THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!
Okay you know how when you’ve been blogging for so long that you forgot your blogging anniversary? Erm that happened to me. BA’s anniversary was actually last month and I, erm, forgot about it. What can I say? Oops? 😛
Oh well, as they say, better late than never!
So, whaddyaknow. Eight years of blogging. Where did all that time go? I still remember that one blog post that made me try out beauty blogging (it’s the one on how to get rid of cracked heels, which was on my now defunct personal blog). I remembered raving about Paris B‘s blog posts when I left comments on her blog (I was a blogging fangirl of hers for that many years. It also means that I’ve known her that long!) and she told me I should start my own. I had a personal blog back then, wrote that post on cracked heels, enjoyed it so much, started a new blog on Blogger a few days later and the rest, as they say, is history.
BA has evolved over the years and I, too, have evolved as a blogger and a person. It has taught me great lessons on writing, photography, technical support and troubleshooting, managing my own time, being my own boss, publishing my own book, growing my own tribe and so much more. It also has its ups and downs; ups when my blog achieved something great and downs when that green-eyed monster comes out every once in a while when I feel as though my blog isn’t doing as well as many others.
I have to say though, that the best part of growing a blog from nothing to what it is today, is watching my tribe grow. What’s this tribe I’m talking about? Why, I’m talking about you, of course!
It’s such an honour to have you readers as part of the BA tribe and community. When I felt like poo, you picked me up. When I celebrated a special occasion, you celebrated with me. Your presence and contribution to BA allowed me opportunities that I couldn’t even believe I’d get.
Some of you are new here to BA. I hope I’ve made you feel welcome here because you always will be. Some of you have followed me since 2007, which was when I started BA. It’s hard for me to find the words to tell you how much I appreciate each and everyone of you here, whether it’s a fleeting visit or taking the time out of your busy day to leave a comment. Your emails, tweets, Facebook messages, Instagram comments and so on are so very appreciated.
I’ve checked the thesaurus for more ways to say thank you but truly, from the bottom of my heart, I am so grateful for you. Thank you for coming along this blogging journey with me for the past 8 years.
It wouldn’t be any fun without you.
One of the things I’ve always wanted to do on BA is meet some of you readers whom I’ve never met before. I don’t do “meetups” like they do on YouTube-land because 1) it would freak the hell out of me if many of you showed up and 2) it would freak the hell out of me if none of you showed up. But I’d still love to meet some of you in person, so for this year’s 8th anniversary celebration, I’d like to take 5 readers out to lunch on a weekend at Bistro Guillaume in Melbourne. it would be my treat (not sponsored by the restaurant by the way, but hey if the restaurant reads this and would like to comp our meal, I ain’t gonna say no!). I don’t have an actual date yet because I’d love to discuss with you on the best date and time so let’s sort that out later. But I’ll say that the lunch will be on a Saturday in August.
I’m really excited about this. I discussed this idea of lunch with my readers with Tim and he thought it was a great idea too. I’d really love to meet some of you!
As Bistro Guillaume and I are in Melbourne, I’m afraid that if you don’t reside in Melbourne and you do, for the lack of a better word because I think it’s icky, “win” a spot, you’ll have to find your way to Melbourne on your own. 😛
Of course, I can’t neglect readers who aren’t able to make it to Melbourne so I’ll also be giving away mini mystery gift packs to 5 more readers! This giveaway will be available to all international readers as well. I’m not going to tell you what’s in the mystery boxes but I hope you’ll like them all the same.
To recap, here are the “prizes”:
1. A treat to lunch with me at Bistro Guillaume in Melbourne for 5 lucky winners.
2. A mystery gift pack for 5 more lucky winners.
As Oprah would say “You get a prize! And YOU get a prize!”. 😀
HOW TO ENTER:
Simply leave a comment below answering the following questions:
1. Which country are you from?
2. Would you be available for lunch? (only if you’d like to. Gosh this is awkward!)
3. If you could have a meal with someone famous (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
That’s it!
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
1. This contest is open to Australian and international readers.
2. The value of the prize in the contest is approximately AU$750.00.
3. Anyone can enter the competition regardless of whether you’ve won anything here before.
4. Only one comment per contestant will be accepted.
5. Please keep it clean and spam-free.
6. The closing date for this giveaway is 11.59pm, 24 June 2015 (Australian EST). Comments submitted after this time will not be considered for the giveaway.
7. Five (5) winners for the lunch will be selected at random. The winners must be able to get to the venue at their own expense.
