February Group Giveaway / $100 Madewell Giftcard

Hey guys and a super happy Wednesday to you all!  I am really excited for today because I am hosting my first official group giveaway! To be completely honest it was a bit intimidating going into it but I think it turned out wonderfully… I can't thank these lovely ladies enough for helping out!

This month we are giving away a $100 gift card to Madewell!  This is one of my all time favorite stores so it only seemed fitting that we start with this ;).

Be sure to check out the amazing ladies below that made this possible! 

Anne  /  Rachel  /  Jasmine  /  Amber  /  Aukele  /  Christina  /  Sarah

01. Geometric Bangle  /  02. A Summer Dress  /  03. Something Lacy  /  04. Paris Tee  /  05. Bien Fait Sweatshirt  /  06. A Printed Bag  /  07. Twist Front Bikini  /  08. Fun flats

…aaaaand you can enter via the rafflecopter below!  Good luck!

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End Quote Studio Q&A + A Giveaway

Hey guys!  Today I am bringing you a little Q&A with Taylor, the lovely lady behind Live and Move and most recently End Quote Studio!  I had the pleasure of meeting Taylor a while back and she even let me guest post on her blog while she was in South Africa!  She is a truly beautiful individual and her posts are really real, you know what I mean? Not to mention she is studying abroad in Spain.  For real, you guys.

I am all about the entrepreneurial spirit and there's a special place in my heart for the hand made and the people, the makers.  There is just so much more that goes into a hand crafted item, so much heart and dedication, and it's wonderfully personal. I jump at any chance I get to support this cause.

So I was excited, naturally, whenever she contacted me about helping get the word out about her new shop.  End quote studio sells printables with inspiring, meaningful quotes. These are literally right up my alley and I can't wait to add one to the wall above my desk in my office.

But I really wanted you to get to know a little bit more about Taylor, her shop, and what she is all about so thankfully she was up for a little Q&A, so sit back and read up…


Hello! Let's begin by telling us a bit about yourself, your blog, and shop.

Well, my name is Taylor. I'm from the Chicago area. I go to school in Nashville, and I'm studying abroad in Spain. Let's just say that home means a lot of things right now. After a service trip last year, I wanted an outlet to challenge myself creatively. That's how  Live and Move was born. It's changed a lot since conception, but now I can't imagine my life without blogging in it. On my blog, you'll find a lot of photography and a lot of my personal thoughts. Besides Live and Move, there's also a printable shop called End Quote Studio. It's my latest creative outlet and adventure.


How did your shop come about?

Honestly, I needed a break after one of my busiest semester's to date. I ordered a calligraphy set as a treat, knowing that it would be easy to carry with me in Spain. I started practicing the technical process of writing with a calligraphy pen. Before I knew it, I was writing words that inspired me. I've always been a quote person. In fact, I wrote my college essay on how much I love words. Creating a shop seemed like a heaven sent combination of doing what I loved and sharing inspiring truths.


What inspires you creatively?

Music is my major inspiration. It's poetry, really. My most creative moments include a cup of tea, quality music, and my calligraphy pen. I also love to follow the lives of other creative people and to read. It's always helpful to learn new techniques or ideas about creativity through books or articles.


What is your favorite thing about designing prints/running your shop?

The mixed media aspect would have to be my favorite part. I love sketching the designs and then re-working them with the calligraphy pen. After that, I get to play with my work on the computer. It's the perfect mix of working on and off the computer. Also, I'm loving getting to connect with other bloggers as I work to but the brand!


Do you have any advice for fellow crafters/entrepreneurs just starting out?

Don't be afraid to ask. Since starting End Quote Studio, it's been so necessary to reach out to people. And you know what? I've gotten some nos, but the people who say yes (like Sarah!) are so willing to help. We're not in competition. Have an attitude of helping others and watch your support network grow!


Where do you see End Quote Studio going in the future?

I see it growing! I think printable will always be a part of the shop, but I hope to expand my product range to include prints, custom prints, and even postcards. It's really hard to predict what will happen next, but as long as I'm creating, I'm happy.


I just love her wonderful attitude and outlook.  I'm honored to call Taylor a friend and I'm proud to support her in this creative venture and wish her all the best going forward.  And guess what?  So can you!

Right now Taylor is graciously giving away a $20 credit to her shop!  You can enter via the rafflecopter below but first, take a look at a few of my favorites…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Q&A and a Giveaway // S&A Scarves

Hey everyone!  I am super excited to be bringing you a giveaway this morning!

When Seda contacted me about advertising her etsy shop I could hardly contain my excitement!  Her shop is full of scarves that are perfect for this newly chilly weather.  Go take a look and you'll know exactly what I mean.  The scarves and jewelry are all so beautifully simple (I think I want them all!)

I am a huge supporter of handmade goods and the wonderfully talented people that make them so it was a real treat to get to know a little bit more about Seda, her shop, and how she makes it all happen.

Hello! Let's begin by telling us a bit about yourself and your shop (name, location, etc.) 

My name is Seda and I run an Etsy shop called S&A scarves with my mother. We live in Istanbul, Turkey. We generally knit and sew scarves and sometimes make bracelets and hair accessories.


