Year Three

YOU GUYS. Three years ago today, I made a loaf of bread after class and took pictures of it. I texted my friends and asked them to help me think of a cute name. And I started a blog.

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A few of you came and saw it. Then a few more of you came. Then I got all smiley. And fell in love with photography. And tested hundreds of recipes. I learned that there were things I could be kinda GOOD at. Things I had a passion for!

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And here we are! 663 posts, 983 photos, two new cameras, lots of new friends, and three years later. All I have in my heart is love and gratitude.


I have learned so much and grown so much from blogging, and this space has become a true refuge for me. Three years ago I made one of the BEST decisions I have ever made in my life. Thank you guys for being here with me!

-Lauren

I would LOVE IT if you would comment below and say hi! Tell me how long you’ve been reading and maybe a little about yourself! Let’s be friends.

25 Responses

  1. Sue Franklin
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    Lauren,
    I have been here since “day one” and I love ALL of your blogs! You are an inspiration . I hope to keep following you and learning more wonderful recipes and ideas.
    Keep up the good work!
    Miss Susie

    • Lauren @ Dash of Soul
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      Thank you so much for continuing to support and encourage me! Lots of love

  2. Emily
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    Happy Anniversary! Yay!!! Keep on keepin on Ms. Dash of Soul.

    • Lauren @ Dash of Soul
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      Thanks for everything Emily! You’ve been there long before day one and I appreciate it! šŸ™‚

  3. Lindsay
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    I’m a very recent reader; I found you through The Lean Green Bean just a few days ago. I love your writing style, and your photography is just gorgeous. I love that you attended William & Mary. I’m from Northern Virginia, and though I went to UVA, I had several friends at William & Mary and visited often. Congrats on 3 years!

    • Lauren @ Dash of Soul
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      Hi Lindsay and WELCOME! Thank you so much for your sweet words! Happy to meet another Virginia lover–Charlottesville is one of my favorite places ON EARTH!

  4. Katherine
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    HAPPY BLOGO-VERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

    • Lauren @ Dash of Soul
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      Thank you KJ!!! Thanks for being an amazing sounding board and taste tester for these years! <3

  5. Mary
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    I’ve been enjoying your blog since way back when. And I love watching it evolve. My favorite – pimento cheese grits! Yum.

    • Lauren @ Dash of Soul
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      Thank you so much Mary! It means a lot to me! šŸ™‚

  6. Emily Schreck
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    Hey Lauren! I’ve been reading your blog on and off for 3 years! Keep up the good work, superwoman!

    • Lauren @ Dash of Soul
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      Thanks so much Emily! I just started following your amazing Instagram–keep up your good work too! šŸ˜€

  7. Lauren
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    Lauren, I think I’ve been here since almost the beginning and there’s a reason why even though I barely read any other blogs anymore, I can’t stop reading yours. I can tell you put so much heart and soul (pun intended :D) into what you put on the blog and I think you do such a great job of presenting your life in a real and authentic way. Yo genuine and honest and I love that šŸ™‚ Happy Blogiversary!

    • Lauren @ Dash of Soul
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      That means so much to me Lauren! I’m so happy that I met you through blogging and I really consider you to be a friend! Thanks for staying with me these past few years! šŸ™‚

  8. Donna
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    Hi Lauren! I’ve never commented here before although I’ve been reading your blog for, IDK, maybe a year or so now? I enjoy all your posts. Of course all the very yummy looking recipes but also the posts about what’s going on in your day to day life. And it’s fun when you include your very cute little dog and even cuter little sister. Keep up the good work and good luck with the bar exam! šŸ™‚

    • Lauren @ Dash of Soul
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      Thank you so much for saying hi Donna and for being a loyal reader! šŸ˜€

  9. Ellie@Fit for the soul
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    AWwwww happy anniversary to your beautiful blog, Lauren!! You’re the sweetest thing and I’m happy for what’s in store for you in the near future~and wow, congrats on the license!!! Yikes. That thought alone is pretty frightening, lol. And I feel like I really know you….I think you reallllllly remind me of my friend Chalise who talks like you and has similar genuine+cute mannerisms. šŸ˜€

    • Lauren @ Dash of Soul
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      Thank you so much Ellie! šŸ™‚

  10. Ashley
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    Lauren, your recipies are always yummy, And I read your posts everyday. I’m so happy for you!! ~your sister

    • Lauren @ Dash of Soul
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      Thanks Ashley! YOU’RE THE BEST! <3

  11. Nala
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    Hi Lauren! Congratulations on your 3 year anniversary of blogging! I’ve been reading since last year and I have enjoyed read all of your posts. I love the recipes you share with us as well as your life. I’ll admit your post on running a race made me start training to run my first 5K ever, and I did last sunday and it felt great! So thanks for the inspiration – Keep it up!!!

    • Lauren @ Dash of Soul
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      CONGRATS on the 5K–that’s so amazing!!! Thank you so much for being a loyal reader and commenter, I so appreciate it! šŸ™‚

  12. Kii
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    Hey Lauren, I found your website via your BiL, Dan! He knows that I love to cook and so he shared with me a link to your blog! So I think that was probably the first year you started your blog and ever since then I’ve been hooked! Actually thanks to you and all the wonderful baking recipes.. I’ve ventured with baking again! Baking always intimated me, but I loved how easy and simple your recipes were(I mean that in the best way possible!), that I thought I’d give it a try again! =) Not too long ago I made Persimmon Scones because you inspired me to! They turned our fabulous too! So thank you for that! I think it’s awesome you share a bit of yourself with all of us! Happy Blog Anniversary to you and I wish you continued success and inspiration with your blogging and photography.

    • Lauren @ Dash of Soul
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      That’s so awesome–I’m so glad he sent you here! Thank you for all the kind words! Keep baking! šŸ™‚

  13. Chava Cohen
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    Hello Lauren, I’m not sure how long I’ve been reading your blog, approximately 12 months I think. It’s such a wonderful place to stop by that it feels like I’ve been reading it forever. I found you by browsing for soul food recipes (a passion of mine). Some ingredients are not available in the UK but it’s always fun to try and recreate what I can. There was something about your blog that made me save it as a favourite, it has a lovely homely feel and always makes me smile. Good luck with your exams and thank you so much for the blog (and vlogs).