#BehindtheBlogger: You Don't Know Me!

In my circle of friends and family, I'm an open book. They know my likes, dislikes, hobbies, and what makes me tick. I consider my readers and fellow bloggers a part of my little family. I want you to know about me. So, to my readers and fellow bloggers, you don't know me, but let's change that a little bit. 

Here are some things you might know about me:

I love to read. That's where my blog got it's start! I made this exact blog -originally called Love, Life, and Beautiful Things- as a way to talk about books I was reading at the time and it slowly expanded into what it is now. My first post was July 18th, 2011. That means my 5 year blogerversary was this month! Maybe we should celebrate? 

I'm a tea addict because books and tea just go well together. 

I'm horror obsessed. I never have an answer for what my favorite horror movie is because I just have way too many, but I loves me some Freddy Krueger and A Nightmare on Elm Street. 

Disney is life. I'm Disney obsessed. A die hard Disnerd. Especially Beauty and the Beast! 

My favorite band is The Red Hot Chili Peppers and I've been a die hard fan for 20 years. 

Here are some things you might *not* know about me:

Cosplay

I've always loved dressing in costume. Halloween has always been my favorite holiday, so of course. I didn't really dive into cosplay until the second convention I went to with my husband. I mean, I did all kinds of costumes and costume inspired muggle wear (how else to you dress in costume at work?) prior, but nothing too elaborate. I actually think my first costume I did for that particular convention wasn't my best. I was a Fem Captain America which I brain stormed for months. I wanted something more casual so I went with a white tutu, white thigh highs, Classic Captain America costume shirt, red elbow length gloves, and a shield. The next day I wore that same tutu and a Rarity pony hoodie. Two of the most basic costumes ever, but I saw the attention cosplayers got and I'm shy, have anxiety, and hate attention, so I was trying NOT to stand out. I wanted to show my love for my fandoms, but I wanted to blend in. I still don't like to stand out, but I've gotten much more relaxed about it. In recent years I get stopped a lot either for photos or someone to tell me they love my outfit/costume. The anxiety is still there, but I've let myself have fun. My costumes have evolved a lot through the years. My Hatter costume was one of my favorites. My Sweet Treats costume has a lot of elements to it as well. I spend literally hours laying out every element and pairing things up. I've spent way more money on costume stuff than I probably have on my entire "normal" wardrobe. I'm more prone to spend more on a corset than buy expensive, designer handbags or shoes. That's just me. I've been called a freak, teased, and bullied for it, but at least I have fun! I don't even know what it's like to live a normal life, and that's the best part! 

Blogging

I'd be lying if I said there weren't some days that I wanted to give up. I run into my share of difficult companies, haters, and jealousy. But truth be told, those are pretty rare. I've made great connections, been able to do things, know people, and try stuff I would otherwise never had a chance of. I'm outspoken. Sure, that has gotten me in trouble a time or two, but my truthfulness and refusal to sugar coat things most definitely makes me a perfect blogger and reviewer. How many people can say they get paid to do what they love? I'm thankful that I'm one of those people. Opportunity knocked, I answered, and we became best friends. What started out as a hobby - and still is, kind of-blew up and turned into an amazing experience. 

I have always been willing to help other bloggers out. Whether it's making graphics, helping pick out designs, helping grow their following, passing along companies I come across and work with, or giving advice and tips. I got where I am mostly on my own, but there were times when I wish I had other bloggers to help guide me in the right directions and help explain some of the more complicated aspects of blogging, reviews, and giveaways. You would not believe all the "rules" we have to follow. Sometimes blogging isn't as easy as it looks or seems. This is why I am 100% open and committed to helping others. I even reached out to my stalker and bully and offered to help her when she started a blog. Yeah, of course that didn't go so well. Sometimes in life you run into a few sour stinkers in the bunch of sweet grapes. Hey, at least I tried. 

Modeling

A few of you might know my sister-in-law is the founder of the DuBois Area Fantasy Photoshoot Group, where models, photographers, stylists, and MAs get together and have fun at themed shoots at various locations. What you don't know is that I actually modeled quite a bit in junior and senior high school.

 SURPRISE! 

I did runway shows for new seasonal clothing and what's called "live mannequins" (which is exactly what it sounds like) for Fashion Bug and Rue 21 (which was called "$9.99 Stockroom" back then)  in the 90's. What's even cooler is that I got to keep a lot of the clothes! Huzzah! 

Short Facts:

Despite what my hater(s) thinks, I make my own money, and I make GOOD money. I buy my own things, but I also spoil my husband (like an $800 movie accurate Star Wars costume for example) and he spoils me. 

I've always dreamed of opening my own Italian Bistro, I just haven't found the perfect spot for it yet.

I don't drive for personal reasons, but mostly because I get horrible panic attacks when I am behind the wheel. It stems from something that happened when I was in high school. 

I have a fear of large areas of water, also because of a traumatizing experience. 

I prefer "vacations" to museums, zoos, and conventions than beach vacations. I hate the heat. That's one of the reasons Autumn is my favorite season.

I love trivia and love to learn. 

I'm obsessed with Titanic history and memorabilia. 

I actually LOVE exercising! I love to be active and before having kids, I would get up early on my days off of work, and just walk around town or go for a run and not return until 6 or 7 in the evening. 

I've rode an elephant

I've met many celebrities and actually have become close friends with a few of them. 

I really want to go ziplining. It's on my bucket list. 

I've been in three abusive relationships and sexually assaulted twice, but I refuse to be a victim. I am a survivor, and although I've heard things like I "deserved it" or it was "karma", I refuse to let ignorance and evil get me down. 

I am a recovering drug addict and cutter...clean and sober for 10 years now and I owe my life to my husband. He cared enough about me to help me overcome those particular demons.

There's a single lily that grows in my backyard. It wasn't there when we moved in, but appeared last summer, after we lived here for two years. I've named the flower Ruth, after the elderly woman who use to live in our house. Ruth had Alzheimer's, wandered away while shopping, and ultimately (sadly) passed away. So I named this pretty lone flower after her. 

Hopefully now you know a little bit more about me and what makes me tick. There's so much more to the people behind your favorite blogs, which is what #BehindtheBlogger is all about! 

 

 Thank you for reading a story from #BehindTheBlogger Hop. Every 2 weeks a group of bloggers is given a writing prompt. These prompts are very open ended, so our bloggers can write about whatever they desire. The main rule is that their blog post directly relates to the topic of that week. The point of this hop is for our readers to get to know us on a personal level.  Please hop along and read all of the blog posts in this weeks hop. Just click the links below. If you want real and raw emotion, then you will find it here. After you read each post, please comment and share. We want to get to know you too!

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