Life in a Venti Cup. Because life is too short to think small.

August 04, 2011

Rock the Bump: Exclusive Isabella Oliver Giveaway + Promotion

Life in a Sippy Cup has just partnered with Isabella Oliver to bring you a special savings offer on their new fall collection. From today until midnight on Wednesday 10th August they offering an exclusive 15% off savings on the Isabella Oliver Maternity AW11 collection. To redeem your discount simply enter the code VENTI15 at checkout.

But that's not the very best news. This bombshell dress above? You, my dear mommy to be could win one for your own bad self. The versatile "Modern Ruched dress" can be word as midi, mini or at the knee. How fabulous is that? This is a terrific fall dress, especially for those rocking a baby bump. Trust me, you'll be dying over the plush jersey. It's like nothing you've ever felt. Here's the description.

"Sleek and sexy style is simple with this easy care jersey dress. A chic choice for evening looks or sophisticated days, this maternity dress is fully ruched to create a flattering silhouette and has sculptural pleats and an asymmetric neckline to give it a contemporary finish."

So... how do you win? Swing by IsabellaOliver.com. Take a peek at their fab new AW11 collection. Drop a comment below telling me which item you love and why. The winner - drawn at random - will receive one Modern Ruched Dress. No purchase necessary. Closing date for entry is midnight GMT on August 10th 2011.

So start saving now, and one lucky mama will be sporting the dress above (in your choice of color and size) very soon. Happy commenting! Don't forget to start saving 15% immediately. Enter the code VENTI15 when checking out.

The fine print on contest + promotion:

Drawing takes place at midnight on August 10th (GMT) for entries received by closing date.
The number of winners will be 1 in total.
No cash alternative.
The winner will be the first valid entries drawn at random and winner will be informed immediately
All entries become and remain the property of the Promoter. By submitting an entry, entrants acknowledge and accept these terms and conditions.
Isabella Oliver reserves the right to change these terms and conditions at any time.

Offer is valid from Wednesday 3rd August 2011 and expires midnight Wednesday 10th August 2011. Offer only valid on Isabella Oliver branded goods and cannot be used with any other promotional codes, offers or sale items. Normal return policy applies however where items have been bought during a promotion, we are only able to exchange an item for the same item in a different size or colour. Isabella Oliver reserves the right to change these terms and conditions at any time.

>>To enter, please comment on this post<<

Posted at 12:59 PM in celebrities, contest, fabulousness, fashion, great gifts, shopping, style | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

July 22, 2011

My Happy Place: Roma!

It's been an interesting summer filled with twists and turns at every corner. Some pleasant, some not. When I need to focus my mind on positive things I go to my happy place. No, not the upholstered seating at my local Jimmy Choo boutique (although that's nice too). I go to Rome. Roma! My absolute favorite place.

Rome is a city as deeply connected to its past as it is the future. Modern citizens zip around with the latest fashions and smartphones on chic Vespas as they pass ancient ruins lining centuries old cobblestone streets. It is a feast for the senses and my Mecca, if you will.

As an art history addict and an avid photographer, this city offers more than can be consumed in a short period of time. Add to that, fast fashion, well heeled people from all over the globe and grand things (both old and new) around every corner, and you've created the ultimate destination for a girl like me. The Chanel boutique at the base of the Spanish Steps flanking the world famous Berninin fountain sums up why I love this great European destination: the best life has to offer, both old and new. With breathtaking views at every corner.

After our first time in Rome, we found ourselves to enchanted that we booked a return trip not quite 12 months later. That time we lingered in the region for several week, taking in all that Italy had to offer. Even after weeks in a rented Roman apartment, my thirst for the area was not quenched. I eagerly await our return to this great, majestic city.

Fortunately, Tablet hotels wants to award a winner (me, please!) a five night all expenses paid trip to my favorite city and will enjoy the lovely Hotel Capo d'Africa. The historic building was once a school. Now all they teach is the art of leisure and luxury. The rooftop terrace is not to be missed, offering panoramic views of The Colosseum and all that Roma has to offer. The attentive staff will have you forgetting your name and your place or origin. And true to the rest of the city's study in contrasts, accommodations are as modern as one could hope for despite the building's antiquated facade.

Seeking your own Roman Holiday? Enter to win.

Posted at 08:05 AM in architecture, contest, destinations, globetrotting, leisure, life, luxury, photography, things to do before I die, venti favorites | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

June 30, 2011

Bust Out Your Sketchbooks!

Did you see this? Dream it, draw it, win it. That's right... Hickory Chair (a personal favorite brand of mine) is having a contest, y'all! The deets are here, but you get the gist from the artwork above. If you've every customized a piece before (or wanted to) this is the time to put pen to paper and get creative. Whether it's a sofa you envisioned but can't find (I'm raising my hand on this one) or the console of your dreams, now is the time to put your idea to the test. Winner receives the perfect piece they imagined and $10K in glorious Hickory Chair furnishings as well as a spot in an upcoming national campaign. How sweet is that?

