A Post Decadently Dedicated to...

~Chocolate~

~*~

...Because the very word can produce fainting females.

~*~

~*~

"There is dessert, and then

 there is chocolate." 

                                               

~*~

~*~

"There is nothing better than a good friend, except a

good friend with chocolate!"

                                         ~Linda Grayson

~*~

~*~

"Man cannot live on chocolate alone, but

women sure can!"

~*~

~*~

::Chocolate::

Luscious, lumpy. Load of love...

~*~

~*~

"Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces..

and then eat just one of the pieces."

~*~

~*~

::Chocolate::

Here today, gone...today!

~*~

~*~

"Forget love! I'd rather

fall in chocolate!"

~*~

~*~

"I've never met a chocolate I didn't like."

~*~

~*~

I hope I didn't make your mouth water too much...;)

~*~

~To Chocolate!~

Blessings,

::~::Lucia::~::

::Las cosas claras y el chocolate espeso: "Ideas should be clear and chocolate thick."::

{Spanish proverb}

Willkommen Januar!

{Image Source}

Meine Freunde,

..Which, in case you are in puzzlement, means "My Friends" in German. :) I thought I would take a "unique twist" on the greeting this time around. Wunderbar, nein? ;)

..I am quite ready for Spring to come again, aren't you? It seems as though I haven't seen a flower in bloom for hundreds of years. It is this point in the season that makes me wonder how the Narnians ever stood their hundred years of winter..*shivers* ;)

I am excited to see so many new faces popping up at the top of this blog! :D My hope and prayer is that you are blessed even a smidgen by something here in the days or {yes?} years to come! Because so many of you are new to my little blog, I want to tell you all a few random facts about myself. Sound good? Let me know if we have anything in common! *wink*

~ I don't use all of my fingers when I type, but nevertheless I type very quickly if not in the proper fashion. ;)

~ I always wanted to be a ballerina, and in fact my older sister took lessons. Unfortunatley, the studio moved too far away for her to continue; thus my deprived state. :)

~ I used to have white-blonde hair, but it has now darkened to a rather light brown, with severl blonde "highlights" framing my face. I have been asked dozens of times, "Where do you get your hair streaked?" Haha!

~ I have never seen an episode of "I Love Lucy." :)

~ My name, Lucia, means "Giver of Light."

~ I have a strong dislike for mushrooms, anchovies, and artichokes. :P Bleh!

~ I love writing poetry. I wrote over fifty poems when I was seven years old! I have slowed down a bit...hehe.

~ I have a pet peeve for poor writing. When I read something that doesn't flow/uses incorrect grammar/spelling, etc., it drives me crazy!

~I tend to over-compliment people on things. Especially on things {like stories, poems, pictures, etc.} that aren't exactly..good. I tell them that it's "wonderful!" when it's not...:) Hmm. I always feel bad.

~ Every time I post, I just *have* to click the "view post" button to see my changes...

~ I never truly got Algebra. Just enough to get me through life...:P

..There. I hope you enjoyed some of those very random facts! Do me a favor: let me know *one* random fact about yourself in a comment to this post. I'd love to know anything about you!

"My Umbrella's Full:" Lucia's HUGE Giveaway!!

**NOW CLOSED**
Well, the big day is here, my dear friends! It is time to officially kick off the New Year, *and,* not to mention, celebrate the fact that within just one year of blogging, I have made exactly one hundred and fourteen new friends. ;) You are amazing, followers--I can't even begin to express how honored I feel that you find my blog worthy enough to follow..but, I want to pay you back somehow. Thus, it is with great excitement and thanksgiving that I announce...





<br /><center><a href="http://one-beloved.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-umbrellas-full-lucias-huge-giveaway.html"><img src="http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx292/arieltheauthoress/vintage20woman20with20umbrella.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br /> Before I get started on showing you all of the fabulous prizes generously donated by some wonderfully kind (and talented) Etsy shoppe owners, I want to mention that the…

{MANDATORY ENTRY FOR ALL PRIZES IS:}
~Please post a seperate comment for this, as well!~

..You must be a follower of my blog, since this is a giveaway in appreciation of my followers. Make sure that you truly *want* to become a follower, though. I only want to be friends with those who truly want to be friends in return! ;)

{EXTRA ENTRIES FOR ALL PRIZES ARE:}
~You MUST Make sure to post a comment separately for each extra entry, OTHERWISE it only counts as one!~ 

1. Post about this giveaway
{1 Entry}

2. Post the giveaway button on your sidebar *(make sure to check the "shrink image" box when you're uploading it...otherwise, it's too big!)*{1 Entry}

3. E-mail at least three friends about this giveaway
{1 Entry} 

4. Heart these Etsy shoppes
{1 Entry for each shoppe you heart}

5. "Like" the Sponsors who have a FaceBook page link after their name
~I will give you the links below~
{1 Entry for each page you 'like'}

6. Visit and find your favorite thing from these shoppes, and comment
{1 Entry for each item you tell me about}

7. Tweet or FaceBook about this giveaway
{1 Entry} 8. Follow those who have the "follow on twitter" option after their prize{1 Entry} 9. Visit the Sponsors' websites, if that appears after their prize{1 Entry} 10. Add the Sponsors to your 'circle' on Etsy{1 Entry} 11. Add *my* blog button or link to your sidebar{1 Entry} 12. If you buy something from any of these shops, :) you get{3 Entries!!}   {OPTIONAL: This won't get you entries, but I'd like to know: which thing(s) would you like *best* to win? Tell me in one of your "entry" comments!}

****************************************************************************

Now. Shall we get started? We have thirty (yes, that's right!) lovely prizes, kindly donated by Etsy shop owners. Let me start off by saying a big THANK YOU to each and every one of them, for making this possible. You guys are the *best!*








From Starlit Nest, we have a wonderfully pretty fabric scrap grab bag. There are tons of delightful fabrics in there to suit your sewing needs! Thank you, Starlit Nest.  

