Exactly one year ago, in August 2008, I wrote my first entry for Doe Deere Blogazine. My heart skipped a beat as I pressed that blue “Publish” button. After that, my life was never the same again.
I can’t believe it’s been a year already. It seems like only yesterday we’ve shared our beauty secrets, debated whether women should take their husbands’ names & confided our deepest secrets into each other. 12 months and 307 posts later, 3,500 people jump on this carousel of GLEE daily to read, comment, seek or give advice. They say it’s all about the audience and it’s true – but it goes far beyond that. What this is, is a community of intelligent, open-minded, engaging people – a community I’m proud to be a part of!
All my fans who stuck with me from the beginning – thank you! You have changed my life in ways that I cannot even express. A huge thanks to fellow bloggers who tirelessly supported me through my most difficult first year. And last but not least, my family and friends – thank you for reading my blog even though you don’t have to!! It means the world to me.
In order to celebrate this joyful occasion, I have prepared a couple surprises.
Doe Deere’s Box of Delights: Anniversary Edition
I always put lots of thought into my boxes, but this time it’s going to be extra special! To win the Anniversary Edition Doe Deere’s Box of Delights, tell me in comments: What do you love about this blogazine? What would you like to see more of? Is there a particular subject you’d like to see me cover in the future?
Winner will be picked at random and announced on August 21st.
20% off on select Lime Crime products!
What better way to celebrate the anniversary than by rocking some colorful makeup? Sale begins today, August 14th and ends on August 21st.
Here’s to another year of sparkly, infectious GLEE!
Oh, Doe! Happy Birthday to the Doe Deere Blogazine!
I must post again here later with a special blog-birthday surprise!
What I love most about this blog (and I’ve started looking for more blogs since I started reading this, but had never read other blogs before this one– not regularly) is that, more than anything, I feel like I know you. You are a person that I identify with so closely, such a good friend to me, and I can ALWAYS depend on you to be there, because you’re just a click away. That’s one reason that I’m not entirely sure what I would do if I ever met you, because I think it would be more awkward for you to meet me than for me to meet you. But really, I don’t know– maybe someday we’ll find out!
Of course, there are many things I love about this blogazine: simply opening the page on my computer brightens up the whole room, and you legitimately inspired my entire outfit last night, which I’ll post later today on my blog, which you also inspired! I love how, no matter what you choose to write about, you always draw me in. Maybe because I know who you are, know that whatever you write must be good, or maybe it’s something else entirely. I love that you are so unafraid to be exactly who you are, and divulge to us all you dreams- future, fulfilled, and shattered. When you said that you had had dreams of becoming a rock star until reality hit you on the head like a rock, but you’re here and happy anyhow, that was really comforting to me, because I’d just started to think “Well, if my music dreams fall through, at least I can still be the fabulous person that is me and find a bajillion other interesting things to do”, and then you came into my life.
I’ll stop rambling on for now, because I have a birthday surprise for you(r blog)!
What I love most about the blogazine is the fact that it is a constant ray of sunshine in anyone’s day. It could be raining, your cat could have died, and somehow, the sparkly unicorns, beautiful clothes, and GLEE take it all away.
I also love the thought provoking things that are posted, the Deer Doe posts especially. The short post and the unique dressing post really hit home.
I would like to see more outfit posts, Xenia. You have such an offbeat and inventive fashion sense that’s awesome to look at. It’s a nonstop rainbow of color and pattern.
I would also love to see more makeup tutorials. They have helped me with everything from blush to false eyelashes, and everything in between.
Keep going, the blog is awesome! <3
Haha, I meant to put a t on my name! Oops!
Rats, I don’t think my first post went through!
Anyway, what I love about the blogazine is the way it can make people happy. The day could be gloomy, a favorite pet could have died, but the constant source of rainbows, sparkly unicorns, and GLEE make all the doom and gloom go away!
My favorite feature though, are the Deer Doe posts. They are thought provoking and inspiring. The short post and the unique dressing post really hit home for me.
I would like to see more outfit posts and makeup tutorials. They have helped me figure out how to use pieces that before I didn’t know what to do with, and apply makeup in a way that’s hassle free and natural.
