Give a Novica Gift for Christmas, Review and $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway #ComplimentaryProductReceived

 

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary $50 GC to get something for myself for posting this provided information and the opportunity to give another away to my readers. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this post.

NOVICA helps change the lives of artisans in developing nations, while offering us extraordinary handmade gifts, jewelry, apparel, and home decor. There are so many talented artists and artisans around the world. NOVICA provides these unique, hard-to-find items on their internet website at great prices. These services are all fair trade, meaning that they don't charge the artists and artisans any listing fees and the artists and artisans remain fully independent. They are free to raise their prices, lower their prices, or remove their items from their website whenever they please. This website is great to buy something from for your special someone for Christmas, just remember since these items are coming all the way from the country they are made in, the shipping might take longer than expected. 

 

This is a review I wrote about the artisan who made my metal wall sculptures.

 

I received $50 to spend on Novica. I wanted something that could decorate the side of my farm's well house. I needed something bright and cheery so that when guests come up our driveway they would notice it. I found a gorgeous steel wall sculpture of a Violet Hummingbird by J. Blas from Mexico. It was the perfect price because it was just a cent less than the GC I received and since I am a Novica Ambassador I received free shipping. It is shaped by hand and has cutout motifs on its wings and tail feathers. It is the perfect size too at just 21.25 inches high x 15 inches wide x 2.4 inches deep you can still tell from the road coming to our home that it is a hummingbird. I also learned that in Mexico when someone sees a hummingbird in flight, they make a wish. I love this sentiment so much!

I had purchased a different wall sculpture from the same artist a number of years back called 'Cave Art Pony' which is hung on a wall in my living room and I love it too. These metal wall sculptures are so unique and wonderful! I highly recommend J. Blas and his artwork!

 

Assorted face masks from Novica.

 

Be sure to check out Novica's selection of beautiful face masks. They will keep you safe during COVID times and your purchase will help the artisans too. These are all unique and there is sure to be one that fits your style.

WIN IT

• Prize: Win a $50 Gift Certificate from NOVICA (This GC Expires 1/31/2021).

I run giveaways with Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NOVICA Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day Sales

Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

NOVICA helps change the lives of artisans in developing nations, while offering us extraordinary handmade gifts, jewelry, apparel, and home decor. There are so many talented artists and artisans around the world. NOVICA provides these unique, hard-to-find items on their internet website at great prices. These services are all fair trade, meaning that they don't charge the artists and artisans any listing fees and the artists and artisans remain fully independent. They are free to raise their prices, lower their prices, or remove their items from their website whenever they please. This website is great to buy something from for your special someone for Mother's Day, just remember since these items are coming all the way from the country they are made in, the shipping might take longer than expected. 

Mother's Day and Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner and NOVICA is having some awesome sales during this time.

Here are the sales...

• Mother's Day Gifts are on sale now at NOVICA! Save 10% Off Unique Gifts for Mom. Valid 4-23-18 through 5-13-18 11:59 PM PT. 
• Until Sunday, enjoy 10% OFF Mexican treasures during their Cinco de Mayo sale! Valid 5-3-18 through 5-6-18 11:59 PM PT.
• Two birthstones are on sale for the month of May: Agate and Emerald - save 10% on these birthstone jewelry! Valid 5-1-18 through 5-31-18 11:59 PM PT.

Daily Deals

Save up to 50% Off with NOVICA Daily Deals! Below are the upcoming deals for the next week...

Aqua Rose, Artisan Crafted Silk and Wool Blend Shawl
Save up to 25%
Deal Price: $37.99
Deal Date: Friday, May 4

Peach Blossoms, Pearl and quartz earrings
Save up to 18%
Deal Price: $14.99
Deal Date: Saturday, May 5

Glowing Bronze, Handcrafted Solid Rope Hammock (Double)
Save up to 27%
Deal Price: $52.99
Deal Date: Sunday, May 6

Moonlit Sparkle, Sterling Silver Bangle Bracelet India Fair Trade Jewelry
Save up to 24%
Deal Price: $62.99
Deal Date: Monday, May 7

Conical Nature, 1 Quart Serving Bowl in Natural Wood Handmade in Thailand
Save up to 23%
Deal Price: $39.99
Deal Date: Tuesday, May 8

Moonlit Stars, Floral Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings
Save up to 23%
Deal Price: $27.99
Deal Date: Wednesday, May 9

Innocent Colors, Two Handwoven Striped Cotton Wrap Scarves from Thailand
Save up to 21%
Deal Price: $22.99
Deal Date: Thursday, May 10

Save up to 50% Off with NOVICA Daily Deals!


DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to NOVICA for sending me this information. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any compensation for doing this post. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Wordless Wednesday Nonnie Made Hooded Coat and Capelet

Nonnie made this Coat and Capelet that now fit Teela and Zari (the coat was handed down by cousins & the capelet was Tatiana's)

The coat for Teela has a hood too!

