my perfect cup of coffee.

I'm A few months back my husband & I decided we needed an upgrade to our morning cup of joe. The bargain brand we'd been drinking since we got married just wasn't cutting it any longer. Lets be honest, we're parents of two kids two & under ... we definitely need a coffee boost to fuel our mornings these days. Off we went to the coffee aisle at Whole Foods and stood there puzzled for what seemed like an eternity. (An eternity is relative when you have a toddler who doesn't want to sit still in the cart.) The choices were endless. Origin, roast, fair trade, organic, blends ... what exactly does all of that mean? I was clueless as to where to begin.

{Mac was so overwhelmed with coffee choices (& vegetables) he promptly fell asleep.}

 I read the bags but it still didn't compute. Ford's patience wore out & I grabbed a bag that had a pretty picture on the label and off we went. What I grabbed was a definite upgrade from our former standby, but it just wasn't the one. 

I was excited when the makers of the SmartCoffee app reached out to me, just in my time of need! SmartCoffee is a super handy tool that teaches you to truly understand what goes into crafting the perfect cup of coffee. The app is full of beautiful photos, interesting facts, & is the perfect place to look up all those buzz words that were Greek to me. 

My favorite part? The quiz. After answering a few simple questions about mouthfeel, acidity, & flavor profiles that fit your particular tastes, the app prepares the information into blend suggestions & tells you what to look for when purchasing coffee. There even is a handy "buy now tool" too that suggests custom blends from Thanksgiving Coffee Company. 

My results suggested I try a light roast blend, with a little vienna & french roasts for balance. The Gorilla Fund coffee from Rwanda was my perfect fit, from cup one. Want to find your perfect cup too? Download the app or visit the web version at Thanksgiving Coffee Company, then leave me a comment telling me about your favorite mug from which you drink your morning coffee. I'll pick one lucky commenter to win a bag of beans tailor made to their taste buds! Winner will be announced Friday May 29th. 

---

Full disclosure, I was sent a coupon code for one bag of coffee in exchange for reviewing & posting about the Smart Coffee app. All opinions are my own.

It's my birthday, let's celebrate with a giveaway!

Who doesn't love sharing a little birthday love? To celebrate the day and introduce a new service offered by Kate Nisbet Designs...

Do you have a bedroom that has been calling for some professional help and a little love & attention? Maybe you have a baby on the way and you want to welcome your bundle into a fabulous nursery. Or perhaps you have a "slashie" room; like an office-slash-guest room that needs a little oomph & TLC? It can be a design problem as simple as "I have no idea how to arrange the furniture in my living room" or as elaborate as "we're newlyweds with newly-merged furniture and taste, help!" You'll send me the dimensions of your room, furniture that will stay, photos and your inspirations, and I'll send you a space plan and suggested pieces, colors, accessories, etc to complete the look, all from easily accessible resources! I put together this mood board as an example:

Easy as birthday cake pie!
Note: By entering this giveaway you agree to have the phases of your e-design project shared on this blog. You also agree to have patience as you are there to help me work out the kinks! Once the design is complete you also promise to send me photos of the stages & finished product to share. 
Contest details: The giveaway closes Tuesday July 3rd at midnight. The winner will be chosen and announced in a grand fashion with fireworks & sparklers on Wednesday July 4th. This contest is for 1 room of e-design services only. If winner is local and requires an in-person consultation regular design fees will apply. 

Let's play dress up {A Giveaway}

I love dresses, I think I always have. In fact, especially when it's hot outside, I'd rather be in a dress than just about any kind of wardrobe essential there is. I was thrilled when Shabby Apple, an online boutique, contacted me to offer a fabulous dress of your choosing to my wonderful readers!

Perusing the site I found many that were right up my dress loving alley, but 2 jumped out in particular that I think would be fabulous frocks to wear during my 2 favorite seasons:


Spring

The Gondola Dress.
Kelly Green + Stripes = Love


&

Fall:
The Puca Pucara Dress

Love the pattern. Love the colors. Love the dress.

Want to win a frock of your own? Follow the Shabby Apple blog, leave me a comment with the dress you'd choose from Shabby Apple & where you would wear it! Want to double your chances? Tweet about my giveaway and include me in your tweet (@barefootbird). I always celebrate my followers with an extra entry! Easy peasy!


