Showing posts with label Tell the World Tuesday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tell the World Tuesday. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Tell the World Tuesday!

Do you like Tuesdays yet? I'm super excited for today's feature! This week I bring to you one of my sorority sisters, Allie, from Words Alone. Allie joined my sorority during my second year in house, and then she and I got put into the same kick-ass family! She is also participating in the 30 Day Photo Challenge with me, so you should go check it out! Read on to see what Allie has to say today, then go check out her space!








1. First things first, tell me where you blog and a small paragraph about your blog.
I blog in a little place known as Words Alone.  I started blogging on Xanga when I was in middle school I believe.  It was basically just a place for me to vent mostly.  I would talk about my day if I felt like it, but mostly I vented.  I was an angry teen.  I started this blog as an assignment for class.  It was originally named The Tendencies of an Irish Wench.  Yeah, not sure where I came up with it other than me being Irish and the fact that I get called "wench" a lot!  Lol!  



I post a ton of pictures!  I recently started the 30 Days of Photos Challenge and put it together with the posting everyday for 30 days challenge.  Redundant I know, but I'm trying to more than just a photo post everyday.  I also do Obscure Monday, What I'm Loving Wednesdays, and Thankful Thursdays.  Obscure Monday is where I pick a random, little-known movie and review it.  I love this because I watch A LOT of random movies.  One of my favorite topics to write about it Frolfing (disc golf).  I suck at it, but I love to go play with the guys.  You'll notice when I blog about it there are usually several flower pictures.  Thats my random and ADDish self kicking in!  My family and their... um... uniqueness (if that's what you'd call it) is also a big topic of mine.  Mostly though, it's the day to day adventures I have with my boyfriend Matt and our two dogs Roxi and Tank.  


It's been a trip getting started with this whole blogging business, but a pleasant one!



2. Give me 5 words you use to describe yourself:
Loud, passionate, random/eclectic, maternal, seeking

3. Do you use a real alarm clock or your phone? If you use your phone, what tune do you wake up to?
When I use a "real" alarm clock, it tends to get hit or thrown.  I hate hate HATE mornings.  Unless I get woken up with breakfast that is!!  Mmmm breakfast... sorry tangent there.  I use my phone (because it'll cost me waaaayyy too much if I throw it!) to wake me up in the mornings.  My first alarm is The Poison by All American Rejects (from the Almost Alice cd better known as the Alice in Wonderland soundtrack).  The second one (15 min later) is just a stock HTC tone called New Day.  I just realized that actually.  Now I'm gonna change it.  Oh well.

4.  What (or who) inspires you most?
It really depends on the day.  Like today, it was my boss Angie.  She just got her son back full time and is a manager at work, the second in the food chain actually.  She keeps such a level head in a high stress environment.  Almost every day, Matt and my mom inspire me.  Both have gone through so much more than I could ever imagine going through but still look forward to (most) everyday.  They both put up with my s*** too!  My baby brother is another big inspiration for me.  The things he has to deal with being gay are things I will never experience, but he's still my best friend and still loves to laugh through it all.


In the way of a what, I'd have to say nature.  I'm a poet/writer so when I go outside I have soooo many thoughts and images to work with!!  The fact that even if a bird misses his worm he still sings makes me wonder why I complain so much at times.



5. Do you read for fun? If so, what are you currently reading; or what is a book you recommend?
Yes!!!  If I could sit outside in a hammock everyday and read for a living I so would!  Oooo, I know what I'm buying with my tax refund now.  A hammock.  And more books!!  I'm a sucker for vampire/supernatural novels and series.  My favorite, by far, is the Sookie Stackhouse Series (aka TrueBlood).  I'm a Harry Potter nerd too.  


I also love to research different topics.  My current topic is a little taboo but those are the most fun to read about.  No, its not tantric acts.  It's actually Wicca.  Currently I'm reading Wicca For Life by Raymond Buckland.  It's really interesting to look at how different religions see the world around them and the natural phenomenon that occurs, as well as the common misconceptions and myths that are believed.  My next one I believe will be Buddhism.  


If I could recommend one book (not series), it would definitely be Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  I don't care how good the original is, add some zombies or vamps and you got me hooked!

