„This is where I am today. This is what vanivanity has become. And this is the direction in which things are moving forward.“
My first blog post went live on July 25, 2023.
Back then, I never imagined that a small idea would turn into something visited by over 100,000 people every month. Even less did I imagine that, three years later, I would be sitting here writing an anniversary post. 3 years of vanivanity.com
Three years filled with cafés, restaurants, travel, outfits, beauty treatments, gyms, events, and countless stories. But also three years of personal growth. Because if I’ve learned one thing during this time, it’s that it’s not just the blog that changes; the person behind it changes, too. That’s why I decided that, to mark vanivanity’s third anniversary, I would answer 20 questions today about the blog, my life, and the things currently on my mind.
1. Question
Would you have thought that vanivanity would become so big one day?
No.
Of course, you dream about it. Otherwise, you probably wouldn’t even start.
But if someone had told me three years ago that vanivanity would one day reach over 100,000 monthly visitors, I probably would have laughed at them. Today, I am simply incredibly grateful. Whether the readers are from Austria or abroad, I appreciate every single visit.
2. Question
Why did you start blogging in the first place?
Because I’ve always loved writing.
I love stories. I love magazines. I love inspiration. And at some point, I felt the need to capture my own thoughts and experiences somewhere. Without knowing where it would lead me.
3. Question
What has changed about your writing style?
A lot.
When I read my old blog posts, I immediately notice how much sweeter and more reserved my writing style was back then. The vision was already there, but I didn’t quite dare to fully live it out yet. Today, I write with significantly more confidence.
More clearly. More personally. And above all, much closer to the person I truly am.
4. Question
How would you describe your style today?
Quieter. More elegant. Feminine.
Perhaps a bit more luxurious, too. Not in terms of expensive things, but in terms of a way of life. I love this world of „quiet luxury.“ Not loud. Not ostentatious. But beautiful, timeless, and mindful.
5. Question
Are you still chasing trends?
Definitely less than before.
Of course, I love fashion. Of course, I enjoy shopping. But these days, I buy things much more consciously. If something is trendy but doesn’t suit my style, I don’t buy it. Because I know full well that otherwise, it would just end up hanging in my closet.
6. Question
Which influencers inspire you right now?
Of course, there are many women on social media whose content I enjoy following.
But if I had to name two who currently inspire me the most, they would definitely be Theresa -lena Foster and Adorable Caro.
For me, Therasa embodies that calm, luxurious aesthetic I love so much. It’s not loud or over-the-top, but elegant, feminine, and effortless—that sense of „quiet luxury“ that you can’t buy, but simply radiate.
Caro, on the other hand, represents something quite different, yet equally admirable. She reminds me that femininity and success go beautifully hand in hand. She comes across as confident and driven—a true businesswoman—without ever losing touch with her feminine side.
I think I’m currently navigating a space somewhere between these two worlds myself. On one hand, I love beautiful things, elegant places, and that dreamy, princess-like world. On the other, I have a full-time job, I’m working on vanivanity, and I want to build my own path toward my goals.
Perhaps that’s why the two of them fascinate me so much.
7. Question
Is it true that you live two different lifes?
If you ask my friends: Yes.
And in a way, they’re right. During the day, I sit in the office and work my regular job. But in my free time, I live the life of a little princess. With afternoon teas. Rooftop bars. Beautiful dresses. Pilates. Museums. Palaces.
And all the little things that make my heart happy.
8. Question
What does vanivanity mean to you?
A lot.
It’s not just a blog. It’s my creative space. My hobby. My passion project. And it has probably become a part of my personality, too.
I think I talk to everyone every day about vanivanity hahaha.
9. Question
Does anyone even read blogs these days?
Yes.
And more people than many realize. Instagram is wonderful for quick inspiration. But hand on heart: How often do you save something, only to forget about it five minutes later?
When someone Googles something, they are consciously looking for an answer. For a recommendation. For an experience. For inspiration. And that is precisely why blogs remain relevant.
10. Question
What makes a blog special to you?
To me, blogs are like little short stories from real life.
I love books and enjoy immersing myself in worlds of fantasy. There is nothing better than completely losing yourself in another story for a few hours. But for me, blogs serve a different purpose.
They are like little breaks from real life. You don’t just read about where someone has been; you learn what happened, how that person felt, what thoughts went through their mind, and sometimes even what they were wearing that day.
As you read, you automatically put yourself in that person’s shoes. You see the experience through their eyes, walk the same paths in your mind, sit in the same café, or step into the same hotel room.
