We’re ringing in the New Year with a little of our own BELLAZIZA SWAG!!  We are giving away the best of the best (not to brag!) in hair accessories, Bellaziza Pretty Precious Barrettes!

Enter to win a Bellaziza Barrette Makeover – your choice of 30 of your Favorite Bellaziza Barrettes from our new 2009 Collection valued at $275!! Simply visit our website www.Bellaziza.com and let us know what you think!  This time around we want your feedback on OUR product!  You can also CLICK HERE to download our brand new 2009 Bellaziza Product Catalog and see our New 2009 Collection!   Just comment on which of our lovely little barrettes you like best, or whatever else you would like to say about our website or company!  We want your feedback:)!!

This SWAG ALERT will be open for daily entry until Monday, January 5th at midnight PST.  Our same fabulous SWAG ALERT rules apply, including EXTRAS, but if you need a refresher on the details just CLICK HERE or visit our “SWAG INFO” page by clicking the tab at the top of this page.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!  We really appreciate it…and GOOD LUCK!!!

Happy New Year from Bellaziza!  To start the New Year off with a bang we are giving our readers an exclusive discount on our Bellaziza Pretty Precious Barrettes.

From now until January 13th take 30% off orders of 6 or more barrettes with exclusive discount code “BellazizaVIP”!!  Basically, you’re buying 4 and getting 2 FREE!!!  Visit our product website, www.Bellaziza.com or CLICK HERE to download our brand new 2009 Bellaziza Product Catalog to see our entire collection of the most exquisite little barettes for your little girl’s perfect little head of hair!

For the first time ever we asked you, our readers, to consider giving a little SWAG of your own to a fellow reader, mom, our friend, and my cousin Nichole.  As we knew you would, you came through and showed that you are not only savvy moms and dads but also sympathetic and generous human beings.

The Christmas season was tainted with tragedy for Nichole, her husband, Sean and their 3 year old daughter, Madisyn after a house fire destroyed a large majority of their belongings two days before Christmas.  The house they were in was being rented, so there is not a large insurance check in the mail and after a bout of bad luck thorughout the year, the fire and a lay off were not at all what they asked Santa for!

Thanks to your kindess and generosity, Christmas went on for this lovely family in the REAL way that Christmas was intended!  We were able to give them a check, and the best Christmas present of all – a whole lot of hope!  You, our readers, donated almost $500!  Our ever-generous sponsors Right Bank Babies and TylerandTallulah.com also pitched in giving lots of absolutely incredible clothing for Madi, as did one of our readers Sara who owns lovely children’s clothing boutique LadybugsAndLilypads.com!

As an update, Nichole and family were able to quickly find another house and are anxious to move forward in the new year.  We have all been SO moved by our readers’ generosity and willingness to help.  It’s something that Nichole and her family will never ever forget.   They send a big heartfelt thank you and hugs to everyone.  All of your prayers were definitely felt.  Thank you for your support and generosity at a time when it mattered the most!!

Sincerely,

Tasha

Here’s a beautiful video that gave us some ‘bigger picture’ inspiration to start the new year off with…Enjoy!

Every party needs the perfect little party favor!  Our friends at Better Homes and Gardens know this well and had the cutest idea for these fortune telling balls!  We knew you would like it as much as we do, so here’s how you can bring a little magic to your own party!

To make them, wrap plastic foam balls with yards of 2-inch-wide crepe paper that comes on rolls, stretching the paper as needed and slipping hand-written fortunes in between the layers.

Get creative with the fortunes too!  You could theme them or even personalize for an especially thoughtful experience for the lucky one opening it!

What would you like to read in your fortune for 2009?  Leave a comment!

Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.

Here is a simple idea to jazz up your toasting glasses for when the clock strikes midnight!

You can make these champagne flutes in custom-etched designs by wrapping self-adhesive vinyl around clean glasses, and use a craft knife to cut away the design elements (wherever the vinyl remains, the glass will be clear).  Apply etching cream, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Your guests will love them so much that they’ll want to take their custom-designed glasses home…and you are off the hook for a New Year’s gift!  Yayee!!!

Many thanks for yet another great idea from www.bhg.com!

Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.

Ever get stuck on those pesky lyrics for that infamous song played on New Year’s?  We always sing it (incorrectly, no doubt) and no one even knows what it means!  As always, we’re here to keep you on top of things!  “Auld Lang Syne” basically means “times gone by”.  So we are singing about lifting a glass to times gone by!  Now you’re informed and you can get your pipes ready because this year you will be able to sing along!  Below are the lyrics for the classic holiday song, “Auld Lang Syne”.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot And days of auld lang syne?
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
We twa ha’e run about the braes, And pu’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wandered mony a weary foot, Sin’ auld lang syne.
Chorus
We twa ha’e paidled i’ the burn Frae mornin’ sun till dine;
But seas between us braid ha’e roared, Sin’ auld lang syne.
Chorus
And surely ye’ll be your pint stoup And surely I’ll be mine
And we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
Chorus
And here’s a hand, my trusty frien’ And gie’s a hand o’ thine
We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
Chorus

Hello Everyone,

This is an unexpected post for sure and one that will stand out as being unlike any other.  Bellaziza’s Favorite Things is generally all about giving, but we have never asked our readers to be the ones to do it!  I am really excited about what we can do when we come together and do hope you will join with us in helping a lovely family who really needs our support this Christmas!

