January 28, 2016

These are My (Blog) Confessions: a 200th Post Celebration


This is my 200th blog post.

I thought of a lot of different ways I could do this post. I could highlight my best blog posts of all time, I could tell you all what I've learned in my time blogging, I could look at my worst blog posts of all time, or I could write something sappy about how I'm so grateful for it all.

I decided to combine all of this by sharing some confessions, some things you probably didn't know about my blog and I. I'm also revealing some fun stuff that's coming soon, so let's read on, shall we?


A year ago, 16 people read my blog post. 
This is not an exaggeration; I checked and on January 21st, 2015 (a year before this post is being written) 16 people read it the post that went up that day. I'm not highlighting this statistic just to say that I've come a long way, but to commemorate that I'm just as happy with my blog today as I was when 16 people read it.

I'm really glad I don't fashion blog anymore
Guys, it's not that I don't have a love for fashion or a yearning to learn more about trends and the history of it all (because I do), but I'm really, really stingy with my money and I wear the same outfit basically three different ways in one week. Fashion blogging just wasn't for me, and the second I realized that, my blog and I were a lot better off.

Being a blogger is like having two Facebook accounts
Double the people getting engaged, married, or pregnant while you have your second bowl of cereal for the day and google financial terms you don't understand :)

I take all my pictures (thank you poster board and self timers)
If you don't follow me on snapchat (What?! You don't follow me? --> cristina.snaps) then you haven't seen my tutorial on how to use a white poster board to get your cute Instagram flat lays. I consider this a hobby of mine. Oh, but actually, Cam takes some of my pictures (he did a great job in this post!), so THANKS CAM!

I've been trying to start a new blog on Wordpress for about 6 months now
We are *almost* ready, ya'll. (Again, thanks to Cam because he's been a huge help.)

There are several companies that have never emailed me back
I mean how hard is it to send a "Hey no thanks you don't have 50k followers, so we don't really care"? Sheesh.

There are companies that I've never emailed back
Typically, even if I don't accept the collaboration or promotion, I will email them back and politely turn them down. However, when I get an email to represent an app that isn't even an app yet and there are numerous misspellings in the email (and the company doesn't look legit)...oops, forgot to say "no thanks"!

I've never wanted to stop blogging
There's been days where I'm frustrated with trying to fix my HTML code or I'm a bit stressed about editing a mass amount of photos, but I've always loved what I do. It's funny because it's the times when I'm super busy and have so much to do that I think "wow, this is crazy. I love it."

I don't plan to stop
I really hope one day you see wedding pictures on here and tips on decorating your very first home. I hope there are plenty of pictures of my family and all the fun things we do together. I also will be very disappointed if I don't have pictures of my very cute, very photogenic dog on here.

Some of my best friends are people I've never met
I've said it before: I have a bunch of blogger/internet friends. It's great having someone to snapchat and text daily, and it's an added bonus to be able to ask for blog help, ideas, and inspiration! I've met a couple of my blog friends in person before (take me back to Boston and who remembers the ornament exchange I hosted with Tiffani) and I look forward to hopefully meeting up with more.

I'm working towards making my blog the best it can be 
Like I said, I'm totally in love with blogging and I just want to keep going, growing and pushing myself to make this the best it can be. I'm excited to announce that I am attending Thrive Blog Conference at the end of February in the Woodlands, TX! I've also been participating in webinars and doing plenty of research on how to grow my blog.

It really helps me to hear from you guys, so let me know if there's anything you want to see on the blog! I'm currently working on my new blog, business cards, and brainstorming some ways that you all can get involved as readers. (Because I don't want you to just be a reader, but a gal pal, too!)

We also have a new, fun hashtag! On the weekends, tag your pictures with #itsawonderfulweekend to show what you're doing (or not doing...because Netflix) and let's all get to know each other by liking and commenting.

200 posts down, many more to go!

X,

Cristina



23 comments:

  1. I LOVE your blog! I just made the switch over to wordpress, and am still a little frustrated but I love owning my content and having my own URL! These are awesome observations, can't wait to see what you do next!
    I will be participating for sure in the new hashtag!
    xoxo

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    1. You are so sweet, thank you so much!! Can't wait to see what you post with the hashtag :)

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  2. Congratulations on reaching 200 posts! That's a big milestone, I remember gasping then literally squealing when I realized I had reached 200 posts. I've seriously enjoyed every minute of reading this post and I actually have a confession of my own...I sang the title of this post as I read it. Gotta love Usher! haha Also, I added you on snapchat and I'll be adding your new hashtag to my list! I have a hashtag for my blog too, #MagnoliaMusings. I love connecting with people through hashtags! xx Merisa | Monogrammed Magnolias

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    1. Awesome - I'll be sure to use your hashtag!! They are so fun, aren't they? Added you back on snap, too :) Thanks so much for your kind words!

