Friday, July 9, 2010

AND THE WINNER IS.... (TAKE TWO)


Congratulations BROOK! Our first winner never claimed her prize so we re-drew and you've won the $50 Gift Certificate to Tamara Handbags! I can't wait to see what you'll choose to put it toward.  Maybe this adorable Carly clutch?


Please e-mail me at afomft@gmail.com by end of day Monday, July 12th to claim your prize. If I do not hear from you by then, a new winner will be chosen.  And a huge thank you to Tamara Handbags for this fabulous giveaway!

Things to Do If You Are the Ocean: An Original Poem


My daughter is getting married tomorrow! We're having the wedding rehearsal this evening. Both my daughter’s wedding and reception will take place in historic Salem, Massachusetts—a city that should be remembered for its maritime history…not just because of the infamous witch trials of 1692 that took place there.

(Note: you can find out more about Sara’s wedding reception in A Wild Rose Wedding: What’s on the Menu.)

My daughter grew up near a tidal estuary. There is a lovely seaside park—with two beaches, rolling lawns, shade trees, and a rose garden—in the city where we live. Our family spent many summer days at the park when Sara was young.

My daughter, my husband, and I all love the ocean. We enjoy feeling a cooling sea breeze when the weather is as hot and humid as it has been this past week. We love the sound of the water lapping on the shore…the briny smell of the sea. If the weather is fair tomorrow, we’ll even be taking wedding photos down on Derby Wharf in Salem.

I think you'll be able to figure out why I selected the following “things to do” poem to post today.


THINGS TO DO IF YOU ARE THE OCEAN
by Elaine Magliaro

Wrap yourself in a shawl of sky-blue silk.

Trim its edges with lace.

Embroider it with seabirds and sequins of sunlight.

Lap the rocky shore with your salty tongue.

In summer, cool the burning sands.

Let Moon be your mistress.

Rise and fall at her command.

********************

Find out more about Salem, Massachusetts

Aerial View of Salem

Maritime History of Massachusetts

Take a virtual tour of the Salem Maritime National Historic Site

Note: Author Nathaniel Hawthorne worked at the Custom House in this city on the North Shore during his term as Surveyor of the Port of Salem from 1846 to 1849.

The Custom House

View from the Custom House


********************


The Poetry Friday Roundup is at Carol’s Corner.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Stick 'Em Up! {GIVEAWAY}

If you've been reading AFOMFT for a while, you're well aware of my love for wall decals.  With Gabrielle and Alaina approaching two, I've already started to design their "big girl" room in my head and of course, it involves some fun stickers on the walls so when I came across RoomMates, I was overjoyed.  They have a huge selection removable, re-positionable and reusable wall decals which can be used to decorate nearly any smooth surface you can think of, and their designs are adorable!  I love the Scroll Tree MegaPack. 


How cute would that be paired with the Build-a-House MegaPack?


So perfect for two little girls!  And there are fantastic options for boys too.  The All Aboard Set would make any train lover squeal with delight.


And the Build-Your-Own Robot collection will keep your little one entertained for hours.


RoomMates also carries some really fun decals that are interactive and three dimensional.  As soon as I saw their Butterfly Peel & Stick Mirrors, I knew I had to get one for Gabrielle and Alaina.


Sure enough, my girly girls love to stare at themselves in the butterflies.  They play peek-a-boo with themselves and totally crack up when they see their reflections.  If we had a playroom, I would line the walls with them at toddler height so they could amuse themselves all day long.  I have a feeling when Gabrielle and Alaina get a little bigger, they'll also love the Chalkboard Decals, like these mushrooms:


Finally - a place for little ones to write on the walls that you won't worry about!

I also adore these Wallpockets - you can the dots with the half-slits to store small objects like ticket stubs or flat toys, and the ones with inner circles cut out make terrific picture frames.


But RoomMates doesn't only carry wall decals for kids - they have designs that will work in any space and for any taste.  This Cherry Blossom Tree would look gorgeous in a dining or living room.


The Coffee House set can transform your kitchen into your own personal cafe.


And how great would the Black & White Chalkboard & Dry Erase Combo be for an office?


What I like most about RoomMates is the quality you get for the price.  The butterfly mirror we received is just $10.49 but it's sturdy enough to take some abuse from two tough toddlers.  And because they're removable and reusable, I don't have to worry about the girls pulling them off the wall and ruining the paint.  You just put them back up and go about your day.  They even carry wall border decals which would be so much easier to put up than the wallpaper version.  Such a great option if you rent or like to change things up often!

By using RoomMates wall decals, redecorating can be as simple as peeling and sticking.  Not convinced?  Maybe this will help sway you....

RoomMates is generously giving away a $40 credit to their store to one lucky AFOMFT reader!  To enter, visit RoomMates and post a comment here telling me what you'll put the credit toward if you win (this is mandatory).  For additional entries:
  • Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber
  • "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook -- http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN
  • "Like" RoomMates on Facebook
  • Ask your friends to "like" AFOMFT on Facebook by sending them this link - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN - and post a comment here with the names of each one who does.  You'll earn one entry per new friend who "likes" our page and names will be cross-checked.  
  • Follow RoomMates & AFOMFT on Twitter (@roommatesdecor & @AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  #Win a $40 toward fabulous wall decals from @roommatesdecor @AFOMFT - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
  • Click here to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did - Vote For Us @ topbabyblogs.com Top Baby Blogs.  You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
  • Grab our button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
  • Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog post.
Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post.  Comments on Facebook will not count as entries.  This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends July 15th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on July 16th. If the winner doesn't contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

Please note that RoomMates sent me one Butterfly Peel & Stick Mirror for the purpose of this review.  The opinions I've shared of their products are my own.

Images: RoomMates

AND THE WINNER IS....


Congratulations TOBI!  You've won the Handprint Growth Chart from Pearhead!  I know you're going to cherish this terrific keepsake.


Please e-mail me at afomft@gmail.com by end of day Saturday, July 10th to claim your prize. If I do not hear from you by then, a new winner will be chosen.  And a huge thank you to Pearhead for this fabulous giveaway!


And if you didn't win, don't worry - readers of AFOMFT will get 10% off all purchases at Pearhead by entering code MYFAVS at checkout through July 25th.  Happy shopping!

AND THE WINNER IS....


Congratulations DEBI!  You've won the $20 credit to Forever Chic Bowtique!  Some adorable bow and headband combos just got added to the store that would be perfect for any little lady.  How cute are the holiday designs?



 But I think this preppy number is my favorite.


Please e-mail me at afomft@gmail.com by end of day Saturday, July 10th to claim your prize. If I do not hear from you by then, a new winner will be chosen.  And a huge thank you to Forever Chic Bowtique for this wonderful giveaway!

AND THE WINNER IS....


Congratulations BROOKE!  You've won the $50 credit to CSN Stores!  With more than 200 different sites to choose from, you have lots of options for how to use it.  I've got my eye on this fun tricycle.

Please e-mail me at afomft@gmail.com by end of day Saturday, July 10th to claim your prize. If I do not hear from you by then, a new winner will be chosen.  And a huge thank you to CSN Stores for this amazing giveaway!


New US Poet Laureate Announced

W. S. Merwin Named US Poet Laureate!

Read more here.