Featured: Terrabella Accents

Warm exotic breezes, that's what I'm thinking about when I look at this gorgeous picture of vanilla bangles! Actually, today was overcast, windy, cold and gray here in VA, thanks to tropical storm Ida. I think that's why I really enjoyed looking through Terrabella Accents Etsy shop today.  Her items brought back wonderful memories of turquoise water and sailing in the West Indies.

The selection of gifts in this shop is incredible. Browsing there, is like going on a mini vacation!

From the shops profile: ["terrabella" means "beautiful land" and perfectly describes the setting in which I live. Our country has different natural resources in the different regions. We have volcanoes, fresh water lakes and lagoons, beaches in the Pacific Ocean and Carribean, mountains, and rivers. Each small picturesque town has its own traditions and foklore.]

Go ahead- take a break - you deserve a little vacation!

We have a winner! $25.00 Shopping Spree!!!!

Congratulations Elizabeth, whose shop is called "ebogie" on Etsy!  I'll be sending you an email with your Gift Certificate for the $25.00 shopping spree in my Etsy Shop .  I hope you have fun picking out your favorite items.

In the spirit of the upcoming holiday season I decided to do another "quick" giveaway - This one ends December 1st and is for the earrings pictured at the right and another pair just like them but with iridescent
gray pearls.  I call them my "go with everything" earrings because they really do work with just about everything you wear.  Plus they are incredibly comfortable - once they are on you really can't feel them - they are so incredibly light!  They are hand made of sterling silver and freshwater pearls.
These would make great gifts or wear and enjoy them yourself.

The rules for this contest are simple: Follow this blog and get

1 point for every comment you leave on this blog (max.3 per day)

5 points for becoming a fan of  Divine3Designs  facebook page

5 points for following me on Twitter

10 points for any purchase from my Etsy shop

 (if you already follow me or are a fan- you can count those points!)

You can help me keep count by letting me know if you follow me on twitter and are a fan of my facebook page in the "comments" for this post - below.  I have a gadget on the right that totals up my comments for me.  If you want one like it -  it's free, just follow the link below it.

Giving the Best Gifts

The upcoming holidays give us the opportunity to give gifts that show our caring, giving and loving natures.  It is definitely true that giving can be much better than receiving, especially when the gift is something carefully thought out and meaningful.
There are some gifts that "keep on giving". We adopted a horse from a horse rescue organization. Not everyone can do that - we happen to have a farm and were able to give him a good new home. But that wasn't really the best gift - the best one is taking my daughter three days a week to help on the horse rescue farm that Mr. B came to us from.

She is not only learning about caring for animals, but also about responsibility and compassion, freely giving of your time and resources, sharing with those less fortunate, etc.

Being a volunteer and teaching your children to be volunteers, giving to organizations and causes you choose to support, teaching good stewardship - that's the gift that keeps on giving....

This year there will be many charitable organizations that will fall short in both funds and volunteers. Volunteerism in this county continues to steeply decline.  I encourage all of you to expand your giving list this year rather than downsizing it -and it doesn't have to cost alot of money either - sometimes it's just some of your time and that of those you encourage and guide to do likewise. Can you afford not to?