*My French Life* Party

I am calling this a party, because most good parties have people, fun and prizes.  Here is the scoop...

I scored a free copy of the soon to be released book called My French Life, by Vicki Archer.  This book is a memoir about France, mainly the South of France and Provence, but there is a bit about Paris in there as well. This book is not your typical memoir.  It reads like a memoir, but in a large coffee table size padded hardcover, and the best part...it is loaded with gorgeous pictures.  The story is interesting, if not a bit familiar and overdone, told from the wife/mothers point of view about a family with more money than I could imagine making in a lifetime, moving half way round the world, buying a dilapidated villa in the South of France, and restoring it (sounds like Under the Tuscan Sun).  Don't get me wrong here, there are some lovely stories, very vivid descriptions and I can relate to some of the things she likes and talks about.  Flea markets, French food and food markets, shopping, cafes, the landscape, the views..and oh yeah...did I mention some tales of her trips to Paris.  French Style.  You can tell she has fallen in love with France.

The real reason I love this book, the shining star above and beyond the story, for me, is the page after page of glorious full size color photos of the best that France has to offer.  Wonderful stacks of monogrammed linens, clumps of deep blue lavender plants in full bloom, rows and rows of olive trees, the deep azure water along the coast, cafes in Paris, landscapes in every season, antiques, table settings and markets.  There are many impressive transformation pictures, before and after shots of the villa, which of course is now stunning.  There are wonderful vignettes and sneak peaks into different rooms of her home.  St. Remy and Paris are two of the most highlighted areas - and just looking at this book reminds me of why I love Paris, and why I long too see Provence. 

So, I have decided to make some lucky reader appreciate France the way I do, by giving them this lovely book (which retails for $35), for free!  And I will pay for shipping!  Here's how it works...

From now until Friday, November 9th, you can enter to win.  You have a few different options, and you can be entered many, many times...thereby increasing your chance to win!

1.  If you are not a *subscriber* either through my feed or through email, you can subscribe and put a comment on this post letting me know that you have subscribed. I will then enter your name in the hat. Subscribing is really easy.  Just click on the square orange widget on the left column of my blog or click the updates through email button.

2.  If you are a blogger, you can show me some *link love*  Just link me in your blog-roll, and post a comment on this post telling me you linked me, and I'll enter your name in the hat.

3. Refer a friend.  Maybe you have a friend, family member or co-worker that you think may enjoy My Melange. If you have a blog, perhaps some of your readers might enjoy My Melange.  You can help get the word out.  If you refer a friend, and that friend *subscribes*, your friend should leave a comment on this post telling me that she/he subscribed and *who* referred them.   Your friend will be entered, and you will be entered again for referring that friend.  No limit here folks.  If 10 friends that you referred subscribe and leave a comment stating you referred them, I put 10 of your name in the hat!

4. Last but not least.  If you have a blog, and are so inclined to want to do an entire post dedicated to my little party (and believe me I am not vein enough to think that all you have to do with your day is talk about little old me) and encouraging new readers to pop on by, and subscribe...then you shall be rewarded!  You guessed it, after you do a post on your blog, just let me know by putting the link in a comment on this post and your name goes in the hat.

On Friday November 9th, a name will be drawn from the hat and the winner will be posted!  I racked my brain over this one folks.  Tried to make it creative, interesting and most of all....fun!!

So...come on over, join the party!  Invite your friends.  Look around, see what you like.  Do some mingling.  Hopefully we get to know the *regulars* a little better and encourage some of our new friends to get in on the fun!  And somebody gets a door prize!  And for goodness sake...don't forget the champagne!

Bonne Chance! 

Comments

[Agnes]

France !!! How do I love thee ? Let me count the ways....
I've lately been daydreaming of being able to travel to France and explore all of it, particularly Paris and Provence. I would like to paint Provencal scenery and experience French Life ! I'm from the Third World where it really would be expensive for me to travel to Europe so I hope that I win the book. It is only through blogs like yours and books like the French Life that I 'experience' the France that I would one day like to see. Cheers!
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Agnes-

Welcome! There are plenty of ways to enter! Did you *subscribe* today? If so, I will enter you! Good luck!

xoxo
Robin

[Mélanie]

I WANT To play to see if I'm lucky and I will write something before the 9th of November

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Melanie,

Yes, please play! Thanks for writing- but if you subscribe your are also entered!!

xoxo
Robin

[Elle]

I RSSed you through Sage... looking forward to reading the book - whether I win or not!

