Mother’s Day Giveaway!

One thing that all Mother’s have in common is that they work their pahtooties off, and gosh darn it, they deserve to be pampered!

So as a special treat the lovely people at Sleepyheads.com have generously offered one lucky Optimistic Beauty Reader the chance to feel like a princess in luxurious Frankie & Johnny pajamas and what can only be described as the softest, most cuddle worthy robe in the history of ever!

Let me tell you first off that the Frankie & Johnny Cashmiracle robe is absolutely divine. It is soft, cuddly, and available in an amazing selection of designs. Trust me on this, you will feel like a princess sipping your coffee in the mornings, or cuddling up on the couch with your favourite book in the evening.I received the Frankie & Johnny Cherries Pink Cashmiracle robe (as pictured above) for review. It is pure luxury!

The line of Pajamas from Frankie & Johnny are absolutely amazing in the vast amount of choice available. Not only do they have an extensive inventory of designs, most patterns are available in numerous varieties as well. From Lounger Sets, to nightgowns, to Capris you can get the exact pair of pjs that you want.

I adore the bright, vibrant colouring of these Damask Mandarin Capri Pajamas! Just because we sleep in em, doesn’t mean we can’t look amazing doing so. And with all honesty there are days that I don’t get changed out of my pj’s. But when you look that good in your bedclothes why change?

To enter to win your choice of Pajama and Robe from Frankie & Johnny’s Line? Head on over to Sleepyheads.com and have a look at Frankie & Johnny’s Line. Then come back here and let me know which pajama and robe you would select if you’re the lucky winner! IMPORTANT – you must let me know both pajama and robe choice or your comment will be disqualified!

Looking for more chances to win this amazing Mother’s Day Prize? Your wish is my command. Additional entries will be granted for each of the following that you complete. Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each one that you complete!

*~* Blog about this giveaway with a direct link back to this post

*~* Post the Optimistic Beauty Button on your blog/webpage

*~* Follow me on twitter (bargain hunting)

*~* Subscribe to Optimistic Beauty Email Updates

*~* Follow this blog!

That's right, you can receive up to 6 entries into this amazing giveaway!

The Mother's Day Giveaway will end on May 10th, 2009 at 11:59 pm est, and is open to both Canadian & US Residents Only.

Good luck!

Calypso Studios Review & Giveaway

I guess you could jokingly refer to me as the bag lady. I have a huge collection of canvas shopping bags, but none of them compare to the one that I opened up my mail to reveal yesterday! A huge thank you to Amy for providing me with this amazingly beautiful, well made, and most importantly well designed shopping tote!

I must admit that this tote when it arrived was a lot bigger than my expectations. But my goodness does it do its job when it comes to cutting down on plastic bags. I filled the tote to the brim today with 2 shopping bags worth of goodies, slung it over my shoulder and off I went.

The S.H.O.P. totes are exceptionally well designed and come with wider than average shoulder straps to make carrying your load a breeze, and also come in the most delicious designs imaginable. I love the ample room inside, and even when filled to the brim I didn’t feel bogged down with the straps cutting into my shoulders.

The concept behind the S.H.O.P. tote is simple, reducing our dependence on plastic bags. S.H.O.P. stands for Start Helping Our Planet. And well when you have such adorably designed totes how can you not?

In addition to these beautiful totes Calypso Studios also creates absolutely beautiful, unique and refreshing pieces of jewellery.

If you’re looking to refresh your summer jewellery collection with fun, fresh and vibrant new pieces then this is definitely the shop for you. The designs are exciting, and fresh. I love that Calypso Studios uses hand made items in their creations. And not only that, but the gorgeous pieces available at Calypso Studios shop are so reasonably priced that anyone can afford them!

The colour of the hand blown beads in these Rio Coral Sundance Earrings are absolutely divine! And can you believe that the price tag is a mere $8? A great deal on an amazing pair of earrings!

This Tousan Green Sundance Bracelet is adorable, and a sure attention grabber!

Calypso Studios Inc has generously offered one lucky Optimistic Beauty reader the chance to bring home their very own set of 3 S.H.O.P. totes! Value, $20!

To enter head on over to Calypso Studios and have a look around. Then come back here and let me know which of sets you’d choose if you’re our lucky winner. It’s that easy!

Additional entries will be granted for each of the following that you complete, please be sure to leave a separate comment for each one you complete!

