After writing this first post about eShakti, an online store that offers customizable clothing in an array of sizes and styles, their marketing department contacted me and asked if I'd like to do a review of their site.  To be honest, I could barely contain my excitement!  They sent me a dress similar to this one, but as you can see,  mine is mustard instead of canary yellow.


The things I like about the dress:  For the most part, I absolutely adore the dress.  It's made of cotton satin, which is light, machine washable, and has a subtle sheen.  {It's also not as wrinkly as it looks -- it was very windy outside the day these pictures were taken.}  It's fully lined, which I love, and of very good quality.  The details are truly beautiful; I especially love the way the pleats around the neckline and the empire waist give me an hourglass figure.  I plan on wearing it almost constantly.

The things I like about their site:  Although I have touched on some of these points before, I wanted to mention again the amazing policies that eShakti has, including the fact that all styles are available in all sizes {0 - 26W} at all times.  All orders {even custom orders} ship within three days, and even custom orders are returnable.  New visitors to their site can receive a $15 gift card, just for registering.  Truly, a very customer-friendly store.

The one thing I dislike:  The item description stated that my dress had a cap sleeve, but when I received it, it was more like a very wide strap.  In general, the website offers several ways to customize each item, but little information as to what those customizations actually mean.  For example, I wish that they had more specific descriptions {and pictures} of how the sleeve types differed from one another, and that each product page linked to that information.  If you plan to buy from their website, and you're unsure of how you would like to customize an item, I would suggest calling their customer service number and asking.

And now, I'm pleased to announce my first-ever giveaway!!  One lucky reader will win $40 in gift cards to spend at eShakti!

Rules:  Each entry to the giveaway must be in the form of a comment.  The winner will be determined by giving each entry a number and using random.org to select the winning number.  Anyone can enter, and everyone has eight opportunities to enter.  Just comment below {one entry per comment}, and be sure to include your first and last name and a valid email address so I can contact you if you win.

Mandatory entry:

• Visit eShakti and leave a comment, telling me your favorite item from their site.

Bonus entries:

• Become a follower of my blog, and comment to let me know {or let me know you're already a follower of my blog}.
• Post about the giveaway on your blog, and comment with a link to the post.
• Facebook or Tweet about the giveaway, and comment with your username.
• Become a fan of my blog on Facebook, and comment to let me know.
• Add my blog to your blogroll, and comment with a link to your blog.
• Become a fan of eShakti on Facebook, and comment to let me know}.
• Follow eShakti on Twitter, and comment to let me know.

Note:  If you comment more than eight times, or leave invalid or irrelevant comments, your comments will be deleted and you will no longer be eligible to win.  If your comment is selected as the winning comment, but your e-mail address is invalid or you don't respond to my e-mail within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.

This giveaway will end Sunday, March 7th, at Midnight {ESTime}.  Thank you all, and good luck!