Sweet Saturday: August 3, 2013

Gorgeous color combination!

Jenevie L. is the winner of last week's Sweet Saturday.  She gets to pick out her favorite Soiree Ball Earrings.  Congrats Jenevie!

My personal favorite.

This week, we are giving away one of our fabulous, new, Dotted Line Pieces.

Asymetrical and FAB!

They are all handmade in Seattle from semi-precious stones.

Love the little details.

They are simple, delicate, and slightly different than what you see everyday.

Simple, but never boring.

We love the designer, Annie's, point of view (and she is super nice too!)  Like your favorite on Facebook to win!

Name That Lamb

Ohhh  Emmmm Geeee!  Guess what?!?

Rachael from The Farmstead (my new idol on living a life well lived) has offered to let you, the fabulous Lemon Lovers, name their baby lamb, now being called Sweet Lamb.  (This is the lamb of Bon Lemon + The Farmstead photo shoot fame.)  

Yep.  It is true.  You can be apart of this fabulous, local farm in a creative, fun way.  And the sweetest baby lamb will be running around with the name you pick!

So, here is what you do.

1.  Go to our Facebook page here.  
2.  Comment on the picture of the lamb, telling us what you think her name should be.
3.  Whichever name gets the most likes is the winner.  (Feel free to enroll your friends in helping you win.)  
4.  We will pick a winner next Monday, March 23 and The Farmstead will bless this lovely, little lamb with your chosen name.  

As a little bonus, Bon Lemon will throw in a gift certificate for $25 in C Rose jewelry to whoever picks the winning name.  That is the local company that made the necklace Sweet Lamb is wearing in the photograph.  

This is so fun.  I am on excitment overload.  Must go work on taxes to come down from my high.  

Bonne chance all!

XOXO,

Amy

Bon Lemon + The Farmstead = ♥ (aka Farm Animals Wearing Sparkly Things)

The Dolores Necklace has never looked better.

Let me start from the beginning.  There was this woman on Facebook posting these FABULOUS pictures of her farm and all of her sweet, furry friends.  Occasionally, she would sprinkle in one of her wearing something fantastic amongst the animals.  I loved it.  I love anything unexpected.  Dresses and goats.  Potato chips and chocolate.  So for me, it was girl crush at first sight.  But I still didn't really know who was behind these wonderful pictures. 

Aren't they just the cutest?

After a fair amount of online and offline stalking, I discovered my girl crush had a name, Rachael Taylor.  She lives at The Farmstead in Olympia, Washington with her hubby Nick.  They share the sort of relationship with such an authentic sweetness it makes you feel happy inside.  When they would coo across the barnyard, "Babe?"  "Yeah, babe." Instead of gagging, I found myself grinning from ear to ear.  Cuteness!  Both are Air Force Academy grads and have lots of interesting stories from the farm and beyond.  If you want to read more of them, check this out.

This is Bjorn wearing a green turquoise Annie's necklace.

I started dreaming about a photo shoot collaboration between The Farmstead and Bon Lemon.  For those who don't know me personally, I am not particularly shy.  (And I LOVE goats!)  So, I sent Rachael a message asking about taking some pictures of her goaties, lambs, ducks, sheep, and pigs wearing Bon Lemon sparkle.  Because she is as fabulous as I had imagined, she said yes!  I was beyond delighted.  We set to planning a date.

  

Duck Duck looking chic in Alexis Bittar.

After one skipped meeting due to weather, we happened upon a Sunday filled with sunlight.  It was the PERFECT day for our shoot.  It was so much fun to see all of these agreeable animals bedazzled in all sorts of sparkle, from Sweaty Bands to scarves.  

GoGo is quite possibly the most friendly AND best dressed goat out there.

Rachael and Nick worked well together, softly encouraging the animals to model for the camera.  Some took to it a bit more naturally, but the uniqueness of each one was so great.  I just found myself walking around grinning at everyone.  Who needs mood enhancing drugs when you have goats, I say.  

This one speaks for itself.

The Farmstead will be raising animals this year for sale.  If you need pork or lamb, I highly recommend you shoot them a note.  They take free range to a fabulous new level.  (I don't think many animals have this much fun.)

Piggies looking snazzy in their fancy hair flowers from One.Striped.Heart.

For every business or great idea, there is a tipping point.  Something that leads to the change you are trying to create.  The flood of orders you are hoping for.  The catalyst for the impact you want to make on the world. Or the notoriety you need to inspire millions of people.  (The last one is my personal goal in life.)  We hope that Jesse, GoGo, Bjorn, DuckDuck, Mrs. Robinson, Sampson, Delilah, and Sweet Lamb will be just that for The Farmstead and Bon Lemon. 

