Giveaways Archives - Page 2 of 3

20 Things Husbands of Bloggers Need to Know!

July 28, 2014 by Susan Leave a Comment

Happy Monday Y’all! I am so excited to be teaming up with the lovely Samantha from It’s All In The Details today! Since I just got married, and she is tying the knot really soon {I’m pretty positive I will be crashing her wedding… I mean, she doesn’t know it but I’ve already got my name down on the waiting list!} we figured we should give the hubbies a crash course on they can expect as the husband of a blogger.

Oh, and where are my manners?! Welcome to all of Samantha’s readers! It’s so wonderful to have you here today! You can learn a little more about me here, here and here. Even if you have already seen this post over on her blog - may I recommend you scroll down to the very bottom because I have a ~~little~~ awesome giveaway happening! {How does some new makeup and a consult with a professional makeup artist sound to you? Yeah… I thought so! So scroll on down and get yourself entered!}

And now, without further ado…

My answers are the first ten.

1 // Yes, we do have to snap a picture of everything we eat, in all the phases of prepping, cooking, and eating. You never know when it will be mentioned in a post.

2 // Don’t think we are crazy when we ask you to go click on our sponsored post to get your own free sample of pads. A girls gotta get her clicks in.

3 // Yes, we can be best friends with people across the country that we never talk to on the phone, never mind hang out with in person. Don’t think I’m off my rocker. They do exist.

4 // It’s okay to refer to them (see no. 3) as my “Blog-friends” at home. But in public, please refer to them as their real names.

5 // Bloglovin is my equivalent of your Car Club Forum. Get in the know.

6 // When we ask you to take 27 pictures of us in the same outfit with slightly different poses, don’t question us. Just do it. And please avoid the angles that give me a double chin.

7 // Sometimes we just have to do fun things together because I don’t have anything cool to blog about at that moment. Is that a problem?

8 // You’re a pretty big part of my life. No, I cannot not mention you on the blog.

9 // Yes, both of our moms read my blog. No, I cannot block them.

10 // We appreciate your support. Blogging may be the weirdest thing to you but it’s something we love. Your kind words and compliments about a post we wrote is worth more than 42 comments from blog-friends and strangers.

And now Samantha’s 10.

11 // Your food might be cold by the time you eat it because we have to take 97 different pictures of it for our blog. That’s why we have a microwave.

12 // Your bank account might see an extra dip in it every so often when we just have to have that dress/planner/wine tumbler we saw in a blogger’s post today.

13 // You’re going to be blog famous. Just pretend that excites you.

14 // We might ask you if it’s ok to invite blog friends to our wedding. Say yes.

15 // We’re going to start speaking in a language you definitely won’t understand - i.e. blate, link-ups, guest posts.

16 // We will speak about people we’ve never met like we’ve known them a lifetime. Learn their names.

17 // You might be asked to take 36 pictures of us in the same dress more than once. Just smile and do it.

18 // Yes. We do NEED that pretty & expensive new blog design.

19 // Your vacations will likely be planned around recommendations from complete strangers. Make sure to get your request in early.

20 // No, you cannot tell us to exclude you from blog posts. That’s part of the wedding vows.

So what did we miss? What else does my hubbie and Samantha’s hubbie-to-be need to know?

Again, thank you so much to Samantha’s readers for stopping by today! Our giveaway started on Friday but you have until August 1 to enter! If you want all the giveaway deats I recommend you click here. If you don’t care and you just want to win, you know the drill:

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Oh hey, Friday! Makeup and a Giveaway!

July 25, 2014 by Susan Leave a Comment

I will be the first to tell you that my skin care and makeup knowledge is the worst. I’m pretty positive that there are 5 year old girls who know more and do more to prevent wrinkles than I do. Getting married and getting old has made me really start pondering things though. Things like: Does being 30 mean I should look like I know how to wear makeup? What the heck are crows feet and is this something I should be worried about? When do I start wearing lip color, for the first time ever? When I got married, I partnered up with one of my favorite wedding vendors, Best Face Forward, located here in Virginia - and had the pleasure of meeting and working with one of their lead makeup artists Susanne! Despite the fact that I have bucked the system and I still only wash my face on a whim {lies Susanne… all lies…} she taught me what I was doing right, doing wrong, and how I can embrace “30, flirty and thriving” with clear skin and non-80’s-prom style makeup.

