uncommon goods review + {giveaway}
(This giveaway is closed.)
First of all, thank you all SO much for the sweet well wishes and congrats on my blog’s fifth birthday this week — I seriously can’t even tell you how much I want to give you all hugs right now. My heart bursteth with loveth.
Second of all, the celebrating continues! Today I’m giving away another goodie for your kitchen/living needs, so get excited.
But let’s rewind a bit. It’s been a big week because we also made our annual visit to the Minnesota State Fair, a.k.a. our annual Put on Your Fat Pants and Eat All The Deep-Fried Things Because There Are No Rules Day. Over the years, Elliott and I have come up with a very streamlined system through which we are able to try as many new foods at the Fair as possible without having to keel over on a bench near the Tilt-A-Whirl and take a food coma nap. And I’ll let you in on our secret because we’re all friends here. It’s called: taking little bites. Revolutionary, I know.
We split everything and take just a few bites of each food we try, and then we either save the extras for later, toss the remnants (only in very rare cases, like with these deep-fried buckeyes that were delicious for approximately 1.5 bites and then tasted like a sugar bomb just went off in my mouth) or most likely, Elliott eats the rest of it. Because his stomach = bottomless pit. It’s amazing, really.
For someone who is usually anti snack-as-dinner, I actually really love the idea of eating little bites of a lot of different foods for dinner. We often do this in the form of a cheese plate at home, or when we go out, we like hitting up the small plates menus at our favorite restaurants. Tapas fo’ life, y’all.
So when Uncommon Goods, a company that sells environmentally and worker-friendly unique designs and handcrafted gifts, contacted me to review one of their products, I jumped on this swanky oven-to-table entertainment platter because a) oooh, pretty! and b) TAPAS. It was all I could think about.
What I love about this platter, in addition to the fact that it just looks really nice and fahncy for dinner parties and such, is that the removable soapstone surface can be heated to keep things like cookies and baked Brie and crostini warm, or chilled in the freezer beforehand to keep things like sushi, fruit and cheese cold for optimal serving. Pretty neat-o, right?
The platter is just one example of the awesome stuff they have on their site, most of which is made in the USA, half of which is made by hand and one-third of which is made with recycled or upcycled materials. I found myself ooohing and ahhhing over products like dessert and baking salts (yesssss), these state dish towels (adorbs) and this pretty lil’ soup mug. You can take a peek at their other gifts for men/dads here, their gifts for moms/women here and their personalized gifts here.
So in the name of blog birthdays, handmade goods, cutesy entertainment platters and little bites o’ delicious food, Uncommon Goods is giving away a $50 gift card to one lucky reader for anything on their site! To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below answering the question: What are your plans for Labor Day?
And for an extra entry option, you can sign up for Uncommon Goods’ e-mail newsletter here (leave an extra comment below indicating that you did so).
(Giveaway ends Thursday, September 4 at 11:59 p.m. CDT. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.)
Good luck! And don’t forget to enter the push pop giveaway, too!
Update: Janelle is our winner. Thanks for playing, everyone!
Disclosure: I received the entertainment platter from Uncommon Goods for review purposes only. All opinions are my own.
We’ll be having our usual family bbq & movie night.
We are going to the roller coaster capital of the world…Cedar Point!
I am heading to PA to visit my better half who is studying there!
Thank you! I hope to be going to a friend’s BBQ for Labor Day for my first day out in weeks (have been on bed/couch rest with pneumonia. If I can’t go, I’ll probably be in Pinterest checking out GVD stuff and Uncommon Goods stuff, too! And I signed up for the emails too! Congrats and happy anniversary!
I signed up for the newsletter! How fun.
I signed up for the newsletter, too! And feel free to correct my typos from my earlier comment…iphone and cough syrup don’t mix. Lol
Fantasy Football draft 🙂
Going to fire up the pool and get my grill going!
Pending the purchase of a worthy supply of tomatoes, I’ll be canning and reading and canning and reading and baking and reading.
Outdoor movie night with lots of snacks!!
Sadly, I’ll be working.
I have to work :/. But I’m planning to grill out dinner at least!
My plans for Labor Day are to relax and read a book!
