Thank you so much for reading, commenting, reaching out and emailing. If you have a blog or even a Facebook account, you know that wonderful feeling that comes with “likes” and comments. Technically, I started the blog on February 14th of 2013 but I wanted to wait until today to post this.
Why I named the blog Happy or Else
It was another gloomy winter morning in Seattle, Washington some time last year. My mother-in-law’s health was quickly declining, the weather in my new zip code was bleak, my husband was contemplating quiting his job and I missed my friends and lifestyle in sunny San Diego. I sat straight up in bed and said to myself (out loud) “I’m going to be happy or else!”
I felt out of control of my happiness-a first. It was also the first time I had so MUCH control of my time-I wasn’t working or in school. Desparate housewife much? I had started putting together the idea of writing a blog to give structure to my newly-non-working days, provide an education in something new and connect with people. There had to be a way to rekindle that inner, legendary, happy hamster. AND it worked. Well, the blog as well as saying goodbye to Chris’ mom, Chris getting a new job and us moving back to California.
The blog was a practice to anchor my days, I met wonderful people, learned new skills and made little steps of progress. It’s a place to celebrate simple daily decadence, happy revalations and find out who in the world gets things this way.
Here is a photo review of this year
February 14, 2013, I launched the blog with this post about Five Reasons To Pay Top Dollar For A Service And When To Do It.
I did my first guest post on Eat Drink Shop Love: City Guide: Seattle, Washington.
We had TONS of fun at the Seattle Sounders soccer games with seasons tickets. We even scheduled our “first wedding” at the court house right before a game!
I got to live in the same city as my sister (for a hot second-we overlapped for a month) and parents. It was wonderful.
We moved from Seattle, back to Southern California. We had the freedom to visit friends and attend weddings.
We enjoyed our second wedding, a Korean wedding.
Then our third wedding, in Paris.
We got to travel Europe with our family.
Then we found out we were having a baby.
Now I’m super excited to be a mom. I’m using these last few months before the baby comes to tighten up the site, improve my photography, read and see friends. Hey, there could be a fourth wedding too.
Thanks for coming along! Let me know who you are and if you have a blog, I’d love to know where the name came from.
Abby says
Congratulations and happy one year blogiversary! What an awesome accomplishment! I love reading your blog and I really enjoyed seeing this recap. Three weddings?! Girl, you must really be in LOVE. 🙂
Christina Warren says
Thank you, Abby! I appreciate it!!! I am so fortunate to have met people like you! It’s funny b/c we planned on have NO wedding and then it just started happening…over…and over..lol 🙂
Krista Williams says
Happy anniversary! And just throwing it out there…as a faithful reader I’m pretty sure I’m entitled to an invite to the fourth wedding! Can’t wait to see what the next year has in store for you and your growing family!
Christina Warren says
Bhahaha! So flattered that you’d want to come!!! Scype wedding? lol Thank you always, Krista! I am grateful for your friendship!
Christina Warren says
OMG I can’t believe you read this blog! Thank you, AJ. You are so creative and your spirit is indelible. Your support means so much to me. I LOVE you!!
Christina Warren says
Jewel! It was so incredible to be featured on your exceptional blog at such an early stage of blogging. I’ve continued to work on improving both the look and content of my site! Thank you for checking in on me! Love your site!!!! I would be so honored to work together more!
Christina Warren says
Jen, thank you for the continual support, love and positivity. Your help with the blog has been so invaluable too. You are the best photographer! Love you!
BlushandBarbells says
Happy blogiversary! I can’t imagine three weddings – I’m considering one and it’s a bit overwhelming. You must be pretty organized to pull them off!
Christina Warren says
You are so nice, Wendy! They were very concise little weddings/elopements! Not much to do. 🙂 We are planning a very casual little party soon to celebrate our marriage and baby with our friends.
withluckblog says
What an awesome year you’ve had! 3 weddings? And all of them seem awesome? And a baby? And a move? And a job? You’ve been BUSY! But it all seems so great. Thanks for sharing some happy life plan vibes! 🙂
Christina Warren says
Thank you, Jenn! I appreciate that. After I published this I was like, “OMG I’m so negative sounding!” Even though the blog started from a sad place, it became a really happy place and brought about more happiness. Thank you for seeing that! XO
Niina, It seems pretty obvious says
I loved reading the story behind your blog! And it sounds like you’ve had a great year with your blog! I’m glad I’ve found it 🙂
Christina Warren says
Thank you, Niina! Likewise! Life is so wonderful now!
Becca Dorr says
I love that you mentioned that the blog gives structure to your days. Getting used to staying at home has been weird for me, and the blog has definitely given me a reason to get up and do stuff on the days when I don’t have anything planned!
Christina Warren says
It was totally weird and I’m glad I had this time before having the baby to figure it out and finally learn how to enjoy it. 🙂 It was really hard for a while and I still have my struggles at times. I would love to talk to you more about it! The blog has surely has inspired me to do more as well! Thank you, Becca.
Jessica (Coco/Mingo) says
Wow lady!! CONGRATS on your blogiversary!! And 3 weddings?!? You’re one lucky woman! (each looked gorgeous!) 🙂 Awww, it seems like it was a wonderful year for you and I look forward to seeing what you have in store for this coming year! I’m so glad to have met you!! Cheers!! xoxo
Christina Warren says
Jessica, you are so kind! So glad to have met you too! I’ve had such a hunger for art and beauty in my new/current life. You are such an artistic inspiration to me and it is so COOL to know there is such a genuinely nice person behind the art! Thank you!
Jessica (Coco/Mingo) says
YOU are such a sweet and amazing person, Christina!!! xoxo Oh, and I forgot to mention how I love the story behind your blog name!! 🙂
jackie jade says
happy one year blogiversary! what an amazing year for you. i’m kinda jealous of your Korean wedding ceremony – I briefly thought about doing one as well (I just love bright pretty hanboks!) but since all of my Korean family (minus my mom) lives in Korea it wasn’t feasible. yours looks sooo pretty!
Christina Warren says
Oh, Jackie, your comments and support mean so much to me! You know, we did the Korean wedding with a lot of my mother’s friends! Plus, we rented the entire shebang-even the background screens and fake-offering-table food! Thank you!