***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries – see who won below!***
Well, after a blog-busting (literally) 18,018 entries across two posts (the first one got overloaded after reaching 10,680 entries so we had to start a second one) we finally have one lucky winner in what has become our biggest giveaway to date. In case anyone was worried about how this would all be tallied, we used random.org to generate a random number between 1 and 18,018 and located the comment that correlated with that number across both posts (although you guys can no longer access the comments on the first post, they’re all visible to us in our WordPress dashboard, so we were also able to confirm that our winner did not have any duplicate entries as we always do). So let’s get to the good news: the winner of a $500 West Elm gift card is… CATHERINE (who must be a Richmonder because she, like us, is sad that our local Short Pump West Elm store is no longer open). Congrats Catherine – and happy shopping! Not that we’re jealous. Wait, we are.
Wow, so apparently we hit comment capacity on our big $500 blogiversary giveaway from West Elm. We didn’t even know that could happen! It appears that the original post is too overloaded to accept any more comments, but the ones that were entered will still be counted (so please don’t enter again on this one if you already entered that one or your entries will be invalidated).
We’ve created this post to continue accepting new entries (from folks who didn’t enter the first one) until the giveaway ends at 8pm EST on Wednesday, September 21st OR when this post reaches 10,000 comments, whichever comes first. To recap, we’ve included the entry instructions and details below.
- PRIZE: A $500 gift card to West Elm (!!) courtesy of their new blog Front & Main
- TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the words “WEST ME” and…
- BONUS QUESTION: …since we’re celebrating starting our blog four years ago, tell us how your world is different than it was in 2007. Do you live in a new place? Have a new job? Are you in a new relationship? Or maybe you just have a new hairdo or tattoo?
- GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Wednesday, September 21st at 8pm EST
- NUMBER OF WINNERS: One
- PRIZE SHIPS: The 50 United States (although we do try to wrangle as many international giveaways as possible)
- USUAL STUFF: One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winner will be selected using random.org and announced on Thursday as an update to this post. That’s right, come right back here on Thursday for the announcement of our winner. Good luck…
Note: We weren’t paid or perked for hosting this giveaway, we just do ‘em to thank you awesome folks for stopping in. See our Giveaway FAQ page for more info. Pics courtesy of West Elm.
Rebekah says
WEST ME!!!!!!!
Since 2007…I got married, had 2 beautiful daughters, became a stay at home mom, put an offer on a new house (in the process of a purchase), and became DIY blog obsessed!
Erin says
West me!! I have a new job, a new home and a new relationship since 2007! Love the blog and your sweet fam! thanks!
Todd says
WEST ME!
gave up bachelorhood and became insta-dad.
Molly says
WEST ME!
In the past four years, we’ve added a dog to the clan, moved in together, got married legally (in the courthouse), got married for fun in CA with all our relatives, and began the crazy adventure that is renovating our old house. Huzzah!
Allyson says
WEST ME!!
Just found a West Elm near me!
Four years ago I was just finishing grad school and moving to Westchester. Since then I’ve relocated, bought a house, and got married. Its amazing how much can change in such a short period of time.
Debbie Byrd says
WEST ME!!! My life has changed in many ways during the past four years – I was still pretty much a newlywed (for the 2nd time), having remarried in ’05 after 16 yrs. of being divorced. I now live 6 hours away from the town I lived in most of my life, and am loving it – closer to the beach! Work at a new job in a quaint little college town ( at the univ.); became a GRANDMOTHER in ’10 for the 1st time with my grandson Hayden…FUNNNN!!!; am finally, FINALLY learning to sew at the young age of 54 – yay!! Have loved fabric, paint, and recreating since I was a child. I am ‘listening’ to this passion more and more as time goes by. Thanks for the chance to win!!
jessica says
WEST ME!
4 years ago I was single and renting an apartment out of a plumbing shop.
Katie Kildal says
WEST ME! I’ve been in my house for 4 years and I’m STILL decorating. Now I’m ready to change things that I’ve finally completed!
Katie Himiob says
WEST ME!
I was just starting a new career in 2007 and now 4 years later I am contemplating going back to school for ANOTHER career!
Ryann says
West me!! I have a husband, child and house that I didnt have 4 years ago!
Lisa says
WEST ME!
I’ve quit my job, gotten married and had one sweet, adorable baby boy.
Carrie says
WEST ME
Gosh, we moved into this house on my birthday in 2007! Nice birthday gift, huh? We have since had a goldendoodle join our family and three of our four kids are now in college. Life is good and i hope I win!
Alecia says
West Me!
We have a new house!
Lisa says
WEST ME!
What hasn’t changed? I live in a different city, finished residency and am nearly through fellowship, married the wonderful guy who flew across the state regularly for a year (on no sleep) to see me, bought a house, and have an amazing newborn! Life is good.
Sarah says
WEST ME!!!! In 2007 I had just started dating my high school sweetheart. Four years later I graduated college, ended that relationship and am now starting a an exciting, independent life in a new city and house!
Love love love your blog!
Allison says
WEST ME!!! Got married in ’07!
Cristi C. says
West Me!
What’s new since 2007?? We have a little guy keeping us up at night!
Sandra says
WEST ME
20,000 entries is a lot… but someone HAS to win right?
I’ve gotten married and had a kid of my own (a little boy, one day before your Clara was born). I also started a career, and paused it to become a stay at home mom.
Elise says
West me! I got a new job!
