Photo by Muffy Aldrich
The Modern Guide to The Thing Before Preppy

Saturday, January 11, 2020

10 Years Ago, I Started a Blog.

My First Profile Picture in 2010
In January of 2010, I started a blog called The Daily Prep.  Since then, I have taken some pictures, posted some thoughts, found some interesting companies, made some friends, made some enemies, read a lot of comments, posted most of them, almost quit, almost quit again, renamed the blog, developed a dislike of L.L. Bean Boots, and have grown my fondness for tweed.

Thank you to everyone for your contributions.

Muffy

87 comments:

  1. It's been an informative , interesting and fun ride to follow Muffy .

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  2. Happy Anniversary and thank you.

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    1. My I second this sentiment and add my thanks? Your work here is much appreciated, congratulations for keeping at it this long.

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  3. I am from the deep south but love new England tastes and mentality. Love your blog. I learn something new with each one.thanks!!!

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  4. Thank you for your art and works, the wide assortments of education, the ratcheting open of my horizons, the ongoing cleaning of my perceptive filter, and... the showing of (how) maintaining one's etiquette/manners and the why.
    Thank you. Don't ever doubt you are not appreciated on many, many levels- you have a far reach on many aspects.

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  5. I can't recall how or when I found this blog, but there's nothing like it on the Internet, nor will there ever be. It originates from a multigenerational view that spans well over a half century of New England life. Congratulations, Muffy, on ten years of unique, sociological perspective and exceptional photography, both yours and your father's. I'm one who thinks your contribution is significant beyond the pleasure it gives us.

    MGC

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    1. I agree. And it has been wonderful to read the MGC comments too. GLH

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  6. 10 years down - 20 more to go...love SWNE!! And Muffy - you're still a babe!!

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  7. I so much enjoy and appreciate every Travels with SWNE posted. The photography is quite good. Your selection of pictures to be posted is phenomenal. Of course the subjects make the pictures. Travels? Yes, you draw out so many thoughts and ideas from such a varied group that I feel you take me beyond SWNE. As a matter of full disclosure, I must tell you that I’m sitting here in Sweet Tea Land in a fleece vest.

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  8. Wow, I got kind of choked up. Selfishly, I want to say I hope you don't think of quitting again anytime soon. I'm from the South and I love having this regular dose of New England. I enjoy the sights and the ideas and the variety of things you and the other contributors post. Please hang in there, Muffy. I would SO miss you if you stopped this beautiful correspondence with those of us who love it. And brava for doing this for 10 years! That's a long time to be dedicated to something. Well done! Happy anniversary!

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  9. With many thanks for a civil, serene spot on the internet; and more so for a touch of home to a homesick New Englander who misses what will be forever home but will never again be called home. Your blog fills a whole in my soul, and for that I thank you. Know that your efforts are deeply appreciated.

    The Concord Diaspora

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  10. Hard to believe you've "made some enemies." It's always a visual feast at SWNE.

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  11. Thank you so much for your work and bringing beauty and class into our world.

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  12. Big thank you from South America!

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  13. Thank for for a quiet, comfy little corner of the internet, a respite from ... well ... everything else. Well composed photos that perfectly evoke time and place without the over-saturated color that seems to be the current fad in photography. Well done, and thanks again.

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  14. Thank you for sharing all that you have. I have enjoyed reading it from around the world. It was wonderful when I lived in Japan. My Japanese neighbors enjoyed reading it with me.

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  15. Muffy, what can I say? I've been with you the whole time. Nearly every day you provide an indelible pallet of a fantasy world, where all the cars are Volvo, all the people are Wasps and all the clothing is Prep. I say fantasy, of course, because the world you reveal actually ended about 15 years ago as the 'greatest generation' (the last true American aristocrats - your father, for example and the gentlemen who was head of Choate) began to die away. They left we boomers, and we have spawned God-knows-who who don't work, won't marry and don't reproduce. So, I say without any sarcasm (for once) that you have kept a dream alive, at least for a while. Good for you.

