I'm a ONE YEAR OLD!

So, today is my FIRST BLOGIVERSARY!!!!

Well, technically yesterday--but it still counts, right? :)

Yup...it's about to get all mushy & gushy in here....so if you don't have boots on...you might wanna stop reading now :)

One year ago,  I wrote this post (riveting, I know) and started on my new blogging adventure. 

And....I  had absolutely NO IDEA what I was getting into. 

No idea about the DIRECTION I wanted the blog to head (or that even needed to have a direction!) 

No idea how TIME CONSUMING it would be. 

No idea about PAGEVIEWS, SPONSORS or FOLLOWERS. 

No idea how much WORK it takes to run a blog. 

No idea about ANY of it.

I was just writing to write. I wrote what I wanted about, and I didn't really care if anyone ever saw it (besides my hubby).  

I have learned SO MUCH about myself in the past year. SO MUCH. Probably a little more than I even WANTED to know!

{SOME HIGHLIGHTS FOR ME}

---Going to two Blog Conferences (here & here), 

---Opening up my SHOP!! Something I would have never had the guts to do before all the encouragement I've gotten from my bloggy friends. 

---Writing about my miscarriage. The hardest post I've ever had to write (so far). 

---Doing my first ever VLOG about my favorite beauty products. Something I NEVER thought I would do. 

---Ummm..doing outfit posts?! Who knew that was even a thing? :) I actually love doing those, cause it reminds me to actually GET DRESSED for the day!! (you can see some of my attempts here, here & here)

Most of all, I had no idea I would make LEGITIMATE, SOLID TO THE GROUND FRIENDS. 
I think THAT is what I'm most surprised about. I have made some amaaaaaaazing friends through blogging. Not just readers or followers...but TRUE friends. Friends that I text with, spend hours on the phone with, hang out with (like tonight), g-chat with, and fly to see/fly to see me. I've even had some of them stay at my house for a night or two. I mean...I remember when there would have been NO WAY I would have had (gasp!) online friends. That was always so taboo. I think it's much more normal, now. It's much more about community. Something that I love being a part of.

I love ALL of YOU--seriously..like LOVE YOU--but not in a creepy way ;) for reading, browsing, following, commenting, tweeting, etc... I sometimes can't believe that people come to just read what I have to say. I mean I'm not THAT interesting!! :)

Every time I make a new connection with someone, it makes my heart happy. You guys make my day ALL the time. I have NO IDEA what this next year in blogging has in store for me...but after this year, I can't WAIT to see what happens!!!!!!!!



STAY TUNED on MONDAY for a little  "THANK YOU GIVEAWAY" to all of you guys! I will be giving away some of my FAVORITE THINGS ...and there will be TWO WINNERS!!!! Pin It