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New Year’s Eve Thoughts 🥂🎩🎊

Greetings on this last day of 2019!

I was going to republish my How to Purge Your Closet post today, but I decided at the last minute to share some things that are on my mind. (That post has been recently updated, so if you are feeling the urge to purge, definitely give it a read!)

I wanted to write more of this at the end of yesterday’s post, but I ran out of time, and it was also getting mighty long. So consider this a mid-week Coffee Talk…

New Year's Eve Thoughts 🥂🎩🎊

New Year’s Eve Thoughts 🥂🎩🎊

From perusing my Facebook and Instagram feeds, I gather this has been a rough year for some, a victorious year for others, and for most of us, a little of both.

I’m definitely in the 3rd category. It’s been a good year mostly, although there were some disappointments. I’m still bummed about our canceled trip to Austin last spring, but hopefully our Paris trip in May will more than make up for that!

The kids all had a good first semester of school, and they’re all healthy and happy, which brings joy to this mama’s heart. D loves apartment living, C has become quite the little home chef, and R has found her tribe in the marching band.

Paul has taken on some additional responsibilities at work, and he’s enjoying the new challenges, but it will require more travel. We’ll have to see how that plays out. Even though the kids are older, our home life always feels a little deflated when he’s away.

As for me, I’m struggling a bit with a funky hip issue, which is making it hard to stay motivated to exercise, and I’m also having a hard time keeping my weight in check. Hi, perimenopause!

I’ve been dabbling with intermittent fasting, and I’m hoping to hit it hard in the new year and see if that helps. I’ve been reading Delay, Don’t Deny, in case you’re interested.

Looking Ahead to 2020

I don’t make resolutions or choose a word, but my plans for 2020 include:

a trip to Paris with Paul to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary

I’ve never been to Europe, and I am SO looking forward to this trip!!! Praying that all goes well and nothing will derail our plans this time.

a kitchen update

I’m ready to start Phase Two of our home design projects, and the kitchen is next. We aren’t sure how much we want to do, but a new sink and counters, a tile backsplash, and appliances are definitely on the agenda.

I’m looking forward to the updates, but I kind of dread the process… especially if we decide to paint or replace the cabinets. We’re meeting with a designer next week to discuss.

a couple of blogging conferences

I’m not sure which ones yet, but I enjoyed the one I went to last month. It’s important to invest in my business in that way, and I need that time with other women in the industry to talk shop and compare notes and inspire each other.

a 6-day posting schedule

I’ve been posting 7 days a week for as long as I can remember. I like the pace, I enjoy the daily comments, and I usually have more than enough topics to fill all 7 days. But as my posts get longer and more time consuming to put together, I need to scale back just a bit.

I’m going to start taking Saturdays off and see how that goes. My weekly recap emails will still go out on Saturdays, there will just be no new blog post.

a subtle shift in the focus of the blog

I’m moving away from posting so many new outfits, and doing more try-on hauls, daily outfit roundups, and topics related to how to put outfits together.

There will always be outfit posts and new products cycling in and out of my closet that I’ll want to share with you, but this year I really want to focus on quality over quantity. That’s much more in sync with my own shopping habits and personal style aesthetic.

As we sit here on the brink of a new decade, I can’t help but wonder what the future will hold for the blogging industry. SO much has changed in the past 10 years, I can’t begin to imagine how things will look 10 years from now.

On the other hand, there is one thing that hasn’t changed: Content is still king.

No matter what new social media networks might crop up or how the algorithms change or how sophisticated websites get, content is king and authenticity rules. The cream will always rise to the top.

I’ve always believed that and operated under that philosophy, and it’s served me well so far.

So with all that said, once again, I want to thank you for being here. I know I said this yesterday, but it always bears repeating: I could not do what I do without you.

Sometimes the pace of this job can be overwhelming, but 95% of the time, I have to pinch myself to believe that I actually get to do this for a living.

Even my daughters, who see crazy amount of hours I put in some days and my angst over deadlines and negotiations and the occasional cranky commenter, tell me that I have a dream job. And I do. So thank you.

