Giveaway WINNER + Your Beauty Faves

Hello, lovely ladies!

So beyond thrilled to see the support for my latest giveaway. 160+ entries! WOW!

Thank each to every one of you for taking the time to read my bloggie that could and leave your comments for the giveaway (plus a lot of love, too).
While of course I wish I could give everyone a little sephora thank you love,

only one is getting that wish... at least for now!

Even if you're not the winner, hopefully you'll at least enjoy this list of everyone's favorite beauty products.
I often wonder how there can be so many stinkin' beauty brands and then I read your list. There's only three or four repeats in the whole thing (bare escentuals)!
Clearly there's a need out there. :)
Read the list below or feel feel free to scan through the comments here.

Have to say that your comments are a major highlight of blogging... not because I need a lot, but because I get emails every time someone leaves a note and I just love reading your thoughts, opinions and insights about what I shared that day. Promise: my eyes light up during each time.

Soooo.....keep reading for the winner,

and take a look at all your beauty faves (from a lot of bloggers out there)!

Your Beauty Faves

MAC eyebrow gel (Image Envy)

Clinique superbalm moisturizing lip gloss (Fashion by Alicia)

Maybelline lash stiletto mascara (For Better or for Worse)

Smashbox Photo Finish primer (Much Ado About Nothing)

Lancome dual action face powder (Haute Lunch)

Benefit Boi-ing concealer (Girly Things by *e*)

Smashbox foundation (It's a Lifestyle)

Sephora-brand foundation (Smart n Snazzy: Stylish Without Going Broke)

Seche Vita topcoat

Burt's Bees chapstick

Bliss lid+ lash wash (Ramblings of a Small Town Girl)

Bare Escentuals

Bare Escentuals (I Have a Degree in This)

Sephora Mattifying Foundation

Nars Orgasm blush (Glam Kitten's Litter Box)

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in blackest black

Any products by Boscia

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm (People, Places & Things)

Stila pomegranate crush lip stain (Ready Heart)

Pur Minerals pressed powder (Blue Paper Lanterns)

Urban Decay Primer Potion (Chic & Pink)

Laura Mercier moisturizer tint

Covergirl blush (♥two.twentyfive)

Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero (effervescent evelina)

Seche Vite topcoat (Sweet As Honey)

Almay liner in black and brown (Angie's Stuff)

Jergen's natural glow moisturizer

m2 skin refinish

Lancome eyeliner (Little Assembly Required)

Smashbox Photo Finish

Clinique Lash Power mascara

Smashbox lip gloss

Tarte Lights Camera Lashes mascara

Benefit High Beam (Orangie's Attic)

Lipgloss from Target (Mom Military)
Kendi oil for hair (A Little Of This...)
Covergirl pointplus black eyeliner
Jergens Total Nourishment Lotion (Fall/Winter) & Skin Renewing Lotion (Spring/Summer)
Shu Uemura eye lash curler (Antiques & Collectibles Too)
Dr. Brandt's Crease Release (Makeupyourmind)
Benefit Posietint (KrispyTinCan)
Bare Escentuals
Nars Laguna bronzer
Dior Addict's Lip Glow
Revlon eyeliner (Chronicles of a Monster-in-Law)
Benefit Benetint
Make Up For Ever concealer (Work Wardrobe for $200)
Benefit's Some King of Gorgeous foundation
Philosophy supernatural airbrush canvas
NARS orgasm blush and laguna bronzer duo
Bare Minerals
Anything by Boscia
Clinique eyeliner
Bobbi Brown corrector for undereye circles
Diorshow mascara
Nars lipgloss in tempest
Too Faced Shadow Insurance (oh, rebecca)

Giveaway Winner
OK, the real moment you've been waiting for. Selected by random.org, the winner of a $30 gift card to Sephora is.....
(drumroll, please.......)

CONGRATS, Renee (#93)!! Let's connect via Twitter or email.

Giveaway: Sephora Gift Card!

You gals amaze, inspire, educate and make me smile each day.

Really, I can't imagine my life without this blog and the wonderful women I've met.
It's been a transformative experience beyond words that little make me tear up a bit. (nerd, I know!)

To thank YOU, I'm giving away a $30 gift card to Sephora to one lucky reader, good for any wonderful item you'd like at one of the best stores ever! Woohooo!

