The holidays are over and all the decorations and traditions are packed up and put away.

The New Year has started and resolutions have been made {and perhaps already broken}.

I’m not a big resolution-maker, but I do always tell myself that I am going to treat myself a little gentler, a little kinder in the new year. I’m going to let myself have small moments and things that bring me joy.

Maybe that is a latte from Starbucks on the way to work instead of my coffee from home. Maybe it’s an hour alone to read a book. Maybe it’s treating my kids or my husband to something for no other reason than it will make them smile…and in turn, make me smile.

To kick off the new year, I want to make you smile! So I have a MASSIVE GIVEAWAY that I, along with my friend Alison of Writing, Wishing, set up!

Twelve prizes means TWELVE winners!  Check out the goods Alison and I have lined up for you!

Two book package from author, Kate Hopper

Ready for Air

“After severe preeclampsia derails Kate Hopper’s birth plan, the author confronts her fears of preemie parenthood with brazen honesty and an occasional fitting expletive. Her memoir, a testament to the delights and uncertainties of motherhood, reads like a novel, though you won’t forget for a second that her story is true.” —Pregnancy & Newborn

Ready for Air is a harrowing, poignant, and occasionally hysterical journey through premature motherhood. Ready for Air is a testament to the strength of motherhood—and the sharing of stories—to transform lives.

Use Your Words: A Writing Guide for Mothers

“Part instructor, part motivator, part best friend, Kate guides mother-writers from idea through finished product, offering encouragement and hard-earned wisdom along the way. She intersperses poems, essays, and short memoirs…with passages about the craft of writing, and ends each chapter with helpful, short exercises for readers to try at home. Any mother who picks up Use Your Words and follows the carefully-planned instructions will be able to call herself a mother-writer by the final page.” —Hope Edelman, international bestselling author of Motherless Daughters

Both of these books will lead you to your notebook or computer and inspire you to write your own truths. Learn more about Kate’s writing and teaching at www.katehopper.com.

 Sunshine After The Storm: A Survival Guide for the Grieving Mother anthology from Alexa Bigwarfe

Sunshine After the Storm: A Survival Guide for the Grieving Mother is written for grieving mothers, by grieving mothers (and a few fathers) who have managed to find their way through the muck after losing a baby. If you have found yourself feeling lonely or isolated after the death of a baby or child, this is a book for you. If you have found yourself trying to help someone you love after they have lost a baby and do not know how to do that, this is a book for you. This book is meant to bring hope and encouragement to those who have suffered through the death of a child, the loss of a pregnancy, and for all of those who support them in surviving afterwards.

 Plata Playa Handknit Cowl from Alma Boheme

This lusciously soft handknit cowl by Alma Boheme is made from handpainted merino wool from South Africa. It is a vibrant piece that is perfectly chunky to make you feel cozy and warm. Wear it draped around your neck once or twice depending on your mood. Plata Playa is Spanish for silvery beach, a tribute to its hues of grey blues and raw sienna. The cowl measures 49 inches round and 8 inches wide. It happens to be the first anniversary of Alma’s Etsy shop, which was born out of her love for designing and creating. All her items are easy to wear, and made from carefully selected fibres. In her words, “This giveaway is a gift of love of one of my favorite items, for all the love I have received.”

 A Lady In France, a memoir by Jennie Goutet

In this beautiful memoir, Jennie Goutet details the evolution of one woman’s faith and love in a singular story that is – at once – both intensely personal and universal in its themes. I soared and plunged along with her from beginning to end. ~ Julie Gardner. A Lady In France is available on Amazon.

 The Mother of All Meltdowns anthology from Crystal Ponti

Every mother, at some point, inevitably becomes her own worst enemy. In a millisecond, her halo crumbles and she has a moment so crazed it is forever known as the one—The Mother of All Meltdowns. This eye-opening anthology was written by women who have had their moments. Together they have experienced the anguish and frustration of the adult-sized tantrum. They have shed the tears, dropped to their knees in agony, and asked the age-old question, “Why me?” From poop-decorated rooms to having their liquid gold scrutinized and confiscated by TSA, they’re not afraid to share their collection of thirty tell-all stories. They are survivalists and know that within every meltdown there is a silver lining.

 Karma Gone Bad, a memoir by Jenny Feldon

When Jenny’s husband gets transferred to India for work, she looks forward to a new life filled with glamorous expat friends and exciting adventures. Ten thousand miles away from home, Jenny struggles to fight off depression and anger as her sense of self and her marriage begin to unravel. But after months of bitterness and takeout pizza, Jenny realizes what the universe has been trying to tell her all along: India doesn’t need to change. She does. Equal parts frustration, absurdity, and revelation, this is the true story of a Starbucks-loving city girl finding beauty in the chaos and making her way in the land of karma. Karma Gone Bad is available on Amazon.

Vanilla Scooter from Imagine Toys

 “Retro-styling makes this classic balance bike even more hip. Popular in Europe, balance bikes help develop skills needed to ride a pedal bikelater. Kids sit and make it go by pushing with their feet and gliding. Once they gain balance and momentum, they can lift their tiny toes and just cruise.” The scooter includes: Inflatable tires, adjustable-height seat, pretend lights and tachometer. Imagine Toys is a specialty toy store that carries unique toys that “encourage children to use their imaginations.”

 Alive Leather Slip Knot Bracelet from Simply Om

This gorgeous slip knot bracelet made by female artisans in remote areas of Guatemala will make you feel more alive…or at least your outfit! Simply Om offers beautiful hand-crafted jewelry in a fair trade marketplace. Each piece of jewelry comes with a story–a story that needs to be told, and can be told over and over each time you wear your piece.

$25 Gift Certificate to Sew Curly Creations

 Kristina Grum created Sew Curly Creations after realizing her family used far too many disposable plastic baggies. She started sewing up reusable fabric pouches for snacks, and then larger ones for sandwiches. From there her shop was born and grew to include everything from aprons for kiddos to burp clothes and personalized birthday shirts. She uses all organic, AZO-free dyed fabric for the snack bags.

Set of Coasters from Nicci @ Saving the Universe

 Nicci started her etsy shop, Changing the Universe, in an effort to share her love of creating with the universe. While she still loves to create, she is closing up shop and blog this new year to concentrate more on her children. Her unique fabric coasters are a fun way to add a splash of color to your livingroom, and have a useful design that can attach to the bottom of your wine glass!

$70 Gift Certificate to California Footwear

 California Footwear is a company based in…California, of course! Their mission is to “combine all of the best that California represents into high-quality footwear for people who care about their foot health.” Their sandals and clogs are not only super cute, but they are ergonomically created to treat your feet to comfort and functionality.

 Faith Necklace from R&L Design

This necklace by R&L Design is made of antique bronze with a matching “faith” pendant. The pendant measures 25×5.5mm and the  18” chain has a lobster clasp. Rebekah hand-makes each piece in her etsy shop with skill and love. This piece is simple, yet elegant and adds a bit of personality to any outfit.

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Good stuff, right?  To enter to win, simply follow the instructions in the widget below. Twelve winners will be chosen and randomly paired with a prize.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck & Happy New Year!!