The Liebster Blog Award

Emily of EmiLou recently and ever so sweetly, nominated me for The Liebster Blog Award. It's always lovely to be nominated for blog awards, and I'm very flattered to have been picked. so the least I can do is complete a post for it to say thank you! So, here we are...

Rules:

Nominee must post the award on their blog

Thank the blogger who promoted them and link back to their blog

Write 11 random facts about yourself

Nominate another 11 bloggers who have under 200 followers and deserve the award

Answer the 11 questions posted by the presenter and ask your nominees 11 questions

I'm not going to nominate another eleven people, as I've passed on this award several times already and I really can't remember which of my favourite blogs I have and haven't already nominated... but, I shall answer the questions and leave a few facts about myself.

11 Facts About Me:

1.  I've already started listening to Christmas music. Yes, it's only November... what's your point?

2.  I can't wait to see Catching Fire at the cinema this Friday. So bloody excited!

3.  I haven't had a hair cut in almost two years. I'm determined to make it to the hair dresser's for the chop by the end of the month.

4.  I hate talking to people on the phone.

5.  When I sing, I sound like a cat's choir being run over by a lawn mower.

6.  I'd rather go to a concert / gig than to a night club.

7.  My unusual crushes are Liam Neeson and Si King of The Hairy Bikers (the Geordie one)!

8.  I feel claustrophobic if I have the windows shut in the car.

9.  I'm currently watching Love Actually.

10.  I've never seen Jaws. Wow, it feels good to get that off my chest.

11.  I'm not bad in the kitchen, especially when it comes to baking. I make great gooey double chocolate peanut butter cookies.

Emily's Questions: 

1.  Why did you want to start blogging? 

I began blogging because I wanted something to do one evening to keep myself occupied whilst being house bound from disc injuries. I didn't have any expectations. I didn't think I'd stick with it or make something of it. I just thought I'd like to share my outfits somewhere, like a couple of my friends did, to help work on my confidence- body and otherwise, and to share my love of fashion. 

I'd found fatshion and body positivity blogs about six months earlier, and I began to think about blogging my way to self acceptance, and writing about plus size fashion which is something I've been passionate about for years. I wanted to add to the plus size community and show people that fat doesn't mean unfashionable; that there is fashion available to plus size ladies, and that we shouldn't be shamed in to hiding our bodies in baggy black clothes because society has taught us we don't belong. 

I also wanted somewhere to blog my way through living with disc injuries.

2.  Whose blog do you visit the most? 

There are many I visit on a regular basis, but probably A Dress is For Life because Rachel is lovely and has the most incredible style, hair, and tattoos!

3.  One person you would love to meet? 

I've always wanted to meet Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, but I would be stunned in to silence if that ever happened. He's basically a musical God! I'd also love to meet Tom Hanks and Dawn French.

If we're talking non-famous folk, I'd love to meet Rachel and Nita.

4.  Favourite make up brand. 

My favourite make up brand is probably Inglot. They have the most amazing selection of eyeshadow and nail polish colours, and being a colour junkie that makes me very happy!

5.  What is one of your winter fashion / beauty favourites?

For winter, I love a good pair of ankle boots, and have pairs by Simply Be and Evans that I love. I also love layering up in scarves and gloves. As for beauty, I mostly use the same products all year round, but DKNY Red Delicious perfume smells especially enticing during the winter months.

6.  What is your favourite film? 

My favourite film without a doubt is Titanic. No contest. I've loved it since 1997 when I saw it for the first time aged eleven.

7.  How long have you been blogging for? 

I began blogging with this blog back in March 2012; a little under two years ago, but I've been blogging in various forms for a couple of years more through Livejournal and Tumblr. Although, nothing on this scale.

8.  What is one place you would most like to visit? 

I'd really love to visit Italy, Greece, and Australia. They're all high up on my list, but I'd like to see as much of the world as possible.

9.  What is your favourite makeup brand? 

Inglot, as answered above.

10.  What is your favourite clothing brand? 

I'd say my favourite is a tie between ASOS Curve and Dorothy Perkins. They both sell such beautiful clothes and accessories.

Liebster Award

The lovely Char from Big Girl About Town recently nominated me for the Liebster Blog Award, and I've been meaning to put this post together in response ever since. It's the least I can do after being so kindly nominated. Thanks, Char! I'm very flattered!

So, the rules for the Liebster Award are:

1. Mention who nominated you for the award.

2. Each person nominated must list 11 different things about themselves.

3. Answer 11 questions that the previous tagger has left you.

4. Create your own 11 questions.

5. Tag up to 11 people.

11 Things About Myself

1. I've never been ID-ed for alcohol, clubs, or cinema tickets, but I've twice been ID-ed when buying scratch cards! At age twenty-six... I certainly didn't look fifteen at the time!

