The Chief Blonde modeling an Animal Friendly Belt from Saint Francis Couture.

Saint Francis Couture designs and manufactures high fashion, animal friendly shoes, accessories, and they are now introducing apparel and jewelry. The company’s founder and designer, Tere Albanese, is a vegetarian and refuses to wear anything made from animals. “I thought the world needed some high fashion, moderately priced, comfortable, but sexy, shoes and accessories that were cruelty free,” said Tere. The company is named after Saint Francis, who is the patron saint of animals. Her first line is the Africa Collection, which honors African Wildlife.

This month’s featured product is the Africa Ankle Boot 3″ Heel. Great for slipping on under paints or jeans. Rounded Toes for comfort. Rubber sole for quiet, comfortable walking. 5” zipper. 3” heel, which is sexy, but all-day wearable.

Price: $58.00  (YES–this is REALLY the PRICE!!! Can you believe it???)

Chief Blonde Remarks:  I am not sure I really need to say a thing about Saint Francis Couture.  Look at the picture above, then look at the price.  If that doesn’t convince you–look again.  The quality of the product is even nicer in reality.  I was sent the Africa belt ($38.00) pictured above (yea–it’s me modeling, no one uses women over 45 in their advertising and I try my hardest to buck that trend by ONLY using women over 45 to model items on this blog–so you are stuck with me!), the darling Africa clutch bag ($38.00) and the Africa Sandal ($42.00).  The quality of the Saint Francis Couture items were just unbelievable.  The belt buckles and other trim pieces were heavy and substantial, not the least bit chintzy.  You may not have realized this but I am a SHOE freak.  I will stalk a pair of shoes for YEARS on ebay until they turn up!  So from a true shoe addict, I can say I seriously love these shoes.  The fact that they are animal friendly is just another bonus in my mind.  Did I mention they have really cute pleather jackets too?  Ahh..you are just going to have to check all the cute items out yourself  (this is one time I am sure you will BUY BUY BUY!) http://saintfranciscouture.com

Saint Francis Couture Africa Sandal ($42.00)

Africa Clutch Bag ($38.00)

THE GIVEAWAY: 1 Lucky Winner will win $100 Gift Certificate to Saint Francis Couture.

THE RULES: Giveaway runs from July 30-August 10.

Super Simple Main Entry: Answer AT LEAST ONE or up to all the questions below and email your entry to stillblondeafteralltheseyears@gmail.com.   If you answer more than one question, than that counts as extra entries!  YIPEE!    (it’s okay to put all the answers in one email).  PLEASE do not put your answers to “Linked” questions in the comments–I will have to delete them and it will make the Chief Blonde sad!

1.  Go to this link and email us at the address above: Who is the lady in the picture? http://saintfranciscouture.com/index.php/about-us.html.

2. Go to this link and email us at the address above:  Who most recently feature Saint Francis Couture on their program? (Look at the first article) http://saintfranciscouture.com/index.php/media.html

3. Go to this link and email us at the address above:  Name one animal welfare organization that Saint Francis Couture donates a portion of its proceeds to: http://saintfranciscouture.com/index.php/our-friends/animal-welfare-organizations.html

4.  Go to this link and email us at the address above:  Where can you buy Saint Francis Couture near you? http://saintfranciscouture.com/index.php/retail-stores.html

5. Go to this link and email us at the address above:  What is your favorite pair of Saint Francis Courture shoes? http://saintfranciscouture.com/index.php/online-store/shoes.html

6.  In the video above, what color are the shoes?  (You must watch a 10 sec commercial first–sorry it was embedded).

7.  Go to this link and email us at the address above and tell us how many outfit pictures you see and if you are interested in us continuing this feature? http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2010/07/new-feature-outfits-modeled-by-women-over-45/

8.  Go to this link and email us at the address above–Name one event that our blog will SOON be participating in:  http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/events/

Bonus entry:
Leave a separate comment for each BONUS entry in our comment section below.

–Subscribe to our feed burner. You must accept the email in order to get your 5 entries! I will check when drawing the winner!  LEARN ABOUT ALL OUR OVER $50 Giveaways by getting our feed! If you already are a fan, just say so in your comments

–Become a Fan of our page on Facebook–Click HERE (2 extra entries)–My facebook fans will have at least one special contest per year just for them! If you already are a fan, just say so in your comments.

–Follow me on Twitter. (1 entry)  www.twitter.com/stillblondeaaty  (Retweet for me please!  #Giveaway @Still Blonde after all these YEARS! $100 St. Francis Couture Purse and Shoe Gift Certificate http://tinyurl.com/33d9ydx)  If you are already a fan just say so.

–Become a Fan on Google Friends connect (1 extra entry).  If you already connect, just say so!
Giveaway ends July 26, 2010 at midnight. Pacific Time.

