Shopping Small With Two Of My Favorite Creators

image obtained for free from Pixabay

We all know what holiday shopping is like. We head to the malls and the big box stores and find ourselves exhausted and wishing we could pick up some Starbucks and head home to snuggle up on the couch and binge watch our favorite shows.

Just me?

I have been doing much of my shopping online for years. And every year I try to support small businesses, not just for Shop Small Saturday, or whatever it's actually called. But because I love supporting people as best I can - especially when they're friends!

Many of my friends have incredible talents. I'm sharing two of them with you here to help you support small businesses this holiday season.

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Fall and Winter Fashion and Beauty Ideas

Every now and then I miss digging through fashionable pictures and making creations that I can dream about. So tonight I decided to jump into Polyvore for a bit and make a few sets that I'd share.

Be sure to comment and let me know what you think.

Red and Black Ensemble by ace1028

Chevron infinity scarve / Black diamond solitaire ring / Kate Spade black wallet / Baggallini Big Zipper Travel Crossbody Bag / Crewneck t shirt / Vneck top / Red quilted vest / Fuzzy christmas socks / Red trousers / Mid calf combat boots

Fall/Winter Casual by ace1028

Pattern t shirt, $14 / Green parka coat, $45 / Maurices clothing / Jilsen Quality Boots block heel shoes, $280 / Avenue imitation handbag / Gemstone jewellery / White House Black Market cable knit glove / Avenue tube scarve / ASOS loop belt / Clear lipgloss

Holiday Sparkles and Pampering for you! by ace1028 

Fig Yarrow body cleanser / Philosophy bubble bath / Philosophy bubble bath / Chanel bags case / Bric s travel toiletry bag, $74 / Philosophy bubble bath / Essie nail polish / Essie nail polish / Essie nail polish / Glitter makeup / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics black mascara, $35 / Manic Panic pencil eyeliner / Moisturizing lipstick, $15 / Nyx blush

So - thoughts? Do you like the colors I've picked? Would you wear any of the outfits? Sometimes I wish it were this easy. Go online - pick things you like - have plenty of money to order them all and they arrive at your home and fit perfectly. Oh ... Santa ...

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Have you heard of Novica? Let me introduce you.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored and compensated post. I have been provided with a code to gift one of my readers directly from Novica. I have also been provided with a code for myself to purchase an item of my choosing. All expressed opinions are my own. I have ordered from Novica many times and am completely impressed with the products I have received. Because of this I choose to continue working with them and am thrilled to be introducing them to my readers. 

I've been fortunate to have worked with Novica several times before, and I absolutely love their products. Of course, if you know me at all, you can guess that I most especially have an eye on their jewelry.

This is my favorite piece I have purchased from them.

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Don't be shocked - it's a sentimental thing - but I really love it and it fits perfectly.

This time I'm thinking of going in a different direction with my purchase. Actually, a few weeks ago I was surfing around their site and eyeing the fabric hammocks. 

This one is absolutely beautiful.

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It's 100% cotton. And it holds up to 450 lbs. Sounds good to me. I can totally picture myself curling up with exhaustion in this thing on a cool fall night. Ahhh.

Now ... where was I?

Oh, right, Novica. One of the things I love most about them is that they actually work with the creators of their products. They do incredible things like facilitate loans by connecting artists with lenders, help artists reach a more global market and more. You can read up on their mission by checking out their website and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how important both, the customer and creator are to Novica. 

Novica also carries beautiful clothing. Cotton dresses in a variety of styles, batik dresses, beautiful ponchos, and a variety of accessories to go with them.

And for your household partying needs you can head over to Novica for things like serving platters (many more beautiful than any you've ever seen), margarita glasses (how fun!) and more.

I think that these margarita glasses are my favorite. I kind of have a glass-related obsession, and would probably buy a glass for every drink if I had the cabinet space. As it is we have flutes and wine glasses and pilsner glasses we rarely get around to using. But aren't these beautiful? Think how much your favorite Jimmy Buffet* fan would love them!

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* Please tell me you know Margaritaville ... please ...

Anyway - it's your lucky day - no matter what product you choose! I'm giving away a code for $50 compliments of Novica.com. So check out the Rafflecopter below. I decided to use them today because I was too lazy to come up with ideas that would earn you entries. I promise, though, no jumping through hoops. Just simple entries that will earn you a shopping spree. 

