RIPE Spring Giveaway

Fruity Lovers Lip Balm Trio from RIPE

Spring is here and to celebrate I'm hosting a little giveaway for one of my lip balm trios from my RIPE shop. The winner will receive the Fruity Lovers Lip Balm Trio which includes a Kiwi Passionfruit Lip Balm, a Tangerine Currant Lip Balm and a Honeysuckle Orange Blossom Lip Balm. Use the Rafflecopter entry form below to enter. You can enter once per day until April 4th and there are lots of bonus points available too. Good luck!

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ARC Giveaway!

I have a little giveaway to host for three recently published young adult advance reader copies! See the entry form below to enter, and you can enter every day between now and May 26th. Only the first step is mandatory and anything else above that is optional, but will raise your chances of winning. Only United States residents are eligible and I will announce the winner on May 31st. Good luck!

The winner will receive these three ARC's

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Another Giveaway! A little tropicality to liven up the Wintertime

Normally I give away books, but this time I'm changing it up a bit. I'm giving away 3 prints of pictures that I took in Hawaii.  I took these three photos while visiting the Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm on the island of Maui.  That place is seriously amazing if you ever visit Maui. I had a delectable piece of chocolate lavender dark chocolate and the most amazing Lavender Lemonade while I was there.  Yum, Yum.  The prints are individually framed and they each measure 5" x 7".  Also, I'm adding one of the perfume oils I sell over in my r i p e bath and beauty shop.  The scent is actually one that is not available for sale, it is a Kiwi Currant scent that is reminiscent of sweat pea, cherry blossom and fruity kiwi.  Below you will find the entry form and you get more entries for sharing on Facebook, Twitter and the like (all optional).  You can also enter daily. The giveaway will end on March 3rd and the winner will be announced right here on this post on March 9th.  Good luck everyone!

Part 1 of the prize are these three framed prints I took in Hawaii

Part 2 is this Kiwi Currant Perfume Oil handmade by me

See more of my alcohol-free perfume oils in my RIPE shop

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We survived! Let's Celebrate 2013 with a Giveaway.

Finally a new giveaway for the new year! I have three sets of advance reader copies, all being published this year. Sets from left to right include:

1.  Altered by Jennifer Rush (Published Jan. 1st) and The dead and buried by Kim Harrington (Published Jan. 1st)
2. Courage has no color, the true story of the Triple Nickles: America's first Black paratroopers by Tanya Lee Stone (Published Jan. 22nd) and Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz (Published March 2013)
3. Yaqui Delgado wants to kick your ass by Meg Medina (Published March 26th) and Plague in the mirror by Deborah Noyes (Published July 9th)

Entering is easy with the Rafflecopter form. All that is mandatory is the first question, after that, whatever optional tasks you take on, you gain extra entries. And, you can enter every day! The giveaway will run through January 27th and the three winners will be announced right here on this entry on February 1st. Good luck everyone!

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Spring Giveaway!

 

*And the winners are: Tatiana & Trish!! Congrats ladies and thanks to everyone for participating. I hope to host another giveaway in the next couple of months and stay tuned for my next cocktail and book pairing coming up next Friday, April 6th*

Spring is finally almost here and to celebrate I'm hosting a giveaway for these advance reader copies that will be published in the coming months.  Two lucky winners will be chosen randomly.  Here are the details of these young adult fiction titles (pictured from left to right):

1. Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough, published by Candlewick Press, July 2012
2. Dreamsleeves by Coleen Paratore, published by Scholastic Inc., April 2012
3. Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi, published by Little, Brown, May 2012
4. 172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad, published by Little, Brown, April 2012

To enter, just click on the link at the very bottom of this post that will take you to the entry form, and if you are so inclined:

• show some blog love and follow me 
• "like" The Nostalgic Librarian on Facebook 
• tweet the following "RT @msbibliotecaria is hosting a #teenbook #giveaway on nostalgiclibrarian.blogspot.com Please RT!", or 
• mention this giveaway on your own blog

Winners will be picked at random, and entries are valid only for United States residents. The deadline for this giveaway is March 25th, 2012 at 11:59pm (PST). Winners will be announced right here on this post on March 30th. Good luck everyone!!

Shimmer and Shine

Eye Makeup, January 1950
Photo by Gordon Parks & Herbert Gehr from LIFE Photo Archive

As promised, the winner for this giveaway is.... Kristin!  Congratulations!!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful V day full of love with not only their partners, but also their friends and family. As we say in Spanish, this day is about "amor y amistad" - love and friendship.

I mentioned in my last post that I would be posting a product review for Madison Street Beauty and here it is.