6. What is something you’ve always wanted to do?
Oh goodness!  Skydive, travel the world, help rescue animals (see my "youngest"), get a tattoo or 10 (in the works!), own a home, live in another state for awhile, open a restaurant, scuba dive and take underwater pictures, have a home photography business...  I have quite a few things I've always wanted to do!

7. What is your favorite part of the day, and why?
Night.  I love sitting outside and looking at the stars on a warm, breezy summer night (with loads of bugspray of course!).  Also, it's the time of day Matt and I always have together even if we don't have the day off.  I like midday too, but not if it's 90 some odd degrees out like it has been.  I like to be able to take the dogs to the park or go play a round of frolf.  Shopping is more fun during the day too! (not as many crowds)  The only time of day I dislike really is mornings.  Unless there is coffee and breakfast involved.  Or when the night is so late that is actually 6am, those are some fun times with us!
(Taken on the road between Muskogee and Norman)

8. Where is the favorite place you traveled? OR Where is a place you would like to travel?
Favorite is a tie between Alabama and Colorado.  Two completely different places that I love for completely different reasons.  I would really love to go to Ireland.  A little cliche, I know, but I'm Irish.  And it would be more than a dream come true to photograph the people and countryside.  I also want to do a photography tour of Amsterdam.  I think there would a lot of stuff we don't see here that would be interesting to photograph.

9. What’s your guilty pleasure (food, tv show, etc.)
What isn't?!?!?!  Sushi is a little bit of an obsession with me.  I could eat it everyday.  I get asked a lot if I'm ever worried that I live in a landlocked state and eat sushi here.  Nope!  As long as it is kept cold, it's good for a day or so.  I also love tea.  I have a whole shelf dedicated to it.  I used to have more but Matt wouldn't let me buy any more until I finished some of what I already had.  Television is a bit more complicated.  It seems I have a show for each time of year: TrueBlood, Dexter, Spartacus, Criminal Minds, NCIS... yeah... I like my tv.  I'm a musical whore.  I love The Labyrinth most of all.  A few others: Were the World Mine, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, and anything Disney.

10. Give your favorite inspirational quote, photo, or both!
I have a few (imagine that!)... 


-We don't read and write poetry because its cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is full of passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, there are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. --Dead Poets Society


-Only those things are beautiful which are inspired by madness and written by reason.--Andre Gide


-Write while the heat is in you. The writer who postpones the recording of his thoughts uses an iron which has cooled to burn a hole with. He cannot inflame the minds of his audience.--Henry David Thoreau


-A hundred men may make an encampment, but it takes a woman to make a home.--Chinese proverb


-Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined.--Henry David Thoreau


"Southern girls are Gods gift to the entire male population. there is absolutely no woman finer than one raised below the mason-dixon line, and once you go southern, may the good lord help you, you never go back."-- Kenny Chesney


(both via google)


11. What is the one thing you want to Tell the World today?
Live your life to the fullest.  Explore new places and mindsets.  Don't ever let yourself settle for "good enough."  Strive for perfection, but don't despair in failure.  Don't let anyone tell you how to live your life or who to be.  Be the best YOU you can be.  But most of all, enjoy the life you have been given and take joy in even the smallest things.
(via google)

Love!!



There you have it! Allie, your "what to tell the world" was super powerful! Thanks for taking the time to participate in my feature, and I'm glad to have you here on my site! To all of my readers, go check out Words Alone and share some love!

Do you want to be featured on Tell the World Tuesday? I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU! Either comment on this post or shoot me an e-mail over at mbattiestOKU{at}gmail{dot}com, and we'll get everything squared away!

Happy Tuesday!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Tell the World Tuesday!

I'm super duper excited for today's feature! I found this beautiful lady while browsing through some FTLOB lists, and I've been addicted ever since! She is amazingly beautiful, funny, and positive! She is not ashamed to admit her love for her husband or cheez-its at any time, and this honesty is inspiring! So today, I bring you the beautiful Shalyn from Laugh Until Your Cheeks Hurt!

