Tenth month of the year is also on its way out and its time for me to look back at the October gone by. This was a pretty blissful month and therefore has earned the sobriquet of Oktoberfest as I celebrated Gratitude all month on the blog. I am also on the #100HappyDays pact to make the last 100 days of the year count.
It’s also the month where Mother Nature plays dress up in gorgeous reds and yellows to honor Autumn. In fact have a look at the creatives I have made for the post – these pictures were clicked by me last sunday at a mini forest.
Like it? Pin it for later!
♥ Blog News
I celebrated gratitude all month by talking about my blessings by way of the blog and the blogging world. It was heartening to see the love bestowed by my fellow bloggers on these posts. I am indeed humbled and grateful to the Universe for showing me this path.
And the consistent writing paid off in terms of Alexa ranking folks – I started at 1,027,881 / 68421 at the beginning of the month and today its at 646,831 / 25,841. No mindless plugging – just paced out writing, good content and reading others as and when I could.
I re-initiated the Guest post blogging for December (same as last year) and got such a hearty response on it. I am so grateful for the faith peeps have in my blog to participate in this one. so, I have to write about 22 guestposts now.
#AtoZ chose me as one of the winners to write a guestpost for their blog and its an awesome honor for me. I am so excited about it and will update when it gets posted on their website. Another website that I am in awe of, also sent a request for a guestpost – I am over the moon and am going to spend November in this heaven 🙂
Some unexpected windfalls as I got work via the blog this month. I have invested the amount back into blogging work via the Ultimate Bundle which is HUGE step towards improving my blog work. Fingers crossed for this to happen.
All in all a VERY good month for the blog – Touchwood ♥
♥ Health & Fitness
So I had mentioned that CULT bequeathed me with a very generous change in my remaining gym membership allowing me to go for early morning Yoga classes. Its got even better this month as they are now starting with centres dedicated to just Yoga, Pranayam and Meditation. This is like manna from heaven as I have been trying to inculcate the latter two into my daily routine. Yay to the Universe for making this happen.
In other news, I have been going 4-5 times a week for Yoga and am happy to report I aced the CULT challenge which will get me a T-shirt that I am dying to lay my hands on. I will pose and preen and post a pic as soon as that happens ♥
♥ Green Joys
If you follow me on Insta and read my blog posts regularly, then you are no stranger to the fact that I love to grow my veggies (as many as I can). A friend had given me some cuttings of Malabar spinach and Florida spinach – both were planted in my balcony and am happy to report that I have harvested them once for my steamed dishes. I had also planted some Arugula and coriander – both doing pretty well too. Three cheers for Mother nature ♥
♥ Social Front
This month was pretty social as I stepped out for a birthday treat with the gang. Then lunch at a friend’s place whose mom is visiting – ma ke haath ke khaana ki baat hi alag hai!!! Went out to a Durga Puja pandal in full Saree Swag and enjoyed the sight and sound of hundreds of people blowing conch shell to set up a new record. And then the quintessential Diwali cards party happened where I won some and lost some 😉
I took a personal day when I stepped out to a cafe with my currently reading book and sat for three hours engrossed in it. The food, service and the ambience of the place were killer and I have marked it with a “I will be back!” 🙂
Oh and I also stepped out to watch an awesome movie this month – Andhadhun! If you havent watched it, please do as its a well enacted and well narrated movie. I wore sarees everywhere and am so proud of myself to have worn 5 sarees this month. I also ended up having a killer hair cut this month ♥
♥ TBR Progress
My book reading picked up a bit of pace as I read two books from my TBR and another two for paid reviews. Some of these reviews will be up in November on the blog and I hope you will give them some attention please 🙂 Grateful for being able to read some this month ♥
Well that’s it from me this month folks; I look forward to reading your Gratitude posts as I link up with Vidya for the gratitude circle with my Oktoberfest post.
My september post is here, just in case you want to hop across to it.
♥ Folks I am taking part in the Orange Flower awards for the very first time and would love to garner some votes for my blog for it. If you have been loving what I do here on my blog; do take out a moment to click on this link and vote for me please ♥
Wow, it looks like you had a great Oktober. Congratulations on being A-Z winner, eagerly awaiting your guest post. Even I loved Andhadhun, awesome movie. Awaiting book reviews. Keep up your gratitude.
Thanks so much Balaka; october has indeed been beautiful so far! I am looking forward to doing all the guestposts too – its a great feeling to be so much in demand 😉
Well done on the blogging front, Shalini! Your posts are a delight to read! I saw the AtoZ newsletter announcing the winners-Congratulations!
22 Guest posts! Whoa!
Congratulations on work via the blog! Makes it all so worthwhile, doesn’t it?
Highfive on your health regimen!
The plants are lovely. How exciting to grow your own food!
You look great in the sarees.
About the reading, sorry I was only looking at the Amul pack. (kidding!)
I wish you an even better rest of the year!
Thank you for joining me for the Gratitude Circle bloghop! Hugs!
Thank you so much for all th elove and encouragement Vidya- feels so good to read that 🙂
Yes work via the blog is great- now if only I can make this regular feature.
