Meet Ashley, one of my new favorite bloggers, and one I can't wait to meet on my next trip to Phoenix! Ashley named me as one of her favorite bloggers previously, and this week she awarded me two sweet awards she was awarded with herself. Ashley, I was so very pleasantly surprised to be awarded these - it made my heart smile. I remember awards like these from way back when I first started blogging, when I was way more gung-ho about interacting. These days, I have a balanced mix, so I was so very honored to see my name on your list, and so, of course, I had to do it right away.
Rules:
1) Thank & Link back to the person who gave you the award
2) Answer the following 10 questions
3) Pass it along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy
4) Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award.
1. Why did you create this blog?
Five years ago I lived in a small town with not much to do except browse the internet. I came across a blog that pulled in my interest and realized blogs weren't for nerds like I thought. I started blogging with my first post and never looked back.
Five years ago I lived in a small town with not much to do except browse the internet. I came across a blog that pulled in my interest and realized blogs weren't for nerds like I thought. I started blogging with my first post and never looked back.
2. What kind of blogs do you follow?
When I started blogging, anybody that randomly found my blog and commented I would immediately find their blog and catch up on their lives. Then, when my blogging slowed a little, I found 20something's ning and that opened up my local blogging world to some of the closest friends I have today. Lately, I've been huge into fashion and young couple's decorating their home blogs. I also enjoy real, down-to-earth, blogs of those who love adventure.
3. Favorite Make-Up Brand?
Anything from Sephora. I love DiorShow Mascara, Too Faced eyeshadows (thanks to Allie), Sephora's brush set, Smashbox BrowTech, and, sadly, much more that I don't know the name of because I'm out and haven't had the money to get more. Which reminds me, I have a gift card there I need to spend! Yipee! Other than that, for the first time in forever, I've been using a few drugstore brands. Almay's SmartShade makeup has been working fantastically, along with their SmartShade concealer and blush. Cheap, but works just as well as Sephora tinted moisturizers so far. Another fill in I've thrown in until I can get back to DiorShow is NYC's Lengthening mascara - figured if I was going to buy drugstore makeup I wasn't going to spend more than $2 on it.
Anything from Sephora. I love DiorShow Mascara, Too Faced eyeshadows (thanks to Allie), Sephora's brush set, Smashbox BrowTech, and, sadly, much more that I don't know the name of because I'm out and haven't had the money to get more. Which reminds me, I have a gift card there I need to spend! Yipee! Other than that, for the first time in forever, I've been using a few drugstore brands. Almay's SmartShade makeup has been working fantastically, along with their SmartShade concealer and blush. Cheap, but works just as well as Sephora tinted moisturizers so far. Another fill in I've thrown in until I can get back to DiorShow is NYC's Lengthening mascara - figured if I was going to buy drugstore makeup I wasn't going to spend more than $2 on it.
4. Favorite Clothing Brand?
Any surfer brand - Roxy, Billabong, O'Neill, Hurley, etc. I grew up with those brands being cheap and accessible, and now that I'm somewhere where they are not cheap and accessible, I crave them and always hit up the stores when I'm in Cali. They're comfy, cute, and yet somehow still stylish. Oh, and they fit like a glove. Exactly what I love. My favorite purchases lately have been a long short sleeve sweater perfect to go over leggings, a long sleeved comfy shirt, and a black super soft jacket.
Any surfer brand - Roxy, Billabong, O'Neill, Hurley, etc. I grew up with those brands being cheap and accessible, and now that I'm somewhere where they are not cheap and accessible, I crave them and always hit up the stores when I'm in Cali. They're comfy, cute, and yet somehow still stylish. Oh, and they fit like a glove. Exactly what I love. My favorite purchases lately have been a long short sleeve sweater perfect to go over leggings, a long sleeved comfy shirt, and a black super soft jacket.
