The Sunshine Blogger Award

Happy Tuesday, everyone! As I mentioned in my last post, I had been feeling a little homesick after my family left last week. So when I saw that my friend Whitney (@aimingtostressless) nominated me for The Sunshine Blogger Award, it immediately put a huge smile on my face and brightened up my week!

The Sunshine Blogger Award is peer recognition for bloggers that inspire positivity and joy. For me, this meant that all of my hard work (and nights staying up way too late working on my blog) were being noticed. Thank you for nominating me, Whitney! And for everyone who doesn’t follow her already, you should definitely go check out her blog. You can find her page here.

 

Rules for the award:

• Thank the blogger who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.
• Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
• Nominate (at least) 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

Questions I was asked:

1. Why did you start blogging? Is there a story behind the name of your blog? I had been wanting to start a blog for years. For way too long, I talked myself out of starting it, which is one of my biggest regrets in my life so far. Now, I’m all about YOLO-ing. If you want to do something, GO FOR IT! Especially if it scares you. I’ve found that the scariest things in my life have turned out to be the most rewarding. The name of my blog could not be any more “me”. I can be a bit sassy at times, and constantly say “AF”. It also happens to be my initials. AND, who doesn’t want to look Chic AF?
2. Spring, summer, autumn, or winter? SUMMER, hands down! But I also love everything about autumn. Football season, amiright?
3. If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chinese food. I know that’s not very specific, but I would seriously eat Chinese food every day if I could.
4. What is your favorite vacation spot? I love the beach and anywhere tropical. Charleston is one of my favorite cities, and I’ve been to Punta Cana a few times. I need a vacation ASAP!
5. What is your go-to store to shop at for clothing? Nordstrom
6. What is one way you relieve stress at the end of the day? After work, I typically come home, *take my heels off*, cook dinner, turn on either Friends or The Office, and talk to my roommates at the end of every day. If I’m stressed about something, I’ll usually talk to them about it then. Sometimes there may or may not be a glass of wine involved, too. I also really enjoy reading, so sometimes getting in bed with a book is a nice way to relax. And as of recently, blogging has become a major stress relief for me as well.
7. What destination in the U.S. would you like to visit next? So many cities are on my bucket list! Top of the list are: Seattle, Portland, and pretty much anywhere in California. Anyone want to come with me?
8. What are five beauty products you can’t live without? Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Stila Liquid Lipstick, Benefit Gimme Brow, and VASELINE!
9. What cities or towns have you lived in? I was born in Morris Plains, New Jersey. My family then moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland, and then to Brookfield, CT which is where I grew up. I spent my freshman year of college in Oxford, MS, and the remainder of my college years in Auburn, AL. From there, I moved straight to New York City, and then to Charlotte, NC. I’ve been all over the place!
10. Where do you find inspiration for your blog posts? I find inspiration by living my daily life, honestly. When I started this blog, I made a vow to myself that I would always keep it real. I promised to stay true to myself and write about things that were important to me, and things that I would want to read about on someone else’s blog if roles were reversed. The clothes that I wear, the feelings I feel, and what I write about is all because that’s what’s going on with me at the time I write it.
11. Do you own any pets? UGH, unfortunately not. But in my lifetime I hope to own approximately 100 French and English bulldogs. (Kidding, but not really.)

Here are my nominees for the award:

1. Victoria – A Gallon Of Glitter
2. Ariana – Bargain Boss
3. Shauntel – Beautique’d
4. Taylor – Reese’s HardWear
5. Natalie – Natalie Kennedy Blog
6. Nicole – Next By Nicole
7. Taylor – TaylorAMead
8. Ashley – Tall Blonde Bell
9. Alli – Pink Avenue
10. Andrea – Dre Dream
11. Kristen – A Classy Fashionista

Questions for the nominees:

1. Why did you start blogging? Is there a story behind the name of your blog? (Stealing this one from Whitney because it’s a great one!)
2. What is one U.S. city on your bucket list? And one International city?
3. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
4. What is one song you know EVERY WORD to that people wouldn’t expect? (Mine is “Ice, Ice, Baby”. I am not ashamed)
5. What are some small things that make your day better?
6. What is your proudest accomplishment?
7. What is your favorite day of the year and why?
8. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
9. What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?
10. What are some of your goals when it comes to blogging/the future?

Everyone go check out the bloggers I nominated above, and have an AWESOME rest of your week!

xo, Ashlen