Thanks Paris Hotel Boutique!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZSL8YK7tAMWyy4jg11wRqv8WGRouZxAEB8tUcz3URxgoupN7iETp22WPKEn2XFEH5rwRef-LS29djUh6ASA-psU1n3Gy0DHINLv6Svzy1OF5CGAlIAh2snbxHzso1H7LhERmH_PyVTs/s1600/Hotel+Silver.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616792916831407970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZSL8YK7tAMWyy4jg11wRqv8WGRouZxAEB8tUcz3URxgoupN7iETp22WPKEn2XFEH5rwRef-LS29djUh6ASA-psU1n3Gy0DHINLv6Svzy1OF5CGAlIAh2snbxHzso1H7LhERmH_PyVTs/s400/Hotel+Silver.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I have long been an admirer of the online retailer <a href="http://www.parishotelboutique.com/">Paris Hotel Boutique</a>. When <a href="http://www.cotedetexas.blogspot.com/">Cote de Texas</a> offered a giveaway of two of their items I jumped at the chance to register!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NFhieS56b2caLf93l30m7xGWYmcm-NB4UXED_S4DW8lWaKBI2UmVh37gnHIZvmMGzq6DY9Ln-tuaXokv-lIWcP9aJxjJ47HbWt9uLXlCcFVouxEHjtZGm37U8fkFDdVAqBxfajE8G2k/s1600/Paris+Boutique+Hotel.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616792912195018498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NFhieS56b2caLf93l30m7xGWYmcm-NB4UXED_S4DW8lWaKBI2UmVh37gnHIZvmMGzq6DY9Ln-tuaXokv-lIWcP9aJxjJ47HbWt9uLXlCcFVouxEHjtZGm37U8fkFDdVAqBxfajE8G2k/s400/Paris+Boutique+Hotel.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I was so excited when I actually won! I chose an antique silver dish marked from the Alexander Young hotel. It's so incredibly heavy, beautiful and pretty large too!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR-GnOL7LB58IfjhOGizLbmUv1wrtfaL1Ft3KmzrVkIAB8RHNWWLll9pvcB_gMXjHmced0VB2sMVo6U1Byci8h6lBAr_x7NsWFfT5MexY3prNh8EtGR5ZS3f7T7cHRXVoPy7mumkn1Rg/s1600/antique+postcard.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616792904113300146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR-GnOL7LB58IfjhOGizLbmUv1wrtfaL1Ft3KmzrVkIAB8RHNWWLll9pvcB_gMXjHmced0VB2sMVo6U1Byci8h6lBAr_x7NsWFfT5MexY3prNh8EtGR5ZS3f7T7cHRXVoPy7mumkn1Rg/s400/antique+postcard.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I'm happy to report that the item arrived well-packaged and extremely quick. I plan on adding the company to my list of retailers I check out on a regular basis. You never know who you are buying from in online auctions so it's nice to know this is a reputable online dealer.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ujxiO2WnnCnhe8H8KuHw5JW7-LE0wwtR4UpUe8d3xWDILRRninL3fG0HNVJe8NGycSBLboUuoKAPEq9DFCSi0TLFwNrLsjFi6YH3a2S0AaGVX0qTFpm3GrFllnXbO5cAIpHpgzZt0S0/s1600/coffee+table.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616792896431344978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ujxiO2WnnCnhe8H8KuHw5JW7-LE0wwtR4UpUe8d3xWDILRRninL3fG0HNVJe8NGycSBLboUuoKAPEq9DFCSi0TLFwNrLsjFi6YH3a2S0AaGVX0qTFpm3GrFllnXbO5cAIpHpgzZt0S0/s400/coffee+table.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> For now I have the dish living on my coffee table where it really has become the star! Thanks to Joni and also to Paris Hotel Boutique!!</div></div></div>

Thanks Paris Hotel Boutique!

I have long been an admirer of the online retailer Paris Hotel Boutique . When Cote de Texas offered a giveaway of two of their items I ju...

