Showing posts with label Blog Awards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blog Awards. Show all posts

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Partymarth & More



Apologies for the absence, I have had a touch of bloggers block over the last few days, most unlike me, I think I have recovered, it's pouring out of me now.

I know some of you wanted to know about the party, please don't be cross with me but I did not take photos, no, not one! I intended to, I even placed my camera behind the sound system, ready to pull out and snap away, but it all got too busy, I seemed to be preparing right up until the doorbell rang, heralding the arrival of the first guests and then things got pretty chaotic from that point on.  Everybody seemed to have a great time, MG's curry went down a storm, those that were not quick enough missed out but were assured by the people that were quick enough, that it was delicious (we will make more next time, good curry is hard to find in France!)  I stuck to my guns and drank Indian tonic water until I could not stand it any longer, after the food and everyone was settled I got stuck into the wine and caught up very rapidly with everyone else.  The volume on the sound system was gradually turned up and there was lots of dancing and jumping about. The party finally wrapped at 6.30am, all in all a pretty good do, the recovery process took two days. Now we have cut our party teeth we will definitely have a Midsummer party outdoors and I promise to take photos!


 I was honoured to be awarded the Stylish blogger award from lovely Fly in the web over at French Leave and also from super stylish Jeanne-Aelia Desparmet-Hart over at Through the French Eye Of Design.

You know how it goes I have to reveal seven things about myself, bearing in mind I have done this before I now have to think of seven more things that you don't already know, that hopefully wont bore you to death.
  


I am very short sighted and should wear corrective lenses all the time, however I am very vain and only wear my glasses when absolutely necessary, this has led to some embarrassing incidents over the years, like going up to the wrong person and kissing them etc. I have tried contact lenses but don't get on with them at all and I have also considered laser eye surgery but I am a bit squeamish about it.  Over the years I have got used to and quite like seeing the world as an impressionist painting although it would be nice to have the freedom to buy non prescription sunglasses.

(This is not me canoodling with Tony Hadley from Spandau Ballet!)

When I was a teenager sometime back in the eighties I got jobs posing for photo stories in teenage magazines such as Jackie, My Guy and Blue Jeans.  I got paid five pounds an hour, which seemed like a fortune at the time, far more lucrative than a paper round.

Don't be fooled by the smile, he wants you for lunch!

I am not the sort of person who is normally afraid of things, however I do have an irrational fear of sharks, I adore swimming in the sea, usually the Mediterranean around the French coastline, where I don't think there are sharks but you never know! I always swim out to the edge of the sectioned off area where the buoys are but then I start thinking of sharks and swim back really quickly to the shore.  I know sharks are really important for the eco system of the sea but with their beady eyes and ugly mouths they give me the creeps.


 I am no Albert Einstein, I have always been hopeless at maths, I used to get so frustrated at school because I just did not get maths, I can add and subtract but that's about it, I can't see numbers in my head and still use my fingers to count, I am always asking MG the formula for things on the calculator as I cannot seem to retain the information and pre mobile phones would always misdial numbers.  I saw a program about dyscalculia  which is a form of number blindness, similar to dyslexia, I am convinced I suffer from it, I should take a test.


I would have loved to have worked in the film industry which is very difficult to get into and extremely competitive, I am particularly interested in production especially casting and location.  I have often read a book, and thought that would make a fantastic film and then proceeded to cast the characters and think of suitable filming locations. I am sure it's not as simple as that, you would have to deal with agents, lawyers, contracts, budgets, accountants, insurance, caterers, transport, logistics, councillors, mayors, police, and in certain instances diplomats, presidents and royalty and I would imagine you have to be very ballsy, I think I will stick to casting books, I am quite good at it, often they have been made into films and been cast with my first choices.


I always have a good book in my handbag, you never know when you might need it.


Rufus Sewell is my latest crush, he stated recently: "My favourite things are just wandering from place to place, going to cafes, taking photographs. My favourite day is a happy accident".  A man after my own heart, Ahh Swoon.

That concludes seven things about me, I am supposed to pass this onto seven other bloggers but as this award is doing the rounds and I have lost track of who has done it and who hasn't I pass it onto all the bloggers whom I link to who have not already done it.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

'Hello Lover'


Gorgeous Ruth from Life the Universe And All Thats In It has awarded me with the 'Hello Lover' award. I have to display seven pairs of my favourite shoes. Only seven!

Now I have talked about shoes before on this blog, my love of them, limited opportunities to wear them, lack of good shoe shops in this area etc. So some of my offerings are quite old and sadly not in the pristine condition that Ruth's are in, (all Ruths shoes are in mint condition).