Whether you go out or stay in tonight, I hope you all have a fun and safe NYE celebration. Happy New Year! 🎊

Join The Conversation

76 Responses

  1. Thanks for your posts over the past year. I always enjoy them! A suggestion: I noticed yesterday that Williams Sonoma is having their once a year knife sale. It’s a really good sale on really good knives and people might want to know about it. If you are redoing your kitchen, perhaps you could include some blog entries on home style/design. Just a thought… Happy New Year!

  2. Good morning.  I wanted to reach out and thank you.  Thank you for not only staying true to yourself and your own style preferences but for trying the latest trend and going out of your comfort zone occasionally.  You ALWAYS deliver top quality content, from detailed photos and descriptions to sharing your personal opinion.  Be proud of the blog you have created.  It is definitely a good one.  
    Happy New Year to you and your family.  

  3. Yes PLEASE – tips on putting together outfits ! Love your blog! Keep up the good work !❤️
    Praying for you and your fam right now 😊 God Bless Your New Year!

  4. You do a really great job on your posts, and I appreciate reading them and all the work you put into your posts!  Thank you.  Keep up the great work, and a Happy New Year to you and your family!!

  5. I love that your Coffee Talk photo has wine for New Year’s Eve! I sympathize with your stressors, celebrate your success, and wish you a wonderful 2020 – but with a trip to Paris coming in May, the year is already looking happy and bright!

  6. You are such a blessing. One of the best parts of the day is opening a Jo-Lynne Shane post or hopping on to the group on Facebook. Thank you for bringing so many lovely and interesting things to think about to my laptop door every day. Many blessings to you and yours in 2020!

  7. Thanks Jo-Lynne for all you do and all the hours you put into your blog. The quality is above any other blogger I follow… and I follow quite a few. I look forward to seeing what you put together for 2020 and wish you and your family a wonderful new year. 

    1. You are by far the best blogger I follow (and I follow too many!)! You are authentic and I learn so much from your posts. I also appreciate that you aren’t constantly pushing products…everything can’t always be amazing! I, too, prefer quality over quantity any day. Keep up the great work! Prayers for a happy and healthy New Year for you and your family!!

  8. I just started following you this past summer and I look forward to your posts everyday. I never realized how much work went into blogging and want you to know you do a fabulous job! Probably a good idea to scale back a bit though-these years with your children will go really fast. BTW you look awesome in dresses!

    1. I enjoy your blog so much! Thank you for the effort you put into bringing great content! I also have a trip to Paris planned for May!  My nephew is getting married in Salzburg Austria and we will spend 10 days exploring different areas!  I would love for you to share some of the travel pieces!!!! 

  9. Happy New Year to you and your family!  I found your blog this past summer after following a link to another blogger.  Lucky me! I thoroughly enjoy reading your content and seeing seeing the outfits you put together as well as your try on hauls.  I have made some purchases based on your suggestions.  You are like having a girlfriend do the shopping for me!  Thank you for all you put into your blog.  It shows!

  10. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Jo-Lynne. I think taking Saturdays off is a great idea. Taking a weekly break will keep you from getting burned out and also be good for your brain. When you work for yourself and work at home, it’s so easy to work at a pace that’s not sustainable long-term. Your trip to Paris is going to be wonderful. And there will probably be some glitches or lessons learned along the way, but that’s part of the adventure of traveling. I hope you take notes on fashion and bring them home to share. My big take-away from a trip to Paris last year was that all the women were wearing “trainers” aka sneakers with every outfit you could imagine. Many women probably had heels in their bags, but some outfits were obviously put together to include sneakers. I never wore sneakers out because I didn’t like the look but I’m starting to wear them more.

  11. Hello,

    I love your blog. You wrote a great post. You have a beautiful family. Happy and healthy new year for you and them.

  12. I look forward to more posts on putting outfits together, showing us why it works, or why not, and how to fix. Sometimes it’s the subtle shifts that make all the difference. I like the posts on the third piece, varying texture, new trends and how a mature women can incorporate them into her wardrobe. 

