Take a Look at Your Life and Giveaway Winner

*photo compliments of flikrista.com*

Self portraits are fun because they allow the viewer to see the photographer and learn a little about who the person is that captures the art of life. This role reversal also allows for a chance to look at your own life. With actually seeing the camera pointed at you...

What does your photo look like?

And now for the winner of the Sororosey Heart Strings Giveaway! Drumroll please...

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:23Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Congrats Angel Scents you just won your first Valentine's gift of the season!

Sealed with a... Heart Zipper?

The girly side of me absolutley adores Valentine's Day! The pink and red, the hearts, the romance...*sigh*... and here is a Cupid inspired piece, brand new to Embellished, to honor the upcoming Day of Love!

It actually is a vintage French zipper! I was playing around with it, without any real plan of what it would become and when I looked down I noticed it looked like a heart! So I immediately stuck it into place for a clip before I forget how I stumbled upon such a cute accessory!

Wonderful for hair, hats or a shoe accent this peach heart has great meaning. Its vintage, strong, and peachy...just like a strong love stands the test of time and allows your life to be peaches & cream, so does this adorable Embellishment for your wardrobe!

Check out the entire new line now at Embellished!

Remember this is the last day to enter the Heart Strings Giveaway from Sororosey! Get to it HERE!

Creativity, Prosperity, and Giveaway Winner! Oh my!

Well darlings Jean Straps gave us a great kick off to a big giveaway season coming up, and we have our first winner of 2010! Here is some food for thought while you gear up for our next giveaway.

*photo compliments of Around Applegate Blog*

I love scrolling around Etsy and drawing inspiration from the creativity that oozes from the Handmade World. In the process I met Jennie, Owner of Sororosey. Check out the giveaway, you have 3 days to hop on this awesome offer!

And brought to you via Random.org the winner is...

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:1Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Congratulations Emily B, you've just won an easier way to be your fashionista self!

Good luck in the next couple of days Embellishers!

Pullin on My Heart Strings Giveaway

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and its time to start thinking about presents and dates! I for one am flying solo this VDay since I am over here in France, but I've never been one to be bitter about being single on Cupid's Day...I love, love and everything that goes with it. I am a true romantic at heart and love a holiday that celebrates true love!

*photo compliments of the most amazing Cheyenne Schutlz please check out her site*

So to start with a bang for the upcoming holiday how about a handmade set that you can use as present toppers for any or all of your Valentine's Day gifts (or for yourself as nice home decor)?

Sororosey on Etsy has cute crocheted things, some are also made from upcycled fabrics, its so nice to give an old garment a second chance! I spoke with Jennie about the shop and life and she was a delight. And great news Embellishers: Sororosey has teamed up with Embellished to offer you a chance to win one of her darling Heart String sets!

*all product photos compliments of Sororosey*

1. When did you learn to crochet? My grandmother taught me when I was about 10. That was over 30 years ago!

2. When did you decide to turn your hobby into a business? I was a full time special education teacher for 15 years. Then, I had my little girl- 4 years ago- and I was fortunate enough to get to stay home with her. I discovered Etsy about 2 years ago, and that made me dream big!

3. What is your favorite thing about working with your shop? Pretty much everything; I love searching for fabulous fabric and yarn, designing new or custom items, meeting new people and having my best efforts rewarded with nice messages and sometimes sales!

4. What can we expect in the future? I have a list a mile long of projects that I can't wait to try. One of my teams is hosting a "decade" challenge this month, and I'm hard at work on my entry, which will also be a new item for me. Can't tell you what it is yet, though- it's a secret! I also have a project included in another upcoming Lark craft book- due out in the Fall, I believe.

5. If you could have one super power what would it be? Oh, wow. Just one? It would have to be the ability to blink my eyes and have my whole house be sparkling clean. That's not so much to ask, is it ;)

6. Any other special tidbits about your shop?

All of my fabric crochet work is ecofriendly - the fabric is all upcycled. I handpick well-worn, gorgeous linens and clothing at local secondhand shops. I launder everything and cut the fabric by hand- giving items that need one a new lease on life! *Two of my projects were included in Lark's Craft Challenge: Pillowcase (in bookstores now).

I also have a vintage shop on Etsy, SosoVintage, and a blog, Sororosey Blog be sure to check those out too!

So darlings, you have many opportunities to enter, but for EACH ENTRY you have to COMMENT BELOW or you will not get credit for it. The winner will be chosen in 3 days via random.org so get in your entries now! And great news International readers can enter too!

1. Visit Sororosey and comment below about your fav item

2. Become a follower of The Embellished Life Blog

3. Tweet about this giveaway (be sure to tag @fashiondiva304 so I can check)

4. Become an Embellished Facebook Fan

Good luck Embellishers! The contest closes Midnight Tuesday January 19th, NYC time so make sure to get your entries in before the doors close.

Street Savvy

Do you love people watching? I know I do, and I am especially inspired by the plethora of style you can find from just sitting and watching a crowd for 5 minutes. I often draw inspiration from this for my Embellished line and my own personal wardrobe. Well Jason, of Citizen Couture, is doing just that with his blog!