That is exactly why I still love blogs so much. It isn’t just about information; it’s about stories, emotions, and memories. And perhaps that is also the reason why I enjoy writing so much myself. I don’t just want to show where I’ve been; I want to take you along for a few minutes and share the experience with you.
11. Question
Which development makes you particularly proud?
That I’ve found my own style.
Not just visually. But also in my writing. I think it’s become very clear by now what vanivanity is. And perhaps even more importantly: what vanivanity isn’t.
12. Question
What does the future hold for vanivanity?
Bigger. More professional. More structured.
I want to develop the blog further, step by step. But my ultimate goal is actually something else entirely. I want vanivanity to become a natural part of people’s everyday lives—especially here in Vienna.
When someone asks themselves, “What could I do this weekend?”, “Where should I go for breakfast?”, “Which Pilates studio is really good?”, or “Which restaurant is worth a visit?”, I want vanivanity to be one of the first places that comes to mind. Not because I want to be the biggest platform, but because I want to genuinely inspire people.
13. Question
Will vanivanity always remain a blog?
I think vanivanity is currently in an exciting transitional phase—somewhere between a classic blog and an online magazine.
The website remains the heart of it all, of course, but it is constantly evolving. When I look at the early versions of vanivanity and compare them to the current site, the difference is truly worlds apart. Today, the site feels much more mature, structured, and professional. There are more categories, a better layout, and overall far more content than there was at the start.
14. Question
What has changed the most this year?
The structure.
There are now significantly more categories. This makes it much faster to find content, and the entire website looks more organized. One of my newest categories, for example, is sports. And I love it.
15. Question
Why sport, specifically?
Because I’m currently on a bit of a fitness journey myself.
I’m trying out new studios, new concepts, and new types of workouts. And that’s exactly why I enjoy documenting these experiences so much.
Plus, I get the feeling that the fitness and wellness trend in Vienna is far from over—quite the opposite, in fact. It seems like new Pilates, yoga, fitness, or boutique studios are constantly opening up. The range of options keeps growing, making it increasingly difficult to know which studios are truly worth a visit.
16. Question
Do you actually read your own blog posts again?
Yes. Actually, quite often.
Perhaps more often than you might think. For many, vanivanity is a blog. For me, it is also a kind of diary. When I read old posts, I’m reminded of specific moments, places, conversations, and feelings. Sometimes I’ve almost forgotten things, only to be reminded of them by a blog post.
That is exactly why I love browsing through my own posts after some time has passed. I see everything I’ve experienced, how I used to think, and sometimes even how much I’ve changed since then.
17. Question
What was your favorite blog post of the last few months?
Phew, that’s actually not so easy to answer.
By now, four blog posts go up on vanivanity every week. That really adds up over the months, and I’m lucky enough to write about so many wonderful places, experiences, and trips.
But if I had to choose, my New York blog posts from May would definitely be among my favorites.
For one thing, of course, because New York had long been on my bucket list. And for another, because that trip was simply full of special moments—from that first glimpse of the skyline and the many walks through the city to the little things you often can’t even plan for.
18. Question
You publish so many posts. How do you keep track of everything, and do you actually write about everything?
No, definitely not.
I think that’s one of the biggest changes in recent years. In the beginning, I often wanted to try out as much as possible. Today, I’ve become much more selective. I’m now much better at judging what really suits me and what doesn’t. Before I write about something, I usually ask myself: Would I do this even if I didn’t have a blog? Do I really want to experience this myself? Does it fit my life and vanivanity?
If the answer is no, then I usually pass on it.
19. Question
What else would you like to work on?
The answer is clear: marketing.
I’ll be honest about that. For me, social media remains the hardest part. Writing a blog post? I love it. Taking photos? I love it. Discovering new places? I love it. But constantly posting content on social media is much harder for me.
20. Question
What would you say to the Vanessa who published her first blog post three years ago?
Just keep going.
There will be days when no one replies or supports you. There will be people who say blogs are dead. There will be moments when you doubt yourself. But one day, you’ll look back on three years of vanivanity, have over 100,000 monthly readers, and realize that every single hour was worth it. So don’t stop writing.
21. Question
What would you like to say to your readers in conclusion?
Thank you.
Thank you for every read. For every comment. For every private message. For every recommendation.
And for following vanivanity for three years now.
Sometimes I can hardly believe myself what this little idea has turned into. But I also know that this is just the beginning. I still have so many ideas. Many places I want to discover. Many stories I want to tell. And perhaps that is the best part of it all. That vanivanity is evolving right along with me. Here’s to the next three years.
And to all the adventures—big and small—that lie ahead.
XoXo, Vani
_____________________
RELATED POSTS
_____________________
FIND ME ON INSTAGRAM