Hey there Life Is Beautiful followers and stalkers! My name is Shalyn and I am so excited to be sharing some space with Mallori today- she is fantastic, as you all know, so this is an honor! Here is what I want to tell the world this fine Tuesday:


1. First things first, tell me where you blog and a small paragraph about your blog.
My blog is Laugh Until Your Cheeks Hurt and it is primarily a lifestyle blog with a little bit of style,food, recipes,food and other random (and I do mean RANDOM) junk thrown in! As my title indicates, I LOVE to laugh and I started my blog to celebrate that.
2. Give me 5 words you use to describe yourself:
Professional eater (2 words- so sue me), silly, fun-loving (if you hyphenate, it counts as one), traveler, hygienist


3. Do you use a real alarm clock or your phone? If you use your phone, what tune do you wake up to?
I use my husband. Don't be jealous or anything but my husband ENJOYS waking up at oh, about 5 AM every single darn day. I am cursed that I cannot sleep very long without him so there you go...and people wonder why I am so grumpy all the time! ;-)

4. What (or who) inspires you most?

No doubt, my husband. He will get a call in the middle of the night from someone who needs something and never hesitate a SECOND to help them. He is constantly serving others and that is something to be admired. On a less serious note, I love Reese Witherspoon! She is such a classy actress!


5. Do you read for fun? If so, what are you currently reading; or what is a book you recommend?
HECK TO THE YES. Reading is my favorite thing to do and now that I don't have my nose in textbooks (Hallelujah chorus commences) I have been reading A LOT! I just got done reading Water for Elephants and Something Borrowed (both FANTASTIC) and am now reading The Confession by John Grisham. I would recommend them all!

6. What is something you’ve always wanted to do?
Skydiving is on my bucket list and I WILL do it before I get pregnant. It was actually my birthday/graduation gift from my dad that he would take me but he needs to lose some weight first...(sore subject...lets not talk about it;-))


7. What is your favorite part of the day, and why?
Mealtime, no hesitation. Does this need to be explained? Lucky for me, this usually lasts every waking hour of my day. It's a miracle I am not 573 pounds.

8. Where is the favorite place you traveled? OR Where is a place you would like to travel?
I am lucky enough to have been to both Hawaii and the Bahamas and they are equally amazing in my eyes. Next? I want to go to Ireland!

9. What’s your guilty pleasure (food, tv show, etc.)
Vampire Diaries on the CW and Pretty Little Liars on Fox Family- they are both SO GOOD and don't even get me started on how equally good looking the Salvatore brothers on VD are! Almost as good looking as my husband...


10. Give your favorite inspirational quote, photo, or both!
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"- may not be my absolute favorite, but its the only one I constantly can remember.


11. What is the one thing you want to Tell the World today?
Be kind to each other- life is too short to judge and belittle each other! oh, and you are beautiful, believe it! (I know, easier said than done!)

Feel free to stop by my little corner of Blogland anytime, I would love to hear from you! Thanks again Mallori! Hope you all have a fantastic Tuesday!




Readers, go check out Laugh Until Your Cheeks Hurt NOW! I'm serious, her posts are great, and she is a loyal reader and commenter. You will not be sorry for following, she almost always makes you laugh, and ALWAYS makes you smile! Do it! Now!

You know the drill, if you want to be featured, let me know via comment or e-mail!

Happy Tuesday Friends!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Tell the World Tuesday!

Is it your favorite day yet? I'm very excited for this week's feature! I don't exactly remember how I found this blog, but reading the posts have been a lot of fun! This week, I bring you Jaimie from Legos in my Pocket! This lady is a lot of fun and has been participating in the photo swap that is hosted by Kendra (from three weeks ago!) I love checking her blog all the time, as she is one of the most honest people I know. She also featured me as her April Monthly Featured Blogger. After you read the feature, head on over and check her out!

Legos In My Pocket

1. First
things first, tell me where you blog and a small paragraph about your blog.
-What is your main reason for blogging, how often do you post, what is your content, etc.
Legos In My Pocket is my home away from home. It's all about mine & my husbands adventures in life. I dabble in a little of everything!
Monthly Featured Bloggers (MFB), crafts, recipes, quizzes, even the Monthly scavenger hunt! I love snail mail, so I've joined in tons of Postcard swaps, and I love photo challenges that I normally post on my photo blog "Pocket Memories." I tend to get caught up in real life now & again, and rely a little to much on pre-scheduled posts, but I do my best to be active! Every now & again I get a little serious & will write whatever is stewing in my brain...
I use alot of colors, Bold, CAPITALS, italics, !!!Exclamation marks!!! & ...Dot...Dot...Dots...
In the end, I'm just me! :)
Legos In My Pocket