    We gutted our kitchen about nine years ago and even though it was very expensive I do not regret spending the money. Working with a designer and her trades people produced a completely different, updated, efficient kitchen that we LOVE. It is inconvenient but so worth it, JoLynne. 

    I’m sure any changes you make to your blog will be for the best and we’ll be here along for the ride. Here’s to 2020 – a new year and a new decade. ! 🥂

  13. You are very much appreciated! Your blog is so well done, I learn something every day. Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family!

  14. I really like the idea of “quality over quantity” as that is how I am now approaching my wardrobe. Your blog is my favourite for a number of reasons: you always teach me something; you share your thought processes, not just a photo of an outfit; your personal style resonates with me; and most importantly, I love the way you interact with your readers. I wish you a wonderful 2020 and thank you for all that you do, Jo-Lynne!

  15. I have to tell you that my son turned 47 last September 27! And I follow your Blog regardless of age. I have always worn jeans & T-Shirt or sweater, dresses high heels to work! This month I bought the fashion hiker boots because of you! Now I also like the platform sandals that you wear. I also have the curling wand for beach waves! So thank you for living this year 2019 and keeping it so real for me and all of us. I am going to Florida in May down on the Gulf and am trying to figure out what to take! I’ll be reading your Blog in 2020 for sure and The Best To You!

  16. I discovered your site in the fall and look forward to your posts.  You are one blogger who seems to be more my style.  I have enjoyed reading stories about your families changing lives.  I wish you and your family the best for this coming year.  

  17. Although there are several bloggers that I follow (or have followed throughout the years), you have remained my constant.   Although it is probably time consuming and challenging at times, my favorite thing about your blog is the content itself, even though it’s changed over the years. (I still have a recipe or two from Musings of a Housewife.)  You take the time to explain things – whether it’s why you like an item or why you don’t, what options are for various price points, various ways to style or even caring for the item to make it last. I know sometimes you say you get too “wordy”, but I like that. I mean, after all, a blog is meant to be read.  🙂🙂  I look forward to the upcoming year and especially excited for more focus on quality over quantity and how to put outfits together from existing pieces. I know you share a lot of new pieces but I feel you already do this some, which is one of the reasons I like your blog.  Although I definitely like to shop, I look forward to maybe scaling back and utilizing existing pieces – which I’ve been working on for a while, but look forward to new ideas. Thank you so much for all that you do and I wish you and your family many blessings during this upcoming year! 🥂

  18. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and your family. You certainly deserve to take a break when you need to and scaling back to 6 days a week is a good start! I always enjoy your try-on hauls and your posts about putting outfits together. Don’t stress out about the changes you plan – that will only cause you to burn out. And we don’t want that! Continue staying true to yourself. Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!

  19. I love that you are heading this direction and staying true to yourself. It is so easy to get caught up in the newest outfit or trend and click the links to buy. At first when I started following a few blogs I found I spent more than I normally would. This isn’t sustainable for most. Now four years later you are one of the few I continue to follow because of your content and your philosophy. Your descriptions are very helpful and I love how discerning you are when evaluating items. Thank you again for being our eyes, our personal shopper, critic and idea generator! 

    1. I will echo the sentiments of the preceding commenters; I enjoy your blog and learn so much. Looking forward to new areas of focus and appreciate your efforts to keep your postings relevant and interesting!

  20. Happy New Year! I love that you will be getting away from fast fashion but also would love to see more of your posts that show multiple ways to style an item. I am making an effort to simplify and declutter this year and that includes my closet. Instead of looking for blog posts that show new things, I would love to see outfit inspiration for what is already in my closet. I am sorry that you are dealing with a hip issue especially after dealing with the foot issue not all that long ago!
    I will be checking out the update to how to purge your closet as I am really in the spirit of downsizing my items!

  21. I don’t have the funds to continuously shop, so enjoy the posts that talk about style in general, like Build an Outfit. I also really enjoy the sincerity and positivity of your blog and the community you have formed. It’s a nice little escape from the negativity around us. Thank you!

