Looking Back and Looking Ahead v2019

By Juhi Bansal

I am back with my first bit of 2019 for the blog. As is the tradition, here’s a snapshot of how the last year panned out for me and what I look forward to in 2019 even though I kind of feel I’ve talked too much over the last year and you may already know whatever transpired.

(You can read ver 2018, ver 2017, ver 2016, ver 2015 and ver 2014 here).

CB turned 5! Also, some awesome campaigns with- Iconic Brands, H&M, Dipali Shah, Nestle, Amazon Kindle, Alpha One Mall, Divalicious, House of Furniture

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Such a great way to celebrate #InternationalWomensDay. Thank you @iconicfashionindia for the #CBxIconic #sheforher campaign. . Just a quick word of wisdom for all you ladies and the few others I met yesterday: . #fashion can be empowering so don’t let someone make you feel bad about you wanting to look good for yourself. . While it is always fun to experiment and get out of your own comfort zone, it is ok to also stay inside it. Don’t let anyone pressurize you to change into someone you don’t identify with. . The event was aptly named #she4her. Afterall, what is a woman if she cannot be another one’s strength. Lets not bicker, criticize or be envious- lets #empower each other/ after all, thats how the entire tribe grows! . . Happy Women’s Day to everyone around me! . . . . #fashionblogger #ahmedabadevent #ahmedabadevent #ahmedabaddiaries #iconicbrand #funevent #empowerment #womenempowerment #fashionandempowerment #iconicwomen#realwomen beyourself #closetbuddies

A post shared by Juhi Bansal (@closetbuddies) on Mar 8, 2018 at 11:24pm PST

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhGKp1An1QA/

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Grandeur at every stage : Whether it is the exquisite collection or the shopping experience at the new @Reliancejewels showroom at Venus Amadeus. Shop for stunning gold, diamond and platinum jewellery. . Video & Editing by: @beardedshutterbug . Makeup by: @make.up.n.hair.by.mani #ad #reliancejewels #wedding #gold #diamond #collection #ahmedabadblogger #jewelryshopping #jewelryaddict #indianjewelry #antiquejewelry #finejewelry #indianjewelrydesigner #lotd #videooftheday

A post shared by Juhi Bansal (@closetbuddies) on Jul 1, 2018 at 3:51am PDT

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Colour me quirky- all day, everyday! #freshtocollege for @ahmedabad_one . Wardrobe and location courtesy: (Separates, earrings, footwear and bag): @myglobaldesi . . . #summervibe #ahmedabadone #sponsored #cbstreetstyle #cbxahmedabadone #ootd #wiw #wiwt #whatiwore #aboutalook #streetstyle #globaldesi #anitadongre #quirky #fringeearrings #pants #croptop

A post shared by Juhi Bansal (@closetbuddies) on Jun 21, 2018 at 10:16pm PDT

https://www.instagram.com/p/BluV8HFH9w9/

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Ever since we got #alexa home she’s become a part of the family. She is Iy’s constant companion and friend and thankfully doesn’t mind too many questions 🙂 #Justask @amazonechoindia Video by @beardedshutterbug . . . #ad #partner #alexabyamazon #amazonecho #amazonechospot #littleone #mammaandbaby #ahmedabadblogger #indianblogger #mommyblogger

A post shared by Juhi Bansal (@closetbuddies) on Aug 17, 2018 at 3:51am PDT

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I could live in this chair! . . . In collaboration with HOF India Photography: @beardedshutterbug Makeup & hair: @make.up.n.hair.by.mani Outfit: @popupgalleria . . #ad #partner #furniture #ahmedabad #homeoffice #officefurniture #designerfurniture #localartisans #indian #indianmade #madeinindia #ahmedabadblogger #ootd

A post shared by Juhi Bansal (@closetbuddies) on Nov 10, 2018 at 10:46pm PST

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Did you know today is #NationalSportsDay? Whatever your choice of workout, the real fun lies in doing it together as a family just like sharing your favourite breakfast cereal on the dining table. With @nesplusindia eat healthy breakfast everyday whatever your choice of flavour. Available on @amazondotin. @nestle.india #ad . Video by @beardedshutterbug . . #partnerworkout #workout #happy#amazonindia #ahmedabadblogger #nestleindia #familyworkout #familyfitness #

A post shared by Juhi Bansal (@closetbuddies) on Aug 28, 2018 at 11:33pm PDT

Travelled a lot (even by my own standards)! Started the year in Gir, went to Udaipur twice! and then several trips big and small throughtout the year. My favourite being Israel!

