Monday, September 8, 2008

Due to inclement weather around the country we are having a GIVEAWAY!

I am hosting my own giveaway because I am just that sweet and I knew many of you could use one of these ...



Do you like? I hope so! Seriously, I am really sweet but I could also use some help. These 'brellas are coming from my mom's store. She has owned a store in our town for about 8 years and she carries stationery, invitations and gifts. It is kinda like a small-town version of Swoozies. We love Swoozies! But anyways, I think that she really needs a website so all the lovely preppies of the world can buy all our preppy lovely things. So this is the kick-off!

Preppy, Lovely Item of the Month #1: The Monogrammed Umbrella in Pink with Brown trim or Lime with Brown trim.

To win one of these 'brellas, in your choice of pink or green, all you have to do is leave me a nice lil comment by Sunday at midnight. Easy enough? I told you I was sweet :)

But wait, you forgot I needed some help! The mutha, nor I, have any idea where to begin in creating a website. So, if there is anyone out there who can give me any good, easy advice on building this website I will give away a second umbrella, also in your choice of pink or green. And we don't need any fancy-shmancy site ... just something basic where we can sell her stuff!

Okay, so I am giving away 1 umbrella just because I am sweet and all you have to do is leave a comment. I will randomly draw a name out of a hat to see who the lucky lady is. Again, I will draw the name Sunday at midnight. I will give away the 2nd umbrella to the smarty-pants who gives me the best and EASIEST advice. However, if I don't get any advice it is no prob, I will just give away the one 'brella.

Until Sunday ... I will pray for no bad weather!

xoxo~

56 comments:

Muffy said...

OOH! Enter me! I don't have any good advice about starting a website, but I like to stay dry when it rains. HAH.

xoxo,
Muffy

Anonymous said...

Hi Belle- I LOVE your mum's umbrellas AND your website!!

A few ideas about the website:
1.) Etsy-- love love love etsy and I know lots of folks who have "stores" there and they love it for just what you mentioned- just a place for them to sell their stuff.

2.) If you want your own domain, etc... GoDaddy.com is okay and their domains aren't super expensive and if you purchase Dreamweaver to design the pages, you would be good to go. However this option is pretty involved :)

Mrs. Everything said...

Found you from Sasha!

I need a preppy umbrella please!

Go to Godaddy.com to get your domain name and then they will host your site for you on the cheap (I hear). I *think* it's super easy!

Mrs. Everything said...

Didn't read bio's comment before I posted...

I agree about Etsy... that was what first came to mind.

Also, google zen cart. I think that might be an easy way to sell online.

Nomers said...

Hi Belle! I also found you through Sasha's blog and have become addicted. I spent way too much time on your blog today at work! Love the wedding photos! The pink umbrella is so cute and I need a little preppyness in my life.

Erica said...

Keep the site simple! Easy to navigate...not much "junk." Too many doo-dads and html goodies detract from the product. A cute welcoming banner, then show me the product, and please don't make me have to search too hard to find the specs and the price. Thanks!

BTW, winter (October through June) is quickly approaching the Pacific Northwest and my umbrella really did give out this year and I haven't replaced it yet. I'm thinking that the PINK one with my monogram would be amazing! :-)

Unknown said...

I want one of those Preppy "brellas" just b/c I am your BFF!!! Love, love your blog!! If I could help the ole Bob out with a website I would but this chic has no clue!!!

Red and White Preppy said...

I'd LOVE that umbrella :)

I completely agree with Etsy being a good choice for starting a website.

Have a great Tuesday!

Kids, Canines, and Chaos said...

LOVE the umbrella AND your blog. Found you from a "friend" of a "friend". I just love the blog world. I've been stalking around for a while now, so I'm glad I got a chance to come out and say hello! Please enter me in the umbrella giveaway! And... I'll ask my hubby about the website. That's his forte.

Blue-Eyed Bride said...

enter me!!! :) so cute.

my concern about etsy is that it's mostly handmade stuff.

i think that your mom should start a blog. you can even do it for her if she sends you the pictures. check out mpmdesigns.blogspot.com. i buy stuff from here ALL the time and it sounds like some of what your mom might be doing. she can handle the purchases through pay pal and people just email their orders to her.

Barefoot in the Park said...

adorable giveaway!

i need easy website advice as well...i'll check back for what your readers say!

Unknown said...

