Happy last day of the month! It's time for another monthly wrap up and the 4th Best of the Blogs Linkup!
Hi friends!
February has been a month of incredible highs and lows. From losing my friend Melanie to the birth of my good friend Marilyn's baby. My emotions have been pulled in a hundred different directions. The older I get the more I realize that life is simply full of these extremes and you must just ride the waves, instead of fighting it to stay afloat. My Dad always says, "It will be ok, this too shall pass." This month has been a great reminder of that.
Blog wise, I've felt like I have been in a blogging groove so far this year. My Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats got picked up by Redbook Magazine online AND MSN.com in a roundup of overnight oats recipes. It feels incredibly gratifying to see your work get noticed by some of the big names. I don't blog just for pageviews, but it is pretty nice when your work gets seen!
I also really enjoyed working with The Portrait Studio in Asheville and 80 Fresh. It's a joy to work with companies you really, really love. The giveaway for four free 80 Fresh meals is still going on, so don't forget to enter.
I know January and February are often very busy months for Healthy Living Blogs, but I'm hoping to keep some of the momentum going for spring.
Today is the 4th Best of the Blogs linkup! Just a reminder, if you are blogger, you can linkup either a Top Posts recap like I do OR one of your favorite or top viewed posts of the month. The idea is that we will have the best this blog community has to offer for each month in one place. If you are not a blogger, this will be a great resource for you to learn about new sites and view some incredible posts. It will be held on the last weekday of each month.
Mark your calender's for the rest of the year now--->
- Thursday, March 31st
- Friday, April 29th
- Tuesday, May 31st
- Thursday, June 30th
- Friday, July 29th
- Wednesday, August 31st
- Thursday, September 30th
- Monday, October 31st
- Wednesday, November 30th
- Friday, December 30th
Make sure to not only drop your link, but check out the other fabulous posts other bloggers leave. We had an amazing roundup of posts last month and I enjoyed reading all of them! Let’s make this an active community event! Please share with the hashtag #BestofBlogs
The linkup is at the bottom of the post, so keep on scrollin'!
February's Top Posts
Highest Overall Viewed New Post
Fashion Friday Twist- New Family Photos
Thank you guys for being so kind and receptive to my new family photos from The Portrait Studio. I love the way they turned out.
What Leukemia Taught Me
This is another post I never wanted to write, but I'm so glad I got to share Melanie's message.
Top Fitness Post
5 Reasons You Should Hike in Winter
Who doesn't love cashews? Thanks for supporting this post!
I had a lot of fun putting this workout together! I created it for Valentine's day, but it is a great workout to do year round.
Top Food Post
Peanut Butter Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal
Hoping to ride my "Chunky Monkey" success, I created a baked oatmeal version!
Healthy Dinners in 20 Minutes or Less with 80 Fresh
Love! Love! Love this company and I am thrilled to share it with you. Doesn't this dish look delectable?
Top Fashion Post
Pink Coat
You can't go wrong with a classic look!
What to Wear for Valentine's Day
Valentine's day may be over, but there are still some great sales in the post! Check it out if you want to add a splash of red to your closet.
Flashback Post
I Dared to Imagine a Different Life, My 1 Year Anniversary of Leaving WLOS
Every time I leave my house, someone still stops and asks me what I'm doing these days, so I decided to blast this post out on Facebook again. It did so well, that it is one of the top ranking posts of the month overall.
Shrimp Pineapple Kabobs
My pin for this started doing really well, so it's getting a revival! I'm glad because it's a really tasty and easy recipe.
Best of the Blogs Linkup
Best of the Blogs Linkup Rules:
- Link back to Running in a Skirt and/or share the graphic.
- Follow my Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
- Visit and comment on others blogs. Please don’t drop and run! I want to make this a place where our most fabulous work gets seen more! Use hashtag #bestofblogs to let them know you got there through the linkup!
- Visit my Facebook Page and drop your link for additional social shares.
In return, I will be commenting and sharing as much as possible! Thank you!
Your turn!
What's been the highlight of your month?
Liz Mays says
I've been traveling a lot this month so that has been the highlight. You have some nummy recipes featured here, by the way. Seriously!
JulieWunder says
How much fun! I love to travel. Thanks for the support.
Mandi Korn says
Congrats in RedBook:o) Your Peanut Butter baked Oat recipe looks yummy!!!
JulieWunder says
Thank you! It was pretty exciting to see it up there.
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
I feel like I should congratulate you on a wonderful year so far, but say how sorry I am about your friend 🙁 Hopefully this year goes nowhere but up from here! Thanks for the linky 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks Kristen. So many highs and lows! But I guess that's how life is. Thanks for linking up.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
I'm sorry I missed this linkup! I'm going to put the dates on my calendar!
I can't believe it's been a year since you left the station! Seems like I just started following you! What a fun year you've had.
JulieWunder says
Time flies!! In some ways it seems like a lifetime ago and other ways it seems like I just took a little break and have to go back tomorrow. Thanks for the support and hopefully you'll be able to link up next month. I'm trying to figure out the best way to remind folks.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
I love the variety of your posts 😀 I still hurt for you all for Melanie. But I know that with friends like you, her family will be able to heal. Thank you so much for the link up!
JulieWunder says
Thank you so much for the support. It means so much.
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
I love that you do these posts - such a nice cross-section of life. The recipes look amazing, but the fashion totally caught my eye!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Alisa! I enjoy putting them together and I'm hoping the new linkup really makes it a fun thing for the entire community. Thanks for the support.