I just became aware of a situation in which I think we can all make a big difference as a group.  Our new columnist Tasha’s cousin Nichole, her husband and their little girl (3y) had a terrible house fire last night.  Nichole and I also went to church and high school together, so I know her well too.  She really is a wonderful person.

Thankfully, they are all ok.  This is, however, a terrible tragedy to happen two days before Christmas, and with no renter’s insurance it’s even worse.  They are hoping to salvage what they can, but there is a lot of water and smoke damage.  To make matters worse, she got a call yesterday that she is being laid off from her job at General Motors for at least the next three weeks.  She and her husband Sean have been overcome with a streak of “bad luck” lately it seems.  This summer, Sean fell off a roof at work and was out of work for several weeks.  On their way to Thanksgiving, they totaled their car in an accident, and now all of this!

When it rains, it pours sometimes…but it also creates a fabulous opportunity for them to feel loved and supported by friends, family and even strangers.  I just imagine how I would feel and how much it would mean to my family to feel the support of not only the people I know, but those who I do not know.  This is the essence of true holiday spirit!

They are committed to staying positive and are so thankful that in spite of all of this that they are all still OK.

Bellaziza’s Favorite Things is joining together as are their family and friends to collect some money for them to ease the burden of everything that has happened.  They insist that they don’t need anything, but we all know that something of this magnitude right before Christmas would be a huge burden to any of us.  If you would like to help make their Christmas a little merrier and spread some holiday love and cheer their way, please email me ASAP at crista@bellazizasfavorites.com.  We can receive funds immediately through our PayPal account ( send to account: ‘advertise@bellazizasfavorites.com’ ) or you can send a check if that is better for you.  Just contact me for more details and please know that your support could come in a large or small amount…even $5 or $1 does help!  The energy that it creates is truly immeasurable and is so very much appreciated!!!

Most of all, we ask for your prayers.  Thanks so much.

Sincerely,

Crista and Tasha

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to take a moment to write more of a letter than a post to all of you, our wonderful readers! You are just as much responsible for the incredible success of Bellaziza’s Favorite Things as we are here! There are a few things we wanted to let you in on, but we firstly wanted to start by thanking you so very much for your incredible support through reading, participating via comments and of course through your participation in our incredible SWAG ALERT Giveaways!!!

The new ‘Favorite Thing’ that I wanted to share is that our family is expecting a new baby anytime now! I’m not actually due until January, but you know how THAT goes:)! As a result, things may seem a little different for a few weeks.  Our fabulous new columnist Tasha will be taking things over, launching her new column “Tasha Goes Blue”, and giving our family some time to enjoy our newest little star!  Isabella is just over 2 1/2 now and is thoroughly excited about “the baby inside”.  We are all enjoying the anticipation of our biggest surprise this holiday season too, as to whether “the baby inside” is a boy or a girl! (Stay tuned for more on THAT:)!)

From our family to yours, we wish all of you the happiest of holiday seasons filled with lots of love and laughter, and the most wonderful new year ever!

Crista

PS – We have lots more Favorite Things in store for you this coming year that are simply too amazing to mention, starting with the launch of some unbelieveably posh  V.I.P. SWAG valued at $1000 on January 1st!  You know we just love a surprise, so STAY TUNED for more on that and more of the best of the best for the family who has everything, but deserves more!!!

Nicole Richie stopped by to visit our good friends at Petit Tresor this weekend in West Hollywood and picked up a cream colored Minimink Rug/Wrap/Throw for her little sweetie Harlow.  She also followed it up with one of Minimink’s Teddy Bears. Both products are made of Minimink’s signature ultra luxe faux fur, making them perfect for any cold weather snuggle.  How cozy, and what a perfect gift for the holidays!

Congratulations to subscriber, Candace B., who is the winner of PLAN TOYS TRAIN SWAG, and commenter #97, Margaret S. too, who is the winner of PLAN TOYS FARM SWAG!  We are doubly happy for you both!

We have lots more Favorite Things in store for you this coming year that are simply too amazing to mention, starting with the launch of some unbelieveably posh  V.I.P. SWAG valued at $1000 on January 1st!  You know we just love a surprise, so STAY TUNED for more on that and more of the best of the best for the family who has everything, but deserves more!!!

Also, check out our Definitive 2008 Holiday Gift Guide to get lots of EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS, on all of your holiday shopping this season!