–Become a fan of Saint Francis Couture (1 extra entry). http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Francis-Couture/135210239850124?ref=ts

Contest open to U.S. residents in the continental US with a valid street address. Item will be shipped to your home. No PO Boxes please. Winner(s) are selected randomly. To claim your prize(s), Stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com will contact you within 48 hours of the contest closing. You must contact Stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com within 48 hours after that with your mailing address so companies can mail your prizes. Prize(s) not claimed by (48 hours) will be forfeited and a new winner will be selected in a live giveaway. Please provide a valid email address to be informed in case you do win a giveaway. Good Luck!

Blog Note: Chief Blonde and Blogger was provided a review sample.  No compensation was provided.  The opinions are her own.

Chief Blonde in J.Crew Matchstick Jeans (Outlet) , Saint Francis Couture Africa Belt ($38)

This blog post was inspired by Pretty, Shiny and Sparkly , a blog that regularly posts darling outfit posts worn by the blog’s now famous author and chief blogger med student Kristina!  Here’s a link to one:  http://prettyshinysparkly.com/cheesecake-and-pears/

SO what do you think?

What is this show about?  According to International CES website:

With more than four decades of success, the International CES reaches across global markets, connects the industry and enables CE innovations to grow and thrive.

The International CES is produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry. CEA represents more than 2,000 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of consumer electronics products. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

What is this the International CES 2011 about according to the Chief Blonde, a woman over 45?

The CES is 4 super fun days of mega-consumer electronics overload.  In one place, you literally take a trip around the world of electronics–seeing the future.  It’s a grown-up’s Disneyland.  Investors will love it as it points you to new companies to invest in.  Bloggers will love the CES as the story ideas are fresh, and an eager audience awaits to hear your opinion of the show.  Blondes love it, well because we love EVERYTHING fresh and new.  Women over 45 love it because we can see what technology is out there as we enter the vintage years of our lives and actually can spend some of our disposable income on ourselves!

WILL YOU BE ATTENDING?  Let’s meet up for a Blogger Power Lunch!

Posted by S. Zurek

Blog Note:  No compensation was provided for this post. The Chief Blonde posted it as a service to her readers!

WINNERS–LG, MB, and KM (all first time winners!)

Fake Bake–Live the Lie

Click here to go to giveaway #1 http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2010/07/fake-bake-sunless-tanning-product-giveaway/

_____________________________

Giveaway #2 $162 Skin Authority Defense Duo

Winner is JC (1st time winner)

Wrinkle Reversing Serum and Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30 UVA 4-Stars.(retail $162.50)  1 winner

Click here to go to Giveaway #2  http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2010/07/162-skin-authority-sun-defense-duo-giveaway/

__________________________________

Giveaway #3–$100 Clothing Gift Certificate to Smitten NYC

WINNER IS:  JW  (1st Time Winner!)

Smitten NYC as modeled by Chief Blonde

Click here to go the Giveaway #3 http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2010/07/100-clothing-gift-certicate-to-smitten-nyc/

How Women Are Shaping the Internet–Women over 45

comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released a global report on women’s online usage titled, Women on the Web: How Women are Shaping the Internet, which provides an in-depth analysis of the female Internet user, highlighting key trends by Internet activity, worldwide region and digital channel. Among its results, the report found that social networking sites reach a higher percentage of women than men globally, with 75.8 percent of all women online visiting a social networking site in May 2010 versus 69.7 percent of men. For indepth details refer to:  www.comscore.com/WomenOnTheWeb

3 giveaways valued at $400–5 winners

Women over 45 and our younger friends, enter today!

_________________________________________________________________

Giveaway #1 $138 Fake Bake Sunless Tanning Products Giveaway

Fake Bake–Live the Lie

Click here to go to giveaway #1 http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2010/07/fake-bake-sunless-tanning-product-giveaway/

_____________________________

Giveaway #2 $162 Skin Authority Defense Duo

Wrinkle Reversing Serum and Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30 UVA 4-Stars.(retail $162.50)  1 winner

Click here to go to Giveaway #2  http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2010/07/162-skin-authority-sun-defense-duo-giveaway/

__________________________________

Giveaway #3–$100 Clothing Gift Certificate to Smitten NYC

Smitten NYC as modeled by Chief Blonde

Click here to go the Giveaway #3 http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2010/07/100-clothing-gift-certicate-to-smitten-nyc/

Week of 7-24-10

___________________________________________________

On Our Friends Blogs:

Blog Name: Momma Told Me

250 Follower Mega Giveaway, $390 In Prizes- 20 winners!!!

______________________________________________

Blog Name:  Shining to Save

Blog Name:  Simply Stacie

Prize:  3 months free advertising on Stacie’s blog

URL for giveaway: http://simplystacie.net/advertising-giveaway-2/

Ends: July 31, 2010

___________________________________________

Blog Name: Toxiferous

website link – http://www.toxiferous.com

giveaway link – http://toxiferous.blogspot.com/2010/06/summer-giveaway-toxiferous-greeting.html
prize- 5 Fullsized Toxiferous Greeting Cards and a Set of 5 Postcards
end date- 07/31/10

