Please email me at andreateggart[at]gmail.com with your address and I’ll ship your gift in the next few weeks. Congrats and thanks!
–

I love the holiday season. I love spending time with the people that mean the most to me, I love Christmas music, I love finding the perfect gift for someone to show how much you appreciate and love them, I love the twinkling lights and pretty decorations, I love that everyone seems to have an extra bounce in their step this time of year. I’m so excited to host a holiday giveaway again this year! Some of you might remember last year’s holiday giveaway. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to blog here and for all of you who are along for the ride – and want to share some holiday goodness with you!

There are six items I am giving away this holiday season to Polish My Crown readers. Here’s some info on the six gifts and find out how to enter at the bottom of this post!

1.Aerie Holiday Gift Pack: Pretty Goes with Everything tote bag, the new Aerie Shimmer fragrance and a $25 Aerie gift card. Remember my healthy living tips giveaway with Aerie from earlier this year? The brand has the cutest {and comfiest!} underwear, PJs and workout gear. The lovely team over there sent a few goodies to give away.You can find them on Facebook and Twitter too!

2. One Good Deed a Day – A Journal: Chronicle Books is a publishing company based in San Francisco and I found this book/journal online and knew I had to purchase for my holiday giveaway. I actually asked for the journal for Christmas myself! The journal shares good things to do – say thank you to your bus driver, buy flowers for your mom, and encourages you to “check off” when you accomplish the good deed.

3. Curly Girl Design 2013 Calendar: This twelve-month calendar shares adorable artwork and quotes created by artist Leigh Standley. My bedroom is literally covered in Curly Girl Design artwork – I find it inspirational and pretty adorable. More details about Curly Girl Design this blog post!

4. Everyday Minerals Customized Holiday Kit: Four limited edition eyeshadows {Christmas Carol, Silver Bells, Frost Bitten and Snowflakes} and eco-friendly YULE, LOVE makeup bag. I hosted a giveaway with Austin-based beauty company Everyday Minerals earlier this year and I’m absolutely obsessed with their eco-friendly, vegan products. I use the blush and eyeshadow everyday! The Everyday Minerals team is giving away one limited edition holiday kit. Find Everyday Minerals on Facebook here!

5. Believe Pillow from Caytee’s Crafts: I first discovered Caytee’s Crafts when I found this queen-inspired pillow on Pinterest. Of course, I immediately purchased. The talented Caytee and Michelle behind Caytee’s Crafts are giving away one 8″ x 15″ pillow – perfect for the holiday season! Check them out on Facebook here and seriously, scroll through their Etsy page!

6. CLEAN & CLEAR Gift Pack: ADVANTAGE® Oil Absorbing Cream Cleanser, ADVANTAGE® Oil Absorbing Treatment, Blackhead Eraser™ Cleansing Mask, Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub, Deep Action Cream Cleanser, Oil Absorbing Sheets, Persa-Gel 10 and Makeup Dissolving Facial Cleansing Wipes. 
This is seriously enough face wash and product for all of 2013! I worked with CLEAN & CLEAR earlier this year to host a beauty routines giveaway and the team sent over more goodies to share with you this holiday season. Stay up-to-date on the CLEAN & CLEAR Facebook page.

The Polish My Crown Holiday Giveaway will last until Friday, December 21. You can enter by posting a comment telling me three things you’re thankful for. You can also enter via Twitter; all you have to do is:

• Tell me three things you’re thankful for!
• Link back to the blog post: http://bit.ly/RSwyLp
• Include @luckyandi in your tweet

Wow! Thanks to all who entered my beauty giveaway with Everyday Minerals. I was so overwhelmed and excited by all of your comments! I’ll be announcing the winner this week.

The good news is that I have another fun giveaway for you today and it involves delicious rice cereal treats! YUM. Think cake pops – but better…with rice cereal and available in various flavors. Red Spatula is a Bay-area based company started by the lovely Jen. She turned her love for baking and blogging into a business and I couldn’t be more obsessed with the adorable {and DELICIOUS} rice cereal treats she’s making!

