Hello Again & Giveaway

Hello Blogland, how have you been? I haven't been ignoring you, I knew you were there I've just been a little... intimidated. I think that's the right word, but I'm back now with a new (ish) look. What do you think?

I've not blogged in a while and I'm of the habit, so I'm just going to throw some rambling thoughts I've had at you. My ultimate dream is to work for myself selling my work and designing loads of awesome stuff for folk and I was going to use this past week to take all my ideas and make the master plan as I had time off work. When I finally packed up last Friday and got home I dropped in a heap on the couch absolutely burst. Sod's law ensued and I've been full of the cold all week - my week off!

So my plans went out the window and I had a few PJ days watching telly, reading my comics and trying to finalise the line work for my 30th birthday tattoo (I'll blog more about that in another post, but here's a sneak peek).

In the middle of all that I started drawing, just drawing for no reason. Something I've not done for what feels like forever! It was so much fun and so relaxing and when I'd finished I felt happy with what I'd done. It was at that point I realised I have been putting so much pressure on myself to succeed. So much so that nothing was getting done. I've been going round and round in circles making plans, getting too stressed and abandoning them or just not taking the time to do the things I want. In turn this was making me frustrated and angry with myself and feeling like a failure.

Now that little burst of negativity is out of the way, what's the good point in this story? Well, realising all that made me feel like this:

It's time to stop making plans and just DO! I am going to design awesome things and sell then and I'm going to be happy doing it, because that's what I want to do. How's that for a plan? :)

***
So to kick off my return and to celebrate Halloween, I thought I'd do a wee horror-esque giveaway. Everyone loves horror movies and Funko Pop! Vinyls don't they?  Well, you're in luck. I have a cute little Jason to giveaway along with one of the sketches I did this week, here's a looksee.

I'm also offering to colour the sketch with some Promarkers if you'd like, I'll ask the winner about that when he/she is announced on the 2nd November. Please read the T's & C's and tell me what you're favourite scary movie is in the comments...

Thanks for reading folks, I'll post again soon.

1. Please actually do what the giveaway asks. I do check the winning entry to make sure the entry is valid. If the entry isn’t valid I will pick a new winner.
2. Once the winner is validated and emailed, he/she has 48 hours to reply and accept the prize. If he/she does not reply within 48 hours a new winner will be selected.
3.  The giveaway is international so enter away :D

 

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Get Fit Giveaway

So we are now midway through January and how many of us made fitness and weight loss goals at the start of the month due to the new year? Well, if you made a little fitness resolution to pursue in 2014, then welcome to your perfect giveaway!


 The 'Get Fit' Giveaway is all about giving you all the tools, support, and motivation you need to achieve your very best in 2014! No matter what fitness goal you've made for yourself this year the 'Get Fit' Giveaway will help set you on the path to success and self-love, because being healthy isn't just about what's on the outside.

Visit Cassey's website, Blogilates, for amazing monthly work outs, encouragement, and much more!

You'll find yourself rejuvenated by Cassey Ho's 12 Week New Body Makeover Meal Plan and completely inspired by her Pop Pilates Total Body Workout DVD. Cassey is a certified Pilates instructor and shares her love of fitness, self-love, and empowerment for all by wrapping it all up in a ball of positivity that will keep you motivated and moving for your entire body blasting workout. Cassey is all kinds of fitness guru with a thriving Youtube channel full of quality workouts, Ho was included in the Youtube 2013 Rewind featuring the year's top viral videos, and was even named the #2 most influential online personality by Sharecare (second to only Jillian Michaels).



Feast your eyes on all that Blogilates Swag!! The 'Get Fit' Giveaway is all about giving you everything you need to make a lasting change for 2014 and here's the lowdown on what one lucky winner can look forward to winning:

1 x Yoga Bag Bow My Gawd Blogiltes Bag $45.00 value

1 x Yoga Mat Train Insane or Remain the Same Blogilates Mat $25.00 value

1 x Pop Pilates Blogilates Workout DVD $14.99 value

1 x Blogilates Fit Journal + 12 week nutrition plan $30.00 value

1 x Beast Mode Blogilates Water/Shaker Bottle $9.95 value

1 x Sistema Lunch Box $11.85 value

Which comes to a whopping $136.79 value!

