I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS

I love the festive spirit of the holidays. This is the very first time I will not be in the states or with my parents for Christmas. Although I am a little bit sad about it, I am excited to experience a Christmas in Costa Rica with Paris and his family. Christmas is, after all, about being with the ones you love.

I'm not sure what is going to happen with this little blog in the New Year. For the past few weeks, my mind has been occupied with moving back to the states and being away from Paris. I know that it was my decision to make the move and I am confident that it is the correct decision. But it doesn't change that fact that it is still scary. Paris and I will do the best we can to see each other during the year and hopefully, if everything goes as we would like, he will be joining me in the states at the end of next year or soon after. I didn't want to keep writing about and dragging on all my worries so I just haven't been writing anything. I'm fairly confident that I will come back to this space after my move is over in early January. So hopefully you will all stick around until then!

Happy Holidays to everyone!

BLOGGING IS WEIRD

Blogging is weird. Like most of us who blog, I never thought I would fall into this hobby. Now that I do partake in blogging, it often times feels like more than just a hobby, but like an obligation. As I briefly mentioned in my last post, I have some goals for this blog. In order to attain those goals I need to go things like read other blogs, form connections with other bloggers, get my statistics up, etc. So taking a full week off from doing all of those things may have set me back a little bit. But really, it's okay. It felt food to not check my blog stats one single time, let alone 4 times every day. So once again, I think it is time to try and find some balance between blogging and the rest of my life.

another list

i thought i would take part in another post from the blog every day in may challenge.

a list of some of my favorite blog posts from my archives.

you would think a list would be easy. but honestly, this took me forever.

and these are only just some of my favorite posts.

i hope you enjoy them as much as i do!

sunsets on the beach

volcanoes are for the morning

the best macaroni salad

in the olden days

reminiscing

back to the blog

two weeks without a blog post. this whole blogging thing can be hard sometimes! i'm sure i have said this before but i never thought that blogging would become such a big part of my life. sometimes it feels like the best choice of a hobby that i ever could have made and sometimes it feels like a second job that i am not really getting paid for. and i know that when it comes to that second feeling that i need to just take a break. blogging should be fun! always. sometimes i feel so silly when i get stressed over not blogging for a day .. or 14. i try to remind myself that this is my hobby .. that i chose blogging as an outlet for the other stressors in my life, not to give me more stress!

so here is me telling you that i will no longer feel bad about not blogging every single day! if i need a day off, i will take a day off without guilt. i also cannot wait to get back to reading all of my favorite blogs. i sure have missed everyone :)

nice to meet you

there are some new readers around these parts so i thought i do a little about me post to re-introduce myself.

i am originally from new jersey but have spent the last two years or so in costa rica living with my boyfriend.

i try to spend as much time as i can getting to know this country, and have so far been to a few different volcanoes, and of course lots of time at the beach.

i am a middle school english teacher and even though the job is hard, i love it.

i miss my friends and family a lot so i try to go home at least twice a year. and this year is extra special because in one week i will be going home to celebrate my brother getting married!

and of course i can't leave out my little puppy rocco. he is my first dog and has been such a loveable companion. i just can't get enough of my little baby boy.

i wanted to say thank you to all my readers both old and new! creating this blog was one of the best decisions i have made during my years abroad and i have loved getting to know so many people through it. i appreciate every single one of my readers, so thanks for sticking around!

you can follow me here through bloglovin' and twitter.

ad swap

interested in swapping buttons? me too! just send me an e-mail at thebootsparade (at) gmail.com

and we will be on our way to becoming the best of blog friends!

a little get to know me

so in the past month and a half i have had a ton of new readers join this blog! i wanted to make it known that i am so happy to have you all here! i never thought my blog would grow bigger than my 11 initial family and friends but here it is now. so i wanted to acknowledge all of my new readers and say thank you for following along. i thought i would take part in gentri lee's 7 questions today so that you all can get to know a little bit more about me :)

1. Do you have any weird food combinations that you love?

well when i was little i sure did like to dip my french fries in my milkshakes....but i dont do that anymore. other than that i'd say dipping pizza in ranch dressing is pretty normal right?

2. Have you ever written a blog post, published it, then immediately deleted it?

yes. i can't remember what it was about but most likely something that sounded way better in my head.

3. What is a hair style you wish you could pull off, but would never be brave enough to try?

a pixie cut! my bff rocks it pretty well though so i'll probably just admire her hair

4. Would you rather have to always use the sun to tell the time or directions by the stars?

i would rather have to always use the sun to tell the time. i would feel really uncomfortable not knowing where i am/how i am supposed to get where i want to go because most likely whenever i would be traveling it would probably be day time...

5. What is a fall trend that you are excited to try?

flares!!! flares are definitely making their way back and with a comfy pair of chunky heels, a girl just feels like struttin' around. okay so maybe just me?

