Happy 70th to my Dad!

I never hesitate to answer the question about the relevance of today's date.
The anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor?
Nope -
My dad's birthday!

Apparently my grandma used to say that my dad was born when they dropped the first bomb on Pearl Harbor. (bad joke, but com'on -  laugh)
And so today I tell you again that sure, it's Pearl Harbor day, but it's also the anniversary of the beginning of my dad's life!

I get my blonde, fine hair (fingers crossed mine sticks around... sorry, Dad!), my allergies, and affinity for sweets from him.  We have the same face, too.  He taught me at a young age how to throw a curve ball and I still know how. If I had been a boy, my name would be akin to his.  Basically I am my dad, in girl form.

I inherited his genuine desire for everyone to always feel comfortable, probably because he did a good job of taking care of me. And recently his acts of kindness brought tears to my eyes as I watched him hand a dollar to a veteran begging in the median of a highway. (Probably because city living calloused me to sadly ignore such people.) He goes out of his way to help others and if I can simply pass that on one day, then I feel a piece of him will always be with me (not that he's going anywhere, anytime soon!)

Happy 70th Bday, Daddy-o.

Oh oh, in celebration of my dad's 70th, today only I am offering free shipping on my Scentsy site.  You must email me with the order & payment info for me to cover the shipping costs, though!

{Vicki's Favorite Things} Jockey!

Wrapping up Crowning Victoria's 1 year Blogiversary with Vicki's Favorite Things, I bring you

Jockey!

"Jockey.com® offers the largest assortment of Jockey® products!"  I love my Jockey products.  They wear well, last long, and are very comfortable.  I own their yoga pants, PJ pants, and underwear and love 'em.  And now we are talking about my underwear. fabulous!

    Check it:

Workout/Yoga Shirts!

Activewear pants! 

Favorites. All. of. them.
(Sorry I just couldn't post an underwear pic!)

"Enjoy risk-free shopping on Jockey.com®. Your 100% satisfaction is guaranteed with every order. If you need to return your purchase for any reason, use the Printable Return form found on our Return Policy page and complete the following steps."  I LOVE that in a company!

You can purchase your clothing from Jockey today, 10% off with checkout code: TENOFF!

(When I googled the company that came up from their site page!)

Jockey is offering one lucky winner this a $50 shopping spree + FREE shipping!!

As you know, I love my yoga and my clothes, so this is a perfect giveaway!

Here's how to enter this giveaway:

Mandatory Entry:  Comment below telling your favorite way to workout!

(**You must do the first entry first to qualify for bonus entries. Please leave a comment for each entry separately!**)

Bonus Entries
1.  Go to Jockey and comment here below, telling me your favorite item!
2.  Follow Crowning Victoria with Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
3.  Like me on Facebook (1 entry)

4. Follow @CrowndVic* on Twitter and tweet** this giveaway (1 entry)

*Tweets protected.  I will approve you as long as you're not a bot.

**Anything appropriate or something like:  "There's a Blogiversary celebration with @CrowndVic's Favorite Things featuring @Jockey!  #giveaway http://ow.ly/45a1z  "

5. Like Jockey on Facebook! (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on 3/3/11 at 11 PM EST.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and will be e-mailed. Make sure to leave an e-mail address for contact.  The winner has 48 hrs. to respond to my e-mail or another winner will be chosen. I will announce the winner on my blog, as well. Valid USA ONLY! No PO Box addresses will be accepted. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask!

{photos by Jockey}

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this giveaway. I purchased my awesome, favorite Jockey wear and proudly wear them (even the underwear).  All opinions are 100% honest and my own. For 'rizzle.

{Vicki's Favorite Things} Josiah's Nest

Next in Crowning Victoria's 1 year Blogiversary with Vicki's Favorite Things, I bring you Josiah's Nest.




Josiah's Nest features some of the most unique fabric necklaces and headbands I ever laid eyes on!  Moriah, the brains and beauty behind this shop, has an adorable baby boy, Josiah, and is expecting a baby girl, Lucia Rose!  This momma is amazing!


    Check it:

Fabric Knot Necklace in Vintage Ginger

Peony Headband - Customized!

I absolutely love them all!

You can purchase your accessories from  Josiah's Nest now, 15% off with checkout code: VICTORIA15!

Josiah's Nest is offering one lucky winner a customized headband of their choice!! 

As you may know,  I'm a fan of having things done my way.  Some might call this being a "control-freak."  I call it having preferences.  Customized orders? A clear favorite!

Here's how to enter this giveaway:

Mandatory Entry:  Comment below telling something that MUST be done your way!

