Secret January Blog Challenge

Hi there,

Hope you are well.
You may have noticed that I was rather prolific in my January posting...or perhaps not?
Well, I set myself a secret challenge to try and blog every day in January.  I didn't want to make it a big deal or mention it just in case time failed me or I ran out of time but I am pleased to say I managed it!  In 2018, I was disappointed that my blog outut was the least amount I've blogged since 2010 which is quite shocking!!!!
Just for the record in 2018 I posted 172 blogposts compared to

2017: 231, 2016: 285, 2015: 318, 2014:278, 2013: 204,  2012:260, 2011: 174, 2010:26

 I was trying not to stress about it too much last year and I just let it go if I hadn't managed to post for a while and I wanted to start off the year with a good effort to set the tone for the year.

But...without announcing it, I wouldn't feel a failure if I didn't manage it.  I decided to go with the premise that I HAD to publish the post for each day, even if it was a bit rubbish because it would get me going.  Some days, I was thinking, "AAAAAHGRH, what do I post!" but somehow, it flowed on quite a few days.

I've copied the links to the month's posts below in reverse order so you can have a look, should you wish to, if you missed anything.

• 5 brooches and friends #70
• Some less common instruments
• TARDIS Tuesday- Rocking a Red dress- Oswin Oswald...
• #The January Challenge Day 25- Draw with your draw...
• An interesting Veggie Breakfast/Brunch
• Everything's coming up Roses.
• 11 more World book day ideas for 2019
• Don't be afraid to do the right thing, even if it ...
• 10 things to be thankful for
• TARDIS Tuesday - Clara from Flatline
• Word Play- alternative words
• Fruit Sculpture (#The January Challenge)
• Photo an hour 19th January
• The 14 days of Christmas- a holiday view
• What do I do with it?
• Style Imitating Art- Van Gogh's Still Life with Ir...
• TARDIS Tuesday- grieving Clara
• Something beginning with S part 2...
• Something beginning with 'S'
• A small moment of inspiration for one person, a gr...
• World Book Day ideas.
• Commuting with long legs
• The bizarre foibles of a Google search
• TARDIS Tuesday- Yaz Khan and Arachnids in the UK f...
• The big book review 2018
• What is this feeling of doom?
• A festive, smart outfit
• My favourite 11 Board and card games
• Tardy TARDIS Tuesday on Thursday - Clara in Deep B...
• Tasty Seeds!
• Fun goals and tasks for 2019

So, looking at them, I am pleased that I did create some variety in these posts:

* 5 TARDIS Tuesday outfit posts.

* 5 miscellaneous outfit posts + 1 jewellery post

* 2 Food posts. 

* 1 Book review post

* 2 costume idea posts.

* 1 Goals post.

* 1 photo an hour.

* 1 'favourites' post.

* 3 creative January challenge posts.

* 1 information post to do with instruments

* 1 self-indulgent 'woe is me' post.

* Holiday summary

* 1 happy moment post and 1 Thankful post

* 4 miscellaneous discussion posts.

...even if some of the posts were a little brief. It's been fun to focus on making sure I blog this month- especially as it's January and January is rubbish!

There were 7577 page views in January (as of Midnight on 1st February!)

What do I do with it?   had the most page views (and the longest comments!) 

Fun goals and tasks for 2019 had the most comments.

Some less common instruments had the least number of comments

Word play- alternative words had the least amount of page views and yesterday's post, "5 brooches and friends #70 but given it's been up for less than a day, that's understandable so I am not counting that!!

My 11 favourite board and card games was my favourite post to write- I love games so much!

My least favourite post was TARDIS Tuesday- Grieving Clara- which was a bit rubbish.

Sooo.... qvvvvvestions to you, honoured guest:

1.  Did you notice I was blogging more regularly?

2. Did you wonder about it?

3.  Did you think it was a challenge?

4.  Did you notice much variety?

5.  Did you have any particular favourite post?

 and finally:
6.  Are there any blog posts you think I should write or things you'd like me to write about?  Can't guarantee I'll do them (if too personal) but I'm willing to give things a try!

Thanks for all of you who commented and shared this month- it was lovely to have you here!

xxx

• 
  

13th Blogiversary!

I was just reminded, reading that it was Jen's 6th Blogiversary, that I had missed my Blogiversary a few days ago! It's been a tradition that I write a Blogiversary post for the past few years so I would like to keep this up!  I'm amazed that I have sustained this hobby for 13 years!