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    1. We’ve not all departed....

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    2. I suppose we all have fantasies, only this blog doesn't quite fit mine. The closest appeal to my fantasy world were the old Banana Republic catalogs, full of adventure, exotic places and of course, Land-Rovers, which I mention over and over in my posts. I even had one fifty years ago! I've pretty much lived out my fantasies. Then I got married. That's when Volvos began appearing in my life.

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    3. I disagree. I can name at least 20 millennials who would disagree with you. Other than being extremely adroit with computers, they live their lives with the same New England values noted in this blog.

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    4. Anonymous January 12, 2020 at 8:59 AM, thank you!
      ...first hand, in current daily life from the West Coast, Midwest and lower East Coast. Fantasy is not actively reading this then learning, trying, doing, being what you read or how you want to change.

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    5. "................ where all the cars are Volvo, all the people are Wasps and all the clothing is Prep............. " We try to hang-in there , but it's becoming a tattoo , pickup truck and baggy pants fest ........

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  16. As a former Chicagoan who has lived in South Orange County (CA) for 30+ years, when I found your blog probably about 8 years ago, I was immediately drawn in by your classic perspective, to which I feel very compatible. I truly value most of your posts, totally enjoy the "reader questions," and hope that you never stop sharing your insights. I thank you for 10 years of dedication!

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  17. This fantasy world may be a haven from reality, but when reality is so grim, to be a haven may be a virtuous thing.

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  18. We follow you form Italy. We spent some time in New England quite ten years ago, when we were ther for MD fellowship; so we share our anniversary. Good job Mrs Muffy

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  19. Thank you. Here's to another ten years.

    Aiken

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  20. Great blog! Many happy returns of the the day. Thank you!

    SNP OD

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  21. As a former New Englander with family in Madison and Guilford, I have followed your blog from the beginning. So many of your pictures and comments are familiar from my childhood. I was married in the Madison congregational church. Please don’t leave us. Your blog takes us back to a more rational time. Thank you.

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  22. I have learned so much from you Since 2010.
    Your authentic persona and insightful ness is unparalleled.
    I must admit that it seemed a ltouch more personal under the moniker Daily Prep
    Thank you Muffy

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  23. Congratulations. Please don’t almost quit again. It’s not just a pleasant place to spend time, though it is. You are keeping the torch lit in an unmoored time and place where even (especially?) the smart are seldom wise, thoughts are brief, memories are short, the fashionable is usually merely provocative, and received wisdom is in short supply. This matter of received wisdom is important work and you do it uniquely well. Now, not that I disagree and nor have I read every post of ten years, but could you repost or expand on the evolution of your thoughts on The Maine Hunting Shoe? (Perhaps the name change alone begins to tell the story?)

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  24. Thank you for ten informative years of lifestyle and traditional commentary. I have learned so much from you and your cultural and photographic depictions are spectacular!

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  25. In the past ten years, I've retired, joined the DAR (and intend to join the Salzburgers Society and Colonial Dames), but mostly I've come to appreciate your blog. It's so nice read books and listen to music suggested by your blog. Your photos are wonderful, both old and new. I've always loved British movies and TV. I've seen all the wonderful titles you suggested. I truly appreciate all the readers comments as well. I think the most important gift from this blog is that you and readers remind us all that beyond the clothes, the Volvos, etc., there is a tradition of honor, integrity, diligence, disdain of ostentation, desire for quality. Thank you.

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    1. Late to the party here, and I was going to write my own comment at the end but instead decided to just say "ditto" to yours, Karolina. That's exactly how I feel, as well. Congrats to you, Muffy, and all of us here hope you keep the content flowing. Happy New Year to all.

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  26. Congratulations on the first 10 years, and the hope of so very many more. Thank you so much!

