Bloggy Award

Gator Bride
It’s not often that you put these two words together, but the blog Gator Bride is something else! It is the blog of Ms. Gator, who is planning her wedding – which is happening in May, by the way – and has a passion for design and the Florida gator. It’s a peek into a very interesting life!

Visual Aesthetics – 10
Ms. Gator is not into design for nothing! This blog’s visuals are simply amazing – simple but very pleasing to the eyes. From the header to the color scheme to the images in the posts – everything just comes together perfectly.

User Friendliness – 10
Despite the number of images in the blog, I didn’t have any load time problems at all. The relevant links are categorized and easily accessible as well, making navigation an easy thing. With the amount of content in Gator Bride, the 3-column layout is a great choice.

Reading Enjoyment – 10
I had never heard of Ms. Gator prior to reading the submission e-mail for the blog. Indeed, I even found the name of the blog kinda weird. But, this is a perfect example of wrong first impressions. This blog will entertain you!

Useful Info – 8
As is the norm with many personal blogs, the casual reader might not find much by way of useful information. However, with Gator Bride, you just might pick up a tip or two on various topics: from weddings to design in general.

Overall Experience - 9
All I can say is congratulations to Ms. Gator and Mr. Knight. May you live happily ever after!

Sweet Left Foot
Sweet Left Foot is “a considered perspective about on the beautiful game of association football,” and footie fans will have their fill of their passion from it. From updated news to features on players to contests – you can find it here.

Visual Aesthetics – 8
I have to be honest and say that I am quite biased when it comes to the template, even if it is a default one. After all, Sweet Left Foot uses the same Blogger template that I used for my first ever personal blog! I would love for this blog to find a template of its own to give it more character, though. On the upside, there are lots of images here that serve as eye candy, and all the elements of the blog blend well together.

User Friendliness – 9
Sweet Left Foot loads very quickly with no problems at all. It also has a very organized layout that makes navigation an easy task. I suggest adding more external links that will lead users to more information related to the posts, though.

Reading Enjoyment – 10
Definitely a strong point of Sweet Left Foot. This blog will fascinate you and hold you captive. More than merely presenting the news/topic, the blogger adds his own perspective to what he writes.

Useful Info – 10
Another strong suit of Sweet Left Foot. As I said earlier, the blog provides the footie fan with everything he wants to read about.

Overall Experience - 9
Sweet Left Foot is a must-bookmark blog if you call yourself a fan of the game. It’s like a one-stop-shop for football fans. Despite being relatively new, this blog seems to have gained quite a following. Join the bandwagon!

Hungry Like The Wolfgram
Hungry Like The Wolfgram is the blog of Mike W, who is an amateur triathlete. I have to tell you – this guy has my admiration. He is a forecast analyst for a consumer goods company by day, and yet he manages to train (really train) for various sports – even those that do not come naturally to him (swimming, according to him). The blog details his training as well as provides bits and pieces of information about sports in general.

Visual Aesthetics – 10
The visuals of Hungry Like The Wolfgram are perfect for the blog’s overall theme. The words lean and strong come to mind. I can’t explain why, but I guess the effect is perfect. The blog posts themselves contain images and videos, which add to the whole visual experience.

User Friendliness – 9
Hungry Like The Wolfgram is not only visually appealing, but it also makes the whole reading experience easy for everyone! The design contributes to easy navigation. The pages load up in no time at all. My only suggestion: add a section for labels!

Reading Enjoyment – 10
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mike W’s posts. I am a frustrated athlete, and people like Mike W are amazing in my book. He writes well and inserts funny lines along the way. I think many an amateur athlete will do good reading this blog.

Useful Info – 10
This is another very strong point of Hungry Like The Wolfgram. Mike W shares his experiences in his blog, and one can’t help but pick out a tip or two. Make sure you watch the videos as well.

Overall Experience - 9
Aside from my single suggestion about the labels, this blog gets a thumbs up from me. Hungry Like The Wolfgram should be in the bookmarks of any aspiring athlete out there. Good luck, Mike. I’m sure you’ll make it!

Princess Know It All
One look at the title of the blog Princess Know It All made me decide that I am going to feature it here on Bloggy Award. Girls, haven’t we all been called this at least once in our lives? The blog is more than “knowing it all,” though. It’s about the quest of one “princess” to find out more about life and live it, too!

Visual Aesthetics – 10
The visuals are fit for a princess, literally! There is a lot of pink, but I love how the blogger was able to make it mix with other shades AND black! There are lots of images that make the whole blog’s look really lively.

User Friendliness – 8
Despite the huge amount of images (and text, actually) in the blog, I didn’t encounter any problems with load times. In fact, the posts that I went through loaded up in no time at all. I did have a problem with the music, though. I tried listening to David Bowie’s Changes, but it just wouldn’t play for me!

I would also suggest more navigation links that will help the reader. An archives section and a comprehensive label/category section will help much!

