Thanks for joining me today as I celebrate three years of blogging. It's been great, made all the more special by your participation, be it with your comments, emails or silent readership - it's all been very welcome, so thank-you!
What finer place is there for me to spend my anniversary than on one of my favourite beaches here on Samson. Everyone loves to get away from it all and this is where Steve and I like to chill.
To be perfectly honest, I wasn't really sure if I'd make it to three years. Blogging is a funny old game, quite lonely at times as you sit facing the screen, wondering what to write that might keep your audience engaged. Sometimes the words flow, especially if there's been something exciting to share, but at other times I really do feel I'm scraping the bottom of the creative barrel.
At those times, I think of my dear friend Carole who lives in Oxford and who used to holiday here on the island for many years. We became friends during that time and still are now. When I get stuck with what to say I think of her and how pleased she is to still have contact with me through the blog; seeing my swimming antics, my colourful outfits and of course, the beautiful island I live on. So this one is for you Carole. As you no doubt know, I've just returned from a dental appointment on the mainland and have had no time to put together a fancy shmansy anniversary post, but I do know you'll be delighted to see this glorious backdrop and the happy memories it evokes of your and Nick's time spent here.
Carole used to holiday with her best friend Teddy and therefore I can't mention one without the other. Teddy laughs that her job entails her wearing scrubs all day and yet how coming home to see the latest from Tresco's fashion scene has her captivated. Not one for dressing up, Teddy still loves to share in the often over the top, flamboyant ensembles that I wear. I think maybe that could be one of the strengths of my blog - we all need a bit of a escapism.
And if I'm doing name checks today, then I must mention Angela, another long term friend who visits and keeps abreast of things thanks to the blog. Her entire year is a countdown to the next trip for her week's timeshare. These islands have a lure, a heartfelt attraction that keeps her and those like her in this state of addiction. Worry ye not Angela, all is well here and I'm looking forward to seeing you in September!
The outfit seems to have become a secondary feature today - the top was from New Look last summer and the skirt is another ancient piece that has no label to ID it.
More and more I see the blog as an avenue to build relationships, and all because of my wish to share this island life. Sometimes my life is too hectic and draws me away from the blog, but the way I look at it, is that I'll have something more to talk about when I return. And talking of returning, I have returned from Truro with some new clothes which I'll share with you in due course. Primark came up trumps with a rather fab pair of striped culottes for the summer in a nautical theme. And yes, I did a quick scour of my favourite charity shops too resulting in some fabulous bargains. Be patient my lovelies - you'll see these all soon.
In the meantime, I'll be found (in reality, not on the blog) at our local "Fun Day" on Sunday where I'll be hosting the Cheap Chic stall as I recycle lots of my clothes as well as those from many others on the island. And on Monday it'll be time for the monthly challenge from the Style Not Age collective. I've still to get my offering photographed, so on that note I must leave you.
Thanks again to everyone who reads this and for making my three years of blogging worthwhile.
Anna x
Congratulations Anna. I will be three years in July..or rather the blog will be and I do not know where the time has gone. I agree the blog has provided me with many new friends, a few I have met and I look forward to meeting you soon xxxx
ReplyDeleteI'm catching up on all my comments today - Blogger changed my settings and I didn't realise that what was why I wan't getting any notices about comments!!!!
DeleteAnyway, hurrah for us and our three years. It's a lovely way to meet friends as we already have a common love of clothes which isn't a bad foundation for a friendship eh? And yes, I do hope that we can meet up maybe later this year.
Have a great week!
Anna x
Congratulations on your 3rd year of blogging. I always enjoy your blog and seeing your colourful outfits and of course your wonderful islands!
ReplyDeleteI'm still blogging btw and my three year anniversary is November...
Good luck on your Fund Day stall - hope you make loads of money!
xxxx
Thanks for that Vronni. And thank you too for telling me that you're back in the loop - I thought you were still taking a blogging break. I'll hop over to say Hi soon!
DeleteThe stall was a resounding success, thanks!
Anna x
Already???
ReplyDeleteBlimey!!!!
It's been fun hasn't it?
Keep Blogging Baby :oP
XXX
Samantha
You must be coming up to your 3rd anniversary too, eh?
DeleteYep, keep on blogging baby!
Anna x
I hope we all get to enjoy more years of your blog and fantastic outfits!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Nancy. It's been great and so lovely to have all of these comments in response to this post today.