Ooh, I hope I win! I'm saying what everyone else is saying...godaddy.com and zen cart for selling online. I'm building a website at work on godaddy right now, and they make it VERY easy. Zen cart is what we used at the shop I used to work in for online orders. Also very easy. I've heard Etsy is good too. Just figure out how much money she wants to spend, and you have TONS of options! Let us know what yall decide!

Julia said...

oh i so want the 'brella!! also i totally agree with the ESTY idea, but that may be more for like things you make and stuff, you may not be able to sell things that are branded by someone else. I'm not sure.

Alison said...

Hi. I love reading your blog and especially looking at all your wedding pictures. Yay for Wedding Wednesdays! I got married in May 2008 so I can relate to being newly married. :) Please enter me for the contest... pink and green were actually my wedding colors so I would love to win an umbrella!

Thanks!!

Christina @ Cookies are my Canvas said...

You are so sweet indeed! I don't even remember how I stumbled upon your blog, but I do enjoy reading it! Love the umbrellas, too! Esp...the pink! *Ü*

I have no clue about a website though! I do like the blog idea tho! Good luck!

Living Well said...

OOhh i love this umbrella! Enter me enter me!! And I love Etsy I buy stuff from that site all the time!

Living Well said...

OOhh i love this umbrella! Enter me enter me!! And I love Etsy I buy stuff from that site all the time!

Tracy's Porch said...

Blue-eyed Bride beat me to the punch. I was going to say that I have seen several blog sites that sell things and a blog site is free.

Love the umbrellas!! Too cute! I can't wait to see your mom's other stuff when you get online. Can I pull the kid card and say I really need a cutesy umbrella to help keep the two of us dry???

Constant Frivolity said...

I have no experience with HTML, but have used citymax.com to build a website with online ordering capabilities. I have built a total of 3 sites. I haven't found anything easier! You can try it out for 10 days, which is plenty of time to play with the features. The fees are relatively inexpensive, and I have had good luck with their customer service.

Etsy is a great way to start selling products and promote your online storefront.

email me if you would like more info.

By the way, I found by way of clemsongirlandthecoach and barelykeepingitalltogether.

Lexy said...

love the umbrella!!

I would agree with the previous posters who recommended etsy

I have created a few websites for people (mostly I create wedding websites that coordinate with peoples saves the dates that I design) and adding a check-out feature makes it a bit more complicated in the coding. Some of the hosting sites make it easier than others. I normally use startlogic and if you go with their pro service (which ups your monthly hosting fee) they have a pretty nice integrated check out service.

Another idea would be to start a blog with different entries showcasing different products. If people see a product they like they can email orders in.

Kay said...

Hi! You can go to www.freewebs.com and get a site for free with their site in the address(www.freewebs.com/yourstorename) or pay like 20.00 a year and have your own site address. They have a website builder that makes everything super easy all you have to do is choose your background, font, upload your pictures and your ready to go.

morewineplease said...

OH MY WORD!! MWP needs one of these delishous treats!!
Your blog and you are adorable!

Now for the website.. yahoo has a great deal. My friend KJ did hers chck out www.kjdesigns.com its all yahoo and super easy to use. She sells on it too! I know she would be happy to discuss as well!

Mojito Maven said...

Cute idea!! enter me please!!

I terms of websites, since one of my many duties as an engineer is a software and html designer, I would also vote for either etsy, create a blog, or use a service similar to what yahoo offers.

Sasha said...

I'd love the enter!

As for mummy's store, I say go for the easy! Just set up a blog a showcase a product a day. Just have her email address on there and paypal info for ordering. As it gets bigger, you can expand...

And.... just in case this helps me win... I volunteer my time to help get her blog set up! I'm genius at pointing blogger to custom domains, so just have her register a domain and 1and1.com (cheapest I found!) and then I'll help point the blog there!

Smooches!

tRacY paRty oF 4 said...

Pick me LL!
Love & miss you

kolls said...

I'd love to enter!

I have my own domain but just use a Blogger template - however, my boyfriend's a graphic and web designer who's fixing up his own website (again) from scratch, so he'd have lots of good advice! (I just like the Blogger template better for now :))

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

Ooh I found you again, I lost you for a while there! I love the umbrellas! Both colors are great! I wish I could help with the website, Hubby's brother made my business one...but if you get one up and running I would totally visit it too!!!

Anonymous said...

