This post is sponsored by Colorado Mills. All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own.
I’m not sure if you guys knew this, but I’m from Colorado.
….I kid, I kid. Of course you knew that, and if you didn’t, I suspect the name of this blog kind of gave it away, no?! But in all seriousness, that is a rarity around these parts {a few days ago a reader referenced natives as “special unicorns”!} with the influx of people moving to the Denver area.
I love my state, and I do what I can to support it wherever possible. For me, this largely entails shopping at local businesses whenever possible. My family owns a small business and I know how hard it can be to do battle with the big guys, so I’m always willing to spend a few extra dollars if it supports a Colorado-based company.
And truth be told, I was reticent when Colorado Mills reached out to me for this giveaway. Shopping isn’t really a hot topic around this site, and I was not sure that it would be a great fit. But then I started poking around the category of stores at the mall and spent some time chatting with Brenda, the marketing director. And you know what I learned? There are quite a few local love stories at Colorado Mills!
These aren’t those love stories. These are Will and me acting like we’re 9 years old again
Will and I headed to the mall a few weeks ago to peruse the stores and snap a few photos. In the process, I learned a lot about many of the small businesses. Y’all, I fell in love with a few {and there is one in particular where we had a tough time not buying ALL THE THINGS!}
Take A Borgata for example. This store is filled with clothing and trinkets by Colorado-based designers and artisans. As I walked around the store looking at everything, I found myself exclaiming, “I need this!” or “Can we put this on our living room wall?” There are so many unique Colorado products that I haven’t seen anywhere else, and it gave me a few gift ideas.
I need to buy this for a hundred different people
Or Cleveland Creek Log Furniture. While it may not sound like a local company, I immediately fell in love with this family-owned, Colorado-based business. I briefly spoke with the owner on the phone {when calling to ask permission to snap a few photos} and he reminded me of my parents and our small company. The business is a part of your livelihood; sure. But it’s more a part of your family, and of your soul.
Of course, it didn’t hurt that they carried the most amazing log tables that I’ve ever seen. They had one that was this polished slab table with curled and gnarled branches as legs. Will was DYING.
When did moose become cool? I don’t even care; I love this
Finally, we swung by Kataluma Chai, another Colorado-based business that immediately grabbed my undying affection with approximately 4 million varieties of chai. I have a deep, intense love affair with chai and I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen so many choices available!
But all of this aside, I suspect you want to know how you can win the $500, amiright?!
Here’s the deal: Colorado Mills is giving away one $500 Visa gift card to a lucky person. Of course, they are hoping that you locals spend it at any of their stores, but if you’re not local? It’s accepted wherever Visa is accepted…so pretty much everywhere.
The only required entry below is to follow their account {@ShopColoradoMills} on Instagram. And of course you should, if only because I’m hosting a TAKEOVER this Thursday! So if you want to see some more of the IG madness, hop over on Thursday and see what kind of snaps I’ll be sharing. Deal?
Entries will be accepted via the Rafflecopter below. Giveaway will close at midnight on Sunday, June 26.
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56 Comments
Wait, a chai-specific store!? My dreams have come true! I’d probably use the whole gift card there ๐
Awesome giveaway! Might have to add this to my list of places to check out on our upcoming trip. If I win I promise to use it at our local outfitter (here on the east coast!)
Hmmm, I would use the gift card for some office furniture! That cleveland log furniture place is pretty cool! And maybe an orange julius or two! ๐ I actually live pretty close to the Mills!
I go in the log furniture place every time I’m at Colorado Mills, I’d love to be able to afford something there!
I would buy summer clothing and shoes for my kids.
I would LOVE chai, or log furniture for that lodge-inspired home I am dreaming of someday ๐ Or maybe just a new bed ๐ Thanks for the chance!!!!
I love chai! I literally just finished drinking a chocolate chai latte. As for the gift card, I’d probably spend it at my local bike shop. I’ve been wanting a single speed mountain bike so I’d love to put it towards that. Or maybe some other outdoor gear!
i need a reason to go back to CO
My hubby & I love Colorado Mills! We recently moved down to Lone Tree from the Baker District so we’re much further away now, but we still like to take a special trip there every other week or so ๐ I would more than likely use the gift card at A Borgata….love their clothing items.