PLUS

 

Yup, we are even giving away a $50.00 Amazon gift card to make sure that the winner is able to get the protein powder the 12 week plan requires. Not only are we hooking you up with all the resources you need, but you'll even have access to me, Crystal from The Happy Type, because I'll be doing the plan right alongside of you! Anytime that you need support just reach out to me and I'll give you real-time support.

Together, we can do anything.

Yes, I know this giveaway is the bee's knees, so let's check out the wonderful group of ladies who are committed to making sure you've got everything you need to reach your goals.

| The Happy Type | nomElizabeth | Jade and Oak |

| A Moving Story | Daisy Bisley | Scattered Seashells |

| Chits and Giggles | The Style Dunce | Art of Balance |

I think they all totally deserve a slow clap, don't you? Yup.

Good luck to everyone who enters and for one lucky winner get ready for a life changing 12 weeks!

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*Winner will be notified within 24 hours of giveaway's end. Winner will have 48 hours to respond, before a new winner will be selected. Giveaway is open to international entries and will be shipped within 48 hours of winner verification. All entries will be reviewed and verified prior to selecting a winner.

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Finds of the Week - Kinkei Love + Giveaway

For my Finds of the Week this week I wanted to share one of my favourite illustrators in the Verse, Kinkei  aka Kei Phillips.

Her work is so beautiful and I've been a fan for many years now. It's fun, colourful and pretty funky and when it came to finding something for Peter and my anniversary it was I wanted a one of Kinkei piece. We ended up with a stunning piece of artwork that is now proudly displayed in our living room - getting that framed was so exciting as it was like our first "us" piece if that makes sense?? It was exciting and I smile everytime I see it.

Here are some examples of some of the stunning work Kinkei does,  enjoy!

Here's the anniversary piece I commissioned from Kinkei, I love it so much - mostly because my hair looks all kinds of awesome!

You can find Kinkei on 

|Twitter|Deviant Art|Facebook|
 Please go check out her work it truly is a joy to behold and I know you'll love it.

Don't forget I'm holding my very first giveaway featuring a Pantone sketchbook, two Letraset fineliners, and a shiny pink ruler and pencil set, both from Paperchase and recycled. So if you're interested in winning some lovely sketchy goodies, enter below.

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Design Giveaway

Yes that's right folkies, I am indeed venturing in to the world of blog giveaways. As I want to promote design and general artyness I thought keeping it related would be sweet so I'm giving away a few tools of the trade - a Pantone sketchbook, some recycled pencils and bright pink ruler, both from Paperchase and some Letraset fineliner pens - all products I use pretty much on a daily basis, obviously these are shiny new ones and not my hand-me-downs!

If you love to draw, doodle, design, keep art journals or would like to learn how to do any of them, then this is the perfect way for you yo get started! If you're interested in winning some lovely sketchy goodies, enter below.

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Korean Beauty Giveaway

Today I'm sharing this awesome giveaway with you from The Happy Type and a whole load of lovely ladies. If you'd like the chance to win some beauty goodies from Korea, then get clicking!

It’s no secret that South Korea is any cosmetic and beauty product lover’s playground. For years South Korea has been one of the world’s leaders in beauty product production and most recently its innovative BB and CC creams have set the states a buzz. Birchbox calls South Korea “ground zero for beauty innovation”, so why not see what all the fuss is about? 

Lucky for you, you don’t have to get on a plane to Korea to take part in the Korean cosmetic boom! I have spent the better part of two years living, learning, and loving the country of Korea and in honor of my return home to America, my friends and I are giving little old you the opportunity to get your hot little hands on a whole slue of Korean cosmetics and beauty products.

 

Here are the lovely sponsors for this crazy awesome beauty product giveaway!

Kayli Wanders | The Gap Year Guru | Living In Another Language | The Style Dunce | Lost In Travels |Daisy Bisley | Inspiration Sparks |The Happy Type

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Rules:

1. The validity of the winner’s entries will be verified by me and if any entries are false a new winner will be selected. 2. Winner will be contacted no later than the 23rd. Winner will have 48 hours to respond, if winner does not respond with 48 hours a new winner will be notified by email. 3. Sit back and relax because I’ll package your pretty little package up and get it in the mail. Contest is only open to U.S. residents.

Weekly Wishes #8 + Giveaway

I'm feeling very calm and collected this morning hence my pretty pic above. We didn't even realise we'd captured a pretty large bird in this pic until we got home - nice one!!

