Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Up Party

via Oh Dier Living

Holiday Style: Small = Big

It's official. The holidays have begun. Cue the celebratory music and applause.  It's a time to gather with friends and family, enjoy all that the season means to each one of us, embody the spirit of Santa and spread good cheer.

At this time of year it's easy to get overwhelmed. My mission during this  hectic season is to simplify.  I'll be supporting other small businesses, locally and online, for gift giving. I'll also make quite a few gifts myself. I'm going back to basics for party fare, and most of all I'm going to remember to just breathe and take it all in. It starts tonight. I'm going to Holiday Open House in Exeter, the next town over. It's a chance to see the tree lighting, say hi to Santa, enjoy the festival of trees, do a little local shopping, spend some time with friends and generally speaking- get into the spirit of things. (In my days at the Chamber of Commerce, I used to be the one who had to throw the switch to light all of downtown...it was very nervewracking...will they all go on? will any go on?.....I like enjoying it much better.)

Like my surroundings here (OK, maybe not the house yet, but certainly our seacoast area), everything is starting to get into holiday mode and so goes the Muse.  Let's celebrate all that small business (handmade, vintage, art, photography.....) and bloggers (recipes, tutorials, inspiration....) have to offer this season at the Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Up Party!

1. tis the season via seaborn press invitation
2. holiday tassle garland via Studio Mucci
3. pink cocktail salt via dellcove spice company
4. charcuterie board via living wood design
5. mid century bar stools via charlie’s nest
6. 'joy' military blanket pillow via Upscale Downhome

7. chocolate peppermint covered marshmallows via nicole’s treats
8. handmade wooden breathe sign via OhDierLiving

 Onto the party!  Remember, even if you don't own an etsy shop or online business and you don't blog, you are still invited to this party. It's a fun place to window shop and see what you might have been missing until now.

******Please read these guidelines before linking up.******

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up at the party, please follow too. There are several ways in the sidebar including via email, Google Friend Connect, Network Blogs, and Bloglovin'. You'll also find me on Hellocotton.

*Don't link and run. Follow some of the links others have left behind. People have made sales because of these parties, but in the end, it's all about supporting each other.

*Link once for your shop, once for you blog to save space for others. 

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter, tumblr.  It's be great to connect with you as many ways as I can.

*I want these to be the best parties around, but I can't do it without your help. Will you help me by sharing a link to the party? Blog, tweet, facebook, pin, share on any etsy teams? If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be wicked awesome.  Everyone is welcome here, so be sure to tell your friends.

*When you take part in the link up, you'll go on the Mercantile Muse mail list. {Correspondence will come from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net.}  I'll let you know when the next link up party is underway so you can promote your shop and blog again, and about other happenings 'round these parts.

*BY ALL MEANS, let's get to know you better! Leave a comment that tells a little more about you, your shop or blog.  Need help to get started? 'What's the best gift you ever received?'

 

Let's get down to business. Time to pah-tay!

 

 

 

The next giveaway is really coming together and I'm so excited to have  returning sponsors and some new ones too. It is going to be SO much fun making one person's holidays a little bit brighter. I was hoping to launch it tomorrow, but since 'remembering to breathe' is on my holiday to-do list, in all honesty, I don't see that happening. The beginning of the week is more likely. Be sure to be here because this is going to be one awesome prize package.

 

Whether you go out or stay in, find a way to put a little 'holiday cheer' into your day.

 

Ciao for now,

 

 

End of Summer Party!

Saying Goodbye To Summer In A Fun Way

I was so wrapped up in catching up on things at my desk this week, that it totally slipped my mind that yesterday was Thursday. In fact, it was the Gotta Have It - Gotta Blog It Thursday that wasn't. You see every two weeks I'm a party hostess, and I invite all my friends who have online handcraft and vintage shops and blogs to link up. It's a gathering that certainly all about fun, but it's also a place for these independent, small business owners to mingle and meet new people; a place for artisans, craftspeople and bloggers to spread the word about their stuff. It's a place for those of you who hang here at the Muse to see all the variety of things to discover on this biggo world wide web.  Alas, this week, due to my confusion about the days of the week, we're partying today. Friday. Which also happens to be the last day of summer.