Today we are linking up with September Farm and The Farmer’s Wife for Oh hey, Friday! I am pumped and ready to share a few awesome things that I’ve learned and now use from Susanne - AND - stick around because you’re really gonna like NUMBER FIVE. Wink wink.

Gals - the lipgloss. It has a flashlight on it! Need I say more!? If Jack Bauer wore lip gloss he would be carrying this handy tool with him all the time. And yes - I do need to say more… I never ever wear lip color of any sort because my lips ALWAYS dry out from them. Not with this stuff though! There aren’t many products that I will 100% swear by, but this stuff I will! By the way, there’s something in it for the men too… this lip gloss has a wonderful minty kick to it that the husband appreciates also! 😉

{You could be rocking light up lip gloss too - keep going down to number 5!}

Once a week there is a very enjoyable shower on my calendar. Wait - that sounds weird. Don’t go there. Because what I’m talking about is my once a week Microdermabrasion Scrub.

It is Ah - wait for it - Mazing! I use this once a week. I hop in the shower, do my thing, and scrub my face. When I hop out - my skin looks so radiant it like I have makeup on! It’s clean and clear and fresh. I have never had the professional stuff done - but who needs to pay the big bucks when I promise you will love the results for this. And seriously - the product lasts forever.

During part of my initial consult with Susanne she told me how my skin clarity was okay, she stuck me into some machine that showed the sun spots on my face {totally freaking me out!} and she told me that I drink too much wine {i.e. I don’t drink enough water.} My skin is really dry. She set me up with a Hydrating Foundation. Honestly, I didn’t use it for about 6 months after she gave it to me. I was a-okay with the stuff I had been using. But then my stuff ran out and I was too poor at the moment to buy it’s replacement. So I gave Susanne’s product a go… and now there’s no turning back.

Because my skin is so dry, the fact that this foundation not only conceals things I want hidden but it hydrates my skin AND it has SPF 20 built in - it’s an across the board win. {This could be yours - keep going down to number 5!}

Now, I can’t believe I am about to put this out here like this… but I really struggle with luggage under my eyes. Not just bags… I have luggage. You know, that you-always-look-so-tired darkness underneath your eyes? Yup. Even if I have slept for 4 days straight, I will still have dark bags under my eyes.

So Susanne asked if I would be a guinea pig for her. Apparently not many folks are willing to try a product out for 3 weeks, but only on one side of their face. {I’m probably crazy} but of course I said yes.

I have only been using a tiny sample of the Youth Xtend Enriching Eye Cream for the past 10 days underneath my right eye. My plan is to try it out for 3 solid weeks, just underneath the one eye. Here is a picture of my 7 day mark {with no makeup on, of course} :

Can you see the difference? Because I sure as heck can! By the time I’ve made it to week three, I have this crazy feeling it will look like I was punched in my left eye. {You could win a sample of this stuff too… read number 5!}

Okay okay - so you made is all the way down here to good ole number five. It’s giveaway time friends! Susanne is in the process of building her business just like most of us are building our blogs. I asked her if there was anyway for us to collaborate and she was extremely excited to have the chance to share some of her products with you! First of all, ALL 2 CATS & CHLOE READERS can get a LIFETIME 10% DISCOUNT in her store if you FOLLOW HER ON INSTAGRAM and tag me {@2catsandchloe} in one of her posts. How incredibly easy is that?! And you don’t have to buy from her today! You can save your pennies because it’s 10% off for a LIFETIME!

And for one lucky reader - You know there drill! There are several ways below that you can get yourself entered to win! But what is it that you are actually winning? One lucky person {located in the USA} will be winning:
1 // One Artistry Light up Lip Gloss {color to be determined by winner} 2 // One Artistry Liquid Foundation {either Balancing or Hydrating Formula depending on winner’s skin type} 3 // A one week’s supply of the Artistry Youth Xtend Skin Care {which includes the eye creme I have been using} 4 // A ONE HOUR Consult with Susanne {a professional makeup artist!} where you will discuss skin care, makeup use, and even a virtual makeover!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner must be in the USA. You don’t have to be a blogger to win. There will only be one winner. But you’re all winners in my book.

Holler at me if you have any Q’s because I may have some A’s. Happy Friday y’all! And don’t forget to get your lifetime 10% off!

All of the thoughts above are 100% my own. I was not gifted anything for this post.

Surprise from Vegas, Baby!

