Sponsor Spotlight: A Hundred Tiny Wishes + Giveaway

Hey there Sincerely, Sara readers! 

I am Tabitha, and I write over at a hundred tiny wishes. Sara has graciously allowed me to take over her blog for the day, and I am here to talk about some classic novels... and give you all a chance to win a nice little giveaway package. 

One might say that to be considered a classic novel, it must also be unanimously classified as a great literary creation. I disagree. I believe that classic novels are those that you are able to make a connection with, and after reading they have shaped you in such a way that you start to question the world around you. They are the ones that even fifty years after publication, people are still picking them up to read and falling in love with them all over again. Along with being able to stand the test of time, a classic novel must also be easily readable. Sure, there can be some parts that are just downright confusing, but for the general public, who are not English Lit majors, the novel itself should be at least at a 9th grade reading level. Today, I am sharing five of my favorite classic novels that I believe everyone should read at once in their lifetime.

1 | To Kill a Mockingbird (1960)

Harper Lee

A fixture on all high school reading lists, To Kill A Mockingbird is set in a small town in Alabama in the 1930s, and makes readers question their own humanity while the narrator, six-year-old “Scout”, explains southern racism from the eyes of a child.

2 | Of Mice & Men (1937)

John Steinbeck

In less than 200 pages, Steinbeck tells the story of mentally disabled Lennie and his best friend/ somewhat caretaker, George. Set in 1930s California, the two are migrant workers, who aspire to be more than "help".  The story focuses on loneliness, compassion, and

3 | The Great Gatsby (1925)

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Set in the Jazz age during prohibition, The Great Gatsby is about the wealthy Jay Gatsby, his long lost love, Daisy, and the extravagant parties that he throws in hopes to reunite with her. The book explores the world of social politics, resistance to change, and of course, the American dream.

4 | Pride & Prejudice (1813)

Jane Austen

Austen writes about Elizabeth Bennett, a lively, intelligent, twenty-year-old with four sisters, living in England, in the 19th century. The book puts a great deal of focus on manners, the fact that even though she does not want to, Elizabeth must adhere to certain societal expectations, and of course, putting pride and prejudice aside to succumb to love.

5 | Charlotte’s Web (1952)

E.B.White

A popular children's bedtime book, Charlotte's Web, details the relationship between a pig, Wilbur, and a barn spider, Charlotte. The story truly evokes magic, imagination, and child-like understanding, while exploring humanity, compassion, and love.

Along with having a passion for blogging, reading, and beauty, I operate an Etsy shop- tiny wishes designs- in which I sell hand painted glassware and jewelry. I am currently running a 30% off sale- just use code HAPPYSPRING -- and I bet you would find something that you love!

As a thank you for reading, I am giving you all a chance to win an item from my shop (winner's choice), a $10 gift card to Starbucks, AND $15 to Barnes & Nobles. Good luck & always say yes to the wine!

Terms & Conditions: 

*Giveaway runs from 4/18/16 @12a to 4/25/16 @12am. 

*Winner will be verified.

*Giveaway only open to residents of the Continental United States (I'm sorry international friends, but shipping is super expensive).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Sponsor Spotlight: Ink Print Art + Giveaway

Let's be real: gallery walls look wonderful, but they're hard to put together because you want art that goes together and that you like. If you've browsed Pinterest and decided you want your own gallery wall in your home, then you need to know about Ink Print Art. 

This shop sells cool art prints that come in a four pack. Yep, that's four prints for your gallery wall already! And all four are only $15!

I picked the NYC prints because I live in New York. These four prints (the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, the Flat Iron Building, and the Crysler Building) come on sturdy, matte paper and can be easily framed because they're 8x10. The shop also suggests using washi tape instead of frames, which is a fun idea if you rent and can't put holes in the wall. I liked the idea so much that I did that myself!

Shop | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Win a four-pack of art prints of your choosing!

Open to readers of the U.S. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Review: Cogworks

Sure, you can use a slip of notepaper or a receipt or even a Post-It as a bookmark, but your book deserves a bookmark that is beautiful and special. I can't be the only one who loves opening a book to find a cool placeholder. Cogworks crafts wooden objects (including these amazing bookmarks!) that are functional, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. 

Not going to lie, I was carrying a book with one of the rose bookmark inside and it slipped out and fell onto the gravel outside...and nothing. No breaks, no cracks. Just a slight dent where it hit the ground. These bookmarks are made for people who love reading anywhere and everywhere. These bookmarks are lightweight and sturdy and gorgeous and only $10. Just look at that cut-out tree bookmark!

Shop | Twitter | Google+

What bookmarks do you use?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Sponsor Spotlight: Simply Chic Jewelry

Have you ever come across a shop on Etsy and felt like the pieces were made for you? For me, one of those shops is Simply Chic Jewelry! I'm seriously in love with every piece of jewelry being sold in Rachael's shop. I've always liked simple, classic, minimalist but colorful jewelry, and Simply Chic Jewelry fits the bill.  

