I'm so incredibly flattered that the always adorable Jana from small town, BIG SMILE! nominated my blog for the "Liebster Blog Award" last week. And I graciously accept!
The Liebster isn't a trophy or plaque that you can actually hold in your hand; there are no judges and no strict rules. A blogger gives the award to another blogger as a way for the recipient to share more information about herself and her blog. The idea is for bloggers and readers to become better acquainted with the recipient and her blog.
The recipient must answer a set of questions from the person who nominated her and then create the same number of questions to be answered by bloggers she nominates.
I've seen the award branching through many of the blogs I like to read. I love learning about other bloggers, and I absolutely adore Jana's blog and her cute, retro style. Thanks so much, Jana, for nominating me!
Without further ado, here are Jana's questions and my answers.
1. Why did you start blogging?
For more than two years, I worked as an editor for Patch.com, a company with hyper-local news websites throughout the country. I was in charge of maintaining and writing stories for one of the local sites, and in addition to the journalism aspect, there was also an element of audience building and engagement thrown in. I loved corresponding with my readers and boosting my site's traffic by figuring out what my audience wanted to read. When I was laid off in October, I missed writing, photographing and posting online every day and wanted to get back into it in some form. I've always loved fashion and had my own style, and if you compliment me on my outfit I'm sure to tell you where I got the pieces so you can find them, too! My friend Lauren, of The Life of a Modern Day Wife, had been blogging for a while and encouraged me to give it a try. My resolution for 2014 was to create a personal style blog and watch it grow. I shared my first post Jan. 1!
For more than two years, I worked as an editor for Patch.com, a company with hyper-local news websites throughout the country. I was in charge of maintaining and writing stories for one of the local sites, and in addition to the journalism aspect, there was also an element of audience building and engagement thrown in. I loved corresponding with my readers and boosting my site's traffic by figuring out what my audience wanted to read. When I was laid off in October, I missed writing, photographing and posting online every day and wanted to get back into it in some form. I've always loved fashion and had my own style, and if you compliment me on my outfit I'm sure to tell you where I got the pieces so you can find them, too! My friend Lauren, of The Life of a Modern Day Wife, had been blogging for a while and encouraged me to give it a try. My resolution for 2014 was to create a personal style blog and watch it grow. I shared my first post Jan. 1!
2. What is your favourite non-fashion related hobby?
This one's easy. I love nail art, and I've been doing my own for about two years now. I started out by following tutorials from cutepolish on YouTube, and it grew from there. Now I've added nail decals and my own designs into the mix. I think I like nail art because, in a way, it's kind of like street art. It's created fairly quickly and is usually gone soon after it's complete. Mostly, it just gives me the opportunity to explore my creative side.
This one's easy. I love nail art, and I've been doing my own for about two years now. I started out by following tutorials from cutepolish on YouTube, and it grew from there. Now I've added nail decals and my own designs into the mix. I think I like nail art because, in a way, it's kind of like street art. It's created fairly quickly and is usually gone soon after it's complete. Mostly, it just gives me the opportunity to explore my creative side.
3. What is your favourite place that you have ever visited?
When I was a junior in college, I had the opportunity to spend the spring semester studying in Heidelberg, Germany. It was the first time I had been out of the U.S., and I made the most of it! I traveled all over Germany and to England, France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. The most beautiful place I visited was Cinque Terre, a group of five small villages on the Italian coast. I took about a million pictures while I was there even though it rained most of the time. I'd love to go back, and I'm hoping Matt and I can spend some time there on our honeymoon.
4. What is your favourite thing about yourself?
I like my positivity. I always try to make the best of any situation, appreciate every opportunity I'm given and generally live life with an open mind. I'm not saying I don't have off days, but, for the most part, I try to be aware of how fortunate/blessed I am.
When I was a junior in college, I had the opportunity to spend the spring semester studying in Heidelberg, Germany. It was the first time I had been out of the U.S., and I made the most of it! I traveled all over Germany and to England, France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. The most beautiful place I visited was Cinque Terre, a group of five small villages on the Italian coast. I took about a million pictures while I was there even though it rained most of the time. I'd love to go back, and I'm hoping Matt and I can spend some time there on our honeymoon.
4. What is your favourite thing about yourself?
I like my positivity. I always try to make the best of any situation, appreciate every opportunity I'm given and generally live life with an open mind. I'm not saying I don't have off days, but, for the most part, I try to be aware of how fortunate/blessed I am.
