Sunday 17 July 2011

a year of ruby slipper journey-ing

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Hard to believe that, as of Friday, I've had Ruby Slipper Journeys for a year. It's been, by all accounts, a crazy year. When I began, I was living in Mexico; within a couple of months I had moved to London to do a masters degree. Throughout that year I was frequently visiting my boyfriend in Barcelona (his hometown) and studying in England. Currently, I'm doing research in Barcelona and visiting my boyfriend in Germany quite a lot (a friend of mine jokes that we have "reverse magnetism"). But one definite constant in a year of changing climates, backdrops and responsibilities has been my blog, and the friends I've made through it all over the world. Life in the coming year is even more uncertain, if that's possible, but the blog will be coming along for the ride. Here are a few favourites from the past year.

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From a year of personal style blogging I've learned about my own wardrobe strengths and weaknesses, I've experimented a bit with different personas (see the ballerina and Victorian orphan inspired looks below) and tried to hone and refine my tastes a bit... that's still a work very much in progress. I've learned a fair bit about photography, can judge all the different phases of "the golden hour" at a glance, and have become a bit more photogenic (apparently it only takes having your picture taken a few thousand times). I haven't learned as much about html as I'd like, though my photoshop skills, which were non-existent before, aren't too shabby. On the negative side, I have spent who know how many hours sifting through other blogs, not all of which were worth the effort, replied to more comments than were good for me and have struggled more than ever with consumerism, procrastination and prioritizing. Style blogging is a paradox, but it's one I'm determined to keep exploring!

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Thank you so much to everyone who's read my blog in the past year; and especially to all those who've been in touch through comments or emails (or in person)! It's been fantastic knowing you all so far!

Photos variously by myself, Albert, my sister and the first one by my dad!

62 comments:

Young Vintage Girl said...

Congrats on the year,,I just love reading your blog!! :)

Xavi said...

Per molts anys!!!

Raquel said...

Yay! Happy Blogiversary to Ruby Slipper Journeys and congrats Emily! You've made a really great job this past year and I know you'll continue to do it from now on. It was really great to meet you through it. Some of your favourites are my favourites too!

Are in you in Germany now? I am going back to London in a little over two weeks and, despite missing it, I'll be sad leaving Portugal. And the thought of having to look for a flat in the near future is killing me! I am hating Gumtree already haha!

Penny said...

emily,happy blog-oversary (that's a word I discovered recently :)!
and yeah, you included my absloute favourite your-easter-sunday outfit!
hope you finish your masters successfully, what is the next plan?

summertime dreams said...

Oh I do hope that the blog continues along with you! It's been lovely to meet you on here :)
A congratulatory toast to you on your one year, and wishes of many more adventures!

Anonymous said...

Happy blogiversary! :)

Sophie said...

Woooo Happy Blog Anniversary! Although I may not comment on each and every post, this is one of my favourite blogs to read :)
Sophie
x

Cat said...

Happy blog anniversary! I absolutely love your blog - to many more blog anniversaries to come!

Cat xxx
http://www.takecourageblog.com/

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

Thanks Sophie: I'm a lazy commenter myself, but I appreciate all the extra eyeballs out there too!

@Raquel: I'm in and out of Germany. Currently in. Tomorrow out. Back in a week or so! I miss London a bit too... still not sure how I feel about that place.

Kathryn Woods said...

Happy anniversary to you and your blog Emily. Wishing you many more years of blogging. I've only recently found your site but it's a pleasure to read of your adventures and personally, I think your photos are very good. I appreciate that they show the places you visit. :)

X said...

It's great to see the evolution of style, blog and life :) Looking forward to seeing the exciting changes that lie ahead!

www.theheadlessmannequin.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogiversary! We must have started about the same time, though my posts did not become regular until late August last year. Your blog is always a high point of my daily reads...because I never quite know where you'll be! Just yesterday I bought a striped shirt like you wore with shorts recently...and looking today I realize that mine is navy striped and yours is red. You are inspiring those of us who are more landlocked.

SOJOURNED IN STYLE said...

congratulations on one year. I think mine is approaching its one year soon too. I think your journeying all over the world has given you a special idenitity with all the unique scenery and outfits to go accordingly.

islabell said...

happy birthday lady. What a wonderful blog you have created. I'm excited to hear what the next year has install for you. xx

The Semi Sweet said...

