What I Wore : The Dream Jean + A Giveaway

Dream Jean?

Why yes, thank you very much.

With more spandex than your average legging but the feel of a high quality, softest soft denim, these are more than jeans.

These are I got them in the mail, tried them on and didn't take them off kind of good.

By Haggar Canada, the jeans sincerely fit like a dream at a price that is UNHEARD of for jeans that fit this well.

Shabby Apple Giveaway

Since we may or may not be expecting a winter storm today, I am even more excited to be leaving for Florida on Saturday.
And with thoughts of warm weather inevitably come thoughts of cool summer dresses and fabulous swimwear. Totally logical right?
Enter Shabby Apple.
They always get it right in both departments.

Behold, the new "Fetes des Fleurs" line.
How beautiful are these colors for Spring/Summer? 
I especially love the lilac.
And the ballet pointe shoes pairing? No words. 

 Looking for retro-inspired swimwear? Nobody does it better.
I picked up one of their lovelies last year and it has quickly become my favorite suit.
I have my eye on the nautical inspired beauty on the left.
So pretty. 

The team at Shabby Apple has graciously offered up a $50 gift card today!
{unfortunately, this one is open to readers with US addresses only}
:: good luck ::

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I LOVE the Birthday Girl Group Giveaway

So, it's someone's birthday today.

And she may or may not be the namesake of this here little blog.

In honor of this, and Christina from The Olive Tree's sweet Lyla's FIRST birthday {eeek!}, we decided to put a little gift together. 

From all of our lovely friends to you.

Easy rafflecopter entry ::open to residents of the US & Canada. 

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What I Might Do with $1000

For the purpose of this exercise, let's pretend I don't have children that would be asking me to buy them over-priced jackets, video games and toys. 
And that I'm allowed to be completely selfish. 
Oh, and we'll also pretend that I have a babysitter for the entire day!

1. With 3 kids in tow (usually), I find the cross-body bag is the best way to go. This one by Michael Kors in navy. would be perfect for the Spring.

2. I've been looking to replace my gold-tone watch. This one by Marc Jacobs would do nicely.

3. A few little, albeit extravagant goodies from the make up counter. The perfect red and the perfect neutral.

4. Black skinnies from Ted Baker. 

5. And yes, of course they made an appearance. I would get red because I know I wouldn't otherwise.


And with the leftover dollars, this mama would treat herself to a nice, long facial. 
See how happy she looks?

What would YOU do with a $1000?
Tell me! And the enter for a chance to win HERE. 

Banana Loaf : A Recipe & Our Winners

I have seen what feels like 101 variations of banana bread.loaf.cake floating around the internet as of late but I still couldn't resist sharing as I munch away on a piece this morning.
I have been making this ridiculously simple banana bread recipe for years.

It comes from The Canadian Living Cookbook and is a no-fail.
The secret to it's "moistness" is definitely the addition of sour cream. 

You can choose to add chocolate chips, nuts or whatever else you enjoy but my kids love it plain and simple.

It never lasts more than an evening.

Banana Loaf
1 cup of mashed, very ripe bananas
1 cup of granulated sugar
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
1/2 cup of sour cream
2 eggs, beaten
1 - 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp of baking soda
1/2 tsp of salt

Prepare two bowls : in one bowl, combine bananas, sugar, oil, sour cream and eggs. 
Mix thoroughly.
In the other bowl, combine your dry ingredients including flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 
Add the latter to your banana mixture, mixing just until combined.
Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake in a 325 degree oven for 1 to 1 and 1/4 hours or until a toothpick comes out clean. {we enjoy it on the "well done" side}
Cool in pan for 5 minutes or so and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Note: delish on it's own. twice as good with butter. I know, I know.

How does your own compare to this one? 

Winner of our 5 for 5 group giveaway is comment #457, Betsy Neville.
Winner of the Leapster GS & game cartridge is comment #469, Jeanne Fairbanks Conner.
Congrats ladies! I will email you both today. 

5 for 5 Group Giveaway

Know that this giveaway was planned in an effort to acknowledge my hitting 500 GFC followers on our little blog.

Also know that I may or may not be a little late.

So excited to share these amazing gals, their shops and their goodies with you today!

Blog :: Shop :: Pinterest

Blog :: Shop :: Pinterest

Shop :: Facebook

Blog :: Shop :: Facebook

 

Winner take all! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And just when you thought you couldn't possibly STAND any more excitement!
Enter below for a chance to win a new Leapster GS and one game cartridge courtesy of LeapPad.

Note: entry in the 5 for 5 Group Giveaway is MANDATORY in order to participate in this separate grand prize drawing. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This makes my Monday happy.

Good luck!

Jump! :: Hapari Swimwear Giveaway

The kids had a blast making sure I finally got the settings set up correctly on my camera for the ever-elusive jump shot.

How much fun are these?!

And speaking of all things summer, can we talk fabulous swimwear for just a little minute?

Hapari is a swimwear company that is definitely worth a visit. I was impressed not only by their amazing selection, but also by their extremely reasonable pricing (with lots of great looks on sale!). 

