Welcome to Friday’s Featured Female!
This weekly series features inspirational stories from admirable women. IMHO, it’s always good to be reminded of how strength, determination, hard work, heart and ingenuity can impact the quality of one’s life and I’m proud that these women will allow me to share their stories here.
Today’s Friday’s Featured Female is a little different this week. Normally, I like to feature a guest post from a blogger about how and why they’ve committed to making health (in one way or another) a priority in their lives. This week, I’ve just heard some awful news on a number of fronts that instead I wanted to spread a little love around the blogosphere so I’m featuring 5 Bloggers You Should Know.
These 5 bloggers have no idea that I’m featuring them today (and I’ve brazenly stolen images from each of their sites) but I believe that each one of these women are worth getting to know, virtually or otherwise. Expand your blog horizons and get to know one or all of these fine ladies:
Image: AnneHogan.net
Anne is one smart, sharply dressed (she’s the girl who wears Louboutin’s; she doesn’t just covet them) animal lover. Anne has been a blogger for quite some time and is exceptionally knowledgable about social media. Her blog covers a wide variety of topics which include her Pomeranian, Teddy, entertainment and DIY.
I’ve been lucky enough to meet this dynamo IRL in LA and she’s made quite an impression on me. I love that this girl has a ton of inner strength that shines through her sass and has a heart of gold that she’s open to share. Get to know this very cool chick.
Ashley said she found my blog on the IDEA Inspired Bloggers Facebook Group but who knew that we both shared a moving across the country story (her from FL to San Francisco) at nearly the same time (2012)? Ashley is a personal trainer who also likes food (those of you who eat to live vs. live to eat, I don’t get you). Her WIAW posts feature food, real food and real portions of food and I like how she’s chronicling her adjustment to a new life, new city with fitness. I’m hoping to meet this life twin sometime soon.
Image: HelloDay.com
I met the lovely Natalie at FitBlogLA last year. This sweet and stunningly gorgeous mom of two is one of those people with an easiness that radiates out of her pores. Natalie loves fitness but believes in living a life with purpose and positivity. Natalie often talks about her workouts, eating healthfully and raising her kids. Natalie loves to camp (and takes beautiful photos that even make me want to go camping more often – which is quite a feat!). Reading Natalie’s blog makes you realize that life doesn’t need to be frenetic but can still be fantastic. PS – If you’re a casting agent for child models, check out her children – OMG adorable!
I met Shannyn at FitBloggin’ 2013 when we wound up running in time together on a run around Portland. Shannyn told me about how she moved from California to Chicago and how she became a blogger writing about what it was like to try to live a great life without a lot of money. Shannyn is well known not only for her frugality blogging but she’s also a runner (she loves her Disney Runs and she’s run over 20 half marathons), a pug mama (like me – helping Shannyn with her recent Virtual Pug Run for charity was a no-brainer for me), a social media manager and well known speaker in the fitness and financial blogging circuit. Shannyn is so very approachable both IRL and virtually – she writes with such a down-to-earth tone about everything (including her wedding planning) that you can’t help but want to be her friend. Shannyn’s got wide appeal both as a human being and a blogger!
Christiana@SpillingCoffeeandDroppingThings
I want to hug Christiana tightly the next time I see her. She made me feel so unbelievably good and I’m not sure she knows it. I met Christiana at Diva Night at Fleet Feet Sports in Burbank a few weeks ago and she gave me the biggest compliment by telling me that she was excited to meet me. Christiana went on to tell me that she reads my blog and since we are connected on other forms of social media, even went to try November Project (before I have even gotten the chance to go).
I was so unbelievably humbled by Christiana’s kind words and was so happy she came to the event. I’m pretty sure that many of us who blog, feel like we do it in a vacuum. I love that blogosphere makes the world a community. Christiana is fitness enthusiast (how we didn’t meet at BlogFest, I don’t know), likes Diana Krall (my husband’s a huge fan too; I’m a fan of Diana’s husband, Elvis Costello) and has an a-ha moment that brought her into fitness that is really inspiring. I’m hoping that I get the chance to hang out (and work out) with this LA neighbor (who dreams of being a fitness instructor) sometime soon.
What blogger or well-known personality (writer, actor, instructor, teacher, business person, etc.) inspires you?
Hi Melissa! What a nice surprise to wake up to see this post from you. I’m honored to be included, and I hope we can meet at a fitness or blog event in the future one day. It’s always awesome to come into virtual contact with people you can relate to. I’ll be sure to check out these other lady bloggers too. Have an awesome Friday! 🙂 Oh … and eat up!
Melissa! What a sweet surprise to be included in your list. I’m so glad our paths crossed last year and again this summer. I think we need to schedule another run-in. Thank you for the very kind words. xo
I already read one of these blogs, and thankfully, the blogger retweeted this post, so I found you! Plus, now I have 4 new blogs to check out. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, and I just wanted to let you know that my birthday is February 13th. Valentine RD and Valentine’s Eve RD unite! 🙂
I’m a little worried about your bad news, but happy to meet some new bloggers here! The only one I already knew about was Frugal Beautiful (met her at FitBloggin’ and she was very gracious, and gave me some good advice!) so I can’t wait to dive into the others!!
awww you have no idea how much I needed this today, you are too sweet and thank you for supporting the Virtual Pug Run! I’m going to be packing the rest of the medals this weekend..eek!
OH NO on bad news!! I hope all is OK!!! I love that you did this & I did not know them. Thx for sharing!!!!
Oh yeah, more great ladies to learn about. I adore Natalie too, since when we met at FitBlog LA. And Shannon’s tips and words of wisdom are so great- eager to join in her incredible ways. Thanks so much for highlighting these rockstars! I can’t wait to get to know the others!! xox
Glad you liked the post. I do look forward to meeting sometime. Maybe BlogFest 2015 in LA?
I’m glad you enjoyed the post Natalie. The kind words were very easy. I do hope we get the chance to see one another soon. I think I also need to read more of your blog camping tips! PS – Your moppets are so cute, I can’t stand it!
Well Miss Nutralicious, you are quite the mystery woman! I did go to your blog and notice you write semi-anonymously. I’m now intrigued – a fellow RD, who likes to run, is a group fitness instructor (I call myself a fitness whore and I’m proud), enjoys the color orange (YES!) and has a snark about her, is someone I’d like to meet. Perhaps one of these days, you’ll get bold and tell people who you are. You seem like a cool chick. Congrats on the new baby to come!
Congrats on the
The bad news isn’t about me or my immediate family, just friends with lousy things happening to them. I got a slew of hard to take info in a short space of time and coupled with a crazy week, I crumpled a bit. Thanks for the virtual support though.
Hope you find some new bloggers to embrace.
I think you’re awesome Shannyn and I’m glad you liked the post. Hoping your Matilda is doing well and that all wedding planning is smooth sailing.
Can’t wait to see that medal. Congrats on doing a great job.
All is OK, Jody. Thanks for asking. I’ve heard some lousy things to people I know all in a short span of time. I also had a busy week and the bad news just made it not so easy to wade through the days. I’m sure you know where I’m coming from.
Hope you love these new bloggers!
Thank you, my friend. I need to find out when I can get you to Guest Post…..
Yes! I hope to go! 🙂
I hope so!
I want to be best friends with these ladies, is that weird? They seem like fun, smart, and beautiful bunch! Thanks for the recommendation. I’m always on the lookout for new female bloggers to follow.
Glad I could bring some great people your way.