Why Sephora?
Compelled because today I noticed that a few of my go-to make-up products are running low. Boo. Hate that because it gets pricey to buy all at once. Those $20-something items add up. Thinking that I'd love some extra flow to spend at Sephora, I'm assuming you would as well! Right? 

If  I had it to spend, here's my current make-up bag needs...

Nars blush, Orgasm, $27

Best blush on earth. Period. Try it if you haven't.

Benefit concealer, Boi-ing, $18

Love this concealer. Use it under my eyes and other spots that need it. Doesn't cake!

Smashbox photo finish primer, $17 (travel size)

I'm super curious to try primer. Love that this hugely popular one has a travel size so I can test before committing the bucks! (also eager to try Smashbox eye primer ($17), rec's by beauty guru, Erika, from the make-up/fashion blog, Girly Things by *e).

TO ENTER to win $30 to Sephora:

Required (1 entry):

1. Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect (on the right-hand column) and leave a comment below sharing one of your go-to beauty products, whether it's available at Sephora, Target or anywhere in between.

Additional entries (1 entry each; leave a seperate comment for each)

1. "Like" my blog on Facebook and leave a comment here letting me know.

2. Follow me on Twitter (@avggirlsguide) and leave a comment here letting me know.

3. Tweet about this contest.

Details: Contest ends Wednesday, May 18 at midnight. Available to anyone, anywhere
(thank you e-gift cards!)!

Thanks again everyone for being so wonderful. Make it a great day!



GIVEAWAY: Gorgeous Wristlet from Francesca Joy!

 It's funny that sometimes you have to venture far to find something awesome close to home.

Enter: Francesca Joy.
[keep reading to hear about the new brand, plus enter to win one of her wristlets!]

A new boutique-style brand is now available in my own backyard featuring hand-painted designs in bold bright colors, I discovered it through tweet'ing it up with the co-founder and designer, Elise Francesca. She's a Connecticut gal now in Florida who designed the collection based on her fine art paintings. As soon as I clicked through to the web site I was immediately blown away by the gorgeous, whimsical and beautiful bold designs. For summers at the beach or pool, or a vacation to a tropical destination, these are oh-so perfect.

Available online to you out-of-towners, she's opening a store with expanded offerings this Fall on the Worth Avenue in the glam Palm Beach. You'd expect with hand-painted designs and a Worth Ave address you'd have a pricey pricetag. Fortunately that's not the case. I find the wristlets the best value, however there's so many awesome options under $100! She has totes, t-shirts, chemises, table runners, pillows, cocktail napkins and golf shirt dresses. Check out the collection here. And, you can stay current on her latest designs by following her Facebook page.

I just LOVE knowing that each one is painted on its own (it's not copied to look like its hand painted like I find at Homegoods with all those affordable "paintings," haha). This is a piece of real art, ladies! 

Keep reading for a giveaway!

This is the designer, Elise, in one of her golf shirt dresses...

GIVEAWAY!

The beauty behind the line is giving one lucky TAGG reader a wristlet of her choosing. Aren't they just the prettiest little lovelies?! Adoring.  Plus, everyone gets $5 off any item (excluding wristlets; they're already a steal at $30!). Just let her know where you found her when you order.

To enter (required):
Visit Francesca Joy and comment here with your favorite item/design. Leave your email address if it's not linked through your profile.

Additional entries
(1 entry each --- leave a comment letting me know about each one in order for me to count it):
"Like" the Francesca Joy Facebook page / "Like" TAGG Facebook page / Follow TAGG through Google Friend Connect (right-hand column) / Follow TAGG on Twitter / Follow Elise Francesca on Twitter

Details: contest ends Sunday, April 3 at midnight. Available open to those in the United States.

Giveaway: the Most Coveted Fashion Book of 2011!

With my birthday approaching this week, this gal is all about the giveaway.... gift giving is totally as fun as receiving! Especially when you have the perfect gift for someone. And, I do. I wish I could give this to every gal. I'm also hoping with this giveaway to spread more word about The Average Girl's Guide!

Help me reach some birthday-timed blog goals:  I'm hoping by Friday to have 800 Facebook fans (just 14 away), 1,100 Twitter followers (about 85 more) and 150 followers on Google Friend Connect (less than 40 to go). I can know you can help me do it. :) And, here's how...

