HomeGoods Shopping for a Bride-to-Be and a $100 Gift Card Giveaway!

Edited on July 10, 2011 to add:

Thanks to all who entered this give away!  Blogher Sweepstakes Randomly chose contestant # 2, Melissa F, from the blog " A Beautiful World" as the winner of the $100 HomeGoods gift card!

I've always loved shopping in a HomeGoods store as their selection and prices can't be beat!  HomeGoods is opening new stores countrywide -- click here to see their store locator page and enter your zip code to see if one has opened near you.

I was very excited to hear that a couple HomeGoods stores opened recently in New York City! I was even happier when BlogHer, in conjunction with HomeGoods, offered to let me, and other selected bloggers, go on a shopping spree with a $100 gift card at the upper west side of Manhattan at 795 Columbus Ave!! We were able to invite up to ten other people who would be receiving $50 gift cards to shop to their hearts content.

We were greeted at the Manhattan store at 8:00 AM on Saturday, June 11, 2011, by a BlogHer and HomeGoods Representatives and treated to a wonderful breakfast spread and the opportunity to shop for an hour and a half before the store opened at regular hours.

My mission was to shop for items for this happy couple -- my daughter Lisa and her fiance Joe! They will be getting married next spring and have a lot of "needs and wants" as a new couple. I knew they would find wonderfully useful items at HomeGoods, as you can see by the baking pan they immediately snapped up!

I was also very happy that "Buttercup," from the blog "Buttercup Counts Her Blessings" was also able to accept my invitation to shop with us!

As we walked around the store we all "oohed and aahed" over the brand name goods and the prices that were available in the bright and well stocked store! As the sign says, "Up to 60% off. Every day!"

I was amazed by the kitchen gadget selection. I love gadgets, and I know my daughter would probably need quite a few for her new kitchen.

The cookbook selection also caught my eye. What new bride wouldn't appreciate one or two?

On this shopping spree I also wanted to find some ideas for surprises for my daughter's wedding shower that will be held next year.  I saw so many wonderful gift items that I know she'll enjoy, and I know I will be making many more trips to this HomeGoods store over the year.

They liked this Lenox china cake topper...but shhhhh...it might be a shower surprise!

The other bloggers invited by BlogHer were also having fun filling their carts with wonderful bargains!  HomeGoods has a blog and a facebook page so it is easy to keep up with their new offers and decorating ideas.

My husband was impressed with the gourmet pasta selections in the gourmet food section. A few of them went into our basket as a thank you for him coming along literally right off the plane from our birthday celebration trip to Colorado. That's right, we took the red eye flight home, yet managed to zip over to HomeGoods that very same morning!  Now you know how much I love shopping at HomeGoods!

Just look at their fabulous dinnerware and ceramics selection!  

There were aisles and aisles of quality dishes at unbelievable prices!

My daughter was concentrating on practical storage solutions for her new home.

As you can see from the escalators in the photo above, the Columbus Ave Manhattan HomeGoods has two floors of shopping opportunities!

Downstairs there was a fabulous array of framed art and decorative accessories.

There were  plenty of lamps and unique furniture pieces....

...and the cutest seasonal Forth of July decorations!

The goods specifically designated for outdoor summer entertaining and fun were dazzling!

The happy couple selected a rotating spice jar set. Joe, a former Navy man, is a wonderful cook!

We all had fun using our gift cards and filling up our shopping baskets! Buttercup selected an assortment of beautiful towels, appetizer spoon set and a gift item for a baby shower. My daughter filled her basket with kitchen and storage items.

We were all smiles checking out!

My husband carrying out the packages. He is such a good sport and he always has a smile on his face!

I purchased beautiful marble bathroom accessories, hangers, and a few other necessities and...

.... a few beautiful ceramic serving dishes that my daughter will enjoy using everyday!

HomeGoods -- it has something for everyone!

To see more of what HomeGoods offers, and special promotions check out their website at this link, their blog at this link and their facebook page at this link.

Now the exciting news for you!

I am giving away a $100 HomeGoods gift card courtesy of BlogHer, open from June 20-30th, 2011.  Just leave a comment on this post about what you would like to buy from HomeGoods when you shop in their stores!

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

Also, until June 30th, 2011, BlogHer is giving a chance to win one of ten $25 gift cards to HomeGoods on the BlogHer Prizes and Promotions Page that I know you'll want to enter, so you can have another chance at a  mini HomeGoods shopping spree!   Click here to enter! (Here are the official rules to enter)

Don't forget to leave a comment to tell me what you would like to buy at a HomeGoods store for a chance to win a $100 HomeGoods gift card from BlogHer!  Good Luck!

