9 Year Blogiversary

Happy Birthday to my Blog!  Today, Magically Melissa officially turns 9!!! 

It's hard to believe that I've been doing this for nine years.  My how far it's come... 

When I started my blog nine years ago, I was trying to fill the void that planning our Disney Wedding left in my life.  Eliot and I had gotten married about 6 months prior to me starting "My Disney Life".  We had recently moved to Maine, and he was working full time around the corner.  I was still driving him to and from work each day since he didn't have a driver's license- so I didn't have a job at the time.

I spent most of my mornings and afternoons unpacking and working on our house, until there wasn't really anything else left to do.  It was at this point that I simultaneously started working on my blog and on a few craft projects to keep myself busy during the day.  The craft projects would eventually morph into my side business at the time... which eventually became the early stages of Happily Ever Hatter.

Looking back now, it's apparent how far I've come.  While my blog isn't quite what I'd love for it to be yet, it's certainly come a long way since those early days!

For starters, I'm still as committed as I ever was- if not more.  Appropriately, this is my 90th post of the year on my blog's 9th birthday.  I've also posted 18 days in a row... although I admit I just did a seven day blog post dump today to get caught up.  (My time at the chiropractic office caught up to me last week when I worked twice as many hours as I was supposed to Friday and didn't have time to get my posts completed.)

But, therein lies another big step of progress.  Old Melissa would have been panicking that I was so far behind on my posts.  New Melissa is rolling with the punches and decided not to let it bother me.  I enjoyed my weekend, time with Eliot and my family, and I didn't allow myself to get sucked into writing on Eliot's vacation days Monday and Tuesday.  Instead, I told myself that I'd get caught up today... so I've finished writing, editing, and adding photos to a weeks worth of blog posts in one day.  Rock Star!!!

Speaking of blog posts... somewhere over the past few months, I hit 1,000 published posts!  It was a milestone that seemed daunting years ago.  But when I finally reached it, I was so busy forging ahead that I didn't even realize it had come and gone.

I've definitely made a lot of progress over the past nine years... and I'm still enjoying sharing our lives on my little corner of the interwebs.

Anniversaries and birthdays are a time to reflect and look back, but for me they're also an opportunity to look forward.  Looking ahead, there's a bright future for Magically Melissa.  I've still got a lot of things that I'd like to write about.  I've got new segment ideas that I haven't shared yet.  I've got so many ideas for crafting projects.  I'd like to share more of our house as projects get finished and completed.  And of course, I'd like to share about our puppies once we finally welcome them into our lives.

As for my blog itself, I've still got some blog updates that I'd like to complete.  I had to put them on hold, but I'm hoping I'll be able to find some time to get them back into my plans.  I'd love to finish my blog updates before it's 10th anniversary next year!

And as always, thank you to everyone who has followed along and joined me on this blogging adventure!  I hope you enjoy following our magical journey through life!  

Happy Blogiversary Magically Melissa!!!  °o°

8 Year Blogiversary

Happy 8th Blogiversary to my little blog!

My website has gone through a lot of changes since I celebrated my 7th blogiversary a year ago.  Since then, My Disney Life has officially become Magically Melissa.  After 8 years, I finally have my own url and I'm still over the moon about it!  My blog has also started it's redesign glow up!  I said goodbye to my first logo and updated my header to a temporary logo.  I've also updated the photos for our shops here on my blog!

I'm thrilled with the progress that I've made so far.  Unfortunately, I'm still working on some of my blog updates.  I had hoped to have everything finished in time for my blogivsersary, but between Squirrel Gate and all of the orders we've received this past month, I haven't had as much time to work on it.  But, I'm still moving ahead with the rest of my plans!  They might just take me a little longer than I'd hoped they would.

Plus, I've got so many plans for the future that I'm hoping to start implementing when I'm able to!  I'm still trying to get better with keeping my social media up to date.  I've also got a few plans to make things more interactive down the road!

