January
39-Week Bumpdate | Purple Dress
What a year 2017 has been! In my personal life, it’s been the best year. From welcoming Maxi to spending the end of 2017 in our new home, it’s all felt blissful. However, there’s also been a lot of negatives that I don’t share. From family health scares to privacy scares [something you rarely think about when starting a blog], we’ve also experienced a lot of sadness as everyone does during a year. In my professional life, there’s also been highs and lows. I think anytime you become a mother and head back to work whether it’s in the home or out of the home there’s an entire new way to navigate your career. I love the quote that says, “Women can have it all, just not at the same time.” and you know what? I love that. I think it’s honestly wrong to teach our sons and daughters that a human being can do it all, all at the same time. That’s setting them up for failure. There will be days we feel like we are succeeding at our careers and days we feel like we barely got by. There are days we feel like perfect parents and then there are days I think, “Did we do anything well today?” No one can do everything perfect at the same time and so I truly ended 2017 accepting that. I feel so free from it. We all play so many different roles and for me, I have started to cherish the fact that I don’t succeed at each role each day. That’s where my Savior comes in, where I’m weak he is strong.
February
Maxi’s Arrival, Birth Story [if interested] | Nursery Tour
I decided to go through and mark my favorite blog posts from the year. A lot of these were my “most read” or “most googled” posts, so it was nice to see us both align in what we enjoyed. I highly encourage you to go through your work today and create a highlight real from each month. If you’re a teacher, think of a student’s accomplishment each month or if you’re a nurse, think to a patient. Just go through each month of 2017 and think of your favorite moment work wise. So often we end the year focusing on what we need to do for the next year, and in turn that exercise sometimes makes us filled with negativity. From thinking of all the times we didn’t work out to all the trips we didn’t take, we start to fill our minds with frustration. And while I’m a planner by nature and fully believe in being fully aware of my shortcomings, I also think we should celebrate each and every success. When I went through and made these monthly posts, I started to realize I had three or four favorite posts of the month and so did y’all. Some posts were googled the same amount of times and that made me realize that COF is creating content you want to see, and I’ll work hard to continue to make more of what you want.
March
Lessons to Maxi | Makeup Organization
So what’s in store for 2018 on the blog? There’s actually a lot of changes happening next year. A lot. Maybe you’ll notice them and maybe you won’t, but in terms of business there are two major things happening starting in January. I may share them as they happen, I just haven’t fully wrapped my head around it just yet. Honestly, I’m so thankfully you all still read blogs. It feels weird to see this shift from blog to Instagram to Snapchat [RIP] to Insta Stories. I was so dead set on staying on Snapchat and y’all, during the fall 80% [E-I-G-H-T-Y P-E-R-C-E-N-T] of my viewers dropped off. I got countless e-mails from girls saying, “Do Insta Stories now! I don’t watch Snap.” And as much as I didn’t want to leave [I don’t like change 😉 ], I knew I had to go where y’all were. But all of that to say, it’s a bittersweet feeling as a blogger. As a blogger, we essentially curate an online publication. However, each social media platform we promote pulls you away from the publication and keeps you on the platform we don’t own. We spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on photography, and that doesn’t go to Insta Stories. We stay up finalizing posts, and those don’t go on Insta Stories. We use TweetDeck to manage our twitter accounts. We meet with brands all year to do giveaways and discount codes and help with product launches, but those aren’t for Insta Stories. I think social media is the most wonderful way to make blogs more real, and relatable. I get so excited to see my favorite bloggers post to Insta Stories. I turn on post notifications for all my favorite bloggers because you can’t see the feed you want now with the algorithm. So how do we really combine the two in a way that doesn’t take away from our publication for you all? I think that’s still something everyone is navigating. I’d love to hear y’alls’ thoughts! This year there was this shift from a culture that enjoys making a cup of tea and reading a blog, to a culture that wants to swipe up and see what you are wearing.The scary thing about social media is you don’t own it. Look at how Xanga died, then MySpace, then Facebook changed their business page account algorithm, then Snapchat, now Insta Stories. It will all go away, so while we want to make those connections there and provide you with what you want I’m always uneasy about putting all my energy there. I own ChroniclesofFrivolity.com, I don’t own Instagram. I’m so interested to see how 2018 plays out in the world of social media. Ramble aside, if you’re here I appreciate you so much. THIS is where the work goes. But, with more changes coming to Instagram in 2018, I can’t encourage you enough to download the Like to Know It App. It’s free, it will allow you to turn off LTK e-mails if you don’t like them and it will help you find what you’re wanting to source easier. Follow me there and you can find whatever I wear!
