***THIS GIVEAWAY HAS REACHED ITS 10,000 ENTRY CAP AND IS NOW CLOSED – SEE WHO WON BELOW!***
And our VERY lucky winner this week is… Hallie (who knows that Belle Isle was once a fishing village for the Powhatan Indians – something even we hadn’t heard). Congrats – and see you in a few weeks!
We’re spending today with the family for the holiday, but we had to drop in with our big giveaway for you guys. See, when we found out we’d be speaking at this year’s R.Home for the Holidays event on November 8th (which we’ve gone to for the past four years for fun, so it’s really crazy to think that we’ll be speakers) a hair-brained idea popped into my head: what if we gave away a trip to Richmond? And when I mentioned it to the kind folks at Richmond Magazine (the hosts of the event), they not only didn’t call me crazy – they said “let’s do it!” So with their help and the generous support of Visit Richmond VA, my hair-brained idea is coming to life (insert evil cackle here). And it’s bigger and better than I ever guessed it could be. That’s right, someone is about to get hooked up.
The prize includes round-trip airfare from anywhere in the continental United States (arriving Thursday, Nov 8 and departing Sunday, Nov 11) and car rental for the length of your stay – all courtesy of Visit Richmond VA. While you’re here, you’ll be put up for three nights in Richmond’s most iconic and stately hotel – The Jefferson.
And of course, Richmond Magazine is giving you tickets to (sold out!) R.Home for the Holidays on Thursday night where we’ll be speaking and doing a book signing (psst- it has now sold out so we’re working on a free Richmond signing that we’ll share as soon as it’s finalized for any interested locals).
As for what else you can do while you’re here… what about a $100 gift card to one of our favorite restaurants? The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing overlooks the city and is actually the spot where Sherry and I celebrated finding out she was pregnant with Clara.
And since you can’t come to our town and not hit up some of our favorite stores, we’ve wrangled $100 gift cards from four of our favorite spots: La Difference, Mongrel, Quirk Gallery and the consignment store trio of Clover (kids), Clementine (adults) and Ashby (teens).
Plus, Richmond Magazine and Visit Richmond VA are tossing in a bunch of passes to various Richmond must-dos, like the Chihuly glass exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (one of our favorites!) and a Real Richmond Food Tour that’ll give you a taste of several local restaurants in one night.
- PRIZE: As described above: a round-trip flight to Richmond for two people plus a car rental from Visit Richmond VA, a three night stay at The Jefferson Hotel, tickets to R.Home for the Holidays, $100 each to The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing, La Difference, Mongrel, Quirk Gallery, and Clover / Clementine / Ashby.
- TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the words “RICHMOND ME” and tell us…
- BONUS QUESTION: … one fact you know about Richmond. Did you know that it’s known as The River City? Or that it was recently named The Best River Town In America by Outdoor magazine? Or that it’s where Spielberg’s new Lincoln movie was filmed? Or just that it’s the capital of Virginia and where we live?
- GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Wednesday, October 10th at 8pm EST or at 10,000 entries (whichever comes first)
- NUMBER OF WINNERS: One
- ELIGIBILITY: Flights from the lower 48 United States only, must be 18 or older, tickets must be booked by October 15th. See more guidelines here. (*we really tried to get this to work as an international prize, so sorry that it couldn’t happen – maybe next year!)
- USUAL STUFF: One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winner will be selected using random.org and announced on Thursday as an update to this post. That’s right, come right back here on Thursday for the announcement of our winner. Good luck…
Note: We aren’t paid or perked for hosting these giveaways, we just do ‘em to thank you awesome folks for stopping in. See our Giveaway FAQ page for more info. Pics courtesy of the Richmond Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Jefferson Hotel, Richmond Magazine, R.Home Magazine, , La Difference, Mongrel.
Mary B says
RICHMOND ME!! One fact I know about Richmond is that it used to be home to my Aunt & Uncle (they now live in Hayes). I would love to take a trip to see you guys in November, explore the city & squeeze in some time with extended family, too :)
Maggie B. says
RICHMOND ME!!
Stephanie K says
RICHMOND ME
Thanks for the chance to win!
Christy says
Richmond me! I don’t know much about Richmond, except that it is home to the world-renowned Martin Agency, which is famous for creating the “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan and logo back in 1969. I’d love to visit and explore!
Mary says
Richmond me! I know there’s a science museum there where you can do an illusion that looks like your head is on a platter!
Carla Mahnke says
RICHMOND ME!
I know for a fact I was born in Norfolk, Virginia and would love to visit your town! I don’t have any recollection of my time spent in Virginia, my family moved when I was very young. From the pictures you put on your website it looks gorgeous and I love that you highlight all of the local shops, restaurants, and eateries!
Kati says
Richmond Me!
I know nothing about Richmond aside from what I’ve read here. This sounds like the perfect opportunity to change that!
Molly says
Richmond me!!
I’ve never been to Virginia but I know it’s close to Washington, D.C. Don’t they say that Virginia is for lovers? Never really understood that line but hey, maybe you can tell me the origin?!
P.S. so excited for your book release! My husband and I are about to undertake a major renovation and are looking forward to some DIY inspiration!!
