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**THIS GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED! THANK YOU TO ALL FOR ENTERING!!**
Hello and happy GRATEFULNESS FRIDAY GIVEAWAY!!!
I’m so excited to announce today’s giveaway for a TON of reasons. The most important reason is that I had to delay this giveaway from last week, so it feels GREAT to finally spread the vintage giveaway love to you all thanks to help from sponsor & vintage seller Gypsum Moon.
The reason I delayed the giveaway from last week is because my schedule has become oh-so-busy-and-blessed that my normal priorities have been replaced with a few new ones. As you’ll read in my gratefulness story below, there is a LOT going on in the personal world of Sammy Davis Vintage!
I’m particularly excited to announce this giveaway because sponsor Gypsum Moon has been NOTHING short of 110% inspiring when it comes to spreading vintage fashion love. Owner & founder Cynthia is a busy mother of 3 on top of being a vintage fashion expert on three different platforms (Etsy, Ebay & ArtFire) as well as a blogger and Facebook fanatic!
I hope you all take time to say “hello” to her today and thank her for this generosity. I coordinate these giveaways not only to give readers a chance to experience a vintage fashion giveaway, but also to say “thanks” to vintage sellers who work to spread vintage joy into your closets, too.
Fashion week is over, vintage lovers … but the fall season is JUST BEGINNING! Keep reading after the jump to learn how you can win this oh-so-fall-and-fabulous prize pack pictured above, and for a quick story on how I’m finding STRENGTH in my suffering as the growth of Sammy Davis Vintage continues to blossom and evolve!
I think that with every season comes change. I know he wasn’t singing about “these times” but rather the times of the revolutionary ’60s, but Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are ‘a Changin’ “ comes to mind when I muse on this shift in season and consciousness of newness that has replaced the old.
Thanks for entering today’s Gratefulness Friday Giveaway and as always, SPREADING VINTAGE LOVE! Which no matter the season, always stands true!
Let’s declare a love for the season and the change it brings in both SELF and STYLE, vintage lovers!
xx, SD
I AM GRATEFUL FOR … FINDING STRENGTH IN THE SUFFERING!
Today I wanted to write about my tears, but not from a point of view that was looking for sympathy … but rather one that was looking to share my vulnerability so that you could be inspired to embrace the strength that comes with your suffering.
I’m blessed to have a naturally sunny, optimistic disposition which is conveyed in how I digitally, verbally and visually communicate. While you can read my blog posts, Facebook posts and Tweets as well as hear and see me speak positively about vintage fashion on YouTube .. the one thing that is closed off between ALL of us is our thoughts.
Our thoughts are the most valuable for of communication because it is the communication between our mind and our hearts. When we communicate positively to ourselves with our minds, our hearts feel joy and strength and this love for ourselves is thereby presented naturally to others.
When we are speaking negatively to ourselves, our hearts are sad. And when our hearts are sad, all we can think of is ourselves … and in those times of negative self reflection, we fail to see the beauty and love in those who are around us in the moment. In simpler terms: Speaking negatively to ourselves makes us selfish.
Like you,I have many days of selfish suffering. I call them “breakdowns” because a bunch of negative thoughts will ball themselves up into a knot that gets so big in my mind, that I must literally “sob out the suffering” to untie those knots and break my heart free of these selfish chains.
I’m sure you’ve had a similar experience — a few days of balled up emotional vulnerability falls apart at the drop of a pin, and you find yourself quite literally crying “over spilled milk,” which is exactly what happened to me yesterday. Only it was almond milk instead!
Yesterday I experienced a breakdown of suffering after a carton of almond milk spilled its entire contents in my fridge, and after my roommate cleaned it up for me and he left for work, I found myself sobbing over the fact that I’d lost a carton of milk and “everything I wanted control over in my life couldn’t happen at the moment.”