I would use it to buy a new receiver.
Perhaps towards a gorgeous log table?! Would likely just put a small dent in the overall cost though.
In the process of moving and would love new art and prints for my place!
Visiting Colorado Mills has been on my list for the six years I’ve lived here, so if I won the gift card I would go on a shopping spree there and come home with some decor for my condo since it still looks like I just moved in … even if it’s been a year!
We love supporting local. Even though we live in Salt Lake, we are still considered local, right? Would love to use the gift card for gifts for family.
Love that mall and could use new decor thanks.
I would use the Visa gift card for new clothes and groceries.
I live right by the Colorado Mills and did not know any of these stores existed! I would definitely take the gift card there to check them out!
If there is a local gear store, I’m all in.
I would use the gift card on printing supplies.
Probably something house or wedding related!
i would use it towards new athletic wear ๐
Traveling to visit my brother in Colorado.
I’d be tempted to use the gift card to get a PS4.
I would use it to buy a grill for the patio for this summer days!
I would save it for our vacation we have planned to Hawaii in October!
@kaizenfashion
I don’t live in Colorado, but would use the gift card towards my upcoming vacation!
That moose is awesome, so that and a bunch of chai. My kids may talk me into some Legos, too, though.
I would use it for a plane ticket to CO and make sure to stop by Colorado Mills for some souvenirs!
running gear
I would totally, 100% use this gift card *IN* Colorado, no lie. We are so stoked for our TransRockies Run experience, but holy moly are we racking up some bills preparing to get/stay there, haha. So needless to say, if I win, this $500 will go directly to local businesses in Colorado, in the form of food/coffee/travel/lodging once we get there ๐
Hopefully something fun – probably more Le Creuset cookware from the store at Colorado Mills.
I would use this to buy a patio set.
i would get more shoes and clothes
Travel? Or baby stuff. Adulting is thrilling!
As another Colorado native who only just recently moved back home, I’d love to shop for the gear I need to properly explore this beautiful state ๐
I would get camping and running gear. Thanks so much for the awesome giveaway!
I’m due for a trip back to Denver to visit my bestie and do some hiking so Colorado Mills sounds like a perfect destination! I love chai so I have a good idea where I’d want to spend a big chunk of that gift card ๐
Would look for something from Colorado Mills for sure. And then try to get to Colorado again. How I miss the mountains and the clear water streams. Manna for my soul.
Would it be wrong to buy $500 worth of Chai?
How about a trip to Colorado? ๐
I have several friends who have just moved to Colorado….I could go visit them!
Furniture! Count me in. Honestly, I had no idea that there were local stores in that mall. I only go there for some Whole Foods salad bar or Mod Market. Or a quick bite somewhere on my way to work from running NTM in the morning.
So thanks for the heads-up!
Awesome giveaway! I’d definitely check out Colorado Mills. I’m in Northern Colorado and haven’t been there in recent years. Would love to go spend some money at that mall!
I would go shopping with my family! ๐
i would use it for clothing and home decor ๐
I would use it for a little bit of everything but mostly an excuse to go shopping!
What a great giveaway oppurtunity! Thank you!
We’d love to head up and check out Colorado
Mills. We are down in Parker and don’t make it there often, but have been and enjoy it!
Thanks again!
I’d use it for some new things to decorate my home… all bought in Colorado ๐
I would love to use this gift card to decorate my house with some awesome colorado stuff, especially the living room! Also, it would be nice to buy a few gifts for friends back home that are CO products. Thanks!
I would spend it on my two kiddos (12 &14) – I would buy them some new clothes and shoes and maybe a couple goodies for them too, thanks! Cheers!
I just moved to the Golden area and I look forward to checking out the mall, my son would love the carousel! I would totally buy some new decor for our new house!.
Love shopping local! I would use the gift card for some new climbing gear ๐ ๐ ๐
I would let my daughters go crazy
I’d use that card for when Heather and I get to CO for the Trans Rockies!! Beer, food, lodging, gear, all that good stuff.
Great giveaway! I got here in the nick of time!
i really need new business wear ๐