Reader Celebration :: much love, illy

up for grabs: a $20 gift certificate to this super fun shop!

meet ilene, the super cute gal and designer behind the blog and shop, much love illy, and one of Wild and Precious' lovely monthly sponsors

Q: When and why did you decide to open an etsy shop & start blogging? 
A: I decided to open up my shop back in November 2009. It took me about a year to make that decision. One of my best friends kept tell me I needed to. We would have art dates every now and then, and she would be working on orders while I was painting or something else. Then Renegade came to Chicago and I found the place to be both inspiring and intimidating - but it helped me to make that big step. Though I had a wonderful full-time job, I realized I needed more of a creative outlet. Much Love, illy filled that void for me.

As for blogging, I started that to keep in touch with my family and friends. Then as my shop grew, I started to blog about my new designs and then also used my blog as yet another creative outlet for me, whether to keep tabs on online fashion finds. I've always loved to take pictures so the blog also became a kind of photo gallery for me.


Q: What are the inspirations for your shop? 
A: Things I see in the every day, fashion trends and colors, and florals

Q: In three words, why do you love blogging? 
A: Creativity. Community. 'Cause-I-love-it. (heheh.)

Q: Name 2 celebrities you'd like to see one of your hairpieces on and tell me why you picked them. 
A: Oh, fun question! I'd love to see Zooey Deschanel because I already admire her taste in fashion so much and feel like her vintage-look would showcase the handbeads so well. and then Kristen Bell who is just such a cutie and makes anything look good! I love how happy go-lucky she is - and I think she too would sport the Much Love, illy pieces well.

where to find ilene

blog | etsy | twitter

How to Win:

Visit ilene's shop & come back to let me know what your most favorite design is.

{This is a mandatory entry & must be done prior to any other entries}

additional ways to enter:

1. follow Wild & Precious and much love, illy

publicly with google friend connect {2 entries each}

2. favorite much love, illy on etsy

3. be a fan of Wild & Precious on facebook

4. Tweet about the giveaway. {1 entry per day}

make sure to include @blairita @muchloveilly and a link

5. follow me (@blairita )  and @muchloveilly on twitter {1 entry each}

6. add my blog button to your side bar {1 entry each}

7. blog about this reader celebration linking to my celebration page {2 entries}

8. let me know if you have entered another celebration giveaway {1 entry total}

{you must leave a separate comment for each entry. for example: this includes leaving 2 separate comments for following. Giveaway closes late Sunday night 10/31 & winner will be chosen via random.org and announced on Monday 11/1 with the rest of the celebration winners}

 Ilene is just about one of the cutest things to ever happen to the blog world.  Love her!  Good luck everyone!