As the new year gets underway, this is the obvious time for reflection. What in your life has been going well? What not so much? What have you accomplished? What do you still strive for?
I’m definitely having one of those reflective moments about Apartment 34. As the site approaches it’s 5th anniversary in a couple of months {eek!} I find myself wondering what’s next? Where is this all going?
The blog world has changed so much since this little experiment began. What started as a whim to gather and share personal décor inspiration, has morphed into a full-fledged business. Who knew?! While wonderful and exciting, blogging as your day job comes with its pluses and minuses too.
When something you do for pure enjoyment turns into something you must rely on, the energy can change. The motivations can change. The limitations change. The opportunities change. Neither good, nor bad, it simply presents a new challenge.
One I’d really like to rise to in 2013. {I got a lot of inspiration from this fab post, fyi}
So while I’m taking a little time to get away, I will be focused on reenergizing and rethinking things. But I wonder if I could ask you a favor…
Would you mind telling me what you think about Apartment 34?
I’d really love to know. With all the blogs in the world you can read, why have you come to this one? What do you love? What do you come back for? What do you want to see more of? What would you rather see disappear? What do you find most interesting?
While this site started out as a place for mindless ramblings more than anything else, today I see it much more as a place for you – a place that can be a help, a comfort, an escape and hopefully an inspiration. I’d like it to be all those things for me as well! So pretty please, comment away!
I’m excited to bring fresh ideas and new approaches to Apartment 34 in 2013. It’s been a wild ride so far – and I do see the possibilities as nearly endless. I do hope you’re planning to still ride along with me!
Thanks for reading,
image via here
I love Apt34 – one of the first blogs I discovered!
One suggestion would be that you’re really into a healthy lifestyle, and I’d love to hear more about that – excercises, food, diet, recipes related to that, etc. Not in keeping with decor, but something that a lot of people can benefit from!
Your blog was amongst the first I’ve ever read. To me it just feels very comfortable – like that classic piece you reach to again and again. I appreciate your authenticity, how intelligent and powerful you come across and how honest and down to earth you seem. Keep it up and happy 2013!
Last year I came across a video on someone else’s blog (don’t remember which one!). She was interviewing you and I was so impressed by what you had to say about having your own blog and business. You were just so honest and real! Now I check into your site a few times a week! More women in business posts could be great. I love the man of style posts too! And all of your original photoshoots. Happy New Year! Oh yeah, you have a really good video presence too!
I think you do an amazing job posting several times a day! That’s a lot of work! I would love to see what’s outside your door and down your street. I think you’d be perfect to give a tour of the city for those of us unfamiliar with SF and that entire area. What are your favorite shops and restaurants, etc. That would be great. Keep up the good work! Happy 2013!
Erin,
I love how your tagline sums up your blog: “Where style lives happily ever after.” I can truly appreciate how thoughtfully you post in keeping with the brand.
But what keeps me coming back time and again is how exuberant and honest you are. You post lovely things about lifestyle and fashion, but I don’t feel like I can’t dream along with you because they are out of my range. You keep it grounded instead of flaunting (A lot of bloggers do this inadvertently, and I get it. They need new material, so go buy the latest designer threads or decor, etc. and then post about it, but it doesn’t make the little people feel like they’re remotely in the same league.) You have great taste and flair, and invite us to share in it instead of just showing it to us.
As an aside, I follow you on Twitter as well, and can’t recall seeing you complain about another brand or put another blogger down because they aren’t where you are (design skills, social media knowledge, etc.) and I really appreciate that. You build up instead of tearing down. Thank you!!
Personally, I love how you write about your goals and dreams, because we get to see you accomplish them one by one, and it gives us all just starting out on our dreams a bit of hope.
Like commenter Krista, I too would love to see you expand into health, nutrition and fitness. Keep it real! Style lives happily ever after only after a lot of hard work on all fronts.
Thank you for your hard work. I know there’s so much more behind the scenes that we never see, and that warrants a shout-out to your dedication. Keep it coming!
I started reading your blog when I was moving from Southern California to the Seattle area. I got great ideas for new spots- i.e. Restaurants and shops! I was sad when you moved to SF shortly after, but I was hooked already.
I also had no idea how to dress for this crazy climate, so your Monday Work Wear is one of my favorite posts! I like the simplicity and balance of your blog, the great photos, home design, fashion, recipes, and links to other interesting posts I would otherwise miss. Thanks for a year of inspiration!
Hi Erin
love from London xo
I love reading your blog even though i don’ t write comments often. I discovered apartment34 last year and since then i become a bit addicted in a good way. You are right, the blogging culture changed so much for the last couple of years. Today everyone is blogging, but not everyone appreciate the readers, the people that are somwhere on the other side of the world who are taking their time to read the blog, to comment and what most important people that keep coming back every day! I found your blog inspiring and it’s a motivation for me that if you really want something, you can get it.
I like the diversity of subjects and things that you are writing about, home decor, food and fashion! And your honesty and your sense of humor…and the fact that you do respect your readers and their comments. I remember a while ago i posted a comment regarding the new layout of the Apartment34. I wrote that i can’t really read the words because the font that you choose for your post is too light. A few days later i noticed the differance and a new font in your posts…
You see, sometimes simple things make the differance and simple things make that people keep coming back here!
