Discount code + Canon Mark II give-away!

Exactly a year ago today I announced that I'd been working on a two-year project to create a line of first-ever cute camera bag/purses. I remember writing the post, then saving it as a draft while I summoned the courage to hit "publish". Suddenly this personal project I'd been holding so closely for years would also belong to others. I had no idea what the reaction would be.  

But over the last year, you totally overwhelmed us with your kindness. You sent emails (which btw, always make our day), you left the nicest comments, posted amazing reviews on message boards, facebooked, tweeted, blogged. You bowled us right over with your generosity and support. 

SO WE THINK IT'S TIME TO RETURN THE LOVE.   :) 

We haven't offered a discount code since we first launched our site last year. And this will be the ONLY one we offer this year. Ready? 

Purchase a bag between now and September 15th and receive 15% off your entire purchase.

To receive discount at check out, enter code: BIRTHDAY 

And there's more!! 

WE'RE ALSO GIVING AWAY ANOTHER CANON 5D MARK II!! 

 

HOW TO ENTER:

Purchase a bag between now and September 30th, and you will automatically be entered to win. This applies to all bags purchased with or without the discount code. Remember the discount code will expire at midnight CST on September 15th!

OR

Post a photo of you on your blog "Living Life The Way Your Picture It". Interpretation is up to you, but your photo must include all of the following elements:

1. "Happy Birthday Epiphanie" written somewhere. 

2. Some kind of cake, cupcake, or confection plus one candle. Must be real, not digitally added. 

3. An Epiphanie bag. This can be added digitally (NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO WIN).  

NOTE: ALL ELEMENTS ("Happy Birthday Epiphanie", a REAL confection, and a real or digitally added Epiphanie bag) MUST BE IN THE SAME PHOTOGRAPH. In other words, we want to see your NEW, creative interpretations of this task, instead of assembling or cutting and pasting images that you already have. Photos where all elements are not IN THE SAME IMAGE will be disqualified.  

Then:

1. Link to your post in the comments here (entry valid only when linked on this post).

2. "Follow" Epiphanie on Twitter, then tweet about this giveaway. Sample: Don’t miss this Canon Mark II giveaway @EpiphanieBags http://tinyurl.com/28xkrsy
 

3. Join Epiphanie on Facebook, then update your status with a link to this contest, including a tag to our Facebook page.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND US YOUR LINKS VIA EMAIL. THEY WILL BE DELETED. ONLY COMMENTS ON THIS POST WHICH MEET ALL THE STATED CRITERIA WILL QUALIFY FOR ENTRY. NOTE THAT IF YOU PURCHASED A BAG BETWEEN AUGUST 30TH AND SEPTEMBER 30TH, YOU DO NOT NEED TO COMMENT HERE. YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE INCLUDED AMONG ENTRIES. 

What if I already "Follow" you on Twitter and/or "Like" Epiphanie on Facebook?

Then you already meet that particular criteria. But don't forget to tag us when you post to your link.

What if I purchase a bag or multiple bags AND complete the above requirements? 

Then we love you very much :) , but each person can only be entered once. 

What if I want a bag that is currently on back order?

Your discount will still apply as long as you purchase before midnight CST on September 15th. All bags (purchased with or without the code) will be automatically shipped to you as soon as it's back in stock. 

The winner of the Canon 5D will be picked via random generator and announced on OCTOBER 1st! 

Fine Print:  

The prize being offered is the camera BODY ONLY. NO LENSES ARE INCLUDED. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. This contest is void in Puerto Rico, and where prohibited by law. It is soley your responsibility to ensure that contests like this one are not prohibited by the laws in your area. Contest subject to all applicable federal, state, and local law regulations. Actual prize award will be sent only when you prove your eligibility with an affidavit. If you win, and live outside the US, you are responsible for all shipping costs incurred in sending your prize including all taxes, customs, brokerage, or any other related fees. Epiphanie is not responsible for delays in receiving your prize caused by Customs clearance, or anything else that is beyond our control. Videos and/or photos that are offensive, vulgar or attack any individual or company will be automatically disqualified. In the event that this camera is discontinued during this contest, we reserve the right to substitute your prize with a camera of equal value. By participating, entrants agree to these official rules and accept decisions of Epiphanie LLC as final. This promotion is offered in the United States only and shall only be construed and evaluated according to United States law. By participating, you agree that Epiphanie LLC and it's employees will have no liabiltiy for any injury, loss, or damages of any  kind to persons, including death, and property, due in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of a prize or participation in this contest. By entering, you agree that Epiphanie, and those acting under its authority, may use your name, likeness and/or voice, and the video(s) you submit as an entry for advertising and promotional purposes in any media without limitation and without further consideration, unless prohibited by law. By entering, you agree that Epiphanie shall have all rights to copy, edit, broadcast, publish, and use your photos/videos, in whole or in part without further compensation, both during and after the contest, unless prohibited by law.