Wordless Wednesday Teela Loom Knits

Teela, my 9 year old daughter, just started to learn to loom knit.

Here is a hat she made all on her own with out a pattern.

Give a Novica Gift for Christmas, Review and $35 Giveaway

I received a $35 gift card free from Novica to facilitate this review and the opportunity below to giveaway another $35 Gift Certificate. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

NOVICA helps change the lives of artisans in developing nations, while offering us extraordinary handmade gifts, jewelry, apparel, and home decor. There are so many talented artists and artisans around the world. NOVICA provides these unique, hard-to-find items on their internet website at great prices. These services are all fair trade, meaning that they don't charge the artists and artisans any listing fees and the artists and artisans remain fully independent. They are free to raise their prices, lower their prices, or remove their items from their website whenever they please. This website is great to buy something from for your special someone for Christmas, just remember since these items are coming all the way from the country they are made in, the shipping might take longer than expected.

I received $35 to spend on Novica. I love the variety and eclectic feel to Novica. I sought out something unique to bring a welcoming knock to my farm house door. I purchased a Horse Door Knocker called 'Horse Arrival' which is made out of copper plated brass that has an antique look with a lacquer finish. It is so very perfect for welcoming guests into my home. This horse head door knocker is hand crafted by Khalid Ali, an artisan in India, and inspired by the ancient Mughal style. It even came with the iron screws to mount it. This door knocker gives an ambience of dignity and grace and also has a neat feel of the orient. At a little over a pound in weight, this has got some beef to it. I love the way it looks and hope it lasts a long long time out in the elements. I cannot wait to install it!

This brass door knocker 'Horse Arrival' can be found in decor accessory categories such as Animal Themed Decorative Hardware. Enjoy exploring these sections for other Novica treasures.

WIN IT
Prize: Win a $35 Gift Certificate from NOVICA (This GC Expires 1/31/2017).

I run giveaways with Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to NOVICA for sending me a $35 gift certificate for free to review a product off their website and one $35 gift certificate to give away for free. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review of their website. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

World Vision Gift Catalog and Royal Silk Scarf Review and Giveaway

The Royal Silk Scarf and the World Vision Gift Catalog.

This review and giveaway is sponsored by World Vision.

The true meaning of this and every holiday season should be giving and what better way to do that than to create a Christmas list through World Vision and their Gift Catalog. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

In their catalog you can choose from more than 250 meaningful, life-changing gifts to meet the essential, immediate needs of children and their families around the world. These alternative gift ideas such as: animals (goats, sheep, cows, chickens, pigs, oxen, ducks, donkeys, rabbits, alpacas), sewing machines, bicycles, education and training, homes, clothes and shoes, clean water, fruit trees, honey bees, supplies and tools, medicine, etc. - honor the recipient and make a lasting impact for people in need. The catalog also offers a wide variety of 30+ gifts to match the interests and hobbies of the gift recipient to make the gift giving more meaningful. The recipient of the gift you give, whether a friend or family member, will get a special card describing the gift and its impact. Also with a contribution to the Maximum Impact Fund donors can also receive free handmade items from around the world: such as ornaments, jewelry, scarves, totes, etc. These donations help the areas of greatest need.



From the Handcrafted Gifts category I received the Royal Silk Scarf. This gorgeous vibrantly colored silk scarf is woven by Vietnam's Ma Chau villagers, helping to provide them with a sustainable income. This luxurious scarf has a beautiful sheen and is smooth to the touch. I love how it feels and looks on me. Its colors look tie dyed and each scarf is unique, so size and color may vary slightly. Approximate size: 68". Free with a donation of $95 or more.

Be Social:

You can follow World Vision on Facebook/Twitter/YouTube

WIN IT
Prize: Royal Silk Scarf (US Only!)

I run giveaways with Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

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BUY IT
To order from the World Vision Gift Catalog, visit www.worldvisiongifts.org. To order by phone or to request a print catalog, call toll-free at (888) 511-6511.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product for free to review and an opportunity to giveaway one as well. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Wordless Wednesday Bunny Palace in Progress

My husband, putting together the new bunny palace.

The bunny palace partially built. We put a coat of whitewash on it to protect the wood from the elements also.

UNICEF Market Review and Giveaway

I received a $50 gift card free from UNICEF Market to facilitate this review and the opportunity below to giveaway a $50 Gift Certificate. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

I got the Natural Onyx Fruit Figurine Sculpture, 'Tempting Pear' on the UNICEF Market website, made by the Sierra Family. Their town of Puebla is renowned in Mexico for its carvings in onyx and marble, which is mined in the Mexican states of Puebla and Oaxaca. This pear I found to be exceptionally beautiful and unique, even more so when I saw it first hand. I love the natural grain of the stone in which the Sierra Family highlighted when they sculpted it and polished it smooth. The lovely white, honey, brown, red, and orange colors in the stone pear are brought out by the shape of the fruit figurine sculpture. A shiny brass leaf and stem top off the masterpiece. It now sits on my bookshelf and reminds me of harvest time of our own pears on our orchard trees.

