The Second To Last Post

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, yes? Mine was lovely and I received some very thoughtful gifts.

With only 2 days (or a day and a half really) left in 2010 I have mixed emotions and feelings about the year. It was tough but I learned a lot (is that cliche to say?) and did a lot of growing as a person - however, it's not a year that I'd like to repeat! 2011 on the other hand, I think will be much different and I am looking forward to it. I think it's going to be a good year.....

I've written two kinda "end of year" posts over on my new blog that I won't repeat here but invite you to take a look at if you wish. The first was a 2010 Photography Wrap-Up where I shared some of my favourite pictures I've taken this year. The other is a kind of a 2010 Review post.

However you decide to ring in 2011 I hope you have a lovely and safe evening; I hope 2011 is everything you need it to be and so much more. Really, I do.

See you back here some time next week when I hope to make my final post on this blog, before it goes on hiatus, a video post!

k

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays. Seriously, without all of you reading and leaving your comments, suggestions, thoughts, this blog would not be what it is. I appreciate you all stopping by my little piece of the internet daily/weekly however often it is and spending your time reading my thoughts.

Take it easy and enjoy the day with your loved ones and see you on Monday...when I'm going to try and get my act together and do a video post :)

WINNER OF THE HOLIDAY/THANK YOU GIVEAWAY!

Thank you to everyone who entered my Thank You/Holiday Giveaway. Since I chose the winner the old fashioned way (by pulling the name out of a hat!) I thought it would be fun to do a little video blog so you guys could watch as the winner was selected.

This is my FIRST video post (vlog?) so excuse all the "umms" (and I'm not sure why the video quality looks not to great...I swear it's crystal clear on my camera....maybe I'll upload in HD format next time....) but I'll definitely be doing more in the future! If you're on YouTube feel free to subscribe to my channel as well (FIWL2011).

(And just in case you don't feel like watching the video the winner is mentioned below.)



Congratulations to Jason of the blog These Roving Eyes. I've been reading Jason's blog for quite some time now and have had the pleasure of meeting him this past summer; I'm very curious to know what book will be selected! The winner (Jason) has until Friday, December 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET to contact me via email letting me know which 1 of the 9 books he'd like! If Jason does not contact me by then a new winner will be selected and announced on Monday, December 20.

Thanks again everyone! And if you haven't already checked out my new blog please drop by and say hi!

Perfect Table Setting

Thanks to all of you who entered my thank you/holiday giveaway by commenting on my new travelogue, becoming followers of it, and tweeting the giveaway. Thank you so much! Since one person could have up to 3 entries I'm selecting the winner via the old fashioned way of writing the names out on pieces of paper, putting them in a hat, and pulling the winner....so stay tuned. Winner to be announced this Wednesday the 15th!

In the meantime, I leave you with this pic seen in the new issue of Lonny Magazine available now. If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time you know that I adore pink as an accent colour and that gold is my most favourite metal...combined with the fun & graphic black & white fabric...well it's just perfect. I'm in love with the entire look and may very well try to duplicate it in my future eating area....when I return from India. I'm particularly IN LOVE with the fabric used as tablecloth. Totally feminine, grown up, and chic....but still young and fun.

+pics from Lonny Magazine.

Reminder...Giveaway Ends Tonight!

Just a quick reminder that my holiday/thank you giveaway ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. EST. So if you haven't already entered scroll down for details - then head over to my new travelogue From India. With Love. to enter. It's open to all Apt. #412 readers (not just Canadians!) and I mean, who doesn't love a good book???

Good Luck!

Blog Love: How About Orange

Are you guys familiar with the blog How About Orange? If not you simply must check it out. Earlier today I spent far too long going through the archives bookmarking future DIYs, downloading wallpapers for my desktop and twitter background, and clicking a bunch of links.

+ Things to Make With Crepe Paper

+ DIY Modern Paper Ornament

+ Make Fabric Prints with Tape

And that is just the very tip of the iceberg. I don't know how she finds all this great stuff or comes up with these awesome DIYs and ideas but my gosh I love it. I also don't know why/how I'm just discovering this blog.....

5 More Days To Enter My Giveaway

click here to find out how

A Holiday & Thank You Giveaway!

Happy Holidays!

As many of you know I'll be moving to India in the New Year (in March to be exact) and have started a new blog From India. With Love. You also may have noticed that postings on this blog have subsequently become a bit....slow and at the end of the year Apt.#412 will be going on temporary hiatus. Come January I'll be in full pre-departure mode for India, throwing my pregnant sister's baby shower (my first niece/nephew!), and just getting a lot of stuff ready and in order.....to be honest maintaining two blogs is the last thing I want to do. I decided to start From India. With Love. to document all of the adventures I will have in India and as sort of a resource for anyone thinking of moving to India (especially women or people of colour) or people who simply plan on visiting India. I'd love for you to join me on my new blog.....

Which leads me to my final Apt.#412 Giveaway which is also a THANK YOU for reading along for the past....15 months.

I'm a huge lover of books - not just novels but books about design (hence this blog)...about travel (hence my new blog)...about photography (which there will be lots of on the new blog)...as well as books that are inspirational...and many other kinds...

SO my giveaway is for ONE WINNER to receive ONE of the following books (winner chooses which book they would like to receive). The books with an asterisk I have read/own (and in the case of the DVD also seen) and 100% vouch for. The others are ones that I would love to own. I think they are all great and would be a great addition to your bookshelf or coffee table....

Domino's Book Of Decorating*

If you're a design blogger or read Domino then you've heard all about this book...

Within The Frame by David DuChemin*

This is not a technical book per say - what it is is a book about how to make meaningful photos...

especially those of the travel kind - and to help you with your photographic vision...

Who Will Cry When You Die*

I've often quoted this book in posts...little short thoughts/lessons that inspire...

Lonely Planet India

Lonely Planet guidebooks are amongst the most popular....

Just in case you're planning on visiting India...

on Happy Chic Colors

I LOVE colour in homes but for a lot of people it's tough knowing how to inject colour into your space...get tips and ideas from the master of colourful, playful, quirky design...

Eat, Pray, Love DVD*

Most people have heard of this book/dvd...watched the movie this weekend - 

the scenery and colours are stunning...

Secret Daughter*

A really touching book that goes back and forth between India and America.... 

Lauren Conrad Style

I'm not a fashion blogger or the type that reads fashion...guidebooks...but I flipped through this one at the bookstore and it's one fashion book I'd really like to own.

1,000 Places To See Before You Die*

The new 2010 updated version - filled with inspiring places and things to see...

Now here's how you can win:

- Visit my NEW blog From India. With Love. and comment on ANY POST. Be sure to include: (Apt.412 giveaway some place in your comment) so I know you're entering the draw.

- For a ANOTHER chance to win become a follower of From India. With Love. - scroll to the bottom of the main page and you'll see the widget thingy. (sorry if you already follow you don't get a second entry!)

- For yet ANOTHER chance to win tweet or do a quick post (even a sentence or two) on your blog about this giveaway (and let me know at imnotreallyadiva[at]gmail.com). In the tweet be sure to include @kayinto and a link (http://bit.ly/fcVAQd) back to this post so I know you've tweeted.

And that's it. A few ways to win one of these fantastic books (or DVD)!

The giveaway closes on December 8, 11:59 p.m. EST and the winner will be announced here on Apartment #412 on December 9, 2010.

Hope you enter and good luck!