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The Sunshine Blogger Award for Jodie’s Touch of Style

Quote of the day: “Most (athletes) try to act too cool. It always bugged me. Be interesting. Say something. Show a little personality. Have fun with yourself. Don’t take it too seriously.” Michael Strahan

Even if you aren’t a blogger, this blogger award post is a fun way to get to learn more about the people you see regularly on the internet. I think we all have a little nosiness when it comes to finding out the who, why, where, when and hows about people. It gives them that “real” sense like what Michael is talking about above.

On this same idea, I was invited to join Tania of 50 is not Old, in her Friday with Friends post. She has become quite the inspiration for many women who stop by her blog. I love her great story telling and humor. It’s like sitting down to coffee with a friend, and she’s very down to earth. If you don’t already follow her, I hope you’ll check her out.

And if you are here from Tania’s blog, I’d like to say hi! This blogging journey is not just about me, but I include both my mother and stepmom for most of the fashion posts. It’s the variety of sizes and shapes and personalities in blogging that I think makes it so unique.

Sunshine Blogger Award

The Sunshine Blogger Award is given from bloggers to fellow bloggers who inspire creativity and positivity by bringing sunshine to the blogging community and to their readerships alike. It is a way of encouraging one another as in saying “Hey, you are doing a great job and we can see it. Keep it up!”.

I was nominated for this from my friend Bettye over at the Fashion Schlub. In fact, she joined us for our Santa Inspired outfits in December. It’s funny how we meet other bloggers. Many of them I find when I’m commenting on other blogs and am interested in something they say. That’s when I find it’s so helpful when other bloggers leave their site name in their comments.

And once I started visiting Bettye’s blog, I was immediately drawn to her photographs. When I found out she even had a photography blog before this, it makes sense. I feel like I don’t have the gift of seeing things like she does, but I am learning.

Not only does she showcase photos, but her blog is more of a lifestyle blog. Bettye includes fashion, but also aspects of her life. What I really like about her fashion is that it’s real life. In fact she’s just having to move again, so she doesn’t have the luxury of a huge closetful of clothes like many bloggers (and myself, LOL).

I know I say this over and over, but the best aspect of blogging to me, is the chance to see a variety of women and a variety of styles on those women. We are not all one shape, size, color or like the same things. Yet I learn so much from being open to this uniqueness.

Sunshine Blogger Questions

As part of the award, there are questions asked. It’s a great way for those of you new to my blog to get to know me and some of my history better.

1. How long have you been creating your blog? 

It’s been 4 years now since Jodie’s Touch of Style was born. I always love looking back at the beginning when we took our photos separately, and how things have changed. One of my first posts published was about fur vests. This was before mom and Nancy had their own, and so I had them wear mine. Since I keep a page of all the outfits we’ve worn, you may stumble upon the old ones, if you are looking for something in particular from my blog.

2.What is the most challenging aspect of blogging for you?

Truthfully, anything new is a challenge for me, so the photography, the writing, and then the social media aspect has all been a hill to climb. The hardest though is probably asking for help and reaching out to companies. I’ve been more of a “I can do it myself” person. And I tend to wait until people ask me to get involved.

But I’m trying to change that lately. That’s why I joined Tania in this Friday’s with Friends, and chose to accept this Sunshine Blogger Award. I want to be more vulnerable and authentic.

3.What is the greatest reward you get from blogging?

I should have known this answer when I started, because the biggest reward from my dentistry career was the people. Learning about my patient’s lives and trying to help them was everything to me. So why should it be different for the blog? Well, it’s not. Reading and replying to comments makes me feel like I am talking with people. You would laugh if you could see my smiles and expressions when it’s happening.

And then on top of that finding my “tribe”. That’s why I’m part of the Forever Fierce Admin group and promote the group. I’m sure we’ve all been around people who don’t “get us” or what we do, so it’s nice to be part of inspiring women from all around the world. This group is NOT just for bloggers, but for any woman in midlife who enjoys being positive and part of a kindness gang.

4. Blogging takes a lot of time. If you weren’t blogging, how would you be spending your time?

Now that’s a great question. One reason I do this is to keep busy, so to have to figure out what I’d do instead isn’t easy. As much as I love knitting, I can’t do it all day. And as much as I love shopping, I don’t have unlimited resources to buy more and more things. I’d love to shop for others, but I don’t know many women who want that. Although I’m always happy to find links to items if anyone wants help with online shopping. Seriously. Just send me an email (jodie@jtouchofstyle.com) with what you want, your size and budget, and I will give you a bunch of items that might be exactly what you need.

Realistically, I might cook more, and workout more, and maybe even learn to sew better. Yet I must say that I’m happy to be doing what I am doing now.

5. An acquaintance of yours in interested in starting a blog. What advice do you give them? 

I actually wrote a blog post with the first steps of this idea. Once you do those steps, then you have to write. Start with something manageable that works for you. And ask for help. Ask me. I’m always happy to help if I can.

The best advice, (besides my blog post) is to just start. You’re not going to know all the ins and outs at first. That will come in time. Even though I look back and think I did so much wrong, it was still good practice.

What I would say NOT to do is copy exactly what others are doing. Your best asset is your unique perspective.

