Monday, 8 December 2008

More Parisian twinkle...



This is one of my very favourite images from, My French Life - the Christmas decorations in the Place Vendome, December 2004. As beautiful as the cascading diamonds are this year I still think that these oversized mirrored decorations are true heartbreakers. This is a sentimental photograph for me because it was one of the first Carla Coulson shot for my book and all these years on and so many pictures later I still adore it.


 To win the set of three books, Italian Joy, My French Life and Paris Tango all you have to do is click here and subscribe to French Essence. (don't forget to activate your email after you receive the confirmation and leave me a comment too.....) The winner will be drawn from the subscribers and the comments on December 12th. I will post the books in time for Christmas to wherever you may be. To have a second chance of winning our books click on over to Carla Loves Photography.

Good luck, thank you for playing and I absolutely love reading all your comments, xv

46 comments:

  1. Beautiful decorations!
    You have amazing photos on your blog! I really enjoyed watching them.
    Thank you for your visit and comment.

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  2. Yours is the first blog I have subscribed to, only because my email is so jammed up anyway (can anyone say 2300 messages in my inbox? I am out of control!).

    Thanks for the chance to win. If I don't win, I am going to buy two more of your books (I probably will anyway) for my Midwestern posse. There's one little shopowner (actually, she owns two and once I send her the book, she will probably carry it). :-)

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  3. Gorgeous photo!!!
    And, so nice of you and Carla to do this Christmas give away.

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  4. I love this photo and have subscribed to your feed :-)

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  5. Thank you always for a bit of Monday Morning sparkle!

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  6. That tree inside the bubble is absolutely magical. I don't think that could fail to lift anyone's spirits. Lovely, thank you!

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  7. Yummy.... just simply delicious!
    As a tres nouveaux blogger, I'm delighted to have found your magical little destination ... I shall return --- JJJjj de Santa Fe

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  8. Beautiful image! Thanks for popping by my blog today!

    Merry Christmas!

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  9. I read your blog everyday, having fell in love with "My French Life!" I was so excited when I found the blog! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Paris and Provence.

    Now, not only will I receive the blog in my email, I MAY win the 3 books! Pick me! Pick me! Pick me! (shades of Meredith on "Grey's Anatomy!")

    joy/luvparee

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  10. so beautiful! Paris at Christmas is just beautiful! forget about Paris in April, Christmas is just divine! well, until spring arrives then *sigh* I love Paris all over again.

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  11. I love that image too! Thanks for the wonderful contest opportunity. I will promptly subscribe!

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  12. I think I would have so much fun taking photographs of the distorted reflections--just imagine!

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  13. Oh...yes...definitely signing up for a chance at these books!

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  14. Oh, I love love you blog. So excited for the awesome giveaway! Thank you for inspiring the FRENCH in all outside of FRANCE. Joyeux Noel. MMW

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  15. What captivating images! I so love Paris. And thank you for visiting my blog recently. Yours is lovely.

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  16. I don't know where to start:

    1. Fellow expat Aussie (India)
    2. Carla sent me
    3. Read my post today re Xmas
    4. You are changing my mind re Xmas
    5. Your blog is beautiful
    6. I bet you are too
    7. I think I love you. OK it's blog love but that counts for something.

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  17. Vicki,
    What a gorgeous picture! I so enjoy reading your blog. So many interesting topics. I had already added you to my list of favorite blogs and have now added Carla.
    It must be wonderful to live in France.
    Thanks for entering me in your drawing for the three books. How kind and generous of you to offer all of us a chance at winning three remarkable books.

    Kris
    p.s. I subscribed to both you and Carla's subscription.






    Kris

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  18. Vicki - this blog is fantastic! Isa sent me your way, and I have to say she was right about my being blown away! I can't wait to go see more! Hope you can stop by and leave a quick comment on my holiday decor - it'd be a real treat to hear your thoughts! Wonderful blog! Off to see more!

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  19. I didn't realize it was THAT Carla who shot your book! I adore her and that photo is priceless.
    I would love to be a part of your giveaway, how exciting!

