Today is a great day.
A day I have been thinking about for months now.
I have been scheming.
And designing.
And creating.
And I think you’re going to love what I’ve come up with.

Our line of silver charms is great.
Super popular.
Everyone loves to have a customized silver charm.
But the price of silver these last couple of years?
Not so great.
It’s been going up.
And up.
Boo.

I’ve been wanting to make some charms that had the same look of silver.
They could be customized and stamped like silver.
But they didn’t cost as much.
We’re all for that, right?
Yay!

And we’ve done it.
We’ve made a line of charms in a beautiful and inexpensive metal…pewter.
Pewter is so great.
It has the look and the weight and feel of silver,
but at a fraction of the price.

Check out some of our new collection…

You can see the complete line of Pewter Charms here.
Almost all of these charms are less than $25.
That price even includes the chain.
They can be stamped and customized just like our silver charms.

So whether you’ve just started your Christmas shopping,
Or you’re almost done and just need a few stocking stuffers,
These charms make such great, affordable gifts.

And if you are interested in getting something for free,
Have we got a deal for you.
We’d like to ask you to help us get the word out about these new charms.
So post about our charms on your Facebook page.
Or pin one of our pewter charms on Pinterest.
Tweet about your favorite new charm.
Do any of these and then just let us know.

Either leave a comment here on our blog.
Or post a comment on our Facebook page.
And you will be entered in a drawing to receive one of our new
Pewter Star Christmas Ornaments.

Don’t you just love this ornament?
You might need one for your family this year.
We will do the drawing on next Tuesday, November 20.
But if you don’t win the drawing, this ornament is only $22!
Definitely a family keepsake.

So get to it!
Let your friends know.
Start pinning.
And tweeting.
And shopping!

Oh my goodness.
I have been slacking as a blogger.
Big time.
I was supposed to announce the winners of our gift certificates.
Ummm…that was yesterday.
Oh well!

Our lucky winners are…
Marisa, Nikki Wilson, and Kathy McVey!
Yay for you ladies!
Free Christmas gifts…or treats for yourself.
With all of the Thanksgiving and Christmas details you’ve probably been tackling,
a treat for yourself may actually be in order!

I have been making charms, cleaning house….
Yes, I did say cleaning house.
And normally, at this busy time of year, cleaning house would drop to the bottom of my list.
The very bottom.
Because as much as I like a clean house, it’s not my favorite thing to do.

But, you may recall that our house is on the market.
We were thinking…now with the holidays coming up, there would be nobody coming for showings.
Boy were we wrong.
All of a sudden, a flurry of activity.
People must want a house for Christmas or something.
Sheesh people…leave me alone with my dirty house!
{Just kidding, people. You can buy it if you want.}

Oh, and then there’s been the packing.
Not the packing up of the house.
We’re much too laid back (ie. procrastinators) for that.
The packing for the Thanksgiving trip.
To be with grandparents. And cousins. And brothers and sisters.
So fun.

And then this morning we woke up to this.

And this.

And this.

Snow, people.
This is a big deal for us.
We only get snow a couple times a year, if that.
And never in November.
Those of you who are in the midwest or harsher climates will love this.
Because the kids got a snow day.
And there is probably only 1/2″ of snow on the ground.
Seriously.
But there IS ice.
Plus, it’s almost Thanksgiving…and who wants to go to school anyway?
I bet even the teachers are doing a little jig today.

So today we begin our trek to be with family.
In the snow.
And the ice.
We’re taking it slow and enjoying the journey.
I suggest you do the same this week.
Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s time to think about gifts.
Or so I’m hearing.
I might be mostly hearing about it from my 8 year old.

But maybe you are thinking about being ahead of the game.
And doing some sale shopping.
Like Black Friday.

Well…I say…get a jump on Black Friday.
Do some shopping at Bonbon Charms today.
And, if you come take a look…you could even win free stuff.
And if you tell your friends about our charms…you could increase your chances!

We are going to give away 3 – $35 gift certificates
to Bonbon Charms!
Hooray!

You might see something that you really need!
Like one of these.

So just visit the website.
Come back and comment on what you would get with your {free} gift certificate.
That’s all it takes.

If you would like more chances to win,
Just post this giveaway as your Facebook status.
Or blog about it.
Or tweet about it.
Or sign up to follow the bonbon blog.
And each time you do,
Come back and leave another comment letting me know.
Then on Monday (Nov. 22) we will have a random drawing.
And choose 3 lucky winners.

Happy shopping!

Well, we have a winner…drum roll, please.
Tara Hielema has won our new Love Note Charm!
Congrats, Tara.
And thanks to everyone who commented and spread the word with some blog and facebook love!

Because so many of you had such great ideas for charms,
we have decided to offer the Love Note Charm at a special sale price.
SO…from now through Monday, the Love Note Charm will be on sale for $5 off the normal price.
That means it’s only $21.
What a bargain!
You might need to order now for Christmas.
Just saying.

In case you forgot what the sweet little charm looks like, here it is.

In case you forgot what the sweet little girl (who came up with the charm idea) looks like, here she is!

Who doesn’t like a good love note?
Seriously.

Last night after we had dinner, I did the dishes and then went out to run a few errands.
The dishwasher was full, but there were a few dishes that didn’t quite fit.
Not being a big believer in doing dishes by hand, I had left them in the sink to soak.

When I got home, this was what I found on the kitchen counter.
The note says,
“Dear Erica, I (heart) u.
If your wondering. I did the dishes.
Love, Hope
I (heart) u”

This is Hope, my 8 year old love note writer.
She loves to wash dishes by hand.
Something about the water, and the soap, and the splashing around.
She also loves to leave notes.
And she is very creative.

Notice the extra addition of the Dymo sticker.
Just to make it a little bit more special.
And so that I don’t forget who I am.
In case you can’t make it out, it says, “MOM – ERICA”.
This kid cracks me up.

A few weeks ago we were in a church service.
She had reached her limit, so I was searching in my purse for something…ANYTHING…to keep her occupied.
I found a notepad and a pen, and that seemed to keep her satisfied for awhile.
It wasn’t long until she nudged me and handed me this:

To: Erica
From: Secret
And then I opened it up.

Again, in case you can’t make it out, it says,
“I’m Hope. Your awesome Mom.”
(Her spelling, not mine)

I love these notes.
I hope I never stop getting them.
After she handed me this one, I said, “Hope, we need to make a charm out of this!”
She was all for it.

So….we are pleased to introduce our new Love Note Charm!

This is a dainty little charm (just 5/8″ x 1/2″).
It comes with a heart stamped on the envelope flap.
Feel free to customize with your own (secret) love note…in parentheses.
(Up to 6 characters)
So cute…I can hardly stand it!
You can go here to get more details…or to place an order for your very own!

This is what it looks like around your neck…love it!
I think maybe we need to give one away, so just leave a comment…what would your love note say?

We will leave comments open until midnight on Wednesday (October 20).
AND, if you blog about our giveaway or put it on your facebook, you will get extra entries!
(Just be sure to come back and leave extra comments for each)
I can’t wait to read your ideas for  love notes.