Tuesday, January 1, 2013

My 5 YEAR Blogiversary!!!

5 years ago on New Year's Eve I started this blog, hard to believe that much time has passed!  This picture of our bar cart in the family room was one of the first pics from my house that I showed.  Of course, none of this is here now.  As all design aficianodos addicts know, things in your home are constantly changing.  Although this has me wondering where did I store those sconces and what would they look like sprayed matte gold?!  Anyway, I digress.

Friends who don't blog, or read blogs for that matter, don't seem to understand why I keep doing it. Doesn't it take alot of time and energy?  Yes, I say, almost as much as golfing, minus the club dues and green fees.  They nod politely as I explain about the personal connections blogging brings, both in-person and virtually.  They share a strained smile when you start talking excitedly about the design event you were invited to or the newest book just published you can't wait to get your hands on.

And all of that's ok because I know why I keep doing it.  It would take me more energy not to blog than to blog.   That's what hobbies and passions are about.  They're self-interested pursuits and this one, fortunately, brings with it connections with all kinds of wonderful people.

To all the fellow bloggers and designers I have met over the years, thank you.  I would attempt to list everyone here but I know I would leave someone off and would regret that.  You are all amazing, interesting, fun and kind people, thank you!  To all the people who read this blog and boost my ego with page views, thank you!  Your emails over the years have been absolutely wonderful.  I am ever grateful that you spend a bit of your valuable time here at My Notting Hill.
  Finally a huge thanks to my husband and children, Ryan and Julia, for not just your support but your encouragement of my blogging hobby.  In particular, I'm nominating Dan for a Blogger Husband of the Year Award!  Back in 2009 while enjoying New Orleans (love that cabbage necklace), he took time out to...go to visit Valorie Hart at Perch and take pictures for my blog!  xoWell, I had planned to do a retrospective of some of my favorite pics and events from the last five years but I'll have to save that for another time. It's a new year in 2013 and time to look forward!  Hope this finds you well and Happy New Year!   Michele xoxox

24 comments:

pve design said...

Wonderful! Wishing you continued success with all your pursuits and your passions. My days are richer because of blogging and have added so much to my life. I wish you and your blogging husband, family and devoted readers a Happy 2013.
pve

helen tilston said...

Happy New Year and congratulations on your 5th anniversary. I am delighted to have crossed your path and thank you for your frienship, great posts and comments
To continued success
Helen xx

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Happy 2013....and Merry five years!!

A Perfect Gray said...

michelle, you are a dream. and you so wisely wrote about our passion. as a matter of fact, I never even mention to my friends that I blog!

so glad you, and many more design-obsessed friends, "get it" right along with me.

michelle, wishing you everything wonderful in the new year.

your friend, donna

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

Congratulations. Five years ago, I was not reading any blogs and only had the faintest idea that there were design blogs. Hopefully our paths will cross in the future, until then, keep the wonderful posts coming. I always look forward to them.

Pat said...

Happy 2013. Keep up your blog passion, I enjoy every post.

Windlost said...

Happy Blog Anniversary Michele!! I am so glad you are writing here and sharing your home (we need to see more) and perspective. I love DC, so it is so nice to follow you around to things!

I have been blogging since March 2006 so I will be 7 years old soon. I am even older than you, although much less cool.

You are soooo right about talking to friends and family about the blog or design. They do not get it. It is the same with my chronic headaches. I talk for one minute and they glaze over, which is really sad because both the decorating and the headaches are such a huge part of my life. Sometimes it would be so isolating without the blog to escape to. I was just wondering if we will all still be blogging in 5 years. I am not on Facebook, but I love to blog!!

That is so funny that your husband goes to shops for you. David does the same if he travels without me. Last year he went to Gettysburg without me and went to Georgetown for the day and it was a French festival and he sent me all these photos as he walked, trying to find something I might like. Good husbands for sure.

Happy New Year and I never miss a post!

xo Terri

Anonymous said...

I don't pen a blog because I don't feel I have enough time to do it well, but I love reading them! So kudos to you for making it 5 years. I'm a new follower and I love your blog. Happy New Year!

Woodside Park said...

5 years? WOW!! Congratulations, Michele! I am such a newbie, and you have been so awesome. Thank you for your posts, and for your friendship. I look forward to seeing you in person again...hopefully soon :)
Happy New Year ~ Loi

designchic said...

Wow, Michele, congratulations on quite an accomplishment - your blog and getting your husband to take to go and take those pictures for you!! Wishing you all the best in the new year ~

Anonymous said...

I love your blog its very inspiring. However please note that the blogs you list on the right side as recommendations all have virus attacks programmed into them which originates from your computer as the main source. If someone were to click and not have a firewall their computer harddrives would be affected. Your computer repair person can access through your originating hard drive the source. Thanks and Happy New Year

Francine Gardner said...

Happy New Year and congratulations on 5 wonderful blogging years! looking forward to reading more... I never thought that blogging would enrich my life the way it does...

AnneHH said...

Congratulations on your FIVE YEAR milestone! So incredible!! Looking forward to following your lead this year.
xo, Anne

Karen at Home Sweet Hollywood said...


Wow congratulations on five years Michele! That's fantastic! Love that you are still loving it...very fun. Totally get what you mean about friends not understanding blogging. Hard to explain it to them.

All the best!!

Bethany [at] Powell Brower Home said...

Michele - so happy to have met you in 2012, and we wish you such a happy and full 2013! hope we get to meet up in 2013 :)

Unknown said...

Congratulations! and so happy to have met you! Best wishes for a great 2013!
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com

Lisa Porter said...

Happy Birthday My Notting Hill! I remember way back when you clicked the follow button on my little blog.
I felt like a star!
Bloggers who support bloggers are the best & I sooo agree with your reasons why.
Happy New Year too!
xo Lisa

The Visual Vamp said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Visual Vamp said...

Congratulations darling. Here's to another five years of spending time with you. xo xo

therelishedroost said...

That is fabulous, I have done my 1st year.. I hope I have the drive to keep it goin to 5!!! Keep up the fabulous posts!!
xo Karolyn

D. Bryant Archie said...

Congratulations!!! Wishing you an even better next 5 years and beyond! xo Bryant

Slim Paley said...

Congratulations to you! A huge accomplishment . May I wish you continued success and all the best for 2013.
PS. Well done to the husband!

Unknown said...

happy blog anniversary! What an accomplishment...happy new year!

Thomas said...

What an excellent post and what an excellent hubby you have :) Love this! Happy belated 5 year anniversary.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails