i'm a WINNER

Apparently last week was my week. As always, I entered the many weekly giveaways at the decor blogs I read. If you are a regular reader of even 10 of the most popular decor blogs, you are not a stranger to all of the great giveaways offered by the generous artists out there in Etsy and beyond. Well something stuck last week because I won two of the most fabulous gifts!

First off, Scoutie Girl e-mailed me to tell me I had won a horse hanger (similar to the one shown and linked) from Monkey & Squirrel. I was and am so excited because if you know me, you know that a vintage animal wall hanger is right up my alley. It is going to fit into my home (you know, the one that is torn to shreads right now) just perfectly... when hubby and I live in it again.

Secondly, this last week I visited The Bright Side Project for the first time in a month or so. I caught up on a few questions and when I checked the site yesterday, I saw that I had won Lamixx's Check Mate Slanted Bow Top! I thought I was rather witty in a couple of my answers, but neither of them were the question I got chosen for.

Question: If there is one piece of advice you could give to your younger self what would it be and why?

My answer: Oh goodness. I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I would tell myself to be who God made me to be rather than trying to imitate those around me. I would tell myself that I can’t always worry about what others think and I can’t control the universe to make sure everyone is happy. I can only be responsible for who I am and how I treat people and how I react to what is going on around me.

I always assume it's the witty or really deep answers that get chosen, but apparently my truthful answer was what she was looking for. And I have been thinking about that a lot lately because I am just FINALLY learning that and living by it. If I had learned it earlier in life, it would have saved me a lot of pain and anxiety... but I guess I needed those things to shape me into who I am. Anyway! I can't believe I won this fabulous top! You know how you get all warm and tingly when something exciting happens? When I saw my name on the winners' list and starting loudly telling hubby I had won, my face got some major circulation going. I suppose it could have been from the yelling, but I like to think it's because I was so happy.

If you are curious how you can be a winner like me, in a couple of months I will be coming out with a book entitled: Be a Winner Like Me. Aaaand, I am kidding. Actually, check out some of these sites for a chance to win more fabulousness:

The Bright Side Project: It's just as much fun to answer the questions as it is to win... or just a tinge less fun. Honesty is the best policy.
Design for Mankind: They do awesome giveaways every week. I have yet to win one or hear of anyone I know winning one, but I trust that there are winners.
Etsy Giveaways: If you want to be a giveaway stalker, this is the site for you.

Good luck to you all! And thanks to Scoutie Girl, The Bright Side Project, Monkey & Squirrel, and Lamixx for making me smile 85.5% bigger last week... and for giving my cheeks some nice color.