I was surprised and delighted to nab a Real Neat Blog Award, from  Perfume Polytechnic this week and this is the first opportunity I’ve had to be able to mention it. Perfume Polytechnic is an absolutely riveting read so go and check it out.  She is a musician, composer and a lover of perfume. I believe the award was started by Dear Kitty and it’s a nice way to link into other blogs that stimulate, entertain and inform.

Here are the rules for accepting a real neat blog award (feel free not to act upon them if you don’t have time; or don’t accept awards; etc) :

1) Put the award logo on your blog. 2) Answer 7 questions asked by the person who nominated you. 3) Thank the people who nominated you, linking to their blogs. 4) Nominate any number of bloggers you like, linking to their blogs. 5) Let them know you nominated them (by commenting on their blog etc.)

These are my 7 questions from Polytechnic :

1) If you’re old enough to remember, what do you miss the most about the pre-internet era?

Childhood freedom.  I definitely remember pre internet-days and sometimes think I wear rose-tinted glasses about a childhood where we played outside without ‘stranger danger’ and weren’t banging away on the iPad, minecraft, Xbox or Playstation.  We were out and about in the neighbourhood and visited all the kids’  houses and the rule was to be back home at 5.  We didn’t seem to need to phone our parents to tell them where we were.  Times have changed – I think often for the better but in this regard I think our kids miss out on quite a bit.

2) Could you be self-sufficient if you had to be?

Probably maybe. I think if I was forced to I would be able to but I would be learning along the way. I don’t have animals or a vegetable garden, although I have had one in the past and it was fantastic (garden that is).  I have had to live on a drastically reduced income since living in France, and have learned to make food last and not throw half of the refrigerator’s contents out at the end of the week. I also don’t spend frivolously as I did in the past, so perhaps I’m on my way. Also patching jeans? Does this count?

3) What are your thoughts on climate change?

It’s real, it’s happening but I think it doesn’t resonate with the everyday person as the issue seems too big.  It needs to be talked about at grass-roots level and broken apart into small chunks that people can identify with.  However saying this, will small steps make a difference – probably not?  It needs concerted action at a nation-state / corporate level and I’m not holding my breath. Get Angelina on the job?

4) What is your best developed sense?

Hearing.  I wake up at the slightest noise and I have a profound love for music. I’m working on my sense of smell though and have learnt a lot in the last year.

5) Do you make anything with your hands?

Does cooking count? I have been known to knit and sew but I haven’t done these for a while now. I have been mixing potions with my perfume oils and would like to try my hand at making jewellery.

6) What is the most thoughtful gift that someone has given you?

Someone once shouted me a trip to Europe which was fantastic of course!  The greatest gift that I have is my children so there is someone to thank for them too.

7) Tell us about a person you miss, and what you miss about them.

My nana who I spent a lot of time with when I was a child as my parents were both young and at university.  She was a music teacher, a singer and loved to dance and act.  I remember her great cooking and baking and I loved to spend time with her – it was always fun and we went to the beach and the library a lot. I miss her sense of fun, the love of the inappropriate and her devil-may-care attitude. She always had time for me and encouraged my interests.  Grandmas really are the best.

I Nominate The Following Bloggers To Receive The Real Neat Blog Award

1 ) Deux Pies 2) Chemist In The Bottle 3) I Scent You A Day 4) Scent Epiphany 5) Zoe’s Clothes

Your Seven Questions Are : 

1 ) What is your most developed sense?

2) London / Sydney / New York or Tokyo and why?

3) What are your thoughts on climate change?

4) Who is your favourite old school glamour movie star and what is your favourite film that they appear in?

5) What could you survive one year without buying – clothes, shoes, books or cocktails?

6) What is the most over rated book in your opinion?

7) Name your favourite super hero movie.