The last 4 years at Weekend’s With Winter have been the BEST years of my life! When I finally began blogging, I didn’t realize how many other doors would open because of that decision. It was as if God were saying to me that all I needed to do was begin and he would put me in the path of everything else I needed, and even the things I never knew I needed, along the way. I’m grateful for my this space and have grown as a creative because of it. It is my baby, it is the thing that gives me purpose, it inspires me to share and be vulnerable, and most importantly, help others as much as I can along the way.
To celebrate this milestone I wanted to share with you some of my most memorable posts over the last 4 years.
I remember when I was reading other big time bloggers and I’d see them write that looking back at earlier posts was at times cringe worthy, but that they loved doing it because it showed them how far they’d come. I now know exactly what they mean. I feel so lucky to have Weekend’s With Winter as a sort of time capsule of my life and interests. I get to see my growth, I get to see the people who have been so important to my life over the years, and I get to relive great experiences through my own voice! To say that I feel super grateful and blessed would be an understatement because I truly feel Weekend’s With Winter changed my life.
Even more so, you reading this right now are as much to thank for this milestone as well. Thank you for taking the time to come and support my little space in this world. It is my connection albeit virtual, with you, that motivates me to do what I do. I just imagine the person on the other side of the screen gaining some insight or laughing at a mishap or being inspired to do something creatively themselves, that makes blogging so fulfilling! Your support is EVERYTHING to me! Thank you!
So now that we’ve got the mushy stuff out-of-the-way let’s go back in time and revisit some of my faves!
The Post That Makes Me Cringe The Most
Mother’s Day Should Be Everyday:
Gosh I’ve learned so much since the time this post came out! I’ve learned a lot about getting the perfect lighting, how to stage food, what size my pictures should be in each post, that I don’t have to throw an actual party to give party tips! However, I wouldn’t have learned all of the above without making the mistakes that would teach me those lessons, and while I do cringe because I broke every rule that I just listed, it is STILL a great post because it’s an awesome Mother’s Day memory.
My Favorite Party Post
Boots Spurs & Bling It’s a Cowgirl Thing:
This party was EPIC and I’m super proud to say that I had a hand in putting it together. My cousin asked me to help throw her 3-year-old daughter a birthday party with a cowgirl theme and we went ALL out! None of the stops were left un-pulled – we had horse rides, a petting zoo, a face painter, a jumpy house, a craft table with cowboy hats filled with crafts! This party goes down in the record books as the best party I’ve ever had a hand in throwing. It also helped in me making the decision to never party plan again LOL! I realized after this party, that while I loved MY parties, I just didn’t want the pressure of throwing parties for other people. I have much respect for those who do it effortlessly but I find that I’m just too in my head and unable to be creative when it comes to envisioning someone else’s dream. Though I never hope to throw another kiddie party, I’m glad I have this one as memory of what I can do.
My Favorite Event Post
I think it was a fluke the first two times I was invited to the Vanity Fair Oscars & Emmy events because when I walked in and saw all of the amenities free-flowing cocktails, hors d’oeurve’s, makeup artists styling and pampering guests, and gift bags with all of the best in beauty and fashion, I knew I was in new uncharted territory. But I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I ate, drank and got pampered like I belonged. I even got to bring my besties along with me! We had so much fun in their creative photo booths, hearing their expert panels with everyone from social media influencers to movie stars. I think the jig is up however, because I’ve seen that the last 2 Oscar and Emmy events have become UBER exclusive. Oh well! At least I have these to favorite posts to remind me of the 2 years I got beyond the velvet rope.
The Post With My Favorite Pictures
The most stunning event I’ve ever been to hands down has to be my friends Josh and Ambers wedding. My friends and I still relive their fairy tale wedding to this day! It was like nothing I had ever seen before. I can’t put it into words, but luckily you can relive it with me through pictures.
My Favorite Travel Post
Cuba reopened my heart to travel. Before I’d gone to Cuba I hadn’t used my passport in 3 years! Cuba was the perfect excuse to pull that bad boy back out! What I love about this travel post is that it mixes great photos with helpful things to do, see and eat when you’re in Cuba. I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from folks who say this post made planning their own trips much easier.
My Favorite Product Posts
I’ve worked with so many awesome brands over the years so it’s hard to pick just one for a fav, so I’m going to pick my top 2
Living Colorfully with Dunnes Edwards– This collab was BIG in that I had to repaint a room in my home. It took a great deal of planning and work to produce it, and with all of the work that went into creating this post it was the most fun I’ve had doing a DIY. One of my besties actually helped me with this project because I am a spaz at all things DIY and I’ve got to say the finished product was worth every minute!
Coffee Shop Cruising in the Mazda 6 Grand Touring: I have always had a secret desire to own my own coffee shop. I think it goes back to those early days of watching the television show Friends and seeing the 6 of them all crowd around a big comfy Victorian couch at their local coffee-house “Central Perk” while they chatted about whatever insanely hilarious issue they were dealing with that episode. I dreamt of either finding my own Central Perk and sitting there for hours reading or congregating with my own crew over lattes, or creating one myself. I went with the former and documented in this post “Coffee Shop Cruising in the Mazda 6 Grand Touring”. The car review was just icing on my Center Perk searching pursuits. I not only got to introduce readers to some awesome coffee shops in my hood, but the Grand Touring was like riding in luxury! I was so surprised by how sleek and lavish it was. Check out the post to see for yourself.
My favorite Collaboration
Eating Our Way Through The South Bay
A full day eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner highlighting the most fab restaurants in the south bay with your best friend? How could this NOT be my favorite collaboration?
Favorite Foodie Post
Cheers to Charcuterie & Cheese
If you know me then you know I loves me good cheese tray! I have multiple posts dedicated to the art of creating a good one but this will go down as my most favorite of them all!
If you know me then you know I loves me good cheese tray! I have multiple posts dedicated to the art of creating a good one but this will go down as my most favorite of them all!
Great job Winnie!!!
Love it baby girl!💞
Great post and awesome video in the prior post. It’s so helpful to reflect. Your tips were super useful, my biggest issue is self promotion. I also find that fear has been the culprit to “starting and not following through” on certain projects. Keep sharing and inspiring others to find their passions, because when you do it’s less like work and you can truly “live like it’s the weekend, 7 days a week” ! Cheers to 4 year of WWW!!