♥ Bloggers Recognition Award ♥ The Tea Chest Blog is a Winner!

Being told you are appreciated is one of the simplest and most uplifting things you can hear.

Anon.

What a fabulous start to the year, a nomination for the Bloggers Recognition Award from the lovely Esme from Esme Salon who I totally admire and respect. Esme has so much knowledge about blogging which she readily shares but she also has a magnificent blog; full of delightful recipes, guest posts, blog share links and information. Esme is also part of some Facebook pages for bloggers SIPB, Blog-a-holics and Blogger’s Influence. I strongly recommend you add Esme Salon to your ‘must read’ list and subscribe so you don’t miss any of her fabulous recipes too.

♥ To receive this award is truly an honour given the level of ‘blogmenship’ (blogpersonship?) there is out there ♥

Rules…

1. Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
2. Write a post to show your award.
3. Give a brief story of how your blog started.
4. Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
5. Select up to fifteen bloggers you want to give this award to.
6. Comment (or pingback) on each blog to let them know that you’ve nominated them and provide a link to the post you’ve created.

Bloggers Recognition Award:

How and why did I start blogging?

I have always enjoyed writing my thoughts down but never really rated myself as much of a writer. I wanted to write something I was passionate about and tea came to mind, probably over a pot of tea 😉 I love anything and everything to do with tea – the history, traditions, teapots, teacups, and of course all the wonderful teas available to us. I noticed that in New Zealand, where I am from, there isn’t much of a tea culture. Sure there are your supermarket tea drinkers, but not a huge following of the more boutique teas, the purer teas. I love to try any tea I can and share with everyone my thoughts and discoveries. I want to build the tea culture and make sure the history and love isn’t lost. You can check out my blog post about how it all started for me here All About Me; The Tea Chest.

The how it started was a case of just doing it – I sat down and wrote, and wrote and wrote some more. Then I edited it all and when I was finally as happy with it as I was going to be, I published it…and waited. I told a few people what I had done and asked for honest feedback, which I am happy to say they gave and it was pretty positive. So I carried on…and now I’m hooked!

Sharing and promoting you and your blogs...

I have started a series called Over the Teacups, it is all about blog sharing and spreading my love for blogging. I have found my tribe and enjoy nothing more than lifting each other up, supporting, networking and sharing over a cyber cuppa ♥ If any bloggers are interested in being a part of the next in the Over the Teacups series please drop me a message or an email contact@the-tea-chest.blog I would love to hear from you ♥

1. The Tea Chest Blog
2. Pinterest
3. Twitter
4. Email – contact@the-tea-chest.blog

Hobbies…

Apart from blogging I love to read, listen to music, garden (little tricky these days), sail and travel. I am really enjoying a bit of down-time with my year’s sabbatical and discovering all of the fun and exciting places we are visiting. I have managed to watch more movies and read more books over the past few months than I have in years, can thoroughly recommend taking some time for you.

What movies or books have you enjoyed recently?

Two pieces of advice to new bloggers…

♥ Be true to yourself…one thing I loved initially was the anonymity that blogging provided. I only gave my information out about myself as I became more confident, it can be as anonymous or open as YOU choose. Don’t be pushed into anything you don’t feel comfortable with, if it doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t.

♥ Be kind to yourself…schedule posts, ask questions, join groups, but do take time out; have that hot bath, glass of wine, tea with friends. You can’t pour from an empty cup!

A list of my favorite bloggers…

Congratulations to all of my nominees. Please accept my nomination and pay it forward if you can. Time is precious to us all so no pressure whatsoever ♥

These are listed in no particular order:

1. Kim’s DIY Tribe
2. Racingtigers
3. Peek at this
4. The Old Summers Home
5. You Can Always Start Now
6. There is Always Hope
7. Cindy Goes Beyond
8. Poofbeegoneblog
9. Willis Creative
10. North Fourth Street
11. Rawling Sunday
12. Coffee on the House
13. Jaipurthrumylens
14. My Angel’s Voice
15. Farmhouse Unique

I found it so difficult to name only 15…my list could be triple that!

I look forward to seeing you all over at The Tea Chest Blog – thank you for your wonderful support!

Thanks again Esme – I’m quite chuffed!!