Thursday, July 29, 2010

Thank You For Sticking Around!

I apologize for my 10 day hiatus, I decided sneak a vacation without giving any heads up. It was much needed but I am happy to be back. Time to go through hundreds of emails and catch up on my favorite blogs. I will be posting again soon! :)

Sunday, July 18, 2010

FREE Purnia One Dog or Cat Food

Free Purina One dog food or cat food (6 oz pouch) at your local PetSmart!For your FREE coupon login or register for PetPerks (PetSmarts loyalty program...it's free!) Then click on the PetSmart Coupons – View Coupons button. It's that easy!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

We Have a Winner!

Thank you to all who entered the MetalRocks Silver Necklace Giveaway! Once again, Random.org selects our winner! Without further ado...

The winner is comment #33...
Liz said...

Following you via twitter
@jlizgar

lizlivingbarefoot@gmail.com

Congrats Liz! I will be emailing you shortly. Liz will have 48 hours to respond or another winner may be selected.

***Would you or someone you know like to be featured on Feature Friday? Send me an email at ashleysallowance.blogspot.com***

Friday, July 16, 2010

Feature Friday: La Femme Botique Etsy Shop

La Femme Boutique is another fantabulous jewelery shop on Etsy. Includes a range of beautiful elegant jewelry with a modern style. Her jewelery is simple, classic, and perfect for both everyday and/or special occasions. La Femme Boutique specializes in earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.

About The Artist: (As quoted directly from her Etsy Shop Profile)

"My name is Rachel and I am a jewellery designer located in Kellyville, NSW, Australia. I am a Mother to one very precocious 8 year old and wife to an Australian Air Force member. Don't be suprised to see my location change on a regular basis as we move around Australia. I love to make things have had tried many different mediums in which to satify that part of me that loves to create, however, I always come back to my first love, creating jewellery. I and am inspired by the colours and textures in nature. I love to use gemstones, pearls and good quality materials. I love to create modern, elegant designs with a simple clean feel. I work with sterling silver and copper predominently in my metalworking designs, but also use 14kt gold fill and good quality 16kt gold pated materials in my beaded jewellery for a touch of glamour. I am currently exploring the exciting world of enamelling and metalwork, so join me on a journey of self discovery whilst I hammer, shape, solder and enamel my way through the worlds silver supplies and a delicious array of enamel colours and vibrant possibilities."

Rachels' Favorite materials to work with include: Gemstones, pearls, swarvoski crystals, sterling silver, gold filled, and enamel.

My personal favorites include:
Turquoise Gemstone Nuggets with Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet:

& last but not least, the Sterling Silver Lampwork Frosted Focal Bead Necklace:

Not only can you find La Femme Botique on Etsy, you can also find Rachel on Facebook and through updates and ocassional competitions on her blog.

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Feature Friday: Bantam Chicken Ridge & Rachel Teferet Designs Etsy Shop

Bantam Chicken Ridge and Rachel Teferet Designs is a wonderful shop on Etsy. She has everything from jewelry and amulets to photography and herbal body care products. She really does have a great array of products!

Rachel from Bantam Chicken Ridge had generously sent me one of her Calm Spirit Sleep-Ease Salve's to review.This salve was fantastic! It has a great consistency and a beautifully relaxing scent. This calming product is made from the following:
  • Brahmi
  • Gotu Kola
  • Calamus
  • Sesame Oil
  • Tea Tree Essential Oil
  • Soybean Oil
  • Candelila Wax
Rest assured, these herbal body care products are made 100% organic & pesticide free!

Be sure to stay up to date on Bantam Chicken's BLOG for new products and promotional offers! For instance, this weekend only there is free shipping on her Ultimate Skin Soother and itchy bug bite defeating Salve! Don't miss out!
Again, not only does Bantam Chicken Ridge and Rachel Teferet's Designs offer herbal body care products but they also have some great jewelery and photography. Here are some of my other personal favorites:

This Elegant Ocean and Oyster Necklace (which so happens to be on sale right now!):
And this Dramatic Foggy Sunset Over Ocean Gift Card:I am happy to report that Rachel's products are of high quality and are are priced very fairly. Most importantly, she is wonderful to work with!