2. I adore The Hairy Bikers; especially the Geordie one. I think it's adorable how they get so excited by everything, and they seem so lovely and friendly. They have that 'favourite uncle' quality about them. I think they'd be really fun to know.

3. I'm considering getting an Alice in Wonderland inspired sleeve, or possibly just a tattoo or two of characters from the animated Disney film. It's one of those childhood favourites which has always stayed close to my heart.

4. I also want to tattoo myself with daisies and pansies, as I think they're pretty. My tattoo wishlist is about a mile long.

5. I'm addicted to Pinterest. It can keep me occupied for hours.

6. I've not had a hair cut in eighteen months. Believe me, it's not out of choice. I'm hating it.

7. Sometimes I feel so dislocated from the person I was just two years ago. I feel like I've both lost major parts of my identity, which are out of my control, but at the same time, I know I've coaxed lots of things out, too, and changed for the better.

8. I hate talking on the phone.

9.  I'm itching to learn how to make my own jewellery.

10. I haven't stopped playing Fall Out Boy's 'Save Rock and Roll' album since it came out in April.

11. I get teary watching movies, and TV shows. The worst culprits are Titanic, Schindler's List, The Green Mile, Marley and Me, and I Am Legend. They all make me bawl like a baby!

Char's Questions

1. Favourite smell (cut grass, flowers, the smell after rain etc)?

My favourite smell would have to be the smell of the sea; that sea-weed smell that rock pools usually have. If I could bottle up that scent I would! I'm also partial to the smell of freshly baked bread and cakes; freshly cut grass; and the smell tarmac has after a rain storm.

2. Best gift you've ever received?

The best gift I ever received was probably the time I won a meet and greet with Boyzone for myself and my best friend. My best friend and I had been big fans since 1994, but had never met them until that night in 2009. It also happened to fall on my best friend's 24th birthday, so not only were we able to fulfil a life long dream to meet them, and had so much fun, but I was able to give my best friend the best present and birthday ever- without spending a penny! It was a night to remember!

3. A photo of your most cherished possession?

I'm a sentimental soul, so I'd say my most cherished possessions are my memory box (filled with letters, ticket stubs, cards, and other mementos from the last seventeen years); and my photos. Oh, and my dress collection, too, of course!

4. Your favourite author?

This may sound like a cliche, but my favourite author is the great horror writer, Stephen King. The man has been penning fantastic horror novels for decades and he still knows how to write a unique, nail-biting, page-turner. Everyone needs to read a Stephen King at some time in their life! I think the best I've read so far are The Stand, Under the Dome, and Misery.

5. Best place to shop?

I personally love shopping at ASOS as they have the best plus size clothing range around, and a wide selection of fashion and beauty items to choose from. I like how they stock lots of big name brands as well as their own products; it makes them a one-stop-shop, and their free delivery service sets them ahead of all the other websites. On the high street I frequent Dorothy Perkins and Cath Kidston. 

6. A language you wish you spoke?

I would love to be able to speak Russian, Italian, French, German, and Gaelic, along with many others. I've only ever learnt a little GSCE French back in Secondary School, and I'm far from fluent in it. I wish I'd pursued languages further, and it's something I'm considering doing in the future.

7. A photo of your favourite outfit?

I have several favourite fail-safe outfits, but one which stands out to me is this one:

I love wearing my coral and turquoise flamingo print dress with that coral shrug and turquoise accessories.

I love all these pieces together, and it never fails to make me feel good when I'm wearing it. I think it's a very 'me' outfit, with such a loud pattern, and so much colour. It's the perfect summer ensemble! I think I last wore it for an OOTD last summer, but I'm sure it'll be making a reappearance on my blog soon.

8. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you visit?

Right now, I long to return to New York, and Perranporth Beach in Cornwall, as they're two of my favourite places in the world that bring back happy memories.

I haven't explored a lot of the world so far, but I'm dying to see Australia, Italy, Greece, Africa, and more of France, and I want to travel all over America. In all honesty, I'd like to explore almost every country before I die. I love to travel.

9. A fashion trend you dislike?

When it comes to fashion, there isn't a lot I tend to dislike, but I'm not a fan of the 'geek, nerd, dweeb' trend that's everywhere at the moment. I'm already sick of the sight of tops emblazoned with those words. The same goes for over sized 'geek' glasses. 

10. 3 things you couldn't live without?

I couldn't live without music, dresses, and my laptop!

11. A place you go to hide away from others?

I find it very difficult to hide from anybody these days, what with mobile phones and social networking making it easy to keep tabs on people, and my injuries preventing me from going anywhere alone. If I go up to my bedroom, I still get disturbed repeatedly. I used to go off shopping in to town on my own for some 'me' time for a few hours, and always found an hour or two in the bath with my iPod and a book a great way to switch off from the world. At the moment, I guess I hide away online when I need some time to myself.

