This week marks the 10th anniversary of this blog. Like all milestones being celebrated this year, it’s a subdued affair. So much so that I only remembered with a few days to spare – enough to write this post and not much else. Back in the days when I still aspired to be a legitimate blogger, I would have tried to organize some sort of giveaway or otherwise mark the occasion in a similar blogworthy manner. But our relationship, dear readers, has been on a different footing for many years now and I think we understand each other. I can’t offer you a chance to win a Peloton bike; the only thing of (questionable?) value you’ll get here is the (doubtful?) pleasure of reading my ramblings.
On the upside, I’m not going to try to talk you into buying any hideous, crotch-mangling pants. And no poop tea.
With that eloquent introduction out of the way, let’s reminisce a little, shall we? I am, after all a Type 4, and nostalgia is balm to our soul.
I started this blog back in May 2010, a few months before my wedding. I want to say that it was a gentler, less complicated time which … at a personal level, might have been true … but then again, maybe it’s all nostalgia talking. Certainly, I had no kids at the time and now my oldest is almost as tall as me, and my youngest is going to start Grade 2 in the fall. These are things I know but still find hard to compute. So, from a purely personal and logistical point of view, things were less complicated. Was the world gentler or less complicated? I’m not sure. It feels like things have become progressively darker in the last decade, but maybe that’s my advancing age talking. I’m sure the current situation isn’t helping my perspective either.
One thing that was different for sure was my style. Whooo boy. A while back, I made my pre-2014 archives private so some of you may not have a real point of reference but … here, I’ve dug up some examples for you:
Who is that person even? No, I mean, seriously. It’s funny because I don’t necessarily feel like a different person day to day and then I look at photos like this and think, yeah I have changed. The clothes somehow make that obvious. I’ll be honest and say that the vast majority of clothes I wore 10 years ago – heck, even 5 years ago – are no longer in my closet. I would like to say that the clothes I wear now will fare better, but who knows. If clothing is a form of self expression, the notion of a “timeless” closet breaks down because our personalities aren’t timeless. We are not static. Nor is life in general. However, I know we cannot treat clothing as disposable, so I do everything I can to enjoy this hobby in a responsible and sustainable way.
Sustainability is important. It’s one of those things that has changed a lot since 2010. I started my annual clothing swap back in 2007, when it was still a relatively novel concept. I started it not because I was concerned about the environment, but because I loved clothes and didn’t have much money. I was lucky to find a group of women willing to give the idea a try with me because it wasn’t a familiar concept at all back then. Same thing with consignment; it was a truly little-known secret. I was lucky, again, because one of my friends introduced me to a couple of local stores, along with eBay. I never looked back. A few years later, making the transition to thrifting was easy. It’s been interesting to see the tidal shift towards secondhand shopping, especially in the last 5 years or so. I hope it’s a trend that continues and doesn’t get derailed by the flowdown impacts of the pandemic.
Another big shift, this time at the personal level, is my creative outlook. When I started this blog, writing was my main creative outlet. I still harboured secret hopes of being a (real) writer. Five years ago, I checked off the biggest item on my bucket list: I wrote a book. Actually, two and a half. It was a difficult, cathartic process. It was not life-changing in an obvious way – I didn’t sell my books and make a million dollars – but looking back, it did result in change. I felt an odd sense of relief. I was eventually able to let go of the disappointment of not being a “real” writer, the sense of failure that had plagued most of my adult life to that point. I started to channel my creative energy into other, more hands-on pursuits. First with embroidery, then more recently with painting. I found a new eloquence where before I had felt wrung dry of inspiration. But as my focus has increasingly shifted away from writing, this blog has gone into a kind of steady decline.
A couple of years ago (I think? I can’t be bothered to go back and check) I went on an extended hiatus for my mental health. When I came back, a good chunk of my audience was gone and I have never been able to replace it. To be fair, I haven’t tried especially hard to do so. I don’t have it in me to try to go viral, here or on social media. I have a career and professional reputation that I cannot afford to blow up, and besides I’m way too thin-skinned for viral fame. I don’t think blogging is dead, but it certainly doesn’t occupy the same place in the Zeitgeist that it did a decade ago. It has lost steam and so have I. I used to be diligent about keeping a regular and frequent posting schedule. I had lots of things to say. Now, I post most of it on Instagram which is, frankly, more convenient. But I am not ready to let this blog go. I like having my own domain, and I like having you – my readers, my community. I feel like I have gotten to know many of you through your comments over the years, which makes writing here feel like talking to old friends, not shouting into the algorithm. Who knows what the next 10 years will bring? But whatever it is, I’ll be here plodding along and trying to find my way. I hope you will join me, from time to time.
