A New Year and What’s to Come…
by allthebest • 6 Jan ’14 • profile • 47 Comments
It’s hard to believe that it’s been seven years since penning my very first blog post. In all honestly, I could never have envisioned the path that my life would take as I typed that first post in January 2007. I am still delighted by the daily journey and grateful for the amazing opportunities that I have been presented. Authoring a book this year has been a life long dream. I am most appreciative to Rizzoli for publishing Designers at Home, my editor Sandy Gilbert (I can’t wait to start the next one), Martha Stewart for writing the forward and hosting my New York launch party and to all of you who have supported me over the years. I am still humbled and honored by these events and friendships.
I know that I have been very fortunate. Thanks to All the Best Blog, countless doors have (and continue to) open. Some of the greatest include writing professionally, growing a consulting business and creating new partnerships.
This past year was professionally exciting and personally demanding. The book tour and commuting to the States from Scotland played a nontrivial role in my hectic schedule. And while demands have run high, All the Best Blog is still a great joy and priority in my life and the core of my business success.
For several months I have debated as to whether or not I should share my personal trails and tribulations via this format. But after a move back to the States, long talks with friends and wise council, I decided it was best to be open and honest regarding my divorce. I have built many great and lasting friendships through writing All the Best. There are many people in my life today who deserve much credit for keeping me balanced, grounded, inspired, motivated, encouraged and happy. Thank you, and I do sincerely appreciate your continued support.
As I enter this new chapter in my life, I am both excited and inspired. 2014 looks to be a great year, with many exciting opportunities in the works…for that I am most grateful. Onward and upward.
This year will bring more profiles with favorite designers/tastemakers and blog posts (especially Soup on Sunday). And while it’s early days, there are some exciting developments around my book Designers at Home, more books in the works, a potential retail component to All the Best and a few branded lines. Stay tuned…2014 will be the best year yet. I look forward to sharing more with all of you. Again, many thanks for your continued support.
I’m SO proud of you! You handled a challenging year with style and grace and are choosing to come out stronger! I have a feeling that 2014 is going to be one that we refer to for years to come! Love you BIG!
Thank you Kelley! I love you too sweet friend. Thank you for being there for me this year. You are the best!!! xo
Congratulations on 7 years of hard work and profound success Ronda. Life has presented you with many challenges and you’ve come out on top and ready for the many more thrilling ones ahead. So many of us have been down the path of divorce and I for one have never looked back. It’s never an easy journey, especially with a child involved, but sometimes they end up respecting you more for being a strong person which you obviously are.
2014 is your year and I wish you happiness.
Thank you so much Deborah!! I very much appreciate your kind words!!! It has not been easy, but I have learned a great deal about myself this past year and I feel much stronger. Happy New Year! xo
Congrats! I can’t wait to read your book and am glad to hear there are exciting things in the pipeline. Looking forward to seeing what 2014 holds for All The Best and your team!
Thank you so much Kathy!!! Happy New Year.
here’s to a new year and new beginnings- wishing you great things in 2014! MDS
Thank you Mark! I’ve loved getting to know you better this past year. Wishing you all the very best in 2014!! xo
It is with such grace that we face our journey each day and you have been a shining example. So PROUD to know that you realize the strength in your friendships and I count getting to know you this year as one of my favorite. I can’t wait to hear about all of your exciting adventures and I for one am excited to see more of you since you are back in Texas! Big hugs to you and to a major major major 2014!! Xoxo
Love you Denise McGaha!Thank you for very much for your support and friendship this past year!! I love seeing you more often too. Wishing you nothing but the VERY best in 2014!!! xoxo
Ronda, you are such an inspiration to me. I met you briefly at your book signing at Ken Kehoe at Houston Design Center and you are one of the most down to earth girls I know. Divorces are never easy, but having the right attitude and of course friendships will put you way ahead of the game. I’m very proud of all your success and I wish you all the best for 2014. You deserve all the great things coming your way. God bless
Thank you Veronica!! That is VERY kind of you to say!! Many, many thanks!! x
Sending you every good wish for 2014! Onward and upward, Ronda! XOXO
Thank you Paloma! I would love to see you again soon! xo
Congrats on 7 years and all there is to come, Ronda! The peaks and valleys of life events only make us stronger and better at turning ideas into great action. Happy New Year!