8. Five (5) winners for the mystery gift packs will also be selected at random.
9. The winners of the giveaway will be announced in the Competition/Giveaways page on 29 June 2015. The winners will also be notified via email. Please ensure that you’ve entered the correct email address because I’ll be using that email address to contact you if you’ve won (not via social media).
10. The winners will be required to submit his/her name and contact address to Beautyholics Anonymous, who will be sending the mystery gift pack prizes out (please read Beautyholics Anonymous’ privacy statement for more information).
11. The winner must respond to the notification email to claim the prize within 3 working days.
12. Prizes are not redeemable for cash and are non-transferable.
13. If for any reason beyond the Promoter’s control that the agreed prize is not available, a product of equal or greater value will be provided.
14. Beautyholics Anonymous is not responsible for prizes once they have been dispatched to the winner. Beautyholics Anonymous reserves the right to change the terms of this giveaway at any time.
Good luck! 😀
Comments on this entry are closed.
1.malaysia
2.yes
3. Tun mahathir Mohamed , because he is a legend!
Hi Tine! Congrats on 8 years of blogging!
I’m in Canada. I wish I could make it to lunch but since I live halfway across the world, no.
I would love to have a meal with Audrey Hepburn. Besides her being my favourite actress, I want to learn more about her charity work and her life. From what I’ve heard she’s very private so it would be interesting to hear what Audrey the person is like.
Hi from Canada Tine! Wow 8 years of blogging, I can only hope to go that long!
Unfortunately I can not make it to lunch with you even though I would love to!
I think I would like to have lunch with Marilyn Monroe, her being the epitome of beauty!
Who would you like to have lunch with?
Congrats Tine! 8 years is no mean feast! Answers to your questions: I am in Melbourne (yeaaah!) and I would definitely be available for lunch. My dream guest… Prince Charles! I am a fan of the British Royal family.
Carole recently posted..Nos habitudes françaises
1. From the Philippines but live in Melbourne.
2. Yes. 🙂
3. Cleopatra because she kicks ass! Won’t hurt to ask her about her beauty secrets, too.
Congratulations Tine and well done on 8 years of blogging!
I am from Austraila.
I would love to join you for a meal but alas I am in Perth WA so that’s won’t be possible 🙁
I would love to have lunch with Lady Diana, I think she was such a beautiful, graceful, kind, charitable and humble person. I have to admit it….I even had the Lady Di hair cut in the 1980’s!
Aww thank you for the mention girl, and gosh, has it been that long? I’m actually proud to say I knew you pre-BA because that means we’ve traversed this tangled path together all these years and look at you now! You’ve come so far since Gloves in a Bottle (hehe!) and with a book on Amazon no less. As proud of you as a mother duck is of her duckling 😀 Congratulations and blimey! I’d love to have lunch – what a brilliant idea (might just steal it one day when i’m feeling social 😉 )
Paris B recently posted..Psst! Wanna know my lazy secret? It’s about the Pai Skincare BioRegenerate Rosehip oil
1. Australia
2. No sadly! But would have loved to.
3. Bobbi Brown
Mel recently posted..Violet Box April Review 2015
Wow, eight years! Congratulations!
1. I am from Argentina. I live in California. I buy makeup wherever I go.
2. I will decline this time, but if you ever find yourself in San Francisco I will happily have lunch with you. If you want, of course. And no, Tine, we are not sharing dessert. That tiramisu is all mine. #MyPrecious
3. I would like to have lunch with Helen Mirren. She seems to be classy without taking herself too seriously. Besides, she has managed to age gracefully without succumbing to surgeries and other aesthetic ‘enhancers’. And she is so talented! PS: she is not having my tiramisu either.
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Congratulations! Such a great accomplishment!
1. USA
2. Sadly no
3. Helen Mirren. She embodies everything I think a woman should be. I adore her.
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😀 yay you! Been reading for ages, it’s nice to have a blog that I can reliably come back to for honest opinions – even when the content is sponsored, which is rare and very welcome to me!
1. Melbourne, Australia!
2. Yes – i am ALWAYS available for lunch 😀
3. Tricky. I’d love to meet Oscar Wilde, one of the most delightfully quotable people – I have always wondered if he’d be as quick of a wit in real life!
1. Australia
2. I hate to say no but I live all the way in Brisbane.
3. One of the Olsen twins because they built an empire when they weren’t even of legal age yet.
Congrats on your blog anniversary!!!
