I can't believe we're already a few days into February--it was a year ago this past weekend that Rob moved out here on his own to pursue an amazing career opportunity. I know the six months he spent alone here weren't easy (Minnesota's winters can be rough enough even when you aren't on your own), but I am so grateful and overwhelmingly proud of that man of mine for being smart and successful and brave enough to set out into unfamiliar territory to make our future so much brighter. How's that for some sap first thing on a Monday morning? I spent the weekend thinking about it a lot. I'm so glad we're here together now.

January was a really full month. Alt Summit was fabulous, but there were a lot of lovely moments that took place right here in Minneapolis. I'd say 2014 is off to a really great start. And for the record, VSCO CAM has sort of kind of changed my life.

1. New Year's Day Coffee in bed. The best way to begin 2014.

2. Saturday afternoon movie date. | 3. Fresh snow is my new love language.

4. Evening walks around Uptown.

5. Frozen Minnehaha Falls | 6. Butter-making aerobics. It's a thing.

7. A snowy walk around Lake Normandale. | 8. Making a "Sean List" for my brother's visit this week!

9. Went ice skating in Rice Park and it was so beautiful. I'm now obsessed with the Landmark Center.

What did January look like in your world?

Life Lately According to Instagram is a once-monthly feature in which I showcase my favorite Instagram shots. You can follow along with me in real-time if you'd like--I'm @megan_flynn.

Just wanted to pop in this Saturday and let you know that I still have a couple of ad spaces available for February. I've had a great increase in traffic since going to Alt Summit and I'm so excited about the future of Freckled Italian! I'd love to have you on board. I adore my sponsors and it's such a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with such talented, awesome people. Get rates and more information here.

Speaking of (past) sponsors, I also wanted to let you know that Helene from Helene in Between is hosting a giveaway for some ad space on her own blog! Good luck! Contest ends Wednesday. Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

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BLOGGING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
From where did the name "Freckled Italian" originate?
I am approximately half Irish and half Italian. I wanted a blog name that sort of described me without being too specific, and Freckled Italian is exactly where I landed. It was one of those things that you think about for a while--when I first started my blog, it was awkwardly titled some things about megan and no one but my roommates, boyfriend, and parents read it.

Can I use a photo or recipe of yours on my own blog?
Sure! Knock yourself out--I just ask that you please give me credit and link to the actual blog post in which you found the photo, recipe, passage, whatever it is that you're using. If you have any questions about anything regarding sourcing my work properly, please feel free to send me an email!

What kind of camera do you use?
I have a Canon EOS Rebel and it's rather old. It belonged to my fiance's mother, who is an amazing photographer, before it belonged to me. I don't know much about photography, but I'm incredibly attached to it and it's pretty perfect for me.

Do you make money blogging?

FULL DISCLOSURE: This is a for-profit blog. I have ad spots available for purchase and will occasionally use affiliate links (for example, Amazon and rewardStyle) in my posts. This means that if you click a link I post or an ad in my sidebar and then buy something, I might make a small commission. This doesn't affect you or your purchase in any way. I care about my readers and the integrity of my blog more than any commissions I might make, so I promise that I'll only link to something I would use or do use myself.

WORK AND EDUCATION

What did you study in undergrad?

I majored in English and minored in Creative Writing at Longwood University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in May of 2010. Then I went to Hollins University for a graduate program in Children's Literature, and I finished a Master of Arts in October of 2012.

On what exactly did you write your master's thesis?

My thesis focused on the lack of female friendship in Disney's Princess films and connected that to Mean Girls. I posted a few excerpts from the bibliographic essay I wrote for my thesis right here if you'd like to learn more.

PERSONAL LIFE AND PALEO

Wait, where do you live? You seem to have moved a lot.

Okay, so now I live in Minnesota. After I finished school at Longwood (which is in Farmville, Virginia), I moved back to Roanoke (where I grew up) and got an apartment downtown. I worked for my parents and started grad school. A year later, Rob graduated from Hampden-Sydney and got into a year-long graduate program at UVA, so we decided to move to Charlottesville together. I worked in a coffee shop and wrote my thesis there. When that was done, we both moved back to my parents' house at Smith Mountain Lake for the summer. Rob moved to Northern Virginia to start work and I stayed at my parents' house. In February of 2013, Rob took a position in the Twin Cities, and I joined him there in August.

How long have you and Rob been together?

It was four years in March, 2013; and we're getting married next May!

Speaking of Rob, how tall is that guy? And how tall are you?

He is 6'7", and I'm 5'4". After a year or two, I got used to his height and forgot that he was tall. I'm usually reminded again when we meet new people or I look at a photo where our height difference seems especially prominent.

How long have you been Paleo? Why? Is your family Paleo?

I changed my diet to Paleo in December of 2011. Turns out I'm allergic to both gluten and lactose, and refined sugar makes me feel like crap, so Paleo works amazingly well for me. My mom is the one who introduced me to the diet, and she and I stick to it pretty strictly. My dad and my brother aren't really into it; and Rob gets it, but probably only eats that way about 80% of the time.

If you have a question that wasn't listed, please send me an email or ask right here! 

PRIVACY POLICY

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