Wilson Graphics Wall Decals

I don't have a head board for my bed. At first I was ok with it, but I'm an adult... and dammit... I need to start living like one. As I was perusing countless sites for a bed board, I realized that though I may be an adult, I'm not paid well enough to afford the luxuries online.

I sought alternative options and came across wall decals. They were nicely done, easy to apply to the wall and an inexpensive option. In deciding exactly what I wanted at the head of my bed I came across Wilson Graphics.

Paul David Wilson, the artist of Wilson Graphics, has an unbelievable selection of wall decals. I absolutely loved the Cherry Blossom and Dove tree branch wall decal, but with the color scheme I wasn't sure if pink blossoms would work in my apartment.

Not a problem for Paul. He can customize colors on all of his designs. He can vary the sizes of all of his designs. He can flip designs in any direction to flow with your decor. If you're not satisfied with those options, he will custom-create a whole new design for you from scratch.

Paul began as a graphic designer for about 15 years on the local Air Force base. Not quite satisfied with his original printer, he took the plunge and bought a vinyl printer. It was a big step since it cost about as much as a new car at the time.

Shortly after getting the printer, Paul was asked by a local sign shop to start running prints for them and eventually picked up half a dozen more within 50 miles. Soon enough he quit his day job and focused his energy on expanding his shop.

Today Paul has over 250 designs in several shops around the net, but his primary shop remains on Etsy. I encourage you to visit this shop among his many other shops as he will be offering a fantastic giveaway on my blog in the future.

If you go to his shop now and tell me what you love, I will give you an EXTRA entry in the future giveaway...

Byrdie Graphics Wall Decal Giveaway!

I moved into my apartment a couple of months ago. Knowing I would only be here for a year, I didn't bother to decorate. Eventually the bland nature of my studio got to me and I decided to do something.

My building manager painted one of my walls a nice, deep red for me. Gorgeous, but I needed to get something else going. I had been reading quite a bit about wall decals. They're great designs that are easy to get on your walls, so I went searching for them.

I found the shop, Byrdie Graphics, on etsy and fell in love with the one-of-a-kind designs... which are also quite affordable. Not having the time or the salary to deal with painting, I contacted Byrdie herself and asked for her help.

She was kind enough to send me several of the wildflowers in various sizes and in the deep red color. If you take a look at the color palette, you will see that you can get any color to match your decor!

The wildflowers arrived along with a couple of small bird decals for me to test out my wall decal skills. Let me tell you that this was the easiest decorating I have ever done. Byrdie sent along directions that were user-friendly. Within an hour, I had the wildflowers lining the walk-way from my door into the apartment.

It was a real treat to come home the next day after work and feel like I was walking along a trail into my kitchen.

Byrdie always has a list of new designs that she and her designer are working on so that inventory stays fresh and up to date. Some of their best designs come from things right around around them: beautiful flowers, antique iron work, and of course whatever is hot in fashion and home decor at the moment.

Their favorite things to create are the Wall Patterns. You can achieve the same effect as expensive wallpaper and have the option of easily taking it down when you are ready for a change. Are you ready to change your place with wall decals from Byrdie Graphics?

Byrdie would like to offer one of you the chance to win a $25 gift certificate to her shop!

To Enter:Visit Byrdie Graphics on Etsy. Come back here and comment with what you would buy with the gift certificate and what room would benefit from your purchase!

BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL!

Can't wait to win??? As a treat to my readers, Byrdie is offering all you 10% off using the code ROXY10 at checkout.

Contest Ends November 20th. Winner will have 48 hours to email me or I'll choose another winner!

Open to US and Canadian winners

Pearls

I was catching up on the last season of Desperate Housewives, and there was an episode where Mike bought Catherine a strand of beautiful pearls, and it got me thinking... how come I don't have pearls?

I was born in June, so as my birthstone I should absolutely have a pearl necklace at the very least. So I went to the Apples of Gold website and fell in LOVE with this Dark Green Tahitian Pearl Necklace with Rondelles.

I think I had a bias against pearls because I always thought the white pearls were bland and boring. Little did I know that I could look like a rock star in pearls.

This necklace is definitely on my wish list... now I just gotta get a rich boyfriend to buy them for me!

Bagatelles And Co Giveaway!

Finding the right purse for any occasion can be a trial. I have a few staples that could go with anything, but it's so much more fun to find a perfectly matching purse for your outfit.