5. Do you have any pets? If yes, what are they?
YES! I have the cutest dog ever, a 4-pound Pomeranian named Cleo. Check out her special section in this blog and follow her on Instagram @cute_pom_cleo. I got her in July 2010 when she was 9 months old from a nearby breeder. They intended to keep her and breed her because she was so adorable, but as she grew, they realized she would be too small to safely have puppies and sought to find her a new home. Not only is she super cute, but she's also super sweet. She loves nothing more than snuggling up on the couch at the end of the day and tunneling under the blankets when we go to sleep. <3
I also have a French Bulldozer, ahem, French Bulldog named Gus. Matt got Gus before he and I started dating, but Gus has become my furbaby, too. He's all white and loves to play. He goes full force for about five minutes before he conks out on his bed. His best trick: He can jump a solid 5 feet straight up, and he does it over and over until he gets a treat!
YES! I have the cutest dog ever, a 4-pound Pomeranian named Cleo. Check out her special section in this blog and follow her on Instagram @cute_pom_cleo. I got her in July 2010 when she was 9 months old from a nearby breeder. They intended to keep her and breed her because she was so adorable, but as she grew, they realized she would be too small to safely have puppies and sought to find her a new home. Not only is she super cute, but she's also super sweet. She loves nothing more than snuggling up on the couch at the end of the day and tunneling under the blankets when we go to sleep. <3
I also have a French Bulldozer, ahem, French Bulldog named Gus. Matt got Gus before he and I started dating, but Gus has become my furbaby, too. He's all white and loves to play. He goes full force for about five minutes before he conks out on his bed. His best trick: He can jump a solid 5 feet straight up, and he does it over and over until he gets a treat!
6. What is your favourite makeup product?
If I could only use one makeup product, I'd always choose mascara. My eyelashes are long, but they're super light-colored, and black mascara really helps them stand out. There's no particular brand I like, but I do usually end up with CoverGirl products because they seem to be the best value.
If I could only use one makeup product, I'd always choose mascara. My eyelashes are long, but they're super light-colored, and black mascara really helps them stand out. There's no particular brand I like, but I do usually end up with CoverGirl products because they seem to be the best value.
7. Would you rather live back in your favourite era or would you prefer to stay in present day? Why?
Hmm... I've always thought it would be interesting to travel back to the 1960s. Even though I wasn't alive at that time, I think I'd fit into that era well based on things I've seen and read, as well as music and fashion styles that were popular. It was a tumultuous time for civil and women's rights, but also an exciting time for the arts and experimentation. I'd always want the option to come back to my own time though. I love my life!
Hmm... I've always thought it would be interesting to travel back to the 1960s. Even though I wasn't alive at that time, I think I'd fit into that era well based on things I've seen and read, as well as music and fashion styles that were popular. It was a tumultuous time for civil and women's rights, but also an exciting time for the arts and experimentation. I'd always want the option to come back to my own time though. I love my life!
8. What is your favourite piece of clothing?
It's a tie, and both pieces are from ModCloth. You really can't go wrong with ModCloth, can you? I love the Lady Brunch Dress in Houses and the Ride Here, Right Now Dress (pictured at the top of this post). I've written blog posts featuring each of them. Both dresses have cute, quirky prints and are flattering and comfortable. Love!
It's a tie, and both pieces are from ModCloth. You really can't go wrong with ModCloth, can you? I love the Lady Brunch Dress in Houses and the Ride Here, Right Now Dress (pictured at the top of this post). I've written blog posts featuring each of them. Both dresses have cute, quirky prints and are flattering and comfortable. Love!
9. What is the one hobby/activity you would like to learn to do but haven't yet?
I love hand embroidery, and I think it would be so cool to be able to do it myself. It's so pretty and really adds something special to a piece of clothing or accessory. I bought a how-to book on embroidery from a craft store once and learned how to do a French knot. But then I lost the book in a move and haven't tried again since. Maybe now's the time?
10. If you could erase one fashion faux-pas from your teenage years, what would it be?
So, my real answer is that I wouldn't erase anything because all of my choices have made me who I am today. But in keeping with the theme of the question, my most dismal fashion moment happened in the last couple months of seventh grade in 1996 when, for some reason, anything made by Nike was cool. If it had a swoosh on it, it was "in" at my school. Of course, I had to be part of the trend, but my parents refused to buy me any Nike products because they knew it was just a fad. Since I was only 13, I had little of my own money and could only afford a couple Nike items. The worst part was I rotated through these pieces and wore them multiple times a week. Ew.
I never figured out why this was popular at my school in rural Virginia or why I went along with it so wholeheartedly, but luckily by eighth grade, it was over! Was this a trend anywhere else?
I love hand embroidery, and I think it would be so cool to be able to do it myself. It's so pretty and really adds something special to a piece of clothing or accessory. I bought a how-to book on embroidery from a craft store once and learned how to do a French knot. But then I lost the book in a move and haven't tried again since. Maybe now's the time?
