THE VERY INSPIRING BLOG AWARD

I feel like a very lucky girl today. Why? You might ask. Well, I have been nominated for two Very Inspiring Blogger Awards by the lovely Eesha for Eesha's Glam and Sunna for The New Noir.

The Rules
1. Link back to the person who nominated you.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Nominate a list of bloggers who inspire you.
4. Inform you nominees by commenting on their blog.

7 Facts About Me
1. I travelled to Paris for the first time last week. I learnt that the Eiffel Tower is very, very tall and that I might have a slight fear of heights. It was incredible though!

The view from the top of the Basilica of the Sacre Couer (so impressed with my artistic pigeon!)

2. I have also been travelling to Bristol a lot recently. I feel like everyone I have known ever is moving there at the moment and it makes me want to move there too! Oh, if you do visit Bristol definitely go and eat at The Stable. Seriously some of the best pizza and cider I have ever tasted and I don't usually like cider.

The Suspension Bridge in Bristol. I took this when I visited the other week.

3. This month, for my birthday, my friends and I went for a drink at the Shard. I would definitely recommend it! The views are amazing and you don't have to pay the £30 you would if you went up to the viewing point.

4. I have a labradoodle called Jesse James (blame my father for the name).

5. I have never read Lord of the Rings, despite having seen the extended versions of the films far more times than is necessary. I plan to start reading it tonight so I'll let you know how it goes.

6. I watched The Amazing Spiderman 2 recently and it was one of the best films I've seen in a long time. Andrew Garfield is definitely a far better Spiderman than Tobey Maguire ever was.

7. I now have nearly 150 followers on Bloglovin' which is insane! Thank you all so much for subscribing.

My Nominees
1. http://touchscreensandbeautyqueens.com
2. http://sophieeteee.blogspot.co.uk
3. http://www.clutteredcloset.co.uk
4. http://onebeautyblog.blogspot.co.uk
5. http://mixedbouquet.blogspot.co.uk

HEALTHY LIVING: #ACTIVEAPRIL

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I probably could do a lot more to keep healthy and fit. For example, I have the upper body strength of a small child and a gym membership which, if you take into account the amount I actually use it, probably costs me about £15 a session. However, by some miracle, the past few days I have been feeling quite motivated to make a quick run for the healthy side of life. Sure, it probably is the looming, ever-closer threat of summer and the terrifying notion that, yes, I will have to buy my bikini soon otherwise they'll only have the weird ones left in stock, but it's a good feeling all the same. 

So, in an attempt to make this new, motivated me hang around for a bit, I've decided that, for the month of April at least, I will be eating healthily and exercising daily; a challenge for which I have created the ingenious tag #activeapril*. I'll be keeping you all updated on my progress on this blog, but also on my Instagram and Twitter pages (not-so-subtle plug for you to follow me on these too).

If any of you would like to join me in my quest for a healthy body, please feel free to take up this challenge as well! Having others to answer to if you start getting lazy can really only be a good thing. Having others to validate the fact that, no, you really don't need to have that burger you've been craving all day is a great thing. Make sure you use the tag #activeapril on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and you're all set. 

Anyway, it's probably an idea that I get off this computer and start doing something active! But, before I do, I have to tell you all, I poached eggs this morning for the first time and they actually looked like poached eggs are supposed to. For me, this is a huge step in the right direction. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it.

*I have no idea if #activeapril is already a thing. Let's hope I don't get slapped with a copyright violation... 

NEW COLLABORATION SERIES: MAKE ME UP

Hey guys and gals, I have some very exciting news for you. Guess who I'm currently sharing a Chai Tea Latte with in Starbucks? Well, not sharing exactly, that would be weird. However, I am enjoying the company (with our very separate beverages) of the beautiful Sunna from the fashion blog "The New Noir".

Sunna is a designer and writer from London and writes posts about fashion trends and style which are both helpful and interesting for fashionistas and style virgins alike. She also blogs her own progress as a designer and often includes helpful tips on beginning a career in the industry. I especially loved her recent get the look on Clemence Poesy; because who wouldn't want to look like Clemence? She is effortlessly elegant and, more importantly, she was in Harry Potter. That's all I look for in a woman, really.

So, I think I've now effectively built up the suspense, although the title gave everything away before I'd even started: we are going to be starting a collaboration series together! The series, called "Make Me Up", will give you style advice for your height, shape, age, skin tone, facial structure. We also thought we'd throw in a few "Get The Look" posts for good measure, where we'll show you how to look your best whatever the occasion, wear the latest trends, and recreate that celebrity look you've been dying to try.

I hope I've managed to whet your appetite with this little taster (pun intended). If you are intrigued by this OTP, then check back in two weeks when our first post of this fortnightly series will go live. For those of you who actually have a life, OTP stands for One True Pairing. I wouldn't look it up, if I were you. There's some very strange (I would even go as far as horrific) fan fiction on the internet.

Please go and check out Sunna's blog if you have the chance! Here's an example of her design work.

LIEBSTER AWARD #3

I am very happy to have my third Liebster Award! Thank you very much, Selina! Check out Selina's blog, here. Here's a quick post with the answers to her questions.

What is your favourite perfume at the moment?
I have a staple perfume which is my signature scent, Nina Ricci's 'Nina' (the original, although I do love the special editions as well). I've pretty much used Nina Ricci my whole fragrance-wearing life. I should probably try and be a bit more adventurous, really. I did try Prada's 'Candy' this summer and absolutely loved the scent, but found it didn't last very long on the skin. Basically, anything that smells really, really sweet.