Thanks everyone who entered this contest -- I enjoyed reading your comments! The contest is now closed and I am waiting for Blogher's Client Services to notify me of the winner. Once I find out who the winner is I will be contacting you through your contact information in your comment.

HomeGoods for the New Bride!

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This is a sponsored post from BlogHer and HomeGoods.

When my darling daughter was a child, she loved to pretend to be a bride by wearing my wedding dress and veil.

Now she is a young woman who became recently engaged to the love of her life, and will become a real bride next spring! This is one of my favorite photos of her and her fiance at a beach in Montauk, Long Island.

The young couple are also planning a move to the Western part of the United States, where they will start their new life together in a state they love near the Rocky Mountains.
Knowing that they will need a lot of useful and beautiful home goods of all sorts for their new life as "Mr. and Mrs.," and their new home in a new state,  I was thrilled to be chosen as a participant at a private shopping event of one of my favorite stores, HomeGoods, located at 795 Columbus Ave, in the borough of Manhattan in New York City!

photo source: Home Goods

Ever wish there was a HomeGoods store near you? Your wish may be coming true! HomeGoods is opening new stores in many locations in New York, and all around the country, all year long! Check out their web site for a store location guide to see if one has opened near you!

I've been pleased to shop in different HomeGoods locations in the past, as each store often has a different selection of wonderful goods. They offer furniture, lighting, rugs, wall decor, dining, kitchen, decorative accessories, garden, bedding, storage, bath, children's goods, pets goods, seasonal decorations, books, and all kinds of wonderful gifts! To become even better acquainted with HomeGoods check out their web site, blog and facebook page.

I know I'll find a fabulous assortment of items at HomeGoods that my daughter will need and desire as a newly married woman during my shopping expedition at the HomeGoods store at795 Columbus Ave in Manhattan, using their generous $100 gift card!  I also expect to find lots of beautiful surprises all year long to use as gifts for her wedding shower next Spring.

If you are looking for a gift to give at a wedding shower, for a new graduate, a young adult starting out on their own in an apartment, or just a delightful new addition for your own home, consider shopping at a HomeGoods store for their wonderful low prices and excellent selection of goods.

Until June 30th,2011, Blogher is giving a chance to win one of ten $25 gift cards on the BlogHer Prizes and Promotions Page that I know you'll want to enter, so you can have your own mini HomeGoods shopping spree! 

Click here to enter!  (Here are the official rules to enter)

Happy Haul-idays $500 Chronicle Book Give Away!

I LOVE Chronicle Books!  They are an independent publisher of distinctive books, journals, stationery and more.

Their Mission Statement says a lot about their vision and their integrity:
"Inspired by the enduring magic and importance of books, our objective is to create and distribute exceptional publishing that's instantly recognizable for its spirit, creativity, and value. This objective also informs our business relationships and endeavors, be they with customers, authors, vendors, or colleagues."

When I received an e-mail from Chronicle Books that they were having a contest to award $500 book giveaway to a blogger and the same prize to a reader of that blog, I jumped right to making my wish list of the books I'd want to order if I was chosen as the winner. Here is my list of my most wanted Chronicle Books with a total value up to $500! I'd love to win them, and if I do, one commenter on this post will also be a winner of the same books!

The winner will be announced by Chronicle Books on December 13, 2010, so you have up until midnight December 12, 2010 to leave a comment on this post.  As full disclosure I was offered no compensation by Chronicle Books to review these books and all opinions are my own--all words in  italics are descriptions from the Chronicle Books website. Link to the official contest rules.

I love to cook and I already own many Chronicle cookbooks from their Food and Drink category.  Here are new ones I'd love to add to my collection:

1) Southern Pies A Gracious Plenty of Pie Recipes, from Lemon Chess to Chocolate Pecan By Nancie McDermott Photographs by Leigh Beisch  PRICE: $22.95

Who wouldn't want to learn how to make some of the best pies in the country? Totally tempting!

2) The Winemaker Cooks Menus, Parties, and Pairings By Christine Hanna Photographs by Sheri Giblin PRICE $ 35.00


"Hanna shares her wine expertise and entertaining savvy with 100 recipes, and 75 color photographs capture her tabletops overflowing with local ingredients and products. A souvenir of the good life."  OH YES!

