Liebster Award

Happy Monday!  I hope that you all had relaxing weekends and a productive first day back to work!  I am so excited that Alex at Undergraduate Style nominated me for a Liebster Award.  This little award is a fun way for those of us with small blogs to get to know each other and to spread the word about our little corners of the internet.

Here's How it Works:
-First, post 11 random facts about yourself.
-Then, answer the 11 questions that the person who nominated you will post.
-Finally, choose 11 new blogs with under 200 followers for their Liebster Award, notify them that they have been nominated, and think of 11 questions for them to answer!

11 Random Things About Me:
1.  I chose to pursue my French studies after high school because it is the one subject matter that I have consistently wanted to improve upon and learn more about.
2.  Reading is my favorite pastime and Agatha Christie is my favorite author.  I love a good murder mystery novel!
3.  I adore cats (and have a pretty cute one) but I'm super allergic to them.  I've just decided that my love for cats is stronger than my sneezing and wheezing.
4.  My grandma's nickname for me is Belle because Beauty and the Beast has always been a favorite movie of mine...not to mention I speak French and always have my nose stuck in a book.
5.  One of my dream jobs is to host a travel show on TV.  (Rick Steves is my idol and I'm going to meet him for the second time next weekend!)

Yep, that's me and Rick.

6.  I won a beauty pageant when I was in high school.  Yes, folks, you are looking at Miss Stevensville 2004.
7.  My cat's name is Izzo and he is named after Michigan State's basketball coach, Tom Izzo.
8.  Throughout the course of my life, I've tried lots of different forms of dance.  Growing-up I took ballet, jazz, modern and hip hop.  More recently I've ventured into the worlds of salsa dancing and belly dancing.
9.  I am not at all athletic.  However, if I could compete at the Olympics, I would want to be a figure skater.
10.  I would so much rather be too cold than too hot.  I turn into a grump when the temperature rises.
11.  I absolutely adore traveling and I've been to a number of different countries: Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Argentina, Wales, France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Monaco and Iceland!

My favorite château in France!

Alex's Questions for Me:
1.  If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Hands down, STRAWBERRIES!  They are my absolute favorite food.  I love them in all forms: plain, with sugar, in strawberry shortcake, and my ultimate favorite... in strawberry pie. 
2.  If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose to live?
I am extremely blessed to have already experienced my dream of living in France.  The only trouble to having lived abroad is that I now love two places: my home, Michigan and Bordeaux, France.  Since this is my dream, can I choose to have a home in Michigan and a summer home on the outskirts of Bordeaux? 

Bordeaux, France

3.  What's your favorite song/album?
I don't know that I necessarily have a favorite song or album but I can tell you that my favorite artist is Jewel.
4.  If you had to change your name, what would you change it to and why?
I really like my name and would prefer not to change it.  If I absolutely had to, I would choose the name Samantha.  I think liking this name stems from my love for my American Girl doll as a child.

That's me and Samantha on the left.

5.  Why did you start blogging?
Through reading blogs, I became really interested in stepping-up my style.  I started Whitney a la mode to hold myself accountable for really trying and as away to document my growth.
6.  Describe your perfect day.
My perfect day would involve a blizzard and being snowed-in!  I love the idea of being cozy inside while snowflakes swirl outside the window.  Having nowhere to go and nothing to do is an added bonus.  I would start by sleeping-in, obviously.  Upon waking-up, I would spend time reading a good book with a cup of coffee in hand.  Next, a big delicious breakfast would be in order.  The rest of the day would consist of cuddling with a certain handsome someone, napping, reading, watching Downton Abbey and just relaxing!  Does this make me a lazy bum?
7.  What is your favorite article of clothing/pair of shoes/accessory that you own?
I have a beautiful dress from Anthropologie that I haven't actually worn yet.  I saw it in the catalog a little over a year ago and then pined-away for it.  I decided it was worth buying even though I didn't have a reason to wear it.  I'm ok with the fact that I haven't worn it yet.  I'm saving it for the perfect occasion!  Hopefully you will see it here someday!
8.  What is your number one piece you'd like to add to your closet?
I have been thinking about a pair of Hunter boots for quite some time now.  I think that they would be a good investment piece.  I'm struggling to decide between classic black and some of the more fun colors.  What do you think?
9.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I have a terrible blushing problem.  When I'm embarrassed or sometimes just nervous, I turn beet red.  Sometimes it's red all over sometimes it's sort of blotchy.  Knowing that I'm turning red then just makes me feel more embarrassed or nervous so then I get even redder.  Blush pink is my favorite color but I would prefer to wear it on my clothes, not on my face.
10. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you bring and why?
The first thing that comes to mind is my Kindle.  Since I adore reading, Iwould never be bored as long as I had access to unlimited books.  I would also bring sunscreen.  I have extremely fair skin and would burn to a crisp on a desert island.  Can my cat count as my third "thing?"  Izzo would make the perfect little companion.

Izzo!

11. If you were stranded on a dessert island, what would it be made of?
Strawberry patches (see #1) and vineyards (to produce my favorite beverage).

My Nominees:
Okay, so I realized that I don't actually know that many bloggers with under 200 followers.  This activity has definitely motivated me to connect with more of my fellow small bloggers, though.
Allie at Buttons and Bees
Brynn at Brynnash
Kayla (my sister!) at A Bit of Witt

My Questions for My Nominees: 
1.  If you could have two celebrities as parents, who would you choose and why?
2.  What is your favorite season and why?
3.  What is your favorite breakfast cereal?
4.  Why did you start blogging?
5.  What is your go-to beauty product?
6.  What TV shows are you currently addicted to?
7.  Who is your celebrity crush?
8.  What is your dream job?
9.  How would you describe yourself in three words?
10.  Where would you go on your dream vacation?
11.  Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?