Lulu looks quite regal in her scarf.  Her wool will be used to knit someday.  Completing the circle.

Here's to making the world a better place with fun things like farm animals wearing jewelry.  (It truly is the little things.)  We hope we inspired you to do something fun or just made you smile.  The furry folks on the farm will be happy to hear you enjoyed their modeling skills. 

Sweet Lamb wearing a locally made necklace by one of our very favorite designers, C Rose.

If you are interested in any of the jewelry shown, check out Bon Lemon.  If you are interested in learning more about the farm and their animals, check out The Farmstead.

I will be off finding a goat of my own.

Feeling Lucky Sale (1/2 Off the Whole Shoppe!)

We have never done a BIG sale before.  Sounded like a fun way to say THANK YOU for a great holiday season.  

Excludes necklace bar.  

See you soon!

Trend I Love: Stripes

Aren't you just loving the stripe trend?  I don't think I will ever get sick of it.  Stripes, stripes, everywhere.  Pants, shirts, dresses.  Love!  

Would you rock these fab pants?

This tunic from Sail to Sable is a keeper.

I have died and gone to stripe heaven.

How cute is this striped dress from Old Navy?  Love it!  (Although, I would pair it with red tights and black boots + the necklace below...)

Stripes pair surprisingly well with big statement necklaces like this one.  

Give it a shot.  You won't be sorry.

I hope the stripe trend is here to stay.  How do you stripe?

Mission Small Business Grant

Well, we did not get the grant.  We believed we were going to.  You supported us.  But we didn't get the Mission Small Business grant.  You can read about the 12 businesses that did here.  I want to try that grilled cheese...

This is one of those good learning opportunities in a business owner's life.  There are lots of them.  You have an idea.  You pour yourself into it.  You believe.  And it doesn't happen.  And that can't stifle you from pouring yourself whole heartedly into the next idea.  Because that is just how business works.  You fail a lot.

I am reading Steve Job's biography.  Amazing dude.  Failed a lot.  (And he wasn't super nice in the process.  At least we are nice most of the time.  :)  All the scientists who have ever invented a cure for anything.  Failed a lot.  So really, if we had gotten the grant it would have been soooo boring.  By not getting the grant, we put ourselves in the same category as all of our heroes.  We get the opportunity to be super motivated by failing to get the grant.  Much more interesting than just collecting a check and basking in our new-found fame.  How blasé.

As I said in my essay to the Mission Small Business peeps about why Bon Lemon should get the Mission Small Business grant, we are already doing lots of cool stuff.  And we will continue to reinvent our ideas  and do more cool stuff.  Because that's who we are.  We are spreading sparkle to inspire self esteem.  We are employing people.  We are drinking bubbly.  We are bringing you inventive new products.  We are coaxing you to wear BIGGER earrings, cocktail rings, and statement necklaces.  We are helping plan fundraisers.  We are shipping things across the country for free.  We are spending time with people we love.  Grant schmant.  Yeah, getting the grant could have sped up our expansion, but not getting it is just accelerating our creativity.  Thanks to all who took the time to vote for us.  You made us feel warm and fuzzy.  

when life gives you lemons... put on something sparkly and come hang out with us at Bon Lemon, because we are super duper fun and fab.

Pink Ribbon Sparkle

  

We have many friends who are participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk.  We have many friends who have been touched by breast cancer in some way.  And we have many friends who are always on the hunt for fabulous pink ribbon garb.  Ask and you shall receive.

 Oftentimes, pink ribbon baubles don't live up to our "cute" standards here at Bon Lemon, but we have found some pieces that get our stamp of approval.  

These pretties and a couple more pieces should be in next week.  

Just in time for the last push in your fundraising. 

And don't forget, about our Lemon Loves bracelets.  We can get them in any color combination you would like and for every bracelet you sell, we will donate $5 to your 3-Day Walk.  (Or any other charity, for that matter.)  Contact us for details at sparkleon@bonlemon.com.  

Would you rather pay $64.90 or $24 for the SAME bracelet?

I am always looking for a good deal. I don't mind paying for quality, but I don't like overpaying. I think sometimes you can find good quality pieces at Target, and other times a designer, cashmere sweater pills up after one wearing.

At Bon Lemon, part of our mission is to bring you objects of desire at desirable prices. (Thanks to Courtney Stone Fullerton of Glacier County Honey for the tag line, which I unceremoniously stole from a blog she wrote about us. You must try Glacier County Honey. It is simply, the best honey you have never tasted.) I digress. Our mission is to bring you fabulous, sparkly stuff, at great prices. But how are you supposed to know if you are getting a good deal?

