Friday, November 1, 2013

Saturday Spotlight: Daniela from Frugal Ain't Cheap

Hi, everyone!  Myself and (Kris) Junk Chic Cottage wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been
 done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.
There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Kris's and my blog. 

Today I'm happy to introduce you to Daniela  from Frugal Ain't Cheap.  I may be a wee bit envious of Dani and all her 'skills'!   She does it all...she sews, she cooks, she makes things and posts her DIY projects...you get the idea!  (I tease her that she's the Italian Martha Stewart! :)  You'll always learn something new and interesting on her blog.  I'm just hoping to someday to be treated to one of her fabulous Italian meals-lol!
Please sit back, relax, and enjoy getting to know Daniela better!


Thank you Susan for having me.
I am Daniela from Frugal Ain't Cheap.
I love projects that are made from either free, recycled or used stuff, keeping my budget to a minimum, not necessarily because I need to, but because I want to. 
It challenges my creativity and it's just a great way to make the most of what I already own.
I was born and raised in Northern Italy, by 100% Italian parents, 

and moved to US in my late teens to go to College. 
I put myself through (Private) College by working anywhere between 40 to 60 hours a week, while being a full time student and keeping up with my grades. 
My undergraduate degree was in Interior Design/Art, followed by a Master of Science in Education.
I have always considered myself a well rounded person. 
Not necessarily one with the smartest IQ, 
I really am an average person, 
but I believe that hard work and great work ethic is a wonderful way of life.
A few "fun" facts about myself:
I just recently (8 months ago) got addicted to running 
(don't ask me how, I used to think runners were crazy...now I joined the team).
Planning on running my first full marathon in April...26.2miles all in one time.
I play both violin and piano.
I speak (and understand) a handful of languages, but I will say I am fluent in only 2: Italian and English.
I have lived in Europe (Italy) and spent few months in West Africa, where I volunteered in an Orphanage and women's Shelter. 
I have been in the US of A for 15 years now...all spent in the South. 
What can I say, I love biscuits and gravy.
(Although pizza has a special place in my heart).
If you are one of my followers, you already know that I love to cook and I love to use power tools, not at the same time. That would be interesting and make me VERY unique.
I enjoy doing pretty much anything with my hands and I am a visual learner 100%. 
I am married to this cutie,
 and I have been a stay at home mom since our first child was born. I recently started homeschool with our oldest. 

Somehow, I still manage to find time to let my creativity roll. 
Which is very important for my sanity.
I started Frugal Ain't Cheap blog to keep track of my projects and recipes...both on a small budget.

Thanks for reading, and thank you Susan for having me today on your LOVELY blog!!
Stay Frugal,
Daniela

Daniela, thank you so much for sharing more of your story with us!  Please visit her at Frugal Ain't Cheap, then head over to Kris's blog to read more about Sherry from Thrift My House.
Have a great day! :)

41 comments:

  1. I really like Daniela's blog. I didn't know she homeschooled.

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  2. Dani,
    It was so great to get to know you better. I love to learn all these great things about you that I did not know. How great you were born and raised in Italy and that you home school. Sherry on my blog this week for Spotlight also home schools. You guys are my hero's to give so much of yourselves to your children. Your story was so inspiring and it was so sweet to know you better.
    Kris

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  3. Thanks for featuring Daniela. I have followed her for quite awhile and enjoyed learning even more about her.

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  4. Daniella has a great blog... with so many tips and recipes... and she DIY's too. She's sooo talented!

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  5. Daniela is awesome and so talented!

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  6. I love Daniella's blog. She is a girl after my own heart! So much fun finding out more about her.

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  7. Happy to meet you, Daniela/Dani! I will be hopping right over...you had me at Italian! (My mother was Italian). :))

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    1. thank you Rita (I have an aunt name Rita). I go by both names :)

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  8. What a rich beautiful life Daniella has! Thank you for sharing it. I feel like she could write a book as her experiences are so interesting!

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  9. What an interesting life Daniella has already had!!! So many enriching experiences. Loved getting to know her better.
    Susan, this is such a great series you and Kris have going. It's always so fun to get to know the behind-the-scenes of other bloggers.
    Mary Alice

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  10. I love Daniela's blog...it was fun learning even more about her!

