22 Mar Sunshine Blogger Award

Happy Friday friends!

Are you ready for the weekend? I am! I have been at home most of the week, as I had dry needling and it sometimes takes me a few days to recuperate. It is part of the situation I live with, with EDS and that, I have accepted. Today, I am sharing with you a lovely surprise from another blogger, Anna Shirley, of the blog, The GLam Adventure, as she has nominated me with The Sunshine Blogger Award.! 🙂

Remember the song “Walking on Sunshine” in the 90s by Katrina and the Waves. It was as a happy upbeat tune! The thing that strikes me kind of as funny, is when they shot this video, in the UK, there was no sunshine! I suppose we are not to take this idea of “walkin on sunshine” literally, but as something to live by.. having more of a positive attitude in life 🙂

What is the Sunshine Blogger Award, you may ask?

“It is an award given by the bloggers to the fellow bloggers who are spreading the positivity and good vibes through their blogs.”

That was very thoughtful to me, as I try to be a positive person, even with a chronic pain condition and tough days. I feel that we can choose to be happy each day and have the ability to make what we want from it.

1. Thank the person who nominated you, and also includes a link back to their blog.
2. Answer the questions given by the person who nominated you.
3. Nominate other blogs and also give questions for them to answer.
4. Notify your nominees through social media or by commenting on their blog.
5. List the rules and display a Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post.

Here are the questions that were posed to me by Anna.

What is your favourite quote? There are many quotes I love, quotes about confidence, self-love etc, but this does speak to me. I think people are the most beautiful when they can be themselves. There is such a freedom that comes with that.

What is your hobby (other than blogging)?

Playing guitar. I graduated from Duquesne Music School in Pittsburgh, in Guitar Performance. I have been playing guitar since the age of 10. I have taught guitar for years. Now, after dealing with my EDS for 10 years, and not being able to play, I am getting back into playing for my own enjoyment. I love rock, blues and jazz, and will pick out tunes by ear, in our music room.

This is my Gibson ES-335 Jazz guitar. I also have a USA made Strat and Taylor acoustic.

Why did you start blogging?

I mentioned this on my About Me page, I began blogging, as my disease was all-encompassing with pain and I needed a diversion and focus away from the condition. I have always loved Fashion and being creative, so I began by researching blogs Over 40. After viewing some of the blogs, I thought it would be something I could do and enjoy

This shoot for Karina dresses was a blast! We got lucky and the owner of this vintage truck let us use it for the shoot.u

What was your most read blog post? 

It was Over 40 –Wearing a Romper

Kind of surprising to me, but I suppose ladies want to know how to wear a romper and do it in a classy way 🙂 I also am one that doesn’t beleive in rules for women over 40 in fashion, so I will wear what makes me feel confident, that is what I try and stress to my readers too, if you feel confident in something, say a romper, wear it, don’t worry about any silly rules!

What blog post are you the proudest of and why? 

What;s Your Definition of Happiness at Midlife?

I began writing in 2018 about Midlife topics, mostly on Fridays, as I wanted to expand my writing to topics that interest me and my readers in addition to fashion. I would love to hear more from readers on those midlife topics too 🙂 I have come to a part of my life too, this later part, where I often become introspective and think about what really does make me happy. I have a loving husband, 2 wonderful pups, and a close family- these things are the most important to me and make me happy- as does vanilla ice cream and being able to sleep in, in the morning, after years of waking up at 5 am for teaching!

What was your most difficult topic you write about

I do write about my disease, Ehlers-Danlos condition, and I just wanted to make sure when I wrote about it, that people would know that I didn’t want to be defined by it. I wanted to spread awareness, about this invisable illness, and some of the challenges I face, as it is part of my life. Fashion and midlife topics were important to me also, and I wanted to focus on that.

Did you find something via blogging that you didn’t know before?

I had no idea that brands collaborated with bloggers. I have been fortunate to work with some great brands like Chicos, Soft Surroundings, Jambu and have a better understanding of how to work with them, and also to value what I do.

Where you would like to live if you can choose any country of the world?

I am not sure, as I haven’t traveled as much as I would like. It would have to be somewhere where there was a fair amount of sunshine!

Nominees- I nominate the following blogs for the Sunshine Blogger Award

Kellyann of This Blonde Shopping Bag

Suzanne of Crazy Blonde Life

Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge

Hilda o Over the Hilda blog

My Questions to Answer

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What do you love about it, would like to change?
3. How have you grown as a blogger?
4. What was your favorite post to write?
5. What makes you happy or “walk on sunshine”?

Have a great weekend, Hoping for sunshine your way!

Jess xx