April
Favorite Books to Make | Ways I De-Stress
But what exactly will you see on social media and the blog next year? While my content is only planned through the spring at the moment, we have two exciting trips in March. My mom gets to tag along for one and that brings me a lot of joy. I will share more of our home decor as the year goes on, but I’m taking it slow. This is a home we want to stay in, so I want to design it with family in mind and not make quick decisions. So what’s on deck for January? This month is exciting! We are doing weekly content, instead of random daily posts. In the month of January we are focusing on reflection, budgeting, home, healthy and of course a bit of frivolity. 😉 Each week will be dedicated to that one topic and the posts will fall under that. This week is reflection, so today we are looking back at 2017, tomorrow we have 2017 items on sale, then my top purchases of 2017 and lastly a 2017 Q&A video for Friday. Oh yeah, I’m doing video. Yikes. Ultimately, I wanted to organize January as a month you could always refer back to in order to answer your frequently asked questions. I took post suggestions and questions you had sent me through the year, marked the most common ones and each post will answer those. Stay tuned to see what’s in our fridge, my daily skincare routine, my budgeting tricks and more.
May
Self-Tanning Tips | Beauty Hacks
So now that I’ve harped on changes we saw through social media, let’s take a look at what Y’ALL liked on social media.
- The biggest giveaway y’all liked was the GloPRO giveaway. Would you want more beauty giveaways as opposed to gift cards?
- This was your favorite top I posted on social media. It also comes in a printed option. I was so excited to find that brand, because as a blogger I want to fit your budget but I also don’t want to convince you in any way to buy something that isn’t good quality. I could easily buy $20 tops, style them and then they would unravel when you washed them. That would make me feel awful, so finding that brand was such a win this year! I felt the quality was incredible and I loved how the fit was great for so many body types.
- Y’all still like #ootd mirror selfies and I love you for it. Those were essentially the most “liked” outfit photos and I enjoy sharing them. It’s real life as I take them before I head out the door and it’s so easy to see the fit/colors.
- This year, your favorite shoes on social media were neutral sandals. These slides were the most popular sandals I posted on social media last year and while they came in pearls in 2017, the embellishment option is fun for 2018.
June
Summer Beauty Hacks | Organization Hacks
With blogging, something to keep in mind is you also have different audiences. I have an audience that reads my blog only and I have an audience that only follows on social media. While the both overlap of course, I learn a lot from the percentages that don’t overlap. What did y’all like most on the blog?
- Your favorite skincare item on the blog was the TULA Dual-Phase Skin Reviving Treatment Pads. Me too, y’all. Me too. These banish blemishes instead of having to sleep in creams that make you wonder, “Is this even working?” My sister is in college and so she barely has time to use a skincare routine [nor does she want to], but she is home from college for break and she has so many of these in her bathroom. You only have to use once a week, so if you aren’t one to spend a ton of time on your routine these make it easy. You can get 20% off your order with code KATEY at checkout.
- Your favorite body product was the Native deodorant. You can read my review here, but it basically changed my life in 2017. You end up rarely sweating, ever! You just have to get through the transition phase, but I promise it is worth it.
- Adelyn Rae was your favorite brand of dresses that I blogged.
- The item you searched for most on my blog was leopard mules.