It's Weekly Wishes time again and I'm really chuffed with myself that I managed to nail last week's wish. I did every day of my arm challenge and have even been relishing in the pain it's brought me - it means its working!

I've also started the Blogilates beginner's calendar, thanks mainly to the amazing support from Crystal and all the ladies tweeting #bloggersgettingfit (list compiled by the fabby-dabby Allie). Their support has been insane and I can't thank you all enough!

So to this week's wish. Yesterday I made a to do list for the week in order to keep me focused on what needs done. I have two commissions to work on, both spookily involving birds, so there will be a lot of bird research. I'm also going to keep up the arm challenge and Blogilates calendar and hopefully find time for a swim! I'm going crazy this week.

My other super cheese wish is to try and not miss Peter too much. He goes back to work tomorrow and after 11 awesome Pete filled days I don't know what I'll do with myself alone in the house. Is it time to get a dog yet?!

If you want to get things done this week then link up with us over at The Nectar Collective and join in the fun! - Also check out the insane giveaway below, there's loads of gift card goodness to win!

The Nectar Collective | Lost in Travels | Postcards from Rachel | Venus Trapped in Mars | Kayli Wanders

Treasure Tromp | 91 Dash | This Lovely Little Day | Daisy Bisley | The Wellness Doer

Creative Life Antics | Stamp in My Passport | Side Street Style | Growing Wild Ginger | Melanie Fontaine

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules

1. The winner will be contacted by email within seven days of the contest's end.

2. Winner must respond to that e-mail within 48 hours. If they don't respond, a new winner will be chosen.

3. This contest is open internationally!

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My First Guest Post + Giveaway

Last week I had the pleasure of writing my very first guest post for the lovely Crystal over at The Happy Type. It was all about my creative process and I really enjoyed writing it.

Today while I was doing some research for a new commission I started to think about it and how I'd really like to write another one about how I got started. I was planning on scheduling a post about my tattoo adventures around the 5th anniversary of my first tattoo commission next month, but now I'm super excited about it. Hopefully I can try and arrange some kind of a reunion with my first client - I've still to reach out to her, but the email is in its 5th draft and almost ready to send, I'm just not sure how to write it - daft I know!

If you are interested in my creative process then head on over to The Happy Type for a read and don't forget to check out all the awesome posts there too. Crystal is a fantastic blogger and is one of my daily reads so check her out!!I know you'll love The Happy Type as much as I do!

In other very exciting news, I've teamed up with The Nectar Collective and all of these lovely ladies to bring you this great giveaway. If you'd like to win a $100 Amazon gift card, a $50 Etsy gift card and $10 Starbucks gift card then get clicking!!

**The giveaway is open internationally**

The Nectar Collective | Lost in Travels | Postcards from Rachel | Venus Trapped in Mars | Kayli Wanders

Treasure Tromp | 91 Dash | This Lovely Little Day | Daisy Bisley | The Wellness Doer

Creative Life Antics | Stamp in My Passport | Side Street Style | Growing Wild Ginger | Melanie Fontaine

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules

1. The winner will be contacted by email within seven days of the contest's end.

2. Winner must respond to that e-mail within 48 hours. If they don't respond, a new winner will be chosen.

3. This contest is open internationally!

//Website//Twitter//Facebook//

ONA Camera Bag Giveaway

I'm back in the house for five minutes after a three and a half hour drive and already writing a new post - that's dedication for you! It's a quick post to share an awesome giveaway that some equally awesome ladies and I have teamed up like Power Rangers to bring to you. We've powered up to give you one ONA camera bag, a Little Miss Gee camera strap and some Starbucks Bucks!

Enter below for your chance to win and spread the word!

Lost in Travels // The Nectar Collective // Postcards from Rachel // Until Only Love Remains // Brachel Boulevard 
Perpetually Caroline // Lego House // Side Street Style // Daisy Bisley // Kimchi Sweet Tea
Mr. & Mrs. Foster // Found Love, Now What? // The Happy Type // Treasure Tromp // Home Sweet 'Homa
Oh the Places We Will Go

ONA Bowery Canvas Bag // Little Miss Gee Scarf Camera Strap // $10 Starbucks Gift Card

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Rules

1. Open to all participants living within the United States.

2. Winner’s entry validity will be verified by me and if an entry proves to be invalid, you will be disqualified.

3. Giveaway ends on the 27^th of July at 12:00 AM EST. Winner will be chosen by Rafflcoptor and contacted by email no later than the 28^th of July. Winner has 48 hours to respond, if the winner does not respond, a new winner will be picked.

