Who Doesn’t Love a Good Mystery?

November 21, 2016November 20, 2016 ~ Nicky M ~ 14 Comments

What is the mystery blogger award?

“Mystery Blogger Award” is an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging; and they do it with so much love and passion.

– Okoto Enigma

Thankyou to Sasha, from Sasha’s Writings and Katelyn from Doe Eyes for both nominating me for the same award! This was an awesome honour – especially when I read the quote above from the creator of this award Okoto Enigma.

Rules…

Add the award image to your blog

List the rules

Thank whoever nominated you AND the creator and provide links to their sites

Tell your readers 3 random facts about yourself

Answer the questions you’ve been asked

Nominate 10 – 20 people and notify them by commenting on their blogs

Ask your nominees 5 question, with 1 weird or funny question

Share a link to your favourite post

Three random facts…

⭐️ I have tiny size 3 feet

⭐️ Hubby and I have been together for 28 years!

⭐️ I love falling asleep to the sound of the rain

Things you need to know about me…

As I was nominated by 2 different people, there are 2 sets of questions…phew!

1. WHY DID YOU START BLOGGING?

I started blogging because I’ve always been a fan of words and I felt I had a story to share.

2.WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO ON YOUR DOWNTIME?

I love to read, journal, spend time planning surprises for people. But in reality, all my spare time is spent here on The Shimmer Within Her!

3. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC?

Ooooh, I’ve written about this many times. I have an eclectic taste in music: jazz, heavy metal, 90s pop, 80s hair metal, classical – it depends where I am and what mood I am in!

4. WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE 3 LEGS OR 3 ARMS? (WEIRD/FUNNY)

Probably 3 arms as I would be able to give great hugs and get loads more done around the house!

5. WHAT IS SOMETHING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

I don’t have a bucket list as such – but I have recently written a post about why. You’ll have to wait and see…

1.How many times a day do you look at yourself in the mirror?

Not that many!

2. What is your greatest strength and weakness?

My greatest strength is that I always look for the best in people and my greatest weaknesses are my children – although you could turn both of those answers around!

3. If your were the opposite sex for one day, what would you look like and what would you do?(wierd question)

Tough question! I would look pretty normal I guess, and spend my day trying to understand what it was like being a guy. Not a very interesting answer!

4. Name three things in nature you find most beautiful!

Oh, only 3! The night sky, flowers and a deserted beach.

5. What’s your profession and why did you choose this ? Did you choose this on your own or you have to by fate?

I am a Therapeutic Play Worker in a primary school by day. I have always loved helping others and this way I get to help children’s day s become a little brighter. My role evolved into this with the training that I did. By night I am a blogger whose passions lie in helping others find their smiles too (although I currently make zero money from this!).

Things I need to know about you…

1. If you were an animal, what would you be? (Weird question)

2. What is the nicest thing anyone has ever commented on your blog?

3. If I were to meet you for the first time, what is the first thing I would notice about you?

4. Name 1 thing people do that really gets under your skin and how do you let it go?

5. Name your favourite way to show love towards those closest to you?

I nominate these awesome people…

Katie Kuo

Untamed Wildfire

Comically Quirky

Born Again Minimalist

You’re What You Think All Day Long

Untangled

These awards are both a bit of fun and a way to get to know each other a little better – but more importantly they are a way to promote each other and share the love.

So nominate blogs you love and think we will love too. Help us find those amazing posts you are reading and expand our tribe.

Let’s take the mystery out of blogging!

The Real Neat Blog Award

October 27, 2016October 26, 2016 ~ Nicky M ~ 11 Comments

Thank you to Francis and Anna from francisandanna.com for nominating me for such a great award.

If you haven’t checked out their blog – head over there for a glimpse into their adventures to beautiful places.

So, the rules are:

Thank and link the blogger who nominated you.
Answer the questions asked.
Nominate 7 more bloggers for the award (it’s nice to advise them independently)
Create seven questions for your Nominees.

Things you need to know about me:

What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

I drink a glass of water and set my intentions for the day. I believe the best way to start your day is with positivity and calmness.

If there is one place you wanted to visit, where would it be?

I would love to visit America. All of it.

What is that one word that your friends describe you as?

I think my friends would describe me as kind.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Becoming ‘me’ again after the death of my younger brother.

What does your perfect day look like?

I love this question! It would have to include afternoon tea, shopping, a cocktail, a nice hotel and my family!

If you were to create a piece of art, what would the subject be?

Love – because it’s all encompassing.

What motivates you?

I feel most motivated when I am excited about what I’m doing. I can literally lose hours when I am writing – the time use flies by!

Things I need to know about you:

Name one person who has helped you become the person you are today.

How did you decide on the name of your blog?

How would you describe your style?

What is your favourite dessert?

How do you like to relax?

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Who was the last person you said ‘Thank you’ to and why?

I am nominating my newest finds:

Funhouse Vision

Michaela Schell

That Girl Called C

Scintillating Memoirs

Up and Down the Rabbit Hole

A Mile in my Shoes

It Rains in my Heart

Thanks again to Francis and Anna for nominating me for this award,

I wish you all a great day!

Nicky 💋

I’m No Expert, But I Can Tell You My Story

October 13, 2016September 25, 2016 ~ Nicky M ~ 10 Comments

An award is a great chance to share a little something about myself and my blogging journey so far.