5. Indispensable Make-Up Product?
A year ago, I would've had a whole list of indispensable make-up products. These days, not much makes the list. I've been trying to wear makeup less to allow my skin to breathe. If I wear one thing, though, it would be foundation to even out my skin tone. I wish my skin was clear like it used to be, and it is... when I don't wear makeup for awhile.
A year ago, I would've had a whole list of indispensable make-up products. These days, not much makes the list. I've been trying to wear makeup less to allow my skin to breathe. If I wear one thing, though, it would be foundation to even out my skin tone. I wish my skin was clear like it used to be, and it is... when I don't wear makeup for awhile.
6. Favorite Color?
Green. Or pink, of course. If I'm picking something that's an accessory, it will automatically be pink. If I'm choosing something to wear, usually it doesn't fall in that category. If I'm choosing something for my home, it will generally be green.
Green. Or pink, of course. If I'm picking something that's an accessory, it will automatically be pink. If I'm choosing something to wear, usually it doesn't fall in that category. If I'm choosing something for my home, it will generally be green.
7. Favorite Perfume?
I'm allergic to perfumes. The alcohol they use to infuse the scent onto your skin carries it straight to my head and gives me a headache. I used to use Victoria's Secret Body Sprays all the time though. Maybe I should start that up again.
I'm allergic to perfumes. The alcohol they use to infuse the scent onto your skin carries it straight to my head and gives me a headache. I used to use Victoria's Secret Body Sprays all the time though. Maybe I should start that up again.
8. Favorite Film?
Sabrina - the one with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond, without a doubt. I also love Under the Tuscan Son and Eat, Pray, Love. A lot of people weren't too hot about Eat, Pray, Love, because the character Julia Roberts portrays can be super introspective. I dig introspection though, and always take movies that brave the depth with a grain of salt. I'm one of those super read into every thought I have people, and I love how she tears it apart to the nitty gritty and finds that she just wants to live and experience again.
Sabrina - the one with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond, without a doubt. I also love Under the Tuscan Son and Eat, Pray, Love. A lot of people weren't too hot about Eat, Pray, Love, because the character Julia Roberts portrays can be super introspective. I dig introspection though, and always take movies that brave the depth with a grain of salt. I'm one of those super read into every thought I have people, and I love how she tears it apart to the nitty gritty and finds that she just wants to live and experience again.
9. What country would you like to visit and why?
Italy, Italy, Italy. See above movies :) . I'm currently reading Halfway to Each Other and am fantasizing about moving our whole family there for a year, which happens to be the subject of the book.
Italy, Italy, Italy. See above movies :) . I'm currently reading Halfway to Each Other and am fantasizing about moving our whole family there for a year, which happens to be the subject of the book.
10. Would you rather forget to put on mascara on one eye or forget blush on one side of your face?
Blush. Mascara opens up my eyes and I don't ever put on blush to where it is super noticeable.
Blush. Mascara opens up my eyes and I don't ever put on blush to where it is super noticeable.
As per the person who awarded Ashley, "A 'stylish' blog isn't all about clothes or fashion, but about blogs of real heart and that keep you coming back for more." These are the kinds of blogs I love to read.
Rules:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 10 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about this award.
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 10 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about this award.
I have a bit of a confessional frame of mind lately, just because I am dealing with so much upheaval in the communication area of my life, so I'm going that route... sorry if it's too deep!
1) I really dislike talking on the phone. I was just telling Brando that I have a theory it's because him and I don't talk on the phone very much and that I have fallen out of the habit. I went on a tangent that I believe in nurture over nature, and that no matter how we like it we are conditioned to do what we do, even subconsciously. Of course, we all make our own moral choices, but the ones that are neither moral or immoral we end up conditioning ourselves through our environment (thus, different cultures). Suffice it to say, I've been conditioned to dislike the phone, where, when I was younger, I would talk for hours on the phones - to friends, guys I was dating, my sister. Even talking to my sister these days, I'm mostly silent, listening to her vent.
