The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Whew! We made it through 2014! It really has been quite a year. Though this has been the toughest year I’ve ever had physically, it has also been one of the most enjoyable years I’ve ever had personally, and definitely the most exciting year I’ve ever had professionally. (Did I just call myself a professional blogger? Maybe? Eeek!)

I still definitely have a lot to learn, but it was fun to enter my second year of blogging and actually feel like I had a small clue of what what I was doing. Blogging was also a blast this year because I felt like it was more done in community! I love working with and getting to know other bloggers and while much of this is done virtually, I did have a few chances to hang out with my bloggy friends in person this year too, which was ah- mazing! And speaking of my bloggy friends, some of them are sharing their “best of” posts today as well, so be sure to check out their links at the end of this post! {AND there might just be an exciting little announcement too! 😉 }

So what happened this year at Just a Girl and Her Blog? Let’s take a walk down memory lane…

January

The year started off with a bang, with three posts in January that took off and stayed popular throughout the year. My super simple Baby Shower Centerpieces were a hit on Pinterest, racking up almost 22,000 pins to date.

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Our Home Binder and Budget Binder (both with free printables!) are both still in my top ten list for traffic daily after almost a year. I guess people really love printables!

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

February

February was the month where I felt like my little hobby blog became a business, thanks to a post written by my oh-so-brilliant hubby. He wrote a post about the system our family uses to maintain a paperless home, and not only is it still one of our most viewed posts to date, it also proved to us that we could actually make money through this whole blogging thing (which you can read about in this post if you’re interested).

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

I also created one of my all-time favorite projects in February, our bold and blue dresser-to-TV stand. It started out pretty rough, but I think it is my very favorite piece in our entire home.

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

March

With March came the start of two major projects. After our “aha” moment in February we started treating this little blog more like a business, and in March I started work on what would become my first eBook, Building a Framework: Everything I Learned My First Year of Blogging.

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

I also began to plan out my Fabulously Feminine Home Office, which would become my most favorite room in our house.

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

April

April was spent hard at work on my aforementioned office, with tons of big and small projects to keep us busy! The most popular tutorial to come of this makeover was the one on adding crown molding to plain bookshelves. It was such a simple project, but it really made a BIG impact!

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

In not too long it was time for the *big reveal* of my Fabulously Feminine Home Office and I could not have been more thrilled with how this space turned out. It is the perfect space for me to be able to work and do craft projects, and did I mention it’s pretty too? I kinda love it. 🙂

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

May

In May I broke all the rules and talked about money– more specifically, some of the things we do to make life work on one income. I don’t know that I have ever been so nervous to hit “Publish” on a post. I thought you guys might hate it and kick me out of the blogosphere, but not only were you your completely sweet selves, this post took off and is still one of my most visited posts of the year!

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

June

June was a super duper exciting month around here. Not only did I turn 29 for the second time 😉 but I also PUBLISHED my eBook Building a Framework!

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

You guys totally rocked my world with your support of this eBook, and it truly was one of the biggest highlights of my entire year. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your complete and total awesomeness! <3

July

Oh, July. You were so bittersweet. Firstly, I was *beyond* excited to attend the Haven blogging conference and get to hang out with some of my bloggy besties that I had never met in person until that weekend. So. much. fun!!!

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Haven was also my kind of “last hurrah” before probably the biggest event of my year. It was a non-blogging event, but it affected my whole life, including my blog, so I figured it should be included here. At the end of July I had a double mastectomy and reconstruction due to a genetic mutation (BRCA1) that I found out I had 10 years ago. {You can read my full BRCA story here and my surgery recap here.} I knew it was coming. I was prepared for it as much as I possibly could be. But it still pretty much brought my world to a stand-still while I adjusted and recovered.

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

You all totally blew my mind with your support while I was going through this time– I have never felt so loved! Thank you!! I was also thankful to have so many good friends who were willing to provide amazing guest posts for my blog while I was out of commission, and I am SO grateful to them for that!

August

August was mostly filled with guest posts around here as I was still recovering, but I did manage to pull off one little room reveal, thanks to my handy hubby who did just about all of the work. 🙂 Our master bathroom was a small, dingy, uninviting space until he got his hands on it, ripped it all apart, and rebuilt it from the studs up. The end result was incredible, and I have to give Donnie major props for his handiwork!

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

September

I was back in full-on blogging mode by September and was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet up with even more bloggy friends when I headed out to California to celebrate the launch of Behr’s Marquee paint. It was a whirlwind trip, but it was a blast and I learned SO much.

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

My most popular post in September was my 2015 free printable calendar– if you haven’t snagged yours yet, grab it here!

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

October

In October I really focused in on the core habits and routines that make life run more smoothly in my 31 Days to an Intentional Life series. A few posts from that series that readers seem to be coming back to again and again are My Secret to Getting Things Done and Accomplishing Goals

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

…and 10 Simple Habits that Will Help You Stay Organized.

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

I also managed to squeeze in a chic little white and gold dresser makeover in October, which I’m still loving!