  22. Really enjoyed this post and went back and read yesterday’s as well, which was equally good. I had my 4 yo grandson and hadn’t had time to look at it. Yours is my favorite blog and the only one I read consistently. Even though I’m older, retired one year ago and developing new interests, you help me stay current and don’t allow me to sink too far into the frump zone! I appreciate all your hard work with emphasis on quality content – it shows and I have no doubt will provide you continued success for as long as you choose to do this. You are so generous about sharing your life and not making everything look too perfect, so regular people can relate. I like the direction you are taking, with quality over quantity and better cost per wear. Makes life calmer and so much better for our planet! Taking a day off is good – take it from me, life passes quickly and those kids will be gone before you know it, as you can see from the old photos! We (my husband and I) are planning to try intermittent fasting as well. It’s hard to keep my weight consistently in check the older I get. He has no problem maintaining weight, but is type II diabetic, so it seems like a good fit for us. I think we will start with 12 hours and may work up from there, we’ll see how it goes. I’ll be interested to see how it works for you.
    I hope you and your family have a blessed, happy and healthy 2020!

  23. I enjoy your blog very much and appreciate your new direction in the coming year. i follow another blog where the blogger rarely buys anything new (she’s older and at this stage KNOWS her specific style) and so LOTS of her posts are on using what’s in your closet. I know i have LOTS in my closet but continue to wear everything the same way each time – would LOVE to see ways to switch things up – maybe stuff “outside the box” of how to wear things. As always i struggle with what colors go with what colors/shoes/etc. Keep up the great work and here’s to 2020 🙂

    1. It is: susanafter60.com – although i’m only 52 i find so much value in her blogs because they make me think outside of the box. i love the variety of susan’s blog, jolynne’s and cyndi’s ….those are the 3 i follow ALL THE TIME!

  24. I enjoy your blog very much.   Love the idea of quality over quantity.  Trying to move in that direction.   Scaling back to 6 posts per week makes sense.   Take time to enjoy your wonderful family!!

  25. Happy New Year Jo-Lynn! I enjoy your blog very much and think you do a wonderful job. Looking forward to your 2020 posts and appreciate the move to quality over quantity. How many clothes, shoes, bags does one girl need??!! Way less than I have, for sure, so seeing more of how to style what I have in new ways resonates with me. May 2020 be more blessing than trials for all of us. I look forward to enjoying Paris vicariously through you!!(I have been but not in a long time. You will love it.)

  26. I came across your blog when you and Cyndi Spivey were doing your fashion days together, and I have enjoyed following you ever since. I am very excited about the quality over quantity and other changes you are looking at making in 2020. I don’t mind buying the odd inexpensive pieces especially if its just a passing trend or to finish an outfit, but having a quality wardrobe to build on is key… I would be very interested in shopping my closet more, but adding a piece here and there to change it up. I am sure there’s lots in my closet that could be worn, but like others I have my favorite go to outfits. Maybe its time to get rid of the things I only wear once and a while. I know I have a lot of sweaters to be tossed, and I started to replace them this year before, during, and after Christmas sales. Bring on the try on sessions, the hits and misses, the evolution of an outfit, and one item (quality item) worn various ways. Looking forward to 2020.
    Happy New Year to you and your family.

  27. I want to thank you for sharing your family and yourself with us.  There are some other bloggers out there that make it seem as if the blog is the last thing they want to do and they throw something together so they can get to their real life.  The content of your blog along with your personalization is what sets you apart for me.  I hope you and your family have a lovely new year and I will be following along!

  28. I am so excited for you for your Paris trip. We did our dream trip to France the summer of 2018. A week in Normandy and a week in Paris. Every single day was magnificent and we wouldnt change a thing. Make sure to leave time open in your planning to just enjoy the city and wander.

  29. Hi,
    I’m so blessed by your work. I found you last fall 2018. I’d always felt like I missed the class on confident style. I didn’t know when to purge style, ie, when they went “out”. Your work has filled in thise knowledge gaps and more. Thank you!

    I do have a question about publication timing and notification: does each blog post send an email to me upon publication? I seem to receive several emails weekly but not 7 days. Life has been very complicated for about 6 months so maybe I’m not tracking very accurately when the notes arrive!!! Lol.

