Closing 2017

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links + loves

Usually, at the end of the year, I round up some of my favorite posts from the last 12 months and share them all again in themed blog posts like “favorite hair tutorials”, etc. Somehow I ran out of time to make that happen this season. I may try to pick through some of my favorites for links + loves posts for January, but in an effort to close out the year I thought I would type out some of my thoughts, in a stream of consciousness way of writing.

It’s been a wonderful year with many things that I will look back on and smile at. I’ve had opportunities to work with companies that I really love, and have felt more comfortable than ever in my business. In the blogging and influencer world, everything is changing all the time, but I’m happily riding out those changes and learning more and more each day about what I want to accomplish here.

In my personal life, I’m so happy that I’m pregnant. So happy. The baby is kicking me regularly now and I love that feeling. I cannot wait to meet this little one in May and learn if it’s another son or a daughter! The boys are really taking notice of my growing belly and will lean in to talk to the baby as well. I love thinking that the baby will already be able to hear his or her brothers’ voices before he/she is born! I know it’s still a few more weeks until the baby can hear from inside the womb, but it’s still just as sweet to see the boys lean in and tell the baby what their own names are.

I’m so proud of my husband for quitting his job and starting his own business. That process was a long time coming, and it was a big jump into a world of unknown for him. He has done more with RaleighUAV than I could have imagined and I can’t wait to see what he’s able to do in 2018. Thinking back to 8 years ago when we were newly weds and he was in the thick of an Aerospace Engineering degree, I had no idea what our businesses would be and what each of us would be doing. We both have had incredible opportunities to start something that we really cared about, and been able to watch it grow.

That leads me back to you all, since your support, following, and interaction is what makes this blog so fun for me. I’ve always been one to share things that I’m loving or things that I know, so starting a blog 6 years ago made perfect sense. If it wasn’t for YOU I have no idea where this site would have gone. Your feedback and interaction with the posts helps me learn what you like to read here, and I’m always trying to come up with interesting and helpful content to share with you.

Instagram, and specifically the story feature, has been the most fun way to get to know so many of you this past year. I love that it feels like I’m talking to a group of my friends. You all have made me laugh, helped me discover new things, and even pulled on my heart strings with your thoughtful messages. It’s such a unique part of being a blogger, isn’t it?

Thanks for being a part of this and hope you have a fun evening ringing in 2018!

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Louisa says · 12.31.17

Happy New Year! You are one of the few bloggers I follow, love catching up with you, you’ve pitched it just right.
Love from Lou, Yorkshire, England.

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Cayce says · 12.31.17

Happy New Year! I love reading your blog and staying caught up on your insta-stories! Keep it all coming! xoxo, Cayce from NC

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Brittany says · 12.31.17

Happy New Year! I absolutely love following you & the blog. I can always look to you for opinions and input on literally everything, it’s great! Thank you for being so real with all of us and sharing your world. Cheers!
Brittany from NE

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Carol says · 12.31.17

I love your blog and your instastories! You are always so upbeat and positive. Happy New Year to you and your family!

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Jerica says · 12.31.17

Happy Nee Year to you too! I’ve been following your videos and blogs for a few years now. You are so genuine and realistic and relatable. Even though I can’t always afford what you talk about bc I’m currently completing grad school it’s always fun to watch! I aspire one day to be able to get the T3 Collection lol!!! Anyway, you and your family are so precious! Thank you for what you do! Cant wait to see your new baby! I am having my first in the next couple of weeks! Yay!

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Jerica says · 12.31.17

New*

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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says · 12.31.17

I love reading your blog and following your life. Keep it coming in 2018! 🙂

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

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Fran says · 12.31.17

Happy new year to you and yours Kate! I’ve enjoyed your blog so much these past few years and your instastories are a joy!

2017 has been such a tough year for us, but ending on such a high as we’re expecting our first (long awaited!) Baby in the Summer, we just told my parents today! I wish you an easy pregnancy and a peaceful year x

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Heather says · 12.31.17

Thank you for sharing your life with us. I love watching your stories and can really relate as I have 2 small boys myself. Happy New Year!

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Kathy Jurek says · 12.31.17

Happy New Year, Kate! And thanks again for sharing my children’s truck art prints on your IG story. It was a blessing to my business. Hope to work with you again some time. 🙂

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Alina says · 12.31.17

Happy New Year!! You are really the only blogger I follow religiously! I look forward to your Instagram stories every day and I feel like I know you! I wish you and your family all the best to come and I look forward to continuing to follow your posts and blog! 🙂

Love from Nova Scotia, Canada!

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Laura says · 12.31.17

I love your blogs . Praying that 2018 will bring you even more blessings filled with surprises, fun, laughter, health, and growth.
❤️❤️

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Kathy says · 12.31.17

Happy New Year! I love your blog and your insta stories. It’s lije getting advice from a friend.

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Charlotte says · 12.31.17

Happy New Year to you and your family! Your blog is the only one I read regularly and I really look forward to reading it. Please keep the hair tutorials coming 🙂 I have learned so much from them.

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Tricia Jordan says · 12.31.17

I watch your Instagram stories daily and look forward to them. I just want to say thanks for sharing so much of you with all of us. I have been able to improve my skincare, makeup routine, and hair dos all thamks to you and your advice. Keep it up in 2018. I am so excited to see your family grow!

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Marta V. says · 12.31.17

I’m a newbie and found you just two weeks ago, as I was home on vacation. So looking forward to reading and watching your videos. Congrats on your pregnancy! Happy New Year! May 2018 be blessed with happiness, good health and success for your family.

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Gretchen says · 01.01.18

Happy New Year to you and your family, Kate! I just watched your 2017 favorites video and when you showed us your almost empty tube of the Ole Henriksen scrub, it reminded me of one of my favorite tips – you may know this already, but for any makeup in a tube or bottle, you need a mini spatula like this one: https://www.containerstore.com/s/every-drop-makeup-spatula/d?productId=10032831&q=spatula – use it to scrape out the last of the product when you get near the end! If I have a tube I just cut the tube right open – you’d be amazed at what’s still in there! Cheers to 2018!

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Nicole S says · 01.01.18

Happy new year! I love your stories and look forward to following along on your 2018 adventures!

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Desiree says · 01.01.18

Happy New Year! I love your blog and your Insta stories. I have been a follower way before the boys were born. Love getting to know you more and more!

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Mandy says · 01.01.18

Happy New Year! I freakin love your instastories – it became part of my nap time routine while my newborn slept (super thankful for the laughs during that time). Looking forward to following along in 2018!

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Erinn says · 01.01.18

Happy New Year to you and your family! I have loved getting to know you through your blog and I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store for you!

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Brenda Hastings says · 01.01.18

Happy New Year Kate and Family! I look forward to your posts everyday! I am older than you and have 2 boys ages 14 and 13 but I remember the days when they were littles like yours. I am always so impressed at your transparency and “real life” shares. You have inspired my hair, makeup and home style. I am wishing you and your family a wonderful 2018!!!

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Heather says · 01.02.18

Happy New Year!! I follow only about 5 bloggers regularly and I love that your so relatable!! Looking forward to following along this year with all that you have going on! Especially your sweet baby on the way!! Happiest and healthiest of New Years from our family to yours! Love from Heather in Florida!!

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Tilesbay says · 01.03.18

I love your blogs. Praying that 2018 will bring you, even more, blessings filled with surprises, fun, laughter, health, and growth.

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Robin Farlow says · 01.06.18

Please let me know who your white ski jacket is by. Also I just found new volumizing hair product that really works: LOMA Maximum Volumizing Solution. Got it on Amazon for 15.95.

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