Patterns and Batter is now 2 years old and I realized that I have never done a question/answer before (how crazy is that?), so today is the day! If you have any other questions you want to know about, feel free to ask them at the end of this post and I’ll make a part 2 to this segment 🙂 Alright, let’s get this party started!
1.) Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a little town called Troy, MO – about 45 minutes north of St. Louis. When I was living there it was a population of about 8,000 people. While I’ll probably never go back to living in a small town, I think it was a great place to grow up. My parents still live there, so I make my way back there from time to time.
2.) Where did you go to college?
I went to Drury University in Springfield, MO. It’s a smaller liberal arts school and I loved it. The size was perfect for what I wanted and I made SO many great friends there: a lot of whom I still would call my besties today. I double majored in Architecture and Graphic Design. I originally went there for their architecture program, but started to do courses in graphic design as well and fell in love with it, so decided to get a major in that as well since Architecture was a 5 year major. I never took the architecture path job wise, but I still adore every and all things architecture related and I am so happy that I received a major in that program: it was both incredibly hard and incredibly rewarding.
3.) What states have you lived in?
Missouri, Georgia and Arizona
4.) What are some of your hobbies?
I love to paint (although I need to get back into it), go hiking, hang out with friends, be crafty, shop 🙂 🙂
5.) What was your first job?
When I was in high school, I think it was my senior year, I got a job at one of our banks in town as a teller. That job was fantastic. Such a good experience looking back on it and for the most part the people were amazing to work with. It was a great way to earn some money before heading to college and while I’m not a super people person, I really enjoyed interacting with everyone that came through. You really got to know people by name because they came in some often and it made it so much more personal (this was before debit cards were huge and people actually came inside the bank, ha!).
6.) How many pets do you have?
I have one cat name Swinston. He’s a Siamese, Himalayan mix and he’s got such a great, grumpy personality. If you’re a reader of the blog, or follower on Instagram you’ve probably seen him from time to time. He’s so darn cute, I can’t help but show him off.
7.) If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
This is such a hard question because I LOVE to travel. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been a good amount of places, but still have so many more on my bucket list. I’d say right now the top places I’d like to go are Bali, the Galapagos Islands and Spain. But seriously, suggest any new place (that isn’t freezing cold) and I’ll go with you in a second!
8.) Where did you meet your boyfriend Darwin?
I actually lived in Atlanta, GA for about 10 years and we originally met there back in 2007. Me and a couple of girlfriends were out at a bar and we met him and one of his guy friends (I know, so cliche, ha!). We hit it off from that night and dated for about 3 years off and on. But, alas when you’re in your mid 20s, sometimes you just want to do your own thing and have fun, so we broke up for about 4 years. How crazy is that?! In 2015 we reconnected, still realized we had feelings for each other and decided to give it a try now that we were in better, more stable places in our lives. At that point, he had moved to Arizona and so after 6 months of long distance dating, I decided to move cross country and test out our relationship! In February will be 3 years in Arizona and I’ve never looked back. We now live together in Scottsdale, Arizona and have a great life together. I’m so happy I made the move! Also – fun fact, one of the girls I was at the bar with and one of Darwin’s friends hit it off that night as well and are now married with two kids! I get a little chill every time I think about that story. Such a happy time!
9.) What do you do for a living?
Besides blogging as much as possible, I work full time as an Art Director at a marketing agency, as well as freelance as a graphic designer on the side. I’ve worked as a designer ever since college and have grown so much over the many years. I’ve had some awesome jobs and have met some lifetime friends from them and wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. So…in a nutshell, I’m quite busy, ha!
10.) If you could choose any other occupation what would it be?
I have two things that I would love to be and think I would be amazing at (not to brag!). One would be an interior designer. I love putting a room together from top to bottom and haven’t had a lot of opportunity to really explore that passion since I’ve always rented. One of these days though! Second, I’ve always thought it would be fun to be some type of event planner. I am incredibly detailed (and slightly OCD) with tasks and love everything party related. So if you have either of these positions and want to hire me, feel free. 🙂 🙂
11.) What are some of your pet peeves?
I am a very stubborn and particular person, so the littlest things tend to bother me (it’s part of my detail-oriented mind). A lot of things that bother me have to do with consistency – so turning off lights, having doors locked, shutting doors, but I also get annoyed when items aren’t in the “right place” – for instance if a small plate is stacked on a large plate, instead of with the rest of the small plates (thank god Darwin finds this charming…or at least tolerates it!). It’s all part of that slight OCD I mentioned before. Sorry, not sorry.
12.) Why did you start a blog?
