Marshalls Abroad

Life

Question for You!

I love blogging, and have no plans of stopping yet (quite the opposite actually!). I’m thankful to have a place to be creative, to be inspired by all of you, and most of all, I really love this community and friends I’ve made through it. It is such an awesome thing. So I’ve been wondering…

Is there a post you’d like to see, anything you want more of, or anything you want to ask? Or any way that I can make my blog as enjoyable for you as it has been and is for me?


Comments

  1. Dakota Campbell says

    Hello!
    I read your blog daily and love all of the recipes you post. Would love to see more of that! Also, if you have any meal planning tips and tricks, especially when cooking with mostly fresh ingredients as you do. In addition, any decorating and home life things you would share I would love to see. If you have decorating ideas or how to achieve that "fresh" look your home seems to have! I suppose that is all for now : ) Look forward to whatever you come up with! : )

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Hi Dakota! Thank you so much for your great ideas. I keep a list of blog posts I want to do in my planner and have had one written down about meal planning- you just reminded me to get on that already 😉 Thank you for reading and thanks again for such good ideas!

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Haha you would laugh at my skin care "routine" …. I wash my face once a day (twice if I'm lucky and John takes a morning nap) and just use coconut oil and I don't wear concealer or any kind of makeup on my skin. I think that's maybe a lack of routine? Ha!

      Thank you again!

    • Kara says

      Whoa, you don't wear any make-up?! Then we all need tips on how you don't look completely washed out in pictures without make-up! Give us all the tips! 🙂

      Oh and photography. As you know. Your gear and set-up, especially! Obviously you are an amazing food photographer and stylist!

      And I also agree with everyone else that a home tour would be super fun! And how you decorate and furnish your home.

      Thanks for the opportunity to get a glimpse into your sweet home and family!

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Thanks, Kara! I can definitely post on all of that… haha, yes, most days I don't wear anything on my skin. The days I do, I really like Bare Essentials bronzer powder and almost always mascara and eyeliner. Come to think of it, I really need tips from you all on makeup… 🙂

  4. mary-katherine says

    photography tips would be great! your photos are always so incredible, you have such a talent and i would truly love if you would share some of that with us!

    also maybe more home decor things, from all the pictures you've ever posted your homes always look so cozy and amazing i would love to see more!

    xo mk
    gold-hatted lover

  6. From Foothills to Fog says

    I love your blog! I love the variety of posts you offer: family, travel and recipes! I love your decorating style, so maybe more on that if you feel inclined? But seriously, I love it the way it is! Also, maybe tips on Photography because your pictures are always stunning! xoxo

  7. Stephanie says

    I love the way it is. It's a nice mix of food, family and travel. I can't wait to see more about your life once you're in Croatia. Would love to learn more about the country and what you notice about everyday life there.

  9. Miranda @ Miranda Writes says

    I love your blog and I echo most of what's been written already! Photography tips would be awesome and I'd love to see more of your home and more style posts. I love to see other people's homes, style, lives, etc. Travel tips would be great! I'd love to hear more about parenting. How you and your husband knew you were ready to have a child or how having a baby influenced your marriage. And of course, food! Really though, everything you're already doing is great! =)

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Thank you so much, Miranda! I appreciate your ideas! Haha I had to laugh outloud about us knowing we were ready to have a baby. We kept saying we will NEVER be ready so let's just pick a date to go off birth control and not think about it, just enjoy being married. I'm so thankful God is in control and we're not!!

  10. Anna @ IHOD says

    Well gosh, I don't know because I love everything you do!!! Continue with the food and family! It's my fave! And you could kill it in food photog tips!

  11. Kaysie says

    Amanda! I am so happy you're interested in creating more direction here, not that it needs it ;). You're one of the few bloggers and people in general that I just want to know more of anything about. What do you read? How do you find new recipes? Who are your favorite bloggers? Your take on things like being alone while Cam was deployed (and military lifestyle and wifedom in general), staying home with your baby versus working, feminism?, interesting devotionals?

    Really, any direction you take this will be interesting to me! 🙂

  12. sarkatlac says

    I love your blog as it is– keep posting frequently! The balance you have between family/faith/food/travel is perfect. I'd love to know more about how you do so much– being a wife & mom, cooking, blogging, traveling, learning croatian, moving. How do you stay organized? What inspires & teaches you? Of course, I'd love to see more of your interior design!

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Ah it's like you read my mind! I have a post idea written down in my planner about just that, except it's how disorganized and unbalanced I am and what's helping me to get a tiny bit better about that… thank you for your great ideas!!

