Archive for the ‘contests’ Category
Colleen Berg Thumbprint Jewelry Giveaway + O Foods Announcement
Heart thumbprint #2
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month continues, and we have another jewelry giveaway to help get the word out about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. Please also see below for information on O Foods (especially if you have no idea what I’m talking about).
Colleen Berg has long been a supporter of ovarian cancer awareness, and now she is so very generously offering a $100 gift certificate toward her thumbprint, signature, or artwork jewelry lines.
The thumbprint line is especially wonderful because Colleen started it after her brother passed away from cancer. The pieces are simply adorable, described on the site as follows: “Your loved ones’ prints in silver or gold. These prints are your children, your spouse, your parents and grandparents. Every one you love, even the cats and dogs in your life!”
Yes, each and every piece is unique and personalized. Don’t you just love that heart?!
HOW TO ENTER:
To enter for your chance to win visit Colleen Berg Jewelry then come back here and leave a comment with your favorite piece of jewelry.
For an extra entry, you can “like” Colleen Berg Jewelry on Facebook, then come back here and tell me you’ve done so in a separate comment. Note that the comment regarding your favorite piece of jewelry is the main entry and mandatory before you can gain an extra entry.
All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CET Sunday, September 26, 2010; this drawing is open only to those with U.S. shipping addresses. The winner will be chosen randomly.
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Some of you may be wondering whether O Foods will happen this year; for those who don’t know, you can click O Foods to get more detailed info, but basically for the past two years, Sara of Ms Adventures in Italy and I have invited bloggers to come up with recipes that include foods that either begin or end with O to help raise ovarian cancer awareness — and so many of you have graciously sent in fabulous dishes (so fabulous that you may hear from me about putting them in a cookbook for an ovarian cancer charity…would you be interested in this, by the way, either putting in a recipe, buying a book, or both?).
This year, although there’s no contest and no particular rules to follow, by all means, please do consider posting an O Foods recipe on your blog to raise ovarian cancer awareness and sending the link to michelle(at)bleedingespresso(dot)com; I promise I’ll make sure Bleeding Espresso readers know about your recipe whether it’s by a roundup here on the blog, posts on Facebook and Twitter, or all of the above.
Check out previous roundups for inspiration:
I would love if you could include a list of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer with a link to that original post, and also please feel free to lift the ovarian cancer awareness ribbon; I look forward to your O foods!
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Best of luck in the jewelry giveaway, and please feel free to share this contest on Facebook, Twitter, etc., and help spread the word about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer; remember you can also donate to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund through my FirstGiving page any time of year.
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Have a great week!
Designing Diva Jewelry Giveaway for Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Donate to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund
Continuing our ovarian cancer awareness campaign, this week’s giveaway is courtesy of fused glass jewelry designer Randi Deckard a.k.a. Designing Diva. Randi has some truly gorgeous creations, and we’ll get to the details in a moment.
First, I want to remind you of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer:
- Vague but persistent and unexplained gastrointestinal complaints;
- Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling and pain; bloating and/or feeling of fullness;
- Unexplained change in bowel habits;
- Frequency and/or urgency of urination;
- Unexplained weight gain or loss;
- New and unexplained abnormal postmenopausal vaginal bleeding.
If these symptoms are sudden and persist for more than 2 or 3 weeks, consult your gynecologist. A full pelvic exam, including the rectovaginal component, is the best screening method for ovarian cancer, and another test is a transvaginal ultrasound. Be sure to tell your doctor about your symptoms so she knows exactly what she should be looking for.
Pure Love ACP
Now on to the contest. Randi Deckard a.k.a. Designing Diva has agree to donate earrings or a pendant, depending on the choice of the winner, who may CHOOSE an item currently in stock with a retail value up to $75. Randi will ship worldwide by 1st class mail from the USA, so if you win and you’re international, do understand that it may take 2-3 weeks for anything outside of the United States.
HOW TO ENTER:
To enter for your chance to win visit the Designing Diva jewelry catalog then come back here and leave a comment with the earrings or pendant you’d choose if you’re randomly chosen as the winner.
For an extra entry, you can “like” Designing Diva on Facebook and/or and sign up for the Designing Diva newsletter via the Diva Buzz blog, and then come back here and tell me you’ve done so in a separate comment. You may both “like” and sign up for the newsletter for a total of three possible entries, but the comment regarding your favorite piece of jewelry is the main entry and mandatory before you can gain extra entries.
All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CET Sunday, September 19, 2010; this drawing is open internationally. The winner will be chosen randomly.
COUPON CODE FOR EVERYONE:
Additionally, whether you enter the contest or not, Randi is also offering a discount to ALL Bleeding Espresso readers: The coupon code OCtake10 will take $10 off any purchase over $25. The coupon code must be for in stock items and does not apply to custom orders.
Go to Designing Diva!
Best of luck, and please feel free to share this contest on Facebook, Twitter, etc., and help spread the word about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer; remember you can also donate to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund through my FirstGiving page!
Angela Moore Ovarian Cancer Awareness Bracelet Giveaway
Donate to the OCRF!
If you’ve been around here in past Septembers, you know that for two years going, we’ve marked Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month at Bleeding Espresso — and this year is no different.
Well, it’s a little different because this year I’ve lined up some of the fabulous jewelry designers I’ve mentioned in the past (5 Ways to Raise Ovarian Cancer Awareness Through Jewelry) for giveaways to encourage you to go to their sites, have a look around, and perhaps purchase an item whose proceeds go to various ovarian cancer awareness funds.
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Ovarian cancer is often called the “silent killer,” because many of its symptoms can be mistaken for minor illnesses. But as women, it is up to us to let our doctors know when something just isn’t right, so please read up on the signs & symptoms of ovarian cancer, and don’t be afraid to speak up — and men, please forward this information to the women you love.
