This giveaway is closed. The winner was determined by Random.org, which generated #6.
Congrats to Rooth!

The Blog Milk Shop is a unique collaboration of bloggers, designers, and artists to create affordable and sophisticated premium blogger templates. The templates are all limited editions — only 15 of each will be sold. Ana of Blog Milk, together with Danni of Oh Hello Friend and Jennifer of A Merry Mishap, have created some stunning designs.

For those of you longing for a new look, there is currently a sale in the shop. Even better — I’ve got a giveaway for you. The winner of this giveaway gets to pick one of the gorgeous themes and will also receive a custom header. Whether you’ve been considering starting a blog or have had one for some time and desire a new look, this is a fantastic opportunity.

What you need to do to win:

1. Visit the Blog Milk Shop and choose your favorite template.
2. Leave a comment on this post.

You have until 2pm EST on Friday, January 27th to enter. The winner will be announced later that day.  Good luck!

Let me tell you this: there’s nothing more difficult or awkward than trying to convince a border guard (coming or going) that the whole purpose of your visit to Canada was to spend time with a friend you’ve met through blogging. Those guards asked strange questions, like “how is that possible?” and “what sort of blog do you write?” and such. The problem is I just get too nervous to lie. So I tell the truth, even if most people won’t really understand it. But I will say this: my interrogations in and out of Canada were completely worth it as I got to spend some time with a good friend, Erin from Pughs’ News. While I’m finishing up my drive today and arriving in NJ, she’s here with a guest post. I’ll be back much later today, with my final road trip recap. Happy Friday, friends!

Some days I find it hard to recall what life was like before blogs. There was once a time, long ago when I was a little girl, that I was keen to have a pen pal. I longed for letters that would wing their way back and forth across the country, over oceans, around the world. I had a few over the years: a girl in China who wanted to practice her English out on me, a writing partner in the States assigned in seventh grade for a spell… But it was difficult back then, to get to know the person to whom you wrote. Perhaps it was because I was younger, or more likely, because there was only so much you could share in a letter to someone you’d never met, someone whose face you didn’t know.

It’s different now, because of blogs. The people whose blogs I comment on regularly, and the ones who comment on mine, they have become my friends. They are all over the world, these blogging friends of mine.  I write long, rambling letters to them and send packages at Christmas. These are friends who write to me, send me birthday presents, make plans to meet up to get together one day. Blogs are such amazing things. They open windows into people’s lives and loves and interests. You read their words, you feel a connection, you tell them so. It’s letter writing, but in some ways it’s better… “A blog is in many ways a continuing conversation.” {Andrew Sullivan said that. I have no idea who he is, but I think he’s right!}

Last week, a blogging friend of mine was coming to visit. You know her… beautiful Brandi! I was looking forward to her visit, and was telling a colleague of mine about my friend who was on her way up the coast from San Diego. “Where do you know her from?” my friend asked. “From blogging!” I replied excitedly. “Oh… Really? So you mean, you’ve never actually met her before?” the friend said, incredulous. “Don’t you think that’s sort of weird?” “No,”I replied. “Not a bit.” And it really wasn’t. When Brandi pulled up in front of my house and knocked on my front door, weary from her long drive, I opened it, gave her a hug and led her into the kitchen for a cup of tea… just like I would any friend.

I told her about what my colleague had said, as we sat at the kitchen table last Saturday night, drinking jasmine tea and talking about all sorts of things {everything from food to religion to the future to why we love blogging}. “But we do know each other,” she said, and I agreed. “We’ve made a connection and built on it.”

As I’ve been working on this post, I read something Brandi wrote about success. “As far as this blog goes, success for me is real friendships and connections. I’ve already been so lucky there.” I feel the same. I am grateful for the people that blogging has brought into my life. Grateful that Brandi is one of them.

Why do you love blogging?

{first image by those misty mornings, second image here}

When I first met Melissa of Reverie Daydream at Alt Summit, I had a sneaking suspicion her life was simply magical. My time with her and her family in Napa only confirmed that. We had so many wonderful conversations as she took me on a tour of the area and as we sat and ate dinner at night. In the morning, I woke and jogged around the vineyards near her home. Her husband put it perfectly when he said “Once California is in your blood, it’s only a matter of time before you return.” And I can’t wait to return for more outings with Melissa and her little crumb.

“If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies”

~ anonymous

It’s really as simple as that…change is necessary.

