Earth Day Giveaway - Winner Announcement

A huge thanks to everyone who entered our Earth Day Giveaway. We really appreciate your participation.

We are pleased to announce that the randomly generated winner of our Earth Day Giveaway is Noreen!

noreen said...
using totes, recycling, growing own veggies from seed, and using reusable water bottlessigned up, nor_lou at hotmail.com
April 27, 2009 9:59 PM

Noreen, I'll be contacting you via email. Please look out for an email from info(at)thatperfectsomething (dot) com. If for some reason Noreen does not get back to me in 72hrs, I'll randomly pick another winner. Congratulations Noreen! I hope you enjoy the gift set.

We've also just announced our Mother's Day Giveaway. Please enter to win one of three great prizes!

Earth Day Giveaway- NOW CLOSED

Hi everyone,

The Earthday Giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much for sharing how you are working to become more ecofriendly. As stated previously the winner will be selected randomly. I'll post the winner of the Giveaway tomorrow morning (Wed, April 29th).

@ecky - I've been thinking of switching to mama pads myself. Like you said it's time to just do it.

@carapace - wow it certainly sounds like a huge undertaking to build a home from scavenged materials, but must also be really exciting and will be very rewarding when completed.

@Thespa - I love that you are making green fabric shopping bags.

@oona & @nikki - composting is a really wonderful idea, definitely something worth looking into.

Five Hostess Gifts for Cinco de Mayo Parties

Cinco de Mayo is just a few days away and I'm sure many of you received invitations to Cinco de Mayo parties this weekend. Why not show your appreciation to your host/hostess for opening their home to you with a small gift. Nowadays you don't have to spend a lot of money on host/hostess gifts. I've discovered that you can find great gifts at stores like Target, Crate and Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, and Sur La Table for $25 or less. Here are five gifts under $25 from some of my favorite stores.

1. The Ultimate Grilling Rub Collection $24

(image from Williams-Sonoma)

This spice rub set includes Adam's Steak Rub (for red meat), Chili-Lime Rub, Potlatch Seasoning Rub (for seafood and salmon, and the Memphis Rib Rub(great for beef and pork).

2. Three-Part Server $9.95

(image from Crate and Barrel)

You can never have too many serving dishes and this server is the perfect size for dips and fruit.


3. Electric Wine Bottle Opener $19.99

(image from Target)

The electric wine bottle opener is ergonomically designed and rechargeable. Any wine-loving host will appreciate this gift.



4. Foodie Fight Trivia Game $18.95

(image from Sur La Table)

This trivia game has over 1000 questions and is sure to be a huge hit at any gathering.


5. Any type of Dessert - Crumbs Bake Shop 6 pk Cupcakes $21.70

(image from Crumbs Bake Shop)

Who doesn't like dessert? Your host and fellow guests will all be thanking you for this gift. Visit your local Bake shop and pick up a pack of cookies or cupcakes as a gift for your host.

Mother's Day Giveaway

Fourteen more days until Mother's Day, have you found the perfect gift yet? If not be sure to check out our Ten under $50 Mother's Day Gift Guide. We've highlighted a nice variety of gifts that are priced right!

In honor of Mother's Day we are excited to offer our first ever Mother's Day Giveaway. We are pleased to be giving away THREE items from our Mother's Day Gift Guide.

Giveaway Items

1. Mini Frame Purse

(image from Oktak's Etsy Shop)

2. Cherished Mother Stacking Rings (Size 7)

(image from Red Envelope)

3. Vintage Style Apron

(image from spicerak design)

How the Giveaway works

1. The Mother's Day Giveaway runs until Monday, May 4th 11:59PM EST.
2. The Giveaway is open only to entrants with U.S. and Canadian addresses.
3. To enter you must (1) leave a comment on this blog sharing with me the best gift you've given someone for Mother's Day and (2) sign up for news and updates from That Perfect Something here.
4. Three winners will be randomly selected and will be awarded prizes in the order listed (First mini frame purse, second stacking rings, and third vintage apron).
5. Winners will be announced on this blog on Tuesday, May 5th.

One day left until end of Earthday Giveaway - Enter now!

Our Earthday Giveaway ends on Tuesday, April 28th 11:59PM EST. We are giving away an Intro to Green gift set. The gift set contains a reusable travel mug, a fluorescent light bulb, the "Green Book", an Envirosax reusable tote, a bamboo cutting board, natural liquid hand soap, and a bamboo box.

To enter you must (1) leave a comment on this blog telling me what you are doing or planning to do to become more eco-conscious and (2) sign up for news and updates from That Perfect Something here. (3) One winner will be randomly selected and announced on this blog on Wednesday, April 29th.

Intuit's Small Business Grant Contest

I recently learned of Intuit's Small Business Grant Contest and decided to throw my hat in the ring. Entrants share a short story of a real situation and a short tip other businesses could use. I've captioned my story - "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." In my story I talk about finally taking the leap of faith to launch my business only to find that it wasn't as successful as I dreamed it would be. Initially I perceived this lack of success as a failure, but then realized that I wasn't a failure I just needed to take a step back to regroup and refocus. I'm now committed to taking smaller steps to reach my end goal. I think it's a great lesson for everyone.

If you would like to read about my struggles in launching That Perfect Something please go to
http://community.intuit.com/contests/aE87eSl7ur3QVhacfA8pyY, and if you find my story inspiring, please don't hesitate to show me some love by rating my story.

