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Thursday, December 22, 2016

Happy Holidays and Best of the Blog 2016

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…

Happy Holidays and Best of the Blog 2016I wrote more Letters To My Future Husband, on being a safe place to land, soulmates and not being fazed by my disability.Happy Holidays and Best of the Blog 2016Love Lounge posts, on topics like relationship trends, texting after midnight, types of crushes and being addicted to the chase.Happy Holidays and Best of the Blog 2016MEMO TO MEN posts, including musings on Lost Boys, disability questions to ask me and the Heart-Pumping Paradox.Happy Holidays and Best of the Blog 2016Disability 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!Happy Holidays and Best of the Blog 2016Fashion features, such as An Ode to Feminism, Polo Shirt Season 2016, birthstone rings and food-themed jewelry on Etsy!Happy Holidays and Best of the Blog 2016Beauty banter, like lip balm reviews, wise words and fall hair trends!Happy Holidays and Best of the Blog 2016
Dream Home posts, including this Swedish chapel, floor-to-ceiling wall murals, quirky planters, this house from the ’70s and indoor courtyards!Happy Holidays and Best of the Blog 2016Dream Vacation destinations, like Ms. Bear’s trip to NYC and fairy tale architecture!Happy Holidays and Best of the Blog 2016Family 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!Happy Holidays and Best of the Blog 2016Pop culture posts, including plenty of Etsy Love, musings on music and TV, searching for happiness and the Holiday Gift Guide 2016!Happy Holidays and Best of the Blog 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!

Happy Holidays and Best of the Blog 2016But 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

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3 Comments Filed Under: Blogging Club, holidays 2016

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Feeling Festive: 12 Holiday Pinterest Finds

Feeling Festive 12 Holiday Pinterest FindsHappy Winter Solstice! For the last few years, I’ve turned to Pinterest to mark the most important of holidays: Fourth of July, feel-good quotes, Easter, springtime, fall fun and, of course, Christmas! Needless to say, I’d rank pretty high on the Pinterest-Obsessed Scale, so let’s continue the tradition, shall we, friends? Here’s to feeling festive with these 12 holiday Pinterest finds, like some deliciously sweet wall decor…Feeling Festive 12 Holiday Pinterest Finds
Mini Christmas wreathsFeeling Festive 12 Holiday Pinterest Finds
Holiday decor at the front doorFeeling Festive 12 Holiday Pinterest Finds
Cozy coffee tableFeeling Festive 12 Holiday Pinterest Finds
Tiny snowman marshmallowsFeeling Festive 12 Holiday Pinterest Finds
Adorable reindeerFeeling Festive 12 Holiday Pinterest Finds
Jingle bell wrappingFeeling Festive 12 Holiday Pinterest Finds
Adorned doorwayFeeling Festive 12 Holiday Pinterest Finds
Mitten cookiesFeeling Festive 12 Holiday Pinterest Finds
Vintage carFeeling Festive 12 Holiday Pinterest Finds
Christmas tree farmFeeling Festive 12 Holiday Pinterest Finds
Winter wonderland

Be sure to follow my Winter Inspiration board on Pinterest for lots more holiday fun and joy! What’s YOUR favorite thing about winter, friends?? xoxo

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3 Comments Filed Under: holidays 2016, pinterest finds

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Family Photos: Our Christmas Tree

family photos our Christmas tree family photos our Christmas treeLast week, my mom came to you, friends, with a plea: To help us settle our grand Christmas Tree Debate this year. Why were we having such a hard time making a decision? I mean, we’ve already got a perfectly good tree in the basement; it’s the same tree we’ve decorated in our living room for the last decade. We should be set, right?

Wrong, apparently, because we were dragging our feet with putting up said tree. What was our problem? Then, my mom came home one night a couple weeks ago with a little tree in hand. She had grand plans to put it on her dresser in her bedroom, to give the room a little merry and bright holiday spirit. And, naturally, it worked. She transformed her room into a North Pole oasis that rivaled Santa’s village. After a long day, it was so nice and cozy to dim the lights and just bask in the glow of the tree! So we started thinking — well, not to be a credit-grabber, but I was the one who first raised the question: What if we got another tree like this instead of dragging the huge one up from the basement? Why haven’t we ever thought of this before? I mean, were we so afraid of any sort of change that we’d prefer to do something that brought us more stress than pure joy?

Maybe this was fate somehow stepping in to save the day? You know, at that moment when we least expected it. Maybe this small, short tree was our answer?

family photos our Christmas tree family photos our Christmas tree family photos our Christmas treeWe decorated the tree over the weekend — well, my mom decorated the tree while I watched and worked on some essay pitches — and decided the beautiful tree’s home would be on our kitchen table…AKA, my office!!! It’s the perfect spot, really. All day I can look at the tree, filled with family ornaments that tell our story over the years, and it makes me smile when I think of all the history on that 3-foot tree. It really is amazing, isn’t it?

family photos our Christmas tree family photos our Christmas treeAnd look…even Harry and Stella wanted to get in on the action! Both cats seem to like the tree and I’ve even caught them sitting under it a couple times.

