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so i'm stylish, eh?

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a big thank you to marie from wild, then child for bestowing upon me the stylish blogger award.  i'm completely flattered : )

so, in order to accept this lovely award, here are the rules:
1. link back and thank the fabulous person who honored you with this amazing award : )
2. share 7 things about yourself
3. award 7 other deserving and great bloggers
4. contact the other bloggers to let them know of their award.

so, here goes nothing...

1. i start my days (well, my mondays through fridays) with a workout.  it's nothing super intense or crazy (though i am a p90x veteran...but that's a story for a different day), just something that gets me up, moving and feeling a bit more connected to myself.  often it includes some yoga : )

picture credit {here}

2. i eat the same thing for breakfast pretty much every day.  i just love me some cereal.  but not just any cereal.  i mix up a mean concoction of all my faves, add in special extras like pecans, dried fruit and banana, sprinkle it with cinnamon and nutmeg and cover it with soy milk.  omg...sooo good.

3. i live in a cottage.  an honest to goodness cottage with my fiance and our cute little dog.  our kitchen is so tiny the fridge doesn't even fit in it, but we call it home.  plus it has a cozy fireplace which makes me happy.

4. i love to cook.  and i think adding sauteed or caramelized onions makes just about any meal better.  i rarely follow recipes but love to read them (and food blogs) for inspiration.

our dog baby, olive : )

5. i am a dog mommy.  craig and i adopted our little girl, olive in november of 2009.  she's beautiful and adorable and makes me smile non-stop.  last week she turned 2, and we had a little get-together with her doggie friends.  yes, we spoil her, but she totally deserves it!

6. happy hour makes me happy.  craig and i go to our favorite happy hour place, bobby simone's, just about every day week.  i just love that the bartender now knows our drinks.  being a "local" is fabulous : )
http://www.ilovebobbys.com/

7. i love my blog.  lifestyle maven is my true passion, and (full disclosure) i want to become a full-time blogger.  i enjoy nothing more than sharing my ideas, tips and techniques for well-living with my readers.  you guys are the best!  thank you.

so...who do i think is super stylish and wonderful?
 

melissa @ tasting, touching, hearing, seeing
megan @ the oatmeal diaries
brittany @ les reves d'une boulangerie

seems like a french/breakfast theme as far as my honorees go : )  congrats ladies - you're fabulous (and stylish of course)!

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change is a-brewin'

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like the new header?!  designed it myself : )

since the start of the new year, i’ve been dreaming up (and getting ready to put into action) some exciting changes for my blog (and my life).  but before we delve into those…full disclosure – my ultimate goal is to make a full time living from my blog.  i love, more than anything, to share my lifestyle ideas and recommendations, and i’ve finally come to realize (or maybe, finally come to accept) it’s my true calling.  it keeps me up at night thinking.  makes my stomach leap with excitement.  has me jotting notes and ideas down non-stop.  and energizes me in a way that few other things can.  lucky for me, i’ve already begun to build the foundation, and thanks to you, my mini mavens, i’ve received invaluable support and feedback.

picture credit {here}

so, what catalyst has me so gung-ho to pursue my dreams and live my passion? i read a fantastic book in early january called crush it! by gary vaynerchuk.  it’s all about building your brand with social media, and it got my wheels turning…full force.  i started thinking about all the potential ways to grow my blog and expand my brand, and i’m psyched.  for the first time in my life, i feel totally on track, inspired, focused and ready.  like everything’s been leading up to this point.  i’ve been on a precipice, waiting for my parachute, and i’m finally ready to jump.  i realize now, i don’t need a parachute…i’ll grow wings instead.

picture credit {here}

with growth comes change.  good change.  fun change.  and necessary change.  starting february 1st, lifestyle maven, is going to become a fabulous blog/magazine (a blogazine if you will) replete with essential, motivational and entertaining lifestyle advice and information.  at the beginning of each month, i’ll provide a teaser of what’s in store – so you know what to look forward to. monthly features will include menu of the month full of delicious recipes, party ideas and date night suggestions, healthy living advice & fitness info, expert interviews to get the latest lifestyle tips & trends, wine of month, blog/blogger of note, photo of the month and much, much more!  in addition to these monthly features, there will be tons of other special topics that will crop up from time to time such as fashion & style, interior design & décor, travel, wedding planning, giving back, book reviews and giveaways to name a few : )

starting february 1st, lifestyle maven is taking it to a whole new level.  are you excited yet?  i am.  get ready. awesomeness awaits.

credit {here}

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