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Designing Diva Jewelry Giveaway for Ovarian Cancer Awareness

Donate to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

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

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!

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!


Five in Focus: American Expat Bloggers on Italian Movies

In conjunction with the release of George Clooney’s The American, I was one of the American expat bloggers asked by Focus Features to choose the five films I feel sum up Italy for me.

Please click on the screenshot to go see the five films I chose…

and then please come back and let me know what yours are and why in the comments.

And by the way, have you seen The American? What did you think?

P.S. I’ve put up a “Media Buzz” page to gather some of the other places that mention Bleeding Espresso. Have a look see!


Love Thursday: Have You Hugged a Goat Today?

I’ve written about finding goat zen in the goat pen before, and although I normally keep the goat-related posts over at Goat Berries, I just had to share some photos from this morning over here for Love Thursday.

Pinters Magooch

Pinters Magooch

My baby Pasqualina all grows up.

My baby Pasqualina all grows up.

Pretty Pinta

Pretty Pinta

I've got my eye on you.

I've got my eye on you.

Can I have some Maaaaa?

Can I have some Maaaaa?

Is it normal to tear up with joy when looking at your goats?

Eh, who wants to be normal anyway?

Happy Love Thursday!

P.S. Hug a goat.


Angela Moore Ovarian Cancer Awareness Bracelet Giveaway

Donate to the OCRF!

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

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

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!


Should You Take an Italian Cooking Class?

Today we’re welcoming Brian Jenkins with a guest post about a subject I know many of you are interested in — Italian cooking. Of course you can always check out my recipes, but if you’ve always wanted to perfect your Italian culinary skills but don’t have a nonna to turn to, this post is for you.

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Should You Take an Italian Cooking Class?

Are you wondering how to prepare authentic, tasty Italian dishes? Do you have a desire to do more when you make Italian food? Perhaps you have spent a long time yearning to make delicious Rollatini di Pollo served with a properly chilled bottle of Chardonnay.

Eggplants/Aubergine/Melanzane

Eggplants/Aubergine/Melanzane

There are plenty of restaurants and culinary schools offering Italian cooking courses. And no, you don’t have to be a little bit Italian to take the courses! You can have fun, improve your Italian cooking skills and enjoy some scrumptious food. Buon appetito!

Impress friends and family members by making a delicious Italian meal. No longer will your guests’ “that was delicious pasta” comment be dripping with insincerity! Well, let’s hope not.

A Google search such as “cooking courses Boston” (replace Boston with your city of residence) may just provide a few nearby restaurants that offer Italian one-day or longer cooking classes. Some of the classes teach students to make a five-course meal. Typically, students are part of a cooking team. Classes usually take two to three hours after which it’s time to enjoy a tasty Italian meal.

  • The Italian Culinary Academy, located in New York City, offers amateur and professional programs through a variety of part-time amateur night classes. The courses include two or three sessions. Attend a high quality Italian culinary school during a New York City vacation. Sell your collection of antique ascots and dine at Babbo Ristorante.
  • Cooking Vacations offers hands-on cooking classes and cultural tours in Italy’s 20 regions. Students are taught to prepare traditional Italian recipes by skilled chefs, local expert cooks, bread and pizza makers and Nonnas. The culinary holiday includes visits to markets and tours of vineyards and cultural landmarks.
  • The International Kitchen offers a variety of Italian cooking vacations. The programs combine sightseeing and cooking classes taught by expert chefs. How about making scrumptious dishes from Umbrian recipes? Your friends will be inquisitive and hopefully impressed.

If you are one of those people who have a casual interest in cooking, taking a cooking class at a local restaurant may well be the best option. Here are some restaurants that offer cooking classes for a small sampling of cities across the US:

Invest a little time and reap the rewards for the rest of your culinary life!

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Brian Jenkins writes on Cooking Schools and other topics for Braintrack.com.

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Have you ever taken a cooking class? Would you recommend it to others?


Michelle KaminskyMichelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived. 

Calabria Guidebook

Calabria travel guide by Michelle Fabio

Recipes

 

Homemade apple butter
Green beans, potatoes, and pancetta
Glazed Apple Oatmeal Cinnamon Muffins
Pasta with snails alla calabrese
Onion, Oregano, and Thyme Focaccia
Oatmeal Banana Craisin Muffins
Prosciutto wrapped watermelon with bel paese cheese
Fried eggs with red onion and cheese
Calabrian sausage and fava beans
Ricotta Pound Cake