July
Let’s end this post a bit more personally, share we? What am I looking to most in 2018? We have nothing major going on! The last year was so busy with a baby and 2 moves that I’m excited to just be a bit more boring. 😉 I LOVE boring. At Paul’s best friend’s wedding there was a speech that said, “The greatest pleasure in life is to be bored with your best friend.” That has always stuck with me, because when we are happy we can be bored. But speaking of weddings, we have so many weddings in 2018. Maxi gets to be a flower girl in one and I think it will be so precious to see her in a little wagon. I have a few work trips planned, Paul turns 30 so we will celebrate that and we have a few trips planned in the mix of our out-of-town weddings. But y’all, I just want to be bored. There is so much beauty in being bored. Anyone else agree or am I crazy?!
August
Favorite Top Under $50 | How to Get out of a Creative Rut
I don’t necessarily set massive goals each year with the new year. This year I thought I may do “months” of things or “weeks” of things. 365 of ONE goal seems quite overwhelming, hence why no one sticks to these things, no? Here’s a few things I want to try for a week at a time:
- I want to go vegan for a week. Many women experience disliking meat while pregnant. With that being said, I didn’t like meat when I was pregnant and I still never really want it now. The only time I ever eat red meat is when my dad makes it and I mostly cook vegetarian at home or with chicken. I was a vegetarian for a few years in high school/going into college so I thought it may be fun to try a vegan challenge for a week. Has anyone done this?
- Y’all know I stay up late, so I want to try to be in bed by 8:30 every single night for one week. I don’t necessarily have to be asleep, but I can read. I want to see if it really is life changing. 😉
- I want to give up scrolling my phone for a week. I heard someone once say, “When you pick up your phone ask yourself if you have a purpose. If the answer is no, put it down.” So unless you’re picking up your phone to call your mom or answer a text or check the time of something, put it down. I want to follow that for a week.
- This is more monthly, but reading hit the wayside with a baby. I want to stop scrolling my phone in bed at night and read. I gave myself a mini goal of one book a month, and I am going to go ahead and purchase the first six books that way I have to stare at them until I complete them. I’ll share what book I read each month!
September
Beauty & Bright Pink | How to Mask
In terms of professional goals, this year we are focusing on aesthetics.
- My new site will launch in the spring and I’m so excited for y’all to see it.
- We are getting a new camera and lens and hopefully switching up a few things photography wise. When I get comfortable with something work wise, I like to switch it up so I’m always learning.
- I aim to do a few videos here and there, but not professional. I’m so hard on myself with video because it isn’t my strength. I told myself I wouldn’t do them unless they were professional, but I enjoy watching videos of bloggers that AREN’T professional. So how did that make sense? I filmed a few on my phone and will upload them in January!
- I also want to do more organization posts. I love to watch organizational videos, so hopefully I can transition that over to a blog post for you all.
October
Probiotic Review [code: KATEY for 20% off] | Halloween
I also like to end the year thinking of the people that inspired me! Here are a few of my favorite people to follow online:
- Youtuber: Makeup by Tiffany D. She’s so down to earth and relaxing to watch! I have watched her for 6+ years and adore her.
- Blog: La Dolce Vita Blog. It’s hard to list a favorite blogger as many of my friends are bloggers and I read their blogs each and every day, so I went with someone I don’t personally know. Paloma is an interior designer and this blog is such a fun escape as all her work is incredibly chic. As I get older, I want to incorporate more neutrals in my closet and her fashion picks remind me to do so. They are pricier, but I challenge myself to find similar more affordable options. It’s just honestly wonderful inspiration, which is why so many of us followed blogs in the first place!
- Instagram: Buy Now Blog Later. Did anyone watch her Lollipop26 Youtube videos ages ago? I’ve followed Laura for an embarrassingly long time and always list her as a favorite. She’s become more and more private on social media which I admire and respect, but I love when she posts tidbits on Insta stories. She is SO honest about products and what isn’t worth it, which I admire and appreciate. She also can do a nude lip and smokey eye like no one else can.
November
Thanksgiving Recipes | Pink Sweater Dress
Need more inspiration?