4. Lost in Travels is responsible for the payment and ordering of won items but not responsible for any packages lost in transit. 

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Weekly Wishes #4 & Giveaway

It's Monday again which is usually a day of woe as it's back to work day, but with the Weekly Wishes feature I think we're all feeling that little bit better about the Monday blues.

So my wishes for last week were to continue with my mindfulness and to list at least one positive thing that happened or I felt at the end of each day. How did I do? Pretty good. I continued a few days of mindfulness practice and I have my list of positive things:

Mon 1st: All the comments I got on my Weekly Wishes posts gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. I also sorted the office out and tidied it up making it a more productive space.

Tues 2nd: Date night. El Pedro took me to see Man of Steel again, cue deafness thanks to Hans Zimmer and the visual assault on my eyeballs thanks to the 3D » awesome!

Wed 3rd: I watched The Muppets and cried - another warm fuzzy feeling of joy. Gotta love the Muppets.

Thu 4th: This article had me giddy with happiness inside. I'm a bit of a gamer, but I'm so sick of stereotyped highly sexualised women in games and this was a great step forward. *Air punch.

Fri 5th: Went for a walk and felt great - also got the pants scared off me by the freaky zombies in World War Z.

Sat 6th: Peter and I had a beasting lunch and have now declared Saturday a feast day. A day where we eat an epic lunch and enjoy each other's company for a full day - most days we're both working at different times.

Sun 7th: The sun was shining so we went for a walk, got ice cream and sat in the park. It got a little too hot at one point so I ran under a tree for 5 minutes to cool down while Pedro baked in the sun. Another day just hanging out together and talking nonsense. We also met a new friend while visiting the goats and ducks in the park.

This week's wish is pretty simple. I've been planning on writing a 30 before 30 post and was beginning to feel like I wasn't being ambitious enough and then too ambitious. And then I read Chimerikal's post about throwing away her bucket list and it got me thinking. If I was to share a bucket list, knowing my nature, I'd feel like a failure if I didn't start crossing things off. So I've decided to write a reverse 30ish before 30 list featuring all the things I've already achieved. I do have a list of stuff I'd love to do and will most likely keep it, but this is a way of looking back positively at the things I've done and can only help encourage me to accomplish more.

So that's my wish/task for the week - write all my accomplishments down and bask in my awesomeness.

 

Now moving on to something exciting... the first ever giveaway I've been involved in, Woots!

Whether or not you're a world traveler, seven of my friends and I have got you covered so that you can go on an adventure no matter where you are! Like seeing the world in new ways? Cool, you can get a free copy of the popular book, How to Be An Explorer by Keri Smith. Want to kick back at home and go on an adventure with a glass of wine? Sounds like you might like owning Into the Wild! Want more? Jeez you people are demanding. ;) Not to worry, we're also giving away a Moleskin Postal Notebook (you can mail it, as is, anywhere in the world! Talk about snail mail heaven), a Tibetan silver compass necklace, and a chevron luggage tag!

Enter the giveaway below to get this uniquely adventurous prize pack. Woop woop! By the way, this giveaway is INTERNATIONAL so anyone can enter! Your prizes will be shipped to you from JAPAN! Wooooo! Now take a look at the awesome sponsors of The Nectar Collective who brought you this fabulous prize pack:

The Nectar Collective | Call Me Sassafras | Side Street Style | Found Love. Now What?

Lost in Travels | Daisy Bisley | Tossing the Script | 91 Dash

How to Be an Explorer of the World by Keri Smith | Tibetan Silver Compass Necklace |

Into the Wild DVD | Moleskin Postal Notebook | Chevron Luggage Tag

Remember, this giveaway is international so anyone is welcome!
Your prizes will be sent from Tokyo!

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Rules

1. Winner WILL be verified. If one of your entries proves to be invalid, you will be disqualified.

2. Winner will be contacted through email by July 17th. You will then have 48 hours to respond to the e-mail with your address. If 48 hours has passed and you haven't responded, we will pick a new winner.

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