DeleteAnna x
Happy Blogversary!
ReplyDeleteThe colours in these photos are super saturated. It looks almost tropical.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Thanks so much Suzannne. My camera is bit funny at the moment and does seem to vary from shot to shot but none of these have been tweaked - the islands were looking pretty tropical in the sunshine that day.
DeleteAnna x
That little white, floral, lacy top is such a pretty feminine topper for that happy, bright orange, embroidered skirt. The backdrop of the sunny blue sky makes you POP against it and the entire scene screams summer. I can feel the ocean breezes as they toss your skirt and hair about.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine not following your island life Anna. I hadn't realized that I've been following you for much of your blogging career. You don't need flamboyant material to keep me interested in knowing what you're thinking and doing and what you love wearing. You haven't talked about your swimming for quite awhile and I do miss that.
Dearest Jude, I love that you've been following me for so long, as we really do feel like friends and I often wonder where you are if you don't comment. Talking of which my late responses are down to Blogger changing my settings and me not realising, doh! Anyway, I so grateful for your input and honest feedback. You have a treat in store as I have a lovely swimming feature coming up soon - I'm just waiting from some additional material from another source ...
DeleteHave a lovely day!
Anna x
Congratulations! I could relate to your words in so many ways, especially what to write about when there has been nothing exciting happening. I always just think of what I like to learn from other bloggers and so just write about some of the mundane things. We come to this place to hear and see you but you're quite right that I love seeing the exuberant outfits too! Here's to three more years! xx Julia
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this Julia. I think you're so right about just writing about the mundane things - it's just about hooking up to see what's going on isn't it? I never know which is more important - the chat or the outfits? I try hard with both, as I'm sure you know!
DeleteEnjoy your day!
Anna x
Congratulations on three years of blogging! Love your vibrant skirt and lacy top! xxx
ReplyDeleteThank so much Ann. Hurrah for my three years of making friends!
DeleteHave a lovely day!
Anna x
Happy 3rd Blogoversary, Anna! Congratulations on lasting - not everyone does, and every milestone deserves celebrating! You're so right about our friends and loved ones being able to stay in touch with us due to our blogs - we're practically a public service (snort)! Escapism, too - our readers like to see something that they don't wear, or might aspire to wear! Love your bright and summery outfit, and loving the sight of these beautiful beaches.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Sheila. It feels like I've become part of another community and one that has enriched my life enormously, thanks to the likes of you and the others who have welcomed me into the fold. My family keep abreast of all of my movements through the blog and as such I never have much news to share with them hahaha! Thanks for your support as always!
DeleteHave a great day!
Anna x
Happy anniversary Anna, well done! I somehow managed to miss my second year anniversary!! Too caught up in blogging lol! Thanks for sharing and I love the outfit too. x Jacqui Mummabstylish
ReplyDeleteThat's hilarious Jacqui! Me on the other hand, I wondered if I just shouldn't bother posting this one as I felt I hadn't made enough effort, but hey you've all proved me wrong!
DeleteIt's lovely to have made friends through this wonderful medium and I'm looking forward to a meet up again this year hopefully!
Anna x
I could swear that I commented on this post! :-(
ReplyDeleteThis lacy t-shirt is so gorgeous!! The pattern in the lace is very unique and I LOVE the contradiction of a good ol' t-shirt done up in feminine lace. You know that I'm always on board for orange and you've delighted me with it often! The layers in the skirt and the beloved (for me) embroidery makes me want to travel to Scilly and snatch it from your closet!!
Yes you did sweetie! Hope I've swept the gremlins out of the system for good now!
DeleteAnna x
Congratulations, sweet Anna. I'm so with you on the relationships aspect of blogging. Love your chosen outfit and location. Yay!! Hugs, c.
ReplyDeleteThank so much Mary! We're very lucky indeed to have stumbled into this other life with the abundance of friends it brings.
DeleteYay!
Anna x
Belated congratulations, dear lady, and thanks for sharing your colorful style, your fabulous attitude, your beautiful island!. Lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteI do love these pictures of you looking so fab at the beach, so lovely smile and so lovely orange skirt!
besos
It's never too late to say all of these lovely things Monica! I'm thrilled that so many of you have stepped forward to leave these valued comments on the blog. It means so much to me to have this feedback - otherwise it would be as quiet as a one handed applause!
DeleteHave a lovely day!
Anna x