My Questions

1. What's the best thing you've ever bought for yourself?

2. Do you shop mostly online, or mostly in store?

3. What's the best book you've read lately?

4. What's the one thing you'd do if you knew nobody would find out, and you wouldn't get in to trouble?

5. Polka dots, bird print, or stripes?

6. Have you got a favourite song and album?

7. What's the one thing in your wardrobe you couldn't live without?

8. Favourite Disney film?

9. Who are you top three favourite bands or singers?

10. What inspired you to start blogging?

11.When it comes to fashion and beauty, what's your biggest weakness? (What can't you resist buying? Shoes, dresses, nail polish? Etc.)

I Tag...

I may have nominated some of you before, but if I nominate you again, it's because I love your blog, and I'd love to read your answers!

Char of Big Girl About Town

Rachel of A Dress is For Life

Nita of Pashteit

Vicky of The Curved Opinion

Jenny of The Geek Shall Inherit the Earth
Hannah of Doodleheartx

Becky of Does My Blog Make Me Look Fat?

Gemma of Hidden Gem

Leah of Just Me, Leah

Linz of Linzerello Does Fatshion

Trees of Adventures of a Girl From Naki

Lisa of My Big Fat Blog

And I also tag everybody else reading this who would like to answer the questions and pass the award on!

Another Lovely Liebster Blog Award

The lovely Rifka of Creative Confessions very kindly recently nominated me for a Liebster Blogger Award. Thank you very much, Rifka, I'm very flattered.

So as part of the Liebster Blogger Award I'm required to share 11 facts about myself and answer the 11 questions set to me. I will cheat a little and not nominate the 11 people, because I can't possibly choose between all the wonderful blogs I follow.

11 Facts About Me

1. The last song I listened to was Paloma Faith's cover of INXS's 'Never Tear Us Apart'.

2. I have a little backwards-C-shaped scar on my left palm which I've had since I was fourteen or fifteen. I cut my hand on a little piece of glass that I didn't see on my bedroom floor when tidying up.

3. I have another scar next to my navel from an argument with my Sister when I was sixteen. She lashed out with her nails, I bled. Thankfully only one of the cuts scarred.

4. I'm very shy. Always have been, probably always will be.

5. Tina Hobley, the actress from Holby City, was one of my regular customers at work. I assumes she's still a regular there. She's lovely in person.

6. I've read almost every Richard Laymon novel. I'm holding off on reading the last two or three because there'll never be any more of his books to read for the first time. (He passed away a few years ago).

7. When I was seventeen I spent six weeks carrying out work experience in two zoos away from home. I had to live on pot noodles and cup a soups for sustenance (six weeks in hotels wasn't cheap). It's been nine or ten years, but I still can't stomach those instant meals.

8. I've never been to Alton Towers.

9. I'm a big animal lover and would love a house and garden full of pets. Yep, I'm gonna be that crazy cat lady people run away from. Except it'll be big bunnies, not cats.

10. I'm currently reading Stephen King's Skeleton Crew short stories, and I've had it on the go for months. I think I've lost my reading mojo as I'm only about 40% through and struggling to get in to it- and anything else.

11. My favourite perfumes are the DKNY Delicious range. I currently own four of them. 

Rifka's Questions to Me

1. What is your style? How would you say you dress.

Wow, that's quite hard to put in to words. I'd say my style is quite unique. It's quirky and colourful; feminine with an edge; dress-heavy; a little bit kitsch; vintage-inspired; and not to be taken too seriously.

2. How often do you blog?

I try to post every day, but that's not always possible, so generally at least several times a week.

3. Who is your icon?

As in style icon? I'm really not one of those girls who worships a particular celebrity fashionista's every move, but I'm most often found admiring the outfits worn by Dita Von Teese and Zooey Deschanel. They're often seen wearing beautiful vintage or vintage-inspired dresses and skirts, and they always look so put together. I just love forties, fifties, and sixties looks. Would you judge me if I added the old cliche and said my fictional icon is Carrie Bradshaw?

4. Biggest pet peeves?

I hate noisy eaters; rude people; customers who talk on their mobile phones at tills and still expect service; parents who don't control their kids in shops; the phrase "amazeballs"; being ignored; people who talk over me when I speak; reading Facebook statuses etc that have no basic grammar, punctuation or spelling; bullies; fat haters ... 

I swear I'm not a horrible, miserable person!

5. If you could travel anywhere... who would you take?

I'm currently having major New York withdrawal symptoms, so I would pack my suitcase and get myself on the next flight there. I'd want to take my best friend because she's never been, and I can't wait to see her experience the city for the first time- plus we'd have a lot of fun holidaying together.

6. When it comes to food- safe or adventurous?

Safe. I'm quite the fussy eater, and I have to be careful due to my intolerances to certain foods.

