Friday, January 15, 2010

Turning One + A Giveaway



Happy Friday! Aren't you glad the weekend is finally here? After the busy work week I've had-- full of late nights and early mornings-- I definitely am!

But let's not rush off into the weekend too fast, my friends. Today is a special day. Today, this blog turns one year old! Yes, it is my blogiversary! (Or is it my blogoversary? I can't decide.)

A year ago today, I started up the lovely dove. I had been reading and commenting on some blogs on Glamour and A Cup of Jo and a few others, so I decided to give it a go myself. As a reporter who primarily covers City Hall and the police department, I thought blogging would provide the perfect outlet to stretch my more creative writing muscles. And it has. But it has done so much more.

Sure, I knew there was a blog community out there, but I didn't know how amazing it is. And never did I imagine how connected I would become to other bloggers and the friends I would make-- some that I've met, but most that I haven't. The funny thing is, it doesn't even matter if we've talked face-to-face. I feel like I know so many of you, and you know me-- sometimes better than the people in my "real life."

I am so grateful for every person who takes the time to read this little corner of the blogosphere. I don't tell you enough, but each comment brightens my day. Each comment makes the world feel like a smaller place.

As someone who was never able to keep a journal or a diary for more than a few consecutive weeks, this blog reaching one year is quite an accomplishment for me. Yes, I am a bit irregular in my posting and will leave unannounced for days at a time but I always come back. I have to come back. Thank you for being here and coming along for the ride.

To celebrate and say thanks to all my fabulous readers, I am having my first-ever giveaway! This really is one exciting day, huh? I've put together a little package of treasures made by some talented Etsians. Since blogging is what introduced me to Etsy (and consequently made me obsessed with the handmade goods site), it only made sense to go to Etsy for this giveaway. All of the items I am giving away are from new-to-me shops that are worth a peek or two... or three.

Here's what you can win:




A 2010 desktop calendar from photographer Gabrielle Kai.
I stumbled upon Gabrielle's work last week and instantly fell in love with her ethereal and inspiring images. The calendar includes four of her whimsical images printed on linen cardstock. And since three months are printed on each card, you get to enjoy each image that much longer!




A cute jotter notebook from Olive Manna.
I love the unique design on this purse-sized notebook, which has 48 pages of blank white paper-- perfect for making to-do lists (you know how I love crossing things off!) or even doodling.




A handwoven navy cotton and gold bracelet from Dores.
I think I've hearted half the stock in Stephanie Renee's lovely handmade jewelry shop. Everything is simple but gorgeous, like this modern twist on the classic friendship bracelet. What better to give to one of my bloggy friends?


All this (and maybe a little surprise) will come to the winner in a pretty package worthy of its contents. So how do you enter? I'm going to make this simple, but first, you have to be a follower of this blog since this giveaway is for my bloggy friends. If you're new, welcome and don't worry! Just go click follow-- easy peasy. Other than that, just leave a comment below and make sure there is a way to contact you if you win! I will announce the winner on Wednesday.

Oh, and this is totally open to my international readers!

Good luck! And thanks again for being here.

xo,



balloon image via we heart it 


{Edit: If you follow my blog some other way, say on your blogroll or google reader, that's totally fine. Just let me know :) }

21 comments:

maggisaar said...

Happy Blogaversery! I passed my one year mark not too long ago myself, and I had a give away at my 100th post. I want to do the same at 200!

:D
Maggi
maggisaar@yahool.com

Erin {pughs' news} said...

Happy Blogiversary, Carissa! Would you believe I'm coming up to three years this April? Crazy. I will have to plan something big for that!

You're on my blog list of links (and we've chatted back and forth many times) but it looks like I wasn't officially a follower... until now! Come follow me too. Like I said, I'll be planning something big for April!

Just signed up on Etsy. I have some shopping to do!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. xo

erinbyrne@yahoo.com

bianca said...

YAY!!! I'm so excited for you. I agree, having a blog has made a tremendous impact on my life and I cannot believe all the blogger friends I have met. It's interesting how open we can be on our blogs and that there are people out there who know so much about us. It's really fabulous :)

You've been on my google reader forever, but I realized I didn't officially "follow" you until now. Yay! Also, those etsy goods are super cute.

Amber from Girl with the Red Hair said...

Awww Happy Blogoversary lovely. If I remember correctly I was your first commenter :) I'm so happy you're still blogging one year later because I ADORE your blog!!

And what a FANTASTIC giveaway!!!!

Since I'm know longer on blogger I don't do the "follower" thing BUT of course you are on my blogroll (and I think you know I'm a regular reader :D)

http://girlwiththeredhair.com/blogroll/

Amber from Girl with the Red Hair said...

And that would be "NO" longer on blogger. Jeesh I'm an idiot!

fawn said...

Congratulations! That is a beautiful calendar. Please count me in. :)

Dionne said...

Happy 1 year! That's awesome! Yay!

And what a loot. I llloooooove Gabrielle Kai. She is such a great photog! And those other items are just darling, too!

Congrats!

Linda said...

Hi Carissa!

First off, congrats on your 1-year! That's a pretty big accomplishment. And I am totally on board with you about keeping the diary thing. I could never make it past a week. But blogging is totally different.

And second, this is such a sweet thing you're doing with the giveaway. It's nice and simple gestures like this that makes me love and adore the arts&crafts and indie blogging community.

I'm glad you stumbled upon my blog, and I wish and look forward to many great posts from you in this 2nd year.

Shoshanah said...

Congrats on your blogoversary! And I say blogoversary, but you'd think by now someone would have come up with an official word. And I'm a follower

Andhari said...

Open for international readers? I love you! You're fabulous.

Happy bloggiversary!:)

Anne said...

great giveaway, I am a new follower!
annemolino at hotmail dot com

You Are My Fave said...

Hooray for a whole year! And what a fantastic giveaway.

Google Reader follower, I am.

Unknown said...

yay for your blog being one year old xxx

Shannon of HAPPINESS IS said...

Hey sweetie - congratulations! Isn't the blog community incredible? My blog is only a few months old and I'm just astounded by all the love. Thanks for commenting on mine so I could find yours - it's lovely!! The giveaway is so kind of you! xoxo

Helen said...

Happy 1-year anniversary! I'm loving the giveaways, you are so generous. Lovely blog you have, I'm so happy I found it!

Michelle {lovely little things} said...

Great giveaway!

Phoenix said...

Congrats on one year of blogging!! Yay!!

LLL said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Ashley said...

Your first give away!!! That's so exciting. Your gifts are so beautiful! That calendar is a dream come true!

Post Grad Hair Cut said...

Oh congrats! One year is a big deal! I just found your blog and I'm glad I did.

Jasmine said...

congrats on the one year!

and WOW i LVOE the bracelets!! and everything is so beautiful :)

http://ahmi-ahmi.blogspot.com/