Bubby and Bean's 1st Birthday // What a Difference a Year Makes

Little ol' Bubby and Bean officially turned one year old yesterday.  (Pssst... We posted a very special Blogiversary Giveaway to celebrate, with almost $200 worth of prizes! Be sure to check it out!) 

As I mentioned in the giveaway post, Bubby and Bean feels like it's been around much longer than a year.  When I started this blog, I had no intention of creating the design and lifestyle journal that it is today.  And I certainly didn't plan on posting regularly.  I'd had a small blog before that was a companion to my clothing business, where I'd post occasionally - mainly with updates on new designs or events where I'd be showing.  When I started Bubby and Bean Art last year, I thought it would be a good idea to start a blog as a companion to it as well.  You can read more about my motivation for starting both the art shop and blog here, but basically, I'd recently experienced a very tragic loss in my life and took some time off to travel and "follow my bliss."  When I returned, I was recharged and re-inspired.  Despite my original plans to make Bubby and Bean a small extension of my business, I was full of new ideas and new ways to find creative inspiration everywhere I turned.  So it was inevitable that the blog would grow alongside me.

And grow we have. Bubby and Bean has become such a big part of my life, in fact, that it almost feels like an old friend.  After all, I spend a couple of hours with it almost everyday (usually over coffee). I share pieces of my life with it.  I tell my blog about my favorite things, my latest design obsessions, fashion I covet, music I love, and new things that creatively inspire me.  If I have ideas for decorating my home, I tell my blog all about them.  When I travel, I tell my blog about my adventures. I even planned my wedding with my blog.  I get together with my blog to work on DIY projects.  When Bubby dog got sick, I told my blog right away, and have made sure to share updates with it on a regular basis.  Even my family knows my blog quite well.  My husband comes to my blog to share stories about his job working on the road for a band.  My sister even cooks for it. I feel like a huge dork for even saying this, but this blog truly is a dear friend.

I also can't believe how much Bubby and Bean has evolved in a year's time.  Last December, it had around 30 followers.  Now it has close to 2,000 subscribers via readers, Google Friend Connect, and Bloglovin'.  This, of course, is thanks to all of you.  I am tremendously grateful for the support of my readers! The design of Bubby and Bean has grown as well.  What started out at a plain Blogger template now reflects my style and taste, much like the way the decor in my home does. And like my home, I'm constantly thinking of new ways to redecorate.

Another pleasant surprise that's come along with Bubby and Bean is the new friends I've made.  I've been lucky to travel the world and live all over the U.S., and I've made so many incredible friends along the way who I still see on a regular basis.  When I started blogging, it never occurred to me that I'd actually make friends in the blog world as well.  Turns out, the blogging community is pretty bad ass.  I've gained some wonderful friendships and shared some pretty amazing experiences with other bloggers who I've never even met in real life.  I've also become friends with all of you!  I can't tell you how much it means to me to read your comments and emails, and to be able to share my ideas, inspirations, and stories with you. 

As for year two of Bubby and Bean, I have all sorts of plans floating around in my head.  I'd like to start doing some video blogs, especially with my DIY tutorials.  I have some new series and features in the works that I can't wait to share.  After the holidays, I'll be working on redesign/makeover.  And there will be some absolutely amazing regular contributors joining the team, the first of whom is my sister, Morgan.  She is an incredibly talented cook (have you read her Sweet and Sour series?), and will be a more frequent part of Bubby and Bean in 2012 as our official food and entertaining editor.

What a difference a year makes.  Happy Birthday Bubby and Bean!  Maybe it's because Thanksgiving is tomorrow, but I can't help but feel very, very grateful.  As for you, dear readers, I appreciate you more than I can put into words.  You guys rock.  I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I can't wait to spend another year with you.