(**You must do the first entry first to qualify for bonus entries. Please leave a comment for each entry separately!**)

Bonus Entries
1.  Go to Josiah's Nest and comment here below, telling me your favorite item!
2.  Follow Crowning Victoria with Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
3.  Like me on Facebook (1 entry)

4. Follow @CrowndVic* on Twitter and tweet** this giveaway (1 entry)

*Tweets protected.  I will approve you as long as you're not a bot.

**Anything appropriate or something like:  "There's a Blogiversary celebration with @CrowndVic's Favorite Things featuring @JosiahsNest! #giveaway http://ow.ly/453Gz "

Giveaway will end on 3/3/11 at 11 PM EST.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and will be e-mailed. Make sure to leave an e-mail address for contact.  The winner has 48 hrs. to respond to my e-mail or another winner will be chosen. I will announce the winner on my blog, as well. Valid in the USA only! No PO Box addresses will be accepted. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask!

{photos by Josiah's Nest}

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this giveaway. I purchased my awesome, favorite fabric necklaces and love them.  All opinions are 100% honest and my own.  Moriah is awesome!

{Vicki's Favorite Things} Cotton Lane!

Continuing in Crowning Victoria's 1 year Blogiversary with Vicki's Favorite Things, I bring you Cotton Lane.

Caroline creates unique jewelry, headbands, clips, pouches, and home goods!  They are all beautiful pieces!

I proudly wear the headband and necklace I own, sported the necklace in an SOS post, and love reading her blog (love the URL!!).

    Check it:

Blue Bird Bow Headband

Button Clip In Bloom-in-Red

Dontcha just LOVE them?

You can purchase your accessories from Cotton Lane now, 15% off with checkout code: HAPPYBIRTHDAY!

Cotton Lane is offering one lucky world-wide winner this Fresh Bloom Necklace in Ivory!!

As you may know, flowers are one of my favorite things!

This necklace is a beaaautiful flower (and I LOVE mine in yellow)!

Here's how to enter this giveaway:

Mandatory Entry:  Comment below telling your favorite flower!

(**You must do the first entry first to qualify for bonus entries. Please leave a comment for each entry separately!**)

Bonus Entries
1.  Go to Cotton Lane and comment here below, telling me your favorite item!
2.  Follow Crowning Victoria with Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
3.  Like me on Facebook (1 entry)

4. Follow @CrowndVic* on Twitter and tweet** this giveaway (1 entry)

*Tweets protected.  I will approve you as long as you're not a bot.

**Anything appropriate or something like:  "There's a Blogiversary celebration with @CrowndVic's Favorite Things featuring @CottonLane!  #giveaway http://ow.ly/45042 "

5. Heart CottonLane on Etsy (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on 3/3/11 at 11 PM EST.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and will be e-mailed. Make sure to leave an e-mail address for contact.  The winner has 48 hrs. to respond to my e-mail or another winner will be chosen. I will announce the winner on my blog, as well. Valid worldwide! No PO Box addresses will be accepted. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask!

{photos by Cotton Lane}

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this giveaway. I have my own awesome, favorite accessories from Caroline and  proudly wear them.  All opinions are 100% honest and my own. Scout's honor!

{Vicki's Favorite Things} Uptown Avenue

Next up in Crowning Victoria's 1 year Blogiversary with Vicki's Favorite Things, I bring you Uptown Avenue.



Uptown Avenue features funky jewelry, coffee cozies, "geekery cases" and other fun home decor items!

Taken from their shop info: "We are two fun-loving chicks - a mother and daughter team, Lex and Theresa. A portion of each purchase is donated to charities that we love. Some of our favorite charities include Orphan Cry {which was originally just Russia and has expanded to include Liberia}, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Autism Speaks."

I love all of their fun items and their charitable support!

    Check it:

Mustache Button Pendant Necklace, in Red

Vintage Inspired Diamond Weave Post Earrings

Sock Monkey E-Reader Cozy

But my ultimate favorite item in their shop?
COFFEE COZY!!

Get this: they are REVERSABLE!
Double the fun!

 (No more harming the environment with wasteful cardboard! I own the one pictured and love it!)

Mushroom Love Reversible Coffee Cozy

You can purchase your fun stuff from Uptown Avenue now, 10% off with checkout code: UPTOWNLUV!

Uptown Avenue is offering one lucky winner a (favorite) coffee cozy of their choosing!!

As you may know, coffee and tea are one of my favorite pick-me-ups! Instant Happiness.

Here's how to enter this giveaway:

Mandatory Entry:  Comment below telling your favorite pick-me-up!

(**You must do the first entry first to qualify for bonus entries. Please leave a comment for each entry separately!**)

Bonus Entries
1.  Go to Uptown Avenue and comment here below, telling me your favorite item!
2.  Follow Crowning Victoria with Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
3.  Like me on Facebook (1 entry)

4. Follow @CrowndVic* on Twitter and tweet** this giveaway (1 entry)

*Tweets protected.  I will approve you as long as you're not a bot.

