School children walking down a street in Lijiang, Yunnan ProvinceHI everyone! Right now I am in Yunnan Province, China, and having an absolute blast. Everywhere I turn there is something beautiful to see! Yunnan Province is home to about 25 minority groups, and their influence is seen everywhere I turn. One of the things that has caught my eye the most here are the beautiful scarves being sold on every street. Weaving and dying is a tradition among the ethnic groups here, so the scarves here are really one of the area's special products.
According to an article I found online, "the embroidery and dyeing consists of many processes, such as brushing patterns, twisting and tying, soaking, dyeing the cloth, steam boiling, atmospheric drying, taking out stitches, rinsing and grinding the cloth, among which the knotting and dip-dyeing are main processes." From what I have read, all the dyes are naturally occurring and found in different plants and berries.
After walking through stall after stall of these beautiful, colorful scarves, I decided that because this area of China is so beautiful and unique, I really want to share part of this with one of my readers.
For this giveaway, I can't really say exactly what will be in the "treasure box" I send, because as of right now, I'm not entirely sure. I DO know there will be one of these beautiful scarves, dyed by a woman part of China's Bai ethnic group. There are also going to be other goodies, all of which are a surprise, and will be hand-picked by me. Think of it as a care package full of unique items handmade (mostly) in China.
There is more to China than the cheap manufacturing and crappy products so many of us associate with the country. China is really a special place and I am hoping to show that through this giveaway! I am hoping whoever wins this giveaway will walk away with a greater appreciation for this country.
Giveaway Rules
1. Must be a follower
2. Must live in the United States or Canada
3. I WILL ship to APO/FPO addresses
4. Tell me what colors you would want your scarf to be. I can't promise it will happen, but I can try!
5. Leave me your e-mail address, or another way to contact you
Deadline to enter this giveaway is Halloween, October 31st!
Good luck!
I am a follower! Blue or green would be my preference (match with more colors), but red, purple, or neutral colors are great too.
ReplyDeletebuonanotte_noey at hotmail dot com
I'm so jealous! YunNan Province is the prettiest place in China. I really want to go!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower. I do live in the US. Pink or gray would be great. And here is my address:
thegirlieblog.author@gmail.com
This is the first contest I have ever had an interest in within the beauty blogging world, simply because I enjoy other cultures so much!! (Hence why we are living in Korea!) LOL I am already a follower and am living APO. My e-mail is Bentley379@gmail.com and I love the color scarf that is in the photo!! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful scarf! I love scarves and a girl can never have too many! I am a follower through RSS Feed/Google Reader. If I won, I would love to have one with some purple in it!
ReplyDeleteThis is such an incredible giveaway! My favorite gift from my grandparents is a silk kimono from their trip to Asia. I would love a blue scarf - it seems like everything I wear would match with blue!
ReplyDeleteI'm a current follower. My email address is katielynnjohnson@gmail.com
You know I love China. I was just thinking of you last night;) ...we were in Beijing a year ago today! I wish I could travel with you!! Your giveaway is awesome. They really do make beautiful things and I wish I had more room in my suitcase for all it. I'm already a follower of course, but I love blues and greens and pinks:) My email is opalchick@gmail.com. Can't wait to see more photos from this 2 week adventure!
ReplyDeleteThe scarf is beautiful! I would love something with red in it if I win. Great giveaway! tcebr7xc1 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteHi, just started following your blog! I love jewel tones but would trust your taste. My email is jennymilongstreth@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great and special giveaway, thanks Steph!! (I'm a follower) and seriously I have no idea what colors I'd pick, probably anything but pink (so typical) haha...
ReplyDeleteThanks again! (You know how to reach me) :)
I just started following! I live in the USA. Pink & Gray or Yellow would be great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win such an awesome gift:)
Mrs.HVK@gmail.com
I am a follower.
ReplyDeleteI love purple!
Thanks bunches!
yumiaoabc at yahoo dot com
gorgeous scarf!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower
my favourite colours are black, red and purple, so any of those would be lovely on a scarf.
strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm a follower in the US.
ReplyDeleteI would love a scarf with teal and purple like yours or even teal and pink.
glamgeekchic @ gmail .com
What a great idea! I'm a follower and can't decide what colors I'd want so you can surprise me!
ReplyDeleteginaawest@gmail.com
I am a follower! I would love a scarf with bright colors in it; purple, blue, green; I'm not picky. Here is my email: Miavitabella0248@aol.com
ReplyDeleteIm a follower through the google reader.
ReplyDeleteI would love a Blue Scarf.
My email is ashleylroy@yahoo.com.
What an awesome giveaway! I love the colors in your scarf, so I'll leave the choice up to you. :)
ReplyDeletethewellappointedcatwalk@gmail.com
This giveaway is so fun! I love you style so any colors you pick would be great. Happy Halloween.
ReplyDeleterara855@comcast.net
I'm a follower. I love so many colors, but I guess my favorite would be something teal, aqua, robin's egg blue....any kind of blue-green color. Or light grey-blue.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that your blog is so interesting! (Obviously, or I would be following it!)
