Love, Shellsea

Monday, November 7

Awesome weekend with awesome people

San Sebastian Winery, St. Augustine, FL

This weekend was simple just an awesome weekend.

One of two of my best friends drove up for a lovely visit. (Vero, you are next) It was a short visit but we made sure to pack it to the brim with fun.

Friday night we went out to the most non-Irish, Irish pub I have ever been to. It was nice to catch up over a couple of drinks and just enjoy the company. There was also a little poking fun at the odd people that had gathered in the bar. Because Jax is full of nothing but old people the bars close pretty early, forcing us to take the party back to our place and split a couple bottles of wine.

Saturday we had a lazy morning. Ate breakfast, played with iphone apps, and got ready for a day in St. Augustine. Stopped by Angie's Subs for some yummy lunch and then headed on our way. St. Augustine has to be one of my favorite things about living in Jacksonville. It is always a treat to go and walk around the old town.

Our first stop is one of my all time favorites, The San Sebastian Winery. Who can say no to a free wine tasting? Especially when its good wine served by silly inappropriate old ladies.

After some sips of wine, we went for a stroll along St. George Street. Stopping in chocolate shops, tourist traps, shops full of owl merchandise, and for delish bowl of gelato. Pumpkin pie gelato for the win.

For dinner we went to an amazing french restaurant, Bistro de Leon. It was like heaven. Joey and I ordered the same thing. Poulet au Gratin a la Savoyarde, chicken, cream, cheese, bacon, and penne baked in oven. We also split a couple appetizer for the table. My favorite was the Salade de Chevre Croustifondant, Fresh goatcheese encrusted with pecan nuts and honey and roasted, served over a fresee salad. I think I might have found a new favorite restaurant in St. Augustine.

Taberna del Gallo

Our last stop for the night was the Taberna del Gallo for some Sangria Swiggin' Shanty Singing Sloshed Sailors. Which turned out to be a ton of fun.

We also got pulled up to sing Swing Low Sweet Chariot, making for a completely embarrassing moment caught on tape.

Sunday was a little rainy, and gloomy out. To make up for it, we went for our traditional "Joey's visiting, Mellow Mushroom lunch" complete with a stop at Cami Cakes.

Thanks Joey for the lovely visit full of nothing but fun :)

We will do a repeat in a couple of weeks!

Monday, October 17

Its all in the details.

Recently I received a Sample and Share opportunity from Old Navy via Crowdtap. I was able to sample Old Navy's new activewear line. I am in love with the new line. For me it is all about the details. I loved all of the thoughtful additions to the activewear. Some of my favorite details were the thumb holes on the jackets, the little zippered pockets on the pants and tops that are perfect for a couple of keys or a few dollars, and the strips of reflective material on the bottom of the legging. All of these detail were really handy additions to the active wear.

If you haven't heard of Crowdtap yet here is a little overview.

New to Crowdtap?

If you’re looking for a way to help out charities and get rewarded in return, you may want to check outCrowdtap. Crowdtap is an online community that connects consumers with brands so they can directly influence new product and marketing ideas, while earning cash and free products in return! With Crowdtap, you’ll get to tap in to engage with brands, test products, and earn cash while helping charities at the same time! Here are a few well-known charities promoted on their site:

(To read more about Crowdtap, click the link below “Read More / Post Your Comments”.)

*Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation – funds efforts for breast cancer research, education, advocacy, health, ect.
*Autism Speaks – goal is to find the causes, treatments, and cure for autism and help those with autism and their families
*Pencils of Promise – help build schools for children who may not receive any education in developing nations around the world.
*ASPCA – mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of animal cruelty to animals
*American National Red Cross – provide emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education in the US and other countries.

…and more!

How Does it Work?

By signing up with Crowdtap, you’ll be presented with a variety of opportunities to complete and you’ll be helping brands make major marketing decisions as well as help spread the buzz about products you like! You’ll also be able to answer “Info questions” that will help them better match you with more opportunities. How do you earn cash rewards? You can earn cash by earning top awards as a result of providing meaningful responses in discussions and participating in discussions daily. Also, once you reach level 5 you will receive a 5% cash bonus for every $10 you earn.