I hate to say goodbye to Summer. I admit, Fall used to be my favorite season until we bought our little home with the pool (a life long dream by the way....aaahhh, a pool). Now, I can't get enough of summer because it equals pooltime, so it saddens me to say, that although I was hoping to get another dip in, I may have swum my last swim this year.  Insert 'I Love Lucy' wwwaaaaaahhh. 

All in all though, I can look back on Summer and say, it was good. It was chock full. It was what Summer is all about. Friends, family, enjoying nature and good weather, and of course good times. So before we start the party, I'd like to tip my hat to the season that just was. A season that included: NYC, a wedding (or two), margaritas in the pool, 4th of July Lobster Bake......

......Sunday drives, flowers galore, sunsets to match, said goodbye to a dear friend, hay bales ready to roll, a photo challenge on the Muse, visitors from Dublin, more visitors from Dublin and our most recent visitors from Dublin, Beantown, just a little singing and dancing and a boatload of full throttle fun.



How was your Summer? Was it low key or jam packed like ours?

Hey....did you see the September Giveaway? It's ridiculous. Really. I don't want you to miss it. Actually, what I don't want you to miss is the chance to win $180+ of handmade & vintage goodness. Go here to enter!

Ready to party? Remember, even if you don't own an etsy shop or online business and you don't blog, you are still invited to this party. It's a fun place to window shop and see what you might have been missing until now.

If you are linking up, please read the Rules of the House before doing so:

*If you take part in the link up, you will go on a list of participants and receive an e-mail from me (from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net) when the next link up party is underway.

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up at the party, I ask that you follow too. There are several different ways to follow in the sidebar. 

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter. It'd be great to connect with you any way I can.

*Don't link and run. Be kind and check out each other's links. It's all about supporting each other after all. 

*Will you share a link to the party? It benefits us all--- blog, tweet, facebook, share on your etsy team if you're on one, etc. If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse's button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be, as we say 'round these parts, wicked awesome.  Everyone is welcome here, so be sure to tell your friends.

  **********************************************************************************

Be sure to check back next Monday when I feature some things I've found through the link up. It might even be you.

Time to get our party on (if you're reading by email click here).

Freeform Friday

If this song isn't stuck in your head from the Summer playlist, I don't know what is.  And yes, I admit it, you could have seen me on the dancefloor a few times this Summer, singing, dancing and of course, doing the universal sign for 'call me'.  Just the like the US Olympic Swim team. Personally, I think I like the underwater robot the best. Click here if you're reading by email.

Happy Friday!

Ciao for now,

Party Like It's 1999

via bizbash

Celebrate September Bash

Man, the weeks are rolling by. I can't believe it's time of another party already. In case you have been before, this party is all about promoting your business/shop/blog and connecting. If you don't have a shop or blog to promote then it's all about having a look see at all the great stuff out there on this world wide web.  It's always a ton of fun. The Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link party is all about you and the other guests. So if you have a shop or a blog, by all means link them up.  

First, slip off your flip flops, feel the grass between your toes, and mingle to your heart's content because we're doing it up picnic style.  It's still summer in this neck of the woods!

Grab a glass of sangria.

via Mercantile Muse

A little prosciutto and fennel salad crostini.

via real simple

And please save room for dessert.

 

via heart and home magazine 

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If you are linking up, please read the Rules of the House before doing so:

*If you take part in the link up, you will go on a list of participants and receive an e-mail from me (from the address pbates at speakeasyinfo dot net) when the next Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party is underway.

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up at the party, I'd love it if you followed too. There are several different ways to follow in the sidebar. 

*You'll also find Bates Mercantile Co. here: facebook, pinterest, twitter. It'd be great to connect with you any way I can.

*Don't link and run. Be kind and check out each other's links. It's all about supporting each other after all. 

