Five Year Anniversary + A Giveaway!

July 11, 2011

Hello, Friends. Something exciting happened over the weekend. This little blog turned 5 years old! I can hardly believe it. Five years of intersecting Motherhood and Design. 3740 posts. I’ve been thinking and thinking of an appropriate celebration and I’m really happy about what I’ve come up with. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be introducing FIVE new columns and features. These are ideas I’ve been working on for months, and an anniversary is the perfect excuse to make them official.

But first, I thought we should start things off with a bang. How about a giant giveaway? To celebrate 5 years of Design Mom, I’m giving away a Children’s Library!

That’s right. The prize is a collection of 50 picture books! A children’s library for your home worth $1000, handpicked by Design Mom. I’m going to buy my fifty favorite children’s books — all hardcover, all beautiful, and all beloved by my children — and send them to the winner. Which 50 books? Check back tomorrow, I’ll be sharing a post with the full list. [Update: here's the list!]

Ready to win? Good! There are 3 different ways you can enter. You only need to enter once, but if you’d like, you can enter once-per-method to increase your chances of winning:

1) Leave a comment below.

2) Join the Design Mom Facebook page and share this contest on your wall.

3) Follow Design Mom on Twitter and tweet out the contest with the hashtag #5YearsofDesignMom.

The winner will be announced next Monday. Good luck! And most of all, thank you for reading. I adore the Design Mom community! Your comments and emails are a bright spot in my day and I can’t wait to see what the next 5 years will bring.

kisses,
Gabrielle

——–

Michelle Sorensen is the lucky winner! A huge thanks to everyone for joining in the celebration. Watch for more 5th anniversary happiness coming up…

Share and Enjoy:

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1 Catherine July 11, 2011 at 3:32 am

Just to say Bonjour – I have been reading your blog for the past few months and absolutely love it. Your writing is so fresh and full of zest! I would love to win the books – I am French but have lived in London 20 years; my kids are more English than French (and go to an English school), and we all adore English litterature. I think angl0-saxon children’s books are fantastic (indeed, they are often found translated in French) and have enjoyed reading about your selections. I really enjoyed your views on France and the French. A bientot!

2 Katie Roberts July 11, 2011 at 11:45 am: How awesome! Thanks for asking people to post on their Facebook page…I am new to the blog and really like it! Happy Anniversary!
3 yale July 11, 2011 at 2:31 pm: There’s a discount on the new Laurie Berkner DVD and some of her other CDs at Zulily.com. My kids love her. Definitely recommend taking a peek! :)
http://www.zulily.com/e/laurieberkner-061111.html?pos=9
4 Jessica Dzara July 12, 2011 at 9:37 am: I cannot think of a better gift for children, thank you for the opportunity to win!

5 Pamela | Enemenemeins July 11, 2011 at 3:33 am

Wow! I would love to win these books!!!

6 Erin July 11, 2011 at 3:46 am

Woah, books to read, books to share, sounds lovely!

7 Christy July 11, 2011 at 3:47 am

What a great giveaway! My boys love storytime (and so do I). I would love to win!

8 Bri July 11, 2011 at 3:49 am

I would love to win this for my baby girl

9 Kristydc July 11, 2011 at 4:00 am

Wow! Five years! Congratulations!

And what a great giveaway!

10 Vivi July 11, 2011 at 4:01 am

What a great giveaway!

11 Anna July 11, 2011 at 4:01 am

What a wonderful idea for a giveaway. Count me in!

12 Sarah Graham July 11, 2011 at 4:03 am

I badly want to win! We love books in our house!

13 Laura Frunza July 11, 2011 at 4:06 am

I don’t have a twitter account, but I do have a facebook account, so I shared your giveaway on my wall. I’m so excited that I absolutely must leave a comment here, too, for a double chance at winning. I would love to win these books for my 3 year old daughter.

14 Gaby July 11, 2011 at 4:10 am

Congrats and happy 5!! 50 books sounds amazing, that is so sweet of you, you should be the one getting gifts not us! ;)

15 Julia Fleming July 11, 2011 at 4:10 am

On Sunday we will move our family of 3 girls to Lusaka, Zambia for the next 6 months. There is no room in our luggage for books! This giveaway would be heaven.

