One Year Anniversary, Plus A Giveaway

There are moments that can instantly change you life.  Then there are decisions that seem small but over time transform your life.  A year ago today I took a small step and wrote the inaugural Covet du Jour post.  To my amazement that step led me to the beautiful door of the interior design world.  I find myself at the threshold being greeted by endless possibilities.  Countless posts, pictures, and quotes later I am certain this is my place in the world. Wow, what tremendous satisfaction and joy that brings! 


Along this journey family, friends, fellow bloggers, designers, and readers have encouraged and inspired me. To show my gratitude and to welcome new CDJ members, every Wednesday in February will feature a design book giveaway!   There is no gift I  love to give (or receive) more than a book.  

This week's Covet du Jour Design Book Giveaway is...

Domino: The Book of Decoration; 

A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy

Whether you are a design pro or moving into your first apartment, this is a must have 

for any design library. 

To enter the giveaway, follow these rules: 

1.) You must register or be registered follower of Covet du Jour.

2.) To enter, comment on this post between today, Wednesday, February 1st  and Saturday, February 4th.  A winner will randomly be selected and announced on Monday (2/6).

3.) Do any or all of the following: (each worth an additional entry) 

• Share a link to this post on Facebook.  Return to Covet du Jour and let me know by posting another comment. 
• If you have a blog, share a link to this post.  Then return here and copy a link to your blog post in the comment section.
• Tweet about this giveaway post and add a comment below for another entry.

In addition to Wednesdays Design Book Giveaways, keep your eyes peeled for some exciting sponsored giveaways!  This year holds lots of surprises! 

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"Faith is the first step even when you don't see a whole staircase."  ~Martin Luther King

"A good library will never be too neat, or too dusty, because somebody will always be in it, taking books off the shelves and staying up late reading them." ~Lemony Snicket

Pity Party

Do you ever just have one of those days where nothing in particular goes wrong but you are still in a wretched mood?  Today I am sinking into a pond of self pity.  It's too early for a cocktail. I can't go to bed before nap time is over.  I could turn to chocolate but even that does not seem like the answer.  

It looks like the only solution is to remember what I am thankful for.  Maybe if I put it out there it will help? Here goes...

I am thankful for...

My amazingly patient and kind husband.

My adorable, funny, healthy boys, who make me smile everyday.

My sweet blind dog that still sees the world exactly the same.

Laughing.

Laughing at myself.

Making others laugh.

Laughing with friends and family.

Knowing I can turn to Botox and Restylane when the laugh lines get too bad.

Flowers.

Readers of CDJ.

The few moments in my life that are quite.

Reading stories while snuggling with my kids.

Being a stay-at-home mom (even though some days it's really difficult).

Having a passion for something and the courage to pursue it.  

The opportunity to spend much of my life by the water.

A really comfortable bed.

A walk on a beautiful day.

Great health insurance and modern day medicine.  

Rare moments of wisdom.

Finally believing "what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger."

Fresh herbs.

A glass of fantastic wine or bubbly.

A brand new coat of paint.

The smell of Autumn.

Talking to someone who understands what you've been through.

Christmas carols and anything associated with the magical season.

Great books.

The first snow.

The last snow.

Knowing that a part of me, albeit a very small part, believes everything works itself out.

I feel a little better.  What are you thankful for?

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” ~William Arthur Ward

Gratitude: Clayton Gray

Yesterday I was roaming around Clayton Gray Home's website and realized they have a blog.  Low and behold there was a post about Covet du Jour!!   (I mentioned some items they carry in my "Spring Fever" post.) Imagine my excitement...  It's like being a freshman invited to senior prom, but SO much better ;-)

Sharing your thoughts, taste, and words with the cyber world is rather intimidating.  You open yourself up for criticism or worse - being irrelevant.  Therefore, it's a tremendous honor that people take time out of their busy day to read CDJ and now someone actually wrote about it!  Granted, it's not a New York Times review, but I graciously accept it!  Plus I love Clayton Gray, today's Covet du Jour!  

I am in the mood to shop for a dining room.  Here is what I would select if Clayton Gray was furnishing the space: 

Mirror

Chandelier 

Table

Rug

Chair

Bar Cart

The only other things I would need are a breakfront, paint or wallpaper, fabric for the chairs and drapes.  (Plus a few personal accessories and some art.) 

This Windsor Smith Breakfront perhaps?

Maybe this fabric for the seat cushions...

And how about these luxurious drapes (by Windsor Smith)

I can't seem to make up my mind for the walls - paper or paint...  That's the beauty of pretend - you can stop when you don't have the answer.

Thanks again Clayton Gray!!

Cheers!

Elizabeth

PS - You still have through Friday to enter the giveaway.  Just become a follower and comment on the MMC Giveaway post

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson