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The Top 10 Posts of 2014

Happy New Year, friends!

Cheers!
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I hope you all had a blessed holiday and that your 2015 is off to a fantastic start.

I recently took two weeks off from the blog–the longest break I’ve taken since the inception of The Thinking Closet in September 2012.  But it has been a much-needed time of rest and renewal for me after a busy year.  It turns out that the pace I had worked up to in publishing my eBook is not one I am capable of maintaining on a regular basis.  #humanproblems

(Actually, I have a whole separate post in the work to share with you soon on the subject of rest, and my our need for it.  Stay tuned….)

But I hope each of you have been able to take some time slow down and enjoy some quiet moments despite the hustle and bustle.

I take a nap right here.
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Well, my sabbatical also means that I’m a bit behind on the end-of-the-year reflective posts that have probably already cycled through your feed.  But I’m committed to sharing them in the weeks ahead in part because it’s always so helpful for me – – the process of looking back to see where I’ve been – – marking the mountains I summited and the rocky paths where I stumbled.  It helps sharpen my focus as I put one foot in front of the other, journeying down this year’s path.

My Neighbor Totoro
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The Top Ten Posts of 2014

Today’s reflection is a look back at the 10 Most Popular Posts of 2014 according to pageviews.  There were several dark horses in this mix that surprised even me.  That’s always part of the fun of compiling these lists for me!  It keeps me on my blogging toes.

In classic Top 10 List fashion, we’ll start at #10 and count our way down to #1.  And feel free to peruse any posts that tickle your fancy by clicking on the image or link!  That way, you can pin from the original source.

The Top 10 Craft & DIY Posts of 2014 | thinkingcloset.com An inspirational round-up of creative projects that will keep you busy for another year at least! Getting your pinning trigger-finger ready!10.  Elastic Waist Tank Dress Tutorial

If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be sharing sewing tutorials on my blog for how to make a dress, I would have guffawed in your face!  (Then, promptly apologize, of course.)  But that just goes to show that it’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks…as long as you promise not to look too closely at her stitching.  {Smile.}

Elastic Waist Tank Dress: Do-able step-by-step tutorial over at thinkingcloset.com. On my to-make list!

9.  How to Make a Gift Box Out of Paper

This was one of those headaches of a project that I’m so glad I didn’t give up on because in less than a year, the Flower Tab Gift Box has been downloaded over 6,000 times!  Just imagining 6,000 teeny tiny paper gift boxes out there makes it all worth it.  Oh, and there are more than just Flower Tab Gift Boxes now because once I cracked the paper gift box code, it made it very easy to adapt the concept for the holidays with my Christmas Tree Gift Box.  Double win!

Create your own Flower Tab Gift Boxes out of paper! Perfect for Mother's Day jewelry. FREE printable template by thinkingcloset.com

8.  Nautical Master Bedroom Makeover & How We Found Our Shared Style

Phew!  I know that title was a mouthful, but it was a pretty EPIC project that deserved a title of equally epic proportions.  This was by far the most massive DIY endeavor Mark and I have ever undertaken because it was really a culmination of over a year of work on many projects.  But now we can say we finally have a bedroom that suits us both!

Rustic Nautical Master Bedroom Makeover: Source Guide to what was Bought, Borrowed, and Brought up from the Basement via thinkingcloset.com

7.  20 Punny Halloween Costume Ideas for Couples

Wonder of wonders, y’all love the punny Halloween costumes!  So, I had to continue in my annual tradition of rounding up 20 punny ideas…this time, focusing on couple costumes much like our cheesy “#Hashtag” Halloween costume from this year.  All 3 round-ups blew up during the month of October, bringing my monthly pageviews to a NEW all-time high!

20 Punny Halloween Costume Ideas for Couples | An epically awesome round-up of literal interpretations of the word as portrayed by dynamic duos! There are some great last minute Halloween costume ideas in this mix, too. Prepare to win MOST CREATIVE COUPLE at your Halloween party this year!

6.  So, You Want to Build a Pallet Headboard?

Do you know how many times I’ve kicked myself for the blunder of writing “So…” instead of “Do…” in my title, thus botching the Frozen reference?  Then again, perhaps it saved the title from ultimate obnoxious status.  Anyway, the pallet headboard Mark built remains one of my favorite features of our master bedroom.  So, I’m delighted to see it was a reader favorite, too!