UNICEF Market is a wonderful online store that has partnered with Novica to bring you unique handcrafted items from artisans around the world in a fair trade environment. Each item purchased from UNICEF Market will benefit UNICEF's humanitarian programs that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need around the globe.

Remember Mother's Day is coming up soon! Get something unique for your special motherly figure in your life and save children in need while you shop. UNICEF Market is waiting for your purchase.

WIN IT
Prize: Win a $50 Gift Certificate from UNICEF Market (This GC Expires July 31, 2015)

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to UNICEF Market for sending me a $50 gift certificate for free to review an item off their website and one $50 gift certificate to give away for free. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review of their website. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Zero Waste or Waste Free Living: My Challenge to You

Unfortunately humans contribute too much waste to landfills every day. If it is out of site it is out of mind. But really this shouldn't be how we think. Just take a look at your trash can and how much waste you throw away daily in your household and at your work place. It shouldn't be a lot, but I am fairly certain that if you haven't adopted a waste free or zero waste way of living you still have a fair amount of trash per day. Society has thrown us into the idea that if it is convenient it must be better. This is usually not the case. We need to remember the first R in the old adage Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Rarely do we think about reducing our waste because it is so easy to just throw the rubbish away. I am going to be doing different posts throughout the year of how I am trying to change my family's lifestyle to a more sustainable one and tips and tricks to help you do the same. I also have questions in this post for those of you that have already made these changes for the better.

I have been trying to find solutions to my family's huge amount of trash that we throw away every day. We recycle/reuse/repurpose what we can but I still find that we throw away an excessive amount of waste and I find that the majority of it is plastics and other things that cannot be recycled and packaging materials that are evil, i.m.o...like Styrofoam.

As a review blogger I get packages from all over the world. Some are packaged better than others. It is hard when you get packages with things packed in plastic, zip ties, Styrofoam, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts that are not biodegradable. I love seeing things wrapped in brown paper, cardboard, compostable containers, twine, reusable twist ties, fabric, yarn, and biodegradable packing peanuts, etc. I wonder if asking the people sending the items to send them more eco-friendly would help? Have you ever done this?

Going out to eat can not just be hard on the wallet (and sometimes stomach), but on the environment as well. Fast food and take out produces the worst amount of waste when it comes to restaurants. Plastic containers, lids and straws are a prevalent take away from these, as is Styrofoam. To eliminate this waste we need to bring our own containers with us to pack the food and drink into or make our food and beverages at home. I know many who bring a reusable cup with them for their coffee they get on the road. I wonder if it can be done for other things as well...like when you bring home leftovers from a restaurant or get take-out? Have you ever tried this?

Some of the lovelies in my pantry. A start to a waste-free life.

I know we have a choice for paper or plastic sacks or bags while checking out at the grocery. Choosing paper is a better choice than plastic and you can even bring your own reusable bags from home to use. Places around the country are also banning plastic bags from being used in grocery stores or offer a recycling option. But have you ever thought about the packaging on food and drink that you are bringing home? I know I used to not give it much thought, but now that I am also giving more thought to eating healthier with a nod to organic, non GMO, and raw foods I find myself being even more aware of other things I am bringing into my home too. There are ways to get around the packaging at the grocery store.

• Refuse: Say no to products packaged in plastic or Styrofoam.
• Make your own at home. We are already growing an organic garden and orchard and have chickens who lay eggs. We are also planning on doing aquaponics: growing fish and a garden that in turn give each other nutrients to live and grow. Our neighbor also hunts and fishes and shares some of this with us. We are also going to be slowly transitioning to making our own cleaning supplies, personal care products, etc. too so we don't have to deal with that packaging as well.
• Buy local. Buy from local farms, farmer's markets and co-ops.
• Bring reusable bags and containers to the store with you for filling with the below items.
• Buy from the bulk section (the section of the store with bins filled with dry goods).
• Go to the Deli, Seafood, Dairy, and Bakery Counter more for your meats, cheeses, and baked goods and have them package them in paper or other recyclable material. 
• Purchase unpackaged produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables are wonderful and healthy. Buy organic to make sure you don't get toxic stuff with your food and watch the packaging.

There is even a packaging-free, zero-waste grocery store, called in.gredients in Austin, Texas. It is revolutionary and the first of its kind in the US. Hopefully we can get more grocery stores like this one to spring up all across the States.

The folks at these blogs are helping my family and I along our journey to live better and make the better choice of living waste/trash free. They know the ins and outs of living waste free and they want to helps us all to become waste free with them.

