Free Friday!

Last night I went to a holiday office party with my husband.

I REALLY did not want to go.

Not that I don’t like all of the lovely (in truth: hilariously vulgar and fun) ladies in his office.  Not that I don’t like meeting tons of new people.  Not that I don’t like a glass of wine and some mozzarella sticks.

No, I actually love all of these things, I do.

I just don’t like getting ready to go out these days.  I mean, thankfully, I didn’t have to wear my snowpants to the bar last night, but it was still hard to find a decent outfit that zipped up all the way.

So, since I knew I didn’t have an outfit that would make me happy, I did all sorts of other things to ensure I looked the best I could at this moment.

I showered. (Well, within 18 hours of going to the party anyway.  That is pretty good for a weekday.  This coming from the girl who literally used to shower twice a day.  Before kids, obviously. )

I put on deodorant.  (Also impressive for a weekday.)

I put on makeup…INCLUDING EYELINER.  Yeah, I was pretty sure all of the men I walked by were thinking, “Daayyummm!”  I mean, they didn’t say it out loud, per se, but I could see it in their top of their head as they pushed past me eyes.

And then, the piece de resistance, I found an unopened package of Spanx in my sock drawer!  I had completely forgotten about this fantastic item I received in my swag bag at BlogHer 2010.

I opened it up and realized they were Spanx black tights THAT CAME ALL THE WAY UP TO MY BRA.

Amazing.

So, I get them on and suddenly, I feel a breeze.

You have GOT to be kidding me! I ripped a giant hole in the crotch ALREADY?!?!  This butt of mine is becoming a real problem!  No more flan for you, chubs!  And the ONE time I decide I don’t need underwear under tights!  I am going to be the next Paris Hilton {insert Britney Spears, or Lindsay Lohan, if you wish}  if the papparazzi gets wind of this!

Once I was done berating myself I tried to figure out how I was going to:

A: Get out of the Spanx and find some jeans

or

B: Somehow put on underwear underneath without taking them all the way off again

(Yes, option B would have probably been a bit tricky.)

Then I had a flash of brilliance and double checked the package.

“Double gusset for when mother nature calls”

Well, I’ll be.

I sure as heck don’t know what a gusset is, but I definitely know the call of mother nature.

Yippee!  I’m supposed to feel a breeze!

At this point I now have (semi) clean hair, makeup on my face and an outfit that at least looks better than those garish red aprons and red and white striped visors I had to wear as a sandwich girl in high school.

Only I still feel pretty, well, un-pretty.

So, you know what I did?

I put on my favorite Stella and Dot necklace and two sets of Stella and Dot bracelets and I swear I felt a million times better.

The swagger was back.

I completely love, love, love this jewelry.  It is magic.

And then I had a brilliant idea.  (I know, it’s the second brilliant idea in this post alone.  I am very smart.  Don’t hate.)

Why not put my money where my mouth is and offer one of my weekly free giveaways myself!

How can I continue to ask other companies to send you guys free stuff and never offer anything from my own business?  It’s just unethical really.  Or unkind at the very least.

So, that brings me (I know, I know. Short story, long, right?) to this week’s Free Friday! free giveaway…and to clarify,  it’s FREE!

Here is how to enter this week:

Simply visit my personal Stella & Dot site and then come back here and comment by telling me what your favorite piece on the site was.

(FYI: There is a huge sale ending on Sunday AND the new Spring line coming out on Sunday, so depending on when you visit you might see different items.)

You have from now until Monday at noon, EST to enter.  The winner, chosen at random, will receive the gorgeous Sophia Cluster Ring in Smoky.

A show stopper!

And a perfect Valentine’s Day gift, too, I might add.  (Don’t worry, I won’t tell her what you paid for it!)  I will even send it in our stylish Stella & Dot gift box to you!

Have fun entering this week’s contest!

And don’t forget to put on some darn underwear – it’s cold out there!  Trust me.

***Congratulations to our lucky winner, chosen at random, Kristin!  Enjoy!  Thank you to the most fabulous and intelligent sponsor so far, Annie of Stella & Dot.  Contest is now closed.***

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30 Responses to Free Friday!

  1. Catherine says:

    Found your blog through my brother’s facebook page, how funny is that!
    Favorite piece I’ve been eying on Stella and Dot are the Jasmine stackable rings…. might just do it soon!

  2. Monica says:

    The Turquoise Sea Necklace is gorgeous. 🙂

  3. Nichola says:

    I LOVE the charms! I think they are so fun and special. I adore mine 🙂

  4. kimmie says:

    hahah, your spanx story is hilarious!

    I once bought a pair of tights from Target, and as I pulled them on, they totally ripped on the side, and I thought, “ok, that will get covered by my skirt so it’s okay” and then as I pulled them up, the crotch totally ripped, like the cotton area was barely hanging on. So disappointing! But I guess yours was designed to do that. 🙂

    And I love Stella and Dot jewelery! I only own one ring, but I always have to tell myself to NOT wear it because I want to wear it EVERYDAY. My favorite piece is the Stella Vintage Link Bracelet. SO PRETTY.

  5. Penny says:

    I get many compliments on my La Coco Cupchain Necklace, but Lila’s favorite is the pearl and ribbon necklace. She wears the clip in her hear.

  6. Sarah says:

    Uh-oh, I left a response somewhere else, so here is another. I am so happy to be getting updates from your awesome blog! And I although I love several items from the Stella line, I think my little girl would look adorable in the Fiona headband and barrette. I also love the charms which are better than the ones I got for Christmas somewhere else 🙂

  7. M Rey says:

    I LOVE your blog! I’ll secretly identify with everything you write and in public pretend I have no idea what you’re talking about. That’s what being open and fabulous AND personal and private at the same time means: lying. Just stay honest yourself and I’ll continue to love you for it!
    No free gift necessary!

  8. OMG! I just found my spanx, too!!

    And as much as I love going somewhere, getting ready is tedious. I used to love getting ready. I also used to shower twice a day, too. Not so much anymore.

    My favorite pieces are the starfish necklace and the tear drop necklace. I also like the byblos chandelier necklace, too. Does the Fiona ring come in adult sizes? I really like the Jasmine Stackable Rings, too. Your store is AWESOME!

  9. Kristin says:

    Annie! Your blog is so true to your voice – it makes me smile. I’m glad the Christmas season finally settled down, and I know no matter what you pulled together for an ensemble, you looked gorgeous. And speaking of gorgeous, (clunky segue) the gold Devi bangles are just lovely. xoxo
    PS I am all about the chunky cocktail ring this season; good choice.

  10. Emily Richard says:

    Don’t be so hard on yourself. You have two small children and still look great everytime I see you! You would never know you don’t shower on a daily basis haha. But hey, you can still make a mean dance mix.

  11. Nina says:

    Hey Annie, I like all the jewelry—I guess I would pick any of the earrings. I just want to say I admire the way you are trying to find fulfilling things to do in addition to being a mom. I also like your blog when you comment on articles you have found. I read blogs in order to filter the news so any blog that points me to controversial/funny/interesting news stories/opinions has my vote. When you write your take on the mommy wars I forward those posts-and people like what you have to say. Hugs, Nina PS-we are moving to NYC in September of this year so I can actually see your jewelry in person which seems like a better way to pick things out 🙂

  12. L says:

    Annie- you are a silly chick! Enough about you – I want to get my hands on that free ring! My favorite things on the Stella and Dot website are the Pave Clover earrings and the glintz cz flower earrings. I kmow you asked for one, but I couldn’t decide!

  13. Megan says:

    Annie, you are so funny. I’m sure you looked great at the holiday party. I think we all feel a little bit like that at the end of the holiday season. 😉 I love the smoky tones in the ring you are giving away. The palette is amazing! Otherwise, I love the Devi bangles in gold. Gold bangles are timeless in my book! xoxo

  14. Grand Kate says:

    My favorites, at the more subdued end of the spectrum are Soiree Gold or Turquoise Seadrop earrings. You keep me laughing – while I admire your great writing and story-telling talents. Keep it up!

  15. Carly says:

    I also love reading your blog! I wish I could chat with you every Tuesday at the Little Gym, but reading your blog is like chatting with you! I like the Clover Bangle A LOT.

  16. Denise Grassart says:

    Hi Annie,
    I also enjoy your blog, whenever I remember to read it, so continue to remind us on FB. It brings back memories of when I was trying to keep my sanity while mothering 4 little “angels”. It sounds like you’re doing a great job.
    Oh, and I love the Bamboleo necklace, just in case you were wondering. 🙂

  17. SRD says:

    The Turquoise Sea Necklace is a stunner!

