Happy Friday! 03.25.2011

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588020511075207138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PJDcLqa-75HQ9QXPX2gWBhwQWdLj4IzPRER8UUmDnCCQ35PS-HPzzZVtcNpoKQ4euUHsp7kvHB2u8cfYucKqsDHYDLFqsh0rF6tsm9L6YH_QklxJhcQYm2mMwil4Yx4slt_1GdK1FiU/s400/6a00d83451ccbc69e2011168ca8545970c-400wi.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">{photo via </span></span></span><a href="http://ohmydeer.wordpress.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Oh My Deer!</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">}</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img align="left" alt="I" src="http://jhische.com/dailydropcap/I-10-cap.png" title="Daily Drop Cap by Jessica Hische" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">hope you all have had a lovely week. : ) Any special plans for the weekend? I plan to do lots of napping and perhaps some thrifting. :) Should be fun! I think I'll take some time out to play with the cat too. Guess he's feeling a tad neglected, since he was chasing me around the house the other night biting my ankles! I tell ya what... that hurt! Ouch! So... I'm going to take it as a hint that he's craving attention. Have a beautiful weekend lovelies!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Decorating!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mina</div>

Happy Friday! 03.25.2011

{photo via Oh My Deer! } hope you all have had a lovely week. : ) Any special plans for the weekend? I plan to do lots of napping and perhap...

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Give-A-What??? Giveaway!!! Yay! by Rosenberry Rooms 03.20.2011

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGm0a3CAH1jIh0apNVABXawwD4iSymyradc8-cWGah0SMZd5uOj3gbg5Vl9qkq1E4sWqzk-JepWIy9kQ_VGlpJLoOua7AjGButOkMs66MXM1BcBfbrgF6A9PtBtibBz1XDdWqhuC6Rzs/s1600/yhst-83532116742892_2148_7954057692.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586301629345009362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGm0a3CAH1jIh0apNVABXawwD4iSymyradc8-cWGah0SMZd5uOj3gbg5Vl9qkq1E4sWqzk-JepWIy9kQ_VGlpJLoOua7AjGButOkMs66MXM1BcBfbrgF6A9PtBtibBz1XDdWqhuC6Rzs/s400/yhst-83532116742892_2148_7954057692.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOhnSwg5vLGzFAO4pOn7sbwMxSIGxNvUa-o1dQhfI26g957TpA9Jdxwo5T-jq9i0cCCgaGWbesGBaOgbbyDE8MzDViPInpVa9pqdTD8IZJ0XmxImhcIOURaeo36FVZ0C6ME89K9_vG9Y/s1600/yhst-83532116742892_2148_7954260767.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586301635027956930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOhnSwg5vLGzFAO4pOn7sbwMxSIGxNvUa-o1dQhfI26g957TpA9Jdxwo5T-jq9i0cCCgaGWbesGBaOgbbyDE8MzDViPInpVa9pqdTD8IZJ0XmxImhcIOURaeo36FVZ0C6ME89K9_vG9Y/s400/yhst-83532116742892_2148_7954260767.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:85%;color:#009900;"> {photos courtesy of </span></strong><a href="http://www.rosenberryrooms.com/498-jungle-bamboo-mobile.html"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;color:#009900;">Rosenberry Rooms</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size:85%;color:#009900;">}</span></strong></div><br /><br />It's officially the first day of spring and what better way to celebrate my favorite season than with a giveaway? I mean, who doesn't love freebies! Especially when they are super cute freebies?!? : ) So... the lovely mobile you see above is from <a href="http://www.rosenberryrooms.com/498-jungle-bamboo-mobile.html">Rosenberry Rooms</a>. Isn't it absolutely adorable and eco-chic? Do you looooove it? Of course you do! Do you want it? Of course you do! Okay... so what do you do? First... check out Rosenberry Room's website <a href="http://www.rosenberryrooms.com/498-jungle-bamboo-mobile.html">here</a>. Peruse it... drool over it and make all your nursery baby plans. : ) Next? Leave a comment on this post about why you love the mobile and what other items on their website caught your eye! Simple as that! On Wednesday, March 23rd, I will choose a random winner! I will announce it on Thursday! Hopefully, it's YOU! Because you're awesome and so is that lucky baby who will enjoy the awesome jungle mobile! Good luck!!! Get those comments in! : )<br /><br />Happy Decorating!<br />Mina

Give-A-What??? Giveaway!!! Yay! by Rosenberry Rooms 03.20.2011

{photos courtesy of Rosenberry Rooms } It's officially the first day of spring and what better way to celebrate my favorite season than...

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Take Time Out For You! 03.17.2011

