Unconventional Milestones: My 100th Post & A Pura Vida Giveaway

Today is a very special day, friends!

I’ve reached another exciting milestone, and a somewhat unexpected one…you’re currently reading the 100th post on The Mochilera Diaries!

When this blog came to life less than one year ago in Cusco, Peru, I had no idea where it would lead.  I never imagined just how all-consuming the world of travel blogging would be, how much I would grow to love it (and sometimes hate it), or just how much there was for me to learn.

Pura Vida Bracelets Giveaway
I’m not quite sure how I got here, but I think I like it.

Writing has been the easy part–I’ve always enjoyed telling a good story.  It’s hitting that menacing publish button and making my thoughts known to the world that’s been the greatest challenge at times.  It doesn’t give me so much anxiety these days, though;  by repeatedly making myself vulnerable and putting myself out there, imperfect and unrefined, what began as an uncomfortable act has evolved into a habit–and not just within the realm of blogging but in other aspects of my life as well.

I’m honored to have readers who have been with me from the very beginning, rooting for me the whole way (even if you didn’t know where this was all going to lead, either).  They’ve stuck with me through the growing pains, the uninspired posts, the lulls and the hardships.  If that applies to you, please know how grateful I am for your loyalty and support.  I’m honored, too, by each new reader who stumbles upon my little corner of the internet and finds something worth sticking around for.

The number of people who’ve reached out to tell me that what I’m doing here has affected them in some way, however small, makes my little heart swell to near bursting (it could be the three cups of coffee I’ve had today but I prefer to think it’s the warm-and-fuzzies).  Again, if that applies to you, thank you.  Every time I felt like throwing it all away, your kind words kept me afloat.

Additionally, I surely wouldn’t have stuck it out for this long if not for the amazing and supportive community of travel bloggers I’ve gotten to know throughout this experience.  It’s refreshing to find people with whom I share the same incessant need to talk about travel, people who would never judge me for taking a few too many pictures of my food or insisting that we say “cheers” in at least 10 languages before we drink.  So prost to you, travel bloggers.  You’re a pretty rad group of people and I’m proud to be among you.

I’m finally starting to understand the role travel blogging is going to play for me in the long term, and that fact alone is beyond exhilarating.  In honor of reaching this new unconventional milestone (click here to read about the original), I wanted to do something special.

You all remember Pura Vida Bracelets, that awesome company I introduced you to a couple of months ago?  The one that provides full-time employment to 65 talented Costa Rican artisans, supports a whole host of non-profit organizations through direct sales and donates even more money to charities all over the world?

Great, I thought you’d remember!  I’ve been helping spread the word about Pura Vida Bracelets as a brand ambassador since August, and now I’m teaming up with them to send one of my lucky readers a beautiful hand-made bracelet from their Anchor Wrap Collection!

The Gold Anchor bracelet is far and away one of Pura Vida Bracelets’ best-selling products.

One of you will get one absolutely free (a $28 retail value) just for helping me spread the word about this awesome socially responsible company.

Gold Anchor Aqua Pura Vida Bracelets
Gold Anchor Aqua

And in the event that you’re not the lucky winner, you can always save 10% on every Pura Vida Bracelets purchase by entering my rep code LDAVIS10 at checkout.

This contest is open to everyone!  Pura Vida Bracelets ships worldwide!  Enter by following the instructions below.  Facebook “likes” are very much appreciated!

Here’s to 100 more!  Thanks for reading, good luck and pura vida!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Catch us on Instagram too for new product releases, discounts, sales, special offers and more giveaways!  Follow Pura Vida Bracelets or my personal rep account: leahpuravida.

My travelgrams are posted at leahlamochilera.

This post contains affiliate links; I receive a small commission if purchases are made using them.  Any earnings from these purchases will help keep The Mochilera Diaries running, and you’ll be supporting some worthy causes at the same time, so I thank you for your support!

26 comments

  • Rachel

    Wow, I just pinned your affiliate link last night, in hopes that someone might stumble upon my Pinterest boards and maybe buy me some bracelets for Christmas… Can’t wait to hear more about the long term role you think travel blogging will have for you! I can’t remember now how I originally found your blog, but I’m so glad I did. Your writing style is great.
    Rachel recently posted…Casa Zuniga Might be the Coolest B&B in GuanajuatoMy Profile

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Ha! What a coincidence! Will be awesome if you win! Thank you for the compliment 🙂 I’ve enjoyed reading about your adventures in Mexico too, we definitely share a love of food and drink!
      LaMochilera recently posted…Isla de Ometepe: Beaches, Volcanoes, & BicyclesMy Profile