1.) Just head on over here and sign up for a Crowdtap account with your Facebook account
2.) Answer a few polls (click on Quick Hits) to help brands target you by your interests
3.) View Opportunities and participate with the brands and offers that interest you
4.) Earn status, rewards, and charity – the more you do, the more you get, the more you give!

How do the Rewards Work?

After your account reaches at least $10, you’ll be able to redeem your earnings in the following ways…

*Cash Rewards – Certain activity launched by brands will earn you cash rewards.
*Gift Cards – Your Crowdtap cash can be redeemed for Amazon.com gift cards
*Help Charities – You can choose to help your selected charity
*Free Products – Some activities will also offer free products and other goodies

Keep in mind that you’ll need to earn at least $9.99 before you can “redeem” your earnings (you’ll just click on the “redeem link at top”) AND 5% will automatically go to the charity you select on signup which Crowdtap will match. Then just choose to donate the rest to a charity or get an Amazon gift card e-mailed to you!

Also, the points you earn determine your “level” and each level you obtain gives you privileges on the site and showcases your accomplishment. However, keep in mind that points and dollars are completely separate in Crowdtap. Points will help you level up, unlock badges, and compete with your friends while moving up the leaderboard. Dollars translate to real money and can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards or donated to your selected charity. Individual actions can earn you points, dollars, or both but points and dollars are not directly related to one another.

If you are a current Crowdtap member, what has been your experience?

Thursday, October 6

Everything else is secondary

RIP CREATIVE GENIUS : STEVE JOBS

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

- Steve Jobs

Friday, September 16

This totally made my day!

I had to share because this just made me so warm and happy inside.

Happy Friday!

Friday, September 2

Winner

Just stopping in really quick to announce the winner of the For Your Basket giveaway!

Congratulations Katherines Corner!

Send me an email with your address, so we can get your goodies out to you :)

Shellsea.oberski{at}gmail.com

Tuesday, August 23

Lets Talk Trunk

I have a lovely quartet to introduce you to today. Not the singing type of quartet. Way better than that. The all about affordable fashion, crafting, make-up, photography, and fun loving quartet.

Lets Talk Trunk is where you can find these lovely ladies.

These girls are amazing, with tons of fun post that are just a joy to read. I have quite a few of their tutorials and fashion posts bookmarked for inspiration.

Go check them out at Lets Talk Trunk, I'm sure they will be your new best friends too.

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Enter in the For Your Basket Giveaway - 2 lovely items

September Sponsorship Now Available!

I don't know who told August is could fly by like that. It's amazing to think that September is right around the corner. But lucky for you, that means there are openings for September sponsorships. Love, Shellsea offers sponsor ad space, promotions, and giveaways.

I would love an opportunity to work with some of my lovely readers and favorite brands. If you have a blog, etsy shop, or business and think you and I are awesome, send me an email and I'll get you the details right away.

shellsea.oberski{at}gmail.com

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Enter in the For Your Basket Giveaway - 2 lovely items

Monday, August 22

Monday Giveaway - For Your Basket

I have something really special for you guys today. For Your Basket is giving away two items from two of their super talented vendors. This event makes me want to be in Idaho this weekend so bad. Certainly sounds way better than the pending hurricane Irene, that is on its way to ruin my weekend.

1st Item

Hand-stitched Pendant Necklace by Fire and Ice Stitchery!

2nd Item

Flower Accessory Clip by The Tattered Petal

Here is how you can win both items. The giveaway ends Friday, August 26th

Mandatory Entry {1}:
Follow Love, Shellsea Blog

Extra Entry {6}:
Follow For Your Basket Blog
Follow For Your Basket via Twitter
Like For Your Basket via Facebook
RSVP on Facebook Event Page to the For Your Basket Vintage &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Art Market in Idaho Falls, ID
Follow Love, Shellsea via Twitter
Like Love, Shellsea via Facebook

That's a total of 6 chances for you to win these lovely items. Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

For Your Basket is a handmade and vintage market being held at Taylor Crossing in Idaho Falls this Saturday! The market features 25 local vendors who offer unique clothing, accessories, art, decor and gifts. The first 100 customers to the event will receive a free cupcake from The Cocoa Bean Cafe! You can see all the info and a list of vendors at foryourbasketmarket.com. We hope to see you there!

Good Luck :)