Wednesday, 5 January 2011

Blog birthday...giveaway day one!

Once upon a time there was a girl called Louise. Always a diary-writing, thinking, musing girl. One idle January day last winter she happened across a blog or two and decided, almost in a split second, that this was the new place for her. A quick check with her technical Godfather to find out how to do it, and Lou, Boos and Shoes was born!

via papergarland
Here I am a year on and two hundred and something blog posts later. Blog posts of what has been on my mind, the things of beauty that have caught my eye and the tapestry of words and images that make me Lou. I've picked up some very lovely friends along the way who do mean an awful lot to me; as strange as that may sound given that I have never even met them (bar one).

via dress, design, decor
I'd be inclined to have a little blog party, but most of the people who read this live an awfully long way away. There would be a little too much travel for everyone to join me, so instead of a party I am hosting my first blog giveaway...to last all week! I must admit I've always observed blog giveaways and wondered - what is all that about? Then I won a couple and thought...ahhh-haaa, this I like!


Just a short word about shoes. Aren't these divine? Apologies, I digress...


So feel free to join in with my one year anniversary fun as you never know, you might get a scrummy treat in the post just for the mere cost of a few lines.

via my sparkle
So...the story of Boo. My daughter, who is now nine, was and is always referred to as 'Boo'. From the day she was born. Of course, she has a real name too but for family and friends she is Boo. Then Boo 2 came along; so we have 'the Boos'. In honour, I wanted to start my blog anniversary giveaway with something 'Boo', so I am giving away gift vouchers for the gorgeous Belle and Boo shop. Think whimsical, think retro, think pretty vintage...I love their images and products, the sweetest little gift tags and magnets. Pretty framed prints.

...by illustrator Mandy Sutcliffe...
So if you win my first giveaway of the week, I will send you:

A TWENTY FIVE POUND GIFT VOUCHER 
to spend in the Belle and Boo online shop. They ship internationally too so open to anyone...


Now, if it were me I would choose something like....

...Happy Birthday Lou, Boos and Shoes...
...some pretty rabbit gift tags...
...maybe a family tree poster...

All you have to do is become a follower of my blog Lou, Boos and Shoes and leave me a comment. I will randomly select a winner and announce shortly. Closes midnight Thursday 6th UK time.

That's it. 
Ticketyboo.

And P.S. that's not all...I will be back with more treats in a day or two...
at

40 comments:

  1. Renee5 January 2011 at 20:49

    happy blog-birthday =) and i am a follower!

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  2. Captivated by image5 January 2011 at 20:54

    Very cute illustrations and great give away. Congrats on your blog anniversary:)

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  3. Judith5 January 2011 at 21:24

    It's a whole new world when you start to read blogs, even more fun when you start your own. Congratulations on your anniversary. Hope you continue to enjoy blogging.
    PS I haven't been blogging very long - still a learner - where do you find the gorgeous photos that you post?

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  4. Unknown5 January 2011 at 21:29

    Thanks for the nice comment on my blog. I just became a follower and actually spent the entire day sifting through your blog (instead of working)...you have some AMAZING content.

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  5. Charis5 January 2011 at 21:45

    I am a follower of your blog...it's delicous. Happy Birthday to an original blog! Pretty please let me win...smile*<*
    <>

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  6. PhotoPuddle5 January 2011 at 22:42

    Happy blog birthday! It's my blog birthday too this week but I doubt my celebration post will be as pretty as this one!

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  7. Betty M5 January 2011 at 22:58

    Congratulations on the anniversary! Your blog is always a breath of fresh air.

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  8. Sarah5 January 2011 at 23:05

    Happy Birthday!
    somehow-someday.blogspot.com
    x

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  9. Razmataz5 January 2011 at 23:06

    Hi Lou, I feel bad. I have been reading but not commenting lately on your blog (I have been lazy) and now just when you have a giveaway, I leave a comment. Congrats on a year of a beautiful and creative blog...unique too.

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  10. CJB5 January 2011 at 23:55

    Happy Birthday to your lovely Blog..thanks for the giveaway.