2. Give me 5 words you use to describe yourself:

Motherly, passionate, OCD, creative, & forward...(which some consider just bitchy ;))  

3.Do you use a real alarm clock or your phone? If you use your phone, what tune do you wake up to?
Uhm, I use both, but wake up to neither... my actual alarm has to be set to turn on the radio, which has to be set to a fuzzy station SUPER loud, but that apparently gives my husband, Ryan, heart palpitations, so he sets in to the quiet beeping so it wakes him up to wake me up. Unfortunately, he tends to be to sleepy to actually wake me up, so I normally have my cellphone set to go off 5 mins after his, with a Beethoven symphony on super loud on my side of the bed, so he has to lean over me to turn it off, which wakes me up. :D
(Ryan doesn't tend to like that very much...)


4. What (or who) inspires you most?
I try to find inspiration everywhere I can, but it tends to frequently come from a few common places:

Legos In My Pocket
My Hubby Ryan = can make a grumpy old gremlin break out into a giggle-fit

Legos In My Pocket
Any & All of the MINICrew = They are all pretty durn awesome yo!!


Legos In My Pocket
My Momma = probably not as much as she thinks, but she does, everyday.

And really most of all,
just taking sitting outside, or by a window
where I can see, hear, feel, & smell outside...
brings my mind to life.

5. Do you read for fun? If so, what are you currently reading; or what is a book you recommend?
ALL THE TIME!! I love to read... I'm currently addicted to a few different ones, (& yes, I'm reading more than one at a time!)
The House of Night series by P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast
The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich
The Immortal series by Alyson Noel
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner

6. What is something you've always wanted to do?
Oh boy, lots of things.... See my Bucket List Top 5 for examples...
but in the blogging world, I'd really like to do a giveaway, I've never done one before... but I don't know how to go about starting one...

7. What is your favorite part of the day, and why?
I love early mornings, sitting there in my jammies on the back porch with a cup of coffee
 watching the sun come up, & listening to the world awaken... Or in the middle of the day going for a walk with Ryan & Mazda, or just going for a drive... early evening sitting down with my family for a delicious dinner, laughing & talking about our days... but my favorite time of day is late at night, when its time for bed. After Ryan's turned off his Xbox & I've shut down the computer, when we snuggle down under the covers & cuddle up to talk & giggle about anything else left until we fall asleep. :)


8. Where is your favorite place you have traveled? OR where is a place you would like to travel?
My favorite place in the entire world to go is when we pack up all the MINICrew cars till we barely fit ourselves, & drive the 5-6 hours to Newport, Idaho where we have our cabin on Lake Pend Oreille.

Legos In My Pocket
(Click here to see more of the cabin!!!)
We normally stay for a week of un-interrupted sunshine, warm weather, & bliss.
But someday, I want to travel to Italy,

Legos In My Pocket
& experience everything it has to offer!

9. What is your guilty pleasure (food, tv, show, etc)
This is going to sound really weird, but I love water. I always have it near me!
But I guess my guilty pleasure would be chocolate peanut butter dollar scoops from Baskin-Robins. YUM :D
T.V. wise right now I'm HOOKED on GLEE & Fringe... & When it comes to music, I will never tire of Linkin Park!

10. Give your favorite inspirational quote, photo, or both!
To be honest, we aren't very spiritual, but...
my family LIVES by this prayer:
Photobucket

11. What is the one thing you want to Tell the World today?

Be you. Don't worry about what other people think, act, or how they are going to judge you. In the end, it doesn't matter. In the end, all that really matters is how YOU feel about you. Say what you want to say, Sing when you want to sing, Do what you want to do, Dance when you feel like dancing, Feel how you want to feel, Love whoever you want to love. The ones who care don't matter, the ones who do matter, don't care. Just stay true to YOU. :D

Legos In My Pocket





Well there you have it, this week's Tell the World Tuesday! I love what she had to tell the world today (seriously, all of you ladies have been fantastic about this!) I hope you go check her out at Legos in my Pocket! I know you'll love her blog as much as I do!