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv6g9FPasVMCG8WEJQq_DM55jSK2YcqUd9HpdsXQ3Cl9iUpwm5sfrs8JkvDTefo7fuK5NQe9DZisJBX0kZZl26crN1hz1jw8Cps_PErE_QyP_-mBs8-U6TmWhGoAMDKPoYGQ4Qfk9TzQ/s1600/flickr+redo+7.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585129456563593170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv6g9FPasVMCG8WEJQq_DM55jSK2YcqUd9HpdsXQ3Cl9iUpwm5sfrs8JkvDTefo7fuK5NQe9DZisJBX0kZZl26crN1hz1jw8Cps_PErE_QyP_-mBs8-U6TmWhGoAMDKPoYGQ4Qfk9TzQ/s400/flickr+redo+7.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div></div> <img alt="Advertisement" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N5019.federatedmedia/B5123120.15;sz=1x1;pc=[TPAS_ID];ord=[timestamp]?" width="1" /> <p></p><p><!--Start FM tracker - Do not alter below--></p><p><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;234082553;58006817;g;pc=[TPAS_ID]"><img border="0" src="http://static.fmpub.net/banners/20110202/4d49a988dffbdCL-logo.jpg" /></a> <img alt="Advertisement" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N5019.federatedmedia/B5123120.15;sz=1x1;pc=[TPAS_ID];ord=[timestamp]?" width="1" /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p>Thanks to Crystal Light for sponsoring this post. To learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors, visit <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B234082553%3B58006817%3Bg%3Bpc%3D%5BTPAS_ID%5D&k4=1368&k5={banner_id}">http://www.facebook.com/crystallight</a>.</p><p><!--End FM tracker - Do not alter above--></p><div><br /></div><p></p><p>If there's something we all struggle with is balancing our time between work, children, family, friends and ... <em>self</em>. Why is it that "self" is always at the very end of our list? Interesting, eh? When, in fact, it should always be at the very top! I mean, how useful are we, really, if we are walking zombies for the rest of our family, friends and obligations? Not very. So! One of the things I purposefuly focus on is taking time out for myself every single day. Now... "how do you manage to do that?" I know, I know. You're wondering. To be honest? I wake up an hour earlier than I need to each and every morning. Trust me, it was torture at first. Ugh! I am not a morning person, at all! Especially not a 4:30 in the morning person. Blech! But, once I got used to doing it, my body and mind are wide awake at 4 am! Involuntarily! I usually beat the alarm clock! My trick? I go to bed an hour earlier. Done! </p><p></p><p>From 4:30-5:30, I read or journal. I don't turn on the TV or radio. I don't talk to anyone. I just sit quietly. It sets the tone for the rest of my day. I used to wake up 15-20 minutes before I had to head out the door and rush like a maniac to get everything done! What did that accomplish? A grumpy Mina for the rest of the day! It's truly amazing what 15-20 minutes or an hour each and every morning can do for your spirit and mind. Don't have much time in the morning? How about during your lunch break? Throughout college (when I was a full time student and a full time employee) I became a master at using every minute of my lunch break to relax. If I had a half hour, I would eat in 15 minutes and sit quietly for the other 15. If I had an hour... I'd eat in 15 and relax for 45. You get the idea! : ) No matter how busy you think you might be, there is always 15-20 minutes of rest and you time available. Call that friend of yours back another time. Shorten the amount of time you spend blabbing away on the cell phone. Limit the time you spend browsing the Net. Put the kids to bed 15 minutes earlier. Whatever it is that you need to do to take time out for you... do it. You are worth it! Good luck my lovelies!</p><p>Happy Decorating!</p><p>Mina<br /><!--Start FM tracker - Do not alter below--><br /></p><p><!--Start FM tracker - Do not alter below--></p><p>Remember, visit <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B234082553%3B58006817%3Bg%3Bpc%3D%5BTPAS_ID%5D&k4=1368&k5={banner_id}">http://www.facebook.com/crystallight</a> to learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors.  I was selected and paid for this sponsorship by the <a href="http://www.clevergirlscollective.com">Clever Girls Collective</a>, which endorses <a href="http://blogwithintegrity.com">Blog With Integrity</a>, as I do.</p><p><!--End FM tracker - Do not alter above--></p><!--End FM tracker - Do not alter above--><br /><p></p>

Take Time Out For You! 03.17.2011

  Thanks to Crystal Light for sponsoring this post. To learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors,...

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Beach Weekend - 02.20.2011

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-yXzLAzMsPOZ3TMbTXm8eaaDQzBMrNRwHhjji-7lUccM1s6gX5UQSOMWGF-Fw16W_w6ElP8eXgJZfaD4zmI5lZB52BmOb4o0648yX2d3lPjK3PAkdIvyx-HrmLuZIx4LzDLOeyZPWac/s1600/flickr+redo1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575998956908286306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-yXzLAzMsPOZ3TMbTXm8eaaDQzBMrNRwHhjji-7lUccM1s6gX5UQSOMWGF-Fw16W_w6ElP8eXgJZfaD4zmI5lZB52BmOb4o0648yX2d3lPjK3PAkdIvyx-HrmLuZIx4LzDLOeyZPWac/s400/flickr+redo1.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div><img align="left" alt="I" src="http://jhische.com/dailydropcap/I-5-cap.png" title="Daily Drop Cap by Jessica Hische" /><br /><br /><br />t was such a beautiful weekend that I just couldn't pass the chance to share some pictures of the weekend with you all. I visited with my best friend this Saturday and we did our usual beach walk. She lives a short 10 minute drive away from this gorgeous beach. So, I always come prepared with camera in hand. I hope you enjoy the snap shots...</div><div> </div><div></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFazG9WqohLGob0eSfuRBJHB4sPLYX4jclhfctPannUJ8FpvaZd7MjrneHnL7KnVjP8xc5TA1DdKkRgmgmNiySyuNgu2YB_PX8ofRJtDaVw0r40cNChbXrHjb0IcxbswkmudrTjV1oOjg/s1600/flickr+redo2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575998951420163138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFazG9WqohLGob0eSfuRBJHB4sPLYX4jclhfctPannUJ8FpvaZd7MjrneHnL7KnVjP8xc5TA1DdKkRgmgmNiySyuNgu2YB_PX8ofRJtDaVw0r40cNChbXrHjb0IcxbswkmudrTjV1oOjg/s400/flickr+redo2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I thought this young couple in love was so precious I just had to snap a picture of them kissing by the beach. So romantic... : )</div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5M-yyrAA7ri5EVi6dpH5iqgyJFtMUvR2PGPlPFf57fxJPKuBiQkBowvkQcZXBdsYubvYbj_mmLa8S5tJ_DlK6hd4FgYj6MgoDociTzEHj8A6wY-ycK5I-xZwiD1OfWA8eve8eiGRQ8A/s1600/flickr+redo4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575998718748237074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5M-yyrAA7ri5EVi6dpH5iqgyJFtMUvR2PGPlPFf57fxJPKuBiQkBowvkQcZXBdsYubvYbj_mmLa8S5tJ_DlK6hd4FgYj6MgoDociTzEHj8A6wY-ycK5I-xZwiD1OfWA8eve8eiGRQ8A/s400/flickr+redo4.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> The pigeons were everywhere... I'm just glad we didn't have any sandwiches in hand or they would've been gonners... along with the tops of our fingers! Yikes!</div><div align="center"><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubKnd8H5I1DIcHDrB8jQJ41DjNJNHAoyIqoFL9gE4BKebYa7z3x5h_gOZM2KDiqalerQWfm-iwOziO52GgwTTGtWfNUnPVkXWtkoOYQc6W8YpNZLY6DPfCVrLd4TBWa_4HGjUoerO_wc/s1600/flickr+redo5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575998712023889874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubKnd8H5I1DIcHDrB8jQJ41DjNJNHAoyIqoFL9gE4BKebYa7z3x5h_gOZM2KDiqalerQWfm-iwOziO52GgwTTGtWfNUnPVkXWtkoOYQc6W8YpNZLY6DPfCVrLd4TBWa_4HGjUoerO_wc/s400/flickr+redo5.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvdTrqQYEiU4LFc71saDV6LrfLT91RqMoBZkAUk0MbnGJrQNt1Dp3AOjZJKeqCae_OKjXQeH2qa4PAczTyBMq7mGSwFkGOfIpBUXrLHcpP5g6Ko7vDgngaYVRZYVoGD8ZnHPnMdvTwSo/s1600/flickr+redo+6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575998711390654722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvdTrqQYEiU4LFc71saDV6LrfLT91RqMoBZkAUk0MbnGJrQNt1Dp3AOjZJKeqCae_OKjXQeH2qa4PAczTyBMq7mGSwFkGOfIpBUXrLHcpP5g6Ko7vDgngaYVRZYVoGD8ZnHPnMdvTwSo/s400/flickr+redo+6.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBS7OxEpDQyXf5iCDe1CC8YnyP7uq3KUQbcOWg2Da9VAlIbllvv5v7ECLSPFL0B7Z5nFWhaNr6UrLBPJ3VoFg2aLRJGnvqCG4fo-N0GAnmZqfKHokPqzFjaKQ3Jh7F9RvllQ5OtVoTaM/s1600/flickr+redo+7.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575998706910521010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBS7OxEpDQyXf5iCDe1CC8YnyP7uq3KUQbcOWg2Da9VAlIbllvv5v7ECLSPFL0B7Z5nFWhaNr6UrLBPJ3VoFg2aLRJGnvqCG4fo-N0GAnmZqfKHokPqzFjaKQ3Jh7F9RvllQ5OtVoTaM/s400/flickr+redo+7.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> My friend snapped these pictures of me at sunset...</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCPaorYSmhPJdAZZTEdm82_uhyphenhyphenQAmas8-bjGmevIPV8Bawb6J3PWeOZScGbCGlDTZk9zZgkN3RLFPfJ0tRbOM5DjYsJ6FmW0HUqlX2j6JoBk2oh3A8QpJQhLdEITprstjZ6m0vfiMd80/s1600/flickr+redo+8.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575998702148546626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCPaorYSmhPJdAZZTEdm82_uhyphenhyphenQAmas8-bjGmevIPV8Bawb6J3PWeOZScGbCGlDTZk9zZgkN3RLFPfJ0tRbOM5DjYsJ6FmW0HUqlX2j6JoBk2oh3A8QpJQhLdEITprstjZ6m0vfiMd80/s400/flickr+redo+8.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> It was a gorgeous sunset indeed...</div><div> </div><div align="left">I hope you enjoyed these. : ) I enjoyed sharing them with you. I'll be back tomorrow with Mid-Century Monday's blog post!! Good night all!!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Happy Decorating!</div><div align="left">Mina</div></div></div></div></div>

