Category Archives: holidays are boss?

I've probably gone back and forth on doing a year-in-review post about a bajillion times. Do I really want to look back on a less than banner year? And who else finds compiling a bunch of posts from the year fairly and/or entirely daunting?

But the bottom line is, it's so easy to see the less-than-pretty parts and forget about the simple good parts that got me all the way through to December 30. Am I right? So in my attempt to put a simple spin on year-in-review posts, I think I'll just nicely package my year into a couple of categories. Mitchell and I have been "naming" 2011 lately, so here's what we came up with.

2011: The year of the cats

This category may also be called "2011: cat-lady transformation complete." I also name this category first because (obviously) it's the most important. We not only got a second cat fondly called Pagoda, but my wardrobe suddenly found itself packed full of cat items--dresses, sweaters,  rings, necklaces--you name it. Cat figurines suddenly littered every shelf in my home, and here I am today feeling entirely heartbroken that my 2011 Cat Naps calendar is done and over with.

I have no shame. Cat lady for life.

2011: The year of the hair

This was Mitchell's contribution to the 2011 naming scheme. In 2011 we both grew looooong hair and, consequently, fished plenty of hair gunk out of the drain on a regular basis. Ladies, are you feeling me on this one? So awful.

But alas, we parted with Mitchell's sweet flowy mane in November. RIP, long hair. You will forever remain in my 70s-loving heart.

2011: The year of the trips

You might say 2011 was the year we went crazy, said to hell with it all, and went on multiple trips. What's life without a vacation to look forward to?

While Oregon was lovely, and Disneyworld was sticky and crowded, the highlight of the year was easily the Westy meetup.

(That last one is one last lamentation about the year of the hair. See? I really do miss it.)

2011: The year of the awkward outfit posts

This year was the year I ventured out into the world awkwardly with my tripod to face my worst fear--pictures of myself. I'd never done outfit posts until 2011 coaxed me into it, and here I am today, still taking awkward pictures with my tripod and loving you all for not making fun of me for it. The year's entire spectrum of outfit posts can be viewed here and individual posts here, although you can only click that link if you promise to go easy on me.

2011: The year of the hoarder

While I've loved thrifting since high school, I do believe that my thrifting addiction reached all new highs this year. Over the summer I found myself in Savers more often than I found myself at home or work, which might be an exaggeration, but maybe not. I started my $5 Thrifty Thursday series and had pretty much the time of my life compiling those posts and seeing all of your glorious thrifty treasures.

Because it was the year of the hoarder, I guess I better list my best-of-2011 thrifting score. There were A LOT, but this one really takes the cake.

My $10 record cabinet! You can read about that baby right here.

2011: The year of the blog

Last but not least, I think that the biggest descriptor of 2011 is the year of the blog. While I've had my blog for 2ish years now, I only got serious about it this February. The people I have met along the way and everything that I've learned about myself make this little blog right here my favorite part of 2011. Well, that and Pagoda, but you know.

As cheesy as it is, and as overused as it may be, I genuinely wanted to thank every SINGLE reader reading this right now or anyone that's read my blog at all this year. Your comments and friendship on Twitter and whatnot have meant absolutely everything, and because of you I continue to run this little blog and fill it with silly things. I've learned a lot this year about blogging, but I'm still completely new at it, so thank you so very, very much for sticking with me and making this so worthwhile.

Happy new year to you all! I wish you all of the very best in 2012 and that we can give it even better names come this time next year.