Jeanette of Fit Girl Travels has nominated me for a Liebster Award. “Liebe” means “love” in German and I’m definitely feeling the love today! After accepting the Liebster Award, you simply pay it forward by nominating another blogger whom you think deserves a little recognition. Thank you Jeanette for nominating me! If you haven’t read Fit Girl Travels, go check out the blog immediately! Jeanette’s blog is full of enthusiasm, positivity, and she offers great advice on fitness, nutrition, and of course, travel.
The Rules of the Liebster Award
- Each person must post 11 things about themselves by answering the questions that the nominator has set for you.
- Create 11 questions for the people you’ve nominated to answer.
- Choose 11 people (with less than 200 followers) and link to them in your post.
- Go to their page and let them know (or contact them through social media).
- No tag backs!
1. What is your favorite place you’ve ever visited? That’s an incredibly difficult question to answer as each place I visit somehow becomes my favorite place. I have to say that right now I am terribly enamored by Australia and can’t wait to return and discover more about this country.
2. Who is a hero in your life? Such an extremely difficult question. I automatically think of my father who worked extremely hard his entire life and taught me the value of having a great work ethic while he also helped me begin my love for travel.
3. Who’s the most inspiring person you follow on Instagram? Without a doubt, it’s seedbarkroot. Kayci and Joe are traveling around the world posting pics of their travels, but they are so completely honest that it’s not only refreshing but inspiring. As I continue to struggle with how much I should write about myself in my posts and if people would really want me to be how I am in real life the same way online, it’s helpful to see how others have achieved this. It’s definitely not an easy task.
4. How did you come up with the name for your blog? I wish I could say that I had a great story for this, but I don’t. While most people think I write exclusively about shopping, hopefully most will see that my blog is much more than that. If I could go back and really work on a name, yeah — I’d probably spend more time doing so. But at the time I was simply writing my blog for myself and never anticipated anyone else reading it. It was more of an online journal that morphed into what it is today.
5. If you had to cast an actress to play you in a movie, who would you pick? Not that she looks anything like me, but maybe Tina Fey for her comedic timing and overall intelligent approach to comedy and writing. I just love her!
6. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? That’s easy! Gardein! I love, love, love Gardein. If you don’t know what Gardein is, it’s a vegetarian meat substitute that is so insanely good. It comes in a variety of different varieties from 7-grain crispy tenders (my favorite this week), chipotle lime fingers, mandarin crispy chick’n, ultimate beef less burger, meatless meatloaf, and even a golden fishless filet. If you want to know exactly what’s in Gardein (from their website): “Gardein is a wholesome range of tasty plant-based foods with a meaty texture. It’s made from soy, wheat and pea proteins, vegetables and ancient grains (quinoa, amaranth, millet and kamut®). Gardein is easy to digest and free of cholesterol, trans and saturated fats. The majority of Gardein foods are a good source of fiber and low fat too. Gardein is also animal and dairy free.”
7. What is your favorite motivational quote or mantra? I have this quote taped to my computer so I can see it every single day. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” Henry David Thoreau
8. What is one thing in your life that you’re really excited about right now? Going to a new destination and exploring never ever gets old. Every time I plan a trip with a new destination I get as excited as going on the trip itself. Right now I have several trips in the works with several brand new destinations like the Mediterranean and New Zealand so yeah — I’m super excited!
9. What’s your favorite magazine? I’ve been trying to cut down on snail mail and I really do try to read everything online. I try to squeeze in some reading time for magazines and will try to regularly stay up on things with In Style magazine, Budget Travel, Travel + Leisure as well as Fitness.
10. What’s your favorite indulgence? Don’t tell anyone but I have a serious Yogurtland addiction. I have to stop going there. But seriously, I am crazy about the Chocolate Milkshake. Yum! However, this is not helping me on my quest to cut out dairy. Damn you Yogurtland!
11. If the sky’s the limit, what would you like to do next? Sell my house and all my possessions and live out of my suitcase as I travel the world. I admire those people that have been able to do it, but it’s so much easier said than done.
My nominees: These aren’t random people I’ve pulled out of my hat, but people whose blogs interest me for different reasons. Take a few minutes to visit each of their blogs and then follow them on Twitter, too. I was a little short on time and my list consists of 10 people vs. 11, but you get the idea.
Travel with Us! – Giulio and Nat (Twitter @FollowOurCruise)
Emma on board – Emma (Twitter @EmmaOnBoard)
The {Happy} Travel Bug – Sonja (Twitter @HappyHoyt) – Sonja nominated me last year!
Ruthies Routes – Ruthie (Twitter @RuthiesRoutes)
Let’s Roam Wild – Emily (Twitter @letsroamwild)
Cardinal Escapes – Nate (Twitter @CardinalEscapes)
Big Geek Adventure – L-J Clements (Twitter @geek_adventure)
My StCroix – Cindy (Twitter @MyStCroix)
Scandinavian Today – Karen and Heidi (Twitter @scandinavtoday)
Rock Star Mom – Stefanie (Twitter @RSMLVTravels)
My questions:
1. What one travel item must always accompany you on your travels?
2. Is there one destination you’ve not been to yet that you want to visit before you die and why?
3. How did you come up with the name for your blog?
4. You’re stranded on a desert island, but you’re not alone. Which three people, celebrity or historical figure, would you want with you?
5. Are you a morning person or a night person? Does this affect how or when you travel?
6. Do you have any travel pet peeves? Maybe it’s something that you see others do that makes you think, “They should know better than that!” or maybe it’s something you do.
7. You must spend 24 hours on one of the following modes of transportation: Plane, train, automobile, or ship. Which do you choose and why?
8. What is the one travel tip you seem to always offer when people ask you about travel?
9. Would you rather get upgraded on a long flight or have your hotel room upgraded after the long flight?
10. You’re allotted extra hours in the day (lucky you!) and you’re given the chance to start a second blog. What would you call it and what would it be about?
11. What was the best adult beverage you’ve had on your travels and where did you have it? Was it the best because it was that good or did the location, view, company, etc. influence how good it was?
I’m looking forward to reading the responses to my questions and hope that everyone gets the chance to give Liebster a try. Hopefully, you’ve learned a little bit more about me, but not so much that it makes you run away from my blog. 🙂