Happy 1st Birthday Life, Love, and Lessons!!!

Today is a very special day here at Life, Love, and Lessons because not only is it St. Patrick’s Day, but we’re turning 1!!! Happy Birthday! It is hard to believe that I have already made it a year in the blogging world and that my blog ” Life, Love, and Lessons,” is 1 year old!!! Oh yeah! This past week I have been so excited about my blog turning 1 and then I sat to try and type out a birthday blog post and was a little stumped. Where do I begin and what should I include in this post??!! There is so much to say, but if i said everything, this would be the longest post in history… well, okay- maybe not. Blogging for me honestly began on a whim and I have learned so much within my first year. For one,  you can’t just throw up some pictures and write a little blurb to sustain and maintain a blog- it is hard work. I have poured so much time and energy into my posts and pictures, and I have loved it! While this is a side thing for me, it has become a big passion of mine and a lot of that has to do with YOU! Yes, you! If you’re reading this right now, or if you following my blog, or even encourage me- YOU are the reason I have found such joy in blogging. The blog is still not completely where I want it to be, but I am so proud of myself for making it a year and learning so much throughout this journey. To celebrate and further reflect on year 1 of blogging,  I thought I’d share a little bit about why I began blogging, why I changed the name of the blog,  some of my favorite posts over the year, and some bloggers that inspire me as a blogger.

“Life, Love, and Lessons,” originally, “The Beautiful Life, The Journey,” began as a way primarily to document my teaching, allow my students to share about music in their lives, and talk about the importance of music education. March is music in our schools month, so when I first began, ( March 17, 2017)- I wanted to document what I was doing for ” Music in our Schools” month. Well, the blog has come a LONG WAY from those first entries. I absolutely love teaching music, but my life up until blogging revolved around teaching music and performing literally ALL THE TIME, and while I loved all of that and still do, I felt like I needed an outlet in my life other than music. I remember coming back home from a movie (Beauty and the Beast actually) last St. Patrick’s Day and thinking- I think today is the day to start a blog and so I did it! haha! This should tell you a little bit about my follow thru – I can pretty much tell myself to do something and I will for the most part follow thru.  So I took the blog and instead of just writing about music, I decided to make it a lifestyle/ fashion blog in which I write on the journey of life, mixing in some relationship and teaching stuff, and adding fashion blogs to show off my style and to help inspire others in their outfit choices.  I expected that maybe my mom and dad, and some family and friends might follow, but I have been completely overwhelmed with the love I have felt from so many strangers and acquaintances. And another thing I didn’t expect to happen, but have been truly blessed by is finding a community of women who are so encouraging, uplifting and empowering, and I now call some of those women my friends! We were brought together from different parts of the world, states, and cities through our blogging!

So why the change of names? A name says so much and while I really liked the name I first chose for the blog, (A beautiful life, the journey), I felt that it was a little vague. I wanted people who were to visit and read the blog to have an idea of what my blog would be about. As far as the topics I write about, nothing has really changed, but I felt that ” Life, Love, and Lessons,” was a better fit for the blog in its current state. Something ya’ll may not know about me is that I am really bad with change and I get kind of this anxious feeling inside. The same thing happened when I contemplated changing the name of the blog and when I thought about changing the look of the blog- I think a lot of this anxiety stems from the fact that I am really not the greatest with technology and I kept thinking “What if I change it and no one likes it?” OR “What if I change it and I don’t like it?” Well I through all those negative thoughts out the window and GOOD NEWS… I like it and I hope you do too!

Okay, so the blog posts that I loved the most over the year, may or may not have been the ones that you all as readers liked- but they were important to me and still are. So I wanted to share a few of them here with you. My first post was not necessarily one of my favorites, but I thought I should share what I wrote 1 year ago today with you. ( don’t judge)

As I am looking back at my old posts, I love so many of them, it is hard to choose, but I decided on a few! Take a look at my selections below!

I’m Wearing Confidence – This post was all about the challenges we face as women not comparing ourselves to each other. I encourage you- If you find yourself looking at someone else and comparing yourself, remember YOU ARE UNIQUE! There is only 1 of you and God made you the way you are for a reason- take it and use your talents to glorify Him. Believe in yourself and encourage other women as they share their passions.

I’ll always call you Daddy!– This post was my father’s day tribute to my amazing Dad! I am a huge daddy’s girl and I seriously have the best dad ever. In the post I talk about a journal he wrote for me that he gave me the day I got married. Take a read- you may need some tissues close by!

“I’m Praying for you”– This post was all about that comment that we’ve heard so many times and gets thrown around so easily- I’ll pray for you. But do we really? and do we bring up those prayer requests just that one time, or is this something we do for a while?

3 Dressy Looks for Thanksgiving – This post is one of my favorite fashion posts mainly because I loved all the looks and I love Thanksgiving. Take a look at the cute outfits!

HELLO 30!– This was a HUGE year for me- I turned 30! I decided to share some facts with you all to help you know me a little more AND I was in love with the outfit I chose for my photo shoot ( my tripod in the corner 😉 )

New goals, New habits for 2018– This post is one that I continue to look back on for the goals that I have set. I talk about 3 specific goals I wanted to work towards in 2018- Take a read to find out what they are!

There are so many people that have inspired me on this blogging journey and for that I want to say Thank you! Thank you for challenging me, inspiring me, encouraging me, and continuing to support me! Each of these bloggers is so unique and they bring so much fun into my life. So without further adieu, here they are! You should check all these amazing women out- You will fall in love with them all!

1. Her sense of style, bright colors, amazing vibrant personality, and fun blog are constantly inspiring me and my fashion sense – Peyton Baxter of Love ‘n’ Labels
2.  Her fun, silly, and BIG personality, awesome fashion posts, her love of sales and sharing them, and her hilarious stories are LIFE and continue to make my days more amused- Brittany Garcia of Kingdom of Sequins
3. Her encouraging spirit, awesome fun and silly personality, her love of helping others, and her fun stories on IG are constantly encouraging me and making me happy- Jillian Elizabeth She Lives Vintage
4. Her loving and sweet demeanor, her faith and love of sharing it, her relationship advise,  love for her hubby and family cause me to want to be a better wife and help encourage my walk with Christ- Lindsey Maestas- Sparrowsandlily
5. Her Godly blog posts, beautiful feed, creative soul, and the light that she is to share Christ’s love pushes me in my relationship with Christ and encourages my soul-Ella Connolly-Ellascribbles
6. Her fun pictures of her city, support and friendship, sweet and encouraging personality, and blog posts that make you reflect and take you to a different place and time in life- Stephanie Eiler-Citrus and Sun

So Cheers to 1 amazing year of blogging, meeting so many amazing bloggers and friends, and to continuing the fun!!! Thank you all for your support and encouragement throughout this fun and exciting new journey. I have loved sharing my life with you all and getting to know you all through your comments and Instagrams. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for loving me and joining me on this journey, for reading my blog posts, commenting, liking my content and celebrating with me on this awesome day-

HAPPY BIRTHDAY- LIFE, LOVE, AND LESSONS- CHEERS!  HERE’S TO YEAR 2! 

Til next time- Love you all, Erin Ruscel