So what are you waiting for? Get to it! A winner will be chosen in about a week. More details on the Rafflecopter form. Now go on and enter. And good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

p.s. How beautiful is THIS rainbow hammock? I think this might be the one I end up getting ... now if only I could figure out where the heck to PUT one. Anyone have two huge pillars I can borrow?

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Novica Review and Giveaway

Have you ever shopped at Novica before? It's a fabulous website with an incredible mission. From their mission statement:

"We want to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow."

Novica also has some incredible accessories available for your shopping pleasure. I especially love the women's scarves they have available - fashionable and cozy, too. You'll also find a great selection to choose from for the men in your life, as well. There is also a gift finder option for that perfect surprise for someone special!

You can also help these artists by participating in Novica's microfinance program.

I had an opportunity to purchase something from Novica to review, and I decided on this set of three beautiful stacking rings.


They're so pretty. Simple. Elegant, too. I really like them. They look nice worn individually, and stacked together. My fingers are a little bit chubby for all three, but two on one hand and one on the other look really pretty. I like that they can have a wedding band look to them, too, as I don't always wear mine and like to have something on my finger to fiddle with.

I also decided to add to the rest of the money so I could buy myself something else with the rings. I opted for this cute pendant.

It's kind of funky, but I like funky, so it works for me. The only thing is that the cord is a bit short so it is a bit "choker-like" for my taste, so I may get myself a new rope to wear it on. But it has some cute colors and from the website description I read this:

"The energy of the day known as Imox allows us to keep calm and collected when facing chaos and the unexpected, understanding that it is all part of life," says Iliana Hernandez alluding to the beliefs that underlie the Maya calendar. "

Now I don't know about you - but I sure could use a little calm and collected energy these days.

And today I have a giveaway for you - my lovely readers. I have a $50 Novica giftcard available (expoires 1/31/12) for you to either buy yourself something special or buy something special for someone special in your life!

All you have to do is post here with a comment letting me know you want to win. That's it. That's all. Something simple and an easy entry.

If you'd like to have a second chance at throwing your name into the hat, please tweet about my giveaway and post the URL to your tweet here in the comments. That's simple enough, right?

This giveaway will run through the weekend and I'll pick a winner via Random.org on Sunday. The giftcard code is good through January 31st so you'll have to get to shopping quickly, but trust me, you'll find something you like right away. The problem will be picking which item to get! Good luck.

** I was provided with a gift card code from Novica to make my purchase on their website. I added some of my own money so I could buy two items. The review of the products here consists completely of my own opinion of their website and the products I ordered. I was not further compensated for running the giveaway. **

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Novica Giveaway!

Remember Novica?

If you don't - let me tell you a bit about them ... from their mission statement:

We want to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow.

Isn't that a novel idea? Working for the consumer AND the creator to establish an incredible shopping experience? I know it touches me, so when they reached out to me again to ask if I was interested in doing a giveaway for my readers I couldn't pass it by.

Novica is a wonderful shopping experience, even when what you're ordering is traveling across the world to get to you.

The last purchase I made with them was a gift for my mother-in-law's birthday. A beautiful amethyst pendant that is both her and my daughter's birthstone. She loved it. I loved it (the chain was a little bit short for my style, though, but perfect for her). Wanna see?


I already know what I am getting myself this time. A silver elephant ring. There's a story behind that and I'll get into it when I post my review, but here's a sneak peek at the ring for you:


On top of all of that they currently have a new cool campaign looking for consultants. So if you're looking for one of those home party jobs, but just aren't feeling the general companies, look no further! Novicalive is perfect for you.

Novica also has an incredible Microfinance program where you can make a loan to someone starting their own business. From their site: We are proud to have launched the first-ever microfinance website where customers can purchase products and lend money directly to artisans, with loans at 0% interest! Check it out!

So I'm lucky enough right now to have a Novica code for YOU to buy yourself something special. Enter here by first heading on over to their fair trade corporate gifts and let me know ONE items you'd love to buy yourself.

Extra entries:

* Tell me something *special* about one of Novica's green gifts.

* Follow me on #GFC.

* Follow me on Twitter @goodgirlgonered

* Tweet about this giveaway:

I just entered to win a $50 @Novica GC over @goodgirlgonered -- Enter here: http://bit.ly/lSECoX #Giveaway

Winner will be chosen on June 1st. Picked by using Random.org. Thanks and good luck, everyone!

