Friday, September 11, 2009

Girls Night Out - Dorm Night Feature!!

Welcome to Girls Night Out with....
Hello ladies and welcome back to another weekend and Friday night full of fun! Tonight, we're going to have a dorm party! Well, not like the dorm parties any of us went to of course...clean blog here!! But we're going to be partying with BKD Signature Designs, and she's not only a college student, who just moved back to school, but also a very talented artist.

I've done a little extra decorating around here to give it a little campus feel, so make your self right at home while we wait for everyone to arrive. I found these cool removable wall decals so thought I'd dress up the corners a bit too. And who could ever forget the fabulous crate furniture! I think the every college board must have had stock in this stuff!! But it sure did endure the rough life for years..gotta give it that. Grab a seat! We all can't fit on the futon, so you know what's next...the FLOOR!!

If you all ate like I did in college, you probably already know what's on the menu for tonight...that's right Pizza and Chinese take-out! And for drinks....it's BYOB, so I hope you brought your own, because we're on a tight college budget tonight!

Well, looks like everyone had made it, since I started to show you around the room, so let's get started with a long overdue Girls Night Out! So without further adieu I give you Brianne Durkin of Carmichael, California!! (applaud now)

Brianne, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself.
Well, as you said, I'm originally from Carmichael, California. I'm attending college in McMinnville, Oregon where I am a college student studying to be a Psychology major with a Studio Art minor. I am in a sorority and absolutely love it. My favorite color is blue and I am addicted to Etsy!

So, how did you get started in your business?
I have been crafting all my life and enjoy creating all sorts of new things. I was introduced to Etsy last summer by a friend and decided this year to start selling. I love to create, but don't need all the stuff, so I'm excited to send my creations to loving homes. I'm not sure how I came up with the name - it sort of just popped into my head. I wanted to use my name and another word, just like celebrities do with their line. So my initials and another word that sounded fancy gave me BKD Signature!


I really love your little kitty in your banner. So, What inspires your designs and motivates you in your business?
I am motivated by my love of creating and my passion for handmade. I love learning how to make everything, so I am constantly expanding my skill set. When I see a medium that I like, I strive to learn how to use it. I want to be the person that knows how to do everything. What also motivates me is the fact that I can earn money to pay for college. I am saving up for my Master's and it's very scary and daunting knowing how much I'll have to pay for that!

I can relate to that, just thinking how much it will cost to send my son to college gives me gray hairs, and I don't know how you find the time! So, when you're not working your business and studying, what fun things do you do ?
I enjoy hanging out with friends and being a part of a sorority. I love to read and learn. I also love to bake and cook. I have a million recipes and cook books already, and I'm only 21.

Maybe one day you'll come up with something cool for the cooking arena, like some funky pot holders or cookbook stands. Do you ever get a total "time out" for yourself?
When I do, I set aside a whole day of relaxing, doing only what I want to do. I try not to worry about my To-Do List, but rather enjoy the day off.

yeah, a to-do list is more like a forever list..what are your three favorite online shops for girlie things you'd recommend to the ladies?
Etsy, Bath and Body Works, and Sephora

Who is your biggest crush in Hollywood and why?
Zac Efron. I'm convinced he's my soul mate :)

Watch out Vanessa! I have to admit, he did a great job in his movie and High School Musical and if I were uuggh...younger, I'd fav him as well! What's your favorite Chick Flick?
The legally Blonde series and the Wedding Date

Legally Blonde has been mentioned before...gonna have to Netflix that soon. Can you share with us the silliest thing you've ever done with your friends?
oh, wow...I think those are too many to count.

Ladies...that was a politically correct response in case her parents are reading this... you know that right? Okay, so do you have any specials you'll be offering this weekend to the ladies and visitors of Girls Night Out?
When purchasing in my Etsy shop this weekend, use "GNO Follower" discount code in notes to seller for a 10% discount on all my items!

