Cheryl Shops

You know how all the best-of lists come out in mid-December? Those seemed to appear so quickly this year (I’m still blaming our late Thanksgiving), but I was really thrown by the plethora of end-of-the-decade stories. How did a whole decade just happen? It feels like 2010 was just yesterday, although, to be fair, a lot has happened in my life—and in the world—since then. That said, there’s a lot that I’m proud of having accomplished, especially in the last year. I love the optimism of starting a new year, but before I jump headfirst into 2020, let’s take a look back at 2019.




Most viewed post
I’m both surprised and pleased to report that, far and away, 2019’s most popular post was a sponsored one, for Bioré pore strips and toner. Now seems like a good time to mention that I turn down a lot of sponsored content—like probably 95%—and choose to work with brands and products that I would (and do) buy for myself. I would never “recommend” something I don’t believe in! But I do believe in Bioré, and I just used a pore strip on Sunday!


Most viewed outfit post
Lots of you apparently needed ideas for Valentine’s Day, closely followed by what to wear with white boots. Both the boots and the red leopard dress are still in heavy rotation in my closet; expect to see both again soon!


Most commented-on post
My eyelet skirt moved a bunch of you to comment, perhaps because my friend Shelbee featured it on her very highly engaged blog. Or maybe it was just the white boots again. ;)


Most engaging Instagram post
This is kind of cheating because I was running a giveaway at the time, but my studded red sandals got nearly 600 likes and 500 comments on the 'gram. Which is pretty much how I feel about them.


Most engaging Facebook post
Yet another sponsored post, this one with my frequent partner Vionic shoes had a whopping 31% engagement rate! Two things to note: one, it took us FOREVER to get this shot right and two, this is my living room rug. Also, I think it was so successful because I showed a little vulnerability, e.g. mentioning my autoimmune disorder. Note to self: do more of that in 2020.

 

Most re-pinned Pinterest post
Apparently people on Pinterest don’t like my face because my post-pinned image of the year was this closeup of my leopard-print coat and Jerome Dreyfuss bag from my how to dress like Kate Moss post. Or maybe it’s because the details are just so good. Either way.


My favorite post
Picking my favorite post of the year is not like picking a favorite child; it’s more like picking the child that annoyed you the least. While hopefully we make this all look easy, shooting an outfit is a matter of picking flattering angles and lighting; getting the weather to cooperate; getting my face to cooperate; making sure my hair isn’t frizzy or blowing around in the wind; and so on. That said, I think the photo gods were on our side for this post on what to wear with bright pink shoes, and I really loved how the outfit came together. Here’s hoping our luck continues in 2020.