Southern Belle in Training

Fashion, Travel & Lifestyle Blog || Est. 2012 || Virginia Beach, VA

December 30, 2016

2016: Blogging Highlights.

   


     Today is my final blog post of the year, and it's time to share part two of my best of 2016 recaps! Wednesday's post featured highlights of my personal life, and today's post is all about my favorite blogging moments and memories of the year. First up as I've done in years past, I'm sharing my favorite OOTD post from each month of the year!


January: "Last First Day Style"





February: "Spring Preview"














May: "My Color of the Year"





June: "A Timeless Dress Option" 





July: "The Cutest Business Casual Look"









September: "Feelin' 22!"



















     2016 was definitely a great year in fashion. I feel like this was the year that I truly started to define my personal style- especially so after I graduated college and had to wear business casual clothing on a more regular basis. My style is bold and colorful, and a definite mix of classic and trendy. In past years I've always liked very loud accessories, but as you can see from the outfits that I've selected from my favorites of this year, my taste in jewelry, handbags and other accessories seems to have gotten to be a bit more simple this year. Sometimes understated can be nice against a bold outfit! Bottom line though: my passion still remains in finding affordable ways to look my best on a budget, and sharing that with all of you! 


     As far as in blogging itself- this was by far the biggest and best year yet for Southern Belle in Training. I had three major goals for 2016, and I am so blessed and pleased to say that I accomplished all three of them! The first was to finally be accepted into rewardStyle, which is the premiere affiliate program for fashion bloggers. I tried for over two years to be accepted prior to, only to be declined time and time again, It was extremely discouraging, and I didn't know what else I could try. When I first applied to rewardStyle I was a beginner blogger, but by this time last year, I had built a following, had done sponsored posts, was posting multiple times a week, had invested in a DSLR camera, and had rebranded my blog. I simply didn't know what else to do! It was getting harder and harder for me to see all of my blogging friends enjoying the benefits of rewardStyle, while I still couldn't figure out how to get in. It finally happened for me in February 2016! No joke- I cried the day that I received my acceptance email. Hard work truly does pay off. rewardStyle was one of my 2015 blogging goals, and it happened a little later than anticipated, but it did indeed happen. Never give up! 


     My two other blogging goals for 2016 were to hire a blog photographer after my college graduation (various friends and sorority sisters took my blog photos in my earlier college years, and my college suitemate Caroline did most of them for me towards the end of school), and to attend a blogging conference. I was able to do both of those things as well! I started working with the amazing Deeana of Deeana Kourtney Photography in May, and it's been such a fun journey together. Soon I hope to write a post all about picking a blog photographer! And in August, I attended The Blog Societies annual conference in Charleston. (Read all about it here!) The conference was a time of much learning and growth for my blog and brand, and I met many new blogging friends as well! A real highlight was also getting to attend a few different seminars given by some of the rewardStyle team- definitely a nice treat after getting accepted this year! 



      I still need to narrow down and finalize exactly what my 2017 blogging goals are, but I know that I have even bigger hopes in store for this year! 


    Thank-you to each and every one of you for reading and following along with me through this year! Let's make 2017 a great one.



      Happy New Year!




      xoxo Miss ALK
    

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18 comments

  1. Love all of your outfit posts, you are the cutest!

    xx, Jamie

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  2. I love the April: "Black Diamond Formal 2016" the best. The orange dress flew freely with the wind is such a great look! Love it!

    XOXO
    Shi Hui | IreviewUread
    http://ireviewuread.com/post/155129641328/kranjifarmguide
    http://youtube.com/c/ireviewuread

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  3. love all of these looks and I was in the same reward style boat. congrats on your accomplishments!

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  4. I just looove your style!! Your business casual outfit is perfect! Also, congrats on hitting all your blogging goals! (:

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  5. You looked beautiful in every look, but I especially love those polka dot dresses!
    -Anna | www.fivefootandfabulous.com

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  6. Awe love this! congrats on rewardstyle! What do you think they based the criteria off of? I didn't realize it was so hard to get into!

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  7. the polka dot dress is so retro, love it! but my fave has to be the light blue ruffle dress, it's adorable x

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  8. Congrats on accomplishing all of your blogging goals this year, so exciting! Love all of these outfit too!

    xoxo,
    Katie
    chicincarolina.blogspot.com

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  9. Loving this post! Cheers to 2017!
    https://cincinnatisass.com

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  10. I adored your "22" photoshoot with the balloons but you had SO many good ones this year!

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  11. Such a stylish 2016!!

    Greta | www.gretahollar.com

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  12. So many cute looks! Such a great roundup!

    xx
    Lauren Elizabeth
    Petite in Pearls

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  13. Wow you had some amazing accomplishments in 2016! I'm sure 2017 will bring you many more! Congrats and Happy New Year!

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  14. You have had one incredible year! Full of amazing fashion too! Can't wait to see all that 2017 brings you!

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  15. Your looks are fabulous! Cant wait to read more of your posts during 2017:)

    xoxo, Hannah

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  16. That first polka dot dress is so so adorable!

    http://adoredbyalex.com

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  17. Oh the "spring preview" and the j crew purchase one are my favorites!

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Thanks so much for reading Southern Belle in Training! Comments make my day- so feel free to share your thoughts on this post! I read each and every comment.
If you have a question in regards to one of my posts, or just want to say hi, the best way to get ahold of me is by e-mailing me directly at: rainbowflash94@yahoo.com. I am better about responding to e-mails than blog comments sometimes!
Xoxo

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