For food follow @thekindestplate, for southern inspiration follow @holycitychic, for organization follow @basilchic, for clean beauty products follow @amybethcampbell, for mommy & me photos follow @sheis_sarahjane, for home follow @designsbyceres
December
Hair Tutorial | Guest Bedroom Tour
Thank YOU for such a wonderful 2017. My blog evolved A LOT this year and the fact you all stuck with it, meant more than words can say. My goal each and every day is to write content that helps just one of you, and if I can do that I go to sleep a happy girl at night. You all help me with each tip and trick and I can’t thank you enough. I heard one blogger refer to her readers as “the loveliest people on her phone” and I totally agree to that sentiment. You are all some of my loveliest friends and I can’t wait to continue this friendship in 2018.
See you next year! 😉
I’ve been reading your blog since you lived in your bachelorette pad! I must say it’s been fun watching you grow professionally and personally. I love reading blogs and I think that must be such a tough job with having to balance your personal personal life to the life you share with your viewers. Thank you for trusting us! I agree with you on social media, I just deleted Snapchat months back and wondered if I’m missing something a few of my fave bloggers are posting but thankfully we have Instastories now. I’m excited for 2018. I hope you and your beautiful family have an excellent year filled with goodness and so much positivity!
Love from San Antonio and a loyal reader,
E
You truly have read since the beginning! Gosh, I miss that apartment it was so colorful and fun! You’re not missing much on Snap! I still check it time to time to see if anyone uploads and I don’t see a thing! 🙁 So sad! Thank you so much for your loyalty as a reader, it means the world to me! xo
You achieved so much this year! It was wonderful reading back on your recap and your highlights. Hope 2018 treats you even better! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thank you so much, girl! xo
I’ve enjoyed your IG & stories. One of my goals is to pick my 5-10 favorite bloggers and read their blogs vs just looking at IG. I think my goal with that is …slowing down and smelling the roses! I’m an older follower and I’m always refreshed by your content! I loved and saved your mom’s skincare post. Talk about aging skin goals!! I’m also trying to read more! Working through an awesome bible study currently but I want to read more books. I’ve never felt like was a great reader. I’m learning (from my girls) that there is an art to it! I asked my girls (28,24 & 19) to each give me 1 book they wanted me to read (and for them to tell me why) and then 1 book for us to read together. We’ve had so much fun planning my reading for 2018!
You are joy to follow! Blessings to you and your family!!
Hi Marguerite!
Thank you so much for reading this post and thank you for following my blog! Aw, thank you. I keep trying to convince her to do more posts! That’s an awesome challenge to do, I should do that with my mom and sister. Thank you for the wonderful idea! Have a happy New Year!
For the month of August, loved those goals. Hope to read more often this year as well and I’m glad to know you’ll encourage us along
Thank you so much, Roxy! 🙂
Wonderful blog for the first day of the new year!!!! Thank you !!!!!!????????????????
Thank you so much for reading, Terri! xo
Katey, I loved reading this post. Thank you for offering a behind the scenes look at the challenges of providing online content on a regular basis. You are doing a great job, and I find your insights on blogging valuable. Have a great 2018!
Thank you so much for reading and for your sweet words! xo
Love so many elements of this post. Thank you creating great content and being willing to share your life with your readers. Also, I ordered the Native deodorant and can’t wait to try! How long is the transition phase? Looking forward to a great 2018. Best to you and yours!
Hi Emmone! Thank you so much for reading. My transition lasted about two weeks and I had a friend that had one last about 3.5 weeks! I say give natural deodorant at least 1 month of use! 🙂 xo
Love love LOVE this post!!
Thank you so much, Jennifer! xo
This was such a fun post, Katey! Loved seeing the highlights and most loved products and posts this year. I also loved learning a bit of the behind scenes of the blog info! I love reading your blog and following you on social media!
