It was my blog anniversary yesterday folks! I honestly can’t believe I have been doing this for 3 years already.
I wanted to have a special giveaway but had been fighting the stomach bug the past couple of days and couldn’t muster up enough energy to get something going. But you guys forgive me, right? After just having that fabulous faucet giveaway…I’m not actually sure if most of you even care for giveaways. Do you or don’t you? Do they tend do be annoying all over the blogosphere?
I have learned so much during this time and while it doesn’t make a crazy amount of money it pays me in so many other ways. I can’t even put it into words how grateful I am for all that has come out of it. And I’m so thankful for all the people who read my little blog and for the people I have gotten to know through it in person and online.
My first post was my refinished secretary (click HERE to see the post). In case you are wondering, yes I have added some new photos to the old ones because my photos weren’t all that stellar at the beginning.
In fact I only had two post that March in 2012 and the second one was my horizontal striped curtains. I’m surprised I still have them and that I’m not terribly sick of them yet. Did you notice the little terrible I threw in there? Well that’s because if I’d find some other ones that I love, then I’d replace them in a heart beat. But I haven’t yet. Although I’m newly obsessed with the (new to me color) Ikea Sanela curtains my friend Kimberly from Swoon Worthy added to her living room recently.
And my cat enclosure is still one of the most popular posts. I guess it doesn’t get old.
I have done so much to our house and yard in those 3 blog years (hey and even before). I worked with some amazing brands, gotten to travel a little for the little blog and met some amazing friends in person. I have shared some of our personal struggles (HERE and HERE) which was hard for me but has gotten me so much support.
I would have never applied for dual citizenship if I wouldn’t have posted about it and in return gotten some encouragement and suggestions. And now I’m on my way to finally get it since I got the approval and just recently applied for citizenship. This will lift a huge weight off my shoulder. And I’m so grateful for those of you who told me I could do it.
I don’t know what this blog will bring in the future. There is so much on my mind at all times and I’m continuously struggling with ups and downs and sometimes even wanting to throw in the towel and stop blogging. But when I look back at all this time then I have to say. YES YES YES it is all worth it and I have you to thank for it.
A little update behind the scene for you if you don’t follow me on Instagram.
Not only has my stomach bug added to the DIY struggle but working on my Home Depot style challenge has proven to be the biggest struggle ever.
We had about 8 inches of snow last Friday and before that not all the snow was melted yet:
Can you handle all the brown prettiness? Nothing is growing yet and this Monday was the deadline but thankfully I got a short extension.
Patio set sneak peek 😉
Here is another glimpse:
It’s not going to be as grand as I wanted it to be originally due to the weather and not being able to paint but I’m loving the direction it’s heading to.
I added some spring to my blog chair:
Isn’t the photo bomber cute?
And my daughter and I decorated a little for easter:
So that’s it for today and hopefully I’m back to myself soon.
Talk to you on Friday.
Tschüß
(Youleeya)
Congrats Julie! I love your blog, you have the best style! I dont mind giveaways but I never enter as I am in Australia and I am not eligible! But who doesn’t love a good giveaway? I hope you stay motivated and don’t give up as you really do an incredible job, I know how you feel though! Happy Anniversary!
Thanks so much Gilly. And that stinks that you can never participate in any. I wish it wouldn’t be so expensive to ship to Australia.
Congrats on your 3 year anniversary! As long as you are enjoying blogging go for it. You are doing a great job.
The Easter eggs you and your daughter did look great.
Kitty is adorable.
woohoo! happy anniversary!
Thank you!
Happy anniversary! And yes, I love a good giveaway!
yay, good to know and thanks so much
Hope you are feeling better! There have been so many bad stomach bugs going around lately. Sorry to hear about the bad weather for your Home Depot challenge, I know it will be fabulous as always!
I finally had good food today. That’s a good sign but not so much luck with the patio. Why is it that some projects go so smoothly and some projects everything goes wrong?
Happy anniversary! Sorry the weather’s not cooperating with your spring-y plans, but I can’t wait to see what you do 🙂
Oh gosh I have no clue what I’m doing, I think. And thanks 😉
You are absolutely forbidden from throwing in the towel! But I know what you mean…I go through times like that too and wonder if this is worth it. Glad you;re starting to feel better – hope you can get some patio work done today! That’s what I’ll be doing ALL day!
Ugh no patio work today. Lilly has a 3 hour doctor’s appointment for food allergy testing today and next Wednesday and it takes 1 hour to get there. I’ll be busy for 5 hours doing that today. And it’s supposed to rain today and tomorrow. Grrrrr
Happy three year blog anniversary! I’m so glad you are here on the internet sharing your beautiful projects, real life happenings, and adorable kitties with us! I’m so glad to have gotten to know you!
