Getting to know me with the Liebster tag

Hi everyone, 

It’s taken me a while to answer all of Amina’s ( The All Seeing Lens) Liebster award questions, but life has been hectic and filled with unexpected happenings. 

Thank you Amina for the nomination and because I have done this several times, I will duck out of nominating other bloggers and will just proceed to answer her questions.

1. What was the best memory you have from your childhood?
The best memory I have is of my grandfather taking me along in the wee hours of the   morning to the Fruit and Veg market in Epping. Spending time with him at his workplace was always so interesting.

2. What time in history do you wish to go back to?
I would like to go back to a time in history where the Moores (Aka those of muslim faith living on the continent ) were revered doctors, scientists, architects and philosophers. The things we could learn from them!

Cordova, captial of Moorish Spain and the cultural and intellectual heart of Europe from 8th to 13th centuries

Alhambra, Spain - A UNESCO world heritage site and the pride of ancient Moorish architecture in Spain

3. What was the best birthday gift you have ever received? 

        Well, since my birthday is still so fresh in my mind- my most recent gift from husby is the best. Diamond and Tanzanite earrings… *sigh*

4. What was your greatest achievement in life?
My greatest achievement has definitely been the ability to balance a demanding career and at the same time be a hands-on Mum.

5. What has made you smile recently?
Shopping with my sister and my little nephew, who claims my lap as his spot!

6. Are you allergic to anything?
Certain types of fish

7. Do you have any fears? (give one)
That I would not always be able to protect my kids from hurt. As they get older, they have to learn to deal with all emotions, including hurt. 

8. What do you consider is the best thing about having a blog?
My blog is my own space, in which I express myself in anyway I choose. There are no restrictions and if people read and enjoy it- that’s a bonus!

9. Which restaurant do you find yourself always going to?
Willoughby’s for their sushi or Baia for a special meal

10. Who do you admire the most in the bloggersphere?
I admire those bloggers who do really well in their respective fields, and have the commitment to be themselves regardless of media pressure.

11. Where in the world would you love to explore?
There are so many places on my bucket list and I have been to a few, but right now India and Ireland are moving to the top of the list.

Ciao for now, 

RuBe xoxo

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My writing process Blog Hop- Tagged by Sandy Nene

Hello beautiful readers,

Sandy’s last post entitled “I will not apologise this Time” speaks to his views on bloggers apologising to readers for various “offences”. I have to agree, since your blog is your own personal space, one should be free to post what you want, when you want, of course within the confines of what is appropriate content. If you cannot express yourself freely on your own platform then there is really no purpose to writing.

The lovely Sandy has tagged me in a blog hop to answer some questions (for which he does not apologise) and I will therefore do the same!

So onto his questions:

1. What am I writing/ working on

Leana has also recently tagged me in a challenge, in which I have to write a letter to my 16 year old self. Since I have lived a good couple of years since then (gulp!), it requires some real thought and introspection. I have actually penned some ideas in my journal before deciding how to write it on the blog, so watch this space for the finished letter. It is rather contentious as there is just so much I wish to say, and it has brought a lot of those teen years and angst to the fore. *Sigh*

2. How does my work/writing differ from others in its genre?

Although my blog is mainly fashion centred, I like to add a little bit of my personal thoughts/ experiences into the mix as well. My fashion looks also differ in the sense that I am a mom to teenage boys, so there are a lot of trends that I steer clear of, as it may not suit me as a mom (teehee). My style posts are aimed at the modest mum, looking for some inspiration without being a slave to recent trends, but also wanting to incorporate it into their wardrobe in a way that feels comfortable.

3. Why do I write what I do?

Well, the above answer covers some of this, and I write mainly to express myself on my own platform. My blog serves as a style and personal journal in which I record some of my thoughts, and to express my style with likeminded people. An unexpected and positive side effect of the blog, was meeting all these likeminded individuals, and connecting with people who share my passion for fashion. Since I also dabbled with writing during my teen years, submitting short stories and the like, this is a way of reactivating that part of my creativity which has been neglected in my finance career.