Unclaimed prize (after seven days) will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner. Prize is not transferrable or redeemable for cash.

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!!!

**Disclaimer**The above link to "Live life the way you picture it" was not taken for Epiphanie, nor for entry here. The back story can be found here. We linked to it because it's the most kick-ass photo ever, and we were stoked to see Lola along for the ride. Plus we just think Maggie, Danielle, Krystyn and Antonia are rad. 

**For the record**Canon is not sponsoring this contest, nor is Epiphanie affiliated with Canon in any way whatsoever. 

My Life List

We started this business last year with the tag line: "Live life the way you picture it." It can be taken literally in the sense that our camera bags allow you to "picture your life" with more ease. But more importantly, it's about the idea that your life is waiting for you to make it yours. "What do you intend to do with your one precious life"?

The first part of this post can be found here. Thanks again to Maggie, who is inspiring people all over the world to make life more fun.

I wanted some kind of physical representation of my list around because 1. I love stuff that's visual. And 2. It serves as a reminder to keep at it. The butterflies are totally not my idea, but cute right?

The wall in my office:

As I complete them, I'll put them in here. Now that I'm thinking about it, this should've maybe been a bucket.

I wanted to start off with two things that I could easily check off, which I have no inclination to ever do in my lifetime.  :)

1. Don’t run a marathon.

2. Don’t go on a cruise.

3. Leave an inspire card in 100 random places.

4. Lean how to use my mac and consolidate.

5. Stay in a cabin where there are masses of fire flies.

6. Photograph another celebrity.

7. Re-do the family room.

8. Have a photo session with my sister.

9. Purchase a square dining table.

10. Do six photo sessions with my kids within 12 months.

11. Spend a vacation with my mom and sister and family.

12. Sponsor one life list thing for five people.

13. Give something away 1x a week for 6 months.

14. Photograph a family in Chinatown, SF. (sort of)

15. Throw away all my inauthentic clothes.

16. Purchase a wardrobe that I’m in love with.

17. Spend a weekend at a dude ranch.

18. Re-do the kids’ rooms.

19. Photograph grown sisters.

20. Drink a Guinness in an Irish pub.

21. See the pyramids.

22. Learn conversational Spanish.

23. Go to church four times in six weeks.

24. Let someone take a portrait of me.

25. Host an adult dinner that includes candlelight.

26. Go on an african safari.

27. Host an anniversary party near a beach.

28. Install new flooring in the house.

29. Finally find a hairstyle and color that I love.

30. Learn yoga.

31. Take the family to NYC.

32. Get together with my high school girlfriends.

33. Take a road trip.

34. Create a line of greeting cards.

35. Take my girls to the ballet.

36. Visit Spain.

37. Visit Italy.

38. Photograph ten small towns.

39. Photograph ten big cities.

40. Stay at the Borgo La Fornace.

41. Learn the tango.

42. Create ten new Epiphanie designs.

43. Draw pencil sketches of my children.

44. Go to Tokyo.

45. Eat chow fun on Maui.

46. Visit Peninsula Bay, New Zealand.

47. Take the kids to South Padre again.

48. Host a party that generates money for a charity.

49. Go to a photo workshop.

50. Purchase an original painting by Kal Barteski.

51. Take a hip hop class.

52. Re-do my bedroom.

53. Learn to play a song on the guitar.

54. Make sure my kids are bi-lingual.

55. Purchase a timeshare in Maui.

56. Purchase a lake house.

57. Swim with bioilluminescent plankton. (stolen from maggie)

58. Visit England.

59. Go dancing in Austin.

60. Create an inviting backyard.

61. Visit France.

62. Renovate the bathroom.

63. Go to Mexico again.

64. Stay at the Rockhouse in Jamaica.

65. Go on an antique-ing adventure.

66. Photograph my sister’s family.

67. Photograph another birth.

68. Visit my childhood home in Kaupakalua, Maui.

69. Ride a camel in the desert.

70. Go to Rwanda.

71. Ride in a hot air balloon.

72. Photograph a day in the life of ten moms.

73. Stay at the Amayara.

74. Hear Elizabeth Gilbert Speak.

75. Ride in a helicopter.

76. Stomp grapes.

77. Visit the Meditteranean.

78. Go to Bali.

79. Fully experience Fiesta in San Antonio. 

80. Go parasailing again.

81. Re-do my portrait website.

82. Swim with dolphins

83. Ride an elephant.

84. Organize a retreat.

85. Take the kids to the Houston Space Center

86. Go on 5 dates to new places in downtown San Antonio.

87. Stop eating white flour and sugar for 30 days

88. Make a slideshow of my family photos for 2010.

89. Visit all 50 states.

90. See the aurora borealis.

91. Take an art class.

92. Shoot a gun.

93. Experience a white Christmas.

94. Create a unique tradition for every holiday.

95. Do a family session for Genevieve Gorder. (is that stalker-y? Love her.)

96. Go to a Spurs game.

97. Visit wreckage of the Titanic aboard a submarine.

98. Learn to play the harmonica.

99. Go to the Kentucky derby.

100. See U2.

101. Have our family photographed by Tara Whitney.

Life as you picture it: The Masons

