Behind the Blog: How Well Do You Know Me TAG

I know this might sound a bit ridiculous, but I’m trying to loosen up a little when it comes to my need to produce perfect content for my blog. I’m on a journey, after all, and I’m learning the DONE is FUN and if I keep trying to make every blog post a 2000 word “how-to” guide, all the fun is going to get sucked out of blogging. So, when I saw that my girl Steffanie from Brighter, Darling, tagged me in the How Well Do You Know Me post a few weeks ago, I figured this would be a great way to do a fun and light-hearted post to share some fun little details about the girl behind the blog.

How Well Do You Know Me?

Why did you start your blog?

If you’ve been around HTC for a while, you’ve probably heard the story a couple times, but in case you’re new, here’s the rundown:

I graduated with a degree in English Education and spent a year teaching high school English. I LOVED my students more than I’ll ever be able to describe. Teaching them and guiding them and loving them was a privilege and joy. However, I didn’t love anything else that came with teaching (like the hours, the pay, or the politics) and came to the realization that I didn’t want to teach any more. So, while I was in the middle of a mid-life crisis, I decided to start my blog as a creative outlet because I was pretty sure I would have a nervous breakdown if I didn’t have an outlet.

My blog was initially called Life with Rosie (named after my golden retriever mix) and I initially started it with intentions to blog about cooking and crafts. However, my blog slowly evolved into me sharing my journey in overcoming my fears and emotional trauma from my year fighting pediatric cancer and the years after, learning how to be a cancer survivor. Now, my mission in blogging is to encourage women to pursue a vibrant life, despite their scars or pasts, and to love themselves despite their insecurities.

What has been your favorite post to write?

Oh man, I have quite a few favorite posts, but one of my very favorites was the one I wrote when I first started sharing more about my personal journey with being a cancer survivor. It’s called “I’m 25 Years Old and Have Handicapped Parking” and talks about how a man yelled at me in a parking lot because he thought I was using someone else’s handicapped parking pass. If you follow me on Instagram stories, you’ll know in the last month, I’ve been stopped and questioned in the parking lot twice. It’s a reallll fun time.

If you blog about makeup, what’s been your favorite item of the year? If you blog about fashion, what’s been your favorite trend lately?

I do a little of both, so I’m going to answer both! My favorite makeup item of the year has got to be, hands down, the Tarte Shape Tape concealer. EVERY concealer creases on me and this one holds steady without creasing and gives flawless coverage. It’s by far the most expensive concealer I’ve ever purchased but has been definitely worth the money.

My favorite fashion trend as of late is floppy hats. I loveeee floppy hats and love how they totally transform a look and how great they are for bad hair days!

Cookies or brownies?

Cookies, pleaseeee. I love all the cookies (and also, all the cookie dough.) I could eat raw cookie dough all night long and not get sick. Tollhouse cookie dough, anyone? That stuff is the reason why I have to work out so much.

Coffee or tea?

I actually don’t drink coffee, so tea! I love a warm cup of chamomile vanilla on a rainy fall day. It is so magical and cozy and literally gives me the butterflies. Although, if I had it my way, I would choose hot cocoa over tea any day.

What’s the first thing you do in the morning?

Tell Dustin to turn off his alarm, haha. He’s a heavier sleeper than I am and it usually takes him 3X as long to wake up to his alarm. It’s kind of annoying, but I still love him.

What’s your bedtime/nightly routine like?

We start by letting the dogs out to potty before heading up to our room. I spend some time washing my face and going through my skin routine for the evening (if this is something you are interested in, hollah!) and brushing my teeth while Dustin shuts the house down for the night (locking doors, turning off lights, and moving the laundry through.) I usually crawl into bed and check my email/FB one last time while Dustin gets ready for bed. Before the lights go out, we go over our plans for the next day so we both are on the same page for expectations on how the day will go! Then it’s a good night kiss and lights out!

Favorite place in your state?

Dustin and I just spent a long weekend in Park City, Utah, and it totally stole our hearts. It’s a vibrant mountain town with lots of little shops, galleries, good food, and adventures galore! You can see our photo diary of the trip here if you want!

Show a picture of your dream bedroom!

I found this photo from beckiowens.com and it is exactly what I’m trying to go for in our new home. I won’t be able to use a white bedspread because we have very dirty dogs who like to get on the bed, but I love the clean and modern lines and hope I can get our room to have a similar vibe in the next few months.

If you could go shopping with any celebrity, who would it be and why?

Blake Lively because she is the OG gossip girl and I also want to be her best friend so I can learn all her hair secrets.

I’m supposed to tag other bloggers to complete this, but I want to tag YOU, the reader, because I want to get to know you better. So, I’d love it if you answered one (or more) of the questions in the comments below:

What’s your favorite blog to read and why?
What’s your favorite thing about fall?
Must-have makeup product in your collection?
What’s your must-have fall drink?
If you could re-read one book and experience it for the first time all over again, what would it be?
What show did you recently binge on Netflix?
Are you excited for Stranger Things Season 2?
What state do you want to visit the most?
Favorite Bath & Body Works Candle Scent?
Dwight Shrute or Ron Swanson?