A Blog Award Nomination!!!

I was recently nominated for a Liebster award by Denise of Retro Gran and Deborah of Hell Cat Vintage.  Thank you ladies - it's so exciting to know that someone actually reads what I write!

What is a Liebster Award?

It's a token of recognition that bloggers award to fellow bloggers who they think deserve more recognition. The terminology "Liebster" roughly translates to "Dearest" from German, and the guidelines of this award are as follows:

1. You must answer the 11 questions set by the blogger who nominated you.
2. You yourself then pick 11 blogs who in turn have under 200 followers.
3. You must then think of 11 questions for the blogs you have picked and also tell them.
4. You must link back to the blog that nominated you.

(It's a little bit like a 'chain letter', but nicer).

via

So here are the answers to my questions from 'Retro Gran' (aka Denise):

1. What have you learned from blogging?
So much.  I have done a lot of posts on the history of fashion and inventions, and also war.  I drive the kids crazy with all the facts I find out!  I started blogging as a record for my kids so they'd know something about me, and to store all the information I find - I am a constant researcher.  It's made me able to keep track of things. I have also learnt a lot about computers ans social media.

2. How much time do you spend working on your blog?

At present not much, as I have been away and returned to full time work, so I am re-organizing myself.  I tend to spend about an hour each night reading blogs on my list and doing my own post, and I try and fit in a bit during the day during the slack times at work or when I grab a coffee.  I was spending upto 8 hours a day on each post when I was not working!  I am trying to start a website now too.

3. What is your guilty pleasure?
Red wine. In a nice glass. Once the younger kids are in bed..

4. Are you punctual or tardy?

Punctual. Usually early.  Except when taking the three youngest kids to school as there is always a last minute rush for shoes or homework. I usually set the kitchen clock 10 minutes fast to avoid this, but it's just stopped working.  I hate being late.  I usually have a book with me to read if I am too early anywhere.

5. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Paris. Of course. I went as a seven year old, and really didn't appreciate it.  I'd have to bring my husband (but probably not the kids). and I'd love this vintage tour.

via

6. What's your favorite book, tv program, and film?

Agatha Christie in all of those ( I have almost every book).  I also love Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series of books, which is currently filming its second tv series, and I love the book and movie of 'Out of Africa' (Isak Dinesen).  I also love the tv comedy  show 'Black Books' with Dylan Moran, because he is just so bad he makes me laugh and feel like I am a good person!  And Dr Who. Yes, I admit it.

7. If you could throw a dinner party and invite anyone in the world, living or not, who would you invite and why?

Agatha Christie, Kerry Greenwood and Isak Dinesen (Karen von Blixen-Finecke), as they are all wonderful story tellers and no party would be boring with them around.  Clark Gable, Cary Grant and Sean Connery  for some male glamour and wonderful voices. Ella Fitzgerald, Bille Holliday  and Frank Sinatra, who may be encouraged to sing a little.   Coco Chanel, because I'd love to see what she'd wear, and Dylan Moran, because he really couldn't be like Bernard Black in real life.

8. Do you have a particular style icon or guru?
Not really.  I do love Chanel, and Schiaparelli, because they were both so modern and ahead of their times.  I also admire Wallis Simpson - her 1950s outfits were always perfect, and she looked great without being stunningly beautiful like some of the actresses of the time.

via

9. What do you draw inspiration from, magazines, films, blogs or something else?
Everything. Even pieces of fruit.  My new favorite color is tangerine, because they're just so glorious!  I love reading other blogs - some of the outfits of the day are really inspiring, and much more real than magazines with air-brushed models.  And I love old movies - the fashion and the interiors are inspiring.

10. If you had to live in any other time period besides now, which one would you pick?

That's a really hard choice. I think I would have liked to be born in about 1935.  Just after the depression, too young to lose a beau in the war and hopefully with a father too old to fight, and just in time for the best of the 1950s.  I'd also hopefully have all of my parents wonderful 1930s things to keep. My mother in law was born in 1935 and seems to have had a wonderful life (except for losing her mother at a young age).

11. What is your proudest moment thus far? 

Bringing up five beautiful, clever, socially capable children who will have the skills to be able to look after themselves and others.

8 year old Livie learning to knit

Tomorrow I'll answer the questions form my other nominator, Deborah at Hellcat Vintage.

Here are the first six blogs that I nominate (I'll do the other five tomorrow, and hopefully the questions for them!):

(Apologies if you have already got the award, or have over 200 followers - just be happy that I love your blog!)

Joe at Josie-Mary
Lynn at Sea Angels
Sandra at Rag Rescue
Su at Sweet Cherry Pie
Laura at The New Vintage Wardrobe
La Joya at Mid-Century Pink

Deb xx