Sponsor Spotlight: Viva Revival

I’ve got one more lovely interview this week, friends. I had the chance to talk with Michelle of Viva Revival, an awesome Etsy shop full of vintage-inspired pieces. She gave me the scoop on her shopping secrets and the special meaning behind her shop’s name. I hope you enjoy it! xoxo

Keep in touch…
Official Web site: Viva Revival
Check out on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
So tell me a bit about Viva Revival.
Viva Revival is a constantly evolving jewelry line that mixes a bit of vintage with new. Each vintage piece of jewelry has a story behind it, and I love being able to mix it with new pieces to create a whole new story. The name pairs a Spanish exclamation with the word revival, which describes using a vintage piece in my jewelry and essentially giving it a new life. I create and design the entire line myself. I’m constantly learning new techniques so I can always add unique pieces. Right now, I’m making a lot of items using precious metal clay. This special clay fires in a kiln to make fine silver. I love this medium because there’s really no end to what I can do with it. I have also been doing a lot of sawing of sheet metal and personalized hand-stamping. I enjoy being able to make a truly personal and special item for someone.

What inspired you to start the shop?
Years ago, my mom had all this great vintage jewelry around her house, just sitting there. Some pieces were broken or missing stones. I made these pieces into jewelry for myself. I had so much fun doing it; I’d discovered a whole new hobby. I spent a lot of time learning new ways to make and repair jewelry. After I perfected my techniques, I decided to venture out and try to sell it. I made too much to keep it all! My friend had told me about this site called Etsy, and as soon as I saw it I knew it was the right place for me. I had no idea there was such a huge community out there of handmade sellers.
What’s your best piece of advice for people looking for great online shopping deals, especially during the holiday season?
I’m all for handmade holidays! Many Etsy sellers offer discounts during the holidays or free shipping. If there’s a shop you love, join their Twitter, like their Facebook page or follow their blog. I offer discounts to my customers through these sites rather than announcing it on my Etsy page. It’s always a great idea to subscribe to e-mail lists as well. I get e-mails from companies like One King’s Lane, Ideeli and MyHabit daily. It just takes a few seconds to see if they have anything you want and you don’t miss out on unexpected sales. But, I always say if it’s the perfect gift, it’s worth full price!

In this recession economy, what are some ways people can still look chic for less?
I’m not much into brands, and I hate to wear something everyone else is wearing. I find a lot of great things at thrift stores and on Etsy. I used to have an aversion to thrift stores until I found the right ones to go to! I’ll usually find a really cool piece and mix it in with some newer items that are already in my closet. I really think accessorizing is the key! If you accessorize the right way, you’ll just look expensive.
What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
Anything I make with a bird on it is my favorite! And I love lockets, so my Five Tiny Birds Locket is probably my favorite right now. But, I also love my precious metal clay Love Bird Necklace so much I had to make one for myself! I can’t stop wearing it. Birds are so elegant and the perfect shape for jewelry. I always find myself sketching them for new pieces.

Sponsor Spotlight: Radiant Cosmetics

Friends, I’m so excited to share an interview I did with Nicole of Radiant Cosmetics, the fashion and beauty line born out of Nicole’s quest to fight “human trafficking one lipstick at a time.” Read on for her story and find out what you can do to help…

Keep in touch…
Official Web site: Radiant Cosmetics
Check out on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
What inspired you to start Radiant Cosmetics?
I always loved beauty and fashion, so naturally had a love for all things makeup. That part always was in the plan. However, the passion to end human trafficking came later. I was living overseas at the time and got to spend a month in Thailand working with a really incredible anti-trafficking organization and spent time meeting women who’d been rescued and those also trapped in the commercial sex trade (which feeds into human trafficking) and felt burdened and compelled to do something. Radiant is a combination of two passions of mine, but even deeper than that, I really believe there is power when women get together and talk. I think makeup really allows for that, I get to sit down with women and hear their stories and share a small piece of my heart. I think we underestimate that, so that also served as an inspiration, harnessing that power, if you will.

