I always enjoy a top 10 roundup of the previous year’s blog posts. It’s a great way to discover things that you might have missed or re-visit your favorites. I also find it therapeutic to re-read posts and get a better understanding of why it might have been popular and how I can create similar content. So without further ado here are the top 10 posts of 2018!
New Year’s Wishes and Resolutions
Ann Taylor graciously provided some of the clothing featured in this post, but all opinions are my own.
Happy 2019! I can hardly believe it. I still remember writing this post and being completely candid on the topics of stress, weight, and feeling tired. For the past two years, my focus, or dare I say “New Year’s resolution,” has been to prioritize my health and fitness. You can read more about it here.
New Year’s Reflection: Stressed, Overweight and Tired!
This has been the fastest and most challenging year yet! Instead of going the traditional route of choosing a resolution, last year I chose to focus on the word healthy. Getting healthy is still on the forefront for 2018, so again I’ll be focusing on that. After all, your health is your first wealth!
New Year’s Reflection: Stressed, Overweight and Tired!
Towards the latter half of 2017, I gained over 20 pounds and am currently dealing with a slew of GI problems. I’ve missed more work then I can count and walking into the doctor’s office is becoming routine. We are still in the process of figuring things out and I hope to know more soon.
Along the way, I somehow managed to put on all that weight and have struggled with some other health issues (pre-diabetes and acid reflux). I have spent most of my life watching my weight and eating healthy, so it’s ironic that I’ve managed to get so off track. Plus, none of my clothes fit and I don’t feel that great about how I look and feel.
To help with stress, I have made some changes, like adjusting my work schedule to have every other Friday off. I also joined Orange Theory after being introduced to it by a coworker. I am obsessed! I really feel like it helps my mental state and overall health, so I’m in the process of building up to go 3-4 days a week vs the 2 days I’m going now.
This time next year, I hope to have my health back on track and be down in pounds. It will be great to have more energy and no stomach pain.
On the bright side, I have also accomplished a lot this year! I launched Lace & Pearls Jewelry, created a monthly newsletter, and successfully began partnering with brands. I even befriended some blogger babes and made some new connections that I hope to continue in the new year.
I wish all the best to you in 2018 and thanks again to those of you who continue to read this blog and comment! I apologize that I haven’t been the greatest at responding to comments, but I do read all of them and am grateful for your kindness and support.
Shop the post:
Dress: J.Jill c/o | Vest: Club Monaco (similar) | Necklace: Callura via Zulily c/o | Earrings: Charming Charlie (similar) c/o | Boots: Paul Green (old) | Clutch: DSW | Lashes: First Glance Lashes c/o| Lipstick: Neutrogena MoistureSmooth color stick (Rich Raisin) c/o
*c/o: courtesy of or gifted.
📷’s by Luba Kochubey Portraits
A Year In Review + A Unique Spin on New Year’s Resolutions
It’s been quite a year (personal and professional). My husband and I bought our first home, adopted two kittens, and we both got promoted. In just a few days 2016 will be over and a new year will begin. There is no better time than now to reflect on and discuss 2016. Keep reading for my year in review.
I am not going to focus on what I didn’t do this year but rather what I did do. I encourage you to do the same. Revisit your previous year’s goals and check if they are still relevant. If you didn’t do everything on your list, don’t beat yourself up. There is nothing you can do about it now. Re-evaluate and determine if you will continue to chase the same goals.
Forget New Year’s Resolutions – Do This Instead
This year, I am choosing a word that represents what I want to do rather than a resolution. My individual list will roll up into that one word, allowing me to reach that goal. My word is Healthy. So much in my life right now revolves around getting healthy. If I have my health, I feel that everything else will fall into place. I recommend that you choose a word that will keep you on track throughout the year, revisiting it whenever you feel challenged. For example, when I get the craving to overindulge in snacks during a Netflix marathon, I’ll think of my goal and opt for a healthier alternative like fruit or tea.
