Reflecting on 2021
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I have been Reflecting on 2021. I almost feel like it was a blur. We thought that 2020 was hard but I think 2021 was even harder. We had to attempt to get back to “real life” without really knowing how to do that. What was safe? How much should we do? How much shouldn’t we do? Who can we talk about vaccines with and who can’t we? Should we get one, shouldn’t we? Should we vaccinate our kids, shouldn’t we? The questions were everywhere and the answers seemed to be no where.
For me, I began to feel so overwhelmed and frankly depressed. When life “started up” again, I missed the very slow pace of Covid. Having dinner together as a family every single night truly was a blessing. We connected so much as a family and I began to miss it. I also loved that activities started up again. I got to socialize more. I got to see friends. Honestly, the whole thing was and is so confusing.
A major highlight of 2021 was this blog and my content creating. It really was a huge outlet for me. It challenged my brain. It pushed me to get outside my box and to try new things. I am doing things I never dreamed of and I truly love it. I had no idea how hard it would be and I had no idea how much time I could spend doing this work. I know look at influencers and content creators in a whole new light.
I thought it would be fun to feature some of the favored posts, products, and moments. What an incredible year it was! Let’s go down memory lane.
January Highlights
Top Post: Five Women Who Have Inspired Me-these 5 women still inspire me. They feel like friends even though I have never met them. Well we did get to meet Laura Tremaine on our bookclub for her debut book Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First.
Top Products: Hilor Swimsuit (my fav suit), Basic Faith Cardigan, Nordstrom Bliss Blanket (we have two and we love them)
Top Moment: Binks and I decided to start a bookclub. It was such a fun way to connect with people and read more books. We weren’t able to continue because of lack of time but we had some incredible moments we will never forget! Also, it was BB’s Birthday!
February Highlights
Top Post: Soup is for the Cold Days-6 Amazing Soup Recipes (we love to cook, especially soup)
Top Products: Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First by Laura Tremaine, Tempt Me Swimsuit (another fav or mine), Travelambo Womens Walllet , Kut From the Kloth Jeans (tons of jeans sold this month all different styles, these are the only jeans I wear!!)
Top Moment: We got approved to be part of Like to Know it, this was huge. We now have access to so many more shops and products. If you don’t follow us you are missing out!! If you don’t know what Like to Know it is here is a blog post explaining it.
March Highlights
Top Post: Unique Mother’s Day Gifts (we love spoiling the women in our lives)
Top Products: essence Princess Lash Mascara (for only $4.99 your lashes will never look so good), another month where the Tempt Me Swimsuit wins out, Birkenstocks Arizona Footbed, Ruggable Rugs (I’m fairly obsessed with these. They are amazing)
Top Moment: No doubt about it, it was having Laura Tremaine on our Zoom Bookclub. Laura is someone I have followed for many many years and I just couldn’t believe she would come on our little bookclub. It was amazing and delightful! Such a career high!!
April Highlights
Top Post: Swimsuits You Need This Season
Top Products: Denim Jacket (I have this in two colors), UGG Ainsley Slippers, Olaplex Hair Products (I’ve been using the past 2 months and really liking it)
Top Moment: We featured our friend Jenny Hannahan with Rodan & Fields.
May Highlights
Top Post: My Favorite Amazon Purchases~You Might Love Them Too
Top Products: REVLON One-Step Hair Dryer And Volumizer Hot Air Brush (Definitely one of my top products I got this year), Cute Lace Blouse, Color Play One-Piece Swimsuit, Ring Doorbell,
Top Moment: We got our first collaboration to promote Wicked Good Cupcakes and get to choose one of our followers to get the fun cupcakes too!!!
June Highlights
Top Post: Rice-ish Bowls
Top Products: essence | Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara (Only $4.99 and my very favorite), Dryer Vent Cleaner Kit Vacuum Hose Attachment (so gross and satisfying), Layered Necklaces for Women, Dainty 14K Gold Plated, Cleaning Gel for Car (get the crumbs and dust out of your car), Cap Sleeve Blouse, Flutter Sleeve Smocked Neck Blouse
Top Moment: We had a super successful Prime Day! You know I love to find you all amazing sales!
July Highlights
Top Post: Follower Requests ~ we asked what you needed help finding and we search high and low
Top Products: Portable Neck Fan, 12 Pack Knotted Headbands for Women, Women’s Pajamas Set Soft Striped, Gitana – Life Plan, Charging Station for Multiple Devices, Men’s 8″ Regular Fit Pull-On Shorts, On Cloud Sneakers
Top Moment: Ooh the Nordstrom Anniversary did not disappoint!