2) If I don't take my vitamins around that "time" of the month, I can be a real b word. Speaking of, I need to take them now. All done :) . I take a whole vitamin, calcium, and acidophiles. Somehow the combination of the three tell my body that it's okay, I'm just on edge, it's not me, it's just my hormones going psycho right now. I don't take birth control, and that may be part of it. But, after reading an article in Cosmo that says birth control may lower your libido (not that I trust everything Cosmo says, but still), I'm quite glad I don't!
3) I'm not enrolled this semester. And I struggle with being okay with it. I've come to the resolution with myself that I have earned a 4.0 GPA every semester I've been there, haven't dropped a single class, and I am rewarding myself with a semester off to reinvest myself into my family and creating a loving environment.
4) I also am not currently employed. I am considering becoming my husband's business assistant, but haven't started yet. I also struggle being okay with that. In the long run, I do want to become his business assistant as the couples I see that are the strongest in life, relationship wise and success wise, work together, and I want that for our marriage. I realize once I jump on the bandwagon, though, I'm not getting off, and I'm not ready to make that decision yet.
5) I'm worried my friendships and relationships are going to change as a result of me not being able to text (see number 1). I realized last night that my iPhone instantly aggravates my arm to a burning sensation. The computer I can handle, for a little while, as long as I take breaks (like right now). But, texting kills it.
6) I can't stand that I never had weight problems until I started school. In fact, I was six pounds lighter after I had my second child than I had been before I had my first child. The second I started school I started eating breakfast, something I'd never done prior. That, and I was introduced to mindless eating while studying. That put on the weight instantly. I lost it all doing a detox last winter and have been able to maintain the weight I had before I had my first child. The last few days it's been creeping up, likely because I've been working out more, but it's driving me crazy. Almost to the point I wish I hadn't started doing school. I can't wait to do another detox.
7) My favorite food in the whole world is ice cream. I eat a HUGE bowl of Blue Bell almost every night. Fortunately, this does not have anything to do with the above number six, as I was able to maintain a weight of 102 for five years while still eating my ice cream. In fact, I haven't had any ice cream in the last few days (see above, number 6). Maybe eating ice cream is what keeps my weight down :) .
Now to award this to ten other bloggers, who are so very stylish each in their own unique way, and I love reading each one:
1) Teagan's Mission to Paris - she's a new blogger, and so introspective - love reading her!
2) Goldilocks - because it's been awhile for her, too, in between having to go private and enjoying her wonderful man.
3) Villagegirl - She has so much fun with her boys, it's adorable.
4) Sonya - a self-described Canadian princess - email her at slarnder at hotmail for an invite to her private blog!
5) Michelle at Gooseberried - a recently rediscovered after her RSS feed got messed with favorite.
6) Love this Life - Hopefully, she's jumping back into the blog world with her adorable new man friend.
7) Liz at Need Your Pillow Fluffed? - send some love her way, she's dealing with a LOT right now.
8) PattyAnn at the Pittman Show - Used to be an Austinite, love her and her adorable hubby and baby.
9) Linda at Curious Notions - a local foodie and all around fun girl that I have yet to meet!
10) A Tall Sassy Gal - another recent foray back into blogging that I'm crossing my fingers is successful!
2) If I don't take my vitamins around that "time" of the month, I can be a real b word. Speaking of, I need to take them now. All done :) . I take a whole vitamin, calcium, and acidophiles. Somehow the combination of the three tell my body that it's okay, I'm just on edge, it's not me, it's just my hormones going psycho right now. I don't take birth control, and that may be part of it. But, after reading an article in Cosmo that says birth control may lower your libido (not that I trust everything Cosmo says, but still), I'm quite glad I don't!
3) I'm not enrolled this semester. And I struggle with being okay with it. I've come to the resolution with myself that I have earned a 4.0 GPA every semester I've been there, haven't dropped a single class, and I am rewarding myself with a semester off to reinvest myself into my family and creating a loving environment.
