I can’t quite believe it’s been six whole years since I sat down and wrote the first post on this little corner of the blogosphere. Not only have I grown up in that time, but the blog has certainly changed too. From signing off each post with my initials and an ‘xo’ (back when it was popular to put an ‘xo’ at the end of usernames and signing off messages) to going self-hosted and totally winging it with very little help. This platform has always been my go-to space to visit on good days and bad. It’s got me through a lot, which is why this post is more of a ‘thank you’ for sticking with me throughout this time. Six years later and I’m still sat here at my laptop creating content for this small corner of the internet because quite frankly, I can’t imagine my life without it now.
So, to mark 280 posts I thought I would delve into the archives and share with you some of my favourite posts (for new readers and those of you who have been with me for the long haul). Here’s to the next 6 + years…
30 Dresses in 30 Days
Posted: August 2013
For the first few months the blog was packed with beauty hauls and style posts, which was inspired by the content I enjoyed consuming at the time. One of my most memorable series of posts was back in August 2013 where I shared 30 dresses in 30 days. You know you have a good friend when they tell you off for saying, ‘I have nothing to wear’. She reminded me of the 30+ dresses in my wardrobe and gave me the idea that I could wear one every day for a month and capture it for the blog. Half a decade later and she’s still telling me off for complaining about having nothing to wear.
I posted every single day for 30 days. I think I even wore two dresses in one day at some point! It was a challenge, and a great reminder that I had too many clothes. I gave a few of the dresses to charity at the end of the month and you’ll be pleased to know that I have cut back on buying clothes (and bags!) I recently made these posts private as I’m working on updating the layout of old posts so I haven’t got the links to share for these, but I’ve compiled the highlights for you above.
The Joy of Missing Out
Posted: 8th September 2016
I remember writing this post like it was only yesterday. All the feelings from the time I wrote it come flooding back whenever I read this post, I’m really proud of it. I’m proud of myself, as it was a life-changing moment for me. I had always struggled with the fear of missing out (or FOMO, as people like to refer it as) and it triggered a lot of anxiety from my teens to my twenties.
It was August Bank Holiday weekend after spending a few weeks working and travelling around the UK with an Australian rock band. Something flicked a trigger in my brain and I had suddenly had enough. I wasn’t looking after myself and I had been putting these new people in my life first, before myself and my family, and there wasn’t any reward. Not that you should only give for something in return, but sometimes it’s about knowing your self-worth. I was emotionally and physically drained. Sometimes when you give so much of yourself to a project or to people, you have nothing left to give yourself.
I was essentially a ‘Yes Woman’ who had burnt out.
Looking back, I had been saying yes to a lot of events and people in my life for the fear of missing out on something. I turned to a very dear friend of mine for advice and she simply turned to me and asked, ‘but what about the other fun you can have?’ This conversation sparked my favourite blog post to date, The Joy of Missing Out (or JOMO, as I like to call it). This life changing Bank Holiday weekend where I said no to a music festival with my new Aussie pals turned out to be one of the best weekends I’ve had. I spent time with family and caught up with friends I hadn’t seen in years. I can hand on my heart say that I’ve not felt FOMO since, and I can only hope that by reading this post will help you too.
The joy of missing out is far greater than the fear of missing out, trust me.
Bristol Fashion Week (Autumn/Winter 2016)
Posted: 2nd October 2016
I was lucky to be invited a few times to Bristol’s bi-annual fashion week events. Full to the brim of high street style, models strutted (and danced) down the catwalk in the likes of Marks and Spencer, Oasis fashion and Next. It was a fantastic experience and always a highlight in my calendar, so it was a real shame when they stopped working with bloggers.
It had been a turbulent few months at work and at this point in the year I had really turned a corner and begun to feel like the old happy me again. I had also just starting to learn about manual focus on my camera at this point so I’m really proud of how these photos and this post turned out.
Have you ever been to the fashion shows at Bristol’s Cribbs Causeway?
6 Amazing Places to Eat and Drink in Sorrento
Posted: 5th December 2016
My favourite Italian getaway had to be included in this round up of my favourite posts, if only to inspire you with an idea of where to book your summer holiday this year! It’s no secret that it’s my favourite European getaway. The Amalfi Coast is beyond beautiful, particularly Sorrento. The people are so friendly and the views are spectacular, but this post is of course all about the food and drink. Plenty of pizza and pasta to fill your bellies with and the most delicious coffee and Aperol Spritz you will drink, there are so many restaurants and cafés to explore.
If you’ve not considered Sorrento as your vacation spot before, maybe this post will entice you to take a trip…
How To Achieve Your New Year Goals
Posted: 2nd January 2017
This post still speaks volumes to me. Who else dislikes using the term New Year ‘Resolutions’? For me, using the word ‘goal’ inspires me far more to achieve what I set out to reach. I would rather celebrate small milestones over 12 months than make empty promises to myself in the first half of the year and be disappointed.
I started a bullet journal at the start of January where I am tracking my goals and vision for 2019 which I hope to share with you soon, but in the meantime I thought I would re-share this post to help you stay on track.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Posted: 9th May 2017
Little did I know that a few days after I wrote this post, my life would change forever. It seems apt that Dan came into my life at this point in time for many reasons. I was happy with my life and not expecting to meet anyone, which is when it usually happens (so people say!) Not only do I love the photography in this post (the bluebell woods are so beautiful), but the message within it. We all need to gain a little perspective from time to time and take a moment (offline) to appreciate the small things in life.
How I Deal With Anxiety
Posted: 31st July 2017
Perhaps my most personal post to date.
Opening up on here was difficult and took several attempts. I had drafts saved for weeks, months, before I found the words to share how I truly felt. It was at a time in my life where I was happy but the anxiety seemed to be worse than ever. I was worried that the happiness I was experiencing was going to be taken away from me. Suddenly I was experiencing a different type of anxiety. Almost two years later and I feel like I have much more control on those ‘moments’.
The feedback I received after sharing this post was incredible. I knew that if my experience and advice could help just one person, then it was worth it. I think it’s helped a few people since, but if you know someone who may need this post then I would love for you to share it with them.
The thing to remember is, someone may post photos on social media like everything is okay when actually it couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s be kind to one another, we’re all fighting their own battles.
The Cotswolds Creative Market
Posted: 25th August 2017
Remember that time when I gave myself six weeks to throw on a charity event with just £10? Well, we raised over £300 for charity and had a brilliant day doing so! It was a huge challenge that I set myself but with sheer determination and passion I did it, and it’s one of my proudest moments to date.
18 months later and I’m starting to look at planning the next, so watch this space!
5 Free Things To Do In New York City
Posted: 25th March 2018
Dan surprised me in New York last March so as you can imagine, this post is pretty special to me. I was at my happiest, surrounded by my parents and my boyfriend in my favourite city. I wanted to capture it for the blog for not just personal reasons, but for those of you who may be thinking of booking your own trip to the Big Apple and wanted some ideas of what to do – for free! I know how expensive a trip to New York can be, and after visiting a few times I’ve gained plenty of knowledge on what to do, when to do it and how to do it on a budget. I have plenty more posts to share on this beautiful city still to come, but for now I hope it gives you some inspiration on places to go and things to see without spending a dime!
I could go on and on, but I’ll stop here. THANK YOU so much for reading Katie Charlotte Blogs – whether you’ve been here since the early days or you’ve just tuned in. I’m beyond grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and continue to get. I can’t wait to continue this adventure.
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