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Friday, December 3, 2010

1st Blogiversary, A Guest Post & A Pixelimpress Giveaway!

I can't believe that a year ago today I clicked "publish" on my first post on this blog. When I started out I really had no idea what I was doing, and I think in some ways didn't really know why. What I do know now is that, yes, blogging is hard work but it has also made my life so much richer. The people I've met, both in the flesh and online, not to mention the inspiration, the kindness and the ideas, have been invaluable. I think I've learned a lot about myself this past year, pushed myself farther and harder, and I'm just so grateful that all of you have been along for the ride.

I'd like to say a special thanks to the bloggers who were my very first commenters and followers (like Lauren of Pure Style Home, Giovanna of Swoon, Crystal of Plush Palate, Emily of Emily A. Clark, Dawn of The Alernative Wife and Helena of A Diary of Lovely, who asked me to do my first guest post!) I still remember the feeling when I realized that people were actually reading what I wrote. And responding. It was amazingly cool. And I would like to thank all of you who have come since then. Truly. You're the bestest blog friends a girl could have. If you're interested in what I posted that very first day here are a few links for you:

Welcome!

White Kitchens

Upside Down Christmas Trees

Also, today I'm very happy to be participating in Shannon's 12 Days of Holidays: A Blogger Wishlist -- hop on over to What's Up Whimsy to see what I'm wishing for this Christmas. Shannon is one of those great people I've met through blogging (I was super happy to be able to chat with her face to face at the recent Canadian Design Blogger's Meetup) and if you haven't been reading her blog you should really check it out.

On Sogni e Sorrisi's 1st Blogiversary I thought it would be appropriate to say thank you not just in words, but with a giveaway. The lovely Pam from Pixelimpress has graciously offered two great products to a lucky winner. Pixelimpress is a great shop that specializes not only in personalized calling cards, but also great paper products like notecards and gift tags (I fell in love with their green ikat tags when I saw them!) A sample of their products:

Holiday Cards

Gift Tags

Calling Cards

Notecards

"I love paper, patterns and colors, modern and traditional, and fonts. I love trying to find the unexpected yet beautiful way of mixing all of those to create a look that's unique," Pam says of her inspirations. "I'm environmentally conscious and use recycled materials as much as possible. And I strive to always give excellent customer service."

Enter now for your chance to win a Pixelimpress package that includes a Set of 10 Octopus Folded Notecards and a Set of 6 Ikat Hang Tags!

How to Enter

This giveaway is open to followers of Sogni e Sorrisi.

Just visit Pixelimpress and let me know what your fave item is.

Extra Entries

1. Follow me on Twitter. If you already do just let me know!

2. Tweet about this giveaway. You can tweet this:

Just entered the 1st Blogiversary Pixelimpress #Giveaway @SogniESorrisi http://bit.ly/hopQ4g

3. Blog or Facebook about this giveaway. Just leave the URL in your comment.

4. Follow Pixelimpress' Blog.

5. If you purchase something from Pixelimpress that gives you 10 extra entries. Just forward me proof of purchase and let me know in your comment!

Giveaway open until December 10, 2010.

Winner will be chosen via random.org.

Good luck, happy weekend and thanks again!

Oh, don't forget to enter the Orient Watch Giveaway--

today is the last day!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Little Miss Perfect?

Sorry for the late start this morning. I've been dealing with a whopper of a headache (not a migraine, thankfully, otherwise there would be no way I'd be talking to you right now), which I've been trying to sleep off. When I finally got around to going through my emails I came across the Goop newsletter. Today they were dealing with the question of boundaries. All the contributors had something interesting to say, but I was really struck by the words of Monica Berg (excerpt below), which got me thinking.

"At some point we get the message...that we need to excel at everything. Academics, career, mind, body and spirit--and we're expected to keep it all in perfect balance.

This creates a total impossibility. We become afraid to act because we are afraid to fail. And that’s why so many of us are trapped in prisons made up of beliefs such as, 'I can’t disappoint my family,' or 'I mustn’t speak up because I will be labeled as 'difficult,' or 'I have to be perfect all the time.'

I loathe this word: perfect. Mostly, because I tried to be this person most of my young adult life. Unfortunately, this unconscious image of perfection is totally at odds with what our soul wants—to be free, to make mistakes & grow stronger through life experiences, and to express itself fully."

From my experience this issue is something that women struggle with constantly and much more so then men. I'm not a mother but I've seen this need to be perfect become even more pronounced once women have children. Part of that, I'm sure, is that motherhood just amplifies everything. It's one thing to make mistakes where you're concerned, another when it's your child. The worst part is it seems to be women competing against one another--comparing, criticizing--and themselves, being scared to accept help because they might not be seen as the can-do-it-all Superwoman. How did we get here? I have no idea.

I'd like to think that I've accepted the fact that I'll never be perfect, never be the perfectly put together girl with the flawless hair or the colour coded closet. My relationships will be bumpy, but hopefully honest. The truth is, though, that it's a constant battle to remind myself that I can't be everything for everyone (whether at work or at home) nor do I need to be. And sometimes taking a stand and actually speaking my mind is difficult, although I've gotten a lot better at telling people where to go. And trying not to feel guilty all the time. What do you think? Do you struggle with the need to be "perfect"?

Images
1, 3-5: weheartit.com
2: Tommy Ton for Vogue Nippon

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Holiday 2010 Gift Guide: For Her

Whether you are shopping for mother, sister, daughter, significant other or bestie here are some ideas at every price point to help you along in your search for that perfect gift...

Under $50