I appreciate you so much. You are what makes this blog successful and for that I’m so grateful to you. Today is my blog’s blogiversary, or the anniversary of when I launched my blog.
Once a year, I love to reflect on this blog and it’s journey. The reason I share this story with you is to encourage you to go after what YOU want. Your story won’t look like my story. Your story is unique to you and beautiful in its own right.
I began the blog in March 2011. If you want to know about why I started and many of the struggles, you can CLICK HERE.
I finally gave in and hit publish for the first time on March 8, 2011, and here we are 7 years later. If you want to see where my blog has been featured, CLICK HERE. The average blog has the lifespan of a fruit-fly (less than 60 days.) It’s a lot of work, more than most people realize.
I’ve had some many hurdles to overcome that were mostly behind the scenes like the day when my blog was hosted on blogger and it just disappeared. And there was the time that I added a plug-in to make my database more efficient and it corrupted the entire site. It had to be restored from a backup.
The thing that has made all of my work worth the effort, is that you come here and hang out with me.
If you are starting a new venture or considering one, I want to tell you that YOU CAN DO IT. Even if no one believes in you, It will probably be a lot of work. There will be obstacles and mistakes, but it’s all about persevering.
The highlights for me over the past year have been the podcast. I’ve enjoyed connecting on a closer level with other decorating enthusiasts. Also being one of the winners of the Dash and Albert rug design challenge was amazing, and literally I could not have done it without your help. There are several things going on behind the scenes right not that I can’t talk about yet, but good things are coming!
I do a blogiversary recap every year. If you are starting a new venture or in the middle of one, you might enjoy seeing the journey as I check in once a year.
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2011 MY FIRST POST CLICK HERE (Highlight – I actually hit the publish button)
2012 FIRST ANNIVERSARY CLICK HERE (Highlight – My blog was known for the bed on our back porch)
2013 SECOND ANNIVERSARY CLICK HERE (Highlight -We were building our new house, and I had my first magazine feature)
2014 THIRD ANNIVERSARY CLICK HERE (Highlight – We moved into our new home)
2015 FOURTH ANNIVERSARY CLICK HERE (Highlight – I got a book deal was preparing to open an online shop.)
2016 FIFTH ANNIVERSARY CLICK HERE (Highlight – We bought our retirement home and my home made the cover of Country French magazine.)
2017 SIXTH ANNIVERSARY CLICK HERE (Highlight – We started our podcast Decorating Tips and Tricks and I closed my shop)
2018 SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY (YOU ARE HERE) (Highlight – winning the Dash and Albert design challenge with your help)
Happy Blogaversary Anita!!! Thank you for giving us such beauty to enjoy!!
Happy Blogversary! I have only been following about a year or so and I am so happy you stuck to it and persevered! I love the podcasts by the way. The three of you are a great team and make my drive time to work enjoyable….3 days a week!!❤️
Keep up the great work!
I can’t remember exactly when I discovered your blog but it was probably around 5 years ago. I love how you style things and the great advice you give. I think you and a few others became my inspiration of starting my own blog. Since I was retired I needed an outlet and blogging have given me that. I look forward to many more blogiversaries.
So glad it inspired you to start your own blog. That’s the fun part, taking inspiration and following your own dreams.
Congratulations on seven successful years! You brighten my fault, and I am sure the days of many others.
Dianne, I appreciate your kindness.
Happy Anniversary…I found your blog years ago…Thankful for the inspiration you give to so many..No telling how God will use this talent He gave to you…Blessings…
You are so kind Kathleen. Thank you!!
Happy Blog Anniversary! I enjoy all of your posts!
You’ve come a long way with much hard work and, of course, your talent for making beautiful everything you touch. I hope I’m still following you 7 more years, and 7 more after that. Happy Anniversary.
Hugs to you Pat. I love what I do and I enjoy the friendships so much.
Felicidades!!!
Gracias!!
Happy blogiversary! Yours is one of the first blogs I read regularly and it has definitely been one of the seeds of inspiration for ivyandironstone.com! Thanks for all you do.
Oh Janet, I appreciate you so much.
Hoping for many more Anniversary’s from you to us~!
Aww thanks Jan!!!
Congratulations, Anita! I heart you because you are so REAL. I am glad you are encouraging so many to reach for their dreams but also realizing that it is very hard work sometimes. I looked back at the progress and growing you have done…amazing! When I was in my early thirties (now 77, almost 78) I too made a drastic lifestyle change after we adopted two special needs children, moved to an organic farm etc. I gave up my profession of pediatric nursing and started my own herb farm so I could be home with the kids and get my hands dirty. Ha! It was indeed hard work but so worth it. Now, I am widowed, empty nester and grandmother/great grandmother of seven, six on the autism spectrum. Life is a journey to say the least. I moved back to town after 21 years of farm life and enjoy having closer neighbors and tending my victorian cottage and gardens. We are all evolving, right?
Happy anniversary, Anita! You inspire me to press on. It’s not easy, and I’m exhausted, often… and I’m just starting! But, I refuse to be a fruit-fly! Already purchased my ticket for Haven, so I BETTER last more than 60 days! I’m dreaming big, girl! Again, you are an inspiration!
Happy Blogiversary, Anita. You are an inspiration to us all. 🙂
Just want to wish you a Happy Blogiversary! Anita, you do an amazing job! I always enjoy your posts. All the best for many more years! Blessings!
Hi Anita!
I loved reading about the beginning of your blog. Good for you for sticking it out and making your blog the success it is today. I really enjoy your photos and your posts, plus I also love the podcasts–you girls are a hoot! Getting to listen to you and read you all is like chatting with a friend. Congratulations on all your success.
Connie
Congratulations Anita on your 7th anniversary. Your commitment to French design inspires me. I have your book which I have read three times. it was an inspiration to me. Thank you for your continued success. Jean
Happy blogaversary sweet friend. I’ve been with you since the beginning♥ I invite you to share your lovely blog at my TFT party! Hugs.
You inspire Anita. Loved reading each of your anniversary posts today.
Joy
Congratulations! You are an inspiration, and I feel like we are BFFs since I listen to the podcast religiously. 🙂
I found your blog shortly after it started, because of a bluebonnet picture 🙂
I have enjoyed everything since!!! I can’t do the podcasts, and I don’t often comment because the print is so light when I am typing, that I can’t see what I’m saying, LOL….
Keep up the good work…I always look to your pictures for inspiration!
Blessings,
J