Featured Blogger Friday: "Misadventures of a Newlywed"

It is both an honor and a pleasure to bring you one of my dearest Invisible Internet Friends today, Misadventures of a Newlywed.  Mrs. N. was one of the very first bloggers I followed, back nearly one year ago when we both started blogging.  I recall stumbling upon her site and thinking to myself, "She's sarcastic, bright, and articulate, and the world will soon catch on to this."  

Over the course of this past year, I (and a few zillion other readers) have truly enjoyed getting to e-know her.  Even in her serious posts, Mrs. N. just has a way of enlivening things with her trademark humor and wisdom.  If the fates are kind, I hope to meet her one day and buy her a drink or twenty.

Since so many of us are already familiar with the fab Mrs. N., let's skip the small-talk and get right to it:

What Got Her Into Blogging:  I was not so secretly stalking reading a few blogs, and Mr. Newlywed pointed out that “in real life” my actions could get me slapped with a restraining order.  I was beyond obsessed with Muffy Martini, Preppy Princess, and ClemsonGirl and the Coach.  I would say things like “Oh, Muffy said that this dress is tres cute in person” or “Oh that ClemsonGirl is so funny…”  I was checking them almost daily for updates, and finally the decision was made I would give the whole blogging thing a shot.  I thought I would last a month.  I have follow through issues.  You should see the 10 half finished cross-stitch projects in my closet for proof.  Here I am a year later still writing about absolutely nothing.

Where She Finds Daily Blogging Inspiration:  I wish I had some great blogging inspiration trick.  Or better yet that my life was so exciting I never lacked for material.  Hmmm notsomuch. 

When I started blogging I said I would start out posting 4ish days a week just to see what it was like, but then I realized I liked it.  It kind of evolved into a 7 days a week thing on its own.  It was never intentional.  Unfortunately for all of you that means you have to listen to me talk about things like The Jonas Brothers, mediocre sports parties, my irrational hatred for Uggs, and mesh underwear. 

If you’ve noticed, I post first thing in the morning usually between 6 AM and 8 AM after I run and while I am drinking coffee.  Yes, I realize this means I get up between 4 AM and 5 AM everyday.  This is usually when I come up with something to write.  Obviously most of my posts are completely and utterly ridiculous.  I mean seriously what 25 year old posts about handi-snacks?  I usually just think of the previous 24ish hours and what one event stands out.  It shocks me that I remember things like fighting the toaster, but I can’t remember to pay the bills without writing it in my planner.

I definitely don’t feel obligated to post everyday.  It has just become part of my daily ritual.  I feel off if I don’t write while I am drinking my coffee.  It is as much a part of my day now as a bottle glass of wine.

Some Hobbies Outside of Blogging:  I cook…a lot.  I bake almost as much.  This was the inspiration for Menu Mondays.  As ridiculous as this may sound I spend a considerable amount of my day in the kitchen.  I make most of our food from scratch from bread to sausage.  Kitchen Aid, I love you.  I bake cupcakes, cakes, brownies, cookies, etc almost every weekend.  I eat a lot of sweets.  That brings me to my next hobby…

I run…a lot.  I’ve run some marathons.  I’m actually training for an ultramarathon.  Yes.  50 miles of running.  Well I am not training right now.  I’m on rest obvs.  My goal is to do a 100 mile ultramarathon next year or the following year.  I run anywhere from 5 to 26 miles a day.  After I am given the clear from post-surgery recovery that will go to 15 to 45 miles a day.  It’s ridiculous.  I ran cross-country in high school and college, so I’ve been running competitively since I was 14.  I just can’t seem to give it up.

I also like to hike, shop (it counts), hang out with friends, and do community service.  I volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association, and Mr. Newlywed and I do Habitat for Humanity together.  Please note I do not build.  I paint.  I also do the whole Junior League thing.  Southern Social is my sponsor which is super fun. (Pretty Note:  Yay for both Junior League and the wonderful Southern Social)

Her Goals Over the Next 5 Years, Personally, Professionally, and for Her Blog:  Oh I am never good at this game.  Hmm, in five years I’d like to finally be settled wherever we plan on living for a while.  There are currently no long-term plans to stay in Atlanta, but if we did that would be okay.  Maybe we’ll own a house, maybe not.  We’re not set on that either.  I very much enjoy not having to fix my own home issues a la broken air conditioners.  I’m not really a big planner for anything more than a year or so out.

I’ll be done my MBA by then, thank God, and I guess I’ll have to decide what I want to do forever.  I’d like to have my own business quite possibly peddling stationery and other delightful goods.  If not, I would love to be a consultant.  Consulting is basically my dream job.  I could also be in Austin getting my PhD. (Pretty Note:  Make it work, Anonymous Austin U.!) I guess I have to figure that all out here pretty soon.

For the blog, I want it to be more of a website.  I recently added the Misadventure Book Board.  I have some more plans, but one thing at a time.  Hopefully it will be more of a business than just a blog.  I’m in the process of trademarking the name and a few of its derivatives.  I blame this tactic on my legal background, but yes I am not a lawyer.  Eventually I want to add more guest bloggers so if you’re interested let me know! 

What She Would Want a Reader to Know Before Clicking Over to Her Blog:  Just because I don’t post pictures doesn’t mean I am not a real person.  (Pretty Note:  Me too - I do exist!) It shocks me how many emails I get asking if I am really a few people writing as one person, a guy hmmm what?!?, ugly, and a slew of other moderately offensive things.  I pinky swear I really am a 25 year-old female with a thick East Coast accent who is trying to grow out her super short hair who really is sarcastic funny lame in real life and loves clothes.  As much as I often wish I was more than one person I am just one.  I really do wear bifocals umm yeah proof I am not cool and only have the free cable.

I’ll try to remain moderately entertaining so you have someone to laugh at and say things like I would never admit I can’t cook rice in a bag or love finance calculators.  I’ll try to make fun of the little moments in life that I always find funny but no one else does.  I just hope you’ll either stop by for the first time or keep reading.  I am nothing if I am not my readers. Did I get that quote almost right?  No?

Thank you so much, Mrs. N., for playing along!  For the two of you who are not already following Misadventures of a Newlywed, you can find her blog here or her Twitter feed here.

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