3) Michael Chiarello's Bottega By Michael Chiarello Photographs by Frankie Frankeny PRICE: $40.00

My husband and I dined at Bottega while on a vacation in Napa Valley this summer, and Chiarello's cuisine was absolutely divine!  I would love to won a copy of his cookbook 

Farmers' Market Desserts Gorgeous Fruit Recipes from First Prize Peach Pie to Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes By Jennie Schacht Photographs by Leo Gong PRICE: $24.95

"This collection of tempting desserts inspired by those markets and the farmers who share their produce there satisfies the sustainable shopper's sweet tooth with more than 50 recipes for tarts, crisps, cupcakes, puddings, and more."    I've seen this book in my local library ad I'd love to own my very own copy as the recipes are all delectable!

I am part of the "sandwich generation."  I have one grandchild and I'm expecting another, and I have an elderly mother that I help care for. Chronicle Books has many books in their LIFE & STYLE category that were very interesting to me.  My choices from this category are:
 

1) Lullaby Baby 50 Songs to Read, Sing, and Hear Illustrated by Audrey Ficociello  PRICE: $29.95

This beautiful collection has 50 classic songs, and a beautiful  illustrated songbook that features an on-board sound module that lets parents and grandparents  learn each song as they sing along with the melody.  It would make a wonderful baby shower gift! 

2) The Grandparents Handbook Games, Activities, Tips, How-Tos, and All-Around Fun Quirk Books By Elizabeth LaBan with Barbara Trostler and Dr. Myron LaBan  PRICE: $16.95

"The Grandparents Handbook features dozens of activities that will guarantee hours of fun, educational quality time—from building dollhouses and catching fish to flying kites, baking bread, making your own mini golf course, creating a family newspaper, and much more. These illustrated instructions will lead grandparents down surprising paths of discovery as they teach the youngest generation about family, friendship, and the world around them. It's the perfect gift for any grandparent and grandparent-to-be."   This is exactly the type of book I've been looking for to keep as a reference for having fun with my grandchildren!

2) Memento My Life in Stories By Michael McQueen  PRICE: $19.95

This book is a incredible journal with simple, thought-provoking questions to be filled in by one you love. I'd love to give this to my Mother and collect her life stories to become a keepsake for future generations.

3) Secrets of Simplicity Learn to Live Better With Less By Mary Carlomagno. Illustrations by Andrea Cobb  PRICE:  $19.95

"Secrets of Simplicity shows how to make practical changes to unburden your closets and calendars and make room for what's really important. Readers can record their successes, as they declutter their homes and in the process, their minds."   Yes, I really need this book as I've lived in the same house for 32 years and I have accumulated quite a bit in my closets, that's for sure! It's good to have a guide to help sort out what's important to save and what can be donated or disposed of. I'd love to simplify my life to free myself from the burdens of too much "stuff"!


I have a large collection of children's books in my home and I'm always adding more.  Some wonderful books I found in Chronicle's Children's category are:

1) Giant Pop-Out Farm A Pop-Out Surprise Book  PRICE: $10.99

"Packed full of impressive pop-out features, this interactive book is sure to engage and entertain curious preschoolers"  My grandson loves animals and pop up books!

2) Creature ABC By Andrew Zuckerman  PRICE $19.99

"An elegant addition to any library, this deluxe alphabet book features 120 pages of Andrew Zuckerman's breathtaking wildlife photography. From alligator to zebra, each featured animal boasts two striking studio portraits against a clean white background, offering a unique up-close view of the animal kingdom."  The animal photography in this book is stunning! A wonderful book to share with children and a collectible as well.

3) Julius! Touch-and-Feel Stroller Cards By Paul Frank Industries PRICE: $9.99
 
"Stroller time is much more fun when these flash cards come along for the ride! Each set features 5 double-sided cards with engaging textures and pictures. Easy to attach to a stroller, backpack, or diaper bag, these cards won't get lost, and the interactive touch-and-feel feature makes them great independent entertainment for toddlers on the go. "  This would be perfect for my new grandchild who is expected this Spring!

After the holiday season, when the long nights of winter arrive, I find it is a perfect time to learn a new skill. I could not resist the following books from the Arts and Design  Crafts Category!

