Whiling Away the Winter Days...

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!

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I just wanted to check in with everyone today since it has been a few days since I last posted!

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The long winter days often find me curled up in my big ol' easy chair...a cup of hot coffee in hand...and a few of my favorite interior design books to keep me company. I have been meandering through the pages of a few of my favorite design books...looking for a little inspiration for my home's winter decor. Ahhh...one of my favorite ways to spend a winter's day!

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Soooo...I have spent a bit of time this past week doing a little redecorating...trying to fill in the empty void left after putting Christmas away! I thought I would share a couple of "teaser" photos of what I've been doing in my little french country dining room. Hopefully I will be able to share more of my dining room's new winter decor with you next Monday...so stay tuned! Hehe!
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A new table centerpiece for my dining room table.

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Belle Inspiration Magazine

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Yesterday, the February/March issue of Belle Inspiration (E-Magazine) came out! I am sooo excited to have another article and photo spread in this issue!
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"Beloved Valentine"...(Feb/March issue)
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And...I was extremely surprised that Belle Inspiration used one of my "Beloved Valentine" photos for their magazine cover! I squealed with delight when I seen it! I feel sooo honored!

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If you would like to see more of "Beloved Valentine" you can order a subscription to Belle Inspiration E-Magazine...HERE. This issue is brimming over with so many fabulous stories and beautiful photos!!!
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Well my friends...I'm so glad that you stopped by today! Don't forget about the Sunday Favorites repost party...Mr.Linky will be up and ready to go 6pm tonight! See you there!!!

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Warmest Winter Wishes!

An Autumn Evening by Candlelight

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!
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I am sooo very excited! As many of you know, we have a brand new, online E-Magazine called...Belle Inspiration! This fabulous French publication is the brain-child of our very own Mimi Bleu of Bonjour Romance blog. Mimi and her team of talented editors has successfully created one of the most beautiful magazines ever!!! Belle Inspiration covers a multitude of topics...including articles on interior design, fashion, art, travel, cooking, etc. The very first...premier edition...of Belle Inspiration came out on September 15th. Ohhh my...what "eye candy"! I spent several days just devouring each and every article! A few of our favorite bloggers have feature articles in the premier issue...Rhonda of Blue Creek Home blog and Yvonne of StoneGable blog...to name just a few. Ohhhh...and these ladies are sooo talented!!!

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and now...

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Belle Inspiration's "Holiday Issue" has arrived!
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My BIG news...I have an article in the Holiday issue! Okay...can you hear me squealing and doing my "happy dance"? Hehe! Seriously, I feel so very honored that I was asked to be a part of Belle Inspiration! It's really a "dream come true" for me! Thank you, Belle Inspiration!!!

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~An Autumn Evening...Candlelight Dinner for Two~
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* My article is titled, "An Autumn Evening...Candlelight Dinner for Two". I share the "how to's" of creating a special tablescape. So today, I thought I would share a couple of photo snippets from the article as well as a few extra photos of my autumn fireplace mantel. I hope that you enjoy!!!
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My fireplace mantel in the living room...all dressed up for autumn.
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Ahhh...abundant and bountiful autumn!
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Autumn foliage...fruit of the vine...and pheasants.
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An Autumn Evening by Candlelight...
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A romantic candlelight dinner for two.
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Well my friends...I hope that I whet your appetite for more!
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You'll have to check out Belle Inspiration for the full show! Wink!
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You can get your subscription to Belle Inspiration HERE.
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The Holiday Issue really is fabulous...it is 265 pages of pure delight!!!
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I am joining these fabulous parties...
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Tablescape Thursday...hosted by Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch.
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Show & Tell Friday...hosted by Cindy over at My Romantic Home.
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A Few of my Favorite Things Saturday...hosted by Laurie over at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie.
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Thank you Susan, Cindy, and Laurie...for hosting these fabulous parties for us to enjoy!!!
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Well my friends, I hope that you enjoyed my Autumn Evening by Candlelight! Thank you sooo much for letting me share my excitement with you!!! Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here...I would love to visit with you!
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Warmest Autumn Wishes!

