Friday, May 31, 2013

GIVEAWAY // Win a $75 Gift Card to the Shop of Your Choice from Chippmunk!


Win a $75 Gift Card to the Shop of Your Choice from Bubby & Bean and Chippmunk!

This week's giveaway comes from our June featured sponsor, Chippmunk, and I have to say - it's one of the coolest giveaways we've ever done you guys.  That's because they're giving one lucky Bubby and Bean reader a $75 gift card to the store of their choice (from any of Chippmunk's partners). PLUS if we reach 500 entries, they're doubling the prize.  That's right - if we can get 500 entries, the winner will get a $150 gift card!  (So be sure to tell your friends!)

Chippmunk has a pretty amazing list of shops and coupons to choose from too, from Modcloth (20% off most pinned items + $15 referral fee!) to Kate Spade (20% off!) to Pottery Barn ($10 off!) to Planet Blue (10% off!) to Williams-Sonoma (free shipping!) to ProFlowers (15% off!) and more. Not to mention that they're a really rad little company (you can read more about them in last week's interview, right here).


To enter, just do a quick search on Chippmunk, then leave a comment below telling me your favorite coupon.  That's it!


Once you've completed the mandatory entry above, you can also gain one additional entry for each of the following.  (*Please put each extra entry in a SEPARATE comment in order for it to count.)
  • Like Chippmunk on Facebook.
  • Follow Chippmunk on Twitter
  • Tweet this: Enter Bubby & Bean's Giveaway to win a $75 gift card of your choice from @ShopChippmunk & @MotM_EcoFashion >> http://bit.ly/13qNeL4
  • Follow Chippmunk on Pinterest 
  • Pin the top image from this post to Pinterest 
  • Post an image from this post to Instagram and tag it with the following: @bubbyandbean #bubbyandbeangiveaway 
  • Like Bubby & Bean on Facebook
  • Click the Facebook Like button below to like this post on Facebook

This giveaway is open through June 7th.  The winner's name will be randomly chosen and announced here on the blog shortly after. (Please make sure you check back to see if you won and/or leave a way to reach you in your entries.)

GOOD LUCK!


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Thursday, May 30, 2013

My 7 Favorite Summertime Shorts


The 7 Best Summer Shorts with Bubby & Bean
1. Printed Bermuda Shorts, Zara  //  2. Denim Midi Shorts, Madewell  //  3. Broken In Boyfriend Chino Shorts, J.Crew  //  4. Tailored Shorts in Garden Vine, Madewell  //  5. Alice + Olive Print Cuff Shorts, Shopbop  //  6. Classic Red Denim Shorts, The Gap //  7. Lacy Denim Cutoffs, Free People

It's starting to get hot here in Chicagoland (bloggers talk about the weather/seasons an awful lot, don't we?), which means it's finally time to bust out the shorts.  Wooot!  Although I'm a dress person the majority of the time, I'm a sucker for a great pair of shorts.  I feel like they are the definitive summertime garment.  I mean, you can wear dresses and tops and skirts and pants any time of the year, but for the most part, shorts belong solely to this one season.  The shorts you see above are some of my current favorites - each has its own distinct style, but still screams summertime.

Do you wear shorts a lot this time of year?  What is your summertime garment of choice?

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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Life Lately, in Snap Shots (+ Big May Giveaway Winner!)


top to bottom and left to right: 1. refusing to let rainy days ruin my morning walks // 2. the only enjoyable part of the drive from chicago to indianapolis // 3. fun at the lucky magazine shoot // 4. failed attempt to fix my chi flat iron // 5. family time at my dad and stepmom's place // 6. my sister's dog isis seriously loves mac and cheese // 7. can't stop wearing my new bracelet from lisa leonard // 8. pretty chive flowers from my sister's garden // 9. pretty smitten by my blowfish delmar sandals  // 10. cutest garden shop ever in indianapolis // 11. my official new favorite candy // 12. flowering trees make everything better // 13. midnight brownies are the best brownies // 14. more morning walk discoveries // 15. working on father's day cards for the art shop // 16. went on a road trip and minnetonka joined me


It's been a while since I done a personal 'life lately' type of post.  I always hesitate before sharing these kinds of updates - not because I don't feel comfortable doing them (let's admit it; you can't be a blogger and have a fear of over-sharing), but because I wonder just how interesting my readers could possibly find what I ate for dinner last Tuesday or how many orders I packed yesterday or what I picked up on a recent run to the garden store.  I love posting pictures from my travels and events, but my everyday life definitely leans toward the boring end of the fun spectrum. (Example: I'm typing this from my home office in yoga pants and unmatched socks, debating on whether or not I should take a work break to make a piece of peanut butter toast.  Watch out!)  That said, I admittedly really enjoy when my favorite blogs give the occasional peeks into everyday life, regardless of how exciting the activities may be.  So on occasion, I do the same.  If you're finding yourself dozing off on your keyboard for reading this, I apologize.  If you like these updates, then here you go, and thank you for being awesome.


The winner of the Big May Giveaway as chosen by random.org is....


Congrats Kelly!  You are officially the winner of a prize package of $215 worth of goodies from Gaia Conceptions, Oh Nostalgia, Skaggsy, Roots and Feathers, Little Tree, and Bubby & Bean Art! Please contact me at bubbyandbean (AT) gmail.com so we can get you your prizes.


