Back from #BlogTourLA!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKuEUKN2JgVsFakFa8CD4JvBHTEWbl2MJyjMCLcy7anGh9H9CadJrGaxcBMhBwd6Bygt-WHsgaoFX5R9eT9zJm9hBiqo-On-lnRPsg8DZzEPpdHfQmUyoAmm4DRLkIJCLooz3FxZrWDAK/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-09+at+12.11.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKuEUKN2JgVsFakFa8CD4JvBHTEWbl2MJyjMCLcy7anGh9H9CadJrGaxcBMhBwd6Bygt-WHsgaoFX5R9eT9zJm9hBiqo-On-lnRPsg8DZzEPpdHfQmUyoAmm4DRLkIJCLooz3FxZrWDAK/s800/Screen+shot+2013-10-09+at+12.11.08+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://instagram.com/p/fE6L_mnshJ/">#BlogTourLA Instagram photo courtesy Veronika Miller of Modenus</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am just about getting over my souvenir jet lag from my recent trip to southern California via <a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/interiordesign/blogtour-los-angeles-meet-the-bloggers">#BlogTourLA.</a> Our exclusive tour of the LA design scene was both creatively inspiring and mentally relaxing – the ultimate laid-back West Coast get away! I arrived back in Boston late Sunday night and was surprised at home with a fresh bottle of Sauvignon Blanc chilling on the dining room table, set next to a dish piled high with Cheez-It crackers (my boys – and husband – know me so well!) While I sort through five days worth of BlogTour photos, <a href="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/designer/Design_Blog/2013/10/how_to_help_yourcli.html">here is a link</a> to my first guest post written for Williams-Sonoma Designer Marketplace that went online while I was away. By blogger coincidence (as in there are no coincidences?) I got to spend the week with another blog writer in the WS Designer Marketplace roster, <a href="http://www.encoredecorblog.com/">Mindy Miles Greenberg</a>, a New York based designer who pens Encore Decor (seen in the picture above with me on the left and <a href="http://www.brightbazaarblog.com/">Will Taylor</a> of the UK blog Bright.Bazaar on the right).</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWrq-GlIRwgJ6ZmAUmPV63PFN0-YfLUyFuEmR6LtwGG8p0ce8s0sCoCx2KIFaon97PArBLsfUDz9nDDXOYiKpCFC5VPxYxMoBICQWPIgoJBznh4UQcw6D18Fu9d87s0xcmcVTvH3TUff3/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-08+at+11.59.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWrq-GlIRwgJ6ZmAUmPV63PFN0-YfLUyFuEmR6LtwGG8p0ce8s0sCoCx2KIFaon97PArBLsfUDz9nDDXOYiKpCFC5VPxYxMoBICQWPIgoJBznh4UQcw6D18Fu9d87s0xcmcVTvH3TUff3/s800/Screen+shot+2013-10-08+at+11.59.46+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>before and after photo credits: Yvonne Blacker Interiors</i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/designer/Design_Blog/2013/10/how_to_help_yourcli.html">– read the full post here –</a></i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bvF9-MyMCBzgIwMoLU6-FDRrAvmE6WSK451cBAxdEDrh-lAoA4RtLUCoKZ4Vkat7tUW2Mv2uy0ky3kJN9sa9vygBrr3V4_nXkADKLIHulvlHCuhGbqIOKC8f_-s5ldTOk5cBjH34kElJ/s1600/VeronikaMiller-%23blogtourLA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bvF9-MyMCBzgIwMoLU6-FDRrAvmE6WSK451cBAxdEDrh-lAoA4RtLUCoKZ4Vkat7tUW2Mv2uy0ky3kJN9sa9vygBrr3V4_nXkADKLIHulvlHCuhGbqIOKC8f_-s5ldTOk5cBjH34kElJ/s800/VeronikaMiller-%23blogtourLA.jpg" width="450" /></a><br /><i>Veronika Miller welcoming #BlogTourLA attendees</i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had so much fun getting to know my fellow design bloggers during our days together in the California sunshine. Come back soon to see photos from our visit to the <a href="http://westedgedesignfair.com/">WestEdge Design Fair</a> and many colorful design stops along the way. Special thanks goes to Veronika Miller of <a href="http://www.modenus.com/">Modenus,</a> for getting us all together for this fabulous brand-curated event, filled with memories to last a lifetime! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWEvaE-6AJQobkv78quW7oIBpFvARrjU_TQSEkcx9HX0GY-StQuYAO37cmpbT7gTRvgWkKynGO0ogj11HbzBoy608ssSH5Gm2a6NaP3i7HjATPoqhafQ_-tXX4Xof4tZI-867qIFoP98W/s1600/%23blogtourLA+tables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWEvaE-6AJQobkv78quW7oIBpFvARrjU_TQSEkcx9HX0GY-StQuYAO37cmpbT7gTRvgWkKynGO0ogj11HbzBoy608ssSH5Gm2a6NaP3i7HjATPoqhafQ_-tXX4Xof4tZI-867qIFoP98W/s800/%23blogtourLA+tables.jpg" width="450" /></a></div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><i>The courtyard at the West Hollywood Chamberlain</i></div><div><i>photo credits: Yvonne Blacker</i><br /><i><br /></i><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHhTOp47plgckOvtsYVrToZO0BX0vzEYjOS4nx5dc7W2CcyOLoTlwittcE5hNaA7EqqBS-ScdU-s5nR5fzsaR9dXRSXbaZCy5bOVt_Zj8FzdvEliGhz5Fh9hbOgDAzQETCc6VTXkH78rv/s1600/BlogTour+Badge+LA+%2528blue%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHhTOp47plgckOvtsYVrToZO0BX0vzEYjOS4nx5dc7W2CcyOLoTlwittcE5hNaA7EqqBS-ScdU-s5nR5fzsaR9dXRSXbaZCy5bOVt_Zj8FzdvEliGhz5Fh9hbOgDAzQETCc6VTXkH78rv/s320/BlogTour+Badge+LA+%2528blue%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><br /></i></div></div></div></div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

Back from #BlogTourLA!

#BlogTourLA Instagram photo courtesy Veronika Miller of Modenus I am just about getting over my souvenir jet lag from my recent trip to sout...

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Countdown to BlogTourLA!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXk0srHHquo0EB-C93MqRw57EFQi9f5-LDYQqR_53yRpmQXYhliiEnpzpWpmgr298-WUa6oX91ugFog4L1GpaBEXM2PqJTA4ZaKDTXQ1A8s26xu6_DBS6gUviVaSjZ2K6Uz0qRrHlMhkX/s1600/Modenus@ADshow12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXk0srHHquo0EB-C93MqRw57EFQi9f5-LDYQqR_53yRpmQXYhliiEnpzpWpmgr298-WUa6oX91ugFog4L1GpaBEXM2PqJTA4ZaKDTXQ1A8s26xu6_DBS6gUviVaSjZ2K6Uz0qRrHlMhkX/s800/Modenus@ADshow12.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A Modenus curated collection I saw while visiting</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>the Architectural Digest Home Show in 2012</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember when I almost won <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2013/08/birthday-wishes-and-fairy-dust.html">a trip to London</a> as a guest of <a href="http://www.modenus.com/">Modenus.com</a> to tour the London design scene with a group of interior design bloggers? If you follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/yblacker">twitter</a> then you already know I did not win the coveted spot. The tour is actually wrapping up now ... follow <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23blogtourldn&src=tyah&f=realtime">#BlogTourLDN</a> to see the fun places they have been and fab products they have seen.