  18. autumn says:

    my favorite is the penelope,which should come as no surprise since i wear it EVERY day!

  19. Jessica Maguire says:

    I like the starry night necklace! Fingers crossed I win the cluster ring… It’s wicked cute.

  20. lol. hilarious. those spanx are just so well thought out, aren’t they?

    funny you should mention the whole long lost sisters thing. i just posted that i’m now taking applications for a sister. haha!=)

  21. Allison Ouellette says:

    Hi Annie! Found your blog through Facebook and I love reading it! You are hilarious, I love all of your stories. :o)

  22. Allison Ouellette says:

    Oh, that face wasn’t meant to be mean – it was supposed to be a smile! Ooops….

  23. Yay! Contest is over, so I can finally respond to all of your comments! This is MY Christmas Morning! 😉

    Catherine – Yes, too funny! He better be reading it, too! Your mom just messaged me that she is reading it now too…so we have two left in the family to convert. 😉

  24. Nichola & Monica – two of my biggest supporters! Keep entering, you could win (again)! 😉

    Kimmie – What were they made of, cotton……CANDY?!?!?! hahahaha. seriously, they shouldn’t have ripped so easily! So happy to have you here. 🙂

    Penny and Sarah – I don’t really want to speak to you guys because I am jealous that you have little girls to dress up in the little girl items at Stella & Dot. We are in a fight.

    MRey – How many glasses of pinot grigio had we had before commenting darling? Either that, or you are as cryptic and unique in your thought processes and compliments than I am….which means we are soul sisters! I knew it!

  25. Erin – Right? Getting ready used to be FUN? A drink, a girlfriend or two, taking our time picking out an outfit, doing makeup and hair….sigh…..
    Now it’s breaking a sweat getting on some Spanx and hoping that 2-day-old dirty hair looks intentionally tousled.

    Kristin – Happy I make you smile, since YOU make me smile. And congrats on winning!

    Emily – My partner in crime for the Bruno Mars dance I created (to go with my amazing mix!) and the thoughtful gifter of the bracelet that ‘made’ my outfit that night! Thank you!

  26. Nina – LOVE getting feedback like that! Thank you! I actually have an article and topic I am writing about tonight…we shall see if it gets posted today or tomorrow…
    And so excited that you will be here in the Fall! We can get the little ones together and catch up. 🙂

    L – You, my dear, are even sillier than I am. Well, maybe not. But I honestly do appreciate you calling me out on being silly. Better than a gossip, that’s what I always say! 😉

    Megan – Thank you for trying to commiserate about weight gain. If I didn’t know what you looked like in real life it would be even more comforting, but I really do appreciate the effort. 😉 And how cool that a fashionista such as yourself loves the ring!

  27. Grand Kate – Glad I keep you laughing! And you must be excited to see that you are not the only one reading my blog – I know you were worried about me! I appreciate the support.

    Carly – I know! But when you pay a sitter two days a week, you really feel an urgency to pack some serious tasks into those two days, so I don’t make it so much anymore. 🙁 Maybe we should do a playdate? So happy to know you are on here!

    Denise – Thank you for the parenting compliment…and for understanding the need to keep our sanity as moms!

  28. SRD – Who ARE you?!?!?!? If only I knew who you were, I could appropriately respond to your comment. Although I do so love a mysterious character, I do. 😉

    Aut – Well, I would have also guessed the Stella & Dot Together necklace! 😉 Did you see the new delicate gold ones? LAYER! (sounds like: HYDRATE!)

    Jess – Um, you gave away your location. Anyone on here now knows where you live! Unless they are wicked dumb.

  29. flourish – I didn’t mention this earlier, but I am an only child….i.e. I will definitely submit a sister application!
    And I saw your comment on my About Me page, too. I couldn’t agree more. 😉
    So happy to have you on here!

    Allison – Yeah right! I can tell you meant it to be mean and passive aggressive, but you are just trying to confuse me…which is even meaner! ^^:-& So there is a mean face right back at ya! In all seriousness, very happy you are here reading! I am hoping that it doesn’t scare you off too much as your big day approaches! Congrats!

  30. Sorry to post comments all in a row, but I didn’t want to respond as you commented and mess up the winner choice. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of the love shown on here! I am not sure where that all came from (you were just supposed to be trying to win free stuff!!!), but I will take it.
    Please keep any and all comments coming on future posts! (It is okay if they aren’t always such a Love Fest.) 😉

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