  13. Legally Lovely says

    I'll echo all the posts above and say that I love any time and any thing you post. I miss you living in Okinawa (although, I'm sure you're loving being stateside) because I loved the glimpse into another culture. I can't wait to see Croatia via blog! Your food always looks delish though, so recipes would be great, and that precious son of yours is always fun to read about.

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Those three years in Oki went SO fast… I have a feeling that the remaining months here in Monterey are going to fly, too. I'm really excited to post about Croatia – Cam and I are so excited to get there. Thank you for taking the time to leave your thoughts!

  14. Kierra Makayla says

    I'm an 18 year old girl and you are such an inspiration to me, from your faith in God to the love of your family, first thank you for being such an inspiration! I love seeing your family post about stuff you and your family do around the current place you're living, even the small things that might seem irrelevant! I love hearing about being a wife, I've been in a relationship for almost two years now and God has taught us so much, hearing about marriage is so exciting and fun to me and of course hearing about little John! I guess basically I'm trying to say more family, marriage, baby, God post!

  15. anna says

    I think you have the perfect mix. Plenty of personal…a few recipes. I feel like a lot of blogs that I used to follow are mostly sponsored now. I honestly don't mind SOME sponsored. Heck if you can make a little cash go for it! But it's sad that you no longer get glimpses into their every day lives…or maybe ever 11th post you do. Anyways, I have no clue how I found your blog but I really enjoy it!

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Thanks Anna! I know what you mean on both sides. I admire the women who have turned their blogs into a business, but on the flip side I also love keeping it simple.

  16. bethanyb- says

    Your blog is pretty awesome as is, and the photography is one of my favourite parts! You always have such gorgeous shots:) I agree with comments above about photo and home design posts. Love learning about new destinations as well!

  17. Caravan Sonnet says

    I think everything above from the comments I would agree with! *smiles* I LOVE your blog and every time you post I feel like I am stepping back into a favorite book and with each post the book chapters just beautifully continue! SIMPLY WONDERFUL. I love your photography, the recipes, and the stories you share about traveling and your everyday life! You are such an inspiration to so many people including myself and I just love that you are willing to put the time into sharing your life with us! Anything you post is lovely so whatever you decide I will be thrilled sweet friend!
    🙂 Rebecca
    p.s.- One thing I would love, as a gal with celiac and dairy allergies, would be your favorite recipe without including either of those two things… often times I "recreate" your recipes without these things or substitutions) but ANY suggestions would be lovely!!

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Rebecca!! You are so sweet as always, thank you!!! I actually tried to make you a gluten and dairy free recipe this weekend using coconut flour and failed miserably. Every time I've tried to use that particular flour what I'm attempting to make never comes out. But I'm experimenting and will hopefully have some recipes for you!!

  18. Gabriella says

    I agree with the photography tips and tricks. You really have an eye for things and I don't know why, but your photos are always super clear/crisp (is that how you'd desribe it?). Anway, another thing I generally love is when bloggers share their everyday life. A picture an hour / trip to the market / food for little John Shea / etc.

    I really love coming to your blog and I feel like you are so authentic – with your pictures and your writing. Keep up the truly amazing work that you do, Amanda.

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Aw Gabriella, you are so kind to me. Thank you!! I feel so out of place sharing photography tips but I will get a post up on what I've learned so far. Thank you again!!

  19. Lisa Townsend says

    Oh I absolutely love your blog. You point out God's goodness and faithfulness in such beautiful ways and even in the hard times. It's such a breath of fresh air. Like everyone else commented, your recipes and photos are always amazing but would love to know what inspired you to start pursuing each and how you stay inspired. Also, love learning more about you and your family and the adventures you have together. Would love to hear any advice on being a marine wife, how you balance everything with being a wife and mom, blogging, exercising and learning a new language 🙂 but you always have wonderful posts and I always love reading what you post. So thanks for the encouragement and inspiration!

  20. Trisha says

    Just adding my voice to the many above praising your amazing photography skills. I'd also love to read your tips for styling/photography. Regular/everyday life stuff is good too! 🙂

  21. Kalena T says

    Love your blog thus far, it wouldn't have to change at all for me to continue loving it! With that said, I'd love some more personal posts i.e. life with a toddler, quick/easy week night meals, fitness.

