One Year Gone. Really?

A Whole New World

A year ago today, I began blogging. It's all I expected and more. I've met some of the most wonderful people and struck up friendships far and wide (like all the way around the world 'far and wide').  When I wrote this post last year at this time, I guess I had an inkling of what I'd be doing here. You see, for the most part I stuck to plan. Who knew? I wrote: 'It's certain that I will touch upon many subjects including, but not limited to: interior design, graphic design, gardening, writing, pr, food, art, advertising/marketing, and the good life in general.'

I'd also add to this list:

tutorials like 'make a paper star'

{still one of my favorites}

a good dose of creativity and crafting thanks to people like Kristen from Milo and Molly

hosting parties so others had a chance to promote themselves and so I could introduce followers to some truly talented people- a group of crafters.....artisans.....bloggers extraordinaire.

like Amy from Maison Decor.......

via maisondecor

and Cari Jane Hakes of Hybrid Handmade

via hybridhandmade

Falling into the category of the 'good life', I guess you can put 'nature' and 'free things'.  I have really enjoyed sharing sunset meadows, our walks with you, and fun free designs. 

What I'm trying to say, is it's been a really fun ride and I hope you'll stick around for the rest of the trip.  I'll be Thelma to your Louise, or vice versa.

Oh, I forgot to add one thing to the list, something I know you've all been waiting for...........GIVEAWAYS. I've been able to host some really fun giveaways. What? You want to know who won the giveaway to end all giveaways? The fantastically wonderful blogavesary giveaway?

First let me thank my sponsors again, because without them it wouldn't have been much of a giveaway. Give them a little of your time, would you? They're worth getting to know.

Kristen from MiloandMolly:  blog, twitter    

Duni from PeriDotbyDuni: blog

Angela from Garden and Sea: blog, twitter, pinterest

Paige from Little White Chapel: blog, twitter, pinterest , flickr

Bonnie from {PaperKeeper}: blog, twitter, facebook 

Leona from Lee'sWhimsy: facebook    

Amy from MaisonDecor: blog

Garrett (aka G-Man, Gar, dh) from Lia Artisan Concrete Designs: website

While we're on the subject of sponsors, I'm a lucky gal to have Large Rugs & Carpets on my team. If you're looking for....well it's kind of obvious.....a 'large rug or carpet' (wink wink), you must visit their site.....Personally I'm very fond of the Kermans.

Back to the giveaway. All I can say is this woman has the 'green thumb' of giveaway luck lately. In fact, she recently one a beautiful design by the lovely Ms. Cari Jane Hakes (jealous).  Today, she can count herself lucky again thanks to Rafflecopter (which by the way made this giveaway easy peasy from this end). The winner of my blogaversary giveaway, picked randomly by rafflecopter is...........Are you sitting down Leona?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you all SO very much for following along. A special shout out to the new people who found me via the giveaway- I look forward to getting to know you all better.

You'll never know how much it means to me that you're all here.

Freeform Friday

I know I've freeformed this before, but just because we had so much fun dancing to this and many other songs at the wedding last Saturday--

oh yes we did-

 and because it gets me in a 'hey, the weekend is here' kind of mood....get your scarf out and give me your best Jagger moves. Go on. Nobody is looking. I swear.

Another busy weekend ahead. The G-man and I will be celebrating our 24th Anniversary a little early (it's Monday but always fun to lengthen a celebration, don't you think?).  We'll probably enjoy dinner out, which always makes both of us happy. We will also be planting our garden. We are ridiculously late with that. It's been a crazy Spring between weather, going away to NYC, niece's wedding, etc. It just kept getting pushed off. I will also be spending time in the pool, which we are still playing 'cloudy' games with, but when it's this hot, I couldn't care less.

How about you? What's your weekend looking like?

Ciao for now,