The Blessings of Blogging, 2-Year Anniversary

This month marks the 2-year anniversary of my blogging career.  A lot has changed for me in the last couple of years, and one of the blessings that has come from “putting myself out there” has been the friendships I have made in Bloggy Land.

Image from The Decorologist

Savannah Tea House

 

Saturday I was treated to high tea at Savannah Tea House here in Nashville by one such friend, Noelle.  I met Noelle at a party last year, and it was at that time she began reading my blog.  Along the way, she has sent me many encouraging messages about what I share in this blog and generous compliments about the work that I do.

Image from The Decorologist

Me, Noelle, & Heather

 

She also invited along the talented Heather Spriggs, creator of the online magazine Gatherings (my home was featured in her first issue).  I also met Heather in Bloggy Land just a few months after I began blogging.

Image from The Decorologist

High Tea with Friends

 

After a challenging 50+ hour week (they are all 50+hour weeks now, but this one was a doozy) it was wonderfully refreshing to spend a few pleasant hours with people who support and admire your work and let you ramble on about your frustrations and your triumphs.

Image from The Decorologist

 High Tea at Savannah Tea House

Bloggy Land is a strange and fuzzy place, with only snapshots and short sentences to connect you to those with similar passions throughout the country, even the world.  I’ve become friends with so many lovely readers, as well as gifted fellow bloggers including Kelly, the other Kelly, Carol, Michelle, Vanessa, Sheila, Maria, Lee, Radhika, and many others whom I never would have known without this medium of communication.

 

Image from The Decorologist

The Decorologist blog is currently blessed with around 65,000 page views a month. My highest percentage of  followers are from my hometown of Nashville,  followed by New York City,  Toronto, London,  Athens (Greece, not Alabama!),  Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Melbourne & Sydney (Australia), Seattle, and Atlanta.   This blog ranks in the top 50 of 2500+ Home & Garden blogs listed on BlogTopSites.  I have created color palettes and designed interiors for readers all over the country and Canada, and am perpetually backlogged with both decorating and staging projects here in Nashville.

Image from The Decorologist

 

That being said, I am well-aware that all blessings come from above.  Any gifts bestowed by God should give glory to Him, which is what I desperately want and never want to lose sight of.   My message for fellow bloggers:  Blessings abound in Bloggy Land if you are willing to put in the countless hours and an almost insane level of commitment to crank out new and creative blogposts on an ongoing basis.  The hard part is establishing boundaries so that you keep your faith first and protect appropriate time and energy for your family, and even for yourself to be refreshed and renewed every once in a while.  But that’s the subject of another blogpost . . .

40 Comments

  1. Amy

    Good job, Kristie! I’m proud of you!!

    Reply
  2. Michelle L.

    Congratulations on 2 years and much success, Kristie! I am so proud of you….you’re doing a good thing here, my friend! Love you!

    Reply
  3. Lezlie Owsley

    Kristie,

    I am delighted for you. I was horribly unaware of the extent of your giftedness. I’m so thankful for your faith and your open acknowledgement of God’s blessing in your life. My prayer is that you continue to grow in your relationships and in your work. Your friendship is a blessing to me and my family. Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do to make our home sacred space.

    Love,
    Lezlie

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Lezlie,
      As always, you are overly generous with your compliments! Thank you. Now, I think I’m gonna have to use that second thing you said when I’m having design/color consultations. You know, something kinda like this: Client: “Gee, Kristie, I don’t think that would work in my house. It just isn’t doing it for me.” Then I say, “I’m sorry, but I think you are horribly unaware of the extent of my giftedness.” 🙂

      Reply
      • Katie

        LoL…Yes I think you should try that statement! Very cute 🙂 And please let us know what happens next… XoXo

        Reply
  4. Kelly, Arte Styling

    Thank you for the mention, Kristie! It’s been great getting to *know* you.
    Congrats on your 2 years of blogging. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Mitzi Leigh Hinton

    Kristie, would you mind sharing location information for the Savannah Tea House? Thank you! Blessings, Mitzi Leigh Hinton

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      of course – the address is 707 Monroe Street in the Germantown area of Nashville.

      Reply
  6. Patti Hutchinson

    Congrats Kristie!! I’m a new follower and look forward to your posts! I just love your ideas and talent. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us!!

    Reply
  7. Lisa D.

    Congratulations to you, Kristie! You are so good at what you do and I love how dedicated you are to your work. Thank you for sharing all these fabulous posts over the years. I always look forward to reading them and am amazed that you continue to discover such interesting & creative topics to share.