__________________________________

Blog Name: Fabulously Handmade

Blog link: http://fabulouslyhandmade.blogspot.com

http://fabulouslyhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/07/first-ever-handmade-and-fabul
ous.html

Prize: Pair of Sterling Silver Tribal Earrings

Ending date of the giveaway: 07/31/2010

Where it can be won: Worldwide

Click this link to list your Giveaway on my linky–CLICK CLICK CLICK

Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Company operates Chicago’s premiere Hop-On, Hop-Off city sightseeing tours in classic red and green trolleys and fun-filled double decker buses.  As the gold standard for entertaining and informative tours for the last 17 years, Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Company connects visitors and Chicagoans alike to key cultural, shopping, dining and attractions throughout the city.  Knowledgeable, fun tour guides keep guests entertained in their seats with amusing and educational facts along the way.

“With 15 stops at all of the top sites in Chicago, we believe our route is the conduit to all of the greatest attractions in the city,” says Rob Pierson, president and a founder of Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Company. “We are thrilled to celebrate another year in this beautiful, world-class city, and continue to make every exciting location accessible to visitors from around the world.”

Covering 13 miles and 15 stops, the Signature Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour is an eye-popping adventure through the heart of Chicago, giving patrons the option of hopping on and off at their choice of stops to visit the hottest retail, cultural and family attractions.  Among the stops on the Signature Tour are Skydeck Chicago, the famed museum campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium), the historic Chicago Theater, Millennium Park, Water Tower Place, The Art Institute, Navy Pier and the John Hancock Observatory.

Passengers on the Signature Tour receive a comprehensive guidebook that offers over 30 tips on what to see and do at the various stops and includes coupons valued at more than $100 worth of savings.  Passengers also receive free goodies including a Hershey’s chocolate bar and a sample of Garrett’s gourmet popcorn.

From May 28 – September 6, Chicago Trolley & Double Decker also offers a new Explore Chicago ticket which features three fabulous neighborhood tours, a fresh perspective on Chicago, and the chance to discover the home of the Cubs, President Obama’s Chicago neighborhood and the home of Harpo Studios:

• The North Neighborhoods Tour travels to Wrigley Field (day games excluded) and gives guests a unique opportunity to hop off and purchase an insider’s tour of historic Wrigley Field. The route also includes stops at the Chicago History Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Blue Man Group’s Briar Street Theatre.

• The South Neighborhoods Tour adds a stop at the Museum of Science and Industry, and a tour of the beautiful Hyde Park neighborhood.  During the lively tour, guides will weave in stories and highlights about President Obama’s Chicago experiences and connections.

• The West Neighborhoods Tour offers a peak into the cultural diversity Chicago offers. This tour visits key destinations from Greektown to the Oprah Store and adjacent Harpo Studios, to Chinatown and Little Italy.

Signature Tour Tickets include all day access to the Hop-On, Hop-Off Signature Tour. Adult tickets are $29 and Senior Tickets (65+) are $24. New this year, Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co will also offer an Explore Chicago Ticket which will be $35 for Adults and Seniors (65+). All tickets for children ages 12 and under are $17 and include the full Explore Chicago package. The Explore Chicago ticket is a 3-day pass that includes access to all three Neighborhood Tours as well as the Signature Tour.  Explore Chicago ticket holders will also receive a free Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co. t-shirt, as well as the other free goodies included in the regular Signature Tour ticket.

Tours operate daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Vehicles depart the designated stops every 10-15 minutes beginning at 9 a.m. year round.  The last chance to board during summer tours is 6 p.m. (May 28 – Sept. 6), and last chance to board from Sept – May is 4 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the Park Shop in Millennium Park, from Chicago Trolley & Double Decker red-vested tickets sales agents posted in multiple locations throughout the city or online at www.chicagotrolley.com.  Riders will save ten percent off of regular rates when purchasing tickets in advance online.

For more information, visit www.chicagotrolley.com

Chief Blonde remarks:  2 members of our staff had the opportunity to preview this service.  They each said it was the greatest way to get around–hands down.  Buses all the time and riding around the city with the wind whipping through their hair.  They especially exclaimed over the VALUE that the service provided.  So many extras for just one small price! (t-shirt, coupons, freebies).  Also, the ability to really see all of Chicago’s attractions without having to park, figure out how to get there, and with commentary to boot!  I will soon get the chance to review this awesome mode of transportation myself, expect a complete review then!

Blog Note:  No compensation was provided for posting this review.

Everyone else will get a good chuckle too!