  • estherjulee

    yay! congrats on your 100th post. 🙂 so glad that i found you through the world of travel blogging. I think the best bloggers are the ones that put themselves out there, no matter how unrefined and imperfect. 🙂 I felt the same way too about publishing my more vulnerable posts.. I’m always nervous about hitting the publish button. You’re right though.. the more you do it, the more it just becomes a habit. And it’s feels so freeing! 🙂
    estherjulee recently posted…Las Vegas Indoor Skydiving // Fun Things to Do in VegasMy Profile

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Thanks so much Esther! It’s kind of funny, I think the posts we feel most vulnerable writing are usually the ones that become most popular! It’s like you’ve said the thing everybody else is thinking but too afraid to admit! And when people connect with that, it definitely gets easier.
      LaMochilera recently posted…Killing Time in Managua: A Day Trip to Playa PochomilMy Profile

  • Geralyn

    Congratulations on post # 100 and where you are today! Awesome! I can relate to the whole process of starting a blog and moving forward even when you weren’t exactly sure where you were going with it. I’m still wading through and trying to figure it out.
    Geralyn recently posted…Friday night lights and grilled cheeseMy Profile

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Thank you Geralyn! Admittedly there’s still plenty I need to figure out about this whole process too, but I’m sure a lot closer than I was when I started!

  • Katie

    OMG, I have so many things to say! First, this is my first time reading your blog and I already love it 😉 Second, 100 posts is such a great accomplishment – congrats! That’s 100 times you’ve agonized over the publish button… haha. Third, whoa that bracelet is gorgeous! I love Costa Rica, what a great cause! I also love the travel blogging community, definitely a great group of people… I’ll be sharing this for sure!
    Katie recently posted…Connecting with Nature in the Hills of BaliMy Profile

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Aw thanks so much Katie, I’m glad you found me! Pura Vida Bracelets is a really awesome company, and since I just traveled through Costa Rica for the first time I appreciate what they’re doing even more. Thanks for sharing!
      LaMochilera recently posted…San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua: The Good, The Bad, & The UglyMy Profile

  • Justine

    Congrats on 100 posts Leah! That’s really impressive for less than a year of blogging. I for one am really excited that you’ve decided to stick with travel blogging long term because 1) I love your blog and 2) it makes me happy to know there are other people out there who love traveling and writing as much as I do. Keep it up because I have a feeling great things are in store for you 🙂 Here’s to taking the unconventional route in life!
    Justine recently posted…The Nitty Gritty of Finding a Job in IndonesiaMy Profile

    • LaMochilera (author)

      You’re too sweet, Justine! Thanks so much! You’re one of the people I’ve loved getting to know through travel blogging, I sincerely hope we cross paths one day! Thank you for all your support 🙂

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Thank you Kate! I know it’s not much in the grand scheme of things haha but considering I started out only posting once or twice a month, I think it’s pretty cool!

  • Taylor Hearts Travel

    Congrats on 100 posts and thanks for the lovely giveaway. The bracelets look gorgeous and I love the cause behind them.

    My blog started shortly after my trip to Peru, so there must be some amazing blog magic going on there! 😉 Isn’t Cusco just beautiful? X
    Taylor Hearts Travel recently posted…Paris’ Best Kept Secret: Hotel La TrémoilleMy Profile

    • LaMochilera (author)

      I still get pangs of nostalgia when I think about Cusco…I spent a good amount of time there and I miss it more than most other places I’ve traveled! Definitely magic 🙂

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Thanks Alana! It’s been a fun ride for sure.

  • Miquel

    Congrats on 100! I am a somewhat newbie blogger and I have to say that opening myself and my writing up to the vulnerability of the internet has also been the biggest struggle for me. But it’s been so rewarding in other ways as well! Can’t wait to see where I am when I hit 100. Glad I stumbled upon your corner of the blogosphere.
    Miquel recently posted…How to Study Abroad in Germany for FreeMy Profile

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Thank you Miquel! It’s always nice to know I’m not the only one struggling to put myself out there. It’s gotten easier though and I’m hopeful that it will only continue to get better! 🙂

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Yeah happy is a good way to put it, I certainly feel that way!

  • Megan!

    I put some of these bracelets on my Christmas List this year!

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Awesome! Here’s hoping you get some! Thanks for participating 🙂

  • Ashley

    These bracelets are so nice, and I love the story behind this company! Congratulations on 100 posts! Your passion for writing and blogging is clearly visible through the quality content that you post. I look forward to reading about your continual adventures!
    Ashley recently posted…My Favourite Travel Moments from the Past YearMy Profile

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Wow thank you so much for the beautiful compliment, Ashley! Made my day! So glad you enjoy reading 🙂

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