Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Happy Birthday to Odi et Amo!
I began this little blog exactly one year ago today. At the time, I started Odi et Amo as a way to combat some intense boredom at work (last winter my company was in serious turmoil and we were all but shut down). Little did I know how big a part of my life blogging would become over the course of 2009. Not only has Odi et Amo's readership grown well beyond my circle of friends and acquaintances (and, quite frankly, my wildest imagination), but it has introduced me to a vibrant online design community that has been both welcoming and supportive in my blogging and decorating endeavors.
I'd love to offer everyone some cake and ice cream, but since today's celebration is virtual, I thought I'd mark the occasion by pulling together a short list of my favorite posts over the past year with one major caveat: I've intentionally omitted posts relating to decorating (and then selling) my old house as well as those on building (and then decorating) my new house as they're serial in nature and, as a result, rather difficult to follow out of context. In reading back through my earlier entries, I was struck that, while there's been a gradual move away from fashion in favor of design (at the outset, this blog was pretty 50/50), my voice and style has been pretty consistent from the beginning. I'll admit though that my HTML skills have vastly improved! When I started this blog last January, my readership consisted of my mom, aunt and husband (and Dave read the blog only under intense pressure from me!), and so many of these posts may be new to most of y'all. If that's the case for you, then please consider this an opportunity to catch up a bit on your reading. Enjoy!
Getting Inspired (January 5) -- the post that started it all
Color Trend: Yellow and Gray (January 8)
R.O.Y.G.B.I.V. (February 18)
Get Courtney Giles' Style (March 13)
Amanda Nisbet's Back Porch (June 1)
Virtual Vacation: Palm Springs (August 18)
Flipping Out for Brown Design (September 3)
An Ode to Zig Zags (September 23)
Colorful Backdrops (October 8) and Colorful Backdrops, Part 2 (November 4)
Turquoise is a Neutral (October 14)
Guest Rooms in Blue, Pink...and Yellow! (November 6)
My Husband loves Kelly Wearstler... (December 7)
I hope you'll see at least a few posts here that you may have missed along the way, but if you're all caught up, I appreciate your indulging my little trip down memory lane. And finally, I'd like to thank a number of blogs for their support over the past year:
Without the enthusiasm and encouragement of the ladies behind these wonderful blogs, I'm not sure I'd still be doing this. Without the support of you, the readers, I know I wouldn't still be doing this. Blogging for me is about creating a dialogue among and a connection with fellow design enthusiasts. It's not about me getting on my soapbox. Without your comments, questions and e-mails, I would not have been able to make that connection, to get that sense of community and I'm sure I would have quit in frustration months ago. So thank you all for a wonderful first year for this blog. My goals for this coming year are to build on the successes of the last 12 months, strengthen my voice as a blogger and design amateur, and (this is my single greatest desire) inspire you on a regular basis. And as always, if there's anything in particular you'd like to talk about or like help with, please feel free to email me and let me know.
Gratias vobis ago!
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28 comments:
Many happy returns to Odi et Amo from a proud mama!
Happy Blog Birthday. Odi et Amo is one of my favorite blogs and you are one of my favorite bloggers. With our legal backgrounds and creativity (quite unique I think) we had an instant connection. My one year mark for blogging is next week! Thanks for the mention of Style Redux and Chinoiserie Chic and for all the work and effort you put into Odi et Amo. It really shows. You are the perfect example of why I blog. Thanks for a great year and many many more.
Congrats on year 1! That is very exciting. Was fun seeing some older posts, as I am still a relatively new blogger. Thank you so much for the mention as well!! Here's to a fabulous 2010!
Hi Averill! Happy (blog) Birthday!!
Thanks for writing here about your reasons for starting (and continuing) your blog as those are questions I've been asking myself lately. I'm only halfway through my first year — and hope to be as pleased with mine as you should be with yours when my b'day rolls around. Thanks too for always inspiring me to do more and better work. Enjoy your day!
Happy 1 Year!!!! You should be very proud:) I'm going to have to go back and look at some of those cool old posts that you wrote before I found you! Thanks for being such a great online support/resource:)
PS. See you at MBM, thanks for participating:)
happy bloggy bday!! I'm a recently joined reader, but love visiting---
Diane
Happy Blogiversary, dear Averill! You have done an extraordinary job with Odi et Amo this year. Your posts are thoughtful, original, well-written, and inspiring. I can't wait to see what new posts 2010 holds in store for us. Cheers!