I’m recuperating. That’s boring, isn’t it? BUT, I think we’re going to try and grill out some salmon and have some sweet corn while we still can. Easy peasy meals around here. I hope you have a fabulous weekend. xoxo
We’ll be heading down to the family lake house & celebrating my dad’s birthday with steaks on the grill – can’t wait!
Going to a wedding as my sisters’ plus one!
The weather forecast is calling for a soggy Labor Day weekend so my big plan is to work on major house cleaning – the summer time is such a busy time, the house tends to be neglected so while it rains outside I will be inside scrubbing!
Heading to Grand Rapids, MI to celebrate my brother’s 30th!
Getting ready for my junior year of college 🙁
Sleeping in, lazy days and all the things the kids can’t do when school starts.
We will be celebrating my mother-in-law’s 91st birthday with our family. Afterwards we will all go to our Courthouse lawn to watch our son’s band play. Fun times!
Signed up for the uncommon goods newsletter
Relaxing, a class of Rose and a nice BBQ!
We love to host “bread bakes!” Our outdoor oven will be fired up on Labor Day and we’ll be baking up LOTS of different types of tasty breads. A HUGE salad will also be offered so we can say there’s something other than carbs on the menu! Can’t wait – love to get friends and family together this way!
this is so fun!!! i’m bummed i didn’t make it to the fair this year 🙁 but yeah, last night i sat in front of my computer and destroyed my plans for an awesome dinner with tons and tons of pretzels shoveled aimlessly into my mouth… so i hear ya on snacks as dinner. this little platter looks so cute though!!!! i love me a good cheese and grapes. makes me feel all fancy schmancy.
Getting a massage! After that, who knows? Does it matter what it is, after getting a massage? Ahhh…
The usual family get togethers and one work picnic for my husband too. Busy!
BBQ with family and friends… hopefully with some final sun and pool time!
Luuuurve Uncommon Goods! Oh and happy belated blogiversary! So many yums in those 5 years. We’re just hangin’ out this weekend…Marc is working and I’m catching up on life after 4 days in the BWCA last weekend!
Working 🙁 the restaurant industry stops for no holiday…
But then I’ll be making up for lost time at a friend’s grilling party!
According to the forecast, it’s suppose to rain all three days. So I’ll have to figure out some fun, indoor activities for the kids.
I signed up for the email list!
Seriously gorgeous platter! And I was SO jealous of all the yummy fried food I was seeing via Instagram! Congrats again on the five-year mark!
Baking and decorating Halloween cookies for my website – gotta get an early start!
Unfortunately working!
A BBQ and pick fantasy football teams party. I’m bringing homemade spicy sloppy joe’s
Going to my in-laws to cook out and hang in the pool.
Doing homework, but hopefully getting to eat some nice food too!
headed to the rocky beaches of mystic, ct!
If the weather holds up, we’ll do some outdoor grilling.
Already signed up for Uncommon Goods’ e-mail newsletter.
Going to hang out with the Family and BBQ 🙂 Also wanted to say that the lime creamsicles are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!
P.S. Also signed up for Uncommon Goods news letter…
I’m flying home to CA for a friend’s wedding. Nice to see family and friends, but it will be a whirlwind and not include any end-of-summer activities, sadly!
I’ll be running in my very first 5k!
My daughter is this weekend’s musical guest at the Richfield’s Farmer’s Market on Saturday. 🙂
Labor Day Weekend in my part of the country is the time we start getting ready for winter 🙁 . The screen house comes down, all of the outside chores get finished, and the 5 tons of wood pellets get stacked in the barn! It’s not all bad, though, because we’ll end the days with a wonderful barbecue, part of which comes from grilling our freshly picked veggies from the garden. Of course, this all happens IF the weather cooperates! I LOVE Uncommon Goods! I get their catalog all of the time – they have the neatest things :). I did sign up for their e-mails. Thank you for the great giveaway, and have a safe and happy holiday weekend.
Heading to Minneapolis to see my dad. I’ve heard good things about the MN state fair, but have never been. Have you ever gone to the Iowa State Fair?
I also receive the Uncommon Goods newsletter – Love that store! 🙂
I would have to make something up to sound interesting. Not much is the real answer.
Kati — I have not, even though I lived in Iowa for a couple of years. I hear it’s pretty great though, too! 🙂
Meeting a new niece!