Celebrating La Joie De Vivre...and the Winner Is?

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!

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I'm celebrating! I'm celebrating la joie de vivre!!!

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Yes...I am celebrating the joy of life! Life is great and I am soooo blessed!

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The Lord has certainly blessed me! I have a roof over my head, food in the cupboard, my health and most importantly...a sweet, loving family and many cherished friends!!! Yes...I am celebrating the joy of life!!!

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I am celebrating a couple of blogging milestones as well. In August, Happy To Design turned two! My two year blogaversary...who would have thought! Hehe! I am also celebrating my 500+followers! And I have to tell ya...that just blows me away!!! The past two years have been a fabulous journey! I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! Many heart-felt thank you's to each and everyone of you, sweet friends! I count you as one of my greatest blessings!!!
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Yesterday another milestone was made...the premier edition of Belle Inspiration E-Magazine made its debut! I have been really exited about this new publication and when the first issue arrived in my email yesterday...I was doin' my happy dance! Ohhh my goodness...its just "dripping" with sweetness! So many fabulous photos, interesting articles...it certainly lives up to its name...Belle Inspiration!!!
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Soooo...in celebration of all the many joys in my life...I decided to do a giveaway! I am giving a gift subscription to the brand new Belle Inspiration E-Magazine! (You can read all about it in my last post if you'd like). All you needed to do was leave a comment on that post.

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At midnight...September 16th...I used that "random number generator" thingy to choose a winner. There were 18 comments...and the lucky number drawn was...#13!
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The 13th comment was left by Pattie over at "On Hollyhock Farm"!

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Congratulations, sweet lady!!! I will need your email so that your year's subscription can be delivered to you! I just know that you are going to really enjoy Belle Inspiration!!!
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Well my friends...thank you so much for all of your sweet notes and well wishes that you left for me yesterday! They mean so much to me!!! I'm looking forward to another year of blogging and spending time with YOU!!!

The Countdown Begins...Belle Inspiration!

Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!
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Ohhh my goodness...I am soooo excited!!!

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Why?...you ask. Well let me tell you!
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Tomorrow, September 15th...the very first edition of Belle Inspiration E-Magazine will be here!!!
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Belle Inspiration is the "brain-child" of my very dear friend, Mimi of Bonjour Romance blog. Mimi is a very creative and talented lady...not to mention...just one of the sweetest ladies that you could ever meet! She resides in one of the greatest...most romantic...cities in all the world...PARIS! Can you just imagine the articles that Belle Inspiration will host? I picture romantic places, interesting people, fabulous homes, decorating ideas, recipes...well I think you get the picture! Belle Inspiration is "Celebrating La Joie De Vivre"...or...celebrating the joy of life! Just as this brand new magazine touts...it will be your online "escape"!

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I just happen to know that a few of our favorite bloggers will be contributing to this fabulous new magazine...such as Yvonne from Stone Gable and Rhonda from Blue Creek Home, and MOI...yours truly! Hehe! Yes...I am very excited about being featured in Belle Inspiration's November issue!!!
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In fact, I have decided to host a little giveaway in celebration!!!

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I'm celebrating La joie de vivre!

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In August, Happy To Design celebrated its 2nd year blogging anniversary

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...and...

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My humble, little blog has reached a following of 500+ followers!
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I am amazed...and stand in "awe" of all you, dear friends! You are the ones that have made this possible for me! I am so very grateful to have met each and every one of you sweet bloggers!!! You have enriched my life in ways that you could never realize! Many heart-felt thank you's to each of you!!!
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The gift...a years subscription to Belle Inspiration! It is just one little way that I can give back all the joy that you have given me, dear friends!
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Just leave a comment on this post...you know the drill! Hehe! I will use the random generator to choose the lucky recipient tomorrow...September 15th...just in time for the premier edition!
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For more information about this fabulous new E-Magazine...Belle Inspiration...and to get your subscription... just click HERE.

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Sending my very best wishes and heart-felt congratulations to Mimi and Belle Inspiration!!! Love ya, Girlfriend!!!
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Have a wonderful and blessed day, sweet friends!!!