• Zero Waste Home
• My Zero Waste
• Trash Free Living
• My Plastic-Free Life
• Zero-Waste Chef
• Trash is for Tossers

I am going to challenge myself  and my family to get towards my goal of a waste free life and I am challenging you to do the same! What are you doing or are going to do to move towards this challenge? Have you thought about this topic much?

Give a Novica Gift for Valentine's Day, Review and $50 Giveaway

I received a $100 gift card free from Novica to facilitate this review and the opportunity below to giveaway a $50 Gift Certificate. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

There's still time to give meaningful gifts for Valentine's Day! Shoppers can save 10% on fast shipping gifts at NOVICA, with guaranteed delivery by February 13. Sale is valid Monday, February 9 through Wednesday, February 11 11:59 PM PT.

NOVICA's 2015 Spring Collection is here! Shoppers can save 10% on the collection, including embroidered tunics, handmade jewelry and vibrant home decor. Spring sale is valid Thursday February 12, through February 16 11:59 PM PT.

I received a beautiful set of three Brazilian Good Fortune Stretch Agate Bracelets named 'Wonders' by their designers at Joias do Rio. These amazing bracelets are many shades of a gorgeous purple hue. Agates are apparently the ultimate gem of protection. They almost remind me of jelly belly beans. These beautiful bracelets are handcrafted with natural agate stones and enhanced in color. I love the color purple and these agates are a treat for the eye.

I also got to pick out a second gift. I chose a very unique vase that caught my eye called 'Galaxy'. It is a Nicaraguan Handmade Ceramic Bottle Shaped Decorative Vase made by artist, Duilio Torrez. This beautiful vase from Central America reminds me of a batik cloth or a very elaborate crayon etching. "The spiral contours of this vase represent our galaxy: stars, planets and the milky way," says Duilio Torrez as he explains the design of this extraordinary vase. I love gazing up at stars on a clear night. The designs on this work of art is etched into the ceramic material and colored with crushed stones to get the shades of red, blue, green, orange and black brushstrokes. This is a great piece to showcase in a room as a decoration.

NOVICA helps change the lives of artisans in developing nations, while offering us wonderful handmade gifts, jewelry, apparel, and home decor. There are so many talented artists and artisans around the world. NOVICA provides these unique, hard-to-find items on their internet website at great prices. These services are all fair trade, meaning that they don't charge the artists and artisans any listing fees and the artists and artisans remain fully independent. They are free to raise their prices, lower their prices, or remove their items from their website whenever they please. This website is great to buy something from for your special somebody for the Valentine's Day, just remember since these items are coming all the way from the country they are made in, the shipping might take longer than expected.

Go ahead, pick something unique and extraordinary for your loved one this Valentine's Day from NOVICA!



WIN IT
Prize: Win a $50 Gift Certificate from NOVICA (This GC Expires 3/31/15).

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to NOVICA for sending me a $100 gift certificate for free to review some items off their website and one $50 gift certificate to give away for free. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review of their website. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

ReCollected Pieces Personalized Photo Jewelry Review and Giveaway

Personalized Photo Jewelry from ReCollected Pieces

We received these necklaces free from ReCollected Pieces to facilitate this review and the opportunity to giveaway one personalized pendant ($20 value) to one reader.

ReCollected Pieces is local to me, located out of Portland Oregon. Tabitha is the owner and she makes personalized photo jewelry pieces. These gorgeous pieces are the perfect gift for any special occasion. They are also ideal for Mother's Day!

These are the photos I picked for Tabitha to use.

I received two pendant necklaces, both done in large square 24K gold plated pewter. The first necklace is in memory of my beautiful daughter, Tatiana, whom passed away in 2010. It hangs on a gold-plated ball chain with a fixed stamped "T" gold heart, rose gold drop and pink Swarovski crystal embellishment. I love this necklace of my daughter, Tatiana! She will always be close to my heart and this necklace is a perfect way to communicate this. The second necklace has a photo of my husband, Brian, and I. It also hangs on a gold-plated ball chain with two jade round bead accents that move freely up and down the chain.

I loved how the necklaces were packaged in brightly colored tissue paper and hung on a card inside when they arrived. I was not expecting the embellishments at all. They were a very happy surprise and really made the pieces even more exceptional. Both necklaces turned out very lovely. I will certainly treasure my necklaces from Recollected Pieces forever.

ReCollected Pieces wrapped up in pretty tissue paper.

Tabitha, of ReCollected Pieces, was very nice and friendly to work with. She had a few hiccups with my order. The heart pendants that she was offering just didn't work out with her resin technique, so she took them off her list. To compensate for the inconvenience, she made me two pendant necklaces instead of just one. Because the heart was no longer a choice she made me square shaped pendants. As you can probably see, Tabitha really puts her heart and soul into these pieces to make them all very special and unique to the wearer.

