Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Five Years of Blogging: Plus Another Giveaway!


Five years! In the grand scheme of things five years is not really that long. But for some reason in the blogging world it can feel like it. Not that this statistic is verified but after poking around the internet I found that the average blog is dead after 100 days. Which jives with other loose figures like 60-80% of blogs die almost as soon as the they are created. So I celebrating five years. <3

Some trends I noticed about my blog and blogging in general: if I don't post every day my views and readership decline, which goes hand-in-hand with the fact that I had the most views at around year three since I was blogging pretty steady and had gained traction. I think it is pretty obvious, but for those who might not realize... I don't get any actual cash from blogging. I don't run adds or use affiliate links where I actually earn a cash flow. Other than building relationships (which is my favorite thing about blogging) the material perks have been free product and discounts and sometimes trying things before they are released to the general public. Another benefit to blogging has been some freelance writing gigs and some paid photography opportunities from companies. Honestly, the biggest benefit is the creative outlet blogging gives me. 


Some stats:
- All time views 702,578
- Most viewed post: Tutorial on Paper Piecing with over 7,000 views
- Most viewed month: May 2017 with 24,608 views
- Most viewed country: US with 409,418 views
- Browser: 36% of viewers use Chrome, followed by Safari at 21%
- Most frequent point of entry is Google and the term "redolent mermaid"

Some feelings:
- I have enjoyed most the comments that allow for a conversation to form and where I get to know someone better.
- My favorite posts are bucket lists, reading challenges and summer plans.
- I hate proof-reading and editing and sadly, it shows. 
- The perfume reviews take me the longest to write, at about 5-6 hours for one post and end up making me feel like they have the most heart and passion in them.
- Perfume reviews are the most challenging. 
- I hate including prices on jewelry and pottery posts because I feel like they are little works of art and hearing someone potentially bitch about the cost would set me on edge. So I don't list prices on those.
- I love seeing how my girls have grown and how my tastes have changed over the years.

I do have some things I would like to carry on documenting and writing about as the blog goes on. Some future ideas:
- Perfume collection
- Wax collection update
- Home decor as it evolves in the new place
- Gardening

Even though I plan on picking up the pace this summer a little as far as posting, it will go back down once school starts. Adjusting to a new school is challenging enough but I will also be adding my own schooling back into the equation. I will be starting my Montessori certification courses in September. 

Thank you for reading and commenting and being a huge part of this blog. I want to host one more giveaway. There will be two winners: one will be a perfume of your choice from Julia at Arcana Wildcraft and the second will be a soap and scrub of your choice from Brooke at B. Perry Studios. To enter please comment below with either your choice of Aracana Wildcraft or B. Perry Studios along with how you found my blog. Winners will be randomly drawn in about a week.

Thank you!

62 comments:

  1. Arcana Wildcraft please, and I found your blog by googling for a perfume review and I was absolutely enchanted with the way you write a story with your reviews.

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    1. Ack, my email address is jennifergzhou@gmail.com. I don't think it's showing up!

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    2. Thank you so much for your kind words. <3 I hope you have a nice weekend.

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  2. As soon as I saw the Coconut Chalice in the perfume list, Arcana Wildcraft became my choice. I was directed to your blog through an Instagram chance picture admiration. Books, pottery, art, outdoors, flowers...all love.

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    1. Thank you! I definitely have a weakness for handcrafted and heartfelt goods. Nice to talk with you!

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  3. Since I've never tried Aracana Wildcraft, I will choose that! I found your blog after snooping around the internet looking for reviews of TBG wax. I'm so glad I found your blog! Such a wealth of information and tons of pretty pictures to gaze at! Congrats again on 5 years!!

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  4. Yasss, Julie! I have fallen off the band wagon when it comes to reading your blog �� Did I tell you the link to it is actually on my phone home screen �� The first screen! This post was at the top of my feed this morning and I wanted to say happy blog anniversary and how much I just love being your friend! -Corey

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    1. Awwww!! I have been thinking about you lately. I had just realized I forgot to reply to a FB message. Please forgive me. I have been losing my mind over this past month or so. We should chat.

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  5. Congratulations on Five Years! Love following your instagram/blog. Arcana or B.Perry would be great, as I love both of these talented creators! Have a wonderful anniversary ��

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    1. Aren't these women amazing?? SO happy that their talent and hearts are appreciated by many. <3 Hope you are well!

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  6. Ohhh I see this is a giveaway too! Arcana Wildcraft is amazing! What a wonderful way to celebrate!

