3.16.2011

Living a dream...and a giveaway for YOU!


As our family prepares to pack up
and leave our Minnesota cottage,
I find myself getting nostalgic about
the three years we have called
this cozy state 'home'.

Besides all great experiences and
milestones that our family has
enjoyed during our time here,
I will probably remember best
the professional opportunities
that found their way to me.



Soon after moving here, I had the
great fortune of meeting the talented
Ki Nassauer.  I knew she was Minnesota-based
and when I had a chance meeting with a
friend of hers, I bravely asked if she
would intoduce me to Ki - something
very out of character for me to do!

I met Ki for coffee on a early summer
morning.  I had no agenda, no real
purpose or particular 'opportunity' I was
looking for.  Clearly, not how you
go about establishing any sort
of career!  But we seemed to hit
it off and before I knew it I was
agreeing to style a tablescape for
her fall Junk Bonanza antiques show!

Fast forward to last summer.  Ki was busy
working on content for Flea Market Style
magazine and asked for my help styling
a local photo shoot ('the good ideas HOUSE').
I had the pleasure of watching a true
professional interior photographer work - the
talented Kim Cornelison and shlep furniture and
accessories here and there making
the just right perfect magazine worthy photo.
I wrote about my experience on the
Flea Market Style blog here.

In addition, I helped Heather Bullard when she shot
the 'Top 10 Vintage Finds' story
when at the Junk Bonanza last
fall. And I designed the men's shirt
napkin ring and prop shopped for the 'Steal the
Shirt Off His Back' story!

I LOVED these experiences!  It was
a priviledge to have the opportunity
to live out these long held dreams of mine.

Because of my involvement with the production of
Flea Market Style magazine, the publisher
sent me a few copies.  I thought I would
share a couple with TWO lucky readers
of Forever*Cottage.

Please leave me a comment, tell me a joke, share
what you dream of doing, or just say something nice.....and I will pick
two lucky winners to receive a copy of Flea Market Style
magazine.  Please enter by midnight Thursday, March 17.
36 comments on "Living a dream...and a giveaway for YOU!"
  1. I dream of wining the lottery and opening a junk shop, living out the rest of my life finding the very best treasures oh and having a HUGE room filed with nothing but shoes.

    Thanks for hosting a giveaway!

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  2. I just wanted to say that I love the curb appeal of your new house and am excited for you to share pictures once you are settled. It was not surprise to me that you sold your house so fast it was fantastic. You always have interesting things and I love your blog.

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  3. Hi Jill, congrats on your new home and selling your current house! I am so excited for you and following on your adventures! Congrats on all your have done with the lovely ladies of flea market magazine!! You are awesome! keep that chin up! xo

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  4. I just adore your blog and wish you the very best on your new adventures ahead! We will miss you here in this neck of the woods but can't wait to see how you pull your new cottage together! Warm Warm Spring wishes to you!

    p.s. I'll take your spot with Ki if she needs anyone here! Shucks you're both in cali now!

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  5. You just never know what is waiting around the corner for you in this life!

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  6. Best of luck in the move and keep sharing your fabulous junque!!!

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  7. Sign me up...I haven't been able to find a copy yet. ;)

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  8. I dream of being my own boss or work from the house. Go girl with your dreams!

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  9. Jill; MN will miss you and your "mad skills". I was an early bird at JB last year and peeked at your cute table scape. I have enjoyed your blog here and wish you well in your new cottage.
    I have not heard a good joke in months... :)

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  10. I am dreaming of retiring in Paris with my husband and my children coming to visit us all the time! Seriously, I think that would be heaven! Thanks for sharing such a generous giveaway!

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  11. Oooh, what a great opportunity! I have it on my list of things to get at Target at the moment...thanks!

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  12. My dream is to live in a villa in Tuscany. Of course it has to have a beautiful garden and stunning views! Congrats on the sale of your home and best of luck with the move. I am your newest follower.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  13. I dream..... of so many things~
    Your blog is lovely and I enjoy it so much.
    mowrose@aol.com

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  14. I have been enjoying your blog since I happened upon it. I really want to peruse a copy of Flea Market Style but my little corner of the world hasn't a clue about it just yet! (I have two little corners of the world actually, and can't find it at either!) Thanks for the opportunity/chance to win a copy.

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  15. Wondering if another online garage sale is on order anytime soon? Still enjoying my treasures I bought last year.