Do you want to be a feature for Tell the World Tuesday? I would LOVE to have you! Comment here to let me know, or send me an e-mail to mbattiestOKU{at}gmail{dot}com and we'll get everything together for your feature!

Happy Tuesday friends!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Tell the World Tuesday!

You know how much I love Tuesdays! I'm very VERY excited for today's feature! Today I have for you the very funny and beautiful Lindsay from TexaGermaNadian: My Life in Three Countries. I don't exactly remember how I found her, but once I started reading, I fell in love! For real, this lady is funny, and she is one of the best comment back people ever (you just have to remember which posts you commented on)! She leaves pretty sweet comments too. And she has some pretty sweet design work as well (she created one of my ad buttons!) She recently came back stateside, so she's been super busy, but I was lucky enough to get her to answer my questions! So without further ado, I give you Lindsay! Take it away, TGN!

1. First things first, tell me where you blog and a small paragraph about your blog.

Somehow or another I met my hockey-playing husband in Texas. I know right, ice hockey in Texas? :) Since our paths crossed in 2007 we have traveling all over North America and now Europe making a home for ourselves while living the hockey life abroad. My blog is a creative, er, rather sarcastic take on our life in Germany (as well as the culture shock we get when coming back to North America).  I actually blog in 3 different places (Texas, Germany, Canada = TexaGermaNadian, ahhhh, moment of clarity, right?!). Right now we are back in Texas until July, then a quick trip to Canada, and on to Germany in August to do it all again!


Hockey in Germany can be pretty cra-zay
2. Give me 5 words you use to describe yourself:
determined, observant, creative, silly, engaging

3. Do you use a real alarm clock or your phone? If you use your phone, what tune do you wake up to?
I use both! Between the hubs and I, we are paranoid that it won't go off. When we really have to wake up for something important, there might be as few as 3 alarms set. You say crazy, I say playing it safe :)

4.  What (or who) inspires you most?
As corny as it sounds, I think I have to say my husband. Just like any hockey player, he has had some major ups and downs in his career. I am constantly amazed at his ability to bounce back and reach and surpass his goals. I'll brag, I'll go there :) After a crap-tastic hockey season in 2010, he was able to come back and win the scoring title and the championship this year. Now that is determination.

Just after the big win, already celebrating on the ice!

5. Do you read for fun? If so, what are you currently reading; or what is a book you recommend?
 I do like reading for fun, but I ran out of good English books in Germany. And I refused to pay 25 Euro for an English paperback there, yikes! So crossword puzzles are my go to.

6. What is something you’ve always wanted to do?
I've kinda always wanted to be on TV in some way. No, not a reality star. And definitely not an actress. But more so like a host or presenter. I think it would be so fun and I wouldn't totally suck at it :)


Enjoying Oktoberfest!
7. What is your favorite part of the day, and why?
It is a tie between that moment of quiet time I get while having my morning coffee and shaking the cobwebs off. And the beautiful light of dusk. The day is ending, but the fun night is just beginning.

Day trip to Strasbourg

8. Where is the favorite place you traveled? OR Where is a place you would like to travel?
 Greece for sure!! The Aegean Sea and the  beautiful sun-baked islands, not to mention the awesomely fresh Greek food. I don't think life gets much better than that!

9. What’s your guilty pleasure (food, tv show, etc.)
Oh geez, do I have to admit this?! Any of the Real Housewives series. Although I am currently obsessed with the Beverly Hills bunch. Those bitches be crazy! The hubs think I am mentally ill for watching those shows...I agree.

10. Give your favorite inspirational quote, photo, or both!
It is not so much inspirational, but a quote that means a lot to me and our nomad-ish lifestyle.
"Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."
~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
So true!
Us at the Christmas Markets in Germany

11. What is the one thing you want to Tell the World today?
I'll use this space to give a very BIG CONGRATS to Mallori and her 2011 College Graduation!! What an accomplishment, girl. Awesome :) And thanks for having me on Tell the World Tuesday!


Aww shucks, Lindsay! You're too kind! Thank you so much for the congrats! It still hasn't hit me yet, and you are quite awesome yourself! And thank you for agreeing to do this! I know my readers will love you as much as I do (if they haven't checked your site out already)!

So readers, go check out TexaGermaNadian and leave a little love! You won't be sorry you did!

