Top Posts of 2017 & Year Recap

Top Posts of 2017 & Year Recap

Monday, January 1, 2018

Can you believe it is 2018!!!!! This year has seriously FLOWN BY!!! I remember when the year started, and my spring semester Methods classes began and thinking to myself  "this is going to be a long year" and before I knew it I was graduating! This year has seriously been the busiest year I have had in awhile with full semesters of education classes, methods, and student teaching and loads of travel when I wasn't in school. Looking back on my accomplishments throughout the year I am stunned at the blessings of God and how much he helped me grow. 

Not to mention how much this blog has grown! I grew so much as a blogger this year, creating unique content, trying new things, learning from others, and also realizing that blogging is not quite as glamorous as it might seem and can easily be a struggle as a "one woman show". However, thanks to you lovely readers, you encourage me and motivate me to keep creating and for that I THANK YOU! Thank you for taking an interest in my life, passions, and love for fashion and being a part of this exciting journey. 

I thought it would be fun to share some of the TOP posts on the blog from 2017 as well as some of my personal favorites. ENJOY! 

1) 10 Things You Should Know About Introverts 

Definitely one of my FAVORITE posts of all time because it means so much to me to share who I am and open up about the misconceptions people have about my personality, and through it I met so many people who share my same or similar personality. 

2) Beauty Value Purpose

Loved collaborating with Whatever Ministry and their Four:Eight shop for this collaboration to inspire women to find the beauty, value, and purpose in themselves. 

3) Becoming A Teacher

This post came midway through my semester of Methods for education when I was able to spend time in the classroom with students for the first time in my education training and it opened my eyes to so many things, while inspiring me so much! 

4) As Seen On My Blog

Such a fun post and outfit sharing this DIY sweater and quircky accessory, while also sharing what it is like to be "visible" as a blogger.....especially when I am used to being invisible as a person:)

5) Blushing Daze

Classy and elegant collaboration with StyleWe in styling this blush pink dress. I loved getting back to my girly childhood roots when I loved pink. 

My Personal Favorites:

| Just Haven't Met You Yet | Parisian Details | Smell of Old Books | Being You Is Always Enough | We Bought A Zoo | Gaby Teller | 10 Lessons Social Media Has Taught Me | 

| Seaside Sailor Suit | Gingham On The Porch | Checked Out In Red, White, and Blue | Tied Up In Historic Gruene | A Day At The Pumpkin Patch | Snow Day |  

What would you like to see more of on the blog in 2018?

- Madison 

A Year In Review // 2016

A Year In Review // 2016

Saturday, December 31, 2016

Is it really New Years Eve already? One Day until the new year.....2017.....I still can't wrap my mind around it! Truly this year has flown by. Two semesters of college have gone by, I am now a Senior in college, I turned 21, met so many new people, learned so much about myself, challenged my comfort zone, stretched beyond my limits, did CRAZY things, spoke out about topics I believe in, and so much more.......and that's just in my personal life! 

As for my blog, I can't even believe how much my blog has grown, how Minnie Muse has truly become another part of me, and how I have learned so much more about blogging in general and grown in doing what I love. Not to mention the number of AMAZING bloggers and people I have met through the "blogsphere," whether they be fellow bloggers whom I have grown to respect, look to for inspiration, and talk to outside of our friendly comments on each others posts, or lovely friends on Instagram who have shared such sweet words with me or shared a common interest with something I love. You guys are the BEST! It has also been a great year for Minnie Muse in starting to work with new brands and companies on reviews and style collaborations! I love connecting with brands in learning about them, and working with their team members to bring their products to you lovely readers. I can't wait to see what the new year has in store for the growth of the blog! 

