Awards!

As the title above suggests, I have been recognized by some other bloggers for writing that is apparently  "stylish" and "sunshiney".

Though I already posted on the blog in prior posts that were put up in a hasty manner, I shall post them again because I FINALLY have some time to graciously accept and pass them along.

On Tuesday I received the "Sunshine Award" from Kate over at Kate as of Late .

And then, in another turn of events...

I received the stylish blogger award from Miss Mary over at In The Waiting Line.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to both ladies. And everyone should check them both out!

Needless to say I was surprised, confused, speechless,  and pretty exhausted, hence why I haven't been able to properly devote time to said awards.But I have made some time today on this here Sunday before I finish my Quarter 4 grades and watch a few more episodes of The Golden Girls.

It's sometimes pretty cool to think that more than just the current 15 lovely followers or the "commenters" that I have are actually reading and enjoying. This is without saying something I really do appreciate.

Now clearly this is my first time receiving any sort of blog recognition, so trying to follow the rules, not step on any toes, and understand exactly what about me emulates sunshine or style took a little bit of thought.

These awards do come with "rules" some of which I will break. But they did not come with much of a descriptor as to what the receiver must emulate in order to receive it.

For instance, the Sunshine Award. Is my writing so positive and optimistic that it shines a little bit of metaphorical sunshine? Is it funny? Do I have a nice and sunshiny demeanor online? Do I look good in yellow? Do I look like I need to get a tan and it is suggested that I get more sunshine? Am I easily confused for the sun?

As far as the stylish blogger award, is my writing style something to take notice of because of my "voice" and "tone" or is it just super stylish? And how? Couture? Hipster? Prep? Have the few pictures on my blog of my wedding dress, sweats, and coral pants given off the aura that I dress well? Or Is wearing socks that don't match, with clogs and black teacher pants now high fashion and I've turned into a fashion icon for all 20 somethings trying to get dressed in the dark from clothing in the basket you just haven't gotten to folding for a week?

These things I may never know.

BUT. I shall make up my own qualifications for what these awards mean so that I can pass the torch on and those receiving it do not confuse my love for their happy demeanor thinking that I am actually just trying to urge them to start wearing yellow. Because, I mean, let's face it, it doesn't look good on everyone. I don't want to be responsible for that.

The rules for the two rules are as follows:
(Sunshine Award)
1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.
2. Tell us something about yourself.
3. Nominate 10 other bloggers.
4. And let them know you awarded them!

(Stylish Blogger Award)
1. Thank the person who gave 
2. Tell my readers 7 things about myself
3. Nominate 7 other bloggers.
4. Let them know that I awarded them.


Now I am going to follow the lead of another blogger who I found to have received the Sunshine  Award, Kelly over at When The Time Is Right and risk blog shaming, degradation, besmirching, and "unfollowing" and only award the two awards to 5 other bloggers each.

Here's my reasoning: It's pretty cool to receive an award. And there are TONS of bloggers that I love out there. But giving it out to a large percentage of blogs almost makes it seem a little less special, and as a relatively new blogger (2 months ish?) I'm still discovering blogs that I like and want to follow. If I gave out 17 I'm pretty sure that would be every single blog I follow. Not that they all don't deserve it. But it would just be silly.

I also didn't know if we could give back to the person who nominated us? So those who nominated me did not get mentioned, but you should still go visit them!

Drumroll Please.