Here’s the 13 current flavors of rice cereal treats available from Red Spatula:

• basic marshmallow – Andi’s #2 favorite!
  • the basis for all our treats: crisped rice, natural butter, marshmallows
• chocolate rum – Andi’s #3 favorite!
  • cocoa, rum cream cheese frosting, milk chocolate
• churros
  • cinnamon, sugar
• dark chocolate
  • cocoa, dark chocolate
• earl grey
  • twinings earl grey tea-infused base, earl grey tea-infused white chocolate ganache
• green tea matcha
  • fine milled green tea matcha, green tea white chocolate
• island cheesecake
  • natural coconut flavor, cream cheese coconut frosting, crushed macadamia nuts, crushed Belgian spiced cookies (no dried coconut)
• jasmine
  • harney & sons dragon pearl jasmine tea-infused base, jasmine tea-infused white chocolate ganache
• mango coconut
  • natural coconut flavor, soft dried mangoes (no dried coconut)
• miso sesame
  • kyoto-style red miso, black sesame seeds
• peanut butter and dark chocolate
  • peanut butter, peanut butter chip coating, dark chocolate
• peanut butter and strawberry jam
  • peanut butter, peanut butter chip coating, strawberry jam with seeds
• salty dark caramel – Andi’s #1 favorite!
  • homemade dark caramel, sea salt

One lucky Polish My Crown winner will receive a dozen rice cereal treats shipped to your doorstop {I wish I could win…?!}. To enter, simply share what flavor sounds like your favorite or that you’d like to try and why. You can enter up to three times, three different ways:

• Comment on this blog post
• Tweet @redspatulaSF
• Write on the Red Spatula’s Facebook wall

I recently found out about Everyday Minerals makeup and couldn’t be more obsessed with their company and their products. The Austin-based beauty brand prides itself on their natural, organic and cruelty-free products. I was very interested in checking out the products, as I’m always on the lookout for good quality makeup. At first glance of their site, Everyday Minerals products reminded me of Bare Minerals {which I use daily} so I jumped on the opportunity to play around with the eyeshadows and blushes.

Everyday Minerals graciously sent me a little beauty bag packed with a few of their favorite goodies. I was blown away! First of all, the packaging was adorable and the two brushes they sent were soft, handmade and perfect for applying makeup. I’ve been wearing the blush everyday ever since I received it in the mail – the color is radiant and feels so light on the skin. There are so many color/shade options for eyeshadows and foundations as well, which are also light and subtle. So long to the awkward eyeshadows I’ve been using…I’m honestly a converted Everyday Minerals fan.

Here’s the exciting part! Everyday Minerals is giving one Polish My Crown reader the exact same beauty bag I received. One reader will win the below products {total retail value $55}:

• Double Perfect Eyeliner/Eyeshadow Brush – $12.99
• Large Mineral Brush - $14.99
• Blush in Ambrosia – $10.99
• Eyeshadow in Freedom and Knights of Ribbon – $8.99
• Mrs. Coffee Eyeliner – $7.99

To enter:

• Leave a comment on this blog post sharing your favorite beauty/makeup product of all time
• Additional entry: “Like” Everyday Minerals on Facebook

I’m excited to read about what beauty products are your favorites. This contest ends on Monday, October 8. Good luck! xx

The CLEAN & CLEAR® team sent me some new and “classic” products to test out {see below}. My favorite is their Morning Burst line of products – my skin instantly felt refreshed and awake after using. Unfortunately, acne isn’t something that only hits teenagers. Adults can get irritated and blotchy skin too – and stress is a major factor in that. Stress causes your hormones to fluctuate and in turn, produce more oil which can lead to acne. At the same time, stress can lead to poor eating and sleeping habits which also can make acne worse. UGH! Here’s a great article sharing ways to take care of yourself – especially when you’re stressed and busy.

I also love the brand’s vision and mission – check this out:

CLEAN & CLEAR® believes there is beauty in confidence. Our vision is to inspire that confidence in every young woman so she can discover & enjoy life’s possibilities. We believe that beauty comes from being confident, comfortable and secure in your own skin.

• CLEAN & CLEAR® Morning Burst Fruit Infusions Smoothing Facial Scrub {1}
• CLEAN & CLEAR® Morning Burst Fruit Infusions Reviving Cleanser {2}
• CLEAN & CLEAR® Morning Burst BOOST with Mango & Papaya Body Wash {3}
• CLEAN & CLEAR® Advantage Oil Absorbing Treatment {4}
• CLEAN & CLEAR®Advantage Oil Absorbing Cream Cleanser
• CLEAN & CLEAR® Advantage Acne Spot Treatment

Today is the launch of the Princess Vera Wang for Kohls collection! This is Vera Wang’s second collection at Kohls and is aimed at younger women looking for “whimsical and contemporary” elements in their wardrobe. The team sent me bunch of fun items to share on my blog before the collection released and I absolutely love the Sheer Studded Paisley Top {above} and Eyelet Shortie Shorts {below}. To be honest, I’ve worn the shorts probably six times in the past two weeks!

