A New Chapter

Ocean Isle Beach, NC Sunset | Fairly Southern

Every single week for the last two years, I have published a blog post on Fairly Southern. Every Sunday. Until a week ago.

I’ve been on a much needed (socially distanced) vacation and was bummed that I’d have to spend my Sunday afternoon inside writing instead of enjoying the sun and sand. I just hadn’t had time to prep the post before leaving town.

Then, I remembered that I’m an adult and the boss of me. I remembered that I’m also the boss of my own blog. So I shut down my computer and hit the beach. I skipped my post last week and this week too, and I feel like a physical weight has dropped from my shoulders.

11 Year-End Superlatives for 2019

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This has quickly become one of my favorite annual posts! Read on for the highlights (and challenges!) of the past year. I did change one superlative this year: “Scariest Moment” got swapped out for “Warmest Fuzziest Moment.” Because we could all use a little less scary and a little more warm and fuzzy in our lives! But mainly because I always have a hard time coming up with something truly “scary” to write about for Scariest Moment.

Without further ado, here are my 2019 year-end superlatives!

1. Biggest Milestone

Books I Read in 2018

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Hooray! It’s my annual recap of the books I read last year! This has become one of my favorite posts to write.

I read 34 books in 2018. That is 6 more books than I read in 2017, not that I was counting or being competitive with myself or anything. That would be so unlike me.

For the most part, I listen to audiobooks rather than reading physical books. It just works better with my busy schedule! I can listen to audiobooks while driving and cleaning, whereas I rarely carve out time to actually sit down on the couch and hold a book in my hands. The one exception is vacations–I love to read actual book on vacation!

While most of the books were ones I chose myself, some of them were selected by my book club. I really like being “forced” to read books that I otherwise probably wouldn’t pick up. I have discovered quite a few favorites that way! And, even if I don’t love the book, at least I feel like I broadened my horizons.

Without further ado, here are the books I read in 2018, along with my opinions on each. They are in alphabetical order, and the ones that are *starred are ones that I highly recommend adding to your own reading list! There are many good books on this list that did not get a star. I tried to reserve stars only for books that I enthusiastically recommend.

Most Popular Blog Posts of 2018

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Tomorrow, we say farewell to 2018! It has perhaps been my favorite year of blogging yet. I have blogged weekly (a consistency I have never before attempted) on some of my absolute favorite topics!

To celebrate a wonderful year of blogging, I’ve pulled the top five most frequently visited blog posts on Fairly Southern in 2018. Starting with number 5:

11 Year-End Superlatives for 2018

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclaimers/disclosures here.

I’m so excited for my annual superlatives post! As we approach a new year, I have enjoyed reflecting on the highs and lows of life in 2018. Here are my superlatives for the past year!

1. Biggest milestone:

Clothing Rotation: The New, Sustainable Model for Fashion

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Fashion bloggers, Instagrammers, influencers, and general fashionistas buy A LOT of clothing each year. This has a negative impact not only on our wallets, but also on the environment and our clothing supply chain.

I recently discovered Elevated Layers, a company that is shaking things up by creating a more sustainable clothing cycle for influencers. Read More

Ethical & Sustainable Maternity Fashion with Poshmark Stylist Christie Barker!

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Today, I am thrilled to feature a post on ethical maternity fashion from my good friend Christie Barker! She is a Poshmark stylist, momma-to-be, and my go-to person for fashion advice. Check out her Poshmark closet and keep in touch with her on Insta!

When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to be extra conscious about choosing ethically made and secondhand fashion. I knew I would only be wearing these clothes for a short time. I wanted to create the least amount of waste possible and make more informed choices for what I was purchasing new.

How to Buy Lilly Pulitzer Ethically

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It’s true: This Southern girl loves her some Lilly Pulitzer prints. But how do I reconcile the manufacturing practices of Lilly Pulitzer with my ethical fashion principles? Read on to find out more about how I stay true to my ethics while still getting to wear my Lilly!

5 Tips for Authentic Blog Branding

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Today I have a special treat for y’all…a guest post on blog branding from my friend Hillarie Kay! She is a marketing guru, girl boss, and lover of all things pink. In other words, she is absolutely fabulous! I am thrilled to bits to have her sharing some tips for fellow bloggers on how to stay authentic while running a successful blog.

Hi! My name is Hillarie Kay and I own a Marketing and Operations Boutique Agency. My passion is helping small businesses succeed with the help of solid marketing and operations tactics. When I met Laura, I instantly fell in love with her southern charm. She truly embodies what you see on her blog. Talk about someone authentic.

Authenticity is becoming harder and harder to find in this social media-driven world, but for the group of us who are, I think there is an underlying fear about how we can possibly stand out and brand ourselves authentically and uniquely. After thinking about this, I’ve created five quick tips on how to authentically and uniquely brand yourself. Read More