little loves

Last Sunday I didn't post a little loves because I had 2 giveaways running and didn't want to overshadow them. So this weeks little loves has a little of both last week and this week mixed in. Both weeks were the usual stuff like work, date nights, and boyfriends gigs. But this weekend we headed to Columbus to see Blue Man Group, which was a blast!

1. Last Thursday I wore my red skinnies, striped shirt, and cozy blazer out to a double date with our good friends J+B.

2. The new Starbuck's Valentine cups made my whole week. So sweet!

3. Last Saturday my boyfriends band played at Paolo's (which is amazing, btw) and my friend Kae met me there.

4. My mother and I both accidentally wore pretty much the same outfit. What can you do?

5. Me and my sweetie outside his gig on break, on a surprisingly warm Akron night.

6. The cutest Valentine's candy corn ever that my mom got for me.

7. My snack I kept turning to this week was Nutella drizzled over popcorn. Talk about guilty pleasure!

8. While in Columbus this weekend we stopped at a the amazing Northstar twice! Had this grilled Barramundi fish sandwich, and I'm not sure anything else will ever top it. Unbelievable.

9. On another day in Columbus I had the home made granola ad yogurt for breakfast. It was just perfect. 

10. Funny signs all over Bucca Di Beppo in Columbus. This one says "Be a perfect hostess" with the woman exclaiming "Oh Pooh! I'm out of pineapple rings!"

valentine freebies

For the past few weeks I have been stumbling across the sweetest Valentine's all over the internet. What is even better than how amazingly adorable they are is that they are all FREE to download. I thought I would share a few of my favorite find with all of you. 

Please follow the links to be directed to the original source. 

These are just two out of the five adorable creations I am completely smitten with, that Jen from Little Sprout Creations deigned exclusively for Pizzazzerie.

Could your morning cup of joe get any sweeter on Valentine's Day then if it had one of these sleeves wrapped around it?! Amy Moss over at Eat, Drink, Chic designed these amazing printable sleeves. 

And last but not least is this cute little Elephant and it's array of little hearts. Sharon Rowan of Lemon Squeezy designed this sweet card. 

Please also keep in mind that I did not design, collaborate, or have any affiliation with the designs above, just sharing some lovely work with all of you!

I think I will be making the Burt's Bee's ones myself. 

quick question

For a while now I have been receiving e-mails in my inbox asking for help on certain things. The questions range from the perfect place to grab a martini with the girls, to the best first date option, to how to clean make-up brushes. While I was more than happy to reply immediately to the sender, and have been doing so for a while, it hit me the other day THIS is exactly the kind of stuff I should be sharing with all of you!

So from now on, any e-mail I receive that I feel as thought would help a few more of you lovelies out there I will be sharing (with the senders permission of course). 

Last week I got an e-mail from a reader named Holly who wrote to me asking for immediate brow help:

"Lyndsey,

Please HELP! I am new to the Northeast Ohio area and recently went to a local salon by my apartment and got a brow wax. It was a a total nightmare! I got burned by the wax, a RASH, and they aren't even close to the shape I was hoping for! Worst of all they made me pay after this fiasco :( I'm sure you know of a place or two that you could recommend for me, at least once the hair grows back a bit."

My heart went out to Holly immediately. A bad brow wax is in my personal opinion worse than a bad haircut. 

I was always a tweezer girl myself until about my senior year of high school when I started getting my hair professionally done on a regular basis. I started going to Lynn at Balance Pointe Salon in Stow and you could not PAY me to go to anyone else. After a while of trusting my hair over to her I finally gave over the trust of my eyebrows too and I have never looked back once.

While it may seem like a small and simple thing, eyebrows are a big deal! It takes true trained professionals to be able to see the shape in your brow and pull it out. 

If you don't live in my area try checking out a Benefit Brow Bar. Many Ulta stores have these inside, and they are trained by Benefit themselves on the art of brow shaping. If you have no luck finding one of these in your area, ask any girl who's eyebrows you think rock where they get them done and BY WHO! Seriously even a stranger! Word of mouth recommendation on this is HUGE! (Just do a quick google search on reviews for the salon before you go to some random place).

MY ADVICE for Holly + the rest of you lovelies

-As hard as it may be to grow your eyebrows back out, just stick to it. No tweezing!

-Once they start to regain some shape and fullness call and schedule an appointment ASAP. 

-Do some research, and bring in pictures of your favorite brows.

-Be realistic about your expectations. I would love to walk out of the salon with some Kardashian eyebrows but mine are just simply not as full or thick as that. 

-Trusting your eyebrow tech is key. Talk to them and tell them what you do and don't want. 

