Goodbye to Little Window Shoppe
May 18, 2009 by Emily · 62 Comments
My Dearest Window Shoppe Readers and Friends,
This post has taken me over a month to write - partly because this is my last post on this blog. I am so sad to announce that as of today, Little Window Shoppe is closing for good.
The decision was not taken lightly and was really hard to make, but a combination of factors came together that brought me to this post…very much wanting to spend more time with my family (I have a very busy two year old who needs more mommy-time), 
getting ready for baby #2 in November (I’ve been out sick for two months! But it’s totally worth it as we’re so excited to have a new baby come to our family), and finally getting ready for a move to a new state with my family this Summer (my hubby is starting a new job).
{Photo source: Wilson Library Reserve}
I have learned so much from blogging at Little Window Shoppe and will be forever grateful for the kind friends I have made and the amazing experiences that I have had here!! Thank you so much for taking time to make Little Window shoppe a part of your lives and for being such a fantastic community. And also, thank you for all of the nice emails and inquiries about how we are doing.
Before I say goodbye for good, I want to thank a few people who helped me along the way:
First and foremost, my husband Scott. He is an incredibly supportive husband and friend and was the first person to listen to my every idea and concern throughout my blogging adventures. He has also been Superman at my house and has cooked, cleaned, taken care of our two year old and helped me out while I was sick over the last seven weeks! I couldn’t ask for a better man in my life and I love him so much!!
I also wanted to thank Holly of Tutus and Turtles. She is so cool and listened and talked to me for hours on the phone as I worked out how I would end my Window Shoppe blogging days. Her blog has been an inspiration to me from the beginning and I think that her blog ideas rock!!
Finally, I wanted to thank each of the writers and contributors for Little Window Shoppe. Each of them had creative and beautiful ideas to share and I’m so grateful and honored that they wanted to be part of this blog with me. They have become some of my dearest friends and were the best group of writers a blog ever had! They even sent me tulips when I was sick (just about made me cry, I felt so loved).
Please visit each of their blogs to keep up with their cool ideas!
- Vanessa - her blog: I Never Grew Up
- Lauren - her blog: Supermom Central
- Michelle - her shoppe: Sweet Mady’s Paper
- Michaelle - her blog: Monkeys Momma
- Cassie - her shoppe: Madison Envy
- Kelly - her blog: Albany Mommy
Also, I wanted to leave you with a few additional recommendations of blogs I love - in case you are looking for new places to subscribe:
- www.simplemom.net - this is my absolute favorite blog to follow…it has the best family tips and ideas that make sense, the ideas are easy to follow and I just can’t get enough of its coolness.
- www.howaboutorange.blogspot.com - artsy, tons of crafts, diy ideas, printouts, and the best time-wasters ever.
- www.thepioneerwoman.com - recipes, photoshop tutorials, photography 101, down-to-earth life.
- www.makeandtakes.com - the coolest (and most creative) kids crafts ever!
- www.metropolitanmama.net - and for all you contest lovers, this Metro Mama has excellent giveaways all of the time - and she writes helpful articles with tips for parents. Love it.
There are so many more…but I think this is a great start.
If you want to stay in touch with me, you can follow me at a few sites:
- www.emilyjune.com (I’ll still be designing blogs and websites - starting again this fall).
- I’m also going to be checking in and updating my facebook page and my family blog regularly. They will have weekly updates of my family life and the cool fun things we are doing.
**If you want to stay in touch with me at my family blog or on facebook, just email me or leave a comment letting me know and I’ll send you the links.**
Thank you again for making this the best blogging experience I have ever had!!
Always,
Emily
The Purple Pear Giveaway
March 23, 2009 by Emily · 284 Comments
Contest Update:
*We have a winner!! The randomly chosen winner for this contest is: #6 Kathy - Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who participated - please stop by again as we have a new contest each week.*
Both delightful and stylish, The Purple Pear is a cute little accessory boutique that you simply cannot miss! With eye-catching glass magnet sets and pretty pendants, this Etsy shoppe is a fun place to visit when you are window shopping.
Plus, this boutique has an extra special place in my heart since the owner, Catherine, is one of my friends and she is the awesome person who helped me as I set up my Lindee Shoppe. So, if you kind of miss my Lindee Shoppe, you can still find similar cute items at The Purple Pear.
Discount: Free shipping on your orders at The Purple Pear and her 2nd shoppe Daisy Bows until March 31st with code: LWS *mention this code in the notes to seller at checkout*
Win It:
One Window Shoppe Reader is in for a treat and will win a set of glass magnets, a pendant, and a clear view tin of your choice!