As always, thank you to everyone who follows along on Eliot's and my adventures.  I'm so thankful for you and glad to have you along for the ride!

Cheers to Magically Melissa and to many more magical years of blogging!   °o°

Seven Year Blogiversary

Today is my 7 year blogiversary!!!  (It's hard to believe I've been doing this for 7 years!)

And for the first time in forever, I feel like I'm not totally ignoring my little blog.  I've been trying to make an extra effort with posting more regularly this year.  I'm so happy that I'm already at my 50th post as of today!  I'm only 14 posts away from having more than last year (63), and I've already surpassed both 2017 (43) and 2018 (18).

I've found that doing a series of themed posts has really helped me stay motivated.  I really enjoyed writing my Things to Do While Under Quarantine posts even though they were a ton of work and took forever to put together.  The #tbt posts are making it a lot easier to write about things pre-blog and other things that I never had time to write about.  I'm also working on starting some new segments of posts such as New Product Alerts (like yesterday's post), Small Business Saturday Features and more! 

I'm also hoping to make my blog experience more interactive.  It's hard to do that on my actual blog, but I'm trying to be more active on social media.  Keep your eyes peeled for some new things coming to that over the next few months.

Unfortunately, I still haven't able to complete my much needed blog face lift yet, but I've got a clearer direction of how to do that now.  For someone who is seven years into blogging, I still feel like a novice in a lot of things.  I'm hoping to learn more about the actual template and design of the blog so I can make it more personalized!

Finally, thank you to those of you who follow along and read all about Eliot's and my adventures.  I'm very grateful for you and I'm so glad to have you.  I never thought I'd even have a blog, so thank you for accompanying me on this journey!!!  

ChEARS to many more years of magical blogging!  May the Fourth Be With You!!!  °o°

Happy 6 Year Blogiversary

Today, I celebrate another milestone: It's my 6 year blogiversary!!!  °o°

It hasn't always been easy but I've been trying to put more effort into my blog over the past few months.  I've already got more posts so far this year (23) than I did all of last year (18), so that's something.  Plus, I'm already more than halfway to the total number of posts I had in 2017 (43).  I'm hoping to get back into the swing of writing even more often.  I've got so many fun things to share and I really miss writing!

I'm also hoping this will be the year I can finally give my blog a little bit of a facelift.  I've got a lot of ideas about the direction I want to head in.  I'm hoping that by the time my little blog turns 7, I'll be able to have all of that straightened out!

As always, I'm very thankful for those of you who read along!  I never thought I'd have a blog, so thank you for joining me on this little adventure!  To many more years of magical blogging fun!!!  May the Fourth Be With You!!!  °o°

Four Year Blogiversary

Hey Everyone!  I'm alive and well!  I'm sorry it's been so long since I checked in.  To say we've been busy is a vast understatement... it's more like I've been burning the candle at every location imaginable.  However, I wanted to take a few quick minutes to acknowledge the 4th anniversary of my little blog.

Happy Four Year Blogiversary My Disney Life Blog!!!

I haven't been able to put as much time into it lately, but I'm working to get that changed.  I promise that I'll post more as soon as I'm able.  At the moment, I'm less than a week away from another trip to Disneyland, and I'm surrounded by mouse ear orders and designs I'm trying to complete for our trip!  Thank you for sticking with me!  

Hopefully I'll see ya real soon!    May the Fourth Be With You!!!  °o°

Three Year Blogiversary

Happy Three Year Blogiversary to My Disney Life Blog!!!

Today marks three years since I started my little blog.  When I first entered the world of blogging, it was something to do after our Disney Wedding.  I wasn't working at the time, and I had to find something to fill my time.  Blogging gave me something to do, and before I knew it, I fell in love with it!

Photo Source (Text edited by me)

I never thought it would grow into this!  My Disney Life blog has had over 200,000 views to date!  My calendars and painted flower pots are still my most popular posts.  That's really exciting since I love DIY projects and I have plenty of other ideas I'd love to share!