Beach Weekend - 02.20.2011

t was such a beautiful weekend that I just couldn't pass the chance to share some pictures of the weekend with you all. I visited with m...

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Introducing... Adore Magazine - 02.05.2011

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0P4aN4F5aLJlbS0BQiOYmmgVLS-GjjizPJABnR-s3IT2CUm-sjn1J0FJaI03F1rXAuPEz6FULVvp3dMqmXn6AXw8uPZe4XfcKloPI9i8UWKyE7rYhkP2y4IAUpBrr9RsPvPYf3zjsPdM/s1600/AdoreDecJan_Homecover.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570296745876198530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0P4aN4F5aLJlbS0BQiOYmmgVLS-GjjizPJABnR-s3IT2CUm-sjn1J0FJaI03F1rXAuPEz6FULVvp3dMqmXn6AXw8uPZe4XfcKloPI9i8UWKyE7rYhkP2y4IAUpBrr9RsPvPYf3zjsPdM/s400/AdoreDecJan_Homecover.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 336px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoA7nRIkkx4CG1gKWw1HA2bUjuIWaYcORhyHKmsXS7DPd0UgYxzokNxzqFAXckzh4ebUrLNLtz2Gd9h5I0x-Jahfcizh-gVZvtn-176rhJEqTrcCEB2TcK8mqGmcPlvP6x4N9cEMrXgw/s1600/AdoreDecJan_sample8.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570296738128238050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoA7nRIkkx4CG1gKWw1HA2bUjuIWaYcORhyHKmsXS7DPd0UgYxzokNxzqFAXckzh4ebUrLNLtz2Gd9h5I0x-Jahfcizh-gVZvtn-176rhJEqTrcCEB2TcK8mqGmcPlvP6x4N9cEMrXgw/s400/AdoreDecJan_sample8.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChWxXE5VEjkHvXgDSW2Vr60oa3Bg52gSCXfXr6r2t90qBj3CziiIRqOHdF02a3AM3OyKD-8tsnbgiHGhxm_sPyHPNrGQMO_K3Vf9PB7rZqNs6k-iejzX4d_FLkzpvhTZe_t6xzjA_vhk/s1600/AdoreDecJan_sample4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570296730489781458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChWxXE5VEjkHvXgDSW2Vr60oa3Bg52gSCXfXr6r2t90qBj3CziiIRqOHdF02a3AM3OyKD-8tsnbgiHGhxm_sPyHPNrGQMO_K3Vf9PB7rZqNs6k-iejzX4d_FLkzpvhTZe_t6xzjA_vhk/s400/AdoreDecJan_sample4.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <img align="left" alt="I" src="http://jhische.com/dailydropcap/I-2-cap.png" title="Daily Drop Cap by Jessica Hische" /> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#009900;">{all photographs courtesy of Adore Magazine}</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></strong><br />was so excited and honored to receive an e-mail from founder of Adore magazine, Loni Parker, to personally introduce me this new Australian online publication. Of course, I immediately wanted to share it with all of you. Online magazines are popping up everywhere on the Internet and they are just awesome! I love them all! And, I'm sure you'll love this one too! So, without further ado... grab some coffee or tea... curl up with your laptop and click <a href="http://www.pageflipper.com/Catalogue/351364f5cc8446d8a29774525b7d38ca">here</a>. Enjoy lovelies...</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Happy Decorating!</div><div align="justify">Mina </div></div>

Introducing... Adore Magazine - 02.05.2011

{all photographs courtesy of Adore Magazine} was so excited and honored to receive an e-mail from founder of Adore magazine, Loni Parker, ...