The winner will be selected Wednesday November 9th at noon. The winner can select a style of dress in the size the desire from any of the Vintage Inspired collections {excludes Green Leaf collection.}

Fact: Winner #5

Fact: I left work before the sun completely set for the first time yesterday in about 3 weeks.

Fact: I'm sorry I didn't feel like posting a winner last night, as promised.

Fact: Many state drinks are milk.

Fact: The term ice cream sundae is from Illinois.

Fact: The SC state snack is a boiled p-nut. (yum)

Fact: I loved learning all about your state facts.

Fact: The winner's state was voted the happiest financial state in the nation & they invented kool-aid. (happier because of kool-aid? perhaps yes.)

Fact: The winner of the QA Designs state print is Piper Jacquelyn from Nebraska!

Congrats! Email me your info barefootbird {at} gmail.com.

Note: Winner has 1 week to contact me before another winner is drawn!

P.S. Back to normal posting tomorrow. Things to look forward to? "my dog ate my donation" & the best brownies ever. you're intrigued aren't you? Now I must go take off my leggings (boo, double boo) and go to work.

dun, dun, dun....{winners #3 & #4}

...better a late announcement than no announcement at all right? The winner of The Preppy Princess lunch sack or tote is:

Hooray Suburban Prep! Your tuna sandwich on rye from the local deli will be carried in an adorable new sailorbag lunch tote or sack!

______________________

And who will have a swanked up desk this February thanks to Nico & Lala's fabulous new calendar?




Miss. Sweet Tea!



Congrats to the winners! Please email me with your info and I will pass it along so that your prizes will be on the way! barefootbird {at} gmail.com


{Winners must contact me within one week of announcement or a new winner will be drawn!}

And We Have Winners {giveaways #1 & #2}

You know those friends who brighten up a dreary week day? Who can come over with their dog in chili pepper pj's comfy clothes with a perfectly chilled adult beverage of choice, break & bake cookies, and their furry child just to hang for a little bit and have some laughs? Those are the best kind of friends in my mind. Those are the friends that you can just be around. Those friends to us are Phillip & Laura. You know what else those kind of friends will do? Help you pick a winner of some pretty killer blog giveaways (that both wives desperately wanted for themselves.) Don't worry, as promised, we randomly drew a winner!

So without further ramblings...

The winner of the Elizabeth McKay giveaway is:Princess Freckles from Her Highness of Cute!

Laura & I decided that we'd get creative with the next drawing for the EmersonMade clutch and see if the dogs could pick just one out of the red hat.

In went Pete's nose

... out came a HUGE PILE of entries.

Back into the hat they went...

...and out came:

Bella Broccoli from Make it Meaningful!

{Drawing results & certified by Harvey & Pete.}

Congratulations winners! Please email me with your contact information & I will send it to the wonderful companies! barefootbird {at} blogspot.com


Note: Winners must contact me within 5 days of announcement. If you don't, another winner will be selected!

i *heart* QA Designs {giveaway #5}

Happy Friday! This morning, in the great state of North Carolina, it is 34 degrees & pouring rain. Bleck. How is the weather where you are?

On the last day of my birthday week of giveaways of things I love, I'd like to introduce you to Q.A. Designs. Jenna creates fabulous blog designs, logos, prints, & custom invitations, all available through her Etsy Shop. She is a talented graphic designer who is a true pleasure to work with. (I've been working with her on a side project for a little bit now, which I cannot wait to debut when the timing is right!)

So on this rainy Friday, one lucky winner will get to choose an 8 x 10 state or country print of their very own!
{Here's my NC print, hanging in my bathroom!}

How to Enter:

1. leave me a comment with the weather where you are {1 entry}
2. bonus entry, leave me a fun fact about your state. {1 entry}


Winner will be drawn at random Tuesday!

Good Luck!


Fact: NC's state drink is Milk.
Fact: Our motto is "Esse Quam Viedri" {To be, rather than to seem.}
Fact: My husband and I are nerds swapped facts about NC on one of our first dates.
Fact: I won.

