Happy New Year, friends!

It’s officially 2019, friends! As much as I can’t believe that 2018 has already come and gone, I am so excited for what this new year has to offer. When I sat down to plan out what I wanted this next year to look like for A Hosting Home, I took a moment to look back at where we had been the past few years.

This blog and business has grown in ways that I couldn’t have ever imaged. Meanwhile, I couldn’t be more thankful for you (yes, you!) and for all of your love and support for my dreams and passions. So coffee cup cheers to 2019, friends! Before we jump into everything this new year has to offer, let’s spend tonight taking a trip down memory lane. Here’s a look back at the Top 10 blog posts that drove traffic to ahostinghome.com in 2018.

#AHostingHome’s Top 10 Blog Posts From 2018

#10 – Just Engaged and Completely Overwhelmed? What You Need To Do Now

If there’s one thing I know for sure about getting engaged it’s this. You’re about to walk left-hand first everywhere you go. You’ll start touching your face excessively when you talk to people. Not to mention, you’ll be beyond excited to get started with your wedding plans! One thing that secret Pinterest board may not have warned you about getting engaged is that getting engaged can be completely overwhelming for some people. Between being bombarded with questions about plans you didn’t know you had to make yet within the first five minutes of saying ‘Yes!’ (People are crazy – and nosey!) and wondering what the heck to do next, the overwhelm can start to creep in.

So where do you start? What do you do first after saying ‘Yes!’ to annoying your favorite person for the rest of your life? Lucky for you, I’ve got a little list for you. Visit the post, here.

#9 – Springtime Farmhouse Table Centerpiece 

I’m so excited this one made our Top 10 recap just in time for Spring, because it’s an oldie (but a goodie!) Although Fall and Winter will always be my favorite half of the year (at least in the South!), the thought of Spring and sitting outside on my front porch with a cup of coffee watching everything turn green again is getting me excited. I may (just maybe!) transform into a plant lady. Who knows! I now just need to figure out how to keep plants alive. In the meantime, I’ll stick with decorating with faux greenery in hopes of bringing the fresh spring vibes indoors. If you’re looking to decorate your table with a simple yet darling centerpiece this Spring, I’ve got the perfect inspiration for you. Visit the post, here.

#8 – My Unlikely Obsession with the New Opalhouse Line at Target

As a lover of everything chippy and farmhouse, I didn’t really think much about the new Opalhouse line that launched at Target this past Spring. The reason why I initially didn’t give the new Opalhouse line much of a thought when it first launched was because it kind of had some bohemian and indochic vibes – which as a designer I do love! However, the bright contrasting colors just aren’t my traditional style when it comes to styling my own home. (This girl is all about those cozy neutrals!) However, when I got to digging through the different ‘styles’ within the Opalhouse line, I found that it is really Anthropoligie-esque  – with high quality pieces to dress up your space at more affordable prices.

I was excited to share with y’all some of my favorite picks from the new line on the blog, and there’s even more to love from the line now. Even if you’re a farmhouse girl like me, I can promise you’re not going to want to miss this unlikely new obsession. Sit down now – because you’re going to fall in love! Visit the post, here.

#7 – Super Easy DIY Magnolia Wreath Tutorial

When it comes to your front door, I almost don’t think it’s complete without a wreath. I’ve made a lot of wreaths over the past 6+ years for all seasons. However, my favorite one has to be this simple yet darling magnolia wreath. I made it for our new house back in the fall of 2017 when we moved into our new home. Every time I share a photo of the wreath, I still get so many questions about where I got it. Not to mention, when people come to find out how I made it, they almost can’t believe how easy (and inexpensive!) it was. With everyone soon preparing their outdoor spaces for the sunshine ahead this spring and summer, I’m so excited that this post is featured on our Top 10 recap! Visit the post, here.

#6 – What to Wear to a Bridal Shower (As a Guest or the Bride!)

Being engaged is such an exciting time in a bride’s life – from the ring selfies to planning her dream wedding and all the exciting festivities in between. If she’s anything like me, she wants to plan as many bridal showers and parties as she can to soak up her engagement and have the chance to celebrate with all her different family and friend groups. But, with bridal showers and engagement parties come having to find the perfect outfit to be photographed in whether you’re the guest or the bride.

