This week officially marks 5 years of The Thrifty Pineapple. Wow! I never thought I would be here when I started posting on Instagram 5 years ago. A few months ago, I heard someone say “Don’t be afraid of work that has no end.” That just hit me because I love Thrifty Pineapple and it’s truly a passion project, but can be daunting at times with the endless photos and posting and constant deadlines. I have SO many things I could say in this post but I want to share how it all got started, amazing things I’ve gotten to do, a walk down memory lane, advice for new bloggers and some thank yous!
How I Got Started
Thrifty Pineapple originally got started when Jared started his fashion blog. His end goal for his blog was always to transition into the fashion/retail space as his career, which eventually happened for him so he no longer has his blog. He originally wanted to tag me in his posts and I felt a little weird about it (this was 2014 and Instagram was a very different place), so I created this style Instagram account.
Being a type 3 enneagram I don’t do things halfway, from the moment I made my Instagram account I made a logo and was already thinking about branding and marketing myself. I decided I was going to post on Instagram every day and that I did…and still do (with a few exceptions).
This was pre-fancy camera, pre-branded/sponsored content, pre-everything really. Every day on my lunch break, I would go to the park just a few streets over and set up my tripod and Bluetooth clicker connected to my phone and take daily outfit of the day photos. – Yes, my co-workers thought I was absolutely insane! I took the photo, used VSCO to edit and posted it right then. I didn’t have to worry about algorithms, fancy presets or linking products. I would just share what I was wearing that day. It’s a little more complicated now, but I’ve learned so much.
After growing a few thousand Instagram followers, I decided I needed a blog to legitimize myself. I began learning the process of website development and bribing my friends/co-workers to design a logo for me or help with coding a Google Analytics. TheThriftyPineapple.com was born in January of 2015 after launching on Instagram in June of 2014.
Flash forward 3 web designs, 3 logos, 1,600+ Instagram posts and thousands of photos later, here we are. Although still a passion project to me it’s something I take very seriously and I am so thankful for all of you who read my blog and support this crazy journey.
Fun Things Thrifty Pineapple Has Let Me Do.
My Curated Collection with Retrospection in Fort Worth
Atlanta Trip with Southern Proper
Hosting an Event at Kendra Scott
Outfit of The Thrifty Pineapple – who remembers this?
IG Takeover at the Masters for Draper James
Meeting Reese Witherspoon with Draper James
Seeing my face in Austin with Erin Condren
SEC Championship with College Vault
Going to Los Angeles with Erin Condren
Going to Disneyland on behalf of Disney
Working with absolute dream brands like Lilly Pulitzer, Kendra Scott, Vera Bradley, Adidas, Kate Spade, and SO many more!
Memory Lane
My Advice for Bloggers
I LOVE helping and hearing from other bloggers whether you are just getting started or having done it for years. We are all in this together and all figuring it out one Instagram/Blog Post at a time.
If you are just starting out here’s my advice for you.
Don’t do it for the free product.
Even though it’s a really nice perk if you are just doing it for free stuff people will see right through it. For YEARS I posted things I bought myself and still do! 80% of the items I share about today are things I bought with my own money. This allows me to be honest and really tell you what I think.
My girlfriends tell me all the time you are so lucky because you get so much for free. It’s not luck, it’s hard work! Behind every free item you see, you don’t see the emails back and forth negotiating, the photos being staged and shot, the editing, the writing, and the reporting back to the brand. Although I LOVE it…I wouldn’t be here 5 years later if I didn’t, it’s a lot of work and if you are just in it for the free stuff I promise the glimmer will very quickly fade.
Focus on You.
It’s SO easy to compare yourself especially on social media and especially if you are trying to grow. Be authentically you! You can’t compare someone’s ending to your beginning. I remember going into the Draper James event with all of these other bloggers and I was almost sick because I was SO nervous! Sure, I’d been blogging for a long time but I was comparing myself to girls with hundreds of thousands of followers I really began to doubt myself and my content. After the event, I realized that I may not have been the biggest blogger there with the most followers but I had been invited because the brand truly liked the content I created and The Thrifty Pineapple brand. That honestly means more to me than just being invited because of my numbers.
Connect with Your Audience
Talk to and with your audience not just at them. I reply to EVERY DM and email I get because I am not here to gain likes or followers I am here to serve my audience. Doing it for personal gain can only take you so far, but the DMs I get asking for prayer requests or help on what they should wear to their rehearsal dinner means the WORLD to me. Someone recently asked me how I find joy in doing this and truly it’s being able to talk to my 30k+ best friends on the internet every day and being able to help them that brings me joy rather that’s through spiritual encouragement or what to wear.
Thank You
First off I want to thank each and every single one of you for reading, liking, commenting, pinning, following, engaging to support me so I can help you!