What am I submitting? Possibly a modified version of the Kingsley Twin Daybed from Alexa Hampton... but there are a few other ideas in mind as well. What you design is up to you. So stop reading and start drawing people. You could be famous AND enjoying your swanky piece of custom furniture. Not bad for a day's work.

Posted at 12:50 PM in celebrities, contest, design, designers, furniture, illustrations, luxury, style | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

April 15, 2011

Venti Cup's $200 Joss & Main Giveaway

**** Update! **** We have a winner! Designer Jason Lytle, author of the blog Every Day with Ja. Congrats, Jason!

That's right, $200 fat ones to spend at your discretion at the consistently fabulous Joss & Main. This is a very generous offer, shoppers! Just in time for some delightful spring cleaning and prepping your abode for summer. Winner will receive $200 to spend any way they choose on Joss & Main sales.

As many of you have seen this is an exclusive members-only sale site featuring luxury and premium brands for the home. Typical sales offer steep discounts. I'm talking 25-70% off retail. Heaven! New sales launch daily, but last for only a quick 72 hours. So it's your job to hustle! These aren't "off" brands, these are big names like Missoni Home, Dwell Baby, Lilly Pulitzer, Le Creuset, Thom Felicia, and many other brands you know and love.

So let's make this super easy in the spirit of the weekend. Follow these simple steps:

Join: Become a member of Joss & Main using this link {Already a member? Enter to win anyway! Just sign in and browse through the sales. Come back to this post & leave me a comment, gorgeous!}

Act: Leave a comment here letting me know your fab find on Joss & Main - anything you fancy will do!

Tip: Be sure to leave a working email so I can reach you. :)

Time: You have until April 23 at NOON EST to enter the giveaway. Good luck, fashionable you!

>>>>>>>> USE THIS LINK TO JOIN JOSS & MAIN :) Happy Shopping!

Posted at 08:29 AM in contest, events, fabulousness, glamorous gifts, interior design, shopping | Permalink | Comments (29) | TrackBack (0)

February 25, 2011

Venti Giveaway: Win a Rumba Watch

**** Update! We have a winnah'! J Wilson was the lucky winner of the Rumba watch. After peeking at her site I'd say it's the perfect fit for this avid runner and lively personality. On her site she quotes Mary Oliver by asking, "What will you do with your one wild and precious life?" Have to love a girl asking the right questions! Congrats, J!****

Honestly, I completely missed the growing popularity of these silicone watches. You can't go out now without seeing them everywhere. While many of them are gimmicky and gender-neutral, I have to admit that some of these pretty little Rumba watches are pretty and (dare I say it?) girly!

By now you're thinking, "Franki.. what does this have to do with the lifestyles of the rich & fabulous content you usually serve up?" Simple: even the most glam celebs work hard to keep to keep their bodies lithe and red carpet ready. A mind-blowing number of famous people have been seen spotted on stage and in front of the camera brandishing these beauties. Even my celeb crush Giuliana Rancic was seen sporting her super fab white Mercer Rumba. (I just love her.)

I myself have the very sleek little Lafayette watch seen above in Snow Patrol white. I LOVE it. Personally, I'm wearing mine on while working out. I am rocking that bad boy during boot camp and at Zumba class. It's water-resistant and is really the safest kind of jewelry to wear when you're working out. Just the right amount of bling and no worries about snagging your workout geat (or having a Zumba routine malfunction. No clasps, no snaps, no worries. I love this little guy!

I managed to score a glam Lafayette watch just for one of you. All you have to do to win (and I can only have one winner) is tell me what you're doing to get your body ready for spring. I just hired a new trainer (Hi there, Ben!) and also joined his seriously hardcore boot camp classes. No excuses, no escape, no thinking. Just do what he says, drink lots of water and watch the lean muscle mass develop.

Do you Zumba? Do you salsa? Do you walk? Do you Spin? Are you a cardio queen or a boot camp baby? Dumbells your method? I think a brand new Rumba watch would make a fine addition to your wardrobe anytime... but I think you'll love wearing a white Lafayette Rumba watch when you're building that summer body.

So... spill it, folks! You have until March 3rd at 12:00 midnight EST to enter. Comment must include your pre-shorts-season fitness plan of attack. Ready... set... GO!