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Today I’m proud to welcome Angela Moore and her gorgeous jewelry collection, which includes this brand new ovarian cancer awareness bracelet; purchases from this collection donate 15% back to the OCNA (Ovarian Cancer National Alliance).
Angela Moore OCNA Classic Bracelet with Teal Crystals
These are brand new (released on September 1) and there is a limited number available; this bracelet retails for $60. This new collection also includes a necklace, earrings, and my personal favorite, pendant. Prices start at $30.
Now, turning to the bracelet for the giveaway, the white bracelet with teal ribbons, which retails for $50:
Angela Moore Ovarian Cancer Awareness Classic Bracelet with Silver
This original Ovarian Cancer Awareness collection, by the way, is available in several pieces, including bracelet, necklace, earrings, pendant, watch, and hair ties; prices range from $12 and up. Fifteen percent of this collection is donated to the OCRF (Ovarian Cancer Research Fund).
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CONTEST RULES:
To enter for your chance to win the original Ovarian Cancer Awareness bracelet (white with teal ribbons pictured above, $50 value), visit the Angela Moore website then come back here and leave a comment with your favorite piece of jewelry *outside* of the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Collection.
For an extra entry, you can “like” Angela Moore on Facebook and/or and follow @ArtToWear on Twitter, and then come back here and tell me you’ve done so in a separate comment. You may both “like” and follow for a total of three possible entries, but the comment regarding your favorite piece of jewelry is the main entry and mandatory before you can gain extra entries.
All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CET Sunday, September 12, 2010; this drawing is open internationally. The winner will be chosen randomly.
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As in previous years, you can also donate through my FirstGiving page to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund; stay tuned for lots more ways you can increase ovarian cancer awareness around you, and please spread the word about what’s going on at Bleeding Espresso here this month!
100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go by Susan Van Allen
Today is the last Monday in August, which means our last book giveaway associated with the Gita Italiana 2010 — but I couldn’t possibly only give away just *one* book.
Remember when Susan Van Allen was here a while back telling us why women love Italy so much? Well today it’s my turn to tell you a little more about her book, 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go, and give you yet another chance to win Susan’s book as well as three other titles from Travelers’ Tales.
We’ll get back to the contest in a bit, but first let me tell you what a treasure 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go would be in your library, virtual library, or even in your life via iPhone app.
Check it out on Amazon!
Whether you want to find a cooking course, spa, religious retreat, great beach, or just some fabulous shopping, Susan has it covered –in every corner of the Bel Paese. When I first received this book, I thought it would be something I’d flip through every now and again when the mood struck; instead I found myself reading chapters straight through, imagining myself visiting all of the wonderful places Susan describes so well.
The tone is friendly and the advice sincere, so you really do feel like you have a knowledgeable girlfriend by your side with the inside scoop on where you should go on your next Italian vacation. I probably don’t need to tell you this book would make a *fabulous* gift for your favorite Italophile who also happens to be a lady, either.
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For more from Susan on 100 Places, be sure to check out her interview on the Eye on Italy podcast, which I co-host.
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Palermo by Roberto Alajmo
If you’ve been to Palermo in Sicily, you probably either loved or hated it. My love for the city is no secret. Palermo is not a place that throws open her arms to you; she makes you work for it, makes you discover her charm one ridiculously busy street at a time — and I tend to like that in cities. See also: Philadelphia.
I’ve written a series of posts about some of my favorite popular stops in Palermo including the Duomo, Fountain of Shame, Antica Focacceria San Francesco, and the Capuchin Catacombs, so when I got an offer to review Roberto Alajmo’s new book Palermo from Haus Publishing, I jumped at the chance. The fact that it fits in perfectly with the Gita Italiana 2010 is like icing on the cannoli. Or something like that.
Roberto Alajmo is a native of Palermo; this book is translated into English by Guido Waldman. When I received it, the first thought in my mind was whether this was going to be a love letter to the gritty Sicilian città probably known best for the Mafia and its pastries — and I’d say yes. Yes it is, but it’s a palermitano love letter, if you will.
Now let me explain.
Alajmo speaks directly to a first-time visitor to his city from the first sentence: “You have to get yourself a window-seat and arrive on a clear sunny day.” This sets the tone of the entire book as he educates the reader about the city’s sights, but not just tourist attractions. Much of the book is a tongue-in-cheek look at the city and its natives with caustic, wry observations about illegal structures, Palermitano mentality about corruption, rubbish, politics, and so much more.
Buy Palermo by Roberto Alajmo on Amazon
I found myself smirking through most of Palermo (and underlining an overwhelming portion of the book) because Alajmo’s analysis is so keen, his criticism subtle and yet full of daggers. He leaves you with many thought-provoking ideas such as the real reason why the South has so many unfinished buildings: “an unconscious sense that total completion carries with it an inbuilt sorrow.” It’s just a brilliantly written book.
So where’s the love?
Remember, Alajmo is a native of the city. He knows it. He appreciates its beauty, but he really delves into its problems — *big* problems in many instances — and the latter is what nearly all of this book is about. But in order to truly love someone (or in this case, something), don’t you have to recognize the faults and decide to love anyway?
So, yes, I would characterize Alajmo’s Palermo as a love letter to his city — a whopping, entertaining dose of tough love, but would a Palermitano have it any other way? I just loved it. Five very full espresso cups out of five.
Aside from content, by the way, this is simply a snazzy little book. It’s hardcover and measures 15.6 x 11.6 cm (about 6 x 5 inches); perfect for stuffing in your bag on a trip and a great gift item as well.
Have you been to Palermo? Would you like to go?
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Michelle Fabio is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer living in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy and savoring simplicity one sip at a time.
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