I heart The ROPES

Where to begin?! First of all, I love The ROPES for several reasons. A. They are handmade in Maine B. I love how you can wear just one, or layer them up to mix and match C. They have amazing brass/gold hardware which I love D. They are unique and one of a kind, and last but not least in the very bit, E. They are the brainchild of my good friend Shana Aldrich Ready (we go back about 25 years- jeeze we sound old)!

I was lucky enough to have drinks and dinner at Zapoteca the other night with Shana to catch up and 'talk some shop' - oh, you know, blogging, learning more about her amazing business, being amazingly stylish Mainers and much more :) Shana started The ROPES on somewhat of a whim. While having an extensive background in fashion design and a graduate of RISD, after moving back to Maine, she was playing around with some ropes and decided to put some bracelets together. Well, after hitting up a few boutiques in Maine and introducing them to The ROPES, people and shops now come knocking on her door for more orders! They can now be found all over the U.S (you can buy online at Spaces in Kennebunkport) and has some great press as of late- like ELLE, Style Pantry and Refinery 29! So needless to say, I was eager to hear more about her successes, and she spoiled me with some amazing samples. Which means, a lucky reader gets the chance to win one (more on that in a minute.)

So many awesome colors and textures (and great bag too!)

I LOVE them stacked up!

There are a few different styles, some with big chunky hardware and some are a bangle style.

This is my new favorite, it is several thinner ropes- and my favorite reds and blues!

Ahh! I love them all!



So here are the deets on how to win the one above!

- Please leave a comment on my blog letting me know you want to win The ROPES!
- Please 'Like' my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter
- Please 'Like' The ROPES Facebook page and follow them on Twitter
- To get another chance to win, please pass along this post and help share! Tweet, retweet, post on Facebook, tell your friends- whatever works. After you share, post another comment on my blog letting me know you did, and you will get another chance to win! I will pick the winner on Thursday, March 29th! Good luck.

So, there you have it, a great friend, awesome bracelets and representing our great state of Maine! Win-win-win!

xo

Sewing Kit | How to and Giveaway

I am really excited to be part of a fantastic giveaway over at Cinsarah starting tomorrow! There are tons of great items you can win...so check out all of the great participants and prizes. I decided to make and giveaway a sewing kit idea I found on Pinterest a long time ago...and always wanted to try. So here is how I did it!

I have a ton of mason jars leftover from my sisters Cowgirl Rodeo Bachelorette Party (more on that another day!) So I used one of those, and some great tea stained burlap I got at Marden's for $2.99 a yard (see more I got here). You will also need: hot glue gun, fun sewing notions, sand, nylons (old tights, pantyhose, etc.) ribbon or twine and a cute tag.

To make the pin cushion on the top of the mason jar, I took an old nylon and filled it with about 1/2 cup of sand (from the beach- or you can buy fake sand at Michael's) and tied off the nylon really tight, making a ball of sand in a nylon. Then I placed two layers of burlap over the 'sand ball' and pushed through the top of the mason jar lid so it was very taught. You will have leftover burlap around the edges (see below) so using the hot glue gun, I secured those edges to the lid.

I took another piece of burlap and cut it the same size as the bottom of the lid. I glued this on to make the inside lid look a little neater.

Once I had the lid compete (see in a few of the below pics) I had so much fun finding vintage sewing notions to give this kit a romantic, rustic, antique feel. I had some great vintage bobbins and thread, along with some great buttons and pearl tipped pins.

I wanted to make a cute tag, so I tried a few different ways. I have really small alphabet stamps I got at Michael's for $1 (in the $1 bins in the front of the store) and have a bunch of stickers I collect...so I had a few options.

So I placed all of my sewing notions (also included sewing scissors, thimble, measuring tape, needles, pink and grey embroidery thread) and added my tag (and also a stamp of a bumble bee and an extra piece of burlap for fun) using twine to keep with the rustic romantic look.

I also rolled up some burlap and striped khaki and cream fabric (for the lucky winner!) to create a sewing project of their own.

There you have it! I love sewing (am not very good, but am learning) and think it is such a great skill to have. So hopefully this will inspire you to dust off, or borrow a sewing machine and get sewing!

So don't forget to go over to Cinsarah to enter to win this, along with a huge list of other great items including some of my other favorite blogger and retailers like Southern Lovely and Vintage Printage.

Good luck and enjoy!