September 1, 2017
My Blog turns Four today! Happy Birthday, Blog!
Yippee yay! Before I dwell into any details, here’s what you can expect this month!
Thank you, dear readers, for always being there by my side, for being a part of my world and my happiness!
Four years ago, when I started this blog, it was with the sole aim of maintaining a record of the recipes I tried in my kitchen. I was newly married and I wanted to keep track of the ‘Eureka moments’ after experimenting. Later, I took baby steps and began to scribble few poems and snippets from my life, which was well received. Awards and Accolades came her way and she evolved.
There are three highlights aka the best things that happened to my blog this year, which I wanted to share on this special occasion.
a. Moving to self-hosting – Tale of Two Tomatoes underwent some major re-branding and is now Kohl Eyed Me. Why did I do that? It was a huge decision! All I wanted was to let go of the many things that were attached to the previous title- few wounds are hard to heal.
b. Participating in the #AtoZChallenge – all four years. I absolutely love the madness and chaos that come with it. It opens doors for knowing some amazing blogs and bloggers, every single year. I had 4.3k views this April. This year, I chose to write on my recent trip to Thailand.
c. Blogging Communities – I am so happy and delighted to be part of few close-knit blogging communities – be it Write Tribe, Blogchatter, Blog-A-Rhythm (BAR) or the Book Club. They have helped me understand blogging in a better way and has inspired me to churn out excellent if not, exemplary posts. Being a part of Indiblogger and Blogadda opens doors for contests, sponsored posts and writing for some great prompts.
A handful of WOW posts, few contests won on the blog and Twitter, my blogging journey this year isn’t much to brag about. But, here are my Popular Posts:
Is a Meager RIP Enough?
Eight Questions Never to Ask An Army Wife
Guns N’ Roses
Eight Things to do in Pattaya
The Grand Palace, Bangkok
So, it is Four years, 536 posts, 73K+ footprints, a max of 579 views a day, and 15k followers later, I am set to begin another exciting year on Kohl Eyed Me.
I’m setting few goals for my blog, this year:
1. Write at least 2 posts a week
2. Do/Ask a guest post regularly
3. Participate in contests and not procrastinate
4. Read more
5. And celebrate all her baby steps
Thanks again for being a part of my journey. Keep visiting. Keep encouraging.
Much love,
Shalini
I am taking my Alexa Rank to the next level with Blogchatter
Current Status of Alexa Rank: 1,375,999, India Rank: 78,894
P.S: Love Party Food? Join the celebrations at somethingiscooking.com Here’s a sneakpeek:
Ruchi Verma says
Happy birthday 🎂 to ur blog …my blog birthday is coming in a week ..I love it writing darling
Bellybytes says
Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear KEM. Happy birthday to you. May you blow a 100 candles one day and continue to make everyone smile with your cheery demeanour.
Harini says
Happy birthday to your blog and congratulations to you for completing four successful years of blogging. I feel like an old friend of your blog. Been reading it for almost three years now. Here’s to many more years to come!!
Sanch @ Sanch Writes says
Happy Blogiversary! I’m impressed that both your blogs share the same day 🙂 My blog turns 10 this year. Unfortunately, I have lost track of exactly when as I had imported some posts from Windows Live but I think it might have been around October. 😛
Love the goals you have set for the next year and you’ve done some awesome work on your blog. I love your blog name by the way 🙂
Shalini says
Thank you, Sanch. Congrats on the merge 🙂
Ramya Abhinand says
Congratulations Shalini and may you have many more blogging years ahead!!!
Shalini says
Thank you so much, Ramya 🙂
Rachna Parmar says
Many congratulations, Shalini. Very impressive that both your blogs were born on the same day. You have been doing good things and I wish that you continue them and get even more views, followers and wishes the coming year.
Shalini says
Means a lot, Mam. You are someone I admire. Thanks for always encouraging me.
Mayuri Nidigallu says
Happy 4th to your blog and you, Shalini! What an awesome 4 years it has been!
I admire the hard work you put into your blog, and you deserve to celebrate!
Yipee! Yay!
Shalini says
Thanks a lot, Mayuri. 🙂
Lata Sunil says
Happy birthday to the blog .. Keep rocking.
Shalini says
Thanks a lot, Lata! 🙂
Dr Pooja Tripathi says
What an inspiring journey Shalini.
I also wish to join those writing communities. Whatsay? Should I?
Shalini says
Oh, you definitely should! 🙂
Geetika says
Super Duper Congratulations to you sweetheart!!! Here’s to much more to come… Glad to have come across you and know you girl!!
All the best!!!