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  16. just found your blog via urban farmgirl & love it.
    Congrats on the move....sounds like it all fell into place, as it should.
    I live out in Cali & can't imagine the move from all that snow to Portland!

    can't wait to see what you do with the new place! I have a ;( about new house "stuff" I love the charm of old...but there are some serious perks to new.
    -Ada in Coastal Cali

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  17. This was such a great story to read! You DESERVE all of the opportunities that have come your way!
    I dream of doing good with my new Brigning Pretty Back Beauty Co.
    I can't wait to see more of your new adventure and move~!
    Have a pretty day!
    Kristin

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  18. From one Minnesotan girl to another, you betcha that's a lot of exciting professional development! Best wishes on all future plans.

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  19. I dream of getting through each day. My beloved husband passed away Feb 26 after an 80 day battle with lung cancer that had metasticized all over his body. He was my heart and soul. My everything. Just waking up without him is agony. I'm not trying to bring you all down. Instead, I'm telling you to live and love each moment you can. Cherish your husbands. Learn from them -they have a lot to teach if you let them. Hold hands and pray with him everyday. It will change your life.

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  20. I'm feeling lucky today on St Pat's day and sending you lots of good luck wishes as you pack up and move back to your home state.

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  21. B est of luck with your move and the new doors that are sure to open for you.

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  22. Hi Jill, I'm a new follower!Just reading some of your old posts and loving the pictures of your cottage. Exactly my style!! Read that you had lived in PA at one point, that's my home. What part of PA ? Best of luck with your move! Congratulations on such a quick sale, from the pictures I saw of the inside I see why that happened!! Have a great day! Stephanie

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  23. Hello Jill, I am a New Follower of your lovely blog!!!! I am so glad I stumbled across it... You have such a Beautiful home, It is so Georgous!!!!! I wish you the very best with your new move!!!!! Best Wishes sent your way!!!!!


    Michelle Torres
    decorater4life@aol.com

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  24. Hi, Love your old forever cottage and the new one too! I dream of being settled (in the country-few acres) in my forever cottage!! One my children will know every nook and cranny even when they are grown. It will be forever memories. One that we all feel like it is a part of us. My dream! Jodi cherishedroses@hotmail.com

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  25. Hey Jill...I've been reading your blog for sometime. Turns out I live about 3 miles from you! I don't have a joke, but do enjoy your blog!

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  26. Hi Jill-

    I just happened upon your blog today- congrats on the new house in Portland!
    The irony of finding you is I actually live in Vancouver (a city considered a suburb of Portland) and my husband is away all week on his first business trip ever- can you guess where? -Minneapolis!

    I think spring is a wonderful time to get to move- so fresh with new possibity. I hope all goes smoothly for you and your family!

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  27. I was born in Minnesota but raised in Chicago. I dream of opening a shop that is full of cottage cuteness and antiques! For now I'm a busy mom of four but a girl can dream, can't she?

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  28. Jill, clearly
    everyone loves
    your "cottage
    touch" {wink,
    wink....},
    including these
    big names in the
    cottage game!!
    My dream is to
    keep writing and
    to listen and
    follow that little
    voice that says,
    "YES, you can
    do it!" Big hugs
    to you, today....
    xx Suzanne

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  29. Jill, I came across your blog last year before junk bonanza and just love your style. Best wishes on your move to Portland!

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  30. After reading some of the comments I would like to see you give a copy to the lady named Jo that spoke of the loss of her husband.
    Good luck with your move, glad your leaving with wonderful memories of your time in MN

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  31. I know I have not been by for awhile and having been looking and looking here for a copy of that magazine and boohoo for me ~ I cannot find it!! Please pick me - hint hint - wink wink. I will be back for a longer visit soon! xo

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  32. I found your blog via Farmgirl Paints and am so glad I did. Your "about me" paragraph alone makes me a follower. Your girls are blessed to have such a creative mama who pursues her passions. :)

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  33. For any of you who live in the Minneapolis area, I always find a copy of Flea Market Style when I visit the Idea House at Bachman's on Lyndale in South Mpls! The Idea House is fantastic, and I have enjoyed all of my visits there:)

    Godspeed to you & yours, Jill, and I hope your Portland home is truly your Forever Cottage!

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  34. I dream of quitting my day job and working with fabrics, designing fun projects all day, rather than trying to fit them in late at night. I also dream of moving back to Portland/LO to be close to my best friend so we can junk and craft together.

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  35. How very inspiring! I dream of one day creating for a living:):)

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  36. ~*~*Congrats Jill!!!!~*~*~ Im so happy for you! Hugs,Rachel

    French Farmhouse 425

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