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Hi Elle,

Welcome! Thanks for subscribing! Consider yourself entered!!! Please come back soon- I like to make new friends!! Can't wait to check out YOUR blog ;)

xoxo
Robin

[Agnes]

Hi Robin,

Yes, I did subscribe and in fact, I was so happy I did ! The pictures in your site are just awesome...it's like already being there....a true feast for a travelbug like me !!! Please please do enter me in the 'party'.

BTW, I'm new in the RSS feed. What happens next ? How do I get regular feeds ?

Cheers,
Agnes

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Agnes,

Thanks for subscribing! I will put your name in!!!! Your feeds should *automatically appear* whenever I publish a new post in whatever feedprovider you have chosen. For more info- click on the link in my post that is underlined about subscribing. If you have any other questions...just shoot me an email! Glad you are here...and we are a freindly bunch! Feel free to comment away!!!!! :)

xoxo
Robin

[Janet]

I subscribed via Google Reader! LOVE the umbrella on the book cover :-)

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Janet,

I know- isn't the cover great!!! It *spoke* to me the minute I saw it!! Thanks for subscribing...and your name is in!!! Good luck...remember..you have more chances to get your name in too!!! Welcome to My Melange!

xoxo
Robin

[Paris Parfait]

Well your blog is already on my blogroll - as you know, I'm a fan! And what a lovely party prize you're offering your readers!

_____________________________________________

Thanks Tara! I appreciate your link love. I'll put you in the drawing! Tell all your wonderful friends ...if you think they'll like it here and enjoy a Frenchy Coffeetable book :)

xoxo
Robin

[melissa @ the inspired room]

You are on my blogroll, so I am definitely playing and joining in the party! That books sounds fabulous! And I hope you visit my blog too as we are just a couple of posts away from my big 100th post giveaway, and the prizes are French (well, the ones I know about, I am still working on it!)...

Melissa

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Excellent! Congratulations on your upcoming milestone! Can't wait for your contest!! Don't you just love parties!!!! I'll enter you..good luck ;)

[Jeni]

I am all about spreading blogging love, links and comments, and your party just gives me another reason. Great idea and generous gift!

I have subscribed, I have your link on my website and I have just published a post about your party. Very glad to do it. Here is the link: http://passionatepalate.blogspot.com/2007/10/my-french-life-party-at-my-melange.html.

Brava!
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Oh Jeni,

Thank You so much!!!! You are great! That means..hold on lemme count em...1, 2, 3!! 3 entries for your name!!! Hopefully some of your readers will subscribe and post too...so you can get even more entries too !!! I am going to dig up a recipe for your Apples and Thyme...even if it kills me!!! Ohhhh I love me a par-tay!

xoxo
Robin

[Michelle]

Hello, I subscribed today and I look forward to maybe winning that beautiful book! Thanks!

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Hi Michelle and Welcome!!! Thanks for subscribing...I hope you will enjoy it here...we are a friendly bunch! Please come back and visit soon....I love to have *conversations* and I put your name in! Good Luck!!

Robin

[rochambeau]

Yes please Robin,
Count me in, I want to be part of your party and the fun. The book sounds great!
I will do a post about it for you, but I don't understand how to do the other stuff.

xox Constance

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Connie,

You are too cute. If you subscribe to my blog- just tell me and I'll enter you. If you don't subscribe yet- just subscribe in a feed...and I'll enter you. Also- I think I am your blogroll- if so, tell me and I enter your name again!

If someone comes over from reading the post on your blog and subscribes and tells me in the comment they make that *came* from your blog...you get another entry!! Lots of ways to win!! Have any other questions....just email me and I'll help!! Thanks for the support!! I think you'd love this book. Lots of Frenchness.

xoxo
Robin

[cherie]

Lovely blog and this book is beautiful. I love the cover...*sigh*...especially the black & white with a hint of red.
I found you through Constance's blog (Rochambeau) and I'm so glad that I did. I have subscribed to your blog as well...look forward to coming here often!

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Cherie,

Thanks for coming by and subscribing! You are welcome...anytime...and we are a friendly bunch here :)
I am glad you like the book...it is so FRENCH!! I just put your name in the hat(and another for Constance)!! Good luck!

xoxo
Robin

[stephanie]

What a great book! what a great site!