August Highlights
Top Post: Pumpkin Pie Bread
Top Products: Portable Charger, Cleaning Gel for Car, Olukai Ohana Flip Flop, MAC Nine times Eyeshadow Palette (my very favorite), Chi Dog Shampoo and Conditioner
Top Moment: We were honored to have author Beth M James on our bookclub. Seriously how did we get so lucky?!! Binks used to work with Beth and it was so much fun to talk about her book and the writing process!
September Hightlights
Top Post: Fall Wardrobe Essentials
Top Products: Charcuterie Board Set, Take Apart Toys Robot Vehicle Set for Boys, Women’s Funnel Neck Check Contrast Pullover Hoodie Top, Women’s Long Sleeve Snap Button Down Solid Color Knit Ribbed Neckline Cardigans, Women’s Long Sleeve T Shirts Tunic Dress, Water Beads Pack Rainbow Mix 50,000 Beads Growing Balls, Zella Tank, Zella Live-In Joggers (I love these), Women’s Cargo Jogger Pants – Knox Rose™, Kids’ Fleece Sleep Shorts, Cuisinart 10-Pc. Ceramic-Coated Cutlery Set with Blade Guards
Top Moments: Our Hail the Sales Facebook Group is growing like crazy and we are loving it!!! If you aren’t a part of it you are missing out. We point incredible sales throughout the day!
October Highlights
Top Post: All of our Gift Guides
Top Products: Quest Tortilla Chips, Pumpkin Carving Tools Kit, Down Comforter, Scratch Paper Art Set Rainbow Magic Scratch Paper, REVLON One-Step Hair Dryer And Volumizer Hot Air Brush (seriously the best hair product I own), Magic Rainbow Cloud Bath Bombs for Kids (these really are so so cool), Kids Stuff Piggy Bank Money ATM, Womens Long Sleeve Button Cowl Neck Casual Knitted Wrap Pullover (I have in navy), Ticket to Ride Board Game (most fun game I’ve played in a long time), Apple AirPods Pro, Women Tapered Joggers with Pockets, Oversized Hooded Blanket Sweatshirt, Womens Turtleneck Knit Sweaters, Voluspa Santal Vanille Candle, Oversized Vintage Tunic Sweatshirt for Women (I literally wear this once a week), Cozy Fleece Belted Joggers, We are obsessed with Sorels and many different styles at Nordstrom Rack, Zuri Faux-Fur Throw
Top Moments: We have started releasing gift guides for the holidays. If you ever need to be inspired for what to give people, go check out our Gift Guide Posts on the blog. We celebrated Binks’ birthday too!!
November Highlights
Top Post: Booklist 2021
Top Products: REVLON One-Step Hair Dryer And Volumizer Hot Air Brush, Defrosting Tray for Frozen Meat, Snowflake String Lights 19.6 ft 40 LED Fairy Lights Battery Operated, Acrylic Paint Pens for Rock Painting, Original Microwave Micro-Pop Popcorn Popper, Remote Control Boat with Lights, Percussion Massage Gun – Deep Tissue Percussion Muscle Massager, Bath Bombs with Surprise Toy Inside, Women’s Casual Crew Neck Side Split Pullover Sweater, Live In Joggers, Hunter Toddler boots, Velvet to Berber Weighted Blanket, Nonstick 13-Pc. Cookware Set, Novelty Printed Heated Plush Throws, 50″ x 60″, Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Print Camera w/ Film & Accessories, Solo Stove, Pretty Pink Plaid Shacket
Top Moments: We had a collaboration with Clifford the Big Red Dog and Paramount+. So fun to get to spoil one of our followers!
December Highlights
Top Post: Amazing Mascarpone Berry Cake
Top Products: Bedside Radio Alarm Clock with USB Charger, Bluetooth Speaker, QI Wireless Charging, Collapsible Pop Up Christmas Tinsel Tree, Women Socks 5 Pairs Warm Winter Wool Socks, Carhartt Men’s Knit Beanie, Teddy Bear Robe, Catherine Boyfriend Jeans, Coach Small Wristlet, Side Slit Mock Neck Sweater with Rib Trim, Michael Kors Men’s Pop Puffer Coat, Sorel Out and About Boots (my new favorite boots)
Top Moment: We had huge growth in our Facebook Group Hail the Sales. Thanks to everyone who shares this group with their friends.
Wow it was so fun Reflecting on 2021. This was a year with a lot of challenges but also some wonderful moments. I’ve been so thankful for this blog and content creating. In fact, sometimes it has truly been a saving grace.
