Happy Wednesday, friends! I hope you’re having a wonderful week with friends and family, and you’ve had the chance to rest and relax. I love this quiet, lazy time while the kids are home, and the chance to reflect over the past year. I like to geek out a bit and dig into the analytics of what y’all loved most, too.
So for the next few days, I’m looking back at 2021 and sharing your top posts and products in each of the most popular categories… Style, Beauty, and Home, to name a few! We had a lot of posts (200 to be exact!), but what made 2021 so unbelievably special was you… and the opportunities that came from your support, readership, comments, and genuine enthusiasm and encouragement.
Fashion has been a big part of this blog from the very beginning… in fact, I had an Outfit Inspiration post in my first week of blogging… but I beg you not to go back and look at it! Let’s just say I’ve learned a little in the last almost 13 years! (Can you believe I’ve been blogging that long!? #OG)
It’s definitely your top category, as well, because fashion pieces remain the biggest sellers year after year. This year’s Top 12 Reader Faves are no surprise, as they’re all faves of mine, as well!
Top 12 Reader Faves – Fashion //
one. Faux Leather Leggings //Â two. Straw Hat
three. Chain Mules //Â four. Straight Leg Cropped Jeans
five. Performance Joggers //Â six. Gold Bead Bracelets
seven. Nipple Covers //Â eight. Floral Maxi Dress
nine. Embroidered Dress //Â ten. Bliss Cotton Undies
eleven. Wireless Bra //Â twelve. Batwing Sweater
As for the style posts, along with Faves Under $50, these were some of your favorites for the year…
Gibson x Hi Sugarplum Collections //
I’m constantly amazed by the experiences and opportunities that come my way through blogging. To me, I’m just sharing thoughts and ideas with friends on the internet everyday. Hands-down, my biggest professional accomplishment has been the Gibson x Hi Sugarplum Collections. My heart still races when I think about it. How. Did. That. Happen?!? And not just once, but our 10th Collection launched this year!
The faith and trust Gibson has in us (because I couldn’t do it without you!!), humbles me beyond articulation. I’ve never been more excited and petrified of something in my life, but the way you continue to support the Gibson x Hi Sugarplum Collections blows us all away! I literally have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat when I say, ‘With all my heart, thank you.’
We created three brand new Collections last year, no easy task with a pandemic… but our incredible teams made it happen! (Seriously, the stories I could tell! You wouldn’t believe the hurdles!) I can’t wait to share what we have in store for 2022!
// GxHSP Happy Place Collection! //
// GxHSP Summer of Fun Collection! //
// GxHSP Season of Cheer Collection! //
Sugarplum Style Tips and Ideas //
I love to inspire you to create outfits using both new arrivals and closet favorites… here are a few of the most popular style posts.
// 20 Outfits for Sunny Spring Breaks //
// 15 Swimsuits Under $35! //
// Target Hauls HERE & HERE //
// Summer of Style Series //
// 33 Summer Outfit Ideas //
// Summer Graphic Tees //
// Fall Shoe Guide //
Brand Partnerships //
I’ve been fortunate enough to work with many of my go-to brands and retailers, and I love sharing my top picks and style combos with you!
// Three Stripe Life with Adidas //
// Spring Closet Essentials with Zappos //
// Let’s Talk Ta-Ta’s with Warner’s Bras HERE & HERE //
// Sandal Season with DSW //
// Brand Crush with Vuori //
// Athleta Loves HERE & HERE //
// Snapshots from Big Sur with Backcountry //
// Sweet & Sassy with Kendra Scott //
// 5 Tips for Beginning Runners with lululemon //
Nordstrom continue to be my biggest partnership, and I was thrilled to work with them every month of 2021 bringing you my favorite styles!
// A Day in Santa Cruz with Nordstrom //
// Spring Tops with Nordstrom HERE & HERE //
// Zella Girls with Nordstrom Zella //
Monthly Features //
Y’all love my monthly series, like Faves Under $50 and Sugarplum Style… but Dressing Room Diaries and Amazon Fashion Finds remain at the top!
// Find all Dressing Room Diaries HERE //
// Find all Amazon Fashion Finds HERE //
// Find all Sugarplum Style Posts HERE //
Okay, so that was a bit of horn-tooting, but there’s no question the amazing opportunities that come my way are because of you, darling friends! I know without your support, enthusiasm, kindness, and interactions, there would be no Hi Sugarplum. I can’t thank you enough for popping in every day, week, month, or leap year… whenever it is, I’m thrilled you stopped by! Even the lurkers… I know you’re there!
I am beyond humbled by your friendship, support, and kind words. I can’t thank you enough for sharing in our joys, supporting me through the sorrows, and celebrating all the silly in-between. Your encouragement makes me excited to continue creating and sharing what I love so much. I pray 2022 is your best yet, lovebugs! Happy New Year!
Lady, you are lucky the “Outfit Inspiration” post did not exist, ha,ha, because I did peek!
I love when you re-post ideas because I am sure we all look back and think, hmm, I think I would like this or that now-the time is right.
Thank U and Happy New Year!!!
Ok, time for a big heartfelt thank you, to you (and the other SP’s). Looking back at some of your older posts (Power of Three) you have been so good at this blog for so long!
You have made us all look and feel better, made us laugh out loud, and made our lives better and easier w/the cool ideas and things you find for us. So, much luv and – Thank You, Ms. Cassie!
Darling Sandy, thank you so much for your kind words!! I’m thrilled you continue to find inspiration here, and I’m beyond grateful for your support! ox. C
I love your blog and your style! I am wondering why the collaborations with Gibson are no longer offered through Nordstrom? I have ordered many, many pieces and no doubt will order many more, but just wondered about that.
Thanks,
Ellen
Hi Ellen! When the pandemic hit 2 years ago, Nordstrom paused all outside collaborations and focused on their internal house brand inventory. By bringing it directly in-house to Gibson, we were able to offer a discount and better manage the shipping, etc (it was always drop-shipped by Gibson), therefore giving the consumer a better shopping experience. Thank you so much for your support over the years with all the transitions! xo. C
SO happy to be here, watch your family grow, and appreciate you doing the shopping for me as I never have the time, but, thanks to you, can look put together! Happiest of holiday seasons to you and yours! Long time, appreciative reader! Tara
Thank you so much, Tara! Much love to you and your family this year!