7. How do you take photos for your blog?

I take all my own photographs myself on my little Canon digital camera. It's just a run of the mill compact camera; it's certainly not the best or most professionally little gadget out there. For photos of my outfits I set the timer. I occasionally use my ipod for photos, too.

8. Tribal or animal print?

I like both, but animal print, probably.

9. What captures your eye when you're shopping- colour, cut, or embellishments?

I'm drawn to colour and little details like patterns, texture, motifs, and embellishments more than anything else. I usually notice the cut and style of the garment last.

10. If given the chance would you go back to the past?

I might consider turning time back ten or twelve years to live the last decade or so a little differently. I've wasted my twenties, and although I don't wallow on that, I do wonder how differently my life could have been if I'd found direction and more confidence in myself in my late teens. 

If I could go back to another era, I'd choose to experience the fifties for the music, and style. Can you imagine dressing in those fabulous swing dresses all the time?! Heaven.

11. Where do you find the inspiration for your blog and your overall dressing?

For my blog, many of the ideas just come to me organically. Ideas just randomly pop in to my head. I may use a product I want to write about, or have some tips to share. Sometimes I get ideas from other blogger's posts, or from a feature in a magazine, and I do my own interpretation, but generally, I just think up ideas when I least expect to.

For my overall dressing, again it often just happens. I'm often drawn to particular pieces or colours when dressing or shopping and give them a try together. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't but I never know unless I experiment with a look. I get inspiration from other blogger's outfits and posts. I get inspiration from magazines, media, TV shows and films, out on the street, friends and family, from displays in shops, seeing particular colour schemes together on anything at all, ... but mostly I just go with whatever my eyes are drawn to.

Liebster Blog Award Volume Five

I was recently nominated for another Liebster blog award by Keely from Another Girls Paradise. Thank you so much, Keely! I'm always astonished when anybody nominates me for an award. Truth be told, I'm astounded that anybody even reads my little blog at all! They always mean a lot, but having done a few of these lately, I'm running out of things to share about myself.

Rules

You must post 11 random facts about yourself. You must answer 11 questions from the person who chose you. You must create a new set of 11 questions for who you tag. 

You must then tag 11 blogs with under 200 followers and let them know. You can not tag back.

I'm going to break the rules a little here, and just share some facts about myself, and answer Keely's questions. I hate having to choose between all the wonderful blogs I follow, and have already passed the award on to my favourite bloggers several times.

11 Facts About Little Old Me

1. Most of my family are (English) Northerners, but my Sisters and I are Southerners born and raised.

2. I keep tropical fish and have a shrimp called Francois. I decided they needed French names. It's thought that his shrimp friend Jean-Pierre was murdered. Although it remains a mystery as his body was never found.

3. I have an odd sense of humour (see no. 2 above)... 

4. I love movie and musical soundtracks.

5. One of my favourite theatre experiences was seeing Sister Act in the West End whilst Whoopi Goldberg was starring as the head nun. She was only on stage for a couple of weeks, so it was a once in a life time experience. She was fantastic!

6.  I'm planning to get a tattoo of a flock of flying birds as soon as I'm back in one piece and living a more normal life. I want this to symbolise regaining my freedom, and to remind myself to never take life for granted again.

7. I'm also seriously considering getting the words 'make it count' tattooed on me, too, as another reminder to live each day well. Many of you might recognise it as a quote from Titanic. It happens to be my favourite film, but the three little words would have spoken to me even  if they were said in a film I hated.

8. I can cross stitch a little. Nothing too elaborate, mind, but I've learnt to cross-stitch, and back-stitch, and can manage small designs. I've not adopted it as a hobby, though.

9. I used to sketch and paint, but haven't done a single picture since I broke my wrist five years or so ago.

10. I'm considering taking art, photography, and creative writing classes when I'm physically able to do so.

11. As well as the skills in no 10, I'd love to learn how to crochet, sew, knit, and how to make clothes and patchwork quilts, accessories, and jewellery. Basically, I want to learn how to create everything.

Keely's Questions to Me

1) Are you afraid of the dark?

No, but I don't particularly like it.

2) What movie or song makes you cry? 

Movies- 

These make me cry every single time...

The Green Mile, Marley and Me, I Am Legend, Titanic, Steel Magnolias.

Songs-

This of course depends on my mood, but if I'm particularly upset or down, then these songs have the power to make me bawl like a baby.

The All American Rejects- It Ends Tonight
Avril Lavigne- Slipped Away
Boyzone- Every Day I Love You, Better, and One More Song.
The Calling- Could It Be Any Harder, and Stigmatized
Coldplay- The Scientist
Evanescence- Hello, and Lost in Paradise
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole- Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Kings of Leon- Pyro
Linkin Park- Valentine's Day, My December, The Little Things Give You Away and Leave Out All The Rest
Lostprophets- 4am Forever
Michael Jackson- Little Susie
My Chemical Romance- The Ghost of You
Ronan Keating- Winter Song, Mama's Arms, and In This Life

I started listing them and came up with so many songs that made me cry. I decided to keep most of them in the post, but cut a few out.

