Liebster Blog Award
Meeting new people through blogging is one of my favorite parts about being a part of the creative community! I know you've heard Jessica Rayome's name around here quite a few times as my soon-to-be cousin-in-law, blogging BFF + you've probably seen her photo and blog in my portfolios. I'm so thrilled that she's nominated me for the Liebster Award! Jessica has come up with eleven questions for me to answer so that you and the other bloggers that have been nominated for this award can get to know me a little bit better!
1. WHY DID YOU START BLOGGING?
My mom has been blogging since I was small so I was exposed to the creative world from a really early age. I actually started blogging years ago back when MySpace and Xanga were all the rage ... I've started a few "legitimate" blogs on blogger over the last few years, but the timing was never quite right. When I decided to start this blog that you're reading now, something just clicked. I started originally to have a space to share my photography + design work, and it has since turned into a place where I can share my story, meet amazing new friends and work with people + businesses I otherwise would never have had the opportunity to work with! It has been the biggest blessing.
2. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY?
I don't know if I really have a favorite childhood memory per se, but the first memory that popped into my head was one with my oldest little sister (I have 4!). It was before any of our other sister's had been born, and we lived in Peoria, IL. For whatever reason we decided to grab our mom's camera after playing dress up, we took it up to our room and used up an entire roll of film taking photos of each other jumping on our beds. I remember one of the photos we took a wicker chair from the corner of our room, and put it on top of our bed. Prime photo styling starts at an early age, obviously. Long story short, we didn't think about the fact that my mom was going to one day develop the film and realize that we took her camera ... The photos are so fun to look back on today though. It's crazy what you remember, isn't it?
3. WHO INSPIRES YOU?
In my personal life I have to say those closest to me - my friends and family. I have the best people surrounding me, and uplifting me on a daily basis! Never once has someone told me that I was crazy for trying to make a living out of doing something that I love, and they have always supported me in every crazy endeavor I choose to throw myself into!
4. WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
My free time, to be honest, is spent working on my business and this space. Between balancing my personal life, day job and working towards working for myself there's hardly any time to take a break! The bright side to this is that the work I'm doing for myself (my blog, The Studio, etc.) doesn't feel like work to me ... It's something that I would be doing even if I wasn't getting paid for it! When I'm not working, you'll more than likely find me binge watching my favorite TV shows + cuddling with my sweet pup!
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK?
I prefer to read blogs and articles over books, but lately I've been reading "Steal Like An Artist" by Austin Kleon. If you're in the creative world at all, I feel like you could relate to this book ... It's just so good!
6. WHAT DOES A DAY IN YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE?
8:30am | Wake up + head into the office at my day job
9:00am-6:00pm | Typical day job activities
6:30pm | Cook dinner + catch up with Sean about our day
7:00pm-12:00am | Work on the blog, The Studio, etc.
7. FAVORITE MAKE-UP PRODUCT?
I've actually been getting more and more into the world of beauty products. I blame Amanda + all of the fashion/beauty blogs I've been following lately! My favorite though has to be my Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara ... It's the one product that I typically wear on a daily basis. There's something about mascara that just makes me look and feel so much more awake!
8. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVE TYPES OF POSTS TO READ?
One of my very favorite parts about blogging is hearing other people's stories and connecting with them. My favorite types of posts to read (and write!) are those that I can tell people have poured their heart into, and ones that I can personally relate to. I sometimes feel like I know more about my blogging friends than I do people I know in real life!
9. WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB?
My dream job, no surprise I'm sure, is to turn both The Studio + The Blog into my full time gig. Sean and I have a running joke that I apparently have a problem with authority because I always seem to find a problem with the people that work directly above me ... I would rather spend my life on my terms, doing things on my own time and making my dreams a reality rather than helping someone else build theirs. Life is too short to not spend your life doing what you love! So, thanks for supporting me throughout all of my creative endeavors ... You're helping me get closer and closer to landing my dream job!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?
Right now my favorite food is definitely either boneless wings/chicken fingers or a really great burger (specifically the Argentinian from Mussel & Burger Bar). I've never been a huge fan of burgers or red meat, but I've been all about it lately! I'm thinking I might have an iron deficiency or something.
11. WHAT IS A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF?
A random fact about myself ... Something that I don't really mention around the blog much, but I really enjoy is rock climbing and yoga. Sean and I used to go climbing at a local gym a few days a week, but since moving into more demanding positions at work we haven't made nearly as much time for it as we would like. I started doing yoga once my sweet friend Morgan mentioned the Yoga Studio App ... I've been hooked ever since!
I NOMINATE THE FOLLOWING BLOGGERS:
Amanda - Derby City Darling
Kayla - Mountain Gypsy
Tanis - Coffee Wine & Yoga
Paige - My Modern Cookery
Abby - Little City Adventures
Britt - Britt And Hive
Kercia - Kercia Jane
Jenny - Mish Mosh Makeup
Devan - Devan Danielle
Candace - Ditch DIY
Haleigh - One Twenty Photography
HERE ARE YOUR QUESTIONS!
1. What made you want to start blogging?
2. How long have you been a part of the creative community?
3. What are your hobbies outside of blogging?
4. What is your favorite place in the world?
5. Who are your favorite bloggers to follow?
6. What does a typical day in your life look like?
7. What is your favorite season?
8. Who serves as your biggest inspiration in your life?
9. What is your favorite form of social media?
10. What has been the best moment in your life so far?
11. What is your dream job?