Speaker Spotlight - Laura

Laura blogs over at Ascot Friday, a personal style diary of sorts.  As a Visual Director for Anthropologie, she's surrounded by colorful inspiration on a daily basis, so it's no wonder her own space on the web is a feast of stylish outfit posts and fun graphics.  We're excited to have her speak at Blog Sugar about cultivating your own personal style and can't wait to hear what brilliant advice and tips she'll give.  For now, here's a little Q&A to help us get to know Laura a bit better...

*What is one thing about you that might surprise people? 

I hate small talk.  I don't mind public speaking, but it's the one on one with strangers that has me weak in the knees. However it's something I'm working on.

*When you were little, what did you want to "be" when you grew up? 

Well...when we were little my sister and I loved to play 'Nordstrom'. We had bunk beds and we would 'merchandise' the clothes on them. I guess it was in my blood all along!

*If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be? 

Can I have 2 words? Loving and stylish.

*Desert Island.  3 things.  Go. 

1. Laptop (with unlimited battery/internet supply), 2. a fabulous caftan dress 3. Sparkling mineral water 

*Why do you feel God has brought you to the blogging world? 

I think I have a unique perspective into the 'fashion world', and as a Christian believe that God has a plan for me to impact it in some way. What is that plan exactly?

I'm still working on it......

Speaker Spotlight: Sarah

One of the wonderful parts of Blog Sugar is the unique voice that each of the speakers has. They come with a unique set of gifts and talents. But most importantly, they come with a story. Pieces of who they are and their journey. And they are ready to share with us! Sarah Markley shares who she is, daily, on her blog.

Using her words to reach others.

Please take a moment, learn about her and read her story. You will be enriched.

And for fun...here are a few Q & A's to get to know her a little better:

1- One thing that might surprise people about me is that I've struggled

for a long time in my life with friendship. It doesn't come easy to me and

all the friendships I do have have been fought for and labored over. I

guess it makes them worth a lot to me because of that.

2 - I actually don¹t remember wanting to be anything when I grew up. When

I got into high school I was convinced I would be a writer someday. Maybe

it was only because I looked up to some older friends who oddly prided

themselves on being moody/quiet writer-types. I wanted that, but as I got

older and figured out you really had a to live a little bit of life in

order to actually write something worth reading, I gave it up for almost

10 years. Four years ago I started blogging and created a daily discipline

for myself of writing short pieces. Now I see writing as not the end goal

of my life, but as part of my calling and purpose.

3. One word - Introspective

4. Desert island: laptop, wifi card, my pillow

5. God has brought me into the blogging world, I believe, to find the

community that I've wanted for so long. I knew that I needed people in my

life who resonated with my heart and because of social media, I've found

life long friends.

Thanks Sarah! Can't wait to see you in September!

Speaker Spotlight-Jeannett

I've known Jeannett for awhile now and besides having sharp wit, she has a killer blog that focuses on other people, their needs and how she can help. Please take some time to visit her piece of the internet and learn about her and how you can also stand in the gap, for those in need. Currently, she is doing a series that focus' on infant loss/miscarriage. The guest posts have been moving and very enlightening. {They'll leave you in tears, so grab a tissue. They'll also leave you better for it.}

Go and read. And look forward to her words that she will be sharing, come September.

***

*One thing about me that might surprise you:

I originally applied to a film school in Los Angeles right after high school. I was accepted and even had an internship lined up at Warner Brothers Studios! My dreams of being a world famous movie director were underway! But after a series of what I thought were unfortunate events at the time, turned out to be my biggest blessing. I like my simple life of being a mom. There are few accolades and my name is certainly not in lights, but it couldn't have played itself out more beautifully.

*When you were little, what did you want to "be" when you grew up?

I wanted to be a travel agent. Super weird, right? I had "stolen" one of every pamphlet from the local travel agency we visited when my grandma booked her own trip, and I went home and set up all the brightly colored pages with photos of beautiful locales and would spend hours pretending to book amazing trips for people. Interestingly, I never had the desire to do the traveling myself, just to coordinate all of the fun for others. Looking back, I can see how this desire to do the behind the scenes work to help others is still playing a prominent role in my life. So maybe it wasn't so random after all...

