Ah, the gifts, they just kept a’coming and a’going. But even Ben didn’t know what to think of the big box that arrived just in time for Christmas.
When I saw the label on the box, I let out a squeal of joy. My lamp! And it truly is for me. Let me explain.
At the end of September, I was feeling lucky. Or maybe I can be honest and say that I was determined to be lucky after three really long years of more downs than ups. As part of trying to force my hand, I blatantly entered a give away by the fabulously talented Karena of Art by Karena, whose generosity of spirit is well-known in this oddly named ‘blogosphere’. Now, I am not a contest girl, surtout pas. Anything involving competition, well, I was the last girl to get picked for any given sport, you get the idea. But holy cow, when I saw that there was actually a give away, as in yes, maybe you, little ol’you, can get something for nothing (a concept that I still eye suspiciously) that was sponsored by none other than the riotously glamorous Francine Gardner, founder of the design company Interieurs, I leapt at the chance.
And the fates decided, ok, let’s give this one a bit of encouragement. I won! Truly, I think there were nearly 800 others vying for the phenomenal opportunity to claim a basket lamp created by José Esteves. Now, if this weren’t already a lovely enough story, here is where it gets even better. Karena kindly passed my contact info on to Francine and at the same time I discovered her blog, Art de Vivre, a must for anyone interested in travel and great design. Emails exchanged, time passed. Honestly, I was so interested in her story that I forgot about the lamp. She had just climbed Kilimanjaro! The long way around! After a few months, she admitted why there was a delay…well, Interieurs had actually run out of stock of the lamp and so she had asked Mr. Esteves, who has his studio in France, to make one for me and send it on directly. Isn’t that amazing? And yes, the lamp is too. Of far greater pedigree than most of our patina pieces, it nonetheless fits right in, spreading out the most gorgeous webs of shadow across my favorite Henri IV lithograph, as if we have always had it. Which makes me enormously happy. So thank you, thank you Karena, Francine and José Esteves!
Oh my, thank you so much Elizabeth for those kind words–I can use them this morning! And yes, I would LOVE to meet you this year! Either you can come down or I can come up and yell at that lazy foreman of yours! 🙂
Good karma has come to Arles. You certainly deserve this beautiful lamp Heather as you are always kind, generous and thinking of others. I hope this piece of luck augers well for the year ahead. Perhaps we too can meet in the summer of 2012…I can take the TGV from Dijon.
Now I'm off to stop by the 2 recommended sites above……..
Bisous
Hello everyone! Such kind wishes–what a perfect way to end this year, feeling both lucky and appreciated.
Francine, I would love to meet you as well and will come to Avignon if you prefer–as you want! I think that you have my email but just in case it is
ro*************@ya***.com
to set things up. Travel safely please and again, thank you!!!!
Wishing everyone health, joy and adventure for 2012!!!!! Hooray!!
What a wonderful Christmas surprise! And yes, you deserve it!
I'm so pleased to met you via the blog world. Thank you very much for all your lovely comments and I certainly hope that we could meet some day in person, who knows…. (it's only 6-7 hours drive to the Périgord or to Arles)
All my best wishes for you and yours for a wonderful and healthy 2012!
Bonne Année!
Amicalement et bisou,
karin
I was just dropping by to wish you a Happy New Year and thank you for visiting my place and your special comments. I look forward to engaging more with you in 2012. Cheers SpecialK XoXo
Hi Heather, I'm so glad you won and that this lovely light will be casting a glow on you in 2012! Wishing you the brightest days ahead. Cheers and Happy New Year!
Dear Heather!
Your enthusiasm is contagious! you made my morning…waking up in a "morose" blue moon i was delighted to read your post. Any little moment of happiness I can contribute fives me such joy and pleasure, so I am the one to thank you! i am about to get my flight and would love to meet you. My parents will be joining me in Avignon and am not sure that i can make it to Montpellier as my flight will be leaving from marseilles. Let's figure out where we could meet…Arles and Avignon are not far from each other.
I will be sending Jose a link to your post. By the way, he and his compagne Monique go often to the South and love Arles!!
How exciting! I'm the same; never ever win anything. Maybe one day…. haha!
Have a fabulous New Year, Heather!!
~ Clare x
a lovely story. it may be that you are now officially a lucky person!
Hello Heather
Congratulations. That is a beautiful lamp and looks so perfectly suited to your home. Such generosity and I am so happy you are the winner. A lovely story .
Happy New Year PS Pats to Ben
Helenxx
How wonderful that this beautiful piece went to somebody who will truly treasure it. I haven't heard of her or her interesting attitude to life, so shall go and check her out. Virginia xx
A most deserving person too and I’m so happy for you and your lamp. Your lamp is wonderful made even more special by others and the fact it arrived in time for Christmas. It looks wonderful on your table under your lithograph. Congratulations on your prize!
Ben looks pretty darn cute sitting there too!!
Hugs!
Debra
Hooray! Congratulations! How fun to win something; like a little gift from the universe, reassuring you that you are lucky and worthy of gifts! Good to remember as we head into the new year! : )
Dear Heather,
I am so happy to hear the rest of the story!! Thrilled that this amazing lamp creation by Jose arrived when it did! Also a huge thank you to Francine for sponsoring such a special gift!
Wishing you and yours all the best in 2012
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena