flattery will get you everywhere

I was delighted to receive a blog award this week from the truly delicious Cinnamon and Truffle. They are two siblings separated by the Atlantic, sharing their love of scrummy food. I adore their blog as I am also food mad- I think just about every fond memory I've ever had is related to food in some way, it's always the deciding factor in evaluating any special occasion.

This award has also jogged my memory that I was given another award back in January from the very lovely Bear's Footprints, whose chirpy blog diaries her clever crafting and pretty snippets of everyday life, as well as sharing the pain of her husband's battle with mobility. I am so sorry that I forgot to pass it on at the time- something must have come up to make it slip my mind!

Anyway, thank you so much to both of you for mentioning me and thinking my blabbering worthy of such an honour.

Now for the tricky bit- I am asked to mention seven random things about myself and whenever I have to think of random things my mind goes blank! But here goes:

1) I never wear trousers or jeans ever. Not even for gardening. This isn't a glamour thing (anyone who knows me will confirm that I am usually far from glamorous) but simply because I have yet to find any that suit or fit me properly.

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2) I am rather partial to a bit of Dolly Parton now and again- Pearl's middle name is Jolene as a homage.



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3) Whilst I am still and indie girl at heart, I'm having a bit of a dubstep midlife crisis at the moment. 

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4) I am naturally hugely messy, but managed to house-train myself before my husband left me. I can't say the same for my car though- it is absolutely disgusting and I am always extremely embarrassed if I have to give anyone a lift anywhere.

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5) I've never seen ET. Am I missing anything?

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6) I was completely put off exotic holidays after a trip to the Dominican Republic as a teenager. I was so shocked by the conditions that people were living in while we were staying in our gated, luxury resort. We went to the capital Santo Domingo and there were semi-clad children running about in miles and miles of wooden shacks which surrounded a giant, floodlit American style baseball stadium that had been built by the president, who was a fan. Without trying to sound 'worthy', I'd rather not collude with such distorted values.



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7) Not a day goes by when I don't miss John Peel with all my heart. Evenings have never been the same.

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I would like to pass the award on to the following blogs- many of which I have only recently happened upon, but have quickly become mesmerised:

• Firstly, another trans-Atlantic blogging duo Nimble Fingers and Steady Eyebrows, who share a love a needlecrafts. Their charming blog is full of beauty, talent and heartwarming friendship.
• Next is yet another duo and a new favourite of mine Sparrows and Arrows. Stylish and inspiring, these two blog about anything that takes their fancy from interiors, to literature, to fashion and I especially love their current lists project.
• I have completely fallen in love with Abby's blog Little Red Buttons. Her photos are just beautiful and her family bewitchingly perfect looking. They all look like they are always having so much fun.
• I also recently discovered My So Called Life and Other Lies, written by Debbie- a Muslim convert living a thrifty, homely and enviably peaceful life. Let's face it, who doesn't edit out the less-than-perfect bits of our lives for the sake of remembering the wonderful, best bits?
• And finally, I want to point you in the direction of my truly wonderful friend Saphy at Saphy's Progress. She is a colleague and good friend of mine who is about to embark on a very exciting and brave adventure of cycling across Vietnam and Cambodia for charity and also shares a common bloggy love of craft and all things vintage and pretty. She is one of the kindest, most generous, honest and warm people I have ever met- please pop over and say hello, I know she would love a comment or two!

It's the weekend- yip yip! x