After I got back from Italy I took a look at my editorial calendar and realized there was only 10 weeks left in the year. In some ways 2020 has been going on forever and in other ways it is flying by. As we are in the last quarter I have started planning out content through the end of the year. You can expect holiday gift guides, end of year wrap ups, consistent Fashion Fridays and tons more travel posts but planning like this made me take a look at the numbers and realize that today is my 2,000th blog post!
That means over the last 98 months I have averaged just over 20 blog posts a month for you all – pretty astonishing, I should think. There have been eight Sparkles and Shoes birthdays since I started this passion project in August 2012 and I could have never have imagined it would evolve into this! In my walk down memory lane I also took a look a 2016 post that I shared called 1,000 Blog Posts and many of the sentiments I shared there also ring true today:
- People still ask, “are you still doing that blog thing?” and by this point, I think the answer is clear.
- I love that the blog offers me a creative outlet and I still love sharing my favorite things with you.
- The topics covered are still quite varied from Fashion and Style and Beauty to Delicious Eats and Travel (and solo travel) plus so much more!
- I still love nearly all of the brands, topics, and activities I shared in my very first post with the Sound of Music lyrics and a branded self portrait.
All in all, most of the major elements are the same from when I started in 2012. However one big thing that has changed since that post is the monetary element of Sparkles & Shoes has shrunk since my last update in 2016. And that is quite frustrating to me, especially as the readership and following of the blog has grown, but it is for good reason. As you all know I am an American living in London and with that fun combination comes all sorts of international tax and employment laws. As blogging is still a part time hobby I need to ensure I do everything I can so that my full time job is my top priority and I follow all of the government guidelines relating to that. Hopefully one today that will change but for now, this is a great diary of my travels and life adventures.
If you would like to share what you would like to see in the next 1,000 posts I would be quite interested and make sure you are signed up for the weekly Sparkles and Shoes newsletter where you will get a recap of the posts for that week as well as any details on fashion finds or great deals!
My List of 101 Things in 1001 Days
How to Start a Blog, Part Two
Tell Me What You Want, What You Really Want
Sparkles & Shoes Top 10
Amy says
Been following you for years too as several of the other comments mention and I echo their sentiments.
A lot of hard work and just never know what is going to pop up but it will be fun and relevant.
Look forward to reading another 2,000.
Barbara says
It must be quite a walk down memory lane as you go through your life via the blog. How many fashion shows you have attended, countries you have traveled to, places you have written about etc…
Wonderful blog and I enjoy ready each and every post.
Tammy says
Congrats on your 2000th blog post. Hey you forgot to mention shoes as part of your fashion.😁😁 You have covered many items. I am proud on how much you grew through the years. As for international taxation I can only imagine the craziness that you have to go through during tax time.
Sherry says
I never knew how much went into a blog. I was talking about my favorite bloggers and of course you’re on the top of the list with my girlfriend one day. She decided she was going to be just like you and create a blog so that she could go to the fashion shows like you do and have companies send her things to review.
She had no idea how much work it was and neither did I. She would call me crying with problems formatting, no one would read her blog, it was so hard to get the photos to be the right size and the right quality and that she would run out of ideas about what to write about. I felt like she was giving birth to triplets. Needless to say she did not last long in the blog world..
So kudos to you for your perseverance and making it look easy.
Kristen Woolsey says
Congratulations!! You should be proud!
Samantha says
I can’t remember when I started following your blog but it was certainly a very long time ago. Congratulations to you and I applied all of your efforts and hard work. I can’t even imagine how long it must take you to get all the photos ready and write all the details especially on your travels. I forwarded your blog post to so many people whether it was a wedding suggestion, I travel place I think they would like, a gift they should get for their mother, boyfriend, whoever.. I follow several blogs but you are my favorite. Keep going.
Helen says
Some of my favorite posts from you are the gift guides which are always super helpful.Also new color trends for the upcoming seasons are really helpful to as I navigate new purchases to update my wardrobe.
Really I love everything about your blog. Your fashion taste, your styling tastes, and of course your travels.
jessica says
Congratulations, what a momentous occasion. You must be thrilled with all of your hard work and efforts. I always so enjoy reading your blog and have been a follower for years.
Wishing you much success for many more years and I look forward to seeing where life takes you next.