Datevitation Giveaway and Coupon

Surprise! Datevitation is back with a discount code and a giveaway just for The Elephant's Trunk readers! Datevitation takes your traditional handmade coupon books, the ones that you used to make as a kid and kicks them up a few hundred notches! These books are the perfect gift for your significant other because you can pick from over 350 romantic date ideas to gift to your lover. 

Datevitation books can be customized by the dates, the cover, the text of each date and the illustrations that you include. The best part of Datevitation is that now there are 200 new illustration activities that are specifically designed for kids and that makes Datevitation a perfect gift for Dad this Father's Day. 

How fun would it be for your kids to pick out activities to offer as coupons that they want to gift to their Dad on his special day?

Mom's can get in on the action to by creating a very special steamy edition to really show those Dads how much they appreciate them.

The options are endless and with your creativity and Datevitation's help you can have the perfect, unique gift that will surely wow that special someone.

Now is your turn to try out Datevitiation, you can enter here to win a promo code good for a custom Datevitation gift book with the cover of your choice, personal message page, and 5 activity pages (code includes free general shipping)! Enter quick because this giveaway only lasts until May 22nd!

Can't wait to win? Take advantage of a very special offer to The Elephant's Trunk readers, enter the discount code TRUNKBLOG at checkout and receive $10 off your Datevitation book in the month of May and June.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Vinyl Giveaway

Sometimes the kiddos need a little reminder from Mom even when she can't be there. This Eventually Cottage vinyl piece can be placed in your kid's bathroom to remind them to keep up on their hygiene. 

Eventually Cottage is a fun vinyl shop on Etsy creating custom signs and decor for your home. Here are some of the great pieces from Eventually Cottage's shop:

I Love You Sign

WISH Sign

Today you can win the wash your hands vinyl pictured above! This giveaway will last through Tuesday May 7th, so enter fast before your chance is gone. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse from FamAlert.com

ATTENTION: Wedding Vendors

Planning a wedding has taught me a lot about what I look for in a wedding vendor. I've had a lot of success searching for wedding vendors online as well as a lot of failures. There are many simple ideas that wedding vendors can do to create an easy experience for customers and potential customers. In no way to I consider myself an expert in this category but I do believe this information could benefit wedding vendors.

1. List all your social media links on your website. When I first visit the website the first thing I do is look for your social media links. I want to go directly to your Facebook even before browsing around your website. Chances are there are more up to date photos I can find on your Facebook then on your website. If I can't find your Facebook easily it becomes frustrating and many times I loose interest looking for much else. This also goes for your Twitter and Pinterest accounts. I want to look at your Twitter so I can follow along with you and the most current information from your company. I want to look at your Pinterest because I want to get a sense of your style. Do our styles mesh? Social media allows me to see behind the scenes of your business.

2. Display your contact information on the home page. Call it lazy but when I have to search for how to contact you through other pages other than your home page my patience starts to dwindle. I personally hate the contact forms on websites, I get the convenience for vendors but I just want to shoot you an e-mail from my personal inbox and write what I want/need to say. I don't want to fill out scripted forms and fill out word verification prompts.

3. Update your website. Simple enough: add curent pictures, add current prices, add current contact information and so forth. It sometimes takes a little time and patience to make sure your website is up to date but it can make all the difference in gathering future customers.

4. Be active on the social media networks. I love following potential wedding vendors and my wedding vendors on all of their social media outlets. I get to see their current work, ideas and interactions. This gets me excited about who they are as a wedding vendor and what I can expect on my big day. I have a hard time trusting a wedding vendor who is inactive on social media. Are they up to date with the trends?

5. The last tip isn't really a direct suggestion for wedding vendors but more a plea. Make quick responses a priority. I've been constantly frustrated with wedding vendors who have taken weeks to get back to me. I understand being busy...don't we all? All it takes is a simple e-mail just to acknowledge you've received a bride's shout out. The e-mail just needs to state when a bride can expect to hear back from you.

Once again I am not an expert I'm just a bride-to-be with a few suggestions.

Dawn from Eventually Cottage

I just love Dawn from Eventually Cottage and today she is here to talk about creating for her handmade sign shop! 

1. Where does the name Eventually Cottage come from?

I came up with the name Eventually Cottage when hubby and I bought our last home. It was an 1850's carriage house that we "eventually" turned into a cozy family cottage for our family.

2. Where do you get inspiration for your shop? 

Inspiration for my pieces comes from everywhere! My imagination, and things that I see in the marketplace. 

3. What is your favorite piece you have created for your shop? 

My favorite piece in my shop is the Disney Dreams sign that I originally designed as a graduation gift for my cousin.

4. What do you do when you're not creating?

When I'm not creating, I'm working as a 911 dispatcher for county, spending time with my family, or decorating my home.

5. Do you allow custom orders? What was your favorite custom piece you create? 

I love custom orders!!! My favorite custom order was my Home of the Brave firefighter sign that I personalized with a family's name as a holiday gift for a customer.

6. Where do you create? 

Right now I create all over my kitchen! Haha! "Eventually" my workshop/office will make it's home in our spare bedroom!

7. How do you describe your creative style? 

Hmmm...I'd have to say whimsical and simple.

//Blog//

//Shop//

//Twitter//

//Pinterest//

//Facebook//

//Instagram//

(make sure to follow Dawn on IG because she offers some awesome deals on her signs through IG!)