13 Years of Sparkles and Shoes

Today Sparkles and Shoes officially turns 13 years old, and while I usually love marking this blog birthday with a fun shoot or at least a few festive photos, this year looks a little different. With two kids under two earlier this year, we are nowhere near a photoshoot — or even balloons. (Let’s be honest: Lily would immediately assume they were for her.) But by this time next year, Henry should be walking, and I’m hopeful we can bring back a bit of the tradition and celebrate properly.

It still amazes me that what began in a tiny New York City apartment on August 2, 2012 has grown into 13 years of stories, travel, outfits, milestones, and memories. The blog was born in NYC, spent six wonderful years in England, enjoyed a year back in the city where it all started, and now continues its next chapter in our new house in the suburbs. It’s a big change from living alone — and there is a very different (and much noisier!) household behind the scenes.

This space has carried me through job changes, transatlantic moves, marriage, motherhood twice over, and everything in between. It has become a scrapbook of my life — one I’m so grateful to have, especially as I look back on 13 years of posts and all the phases of life they capture. Even if posting has slowed a bit lately thanks to two tiny humans who demand (and deserve) most of my attention, I wouldn’t trade this season for anything.

And of course, thank you for being here — whether you’ve followed for all 13 years or just recently found your way over. Your comments, messages, and quiet reading on the other side of the screen mean more than you know.

Here’s to year thirteen: imperfect, busy, joy-filled, and still sparkling. 💛