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Lorraine Baratta Design Collections (c) 2000-2020 LBDesigns, LLC All Rights Reserved |  I am so glad I saw the ad in the newspaper for this contest. I had the hardest time thinking of what to get my girlfriend who I just had our 5 month anniversary with. I checked the website daily for any updates and when the clues were finally released my heart raced. I scrolled through them and saw that the Wyckoff location would clearly be the closest, so I solved the clue and checked their hours. It was a Monday and that store was closed so I didn't even think twice about waiting and solved the next closest clue, Allendale. When I got to the Allendale Bar and Grill which I was almost sure was the correct location, I hesitantly told the bartender that I was the "secret valentine". She looked at me perplexed and I was nervous of embarrassment thinking I went to the wrong place. She phoned up to the manager and after a few minutes of waiting sure enough the manager walked out with a pink bag and congratulated me on being a winner. I gave him my contact information and walked out. It may not seem like a long time but I literally didn't stop smiling for the next ten minutes. Next time you smile make a mental note of how long it was and realize that I was so completely happy that I could not stop. I was ecstatic that I got one of the pieces of jewelry and the next thought I had was how I would keep myself from telling my girlfriend what I got her! I gave it to her in the morning on Valentines Day after days of holding back from telling her what I had gotten her. She went off to work and I could tell she liked it even though I was so nervous on how she would react to it because it isn't the type of jewelry she typically wears. When I saw her later that night, she was quick to point out that she was wearing it. I was so happy to make her happy and to be lucky to get her something that she really liked and that wasn't just a gift of money, but a gift that had meaning and a story behind it. Thanks for holding this contest! Long story short, both of us are very happy and she loves the necklace! Austin Johnson  After I read the clue in the "Town Journal" and realized that the” Secret Valentine Giveaway" was hidden in the Town & Country Pharmacy in Ridgewood, I asked my husband of 40 years if he would be able to go there after breakfast. Jack said he had many things to do that morning so I didn't press the issue. Unbeknownst to me, he later surprised me with a phone call at work saying he had something special waiting for me at home. We had been vacationing in Italy 2 years ago and I dragged him all over Venice looking for a special Murano pendant to buy as a remembrance. We never did find one to my liking but as they say.... what's meant to be...will be and so it was when my "Secret Valentine" presented me with a most lovely Valentine gift, the Murano heart pendant! Many thanks! Mary Ann Koluch  I first met Lorraine Baratta at a vendor fair last summer at my work location. At that time I purchased a beautiful garden necklace for my wife. I frequently browse her website and found out about the secret Valentines giveaway. I went to one of the designated locations, Vita Restaurant at the Dolce Hotel in Basking Ridge, said the secret words and was given a gift bag containing a very nice necklace!!!! Gerald K. Fletcher  Thank you again Lorraine! We met at Salon M and I called my husband as soon as I left to tell him I had a mission for him! I love the necklace and have been wearing it often. I tell everyone the story about meeting you, having one of your pieces from an auction, and sending Larry out to get my necklace! What a fun event - thank you! Noelle Keary Thank you Lorraine! It was very exciting - I felt like a secret agent when I whispered the coded message! Noelle loves the heart pendant - very beautiful! We had actually bid on (and won) one of your pieces at a fundraiser supporting Our Chance International early in 2009. Have a great day, Larry Keary |
