In the blogging equivalent of a chain letter, I have been awarded the Liebster Award not once, but twice! Yay for the blog! Fortunately this award comes with a short set of questions and no warnings of certain death from Gypsy curses if I don't pass it on.... so I won't pass it on, as pretty much all small blogs that I like to read have already been the recipient. I think I'm around last on the list(s).

So firstly, thank you to the lovely Natalie from In the Night Sky, a blog about the renovation of her Melbourne home, who awarded me the Liebster a couple of months or so ago... I'm sorry, I sort of intended to do it, and then forgot, Natalie!

Secondly, the award was also given to me by Naomi, from Coulda Shoulda Woulda - based in London her blog is about her travel, love of Interiors magazines, and funny observations about fashion/ life in London/ random things. Naomi has just celebrated blogging for 6 months and is (I think crazily) giving away a Hermes scarf... surely one of the best giveaways ever. So after this prodding, here are my answers.

The questions....I'm using Naomi's, just because they're at hand

1. If you could look like anyone, who would it be?

I'm happy looking like me... I know that sounds odd, but I try very hard not to compare to supermodels or actresses or people with airbrushing or professional makeup people running around them. I'm not perfect by any stretch, but there are more important things in life to worry about.

2.What character from a book do you most identify with?

Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. I think everyone wants to be like Lizzy in character.  I think that's why the book has such enduring appeal (and has nothing to do with her marrying Mr Darcy of course)

3.What is your favourite flower?

Sweet Peas. They remind me of my childhood - I used to pick big bunches from the garden, my mother always grew them. I love the way they smell and their sweet ruffled petals.



4. If you could meet one person from the past, who would it be?

The pressure to pick one! Jane Digby maybe? I read a fascinating book "A Scandalous Life" about her years ago. But this is a slightly random response... If I really reflect I might think up someone else...

5. What would you talk about?

Her romances and her absolutely amazing travelling adventures at a time when women were very much under the thumb of men (their husbands/ family).

6. Have you ever won anything? If so, what was it?

Yes, a very expensive super duper German made shower in an industry (Architects) only competition. Unfortunately we had finished renovating our place in Melbourne, so I gave it to my parent's who were still doing their bathroom at the time.

7. Which bag would you choose between a Chanel 2.55 or a Hermes Kelly?

Hermes Kelly, although I'd probably not choose either of them if I were paying... we are so close to Asia that the shores of Australia are flooded with fakes of both, which I do find a little off-putting, especially if you're handing over in excess of $2500 plus for the privilege.

8. Which one event will forever remain etched in your memory?

Standing on the tube (London Underground) platform after my first day at the Inchbald School of Design and feeling deliriously happy that I'd finally found my niche.... I had loathed and detested every minute of my 5 year Architecture Degree at University. I remember looking down at the tracks and watching all the mice running around.

9. If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one book, what would it be?

"A Pattern Language", an absolute design bible and classic, as I'd be needing to design a new civilisation on the island, and would want to get it right of course.

Otherwise if only stranded for a few months "The Cooks Companion" by Stephanie Alexander so that I could work out what to cook with the ingredients available on the island.

10. What made you finally write a blog?

Don't want to end on a downer, but it was the death of my Mother from Cancer last year. The blog gave me a bit of light relief and some unexpected support during a very difficult time.

So as I said, I'm not passing on the award, but thought I'd mention a few blogs I enjoy reading if you haven't already clicked on the links on my sidebar

In random order

The Lime Walk - written by sometimes Bowral resident Jenny, who is building a beautiful new home, and currently travelling through Europe to her house in France. She also has an absolutely amazing beach house on the NSW central coast, which I would happily live in full time.

Lovely Jublies, written by Z, a Perth Blogger who has an amazing shoe and dress collection/ habit and a very witty way of writing.

Diary of a Hobart Housewife - written by Tasmanian blogger Romy, who has currently packed her family up to live in the French Countryside for a term of school.

Jodie from About Last Weekend, is a New Zealander transplanted in California and documents her life there in a very entertaining way.

Fifi from Fifi's Fabulous Things a Brisbane based blogger who writes thoughtful posts on things she is liking at the moment, from clothes to food to music to books.

Laura from Elsee Blog, who has an adorable newborn daughter and is renovating her home in Sydney... and is a talented graphic designer.

And finally A Farmer's Wife from Life in the Country blog. Life on a large farm in Western Australia and the general happenings of day to day life in the country.

Oh, and nearly forgot one more of my favourites, and a new blog (only 3 months old) - Ruth from Clothing Fixations. A J. Crew addict and Sydney resident, Ruth writes about her wardrobe and life in Sydney.. with occasional references to her ability to read things like War and Peace in Russian... Fashion with Brains.

enjoy x