Yes, change can be scary, but if we open ourselves up to it,

we often find there is joy to be discovered in the new and unknown.

Often times, comfort of the steady norm keeps us from taking the leap,

Blocks us from chasing those dreams we have always wished to catch.

For some, regrets of not doing something far outweigh the fear of change.

At the moment, sweet Brandi is going through a lot of changes.

I’m so proud of her for just taking her life’s journey by the reins

And opening herself up to whatever may come her way.

It takes courage and an adventuresome spirit to do what she is doing,

and I cannot wait to see how this beautiful butterfly flutters.

{image via pinterest}

Eva from Four Leaf Clover lives a life in Europe that I envy. When I first asked her to guest post, I knew she must have taken some fantastic trips around Europe. I’ve still only been to Ireland and Germany — with an ever-so-brief stay in Vienna for a single night. Her post reignites that wanderlust in me, even if I’m really looking forward to getting home soon.

I’m so happy Brandi asked me to write a guest post for Not Your Average Ordinary. I remember finding this blog and loving it right away and I was thrilled to find a comment from Brandi on my blog one day. Ever since then I feel like I can call Brandi a friend and she just so happens to be the nicest person I’ve ever met online. That and the best at multi-tasking! How she posts so often while on a road trip boggles my mind. While she’s enjoying her road trip, I thought it’d be the perfect opportunity to share with all of you a couple trips of mine here in Europe. One of my favorite things about Europe is that everything is so close. You can go through a handful of countries in just one day and each one of those countries is full of cities that are vastly different and beautiful in their own way.

A couple years ago, a friend of mine and I decided to go on a little trip for 11 days. At the time, she was studying in France and I was living in London, England. We decided to meet up in Paris. When I got off the train and came up to the sight of the Notre Dame, I felt like I was in a movie (I even did a little spin around to take it all in)! Let me tell you, three days is not nearly enough in Paris and I’ve been itching to go back ever since.

From Paris we took a flight to Venice. Most of the time it was rainy, but that didn’t make Venice lose its charm. The last day the sun finally decided to show its face and that moment made the whole trip worth it. My short time in Venice has spurred my desire to take a trip all around Italy.

After Venice we caught a ferry boat (35 hours!) to Greece. I’ve got to say, Athens was nothing like what I expected and I wouldn’t recommend it. The historic sites are amazing, but a local warned us that “Athens isn’t what it used to be” and we never felt quite safe there. Oh well, every trip has its ups-and-downs, and the ups far outweighed the downs.

Last summer was more like a roadtrip in that travel was done solely by car. I went from Switzerland to Poland and drove through Germany and the Czech Republic. While in the Czech Republic, I took a pit stop in Prague which is unlike any city that I’ve ever been to. Every building is a different color and, at least in the old town, the buildings are old with beautiful details.

My family is originally from Poland and that was my destination for the trip. Like every trip of mine to Poland, I had to visit Krakow and take in the sights.

On the way back from Poland to Switzerland, I stayed the night in Slovenia and then carried on to Vienna, Austria. I was only able to spend about three hours there, but I tried to make the most of it. Vienna and Paris now tie for my favorite cities that I’ve ever been to – they’re the only cities that I’ve ever thought “I could live here”. Vienna is so gorgeous and clean. It’s yet another place I know I must return to in my lifetime.

Thank you Brandi for giving me the opportunity to share my travels with all of your readers and I hope you all liked this little taste of European cities! This world is so large and full and there really is beauty at every corner. I wish you all safe and happy travels!

{all photos taken by Eva}

Kim is one of my dearest friends. We just happened to meet blogging. And she does introductions so well, I think I’ll just let her take over.

hi everyone! this is kim from fill your well and i am so honored to be guest posting over here on brandi’s delightful blog.  i feel blessed that not only were brandi and i great blogger friends, but we were able to become real life friends too after my husband and i moved to los angeles.

when we first decided to move to LA we were told all sorts of stories about what a horrible place this was – “traffic is abominable! people there are so fake. …but do let us know if you see any movie stars, okay?”  …riiiiight.  lucky for us we found the very opposite to be true – LA is awesome!  traffic? well being from san francisco i was already used to city traffic, and since i live right in the city i never have to take any highways {phew!}.  people? other than the tailgating lexus drivers in beverly hills {sheesh!}, the people we’ve met here have been the nicest, coolest people.  and yes, we see and work with “celebrities” on a daily basis, but when you live here you quickly learn that they are simply normal people who’s job happens to be acting.  so these two san francisco kids were super happy to discover our new city had a lot going for it!

still, it was hard in the beginning to leave behind all of our favorite things from our old city.  we lived right in the center of san francisco, surrounded by haight street, golden gate park, the full house park, hayes valley, and super cool valencia street in the mission.  we wondered, would we find the creative comforts of san francisco here in LA?  would we find handmade curiosities?  would we find neighborhoods void of chain stores?  ah! and what about the hipsters?  would we find them?  why yes, yes we would.  in fact, we would find a great spot with all of these things in our very own neighborhood!