Happy One Year!!! I find your blog is quite inspiring. All your travels make me want to get out and do things and your outfits are always superb!

Closet Fashionista said...

Woohooo!! Happy Blogiversary!! That's so exciting!!! Here's to many more years of your lovely blog :)
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

Vanessa, Take only Memories said...

How exciting! Happy Blogiversary! And you have such a lovely blog!
And such an exciting life! Wish I could be in Barcelona! It's raining way too much here!
And here is to another year!

Heather, 29 Skirts said...

Great anniversary post and congratulations! Isn't it wonderful to have this record of your journeys? I'm looking forward to seeing where you and your blog go next!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on the anniversary, I always look forward to reading where you are and what you are wearing. The purple coat is gorgeous btw x

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your Blogiversary!

I have just fashionblogged for about a month, but I recognize what you write about prioritizing, but also that you get to meet great people all around the world.

I had no idea you have been on so many places during this year, must be fun to see all of those places. Will enjoy to read about your travels for the next year.

Velvet said...

Happy birthday to your blog! It's been a pleasure to share this year with you and your reflections regarding to so many issues!

Have a great week.

Michelle said...

Glad I found your blog for at least part of that journey. It is a great personal way to look back on things which I am loving about my new journey.

Jul said...

Congrats on your anniversary! I loved to read the post and to see such great outfits all together! Looks like you had a busy year :) but still happy, so good for you!

http://lifeisaromanticpoem.blogspot.com/

Kirstin said...

Wow, such an amazing journey! You would be a good person to ask, I am considering going to the UK to teach since jobs are not easy to get here. I'm wondering if you know what areas are good/ safe to teach in. I have heard terrible things about safety at UK highschools for teachers but still I would love to live there!

Virginie's Cinema said...

Joyeux Bloganniversaire!

Thank you so much for sharing a year of personal style and trips with us, I feel truly blessed to be able to read your adventures, imaginary travel thanks to your blog and have a cyber partner in crime when it comes to turban wearing :)

To many more years of Ruby Slippers Journeying!

Virginie ♥

Ellie said...

Congratulations on your blog-versary! I only discovered your blog relatively recently; but I've so enjoyed vicariously traveling the world with you and your wardrobe! I really liked seeing some of your older looks in this post. :D

hannah and landon said...

oh wow, only a year? HOW'D YOU GET SO PRO O_O.

You're a pleasure to follow and I very much look forward to seeing your blog grow :)

xo

Deppa said...

Ahora entiendo porqué sabes hablar español :)
Suena demasiado emocionante todas las cosas que has pasado en un año.
Felicidades por el blog y me siento muy contenta de haberte conocido por este medio ;)
Que la prosperidad te inunde a ti y a tu blog.

Nos vemos linda
Ah! ¿mencione lo mucho que me encantaron las fotos que has seleccionado? jaja

Ashley said...

Lovely, just lovely. I remember quite a few of these pictures...you've had a tremendous amount of change in one year!!!!

You are definitely one of my favorite blogs to frequent, and I look forward to your pictures and writing every time :)

Thanks for bringing us right there with you.

Monique said...

Happy Blogeversary Emily. What a fantastic walk down memory lane. I look forward to everything the next year will bring and excited for your journey.

p.s. our blogs were born 8 days apart from one another. how fun!

Have a wonderful week lady!

Wild Things Grow Here said...

Lovely pictures, where is the skirt with the birdcages on from? :) I love it.

http://oliviadollydaydream.blogspot.com/

Elyse (Give Me Bows) said...

Congratulations Emily, you should be very proud! I love your reflections on how your style and photography skills have changed and grown, that's exactly how I want to feel about my blog when I hit the 12 month mark! x

Eleni said...

Wow, I had no idea you'd only been blogging for a year! It's funny for me seeing pictures of you in winter scenes, since I've only been reading for a few months. i wonder where you'll be spending this winter?

C.G. Koens said...

Like some of the others, I had no idea that you had only been blogging for a year - you should be quite proud of yourself! Large following, good photos, lots of travel, and yes, you have been faithful about responding too (which can wear you out after a while). So Happy Blog-o-versary! Looking forward to following along on another year of adventure!

Anonymous said...

Hooray, happy blogaversary! ;) That is really awesome and you should be really proud of everything you have accomplished! You have such wonderful style and I love reading about your European adventures :) Have a great day!

lauren, curious constellation said...

What a year, you live such an exciting life! I haven't been a follower for far too long but I sure am looking forward to the coming year on your blog (:

Arianne said...

Here's to more years!

Belinda said...

Hello, congrats on your one year! It must be exciting to see how things unfold..all the best to you! :D

Elise said...

Happy Anniversary! Great collection of pics and outfits there, looks like you've had a way more interesting year than me! :)

Sewon said...

A whole-hearted congrats! I don't know if I ever told you this, but I really admire your traveling wardrob + style sense. I am only now trying to break out of only wearing basics, yet still afraid of belongings can't fit in a suitcase. Any advice?

Amrit said...

Congratulations. :))))

Amber Schmidt said...

Isn't it crazy how quickly time passes by?

Happy blog-o-versary. :)

Anonymous said...

Yay! Congratutlations for hitting the one year mark! I remember you came to my blog through my dia de muertos post, and I've followed you ever since!

Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries

Jenny said...

Congratulations on your blog anniversary!! I have so enjoyed reading about your global adventures as well as peeking into your personal style. I can't wait for more! And, in response to how my grandparents traveled to Egypt in the 70's, I have no idea. They spent a considerable amount of time in the middle east (especially in Isreal) and we do have family in both Egypt and Israel. I need my mom to fill me in on the details and I will let you know :) once again, congrats on the year mark!

callie said...

This is so awesome! Seeing so many of your photos together is so inspiring- both the lovely outfits and gorgeous locations. Your blog is definitely one of my favorites because you manage to be so unique and different than all the other thousands of style blogs out there. I'm so glad I've "met" you through blogging! Hopefully one day we'll get to meet in person. ^_^ Here's to another year! x

Tomz said...

Emily,

Happy anniversary to you and your blog..waiting to see more stunning pix and travelogues..

Ashley said...

Happy one year anniversary! Honestly, it feels like you've been blogging a lot longer than that, you're so good at it. It must come natural to you. I'm excited to read the next year of your Ruby Slipper Journeys!

dimi said...

Happy blog-birthday dear!! I hope for many more years to come!

sweet harvest moon said...

Congrats girl!

http://sweetharvestmoon.blogspot.com

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

Happy Blogiversary! One year already... how it flew by! It's been a pleasure meeting you through your blog and sharing in your experiences. Your blog is one that I always look forward to reading. Here's to Ruby Slipper Journeys future! P.S. My blog just passed the 3 year mark. Somehow that doesn't seem possible to me.

Shybiker said...

Congrats. Yours is one of my favorite blogs. You certainly have an attractive style. Also, your personality shines through and it's sweet. So many blogs look alike; yours stands out from the crowd.

Diana said...

happy happy birthday to your blog!! i have loved reading it for the past year -- i've loved your pictures/outfits/travels but most of all your forever interesting stories and musings :) looking forward to many more :) xoxo

http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/

becca said...

aw man, what a wonderful year!

I love all these photos and am jealous of your travels.

the photo of you on the couch is especially adorable.

jess said...

Congrats on blogging for a year. You have an excellent style.

Ashley/ MILK TEETHS said...

Yeah girl!! I've loved reading your blog throughout the year and look forward to your future posts. I think we started our blogs around the same time and i'd saw we've definitely come along way :) I'm also psyched that the two items you've gotten from the store have ended up in your outfit favs--hooray!

Christina said...

Happy blog birthday! I've loved your blog for quite awhile now and I guess it's been a year to be exact!

ana said...

Congratulations on your first year of blogging! It's been a pleasure reading you and hope we still be in touch! Love your style and travel pictures!

Dus of Cuddly Cacti said...

wow congrats on your one-year blogging anniversary Emily! Sometime soon I hope to go through and see the posts to all of these beautiful pictures you posted here from old posts! (not something I'd bother with most blogs : ) I really know what you mean about the negative sides, looking at and commenting on other blogs can get way time consuming, but I am so glad you commented on mine because one, your comments always crack me up (still laughing about the "muffin top" comment!) & two, I found your blog through it, which I absolutely love! So thank you very much!!

Rebeccak said...

Congratulations on the year! It has been a joy to journey it with you :)

Macarons&Coquelicots said...

Love your outfits !

http://gourmandisesettalonshauts.blogspot.com/

Cuatrojos said...

me encantan las fotos!y tu cabecera es genial!

Anthea said...

Congrats on 1 year! Your blog has gotten more beautiful each month and it is a real inspiration for me!