I’ll be relaxing at home while my husband works all weekend. Maybe I’ll try a new recipe!
We are going to our lakehouse in New York for the weekend! Yay!
I signed up for the uncommon goods newsletter!
Jamie — Oh how exciting; congrats!
Volunteering my time at a 501(c)3 non-profit Adirondack Camp for Girls. Because life is good, and it is important to give back. Not to mention fun! FriendsofCampLittleNotch.org
Taking a trip to Nova Scotia. Yay for low key vacations!
Oh, I love this ! You can never have too many fun serving pieces. I’m relaxing this labor day weekend and enjoying the extra day off. Thanks for the great giveaway!
OMG, I love uncommon goods, what a great giveaway item! For labor day I am celebrating my two year wedding anniversary with my husband! YAY! I’m definitely going to sign up for another entry, brb 🙂
All signed up for their email list 🙂
My plans for Labor Day are to go to one of the 10,000 lakes in Minnesota and chill on a pontoon.
I have subscribed to Uncommon Goods email list.
Drinking some brews and enjoying the sunshine!
I really miss the MN state fair!! One of the best times of the year…I must attend again some day soon. This year for Labor Day we are celebrating our wedding anniversary!
happy 5 year anniversary to you and your lovely blog! for labor day we’ll be headed to the state fair – one last time 🙂 how did i not know about uncommon goods? i want so many things!
Just joined the mailing list – so cool that the slate you show has a warming sheet.
My plans for labor day are to hang out with my boyfriend’s mom when she comes into town! Oh, and the wine festival. In 100 degree weather.
I am due on August 31st, so I may be laboring on Labor Day! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’ll be heading to the Minnesota State Fair as well, with my hubby and son.
Chelsea — Ahh, so exciting! Congrats!
im going home to visit my friends and party!
Labor Day is for neenering around SF (while it’s empty!!) and then half moon bay at night.
This post has me giggling. Definitely need to bust out the fat pants for any state fair! And I am in LOVE with Uncommon Goods. I have found so many wonderfully unique items there for gift giving (or you know, for myself!). They rock!
I would like most to spend the day with my daughter who will be visiting.
Going to a cabin for Labor Day weekend!
No concrete plans just yet. I’ll probably just hang out with friends.
visiting my boyfriend in syracuse!
Just a quiet BBQ for two, since family BBQ will be in two weeks!
Cheering ND on to victory at their first home game. GO IRISH (and GO CHEESE PLATES!) xo
I’ll be sidelines at my daughter’s soccer practices finishing “Blood, Bones & Butter ” (great book)!
I love Uncommon Goods. I have some fun jewelry from there. I’m excited to see The Book of Mormon this weekend.
Heading to the beach for the long weekend! First time all summer!
I will probably have to work, but if I don’t, I’m going to go to the park with a book and some ice cream!
As of right now, I have no plans and will probably sit by the pool and relax all day 🙂
I signed up for their newsletter
Love having tapas or a few small dishes for dinner – more flavour!
And that entertainment board is gorgeous!
I have no plans. I might clean out the blighted tomatoes in the garden if it isn’t raining (which is what caused the problem to begin with).
My plans will be to work, like every other holiday 🙁
I signed up for the email newsletter.
My twin daughters turn 15 on September 2 so it’s a birthday party weekend for us!!
Ah hey, I love environmentally friendly things, and that platter looks beautiful! And STURDY! I’m going to check out Uncommon Goods lickety split. Have a marvelous LDWeekend, my dear!
I don’t have any plans, but I wish I did! I’m hoping for some sort of campfire situation.
Tapas fo’ life, indeed! I love Uncommon Goods!! This weekend, we’re going to a huge party hosted next door at my neighbor’s house so we’ll probably be chilling on Labor Day. . esp since my kids start school the next day!
Trying out my new treadmill.
Family BBQ and town fireworks on Sunday.
LOVE uncommon goods! No plans this weekend… I wanted to getaway but it didn’t work out. Hoping to get to the local farmers market and brunch on Sunday and maybe a little beach trip on Monday.
We’re planning to do a glorious nothing. It’s been a long week so I’m looking forward to it:) Well, we’ll still go for a Saturday run, go to church, do an at-home date night (that platter would be perfect for it!), and do a few chores but it will be great to have my husband home for an extra day!
sadly, I’ll be working and trying not to let the crowds get to me
We’re just going to visit with family on Labor Day. Nothing super special.