Jenifer says
RICHMOND ME!!!……..Eight Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Richmond, VIrginia. Total random fact but interesting! Here’s hoping I get to meet you guys in Richmond!
Heather Adams says
Richmond me! I know that almost everyone I know that’s been to Richmond really loved it! :)
Jenna says
Richmond me!! All I know about Richmond is that it is where you live!
Anjali says
Richmond Me! From reading your various activities, I know that it’s a lot cooler than I initially suspected!
Ruth says
Richmond me! I grew up there…my favorite high school hang out was the fancy Arby’s at short pump…they’re not that fancy anywhere else in the country!
Barbara Thompson says
RICHMOND ME!!
What I know aout Richmond, the best bloggers in the world live there:)Hope to meet you real soon!
bhh says
RICHMOND ME! Richmond has seven sister cities around the world!
Elizabeth Hamilton says
RICHMOND ME!!! I know Richmond must be cool for John and Sherry to live there! (We need a vacation…badly!)
Thanks! You guys are the best.
Kara says
RICHMOND ME! I know it’s in Virginia…and it’s south of PA, where I’m from! :)
Chrissy says
Richmond me!
My fact, you guys live there!!!!
Sarah GMC says
RICHMOND ME!
April P says
RICHMOND ME!
Richmond is awesome.
Katie says
Richmond Me!
It’s where you live!
Sara says
RICHMOND ME!!
I know that Richmond is where I played a lot of soccer tournaments as a kid. Crazy, I know.
Sarah Jane says
RICHMOND ME! It’s the capital of VA and about 4 hours from where I grew up in MD.
Jessica @ Dear Emmeline says
RICHMOND ME! I know nothing about Richmond except that you all live there so I guess I need to go! I would love to head up there with my husband for a belated anniversary weekend!
Mercedes says
Richmond ME! The only fact I know about Richmond is that my mother lived there in the early 70’s, and love it!
Ashley says
RICHMOND ME! Just that ya’ll live there.
GA says
Richmond me!
All I know about Richmond is it looks wonderful from what you guys share!
Rachael S says
RICHMOND ME!!
I don’t know anything about Richmond, that’s why I need to come visit!
Kim says
RICHMOND ME… I know that Patrick Henry gave his “Give me liberty or give me death” speech at St. John’s Church on E. Broad Street. I remember going there once with my grandfather :)
Stephanie says
Richmond Me! I know absolutely nothing about it, all the more reason for me to come visit!
Ashlyn says
Richmond me! I’ve never been to Virginia!
Su says
Richmond me! Richmond VA.
Brandi says
RICHMOND ME!! The chance to see and meet you two would be so fun, as well as all the goodies. One fact: hmmm, a dog named Burger lives there :) My sister and I would have a ball.
Maria L. says
RICHMOND ME!
Richmond fact: It’s an independent city- not part of any county or anything (thanks wikipedia! lol)
Karly says
Richmond Me! Fun fact – I had dinner at the Jefferson once with my then bf, now husband, which involved a mushroom soup. The mushrooms in the soup were so big, I ended up needing a knife and fork to eat them. For some reason, at the time, I was so embarrassed about “cutting” my soup.
Erin says
RICHMOND ME! After a super-stressful few months, we could SO use a trip. And this one sounds pretty amazing. Crossing all my fingers/ limbs!
shokufeh says
Richmond Me!
My aunt and uncle lived there when I was younger, but so young that I don’t really remember it. It would be great to be reacquainted :)
Amanda says
RICHMOND ME! In the spirit of the Jefferson: Did you know that alligators were kept in pools in the Palm Court of The Jefferson Hotel until the 1940s.
Sarah Kelly says
Richmond Me!! It is the capital of VA!!
Bridget Halsey says
Richmond Me….
Jackie says
Richmond Me! My fun fact is that Richmond is one of the first places where McDonalds rolled out its Chipotle brand of stores.
Terri says
Richmond me! Richmond is for lovers! Oh wait, that’s Virginia not Richmond!
Hawk says
RICHMOND ME! Holy crap, what an amazing gift package! Sad fact, I have never been but I googled a fun fact: “Over 1/2 the battles fought in the civil war were fought in Virginia. Over 2,200 of the 4,000 battles.” Isn’t that amazing? Can you tell how excited I would be to check out the museums (among everything else Richmond has to offer)!!?
Jaime says
RICHMOND ME!!!!
Richmond was the capital of the Confederate States during the Civil War.
Liz says
RICHMOND ME!
Love taking a drive down Monument Avenue and checking out the historic houses in the fan.
Lisa P. says
RICHMOND ME!
I have never visited Richmond but have driven through it several times…would love to visit!
Audra says
Richmond Me!!!!
Heather says
RICHMOND ME! Richmond is the home of the state fair! Gotta love deep fried carnival food!
BethS says
RICHMOND ME…I know you live there, if I was able to visit I’d know a lot more!
Lauren says
RICHMOND ME!
I know that Richmond is where Patrick Henry delivered his “Liberty or Death” speech! (Thank you, Wikipedia!) I am seriously flipping out over the chance to win this. What an amazing trip!