I must tell you all, that the samplings above are only a small sampling of some of the cute pendants and items Brianne has on her site. I actually have one of her pendants myself and they are too cute....and easily exchangeable too on a necklace.

After tonight you can find Brianne at:

Etsy shop:
http://Beegrl88.etsy.com
Blog: http://bkdsignature.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://artist.to/bkdsignature


So, there you have it, another great interview with another great artist and fellow Girlfriend. Perfect weekend to pick up a gift or two for early holiday shopping with a discount. I already have my second pendant picked out!

Now because I'm also celebrating my one year anniversary online, I'm going to be giving away a few things this weekend to some lucky girlfriends, and here's all you have to do to be entered in the drawings:

1. For tonights drawing, Visit Brianne's Etsy shop before 11:00 pm, come back here and let us know your favorite item in a comment...easy peasy! Winner will be announced in the comment section Saturday morning. If you follow Brianne on Facebook or her blog, you'll get another entry for each follow, just leave a seperate comment and let us know. You must leave seperate comments for the follows or they will NOT count.

2. For Saturday's drawing...come back and look for my quiz question under comments and leave your answer before 11:00 pm and, your name will be entered for another prize Saturday night.

3. For Sunday's drawing,...come back and look for one more quiz question under comments from me, leave a comment by 7:00 pm and your name will be entered in the final drawing for the weekend.

And nooooooooo, I didn't forget to tell you what the prizes were...but you must know I wouldn't let any of you down! And as always, don't forget to check back, because someone just may be talking to you!! spread the word and have a fabulous weekened!

When I'm not hosting Girls Night Out, you can find me creating jewelry at www.runakojewelry.com

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Two Winners for Business Card Giveaway!!

We have two lucky WINNERS tonight in the Business Card Giveaway sponsored by digital room.com !! The winners will receive:

500 Business Cards

Choose size: 2x3.5”, 2x3”, 2x2";

Choose paper: 14pt cardstock (matte or gloss coating) & 13 pt cardstock uncoated

Choose Color: (4/4) Color both sides; (4/1) Color 1 side , B/W backside; (4/0) Color 1 side, black backside

alright, alright....so the winners are Rebecca and Maria!!....Yeaahhh!!! I was able to find email addresses for you both on your blogs; however, please contact me immediately to confirm that they are correct, so that I can send in a change if need be. Digital printing will be contacting you directly with your coupon codes, let me know if you have any issues.

Congratulations to you both and thank you for participating in this exciting event and for visiting and following Girls Night Out!!

For anyone who didn't win tonight, please come back tomorrow and this weekend, when I'll be featuring BKD Signature Designs and I'll probably have a few more neat gifts under my heat...see you all then!!

When I'm not hosting Girls Night Out, you can find me creating jewelry at www.runakojewelry.com

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Tuesday Treasures - Cool Head Gear..and More!

Boi or boi... did I stumble upon a cool shop tonight! I'm a sucker for cool winter head gear and I struck gold tonight! Maybe that's why I like winter so much...I get to wear my hats! So, Renaissance Austin over at Rag House International makes the coolest crocheted caps and tams. She makes other fabulous accessories too, but I was stuck on the hats...you'll have to visit yourself for all her other cool designs like jewelry, scarves, headbands and more.... She even knits shoelaces...how cool are these??You can alo find Renaissance on her Myspace page or blog the Artful Chatterbox.

Don't forget to come back Friday Night and the weekend to see our featured Designer BKD Designs!

When I'm not hosting Girls Night Out, you can find me creating jewelry at www.runakojewelry.com

Monday, September 7, 2009

Hope in Soap for Two Little Girls

Tonight I don't have a mesmerizing beauty to show you, only a message with the hope that you will add two very special little girls to your thoughts and and prayers and/or support an effort to help their family. I read a post over at a friends blog this week about two little girls, ages 1 and 2, who lost their mother in a car crash, in North Tulare County in California August 20th. The children were with her and unharmed, unfortunately the mother, 24, did not survive.

