The Gilded Bellini Turns One! | Reflecting on One Year
March 11th, 2016 was the day The Gilded Bellini first launched and it's so hard to believe that it has already been a year! It's The Gilded Bellini's first birthday!
It's amazing all that's happened in such a short amount of time. When I first launched, I had a picture in my head of how I wanted everything to unfold, but of course life happens and things just happen the way they're supposed to. It really did start out as a hobby, and I was proud that I had finally executed my long-term desire to start a blog. On brunch, no less! I have always been a huge brunch-er, and this needed to be my niche. It just brings people together, and what's not to love about brunch?
It's kind of crazy to think that I've put out original content EVERY single week since March 11th 2016. Sometimes it was once, sometimes three times and others it was five. I don't think I realized how much of a huge responsibility a blog is when I first started. It's literally your baby. You start from the bottom, learn as you go and keep building and growing from each step and mistake you make along the way. It's certainly not easy. It's stressful. There is ALWAYS more work to be done. To have a blog, you need to be fully in it. You need to want to go above and beyond and have that quality in you. Luckily, it never feels like homework to me. It feels like I am building a brand based on what I am passionate about.
Since launching The Gilded Bellini, it has opened up so much light and positivity in my life. It's therapeutic that I have such a cool creative outlet that I can share with the world, but still know that it is both a responsibility and a business at the same time. I sit back sometimes and think: wow, I'm my own creative director. I am my own boss. This is my vision and the only person who could make it come to life is me... and I have.
I've been able to combine my love for writing and video to create just more than a brand, but an experience for my viewers and readers that unites us.
I love being able to connect with so many people that I would have never been able to connect with if it weren't for this platform. I've found really great friends just by being immersed in this world and it's refreshing that the community is so uplifting. Regardless of whatever industry you're in, there will always be competition especially if you're looking for it. But I've found the way you and your blog will succeed is if you embrace the differences around you and collaborate.
Highlights
Brands and companies recognize you when you genuinely put the work in, develop your brand and aesthetic and know the quality in you and your work. Lots has happened in the past year that looking back, I am extremely grateful for some opportunities that have come my way. Some of my favorite highlights of the first year of The Gilded Bellini have been:
- Being featured on The Huffington Post as an Inspirational Influencer
- Attending the Vanity Fair Social Club Emmy's Edition Party & Influencer/Young Hollywood Panel
- Having the opportunity to work with fashion brands, beauty brands, lifestyle brands, wine & spirits, and authors of award-winning books
- Being able to connect with the talented people behind LA's best restaurants
- Covering Serafina Sunset's grand opening party & media tasting event
- Being cast for a brunch sketch for Cosmopolitan.com
- Creating solid friendships with other people that I crossed passed with through the world of blogging
- Attending & covering La Nuit en Rosé festival
- Getting to know the Los Angeles hospitality & nightlife scene on a much deeper level
- Attending & covering the 2017 GRAMMYs Gifting Lounge
A Big Thank You...
The Gilded Bellini's success would have never come this far without the support of my close friends, family and new friends I have made along the way. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has read any of my posts, watched my videos, engaged with any content I have put out into the world.. If we've met this past year in person, exchanged a few words on social media, or even just said an "Oh, I think I know you!" to one another in passing, I am grateful to have connected with you. I started this blog to be able to have a platform to bring people together that goes beyond just brunch. But hey, brunch is a great way to start! And the fact that it has been the foundation for so many new relationships, collaborations and growth within blogging community/entertainment industry/hospitality realm has been such a blessing. Brunch is part of our culture, and I am so happy to be able to honor this fun lifestyle in a way most of us can relate to... at least I try my best to! My goal of all The Gilded Bellini content is for you to have a true experience and an escape, whether it's through writing, video or imagery. I am so grateful for all of your support since day one. I hope that you continue to join me on this gilded journey... and I look forward to another incredible year with you! Cheers!
Photography by Marisa Trujillo