Thank you Shani! I an very happy that I meet you through All the Best! Happy New Year! x
Such courage and grace! Here’s to an amazing 2014 for you and your son! xx S&A
Thank you Suysel and Anne!! Lots of love to you both! x
Hi, Ronda, congrats on your continued success! I didn’t realize we started our blogs so close together, but I’m a month out from you, Feb. 2007. It’s so neat to watch how the blog world has changed & evolved these last 7 years and that so many of us have found success in blogging. I love the varied ways and means of doing that and even though our paths are different, they are similar. Congrats on your book success and all that’s to come in the new year. I went through a very public divorce on my blog too and it’s only propelled me forward! Have a great 2014.
Thank you Rhoda for the kind words and reassurance. Blogging has been so good to me and many! Wishing all the very best and much continued success in 2014!! Happy New Year! x
I’m proud to call you a friend and will never forget the fun we had with your mom in Austin that night! It was like we were back in college
You are from an amazing family & have so many people around you who love and support you. Selfishly, I’m glad you are back in Texas & would love to have you in Dallas more often!!! The best it yet to come! 2014 will be a year of new beginnings for you & I can’t wait to see what it brings for you! xoxo
Shay I love you girl!!! I am so happy to call you friend! That was such a fun night…and I am looking forward to many more!! xoxo
you are an inspiration through and through. i wish you more than enough of everything you desire at the moment 2014 will truly be an amazing year. Happy Happy!
Hi Ronda, You deserve all of the success you are achieving, and continue to be an inspiration to me. Hugs to you, and may 2014 be your best year yet! xx
Thank you Ginger! I am so happy that I meet you via blogging! Wishing you all the best!! xo
I have loved following your journey. I think one of my favorite things about blogging is the unpredictability of it, the winding road and the incredible jewels along the way. I love what I do….and the people i “meet”….love it!
A journey indeed!! It’s great to do what you love. Wishing you all the best.
Wishing you all the best my talented gracious friend!! And miss Sunday soups so please bring them back!! X,Monelle
Thank you for being my talented gracious friend!! Sunday soup is back!!
Congratulations on your success! I am sharing one of my favorite quotes:
” Life is very interesting… in the end, some of your greatest pains, become your greatest strengths”
Drew Barrymore
I love that! Thank you Joann!!
Congratulations! I have loved reading both you blog and your book and look forward to seeing what comes next!
Many, many thanks Marsha!!
A new year and new beginnings. Good luck with everything.
Thank you Michael! You and Thomas are great friends!! xo
Dear Ronda,
Wishing you all the best in this year ahead! You have been a wonderful friend from the start!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Many thanks Karena! You have been a faithful friend and reader. All the very best in 2014! xxx
I smiled at your Freudian slip of the pen…”trails and tribulations” because on a deeper level our trials are the trails that lead us to our deeper, truer selves. I only know you through your writing but as a reader and fellow human being, I commend you on your choice to be honest and open. This is what I have been learning…”letting ourselves be vulnerable, getting comfortable with our imperfections, takes courage but it will open you up to more compassion and connection and being alive in every way”. Oprah quoting Brene Brown.
Onward and upward!
Ronda, The sky is your only limitation, you are a class act, intelligent, talented and lovely. May all your dreams come true.
Happy New Year and happy new life. Sending love, peace and happiness your way. Janie
Ronda,
You are an inspiration. I look forward too your blog posts and the journeys you will take us to this year.
All the best : )
Kathryn
What a positive for us to have you back on our side of the pond! Looking forward to seeing what you bring to fruition in 2014!
Rebecca thank you for your kind words and generous spirit. Happy 2014 to you!! x
Congratulations on all your successes Ronda! It is amazing where you have taken a box of magazine clippings and and them turned into a career and inspiration for so many. Kudos to you for having remained down to earth, which will surely provide you with the strength to get through these turbulent times. I have been there, and I know you will come out a freer person in the end. May this coming year bless you on a brand new journey!
XOXO,
Claudia
Hi Rhonda, For the past 5 (or more) years I have devoured every new post, deriving inspiration and superb recipes and just a bit of nostalgia for my many years living in Europe. Thank you for sharing your journey–sending blessing and more for 2014…. Can’t wait to hear the details of what is exactly up your sleeve.
Mary
Texas can’t wait to have you back home! Looking forward to seeing what’s new on the horizon for you…
Rebecca Sherman
Thank you for your support and friendship Rebecca. Looking forward to working with you on more projects. All the best.
Congrats on 7 years of blogging! I just found your site, so it sounds like I have a ton of reading to do in order to get caught up. Wishing you the best in 2014.