GIVEAWAY!

Who What Wear, the totally amaze online fashion bible and style guide by Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power, recently came out with their second book, What to Wear, Where! Get ready for the best. advice. ever on how to assemble the perfect outfit for any social occasion. Ladies, rejoice! The authors of this site show you what they would wear and also gives you tons tons of timeless style suggestions. It's been getting tons of fab reviews, including from Harper's Bazaar, who you know they know what's up:

"[A] definitive guide to looking trendy and timeless. With style advice for more than fifty special occasions, What to Wear, Where is the ultimate investment piece."


Since I think this is the type of book many gals wouldn't splurge on for themselves but would totally love, love to have... I'm giving one away to a lucky reader! Yayyyyy!!!

How to enter
REQUIRED:
All you have to do is follow The Average Girl's Guide on Google Friend Connect (on the right sidebar) and leave a comment here to let me know. Easy peasy!

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:
- Follow The Average Girl's Guide on Facebook and let me know here.
- Follow TAGG on Twitter and let me know here.
- Tweet about the giveaway and let me know here. Here's an example: "#Giveaway! Head to the @avggirlsguide for your chance to #win the latest book by Who What Wear! Enter: http://bit.ly/f9FxMK"

Rules: Content ends on my birthday, March 25 at midnight. Open to U.S. residents only (sorry to those that might be excluded!).

5 Must Have Pieces of Jewelry + GIVEAWAY!

Giveaway alert: Read below and then get the scoop on how you can get your hands, err, ears on the most amaze, wear-all-summer pair of earrings. The gal you're about to meet is giving them away to one of you little hottie lovebugs.

Meet Angelica. A Chicago gal-at-heart who now lives in sunny Florida, she's a total sweetheart who I bonded instantaneously with over our love of the baseball team, the Chicago Cubbies, and of course wine. Hey, we were at a girlfriend's cocktail party, can you blame us? :) She's a Spanish teacher by day and  at all other times, an independent jewelry stylist for Stella & Dot, one of the absolute best, most affordable jewelry lines. Angelica said she was accidentally thrown into this new passion after lusting after a visiting friend's jewelry all-weekend-long. Every time she asked who made it, Stella & Dot was the answer! As you can say, the rest is history...

Are you familiar with the line? In my opinion, everything by Stella & Dot is designed to look like it belongs in some pricey, intimidating boutique, yet it's mindful of price so the average gal can still afford it (yipee!). It's only available online or through in-the-know stylists like Angelica. She often pairs with gals to have parties for girlfriends to show you her goods. So fun! If you want the scoop on a party or want a catalogue, click here to connect with the fabulous Angelica. Or, just stop by to say hi! I promise she'll steer you right! See below for the giveaway, but first...

In her words, Angelica's 5 must have jewelry items to complete any look!

Layered bracelets

…enough said. Add appeal with gemstones and don't be afraid to mix different widths, textures and colors. Lately I've been mixing my thin gold bangles with a bold enameled bangle to rave reviews. If you need a starter bangle, go for one with a bold color like turquoise or coral to liven up a look. For example, love this Paige enamel bangle.

Piled-on necklaces

Add dimension to your outfit by layering necklaces. I like to mix and match beads with metals. For a casual outfit I'll double layer my colored beaded necklaces or triple layer to dress it up. And, if you're not sure how to mix and match, I love necklaces like the one pictured that do the work for you (plus this one's on sale!)!

Vintage-inspired jewelry

You can't go wrong with a vintage inspired piece. It's a classic. For example, pearls dress up any outfit, from a collared shirt to a strapless dress or just a t-shirt. Also adore rings with that old world charm. This fleur ring is one of my favorites. It just looks like it was picked from grandma's jewelry box.

Bohemian-inspired looks

If you're a free spirit, bohéme will be right up your alley. Jewelry from Brazil and Morocco are trés chic. Anything from chunky, jeweled or simple. I like to wear this style with a great top and comfy jeans.

Statement necklace

If you have no fear and want to make a big fashion impact wear a statement necklace. Many designers are incorporating colorful jewelry that's versatile. There are pendant, bib, stone and/or metal necklaces being worn on the runway, Grammys and Oscars. Like this one, they're all super sexy!


  

Giveaway!