Celebrate the holidays with these tasty treats in hand and everyone will be giving you a kiss under the mistletoe and at midnight because they’re perfect for both Christmas and New Year’s Eve!

Ingredients:

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces (no substitutes)

3 tablespoons whipping cream

1 beaten egg yolk

3 tablespoons champagne or whipping cream

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted powdered sugar, small white decorative candies and/or melted white chocolate

Recipe and picture courtesy of BHG.com.

This week’s Holiday SWAG features one of our Holiday Gift Guide picks from Plan Toys!  But since we’re in the season of generosity, this week’s SWAG will have TWO lucky winners!  We are giving away two amazing products from Plan Toys!!  The Barn Set including the Tractor and Trailer, Farm Animal Set and Vegetable Garden and the Road and Rail Play Set-Railway Station.   DOUBLE ENTRIES THIS WEEK ONLY, as we have 2 separate prizes!!!

The rules for entry are a little different this time since we have double the SWAG, so please do read carefully.  We’re giving you more chances to win, but you need to submit your entries correctly for them to count!!  MAKE SURE TO MENTION “PLAN TOYS FARM SWAG” OR “ PLAN TOYS TRAIN SWAG” IN YOUR COMMENT SO WE KNOW WHICH IS WHICH.

To enter, go to www.PlanToys.com and take a look at their products. THEN simply comment on this post saying what you love most about their products, their website or their company.

Entries without suitable comments will not be counted out of respect for our fabulous readers and our wonderful sponsor. Entries such as “wow”, “I would love to win this” and “very nice” do not make the cut.  We are looking for your opinion on our sponsor’s product.  Your feedback is valuable to our sponsors and is one of the reasons we are able to provide such amazing info and prizes for you!

You may enter TWICE per email address per day as there are two individual prizes.   Mention “Plan Toys FARM SWAG” or “Plan Toys TRAIN SWAG” in your comment.  (One FARM and one TRAIN entry per day per email address.)  EXTRA ENTRIES are also available as always for blogging about us, referring new confirmed subscribers, and/or adding our button to your blog or website. Just leave a comment telling us how you earned that extra entry (plus any relevant info like your blog address or referral’s email address).  Please do leave separate comments for each, as your comments are your actual entries.

We’re making a list and checking it twice as our list of Favorite Things for the 2008 Holiday goes on!  If you peeked inside our 2008 Holiday Gift Guide, we know you fell in love with the Plan Toys Barn Set.  Well be prepared to fall head over heels because we are about to show you even more from the BEST toy company for all us eco-friendly toy buyers!  Plan Toys is a toy company like no other!  Their slogan, “Green Toy-Green Company” is not just a catch-phrase, it’s their promise to you and I that their toys are 100% safe for the Earth and our children.  When I unwrapped each toy from paper, not plastic, my heart smiled and I gave the Earth a wink.  All of their toys are made with organic materials from the non-latex rubber wood right down to the non-toxic paint.  It’s not very often that you can save the Earth and make your kids happy all at the same time!  And it feels so great knowing that your purchase is making an impact, not just making someone else rich.

Speaking of the Barn Set, can we tell you how adorable it is?!  Forget those tacky plastic barns, this toy is for the kid (and parents) with excellent taste!  Our favorite thing to do with the barn is the working pulley that can be used to feed the animals…over and over and over again!  The easily accessible interior keeps little hands busy and happy as they can take the roof on and off as they please.  Purchase your own Barn Set here at Amazon.com where we found it for $97.88 (worth every penny!)  Let’s not forget the handy dandy green tractor and cart that provides hours of fun in itself!  It really is so unique with its real rubber tires and elasticized tailgate!  We also found the tractor on Amazon for a great deal at $48.86!  Check out the vegetable garden set and the farm animal set at Amazon as well for great deals and free shipping!  Hurry!!  If you order in the next few days, you can still get them in time for Christmas!

Other than their commitment to being Earth and kid safe, Plan Toys are so very well built.  This is evidenced by their recent win of this year’s very prestigious Oppenheim Platinum Best Toy Award for the Road and Rail Playset!  I had the man of the house do a once over of the Road and Rail Playset – Railway Station (the new favorite toy in our house right now) and even he wouldn’t put it away at bed time!

This train set is unlike any other you will ever buy.  The quality is unmatchable and it doesn’t hurt that it is oh so cute!  The best part, it all folds up and fits into the Railway Station which also serves as a storage box! And talk about versatile,  the tracks fit together with any of the conventional wooden train track sets (Thomas the Tank Engine, Brio, Pottery Barn Kids, etc…) and, of course, with all of the other Plan Toys PlanCity sets.  Click here to find a great price of $185 at Amazon.com…a steal for such a great product!

From preschool toys, baby toys, furniture to die for and the cutest little doll houses ever, Plan Toys has something for everyone, and you ALWAYS know that it’s safe for your kiddos.  THAT is Plan’s promise.  Visit them online today at www.plantoysusa.com to find that perfect something for your perfect little someone!