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Tag: monthly book giveaway


november book giveaway!

30
October

November 2015 giveaway seahorse page pleasure in simple things blog

Yes, I have given away an adult coloring book in a previous giveaway. But, I can’t resist giving away Johanna Basford’s newest title, Lost Ocean for this month’s giveaway!

November 2015 giveaway Lost Ocean Pleasure in simple thingsAn ocean theme? Come on! I needed this to be the November giveaway selection! The Lost Ocean is sure to help ease some stress, as well as put a smile on your face, by providing some ocean themed coloring pages.

And, for this November giveaway, I am throwing in some colored pencils as well! Just leave a comment for a chance to win! Happy coloring! :)

Samantha is the winner of the September giveaway selection and winner of the book Desserts 4 Today by Abigail Johnson Dodge. Enjoy Samantha!

November 2015 giveaway pleasure in simple things blog

In this month leading up to Thanksgiving, the dessert focus is always on the pies. I’m not the biggest pie fan. So, for this month’s Instagram challenge, I say – let’s highlight desserts and show all the great alternatives to traditional pie! Use hashtag #pleasuregram for this month’s Instagram challenge to share photos of favorite desserts. Instayum!

instagram november 2015 challenge pleasure in simple things blog

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

25 comments » | gift ideas, inspiration, monthly book giveaway

october book giveaway!

29
September

October 2015 giveaway book pleasure in simple things blog

This month’s giveaway book is a favorite of mine. When I need a quick dessert for guests and don’t want to spend a lot of time in the grocery store in preparation, this is the recipe book I grab! Every dessert in it uses just four ingredients!

recipe from october giveaway book pleasure in simple things blog

Desserts 4 Today by Abigail Johnson Dodge is a wonderful collection of recipes for flavorful desserts with just four ingredients. It is from this book that I adapted a meringue recipe to create my rosewater meringues. I know you will enjoy this recipe book as much as I do. It makes a special dessert as easy as four ingredients!

To be entered to win a copy, simply add a comment to this post. The winner will be chosen at random from the comments received during the month – my way of saying thank you for sharing pleasure in simple things with me! Good luck!

from the book desserts 4 today pleasure in simple things giveaway

The winner of last month’s selection is Heather. Congratulations to you! A lovely book Sea Glass Treasures from the Tide by Cindy Bilbao is on its way to you to remind you of summer all year long!

For Instagram followers, this month’s challenge is to post photos of white pumpkins! You know white pumpkins are one of my fall obsessions…let’s share! Post a photo of one you have decorated – like I did here – or, one you admire.  Use hashtag #pleasuregram to share your favorite white pumpkin photos. Happy fall!

Instagram challenge october 2015 pleasure in simple things blog

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

2 comments » | food & festivities, good reads, monthly book giveaway

august book giveaway!

31
July

August giveaway for pleasure in simple things blog

I remember, as a kid, the first time I had the bright idea to make my own ice pop. I poured some juice into a paper cup and put it in the freezer overnight. The next day, I rushed to the freezer, peeled off some of the paper cup, and attempted to eat my creation.

To my total disappointment, my ‘ice pop’ was rock solid, like an ice cube. Yes, I could lick it, but it didn’t have that great texture of a store bought ice pop. Little did I know then; what was missing to accomplish the texture I craved, was the right balance of sugar.

August giveaway pleasure in simple things blog

This and other important ice pop facts are explained in the book Irresistible Ice Pops by Sunil Vijayakar – the reason the book is a must have for all ice pop lovers! And, the reason it is the giveaway book for August!  Irresistible Ice Pops. includes all the basics to ice pop creation as well as a collection of some wonderful ice pop recipes. Leave me a comment and I will pick one lucky winner at random at the end of the month, from those that comment, to receive this great book. Good luck!

Congratulations to Emily for winning last month’s selection The Heirloom Tomato Cookbook.  Thank you also, Emily, for the heartfelt email.  A big thank you to everyone that entered to win!

August 2015 Instagram Challenge Icy Summer Treats

Instagram lovers, please read on! What’s your pleasure on a scorching hot summer day to help cool off? Is it a frozen drink? An ice pop? A slushie? Use hashtag #pleasuregram during the month of August to share photos of your favorite icy summer ice treat!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a fabulous weekend, Jackie

Comments Off on august book giveaway! | good reads, monthly book giveaway, recipe

may book giveaway!