For us {ahem} no-longer-21 gals, they offer several tankini options that show off your curves without showing too much. 

Here are just a few of my many favorites: 

turquoise classic bandeau tankini

black classic bandeau tankini

lava sport tankini

From Hapari's website: 

Our swimsuits are anything but boring with colorful prints and patterns that flatter the figure and look beautiful on every woman. With our special style tabs, most of our tankinis can be worn one of three ways: halter-top, criss-cross, and tank, meaning that you can choose the style that you suits you best. Each will give you the appropriate coverage, comfort, and support that you want in a suit. In addition, all of our tops can be mixed and matched with any of our bottoms, so that you can create the perfect swimsuit that for you.

Can I get an amen?


Wanna win an $85 gift card to this amazing site?
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck.

Leftie

We've been watching Ava for a while now.

The way she colors. Holds a spoon when self-feeding.

She is definitely a leftie.

Did you know that only approximately 15% of the world population is? And that males are 2x more likely to be than females?

Or that lefties are more likely to be geniuses? 20% of MENSA members are.

I think she is too. 

Dress - Tommy Hilfiger

The likelihood of 2 righties (like my husband and I) having a left-handed child is only 2%. 

And we have two of 'em.

Since this sweet girl is a leftie as well.

Headband - Goody | Tank - Old Navy

I would say we won the leftie lottery.

Since 3 out of the last 5 U.S. president's (including Mr. Obama) are all lefties.

Too soon?

Do you have or are you a leftie? So curious.
Read more cool facts here.

Photo Challenge :: Fave from April

This week's prompt at The Paper Mama is to share your favorite photo from April.

That one's easy...I've shared this photo already, and used it on my page's facebook banner AND on my new shop banner. {added tons of sweet goodies for newborn babes :: come have a peek!}

Just can't get enough of this giggling face.

Seeing her happy makes my heart happy.

Winner of our eShakti birthday giveaway was comment #9, Christina from The Olive Tree. Congrats! I will email you. 

A Day at the Races

It's funny. 

IRL I barely ever wear red. Yet, whenever I'm putting together a board on Polyvore, I'm inevitably drawn to a punch of red, especially with crisp black and white.

This week's prompt "Decked out for the Derby", had me thinking of hats.

Big, fabulous hats. 
And equally big sunglasses.

{for full outfit details follow me on Polyvore.}

A gal can change twice during the races, non?

Hoping so since I couldn't decide between this stunning Lanvin one-shoulder top and the sleek red dress.

I'm thinking day.night

Yes, that's it.

Last day to enter our eShakti giveaway here!

Winner of the Little Patootique giveaway is April G. Congrats! I will email you.

They Say it's Your Birthday

It's funny how the older you get, the less you want to remember celebrate your birthday. 

I plan on keeping it low-key this weekend. 

But we do actually have a semi-date night planned for Saturday night, in the form of a sans kids birthday party, so this week's Friday Fancie's theme was perfect.

To see full outfit details, {including the color block poncho I am beyond obsessed with} follow me on Polyvore. 

And in the spirit of birthday's, a gift for you :: a choice of anything from eShakti's site, {I once chose this lovely} to a maximum value of $60.

Anything!
If only all birthday gifts were this perfect. 

To Enter:
You must be a follower of my blog.
Visit eShakti's site here and tell me what you would choose if you won.
Extra Entries:
{leave a separate comment for each}
Like eShakti's facebook page here. 
Follow eShakti on twitter here.
Like my facebook page here.
Follow me on twitter here.
Follow me on pinterest here.
Tweet about the giveaway (2 entries) including link to post "I entered @avagracescloset giveaway to win a $60 credit from eShakti. Have you?" 
Open to residents of the US/Canada.
Contest closes May 4th at midnight.
::Good Luck::

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend!

Friday Fancies.A Blogiversary.Group Giveaway

March 23rd.

Exactly a year ago today, I wrote my very first blog post.
I didn't really know at the time what direction the blog would take.
I like that it's morphed into a hold memories.share inspiration.look back at our outfits kinda place.
All things that make me happy.


This week's prompt at Long Distance Loving was your hoop team's colors/March Madness. Since we Canadians don't do the college ball team thing, here's what I got.
I kinda miss the purple that used to be a signature for our T.O. Raptors. But this will do.
{to see full outfit details, follow me on Polyvore here}

And now, onto the group giveaway!!

Winner takes it all!
To enter:
You MUST be a follower of Ava Grace's Closet via GFC.
For additional entries:
1 entry for each of the sponsors blogs.shops.facebook.twitter.pinterest followed or liked :: all direct links below
Please leave a separate comment for each!

 blog :: shop :: twitter 

website

 blog :: facebook :: pinterest :: twitter

blog :: shop :: twitter:: facebook

blog+shop :: facebook

See tabs on sidebar

*Contest closes on Friday, March 31st at midnight*.
**open to U.S. and Canada** **Winner will be chosen by random.org**

Good Luck!