Liebster Award

Thanks to Ellice, 17 year old radio presenter [http://smallbutl0ud.blogspot.co.uk] I've been nominated for the Liebster Award - it was a total shock as I haven't been blogging for long, and I definitely don't post as much as I would like to due to a ridiculously busy lifestyle, so thank you!  

The rules of accepting the award are:

1) Write a post about the fact you're nominated and then thank the person who nominated you, as well as linking their blog.
2) Answer the 11 questions that you've been given to answer by the person who nominated you.
3) Nominate 5-11 bloggers who have less than 1000 followers.
4) Let the bloggers know you have nominated you and leave them a link to your post, so they can see how it works

I was asked the below...

1) What inspired you to start blogging?

I started blogging when I was at university, and considering I want a career within editorial (whether that be publishing, magazine content etc.) I thought it was prudent to regularly write about my passions and experiences. This was not only to keep my writing style fresh and practiced, but also to explore the bloggers network, and make some friends and connections along the way.
2) How long have you been blogging?

My first blog post was in September 2014 when I had my hair cut off at London Fashion Week - since then I have posted about twice a month, but I really want to increase the amount of posts I publish.
3) What is your favourite post that you've written?

I liked my Christmas OOTD post, and Bouton Bracelets review, as I enjoy creating fashion posts with the outfits laid out - that was something I learned when I interned at Fabulous magazine at The Sun. The Fashion Editor, Tracey Lea Sayer, would lay all the outfits for photoshoots on the floor of the office, accessories and all, and although it was a nightmare to walk through, it really showed the finished outfit.
4) Any advice to people wanting to network?.

Be personable and genuine - people know when you are being fake, and do not appreciate it. When you are honest and open, with opinions, likes, dislikes and taste, people will take you more seriously and will open the door to larger networks for you. 
5) Favourite musicians?

I love upbeat artists that make me want to belt out their songs. I adore Katy Perry for her audacity and strength, especially her song 'Roar' for the message it conveys and Jason Derulo always delivers a great R&B/Pop crossover. I also like musicals - Les Mis,

 Hairspray, Jersey Boys and Phantom of the Opera are some of my favourites.

6) What do you aspire to be/do?

I honestly don't know a specific job role, and I think by aiming for one specific role you can end up closing doors to opportunities that may change your life. I like writing and am very opinionated but equally I like to edit work. I'm good at marketing products so PR may be a good route but ultimately, something that encapsulates all these skills would be ideal.
7) Have you gone to Uni/in Uni/going to Uni?

Yes - I went to Brighton University and have a degree in English Literature, although I am awaiting my results (I'll tell all when I know myself!)
8) How do you deal with criticism?

I think it can be sobering. Criticism is sometimes difficult to hear but it can be refreshing to hear alternative opinions, especially if you take it seriously and use it to develop and better yourself. Abraham Lincoln said “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time" and I think it is important to remember this, especially within the media industry.

9) Have you ever wanted to give up blogging due to criticism?

Never - nothing you enjoy should be given up because of somebody's negative opinion. Use criticism to make yourself stronger and work harder for what you want to do.
10) If you have writers block, what do you do?

I like to take a walk and remove myself from what I'm writing, go to the shops perhaps and pick up a snack (mostly chocolate or ice cream). When I'm blogging, I don't get writers block because I type as I think, it is a much more chatty tone. When I did my dissertation however, I had to take about a million walks to free up my mind.

11) How long does it usually take to write a blogpost? 

My blog posts aren't too long to write, usually between 10-15 minutes, and then however much time it takes to photograph items to feature in my blog.

I nominate:
Nat - https://natsnattering.wordpress.com/
Lillie - http://www.lillie-b.com/
Maria - http://mariagrimes.blogspot.co.uk/?expref=next-blog
Zsofi - http://zsofiwrites.com/
Tracy - http://bitterteaandmystery.blogspot.co.uk/

Africa Countdown

For the past 92 days, I have had a countdown on my phone for when I leave to go to South Africa. I will be going for a month, to assist with Conservation Reserve Research with the Big 5, and specifically leopards, lions, elephants and rhinos, to track their eating/mating habits, develop learning within local communities and provide first aid care to the animals that need it.

So, it has definitely crept up on me, as I checked my countdown app and apparently I only have 9 days to sort everything out, so I ran out to get everything I needed (although I am still short on a sleeping bag, rain jacket, rucksack and binoculars -kind of the essentials!).

My favourite purchase has to be my new suitcase - it is bright purple with white polka dots, so adorable and perfectly sized, although my mum still thought it would be necessary to get luggage tags... Seriously mother.

I thought I would share my packing with you, in the hope that if I forgot anything, someone could be wonderfully observational and tell me so I don't end up on the South African plains having to make a temporary hairbrush out of a lion's mane.

I will add at this point, that The Salvation Army charity shop has been an absolute godsend - their assortment of combat trousers and safari shorts have kitted me out with clothes I never thought I would buy or need. But when faced with a month-long trip to a country I have never experienced, especially as South Africa's winter nights are legendary for loss of limb to frostbite (I may be exaggerating a little) then I panicked and began thinking that my Alexander McQueen chiffon blouses and high-waisted Forever 21 shorts may be out of place. Are patterned tights acceptable for helping wounded elephants be strapped to a helicopter for recovery? Is a bandeau bikini top sufficient when diving with Great White Sharks? I didn't think so either.

So here I come South Africa, with a swimming cozzy accustomed to OAPs, navy combat trousers that have a toggle at the bottom that tightens and hiking boots that have sufficient ankle support for a rhinoceros to wear them and not give way.

Hey - you've got to try everything at least once!