Hello readers of pandamoniumpink.com,
It’s me, Kels! Do you even remember who I am? I’m the girl who hasn’t written a blog post since the end of February. Yes, the one who’s been very active on social media, but who has had troubles committing to this blog over the past 10 months. I’m the same one who’s been having a challenging time deciding which direction to take this blog into.
Does any of this ring a bell?
Today I’m bringing you good news: I’m back, I’ve finally decided on what I want to do with this blog, and I’m here to stay.
At the beginning of February I actually had everything figured out. I sorted out a realistic blogging schedule, a list of blog posts to write, and my life (somewhat). I was on a roll with my blog post writing and uploading, and I was determined to keep delivering content to my readers. It wasn’t until the end of February when I hit a roadblock that I couldn’t get past. I spent many hours sitting at my computer writing blog post after blog post on Microsoft Word, editing my work, and then dragging the file directly to my desktop trashcan. To make even more time for writing, I pushed aside midterm exam studying (thankfully my grades didn’t suffer), I cancelled plans with friends, and I even stopped working a side job that I had started in January. This writing process continued until the end of March, when the 1-month anniversary of no new blog posts came around. It frustrated the hell out of me that I couldn’t think of anything to say and I officially chalked it up to it being a ginormous writer’s block. I took a 1-week electronic detox and I decided that the best way to overcome this was to take a vacation from my blog.
For an entire month.
Sure it was discouraging to see my readership number drop and fewer comments left on my blog posts, but time away definitely helped me see the bigger issue. This writer’s block didn’t hit me because of poor organization and multitasking skills, as some would like to think (I’m actually excellent at organizing and multitasking, not to toot my own horn or anything), or because I suddenly hated writing; it actually transpired because I had fallen out of love with my blog.
I first started blogging (on a different blogging platform) when I was 18 years old and obsessed with all things beauty. I had aspirations to work in the industry and talking about makeup and skincare products truly excited me. I kept a calendar that was dedicated to product launches, I memorized entire makeup collections from brands that I loved, and I may or may not have skipped a few Anthropology lectures to network with industry professionals whom I idolized. I was head over heels with this world and my blog was a love letter from me to the beauty industry.
When I was 20 years old I was still fascinated with the beauty industry, but my love for it had scaled back a considerable amount. I was less focused on makeup and skincare products and more focused on the packaging, the branding, and the marketing, since that’s what I had transferred colleges to study. Instead of pining over how well a product preformed, I was more interested to see how a brand would sell it. I still enjoyed writing about beauty, but I wanted to see what else was out there, so my blog post topics started to branch out. I was now calling pandamoniumpink.com a lifestyle blog.
That brings us to now, 2 years later, age 22 (turning 23 later on this year). I’m now more confident when I don’t wear makeup than when I do and I can count on both hands the number of times I wear makeup in a month. My beauty product knowledge is out-dated by 6 months and I can’t for the life of me tell you what’s new in stores. I can’t remember the last time I walked into a Sephora. I’m less thrilled about makeup and skincare and more thrilled about scrapbooking supplies and 40% coupons at Michael’s Arts and Crafts. (That being said, I’m still very up to date with every nail polish collection launch by OPI, Essie, China Glaze, Julep, Butter London, and Ciate, but I digress.)
So what does this mean for pandamoniumpink.com? Well, my blog is definitely not solely a beauty blog anymore, that’s for sure. I still love the beauty world and I think it will always be a part of my life, but I don’t want to write about beauty products in every blog post. My blog is going to turn into an online journal where I’m going to write about beauty… AND music, fitness, food, fashion, photography, crafting, my sick obsession with Filofax planners, and my life. Instead of writing blog posts that are scheduled like clockwork around product launches and parties, I’m going to write when I feel like it (2 times a week, at the very least) and I’m going to let my personality shine through in my writing. I’m not a business trying to turn a profit; I’m a blogger who is using this platform as a creative outlet. I enjoy writing and I want to keep enjoying it. I don’t want my blog to feel like work and I don’t want to dread writing blog posts.
I understand that by writing this post I’m sacrificing my viewership, but I think it’s fair to let everyone know what’s been going on. I believe in being honest with my readers all the time and I hope everyone can respect that or at least understand my blogging decision. Please keep in mind that I’ve grown up since starting this blog in 2010. Change is inevitable and I’m lucky to have all my changes documented on my blog.
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On a different note, if you’ve been wondering what I’ve been up to while I was on a blogging vacation, here are some pictures! I finished up my final exams at the beginning of April and then went on 2 road trips: 1 to Agassiz, BC and 1 from Austin, Texas to Scottsdale, Arizona.
The road trip to Agassiz, BC was a daytrip with my boyfriend (and blog contributor) Ed. We originally planned on going to the Tulip Festival, but due to an unforeseen festival closure, we ended up going to a dairy farm, a hazelnut farm, a hot spring, a pottery and coffee farm, and an Olive Garden. I love being on farms, so this was definitely a relaxing and fun mini road trip!
This was my very first time taking my new Canon EOS Rebel T5 out, so I experimented with the different camera features by snapping shots of the farm animals and gorgeous scenery.
Two days later I left for Austin, Texas. I don’t really want to divulge into my reasoning for begin down South, but I had an amazing time with my family and friends. Of course I took pictures at the iconic Allen’s Boots. It doesn’t get more Texan than Texas flag cowboy boots!
Meet Murphy, the friendliest Cavalier King Charles Spaniel you will ever meet. He enjoys long walks, any toy that squeaks, and watching HGTV’s Property Brothers when no one’s home!
I loved taking pictures of cacti and flowers in Austin. I definitely enjoy taking pictures of still objects over moving objects… I learnt that very quickly.
After a stopover in Lubbock, Texas, we drove to Santa Fe, New Mexico. What a fun city! None of us had ever been to Santa Fe, so it we did a lot of exploring. We stayed at a suite-hotel (that had a kitchenette, a living room and a patio) and spent our days touring Old Santa Fe, eating amazing food, and exploring public art, various art studios, and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
Art work from left to right: Kevin Box, Georgia O’Keeffe, Kevin Box
After a few days in Santa Fe, we packed up the car and headed to THE GRAND CANYON. Ever since I was 5 years old the Grand Canyon has been on my bucket list. Pictures and words do not do it justice and I’m happy to report that we spent 13 hours there! For more pictures, check out my instagram account.
Yes, it snowed the night before!
After spending a few days at the small town next to the Grand Canyon, we drove to Sedona, Arizona and then to Scottsdale, Arizona. This was the last leg of our trip and we spent our time tanning by the pool, shopping, and relaxing. Again, more pictures are on my Instagram account!
So that wraps up this tremendously long blog post. I’m excited to start this new chapter of my blog and I’m grinning from ear to ear because I get to end this blog post by saying “SEE YOU ON MONDAY.”
Cheers,
Kels