Rym of Bagatelles & Co creates and makes purses and clutches using high quality textiles that can/will match any occasion. When she was an art student in Paris, she made purses and small notebooks to help finance a school trip to NYC. Ultimately, her company Bagatelles & Co was born last summer.

We've all had a scenario like the following: Rym was looking for a nice evening bag for a wedding she was attending and could not find anything beautiful yet affordable.

So common, so true, so annoying.

While most of us suck it up and spend the big bucks or make our "plus one" carry our ID and credit card, Rym ended up making her own purse. After that, she got lots of requests from friends which led to setting up her own little company!

Rym opened her etsy shop in May, and she has an amazing array of handmade items sure to match any occasion. I personally LOVED this Azulejos Gigi purse.

I love that it's small enough to use as a coin purse and throw in my tote and large enough to carry my keys, cash and cards should I need a little clutch for a night out.

Rym has an array of fabrics for this purse and a number of sizes she makes as well. She is inspired by EVERYTHING! Walking around in the streets, art books, folk costumes, the 20’s, films, music, flowers, paintings… even food.

Rym uses recycled fabrics and remnants from luxury tailoring and furnishing textile rolls, which makes her products environmentally friendly. She tries to avoid wasting fabric and uses any left over pieces to make brooches, earrings and barrettes. All of these items can be found in her etsy shop, Bagatelles & Co.

Now for the giveaway. How would you like to own this Azulejos Gigi purse?

To Enter:

Comment with your favorite item from Bagatelles & Co on etsy. Be sure to leave you email in the comment.

Extra Entry!
Join Rym's Facebook page (be sure to leave your facebook name or email so we can confirm)

Contest will end Nov 30th

MAKE SURE TO ENTER MY OTHER GIVEAWAYS LISTED IN THE TOP RIGHT CORNER!

Winner will have 48 hours to contact me.

Contest open to international entries

DISCLAIMER: Rym did NOT pay me to do this review. I understand there are new FTC guidelines on blog giveaways. I want you all to know that *I* approach artists and designers for reviews & giveaways when I find their products online. *I* ask their permission to review their products, and I will only speak truthfully about their products.

Creepy Crafts Giveaway!

I don't have a costume for halloween this year. Usually I do something slutty because it is of course the one time of the year when it is acceptable. This year I shunned the slut and welcomed the dark fashionista...

I've got a great outfit that would be perfect for all my party invites as long as I added some creepy accessories. I couldn't think of a better place to look than agonysdecay's Creepy Crafts on etsy. Jenny, the designer, makes very cool, very creepy, very fashionable accessories for any dark affair.

She began designing jewelry in her late teens. Initially, she only made jewelry for friends as gifts. Then she began selling on Gothauctions and Gothicauctions and began making jewelry to sell.

Jenny finds inspiration in the darker, more macabre side of life. It is Halloween all year round in her world, and she likes to create pieces that reflect that. If you're having a gothic-style wedding, birthday, or get-together, Jenny can absolutely custom-make pieces for all members of the party! If you are looking to make a large order for your wedding, birthday, or get-together, please give Jenny an ample amount of time before your event. This way she has time to get your spppoooookkkyyys to you on time!

Jenny's designs are unique because they are shared by a limited amount of people... People who see past the mundane, or are curious about the darker side of life. Each item she creates has a song, person, or moment in mind. She has an overwhelming list of things to create but there just isn't enough time in one day!

Jenny custom-made the Gorgeous Spider Lace Ribbon Bracelet Wrist Cuff With GID Spiders that you see in the picture, but she has too many more amazing items available in her shop... and she would love to share them with you.

Jenny has generously offered to give ONE of you $15 Bones (dollars) of merchandise of YOUR CHOICE from her shop!

To Enter:

Visit Jenny's shop, agonysdecay's Creepy Crafts. Come back here and leave a comment with your favorite piece.

Please leave your email address.

If you can't wait to win, Jenny is offering my readers 15% off all purchases made until the contest ends, shipping NOT included! Just mention 'Roxyshops' in the 'Message to Seller' box upon checkout. You can only get this discount if you mention 'Roxyshops'! Refund will be refunded via Paypal.

Contest ends Nov 12, 2009

Winner will have 48 hours to contact me.

US & International entries are welcome!