Today, we have clipped some pages from the most recent Napa Style catalogue to show you just how great our prices really are. (For those of you who don't know, Napa Style is a wonderful catalogue with lots of interesting sundries and gifts. We aren't trying to throw Napa Style under the bus, we are just trying to tell you how awesome we are. Hee hee.) The items we are showing you on today's blog are all by the same designer, from the same collections.

Here are some bracelets featured in Napa Style for $39-$59, plus up to $12.95 for shipping and $5.95 for gift wrapping:



Now check out this at Bon Lemon for $24 with free shipping and gift wrapping:



Or this one (my personal fav) for $24:



Or this for $24:



This knotted brass bead necklace is $79 at Napa Style, and the branchy earrings are $59, plus $17.95 for shipping and $11.90 for gift wrapping:



Bon Lemon has the exact same necklace for $36 and the exact same earrings for $28, with free shipping and free gift wrapping. That is $103.85 SAVINGS on two pieces of jewelry. (These two pieces will be on the website soon. Maybe even today)

And then we have the brass collection. Bracelets and cuffs at Napa Style are $49 and $69.



This bracelet by the same designer from Bon Lemon is $24.



This cuff is also $24. Not to toot our own horn, but we are pretty awesome. :)



As for the hammered brass necklace they are showing for $129, we have this one from the same collection for $48.



We even have the new cuff styles (shown above) in antique silver and gunmetal. On Napa Style they are $49 plus $9.95 shipping and $5.95 gift wrapping each. And they are $24 on www.bonlemon.com. (Yes, they are the exact same ones.)

Love this one.


And these too. $24!


Bon Lemon cuts out the middle man and passes the savings on to you. We are not a discount store. I love Marshall's and TJ Maxx as much as the next gal, but Bon Lemon is a full-service shoppe. You don't have to dig through racks to find a diamond in the rough. We do our homework to get the best values for you on fabulous sparkle, we help you pick out the perfect accessory for your outfit or gift for your friend, and then we wrap everything up so it is ready for gift giving. (If you want, we will ship it for free.) How easy is that?

Shop small. Be happy.

P.S. We can order anything you have seen on these pages, so let us know if you aren't seeing something you want.

Friday Happy Hour: 20% Off ALL Rings

Lemon Topaz Ring

Come into the shoppe today (Friday) from 3 'til 6 and receive complimentary bubbly and 20% off all rings.



This kyanite one (handmade in San Fran) is 20% off.



This one with Swarovski crystals is 20% off.



This big, bold, pave flower ring is 20% off.



This crystal, cocktail ring fish is even 20% off!

ALL rings are 20% off. We will see you Friday from 3 'til 6 at the shoppe. 2938 Limited Lane, Suite C-1 Olympia, WA 98502.

Friday Happy Hour

I am currently down in Scottsdale for the month of March. (I know, lucky me!) 6 Par Farmer, my l'amour à vie, typically spends his winters down here. After he braved the rain, snow, and sleet in Washington for the first part of the winter, I agreed to accompany him down here for the last part.

I tend to prefer snow angels to sun bathing (I know, I am a freak.), but my favorite part about being down here is that people like to visit us. The rest of you people prefer 80 degrees and sunny. Weird. My second favorite part about being down here is happy hour. I love happy hour.

But don't think I am just sitting around sipping cocktails by the pool; with the help of my irreplaceable, creative team (read: my mom, dad, sister, and boyfriend), we have been coming up with all sorts of great ideas to spread the Bon Lemon love.



In honor of my favorite pastime, happy hour in Scottsdale, I give you the next best thing: Bon Lemon's Friday Happy Hour. Every Friday from 3 'til 6, we will be serving up champagne, prosecco, cava, or something sparkling (non-alcoholic options too...) along with 20% off a featured collection of Bon Lemon pieces. It might be earrings; it might be Big Buddha; it will certainly be fresh and delicious!



We can't wait to see you at Bon Lemon Friday Happy Hour! Every Friday from 3 'til 6 at the shoppe. 2938 Limited Lane, Suite C-2 in Olympia. Pop in for some sparkling wine. Pop in for something sparkly. Just pop in! It's where all the cool kids are at.

when life gives you lemons... put on something sparkly.

NEW: Dotted Line

Our newest find, Dotted Line, features pieces handmade in Seattle, Washington by Annie Huntley.



Annie draws inspiration from her travels and often collects one of a kind stones and treasures for her jewelry.




This necklace features a "10 Aregot" coin, coral, and a brillant green chrysoprase stone



We love her global, natural aesthetic. These earrings are my personal favorite.



This one is delicate and delish and features carnelian, ruby, aquamarine, and champagne citrine stones dancing from gold fill chain. Delicate elegance.

You can see more Dotted Line at www.bonlemon.com. Free shipping.