1) French General: Treasured Notions: Inspiration and Craft Projects Using Vintage Beads, Buttons, Ribbons, and Trim from Tinsel Trading Company By Kaari Meng Foreword by Marcia Ceppos Photographs by Jon Zabala   PRICE: $24.95

"With these vintage baubles as her inspiration, Kaari Meng shares projects that crafters can make with their own flea-market finds or with contemporary materials they have on hand: a button charm bracelet, whimsical petite prize medals, an heirloom-worthy memory book, shimmering handbags, and more. Kaari's colorful inspiration boards lend design guidance, while her tips and resources help notion-lovers build up their stash of treasures."   Oh my!  It sounds so blog worthy, doesn't it? True eye candy!

2) Every Day's a Holiday Year-Round Crafting with Kids By Heidi Kenney Photographs by France Ruffenach    PRICE: $22.50

A treasure trove of ideas to use with children for festive classic and new and unusual crafts Always a good book for a grandmother to have on hand.

3) Pretty Pantry Gifts A Recipe &Wrapping Kit for Delicious Jams, Sauces, and Pickles By Tara Duggan PRICE: $19.95

Fifteen recipes and wrapping material to help make homemade treats and then presenting them as gracious gifts! Perhaps a last minute Christmas gift can be made and presented using the supplies and instructions in this book.

 4) Everyday Celebrations Savoring Food, Family, and Life at Home By Donata Maggipinto Photographs by France Ruffenach  PRICE: $24.95
 
"Donata Maggipinto, lifestyle contributor for NBC's Today show, reawakens our appreciation for all that has meaning in life in Everyday Celebrations and shares her sensational craft and food recipes to create heartwarming gatherings at home."  This sounds like a wonderful blog in book form!  I'm so curious to try her seasonal crafts and recipes.
 
Who wouldn't want a collection of fine literature and books on timely subjects? My picks from Chronicle's Literature category:

The Beatles Anthology by The Beatles   Price $60.00
 
"The Beatles have opened their personal and management archives specifically for this project, allowing the unprecedented release of photographs which they took along their ride to fame, as well as fascinating documents and memorabilia from their homes and offices." What a fabulous collectible book!  Each page is brimming with personal stories and rare vintage images.

2) A Child's Garden of Verses A Classic Illustrated edition By Robert Louis Stevenson
PRICE: $ 19.99

 A beautiful classic of Robert Louis Stevenson's best loved poems with with vintage illustrations. A true keepsake for all ages!

3) House Blessings Prayers, Poems, and Toasts Celebrating Home and Family By June Cotner
PRICE $15.95

"In House Blessings, best-selling anthologist June Cotner has assembled a moving collection of interfaith prayers, poems, and toasts that speak to the experiences we share in turning our houses into our homes. With 112 pieces collected from 38 writers, this little book offers a reading for every occasion." Doesn't this book sound delightful?

 
As you know I love to travel, so my first books would be from the Chronicle Books Travel Category would be:

1) California's Central Coast: The Ultimate Winery Guide -From Santa Barbara to Paso Robles
By Mira Advani Honeycutt, Photographs by Kirk Irwin ,Foreword by Jim Clendenen   PRICE: $22.95

Having visited Napa and Sonoma, and using Chronicle's guides for both, I'd like to one day visit the wineries in the central coast of California and I know this would be an excellent guide.

2) City Walks Architecture: New York  By Alissa Walker Maps by John Spelman PRICE: $18.95

As a lifelong New Yorker I never tire of learning more about my city and walking is one of my favorite activities so how could I resist the chance to use this resource of twenty five two panel cards with 25 NYC walking adventures ?  

3) City Walks Architecture: Paris By Michael Herrman Maps by John Spelman  PRICE: $18.95

 I dream of visiting Paris and this deck contains 25 walking adventures that introduce users to the city's one-of-a-kind buildings, parks, and monuments, and features insider information on historic structures. A wonderful resource to savor!

So there it is!  Almost $500 worth of wonderful books that I'd be thrilled to win, and hopefully that a reader will also win. Make a comment on this blog post and keep your fingers crossed that we will both be chosen by Chronicle Books as winners on December13, 2010!  Good luck!

In the meantime you can visit the Chronicle Books website and use their excellent "Gift Finder" where you can search by Recipients, Occasions, Personalities or Prices for books you would like to to buy for yourself or as gifts.You can also read the Chronicle Books blog or sign up for their newsletters.  They also have the most delicious collection of Moleskine journals for sale -- a prefect stocking stuffer gift!


