Do blogs get gifts for their birthdays?

Hi, all! So exactly a year ago, I worked up a lot of nerve and posted my first post, about a pair of boots I had just ordered. I had thought of a name quickly, chosen a template, and gave in to what had been a dream of mine (with a lot of encouragement from my husband): to join the ranks of Style Nation and add my own poor musings up there.

A year ago, I was working within the confines of an extremely strict dress code in my professional life, but was also starting to experiment with styles, silhouettes, and new footwear during my weekends and vacations. I stared Chalkdust and Boots with a thought to push myself during both weekends and weekdays and to capture some of my more memorable outfits while doing so. I guess my mission is still pretty vague - now that I don't work full-time, I don't have professional outfits to show, but I'm starting to finally be able to put a finger onto what is my personal style and am challenging myself to mix things up when that style gets a little stagnant.

A year ago, I only told my husband shyly about my blog. I didn't advertise it to any of my friends on Facebook. I didn't tell anyone about it. Part of me was a little embarrassed, worried that if I told my friends, they'd react with a resounding "YOU?! A fashion blog?!" And I didn't want that to happen. To try to drum up readers, I started commenting more and more on my favorite blogs, as opposed to when I had been a mere lurker before. I don't think I had any readers for the first eight months of my blog. But in the summer, something happened and people started leaving comments. And following me. Now, five months after that, I get excited every time I have a new comment. Some of my favorite bloggers - Erin, the geniuses behind Fashionable Academics, and Hillary  to name just a (very, very) few - leave comments on almost all of my posts. I'm linked to by other blogs that I'd only timidly read just a few years ago!

I guess what I'm trying to say is - thank you. I never thought I would have so much fun with this and - on top of that! - each time I see a new follower or a new comment, it's like a little present. So, for Chalkdust and Boots' first birthday, I want everyone who reads this post to write a comment. Just a hello would be great - I see that I have readers all around the world! Sing out!

Style Nation, thanks for letting me join you and for sharing my bumpy ride on the personal style train. Y'all are awesome.

Festive!

Now go out there and eat some cake in my honor.

Thank you for reading me for a year!