This statement above is so true for all of us. Do you ever find yourself “suffering” for the “sake of suffering” because your mind has decided to tell its heart that what it’s doing right then is WRONG? That you need to have “more control” over the wants and needs you’ve decided for your life, and that if those desires aren’t met that you are failing and as a result, unhappy?
This is how my mind speaks to my heart sometimes. And then, when spilled milk gets spilled — or whatever other small, relatively inconsequential scenario occurs — those small voices gain momentum and become a shouting match within.
So while yesterday morning was a mix of spilled milk and spilled tears, it was also a mix of suffering-turned-strength. And what I’ve realized from these “breakdowns” is that each one leaves me stronger, and that these hard times of communication to myself is actually teaching my inner voices to be easy, loving and kind to my heart so that I forget the “me, me, me focused” wants and remember that what matters most is the positive self I communicate to others because I’m inspired by the love I have for my life within.
Perhaps you too have had hard times these past few weeks — new circumstances in your life pulling you in every direction and you’re really not sure what’s the “right path anymore.” This is how I feel, and what yesterday showed me is that the best path — no matter where it leads — is the loving one. That is where we find our strength, and how we overcome our suffering so that we may continue to shine our light to others.
Vintage lovers and gratefulness goddesses, thank you for reading this story and sharing your inspiring moments of suffering-turned-strength in the comments below!
xx, SD
WIN THIS ’60s-INSPIRED VINTAGE PRIZE PACK!
(1) pleated skirt and (1) matching long-sleeved top (both are a size medium)
Outfit dates from the 1980s. Plaid design of shades of brown with a touch of green and navy. The top has an ascot necktie.
(1) pair of French cuff links (perfect for top cuffs, see picture above!)
(1 pair) 1980s Hush Puppy soft brown heels with toe bows (Size 7.5 wide)
(1) 1960s home decorating hardcover book from Better Homes & Gardens (for vintage decorating inspiration!)
(1) 1960s Royal Haeger “shell” ceramic ashtray in shades of cream and bronzy gold. Very Mad Men!
HOW TO ENTER GRATEFULNESS GIVEAWAY #14
For a chance to win the entire vintage fashion prize packed listed above valued at $100, you must enter between today Friday, September 16th and by midnight on Monday, September 19th.
You can only enter once, and all winners will be drawn at random using the site random.org. Winners will be announced by Wednesday, September 21st.
Enter by answering the following question in the comment fields or Facebook comment fields below this contest post:
**Describe how a tough time in your life actually made you stronger. What were the circumstances, and what have you learned in hindsight? **
OTHER IMPORTANT RULES
**Entrants/Winners must be legal U.S. residents of the lower 48 states (not including Alaska and Hawaii) and at least 18 years old as of September 16th, 2011.
**For full contest rules and regulations can be found here
**All information submitted by contestants is subject to Sammy Davis Vintage’s privacy policy found here
SUPPORT VINTAGE SELLERS!
GYPSUM MOON SELLS ON ETSY, EBAY & ARTFIRE!
Sammy Davis Vintage Gratefulness Friday Giveaways are made possible thanks to the generous donations of online vintage sellers.
To spread vintage love, I host these giveaways to not only introduce one lucky winner to the world of vintage, but to introduce all of you to an online seller with other vintage finds that you may want to give a happy home.
This week’s sponsor is GYPSUM MOON! Please give her Etsy shop a look, and let her know that Sammy Davis Vintage sent you!
Also, feel free to fan the Gypsum Moon fanpage on Facebook!
Please support the Gratefulness Giveaway sponsors by visiting their online shops and saying hello!
Thank you for supporting vintage sellers to spread vintage love!
HAPPY ENTERING & GOOD LUCK!!!!
I grew up very poor and with a father that had a lot of addiction and mental difficulties so last year when my grandmother passed away and left my father to finally care for himself it motivated me to really reach for my dreams. I spent more time with my father trying to teach him how to be independent all while starting a blog and pursuing a career in social media. My hard work payed off and my blog landed me a job as the social media manager for a great branding and design firm. I have continued to blog and develop my skills and I am so excited to say that two weeks from tomorrow is my wedding day. Never give up and learn from every experience.