I *heart* Nico & Lala. {giveaway #4}

2 giveaways in one day? what has gotten into me? oh yes, it's my day off, that's what! I've got a super swanky desk calendar from my favorite swanky, southern, & sophisticated gals, Nico & Lala to give to you this afternoon! The girls helped me create adorable luggage tags last fall for each of my bridesmaids that I used as gift tags! You should check out their fun new products just debuted at market on the Nico & Lala website and Blog!

The Details:

Leave me a comment and you'll be entered to win. Easy peasy, after all, it is my day off!

Winner will be drawn randomly on Monday!

i *heart* the preppy princess. {giveaway #3}

Today I wish I was on a boat. (Seeing as I'm not a sailor nor have ever been a sailor it would most likely be a motor-boat, but that's neither here nor there.) You see, I know quite a few of you are buried under a layer of sleet, snow, or ice. (new word: snice. go me.) Myself? Yesterday it was around 70 here (no coat on my morning Pete walk, sweet!) but friends, today, it's freezing again. Being on a boat takes me back to summer time when the weather is warm, my hair is blonder (thank you UV rays!), the seafood is fresh, & the beers are cold (am I the only person who thinks a beer tastes better on a boat? anyone?).

I think The Preppy Princess's new addition of Sailor Bags to their ever expanding preppy offerings in the prepotorium would take you back to those happy times at the coast any day of the week. Rough day at work? Pull out your sailor bag lunch sack and imagine the ocean breeze blowing through your hair while you eat your ham sandwich and drink a orange lavaburst Hi-C. Really difficult to deal with client/customer/patient/(insert your own gripe here) nagging you? Grab your insulated lunch bag from your bottom desk drawer and pull out a corona last night's leftovers. It will be paradise all up in your cube.

My excellent descriptions have made you want a sailor bag of your very own, yes? We'll great news! The Preppy Princess, The Consort, & Tilly (Pete's favorite bulldog) have offered up to you, loverly readers of Barefoot in the Park, a choice of either a sailor bag lunch sack or bag!

Will you choose a lunch sack?

or lunch bag?

The details:

1. leave me a comment about what your favorite lunch (that could be carried in the lunch bag) would be {1 entry}

2. followers of TPP's blog or twitter get an extra {1 entry for each}

3. as always, followers of my blog get a bonus entry! {1 entry}

4. and since i'm feeling super generous (it's my day off) if you blog about me & my week of giveaways, i'll give you an extra entry in each giveaway you entered! {1 extra entry on each}

Winner will be drawn at random, Monday February 7th!

i *heart* Emerson Made. {giveaway #2}

I first fell in love with their flower pins.

Then I fell for their clutches.

Now I really think I'd love to sport a tee.

{perfect attire for a valentines date in, yes?}

What's not to love about a company that "celebrates the uniqueness of the individual, the joy of being alive, and the small that makes up the Big Beautiful" ?

On this, the second day of February, in honor of mr. groundhog (and in hopes that he doesn't see his shadow and that spring is just around the corner), I've teamed up with the lovely folks over at Emersonmade to offer up a goldie clutch to one of my readers! It's a little ray of sunshine that beacons spring to go ahead and spring!

How to enter:

1. leave a comment here with your favorite thing about spring {1 entry}

2. become a Fan of EmersonMade on Facebook (and let me know you did) {1 entry}

3. tweet about this giveaway & follow @EmersonMade {1 entry}

4. BitP followers get a bonus entry!

+winner will be selected at random on Friday February 4th+

Good Luck!

I *heart* Elizabeth McKay {giveaway #1}

We all have that go-to dress in our closet for every season. The one that you can dress up or dress down. The one that is appropriate for almost every occasion. My go to dress for spring, summer, & fall?

The Elizabeth McKay B-to-B dress.

{pardon the grainy cell phone image. this was taken circa may, pre-birthday, which meant new camera!}

After finding my perfect "go-to" dress, naturally I wanted to see what else the line had to offer. Upon first click I knew this line was for me. The updated style on classic pieces: perfection. I was super excited to find that I was listed & linked as one of Elizabeth McKay's "Blogs We Love."

In honor of Barefoot in the Park's 3rd birthday the kind team over at Elizabeth McKay has graciously offered to my wonderful readers a giveaway of a signature piece in the line, The Elizabeth Shirt in Elephant Print, Elizabeth's favorite animal!

