Today, this labor of love turns two!
I can’t believe it’s been this long since I started blogging, though in many ways, I can’t imagine my life before A Touch of Teal. Did I just watch television without a laptop in my lap? What did I spend my weekends doing before there were cocktails to create or outfits to photograph? And seriously, who did I go to happy hour with?
While there are some days I’ve definitely considered throwing in the towel—those days usually a) are Mondays, or b) occur closest to midterms and finals—I am so, so glad to have made it another year because A Touch of Teal has given me so much more than a girly, creative outlet from my more masculine day job or something to do on a random Wednesday night when it’s cold outside and there’s no good TV on.
The most valuable and important thing A Touch of Teal has given me is an outlet to connect with and befriend a lot of awesome, creative, intelligent, driven, smart, and kind people—and that includes all of you reading this post right now! Some of the people I’ve met through A Touch of Teal I see weekly, whether for drinks or an event, while others I’ve never met in person, but talk to nearly every day, whether through the comments section here or on Twitter. Regardless of how you found my little piece of the internet, I am so glad you’ve chosen to make my blog a part of your daily routine!
I’m hoping the each year is better than the last trend continues for TOT, since in year two I accomplished things that were merely dreams in year one—
I attended my first blogger conference in Charleston.
I worked with brands like Kendra Scott, Hallmark, The New York Times, and so many more.
Despite having interned at a magazine, my debut appearance in one happened after hanging out with some best blogger friends at Washingtonian on the Rocks. (We’re in the December 2015 print edition!)
I was accepted into the affiliate network rewardStyle, and even went to their headquarters in Dallas.
I bought another prime lens for my camera, and feel like I have really developed a photography and editing style. And I’ve really started to find a passion for sharing the hard skills I’ve learned through blogging with others.
I conducted my first reader survey and received nearly 50 helpful responses.
And I’ve grown my social media (Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest) and pageviews to all of the goals I set for myself, and am excited to continue working towards new goals and frontiers and dreams I haven’t even dreamt up yet.
In our culture of business and being busy, we tend to always be working towards the next goal, deadline, or quota. I fall victim to this mindset often, especially in the highly-competitive, hard-working, and power-hungry DC area.
But no matter what I’ve undertaken in life—it’s always been the journey that’s more rewarding than the end goal itself. (Except maybe college graduation day. You can’t beat mimosas at 6 am at your favorite bar with you favorite people, but I digress.) So today—and tomorrow, because I’m not posting then ;]—I’m going to celebrate the journey this far. I’m not sure what the end goal of A Touch of Teal is, and I’m not really sure it matters that I don’t know—because I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything.
Thanks for being a part of it! x
(PS. Yes, I know the tires on my bike are 100% flat. Let’s hope I get some air in them soon so the next part of the journey is a little bit easier to traverse.)
*** SHOP THIS POST ***
Pure City Cycles Abbey Bike c/o
Express Distressed White Jeans
Old Navy Peplum Cami
J Crew Factory Navy Cardigan
Target Catalina Slide Sandals
Ray Ban Original Aviators
Bauble Bar Medium Bar Pendant
Bar Stud Earrings
Wahooo Happy Birthday, ToT and CHEERS!!! Love that this blog is why we met and can’t wait for many more years of fun! 🙂 xoxo
Thanks Monica! You’re always so supportive and such a great friend! xx
Happy blogiversary! So happy to have connected with you 🙂
Thanks R! So happy to have connected with you!
Congrats Katie! So excited to hear about all the exciting things happening to you through the blog! Also that bike is so adorable. Make me almost want to start biking around Arlington. almost.
ALMOST. Bikers in Arlington are no joke :] Thanks for being so supportive, and I am glad blogging has allowed us to reconnect! x
Happy Blogiversary!! Congrats Katie! It sounds like you’ve had a very exciting an rewarding year. You definitely have reason to celebrate. And how cute is this cruiser?? Your photos are gorgeous!
xo
Kate
Taffeta & Tulips
Thanks so much Kate! You’re always so supportive, and I am lucky to have met awesome ladies like you through blogging :]
Yay! Happy birthday, lovely.
Thank you so much, H! x
Such a great post Katie!! Congrats on the two year anniversary!!! I can’t wait to see what the next two years brings for you and A Touch of Teal!!
Xo
Kristyn
Thanks so much, Kristyn! So glad we were able to meet through blogging!
Super cute and congrats girl! Always love reading your blog <3
Thanks Emily! xx
Congrats Katie! You have accomplished so many incredible things in just two years! Can’t wait to see what else is to come!
Cheers!
Ashlee
http://www.cobaltchronicles.com
Thanks Ashlee! So nice to meet you the other night! xo
Congratulations on hitting the 2 year mark! I’m barely to six months, and can hardly believe it. I can only imagine how awesome it will feel like to get to two years. Sounds like there are lots of awesome things happening!
Congrats on hitting the six month mark! That’s huge, too!
congrats!!
http://www.katelynryan.com
https://www.instagram.com/katelynmryan/
Thank you!
cute bicycle!!! 😀
you look wonderful!
Have a great day!
Animated Confessions
Thank you!
Congratulations on 2 years!!! It’s so incredible to look back on how far you’ve come…but of course, it’s important to set bigger goals so you continue learning and growing.
Blogging is such a big part of my life too, and I seriously feel like I’ve made friends all across the continent…even if I’ve never met so many of them (yet)!
Here’s to many more!
Jackie
Something About That
Yes! Here’s to many more…and if you ever come to DC, let me know! xo
Congrats! Happy Blogging! You look great..)
http://www.luv4beautyblog.com
Thank you!