3) Favourite comfort food? 

I'm not a comfort eater, but there are some foods which can't be beaten and do leave me with a content feeling- so probably my Mum's home made chocolate cakes, or her apple pie which are both a rare treat. 

4) If you could live anywhere, where it would be and why?

I would love to have a town house in New York as it's an incredible, beautiful, lively city; worlds apart from the town I live in.. I'd also love to live by the sea in Cornwall so I could walk on the beach and paddle in the sea everyday. I've always dreamt of living by the sea and becoming a surfer.
  

5) Favourite item of clothing?

I adore most of my wardrobe these days, but if I had to choose I'd say my black hummingbird print skirt; my black bird-print maxi dress; my navy/cream flamingo print circle dress, and my black and white polka dot shirt dress. I love how I feel in each of these items, and I think they're all visually pretty, too.

6) What do you do to cheer yourself up on a rainy day?

I actually like rain and it doesn't make me miserable at all! I love curling up with a good book and listening to it lashing against the windows. If I need to cheer up a miserable grey day, I'll dress in something colourful and play some good tunes.

7)  Do you believe in ghosts? 

Yes. I'm not sure if I believe that they can be seen, but I believe their presence/energy can be felt. The elderly man who owned this house before us died here of an illness, and for a few years there was a bad energy in the house, particularly in a couple of the rooms. I regularly felt it, and always sensed I was being watched. My Sister and I once saw the kitchen cupboards opening and closing before our eyes. I still hate being in the dining room or my parents bedroom alone.

8) Favourite book?

I have two firm favourites: The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, and The Stand by Stephen King. They're both great and interesting reads in different ways, and if you haven't read them I suggest you get yourself copies pronto!

9) Do you have a childhood item that you'll never throw away?

I haven't kept hold of much from my childhood, but I have some teddies in the loft, and a copy of my favourite childhood book ''Goodnight Mister Tom'' that I have no intention of giving away. I'm a sentimental soul.

10) Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

I honestly haven't thought that far ahead. I don't have a life plan pencilled in my diary like many do.

I hope I'm happy, healthy, free of pain, living life to the full, doing something I love, with great friends and family around me.

11) Why do you like to blog?

Firstly, I find blogging a great distraction from my back injuries. Blogging has given me something to focus on every day, and it fills a good portion of  my time. The days used to drag so much more before I created this blog, so it's become my saviour. It's great to do something positive during a difficult time in my life.

 I like being able to show that there are ways to make living with life-changing injuries a little brighter. I like showing society that larger girls enjoy fashion and looking good, too, and that women of all sizes look good in fashionable threads. I also love to write, and obviously I love fashion, style, and beauty, so it's enjoyable to combine them and focus on those subjects with lovely like-minded individuals.

Liebster Blog Award

The lovely Lauren from Scarlet Realm's Vintage Blog recently nominated me for a Liebster Award, which, I think makes that my fourth nomination of the year so far! Thank you, Lauren, I'm very flattered, and amazed you guys keep nominating me! Your cheques are in the mail.

So the deal is I have to tell you some facts about myself, and answer Lauren's questions. I won't nominate some more blogs myself, as I've done this several times before, and I'd just be repeating myself. I follow over 200 blogs, and I love each of them, so if I follow you, I love your blog.

11 Facts About Me

1. I prefer Costa to Starbucks.
2. My first ever concert and the last concert I went to were both Boyzone concerts- Birmingham May 1997 and Inverness August 2011.
3. I think New Years celebrations are overrated.
4. I'm extremely short sighted. I can only read the top letter on the opticians eye test chart with my left eye!
5. I love forties and fifties fashion.
6. I have a very sarcastic sense of humour.
7. The last film I watched was Save the Last Dance.
8. The last song I listened to was Linkin Park's Valentine's Day.
9. I still get excited about Christmas like a kid in a sweet shop at Disneyland. I've been known to get excited for Christmas as early as September in the past.
10. I love musicals.
11. I enjoy baking.

Lauren's questions to me are:

1. Where was your favourite holiday as a child?

My favourite holidays were the ones spent in Perranporth, Cornwall. My parents would take my Sisters and I there for a week most Summers. We always stayed in one of those big luxury caravans, and spent most of our time on the beach. I would spend hours playing in the sea being pushed to shore by the waves on a body board or giant inflatable rubber ring... it was heaven! I've always been obsessed with the sea and the waves in Cornwall are rough and powerful, but I was fearless of them. I could- and did- spend six or seven hours in the water at a time, while my Sisters took some coaxing. My memories are of building giant sandcastles complete with motes with my Mum, catching a million new freckles, exploring rock pools, being buried in the sand and shaped in to a sand mermaid..., visiting Newquay Zoo, fish and chips, seeing Seals in the harbour, arcades, tacky souvenir gift shops, The Tiger Club (haha), exploring sea side villages, and I can still smell the food my Mum would cook up for breakfast only on holiday. I have good memories from my childhood, and my Sisters and I are so sentimental for the area we've returned three times together as adults.