Rock on, Xenia!
When I found this blog, I mostly looked at the make-up, however soon I found myself checking it every day. The more I read it, the more I felt I was getting to know you personally. You’d became one of my favourite people, and when I e-mailed you before about how I was getting trouble (I was the 14 year old girl with the unique style that gets taunted), you gave some really good advice. I can’t think of what more could be on this blog, maybe have more tutorials on how to do hair? I can’t think of a subject you could talk about, either. Most of the things I could think of, I believe you’ve already covered. I think you’re just amazing, and really down to earth.
Ugh, this is a totally lame thing I just wrote but yeah (:
I love that this blog stays true to your mission, Doe!
I wish there were a few less self help and more daily outfits.
I love how enthusiastic you are, and how motivated you are to follow through on your plans/dreams.
Oh, my gosh. Has it really been a year? I can’t even remember when I WASN’T getting on daily to see ‘what Doe came up with today.’ You’ve changed my life for the better. Keep being an inspiration.
The one thing I’d definitely add is more daily outfits. I miss seeing so much of your gorgeous fashion. I’d also like to maybe see an article or so about bigger girls in fashion. I’m in the ‘more to love’ category myself, and even though your blog has pretty much single-handedly raised my self-esteem back to normal, it would be awesome to see a few more gals my size.
Keep rockin’!
Happy Birthday! I have to say that I wouldn’t change a thing. I come and read everyday and enjoy all there is to offer. I love the makeup, love your style and creativity! You’re doing things great in my opinion!
Happy Birthday!!!
In a way I feel as a late comer to the party. I discovered this blog about six months ago. A friend, knowing I was looking for true red eyeshadow, linked me to Lime Crime and that was it. I was a goner.
I found more than just makeup. I found inspiration and confidence. This blog encourages every one that reads it to be true to their inner self, and I love that. More things in this world need to do that.
As for what I’d love to see more of: I adore the tutorials. Even if I don’t use them exactly, they inspire me to try so much. I’d love to see the same in the crafts you do as well.
Hi Doe!
I’ve been thinking a lot about that question recently. And I love it because I see makeup as an another alternative artistic expression. And I view you as a very artistic person in many ways with a similar vision I have. You’ve inspired me to embrace my own personal style that I’ve been rejecting because it’s not of the norm. But it’s who I am, and am most comfortable in. If you are not comfortable in it then it’s simple not your style!
You’ve also helped me embrace using different and funky eyeshadows (you made it cool to be frank!) :P
I also think you should look into having more of a community. There are a lot of ways to do this. You could purchase another domain, set up a message board and a database, etc. It would allow people to share their makeup stories, their styles, what they wore, look for inspiration. Its a big next step that could take over the next coming year, but I think it also would be beneficial to this community you said you have. Think about it!
And finally, I love coming here because like what most people have said, it brings happiness and joy on my gloomy days. :)
What do you love about this blogazine? What would you like to see more of? Is there a particular subject you’d like to see me cover in the future?
Aww happy birthday to your blog Xenia :)
I love this blog cos it’s vibrant and colourful and always full of inspiration. Also because of yourself, you come across as so sweet and in love with life and what it has to offer and also what you have to offer it. You’re determination is inspiring and also I love that you are a jack of all trades so to speak as I am also always looking for new projects to immerse myself into.
Hmm what would I like to see more of…your kitties for one they are so adorable! I particularly like the “Deer Doe” articles so perhaps a few more of those and definitely some more “Style Diary” and photoshoot entries because they always put a smile on my face.
I would most of all like to hear some more information on the makeup book you mentioned you were thinking of releasing.
Regardless of what the future of your blog holds I’d just like to say thank you and I’m so glad to have found you ^_^
Happy Blogversary, Doe!! I LOOOOOVE your blog, the colours, the gleeful writing, the good vibe…! I`d love to see (a lot) more of your makeup tutorials, they are always an inspiration for me… and, why not, more of your “what I wore” posts, always nice! xoxo from Brazil!
Happy birthday! One year, 365 days…such an achievement! Well done.
Happy Birthday!
I love your cheerful attitude and bright outlook!
oh please forgive the questions at the beginning of my post I’m very forgetful and didn’t want to have to keep scrolling up :P
Happy Birthday blogazine!!
What I love about this blog is that it takes me away from the mundane. I love everything about it – the colors, the makeup, the fun fashion. It always makes me smile to see a new post and I look forward to putting my son down for his nap so I can make a cup of tea and read!
Thank you Doe!
I love how you write, I feel like I know you. :-) I’d like to see more photoshoots with you in them and outfit posts, but I know those are labor-intensive.
happy blogversary! i love seeing pictures of your outfits. i wish i could dress like that every day.
In all honesty Xenia, it’s not even about your blog. It’s you. Back when you were just Lime Crime, back when you were in Sky Salt running Maskara shows, I found you. I was extremely overweight but starting to lose it and starting to wish I was pretty. I started seeing what you did with makeup, with fashion. You inspired me. I started doing makeup because of you, I feel pretty because of you. Everyone tells me how amazing I do makeup and I always tell them how you were my start, my inspiration.
Your blog, I love reading it. It’s pretty much the fisrt link I click of the day. I love your advice, your happiness, your passion, your creativity. I truely admire you. I love crafts, colors, food, culture, music, and life. You live everything I love, it’s pretty cool to see.
I love how you are brutally honest, obviously brilliant, and unapologetically beautiful. My favorite part of this site are your editorials. There are way too many makeup blogs out there, all chalked full of photos, photos, photos, pictures of food, candy, hauls, materialism, fashion, shoes, brain-dead banter, blah, blah, blah, but to find real, quality writing and actual substantial thought in this day and age is what makes Doe Deere special to me. That being said, I’d like to see more editorials, please!
I love the general positivity here, as well as your gentle urgings to be ourselves, whatever that may be :)
Happy birthday! <333
I'm always here at your blog because I love seeing the fun outfits and makeup. Your style and the things you love are what I love. I enjoy seeing your ideals and reading your entries out your excursions and of course seeing your style. This blog is much more interesting than any fashion magazine or anything else that I have ever seen. I always leave inspired and happy.
Wow a whole year, happy birthday! :D This is my first post on here, though I’ve been an avid reader for awhile, but I’ll post more from now on (what can I say I’m shy)
I remember first discovering your makeup tutorials which inspired me to emulate some of the looks and try a few more of my own. It really has fed my adoration for makeup, particularly eyeshadow, and continues to be a favorite of mine on you’re blog.
More makeup tutorials and more postings of your adventures and experiences in your life would be enjoyable, but other then that I wouldn’t change a thing. Your creativity has a direction of its own and in my opinion (and as a blogger in the works) you’ve been very successful in captivating people with it which is fabulous in itself
So cheers to a wonderful year and for those to come :)
Hi Doe!
When I first stumbled upon your site (after watching a makeup tutorial by the lovely xsparkage on youtube featuring your products) I was immediately attracted to the COLOUR! I’m a writer and I look at text all day long so your blog is like a slurp of fresh-squeezed juice! I guess my fave aspect would be the photo shoots- they’re absolutely gorgeous. I’ve also really enjoyed watching your career build- I love the entrepreneurial, magical spirit of your posts. I’d love to see a post on your process – how you create your eyeshadows, for instance.
Congrats Doe! Thanks for adding a lil colour to my life!!
xox
Lisa
Happy Birthday Blogazine!
I have only been reading this blog for a couple of months, but I have to say, I adore it! The bright colors, your style, and amazing makeup line are why I love this site! You writing has a sort of power that fills my heart with GLEE!! I wake up really early every morning to make sure I haven’t missed any posts. I would love to see more makeup tutorials and style diary! Thank you for being so inspiring and such a great person! Best of luck!
Happy Anniversary!
so many things, but the makeup tutorials and your outfit posts are my favorite. I love that you love color. :-) Congreats on the One Year.
I love your photoshoots! You always have the best ideas, such as the umbrella one. My fav so far though was the christmas pics.