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  20. You have such a beautiful blog, which I've just come across for the first time this afternoon. Your photos of Aix make me ache; I was visiting my friend (who lives in Gap, in the Hautes-Alpes) at this time two years ago, and the color of the autumn sunlight in Aix was extraordinary. I would love to be entered in your drawing!

    Amities,
    Marsi

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  21. One of my favourite chapters of your book Vicki is when you talk about your visits to Paris with your children at Christmas and admiring all the shop display windows. Because of this I now make a special trip with my children into the city to see all the beautiful David Jones displays and the tree at martin place and QVB. Unfortunately it's not quite as romantic as a snowy Parisian excursion but it's still nice to do and the kids love it.

    I own all three books already but I would still love to enter this amazing giveaway, and if I win I'll pass the books onto my mum and sisters.

    Anna :)

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  22. Found your site just by chance...what a lovely surprise. Thank you for this bright bit of beauty.

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  23. So pretty. gorgeous blog.

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  24. Adore! What a magical scene. I've only been to Paris in the summer, and it was wonderful then. I simply can't imagine how stunning it must be at Christmas!

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  25. Vicki, I adore it as well.
    Tree (Christmas - hope) inside the bubble... so dreamy
    Thanks for the chance to win.

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  26. I just read your interview! I love to see the pictures of your house and the grounds, the landscaping is to die for! Soooo beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  27. Wow! these images are crazy beautiful! You definitely highlight the very best in French! Thanks for the holiday inspiration Parisian style!

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  28. Bonjour! Je suis heureux d'avoir trouvé vous!

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  29. Hi Vicki...thoroughly enjoying your blog about your life in France... Love the snow photo...so magical!!!Have subscribed, and thank you Vicki...Dzintra

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  30. Wondeful, Vicki! Love is in the air...
    Erica

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  31. Gorgeous photos! Thank you for sharing. :)

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  32. Your blog is fabulous - a little piece of heaven! Thank you for your comment today. I enjoy hunting on eBay. Nancy

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  33. The baubles are just fabulous! We don't have any decorations that are so nice in London. I think some of those would look great in the parks.
    Paris sounds like it's magic at Christmas time.

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  34. Oh my goodness these are gorgeous!

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  35. We love all of the Christmas decorations! But have to say that the oversized mirrored decorations are the most fabulous! You are so blessed to live in such a wonderful place!

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  36. Your blog is absolutely gorgeous! I enjoyed your comment over at my place. Thanks for stopping by.

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  37. paris when it twinkles is absolutely gorgeous! thanks for inviting us into the beauty that is paris during christmastime...

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  38. Those glass balls are AMAZING, never saw them when I lived in Paris!
    I have been a subsriber for sometime but I hope I can still enter in the drawing! I would love to take these books with me to Canada over New Years! Gorgeous shot!

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  39. That is seriously one inspirational photograph. Having a tree inside a bubble making it look like a snowglobe is just brilliant and gorgeous.

    Yours is the first blog that I've subscribed to as well. First time for everything ^_^ I have your book "My French Life" on my Amazon wish list anyways.

    Cheers,

    Karen O.

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  40. Vicki have just read your interview over @ LP. Loved your comments about the 'joys' of writing & especially dealing with the dreaded writers block. Now I just need to find the discipline gene that I know is lurking somewhere in my DNA, but certainly hasn't activated itself as yet!
    Millie ^_^

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  41. Vickie, your images and comments are so delightful. I LOVE My French Life and enjoy your blog greatly. My sister will be in Paris for the 1st time next week- I'm so excited for her (and slightly jealous for myself). The suggestions from your book and blog will make her trip even more spectacular!

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  42. Oh to be in Paris for Christmas! What a gorgeous picture from a gorgeous book! Tracey x

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  43. As I was reading through your blog this morning I kept thinking to myself "This woman has to be a fashion writer...This woman has to be a writer..." I'm glad that my assumptions were true. Your life certainly seems charmed. Especially from my view in Iowa. The middle of elsewheres. I plan on reading farther back and will certainly find your books. Be well and thank you for being so gracious.

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  44. So magical and gorgeous. Leave it to the French to create such a simple, elegant and unforgettable display!! That's why we love them! Thanks for sharing Carla's beautiful photo~

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Thank you for visiting French Essence... I love to read your comments and I hope you will be back often... xv