giveaway with beautiful & beloved

I'm excited today to introduce to you a new shop with a beautiful vision behind it. Everything in the online shop Beautiful & Beloved, run by Amber, supports victims of trafficking and slavery.

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Amber's story
I blog and run the online Beautiful & Beloved boutique.  It is my path in life to remind women of every age and ethnicity that we are daughters of God, and He calls us His beloved and to Him we are breathtakingly beautiful.  The online shop sells items that are handmade by survivors of slavery.  Did you know that there are more slaves in the world right now than ever before in human history?? Beautiful and Beloved Boutique partners with organizations around the world who not only take these brave survivors in, they teach them a trade, they offer counseling and hope.  These survivors get a new chance at life and you get the chance to help them in that journey by purchasing their unique and beautiful merchandise.

Amber's favorites from the shop:

1. lightweight Etanesh scarf from FashionAble

2. blue lace foldover clutch

3. colorful maxi dress, handmade in India

4. a gorgeous statement necklace that would go with everything

I actually have no idea what I am doing with this boutique.  This was a calling from God and through every step of the way He has been lying a path before me.  I am just trusting in Him that this is His plan and that He will make it a success for His glory and the glory of those who have never before been glorified.  I feel like I am literally just along for the ride, blessed and grateful that I have been chosen for this dream.

I wish I could give great advice about starting a business, but the truth is I have none.  I have just tried my best to be humble, to be in community, and to be in God's will and I am trusting that He will do the rest.

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Amber is generously offering free shipping with the code "sweeterika" but if that's not enough, she's also giving away $30 to the Beautiful & Beloved shop to a rouge & whimsy reader. (If I could win, I'd snag this or this!)

enter using the rafflecopter below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo, erika

sponsor love: shillcat

I'm interrupting the Europe recap posts to talk about accessories. I don't know what it is but this spring I am loving bracelets to pile on my arms, bright purses, and bold necklaces. I'm excited to share with you a new accessory shop, Shillcat, that showcases all of that.



Shillcat has gorgeous, bright accessories and is run by Lana, who explained how she started this new shop.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had a strong interest and passion for fashion design, but only about one year ago I decided to start Shillcat when I was dignosed with a kind of brain tumor which has
prevented me working out of my house. One thing led to another and then I am here working hard to offer to my clients the latest in terms of fashion and quality!

Our slogan is “Your style in own beautiful way," which reveals much about our culture.We believes that fashion trends should be explored, not forced upon you. Our style guarantees to help every woman out. Style should never be complicated, and it should be an expression of you, something
that excites you, and helps you demonstrate to the world your creativity, and who you are."

These are a few of things I'm eying at Shillcat:

 1. faux leather orange clutch // 2.  bright necklace // 3. orange satchel purse // 4. vintage-style emerald earrings // 5. teal studded bracelet

Lana is offering 15 percent off to rouge and whimsy readers so you can stock up on some spring accessories. Most of her prices are pretty reasonable, and with a discount, they're an absolute steal. :)

Connect with Shillcat on facebook // blog // twitter // pinterest

what are your favorite accessories for spring?

xo, erika

featured shop: print & pillage

hi all.
Happy friday. I so very much love introducing you to new shops, and today's is a fun shop print & pillage. I asked shop owner Jay a few questions about starting her small biz.

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Hi everybody! I'm Jay, owner and jack of all trades behind Print & Pillage. Along with my husband (who's the numbers person in this relationship) and my best friend Ali who pitches in to help me, we're a small paper goods and custom stationery shop as well as design studio based out of Minnesota.

What led you to open a shop on Etsy?

 

The whole idea behind Print & Pillage came out of my last year of college, when I desperately was trying to find something to do with my life that would allow me to continue working on the two passions I had pursued for four years-- Illustration and Printmaking. I have also always been a big believer that while images are worth a thousand words, together they become magic. I think in this time of emails and text messages, we forget how special a personalized note can be, even if it's written on a post-it note! So Print and Pillaye came out of my love for art, my (bordering on unhealthy) obsession with paper and my desire to bring a little special memory to someone. 

 

How you stay inspired/ find inspiration? 

 

 

I have no problem staying inspired, but for that I need to not think too much about the things I work on when I am not working on them. When I was in school, art quickly consumed my life so that even when I wasn't in the studio, that's all I could think about! being back in the studio painting. It's exhausting. So my inspiration comes from everywhere except my work space: movies, plays, photographs, good books and music -- but they also come from all of those small moments in my life. A day spent with friends, the anticipation of spring (can't wait for spring!); my husband saying something so funny my stomach hurts from laughing, or just from a quiet Saturday morning sitting on the floor with my cat and a nice cup of tea. I take what's outside, digest it for a bit, and then bring it into my little corner of my home where I can then focus on work uninterrupted. Also, it seems like my best ideas always come to me when I'm in the shower! not sure why, but there you have it. 

 

 thank you card // print & pillage

What's your advice for other who want to start a creative endeavor? 

Just do it. Write the book you want to write, or paint the painting you want to paint, tackle that giant pile of yarn you've been waiting to turn into a scarf. Sometimes the best things come out of just jumping in head first and dealing with all the hurdles as they come. I spent two years just planning, and it was very easy to caught up in planning because then it didn't feel like procrastinating (and we all know there's no guilt associated with not doing "it" if we're "planning ahead" for it, right?), but the truth was that it was justified procrastination on my dreams at its best. So now, any time someone tells me they want to do something, I tell them to just go for it.