Congratulations! I started reading your blog about 4 years ago and also read all your archives voraciously.
You were my first preloved blog and my first fellow Canadian Blogger. You were also my first inspiration to thrift and I haven’t looked back. I now sell thrifted items on Poshmark and help out a friend In her consignment store.
From you I learned to look for quality and designers in thrift stores and you helped me get over the myth of who shops at these stores. (Spoiler alert…I do!!❤️)
Congratulations on 10 years 💕
Thank you! I’m so proud and flattered to hear that I was a small part of your adventures in secondhand shopping — here’s to many more!
Congratulations on 10 years! I’ve been following you for about 6 years and first discovered you via Instagram. I’ve read through all of your archives. I love your writing and your sense of style. I dream of having your confidence in how I put my outfits together! Your blog is a bit of escapism for me like Vogue! Your lifestyle is very different to mine so your blog is a peek into another world. I live in Australia, have 3 kids, have a job that doesn’t require me to look in the least bit stylish and I have 2 horses so I’m covered in mud and dirt most of the time. Your blog has also taught me to be much more thoughtful about the sustainability aspects of my clothing. Happy blogging. I’ll keep reading as long as you’re writing.
Happy blog anniversary! I’ve only been reading for around the last five years, but I’ve enjoyed your blog and seeing the development of your personal style all this time! It’s also been really great to see your embroidery and painting projects and how those develop. I’ll definitely continue reading for as long as you continue blogging.
Recently, partially due to COVID-19 changing… everything… I’ve found myself with less to say on my blog than usual. (And I haven’t been able to figure out Instagram as much as a possible alternative platform to use more frequently.) I’ll definitely continue to blog, just not to the same extent as before.
Man, it’s been tough lately for me too. I think the blogging frequency if nothing else attests to that. Hopefully, this too shall pass. I always look forward to your writing and I hope you will post more when the time is right.
Xin, I think I first started reading Invincible Summer via Adina’s rec, and both of you maybe 2016. And found Adina via Franish and Writes Like a Girl.
Adina, happy anniversary! I enjoy both of your blogs a lot.
Franish and Nicole were two of my earliest blogging pals! They’re both so, so lovely. It’s somewhat rare, I guess, but I’ve been able to connect with some wonderfully talented and cool people through blogging (including Xin) which has made this whole endeavour special.
Whoo hoo! Congratulations on the milestone! Hopefully blog readership is much like a wardrobe – quality over quantity.
So glad that you are still sharing in this space – very much enjoy following along. Be well and take care!
Absolutely – I’ve always appreciated the community of readers/commenters here because they’re a smart, talented, funny, and kind bunch.
Happy Blogiversary! I’m a very new reader (maybe the last 2 years?) in your blogging journey but still very much enjoy everything you post here and on instagram, in addition to all your artistic endeavours.
As long as it’s fulfilling for you personally, I think you should continue at whatever capacity suits you 🙂
Thank you and thanks for reading!
Happy anniversary!
Thank you 🙂
Congratulations! I’ve only been following you for the last… year, maybe two? So you’ve picked up at least one new fan post-hiatus. I love your style, enjoy following your new artistic pursuits, and appreciate your movie and book reviews, so I hope you do plan to keep going.
In fact, you’ve been part of my inspiration for toying with the idea of blogging lately… in part exactly because your posts cover a wide range. I had the idea for a while that I’d have to choose *one* topic for a blog, but that seemed so limiting that I never got around to picking. Focus might help draw an audience (maybe), but you’ve shown that it’s just lovely to follow an eloquent and interesting person’s ideas even (especially) when they wander through different regions. So thank you, and here’s to 10 more years!