Posted at 08:05 AM in celebrities, contest, fabulousness, great gifts, style | Permalink | Comments (25) | TrackBack (0)

May 03, 2010

'Tis Far Better To Give Than To Receive

It's well before noon on Monday in most parts of the globe, but here's a cheers to Connie Limoncelli of Sogni e Sorrisi for winning the Love Me Knot Mother's Day giveaway. I can't wait to see which artwork combination you choose. In addition to being a delightful commenter, Connie is a generous soul. Her blog (the title of which translates to Dreams and Smiles) is filled with amazing giveaways, thoughful insights on design and a clear appreciation for beautiful creations. It is, in fact, packed with dreams and smiles. It's always nice when someone you adore wins a prize. Connie, congratulations and thank you for your continued support of my blog. Grazie! Pssst... there's still time to win one more prize! Check out the Love & Luck Giveaway. You have until tomorrow at midnight to drop a comment for a chance to win an amazng prize pack of greeting cards from boutique firm Love & Luck. It doesn't get more creative than these beautiful cards designed by a powerfully creative duo. With a little love & luck, you might be the winner! Happy Monday everyone!

{top image via the Daily Green}

Posted at 07:55 AM in art, contest, design, designers, entrepreneurs, events, fabulousness, graphic design, holidays, home accessories, stationery | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

May 01, 2010

Giveaways with Art & Soul

Don't miss out on the two giveaways happening right now. First up, the Love & Luck greeting card giveaway. Two bright creative minds bound together by love have brought about a clever and touching line of greeting cards and other lovely items. Contest ends Tuesday!

Next up, Imagekind has been gracious enough to offer a custom framed work of art (designed by yours truly!) for your mum on Mother's Day. Hurry... must enter by Sunday night at midnight to win!

Posted at 01:58 PM in contest, events, fabulousness, glamorous gifts | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Love Me Knot Mother's Day Giveaway

It's almost Mother's Day and this amazing giveaway can help you make it extra special for the loving and fabulous mom in your life. My Venti Cafe has partnered with Imagekind to bring you a last-minute gift. The gift of art. One lucky winner will receive a 17" x 17" story frame that holds four 5" x 5" photos. You, dear winner, can choose the art, the frame finish and the matting. (That's what is so cool about Imagekind.. it empowers you to create custom, framed works of art without ever walking into a frame shop!)

In addition to the gorgeous frame, I'm tossing in the art itself. If your mom is the edgy and cool type, she may love the Love Me Knot design in Glam Black. Is mommy more the Lilly Pulitzer type? Choose from the other five vibrant colors to create your arrangement or take a look at the newest release in multicolor. Regardless, you have to hurry. Giveaway ends Sunday night at midnight CST.

How do you win? In the comments below, share a memorable Mother's Day story. Maybe it was the first year you yourself became a mom... maybe you recall taking your mom to lunch on Mother's Day when you were just a tot. Maybe it was a year you and your mom bonded as adults. Maybe you have something more unique and personal to share... winner will be drawn at random. Contest ends this Sunday night - so hurry!

{Small print: Winner will get to choose from Love Me Knot designs (solid and multicolor) and will then choose framing options via Imagekind. Must live within North America. This lovely gift might arrive a day or so after Mother's Day due to the realities of life and schedules, but we'll keep our fingers crossed!}

Posted at 07:29 AM in art, contest, design, glamorous gifts, home accessories, photography, style | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)

December 31, 2009

Venti Challenge: Change Your Life in 2010. Win a Prize.

UPDATE: Winner announced! Congrats to Alana of Le Bleu Brilliant. In 2010 she will be less talk, more action. Be sure to visit her blog where she's positively adorable. I expect we will see great things from her this year and in the future. Congrats, Alana!

I've decided to offer up something personal to motivate you to make a bold change in your life this coming year. You have until Sunday night to drop a comment here and tell me what dramatic change you will absolutely make in your life in 2010. In addition to improving yourself and your life, I'll throw in another incentive - this fetching little Kate Spade 2010 spiral bound calendar (which is sold out online). Yes.... my own! (Fear not, I'll go buy myself another one as I adore it so!) So tell me... what massive change will you see through in your life this year? Ready.... set.... GO!

Posted at 08:21 AM in Books, celebrities, contest, holidays | Permalink | Comments (21) | TrackBack (0)

December 20, 2009

The Gift of Beauty

I've long said that I don't care if my skincare comes from a farm or a pharmaceutical company. I want results. Fortunately, Dr. Perricone straddles the line between the two extremes. He believes beauty comes from the inside and that diet, exercise and (yes) lifestyle all play a vital role in looking as good as Demi Moore when you're her age. Turns out, beauty isn't skin deep after all.

Fortunately for us, the good doctor continues to develop cutting edge products that can help counteract some of the damage we've all no doubt done thanks to modern life. So if you've indulged too much in life's luxuries, festive events and sleepless nights in the name of good fun, his latest wonder product Cold Plasma may very well be your saving grace. If you've not yet entered to win the Life in a Venti Cup Holiday Perricone Promo, you'd better pop over and drop a comment on the original post. One lucky winner will win a full size Dr. Perricone Cold Plasma.