Who wants to win these tres perfection lovelies, the Charlize Teardrop Earring? Adore! 



To enter:

(be sure to leave an email address if you're not connected through a blog)

1. Visit Stella & Dot and comment here with your fave item.

 

For additional entries, leave a separate comment for each of the following:

2. Follow us through Google Friend Connect (it's on the right side of the page)

2. Follow @avggirlsguide on Twitter

3. Like Angelica on Facebook

4. Like The Average Girl's Guide on Facebook

5. Blog, Facebook or Tweet about the giveaway, just be sure to tell us!

 

Details: This giveaway ends Wednesday, March 9, Midnight EST and is open to US and Canadian residents.

Giveaway: The Give Bag (Best. Giftbag. Ever.)

Have you lovelies heard of The Give Bag? 

If you live a "green" -- yet totally fashionable -- life (which I hope you are!), keep reading.

The Give Bag is the best bag ever for giving gifts. It's essentially a gift bag, tag and greeting card all in one. Instead of using those big wasteful paper bags, put the gift or bottle of wine (there's a special size made just for the vino!). Fill out the card with the provided dry-erase marker and voila! Plus, there's a tracking code on it you can enter online so as your friend uses it and so forth,you can see where it's going. So fun and way nicer than those shiny plasticy bags.

And, if giving gifts isn't your thing? Keep it! Haha, while the whole purpose of The Give Bag is obviously to give it's also so lovely you might not want to. I'm so infatuated with my pink zebra-print bag. I can see myself using this affordable "tote" for everything from the grocery store, to the beach to bringing supplies for a little girls night in. It's fabulous, right??

LOVE THIS: The fab gal behind The Give Bag is giving two lucky readers a gift pack, complete with any two bags you'd like. There's about a half dozen colors/patterns to choose from. The owner, Sara, is a super sweet, smart gal who created The Give Bag simply because she wanted a greener (yet chic) option for gifting. Love her.


To enter the giveaway (2 winners!):
Mandatory: Visit The Give Bag web site and comment here with your favorite color or pattern.

Additional ways to enter:
(make sure to leave your email address!)
1. Follow me on Google Friend Connect (right side of my blog-o!); comment here to let me know.
2. Follow me on Twitter or Facebook; comment here to let me know.
3. Follow The Give Bag on Twitter or Facebook, and comment here to let me know.
4. Subscribe to The Give Bag email newsletter to get the latest info and promos! Check the lower right of the homepage to enter your email address.
5. Tweet about the giveaway, and let me know here. Here's a sample tweet:
Visit the @avggirlsguide site to enter to win stylish "green" gift bags/totes from @g3givebag!  http://bit.ly/hkpAmH #giveaway.

That's all lovelies! Lots of ways to win. Contest ends Thursday, Feb. 17. Winner announced by Feb. 21!

xo
Alyson

Winner: Lyndsay Skeegan Pearl Ring

While I'm sad to be parting with it, I'm even more thrilled to announce the winner of our one-of-a-kind Lyndsay Skeegan ring: Kristin from Tampa!

She gets the ring you see me modeling (worst photo ever, sorry gals!). It's gorgeous, as are the rest of the Lyndsay's pieces. I hope you'll check out her site. She's offering all fans of The Average Girl's Guide free, 2-day shipping with any purchase (a $12 value), which means if you order today you should get it by Friday. Fingers crossed! Her stunning pieces are ones you'll be creating outfits around they're so wonderful.

Congrats again to Kristin! Contact me with your mailing address.

Quick Bites: Monkey Bread (and Giveaway)

Yum! Have you had Monkey Bread? Maybe you're like me, living in a cave, and either haven't discovered it or just recently discovered it. I had it just once on a (tipsy) NYE eons ago... I remember savoring it but not much more. It wasn't until I got my Junior League of the Palm Beaches "Worth Tasting" cookbook ($29.95) that the light bulb went on.

And, it a 200 watt bulb! I made this for Mother's Day a few years ago and you couldn't get people's hands out to pass it around. Now, it's a holiday staple.
 

