blogging•Blogging Freebies•Lifestyle
Why I Started Blogging. Bet You Didn’t Know……
September 4, 2014I originally had this idea formulating in my head when I stumbled across this sweet book I apparently did when I was 3 years old (discussed in more detail yesterday).
Then someone came up with a sweet Q & A form and I was more than happy to get the ball rolling with that. Sometimes I really dig these kinds of posts and sometimes I roll through them. So my mission will be to keep you entertained till the end……if you care to know that much more about this crazy accident prone self over here….please feel free to continue
Name/Age/Location
My name is Amanda. Just like 18 million other females born in the mid 80’s.
I don’t go by last name around these parts because even though I keep things pretty PC around here….. I’m just overly paranoid as I’m sure a lot of you know and I don’t need anymore reasons to run through my parking garage in the morning. I just turned 30! I live on the West Coast of Florida after I originally grew up in Boston, lived in Gainesville for College, then Philadelphia for Grad school and now have settled back into the Florida living.
Family
Well if you remember from this post (still one of my favs to date). I am the youngest of 6 kids, 3 boys and 3 girls. Yes. Like the Brady Bunch. My parents grew up on the same street in Michigan and played in the same sandbox. They started dating at 16 after in the words of my mother “I chased him until he caught me” my mother has the best expressions. Seriously she will find the silver lining in any crappy situation. For instance when you’re stuck in a 2 hour traffic backup “It’s time to be with yourself and reflect“. When all you want to say is “it’s 2 hours of my life wasted I can never get back”. I am marrying my best friend in 6 months who I can sit on the couch watching Party Down South with and he doesn’t judge me one bit.
Work
I’m a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. I work in Cardiology and also run my own clinic in Preventive Health. The obesity epidemic is real y’all. I adjunct teach at the local college of Nursing. I’m a Pure Barre instructor and enthusiast. Finally, I’m a blogger. Most days I hit all 4 jobs in one day.
Hobbies
Well…..in all my free time I pretty much shop, oh yeah plan my wedding, exercise and do all things blog related. Oh I love traveling. Right now I am planning our Honeymoon. I can’t even contain my excitement definitely more to come on that!
Favorite Food
All of it.
If I had to be more specific. I tend to gravitate towards fresh salads and sushi. My guilty pleasures are cupcakes, pizza, ice cream and burgers…..oh with fries.
Favorite Color
Pretty standard for the blogging community right?
Standard Coffee Order
Well pretty much since I got this. My life has changed forever.
Standard Bar Order
I’m not a big drinker but when I do it’s usually a glass of wine. If I order anything with liquor in it probably a cucumber gimlet or extra dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives. I tend to avoid those though because after one I tend to think everybody wants to hear my opinions…..in a very loud tone.
Places I shop
Anywhere and everywhere.
My top places are Nordstrom, Forever 21, SHOPBOP, Target, Costco, TJMaxx, Baublebar and Sephora. I do a weekly post on Tuesdays called “Things I’m Digging Lately” which highlights my top picks of the week. Here you can check them here///here///here etc….. I always try to find things on sale, the best looking dupe…..basically I’m all about saving those hard earned dollars!
Bedtime & Wakeup Time
Usually between 6-7am if I’m not teaching early morning classes than it’s 5:15. I try to get to bed by 11. I feel like a new woman if I can be lights out by 10.
Beauty Products I Can’t Live Without
I have a 5 minute makeup tutorial coming at you but if I had to pick my top 3 it would be eyeliner specifically this one and this one. Mascara…..I can’t leave the house without a quick swipe. Daytime this one and nighttime this holy grail one. Finally bronzer and I are besties especially this one.
What I Blog About
I’m a lifestyle blogger with a focus on fashion, fitness and plenty of humor. I pretty much share all my embarrassing stories on a weekly basis like that time I got my hair caught in a dress sensor or when I drove down a flight of stairs. I also host a Friday Favorites linkup where you can share all your favorites things from the week!
First Blog I Read
Hungry Meets Healthy. Christina and I rode on the same bus growing up in Massachusetts. She was actually the person I reached out to for guidance when I got this space of mine up and running. I read her blog and my bestie that I met through blogging Biana every morning when I wake up. I get to see Biana and Pamela coming up soon for some Gator Football!
How Did I Start Blogging
I took the plunge right around the holidays. Here is my first rough introduction post. This Nov/December will be my one year anniversary. I started the blog as a girl with a BF and shortly thereafter became engaged. I have loved sharing my Wedding planning with y’all.