    Love your emails, blog and of course, the Tribe. Amazing group of supportive women.

    Happy 2020!

    1. Hey Nancy, thanks for the kind words! I send my emails manually each day, so they come out at different times. I do send one each day, so if you aren’t getting them all, check spam, or your promotions folder if you have gmail. Hope that helps!

  30. I am so happy about the new focus you will be taking. Having tools to create outfits that are stylish, age appropriate and not disposable clothing that looks shabby after a couple of wears is what I want.  More help with standards and parameters for purging would be helpful too.

  31. I found your blog by accident on pinterest at the beginning of 2019 and I am so glad I did. Love the posts and how well you describe every item. You have made me shop my closet and put items together I never would have thought of. I have a list of fashion bloggers I follow and you are always the first one I read, followed by Cyndi Spivey. Have a safe and Happy New Year!

  32. I have enjoyed your blogs and posts this year.   I just wanted to wish you and your Family  a  very Blessed and Happy New Year.    Maybe it’s time you make a few changes and slow down a little for you and your girls, son and husband.   I know when your husband travels a lot it does put pressure on the other spouse to hold down the fort. 😊😊.     Happy New Year  and I look forward to your blog changes 

  33. Blessings in the new year to all of you! This blog is the BEST. I just can’t say enough good about it! Thank you for being such a great group and thank you Jo-Lynne for putting us together! 

  34. Hi JoLynne! Intermittent fasting is one of the best changes I’ve made for me. Once you get going with it, you will never look back. I give myself some grace on the weekends but it works for me. Give it another try! Happy New Year and my best to you in 2020!

  35. Thank YOU, Jo-Lynne, for all your hard work in creating such a great community for us! I’m glad you’ll be taking at least Saturdays off, though it sounds like you’ll still be working. Taking an actual weekend off would be fine with me! I do so appreciate your authenticity and beautifully written posts. And Alison’s wonderful photography! My thanks to everyone on your team, including your family! Blessings in the New Year!!!

  36. Great post. I haven’t read the purge post yet, but I need to. 

    I’m in on looking forward to a new year. I’ve had a tough one:  pneumonia, hip break in June & a second break in the same hip in November. So I’ve been off & on bedrest for what seems 1/2 the year. I haven’t left my small town of 8800 for 6 months. 

    In all this I’ve done my best to keep my head above water. I’ve tried to focus on good things – and as a Christian, I’ve had my faith to rely on. 

    I decided to buy a new to me SUV as my 2015 Toyota Corolla sits so low to the ground I’m having difficulty getting in & out with the hip & arthritis issues. I’m so excited – I’ve never been so trusting in all my life, but I’ve bought it on line, sight unseen. It’s being delivered to me today. Yikes!!!  (I did tell the salesman when we finally talked that this better be a good vehicle – that is hate to come after him if it’s not!!!  I think I put the fear of God in him!!). 

    Happy New Year

  37. Hi Jo-Lynne,
    I don’t comment a lot, but I always enjoy your posts. I’ve learned so much about fashion, what’s current and building a wardrobe from reading your blog. I fully understand the need to cut back on posting; you have a busy life with your family and I think your readers are happy with whatever you’re able to post 😊
    I also enjoy all the thought process of putting together an outfit and will be happy to see that continue.
    Happy New Year to you and your family! 🎊🍷

  38. Love the approach to focus on quality over quantity. It’s better for the planet and for the pocketbook! Thanks for sharing all your lovely content. You inspired me to start my own blog I’m 2019! As my five year old daughter reminded me just today, “we need to speak kind words to ourselves.” Be kind to yourself in 2020. 

  39. I was trying to remember when I discovered your blog and started following you; I think it was three years ago. The biggest standout to me is your authenticity and willingness to show the “real” you. From browsing through all the comments you receive it seems to be a common theme that people appreciate how you share so honestly and don’t push everything on everyone. And I’m so glad you’re not “obsessed” about everything! 😄 (I swear that word has become one of my least favorites thanks to Instagram bloggers). Even though we live in two very different regions and climates zones, I’m still able to take something from your posts and make it work for me. Thank you. 
    Although we have never met in person, I feel like I know you and think of you as a friend. 