6. Is there a blog you look to for inspiration?

Is there a blog that doesn’t give me inspiration? I can honestly say that I get ideas from most everyone I read. Even if it’s just a different color combination or trick to keep your layers in place. I feel like I have evolved so much just from reading other blogs. Especially the ones that aren’t my style. It’s like that one quote I used awhile ago, “We find comfort among those who agree with us-growth among those who don’t.” Frank A. Clark.

7. Where do you see your blog in five years?

This is one of those questions I hate. LOL! Not because I don’t like looking ahead, but because I feel like a failure if it doesn’t happen. I know I started this blog to keep busy and to inspire others. I never thought I would want to monetize it until I started spending SO much time on it. And now that my husband has retired, it would make him happy if we could bring in enough money to cover our costs (and we are pretty frugal).

So what does that really mean? It means that in five years I would love to have enough readers through this and my YouTube channel that I could sign up with an advertising company that actually pays me for the views I get. How can you help? Make sure to spread the word to your friends, and sign up to get my emails. And Pin the images you like to your Pinterest boards so your friends can see them. And accept my gratitude for being here and following along. It’s truly your comments and support that makes it all worthwhile in the end.

8. What do you feel sets your blog apart from the 9,375,109 other blogs out there?

This is an easy one. I haven’t seen another blog showcasing 3 different decades of style elsewhere (heck, sometimes even 4 decades when I have friends join in). Let alone have it be a family affair. Not that this makes me any better. I consider it a fun angle, and I have to admit, it’s way more fun when there are a group of us taking photos.

9. Who in your life is your biggest blog supporter?

This is probably obvious, but my husband is my biggest supporter. Right behind him is my mom and Nancy as you would imagine. Speaking of Rob, did you know he just started his own blog too? It’s called Filofeast and it’s all about a regular guy speaking out about food, wine and life.

10. What is your proudest blogging achievement?

I think there have been 2 times that I’ve been SO excited. One was a time that didn’t pan out. I was contacted by an agency to join Travel & Leisure on a short train trip for an upcoming article in their magazine. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. Of course, I said yes, however, it wasn’t meant to be. I had no idea that these kinds of opportunities would come up and then be squashed so quickly.

The other time is when I was contacted by Woman’s World online magazine to be part of their 15 Best Stylish Swimsuits for Women over 50. I’m not sure that my mom and Nancy were so excited, but don’t you think it’s inspirational to see women of all ages and sizes in these articles? It’s way more interesting than seeing the same skinny, young women all the time. Not that I am shaming skinny, young women. It’s just nice to get a wider variety. For instance, I was checking out H&M’s site and was very happy to see an older dude modeling.

Sunshine Blogger Award Nominations

My blog nominations for the Blogger Sunshine Award are women I would love to know more about. I read their blogs yet would love to know more:

1. Fierce Fashion
2. Frugal Fashion Shopper
3. Stylish at Sixty
4. A Little Place I Call my Own

And here, fellow bloggers, are your questions:

1. I’d love to know how your perception of blogging has changed since you started?
2. Tips!! I would love to know some of the tips and tricks that you have up your sleeve. The ones that have helped you blogging or even ones that help you balance blogging and your life.
3. I want to be nosy and ask about your childhood. Where were you born and what did you want to be when you grew up?
4. What’s your favorite social media site and why?
5. Tell me your opinions on the best part of blogging and the worst part of blogging?
6. How do you save money with blogging and clothes?

The rules for this award are as follows:

1. Thank the person who nominated you, and include a link back to their blog.
2. Answer the questions given by the person who nominated you.
3. Nominate other blogs and 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.

Don’t forget to check out Tania, from 50 is not Old. Leave her a comment to tell her you found her through my blog. I’m sure she’ll make you laugh. And if you are here from Tania’s blog, please, please, introduce yourself. Like I said above, meeting new people is the highlight of this journey. You can learn a little about me in the About Us section, or in a recent Instagram post (you don’t have to be on Instagram to link to this)

Sephora Squad

As a quick aside on a totally different subject. I just applied for a paid influencer spot for Sephora. I’m sure it’s quite a long shot considering I don’t have a huge Instagram following, but they said that testimonials will help my application. So if you have 5 minutes, I would truly appreciate your words to help my cause. Here is the link for the testimonial.

Even if you are NOT on social media, you don’t have to say that. It’s asking about the impact I have on you. It’s asking for different voices.  If you don’t know Sephora they sell beauty products, cosmetics and hair products both online and in stores.

Why would I love to do this? Because now that I have more time since I’m retired, I’ve enjoyed trying out different products and sharing them. Like the time I wore two different lipsticks the entire day. Or searching for hair products to help to make my hair look thicker. It’s that biology background that I have that makes me so interested in why certain products work and some don’t. Yet we are all so different, so it’s not the same for everyone.

I feel like we need more older women in the beauty field, with experience and honesty. So thank you for your help in this. I truly appreciate the time it takes away from your day.

See More of the Fun

Why should you follow me on other social sites? Well, I do share different things on each platform, so I hope you’ll join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and You-Tube.

Why should you sign up for the emails to let you know when a post goes live? Because I have a monthly giveaway for email subscribers only (and it’s going out tomorrow, Saturday, so make sure to get on the list).  Just add your email to the green box that says email.