One Hell of a Peachy Liebster Award Nomination!

Well...I returned from my little jaunt with the parents in Somerset last week, to find that I had been nominated for my very first LIEBSTER AWARD!  YES!  A wonderful surprise, which left me very happy, after I had looked up exactly what a Liebster Award was, of course!

The Liebster award, though information on its origins are fuzzy, is an award for bloggers with less than 200 followers who are nominated in light of deserving recognition and encouragement for their blogging work and talent.  Liebster, the sweetest German word you ever did hear!

I was nominated by the lovely Beauty Blogger Elinor over at Little Red - I urge you to give her blog a read HERE lots of interesting beauty reviews, general thoughts and giveaways!  So she asked several questions to the bloggers that she nominated for her Liebster nominations and here are my answers!

1. Cat, Dog or Other Pet?

I'm a real animal lover but I'd have to go with a cat.  My family cat, Duffle, pictured here,

passed away in January 2012 after nearly 14 years and I absolutely adored him.  Dogs are incredibly loyal but I love the independence that cats exert and my old boy had a really loving personality! 

2. If you had to choose would you rather be blind or deaf?

Tough one really, I think I would go with blind as I'm not sure I could cope without hearing music, as I see music as a sort of sense. 

3. What life motto do you live by?

I live by two.  The first is 'Live Joyfully, Without Apology', which I have tattooed on my back.  Strangely these were just words that jumped out of an old Glamour article I once read, but I feel they really resonate with how I want to live my life and inspire others.

I also live by 'Fear Is The Cork That Bottles The Body', which was a great motto I learnt whilst studying Dance at University.  I apply it to everyday life and feel it makes me braver to try new things! 

4. Do you prefer reading fiction or non-fiction?

I do read both, but I would go with fiction.  I've been obsessed with books and stories

ever since I was a little girl (Chronicles of Narnia was my first real foray into fiction aged 4)!  I am also a novelist and am writing my first novel, which I hope to be published one day.  It is a fiction piece set in 1930s Berlin and i'm about half way through my first draft.  I love being taken on fantastic journeys in books - I love reading horror, fantasy and contemporary fiction that really makes you think.  One book I always recommend is 'The Gargoyle' by Andrew Jordan, as it is nothing like I have ever read before.  It also deals with ideas of reincarnation - which I am really interested in.

5. What’s your go to skin care routine?

Hmmm interesting one.  I have always cleansed, toned and moisturised every night since I was at secondary school.  I tend to stick to simple and effective brands that don't cost the earth but really work for me.  I also love using Soap and Glory scrubs every so often and I have a wonderful Neal's Yard face mask that is worth every penny!

As a huge foodie, I am really influenced by the eating habits of the French and Italian who eat lots of 'naughty' foods yet stay slim and beautiful!  If you drink lots of water, exercise, eat well and live life to the full, I believe it will show on the outside.

6. Chocolate or Vanilla?

I love both, but I think Vanilla is probably the one.  I'm a huge fan of putting vanilla extract in almost everything I bake.  I recently made this Neapolitan cake for my Birthday, see blog post HERE it was full of vanilla-ry goodness!  But then it had a chocolate layer too, so I guess I got the best of both worlds! 

7. Describe your personality in 3 words?

Quirky, Driven and Kind

8. What’s your chinese zodiac sign and does it describe you well?

I was born in the year of the Rat and I think it sums me up in part.  I'm very tidy and organised and refuse to be influenced by others - I prefer to think and make decisions for myself.  I don't see myself as particularly materialistic and, whilst I'm driven, I don't think I only work for success.  I believe in a good work/life balance and am happy as long as my home life is!

9. Coffee, Tea or Hot Chocolate?

Tea, every time!  I am sat with a huge mug of it as I write this!  I love all types of tea, especially Chai and Moroccan Mint!  Though I am very partial to a hot chocolate and I love making my own Chai Tea Lattes! 

And now, as is Liebster tradition, it's my turn to nominate some bloggers who I really think are deserving of this award.  Some of my nominees may have already been nominated, but I've chosen a broad spectrum of newbie bloggers whose blogs I thoroughly enjoy reading!  To gain your award, all you need to do is answer my questions, link me in to your post, then choose between 5 and 11 other bloggers to pass this accolade onto, then create 10 questions for them to answer!  The lucky ones are....

Gillian - www.siltandbone.co.uk
Victoria - kickatthepantrydoor.blogspot.co.uk
Bethany - bethanyworrall.wordpress.com 
Jasmine - http://jasminesweetnothings.wordpress.com/
Gude - hodgepodgecraft.com 
Emily - www.tealadymumbles.co.uk
Kelly - tiasmum12.com
Sophie - soph-isticatedblog.blogspot.co.uk
Steph - funkymamma.co.uk 
Emma - itsemmamade.blogspot.co.uk
 
And here are your questions!

1. What inspired you to start blogging?
2. Stand out moment of 2013 so far?
3. What is your horoscope sign and do you think it relates to your character?
4. Do you have a geek-girl passion?  If so, what is it?
5. What has been your favourite blog post so far?
6. The Beatles or Rolling Stones?
7. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
8. Baz Luhrmann - love him or hate him?
9. What is your life's motto?
10. What one piece of advice would you give your younger self?

That's it, let's get this Liebster show on the road!  A huge thank you to Elinor for my nomination and a big wave to my nominees!