16 Danielle Blake July 11, 2011 at 4:11 am

What a wonderful giveaway! I’m excited to see the list.

17 Jessa July 11, 2011 at 4:13 am

Happy 5th anniversary! I can’t wait to see the list..what an amazing giveaway!

18 Chantale July 11, 2011 at 4:17 am

Congratulations on your 5 years!! That’s amazing. Here’s wishing you many more years of blogging, sharing and success!

19 lizzy July 11, 2011 at 4:19 am

ahh, thank you for all the inspiration & beauty you have contributed from this venue in the last 5 years. i always soak up your book recommendations so this is such a lavish giveaway! all the best.

20 Ale July 11, 2011 at 4:20 am

Wow can I enter the contest even if I’m in UK? Anyway thanks for sharing your ideas and photos in this blog, and I’m looking forward to see the list of books!

21 Gaby July 11, 2011 at 4:20 am

Just tweeted about it @TheVaultFiles

22 Kelly July 11, 2011 at 4:21 am

Wow! dreamy! Thanks.

23 Franziska July 11, 2011 at 4:22 am

happy anniversary! Your blog is the first thing I look up as soon as I got up. It is so inspiring!
And so is the giveaway! As everyone else, I would LOVE to win!

24 Adina Vladoiu July 11, 2011 at 4:25 am

Congratulations on the 5 years anniversary. I would love to win this giveaway for my daughter – she loves to read…well for now I read to her. I do have a facebook account, so I shared your giveaway on my wall.

25 Robin July 11, 2011 at 4:27 am

I love children’s books (and obviously so does my son)! What a great giveaway.

26 Beth July 11, 2011 at 4:28 am

Goodness gracious! You give me a new reason every day to think you’re amazing!

27 Lauren Dargan July 11, 2011 at 4:30 am

Count me in! Who doesn’t love childrens books….or Design Mom?! Happy Anniversary

28 MOnica July 11, 2011 at 4:30 am

It’s so important to teach your children to love reading! I would love to own your family’s favorites. My son has a growing collection, and he really enjoys it!

29 Betsey Holley July 11, 2011 at 4:40 am

Awesome giveaway! Love others enthusiastic book suggestions!

30 Ashely July 11, 2011 at 4:42 am

Thank you! What a fun idea…I’d love to read the books you’ve chosen to my daughter!

31 erin July 11, 2011 at 4:45 am

ooh what a fabulous giveaway!

32 Breena July 11, 2011 at 4:45 am

What a great giveaway!

33 Leanne July 11, 2011 at 4:47 am

What an amazingly thoughtful giveaway. I’ll cross my fingers that we’re the winners and congratulations to you on five years of blogging.

34 Meggan Hayes July 11, 2011 at 4:49 am

Last night I broke the lens on my camera by tripping. Ranks up there with one of the worst days EVER. I would love to win this and spend the rest of the summer reading to my kids instead of wallowing in despair. :(

35 Jan @ Family Bites July 11, 2011 at 4:49 am

Congratulations!! What a milestone and what a fabulous giveaway.

36 Morgan July 11, 2011 at 4:51 am

Happy Anniversary! Thank you for being such a great resource, it is especially appreciated by this ¨new¨ mom.

This giveaway is the best one yet! As an American living in Spain, I am trying to collect English books for my children (have a 15 month old and expecting my second this week).

37 Lindsey Dobson July 11, 2011 at 4:55 am

Congratulations on 5 years. Just started following your blog and I love it. These books would be great for my 4 month old daughter…it won’t be long until she’s reading! Thanks!

38 Amy July 11, 2011 at 5:00 am

What a great giveaway! That painting is on the nameplates I used on my books as a little girl – beautiful. Would love to add to my own family’s library with your choices!

39 KJ@letsgoflyakite July 11, 2011 at 5:03 am

Congratulations on Design Mom’s 5th birthday. I read your blog everyday. Best wishes in year 6!

40 christy July 11, 2011 at 5:04 am

What a fantastic giveaway! And congratulations on five fantastic years!

41 christy July 11, 2011 at 5:04 am

I follow Design Mom on Facebook!

