The Motherload Giveaway: And The Winners Are...

Happy Mother's Day, pretties!

Today we're celebrating the amazing bond between mothers and children...and we're announcing the winners of The Motherload Giveaway.

I received so many wonderful emails, and I appreciate the stories and photos that you shared with me. I was so touched by the entries, and truly wish that I had an unlimited amount of gift sets to give away. But, alas, I only have three.

The winners will receive Stila Multi-Effect Mascara, Stila Face Contouring Trio, Flower by Cynthia Rowley Eau de Parfum Spray, and Petal by Cynthia Rowley Eau de Toilette Spray. And the lucky ladies are...

Jennifer Toy

I was never close with my mother -- that is, up until this year. Ever since I moved away to college, she has become my best friend. Although I am about 350 miles away from her most of the year, the distance is what brought us close together. She needed me as much as I needed her. As ironic as that may sound, being far away has connected us much more. She always thought of me as her baby girl, the one she needed to protect and save from the evils of the world. However, the way she protected me in high school caused me to rebel. Like many kids, I wanted to be free and independent. However, it's harder than it seems. When I moved away to college, I felt so detached from my family, from my mother. She was there for me even when we lived so far apart. She leaves me sweet messages reminding me to study and get a good night's sleep are only some of the things that I love about her. So this mother's day, I've saved up enough money to fly home to surprise her. I can't wait to see the look on her face!

Kimberly Hanger

I love being a mother because it has made me appreciate and love my own mother ten times more, and my grandmother too. I look back at my childhood and realize all the sacrifices she lovingly made for me, and all the beautiful memories I have of us together. It makes me want to be just as wonderful a mother as my own mother, who I personally think did the best job ever, and each day I strive to live up to her example with my own daughter. My mother and I are best friends, and that is the most valuable gift she has given me, along with her love. I hope when my daughter is my age, she can say the same things about me.

Meghan Murphy

My mother, Nancy, was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer just two months ago. For the last two months she's has major surgeries, been in the ICU for 3 weeks and had two doses of chemotherapy. My mother has been resilient and strong from the beginning of her life. As a mother she spent her years, along with my father, caring for me and going above and beyond to dedicate her life to being my mother.

When my mother got sick, I began to review all the many things she did for me as my mother and began to file these memories away in my mind. Even though I'm 28 years old, married and own my own home now... my mother and I are still very much mother and child.

My mom's hair has fallen out and her skin is changing due to the chemotherapy treatment. When a person struggles through a battle like cancer, the image of their self is damaged because of the havoc the treatments wreak on their bodies. When I read about your contest, I thought about how perfect this might be for her...to have some new makeup and some new looks to try out, as her beautiful face continues to change and be altered by this terrible disease.

If you don't chose us, I might be disappointed, but I won't stop in my quest to make sure my mother knows that I love her...and that she is my best friend. Thanks for taking the time to read about my incredible mom.

Thanks to everyone who entered. And special thanks to Avon and Stila for sponsoring this fabulous contest!

Tune in tomorrow when I'll announce Spoiled Pretty's latest giveaway! See you then.