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  27. I’ve been following your blog since the beginning I consider you as a friend and enjoy your posts! Continued success with something you love!

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  28. Your blogs, SWNE and the Daily Prep, with their lovely photo essays and insightful posts, have added much to my life.

    Happy Anniversary Muffy. Thank you.

    N from VA

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  29. So grateful for Salt Water New England. Thank you!

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  30. “Karolina”:
    ‘Disdain of ostentation’: That’s why I appreciate Muffy and her blog.

    Old Bostonian

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  31. For those who don’t believe in change for the sake of change, this blog is still referred to as The Daily Prep here:


    http://theblogsimfollowing.blogspot.com/

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  32. dear Muffy!
    I feel you are keeping your father's photographic legacy alive.
    you are YOU! yet with the epitome of your mother's timeless style and grace.
    how wonderfully proud they would both be of this blog.
    it's clean. and it's elegant in its simplicity and values.
    and it's a credit to its originator and Lady at the helm. Congratulations on your 10th anniversary! we appreciate all your beautiful work and efforts. xo

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  33. Congratulations, Muffy. There are so many heartfelt well-put comments of appreciation here, I would like to second them all. Your blog is a haven that celebrates many things I love...New England, country life, sailing, Maine, New Haven, good clothing, the list goes on. I am proud that you took such a beautiful picture of yourself and posted it here to celebrate. When you first started The Daily Prep I was horrified to learn about the abuse and criticism piled on you and your family. It was a real eye-opener as to just how nasty the internet can be and how many mean-spirited trolls lurk in cyberspace. I remember you mentioned making several changes, removing pictures of yourself and changing the name to Salt Water New England. Things apparently smoothed out. I am glad you had the courage to continue for your blog means much to many of us. It is an essential part of our day. So hat's off to you on reaching a 10 year milestone. And thanks for your courage in posting your picture!

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    1. I have only been a reader for the last few years and did not know about the negative remarks you received at the beginning until now. I am too incensed to really know what to say about that but - how awful! (I often wondered why you didn't show your full face.) So good for you for persevering and not letting the blighters win!! Brava!

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    2. I can only echo every word said here by Anonymous 10:55 am.

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  34. Thank you for your fine publication. You are a lovely person and a beacon of light of civility and first class taste in a world devoid of those qualities.

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  35. Congrats on your 10th Anniversary! You have a great eye for photography; and I have enjoyed your blog all the time.

    And, if you ever decide to quit blogging, I will hope that is another "almost," for you will be missed; but, you do what is best for you. Here's to hoping that your blogging always be a joy for you and never a "chore."

    Thank you for 10 wonderful years.

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  36. Echoing the many fine comments here on your 10th Anniversary Muffy, I would like to paraphrase Winston Churchill by saying that never in the history of blogging have so many owed so much to one special person. You have brought much happiness into our lives. Thank you.

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  37. Absolutely enjoy your blog. Have learned about new companies, sighed over your wonderful photography, giggled over some comments, and, in general, found your site to be a welcome respite from this crazy world. Thank you for your hard work and graciousness.
    MaryAnne

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  38. Thank you, Muffy, for ten terrific years--long may SWNE continue! This site has been an oasis of classic, understated good taste. It and you are irreplaceable. I teach at a boarding school near your favorite sailing spots. I hope our paths (not our anchor lines) cross someday.

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  39. Thank you, and I certainly hope you continue! I cannot even remember how I discovered this blog some years ago, but it has become one of my favorites. I love the photography of the area in which you call home, and I am also a lover of all things coastal. Hope to enjoy the blog for many years to come.

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  40. Congratulations! Yours is one of the very few I started following years ago that are still going and publishing great content! Here's to another decade.

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  41. God Bless you. The blog and photos are a joy for me. As I am aging I am returning to my love of prep. I am kicking myself for getting rid of my wool, original American Eagle, Bean shoes and boots-- because they were no longer in style. Now I am re-purchasing some of those classic items and have a new appreciation for them.