You can keep in touch with Bantam Chicken Ridge and Rachel Teferet Deigns via her:
Would I recommend Bantam Chicken Ridge and Rachel Teferet designs?
You betchya! Actually I too just ordered the Ultimate Skin Smoother and itchy bug bite defeating Salve! Be sure to stay tuned for that review! :)

What's your favorite item over at Bantam Chicken Ridge and Rachel Tefert Designs Etsy Shop?

Disclosure: I recieved no monetary compensation for this post. All opinions are my own. A special thanks to Rachel at Bantam Chicken Ridge and Rachel Teferet Designs for offering me a product to review.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

New Blog Design & Button Clean-Up

Please bear with me while I continue to perfect my new blog design (for the time being). There are still a lot of changes I would like to make. I have also spent some time cleaning out all of the blog buttons which were either expired events or dead links. If you notice any link on my blog is not working, please let me know. I'd really appreciate the help!

Also, if you are interested in swapping buttons please let me know! I'd be glad to add you to my blog :)

Please, let me know what you think!

***While your here, why not enter my current giveaway here! It ends Friday!!!***

Csnstores.com Review: Zwilling JA Henckels International Fine Edge Synergy 13 Piece Block Cutlery Set

As I mentioned before, I received a product to review from csnstores.com. Selecting a product to review was a difficult task for me as there is sooo much to chose from! The product I finally chose was the Zwilling JA Henckels International Fine Edge Synergy 13 Piece Block Cutlery Set.This 13 piece set includes:
  • 2 3/4" Paring Knife
  • 6" Utility Knife
  • 5 1/2" Boning Knife
  • 8" Bread Knife
  • 8" Chef's Knife
  • Steak Knives (6 pcs)
  • 9" Sharpening Steel
  • Harwood Block (to safely store knives)
The Knives are made with contour santoprene with brushed stainless steal accent handles and have satin finish stainless steel blades. Blades are precision stamped as well. These knives are dishwasher safe (but not recommended).

I am very happy with my selection! We were in rather desperate need for new knives..ours were getting pretty ancient! For dinner last night we had steak on the grill, the perfect meat to test these bad boys on! They worked beautifully. I also made a salad to go with dinner and was able to cut my tomatoes without a huge sloppy juicy mess (like I experienced with my "old" knives).

I can now happily remove my old knife set from my life. Thank you csnstores.com!

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did recieve the product to review at no cost. Thank you to csnstores.com for providing me with this opportunity!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Internet Server Issues & Feature Friday

The past two-ish days I have barely had an internet connection. Unfortunately for this reason I was unable to create and post Feature Friday. I will resume Feature Friday on Friday, July 16.

Again, I will be featuring 2 Etsy Shops:

La Femme Jewels
&
Bantam Chicken Ridge & Rachel Teferet Designs

Go ahead and take a peak around their stores and let me know what you think :)

Would you or someone you know like to be featured on my blog in Feature Friday? Send me an email at ashleysallowance@gmail.com!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Blogger Comment Issues

It appears as though Blogger is having some issues with comments on posts. Even though the comment may not be showing up on the post at the time you enter it, I am still receiving the comment notification via email. I have and will continue to be sure to include any qualifying entries for giveaways that I receiv!e comment notification for. So don't worry! Your comments/entries still count! If you have any questions please let me know!

***Reminder: MetalRocks Silver Necklace Giveaway ends on 7/16, enter now!***

We Have A Winner!

Thank you to all who entered the Greensations Skincare Product giveaway! The winner was selected using Random.org as usual.

And the winner is... Comment #29...

Jenn said...

I would like to try either the wrinkle balm (never to young to start the fight!) or the Bug Blocker.
June 30, 2010 10:43 PM

Congratulations Jenn! Jenn will be notified email shortly and will have 48 hours to respond to my email. Otherwise, a new winner will be selected.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Giveaway Ending Today!!!

My Greensations Skincare Products Giveaway ends tonight!
Don't Miss out, enter now!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

New England Coffee Product Review

Hello, my name is Ashley and I am an addict. A coffee addict that is! Really, I just HAVE to have coffee every morning. Yep, I am one of those people.

So, when I was given the opportunity to try New England Coffee I was estatic! Actually, as I am writing this my cup (#3) of New England Breakfast Blend is well within arms reach!

The flavors/blends I was so eager to try included:

Blueberry Cobbler
A fresh, sweet, juicy berry flavor with warm spice notes, reminiscent of a country kitchen.