Rustic Nautical Master Bedroom Makeover: Source Guide to what was Bought, Borrowed, and Brought up from the Basement via thinkingcloset.com

5.  30 Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Your Valentine

It turns out I’m not the only one who often scrambles to come up with a meaningful gift idea the night before Valentine’s Day (when this post reached its peak!).  Thanks to all of my blog buddies who allowed me to feature their inspirational gift ideas.  Y’all helped make this round-up a real winner.

30 Last Minute DIY Gifts for Your Valentine! Such a creative bunch of ideas! via thinkingcloset.com

4.  How to Build a Custom King Size Bed Frame

Of all the posts I wrote for the series on our Nautical Master Bedroom Makeover, this was the one I thought least likely to succeed.  Mainly because it was so specific.  And full of technical jargon.  And utterly lacking in actual plans.  But I think it was its specificity that landed it at the top of so many Google searches.  It’s on my wish list to draft up actual plans for this project someday to make the process even easier for folks following in our bed-steps!

How to Build a Custom King Bed Frame via thinkingcloset.com. Drawing up the plans!

3.  101 Creative Date Nights on a Dime

I remember this post being a beast to write simply because around #55, my mind started to feel like mush.  But I pressed on (because 101 sounds so much better than 55), and I’m so glad I did.  Because it means all the more inspiration for those looking for creative and inexpensive ways to spend time with their significant other.  It can be done, people!  101 times over, at least!

101 Creative Date Nights on a Dime! via thinkingcloset.com

2.  The Beginner’s Guide to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Here is proof that you should never let your novice status keep you from teaching others what you have learned….  Because I wrote this post from the perspective of a beginner for other beginners, which I think in some ways helped take away the intimidation factor for a lot of people, which was exactly my hope!  #missionaccomplished

A Beginner's Guide to Using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint & Wax: One Beginner's Tips to Another! | I let my intimidation over using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint keep me from exploring the medium for all too long. Now that I have finally given it a whirl, I'm eager to empower other beginners to give it a go. It's SO much easier than you think it is! Especially with this step by step run-down.

1.  12 Months of Dates Night Gift & Free Printable

And the clear winner of 2014 was my little mini-book that could!  Last January when I shared this project, I was fairly new to offering up FREE printables, so I had fairly low expectations for how it would be received…but it has been downloaded over 17,000 times, a number I struggle to wrap my mind around.  All I know is that it makes me really happy to know that so many people are giving the gift of quality time to their loved ones.  It’s one of the greatest gifts we can give!  {In my humble opinion.}

12 Months of Pre-Planned Date Nights: Creative Gift Idea with FREE Printable from thinkingcloset.com

Aside: if you want to get your hands on the freebie and stay in the loop for all of the Thinking Closet inspiration to come in the new year, then click HERE to subscribe!  And you’ll receive the printable in your inbox shortly thereafter.

Blog Divider - The Thinking ClosetAnd now, just for kicks…after my Nautical Master Bedroom Makeover post…

…the Most Highly Commented Upon Post of 2014

(clocking in at 135 comments) was my…

31 Questions Birthday Video!

I actually created a slew of crazy videos in 2014 (all of which you can find HERE), but this one takes the cake for the craziest.  Crazy how?  Well, crazy because I decided to answer 31 of your questions in 3 minutes and 10 seconds flat.  So, if you have the time to spare, you should check it out for a guaranteed smile (or eye roll…one or the other).

Birthday Video! 31 Questions in 3 Minutes 10 Seconds on My 31st Birthday! via thinkingcloset.com

And My Personal Favorites

Here were three posts that didn’t make the Top Ten list that were some of my personal favorites to write!

3.  How to Make a Mess: Tips & Tricks From an Expert!

This tongue-in-cheek post was a part of my commitment to share more honesty and more mess in 2014.  Also, it made me happy in my heart to know through the comments that so many of my readers share this same area of expertise!