1
May

May 2015 giveaway book pleasure in simple things blog

Doodles have been getting plenty of attention. In recent years, Google has definitely helped elevate doodles to an art form – don’t you agree? Who hasn’t checked out the cool doodles on the Google search bar? Now, there are a flurry of books published on the topic of doodling.

One of the more popular published works of doodles recently is Secret Garden by Johanna Basford. Designed to be interactive, this book is touted as a coloring book for adults – chock full of black and white doodles just crying out to be colored in!

inside the secret garden book pleasure in simple things blog

Like me, many of you life-long doodlers out there may be thinking “Why the heck didn’t I think of that?” Somehow, the fact that a published book of doodles exists seems to validate the compulsion we all have to create scribbles on paper. I wonder if the author’s grade school teacher complained when the margins of her assignments were full of squiggles!   Ms. Basford has made those squiggles pay off – literally!

For the May book giveaway, I will be sending a copy of Secret Garden to one of my readers. In addition, I am including a box of colored pencils from Target. (Have you seen Target’s newest section of craft supplies?!) To win, be sure to leave a comment on this post. I will pick a winner at random from all comments I receive about the giveaway on my social media during the month and announce the winner at the end of May. Good luck!

secret garden book and colored pencils pleasure in simple things blog

The winner of the April giveaway (that includes two books – click here for more) was chosen at random from the comments I received. These books will be going out to Michelle from New York. Congrats to Michelle!Instagram challenge pleasure in simple things blogIn celebration of all things doodle, the May Instagram Challenge will be to share your doodles!  For Instagram followers, please share your doodles throughout the month of May using the hashtag #pleasuregram. Doodle on!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a fabulous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

12 comments » | good reads, inspiration, monthly book giveaway

april book giveaway!

31
March

TWO giveaway books for April 2015 pleasure in simple things blog

‘Spring has sprung*’ and with it starts the season for entertaining! Beginning with Easter, the events in spring just seem to parade on, one after another – bridal and baby showers, graduations, Mother’s Day…the list seems to go on and on.

The thoughts of celebrating in mild weather is so appealing after the crazy winter we had here in Connecticut – where guests needed to negotiate snow drifts to get into the house and subzero temperatures made warm weather gear a necessity like never before! Don’t get me wrong, cozy fires and warm drinks do have a certain appeal – but, enough already!

With these thoughts in mind, I have come up with a really unique book giveaway idea for April and I am excited to tell you about it!

I found a great vintage book – published in 1966 – about entertaining, titled All About Entertaining: Everything You Need to Know to Have a Fabulous Social Life by Kay Corninth and Mary Sargent. With talk of “gloves are not only correct but called for” and “no matter how generous your husband may be with your clothing allowance…” this book is sure to be an interesting read!

april giveaway book authors pleasure in simple thingsI thought it would be fun to contrast the old with the new – SO. the winner of this month’s giveaway will receive TWO books. One is this vintage find and the other is a more recent book on entertaining called The Butler Speaks: A Guide to Stylish Entertaining, Etiquette and the Art of Good Housekeeping by Charles MacPherson. This is an author signed copy and is a great reference book for contemporary entertaining. The author has over twenty-four years of experience in household management. In 2009, he opened North America’s only registered school for butlers and household managers in Toronto. MacPherson is an expert in the areas of staffing, training and planning, and is recognized as a world authority in the household management and butler fields.

How fun to see the differences – and similarities – in entertaining guidelines between the 60’s and today! Leave a comment to be entered to win. The winner will be chosen at random from the comments. Good luck!

Congratulations to Becca, a blogger over at Becca’s Backyard, winner of the March selection Lazy Days and Beach Blankets. Shoot me an email with your address, Becca, and I will send it right out to you! This book about alfresco dining is a winner!

In the spirit of the giveaway, our Instagram challenge this month will be to post pics of entertaining. Please share the favorite moments of your celebrations by using the hashtag #pleasuregram during the month of April.

April 2015 Instagram Challenge

*P.S. I am ignoring the fact that it is snowing as I write this!

Thank you so much for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie xo

7 comments » | food & festivities, good reads, monthly book giveaway

march book giveaway!