Eyebrows believe it or not say a lot about you. Thick and full eyebrows make you look younger and healthier, and even more awake!

BROW LINK LOVE

Check out this article from Beautylish on Hollywood's Most Requested Brows 

The Beauty Depeartment's Brow 101

FAVORITE BROW PRODUCTS

Anastasia Brow

E.L.F. Lifter + Filler

If you have a quick question for me PLEASE e-mail me at alovelylittleblog@gmail.com and ASK AWAY!
Subject line: QQ

giveaway winners

I had a blast working with two awesome ETSY sellers recently to offer up some great things for my readers! 

Thank you to the shop owners who offered up such great prizes and discounts and to my readers for entering!

Congrats to Britny who won the cute and quirky stationary + paper goods from Neat Things valued over $25!

And to Kristen who won the adorable pie pops from Cakewalk Desserts, 

delivered on time for Valentine's Day, valued over $33!

If you missed the Valentine's Gift Guide post, check it out HERE. 

Over 12 different shops offering DISCOUNTS just for you! 

But most of them don't last past 2/14, so snatch these deals while they last.

giveaways

Hey Lovelies!! Instead of a little loves today I thought I'd make sure everyone knew about the 2 GIVEAWAYS that are currently running! One ends Tomorrow evening, and the other ends Tuesday evening. Both are perfect for Valentine's Day but don't have to be. Though the goods will make it in time for that special someone if need be. Good luck!

ENTER TO WIN 

One dozen Pie Pops in any standard flavor of winners choosing + delivered in time for Valentines Day! 

Prize is valued over $33

PLEASE ENTER HERE

 ENTER TO WIN 

One of each (Winner's Choice) card, set of littles, and sticky notes

from NEAT THINGS

Valued over $25

PLEASE ENTER HERE

PLEASE NO ENTRIES ON THIS POST

valentine gift guide + giveaway

I have always loved Valentine's Day, even when I was single. Growing up, my mom has always surprised me with something small to make my day. I love telling the people around me how much they mean to me and to see a smile on their face. From silly gifts, to sappy ones I have found the best of the best for Valentine's Day and of course gotten exclusive discounts on all of it for YOU! 

1. What more could a girl ask for than this sweet fluttering heart pillow cover?

10% OFF with code LOVELYBLOGSPECIAL

2. This personalized guitar pick is the perfect little surprise for a musician in your life.

15% OFF with code VDAY15

3. What could be sweeter than this embroidered locket with a custom picture inside? 

10% OFF with code LOVESTELLA

4. I own these earrings, and they are beautiful! Such a statement peice! Any girl would be lucky to own these!

15% OFF + FREE SHIPPING with code LOVELY15

5. This card is perfect for those who are a little anti-Valentine's Day.

10% OFF with code LOVELYLITTLECOUPON

6. Simple and sweet, these heart studs are perfect for everyday!

15% OFF with code HEARTSANDFLOWERS

7. For Scrabble enthusiasts, these giant tiles would make the perfect artwork!

50% OFF this item only when you PRIVATE MESSAGE and say "a lovely little blog" sent you!

8. This little heart pillow cover would be the perfect gift for a friend, sister, mother, teacher, or girlfriend!

10% OFF with code LOVELYBLOGSPECIAL

9. A sweet little Italian love letter make-up bag would make a great gift for a friend, mom, or girlfriend!

20% OFF with code SWEETHEART

10. Why not gift your girl your initial, or a friend her own? This sweet little charm is simply and lovely!

15% OFF with code VDAY15

11. These adorable mini Valentine's are just perfect for friends and family!

15% OFF with LOVE15

12. These custom Valentine's bangles are so special and unique! 

10% OFF with code LOVESTELLA

13. These little love notes are funny, sweet, quirky, and cute! Hide them all around for someone special or pass them out to friends!

10% OFF with code LOVELYLITTLECOUPON

14. These heart studs are sweet and bit edgy too! Perfect for adding personality to your outfits!

15% OFF + FREE SHIPPING with code LOVELY15

15. What man (or even woman) wouldn't want BEER-pretzel marshmallow's? And from Truffle Truffle to top it off?!

15% OFF with code LOVELY

16. I'm obsessed with love knots, and just adore these to pieces! What a sweet message to give the one you love that the knot is never-ending.

15% OFF + FREE SHIPPING with code LOVELY15

17. If it's even possible for these teeny tiny heart rings to be any cuter, they are! I bought one for a friend and then HAD to have one for myself too! Perfect for stacking!

15% OFF with code HEARTSANDFLOWERS

18. These sexy lunch love notes are the perfect way to surprise that someone in the middle of their day!

15% OFF with LOVE15

19. If the way to your Valentine's heart is though his or her stomach, how about these Passionfruit Buttercream Valentine's Macaron's?