2. What is your favourite meal?

 I've always loved the house special chow mein from my local Chinese take away- their noodles are so good! And for home-cooked, I love fajitas, and the Christmas dinner my Mum makes. Our Christmas dinner is typically turkey, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing (the family recipe is made with sausage meat), peas, carrots, broccoli, parsnips, butternut squash, and gravy. There are also brussel sprouts, but I can't stand them. I feel full for a week after that meal.

3. What is your favourite cocktail?

I love woo-woos, sex on the beach, and daiquiris (especially strawberry and raspberry). I don't particularly like the taste of alcohol, so I prefer fruity tasting ones.

4. What scares you?

Spiders, daddy long legs, and small spaces/feeling trapped.

5. What are you doing for Halloween?

I'll probably just have a movie marathon of Halloween themed films, and maybe carve a pumpkin with my Sister.

6. What is your goal for 2013?

Well, I guess that would be to hopefully regain some of my mobility, freedom, and independence back, but that's something I really don't have control over. I'd also like to continue on the path to self-acceptance, and maybe feel more comfortable baring my legs and arms in public.

7. Who is your inspiration?

My best friend, Angela. She's a fantastic, hard-working single mother. She works extremely hard to provide for her lovely son, who is such a credit to her. He's the most well behaved two and a half year old I've ever met. She always puts everyone before herself, and fights for what she believes in. She always has a smile on her face and a positive outlook; I don't know how she does it, but I'm always so proud of her.

I draw inspiration from other close friends, family, body positivity and style bloggers, and celebrities, too, but my best friend is my biggest source of inspiration.

8. What makes you laugh?

My friends, especially when they send me silly messages.

My best friend's little boy and his quick wit. Honestly, he says the funniest things so innocently.

TV: The Big Bang Theory, Two Broke Girls, old episodes of Friends, The Vicar of Dibley, Family Guy, American Dad...

9. What makes you cry?

I cry at everything these days. TV shows, films, musicals, adverts, magazine articles, text messages... If somebody is going through a bad situation, injury, or illness on a documentary or TV show, I'll end up blubbering like a baby.

My back pain and the frustration of not being able to live a normal life anymore, or do simple things like go to the supermarket without a near collapse also makes me cry sometimes. I try to remain laid-back about it, but sometimes I have my weak moments when it all gets too much.

10. Who inspires you in your blog?

I'm most inspired by other bloggers and their blogs. There are so many amazing women out there who wear what they want with confidence, and who aren't afraid to be themselves regardless of their shape or size. In a world where society tells us only slim people are desirable, it's inspiring to see so many ladies sticking a middle finger up to the begrudgers and loving who they are and how they look in fashionable clothes at any size. I love to read fashion/personal style/body positivity/beauty blogs by ladies of all shapes and sizes every day, and it doesn't matter if they're a size 0 or a size 30, I draw inspiration from them all. Reading these blogs has definitely increased my confidence, changed my perspective on my own body, and inspired me to be proud of who I am, and I try to reflect that in my blog and posts.

11. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I'm dying to go back to New York. There's no place like it in the world. I'd shop, sight-see, and explore to my heart's content and go back to Serendipity 3's for their amazing peanut butter frrrozen hot chocolate before taking a tour of the skyline in the dark.

I've also always wanted to visit Australia, and Italy.

Tuesday Things: The Liebster Blog Award

Hey guys,

 

The lovely Hannah of Daisies and Dr Martens has very kindly just nominated me for The Liebster Blog Award. Hannah always leaves me the loveliest messages, and has a lovely blog herself, so please go and check it out if you don't follow her already.

 

 

 

The Liebster Award involves:
- Listing 11 things about yourself
- Answering the 11 questions the tagger has set for you
- Creating 11 questions for your nominees
- Choosing up to 11 bloggers linking them to my post and telling them about it
- Only nominating blogs with less than 200 followers, and no tag backs.

 

As I've been nominated for this award a few times already in recent months, I won't nominate any bloggers as I'll just be repeating myself. I follow over two hundred blogs, which is far too many to choose from! I will of course provide you with some facts and answer Hannah's questions.

 

11 Things About Me

 

1. I still like to buy the CDs of albums I want, even though I listen to all my music via my itunes library on my laptop or ipod! I like to have them in my collection. I download, too, but usually save downloading for singles and random songs.