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Final Alt Summit Recap - 01.29. 2011

<div align="center"><img align="left" alt="O" src="http://jhische.com/dailydropcap/O-7-cap.png" title="Daily Drop Cap by Jessica Hische" /><br /><br />kay! I promise this is the <em>final</em> Alt Summit recap! There was just so much! Geez! I just wanted to make sure I shared all of it with you. So here it goes... enjoy and take notes!<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq8BBZDHOdU4_nw64mci7rhUf7BnTTs2uXt6pvNW_Aw9tqztkHXa_na2KK54NbSckXTlhdIfgpj0CGD3P3l9KYX4oo8IAnK1i7j3aT8a53iBg-9jDXlu1Y8LgBw4JywQSSqQYrc9Qv5I/s1600/035.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567801820219435090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq8BBZDHOdU4_nw64mci7rhUf7BnTTs2uXt6pvNW_Aw9tqztkHXa_na2KK54NbSckXTlhdIfgpj0CGD3P3l9KYX4oo8IAnK1i7j3aT8a53iBg-9jDXlu1Y8LgBw4JywQSSqQYrc9Qv5I/s400/035.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /> <p align="center"></a>"Social Media, Make It Work For You"</p><div align="justify">Started off Friday morning with a roundtable discussion led by Caitlin Flemming of <a href="http://www.sacramentostreet.com/">Sacramento Street </a>and Crystal Gentilello of <a href="http://plushpalate.blogspot.com/">Plush Palate </a>(also Editor-and-Chief of <a href="http://www.ruemag.com/">Rue Magazine</a>).</div><div align="center"></div><div align="justify">I learned a lot of valuable information from these two lovely ladies as well as the other amazing bloggers at the table. It was fun and it felt like chat time out with friends! One lesson I learned? Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Twitter is the new Facebook! Or... something like that. Twitter is apparently the social media of choice for bloggers. But, whatever method you choose, stay in touch with your readers, visit other blogs, make meaningful comments and network, network, network!! : )</div><div align="center"></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yBlpDb0Yyg6HbaWAIauPbydxOSDHvcUNKqvQHh8vUTMDSsKEbbOliZLDGAhtFCySw_SavN8Yd9hDKJq1t62CqLvsgDPtsqGCl_Wkv7aQd94SHSXZV6xAF4jWXJUMn55RdVzjRaSUDok/s1600/038.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567801822949084850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yBlpDb0Yyg6HbaWAIauPbydxOSDHvcUNKqvQHh8vUTMDSsKEbbOliZLDGAhtFCySw_SavN8Yd9hDKJq1t62CqLvsgDPtsqGCl_Wkv7aQd94SHSXZV6xAF4jWXJUMn55RdVzjRaSUDok/s400/038.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> The morning was then followed by a wonderful presentation led by Heather Armstrong of <a href="http://www.dooce.com/">Dooce </a>and Neil Chase of <a href="http://www.federatedmedia.net/">Federated Media</a>. This panel was about The Art of The Pitch. Lessons learned?</div><ul><li><div align="left">Always keep contact information current for PR reps.</div></li><li><div align="left">Metrics that matter are page views and unique users... <em>not</em> hits.</div></li><li><div align="left">Good sources for metrics? Google Analytics or Quantcast.</div></li><li><div align="left">Keep the front page fresh to generate multiple page views.</div></li><li><div align="left">Figure out what your time is worth.</div></li><li><div align="left">Is a product you are promoting authentic to you? </div></li></ul><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDihGPCLWDFPW_6iHdL4JeJL-Sm8jl0IPQf3lifMswAOi6MfPF0aOpUZxIWo7JBopK3ztiDvmz9wLNK23zo1Y9ADREiRkDkAZ-HKLWBlW1JyC8GwKM0QFSnVn7MERf1qUwkIoMABUXC5k/s1600/053.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567801830636498866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDihGPCLWDFPW_6iHdL4JeJL-Sm8jl0IPQf3lifMswAOi6MfPF0aOpUZxIWo7JBopK3ztiDvmz9wLNK23zo1Y9ADREiRkDkAZ-HKLWBlW1JyC8GwKM0QFSnVn7MERf1qUwkIoMABUXC5k/s400/053.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Oookaay... I then went to my Tabletop Photography class taught by Tyler & Wendy Whitacre of <a href="http://bluelily.squarespace.com/about-blue-lily/">Blue Lily Photo</a>. Lessons Learned? Weeelll....my notes here were not the greatest. I did learn, however that the best lens to buy is a 50/1.8; match shutter speed to lens length to prevent shaking; purchase a macro lens to photograph small items; increase the ISO in a dark room and um...??????????? I tried. I have to say. I tried. Perhaps photography is not my forte. Sorry ya'll! But, I did take the pretty picture above!</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz5lMgWz5VjPdTVIhwEBlC5rJD3R8vPOf2mP4_geFptm4ufcyWBDaA9gHSC06B2blmAGFS2zIpkhRc3COuaa83Rn-MjRGv1VthDnBYPPt0DiE74j9Wd3SKTjiMTKN0sLhoSGxBQ2ZFjE/s1600/080.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567801833020081618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz5lMgWz5VjPdTVIhwEBlC5rJD3R8vPOf2mP4_geFptm4ufcyWBDaA9gHSC06B2blmAGFS2zIpkhRc3COuaa83Rn-MjRGv1VthDnBYPPt0DiE74j9Wd3SKTjiMTKN0sLhoSGxBQ2ZFjE/s400/080.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Saturday morning I signed up to go on a photography tour of the city of Salt Lake. Very cool. Beautiful! Led by talented photographer Jessica Peterson of <a href="http://jessicapetersonphoto.com/">Jessica Peterson Photography</a>. There she is on the right guiding us! : ) She made a great guide! We had a ton of fun and it was awesome to see the city with someone who lives in it!</div><div align="justify"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOISEuhTCSI4h2y3a1cJMtCBGtOrz5iOfhQvcJgbwhLTFyuePUIAr0TWaaR3S1fKb6GH3w7hTmpLm3aGMwlh8t7VlB94Ft-mNIf5-TPt9gE4sV7FbYTfi7SL_RTmvx9pUlS6FaWz1SJHk/s1600/132.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567801836716017122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOISEuhTCSI4h2y3a1cJMtCBGtOrz5iOfhQvcJgbwhLTFyuePUIAr0TWaaR3S1fKb6GH3w7hTmpLm3aGMwlh8t7VlB94Ft-mNIf5-TPt9gE4sV7FbYTfi7SL_RTmvx9pUlS6FaWz1SJHk/s400/132.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div align="justify">I ended my Alt Summit adventure with a trip to Park City. This is where the Sundance Film Festival is held. It snowed pretty heavily when we first arrived. But, while we sat down to gobble up some Mexican food, it cleared up. So, we were able to walk around and see what was going on. Very cool to see choirs singing on the street, random piano players playing on the sidewalks, folk singers singing on the streets (really good too!!), paparazzi and video cameras everywhere, James Franco! I mean, come on! Pretty awesome! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="justify">Whew! I feel like I've been writing about Alt all week! Wow! Well, it was a lot of stuff crammed into 4 days! But, it was well worth it and I'd do it all over again. I wish I could've gotten to know more people while I was there. But there was so much to do in so little time. Hopefully I will get to do more of that next year. Okee dokee! Until Monday everyone! Sweet dreams...</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Happy Decorating!</div><div align="justify">Mina<br /></div><br /></div>

Final Alt Summit Recap - 01.29. 2011

kay! I promise this is the final Alt Summit recap! There was just so much! Geez! I just wanted to make sure I shared all of it with you. So...