What are the three main qualities you look for in a partner?
A sense of humour, caring personality, and an optimistic outlook on life.

If you wear makeup, name one item of makeup you couldn't live without.
It would have to be mascara. My eyes are usually the focal feature of any makeup look I create, so mascara is a must!

Which do you prefer: bags, shoes or clothes?
Clothes. Every time. I actually went out to replace some worn-out jeans yesterday and ended up coming back with three extra tops.

If you had the chance to meet someone famous who would it be?
If it could be anyone from any time, possibly Audrey Hepburn. I just think she was so elegant and such a great role model. I have the obligatory IKEA canvas print of her in my bedroom.

All time favourite quote from her: "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!"

If it had to be someone alive today, probably JK Rowling, partly because the Harry Potter books were essentially my childhood, but also because she is such an inspiration for all those aspiring female writers out there. Oh, and she studied Classics at the same university as me, so, you know, we'd have something to chat about.

Favourite season and why?
Definitely summer. Hands down. I get cold really easily and summer is pretty much the only season in Britain where you can guarantee a few warm days. Also, there's nothing better than a summer evening. I genuinely think everything seems better when it's bright and sunny outside!

Who is your favourite style icon?
I'm not really sure I necessarily have a style icon as such. I just buy what I like and think suits me. If I had to choose, it would definitely have to be either Audrey Hepburn (the last mention of her, I promise) or Grace Kelly. I just think that style era was so glamorous and sophisticated. One of my all-time favourite films is High Society, so if we could just all dress like that again, that would be great. Thanks.

If you had £100,000, what would you do with it?
I would explore the world! Spend it all! That's what I say! Just joking, I'd save at least £1000...well maybe like £500.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I've always loved Spain because I have family there, especially Madrid which is a beautiful city. I want to travel quite a few places but, at the moment, I have my heart set on Australia and Fiji. Oh, and I'd love to live in America at some point.

What is your favourite clothing brand?
Topshop because they do clothes for little people. I find it really hard to find clothes that fit me because I'm a rather tiny 5ft1. I also really love H&M. I think they do great quality clothes for really reasonable prices.

Describe yourself in 3 words.
Little, cheerful, amiable.

LIEBSTER AWARD #2

I was very excited to discover that I have been nominated for my second Liebster Award by Danielle, who writes the blog 'Smitten with Sunday'. Thanks so much Danielle! Although I have already completed the tag, I'm going to answer Danielle's questions as a thank you for the nomination.

What is your favourite thing to do on a rainy day?
I love being able to catch up with the latest YouTube videos and blog posts. Also, a film day is always nice when it's truly miserable outside.

Do you prefer coffee or tea?
When I was at uni, I practically lived on coffee but I have to say I am really starting to enjoy a good cup of tea. I got very excited the other day to try a new type which I had bought. I think you can probably judge somebody's age by how they react to the prospect of a cuppa.

Are you a dog person or a cat person?
Definitely a dog person. I have a labradoodle called Jesse James (my dad's choice of name, he did want to call my brother this; lucky escape, Ben, lucky escape). I've never been particularly comfortable around cats. I was scratched by one as a child. In my infantile mind, it was an outrageous, completely unjustified attack. More likely, my incessant stroking was far less affectionate than I thought.

What is your favourite kind of cookie?
I love chocolate cookies, as much chocolate as possible.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
There are many, many places I'd like to visit in the world. If I really HAD to pick just the one, it would have to be Australia. Actually, maybe Rome, I've always been interested in Rome's history *Classics geek alert*. Yes, I guess I've wanted to go to Rome for the longest. Let's say Australia for the lifestyle, Rome for the culture.

What was the last book you read?
The last book I read was 'The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest' by Stieg Larsson. I absolutely love the trilogy but I have to admit they did get a bit tense for me in parts. You know you're a wimp when you manage to scare yourself reading a book.

Where is your favourite place to shop?
In terms of makeup, I usually buy a lot of my products in Boots or Superdrug. My favourite clothes store at the moment is H&M. It's just such good value for money! I'm pretty sure half my wardrobe is made up of H&M jumpers. They're all so comfortable and warm!

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I'm definitely more a night owl. When I was a student, I pretty much became nocturnal. I'm the sort of person who needs to set two alarms in the morning to make sure I'm up with plenty of time. I've not got as far as having to hide my phone on the other side of the room yet. That will be a sad, sad day.

Who is your favourite music artist?
However cliche this may sound, I find it really hard to pick just one artist. My favourite album is probably 'Fractured Life' by Air Traffic. Oh, and I do love a bit of Paolo Nutini. I tend to go through phases where I will listen to a handful of songs until I am so sick of them that I physically cannot listen to them anymore. At the moment, it seems to be 90s music (think Alanis Morisette, Semisonic). I did recently have a bit of a Ratpack phase as well.

Do you have a favourite celebrity?
Not really, no. I think if a celebrity walked in the room, I'd pretend (really awkwardly) I hadn't noticed them/didn't know who they were. Wow, I'm so British. I think Emma Stone seems pretty cool, though.

What is your favourite television show?
When I was younger, I was slightly obsessed with 'Charmed' (American show about three sisters who are witches). I think I've probably seen every episode at least twice. Two more current favourites of mine would have to be 'The Inbetweeners' and 'Sherlock'.