Why I Blog
I was always writing and reading growing up. I remember going with my dad to all the public libraries around me and leaving with 10-20 books at a time. I use to write short stories in my journal. They were pretty cringe worthy think super cheesy lines like “she swept her amber hair off her forehead and peered through her hazel eyes” kinda stuff. I would write and write. My path of schooling never took me down that road but even in my medical/science/nursing path I have always had to write. I find papers, research and writing comes pretty easily to me. Whenever I’m at work and someone needs to write a flowery letter to the insurance agency to get a procedure approved everyone comes knocking at my door for all my “creative writing skills“. I think the biggest compliments I’ve received so far through blogging is when someone compliments my writing skills and tells me I’m a good story teller or fun to read. My ultimate compliment is from the people who know me on a daily basis who reads the blog will tell me things like “I love your blog because I can hear you talking and telling me these stories like you are standing right next to me“. To me that is the highest compliment.
I also blog because I’m completely over the top Type A with a little bit of OCD/ADD thrown in there. Whatever I put my mind to I make sure to research it to the tiniest detail. Basically ad nauseam. So I figured if I did all the work might as well share it with y’all. Also, I love finding amazing clothes and products. My sister is a full time working mom with 3 kiddos. Pretty much whatever I buy it is times two because I have to send it to my sister and vice versa. She pretty much has the best Costco in the United States. I mean hello Hunter Boots and GlamGlow masks for half the price. I kid you not.
Well there you have it! Why I blog! Kuddos to you if you stayed with me through that whole thing! Did you learn something new about me? If you liked all those random musings you can please feel free to follow me down below on my various social media outlets and I’d love you forever.
Yes forever ever. I promise I’m quite entertaining on them. Also I have some sponsorship spots available for September open if you want the details please check here!
Tell me something about you that I wouldn’t know! xoxoxoxo
I love this post!! I love learning more about you- one of my favorite reads always!
Love this post and I can never get over your 4 JOBS!? How do you do it?! You know what’s crazy, I never read blogs before I started blogging, kinda random huh?
I love learning all the cool little details about you! But FOUR jobs?! I applaud you for such hard work and dedication!
awww i was reading through like all like “ooh i can’t wait to take this survey too” and then BAM i see the shoutout. you’re the best and i’m so glad i inspired you to start blogging bc i love love love your blog too!! xoxo
Girl, you have a lot of jobs. Very impressed!
I love this!! I remember when you said you were off to NYC and I was thinking you’re totally going to get engaged!! I can’t wait to hear what you guys decide on for the honeymoon – it’s going to be fabulous!! Glitter favorite color – that’s pretty amazing!!! xoxo
Love this, and I wanted my name to be Amanda so bad when I was a little girl!
cant wait to hear more about the honeymoon! you really are a great storyteller love!
I feel ya on the name… Ashley, real original mom and dad. Loved reading this post!
Loved this post! I always wondered if you’re the same IRL as on the blog and it looks you are. I still don’t know how you do it all in one day. I can barely work one job and try to come home and blog without getting told “you spend too much time on the computer.” from my husband!
so happy to have found your blog :) your posts always make me smile. ALSO totally want to know where you guys are going on your honeymoon!! exciting! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
Can I get on that system? Just send me a pair of whatever you buy and I’ll be set! You could add “personal shopper” to your list of many jobs!! <3
Love reading these! It’s totally making me want to do it! :) You have WAY too many jobs to keep up with. I’d be exhausted all day eerrrryyy day! And yes, glitter is my favorite color too! :)
<3, Pamela
sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com
This was fantastic! Always fun to get to know you and other bloggers a little bit better. :)
I loved reading this post Amanda! One of the reasons I love your blog so much is because of your wonderful (and usually hilarious) stories :)
Which game are you going to? So jealous! Glitter is a great favorite color!
Great post! You are a blog fave…FOREVER EVER!
Haha love this! This definitely answers some other questions that I had, like what you did for work. Geez girl you’re busy!! I admire how hardworking you are, and how much you get done every day. Even though I don’t know you in real life, I think that you’re a cool, funny, and kind girl. :-) Oh and you have an amazing talent of finding the most hilarious gifs!! :-)
It’s so fun learning more about the bloggers I follow!
Great post!!!