Reading Enjoyment – 10
Yup, this is a strong point of Princess Know It All. Even those of who may not normally like long text would probably have a good time reading Princess Know It All. The topics are quite easy to relate to and the blogger’s passion just shines through.

Useful Info – 10
From travel tips (this girl knows how to do it!) to standing your ground as a woman – you’ll find all sorts of useful information in Princess Know It All. Definitely perfect in this regard.

Overall Experience - 9
Princess Know It All, I think, should be in the blog roll of all like minded women out there. This blog is refreshingly honest and simply fun.

Single Independent Sistah
Single Independent Sistah – also known as SIS – is the term used to describe a “black, professional female who is single and dealing with the solo life.” And that’s what Sistah1, the brains behind this blog, is all about. With her blog, she aims to reach out to her fellow SIS and chronicle her own journey as well.

Visual Aesthetics – 10
I love the visuals!!! Sistah1 was able to make use of a dark theme without overdoing it. The background isn’t just one shade of black, which makes it easier on the eyes. The other elements of the blog – header, font colors, and photos – all come together very well to make for a very pleasant visual experience.

User Friendliness – 9
Navigating Single Independent Sistah is such an easy task that you don’t really have anything negative to say. The pages load up with no problems at all, and all the links (blogroll, posts, tags, etc.) are easily located in the right column. One minor suggestion: maybe add in-post links that will lead readers to more information on key topics covered?

Reading Enjoyment – 10
Sistah1 writes very well that I couldn’t help but enjoy going through the posts. Her topics are well-chosen, and I found myself nodding every now and then as I was reading. Oh, mind you, I doubt I can be classified as a SIS but I still enjoyed the blog!

Useful Info – 10
To be honest, I didn’t think I’d find a lot of useful information at first. As I went from one blog post to another, however, I found myself being proven wrong. Women listen up: you’ll be getting a LOT of tips, advice, and insights from this blog. Heck, even men can learn a thing or two!

Overall Experience - 9
This blog should be in your bookmark. Relationships, career, self-realization – all these and more are what you’ll find in Single Independent Sistah. Whether you’re a SIS or not, I think you ought to pay this blog a visit.

BULLy the BEAR
BULLy the BEAR is “la papillion’s” blog. In it, he shares his experiences and knowledge about the stock market. He is happy to tell all – from his humble beginnings as a newbie to his successful endeavors today.

Visual Aesthetics – 7
BULLy the BEAR makes use of a dark theme – white text on black background. It has a lot of potential in terms of visual stimulation . However, I think that the colors and other visual elements do not exactly blend well for now. For one, the header could be customized for more impact. The blog posts can also be “prettified” a bit more to provide a more pleasant viewing experience. The more recent posts are better in this regard – it’s the older posts that can use some sprucing up. In addition to this, the chat box and other images at the top of the page could be repositioned.

User Friendliness – 9
With regard to browsing, BULLy the BEAR is perfect. All of the necessary links can be found either in the right column or the top of the page. There are no issues with load times.

I suggest larger (or bolder) fonts for easier reading. The small thin font is not really easy on the eyes.

Reading Enjoyment – 10
I am not into finances and the stock market. I am pretty sure, though, that those who are into these topics will find the posts of BULLy the BEAR quite enjoyable to read. One thing that struck me is that the blogger injects his personal experiences and thoughts in a very open manner – a definite plus for the reading experience!

Useful Info – 10
There is definitely a LOT of useful information to be found in BULLy the BEAR. There is even a page dedicated to newbies who might be asking the most basic of questions. Practical information that can be understood with little effort – that’s what this blog has to offer.

Overall Experience - 8
I’d like to think of BULLy the BEAR as money matters presented in a personal way. It looks and feels more authentic than other stock market how-tos out there. If you’re looking for this kind of blog, then BULLy the BEAR comes highly recommended.

Lady Loves Pinstripes
Lady Loves Pinstripes is Kate Conroy’s baby. She calls herself a “cute chick who knows sports,” and based on what she writes about, she sure does know what she’s about!

Visual Aesthetics – 10
Lady Loves Pinstripes looks very nice! The custom header is a mixture of pretty and kick butt – a theme that I observe all throughout the blog. The posts are peppered with relevant images that surely serve as eye candy for those who love sports.

User Friendliness – 10
Lady Loves Pinstripes is very easy to navigate – all the relevant links are found easily, either at the top of the page or in the right column. There are also no problems with load time.

Reading Enjoyment – 10
Anyone who loves sports will thoroughly enjoy reading what Kate has to say. The theme is predominantly baseball, so baseball fans will have a blast for sure.

Useful Info – 10
Trivia, stats, and all sorts of other useful information about sports can be found in the pages of Lady Loves Pinstripes. Kate also shares her own opinions, making for a lively read.

Overall Experience - 10

Here is a Gold Bloggy Award Winner!
Lady Loves Pinstripes is a great example of a sports fan’s blog. Being a “chick” myself, I’m quite proud to showcase Kate’s work!

