Today’s post marks a huge milestone for me, as the title suggests this is my 1,000th blog post. One thousand, that number just feels big. 1,000 times I have hit published or scheduled something to post on Sparkles and Shoes since I started this blog in August 2012. Holy crap! Over the last 1,273 days, 181 weeks, or 3 years and 6 months I have shared my ups, my downs, my thoughts, my ramblings, and my secrets. With the whole Internet. And whichever way you want to look at it this has been one of the longest commitments I have ever made.
As the months turned to years one of the most common questions I get is, “are you still doing that blog thing?” The answer is a resounding yes and there are no signs of slowing down. So why do I keep doing this? It is fun. Sure, it is a lot of work, more than most people realize, but nothing really worth doing comes easy. I love what I do here – I love sharing with you.

My First Outfit Post
I saw a tweet over the weekend asking what happened to diaries – we used to write things down and get mad if people read them, now we write everything down online and get mad if people don’t read it, and there is some truth to that. Would I still be blogging if nobody read Sparkles and Shoes? Probably not. It is fun watching the Google Analytics numbers of unique visitors and page views trend up month over month. I even have WordPress alerts on my phone and I get excited every time I see a new comment on one of my posts. And taking it one step further, would I blog if it did not make any money? That is getting a bit personal – but isn’t that what this is about? The answer is probably no. I am working on my 2015 taxes and it was a pretty great year for S&S, writing about what I love and collaborating 16 times with amazing brands.
I have loved having this blog as an outlet to share things I am passionate about in every area of my life. I have published over 200 posts on fashion, 83 about food, 61 about New York City, 17 about Georgetown, and six about swimming. I have come a long way from my very first post with the Sound of Music lyrics and a branded self portrait.
One of my favorite things about Sparkles and Shoes, it serves as a very thorough online diary of many of my favorite moments – everything from friend’s and family’s weddings (here, here, here, and here) to my huge Eurotrip last fall covering my trip to Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. Most recently it has been a great place to stay accountable for my fitness journey. Writing it down and telling the whole world about my goals has really helped keep me accountable. There will be a great post next week about my experience with dry January and my participation in my two latest Dietbet competitions.

At the Opera in Vienna
Before I end this post there is one thing I do want to get out there. For all of the time and effort I put into this blog I know it is not as good as it could be. As a extremely competitive, Type-A person this is difficult to admit but I have to balance my priorities. I have a full time job that extends outside of the normal 9-to-5 and that is my first priority not only because it is my primary source of income, but also because I enjoy it and it is my long term career plan.
I also schedule out time to spend with friends, workout, and unwind. The time that is left, those few hours are spent on blogging. If I reshuffled many of these priorities Sparkles and Shoes could likely go to the next level but for now, I am happy. So happy in fact I have a little something for one of you as a thank you – a bottle of Dior’s Miss Dior Eau de Toilette! The giveaway is international and will be open for a week!
And now on to the next 1,000 posts!

Cynthia Richardson says
I would gift this to my sister
Julie L says
I would have to be selfish and keep ot! It’s one of my favorite scents!
Abigail says
It would be a lovely valentines present to myself!!
Cristina Popescu says
I will keep it for me!
Rachel Beltz says
I would keep it or give it to my mom as a present!
Anna says
I would keep it.
Michelle castagne says
I would keep it.
Debbie Yoder says
I would keep it!
Emily says
I would probably keep it
Colleen Boudresu says
I would keep it!
adriana says
i would keep it 🙂
Crystal says
Keep! I love perfume, and Miss Dior has been on my wishlist for a long time.
Elle says
I would keep it for me!
rust says
I wold keep it!
Anastasiya says
Congrats!!
I would keep it! :)))
Coline T. says
Congrats! 😀
I would totally this for myself ^.^
latanya says
I would keep it
gala says
I’d keep it, thanks
Priscilla S. says
I would keep it!
Sara says
Keep, because I have been wanting it for so long!
Suzanne G says
I would keep this perfume for myself.
Zoey says
I would keep it! I have been looking for a new scent.
Christy Peeples DuBois says
My daughter would definitely want this so I would let her get it. Thank you for the opportunity.
Haroon Khan says
I would keep it! And congratulations!!
Rosie Areola (Heather) says
I would keep it, I’ve heard it’s lovely.
Thank you
Erin Ortiz says
I think I would keep it, I never treat myself to perfume.
Shanna says
Keep !!! LOL
Meegan says
I would keep the perfume for myself! It smells so good!
Leah says
I’d keep the perfume for me! I recently got a new job and I never really did anything to celebrate so that would be my celebration!
Natashakat says
I keep it! 🙂
joti B says
I Would keep it for sure
Petra Kos says
I’d keep it, but I’d share it with my sis 🙂
Celeste says
Hmmmm…. I may give it to my sis as a little Valentine’s Day treat!
layla says
Congratulations!
I would give it to my mother. She deserves this amazing product.
dari says
I would pass it on to a friend if I can think of one who would love it.
Melissa says
Yay congrats!! Just found your blog not too long ago and enjoy following along!! Keep up the good work! Thank you for the giveaway my fingers are crossed that I win!!!
Kenzie @ Life According to Kenz says
Congrats! What an accomplishment. 🙂 It’s crazy how much these little blogs can come to mean to us over time!
Kim Pincombe Cole says
Congrats on 1k!!!!
I love Miss Dior, so I would totally keep the perfume for myself (shhh!)
Alecz says
Oh congrats–that’s actually so cool! What an accomplishment!
https://forsevenseasons.wordpress.com
thehautecookie says
so amazing, congrats! xO!
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Heidi says
Wow, such an amazing milestone! Congratulations!
Wishes & Reality
Keri says
Wow, this is an amazing milestone. Congratulations and can’t wait for more!
Enclothed Cognition/Bloglovin
Ellese says
Wow! This is a momentous moment. Congratulations!!
http://rockpaperglam.com/
Edye says
Congratulations on 1,000 posts! I really enjoy reading your blog. If I won I would keep the perfume for myself, but I’d still share it with my mom 🙂
Blessings,
Edye
Sandy "HC" Callan says
Wonderful work Kelly! I love reading your blog! You are so fashionable and fun. Please never stop being you!
Candice says
Congrats!! What an achievement
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
TAMMY says
Congratulations on your 1,000th blog post. To get to your next 1,000 you should add the Saturday weekend edition too. Its fun to read your travels, goals, fashion and especially SHOES.
Dressed2dNines says
Congratulations on your 1,000th post! That’s quite a feat! Here’s to the next 1,000 more!
http://www.dressed2dnines.com
Megan says
CONGRATULATIONS! That is such a huge achievement – wow!
If it wasn’t still dry January I would say celebrate with glass of champs – but it can sit on ice until Monday! 🙂
Love reading everyday.