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Ramsign Giveaway

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLxz_XoCddkHAMEf0mpYZDepgqW1K6TClHhqCZhp5SFdlZgF3caPjmiNPlu4Qyrksmhyn6y4dj85TnxQY58xQfDoOtljFVxw3Uv4kWUS__dDvKcf_qUiK4QR_hlbjRdUdhv87aRZhXM8/s1600/ramsign.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612864310393165570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLxz_XoCddkHAMEf0mpYZDepgqW1K6TClHhqCZhp5SFdlZgF3caPjmiNPlu4Qyrksmhyn6y4dj85TnxQY58xQfDoOtljFVxw3Uv4kWUS__dDvKcf_qUiK4QR_hlbjRdUdhv87aRZhXM8/s400/ramsign.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 377px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Much like jewelry on a beautiful woman, the right accessory on a house can really pull an entire look or design together. Details matter!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj682yubyf_M_NZuzp6pUeWGefQgRl2lhJy83dlF125ChtDkp7RHRdRCxzELfmc1p0paiyAin1FfRJr5O44rLXgmLejsSBNN-abj9OHdwTBIrH2VB3knnBXUwn0wqv2Rp5tP3aCdPY6PH0/s1600/house+number.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612864303349682578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj682yubyf_M_NZuzp6pUeWGefQgRl2lhJy83dlF125ChtDkp7RHRdRCxzELfmc1p0paiyAin1FfRJr5O44rLXgmLejsSBNN-abj9OHdwTBIrH2VB3knnBXUwn0wqv2Rp5tP3aCdPY6PH0/s400/house+number.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 344px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><a href="http://www.ramsign.com/">Ramsign</a>, a small Danish company that has been producing porcelain enamel house signs for years has generously offered to give a house number plaque to a lucky reader here on <a href="http://interior-design-pictures.blogspot.com/">ArchitectDesign</a>.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0h8bV0ceuZAI1WIATiElYkK-kzjDLZfwlCzKxH_lj3wfEQu4X4j548qADwqc3JDBHgJsLJjgEEfNKWdkk0vOrCpplgW7VBL8m8juEQEh3E9_yWDiKW7Z2hcQgodWwPQfuzX9KjI0DMBs/s1600/ramsign_%25283%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612864299507915890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0h8bV0ceuZAI1WIATiElYkK-kzjDLZfwlCzKxH_lj3wfEQu4X4j548qADwqc3JDBHgJsLJjgEEfNKWdkk0vOrCpplgW7VBL8m8juEQEh3E9_yWDiKW7Z2hcQgodWwPQfuzX9KjI0DMBs/s400/ramsign_%25283%2529.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 314px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>The winner will be selected on Wednesday, June 8th in celebration of my birthday! <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612864292903102834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-O5JI9xKgRNhX0bQcY9p48JekeSB9iId1GkRmKAt0_BHytyoOcZXVW-GOQwTPjB1bosdsmTUD2MJ5qJObgBUg-tucQyW9LG5mn3cn7vempiieYMeKewZYCcn5fmgvNTpE4aK0cvXBpNY/s400/ramsign+2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />To enter, simply leave a comment saying which house number you would pick if you won. Receive 1 extra entry for posting a link to the giveaway on twitter or facebook. <strong>Good luck!</strong></div><br /><div><strong>p.s.This giveaway is international,</strong> so don't hesitate to enter!</div></div>

Ramsign Giveaway

Much like jewelry on a beautiful woman, the right accessory on a house can really pull an entire look or design together. Details matter! R...

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The season of second chances

