The past several weeks have been filled with so many trips and so much living that I can hardly believe it’s my life! The adventures started off with a trip to visit our daughter in Clarksville, Tennessee (about an hour from Nashville) and then moved on to a trip to San Diego with Baldy, then a night in Round Top, Texas and then on to France! The travel continues on Sunday of this week with a really exciting collaboration with two other bloggers in Asheville NC! After that, I’m going to Boston where my daughter Rebecca lives! I’ll be home for the month of November to prepare for Thanksgiving and then on to NYC to see the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and do a little Christmas shopping. That should end the year with a bang.

Being open to hopping on a plane, going places and meeting new people has given me amazing opportunities. When I was invited to come to Round Top by my friend and colleague, Pandora de Balthazar, I knew it would be a difficult trip, but also an important one for CBL. Since I only had one day, I booked a 6 am flight in order to get there early and have most of the day to enjoy. That alone, is something I wouldn’t have done several years ago, but in addition, I booked that flight knowing that the day after I came home, I was leaving for France.

Sometimes, stepping out of your box and just going for it (when it feels right) is the best way. As a result of going to Round Top, I met the most amazing people. I feel that I met friends, but also people that I will collaborate with…they will help me and I will help them. You can never know too many wonderful people! Amanda Barkley (White House Christmas Floral Designer!!!) is busy writing an article for Blondie as are Linda and Rob Rosenbaum from The White House On The Hill (I introduced you to all of them in this post). Because I was willing to do something a little difficult, I met lifetime friends that are also contributing to the next issue of Blondie!

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I’ve known Pandora de Balthazar for 25 years and didn’t realize that many years ago that she would be a catalyst for introducing me to amazing people that would help me with Blondie (ha ha, I never dreamed in a million years that I would write a digital magazine)…so Thank You Pandora de Balthazar for pushing me to go on this trip, for being my friend and for filling our home with the most beautiful textiles that enrich my life and have enriched the lives of my family.

TAKE A CHANCE AND DO THE THING THAT SCARES YOU…THAT THING THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT AMAZING THINGS THE UNIVERSE HAS IN STORE FOR YOU!

While I was in France, my friends Britt, Christel and I were driving along and Christel asked the question…What do you remember as the best time in your life! I didn’t even have to think about it and I said…NOW! It’s such a great feeling to know that I’m happier right now than I’ve ever been in my life and here’s why…

I feel a sense of peace, certainty and most of all…excitement about the future.

I know that I’m in control of my life…what I choose to think is totally up to me and I didn’t know that for many years.

I have so many things to be grateful for, but most of all my family! My marriage is in a place that’s better than ever and I feel close to my daughters and grandsons!

I love blogging…it makes me happy to get up in the morning. It gives me a sense of purpose and has given me opportunities that I never would have had without it!

I’ve had to get past the reality that people talk about me, especially in the town that I live in. However, as I look at my blogging analytics, most of my consistent readers don’t live here! I’m sure it seems some days that I’m being arrogant, posting pictures of myself, but at the same time, I have women write and thank me for inspiring them to dress more stylishly and giving them fashion ideas. That makes it worth it for me because I believe that having on a cute outfit that makes you feel good and can give you confidence. When you feel more confident, you’re more willing to step out of your box and take chances…and as a result, improve your life. Some don’t understand the point of blogging (i’m sure it’s different for everyone). I call CBL a lifestyle blog because I like to share inspiration, food, fashion and travel. Another bonus is that I’ve made good friends through social media that I’ve never met, but hope to some day! I’ve learned through my blogging journey that I just don’t care what others think of me. I show up everyday (almost) as myself, sharing what’s on my mind, hopefully inspiring others and making money at the same time. It’s really a dream job, THAT I CREATED BECAUSE I THOUGHT I COULD!

I have so much more to look forward to in life and will continue to share here on the blog! A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me by reading Crazy Blonde Life!