Jim Beam Bourbon and Brew Fest {giveaway}!

It's a Country, Rock, Bourbon, BBQ, Craft Beers, Line Dancing, Fireworks Show, and a whole lotta fun kinda thing!

This Saturday is the Bourbon and Brew Festival thrown by Big City Events, the same people who brought Tampa the Margarita Festival and Summer of Rum Festival earlier this year. I wasn't able to attend either, unfortunately, but am stoked to go to the Bourbon and Brew Fest! Located at The Tampa Heights Waterfront, right on the Hillsborough River in an old warehouse. Have I mentioned I can't wait?!

In all honesty, I'm not a huge bourbon drinker, but Jason is. And let's be honest, have I really ever met a drink I didn't like? Well, yes...but that's not going to stop me from trying! #duh. Plus, there will be craft beer, and wine. This could be a good thing or bad thing for yours truly.

I mean...if I "have" to try this Maker's Slushy, then so be it ;)

Would you like to go to the Bourbon and Brew Fest, tomorrow? I have TWO pairs of General Admission tickets to giveaway {that is four tickets, folks}!

General Admission gives you access to the Bourbon & Brew Festival with all day re-entry privileges and a chance to enjoy the all day live bands along with a special headlining performance by the LoCash Cowboys.

Once inside, enjoy the other entertainment, games, and activities such as a mechanical bull, corn hole, and the all the Bourbon Drinks and Specialty Craft Beer starting at only $5.  CLICK HERE to see all the featured bourbon bar & drinks.

Finally, end the night with a bang with Tampa Bay's biggest fireworks show overlooking the river bend and gorgeous Downtown Tampa skyline!

To enter:
Just leave me a link in the comments, and tell me what your favorite adult beverage is! I'll pick TWO local, lucky winners, TODAY.

For more event info, visit here.

Good Luck!
Nichole

*I was given two VIP tickets for this event. All opinions are my own

Oxford Exchange {giveaway}

Last week I was invited with the Tampa Bay Bloggers to enjoy a bit of holiday cheer, and also swoon over the beautiful location that is Oxford Exchange.

The night was full of festive inspiration. Entering through The Bookstore, I was greeted with a warm welcome, and a bit of bubbly. We could have stopped the evening right there, and I would have been a happy girl; books, comfortable seating, and champagne that was magically replaced when I was low. I mean who couldn't get used to such a thing?!

Favorites.

Woo! My little ol' Facebook page has surpassed 100 "likes"! Thank you, all! I know, I know one hundred isn't a lot to most, but I'll personally take it and I appreciate the interaction with you fine folks. You guys, you are my favorites!

As a THANK YOU, I did promise a fun lil' giveaway once I got to my one hundredth like. Plus, it's Friday, and what better way to kick off the weekend, than with a chance to win.

To win what, you are asking? Oh, just some of my favorite things. I like stuff, people. I ain't ashamed to say it. Where do I like to buy pretty things that I don't need you may ask?

Tarjay, naturally. Or Target. Whatever. Don't rain on my parade.

Contest starts 7/26/2013 and will end Thursday, 8/1/2013. I am giving away two gift cards: {one} $25.00 gift card, and {one} $10.00 card. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway





*This is a self hosted giveaway from yours truly. Obviously I just really lurve Target, and YOU.

XOXO,
Nichole

a photo is worth a thousand words

...or in this case, $44.71, to be exact! I have a t.o.n. of beautiful wedding photos that sadly, are just stored on my laptop. I often "intend" to do more, but never seem to get around to it, and always see offers from Easy Canvas Prints, but yet never did much with those emails, either.

Until I saw how easy they were to use, that is! I recently uploaded and ordered a lovely photo of Jason and I exiting our reception. It has not come in yet, but I cannot wait to see the finished product and display this beauty somewhere in our home.

If you have yet to take advantage of Easy Canvas Prints, now is your chance, and see for yourself! Enter their giveaway for a chance to win a FREE 8x10 Canvas Print of your own {valued at $44.71}. Don't forget to share with friends, for extra chances to win. Good Luck!

Enter the giveaway here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Notify friends of this contest, here.

What photo will YOU choose if you win?

XOXO,
Nichole

*I was compensated with my own Easy Canvas Print. All opinions are my own!

Simply Art Studios {a giveaway!!}

This past January, a new art studio came to Oldsmar, Florida. Simply Art Studios, Inc's goal is to entertain while encouraging and allowing every participant to be creative and explore their artistic side. They offer classes in painting, jewelry, and floral design.

