britt skrabanek – Page 27 – Britt Skrabanek

Blog award lovin’ at its finest

Recently I was showered with blog affection from two incredible lady bloggers. I am perpetually awe-inspired by the resplendent connectivity in the blogging universe.

Every day we write, we read, and we feel together. It’s magnificent.

Thank you all for being so warm and welcoming, spreading the good vibe into a world that can always use it.

You may have noticed a physical perspective had a make-over this week. I think she looks pretty jaunty, don’t you?

Alrighty, onward to the honorary festivities!

The Liebster Blog Award is given to up-and-coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. I won’t be in this company for too much longer as my blog grows, so I am happy to snatch up this award while I’m still a pup.

Thank you to my fellow newbie over at Scribble Of A Happy Go Lucky Gal. Check her blog out for some guaranteed fun. She’s a sassy force over there!

First I must answer 11 questions she cooked up:

Which color do you think is best related to you? Purple, because its vibrancy offends people sometimes.
Who is the person you secretly admire and why? My husband. He’s an all-around exquisite guy.
If you have only 12 hours left in your life, what will be the 3 things you would love to do? Buy plane tickets for my closest family and friends, travel to an exotic locale, and have an epic soiree.
A perfect holiday for you is? An adventurous destination, oozing with history and culture.
Your Hubby/Boyfriend/Girlfriend can be best described as… See #2.
Which cartoon character are you? Wonder Woman.
What will you prefer to wear on your perfect date? A vintage dress that makes me feel like a million bucks.
If at all you get worldwide calling card free for 1 day, name the first 5 people you would immediately call. My hubby, my dad, my mom, my sister, my cats.
What is that thing which you wish your dear ones knew about you? Even though I don’t seem like the type, I love getting hugs. They’re a necessity.
Which one do you think is more important for a human being–love, money, power, fame…and why? Love. Because it will never be transient.
How do you describe your life? Restlessly passionate.

I couldn’t quite scrounge up the required 11 nominations as the other blogs I follow are very established with 200+ followers, or have been awarded by yours truly recently. So, I must cheat by nominating the following 6 for the Liebster Blog Award (some of you may have more than 200 followers, but congrats anyway!):

And, here are some kooky questions for my nominated Liebsters to answer:

If you lived in a box of crayons, which color would you be and why?
What do you think is the strangest animal?
There’s a fire in the house and you only have time to save three things. What are they?
Beach, mountains, or desert?
You just won the lottery. Donate and be rid of it or keep it all?
Name five free things you like to do.
Do you see yourself as a grown-up?

This is my second time receiving the Very Inspiring Blogger Award and I am equally thrilled. Much gratitude to Gail over at The Jotter’s Joint for bestowing this prestigious honor. Take a moment to scope her out as well. She’s funny, she’s graceful, she’s cool.

To accept, I must say 7 things about myself:

I used to be obsessed with Josephine Baker. I always wanted her banana skirt.
Living in Wisconsin has turned me into a beer connoisseur.
I prefer to be barefoot. But, I love boots!
I never tire of historic buildings.
I’m a complex character and sometimes even annoy myself. See #2.
I have an acute sense of smell. It’s a gift and a curse if you know what I mean.
I don’t consider myself an adult.

Here are my 7 sprightly nominations for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award:

How do you pick a genre for life?

Last week I began pondering a cumbersome idea. And frankly, it’s been consuming me. How do you pick a genre for life?

I have a love-hate relationship with categorization.

The annoying, fastidious side of my personality appreciates the tidy attempt, providing a simpler way to choose entertainment in the form of books, music, or films—all things I can’t live without.

Lately categories have become a thorn in my side. For me, one of the hardest choices I had to make when I recently self-published Beneath the Satin Gloves all came down to that bloody categorization.

I stared at the screen for a good while and had to partake in some monumental soul-searching. What about history, romance, adventure, comedy, drama, and don’t forget…science fiction?

After biting all of my fingernails until they became unrecognizable, I made some big girl decisions. After all, the right reader may never find my book if it’s in a category that doesn’t fit. No pressure.

So, I threw my baby book into the thriller pile. When applicable I tossed my baby into the espionage heap for good measure.

I just finished the first draft of my second novel. But, the marketing elves reared their ugly heads, stifling my excitement with their shrill, no-nonsense voices of reason saying: “How are you going to define this kooky one, Britt?”

In a lot of ways, my latest work is an inspiring story about self-discovery and surrendering to love. On the other hand, there is a dark past which haunts the main character, creating suspense throughout.

I eventually realized why picking a genre for my books was so damn difficult. It’s like picking one for life.

Stories are fantastic glimpses into the lives of others. Concepts and characters don’t simply appear out of thin air; they’re based on real experiences and real people.

