CONTEST: Owl Earrings!

Okay I have a contest for you all! My rad friend Kaleigh runs an Etsy shop called Unexpected Expectancy. She's given me reign to give away two pairs of OWL EARRINGS to two of you lucky readers. Given how trendy owls are these days - I mean, have you seen Hungover Owls? that owl movie? heard that crap owl-named band that I can't even post about here? - it seems pretty apt to start wearing some self-adornments. I myself already own an owl ring purchased in Chicago last year, and how sweet are these in brass and gunmetal:

I was going to join my love of film and owls together into the contest, but had trouble coming up with very many "owl scenes" in movies myself. (But how good is the owl scene in Dumb & Dumber - how good???) So the contest is this: link me to a picture of either the cutest owl(s) ever or the most hungover owl(s) ever. First two people to do this AS WELL AS leave their e-mail address gets to snazz up their wardrobe with the brassy or gunmetaly version of the earrings!

Also, you should check out the other creative jewelry she sells, too - I love this brass key necklace (keys, duh), this librarian glasses necklace (again, duh, right?), and this really beautiful bronze feather ring! The other great thing about Unexpected Expectancy is that each month, Kaleigh gives 10% of every sale to a different charity. For the month of October, 10% will be donated to the Animal Protective League.

Full-disclosure-wise, Kaleigh came to me as a friend about this contest, but after I'd already agreed to it, she said she'd be sending me a little surprise. Totally would have done it for nothing!

I feel like dudes should totally get in on this if you're reading to - the holidays are on the way and if you have a sister or girlfriend or even mom that would totally love these, get in on it!

Post me some owl pics, now!

EDIT: We have our winners Liz & Cupcake! Thanks for all the awesome owl photos, I love owl photos!

Bridge the Gap: Win a Free Pair of Jeans!

Today I have the lucky opportunity of holding another contest for my readers. If you've been around for previous contests, you know I make you work for it. Whether it was making you connect Mandy Moore to Kevin Spacey a la the Six Degrees game, or making you write a haiku the last time around for Gap - it's never just a luck of the draw!

And today, in honor of my way-old feature "If They Mated" (viva la Coco!), I've made one more mash-up of two famous ladies I love (both of whom have been featured in Gap print ads during their careers!):

So the first person to comment with the name of the two actresses mashed up and their e-mail address (so I can contact you!) wins a coupon to get a free pair of Gap jeans at any Gap, GapKids, or BabyGap!!! The coupon is only viable in the United States, however - sorry international readers!

As you may have read on this site previously, ever since Gap revamped the fundamentals of their jeans last year, they've been my go-to store for any denim shopping I may need. I've got three pairs now myself, and they sit on my hips so nice. Truly "Born to Fit"! Looking at some of their newer styles, I think it's time for me to go in for a new pair for the fall...

Comment away! I'll try to be vigilant of the comments and edit this post as soon as someone has won! Good luck!

EDIT - WE HAVE A WINNER!! - my blog readers are so savvy. Michele, first commenter, FOUR MINUTES after posting the contest, guessed correctly with Liv Tyler & Jennifer Garner. I think the If They Mated kind of looks like Denise Richards, no? THANKS FOR THE GUESSES!!

GAP BORN TO FIT CONTEST!

I know I've been talkin' a lots about the Gap, but that kind of happens when you get sent free stuff in two big boxes. I mean, there's not anything more exciting going on right now...okay, okay, except for me getting married THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW.

But for now, I shall announce a contest as I head out of my office, into the weekend that determines a certain foreverness in my own life -

Please write a haiku about jeans. We all have them. I just want a 5-7-5 poem about 'em. They don't have to be about Gap jeans. Also: I like funny stuff. If you can make me laugh with your poem, you get points. Most of you readers know what I find hilarious. And eloquence counts for a lot, too. So, please, be brilliant.

I have the ability to bestow FIVE PEOPLE with prizes in this particular contest. Four runner-ups will get a gift certificate for a free pair of Gap jeans! The grand prize winner will get a gift certificate for a free pair of Gap jeans PLUS a $50 Gap gift certificate!!

LE RULES FOR ENTRY: please leave your poem in the comments below, WITH your e-mail address. You can enter as many haikus as you want, but there will be five separate winners! This contest shall end next Monday night, August 10th, at 11:59pm EST. I'll peruse the entries, pick my five favourites, and contact winners on Tuesday, and hopefully send out the prizes by Wednesday. Because Thursday? I'm heading out on my HONEYMOON! YEAH!!!!

As a bonus, here is Erica talking about the Gap Always Skinny jeans -