Happy 1st birthday to Belles and Bows
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| Yes this is a cake I attempted to make for my daughters 1st birthday, like my blog my baking has got better with practice! |
Who'd of thought it, Belles and Bows has reached it's first birthday (pulls cyber party popper)! Well there are a few posts dated earlier than a year ago today if you go back far enough but they don't count as they were copied over from another rubbish blog I started a couple of years ago.
After going back through my catelogue of posts I realised I never actually wrote an intro post, so I thought now was as good a time as any to do one.
What to expect from Belles and Bows...
Lots of random chitter chatter, product reviews (good and bad, I don't hold back), lifestyle updates from the family and work life, giveaways and general ranting! I'm by no means an expert when it comes to makeup and I am always learning new tricks, but I think that's what makes Belles and Bows a bit special. It's a blog for all you girls who like makeup and beauty but sometimes get more than a little confused by the science bit!
Belles and Bows is and has always been a place for me to gather my thoughts, not just beauty based but thoughts in general really. I don't really know what I set out to achieve when I started this blog and it has evolved massively since the early days. I'm still a rambler, and always will be because that's just me, and my photography has only mildly improved since the beginning but the way I see it Belles and Bows will always be a work in progress, just like me!
I'm super excited to have reached this milestone as I never thought I would have carried it on past a couple of months. I found it to be a brilliant experience and I am immensely proud of what I have achieved, to some it might seem like nothing compared to how far some other bloggers have come in their first year, but to me if even one person carried on reading it would all be worth it.
If there was one thing I'd like to change about my blog over the next year it would be that Belles and Bows would become more interactive. I'd love to write more posts that inspire people to leave comments and join in the conversation. From my experience blogging is very much a community and a chatty one at that, I'd just love it if I could bring that out on my blog a little more.
Well there's no time like the present to get more interactive with you lot so here we go...
I'd like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read Belles and Bows so far and as a token of my appreciation I have a little giveaway for you all. The prize is this gorgeous MAC Illustrated Lip Bag designed by Rebecca Moses worth £31.00 and is exclusive to Selfridges. It contains Girl About Town lipstick, Baby Pink lipglass and Embrace Me lip pencil (this is defo on my birthday wish list!).
As part of the entry I'd love you to leave me a comment below telling me all about what you would like to see more of in the future. What sort of posts do you like to read? Is there something that you think really makes a blog stand out and keep you coming back for more?
As part of the entry I'd love you to leave me a comment below telling me all about what you would like to see more of in the future. What sort of posts do you like to read? Is there something that you think really makes a blog stand out and keep you coming back for more?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck lovelies and thanks again for reading, I've got my fingers crossed for you all! ♥
Good luck lovelies and thanks again for reading, I've got my fingers crossed for you all! ♥
That cake looks amazing it's making my mouth water just looking at it!!! I like a blog that reviews products that aren't perhaps as known as other big brands cause I love discovering new products!
ReplyDeletexx
www.salted-roses.blogspot.com
Yeah me too! I try not to give in to the hype but eventually I cave! Thanks for your comment, go enter my giveaway :-)
DeleteOh wow I seriously cannot get over this prize - it's amazing and I soooo want it :D Congratulations Belles and Bows on your first birthday. Wishing you lots of success over the next 12 months and beyond <3
ReplyDeleteFor me, I think interaction with other bloggers is the key to success - leaving comments on other bloggers blog posts with your link is a perfect way to network and get your blog 'noticed'.
xxxx
Thanks hun, I love commenting on other peoples blogs and I'd love to get that sort of reaction from my readers more often.
DeleteI've been thinking a little bit more but interaction in the #bbloggers chats has been my biggest help in growing my blog, answer people's questions with links to posts you've done etc, and it's a fab way to make friends :))) xx
DeleteCongratulations! Honest reviews of affordable products. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks :-) Honest reviews are very important to me, I think a good review needs to give you all the facts and not just describe the colour and packaging!
DeleteI am a new follower but I woukd love to see more beauty on a budget type posts
ReplyDeleteI'm all about beauty on a budget so it's good to know that's what people are interested in.
DeleteCongratulations on your first year! I think showing your personality through your blog is what contributes to having a great blog, plus not being afraid to say you don't like something even when others do.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see more reviews on affordable products. I loved your review on the Topshop make-up a while back.
Holly x
impatience-is-a-virtue.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks hun, I really love Topshop makeup. I've not had a mooch in there for a while, think it's time I did! :-)
DeleteCongrats! I think reviewing a product in depth and also recommendations of it for all skin types is what I look on a blog along with ootds.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to do more ootd but I don't think I'm trendy enough and I feel silly posing for them. That is something I will work on in the future definitely!
DeleteI think your blog is fab, and what makes a great blog is whatever fits in with you, and reflects your style. Each blog is different. Personally, I like reading product reviews.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's what I like too, although sometimes I think I put a little too much personality in my posts and they end up too wordy!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHappy 1st Birthday! You have a fabulous blog. I'm a huge skincare fan, I like trying to keep up with the latest trends so thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks :) I have just really started getting into my skin care and love trying new products but I'm always scared of ruining a good thing!