**Anything appropriate or something like:  " There's a Blogiversary celebration with @CrowndVic's Favorite Things featuring @UptownAvenue!  #giveaway  http://ow.ly/44Tt8 "

5. Heart Uptown Avenue on Etsy (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on 3/3/11 at 11 PM EST.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and will be e-mailed. Make sure to leave an e-mail address for contact.  The winner has 48 hrs. to respond to my e-mail or another winner will be chosen. I will announce the winner on my blog, as well. Valid in the USA only. No PO Box addresses will be accepted. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask!

{photos by Uptown Avenue}

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this giveaway. I purchased my awesome coffee cuff and wanted to share Uptown Avenue with you.  All opinions are 100% honest and my own. No pants on fire.

{Vicki's Favorite Things} After Nine to Five Designs

Continuing with Crowning Victoria's 1 year Blogiversary with Vicki's Favorite Things, I bring you After Nine to Five Designs.



After Nine to Five features beautiful, unique jewelry made by the lovely and talented Ashley.

Taken from her shop info: "After Nine To Five mainly specializes in jewelry, but plans are already in place to expand the A9T5 Designs line in the future. Soon to be included: photobooks, journals, greeting cards, luggage tags, and much more."

This chica writing this here post is wayyyy excited to see what's in store for After Nine to Five! Bee tee dubs, the hodge-podge button for Vicki's Favorite Things was created by Ashley!!!
I totally luuurve her work, her blog, and the lady behind it all is a new favorite of mine.

    Check it:

Brass Heart with Lock and Key Necklace

Be Free Unlocked Bracelet

Favorites. All. of. them.

You can purchase your accessories from After Nine to Five Designs now, 20% off with checkout code: CROWNDVICTORIA!

(by the by, this is the largest discount code Ashley has ever offered! WOOT! Go show her some LOVE!)

After Nine to Five Designs is offering one lucky world-wide winner this Silver Toned Camera Necklace!!

3/4 wide x 1/2 long camera necklace on a 19" silver tone chain with lobster clasp

As you may know, photography is one of my favorite hobbies.  This necklace is perfect!

Here's how to enter this giveaway:

Mandatory Entry:  Comment below telling your favorite hobby!

(**You must do the first entry first to qualify for bonus entries. Please leave a comment for each entry separately!**)

Bonus Entries
1.  Go to After Nine to Five Designs and comment here below, telling me your favorite item!
2.  Follow Crowning Victoria with Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
3.  Like me on Facebook (1 entry)

4. Follow @CrowndVic* on Twitter and tweet** this giveaway (1 entry)

*Tweets protected.  I will approve you as long as you're not a bot.

**Anything appropriate or something like:  "There's a Blogiversary celebration with @CrowndVic's Favorite Things featuring @AfterNinetoFive!  #giveaway http://ow.ly/44Kme "

5. Heart After Nine to Five on Etsy (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on 3/3/11 at 11 PM EST.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and will be e-mailed. Make sure to leave an e-mail address for contact.  The winner has 48 hrs. to respond to my e-mail or another winner will be chosen. I will announce the winner on my blog, as well. Valid worldwide! No PO Box addresses will be accepted. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask!

{photos by After Nine to Five}

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this giveaway. I purchased my awesome, favorite accessories and  proudly wear them.  All opinions are 100% honest and my own. Cross my heart. And Ashley is favorite-tastic.

{Vicki's Favorite Things} Twenty Five Design!

To kick off Crowning Victoria's 1 year Blogiversary with Vicki's Favorite Things, I bring you

Twenty Five Design.

Twenty Five Design features my favorite rosettes on headbands, hair pins, shoe clips, necklaces, and even rings.

I own 3 headbands, 2 hair clippies, 2 necklaces, and one ring.  Clearly, Torie is one of my favorites.

    Check it:

Totally all favorites.

You can purchase your accessories from Twenty Five Design now, 10% off with checkout code: VICTORIA10!

My ultimate favorite? The headband! 

Twenty Five Design is offering one lucky winner a headband of their choice!

(some of her beauties)

Turquoise and Red fabric flower headband

A Touch of Purple Fabric Flower, metal headband

Here's how to enter this giveaway:

Mandatory Entry:  Go to Twenty Five Design and comment here below, telling me your favorite item!

(**You must do the first entry first to qualify for bonus entries. Please leave a comment for each entry separately!**)

Bonus Entries
1. Follow Crowning Victoria with Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
2. Like me on Facebook (1 entry)

3. Follow @CrowndVic* on Twitter and tweet** this giveaway (1 entry)

*Tweets protected.  I will approve you as long as you're not a bot.