Oh, there is so much to love about your blogazine! First of all: you seem like the most adorable person on the planet. You’re a good writer and I love that you write about both makeup, beauty (that sort of things) and more intellectual stuff. You balance it so well.
I love when you post pictures of yourself and your makeuptutorials and the longer entries about for example if girls should pick their husbands name.
I’m sorry about the sometimes bad English, I speak Swedish usually!
Lots of hugs
Happy Blogaversary!
I love the topics you write about, the stunning guest looks and YOUR looks, useful tips and tricks and the games!
I’d like to see more tutorials and even more pictures!
I’d like to read more about skin care.
Happy birthday Doe Deere Blogazine! <333
I'm always here at your blog because I love seeing the fun outfits and makeup. Your style and the things you love are what I love. I enjoy seeing your ideals and reading your entries out your excursions and of course seeing your style. This blog is much more interesting than any fashion magazine or anything else that I have ever seen. I always leave inspired and happy.
What I love about this Blogazine is Doe Deere’s style. I too am a lover of colors and glee. All I had to do was see the techno-bright colors and articles of this blog and I was hooked. I came for the makeup but stayed for everything else and have found the articles thought provoking and insightful. The only thing I’d like to see more of are makeup looks done with lime crime eyeshadows (or even other eyeshadows) – eyeshadow being a big passion of mine. You’ve posted several articles about young women who have been beaten down for expressing their individuality; I think some future articles you could post that would be inspiring would be success stories (of course your own story is inspiring enough) of other women (or even men) who have overcome harsh criticism and acheived obtaining their own individual identity.
Happy birthday Doe Deere Blogazine! <3333
I visit your blog almost everyday because I love seeing the fun outfits and makeup. Your style and the things you love are what I love. I enjoy seeing your ideals and reading your entries out your excursions and of course seeing your style. This blog is much more interesting than any fashion magazine or anything else that I have ever seen. I always leave inspired and happy.
Happy Birthday, blogazine!
Honestly, I particularly love the Makeup Tutorials and any tips you have about beauty/style/hair/makeup. I began reading the blog because of the tutorials (I believe that’s how I found the site initially, back when it was just Lime Crime).
I am a budding makeup artist and I appreciate any advice you can give to someone looking to break into the field. I’ve done makeup for a few student films, as well as for theater, dance, and circus productions, and a few amateur photoshoots, but I would like to know what you do to prepare for a job. What tools/supplies/makeup do you always always bring and rely on for shoots, etc? Do you do any shortcuts for shoots that you wouldn’t do in your own day-to-day makeup, or vice versa? Do you have a kit of makeup for shoots that is separate from your own makeup? How do you maintain good clean makeup if you are using it on lots of people for shoots, etc.?
I’d love to hear more about how you started your own makeup line. Where did you start? Who did you talk to? Who manufactures the product and how do you know what goes into it? How much influence do you have over the final product? I would love to have my own line one day but I guess I just don’t really understand how you get there, technically and physically.
I’d love to see more tutorials in the future, as well as see some of what you get your inspiration for your makeup from. I like your posts about things I don’t know much about or haven’t heard of, like different styles or… well, not trends, because I know you love/hate trends. Styles or scenes, I guess.
And a pin-up tutorial would be awesome.
I love your whimsy, Doe. Your blog and tutorials have really helped my passion for makeup flourish. Thanks. And happy birthday!
Happy birthday blogazine!!
Everytime I visit your blog I see bursts of color! I love the visual appeal of your blog and I love anyone who isn’t afraid of color. I initially knew about you through Lime Crime (xsparkage recommended!) and I was really impressed with your makeup line. But then I became more curious and began to read your personal blog and all your previous posts. I became engrossed in reading your entries and I was truly inspired! I miss your outfit posts and makeup tutorials. I always enjoy reading your blog so anything you decide to post is fine by me! :)
:) Oh, Doe! Happy blog-a-versay!
I must say, I do miss your beautiful face and your tutorials! I just love how absolutely anything you come up with is so beautiful and unique! I do miss seeing your looks, and wish they would come back please!
All the love, happiness, hopes, dreams, and candyfutureglee,
Sammm Bell :)))
I love it when you post Glee!! It always makes my day a little bit brighter. I also love it when you post pictures of your outfits, so fun!
