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Feb 9

Freebie Fridays: February 5 Winner

For this month’s Freebie Friday, we asked you to tell us your Valentine’s Day plans in exchange for a chance to win two luxurious cotton and linen robes from organic fabric retailer Coyuchi.  Many of you are headed out for dinner with your sweethearts, while others will be calling,texting and mailing care packages to long-distance loves. Others are staying in with family and friends — reader Sarah is hosting a craft night for her mom and twin sister.

And one Freebie Friday fan, Trish, is even getting married this February 14. Congratulations, Trish!

So, who can add some time in these bathrobes to their Valentine’s Day itinerary?

Coyuchi Organic His and Hers Robes

This month’s lucky random winner is Sue, who plans to have a double Valentine’s Day: spaghetti and meatballs with the kids, then a trip out on town for after-dinner cocktails with her husband.  Congratulations, Sue!  She has two weeks to reply to our messages and claim the prize before we choose another random winner.

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

Feb 3

Freebie Fridays: Luxurious Cotton + Linen Bathrobes for Two From Coyuchi

Happy February, all! It’s officially the month of love, or, in other words, only 11 more days until Valentine’s Day.  Have you found that special something for your special someone? This month’s giveaway is all about pampering someone you love (and of course, yourself.)

We’re partnering with luxury organic goods retailer Coyuchi to give one winner two luxurious cotton and linen bathrobes. That’s one 100-percent organic cotton, super-soft robe for you and one for a lucky significant other, child or friend.

The cotton terry-lined robe falls well below the knee, and is perfect for lounging on lazy mornings and relaxed evenings. Inside and outside ties help you refine the fit. The winner will get his or her choice of two robes in men’s or women’s small, medium or large.

Organic Cotton Terry Linen Robe from Coyuchi

Want to win this amazing set?  Just answer this week’s question: What are you planning this Valentine’s Day? Going out? Staying in? Keeping it casual or going all out? Flowers? Chocolate? Tell us in the comments below.

You may only comment once to be considered, and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited by law. Only open to legal residents of 50 U.S., D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 years of age to win. All entries (comments) must be entered between 9:00 a.m. ET on February 3, 2012 and 12:00 p.m. ET on February 6, 2012. Subject to full official rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of prize: $352. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a HGTV, 9721 Sherrill Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37932.

Jan 15

Freebie Fridays: January 6 Winner

So,  how are your New Years’ resolutions going? We asked what you were resolving to change this year, and you told us your goals, big and small. This January, we resolved to give one lucky reader a fresh new look in their bedroom with a complete Coyuchi Deep Woods Collection Bedding Set from eco-friendly retailer Bambeco.  Ready to hear who won big?

Freebie Fridays - Bambeco Deep Woods Bedding

This month’s random winner is Judy A., whose New Year’s resolution is to “Face each day with hope and a smile!”  (Hopefully the new bedding will help.) Judy has two weeks to respond to our messages before we choose another random winner.

Congratulations, Judy ! Stay tuned for our  next amazing giveaway on February 3.

Jan 6

Freebie Fridays: Deep Woods Collection Bedding Set From Bambeco

Happy New Year, Freebie Fridays fans!  The new year is the perfect time for a fresh start: at the gym, at the dinner table and yes, with your decor. For today’s giveaway, one lucky fan will win the centerpiece to a brand new bedroom: a complete Coyuchi Deep Woods Collection Bedding Set from eco-friendly retailer Bambeco.

Bambeco Deep Woods Bedding

The ultra-soft percale sheets are made with organic cotton to keep you warm through the cold winter nights. The set looks sharp, too: the textured gray linen duvet cover (made from flax) boasts a stylish yellow stripe, while the sham is stitched with coordinating diamonds. Forget going to the gym at 6 a.m….your new resolution will be to sleep in.

The winner will get his or her choice of bedding set size: twin, full/queen or king. Leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win! This week’s question: What’s your resolution for 2012?

You may only comment once to be considered, and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited by law. Only open to legal residents of 50 U.S., D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 years of age to win. All entries (comments) must be entered between 9:00 a.m. ET on January 6, 2012 and 12:00 p.m. ET on January 9, 2012. Subject to full official rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of each prize: $528  to $652. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a HGTV, 9721 Sherrill Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37932.

Jan 3

12 Fabulous Calendars for 2012 + Free Printable Calendar

Welcome to 2012! It’s that time of year where we get to start fresh, make new goals and look forward to all that the new year has to offer. It’s a great time to get organized and what better way than with a pretty calendar? While some prefer to keep track of everything digitally, I love having an actual printed calendar on my bulletin board. I design a full-page calendar each year for my readers to download and I’m sharing it today with our HGTV readers, as well.

Download printable calendar

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Dec 15

Freebie Fridays: December 2 Winners

My, my.  You’ve all been busy! We asked what you were baking and making this season, and you gave us hundreds of great ideas,   from HappyGecko’s cranberry-jalapeno salsa (yum!) to Maryann’s traditional family-recipe German pepper cookies. Reader Sara P. is taking homemade a step further by making mead this year with honey from her very own beehives.

Now, a treat for five of you: We’ve picked the random winners of the custom-made Premium Collection Food Processor from Magimix by Robot Coupe. Ready?

Magimix by Robot-Coupe Premium Collection Food Processor - HGTV design blog

This month’s winners are Amanda A., Melissa, Michelle D., Tara and Linda. Each random winner will have two weeks from today to respond to our messages, and choose their favorite shade from Magimix’s nine trendy hues: white, ivory, black, red, orange, citrus, blue, fuschia pink or chrome.  Then, the processors will be custom-made and shipped with all the available accessories.