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  11. Daniela always inspires me! I'm so happy that she married into my family. She's a fabulous mother and wife and Christian all rolled into one. I'm so impressed with her ability to do all that she does and all that she has done.

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  12. Wow! Amazing young woman! I just got through looking at her blog and her frugal living section. I love seeing this can do attitude and I know that her children will learn many life skills from her. Is there anything she can't do?!!

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  13. Thanks for a peek into your life Daniela. :-) It is always so interesting to learn more about the woman behind the blog.
    We have somethings in common... being born in another country that is.

    Hugs, Gee

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  14. I already knew you were amazing Daniela!! It was super fun to get to know you better! You are awesome!

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  15. I follow Daniela's blog and I'm very happy to get to know her better!

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  16. I'm glad to see Daniela in the spotlight and get to know her a little bit more! I love her blog, she is amazing!

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  17. Dearest Susan,
    Thanks for this guest post by our dear friend Daniela. She indeed is multi-talented and now I also got to learn here that she plays the violin and piano on top of everything else and she outruns MOST of us... WOW!
    Godspeed to both of you.
    Mariette

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    1. I am a lover of learning for sure. Not necessarily book knowledge, but all things in life

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  18. Daniela, I had no idea you were about to run a marathon, good luck! It was nice to learn a bit more about you today. Keep those projects coming you are so inspirational to me.

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  19. I know Daniela's blog as her mother in law (Kim/Savvy Southern) introduced it to me....loved getting to know Daniela more!..

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  20. Hi Susan, I am not familiar with Daniela but she sounds like an amazing gal! My mom taught us that hard work was a very important thing. Never been afraid of it. lol! How awesome to have been born in beautiful Italy. I must hop over and say 'hi'. Especially since my youngest daughter and SIL just returned from spending a month in Africa.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  21. It was really interesting learning more about you, Daniela. You certainly seem to get the most out of life. I share your love of pizza, but only those cooked Italian-style!

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  22. WOW, what a life Daniela has lived. Growing up in Italy and all her success in school is amazing. I'd love to know how to speak fluent Italian. I'm 100% Italian but 3rd generation so the language got lost. I follow Daniela's blog. I so love this series you and Kris do!!

    Cynthia

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  23. Hi Susan and Daniela, Susan, thank your for introducing Daniela to us. Daniela, I love your attitude. Run, girl, run! You are one smart lady and I admire you for homeschooling. I think that is an awesome choice and one that you will never regret. Your decision will enhance your children's lives forever. I know the need personally. I have six grandchildren and the schools of two of them were dreadfully lacking. It still breaks my heart.
    I will be coming by for a visit.
    Savannah Granny (Ginger)

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  24. Susan, this is such a Great Idea!! Thank~You Daniela for sharing about yourself, and I have got to get over to your Blog so I can follow you by email. You remind me of my very frugal Daughter and her family.

    Huggs, Nancy

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  25. Dani, you really amaze me with how much you can do! Well-rounded doesn't do you justice. I've loved your blog since day 1. XOXO

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  26. Thank you so much for this post with Daniela featured. I didn't know of her blog and now I'm curious! She sounds like she is very successful at all she does!

    XO,
    Jane

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  27. Danni it's great to get to know you better! I hope homeschooling is going well. I always wanted to do that - but obviously not enough to do it!

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  28. Danni sure inspires me! I am going to head to her blog now. I have seen it a few times but sure am glad you shared her with us! Boy how I love these Sat features.

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  29. I have been a follower/fan of Daniela for quite some time and am always inspired by her projects and recipes! I enjoyed learning more about her education and seeing the darling photo of her and her husband : )
    I didn't see mention of her shop here (amazing), but I did a post earlier this year highlighting some beautiful things I got from her. If you're interested, you can see it here:
    http://creatingalifenow.blogspot.com/2013/04/homekeeping-and-pretty-kitchen-linens.html

    Thanks for sharing her, Susan!

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  30. I have only recently started following Daniela (she came highly recommended) and I love her blog! Love learning a little more about her here too!

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  31. love finding new-to-me blogs! off to check her out!

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  32. I adore Daniela! It was great to learn a bit more about her.
    -Revi

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