dig this chick

What wonderful enthusiasm for the first ever rainbow friday! The participating businesses are smiling and I just know you will love your new goods. Ok, alright, the winners already.
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This is not a sponsored post.

Here at dig, we are adding some color to Black Friday. For one day only: a collection of deals and free stuff brought to you by your neighbors. Small businesses with big hearts. Whether the midnight shopping spree is your thing or sleeping in is your thing, this is for YOU.

R A I N B O W   F R I D A Y

Each of these rad businesses is offering three things:

• A great deal. Read more under each business about how to redeem their offer.
• A giveaway. Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win one of the 20 things pictured!
• The heartwarming assurance that you are supporting a person who supports their family by doing what they love to do. They make stuff. They sell handmade stuff. They choose responsible, sustainable practices that have a positive impact on your family and in your community.

>>>>> Leave a comment for a chance to win one of the 25 awesome things below! One winner will be selected for each item on Monday, December 1. That’s 25 winners! xo <<<<<

1. EARLYWOOD

giveaway:
one of only 3 existing (and not commercially available yet) LARGE classic ladles (instead of the MEDIUM classic ladles sold on the site)

deal:
30% off of all orders. Use code BLACKWOOD.

2. STULL KNITS

giveaway:
Felted wool slippers. These fantastic slippers are knit up, stitched together, felted, and dried. I then paint the bottoms with a natural rubber for traction, also durability.

deal:
Get a $25 off coupon when you spend $35 or more. Use code IWON25WITHDIGS.

3. FEELEEZ

giveaway:
Feeleez poster/chart set. The set includes the classic Feeleez poster with all 25 emotion illustrations, it’s big and colorful and perfect for using as an avenue for empathy, plus three new “emotional anatomy’ charts that explain the nature of emotions and how they work in the human body.

deal:
50% off all posters/charts in our store. Keyword: DIG

4. COURTNEY BLAZON

giveaway:
five pack of holiday cards

deal:
Buy one, get one t-shirt, various designs! Email courtneyblazon@gmail.com.
Many designs to choose from, printed on tri-blend Canvas or Bella t-shirts.

5. TART

giveaway:
A print by Annie Bailey. It’s a reproduction of an original painting titled “Turning Point” by White Sulphur Springs tartist Annie Bailey. 8″ x 10″ archival print, ready for framing.

deal:
free notecard with every print purchased. Notecard will be by the same artist or one very similar in style. Enter DIGFRIDAY in the order comments at checkout on the website (or mention it in person or on the phone).

6. STARRY KNIGHT

giveaway:
6-12 months (5inch) BISON soft soled leather shoes. Super soft shoes with elastic backs to stay on your little ones feet when crawling, walking and playing.

deal:
30% off orders of $40 or more coupon code DIG30

7. MELODY JOY

giveaway:
one cowl and one piece of nest jewelry. Jewelry: for the mama bird in your life; beautiful freshwater pearls carefully wrapped and handwoven become an elegant and unique piece. Cowls: handknit and versatile!

deal:
buy-2-get-1- free on all nest jewelry and all cowls are discounted

8. TOOTSABELLA

giveaway:
The Princess Ella Crown. This exquisite handmade crown will make the perfect gift for any everyday princess in your life. These crowns are meant to be played with, and are constructed for that purpose. Made with soft quality cotton fabric to insure the crown will be comfortable after hours of wear.

deal:
20% off purchase of one crown CODE: SMALLBIZ20
30% off purchase of two or more crowns CODE: SMALLBIZ30

9. B. HANDMADE DESIGNS

giveaway:
RASPBERRY JAM – Flannel Circular Scarf
Super soft flannel, raspberry red/pink and black buffalo plaid flannel, extra wide.

deal:
30% off: use code HOLIDAY

10. LAVA LAKE JEWELRY

giveaway:
Sterling Silver Tiny Hoop

deal:
pair of Silver Stud Earrings for the first 10 sales of the day (she will contact each recipient on Saturday) and $10 off any purchase of $20 or more. Use coupon code DIGFRIDAY.

11. MY 3 LITTLE DUCKS

giveaway:
weighted lap pad. Weighted blankets and lap pads are a simple solution to what often appears to be complex attention, calming, or sleeping difficulties. Give your child or yourself the input he/she needs and watch “miracles” happen.

deal:
free shipping, use code DIGSHIP.

