So, my lovelies, it’s been a hell of a year. I’ll be doing my roundup of everything that’s gone on here at Swoon Worthy HQ soon but for now, I just have some big announcements to make in terms of what 2015 will bring.
No, I’m not pregnant (sorry to disappoint) and I’m not getting married (ditto).
However, there are a few big changes coming that I wanted to talk about…
Announcement #1: Β I’m leaving AO
First of all, and the most significant to me anyway (maybe not to you) is that I have decided to leave my post as Editor of AO at Home to pursue freelance work. You may recall back in August that I went part time (down to 3 days per week) and that was a sort of ‘testing ground’ for me to see if I could go fully freelance. Well, I got the taste for it and I loved it. So I figured I might as well start the year as I mean to go on and gave my notice in November – big big step for me! I have been working for other people since I was 16 years old and working full time since I was 17 years old. So to remove that safety net is pretty scary as well as exhilarating.
I have loved working at AO and growing their blog has been an amazing, challenging and satisfying experience. They’ve decided to take the groundwork of what I did on AO at Home (high quality content and photography, working with a talented mix of bloggers/contributors, etc) but have expanded the content held within to cover things like Family Life and Tech – it’s a good move for them and the reasons for this are sound. Over my last month, we launched the new site called AO Life but all the archived content from AO at Home is still there, the contributors for Interiors, Crafts and Food are still all there and those things won’t change. What also won’t change is I’ll still be writing for them in the ‘Home Life’ section but this time as a freelance contributor (I’ll also be on hand as an occasional consultant). So it’s all really positive and I’m thrilled to still be involved in a small way.
You may have noticed a new page in my top bar that says ‘Hire Me’. This is essentially what I’ll be doing to ‘pay the bills’. So while I will still take the odd sponsored post here on Swoon Worthy – my standards will remain VERY high. I never accept reviews or posts from companies that I don’t feel are a good fit or who I wouldn’t want to share with you guys anyway. So you don’t have to fear that every other post is going to be a sponsored one now. It’s something I have always felt strongly about and that hasn’t changed.
I am going to be writing for quite a few different companies now, offering consultancy to businesses looking to start or improve their blogs and I’ll continue to share those in my ‘Something for the Weekend’ posts if you fancy reading along. I’m also going to offer an e-design option to my readers which I will try to keep as reasonably priced as possible. I’m still working on that side of things so stay tuned!
Announcement #2: Β Swoon Worthy is getting a brand new look
I always take a break from Swoon Worthy between Christmas and New Years. Everyone is so busy during the holiday season and it’s just a nice way to recharge your batteries so this will be my last post between now and 5th January. Behind the scenes, I’m going to FINALLY move my blog over to WordPress – something I’ve wanted to do for probably years but have never had the opportunity/confidence/knowledge to do. Well, I’m going to take the plunge during this little break to give my little blog here a new fresh start. Hopefully in January, you’ll see a new look for Swoon Worthy that will reflect my aesthetic a little better – something cleaner but still a bit glam too! And make it easier for you guys to find any archived content with a much better design. Wish me luck!
Announcement #3: Β I’ve decided to change my name (back)
Some of you might have noticed that I’m going by ‘Kimberly Duran’ now instead of ‘Kimberly Hughes’. Β It’s probably a little confusing because you might think Wayne and I got married. We haven’t (promise I would have told you if that was the case). I am actually divorced and have been since 2003 (!) and just never bothered to change my name back to my maiden name. Yes, ‘Hughes’ is my old married name. Well, I’ve been waiting for my passport to expire so I could do a big change all at once and now that the old passport has, I finally got a Deed Poll officially and legally changing my name back to Duran. So yeah, that’s why you’ll see both names banded about. In the new year, I will be abandoning ‘Hughes’ completely and you’ll only see ‘Duran’. I promise it’s still me ;)
So exciting times ahead! I just want to thank you for following along here on Swoon Worthy. I often rant on about how much I appreciate you guys and it’s because I really want you to know that I do, so much so that I struggle to put it into words.
So rather than go all gooey on you, I will just wish you and yours a very happy and healthy holiday season (or a wonderful end of year) however you may be enjoying it. I’m going to eat my weight in Turkey and Ferraro Roche and enjoy a couple of weeks’ break and I’ll see you back here in 2015!
Definitely involved in more than just a 'small way'! We're all going to miss you at work! :)
Aww thanks Amy!! Gonna miss you guys too! *sniff* xxx
I am so proud of you! I am excited to see your new site….I totally thought you had WordPress and I know you are going to rock it in 2015 because you always bring it and you are just so damn talented! Love your blog and I love how genuine your are….absolutely one of my favorites.
