11 Questions and the Liebster Award

If you’re anything like me you read a lot of blogs and think you have pretty good idea of what the person who writes it is like.  Even though I’ve never met them, I feel like I know KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms and Sarah from Sarah M. Dorsey designs because over the years they have shared bits and pieces of themselves on their blogs.

Over the last three years I’ve shared  a little about me and my life but I have another opportunity to share a bit more of what makes me tick because I’ve received an award that encourages just that….sharing!

 

My new friend and blogging buddy Marsha who owns Marsha B. Interiors here in Atlanta and who pens the House Happy blog recently nominated me for a Liebster Award.  I met Marsha just a few weeks ago at the Design Bloggers Conference and we instantly hit it off.  She is a real gem and I can’t wait to spend more time with her and get to know her even better.

If you are not familiar with the Liebster award, it’s an award that bloggers give each other as a way of discovering new blogs and learning about the people who actually write the blog. As a nominee I am asked to answer questions (from my nominator) and then create my own questions for the bloggers I nominate.   Sounds like fun, huh?

Marsha sent me over a list of 11 really great questions for me to answer so without further a due, here’s a peak inside my world and ConfettiStyle.

1. How do you balance life and blogging?

I can’t actually say that I have a good balance between life and blogging.  I am one of those people who goes full throttle and gives whatever I am doing 100%.  I will say that being overly organized helps and I do listen to my inner voice and take a break if I feel my  body, mind and spirit need it.  Other than that I’m pretty much on the go from sun up to sun down.  For me it’s about loving what I do (interior design, blogging, etsy shops) that fuels me and keeps me balanced.

2. What’s your favorite thing to when you’re not blogging?

Uh…shopping of course.  I really believe that if they gave degrees for shopping I would have many PhD’s to my name.  My favorite type of shopping to do is visiting flea markets and thrift stores and I’ve been known to travel across states just to check out a store.  And by the way, my favorite shopping partner is my hubby of 22 years!

3. Roadtrip or airplane?

Road trip for sure.  I spent many years flying back and forth to the far east when I worked for Eddie Bauer so traveling via car is much for enjoyable to me these days.  My husband and I make several road trips from Atlanta to Oklahoma each year and of course I hit a few flea markets on the way.

4.Favorite Food?

Mexican.  I’m from Washington State and one of my best friends is Hispanic. Growing up her mom used to make Mexican food for all her friends and she really spoiled me at a young age.  In order for a Mexican restaurant to win me over they must have warm chips and good salsa.

5. What inspires you?

Wow, the list of what inspires me is a long one.  First and foremost I get inspired by learning.  I am a ferocious reader of magazines and design books and love to find new design and project ideas, bits of inspiration and new places to explore.  I’m also inspired by traveling to new places and seeing how other people live.  Growing up most of my summers were spent in a car traveling to different parts of the US with my family and to this day I’m inspired by new cities and historical landmarks. During my travels to the far east I had the opportunity to visit Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Japan and Malaysia and boy was that an eye-opening experience.  If I had my youth to live all over again I’d live abroad for a few years to really soak in all that the world has to offer.

p.s.  My most favorite places to visit usually involves sand and a beach chair.

6.Favorite Paint Color and why?

Well, red is my favorite color but when it comes to paint I think I’d have to pick Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore.  It’s a great neutral and works in just about every situation you can image.

7.What do you like most about blogging?

Connecting and making new friends is one of the best things about blogging.  I have met some really great people, made some great business contacts and have had some great opportunities because of blogging.

8.Spa or hiking?

The perfect scenario is a hike along the seaside and then a massage at the spa.  This is definitely something I am putting into my plans for the summer.

9.What are your best places to shop?

Oh, if I tell you I’d have to kill you!  Just kidding.  When I’m in the mood for real treasure hunting I head to My Favorite Place on Peachtree Industrial.  This place is a dive and you never know what you’ll find but it’s always fun to pick through the stuff in hopes of scoring big.  My other favorite place to shop is the Longest Yard Sale which takes place each year during August.  The sale is basically a running flea market/yard sale which spans from Alabama to Michigan.  I’ve done it two years in a row and it is one of the best thrifting adventures I’ve ever been on.  I’m planning to go again this year and can’t wait to see what I find.  If you want to learn more about the sale, check out the post I wrote here and here.

10.What’s your favorite fun thing to do?

As I mentioned before, shopping is at the top of my favorite things list but there are some other things I really enjoy doing.  I love teaching design workshops and sharing ideas with people.  When my retail store was open, I taught design workshops on all kinds topics and it bought me such joy to see someone get inspired to change their décor or try something new based on the ideas I was sharing.  I am fortunate enough to still teach workshops at a local gift and décor store here in Atlanta at Smith’s and will have a new workshop coming up in April.  Stay tuned for the 411.

11. If you could have any 1 new thing right now,what would it be?

More years with my mom.  It is hard to see my mom getting older and even harder being several states away from her so my wish would be an unending amount of time with her!

We’ll I hope you enjoyed a look inside my head and feel like you know me a little better.  If I don’t already know you, I’d love for you to leave a comment for me telling me one thing about you, maybe where you’re from or what you favorite book is.

Oh, and I’m not done with my part of the award.  It’s time for me to pick bloggers to receive this award and have them answer my super-duper hard and in-depth questions.

MY NOMINEES ARE:

Home for Now—Michelle just started blogging last year and her blog showcase ideas and tips on how she is making her house into a home.

Encore Creations—My pal Tina is a skilled diy’er and shares lots of great projects on her blog.

Burlap and Lace—I’ve been reading Shannon’s blog for a while and love her style.

Do Not Disturb This Groove—Brandi is another skilled diy’er who takes budget finds and turns them into star creations.

Homey Oh My—I recently discovered Amy’s blog and am now a devoted follower.  Check our her project gallery and prepare to be amazed.

OMG Lifestyle Blog—Elaine is another new blogger who share tips and ideas on fashion, entertaining, home and life–all the things that make here say OMG!

 QUESTIONS FOR THE NOMINEES ARE:

1.  If you had to use three words to describe your style what would they be?

2.  What’s the favorite decorative accessory you own?

3.  What’s your biggest pet peeve?

4.  If you had the chance to be on a game show which show would you like to be on and why?

5.  Name tow things on your bucket list.

6.  What’s the best gift you’ve ever given and the best gift you’ve ever received?

7. Stranded on an island, what magazine would you want to have with you?

8.  You are throwing the dinner party of your life.  What famous people would you invite and why?

9.  If you could hire one famous designer to build your dream home, who would it be and why?

10.  What would you do if you won the lottery?

11.  What one power tool or crafting tool could you not live without?

This has been a fun blog post.  I hope you’ll take a moment to stop by the blogs that I’ve nominated for the Liebster Award to check them out and say hi.

And thanks Marsha for the award!