12. A KITCHEN BOX

giveaway:
A December box! A Kitchen Box is Kitchen Inspiration in your mailbox and your Inbox. Each month AKB curates a box built on a new theme. The boxes include: Heirloom quality letter pressed recipes, Postcard with Original Art, Artisan Edibles, Useful Kitchen Tools, Music for your Kitchen Playlist.

deal:
Free December box and $10 off with any 6 month subscription purchase (Jan-Jun) using the promo code: DIGAKB. The December box stays a surprise until the 10th, when it ships.

13. SARAH’S SILKS

giveaway:
Four seconds grab bags – one per person: prince dress-up bag (includes a silk tunic with cape, a crown and a small toy), princess dress-up bag (incudes a rainbow fairy skirt, crown and silk purse), playsilk seconds bag (includes 5 playsilks), and baby blanket seconds bag (includes one star silk blanket). Comes in a bag tied with a pretty ribbon, perfect for gift giving!

deal:
free streamer or sword with every order over $50. Great stocking suffers! To claim write in the comments of your order: DIGTHISCHICK and “I wish for the….”(blue sword, red sword. star streamer, rainbow streamer, heart streamer)

14. MADDIE AND SOPHIE

giveaway:
kid care pack: all 4 full-size kid care products: gentle cleanser, kid care essence perfume oil, moisturizing butter, skin soothing oil. All maddie & sophie products are gluten-free, vegetarian, and chemical-free and are made in the USA.

deal:
30% off your order (excluding shipping) with the coupon code CHICK. List the code in the comments on your paypal order and you will be refunded.

15. ANGLE 33

giveaway:
Wine Thermal. You choose color and one of three sizes. The perfect gift for anyone who appreciates wine! Angle 33 Wine Thermals retain optimal temperature of white wine, red wine and champagne while being served in any setting, plus they just look cool!

deal:
Use coupon code BLACKFRIDAY13 for $14.99 of all Thermals.

16. WALKING STICK

giveaway:
scrappy cat doll

deal:
25% off your entire order. Free shipping on orders over $50. Use code DIGCHICK25. Also: Orders of $50 or more will receive a free Bare Book with a set of 4 colored pencils or a Wooden Top made by The Original Tree Swing (just need to leave your choice in the comment section)

17. URBAN BABY BONNETS

giveaway:
Your choice of a modBonnet or modCap. Often imitated but never duplicated in style, functionality, fabrics, design, or craftsmanship, the UB2 bonnets are cool, fun, funky, functional, super-cute and distinctively original. They’re a postmodern twist on an heirloom classic!

deal:
first 10 people who spend $50 or more during the shopwide sale (up to 75% off!) will also receive free shipping (in the US only) with the code UB2LOVESDIG.

18. LILIAN EVE DESIGN

giveaway:
Your choice of color block color combination for the oversized, chunky wool blend cowl. It’s handmade, wool blend, thick weave for winter with lots color combination options; a perfect staple piece for your winter wardrobe.

deal:
30%off: use code LEDNDIG4U

19. PIPER & PAISLEY

giveaway:
Crimson slouch hat. Nice, deep, true red. One size fits pretty much everyone! This hat is unlined, decorated and fitted with tucking details in the front, and closed with a finished and gathered hole at the top. It has a softly lined brim, and an interior elastic sweatband for superior comfort and fit.

deals:
All Etta hats $35, all slouch hats $25, free domestic shipping with code BLACKFRIDAY

20. DIG THIS CHICK

giveaway:
2014 Calendar featuring my photos! It’s oversized at 18 x 30 inches and printed on glorious paper. I’ll even personalize it with a note if you’d like.

deal:
Free shipping: use code FREESHIP. Buy two get one free! Buy your two calendars and I will send you another at no cost.

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Written from the passenger seat of a fast-moving Subaru. We are headed to Portland for Thanksgiving! Wishing each and every one of you a day of love and thanks tomorrow and always.

:: :: ::

COMING FRIDAY: My own special Black Friday spin. It’s good, featuring 20 giveaways and 20 great deals from 20 small businesses I love. One day only.

:: :: ::

Dear Ruby,

Four! I really love you at four. I’ve loved each of your ages but right now suits you so well. You are so proud to be four.

Weeks ago I asked you how you wanted to celebrate your birthday. Margot listed the names of your friends and excitement built around your birthday party. You didn’t say anything for a bit. And then you said you wanted a small party. I want to just invite you and daddy and Margot and Ellie. And I want to go to the carousel and ride and ride and ride and then go out to eat downtown. I want to eat macaroni and cheese!