After all that time that i spent on your website i feel like i know you a little, and it always amazes me that no matter where you are from, what language you speak or what you do… Because by the end of the day we are all the same, same people with same or simillar problems who are looking for a break after a long day! And this is what i am finding here, a nice break, my little space after a long day at work and long travel! Things that i love and that i’m passionate about…
And this is how I feel about your blog and this is why i keep coming back here:)
Happy New Year
To be honest, recently (and I’ve been a longtime – 3+ year – reader), recently it seems like the voice/tone has been one of complaining about blogging – not knowing what direction, lacking inspiration, etc. I hope this comes across as constructive, because complaining about the blog to readers makes me want to unsubscribe. Also, there’s been WAY too much sponsor/collaboration posts that seem like pure shopping posts, and not anything personal about your lifestyle, what you would actually buy on your own, etc.
Hi Erin,
I want to preface my comment by speaking about a trend that I have noticed in the blogosphere. Blogs used to be my guilty little pleasure. I read a lot of blogs, some very very popular blogs BUT I have noticed a shift among them all. Instead of my usual reads being places of enjoyment they have very slowly turned into for profit brands. It’s nearly impossible to just read blogs for enjoyment now. They are littered with ads, sponsored posts, affiliate links, and in some cases seem to be void of the voice of the writer. I was so turned off by all of these blogs that I started researching blogging to see what readers out there were saying. There’s a whole website dedicated to discussing how unreal blogs have become (GOMI, in case you’re curious. Apartment 34 is not mentioned on GOMI but several of the blogs that I read are.)
Your blog became one of the few remaining blogs that I would visit that still had the voice of the writer. I loved your blog. And then it changed too.
I read the comments that people write to bloggers, and a lot of times they are downright distasteful and worrisome. I’m not the type of person to write salty comments to anyone. I just want to say that the tone of your blog has changed, it’s quite clear that this is a blog that you work extremely hard on and it is quite beautiful, and well done. It’s a blog that you want to be successful. It is quite clear that this is a blog that you would like to make profit. This change is more blatant here than on other blogs I think. So I hardly read Apartment 34 anymore but I do pop in from time to time. There is still a lot that I love on this site.
Hi Erin,
I was just commenting to someone the other day about blogs in general, but this seems to also fit yours – many seem to have zero point of view, and are just posting random short posts to keep going with no real direction. I do feel like your blog has changed, and I wonder about the idea of having to ask your readers “what should I write about” – that, to me, seems like you’ve already answered your own question of “should I even be writing this blog anymore”. Just generating content to keep the blog going is a drain on you, and feels inauthentic to your readers. Maybe it’s time to take a break, find inspiration, and then see if you even feel like writing anything…there is no shame in just being DONE.
Thanks all for the very constructive and honest comments! I’m thrilled to report that I’ve got some very exciting ideas in the works and I hope that you’ll continue to return to Apartment 34 to check them out. Thanks for hanging in with me through the highs and some lows. I think we’re on the up and up!!
Hi Erin- wanted to chime in here! The reason I keep coming back to Apartment 34 is because, well, I just find you incredibly smart. Admittedly I’m attracted most to your business sense and would love to get a closer look into your thoughts and philosophies on that- how you made the transition to start working for yourself, how you balance the blog with your business and so forth. I also (if your comfortable), would love to learn more about your life outside work and style! I really value your opinions so anything you can share on health, diet, exercise, work life balance, relationships, etc. would be so interesting to me. Not asking you to reveal a ton of your personal life- just anything you feel comfortable with! xx Clara
I agree with some of these comments. I used to love stopping by here but rarely do anymore because so much of your content is so blatantly sponsored and paid for. It makes for boring reading. I have noticed a very obvious shift in blogs the past year and I was disappointed when I saw yours moving in the same direction. I don’t want to feel like I’m reading you just because you want to keep your stats up for advertisers and partners. Your site is beautiful and so well done. There has just been a very visible change in your direction and it’s not the same. I’m sorry to be a downer, I never leave bad comments on blogs but I went through a period this year of total frustration with some of my favorite blogs for this same reason. And yours was one of the ones that I felt frustrated with.
Hi Erin–hope you had a fantastic vacation in Mexico. I read your post early this week but I wanted to wait until I had concentrated time to respond, because I think it is fantastic that you posed the question. Apartment 34 is one of the top five blogs I check in the morning before running to work. I have for years now. It’s inspirational and bright and ohhh so stylish that it really brightens my day. Makes me think and inspires me. It has such a good vibe. I’m a thirty-something making my way slowly to what I’m really passionate about and am often very curious how you made the leap. How you approach new assignments or how brands approach you. I know part of your business is also consulting (which I may take you up on) once I get a stronger foundation on my vision, but it would be great if you offered an advice column for people who really admire your drive and stamina. You are an amazing woman with an amazing vision and it would be wonderful to learn how you make it all happen.
xo.