I would not be here if it weren’t for my absolutely amazing and supportive husband, Jared! He’s seriously my rock and I can’t even imagine who would take my photos, consult me on emails, go to events with me, ugh just everything! We joke and call him the creative director of Thrifty Pineapple but he’s so much more!
I also want to thank my family for supporting me along the way and stepping in as photographer when Jared is unavailable and of course, keeping me humble with screenshots of typos – thanks, mom!
I do want to thank my haters as well, thank you for your mean comments that pushed me to create better content, that pushed me to keep going, that gave me thicker skin to prove you wrong.
Lastly a few other amazing people I have to thank…(I’m just going to put first names for privacy)
Emily
Brock
Jordan
Margo
Kay Leigh
Cody
Bailey
Elise
Caitlin
Kailey
Cheers to many more years and much more content!
Congratulations on 5 fabulous years!! You go girl!!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Thank you so much! 🙂
What a fun walk down memory lane! Congrats on 5 years and cheers to many more!
Thanks sister and thanks for your support as a fellow blogger!
Congrats on 5 years! I am obsessed with your style! ❤️❤️
Thanks, Logan! Your too sweet! 🙂
Congratulations! What a journey. I love this!!💕
Thanks, Samantha! I appreciate your support!
Congratulations! Love your blog and style!
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Congratulations on 5 years!!! Such a great accomplishment. Keep up the hard work!
Thank you so much and thanks for all your support!
Congratulations on five years! My friend introduced me to your IG when she tagged me in one of your giveaways and I am so glad she did! I have LOVED seeing your posts! Here’s to many more years of The Thrifty Pineapple!
Thank you, Dominique! I am so glad your friends tagged you too! Thanks for your support!
Angela came to one of my marketing classes at the U of A which brought me to her blog! I love the styles and products she uses and the blog is all around fun!
Yay! I remember coming to that class, I love sharing my journey with people in person. Thanks for following along!
Love following you on insta! You have such cute, classic style and I enjoy the content you produce!
Thanks, Kristen! 🙂
You are amazing! You are truly an inspiration to so many women! I look forward to seeing your post! I hope for many many fun year of Thrifty Pineapple for you! Best wishes!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Megan! I truly appreciate your support on Thrifty Pineapple!
Congrats on 5 years! Love your content and that you’re in NWA!
Yay! Thank you, fellow NWA friend!
Love your blog and IG content! You are always an inspiration and so relatable. I also love how you interact with your followers. Thank you for sharing your style and latest finds. I have several items in my closet that I owe to your recommendations!!
You’re so sweet! I am so glad some of my posts have helped you in your everyday life. Thanks for your support!
Congratulations on 5 wonderful years!! I have enjoyed following along and watching you grow, get married and everything in between! Thanks for all you do and cheers to your future💗
You’ve been around a long time! Thanks for all your love and support!
Congratulations!
Thank you!!
Congratulations on FIVE years! Your account is one of my favorites because of the authenticity and relatability you bring to your posts, stories, content, partnerships, etc. Thanks for all of your hard work!!
Thank you so much, Kyndal! That means SO much to me!
Congrats on 5 fabulous years Angela!!! I remember meeting you when you came into my work to get a coffee and I was star struck that I got to meet you!!!
Oh my goodness, how fun?! I hope you said hi!!
Congrats on 5 years! Such a big accomplishment!
Thank you, Annie!!
Congratulations on 5 amazing years!!! I loved the pictures of all your memories!!! I’ve been following you for about 2 years and I love love love your style! The things you recommend are so affordable and stylish! You always respond to my questions and you are generally just a very upbeat person! Keep doing what you are doing ❤️
Thank you so much, Sarah! This means so much to me. Thanks for following along and your support!
Love following your insta and seeing all the content you produce! Your outfits are goals 😍😍 and give me lots of fashion inspiration! Can’t wait for more 🥰
Thank you, Allie! I am so glad I can inspire and help you!!
I’m still new to discovering you but I’m so glad I did! I still feel like we totally would be friends IRL! Happy 5 years and hoping for more!
We would for sure be friends IRL! Thanks for following along with me! 🙂
Congrats!!! I always love trying all the fun things you do and the fun things you get!!! Made the balloon arch the other day and it was a huge hit! Also wouldn’t of made the vineyard vines target goodies run without your reminder!!
Ah yay! I am so glad you tried the balloons and it was a hit!!! Thanks for all your support!
I love your style and personality the blogs are post are so meaning ful
Thank you so much, Allison!!
Yay congrats girl, so fun!! Love Love Love your page!!
Thanks sister!!! 🙂
Congratulations on 5 years! It’s been so fun to follow along for the last few. Glad you’re here. 🙂
Thank you so much for all your support, Julia!!
I am so glad I met you here in AR. I love how honest your content and posts are!
Yay! Thank you so much!!