As my mom said on Facebook…

Well, we did it! After much discussion, we have simplified…one small tree in my room and one small tree in the kitchen. Got out all our favorite ornaments, and of course, and my childhood manger scene, which has morphed into the 21st Century with three Mary figures, a Joseph, a Santa and a snowman! There is room at the Inn for all!

Indeed there is, Ms. Bear. Indeed there is!

family photos our Christmas tree family photos our Christmas treeHave you decorated your home for the holidays yet, friends? Do you look forward to this time of year? It sure does bring to mind so many memories from holidays past, doesn’t it? I’d love to see your house all decked out, so go ahead and tweet a pic — be sure to tag @melissablake and #SoAboutWhatISaid too! xoxo

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1 Comment Filed Under: family, family photos, holidays 2016

Monday, December 19, 2016

Family Photos: The Beauty of Snow Days!

Family Photos The Beauty of Snow Days Family Photos The Beauty of Snow DaysWe all thought it would be a typical Monday morning today. We’d been watching the weather reports over the weekend, as the temps dipped lower and lower, and my mom was hoping there would be a snow day. But, as her alarm blared at 5:45 a.m. with no call from school, our hopes seemed dashed. So there’s my mom, trudging out of bed to get ready for the day. Not 15 minutes later, as she’s practically all dressed and ready to go, I check my phone. Everyone on Facebook is proclaiming, “SNOW DAY!!” and sure enough, the call finally comes in…no school today!!

What do I do?? I roll over, pull the covers up over my head (did I mention lately just how freezing it’s been lately??) and start snoozing again; I mean, I already had a blog post scheduled and it was 6:30 in the morning — I bet that would be your natural impulse too, right?

Family Photos The Beauty of Snow Days Family Photos The Beauty of Snow Days Family Photos The Beauty of Snow DaysAnyway, my mom is nothing if not pragmatic. As she said, “I could never go back to sleep. I’m already up and dressed!” So while she and Janelle braved the cold to go to the Y for some morning exercise, I went right back to Dreamland. Luckily for me, though, my mom snapped some photos of the scene on the way home. These photos perfectly capture all the wintry days we’ve had so far this year. It’s been pretty, albeit cold and snowy

Besides, I much preferred to enjoy looking at these photos on her phone, in my bed, under my warm blankets. Add a cup of hot chocolate and I’d definitely be one happy camper! And turn on the fireplace while you’re at it and I’d practically be in heaven! Does that make me soft? Possibly, but I’d rather be warm and soft than cold any day of the week!

Family Photos The Beauty of Snow DaysAre you experiencing Old Man Winter too, friends? Maybe you’ve even got a snow day today…? If so, make sure you’re relaxing and enjoying yourself. Hope you enjoyed these photos and stay tuned — tomorrow, you’ll learn the fate of our Great Christmas Tree Debate! Fun times ahead…STAY WARM!! xoxo

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1 Comment Filed Under: family, family photos, holidays 2016

Monday, December 19, 2016

10 Holiday Mugs to Warm Your Soul

10 Holiday Mugs to Warm Your Soul 10 Holiday Mugs to Warm Your SoulWhat’s the weather like in your neck of the woods these days? We’re deep in the frigid tundra here in the Midwest. Why, hello, negative wind chills, it’s NOT nice to meet you. I don’t usually break into the hot chocolate (with extra marshmallows, of course!!) until at least Christmas — after all, I do have my rules, you know! But there’s snow on the ground and icicles hanging from the trees…so I think the time is now!! Don’t you agree? In the spirit of Winter Wonderlands everywhere, here are 10 holiday mugs to warm your soul, including these two adorable ones from MixMugs ($16 each)…

10 Holiday Mugs to Warm Your SoulA mug to describe your ideal Christmas morning, $20

10 Holiday Mugs to Warm Your Soul 10 Holiday Mugs to Warm Your Soul 10 Holiday Mugs to Warm Your SoulMugs in honor of your favorite holiday tunes, $16, $13 and $16.95

10 Holiday Mugs to Warm Your SoulA mug for family vacation memories, $15

10 Holiday Mugs to Warm Your SoulA mug to give you hope, $15

10 Holiday Mugs to Warm Your SoulA mug for your morning mantra, $16

10 Holiday Mugs to Warm Your SoulA mug to make you smile — and show off your mad skills, $16.99

What’s your favorite drink this time of year, friends? Hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows? Eggnog? Sweet punch? Straight black coffee? Whatever you fill your cup with, make sure it’s extra cheerful today!! xoxo

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Leave a Comment Filed Under: etsy love, food, holidays 2016

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So About What I Said is a daily blog that covers relationships, disabilities, lifestyle and pop culture. I love to laugh and have been known to overshare. I also have an unabashed obsession with pop music, polo shirts, and PEZ dispensers. Read more...

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