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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

My Style // Sweet Child O' Mine



I'm going to start off this post by letting you know that I have endless stories involving a very young Melissa's obsession with the band Guns N' Roses.  Don't worry - I'll spare you and keep them to myself for now.  I will say that I once forced my poor baby sister to learn and repeat all of the band member's names before I'd allow her to leave my bedroom.  Yeah, I know.  All these years later, I still play Appetite For Destruction on repeat.  I even walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of Sweet Child O' Mine.  And although my musical taste doesn't include a whole lot of heavy metal bands these days, the original Gn'R is still in my top five.  I'd like to thank Sean S., the little skater boy who was not only my first crush, but also my introduction to the band that taught me how to head bang.


I'm admittedly more 'boho' than I am rock n' roll when it comes to getting dressed, but this is one of my go-to early summer festival outfits.  The pants are lightweight and great for dancing, and the tee (which I picked up a few years ago at H&M of all places) has a nice loose cut and is made from the softest fabric I've ever felt on a tshirt.  The hat keeps the sun out of my eyes (and adds a little color to an otherwise all-black ensemble), and the shoes are the epitome of comfort.  I really, really love these shoes you guys.  They're the Hi Top Back Zip Boots by Minnetonka, and they're everything I've ever wanted in an ankle boot.  I adore the way they look, and they feel like wearing slippers.  Double win.

The sun was so close to setting and the sky was so cloud-covered when we snapped these photos that they ended up being terribly grainy.   I love this outfit and really wanted to share it, so I just couldn't bring myself to trashing the pictures despite their less-than-stellar quality.  I'm just going to pretend it's part of their artistic value, or something.

Hat: a boutique in Byron Bay, Australia (can't remember name!)  //  Tee: H& M
Shoes:  c/o Minnetonka  //  Pants: Urban Outfitters  //  Necklace: F21  //  Bracelets: gifts

Any other Gn'R fans in the house?

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Monday, May 27, 2013

Come Be A Part of Bubby and Bean in June!


Join the Bubby & Bean Sponsor Team

Happy Memorial Day!  May comes to an end this week, which means it's time for the official sponsor call at Bubby and Bean.  June marks the beginning of summer which is a very special time here on the blog - and I'd love for you to be a part of it.  If you have a shop, blog, Etsy store, small business, or brand and you'd like an affordable, effective way to promote to several thousands of interested people every single day, then you're the perfect fit for a Bubby and Bean Sponsorship!

In addition to promoting sponsors through their ads on all pages and posts here at Bubby and Bean, I work one on one with each advertiser to ensure they are given optimum exposure through the blog and our social media channels.  For more information on our various advertising packages, current stats, press, and pricing, visit our sponsor page right here. You can also book your ad space there directly in one click.  We currently have a handful of spots open in each size.  All ad spaces are first come, first serve. 

Have questions?  Feel free to contact me

Friday, May 24, 2013

GIVEAWAY // Win A $50 Gift Card to Lisa Leonard!


Win a $50 Gift Card to Lisa Leonard from Bubby & Bean!

It's Friday (and a three day weekend here in the states), and I'm in the mood to celebrate with another incredible Friday giveaway.  Today I'm partnering up with the wonderfully talented Lisa Leonard to give you guys the chance to win a $50 gift card to go shopping on her website!  Her handcrafted jewelry has received all sorts of attention - and for good reason.  I recently received the most beautiful engraved bracelet from Lisa (as worn here), and it has quickly become one of my all-time favorite pieces of jewelry.  And now, one of you is going to get to pick out some Lisa Leonard goodies of your very own!


To enter, just visit Lisa Leonard Designs and sign up for their newsletter.  It takes less than 5 seconds, and as a bonus you'll get 15% off your first purchase!  Then leave a comment below telling me you signed up.  That's it!


Once you've completed the mandatory entry above, you can also gain one additional entry for each of the following.  (*Please put each extra entry in a SEPARATE comment in order for it to count).
  • Tell me your favorite item from Lisa Leonard Designs 
  • Like Lisa Leonard on Facebook 
  • Follow Lisa Leonard on Twitter 
  • Follow Lisa Leonard on Pinterest 
  • Follow Lisa Leonard on Instagram 
  • Follow Bubby & Bean on Instagram 
  • Post the image from this post on Instagram and tag it with the following: @lisaleonard @bubbyandbean #bubbyandbeangiveaway
  • Like Bubby & Bean on Facebook 
  • Tweet this: Enter Bubby & Bean's Giveaway to win a $50 Gift Card to @LisaLeonard Designs! via @MotM_EcoFashion >> http://bit.ly/11UQ2Tb
  • Click the Facebook 'Like' Button below to like this post on Facebook 

This giveaway will run through May 31st.  The winner's name will be randomly chosen and announced shortly after.  Thanks again to Lisa Leonard for giving Bubby and Bean's readers this chance to win a gift card to her amazing shop!

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Thursday, May 23, 2013

Black and White and Dotted All Over

Black and White Polka Dots // Bubby and Bean
1. AJ Morgan 52mm Sunglasses, Nordstrom  //  2. Kate Spade La Pavilion iPad Sleeve, Zappos // 
3. Polka Dot Ruffled Bandeau Bikini, Eco Swim by Aqua Green // 4. Ceramic Polka Dot Mug, CASA //  5. Polka Dot Button Earrings, Hotdog Crafts  //  6. Sequin Polka Dot Tank, Otte  // 
7. Marnia Polka Dot Sandals, The Outnet 


Pairing black and white with polka dots makes for one classic combination.  The fine folks over at Eco Swim sent me an absolutely adorable bikini recently (#3 above; it also happens to be made from all recycled materials), and it inspired me to search out some other fun black and white dotted goodies.  I might even have to put my beloved standby (black and white stripes) on the back burner over the summer months, because I'm kind of feeling this whole polka dot thing.

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