Life is impossible to categorize.

If it were simple to define, it would be dull as all get-out. We would walk around aimlessly, because everything would be ordinary, regulated, and colorless.

What about my life? I see romance, comedy, and adventure. Sometimes drama makes an appearance—and that’s OK, too. Perhaps my life story would be considered an indie dramedy.

When it comes to packaging up entertainment, categories bestow essential borders of interest for us to reference. Yet, there are times when I watch a comedy and I don’t laugh—in fact, sometimes it’s a downright tear-jerker.

Will readers think my books are all about hopeless criminals and serial killers, because of the thriller label? Possibly. Because we all categorize the category, don’t we?

All I know is, I rolled the dice and took a chance. Hopefully readers out there will do the same when they stumble upon my books, mere needles drowning in a haystack of millions.

So, now I have to challenge all of you. If your life story became a book or a movie, which genre would it fit into?

Happy 100th to Julia Child, the coolest broad!

“Life itself is the proper binge.”
– Julia Child

(In case you’re wondering what it says on my apron: “When I said I do, I didn’t mean the cooking.” Obviously, no relation to Julia.)

What are your favorite Julia Child quotes?

The Smart Bod Regimen – Part 2

Last week, I covered dietary habits in The Smart Bod Regimen – Part 1. Be sure to scope it out if you haven’t already.

Now, let’s get physical.

In our jam-packed lives, it is best to establish a regular exercise routine, one where we get moving every single day.

We pay our bills on time to avoid penalties, but we don’t prioritize taking care of ourselves. The soaring fees for a sedentary lifestyle are hefty and damaging.

Remember that crazed personal trainer I told you about last week? Besides the satanic crash diet, there was also a boot camp workout to complete my hellish impulse purchase.

During the hill sprints, chin-ups, squats, and every other moment of torture, she watched me with her arms crossed. I loathed every expensive minute I spent with her. I debated whether I should run away and cry in a corner, or keep at it and just barf on her sneakers.

I did neither, of course. But, oh how I wanted to.

Being the food lover that I am, I balance my indulgence tendencies with regular exercise. So, I’m going to share a systematic approach to your body with 5 sensible exercise habits.

Ditch the car keys Don’t wait around for that perfect sunny day to walk or bike. If it rains, so what? It’s not acid rain, people. Walking and biking are forms of transportation, believe it or not. Use them the next time you go somewhere.
Do something you love Unless those sweaty gym machines actually tickle your fancy, don’t commit to a gym membership. Revisit something you loved when you were a kid or try something new. You won’t exercise if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, so why bother?
Get cliquey with it Socializing is something we humans crave. Being surrounded by people with the same interests makes us feel connected. Take a class for a customized environment and a consistent schedule. Or find a buddy, preferably a fitness fanatic who won’t be sidetracked when you try to convince him or her to go to the bar or grab a donut instead.
Become a teacher Teaching is a great way to commit to an exercise routine. Inspiring others keeps you motivated to give it your all. Love volleyball? Start coaching a children’s league. Love Yoga or Zumba? Get certified and get out there.
Be a spaz This is going to be different for everybody. For me it means telling stories in a dramatic fashion with lots of gestures, making up silly songs and dances for my hubby, or blasting some music and dancing around when I clean the apartment.

Trust me, boot camp mentality is completely unnecessary. Be smart and be kind to your bod…it’s the only one you’ve got!

Beneath the Satin Gloves…News and Reviews!

Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on my recent e-book release.

Haven’t heard of my quirky spy novel yet? You can get up to speed right here.

In addition to Amazon and Smashwords, Beneath the Satin Gloves is NOW gracing the virtual bookshelves of Apple and Barnes & Noble.

A sincere thanks to my fellow bloggers, readers, family, and friends for your magnificent support as I navigate this whirlwind endeavor of becoming a novelist.

You keep me happy, sane, and inspired.

Check out the rave reviews thus far…

Spies, Sex, Glamour and…time travel? I must begin by saying that I am not generally into reading about the WWII era, and have never before read anything about Germany during the war. I decided to take a break from my “preferred eras” to read this fun book and am I glad I did! Well-researched, with an intriguing plot line, Beneath the Satin Gloves had much to keep me glued to it on my Kindle. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and loved how some of the “bad guys” got theirs in the end. Not all, but THAT would be a spoiler. What I have to know now is WHAT HAPPENS NEXT????? Read this book and you will find yourself asking the same question at the end. I guarantee it! Enjoy!

Couldn’t put the book down… Charming characters and vivid descriptions are what make this suspense novel a real page turner. I was able to imagine myself in war torn Germany during WWII. Britt Skrabanek is a talented writer.