French Vanilla
Smooth, luscious vanilla in a special blend of medium-roasted South and Central American beans.

San Fransisco Blend *Roasted Darker for Bold Flavor*
Rich, aromatic French Roast with the distinct flavors of medium-roasted Kenya AA and Sumatra Mandheling.

Hazlenut Creme (Decaffeinated)
Rich, nutty overtones in a mellow blend of medium-roasted South and Central American decaffeinated beans.

New England Breakfast Blend
The finest beans from Cental and South America in a hearty, medium-roasted wake-me-up blend.

Breakfast Blend (Decaffeinated)
A hearty, medium-roasted blend using only the finest beans from Central and South America. So flavorful you won't believe that it's decaffeinated!

The blends/flavors I was given the opportunity to try are not the only ones available! Be sure to check out all of the others including Chocolate Cappucino, Cinnamon Hazelnut, Hawaiian Macademia Nut, 4 Seasons Blend, and Costa Rican (just to name a few) at New England Coffee!

My Thoughts:

The first blend/flavor I tried was the Blueberry Cobbler. This flavor is my favorite. I love the smell of it while brewing. The blueberry flavor is perfect, it isn't too strong, and carrys out throughout the cup of coffee. I love it!

On the Blueberry Cobbler package was a sticker to "Try Me Iced" so I went to the website indicated www.trymeiced.com for brewing instructions. Boy was I glad I did! I just love iced coffee in this hot summer heat! I never really thought to brew my own iced coffee. Now that I now how I will definitely be doing it more often!

Brian's favorite was the San Fransico Blend, he usually like the more bold coffees.

Would I recommend New England Coffee?
YES, I would! I will definitely be making this a staple on my grocery list! You should definitely give it a try! There are great special offers on New England Coffee's website that you don't want to miss including a coupon, a FREE tumbler, and shop online!

Don't miss a beat... follow New England Coffee on Facebook!

Disclosure: I did not recieve any monetary compensation for this post. A special thanks to New England Coffee for providing me with the coffees mentioned above! All opinions are my own.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Enter Stop & Shoppers Gift Card Giveaway!

Are you a Stop & Shop shopper?

If so, be sure to enter a $10 Stop & Shop gift card giveaway over at Stop & Shoppers!

I Miss Having a Nice Big Bathroom!

I am definitely a daydreamer! I am always catching myself looking at home decor and what not for the space that I don't have. (Remember, I currently live in the dungeon...basement apartment). But seriously, I am always picturing my perfect home and all the things I'd love to fill it with!

Someday! In the meantime I can only dream and CSN stores is the perfect starting place to do so! For instance, I really miss having a nice big bathroom with a pretty vanity (like I use to have in my old apartment)! There are many closets MUCH bigger than my current bathroom.

Just Vanities is only one of CSN's many (200+) stores! Not only does Just Vanities have bathroom vanities but they also have bedroom vanities and vanity stools, lighting, mirrors, and much much more!

Oh, how I can not wait to get myself into a bigger place!

**Also, Stay tuned for an upcoming CSN Store product review here at Ashley's Allowance**

Disclosure: I was not monetarily compensated for writing this post. All opinions are my own.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Feature Friday: MetalRocks Etsy Shop (+giveaway)!!

Regardless of my ridiculous debt I told you about (a few posts back), I still have a difficult time staying away from shopping, especially jewelry shopping! I have bunches of jewelry and firmly believe a girl can not have enough jewelry (even though my boyfriend is sure I have more than enough)!

While it is imperative that I stick to my budget plan...a girl can dream can't she?! So, window-shopping I go!!!

If you love metal jewelry (sterling silver, argentium silver, 14K gold fill and 10K solid gold), I am sure you will just drool over what you will find at MetalRocks Etsy Shop!

About the Artist:
Behind the scenes at MetalRocks is artist Sharon. Sharon has been making jewelery for most of her life. In 1987 she took her passion further, attending metal smithing courses at the Southwestern Cultural Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. At the time, she was studying the art of Astrology. She began to independently study the stones representation via the Astrological signs and their various healing properties. She has been a professional astrologer since 1989 and love to marry this knowledge as well as the healing properties, within many of my pieces. Sharon opened her Etsy shop in July of 2008 after overcoming a terrible car accident in 1994 (you can read more about this here). She is grateful for the time she could not solder as it gave her a greater appreciation of wire and the creativity that can be achieved via this medium. She likes to think her years of loving jewelery, training and fighting/finding her way back to her creative outlet are in every piece she makes.