**Anything appropriate or something like:  "There's a Blogiversary celebration with @CrowndVic's Favorite Things featuring @25Design  #giveaway http://ow.ly/44Fpd  "

4. Heart Twenty Five Design on Etsy (1 entry)
5. Like Twenty Five Design on Facebook (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on 3/3/11 at 11 PM EST.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and will be e-mailed. Make sure to leave an e-mail address for contact.  The winner has 48 hrs. to respond to my e-mail or another winner will be chosen. I will announce the winner on my blog, as well. Valid for USA only. No PO Box addresses will be accepted. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask!

{photos by Twenty Five Design}

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this giveaway. I purchased my awesome, favorite accessories and  proudly wear them.  All opinions are 100% honest and my own. Cross my heart.

Blogiversary! {Vicki's Favorite Things}

It's a big day here at Crowning Victoria!

Today this blog turns one year old!!!

It's hard to believe I created this blog a year ago with the sole intention of sharing wedding plans with my family and friends.  I wanted to keep everyone in the loop, and writing it once (as opposed to five phone calls plus) seemed the most efficient way.

My first post recounted the proposal details.  The first line "Here's how it all began..." couldn't ring more true.

Now here we are on my 239th post!
My favorite posts that really share insight into my world include my top twenty post-engagement thoughts, the time Mike tried to wear shoulder-pads, and dancing my heart out at two friends' wedding.

In appreciation for you, my dear readers, who helped this little blog grow into a place I feel comfortable sharing and documenting my life, we shall celebrate!

And how shall we celebrate?  Well, we'll do it up like Oprah, except not... because if you look under your work chair or living room couch right now you will not find amazing gifts, sorry. HOWEVER! You will have a chance to win some of my favorite things with the upcoming giveaways and discount codes!

Be sure to check back constantly today to learn more about what I love, and win those items!

Follow me on Twitter, Like me on Facebook, or Connect with GFC, and come join the FUN!

Happy Day to ALL!

Wedding Invitation Inspiration

It's about time for us to settle in on an invite!

Here are a few of my favs from the internet:

Credit where due:
(from left to right)

Top: Miss Print Design, The Inspired Note

Middle: Peacock Invitations, Lauren Alexa

Bottom: Peacock Invitations, DIYva Designs


I can't wait to incorporate the peacock color scheme into our invites!
What do yours look like? Or what do you envision them to look like?

Peeaaa Essssss: One of the invites pictured above is ours.  Don't try to guess which one, because they are all fabulous... just wait for the surprise to be revealed! 

Purple Wedding Inspiration

About two weeks ago, Mike and I took off to South Florida for our friends', Ian & Ashley, wedding.  The ceremony and reception both took place at a lovely restaurant that specializes in hosting events, Benvenuto's. The late October, South Florida weather graced their outdoor nuptials.

And so, here are some pics:

(Stupid woman in my shot)

lovely flower arrangements

The gorgeous bride and groom! (dress  by Jasmine Couture)

Husband and Wife!

The reception space - gorgeous pink uplighting!

The cake! Love the swirlies!

Centerpieces

A nice touch waiting for us at the tables (and a good pic)

The bride and a few of her Bridesmaids!

Friends.

{all photos by Yours Truly, Me -- don't take what's not yours}

You Tube Wedding Fun!

It's the weekend of my bestie's 30th, Memorial Day weekend, and the homestretch before summer vacation. 
In honor of all the fun I'm having, and drinking, here are some of my favorite You Tube wedding related videos. (and one fun one: "Can I touch it? No I don't wanna!")

The ever-famous, and always entertaining Wedding Entrance Dance to Chris Brown's Forever


I LOVE the Dirty Dancing parody:

Funny Wedding Vows:


And one just for fun...Kid who meets lobsters for the first time.



Happy Weekend, ya'll!

The Electric Slide Incident

I LOVE to dance at weddings, be it in circle, in a line, in a group, or alone. And I LOVE am obsessed with rocking out to the Electric Slide (boogie-woogie-woogie).  Naturally, when it came on this past weekend I did my thang, which involves some heavy-duty dancing.






 








We're talking full-dip-down-to-the-floor for the "toe-tap" and full turns on what should be the grape-vine.  (and yes I even know the technical terms for these dance moves).

I danced SO HARD and full-out during The Electric Slide that I my quads still ache today, 3+ days after the wedding.  It was worth. every. second.  I owned that dance.
I had a blast!
 

Which leads me ask, do you dance at weddings?
Do you have a favorite song to strut-your-stuff to, at weddings?

And another important point.... DJ or Band?
Mike is dying for a band and I could go either way, just so long as, ya know, they play the electric slide.

{all photos courtesy of Mike via my awesome camera}
(Now go on and register for my UnderGlass Jewelry GiveAway!  Today is the LAST DAY!)