How to enter:

1. Go to Elizabeth McKay's website, and leave a comment here with your favorite piece OR favorite thing about the line.

2. If you're a follower of BitP, you get an extra entry just for being you (just let me know!)

3. Winner will be selected at random (most likely drawn out of the big red hat pictured above by my lovely husband) on FRIDAY FEBRUARY 4th!

5. Good Luck!

After you fall in love with the line (I know you will) be sure to check back when they launch their new site on

2/15/11!:

Lucky Duck.

I was the lucky ducky winner of a fabulous giveaway hosted by Kiki's List over the summer. Since I had a few other things on my mind, I just got around to snapping this little beauty into a frame and hanging it on the bathroom wall!


{Please excuse my terribly lit photo}

I love Jenna's, of {q.a} designs fame, tribute to the 50 states (and now abroad!)

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

... not really a chicken dinner, but a winner nonetheless!

Congrats to one of my favorite private bloggers, Miss Denim & Pearls!

Please send me your address and I'll get your goodies out to you next week!

barefootbird {at} gmail {dot} com

Have a wonderful weekend!

----------------------

PS: Anyone else love "Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives" as much as I do? I channeled Guy with my post title!

________

EUPAPJT2MVP3

A treat for you!

I've pulled a few items together for a mid-summer give(away) for the fabulous readers of BitP.

Leave me a happy little comment below and you'll get one entry to win the following:

(1) Fold Up Neela "Orange Avian" Grocery Tote.
I love these chic & convenient grocery bags!

(1) Mary Kay Sugar Scrub in Simply Cotton

(1) Mary Kay Body Lotion in Simply Cotton
A fantastic treat for your summer feet ... a great quick alternative to pedicure!

(1) small box of surprises!
Good things come in small packages!

_______________________
The Fine Print:
1. leave me a comment for one entry
2. if you're a follower & let me know, you'll get a second bonus entry
3. winner will be randomly drawn and announced Friday morning, 7-30-10
4. This giveaway is sponsored by no-one by me to thank my fantastic readers.
5. Good luck!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. & Me

A few weeks back I was the LUCKY winner of Prep School 101's Peace. Love. Lipgloss gift certificate giveaway. Offering a fabulous selection of skincare, makeup, and bath and body products, I faced a daunting decision. Exactly what products to choose?!?

While perusing Lucky & InStyle magazines on a trip to get my haircut I read about the cult following LA skincare maven Kate Somerville has accrued. I was ecstatic to find Peace. Love. Lipgloss offered her skincare line! The next big decision was what to try? Proprietor of the shop Madeline was extremely helpful in some e-advice on what products would work best for my skin type.

We decided on Goat Milk Cream

and Purifying Cleanser.Upon receiving my package, I couldn't wait to try my new goodies. The cleanser is gentle enough for my sensitive skin, has a refreshing scent, & left my skin feeling "clean and tight" in one step. After my evening washing I applied the Goat Milk Cream to find a thicker-than-lotion but not greasy hydrating cream. Best part: it left my skin feeling hydrated and it didn't cause any reactions. The packaging allows for a perfect pump amount that leaves no waste.

I also love the Paul & Joe lipgloss recommended. It's sheer enough for daily use, but is great for layering for a more dramatic evening look as well. Peace. Love. Lipgloss filled my package with a body butter, exfoliKate, and foot cream sample as an added surprise. And what girl doesn't love a surprise?

All in all I HIGHLY recommend that you check out Madeline's blog and the Peace. Love. Lipgloss. online store for your beauty needs. It truly is a "beauty haven for the make-up maven!" Another bonus? PLL is offering free shipping the month of December!

Collared Greens Giveaway: Clothing with a Conscience

Have you ever fallen in love with a preppy polo or tie for your guy, only to realize that it was sewn into being in a land far far away? Why should we give the American workforce an unwanted vacation in the name of classic preppy fashion? The Hampden Sydney Alumns and Southern Gentlemen (now relocated to Sun Valley, ID) behind Collared Greens Premium Grade Organic Dry Goods asked themselves that exact same question, and they did something to remedy it. Collared Greens prides itself on creating a line of products that are American made in ways that reduce the negative impact left on our planet. Each year Collared Greens partners with three conservationists to help promote these efforts and donates 2% of their profits through the CG/24 Conservation Project. All polo shirts have the Collared Greens original green twill tape on the inside collar to indicate that they are made with sustainable "green" organic cotton. As you may have guessed, the green polar bear brand symbol, aka Marvin Leopold, was suggested by this magnificent animal's status as an iconic endangered species.