Yes, it's a little messy. But that's half the fun. Sugar, butter, biscuit dough, cinnamon, what more is there in life? So freaking good! To celebrate this tastiness, I'm not only giving you my recipe, I'm giving away one of the cookbooks that started it all. Get veeerrrrryyyy excited! Whether you're savvy around the kitchen, or don't know where your measuring spoons are, there's a recipe for you in here. I'm obsessed. I continually reach for this during the holidays and all year-around and so should you! Each recipe went through crazy rounds of testing before making it in here so trust me when I say you want this useful, gorgeous book. Recipe included below for Monkey Bread, but first...

TO ENTER:

(Giveaway runs through Thursday, Dec. 9 at midnight)

Required: Comment on this blog, sharing your favorite holiday dish/recipe.

For additional entries:

"Like us on Facebook" or follow us on Twitter (@avggirlsguide) and report back here so I can track it.

Get your friend/s to "like" us on Facebook, and comment here to let us know. You both get an entry! Woot woot.

Subscribe to this blog (one entry): just click "follow" along the right-hand column.



And, now... the Monkey Bread recipe:

3 cans (10 count) refrigerator biscuits
1 cup granulated sugar
4 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter
1/2 packed light brown sugar

Preheart oven to 350 degrees.
Cut the biscuits into quarters. Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a large sealable plastic bag. Add the biscuit quarters to the sugar mixture and seal tightly. Shake until coated. Arrange the coated biscuit quarters in a bundt pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

Heat the butter and brown sugar in a saucepan until the brown sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally. Or, micro in a micro-safe bowl (this is what I do!). Pour the brown sugar mixture over biscuits and bake for 30 minutes. Invert onto a serving platter. DIG IN!
(serves 10-12)

Win it: Stylish Jewelry, Fab Scarf

You've been waiting for it, you've been asking about it, and now here it is: OUR HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY! It's your chance to win stylish, delicious accessories from the uber-awesome H&M! Not familiar with this shop? It's sort of like Forever 21 on serious crack (is that comment socially inappropriate?! Hmm, I digress). H&M brings super stylish, quality to everyone and also has designer collaborations (Hello, Lanvin is coming this month!). They're expanding quickly in the U.S. but so far it's mostly along the east coast and just two in Florida. You want a piece of the action?

Here's the scoop:

Enter to win one of two prizes (just in time for the holidays, no less!). Here's your choices:

1. A jewelry smorgasbord ($26 value) featuring an oversized onyx and silver cocktail ring; a glitzy bracelet set in black tones with faux diamond bracelets and more (I bought this for me; LOVE, love for a night out or just two or three to shimmer up any outfit!); a rugged bracelet set in brown tones with leather studded bracelet, rope and more; and a faboo glamorous black headband that I'm so mad that I didn't get for me. It might be more elaborate than you're used to, but it looks gorgeous on and the black makes sure it's not over-the-top.
 

2. A bold, colorful scarf ($15 value) that goes with absolutely everything! Don't let the following description throw you off because I can't describe it as wonderfully as it looks: actually, ya know what? I'm not describing it because my almost description stinks! Check out the photo... wrapped up on the left and laid out on the right.  Funky yet totally awesome when tied up, right? With every color of the rainbow popping through, this would make a shlubby tee look instantly stylish. Wear this bad boy every day.

Here's how you win (required, just once):
Comment on this page, telling me which giveaway you want to win. Entries must be received by Sunday, Nov. 28 and the winner will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 30 on this post, on Facebook and on Twitter. If selected, you must reply within 72 hours, otherwise I'll be sadly forced to contact the next person.

Additional entries:
1. Fan Us On Facebook (one entry): "Like" The Average Girl's Guide on Facebook.

2. Tell your Facebook friends about TAGG (once daily): Tell your friends to check out the Facebook page of your fav new site for fashion, deals, food, fun and more by updating your status with mention of us. Write our name with the @ symbol before so it reads @TheAverageGirl'sGuide... do this because it will create a link so I'll see when you've done this. If it doesn't become a link, I won't know you're sending fb love my way (though I will appreciate it!).

3. Subscribe to this blog (one entry): just click "follow" along the right-hand column
 
4. Follow Us On Twitter (once): follow The Average Girl's Guide on Twitter and comment to this post to let us know.

5. Tweet about the contest (once daily): Tell your friends on Twitter about the contest. The tweet must include @avggirlsguide to qualify.
 

Well, that's the scoop on our giveaway! Easy enough to qualify and winning is so much fun!
--xo, The Average Gal