Also, one lucky winner will get their very own mineral eyeshadow from Madison Street Beauty - the same shade that I'm reviewing here: 100% Vegan Mineral Eyeshadow in Champagne

It's hard to photograph how much this shadow shimmers

I have been using this eyeshadow for a few months now.  I have always loved mineral eyeshadows because they seem to give very nice, even coverage without losing their color throughout the day or night and they don't bunch up in the crease of your eyelid.  This champagne eyeshadow is perfect to use alone, underneath or on top of another color.  It is very shimmery, light and easy to apply.  The color is a subtle transparent gold, but it will change depending on if you use it on its own and what color skin tone you have.  You can use various types of brushes, but I like to apply it first with a flat, round brush and then at the very end apply another dusting of it with a blender brush.  I highly recommend that you use moisturizer or an eyeshadow primer or base before you put any shadow on your lids.  This will help with coverage and lasting power.  For even more shine, you can take a little bit of the eyeshadow and mix it with a tiny bit of water.  Then apply it over your lid and you will notice that it is even more shimmery.  I also have a couple of other shades of eyeshadow from Madison, but I use this shade the most because of its versatility.  These shadows are also great because they are natural, hypoallergenic, safe for sensitive skin, chemical free and not animal tested.  Two thumbs up, 5 stars and sign me up for a lifetime supply!!

I'm wearing it here with no other makeup or eyeshadow

Winners will be picked at random, and entries are valid only for United States residents. The deadline for this giveaway is February 10th, 2012 at 11:59pm (PST). Winner will be announced right here on this post on February 14th. Good luck everyone!!

First Giveaway of 2012

2012 is still fresh and new, so why not give away a few new fresh and new reads (none have been published, yet).  These are all young adult fiction, but believe me, us adults can enjoy them too, and of course my fellow YA or teen librarians will know where I'm coming from with this.  The advance reader copies include Curveball: The year I lost my grip by Jordan Sonnenblick (pub. March 2012), If Only by Carole Geithner (pub. March 2012), Above by Leah Bobet (pub. April 2012), and The Obsidian Blade by Pete Hautman (pub. April 2012).

Black and White Feather Hair Clip from The Obscure Bunny $28

Also, I'm doing a bit of promoting of my new re-vamped hair accessory shop.  I had a really great photo shoot this past weekend too for it, so please let me know what you think of the photographs (courtesy of my very talented cousins and sis).  Leave a comment on this post with your favorite new photography from The Obscure Bunny on Etsy (a link to the item).  Anyone that does will get an extra entry into the giveaway.

See the complete entry details below and good luck to everyone!! As a bonus, Madison Street Beauty has kindly shared a 50% off coupon for everyone to use off their first purchase. You'll read more about this fantastic Etsy shop next week when I post a product review of their shimmer mineral eyeshadow (and another giveaway!!).  So make sure to check out their shop and like them on Facebook. To receive 50% off your first purchase use the code: TY5BAR

Fill out the entry form here to enter, and if you are so inclined:

• show some blog love and follow me 
• "like" The Nostalgic Librarian on Facebook 
• "like" The Obscure Bunny on Facebook 
• "like" Madison Street Beauty on Facebook
• tweet the following "RT @msbibliotecaria is hosting a #teenbook #giveaway on nostalgiclibrarian.blogspot.com Please RT!", or 
• mention this giveaway on your own blog
• leave a comment below with the link that shows your favorite photograph from my shop The Obscure Bunny

Congrats to Yvonne & Sharon for winning this first giveaway of 2012!! I hope to post another one very soon.  Thanks everyone!

Book Review and Giveaway: Birds of Paradise by Kathy Handley

*Congrats to ChocoLibrarian for winning this giveaway. Thanks everyone*

Turns out my last giveaway wasn't the last one of the year because luckily I got the opportunity to read the recently published book Birds of Paradise by Kathy Handley and I am also giving away a copy of it to one very lucky reader (see giveaway details at the end of this blog post to enter).  Also, see the entire Blog Tour schedule on the Women on Writing website: Kathy Handley, author of Birds of Paradise, launches her blog tour.

Photo from Goodreads.com

In Birds of Paradise, the story centers around the family of Joe-Mack, his wife Gloria and their two daughters Jen and Amy, and then it radiates out from there after Joe-Mack discovers that his wife is being unfaithful to him.  Joe-Mack then decides to leave with no real plan in sight.  Before he knows it eleven years have passed and he is now a truck driver making trips all over the west coast.  On one of those trips he picks up a hitchhiker named Freddie who is on his way to Hollywood from Vegas.  Joe-Mack takes a liking to him because he is reminded of his two daughters since Freddie is about their age.  Before they part ways, Joe-Mack gives Freddie his cell phone number, in case he ever needs it.  Cut to Starlet, a newly arrived runaway that dreams of making it big in Hollywood.  Starlet soon meets a plethora of characters, including another runaway, a hooker, and Freddie.  By now Freddie is going by the name Vegas and the two fall in love.  The twist is that Starlet is actually Joe-Mack's eldest daughter Jen and she has left her mother Gloria and her new sleazy boyfriend Ralph back home worried to death (well, Ralph isn't worried, just probably sorry he didn't get the chance to make a move on Jen).  This cast of runaways, homeless youths, and streetwalkers is definitely not a good mix to ensure a pleasant plot line, and before you know it there are pimps involved and a shooting.  I believe this part of the story is drawn from the author's family and her own experiences working with young kids in L.A. (see author's note in the back for more information as well as the blog post on the Women on Writing website).