Lucky for you, I shared a few quick tips on what to wear to a bridal shower regardless if you’re the one being celebrated or doing the celebrating. (Because we all know there’s going to be the same #ThrowbackThursday posts for at least a year…) While I was surprised to see this post make the Top 10 for 2018 (because it was actually written way back in 2017!), the principles remain true to anyone staring into their closets this spring and summer. Visit the post, here.

#5 – The Biggest Wedding Planning Mistakes You’ll Make

Congratulations! You’re engaged to the one whom you’re soul loves, and I couldn’t be happier for you! This is such an amazing time in your life, and you should be enjoying every single moment of it. As you’re probably figuring out in your wedding planning journey by now, there’s a lot of little things that go into planning a wedding. However, wedding planning doesn’t have to be a prescription for stress. Don’t let these biggest wedding planning mistakes put a dampener on your big day!

While I was also super surprised to see this post make the Top 10 for 2018 (because it was actually written way back in January of 2017!), the principles remain true to any bride planning their wedding in 2019. Visit the post, here.

#4 – Pink Floral Diaper Cake + The Only Diaper Cake Tutorial You’ll Need

This summer, I had the opportunity to host a baby shower for one of my best friends. The very next weekend, I also had the opportunity to attend another baby shower. (With how many of my friends announcing their pregnancy, I just know there’s going to be a ton more in my future too!) Whether the shower is diaper themed like the one I had the pleasure to attend or you want to get creative with gifting clothes and necessities, a diaper cake is a great DIY that will take the boring out of a box of diapers.

There’s a lot of DIY tutorials out there on Pinterest. But, I can promise that this is the only diaper cake tutorial you’ll need to shower your momma-to-be friends with the one thing they’ll not be able to get enough of. Here’s my fool-proof tutorial on how to make the perfect diaper cake! The only thing I can’t promise is that the smell of baby powder won’t give you immediate baby fever. Visit the post, here.

#3 – The New Magnolia Line at Target We All Didn’t Know We Were Missing

With how much I love everything Magnolia and Target, they really are the perfect match made in heaven. Ever since their Hearth & Hand line came out last November, I’ve been religiously following along like so many others to see what they’re going to do next. When I got word of this new Magnolia line at Target that launched, it was one that I don’t think any of us knew we were missing. But, now that it’s here, I don’t think I could encourage you to run to your closest Target fast enough.  It’s as if Chip and Jo are giving us all the DIY tools we need to embrace our own inner Fixer Upper. (#DemoDay optional!) Visit the post, here.

#2 – The Perfect Farmhouse Floral Curtains + My Curtain Hanging Hacks

You’re probably the type of person that feels almost naked when you leave the house without your jewelry on. It’s the final touch that can bring your whole outfit together. Well, the way I look at them, curtains are the jewelry for your home. They really have a way to bring your space together and to another level. The proof can definitely be seen with my dining room. I’m honestly blown away at the difference that it made. I was definitely not surprised to see my post about my dining room curtains make the top 2 for our 2018 recap. Believe it or not, those curtains were the highest paying item (via affiliate commission) that I received last year. I am still as obsessed with them as I was when they arrived. Shop them for yourself and visit the post, here.

Drumroll, please…

Our Top Post for 2018:

#1 – The Easiest DIY Balloon Garland Tutorial 

This summer I had the opportunity to host a huge baby shower for one of my absolute best friends and fellow wedding professional. After picking her brain for weeks on our morning walks at the local park, I knew that I wanted to make it as beautiful and special as possible for her all while channeling the inspiration she had for the baby’s nursery.

Since she is a wedding photographer, I know just how much photographs mean to her for capturing life’s precious memories. I wanted to create a beautiful photo backdrop for her to be able to capture memories with her family and friends throughout the afternoon. The gold sequin backdrop was a no-brainer when it came to celebrating this sassy mama-to-be. Adding a white and soft pink balloon garland gave it the sweet, whimsical touch that I was inspired by with the baby’s nursery. The best part was that it was super easy to make! Visit the post and the tutorial, here.

 

Well, there you have it, friends! Those were the top 10 posts that drove traffic to my blog in 2018. As I sit here and look towards this new year, I am so excited for all the things that are to come for life and this blog of mine. Is there anything you want to see on #ahostinghome’s blog in 2019? What’s inspiring you this new year? My mission for this blog is to serve my followers well with the content that I create. Leave a comment below with what you want to hear from me!