However, on a deeper note.......I must say that in contemplating the past 12 months I cant help but think of the chapters and stories that I have flipped through, because I have always looked at life as a series of books. A series by which we start and finish books in different seasons of our life and in which we are characters in a story who go through many chapters in the course of a year, and learn so many things. Thus, as this year quickly draws to a close I can't help but reflect back on all the chapters that I have ventured through this year, the many journeys I have taken, lessons I have learned, and important characters I have met. While life isn't always perfect and while some years are just flat out dreadful, I think it is important to remember that while things might not always be how we want them to be, those things happen because they are important to the BIGGER story. Just think.... if you were to skip 3-4 chapters in a book you would find that you would be surrounded by new characters whom you know nothing about and become surrounded by things and situations that seem foreign to you. With that being said, each chapter is important to the story because they all build upon each other, teaching us valuable lessons for our future. So while there might be some weeks, or months, or series of months, or even an entire year that we wish to forget, I think it is important to reflect on the lessons that certain challenges, chapters, or characters might and have taught us. 

Thus, as the hours to the new year tick away I hope you take a minute to remember both the good and the bad that this year has imparted on your life and be thankful that even though there are negative things in life there are also blessings that come too! However, while I hope that 2016 has been one with new journeys and adventures for you, but most importantly I hope that 2017 is even better! 

I look forward to everything that 2017 has in store for me as well as Minnie Muse and I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to each and every one of you who stops by my blog to scroll through my page, read my posts, follow me on social media or leave sweet comments that always brighten my day! It is truly because of the supportive community created through the "blogsphere" that I have found such a special place to share what I love and belong!

Blessings! 

What has been your highlight of 2016?

Have you ever looked at life as a story?

What are you looking forward to for 2017?

-Madison

TOP 10 Posts of 2016

TOP 10 Posts of 2016

Friday, December 30, 2016

The year is almost over and with that a year of blogging and new posts is almost complete! Here is a rundown of the TOP 10 posts on my blog for 2016:

Peonies Please

City Mode

Confessions of a Social Kind

Wedding Wear

When All Feels Right

Touring Estates

French Quarter

Making The Cut

Refined Elegance With eShakti

Weather or Not

Hope You Enjoyed the quick recap! I love seeing what posts where your favorite because most of them were my faves too:) Check back in tomorrow for a recap of 2016.

Which post was your favorite?

What would you like to see more of in 2017?

-Madison

New Year

New Year

Thursday, January 1, 2015

WOW!!! It feels as if 2014 just began and here we are now in 2015! 

This year has flown by. It seems like each year goes by faster and faster. I seem to close my eyes and the year is half gone, then close them again and it a new semester of school and before I know it the year is over and in rushes a new year full of new discoveries, paths, adventures, trials, goals, seasons, people, places, etc. This reminds me of a quote from an amazing book by one of my favorite authors N.D. Wilson (you have to read his books Notes From The Tilt-A-Whirl & Death By Living) that I am presently reading.

"Cliches are true. Time flies. You can't take it with you. You don't know what you got till it's gone. Dust to dust....Time, the ever-expiring resource. Time, the thief. Time, the motivator. Time, the finish."

-N.D. Wilson  Death By Living

As much as we want time to slow down and life to take a pause, it never does. Time races full speed ahead and we have to realize that time is fleeting and we must treat each and every moment as if it is our last. Live each day to the fullest. Carpe Diem --> Seize the Day!!!

As per the start of a new year, as always here come the resolutions. While I have a number of them I am only going to share those that pertain to this blog :)

2015 Resolution (as pertaining to this blog):

 #1 - Post more often if at all possible! Though I must warn you dear readers ahead of time that this is likely to fail once my spring semester starts.

 #2 - In my "spare time" learn more about blog design and HTML so that I can further improve my blog for all of you who are so dear to read it:)

#3 - Try new things when it comes to my style!!! I tend to be border line vintage, and I want to become confident in styling my ensembles with more of a 100% vintage flare.  (this would include hair, makeup, and accessories which I tend to go simple on most days)

    #4 - Reach a larger blog reader audience with Minnie Muse, though this might prove challenging since I might not post as often.

#5 - Spend free weekends perusing quaint vintage and antique stores!

# 6 - Grow my record collection as well as my Library!

Well, that is it for now, but I sincerely wish each of you a joyful and prosperous New Year!!!