How to Make a Mess: Tips & Tricks from an Expert Mess-Maker! via thinkingcloset.com

2.  10 Lessons I Learned From Planning My Own Wedding

This July, Mark and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary, which was a fitting month to wrap up my year-long DIY Wedding By the Sea series with this reflective look back at that hectic yet wonderful process of wedding planning.  If you check out this list of lessons learned, you’ll find that most of them apply to event planning in general.  Like #2: Decide what is important to you and be willing to compromise on the other things.

10 Lessons I Learned From Planning My Own Wedding. Hindsight is 20/20, right? So, if you can learn from my mistakes and takeaway from my tips, my hope is that you'll be able to truly enjoy the planning process and remember with fondness your special day.

1.  The Most Surprising Thing About Writing an eBook (That No One Ever Told Me About)

Undoubtedly the most challenging yet rewarding project of 2014 was writing and publishing my first eBook, Thinking Outside the Gift Box.  At the end of my launch week, I spilled all the swirling thoughts in my head into this blog post.  It sums up so much of my emotions at the time, in particular one surprising thing I discovered (that none of my research prepared me for).  You’ll just have to read the post to find out what it was!

The Most Surprising Thing About Writing an eBook (that no one ever told me about) | Personal insights from Lauren Lanker's self-publishing journey. She thought she had researched everything there was to know about launching an eBook...however, there was one BIG surprise that struck her along the way. One surprise that no one had addressed in all the podcasts, blog articles, and eBooks on eBooks.

Last Year’s Top Ten!

For the insatiable appetites out there, here’s an even further walk down memory lane, The Top 1o Posts of 2013!

The Top Ten Posts of 2013! via thinkingcloset.com

My Token Sappy Moment

When I look at the charts and graphs in my Google Analytics from the past two and half years and see how my blog has grown in traffic and loyal readership, it truly boggles the mind.  I’m so thankful for each and everyone of you who have taken the time to visit The Thinking Closet be it once or hundreds of time…those of you who take the time to read my work and pin my photos…or write me a personal email of encouragement or share with me a story of how my blog has inspired you…or the nearly 200 of you who have purchased my eBook Thinking Outside the Gift Box.

Each and every day, I am keenly aware of the support of my Thinking Closet community.  And though these words don’t feel like enough, it’s what I have to offer right now.  So, I hope you feel my deep gratitude when I say, thank you.

Your Turn

Was there a post from this past year that didn’t make the list that was a favorite of yours?  If so, I’d love to know!  That way, I can channel that feedback into more creative content for year 2015!  And a whole lotta fun.  How ’bout it?

With a clink of my new year’s glass,

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8 Comments

  1. Wow Lauren ~ what a busy and productive year you have had! I really enjoyed re-living all of these posts and am amazed at your versatility of talent! Thank you for giving such practical and lovely ideas, you entertain all of us so well! Love you!

  2. Hi there sweet Lauren! It’s been so fun following along this year, especially with the excitement of publishing your ebook. And I think it’s totally sweet that Mark left your first comment. My hubby does not even read my blog, so Mark get’s extra points in my book for that! It was a highlight to get to meet you at Haven this year also! You are just as bubbly and fun in person. I look forward to seeing what you bring a smile to my face with this year. XOXO

  3. Congratulations! What a year! Lots of great team work with Mark is evident as well as helpful feedback from your many followers. I agree with Emily that I’d like to add that desk top makeover and scarf week series, as well as your e-book expert interviews, to my personal favorites! Any videos you make draw me in! Here’s to a Holy and Happy New Year that includes lots of naps and JOY!

  4. Congrats on a fantastic 2014, my friend! I enjoyed all of these posts and more! I’d like to throw your roll top desk makeover into the mix as one of my faves, as well as your Scarf Week series!

    I hope you had a wonderful holiday and blogging break! Cannot wait to see what goodness 2015 has in store for you!

  5. CONGRATULATIONS on a wonderful year!! So proud of you for sticking with it, and taking the time off when you needed it. Generally, though, I am like a proud pageant mom, just shouting at you from the sidelines to then cover you in hugs after everything is said and done, so that might not be saying much 😉
    Here’s to a wonderful 2015, both for you and the Thinking Closet!
    xx Johanna

  6. Wow what a year. We had some good times making the nautical room… I think those were my favorites. Great job!

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