My gorgeous Personalized Photo Pendant Necklaces from ReCollected Pieces.

Give yourself or your loved one a truly memorable piece of jewelry this upcoming Mother's Day. Jewelry pieces start at $20. Normal production time usually takes about one week to complete then mail and can be shipped worldwide. They can be personalized with any digital photograph or art (minimum quality 300dpi). The image is cropped to fit the shape of the pendant you choose. There are different shapes, sizes, materials, and embellishments/accents that you can pick from easily from their list on their Facebook page in their photo section. Besides single sided pendants you can even pick a double sided pendant, a pendant that hangs from another pendant, a photo bracelet with multiple images, or even photo ornaments. Tabitha at ReCollected Pieces will work with you to make a truly one of a kind piece for you or your loved one.

Follow ReCollected Pieces:
Website: http://www.recollectedpieces.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recollectedpieces
Newsletter: https://www.facebook.com/recollectedpieces/app_100265896690345

WIN IT
Prize: One personalized photo pendant ($20 value) from ReCollected Pieces. The winner can choose any pendant they would like (circle, square, oval, rectangle - gold or silver).

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received products for free to facilitate my review and the opportunity to giveaway one personalized pendant ($20 value) to one reader. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review and giveaway.

World Vision Silver Vines Cuff Review and Giveaway

This review and giveaway is sponsored by World Vision.

I have posted before about the power of giving and the awesome humanitarian organization, World Vision. This holiday season gives the chance to give back a little. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

You can read these posts from this year on my blog and enter to win another prize, a gorgeous 100% silk scarf from them too:

• World Vision Philippines Disaster Response Fund #GivingTuesday
• World Vision Gift Catalog and Thai 100% Silk Scarf Review and Giveaway

From the Handcrafted Gifts category I received the Silver Vines Cuff for free to facilitate this review because of my post on the Philippines Disaster Response Fund. This bracelet is designed by artisans in Old Delhi, India and made of silver. It has pretty scrolling lacey engravings of flowers and vines on it. It is adjustable by bending the metal, although I wouldn't recommend doing this often as the metal might get brittle in spots. The underside of this cuff is shiny and smooth. This gorgeous piece is the result of once mistreated jewelry makers banding together to support their families through Fair Trade practices. I love the beautiful design and pattern it has. It also comes with a pretty organza gift bag.

Approximate size: 2 1/2" x 2 1/4" (adjustable x 1 1/2"W)

BUY IT
To order from the World Vision Gift Catalog, visit www.worldvisiongifts.org. To order by phone or to request a print catalog, call toll-free at (888) 511-6511.

WIN IT
Prize: Win a Silver Vines Cuff (US Only!)

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product for free to to facilitate this review and the opportunity to give away one for free. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

World Vision Gift Catalog and Thai 100% Silk Scarf Review and Giveaway

This review and giveaway is sponsored by World Vision.

The true meaning of this and every holiday season should be giving and what better way to do that than to create a Christmas list through World Vision and their Gift Catalog. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

In their catalog you can choose from more than 250 meaningful, life-changing gifts to meet the essential, immediate needs of children and their families around the world. These alternative gift ideas such as: animals (goats, sheep, cows, chickens, pigs, oxen, ducks, donkeys, rabbits, alpacas), sewing machines, bicycles, education and training, homes, clothes and shoes, clean water, fruit trees, honey bees, supplies and tools, medicine, etc. - honor the recipient and make a lasting impact for people in need. The catalog also offers a wide variety of 30+ gifts to match the interests and hobbies of the gift recipient to make the gift giving more meaningful. The recipient of the gift you give, whether a friend or family member, will get a special card describing the gift and its impact. Also with a contribution to the Maximum Impact Fund donors can also receive free handmade items from around the world: such as ornaments, jewelry, scarves, totes, etc. These donations help the areas of greatest need.



The World Vision website has a online tool allowing individuals the option to make a personal My Gift Catalog page at www.mygiftcatalog.org for personalized fundraising. The individual can then encourage family and friends to visit their page and purchase a gift from the catalog instead of or in addition to traditional holiday presents. You can use this during all year round too, such as: the holiday season, birthdays, weddings, graduations or other celebrations.

You can also join the "Share Joy With the World" Advent Challenge on their blog where World Vision would love for you to participate in a suggested activity each day to share joy and share your experience with friends, family, etc.

You can also learn more about some of the recipients of the items purchased from the gift catalog through their Facebook page.

World Vision Thai 100% Silk Scarf

From the Handcrafted Gifts category I received the Thai 100% Silk Scarf for free to facilitate this review. This gorgeous purple Sabai scarf is hand-woven by the hard-working women of Thailand’s Surin Province on a loom into distinctive striped patterns. I absolutely love the colors and it is made of a lovely material. I love to wear this in so many different ways. It is so versatile.