Now here’s the fun part! I have some goodies to give away to one lucky Polish My Crown reader! All you have to do is check out the Princess Vera Wang collection, come back to this blog post and comment linking to your favorite product! One randomly selected winner will receive the below:

• Kate Quilted Shoulder Bag in Hot Pink {valued at $59}
• Simulated Pearl and Simulated Crystal Crown Drop Earrings {valued at $18}
• Goldtone Fox and Birdcage Pendant {valued at $24}

While physical fitness is important, we think that a healthy lifestyle is even more key for a happier life, from the inside out. Healthy living involves more than just a trip to the gym; it covers all aspects of life – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and relational. This week’s Aerie FIT outfit is the feather tank, equally perfect for the gym or a trip to the beach with your friends. Here’s a few fitness and healthy living tips to kickoff the weekend!

1. Surround yourself with healthy living inspiration. Leave Post-It notes in your bedroom, bathroom, workspace and everywhere else reminding yourself what you love about yourself. Write out quotes that make you feel good or something you are proud of. Check out Operation Beautiful for fun Post-It note ideas!

2. Make it part of your routine. It’s easy to hit the gym when it’s a part of your routine, just like brushing your teeth is. Try to go to the gym or do your workout at the same time each day so you get in the habit of working out on a consistent basis.

3. Go outside. While the gym is great, there’s nothing like being in the great outdoors. Some days {and nights} it’s just best to enjoy being outside, especially if you are cooped up inside all day. Take a long walk with a friend or jog around the block. Some cities even offer fitness classes outside. Being outside is also a great way to explore new neighborhoods or a cool park nearby!

4. Switch it up!  You don’t wear the same outfit everyday, do you? Rotate your workouts! Focus on weight training one day and cardio another. Try swimming one day and yoga the next. Take a Zumba class and then go hiking another day. You will enjoy staying active when you are doing lots of different activities. Don’t forget to enjoy rest days as well!

5. Treat yourself every so often. After finishing a good workout, you deserve a reward. Buy yourself a fun accessory or enjoy a cup frozen yogurt {my favorite is cake batter flavor with strawberries, granola and mango}.

Now it’s your turn to share your fitness or healthy living tips! Aerie and I are hosting a fun giveaway offering one lucky Polish My Crown reader a $50 Aerie gift card. There are two ways to enter:

1. Comment on this post sharing one fitness or healthy living tip
2. Tweet a fitness or healthy living tip to @luckyandi @aerie, including the link: http://bit.ly/IePxuE

The winner will be selected on Friday, May 4th.
*Find Aerie’s FIT collection online, Facebook and Twitter. I also love the Aerie Pretty Is Everywhere Tumblr!

CONGRATULATIONS TO KELLIE! You were the randomly selected winner of the Aerie Healthy Living Giveaway.

The above lyrics are my favorite from the Mumford and Sons song After the Storm and the photos are from my lovely friend Lisa. Today’s post is a collaboration with Lisa to share photo inspiration for this song; to tell the song’s story through the photographer’s eye.

We all have those experiences where we feel completely helpless – whether it’s the loss of a loved one, the loneliness that sets in after an ended relationship, being a stranger in a brand new city. Today, I want to encourage you to rise above whatever you are going through; take a leap of faith and move forward – “get over your hill” as the song lyrics state.

For me, this song is a statement of hope. The words explain {and Lisa’s photos show} the journey of recognizing doubt, fear and darkness and then pressing forward to find peace in a place, literally or figuratively, where there are no more tears. It’s important to face these uphill battles by abandoning our fears and embracing grace and forgiveness.

This song is quite an inspiration to Lisa and myself and we want to hear what song inspires you! We’re hosting a giveaway to all Polish My Crown readers – all you have to do is comment on this post and tell us what song you go to for inspiration. Want an additional entry? Tweet us the song that inspires you. A sample tweet is here: “I’m inspired by the song ‘XXXXX’ Enter @luckyandi & @Lerbee’s photo giveaway: http://bit.ly/Hd90r6”

One randomly selected winner will receive any 8×10″ print photo of their choice from Lisa’s portfolio {I have her photos all over my apartment and get compliments all the time!}

Today, I have a very special giveaway for you lovely queens! Many of you commented on this post asking about a certain print and now, you can win your own! The lovely Bianca Green is the artist who created the “Queen of Effing Everything” print and she’s offering one lucky Polish My Crown reader the mini print, as well as the stationery card set! I am someone who is inspired constantly by art, and Bianca’s work is no exception.