Other than Mexico, I've never been outside of the United States. I would absolutely love to visit MANY other countries, but I don't have the means to do so, but hopefully someday! In the meantime, I really enjoy reading about an American living in another country. And the occassional F&B post makes it even better! =)
wendyfritz@gmail.com
Ugh, I meant otherwise I WOULDN'T be following it in my previous post!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower! Fun Giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAs far as colors I'm open and trust your taste :)
gnabeana at gmail dot com
I'm a follower! And I'd love to win a scarf! :D
ReplyDeleteAs far as colors, I love the ones in your pic - purple and teal!
I'm a follower! You've been in my Google reader since the very beginning. It's been wonderful reading your stories and about life in China. I am so jealous of your adventures!
ReplyDeleteAs far as scarves colors, II'd like something in the orange-yellow-red color family. Sunset-y.
Thanks, and keep up the great work on the blog!
tmway2000 at yahoo.com
I've been a follower since right before you moved to China and have enjoyed your journey! I would love a handmade scarf, that sounds beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower! I think a tan and blue one would be gorgeous! polishandpearls@gmail.com, or through my blog! Have a great day!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm now a follower! Loving your blog! I think some sort of blue hue would be really pretty, and I love the one in your photo! Thanks for doing a great giveaway!
ReplyDeletethehiddenmixedtape(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a follower & live in the US! I would be up for any colors (you have fabulous taste!).
ReplyDeleteanewkindofnormal (at) gmail (dot) com
I've been a follower for awhile, and have been following along with your adventures in China. I can't say that I'm that jealous (because the air quality in the metro areas of China are very poor in relative to US air quality, and I live in LA, where it's supposedly "bad" relative to other cities), but I am jealous that you have traveled to other areas in China that I have never been, as well as to Mongolia!
ReplyDeleteMy ideal color for the scarf would be a wonderful combination of royal blue or navy blue with a splash of gold or yellow in it. I don't know if there is one, but I imagine if it did existed, it would be beautiful in real life!
Email: libbeh84(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks so much for this lovely giveaway all the way from China, 郝丹妮! :)
Oh, what a fun surprise giveaway -- I love that you highlight the wonderful cultural aspect of china - it is easy to associate so many negative things to it, I've been a follower for quite some time and have marveled at your experiences.
ReplyDeleteScarf color.... red maybe?
kittycat[at]snet[dot]net
I'm a follower! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not picky on colors at all. I'll take whatever you can find, I trust your judgement.
Beautiful scarf.
lipstickandleathernecks at yahoo dot com
I am a follower of your blog. I enjoy reading about people who live overseas. Back in the early 90's I lived in Japan for a year and I loved it. My parents have spent time in China, I haven't yet, it's on my list of places to visit.
ReplyDeleteAs for scarf colours blues, greens, reds, pinks, purples!
I'm a follower and would love a scarf in almost anything! Red, pink, purple, green, blue. Doesn't matter. Your taste is great, so I'm sure it would be nice.
ReplyDeletejustmared@yahoo.com
I'm a follower! I love greens, blues, purples, and browns! Or pretty much any other colour. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeletehot_ring_gal at hotmail.com
I'm a follower. What a fun giveaway!! I love the colors in the scarf you are wearing. melani_311 at yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI am a follower! I live in the US! And most importantly, I love your blog! A neutral colored scarf would be great, but I love all colors really. The scarf you're wearing is just plain gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMy email is dominiqueshops@gmail.com!
I am a follower! My favorite color would be a blue/pink mixture. gustergirl19 at hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteAshley
omg I love love love this! I am a follower and I would pick green or pink. This is an awesome giveaway.
ReplyDeletesara.podein@snc.edu
I'm a follower of your blog and I live in the U.S.! I'd love a scarf with a muted pink/camel/army green combo, but in all honesty, I'd love any color scarf!
ReplyDeletecat_at_uw@hotmail.com
This sounds like a really fun getaway! I love your blog and have been following for quite some time in my Google Reader. Please enter me. I hope you feel better. :( I love pinks, tans, creams, blues, greens, but not necessarily all together (helpful, right?) Thanks and have a great day. My email is eec129 at gmail dot com.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's a pretty awesome giveaway! I would love to be entered. My email add is debbiesdaughter at gmail dot com, and I love anything blue.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting something unique for where you are.
Neat giveaway! I have been a follower (on Google Reader) since before you moved to China, and I am really enjoying reading about your life there. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the scarf color I've been attracted to dusty yellow, and kelly green lately. To be honest I'm not picky when it comes to color, plus you have great taste!
My email is: jordanjr186@yahoo.com
Thanks for the awesome giveaway Steph! I love scarves with a passion--I would be happy with any color, whatever color you thinks looks best.
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
Andi
saltwaterdreamsblog at gmail
I'm already a follower. I've been to Beijing for few days back in 2003. I loved it and hope to go again in the future.
ReplyDeleteI actually love the one you have on. I'm a sucker for anything Teal color. :-)
Thanks for this giveaway!
jcrewphd at gmail.com
That scarf is beautiful! Anything but pink would be amazing. slarce@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThanks!!