Friday, January 1

Happy New Year

It was three years ago today that I started All the Best and began writing my very first blog post—All the Best Champagne. Honestly, I could never have envisioned the paths that my life would take as I typed away that New Year’s Day. 675 posts later I am still delighted by the daily journey and grateful for the amazing opportunities that I have been presented.

In the last few years ‘design’ blogs have grown by leaps and bounds. In the beginning there were a mere handful of bloggers, grateful for a creative outlet and a community of likeminded individuals to contribute ideas and share a passion. For most who write a blog I still believe that to be the case.

Most recently 648 design blogs were nominated for Apartment Therapy’s 2009 Homie Award—648! It’s truly amazing when you considered that writing a blog is a labor of love. While a few bloggers have gained ‘superstar’ status, garnering thousands of hits everyday, most quietly go about their daily hobby that brings a bit of joy to our lives.

I know that I have been very fortunate in the last few years. Thanks to my blog I am now writing professionally and growing a business creating bespoke partnerships. Often times, due to time constraints, I am guilty of not reading new blogs or commenting as often as I should, a lapse that I plan to rectify in 2010.

An Aesthete's Lament has challenged bloggers everywhere (and their followers) to make a resolution (one that hits home for me): “Visit your favourite blogs often and leave comments, even if they are negative ones (constructive negativity, however, not abusive).”

Happy New Year! I hope 2010 brings you all the very best.

27 comments:

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Happy 2010 to you Ronda. Congratulations on your anniversary and 3 years of writing a marvelous blog. You must be so proud of where you've been and your amazing accomplishments? I know that this New Year will bring great things for you. All the 'very' best indeed x deb

Summer is a Verb said...

I too am guilty of not venturing out enough. Sounds like the perfect resolution to make. Happy New Year! XXOO

Crystal @ Plush Palate said...

What a beautiful post, Ronda! What I love about our niche in blogland is that design bloggers are some of the nicest, most supportive people I've ever had the pleasure of being a part of.

I love your thoughts about commenting. Recently someone said it best to me, "The real meat of a post is in the comments." So true.

Congratulations on your three year journey! You've inspired us all.

Happy New Year!

xo,
Crystal

MB said...

In the last year I've discovered some lovely 'design blogs' (including yours) and I have been guilty of reading and enjoying without always offering up a 'thank you' or 'well done'. So...thank you, I read your blog regularly and really enjoy it! Best wishes for you in 2010.

Simply Grove said...

Thanks for this lovely post!! Happy New Year to you! xx

Mrs. Blandings said...

Happy New Year and Happy Anniversary! Here's to All the Best in 2010.

Blog Author(s) said...

Okay, here goes...

Hello and Happy New Year & Happy Anniversary.

All the best,
Jane

Whiskey Tales by Beach Waling in the Desert said...

Congratulations! You've accomplished much and provided us with a lovely daily respite. I too will be more mindful of commenting on interesting posts in my favorite blogs. Thank you!

Arabella said...

Congratulations, I'm sure the next 3 years will be fabulous!

The Broke Socialite said...

Ronda,
You've blazed a trail for all of us blogger..no matter the genre. I'm glad that you wrote that first post. I'm STILL inspired. Cheers!, sure enough.

La Maison Fou said...

Great to hear from you Ronda! All the best in 2010!
Leslie

Kelly Green said...

Congratulations Ronda on your 3 year milestone. I have been blogging for the best part of a week !!! and can only hope to achieve a small amount of what you have. Am loving it though and try to comment regularly. Here's to 2010 and thank you for the great read over the year. KG

Content in a Cottage said...

Rhonda,
Wouldn't it be nice if commenting on blogs were as easy as retweeting on Twitter? One thing I would suggest for all bloggers is to avoid having those "dreadful word puzzles" at the end, especially if you have comment moderation. That would eliminate one last step. Agreed? Wishing you all good things for the New Year.
Rosemary

Unknown said...

Ronda,

Happy New Year and happy blog trails. The greatest thing about blogging is the FREEDOM. Any time daily, place and location you happen to be in, with iPhones/Blackberries and programs that allow such ease.

What a great world we live in Cheers! I leave comments because I appreciate the time the blogger has put aside to post and collect info to share .

Bette

Jennifer said...

Happy New Year. Love the post on Champagne, my favorite. I just started my site in May and already it's taken on a life of its own. Thanks for your inspiration.

Anonymous said...

i've just discovered your blog a few days ago (via some links, i forgot which ones). and i really love it. lots of inspiration here. keep them coming.
all the best in 2010!
from the philippines...
Daphne

Concrete Jungle said...

Well done!
Starting the commenting with a vengence now.... hopefully I can make it last! I love reading but finding time to comment can be difficult!

Susan said...

Thanks for the reminder to comment when I read a favorite blog. And congratulations on your success as a blogger and businesswoman.

pve design said...

Ronda-
Happy 2010 to you and wishing you an "All the best" kind of year, full of good health and prosperity.
You know, how thankful I am that you encouraged me to begin my blog journey! Thank-you!
pve

Color and Style said...

Happy 2010, and congratulations. You write a wonderful blog that I enjoy very much. Thank you for sharing.

mary said...

Hi Ronda, "Aesthete's" comment (by extension) can be applied to all relationship that we value. Her reminder was one I definitely took to heart to apply to many areas of my life. I can't wait to see what is up your sleeve for this coming year--thanks so much for all of the posts of past years. Mary

Laura Casey Interiors said...

Congratulations on your anniversary and best wishes for 2010. Happy New Year.

red ticking said...

congratulations on your amazing achievements!!! many blessings to you in the new year... x pam

Marija @ Holding Court said...

I love design, love to write, love to peek in to the creative minds of my peers and as a new blogger, I am horribly guilty of leaving very few comments. I love your site and this post and I am inspired to comment even if I don't have anything more to say than "well done". Thanks! Marija

Easy and Elegant Life said...

Happiest of all possible years to date! Here's to another remarkable year of "All the Best" of everything. You make it look easy, elegant and far too much fun.

wilmaswineworld said...

Congratulations on making it to the 3 year mark! Your blog was a tremendous source of inspiration to me when I started my own (wilmaswineworld.com) 2 years ago. While yours is design related (a passion of mine) and mine is on the wine industry, I found and still find All The Best, a fascinating read and great visual stimulation. Great job and much success in the coming year!

Unknown said...

I am rising to the challenge Rhonda and commenting. I still fondly remember that yours was one of the first blogs that I read when I started Blogging..(way back in the olden days haha!) and I enjoyed it as much then as I do now.
Wishing you a fantastic 2010!
Kindest Regards
Patricia