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.

Why my heart did little star jumps…

September 15, 2016September 12, 2016 ~ Nicky M ~ 14 Comments

As a new blogger on the block, I felt humbled the first time I was nominated for this award…but not this time!

This time I was excited!

To know that another fabulous person thinks you are worthy of The Liebster Award again felt so awesome my heart did little star jumps!!

To know that people still enjoy reading my content 6 months in excites me.

To know that people like your blog and what you have to say so much that they want to others to know too fills me with happiness.

To know that you get a chance to nominate and share blogs you enjoy reading with others makes me smile – because this is what it’s all about.

…and who doesn’t love a good Q & A session?

So, thank-you to Yasmin’s Lifestyle Blog and Dressing Egos for nominating me (a few weeks ago, sorry!)

There’s a bunch of things you’re supposed to do:

Thank the blogger who nominated you.
Answer the 11 questions the blogger gives you.
Nominate 5-11 bloggers that you think are deserving of the award.
Let the bloggers know that you nominated them.
Give them 11 questions of your own.

So let’s get this party started:

What is/was your favorite subject in school?

That’s easy – English. All I ever wanted to do was read books and write stories.

What is your favorite book?

Ooooh not so easy! Depends what mood I’m in…I absolutely love reading teenage fiction, however I’m reading a lot of biographies of kick ass women at the moment! So, I don’t really have one (hope that’s an acceptable answer?)

Have you voted in any election before?

Yes.

What’s your go-to summer outfit?

A floaty, girly dress with sandals.

If you could only put on one make-up item which would it be?

Tinted moisturiser – I do not have good skin!

If you could travel in any where in the world where would it be?

Probably America as there’s a bit of everything there – beach, mountains, shopping…

Do you prefer a good movie or a few episodes of your favorite show?

Ooooh another tough one…I am really fussy about what I watch on TV (no crap basically!) so if I’m watching a show it’s because I really want to watch it.

Mac or Windows?

Mac definitely!

Fruits or veggies?

Vegetables all the way – fruits are the enemy, they don’t like me at all!!!

Do you have a specific exercise routine?

Nope – just whatever I fancy doing! I do yoga, lift weights, run, dance….

Favorite weekend activity?

Breakfast in a lovely restaurant, shopping and chilling at home – oh that’s 3…

Things I need to know about you:

If you had to change your name, what would it be?

Name your best quality.

What foods do you detest and why?

Do you have a favourite number or one that you notice a lot?

What’s your favourite ice cream flavour?

Dogs or cats?

Would you say your glass was half full or half empty?

What is the one piece of advice you wish you had been given before starting a blog?

Where is your favourite place to be?

Have you ever seen a sunset?

Who was the last person you spoke to?

I am nominating these worthy blogs:

Not quite 11, but I have highlighted or nominated quite a few lovely bloggers lately and this was all I could manage.

Don’t forget to let me know when you post as I can’t wait to get to know you a little better.

If you think someone is doing a great job, or deserving of some praise don’t forget to tell them.

You just might change someone’s day!

Wear What You Want!

September 8, 2016September 4, 2016 ~ Nicky M ~ 18 Comments

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“No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up and never give up.”

Regina Brett

When you get dressed in the morning it should be an activity that brings you pleasure!

When you wear clothes that you love, you feel like you can take on the world.

Clothes should energise you, make you smile, bring enjoyment.

I feel at my best in a pretty little dress with a pair of heels and red lips. It’s like my armour – I am ready for battle.

That’s because I know what I like; I rarely follow fashion and only, ONLY buy things that I love.

If I try something on and I like it but don’t love it – sorry but it goes back on the rail.

I love buying vintage and retro outfits – I can feel more amazing in a £3.50 second hand dress that fits me perfectly and is in keeping with my style than I would in the newest designer clothes.

Only once have I asked the question “What are you wearing?” and followed the crowd by wearing what everyone else was. I did not feel like ‘me’ and consequently did not enjoy my night out!

You are you and that is your superpower

How you dress, and more importantly how you wear your clothes can make you feel powerful.

💋 Don’t worry about what everyone else is wearing.

💋 Only wear clothes that you absolutely love.

💋 Wear what you want to.

💋 Be authentic and proud of your style.

What’s your favourite item of clothing and how does it make you feel when you wear it?

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!

Keep smiling 🙂

Writing on your blog…is that even allowed?

August 29, 2016August 23, 2016 ~ Nicky M ~ Leave a comment

Poets don’t draw. They unravel their handwriting and then tie it up again, but differently.

Jean Cocteau

Thankyou to Adelina from The Living Me for inviting me to take part in this challenge!

I do a challenge each month and although I’d already planned my playlist one, this one caught my eye because how often do you get chance to show your writing on your blog? So, two challenges in one month?

My blog. My rules.

Speaking of rules…here are the rules:

💛 Write your name
💛 Write your blog name
💛 Write your favourite word and its definition
💛 Write something nice
💛 Write the name of your favourite song right now
💛 What you’re writing with?
💛 Write a fun fact about yourself
💛 Write/ draw your favourite emoticon
💛 Write a silly message
💛 Write who you’re inviting

Answers:

Your name: Nicky

Your blog name: the shimmer within her

Favourite word: Beautiful – possessing qualities that give great pleasure or satisfaction to see, hear, think about etc

Something nice: I believe we are all amazing!

My favourite song right now: It’s amazing! By Jem

Writing with: a boring pen!

Fun fact: I love reading teenage fiction!

Favourite emoticon: 🙂

A silly message: May some day you find the peanut to your butter!

I invite:

Sparkle with UC

Bedlam and Daisies

Pretty Charms

I hope you enjoyed something a little different.

I did. It was fun.

Any time you get asked personal questions, you have the opportunity to learn a little more about yourself. I started this blog with a dream of helping others find out who they are and who they’re destined to be. With a little soul searching and reflection I believe everyone can become more confident in the beautiful person they truly are.

So have fun with this!

What have you done lately that you’ve not done before or done simply for the fun of it?

Let me know below 💛

Nicky xo