 

2. I have 3881 songs in my itunes library, but have a habit of just playing current favourites over and over.

 

3. It doesn't happen often, but I enjoy being so absorbed with a good book that I spend the entire day reading.

 

4. I know it probably sounds ridiculous, but my pet peeve is seeing statuses that haven't been written with even the most basic spelling and grammar skills. No capital letters, no full stops. Just eighteen sentences in one big jumble ending with fifty two exclamation marks and a lol. I'm by no means the best writer in the world, but for some reason it really annoys me!

 

5. I've never been to a festival but I would love to make it to Reading festival someday.

6. One of the things I miss most from my old, mobile life is going to concerts with my friends.
 

7. I studied animal care at college, and would love to get back in to the field some day, but I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to do a physically demanding job again.
 

8. I love pretty stationery, and will often find myself purchasing new notebooks with no idea what I'll even use them for!
 

9. I'm not sure when or how I stopped being colour shy. I feel more self-conscious in black!
 

10. I love to bake. I find it so therapeutic.
 

11. My freckles multiply, darken and come out larger during Summer days spent in the sunshine. This is especially the case on those days spent in the sea..

 

 

Hannah's Questions and My Answers to Them

 

1. What was the first CD (or, if you're old school like me, it might be a tape cassette or something else cool) that you remember loving?

 

The first album I fell in love with was Boyzone's Said and Done album; I was nine. It was the first album I bought myself and it was a cassette (yeah, I'm showing my age now)! I'm not ashamed to say I still love this band today; I'm not a pop fan, but I make an exception for these Irishmen.

2. What's your latest music purchase/download that you're loving?

 

I think my last purchase was Linkin Park's new album Living Things. It's my new favourite album to listen to. I still like owning albums on CD, and usually only download singles, random songs, or albums by bands I'm not a big fan of.

 

3. What's your signature scent?

 

I usually wear a DKNY scent- either Be Delicious, Red Delicious (usually during A/W months), or Be Delicious Fresh Blossom. I'm also known for wearing Escada in the summer, which is a sweet, fruity scent.

4. Have you got a passion or hobby that not many people know about?

 

I've been known to write in my spare time (as in creative writing), but I don't usually share it with anyone. It's been a while since I've written, actually, but I do find it quite therapeutic.

5. What's the worst job you've ever had and why?

 

During work experience at a zoo, I had to pull the legs off a thawed frozen dead chick to feed to a Harris Hawk. I did it, but it wasn't pleasant- especially having to do it with my bare hands. I loved the two weeks of work experience at that zoo, though!

6. Let's pretend last night you won the lottery. what are you going to do with the money?

 

The first thing I would do is book myself a holiday to New York for a couple of weeks, where I'd stay in my favourite hotel, shop to my heart's content, sight-see, go to a few musicals, and indulge in a few cocktails and some good food. You know what? I might just move myself there if the win was a good one! I'd also fly my best friend out for a well deserved break!

 

I'd see if I could get better treatment for my back injury if I went private. I'd give some of the money to my family and friends so they don't have to worry about money issues. Buy my parents a better house by the sea, and one of my own in Cornwall and in New York. And I'd splurge on lots of new clothes, accessories, and make up.

 

Wow, I must have won a fortune! Haha.

7. Are you a messy or a tidy person?

 

I'm generally a tidy person. Sometimes I think my cleaning/organising sessions are almost borderline OCD. I don't always keep everything neat and tidy, but ever since I stepped on an earring and pierced my foot aged eleven, I've tried to put things away!

8. Do you have any tattoos, or any tattoos planned?

Yes, I have two. I have a star design on my right wrist, and a floral design on my left foot. There are several I want to get in the future- the next being a flock of flying birds with a dandelion, that I want to get along my collar bone to symbolise freedom when mine returns! I also want to get my star tattoo redone (again) to fill in the stars as they look so patchy from the first disastrous tattoo session.

9. Marmite: love it or hate it?

 

Hate it!

10. What's your favourite Disney film?

 

I love Disney films, although I'm a bit Disney-ed out from listening to the soundtracks on repeat at work for a year. I've always loved Pocahontas, Beauty and the Beast, Robin Hood, Tarzan, The Rescuers, and now Up! I love all the pixars, too.

11. What would your ideal house be like?

 

I'd love a big house over looking the sea in Cornwall where I could sit out in the garden at night with a few drinks and listen to the waves. I'd want big, airy rooms with plenty of light. The decor would be a mix of retro and modern themes, probably with lots of Cath Kidston-esque prints everywhere, with colour, statement wallpaper, wooden floors and exposed beams. I'd have my own huge walk in wardrobe or dressing room with a place for everything to be displayed for easy-dressing, (and for admiring)! I would also love a library with wall to wall bookshelves full of pretty books that would have window seats and comfy chair with blankets and cushions everywhere. I'd also love a bathroom with monsoon showers, a big kitchen so I could bake to my heart's content, and a big garden filled with pets! Not much, really...