10% OFF with code LINDSEYLOVE

20. This perfect little heart is so much better than one you could get from Jared. What a sweet way to say I Love You!

20% OFF with code SWEETHEART

21. Like I said before, I ADORE love knots! A little never ending knot ring to signify your love is the sweetest way to show how you feel. 

10% OFF with code LOVELYBLOG

22. Customize this simple square ring with initials, special numbers, or even XO! 

15% OFF with code HEARTSANDFLOWERS

23. When I tell you to trust me on this company, you just have to do it. Whoever you gift these truffles to will be forever in your debt!

15% OFF with code LOVELY

24. I'm pretty sure this necklace says it all! I Love You on a little love note tucked inside it's very own envelope!

20% OFF with code SWEETHEART

25. Another lovely card to make that special someone laugh.

10% OFF with code LOVELYLITTLECOUPON

All of these special discounts are good for everything in that shop (excluding the I ♥ U Scrabble tiles) so browse around! There are so many great items it was hard to pick just a few! Most of these codes only last till Valentine's Day so scoop up the goods while the discounts are active!

 ENTER TO WIN 

One of each (Winner's Choice) card, set of littles, and sticky notes

from NEAT THINGS

Valued over $25

Contest Rules:

- Head on over to Neat Things and choose your favorite item.

- Leave a comment below and tell me your choice + e-mail!

- Contest ends at February 6th, 2012 at 11.59 PM

- Winner will be announced on February 7th, 2012 on this blog and by e-mail.

-Only open to residents of US + Canada. Sorry :(

- One entry per person please

One additional entry opportunity will be revealed Sunday on my Facebook page!

Good Luck Lovelies!

What item in this guide is your favorite?!

lovely little find + giveaway

I first stumbled upon Cakewalk Desserts through a Pinterest image, the image above to be exact! Once I saw those adorable little pie pops I KNEW I had to feature Cakewalk Desserts on my little blog. When I reached out to Andrea, the owner of the lovely little dessert company she was more than ecstatic about working together, and so incredibly friendly! 

When I asked Andrea to give me a brief history on herself and Cakewalk Desserts she had this to say;

"Cakewalk Desserts was formed in the summer of 2010 as a bit of a side project, however soon after I realized the demand for these little treats, this side project became a full-time love affair! For as long as I can remember, I have loved to bake! My grandmother and her mother were both avid cooks and from the time I could reach the countertops I was always lending a helping hand."

"My education and professional experience started out in Interior Design, however I feel that God has given me a creative eye and to use that gift in any area of design makes me a happy camper! As long as I can share my creations with the world, I have a smile on my face!"

"I think we all find ourselves at a point in life where we know exactly what to do with the gifts God has bestowed upon us. Thanks to all my friends and family for believing in me and supporting Cakewalk. A special thank you to my wonderful husband, Ian, for encouraging me to go after my dreams and for all the foot rubs after a long day of baking!"

- Andrea Smetona -

Not only does Cakewalk offer the sweetest little pie pops you've ever seen, but also cake pops, mini pies, and new mini breads! If you lovelies don't already know by now I am a total sucker for lemon in my desserts, and I'm seriously lusting after her Lemon Poppy cake pops, among her other brilliant creations! Her site has everything from Key Lime pie pops, Red Velvet cake pops, Rocky Road bread, to Island Banana pie pops just to name a few. Not to mention an array of seasonal flavors too!

These would be the sweetest treats for showers, birthdays, weddings, VALENTINE'S DAY, MOTHER'S DAY coming up, and so much more! What a wonderful gift to surprise a friend with who is feeling a bit low. I would take these over flowers any day!

For easy buying visit Cakewalk Desserts on ETSY HERE!

Her desserts have been featured in everything from The Knot, to Real Simple, and now my little blog! 

Andrea was sweet enough to offer up some pie pops just for YOU!

ENTER TO WIN 

One dozen Pie Pops in any standard flavor of winners choosing + delivered in time for Valentines Day! 

Prize is valued over $33

Contest Rules:

- Head on over to Cakewalk Desserts and pick the item that most makes your mouth water.

- LIKE Cakewalk Desserts on Facebook.

- Leave a comment below and tell me your choice + FB name + E-mail.

- Contest ends at February 7th, 2012 at 11.59 PM EST.

-Contest open to US residents only. Sorry :(

- Winner will e-mailed and announced on this blog on February 8th, 2012.

- One entry per person please

And as if the desserts weren't cute enough already, how amazingly perfect is this packaging?! 

Good Luck Lovelies and don't forget to shop Cakewalk Desserts HERE!