42 christy July 11, 2011 at 5:04 am

I follow Design Mom on Twitter and I tweeted about the giveaway!

43 Zan July 11, 2011 at 5:04 am

Having no particular eye for design myself I still (or perhaps particularly) love reading your site! Everything is always so lovely but unfussy — my kind of style! I’d love to win this children’s library, it would be amazing!

44 Rebecca Dunn July 11, 2011 at 5:04 am

Hi Gabrielle-
please count me in! I can’t wait to see the 50 books you have picked. I hope you post to Australia!
Happy Blogoversary
Rebecca x

45 Rebecca July 11, 2011 at 5:05 am

Congratulations on 5 years! I’m so looking forward to seeing what the next 5 will bring. What a great idea for a giveaway.

46 Evie July 11, 2011 at 5:06 am

Happy 5 year Anniversary!

My son loves books so much, so I always love to see your recommendations. This is an amazing prize!

47 Dia July 11, 2011 at 5:07 am

Happy 5 years! Would love to win this for my little ones!

48 Dia July 11, 2011 at 5:09 am

just facebooked it also!

49 Jen July 11, 2011 at 5:09 am

We love books! Happy 5 years.

50 Becky July 11, 2011 at 5:10 am

what a wonderful prize!!

51 Lori H July 11, 2011 at 5:12 am

Such a generous giveaway. I love children’s books. One of my favorite catalogs is Chinaberry because she recommends such lovely books. Please count me in!

52 angie July 11, 2011 at 5:15 am

It would be amazing to have those for my future family someday!

53 Michelle July 11, 2011 at 5:17 am

I love reading to my kids and adding to our collection of children’s books. What a great idea for a giveaway!

54 Lindsay-Jean July 11, 2011 at 5:20 am

Happy 5th blogaversary! Crossing my fingers that I’ll win this for my soon-to-arrive baby girl!

55 Summer July 11, 2011 at 5:23 am

Happy Anniversary! Congrats on 5 years.

56 Rosie July 11, 2011 at 5:23 am

What a great idea for a giveaway, and what a generous soul you are! I’ve been reading your blog for years now without commenting very much, and it’s always been such a wonderful source for fun and creativity. Happy five years!

57 Kendrah July 11, 2011 at 5:24 am

Congrats a beautiful blog and happy 5th anniversary.

58 Jamie B. July 11, 2011 at 5:24 am

Happy 5th !
Wonderful giveaway idea.

59 Kayla July 11, 2011 at 5:24 am

What an awesome idea for a giveaway! Books are my weakness. :)

60 Melinda July 11, 2011 at 5:25 am

What a great giveaway! Happy Anniversary! I love celebrations!

61 Beth July 11, 2011 at 5:25 am

Wow . . . one of the best giveaways ever! Happy blog-aversery!

62 Justyn July 11, 2011 at 5:25 am

Now THAT is a celebration!

63 Maggie July 11, 2011 at 5:27 am

Happy Anniversary! I am a new reader (by a couple of weeks).
Books are my love, and I’m hoping to pass that on to my son :)

64 Dana Walker July 11, 2011 at 5:30 am

Love following your journey! Thanks for all of the great inspiration :)

65 Monique Foster July 11, 2011 at 5:31 am

Happy five years – love your blog -here’s to another 5 great years

66 Clare July 11, 2011 at 5:32 am

Congrats on 5 years!

Would love to win a handpicked library for our little guy due in September!

67 Kim Q July 11, 2011 at 5:32 am

Thanks for the opportunity! Congrats on 5 years- wow!

68 Kate July 11, 2011 at 5:32 am

What a thoughtful give-away! Stories at bedtime is my favourite time of day.

69 Ms. Amy July 11, 2011 at 5:36 am

Books always make the BEST gifts!

70 Mindy July 11, 2011 at 5:37 am

Congrats on 5! I love the books you recommend- what a wonderfully huge giveaway!

71 simona July 11, 2011 at 5:38 am

WE LOVE BOOKS! Our girls would enjoy a bigger library. Pick us! Pick us! :) Thank you! Simona

72 Cara July 11, 2011 at 5:38 am

What a great idea! Congratulations on 5 years, here is to 5 more!