And that’s what we did. The day began with the eating of egg burritos and the making of a chocolate cake with light pink frosting with a pile of rainbow sprinkles in the middle, all your requests. Mama, you pushed me out of your body four years ago? Margot made your little name bunting cake topper with red sharpie. You chose to wear a polka dot flamenco dress and two braids, one with a turquoise rubber band and one with a pink rubber band. Excitement and joy burst from your body. Yes, baby, I pushed you into your first breath. I couldn’t wait to meet you.

I made monogrammed muslin bags and had fun choosing a few little things for you three. Balloons, bubbles, markers, strawberry gum and — the biggest deal — sparkly tiaras and wands. The ones you always covet at the grocery store.

You girls danced through town. It was cold and bright. You dad and I smiled so big and true, we ached. You were SO happy. All of us were. It was one of my favorite days of my life, truly. You chose this simple event that shined light on some of the things I value most: honest-to-goodness connection, imagination and simple, satisfying contentment.

You twirled and sang and held hands with your two best friends. You all floated in your own beautiful world where princesses, mermaids, fairies, magic and dance parties collided to form a Ruby-Ellie-Margot force. Every person we encountered smiled huge and Continue reading →

I had a tea date with a friend a few days ago. I had one hour between my teaching gig in Margot’s class and kid pick-up. I remember when my days weren’t so scheduled. I remember breezy college when we just hung out with friends all day, every day. Before text message marathons trying to pin down one little window to lock eyeballs with people I love.

She showed me her newly remodeled bedroom and I said how comfy her bed looked. And then we climbed in and cuddled. When was the last time I laid down at 2pm? We talked about husbands, kids, health and work. It was good. I felt my body unravel the way it can in the presence of a best friend or on the yoga mat.

Speaking of yoga, I used to practice many days a week. I took my first class in 1996 and it remained a big part of my rhythm for more than a decade. I keep thinking about how I miss it and how I’ll pick it back up. Ruby turns four next week and that’s a pretty solid reminder that I’ve have had four years of wishing I was back in the yoga groove. Four years! Well, six really. For whatever reason, yoga didn’t join me into parenthood. And I wish it had. Yesterday I bent over to collect kitchen flotsam and my legs felt cold and creeky. I went straight into triangle pose, holding and staring up at the hairy sock I had picked up. Ruby jumped under my arm and giggled. I kept going. Sun salutes, forward bends. My body needs this. I need to strengthen, lengthen, fold, hold and breathe.

I remember when I told a friend I felt overwhelmed with backing up my photos because I wanted to edit and organize as I did it and staring at years of poorly labeled folders felt like staring at Everest. Instead of putting one foot in front of the other, I felt paralyzed. She told me to just start today, with the photos from this month. Just begin and work back as you feel like it. Just start. Begin. Now.

That’s such great advice, isn’t it? I remind myself of it a lot, in this current life season of ours. Two wildly energetic kids, a needy homestead, growing careers, neglected hobbies,

Just then, both of my daughters climbed onto my lap. I was sitting in front of the fire. It is snowing outside and I had this urge to hammer out a few thoughts this morning. But they needed me. Just hugs. They perched on my body. A still, warm family totem.

Where was I? Oh yes, the fullness of our current season. Mamas talk a lot about juggling balls and dropping balls. I don’t particularly like that negative metaphor. Things aren’t dropped, they are intentionally placed on a shelf where they quietly, non-judegmentally wait. They either become obsolete and melt away, creating space for the things we want and need or – most of the time – they just hang out and wait for us to rediscover them when the time is right. We dust them off, get new batteries, paint a fresh coat. And begin.

So Yoga is on my shelf. It sits next to Dates With My Husband, Making Birthday Quilts For My Daughters and Reading Novels. Currently, I am engaged with sewing the hundreds of items people have entrusted me with creating for their loved ones. I am spending unstructured time with my kids where I regularly feel like crying from the joy they deliver. I am making time to be with and talk to friends, even in tiny windows of time. I am loving the cold weather that pushes me into the kitchen, into rearranging my home and into bed earlier. I am excited to rejoin my husband as a season pass holder to our ski hill for the first time since I’ve been a mama. I am snuggling with my dog a lot. I am volunteering regularly for organizations I love. I am feeling solidly in love with my partner who paints the most smart and delicate art, who is so supportive and THERE all the time. I am so proud of him, of us. I don’t think I imagined us at 35 when we were 15. I like us at 35. It’s messy and real and fun and rewarding.

Painting rarely goes on Andy’s shelf and Continue reading →