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ3TrWiNHvUafjhLuYFQEUuJAmMTEQVKepsKTqmifais7DtBBwdxWD7xDeimU76KPclzpF-hhXsjFMQhm18Ipkw9BmKup5TYOIdJB2xElq7Yml-jF4noa0pIxAQtI0jm3aMkbJfFrmN8/s1600/DianeMeier.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603065779007201954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ3TrWiNHvUafjhLuYFQEUuJAmMTEQVKepsKTqmifais7DtBBwdxWD7xDeimU76KPclzpF-hhXsjFMQhm18Ipkw9BmKup5TYOIdJB2xElq7Yml-jF4noa0pIxAQtI0jm3aMkbJfFrmN8/s400/DianeMeier.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 359px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Recently, I was asked to review a copy of <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Season-Second-Chances-Novel/dp/0312674112/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304566749&sr=8-1">The Season of Second Chances</a></em> by Diane Meier which just came out in paperback. I wasn't really sure what to expect but the premise from her PR group really sounded up my alley. A middle aged college professor decides to take a chance by moving to a small town from NYC to begin a new chapter in her career and renovating an old Victorian house. I figured if I didn't like the book, I wouldn't be out on much, right?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8aeuIe2Gn7fCx36O8Ym28QfXv9W8Blyk7jDIAq3TBKPYmA1uOT812g2bdumFrPq71ZoPFBKEVDYeIMZlwDYtY7lD8rCzL02HvXgRYpj3Z9gBoWy1crnEbPxPjcqhM2P3yO0KQych-A8/s1600/second+chances.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603065773198550114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8aeuIe2Gn7fCx36O8Ym28QfXv9W8Blyk7jDIAq3TBKPYmA1uOT812g2bdumFrPq71ZoPFBKEVDYeIMZlwDYtY7lD8rCzL02HvXgRYpj3Z9gBoWy1crnEbPxPjcqhM2P3yO0KQych-A8/s400/second+chances.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 365px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> After a slightly bumpy start (mostly because I don't read much fiction) I quickly became engrossed and found Meier and I spoke the same language. Within the first dozen pages, a haircut was described as a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxfield_Parrish">Maxfield Parrish </a>mural, a hotel was compared to the namesake in the Astaire/Crosby movie "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Inn-Special-Bing-Crosby/dp/B000I0QL82/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304566247&sr=8-1">Holiday Inn</a>" and when house shopping in a small town as opposed to a rural area she wrote,</div><br /><br /><div><em>"Lets go there - now! My heart ran ahead. Let's leave the arena of wild bear and rabid raccoon and crazy men with axes, for the safety and comfort of a neighborhood, for the aroma of blueberry pies cooling on the kitchen windowsills, for little front yards and the idea of biking to work. The concept of biking to work should have given me the hint that I was getting carried away. And why was it priced so far below all that we'd seen, and what did she mean by "white elephant"? "</em> </div><br /><br /><div>From this passage on, I was hooked. Don't ask me why it took me 9 pages-did I hear a bit of myself in her voice? I would recommend this book to anyone and to pass along the pleasure, I'm giving away my copy of the book (free to me, free to you). Please live in the United States and leave a comment by Sunday, May 8th (Mothers day!). I will notify the winner and send it off immediately so you can hopefully enjoy it as much as I did. Good luck!</div>

The season of second chances

Recently, I was asked to review a copy of The Season of Second Chances by Diane Meier which just came out in paperback. I wasn't reall...

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first entry!

The first entry for favorite china is from my friend at <a href="http://pvedesign.blogspot.com/">PVE</a>! She writes<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185114312713207874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF77ign_WrTAzNDmFDfMjoCJABnyhC0aaaw8CQ8xfBbn8vNDXYFxXnI4R4b6LzDrFHlKUACRiLPAS0-ZVTZmpOZQrUOjv0W5o00kQxjqLutEAzFhQUwYlr7iIz6mIfKsqdmwlYRBitmhU/s400/white-plain-table-setting-jpg.ashx_1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>the all white</em><br /><br /><div></div><div><em>Attached, my everyday china is Royal Copenhagen china, white plain, and we have used it everyday for nearly 20 years! I love the shape and white looks good with everything.<br />I also have the Blue Half Lace and love it, just a few pieces, not an entire set, but I have picked up some over the years at sales for a song. I love it with white or color, solid yellow, pale pink, red, or silver. I love anything Royal Copenhagen, take a look at the site, now I love also all black shine which is chic.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185114308418240546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIR-oMiEN7rzoIHmP9QsDI2f8vBiBMZm36XbAZ8xtzrjKMCY0RmlH-IDUtbnTKlKWe5yMZcKUW6gmSrYI1QyGaDXyWVfu2GhZYNU7fYcBa_o-2dvrpAtYjrZ8COCwOfmu8VC79pjhY72I/s400/blue-fluted-half-lace-jpg.ashx.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></em></div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185114312713207858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxYBq0kIsz13ZgrieMH6_840-Rr65D50IPVUy2kmqLDawpqoMi94ZywufgznqlxSWbSTux_yoc4ZcfEMh0rl4FiIhI43W30hmS_LDRpBbBLOg9vMZqgwDr5QA3eGAQ75tNP8_hKPidZI/s400/RYbf-5pc_s.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I've always loved this blue and white pattern as well! Like she mentions it mixes so well with other pieces so is a fun one for mixing and matching. I have a teacup in this pattern but really don't have much blue & white -i need to work on that!

first entry!

The first entry for favorite china is from my friend at PVE ! She writes the all white Attached, my everyday china is Royal Copenhagen china...

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