I think you may be in a minority in appreciating an eclectic mix of topics (I’ve had complaints, lol) but I am the same way and I like how it builds a greater sense of connection with my readers.
I think blogging can be a wonderful outlet, especially if you’re doing it for yourself. The times I’ve struggled with it are the times I’ve placed too much emphasis on the popularity contest aspect of it.
Congratulations on your anniversary! I’ve been reading for only a few years, but even I have seen an evolution in your style. I check out a lot of blogs and, although I do love a pretty picture, I appreciate even more having something interesting to read. That’s sometimes hard to find. So I would say that you *are* a writer, and I wish you even more happy blog years!
Thank you, Patricia!
Happy blogiversary! I always enjoy seeing your posts pop up in my bloglovin feed and to hear your thoughts on things – be they crafting, fashion, interior or beauty! And I can’t wait to see how your style continues to evolve 🙂
Cheers from Germany!
Congratulations on the 10 years! I have been a reader from the very early days and certainly remember that blue dress with the swallows from 2012! I coveted it at the time 🙂 I have so enjoyed seeing how your style has changed, and reading your thought process, both the posts that are reflective as well as the ones where you describe intentions ( loved the style avatar posts). I have always enjoyed your writing and your approach to life and over the last while, your instagram (BCRL and Artergo) have been great prompts to me to pursue my creative interests. Thanks so much and congratulations!
Congratulations on your blogiversary! 10 years is no small feat! I found your blog a few years ago (maybe through Wardrobe Oxygen? Corporette? Now I don’t recall, sadly). Although we have different aesthetics, you have given me a deeper appreciation of the artistic/avant garde style that I am missing in my corporate attire. Thank you for making the internet a more interesting place! All the best to you in your artistic pursuits.
Thank you! I did write a guest post for Corporette once, I think, so it may have been there. Which was wild because I used to read that site for years (back when I worked at a firm). I’ve had a few fun highlights in my blogging journey and that was probably one of them.
Congrats on 10 years! I’ve enjoyed your journey and your musings.
Thank you, Liane. I have really enjoyed and appreciated all your comments over the years.
I’ve been reading for about two years — actually, maybe longer, since I remember the hiatus — and agree that I love the eclectic mix of topics. I actually like the art posts best! I’m so glad you’ve started doing them. Thank you and congratulations!
Thank you, that’s encouraging to hear. I do enjoy those posts the most myself right now, because it’s what takes up most of my free time at the moment. I’m sure fashion will come to the forefront again in the future but for now it’s taking a bit of a backseat.
Type 4 as in the Carol Tuttle system? When did you have your realization moment? How did I miss it?
Enneagram Type 4 … well, 4w3 to be exact. I don’t remember when I started reading about it but probably at least 3-4 years ago. It’s helped me a fair bit to come to terms with some personal tendencies and work on them.
Thank you for your blog and happy anniversary! I’ve been reading for probably 4 years now. I also read one of your books and very much liked it!
Thank you, Em! That means a lot. Looking back, I would probably rewrite most of it but I still love the idea of it. Maybe I will revisit it someday when it feels less like a failure somehow.
Been here a while. I always enjoy your posts no matter what they are about. I’ve been to Canmore for fudge because of you! Sadly, every shop had sold out of birthday cake fudge.You inspire me to do things, change up my style, do some art. You’ve made a difference and l will continue to visit even if you aren’t posting “regularly”. Like an old friend, it doesn’t matter how long it’s been, I’m just happy to see you!
Aww, that’s the sweetest comment! Those are the best friendships- the ones that you can pick back up whenever, wherever.
Congrats! I hit your site when you were at a law firm, I think, and I was struggling with how to dress for my firm work without dying of boredom. I appreciate that you stay authentic.
Thanks, Cat! Authenticity and integrity have always been important to me – I’m only semi anonymous (and really, pretty much everyone I know IRL knows about my blog, including coworkers) and I have a career I can’t afford to torpedo so those things are basically nonnegotiable. Boring but necessary. At least I can have fun with the fashion, right?
Happy anniversary. This is my favourite blog; your style and personality shine through and it’s a joy to read and admire. I hope you keep going for many years to come. Much love, Emily
Thank you so much, Emily. I really appreciate all your insightful, supportive, and kind comments over the years.