Aww you are too sweet Jess! Thank you so much :) Happy New Year darling xxxx
Awww how lovely! Great to hear you're going to be pursuing your dream – you only have one life after all!<br />Do keep us posted on how you get on xxx
Thanks Suzzy! I will definitely do so! Happy Christmas & New Year! xxx
Big congratulations all round there! Looking forwards to seeing the new blog (and the new/old/new you) in the new year! x
Thanks Em!! See you then and Happy Christmas and New Year! xxx
Happy Holidays! I just have to say I looked at that last picture more than once before I noticed the cat, haha!
Hahaha! She does like to hide!! ;) Happy Holidays to you too! xxx
Congratulations on all fronts Kimberly! Going fully self-employed is a huge step, but it has such fantastic rewards. I just know your new path will be successful and I'm looking forward to seeing the new Swoon Worthy brand. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and all the very best for what sounds to be a hugely exciting year! Sue x
So exciting Kimberly :) I wish you many successes in 2015! I can relate on so many levels with your approach to blogging and your brand. I am off until 2015 too, and I hope you have a wonderful break! See you in 2015! Merry Christmas! xoxo
Your website looks great already so I believe that is only going to look even better next year! Can't wait to see it:)<br />Wishing you wonderful Christmas and happy New Year!
Merry merry Christmas to you too and cheers to working for yourself and changing your name back.
Merry Christmas lovely lady!! So pleased to hear that 2015 is kicking arse for you already; and it hasn't even started yet :p xxx
Merry Christmas! I have never commented but I just had to tell you how much I love Swoon Worthy! Thank You for all your wonderful posts and hard work, it's been such a joy reading your blog this far and I look forward to more in the future. Rest well lovely lady, happy holidays to you and yours! xxx
yay for you! What exciting times ahead! I am so happy for you and can't wait to see your new blog decor! Winter tidings xxx
Oh Kimberly. I am so excited for you. There are even bigger things ahead for you this year because you kick ass. You have <b>exactly</b> what it takes to be out there, being your own boss; snappin' necks and cashin' cheques. No one deserves it more than you, Duran. You work your ass off, you've got the sass and you have nothing but talent. I can't wait to fan-girl along with you
Good luck with your exciting new projects Kimberly. I'm sure you will make a huge success of going freelance – I have never regretted it for a moment. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. xx
I just came across your blog and I'm already a fan! I love your style and content and your site is beautiful even as is. I'm curious to see how you restyle it. Happy holidays!<br /><br />Felicia | <a href="http://www.belovedstyle.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Beloved Style</a>
Oh no, one of these confusing modern “magazine” style layouts with posts not readily accessible from the main page, forcing readers to click on each post in order to get more pagevie$$. it makes more difficult to find content, actually, not the other way round. but i guess now more than ever it’s all about the finances.
Hi Marie,
It’s most certainly not about money (I’m not sure how I make any money by making things any more difficult for my readers? No one is paying me). This redesign has literally taken up hours and hours and HOURS of my time (yes, right through Christmas when everyone else was relaxing, I was working 100+ hours over the last 2 weeks) and this layout allows me to feature the various elements of Swoon Worthy, not just the latest blog post.
The most recent posts will ALWAYS be on the home page where it says ‘Read the blog’. If an extra click is really that difficult, then don’t click on it. Simple as that. I’m not forcing anyone to do anything.
Please don’t assume you understand the reasons behind my actions or assume it has anything to do with money or extra ‘clicks’ – it doesn’t.
Kimberly
Swoonworthy is looking, well, swoon worthy! You have done such an amazing job. I am subscribing so I don’t miss a thing (although I will miss working with you – sob!)
Lucy
Wow, fabulous exciting news for 2015. The site is looking great (I did a makeover over Christmas too!) and I for one, am a big fan of a magazine layout ;)
Thanks so much Jen – your site is looking very swish indeed as well! Agree, like the magazine format too ;) xx
This redesign is beautiful. Every inch of it is classy and a beautiful representation of your brand. There will always be individuals who aren’t happy about what you need to do. Smile, breathe and be sooo proud of this amazing space that you’ve created.
Thank you so much Desiree! That comment (points up) came in about 2 minutes after the new design went live and after about 5 hours of panic in moving domains, I was stressed to breaking point – I honestly could have cried! I need to just let snarky people get on with their lives and not let it bother me lol You are too sweet and I’m so pleased you like it :) xxx
Could’ve sworn I left a comment on here on Christmas Eve but I don’t see it now :(. Did it through my mobile, I wonder if that has anything to do with (I’ve often had trouble leaving comments via my mobile on the previous blogger version).
Anyway, you should know, I did comment, it was a happy congratulatory one, even if it got lost in the ether! :-) I hope you had a fab Christmas and saw the year off in style. Looks like you’ve been busy! LOVEEEEE the new look Swoonworthy!
Happy happy 2015 ahead… looking forward to following your wonderful journey!
Meera x
Aww Happy New Year my dear Meera! I was doing a lot of work on the site around then and some of the comments didn’t carry over when I transferred the site! But thank you my dear and I’m so pleased you like it! Mwah! xxx
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