Andrea says
West me!
I was in my first year of grad school in 2007; now working freelance graphic design and gallery painting.
amanda says
WEST ME!! I would love to add some finishing touches to my house’s decor!
Emily P says
West Me!! Moved across country, finished my phd thesis, Got married, found YHL!, and then started a new job!
Jen LT says
WEST ME!
House – engagement – marriage…where did the time go?!?!? :)
Lauren says
WEST ME!
Since 2007 I have gained two amazing nieces that I love so much. I’ve also moved to a new city with the hubs and am starting to look for our first condo :)
Maria A. says
WEST ME!!!
Since 2007, my hubbie and I moved from Miami to Dallas for his job. We miss the ocean and the cultural diversity sooo much, but have discovered that just being together (incl. our dog) makes our rental feel like home and our new city very lovable!
Aurora says
WEST ME! 2007: my first trip to the US and two months after got engaged to my wonderful French American husband; 2008: got married in Italy, my country, and moved to California to my wonderful rented apartment all to be furnished in San Francisco (mattress included); 2009: furnishing apartment adventures, got my Green Card, American world discovery, first Thanksgiving, passed the Italian Bar exam; 2010: my first trip to the Midwest and then Asia, first trip to New York, moved to Los Angeles, first Christmas in Italy with my husband; 2011: hit the gym, first Easter in two, my beloved grandpa death, my beloved dog death, healing time and new horizons yet to be discovered, self discovery, life discovery.
Gail says
West Me!!! Finally moved back to my hometown, love being around family again!
Liz says
WEST ME! Our house is trapped in 1982!
Myia says
West Me!
Four years ago, my family and I had just moved back to VA from TX. We were excited about our new home and getting to know our new neighbors.
Four years later, we’re still trying to decide on how to decorate our master bedroom. lol
Chelsey says
WEST ME!!!!!!!!
In 2007 I was still in college, unwed, and pretty crazy to say the least!
Erin Lepperd says
Oh pretty please WEST ME!
Since 2007 I’ve gotten married, moved across the country, learned how to walk on cobblestone in heels (not easy), bought my first winter coat (or 5) changed careers, landed my dream job and painted stripes on my livingroom wall. Yep that about sums it up xoxox
sharon says
West ME! Four years ago we lived in our hometown. We’ve moved 3 times and two states since then!
tom says
WEST ME!
Mali says
WEST ME!!
We have a baby and are still working on the condo we bought in 2007!
Karen says
WEST ME!
(I need to raise my westing heartwate.)
Kristen says
“WEST ME”
Within the last 4yrs I ended a bad relationship, joined a crafty beaver group where I met 4 really good friends and most importantly adopted my little furbaby.. a doxie named Bella!
Sierra says
West me, please!
Kate says
West me! And as for my life in 2007 vs. now: I have a different/new/better job, have bought a house, bought a car and have a whole lot more life experience. :)
Patience says
WEST ME!!!!!
Oh my…what a difference four years makes. Four years ago, my husband and I buried our first-born son after spending 5 months with him in UNC’s Pediatric ICU. My husband was in a job he did not enjoy and I was still learning how to be a wife as we had one been married for 2 yrs. Today, my husband and I just celebrated our 6th anniversary and just moved into a new house that is in dire need of decorating. He owns a Studio teaching music & doing creative design – he loves it! I’m a stay-at-home-mom to two beautiful healthy kids. It’s a journey I would not trade for anything and one that taught me the gift of each day.
Jennifer says
West me! Changes? New husband, new condo and then new townhouse, and now new baby girl!
Carol Ann says
WEST ME!
I had a job in 2007! Now enjoying “retirement.”
Heather says
WEST ME! Funny… Just got a new job and moved to the city. I also have a new tattoo! :)
Robin says
WEST ME!! (pretty please!)
I have changed a lot since 2007, and I found myself in the process. The best thing that’s happened is that I got out of a very toxic relationship and I am celebrating 3.5 years with the most wonderful man in the world, who will be my husband someday! We are also putting our finances in order and working hard to get debt-free, which will be a huge sigh of relief!
Thanks for blogging all this time, I really look forward to reading your posts every day after work. Love you guys & happy blogiversary!
Laura says
WEST ME!!! I’m married now and I own a house and I hvae a new job. I’m pretty sure thats 3 HUGE changes lol!
Anna says
WeST Me!!!!!! Changes since 2007: New (old) house that we are also in the midst of redoing, and new job for me…went back to work for the first time in 9 years after staying home w/my boys who are now both in school! Oh, and subscribing to your awesome blog (insert brown-nosing here). :)
Kaitlin says
West Me-since 2007 I have graduated from college, moved 3 times, quit 2 jobs, gotten married and just did a full reno of my first home, now I am back in school!
Ani says
West Me! Since 2007 I have moved twice, gotten married, left 2 jobs, gotten 2 new jobs – come to think of it, it’s been a busy 4 years!
Bethany says
WEST ME!!!
Four years ago I got married and moved into a new apartment we love!
Stephanie says
WEST ME!
In the past four years we have gutted, rehabbed, and flipped a house; been landlords, tenants, and just plain old homeowners; have had all three of our children officially start school (at home); added a dachshund to our previously pet-free family. Exciting times for sure!
Katie says
West Me! Graduated college, started (and am still at) a job I love (sometimes it includes coloring and I don’t work with kids!), bought a house, and adopted a mutt. Great four years, looking forward to four more good ones!