** I was not compensated for hosting this giveaway, but I was given a GC to give to one of my readers. I was also given a GC for myself (not for the giveaway) to choose a product and post a review - to come at a later date. **

Congrats to the NOVICA WINNER: Commenter #8: Daffy!!!!

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A Holiday Giveaway!

Okay, everyone, this is the time of the year that we buy and buy and buy for everyone else. Or we try to budget as best we can and buy them (the kids, the spouse, the grandparents, etc.) smaller items, use coupons and freebies and go above and beyond to surprise everyone else in our worlds.

I'd like to offer you a chance to win something that is just for you.

Yes, YOU! (GASP!)

Okay, okay ... you can also use the GC to get that perfect gift for someone on your list, but I really hope you use it for yourself!

I was recent given an opportunity to pick something to review from NOVICA, one of the leading fair trade artisan websites. They work with National Geographic to give talented artisans around the world a place to express their artistic talents and provide access to the world market. They have thousands of top fair trade corporate gifts and home decor items on their website.

And while choosing something for myself (review to come later!) I fell in love with their products. The jewelry. Oh, the jewelry.

They also have loads of items to choose from in their Corporate Gifts collection. And pssst, guess what? They have a jewelry section there, as well. Go look!

They have a beautiful assortment of green items. Unique items, even a section of things for under $30! You can buy something for yourself AND a gift for someone else!

And on top of all these incredible items that help people across our great world, Novica also has a Microfinance program, where you can help to loan money to people -- loans as "small" as $25 -- to help them get themselves started as a business. You can apply for or contribute to a loan here.

So Novica has offered me a $50 gift card to give to one of my loyal readers. I'm so excited! Keep reading to find out how to enter:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

-- Go over to NOVICA.com and let me know one item you are totally interested in.

OPTIONAL EXTRA ENTRIES:
-- Follow me through GFC
-- Follow me on Twitter @Goodgirlgonered
-- Follow Novica on Twitter @Novica

-- Tweet about this giveaway (you can copy and paste if you'd like) and provide a link:
Head on over to @goodgirlgonered to enter a @Novica #Giveaway today! http://bit.ly/i97ywC

-- Tell me one Charitable thing you have done this past year (2010)! This is on the honor system, but an extra entry if you can *prove* it (show me a link to the post about it, etc.)!

Winner will be drawn the morning of Monday, December 13th.
Thanks for playing and good luck!

** I borrowed Novica's logo for this Giveaway. I was not compensated for hosting this giveaway, but will be posting an item to review from them. That upcoming review was not in payment for hosting this giveaway. It was my choice to split the available credit to a review and giveaway for my readers, at their offering.**

Congrats to Commenter #5, royaldixie who said:
I follow in GFC, newmommyin08 AT yahoo DOT com

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Product Review: LuShae Jewelery

So, if you've been reading me for a while you'll know that I've never done a product review before. I'm not much into that sort of thing, unless, well, unless you hit me with something that strikes my fancy.

And we're talking jewelry here, folks. Pretty and shiny and the kinds of stuff that sparkles for you! So how could I pass that up? You're right. I couldn't.

So here it is. I was allowed to pick any of their beautiful items and so I decided, especially with Passover upon us, that I wanted to wear my heritage in style. So I opted for this beautiful Star of David solitaire necklace.

It's super pretty, isn't it? Yeah, it is. I love it. I love that the chain has a few spots that you can latch it on, adjusting the size. I love that I don't have to worry (it's CZ, so it's valuable, but not crazy pricey, ya know?) that my daughter might tug it off my neck, or that my crazy hectic self might lose it and be devastated. Because, yes, I'd be sad, but it's not a family heirloom or anything, so that works for me, as well. I like how shiny it is, too. I'm a girlie girl after all, I suppose.

I've only had it for a few days, so I really don't have anything negative to say. I am hopeful that the item stays in good condition after more wear and tear and day-to-day use.

LuShae Jewelry is Australian based, but they ship throughout the US from their California location. The ordering process was simple and I received my item in just a few days.

For more info on their selection and their products, check out their website at: http://www.jewelryartdesigns.com/

**This review was an open and honest review of the item I received compliments of LuShae Jewelry/Jewelry Art Designs. While the item was given to me for free that did not sway the comments I made here about my experience or the item I received.**

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