DISCLAIMER: Jenny did NOT pay me to do this review. I understand there are new FTC guidelines on blog giveaways. I want you all to know that *I* approach artists and designers for reviews & giveaways when I find their products online. *I* ask their permission to review their products, and I will only speak truthfully about their products.

Jewels Of Eden Giveaway!

I don't often think of rock & roll as classy and elegant, but I find the music to be interesting and the musicians quite fashionable. One of my favorite albums of all time is the downward spiral by nine inch nails.

I get Trent's message. I understand how life spirals continuously, sometimes out of control... sometimes into something beautiful, like these spiral earrings from Jewels of Eden on Etsy.

Eve, the designer for Jewels of Eden, is a self taught jeweler. She is inspired by the way nature contrasts and balances itself, and tries to capture the boldness of nature without making it overpowering.

Eve is currently attending the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland Oregon. She is enrolled in a 6 year dual program which incorporates two 4 year programs together. When she graduates, she will have a doctorate in natural medicine, a master's in science of oriental medicine and an acupuncture license. Since wellness is so important to her, she brings that mindfulness to all the pieces she creates.

Being a doctor, myself, I know medical school can be crazy. If handled well, the student should spiral right into the amazing physician he or she is meant to become. I applaud Eve for her intelligence and talent. I also thank her for her generosity with this giveaway.

Eve would like to offer TWO of you a chance to win items from her shop. One winner with receive a $20 gift certificate, a second winner will receive a $10 gift certificate... and both winners get FREE SHIPPING!

To Enter:
Visit Eve's shop, Jewels of Eden. Come back here and leave a comment with your favorite piece.

Please leave your email address.

If you can't wait to win, Eve is offering my readers 15% off her shop! Just message her that you found her through RoxyShops.

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY OTHER CONTESTS LISTED IN THE TOP RIGHT CORNER!

Contest ends Nov 23rd, 2009

Winner will have 48 hours to contact me.

US & International entries are welcome!

DISCLAIMER: Eve did NOT pay me to do this review. I understand there are new FTC guidelines on blog giveaways. I want you all to know that *I* approach artists and designers for reviews & giveaways when I find their products online. *I* ask their permission to review their products, and I will only speak truthfully about their products.

Tursi Art Print Giveaway! CLOSED

This may sound off topic, but I swear it's not... how hot is Johnny Depp?

Yes I'm obsessed, but I truly think he is an amazing actor. I love all the characters he plays and he plays them so well!

So I got this headless horseman print from Tursi Art... and I, of course, remember how hot Johnny Depp was in that movie.
See... I told you I wasn't off topic!

A beautifully done print by Rose Tursi, she was inspired to read the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and sketch ideas from it after exploring a creepy old graveyard during one of her visits to the area... in the middle of the night... in the dead of winter. EEK!

Rose is an incredibly talented artist who draws inspiration from all over the place. A lot of her style originates from her background in animation. She has watched nearly every animated movie ever made. She also collects childrens' picture books. A lot of her art, 'The Headless Horseman' included, are inspired by mythologies, folk/fairy tales and classics.

Rose has been an artist for what seems like forever. Even as a very small child, she used to get in trouble for doodling all over her school work. Rose loves to draw animals the most of all. She attributes this to a fantastic professor she had in college: Dr. Tina Schmidt. Dr. Schmidt taught 'Animal Life Drawing', but she also had a medical background so she really stressed the importance of understanding the anatomy of the animals we were drawing.

Funny... I have a medical background too. Though mine is the human kind. And while I have you on the medical topic, I encourage you all to come back to my blog in January/February when I will be reviewing another print by Rose... the medical kind.

In the meantime, why not check out Rose's current art on her etsy shop, Tursi Art, because she'd like to give one you a print of your choice up to $10!

To Enter:

Visit Rose's shop on Etsy, Tursi Art, and tell me your favorite print.

Be sure to leave your email in the comment as well for contact.

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY OTHER GIVEAWAYS! Listed in the top right corner!

Contest ends Oct 31st

Contest is open to US & International winners

Winner will have 48 hours to contact me

DISCLAIMER: Rose Tursi did NOT pay me to do this review. I understand there are new FTC guidelines on blog giveaways. I want you all to know that *I* approach artists and designers for reviews & giveaways when I find their products online. *I* ask their permission to review their products, and I will only speak truthfully about their products.