 Possibly my favourite shoes, my own ruby slippers by 'Pura Lopez'. the spaghetti are thin leather straps which wrap and tie round the ankle, weighted down with little gold skulls.   I bought these from a shop in Harrogate, about 9 years ago, I was looking for a wedding outfit, saw these, fell in love and then found an outfit to go with them.  They are a bit worse for wear the metallic is wearing off a bit on the points but I still love them.  They had a baptism of fire at the wedding, which was held in a marquee on an estate in the Yorkshire countryside, the car park was in a field, suffering from the after affects of slightly too much Champagne, I went to the car to fetch my wrap, and decided to take a short cut into the field over a dry stone wall,  I clambered over and promptly landed in a ditch! I now know that beautiful shoes and the countryside do not mix.  I had to give my poor, wet, mud splattered, beautiful new shoes a really good clean when I got home.

 My old faithfuls, when in doubt I get these out. Every girl needs a pair of classic black stilettos, and these are mine, from 'Russell and Bromley', Bond Street, London. Another baptism of fire, the day I bought these I wore them for a night out in London, after dinner we had difficulty flagging down a black cab, it seemed like I walked miles in them, oh my feet hurt when I took them off.  It just goes to show that ideal heel wearing conditions is being chauffeured, from one venue to the next.

 I adore these Italian vintage style shoes bought from a small boutique in The Marais, Paris, they are so comfortable I can wear them all day and all night and walk for miles in them.  They are really high, but you can't really tell in this photo.

My 'Miami Mules' I am not really a great one for mules, as I have tiny ankles and prefer a bit of support, but when I saw these, years ago in a shop in Miami, I totally fell in love with the perspex pink gingham and soft pink suede combo, they are a bit scruffy now but still look lovely on.

 Very uncomfortable sandals bought from a shop in Pau, but they are worth the pain, they look fabulous on, can't walk far in these!

 These are very old and sadly on their last legs but much loved.   I have had them re heeled and resoled countless times. Kurt Keiger, kitten heeled sling-backs in denim and metallic blue leather.

My latest acquisition, Beatrix Ong, cream peep toes, would you believe purchased inexpensively last year from a fabulous market stall, on The Cote d'Azure which specialises in genuine former season designer shoes.  I had been looking for a pair of cream stilettos for ages. 

Another pair not suitable for my tiny ankles!  Bought from a boutique on the Rue de Rivoli, Paris about ten years ago, before massive rope wedges were popular, I love them, they make me very, very tall.

 My favourite boots! by Freelance another Paris purchase, razor heels and very tight fitting on the calf, lovely.


 Most of the time, I wear wellies, espadrilles, ballet flats, sailor pumps and walking boots so I have really enjoyed blowing the dust of these shoes and photographing them.

Most of the people who I would have passed this award onto have already received it so I am leaving it open, if you fancy showing off your shoes, I for one would love to see them!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Beautiful Blogger

 Last week the beautiful and fabulous Christina Lindsay from 'Fashion's Most Wanted' bestowed on me 'The Beautiful Blogger Award', this is a huge honour coming from Christina as I simply adore her blog.  When I first hopped over to visit Christina, I spent almost the entire afternoon going through her archives, every single one of her posts is glorious and all with the most gorgeous images.  I could bang on about Christina's wonderful blog all day but the best thing to do is check it out for yourselves.

Now as you all probably know I have to reveal seven things about myself, I did this a couple of weeks back here, so I have been racking my brains trying to think of another seven things, that I dare to reveal of myself.....

I was the naughtiest girl in the school.....


I went to an all girls, private school and I was really naughty, and always receiving order marks and detentions I wasn't really bad; I hardly ever did my homework, I smoked behind the bike-sheds, The school had a strict uniform policy which I flouted, plus I wore make up, I had difficulty obeying rules and was once spotted by a teacher at the local bus station, drinking out of a can of coke IN SCHOOL UNIFORM, a serious offence.

  When I reached sixteen, I was having quite a hectic social life and would often nod off in lessons, especially physical geography which the teacher made infinitely boring.  Being naughty did have it's advantages, I was popular with the other girls so much so that they voted me house captain.  The headmistress, 'Molly' who made Margaret Thatcher look like a mouse, decided to strip me of this title and hold a re-vote, she had decided I was not responsible or worthy enough for the role. Ha, a fine example of teaching democracy!  I had it out with her which resulted in my expulsion or in polite English terms 'Asked To Leave'.

She was very gracious and said I could come back to sit my O levels. This suited me down to the ground, whilst the other girls were doing their revision within the confines of the school walls I was making the most of a fabulously warm Spring and early Summer, lounging around in the garden in a bikini, Lolita style, revising, with the radio blaring, drinking from as many cans of coke as I wanted.  I passed all my O levels with flying colours.

I am crazy about books and reading.....


When I was young, on rainy day's my Grandmother encouraged me to go into her library and look at the books, I spent hours in there with books scattered all over the floor, totally happy and absorbed.  I think this is where I get my love of books from, I am trying to re create my Grandmothers library, in my own home, by filling the shelves with classic collections, biographies, and all the books I love.

