Q&A

I was very pleased and touched to receive the Liebster blog award again, this time from the lovely Jessica over at Chronically Vintage.  The questions Jessica chose for me to answer, and my answers are below, and in the Liebster tradition I then select some lovely blogs to pass the award on to, and include a set of my own questions for the authors to answer.  It's all a bit of a getting-to-know you type thing, and is meant in a fun spirit.

1. What are three of your favourite things about blogging?

First of all, it is lovely to know that there are people out there across the globe who bother to read what little old me writes!  It’s lovely to have your self-expression acknowledged.  Secondly, it’s opened up my perspectives on a lot of different things, it makes me question a lot of attitudes and beliefs.  I think I’m a lot more aware now of if I’m being slightly judgemental, and can stamp it out.  Finally, it’s so much fun!  I get invited to review products (from make-up to granola), meet interesting people, and share my vintage treasures.  It’s wonderful.

2. What kind of sagely advice would you give to a blogger who is just starting their first ever blog today?

Question ‘why am I blogging?’ because that will shape what you go on to create.  If you intend it to be a money-making venture, then there’s a lot of thought to go into target audience, layout, appropriate advertising, registering domain names and a whole host of other things.  If you want it to be a long-term venture, you’ll need to draw up blogging schedules, and allocate time to it.  If you’re just doing it for you, then it’s easier because you’ve only yourself to please really.

3. Do you find yourself drawn more towards creating word heavy or image heavy posts, or do you prefer a fairly even mix of the two in each post?

I think this really depends on how I’m feeling and what the topic is.  If I’ve been somewhere dressed-up-to-the-nines then there will be many pictures to share, but if I’m just having a rant about something then it’s a bit more wordy.  Generally, I try and balance it, if it doesn’t fall into those first two categories.  I follow a lot of different blogs that have different balances – they’re all good, it’s about how engaging your words and your pictures are in the end.

4. What is your favourite ten year span (note, this doesn't have to be a specific decade, such as the 1930s, you could pick 1925-1935) of all time from a fashion standpoint?

I think the late 1930s were very interesting, already you could see 1940s style firmly established, but I do like some of the early 1930s trends, as featured in so many episodes of Poirot.  So perhaps I would go for 1930-1940.

5. If you could go on a shopping spree (and money was no object), what are five vintage wardrobe items that you'd buy today?

A big winter coat.  Like the one below from Collectif, but not in beige, which is my worst nightmare.

A fancy dressing gown.  Like Gene Tierney wears in 'Leave Her to Heaven'.

An evening dress.

A Hitchcock heroine suit.

As many French Knickers as I could fit in my bags.

6. What are five of your favourite savoury foods, and five of your favourite sweet ones?

Toast.

Cheese.

Olives.

Falafel.

Smoked trout.

Lebkuchen.

Satsumas.

Turkish Delight (the traditional version, not the one with chocolate!)

Dark chocolate (70% cocoa).

Organic dried apricots.

7. What's your favourite place you've ever lived? What are some of the reasons that makes this spot so near and dear to your heart?

I’ve mainly lived in Wales, and went to university in Staffordshire, England.  I also studied abroad up in rural North Carolina, USA, and I lived in Australia for a year, spending a good 9 months in Sydney.  I absolutely loved North Carolina, and have some wonderful memories of the Autumn colours and the mountains.  Now, I’ve just set up home with my Baby, and we’re living in the mountains in Wales.  We’ve only been in our new house for 6 weeks, but I bet it’s going to be my favourite place I’ll ever live.  Already I’m completely captivated by the scenery and the changes in the weather that bring such a change in atmosphere.  Some days the mist rolls down the valley, and you can’t see the mountain tops through the heavy cloud.  On other days, the whole valley is brilliantly lit by the sun, and the Autumn colours are breathtakingly beautiful.  It’s Wales, so the sunny days aren’t too common, but I love the drama in the landscape, the feeling that you’re part of something bigger.  I get that tingle that I did in North Carolina.

8. If you could go on an all-expense paid vacation for two weeks to anywhere in the world, where would you go and what vintage clothes would you bring with you?

California, Baby!!  I visited the state with my parents when I was 14, and have longed to return ever since.  Now, my interests will be a bit more vintage-oriented.  I want to attend the Art Deco Weekender on the Queen Mary, stay in a 1950’s motel, drive along route 66 in a vintage car, visit an antiques expo and trawl some estate sales!

9. Currently, what are your three favourite colours? Do you wear these colours often or simply enjoy them in general?

Pink to make the boys wink.  Berry reds.  Bottle green.  I've been wearing a pink cardigan and pink lipstick, which is a nice injection of colour on a grey day.  I've also been wearing some berry reds, but have realised that my wardrobe is lacking in bottle green - so I've ordered a cardigan!

10. If you could attend a concert from any musician/band throughout all of time, who would you pick to see live?

Elvis.  I don't think I need to explain that further.

11. What's your favourite time of the day (morning, dusk, etc) and why?

I love mornings on a day when I’m not working!  I like to stay in bed with a cup of tea, watching the breakfast news, while I get excited about what I’m going to do with my day.  My Baby and I will discuss schedules, and I might write a list.  Before I go into the shower, I wander into the studio and stand at the window for a few minutes, looking at the view down the valley, and checking what the weather is doing.  On working days I don't have time to savour mornings, I dress and make-up quickly, and I'm out the door to catch my train.

So, that's a bit about me, but now it's time to bestow the award on some other bloggers!  In no particular order, here are the blogs, some vintage, some not, that I'd like to share with you all:

Lisa from Butterflies and Daisys Vintage
Helen Elizabeth from Fragile Bird
Paige from Baby Steps Into Vintage
Bambi the Style Hunter's Liz
Rosy from Sewing Adicta
Circus Girl's Zoe
Betty Bow
Amy from Bonjour Cupcakes
Purple Pinky Honey's Marija

In no way are you to feel obliged to pass this award on yourselves and do the Q&A thing - it's completely an optional, fun thing if you have the time and inclination, but I shan't be offended in the least if you opt not to take part.  My questions for you are below:

1. Do you have a party trick?
2. What was the last book you read?
3. The desert island question - if you were stranded, what 3 items would you want with you?
4. Who is your favourite classical composer and why?
5. What's the best thing about where you live?
6. What celebrities have you ever met?
7. What beauty products do you use on a daily basis?
8. What's your favourite thing to cook?
9. Do you have a career separate to blogging?
10. Do you have any phobias?
11. What do you know about your family history and ancestors?

All a bit of fun!

P x