27
February

giveaway book march 2015 pleasure in simple things blog

February has certainly gone by quickly – though I am not complaining. After the winter we have been having here in Connecticut, most people seem to have the same sentiment – spring cannot come soon enough! Now we only need to wait until the 20th day of March to officially welcome the new season!

For the giveaway book this month, I am really being a tease and selecting Lazy Days and Beach Blankets: Simple Alfresco Dining with Friends and Family by Ryland Peters & Small. Right now alfresco is really a stretch – I know – especially when you consider the temperatures are below freezing and the ground is covered with mounds of ice and snow. A girl can dream though, can’t she?

giveaway book pleasure in simple things blog

I thought this selection would prove a great way to dream of warmer days ahead! “Lazy Days and Beach Blankets” celebrates the joy of eating alfresco with loved ones and provides plenty of inspiration with beautiful images of lazy days and outdoor dining. The book contains more than 120 simple recipes and ideas for dining alfresco – sections devoted to snacks & sides, salads, barbecues, entrees, desserts, and drinks.

Leave a comment during the month of March to let me know you would like to be entered to win this book. “Lazy Days and Beach Blankets” is sure to have you dreaming of setting up cool drinks on the terrace or dinner under the stars in no time flat!

Congratulates to Barbara, the winner of the February selection, The House Gardener by Isabelle Palmer. Barb, send me an email through the blog with your mailing information, and I will send it right out to you! I know you will enjoy it!

march 2015 instagram challenge pleasure in simple things blog

For Instagram users, this month’s challenge will be to photograph the first signs of spring! We are all eager for it to arrive – what signals the start of the season to you? Please share using hashtag #pleasuregram. We could all use some images promising warmer days ahead!

Have a wonderful weekend! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

13 comments » | good reads, monthly book giveaway, sand & sea

february book giveaway!

30
January

sample from Feb giveaway book pleasure in simple things

As usual for me at this time of year, my mind wanders towards thoughts of warmer weather, gardening, and spending a lot more time outdoors. Even though I can appreciate some aspects of winter, it is most definitely not my favorite of the seasons.

With this in mind, you will understand why I chose The House Gardener by Isabelle Palmer as the book for the February giveaway selection. This book provides tons of ideas and inspiration for indoor gardens…a great way to brighten up cold winter days and to inspire thoughts of the next (warmer!) season ahead.

giveaway book for feb 15 on pleasure in simple things blogThrough this delightful book, Ms. Palmer will show you how to choose, grow, and decorate with houseplants, as well as guide you through the different techniques needed to care for your new “green guests.”

Included in this book are instructions for drying and pressing flowers, suggestions for specific plant types based on conditions, caring for orchids, creating terrariums, and much more!

Just leave a comment during the month of February to be entered into the random drawing at the end of the month.

And, a big congratulations to Carol at Art & Sand for being selected randomly from everyone that commented during the month of January!  Carol, you have won the January giveaway selection, The Kinfolk Table: Recipes for Small Gatherings by Nathan Williams.  This is a beautiful book and I know you will enjoy it!

For those that use Instagram, February’s challenge will be to share heart photos. At this time of year, hearts seem to appear everywhere! Be creative and share a photo of a heart you spot in an unexpected place using the hashtag #pleasuregram! Can’t wait to see what you find! ;)

Instagram challenge Feb 2015 pleasure in simple things blog

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend, Jackie xo

P.S.  If you want some inspiration to get started on some indoor gardening, click here for some terrarium inspiration!

3 comments » | garden, inspiration, monthly book giveaway

january book giveaway!

30
December

page from Kinfolk pleasure in simple things blog

Hard to believe – not only is it the end of the month, but also the end of the year!  Where has the time gone?!

I am pleased to announce that Manda from Oklahoma is the winner of the December giveaway book Winter Cocktails by Maria Del Mar Sacasa!  Congrats Manda!  I know you will enjoy the book!  The two calendars are going to Ashley from Texas and Mary from Chicago.

For the first giveaway book selection for 2015, I have chosen The Kinfolk Table:  Recipes for Small Gatherings by Nathan Williams.  This book is definitely a winner!  The recipes in this book are a collection of recipes from home cooks from around the world where the author has taken us into the home of each of the contributors.  “Here you will find recipes not just for one-pot stews and refreshing salads, but for evenings spent with friends when the hours pass effortlessly, conversation flows naturally, cooking us participatory, and the meal ends with a satisfying sense of accomplishment.”

free giveaway book for January by pleasure in simple things blog

The book is a great way to set the tone for the start of a new year that includes many wonderful friends and many wonderful meals – demonstrating the joy in casual entertaining.  As much a coffee table book as a recipe book, this selection is sure to please!  (So much so, I am willing to send all 344 pages of this large, heavy book to the winner via mail!)