Overall I liked the book but I felt that some things were unnecessary.  The amount of runaways could have been reduced to tighten up the plot and explore more of their characters.  Also, the names were a bit on the cheesy side (Joe-Mack = mack trucks, Starlet = Hollywood starlet, Vegas = just sounds like that Vic Vegas guy from the Food Network, and Frenchy = well, that one is just unnecessary period).  The language between the characters was not always natural sounding too.  I did enjoy the imagery the author used to describe scenes and locations though, which gave the story some lushness and appeal.  I could really see her skills in poetry enlightened in these parts of the story.  Birds of Paradise I think achieves the goal of giving new perspective to runaways and those that have been displaced by life's circumstances and for that I commend the author.

Now for the giveaway!  

To enter, please leave a comment on this blog post with your e-mail address and your answer to this question: Besides the home you live in, where else do you feel "at home"?  

For an extra entry tweet about this book using the hashtag #BirdsParadise and leave the link here as well.  The last day to enter is October 23rd, 2011 and the winner will be announced right here on this post on Thursday, October 27th, 2011.  Good luck!!

*Note: If you purchase this book, the proceeds will go to organizations that sponsor activities for children with cerebral palsy.  Thank you to WOW! Women on Writing for hosting this blog tour and giveaway.

Teen ARC Giveaway + Handmade 'Vintagey' Jewelry

**Congratulations Aurora Celeste and MollysMuses for winning this Teen ARC Giveway!!**

Since this will probably be my last giveaway of the year I thought I would make it a little more special with the help of some jewelry made by moi.  :)  Two lucky winners will receive one of the following sets of books + an adjustable ring from my Etsy Shop, RIPE .  The first set includes Web of Air by Philip Reeve (Hardcover publication October 1, 2011) and iBoy by Kevin Brooks (Hardcover publication November 1, 2011).  The second set features Steampunk!: An anthology of fantastically rich and strange stories edited by Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant (Hardcover publication October 11, 2011) and Liar's Moon by Elizabeth C. Bunce (Hardcover publication November 1, 2011). 

 

Fill out the form below to enter, and if you are so inclined:

• show some blog love and follow me
• "like" The Nostalgic Librarian Facebook page 
• "like" My RIPE Etsy Shop on Facebook
• tweet the following "RT @msbibliotecaria is hosting a #teenbook #giveaway on nostalgiclibrarian.blogspot.com Please RT!", or 
• mention this giveaway on your own blog

These additional actions will provide extra entries, but are completely optional. Winners will be picked at random, and entries are valid only for United States residents. The deadline for this giveaway is October 13th, 2011 at 11:59pm (PST).  Winner will be announced right here on this post on October 21st.  Good luck!! :)

Teen ARC Giveaway: More Soon-to-be-Published Books!

*Congratulations to Patrice and Brooklyn Shoe Babe for winning this giveaway!*
Thanks to everyone for participating - next giveaway will take place sometime in September.

Enter for your chance to win one of these two sets of soon-to-be-published advance reader copies.  The first set includes Across the Great Barrier (Frontier Magic Book 2) by Patricia Wrede and From Willa, With Love by Coleen Murtagh Paratore.  The second set includes Stir it Up! by Ramin Ganeshram and Unfriended: A Top 8 Novel by Katie Finn.  

Fill out the form below to enter, and if you are so inclined:

• show some blog love and follow me
• "like" The Nostalgic Librarian Facebook page 
• "like" My RIPE Etsy Shop on Facebook
• tweet the following "RT @msbibliotecaria is hosting a #teenbook #giveaway on nostalgiclibrarian.blogspot.com Please RT!", or 
• mention this giveaway on your own blog

These additional actions will provide extra entries, but are completely optional. Winners will be picked at random, and entries are valid only for United States residents. The deadline for this giveaway is July 21st, 2011 at 11:59pm (PST).  Winner will be announced right here on this post on July 29th.  Good luck!! :)

Teen ARC Giveaway: Unpublished Books!

Congrats to Melissa & Karen!!

Stay tuned for the next giveaway sometime in July and thanks to everyone who participated.