  23. redheadchick says

    Your blog is pretty awesome so far, really a breath of fresh air for me as a mil spouse! We live overseas and travel ALOT with our small daughter. Perhaps some posts on traveling with small children, elaborating on what to pack for them, for you, tips on keeping your sanity…. 🙂 🙂

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Haha well our past two trips with him were about as terrible as they could be, so hopefully when we travel at Christmas everything will go much better! I like the tips for keeping your sanity… 😉

  24. Stephanie Palmer says

    My best friend and her husband are both in the Army and just moved to Okinawa. I found you when I was researching the island (and maybe planning a trip!). It was so fun to see your posts about Oki and imagine my friends experiencing the same sights/local community as you. Your blog just makes me smile. 🙂 As a recent college grad, you are such an inspiration to me and I totally wish we were friends. Your story is an amazing testament to God's goodness and faithfulness and I love seeing how He is working in your life. Thank you for your encouragement! Anyways, I love your style. Seriously. Clothing, home decor, all of it. I would love to see more style/design tips and photos on the blog! Help a girl out. 🙂

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Thank you, Stephanie!! I wish we were friends in real life too! Haha, I could use some help myself in those areas but I'd love to post on that 😉 I hope your friends are loving Oki — those were three of the best years of our life out there. If she ever needs anything, she can always email me! Thank you for reading and for your sweet comment!

    • Stephanie Palmer says

      Haha perfect, I'll call you up next time I'm in Monterey and we can be friends! 🙂 Yes, my friends are loving Oki! It's quite the transition, but they're having fun exploring the island. I seriously can't wait to go visit, you made it look amazing! I'll send your blog her way. Thanks, Amanda!

  25. Tim and Lanna Britt says

    Ahhhh Mands! I am so glad that you can hopefully see and realize how treasured you are — both by people who know and love you – and people who are only meeting you through the blog!! I have to second what Caravan Sonnet inferred — in the midst of crazy (and you know just how crazy) work days are — if I have a free second and click my favorite button to take me here — I immediately audibly sigh and just feel relaxed and de-stressed — if only for a minute or two. Your blog really is a breath of fresh air. It's authentic and real and honest and simple. You aren't trying to be perfect — you aren't letting the blog run your life — and you aren't oversharing 🙂 Anything you post — I'm gonna love and wish I was sharing it with you!
    Miss you sweet friend!
    ~lanneybear

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Lanneybear!!!! Love you so much! Thank you for making my day!! I wish you were here. But I'll just keep getting excited about the Britt-Marshall Croatia family reunion coming up. Miss you always!!!

  27. Genevieve Daniels says

    I LOVE your blog. You are my favorite person that I have never met! Just more of what you're already doing: recipes (I always feel guilty receiving compliments for your chorizo stew), beautiful photos, your current home… I followed you from Okinawa to Monterey and am looking forward to Zagreb! My family and I are going to spend some time in Carmel Valley before Christmas so I've been saving all your Monterey posts (I can't wait to hike Point Lobos). We spent part of our honeymoon on the Dalmatian Coast but never made it to Zagreb but it has intrigued me since. Oh, and my almost one year old daughter requests more photos of John Shea and his dreamy blue eyes. She giggles and points at photos of him – I think she has a baby crush on him. Thank you for letting us stalk you! The beauty and positivity you put out into the world is uplifting and inspiring.

  28. Colleen says

    Hi friend! I agree with everyone else… Just keep being you. I love that every time I read your blog, it is a bit of a reboot for me to refocus on the simple things in life and what is important – faith, love, family, travel, and food. All of my favorite things. I would love to learn more about how you make your marriage strong in the midst of everything else going in your life, as well as your views on how to travel with kids, any books that you are loving, how you stay in shape, and maybe a "day in the life" post. My list could go on and on. With all of that said, most of all I just want to say thank you. While I know your blogposts are just a sliver of your life, your genuine personality and positivity radiate through.

  29. Vicky L says

    Hi Amanda! Long time reader, infrequent commenter. Thought I would this time though to let you know that your blog is always an inspiration to me – particularly your posts about healthy cooking and food, your beautiful family and your everyday life together, and also your amazing travels! I've made your recipes multiple times and always love them. I followed all your expat posts, especially as I have recently moved far away from home with my boyfriend. Your adventures have also given me many travel ideas – for example, it grew my interest in Croatia and I had the fortune of traveling there last month! Anyway, I guess my point is, you are such a positive influence for your readers, even those of us like me who rarely pipe up…and we hope you keep doing what you're doing 🙂

  30. k8linx says

    I ve loved out blog for quite something – I d love to have a post (maybe a series {i know I m getting greedy}) about your camera, lens, how you shoot, tricks you ve learned, and how you edit. I know I m not alone – your photos are amazing

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