The Reyes Report
The Reyes Report is the blog of Jorge Reyes, who aims to provide thought-provoking commentaries on the hottest issues of today. He also aims to offer a venue for interesting discussion for like minded individuals.

Visual Aesthetics – 7
The Reyes Report has a very simple look, which is actually easy on the eyes. The header is customized, giving the blog it’s own look;and there are relevant images in the posts. I feel, however, that the blog’s overall aesthetics could use more work. There is a lot of space wasted and it gives off an “empty feeling.” More so, the images in the posts could be placed in such a way as to break up the long chunks of text every now and then. A little tweaking of the visual elements and things should be much better.

User Friendliness – 8
This blog loads up really quickly and you will not have to wait just to read a post. I also like how the fonts make it easy for the user to read.

Some suggestions: The archives could be placed at a more accessible location. I also looked for an About Me page but couldn’t find any. It would be really interesting to know more about the person behind the commentaries. Last, the Snap previews can get bothersome after a while. Maybe they can be lessened.

Reading Enjoyment – 10
It is always interesting to read the take of other people on important issues. I enjoyed reading The Reyes Report as the issues are definitely relevant. Not everyone may have the same point of view as the blogger, but that’s where a good discussion starts!

Useful Info – 10
Reading The Reyes Report is much like talking to a colleague or a friend about what you just read in the newspaper. It’s reading someone’s opinions and thoughts and then having a discussion. While some may not consider that as practical information, I think it is always useful to know and talk about what’s happening around you.

Overall Experience - 8
Content-wise, The Reyes Report has a lot going for it. People who want to exercise their discussion powers, this blog could be for you!

Alan W. King’s Blog
“Not just another Wordpress Blog!” That’s the tagline of Alan W. King’s Blog, and I agree with that 100 percent! Alan W. King is a prolific poet and a writer, and while not everyone might have heard of him, his blog is an excellent way to discover the talent within this man.

Visual Aesthetics – 10
The overall look of the blog is very very sleek. With a black background and white text, you really can’t go wrong. Add the plethora of relevant images contained in each post and you have a perfect visual experience. Oh, and don’t forget the header, which makes me feel sad yet comforted at the same time. Don’t ask me why.

User Friendliness – 9
Alan W. King’s Blog is very easy to navigate. All the relevant links are easily found in the right column. In spite of the number of photos, I didn’t have any issues with load time. The only thing that I had problems with is the font size. I love the font, but the small white text is not very friendly to my disadvantaged eyesight. Maybe make them a bit bigger for those who may not have perfect vision like me?

Reading Enjoyment – 10
Prior to reading Alan W. King’s submission e-mail, I had never heard about this man. In spite of this, I found myself hooked on his posts. His writing style is easy to follow and his choice of topics very interesting. From amusing male issues (see The B.B. Blues) to snippets about the Big O (I have to read this again!) – you’ll really enjoy reading this blog.

Useful Info – 10
INSIGHTFUL is the word I would use to describe Alan W. King’s Blog. It is a veritable treasure trove of ideas taken from life, from poems, movies, etc.; and for those who are on the lookout for something to read/watch/listen to, you just might discover something new in Alan W. King’s Blog.

Overall Experience - 9
I have six words for you: Click on the blog link NOW.

A Singaporean Stockmarket Investor
A Singaporean Stockmarket Investor is the blog of AK71, whose aim is to secure a financial future for himself. In his blog, he shares his experience in trying to grow his wealth and create a steady (passive) stream of income.

Visual Aesthetics – 8
The color scheme of A Singaporean Stockmarket Investor is quite pleasant – various hues of green. First impression: the blog looks stark. If you think about it though, the simplicity matches the central idea of the blog. I suggest a more striking header, though, as well as a few more images here and there. Another suggestion is to balance out the contents of the columns, as most columns have lots of content while the third column has too much “white space.”

User Friendliness – 10
A Singaporean Stockmarket Investor is very very easy to navigate. The four-column structure makes it easy to find relevant links – both within the blog and outside of it. Load times were not a problem either.

Reading Enjoyment – 10
I have to be honest and say I didn’t really find myself enjoying the posts, but I cannot take this against the blogger; after all, I have no inclination towards stocks whatsoever. Going through the content, however, I am pretty sure that like minded people will find the blog quite enjoyable to read.

Useful Info – 10
As ignorant as I am when it comes to investing, I was able to pick up tidbits of information from A Singaporean Stockmarket Investor. I can just imagine how useful this blog will be to those who actually need information on the Singaporean stockmarket. From the blogger’s favorite companies to his strategies, you will find a lot in this blog.

Overall Experience – 9
A Singaporean Stockmarket Investor has loads of content that many will find useful. If you are into investing and the stockmarket, then you ought to bookmark this blog. If, however, you are not, then I suggest passing up on this one.