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  42. Your blog is the first thing I read in the morning,before I get to about six newspapers. It is absolutely the most pleasant way to start the day.
    Secondly, you save me an enormous amount of time I would spend clothes shopping. The majority of your offerings are exactly what I need. I just order items off your blog.
    So for the delight and convenience your blog provides, I selfishly hope you continue your wonderful work. If not, I wish you the best.

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  43. Time certainly flies! Thank you for everything you've shared over the years - the photographs, regional and family histories, earnest questions, and honest evaluations. While I sometimes miss the sightly more personal tone of "The Daily Prep" days, I understand some of the reasons for the change. You've introduced me to some excellent clothing & accessory companies, and the purchases I've made from them have been worth every dollar.

    Congratulations on the 10 year milestone, and thank you for a decade of enjoyment & education.

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  44. Thanks so much for all your photos and info about tradition, style and grace. Please continue as long as you can. Best.

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  45. I have enjoyed the Daily Prep and SWNE for a long time. I visit your site a few times a day and have always been happy with your offerings. Please continue, the experience has been an absolute delight.

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  46. Happy new year Muffy. Please don't stop posting. All the best from Bacchus Marsh (approx. 60 kms west of Melbourne).

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  47. This little corner of the internet world has been my absolute favorite to come to each and every day. There is no doubt how much of your heart and soul goes into the quality content provided multiple times a week. Please understand how much your work is and has been truly appreciated. I hope you continue to provide us with a little slice of New England heaven into the future. Thank you again for your efforts!

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  48. I can never decide which I like better, Muffy’s current photographs or the older photographs taken by her father. Both groups of photos are so successful at unobtrusively capturing specific moments. Successive posts cause me to change my mind frequently.

    Some years ago, we were docking my in-laws’ sailboat at a small town in Maine that is often shown--but never named--on the blog. To my surprise, Muffy herself came down to the float, caught our docking lines, and helped us tie up. I felt like I knew her, if only from the posts, and I was tempted to introduce myself as reader. However, I just smiled and thanked her, and let that specific moment pass.

    Thank you, again!

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  49. Ten years? Wow. Keep it up. And congratulations to Clark as well, I know he is a vital collaborator.

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  50. Congratulations and a BIG thank you. This is the only blog I follow and look forward to the wonderful photos(both old and new)as well as your vast array of topics. I typically can only visit your site a few times a week and find it a great break from the cacophony of daily life. I have been visiting this site almost since inception. I can sympathize with your frustrations and thoughts of quitting. But Please Don't. I do not have a Facebook account nor do I Tweet, Snap Chat or anything else as I find social media to be mostly a huge waste of time. Populated by boorish people who feel free to denigrate others if their ideas do not conform to theirs. But your site is a breath of fresh air and a vast majority of your readers are pleasant, respectful individuals. Please keep up the great work.

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  51. Thank you for a wonderful decade Muffy. Congratulations! GLH

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  52. Dear Muffy,

    Thank you for creating this corner of serenity in the larger world of "everything else."

    Congratulation on this milestone. It is truly a valued site and based on the comments above, you have given us followers a gift that is difficult to repay.

    Thank you seems to be so small a statement, but it comes from the heart.

    Health and happiness to you and your family in 2020 and beyond.

    To my fellow followers of this site, thank you to you all for your maturity and respect.

    Sincerely,

    Bob Henkel
    Lexington, GA, and points south (HA!)

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  53. I have enjoyed your blogs for years. I am glad you stuck with it!

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  54. Thank you, Muffy! I wouldn't have blamed you if you had quit, but I'm glad you didn't. Indie sites like SWNE are what make the web good.

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  55. I don't know how the blog got 10 years older, while we didn't. With thanks and appreciation, here's to the next 10!