4) I also am not currently employed. I am considering becoming my husband's business assistant, but haven't started yet. I also struggle being okay with that. In the long run, I do want to become his business assistant as the couples I see that are the strongest in life, relationship wise and success wise, work together, and I want that for our marriage. I realize once I jump on the bandwagon, though, I'm not getting off, and I'm not ready to make that decision yet.
5) I'm worried my friendships and relationships are going to change as a result of me not being able to text (see number 1). I realized last night that my iPhone instantly aggravates my arm to a burning sensation. The computer I can handle, for a little while, as long as I take breaks (like right now). But, texting kills it.
6) I can't stand that I never had weight problems until I started school. In fact, I was six pounds lighter after I had my second child than I had been before I had my first child. The second I started school I started eating breakfast, something I'd never done prior. That, and I was introduced to mindless eating while studying. That put on the weight instantly. I lost it all doing a detox last winter and have been able to maintain the weight I had before I had my first child. The last few days it's been creeping up, likely because I've been working out more, but it's driving me crazy. Almost to the point I wish I hadn't started doing school. I can't wait to do another detox.
7) My favorite food in the whole world is ice cream. I eat a HUGE bowl of Blue Bell almost every night. Fortunately, this does not have anything to do with the above number six, as I was able to maintain a weight of 102 for five years while still eating my ice cream. In fact, I haven't had any ice cream in the last few days (see above, number 6). Maybe eating ice cream is what keeps my weight down :) .
Now to award this to ten other bloggers, who are so very stylish each in their own unique way, and I love reading each one:
1) Teagan's Mission to Paris - she's a new blogger, and so introspective - love reading her!
2) Goldilocks - because it's been awhile for her, too, in between having to go private and enjoying her wonderful man.
3) Villagegirl - She has so much fun with her boys, it's adorable.
4) Sonya - a self-described Canadian princess - email her at slarnder at hotmail for an invite to her private blog!
5) Michelle at Gooseberried - a recently rediscovered after her RSS feed got messed with favorite.
6) Love this Life - Hopefully, she's jumping back into the blog world with her adorable new man friend.
7) Liz at Need Your Pillow Fluffed? - send some love her way, she's dealing with a LOT right now.
8) PattyAnn at the Pittman Show - Used to be an Austinite, love her and her adorable hubby and baby.
9) Linda at Curious Notions - a local foodie and all around fun girl that I have yet to meet!
10) A Tall Sassy Gal - another recent foray back into blogging that I'm crossing my fingers is successful!
7 Comments:
Aww, thanks! I'm honored!
Thanks so much! That's super sweet of you of send an award my way. :)
Wow! I don't think I've ever had a blog award! Thank you...that's so sweet!
A blog award...my very very first. Thank you so much. How funny I started to read this post (a testament for the AMAZINGness that is your blog)first without realizing it had anything to do with me. Thanks for the recognition. You blog-spire me! (my new word for inspire when it has to do with blogs).
Aww, thanks!! (its so annoying being private, but with Miss Psycho, its for the best...)
BTW - maybe you can try getting a new phone?? A girl I work with has had the same problem and its maily because of her iphone. The shape/size/width of it has been the main culprit in it all, so she's going back to her old phone.
Thank you SO MUCH! This is why I love blogging too, and I love these ones, where you find out so much about others.
Liz - Love seeing your comments. You're in my thoughts!
Sonya - No problem. LOVEd reading your answers, and hopefully I can become more of a regular now that I have your link.
Teagan - So funny, I did the same thing with the girl who gave the awards to me and I like what you said about the testament to amazingness - definitely true with her. Love your new word, I may have to start using it.
Goldilocks - Yes, it is for the best. For now! I'm going to try and get a new phone after reading your comment. In the meantime, I have stayed completely off my iPhone and am dorkily using a pencil with my hand in "writing" mode to push the button and activate voice control to make calls. Between that and doing my exercises, I've had small moments of relief from the pain. Both of you have a BLAST this weekend - I can't wait to hear the details!
PattyAnn - No problem :) . I agree. I am loving reading everybody's answers.
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