An interesting tid-bit about Sharon is that she is quite the loyal football fan for the Saskatchewan Roughriders! She shared with me a story about how one day a fellow football fan twitter friend checked out her Etsy Shop and asked here where the football stuff was? Well, here it is...

What I Thought:

In my opinion, Sharon at MetalRocks is an extremely talented individual! Her jewlerly is most definitely "drool-worthy" in my book! She has a great selection and has fantastic pieces even I can afford (and that's hard to find)!

Actually, I do plan to purchase a peice of jewelry, I'm just not sure which one I should pick! For me, it's a toss up between these two pieces:

Diamonds of Silver Post Earrings


Tiny Silver Hammered Heart Post Earrings

Once I make my decision and order them, I'll be sure to keep you "in the know" :)

***& A Giveaway!!!
***

Sharon at MetalRocks as generously offered one of my readers the chance to win this necklace:

Solid Silver Drop Pendant with SS Chain and Clasp


How To Enter:
**Mandatory Entry**: (This entry must be done BEFORE extra entries)
  • Spend some time "window-shopping" over at MetalRocks Etsy Shop (or better yet, real shopping!) and then leave a comment on this post stating what your favorite peice is (aside from what I mentioned in this feature). Please include your email address in comment so I may contact you if you are the winner!
Extra Entries: To be completed only AFTER above mandatory entry is done. Please leave one comment per entry. For example, If the entry is worth 3 entries, leave 3 comments.
  • Follow MetalRockss on Twitter. (3 entries) Comment with Twitter name.
  • Purchase something from MetalRocks (10 entries) This will be verified.
  • Follow Ashley's Allowance via Google Friend Connect.
  • Follow Ashley's Allowance on Twitter. Comment with Twitter name
  • Tweet about this giveaway please include @ashsallowance and @MetalRockss in tweet (1 x daily)! Provide link in comment directly to tweet.
  • Add this giveaway to a giveaway linky (2 entries). Comment with link.
  • Blog about this giveaway (3 entries). Comment with link.
This giveaway will end on Friday, July 16th at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be selected via Random.org. Winner will be contacted via email and has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Good luck! :)

Disclosure: I did not recieve any monetary compensations for this post. Special thanks to Sharon at MetalRocks for generously offering the giveaway. All opinions within are my own.

Friday Feature: Emberatia's Etsy Shop

Looking for some original artwork to revamp your space?
You should consider the artwork at Emberatia's Etsy shop!

Trust me, I'm bookmarking this one for when I FINALLY escape from the dungeon (ie. my current apartment).

Her art is t
op-notch, really.

About the Artist: Ember Fairbairn-Ramsay

The Artist's Statement (directly from her website):

"Creating art for me is a communion with creation, it is a meditation where one “loses” self and merges into all that is and all that is yet to be. The artwork can also be a contemplation, rather than a mental, conceptual idea of artmaking. To a large degree it is the process and the form which shapes the content of the work, employing colour, mark making , symbol and shape through oil paint, and texture via the encaustic process. My work is also about relationship with and within nature as a being in the world of form".

"Ember has exhibited since 2000, selling work and completing commissions. Prior to which she trained in Queensland. She has sold work in Australia, U.S.A, Canada.
"

Embers favorite materials to work with are oil, encaustic, chelac, bitumen, and collages.

Follow Emberatia on Twitter.
Check out her Etsy Shop & her website.

My Thoughts:

I found Emberatia's Etsy Shop to have a great selection of artwork for all different moods, moments, and budgets! :) She really does have something for everyone!

My Favorite Piece of Artwork:

It is really hard for me to pick just one favorite in Emberatia's Etsy Shop, I love them all! But, if I had to pick, these would be my top three:

Be sure to check out these and many others at
Emberatia's Etsy Shop!

What's your favorite?

Bringing Feature Friday Back!


Just wanted to give you the heads up that I have decided to resurrect Feature Friday!


Tonight I will be featuring TWO Etsy Shops
&
a giveaway!

So, Please check back!

If you or someone you know would like to be featured please email me at ashleysallowance@gmail.com