Archive for the ‘contests’ Category

What’s That Saying About Wild Horses?

Right, um, I know I said I wouldn’t be around, but I have some things to share:

1. Want to know more about life as an expat? Check out my post, Top 5 Hidden Advantages of Being an Expat, over at ExpatInterviews.com.

2. Looking for a quick end-of-the-summer getaway in which there will be flying fruit? Put on your best Gallagher plastic and read my post, The World’s Biggest Tomato Fight: Bunol’s La Tomatina at TomatoCasual.com.

3. Hankering for a bag o’ books and bath goodies? Head on over to Welcome to My World of Dreams where you could win such a bag (if you’re a US or Canada resident) or a $30 Amazon gift certificate if you’re international like me–I didn’t read too closely the first time around, but Judy Thomas was lovely enough to come over here and point out that we’re *all* invited to the party celebrating the launch of Long and Short Reviews no matter where we live! Woohoo!

4. Missing What’s Cooking Wednesday? Here are two food-related sites that I found recently and have fallen in love with: Chowhound.com and The Traveler’s Lunch Box. Seriously. LOVE.

5. And finally, have you reached the end of the Internet? Don’t know what else to read? Here are five posts/blogs I recommend:

  • Introversion at Crazy Dust in My Coffee. Being quite an introvert myself, I love how Ally Bean broke this down so that even the most extroverted of extroverts can understand–or at least I hope they can because I don’t think it can be explained much better.
  • The Seven Virtues: Charity at The Verge. I could link to any one of former-Italy-expat Jennifer’s posts and sing its praises, but since I love this particular one so much, here you go. I’ve never seen another blogger who incorporates fine art so seamlessly into her posts. It’s too beautiful for words, really.
  • Mysteries of Life at Burnett’s Urban Etiquette. This post is from a while ago, but I adore it as I do all of this Miami Herald contributor’s stuff. James Burnett has a knack for pinpointing exactly what I want to say about a given topic *or* giving me a new perspective that I hadn’t considered. I think that’s cool, so you should read him.
  • Also, my naval is pretty at The Moon Topples. These are Maht’s (grudgingly given) answers to a meme about what he likes about himself. I just heart the way Maht expresses himself through his various creative mediums, and I think a lot of you will too. If his answers to a meme made my recommended list, you know he’s good.

OK, now I’m really vacationing from the blog. If I ever have children, you think separation anxiety might be a wee bit of a problem?

gulf of squillace, montepaone, calabria, italy

Still wishing you were here!


CONTEST: get your exclusive bella bags by marcía here!

The other night I was strolling around the Internets at my dear, sweet, beloved P‘s request, looking for what I’ll call a man bag. They’re quite popular here in Europe and great for the summer as pocket space is rather limited.

I picked up a nice canvas one for him at the market last week, but he’s already looking toward winter and the rainy season, so I’m on a mission to find a nice leather pouch–a cross between a fanny pack and a small purse–kind of looks like a camera bag.

Anyway, I typed in “borsetta di pelle,” which means small leather purse, and I stumbled across one of most wonderful sites I’ve seen in a long, long time: Bella Bags by Marcía.

These are some of the cutest, most original, most fun [insert more positive, superlative adjectives here] bags I’ve seen, and I immediately thought of all of my wonderful readers who might also enjoy a Bella Bag or two or three, etc.

So I contacted the bella Marcía, and starting now until 19 August, you can get your very own Bella Bag at 15% off just by entering the coupon code “bleedingespresso” at checkout!

bella bags by marcia e-party invite

These bags and other accessories make fabulous gifts–birthdays, baby showers, holidays, thanks for being my friend days, or, you know, just for yourself when you want to carry around a bag that no one you know will have.

And we *do* love to be unique, don’t we?

Also, for those of you who are green-minded (go you!), Marcía has ultra-cool organic shopping bags made of 100% organically grown cotton that are only $14.00 a piece:

bella bags organic shopper

Here are some more of my personal favorites:

Beach Bag (now on sale!)

bella bags beach bag

Hand Bag (now on sale!)

bella bags hand bag

La Borsetta

bella bags la borsetta

Book Bag

bella bags book bag

Gym Bag

bella bags gym bag

There are lots of different, unique choices from fabric to shape–yoga mat baggift certificate so that special gal can choose her own bag. anyone?–and you can even give a

If you don’t see the exact one you want but have a great idea, Marcía will work with you on a customized bag as well.

Also, throughout the contest, do check back on the site for new additions!

Once I saw the Bella Bags site, I was planning on featuring Marcía’s bags on here anyway, but then I saw that I could earn a free Bella Bag by hosting an online party. I assure you, though, this is not my reason. And a contest was born.

***CONTEST***

Through this sale, if I happen to earn enough Bella Bag points for a freebie, I will randomly pick a name from those who comment on THIS POST up until (and including) 11:59 p.m. (that’s 23.59 to some of you) (CEST) on 19 August; the name selected will get a free Bella Bag (I’ll pay for shipping).

Each name will only be entered once in the random drawing, and you can live anywhere in the world to enter.

But there’s more! Even if I *don’t* earn enough points, I’ll go ahead and spring for a bag myself and then pick a winner (same guidelines as above on eligibility and selection).

To be clear, that’s ONE winner, either sponsored by your purchases or by mine. Bag is always my choice, though, so for your sake, I do hope we have similar tastes.

Sound good? Any questions, please leave them in the comments or email me.

As I wrote to Marcía, supporting creative entrepreneurs is important to me because I truly admire anyone with the talent and drive to forge ahead doing what they love.

On that note, if any of you creative entrepreneurs out there would like to be featured here (I’m looking at you Jane!), shoot me an email and we can work something out.

And to my fellow bloggers, why not host an e-party of your own to support the wonderful creative souls that surround us?

Now you should:

(1) Leave a comment here for your chance to win a Bella Bag;

(2) Tell your friends, family, and fellow online addicts to come over here and comment as well (and, you know, have a look around if they so desire); and

(3) Go over to Bella Bags by Marcía and buy a Bella Bag of your own. Be sure to use the coupon code “bleedingespresso” at checkout for the 15% discount, and this way you’ll be *sure* to have the coolest bag to close out the summer…or already have a head start on your holiday gift list.

Happy shopping and in bocca al lupo!

—————

[tags]bella bags, bella bags by marcia, contests[/tags]


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