Sammy, Thank you so much for sharing this with us! I do not want my comment to count as an entry this week because I actually WON last time and I really appreciate it and can’t wait to get my goods! They’re so cute! However, I did want to acknowledge your post and respond. I’ve found that the older I get, the more I feel open about discussing exactly what you asked about today “Describe how a tough time made you stronger, and hindsight looking back”
In short, I was an an emotionally abusive relationship turned phsyical. After living with my ex bf for 3 years, one night drunk out of his mind, I awoke to loud music and hearing him speak to no one out load. I went downstairs and was corned and pushed down on the floor, held down by my arms and legs with his body on top of me while he screamed and threatened me. Needless to say, I was out of there a couple of hours later, never to return. I left my job, my home, my friends and moved back home. My dad helped me pack up as much as we could quickly and get the hell out of there.
The experience taught me that anyone can be in a bad situation, even strong and independent women like myself, but it’s how you deal with that situation that sets you apart and makes you a pillar to others who are in similar circumstances. I knew better than to let someone abuse me emotionally or physically but after making a commitment to myself, I learned how to let go and move forward.
xoxo
http://bresbaubles.blogspot.com
P.S. I’ve never blogged about this or shared with many but it struck me that it was important to say something!
I have breakdowns on a regular basis. LOL
It could be about the most random of things…
Sometimes I get sad because I’m single
Sometimes I get upset about money issues…
Other times I get mad because I look in the mirror and can find the most random of imperfections…Blemishes on my neck, one eye is smaller than the other, I gain a lb (or 10) overnight…lol
But you know what? Every time I have those moments I have to think about how fortunate am blessed that I am in general. I’m single, but not alone. I have so many friends and family that love me unconditionally.
No I don’t make a lot of money, but I have a roof over my head and fabulous shoes! hehe (Not to mention ‘Mo Money, Mo’ Problems, not to mention higher taxes…lol)
Yes, I have numerous imperfections but those imperfections are what makes me different. If we were all meant to look alike this would be a pretty boring world. :-)
When I was younger I had the hardest time getting over these things, but as I grow older and wiser my grieving period has gone from months to seconds. :-)
Instead of being down on the frivolous things All I think about now is what I’ve done to make the world a better place lately. When you think like that you don’t have much time to be down…The world is a huge place and there are a lot of people in need out there! :-)
it’s refreshing to know that you too have those moments. mark and i talk about how happy you are all of the time and i really admire it. i have battled with depression since i was a really little kid, but wanting to be a better person for the man i love has really made me look closer at my moments of pain to try to find a solution instead of how to feed my emotions. lately i realize i spend a lot of time feeling sorry for myself, and i should do something else for myself. going to the gym has given me that sometime for myself that isnt pain or misery… well soemtimes its pain, but the good kind. i cant say im completely cured but im learning what it takes to make me better in those moments. thanks for this post. xxoo
When I was sixteen I found out that I had a cluster of tumors growing in my spinal column after being misdiagnosed with sports injuries for a number of years. It had gotten to the point where I couldn’t even sit, stand, walk, or ride in a car without excruciating pain and I was taking up to four advil every four hours just to be able to live a normal life.
I was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition that causes fibrous tumors to grow on my nerve endings. The doctors do not know whether tumors will reoccur in my spine or other places in my body.
I had surgery to remove the tumors and was bedridden for a month and out of school for almost an entire semester. I had to build myself back up physically and was unable to try out for soccer, volleyball, softball and all the sports that I had played my whole life.
The experience has taught me to seize every single day like its your last, and to not waste time doing things that make you unhappy. You have just one chance on this earth to do what you love and to impact the lives of other people, and you shouldn’t waste it.
