Leibster Award + Grateful Heart + A Giveaway!

I was nominated last week by my sweet friend Melissa for the Liebster Award. It's an award for small and new bloggers who have really touched and inspired you. But what does "liebster" even mean?? Well, I looked it up. It's a German term of endearment meaning "beloved", "dearest", or "sweetheart." How fitting right? I am so honored and grateful to be nominated and I am excited to be able to nominate some of my favorite bloggers too!

But there are rules that go along with this award, so let's get to it!

The Rules:

>>> Post 11 random facts about yourself
>>> Answer 11 questions asked by the person that nominated you
>>> Nominate a few bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to do the same
>>> Let the bloggers that you nominate know that they've been nominated!

Random Fact #1 - I can sing and perform "Cups" by Anna Kendrick (original song by Lulu and The Lampshades that was adapted from a song by A.P. Carter called "Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone") My favorite cover has to be this one though, by 

Random Fact #2 - I'm going to perform that song with the cup rhythm as part of an assignment for my speech class today (Monday). #Nervous

Random Fact #3 - I'm seriously contemplating putting up my Christmas decorations this week. Cue all the eye rolls. I know I know, but I'm really really missing my family, and knowing the chances of Philip and me being able to visit them for Christmas is really really, really, really slim makes me even more sad. So putting up the decor will make me feel better.

Random Fact #4 - I have a growing love for Snapchat. And even though I only really send snaps to a few of my girlfriends, I still think it's super fun.

Random Fact #5 - I need an app to help me remember things. It's actually pretty awesome though. It's called Wunderlist and I use it for more than just the notifications.

Random Fact #6 - The only reason I can tolerate keeping my nails painted on a regular basis now is because of this amazing little bottle of miracle liquid. I got it from Ulta and it's Essence Nail Art Express Dry Drops. AH-MAY-ZING I tell you. Cuts my nail pairing and drying process by like 75%. Seriously. Get some.

Random Fact #7 - I am getting over my stage fright thanks to school. Being a Psychology major means lots of papers and the presentations that go a long with those papers. Not to mention my speech class this session. Turns out I'm much braver than I thought.

Random Fact #8 - My friend Melissa has only has car trouble when I'm with her. A flat tire? Yep I was there. Dead battery? I was there too. Transmission issues? Well I wasn't actually in the car for that one but I was behind her in my own (Thank God!). Those things are never good, but having a friend there at least makes it a little better, right?

Random Fact #9 - I like elephants. I have an elephant table/statue thing in my living room. His name is Homer. I had a stuffed elephant growing up and his name was Ollie. My phone back ground is a purple elephant. I don't know why, but I just like them.

Random Fact #10 - I have a tattoo on my wrist. It's the only one I have, and probably the only one I'll ever get (not that I don't want more though). There's a story behind it too, but I'll go into more detail about that later this month though, so be sure to watch for that!

Random Face #11 - I play drinking games with my mom and her husband. And it's totally fun! I don't recommend it for everyone though.

Ok now for the questions from Melissa.

What made you start blogging?
Honestly I was bored. I had just moved to Missouri from Georgia, with no friends or family. Being at home alone all day while Philip was working really began to take a toll on me, so I turned to writing. Luck for me I fell into this lovely place and met so many great people I can now call friends.

Do you have any nicknames?
I do! I totally just listed them ALL out on a post last week! Check that out here.

What's one thing you'd have to have with you if you were deserted on an island?
Sunscreen. Like... I don't wanna get sunburnt.

What is your guilty pleasure?
I love that show Girl Code on MTV. or is it VH1? I can't remember, but it's freaking hilarious.

What is your favorite movie quote?
I have two!
"It is our choices that show us what we truly are far more than our abilities." -Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to Love, and be Loved in return." -Toulouse, Moulin Rouge

What is your go-to accessory staple?
A scarf. I can rock an infinity scarf with almost any outfit!

What is the best thing you've ever cooked?
Chicken Bacon Wraps for sure. Hubs loves them! Recipe here.

If you were one of the four seasons- which would you be and why?
Winter. I love the snow and prefer colder weather. Plus winter can be so beautiful and all the best Holidays are in Winter!

Were you born in the state (or country) you're currently living in? If not - what brought you there?
I was born in Georgia, but I moved to Missouri last September for a man. And now that man is my husband. Sometimes the risks you take pay off in amazing ways.

What do you do for a living?
I am a full time student and blogger right now. Once I'm done with school, I plan on becoming a licensed Marriage Tharapist.

What do you think MSDS stands for?
uuhh I have no idea... so I googled it! It stands for Material Safety Data Sheet.  #iCheated #Don'tJudgeMe

My Nominations:

Jackie from Our Nashville Life
Chelsea from The New Wifestyle
Kathy from Him & Me
Cherie from Pink Nightmare

My Questions for my Nominees!

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What's your most favorite post you've ever written?
3. What's the story behind the name of your blog?

4. Name three places you think everyone should visit if they get the chance.
5. What is your go-to recipe/meal for dinner?
6. Do you like where you live? If no, where do you want to live?
7. How many children do you have/want? Why?
8. What movie could you watch every day without getting tired of it?
9. Cats or Dogs? Why?
10. What are the top 5 songs on your playlist right now?
11. How many selfies have you taken in the past 5 days? Be honest now.

OK!! Now for even MORE fun! How's that possible you ask? We'll It's Becca Dorr's birthday! And in celebration she, and a bunch of us other lovely ladies, are having a giveaway!! There will be TWO winners! One winner will get a $250 gift card to either Sephora, Target, or PayPal cash (your choice!) and the second winner will get an Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette! I mean who doesn't want one of those?? Check out the Rafflecopter below to find out how to get an many entries as possible!