As always, I should mention that you, the readers, are probably the main reason I continue to write. I started this blog because I liked to write and share but it wouldn't be half as fun without a kind and responsive audience!  I have, perhaps, written less in the past year than in the preceding few years. This is for a few reasons- 1) Instagram - much as I would like to say that it hasn't affected my output, it has taken up precious time, 2) I had set myself a difficult target of trying to blog daily, even if I had not so much to say and it made me stress out a bit so I decided to relax a bit more, 3) Various things such as house moves and time being taken up with such admin.

However, no matter how I read of the demise of blogging and yet another friend ceases posting, I have never been one to do what the crowd are doing and if I can manage this for 13 years, I can jolly well continue it!

Anyway, we are off to the Royal Opera House tonight to go and see the Berstein ballet triple bill which I am excited about so I will wish you a beautiful Monday and look forward to hearing from you or visiting you soon!

Much love,
Kezzie x

My 12th Blogiversary!

What do you know?  I missed out on writing about this Auspicious day two days ago!

Yes, I can proudly announce that two days ago was my 12th Blogiversary! I began on April the 6th, 2005- you can see my post here.

This means I have actually been blogging a whole THIRD of my life!

It all started twelve years ago when I was a PA to the Head at the Royal Academy of Music with much time on my hands.  In my spare time, when I wasn't at rehearsals, I wanted to write and when I saw that my University friend Rachel (at this time PA to the Head of a Bible college) was writing a blog, I was inspired to have a go as I do love writing and it seemed an ideal incentive to write.

Over the years, things have changed in the blogging world (sorry to do the whole retrospective but it's rather obligatory on such occasions, rah, rah, rah...): the friends I first had blogging- Rach, Amy, Chris at the Chrlog, RJ, have mostly stopped blogging but a few still persevere (looking at your Stephen/ven!).  In around 2009, I gained some lovely new blogging friends such as Sophie (in the Sticks), Laura at Daisychaindream, Lauren at Someonelikeyou, The Two Birds and a few others who are still blogging.  Later on, I met the lovely crafters, the amazing Ang Almond, the fabulous Dinoprincess Char and others.

Then for quite a few years, there have been some of you wonderful, wonderful stawarts who I have met through here and I value greatly and love their blogs still to this day. I apologise if I have missed anyone- the list includes: Julia, Tasha, Vintage Vix, Louise, Lisa at Jumble and Jelly, Anca, Nevena, Gretchen Joanna, Alison Dormouse, the Julies  Hazel, the Jans, Donna, Ivana, Linda, Denise, Fil, Ally, Anna, Bev, Melanie, Pom Pom, Imogen, Salazar, Maggs, Susie, Lizzie, Corinne...

And finally, recent new friends: Ann, Fiona, Johnny Jumps up, Thriftdeluxe and anyone I have missed out (I am sorry if I have- just thinking off the top of my head!)

Anyway, it is to you I say thanks. I am quite sure I might not have continued for so long if it wasn't for your lovely comments, support and friendship.

I thought it might be quite nice that if you wish to leave a comment- rather than doing a giveaway in the usual sense, if you leave me a comment and I will pick one person to make a card for to send it to you! And if I think I can just your taste, I might possibly send something little with it!

Thanks for reading and do leave a comment- I'd love to make a card especially for someone!

xx

#BEDM 31: The end is nigh!

And so this 31 day unrelenting stint of blogging is at an end! 31 days on the trot! Kind of a relief it's over but I am really glad I have done it. Any sort of talk of going on some sort of emotional, mental journey leaves me cringing and thinking of the X-factor/Strictly and over reality TV shows so I won't go down that route, I don't think I've been on a journey but I've poked my nose into a few more doors than usual, but it has been an interesting experiment. I largely stuck to the briefs each day with a few digressions into other posts

I did try to set out with the intention of visiting the other participants and I probably managed about half of them (that's about 60!) and left comments on those who had comment settings that allowed me to but in the end, I just couldn't.  I had a few, not a huge amount of other BEDMers coming to reciprocate, but I appreciated those who did, most notably, the wonderful Zoe Pennyblossoms , Lizzie Cole, Janet B , Liz, Zoe Splodz, Laura Lojo.   I even gained a few followers which for my slow moving follower list is astounding!  Thanks to Laura, Zoe Splodz, Liz, Lynn Holland, SENCO Cat Herder, Rebecca, Carville, Two Squirrels and HI! Special thanks to my regular blog friends who have unrelentingly commented, especially Ivana and Denise who have literally been daily on here with insightful, caring and supportive comments and there's more of you too!

