Monday

Much to my surprise, I found recently that we'd been selected as one of the top ten finalists in the Yves Saint Laurent Experience Parisienne contest. Winners get to ring in the New Year in Paris!

I have been thoroughly enjoying Joanna Goddard's photos for the Parisienne campaign, but never did it occur to me, when she first posted about the contest, that we would actually be selected!

It's only day 2, and the competition is already stiff. I'm behind the ball on mustering votes for us, but my husband (who has never been) is giddy with the idea, after a long hard year of pulling twice his weight at the news station while completing his MBA (oh, and being a Q's daddy of course!) What with the adoption and Q's various surgeries, our travel budget has been in the negative for a couple of years now.
I have many sweet memories of days in Paris with my family when I was small (The photo is my mum and me in France many years ago), and I'll admit it would be sweet to re-experience some of these with our little family now!
So, here's the deal: If you hop on over to the YSL site and cast your vote for us (Maia L), and then leave a comment here, I will randomly select one person to win a big, beautiful, signed giclee print of my original watercolor, The Pirates Daughter (you can see details of this print at my Etsy shop, TheVoyagers.etsy.com. Winner will be chosen on Wednesday morning!

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

sweet! i voted for you! i'll keep voting everyday because you are only allowed a vote per day. i hope you guys get it!

Vivian M said...

I voted and will keep voting every day - hope you win!

Julie Fillo said...

I voted too! I will vote every day too...I also posted a link to your blog post on my facebook! I hope you win, I'm excited to see all your pictures from Paris!
xoxo

Julie

Kylie Larsson said...

Voted :) My absolute favorite print!

Gigi Thibodeau said...

I was more than happy to vote for you!! You just *have* to win, so I'll keep voting, too. You know, I hope, that I'd vote for you even without the delicious chance of winning your beautiful print. Your blog always inspires me. xo

Anonymous said...

Ok it's done, "A voté" as we say. Good luck from a daily silent parisian reader...

Julie E.

Fei An said...

Voted:) I will do it the following days. I do it for Q and her loving parents. Best wishes

Juniper said...

I voted, and that old photo of you and your mum is great! Good luck- a trip to Paris for you all what fun!!

Anonymous said...

I will vote for you as often as possible. Best of luck! Cheers, April

Anne said...

Congratulations for being part of the happy few selected. I just voted for you and I hope you will win :-)

Mlle Paradis said...

How nice! Fingers crossed for you guys. I'll head over there right now and vote!

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

As you already know, I voted for you the moment I saw the incredible photo and read your story...so this giveaway is an extra bonus! And guess what, I'll continue to vote every single day because Q and her beautiful family must ring in 2010 in Paris!

Deirdre said...

Ooh, I hope you win! I voted and also posted it to my FB account. I'll keep checking back to vote again.

FDChief said...

Your print is lovely, but my comment is merely to wish you well - a pox on Leah S, whose supporters appear to be Legion! I will vote for you early and often, in honor of my Chicago childhood. Good luck!

Melissa said...

Thanks! I voted. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Oh, exciting! My vote's in. I so hope the three of you will be seeing in the New Year in Paris!

Di said...

I'd be off to vote for you even without the incentive! How fab would it be to win a New Year trip to Paris!! I am actually off there on Friday!! Can't wait - it is one of my favourite cities ever.....good luck with the competition!!

Cara said...

Paris, the most magical city in the world. I just came back and I have to say that every time I go I'm more in love. It was so wonderful being there this time with my 2 1/2 year old and also witnessing through her eyes. Your essay for the contest was beautiful with the charm of your family history. Needless to say I put my vote in for you and will vote again tomorrow! Hope you get it!!!! Bonne chance! xo Cara

Cari said...

Voted!!! I hope you win - I think going to Paris would be fabulous!! You deserve it!

walternatives said...

I voted and will do so as often as I can. I hope you don't mind if I share the link to your blog on FB. Oh, I hope that you win!

belle said...

Woww awesome. I voted for you and I hope you win it, if not for the selfish reason of me wanting to experience and see Paris through your lenses and your words! eggciting!

Katie J said...

Great story. Carrie sent me here. I voted for you. My daughter was born in China and her pirate girl name is Naughty Nancy and she loves Pippi and Paris. I hope you win the trip to Paris and I win your print!

TheBeautyFile said...

I just voted! I really hope you win! I'm obsessed with Joanna's YSL blog! I am also in love with your work....pick me pick me!

alliot + iza said...

I wish your dream will come true.

Maia said...

Thank you all so much for this outpouring of support! I can't tell you how it warms my heart...and to see all you lurkers come out and comment. I love it!! OX - M.

Jo @ life in lists said...

Voted! Will also be linking to your unfailingly beautiful blog from my, somewhat less beautiful on :)

Carol Jeandel said...

I go vote of your amaze life and that you show out of all the wonderful picture Why is moving me always ''GOOD LUCKY'' great describe : )

HuluMama said...

I voted! Hope you win!

Palmer and Co said...

Oh, Maia! I'm so excited for you! You can count on our votes! Headed there now!!

That photo of you and your mom is priceless! PRICELESS!

Palmer and Co said...

What you wrote is simply amazing!

Katherine Alyce said...

Bonne chance, Maia!!! I'll keep voting, and ask everyone else I know to as well!

mtmcguinness@roadrunner.com said...

Voted! Love Le Marais, lived there for 2 wonderful years. Also love you work. Good luck, Em

Jen Laceda | Milk Guides said...

I'm heading over now!!!

Jen Laceda | Milk Guides said...

I just Voted! I'll vote everyday. I wish I knew about this sooner so I could have voted more :)

StumblingMind said...

I'm a friend of your neighbor, Anne, and I am happy to cast my vote. What a lovely story!

Notonlyformoms said...

of course i will vote for you - and just did it. not only because my daughter is called maja.
i hope you will see paris again (and i hope i will too ;-))
good luck from austria.
sabine