Re-Introductions and a Liebster Award!

Oh em gee! I am so excited!! A number of wonderful things happened yesterday [I'll tell you all about it] but one in particular has to do with the post I had planned for today!

First and foremost, I'd like to say WELCOME! and HI-I-AM-SO-EXCITED-YOU-ARE-HERE to all of my new followers from The Collective! I hope you enjoy my posts and believe in the movement as much as I do!

Originally, I planned to write an "about me" style post, introducing myself to my new followers. Then this totally awesome blogger-friend that I made last week nominated me for a Liebster Award! Thank you Kylie @ Absolutely Arkansas for the nomination! I absolutely love your blog, and the fact that you're from So Cal like me! How's the snow life over there in AK? [p.s. everyone, I do know that AK is for Alaska, but one of my very best friends moved to Arkansas a few years back and we just always called it AK. Yes, I did take history in school, but somehow I missed learning all of the states. Plus I like AK better for Arkansas than AR, it sounds cooler, right?] 

Anyway, what is a Liebster award, you ask? Well, Kylie wrote a super awesome introduction to it, so I'm going to share hers - seriously, go check out her super fab blog!

Basically, Liebster is German for sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing & welcome. Um, HI nicest words ever! This award is passed from Blogger to Blogger as a “keep it going!”! It’s an award for new bloggers with under 200 subscribers that is meant to encourage you to keep at it…because you’re awesome!

Along with the award, you get 11 questions to answer - which is the part that goes along with your regularly scheduled blog post :) Without further ado, here are my questions from Kylie!

1)    What are you obsessin’ over right now in your home?

          Right now I am totally obsessing over our clean carpet! Currently, we're living at my mom's house to              save money for the wedding. Most of our furniture is in storage, but today we got the carpet cleaned              in our bedroom [my fault, I didn't put the lid on the coconut oil, and apparently that is very bad for                 your carpet.]

2)    What makes you say “seriously, get in my mouth”?

         Chocolate and pretty looking sweets. If you ever go to San Diego you must go to Extraordinary                    Desserts.

  Via

3)    What kind of blog comments make your heart twerk with delight? (Yes I said twerk…for the 100th time)

         To be honest, I don't think I have ever said twerk. BUT I get some hcore pitter-patter when I get blog           comments about people telling me that they love the movement. YES! That is my whole goal for this              little blog - to raise awareness of the movement and to start my magazine! Thank you for all of your              encouragement!!

4)    Shopping spree! Where are you going?

        Back in the day it would be some place like Charlotte Rousse, but right now I am really thinking some           place like TJMAXX or Marshalls. Biggest bang for my buck! Plus they have a little of everything! 

5)    Chevron obsessed? Or not digging the trend?

         I'm not super into it. I think it looks good, but it isn't very me. I'm more of a polk-me-dots and hearts             type of gal.

6)    If you could only use 3 colors (not including white/black/neutrals) in your home FOR THE REST OF its LIFE what 3 colors would you choose?

        Is gray a neutral? I would probably choose Red, Blue and Yellow. Most of our color themes are red              and gray [go Buckeyes!] but I love yellow flowers. Plus a cool blue is a good balancer. 

7)    How do you blog-plan? Are you a simple-sister who takes it day by day? Or an OCD Diva that plans in advance?

       Can I fall a little in between? I try to plan out my posts with a super awesome Google Doc Template               that I found a year or so ago. Here that is. I wish I could write all of my posts over the weekend, but              I'm bad at sitting down and writing too many at once. Okay, if I had a serious deadline I'd do it. The              journalist would come out in me. I'm attempting to do that, but of course include in random posts,                 when awesome things happen [like yesterday!]

8)    What are your thoughts on the word, “Y’all”?

         I think it is endearing! Wayyy better than being known for saying "like" or "hella" over here in Cali. 

9)    Have you ever had a Pin-tastrophie? Tell me about it. (I could seriously run Pinfails by now)

        Yessssssssss. I tried to make some really good looking hot cocoa cookies. In addition to cocoa all               over the floor, they were not soft and gooey and I am pretty sure the people at my work only ate them           because they love me and because I brought delicious peanut butter Nutella cookies. 

Didn't even taste like hot cocoa! GRR

10)  Are you obsessed with Katy Perry's new song “Roar” I GOT THE EYE OF THE TIGER! (I am…clearly)…if not, what music are you jammin’ to right now?