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Alt 2011 - Recap Continued... 01.28.2011

<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdIuHYWo-TG0Ax3hBQa0u16HXHQ06j9yM4QvZD4E5IChyphenhyphenPrK1ca-XVWdWwRhH6s42R7HqucMhQKLDczLK36CwesVjqmxjZvw-lLYCGUlFLg9X3qEOLyVq0LxvT4r34CsrCUrhS2X6WxM/s1600/gifty+gift.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567406126141173346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdIuHYWo-TG0Ax3hBQa0u16HXHQ06j9yM4QvZD4E5IChyphenhyphenPrK1ca-XVWdWwRhH6s42R7HqucMhQKLDczLK36CwesVjqmxjZvw-lLYCGUlFLg9X3qEOLyVq0LxvT4r34CsrCUrhS2X6WxM/s400/gifty+gift.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"> The lovely gift "basket" we were greeted with at registration. Isn't it lovely?</span></strong><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraqXxz14Z59bqhsW36gwLaCTttUZjXpjX_CSXoZVNS6cX5VTGdiNJKbrwY5z8U9rTdYNJoS8DJefJ7ZCduZ831j4w8tqRjF2odTe1gZg_1yB4kPjgLvCymRLYLlWK979KxV-cgnH8rZQ/s1600/gifts.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567404941218526658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraqXxz14Z59bqhsW36gwLaCTttUZjXpjX_CSXoZVNS6cX5VTGdiNJKbrwY5z8U9rTdYNJoS8DJefJ7ZCduZ831j4w8tqRjF2odTe1gZg_1yB4kPjgLvCymRLYLlWK979KxV-cgnH8rZQ/s400/gifts.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Some of the items in the gift lunchy boxy thingy magig we got (that I looove). There was more stuff, but it's already found a home in our house. This picture is of my desk. I was spreading some of the cute stuff out and just admiring it. : )<br /></span></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><img align="left" alt="A" src="http://jhische.com/dailydropcap/A-2-cap.png" title="Daily Drop Cap by Jessica Hische" /><br /><br />s I reviewed all of my Alt Summit 2011 notes today, I felt like I should have been more on my game and been taking better notes!! There was so much to learn and I wish I could have gobbled it allll up and brought back ooodles and ooodles of notes. But, then again... I was never the greatest student. To this day it is a grand mystery to me how I've made it through multiple degrees in a successful manner with more than decent grades. Complete and utter mystery. Well, nevertheless... here are some notes. Okay. In the last re-cap I went over "Growing Your Community." You can see the notes for that post <a href="http://minasdecorandfashion.blogspot.com/2011/01/etsy-tuesday-01252011-singin-in-rain.html">here</a>. That was the first class I took on Day 1 of Alt. Now I will give you my notes for the second class I took on Day 1... </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="center">"Advertising Beyond The Banner" </div><br /><div align="center">Sponsored by HGTV<br /></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Taught by: Erin Loechner of <a href="http://www.designformankind.com/">Design for Mankind</a>; Liz Gumbinner of <a href="http://www.coolmompicks.com/">Cool Mom Picks </a>and Maggie Mason of <a href="http://www.mightygirl.net/">Mighty Girl</a>. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">This class was pretty much about how to attract sponsors, what kind of information sponsors look for when considering advertising on your blog and how to measure your worth as a blogger. Here are some tips given to us by the amazingly talented panel:</div><br /><ul><br /><li>Seasonality is important with ads. Sponsors can be based on seasons.</li><li>Sponsor and be sponsorable.</li><li>Measure your digital footprint. Know your unique hits and specifit metrics.</li><li>Have a press page for your blog.</li><li>Know thyself and what sponsors align well with your blog's message.</li><li>Disclose when promoting a sponsored product.</li><li>Consider having sponsored events.</li><li>Remember that advertisers are people too when pitching to them.</li><li>Pitch to your passions.</li><li>Know your worth.</li><li>Foster e-mails from PR firms.</li><li>Research posted ad rates on complimentary blogs.</li><li>Contact bloggers for advice on ad rates. Most bloggers would be happy to help guide you.</li><li>Have a media kit right away. </li></ul><p><br /></p><p align="justify">So there you have it folks! The rest of the day on Day 1 I took an Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator class taught by Alma Loveland of <a href="http://ollibird.com/">Ollibird</a>. Um... awesome teacher. Me? Not so awesome. Lost. Most of the time. Found my way though. Eventually... figured it out. Was quite proud of myself in the end. </p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ha8_C90Kz1TgUrfttymlNMjCUzFjrQuwrIs50IAdcTMEpY6vc0qSDwMp80LpiOpEZ6LSLfMguPdGuw_qgsfrFcOeQGtcuIhap-M6i29dx5_k9j0IZFc5beOZS1Po0DOsGCBaOBVAFKI/s1600/OH-class-project.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567413779686071394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ha8_C90Kz1TgUrfttymlNMjCUzFjrQuwrIs50IAdcTMEpY6vc0qSDwMp80LpiOpEZ6LSLfMguPdGuw_qgsfrFcOeQGtcuIhap-M6i29dx5_k9j0IZFc5beOZS1Po0DOsGCBaOBVAFKI/s400/OH-class-project.png" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 149px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div align="left">That'll probably be the extent of my Illustrator career for now, I'm afraid. I'd love to learn more. But the hefty Illustrator price tag will keep that dream at bay for the time being. I hope you all have had an awesome week. As for me? I'm looking forward to a restful weekend. I will post Alt 2011 Day 2 and 3 over the course of the weekend. Good night all...</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Happy Decorating!</div><div align="left">Mina</div>

Alt 2011 - Recap Continued... 01.28.2011

The lovely gift "basket" we were greeted with at registration. Isn't it lovely? Some of the items in the gift lunchy boxy thi...