The best part is Rachael makes all of the jewelry by hand and is always coming up with cool, fresh ideas (like these gemstone rings and these thin stacked rings). Because it's all handcrafted she has no problem customizing the jewelry. I was able to get this beautiful druzy ring with a cobalt stone and silver wire instead of the gold it showed online. If you're a fan of elegant jewelry, I would recommend this shop.

Shop | Facebook | Instagram

What's your favorite jewelry style?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Interview with Amanda of Jamberry Nails + Giveaway!

Let's get to know Amanda Thompson, an independent consultant for Jamberry Nails! 

Amanda is a mom to three kids and a newborn. She's passionate about Jamberry Nail Wraps because they help her support her family and allow her to be her own boss. They are a fraction of the cost of a salon visit, have no harsh chemicals, are made in America, are vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, and cause no damage to your natural nail. With over 350 style options to choose from there is something for everyone.

INTERVIEW

You're an independent consultant for Jamberry. How did you get into it? What have you learned about being your own boss because of Jamberry? 

I was introduced to Jamberry by a friend from high school. I have always loved nails and having my nails done so when I saw it was a cost effective way to have super cute nails, I joined! Who doesn't want a 30% discount? Then when I found out I could use the opportunity to help empower other women and bring in an income while staying home with my children, I was definitely sold. 

One of the things that I have learned about being my own boss is that you have to prioritize your time. It is so crucial for me to sit down, look at my day, and pick out what the priorities are, especially with a 5-year-old, a 2-year-old, and a newborn! There are days I will wake up with my kids, get them ready for school, and the next thing I know it's bedtime, it's like the day has completely escaped me. This has also driven me to learn how to manage my time better. 

What's the best thing about being a Jamberry consultant? What's the worst?

The best thing about being a Jamberry consultant is the freedom I have. I don't have to have an inventory to bog me down and I can put as much or as little time into it as I need. Right now, I have decreased the time since I just had a baby, but I plan on slowly incorporating more of my time back into it until I am back to where I need to be. I also love the sisterhood environment within Jamberry and having cute nails, that is a definite plus!

The worst, hmm, that is a hard question. I think the worst thing for me is that there is such a plethora of resources available for me to use in my business and feeling like I don't have enough time to help everyone. I seriously have the attention span of a corn flake, so I will log in for one thing and I will get distracted by something else and then something else and then here I am and I have forgotten to answer my original question. Another issue I have is that I want so many of the nail wraps, but that would require me changing them every few days and I like to get the full use out of them!

Women's Business Empowerment Opportunity: https://anthjams.jamberry.com/join/

You're a cancer survivor. (Go, you, for beating cancer!) How has your life changed because of it? 

One of the biggest things that has changed in my life is my ability to see the important things and appreciate the little things in life. I used to be a very impatient person and get upset over some of the smallest stuff. Now I have to evaluate and see is it worth the time for me to emotionally invest or is it something I can move on from? It has freed my life from much worry, stress, and unnecessary drama. If it's not productive and doesn't add some value, I don't deal with it. 

What's one place you've always wanted to visit?

I am such a huge Anglophile, so the one place I have always wanted to visit is England. I would love to start in London and just make my way across the country. One of the places that I look forward to visiting the most is Stanage Edge in Derbyshire where the scene from Pride and Prejudice (2005) was filmed as Elizabeth looked over the cliff and took in the world.

Do you have a favorite book? A favorite author? 

I have so many books that I read on a yearly basis, but I would have to say that my favorite book is Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. I love Chiyo/Sayuri and her story as she keeps reaching for her happiness and all of the antagonists she faces along the way. Plus, the beautiful love story that is weaved between the Chairman and her hooks me every time.

I would have to say that my favorite author is Jane Austen. I adore the way she writes and uses it to express her opinion on social standings of women in that day. One of my favorite characters she created is Mrs. Bennett. Her tendency to be over the top and only care about herself rather than the happiness of her daughters makes me love/hate her character more. 

Do you have any tips for people looking to either be their own boss or become a Jamberry consultant?

I think the biggest tip that I could give is to find something you love and be passionate about it. When you find something that you love, work will never feel like work. Waking up and loving what you do is one of the best feelings in the world. For me this applies well beyond Jamberry and into other areas of life as well!

What are some of your life goals?

Some of my life goals are to finish my college degree, start a successful blog, write a novel, visit every continent, and make sure my children learn to make a difference and positive impact in their dealings with the world. I also want to help motivate and inspire others in their lives as well.

How do you stay inspired? Any tips?