"Formulated with Dr. Perricone's patented delivery system, Cold Plasma addresses the 10 most visible signs of aging: wrinkles, enlarged pores, dryness, discoloration, redness, uneven skin tone, impurities, loss of firmness, loss of smoothness and loss of radiance."

To enter, dish about your current skin care favorites. What bottle do you shake to get the last drop? What do you splurge on? Are you winning the battle against mother nature? Are you injecting? What's your beauty secret, ladies. Dish it up! Contest ends Christmas Eve, so hurry!

Posted at 09:50 AM in beauty, contest | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

December 11, 2009

Holiday Giveaway: Win Dr. Perricone's Cold Plasma

UPDATE: We have a winner! Alex of 2ciaos has won! Alex, I'll be getting in touch with your pronto. In the meantime, much thanks to ALL of you for your fabulous beauty secrets, tips and comments. I'll be doing a full review of Cold Plasma to let you know if it is indeed the wonder product we've all dreamed about!

My recent obsession - cashmere and leather goods aside - is glowing, fabulous skin. The first thing you'll notice on the road to tightened pores and a smooth epidermis is that the journey can be quite costly. Frankly, I'm willing to pay nearly any price for flawless skin, and in my experience quality does require an investment. But one does have to be judicious with the brands they trust, and Dr. Perricone is a leader in the skincare field I trust my one and only face with without question.

That said, it is great pleasure I bring you the Life in a Venti Cup Holiday Perricone Promo. One lucky winner will win a full size Dr. Perricone Cold Plasma. This product has been at the top of my "must try" list for about two months now. The skin gods must have been listening to my inner wishes, because the lovely team at Perricone are sending me a sample to try as well (yay!). Here's what the lucky winner and I can expect to see with use of Cold Plasma:

"Formulated with Dr. Perricone's patented delivery system, Cold Plasma addresses the 10 most visible signs of aging: wrinkles, enlarged pores, dryness, discoloration, redness, uneven skin tone, impurities, loss of firmness, loss of smoothness and loss of radiance."

Sounds like exactly what I'm seeking. So, ladies (and metrosexual gents), what are you waiting for? Let's have a contest! To do so, please leave a comment sharing with me your current skincare favorites. Tell me about the bottle you scrape clean because the priceless contents are so good. What do you splurge on that you swear works miracles? Are you Botoxing? What's your most secret of beauty secrets? Are you blessed with good genes and haven't given your skin more than a passing thought? Tell us. We promise not to hate you. :) The contest runs from today until December 24th at midnight CST. That's right. Christmas Eve. The winner will be announced Christmas Day and will receive their Perricone Cold Plasma shortly after. A late, albeit fabulous, gift!

In the meantime, be sure to read more about the product and visit the Perricone blog. Happy Holidays!

{Editorial note: If you haven't yet been hit by the Perricone bug, I suggest you read any one of his best selling books. I've been a devotee of his nutritional methods and dietary beliefs since I cracked the cover of his best selling Ageless Face, Ageless Mind. In short, you can't go around eating prepackaged foods and expect to look like a supermodel. If weight management and feeling vibrant aren't enough to motivate you - maybe a little vanity will be the kick in the pants you need to get with the program. Check out Amazon or your local library for any number of his game-changing books.}

Posted at 07:55 AM in beauty, celebrities, contest, glamorous gifts, holidays, luxury | Permalink | Comments (40) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: anti-aging, cold plasma, contest, dr. perricone, perricone promo, skin care, wrinkles

October 25, 2009

Pomp and Circumstance

One fun nugget of info I wanted to pass along... Maitland-Smith (one of the beautiful showrooms we toured) is celebrating thirty years of near limitless design options. To mark their anniversary they are offering you an opportunity to enter and win a design competition. There will be winners in four different categories and each will receive their creation at no cost, delivered to their door. Your creation (should you win) will be on display during High Point Market 2010, and you'll be invited to a private soirée to mark the occasion. How festive!

Choose one of over 500 pieces and customize it any way that you see fit. Enter by December 16, 2009. So put on your thinking cap and start imagining something fabulous!

{editorial note... see the lovely chair above? That's from the Maitland-Smith showroom. The photo hardly does it justice. The seat and interior are done in a yummy David Hicks/Kelly Wearstler type fabric...but the outside and back are uphostered in leather. It was divine!}

Posted at 05:21 PM in contest, events, furniture, style | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 20, 2009

Interview with Brent of Card Sharks: Part Deux

It is always a privilege to discover the driving force behind a successful business, a great idea and an active mind. Brent boasts experience in all three areas. Here is part two of his revealing interview:

I'm impressed at the concept of card "collections" rather than just individual designs. I can't say I've seen that anywhere else. Each group is so different from the others. What brought on the idea of the separate collections? Why that approach?