I found your blog through Sasha, but I adore both of your blogs! I wish I could be you :)
That being said, I saw that someone already posted about Etsy. If you don't do that, it's really easy to create a website using Microsoft Front Page and then load it to your own personal site. I can't wait to see what she comes up with!

Karin said...

Very pretty umbrellas! You'd almost hate to get them wet!

LyndsAU said...

Oooo Oooo pick me pick me :) Drop my name in that little hat missy :)

New Girl on Post said...

What a wonderful giveaway! I love the umbrellas and I love pink, so it's a perfect combo!

If I had any advice to starting up a website, I'd certaintly try to help, but alas I am not internet savvy in that way.

MMM said...

Oh, it's raining in NYC and I really NEED a small umbrella for my purse. It was on my bday list and...well...I didn't get it. I would say etsy all the way for your Mom and I would love to do a giveaway for her once she has it up and running to help promote traffic. Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog today!

KLC said...

pleease count me in! the umbrella is SO cute!!

SLS said...

Love the umbrella! Very cute!

I would say Etsy. You may want to check out ebay too - I am not too familar with it but I think they have a feature where you can make your own "store."

Thanks for being so sweet! =)

LSU Melanie said...

I'm feelin' lucky:)

BroncoMom said...

I wish I could offer some advice for you and your momma but I know nothing about websites - so sorry.
Would you consider me for your umbrella giveaway. I would love to win the pink umbrella from your Moms store! Please keep us informed about the store so I can do some online shopping - thanks Belle!

Petunia said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog! Now I have discovered yours! And you are giving a monogrammed umbrella away. :-)

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

I love your mom's umbrella's too! If we don't win can we still buy one? Also, for the website I would suggest Etsy. My friend started a store there , I will attach the link so you can see it and she has actually made some business. Plus, it is easy to start up.The site you can take a look at is: http://www.alphababy.etsy.com. Mr. Guru actually does his own site for part of his living and he would recommend GoDaddy.com as well. Good luck and if you need help holler, I can ask Mr. Guru (the gadget geek).

Momma said...

I don't know anything about building a website, Maybe an Etsy Store for starters?

Andi said...

I just started reading your blog and it cracks me up. My fiance is a web designer and he agreed to answer any questions you may have over e-mail. I think Esty is a good idea but if you already have a brick and mortar store then you should probably have your own website too. Google has a new function called google sites and I've heard those are nice and easy to use. If you want my fiance's help just e-mail me and I will get you in contact with him.

teresa-bug said...

My aunt gave me one of these years ago and it broke! I have wanted another ever since!!! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I would love one of these umbrellas!! Just found your blog and I love it! I have no advice for the website since the store I work at is having the same problems...so good luck!! :)

StephanieG said...

I would love one of those cute umbrellas!

As far as a website, my advice would be to set up your own store on Etsy and it would be almost effortless to maintain! Good Luck with that

Asia said...

Oooh! I would love an umbrella! Count me in. (That is, if Canada is included in your contest...)

Megan said...

Has your mother ever thought of hiring someone from a local college? That might be a great way to get a fab website at a lower cost. I am sure some college student out there would love the experience!

EC said...

Add me too!! I'm a daily reader of your blog - love it!

because I said so said...

I agree with Sasha totally.. the blog idea is the best I think. But I also have my own website and I think yahoo is very easy to use, just like MWP.

I have no 'new' advice since everyone has covered the bases, but I still think the umbrella is delish and would buy one even if I didn't win.....get that website ready!!

Anonymous said...

web.com and yahoo are great places to start. Good luck!

Mrs. Realife said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mrs. Realife said...

WOW!! What a fantastic idea! I have found that www.godaddy.com is a GREAT place to make up a simple website -- (you may have already gotten that advise) -- Good luck! (and great blog, btw :)

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

Darnit...I don't have any advice but I really really really want an umbrella. Wait, maybe I have advice...how about link another blog to your blog like Preppy Clutch does with Monogram Me? That's advice!!!

Meagan said...

No good original advice here, but Etsy seems to be a great site! Also, you might be able to find a web designer that would trade work for a discount or some free merch.

P.S. I recently stumbled across your blog and it is totally cute!

Jess said...

Just found your site and love, love, love it! I also would love, love, love a cute new preppy umbrella! I have a site from yahoo, just go to: http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/webhosting/
for the details.
It is super-easy to set up and use. I'm also new to the blog world and invite any new readers to stop by.

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