December 29, 2017

A Look Back at 2017

A look back at what we loved this year.

A Letter from Carrie

2017. What. A. Year.

If 2016 was the year of travel for me, 2017 was definitely the year of staying put… And for good reason. Well, for great reason actually. More on that in a bit.

I don’t get personal here too often, but year-end is the perfect time for reminiscing. Let’s take a walk down memory lane, shall we?

Year in Review

The year started with anxiousness for sure… An unexpected, high-risk pregnancy. Extreme nausea. Worries. Concerns. Questions. Exhaustion. But all that was counteracted when I received the news in early January that I was having a girl. When my friend Brandi called to share test results (including Elle’s gender), I literally collapsed with elation. Everything was fine, and I was going to have a baby girl!!!

As spring approached and my pregnancy progressed, I developed a fairly painful gall bladder complication. Over time, we learned to manage it with meds and rest. But gosh – pregnancy wasn’t necessarily an enjoyable journey for me. Don’t get me wrong – I was in awe of it all, especially now knowing how perfect my sweet girl is! But the process itself was tough.

Meanwhile, I decided to kick off the process of defining and rebranding my business and developing an all-new online presence. Why not birth two “babies” at once, right?

Then Elle decided to surprise us all by showing up five weeks early in early June.

That’s when my world really changed!

Really, the whole summer was one big blur. Slowly but surely, we found our footing in this new normal. All the while, Elle made it as easy as possible on me. She’s been a rock star since day 1… so happy, so joy-filled, so calm, sleeps well.

With the help of my team, we managed to crank out a lot of work post-baby… a new brand, a new website, a book, a store, and so much more. Speaking of, did you see our “Best of 2017” post?

All in all, it was a year of huge growth. (Side note: not coincidentally, “growth” was my One Little Word for 2017. It’s a powerful concept!)

Growth in so many ways. Of course, physically through the pregnancy. But in so many more deep meaningful ways. I’ll carry the lessons of 2017 with me as I move forward and build upon them.

2017 will always hold a special place in my heart, given that it was the year my daughter was born. Now, I look forward with great anticipation for what’s to come in 2018 from both a personal and professional perspective!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of this beautiful journey with me.

A Look Back at 2017

As the year winds down it’s been fun to look back before jumping head first into 2018. Yesterday we shared a look into our site from this past year, and today we want to get a bit more personal.

So, keep on reading to see what our team members loved this year.

Carrie Colbert

Favorite memory / memories : Without a doubt, my daughter’s birth

Favorite book(s) : “Option B”

Favorite podcast(s) : How I Built This, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Beautiful Anonymous

Favorite app(s) : Nest – I love watching my sweet girl nap 🙂

Favorite TV show(s) : Hmmm… lately I’ve been into Bull and Designated Survivor. I am an HGTV junkie. Plus, what about Homeland – is it ever coming back?!

Favorite movie(s) : Did I see any new movies in 2017? I think I saw a grand total of one movie in theaters this year. But it was a good one! Dean.

Most looking forward to in 2018 : Sharing in my daughter’s joy as she learns and grows. I love experiencing life with her!

Julie Weinstein

Favorite purchase(s) : I wouldn’t necessarily consider it a “purchase,” but some of the best money I’ve spent this year has been on therapy! I adore my therapist. That and my Chanel messenger bag, which I use, literally, every single day.

Favorite memory / memories : Meeting my nephew, Jace, for the first time last February. Can’t believe he’s going to be one so soon!

Favorite book(s) : Brené Brown’s latest book, “Braving the Wildnerness” and Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.”  If I’m being honest, I haven’t finished either book (I don’t read books a lot at all, but one of my goals for 2018 is to read more!!), but I’ve loved what I’ve read, thus far.

Favorite podcast(s) : The Lively Show

Favorite app(s) : Instagram (I’m addicted to stories), Calm, and Flipboard 

Favorite TV show(s) : Designated Survivor, This is Us, Below Deck, Dancing with the Stars (my dream is to be on the show, seriously!), and my guilty pleasures, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette (and I, too, am with Carrie – when is Homeland coming back?!). Apparently I love TV?!

Favorite movie(s) : Megan Leavey, Stronger, Home Again

Most looking forward to in 2018 : Oh, everything! I love the start of a new year, a clean slate. I’m looking forward to what’s to come with CarrieColbert.com, and any time I visit my family up north I’m a happy girl, so always looking forward to that, as well.

Ashley Cardoza

Favorite purchase(s) : Fawn Design diaper bag

Favorite memory / memories : Snowshoeing and camping in a yurt in Colorado

Favorite book(s) : “The Lucky Few” by Heather Avis

Favorite podcast(s) : For the Love! with Jen Hatmaker

Favorite app(s) : Instagram, duh. But also Pinterest.

Favorite TV show(s) : Black-ish, This is Us, Fixer Upper, and anything on The Food Network

Favorite movie(s) : Trolls (#momlife)

Most looking forward to in 2018 : Setting new goals and possibly sleeping more!

Maritere Rice

Favorite purchase(s) : A trip to Sayulita for myself. If a trip doesn’t count, then our striped colored rug! It makes me smile every morning I see it in my living room! Oh, and a John Lennon Collage art that rocks our kitchen!

Favorite memory / memories : Summer road trip with all my beautiful family!!! And a Coldplay concert in Cali with one of my besties!

Favorite book(s) : “The Power of a Praying Wife” and “Boundaries”

Favorite podcast(s) : Good Life Project

Favorite app(s) : Instagram, of course! Calm for meditation and A Color Story for editing, too!

Favorite TV show(s) : The Crown! Seasons 1 and 2

Favorite movie(s) :  Star Wars, for sure, and it didn’t disappoint!!

Most looking forward to in 2018 : New beginnings. A fresh year! Quality family time and making new, wonderful memories full of love! Creative projects to come with my CarrieColbert team!

Alex Rocha

Favorite purchase(s) : I got my first Mac this year, and it changed my life haha. Also one of my favorite clothing purchases was the Spanx faux leather leggings; they are amazing.

Favorite memory / memories : My favorite memory was obviously getting this internship 🙂 and watching the Astros win the World Series!

Favorite book(s) : I only read one book this year, so I guess it’s my favorite! It’s called “The Untethered Soul.” I enjoyed reading it because it taught me to let things go.

Favorite podcast(s) : I didn’t listen to any podcasts, but if I was to then I would want to listen to The Ladygang.

Favorite app(s) : Kirakira+ because it makes everything sparkle and it’s super fun!

Favorite TV show(s) : This is Us. Never fails to make me cry every episode.

Favorite movie(s) : La La Land. I saw it three times in theaters.

Most looking forward to in 2018 : I’m looking forward to learning more and keeping myself accountable for some of my goals for the next year.

Marla  Murphy

Favorite purchase(s) : A vacation and anything that helps grow my business: marketing, new packaging, and so on.

Favorite memory / memories : Meeting the whole Carrie Colbert team and everyone in our creative friend group.

Favorite book(s) : Anything by Emily Giffin

Favorite podcast(s) : I actually don’t listen to podcasts. I love zoning out to music on my free time.

Favorite app(s) : Instagram (duh).

Favorite TV show(s) : The Crown is my new obsession! Game of Thrones is a staple, and Shark Tank.

Favorite movie(s) : The Greatest Showman

Most looking forward to in 2018 : New possibilities! I am looking forward to all of the new energy a new year brings and the idea of new business growth, new friendships and new memories.

Amy Tan

Favorite purchase(s) : Choosing toys on Daymaker to give to a child in need with my son, Jack, and my iPhone X.

Favorite memory / memories : Throwing a surprise wedding.

Favorite book(s) : Option B and Rich People Problems

Favorite podcast(s) : Good Life Project

Favorite app(s) : A Color Story

Favorite TV show(s) : A Handmaid’s Tale

Favorite movie(s) : Ferdinand

Most looking forward to in 2018 : Being kinder to myself, taking more time to reflect and scrapbook and be creative, and launching my book, “Craft a Life You Love” in April!

One More

Tomorrow will be our last article of the year! It’ll be a fun-filled Saturday Source loaded with great reads and finds. And then we’ll be taking a break Sunday and Monday, and back on Tuesday with fresh new content for the new year! Thanks, as always, for following along!

One comment

  1. Liz Rocha says:

    Love it! It was great meeting y’all and realized I need more color in my closet!! 😁 Alex, so proud of you and love you bunches!
    Wishing y’all a wonderful fun filled year with many blessings~🎉

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