Collections - where do I begin. I have been collecting since I was a kid. i collect everything from Pez to old tin globes. In our designing of the cards we decided to do them in series, in part because some of the images that we found came in series, and in part because we thought it was conceptually unique and would set us apart. Our hope is that we have created sets of cards and packaging that are cool enough to keep - so collect them all!

You work with a variety of different designers and yet, there's a cohesive design thread that spans every collection. What is that process like? How do you keep the overall look of the products unified without limiting the creativity of contributing designers or yourselves?

We use a variety of artists but the overall design of the cards and box sets is done by myself and my son. We are the ones who put it all together and so we are able to weave a cohesive look into all the design elements. We have focused a lot of our effort on creating packaging that has a consistent look and feel with the cards. We do most of the writing in-house and try to keep it crisp and clean as well. We are always open to new ideas but don't want to compromise our design aesthetic.

I love your commitment to "green" by using 10% post-consumer content and encouraging customers to keep the packaging by making it as attractive as the products themselves. How do you see the green movement affecting your business?

The "green movement" is huge and will get even bigger, you can count on it. We felt it an absolute necessity to use recycled and recyclable materials in our product line. We could have printed the packaging and cards on a cheaper paper stock that had no post-consumer content but felt that would limit our options in the long run. We will do more in future offerings to be more earth-friendly and consumer-conscience.

What's next for Card Sharks? Any upcoming lines or new products you want to leak to the press? :)

We have been working on our next round of ideas. We have some wonderful artists lined up and some great ideas in the hopper. We are also exploring other types of partnerships as well. Stay tuned.

You know the drill, kiddos. Save 20% on any purchases using promo code VENTISHARKS and/or enter to win a set of boxed cards on Life in a Sippy Cup. Must enter prior to Friday at midnight!

Posted at 07:57 AM in contest, designers, graphic design, illustrations, interviews | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

August 18, 2009

Spelling Bee

The Card Sharks giveaway ends Friday night. It is a very generous prize package for two lucky winners. But now they've upped the stakes and offered 20% off your entire purchase just for entering promo code VENTISHARKS. Go see the imaginative works available in their online boutique. Oh... and the designer interview will be posted shortly. Stay tuned!

Posted at 07:18 AM in art, contest, coolfinding, designers, graphic design, illustrations, interviews, shopping | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

August 12, 2009

Shark Attack

Months ago Card Sharks got my attention. Their cards are edgy, cool, colorful and...well, just different. I can't quite put my finger on what makes these so unique, but they serve as evidence that creativity in our culture is alive and well.

It is my great pleasure to announce to you that they are partnering with Life in a Sippy Cup for a truly incredible giveaway. Two lucky winners will win a box of their wonderfully clever cards. One happy contestant will win a set of Little Beasties and the other proud reader will run off with a set of Animal Alphabet cards.

Swing by Sippy Cup to enter! {At this point I must confess that I'm a wee bit sad I can't enter myself. These are just so impossibly cute!}

Also...Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with the creative minds at play behind the designs.

Posted at 01:51 PM in contest, designers, entrepreneurs, graphic design, illustrations | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: card sharks, designers, eco-friendly, giveaway, greeting cards, interview

June 12, 2009

Did Someone Say Vera Wang?

I could (and probably should) keep this to myself....but Traditional Home is offering $20K to make over your bedroom. That's right. $20,000. But you've got to hurry, you've only got until June 21 to enter. Oh...and you can enter again, and again, and again for the next few days.

What will you receive if you win? Here's the scoop: a professionally designed bedroom plan plus furniture, flooring, mattress set and bedding from the likes of Darryl Carter Design, Thomasville, Scandia Down, Armstrong Floors and Vera Wang by Serta. So if your bedroom needs a little lovin' I advise you to get on with it and enter. :)

Posted at 04:07 PM in contest | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

December 11, 2008

The Va-Va-Voom Holiday Giveaway

I've been keeping a secret. On my nightstand, I have the most incredible book: Timothy White's Hollywood Pinups. First of all, the book itself comes sleekly wrapped in its own case. A glossy red number with the words "Be Seduced" proudly displayed in large block letters. Just the sight of it is visually arresting. But when you open it and find it filled with page after page of exquisite photos you are hardly prepared for the effect.

Sure, every month we see sexy photos of Angelina (have you seen the dozens of pages in W of photos taken by Brad?) and even Kate (The December cover of Vanity Fair showed a barely-clad Kate nearly showing us her Winslets)... but cover images have become de rigeur. There's a certain "expected-ness" about them. Each magazine vying for attention on the shelf. I can't say I'm shocked that often (although Vanity Fair does do a decent job causing me to do double takes...). But there's something different when you assemble a collection of celebrities posing in old-school pinup style.