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  7. Very insightful post; I enjoyed reading about your blogging thoughts, stats and feelings. <3
    Your blog link is actually on my phone's Google homepage, so I just check it every morning typically before I even Facebook or IG. lol
    I hate proofreading, so no worries for me if you ever gloss over that part. ;D
    There's too many Arcana perfumes to choose from. Mutiny sounds the most like what I should grab if I were shopping for one perfume.. but shoot so many sound fantastic. :D

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    1. Thank you, April!!! I wish I had more stats like funny google searches or whatever but I tend to keep stat gazing at a minimum. Mutiny??? I am woring if I have sniffed that one yet or not. I need to go check. I will say Julia's new Wolf perfume is INCREDIBLE.

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    2. Mutiny scent description: Tyrants be damned! The scent of discontent, broken ranks, and open rebellion on the sea. Indonesian patchouli combines with black pepper, dark wood, and a smoky haze of gunpowder.
      Oh, I'll have to look into that new wolf perfume.. I cannot stay on top of all the wonderful indie perfume offerings. I love it!! ;)

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    3. Hot damn. My knees are shaking. Patchouli, wood and gunpowder?! Come to mama.

      If you like guaiacwood or agarwood you will need Sea Wolves. It is gorgeous. I need to review it soon.

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    4. Oh goodness! Yes, I better check out Sea Wolves indeed. Thanks for the heads up. <3 Enjoy your weekend!!

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  8. I found your blog by accident. My sister in law recently passed away from metastatic breast cancer. She kept her own blog about her journey and it was mermaid themed. I was always searching for mermaid related posts and images for her and came across your blog. I am a lover of anything scented and was immediately drawn to your posts. Thank you. I would love Julia at Arcana Wildcraft.

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    1. Oh my. I am so sorry about her passing. I hope you are holding up well. Mermaids are such magical and powerful beings. I love the mythologies behind them. <3 I hope you have a nice weekend. Nice to talk with you~

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  9. Arcana would be great! I found your blog through a link on FB from the Arcana page

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    1. Cool! Thank you for entering! Have a nice weekend.

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  10. Congratulations on five years! I found your blog while trying to find Arcana perfume reviews! I dont get to read all the time, but when I do I really enjoy it! Arcana is my choice. Thank you so much!

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    1. Thank you so much! I hope I can have a better planned out giveaway next year. Thank you for hanging tight with me. Have a nice weekend.

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  11. I found your blog through your Instagram!!! I think I stumbled upon your Instagram through some bath and body post that you did, and continue to love those posts along with those about your family, books, ceramics, everything really! Congratulations on 5 years! I would love soap and a scrub from B. Perry studios!

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    1. Amandine, congrats!! You were drawn for the B. Perry Studios soap and scrub. Please message me with your choices from her Etsy store and your address and I will have them shipped to you. Please reply by Monday the 17th. Thank you!

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  12. B. Perry Studios please! I found your blog via the Arcana Addicts community on facebook.

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    1. Thank you and welcome! Have a nice weekend. Thank you for entering.

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  13. Aracana Wildcraft
    I found your blog when I was looking for reviews on wax melts

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    1. Thank you for entering. I hope you have a nice weekend!

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  14. B perry studios & I found you while looking up a review for a moonalisa perfume ☺ enjoy your blog so much...so whimsical with your images & writing

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    1. Ah Moonalisa! I miss those MooScents SO MUCH!! Thank you, Christy!! I hope you are having a nice weekend. Thank you for entering! <3

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  15. Congratulations Julie! I don’t remember what I was googling when I found your blog years ago. Most likely it was a perfume. Your blog has expanded my interests and loves so much! I’ve found jewelry, pottery and perfume I wouldn’t have know about if it wasn’t for you. Your writing is so evocative and really helps get a sense of a scent or place or item and I love reading your impressions. I’m so happy that even though you’re going through a big change in your life you will still continue to expand our horizons.

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    1. Thank you Valerie! Your WI perfumes should be arriving soon. I am so happy that we met. You are a kind friend to me. We are moving this coming Friday and I AM SO EXCITED about it!! Hope you have a nice weekend!

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  16. Congratulations again sis! Not entering the giveaway as you do enough for me already! Love you!

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    1. Thank you so much, sister. I love you very much and I am thankful for you in my life. I hope you have a nice weekend.

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  17. Definitely Arcana because I saw a link to your reviews through them, and I also saw your reviews while Googling scents! You are so poetic with your descriptions and I look forward to seeing them for at least another five years :)

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Kristin! Welcome and I appreciate you entering. <3 Hope you have a nice weekend.

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  18. Congratulations! I would love to try Arnica Wildcraft. I found your blog after being a part of FB wax groups. I get giddy when I see you've posted! Thank you!

