WO: Weekly Obsessions
This week’s obsessions are brought to you live from New York, where I was feeling super nostalgic and reminiscent until a torrential downpour today made me want to set everything ablaze and scream endlessly.
So.
Then.
Before I fall asleep for the third night in a row with my phone in my hand, my hair flailing about, and my feet hurting so good, I have these life-changing gifs and thoughts to share:
This week marks NINE years of Wittyburg.com. Yes, this stock gif has 10 candles but a girl can dream, can’t she?
The hotel I’m in this week is called StayPineapple, and they take their theme seriously. The towels, tiled floors, cabinets, water, mugs — you name it, and it’s got a pineapple on it. Such commitment! Such joie d’vivre!
As exhausting and infuriating this city that never sleeps can be, I will always be grateful for the chance to revisit and reminisce on my few short years living here. There’s a certain special type of person who can live here and love it — and to those folks, I salute you!
Wittyburg Turns FIVE!
Can you believe it? 5 years ago, I started this blog with a few posts in mind… and no idea where to go from there.
Things have changed a lot since then.
For example, I:
- Started Weekly Obsessions, which have now had more than 220 posts
- Picked up & moved from Florida to New York City
- Made blogger connections & started following so many talented writers
- Decided I love moving & relocated again, this time from NYC to San Francisco
- Shared my greatest successes & deepest disappointments
Most importantly, this is all in large part thanks to reader like YOU! I’m consistently reminded through your views, shares, likes & comments that I’m fortunate to have a fantastic support system.
I’ve stumbled along the way, but I’ve grown & learned a lot, too.
From the bottom of my little Witty heart, thank you for being part of the journey. Here’s to many more milestones together!
Just for funsies: What was your favorite Wittyburg post?
- BOOM. I just changed your life. (2012)
- How-To: Suck Less at Tinder (2014)
- I Still Want to Be BFFs with Jennifer Lawrence (2013)
- Meet Me at the Barre (2011)
- Playlist for a Rainy Day (2011)
- Top 10 Reasons Why I Won’t See “Titanic” in 2-D (2012)
- How could I possibly choose? They’re all amazing 😉
WO: Weekly Obsessions
This is serious bizness, you guys. I’m so thrilled to celebrate the 150th post of Weekly Obsessions!
It’s the most committed relationship I’ve ever had, and it wouldn’t be in my life if it weren’t for you lovely readers.
Thanks for sticking with me through all the weird, wild and wonderful obsessions — you make me proud of this little ol’ blog each and every week.
Cheers to many more!
–Wittyburg
You Better Be-Lieb It
You guys, I was nominated for an award and it’s totally legit because I got an email about it and everything!
The Liebster Award recognizes a good blog that has yet to earn 200 followers. Its origins and rules are up for debate, but I jacked a complete set as my nominator understood them (listed below).
Check out my acceptance speech, and read more about Mark, who proves parenting after the loss of a partner can be done — even with humorous anecdotes along the way. And many thanks to him for thinking of me as a deserving recipient 🙂
Rules for Accepting the Liebster Award:
- Thank the person who nominated you and post a link to their Liebster Award blog post.
- Answer the 10 questions given to you by the person who nominated you. Bonus questions are optional.
- Nominate five to 10 of your favorite blogs with fewer than 200 followers. Provide a link to each, and notify them of their nomination.
- List 10 new questions for your nominees to answer. You may include more than 10 questions, marked as bonus questions, but remember your nominees only need answer your first 10.
- Include the acceptance rules in your post, so your nominees know what to do.
Questions from Mark at Holding Together the JELL-O
1. What is your favorite day of the week and why?
Sundays are usually low-key and are used to recuperate from the previous week. Plus, the schedule allows for football & boozy brunch!
2. If you enjoy exercise or playing a sport, what is your favorite and why?
My favorite sport to play is volleyball, because it’s fast-paced and I was good at it for a while.
3. What is the highest score you’ve ever made in bowling?
I’ve broken 100 a few times … pretty amazing if I must say.
4. It’s a rainy Sunday afternoon. What would you enjoy doing? Why?
If I’m not brunching or watching football, I would be clearing my DVR or reading. Rain calls for laziness, always.
5. What’s your favorite breakfast food?
Eggs Benedict has quickly become a favorite — I’m a sucker for any combination of eggs, meat & carbs.
6. What is your favorite junk food?
Let’s just say: If having popcorn for dinner is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
7. Why did you decide to start blogging and what do you hope people take away from reading your blog?
My professional background is in content, editorial and copywriting. I wanted a creative outlet without worrying about a client’s needs. It’s since evolved, but I hope people leave with a few laughs and some insight to my messed-up mind.
8. If you were going on vacation, where would you go and why?
Greece and Italy top my international wishlist — I’d love to experience the food and culture the way I’ve been blessed to with other European and Central American spots.
9. If you have one, what’s your favorite sport to watch on TV?
Football is my favorite, but I’ll watch baseball, hockey, volleyball, lacrosse … pretty much any sport with a pulse.
10. What’s the worst movie you’ve ever seen? Why did you think it was so bad?
I remember falling asleep in the theater during “Autumn in New York.” I haven’t given it a second try but it seriously made me reconsider my love for Richard Gere.
