Thursday, January 20, 2011

Two years + a Giveaway!

Big balloons for my blogiversary :)

Why, hello there! Life has been sooo busy lately! So busy, in fact, that I let my two-year blogiversary slip by on Saturday with nary a mention!

It's not that I forgot about it though. I most certainly knew it was coming and even marked it on my planner. I just didn't have the time to properly prepare to celebrate it. And by "properly prepare" I mean go out and get something to host my second-ever giveaway! Yay! I'm so excited and I hope you will be too when you see what goodies I have in store. (More on that in a minute.)

I just wanted to do something to thank all of you who stop by here regularly (despite my irregular posting!) to say hello and give such kind, supportive, insightful, encouraging and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny comments. Your little notes really do make my day so I'd love the chance to make one of yours by putting a sweet little gift in the mail to you.

When I began blogging two years ago, I never imagined what a welcoming and wonderful community I'd find. Many of you I consider friends and some I've even met in real life! And I look forward to meeting even more of you through your blogs. There are so many talented, creative and simply fabulous people out there... the blogging community is like an never-ending fountain of inspiration! I feel so happy and even blessed that I am a tiny part of it.

Ok, now onto the prizes :)

Yesterday, after laying out the newspaper, I got a moment to breathe and go to one of my favorite stores: Paper Source! There I picked up...



... an adorable, accordion-style mini desk calendar! This would add a bit of color and cheer to anyone's workspace, don't you think? It can be displayed stretched across a table top, as above, or it comes with a little easel to show one month at a time. And February is just so cute!


... a cheeky retro coaster set. When I saw these I couldn't help but laugh. They would be perfect for setting Cosmopolitans on, say during a girl's night in? My favorite: "I'm so happy it's happy hour." 


... and finally, a Parisian notebook. When I saw its vintage-style map cover, featuring little pictures of landmarks placed on the crooked streets, I snapped it up off the shelf.  I've never been to the City of Love and Lights-- but oh how I'd love to go! I figured this notepad would be a winner since bloggy people adore Paris. But really, who doesn't?

So, what do you think? Would you love to win? I kind of want to keep them for myself but don't worry, I won't. I know one of you will give them a lovely home :)

To enter:
 All you have to do is leave a comment on this post! Easy peasy. Maybe tell me what you've been up to since work has kept me out of the loop for a week or so... Oh, and international readers: you can play too!

My only rule: 
Since this giveaway is to thank my friends and readers, you have to be a follower. But it's so easy! Just click follow and--yay!-- you're done.

Deadline:
To give everyone ample time to enter, I won't pick a winner until next Wednesday, Jan. 26. And then I'll ship the prizes Thursday!

There you have it. My second-ever giveaway! I hope you'll play along! Before I go, one more time, thanks again for being here. Blogging simply wouldn't be the same without you.

xoxo,


Balloon image via we heart it

17 comments:

lyndsey @ the stationery place said...

oh i'm totally in. i looove me some paper source goodness :)

Erin {pughs' news} said...

Carissa, you and I are kindred spirits! I would have definitely picked up all three of those items myself... and then some! You know I'm a devoted follower. I'm always happy to find you at the top of my blogroll, 'cause it means you've just posted something lovely for me to read.

Happy Blogiversary!

PS: Oooh, I hope I win!

fawn said...

Happy Blogiversary, Carissa! I wish I could say I've been up to half of the adventures you have. :)

bianca said...

What a lovely giveaway! These products are ADORABLE!!!

I've been out of the loop for like a year (terrible, right?), but I have been keeping as up to date as possible on the blogs I love to read. But you haven't missed anything from me :)

ChinkyGirLMeL said...

Oh yey, a giveaway! I love love love all these items, especially that vintage coaster and notebook. That is too cute! Last week work has kept super busy too. And after work I was pretty busy packing up a few stuff for my trip to California. =)

Amber said...

Omg CUTE! I especially LOVE that little notebook and the coasters!

Can't believe it's been TWO YEARS already. I started reading your blog right when you started so I guess I've "known you" for 2 years now. Wow, time sure does fly doesn't it?! :)

Phoenix said...

Awesome. It's been two years? Congrats sweetie - your blog is always so uplifting and cheery! :)

Shoshanah said...

Everything you picked out is so cute! But I think my favorite are the coasters. I would make sure that those get used! And congrats on making your 2nd blogoversary

allaboutg said...

Too cute! At first I thought the calendar were coasters and I quite liked them, although I do like it as a calendar too. I think the cocktail coasters are wonderful though :) I'm a bit of a coaster fan I'm realising.

Happy Bloggiversary :)

Michelle {lovely little things} said...

What have I been up to? My birthday was this week, so celebrating!!

Kayla said...

What a lucky day to find your blog. I'm loving it. Can't wait to keep reading and keep my fingers crossed for this giveaway to be mine!

Ramblings of a Small Town Girl

Shae said...

I am in love with that notebook! Such cute stuff!

the southern hostess said...

Thanks for the giveaway! So glad I found your beautiful blog!

Lacey in the City said...

Such great picks! I'd love to enter :) Thanks for the opportunity!

Unknown said...

A giveaway - hooray!

I totally spent hours upon hours in Paper Source last summer for the wedding. Everyone was super eager to help me out because they loved my invitations!

bethany said...

Happy, happy blogiversary! :)Two years and going strong...look at you!

What I've been up to: Trying to readjust to being back in classes. GROOOOAN. But I kinda love it. :)

Your choices from PS are so, so lovely! Specifically, I'm diggin on the Paris notebook. I mean, does it get any dreamier?! :)

Carissa Thilgen said...

thanks everyone for entering! winner will be announced shortly... :)