Post by Lauren

I have been nominated for a Liebster blog award by dear Geneva friend and blogger, Lady J, of Lady J’s Musings. Lady J is an incredible writer and I love checking in on her musings about food (particularly macaroons), fashion, and her travels.

This blog had never meant to be an award-winning venture, but I am very delighted to be nominated and want to extend a big thanks to Lady J.

When Gabe & I moved abroad, I knew blogging would be one of the things that would make it easier for our families and friends to feel close. While we might not be able to talk to everyone everyday, it would show physical evidence that we were safe and sound. A way for everyone to “check up on us.”

And that is how it started. What I underestimated is how much I value it now. I often tell people the blog is like my friend. When I have a “Bad Swiss Day,” as my friend C affectionately calls it, it is much easier to come home and craft a story for the blog than wallow in my own “wish I was back home in the US” or “wish I spoke better French” pout-fest for the entire day.

And it is a great way to share the highlights of this remarkable adventure with those dearest to us as well. We are blessed with this opportunity to travel in the heart of Europe so we like to detail the photographs and stories about where we are lucky enough to get to go on our weekends! Hopefully, it will also serve as a bit of a archive for us as well to look back at this experience.

One of the cool things about this award is that it is encourages nominees to pay it forward. I get to nominate 5 other fabulous blogs with <200 followers. So, here are my blog picks:

The Cleveland’s Pad – This blog, written by sweet friend J back in Charlotte, NC, details life in an every-changing family! The heartfelt letters to her son while she was expecting his arrival are so sweet and makes me look forward to being a mom someday. Plus, she is a pretty incredible photographer.

Schwingen in Switzerland – You hear us talk a lot about S and S, and this blog is their account of living in Switzerland. I love all of the history and background that S puts into her posts and it makes me feel a bit more educated about where I am living by checking in on hers daily. Plus her wit makes it equally entertaining to read….especially because she takes in so much more than all of us with her fluent French!

Vintage 77 – This blog is written by a friend who has taken on the challenge of pulling together a new outfit every week from things already existing in her closet. I’ll be the first to admit, my Geneva fashionista skills are a bit lacking (as well as my Swiss franc budget) so its fun to get inspiration from her style and know that there is hope for me yet!

The Hughes’: Our Switzerland adventure – another great blog that we reference often when we refer to A and A or our friends that we met at a bus stop our first weekend in Geneva. Her posts make me laugh out loud. Especially when she uses her Smart-board talent to sketch up Swiss references or even a pictorial account of the in the Red Light District in Amsterdam. Smart-board is to A is what PowerPoint is to me! When she takes a break from blogging, it always makes me sad.

Perfectly Imperfect – A friend from where I grew up recently started this blog recounting her day-to-day life as a not-so-perfect mom. After reading a few posts, I beg to disagree with her self assessment as I love her gorgeous photography and the thoughtful crafts that she does with her kids. I hope she knows how much this will mean to the development of the girls’ creativity and minds. I sure know that I was lucky to have a mom that was creative as well!

Those nominated, its simple :
1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog and link back to the blogger who awarded you.
2. Copy and paste the blog award on your blog
3. Reveal your 5 blog picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
4. Hope that the people you’ve sent the award to, forward it to their five favorite bloggers and keep it going!

Bon weekend, everyone and happy blogging!