Sunshine Blogger Award

I hadn’t heard about the Sunshine Blogger Award until I was lucky enough to nominated for it! From what I can see, it’s a fantastic expansion of comment threads and a way to really showcase the blogs that you love to read and interact with!

I am honoured to be awarded this nomination by both Ricatography 101 and Em (Invincible Woman On Wheels). It means a heap that my blog is being read and recognised on this level, so thank you so much for this nomination!

From what I understand, this nomination is a letter of love and a way to discover more about other bloggers. As I’ve been trying to get more engaged in the amazing blogging community, this is a perfect way to give back and share the love!

A Couple of Quick Rules

Just so everyone is on the same page, here are the few quick rules of the Sunshine Blogger Award:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
2. Answer the 22 questions asked by the person who nominated you. (Two nominations, twice the facts!)
3. Nominate 11 people and ask them 11 questions.
4. Notify the nominees by commenting on one of their posts.
5. List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award image in your post.

Questions from Ricatography 101

This is my first Q&A on the blog, so really looking forward to sharing a bit more about myself and what I love!

Where do you usually want to spend your vacation?

Honestly, this depends on the season. I love skiing so go whenever I have a chance, but I also can’t wait to dust off my scuba license soon. So if it’s a summer holiday, I’d choose the beach, but in winter take me to the mountains!

How do you spend your free time?

Again, no one answer, sorry! It really depends on what mood I’m in. Sometimes I’ll curl up with a book but, otherwise, I’ll hop onto a favourite PC game or rewatch old TV series if I’m really feeling lazy!

What is your most favourite book of all time?

Right, I’ll give a single response this time- because it’s a standout in its series. I love the book The Cry of the Icemark. It’s a YA book about a warrior princess who has to take charge of a country under invasion. Think Vikings with longbows vs Romans with muskets. It’s gritty, has an excellent fantasy element and realistic characters. Love it!

Why do you blog?

My blog started as a way to share my Bullet Journal with the world, but I really loved what I was doing so decided to expand to other organisational skills. I want to help people, and while I am looking at starting to monetize, it’s to cover my costs rather than to make a killing!

If you found a 100$ bill on the street and there is no way of knowing who owns it, what will you with it?

If it was in an area I’m familiar with I’d probably take it to the police station. Otherwise, I’d donate it to charity- I don’t need it and, while it’d be better to get it back to the owner that’s not always possible, so I’d like it to go to a good cause.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement so far?

I think deciding to move to the UK after I finished university was a huge step for me. I’d always wanted to know if I would prefer to live back there, after moving to Australia as a child, and I’m really pleased I stuck it out for four years, gaining a heap of experience (and a brilliant partner) before deciding to move back to Australia. It was a huge step to make on my own, and really proved I can do anything I put my mind to!

What is your favourite food?

I’m going to say salmon! I mean, chocolate too but for savoury food, salmon is top of my list. Regardless of how you present me with salmon, I will love it- especially smoked- and I love how versatile it is.

What kind of music do you usually listen to?

Whatever’s on honestly. If I had to pick three artists who I will listen to a whole album from it ends up being a pretty broad range; P!nk, Imagine Dragons and Taylor Swift. But really, I listen to a pretty broad range, and will try most things once!

What is your favourite breakfast?

While I’m a big fan of pancakes, I can never really be bothered to make them for breakfast so I’m going to say porridge. Proper creamy porridge made with spices and topped with crushed nuts and brown sugar- just the thing for a winter morning!

What new skill you would like to learn?

I’d honestly love to learn at least one foreign language! I’ve been trying on and off for years but never really had the knack. I’m currently on a 170-day streak on Duolingo though, so anything is possible!

If you will describe your blog in one word, what would it be?

Helpful. All I want my blog to do is to help people improve. Whether that’s organisational skills such as starting a bullet journal or something more specific like helping job hunters, I just want to put my knowledge out there to assist others.

Questions from Em, the Invincible Woman on Wheels

What do you consider your biggest blogging achievement?

Last month (October 2020) I was so stoked with my stats to get over the 500 views/month barrier. I’m also hugely proud of my first affiliate and sponsored posts!

Who is one music artist you recommend I listen to?

I’m not a great album listener honestly (although recently I’ve been mainlining folklore) for great get up and go music though, I love Imagine Dragons!

Who’s another blogger you think I should check out?

Honestly, this depends on what you’re interested in! Check out my eleven nominees below for some recommendations!

Where’s one place you want to visit?

New Zealand. I went once when I was a toddler but that doesn’t count! Since then I’ve become a LotR fan and I love skiing so it’s on the top of my list!

Where’s one place in your country that you recommend I visit?

In Australia I’d say there are gems everywhere and it depends on what you like seeing. Avoid spending much time in the tourist hot-spots and get out of the cities to see the real side of things!

What’s the one thing that’s top of your bucket list?

I’m not a fan of bucket lists in that they sometimes come out as lists of things people feel they are entitled to do… but that being said, buying my first house is something I’m hoping to do within the next six months!

What was your first blog post? (on your first blog if you’ve had multiple)

I honestly can’t remember- on old blogs anyway! My first post on Bullet Journaling was just a rough introduction to the journal I had at the time. Before that, I had a random personal blog and I think I had one for a university course many moons ago!

Who would be your top dinner party guest?

Honestly I’d probably go for my longest-running celebrity favourite Richard Armitage. Not only is he fine but I think he has some really interesting political and social takes- he is pretty shy though!

What is your biggest fear?

Honestly at the moment having a night alone in my parents’ house! It’s big and makes lots of creaky noises and freaked me out last week! I ended up putting traps on the stairs…

What’s the best piece of advice you could give someone?

Be yoursel. Some people aren;t going to like you regardless of what mask you put on, but at least if you’re yourself, the people who do like you will like the authentic article!

What is your favourite quote?

I used to have quotes scribbled all over my planners in high school, but the only one that springs to mind currently is “Not all who wander are lost”. It’s from a larger poem in LotR, but to me this line stands out as reassurance that you’re allowed to stray from the beaten track and make your own decisions about your life.

My Sunshine Blogger Award Nominations

Now it’s time for my nominations! I’ve gone through my community interactions from the past couple of months and pulled out blogs and bloggers that I’ve enjoyed reading but who I also feel are great at giving back to the blogging community. You’re all amazing, and I wish you the best in all you do!

• Transatlantic Notes – Lifestyle
• Jack Bamford– Financial
• Quirks & Queries– Lifestyle, Journaling
• Adventure Fit For Life– Health, Lifestyle – Reply
• Ming Writes – University, Blogging
• Beautiful Grey Mouse – Bullet Journaling
• WhatCrazyLife – Lifestyle
• Problems & Projects– DIY, Financial
• Planning With Em – Bullet Journaling, Productivity
• Monodreame – Blogging
• Cherry Blossom Books – Books, Writing

Questions for Nominees

Now it’s my turn, in your Sunshine Blogger Award post, share your answers to these questions! Once you have your post, up drop me the link and I’ll be happy to share it 🙂

1. Which is your favourite season?
2. Why did you start your blog?
3. What’s your favourite icecream flavour?
4. Sunset or sunrise?
5. Where would you go for your dream holiday?
6. What’s your Hogwarts House?
7. Cats or Dogs?
8. Do you wear glasses?
9. What’s your favourite tree species?
10. Who helps you through tough times?
11. Where do you see yourself in five-years time?

That’s it from me! I want to thank Ricatography 101 and Em, (Invincible Woman On Wheels) again for giving me this great opportunity and really hope to share the love! I look forward to finding out more about my nominees once they’ve answered my very random questions!