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Caught you! #weekendfeels . . . . #mymain #husband #instagramhusband #udaipur#favoruitetravelpartner #partnerincrime #selfie #youandme #poolsideselfie #travel #travelcompanion #bloggerlife

A post shared by Juhi Bansal (@closetbuddies) on Apr 1, 2018 at 11:51pm PDT

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When we danced with #PussinBoots . . . . . #shrek #universalstudios #singapore #singaporediaries #babysfirstvisit #ahmedabad #ahmedabadblogger #travel #themepark #travellingbaby

A post shared by Juhi Bansal (@closetbuddies) on Mar 3, 2018 at 6:47pm PST

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While the little one is busy making sand castles.. . . . #mauritiusexplored #husbandsofinstagram #instagramhusband #mauritius #mauritiustourism #bikinilife #sunandsand #oceanandbeach #hotpinkbikini

A post shared by Juhi Bansal (@closetbuddies) on May 31, 2018 at 6:13am PDT

Won the Chairman’s Award at Ahmedabad University. I am gloating. Yes I am because joining the Uni was a gamble on my part but I love what I get to do here- and being recognized for something I am having so much fun at- is definitely the cherry on top.

https://ahduni.edu.in/events/ninth-foundation-day-7188

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgNcsdeHdYY/

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Last week I was felicitated with the Chairman's Award at Ahmedabad University. . About 2 years ago I took a leap of faith and moved full time into Education- something of which I have no formal background or training. All I had going for me was my unparalled passion for curriculum design & learning and a vision for the future of education. It wasn't an easy decision- far from it- Iy was only about a year old and I had just launched the CB app (and invested a lot of my savings into it). I had to choose between AU and CB app and I am glad I made the call that I did. . While awards are always special this one takes the cake for me because when your job profile calls for working with academicians (who have degrees longer than their names), and convince them to move from teaching to letting the students learn themselves you're treading on dangerous territory. It's extremely fulfilling to know my work has been fruitful for both faculty and students. . Here's to another year of "learning by doing" and "interdisciplinarity". . PS: Professor Devanath Tirupati did the honours! . . . #ilovemyjob #academics #experimentaleducation #learningbydoing #handsonlearning #interdiscplinaryeducation #funwithlearning

A post shared by Juhi Bansal (@closetbuddies) on Mar 5, 2018 at 4:19am PST

Read 43 books last year. You can check out my top 5 here.

Learnt to swim- or rather learning to swim because there is still a long way to go.

Personally, 2018 was quite rewarding as well (literally!). The husband got recognized as one of “ ET 40 under 40”, Iy turned 4 (and smarter!) and we completed a decade of marriage. Here’s some wisdom on that (in case you missed it). We decided to celebrate it by doing yet another trip (duh!) After giving it some thought we decided to visit parts of erstwhile Yugoslavia (I can see some eyerolls) but the heart wants what the heart wants am I right? Also, I had promised K some snowfall and I delivered!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnJMAGWH9r0/

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This is where I am going to retire! #aGirlCanDream #tenniversary . . . . #zagreb #croatia #rastoke #plitvice #plitvicelakes #europe #adriaticsea #yugoslavia #eurotrip #winterholiday #christmasineurope #christmas #ahmedabad #ahmedabadblogger #indianblogger #traveltheworld #coupleblogger #babyblogger

A post shared by Juhi Bansal (@closetbuddies) on Jan 5, 2019 at 8:23am PST

As I look towards 2019, (yes, I realize it’s already two weeks into the year), I know I won’t be able to maintain the highs of 2018 but I also realize I got lucky last year, (I am not being ungrateful but a lot of what happened was plain luck) so, I am not going to ride on it. I am not setting any firm goals for 2019 because I want to try new things and take things slow this year. I do hope to travel a little more, read a few books and do some exciting work at both CB and AU. Fingers crossed!

January 11, 2019