I followed a few, including Liz at Distract me now please, Zoe at Splodz Blogz and Laura at Lojo versus the world, all of whom are great, so please go and say hi!

In doing BEDM, I had a look over my past posts and realised I didn't have as much variety as I thought, quite a lot of mediocre outfit posts, over time I've got a bit lazy, though I have consistently waffled for England so I think it was good to make myself consistently blog about a few other things.

In trying out beauty blogging, I didn't find it quite as dull as I thought it would, so you never know, I might just occasionally post about something I like, I definitely would like to do some more collaborating as I loved my interview reciprocally with Zoe at Pennyblossoms and I think it would be fun to collaborate more.  It was fun to think about travelling with the A-Z of travelling post and I liked trying to link things I wanted to post about with the briefs such as a bluebell expedition turning into a philosophical discussion tenuously linked to healthy living.  The worst post was about my work space. If it isn't pretty or doesn't create a story, it doesn't excite me. My favourite post was probably my photographic visit to Mersea Island and I LOVED sharing the talents of the wonderful Ang Almond with my question mark shirt!

During the course of BEDM, I've met up with 3 bloggers (2 still to be posted about), been to a wedding, disappeared off to Devon for a week as well as normal life!

So, onwards and upwards- I've got a ton of things I want to post about so whilst I would relish a kind of break, I really don't want to, I'm a glutton for punishment or an addict-delete as appropriate!

BEDM, it's been a blast!!!

xx

BEDM #6: 10 brilliant blogs

'Share the blog love' was Elizabeth's brief for Blog every day in May today.  

I recently introduced a new blog feature where I highlighted a particular blog I like and listed posts that were favourites from their blogs.  I do think, that since blogging can come across as a very introspective concept, that it is important to ensure you highlight other people for their attributes.

Today, as part of BEDM, I’m going to highlight 10 bloggers or blogs in a nutshell who I think are particularly good at a particular ‘thing’. 

There are undoubtedly many people who either have a niche or are generally great bloggers and I like both types of blog.  Indeed I have many more blogs I could write about for a specific reason or just for general love but nonetheless,  I wanted to highlight 10 blogs I enjoy for particular reasons in a nut shell.  10 is a nice round number!  I have still got a lot of people I want to talk about over time so please don't feel left out, I love you all!

1. Brilliant for historical, informative writing but with a personal edge.

Louse AKA Fundy Blue writes a wonderful weekly post using letters sent by her Father when he was living in cold Canada in the 1960’s.  You get a wonderful contemporary perspective on what his life was like there and Louise painstakingly locates images to help illustrate his points or finds contemporary photos of people or maps from either her own sources or others. It is SUCH an interesting read and so unique in the blogging world. You really feel like you are there with her Father.

http://selkiegrey4.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/the-lansdowne-letters-big-bang.html

2. Brilliant for an expert on Wildlife and its effects on life.

Louise at Ramblings of  a Roachling is SO knowledgeable about wild life and she takes magnificent photos of natural phenomena, flora and fauna, taking you along on her walks.

http://roachling.blogspot.com/

3. Brilliant for zany fashion experimentation and downright hilariousness

AKA Miss Bagz, the wonderful Melanie at Bag and a Beret makes me laugh everytime with her hilarious (and very stylish) way of writing about what she wears. 

http://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/

4. Brilliant for the perspective of a musician

Fil’s place, old songs and memories

Fil is an Irish singer and folk musician who often writes about her time on tour and her life back home, running choirs. She sometimes includes recordings of her music and I think she has the most wonderful voice.

http://fil-campbell.blogspot.com/

5. Brilliant for eating out drooling opportunities

Helen at Positive Fridays, who I met through Lakota’s Faith, Hope and Charity swap a few years ago has evolved her blog into a wonderful description of places she eats out in Birmingham. You can tell she loves food and I drool everytime she posts!

http://www.positivefridays.com/

6. Brilliant for wonderful blog outfit post locations

Sophie in the sticks is SO much more than just outfits, but aside from her beautiful dreamy natural photography, Sophie takes her outfit shots in the most evocative and beautiful locations, taking an outfit onto another level.

http://www.sophieinthesticks.co.uk/

7. Briliant for your daily fix of Daleks

Is that just me? Well,Daleks of the Day always has some fun cosplay, Dalek cake or image to amuse! I even featured on there once dressed up as a dalek!

