Sunshine Blogger Award

Author:  Heidi Suydam

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The Sunshine Blogger Award is given from bloggers to bloggers. Who is eligible for this award? All bloggers who inspire positivity and creativity by bringing sunshine to the blogging community!

This award is a way of encouraging other bloggers, supporting their efforts and also a way to get to know the person behind the blog a little better.

​​Melanie Silk from Mels2ndAct nominated me for this award and it did just that! Encouraged me in something I am so passionate about! What an honor to be nominated.

​Thank you Melanie!

​Melanie and I first connected on Instagram and

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throughout the last year have gotten to know each other by commenting, direct messaging and supporting each other in midlife and our blogging endeavors. She is such an encourager, always uplifting others. I love to see her smiling face in her posts, she radiates joy and it is infectious!

She started The Midlife Blogging Community on Facebook which is group full of midlife ladies pursuing blogs in just about every blog niche you can imagine. We are actually constantly adding more niche categories because someone joins with a unique niche we haven't thought of yet! In this community we also welcome Midlife Vloggers, one of which is a new Sunshine Blogger Nominee.

If you are a midlife lady who has a blog, vlog or is starting one you are welcome to join this supportive community! 

Part of the Sunshine Blogger Award process is answering questions given to the nominee from the person who nominated them. Melanie's questions to me are as follows:

What is one piece of advice you would give yourself when you were just starting your blog? 

Find online community and support right away. It took me a long time to connect with a community of bloggers.

A community of like minded bloggers both experienced and newbies will provide help, support, tips, encouragement and save you tons of time when trying to figure out all the things that come up with building your blog.

If you could work with any brand, who would it be, and why? 

I had a hard time with this question because I recently discovered I am not super brand loyal unless its my own brand of course (#thesosblog and my side hustle Simply Clean with Water)! Much to my brand loyal daughter's dismay, when it comes to clothing, accessories and shoes I will by what I like regardless of the brand.

After contemplating this brand question for a while I chose Target.  Why Target?

• I enjoy it
• the Target Carwheel App is a great way to save money!
• I have a Target Red Card which also saves me 5% on my entire purchase every time and that is on top of any Cartwheel App savings .
• I love that I can grab a Starbucks before I shop
• Target style is apparently my style - I find lots of things for my home, my office as well as some shoes and clothes.

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What are some of the tools/apps that you find really helpful for your blogging? 

The Plann App is very helpful with my Instagram Account . Having an Instagram account is an important part of blogging in my opinion! It is almost essential for community/relationship building and promoting your blog.

The Plann App helps you style your Instagram account as well as allowing you to set up your feed, write posts ahead of time and schedule them. I use filters and store pictures in the Plann App. I do not usually write posts and schedule them, I write more in the moment, just before posting, I have found my voice is more authentic and feels a lot better when I write like this as opposed to planning and scheduling my posts.

Canva is an app and website that allows you to create posts and marketing of all kinds. Think you aren’t that creative with marketing? Think again! Canva is so helpful you will be creating things you never thought possible!

You can do so much for free with Canva you don’t really need to purchase any of their paid options however I can say, if you want to they are worth it! Especially the Brand Kit which I recently learned about from one of my Sunshine Blogger Nominee's and my new friend Jae.

Tell us about your best friend ​​

My husband is really my best friend.

That may seem cliché but it is true. He is the keeper of my secrets, my greatest confidant, always sees the best in me, my biggest cheerleader and support. He is also the one who can give me gentle constructive criticism and tell me when I am wrong about something without totally annihilating my spirit. We still talk for hours and laugh like crazy. We go on at least one date a week, sometimes two and he really is my favorite person to spend all my time with.
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As far as girlfriends go – I am abundantly blessed with many dear friends but these are by far my best ones.

Have you ever heard the phrase “I grew my own best friend” referring to daughters? I have three girls and they count as my best friends. Two are still teens at home so I have to walk that fine line of “mom vs. friend” but friend doesn’t have to mean “buddy” (maybe that is a post for another time…).

​With  my adult daughter, we have crossed that parent/adult child awkwardness that happens with they first become independent and leave the nest. The result? Wonderful! She is truly my best girlfriend and bonus now we can drink wine together!

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Now we move on to more Sunshine Blogger Award Nominees and explain in more detail how this works!

How does the Sunshine Blogger Award work?

A blogger nominates another blogger and gives them some questions to answer. As the nominee, you answer those questions in a blog post on your blog and in that post nominate bloggers you feel are sharing their own sunshine in the blogging community.

​After your list of nominees you then post the questions for your nominees to answer in their posts. As well as instructions for how to continue the nominations.

I am so excited to announce my Sunshine Blogger Award Nominees!

Jae Hermann  / Becoming Jae
Jae's honest, often funny, always meaningful way of expressing herself is refreshing. She is bold and willing to talk about topics most of us are timid to discuss, even from behind our keyboards! Jae is a beautiful soul, I am happy to have met her through our blogs and participation in The Midlife Blogging Community. I now call her a new friend and can't wait to see her responses on her Sunshine Blogger Award post!

Natalie / Midlife Rx
Natalie and I met through Instagram quite a while ago. She is a true beauty inside and out and a wealth of knowledge. I love her beautiful blog and the posts she shares are always helpful. She truly is shining her light in the social media and blogging community! 

Sarah / Sugarbananas
Sarah is my online friend and my live, in person friend. One of the very first people I connected with after making the big move from Florida to Northern Virginia. What a joy to be around. Her blog is FULL of great cooking tips, recipes and more. Information about all things home as well as being an expert with essential oils, Sarah has been featured on local television spots and also produces cooking demonstration videos to go with her recipes. 

Alison  / Midlife Credo
I do not know Alison personally but we have connected some on Instagram. I also follow her You Tube channel. I highly recommend. She is a midlife Vlogger and she does not disappoint. I love her funny personality and the way she is not afraid to share her view point even when it is not the "popular" view point on hot topics. Check out her videos. She is entertaining, informative, sure to make you laugh and think too.

Congratulations ladies! Here are your questions:

1. Why did you start blogging initially and is that the same reason you blog today? If your initial reason for starting your blog is not the same reason you continue to blog – why do you continue to pursue blogging now?

2. Where are you from and where do you currently live?

3. What is your favorite way to spend your time when you are not working on your blog?

4. What product or tool or service (outside of your hosting/blog building site) has been your best investment for growing your blog?

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Thank you so much for reading and celebrating the Sunshine Blogger Award with me! I hope you stick around and check out more of  The SOS blog - a growing resource for all things Midlife, Momlife and more...

If you are a blogger interested in sharing a guest post or becoming a contributor contact me to discuss! I would love to hear from you.