Is this going to be a cheesy “work hard pays off” kind of post? Well, in all honesty, yes, a bit. Because I believe that all achievements, no matter how small or big, need to be celebrated in some way! So in this post, I would like to write a few lines about my own little achievement from last week: I reached 1000 followers on Instagram!!! To celebrate 1000 followers, let me share a few of my favourite and/or most liked Instagram posts!

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Having the best vacation in 🇲🇽 and already feeling so relaxed 😎. Also, I never want to go back home to 🇨🇦😢• • • • • #girlonvacation #bestvacation #sunsout #divaonthebeach #beachpinup #roseromper #enjoyingthesun #tanningtime #idonttaniburn #caribbeansea #vivamexico #akumalbeach #akumal #vacancestransat #firsttimeinthesouth #dontworrybehappy #beautyblogger #beautybloggeronvacation #lifestyleblogger #beachfront #oceanwaves #romperlife #airtransat

A post shared by Marika 💜 (@beataroundtheblush) on Mar 30, 2018 at 5:50pm PDT

1000. I know, it is just a number. It’s not even that much if you compare it to larger accounts. But for me, this is HUGE! When I rebranded the blog back in November 2017, I had about 330 followers on Instagram, and to be honest, I didn’t really know what I was doing with my account. And for 2018, my goal was to reach 600 followers on Instagram. 600!!

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Been a little MIA lately: this girl is busyyy (and stressed out) but all is good! Crazy week ahead so tonight calls for a little me time: 📚, candles and mask! 👸🏻 • • • • • #mondaynight #rupikaur #rupikaurpoetry #milkandhoney #feministpoetry #feministbooks #cactuscandle #metime #selfcare #starttheweekright #mentalhealthbreak #readingbook #bloggerstyle #bookandcandle #lifestyleblogger #montrealblogger #freshbeauty #masknight #busygirls

A post shared by Marika 💜 (@beataroundtheblush) on Feb 19, 2018 at 2:53pm PST

Now, we are only 4 months into 2018 and I not only reached my goal for the YEAR, but I surpassed it by a lot! I never thought that my little hobby would go this far :O I write this blog for fun, mostly, so seeing that a large number of people appreciate my work and share my interests really warms my heart!

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Can't get my eyes off of these @narsissist #narsxmanray lipsticks 😍✨• • • • • #narsissist #narslipstick #manray #nars #goldlips #falllips #narsvelvetmattelippencil #boldlips #metalliclips #lipstickswatches #newmakeup #limitededition #makeupreview #montrealbeautyblogger #lipsticklover #mattelipstick #lipstickholder

A post shared by Marika 💜 (@beataroundtheblush) on Feb 6, 2018 at 6:23pm PST

My intention is not to brag here, not at all. I just want to emphasize how much this seemed impossible for me to achieve, not because I don’t believe in myself, but because growing a community, whether it’s on Instagram or on WordPress, takes time and dedication! I wasn’t sure I would be able to put that much energy and effort, but I did, and I am so proud of myself. So if you ever doubt yourself and your blog, remember my story!

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Craving a little more purple in my life, always and forever 🙋🏻💜✌🏻• • • • • #purpleeverything #allpurpleeverything #purplemakeup #purplelipstick #purplehandbag #mexicanhandcraft #katvondbeauty #katvondeverlastingliquidlipstick #katvondroxy #katvondsusperia #maccosmetics #nyxcosmeticsvividbrights #beautyblogger #purpleeyeshadow #smashboxcosmetics #makeupflatlay #purpleflatlay #makeupobsessed #discoverunder10k

A post shared by Marika 💜 (@beataroundtheblush) on Apr 11, 2018 at 6:00pm PDT

So yes, hard work does pay off. And I wanted to celebrate that achievement, so I went out and bought balloons for myself! On a Thursday morning. While being sick with the flu. Heck yes! There’s nothing that can stand in the way of a girl who wants to celebrate her hard work, am I right?

So here are a few pictures of my little celebratory photoshoot!

Also, can we take a moment of appreciation for my sequined pants? I am obsessed with them!! I really wanted to match my balloons 😉

Thank you for the love and follows! Your support means the world to me, and it is what keeps me going! I am so humbled I can celebrate 1000 followers!

-xox- Marika