FRIENDS!! Happy Wednesday! We are SO excited to finally share with you guys what our big announcement is... eeeeeek!! It's been so fun to hear from many of you about the anticipation of the announcement, we love the sweet support from this community of ours. Y'all are THE BEST! And as a huge "THANK YOU!!!" for all the love you've shown us over the years (7 to be exact) we are celebrating with a MASSIVE GIVEAWAY!!

Our 7th anniversary is this month (we can hardly even believe we're typing those words) and to celebrate the fun, growth, and joy we've experienced over the last seven years we are doing it big and scratching that seven-year-itch by spoiling our Twirl Family with what we believe to be one of the best giveaways imaginable!

We have teamed up with some awesome local vendors & some of our favorite national brands to create a bundle of goodies that get our hearts really excited but hopefully YOURS too!!

Our hope for our 7th anniversary is to reach 7,000 followers on Instagram! We are at 6,068 as of today (11/2/16 at 5pm EST) so we have full confidence that we can reach (at least) 7,000 by our anniversary on November 27th. Totally possible, right?! Well, we need YOUR HELP to get there! Once we reach 7,000 on IG, we will randomly select a follower who followed the giveaway entry rules and that lucky winner will receive the following GOLDMINE OF GOODIES:

- A PHOTO SESSION WITH MALICOTE PHOTOGRAPHY (We're still squealing that we get to spoil someone with this!! Amazing! Such a blessing, Kelsey & Matt are THE BEST!)

- The Southern Weddings Wedding Planner

- The Southern Weddings Wedding Day Journal

- Southern Weddings Volume 9 (Latest Issue!)

- Two prints by Thirsty Hearts Designs

- Custom Vows Print by Melody Joy

- Baubles & Bowties Volume Two

- Personalized Wooden Hanger by Five Dot Design

- 50% off Full Set of Mink Eye Lash Extensions + 50% off Full Set of Eyebrow Extensions by Lashes by Kia

- And a yummy bottle of champagne because we're celebrating, duh!

Sooooo want to know how you can win all of that fabulousness?!?

Check out the GIVEAWAY RULES below:

1. Follow us on Instagram @twirllex

2. Tag 3 friends in our post about the giveaway that might want in on all this goodness too!

* * * EXTRA WAYS TO ENTER * * *

1. Comment on our blog announcing the giveaway (surprise.. you're half way there because you're already here!) and tell us something you're thankful for! Easy enough right?!

2. Repost our image about the giveaway (FOUND BELOW) on your own Instagram account and tag us (@twirllex) and use the hashtag #twirlturnsseven.

We seriously cannot wait to see who wins this amazing giveaway!! If we're being honest, we are real bummed we can't enter it ourselves... from a photo session with Kelsey to tons of Southern Weddings goodies and fabulous lash extensions.. it's a girl's dream!

So let's get going & make it to 7,000 so we can spoil one of you rotten!

Most of all, please know, WE LOVE YOU GUYS SO SO MUCH!! We couldn't be doing any of this if it weren't for y'all and for that we are eternally grateful. We get to do what we love because of this Twirl family and that makes our hearts truly burst with joy.

Cheers to seven years & a million more to come!! Thanks for being along for the ride with us.

XOXOXO, The Twirl Girls

THE HEART BEHIND: TINKER'S CAKE SHOP

by Chelsea Sidebottom

We're back with another amazing addition to our "The Heart Behind" series and we're thrilled for you all to get to know the heart behind Tinker's Cake Shop, Cameron & Tracie Tinker. Not only do Cameron and Tracie make some of the most delicious cakes and baked goods in all the land but they also have hearts of gold which we are so excited for y'all to get to know.

Can you give the readers a little background about your business? How long have you been in business and what services do you offer your clients?

Tinker’s Cake Shop has been in business for the past 11 years. The first five years, Tinker’s was a fully stocked bake shop that was open to the public. We sold cheesecakes, birthday cakes, and several other assorted goods. After some time, my wife and I decided it was time to focus on what we loved most, one-of-a-kind wedding cakes. We create cakes for an array of events such as birthdays and anniversaries but wedding cakes are our specialty.

When did you know that this was the business for you?

I started baking professionally at the age of 16. I was rather tiny and unable to maneuver a lot of the heavy machinery that most baking required so I started out with cakes. I continued my love for baking by going to culinary school where my favorite class was none other than cake decorating. I think that was a big indication that the cake business was the one for me.

Where did the inspiration for your business come from?

The inspiration for Tinker’s came after meeting my wife. We met in Hilton Head, South Carolina while working at the same bake shop. We soon realized that opening a business was the next step for us.

How do you contribute your passions into your daily work routine?

Promptness, flexibility, and professionalism are what make our appointments and cake tastings run smoothly for all parties involved. I try to contribute those three factors into everything we do here at Tinker’s so that our clients are fully satisfied and never forget their Tinker’s cake, as well as their experience they had while at our shop.

What’s the best part of running your own business/ being your own boss?

The best part is being able to determine my work schedule. I’m able to distinguish work time from family time and that’s really important to me. Not to mention, our made-from-scratch cakes require lots of planning and preparation so it’s really nice that I’m able designate a large amount of time for each cake.

What is your favorite part about working within the wedding industry?

I enjoy the creativity that comes with weddings. All of our clients chose different formal wear, flowers, catering, venues, etc. It’s so neat to see all the new ideas and ways that our clients choose to piece together their most special day.

What’s your favorite aspect of your business and how does that motivate you in your daily work?

I always feel incredibly honored to be a part of a bride and groom’s wedding day and that inspires me to keep doing what I love on a daily basis.

What is the most rewarding part of your business?

The most rewarding part of my business is when I receive handwritten ‘Thank You’ cards in the mail from our customers. I enjoy hearing about how pleased they were with their cake and how much their guests enjoyed it as well. It’s incredibly humbling and I like hanging each card on display with the other cards I’ve collected over the years from our customers.

How do you define “success”?

I define success as being happy with what you’re doing and how you’re spending each day.

Where do you see your business in the next 5 years?

Still making brides happy. That’s our goal.

This blog series is titled, “the heart behind”, you were chosen because of your love for people and your caring attitude. How do you pass your grace and love onto your customers?

I believe the best way to pass grace and love onto Tinker’s customers is by trying to eliminate any and all stresses from the bride and groom when it comes to their wedding cake.

What advice would you give someone who was considering starting his or her own business?

My advice would be to make sure you really enjoy what you’re doing because it’s going to be difficult. Be ready for long hours but don’t forget to enjoy the experience, you’re guaranteed to learn a lot.

So wonderful right?? So not only are they culinary geniuses but they incredible people as well -- win win! If you're looking for someone to create the cake of your dreams for your big day.. look no further, Cameron & Tracie are your people! Sweet Tinkers, thank you so much for sharing your hearts with us. We are so grateful for you all and all the joy (and yumminess) you bring to this industry. XOXO!

TWIRL TURNS SEVEN | ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY

The Heart Behind: Tinker's Cake Shop