The Liebster Award

I was recently nominated by Sami at Flowers and Wanderlust to participate in the Liebster Award!

Hey Jillian,

I just nominated you for the Liebster award because I thoroughly enjoy your blog and all the love you send to mine, haha. You can find the link below. Have a lovely day!

The Liebster Award is given by someone who is inspired by or enamored with another website or blog. I know a little German, but I had to Google this.  The meaning: liebster is a German word that means sweetheart, beloved, or darling in English. I believe that blogging is about getting to know each other and building relationships, along with sharing knowledge. Being nominated to participate is very cool! Thanks, Sami!

Since I accepted this award, I now have to follow these guidelines:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions that the tagger set for you, then create 11 questions for the people you’ve tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. No tag backs!

11 Random Facts About Jillian

• I have three tattoos.
• I live in the United States, and have visited Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, England, Scotland, Spain, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Italy. I want to go everywhere, but that is definitely a lofty goal.
• I used to be an actress, but then I decided I wanted a job that actually paid.
• I was with my husband for seven years before we got married.
• My first word was kitty.
• My natural hair color is dirty blonde. I like it dark brown, so I dye it, but the drama of coloring in my eyebrows everyday is awful!
• I have too much of an all or nothing mentality. I can train for a half marathon, but if you ask me to run three miles I see no point. The struggle with myself is real, people… 🙂
• Shiba Inus are such trouble makers, but I love them the most of all of the dogs!
• I have been vegetarian for nearly 13 years. People think I will give up eventually, but I don’t see it happening.
• I didn’t get my first car until I was 25, and I am still driving it today. I want to drive it forever.
• I was home schooled from grades 8-11.

My questions from Sami:

• What is your greatest passion in life?
  Wow, starting off with a bang here… this is kind of a fluid thing for me. Right now my focus is on how I can better use my time on earth. I want to feel like I was here for a reason and was able to make a difference.
• What three things make you happy?
  My family, friends, and Shibas. Predictable but true.
• Are there any favorite places of yours that you have traveled?
  I have different favorites for different reasons, but the place I would most love to go back to is Italy. The weather, the beautiful EVERYTHING, the delicious food, the history- it’s just amazing.
• When is the last time you tried something new?
  I started this blog in December. This is all very new to me, and I never realized how much work it really is. Bloggers are amazing!
• Is there a quote or lyric that has stuck with you throughout your life?
  Maybe not my whole life, but for the last several years my friend and I have been living by “fake it til you make it”. It’s tough entering the real world and feeling like everyone at work knows more than you, but I have realized that almost everyone feels the same way. If you just keep trying, you will realize that you know more than you think.
• Where do you find inspiration?
  Anywhere and everywhere, but mostly through watching others.
• Have you ever met an unforgettable stranger?
  As in someone that is still a stranger to me? I’m kind of thinking no, because nothing comes to mind. I once met the singer Deb Talan though, and I was unbelievably starstruck. She has the voice of an angel! I made an idiot of myself.
• What is the nicest thing anyone has done for you in the past month?
  Nominate me for a Liebster Award? 🙂 Seriously, I have been so excited about all of the support I’ve had for my new blog!
• Where do you want to be in five years?
  That’s something that I’m trying to figure out right now. I’m hoping that this blog and My 35 Project will help me with a little soul searching.
• How did you come up with the name of your blog?
  I spent a lot of time debating with some friends. I wanted the name to reflect the fact that I am still trying to figure things out, but I also wanted it to be strong. We played around with more girl power type things, but this one really stuck. I like that “how to be myself” can apply to me and also to readers. We’re all in this together.

Here are some gorgeous shots that my friend M took in Rome and Venice- see how Italy is the best?

And now for the nominees (insert drumroll here):

• 60while60 inspiration in the form of 60 cool things done while 60
• Bl3ss3edFitn3ss she is kicking butt on her weight loss goal
• Blissfully Minimal a minimalism blog that challenges how many products we really need
• Beading Fun by PJ Clouse humor and crafts! (her Liebster post here)
• Beyond Hope motherhood and hilarious writing
• Who or What Was That? stories that will leave you wishing she would write a book (her Liebster post here)
• Gin Is My Comfort Food the name alone sold me! (her Liebster post here)
• Swim, Swim Little Squid great pieces on being an introvert (her Liebster post here)
• Just Like That Ever After brand new lifestyle blog of my real life friend ❤
• Too Much Fancy she’s pretty, she’s funny, she has great style- check it out!
• Minimalism with Kids a venture in minimalism- I love these posts

Here are your questions, should you choose to accept this award (tag me if you do, I want to see your answers!):

1. Do you want kids? If you already have them, did you always know you wanted them?
2. How did you choose your blog name?
3. Do you have any pets?
4. Do you think it’s smart to blog on a set schedule?
5. What do you think your best feature is (yes, you have to be positive and pick one)?
6. How do you feel about iPhones?
7. Do you have a recurring dream?
8. What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
9. What’s your favorite television show?
10. Do you work out?
11. Do you believe in astrology?

Thanks to anyone who read to the end of this long post! I’ll post something a little lighter tomorrow. Maybe. It is Weigh In Wednesday, soooo… could be rough!

Jillian