Again, a big thank you to Hannah for nominating me for this award. I had fun answering your questions, and I hope you've enjoyed reading them all!



Liebster Award Part Three

Hey guys,

Becky of Does My Blog Make Me Look Fat recently awarded me the Liebster Blog Award. Thank you so much, Becky; I'm very flattered and honoured. This is the third time I've been nominated for the award. You can read about the other two posts here and here.

As I've only recently awarded this blog to some of my favourite bloggers, I won't do the nomination part because I simply couldn't pick my favourites from the vast amount of blogs I follow. I will of course answer the questions Becky set for me.

The rules for receiving for award:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves

2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you’ve tagged to answer

3. Choose 11 people and link them in the post

4. Go to their page and tell them

5. No tag backs

 

 

Eleven Things About Me.

 

1. I love listening to song lyrics and finding songs that I can relate to.

 

2. I use Schwarzkopf Live XXL Real Red hair dye on my hair. It's usually a lot brighter than at the moment.

 

3. My hair was once long enough to touch my thighs when I sat down.

 

4. I've often had dreams later happen word for word, action for action the same in real life. I always get that de ja vu feeling, and remember dreaming it.

 

5. I'm sentimental. I keep letters and ticket stubs. I still have all the letters my best friend wrote to me over the last sixteen years.

 

6. I love buying presents for the people I care about.

 

7. I love musicals. Especially Phantom of the Opera.

 

8. I love The Big Bang Theory and watch it almost everyday.

 

9. I love the rain.

 

10. I've never read Fifty Shades, and don't intend to. I hate hypes!

 

11. I love accents. I could listen to the Irish all day.

 

 

Becky's Questions to Me

 

1. What made you start blogging?

 

 I was inspired by reading blogs on personal style and body positivity at the start of my sick leave back in September last year. I was amazed to find so many blogs by curvier ladies like myself looking comfortable and confident with their bodies (quite rightly), and my self-confidence rose as I continued to read such blogs as the months went by. I decided I would give blogging a shot to not only help me on the road to self-acceptance, but also for something to focus on during an injury that confines me to home. I was also using pretty dresses to keep my spirits up, and thought it would be fun to document them.

 

2. Your favourite style of clothing?

 

My favourite style of clothing is dresses which have big flared fifties skirts; which are fitted on top to the waist, rest about knee length on me, and have a cute or quirky print on the fabric.

 

3. Your favourite colour to wear?

 

I'm not colour shy and do wear a lot of colour, but I'd say I particularly love wearing navy and other dark blue shades most.

 

4. Heels or flats?

 

Flats. I adore the way heels look and get all dewy eyed over beautiful pairs like everybody else, but I've never really learnt to walk in them, mostly due to leg pain in my early-mid teens. I have better balance on the ground, anyway, and like to be barefoot as much as possible.

 

5. What is your favourite part of your body?

 

Hmm, I think I'll go with my skin. I love my freckles, and my pale skin tone. I must be the only person who actually likes being pale. I've never once felt the need to slather on fake tan or sunbathe religiously in hope of getting tanned. I've never understood why people would rather look orange than their own natural skin colour. I did actually hate my freckles until I was about seventeen, though, because they made me look different to most people, and being shy I wasn't comfortable with standing out.

 

6. Favourite season to dress for?

 

Probably Spring or cooler Summer days (low 20'Cs) when I don't have to worry about finding a coat to match my outfit, and can just go out wearing a dress with a cardigan over leggings or tights and a pair of sandals. Although, I do love layering and getting all cosy in woollen gloves and scarves in Autumn and Winter and wearing Winter coats.

 

7. Go to outfit for a last minute night out?

 

I haven't been out in such a long time... but I'd probably wear a dress over black tights or leggings, straighten my hair, use a quilted cross-body bag and a pair of ballet flats, and apply lots of mascara and pretty green eyeshadow to my lids and I'm good to go!

 

8. Do you follow a beauty regime?

 

My regime is fairly simple. I just wash my face, then cleanse, tone, and moisturise. I use a daily face scrub in the shower, and a face mask to refresh my skin perhaps once a week.

 

9. Something you want to achieve in life?

 

Happiness. No matter where my life takes me, I just want to be happy and healthy. It's what really matters at the end of the day.

 

10. Favourite kind of cake?

 

I love chocolate, red velvet, Magnolia Bakery coconut (nom nom!), and New York/ Chocolatey cheesecakes.

 

11. If you could only buy clothes from one place for the rest of your life, where would it be?

 

Probably Dorothy Perkins. They always have some amazing pieces, and plenty of beautiful dresses. I know that their clothes will always fit me. I think it's such an underrated shop. Although, I would also consider ASOS as a contender.

 

I hope you all enjoyed reading a little more about me.

 

Thanks again, Becky!