Well…good question. I’ve always had a great fashion sense (again, not to brag). I remember my mom telling me a story about when I was little she would take us (my sister and I) dress shopping and she’d pick out several options for my sister to try on, but I would always pick one as my favorite, try on others, but always look the best in the first one I picked and would go with that one. It’s so crazy how it can start so young. In addition to fashion, I’ve always baked and been crafty. I needed a place to be able to combine it all and express it to the world. Honestly, I don’t care if I have one reader a day, I just wanted to get it out there and share what I know and love. If I’m the only one getting anything out of it, then that’s fine with me!
13.) What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned over the years?
Gosh, each year I learn of plethora of new things – some good, some bad, some interesting, some needed. Recently, I’d say one of the most important lessons I’ve learned would be to take time for the things you love. It could be a relationship, yourself, a hobby, travel – whatever it is, make sure you make time for it. It’s those moments and memories that will carry you through life and that you’ll remember. Another would be to believe in yourself, what you can do, and who you can be. My parents always encouraged my sister and I to do whatever we set our hearts on doing and I truly thank them for that. It’s let me go through life knowing that I can take on new adventures that might be scary, but forge ahead and know that I can do it. Yes, of course, we all have fails, but keep working at it. Believing in yourself will take you SO far: it is incredible the journey you can take.
14.) If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Detailed, happy, creative
15.) What has been the biggest shock during blogging?
I think the thing that I’ve noticed the most during my blogging time is the amount of time that goes into a blog. I would have never thought that I would wake up at 5am to write blog posts, post pictures, jot down ideas, search sales, etc. It is incredibly time consuming and while it’s doing all of the things I love, sometimes I get a little down on myself for not being the best, not gaining followers on Instagram, not having the best pictures, etc. You have to really, really love what you’re doing and stick with it for the sole purpose of doing it for yourself and not always others. I would say that has been the biggest shock – just not realizing the time that goes into this. In the end, it’s like a journal to myself. If others read it and get enjoyment out of it, great. If not, then I’ll have parts of my life bundled up in a pretty package for my grandkids to read, ha!
16.) What is your favorite food?
If we’re talking sweet – then I would say any and everything. I have the LARGEST sweet tooth. My favorite sweets are: black and white cookies, my dad’s biscotti, chocolate cheesecake, cinnamon ice cream (which is incredibly hard to find!) and gooey butter cake (beside, hello, I grew up near St. Louis where it’s everywhere). If we’re talking about “real” food then I would say pizza – i’m a purest, so probably one that involves cheese, pepperoni and sausage. I also love southern food – so fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, etc. etc. Yum! That’s my Georgia side showing. 🙂
17.) How do you stay fit?
Darwin would say good genetics (ha!). I’ve never really been a gym kind-of-girl, but I do like being active. When I was younger I did ballet for about 13 years and adored it. As I grew up I enjoyed more of the class type workouts. I’ve done pilates, did hot yoga for many years and now over the past 4 years or so I go to Pure Barre. I absolutely love it. The class is just under an hour, changes every time I’m there, is set to great music and isn’t intimidating at all. I typically go about 4-5 times a week. I think it’s a great workout, plus after 4 years it’s still challenging which says a lot.
18.) What is your greatest fear?
That I won’t get everything done or that I want to do before I pass away. I know, kind of morbid, right?! But, I just have so much that I want to explore, accomplish, get good at that my list is piling up. I make it a point to get a certain number things done that are at the top of my list every year so I can be more at peace with it. But hey, life’s short, live it to the absolute fullest.
19.) What are three things you’re terrified of?
Scorpions – I didn’t use to have this fear of them, but now that I’m in Arizona I am terrified that I will step on one. Now, let’s note, I haven’t seen one yet, but knocking on wood, that I never will. Second, drowning. For some reason, I used to have this reoccurring dream that I was drowning and now I’m terrified to go whitewater rafting or anything where I might get stuck underwater. Third, jumping off anything high. I’m not scared of heights, I love being high up, but if you ask me to jump, I hate it. Think – skydiving or jumping off a cliff into water, etc. In my head nothing good comes from that. Obviously, totally in my head, but the struggle is real.
20.) What are three things that make you happy?
Organization (say hello to my detail oriented/ocd side), traveling, giving gifts. I just realized this year that one of the reasons I love Christmas is the fact that I get to buy people gifts. If I had all of the money in the world, I’d be buying people gifts daily. I love, love, love finding the perfect gift for someone and giving it to them. No better feeling.
Alright guys, if you’ve read through my 20 questions you’re a trooper and need to get some kind of trophy. But seriously, thank you for reading, thank you for participating in my blog and thank you for letting me be creative. Even if it may just be 2 of you out there 🙂 As I mentioned before, if you have any other questions that you want me to answer, feel free to post them below or shoot me an email! I am pretty much an open book at this point. Hope you’re having an amazing day and a great start to 2018!
xoxo
Michelle
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