Cheers
Shalini says
Ditto, Geetika! Thank you very much.
Bikram says
Congratulations and here’s wishing many many manyyyyy more anniversaries your way..
I have always enjoyed reading your post not been regular due to some reasons so sorry for that..
So many accolades you deserve them alllll… all the best always… and happy 4th to you and your blog….. woohoo hooooo party time…
Shalini says
Thanks a lot, Bikram. I know you are always there to support and encourage. Means a lot!
Team MocktailMommies says
Wish you a very happy Blogversary! What a journey… so many accolades! We wish you many more fun filled exciting years to come!
– Anagha From Team Mocktailmommies
https://mocktailmommies.blogspot.com
Shalini says
Thank you, Anagha 🙂
Vishal Bheeroo says
Happy blog birthday. What an awesome journey! You are turning into a brand.
Shalini says
Thank you, Vishal. Means a lot!!
Vasantha Vivek says
Happy birthday to your blog, Shalz. I enjoy every post of you dear. My blog is also going to celebrate its third birthday on this month. Keep writing, dear. Happy to join with you for #MyFriendAlexa.
Shalini says
Thanks, Vasantha. Means a lot! Let’s have fun, this Alexa month!
Roma Gupta Sinha says
Happy Fourth to your blog love ❤️ May you rise and shine more and more each day 😊🙏btw I love kohleyedme title as much as I did a tale of two tomatoes 😘
Shalini says
Aww..thanks Roma <3
Sulekha says
Shalini, happy fourth birthday to your blog and happy wedding anniversary too. Your blog is a warm and inviting place and I love being here. Many more accolades to come your way, cheers…
Shalini says
Thank you, Sulekha. Means a lot!
Tina Basu says
Happy Birthday to Khol eyed me. The blog has grown leaps and bounds. All the best for this year too. Happy Alexa month
Shalini says
Thank you, Tina.
Soumya says
Happy anniversary, again! <3
In particular, I loved your A to Z this year. Thailand was a big gamble and how it payed off! And the dishes on your food blog for A to Z were more than spectacular! I can imagine the pictures in my head and drool all day 😀
Shalini says
Yippee yay! Thank you, Soumya for always being there with your constant support and encouragement. <3
Shamik says
I walked down to the memory lane and could connect with your thoughts as how your intent of documenting recipes changed to blogging and later self-hosting. Because it was same for me as well. Very nicely articulated. 👏👏
Shalini says
Thanks, Shamik. Welcome to my blog.
SHALINI BAISIWALA says
Awesome Shalzz and many happy wishes for this milestone! I am also going to do Guestposts more often; shall send you one this month for sure!!
Shalini says
Thank you, Shalini.
Deepa says
Wow! It was such an exciting post. It’s so much fun when you go back and think of everything you achieved. Congrats to you and wish u much more.
Seema Wadhwa says
Congratulations on the blog anniversary 🙂
I’ve always enjoyed reading your posts! That’s a lot of exciting achievements unlocked and adventures ahead!
Look forward to reading each one of them!
Vinay Leo R. says
So many milestones and important moments across these four years. 🙂 Happy to have known T from almost the very start! 😀
Anchal says
Many Congratulations 🙂 May you never run out of ideas to write 🙂 Love your posts
Manisha Garg says
Congratulations on this milestone. All the best for future
Ishieta @ Isheeria's says
Happy Blog Birthday Shalini 🙂 Its been a delight to read your blog and interact with you 🙂
Best of Luck with your goals for this year 🙂
Neha says
Happy Birthday to your Blog Shalini! I did love your Thailand series during the A-Z. It just added Thailand back on my travel wishlist 🙂
Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan says
I still have your Thailand series saved on my Pocket app for handy reference when the day comes. Have shared it too with friends when they talk of plans to go there.
Deepa says
Congrats Shalini. This is a great achievement. I love reading your travelling posts. Wish you many more.
arv! says
congratulations on your blog anniversary!
Which web host service did you use for self-hosted one?
Paresh Godhwani says
Congratulations on completing 4 years of blogging. Wish you many more years of blogging. Cheers!
Modern Gypsy says
Congratulations on your blog anniversary and here’s wishing you many many more successful blogging years!
Iram says
Happy 4th Blog Anniversary 🙂 👍
Good to read about your blogging journey. Hope o yoo get on line and streamline my blog
Cheers!!
Disha says
Congratulations on turning four! Continue writing with the same enthusiasm & celebrate more in coming years 🙂
keerthi vydyula says
Wow Shalini that’s a wonderful journey! Kudos on completing 4 years and wish you luck for many more years to come. Keep writing and keep inspiring! Hugs! 🙂