It is not lost upon me that so many brands I have written about no longer exist. I have witnessed launches, blooms, and quiet foldings across beauty, fashion, and the food scene. Though I started this blog nineteen years ago, I’ve continued to use it as an outlet for lifestyle trends, revenue, and reflection. I’ve grown—so much. My baby dog is 10, my baby boy is 7. How did it all happen so fast?

Watching decades pass alongside new technology and AI, tools that could surely edit this for me, I feel deeply grateful. In the early years, I made it a ritual to recap and summarize all that I saw, did, and ate. From that reflection, I set intentions for what the next year would bring—what I would manifest. It was always about looking backward and forward at the same time, and being immensely grateful for it all.

Everyone has a writing style, and it improves with practice. But I stopped practicing. Not journaling is like not brushing your teeth—it all catches up to you. You forget… yourself. The most important part. The entire point. I am making it a priority to pick up where I left off and hope that the readers who have enjoyed the sponsored posts, all the content from Lulu, will be glad, your girl is back.

Imagine my delight when I rediscovered old photos on Tumblr and Flickr, lo-res videos on Vimeo, and events long forgotten. I’m so glad I habitually wrote, filmed, photographed, and blogged my life. Life zooms by fast, and I had forgotten so much of it—much to my dismay.

Now it’s 2026, and this marks the nineteenth birthday of my first baby: my blog, heydoyou! My online journal. My style guide. My brand book, so to speak. Remember Polyvore? Pinterest? I tried every platform, and pieces of my existence are scattered across the internet. Within that net are moments I lived, laughed through, and even forgot.

Many of you knew me through the blog, connected with me on Facebook, watched my stories on Instagram, and became both online friends and friends IRL. Thank you for tuning in. I know it’s not always exciting, but I try to give you the highlights—with a filter.

So here we are. A current update from the original influencer who grew up right in front of your eyes.

Today is Groundhog Day—sunny and in the 70s. It’s our tenth year in Las Vegas, and I continue to be amazed by what blooms in the desert. Both my husband and I are now in hospitality. After seven years as a stay-at-home mom, two as a substitute teacher, four as a soap maker, I am— for the first time in my life—joining a corporation. I am 41 and starting a whole new chapter and I wonder what’s in store for me.  I have been reading and all this reading has just prompt me to write. I forgot how important this is, how writing hugs people when they didn’t realize they needed it. February is the month where it all happens – Chinese New Year, Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, my engagement, my wedding anniversary. The shortest month, packed in with the most. This reminds me of what Maya Angelou once said. A bird does not sing because it knows the answer, it sings because it has a song.

The Year of the Fire Horse will be about keeping a steady pace, moving forward, and making an impact. New strides. Forward motion.