November 2015 archive
Small Business Weekend Shopping Giveaway
Small Business Weekend shopping starts now! Small Business Weekend is a time to discover and support small shops, locally made items, and handcrafted art. In the flurry of Black Friday and holiday sales, Small Business Weekend shopping reminds us about the unique items we may be overlooking!
Here are some of my favorite vendors that offer fun handmade gift ideas this year. And keep reading-there’s a giveaway exclusively for Pink Paperdoll readers, with the chance to win every item from these shops pictured below! Talk about getting a head start on your shopping.
Starfelts
These felt plushies are handmade by a real mermaid! Stasia Higgins plays Starla the Mermaid and sews felties and plush toys. She runs the Etsy shop StarFelts and loves making custom orders! (Mermaid Starla is also available for events and parties.)
Perfect for: kids, mermaid lovers, anyone on your list who needs a good luck charm or a happiness boost.
Silver Lining Designs
This Canadian-based jewelry designer uses a combination of stainless steel wire and beads to make keepsake creations.
Here’s what she says about her line: “Jewelry says a lot about a person, I love connecting with people through the fun, quirky, colorful and the classy jewelry that I make, sell, wear and give as gifts. And now you can too!”
Perfect for: Moms, Grandmas, Co-workers, Cousins, Friends, Aunties or any favorite who loves unique keepsake jewelry. Also check out her Tree of Life design on Etsy for nature-loving ladies.
Are you shopping at any small, local or handmade stores this year? Comment to share your suggestions for where to do small business weekend shopping!
Small Business Weekend Shopping Giveaway
Minnesota Blogger Conference Recap
After two years of blogging, I attended my first blogging convention last weekend: The Minnesota Blogger Conference. The College of St. Catherine campus where the event was held is so pretty, I took myself on a little walking tour after and grabbed some photos, including the one above.
Snippets of Wisdom from Minnesota Blogger Conference
Here are some my most valuable takeaways from the presenters who shared their knowledge of blogging so expertly with us. All lessons are paraphrased from the presentations.
Write about your unique perspective. What is your unique take? That’s what people want to read. That’s what is going to set you apart. –Arik Hanson
There are so many blogs out there, you really need to work on creating something of quality. Creating an editorial calendar can help you keep on task with your content. –Amanda Nagy
For SEO purposes, every photo should be named what your post is titled. Also, when shooting food photos, use small dishes to better display the food. It will get lost if the dish is too big. – Alice from Dining with Alice
Don’t worry about your competition. People are there to read your blog. The only thing you should fear is not coming off as genuine. – Erica Hanna
We now interrupt this recap for a quick outfit post break, brought to you by the beautiful St. Kate’s campus.
Love this little crossbody? It’s on sale now for only 39.99. More outfit details below.
In addition to the wisdom gleaned from the presentations, the chance to make connections with other local content creators was especially valuable to me. If you’ve attended a blogging conference, what did you take away from it?
Outfit Details
Purse – Calvin Klein on sale 50% off! / Dress – Similar / Tights – Available at Dry Goods stores / Jacket – Previously seen here. Available at Target stores.
Dry Weather Skincare
Dry Weather Skincare
Indoor heating and a dip in temperature can mean winter weather skin, which is dry and hard to keep moisturized. What can you add to your routine for dry weather skincare?
- Use a humidifier to keep the indoor air less dry.
- Make sure you’re swapping any drying soaps or face washes for mild cleansers.
- Use a nourishing moisturizer on skin twice a day. The one for night time should be thicker to help replenish moisturizer while you sleep. Read on for my review of Derma e Hydrating Night Cream.
Derma e Hydrating Night Creme Review
This brand started out with small roots at a health food store in California. Although it has grown, all the products are still vegan and cruelty free. Another cool fact that attracted me to the brand is that their manufacturing and operations are offset 100 percent by wind power.
As it is nourishing to dry skin but doesn’t leave it greasy, this blend is perfect for dry weather skincare. It leaves skin feeling and looking good so you can put your best face forward for fall. Those sensitive to fragrances should note that it is scented. Available at stores including Walgreens, the full line includes skincare solutions of all types including a hydrating day creme to complement the night creme I tried.
Exclusive Coupon
Want to try a new hydrating creme for dry weather skincare for yourself? Dermae, this post’s sponsor, is giving readers a coupon for $2 off any Derma e product at Walgreens, which you can download here.
What are your best techniques for keeping skin happy in fall and winter?