Leave a comment here or on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to be entered to win this great book selection that will help you discover the simple pleasures of a shared meal.  Good luck!

For those on Instagram, this month’s challenge is Winter Whites!  Whether it be your skinny white cords paired with a white angora sweater or the piles of snow outside your back door, white in winter is special…a visual treat! For the month of January, let’s share photos of winter whites, using hashtag #pleasuregram. I can’t wait to see your photos!!

Jan 2015 Instagram Challenge pleasure in simple things blog

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I am excited to start a new year sharing pleasure in simple things with you!  Happy 2015!  xo Jackie

8 comments » | food & festivities, good reads, inspiration, monthly book giveaway

december book giveaway!

2
December

Dec2014 book giveaway pleasure in simple things blog winter cocktails

December is upon us!  Today I am announcing Tracy in Connecticut as the winner of the November giveaway book, Mast Brothers Chocolate.  Congrats Tracy!  The recipes in this book are super for creating holiday gifts of chocolate!  Next Friday I will be sharing the chocolate granola recipe, so be sure to stop back to see how cute it can be wrapped for giving!

The December giveaway selection is a great seasonal choice – Winter Cocktails by Maria Del Mar Sacasa.  Leave a comment to be entered to win this great selection and make some wonderful drinks (both with and without alcohol) – from mulled cider and hot toddies to lavender hot cocoa!

Recently, when I was in Anthropologie, I saw these cute 2015 calendar pages that seemed to fit in with this month’s giveaway perfectly!  So, I decided to pick up two and I will be giving away the calendars also!  Three chances to win this month!  Good luck!

cocktail calendar giveaway pleasure in simple things blog

Thanks so much for stopping by!  As December continues, I am excited to share inspiring ideas for the holiday season!  Please join me all month for creative ways to celebrate the season!

For those of you on Instagram, this month’s challenge is to share tree ornaments!  Let’s use hashtag #pleasuregram to share some of the wonderful variety of ornaments you may find.  I can’t wait to see your favorites!

Instagram december 2014 challenge pleasure in simple things blog favorite ornaments

Remember – especially during this holiday season – to find pleasure in simple things, Jackie

4 comments » | food & festivities, good reads, monthly book giveaway

november book giveaway!

31
October

Mast Brothers Chocolate pleasure in simple things

It is that time already…time to announce the winner of the October giveaway and to announce the selection for November!

Congratulations to Phyllis from Ohio for winning the October giveaway book The Cheesemonger’s Seasons: Recipes for Enjoying Cheeses with Ripe Fruits and Vegetables by Chester Hastings. Enjoy!

The November selection is a wonderful first cookbook by The Mast Brothers! Do you remember when I took you to their flagship factory and retail shop in Brooklyn for a Friday field trip?

a Mast Brothers Chocolate Products pleasure in simple things

Rick and Michael Mast are chocolate masters. Roasting cacao beans in small batches, The Mast Brothers create truly handmade chocolate – one of the few American chocolate makers to do so.

In this first cookbook, Mast Brothers Chocolate:  A Family Cookbook, the brothers tell the story of how they began their journey as chocolate makers.  And, in keeping with the Mast Brothers’ philosophy – elegant simplicity – recipes emphasize great ingredients and straightforward preparations. This book includes beautiful photographs and the Mast Brothers’ signature custom paper designs throughout.

page from the Mast Brothers Chocolate Cookbook pleasure in simple things
I plan to use recipes from this book to make some very special chocolate gifts for the holiday season.  Win a copy of this book so that you, too, can use the recipes to create some very special (and delicious) gifts. Just leave a comment, and you are entered to win!  Good luck!

Instagram users – for this month’s challenge, the theme is gratitude. Please use the hashtag #pleasuregram to share your photos.

November 2014 Instagram Challenge pleasure in simple things

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a safe Halloween and a wonderful weekend.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

9 comments » | food & festivities, holiday, monthly book giveaway

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