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Habitually Chic 10 Year Anniversary

by habituallychic

07 . 10 . 17


Today, July 10, 2017, marks my 10 year blog anniversary. I still can’t believe it’s been 10 years since I wrote My First Post. I remember telling a man that I was going to start a blog and he said I’d never keep up with it. In reality, he was what I did not keep up with. In honor of this special occasion, I thought it might be fun to share the story of how Habitually Chic began in 2007.

I starting working in interior design in 2005. It was the same year that the original domino magazine debuted and House & Garden was in its heyday. I started reading blogs during those years too. I remember reading Peak of Chic and Style Court who were writing about the Charlotte Moss townhouse that was set to open one block behind me. That was my “aha” moment that maybe I should start a blog.

We take it for granted that almost every designer has a blog now but in 2007, the people writing blogs were mostly design enthusiasts. There weren’t that many designers writing blogs and not many in New York except the bigger aggregate sites like Design Sponge and Apartment Therapy.

I had worked in marketing and business development in commercial real estate before I decided to follow my creative passion and move to interior design. It was there that I created an online newsletter and learned about hyper links and how to create content online.

I saw a few blogs named after common phrases that might not come up easily in a Google search so I knew I wanted to name my blog something original. I noticed that Scott Shulman of The Sartorialist could sign off with an S that stood for his name and his blog name so I decided to name my blog after my initials.

I looked through English and French dictionaries to come up with the name. I knew Chic would work well for the C but played around with words until I came up with Habitually Chic which was a name and style statement. I really wish I had the piece of paper on which I brainstormed all the different name combinations.

I knew that once people found my site that I wanted there to be enough content to keep them interested in reading posts and coming back for more. I decided to write the blog for a month before telling anyone. What’s funny is that some people actually found it on their own or through Google alerts. Luckily, people enjoyed the blog and it gained traction quickly after another blogger highlighted my site.

I say this every anniversary but I’m always amazed and surprised at everything that Habitually Chic has brought into my life. I’ve met so many wonderful people and traveled to so many beautiful places. The blog allowed me to go out on my own and establish my own design firm and work for myself for the last nine years. I wrote and photographed a book, Creativity at Work, and moved to Paris for a few months.

I’m especially thankful that people still read the blog everyday and send lovely messages or stop me on the street to say how much they love Habitually Chic. Just this weekend, a reader told me, “your blog is the highlight of my day! Looking forward to the next post!”

Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement over these past 10 years. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next 10 years and I can’t wait to share it all with you!

XOXO,

Heather Clawson aka Habitually Chic

17 Comments
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  1. CashmereLibrarian July 10, 2017 | 11:19 am

    I’m pretty sure I was one of your first readers! I was living in Santa Monica at the time, thinking about starting my own blog ( which I, admittedly, did not stick with!).

    Thank you for ten chic years! I still eagerly read every Habitually Chic post.

  2. Amy July 10, 2017 | 11:31 am

    Congratulations Heather! Your blog is beautiful! I absolutely love it! Cheers to the next 10!

  3. Tracey July 10, 2017 | 12:33 pm

    Ten years is a milestone….congratulations! I’ll share that reading your blog, along with a few others, is something I do every workday during lunch. I truly enjoy what you say and always the great photos. My husband and I are going to Paris for a month next year so I may reach out for some pointers. Thanks for all that you do for readers like me!

  4. Johnny Johnson July 10, 2017 | 1:39 pm

    Congratulations! I look forward to reading, and typically sharing, your posts each day. You allow me to see so much beauty in the world. Please keep at it!

  5. joyce farnell July 10, 2017 | 2:53 pm

    I too look forward to your next post. Your New Years resolutions 2014 was my first. So nice to see them complete. Live in Paris, travel more, write a book, dress before UPS man arrives. Get a smart phone and learn how to us it, seem so long ago. I try to do them all. Thanks for pushing me on.

  6. kvalas July 10, 2017 | 2:56 pm

    Congratulations! I’ve been following you since the beginning and I have your fabulous book. I look forward to reading your blog for years to come.

  7. Almila Kakinc July 10, 2017 | 3:22 pm

    Congratulations, Heather! Yours was one of the very first blogs I started reading about 8 years ago. I was at the unripe age of fifteen then. Your work dazzled my eyes and most importantly inspired me to reach for my creative pursuit, without hesitation. That’s a big gift of encouragement your blog has given, especially with male domination & doubt (latter of which your story points out as well). Thank you for your creations & here’s to many more!

  8. Preston July 10, 2017 | 5:16 pm

    Congratulations, Heather!!! Bravo

  9. Vay July 11, 2017 | 6:22 am

    Congratulations HC!! I’ve followed your blog for years, always so inspiring…keeping many of your recommendations and images posted for my new home decorating!!! Following your months in Paris as if they were mine own. Thanks for making us know the NY glamorous life and your hotel and restaurant tips, in my last year family trip to NY your post about JP Melon’s discovered that authentic burger. Best wishes for the next 10 from Spain!!!!

  10. Marlis Bennett July 11, 2017 | 9:18 am

    Congratulations on 10 years! I for one, am so glad that you started this adventure and have continued the endeavor. I started reading so many blogs eons ago, but only a few have remained on my radar and I start my day with yours. It’s always a delight. Here’s to the next 10!!

  11. Kelig Glorennec July 11, 2017 | 10:27 am

    Bonjour HC! Je dévore votre blogue tous les jours et je vous souhaite qu’il continue pour de nombreuses années encore. Bises.

  12. bystander915 July 11, 2017 | 12:34 pm

    My most heartfelt congratulation on your 10th anniversaire!!!!! Bonheur!!
    Cécile

  13. primadarling.com July 11, 2017 | 3:07 pm

    Happy Anniversary Heather! HC was the first blog I started to read regularly and is still one of my favorites. Thank you for the high quality of your content, and your amazing eye for all things chic! I started my own fashion blog a year ago and will say the high standards you hold yourself to at HC have been an inspiration! My best wishes to you for the next ten years! Jolain http://www.primadarling.com

  14. Diane July 11, 2017 | 3:51 pm

    Congratulations Heather – you are greatly appreciated!

  15. Sue July 11, 2017 | 4:18 pm

    And what a great 10 year read it has been. Many thanks for your positive blog posts and beautiful, educational entries!

  16. michelle naden July 11, 2017 | 6:10 pm

    LOVE your blog – I share it often and it’s such a treat to enjoy! Thank you.

  17. mildredmapp August 12, 2017 | 1:31 pm

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e57a95c46a09490f8c34c0fdb678833fb89ec1b258615adcc90ea7c354782606.jpg
    a glimpse of my parisian flat with something you know 🙂 Thank you so much ! Happy Anniversary (never too late ) !