Stagetecture’s accomplishments over the last 3 years:

• Hosted over 600 guest bloggers – many of which have been featured on eHow, Livestrong, and more!
• Featured nearly 1500 blog posts
• Featured over 100 DIY Saturday’s
• Launched the 111 Simple Tips for your Everyday Home ebook.
• Created a Stagetecture – You Tube Channel to watch DIY projects for easy directions to do at home.
• Grown a Stagetecture Facebook fan page with over 5,500 fans & growing
• Grown a Twitter following of over 3,300 fans & growing
• Taken you along to fabulous places! (SubZero/Wolf, Brizo’s NY Fashion Week, Sandra Lee Event & more!)

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To celebrate Stagetecture is hosting

a

3rd Anniversary Twitter & Facebook Party!

 

WHEN:

Wednesday, August 15th @ 12:00 noon – 1:00pm EST

HOW:

Join us on Twitter with the hashtag #3YrCelebrate

Join us on Facebook – Stagetecture fan page or Ronique Jones Gibson

WHY:

To celebrate the home! I will give great tips about your home, getting ready for back to school, summer and fall entertaining and more!

 

GIVEAWAYS:

I’m excited to have a great sponsor – Yolanda Esquer from Yoliesquer blog who has a wonderful gift to one lucky Stagetecture party winner! A hand crafted, hand stamped – customized cement block with the word “Dwell” stamped in it. Perfect for the home loving readers that Stagetecture has.

For a chance to win:

• ‘Like’ – the Touvlo Facebook Page and comment on what block you like best from her Etsy Shop!  She has a great variety – leave a comment on her Facebook page on which you like best and why.

• Follow Touvlo on Twitter
• Join us for the Twitter and Facebook party on August 15th at 12:00pm EST (Winner must be present to win!)

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OTHER PRIZES:

We will also have:

• Amazon giftcards
• Free copies of 111 Simple Tips for your Everyday Home ebook
• … and a few surprises that you will have to join us to find out! (Here’s a hint… going back to school – we have some prizes that will help pay for some supplies!)

 

Join us:

Wednesday, August 15th @ 12:00 noon – 1:00pm EST!

Happy 3rd anniversary Stagetecture!

Free 4th of July Activities Across the U.S.

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I compiled a list of just a few of the events going on around the United States today.
Enjoy free 4th of July activities and celebrate the red, white and blue! (Note this post is from 2012)

Huntington Beach, California

Dallas, Texas

White Rock Lake Park:

When your family enjoys the outdoors fishing, kayaking, boating, hiking or numerous other outdoor activities, there’s always something to do at exciting White Rock Lake Park. Admission into the Park is free. Never a dull moment is the motto at White Rock Lake. This 4th of July promises to be the most exciting one yet. Just look at a few of the events leading up to this years 4th: Gladiator Rock’n Roll on June 16 and Fathers Day Run on June 17. The 4th is going to be a blast. Don’t miss it.

Texas Discovery Gardens:

Their mission is to “teach effective ways to restore, conserve and preserve nature.” With a mission like that, you’ll want to make sure your children visit this educational site. They’ll never realize it’s a learning experience. The park will entertain visitors beginning July 4th with Fair Park from 10 am to 5 pm. Enjoy watching the beautiful butterflies in the butterfly house. On July 7th take part in the Butterfly House Discovery Tour beginning at 11 am. Then July 14th learn about the “Tales from the Dark Side!” The story of Moths and their “dark” behavior.

Fair Park:

When most states are entertaining residents with a state fair visit maybe two to three weeks yearly, Dallas has their state fair which is permanently situated for a 12 month period. The Dallas Fair Park has been in place since 1936 situated on over 277 acres of land, the park offers something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy everything from the cultural, to sports, educational, musical or many other numerous activities located throughout the park. With an annual count of over seven million visitors, the park is extremely popular. . Guest can enjoy the 1930’s art and architectural collection or take time to relax and dine. Remember there’s always something interesting to see and do in Dallas where everything is big, bigger or biggest.

San Francisco, California

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

109th Annual Cowboys’ Roundup Days & July 4th Celebration
Friday, June 29, 2012 – Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Jacksonville, Florida

Baltimore, Maryland

For more 4th of July holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS EXPIRED

Mother’s Day is only a few days away and what better way to celebrate Mom than with a photograph of memories of the past? Whether it is pictures of your family vacation last spring or a picture of your children at summer camp… pictures are the perfect gift!