Thank you so much, Amanda! xo
I love the idea of being bored!! It is so hard to do that– even without a child yet! I always feel like there is something I could be doing– prepping for my classes I teach, cleaning/doing laundry, etc. I love your blog, and I totally bought that handkerchief top from Nordies for myself (and then two more for my cousin!).
xxoo
Mary
http://www.BelleOnTrend.com
I hope you love the top, it’s seriously the EASIEST thing to style and always dresses up denim! Thank you so much for reading!! Right! Can our goal for 2018 be to be bored?! 😉 xo
I enjoy checking in on Insta when I have time, but for the bloggers that I truly enjoy, I go directly to their blogs or use a blog feed to keep up with content. It probably sounds odd, but it is kind of like the bloggers who I have followed and read regularly are more like ‘friends,’ while Insta accounts are just acquaintances or people I run into. I make it a point to go to check for new posts because I enjoy your content. I usually ‘catch-up’ with my blogs on weekend mornings with coffee or as a wind down after work. Thank you for what you do and for your yearly recap.
I love that analogy, it’s so true!! Thank you so much for reading my blog, it means so much! xo
Thank you
I hope this doesn’t sound weird but I actually liked that you shared some of the hardships you faced because it makes you seem more human. I enjoy your blog and keep up with it but I feel out of all the bloggers I follow, I relate to you the least. I only say that because I think social media/blogs can make yalls lives seem so perfect. Most of your followers cant afford a LV bag so its refreshing to hear more about the real life stuff too!
Hi Sarah! Not a weird comment at all, I actually really appreciate you said that! I honestly felt like last year I over-shared hardships of blogging when I came back to work after having Maxi so I was always second guessing myself thinking I sounded negative. And your comment helped me realize that I may overthink it because I write my posts and readers may not read into the honesty as much. Not sure if that made sense or not, haha! But I really appreciate it! I totally understand fashion blogs in general can seem unrelatable, but I really appreciate you being here! Xo
I really like what you said about ““When you pick up your phone ask yourself if you have a purpose?” I find myself aimlessly scrolling when there are SO many other things to do. (like laundry! ha) I don’t want my kiddos to think my face is always in a phone. It’s tricky when your career is dependent upon technology. I think I’ll be way more mindful of my phone because I’ll hear that quote in my head.
Hi Elizabeth!
I feel the same way as you do! I feel so grateful to be home with Maxi while I work, but that also means she sees me looking at a phone which I hate. I am trying to incorporate that question more and I think it helps a lot!
Thank you so much for reading!
xo,
Katey
Best 2017 recap post! I love the way you blog, katey! I found you through Emily Gemma and I feel like both of you are my friends. I follow along on all your social media’s, but love your blog the most. It’s hard for you to know the impact you have one someone’s life simply through a screen. Just know reading your blog helps me escape from reality and is a highlight of my day!
Hi Amber!
Thank you so much for your kind comments, I love Emily! She’s so sweet! That’s exactly what I want to do, be a little escape for y’all for 5 minutes a day. Thank you so much for saying that! 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful new year!
xo,
Katey
Hi Katey,
Really enjoyed this post and I second Sarah’s comment. I like hearing about the hard stuff along with the good stuff. I think maybe it just makes everything more relatable to real life so keep doing it! I know that opens you up to peoples comments but I enjoy it as an avid follower of yours.
Also I went vegan for a while and I’m sure you’ve experienced some of this with being a vegetarian but just be prepared for some changes to your body. I think you may want to try it for a few weeks so it will give your body time to adjust. I really didn’t want to like Alicia Silverstones book but I did and found her recipes easy and advice spot on. I ultimately didn’t stick with it as it’s hard to do in Texas. Good luck!
Hi Christine!
Thank you so much for your sweet comments! I will definitely check out her book, because I will need all the tips! Anyways, thank you so much for reading! xo
I follow you on both Instagram and on your blog. You have such a fresh and captivating southern flair for everything and I always look forward to your next content! I’m sorry to hear about all the trouble you went through will social media. I feel like your blog has the most well-rounded subject matter and so often feels like that girlfriend you can go to for great advice. Have a blessed new year!
Hi Katie! Thank you so much for your sweet words! I think it’s just always so bittersweet to watch social media evolve no matter what platform we prefer. Thank you so much for reading! xo
Absolutely loved this recap post! I am super excited to see your posts on reflection and budgeting. My husband and I really want to improve our finances this year and I am open to all tips and tricks.
My husband and I’s manta/words for the year/whatever you want to call it for the year are peace & settled. We have a baby on the way (due in May) and we really want to focus on our marriage, focus on being new parents, and our new baby and cutting out any white noise.
Also, I went vegan for a week last year and I found it to be pretty easy. I don’t have any aversions to meat and generally like it but it was nice change to my diet.
Looking forward to following you along for another year! 🙂
I’ve been out of th country for 10 days and am barely catching up on the latest blog posts.
I’m so excited for all the changes coming to your blog! At a time where I’m also thinking about slowing down on the social media I enjoy, you pop right in and say it’s a good choice!
However, I will say that you’ll always find me on your blog reading it. It’s my “me time” every morning before my day starts. Honestly, I look forward to all the outfit/life inspo. Thank you for your comment on not having it all at one time! I struggled with deciding on my career this year and I’m so glad to hear I’m not the only one who does.
Thanks for always being 100% honest and kind, Katey! It’s what keeps me coming back. Again, can’t wait for what 2018 has in store for COF!
Hi Winter! And here I am now catching up on comments and being behind! haha. I’m so sorry I’m just now responding! You are SO sweet, thank you for always reading and for following along! You’re the best! xo
I love this: “The greatest pleasure in life is to be bored with your best friend.”! Thank you so much for sharing and I can’t wait to continue reading in 2018!
This was one of the best year review posts I’ve read! I wish I lived closer to you so I could hang out with you! You seem like the nicest, sweetest person! You deserve all the wonderful things in life! Happy New Year and can’t wait to see what you have for the 2018 year! xoxo
Thank you so much, Michelle! You are so kind!! xo
Whatever platform you go to, I will follow! My friends and family honestly know all about you from how often I talk about “my favorite blogger”. Thank you for a year of frivolity and for sharing your life with us! I am looking forward to whatever you bring to us in 2018!
Thank you, Monica! You just made my day! You’re so sweet! Xoxo
Wait no please come back to snapchat!!!! I love every blog post but especially love seeing when you update on snap, my friends that follow your blog are also fans of your snap stories and do not enjoy watching them on insta as much as snap.
Hi Allie! Y’all are so sweet! I wish I could! I just can only commit to so many platforms with so many hours in a day, especially as a mama. 🙁 But thank you so much for being here! I do miss how everyone on snap was friends! I will say there were some scary privacy issues with Snapchat and ultimately, I just had to be safe for my family. 🙁
Hi Katey –
I NEVER comment on blogs (such a creeper! Lol), but it has been on my to-do list to comment back to this one since your blog is the only one I consistently read daily!
Just wanted to take a moment to say thank you soooo much for all the work you put into this! If it counts for anything at all, please know while I love all the social media, your posts are what connected me to your blog to begin with so I always still try to take a few mins to either log on or read your post from my email when I get a free moment during the day (it’s my favorite mental break between meetings!!☺️)
Anyways, as someone else noted, we’ll follow along no matter how or where you decide to post or share! ☺️AND… I’m certain God will continue to bless it! Praying Psalm 90:17 for you right now!
Thanks again for all you do!
Leslea
Thank you so much for your sweetest words, Leslea! I’m so honored to have you following along and I keep rereading your comment! You are so incredibly kind and I am so thankful! xoxo, Katey
I’m supposed to be doing a video journal of sorts. Did you watch any tutorials to improve on your iPhone videos or have any tips for better videos?
No, I’m sorry! 🙁
Katey, I completely enjoy your blog. Everything with many people now is supposed to be “instant” something. Yes, instastories are fun, but only “surface level” most of the time because there isn’t time to say more. I love that you share authentically because that’s much more relatable. That actually draws me to want to read more. So, as long as God gives His approval first, husband second, please keep blogging. You are a gifted writer and I truly appreciate the many ideas, encouragement, and inspiration I’ve received from you over the past year and half I’ve followed you. Many Blessings,
Thank you so much, Amanda! Your comments are always so uplifting and kind. I appreciate you reading so much! xo