It’s our last totally indulgent/lazy weekend of the summer. Sleeping until we wake up, tanning by the pool, making whatever we want to eat – whenever we want. For three days straight!
I also signed up for the Uncommon Goods newsletter. Love unique items in my home.
Going to visit my dad
Having an anything goes barbecue and getting ready for the first day of school!
A trip to the casino!
we will be relaxing at home!!
i signed up for their emails.
I’ll be doing homework on Labor Day, sadly.
I also signed up for their newsletter. They’ve got some good stuff! 🙂
We will be doing a family BBQ that evening, and hanging out on the deck.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
I am an email subscriber!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
We are relaxing with family at the pool and eating some delicious BBQ. One of your recipes!
Enjoying the sunshine, and cleaning up the garden.
Jaime — Oooh, yay! I hope you like it (and happy holiday weekend)!
Having a cookout Monday, then later Fireworks! We have this big display of fireworks called Red, White & Boom! Usually it’s done on the 4th of July but this year we had a huge major flood on the Mississippi River and a lot of roads were closed. So we’re having it Labor Day, can’t wait!
Going to a flea market!
I signed up for their newsletter….I love their glassware.
Dinner and a concert with the girls on Saturday and zombie movies on Sunday (it’s supposed to rain here).
Well, it’s our wedding anniversary on Saturday, so dinner out, but on the holiday itself I’m just planning to sleep in. 🙂
Getting the kids ready to go to bed early and get back to school.
Relaxing with my family, and baking something yummy of course!
My husband and I have no plans whatsoever. And we are very excited about it, haha!
Will unfortunately be working during Labor Day but I’ll definitely be watching the US Open at the same time! 🙂
just hanging out and eating some good food.
subscribed to uncommon goods email
We are going to play it by ear but bbq is mandatory!
My husband and I are going to have a whole “date” day.
Ah, I need to add a belated congratulations to the others Steph!! Happy Blogiversary!! Wow. Five years of wonderful foodie inspiration. I’m only just past two and it’s flown by… I hope that I’ll still be demonstrating the same dedication, creativity and freshness as you in a few more years time 🙂
Anyway, back to this lovely post! That entertainment platter is stunning. I’m going to have to look out for Uncommon Goods when I get back home!! Hope that things are going well beautiful. I am SO behind on my blog reading! Xxx
Spending time with my family and preparing a grilled chicken dinner. Love cooking for my family. Congratulations on the anniversary.
Going to the MN State Fair for breakfast, for our third visit this year. Wet just moved next to the fair and love it! Ditto on the buckeye assessment. I had my hubbins finish it after 1.5 bites, too! I think they should freeze, then fry for better texture, at least. Thanks for the entry!
Also, subscribed to UG email!
For Labor Day I’m going to enjoy a day of no work and clean my home!
I signed up for Uncommon Goods email newsletter!
just a small family barbecue and lots of lemonade on this hot day!
Our plans for Labor Day were to spend a nice quiet day at home, which we were very successful in doing! No fuss, no muss, nothing fancy, just enjoying each other’s company.
I just signed up for the Uncommon Goods email newsletter. Thanks!
My husband and I sat around in pajamas enjoying each other’s company and a good book before going for a long run (9 miles!). Homemade burgers brought the day to a lovely close. =)
Ooh! So pretty! Thank you for introducing me to Uncommon Goods! I’m always looking for great hostess gifts. Labor day weekend was my first free weekend in a year! So I napped!
We did absolutely nothing but sit around and watch TV. It was absolutely glorious!
Well it’s after labor day at this point :/ But we went to our local renaissance faire and then BBQd after! It was a great way to spend the holiday
Spent the weekend at my family’s lake house in northern PA with friends! Would have loved to have that platter for entertaining 🙂
I’m a little late here, so I suppose I’ll reminisce about my Labor Day weekend – spent with family in New Hampshire, picking blueberries, eating corn on the cob and splashing in the ocean. Perfection!
I spent Labor Day nursing a toothache at home. My dad BBQ’d, but I wasn’t able to eat any.
I subscribed to the Uncommon Goods newsletter.