Cyber Monday Giveaway: m.elaine beadworks

Happy Cyber Monday! Last week, I enjoyed no less than three fabulous Thankgiving dinners in two cities with countless friends and family members that I love.  I promised you a post on my Black Friday finds-- but I have a confession:  I didn't buy anything.  Therefore, I have nothing to show you. 

I did enjoy the gorgeous fall weather in Downtown Franklin, Tennessee poking in and out of charming boutiques with friends, Jenna and Christina.  Actually purchasing something, however, would have required me to stand in long lines amid masses of people.  Not my thing.  As much as I typically love shopping at malls, boutiques, and outlets, this time of year I prefer shopping from the comfort of my couch in my pjs.

In honor of Cyber Monday (and a comfortable shopping environment), I am offering my first giveaway from m.elaine beadworks.

Need a special gift for a female in you life? Your mother, sister, sister-in-law or friend? I think that you'll love the one-of-a-kind stackable bracelets from m.elaine beadworks.

m.elaine beadworks was started by two fashion forward friends of mine.  Meredith and Rachel are first and foremost best friends who shared awkward teenage years together in Alabama, college trips from Athens to Knoxville and back, weddings and babies -- they’ve truly been through it all making it a natural decision to start a business together.

Meredith draws on her experiences working for a local jeweler and now as the manager of Kelly's Closet, a bridal and ready-to-wear boutique in Atlanta, to design the bracelets, while Rachel utilizes her years of media and advertising experience to promote the brand.

Meredith and Rachel are complete perfectionists (trust me, I know!) and their perfectionism shows in their bead choice.  They only selecting the stones and other materials that make a rich, bold statement. I love that many of their pieces are one-of-a-kind, since they use unique, vintage charms.

What I find really appealing about m.elaine beadworks is their focus on individuality and personal style.   Their bracelets can be worn as a single bracelet, but they are really designed to be worn in sets, or "stacks" as they call it.  You can add to your collection and mix and match pieces for a look that is completely YOU!

Take a look at their gorgeous designs (get ready for an onslaught of photos -- I just loved so many!):

 

 

 

 

m.elaine beadworks is offering a discount to all Inviting Abode readers just in time for Christmas! 

Simply enter the promo code ABODE at checkout to receive 15% off all of your purchases through the end of the year!

Meredith & Rachel also generously offered to giveaway the bracelet below [gunmetal chinese crystal beads with alternating silver crystal rondelles], worth $58, to a lucky Inviting Abode reader! 

In their words: 

We chose this bracelet because it's a great starter for a stack or an addition to any stack, and it is pretty generic (no skulls, crosses, Buddhas!).  It can be dressed up or down and is just the right amount of sparkle!

Entering is Easy:

• [required] Like m.elaine beadworks on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know you did and what you'd wear it with below.

• [extra entry] Follow/Subscribe to Inviting Abode blog by clicking "follow" or "subscribe" on the right hand side of my blog, then leave a comment letting me know you did.

• [extra entries] Mention this giveaway in a blog post, FB link or tweet, then leave a comment letting me know you did.

• Please post a separate comment for each extra entry.
• Please list your email if I don't have a way to contact you.    
• Entry period closes at midnight EST on Wed, Nov 30, 2011. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be announced on Inviting Abode on Thurs, Dec 1, 2011.
• Limited to US residents only.

 Happy Shopping!

November Scott Antique Trip

Oh, Scott's.  How I have missed you.  I have not been to Scott's in at least 8 months.  My mom shops Scott's every month for her clients and has all sorts of great inside knowledge-- so we like to go together. But, she only likes to go on Friday's when it's not as crowded or as picked over.   Attending on Friday requires me to take a day off of work, which I can only do every so often.  However, today's finds remind that it's completely worth it!
I took a ton of pictures to share -- see them below:
 (I forgot my regular camera, so these are iPhone shots.  Sorry!)

 Great light green antique leather settee

I love the burlap and chicken wire combination used for these light shades.

Antique sleds were out in full force to prepare for the holidays.  I adore the one I bought last year -- however, I did have to explain to my husband that he could not ACTUALLY use it during last January's snowstorm.

This booth had a huge array of antique game boards.  These would be perfect framed in a playroom, media room, or kid's room!