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  11. Stripeycat6 January 2011 at 01:12

    Happy Birthday! - I found you via Backwards in High Heels and have been luxuriating in your beautiful images. Gorgeous. xxx

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  12. Marcie6 January 2011 at 01:14

    Happy Birthday! Your blog is in my top 3 favorites (i mean it!) and I am so glad you started it:).

    These photos are so lovely too!

    xo M

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  13. Kelly's Adventures6 January 2011 at 01:32

    Happy Birthday its been so great getting to know you through your blog!

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  14. posie blogs Jennie McClelland6 January 2011 at 02:31

    Oh how stunning is your blog, yippee, i found it!! I'm a big fan of Belle & Boo's art as i'm a friend of Allison from Lark here in Australia who imports Belle & Boo for the rest of us. I have 9y.o. twin girls who would LOVE a print in their shared bedroom (just forget their other brother & sister) as they are my whimiscal etherial little princesses with just enough dash of quirkiness to totally suit Many's amazing artistry. Love Posie

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  15. Laura6 January 2011 at 03:10

    So happy you started your blog on that day in January... otherwise my morning (or evening, as it is tonight) cup of tea, would not be the same. Happy New Year. Lx

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  16. Lauren6 January 2011 at 03:28

    I joined your blog only this week and have been wondering what your blog name stood for - so glad I now know! Happy 1 year anniversary!

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  17. Anonymous6 January 2011 at 04:39

    happy bloggy birthday to you sweet friend! you find the most amazing pictures! i have to say that first one might be my absolute fav! i am so glad that we "met" and i am looking forward to "hanging out" in the new year! xoxo

    ps. you know i am a happy follower!

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  18. annelise6 January 2011 at 04:46

    Happy blogiversary! Your Friday Things of Beauty posts are among my favourites. Looking forward to another year of lovely posts. x

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  19. Henria O.6 January 2011 at 05:49

    Happy Blogiversary! What an accomplishment! Happily following your blog!

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  20. anaivecloset6 January 2011 at 06:57

    Happy birthday! I really like your blog: it's so, I don't know,...cozy. It makes my day.

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  21. this free bird6 January 2011 at 08:08

    Lou, Happy Blog Birthday to you!! You are one of my absolute faves and have been since my early days last summer. Thanks so much for all of your wonderful sparkly photos and especially the wise words.

    Here's to many more posts to come!!

    xoxo,
    Carrie

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  22. Marie/x6 January 2011 at 09:06

    Hello, being technologically challenged I am not sure how to become a follower but I check you everyday - that makes me a stalker doesnt it? Anyways, I love your blog and absolutely love Belle and Boo. I brought a print a few years ago as the little girl in the print looked exactly like Sophie and in your post there is another print that reminds me of my daughter Bella. I will be purchasing that one if I win or not!
    Marie/x

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  23. Amanda6 January 2011 at 10:41

    Dear Lou,

    Happy birthday! I have now joined as a follower as I search for your blog nearly every day as I sit down to work. A little ray of sunshine to begin my day! I am constantly amazed by how your blog resonates with me - I have three little boos of my own and am a barrister, but I still love books, shoes, coffee, travel and all the things you celebrate (plus a lot of soul searching to get some kind of balance in life....) Please keep going, your blog is a little present every time to us.

    Amanda

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  24. twannywun6 January 2011 at 12:33

    I am a follower :) Those items are gorgeous :)
    Please can I enter x

    twannywun at hotmail dot com

    karen s

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  25. Foxanddahlia6 January 2011 at 14:08

    Happy Birthday Lou
    Your blog is an essential part of my day, always inspiring and a delight. You have a gift, that all your followers know and love.

    xxx

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  26. Debra "Deb" Dresden Disney-Dior6 January 2011 at 15:11

    Happy, Happy, Blog Annibirthday, Lou!
    Of course I'm a follower -- I adore you AND your blog. :) Special hello to Simone -- I know she's here somewhere!

