Photo by Michelle Arcila, one of my favorite photographers of all time.
Friends, it’s that time. The time when I wish you the very merriest of holidays, a wonderful New Year, and tuck myself in for some much-needed time away from all the hustle and bustle, secure in the knowledge that you can navigate the deluge of after-Christmas sales without me.
This year has been an amazing one. I’ve completed a move, a major home redesign, a Portland shopping guide book (more about that in the new year!), and countless other amazing projects and collaborations with brands I genuinely adore. I redesigned the website, launched Facebook and Instagram pages, gave you a few kick-ass gift guides (if I do say so myself), and was featured on some websites I seriously respect and admire. In all, 2012 was very good to me. No wonder I’m exhausted!
The amazing thing? All of that – every last thing on my list – is because of you. Yep, you…who reads SMC daily, or catches an occasional glimpse on your RSS reader before moving on to the 736 other things on your plate. You, who told a friend you liked my site, who passed a link on to a coworker, who oohed and aahed over one thing or another, who left a comment (truly, each and every comment you leave is like a pat on the back from a dear friend. I love them more than I can say.).
You made all of this happen. And there’s no gift I can give that would say it with enough poetry or feeling, so let me just say this: thank you. Thank you for a wonderful year…a wonderful six and a half years, if we’re counting (oh, let’s not count). It’s been an unforgettable ride, however long you’ve been on board.
I’ll be back in the new year. Be safe, be merry, and find joy wherever you can. And know that a writer in Portland is sending you love and plenty of holiday cheer.