Congratulations on 5 years! Also, thank you for posting your advice on blogging, it’s something my mom has been trying to get me into ☺️
Thank you and of course! I am so glad you found it helpful! It’s a lot of work but so much fun!!
Wow, what an amazing 5 year journey! Wishes for continued success!
Thank you so much!! 🙂
I just recently found your blog and just adore you! I love your content and enjoy your instastories! Keep it up! xx
Yay and welcome!!
Love your style and love copying some of your outfits!!
Thank you so much, Brinia!!
Congrats on 5 years! I have been following you for a few years, and I love how you can always see the pure joy in your posts! I look forward to following your IG for MANY more years! God bless, hun!
Thanks for all your love and support, Megan. I appreciate it deeply!!!
congrats on 5 awesome years!!
Thanks, Kim!
Love love your stuff! I am a grad student on a very small budget, but I love the idea of dressing cute on a budget! Thanks for the posts!
Thank you! I am so glad my affordable options are helpful to you!!
Congrats on 5 years!!!
Thank you!!
Congratulations on 5 years!! I have followed you from the beginning and I love your stuff!!
Love, Carly
Thanks for sticking around! I couldn’t do it without your support!
Congratulations, Angela! I am so proud of you. I love all of your content, and it’s so awesome to see how far your passion has taken you. Keep killing the game, girl. You are awesome!
Thanks, Emily! I truly appreciate your support along the way!! 🙂
Angela! I love your Instagram account, and I’m not great at following blogs, but The Thrifty Pineapple might change my mind about that! Your confidence is contagious and your heart is genuine. Can’t wait for what’s to come! -Stephanie
Thanks, Stephanie!! I appreciate your support and I look forward to getting to know you better!
Hi I recently found your account a few months ago. I love how nice you are and how you take time to answer my questions in the comments and DMs. You are so helpful and has inspired me for what to wear when I’m a graduate schoo ( everyday work outfit inspo). Your advice about doing blogging for yourself is important. Don’t do something that you don’t like. Such a great reminder. Congratulations on 5 years.
Thank you so much! I love talking to everyone and helping where I can! I am so glad you’ve found some of my content helpful!
I been a stalker(hehehe) since the begining. Congratulations on 5 years!!!
Yay!! You’ve been around a long time! Thanks for sticking around! 🙂
That’s amazing! I’ve only been blogging for a little less than a year and I’m having so much fun. Blogging is a great way to share things you love and make friends. It’s also a great stress reliever!
Congrats on starting your blog!! Thanks for your support and best of luck!
Congratulations on 5 years! Love following your Instagram and blog!!
Thank you so much!
Congrats on 5 years! Your story, and advice are really inspiring. Your determination and ability to admit defeat (i.e. the wallpaper debacle) give others the courage to be open and keep pushing forward!
Thank you so much! You are too kind!
This is so exciting! I’ve been following you on Insta since 2014! It’s been so cool to see the growth!
Wow!! Thank you so much for all your support!!!
Happy five years! I love your content! Not looking to become a blogger myself but watching you grow is inspiring! I love all of your recommendations and have even bought a few! Thanks for being my favorite blogger!
Thank you so much for all your support! I couldn’t do without you!!
Love your navy and white stripped dress! Happy 5 years!
Thanks girl!
Love looking back on all your big moments. HBD thrifty pineapple! ❤️
Thanks girl!!
Congratulations on your five anniversary! Lots of fun events for you. 🙂
Thank you so much!!!
Congrats on 5 years!! I have loved following along on your journey!
Thank you so much for following along!!
WOW! I loved reading about your growth with The Thrifty Pineapple! Can’t wait to see where it takes you next 💓
Thanks girl!!!
I’ve only recently stumbled across your Instagram page, and it was completely by chance. I think perhaps through the planner community, either you were suggested to me by Instagram or maybe you had commented on someone in the planner community that I also have started following recently. What so do know is that once I found you I started following immediately. I feel like you’re my spirit animal,
or whatever people are saying these days. You’ve inspired in me the desire to start building an Instagram page, or a blog, or both. I have no idea what my content will be (do people want to read about young adults with stage 4 cancer? What a downer) or if it will be interesting at all to anyone, but I feel I want to try? For that reason I really appreciated this post in particular on how you got started and your advice for beginners. I suppose I won’t know if I can do it unless I try. And now I have your whole blog to binge on since I’ve only recently found it!
I am SO glad you stumbled across this! Definitely do it! If I only inspire one person it’s worth it to me! Thanks for your support and cheers to your new journey!
Congrats!
Thank you!
Congrats on 5 years!!!!!
Thank you so much!
I have been following you for a long time and you’ve always been one of my favorite people to follow on Instagram. Keep up all the great work!
Thank you so much for following along with my journey! I truly appreciate it!
Congrats on five years! Thanks for brightening my insta days! 🙂
Thank you so much! Happy to!!