Congratulations to our winners, and happy baking, everyone!

Dec 2

Freebie Fridays: Customized Magimix by Robot-Coupe Premium Collection Food Processor

My kitchen gets quite the workout every December, since I spend most of my free time whipping up homemade gifts, crafting the perfect appetizer for that holiday party and baking entirely too many Christmas cookies.

If your kitchen is anywhere near as tired as mine by December 31, you’ll love this month’s giveaway. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Magimix and the first food processor, we’re giving away 5 Premium Collection Food Processors from Magimix by Robot Coupe — perfect for everything from doughs to dips.

Magimix by Robot-Coupe Premium Collection Food Processor - HGTV design blog

This new special edition is not yet for sale in the United States, and comes with all available accessories and kits, including a citrus press, juice extractor, mash and puree kit, dough bowl and more. Best of all, the 5 lucky winners will get to choose their favorite from 9 bright, cheery colors.

Leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win! This week’s question: What homemade gifts are you cooking up this holiday season?

You may only comment once to be considered, and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited by law. Only open to legal residents of 50 U.S., D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 years of age to win. All entries (comments) must be entered between 9:00 a.m. ET on December 2, 2011 and 12:00 p.m. ET on December 5, 2011. Subject to full official rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of each prize: $650.00. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a HGTV, 9721 Sherrill Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37932.

Nov 11

Freebie Fridays: November 2 Winner

For last Friday’s freebie giveaway, we asked you what holiday music you’d blast on your brand-spanking-new, wireless home music set from Sonos. You got in the holiday spirit, shouting out everything from classics like “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole and “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby to more recent favorites like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas”  and “Joseph, Better You Than Me” by The Killers.

Sonos Play:3 Wireless Speakers

Now that you’re in the holiday mood (I may just start my Christmas playlist a little early this year), I’ll reveal this week’s lucky winner. Congratulations to Stacie M., who prefers Nat King Cole and Gene Autry when December roll around. Stacie has two weeks to respond before we choose another random winner.

Nov 4

Freebie Fridays: Sonos PLAY:3 and Bridge Set From Sonos

Just in time for the holidays, this week’s winner will get everything they need to fill their home with the sounds of the season — or drown out the in-laws. We’re giving away a complete Sonos wireless home music system, which combines three integrated speakers powered by three digital amps into one streamlined, rich-sounding stereo. Use it vertically or horizontally; tucked onto a shelf or front-and-center. We’re also throwing in a wireless bridge, so you can stream music into any room. Control it all with a free app for your iPad, iPhone or Android. Not tech-savvy? Give it to that geek in your life and prepare to be bear hugged.

Sonos PLAY:3 - HGTV Freebie Fridays design blog

To be entered for a chance to win this Sonos PLAY:3 music player and bridge set, simply leave us a comment in the field below before 12/11c on Monday, November 7. The winner gets to pick the color: black or white.

This week’s question: What’s your all-time favorite holiday tune? Are you a traditionalist who loves the smooth notes of Bing Crosby and Vince Guaraldi, or do you rock out to Chuck Berry and The Ramones? Tell us in the comments below.

Note: Going forward, Freebie Fridays will be monthly rather than weekly. Come back the first Friday of every month for even more fabulous giveaways!

Click for official rules.

Nov 3

Freebie Fridays: October 28 Winner

For last Friday’s freebie giveaway, we asked you to tell us your best holiday entertaining ideas to be entered for a random chance to win this chic faux-shagreen tray from SkateModerne.  You had some great tips — here are some of our favorites.

Skate Moderne Logo Tray

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate
Most friends don’t mind helping out a little, especially if they’re among the first to arrive. “I like to have a friend or family member in charge of welcoming people when they arrive, helping them with their coats, purses, food set up and getting them settled in with a drink…even leading them to mix and mingle if necessary,” says Jan T.  Or ask guests to bring a homemade dish, like reader cnpeyton does.

Get Together Ahead of Time
December too busy? Celebrate with friends in the summer, like two of our commenters do. “Since the holidays are so busy with family, we have a garden party in August with decorations and Christmas carols and many courses of food under a tent in my friend’s lovely yard. It’s less stressful for everyone, and there’s better weather,” says Andrea.  And Sylvie R. looks forward to her Christmas in July party every year: “We all dress up in thick, tacky sweaters, reindeer headbands, etc., and enjoy making gingerbread, peppermint schapps-infused hot cocoa and a white elephant gift exchange. Who says holidays only come once a year?”

Host a Traveling Party
Don’t want to play host all night? Try a progressive party like reader SweetLiz and her family members: “We go from house to house so we can see each other’s decorated homes and share a drink, snack or dessert. Sometimes we start with a brunch, sometimes with a late lunch. We try to do this a week before Christmas.”

Don’t Forget the Details
Little touches will put your party over the top — like simple homemade appetizers instead of store-bought or fresh greenery from the yard. And Felipe33 reminds us that “a must for entertaining is a clean and fresh-smelling half bath. This can be a deal breaker.”

Relax and Have Fun
So, you didn’t have a chance to make letterpress place cards or get out your fondue set. It’s okay! Once the party starts, go with what you’ve got and don’t sweat the unfinished details.  As wise reader Pat D says, “If you are enjoying yourself, most likely your guests will too.”  And as this week’s random winner, vintageviolet, reminds us, “Holidays are for spending time with friends and family, so don’t get so stressed that you forget that part!”

Congratulations to this week’s winner! She will have 2 weeks to respond to our emails before we pick another random winner.