Four Months and Counting - It's Giveaway Time!

Today it's been exactly four months since my first ever post on According to Annika. It blows me away that so many people have found their way here during this time - I can't even tell you how glad I am I decided to start this blog! THANK YOU SO MUCH for continuing to stop by!

Enough sweet-talking, let's get straight to it: how would you feel about strolling around wearing this spectacular parka? Oh, you wouldn't mind? Good. Because Sofie, the designer behind the amazing Swedish brand Sofifi is kind enough to give one away!

I've had the pleasure of knowing Sofie since way back in 2004, which actually makes her one of my oldest friends. We became friends while we were both living in Shanghai, China. Back then, she was already one of the most inspiring, ambitious and energetic people I had ever met, and she definitely hasn't become any less so in the eight years since.

But the fact that my Sofifi pieces are some of my absolute favorites in my wardrobe (I've lost track of how many times I've worn this amazing leather jacket on the blog!) has nothing to do with the fact that Sofie herself is a friend of mine. I actually remember the first time she invited me over to her apartment to see and try on some of her designs - my gosh, I was so nervous! It always freaks me out when a friend wants to play me a song they recorded, show me a painting they made or a book they wrote, or any other creative attempt they wish to share. What if I don't like it? Or, God forbid, what if I hate it? Of course I could just lie to be kind, but that doesn't seem fair, either. When a friend puts everything on the line to become a designer, and asks for my opinion - isn't it somehow my obligation to tell her what I truly think?

Luckily, it has never, ever had to come to that. It seems like my friends have been pretty accurate at realizing what their talents are! That first time I got to try on Sofie's designs, I was entirely blown away - by the luxurious materials and the beautiful shapes, but most of all, by the fact that I felt, well, sexy in them. I wasn't wearing any make up and had my unwashed hair pulled back in a sloppy ponytail, but it didn't matter - I felt like I had the word "bombshell" written all over me! But to be clear, I'm not talking "trashy" sexy. (Not that trashy sexy can't be hot, too!) I'm talking about a classy, elegant, feminine, empowered sexiness. Let me tell you, very few clothes have the ability to make me feel that way.


Sofie! What did you have in mind while designing this gorgeous parka?

- I was imagining what a sensual hip hop dancer would want to wear! I wanted to create something sporty yet at the same time glamorous. A piece that can be worn every day, but that you wouldn't mind throwing on when going to a fancy party.

Why do I always feel like a sexy, powerful woman as soon as I put on your clothes?

- Haha, I'm so glad that you do! Well, I design my pieces for an intelligent, sophisticated and confident woman who love her curves and wants to dress to flatter and accentuate her figure, instead of trying to hide it. Wearing Sofifi should be wearing a feeling. A dress should be able to enhance, embellish and make the eye of the beholder eager to know more… That is why every design has a unique and special tale to tell.

Who would you most love to see wearing your design?

- Anyone who fits - or wishes to fit - the description above! If I should pick four famous women I truly admire, that would have to be Lady Gaga, Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie and Michelle Obama.

A huge thank to Sofie for sponsoring this giveaway!

So, to celebrate the four month anniversary of According to Annika, a Sofifi parka (retail price 290 EUR/400 USD) will be sent home to one of you who take time out of your busy days to visit this blog.

As usual, not too much work is required to enter:

1) Like According to Annika on Facebook and become a Google Friend Connect follower...

2) ...like Sofifi on Facebook...

3) ...and write a comment to tell me you've entered. Be sure to include your e-mail address so I can contact you if you're the lucky winner!

(I was planning on making some sort of justkiddingnotreally-joke about how you need to vote for me for the 2011 Blog Awards to enter, but I realized that's probably considered cheating... Well, I'd still love it if you would!)

Oh, and one more thing. If you care to tell your friends about this giveaway through your Facebook, Twitter or your blog, you're given extra entries. Just write another comment and tell me where you've shared a link to this post, and that comment will count as a new entry!