*If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

My husband would answer this by saying Stubborn. I like to call it Strong Willed. Although that's two words...so maybe he's right.

*Desert Island. 3 things. Go.

1. Philosophy Hope in a Jar moisturizer

2. Coffee. Black. One scoop of sugar. Repeat.

3. I'm gonna cheat and say my iPad. You know, because this deserted island surely has wifi. What kind of island would it be if it didn't???? Pshaw.

*Why do you feel God has brought you to the blogging world?

I think women need encouragement in knowing that they aren't the only ones out there having a rough go at it somedays. None of us have it all together, and it's so easy in real life to avoid playdates and meetings...and even when we go, it's easy to pull out the flat iron and dab some lipstick to mask the chaos. It's hard for me to be vulnerable and cry in front of others...and I would imagine it's the same for a lot of women. You just aren't sure of the reactions you'll get. And who knows when the Ugly Cry is going to make a surprise appearance, you know? Yet, somehow, pouring out my heart onto a screen feels safe and therapeutic (which is really backwards when you consider the fact that it's the *internet*!). Blogging allows me to string together my thoughts in ways that I can't always do in real life...it allows me to re-read, edit, make more clear, and mull over things in a way that real life doesn't. And by doing so...by being more confident in the end result, I am more confident in sharing God's grace and mercy. Because God is in everything. Everything. And the act of stopping long enough to type out my words, allows me the time to reflect on this truth. Sharing it becomes a natural outcrop of telling the stories of my everyday. My hope is that somehow, someway, even in an itty bitty tiny way, I bring glory and honor. Because isn't that what we were made for?

Speaker Spotlight - Lindsey

When Lindsey joined our panel of speakers, we were of course thrilled. She is an inspiring homeschooling mom of 3, writes a super fun blog that features the now famous WIWW posts (these are my favorite!), and is the powerhouse woman behind the mega successful shop The Pleated Poppy. With all that great success, she still very much manages to be the girl next door that you'd love to meet. I have personally wanted to meet her for a while and I can't wait till September. I hope she doesn't mind hugs!

As with our previous speakers, we asked them a series of questions to find out a little more about them, so let's hear what Lindsey had to say...

*What is one thing about you that might surprise people?   It might surprise people that i am not very outgoing at all.  in fact, i'd so much rather be a wall flower in a room full of strangers and have to give myself a little pep talk ("you are really comfortable with this, lindsey.  you love meeting new people!") before i go to conferences.  i'm much more outgoing on my blog and with my family and close friends, but on my blog it really feels like i'm just talking to myself.  but... when i was a little girl, i was extremely outgoing and loved meeting strangers - oh, the stories my mom could tell!

*When you were little, what did you want to "be" when you grew up?  When i was little i never really had a strong desire to be anything specific.  even through college i never felt like i was headed in the right direction, to a career i would love.  but "it" found me instead.  i had been raised with a love for crafting and design, but never pursued it until in college i became a faux finisher.  then i turned my flea marketing hobby into a small business, then eventually started my own handmade accessory business, the pleated poppy!

*If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?  mama

*Desert Island.  3 things.  Go.  chocolate, sean (my husband), sunscreen.  wow!  how did chocolate come before sean?

*Why do you feel God has brought you to the blogging world?  it hasn't really been clear to me until this year.  i feel like He is opening up huge opportunities for me to share Christ with those that have been mislead in their lives,  all through the relationships i've been building through blogging and my business.

I loved reading Lindsey's answers, and I especially love that she put chocolate before Sean, and then left her answer!  Sweet tooth and honest, a girl after my own heart.  Can't wait till September to meet Lindsey?  Head on over to her blog to get a daily dose of her and her fun family, or visit her shop to see the night owl's work unfold.  She just added bloom belts that are to die for! 

If you've missed our past speaker spotlights, make sure to check them out!  Ready about Maggie of Gussy fame here and Nish of The Outdoor Wife here.

