Hello, it's me. I've been crazy running around all of 2017. Thought I'd sit down and pen a little post for you so you can fully understand just what I've been up to lately. There is oh so much going on and oh so little time to keep all my ducks in a row all the time, but one of my goals for 2018 is to try my hardest to do more personal posts about my daily life and details!

So here it goes! What the heck did I do in 2017?

The Blog:

Sarah Riley Rose hit a new high! I'm so grateful to have hit over 10k followers in 2017! This has been such a blessing on so many levels. I've had so much fun collaborating with new companies and meeting new friends and this year has without a doubt been the most exciting for the blog. Here are a few of my favorite highlights:

• Collaborations with Minnetonka Moccasins, EvaNYC, Members Only, L'Occitane, Crisp + Green, Kendra Scott and so many more!
• Photoshoots with amazing photographers like my gals Lindsay Marcus and Jennifer Alana!
• My blogger babes trip to Nashville in August! Highlight pics here: #1, #2, #3
• Featured in some super fun styled shoots like Forever Bride and Goldfine Jewelry 

The Job:

It was a great year of growth in my professional career as well. If you didn't know, I've worked in Advertising for the past 8 years in client services. It's a demanding job that takes both energy and creativity on the daily. It may be very demanding but its also very rewarding! Each year I think i've seen the craziest/busiest I've ever been but this year took things to a new height! I had the opportunity to take on new, bigger clients and got promoted to a Senior position. 

Philanthropy:

Some of you may know but I've been working closely with Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance for close to 8 years now. About 4 years ago I joined one of their committees. In the Spring I took on a leadership role as Chair and things have been really enjoyable as we gear up for our annual Gala this coming April. 

Music:

My band Double Shot had quite the year! First off we started the year with adding some members to our formerly duo group into a fully fledged band! We learned countless new tunes and performed three super fun shows during the Summer and Fall months with weekly Sunday Bloody Sundays (aka Sunday band practice with Bloody Mary's). 

In late Fall, things really started to take shape and we're currently working on our first ever album with music and lyrics by us! This particular project has been near and dear to my heart and its mostly the core reason I've been a little more absent on the blog. I mean, you can only have so many passions! Our goal is to complete the record by March and then we'll see where things go, but so far, I'm just oh so proud at all the great work that's been done and all the fun we've had along the way!

Personal Life:

Believe it or not, this section of life had the most action. If you'd followed any of my instagram captions over the course of the past 4 months then you know that my Husband is pursuing a new career path in Aviation to become and Air Traffic Controller! James and I have been together over 10 years (married for over 4) and we've been so blessed to never have to go longer than maybe 2 weeks apart from one another - this even counts our meany years of a long-distance relationship! What this new job opportunity entailed was for James to relocate to Oklahoma City for 4.5 months as he completed his training. That was a lot to take in and we didn't have very long to prepare! We had known this was coming for over a year what with countless testing and all, but we were beginning to believe it would never come to fruition. In early October we finally received the call and he had less than two weeks to quit his job, figure out his next move (quite literally!) and say his "short-term" goodbyes!

Needless to say this has been the most exiting yet strange time in my whole life. Living apart from your partner is quite a challenge but there's nobody else I'd rather go through this chapter with. What's even more crazy is that we don't know where we're going next. Yes, we have hopes and prayers that we will get to remain in MN and continue to be near our family and friends, but that possibility is quite unclear at this moment. At the very end of February we'll find out where he gets placed. The options are many, but his control over the choices is essentially nonexistant. It will be the luck of the draw on the day of his final exam. Please pray for wisdom and clarity for us during this crazy time in our lives!

My Husband Published a Children's Book!:

If that wasn't enough excitement - my husband also wrote and published a children's book!! When we had our first niece in late 2016, James was inspired to go into his creative mode and worked for countless days on a secret project. When he was finally ready to unveil it, let me just say that the tears were uncontrollable. His love and passion for others is so special and it's truly amazing to see how creative he is when it doesn't even feel like he tries to be! We tapped one of my best girlfriends who is a Designer for Target to do the illustrations and let's just say she killed it. You can own When I Have a Dinosaur for you and your family (or basically any little one in your life) on Amazon! Purchase your copy here! The story is all about adventure and dreaming big dreams!

What's next for me you ask? I have absolutely no idea and for once, that's a super liberating feeling to feel. 

Until next time friends, Xo. 

Sarah Riley Rose

Cover photo by: Flow Event Group