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Helloooooo..... 01.24.2011

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC9A8yvL8FP3YD3KmQTZp2Efz7QyE3ubwkdNPIqIOpVrwFRYHHU-IfqfkVXXsujlK6236rXxngmBQ6gxxCWj3_PwzypjRMT6f-j55Ghm5kQvketBe0cp7k6g70Tg79CrlgAz18s_GdRU/s1600/Kate+Spade+Party+B+%2526+W.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565703483351889810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC9A8yvL8FP3YD3KmQTZp2Efz7QyE3ubwkdNPIqIOpVrwFRYHHU-IfqfkVXXsujlK6236rXxngmBQ6gxxCWj3_PwzypjRMT6f-j55Ghm5kQvketBe0cp7k6g70Tg79CrlgAz18s_GdRU/s400/Kate+Spade+Party+B+%2526+W.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 340px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 515px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <img align="left" alt="J" src="http://jhische.com/dailydropcap/J-10-cap.png" title="Daily Drop Cap by Jessica Hische" /><br /><br />ust a quick retro style sneaky peeky into this past week's Alt Summit! Later this evening I will post Mid-Century Monday and a quick re-cap of the last few days' activities. Oh how I've missed you readers!!!! But, I'm back and I'm hawwwwwt with new info and ideas! Ooooo yeah baby! So get ready for the new and improved BohoVin! Okay! Be back later alligator. Stay tuned.<br /><br />Happy Decorating!<br />Mina

Helloooooo..... 01.24.2011

ust a quick retro style sneaky peeky into this past week's Alt Summit! Later this evening I will post Mid-Century Monday and a quick re...

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On A Different Note... 01.07.2011 - Pics of My Trip...

