Contest

Luxury linen purveyor Frette has announced their "Win a $5000 Shopping Spree" promotion starting this week. The promotion will be valid in store and online at www.frette.com and will run from now through December 20th The winner will be announced December 20th just in time for last-minute holiday gifts. $5000 should be just enough to outfit your bed in style. Bedding collections include the tonal brown Izmir, the cool Mediterranean Konya Blue and Antalya Lila which features a stylized dandelion print.

The HP Envy 13 is the new stylish computer from HP and we've got our hands on one to give to you! The 13.1 inch Envy 13 has a sleek aluminum look and a sharp 13.1" HD LED Infinity WS Display (1600x900) screen for rich imagery. It has an eight millisecond response time so that you can view movies with TV-like performance. It is less than an inch thick and weighs 3.74 pounds. Perhaps the biggest lure is the promise of up to 18 hours of battery life.

HP also partnered with Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ to develop a unique audio software solution that's available exclusively on the HP Envy, Beats Audio offers users playing music or audio through headphones or external speakers an optimal sound experience. It has an etched-metal palmrest and a VGA webcam that is optimized for low light. HP QuickWeb allows you to access key applications without booting the PC. In less than 30 seconds, you can reach the Internet, music, videos and photos, and email. It uses Windows 7 Pro (64-bit) and has an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SL9600 (2.13 GHz). The computer we are giving away has 250 GB (5400RPM )HDD, 5GB DDR3 SDRAM and a Blu-ray ROM w/ DVD+-R/RW. Check out Engadget's first impressions of the Envy 13 here.

We are giving away one HP ENVY 13 at random to one lucky reader who comments below. To enter leave me a comment telling me what adventures you'll go on with your new laptop.

Some other important details:
* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling me what adventures you'll go on with your new laptop.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before Wednesday October 7, 2009 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive the HP ENVY 13, valued at $2500.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.

See complete rules here.

This contest has ended. Thank you for your participation.

Chocolate and diamonds, what better recipe for giddy blissful happiness? Even if it is only for a couple of weeks. Enter Hershey's "Share the Bliss" contest and you could win the chance to strut around town in an absolutely breathtaking 16ct diamond necklace while snacking on Hershey's Bliss chocolates and reading the best selling book The Necklace by Cheryl Jarvis. All you have to do to enter is write a short essay on what bliss means to you and where you would wear the necklace if you won. And feel free to share in our comment section too!

Two things we like, luxury travel and jewelry, are in perfect harmony in the upcoming giveaway from Delamina.com.

The "Make a Statement" contest asks that you "write a statement of no more than 15 words beginning with the word "Because" and answering the question: "Why should a woman buy jewelry for herself?" and submit at least 1, and up to 3 different descriptions of photographs to go with the statement. Submit as many entries as you wish." (Full details and rules here.) The grand prize trip includes airfare and accommodations for two in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for four nights and five days and $500 cash.

And while you're entering the contest, why not have a poke around the rest of the site, which is specially designed for women to empower themselves by buying their own jewelry. Remember when Cher sent herself flowers in "Clueless" to make Christian jealous? You could also use it like that -- but don't forget, Christian turned out not to like girls.

Ahem. You can read profiles of all the designers Delamina carries (including Ian Saude, Daniel K and Susan Foster) here, or shop by "Tips and Trends." And for the woman who has everything? They have a "One of the Kind" section where you're sure to see something that you don't have -- and nobody else has either. Check out some of our favorites from this unusual collection below.

Not too long ago it was rare to meet those who considered themselves connoisseurs of tequila -- a drink known more for body shots and the occasional blackout. However, with the recent openings of tequila-only bars on East Coast and West, The Age of Agave could be upon us.

Enter 1800 Select Silver, a partially aged and double-distilled firewater that is the only 100-proof silver tequila in the world. Smooth on the way in, it fills the taste buds with fruit-tinged agave flavor before a soft finish. In fact, being easy to imbibe and 25 percent stronger than other silvers, in the wrong hands it could be too good -- it is, after all, still tequila.

It is also the world's only tequila to come with a ManCave. Until August 15, you can throw your name in the sombrero at www.1800tequila.com/mancave, and get a shot at winning $10,000 to create the ultimate hangout spot. Even though it's called a cave for men, we've met more than a few women hale enough to send us packing when the tequila flowed, so anyone should feel free to enter. And if you win, don't be surprised if we ask to come over...

[Source: 1800]

New York City's Daffy's discount store is far from the most luxurious place in the city but they are offering a pretty unique contest. You can live in a luxury apartment in the West Village for just ten percent of the usual rent. Developer Jesse Keyes was having trouble selling a condo at One Seventh Avenue South so he is renting it out for $7,000 a month. But the winner of the Daffy's contest can rent it for just $700. To enter you need to go make a 30-second video at one of the Daffy's store locations saying why you deserve the apartment. Daffy's will narrow entrants down to five finalists and their videos will be voted on by the public September 7 through September 16. The winner will be announced on October 1 and will move in then for one year. Daffy's is also opening up a pop-up shop in the building's vacant retail space. More details are available on the Daffy's website.

[via AMNY]

In the mood for a road trip? Our sister blog Gadling is offering the "Perfect Road Trip" contest. They have partnered with Cadillac to send one lucky winner (and a friend) on the road trip of your dreams, all expenses paid. All you have to do is describe your favorite road trip, and if you're selected as the winner, Cadillac will provide airfare for you and a friend from your home(s) to the start of your road trip destination anywhere in the Continental U.S., a new Cadillac SRX to drive for the duration of a the road trip, money for fuel, food and hotel during the two day trip and airfare from the end of your trip back to your home. You can enter over at Gadling.