DeleteHappy 1st Birthday from Scotland :O) I'd like to see reviews on Fragrances if possible xxx
ReplyDeleteI will have a good fragrance review coming up very soon :-)
DeleteI've just going your blog but I'd love to read reviews, hauls and I also love favourites posts :) x
ReplyDeleteI have a good haul coming up :-)
DeleteLove haul posts and affordable beauty, also some natural beauty bits! Love your blog x
ReplyDeleteI've not really tried many natural beauty products, but it's definitely something I am interested in.
DeleteI think a great blog is all about the writing- if a post is written well and has an element of the writer's personality or humour to it then I tend to come back to read more. I love reading pampering posts with pampering routine ideas so anything like that would be great xx
ReplyDeleteI try to double double check my posts as I am a terrible speller and don't want to get caught out. I have read so many big blogs that have just not bothered to check. It's my pet hate!
DeleteI think a good blog has good content - like Angelica says, if the post is written well it will keep you coming back for more. I love your reviews x
ReplyDeleteI try to keep my content varied, as I think review after review can become a bit boring to read as well as to write!
DeleteHappy Blogversary! (:
ReplyDeleteI'm a new reader, but I love reading hauls, OOTD, and tutorials!
To me, a great blog is one that has its own unique style of blogging - whether it's in the way they write, the photos or the blog itself, it has to stand out! Write posts that you yourself will want to read (:
I don't know if my style is unique but it's definitely me :-)
DeleteI love to read reviews, not just on beauty products but clothing, books etc. I also think its really importatnt for a blogger to show their own personality and not try and copy others as this is what will make people come back and read again :)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant giveawawy, will be keeping my fingers crossed xx
swirliciousbeauty.blogspot.com
@swirliciousb
Just scheduled a lot of great reviews :-)
DeleteHey, Im a new follower, I love reading blogs that review budget items or a healthy mix of budget and high end items, especially in this day and age.
ReplyDeleteAnd hauls, I love a good haul, but then it makes me want to haul..
Fab giveaway!
Cint X
Keep your eye out for a good haul coming up this week :-)
DeleteKeep your eye out for a good haul coming up this week :-)
DeleteMassive congrats! I love pictures of products and hearing about peoples day in the post aha - I'm such a mum!
ReplyDeleteMichelle xo - @shelleymagpie
www.shelleymagpie.wordpress.com
Ha I love those posts too!
DeleteHappy 1st Blog Birthday! I always love to see more personal posts - like about holidays or day trips :)
ReplyDeleteAmy| The Little Koala Blog ♥
I'd like to right more of these sorts of posts but I'm never sure how interesting it would be.
DeleteWow - still a bit in awe of that cake, that is real dedication to baking right there! I think the best blogs are the most honest ones where reviews aren't biased due to sponsorship by a company. I like to hear truthful opinions, especially of high end makeup as it is not something that you want to spend hard-earned money on, only to discover it isn't very good!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, I had to right a fairly negative review recently for a product I was sent and I felt bad but I didn't feel I could right the post without being honest. I think as long as you are honest and aren't rude about the product or company they generally don't mind.
DeleteA big congratulations, I hope your blog blooms even more! A generous giveaway, good luck everyone. I love hearing honest reviews and also haul posts.
ReplyDeleteI think what makes a good blog is someone truly passionate about what they write and enjoy sharing it with others along with reading what others have shared with us. Also, I find good interaction and connection with their readers makes a great blog! <3
Kathryn
effievanity.blogspot.co.uk
Me too, I think it stands out a mile if the blogger isn't passionate about what they are writing about.
Deletehappy birthday!! I love honest reviews, especially of high street products that I may buy. Giveaways are always great too xx
ReplyDeleteGiveaways are something I hop to do more of as it's always nice to give back :)
DeleteI'd love to see more reviews :)
ReplyDeleteI've got so many reviews coming up so keep a look out :)
DeleteI'd love to see if you have any drugstore dupes for high end products x
ReplyDeleteI love these posts too, I have a couple in the pipeline.
DeleteI enjoy reading reviews on products
ReplyDeleteKeep a look out for more reviews coming soon.
DeleteI love seeing product reviews and beauty hauls, particularly featuring inexpensive products.
ReplyDeleteI think a great blog needs a bit of variety and fairly regular posts.
Lovely giveaway :-) xx
The Miss Beauty Saver Blog
I love it when a blog has lots of variety, I think review after review can become a little boring. At the moment I am trying to have a post up every other day.
DeleteI love real honest reviews of products :-)
ReplyDeleteAll my reviews are 100% honest so hopefully they'll be right up your street :)
DeleteHappy 1st Blogging Birthday and many more to come I hope!! Thank you for such a lovely giveaway Its a great prize I would love to win as I have never tried any MAC Before and would love to try some out! I would love to see some more hauls and reviews as they are my favourite!
ReplyDeleteGemma xxx
Sorry hun, my giveaway has ended. I'll be holding a Christmas giveaway very soon though so keep a look out :)
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