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Stagetecture has paired with UPrinting for a Mother’s Day giveaway that will help you celebrate mom by winning a chance to receive:

• A FREE Stretched Canvas Print with premium Artist Canvas Material
• Upload your own personal photograph for the perfect gift!

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• One (1) piece 16” x 20” stretched canvas print for one winner – A $70.00 value
• With 1.5” Gallery Wrap, or 1.5” Museum Wrap (White or Black)
• Protective, Satin Finish Coating
• Printed with Soy Ink

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Celebrating Memories & Mom Giveaway

UPrinting is a leading socially responsible online printing company. They offer a wide variety of products from business cards, brochures, envelopes, greeting cards, posters, canvas prints and many more. They are specifically proud of our high-quality and eco-friendly prints. UPrinting also boasts their eco-friendly printing that uses recycled paper types and vegetable/soy-based inks with lower levels of VOCs than traditional petroleum-based inks to reduce harmful carbon emissions.

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How to Enter:

First Entry:

Leave a comment on Stagetecture.com of this post as to what is your favorite memory with your mom, grandmother, aunt, sister or important female in your life.

Second Entry:

Visit Stagetecture’s Pinterest board. Follow me on Pinterest

• Then take a look at the “Celebrating Memories & Mom’ board.
• Find a new picture anywhere on Pinterest or in your own images that reminds you of your mom or other happy family memory. Tell in the description why you love the image.

• IMPORTANT : In your comment or description type @Ronique Jones Gibson for it to tag me. I will then add your entry to the ‘Celebrating Memories & Mom’ Pinterest Board!
  

• The winner will be announced on Sunday, May 13^th Mother’s Day!

Giveaway rules:

• Giveaway will run from Thursday, May 10^th – Sunday, May 13^th (Mother’s Day) – 6am EST.
• Giveaway is only open to US citizens for shipping purposes
• Winner will be contacted and given details to claim their stretched canvas prize and directions for printing.
• You must be 18 years old and above to join this giveaway

Thanks for entering Celebrating Mom & Memories Giveaway with UPrinting & Stagetecture!

For more Mothers’ Day ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Let’s face it, home improvement and decorating can often be a daunting task! From deciding on a do it yourself (DIY) project, to choosing the perfect color to paint your home, how do you visualize it first? I’m excited to partner with Showoff.com and bring you an interactive online experience for home enthusiasts! It will help you take your Stagetecture ideas and DIY projects and visualize them… absolutely FREE! I’m excited about this easy to use tool, here’s more information about Showoff:

Showoff.com is home to the Visualizer, a free online tool that allows users to upload their own photographs and use a design application to visualize any home improvement project in minutes including landscape, remodeling and interior design projects.

Showoff.com offers free access to the Visualizer which allows users to visualize projects around the home using actual, branded products from Showoff.com’s Online Showroom. Showoff.com is also an online community where users can speak with experts or other home enthusiasts. In addition, users can purchase products from their Visualizer experience with easy options for purchasing online or offline, from vendors that are Subscribers.  The website is supported by Vendors who provide images of the products for consumers to chose.

“This truly is a one-of–kind experience,” says Dreis-Ayers. “We are committed to creating the easiest, most accessible community for homeowners and are looking forward to a new way of integrating and creating the home of your dreams.”

Whether you are a homeowner interested in starting a home improvement project, or you are a supplier wanting to feature your products/services in the Showoff visualizer, there is an advantage for you. Click on the right side banner of Stagetecture to give it a try. For specific information, and questions, feel free to contact Showoff directly:

Contact: Bobbie Ayers

Company: Visual Applications, Inc.

Email: bobbieayers[at]visapp.com

Happy 4th of July to all of the United States of America and its friends and families!

Click here for July 4th, 2012 Activities  —->  2012 Free Activities

Check below to see what activities are going on in your area of the United States today.

Free 4th of July Activities across the U.S.

Source – The Bargainist

Free Bowling – Brunswick Bowling facilities across the country are letting families bowl for free on the Fourth. They’re giving away one free game to every person in America every day from July 1 through July 4th.

Denver, Colorado – The Colorado Symphony is putting on a free community concert for the second year in a row. The Independence Eve concert features patriotic favorites and an innovative light show and fireworks display.