Desert Maiden Bath an Etsy shop, is donating 40% of her sales starting this month towards a $2,000 treasure bond for the two children of her friend until the goal is reached. If you're in need of soap this month, please consider purchasing from this shop.

When I'm not hosting Girls Night Out, you can find me creating jewelry at www.runakojewelry.com

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Weekend Escape and apologies...

I owe all my girlfriends and visitors an apology for not posting this weekend, but I had an opportunity for the perfect weekend and I couldn't resist. Thanks to everyone who checked in on me, I truly appreciate your concern and friendship. I didn't leave town, but I admit, I took a break from the net to spend some time with my favorite guy. You can read about my perfect weekend here. Things should be back to normal Monday night.

This weekend we'll be back to features and our weekend host will be BKD Design's. join me Friday to learn more about this wonderful artist and student!


When I'm not hosting Girls Night Out, you can find me creating jewelry at www.runakojewelry.com

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Thursday's Thought - Remembering School

She's a free spirit, she's a rock, she's a survivor, a dreamer, a doer and a listener...she's your girlfriend! And what do girlfriends do? They talk about life, laugh, cry, reflect on the past and they share thoughts. Grab a glass of coffee and leave a comment or two. For today's thought... Dee asks...

What were your best school days?

As kids and young adults all around start back to school, tonight has me thinking of my own school days. Life was fun, carefree and wild..well not so wild, but you know what I mean. I think my best school days were when I was in college. For me it was like a whole new world. I went to private school all my life, so there were a few things I may have missed out on. I went to a local college, but first opportunity to move away from home I was on it! I was a peer counselor on campus for my second summer, then on to an off campus apartment complex as an RA for three years...wow..life was fun! I learned so many things during those years that have carried over in my life today as a Resident Assistant and met some of my most dearest and still closest friends while there. College life taught me a lot, some good and some bad, but I wouldn't trade living on campus for anything in the world.

What about you...what were you best school days?

Come back tomorrow for a fun, and carefree weekend with Girls Night Out!

When I'm not hosting Girls Night Out, you can find me creating jewelry at www.runakojewelry.com

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Tuesday's Give-a-way Treasure

A recent poll done by Uprinting revealed that the most popular giveaway from their site would be business cards, so lucky for you I'm a sponsored blogger for Uprinting.com, who in partnership with digital room.com is hosting a giveaway. And right here on Girls Night Out, TWO, not ONE lucky winners will receive a slick new set of 500 die cut business cards from Digital Room, and if you win, you can choose between 3 different business card sizes, customized to your business.

If you have your own business, business cards are a must. They can be used for a multitude of purposes, mainly to promote your business of course. Other great ideas include promoting your websites, blogs, and crafts. They can be used for networking, advertising and coupons too. The possibilities are really unlimited if you think outside the box.

2 Prize Winners will Receive:

500 Business Cards

Choose size: 2x3.5”, 2x3”, 2x2";

Choose paper: 14pt cardstock (matte or gloss coating) & 13 pt cardstock uncoated

Choose Color: (4/4) Color both sides; (4/1) Color 1 side , B/W backside; (4/0) Color 1 side, black backside

*Regular UPS Shipping must be paid by Winner. Offer Valid for UNITED STATES SHIPPING ONLY*

How to be Entered in Drawing:
Enter by leaving a comment and letting me know how you would use your new business cards if you win!

For two extra entries, blog about this giveway on your blog and link back to Girls Night Out!
For another extra entry tweet this Giveaway URL and copy @runakodesigns

Dealine for entries:
All entries must be submitted no later than September 9th, 2009. Drawing will be held September 10th, 2009.


Girls Night out, where having fun is FREE!

When I'm not hosting Girls Night Out, you can find me creating jewelry at www.runakojewelry.com
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