*~* Blog about this giveaway complete with a direct link to this post
*~* Subscribe to the Optimistic Beauty Email Updates'

*~* Check out Calypso Studios Jewellery Collection and let me know what your favourite item is
*~* Follow this blog!
*~* Post my Optimistic Beauty Button on your blog/site

That’s right, you can receive 6 entries into this amazing giveaway!

Giveaway will close on May 10th at 11:59 pm est. Open to Canadian & US residents only.

Good luck!

28 Big Ones Today

Today is my 28th Birthday. So much has changed since last year that it hardly seems real.

No huge plans today, the girls and I are taking a break from packing to head out for a picnic lunch at the Beach Park (its actually Mariner Park), and then participating in the Civic Pride Garbage Clean Up this afternoon.

My adorable little girls have demanded a Black Forest Cake for dessert today in celebration of my birthday. They are so totally my girls with their love of Black Forest Cake. Both girls have requested Black Forest Cake for previous birthday celebrations of their own too!

Miss Malie Gobbling up her birthday cake last year. I cannot believe how much she's grown since her birthday last year!

Omgosh I just won 3 superbucks! What a great birthday surprise! LOL :O)

Have a wonderful day everyone!

krisblues Review & Giveaway

Art while not a necessity in life is of utmost importance.  Art can be uplifting, inspiring, relaxing, or exhilarating.  There is no wonder why we as a race gravitate towards art.  Kristiana is no exception.  She creates absolutely gorgeous, cheerful, and uplifting pieces to brighten your space.

While searching through Etsy one day I came across Kristiana’s shop krisblues.  I fell in love with her cheerful, memorable characters.

The colours used in Kristiana’s work are absolutely gorgeous.  Warm and inviting are the first adjectives that come to mind when I’m trying to describe her work.

One of my favourite prints is definitely “It’s Going to be a Good Day”.  What a great inspirational phrase and photo to wake up to every morning.

With 90 items for sale at krisblues there is literally something for everyone.  I can envision myself utilizing these designs to inspire visitors to my home, and my children as well.

Tala’s favourite print isn’t a surprise for this little Mommy in training.  She adores everything to do with babies.  So Baby Bird is the perfect choice for her.

Love what you see?  Well then today is your lucky day.  Kristiana has generously offered one lucky Optimistic Beauty reader the opportunity to bring home a print of their very own!  Winner will have their choice of any 8.5 x 11 inch print from Kristiana’s Etsy shop.

To enter head on over to krisblues and have a look around.  Come back here and let me know what your favourite print is.  Its that easy!

Looking for more chances to win?  Your wish is my command!  Additional entries can be obtained for each of the following that you complete.   Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each:

*~* Blog about this giveaway complete with a direct link to this post
*~* Subscribe to the Optimistic Beauty Email Updates
*~* Follow this blog!
*~* Post my Optimistic Beauty Button on your blog/site

That’s right, you can receive 5 entries into this amazing giveaway!

Giveaway will close on April 30th at 11:59 pm est.  Open to Canadian & US residents only.

Good luck!

Gone and dunnit again!

Once again I've gone and split my blog.

I totally love the look of my new blog that I've created to focus on my family, and my 365 days of Photos with the Optimistic Beauty.

It goes without saying that if you have an Optimistic Beauty for a Mom that you've gotta have an Optimistic Family! So I present to you my newest creation "the Optimistic Family"

http://optimisticfamily.blogspot.com/

I'd love to hear your feedback!

Free Photos Books w/Shipping

Hello! Another great Artscow.com promo to pass on to you!

Artscow is one of my favourite photo sites on the net. Why? They offer a high quality product at such a reasonable price that its unbelievable. I have ordered numerous photos books, prints, calendars, and trinkets and have been super satisfied with absolutely everything.

What I love love love about Artscow is just how customizable everything is. You can create your very own masterpiece with oodles of different layouts and backgrounds.

Right now you can receive 6 free photobooks in celebration of the launching of their new printing press.

Enter the code FREE6BKS thru your Credit & Discount in your Members Area! This code in valid thru April 30/09.

If you’re not already a member of artscow sign up today and you’ll also receive credits for 1200 free prints, 3 free photobooks, and numerous other print goodies!

If you sign up through my referral link I receive credits to redeem for free merchandise through artscow – and I very much appreciate the referrals!

365 Days of Photos - April 14/09

April 14/09, originally uploaded by Optimistic Beauty.

If you look really really really close you can see 2 deer! A very ubber common site in Rupert. Kelowna has their rabbits... we have our deer, and lots of em!