Yes, yes, please enter me as I just linked to you AND I am in the process of creating a blog for tomorrow for the bloglandia Halloween Party and will tell all about YOUR party too!

x....x
s
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Hey Stephanie-

Welcome! Glad you like the book...and my lil' ole blog! Ohh...I am excited to see your blog and your post too! I'll have to check out this Halloween Party you speak of....
I put your name in 2x for subscribing and linking..when I see the post on your blog..I'll throw your name in again....
Good luck..and some back soon ;)

Robin

[Pinkie Denise]

Wow, sounds like so much fun.
Count me in Pinkie Denise

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Ok, Denise! You are in!

Robin

[Carol]

I am a new subscriber! My French Life ... wouldn't that be nice.

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Welcome Carol. Yes, it would be nice....I agree!! Thanks for subscribing! Come back soon...we are a friendly bunch ;) I put your name in. Good luck!

[somepinkflowers]

new subscriber here,
you are already
on my blog roll...

:-)

liked your faces of paris posting...
i think my face
was on there...LOL

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SPF-

That's funny! I just love that. If I would have known it was you...I would have stopped to say hi :) Thanks for subscribing....I'll put your name is 2x. Good luck...and come back soon....

xoxo
Robin

[loulou]

Robin,
I've been reading your blog and admiring your beautiful photographs for a while now. I can't believe I never put you on my blogroll before now! You're now there, under "amusements"
Merci pour la fête!

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Bonjour Loulou-

Welcome! Thanks for the *link love* I too, love your photos...you get to live, where I get to dream about ;) I have entered your name...good luck and come back soon!

xoxo
Robin

[Anne`]

Hello..just came over to say Hi and that I have added you to my blog roll. I found you on Bleeding Espresso's blog. I love reading about Europe...amazing story how you fell in love with Italy. We are off there next week for 10 days..going to Lake Como.

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Welcome Anne! Glad you like the blog...and my story about Italy. Kinda cliche..you know inspired by a movie and all...but hey- something had to spark my interest! Come on over any time...we are a friendly bunch here..and have a trip to Italy! I put your name in...and another for Sognatrice ;) Good luck!

Robin

[Geggie]

Bonjour, Robin. I just found your site from Bleeding Espresso and I'm so excited. We are planning a trip to Paris in March.

I am going to link to your site, would you consider reciprocating?

Have a super day.
Geggie
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Hi Geggie,

Welcome and I will enter both you and Songnatrice(again....man she's racking em up!!!) in the hat! Hope to see you again soon..and drop me an email if I can be any help for your Paris trip. I plan trips and itineraries for people...and I love doing it. Hope you have a great time.

xoxo
Robin

[Anne]

Hello Robin...just to say I have added your link to my blog roll. I found you through Bleeding Espresso...Love reading about Europe...will read more of your stories later.

[Princess Haiku]

What a great umbrella and the book seems interesting.
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It is great :)

[tongue in cheek]

I have you listed in my blog list. Life in France, love the cover image...Thankfully the south of France has blue skies and no need for an umbrella ;)
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Well hello Corey! I'll enter you in the drawing then! I guess when I move someday...it will have to be to the south of France...more sun there ;)

xoxo
Robin

[KC]

I love parties, especially when there are prizes! Sign me up! I've already subscribed, and we already shared us some link love, but I think I'm going to go ahead and do a post too.
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Yes KC..the more the merrier! Well...that will be 3 entries for your name then! Thanks...and Buona Fortuna ;)

xoxo
Robin

[Karen Cole]

Well......here I am.....ready to win. I feel lucky today.

I can't recall how I got here, but it has been a glorious trip.

You are now linked by "love" and "luck" on my blog-

http://karencole.blogspot.com

PLUS>>>>I'm a subscriber now.

LOVE YOUR SITE!!!

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Welcome Karen! I am glad you found me...however you got here! Thanks for the kind words about my blog and for the *link love*. I put your name in hat 2x.....good luck! Please come back soon....we are a friendly bunch!

Robin

[lissa]

I have add you to my blogroll under "Reading" for blogs that I read often. Find your site by Bleeding Espresso who happens to belong to the group She Who Blogs which is a group I also belong to.

I have never been to France but that book sounds interesting. Enter me in the contest. Thanks!
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Hi Lissa,

Welcome! I am glad you found me thru Sognatrice! She is a doll ;) I hope you will like my *armchair* travels about France and Italy...and I have entered you in the contest! Good Luck...and come back soon...

Robin

[eb]

parties parties parties!

oh this is fun - what a delightful idea - and this party is the day after my anniversary...

so romantic don't you think?

xox - eb.
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Yes, tres romantique! Happy Anniversary! eb, just let me know if you subsribe or link me...and I'll put you in the drawing. It would make a nice anniversary present!

xox
Robin