Approximate size of scarf is 66" long by 16" wide. Each is unique - size and color may vary slightly.

BUY IT
To order from the World Vision Gift Catalog, visit www.worldvisiongifts.org. To order by phone or to request a print catalog, call toll-free at (888) 511-6511.

WIN IT
Prize: Win a Thai 100% Silk Scarf (US Only!)

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product for free to to facilitate this review and the opportunity to give away one for free. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Novica $40 Gift Certificate Giveaway and New Premium Gift Wrap Review

Novica's Premium Gift Wrap

We received product free from Novica to facilitate this review and the opportunity below to giveaway a $40 Gift Certificate. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

NOVICA helps change the lives of artisans in developing nations, while offering us extraordinary handmade gifts, jewelry, apparel, and home decor. There are so many talented artists and artisans around the world. NOVICA provides these unique, hard-to-find items on their internet website at great prices. These services are all fair trade, meaning that they don't charge the artists and artisans any listing fees and the artists and artisans remain fully independent. They are free to raise their prices, lower their prices, or remove their items from their website whenever they please. This website is great to buy something from for your special somebody for the holidays, just remember since these items are coming all the way from the country they are made in, the shipping might take longer than expected.

NOVICA now has new premium gift wrap in 3 of their regions: Bali, Thailand and India; and they will be offering it to all of their locations soon. I was asked to get something from one of these regions with a $40 gift code that they gave me and also try out their new premium gift wrap. Most premium gift wrap is only $3.95-$5.95 per item. It is as unique as the gift you choose to have wrapped. The premium wrap has handmade elements, carefully crafted ribbons and beautiful brass plates.

Songbird Haven Rosewood tea light holder made by Reshma Anand in India

I chose the Songbird Haven Rosewood tea light holder made by Reshma Anand in India. It came wrapped in the premium gift wrap which is basically brown (or white) paper, pretty fabric, ribbon, and a brass plate that says NOVICA on it. Inside the wrapped box is another box that is blue with a lid and stamped with what looks like a partridge in a pair tree. The tea light was wrapped in white tissue paper to protect it while traveling. The Songbird Haven Rosewood tea light holder was just what I thought it would be. I love the birds nestled in the leafy branches of the shady tree that is carved in low relief and hand painted. I love the rosewood this is made out of. The wood has such gorgeous figure in it. This candle holder can be placed on a surface, like a table or shelf or hung on the wall like a sconce. It comes with a tea light that has an aluminum casing for safety.

The Songbird Haven Rosewood tea light holder can be hung on the wall.

WIN IT
Prize: Win a $40 Gift Certificate from Novica (Expires 2/20/14).

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to NOVICA for sending me a $40 gift certificate for free to review an item off their website and one to give away for free. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review of their website. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

UncommonGoods Recycled Glass Bumblebee Nightlight and Tube Kneeling Pad Review

We received products free from UncommonGoods to facilitate this review.

UncommonGoods is a unique online store with some very unusual items (some handmade) that you don't find in every day shopping usually. Their products make great gifts for the holiday and Christmas season! Click here to see some unique affordable gifts they have under $50. They also have some really interesting facts or what they call "Uncommon Knowledge" posted around their website and feature some of the artists and designers of their handmade goods in highlights on some of the pages on their website and their print catalog. They are committed to the environment and print their catalogs on recycled paper and there is also products in their store that are made of recycled materials. In their Better to Give Program they donate a portion of each order to your choice of non-profit organizations: American Forests,Women for Women International, City Harvest, and the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).

I was recently approached by them to pick something from off of their website that was under $65. I picked two items. One was the Recycled Glass Bumblebee Nightlight and the other item was the Recycled Tube Kneeling Pad.

Bumblebee Nightlight, seeds, and packaging.

The Bumblebee Nightlight arrived in a recycled cardboard box with shredded newspaper all around to protect it from breakage. It came with the 4 watt bulb needed to create the ambient light. It also came with some weedy wildflower seeds to spread around for the bees to collect pollen grains to pollinate the flowers with and nectar to convert to honey. I love this! My bees are going to be very happy! Wildflowers are some of my favorite flowers and I love that I can give back to the earth and help the bees at the same time.

Bumblebee Nightlight with room light on and with it off.

The Bumblebee Nightlight by Vawn and Mike Gray of Reborn Glass located out of Cape Coral Florida is definitely something worth buzzing about. It is a gorgeous nightlight that is made with recycled broken bottles that were rescued before they reached the landfill. Each one is unique and are fused and formed in the kiln. The art glass is textured with its purple blooms and adorable plump bumblebees. Its curved form hugs the light perfectly and I love the warm soft glow it makes. So Bee-autiful :) Click here to see some unique lighting from UncommonGoods.

The Recycled Tube Kneeling Pad in use.

The Recycled Tube Kneeling Pad by Flat Tire Décor located out of Milwaukee Wisconsin is a great gift for any gardener or anyone who works on their knees. This extremely durable pad is smooth and flexible. The rubber exterior is made of reclaimed industrial tire inner tubes and the inside is lined with a inch thick cushion of anti-fatigue foam. It is also naturally slip resistant, water resistant, abrasion resistant, and easily wipes clean. This cushion is so comfortable for my knees and the curved semi circular shape is contoured where you can shift left to right without repositioning! It works on dirt, cement, brick, wood, stone or other surface. I no longer get my knees dirty when I garden and my knees don't feel stressed. I can garden longer and not feel any pain. Besides gardening I can see this being used for other jobs that have to be done on your knees. I also think that it would be an ideal seat for watching a game in the stands or having a picnic while seated at a park bench or picnic table. It does become hot if in direct sunlight. It also has a study nylon strap that you can carry or hang it from. 37" L x 14" W x 1" D, Strap: 30" L Click here to see some wonderful gifts for women from UncommonGoods.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received products for free to facilitate my review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Novica $40 GC Mother's Day Giveaway

I received a free $40 GC to get something for myself for posting this provided information and the opportunity to also give another away. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else.

Mother's Day is coming very soon and Novica is wonderful for Mother's Day gifts! They have gorgeous one of a kind, handmade keepsake gifts and their artisans put so much thought and attention into everything. I love the selection of great gifts for all occasions they have. Novica is a Fair Trade company and they have so much to offer. They have wonderful Handmade Mother's Day Gifts, Mother's Day Earrings, Mother's Day Necklaces, Mother's Day Vases, Mother's Day Handbags, Mother's Day Paintings, etc.

They have a new Mother's Day Gift Finder to help you with your selection. Why not pick out a fabulous Novica Mother's Day gift for the special mom in your life and don't forget to enter the giveaway below.

WIN IT
Prize: 1 winner will win a $40 GC for using at Novica.com that will expire on 6/25/2013.

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received a $40 GC for free to get something for myself for posting this provided information and the opportunity to give another away to my readers. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this post.

Lamps.com and Tiffany Parrot Table Lamp Review

I received a gift code of $100 to use at Lamps.com to order a lamp or light fixture of my choice to facilitate this review. I chose their Tiffany Parrot Table Lamp because we were given a collection of Lynn Chase Parrots of Paradise (Parrotdise) dishes from Brian's Grammy as a wedding gift when we were married and this lamp matched them. Someday I would love to display these lovely dishes in a china cabinet in my kitchen or dining room. The Tiffany Parrot Lamp will be displayed there as well if I have my own way.

I ordered the lamp. It was under the $100 gift code price, had free shipping and handling and you had the option of also adding a free set of light bulbs that would fit it. I chose to get the free light bulbs also because I was sure that I didn't have any bulbs currently to fit it. Ordering through Lamps.com was very easy and straight forward. I ordered the lamp and the bulbs on February 21st and received the lamp on  March 1st. I however; didn't get the courtesy bulb pack until March 11th. I was told this was because they ship out of separate places. So I had to wait to try the lamp out until the Candelabra 7w (E12) Incandescent bulbs came.

After the bulbs arrived we got one out to place into the lamp. This particular lamp unscrews with two screws at the base of the parrot shade where it joins the tree trunk that it sits on. It is fragile so you have to be careful when replacing bulbs into the socket or handling the lamp in general. Thankfully the lamp only goes on one way (clockwise) onto the stand and it came with easy step by step directions to put it all together. You probably can't tell in my pictures, but there are little parrot bird feet perched on the tree trunk to help you line everything up before you screw it together. It has a lovely dark bronze, circle gold finish and a felt on the bottom of the base so that it won't harm furniture. The polarized plug had a bushing on it that we took off so that we could plug it into the outlet. The cord wire has a good length to it with a simple inline on/off switch to operate the light.

With the lamp also came a little pamphlet that told about Dale Tiffany lamps. Dale Tiffany is the world-renowned manufacturer of fine glass lighting and home decor in the tradition of Louis Comfort Tiffany. With their "opalescent glass" shades the century old tradition continues in these lamps with the same copper foil technique as the original. This "opalescent glass" or stained glass is made of genuine hand rolled art glass. All pieces are hand-crafted art. Each becomes its own truly unique heirloom piece.

I love this lamp. It is gorgeous. The mosaic stained art glass is elegant and definitely fits into my eccentric eclectic style well within my home. When the lamp was on it held a delightful ambiance and was not too bright to make my dog go crazy because of lights and shadows it produced. I was pleased with it even though I would have liked the areas of the tail and beak of the parrot to light up more. It definitely enhances the mood and environment where I place it and proves to be a great accent piece.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product for free to facilitate my review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Hot Mama Designs Heirloom Jewelry Savings Offer

Shannon Sunderland & Sahra Cahoon form the dynamic duo of Hot Mama Designs. Hot Mama Designs rejoices in celebrating motherhood, family and the one-of-a-kind feeling of the handmade object. Their inspiring designs are created to tell stories and celebrate life. Celebrate Family ~ Celebrate Motherhood ~ Celebrate You!