How did you get started making scarves?

I have been knitting all my scarves since I was 12 years old. I learned how to knit from my mother and grandmother. Then I stumbled upon Etsy one day and we decided to open a scarf shop. Dividing the workload between each other as my mother handles the sewing part and I knit scarves, handle graphics and photography part of the job.


What is your favorite thing about running your etsy shop?

The best part is getting positive feedback from our customers. It is very exciting to know that many people who are miles away from Istanbul have our creations and they love them.


Apart from creating these beautiful scarves, what else do you do?

I am actually an architect and I am doing my graduate studies. My mother loves to take sewing courses. We enjoy going to all the fabric and yarn stores we could find and discover new materials. We also love to watch fashion shows to follow up on the latest trends.


Do you have any advice for fellow crafters/entrepreneurs just starting out?

It is very important to keep working hard to try to create your own unique trend(shop) and most importantly to have patience when things are not going as well or as quickly as you want them to go. You'll know that it's worth it when your customers start sending you pictures with them wearing your creations.


Isn't she the best?

She is even generous enough to offer a 20% discount to all AGS readers!  Use code CHRISTMAS20 to get 20% off until the end of 2013!

And now, check out the giveaway!

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Datevitation: My Experience and a giveaway!

Have any of you ever made those handmade coupon books for your family or friends?  You know, the ones where you write out coupons for 'a night off of cooking' or 'I'll do your laundry for a week!'  I definitely did and I always loved the idea because you're taking the time to really think about what will make your loved one feel blessed.  It's truly a gift that comes from the heart.

When I was contacted by the folks at datevitation, a family business run by the husband-wife team of Alex and Olga Karpman, about making a date coupon book as a christmas present for a special someone in my life, I was all in.  If you don't already know, Datevitation.com is the web's first online platform to create a custom love coupon book. Unlike the pre-packaged love coupon books on the market, you pick the dates and can customize the text to your liking. Once you are done customizing the text in your book, Datevitation will print it out and ship it to you.  Neat, right?!

They graciously allowed me to test out their process and create a book so that I could report back to all of you!  Naturally, I made a book for N, and even added our faces!  I was very impressed with how simple it was to maneuver through over 500 date ideas while still letting me create something that felt unique and genuine to us.  If you'd like to get to know datevitation a little better, be sure to check out their blog!

I just got it in the mail a few days ago, less than a week after I places my order, and I love it!  It looks so professional (a mighty step up from my construction paper and glue sticks, ya know) and seeing our faces on the pages is pretty darn cute, if you ask me.  Funny side note, I had to make N promise not to read my blog until after christmas.  I don't want any ruined surprises!

I really enjoyed making the book because as I was looking through all the date ideas it really got me thinking about N and what he really loves and what would make him feel special.  And it brought back the fun memories of dates that we had been on in the past (and I logged some fun ideas away for the future!)  And while I enjoyed making the book, I am really giddy about giving it to him because it's something that he can take into the new year.  And I am a firm believer that experiences make really stellar gifts :)

If you'd like to get in on the fun, as a special treat to all you guys, you can use the code AGIRLSMITTEN for $10 off your purchase plus free shipping. The order cut-off date for guaranteed delivery by Christmas is December 13, so make sure to get your order in before then!

The lovely team over at Datevitation has been generous enough to provide a free coupon book to one lucky reader!  Check out the rafflecopter below for details on how to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Few Announcements // A Giveaway

Hey guys!  So I have a giveaway for you all today!  But first, just a few things...

• I've updated Shop my Closet with a lot of new things and will be adding more throughout the day if anyone is interested.
• This week is the last week for my portfolio sale!  If you're wanting a blog redesign for 50% off then send me an email or order from the site.

This month I am teaming up with Nicole of Treasure Tromp and her other wonderful sponsors to bring you a little giveaway!  There's lots of goodies in here so make sure you enter :)

Found Love, Now What | Lost in Travels | A Girl Smitten Inspiration.Sparks | Sweet Silver Lining | Treasure Tromp a Rafflecopter giveaway

Red, White & Cash Giveaway!

Happy 4th of July!! 

I have teamed up with Marquis from Simply Clarke and 20 other bloggers to bring you a $350 Red, White & CASH giveaway. Thats right, we are celebrating the 4th by giving away some PayPal Cash to one lucky winner.

I hope that you have a great 4th of July! Be sure to check out all the amazing ladies below that made this possible. 

1. Simply Clarke  //  2. Pink Heels Pink Truck  //  3. Never The Same Spice Twice  //  4. Shades of Color Art  //  5. Pursuit of Pink  //  6. Glam Hungry Mom  //  7. Living In Another Language  //  8. A Girl Smitten  //  9. When In Doubt Just Add Glitter  //  10. Fueled & Aflame  //  11. Pearls & Curls  //  12. A Complete Waste of Makeup  //  13. Toby's Tails  //  14. Dancin' With A Dolly //  15. To The Sea  //  16. Carolina Fireflies  //  17. Southern Beauty Guide  //  18. All That Glitters  //  19. Felicitous Fruition  //  20. Everyday Thoughts  //  21.   Je Ne Sais Quoi Jules  //  22. Pretty Little Inspirations

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