One of the ways I stay inspired is by writing down my goals and my vision and putting them in front of me so I can be reminded of them. In all of the everyday dealings of life we can get so swept away by many different obligations, monkey wrenches, and other things that come along and it can be easy to lose sight of what you really need to do. I have started to even apply this to what I need to accomplish daily by writing a list by priority and putting the list in a place where I can see it. Having the ability to help others and have fun with my business inspires me. Another way I stay inspired is by thinking of my children because I would do anything in the world for them. 

Shop | Facebook | Instagram 

One person will win a $25 e-gift certificate to Jamberry Nails!

Only open to residents of the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, and The U.S. Virgin Islands. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Outfit: Druzy (Featuring Simply Chic Jewelry) + Giveaway

I've been wanting a druzy ring for ages, so of course I had to get this beautiful cobalt ring from Simply Chic Jewelry, one of my lovely sponsors. The wrapped wire look makes this ring so unique! The woman behind the shop, Rachael, makes all the jewelry by hand and is always coming up with new jewelry ideas (one of the reasons why I love following her on Instagram is so I can see what she's working on!).  

On an unrelated note, don't you love when you rediscover clothes hidden away in your closet? I've had this top for years, but haven't worn it in almost as long as I've owned it, so I was happy to find it again and happy to find that I like the way it looks. 

P.S. -- Thanks, Brittany, for this pretty necklace with dried flowers encased inside! 

Shop | Facebook | Instagram 

Top: old | Necklace: gift from Brittany | Jeans: American Eagle

Shoes: Charlotte Russe | Ring: ℅ Simply Chic Jewelry | Bag: gift from Martie

One person will win $15* to Simply Chic Jewelry!

*must spend over $16.50 on Etsy.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Sponsor Spotlight: Four Thrillers To Keep You Up All Night

Llinos of The Lilac Linnet is sharing four thrillers to keep you up all night!

Hi everyone! Today I am here to share with you the books which I could not put down because we all love a thriller, right? What I'm looking for when I pick up a thriller is a read which will consume my mind and leave me gasping for more when I can finally drag my eyes away from it. These books did just that!

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Surely you have heard of this book by now, and I would advise you to read it as soon as you can get your hands on a copy.  

Rachel travels on a train past her old house every morning, and one day she spots a suspicious moment between her neighbours. When the woman goes missing, Rachel is catapulted into the investigation and the path of her ex-husband with devastating results.  

Don't think about it, just read it. It's a book that climbed inside my head. It's definitely the book which I have been recommending more than any other this year.

Kiss Me First by Lottie Moggach

Leila is a naive girl who lives a very isolated life following the death of her mother. Most of her contact with the world happens online on a website forum called Red Pill, and the owner asks her to become complicit in the suicide of the vibrant and beautiful Tess, by impersonating her online after her death.  

I didn't expect to love this book so much, but I was drawn into the complicated and intense relationship between these two such different women. It raises questions about our online personas and our view of suicide. It may be uncomfortable in places but it really jolts you into challenging your thoughts on some tough issues. 

No Time For Goodbye by Linwood Barclay

When Cynthia was 14 years old, her parents and brother disappeared without a trace, and she has always wondered if her actions of that evening, of staying out late with an unsuitable boy, are to blame. Now a wife and mother herself, Cynthia's husband Terry is the narrator of this exploration into what happened all those years ago.  

What is haunting about this novel is that we see events through Cynthia's husband's eyes and not Cynthia's, and can only watch helplessly as Terry is forced to ask, did Cynthia have anything to do with the events of that dreadful night? Can their marriage survive when they are both doubting the other? A compulsive read for sure.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Our unnamed narrator marries the master of Manderley, but when she becomes its mistress she soon discovers that everyone is obsessed with his previous wife Rebecca. How can she compete with this beautiful, dead paragon of femininity? 

This book started off quite slowly, but it soon ramped up as the forbidding housekeeper Mrs Danvers threatens the narrator, and the true events which led up to the death of Rebecca are ominously revealed....Spooky and atmospheric, Rebecca will draw you into her web as well.

Blog | Bloglovin | Twitter | Pinterest 

Do you have any thrillers to recommend?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Outfit: Fan-SEA (with Exalted Heights)

Having a shirt with embellishments at the neckline makes getting ready in the morning much easier because all of the work is done for me! I don't have to think about which necklace to wear with it because a necklace is attached to the blouse. And just look at those pretty blue and gold embellishments! This lovely seafoam green jeweled top from Exalted Heights is little thick for the summer, but it's too pretty not to wear. 

Exalted Heights is a shop with a wide selection of clothing, jewelry, and accessories at a fantastic price. Their clothing is colorful and bright and most are in the $15 to $30 range. If you're looking for cute pieces to add to your wardrobe look no further. 

Use code freedomrings10 for $10 off a purchase of $25 or more.

Use code is save20eh for 20% off your entire order.