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
Congrats on all of your blog successes this month! You have a little typo, so at first I thought you were saying you were in a blogging "grave" but I guess you meant "groove"- LOL! Sorry for your loss, I hope March is filed with all good things for you and yours!
JulieWunder says
Doh!!! My proof reader was busy doing taxes and I looked at it so many times I missed that. Thank you.
Taylor@Food Faith Fitness says
Looks like you had a great month!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Taylor!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
You certainly had quite a month. You put out so much great content and you deserve the positive response to it all. Thanks for highlighting your top stuff as I missed some of it! And so sorry for your loss - never an easy thing to deal with.
JulieWunder says
You are too kind! Thank you!! 🙂
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
I still adore your post about your friend, Melanie, and I still need to try that Chunky Monkey Oatmeal! I'll be back to add to the link up 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thank you-- xoxo
I hope you get to try the Chunky Monkey! 🙂
Prairie Gal Cookin says
Linking up right now - Thanks so much for hosting this!!
I just wanted to drop a note and invite you to come join us at Sunday's Simple Homemaker Link-Up. Would love to have you link-up!! http://www.prairiegalcookin.com/sundays-simple-homemaker-1st-weekly-link-up
JulieWunder says
Thanks so much for linking up! I try to give the computer a break on Sunday, but I will try to do the linkup! Thanks for letting me know about it.
Runaway Bridal Planner says
Seriously loving the pink coat, so cute!
I've actually got your chunky monkey recipe pinned, to try next time my sisters and I get together to cook.
I missed your Winter hiking post, I've got to go check it out!
JulieWunder says
I hope you get a chance to make it. It's sooo easy!
Denise C says
Love that pink coat, but I don't think it would look nearly as good on me!
JulieWunder says
ahhh! Thanks Denise!
Mary Beth Jackson says
All your pictures make me hungry- such beautiful photos! It was quite a month for you- up and down! I hope it is smooth sailing in March!
JulieWunder says
Thanks MB! I'd love some smooth sailing for a change. 🙂 Thanks for linking up!
Jess says
Ok. Julie. I am hungry right now! Love the recipes and the pictures, looks mouthwatering. The pic of you and your husband is lovely! Roy is always behind the camera, I tell him we need more pics together. I also love the pale pink coat on you, very pretty.
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
JulieWunder says
Haha! My Hubby always takes the pictures too. Have you seen that Instagram Husband video??? So funny.
Thanks for linking up!
Rosey Rebecca says
Seems like you had an awesome February! I commented on the post about losing your friend but I just want to say again how sorry I am. I can't wait to click through to some of your other posts since I just found your blog mid-month.
Thanks for inviting me to link up with you! I just started blogging again a few weeks ago and have already made so many new, wonderful blogging friends. I love this community so much! I shared my recipe for Huevos Rancheros & Slow Cooker Refried Beans. I also added a link to your linkup at the bottom of that post!
Looking forward to participating again next month and possibly meeting you at the end of March at the AVL meet up!
JulieWunder says
Your Huevos Rancheros look so good! I need to try them! Thanks for linking up. So nice connecting this month. I hope you can make the meetup at the end of the month.
Brandy says
I love the whole idea of those healthy meals that I can make a list in 20 minutes. I'm gonna check that out and come back here for the other link up to.
JulieWunder says
Hi Brandy! The meals are awesome! I hope you get a chance to try them.
Jess Benoit says
Congrats on getting picked up by Redbook & MSN! That's great 😀
JulieWunder says
Thanks Jess! I'm still pretty stoked!
Farrah says
Yay! Thanks for this linkup! I still really need that chunky monkey baked oatmeal in my life, haha. I've been too lazy to turn on the oven (...).
JulieWunder says
Haha! I feel ya... you've been kind of busy....
Heather@hungryforbalance says
Congrats on the recipe success! That's awesome! Thanks for hosting the link up Julie!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Heather! Thanks for linking up too 🙂
Blane Sherer says
It certainly has been a month of emotional swings
for you. I really enjoy your Monthly review posts.
Spring is coming ( smile ).
JulieWunder says
It has! Thanks for the support Blane!
Becki S says
Gah! I wish there were more hours in the day, I want to go through and read or re read all of these. I'm totally repinning that oatmeal one though. Yum!
JulieWunder says
Thank you Becki! I wish there were more hours in the day too 🙂 But then waiting for something like vacation would be even more excruciating! haha!
Heather Johnson says
How is February almost over?! My top post (annoyingly) is an infographic about healthy foods to feed a baby. I hope my readers are also reading what I wrote to go along with it.
JulieWunder says
Haha! Isn't it crazy which posts do well? The ones I swear will be popular barely make a blip sometimes. 🙂
Emily says
I got to read a lot of your posts this month! I really love the way you right, the hopeful, joyful spirit of your blog, and I really appreciate your example as a blogger! Go Julie!
JulieWunder says
Thank you so much Emily! It's been so nice to connect.
Dan Steadman says
Highlight of February? Yesterday getting back to NC Trails and taking the MST from the Folk Art Center with the family!!!!! You're right..winter hiking is awesome, you can see so mucH!
JulieWunder says
You can! It's so pretty up there.
Angela says
Thank you for inviting me to the Link-Up! So many great recipes & tips, looking forward to reading though them all, Have a Great Week 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thank you so much for coming to the linkup! I really enjoyed your post!
Annmarie says
Thanks so much for the linkup, Julie! Sharing the pancake recipes I rounded up 🙂
JulieWunder says
That was such a yummy post! Thanks so much for linking up!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I can't believe that February is nearly over. Here is to it nearly being Spring. Yay!
JulieWunder says
Me too! It's finally starting to warm up here and I'm thrilled!