6. Who is your style icon?

okay for those of you who already know me, this is a no brainer.... the olsen twins. i. love. them. this site is just perfect for catching up on all of their outfit choices over the years. you're welcome ;)

7. What's your favorite outdoor activity? 

 who can pick just one favorite outdoor activity? i'll make a list: going for a walk or a run, reading a book in my hammock, a good thunderstorm on someone's porch, or enjoying a nice bbq .. especially with friends.

 one of my favorite pictures from a friend filled bbq :)

photos 2 & 3

who doesn't love getting mail??

so today is the big christmas in july reveal. i was super excited to find this swap because the mailing period was exactly during the time i was going to be home! you see, here in costa rica the houses don't exactly have addresses. unless you count "100 meters west and 50 meters south of the church in the center of town" to be an address. yes, wayyyyyyy behind the times. i didnt want to risk someone trying to send something here and it not arriving and vice versa. so i was excited to be a part of this swap!

i was paired up with britt from bee little queen who literally is one of the sweetest bloggers out there. we instantly clicked because we realized we had both written very similar items down on our wishlists. 

britt sent me an awesome mix cd after i told her a bunch of artists that i liked and she chose similar artists that i don't yet listen to! next up she sent me some lovely cosmetics, my favorite being a crackle nail polish. i had heard of these before but never seen or used one and now i own one! i'm excited to use it one night when i'm going out :) she also sent me a little make-up holder which will actually be perfect to put in my school bag to hold some lip-gloss, tweezers, mascara, etc. britt also sent me a pair of turquoise earrings from f21which are exactly like something i would have picked out myself, a book that i can't wait to read, and some yummy starbursts! i may or may not have mentioned that i am obsessed with candy haha.

so to all you other swappers who participated, merry christmas in july :)

i would like to thank the academy...

I am so so happy to say that I was nominated for my first blog award! Thank you so much Joyce for the nomination!

 The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The Meaning; Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

The Rules for Receiving This Award:

 1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.
3. Choose up to 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. Remember, no tag backs!

11 THINGS ABOUT ME:

1. my favorite color is purple. any kind of deep, dark purple.

2. i love almost all food but i really love pizza and sushi. not together of course.

3. i have lived for extended periods of time in spain and costa rica.

4. i really love my home state of new jersey. i know what everyone says but to me, new jersey is beautiful and really great.

5. i love to go running. i haven't done it in a while but i really do love it.

6. i've always wanted to own a little inn or bed and breakfast. i studied hospitality administration for that but have decided to go a different course for now.

7. i have the biggest sweet tooth. candy, chocolates, baked goods, you name it.

8.i was a gymnast up until sophomore year in high school. i always wish i could still do it.

9. i want to start studying another language soon. french or portuguese.

10.i don't have a facebook. but i do have this blog.

11. i have the best family and friends.

Joyce's Questions For Me

1. What is your dream job? Why?

i don't know! anything that I am really happy doing and can support me would be my dream job.
2. What do you prefer, coffee or tea?

coffee all the way.
3. Where do you usually hang out?

in costa rica we usually go to some local bar/restaurants: cow town and taco bar are a few.
4. Would you want to have a twin sister? Why or Why Not?

yes i've always said i would like a twin sister. like the olsen twins .. i love them.
5. What makes you sad?

being away from my friends!
6. What/Who makes you happy?

being around people i love and that love me
7. Who is your favorite Hollywood celebrity?

other than the olsens i like rachel bilson and natalie portman
8. What's your comfort food?

i love pasta and pizza
9. What do you look forward to everyday?

being with my boys! paris and my pup rocco
10.What's the best advice you ever gave?

think about, is this the worst that could happen?
11.What quote do you try live by everyday? 

 you are right where you should be.

My Nominations!

Michelle @ On The Adventure

Bhrett @ Lost in Relocation

Jessie @ Sweet Little Somethings

Alissa @ Graceless Lady

Kelley @ A Crooked Trail 
Kristin @ Skinny Jeans and a Chai Latte

My Questions

1. When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?

2. What do you want to be now?

3. What is one of your favorite memories?

4. Are you a morning coffee drinker or anytime coffee drinker?

5. Which form of exercise do you like the best?

6. Vanilla or chocolate?

7. If you could go on a vacation anywhere in the world where would you go?

8. If you could spend a day with anyone alive or dead who would you choose?

9. Who is your favorite musician?

10. If you could be any animal, which would you be?

11. Where did you meet your best friend?

enjoy, friends!

ta-da!

via

surprise! the boots parade has a new blog design! every since i started my blog, more like since before i started my blog, i have wanted to have someone who knows what they are doing give it a great design. so after a few months of writing in this thing, and continually following a lot of other very lovely blogs, i decided to finally ask someone to redesign the boots parade. and thats when i met brooke! i got her off of a recommendation from megan over at this blog because i really liked her design. after scoping out a few more designs that brooke had done i knew i was in love and wanted her to do my blog too! and the rest is history. there are still a few things to get done on my part but i'm so excited that i had to say something. i hope you like it and thanks again brooke!