Kristian from Life Lessons Around the Dinner Table has nominated me for 2 awesome awards recently (or maybe not so recently – I’m a little behind!)

As I’ve done a few award posts recently – I thought I’d put the 2 together and do a mishmash of them both!

My blog. My rules.

Things you need to do

Thank the one who nominated you and embed a link to their blog.
Share how you started your blog.
Give a little bit of advice that new bloggers can take away.
Select fifteen other blogs who you think really deserve the award.
Visit the blogs you nominated and let them know.

Share how you started your blog

I started this blog because I love words!

After my younger brother died I spent a long time journaling, finding quotes and affirmations and reading other blogs in a bid to heal myself.

I knew I had a story to share. I knew I wasn’t the only person who had experienced rock bottom and so I decided to share my journey of finding myself and in time becoming the best authentic version of myself.

Over the last 6 months I have connected with so many other amazing people – I call them my tribe! People from across the world, living different lives, writing about different topics. But it’s been great. When you find a group of people that you can truly be yourself with, it’s a beautiful thing.

And I think you’re all amazing!

Give a little bit of advice that new bloggers can take away

Write what you know. Write about your passions, what excites you. Write for yourself.

People will feel your enthusiasm and come back for more. Don’t worry when you first start out that you have to have it all figured out. Just write. Your style and voice will follow in time. The more you write, the more ideas you will have. You will find inspiration everywhere – don’t forget to connect with your readers too. This has made the biggest difference to my experience. When you leave a comment on a piece of writing that touches you, inspires you or simply makes you smile, it feels great!

7 things you need to know about me

I love a good quote.

I buy most of my clothes in charity shops (thrift stores if you’re from across the pond).

My favourite colour lipstick is red.

I have tiny feet – size 3.

I now have 2 dogs – Missy and Lola.

I have a thing for handbags – read about it here.

I have an eclectic taste in music, depending on my mood I could be listening to jazz, heavy metal, 90’s club classics, 80’s hair metal or classical!

Select fifteen other blogs who you think really deserve the award

This is really difficult as I’ve nominated over 20 blogs in the last month – so I’m going to open it out to anyone who would like to have this award OR better still, if you’re reading this and wish to nominate your favourite blogs, go ahead!

Thanks again, to Kristian for allowing me to share some of my blogging journey with you all.

Keep writing – the world needs your story.

Nicky 💋

Three Awards in One Month!

September 22, 2016September 22, 2016 ~ Nicky M ~ 18 Comments

Versatile: capable of adapting or turning from one thing to another

Versatile to me means not rigid, flowing and adaptable. I think that’s a pretty awesome thing to be known for and it fits in with my intentions ‘Ease and Flow’ for 2016 – read about them here.

I’ve been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award before – but it’s always so lovely and exciting when someone thinks your little blog is worthy of a mention. Thank you to Sweta Ojha for nominating me.

I’ve written before, that when someone takes the time to read, comment, like or mention you in some way it inspires me to continue to write. It makes me want to write amazing content for you to read and hopefully you will take something away that in turn inspires you, touches you or simply makes you smile.

There’s a bunch of things I’m supposed to do…

Show the award on your blog
Thank the person/people who nominated you
Share 7 things about yourself.
Nominate 10 blogs

Things you need to know about me…

⭐️ I’m an old romantic – think flowers, holding hands, kisses in the rain

⭐️ I work in a pastoral team in a very large primary school – I tell the kids it’s my job to help everyone find their smile

⭐️ As a child I had an imaginary dog called Bumpy dog

⭐️ 12 months ago I made some drastic lifestyle changes and have never looked back

⭐️ I need a hug EVERY day

⭐️ I have already started my Christmas shopping!

⭐️ I believe that you should find one thing that makes you smile Every. Single. Day

I am nominating my most recent follows…

Sarah Maries Crafts and Fashion

Sparkle

The Vegan Mystic

Craft and Other Crazy Plans

Big and Pinky Toes

My Friday Blog

Queen of the Girl Geeks

Common Vibes

Flower in Rainy Day

Rhianna Elizabeth Blog

The thing I love most about being nominated for an award is that you then get to share and showcase what others are doing, by nominating their blogs.

Check them out, like their stuff and leave a kind comment – let’s share the love.

Not Your Average Award Name

September 5, 2016September 4, 2016 ~ Nicky M ~ 8 Comments

If there was an award for the award with the best name…it would have to go to this award!

Seriously.

I’ve been lucky enough to have done a few of these awards in the five months I’ve been blogging and I’ve regularly written about how I love what they stand for, learning more about the person posting and how it’s a platform from sharing blogs you enjoy reading with your followers.

This award is very similar; has similar rules and nominations etc – but it has the best name ever! I’m smiling as I type this!

Thank you to Teen Girl Meets World for allowing me the honour of posting The Smiley Thumb Award on my blog. I’m still smiling EVERY time I look at it!

The rules are:

1. Display the award logo in your post – with a smile.

2. Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog – yep still smiling!

3. Tell us what makes you smile – aside from this award…

4. Nominate other bloggers for this award. How many is up to you – anyone who is worthy of a smile!

I post a weekly series called It’s The Little Things and it’s full of things that have made me smile that week. Check it out HERE.

I’m going to nominate EVERYONE. Because I believe everyone should have the opportunity to do this one and add the smiley thumb to their home page….and I’m still smiling!