Today, the first of September 2019 marks the sixth blog birthday and I can’t be any more excited. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you’d be well aware of my blogging journey. From a hobby blog sharing the recipes I tried in my kitchen, it has now evolved into something so much bigger and nicer!
To others, who are new to this space, let me introduce myself first.
Hi! I’m Shalini, editor and blogger at Kohl Eyed Me and Something’s Cooking. I’m an Army Wife who gets to move around the country once (or even twice/thrice) every couple of years. So, in this space, you can find a lot of offbeat travel posts, musings of an Army Wife and my ardent love for books. I also love to cook, hence a separate food blog.
Let me share some highlights from last year.
a. I began a Youtube channel! Though I haven’t posted any videos for the last couple of months, it is still a feat because guess what! It helped me tick off an important goal from my bucket list. I post easy Tasty-like recipe videos and there were a lot of friends and family who appreciated my efforts. I hope to get back to it soon.
b. A to Z Challenge: 6th time in a row! I enrolled both my blogs this time as well for the annual A to Z Challenge and I aced the challenge in style. I wrote all about books here on the blog sharing quotes, book reviews, and listicles. And I shared some decadent Kerala recipes on my food blog- Something’s Cooking. Thanks to Mom and Dad who helped me come up with recipe ideas and even prepare a majority of them.
c. Travel Posts featured by Tripoto: I write travel posts (once in a blue moon) and I’m extremely happy that a couple of them were featured by the esteemed Tripoto community. Pat on the Back moment!
d. Being a Content Writer: Did you know that I am a content writer at Corinne’s The Frangipani Creative? I am glad I took the opportunity and I am also pleased that the posts which are mostly related to the Basics of Blogging and Social Media are loved by the readers.
e. MuffyTales: With my love for books comes my Bookstagram account featuring my Golden boy – Mufasa aka Muffy. It is one of the most loved bookstagram accounts and I make sure to spice it up with lots of amazing giveaways. A week ago I sent out a Ron Weasely Funkopop, a Penguin Cloth Bound Edition of the classic – The Jungle Book and two recent releases. Another giveaway is planned, so, keep on the lookout for it.
The love we are showered with there is overwhelming, to say the least. I am glad that authors and major publishing houses trust us to send their new releases for book reviews. We are also a representative for one of India’s first and best book subscription boxes – The Big Book Box. Use our rep code to avail discounts on your subscription.
f. Last but not least, a huge thank you to my dear readers and blogging communities without whose support I wouldn’t have reached where I am today.
To my friends(you know who you are!) for always having my back and encouraging even the craziest idea that I come up with, especially in the wee hours of the night, I owe you!
Here are a few of my popular posts:
Travel:
Divine Justice by Judge Uncle| Judge Amaavan Deity in Kerala Temple
Books:
All About Books
Musings of an Army Wife:
I Serve as the Silent Rank
So, it is Six years, 666 posts, 1.4L+ footprints, max of 5.3k views a day, and 15k followers later, I am set to begin another exciting year at Kohl Eyed Me.
That said, I have something huge lined up because it is time to take my blogging to a whole nother level. I’m nervous as hell and those bad butterflies are fluttering in my stomach like crazy. I’d love to have your support as I step into a new venture. I shall share all the deets on MuffyTales’ Instagram stories.
Thanks again for being a part of my journey. Keep visiting. Keep encouraging.
Much love,
Shalini
If someone has to be super-proud of what they’ve achieved in the last few years, you are definitely on!! Shalini so happy and proud to see all that you’ve done in so many diverse niches! You are one Jack of all trades, who’s mastered quite a few! Not a small feat to write so well in varied genres, cook so well, photograph so well…gosh you are multi-faceted! Happy 6th blogversary and eagerly awaiting the big announcement!!