    Keep on keeping on!

    xo
    Lisa

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      thank you, lisa – and i really appreciate the referrals you have sent my way 🙂

      Reply
  8. Katie

    Congratulations Kristie!!! I love your blog and always read your posts. They are very inspirational. P.s. You look very pretty in the above photo… XoXo

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      thank you, katie! i enjoy reading your blog, as well 🙂

      Reply
  9. Alicia

    Kristie,
    Congratulations on the successful blog and career change! I enjoy reading your posts.
    Alicia

    Reply
  10. Lee

    God is good – all the time! May he continue to bless you, your family and those you touch!
    And may everyone be more aware of the extent of your giftedness! 😉
    (still chuckling over that earlier comment!)

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      thank you, lee! yeah, i’m definitely going to use that line – but probably just with my husband and kids 😉

      Reply
  11. Rachelh

    Happy Anniversary Kristie! You have a lovely blog, which you obviously put a great deal of your creative self into. Wishing you much continued success in the coming years. You deserve it!

    Reply
  12. Bonnye Schwerdt

    Congratulations Kristie- and thank you for sharing your creative thoughts and ideas with us!! You are truly gifted and I am thankful that you are using your God given talents to inspire and help others who weren’t blessed with those same gifts (like me!). Thanks for all of your help with picking out colors for my new bathroom/bedroom! So far so good – I’ll let you know when we finish and I’m ready for more help! Thanks again! 🙂

    Reply
  13. Jacqueline

    Happy Anniversary from a grateful “decor fan” in Peoria, Illinois!

    Reply
  14. vanessa @ silly eagle books

    Congrats! I love your blog and am so glad we have become friends. Ben mentioned Nashville the other night and I blurted out, “Oh! I have a blog friend there!” 🙂 Keep up the awesome posts!

    Reply
  15. Lisa @ Cozy Condo Living

    Congrats on your two year anniversary!!! I’m only two months into blogging and am loving it so far. It’s amazing to me how many creative, talented women there are out there and everyone is so friendly. I just recently found your blog and have found it to be so helpful. I’m taking classes in interior design, but could use all the help I can get. I look forward to continuing to follow your blog as you move into year three.

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      good to meet you, lisa! i will come over and check out your new blog when i get a minute 🙂

      Reply
  16. Radhika

    Congratulations !!

    Reply
  17. LaJuana Gill

    Kristie,
    Congratulations!!! I am so proud of you and so grateful for your success! It is such an honor to call you friend!
    Blessings upon blessings!
    LaJuana

    Reply
  18. Sheila Zeller

    Happy Blog Birthday Kristie! Congratulations 🙂 And thank you so much for the mention & link. You are truly a gifted inspiration. I love your blog, and look forward to every post. xo Sheila

    Reply
  19. Ashley @ DesignBuildLove.co

    Kristie, you are so wonderful! Congratulations on your anniversary and to your huge success! I truly look up to you. Also, you could not be more right about appreciating the gifts we have been given. I have been doing my best to make certain that I remain appreciate and reflect on all that I’ve been given. This post was not only lovely to read and inspiring, but also, a good reminder that one can never be too thankful!

    Congrats again! -Ashley

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      thank you, Ashley! i have enjoyed reading your blog, as well 🙂

      Reply
  20. Kelly

    Thank you for mentioning me Kristie! I feel I have made a good friend and I appreciate all the advice you have given me. I thank the Lord everyday for everything in my good life I have. So glad I met you! Congratulations girlfriend! 29 messages! Wow ! 🙂 You deserve it!

    Reply
  21. Stacy Naquin

    Congrats on your anniversary! That adds up to many hours I know!!! 😉

    Reply
  22. Maria Killam

    I had no idea your blog was 2 years old! Awesome Kristie, congrats, your blog is wonderful!
    x
    Maria

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Maria,
      The blog actually started under another name 2 years ago: Making Arrangements. I officially switched over to The Decorologist last October. Thank you for your mentorship and encouragement!

      xoxo
      kristie

      Reply
  23. Barbara Bussey

    Congratulations on your success! It comes with commitment and dedication and your hard work has paid off! Great blog and continued blessings, happiness and success!
    Cheers!
    Barbara

    Reply
  24. debra disman

    Lovely post and delectable photos Kristie! I think tea, and especially HIGH tea, is one of the BEST ways to share with and enjoy friends! It looks like you did just that, and celebrated the event, and your experience in bloggy land (yes, fuzzy indeed, but rewarding!) in this exquisite post!

    Reply
  25. Monique

    Hi Kristie,

    I’m a fairly new reader to your blog. I’m very happy to read about your success and commitment to this blog. You freely provide your readers advice and tips. Personally, I consider your blog a blessing. I wish you continued success.

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Thank you so much for saying that, Monique! Glad to have you around 🙂

      Reply
  26. Cindy Barganier

    Hi Kristie,
    I am reading backwards through your blog. LOL Rhoda and I are friends so she led me to you. I am so happy for you and what you have been able to achieve through the blog. It’s an amazing world is it not?
    cindy

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Thank you so much, Cindy! The last 3 years have brought so many amazing opportunities, due in large part to this blog 🙂 Thanks for reading – hope you stay around!

      Reply

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