They rejoice in the art of metalsmithing! As artists they are intrigued by the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which is (loosely translated) the beauty of things that are unpretentious and unconventional. In our mass-produced world, their jewelry celebrates the one-of-a-kind feeling of the handmade object.

Readers of Eccentric Eclectic Woman Get 20% any order of $100 or more. Promo Code: mamalove226 #mamajewelry

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER:
For my participation in this US Family Guide Promotion I will receive FREE pair of handmade pearl earrings.

Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com for providing me this promotion information and free product. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this promo.

Novica's Gift Finder and $40 Giveaway

Novica has a new gift finder on their website and it is so easy to find unique gifts made by fantastic artisans worldwide. Most gift finder search engines on websites are hard to use and don't really find what you are searching for. Novica's gift finder is easy and searches quickly narrowing everything down to the specific search. It has categories you can pick to search under to narrow the search down even further. The categories you can search under are: Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts by Price, Home Decor, Gift Suggestions and Curated Collections. These categories even narrow further, for example you can choose search bracelets under Gifts for Her. If you click on one of those categories you can also sort those items by artist, name or price up at the top right of the page. You can also go to the left side bar and narrow down even further by clicking on a specific link. These are narrowed by gender, type, interest, personality, gift type, occasion, price and region. I love the Gifts for the Animal Lover and Eco-Friendly Gifts category.

I have gotten gifts from Novica before and my experience was wonderful. The items I got were of exceptional quality in every way and so very unique. My brooch and earrings from them always get lovely comments from people wanting to hear where I got them and the story behind each piece.

Novica is a great place to shop especially to get gifts for your friends and family for Christmas. With your purchase you also help Novica make the holidays extra special for their extremely talented and deserving artisans. As you can see there are so many different ways you can narrow and define your search for the perfect unique gift with their new Gift Finder.Try it out for yourself today!

WIN IT
Prize: Win a $40 Gift Code for using in their store.

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to NOVICA for sending me a $40 gift certificate for free for this post and one to give away for free. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review of their gift finder.

World Vision Gift Catalog and Hand Carved Serving Spoons Review and Giveaway

The true meaning of this and every holiday season should be giving and what better way to do that than to create a Christmas list through World Vision and their Gift Catalog. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

In their catalog you can choose a meaningful, life-changing gift to meet the essential, immediate needs of children and their families around the world. These alternative gift ideas such as: animals (goats, sheep, cows, chickens, pigs, oxen, ducks, donkeys, rabbits, alpacas), sewing machines, bicycles, education and training, homes, clothes and shoes, clean water, fruit trees, honey bees, supplies and tools, medicine, etc. - honor the recipient and make a lasting impact for people in need. The catalog also offers a wide variety of gifts to match the interests and hobbies of the gift recipient to make the gift giving more meaningful. The recipient of the gift you give, whether a friend or family member, will get a special card describing the gift and its impact. Also with a contribution to the Maximum Impact Fund donors can also receive free handmade items from around the world: such as ornaments, jewelry, scarves, totes, etc. These donations help the areas of greatest need.


New to 2012 is a online tool allowing individuals the option to make a personal My Gift Catalog page at www.mygiftcatalog.org for personalized fundraising. The individual can then encourage family and friends to visit their page and purchase a gift from the catalog instead of or in addition to traditional holiday presents. You can use this during all year round too, such as: the holiday season, birthdays, weddings, graduations or other celebrations.

Donors can also follow "The True Spirit of Christmas" tour on Facebook where World Vision staff travels around the world to get a look inside the lives of families impacted by the Gift Catalog. You can also learn more about some of the recipients of the items purchased from the gift catalog through their catalog Facebook page.

From the Maximum Impact Fund selection of gifts I received the Hand-Carved Serving Spoons to see for myself. This is a gorgeous set of two hand-carved serving spoons delivered in a gift bag of African fabric hand-sewn by local women. The serving spoons are made to benefit orphans of the Kamba tribe in Kenya. Each one is unique—just like the children they help. These are made of olivewood and have such fantastic figure in them. They have exquisite spiral handles that loop around and are nice to hold. These would be wonderful in tossing a salad or serving a pasta or other dish. The bag has a floral design of earthy tones and has a drawstring that closes it. It is a very nice set and will "serve" many less-fortunate souls.

BUY IT
To order from the World Vision Gift Catalog, visit www.worldvisiongifts.org. To order by phone or to request a print catalog, call toll-free at (888) 511-6511.

WIN IT
Prize: Win the Hand Carved Serving Spoons and Bag.

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product for free to review and one to giveaway. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.