From Barberry and Lace,

there is a gorgeouse Bronze Rose necklace. Thank you, Leigh!

From TforEdgar,

{Twitter Page}

we have a pair of unbelievably beautiful Freshwater Pearl Dangle earrings. Thanks so much, TFE!

Sterling silver.

From JenSanCandles,

{Facebook Page}

{Follow on Twitter}

...we have two large 4 oz. bars of organic Pink Grapefruit soap, for two lucky winners. :D Thanks so much, Jennifer!

From EmarieCreations,

we have the cutest set of polymer charms you will ever see! I almost want to eat them...;) Thank you, Samantha!

From DaisyEzyCraft,

you get to choose the pattern (you make yourself) of your choice from her lovely shop! You will be sure to find something to your taste..I promise. :) Thank you, DEC!

From Anthology27,

we have to-die-for earrings of aquamarine and fresh water pearls. *wistful sigh* Thank you, A27!

From CrochetmyLove,

{FaceBook Page}

look at these adorable fingerless gloves! So feminine and fun..perfect for Winter! Thanks so much, CML!

From GrandmasFridge,

here's a lovely set of print-from-home stationary. Adorable, thank you!

From Diymold,

we have a cute bunny-molded soap! Love it...thanks, June!

From aDiveand3DudesDesigns,

we have an adorable camera strap, for you photographers! ;) Now, this isn't the print you'll be getting..it was the closest one I could find, though. Your's will be cherry graphics on the black instead of ladybugs. Thank you, aDiveand3Dudes!

From VisualSentiments,

we have a gorgeous pair of Champagne, Celsian and Dark Green Leaf Earrings, with Antique Brass! Wow..thank you, Melissa. :)

From LinenLuluCottenZuZu,

someone lucky gets a "Mellow Yellow Daisy" pin! Thank you, sponsor! :)

From f2images,

we have a wonderfully vintage-looking 2011 calendar. And here's the fun part--YOU get to choose, from f2images' stock, what lovely photograph you want on your calendar! Thank you, Emiko. This will be fun! :)

From kangaroodyer,

{Website}

we have a luxurious Poet Seat Glitter Yarn of Superwash Merino, Nylon and Stellina. This was a very generouse gift, and is probably one of the best qualities of yarn you could ask for. Thank you, Gail, for your kindness!

From Godsgirl14,

we have a pretty homemade hair scrunchie. So lovely, and soft for fine hair! Thank you, Zoe. Her shop is just getting started, so be sure to stop by and visit. :)

From whimsypics...

Aren't these the prettiest gift tags you have ever seen? PERFECT for Valentine's Day, or anything! Thanks so much, Melissa. <3

From JPATPURSES,

there's a pretty handmade coin purse in this lovely design! I would love to carry that around...:) Thank you, JPAT!

**By request of this donor, please visit JPAT Purses and find your favorite item in order to enter to win it.**

From Jewel Me Pretty,

{Facebook Page}

{Twitter}

we have a $20 gift certificate for her *amazing* store! You won't believe the feminine and gorgeous things she has to offer. Above are only two of the selections! Thank you, Rin! <3

From Te Teles Tai,

We have a GORGEOUS 'Scarlett' necklace--gold heart, chain, and red glass bead fringed necklace. It is 18" long and adjustable to 20. Thank you so much, Te Teles Tai! :) Be sure to visit her shop...

From Brisil... 

Enter to win a wonderful offer from Miss Silvana's lovely shoppe: a free luscious bath sugar scrub (as seen on HGTV!) for *free* with purchase of $20 or more of other items. That shouldn't be too hard to do! ;) Thank you for this generosity, Silvana.

{Note: if you win this, you are not obliged to accept it.}

From JadeExpressions,

we have a lovely crocheted flower. Note: you are not getting the hat. :) Thank you, Jade!

From BananaShowcase,

We will have a pretty handmade pillowcase just for you! Note: the one pictured above is not the prize. Thank you so much, BS!

From Ruby Shoes, Co.,

We have a lovely set of cards! Thank you so much! And be sure to visit their website (link provided) to view their ministry and lovely shoppe. :)

**JUST ADDED!**

From BucktoothedBunny,

{Facebook Page}

we have this ADORABLE "love" themed tote bag..perfect for books, schoolwork, sewing, other purses, swimmin..anything! THANK YOU, Toni!

**JUST ADDED!**

From PeculiarParchment,

a $10 gift certificate for their lovely papercraft shoppe! If you are the crafty type, or simply need cards for a special occasion, this is the place to go. :)

**JUST ADDED!**

From HandyMaiden,

this adorable (I know, now that word is over-used...NO, it isn't! :), pretty, and sweet polymer molded heart necklace! And you just HAVE to check out her shop....it is the cutest place you will ever see. Go! Now! ;)

And, from myself,

~A set of five handmade valentine notecards

~A blog makeover with a custom 

*header

*color theme

*signature

{OTHER NOTES ON THIS GIVEAWAY:}

1. This giveaway is only open to U.S. Residents. I'm sorry! :(

2. You are only eligible to win one of the prizes.

3. Your entries don't go for one specific prize; you could win any of them.

4. The giveaway ends at 12:00 a.m., EST, January 31st. Hurry! :)

5. MORE items *may* be added in the coming days. :) Check back!

*************************************************************************************

...Well, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and start typing..this giveaway's too BIG to miss! Thank you once again to all of my sponsors--your shoppes are all exquisite. :)