To be fair, the book has caused its share of controversy. Most of the complaints being that pinups in the past wore boy shorts and had far more coverage. Have they tuned into prime-time television lately? I often think my great grandmother would be shocked if she had seen the Victoria's Secret television special. Or - even more pedestrian - any episode of Gossip Girl.

Maybe I'm looking at the photos from the woman's perspective. Just think of the confidence you have to muster to take a seductive photo. The old "fake it 'til you make it" adage may hold true of acting... but posing for a photograph is different. Knowing that you have trained hair and makeup teams fretting over every last freckle. And the Photoshop wunderkinds who will airbrush out any nefarious little detail threatening to tarnish your hard earned "beauty" rep. Not to mention comments and complaints from those who say women are being objectified. Blah, blah, blah.

I'm not looking at any of that when I see this book. I see confidence when I see these photos. The moxie to say "yes" to the concept. The trust that the stylist and photographer have a vision. The sense of "self" that you must have to just go for it.... everyone should feel that sense of power and confidence. Every woman. Every person. Everyone.

So what's this about a giveaway? You know I only do these on occasion. This is a rare opportunity to win a little indulgence for yourself, a loved one or a friend (who are we kidding? It's for you, right?). And all you have to do to enter is tell me something that makes you confident. That's right. Just leave a comment telling me something you LOVE about yourself. Is it your collarbone? Your hair? Your ability to quote tax code or Shakespeare or Kant? Do you love your perfect posture? Your green thumb? Your MBA? Tell me something that you just love about yourself. I want to hear it. What makes you feel GREAT about you? Got more than one? Tell me ten things you love about you. Let's hear it.

{Fine print: To qualify, you must leave a comment telling me something about yourself that you love. Of those comments that qualify, one lucky random winner will receive a copy of the book mailed to them direct from the publisher. How's that for a gift? Comments must be left by midnight PST next Thursday. Happy holidays!!!}

Posted at 02:58 PM in Books, contest, life, observations | Permalink | Comments (24) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: contest, hollywood celebrities, photography, pinups

August 26, 2008

Delayed Gratification...

And the winner of the Travel Channel / Bourdain Giveaway is.... Marsha, author of the foodie blog Consumed (great name, by the way). If you missed it, here is the original post. Although her answer was selected at random from the entries of unusual things eaten in the name of adventure, hers was one of the more memorable responses:

The most unusual thing I've ever eaten is endangered species. I was visiting a friend in Washington state several years ago and her father had us over for dinner one night. I don't know if this is still true, but at the time there was some endangered species of salmon that one specific Native American tribe had retained rights to fish for personal consumption. My friend's father was a Native American art dealer with friends in whatever tribe it was, and one of his friends had given him some, which he generously prepared for us. Not only that, but we ate our endangered salmon on an antique table he had picked up in South America somewhere that was made from wood from an extinct tree. It was all very robber barron.

The other most unusual thing I've ever eaten is moose. By far the most tender, succulent meat I've ever eaten. I've tried and tried to find it commercially. If anybody has a source, please share!!!

I had a terrific time chatting with each of you about your exotic delicacies. Thank you - each and every one of you - for participating. And my humble thanks to our friends at the Travel Channel for their generous donation of an autographed Anthony Bourdain poster. Marsha, I'll be dropping this in the mail to you this week. And if anyone knows where she can get a reliable source of moose... swing by her blog and satisfy her craving.

So... what's with the image of the camel, you ask? This week's episode of No Reservations lands Anthony in chaotic Cairo. Seems he didn't see much of the pyramids, but he did see a lot of excitement. Details on his blog.

{for thse of you keeping score, I stole the image from Gettyimages.com}

Posted at 06:25 AM in celebrities, contest, globetrotting | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

July 17, 2008

LAST CALL: BOURDAIN GIVEAWAY....GOING ONCE...

Personally autographed Bourdain swag, courtesy of the Travel Channel. Enter by Friday July 18th at midnight PST via my original post.

Posted at 03:50 AM in contest | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

July 07, 2008

No Reservations Giveaway

One lucky Venti Cup reader will receive signed Anthony Bourdain goodies, courtesy of the Travel Channel. Keep reading for details...

Continue reading "No Reservations Giveaway" »

Posted at 01:03 PM in contest, globetrotting | Permalink | Comments (32) | TrackBack (0)

February 07, 2008

Global Design Competition

After announcing the sale at Blissliving yesterday I came across this juicy nugget of information...

Blissliving and Lan are sponsoring a competition that encourages budding designers to showcase their creativity. If you've ever dreamed of designing luxury linens, this is your chance to shine.

