My Top 5 Blog Moments of 2013

On Monday I published the most popular posts from 2013 as clicked by you, and today I’m looking back at some of my favourite moments from the year.

I thought starting this year with this Chanel quote is still fitting. New Year is a time for resolutions and often we make big changes to our hair and our appearance.

I’ve made some minor blog design changes and will have more coming up soon. At home I did a MASSIVE wardrobe clear out over the holidays in an effort to wear the clothes I have (and get rid of the awful ones). Tell me I’m not the only one who likes to start the year fresh?

I also love to reflect back at this time of year. 2013 was a huge year for me and I can’t believe this all happened in just 12 months.

5. My hair colour changes

I love changing my hair but I fell into a little hair rut when I started Hair Romance.

Always having the same blonde hair made it easy for continuity but I felt like I needed a change. And so I let my hairdresser do what he does best!

I dipped my toe in with pale pink tips and then went deeper with bright pink balayage. I tried pink and orange curls but it was the “colour mullet” that so much fun and my latest copper and pink hair colour is my favourite.

Not sure what I’ll do with my hair in 2014, maybe a big chop? 

4. Attending Milan Fashion Week

Sitting front row at Milan Fashion Week was a blogging dream come true.

I’ve had the pleasure to work with some amazing sponsors this year, giving me the chance to work on Hair Romance full-time which is my dream.

Schwarzkopf Australia are so wonderful to work with and they have given me some incredible opportunities including attending BlogHer and Milan Fashion Week. (I still can’t believe it really happened!)

I also loved being a judge for Australia’s Most Beautiful Hair and I shared the behind-the-scenes tutorials here.

Thanks so much to The Remarkables Group for supporting me and to some of my other wonderful sponsors including ghd, Blackberry, Mastercard and Price Attack.

3. Creating my 3rd ebook – 30 Buns in 30 Days

I loved creating 30 Buns in 30 Days!

It all started with a double bun hairstyle on Instagram and the conversation that followed was the inspiration for this series and subsequent ebook!

I actually worked out I knew 34 different buns so there are bonus tutorials in the ebook. At the same time I also wrote and shot How to Host the Perfect Cocktail Party on Mr & Mrs Romance. I don’t recommend releasing two ebooks on the same day! It was crazy but also so much fun creating both of these ebooks.

Creating hairstyle books is a passion of mine. I love having control over the whole project and I have some great new ideas that I’m working on at the moment. There are lots coming for 2014!

2. Creating my first print book – Buns, Braids & Twists

2013 was the year I saw my work in print for the first time. Working on a print book was an incredible experience and I have to admit I cried when I held it in my hands. (I also cried a lot when trying to write it all on a very tight deadline!)

It’s very surreal to realise I wrote and published a book in less than a year. It’s in my nature to be very self critical (and I’m trying to stop that) so when I look at my book I still think of things I could change but I’m so proud that it’s all done. I love that so many of my friends feature in it too.

Working with a publisher was a great learning experience. It makes me think more about how I write on Hair Romance and how I want my ebooks to work too.

P.S. If you want to get a copy, you can find it at Amazon and Urban Outfitters!

1. Connecting with you and making new blogging friends

(image from Little Paper Trees from my Braid Bar)

Thank you for creating the community that is Hair Romance.

It may sound cliched but you are the reason I write Hair Romance. I started to share some hairstyling tips as I was always asked how I did my hair but now it has become so much more. At the heart of Hair Romance are still simple and easy style tips.

I’ve taken Hair Romance offline and started teaching some styling classes with my first Braid Bar and Perfect Ponytail workshop and I look forward to doing more classes in 2014.

The community of readers and other bloggers is what makes blogging my passion. I don’t want to write for magazines. I love the immediacy and interaction of writing online. I’m constantly inspired by new friends that I’ve met online, and look forward to building those friendships more.

I want to push myself more in 2014 and that includes making videos (which terrifies me!). I’m also hoping to feature more readers’ questions and makeovers so get in touch if you have a hair question.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Christina xx