Well it's 31st December and another year is coming to a rapid close. It's that time to reflect again isn't it and look back at the good, the bad and the ugly. I'm gonna leave the bad and the ugly out of this one and just talk about the good things that have come my way because of blogging. And that's friends. Whether they be virtual or real friends, they're my friends. My family often joke that I have 'pretend' friends, the ones who are not really there and ones I will never see in person. Yes, they are my online friends but that doesn't mean they're not around to listen and offer advice.
Some help me in so many ways without even knowing it, spreading their happiness and positivity around the inter-web, carrying me along and building me up on the days when I may be struggling a little bit. So many will chat and be happy to help and offer advice or just a kind word when it's needed. It could be blog related or personal, it really doesn't matter.
I also love the fact that some of you out there write very personal posts, a cathartic and healing process in itself I guess, maybe about illness, a love life or the ups and downs of life in general, but there is no doubt in my mind that others sharing their feelings in this way can help others that may find themselves in a similar situation.
Yes, okay so there are the negative Nessies out there, always will be, who are only too happy to rain on your parade or kick you when you're down. The nasty comments, the bitchiness that is often felt, well, it's downright hurtful and you nasty pieces of work should engage your brain (if you have one) before you go on and hurt someones feelings. Personally I think it all stems from jealousy! BUT putting that tiny bit of negativity aside, the support the blogging community offers to one another is invaluable whether it's virtual or whether we do get the chance to meet in person.
So yeah, I have a lot of 'virtual' friends but I've now gained a little circle of special local to me blogger friends too. There's now quite a few of us Leicestershire bloggers and over this last year we've gotten to know each other a lot more. We've attended lots of events together and had tonnes of fun and naturally other smaller groups have formed within our circle, going out on days/nights out, but that's okay, no actually it's bloody fabulous because long lasting friendships have been formed, and we all come back together as a group at other times. I need to say something at this point as well. At the beginning, when we all first started to come together I worried I wouldn't fit in quite as well as the others. You see, I'm a lot older than most of the girls in our blogger gang, old enough to be mother to some, (she says in a low whisper) but do you know what, I've never, not once, felt the odd one out. I was made to feel part of the newly formed group right from that first meeting at a Lush event. When we're together we have a really good giggle, I'm still 21 at heart and as nutty as them (or maybe worse???!!!-don't answer that girls) and it works. I know some other older blogger who often say they don't have any connection with their local 'young' blogger scene. I'm very fortunate.
We're a supportive bunch too. Helping each other with fashion shoots (Kirstie), offering blog advice, sharing blog posts, offering hot tips on where to eat (thanks Laura) and retweeting and retweeting.
We all encourage, support and inspire each other in many ways. It makes my day when I get a lovely positive comment from anyone, but especially from one in our gang, like if my photography is particularly on point or something, it truly makes my day!
So without further ado let me give a HUGE shoutout to my REAL blogger gal pals, sadly we don't have any boys yet, keep trying to persuade Mr C but he's having none of it.
Lianne - The Brunette Says
Kirstie - Behind the Scent
Emmie - Carpe Diem Emmie
Laura - Extreme Housewifery
Radhika -Radhika Recommends
Annie - Tales of Annie Bean
Hollie -Hollie Rose Blog
Charlotte -Shoestring Chic
Izzy -A Dose of Chatter
Tiff -Frost in Space
Amy -Amy Elizabeth Porter
Steph -FAIINT
Nancy -Sugar Darling?
Gabby(our fab local PR) - Cool as Leicester
There are other local bloggers too that I haven't had the pleasure of meeting-Yet.
Another shoutout goes to this little group of bloggers that are not local but I've had the pleasure to meet. All wonderful women and totally inspiring to me in very different ways.
Kara- Spread the Sparkle
Jemma- Twinkles and More
Lauretta- Home and Horizon
Rosie -Freycob
Diane -Studio Nailz and Beauty
Finally, a mention to these gorgeous lovelies whom I chat to a lot. It is my mission to meet you beauties in person in 2017, I feel we have a lot in common, wanna dance whilst drinking Baileys Tracey?!
Tracey - The Naughty Forty Diaries
Caroline -Caroline Elgey-White
And a very special mention goes to my At-The-Moment-Pretend-Friend, Heather from Suncream & Sparkles, soon to be real life in person very good friend.
I've been chatting to Heather for what seems like forever, first when she lived in the UAE, then when she moved back to the UK, then when she moved to Spain, back to the UK again, and now in between Spain and the UK. Wow, yeah, she gets about a lot! Heather and I are so alike and hit it off pretty much straight away and know our chaps will get on too. We've tried so many times to hook up but for whatever reason it's not happened. YET. IT WILL HAPPEN IN 2017 and I know for sure we'll drink and laugh from beginning to end.
If I've missed anyone out I apologise a million times, but my excuse will be that I'm suffering with a cold and my brain feels like mush :( You can give me a virtual slap if you like!!!
There are so many bloggers out there, that I read, watch or interact with that inspire me immensely, you are all totally and utterly fabulous but I can't finish without thanking all that read my blog. I LOVE YOU ALL.
We've all rocked 2016, now let's go kick ass all the way through 2017!!!