Congrats on the 8 years! What an auspicious number 🙂
1. Kl, Malaysia
2. Yes definitely! Been looking for a chance to go Bistro Guillaume!
3. I would like to be cheeky and say you of course :p
But that aside, I would love to have a chance to sit down over lunch and have a chat with the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. When he passed away and made headlines everywhere, I couldn’t stop reading about his story, how much he had done for Singapore, and how Sg separated from Msia. There’s so much he said she said, it would be truly insightful to hear of our country’s history from his account.
I’m from right here in Australia (though I reside in Tassie right now, it’s a short hop to Melbourne!)
I would LOVE to come for lunch!
If I could have lunch with absolutely anyone it would be Joss Whedon. I love him as a writer and story teller, I love him as a director and producer. As someone who writes strong female characters and as the creator of role models who got me through my childhood with as much dignity and pose as was realistically possible *g*. I want to BE Joss Whedon when I grow up (which is something I would probably say in the course of said lunch, probably after too much wine and cheese, at which point I’d have to drop dead because that’s a dumb thing for a 31yo woman to say!)
Congratulations on the 8 years! 🙂
1. I’m from Australia.
2. No unfortunately, I’m in Perth.
3. Would love to have a meal with Hilary Duff, she was my childhood role model!
First of all, congrats!
1. I’m from Barcelona, Spain.
2. Sadly, I can’t because I live in Barcelona.
3. Audrey Hepburn, to know more about her life as a dancer, actress, UN ambassador, I’m sure I’d learn a lot.
Thanks!
Marta G (A Bilingual BAby) recently posted..Fotos del Matsuri Japan. Festival de Japón en Barcelona 2015
Congratulations on your 8th year anniversary… busy busy ain’t you? Glad you remembered it ultimately though.. And hope you will have fun at this lunch, it sounds fun to meet up with your fans!
1) I’m from Singapore but in Melbourne now
2) though I have 2 young kids, I’ll hope I get the chance to catch up and since August is my birthday month, it may be the chance to get hubby to babysit the boys so I get to go..
3) I’ll say Roger Federer, my favorite tennis player.. Would love to have a chat with him about tennis and the 2 lovely pair of twins
Christine,
You write so well! You have definitely given me the right nudge to start my own blog and I really look to yours for inspiration – I align with your blog and style very much.
I am indeed in Melbourne and available for lunch in August, but as Im about to have first bub who knows what will happen by then..
If I could have a dinner with anyone in the world, it would be my all time icon – Bobbi Brown. I love her concept, message and her customer is who I love to do makeup on, and one day will also be my customer once I start my blog 🙂
All the best with this comp and I hope the restaurant sponsors the lunch. You deserve it cos its pretty clear how hard you work!
Maria
Congrats on hitting 8 years with your blog! Oddly enough I actually noticed the 8th year mark had come and gone (I think I was randomly on your ‘About me’ page) and just assumed you were going to let it slide. On to your questions: 1. I’m from Australia 2. Yes- lunch with you would be great! (And even better it’s at Bistro Guillaume! Good choice!) 3. Tina Fey- I think she’s hilarious and quite the inspiration!
Wow 8 years Congrats Tine 🙂 this is a long time and I must say you have done a great job !!!!
1, 2I am from Pakistan so obviously and sadly I would not be available for lunch 🙁 if I was in your country I would have loved to meet you.
3 I would love to meet Paulo Coelho he is my most favorite writer and his books have helped me a lot to become a more positive and better person so I really hope someday I get a chance to meet him
Thanks xx
Hi tine! Can’t believe it’s been 8 years! I’ve been following since about 2010! I love the blog and all the hard work and dedication you so obviously put into it!
1. Adelaide, Australia!
2. Yes! I need an excuse for a weekend in Melbourne!
3. Jk rowling! I love the Harry Potter books, they were the first books that introduced me at a young age to the amazing world of fantasy/reading in general and I would love to thank her for that!
Keep doing what you’re doing!
Xxx
Congtats!
I’m from Slovenia, sorry for lunch, no go, it would be J. K. Rowling.
Greetings!
Huge congrats on 8 years blogging! Love your beauty posts and the helpful blogging ones, too!
1. Australia
2. No, unfortunately I’m in Adelaide!
3. Drew Barrymore, because I ‘d love to meet her! She seems sweet and is beautiful, talented and inspiring. I love her movies.
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Hi Tine,
Australia
I live in canberra but I could make it work, and I haven’t been to Melbourne is a couple of years.
My pick would be kate moss. It’s so rare to hear her speak so by having a meal together it would be a great way to get to know her and what she’s all about. #basicbitch
Congrats, and it is a great idea to have a lunch treat as a reward for you readers.