What is one fact or statistic about human trafficking that people would be surprised to learn?
I think people are most surprised to learn that it happens right here in the United States. We tend to think of this as a third-world country and predominantly a problem only overseas. The U.S. government estimates that over 100,000 children are trapped in the sex trade in the U.S. each year, and 18,000 foreign men, women and children are trafficked into the U.S. annually. The global reach of this injustice is staggering; 161 countries worldwide have been identified as affected by human trafficking. It is happening everywhere.
What has Radiant Cosmetics done thus far to combat human trafficking? Are you pleased with the results?
Thus far, most of our efforts have been awareness of human trafficking and financial contributions. I have been very pleased with the results, and it’s been exciting to watch our numbers grow, specifically in the money we get to give to our partner organization each month. I love knowing that our customers are giving back with each product they purchase. I also really love getting to speak with women one-on-one about human trafficking and feel we’re making an impact that way. While I’m pleased with our results, we continue to want to improve and find other unique ways to help. We’ve got a really amazing, hands-on event coming up in the next several months that I believe others will really love and will be moved by. I’m excited to see how that impacts others as well.

What can people do to make a difference?
Get educated and get involved! There are so many amazing organizations that are working to end this injustice. I’ve got quite a few listed on the Human Trafficking section of my Web site. Learning more about human trafficking is the first step. But perhaps the most crucial step is doing something about it. There are tons of ways you can volunteer your time and/or donate money to the cause.

Where do you see the company in 5 years?
I see Radiant as a driving force behind ending human trafficking. I see our customers rallying behind what we stand for and getting involved. I definitely see Radiant expanding it’s reach to overseas with organizations in Thailand and India and various other places to help women.

Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Part #7: Sweet little stocking stuffers.

A little glitter nail polish to add some sparkle to a holiday ensemble, $18.
A Rose pocket mirror to add an extra dash of whimsy to the holidays, $7.50.
Doxie pen, $4.95.
Record coasters to brighten up the living room, $18.
Wish For You custom pencil set to give loved ones personal wishes for the New Year, $11.
Word teasers for word nerds, $15. Remember these?
Wicked Witch bookmark for the book lover, $10.
Mini journals for the artist, $6.50.
Wildflower seeds to plant for the spring, $14.

Girl-Scout-cookies-flavored lip balm because, well, they’re Girl Scout cookies, $9.95. More Girl Scout love here.

P.S. You can also read more gift guides here: Mom, Dad, Sister, Best Friend, Little Cousin, Guy Friend.

Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Part #6: Your best guy friend who is funny like Jason Segel and who you kind of, sort of, secretly have a crush on.


Popcorn popper for those Seth Rogen movie nights, $29.
On the rocks set because puns are his specialty, $34.
Log cabin incense ($18) and a fir fragrance log ($12) so he can always feel like he’s out hiking even when stuck in his office.

Clown mug because he always makes you laugh, $18.90.
Spicy pickles because they’re his favorite food (there’s also black peppercorn), $14.

A shower songbook for, well, obvious reasons, $14.85.

Cool temporary tattoos, $13.50.

A You/Me and You’re Swell card (both $6) to send a subtle hint.

Shark socks because they’re cute — like he is, $9.

Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Part #5: Your little cousin who loves to follow you around and isn’t afraid of anything.

Froggy doll because they love animals, $14.

A set of 10 smencils to make art fun, $14.
AlphaPets origami book to encourage her creative, artistic side, $12.
A classic slinky because, well, having a slinky is just a childhood rite of passage, $5.72.

A constellation calendar for their love of science and because you want them to reach for the stars, $25.
A Magic 8 Ball pen because they love to ask questions, $7.
Hi 5 gloves for those chilly afternoons of playing at the park with friends, $19.
These puzzle sandwich cutters to make getting ready for school even more fun, $16.95.
A make-your-own-night-light kit to help them scare those monsters away at night, $8.50.

Their very own lunch sack for their first day of school because they’re so excited, $20.