Note that my personal goals are the same as the previous two years, but they still rank highest on my list.
A Year in Review
Personal
- Up my workout intensity. I currently take daily walks during my lunch break, but I need to focus on breaking a sweat to see results.
- Get 7.5-8 hours of sleep per night. My husband and I have been getting up early between 5:30-6 am. This is helping with my night owl tendencies.
- Lose 15 pounds. I still need to drop some weight for health purposes. Upping my workout, getting a decent night’s rest, and portion control is the plan.
- Pay off debt. Our YNAB (You Need A Budget) is set and ready to break ground. For some actionable budget tips, check out 6 Debt Reduction Tips.
Blog
- Receive compensation for posts in addition to the product. One of my goals this past year was to begin working with brands. From January on, I accomplished this. In case you missed any of them, you can see them all here.
- Begin pitching to brands. Brands have reached out to collaborate, but I also want to be pitching to them.
- Increase blog traffic. Three words, Search Engine Optimization (SEO). When I started this blog, I had no clue about optimizing post to their full potential. Mid-year, I began optimizing and now my number one traffic referrer is Google. I want to go back through all posts and elevate them so people can better find them.
- Build an email list. This will help me connect with readers on a more personal level and understand what they struggle with when it comes to personal style.
Top 10 Posts From 2016
- How to Collaborate with Other Bloggers
- Drugstore Volume Mascaras: The Good and the Bad
- 6 Essential Ways to Start Dressing Confidently
- Thrift Store Fashion – A Beginner’s Guide
- Tips For Styling a Peplum Top
- How to Stay Motivated + 2 year Blogiversary
- 8 Tips for Defining Your Personal Style
- How to Avoid Blogger Burnout
- The Ultimate Pattern Mixing Guide
- 5 Tips for Achieving Effortless Style
What does your year in review look like? What will your focus word be? Share in the comments.
Thank you for supporting Lace & Pearls. Happy New Year! See you in 2017.
First image by Luba Kochubey Portraits
2016 Goals
Now that it’s officially 2016 I thought it would be a great to revisit my 2015 goals and share some new ones.
2015 Goals:
- Get 7.5-8 hours of sleep per night For the month of November and December this goal was nonexistent. Going back to work last week and being on a schedule really kicked my butt back into gear and has made it easier to go to bed at a decent time.
- Work out 4-5 days a week I have been walking 3-4 days a week, so I consider this goal achieved. Now I need to up my cardio and push myself to do more.
- Lose 7 pounds In 2014, I lost 11 pounds and had planned to take off an additional 7 in 2015. I didn’t reach this goal, but I did maintain my weight from the previous year.
- Get out of debt This goal is ongoing and will be completed this year. I have already made a lot of headway and just need to keep it up.
- Worry less Goal complete. I have my friends and family to thank, along with exercise, diet, and blogging. Through blogging I have found purpose, creativity, and friendships. I am more confident then I’ve ever been and grateful for all the wonderful people I have met through this blog.
2016 Goals:
Personal
- Change up my workout routine Exercise has always been a part of my life, but it’s time to up the intensity.
- Get 7.5-8 hours of sleep per night This needs to becomes a habit.
- Loose 10 pounds I still need to drop some weight for health purposes. The first two goals should help here.
- Pay off Debt I am really looking forward to completing this by the end of the year.
Blog
- Product Development I am starting my own jewelry line and hope to launch an Etsy shop this Spring or Summer. This venture is terrifying and quite a learning curve, but it has been fun.
- Photography/Editing Photos I need to learn how to use my DSLR and edit photos using Photoshop.
- Editorial Calendar Plan posts in advance and not the weekend before. I would like to be working 2 weeks ahead in my schedule.
- Improve my Writing Writing is hard and does not come naturally for me. I hope I can improve in this area and develop content at a faster pace.
What do you want to accomplish this year?