Congratulations to this wonderful follower of my  blog:

Vien

Here’s the random draw:

Please send me an email with the shipping address for the Dinner GC.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

With winter fast approaching, the sun has been rising later, which means by the time you wake up in the morning, it’s nearly pitch black! I don’t know how you feel about this dilemma, but I don’t think stumbling down a long, dark hallway should even be an option. You can easily mitigate this problem by adding a few strategically placed wall sconces in your hallway. Wall sconces perform two functions, one being lighting in your hallway, the other being a stylish wall accent that will help give your home a little bit more personality.

The great thing about wall sconces is you can find them in a bunch of different styles and finishes. If your home decor leans more toward modern and contemporary, no problem! Select a simple sconce with a stainless steel, aluminum or brushed nickel finish with glass accents. Avoid fixtures that feature a lot of ornate detailing, as those tend to be bit more old fashioned. Designer George Kovacs has a great line of modern lighting, manufactured by Minka. If your tastes are more traditional, then you might want to look for a design with ornate detail work in bronze with a bronze or brass finish. Tiffany-style wall sconces are also a great option. These lights feature beautiful stained glass elements that will add a pop of color to your hallway. Whatever your design aesthetic, there’s a wall sconce for you!

While I recommend hiring a licensed electrician to install your wall sconces, there are lighting options for those of you who don’t want to go through the extra trouble. Wall plug sconces make are a good idea if you have a shorter hallway to illuminate. The downside, of course, is hiding the ugly cord. Kichler and Lite Source make some nice wall plug sconces that you may want to consider.

Going “green” is a big trend right now, and for good reason! With rising energy costs, gas prices and the overall deterioration of the environment, it’s important to cut costs wherever you can. When it comes to finding eco-friendly wall sconces, it’s all about the bulbs! While your standard incandescent bulbs tend to be cheaper, it’s definitely a good idea to invest in some compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). These guys can save you money in the long run. If ever American home replaced one single incandescent light bulb with a CFL, we could potentially save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for an entire year! What’s more, CFLs emit a much cleaner, brighter light which will help brighten up your space more effectively. Additionally, you can look for light fixtures with that little “Energy Star Qualified” logo on the packaging and know that you’re making a smart choice. Oh, and just because you’re going green, doesn’t mean you have to skimp on style! There are plenty of fashionable sconces available in this eco-friendly style.

By having adequate lighting in your hallway, you make your home more inviting for holiday guests, you make your trips to and from the bathroom or kitchen much safer and you add style and personality. What more could you ask for in a purchase?

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Fancy dining in style until 3am in an upscale restaurant with delectable cuisine such as chocolate souffle and Foie Gras? Well, My Lil Venture has partnered with Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club to make this dining experience possible to one lucky reader!

Located at 24 East 81st Street, New York, Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club was awarded the “Best Interior Design” by Hospitality Design Magazine for 2004. Celebrities like Billy Baldwin, Joan Rivers, Cindy Adams and even former President Bill Clinton have also been spotted dining at the restaurant. Foodwise, with Chef Hok Chin at the kitchen’s helm the cuisine is sure to delight even the most discerning palates. Many will attest to the fact that Bruno Jamais provides a unique menu that has an Asian influence without losing its French integrity.

WIN $50 DINNER GIFT CERTIFICATE

All you need to do is:

• Let me know why you want to win this Gift Certificate.
• Three additional entries – Stumble Upon this post with a review. Please leave your userid in the comment section.
• Contest is open to US shipping addresses only.
• Contest closes on 1st November 2008. One winner will be picked using the Random.org number generator.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Calling all you teenage, middle aged, and mature women who are currently fighting a battle to lose weight. Don’t you all agree that a common area of concern for most women are the triceps or back of the arm simply because it is one of the hardest areas to tone and define? You can now stop hiding behind those baggy sweatshirts or oversized blazers!

Check out FLABuLESS , the first-ever arm hosiery for real women! FLABuLESS’ exclusive compression sleeve is infused with copper ion technology that not only streamlines your curves, but also improves the appearance of your skin, creating a healthy glow and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Made with breathable and limitless stretchability, wearing FLABuLESS will physically change the way your clothes fit. Take a look at the BEFORE and AFTER effect:

BEFORE

AFTER – DE QUART SLEEVE

BEFORE

AFTER – PLEIN SLEEVE

Amazing, don’t you agree? These garments also provide support for women who have had surgical procedures on their arms, thus minimizing pain from movement, improve blood circulation and encourage an accelerated healing process. You can now feel sexier and comfortable with this wonderful alternative to plastic surgery. FLABuLESS is simply beauty, fashion and health benefits in one.

WIN IT : This giveaway is for all my wonderful readers out there. Thanks to FLABuLESS, one lucky reader will get to win a PLEIN SLEEVE of your size and colour of choice worth $51. Here’s how:

• Visit www.flabulessu.com, pick your choice of colour and size and leave your comment here.
• Stumble Upon this post to earn you 3 additional entries – Please leave your Stumble Upon id in our comment section.
• Contest is open to US shipping addresses only.
• Contest closes on 19th October 2008. One winner will be randomly drawn using the Random.org number generator.