I really liked the holiday displays in this booth using just silvers, greens, and brown.  I snapped a few photos that I am going to try and recreate at my house this year.  Antlers (see Leigh, they are in!) and greenery inside a lantern makes a simple, elegant winter display.  My mom snagged a few antlers to use at her house.

We chatted with the gentleman from altered for quite a while -- he makes furniture and decorative accessories all out of church pews.  They are AMAZING.  See those two brown benches in front?  They are from the same church -- the lighter one was near a window.  He makes tables, chairs, benches, vases, candesticks, and more all out of the pews.  So cool!   His website is not up quite yet-- but I have his card if anyone is interested.

I saw these European olive picking buckets -- and it was love at first sight.  (Despite their $59/each price tag!)  They reminded me of our trip to the olive groves during our Italian vacation in May. 

Alas!  They were sold.  Much to my luck, however, several other vendors were carrying them.  I saw these olive buckets carried out of Scott's by patrons left and right.  I purchased my own from one of my favorite outdoor vendors for...$35!  These are selling on etsy.com for $75-$250 right now.  What a steal!

Check out this antique double decanter carrier.  Pottery Barn just added a reproduction of one of these to their new line.  This would make a great Christmas gift for the special man in your life.

How sweet is this antique baby scale?

I'm a sucker for vintage baby blocks.  The booth display spelled my father-in-law's name, Rex.  I had to snap a picture!  (For some reason, Blogger insists on displaying the photo sideways...)

Burlap chests.  Love.

A beautiful seafoam green chest to be used as a sideboard or dresser.  See that white tag?  It says sold.  Merchandise was selling SO quickly today.

Owl andirons for in front of a fireplace.  I bet these sold quickly given the popularity of owls in the design world.

Galvanized table.  Very industrial looking.

Everywhere you looked vendors were carrying vintage suitcases.  A few of these stacked makes a fabulous end table or bedside table.  The cases in this stack ranged from $45-75 -- not bad!

Leigh, this is for you.  You know...in case Ryan 2 doesn't know what to do with his deer feet.  (Seriously, WHO would use this lamp?)

Mom gives her legs a rest among a sea of linen seating options.

Jars, pots, wine casks galore!

I am not always a huge fan of brass-- but there is something about this antique brass light fixture that I just love. 

All of the industrial furniture makes me want another house to decorate...

I thought that this could make a really pretty Christmas centerpiece -- vintage ornaments hung from a lamp shade frame.

Hands reaching to the sky...

I *think* that this is an old dental chair.  As such, I promptly texted my pediatric dentist friend, Leigh, a picture.  We had the following hilarious exchange:

Ashley: This chair looks medical so I bought it for you.  You're welcome.
Leigh: And it looks so comfortable!  Thanks, friend! :)
Ashley: No problem!  If it doesn't fit in your house you can always use it at the office -- it won't scare the kids at all!
Leigh: Perfect!  I'll call it the Magical - not at all for medical experimentation - special chair. 
Ashley:  Hahahaha!

Mantels, pillows, and more olive picking buckets...

I was amazed at the selection of funky chairs.  These remind me of my brother's law office...

Chandeliers...

I seriously considered these cube trunks for $110. 

 Wine racks...

I can't forget to share Ryan's Christmas present for this year -- a smoker/grill in the shape of a bull!  (The smoke literally comes out of its nose.)  I could not stop laughing!  I was also surprised the bull grill was only priced at $675.  Somehow, I thought that this beauty would be priced higher...

Old light bulbs filling the box -- I just thought this looked interesting...

Mirrors, coral, rocking horse....

Deer antlers my mom snatched up for just $15 each.  (She would want me to inform you that deer shed their antlers every year.  No deer were killed for her decorating desires...)

Pretty chair fabric...

Lamps made out of all sorts of repurposed objects -- gears, water meter covers, coils, etc.  So neat!

Last, but not least, how cool are these orb-shaped iron pieces?  My mom wants to wire one as a light and hang it above her family room coffee table.   I love the idea.

Whew!  That was a lot.  Based on the responses to my previous post, the next posts will be about My Fall Decor, What I Want for Christmas, and a DIY Wall Unit.  I also plan to post a Pinterest recipe I made for tomorrow's UGA football game against Auburn.  Go Dawgs!