Just in time for the holidays Chronicle Books is offering 35% off + free shipping until December 12th, 2010! Use the code FRIENDS at checkout! 

CSN Give Away Win!

I won Penny's blog, The Comforts of Home CSN online Stores $55 gift certificate give away last week, and I asked my daughter-in-law, who is expecting our second grandson, to choose something she needed for the baby with it.

She chose this adorable Badger Basket Natural Hooded Moses Basket with blue gingham bedding! It will come in handy when the baby is born. It is very portable for when she needs a comfortable place for the baby to sleep when she brings him out with my older grandson to a friend's house, or to playgroup.  When he is older and can no longer use the basket the hood detaches and it can be used to hold toys.

There was also enough left on the gift certificate so that she was able to order this cute Sevi Tambourine for my grandson, so that also got a treat! He's almost two years old so making music is a fun activity for him and I'm sure he'll enjoy dancing and marching to his music DVD's while he plays his tambourine!

Thanks so much Penny!  I enjoy your blog so very much and it was excitng to win your give away! You've helped me to give some early Christmas presents to my family.  If you love fluffing your home to make it a warm and inviting place you'll love visiting Penny's The Comfort of Home blog as she shares to most delightful decorating tips and crafts. She also is a supreme mosaic artist and you can see her work on her fabulous Lavender Hill Studio blog. You may find an unique handcrafted mosaic gift for someone special there!

Business Projects Photo Safari Weekend

 The Time Warner Building at Columbus Circle.

As I mentioned on my main blog I won a fabulous give away from the blog NYC, Style and a Little Cannoli for a weekend Photo Safari workshop walking tour of areas in New York City with the help and instruction of a professional  photographer.

The Trump International Hotel and Tower

Miguel Gomez was the professional  photographer that accompanied our group.  He has worked for numerous clients that commissioned personal projects in Great Britain, the U.S.A., Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Venezuela, Argentina, Costa Rica and Colombia. As an active member of the photographic and artistic community, Miguel’s work has been exhibited in several galleries and is part of private collections.

A view from  inside the Time Warner building of Columbus Circle.

The safari is intended for participants with beginning to advanced amateur skills and will include visit to locations such as City Hall, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, among other stops and visits. Our group concentrated between the Columbus Circle area and Central Park in Manhattan.

A view from Central Park of the famous Dakota cooperative apartment building.

It was nice to meet Rosemary of NYC, Style and a little Cannoli blog. Rosemary visits NYC often and loves to show the variety of wonderful stores to shop in, and places to stop to have a delicious dessert, when you visit the city.  I'm sure you'd enjoy visiting her blog!

A large boulder inside Central Park.

Our instructor, photographer Miguel Gomez, focused on composition, lighting ideas and exposure, as some of the topics we covered during our class.  All the photos in this blog post were taken by me during the class and were reviewed and critiqued by Mr. Gomez as to how they could be improved and I learned quite a bit from him.

The Sheep Meadow in Central Park

Bethesda Fountain, Central Park

Although I have a DSRL Nikon  D 60 camera, I have been reluctant up to now to use it off its automatic settings and Mr. Gomez showed me how to switch to manual and adjust my lens and light settings to achieve the results I wanted. A few examples of that can be seen in the following series of photos taken inside an ornate walkway in Central Park.

Photo taken on automatic settings.....

..and now on manual settings. Notice how more light enters the photo and the edges of the room can be seen more easily?

Two more photos examples of using the manual camera setting and experimenting changing settings. The inside of this walk way is quite dark and using manual settings allowed my camera to catch all available light, yet remain subdued in effect.

I was excited to learn to take more chances with my camera and to learn how to frame my photos and use the rule of three with outdoor compositions. Miguel was easy to work with and gave us a wealth of information about how to care for our cameras and what to look for in buying additional lenses according to what type of photographs we like to take.

We concluded day one of our instruction with a late lunch, where we met another photographer, John Corrado, who specializes in food photography.  He gave us valuable tips and insights into styling food photography shots.

Here are two food photos, above and below, taken on manual camera setting of two of the delicious entrees we had that day at The Brooklyn Deli where we had lunch!

All in all I had a wonderful experience and would highly recommend the Photo Safari workshops to all as a fun and informational way to learn how to take great photos that you can use on your blog or personal collection while seeing some of the fabulous sights of New York City!

Please visit my main blog MILLE FIORI FAVORITI where I blog about the places I visit and the events I attend in New York City! It is the greatest city in the world and there is always something fun going on!