Speaker Spotlight - Nish

Well hello there ladies and gentlemen, yes, we do have some gentlemen coming to Blog Sugar!  We hope you're having a great week so far.  Time keeps ticking away and before you know it, you all will be picking panels to attend and agonizing over your decision!  We do have a wonderful group of speakers don't we?  In an effort to get to know the speakers a bit better, we asked each of them a series of questions, and today we're highlighting Nish from the Outdoor Wife. 

My name is Nish, and I’m The Outdoor Wife and founder of A Deeper Story. I’m a wifey, mommy, adventurer, writer, daydreamer, thinker, connector, and believer. I’m a city-dweller and a music snob, and I usually spend my days sloshing around in the rain in Portland, Oregon – the quirky town in the woods. Most of my time is filled with diapers, laundry, small handprints and chasing my tiny boy, but somehow, but God’s grace, I’m able to find ways to steal moments, capturing life in word and film.

*What is one thing about you that might surprise people?  I'm actually quite tall. That always surprises people when they meet me for the first time. I'm also an introvert, especially in a room full of people. 

*When you were little, what did you want to "be" when you grew up? Nobody ever believes me, but I wanted to be in the CIA. No joke. I think I watched one too many spy movies as a kid or something. I actually filled out half of the application when I was graduating from college and needed a job... but then I realized that I'd have to lie to pretty much everyone in my life. And I'm a horrible liar, so that probably wouldn't have worked out well for me OR the acquisition of US intelligence.

Bummer.

I would have looked good as a spy... I pull off aviators really well. 

*If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be? My gut reaction was "introspective." But, I asked my husband, who knows me better than anyone, and he said "Magnanimous." He's far too kind. He also likes to use big words. 

*Desert Island.  3 things.  Go. My family, sunscreen & a boat that works.

*Why do you feel God has brought you to the blogging world? I have absolutely no idea... the direction of this path keeps shifting and molding as I go. But, He brought me here, nonetheless. So, I'm committed to making it a little brighter, and do my best to honor Him and honor others while I'm at it.

Speaker Spotlight - Gussy

Happy Friday sweet ladies (and gentlemen)!  It's Andrea here to do a little speaker spotlight on one of our very special ladies, Maggie, aka Gussy.  Rachel, who in my book has super persuasion powers being that she was able to get such a fab panel of women together for Blog Sugar, asked Maggie some fun questions so that we can get to know her a little better.  Some of you may already know Gussy, savvy business girl and ruffle sewer extraordinaire, but check out her answers to Rachel's fun questions to get to know her a little better! 

*What is one thing about you that might surprise people? I have a tattoo on my right wrist that is Japanese for "joy".

*When you were little, what did you want to "be" when you grew up? When I was really young, all I wanted to be was a mommy. Then as I grew up some more, I dreamed of also being a magazine editor. Taking yearbook for 2 years in high school and being one of 3 editors my senior year was one of my favorite memories of high school.

*If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be? Sassy! ;)

*Desert Island.  3 things.  Go. Husband, sunglasses, fresh fruit.

*Why do you feel God has brought you to the blogging world? I would describe the last 3 years of my life as amazing, unexpected, faithful. Shortly after Zack and I were married we were both suddenly unemployed. We quickly learned there is so little we control, but having faith in God means everything is under control. It was because of job loss that we moved away to Minneapolis (from Detroit), and then shortly after moving I was able to pursue Gussy Sews. The entire time I've been blogging God has been working on this part of our story. That simply amazes me. My blog friends are immeasurable blessings to me.

Thanks Maggie!  I personally can't wait to meet you, and you best believe I'm gonna be sneaking a peek of that little wrist tattoo!  I would have never guessed you to be a girl with a tattoo.  See, you learn something new everyday ;)  Make sure to go on over to Maggie's website to check out more Gussy goodness.

We hope you enjoyed this little Speaker Spotlight.  Wishing you all a spectacularly sweet weekend!  I personally will be celebrating my 35th birthday, so I'll be drowning my sorrows in lots of cake.

Andrea