ShopEatSleep

Nights With Neve at Osteria La Buca. From Caroline on Crack.

A year ago, having just lost my job as a reporter for the Los Angeles Business Journal, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with myself. But within days, I started this blog, building on the reporting I had done as a retail, dining and hospitality journalist, and I have never been happier. This blog is a labor of love for me, and I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive responses I’ve received. To celebrate my first year online (the exact date was actually April 22), I would like to thank my readers — because without you, I’d just be talking to myself. To show my appreciation, I’m giving away a grab bag chock full of awesome stuff I’ve generously been given over the last year but could never go through on my own (and why should I? That’s just greedy!). I’m going to keep this shrouded in a bit of mystery, but expect full-size cosmetics, accessories and anything else I can get my hands on before the entry deadline. All you need to do to enter this giveaway is:

1. Leave a comment on this post (if you’re reading this on Facebook then please go to the blog URL — do NOT comment via Facebook, or else your entry may not be counted) explaining what you like most about ShopEatSleep and/or what kind of coverage you’d like to see more/less of on the blog. I always strive to do better, you know.

2. Follow me on Twitter and/or “like” ShopEatSleep on Facebook (the Facebook page is brand new, so you’ll have to search for it until I can get enough fans to qualify for a username) and tweet or post on the Facebook wall “I entered to win a grab bag of goodies from @shopeatsleep to celebrate its 1-year blogiversary! You can enter here: http://ht.ly/1Govf”

That’s it! The deadline to enter is May 12 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Once all entries have been made, I’ll pick one lucky reader at random. Good luck, and thanks again for making this blog so much fun!

**Contest is closed.**

UPDATE: Congratulations to Emily (@emilythepanda), who just won products from Trees, Hourglass, POP Beauty and more!

Junior Drake bags. From Junior Drake's Facebook.

Junior Drake: The hip handbag company is having its famously low-priced warehouse sample sale starting this Friday, April 9, through Sunday, April 11. According to its marketing materials on Facebook, the Mischa style bag will be just $25 (regular price $458). Yes, you read that correctly. And if you spend at least $150, you’ll get to spin a wheel for a chance at prizes, including an Emilia bag from Junior Drake’s spring 2010 collection (retail price $328). There’s also a raffle to win a Candice bag (retail price $458), one of my personal favorites.

740 E. 60th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90001
Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

StyleSmith: This lovely lady, who also makes her own accessories, is having a huge vintage sale on Saturday, April 10. There will be hundreds of clothes, shoes and accessories for sale, from prices as low as $1. RSVP to vintage@stylesmithonline.com.

137 S. Jackson St.
Glendale, CA 91205
Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

I first saw Handle & Spout, an accessory-making duo from New York, on Daily Candy. At first glance, the flower pins weren’t doing it for me. But then I saw their leather link headband and fell in love: the headband comes in either gold, copper or silver leather, and looks chic and comfortable. How can you beat that? Yes, it costs $45, but it’s leather, so you expect a certain level of quality to come with that price tag — hopefully it’ll last you a long time! There is also a necklace version using the leather links that’s also cute, but I prefer the headband because I think the necklace is a bit too much for me. But to each her own, eh?