I love to grow my food- its a very satisfying feeling indeed- have to get in the planting gear and get started on the winter veggies now!!
your post is like a breath of fresh air. I love your saree wala swag pics doing the rounds on Insta. Surely nothing so elegant, beautiful and comfortable like a saree. I am looking forward to your guest post series and am happy to be able to contribute to it( that reminds me I need to start work on it ASAP). Hope you have a great november. Rock it girl like you always do. Stay blessed and happy always.
Thanks so much Ramya- the saree comment ahs made my day – much love for that!!!! 🙂
I am also excited for the Guestpost series – it will leave my december free and will focus on other things as its the year end!
Wow! You seem to have had a rocking month and lots to look forward to. And I really admire your work ethic, Shalz.
I loved reading this post and catching up with you. Oh and I will also be writing the guest post for you over the coming week, alongside Diwali prep.
Wishing you an equally great November! Loads of love and hugs.
Thank you so much Shantala; looking forward to your guestpost!! Wish you a very happy Diwali in advance!!! 🙂
So much happening in your life Shalini to be grateful for. Guest post for AtoZ, wow that’s really something – congratulations.
Also 22 posts you will be getting for December guest post fest – that’s some feat.
Loved the greens dear – I still have to buy for my house. Will take inspiration from this post of yours and now bring some.
Loved this post and wish you all the good luck in the world. And Happy Diwali!
Thanks Anshu and wish you a very happy Diwali too girl! Do give growing greens a try- start with one or two herbs only. Its very satisfying!!
YUp december is going to be awesome; looking forward to this once again!!
That was such a wonderful month for you. I caught a few of your gratitude posts and loved them. Good going on the social, reading and fitness fronts. Wish you a happy November.
Thanks so much Rachna 🙂 I am happy to be happy!!!
What a lovely happy post!
I love your saree look. You rock it, Shalini!
How cool that you grow your own veggies. It’s a great hobby. I have a few plants but I don’t grow veggies. 🙁 I should try that!
Congrats on the AtoZ one and December is going to be awesome with 22 posts. 🙂 That’s a big one. I loved how you said that about Alexa. Not a lot of plug just consistent writing and meaningful visits 🙂 Happy Diwali! Wishing you a great November and wish you a happy and healthy one.
Btw, Cult T-shirt has reached home. I will go home and try it 🙂 T-shirt swag. Let’s do it.
Thank you Parul – feels so good to read such happy comments 🙂
My cult t-shirt has been delayed- sigh!! So postponed the preening for another month I think.
What an incredible month you had, Shalzy. The saree, the greens, and whoa, A to Z? That’s incredible. Way to go!!!!! I’ve started penning down for your guest post. Yes, I have. Thanks for the opportunity. Here’s wishing you a fabulous November.
Hey there beautiful! I have been loving your insta book posts – what gorgeous supplies you have been ordering up! Envy Envy Envy!! 😉 Yup my ocotber has been fabulous and I am looking forward to an even more fab November – this is my 100HappyDays pact and I am happy to report first half of it has been wonderful!
Waiting for the posts to start arriving – am so excited for this!! 🙂
Look at that haircut, woo-hoo! <3
Such a green thumb you have! The work and effort you have put into your blog is quite amazing and such an inspiration for people like me.
Thank you thank you darling!! That vote of confidence did wonders for my ego 😉
I am hardly a green thumb- you should see the folks I am inspired by – their gardens. terraces are overflowing with veggies of all sorts- dont know how they manage it. Handling 10 planters is all I can manage.
Love your hair! Looks amazing. It looks like your blogging has paid off — authentic posts and engagement mean so much more. As for your sari swag…that’s impressive! I must confess I’ve never worn a sari 😀 Glad that October was a wonderful month for you and here’s hoping November is just as awesome!
Blush Blush!!! 😉
Cant believe you have never worn a saree- I simply am in love with it and now look forward to draping one whenever I can!
Congrats Shalini for all the things you achieved in this month. All those pics you took are lovely. Wish you many more such events in coming months as well.
Thank you Shilpa; yes its been a truly blissful month for me! 🙂
Its quite a happening month for you, Shalini. It’s a great read in one post to know the whole month.
Congratulations on the blogging front. Sarees are always so dear to me, wear more if you can for the coming months.
But my eyes are on the plants. Wow, hope your plants continue to grow well. And veggies can always get difficult depending on the conditions. Been there with my herbs and know how grateful I’m every time when they are all hale and healthy. So, great work there.
Again, had a wonderful read for October; see you in November with another good one.
Thanks you Lakshmi and yes I am planning to wear more sarees as the days go by! Now is the time to take the silks out, something I have been looking forward to!
I have been lazy with planting this year and hope to get started soon on my winter greens! 🙂
I’m so glad October has been such a wonderful month for you. I know for me its been so busy I’m just now getting into checking my emails and reading the blog posts from writers I’ve missed.
Thanks Raney – I hope you are doing better now! We will catch up over the blog posts soonest! 🙂