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Friday, July 25, 2014

Four Amazing Years and a Celebratory Giveaway :)

Four years ago today, I posted a simple little introductory post on my brand new blog, Never Grow Up, never imagining how much that small act would change my life.

It's been a wonderful adventure these past four years.  I've grown as a writer and a blogger, I've learned more about the dolls and toys I love, and most importantly, I've made some incredible online friends. 

I've hit some mind-boggling milestones this year:  over one million pageviews, over three hundred followers, over eight hundred Pinterest followers, over one hundred YouTube subscribers, and over one hundred fifty likes on the Never Grow Up Facebook page.  Yikes!  I keep waiting for someone to tell me there's been some sort of mistake...or that I'll wake up and discover it was all a dream. :} 

 All of you, my amazing readers and followers, are the ones who have helped me make this happen.  You kept coming back, commenting, reading my posts, and giving me encouragement and suggestions.  I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate the love and support I've gotten from all of you.  I couldn't have come as far as I have without you. :)

I wanted to find a way to express my thanks, and what better way to do so than through a giveaway? ;)

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Now, before you get too excited, Emma (the full-sized American Girl doll, for those of you new to the blog) is NOT part of the giveaway. ;)  I just thought it would be more fun to have her showcase the prizes. :)  

As I picked out the prizes, I tried to think of things that were a good representation of some of the dolls and toys I've reviewed on the blog.  I also tried to find things that (for the most part, at least) were compatible with 18 inch dolls. :)  That, and things that were small and easy to ship. ;)

There will only be one winner this time around.  Everything pictured will go to our winner, picked by random draw. :)  Here's a closer look at the prizes: 

This is one of the newest mini Lalaloopsy Sisters sets, featuring Tippy Tumblelina and her little sister Twisty.  Aren't they adorable? ;)

The winner will also receive a mini American Girl Samantha doll.  She is brand new, opened only once for one short AGPT photo shoot. :)

A mini Samantha book is included.

As you all pretty much know by now, the mini AG dolls make great dolls for the full-sized AGs.

She stands nicely, too (not all of them do).

The next prize is a sealed My Little Pony blind bag package from the most recent series. :)

Then we have these adorable puffy Disney stickers.  They're small enough that they would work really well for 18 inch dolls.

There's also a pack of sparkly Frozen stickers.  (Not quite to 18 inch scale, although they could almost work for the big stickers given out at the doctor's office.)

I'm also including these "My Life" doll rollerblades from Walmart.

I have the pink pair and love them!  As you can see, the dolls can stand up while wearing them, which makes for some great photo ops. ;)

They're made from a soft, flexible plastic...

...and have slits in the back for easy removal.

I'm not a fan of the little peace signs on either pair, but those could easily be removed with a magic eraser.  

We also have this "My Life" hat, modeled by the lovely Emma.  Jenna wore a similar hat from the same line on her recent vacation.

These hats fit the dolls really well and are a fun accessory piece. :)

Back view

Finally, we have this set of Ever After High pencils.  Not compatible with the 18 inchers at all, but I thought they were cute. ;)

The pencils feature Briar Beauty, Apple White, Raven Queen, and Madeline Hatter.

Here's another look at everything going to the winner. :)

Now that we've seen the prizes, let's go over the rules:

1.  Call me crazy, but this giveaway will be open to all of my readers worldwide.  I said I wanted to thank you guys, and I feel like I'm always leaving my readers from other countries out.  If the shipping is a huge crazy mess, I may change my tune on the next giveaway...just so you know. :}

2.  As always, if you are under eighteen years old, please get a parent or guardian's permission to enter.  I'll have to get your mailing address, and I want to make sure that's okay with them.

3.  To enter, leave a comment on this post with your name or username, email address, and the country you're from.  Comments with email addresses will not be published.

4.  For extra entries you may:
      -Follow this blog
      -Follow me on Facebook
      -Follow me on Pinterest (at least one board)
      -Subscribe to me on YouTube
      -Follow me on Flickr

    If you are already following me on any of the sites listed above, you can count that towards your extra entries.  

Also, please please please be sure to leave a comment on this post telling me what you did for your extra entries so I can count them.  If you like actually seeing that I got your extra entries, post your extra entries in a separate comment from your original entry comment so I can publish it. (Did that make sense, or did I just make it more confusing?) ;)

5.  The contest will be open for entries until Friday, August 1st.  On Saturday, August 2nd, the winner will be chosen by random drawing (names in a bowl).  The winner will be notified via email and will have one week to respond with a mailing address.  If I have not heard from the winner by Saturday, August 9th, a new winner will be selected.