1.Malaysia
2. Sadly, no
3. Jamie Oliver, he can bring me to the best food in town, and we can talk (and eat) food all the way
8 years =D Please never stop! Although I’m still in denial about growing older every day. Unfortunately am in Dubai now, wish I could have caught up with more when I was still in Melbourne, and yes would have definitely dragged you for lunch and dinners and brunches. I would also like to have a meal with Ellen Degeneres, she would be so fun.
Shamim de Varax recently posted..SDV Reviews: NARS Orgasms
Congratulations on 8 years, Tine! You’ve been so helpful and an inspiration to me. Always looking forward to what’s next from you!
1. U.S.A.
2. sadly, no although it’s almost worth using all my frequent flier miles to make it happen 😉
3. Julia Child to talk about her amazing life and to thank her for teaching me how to cook
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8 years! What an accomplishment! Congratulations, and here’s to many more.
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Aw, that is so cool!! Now I wish I lived in Melbourne (or anywhere near Australia – I’ve always wanted to visit)! I only recently stumbled across your blog but I’m always happy to see a new post arrive in my inbox 🙂 congratulations on eight years! 1) I live in the US, so 2) unfortunately I’m not available for lunch :(, and 3) I would most like to have a meal with Lisa Eldridge because she is amazing as a makeup artist and as a person, or maybe Elon Musk because he has so many interesting ventures and would probably be really scary haha!
Woo! A birthday and a blogaversary in one week! Awesome sauce and congratulations!
1. Hmm…tricky question for a third culture kid! I’ll pick Australia for now!
2. ALWAYS! 🙂
3. This is a very obscure one but I’d say Shelley Lazarus, Chairman of Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, she started at the very bottom of the corporate ladder of one of the world’s most prestigious ad agencies and worked her way to the very top. I’d love to find out what she learned throughout her journey!
Congrats on reaching 8 years! Always love to read your posts as they are so interesting and very casual haha.
1. Currently in Malaysia for the summer. The heat oh dear me.
2. Even if I wanted to have lunch and fly to Melbourne, the 20 hour flight from Uk to MY had sucked all the life out of me.
3. Hmm, I pondered on this question for quite a while. I guess I’d want to have a meal with the Estee Lauder herself. I just find her so inspiring and we could chat about how she single handedly created a multi-billion dollar company, her life, etc. Other than EL, I guess I’d like to have a meal with anyone of the bloggers (e.g. Paris, you, lily, ruth, etc) just to see how you guys are in real life haha (omg I sound so stalkish but I’m not D:).
Robert C. recently posted..What to do when you’re bored on a 15hr flight? A full skin-care routine cause why not.
1. Singapore
2. No, no money to travel 🙁
3. Can’t decide between Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II – people say you can “feel” the goodness of some people just by being in their presence, without even talking; would have liked to experience this with any of these two! (because I have nooooo idea what I’d say to them if I really had the opportunity to have lunch with them!) 🙂
Congrats on lucky 8!
1. California
2. Would love to but no can do
3. Lisa Eldridge. Beautiful, talented, down to earth.
Lol! If only there is a like button for some of your comments. They’re hilarious. Congrats on your 8 year blogging anniversary and great job for keeping content fresh. I’m a fellow Malaysian based in Sydney. Wish I Could have lunch with you. If I did come down to Melbourne, would definitely love to have lunch! Would love to easy with Queen Elizabeth. Imagine having lunch with the majesty. Lol! I’ll probably embarrass her.
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Just started reading your blog recently after stumbling on it looking for a review of a product. Couldn’t stop reading and had to put it on my feedly. Congrats on 8 years! That’s a great feat for a blogger. So many disappear after a while.
1. From the U.S.
2. Not available 🙁
3. I would want to have dinner with my grandpa, who was a famous professor in his day… He passed away when I was too young to have a real adult conversation. Would love to have know him better.
1. I’m from Melbourne, VIC Australia
2. Yes 🙂
3. I’d love to have a meal with Josh Thomas. He’s one of my favourite comedians, and when I came across his show ‘Please like me’ by chance I liked him even more. He’s absolutely adorable in those Optus ads with giant kittens!
Hi Tine, congratulations on 8 wonderful years of blogging!
I am from Australia and would love to join you for lunch but it’ll depend on which day it is as I have a full time job 🙂
I would love to have a meal with Novak Djokovic as I think he’s a great sportsman and does so much for charity.
Congratulations on a wonderful 8 years Tine – and many more to come!
I live in Melbourne Australia and have always wanted to visit a Guillaume restaurant!