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Although I was disappointed not to be heading to London, I was really happy to have been selected. It really meant a lot to me to be noticed for what I do, which lately seems to lean most towards the promotion of interior design related events, luxury brands, and the art of design. There are many people out there who still do not fully understand the reach and influence of social media marketing and what a valuable tool it is when trying to engage an audience online and in real life. <a href="http://www.modenus.com/portfolio/modenus">Veronika Miller</a> at Modenus gets it:</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: x-large;">“BlogTour has grown in leaps and bounds since we first launched in London in 2011 and we are now one of the most visible blogger initiatives out there with four full days of trade shows, architecture and design and lots of local culture. It’s not just about hopping from cocktail party to cocktail party, although we never say no to a glass of bubbly, it’s about discovering trends and inspiration in far off cities and it’s about empowering you as talented bloggers and designers.”</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31c0V_DXhVlssTM49oo6Tsvi75NjP3B-jf9Iwl3wGszn6oASdrGLNIJi3a28QaH59hYkCQzhjFOFizqA45bRbpyi1zpJlmCjNNSBLW__MELLuHbZBMC1MVGbhHguiQIMvHsAo7_45Z2Xm/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-09-21+at+2.25.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31c0V_DXhVlssTM49oo6Tsvi75NjP3B-jf9Iwl3wGszn6oASdrGLNIJi3a28QaH59hYkCQzhjFOFizqA45bRbpyi1zpJlmCjNNSBLW__MELLuHbZBMC1MVGbhHguiQIMvHsAo7_45Z2Xm/s800/Screen+shot+2013-09-21+at+2.25.54+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIjEtfqePwMepxG9V393wgC3RbS1nPZdPAxrQEFX-PGNrAKt5B5LXHMWZY3aOpuc5bckl23nqfgb3UMq6RFHw5tlFnZhA6IZUb7krd9ezCNhq9NdkayNbkw9zdfQTr7tO4n_B-8_P0p7L/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-09-21+at+1.18.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIjEtfqePwMepxG9V393wgC3RbS1nPZdPAxrQEFX-PGNrAKt5B5LXHMWZY3aOpuc5bckl23nqfgb3UMq6RFHw5tlFnZhA6IZUb7krd9ezCNhq9NdkayNbkw9zdfQTr7tO4n_B-8_P0p7L/s800/Screen+shot+2013-09-21+at+1.18.38+PM.png" width="350" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">I am happy to say that there was a silver lining to my not being on the London tour. I was asked by Veronika to attend the next event on her busy schedule as she is hosting back to back tours this year! In early October I will fly out to Los Angeles to attend the <a href="http://westedgedesignfair.com/">WestEdge Design Fair</a> with the next BlogTour group, <a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/interiordesign/blogtour-los-angeles-meet-the-bloggers">BlogTourLA!</a> I was invited to attend as a guest of the BlogTour sponsors (yes, all expenses are paid!) and how could I say no?! A number of the sponsoring brands are sold in the <a href="http://designerbath.com/">Designer Bath</a> showroom where I work. I am looking forward to meeting the people behind these products, learn about new ones, and get to know the other professional interior design bloggers who I will be spending lots of quality time with while on the West Coast. Some bloggers I have met before on other research + development trips, so it will be another fun reunion!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCrgNt-muJkNiE82HzeQfr9UFlxaqpU3VySNuts3ThuF-Qx9z6LNLbs1BjrEyBEBdutke_6I8sbajJTuP_BlVm5R2lp5W4hCswET0UDeaQePmwbc3sJBd3CD_p5TnOrg3-OuGCKzKR_7V/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-09-21+at+1.47.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCrgNt-muJkNiE82HzeQfr9UFlxaqpU3VySNuts3ThuF-Qx9z6LNLbs1BjrEyBEBdutke_6I8sbajJTuP_BlVm5R2lp5W4hCswET0UDeaQePmwbc3sJBd3CD_p5TnOrg3-OuGCKzKR_7V/s800/Screen+shot+2013-09-21+at+1.47.54+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.blancoamerica.com/c3/blanco_usa/_www/en/pub/products/new_products/modex.cfm">Modex sink by Blanco // photo courtesy Blanco</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQWdFIof1rECjNSlMq4HXdmDCDH8gDsB1_M5qVRFc8to0hmjAmWXh-k9vKIvlvmnY9jOU2beFpC5MslFE_tqsWLq8DPyjYsAvftNv7cjaa1NFWKg-48errAPPvmmrRQFulLHFE7p_6E2X/s1600/+EDITION.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQWdFIof1rECjNSlMq4HXdmDCDH8gDsB1_M5qVRFc8to0hmjAmWXh-k9vKIvlvmnY9jOU2beFpC5MslFE_tqsWLq8DPyjYsAvftNv7cjaa1NFWKg-48errAPPvmmrRQFulLHFE7p_6E2X/s800/+EDITION.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.poggenpohl.com/en/startpage.html">+EDITION collection by Poggenpohl // photo courtesy Poggenpohl</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>“The new +EDITION collection from Poggenpohl combines classic details with modern appeal. This innovative kitchen design features natural walnut wood veneer along with white lacquer cabinetry, available in flat panel or thin frame detail door styles. New black glass upper wall cabinets include the same thin frame details with finished interiors and LED lighting.”</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2XuELlcqmhM2rLIR9Aq17CDA5BscqVA22ZMiTcoF-uzAd8Jx6ZSaHiIV-kaYjiClbQcqqkQMY6ff5u1dHNDaZBwsRl8jvrD7Xx64aUVTRCFkl9n7rT7Jx8pVdz_QFDHrk0v90CaxbaTx/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-09-21+at+1.44.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2XuELlcqmhM2rLIR9Aq17CDA5BscqVA22ZMiTcoF-uzAd8Jx6ZSaHiIV-kaYjiClbQcqqkQMY6ff5u1dHNDaZBwsRl8jvrD7Xx64aUVTRCFkl9n7rT7Jx8pVdz_QFDHrk0v90CaxbaTx/s800/Screen+shot+2013-09-21+at+1.44.40+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gessi.it/en/catalogue/bathroom/bath-ambience/goccia"><i>Gocchia faucet by Gessi // </i><i>photo courtesy Gessi</i></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Sponsors of BlogTourLA include <a href="http://www.blancoamerica.com/c3/blanco_usa/_www/en/pub/index.cfm">Blanco,</a> <a href="http://www.poggenpohl.com/en/startpage.html">Poggenpohl,</a> <a href="http://www.duverre.com/">DuVerre Hardware,</a> <a href="http://www.gaggenau.com/">Gaggenau,</a> <a href="http://www.gessi.it/">Gessi,</a> <a href="http://www.lampsplus.com/">Lamps Plus,</a> <a href="http://www.us.laufen.com/wps/wcm/connect/LAUFEN_US/BASE/HOME/">Laufen,</a> and <a href="http://www.mrsteam.com/">Mr Steam.</a>  Thank you for allowing me to be part of the <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/modenus/blogtour-community/">BlogTour community!</a> I know I will learn a lot on this trip (which I will share upon my return) while being inspired by great design in the company of like-minded individuals. There is something special about being with people who understand what you do, why you do it, and are willing to discuss design industry topics almost exclusively (while sipping the aforementioned bubbly, of course!) I’</span><span style="font-size: large;">ll toast to that! </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned for more <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23blogtourla&src=typd&f=realtime">#BlogTourLA</a> updates! </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4gJkNYbu9QJsqmfTXUBrSoTV3P6XQxfGSVusIM9ZxM0_ivmNsb3W-7RVOMp8_R5eBRN12uBQF7bPV0qqQeQDh7ighzBROlq8NMRdxu8HEjLfpfqVUrn4IAentH31G73r7B0sTZXlwxgL/s1600/BlogTour+Badge+LA+(blue).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4gJkNYbu9QJsqmfTXUBrSoTV3P6XQxfGSVusIM9ZxM0_ivmNsb3W-7RVOMp8_R5eBRN12uBQF7bPV0qqQeQDh7ighzBROlq8NMRdxu8HEjLfpfqVUrn4IAentH31G73r7B0sTZXlwxgL/s320/BlogTour+Badge+LA+(blue).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>

Countdown to BlogTourLA!

A Modenus curated collection I saw while visiting the Architectural Digest Home Show in 2012 Remember when I almost won  a trip to London  a...

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Birthday Wishes and Fairy Dust

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOky1s2d4uP7pvNSEsGcOvYodV_1WTA0IqBbOfwJ-C_JCO6jIQ3oGMD_QQW5jgKyAFhgHI4vby21qx8JdiZ3F-iA_Upxi9YAPZAqXCppbUXSQnjn4gNJOdZ5qR1XuJFka4bck0uTo7iNFj/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-08-03+at+10.51.30+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOky1s2d4uP7pvNSEsGcOvYodV_1WTA0IqBbOfwJ-C_JCO6jIQ3oGMD_QQW5jgKyAFhgHI4vby21qx8JdiZ3F-iA_Upxi9YAPZAqXCppbUXSQnjn4gNJOdZ5qR1XuJFka4bck0uTo7iNFj/s800/Screen+shot+2013-08-03+at+10.51.30+AM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=92292000">My Birthday Surprise: London Calling</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So today is my birthday. I should be taking the day off from social media, but I had to pop in to share a special gift I received. Yesterday afternoon I was on twitter and noticed that a bunch of people – many that I have met at various blogger events – were being introduced as being selected to travel to London to attend the London Design Festival.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dojjSZ_bhJOzX-HM3nmMLLUQKZPf-84jg7uepMNy-0Ntm_pxnC4UfLMjAsTH_fP_F_u3JGubyRMhIEM-47FqDbp9UW6EbpjGltGUZd0grfDYp-SYbp9TRjCKehHCSdta_1RlEqQg2Pgi/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-08-03+at+9.42.28+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dojjSZ_bhJOzX-HM3nmMLLUQKZPf-84jg7uepMNy-0Ntm_pxnC4UfLMjAsTH_fP_F_u3JGubyRMhIEM-47FqDbp9UW6EbpjGltGUZd0grfDYp-SYbp9TRjCKehHCSdta_1RlEqQg2Pgi/s800/Screen+shot+2013-08-03+at+9.42.28+AM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.londondesignfestival.com/">Check it out! The London Design Festival</a></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuN6x2iJrbn2J9ZVcGRs6_kvExzFa29N7bYkdoT-cWC5DuFaWArSKBr_fcCb74il1ihEViL3SE1MKk7zV0CByGUhtmzOUoBTAqpYqrv65qMLfbAwXjjgm0DMBIV8C8c5s2Np8uivr3Xcy/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-08-03+at+11.17.49+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuN6x2iJrbn2J9ZVcGRs6_kvExzFa29N7bYkdoT-cWC5DuFaWArSKBr_fcCb74il1ihEViL3SE1MKk7zV0CByGUhtmzOUoBTAqpYqrv65qMLfbAwXjjgm0DMBIV8C8c5s2Np8uivr3Xcy/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-08-03+at+11.17.49+AM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/blogtour">BlogTour by Modenus</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">11 people were named, all of whom had expressed interest in being on this very exclusive list. Several times a year, <a href="http://www.modenus.com/contributors">Veronika Miller</a> of the interior design curated site <a href="http://www.modenus.com/">Modenus,</a> organizes these all-expense paid blogger participation trips as a way to introduce fabulous products and share design inspiration with bloggers who then share what they discover on their journey with their audiences. Pretty amazing, huh?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aRoKlBy7jidAAE43DwQ2fNvK_yt1PRi8GS8HJIuR7li6za34zy8FpFf1fx2fj9KZcDmCardU9LhOFSxemYGsezzfypf0J11mJojM7Efgq0wUblZYdD1xDo7QZdbjbHueT1Byci8eQQ6K/s1600/barbara-marilyn-laura@ballroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aRoKlBy7jidAAE43DwQ2fNvK_yt1PRi8GS8HJIuR7li6za34zy8FpFf1fx2fj9KZcDmCardU9LhOFSxemYGsezzfypf0J11mJojM7Efgq0wUblZYdD1xDo7QZdbjbHueT1Byci8eQQ6K/s800/barbara-marilyn-laura@ballroom.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>From my recent Brizo trip to Memphis (More on that later! Still working on posts!)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>on left: my friend Barbara Elza Hirsch went to BlogTour in New Orleans in April</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>middle/right: Marilyn Russell and Laura Bielecki are on the list for BlogTourLondon</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was fun to see each blogger being introduced. Especially when I saw a number of friends from my recent trips with <span id="goog_1504837457"></span><a href="http://www.brizo.com/">Briz<span id="goog_1504837458"></span>o</a> and the <a href="http://www.brizo.com/theblogger19/index.htm">Blogger19</a> filling the coveted spots. This is very much like winning the blogger lottery! Plus it is an incredible opportunity to be exposed to cutting edge design while in the company of some amazing (and seriously fun!) people.