Photo and text by Gabrielle.
Friends. It’s my blogging anniversary! Nine years ago today, I started Design Mom (here’s a link to my very first post).
Nine Years!
Over 6000 published posts. And another 60+ in drafts from over the years that may or may not ever see the light of day.
There are all sorts of related things I want to talk to you about. Things like the awesome phone call I had this morning concerning a super cool new series for the blog. I want to tell you about the insanely talented designer I reached out to for a blog redesign. I want to tell you about the podcast on parenting that Ben Blair and I are thinking about starting. (Sidenote: Would that interest any of you?). I want to to discuss blogging in general; how it’s changed, how it’s remained the same.
I would love to reminisce too! I want to remember when I used to have “guest moms”. I want to think about the first house tour (there have since been 195!), the long-running Secrets to Living Well column, the DIY posts. I want to ponder 2013 — the year I had a ton of regular contributors. I want to make a list of significant blog moments (things like the first giveaway, and the first award). I want to think about all of the different people who have helped make this website grow and thrive.
And I want to hear how long you’ve been reading! Are you new to Design Mom? Have you been reading since New York? Do you remember when Flora June was born in Colorado? Did you start reading when we lived in France? Do any of you remember the Ask Design Mom posts?
I’m fully aware that this blog would be nothing without YOU, the readers. And I’m forever grateful. I mean it from the bottom of my heart (and understand how cheesy that sounds, but it’s true). Thank you for reading!
P.S. — One of our favorite families is visiting from Utah, and we’re spending the day in San Francisco, but I’ll be thinking of the remarkable Design Mom Community all day, and promise to jump into the conversation as soon as I’m back at my desk.
Congratulations, Gabrielle!!! I’ve been a reader since your transition back to the states from France. I love reading Design Mom. You are such an amazing woman. I often wonder how you combine all your activities and family into one life. Impressive!!!!
Thank you so much for featuring my home! What a fun, fabulous experience!
I’d love to hear a parenting podcast. Yes!
DesignMom has been a bright spot on the internet for me for about eight years. I was home with my first baby, and though I couldn’t quite articulate it at the time, I was very much in need of intelligent, genuine content related to motherhood. The design element was a bonus to me – inspiring in many ways. Your blog was the first I read regularly and the one I have returned to more than any other. I remember Betty’s darling birth announcement and was excited by the announcements that followed – CO, Flora, France, the tree house, your book. Congrats- and thank you!
I’ve also been reading for a long time–definitely since your New York days. The first one I remember is “What to wear to kindergarten,” which fascinated me since my kids all wore uniforms to school and there really wasn’t much room for strategizing outfits. I have kids about the same ages as yours and feel like they have grown up together! Thanks for writing!
Oops–meant to say that I think you were writing about what Maude wore to kindergarten! It was a while ago . . .
Congratulations, I live in Canada and I have been reading your blog since before you moved to France…I can’t believe it has been that long already. My fav is the house tours and your festive holiday ideas to make/do with the kids…your blog is always a bright spot in my day! :)
I started reading about 8 years ago, not long after my first child was born. I’ve loved a lot of your posts, but I think my favorite will always be the April Fools announcement of June’s birth. I remember hoping, when you posted the “correction,” that my kids would be as spunky as Ralph when they got older. And I’ve always wondered if you changed the password after that.
Yes, yes, yes on the podcast!
And love love love your blog – and have read it since the beginning!
I’ve been reading since before June was born and you feel like a friend now. Design Mom is of the few blogs I’ve consistently read with over the years. Congrats on nine years! You and your many talents amaze me!
Thank you so much for 9 years of great stuff!!!
I have been reading your blog since you lived in Colorado and I remember well your posts about baby June! Yours is one of only two blogs that I read faithfully. You are consistently a source of great inspiration to me, in so many areas of life. I especially appreciate your thoughtful comments on important “heavy” issues and parenting in general. I am just getting into podcasts and would be very interested in hearing you and Ben Blair talk about parenting. I also like content about raising older kids and teens. I would love to learn more about your family read-in weekend – maybe I missed the follow-up post on that. Congratulations and thanks again. :)
I’ve been reading Design Mom since you were in New York. I was gearing up for some professional family photos and was after some colourful inspiration. Up popped you and your family in the most happiest clothes I’d ever seen smack bang in Central Park. I followed suit in Sydney’s Botanical Gardens for our photos and have been checking in ever since. Thanks for the great read!
Happy anniversary!
I’ve been reading your blog for years (never commented, though!), since before you moved to france.
I just wanted to say you are doing a great job! But missing the ask design mom series!
Ciao from italy!
I have been reading since just before you left NYC for Colorado, before I was even a mom. I remember you talking about your distressed tale that you whipped with chains, your huge glass light fixture. I remember when you announced that you moved to France and loved hearing the details adjusting to life there. I remember when you talked about choosing a pretty garbage can vs an ugly one and I think that’s the moment that first resonated with me. The idea that it’s ok to notice, care about and love design in all aspects of the home. I love your Living with Kids series and them gems that come out of that from parents around the world. Thanks for blogging and keep up the good work.
I would die for a parenting podcast from the Blairs. Please.
You started blogging the month I got married! I just celebrated nine years myself. It was fun to follow your adventures as I started mine. I have loved your blog: the content, the photos, your writing style, all of it. Its a serious blogging masterpiece! And please, yes, on the parenting podcast. Can’t wait.
I got married, had 2 children, and completed my surgical residency during the time I started following you….while living in a place I didn’t really have a real sense of community or friends of my own. The blogosphere was where I found that. Your blog is the only one I even follow anymore! (I remember devouring the post about what to pack to the hospital and how to prepare for baby while you were prepping for June…I was a couple of months behind you with my first child and I had NO idea how to prepare or what I needed. You helped me…it’s so wierd how blogging personalities become friends. I just love your adventures. I starte following you when you were in NY :-)