         I am! And I sort of kind of got mad that everyone was all "She stole that from Sarah Barielles." Hello,            she was inspired by it! Both her and Sarah said it. Plus it is a total Warrior Queen song! Also, really             grooving to some old school Blondie after watching CBGB last night. Anyone excited to see that                   movie?

11) What gets you up in the morning? (That’s what it’s all about, right!?) 
         Life! Seriously, I shared my story about Gregory and his battle with cancer here. When he died, I                  swore to myself that I would live each day for him. He had a love of life that I love to feel. Today the            guy at Starbucks [I should totally learn their names, I have lunch there almost daily] told me I was                  always so happy and having a good day and I told him "Today I thought 'today's gonna suck!' and then         I said 'Nah! I'm not gonna let it suck!' Then it was super awesome." And that's pretty much how I do              it!

Now I get to tag my favorite new bloggers and ask them 11 questions. Woo hoo!!
Go check out these lovely ladies:
My Random Lovelies
d'Asti At Tiffany's 
Crazy Beautiful Life
Forget the Times
Faithful Footprints

All you girls have to do is write a post answering these questions :)
1. Are you an Apple or Android user? (PC or Mac? lol)
2. What is your dream concert?
3. If you had to get a tattoo, what would it be?
4. What type of car do you drive vs. your dream car?
5. Why did you start this particular blog (In case you've had other blogs)
6. What is the biggest thing you're looking forward to in 2013?
7. How have you changed in the past year?
8. Do you have any "tried and true" blogging methods?
9. Who is your blog role model?
10. What's your favorite way of communication? (social media, in person, phone, text, etc)
11. What's your dream job?

Be sure to link back so everyone can read your posts!! <3 p="">
To get to know me a little bit better, you can read these Things You Should Know, Why I Began Blogging, ABC's of Little Ol Me, and Warrior Queen Means Me.


Happy Tuesday!

Check out one of our featured Warrior Queens:

June Theme Introduction: Friendship

Hey guys, so we're trying something new this month and TODAY's vlog gives a little bit of an introduction. Feedback is definitely welcome!

Introductions

Hi. I'm Raewyn. I suppose that is the best way to start this blog out - I am excited for it because I am hoping this is the portal to my magazine that I someday hope to start.

As of late, I have been feeling as if I am stuck in a rut. I know that I am not - that things are just normalizing in my life for once but I have always been one to become restless. In an attempt to get out of this rut, I have finally decided to start my blog - after sitting on this name for almost 4 months. I have been nervous about writing my first post, but I realized now is a good as time as any. There is no time like the present - dreams cannot be pushed aside for the everyday mundane things.

Today, my horoscope told me that change is in the air. Like always, I want to be the change I want to see in the world. Instantly, my attitude changed. I have always found this to be the first step in fixing things and being happy with oneself - that determination and attitude change. It's so easy to pick out our flaws and do everything in our power to hide them. However, I truly believe trying to hide them just brings more attention to them and they become more pronounced. Embracing the flaws allows other people to embrace them as well.

I guess I should probably post up my definition of a warrior queen - or the "Warrior Queen Creed" as it is sometimes called. This is my mission statement - the belief that I think every person should live their life by - because only in embracing yourself, are you able to help others. In loving yourself, you can truly love another. Without that, there is nothing but events, words, things...just STUFF. Nothing that I could ever feel is worth it. Of course, this is just how I, and a few of my friends feel.

warrior queen:
be the best of you, in all situations. Be strong and don't let people walk all over you, but be strong enough to let your guard down to those that matter. Embrace heartbreak, it will teach you something about yourself. Don't restrict yourself from doing something that YOU want to do. Listen to what others have to say, but make your own decisions. Never regret anything, because you are doing what you want to do. Don't be ashamed to show your emotion or deal with your problems. don't be afraid to fall in love, even multiple times. Do what's best for you, but do it gracefully and never ever intentionally hurt someone. If they don't belong in your life, gracefully show them the door. Change is necessary, don't drag your feet - greet the day. Do everything with poise and grace. and never ever let anyone make you feel inferior or bad at something. You are the best of you, if they don't like it tough luck. Being a warrior queen is subjective, specific to your situation.

Life is a series of choices - and nothing is ever black and white. Embrace the shades of grey. =]