Liebster Award Nominations

I had a very sweet surprise yesterday when I found out that the lovely Kat of Murder of Goths had nominated me for a Liebster Award. It's a really cute idea - it's bloggers nominating other bloggers, with the idea being that it introduces their readers to some new material to browse through.

In return, you are meant to then nominate three other blogs who you follow, and give them a list of questions to answer. I've chosen to nominate three of my favourite people (as well as blogs), Claire from A Monkey Fatshionista, Miranda from Black Chick Tit Cancer and my darling Lord Dicely from Confessions of a Gentleman Gamer.

1. A Monkey Fatshionista - amonkeyfatshionista.co.uk

Before I started to use my blog to talk about fashion, it was mostly a scrap book for my photography work. I still followed a few bloggers, and Claire was one of the first who really caught my eye as she always looks so well put together in every single photo. I love her style, her accessories and she always looks effortlessly cool - something which I really struggle to pull off when I'm trying to be casual. I was so happy when I got to meet her whilst shooting the first Plus London event, and over the last few years we've gone from being fashion-friends to boardgame playing babes and she is often the first person I'll send a message to when in search of outfit advice.

2. Black Chick Tit Cancer - mizzilla.wordpress.com

I've known Miranda for almost half my life now, and as you can probably guess from the blog's title, this last year has been a difficult one. Her blog is inspirational, and a helpful read for anyone dealing with breast cancer, or with friends or family affected by it as it is a real, raw and powerful journey through a fight which thankfully she is winning. (Sidenote, we shot some epic photos together a few months ago which you can see here.)

3. Confessions of a Gentleman Gamer - lorddicely.blogspot.co.uk

Lord Dicely (aka Howard) is responsible for getting me hooked on boardgames. With his super hero power being trying to save the world from the drudgery of Monopoly, his blog is witty, insightful and accessible for anyone who is dipping their toes into the world of the games for the first time. He is also owner of the most enviable hair, which deserves a separate blog all of it's own, but that's another blog post right there.

The Rules:
- Thank and link back to the blogger who nominated you.
- Answer the 11 questions that they have asked you.
- Nominate bloggers who have a following of <200 on Bloglovin’
- Ask them 11 questions.
- Notify the nominees.

Questions:

1. What has been your favourite discovery since you started writing your blog?

2. What are you currently reading?

3. What is your favourite boardgame?

4. What is your favourite movie quote?

5. What made you decide to start blogging?

6. How do you pick yourself up after a difficult day?

7. What's your cocktail of choice?

8. Who inspires you?

9. What's your getting ready to go out song?

10. Favourite place to visit?

11. Favourite London hideaway?

And now for the questions given to me by Kat.

1. Why did you start your blog?

My blog initially started out as a scrap book for my photography work. I'd use it as a place for out-takes and magazine editorials, and something of a diary for what I was up to creatively. I'm not quite sure when the balance shifted in favour of fashion content, but I think I missed writing about sartorial trends and vintage lifestyle pieces so it all just kind of meshed together into one thing.

2. Best piece of advice you’ve heard for bloggers?

Always be yourself. It sounds so obvious, but it's much more fun being an individual than trying to shape yourself to be someone else. Also good lighting is your friend. It doesn't have to be studio lighting - natural daylight is beautiful to shoot it, even when streaming through a window. 

3. Who is your favourite female role model?

This is so hard, as there are so many of them. I would probably have to say Diane Arbus or Cindy Sherman as they are undoubtedly two key female photographers who broke boundaries with their work.

4. Favourite item of clothing?

This depends on my mood, but I love anything which nips in at the waist. This lace collar 60s number is probably up there quite high, but I am also a massive sucker for swing and tea dresses.

5. Best decision of your life so far?

That first date with Lord Dicely.

6. What would your perfect day be like?

It'd start with tea and pancakes at home with a morning spent at one of London's museums followed by a cheeky afternoon matinee at The Prince Charles Cinema. Dinner would be pieced together from items found at Borough Market, or skipped over in favour of cocktails. Or ignore the whole thing and spend the day holed up in a cute cafe with lots of cake, Earl Grey and boardgames.

7. What are you most proud of?

I still feel that getting my first magazine cover published before 30 is up there. I'm just about to start work on my second solo exhibition and it's different to anything I've done previously so I'm feeling pretty good about how the concept has changed and grown to where it is.

8. Most embarrassing fashion choices in your past?

Oh my goodness, there are SO many to choose from. I am so glad that there are very few photos of me as a teenager, as I had the worst home-dyed streaks and lived in baggy t-shirts and oversized jeans. Even now I make the odd mistake here and there though - buttons flying off my dresses, things being more see-through than I'd imagined, that sort of thing. Thank goodness for good undergarments to save the day! 

9. Favourite plus size brand?

I really like mixing vintage with high-street pieces, with ASOS Curve and HM making up a huge part of my wardrobe. I love the affordable fast fashion of F&F too, who really took huge steps forward with their plus size line last year. Collectif also get a mention, because although they're not strictly a plus size brand, they do go up to a size 22 and have the most incredibly cuts for busty figures.

10. Your favourite hobby?

Am I allowed to say sleeping? No? Ok then. Howard has pulled me into his world of boardgames which I love, but I'm still a sucker for sneaking out to afternoon movie matinees or hiding in a cafe somewhere with a good book. I love to write as much as I enjoy taking photographs, so often have a project or two on the go with the intention of growing them into something more substantial.

11. What is your dream career?

I'm very fortunate that I get to do my dream career every day. Working as a freelance photographer has it's downside in terms of financial stability, but the creative freedom it brings is indescribable. I couldn't imagine doing anything else with my life,  and love that I get to do something which directly makes other people feel pride and happiness with themselves.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

Blue Skies.

I love living in London, but the last few weeks have been crazy and I could not wait to escape to the countryside to spend the Easter bank holiday with Howard's lovely family.

It was four days of boardgames, good food and countryside walks with a touch of Easter Bunny magic thrown in for good measure.

My fruit bunny made by Howard's niece and nephew.

The personalised Kinder egg I made for Howard. Turns out it's impossible to re-wrap them once open! 

Mount Everest - one of the many, many boardgames played over the four day weekend.

Although I've been visiting Lambourn for almost three years, it was only this weekend where I felt like I'd really explored it. Howard, my lovely sort-of-sister-in-law and I all went for a 5k walk through the local fields, which despite nearly killing me thanks to big hills and hayfever, was very much worth it for the stunning views.

The start of this walk is just minutes away from the Burdett parental home, and it offers breathtaking views and a path of wild flowers to make you feel like you've stumbled into some sort of fairytale.

We were also lucky enough to see two families of ducks and ducklings learning to swim against the current in the river running along the backgarden. There were several cries of "Ducks! Ducks!" over the weekend which led to everyone running outside to see them. Although the first family of ducklings were older, the second one were very much still tiny balls of fluff!

Most importantly, I got to spend lots of time with this handsome face. It currently feels so rare that we're not stuck to cameras or laptops until late in the evening, so it was absolute bliss to just spend time together doing very little. Most mornings began with playing boardgames in pyjamas with his mum at the breakfast table, and that pretty much set the pace for the rest of the day!

That said, no matter how lovely it is to get away, there really is no place like home and it was nice to be back in London.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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www.fashionlovesphotos.com

(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)