Margie of the blog margieinitaly nominated me for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award! I have to say, it is a bit of a shock! I love my little blog, but I didn’t think it is worth an award based on the value of inspiration for others. Thank you! Grazie mille! (Literally “Thanks a thousand!”) I’ll try my best to believe you and make my little journal deserving of such an honor! This is actually my 200th post and this is quite the unexpected celebration for it. I love a good surprise.
Have you guys been following Margie? If not, do! Now’s the perfect time to start since this Italian-American has recently returned from a fabulous trip to Italy as well as a bit of Spain and France. She describes and delights in everyday aspects and items of Italian life. I also pin her beautiful photography of Italy. Do not miss her “Photo Collage of Food in Italy” for example. I simply adore her blog. Congratulations to you, Margie!
Additionally, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to highlight the other bloggers who inspire me on a daily basis.
The rules of receiving this award involve the following:
~Thank the person who nominated you and link back to them in your post.
~Nominate 7 bloggers you admire.
~Share 7 things about yourself.
~Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they’ve been nominated.
I would like to nominate the following blogs and the authors behind them for inspiration:
1. An American in Italy– Karen lives a Firenze and what I love most about her blog is the engaging reporting of festivals and events that I’ve never even heard of! Italians love to party and I want this blogger to tell me what’s good. Not only is she an amazing travel resource, she is a true inspiration for following your dreams. In fact, she includes the following quote underneath her title: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined.” by Henry David Thoreau. What is more inspirational than that? In addition, her son just guest posted about his travel website, AbsoluteVisit, and I am looking forward to following that as well.
2. My Pretty Pennies– I have been following Ginna’s blog longer than any other. It is more lifestyle now, and I thoroughly enjoy reading about her life including one of her roles as a newlywed, but originally it was primarily about personal finance. She became debt-free and chronicled the journey. She continues to write on the subject in her series entitled “Weekly Money Check-Up” and posts it every Monday. It is evident in this series that it’s not all about money when she focuses about her budget. I am in a lot of debt myself and find her very inspiring. Furthermore, I also see a kindred spirit in that she is very goal-oriented.
3. Une Vie Chic– Kate is another Marylander, but she loves all things France. I am most attracted to people and friends who are confidently and unapologetically themselves like Kate. This is a lifestyle blog devoted to living well and I find that the blogger lives in a very chic way, even with life being “busy busy” as she is a new mother to “Lady Eleanor.”
4. The Daily Connoisseur– I started following Jennifer L. Scott’s blog while she was posting her 20 lessons learned while studying a semester abroad in Paris one-by-one. Specifically, she discovered these ‘stylish secrets’ from the mother of the host family she lived with, a woman she has refers to as Madame Chic. I simply adore her book Lessons from Madame Chic as well. In fact, I often reread a chapter or two in bed before I go to sleep. Her book is about to be re-released in November and I am considering working its cost into my budget. In both her blog and book, I constantly find inspiration on how to live well. I employ so many of her lessons in my daily life and am only working on incorporating more!
5. The Rich Life (on a budget)– Adrienne lives just as her title indicates in the stunningly beautiful Sonoma wine country of northern California. She has such a great and fun style, scoring fabulous pieces for small prices at that. I cannot wait for her post celebrating Coco Chanel next month! Among other subjects, she also writes on travel. Of note is this post about her recent vacation which included stay at an amazing villa outside Lucca, Italy! Definitely check out the amazing photography from her visit!
6. French EssenceРVicki Archer is yet another Francophile on this list and is fortunate to have a home in Saint R̩my de Provence in southern France. She serves as a major inspiration for me because I love her numerous and fabulous recommendations, despite frequent posting! Honestly, I have a book she recently recommended on my hold queue at my local library right now.
7. The Simply Luxurious Life– Shannon is the founder and editor of this endlessly inspirational blog. The Mission Statement is very inspiring alone! It provides ideas to live intentionally and work towards happiness within so many areas of life. A long list of archived articles can be found under the tab marked “inspiration and why not?” I enjoy her “Why Not…?” series where she offers advice on a particular topic. The posts are written at length on each subject, providing a thorough explanation. The founder maintains that luxury can be attained by anyone, one simply needs to pay attention.
7 things about myself:
1. I am very excited to host two of my college friends coming from out-of-town in a week.
2. I am obsessed with all things Italy and incorporate many of them into my life, from the espresso I drink every morning to my dreams of living in Italy at night.
3. I love my red geranium on my balcony. It is commonly found in the Mediterranean region you know.
4. I love to eat and my favorite sandwich is pit beef; I know.. not even Italian…
5. I studied Art History for six years and my favorite work of art is Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne, which I have seen in real life. It’s in the Galleria Borghese in Rome, which is amazing. You can google it for a picture and the story behind the sculpture.
6. I am a brunette with very subtle red highlights that one can see in the sunshine. I have never dyed it.
7. My birthday is April 15th and it is very important. I often spend it out-of-town.
Again, thank you, Margie, for the nomination. I am happy it can influence others positively.
Thank you for nominating me… what an honor! Have a marvelous week. x
You're very welcome. You too!
Michelle. I am so happy to be in such excellent company…. Thank you for such a lovely award… and the introduction to some new and fabulous blogs… xv
You're welcome! Aren't they wonderful?? 🙂
Wow Michelle, thanks so much! It is always rewarding to hear from readers, but this….oh my!
Prego!
I updated my blog this week with a link to your post. Thanks again! x
I see! Thanks. 🙂
Michelle,
Thank you very much for including The Simply Luxurious Life in your list. I will be including a link to your post on this Friday's The Weekend. Thrilled to be in such great company, especially The Daily Connoisseur. I absolutely loved her book.
You're very welcome!
Hi Michelle,
I am so very sorry for my tardy reply to you…have been traveling away the last week or more.
Thank you for your very kind words. You are a sweetheart! I will be sure to pass along this award and link to you, of course, soon.
I love that you love Italy so much – so do I. It's truly a magical country.
xoxo,
Adrienne
You're very welcome!
Prego, Michelle!
I love reading your blog and thank you also for the kind words. I am glad that you enjoy following my travels.
Hi Michelle! Wow – my apologies for being so late in responding to this, but THANK YOU!! What sweet, kind words. 🙂 It's always nice to find new blogs with similar interests I can follow. Thank you!