Thanks for helping me to reflect, Sammy. As always – AMAZING giveaway!
What an awesome story Stacey! Totally inspiring!
I hope you win the gratefulness package this week. :-)
A time in my life that challenged me to grow as a person was when my grandmother died. We were very close, and losing that strong presence was devastating to me. However, I knew that she would want me to move on, to grow, to be the woman that she wants me to be. I learned through my pain that its the sorrow that defines us, shapes us, and ultimately, helps us grow.
I have vitiligo on my face and have suffered from it for over 18 years. It’s the same skin condition that Michael Jackson suffered from. Being an african-american, having vitiligo can be EXTREMELY devastating and mentally crippling. For years, I’ve always felt like an outcast and hated that this condition made me stand out from other people. I felt like people would focus on my vitiligo rather than me as a person. It got to the point where I would hide my face in public or hide out in my house, dreading when I would have to go out for some reason. Not accepting my condition was really crippling me emotionally and spiritually. I detested myself for one small spot that I couldn’t control.
The past year though, I’ve slowly worked through accepting what I have by realizing that things could be a lot worse. I could have cancer. I could have diabetes. I could have AIDS. A missing limb. Sooooo many worse conditions that are much more tragic than what I have. I’ve learned to be grateful for being relatively healthy and looking the way I do! I’m learning to embrace my inner and outer beauty and use my unique looks to my advantage. Life is too precious to waste wondering what people are thinking about you or being depressed. Having vitiligo has taught me that looks aren’t everything, and if someone is going to judge me because I don’t look “normal” to them, then they can piss off! Judging a book by its cover is never cool. The Divine Universe created me the way I am for a reason and I am nothing but grateful!
wow Sammy this is a very touching and honest post about your trials.. I’m glad you shared with us. While there are some things I need to keep confidential, I do want to share that a tough time in my life is going through things ‘alone’ and being ‘silent’ because there are simply no answers sometimes. I hate those times. I learned that through those times of loneliness, it’s best to experience that solitude and accept it but to move on and move forward afterwards (after the moping). The best part is when I come out of it, I become more driven and I become a stronger and better person. So I am thankful for suffering because it causes us to get out of our comfort zone and sometimes pushing us to ‘grow’ in directions and ways we would have never imagined. I don’t plan to win this giveaway. I’m simply responding to your deep post with sympathy. Let us celebrate our sufferings. : ) And don’t look back.
I read this yesterday, and was moved. I get that feeling all the time. Last night my mom told me we were going to the flea market today, just 5 minutes ago she called to cancel, I was sad when I hang up the phone , then she called back to tell me she’ll pick me up to go to the mall. It is not as vain as it seems I have a baby and I’m not working so I spent the whole week at home doing chores, I don’t like going out alone, going out to the flea market meant I could socialize and enjoy outside my house, breathe fresh air.
Goodness, not sure what to share! There have been so many of these moments. I think my parents separation at the age of 20 really rocked my otherwise stable and secure world. It is never easy, no matter the age. They were always so involved in my life and even at 20, I still really needed them both as guides. There were many times in those 5 years they were separated that they had their own issues to deal with and sort out and they were emotionally unavailable for me. I made a ton of mistakes and also had some great moments too when I realized I was completely capable of handling something…they had really done a great job raising all four of us. We had the tools…we just needed to go forth with confidence. One area it really affected was my relationship with my now husband. We had met the day after the ‘rents made their separation official. I couldn’t help but take all that fear and insecurity and uncertainty and bring it to the table. We were young and I am really glad we figured out who we were as individuals, in our careers, and of course, as a couple before we were married. The biggest lesson was that no relationships are alike and just b/c my parents had these issues didn’t mean we would have the same ones. And if anything, we could learn from them. Lots of tears and mistakes and feeling like I was at the bottom of my own barrel from 20-25…my own existential crisis if you will. But I came out a very strong wiser person.