Sussan - $100 Gift Voucher Giveaway - Closed

Recently I indulged in a little shopping for myself, to celebrate my new glasses, symbolic as they are of putting eye surgery and recovery behind me. I wandered the shops with my two little ones and spotted the perfect shade of mustard/ chartreuse/ acid lemon through the doorway of Sussan. I ventured in and discovered a beautiful scarf, which had clearly been waiting all day for me to hurry up and find it, knowing how much I would love it. I ventured further in to the store. Mustard tights? On sale?! I added them to the scarf. Someone has been reading my fashion-mind!

The sales assistant greeted me cheerfully, she smiled as Cohen told her his name and age - if you ever meet him you can expect the same - and then told me about the sale items. I ventured further in to the store. And there, all alone and obviously waiting for me, or so I would like to think, a perfectly lovely chevron cardigan (which has since received compliments each time I've worn it.) I tried it on as the sales assistant chatted pleasantly with Cohen and I, and offered her assistance.

With Cohen's approval I made my purchases, feeling pleased with the ease of it all. Having worked for some years in retail jewellery stores I really appreciate good customer service. Even more so since becoming a Mama. Once home I sent an email to Sussan's, complimenting them on their clothes and service, and asking if they would be willing to offer one of my readers a similar experience. Thus, I am pleased to be able to offer a $100 gift voucher to Sussan for one lucky reader. To enter click over to their online shop and tell me what you'd buy yourself if you won.

Giveaway open to Australia residents only.

I will drawer the winner randomly on the 19th June.

Best of luck!

(NB. This is not a sponsored post. I approached Sussan and I am not profiting from this giveaway.)

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And the winner, thanks to Random.org, is number 13.

Congratulations flowerpress!

Thanks to everyone who entered and to Sussan for the gift voucher.

inHomewares Giveaway

inHomewares is a sweet online store, perfect for adding special touches to your home, be it candles or cushions, teapots or quilts. Business owner Nicole is graciously sharing a little about herself and her small business with us today. Nicole is also offering one reader the chance to win a $50 voucher to spend on their choice of inHomewares products.

So Nicole, tell us a little about the lady behind the shop front?

I’m a mother of four children – three daughters and my one little man. They age from 12 to 1 and keep me very busy. I rise early most mornings to have some “me” time before my cherubs wake up – I love to keep fit so my “me” time is spent by running, hitting the gym or doing yoga – this all keeps me sane. My other passion is sewing, I’m a basic sewer but am a perfectionist and always have my quick unpick close by, it is about all patience. I adore all things that are beautiful for the home; houses; fabrics; textiles; flowers; colour; quilts; my family and friend (not this order).

  

What inspired you to create the inHomewares store?

I have had a passion for interior design since my early twenties, but never made it a career path until after having my second daughter. So I went back to studying and did “Interior Decoration”, and worked in a leading fabric house whilst finishing my studies.  I was loving my work, but was struggling to get the right balance between mothering & work – I’m extremely organised and felt my life was in constant chaos and out all of control. Which got me thinking of what I could do from home & would work around my family life. As a busy mother I was buying more & more online and loved the convenience of shopping in a stress free environment and when it suited me. I noticed a void in the market for beautiful gifts, homewares & bath body products online. So the idea of inHomewares slowly grew from there to where it is today.

My new design label of bespoke quilts “Cheeky Charley” was in the back of my head for many years. With my own homewares business it was the perfect opportunity to start developing my bespoke quilt range.  “Cheeky Charley” quilts is a passion of mine, so it is wonderful to be able to have a hobby the generate a income.

  

What do you enjoy most about running your own business?

I love the freedom the most, of working when it suits me and make it work around the family. You also get to do something you are really passionate about. Naturally you have that risk factor involved – but you need to believe in yourself, do your research and have short & long term goals.

It definitely has it’s challenges at time and sometimes it’s hard to find the time to do all the things you wish to do to develop the business further. It takes patience and support from family, which I’m lucky I do have

What made you join the blogging community?

I didn’t start blogging to join the blogging community, in fact I wasn’t aware there even was one. I was extremely nervous about the whole idea and thought I’m not a writer and what do I blog? As my business is online & needed to drive my business into social media world. Besides Face book I knew a blog was the next thing. I now discovered there is a fantastic blogging community and blown away with the encouragement and support from other women/mums around the world. I just wish I had more time to read other blogs, there is some very inspirational and talented people whom I greatly admire.

Thanks Nicole for the insight into your life and work!

To enter the giveaway for a $50 gift voucher, please leave a comment below. 

'Like' inHomewares on facebook, or follow Nicole's blog for extra entries and leave an extra comment.

This giveaway is open to Australian and international readers and will be drawn randomly next Tuesday, 15th May 2012.