**I received this top for free. All opinions are my own.**

Top: ℅ Exalted Heights | Skirt: Marshall's

Shoes: T.J. Maxx | Bracelet: Bauble Bar

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Review: And She Blushes Candles + Giveaway

**I received these candles for free. All opinions are my own**

There are a few things that I have in abundance at my home: books, mugs, cute owl-shaped things, and candles. My mom is a hoarder of candles and of course I am too. When Kristina, the owner of And She Blushes, asked if I wanted to review some mini candles and wax melts I said yes. 

When I opened the box from Kristina, this sweet, delicious scent drifted into my room. I barely waited five minutes before I had lit one of the candles called Birthday Party. This candle is so adorable; it has colorful sprinkles lining the glass and smells like a super sweet cupcake. The other votive candle I got is a cute blue and white candle called Blueberry Cobbler with "blueberries" on top. It has a subtle sweet scent and kind of smells like Pez to me, which I love because I love Pez. 

She also gave me three wax melts, which I have yet to use because I don't have a wax melt warmer, but now I want one (maybe this one). The three wax melts she gave me are Cucumber Melon (strong melon scent, smells fresh and tropical), Watermelon Lemonade (subtle scent, smells like delicious sorbet), and Cherry Cheesecake (super sweet cherry scent).

All of the items she sent me smell great, are well made, look really cute, and are handmade by Kristina. All of her items are made with high-quality natural soy wax and are hand-poured. She's also constantly coming up with new candle scents, so you can sign up to try her new scents before anyone else.

Shop | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Kristina and Rachael (of Simply Chic Jewelry) are having a loop giveaway on Instagram tonight starting at 6pm Central Time. Kristina is giving away a Georgia Peach wax set and Rachael is giving away a peach druzy necklace, so go enter to win here!

Enter to win a set of wax melts -- you get to choose which scent you want!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Sponsor Spotlight: Bookworms in Dresses

Today Jess is taking over my blog to share her hometown bucket list 

and why you should make one too!

Hello everyone! I’m Jess from Bookworms in Dresses! I’m a bookworm who currently lives in Pittsburgh, but soon I’m moving all the way to Texas! It’s going to be an exciting time, albeit scary and a little nerve wracking! Moving from PA to TX has made me really want to explore Pittsburgh before leaving. Now, having a city centered bucket list is something for everyone, not just someone who is planning on moving! I wish that I would have made a bucket list for Pittsburgh before moving, because there is so much to see and do!

So, in the spirit of traveling, moving, and exploring hometowns, I’m going to share with you the things that can really make a bucket list special!

♥ First Date spots or Best Friend Spots: I put these on my Pittsburgh bucket list, and if I made one for my little small town that I grew up in, you bet I’d stick some of the hang outs that I used to chill with my friends at! Restaurants that you enjoyed with you SO make great bucket list items because you can go back there for a dinner to look back and see how far you came. If I was making a bucket list for my hometown I’d put the neighborhood where my friends and I used to walk about and talk, venting about our lives, which seemed so dramatic during high school.

♥ Tourist Traps: These are, in my humble opinion, a must! Going to those touristy things in your city is actually really fun. In Pittsburgh you have the museums, the incline, sports games, outdoor markets, and other things! I haven’t even done all the tourist things so I really want to check some of those off the bucket list! Even my hometown has a tourist trap!

♥ Quirky things: My hometown and Pittsburgh have a nearby drive-in, which is one of my favorite things ever. Don’t know what a drive-in is? I’m so sorry. I adore quirky little things like awesome graffiti, funny quirky houses (like Houston has a house that is covered in beer cans) and other roadside attractions. These are fun things to add to a bucket list of your city!

♥ The Simple Things: Maybe you’d like to have a picnic in the park near your place but you’ve never gotten around to it. Maybe you’d want to run in a 5K, or do a charity walk that you’ve never gotten to do. A bucket list for your city doesn’t have to be extravagant. You don’t need to put “sky diving” on it, unless your city offers awesome sky diving lessons and you totally want to try that…in which case, go you! I know that I’d love to go kayaking on the river in Pittsburgh though, or at least in Erie on the bay before heading out to Texas!

♥ Surrounding area: I’m moving to an entirely new state, so there are things in and around PA! Maybe there is something cool outside of your city that you’ve never seen before that you’d like to see, add that to the list!

I think having a city centered or hometown centered bucket list is awesome! It’s something that you can always turn to for date ideas or that lazy weekend where you don’t know what to do! It’s also something you can always add on to as new ideas hit you or you have an awesome experience that you’d want to experience again before leaving your city!  I’m sharing some templates, two of them to be precise, if you’d like to create your own bucket list! You can download the templates here! I hope you enjoy exploring your city, even if you aren’t moving anytime soon!

Bookworms in Dresses | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

Would you make a hometown bucket list?

I've lived in New York my whole life and I've never walked the Brooklyn Bridge!

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram