five fabulous bloggers.

Thanks to Trop50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 Fabulous Wishes. Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous!

a great way for me to unwind or take a few minutes for myself is by taking a peek through google reader.  i adore google reader and how easy it makes it for me to keep in touch with what's going on with friends, find new recipes and learn new skills.  the internet is amazing.

here are five bloggers that i always find myself clicking on first when i find that they've updated their blogs :

 

ali | ali edwards

ali is a scrapbooker who completely changed the way i think of putting a layout together.  i clearly remember the aha moment i had when i was looking at her work about eight years ago and realized that i didn't have to use cardstock as the base of my layout.  i could use patterned paper!  ali's blog is always full of inspiration.  whether it be a layout she created, a scrapbooking product she has designed or simply her day to day family life.  i always love seeing what she's up to and usually end up bookmarking or purchasing something that i've seen on her blog.  because of her, a package of photocurators is now on my wish list.

 

joy | joy the baker

i discovered joy's blog through google reader's recommendation feature.  see, i told you i loved google reader!  when i'm wanting to bake something sweet, joy is my go to girl.  i'm sure i've put on a couple of extra pounds because of her rocky road brownies.  this winter i made them during a blizzard.  best decision ever.  there's no better way to comfort yourself during a blizzard than by a warm from the oven brownie.  joy's personality emits from the words that she types.  i think she's a bit sarcastic.  i've heard that i am on occasion as well.  i'd like to think if geography wasn't an issue, she'd be my bff.

  
melissa | sew like my mom

disclaimer : i do not sew.  well, i did make roman shades for our house prior to this one.  and i made burp cloths for C before she was born.  but that's it.  my sewing machine and i tend not to get along.  with that being said, melissa makes me want to love my sewing machine.  like get a glass of wine, whisper sweet nothings to it and make something beautiful.  her step-by-step photos and instructions make me think i can sew anything.  or rather, whatever her photos dictate.  because the girls are so tall, i'd love to try my hand at making her easiest pillowcase dress ever.  if it's the easiest, surely i can do it!  or that's what i'm telling myself anyway.

becky | wisconsin larsons

i met becky three years ago at a bible study for resident significant others.  i was amazed at her grace, patience and attitude towards life the evening that i met her and i continue to be now.  she is an example of how i would love to react towards situations.  our friend amy and i often joke, "what would becky larson do?"  her Christian faith and grace inspire me to walk closer to Him.  and because of that, we asked her to be L's godmother.  it's comforting to know that even though she's moving away in a few short weeks, our lives will always be intertwined.  we trade recipes, compare notes as mamas to three year olds and discuss our husbands vocation choice in depth.  i've had this verse in my inbox as a reminder since she posted it in april.

 

stephanie | crockpot 365

it's a safe bet that you'll likely find at least one of stephanie's recipes on our weekly menu.  after googling a crockpot recipe, i found her site and haven't looked back.  if i want to make something in the crockpot because i'm short on time, it's her site i visit.  i sing her praises to anyone that listens.  it's likely her fault that i just killed a crockpot.  it's thanks to her that i had a back-up crockpot on hand so i didn't miss a beat when preparing my next meal.  i'll go ahead and blame her for purchasing another crockpot so that i once again have two in my kitchen.  her salsa chicken is the perfect nacho topping.

Don't forget to enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous. I was selected for this Tropicana Trop50 sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do. I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.

Comments

[emily (justem)]

The only one I read is Ali's blog. I'll have to check out the others! :)

[becky]

I'm so honored to be your friend and so blessed by your friendship.