My Two Year Blogiversary!

~ stashy

My blog turns TWO today!
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I really hope it doesn’t go through a phase of terrible twos… 😉

I just noticed that WordPress didn’t release an annual report with stats like they did last year – ah well, it’s probably just as well since I’m trying to get away from all the numbers. It just breeds comparisons – we’re all here to blog and oogle at makeup, amirite? 😛

But, I would like to list the posts that were the most popular on the blog that were posted in 2016:

MAC Finally Free Lipstick
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Essie Gel Couture Pinned Up & Top Coat
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Japanese Makeup Haul!
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I Bought a Few Things off AliExpress
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MAC Masterclass Oval 6 Brush
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If you asked me to guess which were my most popular posts without looking at the stats, I would maybe guess 2 of these correctly!  It’s so fascinating to me what posts turn out to be the most popular – there’s no science behind this, that’s for sure! 😛 My blog grew by more than 3x in page views from last year, which surprised me – I thought it would be 2x since it was the 2nd year. A big portion of my site hits were from strangers finding my blog through searches – pretty neat.

And here are some highlights relating to the blog from 2016:

• Improved my photography (got a new camera and added lighting) – they’re subtle differences but just looking at my Trash Stash posts from January vs December, it’s noticeable. Here’s January 2016:

trash201601_2
Dang, I used up a lot in January!

And here’s December 2016:
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It’s brighter and the image is more crisp. 🙂

• Got my own domain / upgraded to Premium: besides not having the “wordpress.com” after “stashmatters” there weren’t that many enhancements in the switch. I got to choose my own font. And got more storage space.

• Engaged brands: most notably I was approached my MUJI to attend a few of their open houses. They’re such a great brand and amazing to work with!
muji_skincare_2016_1
I did a total of 3 brand engagements last year and that was a great start for me.

• Expand topics: I posted a few posts on my travels, which were well-received. 😀

• More active on social media activities: I made a concerted effort to post on Instagram regularly. And, I think I’ve finally gotten the hang of Twitter from all the Twitter parties! 😉  Which brings me to…
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• Beauty Podcast: I became Robin to Cat’s Batman over at the MyLipAddiction Beauty Podcast! I’m really digging the tights and cape. Cat said it was mandatory attire. 😉

• Met more bloggers! this was unplanned but a nice side effect to being more “out there” this year. 😎

When I review my goals from last year, I actually achieved everything I set out to do! 😀

And since I’m goal oriented, here are more things I’d like to accomplish in 2017 on the blog:

• Organize header / menu: I’ve been putting off doing this because I can’t decide the categories that should go up there. I might revamp the blog layout – might – but I don’t want to pay too much for a theme.

• Do a bunch of Megaposts. I did one in 2015 (Illamasqua Nail Varnish Megapost) and have been meaning to do more.
Illamasqua_mega1
Top of the list: Essie polish collection (and other brands), eye shadow collection by brand (or colour family?), blush swatches, brand focus… these take time and I’m going to put more effort into them.

• Work that Pinterest. I’m going to retroactively pin all my photos on Pinterest. Have you noticed when you do an image search, the majority of the results are from Pinterest? It makes sense to get exposure there.

• Attend a Beauty Event. Maybe? I am still unsure about this! I like being behind-the-scenes / low key but these events seem like fun. And they often serve food. And usually it’s breakfast. You know I’m a sucker for breakfast foods. 😉
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• Continue to expand topics. I mentioned that I’d post more about fashion and crafts last year but I didn’t do much of those. I’ve got a few knitting products on the go right now, and I plan to post about them.

This blog is a fun hobby for me, but interacting with all of you have made it much more than just some online place for me to post about makeup. I still can’t believe that real, off-line friendships have formed through blogging about eye shadows and facial oils – it’s a bit crazy to ponder, isn’t it! So thank you, THANK YOU, for reading and commenting. It’s been just “tremendous”. XD ❤

Here are my social media if you haven’t connected with me yet:
instagram twitter googleplus facebook bloglovin pinterest

You’ll want to keep your eyes peeled here since I’m one of those people who like to express thanks through giving stuff away – it’s just how I am, ok? I’m just waiting for a Sephora order.  *shakes fist at slow delivery* ^^’

113 thoughts on “My Two Year Blogiversary!”

  3. Happy 2 years stashy! Well done on all your achievements from 2016! I would totally love to see an Essie collection post this year 🙂 I am so with you on Pinterest too, I have abandoned it for so long but it helps generate a lot of exposure!

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    1. Thanks for your support of the blog over the years, Lauren!
      I still haven’t really figured out Pinterest but I figured I will just need to do TRY it and I can always delete / redo if need be.
      I can’t wait to get started on the Essie collection post! 🙂

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  6. Congrats on the big 2!! Your blog has been consistently great and I especially look forward to the megaposts, so bring them on! 😀

    I’ve definitely been trying to use Pinterest more for my blog, as well. I use Pinterest all the time for other stuff, so it was silly that I wasn’t using it for the blog more.

    To many more years!

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    1. Thanks!!! You are the inspiration behind the Megaposts! 😀 So much effort but a great way to catelogue everything.
      All my friends use Pinterest for recipes and home decor… I am still trying to navigate through the boards and such… trial and error, I’m sure.

      Thanks for all your support over the years!

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  7. UM omg xo so happy for You xo
    and more social media
    and MUJI
    AND JAPAN XO
    AND ALL THE NEW FRIENDSHIPS
    AND the lips …Lol
    Happy 2 years – #YouareMyJoy xoxox #cheezecheezecheeze
    xoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

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    1. Aw thanks so much for saying that! I suppose we’re all our worst critics. I sometimes think about re-photographing some of my old photos. But it’s good to see progress / improvements! 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much! Yes, I didn’t think my older photos from January were that different until I saw them side by side. Progress is always a good thing. 🙂

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  14. Wow sounds amazing!! Happy 2 years of blogging and growing! I really admire you and your blogging and passion for it! I don’t know your voice but you’ve a great way of writing, your writing is very personal and it feels like you read it with your “voice” if that makes sense.
    Continue like that! Xoxo

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    1. Thanks so much! 😀 I have asked my real life friends and they say that I come across as “me” on the blog so that’s really good feedback! For me, it’s impossible to pretend to be something I’m not – too much effort! 🙂 Thanks for all your support!

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  17. Happy blogiversary! I’ve been thinking of getting into Pinterest but not sure whether to with the time it takes. Yay for people finding your posts from searches, it’s always fun to see how people find a post and I’m already surprised at which ones do the best on my site when it comes to older posts still getting views. Only found you recently but looking forward to reading your posts this year 😀

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    1. I’m not sure what Pinterest entails – I’d have to go slowly… I heard it’s addictive!
      Yes, my most popular post of ALL time was from my first year, on transitional eye shadows. I would have never ever expected that!
      Curious – how DID you come across my blog? I always wonder. Usually I find new blogs through people’s comment section, myself.

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      1. I don’t know much about it but so many images seem to come from there when I search and a few people find one me of my posts sometimes according to WordPress through there as someone pinned it so it seems a good thing to look into. It is funny the ones that pop up as the most viewed. Mine’s an early one too and I sometimes wish it wasn’t as it doesn’t have the best pictures and is probably full of typos! I’m.tempted to edit it but as it’s nearly two years old now I’m not sure I should. I think I found you on Instagram and then followed the link here. The comments section sounds a good place to find people too, I never know where to look but have started searching a bit more recently.

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  21. Happy blogiversary! Congratulations on reaching 2 years! I love your blog posts and I can’t wait to see what 2017 brings you in your third year! 🙂 xx

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  22. Yay, happy Blogiversary!! Your blog is a full-fledged toddler now!

    I was disappointed that WordPress didn’t do an annual report of stats this year. I started blogging so late in 2015 that my 2015 stats didn’t really do anything, but it would have been interesting for me to see a full year of stats.

    It’s so great to hear that you’ve met a few of your goals! Fantastic job with improving your photos. That’s something I’m still trying to work on.