Do you love Tell the World Tuesday as I do? Do you want to be featured here? I'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU! Send me and e-mail at mbattiestOKU{at}gmail{dot}com and I'll get everything squared away to have you right here for more people to get to know you!

Happy Tuesday!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Tell the World Tuesday!


I have another exciting feature for you today! This week's feature comes from Valerie at Threads and Thoughts and Things I Love. This amazingly beautiful and talented lady was introduced to me again by my friend Sam, and I'm so glad that I decided to follow her blog! Her blog showcases a lot of her sewing talents, and it makes me wish I was as talented as she is! But now I'm blabbing on, I'll let Valerie take it away!

Valerie (middle) and her whole family drinking butterbeer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
1. First things first, tell me where you blog and a small paragraph about your blog.
I'm Valerie and I blog at Threads and Thoughts and Things I Love. I have been sewing my own clothes for about 4 years now, and I was getting tired of sending e-mails with attachments of pictures of my creations to my mom, grandma, and any of my friends who cared. So I decided to start a blog and post my sewing there instead! My mom and grandma are two of my most loyal readers :) The sewing community actually has a huge presence in blogworld as well, and several sewing blogs I read on a daily basis inspired me too. I knew I didn't sew enough to be able to blog ONLY about sewing (I've got a full-time job, after all!), so I also like to throw in tidbits of daily life with my husband Scott or things I find around the web that I like. My blog name basically sums it all up: I write about threads, thoughts, and the things I love!


Valerie and Scott at Central Park


2. Give me 5 words you use to describe yourself:
Seamstress. Wife. Christian. Friend. Laugh-lover.



3-picture collage of a recent sewing accomplishment
3. Do you use a real alarm clock or your phone? If you use your phone, what tune do you wake up to?
Alarm clock! Nothing like an annoying BEEP BEEP BEEP first thing in the morning, right?


4. What (or who) inspires you most?
When it comes to sewing, I easily get inspired just being at my sewing machine. I love to just be there, stitching along, getting lost in creating a piece of clothing from what was previously just fabric and thread.


Valerie's sewing space
I am always staring people down on the street, checking out what they're wearing, trying to figure out how it was made, and then bringing it back to the sewing machine and really trying it out.


Valerie and Vanessa, her dressform
5. Do you read for fun? If so, what are you currently reading; or what is a book you recommend?
I was an English Education major in college and taught middle school Reading for two years, so YES, I definitely read for fun! I loooooove to read! For myself, I am currently reading a young adult novel, part of the Jessica Darling series by Megan McCafferty, called Fourth Comings. For my book club, we are currently reading Bossypants, Tina Fey's memoirs. For our next book club meeting, we're going to visit the Upright Citizen's Brigade, where Tina herself occasionally shows up!


Valerie's book club
6. What is something you've always wanted to do?
Be on Dancing with the Stars. I have no idea what I would possibly do to be famous enough to be on that show, but perhaps being featured on Mallori's blog is a good start? :)


7. What is your favorite part of the day, and why?
Every day after work, I come home and immediately make dinner (as my husband is always absolutely starving by 5:00 PM). It just happens to always work out that I get finished making our meal just in time to bring the plates to the couch, sit down beside Scott, and watch Tosh.O on Comedy Central. Somehow that became our dinner-eating tradition, and I love it! It's the signal of the real end of my work day, and I know the rest of the evening I get to relax.


8. Where is the favorite place you traveled; or Where is a place you would like to travel?
I spent a semester abroad in college, living on an American Air Force base in rural England. Every weekend, the group of girls who were there with me would set off to a different country - it was an experience I am so grateful to have had! I can't choose just one place as my favorite, so I'll choose two: the west coast of Ireland and Florence, Italy. In Ireland, we spent a whole weekend just driving around on dirt roads in the countryside, riding horses through green Irish pastures, and spending the day at the Cliffs of Moher - absolutely breathtaking. Florence feels like a city frozen in time. We really immersed ourselves in Italian culture there - saw tons of art, ate tons of carbs, and climbed the steps of the Duomo. I haven't been back to Europe since (that was four years ago!), but I would love to go revisit some of the places I've already been, and see some new sights as well.


4 girls in Florence, Vaness on the right
Sitting above the ocean on the Cliffs of Moher


9. What is your guilty pleasure (food, TV show, etc.)
I'll name this one because I know most people would classify this as a guilty pleasure: I am abnormally obsessed with the Backstreet Boys. Like, still. To this day. As a 26-year-old woman. I've seen them live twice in the past year, and have tickets to see them again with New Kids on the Block in June!


10. Give your favorite inspirational quote, photo, or both!
"When it's all over, I want to say all my life
I was a bride married to amazement
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms...
I don't want to end up simply having visited this world."
-Mary Oliver, from the poem "When Death Comes"


11. What is one thing you want to Tell the World today?
Find something you love to do, and be passionate about it. Do it all the time. Tell people about it. Be proud of it. Share it. Don't let it get put on the backburner. Whatever it is, do it big.


And here are some more photos she sent me:
Val's and Scott's smooch at their wedding!
Valerie and Scott with their friends Heidi and Marshall, who will be getting married soon!
Valerie and her besties on top of a mountain they climbed in Arizona
What she has to tell the world today is something pretty powerful! Make sure you follow your passions! Now head on over to Threads and Thoughts and Things I Love and spread the love to Valerie! You won't be disappointed, and you'll most likely be inspired to start sewing projects (because she makes it look so easy!).

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Tell the World Tuesday!

Tell the World Tuesday is back!
I'm super excited to have the feature back this week! I'm sorry it took a two-week hiatus, but I've got a great line up of amazing women to feature starting with today's feature! This lady has been one of my go-to blogs since I started blogging consistently last October/November. She has a fun photo swap (that I unfortunately have been absent from lately) that is fun to participate in! Enough of my babbling, here is the amazingly talented Kendra of A Grimm Tale!


1. First things first, tell me where you blog and a small paragraph about your blog.
A Grimm Tale is shared with my husband Ryan (I do most of the talking, you will see). We share our love of traveling, music, cycling, photography, and the outdoors. I add a splash of crafting to the mix once in a while. And now gardening as well.
2. Give me 5 words you use to describe yourself:
nature lover, optimistic, passionate, & engaging

3. Do you use a real alarm clock or your phone? If you use your phone, what tune do you wake up to?
I use my cell phone as an alarm and I'm not sure of the tune because I always catch it after the first vibrate, right before the actual melody comes along.

4. What (or who) inspires you most?
I'm fortunate to have many talented friends and family who continue to inspire me every day.

5. Do you read for fun? If so what are you currently reading; or what is a book you recommend?
Absolutely! Everyone should read the Hunger Games trilogy--really, just do it. Also, I love everything by Jennifer Weiner and my all time favorite book, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, is a must-read too.

6. What is something you've always wanted to do?
Backpack through Europe. Cliché? Yes. But it's my dream, especially now that I've married a Boy Scout & former backpacking guide! Score!

7. What is your favorite part of the day, and why?
I love everything about morning time. The sunrise, my first cup of coffee, a happy puppy...it's all a great start to my day.

8. Where is the favorite place you traveled? Or where is a place you would like to travel?
I really enjoyed a trip to Seattle, Washington a few years ago. The city itself is amazing, but we also had the opportunity to visit the San Juan Islands, just a ferry ride away, where we went sea kayaking and cliff jumping and camping. It was an all around, incredible trip and I would recommend the city of Seattle to anyone traveling the west coast. It's absolutely beautiful.

9. What's your guilty pleasure (food, tv show, etc.)?
TV Show: Bethenny Ever After on Bravo. I think she is HILARIOUS. Like, laugh out loud, slap your knee so much it hurts, funny.

10. Give your favorite inspirational quote, photo, or both!

11. What is one thing you want to Tell the World today?
I want to encourage simplicity; slow down, live in the moment, and really enjoy what you have.


Readers, seriously. Go check out this blog. I found her through a mutual friend, and I have loved getting to know the public life of Kendra! Her crafts are wickedly awesome (so awesome that she did ALL the decorations for her own wedding!) Head on over to A Grimm Tale and see for yourself. You WILL NOT be disappointed!!

Do you love Tell the World Tuesday as much as I do? Do you want to be featured here? Let me know in a comment or send an e-mail to mbattiestOKU{at}gmail{dot}com (subject Feature) and I'll send you the questions!

Happy Tuesday friends!