Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts

Friday, March 6, 2015

Golden Tote Review #2 March 2015

So if you read my first Golden Tote review or my post about where to buy Golden Tote surprise items, you're probably wondering why on earth I ordered another Golden Tote.

#1 I'm an addict

#2 My Facebook group enabled me

In retrospect, I made a bad choice the first time around. I bought a mystery tote. I should have known with my personality that 4 total surprises weren't going to work for me.

Second, I wouldn't have ordered small. But there was no way to know that at the time! And who knows, maybe all mediums would have been too big.

So, I joined the facebook group Golden Tote recommended for trading unwanted items, Golden Tote Trading Group. You can find it here.

From there I found several other spin offs where I was able to commiserate with others. But it also turned out that while these other groups were full of complainers, they are also addicts. So there were dozens of reveals, "I caved in," or "They got me again."

Seeing the clothes on real people really sold me. There were several items that everyone looked good in and raved about. So I fell in love with this Touch of Spring Top from Potters Pot.



I never would have picked this out for myself in a million years if I'd just seen it on a "mannequin" online. But people talked about how soft and comfortable it is, and how they love the colors.

So when I heard Golden Tote was offering free shipping this week due to the delay of the March line, I jumped online to buy the things I'd be considering. I was reluctant, but I figured since you can return it and shipping was free, there was really no risk.


I'm so glad I did. I could have just bought the top and been done with it but it was $35 for the top, or I could buy the $49 tote and get the top of my choice and a surprise item. For $14 I decided to take a gamble.

So it turns out you don't have to return the whole tote anymore. You can keep the chosen item for the boutique price and return the surprise item, or you can keep the surprise item for $35 and return the chosen item. I did neither, since I loved both! But I like options.

Here's the March 2014 surprise item I received. I had made a note at checkout that my favorite colors were blue, black and gray, I wanted a top or tunic, in a small or medium, size up if unsure.

I think they hit the nail on the head. This lovely blue blouse is Jella Couture.

      

The other item I had been eye-balling was the black Puella pocket dress. Originally it was too expensive for my taste, but they dropped the prices of all of the chosen items in the boutique so it's $35 now. There were mixed reviews, but I found out it runs big and some customers received dresses with holes. I sized down and crossed my fingers.

When it arrived I thoroughly inspected it and threw it on. I was instantly in love!


The funniest thing about the 2 items I choose was that they were both made out of a similar material to my Loveappella Evie drawstring funnel neck sweatshirt from Stitch Fix, which I finally decided to give a try and don't want to take off. I'm no fashionista, I had no idea what this material is, but the Stitch Fix blog calls it space dyed slub knit.


So for $90 I received 3 great pieces! And none of them are navy, which is probably a good thing!

Unfortunately the free shipping ends tonight, and the whole website is down tomorrow and Sunday, but Monday morning Golden Tote is promising a pretty new website and a whole new wardrobe. I say give it a try. And if you don't like it, you can sell it to me on the trading group!

If you decide to try it, I'd be delighted if you used my referral:
http://www.goldentote.com/index.php?route=common/referral&referral=176e8084e079478b

Friday, June 1, 2012

Meet the Artist and Giveaway: Kimberly from Honizukle

It's Giveaway Time!

Ya'll know I love me some letterpress.
I was SO excited when Kimberly over at Honizukle agreed to sponsor a giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive 2 sets of absolutely gorgeous 
handmade mini letterpress cards from Honizukle!

Mini Letterpress Notecards : Apple - Set of 6
Buy it here

I can't tell you how in love I am with Kimberly's work.
When she showed me her latest collection, I thought it was so beautiful I just had to pin them.

Let me just tell you, the cards are even more beautiful in hand.
The stationery is thick and luxurious. The impressions are rich and precise.
The colors are modern and vibrant. The designs are one-of-a-kind.

Let's learn more about the talented and lovely Kimberly who made this all possible:

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: A little about myself… well, it's hard to describe myself. I'm very driven. Anything creative inspires me and there's nothing artistic that I don't like to do or want to try my hand at. Of course, I have to narrow it down and concentrate on something to be any good at it. I love designing and working on the press. When I'm not working I'm spending time with my apprentice in the making, my two year old son, Jack. We have fun together and he and my husband inspire a lot of my work.



Q: How did you get started doing letterpress?

A: I've always loved stationery. Even before I came to the US. It was something my sister and I used to collect and really enjoy. I don't remember exactly when I first laid eyes on a letterpressed card but once I saw what could be done I knew I had to do it. My husband was kind enough to allow me to invest in my own press and I took an intensive workshop in Brooklyn that really cemented my love for it. 




Letterpress Wedding Invitation - Margaret - Elegant Monogram Motif Yellow Invitation
Buy it here
Q: Do you sell your products anywhere besides Etsy? How does it compare?
A: I don't yet. I've sold through my own site but I'm redoing it at the moment so I've only been selling through Etsy. I will hopefully be in a few shops soon and that's exciting but Etsy is a great marketplace. The kind of people that appreciate handmade are already going to Etsy to find things, so you already have the clients you're looking for. Etsy also puts so much work into their marketing and that's work they do for you. Each listing is like a little ad of your own. I think Etsy is a great place to sell and I don't think I'd ever stop selling there.


Q: What is your most popular item?

A: It's hard to say. I design new items for holidays so there are definite favorites during those times but I'd have to say what I sell the most are personalized sets. There's something great about getting or giving personalized stationery and it shows in the amount of sets I sell.


Q: What inspired your new collection?
A: My new collection is all Spring. I picked a palette I love and went with it. I was also very inspired by the Pearl Lettra stock I had acquired. It has a very creamy feel because of the color and that just made me want to do soft pastels and of course sweet designs. I'd say a lot of it was inspired by Mother's Day and my own mother actually. She loves flowers and used to draw them all the time. We're far away so I think about her a lot, this collection could be a subconscious ode to her too.


Q: Where do you see yourself/your shop in 3 years?
A: In three years I hope to be in stores. I'd really like to enter a store and see my cards on a counter. I know there would be a lot of satisfaction in that. I also hope to acquire another press, specifically a Vandercook. I have big ideas and I'd love to expand into other products and so I'd need a bigger press. I'd keep Charlotte of course but I'd love my studio to grow.



Q: Any advice for new shop owners on Etsy?
A: Stay on top of your Shop Stats. See what's bringing people in. If you have a product that you can tailor (like cards) pay close attention to the key words people are looking for and make a product that fills that need. Make sure to renew listings and to keep making new products to keep your shop fresh.


Q: Just for fun, what is the last thing you bought yourself on Etsy? 
A: The last thing I got from Etsy was the cutest little apron. I saw it and knew it would be perfect for me to print with. Indeed, I've printed with it already and it's fantastic, no more searching for my tools all over the place. :)

ATTENTION SHOPPERS!!! COUPON ALERT!!
Kimberly is offering my readers an exclusive coupon code to Honizukle:
Use MT2012 for 10% off your entire purchase 
(excluding wedding/custom orders).

Thank You Letterpress Greeting Card - Gracias
Buy it here
Are you ready to win some funtabulous stuff from Honizukle?
Thought so :)

How to Enter the Giveaway:

1. Follow this blog (Mandatory)
and leave a comment here saying you did.

2. Add Honizukle to your circle or Favorite Shops on Etsy
and leave a separate comment here saying you did.

3. Leave a comment about your favorite design(s) from Honizukle.

Best of Luck!
Make sure to bookmark my giveaways page if you haven't already, 
and READ THE FINE PRINT

Fine print:
Only 3 entries per household please
Giveaway ends June 15th at midnight PST
Winner will be chosen by random.org
Entries will be validated
Winner will be announced here
Winner will have 3 days to contact me, 
after which a new winner will be chosen
Must be 18 years of age or older to enter
Otherwise open to everyone!