<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvIqzxiKO3dQh5iulJkTySjCkCuarh7zBuRJxLJOCM7tsegyG0QLQrLJnzWTfQFSg-QNLdRvs_ERExnWWkfB6aFloE4JDzPtKBUWSOV3j0P8OztmxGyaCnEJE_CECJ9u1E0sAO21A5SI/s1600/collage.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558537993666950290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvIqzxiKO3dQh5iulJkTySjCkCuarh7zBuRJxLJOCM7tsegyG0QLQrLJnzWTfQFSg-QNLdRvs_ERExnWWkfB6aFloE4JDzPtKBUWSOV3j0P8OztmxGyaCnEJE_CECJ9u1E0sAO21A5SI/s400/collage.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I thought I'd leave you for the weekend with some pictures from my recent trip to Chicago... That's me (above) vowing to hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil. : )<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYNt9Xm4UubDhy-RTh62h5OxQCFrxpwY8PY318MfrdIZgm-v2PwJg1jYsbUiiuFw4vxSETbdRWlsh3FEtCS7dPmCIC5Cw0VeYYaiO3PMNcny7vRMiGRVnWHm8KyGnxoRUSoX7D0DrTFA/s1600/167019_1790949132345_1198135003_32079384_3264248_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558537989291162834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYNt9Xm4UubDhy-RTh62h5OxQCFrxpwY8PY318MfrdIZgm-v2PwJg1jYsbUiiuFw4vxSETbdRWlsh3FEtCS7dPmCIC5Cw0VeYYaiO3PMNcny7vRMiGRVnWHm8KyGnxoRUSoX7D0DrTFA/s400/167019_1790949132345_1198135003_32079384_3264248_n.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Laying down on the sky deck at the Willis Tower (Former "Sears" Tower). And... yes... it is alllll glass!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZN4H4fhczGS5fwCYaDrz-MoATsyA5hGVjaZQzmJaOwtFPy9WHQJt8zMicQg3ITHOKjQ59hCgd9WsKG9wgj7D4KatRwJISysfdxK3x2PxBKScDmNrARfCHVHFwS3uzI6nVkEcBuAEXCWI/s1600/165730_1790981053143_1198135003_32079514_175379_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558537983374833218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZN4H4fhczGS5fwCYaDrz-MoATsyA5hGVjaZQzmJaOwtFPy9WHQJt8zMicQg3ITHOKjQ59hCgd9WsKG9wgj7D4KatRwJISysfdxK3x2PxBKScDmNrARfCHVHFwS3uzI6nVkEcBuAEXCWI/s400/165730_1790981053143_1198135003_32079514_175379_n.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> My sister snapped this picture of me in action as I snapped pictures of the city...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Wytm6vi57iHHiP2Pb0pLWIMU49Hlb_eT6et4QIqU5ZLe_bzvp90VuvZkMndd_yeI06m-bov6QGmXNdH0WL4YbwzMi2A6SV8ktgrxcFQ53PLNGUBtYlSemzZKnPy5xjBl6NqKF1jhWsY/s1600/165773_1790956692534_1198135003_32079418_7559135_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558537608840899090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Wytm6vi57iHHiP2Pb0pLWIMU49Hlb_eT6et4QIqU5ZLe_bzvp90VuvZkMndd_yeI06m-bov6QGmXNdH0WL4YbwzMi2A6SV8ktgrxcFQ53PLNGUBtYlSemzZKnPy5xjBl6NqKF1jhWsY/s400/165773_1790956692534_1198135003_32079418_7559135_n.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Moi! On Michigan Ave.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pu8By9lLNrBL4opRHmoOoKp9nKJU9ut5flLlQUnMJW2y8D48zXt28XFNUQE_Mbmc1yuhWyPjXXL0mCkZNkRxpJ2cUkx9bN4CIOA26lvI08S5SeTtKBr-UKffdYlbL5tS3o8YGN8tPDM/s1600/163867_1790957092544_1198135003_32079419_6763360_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558537604404310594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pu8By9lLNrBL4opRHmoOoKp9nKJU9ut5flLlQUnMJW2y8D48zXt28XFNUQE_Mbmc1yuhWyPjXXL0mCkZNkRxpJ2cUkx9bN4CIOA26lvI08S5SeTtKBr-UKffdYlbL5tS3o8YGN8tPDM/s400/163867_1790957092544_1198135003_32079419_6763360_n.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Me again! I feel so 1920s in this photograph!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLzfbOMNd-X21MGdu-JSh0-XWLSUnhDSPcFWK3GAgXv19bPzEITT63-fwdgS65SYTA8XfekgQzTkUOex2QcwWrI9OKZIIpNZtJzd49n7Gq2lw8nzKISeCibq1KYl05LSmkqP9768-p7E/s1600/163400_1790947132295_1198135003_32079375_2103567_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558537606587340658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLzfbOMNd-X21MGdu-JSh0-XWLSUnhDSPcFWK3GAgXv19bPzEITT63-fwdgS65SYTA8XfekgQzTkUOex2QcwWrI9OKZIIpNZtJzd49n7Gq2lw8nzKISeCibq1KYl05LSmkqP9768-p7E/s400/163400_1790947132295_1198135003_32079375_2103567_n.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Chicago, IL... isn't it pretty? : )<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUvvGT6kQ8Xjcb1DNWRzD1D_Ff4bgAiGp5TKJ23y-9tS2fhBbFeFxONiySqPcXD1r6knVhWU7YwAE9HfOR7MB2qW5QRrkzYXAEYEd8Bk9pH5OH-1D0pffYeefskgIPpAlobkboaFXudw/s1600/532.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558537602553814722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUvvGT6kQ8Xjcb1DNWRzD1D_Ff4bgAiGp5TKJ23y-9tS2fhBbFeFxONiySqPcXD1r6knVhWU7YwAE9HfOR7MB2qW5QRrkzYXAEYEd8Bk9pH5OH-1D0pffYeefskgIPpAlobkboaFXudw/s400/532.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> From the 104th floor of the Willis Tower<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5yBbmRxxeErv4ADdfL530qfmkqGnDF5rJ9W8WkSuOnTWZ-7Pm9ScIYXPI9xpu7yKteY42VBcMaVSr0s24Dn9rgnhioVhWIHLl7u9guFFKgCcZ2Q-DvLThgB9eceJVRbDd7xftXp9tE8/s1600/484.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558537595857200274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5yBbmRxxeErv4ADdfL530qfmkqGnDF5rJ9W8WkSuOnTWZ-7Pm9ScIYXPI9xpu7yKteY42VBcMaVSr0s24Dn9rgnhioVhWIHLl7u9guFFKgCcZ2Q-DvLThgB9eceJVRbDd7xftXp9tE8/s400/484.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I just loved these fixtures... they're so boho. Just had to snap a pic of them!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrmaS_PXIX-8M9Ip0VlczEWX0fqp8ti1wYk6nYXJ-e8uPncLTNrWSMQksPehxjG9p2tb24FnPwZKv4g8UGPhpDKisg4JL3O0OXHdl9HHnH0aUKyAaOlj6JYCNLFGmcSe0G9bhDjkmXKc/s1600/517.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558537105343415634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrmaS_PXIX-8M9Ip0VlczEWX0fqp8ti1wYk6nYXJ-e8uPncLTNrWSMQksPehxjG9p2tb24FnPwZKv4g8UGPhpDKisg4JL3O0OXHdl9HHnH0aUKyAaOlj6JYCNLFGmcSe0G9bhDjkmXKc/s400/517.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Me! This is in the Willis Tower on the queue up to the Sky Deck.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n2GfGoo_3NQAgaEf0E3yHHc34tEHXSXBYNPLhgmlH21B4glAUvXI2G3ywOdNotH_r6G6m6D8EFkwSX9OB3ZHqjX_Kij4tI70WKSYKruF71Vhv7ku_if2b3fRuvVwb2s-WB0oH8QvaYw/s1600/501.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558537098353648546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n2GfGoo_3NQAgaEf0E3yHHc34tEHXSXBYNPLhgmlH21B4glAUvXI2G3ywOdNotH_r6G6m6D8EFkwSX9OB3ZHqjX_Kij4tI70WKSYKruF71Vhv7ku_if2b3fRuvVwb2s-WB0oH8QvaYw/s400/501.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Sorry, but I usually make my coffee run wherever I am!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrK2jAc1WWC6uhXVbWhjztNz9dpvs8YrFZ8M8edJ9fdaVBtajWbmZGMQQ2XFr8rz9cY0aZQZ5AMO_M3kBSdOTQzvxUI9AqlskfkxG9u6pTzshEpMR4nB0v7NtARO2T4Hy1-zH4PsCTKy0/s1600/502.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558537094021964082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrK2jAc1WWC6uhXVbWhjztNz9dpvs8YrFZ8M8edJ9fdaVBtajWbmZGMQQ2XFr8rz9cY0aZQZ5AMO_M3kBSdOTQzvxUI9AqlskfkxG9u6pTzshEpMR4nB0v7NtARO2T4Hy1-zH4PsCTKy0/s400/502.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Snowman family! Being from Florida, I'm always mesmerized by snow!