I have been stuck writing this post since the beginning of December (last year!), it just wouldn’t flow no matter how much time I gave it. Everyone writes a 2016 highlights post right? Twitterland has been filled with so many of these over the last few weeks, but could I write mine.. no.
You see, although I met my goals and more (victory cheer), these alone were not what made me think… 2016…. Yup, smashed it! Now, don’t get me wrong, I worked super-duper hard to achieve them and I am so grateful for the opportunities they brought. But the things that meant the most to me weren’t planned and I didn’t make smart objectives to send myself in their direction either. So… here are a few of my 3 Little Buttons highlights of 2016.
Way back last year some time I attempted and failed to link up to Aby and Amy’s #TheList. My first ever go at linkys! I couldn’t work out what had gone wrong when it didn’t seem to be working, but Aby soon set me on the right track. Which, by chance led me onto find Becky’s #CandidCuddles and my first stint at guest hosting a linky. I loved it! I really REALLY loved it. So much so that I wanted my very own to grow and nurture. I won’t beat around the bush, it took a few ‘you can do it’s’ from some lovely bloggers to give me that final push and yaahoooo the #DreamTeam was born.
It grew and I luckily got to welcome Bridget from Bridie By The Sea on aboard. It grew again, and now we are a trio with our new addition Dawn from Rhyming With Wine. As a new blogger at the time, I didn’t realise that this was all good stuff when it comes to collaboration and making connections, but what did I know back then? It was just quite simply #linkylove.
The 3 Little Buttons blog has always been about writing my voice. Does that sound funny? What I mean is that I wanted it to be entirely me and sound like me too, from laughs to whinges, ups and downs and all the bumps in between. And you know what… I think I have done it. I also made a deal with myself that I would only work with Brands that I felt passionately about too, so no matter what the content, it would still just be you and me having a good chit chat.
Having read many posts from bloggers feeling on their lonesome, I feel super privileged to have fallen into a tribe with my blogging besties. It just happened and I am ever so grateful for the friendship and unending support from them. Them being the lovely Dawn, Nic and Bridget, and a larger circle of fantastic blogger’s who are too many to list but would know who they are. Again, it wasn’t until much later down the line that Aby from You Baby Me Mummy helped me to see that accountability buddies and blogging tribes were actual things, making me feel even luckier.
Earlier in the summer we were approached about the Heinz Grow Your Own campaign and I took it on because I truly believe that children should be aware of where their food comes from. I don’t want my Little Button telling her teacher in September that milk comes from the fridge… you get what I mean don’t you? It’s a cause that I feel passionate about and my efforts were rewarded with a lovely money-can’t-buy surprise.
Not just a bottle of ketchup, but a real Heinz bottle of Ketchup made from the tomatoes from our garden! I know… cool right? And my point? I have become a lot better at following my heart in the type of projects that I work on. My advice is that if a project means something to you then why not just go for it. Words and photo captures are going to flow that much better when you do something you love, not just because everyone else thinks it’s a good idea.
We had a full blown love affair with beach huts last summer. It was the thing that put the wind back into all of our sails whilst we did battle with a rather vicious Window Company. With a light heart we skipped to the beach and enjoyed hazy days in numerous beach huts. What’s this got to do with blogging you might be thinking? Well 2 things actually. Firstly, I would never have found these beach huts if I hadn’t connected to another blogger on Instagram whose regular haunt it is. You see! Other bloggers do really connect to what you blog about and are part of your real audience.
The second, I am so chuffed about, that even writing this now made my heart leap. We won the spirit of summer photo competition with Millies Beach Huts, and, our photo will be on display this year! Wowzers. I owe a humongous wedge of virtual cake and hugs to all the bloggers who voted for our photo to win. You’re the best!
Aww you’ve had a wonderful year lovely and I’m so honoured to be hosting #dreamteam with you and Dawn! You guys are my own little dream team and so often make me smile when I’m having a wobbly week. Big love and thank you for mentioning me xxx
Thanks for the lovely mention! You have definitely come into your own as a blogger & are doing so fab!! Xx
I like how genuine your page is. Refreshing in the world full of frauds. 🙂
You have absolutely flown this year lovely and it’s been so exciting to be there as part of your tribe with you, Nic and Bridget. I’m so thrilled to be hosting #Dreamteam with you and can’t thank you enough as it has truly set my 2017 off with a sparkle. Here’s to another fantastic year for you! Cheers xx
Congratulations hun, you have had such a great year! Here’s to another one! Thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime
That’s all so wonderful!
What a great year you’ve had, well done! #BloggerClubUK
Oh wow huge congrats on the comp win that is fantastic! Thanks for linking up to the #TheListLinky x
I like your reflection year post! I have so many drafts myself that I stop because it’s not flowing! I totally LOVE Bridget and just found her really on IG. Isn’t it crazy where you meet and make bloggy besties! Love it. I need to jump on your linky. #bloggerclubuk
What a wonderful 2016 you had. I’m so pleased that you found some blogging friends and that you have embraced it all. I look forward to seeing what 2017 brings you x #bloggerclubuk
I think you had such a fantastic year! I’ve loved linking up to #DreamTeam when I can and its amazing that you’ve found your blogging tribe. I also found mine last year and its made a world of difference 🙂 Here’s to an even better 2017, I cant wait to see how you smash it too! Lovely post, thanks for sharing it on #MarvMondays. Emily