Happy Blog-versary! After seeing your list of favorites, I'm going to need to go through the whole blog now. I'd still like to see your old house.
Happy Blog Anniversary! I missed my own last September...I'll have do a two-year one this year! I recognize all the posts since March...so I must have stumbled upon your blog near the beginning! I look forward to clicking on those links you provided and seeing the posts that started it all! I'm so happy I found your blog and we've become friends - it's what matters most, right! Yours is one of my all time favorites - I just love all of your posts!!!
Happy blogiversary! You've been an inspiration this year, and I'm so grateful for your support this year as well. Keep up the great work!
Yay! Happy blogiversary to you too! I guess we had the same thought at the same time in starting our blogs. :) I look forward to both of our second years! Congratulations!
Congrats on 1 year! I really enjoy reading your blog. xo
Congratulations on 1 year, Averill! Odi et Amo has been a great addition to the blog world and I am excited to be one of your readers. I have really appreciated your support as well and thanks so much for the gracious mention. Long live Odi et Amo!
Happy Blog Birthday (and Happy New Year)! I'm so glad I found your blog when I first started blogging. I always enjoy your posts, and love seeing your creativity. Thanks for the mention here and let me say the same to you. You've always been supportive and I appreciate it! Hope you're having an awesome year so far and that 2010 is your best year ever (not just in blogging but life in general).
Happy Blogiversary, darling Averill!
Keep up the flawless blogging!
And thank you so much for the mention :)
xoxox,
CC
Averill: Many Happy Returns and congratulations on a year's worth of fabulosity! I do so enjoy checking in with you and watching the beauty unfold at your home! Thanks for the shout-out on Shindigs. You keep writing and creating, and I'll keep reading. Love, Kitty.
Averill - Happy Blog Birthday! You have created a wonderful blog. I enjoy reading it everyday. The best part for me and blogging is the friendships. And I'm proud to call you a friend. Thank you so much for all of the thoughts this past week. It really meant a lot to me, my sister and brother to see all the comments on my blog regarding my mom.
Can't wait to see what the new year brings! Kara
Parabens, Averill! I'm always so inspired by your wonderfully researched and written content - you certainly stand out among this crowd, and I have thoroughly enjoyed "knowing" you via OetA!
Best,
alison g.
MLHP
Happy blogiversary, Averill! As I saw your list of blogs that you were thanking, I anxiously scrolled down to see if my blog was mentioned, as I have been a huge fan from the very beginning! Your blog is one of my favorites. I love your style, your perspective, your voice. I am looking forward to many more years of inspiration!
PS - I love the idea of listing the top posts of the year on the blogiversary. I have a tradition of posting my favorites of the year from other blogs just before New Years, but have never done a listing of my favorite or most popular posts from my own blog. Great idea!
Oh, yay! Happy blogiversary!!
I love how you mentioned that your focus has shifted over the course of the year. It's funny how having your own blog helps you discover your true passions. I know mine started as strictly interiors, but has now grown to include art, handmade items and style. I've found that what true me to interiors in the first place is the sense of history and tradition, and my personal style has changed as I figured it out.
Here's to another great year for you. I can't wait to see what you come up with and the continued evolution of your new home.
Happy Anniversary! And Happy New Year! I love that first image on this post! Very colorful and inspiring!
Happy Birthday! I started my first blog for the same reason...extreme boredom at work. I had no idea what an exciting world it would open for me.
I love your blog, photos, and design ideas and I am excited for what you will share in 2010!
Well Happy Birthday to your blog! I was reading through this post and saw the link to your post on zig zag, hadn't really considered that pattern previously...but you finally pointed out to me it's fabulous quality. Then read down to the mention...well thank you! That means a lot!
Janell
Happy Birthday pretty blog!!
Averill, congrats on your blog birthday! I've loved reading your posts over the past year, and I've gained such inspiration from them. I can't wait to see what's to come in the next year! (And P.S., thank you for YOUR support over the past year!!) :)
So proud of you Ave for sticking with it! Happy Blogiversary! I love your blog not just for the amazing eye candy, but for how insightful and thoughtful your posts are! I think it is what truly makes your blog stand out from the rest!
Hurray for Odi! Sorry I'm late in commenting -- just moved to San Diego and didn't have internet for a while. Still don't, sort of got lucky by the window here...anyway, congratulations, and keep it up, please!!! Love, your supporter, P.
I am just having the best time reading back through your blog this afternoon (I should be doing laundry!). Such an inspiration to newbie bloggers like myself that you can grow such a successful blog in one short year. I love your posts.
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