http://www.daleksoftheday.com/

8. Brilliant for general joie de vivre, loveliness, interesting facts and shoes!

Denise at Denise’s Planet is SUCH a nice blogger (one I’ve met!) and she posts only weekly, thus meaning you can really take the time to read and love her posts, and she always links interesting facts with nice places, really interesting fashion outfits and shoes.

www.denisesplanet.com

9. Brilliant for Vintage wisdom and awesome outfits and no nonsense

Vix, AKA Kinky Melon or Vintage Vix is the absolute Legend of the blog world. She is the Black country’s Vintage queen and finds the most incredible vintage in charity shops and car boots. I honestly don’t know how she does it! She can sniff out vintage like she’s fitted with  high-spec radar, has an absolute photographic memory for vintage labels and gets them for a song! I can rarely find anything vintage but she was born with innate vintage knowledge.

http://vintagevixon.blogspot.com/

10. Brilliant for hilarious chatty blogstyle and hilarious crafts

Katie absolutely makes me giggle the whole time- though she’s been a little absent recently, her blog has always made me snort with laughter. She loves experimenting with crafts, especially round the home and hands on heart, is so much fun! She even managed to get a terrible fox plushie toy into a ‘’Craft fails’ book!

www.hooklineandsinkher2.blogspot.com

Who else should I know about as a blogger?

Kezzie xx

There's a blog that I love #3 Pink-haired Princess

Last week, I featured Lizzie and I am pleased that some lovely blog friends went over to say hi! And even better, Lizzie now has regular commenting function-yay! I've tried to make up for lost time!

This week, I am going to feature one of my longest-standing blog loves and blog-friend and it is really thanks to her that I do things on my blog other than waffle about random work life things or teaching. This is Gem, Pink-haired Princess, the curator of her other blog, the Shoe Girl Diaries and general lovely Scottish girly!

I first came across her blog when I was searching out THAT Pearl Lowe, Crochet Peter Pan collar dress from Peacocks that every girl and her dog wanted! I did a google search and came across Gem's blog. I was fascinated as this was my first foray into fashion or beauty blogging and Gem's blog was so beautiful!

Over the years I have cooed and wowed over Gem's amazing shoe collection, her amazing hair and makeup, her immaculate presentation, laughed at her tales, learnt about new collections coming out, learnt more about beauty products, been amazed at her cute and kitsch taste in pretty much everything and got to know the girl who writes, who has a brilliant chatty style of writing yet with a real professionalism to what she does! She's got a great heart and she shares her difficulties of living with a long-term illness, in an honest manner and her wonderful Scots ebullience and sense of fun comes through even when she is exhausted and not able to move. She has been very supportive over the years I know her, always having something very valid to say on things I discuss and is always kind and genuine!  She puts so much effort into her blog. Even though she has lots of followers and I'm sure many of you know her, still if not, I want more people to know this lovely, lovely girl and her beautiful blog!!!!  Go and say hi


There are so many posts over the years I love, it is hard to choose a few (and to sift through and find them!)


One that really touched me was this post Gem wrote only yesterday on being real - REALLY worth a read: Be real March

A year of coloured hair- beautiful!

The most incredible shoes with a music box in the base!!!!!

A wonderful post about body confidence!

The gnome shoes!

Hilarious shoe conversations between the unicorn and the gnomes

Have you met Gemma? DO go and say hi!

xxx


Also in Blog world,  this Denise made a chocolate box clutch which I loved! I know you lot love novelty bags so this is worth a look!!!

There's a blog that I love: #2 Lizzie Dripping

Last week, I said I'd like to highlight blogs that I think are great or bloggers that I think are super because it is nice to share and important to show appreciation for what people do. Last time, I shared my love of Char's blog. This week I'd like to introduce you to Lizzie who posts over at Lizzie Dripping (did you read that book as a child?).

I've known Lizzie a few months now and I think she is a super blogger.  Over at her blog, she writes a true diary which I really applaud- what a great way to document what you have done. She's very modest about it- even her tagline is 'This blog is my diary, a short series of daily updates to let anyone reading, plus friends and family, know what is going on in my uninteresting life.'  I don't find it at all boring, I like it- her's is the only blog I know like that- it is unique in that respect.