It’s super easy to enter the giveaway! Here’s the two simple steps:

1. “Like” Bianca Green Art on Facebook
2. Comment on this post telling me where you go for inspiration – it can be a person, a song lyric, a place, a piece of art, whatever!

*Her Daily Motivation mini print (8″ x 9″) valued at $16, Her Daily Motivation set of three stationary cards (5″ x 7″) valued at $12. Find Bianca’s work on Society6, Twitter and her own site here.

*The contest is now closed. Congratulations to Kayla Stevens, our winner for the queen giveaway!

1. Not for Sale Turquoise Liberty Bracelet: Brooklyn

2. Leigh Viner “Cricket” Print: Deidre Casey

3. Curly Girl Design 2012 Calendar: Lauren Elser

4. Thanks! by Robert Emmons book: Stacey Headley

5. $25 Aerie gift cards: Katie O’Connor and Angelica

———

Hi hi hi! Happy positive Thursday lovelies! Today’s Thursday Thankful List is a bit different format – and today I’m saying thank you to you. I am thrilled to give away five readers a special holiday gift in the first ever Polish My Crown Holiday Giveaway! All of the gifts relate to an old blog post and/or something that is just a crown polish for me. Gifts include a Not for Sale bracelet, Leigh Viner art print, Curly Girl Design 2012 Calendar and two $25 Aerie gift cards. Read about all the gifts below and stroll to the bottom to learn how to enter! xox

1. Not for Sale Turquoise Liberty Bracelet: Not for Sale is an organization I’m passionate about and wrote about here. Their mission is simple: Stand with those who are enslaved, work together to free them, and empower them in their freedom to break the cycle of vulnerability.When I attended their Global Forum on Human Trafficking a few months ago, I fell in love with the liberty bracelets and purchased a turquoise one. You know I love my arm parties {see below} and wear it every day!

I’m so excited to give one of you a liberty bracelet! Not for Sale has more colors available online too.

2. Framed Leigh Viner’s “Cricket” Print {not framed in picture}: I shared about Leigh’s insanely awesome artwork in this blog post and constantly feel inspired and refreshed by her talent. This blog post was one of my first blog posts on Polish My Crown – she’s been a favorite artist of mine for awhile! To be very honest, this iPhone photo doesn’t do her work ANY justice – please check out her website to see this gorgeous print {and tons of others!}

3. Curly Girl Design 2012 Calendar: It appears two of my favorite artists are named Leigh, because Leigh Standley’s Curly Girl Design is something that is a constant pick-me-up. She mixes her collage-style artwork with inspiring, empowering quotes. I dedicated an entire post to her work here, but often share in Words for Wednesday or other blog posts. A few favorites quotes from Curly Girl Design:

• Sometimes right back where you started from is right where you belong.
• She packed up all her potential and all she had learned, grabbed a cute pair of shoes and headed out to change a few things.
• Faith is believing one of two things will happen; that there will be something solid for you to stand on or that you will be taught to fly.
• Just wait until you see what is possible when you shine your little light on the world!

4. Thanks! by Robert Emmons book: I first borrowed this from the library then decided I needed a copy of my own. I’ve also gifted the book to a friend because I really do feel it’s THAT powerful and inspiring. Now, I’m thrilled to give one away to one of you beautiful readers! I’ve shared excerpts from the book often; and this blog post shares the author’s “Top 10 List for Staying Thankful.” You absolutely won’t be disappointed.

5. $25 Aerie gift card {two winners will be selected}: I have a last {but certainly not least} addition to the holiday giveaway and that comes from the lovely team at Aerie! I had the privilege of attending Aerie’s Trunk Show about a month ago and loved their holiday collection! Who doesn’t love adorable {and cozy} underwear, bras, PJs, sweaters and more? I know my little sister Hope would be thrilled with some new Aerie stuff for Christmas!

The Polish My Crown Holiday Giveaway will last until Friday, December 16. To enter the Polish My Crown Holiday Giveaway, leave a comment telling me three things you’re thankful for. You can also enter via Twitter; all you have to do is:

• Tell me three things you’re thankful for!
• Link back to the blog post: http://bit.ly/rI1f1L
• Include @luckyandi in your tweet