4. How does my writing process work?

Like everything else in my life, my writing process needs to fit in with my life as a mum, home maker, taxi, and all the other roles that I fulfill. It does however, help keep me sane, as I can find a creative outlet, one that is just mine. I can feel free to write about a trend that I love, or share a lookpost and know that someone will appreciate it and understand my love of fashion.  Along the way, I share some of my thoughts and experiences which mull around in my head and need a voice. I can only hope that my readers enjoy what I write as much as I enjoy writing it!

This is really not an exhaustive list and made me think about my blog in an objective way- which is not a bad thing at all. 

I hereby nominate the following bloggers, I am really keen to read their answers.

1. Namreen from Life and Times of the Fireflies
2. Leana from Hipstyler, Pretty & Ginger
3. Lisa Jade from Life Like Mine

Thanks Sandy for the nomination :-D 

Ciao for now, 

RuBe xoxo

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Liebster Awards continued…

Hi All,

I have been nominated once again for this honorary award by two lovely bloggers, Ivy from Bridge ’91 and Priyanka fromPurple Sparklez. See my previous post on the Liebster award here

It warms my heart to be nominated so many times which shows that my blog is being read, Yay!!

So this time around, I will be answering the questions set, but since I have previously nominated blogs, I will side step that requirement. At least you’ll get to know a little more about me ;-D

Right onto the questions,

Priyanka’s questions:

1. What is your dream beauty product or hair styling tool? YSL, Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara

1. What is the best part of being a beauty blogger?   I unfortunately am not a beauty fundi, just generally buying whatever looks like the colours I want. Eep!

1. If you had an unlimited bank balance, what would you purchase? Uhmm, a pair of Casadei Jewelled courts… to just walk into London’s Selfridges Shoe Galleries and buy them. 

Photo courtesy of Selfridges website

1. Are you a matte lipstick person or a crème lipstick person? Creme Lipstick
2. If you were a perfume, what fragrance would you be? (Try for one which matches your personality) Juicy Couture by Juicy Couture. Its fun, sophisticated with  sparkly undertones.
3. Which electronic item can you not live without? (Cellphone, iPad, Tablet, Laptop or Computer)  Cellphone hands down… aside from calls it has everything my calendar, reminders, notes….
4. Would you rather spend your last R100 on a beauty product or a bath product? Bath product, as I said before, I’m not a beauty expert at all.
5. Which are the 5 most used beauty products in your daily routine? Face serum, moisturiser, body butter, mascara and perfume
6. How can you describe your make up look? Minimal most of the time B-)
7. What is your favourite flavour of ice cream? Choc Mint
8. If you could invent a beauty product, what would it be? Well,… this is a hard one. Probably a Sleep-in overnight body moisture mask.. hee hee. My skin takes such a beating in winter  so like the foot treatment, but a body treatment! I actually don’t know if such a product exists?

 And now for Ivy’s questions:

1. What made you start your blog? I felt the need to share my passion for fashion, that and the need to  express myself through writing. Kind of my public journal. 
2. Which Spice Girl were you? and Why? I wasn’t really a Spice Girl Fan, but I am a Victoria Beckham fan now, does that count?
3. Harry Potter or Twilight? (Sorry, I just had to.) Harry Potter of Course! I believe vampires should be dark and broody and not lovestruck?
4. Do you often use words that you've made up? If so, share! Not really, does that make me lame?
5. What annoys you most?Waiting in queues, and traffic! Aaargh ! I always feel like I could be doing more with my time.
6. Is there anything in particular that inspires you when choosing topics for blog posts?  Oh just about anything that happens….
7. Complete the sentence: I am lost without my faith and my family. Now that answer may just make me lame? But that’s me… 
8. Who would win a war against dementors? Android, IOS, or RIM(Sorry I just had to, again). IOS, Apple has invaded my life!
9. Have you ever stolen a car? Would you? No… I may just be persuaded… Ah who am I kidding? NO :-)
10. The most appropriate punishment for spammers is (I have a soft heart, so couldn’t think of one single awful thing they deserve! Maybe just forced to be locked in a room listening to Barry Manilow?
11. You can’t leave the house without Dettol handwipes, because you never know what germs lurk out there.

She is fashion perfection

That was rather fun… I think it also exposes me as a lame ass Harry Potter buff who is tied to her family! 

Ciao for now,

RuBe xoxo

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