I hope you feel better soon and I believe in you – you can pull off the patio project! <3
I’m so glad I have gotten to know you too. It’s funny because I’ll never forget the first post I’ve read of yours and where and it totally sucked me in.
I need some better luck lately though for my projects 😉
Happy Anniversary! Thank you for providing beautiful pictures, helpful DIY’s, and entertaining content. Your blog is one of my favorites! 🙂
Oh thank you thank you thank you so much Catherine for reading!
Happy Anniversary! I personally love giveaways! Can’t wait to see what you do with the patio challenge!
Thanks Ashley and I need some better luck. The mishaps keep piling up!
Ahhh Happy Anniversary my dear! I am so glad you can look back and be happy you have shared yourself with us – I can’t get enough of you or your gorgeous style 🙂 As for giveaways, well, I can’t enter them myself so I’m not bothered – HA! 😉 I have to be honest with you, I hate running them myself!! I know, I’m such a rotten blogger lol
I think it’s always tough to commit yourself to a blog and you’ll always have ups and downs but I’d hate to see you go – you are a shining star 😉
And THANK YOU for the mention about the curtains! 😀 xxx
OMG this is the best comment ever. Thanks so much. I’ve had huge ups and downs lately and I’m afraid it’s too close to depression at times but I don’t want to ever get sucked in and keep my head above water. I think it’s mostly because I hate to be grown up and have so much on my plate. It’s much more fun to not be responsible but with kiddos it’s not possible 😉 ya know?
Giveaways can be a tough one for sure for bloggers.
I’ve been blogging for nearly 5 years now (dear god) and the amount of times I thought about throwing in the towel is ridiculous. We all feel like it. And sometimes, if you feel like the pressure is too much and you want to take a break from it – just do it. Your loyal readers will always come back! It’s the biggest reason I only blog 2-3 times a week because I know any more than that and I will burn out. So maybe you just need to allow yourself to blog less? Or maybe you just need a bit of a recharge? Take a self-imposed break for a set amount of time but COME BACK (you are not allowed to not come back!!) 😉 I know how hard it must be with kids – actually, no, that’s a lie – I have NO IDEA how hard it must be with kids. But I know I still have to be a grown up sometimes and well, no, it’s not always fun. And I know things haven’t been easy for you this year. Just know that your readers (and me!!) are not just some abstract ‘online only’ creation in your mind, we are REAL people who REALLY DO care – and we want you to be happy no matter what you do 🙂
xxx
Keeping my fingers crossed it will get even better and I finally had dinner tonight 😉 good sign. Yay!
Happy blog anniversary!! The world will never be the same!! 🙂 Seriously you’re amazing and fun. I love reading. Plus you have killer style.
Oh you just leave the best comments ever Amber. Thanks so much
Happy 3 years!!! I clicked over to your post and fell out of my chair!! (It made me feel better that you said you updated the photos 😉 ) but what a great first post! And that cat enclosure… woah! Love following along with you! xo
Happy 3rd year blog anniversary! I love your honesty, creativity, and love of family & animals. Now dontcha go anywhere – stay put on his blog!!
Happy blog anniversary Julia! I’m so glad I found your blog, your style is remarkable and you’ve been able to encourage my black and white obsessed self to go out there and pair it with COLOR and metallics *cough gold cough.* You’re always the sweetest and most encouraging.
Julia happy blogiversary! I just hit the 5 year mark March 11 and I have often had the same feelings as you about it, but I always choose to keep going because it’s the one thing I do just for me and it’s surely a bright spot in my life and a creative outlet. I’m so glad you started blogging and kept at it because you’re so creative and fun to follow, but you’re also so REAL and I have so enjoyed getting to know the blogger behind the blog. Looking forward to what’s ahead here at Cuckoo 4 Design, and with your Home Depot challenge! I’m sure it will be amazing even with the the weather setbacks you’ve had to endure!
Congratulations on 3 years! And for the record, as a blog lurker who rarely interacts (whoops), I have never once entered in a giveaway. However, they’ve never bothered me and a lot of people love them. And I love your style! Keep on trucking!
Congratulations on 3 years and dual citizen ship progress and the extension on the patio style challenge. You are wonderful! Giveaways are fine and all, but I appreciate content more than a giveaway.
Thanks so much Corinna
Happy blogiversary, Julia! Hope you start feeling better soon.
Thanks so much