{photo credits, clockwise from top left: intelligentsia, the cheese store, reform school, and the spice station}

sunset junction, in the silver lake neighborhood, is just a couple miles down sunset boulevard from our house and has all the things we need to remind us of home.  i roam through sunset junction often, whenever i’m wanting a bustling city square that is both unique and highly entertaining.  here you can grab amazing coffee {or if you’re me, chai lattes} at intelligentsia, shop for trendy hand-made goods or join the ukulele orchestra at reform school {which i really really hope to join someday!}, pick up some specialty cheeses at the cheese store {yum!}, or peruse eco-friendly home goods at kelly green {also where you can hang with super cool shop girls. holler marianne!}.  there are also vegan eateries, and vintage stores, and a record shop – oh my!

yes this is definitely an urban paradise, and we love it so.  people here are covered in tattoos, ride bicycles, and grow their beards bushy.  there are artists and actors and musicians, all converging on this 2 block radius to indulge in the inspiration of its creative atmosphere.

{brandi & me at our bake sale to benefit the pablove foundation outside vacation vinyl}

brandi and i often met up here to wander the farmer’s market, pick up some spices and tea, treat ourselves to amazing gelato, host bake sales, and chat about pretty much everything in life.  i’m sad i won’t have these sunset junction dates now that she’s moved away {sniff!}, but i love having a place in los angeles that’s already full of so many sweet memories.

Jayni of Bonjour J and I first met last summer, on a hot morning in the West Village of NYC. She was a friend before that, but since then, we’ve only grown closer. She’s one of those people who I admire so much, and I felt such a comfortable immediate connection with.

Jane on Fillmore is a cute little coffee shop in my San Francisco neighborhood. It serves locally-made coffee, great baked goods, including gluten-free muffins, and has free wi-fi for the worker bees. To me, it feels like home.

I had the pleasure of meeting Brandi at Jane for our fourth get-together! I am so happy that a friend I met blogging more than a year ago has become a true friend and confidant. I always look forward to our meetings, which so far have taken place at Magnolia Bakery in NYC, warm & sunny San Diego, Delfina for pizza in San Francisco, and most recently, at Jane.

Much like how I feel about Jane, meeting Brandi always feels like I’m with an old friend – a friend I’ve known far longer than the one year we’ve known each other. Maybe it’s Brandi’s way of putting you completely at ease, her honesty, or her way of getting to the heart of the matter. I always know that with Brandi, I can expect great conversation and new ideas.

We spent most of our time at Jane discussing our shared interest in climate change and food policy. Brandi shared some great documentaries and TED talks that I’ve now watched, such as Ingredients and short TED lectures by Ken Robinson. I work in the legal side of climate change, so it’s wonderful to have a friend who is so knowledgeable about both media and food policy. I was reminded again that with friends like Brandi, no matter where in the world you may be, you can be home. Safe travels and happy adventures, my friend!

- Jayni

Jamie is a lady with lots of nicknames and an endless supply of beautiful words. She write a sweet blog that I can’t get enough called Souled, and one of the only regrets I have about leaving California when I did is that she and I did not get to meet in person. I have a feeling I’ll be back there soon though; our meeting is written somewhere in stars.

I get asked this question all the time, don’t you? And it’s funny, isn’t it, how we define ourselves by what we’re paid to do.

But if you ever want to know who you truly are? What you really do? Ask a child. One of my friends, according to her son, cries on telly. She is a soap opera actress. Another friend gets rid of bad words. She’s an editor. My mechanic friend has been called a gorilla by his niece. I think she means grease monkey. Yet another friend kicks in her underwear. She is a burlesque dancer.

The other day, an ice cream truck merrily made its way through my neighborhood’s streets. My big bad wolf, Max, began barking furiously, tail wagging happily and his giant paws resting on the Dutch door. Ice cream trucks deliver such joy.