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  27. Debra "Deb" Dresden Disney-Dior6 January 2011 at 15:45

    I'm gobsmacked I've just visited Belle and Boo, and who knew, I'd fall in love. OMG! The little blue "Boo" coat, featuring the beyond adorable bunny. It's to sigh for! If only they had it in my size. Maybe if I took in a huge deep breath, held it, maybe I could squeeze my way into it. If my name were Alice, I could find a bottle labeled, "Drink Me," and the coat would fit! To be 5 years old once again, would be sheer bliss. Just long enough to have a photo taken of me wearing the coat and framed. Ahhhh, the coat!

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  28. Rhiannon Bosse6 January 2011 at 19:27

    Lou Happy Blogaversary!! This is very exciting :) I loved all the little stories about where your blog name came from too. It's always nice to know a little insight! Love you lots girlfriend xo

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  29. Amanda6 January 2011 at 20:41

    Happy Birthday Lou!
    I love your blog and have been reading it everyday for the last six months but have only just become a follower (to be honest only just worked how)! Anyway I think your pics and words are lovely and I enjoy them with my morning cup of coffee while sitting on the other side of the world. (:

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  30. carina6 January 2011 at 21:54

    How weird, I'm positive I wrote a comment to this post yesterday, but it seems to have mysteriously disaapeared, or otherwise I have lost my memory. Alas, I just wanted to tell you that I managed to sign in to follow:-) I'm very proud of myself!

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  31. Jeanne Henriques6 January 2011 at 23:24

    A very big Happy Blog Birthday to you Lou. I for one am delighted that you took on the happy task of starting a blog. It has been a delight for me and for that I thank you. Lovely giveaway!!

    Jeanne xxx

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  32. Sniff6 January 2011 at 23:50

    Wow. I just came over to wish you a Happy New Year! And then my eyes almost fell out over those Jimmy Choos. Are you the lucky owner of those beauties? If they were mine, I'd put them on display in my living room - as art! Wait a minute - as? They are art!

    Congrats, too, on your Blog Anniversary! :)

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  33. Junk Loving Girl7 January 2011 at 00:50

    I know I missed out but just wanted to congratulate you on so many followers!

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  34. Laurel7 January 2011 at 06:29

    Happy Birthdat Darling!!! Your blog is a little bit of heaven I look forward to reading. You are such a cool girlie and I am so glad we met.
    Congrats on the anniversary of Lou's Boos and Shoes!
    Love Love Love

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  35. LucindaBee7 January 2011 at 09:17

    I love your blog - found you on The Blog Guidebook, now I read you every day. I am in love with the photos you use too. I have been a follower since I found you. Happy Birthday

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  36. Lori7 January 2011 at 12:00

    Happy Anniversary Lou ~ hasn't it been a fun ride!! I absolutely love this little blog world and when I hit my 1st anniversary ~ I could not believe how many people I connected with in that time. Love and hugs to you from across the pond. xo

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  37. Christina @ Fashion's Most Wanted8 January 2011 at 00:59

    Dear Lou, wishing you a very happy Blog Birthday! Have a great weekend at the ballet xx

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  38. Charlotta Ward10 January 2011 at 07:40

    Hello.. it's me again.. Reading from top to bottom.. so many posts I've missed whilst being away. :)

    Happy anniversary! Am so grateful that you decided to start blogging - love it here and am always transfixed by the beauty you bring - both your wonderful way of writing, and the pictures! xx

    Am too late to enter this give-away but just want to say that I LOVE 'Belle and Boo'. My daughter Isabella looks so much like the 'girl characters' in their pictures. Love love!

    Off now to your next post before I have to tear away and start dinner..

    Hugs
    xx C

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  39. Anonymous15 January 2011 at 01:29

    I'm a little late, but... Happy Blogiversary! I'm always reading even if I don't make the time to comment. And, as always, I love the beautiful pictures.

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  40. red pumps11 March 2011 at 12:35

    Happy birth day to this blog. I had remembered my last year's birth day. I really feel so special that day. ..Thanks to my friends and to my family as well.

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