This post is part of a weekly feature called the Passion Series…enjoy!

The lovely moments I have been afforded, I tell you. I’ve just had the pleasure of reading one of the sweetest blogs, and connecting with one of the sweetest bloggers via email. Her name is Simone Graham, and she’s from New Zealand. NEW ZEALAND. I know, so close to Australia right? Well, geographically I’m not sure how close, but I’ve just returned from visiting Sydney and Brisbane not two weeks ago, so the fact that she’s from near there leaves a warm and fuzzy imprint on my heart.

So let’s talk about Simone, because you’ll want to get to know her and her blog, Great Fun 4 Kids, believe me. She’s a mum of three, who loves planning kids parties, and putting her creative skills to good use in all sorts of ways. Now I know there are a ton of family blogs out there, but this one is one of the loveliest I’ve seen. I’m a sucker for good design, as I’ve said in the past, as well as the clean way pictures, text, and buttons all flow together. Also, the topics she writes about are both insightful and comedic, as she discusses her children (who all have nicknames, so it reads like a story would) and past experiences with depression.

Next, what really got me interested was her Blog Design Webshop, where she sells her services helping you design buttons and headers for your blog. There are a lot of web designers out there sure, but actually trying to hire one is intimidating–at least for me. So the fact that I can just pop on over to her site and select a service makes it painfully easy to accomplish something I’ve always felt was daunting. Add to that she has a whole section dedicated to parties for kids–including invitations designed by her that you can print out for free!

Thank you so much for contacting me for this series Simone! What a pleasure. Here’s what she had to say.

Has blogging helped you in any emotional or creative way?

Since I began blogging nearly five years ago, I have rediscovered my love of writing (and begun writing for Parenting magazine in NZ); it has also given me a creative outlet and a forum to share my ideas. Through this I have created two small businesses (blog design and party printables) and can work from home while my kids are in school. I love planning kids birthday parties and sharing my ideas, how to’s and free printables on my blog. With three kids who have birthdays conveniently spread throughout the year, there’s always a party in the wind.  I have a Party Index Page on the blog where all the ideas and tutorials are collected for people to find. I have also built connections with a network of amazing women around the world.

Has blogging daily/weekly helped you achieve any personal goals?

Through blogging I was able to become a feature writer for my favorite parenting magazine (the Editor came to interview me about my blog and I asked to write for them; she said yes. This would have never happened without my blog)

Does the ritual of daily/weekly blogging give you motivation to pursue things you are passionate about?  

Blogging helps you find the beautiful and the interesting in the mundane of everydayness. It also helps you focus on deliberately looking for the good in things. I have recently completed a two-week blog series on Gratitude (The Grateful Project) and blogging it every day has helped me “stay the course”. Lastly, for the past ten years I have battled depression and anxiety, which I share about openly on my blog and have just recently been diagnosed with dyslexia – a dyslexic writer – only me! What can I say – I love blogging for so many reasons.

I am thrilled that Simone has been a part of this series, and am so happy to have made her acquaintance from so far away. Thanks for reading, and if you’re up for a laugh, and want to hear how New Zealanders like Simone talk (kiwis), give this video a quick watch. It had me in hysterics. Adorable. 

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This post is part of a series on bloggers who have found direction or passion through blogging. If you would like to be featured in the Passion Series, please contact me through this form with responses to the above questions, and share your passions. Thanks!

See all Passion Series posts >>

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Monique Muro

Monique is an exceedingly happy human from LA. She runs the blog A Novel Quest, and writes. A lot.

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