So I joined a gang of cuties who live next to me and across from me and even a few who walk two streets over just to visit me and Max. These little ones are gems, and they make me feel both hopeful for our world and just a little worried, too. I wrote out my goal for my life some time ago, and by that schedule…I should have three of my own by now. I tell myself not to worry. That they will come to me when they’re supposed to come to me. And I know they will be so worth the wait.

In between politely shouting out our treat orders to the ever-patient ice cream man {How’s THAT for an occupation!}, I noticed a sweet new face in the crowd and introduced myself. She’s new to our area, fresh from New York, and upon telling me her name asked right away, “What do you do?”

I blinked twice. Three times, maybe. I honestly wasn’t sure how to answer. Luckily, my little posse knew exactly what I did.

“She’s a dancer!” said one.

“She’s a singer!” said another.

“She grows the best tomatoes!” exclaimed another. “They don’t even taste like tomatoes!”

“She’s a fairy farmer…” one of my favorites said softly.

The answers kept coming and kept me smiling for days afterward. In truth, I’m a realtor in Los Angeles. It’s hard work – hard work – but I love it to my soul.

But I do dance when I’m watering my blooms or when the little neighbor girls hold an impromptu recital. I do sing to my carrots as I bring them to light or when I see a gorgeous tree that deserves a song. My tomatoes don’t taste like tomatoes. They taste like heaven. And, oh yes. I do grow the most wonderful fairies in my back garden. They come out with the stars and deliver just as many wishes.

So let me introduce myself to all of my sweet Brandi’s delightfully kind readers…

Hi there. I’m Jamie Flannigan. I’m a dancer, a singer, and a fairy farmer. In my spare time, I find homes for wonderful people to fill with all their hopes and dreams. Would you like a tomato?

Tell me…what do you do?

{first image from Welcome to the Dollhouse, second image by Lubs Mary}

I asked several of my dear blog friends to help me out while I’m on the road. I apparently don’t have as much time in front of the computer as I thought I would (who was I kidding?).  Lillian of Unstitched and I first met this past fall and we became fast friends. I’ve so enjoyed watching her blog grow and hanging out together. I seriously don’t know what I’m going to do without her nearby. Maybe I should start looking for jobs in the Los Angeles area.

Brandi was one of the first loyal supporters of my blog. She was commenting frequently and thoughtfully before I ever had any idea what I was doing And then I had the wonderful fortune of meeting her in real life and becoming real life friends. We’ve had some wonderful times exploring and eating together, and I wish I could just curl up in one of her suitcases so she could take me on her cross-country journey with her! (I get so excited every time I hear an update – with all the new and wonderful adventures she’s having!) So I thought I’d share five lessons I’ve learned through my real life time with Brandi, so we could all get a glimpse into the wonderful lady behind this blog.

Brandi driving us around San Diego

First. Patience is most definitely a virtue.
Brandi is perhaps the most patient person I know. Whether it’s coding something unfamiliar or taking the wrong turn, she always keeps her cool and pushes on (by the way, I go nuts in both of the aforementioned situations).

All the deliciousness of Bake Lab at Artisanal LA

Second. Good food is non-negotiable.
Every time I’m meeting up with her, I always know to expect good food. Every single meal and dessert is phenomenal. I absolutely love hanging around with a foodie who truly enjoys good food as much as I do.

An adorable shop called Pigment

Third. Cute shops are also non-negotiable.
Brandi and I are always visiting the cutest shops whenever we’re together. I think it’s safe to say – both of us would take a well-curated indie store any day over a mall. It’s always exciting to see a new shop with its own vision and personality!

Cards are By Belinda, photo from when Brandi and I went to Renegade LA together (with Kim!)

Fourth. Cards and letters are not dead.
I adore physical letters and cards over emails. I think it’s sad how so often, friends just say a quick and effortless “Happy Birthday” on Facebook and they’re done with that (come on – even a text message is better than that!). But Brandi always sends thoughtful cards out, and it’s always a wonderful surprise to find a card in the mail!

Three of my dear blogging friends, all because of Brandi! Janie, Brandi, and Piper

Fifth. Blogging friends really can become real life friends.
This is my favorite lesson of all. Brandi was the first friend I made through blogging (both through the web and in real life), and it was the most unexpected part about blogging for me. So go out and make many blogger-turned-real-life friends – the people behind the blogs are what matter

Thanks for inviting me into this space and for being such a great friend in every way, Brandi!