{jewelry making}

{floral design}

{canvas painting}

I, myself, have now been twice. And while I am no arteest, I have had a great time painting a few works of art and it was fairly easy. SAS' belief is "that everyone is an artist but many adults don’t allow themselves the opportunity to be creative. Our Mission is to provide a fun environment where it is easy for everyone to relax and just follow along and voila, suddenly they can say, “look what I have created!!”"

Word. They made me a believer...{the wine I brought and was able to consume did help, but I digress}.

{They can teach me to paint, but not to smile {what am I doing in BOTH of these?!}}

Right now the lovely ladies of Simply Art are offering one of their classes for FREE.. The winner will get to choose one class of their choice {painting, jewelry or floral design} while checking out their new studio and taking something home they can be proud of.

All you have to do is enter below for a chance to win! Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

...And the winner is

Asha from Asha's Aspects! You, my dear, have won a lunch bag from Carried Away Bags!

Contact me, por favor!

Thanks to all that entered

XOXO,
Nichole






.

In honor of my new job!

Since I start my new job this coming Monday, I thought it would be fun to do a little ol' giveaway! I'm a huge fan of custom accessories for the office and one thing that I LOVE are lunch bags (is that weird?). I bought some new clothes for the office, new fun pens and a notebook or two. But I also wanted a new lunch bag to tote my daily grub in.

After scouring Etsy like no one's business, I found a really cute shop that makes Eco Friendly Insulated Lunch Bags. Enter Carried Away Bags! I liked their design patterns best and liked that their lunch bags didn't look awkward. I ordered myself a bag with diamonds and circles like this:

Via

I liked these guys too, however

 

 Via

And I am feeling quite generous (since will have a regular paycheck again), folks! I thought I would share the wealth and give one winner their own lunch bag from Carried Away Bags!

*Contest begins, Friday, June 8th and will end, Friday, June 15,2012. I will announce the winner, the following day, Saturday using the rafflecopter, below* Good Luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Club Friday AND a giveaway winner!

Oh hai. I'm linking up again for Book Club Friday with some lovely ladies.

I just finished reading Bossypants by Tina Fey

Synopsis:

Fey uses humorous anecdotes to tell her life story, including how she came to be on Saturday Night Live and how she created 30 Rock.

My thoughts:

Oh, it was definitely humorous! I just love Tina Fey. The way she talked about her life and in a comical way made me feel like I could relate. Even if I wasn't a Greek kid raised in theatre, growing up. But just the awkwardness she felt, I think a lot of us girlies can agree with. Though she made it funny and I laughed. A ton.

Go read it, NOW

Congrats to Tracy over at Honey & Nutmeg for winning a $25 credit to Jenna Lou Designs!

Thanks to ALL that entered!

Jenna Lou Designs (giveaway!)

I don't know about you all, but I l.o.v.e. me a good clutch. When Jason and I got married last year (one year this coming Monday!) I wanted to share my clutch love with my girls and get them customized bags, that only they  would have. After scouring Etsy like it was my job, I found Jenna Lou. She had tons of patterns to choose from and I was able to add a personal message inside each bag. Plus, her prices were way affordable.

...And so, an order was made

After I submitted our wedding on Style Me Pretty, I made sure to include some professional photos of my girls with their fun yellow clutches. I wish now I had gotten myself one; since they all got so many compliments on theirs!

Photos by Caroline & Evan Photography

Not only does Jenna Lou Designs offer clutches, but all kinds of bags! From purses, wristlets and phone cases; to wallets and wristlets, too!

Now! On to the "fun" stuff...

You (yes, you!) have a chance to win a $25 store credit to Jenna's store!

Use the Rafflecopter giveaway tool below. There are 2 mandatory entries: follow {Life as a Newlywed} blog & "like"{Jenna Lou Designs} facebook page. Then you can choose any and/or all of the additional bonus entries to increase your chances of winning! Tweet daily for extra entries. Good Luck!

*This giveaway starts Friday, 4/6/12 and will end Friday, 4/20/12*

(If the rafflecopter isn't showing, please click "read more" below!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And the winner is {Kelapo giveaway!}

Kasey a.k.a. Domesticated Hygienist!

Kasey email me your mailing info, so Kelapo can send you a jar of coconut oil!

Thanks to everyone who participated :)

How to make a crustless quiche (Kelapo Giveway)

Well, the holidays are alllll over. My birthday has come and gone and once again, it's time to get back on the healthy train. I def indulged over the last month, and I am craving better food instead of junk and sweets.

