Happy Holidays and Best of the Blog 2016

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder

I’ve been coming back to that sentiment A LOT lately. Not that exact quote, but the idea that the holidays can utterly transform you. Childhood and Christmas just seems to go together perfectly, doesn’t it? At no other time in the year do I reminisce more about the past and my childhood than I do at Christmastime — like putting up our tree, the memories just seem to flood back at lightning speed. Maybe it’s the same for you?

There’s so much I want to tell the people I love — both those who are here and those who aren’t — and lately, I just want to spend time with my family. At home. Enjoying the last couple weeks of 2016. So, that’s what I’m going to do! But, of course, I couldn’t sign off for the year without taking a look back at So About What I Said. Get ready, friends, for a journey to the past — here’s the Best of the Blog 2016…

I wrote more Letters To My Future Husband, on being a safe place to land, soulmates and not being fazed by my disability.Love Lounge posts, on topics like relationship trends, texting after midnight, types of crushes and being addicted to the chase.MEMO TO MEN posts, including musings on Lost Boys, disability questions to ask me and the Heart-Pumping Paradox.Disability posts, like jeans for women in wheelchairs, the disability word I hate, 10 things I’d tell you about depression, my abnormal love for the hospital, lessons from our hospital days and my new shoes!Fashion features, such as An Ode to Feminism, Polo Shirt Season 2016, birthstone rings and food-themed jewelry on Etsy!Beauty banter, like lip balm reviews, wise words and fall hair trends!
Dream Home posts, including this Swedish chapel, floor-to-ceiling wall murals, quirky planters, this house from the ’70s and indoor courtyards!Dream Vacation destinations, like Ms. Bear’s trip to NYC and fairy tale architecture!Family fun posts, such as that time Harry was a cat model, when your parents become copycats, my father’s suicide, summertime happenings, my 35th birthday and time with cousins!Pop culture posts, including plenty of Etsy Love, musings on music and TV, searching for happiness and the Holiday Gift Guide 2016!

I also started pitching regularly again and saw my writing published on Cosmo, Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, The Establishment and HelloGiggles, among others. And, I got to chat with some amazing writers for the new Interviews With Women Writers series — it was such an honor to talk with so many women that I admire!

But what takes the cake? The BEST THING EVER to happen this year? So About What I Said finally migrated to a self-hosted WordPress and now has its own blog domain — melissablakeblog.com, in case you still need to update your bookmarks! I’m still smiling every single time I log on and can’t believe I didn’t switch over soon…what was I waiting for?

Seriously, though, this blog wouldn’t be what it is in 2016 without all of you!!! I’m so grateful to have such loving, engaging, smart and funny readers — dare I say that I have the best readers in all of Blogland! So thanks for always being awesome and always making me smile!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday and relaxing new year! We’ll be back to regular posting on January 4th, complete with more of your favorite series and photos from our holiday hoopla! Thanks so much for reading and for all your support.

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin! See you there!! I love you, friends!! xoxo