Because of you lovely bridies, this past bloggy year has been truly incredible. I just want you to know that I don't take anything for granted when it comes to blogging and have had some real pinch me moments, and still do almost every week. I still can't believe that I get to go to cool launches and events and as long as I'm asked, I'll do my best to vlog and bring you along with me. While the blog has won a couple of awards this year (and I still can't believe that), it hasn't changed how I go about blogging. While it's nice to have some recognition for all the hard work that goes into the whole process, I don't see myself as better than anyone and was more shocked than anyone at winning the awards this year (hence the crying at the Aussie awards and the lack of nice outfit at the Image awards!)
This past year has been a challenge in terms of trying to stay on top of things both in real life and in bloggy life. I've had a lot going on behind the scenes and just like when I started the blog 4 years ago, it has provided me with the best distraction. When I'm taking photos and writing about all things beauty, I get to forget about any crap that's going on. So I'd heartily recommend blogging if you need to focus on something else and sure makeup is always a brilliant distraction!
What have I learned over the past bloggy year?
One of the biggest issues for me is to go easy on myself, especially over the last few months. I've been constantly exhausted from work and have found it a real struggle to keep things up to date on the blog. I'm usually a week ahead of myself but have been playing catch up since the middle of July and while I have so much to blog about (I've currently 76 drafts posts waiting to be finished), I've felt really overwhelmed. Not enough to make me throw in the towel or anything, I've just had to try and get as much work done on the weekends because I just don't have the time or energy during the week. So sometimes I don't get a blog post up on a Friday and you know what? It's ok. I'd rather have 4 great quality posts during the week than stick up a fifth one just because. There are a few things I want to work on improving over the next bloggy year. I want to be more organised when it comes to emailing people back. I don't have much time during the work day to be online and I'm such a gobshite for mentally replying to texts, tweets and emails and forget to actually reply!
This has turned into a big mad waffly post and I've cut it down even to this!
What I wanted to basically say is thank you. Thank you for sticking with the blog for as long as you have and if you're new here, thank you for taking the time to have a look around. Thank you for each and every comment, tweet, DM and email you send because feedback and chats are very important to us!
So to thank you for everything, we've got some giveaways coming up over the next couple of weeks thanks to some very generous brands altogether! Stay tuned and keep an eye on the hashtag #LovelyGirlieBlogoversary so you don't miss anything!
Congratulations on your 4 year blogiversary! Looking forward to continued reading for many years to come! xx
ReplyDeleteAw Karen what a lovely post, and what an amazing four years it has been!! I love this blog, it's one of my favourite daily reads, and you deserve every bit of luck that comes from it and I'm delighted you got the recognition and accolades this year. PLUS my day is now made finding out that I have the same burfday as Lovely Girlie Bits ('cept I'm seven times older than it now...le sigh!) XXXXXXXXXXX
ReplyDeleteCongrats Karen & Joanne, here's to many more years to come x
ReplyDeleteCongrats Karen, I've always admired your consistency & equally admire your not blogging for the sake of it. I've had to put life stuff before blogging too in recent months and think it's important to feel able to do that. You gals have achieved somuch while keeping it real - big respect!
ReplyDeleteNic x
Wow, 4 already....I remember one of the first blog posts of yours that I read was where you trimmed a mascara brush for your bottom lashes as Clinique had released their bottom lash mascara!!! I was hooked from then on..... Love this blog, I've told you that before. It has surpassed others that I used to read religiously....you deserve all the recognition you get. Well done and happy blogoversary!!!
ReplyDeleteCan't believe LovelyGirlieBits is only 4! Feels liek I've been reading it for way longer! Happy Blog Birthday you put in so much effort and it always shows in your posts! xx
ReplyDeleteWell done Karen and Joanne great blog... Love the YouTube vids too 👌 big love Siobhan xx
ReplyDeleteCongrats.only found your blog this yr and i love it.keep upthe great work.ladies.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations girls :D I couldn't imagine a world without your blog in it. Keep up the awesome posts :D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and thanks for all the funny, honest and thoroughly entertaining posts over the years!
ReplyDeleteAmazing post, and congrats to you both on 4 exceptional years x
ReplyDeleteKaren, I can honestly say you deserve any and all success you have had in the past year. You deserve more. You're the blogger trifecta - dedicated, honest, entertaining. Despite working a day job full time, you still manage to post daily and do YouTube (and few people realise the hours spent editing videos behind the scenes), and be absolutely forthright and funny and FABULOUS. I truly hope that the next year holds amazing things for you, and you can finally quit that pesky day job! xxx
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