You are a busy lady!! I’m in PA school and loving peds too! Oh and you have to try http://www.vestique.com for AMAZEEE clothes at super great prices. Two of my friends started it online only and it has expanded so fast and now they have 5 stores in NC and SC! Xoxo
Love getting to know you, I am floored that you have 4 jobs, how to you possibly fit it all in? I am in awe, you go girl!
I love posts like this!
Your typical days exhausts me just reading it. I need your secrets on getting in bed by 10 because no matter how hard I try, 10 always looks like 11.
This is a really fantastic post.I LOVED reading it and learning more about you!
I don’t know how you have time to blog, but I always enjoy reading it & I like reading more about blogger’s stories :).
love this post! i love knowing more about you! 5:15 eeeeeeeeeeek that is early!! and you definitely keep us entertained with humor :)
Loved learning more about you! And seriously.. how do you find the time to blog?! I struggled while working ONE job, haha!
I love this post amanda! It’s such a great way to get to know you, and honestly I don’t know how you balance it all! you are amazing!!
I am loving these posts lately and learning more about everyone, I think I will do it next week :) You are such a busy girl, I have no idea how you have the time to post so many awesome blog posts, but I’m glad you do!
I love finding out more about you because you’ve truly become one of my favorite bloggers. I do have to say that I read this and a few of the link backs, specifically about driving your car down the stairs at lunch in my office and I died like 50 ways to Sunday. My boss came to ask me if I was ok because I couldn’t stop. Thanks for the great laugh and afternoon pick me up!
Ummm…Costco has GlamGlow masks????? How am I going to make it through the rest of the work day before running over to take a look!!!!!! I’m a newer reader so this was a fun post to learn more about you!!! I recently started a new blog, so I might have to borrow this idea and do a post of my own! Thanks!
http://www.cabernetandchaos.com
This was so fun to read! I may just have to copy this q&a. I also used to write stories and poetry non-stop when I was little. And I cringe reading certain phrases very similar to the one you mentioned above haha!
Hahaha, “My name is Amanda. Just like 18 million other females born in the mid 80’s.”, I can obvs relate being a Nichole. Love this post, chickie!
Loved reading this. Funny enough, you’re only 1 of 2 Amandas I know. So that makes you unique ;)
I’ve been thinking about doing a post like this and I’m so glad you did! I obvs love the glitter quote, duh! And now I’m off to read about you driving down a flight of stairs.
well i love reading your product posts but this one is probably my favorite to date!!!! great post about you. i got a lot to know more than i already had! you are so awesome.
How did I never know you were a pediatric NP? That’s amazing! You do it all!!!
I was supposed to be an Amanda too = but my grandmother threw a fit & made my mom rename me :)
Just listening to what you do every day exhausts me! I don’t know how you do it all while looking so fabulous!
Um half price Hunter boots? Shut your face! No fair! With the possibility of it snowing here sometimes I would really like to have a pair! I love these posts, I always learn something!
Aww Amanda! I loved reading this and getting to know you more (so very happy you made this post!) I could relate to a fair amount of this actually (and LOVE LOVE LOVE Biana!) Have a wonderful rest of your week xo
FOUR jobs?! Holy hell, I’m only a mom and I’m super proud that I can manage three posts a week. You’re impressive, girl!
On a different note, how do you get certified to teach barre? I have my RYT 200hr certification (yoga instructor) but am interested in getting barre-approved, too!
I would like a first edition signed copy of All About Me, please. ;P
You and your 4 jobs. That’s fucked up. I don’t even want to do ONE! hahaha
Love love loved this post! Also, wait. Hold on. Where are these half-price Hunters???
I love reading these type of post, and of course, I love reading your blog. Can I please have some of your energy/ motivation? Love learning more about you!! Feel free to add me to your shopping system! Thank you :)
These are so great! I love learning more about you!
Ah I love this post! And I’m totally stealing it. I am glad we have ‘met’ through blogging. Cheers to your almost one-year! Xo
Cheshirekatblog.com
I can’t believe you’ve been blogging for less than a year! Way to hustle girl! You are honestly an inspiration, I need to get my booty as organized as yours and learn how to balance the miniscule amount of things that I have to do in comparison. Any wisdom you can share?
Favorite food. All of it. Haha, love that.
I love this post, all of it! Glad I got to know you even better!
I’m not sure that I learned much new about your (I guess I could be considered like borderline stalker if that’s the case!) But either way, I still love reading more about you! :) Since you shop in two’s, the next time you buy some hunter boots, I’ll take a pair! Haha!