The competition invited you to submit a design for the following bedding ensemble elements:

1 duvet set (1 duvet cover and 2 pillow shams)
1 sheet set (1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet, and 2 pillow cases)
Decorative pillows (3-6 pillows)

Here's the scoop:

Blissliving Home is asking designers to interpret an Autumn Chic aesthetic telling a romantic and elusive story. Autumn is chic with inspiration from both nature and fashion, with a delicate combination of pastoral landscapes and ladylike trends in ready-to-wear with the gentle juxtaposition of masculinity created by modern lines and construction details. Its color inspiration is based on soft cosmetic colors. Our story is sweetly feminine yet clean and modern with a warm and cozy palette for the crisp fall season. Autumn Chic puts a twist on the classic autumn color palette, yet emits a timeless attitude in its subtle hues.

Three budding designers will score an once-in-a-lifetime journey to our dazzling awards gala in Beijing where they will meet with industry influentials and design experts. Find your name in the news and see your design be produced, featured and sold within Blissliving Home’s fall/winter 2008 collection! You may also have the opportunity to visit Blissliving Home’s state-of-the-art design and sourcing centers in Shanghai and Hangzhou, China – your chance to gain priceless insight into the world of interior lifestyle design.

If you or anyone you know is entering, I'd love to feature your designs here!

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December 21, 2007

Be Competitive

It's that time of year again. DWR has a call for entries for the DWR Champagne Chair Contest™. Not familiar with it? This will get your party started:

The annual DWR Champagne Chair Contest™ is simple: Create an original miniature chair using only the foil, label, cage and cork from no more than two Champagne bottles. Chairs will be judged by a panel of industry experts and the winners will embark on a nation-wide tour. The winning designers will receive DWR Gift Cards.

In addition, you may use no more than two Champagne bottles to create a chair no larger than 4"x4"x4". Sounds like just the thing you and your friends ought to be doing during that after-after party on New Year's Eve. Now, grab your two bottles of 1995 Krug and let the party begin.

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November 28, 2007

Domino Winner is Announced

Girl Meets Glamour leads us on a tour of the Domino decorating contest's winning space. It's a bright, airy home brought to us via Catherine from Mill Valley, CA. And can I just say - gorgeous. Here's how Catherine describes her vision:

As a single mother I waited 17 years to convert two small bedrooms into my large master bedroom. I did all the demo and hired handymen to install the closets, doorways and white floor. I then painted, stenciled, embossed, and/or glazed every inch of wall space and built the gas fireplace surround myself. I reinvented a 1960s Hollywood vanity, nightstands, small chandeliers and French chair with paint, decoupage and silver leaf. I made and painted the silk organza curtains (items are not pictured). The goal was to create a Parisian-like sanctuary to enjoy after a long working day.

Sanctuary is right. In this case, I'd love to know who did the photography as well. The images are all beautifully lit by natural light. Catherine has somehow managed to be on-trend without seeming trendy. Stylish without seeming overdone. The chairs beg to be curled up on with a hot cup of coffee and a good book. And I love how she tosses in a Barcelona stool with a baby blue upholstered chair and a nearby bud vase of pink roses. There's an undeniable femininity to the room, but just enough of a nod to modern design that it doesn't fall on the side of girlishness. Lovely space. And I cannot imagine how a winner was selected from so many choices.

So while that lovely home won the accolades of many, by far one of my favorite spaces was the dining room by Cindy in Foley, Alabama. Cindy balanced masculine and feminine perfectly in her dramatic dining room. If anyone can make a chandelier look right in a space, it's her.

Here's her take on high-low chic:

"The winning combination of Bittersweet Chocolate, alligator dining chairs and white makes this dining room delicious. My inspiration was finding the dining chairs first and wanting the lacquer white frames to pop out against the dark walls. I searched for the coral silk and mohair drapery fabric to finish the room with elegance and a pop of color. What is phenomenal and surprising is the fact that the VERY expensive rug, drapes and chairs make the VERY inexpensive art and table look like a million bucks!"

Congrats to all of you who create delicious spaces like this every day. A well designed home is a gift to be cherished - regardless of whether or not someone awards you with a prize.

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Mind Your Manners

There's a nice little giveaway happening at YumSugar, and it's just in time for the holidays. Apparently Hostess with the Mostess and YumSugar have teamed up to giveway over $7000 in lovely items - all destined to make you the perfect host for the holidays. Making it more fun, the contest required me to take a quiz, challenging my table setting prowess amongst other things. I'm delighted to say I got 100% correct (I always was good at tests, for some reason).

So even if the goodie bag doesn't lure you (it will), I recommend the quiz just for fun. Here's what's in it for you if you win the prize...