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  3. Woohoo! Congrats on 200 posts Cristina! I was reading this post and basically nodding in agreement on everything you said. I laughed at the using poster board for flatlays too because I do the same thing! And also I definitely know those weird app companies that you're talking about. I have no idea why they expect a poorly written email to encourage bloggers to connect with them, plus it doesn't help when those emails all go directly into the spam account... I'm so glad you don't plan to stop blogging (because neither do I!) and I would love to see how your blog progresses (and your cute dog tbh) :) P.S. I may need your help if/when I decide to switch over to Wordpress lol...

    xo
    Sami
    www.theclassicbrunette.blogspot.com

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    1. Will totally help you if you make the switch! I feel like I've learned a little bit through all my struggle, haha. Thanks so much for reading + commenting!

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  4. Congratulations on your 200th post! It's pretty amazing that we are able to come up with so many ideas. Here's to not stopping.

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  5. Yay congrats on 200 posts!! I'm a ways off from that, but like you, am dedicated and am excited to see my blog grow even more.

    Kayla || Keynotes from Kay

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  6. I love this post! I love how you mentioned how happy you are with your viewers now as you were then. And staying on top of the fashion is SO hard.
    xo
    Lauren

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  7. Love how you shared all of your thoughts! People don't really how hard and time consuming it really can be!
    www.kayleighskloset.com

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  8. Congratulations on your 200th blog post! I totally agree that having a blog is like having two Facebook pages - social media can be SO overwhelming as a blogger. I enjoyed reading all your thoughts.

    All the Best,
    Allison | www.LiveLifeWellBlog.com

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  9. Congratulations on 200 posts! Blogging can sometimes become overwhelming and stressful, and I have wanted to give up on it for far too many times, but when I get down to it, I love it! I definitely see where you are coming from with not wanting to stop. Here's to 200 more posts!

    xoxo | Sockwun | ExtraExtravagant.com

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  10. Congrats on 200 posts! I can relate to this so much! Looking back at my analytics keeps me motivated to keep going!

    HashtagFabLife

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  11. Eek! Yay for 200 posts! I can't wait for 200 more :) I really enjoyed your confessions! I'm working on creating a new photo flat lay background this weekend. I'll pick up a piece of white poster board while I'm there... thanks for the inspiration!

    XO, SS || Seersucker Sass

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  12. Congrats on everything you've accomplished so far! Blogging is definitely a journey.. So glad I found your site! I always love reading other blogger's stuff :)

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  13. Love it! Congrats on your 200th post :-))
    -Macy // peoniesandpassports.com

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  14. I love every single one of these... and am I totally feeling an Usher vibe to your title? Because that all I keep singing now! 200 posts is so awesome! Glad I'm not the only one who feels like 007 with two lives... Blogger life, and Tiffani life. It's crazy how the two combine at times and how they feel like opposite ends of the universe at others. Just cray.
    You're such a strong blogger and I love that quality about you AND your blog. Being a blogger is no easy task, but you are totally rocking it!
    Congrats on 200, and I can't wait to read the next 200!

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  15. Congrats on your 200th posts! It's great being able to see how much your blog as grown!
    -Kim :)
    www.simplybeingkim.wordpress.com

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  16. I seriously loved reading your recap of your 200th blog post. I have learned so much from 3 years of blogging and like you I have never wanted to stop. I love the community I have come to engage with regularly and I am so thankful for the opportunities blogging has presented.

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  17. I love this. How fun and cool to look back on your 200 posts and see how you've grown! I hope you keep blogging forever and keep making an impact.

    Nicole // Chronicling Home

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  18. Congrats on your 200th blog post! Isn't it awesome to see how far things have changed from the beginning! I agree that blogging is like having two Facebook accounts. That's such a fun(ny) way to describe it. I also love how bloggers can bring complete strangers together. I've met several bloggers in person and even got to meet my blogging bestie last month. I just love the blogging world!

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  19. Congratulations Cristina! I've been reading your blog for a couple of months now, and I'm so glad to hear you don't plan to ever give up blogging! Keep doing what you're doing!

    XO, Elly
    www.ellysavenue.blogspot.com

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