You ready?
You are honestly one of the most lovely people in our group Steph, you'd go out of your way for any of us and I definitely feel like you've brought the best out of us (probably more drinking habits in the process too!) I'm so glad that you feel like we've made you feel comfortable, and despite your age you definitely live your life harder than anyone else I know.
ReplyDeleteHave an amazing 2017 lovely!
Emmie | www.carpediememmie.co.uk
Thanks Emmie, that means a lot! Don't try and blame your drinking habits on me, ha ha ! xx
DeleteAw this was the loveliest post ever!!! Thanks for the shout out :) so glad we have our fab local blogging gang, hope it grows even more next year!
ReplyDeleteLots of love
Izzy ❤️ | www.ADoseOfChatter.com
You're welcome Izzy, we all make a great team! x
DeleteThat a super post - full of positivity and cheer for friendships of all kinds. Wishing you every success in your blog for 2017 Stephanie - you are a genuinely lovely person and anyone would be happy to have you as their friend - I just wished I lived a bit closer to you!! Have a super New Year and thank you to the shout out! xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Lauretta that is such a lovely comment, made my day reading it. Hope to see you again very soon. xx
DeleteI am honoured to get a mention in this very lovely post. I think I'm blushing.
ReplyDeleteHave a very merry New Year - if you need some tips about where to head out this evening just let me know. I am the Leicester food and drink directory lol. But what else is there in life?
Happy New Year Laura. Know we can always rely on you to guide us to the best places! x
DeleteThis is just the cutest post babe! It's amazing how so many people I barely knew this time last year have become such great friends. I hope we have many a cocktail-fuelled evening in 2017! Mr C should be happy hanging with us wonderful people, we're better than the boys anyway ;) xxxx
ReplyDeleteWe certainly are better than the boys and heres to ALL the cocktails in 2017!!!! :)
DeleteSuch a cute post babe! Cant believe how many people who have all met this year! Thank you so much. Im so glad i got to meet you to xxxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy, here's to 2017 x
DeleteOh Steph this is lovely, I know what you mean when people say pretend friends! And I do think we are a close knit group, I've only recently joined and I've shared a Christmas dinner with you! That's true love. You are definitely the nutty one out of us 😂 but wouldnt have it any other way. Sort Mr C out and tell him how fun the group can be!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, great read to see in 2017!xxx
Thanks Tiff ( I think,lol!) I wouldn't have me any other way either TBH. Here's to lots of meet ups in 2017 xx
DeleteAw Steph! This was such a lovely read! Thank you so much for the mention! 2017 is already sounding fab. :)
ReplyDeleteI have to say that my hubby is quick to laugh at the idea of my online 'friends'. It's a bit like your parents when MSN messenger and myspace and another that i can't think of started.. 'Don't talk to strangers' 'you don't know who you're talking to!' Hahaha!
You come across as such a wonderful lady and it shows in the above comments too. :) I'd love to chat more and meet and you share more of your positivity! A good attitude brings good people. :)
All the best for 2017.
Caroline. xx
www.carolineelgeywhite.com
Ha ha yeah MSN, they were the days, how we've moved on, we tell our kids to always be wary and not to talk to strangers but as adult bloggers we'll take to anyone that'll listen!!!! Thank you Caroline for such a lovely comment and heres to meeting up at some point in the not too distant future. xx
DeleteAwwww I got a little mention! What a wonderful post . I need to check out all these bloggers later on tonight when I've got a few hours spare. Yes I'm sure we'll meet at some point this year. I'll bring the Baileys ! Thanks for sharing the love xx
ReplyDeleteYou sure did Tracey, how could I not mention my fellow lover of Baileys and dancing (yes of course at the same time) One day we can party hard together! :)x
DeleteSuch a lovely blog post Steph! It's been great getting to know you in 2016 and I look forward to attending more glam events with you in 2017 :)
ReplyDeletewww.radhikarecommends.com
Thanks Radhika and I'll be there with bells on! :)
DeleteLOVE this post! I've been thinking about some of the lovely bloggers I've met during 2016 (you included) and it's heartwarming. Makes me want to stick at it! X
ReplyDeleteAww so sweet Melissa thanks. It was lovely to meet you too. All the best with everything for 2017 xx
DeleteThis is really sweet! Trying to explain to my family and 'real' friends that I have online, blogger friends too always comes with puzzled expressions but I've met some truly amazing people through blogging. Have a wonderful 2017!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard isn't it sometimes,they just don't get it, only our blogger friends and family really understand our 'friendships' and it's great that blogging enables us to make those connections. Good luck to you too for the year ahead xx
DeleteMy blogging friends know more about my life than a lot of my real friends lol. I trust them with my deepest darkest secrets! I've met a few of them but not that many, and I hope to make even more new friends this year :)
ReplyDeleteLouise x
(@withlovefromlou on Twitter)
Those certainly are great blogging friendships then Louise and it's lovely that you've built that relationship with them and have no doubts your circle will grow even more this year!
Deletexx
Such an inspiring post! Hope you have a fabulous new year and continue to make new and amazing friendships whether that be online or wherever!
ReplyDeleteIsobel x
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Thank you so much Isobel, so kind. xx
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