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiS6VJyA2hBNFUR3kikKx8RuIikkU1PKVGn6UhRURbbhiywERLhy6vBk6i4qqtFWx8yA5QeOPG0mAIa7PpiY_84czJKbedIyHWgrGIBzfYo4_9yUJblRsxSJBayAhQJovExWu6HYWMP0/s1600/479.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558537089359689010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiS6VJyA2hBNFUR3kikKx8RuIikkU1PKVGn6UhRURbbhiywERLhy6vBk6i4qqtFWx8yA5QeOPG0mAIa7PpiY_84czJKbedIyHWgrGIBzfYo4_9yUJblRsxSJBayAhQJovExWu6HYWMP0/s400/479.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> How can I <em>not </em>visit my favorite store? Come on now! Anthro in Highland Park. I scored some pretty sweeeeet deals!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7S-iG38HBdTnRz7IBdZpdasiYUsV7nHUZ74t6LFDTezpnVtUgCt-DOqUZFDC46ReOh09ReJlJ823xkTvqcfAtZbHdnaiy-8mxK8KpM4qEa4VQC3ncYlj6uicHPPYWOwf_diJs5I3czMo/s1600/393.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558537083156445522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7S-iG38HBdTnRz7IBdZpdasiYUsV7nHUZ74t6LFDTezpnVtUgCt-DOqUZFDC46ReOh09ReJlJ823xkTvqcfAtZbHdnaiy-8mxK8KpM4qEa4VQC3ncYlj6uicHPPYWOwf_diJs5I3czMo/s400/393.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>See???<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_-2AGEbIAJeFojOPxnhTIIPxXZZxB6lpBC7TJNEXid8Ejud8kMQezs_YjI3B4cTqlo7gCznJAc5ISuNZQfRAhiF1ZaiT5y4L5K_KZFJS5kapGVdVW7Rc4g8y2xR1swRyrfXOiyZJVrY/s1600/371.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558536494886345378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_-2AGEbIAJeFojOPxnhTIIPxXZZxB6lpBC7TJNEXid8Ejud8kMQezs_YjI3B4cTqlo7gCznJAc5ISuNZQfRAhiF1ZaiT5y4L5K_KZFJS5kapGVdVW7Rc4g8y2xR1swRyrfXOiyZJVrY/s400/371.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Michigan Ave.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnx-Z0gLb4vj_d74Ov5cMitcafA4ZAzKH2f1pUPLXhP1YYGpzxCVGytMRiAo0qD2UB6Ido5Hm6z2Q0zIjA9jt2lAmug5pDP2licqWccYzsSdkgsqEOkffsFInbIYOq2etiEf_Sh2CyRRg/s1600/347.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558536488037533074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnx-Z0gLb4vj_d74Ov5cMitcafA4ZAzKH2f1pUPLXhP1YYGpzxCVGytMRiAo0qD2UB6Ido5Hm6z2Q0zIjA9jt2lAmug5pDP2licqWccYzsSdkgsqEOkffsFInbIYOq2etiEf_Sh2CyRRg/s400/347.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>This is actually a still shot of a video I shot for my hubby who was back home. : )<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lkXupmMLr0gtEVrTFAtEqaUrHgZ3RhJTAI1y09Wzf2X-sru6-rCrQ8kH1SUMjgYsB-qsAHmZU-as5P5jdpuyxExKAf0nwEbDLFP24swNETWIXl8QMTIsy0n_fZT5K1AR1PvbUBSM7B0/s1600/329.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558536481177475938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lkXupmMLr0gtEVrTFAtEqaUrHgZ3RhJTAI1y09Wzf2X-sru6-rCrQ8kH1SUMjgYsB-qsAHmZU-as5P5jdpuyxExKAf0nwEbDLFP24swNETWIXl8QMTIsy0n_fZT5K1AR1PvbUBSM7B0/s400/329.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Laying on the Sky Deck. Pretty surreal experience. A tad scary. Just a tad. You know, being that it's 104 floors above ground and all! </div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7ZybFNYTSuHEQM4ORAeeN2eB1ss-AW3xJOo_0zcMPZjs6Fa8UHn3E9Ud21VYdMqW1dXkWF1f2uSA6xiCb1ie1usQ0_mx8D9SnDsynM4wMP1yhdc2E2M0fqfSwcI5B-QeJvsjOFtS7eA/s1600/317.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558536474313028226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7ZybFNYTSuHEQM4ORAeeN2eB1ss-AW3xJOo_0zcMPZjs6Fa8UHn3E9Ud21VYdMqW1dXkWF1f2uSA6xiCb1ie1usQ0_mx8D9SnDsynM4wMP1yhdc2E2M0fqfSwcI5B-QeJvsjOFtS7eA/s400/317.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Picture taken with my cell phone. Pretty nifty, eh?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExcCRCJsgSXhjsZLR6sPny18SHNRM4mpTp-KMzm2tKOAfUa274z6eoyqY1roMSm5M-O9YN_pwZGplAvse84Gac2Va0MwJ6T6a25_Iwlw-ykgkLAyFBqX3IkNKCSpLuav4tG4BAdWv1Zo/s1600/345.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558536470361656690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExcCRCJsgSXhjsZLR6sPny18SHNRM4mpTp-KMzm2tKOAfUa274z6eoyqY1roMSm5M-O9YN_pwZGplAvse84Gac2Va0MwJ6T6a25_Iwlw-ykgkLAyFBqX3IkNKCSpLuav4tG4BAdWv1Zo/s400/345.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Black and White photo of the city...</div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia27WA1uCtBDimwzVdYOjVYIOKudyWKPFymK6s3orBEc56ApOnS_qtJsfpo-EYAwzzgplIrgCk2AnJzOrZbLrSovxPdskcsISqOwkZx4zlg_VMgMIX79zTUZ-eBHDoRGrjxXxhEpVG_y8/s1600/167801_1790955612507_1198135003_32079415_5087978_n.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kl_9dAP4558LThNtHfecpWX0Pc6as3466MQsUCgq65TLaJbqpj8jaip0ngZaxDWcdPrvf6nwFWvyLBj54pxYEVTppRU3xByIAAns8Xt5Cdul_R4_oSFBlBChSGbk4aB9IsGwzSSn9kg/s1600/167765_1790954812487_1198135003_32079412_808825_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558541447112583810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kl_9dAP4558LThNtHfecpWX0Pc6as3466MQsUCgq65TLaJbqpj8jaip0ngZaxDWcdPrvf6nwFWvyLBj54pxYEVTppRU3xByIAAns8Xt5Cdul_R4_oSFBlBChSGbk4aB9IsGwzSSn9kg/s400/167765_1790954812487_1198135003_32079412_808825_n.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Downtown Chicago... retro style. : )</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycNmKkunhzr7YWyutHLA-S6soZ1M7QTjQzDFbLbC_CtBUsq5Dx5GdaXyraMkVB_KNEYKsDfXw0dIymj5us9crauCKqee_0ukH6c5LTWlGGHI1lrpCpVfedxo5NR6T7Wf0hRbv4oZey0c/s1600/167170_1790967172796_1198135003_32079444_4891670_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558541440242022834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycNmKkunhzr7YWyutHLA-S6soZ1M7QTjQzDFbLbC_CtBUsq5Dx5GdaXyraMkVB_KNEYKsDfXw0dIymj5us9crauCKqee_0ukH6c5LTWlGGHI1lrpCpVfedxo5NR6T7Wf0hRbv4oZey0c/s400/167170_1790967172796_1198135003_32079444_4891670_n.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Striking a pose apparently... : -/<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfUH717DPvyKNAGPgW1Ojhd9sfyLD_Y_y5nLrcg0TBTScVZrGJqjq6dG4MMu3Bal-Jvab3JORMCYZULvtRM49SBptsXb4TVLnP04op7f9fi70QLTpHUcpRJj-7rlxtaIO6ove8REZcsk/s1600/167416_1790953772461_1198135003_32079407_1766602_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558541438995468850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfUH717DPvyKNAGPgW1Ojhd9sfyLD_Y_y5nLrcg0TBTScVZrGJqjq6dG4MMu3Bal-Jvab3JORMCYZULvtRM49SBptsXb4TVLnP04op7f9fi70QLTpHUcpRJj-7rlxtaIO6ove8REZcsk/s400/167416_1790953772461_1198135003_32079407_1766602_n.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I hope you enjoyed the pics!<br /><br /><div align="left">And so... I leave you with a glimpse of my holiday trip to Chi-Town, USA. : ) Beautiful city. Lots of fun. Very inspiring. Loved it. Have a beautiful weekend everyone! See ya Monday!<br /></div><div align="left">Happy Decorating!</div><div align="left">Mina</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>

On A Different Note... 01.07.2011 - Pics of My Trip...

I thought I'd leave you for the weekend with some pictures from my recent trip to Chicago... That's me (above) vowing to hear no ev...

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