To finish up the month of April I'm hosting another giveaway.  Two lucky winners will receive one of these advance reader copy sets of teen books that are yet to be published.  The first set includes Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck, Corsets and Clockwork: 13 Steampunk Romances edited by Trisha Telep, and But I Love Him by Amanda Grace and Mandy Hubbard.  The second set includes Mission (Un)Popular by Anna Humphrey, Nerd Girls: The Rise of the Dorkasaurus by Alan Lawrence Sitomer, and Populazzi by Elise Allen.

Fill out the form below to enter, and if you are so inclined:

•  show some blog love and follow me
•  "like" The Nostalgic Librarian Facebook page 
• "like" My RIPE Etsy Shop on Facebook
• tweet the following "RT @msbibliotecaria is hosting a #teenbook #giveaway on nostalgiclibrarian.blogspot.com Please RT!", or 
• mention this giveaway on your own blog

These additional actions will provide extra entries, but are completely optional. Winners will be picked at random, and entries are valid only for United States residents. The deadline for this giveaway is May 12th, 2011 at 11:59pm (PST).  Winner will be announced right here on this post on May 20th.  Good luck!! :)

Spring YA Book Giveaway

And the winners are....

Katie Clark & Adrienne Everitt

Congratulations, and stay tuned for another giveaway coming at the end of April featuring unpublished advance copies!!  :)

Another giveaway for 2011 just in time for spring.  This time I am giving away two sets of advance reader copies to two lucky winners!  The first set includes The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group by Catherine Jinks, Huntress by Malinda Lo, and Jane Austen: A Life Revealed by Catherine Reef.  The second set includes Strings Attached by Judy Blundell, Clarity by Kim Harrington, and Wishful Thinking by Alexandra Bullen.  

PLUS, I designed a cameo charm necklace in honor of Jane Austen: A Life Revealed and a butterfly charm bracelet in honor of Wishful Thinking, so those are included in each set as well.

(If you like my jewelry, I just opened an Etsy shop: etsy.com/shop/ripecardsandjewelry)

Fill out the form below to enter, and if you are so inclined:

•  show some blog love and follow me
•  "like" The Nostalgic Librarian Facebook page 
• tweet the following "RT @msbibliotecaria is giving away YA books on nostalgiclibrarian.blogspot.com Please RT!", or 
• mention this giveaway on your own blog

These additional actions will provide extra entries, but are completely optional. Winners will be picked at random, and entries are valid only for United States residents. The deadline for this giveaway is March 31st, 2011 at 11:59pm (PST).  Winner will be announced right here on this post on April 8th.  Good luck!! :)

Elixir Giveaway - Signed Copy!

Photo from Goodreads.com

The winners are:

Kristy, Rosy, Annie, Lacey, and Kim

Congratulations to the winners and thanks everyone for participating. Stay tuned for another giveaway later this month.

Here is another giveaway, this time for a signed copy of Elixir by Hilary Duff, with Elise Allen.  I will be giving away 5 signed copies!

Fill out the form below to enter, and if you are so inclined:

•  show some blog love and follow me
•  "like" The Nostalgic Librarian Facebook page 
• tweet the following "RT @msbibliotecaria is giving away YA books on nostalgiclibrarian.blogspot.com Please RT!", or 
• mention this giveaway on your own blog

These additional actions will provide extra entries, but are completely optional. Winners will be picked at random, and entries are valid only for United States residents. The deadline for this giveaway is February 27th, 2011 at 11:59pm (PST).  Winner will be announced right here on this post on March 4th.  Good luck!! :)

Thank you Simon and Schuster Education and Library 
for providing the signed copies.

Happy Giveaway 2011!!

And the winner is.... YA Reader from A Book a Day. Stay tuned for another giveaway later this month.
Wow my first giveaway! I'm so excited.  I'm giving away the three books pictured above: Her and Me and You by Lauren Strasnick (Simon Pulse, 2010), It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han (Simon and Schuster, 2010), and Elixir by Hilary Duff and Elise Allen (Simon and Schuster, 2010).  This is what you have to do to win: (Winners will be picked at random)

• Comment to this blog post with your name and valid e-mail address
• +1 Show some blog love and follow me
• +1 Like The Nostalgic Librarian Facebook page
• +1 Tweet the following: "RT @msbibliotecaria is giving away YA books on nostalgiclibrarian.blogspot.com Please RT!"
• +1 Share this on your Facebook, Twitter or Blog
• +5 Place The Nostalgic Librarian Widget on your Blog or website (find it on the front page of my blog)
  (Each point is worth an extra entry)

The deadline for this giveaway is January 30th, 2011 at 12:59pm (PST).  Winner will be announced on February 4th.  Good luck!! :)