LIFE HIGHLIGHTS
- I started a new job. Those of you who know me IRL know that I am not exactly what one would consider and outdoorsy type. Yet, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I learned about the opening for my job. It’s been absolutely exhilarating, challenging, and wonderful to be a part of the launch of the bike share program here in Memphis.
- I made a resolution to do more of what makes me happy. This is so important. Adulting will kick your butt for seven straight days then expect you to get up Monday morning and do it all over again. Find something you enjoy and spend as much time as you can doing it. Also, make time for self-reflection, moisturizing, minding your business, and moving your body.
- I was lucky enough to knock San Francisco off my travel bucket list. I have been obsessed with San Francisco for as long as I can remember. It’s been right up there next to NYC and Paris on my list of places I knew I loved before I visited. (Fingers crossed I’ll make it to Paris this year!) I spent six days in SF and I had so much fun that I wrote about it here, here, AND here.
BLOG HIGHLIGHTS
- Landing my first blog partnership. I was so excited to create content for my first blog partnership that also included a giveaway! The awesome folks at JORD were kind enough to reach out to me for the partnership, support my ideas for the post, and be super encouraging when the giveaway entries rolled in slower than expected. I learned so much from this first collaboration and can’t wait to partner with more brands!
- Posting my first sponsored travel post. It felt like things were coming full circle when my first comped trip was from the folks at Visit Bentonville. I had so much fun creating a Bentonville travel guide and it was great adding more Bentonville content to the blog. See my other Bentonville posts here and here.
- Experiencing 21c for my first hotel review partnership. I was lucky to have my first hotel review through Visit Bentonville. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start reviewing hotels than the 21c Museum Hotel! The stay was absolutely wonderful and opened up the opportunity for me to work with The Graduate Hotel.
FAVORITE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
- Nashville. I’ve tried to be a good Memphian and not like Nashville (it’s a thing) but I just can’t stay away! The growing food scene, locally owned shops and boutique hotels popping up across the city really make for a fun trip. See what I got into while in the Germantown area here.
- San Francisco. I can’t say enough about my time in San Francisco. I loved the fashion, the food, and the amazing shopping. While I did find my little southern girl heart in sticker shock the majority of the trip, it was well worth the expense and the trek across the country.
- Oxford. Oxford surprised and delighted me during my entire stay. Apparently, you guys shared in those feelings. I received more questions via email and Instagram about Oxford than any other travel post I’ve shared! I hope you’ll experience it through this post and decide to make the trip for yourself.
TOP POSTS OF 2018
STYLE: The Spring Suit You Need In Your Closet
MEMPHIS: Le Dîner en Blanc Memphis: 10 Tips for a Fabulous Experience
LIFE: 2018 Resolution: Do More Of What Makes You Happy
FOOD: 7 San Francisco Restaurants to Satisfy Every Foodie
TRAVEL: Things to Do in Bentonville, AR: A Bentonville Travel Guide
BEAUTY: Beauty Crush: 7 Tips to Make Your Skin Glow
LESSONS LEARNED
- Loss can be eye-opening, earth-shattering, and paralyzing. I suffered the greatest loss of my Granny this year. I’m honestly still processing that her strong presence in my life is forever changed. I so appreciate each of you who messaged and encouraged me when I posted about it here.
- You don’t need a million followers to be successful. This one has been especially important for me to learn while growing this brand. My blog is still so new and has a small following compared to others, yet I’ve been able to start partnering with brands and earning a modest amount from my posts.
- As you grow, you might grow apart from friendships you thought would last a lifetime. I keep a small circle, so learning this over the last couple of years has been tough. Life happens. People change and priorities change, which can sometimes mean growing apart from friends. I’ve learned to accept this as a part of life and to appreciate all relationships for what they were while they lasted.
- Keep going!
A huge thank you to every single one of you for supporting me this year! You have truly added so much to my life with your kindness. Please keep sending me funny memes, emailing me with post suggestions, sharing my posts, commenting and spreading the love. Cheers to 2019!
I enjoyed this so much. xo
Thanks Cara! I appreciate you reading.
I loved reading through this, Denise! Sounds like your year was incredible! I visited Nashville last July and it was one of my highlights, too! I can’t wait to get back there.
Thanks for reading, Summer! Nashville is so much fun. I’ll check your blog for your post about it.
I am so glad to hear you’re making a point to do more of what makes you happy! I think one of the biggest contributors to all the unhappiness in the world is that we don’t treat ourselves often enough, and I don’t mean just buying ourselves nice things. We need to actually do things that make us happy, surround ourselves with people who make you feel good about yourself, and realise that we ALL deserve to live happy lives and that is IS possible to do! Best of luck for a happy 2019!
Thanks for your kind words, Indya! Looking forward to 2019 and wishing you the best as well.
Congrats on your first blog partnership! It sounds like you had a great 2018!
Thank you! I learned a lot and am looking forward to learning even more this year.
Enjoyed this post! So glad to see you back in the swing of things. Looking forward to connecting more this year!
Yes! Thanks for reading!
I really love this! I’m so happy and proud of you I can’t wait to write about about my wins for 2019. Your theme for 2018 is my theme for 2019! ( Do more of what makes you happy!) I’m so excited for you and I’m glad you had an amazing year filled with accomplishments and lessons. You’re great inspiration.
Sending my love xx
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Looking forward to reading your 2019 wins.
This is an awesome blog post! I am just starting out in blogging, and it feels like I’ll never grow or accomplish the things I want to, but I know to not give up! It’s great to see your accomplishments! 🙂
Thanks! I’m definitely a newbie too. I published SO MUCH content before making my blog public because I was afraid of what people would think– so silly!
I’m glad I’ve spent the last year publicly blogging and learning so much from the blogging community.
Cheers to a great year for you and the Life is Bitter Sweet Blog!
Denise
I really enjoyed this! It sounds like you’ve had an important year and learned some really great lessons while having some big wins. Blogging is not about racing towards the finish line, but also looking at who is at the sidelines. You need to enjoy what you write. Congrats on the wins and may 2019 be great!
Gorgeous photos/editing!
Thank you! Yes, I’ve for sure learned a lot and am enjoying the ride.
Congrats on your success! Blogging is a wild ride and glad you’re enjoying it. SF is one of my favorite cities as well – so much to see and eat!