Feeling lucky as the holiday weekend begins? Ideeli is doing another of their giveaways guaranteed to keep fashion lovers checking their computers this weekend. They are giving away a Jimmy Choo purse today, a Christian Louboutin clutch tomorrow and a Gucci bag on Sunday. In addition they are running one of their Red Sales that includes a variety of cocktail and sundresses for summer nights. You can sign up here.

Luxury linens company Frette is offering the chance to win a luxurious escape to Italy for a break from recessionary ennui. Frette chose the ultra-luxe Mezzatorre Resort & Spa (above), perched on a bluff above the sea on the island of Ischia off the Amalfi Coast for the getaway (of course they use Frette linens). Grand Prize is a trip for two to Ischia including seven days complimentary stay at the Mezzatorre Resort, including business class airfare for two. Second Prize is a free bedroom makeover by Frette Creative Director Scott Formby, including a complete set of Frette linens. Third Prize is a Frette Essentials bed set and duvet cover.

Anyone in the U.S. can enter via www.frette.com or at the Frette stores located in New York, Beverly Hills, Boston, Manhasset, Chicago, Aspen, South Coast Plaza, and Palo Alto. No purchase is necessary and there are no tricky questions. Deadline for entries is July 15th. The winners will be chosen through a drawing at Frette's U.S. headquarters in New York. Founded in 1860 and based in Milan, Frette blends Italian craftsmanship and contemporary design to create elegant and luxurious collections for the home, bath and body. Frette has provided linens to royalty, the Vatican and the world's most prestigious trains and ocean liners including the Orient Express and the Titanic.

Mother's Day doesn't have to cost you a dime if your essay wins the Captain Lord Mansion's "Mother of the Year" award. The bed and breakfast in Kennebunkport, Maine is offering an essay contest that gives the winner a two-night stay valued up to $1,000. The package includes luxury accommodations for the winning mom and a guest, daily breakfast, a pampering spa experience and a special gift. Captain Lord Mansion will choose a winner to be notified on Mother's Day so you might want to get a back-up gift just in case you don't win. To enter send an email to innkeeper@CaptainLord.com.

If you're not following CAO on Twitter, you're missing something ... specifically, free cigars. There were more than 100 entries on Stogie Fresh, with the winning prizes far from trivial. The top spot came with an LX2 Limited Edition Humidor, with #2 getting a box of CAO LX2 cigars and #3 picking up an LX2 sample pack and a CAO ashtray.

Participants were certainly varied, with entries running from classical to truly creative. Cigars wore suits, brandished light sabers and sat alongside pints of beer. This is why judges had a tough time whittling down the final 40 to three winners and a few honorable mentions.

The winner, who posed a CAO LX2 on a craps table, probably won the judges over with his tag line: "Always a good bet."

If you're on Twitter, keep an eye on @aocigars, as this isn't the only contest I've seen.

If you know basketball and love cigars, take a look at this new contest from CigarsDirect.com. Join the company's fantasy league on CBS Sportsline – choose your winners wisely – and you could walk away with up to $1,000 worth of cigars. Prizes are available for the top 10 participants based on points earned.

• 1st Place: 2008 Opus X Cigar Charity Box ($999.95 retail value)
• 2nd Place: Opus X Robusto Cigar Box ($839.55 retail value)
• 3rd Place: Hemingway Between the Lines Cigar Box ($799.95 retail value)
• 4th Place: Arturo Fuente Anejo #77 "Shark" Cigar Box ($575.95 retail value)
• 5th Place: Padron 1964 Anny Torpedo Natural Cigar Box ($319.95 retail value)
• 6th Place: 2006 God of Fire Robusto Tubo Cigar Box ($184.75 retail value)
• 7th Place: Hemingway Short Story Cigar Box ($139.99 retail value)
• 8th Place: 1992 Rare Estate Opus X Robusto Cigar Tin ($94.95 retail value)
• 9th Place: Padron 1926 Series Sampler Maduro ($74.95 retail value)
• 10th Place: $50 Gift Certificate good toward any purchase on CigarsDirect.com

My goal, I have to admit, would be to finish fourth, fifth or ninth.

[Photo by Steve Zak]

Calling all poets and wine lovers. To celebrate the 151st anniversary of Gundlach Bundschu winery (March 12, 1858, is the date that Jacob Gundlach signed the deed to the estate) the winery is holding a virtual poetry slam on March 12, 2009. Each entry has to be 151 words or less and can be poetry, an essay, song lyrics, whatever you like as long as it touches on the theme of wine.

What do you win for your efforts? The winery will select a handful of winners who will have their work published on their website and in print. Because wine regulations vary by state the winery is a bit curtailed in their ability to award wine prizes, but they will do their best to provide additional awards. The web page has complete details. Entries will be accepted online only, from 12:00am to 11:59pm, Pacific time on March 12, 2009.

Here's one last chance for a Valentine's prize. Flora2000 is giving away three Valentine's Days bouquets, to be sent as gifts. Just fill in this sentence: "A romantic thing I would do for my valentine would be ... " and enter here. Winners will be announced on the morning of Thursday, February 12, so enter quickly!

Seems like everywhere I turn I'm seeing ads for sweepstakes involving jewelry or other high-end prizes. It must be the two-fold punch of a sagging economy (spend money! win stuff!) and Valentine's Day. So indulge me -- or yourself, if you win -- because here's another: Teleflora's Rubies & Roses Sweepstakes. Select Teleflora rose purchases will be delivered with a game piece and PIN. The sender and recipient both can enter to win these prizes: Grand -- $60,000 ruby and diamond necklace; 100 winners -- $600 14k gold ruby and diamond heart-shaped pendant; 1,000 winners, $150 10k gold diamond and created ruby heart-shaped pendant. Official rules here.

P.S. Not sure your guy knows which flowers to send to you? Send him this.