Happy Birthday Doe Deere Blogazine! Congratulations on reaching this milestone and to many more years of success.
I stumbled upon your blog in January of this year, while browsing online for makeup. I made a purchase at LimeCrime and realized there was a blog attached to the site as well. I was instantly captivated by your attitude, sense of style and candy coloured world. I am also an entrepreneur (having just reached my 2nd birthday, this August as well) and I have looked to your posts for inspiration and escape during some of the tough times.
The positive message you present to the world is inspiring and your Glee brightens up my day. I also admire your strength. It takes a lot of hard work and guts to be an entrepreneur and to inspire so many people to be brighter and happier versions of themselves just makes the world a happier place to be.
Congratulations! Your blog is a constant source of the more positive things in life which are often rather hard to come by. Thank you for your marvelous energy and hard work!
Congrats! I found your blog right after I got home from Switzerland last year, when I couldn’t find work and was stuck in a long distance relationshipo (like, continents away!). Your blog helped me stay positive! Thanks for that :)
oop, relationship, not relationshipo. haha
The thing I love most about Doe Deere blogazine is that I never know what to expect (a makeup look? A Dear Doe? An article on.. well.. anything?) but every time I come on here it really does light up my day.
So happy birthday to you Doe (: <3
Happy blog-birthday! You are a fount of inspiration, and I’m so glad to have met you this past year! See you soon :)
Congrats!! My favorite part of the blogazine, hands down, is the photographs. They’re always so pretty and colorful, and give this poor Ohio girl something fun to look at and aspire to. Here’s to many more years to come!
I positively love your makeup, tutorials, and colors. Those are the things that got me here in the first place! But I also adore seeing your Weekly Glee and Photo shoots, and, well, everything else. To be honest, I’m never disappointed in coming to visit here.
Happy Blogaversary!
Dear DoeDeereBlogazine,
Happy Birthday!!!
My Birthday is August 25th!! We are like kindred spirits!
What don’t I like about you? You entertain me, give me ideas and are just beautiful to look at. The only thing I may ask is if your keeper, Doe Deere herself, would show us more outfits or makeup tutorials… have a great birthday! Have lots of cake!! you can because you dont gain weight!!! Tell Doe Deere hi and keep up the good work! :)
love always kate
Happy Anniversary!
I think that what I love most about your blog is pretty much you. You are someone that I can relate to. Another girl that has a passion for make-up,fashion, and good music. You are very great at giving advice, and a expert at style, and doing make-up.
You are full of “glee” and it spreds to other people through this blog!
Keep it up, and as far as improving…I really can’t think of much, but maybe throw in a couple reviews of some make-up,music,movies that would be pretty cool.
What’s not to like? I was a limecrime.net fan (in the days of old), and when I read that you had started a blogazine, I could hardly believe it. And what a year it’s been! You are funny, talented, and make great points on nearly any topic. I love learning make-up tricks from someone who has more experience than I do. Your photos inspire creativity in me. The members of your blog community are thoughtful, witty, creative, and I never feel afraid to post on the website for fear of being ostracized. Not many communities can boast that!
As far as future topics, I can think of nothing. All I want is for you to keep doing what you do, and I will gladly read along on all your happy multi-colored adventures.
Congrats and Happy Blogaversary, Doe!
-confetti-
Heres to many more years of Doe Deere!
I was hesitant to start reading this blog because I was afraid it wouldn’t be my “thing”, but I’m so glad I did! Its been that little push of happiness, ray of inspiration, and sprinkling of color that makes you smile in the morning and have a good day. Sometimes, it makes you think and sometimes, it makes you laugh. And I’m pretty sure if I ate it, it would taste like cupcakes. The blog has so much personality because Doe just shines right through- She’s so vibrant! So charismatic, that I’m sure everything she touches has her mark on it. (King Midas, only better.)
I just want this blog to keep coming, smoothly and colorfully. It makes my day, and I’m sure it makes the days of others. More Doe, more glee, more insight into things I’d never really thought of before. Keep it coming, m’dear, and lets have more wonderous years!