Southport, North Carolina – This is known as one of the oldest and largest small-town celebrations. It’s free which is a pretty good deal considering the National 9-11 Flag, which was salvaged from the World Trade Center, will be available for viewing as it makes its stop in North Carolina during a commemorative American journey.

Celebration, Florida – Celebrate the 4th with a flashback to the 80’s in Celebration, Florida. Enjoy an 80’s costume contest, performances by vintage bands and, of course, a fireworks show to wrap up this blast from the past.

Liberty, Kansas – Although there are many communities in America named “Liberty” the one in Kansas claims to be the largest. And that’s one reason why they take their 4th of July celebration so seriously. Enjoy an American car show, parade and fireworks display for free.

Los Angeles, California – There are dozens of fireworks shows coloring the skies over southern California on the 4th of July including the Fireworks Spectacular in the city of Los Alamitos. The patriotic event is held on the Joint Forces Training Base. It’s a great free way to celebrate our freedom.

Free Military Activities

Source: Yahoo

King’s Dominion

16000 Theme Park Way, P.O. Box 2000, Doswell, VA 23047

King’s Dominion is offering free admission to all military on Sunday, July 3, and Monday, July 4. In order to receive this special promotion, all military must show a valid I.D. card or a DD214 form. If you are military who is going to be bringing your families, they will be able to get the military discount rate. Besides being able to enjoy all of the park’s rides, such as the “Dominator,” there will be a spectacular fireworks show as well.

Seaworld, Busch Gardens, Sesame Place

All three of these theme parks are offering free one-time admission to members of the military, and up to three direct dependents of them, which includes their spouses and their children. In order to obtain these free tickets, visit www.herosalute.com, and register at http://commerce.4adventure.com/store/os_application.asp. These tickets are good until December 31, 2011.

Valleyfair

1 Valleyfair Drive, Shakopee, MN 55379, 952-445-6500

Valleyfair theme park is giving out free tickets to active or retired military who present a military I.D. The free days are on Saturday, July 2, Sunday, July 3, and Monday, July 4. Military dependents are eligible to get tickets at the military discounted rate.

Atlanta Braves

755 Hank Aaron Drive SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30315, 404-522-7630

The Atlanta Braves are providing free tickets to all military from July 1, 2011 — July 4, 2011. In order to get the tickets, you just need to show a valid military ID at the Turner Field Tickets Windows for an Upper Box Ticket. All family members that accompany the military ID holders, may purchase a ticket for half price.

Carowinds

14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28273, 704-588-2600

Carowinds theme park is offering free tickets to any active or retired military from July 2 through July 4, 2011. In order to receive these free tickets, a military I.D. must be shown at the gate. All military can buy tickets at discounted rates for their friends and family.

Knott’s Berry Farm, Knott’s Soak City Orange County and San Diego

714-220-5200

These amusement parks are offering free admission to all active, retired, and veterans of the military from July 3 through July 4. All military will be able to purchase tickets for up to six immediate family members too. In order to receive this offer, you must show a valid military I.D. card at the gate.

For more 4th of July holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy Spring! The Spring Equinox is upon us and that means Spring is officially here. Whether you witnessed the supermoon last night, or not, you can tell the season is starting to change. With warmer weather, or just thoughts of warmer weather, here are 3 free ways to welcome spring into your home and get your family ready!

3 FREE Ways to Welcome in Spring

The most important part about the spring is to start planning. Even if you cannot pull off buying a new patio furniture set, or there is still snow on the lawn, there are things you can still do to beckon in the feeling. Planning requires no money, and it gets you prepared for that first sunny day to take action! There will be no excuse this spring, why you couldn’t take advantage of the season from day 1!

1.) Plan the perfect porch:

Plan out your existing space to see if you have enough furniture for your entertaining plans this season. If you need to clean, replace or take out garden furniture cushions from last season, do it now. That way, when the temperature is right, you will be able to enjoy the day, not spend time cleaning. Also clean area outdoor carpets, and tables to remove winter dirt.

2.) Bring in spring colors:

Inside your home, bring in a fresh bouquet of spring flowers to brighten your table, or go into the garage and see what paints you have lying around! There is always furniture, lamps, or walls that could use a fresh coat of paint. If you don’t have any spring colored paint, head over to your home improvement store and check out the “Returned” or “OOPS” paint area. Great deals on paints that customers brought back at a fraction of the cost!