Because I love Picnik so much I've edited this photo to make the deer more obvious. There was actually a third one, the big Mama deer as well. Miss Malie is our resident deer spotter. They were a lot closer at first, but silly Mommy never seems to remember to bring her camera and had to rely on my cell phone to take this shot.

Enjoy! Interested in joining my Flickr group for the 365 days of photos and/or submit your own photos too? Check out: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1082885@N21/

$10,000 Earth Day Celebration with Calypso Studios

A huge thank you to Amy of Calypso Studios for letting me in on this awesome giveaway they are currently running in celebration of Earth Day 2009!

What makes this giveaway super awesome is that Calypso Studios is generously sending out $10,000 worth of products to the lucky winners! Not a typo, they are giving away $10,000 in S.H.O.P. Tote Bags.

And these aren't just any bags. They are absolutely gorgeous, and are ample sized to make shopping both fashionable and more efficient.
S.H.O.P. stands for Start Helping Our Planet and I personally love the concept. Knowing that every year an estimated 500 Billion to 1 trillion bags are consumed worldwide doing my part to reduce my footprint is important to me and my family. Each reusable bag that is used has the potential to reduce consumption of 1000 bags in its lifetime.

Head on over to Calypso Studios today to enter for your chance to win your very own S.H.O.P. Tote Bag and do your part in reducing the need for plastic!

This giveaway ends on April 22nd/2009. All winners will be contacted by email to let them know that they've been selected!

**ETA - I have changed the links and fingers crossing they'll continue to work!**

365 Days of Photos - April13/09

April13/09, originally uploaded by Optimistic Beauty.

Me and the girls did some baking this afternoon. Absolutely delicious, yummy cupcakes. They turned out great, and the girls had a blast!

365 Days Of Photos - April 12/09

April 12/09, originally uploaded by Optimistic Beauty.

Today is Easter and an absolutely gorgeous beautiful day! We found some crocuses that Tala is modeling in her hair!

The three of us headed outside and had a blast blowing bubbles, and running around in the sun. What a very pleasant surprise that the weather guy was wrong about our forecast today!

For Easter Supper we went pretty gosh darn unconventional and instead treated ourselves to Sloppy Joes & Poutine! Yum yum yum!

Weekend Winners – Easter Sunday Edition

2 lucky winners will be bringing home adorable shoes! Hooray for Easter, a beautiful sunny day, and for all my wonderful readers and sponsors!

Congrats icefairy! You will receive your choice of shoes from Bugaboo’s Line!

Congrats Tammi! You will receive your choice of shoes from the Eleven Collection!

I will contact the lucky winners throughout the day today. After which you will have 48 hours to respond confirming acceptance of your awesome prizes. If I haven’t heard from you within 48 hours a new winner will be selected!

Happy Easter Everyone!

365 Days of Photos - April 11/09

April 11/09 - Part Deux, originally uploaded by Optimistic Beauty.

First post in my 365 Days of Photos Challenge. In an attempt to cherish the small moments I am endeavoring to share with you 365 days of our life!

Interested in joining my Flickr group & contributing as well? The more the merrier! http://www.flickr.com/groups/1082885@N21/

Life is Too Busy - Where's the Slow Motion Button?

I've come to the conclusion that I need a slow motion button! Surely I'm not the only one out there who loves the Upside Down Show? I would absolutely adore being able to get my hands on that "magical" remote and slow things down.



Shane & David are pure genius!

It seems as if I haven't had a chance to sit down and do much of anything lately. On the plus side I do have some super amazing giveaways coming your way in the coming months. A huge "yay" for awesome sponsors!

Oodles of projects under way including designing all 3 of our Halloween costumes for this coming year.

Miss Tala has requested a Rainbow Brite Costume
Malie is excited to be Starlite the Most Magnificent Horse in the Universe
and I will be making a cameo as Sally from the Nightmare before Christmas!

Very Exciting!

I'm also in the process of making arrangements to move into my own place. Which is both exciting and super scary at the same time. Going through the motions is a huge process, and I've been busy trying to find all the necessities we'll need at a great price, as well as saving for my damage deposit and first months rent. So far so good! A trip to Walmart today helped with that mission quite effectively :O)

Other news? Well in my attempt to slow things down I've decided to launch 365 days of Photos with the Optimistic Beauty! If I can't slow my life down I may as well celebrate the small moments.

Happy Easter everyone!