    Oooh, love the idea of you doing megaposts. That Illamasqua nail varnish post is such eye candy! I like the idea of you doing posts by colour, but of course by brand would be super helpful as well! Hmm, putting all of your photos on Pinterest is a GREAT idea! I should do that too…

    So looking forward to another year of reading your blog!

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    1. Haha yes, full-fledged toddler! XD

      Yeah, part of me wished there was the annual report so I didn’t have to do any work to get the stats for 2016. You can still create your own “report” using your stats…

      I’m still torn about whether to do swatches by colour or by brand… it could be argued either way. Or, maybe I could do BOTH… haha, I’m too ambitious!

      Do you use Pinterest? For your wedding planning? I still don’t know my way around…

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      1. Yes, I thought the same thing about creating my own “report” from the stats. Maybe I’ll give that a try this weekend!

        I think both would be good ways to organize the posts, but by brand would be more searchable. I feel like more people search up, for example “Becca products” than they would “purple makeup products”, you know?

        Oh my goodness, I LOVE PINTEREST. I used to spend hours pinning stuff, but not as much anymore. Let’s be honest here, I pinned wedding stuff before we were even engaged LOL. I pin child-related stuff for the children we may or may not ever have. I pin recipes for dinner parties we’ll never host *is crazy*

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  23. Happy blog birthday thing… ummm… yeah. 😂

    My blog turns 3 in April or May. Crazy!

    I’d love to attend a beauty event but none come around here and I can’t afford to fly to LA or NY for IMATS or BeautyCon or any of that. WHY CAN’T ONE COME TO FL ONE YEAR?! And not Miami! Tampa or Orlando would be a great location! Ugh.

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    1. See, I really should take advantage of all the makeup shows that happen here. IMATS, Generation Beauty etc all come to Toronto – so easily accessible to me! I hope they bring one to Tampa or Orlando!

      It’s kind of crazy how quickly time flies…

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  28. Well done and congrats on 2 years Stashy.
    You are doing sooo well with your blog. It’s really inspiring. You put so much effort into your blog and it really shows.
    Your photography is looking so good these days! I need to up my game there. Same with Twitter. I’m hoping this is the year I engage more with it.

    Can’t wait for your next giveaway!

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    1. Thank you for all your support! You were there from day 1 when you were known as other names! 😉
      Re: photography. I always wonder if I should try to do more of those popular “flat lays” or use props in my photos but they look too “editorial” to me.
      Twitter isn’t my favourite simply because of how fast-paced it is. But it can be good for having conversations with others.
      Giveaway coming soon…

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      1. Thanks☺ it’s always touch and go for me with blogging..I either run out of things to say or I’m too busy and give it up for a awhile… but now that I’ll be home for a year it’s baby, I’ve found a little time to read and write a little.

        You e accomplished so much this past year! Amazing!!

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    1. I always think in the world of blogging – the 3 year milestone means you’ve MADE IT. Lots of blogs putter out between 1 and 3 yr mark. 😛
      Just this morning I was thinking I should really start sorting through my nail polishes. The challenge with doing brand specific megaposts is that my polishes are organized by colour family, not by brand. Lots of sorting through!

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  37. I’m so excited to see the changes you have planned! I’ve got a lot of similar goals (like expanding topics and getting my layout/design/sidebar organized and snazzy looking). And I’m super excited about the megaposts, haha. I’d also like to attend a beauty event but I don’t think it will happen this year. Too many financial goals, but definitely in 2018! I hope you get to achieve ALL of your goals by your 3 year! And happy blog birthday!

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    1. Um girl, don’t you update your blog layout every other month! 😆
      Thanks so much for all the support over the years Kaily! You’ve been there since the beginning! 😀

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      1. I’ll have you know it was so last year 😛 This is different though. I actually paid for this layout, haha. And of course! I love you and your blog and I appreciate all of your support as well 😀

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      1. You’re welcome! 😊 I’m glad to be blogging again, even if it’s not as much as I used to. I have my good and my bad days. I’ve had a bit more pain these past few days, so I’ve just been resting up. ❤

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  43. Pingback: Some of Stashy’s Favourite Things GIVEAWAY! | stash matters
  46. Pingback: My Three Year Blogiversary! (+ Announcement) | stash matters

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