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Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Non-Blonde Is Six



Do blogs have birthdays or anniversaries?  I tend to think of The Non-Blonde as a live creature. Cute but exhausting at times. Not to mention high-maintenance.

Six years ago today I decided that I had more than enough to say about beauty, and that perhaps I could do it well enough for a public forum. Looking back, I'm amused at my chutzpah, but glad I had it. Otherwise I wouldn't be here, six years later, doing something I love dearly, learning new things every day, and meeting so many people who enrich my life.

Thank you for reading, tweeting, commenting and facebooking. You are the reason I'm still here, spraying, swatching and trying stuff so you don't have to.

Photo: Dior birthday cake from Amica magazine.

83 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to the Non-Blonde! Gaia, you put SO much into this website. Thank you for all of your work, your beautiful perfume reviews, and your endless supply of kitteh pictures.

    All our love,
    Ari and Zelda

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    1. Thank you so much, Ari and Zelda :) . So happy to have you both in my life.

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  2. How did that go by so quickly? Many happy returns, and thank you for all the wonderful reviews. My nose, lips and eyes thank you, even if my wallet doesn't always ;)

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    1. Thanks, L. . You're a pretty wonderful and wicked enabler yourself.

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  3. Happy Birthday to this wonderful, amusing and informative blog!

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    1. Thank you! My readers and fellow-bloggers are the best.

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  4. That is incredible! I know I have been reading your post long before I really understood what a blog was. I'm always amazed how you manage to maintain such pace and enthusiasm (and chuckle at the memory of someone writing to complain that you posted too frequently). Many happy returns :D

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    1. Thanks, Jane. I'm so glad you joined the blogging forces :) .

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  5. Happy Anniversary Gaia!
    I'm so happy for you, congratulations! I always enjoy your perfume, skincare and makeup reviews, even better when they are accompaniedi by cute kitty pics!
    I have you to thank for my new appreciation of Edward Bess and Le Metier de Beaute products. I would not have known about them had it not been for your website.

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    1. Thank you, lovely Elizabeth. I love hearing that I helped someone find new pretties to love.

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  6. Yom Huledet Sameach l'nonblonde!
    A bit of verse for you by A.A. Milne...

    Now We are Six (1927)

    When I was One,
    I had just begun.
    When I was Two,
    I was nearly new.
    When I was Three
    I was hardly me.
    When I was Four,
    I was not much more.
    When I was Five,
    I was just alive.
    But now I am Six,
    I'm as clever as clever,
    So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

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    1. Toda Raba, my friend :)
      This was lovely!

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  7. Congratulations! I'm glad that you're "still here, spraying, swatching and trying stuff so you don't have to." All that and cats, too. ;-)

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    1. Thank you. Methinks I need to post more cat pics soon :) .

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  8. Happy Anniversary! So glad you're still here and still going strong. You're the gold standard of beauty blogging, in my book! x

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    1. Jessica, you're one of the most wonderful people I met through blogging. I'm so happy to know you xoxo .

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  9. Yes, the cats too!! Happy birthday to your blog, and thanks for all of the work you have put into it.

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    1. Thank you. It's wonderful to be recognized and appreciated.

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  10. Happy Anniversary/Birthday! This is a wonderful blog. It has introduced me to so many terrific beauty/perfume products. Which is great for me, not so great for the budget. However, I don't know what I would do without my Hakuhodo brushes!!! They are heaven. Thank you Gaia.

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    1. Thank you, Tara. I'm so happy to share and spread the Hakuhodo love. They're magic.

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  11. Congratzamillions, Gaia!!! I join the throngs who are in mad-mad Love with you and what you do :)

    Aye, tis ye who has enriched Our lives by crafting a Scented Goldmine of all that may make each of us even more irresistable ;)

    Your blog is simply first-class, Soul Sister, and I'm in Much Gratitude and Admiration on this 6th anniversary of your Beautimous Net-Groove around that Great Ball of Fire :)

    Love,
    Zanne

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    1. Oh Zanne, thank you so much. Your comments are always a wonderful treat. Readers like you are teh reason I keep going xoxo.

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  12. Happy anniversary to the Non-Blonde and congratulations to you Gaïa for such a wonderful work: testing and writing beautifully, thoroughly with good humour and "esprit" and choosing superb photographs and cat-actors!!!!Your blog is a wonderful achievement: I don't comment very often but I faithfully read it every day:-))
    Best wishes and many, many happy returns!

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    1. Thank you, Eleonore, from me and from the cats. I'm deeply touched.

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  13. Happy Blogiversary! Thank you for introducing me to perfumes I can actually wear and like and to hakuhodo make up brushes!

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    1. Thank you! I'm so glad to hear I helped you find new loves, especially in perfume!

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  14. Thank you Gaia, for so many hours of fun.

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  15. Congratulations! Your blog is a blast! I've learned so much here, and had so much fun!

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    1. Thanks you! So thrilled to know that my little experiment from six years ago brought fun and enjoyment to others.

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  16. Happy anniversary and congratulation! :)

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  17. Happy anniversary Non-Blonde, I'm so glad you decided to do this wonderful blog! I love reading your posts, even about perfumes that go way over my dead olfactory sense. lol At least you get me to try perfumes I wouldn't have considered before. Just wait until the 10th anniversary!

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    1. Thanks, Evelyn, for reading and commenting. I'm always happy to see your name here. Trying new stuff and being surprised is so much fun, isn't it?

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  18. I am so very glad I found this blog!


    Said it before, and saying it again, "The Non-Blonde is the 'Consumer Reports' of all things glam!"


    May the next six years be as exciting and fun as these first six years.


    Lawrence (and Rosa del Gata) in Ohio

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    1. Sweet Lawrence, I'm so glad you found my blog. Your comments and friendship are very dear to me. Love to you and to Lady Rosa.

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  19. Joyeux Anniversaire and many more blog-birthdays to come!

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    1. Thank you, Lovely. I hope you're well!

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  20. Happy 6th anniversary Gaia ! This is a great blog and I read as often as I can which is nearly every day . :)

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  21. Happy birthday, The Non-Blonde!

    I'm following way fewer blogs than at the outset of my perfume craze, but yours is one I never ever miss. Keep up the wonderful writing!! xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Dusan! This is wonderful to hear.

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  22. Happy Birthday! I wish you many returns.
    I always look forward to your reviews, beauty product recommendations and your cat photos.
    xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Victoria. You've always been an inspiration and I'm thrilled to know you and call you my friend.

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  23. Yay! Happy Birthday Non-Blonde! You are aging beautifully...

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    1. Thanks, Alyssa :) The blog and I are aging very publicly (and I hope also gracefully, blue eye shadow and all).

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  24. Congratulations! I"m so glad we met via Lucy.

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    1. Thanks, Francesca. I hope to see you again soon.

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  25. Happy Blogoversary, Gaia. Six years is quite an accomplishment, even more so considering the amount of well-written and professionaly presented reviews you have here everyday. Best wishes for your continued success!

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    1. Thank you, Suzanne! I'm in good company :) .

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  26. Happy Anniversary Gaia and Happy Birthday The Non-Blonde!

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    1. Thank you, Tom. Meeting my scent twin was one of blogging's biggest rewards.

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  27. Happy 6th Anniversary! Thanks so much for being here. I thoroughly enjoy your posts, especially your brush reviews!

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    1. Thank you, Joolz. I promise that many more are coming.

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  28. Happy anniversary! I don't comment much, but I read everything you write, and I appreciate all the work you put into this blog.

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    1. Thnk you, Adele. Your comments are always so very thoughtful.

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  29. Happy 6th to you. I appreciate you and all the work you put into this site. Thanks so much. Charlotte

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    1. Thank you, Charlotte! It's a labor of love, but still labor :) It's wonderful to feel appreciated.

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  30. Gaia, I can still remember the first time I heard about beauty blogs and took note of one with a witty name and perfect motto. Since then, you've repaired my skin, captivated my nose and generally spiffed me up. HUGE thanks and congratulations! ~~nozknoz

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    1. Dear Noz, thank you so much! I'm all verklempt hearing this. Thank you for reading and commenting.

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  31. Hi Gaia:
    Mazel tov on the 6th anniversary of your blog. I always find it very helpful and look forward to reading what you have to say on various subjects and what not. Also love seeing the pictures of the felines :-)

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  32. Happy blogo-versary, Gaia!
    I hope the inspiration will stay with you for many more years.

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  33. Happy Anniversary!!!!
    Wish you many-many years of beauty!!!

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  34. Thank you so much for inspiring my days with perfume and beutifying suggestions... and for your unique and so enjoyable voice.
    It feels like home here!
    Congratulations for the Non blonde's anniversary:
    Buon compleanno e 100 di questi giorni!!!!
    (zazie)

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  35. Dear Gaia,

    Happy 6th anniversary! Thanks so much for thoroughly written, witty reviews and beautiful photos (especially feline ones!). Oh, also huge thanks for my fave fragrances L'Air du Desert Marocain and Orange Star. Without your reviews I might not be enjoying them.

    All the best.

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  36. Happy Anniversary/Birthday! Congratulations on 6 years of great writing and many incited lemmings!

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  37. Brava on six years of unique, insightful reviews. You are a voice above the masses. May you continue to be inspired and inspiring. I thank you; my wallet is wiser

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  38. Happy Anniversary Gaia! I love reading your posts and discovering new quality brands to try based on your recommendations. Best to you and keep it up!

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  39. Hello Gaia,

    Just wanted to chime in to say that I love you and love your blog! I have been so happy that you are here all these years. Amazing that it's been six years. I think your writing has even improved more and more each passing year (and it was wonderful at the start!)

    With all best wishes to you, your kitties and the blonde :)

    xx
    A

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  40. Happy anniversary! Thank you for all the reviews

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  41. Hi Gaia!

    Of course six years of blogging is worthy of celebration. Congratulations! That's six years of hard work, with a little fun mixed in. Your passion and knowledge shine in your words. I'm grateful to read The Non-Blonde and to be able to call you my friend.

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  42. I'm late to the party, but that's how things have been these days! I'm not around the internets these days much as the remodel, work and family occupy most of my time, but I still find a moment here and there to visit my fave beauty blog, TNB!! :-)

    Lots of love Gaia,
    Trish

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  43. Happy blog birthday! Look forward to reading your blog for many years to come, I hope! Cheers :)

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  44. Happy 6th Birthday, Gaia! Your blog was one of the first to inspire me to take the plunge & begin my own, and for the record, I think your chutzpah is awesome - never stop! *Raises a glass*: here's to many more !

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  45. Happy Blog birthday Gaia, it's really an inspiration to see a blogger like you who has been able to write wonderful pieces for such a long period of time :)

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  46. Happy belated blog birthday, Gaia. Six! Yours must be one of the first beauty blogs, surely. I do know TnB was one of my first happy discoveries when I learned such things existed. Here's to many more years.

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