Bonus Question: If you are married or dating someone, how did you meet?
I’m casually dating someone I met at a bar through a mutual friend. Stay classy, folks.
My Nominees:
- Cosmo @ Deadly Rantsome Man: He’s crass and sometimes cruel (what did bacon ever do to you?), but he’s one of my best friends. Enjoy.
- Rachel @ saltedchocolate: Well, duh. If you’ve read my blog ever, you know I love my frand’s blog … hopefully this will make her start posting again 🙂
- Rochelle @ TNK Style: Ro is the queen of mixing high-end pieces with budget-friendly buys. Check out her amazing finds and great ideas!
- Shannon @ They Call Me Nay Nay: She’s witty, sassy and super-smart when it comes to content. And, she recently moved from FL to NY, too! #twinsies
- This Is a Pretty Life: I really love her fashion and DIY updates, especially the mani posts. If my nails ever look half as good as hers, I’d be over the moon.
Questions for My Nominees:
- What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
- What’s your favorite travel destination?
- How many siblings do you have, and where do you fall in birth order?
- How did your answer to #3 shape the person you’ve become?
- What inspires you most for your blog?
- Where’s the best food in your current town?
- Have you ever successfully completed a DIY project & can you tell me how you made that happen?
- What does your dream home look like?
- Which song is guaranteed to make you cry?
- Who is your hair icon & why?
Now go read their blogs, and buy me a celebratory drink while you await their answers! Schwing!
See Ya Later, 2013
This year brought some of the highest highs and lowest lows of my life: My beautiful niece was born, I experienced my first full year living in NYC, and my dad’s death summoned more emotions and inner monologue than I thought possible.
Despite everything that’s happened, I haven’t dedicated near as much time to this blog as I’d have liked — but I still have a little year-end treat for you!
The WordPress stats monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report, which was muuuch easier than me having to actually put anything together.
Here’s a preview:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 11,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 4 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Cheers to 2013, which can officially kiss my glass. See ya next year!
A Belated Blogiversary
This year has brought some of the highest highs and lowest lows of my life, but I can’t quite believe I missed my very own blogiversary (again)!
I began this blog three years ago — +37 days, what of it — and have enjoyed the opportunity to share my sarcasm, astute views on world events and of course, Weekly Obsessions.
Thanks to all of you who’ve taken the time to read, Like, comment, share and inspire. You guys put up with a whole lot of crazy, and it means more than my cold heart can express.
And Wikipedia tells me the traditional 3rd anniversary gift is leather, so I expect one of these at my doorstep soon (in Coffee, please). No takers? Weird.
Here, watch some Lionel and reflect on what you’ve done. Looove youuu!
Throwback Thursday
Inspired by the #tbt trend on Instagram, this new series will revisit an old favorite from years past on a (hopefully) weekly basis. You’re welcome.
This week’s throwback is a straight-up repost from a (now defunct) blog I kept during my high school and early college years.
I wrote this eight years ago, and I remember crying my eyes out as I tapped away in the library. It’s eerie looking back at my writing style and most personal thoughts, but I hope it’ll give you some insight to my childhood — and how Dad’s cancer diagnosis this year made our family even stronger:
Have you ever had something change the rest of your life forever? I mean, it honestly affected every single day for the rest of your life?
I have.
I’ve got to stop blaming him for his memory loss, for never throwing a ball with me or shooting hoops. I’ve got to forgive him for not knowing who I was when Adam and I visited him every afternoon in the hospital. I’ve got to let go of the fact that he will never be the daddy I once knew, the one that smiled a lot and even joked back with us.
It’s not his fault that it happened. It’s not God’s fault either. It’s time for me to grow up already, and forget about pushing the blame on someone or something.
No one could have predicted that my mom would roll over one morning and find him, lifeless and forever changed. No one could have accounted for causing him to walk with a limp, to be paralyzed on one side, and to have a bitter, pessimistic outlook on life.
Ten years of blaming, hating and accusing has gotten us nowhere. I feel selfish for assuming that he would have recovered, no problem. He shouldn’t be broken. He should be better. But it’s out of our control and he needs me to know [sic] that I accept him.
I can’t believe how long it’s taken me to come to this realization. And yet, I already feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of my heart and my mind.
Appreciate your loved ones, for you never know — one day, they may disappear forever
2013 update: My dad remains one of the most resilient men I’ve ever met. His strength is awe-inspiring, and I’m thankful every day for how much our relationship has grown in the past few years.
My parents spent their 33rd anniversary at the hospital this June. Dad’s receiving treatments at a rehab center on this, the 18th anniversary of his stroke. I love you, Slick Rick … keep fighting the good fight!
WO: Weekly Obsessions
Today is extra special, because it’s a milestone for Weekly Obsessions …
That’s right: This week is the 100th WO here on Wittyburg! I can’t believe this simple idea I had nearly two years ago turned into something that motivates (and frustrates) me so regularly.
Thank you for the support on a weekly basis — it means more to me than words can say. I’m excited and delighted to bring you another hundred more, and I hope you’ll stick around for the ride.
Cheers to being a total geek.
Wittyburg.com 