To Enter:
Simply visit the shoppe and leave a quick comment letting me know which of these items you would want if you win. This giveaway ends on Tuesday, March 31st at midnight PST. The winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced at this post Wednesday, April 1st. Good luck, everyone!! (Please feel free to read our contest rules for additional details)
(Optional) For an extra entry:
- Are you a Subscriber? Just let us know you’re subscribed to Little Window Shoppe in an additional comment.
Monkey’s Momma and Creations By Chara
March 20, 2009 by Michaelle · 12 Comments
Hi Window Shoppe Readers! I just wanted to introduce you to Michaelle - she is one of our new contributors and I think that she is a fantastic writer. She is going to share her ideas with us a few times each month. If you want to get to know her a little better, you can read more about her on our writer’s page or you can visit her blog: Monkey’s Momma. This monkey comes straight from her blog, isn’t it just the cutest little monkey illustration you have ever seen?
Now onto Michaelle’s post…
Looking for custom hand-stamped, hand-crafted jewelry? Find it at a sweet little shoppe called Creations By Chara. The artist behind these creations is Joy Hopkins. Chara means “Joy” in Greek, hence the name, Creations By Chara.
If hand-stamped is not really your style, she also has a shoppe called Chara’s Creations which showcases her beautiful non-stamped jewelry. Joy is a sentimental and spiritual person and specializes in customizing jewelry for women who have suffered loss, whether it be a baby or child, a parent or otherwise.
The jewelry, in both shoppes, is made with quality materials and hand-crafted by Joy. She puts a lot of time and effort into making certain that each piece is just right. Joy especially enjoys designing custom orders. If you have something you want stamped, she can make it for you.
Finally, meet Beckett. This cool little kitty is showcasing one of Joy’s customized pet tags - perfect for your beloved furry friends.
Discount: Take 15% off of anything in either store. Just mention you are from Little Window Shoppe!
Joy is also a stay-at-home mom with two little princesses. If you would like to get to know her a little better, please feel free to visit her blog: When Does Daddy Come Home?!
Written by Michaelle of Monkey’s Momma
Something 2 Brag About Giveaway
March 3, 2009 by Emily · 310 Comments
Contest Update:
*We have a winner!! The randomly chosen winner for this contest is: #250 Kathy H. - Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who participated - please stop by again as we have a new contest each week.*
I think that celebrating the joys of new motherhood or even new grandmotherhood with a little personalized token is fun and exciting. Go on, tell the world all about it! ;) Which brings me to Something 2 Brag About….
They offer all kinds of meaningful accessories from personalized jewelry, such as mommy and children’s bracelets, to a large selection photo brag bags. And they vow to have stellar customer service to boot!
Discount: $5 Off by using Code BC5
Win It:
One lucky Window Shoppe Reader will win a $40 gift certificate to Something 2 Brag About.
To Enter:
Simply check out Something 2 Brag About and leave a quick comment letting me know that you want to win. This giveaway ends on Tuesday, March 10th at midnight PST. The winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced at this post Wednesday, March 11th. Good luck, everyone!! (Please feel free to read our contest rules for additional details)
(Optional) For extra entries:
- Are you a Subscriber? Just let us know you’re subscribed to Little Window Shoppe in an additional comment.
Tags-N-Stones Giveaway
February 21, 2009 by Emily · 425 Comments
Contest Update:
*We have a winner!! The randomly chosen winner for this contest is: #284 Hayley - Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who participated - please stop by again as we have a new contest each week.*
How is your Saturday? Hopefully it’s going well! We’re looking forward to going outside today since the weather is so nice out where I live.
Okay - now onto the giveaway. Since I really like personalized jewelry, Tags-n-Stones is definitely a favorite. This cute shoppe is one I’ve mentioned once before and I’m happy to announce that they’re back with a giveaway! Woo!
This collection consists of personalized, hand-stamped sterling silver and gold-filled tags, with precious stones. You can place these little tags on key chains, necklaces, bracelets or anklets.
Win It:
We are giving away a personalized Tags-n-Stones necklace (a circle tag necklace with stone color of your choice)!
To Enter:
Simply check out the collection and leave a quick comment letting me know the color stone you would like and the name(s) you will add to your tag if you win! This giveaway ends on Sunday, March 1st (can you believe it’s almost March!?) at midnight PST. The winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced at this post Monday, March 2nd. Good luck, everyone!! (Please feel free to read our contest rules for additional details)
(Optional) For extra entries:
- Are you a Subscriber? Just let us know you’re subscribed to Little Window Shoppe in an additional comment.
- And (Or) Add this contest to Twitter. Simply let us know about it with your Twitter name in an additional comment.