Collared Greens describes their green business as, “it’s a brand that does it right, does it simple, does it with passion and does it with as little impact on the environment as possible.” By having a home base in Sun Valley, Idaho, Collared Greens practices what it preaches, and gets to see its impact daily when it comes to the environment. In fact, while we were hashing out the giveaway details, I spoke with one of the CG fellas while he was fly fishing in the pristine wilderness that surrounds them.

We all know that clothing makes a statement and an impact. Lets strive to make a statement without the environmental impact, and Collared Greens can help us.

"You do your best when you look your best."
-Collared Greens

The Collared Greens team has generously offered up your choice of a tie or polo as a giveaway for Barefoot in the Park readers. The winner will be randomly selected by a drawing on Tuesday June 23rd.

Want one of these for the gentleman in your life?
Or perhaps a polo for yourself?

Here's how to enter:

1. For one entry, head on over to www.collaredgreens.com and leave a comment (or an email) telling me what your favorite CG product is.
2. You'll receive a second entry if you've left a comment on my blog within the last 2 months. (Be sure to remind me!)
3. For another entry post about this giveaway on your blog or twitter, and let me know about it!

I think I might add this lovely item to my just a-week-away birthday wish-list!

GOOD LUCK!

Summertime's calling me ... and telling me to host a giveaway!

After a weekend of 90 plus degree days, strawberry picking, and some margarita drinkin' I've got Summertime on my mind. With the temperatures on the rise and sundresses & sandals taking priority, a girls got to have a golden glow. And for all the fair skinned gals out there like me this does not include soaking in the rays!

I was lucky enough to test out a few of Not Soap, Radio's palates, glosses, and a souffle. Now you may be wondering, "What a crazy name for a cosmetic company!" It's ok, I did too. Upon asking a few "inquiring minds want to know" questions, I found out that the name came from a nonsense joke told to company founder Laura by a friend's uncle when she was 6. The joke goes – There are two polar bears taking a bath, one turns to the other and says, “Please pass the soap.” The other looks at him and says, “Not Soap, Radio.” Out of Laura's fond childhood memories and love of bathtime (you'll still find most of her books or magazine's with splash marks on them), Not Soap, Radio was born. They have a wide range of products from a sorority specific perfume to a palate of lipgloss & eye shadow designed specifically for the beautiful bridesmaid! (Keep an eye out for their new line of Lilly inspired line of scrubs and souffles debuting soon!) Out of my goodies I found two shining stars in my book: the "I'm not here, I'm really at the spa" body souffle & "I'm not here, I'm really longing poolside at a beachfront resort" bronzer palate. I am a rather picky customer when it comes to my body lotion. I prefer products with light-to-no scent. I was optimistic when i twisted off the mint green, black, and white lid of the body souffle to take a wiff. Pure clean and calming bliss (I even got a complement on the new scent)! The souffle has a thicker than lotion consistency, more like that of your grandmom's cold cream. After showering, the souffle goes on smooth and never greasy! While dressing for a double dinner date I decided to try out the bronzer palate "I'm not here, I'm really lounging poolside at a beachfront resort." The palate features a silky bronzer powder, 4 eye shadow options, and 4 lip glosses. It gave me a lovely and safe summertime glow.

Not Soap, Radio has graciously agreed to provide a bronzer palate to the first winner of my "Summertime's Calling Me Giveaway!" For the second winner, I've pulled together a few of my favorite summer things!

Rules: Since this giveaway is for two separate packages, part 1 is open to anyone and everyone. To win the "favorite summer things" package, you must be a follower of Barefoot in the Park (you can tell me you follow on reader if you don't blogger follow) and/or have commented within the last 2 months! (A perk for my regular park patrons!) Simply leave me a comment with your favorite thing about summer. The two winners will be chosen Thursday morning, April 30th. Good luck!