My Favourite books are.....

 And
 
 I Also Love biographies, this one is my favourite, it moves me to tears



 I am longing to spend a long period of time, driving round and exploring Italy with MG, preferably in a sports car, for a month or three, I am having a little trouble trying to persuade MG that this is a good idea, but I am determined to get my own way, in the end.


I adore candles, when we have friends round, or even if it's just the two of us, whether we are inside or dining al fresco, I light as many as possible I have so many, this can take rather a long time.  To hold all these candles I collect antique candlesticks, MG and I have now have amassed quite a collection. 



 One of my favourite things to do, is to sit down at a cafe, opposite a port or harbour and watch the boats bobbing up and down, I find it so relaxing, I could stay for hours.
 


My idea of heaven is sliding in between crisp, clean, white, Egyptian cotton sheets, if I could I would change the sheets every day.



 I love Paris and New York but London is my favourite city, I love it's vibrancy, the way each area has it's own personality, the shops, markets, parks, nightlife, pubs, resturants, oh, I could go on and on.  If I had the money there is no doubt that I would buy a pied a terre in London.


Wednesday, April 14, 2010

My Cup Runneth Over!




Yes, my cup is certainly running over, I am honoured to say that last week I was bestowed with lovely awards.

  First up was 'The Beautiful Blogger Award', given to me from the lovely and talented Sharon over at: My French Country Home.  Sharon has her own beautiful blog, she is based in Normandy, and is a lady with many strings to her bow.

The second award was The 'I Love Your Blog' Awarded by the wonderful Sara Louise from Sara In Le Petit Village.  Sara, lives in a small village in Provence and her beautifully written blog is all about her experiences, Sara is a wonderful writer and she gives great metaphor.

The rules for The beautiful blogger award are I have to reveal seven things about myself and pass on the award to seven other bloggers, as I gave out some awards recently, I am going to award seven other bloggers at a later date.  So in no particular order, here are my seven things:


 Now ladies please don't be jealouse, but I have it on very good authority that I once gave Colin Firth a cold.

  Colin Firth as Mr Darcy

 I wish I could play the piano, for a long time I have harboured a fantasy, I go into a wonderful room, with some friends and in the room is a beautiful grand piano, I go up to tinkle the ivories and play beautifully like a major concert pianist. My friends are dumbfounded and amazed, they say things like "gosh, Dash you are so talented, we did not know you could play the piano".   I am of course, suitably modest and say something like "well it's just a little something I learnt along the way".

 Steinway Grand Piano

When I am in my dotage, God willing, I don't just want to become grey and invisible.  No, I want to be wonderfully eccentric, I would like to dye my hair pink, like Zandra Rhodes or be truly elegant like the 81 year old model Daphne Selfe.

Zandra Rhodes

Daphne Selfe

Daphne Selfe

I am a real water baby, I love swimming in the sea, one of these days I am determined to learn to water ski, preferably in lovely warm water, perhaps The Mediterranean, I also want to swim in the wild with dolphins and sea lions.

 

  MG is a petrol head, and I have become one by osmosis, I have a passion for vintage and retro cars, I adore the E type Jaguar but my favourite is the Bugatti Atlantic.

Bugatti Atlantic

I am longing to get a long muzzled girlfriend for Crusoe, my dog of choice is a Saluki, the oldest domestic dog breed in the world, they are beautiful.

Saluki

I have a secret (not any more!) crush on Tim Wannacott, his knowledge of antiques and history knows no bounds, I would love to go on a date antiquing with him.

Tim Wannacott, photo by Moody Kell

That concludes my seven things, I have had a lot of fun doing this.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Awards Time


On Monday, The lovely Jeanne at Collage of Life, bestowed on me The Sunshine Award, I was truly honoured.  I started blogging last November, I can't tell you how much it has enriched my life.  I am enjoying every minute of the blogging world and I have made some great Blogging friend's along the way, I am now returning the blog love, with some awards of my own, no rules apply, but please feel free to pass them on to worthy recipients.

Now without further ado, my first award is The Sassy Blog award, This is awarded for great, inspiring blogs, and all these ladies are incredibly sassy.

The Recipients are:
Stephanie, at La Dolce Vite
Aurora, at A Life Reclaimed

The next award is The Vraiment Française Award, this is awarded to exceptional Bloggers living in France, No trip to France would be complete without reading their blogs.

The Recipients Are:
Fly in The Web, at French Leave
Sara, In Le Petit Village
Julie, at The Provence Post

The next award is The Beaux Arts Award, this is awarded for outstanding artistic achievement.

The recipient is:


And last but not least, The Culture Blog Award, awarded for Blogs that are truly enriching and cultural.

The Recipient is:
A Super Dilettante

I love all the blogs that I follow and I am looking forward to coming across new blogs. If you haven't all ready, please check out all these wonderful blogs.