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    1. I like to check the comments here at SWNE to see what Patsy will say next! :)

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  56. I read the blog daily. I thoroughly enjoy the photos of campus, vintage autos and the like. I appreciate your efforts.
    Rusty
    Roswell, GA

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  57. With gratitude from the desert of Arizona, for the respite we find in your lovely photography and unique perspectives. Thank you!

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  58. SWNE is terrific -- tasteful, visually attractive, informative, and reflective of a mindset that is all too rare in contemporary America. Please keep it going. Perhaps sometime during the next ten years you can explain why you are so enamored with Volvos (or at least pose it as a question for the community). I can understand the appeal of old Land Rovers and various old sports cars, but I have never gotten the Volvo thing.

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  59. I first found SWNE many years ago while doing a web search for...something. I don't recall what exactly. I landed on your blog post about the Maine State Prison shop and was fascinated. (I finally visited it years later.) I appreciate that you give voice to the feelings that many of us living in Maine have about the changes at L.L.Bean. A big difference though is that I never liked Bean boots. :)

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    1. Can I put in a good word for Bean boots? I have a pair that I like rather well. I doubt they are as good as certain (unnamed) other brands for really cold, wet weather but the suit me just fine for what I occasionally need. They do have a rather dated shape, frankly (a little narrow in the toe) but they are absolutely the quietest boots to walk in. Mine are 6-inch and I only wish I'd gotten an 8-inch style, since I invariably wade creeks on my walks.

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  60. I’m from Montana and Colorado, but have enjoyed reading your blog for years.

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  61. Muffy, dear! It cannot have been that picture of you was taken ten years ago! You have the same perfect, glowing complexion, the same classic beauty! How happy I am you never gave up, no matter the trials, no matter the trolls. That's the true spirit of SWNE! We love you and we adore all the eye candy found in each and every post! Here's to ten glorious years!

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  62. Congrats Muffy on a wonderful decade. Was in New Haven last weekend to check out the Knights of Columbus museum ( I did not know the organization had started in New Haven ) and had a wonderful burger at Louis' Lunch ( the originator of the hamburger). Maybe a post about those 2 wonderful locations? All the best !

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  63. No, Thank you for this tremendous creation.

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  64. Congrats to you on 10 years! I don't spend a lot of time on the internet, but this site is one of the 5 I regularly visit, read, and participate. I've been coming here for a long time, since TDP days, can't remember how many. I truly enjoy the content, pictures, commentary. Keep up the great work! We all appreciate and love it! --Holly

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  65. Congratulations on 10 years of your blog. I don't always check everyday, but I do enjoy the pictures of New England, especially Maine, and the comments from you and other readers. Best wishes for another 10 years!

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  66. Someone else mentioned finding your blog while searching for the shop that sells goods made by prisoners in the State of Maine. That may also be the reason that I found you, though it's been long enough that the memory is quite foggy. I've been reading and enjoying the blog since "The Daily Prep" days. Congratulations, and here's to the next ten years.

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  67. Wow! It's hard to believe I've been reading your blog for 10 years! I was so glad you decided to continue blogging with "Salt Water New England". I loved "The Daily Prep" but I know how truly horrible the trolls were back then. I wish you well and hope I get to enjoy your blog for a very long time.

    Whimmy

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  68. And we are so glad you did start a blog 10 years ago. Love your work Muffy.

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  69. Congratulations on 10 years of blogging! Probably about 7 or 8 years ago I found your blog doing a search for classic women's clothing and have made a point to check in regularly ever since. I grew up working class in the deep coastal south so reading some of the posts feel like anthropology research ; ). I keep coming back for the gorgeous coastal photography and of course information about quality clothes and the comments of your clever readers. It's a real pleasure to visit this site.

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  70. Muffy, you are an American treasure. Thank you for sharing your life and work with us. Wishing you the best, always. Cheers, Wade

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  71. I have been following your blog since the beginning. Please never quit if possible :)
    Love from Istanbul.

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