*Will you share a link to the party? 'you two tell friends, and they tell two friends, and so on and so on'. It benefits us all--- blog, tweet, facebook, share on your etsy team if you're on one, etc. If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse's button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be, as we say 'round these parts, wicked awesome.  Everyone is welcome here, so be sure to tell your friends.

  **********************************************************************************

Be sure to check back next Tuesday when I feature some things I've found through the link up. It might even be you.

Time to get our party on (if you're reading by email click herehttp://www.batesmercantileco.blogspot.com/2012/09/party-like-its-1999.html it will bring you to the party). 

If you're not linking up, won't you have a look around at all the wonderful things left behind? I don't think you'll be disappointed about sticking around this party.




Nearly Time for a New Giveaway

Just like these parties, the giveaways on the Muse just keep getting better and better. You guys are going to swoon over all the stuff you can win in the September Giveaway. The last sponsor hopped on board today and you will have the chance to win a truckload of great prizes from 10 Shops.  Stay tuned tomorrow.  If I can pull it all together in time, the giveaway may launch! If not, there will be a sneak peak and launch day will be Monday.  

Have a great day and thanks for coming to the party,

Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog Blog It Link Up Party!

Where's The Party?

Right here of course. It's another promotion party on Mercantile Muse, where you can link up your online business or your blog, or both. Those of you who don't have an online business or blog, think of it as a sort of pop up shop where you'll find neat stuff all in one place.

It's potluck again, because it was so much fun last time. If you're 'bringing' something to share....a coctail, a mocktail or food, please mention it in comments and include a recipe link if there is one.

Please read the Rules of the House, before linking:

*If you take part in the link up, you will go on a list of particpants and receive an e-mail from me (and from the address pbates@speakeasyinfo.net) in two weeks reminding you that the next Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party is underway.

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up at the party, won't you consider becoming a follower (there's several different ways to follow in the sidebar to you're right) if you're not already? Can you do me another favor?How about liking us on facebook too? That'd be so sweet!

*Post one link. Two if you link one under Gotta Have It (for shops)and one under Gotta Blog It (for bloggers).  Be sure you’re posting your link under the right link up!

*Don't link and run, be kind and check out each other's links.

*Share a link to the party, 'you two tell friends, and they tell two friends, and so on and so on'. It benefits us all--- blog, tweet, facebook, etc. If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse's button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be, as we say 'round these parts, wicked awesome. 

*Leave a comment and check back Monday when I feature some things I've found through the link up. It could be you!

First up, the shop link up (scroll down page for blog link up)!

Take and look around, get to know each other and most of all have fun at the party. Thanks for coming!

Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Up Party!

Are You Ready For Some Link Ups?

Hi guys.  Here we are again.........it's party time. If you have an online shop or a blog, this is the place to link them up. If you don't, this is the place to find interesting shops and blogs you may not have known about.

This week, I thought potluck and BYOB would be fun. So in your comments post what ever appetizer and drink you brought to share!

Please read the Rules of the House, before linking:

*If you take part in the link up, you will go on a list of particpants and receive an e-mail from me (and from the address pbates@speakeasyinfo.net) in two weeks reminding you that the next Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party is underway.

*If you like Mercantile Muse enough to link up at the party, won't you consider becoming a follower (there's several different ways to follow in the sidebar to you're right) if you're not already? Can you do me another favor?How about liking us on facebook too? That'd be so sweet!

*Post one link. Two if you link one under Gotta Have It (for shops)and one under Gotta Blog It (for bloggers).  Be sure you’re posting your link under the right link up!

*Don't link and run, be kind and check out each other's links.

*Share a link to the party, 'you two tell friends, and they tell two friends, and so on and so on'. It benefits us all--- blog, tweet, facebook, etc. If you blog and are so inclined to grab a button (from Mercantile Muse's button page) and feature it on your blog, that would be, as we say 'round these parts, wicked awesome. 

*Leave a comment and check back Monday when I feature some things I've found through the link up. It could be you!

First up, the shop link up (scroll down page for blog link up)!

Now for bloggers!

I can't wait to see what you've all brought for the buffet!

Have a great day and don't forget to spread the word,