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

November

November brought a revamped Budget Binder with even more goodies to help people save more money this year…

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

…and some simple monogrammed Christmas ornaments! {Because everything is better with a monogram, right?! 😉 }

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

December

And finally, December! It’s hard to tell which posts will take off from this month since it just happened, but so far this little console table makeover seems to be in the running…

The Best of Just a Girl and Her Blog 2014 | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

And I LOVED being able to share some gorgeous photos from my sister’s recent wedding!

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

{Photo by the oh-so-talented elle & arre photography}

What a year! There were ups, there were downs, but I seriously wouldn’t trade any of it for the world because it has been such an amazing ride and I feel like I have learned so much, probably more than in any other year of my life. Thank you all SO much for being a part of it and for being so supportive and encouraging through everything. You guys rock!

Thank you so much for joining me on this awesome journey this year! Here’s to an even better 2015!!

Delightful Sign Off

15 Comments

  1. Kim@NewlyWoodwards says:

    What a FULL year! So many projects I missed the first time around. Going to check them out now.

    Congrats on your new e-book. What a great way to start the new year!

    It was wonderful to meet you this year and follow along on your projects and adventures.

  2. Krista @ the happy housie says:

    Abby your ability to be organized and sharing that with your readers always completely floors me! I need to get just a little bit more of that in my life:) What a truly amazing year for you- and so glad that you have recovered so well from the more difficult parts of it. I can’t wait to see what else you have to share with us in 2015:)

  3. Jen @ Migonis Home says:

    What a dynamite year for you! My favorites are definitely the furniture reveals and love that you shared some of your personal life through the surgery and your budget posts.
    Thank you so much for putting together this blog hop! 🙂

  4. Emily @ My Love for Words says:

    What an eventful year! I’m so impressed by how transparent you’ve been regarding your surgery and happy to see the good far outweighed the bad. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2015 has in store for you. Happy New Year! 🙂

  5. Lon Phillips says:

    Sorry to hear about your ‘problem’. I had a stroe in ’93 (MUCH better now!) so I know a little of what you had the go through. You sound your normal ebbulient self! Hooray!

  6. Sarah @ Life On Virginia Street says:

    2014 was definitely your year and I am so proud to call you a friend! You are talented in an insane amount of areas but I love how humble and sweet you still are. I wish you continued success with your blog, book and life in 2015. Blessing to you and your cute family Abby and I hope we see each other again soon! xoxo

  7. April Hoff says:

    Loved all of your posts, but that office makeover wash sweeeeet! I loved getting to meet you at Haven, and I’m so glad that your surgery went off without a hitch! Here’s to another great year in 2015! xo

  8. What a year, Abby! Love you and your blog, and can’t wait to see more in 2015!! Happy NeW year!

    XO,
    Katie

  9. Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness says:

    Wow! Your 2014 was a great year indeed!! Your home office is my favorite, and turned out SO beautiful! Though you had a rough couple of months with your surgery, I’d say you year is definitely one for the books! 🙂 Blessings to you in 2015!!

  10. Cat @ therusticwillow says:

    What a rockstar year! Your blogging abilities and determination always motivate me, and I hope 2015 is a great blogging year for us all. Keep pumping out those awesome e-books too 🙂

  11. Wow, you’ve had an amazing year, Abby, and also been through so much. So glad we got to meet this year.
    Hugs, Jamie

  12. Finding your blog was the best thing to happen to me yet this year! 😉 Okay, so a little tongue-in-cheek, but seriously, your blog is chock-full of resources that are helping do some goal-setting and organizing to help get our family’s year off to a great start. Happy 2015!! (and thank you!!)

  13. SO many wonderful things happened this year! I’m a little biased but I especially loved your visit to CA 🙂 I can’t wait to snag your organization printables because if there is one thing I need in my life, it’s organization and I think you’ve got it down!! Hugs friend!! xo

  14. What a year you had! How in the world did you bounce back so quick from your major surgery? You’re an inspiration to any woman! Your DH has to be the luckiest guy alive..and a very special person. I love your blog and I printed off your 2015 monthly calendars and put them in a notebook. Went to Staples back in November and found a planner I liked, but didn’t buy it then..mistake#1. Jan 2nd..went to look for it again..out of stock. Yours fits my notebook perfectly..Thank You..I wanted to tell you how much I love all the projects you did for your home. Does it stay that perfect all the time? Beautifully done..
    Had computer problems at Thanksgiving and Christmas weekends..my kids and grandchildren are trying to encourage me to buy myself a laptop. Is that an Apple brand you are using? I am not comfortable typing on a laptop but it would offer me more space, and wireless, no mess of cable wires to deal with(that’s what I’ve been told). but I have to have a printer. I can’t function without a printer. Do you have one hooked up to yours?

    Your sons are so photogenic. Love the picture of them and you in the hospital room. So adorable..

    I wish for you a healthy and prosperous and happy New Year! Thanks for your wonderful blog..so full of inspiration in so many ways. I just signed up to be a subscriber and look forward to this year with you and your blog.

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