Congrats on 5 years! I have loved following you for fashion, life and everything in between! Xoxo
Thank you so much!
Congrats on 5 years Angela! 🍍
Thanks, Kendall!
So proud of you!!! Congratulations! 🎉
Thank you sweet friend!! 🙂
Congrats. I recently found you thru “your face at the Erin Condren” store in Austin. I love your style and enthusiasm. I can’t wait to see what you do with the future.
Oh how fun!! SO glad you are a fellow Erin Condren lover!!
I’m so proud of you, Angela! I’ve been following you since the beginning when you and your sister were promoting the launch! Love following you on your enlightening journey, and I cannot wait to see what’s to come 😊💛
Thank you so much, Katie!! Thank goodness for Melissa hyping me up!! lol
Congratulations on 5 years, sweet girl!
Thank you!!
Congrats on 5 years! Love to follow your fun blog and IG! 🍍💓
Thanks, Mandy!! I appreciate all your support!
Congratulations on five years! Thank you for taking the time to post helpful, useful and encouraging posts! I was so excited to find your instagram page and look forward to your new posts!
Thank you so much!! I am so glad I can help in the smallest way!
Love it!!
Thank you!
Keep up the good work! I love following your IG!
Thank you so much!
Thanks again, Kirsten.https://modernposturecorrector.com/
Congrats on 5 years!!!!
Thank you!!
Congratulations on 5 years! That must feel incredible! Everything you post is so so cute; you have amazing style! Also, I cannot believe you met Reese Witherspoon!😱😍
I can’t believe I met her either lol!! Thanks for your support!
This post was so informative — not just simply a memoir and tribute, but assistance to new bloggers/Instagram users who are getting started. Thank you so much for writing it. Your blog and Instagram are beautifully put together.
I am so glad you liked it! Thank you so much for your support!
I love your blog and your preppy style! Have you thought about doing a meet up in Arkansas?
Thank you! I have thought about it, but haven’t pulled the trigger…maybe I should!
Congrats ! I enjoy seeing all the outfits- my daughter is a recent Arkansas transplant from Fort Worth too
Oh I love that!! Thanks for following along!!
Girl!!! I had no idea what all this was until your momma tagged me in something then I just checked out your insta and blog! I’m absolutely blown away!! Congrats on 5 years and I’m so impressed with everything you’ve put into your brand!!
LOL my mom is my biggest hype woman!! Thanks for the kind words!
Love your blog and your instagram!
Thanks, Abby!
A huge congrats on making it 5 years!!
Thank you!!!
So amazing all you’ve been able to do and how you encourage others with your fashion, blog and daily instagrams. I know you’ve definitely influenced my wedding planning with all your blogs on your wedding. You’re awesome girl!
Thanks girl! I am so glad I could help with wedding planning and hopefully ease some of the stress.
You are amazing!!! I would not have known where to start! I enjoyed reading about your journey and I’m sure you will inspire others! I’m in Fort Smith and it makes me happy to see you are from Arkansas.
Yay fellow Arkansas girl! Thanks for following along and your support!
This is awesome advise! Congrats girl on 5 years!
Thank you!
Congratulations on 5 years!! I love reading your blog posts and all your posts on Instagram!
Thanks girl!!!
Rockstar!!! Congrats on the success and cheers to the next 5 years!
Thank you so much!!
I just love everything about this!! You are my #goals on many levels. Here’s to 5 years and many more to come ❤️🍷
You are so sweet! Thank you so much!
Congratulations on 5 years! Love your blog and style and all the fun tips!
Thanks, Rachel!
Congratulations on 5 years! I have enjoyed following your journey and can’t wait to see where the next years take you!
Thank you so much for following along throughout the years!
Love your content!! 🙂 Congrats on your journey!
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for the beautiful content. I love that as a blogger you don’t push people into buying products. Thanks for the amazing inspiration, keep doing what you’re doing!
Thanks, girl! That’s always the goal, I don’t want to be pushy but informative!
Congrats on five years! Such an awesome accomplishment and I love your stuff!
Thank you so much!
Such an inspiring story! Being from Fayetteville as well I love seeing the fun activities and target finds on your IG! By far my favorite blog! Congrats on 5 years, I hope there are many more to come!
Yay! Fellow NWA girl! Thanks for following along!
Happy 5 years!!! How exciting!!!!!!
Thank you!
Congrats on 5 years! Love having been able to follow along for the last few years and years to come!
Thank you so much for your support, Taylor!
Congrats on 5 years! Amazing how the time flies so quickly… While I haven’t been following all 5 years I do look forward to following for many years more!
Thank you so much and thank you for your support!
Congratulations on 5 years! I’m looking forward to what’s to come in the future!
Thank you!!
Congratulations! I have loved following your journey!
Thanks sister! Thank you so much for your support!