Questions?  Feel free to leave them in the comments.  And thank you again...from the bottom of my heart. :) 

More Blogoversary fun to follow... ;)

My previous header

24 comments:

  1. Meritre, thank you so much! I love it! I'll be sure to show it to Belle and Rapunzel, too, since it's inspired by them. ;) I'm so glad I was able to help you enjoy your interest in dolls without feeling ashamed. :) It's always nice knowing there are others out there like us, isn't it? :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing this. :)

    Jodie, I also wanted to thank you for your incredibly sweet comment. I didn't publish it since it included your email address, but I wanted to be sure you know how much I appreciated it, and also how thrilled I am that I was able to help you discover your love of doll blogs. :) It always makes my day to hear stories like these. :)

    Thanks for all of the entries so far, everyone...keep them coming!

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  2. Congratulations on four years of toyblogging! Here's to the next four!

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  3. That is so cool!!! you blogoversary is the same as my mom's poetry blog!

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  4. Thanks to both of you! :) Congrats to your mom, too, Maureen!

    Christine, I didn't publish your comment, but wanted to let you know that the info you gave me is just fine. I don't need your Facebook name as well. :)

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  5. Hi! I just wanted to say that I started my blog today, a day after you created yours. I guess July is a popular month for starting blogs? ;)

    Anyway, I just wanted to say that and that your blog is awesome. I'm not planning on entering the giveaway or anything.

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  6. Yep, ag lover 2003, I got your entry! :)

    Broon'sBane99, congrats on starting your blog! I hope you have a great time on a new adventure. :)

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  7. And thank you, by the way. Glad you're enjoying the blog. :)

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  8. Congratulations on four years of blogging and accomplishing all those milestones! I know I don't comment as often as I used to, but I still frequently read your blog and love it. :) (I ought to get back into the blogosphere…it's been awhile :})

    I know I say this every giveaway, but please don't count me in as an entry - it wouldn't be fair if I were to enter and then win again, would it? ;) Best of luck to everyone who enters!

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  9. Claire, thanks so much for stopping by. It's always great to hear from you. You were one of the first bloggy friends I made. :)

    I do understand the commenting thing. I used to comment on as many blogs as I could, but it's gotten to the point where I just don't have the time anymore. :(

    Glad to know you're doing well! :)

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  10. Omg I can't believe its been four years since you first started this blog. Ive only been reading for almost three years come this November I think. I really love your blog, you have so much great insite on things and I love reading your thoughts on current toys etc. Plus getting a look into you real life makes it even more special.

    So here's to even more years to come for this blog!

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  11. Congratulation on your four years blogging adventures! What a great idea to celebrate it by doing an International giveaway. Love the prizes that you prepare for the winner! XD

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  12. Thanks so much to both of you!

    Amber, I'm glad you have enjoyed my blog so much. I always love hearing your comments. :)

    Ria, thank you. I really wanted to thank ALL of of my readers this time around, not just the ones in the USA. :)

    It's been so wonderful and humbling to hear from so many of you. I feel truly blessed! :)

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  13. Hi! You are so cool.:) I love your blog!

    ~Ariana~


    PS: Please tell Tess, Maggie,Charlie, Emma,Hayden, Rachel,Hailey,Jenna, and Belle and Rapunzel that they are all SO cool!

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  14. Thank you for hosting the giveaway. I like that you share your faith through your blog. Congratulations on your success.

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  15. Congratulations on 4 years of blogging. Your blog was the first 'dollblog' I discovered and I have been enjoying reading it ever since. I loved Belle's Bulletins too.
    Anyway, I hope you will continue blogging for a long, long time despite a busy life. :)
    All the best from The Netherlands.
    Linda

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  16. Sorry I'm a bit late to tell you, but congratulations on 4 years of blogging!! I always look forward to reading your posts, and am also looking forward to hopefully reading many more! (:

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  17. Congrats on your blogaversary!! :)

    I enjoy reading your reviews and learning about new toylines, I really want Shopkins now, after reading your reviews. :)

    Good luck on several more years blogging. :)

    P.S I'm not participating in the give-away. I don't own any 18" dolls

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  18. Congrats! You are such an amazing Blogger! I'm so glad I found you! <3
    Anyway I also wanted to say my other entries...
    I like you on Facebook,
    I'm subscribed to you on Youtube,
    And I follow your blog... <3
    Thank you for being amazing and having this giveaway! <3 <3

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  19. Shelby-Grace, if you're already following the blog, that does count as one of your extra entries. :)

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  20. Chris Dang, just realized as I was going through comments to count the entries that I never responded to your comment. I do not need your Facebook name...I've got your extra entry covered. :)

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  21. Happy Blogaversary again!
    Just wondering who won?

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  22. Thanks, Suzanne!

    I posted the giveaway results a couple of posts after this one, which you can see HERE

    I'm so sorry it wasn't you this time, but I'm planning on having more worldwide giveaways later on, so stay tuned! ;)

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