Win a Sunisha Designs Clutch Purse
February 19, 2009 by Emily · 382 Comments
Contest Update:
*We have a winner!! The randomly chosen winner for this contest is: #26 Abby - Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who participated - please stop by again as we have a new contest each week.*
From work to travel and even trips to the grocery store, Sunisha Designs custom handbag collection is ready to go when you are. This shoppe carries handmade totes, messenger bags and all kinds of cute purses.
Win It:
We are giving away a Sunisha Designs Clutch Purse today. This top-selling handmade item is priced at $45 and comes with a tiny pocket inside for your lipstick. The flower is detachable too.
To Enter:
Simply check out the collection and leave a quick comment letting me know that you want to win! This giveaway ends on Friday, February 27th at midnight PST. The winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced at this post Saturday, February 28th. Good luck, everyone!! (Please feel free to read our contest rules for additional details)
(Optional) For extra entries:
- Are you a Subscriber? Just let us know you’re subscribed to Little Window Shoppe in an additional comment.
Pretty Pendants
February 11, 2009 by Emily · 5 Comments
Make your jewelry box simply irristable again by adding these pretty pendants to your collection. Designed for wearing anywhere from an upcoming dinner party to your son’s soccer game, the glass tile pendants from Lincoln Christian are the perfect way to add a little bling to your outfit.
You may remember that I don’t wear a lot of jewelry, but I may just have to make an exception. I love how artistic these pendants look and since they are only $8 each, they fit my budget too!
A Clever Little Cozy
February 3, 2009 by Emily · 13 Comments
This clever little business card cozy is simple, cute, compact and it comes straight to you handmade by Andrea Baker.
Cozy definition: A padded or knitted covering; Snug…
Here’s how it makes you look stylish and professional: It can fit in your pocket, which makes it a nice alternative to packing a purse when you’re on the go. It doubles as a key chain making it extra lightweight. And it has two pockets on both sides that can hold 20 cards each - for a total of 40 cards! How’s that for cool?
Win a Lisa Leonard Designs Necklace
February 2, 2009 by Emily · 512 Comments
Contest Update:
*We have a winner!! The randomly chosen winner for this contest is: #177 Stacie V. - Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who participated - please stop by again as we have a new contest each week.*
As soon as I learned about choosing a “Word of the Year” as a focal point for my yearly goals, I knew then and there it was perfect for me. I LOVED how simple and individual this was when selecting a word of my own.
Leave it to Lisa Leonard Designs to create just the right touch and help bring new meaning to your favorite word. Her gorgeous hand-crafted necklaces are a delightful way to wear your word close to your heart so that it can inspire you throughout the year.
Another favorite style that comes just in the nick of time for Valentines Day, is this pretty XO necklace. It includes a kiss and a hug for you to keep always and makes a lovely gift for someone you love too.
Win It:
So happy to announce that one Window Shoppe reader will win your very own necklace!
To Enter:
Simply leave a quick comment letting us know your favorite necklace style - with your favorite word (if you want this included in your custom design). This giveaway ends on Tuesday, February 10th at midnight PST. The winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced at this post Wednesday, February 11th. Good luck, everyone!! (Please feel free to read our contest rules for additional details)
(Optional) For extra entries:
- Are you a Subscriber? Just let us know you’re subscribed to Little Window Shoppe in an additional comment.
- And (Or) Add this contest to Twitter. Simply let us know about it with your Twitter name in an additional comment.
A New Year - Tips and Ideas For Setting Goals
December 31, 2008 by Cassie · 8 Comments
The start of a new year is very empowering to me. I feel as though each January 1st is a fresh start and a time to start over and be better. I am sure many of you, as I do, use the beginning of a new year to set new goals and make a list of things you would like to accomplish in the coming year.
Here are some neat tips and ideas about setting goals for your New Year:
Goals:
Set a reasonable amount of goals. Having an endless list will usually leave you feeling like you have too much to do. Try focusing on 2-4 main areas and include subgoals within those areas. This year I have chosen 3 main areas of my life to better myself: Family, Spiritual, and Self.
One Word:
I love the idea of having one word to focus your goals and year on. A wonderful blogger, Tanja, wrote a neat post about her Word of the Year and why she chooses this method of goal setting. If you decide this route, why not have your word put on a charm to be a constant reminder? You can buy a Word of the Year Charm like this at Lisa Leonard Designs (pictured above).
Quote or Saying:
If you have a favorite quote or saying, you can center your goals around your quote. You can use the quote to guide you in making decisions, setting other goals or when transitioning through life changes (i.e. taking a new job, etc).
Hopes:
Use the things you are looking forward to this year as a way of goal setting. If one of your goals this year is to lose weight write on your list “weighing X lbs” rather than “lose X lbs”. Seeing that goal accomplished on paper sends positive messages to your brain.
What do you do when it comes to New Year’s Goals and Resolutions? Share your ideas with us!
Written by Cassie of Madison Envy
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