10. If you could erase one fashion faux-pas from your teenage years, what would it be?
So, my real answer is that I wouldn't erase anything because all of my choices have made me who I am today. But in keeping with the theme of the question, my most dismal fashion moment happened in the last couple months of seventh grade in 1996 when, for some reason, anything made by Nike was cool. If it had a swoosh on it, it was "in" at my school. Of course, I had to be part of the trend, but my parents refused to buy me any Nike products because they knew it was just a fad. Since I was only 13, I had little of my own money and could only afford a couple Nike items. The worst part was I rotated through these pieces and wore them multiple times a week. Ew.
I never figured out why this was popular at my school in rural Virginia or why I went along with it so wholeheartedly, but luckily by eighth grade, it was over! Was this a trend anywhere else?
11. Favourite movie?
I can't choose just one. I would say my favorite movie of all time is "It's A Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. It comes on TV every year around Christmas, but I have it on DVD so I can watch it anytime. It's a great reminder that all you can take with you is that which you've given away. Wise words to live by!
The other movie I love that I could watch over and over is "Lars and the Real Girl" about a socially awkward man who develops a relationship with a life-like adult doll. It isn't as creepy as it sounds, and, in fact, it's quite sweet as the people in the town become accepting of the doll for Lars's sake, and Lars is able to overcome his social ineptness.
***
OK! Now it's my turn to nominate blogs! Here they are in no particular order:
Bristol of Colour Me Bristol
Alyssa of Butterflies on Mars
Amber of The Lacuna Stitch
Lisa of Lala Faux Bois
Mariah of Rya Pie
Rhiannon of Happy Leaps
Lauren of The Life of a Modern Day Wife
Meagan of Sleeping With Skeletons
Delores of Wandering Past
Alexandra Marie of Into the Woods
Sammi of The Soubrette Brunette
(I know Jana nominated you ladies, too, but I wanted you to know that I also think you're awesome and deserve a Liebster!)
And here are your questions:
1. Why did you start blogging?
2. How did you come up with the name of your blog?
3. What's the best place you've ever visited?
4. Do you have any hidden talents? If yes, what are they?
5. What's your favorite thing about yourself?
6. What's a hobby/activity you would like to learn but haven't tried yet?
7. Do you have any pets? If yes, what are they?
8. What's your favorite piece of clothing?
9. Read the book or watch the movie? Explain your choice!
10. What's your favorite type of music and why?
11. When was the last time you had a day that was "The Best Day Ever?" What did you do?
Basic Instructions:
Make a post that answers these questions, link back to the page that nominated you, and then nominate 11 more bloggers and supply them with a list of 11 questions. When nominating, try to give preference to bloggers with fewer than 1,000 followers. Finally, let the bloggers know you nominated them.
There's no obligation to participate, and if you don't feel like answering the questions, no worries. Just know that I nominated you because I think you're rad, and I want to know more about you and your blog.
I can't choose just one. I would say my favorite movie of all time is "It's A Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. It comes on TV every year around Christmas, but I have it on DVD so I can watch it anytime. It's a great reminder that all you can take with you is that which you've given away. Wise words to live by!
The other movie I love that I could watch over and over is "Lars and the Real Girl" about a socially awkward man who develops a relationship with a life-like adult doll. It isn't as creepy as it sounds, and, in fact, it's quite sweet as the people in the town become accepting of the doll for Lars's sake, and Lars is able to overcome his social ineptness.
***
OK! Now it's my turn to nominate blogs! Here they are in no particular order:
Bristol of Colour Me Bristol
Alyssa of Butterflies on Mars
Amber of The Lacuna Stitch
Lisa of Lala Faux Bois
Mariah of Rya Pie
Rhiannon of Happy Leaps
Lauren of The Life of a Modern Day Wife
Meagan of Sleeping With Skeletons
Delores of Wandering Past
Alexandra Marie of Into the Woods
Sammi of The Soubrette Brunette
(I know Jana nominated you ladies, too, but I wanted you to know that I also think you're awesome and deserve a Liebster!)
And here are your questions:
1. Why did you start blogging?
2. How did you come up with the name of your blog?
3. What's the best place you've ever visited?
4. Do you have any hidden talents? If yes, what are they?
5. What's your favorite thing about yourself?
6. What's a hobby/activity you would like to learn but haven't tried yet?
7. Do you have any pets? If yes, what are they?
8. What's your favorite piece of clothing?
9. Read the book or watch the movie? Explain your choice!
10. What's your favorite type of music and why?
11. When was the last time you had a day that was "The Best Day Ever?" What did you do?
Basic Instructions:
Make a post that answers these questions, link back to the page that nominated you, and then nominate 11 more bloggers and supply them with a list of 11 questions. When nominating, try to give preference to bloggers with fewer than 1,000 followers. Finally, let the bloggers know you nominated them.
There's no obligation to participate, and if you don't feel like answering the questions, no worries. Just know that I nominated you because I think you're rad, and I want to know more about you and your blog.
