a little rouge and a little whimsy for your day + giveaway

you guys, i have some amazing sponsors this month!!
i have loved getting to know each one of them better this month and work with them.
i really do feel honored that they want to support my little blog,
it truly means the world to me! 

one of my sponsors is Erika from Rouge & Whimsy.
Erika is one of the most kind, caring, patient, genuine, loving, encouraging… {i could go on!} person i have ever met!!
with everything that has happened these last few weeks of January, i have been absolutely horrible with keeping in contact with people and replying to emails.
but Erika has only been understanding and nice while i try to get my head back on my shoulders
{almost literally…}
i really appreciate her support and it has only made me more grateful that i get to work with her this month!

now it’s your turn to get to know Erika a little bit better!!
i got to ask Erika a few questions {some a little silly} so you can get to know the girl behind the blog & shop a little more

1. How would your friends describe you?
creative. loud. loving.

2. How long have you been married and what {honest} advice would you give to someone about to be married?
We've been married just over 2 1/2 years and I think the best advice I have for people is to always think the best of the other person. If they messed up somehow, don't think that they did it because they're out to get you-- they probably just made a mistake, just the way you make mistakes. So give and receive grace and move on. :)

3. How did you start your blog & shop and why?
I love to write, I love documenting pretty things and after reading blogs for awhile I decided I wanted to start my own. The shop came out of making some things for friends and seeing Etsy as a place to share those. It's kinda in flux right now. I have some big ideas for it, but so little time.

4. What inspires you?
My momma. She is living her dream job after raising three kids-- repurposing furniture, giving new life to houses and living a beautiful, creative life. I love it. You can read about what she does here.

5. What would your totem-pole animal spirit be?  [like a great eagle or an otter :)]
hahah this is SO funny to me because I grew up in Washington state and we studied totem poles and Native American history and all that so much and even made totem poles. Gosh, I don't know. I think my totem pole animal would be a kitty (is that allowed?) because I love to sleep, stretch and bask in the sun.

6. What are some of your favorite items in your shop or blog posts [with links] and why?
favorite item in the shop is this orange sleep mask (I sleep with one every night):

*I love this post from my husband on our anniversary (so sweet)
*I love my outfit posts- and this one about finding my style
*I also love this semi-silly post about why I wear red lipstick

7. How do you define success?
Living a life that brings joy to God, others and yourself. :)

8. What advice would you give to new shop owners/bloggers? What did you wish you knew when you first started?
I wish I knew how important good photos were! Big, beautiful photos! This is important for shops AND blogs. Also, patience. It's rare that anyone is a success overnight. Better to build a strong community of followers who will care about you AND your blog. Oh, and blog for you not anyone else. If you like what you write, chances are other people will sense that and like it too.
{not having big pictures was totally one of my rookie mistakes! and i still struggle to remember it}

9. What is a talent you have that you wish you used more?
I don't listen enough. I am a good listener but sometimes I fill the listening in with talking.

10. Do you squeeze the top of the toothpaste tube or the bottom? Which one does your husband do? {This is a silly question from Stronger Marriage that we would ask couples just for fun}
So I squeeze from the bottom because I'm anal like that and thank goodness the husband does too (most of the time.) Sometimes I have to remind him, though. It's just better-- it doesn't waste as much! hah!

11. What are your goals for the future {long and short}? Do you have anything you want to change?
In the way-off future I would love to be supporting myself with a creative lifestyle of some sort. I want children in five-ish years, I want to finish our house's basement! Short-term goals: Continue to grow my blog, find joy in the everyday and learn to be in the moment.

 

i love Erika’s answers!
especially that she her animal spirit would be a kitty
who doesn’t like to sleep all day??

and because Erika is so nice, she is also giving away an awesome prize!

$15 credit to her shop + large ad space on her blog

you are free to use this credit on me!
i would gladly take this, this, this, or this please!!!
:)

mandatory entry:
1. follow Rouge & Whimsy here

additional entries:
2. follow Erika on Twitter here 
3. follow Rouge & Whimsy on Facebook here
4. favorite {heart} Rouge & Whimsy on Etsy here
5. follow Rouge & Whimsy on Bloglovin’ here
6. follow my blog

[comment for each entry]

GOOD LUCK!
and seriously go show Erika some love
you won’t regret it!

 

:::p.s. you can read the interview Erika did on me over on her blog today too! and maybe enter another giveaway… wha???? :)