"...there are over $7000 worth of super stylish prizes up for grabs - which should put you well on your way to hosting some truly fantastic soirées! We're talking everything from 20-piece notNeutral dinnerware sets and Jonathan Adler teapots to barstools from 2Modern Modern-Twist. And it doesn't stop there...we've also got aprons, coasters, gorgeous serving trays, table linens, designer stationery & invitations, wine racks, drinkware, bar accessories, candelabras, personalized plates, wine tasting kits, and much more...even fashion & beauty products for looking and feeling good pre & post-party!..."

What more do you need? Here's the link to enter. Good luck!

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October 05, 2007

Spice of Life Giveaway Winner

After sifting through all of the qualifying entries for the Spice of Life Giveaway, I'm delighted to announce the winner (drum roll please...) FashionGirl, better known as Instant Native. My warm congrats to you! You'll look quite fetching in your new apron. Do let us know what concoction you'll be cooking first. We may just fly out to the Bay area to join you for dinner.

Still longing for your own Onyx apron? So am I. Luckily, we can all save $5 off of any order at ThePepperKids.com simply by entering the code "Venti" at checkout. I would like to genuinely everyone for entering, and thank you to The Pepper Kids for sponsoring this terrific giveaway.

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September 05, 2007

Preening for the Camera

So many of us go to great lengths to ensure that our private spaces are well-designed retreats from the world. And thanks to the miracle of blogs, we have ways of sharing those intimate surroundings with others from around the globe. Some do this by showcasing their latest flea market finds or by asking for opinions on fabrics. More and more, the blogs I read the most embrace the art of show and tell.

It's time you were recognized for your hard work, and Domino magazine is just the publication to do it. Girl Meets Glamour has the scoop:

"You probably know this, but Domino magazine is holding a decorating contest! Old news to some....but if you go to their website you can view some of the entries all ready. And there's no excuse as to why you can't enter...I have an excuse, all my stuff's in storage...but you don't. Plus you can win 10,000 bucks!!!"

So far, the entries are marvelous. From rich dining rooms to chic bedrooms, it is safe to say that the competition is fierce. Even if you have no time to enter, be sure to see what other creative minds are producing. Prepare to be inspired.

Posted at 07:49 AM in contest, culture, interior design, style | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

September 03, 2007

Spice of Life Giveaway

Add some spice to your life with a hip Jesse Steele apron and matching oven mitts. The Pepper Kids is giving one of three styles away to a lucky Venti Cup winner just for telling us about your most prized dining experience.

Continue reading "Spice of Life Giveaway" »

Posted at 06:22 AM in celebrities, contest, dining, style | Permalink | Comments (80) | TrackBack (0)

August 30, 2007

PulpFactory Giveaway Winners

Drum roll please... three winners have been selected at random from the Mod Summer Giveaway contest. The winners are Anya, Johanna Iwaszkowiec and Suzy Lorenzen. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who entered! The three (3) lucky winners will each receive two (2) sets of PulpFactory's fabulously chic fashion and cocktail note cards plus a Modern Girl's Life sticky notepad. I'll be in touch with each of you listed above to obtain your mailing address. Thanks again to our generous sponsor PulpFactory.

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August 28, 2007

A World of Thanks

The Mod Summer Giveaway ended last night at midnight. I'd like to personally welcome all of the new readers who introduced themselves during the two week giveaway. What an adventurous group of readers!

Although I tried to email each of you personally, with so many entries it is certain I missed a few. If you are new, welcome to Life in a Venti Cup! For regular readers, thank you so much for your comments and tales of great vacations past and future.

From African safaris to sitting on the Spanish Steps, the responses took us all over the globe. Discovering the varied responses was a treat. How nice to learn about some of your favorite journeys away from home as well as a little bit about each of you. Again, thank you for your tremendous responses.

Three random winners will be announced later this week. Stay tuned - and stay adventurous!

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August 27, 2007

Going Once.. Going Twice...

Today is the final day to enter the Mod Summer Giveaway. So far we've had 114 submissions. Stunning! Three winners will be chosen at random once the contest has ended tonight at mindnight. If you'd like your name thrown in the hat to win some great prizes from PulpFactory, it's time to enter. Simply drop a comment here about a great vacation you've taken. Or better yet, a dream vacation you intend to one day enjoy. Ciao!

Posted at 06:25 AM in contest | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 13, 2007

Mod Summer Giveaway: Stylize Your Life

Whether your style is avant garde or classic, PulpFactory ensures you can keep in touch with friends and loved ones in style using their chic note cards and stationery goods. Enter for your chance to win a prize package from their wide selection of gorgeous paper goods.

Continue reading "Mod Summer Giveaway: Stylize Your Life" »

Posted at 06:39 AM in contest, stationery, style | Permalink | Comments (165) | TrackBack (0)