    I’m thinking of resurrecting my teaching blog that I abandoned in 2017. One of the things holding me back is that I’m not too tech savvy (I can do the basics and a little more, but compared to the young teachers I’m definitely the “old dog trying to learn new digital tricks”) And I keep reading and hearing that blogs are dying and it’s podcasts that will move people in the next decade. I guess time will tell. I think blogs like yours will keep thriving because you already have proven yourself and have your fan base, but I’m not so sure there’s a place for newcomers now. What do you think? 

    I wish you a very Happy New Year! 🎆🎊🎈 We’re going out for an early dinner with friends and then ringing in the new year with champagne and PJs. 😊 

  40. I so enjoyed your message today.  I am very supportive of you taking Saturdays off and / or cutting back in some other way.  Do whatever you have to. I have no intention of leaving you. Lol  I enjoy hearing of your struggles and concerns about what is ahead.  Honestly without the Lord I don’t know how any of us survive. Lol

  41. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and Happy New Year to you and your family. I’m looking forward to the changes you are putting in place and what you have to share in 2020!

  42. I so enjoy your blogs and look forward to the changes you are proposing for 2020. I wish you a blessed New Year!

  43. Well said!!! I always find it interesting when you share how your job works, especially keeping up with all the changes in technology and blogging.  And that’s not even touching on the fashion part!   I love what you’re thinking in terms of where your blog is going.  Quality over quantity is where I need to be going as well. Seeing so many different outfits, on any blogger, makes me want to buy it all!! This way I may be more inspired to get back to basics and rethink my wardrobe!  Also I love you sharing personal
    family tidbits from time to time. Nice to see what goes on behind the blog as well!! Have a wonderful evening & Happy New Year!! 

  44. I don’t engage very much with social media and in fact have recently been engaging even less. But I wanted to let you know that your content is worth my time. I’m particularly excited about your themes for this year with quality over quantity and topics using what we already have. I frequently find myself wanting new things that I don’t need because it looks good on someone else. With a very casual lifestyle I don’t need many clothes but I know I could improve with how I put things together and what few things are worth choosing. 
    Thank you!

  45. I like the idea of quality over quantity and mixing it up with putting different outfits together with the same garments. Looking forward to what you have to present in the new year.

  46. Thank you so much for your insight, inspiration, honesty, and overall awesomeness! I rarely comment but always joyfully follow along and am so appreciative of your hard work. I hope you and your family have a wonderful 2020!

  47. Very nicely said. I’ve always enjoyed your blog but noticed when you did your 2019 recap that I didn’t order much that you styled. But mainly because I wear petite clothes and items aren’t always available in petite and also because I’m in a warmer climate (south Texas) so more hot months then cold so I don’t purchase many sweaters but with all this said I continue to follow you because of content. You do an amazing job writing, describing and styling outfits. And you always offer good suggestions and advice….this only someone with your passion could do. So thank you and  Happy New Year! 

  48. Thank you so much for being who you are and staying so real and authentic.   I look forward to your emails and your posts, and know I’m going to learn something from each one. My closet and I have never been happier!  Ha.  I feel as though you are our friend and I look forward to having a fun chat every day.  I so appreciate all the hard work you put into this.  I hope you and your family have a very happy 2020, and I pray that this year is filled with all kinds of God’s blessings for you all!  Happy New Year!

  49. I love reading your post!! You have fantastic taste and you also give fantastic tips on how to dress appropriately everyday!!
    May God continue to bless you now and forever!!
    Wishing you and your family good health,love,peace and joy in the New Year!!!

  50. Just wanted to wish you the best in 2020! I’ve been following you since the Housewife days and feel like i watched your kids grow up! I enjoy your style and passion for fashion!

  51. Thank you for remaining true to yourself! I need to focus on consuming less so I look forward to the shift in your posts. 

    Happy New Year! 

  52. Can’t wait to hear about your kitchen remodel. Want to come and do mine next? Just curious if you have any suggestions for casual cruise wear? I am headed on a retreat next month at sea and it is my first cruise.

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