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    1. So nice to talk with you Lacey!! I miss wax. I cannot wait for Carol's next opening. CFTKR is my weakness. Thank you for entering. I hope you have a nice weekend.

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  19. I found your blog by looking for reviews of some Arcana scents so I guess my pick would be Arcana (although either would be amazing). Congratulations!!

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    1. Julia is such a talented woman. I just love her scents. I hope you have a nice weekend and thank you for entering.

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  20. Congrats! I found your blog through perfume reviews and still read it to this day! I'd love an Arcana

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    1. Thanks, Trang! I appreciate you entering and hope you have a great weekend. <3

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  21. Congratulations! My blog is about to turn four this summer, so I admire you for making it to five! I agree, it's a great creative outlet; I don't make money from mine either, just the pleasure of sharing thoughts with readers who share theirs. I'd love the Arcana perfume. I found your blog because Wordpress suggested it and the featured image was so pretty that I followed the link! Best wishes to you and your beautiful family.

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    1. Congrats!!! Four years is a lot!!! And I love that you blog for the sheer pleasure of it too. Thank you for the well wishes. We think the move will finally happen this coming Friday and I couldn't be more excited. I hope you have a great weekend and thank you tons for entering. Cheers!

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  22. Congratulations on 5 years! I’m not sure how I found your blog, but it was likely looking for a perfume review. May have been through a FB group or a Google search. It is now my go-to for a good review and sometimes I just read past reviews, not looking for anything in particular. I would love either, but if choosing, I would say Arcana, because, perfume.

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    1. Thank you so much for browsing around and the well wishes. I am so thankful and happy that the reviews help. I love reading about perfumes in general too, just for fun. Fragrance is such a cool thing. Thank you for entering and have a wonderful weekend. <3

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  23. TomServoandCroooowMay 30, 2019 at 2:45 PM

    hm, either Waterfall or Leaves Falling Like Rain from Arcana! My friend on FB linked to a review here and I liked the cut of your gib.

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    1. Great choices! Thank you for entering and have a nice weekend!

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  24. Congratulations and good luck! I had a half-hearted attempt at blogging to record my time in Disney World haha. I found your blog through Julia reposting your Arcana reviews in the FB group. They're so poetic that I find myself leaning towards scents that are most definitely not my wheelhouse, just through the power of your words. (Naturally, my pick would be Arcana haha.)

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    1. Thank you! Disney is so fun!!! I need to start reading Universal Studios blogs. Do you live near Disney? Thank you for entering and have a nice weekend!

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  25. Congrats on your five years! Your reviews have really helped me decide on some scents to try that I wasn't sure of. I'd love something from Arcana! Her work is always amazing, as is yours.

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    1. Thanks!! Julia really is a talented woman with a passionate heart. I love trying her creations. I hope you have a nice weekend! Thank you for entering.

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  26. Would love an Arcana perfume oil. I came across your blog while searching for reviews of NAVA and Arcana oils. I really enjoy reading your missives about perfumes!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Adah! Thank you for entering and I hope you have a beautiful weekend.

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  27. Arcana would be lovely. I found your blog through the Arcana Addicts FB group, and kept coming back - you have such a way with words! I love reading your reviews (though they always make me want EVERYTHING). Anyway, congratulations on five years, and I look forward to reading more from you in the years to come. <3

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    1. Thank you so much, Lida. Perfume is such a moving thing for me. Wearable art. I appreciate you entering and joining me. <3 Hope you have a fabulous weekend. <3

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  28. Congrats on the 5th anniversary! It's quite difficult to stay motivated when a big majority of people prefer reading reviews on Instagram, but nothing beats a good ole blog, and yours is one of my favourites. I love your way with words and I hope you'll continue writing for years to come. I'm not sure how I've found your blog but I must've been looking for Arcana or NAVA reviews! On the off chance that this giveaway is still open, I'd love an Arcana perfume oil. Some of the newest releases are very tempting.

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    1. Congrats, Nina!!! You were drawn for the Arcana perfume oil win. Please message me with your address and two Arcana perfumes you would like to have by Monday the 17th and I will have them shipped to you. Thank you!

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  29. ***CLOSED*** Drawing two winners tonight (June 7th).

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  30. Hey guys. I am sorry I have not drawn yet. I would like to postpone drawing until at least next Monday. I have gone back to work and we are still in moving limbo so I am not able to make it to a post office and I have no idea when I will be until at least sometime next week (HOPEFULLY!!). Thank you for understanding and being super awesome people. <3

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  31. Congrats Amandine and Nine Bunnyechoes! You were both drawn. Please message me your choices by Monday the 17th or a re-draw will need to occur. <3 Cheers and have a nice weekend!

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