Wow. That’s amazing. Kudos to you for managing your blogs with such ease. Easy recipes, you say? That too from my home state. I’ll definitely check it out. ❤️Oh, and also, Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations. You’ve got too many accolades that I’m still in awe. Congratulations on your blog turning six. Here’s to many more years of blogging. ❤️
I hope that your blog reaches even more heights with #MyFriendAlexa.
P.S: Give my love and hugs to your darling Mufasa. I’m heading over to MuffyTales now.
Shweta recently posted…six word story #47
Woaa you got your hands full don’t you. And you excel at each of them. Loved the bubbly charm in your posts and ymilicious food photography. Keep going fabulous!
Rajlakshmi recently posted…Serial Chiller – Zentangle Inspired Artwork
Happy 6thversary and many more to come, Being a regular reader have always loved your posts.
Your pis are always awesome. There is a lot to learn from you. Cheers for the silent ranks.
This post is a complete platter of Shalini the kohleyed girl.
Happy happy blog birthday to you! Wishing you many more blogging filled years. Mufasa is such a cutie! Going over to IG right now to follow him!
I am seriously in awe of you – blogging about so many diverse fields! Hope to get to know you better with #MyFriendAlexa ❤
You constantly amaze me especially during the A to Z challenge where you put out creative well researched posts in 2 blogs year after year!! Here I struggle to manage even one blog
Roshan Radhakrishnan recently posted…High School Children Build a Power Wheelchair for Differently Abled Child #WATWB
You are multi-faceted Shalini. Happy 6th blogversary. From cooking to photgraphy and content writing you excel muti-dimentionally. Kudos!
Pragnya Mishra recently posted…Evolution of parenting
I got to know about this blog in blogchatter AtoZ challenge this year in April. There I read some of your posts about delicious food.
Waiting for more posts in this challenge😊
Congratulations on the sixth birthday of your blog.
More power to the Kohl – eyed one! From someone who has been trying to keep his blog alive for last 14 years!!
Wow! It has been a wonderful journey. Wish you many more such milestones and we hope to grow with you!
Happy birthday to the blog who really brings me so much joy, my recipe go to blog and lots of books. Love it keep it going. All the best for the next level.
Congratulations Kohl Eyes and may you grow from strength to strength. I love reading your blogs and have seen how you have evolved as a blogger. Wow! your stats are mind boggling! Looking forward to your next steps.
Unishta recently posted…Busting Myths Of men and money #BookBytes-1
Congratulations for this achievement
My is only 6 month old
So its a big achievement
Well Done
Hey Shalini !! I am so glad we met through the blogging community and I just love your blog!!
Happy Blog Birthday!!
Many congratulations on completing 6 years! Here’s to many many more, Shalini 🙂
Many congratulations on completing 6 years! Here’s to many many more, Shalini 🙂 I love Muffy the most in that list of yours 😀
Wow Shalini. You have a great inspiring journey. Congratulations!
Heartiest congratulations Shalini. Wishing you many many more blog celebrations. Your posts at the Frangipani Creative are priceless.
Obsessivemom recently posted…All for the Perfect Match #BookBytes 15
Happy six, Shalini! You are doing wonderful and I wish you many more years of success in blogging.
I have loved reading you since forever and am happy to have known you personally too.
Wishing you more success in everything you do.
Soumya recently posted…Action Replay + Gratitude List: August 2019
Congrats, Shalini, for your blog’s 6th anniversary! Wish you many more! Keep writing! And, you do have such an amazing partner who is sure to keep you on your toes. 🙂
Waiting for the new venture…..Here’s wishing you the very best, Shalini!
Hey Shalini!!! Congratulations on six years!!! Wish you many many more!!!
I love your content and especially Muffy. I can’t seem to get enough of his adorableness. You are extremely talented and I am eagerly awaiting the big announcement.
Lots of love!!
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Many congratulations, Shalini. So many feathers in your cap. Wish you many more years of satisfying blogging.
COngratulaitons SHalini… you truly Rock!!!! And looking forward to what you are up to next
Awesome. Congratulations Shalini. You are doing a wonderful job!! Keep going and keep rocking!!