blue Buggy is offering one reader a $40 gift certificate!!!

Want to win?? There are four ways to enter:

• Go to The Blue Buggy and check out some of the great products. Come back here and leave a comment mentioning some of your favorites.
• For a second entry, mention in a separate comment that you are a natalie's sentiments follower.
• For a third entry, grab my button and place it in on your blog. (It is on top of my left hand sidebar.) Let me know in a separate comment that you have done so.
• For a fourth entry, Blog about this giveaway extravaganza and leave a comment on this post providing me the link. You only need to blog about the extravaganza once to get the extra entry on all 7 giveaways!
• I will announce the randomly selected winner on September 10th. Good luck!

Lannae Johnson Designs Giveaway

In an earlier post I owned up to the insane amount of jewelry I own. What's funny is that, for the most part, I wear the same basics most days. Diamond studs and my favorite sterling silver charm necklace by Lannae Johnson Designs. I have had so many complements on it. Classic and sweet, it is the perfect everyday staple. All of Lannae's jewelry is fabulous. The necklaces would be perfect as shower, birthday or Christmas gifts. Major mommy or grandma bling. Lannae is offering one reader a $50 gift certificate!

Want to win?? There are four ways to enter:

• Go to Lannae Johnson Designs and look around at all the goodies. Come back here and leave a comment mentioning your favorite item.
• For a second entry, mention in a separate comment that you are a natalie's sentiments follower.
• For a third entry, grab my button and place it in on your blog. (It is on top of my left hand sidebar.) Let me know in a separate comment that you have done so.
• For a fourth entry, Blog about this giveaway extravaganza and leave a comment on this post providing me the link. You only need to blog about the extravaganza once to get the extra entry on all 7 giveaways!
• I will announce the randomly selected winner on September 9th. Good luck!

Want to see what I want to win? Check it out here.

Tennessee State Fair Giveaway

This Giveaway Has Closed.

I look forward to the county fair all year long. The prize vegetables and animals, local crafts on display, funnel cakes... It is the perfect beginning to autumn. This year I am stepping it up and heading to the ultimate fair experience. The Tennessee State Fair. Ever since I moved to the South, 5 years ago, I have wanted to go. Everyone says it is incredible. Best live music and shows, best rides. I don't even like county music especially, but something about the smell of kettle corn and fresh hay in the air makes me want to start line dancing. I blame it on my cowboy heritage.

The only problem I am having is trying to decide which day to go. There is so much going on. Check out the fair blog to see for yourself.

I have 4 all access passes to giveaway to one reader. These passes each include gate admission and a All-You-Can Ride Wristband for any one day. Prize value over $100!

Live in the Tennessee Area? Want to win?

There are four ways to enter:

• Check out Tennessee State Fair site and and comment on this post letting me know what you are most excited about.
• For a second entry, let me know in a separate comment that you are a natalie's sentiments follower.
• For a third entry, grab my button and place it in on your blog. (It is on top of my left hand sidebar.) Let me know in a separate comment that you have done so.
• For a fourth entry, Blog about this giveaway extravaganza and leave a comment on this post providing me the link. You only need to blog about the extravaganza once to get the extra entry on all 7 giveaways!

I will announce the randomly selected winner on September 8th. Good luck!

Reckon Onesies Giveaway - Tennessee Edition

This Giveaway Has Closed.

I know most of you won't be able to make it to the Tennessee Fair, so I thought I would have a second giveaway for everyone. When I did my ginormous baby shower giveaway, Reckon Onesies seemed to be the hands down favorite. So why not give you a second chance to pick one up? In honor of the great state in which I currently call home, one winner will get to choose either an Elvis onesie, or a Dolly Parton Onesie. (Two of the most famous Tennessee residents.)

Want to win???

There are four ways to enter:

• Check out Reckon and comment on this post letting me know your favorite item.
• For a second entry, let me know in a separate comment that you are a natalie's sentiments follower.
• For a third entry, grab my button and place it in on your blog. (It is on top of my left hand sidebar.) Let me know in a separate comment that you have done so.
• For a fourth entry, Blog about this giveaway extravaganza and leave a comment on this post providing me the link. You only need to blog about the extravaganza once to get the extra entry on all 7 giveaways!

I will announce the randomly selected winner on September 8th. Good luck!

Want to see what I want to win?? Check it out here.