Sunshine Blogger Award

Well, this is a first being awarded two blog awards so close together. 

Thank you, Ms. Style, for nominating me! I'm thankful I got to find your blog through this award. 

! It is for "bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere".  Here are the rules for the award: 

First, the nominee must

thank the blogger that nominated her and link to her blog. 

Next she must nominate ten bloggers for the award and let them know. 

Then, she must answer a list of 10 questions and post to her blog.  

Finally, the Sunshine Award button must be posted on the blog!

the Nominations are: 

Lauren Hope @ A Corner Pillar

Carlotta @ carlotta cisternas

Vicki @ Decked out in Ruffles

Ashley and Gabrielle @ Bramblewood Fashion

Hannah @ Farmgirl in Flipflops

Olivia @ Fresh Modesty

Julia @ Julia's Journal 

Frannie @ Of Mess and Glory

Emily @ Defined by Grace

Jaime Lynn @ Diligently Waiting

Now for the questions!

1) What is your favorite color?

I love every color (with the exception of every shade of yellow except mustard), but my two absolute favorites are first, crimson red, and second, every shade of blue.

2) What are some of your favorite movies?

all four Sherwood pictures films, Timechanger, Sherlock Holmes, Game of Shadows, anything with Roy Rogers, Cars 2, and Kung Fu Panda 2. 

3) Where are you reading in your Bible right now?

Revelation

4) What's your favorite dessert? 

watermelon, vanilla ice cream, pecan pie, and lemon meringue pie.

5) What are your favorite animals?

Horses and dogs 

6) What is your favorite fashion era?

I don't really have one. I dress modest and mostly modern. I'm a t shirt, jean skirt, and flip flops kinda gal. ;) 

7)  What is your favorite season?

Autumn,Autumn, and did I say, AUTUMN!!!!! 

8) When did you start your blog?

9-21-11

9) Is blogging different than you expected?

No, I had had a previous blog, but I sort of outgrew it. True Elegance (name of the blog, because that is what I'm pursuing) fits me much better at this time in my life. 

10) Dark or milk chocolate?

White chocolate, I'm allergic to cocoa.

Blogger Award

Today I was awarded by the amazing Jaime from Diligently Waiting the Elegant Blogger Award (as you probably figured out from the picture above. ^_-). Considering my blog's name is True Elegance, I find it a true honor to receive this award. It shows that this blog is meeting the goals I have for it. So thanks again, Jaime! You're a great blogger, and from what I can see, a wonderful person. :) 

The Rules:

~When you receive the award, link back to keepcalmandsparkle1099.blogspot.com and the blog that nominated you

~Display the award button in the post

~Answer all of the 12 questions given in this post (do not make your own questions)

~Nominate 8-12 bloggers

~Notify them that they have been awarded

The Questions:

What made you decide to start blogging?

I started blogging first because I love to write, and it was a writing outlet for me. My first blog was Learning Life's Lessons, but I seemed to grow out of it. Now I have this blog, True Elegance, which is a modest fashion and lifestyle blog.

What is your fashion style?

Hmm, I'm afraid that my fashion style cannot be classified in one word. I love trying new (modest) styles and ideas. My current favorite clothing items are tee shirts, dolhman tops, jean skirts, and maxi skirts and dresses. My standard shoes are flip flops in summer and boots in the winter with heels for church services. 

What is something none of your followers know about you?

I still sleep with stuffed animals on my bed. (Shhh! Don't tell anybody!) 

What are some of your blogging goals?

Be an encouragement to ladies young and old, from Louisiana to the ends of the earth, to dress not only modestly, but femininely also. I try to accomplish this goal by showing outfit ideas from Pinterest or my own wardrobe, sharing Bible studies I do that especially concern ladies, and giving ideas on where to find modest, cute, and affordable clothing. 

What is your favorite place to shop?

Thrift stores and online.

What would your ideal number of blog followers be?

Maybe 100?  I'm not really interested in having a super popular blog, but I wouldn't mind some more followers. =)

What are your talents?

Singing, cooking, sewing, being organized, etc. ;) 

Are you a leader or a follower?

I've always been more of a follower, but it seems like the Lord is constantly placing me in leadership positions. 

What is one of your favorite quotes?

"The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only....to support the ultimate career." C.S. Lewis

"A dream is a wish your heart makes..." Disney

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Eleanor Roosevelt

"I believe in the sun, even when it's not shining. I believe in love, even when I'm alone. I believe in God, even when He is silent." Quote found in a concentration camp

(Yes, I know that was more than one quote. ^_-) 

Do you have a favorite book or book series?