The ladies I nominate,  (along with explanations as to why),  for the Sunshine Award are:

1. Juliana @ A Blonde Walks Into A Blog I am nominating her because her little piece of "sunshine" is that she is INSPIRING. She is a wife, mother, blogger, who was living a "normal" life until she came down with a debilitating chronic illness that she has been fighting for what I think is almost a year now. She hasn't been able to update recently because she's trying to get better, but I am eager to see what she has to say once she is able to blog on a regular basis again.
2. Jamie @ This Kind of Love  
This girl asks us to shine a little sunshine on our lives each week for What We Are Loving Wednesday and look at what we have going that is positive in our lives. What isn't to love about that? We all need a little bit of a positive attitude in the middle of the week!
3. Jessica Renee @ You Are My Color
Not only does she a kind and thoughtful commenter on many of my posts which I appreciate HUGELY, but she is quite funny and relate-able over at you are my color
4.Caroline @ Different Shades of Gray
Caronline is a newlywed that whenever I read about her day to day adventures of being happily married and still figuring it out, I feel as though I can relate to her on so many levels. Also, her perspective that she takes on some subjects and how she blogs makes her come off as one of those justgenuinely nice people.
 5. Jenn @ Going The Distance
While the "reason" for her blog and theme of her writing has changed within the last month, her positive demeanor and love for enjoying life has not. Reading about her everyday goings-ons and how she is trying her best to put a positive spin on everything is a little bit of Sunshine in my life!


And for the Stylish Blogger Award

1. CMae @ Happiness is...
I found her through her link up of Tail Wagging Tuesday, but the longer I followed I realized that, man does this girl have style! She is a teacher like me, and in every single picture she looks well put together and stylish something of which is NOT my forte. She is what every young teacher should aspire to look like on their way to work, no matter how late they stayed up grading. 
2. Rebecca @Southern Charm
Rebecca posts a lot of pictures. And in a lot of those pictures she is in them. And a lot of the time I want to raid her closet. Her style is simple, put together and fun, which I have yet to accomplish but would like to. Her blog is also great to read and she hosts a new link up every Thursday that you should check out. All of these are good things.
3.Kym @ Travel Babbles
Kym is one of those girls that through her writing, online persona, and pictures comes off as one of those classy ladies. She is experiencing the life of being the soon to be wife of a hockey player, and how she continues to look good while either living out of a suitcase or just being busy in general is beyond me. Plus her bulldog kind of cracks me up.
4. Jamie @ The CP 
I picked Jamie for this because not because of her wardrobe (which I mean from what I can tell is great but that's not what I'm going for here) but for her photography. I myself and trying to ease my way back into the photo taking world, and whenever she posts some new pieces I just love them. So I guess her it's her blog, and her photos that I find stylish.
5. Melissa @ The Smiths & Co
Melissa is also a newlywed that I started to follow just for that reason, but I am nominating her for the same reason as Jamie above. She is trying to get back into the photography world and getting used to handling her camera, and so far she's been doing great! Her favorite model is her new puppy, which those photos are probably no lie my favorite of hers so far. Also, she seems just like one of those classy and genuinely nice people, so overall a few stylish things!


So those are my nominees! Girls, thanks for being fun to pursue here on the internetz. Do not feel obligated at all to have to do anything with these, pass them on, etc. I just want to recognize you for your wonderfulness!

To wrap things up, here are those "Things About Me" that I am required to provide via both of the awards. I will do 7 as the sunshine award requests.

1. I played Rugby all 4 years in college. Coolest sport ever.
2. I have one leg slightly longer than the other and have to get all of my left shoes "fixed" with about a half inch "lift" on each one.
3. My maiden name sounded like an animal, and my married name is now a fruit. I can't get away from nouns.
4. I would like to eventually make my way back to a town/city that is on the ocean to live.
5. I originally went to college to be a journalist. After about a semester of that I switched to education. Everyone in my family gave me a big fat I told you so.
6.We were actually hoping that Bruin would get to be a "Large" breed dog when we first got him through the rescue, which they thought he would as well. Now that he is a meager 35 pounds and officially "Medium" we're actually happy that it worked out that way because he is the perfect size for an apartment.
7. If I couldn't be a teacher I would try and make it as a Stand Up comedian. I don't really have an interest in any other profession. And I guess teaching middle school has given me some practice as someone who stands up in front of people, tells jokes, and tries to not get food thrown at them when they're being totally lame.

Phew! What a long post! If you have made it all the way here then you deserve an award yourself!

Happy Sunday!