3.) Take in the fresh air:

If you’re fortunate enough to have spring already showing up in your area, walk the dog, take a run, or enjoy a spring brunch on the outside lanai with friends and family. If it’s still cold in your area, still get out! Take a brisk walk around the block, and think of the spring that is on its way. I guarantee it will put you in a better mood. Open up windows to your home, and let stale air out and spring air in. You and your family will benefit from fresh air into your home, anytime.

For more spring home ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy Holiday D.I.Y. Saturday!  The race is officially on, in one week the kids will be racing down the stairs, and waking you up at 5:00am to see what awaits them under the Christmas tree. With the hustle and bustle of the week, don’t forget to spend family time and enjoy what the Christmas season holds dear – traditions and family.

Today, instead of do it yourself home projects, I thought of “How to Enjoy the Holiday with Family” topic – but even better, for FREE! Here are 5 activities that you and your family can do without spending money, but full enjoying this magical time of the year!

ENJOY!

1.) Go Christmas Caroling:

Yes, believe it or not Christmas caroling is still popular and FUN!! The kids will enjoy singing Christmas Carols, and the adults will enjoy the camaraderie. Often times, your neighbors will bring you hot chocolate and you will see the smile on their face as you deliver your holiday treat!

2.) Bake a family tradition for family and friends:

What better way to bring the family together than baking! All family’s have baking recipes that have been passed down through generations. Even if you don’t start a new one! Go to the internet and look up your favorite treats that you enjoyed as a kid. Pick your favorite celebrity chef and one of their cake recipes.  If you make enough, give to family and friends as gifts!

3.) Go Christmas window shopping:

What fun it is to browse around shopping malls with the holiday decorations, beautiful window displays and Christmas music piped throughout the store!  Have your eye on a favorite tech gadget or small appliance.. you never know, touching it and learning how it works may bring you one step closer to you having it one day!

4.) Spend time together in nature:

Yes, it’s cold, but isn’t is supposed to be!!? Bundle up for an hour or so, and make snow people in the yard, go collect pine cones in the yard, or just go on a short walk to look at the Christmas lights throughout the neighborhood. Crisp and cool air will get you out of the house, and may make you remember how much you love this season!

5.) Find the North Star:

In this week leading up to Christmas Eve, find the north star. They say if you make a wish on the north star on Christmas Eve, your wish will come true… hey, what can it hurt?

Watch Stagetecture’s You Tube Channel for more DIY ideas

It’s officially Labor Day Weekend here in the U.S. and everyone is ready! Even though my kids have only been in school for 2 weeks now, they are sooo ready for a 3 day weekend.  My 4 year old asked me today why does she doesn’t have school on Monday and what Labor day was.  I think I mumbled something about celebrating people working.. and realized my explanation was not a good one.

I set off on a quest on the internet to find activities to explain to my daughter what Labor Day was.  Voila! I found the perfect article at E-How about celebrating the Labor Day with kid activities that teach them about working and occupations!  Perfect.  Read on to check out these great activities that will be fun to do with your kids… or might be fun for us adults too!

Happy Fourth of July!  Whether you celebrate the patriotism of the day, or just love hanging out and enjoying summer – here’s 4 FREE things to do this Fourth of July!

1.) Have fun with your family!

Today is an excuse to drop the work, and pick up some Fourth of July crafts with the kid’s.

2.) Go camping.

Show off your red-white-and-blue at a bonfire/campfire.  Make s’mores (graham crackers, melted marshmallow, and chocolate).  Ooohh, now that’s summer!

3.) Go see fireworks, and celebrate the United States of America!

Fireworks are free, and sparks the nostalgia of being a kid!

4.) Make a summer dessert and enjoy it with the neighbors tonight!

Baking and summer time go together so well…

For more 4th of July holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s out there! What are you going to do with Dad today? Here are 3 activities that will help you enjoy your time with Dad, without killing your wallet!

1.) Visit your local Pottery Barn Kids for a Father’s Day Crafts Workshop.  Find your local store here: Pottery Barn Kids locations.

2.) Have a Barbecue!  What Dad doesn’t enjoy throwing some steaks on the grill and enjoying family? Enjoy food, family and fun this Father’s Day.

3.) Relax! Sometimes the best activities involve a hammock and relaxing outdoors!

Image Courtesy of Pottery Barn

For more Father’s Day ideas on Stagetecture, click here.