Win a copy of KATHRYN AT HOME A GUIDE TO SIMPLE ENTERTAINING

Have you ever picked up a book that makes you want to invite a bunch of friends over, set a fun table (maybe outside), and cook up simple but delicious recipes? I have.   It's called, KATHRYN AT HOME A GUIDE TO SIMPLE ENTERTAINING by Kathryn M. Ireland.  If you purchase it through the affiliate link at the bottom of this post, I will be compensated, but you will not pay any extra.  These opinions are my own.

Here's a glimpse of how beautiful the book is.

Kathryn shares photos of how she entertains at her bohemian-chic French farmhouse, La Castellane as well as at her Santa Monica, California home.  She's all about cooking with "in season" food, preferably bought from a local open market.  "More than Kathryn's table or her scrumptious food and inimitable settings, it's the glow on her guests' faces inviting us into the photo." - from the Forward by Kate Betts.

The photos have me looking forward to trying her recipes for Fresh Homemade Basil Pesto, Tomato Provencal, Homemade Rasberry and Vanilla Bean Jam and more. Want to see more of Kathryn's style? You can follow her Instagram HERE. Now for the big news: I will be sending a copy of this book to one lucky reader! It's easy to enter.  Just come back here (or to the blogs Botanic Bleu or Let's Add Sprinkles) for Monday Social #3.  It will open at 4:00 p.m. Central Time this Sunday night.  Link up your Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, or blog posts.  I love finding new people to follow on social media, don't you?  Each linkup entry is a chance to win this gorgeous book!  The winner will be announced at Monday Social #4.

See You Sunday!

Joining:
Thoughts of Home
Your Inspired Design
Thursday Favorite Things

Better in Blue

What's a girl to do when she wants one of the pretty blue-gray Cinderellas pumpkins but there's no fairy godmother in sight and the girl is still not driving because of the big old boot on her ankle?

Paint an old orange and green one of course.

Especially, if it already had a pretty realistic stem.

I added a few drops of blue craft paint to some white chalk paint to get the color.

One more thing is ready for the Fall in Love with Texas Blog Tour hosted by Let's Add Sprinkles.

Please stop by to visit my home on Wednesday, October 5th.

There is still time to link up to this week's Monday Social.  We'd love to see what you've been up to on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, or your blog! 

Wish me luck at the surgeon's on Thursday morning.  If my x-ray looks good, I'll be starting to walk and drive again.  After ten weeks, I almost can't believe it.

Joining: Metamorphosis Monday The Scoop Inspire Me Tuesday Wow Us Wednesday Thoughts of Home Your Inspired Design Simple and Sweet Friday Imparting Grace Southern Hospitality Share Your Style Thursday Favorite Things Anything Blue Friday

Monday Social #2

We are so excited to host a linky party for all our friends, both new and old, and we are glad you are here.

Come on in. 

Welcome to Monday Social #2 

First Party - September 11

Judith at Botanic Bleu  || Instagram || Facebook || Pinterest || Botanic Bleu ||
Katie at Let's Add Sprinkles || Instagram || Facebook || Pinterest || Let's Add Sprinkles ||

Eilis at My Heart Lives Here  || Instagram || Pinterest || My Heart Lives Here || 

Monday Social
is a social gathering of friends where we connect with others by visiting them on 

Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or a Blog.  

That's right, you do not have to write a blog to participate in Monday Socials.
You can also link photos from Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.

Find the addresses for your friends' sites, and 
link your addresses for friends to find. 


*****

Each Sunday at 4:00 p.m. party goers link up photos from one of four sites, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and/or a Blog.  

Old-fashioned socials were held on/in lawns, porches, parlors, churches... where friends mixed, mingled, and shared their lives... and exchanged their calling cards that gave their names and contact information. 

Monday Social is a 21st century social where we exchange our calling cards (link our URL addresses) for Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and a Blog.

*****
The hostess this week is 
Judith of Botanic Bleu

Thank you to everyone who joined the first Monday Social last Sunday. 

We had a great time visiting everyone to see their entire links, 

including links to Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. 

You all got right into the swing of sharing your social media sites.  

*One quick linking tip...

Link to a specific PHOTO in Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, 

not to your social media site.

Features were hard to choose because there were so many fantastic links. 

Here are links that inspired me 

AND 

all these participants did a perfect job linking up to the party. 

All of these are featured on our MONDAY SOCIAL FEATURES Pinterest board. 

Be sure to check out their sites....  

I N S T A G R A M 

All the shades of blue in Melissa's Instagram photo are stunning. 

Big Bend National Park --- Instagram: Melissa Fitch 

P I N T E R E S T 

Sarah's fall vignette featuring dried berries and seed pods with a little velvet pumpkin are perfect for this time of year.

Elegant Fall Arrangement --- Pinterest: Hyacinths For The Soul 

F A C E B O O K 

Shentia's orange roses with her blue and white finds from HomeGoods create an unusual early fall color combo of blue, white, and orange.