73 Cari July 11, 2011 at 5:39 am

Wow, wow, wow! Congrats on five great years. Thanks for helping all the mom’s out there

74 Katie B July 11, 2011 at 5:39 am

Incredible prize! I’d love to win this for my son. Congrats on 5 years!

75 Lilly Piper July 11, 2011 at 5:40 am

This might be the most wonderful giveaway ever! I am not sure who loves picture books more – myself or my children :)

76 Sarah July 11, 2011 at 5:41 am

Congrats! I’ve really enjoyed your blog.

77 kim July 11, 2011 at 5:41 am

Wow – what a great idea! You are the best, Design Mom!

78 Boston Mamas July 11, 2011 at 5:42 am

Hi Gabby, I don’t need to be entered to win but just wanted to pop over to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And that I love the idea that we launched our blogs at the same time (my five year was Saturday!)! xoxox

79 Rachel Dowd July 11, 2011 at 5:43 am

This is such a great idea for a giveaway! Congrats on the five year anniversary!

80 Jennifer July 11, 2011 at 5:45 am

Congrats! And, wow – what a great giveaway!

81 Shannon S July 11, 2011 at 5:46 am

Congrats!! My little boy would love this.

82 Caro July 11, 2011 at 5:47 am

Congrats! How exciting!

83 Ashlea Walter July 11, 2011 at 5:51 am

5 years?! Congratulations to you. Your beautiful, inspiring, thoughtful blog is a bright spot in MY every day. Thank you!

84 Tracy July 11, 2011 at 5:51 am

Super exciting. I have a new baby on the way which I could use these for or maybe one of my six friends that are pregnant too!

85 aurelia July 11, 2011 at 5:51 am

Congratulations on five years! I love your blog :-)

86 Tracy July 11, 2011 at 5:51 am

I’m also on facebook too!

87 bryssy July 11, 2011 at 5:53 am

Holy smokes! 5 years is a long time! Congrats!

88 Rebecca T. July 11, 2011 at 5:53 am

Great giveaway! This would be a perfect start to our baby’s book collection…he is due in November! Congrats on your five years!

89 erinmalia July 11, 2011 at 5:54 am

Just in time for the creation of our new library in our house. Woo hoo! And congrats on five years.

90 Colleen July 11, 2011 at 5:54 am

what a great give-away!

91 ladyloo July 11, 2011 at 5:54 am

Oh wow! I would be the best auntie ever if I could give that to my nieces & nephews.

92 Stephanie @ henry happened July 11, 2011 at 5:55 am

I’m not a contest enterer but I admit I did enter Jordan’s (duh!) and must do this as well. I’ve loved all of your book picks! Congrats on 5 great years!

93 Dixie Fentriss July 11, 2011 at 5:55 am

I love the books you feature on here and I love that illustration!!

94 Rebecca T. July 11, 2011 at 5:55 am

Tweeted and following you! http://twitter.com/tigg1990/status/90388668367372289

95 cathy July 11, 2011 at 5:56 am

what a lovely way to celebrate! you’ve shared great books here, so i can’t wait to see what makes the list. :)

96 Marta July 11, 2011 at 5:56 am

Salut ! My son and I love children’s books and would love to enter this unbelievable giveaway. Thank you! Marta

97 Marveyb July 11, 2011 at 5:56 am

This is a great idea! I love books.

98 sara July 11, 2011 at 5:56 am

Wow, what a great giveaway. Congrats on 5 years and I hope you have many more. I love your posts!

99 chane July 11, 2011 at 5:57 am

Would love to win them for my grandson!

100 annie July 11, 2011 at 5:57 am

That is an incredible idea for a prize! Congrats on five years–it keeps getting better :)

101 Sarah July 11, 2011 at 5:57 am

Love love love this celebration! Cheers to 5 years and books for children!

102 Meridith July 11, 2011 at 5:57 am

Congratulations on five years. I homeschool my kids and I spend ridiculous amounts of money on books. I sometimes wonder if I homeschool just to have an excuse to buy more of them. My husband would really love it if I won this. :)

103 Allegra July 11, 2011 at 5:58 am