Favorite Posts of 2012

My favorite blog tradition is (are?) the wrap-up posts that abound this time of year.  It’s fun to read about everyone’s favorite posts– a window into that person’s heart for sure.  As someone who blogs, it’s also a chance to look through the year and evaluate where you’ve been and what was accomplished (or not accomplished, in my case.)  In grand blog style, here’s this year’s superlatives: the good, the bad, and the deeply personal.  Here’s to 2012!

Favorite Stepping-Outside-My-Comfort-Zone Post

2012 was the first time I attended blog conferences.  The first, Bloggy Boot Camp, was on my home turf of Philadelphia so I knew many of the attendees and felt very comfortable.  You can read my wrap-up with 10 Tips for a Better Blog Right Now which I hope is helpful to new and seasoned bloggers alike.  The second was Haven– a multi-day conference in Atlanta, which I decided to attend without a roommate because I’m a horrible sleeper and didn’t want to subject anyone to my tossing and turning.  Not having a pal in your room can be s-c-a-r-y!  Turns out I crawled out of my introverted shell and had an incredible time meeting new people and learning so much along the way.  It prompted my Tips for Attending Blog Conferences post with heartfelt advice as well as a wrap-up of the conference for those who’d like to attend next year (can you say WAFFLE HOUSE?!)

Most Likely to Earn You Big Bucks

The post about How to Make Big Bucks at Consignment Sales seemed helpful to many of you, and I love hearing that you did indeed make The Big Bucks!

Most Personal

I’ll admit I wrote this one through tears.  The ‘inside scoop’ is that had our photos taken at a portrait studio later that week, and Noodle wanted to wear her ballet outfit for part of it.  After I wrote the post I remembered the photos, and was when I went to add one I was stunned to see they all matched the story perfectly!  I promise it wasn’t part of a master plan… or, my master plan at least.  😉

Most Surprising

I was terrified of our Disney trip this fall.  I’m really not a ‘Disney’ person, I hate crowds, and Noodle has an issue with dark places and loud noises (like just about half the rides there).  Seemed like a recipe for disaster, which is why I was thrilled to write a post about our trip sharing tips for enjoying your Disney World vacation with young children.  Because we not only enjoyed it, it’s seriously one of my favorite trips EVER.  I’ve been working on a follow up about visiting Disney World with a child with special needs– I’m so sorry that hasn’t been posted yet!

Favorite Guest Post on Another Blog

After hearing Darlene from Fieldstone Hill speak at Haven 2012, I had an epiphany about not only my home but also the concept of ‘seasons’ in my life. I internalized it in a profound way, and that allowed me decorate my home with what I loved as well as accept the constraints (and blessings) in this particular season.  My guest post on her blog with ramblings on Designing for the Seasons of your Life took on a life of it’s own– and for that, I’m deeply grateful!

Favorite Sponsored Post

I work really hard to make sure any sponsored posts I write will be useful for those who read my blog, as well as using only products and brands I personally endorse.  But one sponsored post rose above the rest in terms of being useful for my family and comments from readers.  We use our ‘Mom Oasis’ area with new deck furniture and trellis wall all the time, and it opened up a whole new world of outdoor living for us!  In fact, since then my husband bought a patio heater so we could use it even when it’s chilly outside.  He relaxed out there almost every night that it wasn’t raining for most of the summer, iPad in hand with Pandora on the speakers.  It’s now equal parts Mom Oasis and Dad Oasis for sure!

Favorite Spontaneous Series

Saying goodbye to summer is always hard for me, so I wrote a spur-of-the-moment series called ‘Fall in Love With…’ to remind me of all the reasons I love fall.  It ended up being really fun, and I especially love the Fall in Love With Comfort Food round-up because I have a slew of new recipes to keep me warm and cozy, just in time for today’s snowy weather actually!

Most Blatant Blogging Fail

While I have lots of blogging fails, this one haunts my sleep at night (for real, it’s been at the top of my to-do list for just about ever).  Right before I attended Haven I started a series about this one time… when we were on HGTV… and I stopped at post #3.  My first post in the series was about how to get on HGTV , the second post was about the show, and the third was the ‘Before’ shots and preparations.  I’ve even gotten emails begging me to finish it, and for some reason I haven’t been able to find the time to write.  Looking deeper, I realize it’s probably because the filming of the show was such an innocent time for us.  If you’ve gone through something traumatic, I’m sure you understand it’s sometimes hard to look back at the innocence before it, back when you had no idea what was in store.  We filmed the show a month before Noodle’s birth, and it was such a time of excitement and expectation.  I’m GOING to finish that series, it’s on my January editorial calendar and I’m counting on all of you to hound me until I do!!

Favorite DIY Projects

Choosing just one favorite DIY project is like choosing a favorite child.  Okay, not really, but stay with me here.  There’s a few that I really loved for various reasons– including the DIY Stamped Tea Towels which are totally wrinkled in the post but I use all the time, and the Vintage Inspired Wine Set because I still can’t believe I found that decanter for 50 cents.

Favorite Family Projects

Yup, I’m pulling the ‘can’t pick my faves’ card again.  As much as I want this blog to be about DIY home style and interior design, I keep veering back to family because that’s where my heart lies.  Please forgive that it’s just too hard to choose between Fairy Gardens, Five Favorite Books for Toddler Boys (loved reading about your beloved books!) and the Kids’ Craft Camp series!  And, I’m embarrassed to admit I’d forgotten about most of these 10 Indoor Activities for Rainy Days— discovering them in the middle of a {cold and rainy} winter break has been a lifesaver.

Most Heartfelt Comments

I’m cheating with this one, because it’s actually from the end of 2011– but it gets the most heartwarming and personal comments that humble me each time I read them.  What started as a little post about a book from my From Left to Write book club ended up taking a life of it’s own, and I revealed things I never {and I mean, NEVER} thought I’d say aloud… let alone to the entire internet.  Every few months it gets discovered again, and I get in trouble for facilitating a run on Kleenex.  😉  If you need a good cry, or want to discover how crazy I really am, you’ll enjoy reading The Post I Shouldn’t Publish: Intuition.

Thank you sincerely for all your support this year.  Your comments and emails have lifted me up more than you know.  I may not be able to respond to each one the way I wish due to our crazy life, but each and every ones touches my heart and keeps me going!  Thanks for a wonderful 2012, and here’s hoping 2013 brings continued joy and blessings to you all.

What was your favorite post of the year, written by you or on another blog?  If you have a 2012 Favorite Post Wrap-up, please leave a link in the comments so I can come by for a visit!