Pouting In Heels’ first ever birthday card. Huge thanks to my wonderful friend Laura for surprising me with this, this morning :)

TODAY is a special day…

Because this blog of mine which started as just an online place where I could ramble about stuff and share pretty things, has turned three years old!

Admittedly still a young ‘un by all blogging accounts but there’s no doubt about it, it’s growing up fast.

The last three years have been incredible. Sure, it’s not all been plain sailing, there have been times when I haven’t had the time or inclination to blog, times when I’ve felt like I had nothing to offer (get a grip Kate!) and times when I’ve almost pulled the plug.

However, I’ve never – even on my darkest blogger days – been able to let Pouting In Heels go. Elsie may be my baby (ok, toddler) but this blog is my online child and bar a few tantrums, it’s done me proud.

There have been so many highlights (I talk about some of them here) and I’ve learnt SO much about blogging (I talk about that here) but in a way this is only the start. Because folks, thing are about to get serious.

Ooooo- er!

Yep, Pouting In Heels has grown so much over the past 12 months that after much umming and aahing (and a nudge from a psychic!) I’ve made the decision to cut back on my freelancing work so I can dedicate more time and energy to the blog and say to you all, (with a very deep breath), that I am now a professional blogger.

The blog has been earning really good money for about the past six months (often much more than some of my freelancing work) and so it’s time to knuckle down and take things more seriously. My readership has also grown dramatically in the past year (which is what makes me happiest of all!) and so I think now is the time to see just where this blog can really take me.

Pouting In Heels was never created to be a professional blog but it’s brought me such good fortune and amazing opportunities, that I finally think it’s time I showed it more respect and give it much more of me!

So what does that mean for you guys? Well hopefully more of the good stuff!

More of the posts that you love (which are generally the ones that take hours to write!), more exciting brands to tell you about, bigger competitions, more time to reply to your comments and the most important of all, more time to try and help all of us feel better about ourselves.

Because that is what really floats my boat. That is what drives me to make this blog bigger and better.

When I started Pouting In Heels it was never my intention to try and inspire other women or help them in some way. However, it’s become very clear over the past three years that what you guys love, is when I share a little bit of my soul with you or a few pearls of wisdom that I’ve managed to pick up along the way.

And so this is what I intend to do more of.

I’m absolutely no expert, guru or life coach. And there are many more women out there who know much more than I do. However I am passionate. I do care. I am sick of the rubbish women have to put up with throughout their lives and I want to do my little bit to try and improve things.

I’m just an ordinary woman who is trying to create an extraordinary life for herself and I want more women to feel they are able to and entitled to do the same. That’s what I’m aiming for people! That’s the goal.

Finally, I simply cannot end this post without saying thank you to YOU. And to all of you, who have supported, encouraged and inspired me along the way.

Writing is something I have always done and always wanted to do. But the fact that so many of you pop by to read my stuff, leave a comment or share something you’ve enjoyed never fails to make me happy or humbled.

Truly, your support makes me the happiest 35 year old woman in the world and for that, I will always be so grateful.

So thank you for being part of my blogging journey and now, if you don’t mind, I’d like us to make a toast to Pouting In Heels and to YOU. *lifts up mug of builder’s tea*

Cheers everyone! Here’s to you and to me and to making our lives a hell of a lot more fabulous.

(Oh, and if you’re new to the blog and have no idea what I’m about or if you have some time on your hands and fancy a read, here are some of my most popular posts for you to have a nosey at. x)

Right, now where’s that birthday cake?…

Life

What a woman talking about chips taught me about body image.

A letter to women in abusive relationships. From a survivor of one. Me.

How I feel about my post pregnancy body.

Freelancing / Blogging

A rant about disrespectful brands from an irritated blogger

My top ten PR tips

How to get started as a freelancer

Motherhood

50 things I’ve learnt about motherhood

How to cope when motherhood feels tough

Motherhood – it’s a different kind of love

With love and gratitude,

Kate