Hi there, friends! I just cannot wrap my mind around the fact that it’s already time for me to write one of my last posts of 2016 [there will be one last outfit post tomorrow because #deadlines]. This year went by SO fast and I’m certain it’s because it was JAM-PACKED. While I was in Paris for New Year’s last year, my girlfriends and I chose a word that we wanted to be the one word that we FOCUS on in 2016. For me, it was nurture. In 2015, I felt like there were quite a few areas in my life that weren’t getting any love from me. I felt like I was only nurturing the blog, and hustling hustling hustling. It was, I suppose, necessary to achieve growth and success but I felt like it wasn’t right …. for me, at least. I wanted a little more balance across the board. I can confidently say, as I think about this year, that I have certainly done that. I absolutely love what I do but, I decided at times throughout the year to take days [here and there] off of social media, opt out of the crazy assumption that we should post on our blogs every single day, etc. so that I could nurture friendships, me time, travels, adventures, embrace new interests and passions [for me, it’s been photography], relationships, etc. I mean … nurturing was the whole point of me being in London. It wasn’t to travel as much as possible or have a pretty backdrop for all of my blog post photos …. it was to nurture a relationship that meant something to me. If I’m honest, it wasn’t convenient for me professionally. Running a blog is quite the feat – remember when I shared what we do in a day in this post? – and so is moving somewhere! Ha! Trying to figure out how to do all of the things there that I do here to run the blog was a challenge and I probably paid for it. But … who cares? I may not have experienced the growth and success professionally that I have in the past [and maybe I’m the only one that really realizes my shortcomings in that area, and that’s okay. Just take my word for it] but, I can honestly say that this year – focusing on nurturing other areas of my life – has made me realize how much richer and fulfilling your life is when you aren’t making your whole life revolve around work. There is more to life!
I love putting this post together every year. It’s so fun to look back at all the posts I put together and it always blows me away! Maybe I did more than I give myself credit for 😉 Here’s a list of some of the most popular posts and my favorites from 2016:
Favorite Destination
aside from London because, y’all know … I’m obsessed
Favorite New Product I Started Using This Year
Favorite Blog Post Accomplishment
this post was unlike any post I’ve ever put together, shot, written, etc. so I’m super proud of it
Heartfelt thank you’s to all of the brands who have partnered with S&T this year: Nordstrom, Urban Decay, Kate Spade New York, Julie Vos, Baublebar, ModCloth, Olay, Chicwish, Marks & Spencer, Dune London, Sole Society, TULA, Nordstrom Rack, Banana Republic, Kendra Scott, Ripley Rader, Ulta, Smashbox.
Thank you to all the photographers who have made S&T a beautiful place to come to this year, most especially – Victoria Metaxas, Kaylee Labor, and of course, Miguel Emmanuelli. The three of you make all of the ideas in my head become a reality with your crazy amazing talent, and I am so thankful to have you all in my professional and personal life in the capacities that you are. You all mean so very much to me and I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of imagery we capture in the years to come!
To Justine – One of the best decisions I have made this year has been bringing you on as my right hand girl. So much that has been accomplished this year has been because of you. You are truly the reason why I am not a real wreck of a person, stressed out of my mind, and have space in my apartment to walk around, ha! You make me believe that all the things in my head can really get done and happen! Thank you for all the ways you have contributed to the success of Sequins & Things this year. Looking forward to 2017 with you! xo.
Last, but certainly not least, thank you to YOU! I may be the person that puts the blog together and keeps it running but YOU are what allows me to do this full-time, for a living! I hope you know that I don’t take that for granted and I am so very thankful for that. You all bring me so much joy! Reading your comments, chatting with y’all on Snapchat, seeing how you react to certain posts … it makes me smile and is so fulfilling. Thank you, thank you, thank YOU! I love you guys! Have an amazing New Year’s Eve celebration … be sure to check back before you start your festivities! I’ll have a super sleek look to finish out the year! xo.