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYDrRusPOVDl1bEEhtsN9-OKuAOX1KroBraVunmQJzZL10CQrdxAvTjd2ck_bbzkFEpTAIe3pK9hjA2LB2ALxAI9xmMBPpwoQWNj8N1iB4M2VdZfWKVUmvaOap1dwNBPyOgMz4xZKeeM1/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-08-03+at+11.56.16+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYDrRusPOVDl1bEEhtsN9-OKuAOX1KroBraVunmQJzZL10CQrdxAvTjd2ck_bbzkFEpTAIe3pK9hjA2LB2ALxAI9xmMBPpwoQWNj8N1iB4M2VdZfWKVUmvaOap1dwNBPyOgMz4xZKeeM1/s800/Screen+shot+2013-08-03+at+11.56.16+AM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1i-zo0vo00-74KnQQ-q4HQQk_4We90ofW1CscucQPYJozdLg0bB3w-A2uRAKkrSYgDnCSt2tEe12A2LJ_2WwsjN-hJEymFDYsoV_Mb0JdveNnAO5GgMrauhfgI3rgW3ln04SSg16SJWL/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-08-03+at+11.35.44+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1i-zo0vo00-74KnQQ-q4HQQk_4We90ofW1CscucQPYJozdLg0bB3w-A2uRAKkrSYgDnCSt2tEe12A2LJ_2WwsjN-hJEymFDYsoV_Mb0JdveNnAO5GgMrauhfgI3rgW3ln04SSg16SJWL/s800/Screen+shot+2013-08-03+at+11.35.44+AM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I saw my name in a tweet. What’s this? Something about a vote? One blogger (there is supposed to be 12) was unable to attend. All of a sudden there is an open spot and six bloggers have been selected as vote-in candidates. To see my name on this list came as SUCH a surprise! I felt like I had been handed a golden ticket! Honestly I never even put my name in the running to go as I have been sincerely fortunate this year to be able to travel to a number of blogger events that were also unexpected opportunities. What an honor to be chosen!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-pEWe06WnBvsJf7V1MHbcQwKNxY419ttUW_izM25r5yl7oYSgQhDATYXEdQT9Up4pQY1Jz6KoitzXRS6ETy0zhcyz9wkbLVsimDXjqznWf2oFv6JYbcYLVkVqulTbYwyCfBWXNnKMZtf/s1600/yvonneblacker@IB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-pEWe06WnBvsJf7V1MHbcQwKNxY419ttUW_izM25r5yl7oYSgQhDATYXEdQT9Up4pQY1Jz6KoitzXRS6ETy0zhcyz9wkbLVsimDXjqznWf2oFv6JYbcYLVkVqulTbYwyCfBWXNnKMZtf/s800/yvonneblacker@IB.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>At Itta Benna in Memphis for the Blogger19 Reunion hosted by Brizo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPfwpNZAu-t1Nd5g_x52NGZfRrLepyuAuP-YBKx1aAFbRqbzT6OQ4Y6AxTMmdcbS8R42iPsE2QJPAU87oQNQS9KW3hvAvFv7vcyJ_OH_QE6RpbxRd1nINScLNSfSAIiK4U8DpER3BRyN-/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-08-03+at+12.33.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPfwpNZAu-t1Nd5g_x52NGZfRrLepyuAuP-YBKx1aAFbRqbzT6OQ4Y6AxTMmdcbS8R42iPsE2QJPAU87oQNQS9KW3hvAvFv7vcyJ_OH_QE6RpbxRd1nINScLNSfSAIiK4U8DpER3BRyN-/s800/Screen+shot+2013-08-03+at+12.33.04+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/blogtour/blogtour-london-2013-meet-the-bloggers-and-vote-one-in">Cast your vote before 5pm today!</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So now I have until 5pm today to find out if my name ends up filling the 12th spot on the London BlogTour list. But you know something? I already feel like I have won something. I have been blogging for five years. I have written over 500 posts (hello, could have written that novel by now!) I have made some wonderful connections and real life friends as a direct result of engaging with the creative community I have found online. Just being selected and having my blog recognized for the original content I work so hard to create is the real gift. It makes it all worth the effort. Tonight I will eat cake with my family, drink champagne and celebrate the fact that doing what you love is its own reward. In the meantime, if you would like to vote for me, <a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/blogtour/blogtour-london-2013-meet-the-bloggers-and-vote-one-in">click here.</a> Cheers!  </span><span style="font-size: large;">xoxo yvonne</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

Birthday Wishes and Fairy Dust

My Birthday Surprise: London Calling So today is my birthday. I should be taking the day off from social media, but I had to pop in to share...

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