My Bible, Sherlock Holmes mysteries, the Hunger Games Trilogy, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and many, many more.

Out of all the synonyms for elegant, what would you describe yourself with (smart, stylish, dressy, graceful, dainty)?

Well, I guess I'm smart sometimes, stylish sometimes, dressy sometimes, but graceful and dainty? NEVER!!!!!!! 

What is your favorite flower?

Crimson roses, Poinsettias, Magnolias, and weeds. ;) 

(Does anyone notice the trend in my answers? I can't simply give one answer. ^_-) 

Hmm, so now who shall I award.....

Who I award:

Vicki @ Decked out in Ruffles

Raquel @ God's Daughter

Grace @ Grace's Garden Walk

Rachelle  @ Inspiring Daring

Julia @ Julia's Journal

Lucia @ lucia marie// the road less traveled

Frannie @ Of Mess and Glory

McKenzie @ Pecan Pastures

Well, I still have lots that need to be accomplished tonight, so I'd better go. 

How has your week been going? 

My first award!

I'm so excited! 

This is my first blog award EVER! 

(Ok, I'll take that back. I was awarded a long time ago on my old blog, but I didn't know how to get the button my my blog. I've learned a lot since then.) 

First, I want to thank Vicki for awarding me! She has a fabulous blog called Decked out in Ruffles (isn't that such a cute name?) I have to say, Vicki has been such an encouragement to me lately. She comments on almost all my posts, and it always makes my day. I'm going to be doing a guest post for her soon, which I still have to send to her (Eek! We talked about it a while ago, but I've been such a procrastinator lately!) Anyway, I'll post a link once it's up. 

Ok, so here are the rules.

1. In a post on your blog, nominate 4 fellow bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award.

2. In the same post, add the Versatile Blogger Award.

3. In the same post, thank the blogger (or bloggers!) who nominated you with a link back to their blog(s).

4. In the same post, include 7 random pieces of information about you.

5. In the same post, include this set of rules.

6. Inform each nominated blogger of their nomination with a comment on their blog.

Ok, so I've done 2, 3, and 5 so far. But before I award anyone, I'm gonna show what a bookworm I am and go look up the definition of versatile.

Here's the definition from my Webster's 1828 dictionary (I love my 1828!) :

3. Turning with ease from one thing to another; readily applied to a new task, or to various subjects; as a man of versatile genius.

Interesting! 

I'll award some of my favorite bloggers this award:

Polka Dot at (life is too short not to) wear red shoes

Anna at In Honor of Design

Julia at Julia's Journal

Sarah-Anne  at Simply Sarah-Anne

Polka Dot and Sarah-Anne usually make me laugh with their interesting ways of putting things. Anna has some amazing tutorials on her blog, and I've gotten some ideas from her outfits. And Julia and I seem to have a lot in common. I mean in the way that we both blog, make and sell jewelry, and write. She's just finished a book that I really want to read about a spy. Seriously, a spy? That's awesome! 

I do really wish that I could award like 20 more bloggers, because so many of them deserve it. The reason I chose these 4 is due to the fact that they don't only blog on one thing. They blog about their life, fashion, photography, DIYs, and much more. They are truly versatile. 

Ok, now for the 7 random pieces of information about myself. 

Ready?

1. I'm a sinner saved by grace, and I'll forever be thankful to the One who loved me enough to die for me.

2. My Canon SLR Rebel XS is named Diego, because I love to travel with him. ;) 

3. I'm writing one book while researching for another.

4. I love marshmallows on my coffee the way most people love marshmallows in their hot chocolate.

5. I have a purse addiction. A jewelry addiction. A shoe addiction. A scarf addiction. And I'm quickly getting a belt addiction. Why don't we just say I'm addicted to accessories?

6. I like to go to places like Charming Charlie's, study their over priced jewelry, then go home and make it for myself for half the cost. 

7. I'm a very friendly person who is blessed with lots of friends, but I'm finding more and more that I'm enjoying solitude, and thinking deep thoughts. Not that I'm abandoning my friends anytime soon, of course. 

Ok, so now that you know some rather non-interesting facts about me, I need to go let these other blogger's know about their awards. 

Have a great day!

P.S.  I'm thinking about making a bucket list. As much as I write lists, I'm surprised I haven't yet. So be looking for that soon!