I had a chance to catch up with Jason and learn more about the site, so take a peak! *All photos compliments of Citizen Couture*

1. Accounting to photography? Big change, how did you get there!

The truth of the matter is that I was downsized from my firm so I thought it was a good opportunity to take on my creative side. I used to draw very often when I was younger and then just two years ago I wanted to take on photography, but I wasn't able to find what kind of photography I enjoyed until I tried taking photos during NY Fashion Week. I think photographing street-fashion is also a way for me to understand photography on a different level and it was a great way to overcome my shyness.

2. What is your method for capturing photos?

I usually carry my camera around wherever I go, but sometimes I feel that good street-style shots are difficult to come by especially in the winter. I can be meticulous with my shots and I find backdrops and lighting very important. Instead of waiting/walking around endlessly, I find that it's more efficient to also meet people through the blog network/friends. This way I can spend more time with the subject to understand who they are as a person and also getting several looks.

3. What do you love most about what you're doing now?

What I love most about photographing street-style is meeting interesting people and being able to know them on some level other than just a photo.

4. What are you future hopes for the site?

I'm hoping that the website will grow further enough that I can pursue it long-term. Even if financial constraint forces me to go back into accounting for that time being, I feel that this is a project that I want to commit to.

How is your street style?

*Don't forget: Only ONE day left to enter the Jean Straps Giveaway! Make a good impression for people who people watch! Good luck*

Be the Change

This pictures speaks volumes for itself and really hits to the heart of a core belief for me.

Be the change you wish to see in the world. - Ghandi.

*photo compliments of MediaKik on Flikrista.com*

What are some small things you can do to improve our daily surroundings?

Don't forget to enter to win your own Jean Straps, only 3 days left!

The Perfect Jean Solution Giveaway!

Hey girls! If you're anything like me you love tucking your jeans into cute boots to get through this cold season. And of course you love your favorite pair of skinny jeans, but what about all your old boot cut and flare jeans that make your butt look fabulous but give you a full time job to pair with boots? I have found your solution! Jean Straps.

*photo compliments of timesunionblog*

Tni Newhoff and Erin Tocalino have produced the solution to every fashionista's fret. Without having to peruse your mother's closet for her old 80s stir-up jeans you can buy your own Jean Straps and fit any of your jeans into place securely to pull those amazing boots over. The Jean Straps connect with a classic garter clasp for verstility on the many lengths and fabrics in your closet. And with Over the Knee boots in full trend swing right now, it is the perfect time to offer a GIVEAWAY for this huge fashion battle!

*photo compliments of Jean Straps*

1. Where did the idea for Jean Straps come about?

My friend and business partner Tni and I had both just bought some fabulous new boots last year. While we were at a concert with our husbands, we started to discuss how much trouble we'd had getting the boots to play well with all of our jeans. Bunching knees, hard to pull on, riding up as the day went on -- all the problems that can arise . We both remembered wearing stirrup pants back in the eighties, but figured there was a more flexible -- and fashionable --solution. Basically, we wanted the convenience without having to revisit that chapter of our fashion history.

2. How did you get to where you are today?

We started developing prototypes soon after the show, which took place in November 2008. We went through probably 10-15 different iterations until we settled on the slim garter clips that you find on Jean Straps today. For us, they struck a perfect balance between being slim and low-profile enough to fit comfortably underneath even the snuggest boots and secure enough to hold jeans for a full day's (or evening's) activities.

*photo compliments of Collegefashion.net*

3. What does the future hold?

We've gotten a ton of great feedback from our customers, and we listen closely to all of it. One of our guiding principles while we were developing Jean Straps was to keep the final product simple and easy to use. That's why we chose to not make them adjustable, instead choosing a length that worked with a wide variety of jean lengths. If a pair of jeans are a little longer, a simple cuff of 1" increments makes our "non-adjustable" Jean Straps infinitely adjustable!

Certainly, you'll see some fresh new styles from us in the new year. We hope to continue refining Jean Straps to ensure they're the most flexible, convenient solution to a perfect fit, every day.

4. If you could have any super power what would it be?

My super power would be the ability to be in multiple places at one time!

*photo compliments of ermoumag.com*

Jean Straps has teamed up with Embellished to offer ONE lucky reader a pair of Jean Straps! To enter you have a couple options, and remember this is a 4 day contest so don't waste anytime! Contest ends Saturday at Midnight NYC time, contest open to all readers.

1. Leave a relevant comment (make sure I have a way to contact you)

2. Become a follower of The Embellished Life Blog

3. Tweet about this giveaway! (tag @fashiondiva304 so I can keep track)

4. Become a Facebook Fan of Embellished!

That is 4 chances to win, remember to post a separate comment below for EACH entry you do. Did you post a comment, and tweet? Then you should have TWO comments posted below for credit. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and contacted tout suite! Bon Chance darlings!