July 12, 2014 by Susan 2 Comments

Y’all. I’m an open book. I’m way too public with my ins and outs, my goings on, my travels and my adventures. So much so that I should probably be more cautious about what I say, do, and share with the world to prevent internet creepers from making me their next victim.

That being said, I just can’t. I seriously suck at secrets. For the last six months a top secret trip to Vegas has been in the works. And it’s been KILLING me to not tell each and every one of you where I’m going. Trip Advisor is great, but so is referrals from blog friends! This trip has been so top secret that even my closest friends had no clue that I was going to be hopping on a plane and jet setting across the country this past Thursday!

You see, yesterday was J’s birthday. She knew her husband had a wonderful birthday vacation planned for her. She did not know where. And she definitely did not know who would be waiting for her at the bar when she checked into the luxurious Hard Rock Hotel.

Her brother flew into Vegas from Minnesota. I flew into Vegas from Virginia. Jess and her hubby flew in from Georgia.

I arrived several hours earlier than the rest of them which left me with a few decisions… Do I nap? Do I explore? Do I catch up on work? Do I lay by the pool? I decided to do what every over-worked entrepreneur would do for her first 2 hours of vacation… I watched trash television and napped. And it was glorious.

Jess was beyond shocked when “a couple” from across the bar bought her a drink the second she arrived at her resort… It was a great birthday reunion! I have a video I can share once facebook unblocks it… stinking facebook.

We spent yesterday as epic tourists: drinking and exploring.

Crafty inspiration can be found anywhere! I was overwhelmed by the glass art and conservatory at the Belligio… how cute is this pennant banner? I’m totally making these flags when I get home!

Around 1 in the afternoon, the girls and the guys split up… we discovered the Cosmopolitan Hotel and all of it’s glam and swank. Pretty positive a girl could get used to a place like this.

Then I surprised Jess with a hair and makeup appointment at iblowdry. I mean, it was her 30th birthday… who can say no to celebrating by getting all dolled up in Vegas, Baby? More on this awesome salon and experience at a later date!

I seriously wouldn’t wish a gluten intolerance on anyone… But if YOU were to do that, I would say you should wish it upon your best friend. Because when you struggle with the same issues, you can do cool things like share lactose pills and gluten free birthday cake!

I never have an excuse to dress up and go out - so this was definitely welcomed. We spent the evening pretending we were rockstars. With champagne in hand we hopped into our private limo, toured the strip and a few hot spots, and then wrapped up our evening playing the Willy Wonka slot machine. I kid you not.

I definitely have more Vegas deets to come - but right now I need to get dressed and ready for a pool party {that I’m kinda dreading… rehab anyone?}

Also! Don’t forget! Time is ticking as we wrap up our Not-So-Dirty 30 Blog Series and GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Catch ya when I’m back on the thankfully humid {my skin is parched!} East Coast!

Until next time my loves!

30 Things to Know and Do Before 30.

July 8, 2014 by Susan 7 Comments

Today is the last day of the Not-So-Dirty 30 Blog Series and Giveaway! J over at Bless Her Heart Y’all and I have had such a great time celebrating our 30th birthdays together over the past month. Thank you so much for joining us throughout this series. We have covered Birthday Beverages, Birthday Cakes, Birthday Gifts, and have already done one Birthday Giveaway.

I really like today’s post though because I’m such a sucker for posts that actually make me think.

Today I am sharing 30 Things to Know and Do before 30. And guess what! At the very bottom, we are wrapping up this series with ANOTHER awesome giveaway!

1. Be careful with trust. Do not trust ~~anyone~~ everyone. You are blessed if you have one person, other than yourself, who truly is looking out for your best interests. The company you’ve given 7+ years of service to could really careless about you. Be okay with that. Do you job. And do it well. But know, they may be okay with replacing you.

2. Nesting isn’t just for preggos. Your house is a blank canvas. Make it you. Make it home. You’re no longer in a college apartment - it’s time you save your dollars and get real furniture.

3. Don’t listen to ’em - There is nothing wrong with rearranging your home annually.

4. Exercise. Even if you hate it. They weren’t lying when they said “it is harder to ‘get fit’ when you’re older.” Even if you’re not a runner - do a 5 or 10k with a friend. Even if you have to walk it. It’s an empowering feeling.

5. Talk to your grandparents and parents now. Become friends with them. Ask them about what it was like when they were growing up. Discover what life was before the iPhone, before cable television, before computers. Document, record, and share their stories of the depression, love, war, travels, and life ‘back in the day.’ This will be something you will cherish in the future.

6. Get into the habit of doing laundry. Stop buying underwear just so you don’t have to wash your clothes.

7. Pick good friends. Know that friends really do come and go from your life. Some are seasonal. Some are yearly. Very few last a decade, never mind forever. Cherish those folks who have been there for you from the beginning but be thankful for all of them.

8. Be a good friend/ family member/ spouse. Remember birthdays. Send a “I hope you’re having a great day” text for no reason. Return calls. Schedule lunch. Plan skype dates. Don’t lose touch when you have a spouse and kids.

9. Travel. Visit at least three foreign countries before you’re 30. One for each decade. Backpack. Ride trains. Eat food that’s “weird.” Jump in the ice cold Rhine River. Sleep in a prison turned hostel. Camp in a field. Take advantage of flight layovers. Experience things that aren’t in your backyard.

10. Eat dinner in a restaurant alone. It’s a humbling experience.

11. Embrace your culture. Whether it’s from your heritage or simply your geographic region. Find your roots and become them.

12. You are what you eat. Even though it seems delicious, avoid fast and processed foods. Discover clean eating immediately and take it upon yourself to live a healthy clean lifestyle.

13. Drink wine. All types of wine. Learn to appreciate the differences in good, inexpensive wines. There’s no sense in spending a ton of your hard earned money on expensive bottles of booze. Save that for your 40s.

14. Turn off technology. Put your cell phone away. Be in the moment. Do not use your cell phone when you’re eating dinner with friends, family, or your spouse.

15. Don’t try to be someone else. They really aren’t all they seem to be. Be the best you, you can be.

16. Burn candles and buy yourself flowers.

17. Cloth napkins aren’t just for formal occasions.

18. Ease into responsibility by adopting a cat. If you’re open to a little more commitment and work, adopt a dog. If you’re really trying to experience the closest thing to a permanent, hyper, yet brilliant child - adopt a border collie.

19. Read. I don’t care if you read the classics, blogs, magazines, work emails, romance novels or nonfiction. Just read.

20. Go to the beach alone. Appreciate the massiveness that is the ocean. People watch like it’s your job.

21. LBD. It may not be the most creative or prettiest color, but black really is a classic, not to mention slimming. Find at least 2 classic “Little Black Dresses” that will be staples in your wardrobe.

22. Know that everyone fails and falls, just like you. Be there to help your friends up without expecting it in return. Be thankful/surprised/blessed when they are there for you. Don’t live in fear of failing. Try new things. Buy a cafe. Experiment with a new paint color. Try a new career. Mix unexpected fashion pieces. Move to a new city. But be smart and know that you may fail. Or you could end up with buckets of success or a new hobby you love.

23. Even the prettiest, hunkiest, smartest, wittiest folks have insecurities. You’re not as fat as you think. Stop worrying about what people think of you. Don’t ignore them, but don’t let their views and your perception of their lives consume yours.

23.5. Stop comparing your life to someone’s facebook timeline. Don’t let their travel selfies, elegant dinner snapshots, engagement/marriage/baby announcements, or business venture page suggestions with 100+ likes take up more than a second of your life. You cannot compare your rough day to their public social media outlets. Remember everyone has bad days. Everyone has struggles.

24. Go on a mission trip to a Third World Country. I promise you will gain more than you could ever give.

25. Give online dating a shot. There’s nothing wrong with putting yourself out there - just be smart about it. Trust your gut. Don’t talk to anyone with half naked pictures. Meet in a public place. Make sure that he/she writes good emails with perfect grammar. And if you feel the need to run away via the bathroom window - do it. It’s okay to be alone. Don’t date someone just because it’s easy or convenient. You both deserve more.

26. Don’t elope. Your wedding and your funeral are the only two times in your life with all of your loved ones will be in the same exact room at the same exact time. Celebrate, party, eat, and drink it up with all of your favorite people whenever you can.

27. Find your passion and embrace it. Even if you realize it’s only your passion for five minutes or a year. Obsess, learn, love and live.

28. Be creative. Even if you are the least creative person you know. Try to draw, cook, blog, paint, write, design, create. You never know what’s hiding in your bag of tricks unless you try.

29. Start saving for retirement immediately. I don’t care if it’s a nickel a day. Start saving now. No one wants to work forever.

30. Do good things. Do things you are proud of. Enjoy the little moments. Have the time of your life. Embrace you.

What else would you recommend that people should know or do before 30?

And now, as promised, another awesome birthday present giveaway! There’s a ton of goodies and a bunch of ways to get your lovely self entered to win! You have until Monday 7/14/14 at 11:45PM to enter. But what are you really waiting for?!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Not-So-Dirty 30 Birthday Giveaway!

June 11, 2014 by Susan 2 Comments

Guess what day it is! No seriously, Guess.What.Day.It.Is!!

{via}

First and foremost, should I be freaked out as it appears google seems to know it’s my birthday? I am well aware that the logo changes all the time… but is this a joke? Or maybe just by chance? Can someone please tell me if their google logo is also birthday cakes?? Or should I be concerned by how much the intertubes actually “know” …..

I’m going to keep today’s post short and sweet because I have a lot of gluten free cake to eat and a few mimosas calling my name this morning.

{via}

I just want to say that it’s not even 10AM and I’ve already had received

happy birthday videos from switzerland,

texts from so many of my best friends,

texts from clients and folks that I’m surprised to hear from (especially before the clock even strikes 8AM)

facebook messages up the wazoo,

a dumb and dumber reunion on the today show this morning,

a sweet card and a bar of my favorite chocolate from my pets on my desk,

and my husband even let me sleep with our ceiling fan on high speed last night!!

(Don’t tell the hubs but he could’ve just skipped over a birthday present and simply given me control over the ceiling fan. A blissful night sleep with the crisp wind off the blades of a ceiling fan is all this girl really needs!)

{Watch the Dumb and Dumber To trailer here.}

Before I head out, there’s one more thing! Since it’s my birthday, and since I am obsessed with giving people presents… I am teaming up with J from Bless Her Heart Y’all for a full birthday month! We are kicking it off with a giveaway on my birthday (today, 6/11) and ending it with a giveaway on her birthday (7/11!)

It’s kinda like when you were a kid, and your big sister was having a birthday. Your parents didn’t want you to feel left out so they would sneak you a gift too. That’s exactly what we are doing… sharing the birthday love with you, our sweet friends.

So what’s included in this giveaway valuing approximately $85??
(A bunch of things I would love to keep for myself, that’s what!!)

Here’s what you can win:

Two 2 ounce bags of 2 cats & chloe loose leaf tea from my tea shoppe. (Berry Berry! Along with one of my all-time faves, Orange Creamsicle.) Both teas are herbal, decaf teas - and both are very good hot or iced for the summer!
A Tea Infuser so you can easily brew your loose leaf tea

A fun, oversized mug to help you fully enjoy your tea (or coffee)
Entertaining Napkins that say “A great friend is cheaper than therapy!” (since J and I are BFF’s in real life, I figured these napkins were extremely appropriate!)

Versona Jewelry! By now y’all all know how I’m obsessed with Versona! So of course you are going to receive some Versona jewels as your birthday present!

A coral and hot pink beaded necklace
Awesome coral and pink bangle bracelets (that I’m seriously tempted to keep)
Coral hoop earrings to wrap up an entire outfit

A fun pack of post it notes and tabs to help you dress up your notebook or calendar

Lastly you can have your own treat.com custom made and personalized blog notebook! I recently checked out treat.com and created my own “2 cats and chloe” blog notebook. I am absolutely obsessed with it. Seriously. I’m a marketing nerd. To see my blog branding in real life just makes me giddy! Not to mention, it’s the perfect size to toss into my purse. When I have a blog idea or inspiration - I can jot it down in my very own blog notebook! (Yup, those are my pictures on the front of the notebook below! - more to come on this later this week!)

So there ya have it friends! There are a trillion ways (actually less that 25) that you can get yourself entered to win a fun birthday present for yourself. You don’t have to be a blogger to win either! You do need to be in the USA though (for shipping purposes) unless you want to pay for my plane ticket, in which case I will gladly deliver this birthday present to you.

You have until 11:55 on Monday 6/16 to get your booty entered.

#notsodirty30giveaway

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Stay tuned for the entire next month. J and I will be bringing you a little bit of birthday celebration each and every week until we wrap this puppy up with yet another huge and awesome giveaway. And just in case you want to celebrate with me today - my family is throwing me a party! Check out the hashtag #suzieturns30 and join in on all the surprises and fun! Now for the love of celebrating… go eat some cake, wear a party hat and have a wonderful day y’all!