Which brings me to my favorite part of writing my blog... my readers.  I'm so thankful for each and every one of you.  It still amazes me that people enjoy reading about Eliot's and my adventures through life.  Thank you all for following along!  I'm so thankful for all of the friends and connections I've made through living a life full of Disney magic!

Finally, just like my blogiversary celebration last year, I'm planning to do a giveaway in a few days!  Since I just got back from my Disneyland trip, I haven't been able to plan ahead, but I assure you it will be live as soon as possible!

Thank you for the fun over the past few years.  Here's to many more years of fun!!!  °o°

Two Year Blogiversary

Happy Two Year Blogiversary to My Disney Life!!!

Today marks two years since I entered the world of blogging.  It started as a way to keep busy after our Disney Wedding.  We'd just moved to Maine and I wasn't working yet.  Blogging gave me something to do with my spare time.  I never in a million years thought it would grow into what it is!  (I also have many more fun things in store!)

I'm so thankful for each and every person who has taken time to read about Eliot's and my adventures.  I'm also incredibly humbled that My Disney Life has had over 115,000 views to date!  This is definitely cause for celebration- something I was unfortunately unable to do as I'd intended for my 1st Blogiversary.  I'm making up for it this year!

In celebration of my blog turning two... here's my first My Disney Life giveaway!

I'm giving away one of my super popular Happily Ever Hatter Frozen ear hats.  These are by far my top sellers.  The winner will select if they want Anna or Elsa.  The prize will be one of my standard ear hats (as shown) in a size chosen by the winner. 

Eliot also wanted to get in on the fun and he agreed to give away 6 sets of Mickey Mouse soaps.  (That's 18 soaps total!)  These are one of the most popular items in his Snowblade Creations store.  The winner will be able to select the colors, fragrance and bag topper design for their prize.  Available colors and fragrances can be found here.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Disclaimer:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes ends May 12, 2015 at 12:00 am Eastern Time. Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents ages 18 and over. Prizes cannot be substituted or exchanged for cash value. The odds of winning are based on the total number of entries received. The winner will be selected by Random.org via Rafflecopter and be notified by email on May 12, 2015. The selected winner will have 48 hours from the time of notification to claim the prize before another winner is selected.

Please expect a 2-3 week turn around as both prizes will be made to order. The giveaway winner will select size the size of ear hat- baby/toddler, youth or adult. If the winner wants any modifications to the design, there may be a fee to upgrade it. If the winner does not want an ear hat, it can be replaced with an Anna or Elsa ear headband instead. The winner will also be able to select color and scent of soaps. A complete list of colors and scents can be found on Snowblade Creations Etsy site.

By providing your name, you agree to allow My Disney Life to use your name (first name, last initial) in a blog post and Facebook post announcing the winner. No other information aside from your first name and last initial will be shared. I will not sell your information and will only use it for the purpose of contacting the winner. My Disney Life is not associated or affiliated with The Walt Disney Company. This giveaway is in no way sponsored by or associated with The Walt Disney Company, Facebook, Pinterest or Etsy. By participating in this promotion, you agree to a complete release of Facebook from any claims. Prizes not claimed will be retained by the sponsor. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Good luck!!!  May the Fourth be with you!!!  °o°

One Year Blogiversary

Happy One Year Blogiversary to My Disney Life!!!

I had this whole she-bang planned of how I wanted to celebrate.  Unfortunately, I've been nursing a horrible headache and lightheadedness most of the afternoon.  I spent a good portion of today in bed for fear of passing out.  

But, don't feel badly for me!  I did have a very enjoyable lunch with Eliot, BJ and Katie before I started feeling ill.  So that's a pretty good way to celebrate!

I was determined at least mark the occasion on my "official" blogiversary on my blog! So... here it is.  It's not much, but I acknowledged it!  I'm a bit disappointed, but there will be more.  For now, I'm going to watch Revenge and go to back to bed!  

May the Fourth be with you!!!  °o°