Early Fall Tablescape --- Facebook: Embellishments by SLR 

B L O G 

Lisa shows not one, not two, but three creative ways to use tea towels other than as tea towels. If you have never visited Lisa's blog, you are in for a wonderful treat. Her creativity and photo styling are incredible. 

Tea Towel Transformations --- Blog: Celebrate Creativity

Party Giveaway Gifts 

Each week during the first three weeks of the Monday Social, each person who links to the party is entered into a drawing that week for a special gift from the hostess for the week. The more links, the more entries (4 maximum per week). Our way of saying THANK YOU for coming to our new linky party...

Last week's giveaway from Katie at Let's Add Sprinkles is the fantastic farmhouse collection 

that includes a copy of Mary Janes Farm magazine that featured Katie's galvanized tank turned pool. 

Congratulations to 

Mary @ The Boondocks Blog

Please contact Katie to give her your information for sending your farmhouse collection to you. 

Botanic Bleu readers know I write about French-inspired garden and home topics, and love all things French. Is it any surprise that this week I am giving away a French-inspired candle from Michel Design? Our way of saying, "Merci," for joining our linky party this week. Each link-up (maximum of 4) is an entry to win this beautiful 8.5 ounce soy-wax candle in a designer glass container with Paris scenes, a light fragrance, and keepsake box.  

{The fine print: The giveaway begins today, September 18, 2016 at 4:00 pm (CDT) and will close September 23, 2016 at 4:00 pm. The winner will be chosen at random using InLinkz with up to four entries per person. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries. You must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the United States to win. (Sorry international friends... Giveaway laws vary in every country.) The prize is valued at $23 and includes shipping. No purchase is necessary. By entering a link below, you agree to the contest rules and regulations and release this blog and its author(s) from any liability.  All prizes will be awarded. Void where prohibited.}

*****
Party Directions

Come as you are.
In your cocktail dress, boot-scooting boots, or your jammies, but
remember your party manners, and do the following, please.

(Last week, Diane came in her jammies, and Sheila came in her nightgown. 
Still looking for who comes in a cocktail dress or boot-scooting boots.)

We would love for you to FOLLOW all your hostesses on their blogs one or more ways ... 

Bloglovin', email subscription, URL, Google Friend Connect, Google+, etc...

And FOLLOW each hostess on at least one social medium.
Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest

Please read how to be a good guest before linking to the party. 

1] Link a maximum of 4 photos that take party goers to Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, or a Blog. 
    Share home decor, DIY, recipes, inspirational thoughts... whatever is going on in your world.   

2] You do NOT have to write a blog to link up photos to Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook.
     Isn't this great? More people can join the gathering.

3] Monday Social attendees visit sites linked to the party and socialize ... 
    Suggested ways for mixing and mingling ...

• Instagram - comment on a photo or Regram another person's Instagram ...
• Facebook - comment on a post or share a post on Facebook back to your Facebook site ...
• Pinterest - re-Pin another person's Pin on Pinterest...
• Blog - comment on another person's Blog...
• Make a regular connection with a site that inspired you by following the site.

4] No direct links to linky parties or advertising including Etsy shops.

5] By joining the party, you are agreeing that the photos are yours or that you have permission to use them, that we may use those photos to feature your work on a blog post and/or in social media. The blog post will always have a link back to you. Remember to disable "no reply" to your email so we can reach you.

6] Not required, but we would love for everyone to invite their readers to join the party and to share the Monday Social button on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Blog sites.

*****

Need help linking to the party? See Monday Social Linky that explains how to link up Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Blog photos.

Have fun and link 1, link 2, link 3, link 4!

An InLinkz Link-up

Fall Tiered Tray

I'm joining the ladies of Thoughts of Home on Thursday

for their Fall Tiered Tray Extravaganza.

I've been admiring these vignettes for some time.

The only problem was that until Saturday I didn't own a tiered tray.  Since they can be pricey, there are some great tutorials out there for making your own.  Before I got around to doing that, I found an affordable one that I really like. I bought this Edin Wood 2 Tiered Stand at Cost Plus World Market for around twenty dollars.

It was out of stock online, so I went to the local store to get one.

 Of course I also came home with lots of other goodies, everything from a faux fur pillow to local brews.  That is one fun place to shop.  

No, they didn't compensate me in any way to write this post.

Back to the tiered tray...

For this fall look I used fresh apples, decorative pumpkins, a few candles, napkins, napkin rings and white dishware from around the house.

I am also looking forward to putting breakfast goodies in it for a mini buffet the next time we have a crowd around in the morning. I can imagine yogurt, granola, raspberries, muffins...

There's still time to link your Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, or blog posts 

to our Monday Social Party.

Joining: Amaze Me Monday Met Monday Make it Pretty Monday The Scoop Share It One More Time Sundays at Home