summer giveaway: flip-flop heart
Aug 27, 2010 You have heard about my mother before. Well, now you can really hear my mom. She’s been a big supporter of this Lazy Summer project, and here she is leaving me a message after a big summer storm in Virginia.
She’s right that the power going out was always one of my favorite things. When we grew up, my family would actually have nights where we turned off all the power and pretended we were living back in pioneer days. And one of the craziest parts of that little tradition is that I didn’t think it was strange until I blurted it out at college once. The looks I got definitely told me that not many other families had self-imposed power outages on a regular basis.
I don’t mean to romanticize hardship. But I am tempted to say that the power has become a little too reliable for my liking. I remember that shiver of excitement when the lights would stutter and then go out. We’d be the littlest bit scared, but candles were nearby and we were used to the dark anyway since we grew up in the country. Your eyes would slowly adjust and really, either option was a good one: stay inside and play a board game, or head out the screen door and sit in the immense quiet.
But wait, this little trip down memory lane actually has a purpose. Because in addition to making up songs on the spot and relishing sitting on the deck at night, my mother also creates these Flip-Flop Heart necklaces. A pair of flip-flops joined at the heel so they make a little heart so you can wear a bit of summertime all year long. She’s giving one away to a lucky reader – just leave a comment before Monday night with a way to reach you and I’ll pick a winner at random
flip flop heart, mom, power outages, summer
Reader Comments (33)
I love your stury about blackout nights, We lived in Florida and after a hurricane we had a period of 6 weeks where we were on minimal power. We had the power line pulled out of our house by the wind and it also wrecked a lot of the interior wiring. While we waited to get things rewired we lived with an extension cord from each of our neighbors. One ran the refrigerator and the other lights and a fan in the living room. I did not enjoy it.
How adorable is that necklace? I'm a beach lover and mourn the passing of summer every year. I can hardly stand that it is almost over, hoping for a gorgeous summer to help extend some beach days.
What a cute and clever idea! I would love to win one!
I always thought power outages were an adventure as a child too. We had about five hours without power last Saturday due to a big storm here, and it was wonderful. We lit candles, played cards, and just watched the sky while enjoying the quiet. The necklace is beautiful, and I'd love to win! Your mother is so talented.
What a lovely necklace! I would be so excited to win. She is so talented and creative!
That necklace is cute! The power going out after a storm always made me nervous. I hoped it would come back on before the total dark arrived.
Ahh, summertime you'll be back.
I used to spend 2 weeks in Ogunquit, Maine every summer when I was a child. It is and will always be my favorite place to go. So many memories of carefree days and nights, and some of the best seafood imaginable. And of course the beach was the highlight of it all... *Sigh*
I heart that necklace. Seriously! Thanks for the chance to win one!
What a wonderful summertime necklace!
We "camp out" in the living room if the lights go out. Makes it more fun for the kids, if there is a lantern on and we start a fire and roast marshmallows in the living room. :) Love that you got some looks in college. Your mom sounds awesome!
Love that message from your mom! We used to cook hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire and occasionally (if we got ambitious) would heat baked beans and play Monopoly when we had power outages when I was a kid. Now we put the fire on, heat tea in the fondu pot and light candles - we could add games like Cat and Mouse or Leapin' Lizards so I wouldn't have to do monopoly math by candlelight. It just seemed more fun when I was a kid - guess I should try making it fun again for our boy. S'mores would probably do it...
That necklace is so cute!
My favorite memories of the power going out as a kid involve singing songs and asking my parents to tell stories from their childhood. I always liked hearing about what they liked to do and what their parents were like then.
Thanks for the chance to share and the chance to win!
What a sweet necklace! Thank you for the chance to win!
I felt the same way when I was a kid. Power outages were usually the only time the entire family, including Mom & Dad, would play Monopoly. My siblings & I would be so excited! As soon as the lights went out, one of us would run into the playroom to get the game. Usually crashing into furniture because we wouldn't have a flashlight or candle. LOL
Tears just popped right into my eyes.....we used to climb onto our porch roof to have Star Parties. My mom would make appropriate star snacks, cookies shaped as such etc. I wish we had thought to have a pioneer night too.
I just started grad school and in this week of chaos and uncertainty I was just taking some time to read a little for pleasure and I am so glad I stopped in to your blog. Just what I needed to make me feel better.
not sure why my info wasn't in my first comment, but it's
scissor.pirate@gmail.com
thank you!
I love that necklace -- such a beautiful, simple idea that would remind me of summer. Thanks to you mom for the chance to win!
What a pretty and clever necklace!
ooh -- I love it! Please pick me!
Cute!
it's cold and blustery here today, making me feel melancholy for the end of summer. That necklace is a lovely reminder of happy summer days and would be happily appreciated!
This necklace is adorable and would be the perfect wedding gift for my sister, who is getting married on Sanibel Island in a month!
I absolutely love that necklace. And as much as I would want to keep it for myself, if I won it, I have the perfect friend to gift it to! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Thank you, girls, for your many sweet comments about my flip flop heart necklace. I hope whoever wins it enjoys an endless summer in your lazihood.
If you didn't win the giveaway, please check out my website at theflipflopheart.com, or click on it in Kelly's blog above. You can purchase one as a wedding gift, Rachel, or for your friend, Sally, or for YOURSELF as a love present. I have silver and gold-plated pendants, as well as sterling silver (the giveaway), and ones with or without crystals, so the prices range from $20 up to $62. The smaller sterling silver one is my biggest seller. I have a new one not yet on my web site that is a small sterling pendant with a matte flip flop sole and shiney thongs. My personal favorite.
Please forgive my self-plug, which Kelly knows I NEVER do; but I wanted to let you know how to purchase one if you'd like to do so. I'll give you $5 off if you mention having seen this on Make, Grow, Gather. But you'll need to email me (bobbiewilkinson@earthlink.net) and pay by check, since I use PayPal exclusively on my web site.
Happy last week of summer, girlfriends!