Her daily posts include what she does each day, what she feels, reviews games and episodes of shows she watches and, my favourite, shares what she's been eating. It is a long and standing joke amongst my family that when we talk on the phone, I always ask about what they've been eating or if they've been out, what they had. I really do like to 'eat vicariously' (if I can coin such a phrase- hopefully it gets across what I mean) through other people and the fact that Lizzie eats out lots and shares what she had is something I LOVE!  I sit there and drool over her dinner! Lizzie has strong links with her family and I love that, I've loved getting to know Alan (boyfriend) and Matthew (brother) through her blog.  She's a teacher like myself and she's is really motivated to progress and become a better teacher, enrolling on BSL courses, summer programs for youth (she actually wants to use her school holidays to work with kids- WOW!) 

 And, one of the things I think is really special about Lizzie is she is a REALLY supportive commenter and has been to myself and other  bloggers I like. I wrote a post about tips for feeling disheartened about blogging and Lizzie is the ultimate antidote to that- she is caring and consistent with commenting and showing she liked your post. I absolutely do not deserve all the kindness and support she shows me.I long to comment on Lizzie's blog but her comment settings are Google+ which I made an active decision not to sign up for a few years ago (which I wont go into) but please go and say hi to this wonderful, kind blogger.  Do you know Lizzie?  I hope you go and visit her!


For a few posts I liked of Lizzie's:


Tuesday 10th February -  I think this reflects Lizzie's great motivation and care towards her pupils

Liebster award- great to know more about Lizzie's motivation

30 days tested -  Lizzie is not a dedicated  beauty blogger but I love the fact she tested this product dedicatedly, not seen that too often in beauty bloggers.

A regular post with exciting food piccies! Mmmm....

And for a few other posts I loved this week:

An amazing Kale and tofu dish from Herbs Spices and Traditiom

Janet's cool cloud cushion

Hazel's wedding invitations post. I love how Hazel is documenting her wedding prep in a really fun way without it feeling too overly wedding, wedding,wedding, which I know many engaged bloggers often worry about! Don't worry, it's fun to read about!

Louisa's attempts at Duck-shaped fried eggs amused me even if they did go wrong. Plus there was lots of other goodness in here.

Sophie in the Sticks is a very talented photographer- these are just beautiful!

Gemma lets us vote for what she features next week. When The 5 choices are dwarf, bunny, unicorns, dolls or gummy bears.,you know you've got to visit! 

Donna visited the Coronation Street Set and very good fun it looked too!

Shamu wrote a beautiful poem

Discovering magic hexagons thanks to WOMOTM via WKWTTG's birthday card

There's a blog that I love.... #1: Dino Princess Char

Illustration by Hannah at Doodleheart

There's a blog that I love I frequently see posts where people share blogs that they adore. I thought I'd like to highlight blogs that I think are great or bloggers I think are super because it's nice to share and always important to show appreciation. The first person I am highlighting is:

www.DinoprincessChar.blogspot.com - Char

Char is a kind, kind, clever and beautiful person!

 I first came across her blog through Pink-haired Princess Gemma (who I also adore!), I used to see 'Dino-princess Char' comments and think "Who is that!??"- finally, I went across and looked. How can you not love someone whose nickname involves prehistoric beasties!!??

She also has the most droolworthy wardrobe, many of which she has made herself and dare I even mention shoes? Char possibly has the craziest, most cool shoe collection I've ever heard of and did a wonderful challenge where she wore every pair of Irregular Choice shoes she owned on consecutive days!  Visiting her blog is like visiting a museum dedicated to fun, quirky and unusual clothes and prints. I click each day with an excited sense of anticipation for what whimsy I will find within.  She and Gemma are solely (ha, get it?) responsible for the naughty acquisition of around 5 pairs of Irregular Choice shoes, one of which Char passed on to me.)

She also happens to be my penpal and she's extremely dilligent at writing (plus she has the coolest stationery!) and she is just kind and though I think she works too hard and worries too much, I love reading her daily posts- she's honest:  life is not all sunflowers and stars- she's honest about her struggles. She writes a good variety of different posts too! Books, recipes, wishlists, daily style and more.

She's also extremely modest and doesn't seem to know what a wonderfully kind and thoughtful person she is.  She is caring and considerate and wonderfully individual. She might have some of the coolest latest dresses, but do not think that she is a fashion clone- No, this lady has a unique sense of fun in her style and she's not afraid to mix up a great variety of patterns in a riotous medley of colour.

Oh and finally, she's decided not to shop for the whole of 2014 and I salute this!


Check out these posts:

Fun Valentines-themed outfit

Milkshake bag and a whole host of cuteness

A dress that is basically that lovely shiny wrapping paper!

Intriguing Book review


Anyone you'd like to recommend to me?

Do you know Char?  Go and say Hi!
xx