Happy To Design

August...A Time To Celebrate!!!
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Hello my friends!

Yeeehawww...I am C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-I-N-G!!!

Celebrating what?...you ask. Well my friends...I am celebrating the one year anniversary of Happy To Design!!!

Yes...it was in August of 2008...this month, one year ago, that I started this blog and posted my very first blog post! This past year has been such an exciting journey for me! Blogging has been a tremendous experience...I have learned so much!!! My computer skills have definitely improved (Hehe!)...and I have gained so much knowledge in so many different areas of life! Not only has my humble little home been the beneficiary of the creative and talented ideas of my fellow bloggers but I myself...have been so enriched by the kindness...love...and support of you!!! I have met some of the dearest, sweetest, most generous...caring, funny people right here in Blogland!!! Yep...I'm talkin' bout' you!!! It has been such a pleasure to meet all of you!!!

Thank You...Thank You...Thank You...for sharing your ideas...your talents...your homes...and yourself with me!!! Today, I am a better person because of YOU!!!

Sooooo...in celebration of my one year anniversary...I would like to do a "Celebration Giveaway! It is just one little way that I hope to show my appreciation for your friendship and faithful following of this little blog!

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Celebration Giveaway!!!
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Celebration Giveaway

I love interior design books!!! Thanks to my dear friend Susan over at Between Naps On The Porch...I started my very own library! I have read many different interior design authors...and have been so inspired by all the beauty that unfolds on a page made of mere paper. Ohhhh....and there's nothing like curling up in my big ol' easy chair with a cup of coffee and enjoying a good design book!

I have several favorites...but one of my most favorite books is "The Art of Accessorizing" written by Christi Carter. I have learned so much about how to accessorize my home from this book! So I sent off for another copy of this book...just for my Celebration Giveaway. I am also including a second book called, "English Country" written by Julie Fowler. Ooooh...this is really a yummy book...just full of eye candy!
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Book #1

"The Art of Accessorizing"

by Christi Carter
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The Art of Accessorizing

Synopsis:

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Introduction: The Four-step process

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Chapter One: Wall Decor - Lesson 1: Building a symmetrical wall arrangement. Lesson 2: Asymmetrical balance.

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Chapter Two: Signature Accessories - Lesson 1: Building a tabletop display. Lesson 2: Beautiful bookshelves. Lesson 3: One coffee table four ways. Lesson 4: Accessorizing a kitchen hutch. Lesson 5: Before-and-after cabinet display. Lesson 6: Step-by-step shelf arranging.

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Chapter Three: Flowers and Foliage - Lesson 1: Quick seasonal changes. Lesson 2: Dressing the dining table. Lesson 3: Before-and-after plantscaping.

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Chapter Four: Ambience - Lesson 1: Decorating with lamplight. Lesson 2: The power of fragrance.

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A few page excerpts for your viewing pleasure. Hehe!
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I can guarantee that you will just love all 192pp. of this fabulous (hardcover) book!!! Just a note: this is the book that taught me how to put a vignette together!

Book #2
"English Country" by Julie Fowler

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Amazon.com Review:
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Suffused with warm honey tones, age-darkened woods, blue-and-white patterns, floral-print fabrics, and lots of fresh flowers, the rooms in this lovely book exude the elegant "crumble-down look" that is the hallmark of English country style. In four short but fairly informative chapters, the volume surveys exteriors and gardens, general living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms, and bedrooms and bathrooms. The actual text is extremely brief (just a page or so in each chapter summing up basic characteristics of each type of room or area), but extended captions for the attractive photos discuss all the specifics, many of which can easily be extrapolated to provide ideas for the reader's own home. --Amy Handy
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I just love this book about English country...it is written and illustrated beautifully! I just know that you are going to enjoy all 96pp of this hardcover book!!!
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Entering the "Celebration Giveaway"...
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To enter this giveaway just leave a comment on this post! The giveaway will start today and end on Wednesday, August 26th. I will announce the winner on Thursday, August 27th!
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I will count your comment as one entry...however, if you are a follower of Happy To Design or wish to become a follower...I will count that as a second entry! You can even earn a third entry point by posting my little "Celebration Giveaway" photo on your blog...telling about this giveaway!!! Okay...there you have it...you can gain up to 3 entries for this giveaway!
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Just a little note: It would be really helpful to me...when counting all the giveaway entries...if you'll let me know in your comment if you're a follower or have become a follower...also if you have posted about this giveaway on your blog! Sheeeshhh...I'm gettin' old and it doesn't take much to confuse me!!! Hehe!!!
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Speaking of getting old...I'm also celebrating my birthday today!!! WOW...a double blessing...celebrating my blog birthday and my birthday all on the same day!!!
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Well my friends...as I'm counting the candles on my cake today...I'm also counting my blessings and you are one of them!!!
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Love ya'll,
Chari