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!!!

Hello my friends!

Today is the day!!! The day to announce the winner of Happy To Design's one year anniversary...."Celebration Giveaway"!!!

However, before doing so...I would just like to thank all of you! Thank you for your friendship...thank you for your support and encouragement...and thank you for following Happy To Design!!! This past year has been such a glorious experience for me...I have loved every minute of the journey!!! Thank you, my friends...I love you dearly!!! I am really looking forward to "year two"...getting to know you better and making some new friends along the way!!!

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"Celebration Giveaway"

In celebration of my one year anniversary, I wanted to do something special...so I ordered two more copies of books that I already had in my design library. The first book is called, "The Art of Accessorizing" written by Christi Carter and the second book is called, "English Country" written by Julie Fowler. Both of these books are excellent reads...with so many fabulous photos and so many helpful hints!

I was overwhelmed and so touched by all of the comments and well wishes that you left on my "Celebration Giveaway" post! Thank you...thank you...thank you so very much!!!

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There were 64 of you lovely people to enter the giveaway.

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I gave you an opportunity for more than just one entry...one entry point for your comment left on that post...a second entry point if you are a follower of Happy To Design...and a third entry point if you posted about the "Celebration Giveaway" on your blog. Many of you took advantage and had three entries in the giveaway...I just love it!!!

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Okay....are you ready?...shall we see who the lucky winner is?
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My honey did the "honors"....
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And the winner is....

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Melissa from Melissa's Heart and Home!!!

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Congratulations Melissa!!! I hope that you enjoy your two design books!!!

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Again...I want to thank each and every one of you!!! You are all such a joy and blessing to me...sure wished that I could give each one of you a special gift...you all mean so much to me!!! Thank you for making this such a memorable year for me!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari

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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