Earth Day Giveaway

Happy Earth Day folks! I hope each of you is taking a moment today to reflect on what you can do to ensure that our planet remains healthy for future generations. We can all make a few small changes in our daily lives that will help to sustain our planet's resources. Some of the small changes I've made over the past year include switching to recycled paper products, using "green" household cleaning products (my favorite brand is Seventh Generation), using reusable shopping bags when I go shopping, and I also use a stainless steel water bottle (my pink kleen kanteen bottle is always at my side). Now that I've shared how I'm becoming more eco-conscious, tell me what you are doing or are planning to do to become more eco-conscious and you might win this Intro to Green gift set. The gift set contains a reusable travel mug, a fluorescent light bulb, the "Green Book", an Envirosax reusable tote, a bamboo cutting board, natural liquid hand soap, and a bamboo box.

(image from The Green Perspective)

How the Giveaway works:

1. The Earth Day giveaway runs until Tuesday, April 28th 11:59PM EST.
2. To enter you must (1) leave a comment on this blog telling me what you are doing or planning to do to become more eco-conscious and (2) sign up for news and updates from That Perfect Something here.
3. One winner will be randomly selected and announced on this blog on Wednesday, April 29th.

I look forward to hearing from you. Please stay tuned for our Ten under $50 Mother's Day Giveaway. Three great items are up for grabs. If you are still looking for an inexpensive Mother's Day Gift check out our Mothers Day Gift Guide. If you can't find exactly what you are looking for in our Guide take a look at our Gift Consulting Service.

Ten under $50 Mother's Day Gift Guide

Please enjoy our Ten under $50 Mother's Day Gift Guide. We spent some time scouring the web for great gifts at bargain prices. We hope you find the perfect Mother's Day gift in our guide. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for news about our Mother's Day giveaway.

(image from everydaygrace)

You create the coupons for this fully customized 15 page coupon book. It's a great way to create a truly personalized gift. Purchase at Everydaygrace's Etsy store for only $16.50.

(image from Colonel Littleton )

This rustic bracelet can be engraved with three initials or one's full name. It's a wonderful gift for a Mom who prefers understated, casual jewelry. Purchase for $27.75.

(image from spicerak design)

I love this vintage style apron from spicerakdesigns. The apron is made of 100% cotton and is nostalgically priced at $25. This cheery apron is sure to make cooking fun again.

(image from the green perspective)

Looking for a gift for the eco-conscious Mom? The "Green your Office" set is the perfect gift. The set contains a bamboo box, a "Greening Your Office" book, a mini kleen kanteen, a bamboo pen, and recycled stationary. Purchase the set for $40.

(image from Barnes and Nobles)

The Mother's Legacy journal provides a unique opportunity for a Mom to record her life story to share later with her children. Purchase for $12.99.

(image from Oktak's Etsy Shop)

Tired of seeing your Mom dig in her handbag for change? This adorable, bright yellow mini frame purse makes the perfect coin purse. Purchase at Oktak's Etsy shop for $22.

(image from Red Envelope)

Tell your Mother how much she means to you with the Cherished Mother Stacking Rings . These sterling silver rings can be purchased from Red Envelope for $39.95.

(image from Thomas Claire)

Dress up your Mom's dresser with this Embroidery Jewelry Tray. The tray is made from hand rolled clay and you can personalize the tray with Mom's initial. Choose from periwinkle, blush pink, and cloud white. Purchase for $43.

(image from Fortnum and Mason)

Foodie Moms will be in heaven with the Fortnum and Mason Taste of Spring hamper. The hamper is packed with goodies like tea, sugar crystals, and jelly. Purchase the hamper for $40.

(image from Kaponga)

The Nuts Cream Perfume is a cream-based perfume formulation of sweet almond oil and beeswax. The perfume is alcohol free and comes in yummy scents like mango, lavender, and ylang ylang. Purchase for $19.95.

Office Group Gifting, Yay or Nay?

I recently read the Washington Post's Ask Amy Column in which a reader asks whether the office should contribute to a collection being taken up for the loss of their boss's wife. The reader is hesitant to contribute because the boss treats the co-workers unprofessionally. Amy replies that despite the office's misgivings of their boss, some expression of sympathy is warranted. She also notes that a donation or remembrance gift is thoughtful but not necessary.

This post got me thinking about the number of group office gifts I've been asked to contribute to over the years. Having worked in an large office for a number of years, some good natured person is always collecting money for a gift for a coworker's birthday, engagement, wedding, new baby, etc. I generally think office group gifting are nice gestures and can foster office camaraderie, but the reality is that these collections can add up over a year and the choice to contribute is often complicated by numerous issues.

The following issues are usually considered when deciding whether to contribute to an office gift pool:

1. It might win points with the gift recipient, especially if the recipient is your boss
2. Even though you don't want to participate, you think it's the polite course of action, and you don't want to be the only person who doesn't contribute monetarily
3. You barely know the gift recipient
4. You may not get along with the gift recipient
5. You just don't have the funds to contribute
6. You hate group gifts and think they are tacky

My general approach to office gifting is that I give only when I know the gift recipient well and I only give what I can afford. At the end of the day I don't think anyone should feel obligated to contribute to the office gift pool. However, if you do feel inclined to give something, remember you can always give an individual gift or simply buy a nice card for the recipient that expresses only your sentiments.

If you want to purchase a gift for a coworker or boss, we can help you find a unique gift that fits within your budget with our Gift Consulting service. Now $10 off.

Mother's Day Special at That Perfect Something

That Perfect Something is excited to announce a special Mother's Day Offer. From now until May 10th, receive $10 off all Gift Consulting Requests. You'll pay only $9.99 to receive two to three creative and customized gift ideas. Don't hesitate send in your Gift Consulting Request today!