Since breakfast is one of the  most important meals of the day, I thought I would share with ya'll one of my go to recipes that is easy, quick and also healthy: crustless quiche. I like this recipe a lot; it is simple to cook and I can prepare ahead for a few days, as well. And you know, I am all about convenience.

As I have mentioned before, hubs and I try and eat low carb (well maybe not lately, but I digress). Lower carb eating usually gets a bad rep from those who don't know their facts. We don't cut out all carbs; just the "bad" ones (white breads, refined sugars, starches, etc) and reduce our carb intake by eating most of our carbs from veggies instead (and hello, veggies are good for you!). That being said, just like any healthy diet we need good fats! Olive oil, avocado, coconut oil; things like that.

Have you tried coconut oil? Anyone looking for "good" fats to use, should try this stuff (no matter how  you eat)! I like to put a teaspoon in my coffee and also to saute veggies for stir fry. I also use it when I make my (crustless) quiche!

I've tried several brands of coconut oil and the one I always go back to is Kelapo. I don't know if its because their products are 100% organic, and unrefined or not, but I just enjoy it best. Some other coconut oils I have tried, tasted too "coconut-y" to me; whereas Kelapo's does not. Its all personal preference I guess. I really like that their website has a plethora of recipes you can try using their oil (so if you run out of ideas, you can check out their site!) Plus, the company is based in Tampa, and I love me some local businesses! I contacted Erin, the founder of Kelapo, and asked if she would be interested in doing a giveaway for my little ol' blog. She happily agreed and one lucky reader will receive their own jar of Kelapo coconut oil. *I was sent an 8oz jar of Kelapo Coconut oil to test for my recipe as well.

Now, onto my dish: Ham & Mushroom (Crustless) Quiche

• 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 cup chopped mushrooms
• 4 ounces diced ham
• 6 large eggs
• 1 Cup heavy cream
• 3/4 Cup shredded cheese (I use cheddar, but use what you like)
• Cooking Spray (such as Pam, for example)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan with cooking spray.
2. Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft. Stir in ham and continue cooking until excess moisture has evaporated.
3. In a large bowl, combine eggs, cream, and cheese. Add mushroom/ham mixture and stir to blend. Pour into prepared pie pan.
4. Bake in preheated oven until eggs have set, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

{Done!}

Feel free to use any veggie/protein combo you like. Sometimes I use spinach and bacon. Sometimes, just cheese and tomato. Broccoli is great, too. It's easy and you can make however you like! Go for it, kids.

How to win your own  jar of Kelapo (Coconut Oil):
You will get one entry for each of the following, and just need to comment on this post once you have done so:

• Follow me through GFC and/or follow by email
• Follow me Twitter @NewlywedNichole
• Like Kelapo Coconut Oil on Facebook by going here
• Follow Kelapo Coconut Oil on Twitter @kelapo
• Tweet this post and mention both @NewlywedNichole and @kelapo in your tweet!

*If you already do any of the above, leave a comment stating so. I will pick a winner on 1/18/12.

Thanks and Good Luck, ya'll!

P.S. If you make your own version of this crustless quiche, DO let me know how it turned out!

Krystal's Kitsch!

So as you know I am still very new to the world of blogging. I feel like I am getting slightly better at it (could be just me?) but still have a lonnnng ways to go. Anyways, I have to say that one of the few people I know that is a true blogger who does so regularly would be Krystal. Krystal and I went to high school together but also worked at an AMC theatre back in the day too. We were never great friends (she was a grade below me and I was an assistant manager and took my job way too seriously for a senior in high school, but I digress) but we had a lot of common friends. Anyways, thanks to Myspace years ago (anyone still go on there anymore?!) and Facebook, I've always been able to see what is up with her (and the other random people out there from the ol' AMC days) Last year however, we were able to bond over happy hours when she and I both got enagaged (and both married this year) and had some stories to share. Thanks to her, I found our ah-mazing photographers and she let me pick her brain often and vent over typical bride ish. She is moving soon and I am super bummed because now I will have to pick her brain from afar about blogging (you know, since we're both hitched now and all, I had to find a new topic) which means no more happy hour ::sad face::

Anyways, check her out! She has some great reads and she is having a blog giveaway! Follow her now and tell her what your fave 90's song is! I am embarrassed to say I said Getting Jiggy with It (but hey it was played at our 8th grade dance and I have some good memories from that night, don't hate) If I won, I would totally love a happy hour on her or something equally fun.