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What a big Monday?? Goodness me! I hope your's is a good as mine :)

Linking up with

List Yourself #1

Names. It's how we identify ourselves to others. How we know someone is referring to us and how we refer to them. Most parents put a lot of thought into choosing a name for their child, but you can't always predict nicknames; the good ones or the bad ones. Sometimes a nickname may just be a title or a variation of your given name, a term of endearment. But sometimes a nickname is given to hurt someone and make them feel less than. Today I am sharing all the names (that I can remember) that I have ever been called with some short explanations for each.

Amanda - I mean... it is my name.

Amanda Nicole - It's what I go by here in Blogland. There are so many Amandas out there too!

Manda - Most of the people in my life nip off that first "A", because two syllables are easier than three.

Family Nicknames

Mandy - Only my Grandmommy is allowed to call me this and that's because I don't have the heart to tell her I hate it.

Manda Pete - My mom used to call me this when I was really little. Every now and then she'll write it on a birthday card or something though.

Manna/Mannadoos - Mom calls me this now a lot, usually in her cutesy cat voice too.

Dee-duh - When my youngest brother was a toddler, he could say "Amanda" properly and this is what came out instead. He's pretty much forgotten about it now, but we sometimes bring it up when we tell old stories.

Sissy - My sisters both still call me this sometimes. I've always loved it. Makes me feel close to them even when I can't be.

Relationship Nicknames

Babe/Baby - A few exes called me this. It's pretty generic and it was never my favorite.

Love - My hubs calls me this all the time.

Wifey - This too!

Mrs. Wood - This one is my favorite now. I love when strangers refer to me this way.

Nicknames from friends and coworkers

Manda Panda - One of my middle school friends would call me this a lot. I guess because it rhymed? 

Amander - An old boss somehow started this one, but it fizzled out after a while.

Nicole - In my french classes I went by my middle name (because it's french). After two years of this, I still look around if I hear it.

Amy - Another old boss would always call me this instead of Amanda because he said I looked like and Amy. What do you think? 

Bestie - because I am!! (looking at you Melissa and Kathy!)

Amanda-Hug-n-Kiss - Some of the people I used to work with would tease me with this one. It's the name of a doll from the 90s I think.

Snicklefritz - This is a recent one. Kay (from The Best of Intentions) discovered this term (here) and I took it and ran with it. Now it's what we call each other.

Seraffine/Sera - Confused? I bet. This is name I gave to my character in the game I played when I met Philip, so that's what my gamer friends know me as.

The bad ones

Pudge - A guy in high school started calling me this when I began to gain a little weight. It really hurt my feelings, but I pretended it didn't bother me. Thankfully it never caught on too much and after freshman year I never heard it again.

Bitch - I can't tell you how many times I've been called this because I stand up for myself and won't back down when I know I am right. Also by men on the street because I wouldn't stop and talk to them. However it's also a name I call myself when I feel like I am going to far. 

Fat - I call myself this a lot and I should probably stop. But I can't, because it's true. I know I need to lose some weight

Crazy - I have been called "crazy girlfriend" and "crazy ex-girlfriend." Why? Because I have emotions and I show them. Because I care and worry a lot. Because I have a psychological disorder called Chronic Depression. 

What names were/are you called?

If you use any of the prompts from the List Yourself Challenge (you can find the prompts here), don't forget to add your post link to the linky list either here or on the List Yourself Page --> here! I will be checking it all the time!

Some Reminders and Giveaway!

Hello Blogland! I just wanted to stop in a remind you of a few things.

First, The Conversations Link-up from Oct 30th is still live! So join in and share your conversations with us.

Second, The NEXT Conversations link-up is on November 15th! So you have time to get ready for that one too! For more information on how that works go >> here <<

Third, If you need a blog topic (or 30), check out my List Yourself challenge! Don't forget to add your post links each time you use one so we can all come and read your lists.

And Last, but certainly not least, I'm participating with some pretty amazing ladies in an awesome giveaway! Who wants to win some money and free advertising? You know you do!

The prize is a $105 dollar Visa Gift card and $10 advertising credit on Fitness Blondies blog as well as an ad giveaway and featured post onKeeping Up With Ashley & Codys blog

Lisa @ Showered With Design // Katelynn @ XO, Katelynn // Liz @ The Fitness Blondie //Emily @ Martinis & Bikinis  //  Brianne @ Being Bracco // Karissa @ Karissa and Company // Rebecca @Renovating Rebecca // Amanda @ As The Wine Cork Turns//Anne @ Love The Here & Now  //Justine @ Life As A Baltimore Girl// Just Jessie //Janessa @ Running on Empty  //Amber @ InDuffinitely Me // Emelia @ Dream Big and Buy The Shoes // JC @ Sweet Love and Ginger // Kate @ Green Fashionista //  Brianna @ Sincerely Brianna Leigh//Kelsey @ Random Randts // All The Joys // Molly @ Awfully Big Adventure   //Kelsey @ Blonder Side of Life// Just Georgia Peachy//Meghan @ Champagne and Suburbs // Amanda @ Knock on Wood //Mary @ Eat Drink and Be Mary//Misty @ Handbags and Handguns //Ericka @ This Crazy Thing Called Life // Nancy @ Sincerely and Sarcastically// Classy & Sassy Mrs. // Keeping Up With Ashley & Cody

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