Liebster Blog Award:

Well, this is a very exciting post for me!  My lovely friend Margaret has passed on the Liebster Blog Award to me (to Inferior Design, really).  And what exactly is the Liebster Blog Award?  As Margaret so eloquently put it:

"From what I can find, the Liebster Blog Award is given to bloggers by bloggers. It is for blogs with less than 200 followers and when you are tagged you have essentially received the award and are responsible to pass it on, so thank you, and here goes!"

The rules:
1. List 11 random facts about yourself

2. Answer the 11 questions given to you by whoever gave you the award

3. Ask 11 new questions for the bloggers you pass the award on to

4. Choose 9 bloggers with less than 200 followers to win the award

5. Go to each blogger's page to let them know they have won!

11 facts:

1. I received my first rejection letter for a piece of writing at the tender age of seven.  (It was a very nice letter, though.)

2. I've only ever broken one bone in my body, and it was a tiny fracture in my wrist.

3. Even though I need glasses for driving, the cinema and even watching TV sometimes, I still wear them as little possible.  I guess I just don't consider myself to be a glasses wearer!

4. I can play guitar, viola, ukulele and a wee bit of piano.

5. I've had my nails painted almost constantly for the last three years.  I think I can count the number of times I've had 'naked' nails in that time on one hand...

6. I have a bizarre phobia of old/antique soft furnishings.  I can't explain it, they just creep me out!

7. I went through a late rebellion during my first year at uni, bleached my hair and got a tattoo (which I kept secret from my parents for a year because I didn't want to be told off!).

8. I have a huge sweet tooth and a massive sugar addiction.

9. I've had my driving licence for almost 5 years now, but I still love driving.  Setting off on a road trip is one of the best feelings in the world!

10. I always avoid walking across three drains in a row if I can.  It's a weird superstition I picked up in school.

11. I love making lists!

11 questions for me:
1. Why did you start blogging?
To try out a previously unexplored creative outlet, and to give myself the chance to write almost every day.

2. If you could live in any era, which would you choose and why?
I've been watching loads of Mad Men lately, so I'm tempted to say the late '50s, early '60s for the sheer glamour, but I don't think I could handle all of the racism and sexism that went on back then...

3. What is the most exciting thing you've done/greatest achievement?
I suppose my greatest achievement so far in life is graduating from university with a decent degree, but I suppose that isn't necessarily very exciting!  The small amount of travelling that I've done so far has been very exciting though, and I hope to do much more in the future!

4. If you could only ever eat one for the rest of your life, which: chocolate or crisps?
Chocolate, hands down.  I would miss crisps, but I couldn't live without chocolate.

5. What's your favourite film/most treasured DVD?
Even though I studied film at uni, my favourite film is still Ghostbusters.  I also love Some Like It Hot and High Fidelity, and could watch all three over and over.

6. Do you think white marshmallows and pink marshmallows taste different?
Yes, definitely!  I couldn't tell you why, though...

7. What is your favourite high street shop and why?
Fopp for music and film (because I used to work there, and I might be a tiny bit biased) and H&M for clothes (because you can still pick up a bargain there, and they always have a good sale).

8. If you were a cartoon/film character, who would you be AND WHY!?
I'd like to think I would be a cynical yet cool Rizzo from Grease or a Veronica from Heathers, but I'm probably more of a nerdy Velma from Scooby Doo.  Jinkies!

9. Favourite pair of shoes?
Give me a good ol' pair of  beat up Converse every time.  Behold my most recent pair in all their grubby glory:

10. What did you want to be when you were little?
I've pretty much wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember, but I do recall finding the prospect of being 'a lady who works in a shop' quite attractive.  Dream big, young Alex, dream big.

11. Morning person or night owl?
I'd say I was a bit of both, but Craig disagrees (apparently I'm grumpy in the morning?).



11 questions for YOU:
1. Which blog/blogger never fails to cheer you up?
2. How tall are you?
3. Facebook, Twitter or Instagram?
4. If you could live anywhere in the world (and money were no object) where would you choose?
5. Which room in your home is your favourite, and why?  (Bonus points for accompanying photos!)
6. Cats or dogs?
7. Who is your favourite band/music artist?
8. What was the last film you saw in the cinema?
9. Have you ever met a hero or celebrity?  If so, who and where?
10. Which book are you currently reading?
11. What time is it right now where you are?


9 brilliant bloggers:
1. Lauren at A Blessed Unrest, a fellow Scotsgirl whose blog I've been reading for a long time now, and who is doing a much better job of becoming a writer than I am!

2. Emily at A Taste of Paint, my best (and oldest) pal, and also one of the most amazing artists and cooks I know!

3. Fiona at Country Girl - City Life, who is forever stylish and has an adorable blog.

4. Faye at Dinosaur Circus, who I hope starts posting more regularly again soon!

5. Tom at I do what I'm told... - another of my great friends, who is the other most amazing artist I know!

6. R and D (AKA: Mum and Dad) at Radinja3, who are the most dedicated travel bloggers I've ever seen and are currently in India.

7. Another Emily (this time at Tales for Karina Marie), who has such a refreshingly unique fashion sense, and an extremely readable writing style.

8. Marianne at The Rattle Bag, purely for her (hand drawn) "photos" of celebrities.

9. Joanna at Viewed Through a Lens, which is an ultra professional looking film review/preview blog.


Phew, that was a bit of a marathon!  I hope the majority of you managed to stay awake through it.  Believe me, nobody is more pleased to reach the end than me...  This was actually my second time writing this post, as I managed to stupidly delete it the first time round (SO FRUSTRATING!).

Anyway, thank you again to Margaret for passing the Liebster Blog Award on to me.  Please go and check out her blog (Roaring Twenties) and all the others I've linked above, because they've all been given an award for a reason - they're great blogs!