 

What are your dreams for the shop? 

I'm a big dreamer. I think my mother had a lot to do with that. When she said that I could do anything, I truly believed her, and still do. I am currently working on the shop's website (I hope to have it launched within the next few months!) and my hope is that within the next year P&P grows enough that I can hire an accountant! I will do the math if I have to, but I think that's best left to the professionals, and being able to hire someone to help with other tasks would give me more time to work on creating the actual paintings. My darling husband gives his time freely to help my dreams along, but an accountant would be nice. Eventually, though, a brick and mortar store (or two, or ten!) would be the long term goal. That last one's a big lofty dream, though, but I think my one and only dream is to grow Print & Pillage as big as it can grow while still maintaining the values from which it was built. As of right now, there's a lot of changes coming up to the shop, a lot of inventory in the works (and a sneak peak in one of these images) and they're very exciting! 

 

 you're such a fox card // print & pillage

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Thanks Jay!

 

You can see Jay's shop Print & Pillage here and connect with her on her blog // facebook // twitter 

 

And use the coupon code 'rougeandwhimsy15' for a 15% discount in the shop.

enjoy your weekend, all. I know I will. :)

xo, erika

last minute valentines + giveaway

Did Valentines sneak up on you too? (and basically all of February...?) If you're like me, and woefully behind on so many things, a few of my sponsors are sharing their favorite Valentines Day diys and recipes.

1. strawberry cake cookies with cream cheese frosting

shared by Hannah of Happy Days

This Valentines' Day... This year, we'll celebrate valentine's day with a casual lunch at our favorite bar & grill, then later, ice cream cake and movies once the kiddo is asleep :)

connect with her: blog // shop // twitter // instagram

coupon: save 15% including sale items with WHIMSY thru 2/28 



2. airhead heart lollipops

 shared by Lesley of By the Porchlight

This Valentines Day ... My hubby and I tend to avoid going out on the 14th because restaurants are crazy so we usually go out for a nice dinner a couple of days ahead just to spend some time together (although this year I wouldn't mind going bowling instead, haha).

connect with her: blog // facebook // pinterest // twitter




3. heart-stitched badminton racquet

shared by Megan of Moonbeam Wishes 

This Valentines Day ... I will be cooking up some sweet treats and watching a cute film or two (I'm leaning towards Valentines Day  + Moonrise Kingdom)

connect with her: blog // shop // pinterest // twitter

coupon: save 20% with WHIMSY



4. washi tape votive

shared by Beth of The Goad Abode 

This Valentines Day... We're not big on V-day and I actually have to work that night, so we'll probably just have a home cooked meal on Friday night (and I have a little handmade gift for the Mr.).

connect with her:  blog // facebook // twitter

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And I can't forget the giveaway, can I?

Win a gorgeous pair of green czech glass earrings from Hannah, $10 gift card to Target from Beth and one month of large ad space from Lesley.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo, erika

 

sponsor spotlight & giveaway with I Believe In Story

I'll admit it-- I'm a bookworm. I love love love to read and devour nearly any sort of book, which is why I'm excited to introduce one of my lovely sponsors Maria!

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Hi, everyone! My name is Maria and I blog over at I Believe In Story, where I post musings about all types of literature. Erika asked me to write a post with a few book recommendations. I hope these titles will inspire you to start making your own to-read list for the new year! Tweet me and let me know what books you plan to read this year.

for the fairytale fan.

1. MIRROR MIRROR by Gregory Maguire

A story that explores the classic tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  Maguire's writing is absolutely beautiful.  You'll find yourself reading with a highlighter or a pen nearby, making sure you document all of the passages that speak directly to you.  For example: "We make of the hollow world a fuller, messier, prettier place, but all our inventions can't create the one thing we require: to deserve any fond attention we might accidentally receive, to receive any fond attention we don't in the course of things deserve."

for the art fan.

2. THE LADY AND THE UNICORN by Tracy Chevalier

A story based on the background behind six tapestries woven in the late 15th century.  Chevalier has created a fictional story about the people who were connected to the creation of the tapestry, from the rich man who commissions the piece to the family who work day and night to finish weaving before the project's deadline.  "Two families, two cities, one rogue go-between, and a set of gorgeous tapestries."

for the memoir fan.

3. LOOSE END by Ivan E. Coyote

A collection of short stories that focus on urban life in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia.  Coyote writes about the impact of modern society on the diverse Canadians that live around her.  A storyteller by trade, Coyote's craft and mastery over words will have you laughing and crying within a span of two pages.  The stories are short and sweet, commenting on the gender binaries we place upon ourselves and others.

for the classics fan.

4. THE AWAKENING by Kate Chopin

An often ignored American classic, The Awakening is about Edna Pontellier, a woman who struggles with her personal views about femininity and motherhood and the views of American society at the turn-of-the-century.  The book focuses on the psychology of Edna and her literal "awakening" from the expectations that have been placed upon her.

for the young adult fan.

5. THIS DARK ENDEAVOUR by Kenneth Oppel

Oppel's YA novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein's apprenticeship as he discovers the world of alchemy and does everything possible to save his brother from death.  This book has just the right amount of fantasy to keep you on the edge of your seat, but the adventure is incredibly realistic.  The main character’s desire for power is something all readers will relate to - even if they don’t want to admit it.

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Maria is generously offering a rouge & whimsy reader a book of their choice from this list!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway