A Look Back At 2019 + Plans for 2020

Happy New Year! It's my first post of the DECADE. Weird. Honestly, I feel like I could ramble on for days about how much has happened in the past ten years, and even in the past year alone. I spent part of last week in Denver and got to ring in my birthday (January 1st) AND this new decade with the friends in my life who I consider family, and there was a lot of reflection happening. In the past decade, I said goodbye to three of my closest friends who were also family, my stepdad Tom, my grandmother ‘Maggo’ (Essley’s namesake), and my ‘first born,’ Bubby dog, and went through the scariest period of my life as my baby fought and survived the most dangerous form of childhood epilepsy. I also married the love of my life, closed Mountains of the Moon (my eco-friendly clothing label of 15 years) and fell into a new career that I love and that helps support my family in ways I never imagined, bought our first home, and created the two greatest achievements of my life, Essley and Emmett. I am a completely different person but also the same, if that makes sense. I also started Bubby and Bean in the last decade (in late 2010), and it has evolved in ways I could have never imagined. Thank you all so much for sharing this journey with me.

While I don't make New Year's resolutions for many reasons, on January 1, 2019, I decided that I was going to be less hard on myself in general, and to learn to be content with my life and focus on gratitude rather than always trying to do MORE. We live in a culture where being busy and always having bigger goals is glamorized, and while I think evolving in positive ways is crucial, there is something to be said for just appreciating what you already have. In 2020, I plan to do more of this - both in my real life, and here on the blog and on my social media accounts. It's very easy (especially for someone like me who tends to base my self worth on how much I achieve) to get caught up in the invisible ladder (to nowhere, let's be honest) of the influencer world. I need more followers! I need more engagement! I need bigger partnerships! I need to get a book deal! I need prettier pictures! I need a nicer house in which to take the pictures! I need to do things to myself physically to look better for the pictures! No, no, and no. The truth is I'm happy where I am. I don't need to get rich. I don't need (or want) to be famous. My mediocre house on which we work very hard to improve for ourselves is plenty. My wrinkles and sagging skin and gray hairs are just freaking fine. I'm very content and grateful to get to do something I love that helps support my family. Yes, there are lots of exciting things I have to share with you guys in 2020. But I don't need more more more. I'm good. I'm happy.

Anyway... Let's get on to the point of this: my favorite posts of 2019. You can click on any of the images or the links below them to see the posts in full. Thank you for taking this look back with me!

In January, I got personal and talked about my struggle with seasonal depression, and how I use things like coloring (yes coloring!) to ease anxiety.


In February, I shared our family room redesign reveal (as seen in top post).

Also in February, I talked about 6 benefits of reading to children.

I shared items to help give your home a spring refresh for under $25.

This recipe for black bean and salsa verde quesadilla wraps from April was one of the most visited food posts of 2019.

Also in April, I paid at visit to the most incredible vintage film fashion exhibit at Chicago History Museum, which focused on "the original influencers."

In honor of Earth Day, I shared 8 household/parenting hacks that also respect the earth.

As usual, I had summertime on the brain in May, so I put together this round up of fun summer hats.

In June, I shared 5 tips for keeping your house clean during summer break.

These organic pineapple orange vodka refreshers were my favorite beverage during the summer of 2019.

In July, I shared 7 tips for conquering summer laundry.

August rolled around and I talked about 10 ways we stay healthy as a family.

These two plant-based lunch kabob recipes I shared in September were pinned on Pinterest more than any other recipe.

In October, I shared some classic kids' Halloween costume ideas (my fave!).

I talked about how to help feed hungry kids through Friendsgiving celebrations and shared our pumpkin coffee cake recipe in November.

Also in November, I talked about ways to encourage kids to tell their own stories.

These festive organic cranberry cucumber vodka spritzers were a hit around here this holiday season.

In December, I shared 10 tips for a successful holiday road trip with kids.

And finally, I shared this Polar Express inspired holiday Chex Mix recipe.


If you made it this far, thank you! I appreciate all of my followers so much, but I hold a special place in my heart for those of you who still read this blog (and blogs in general!). Blogs are the mother ships of social media, and I hope they never get drowned out by the fast/quick/easy pace of Instagram or Facebook or TikTok. If you still read, please comment below. It's wonderful to see traffic coming here in my analytics, but I want to actually converse with you all as well! I hope 2020 brings you happiness, health, and all the goodness you deserve.

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