When I was ten I stumbled on this PBS special which showcased a bunch kids operating an ice cream store. Adults must have been in the background, but from my perspective it was children doing the work. And it was the pinnacle of fascination. I spent the next year dreaming up ways that I could save up for my own store.

Fast forward to my late teens when I saw Tracy Porter on Oprah. I think the segment was about young entrepreneurs or something. What I remembered was that she'd painted some trays in her chicken coop, piled them into a New York trade show, and created an astonishingly creative business.

Of course (now) I know that nothing's ever that easy. Just starting this business took two years of excruciating research, long hours, and pushing through sometimes devastating dissapointments. I remember one day my mom called during that time. I was juggling a full time portrait business, three kids, my marriage, this other business that existed only in my imagination, plus everything in between. She asked me how I was and I burst into tears. Then I reassured her not to worry because it was just my 'cry for the day'. That year, those moments were routine. So I don't mean to be flip about anyone's accomplishments. And in no way do I imply that Tracy painted some trays and then boom! had her dream life. 

Still, after I saw her appearance (in all my illustrious naivety) I was determined to Paint Trays. You think I'm kidding, but if you look into my cabinets you will see Martha's graveyard. There are mounds of fabric, paints, ribbons, paper, wood, canvases, and everything anyone could ever need to make cookies, candles, necklaces, pillows, paintings. You name it, and there was a time in my life that I was going to do it. 

Looking back now, I realize my fascination wasn't so much with owning a business, as much as it was with people who seemed to break free from what's expected. Whether it's the guy who's on a quest to visit every country in the world, the transplanted American building a boutique hotel in Morrocco, or the mom who home-schools her kids because it affords her more freedom, I'm enthralled with people who decide to live life in a unique way that authentically suits them.

And there are few people I've met who exemplify this idea more than Maggie Mason. I hesitate to use the word "introduce" here, because unless you've been living on the Jessop compound for the last ten years, there's a good chance you already know her. If however, you just got released and have managed to make your way out to purchase your first computer, congratulations! And let me introduce you to Bryan and Maggie Mason (plus insanely adorable Hank). They are both as smart and funny as they are unassuming. So while you think you should be intimidated by all their accomplishments, you can't help but relax and order another margarita. Which I've since decided should be mandatory after every photo session.

Such a fun day.

The Masons photographed by maile wilson on Vimeo.

 Music: Dashboard Confessional, Carry This Picture and Aretha Franklin, Baby I Love You.

If you're wondering how all this came about, it was because of Maggie's Life List. This post is getting long, but in a nutshell, she's kind of known for them. I might be imagining this, but I think at one point on her blog she said something along the lines of how we always make lists for the drudgery. And so why not make a list for the fun stuff? After all, it's likely that no one will ever knock on your door and tell you it's time to ride an elephant or go wine tasting in Napa. And as someone with workaholic tendencies, this really resonated with me. But at the time, I felt like it was her thing. Because let's face it, with companies like Verizon and Intel sponsoring her adventures, it's easy to make the assumption that she was The President Of Life Lists.

Then I read Karen's post after our awesome Houston trip, and about 5 minutes later I decided to write my own. It's just taken me, oh... a few months to get to posting it online. But during this time, I've actually checked off a quite a few items. And that has only made me believe even more in the power of writing stuff down. So (wow, this is a big nutshell, BUT) one of Maggie's list items was that she'd wanted to have family portraits done. I knew I was going to be in San Francisco. And one of my list items was that I wanted to shoot a family in SF Chinatown, so we coordinated! As you can see though, these were not taken in Chinatown. And that's because I realized five minutes into being there that I couldn't have picked a worse location. So (like life) we rolled with it, and it turned out to be a fantastic afternoon.

And the reason I'm posting it here instead of on my regular porait site is because this is the start of a series on this blog which will be called "Life as you picture it". We'll be featuring various people around the world, who have managed to create interesting, uncommon lives. So if that sounds like you, or someone you know, please email maile@epiphaniebags.com.

And in order to practice what I've preached, I've decided to finally post my list here online (tomorrow because this is one long post!).

And thank you Maggie for the inspiration. What you are doing is truly revolutionary.