If I could have dinner with anyone it would probably be Gustave Flaubert, the author of Madame Bovary and namesake of my blog. I think it would be an awkward dinner right enough, but would love to be in the same room as such brilliance for a few hours.
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Congratulations Tine! I am from Perth, Australia and unfortunately I would not be able to make it to dinner. But if I could have a meal with someone famous it would have to be Pat McGrath!
Congratulations on 8 years of blogging Tine! May there be many many more ahead xoxo I love reading and while I’ve been quiet on comments lately, I never miss a post! Thank you also for such an amazing giveaway!
Now.. in answer to your questions:
1. Australia!
2. While I would love to come visit for lunch, I’m afraid I can’t at this time. I know that you and the lucky winners of the lunch will have a fabulous time regardless!
3. I would love to have a meal with Terry Pratchett. His books have been a constant in my life since I was a teenager, and I would love the chance to sit and speak with him about how he saw the world and how he always manages to capture those little bits of magic whilst also showing the harsh reality, but in a way that makes it humourous and thoughtful.
Congratulations on 8 years!
1. I’m from Australia
2. Sadly no because I’m from Adelaide, although it would have been fab to meet you
3. I think it would have to be Amal Clooney. I’m a law student and I think she’s such an amazing and respected lawyer and woman and I’d love to know her secret and her story
Congrats on your anniversary! I think I found your blog 6 years ago, when I was doing an internship in another country and was bored, bored, bored at my job LOL
On to the questions:
a) Spain
b) I’d love to, but kinda difficult, so…
c) I’d like to meet and have dinner with Lisa Eldridge. Her YouTube videos are just fantastic. She’s so knowledgeable!
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a) Singapore
b) I would love to, but it’s kind of difficult with so many commitments.
c) Karl Lagerfeld, simply cos i love his design, style and photography and would love to have a chat.
1. Which country are you from? You already know I’m from Mexico.
2. Would you be available for lunch? (only if you’d like to. Gosh this is awkward!) If I were in Australia, in Melbourne I’d love to.
3. If you could have a meal with someone famous (dead or alive), who would it be and why? You know I’m not pretty sure who I’d like to have a meal with an activist or with Foucault.
Congratulations Tine! 8 years is such an achievement to behold 🙂
1. I am from Malaysia
2. Pity I am not living in Melbourne otherwise, I would really love to meet you after following your blog for 2.5 years. Been telling my hubby that if we ever visited Melbourne, I must drop by to have lunch with you 🙂
3. Sir Alex Ferguson. Not sure if I would be able to understand his thick Scottish accent though but that man is a legend and how he made Manchester United into the club it is today is all due to his charisma as a leader and sheer hardwork.
1 – Smell-bourne haha just kidding. It’s the most liveable city so I’m all over it
2 – Like you need to even ask!
3 – Jesus. Wow! I can’t even imagine… If I get chosen for lunch, can we ask Him along to? I’ll shout Him
Much love! And congrats darling for your 8th year! Xxx
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Congratulations, Tine! 🙂
1. I’m from Australia.
2. Wrong state, sorry!
3. Antoni Gaudi. His buildings are jaw-droppingly amazing. I’d love to hear his thoughts about the current Sagrada Familia, and whether he had any plans for it that he never told to anyone.
USA
No
Cleopatra
1. I’m Malaysian, but have lived my whole life in Singapore.
2. Sadly, no. Unless it’s a virtual lunch? 🙂
3. Probably Jhumpa Lahiri, who’s probably my favourite writer of all time! But I’d probably be so floored that food dribbles out of my mouth or I do something stupid like spill a drink.
In any case, thanks for your generosity! Much love!
1. I am from Singapore!
2. I wish I could join you and make more new friends but the answer is no 🙁
3. It would be Roger Federer. I love someone who can be so good at what he is doing and yet still down to earth and give back to society.
I would have loved to enter if the date wasn’t so close to my baby due date!!
Many congratulations tine. I absolutely loved your idea tine though i am not lucky australian
1. India
2. Nooooo 🙁
3. Indian cricket team captain cool M S dhoni because he is my celebrity crush . He is so cool in every situation and I love that .
1. Australia now (UK originally)
2. I wold like to SO much – but I am saving pennies for other Melbourne trips and hopefully an actual real life holiday! 😮 So boo, no Melbourne lunches for me (sob) – yet!! 😀
3. Oh – super interesting reading everyone’s answers 😛 So SO many choices. Margret Thatcher. First Female Prime Minister of UK and super strong lady. Would be very interesting to talk with her imho.