I Love Your Blog quiz

The gorgeous Sarah of Cloud of Secrets tagged me some time ago, for an "I Love Your Blog" quiz.
Thanks so much for thinking of me Sarah.
So here goes lovely readers:).


1. Why did you create your blog?
You'd think being the youngest of seven children, I'd want everything new, new, new - designer, designer, designer.  I wore hand-me-downs and refashioned clothing until I started sewing all my own clothes in my early teens, yet I have always preferred old over new.  I've been addicted to flea markets and other people's cast-offs and junk ever since I was a child.  Upon discovering original fashion sites like Hel Looks and Style Like U, I realised there might be room for a strange-ling like me so I decided to share my looks and ideas on a blog.  I certainly didn't think anyone would bother reading it!

2. What kind of blogs do you follow?
I adore fashion and photography blogs by people who march to the beat of their own drum.  Even in the short few months I've been here in blog-world, I've witnessed an evolution where many women have climbed out of their cocoons and are testing their creative wings for the first time.  It thrills me and fills my heart with love and joy to see brave experimentation.

The stunning Sacramento was featured on Advanced Style.  I adore her.

Yvan Rodic always makes me want to pack my suitcase and camera, pronto!


3. Favourite make-up brand?
Well, I'm a cheapskate out of necessity.  I'd rather save up for a special pair of shoes or new item of clothing to add to my 95% vintage wardrobe, than spend up big on make-up.  I buy make-up from discount chemists when they have good deals - I love Maybelline foundation and eye-liner, Rimmel lipstick and $2 nail polishes.  A woman was selling gorgeous MAC make-up at a flea market on Sunday and I'd never seen their products before - I bought some gel eyeliners - wow!  I still wouldn't buy them retail though.

4. Favourite clothing brand?
Well, I regret not buying a 1950s ivory satin slip that looked like it had been to hell and back that I spotted at Sunday's market.  I only realised when I got home that I could have dyed it to cover the age-stains.  It looked like it had spent several passionate nights in the back of a Chevy - straps hanging off and seams askew.  Clothes that have seen some life - that's my favourite clothing brand.  Like this.

5. Your indispensable make-up product?
Hands down mascara.  The Phoenix has long, luscious, come-to-bed, Italian eyes and lashes that work on me every time.  Excuse me, I'm drooling and have no idea why I'm talking about his eyes and lashes.  Next question please.


6. Your favourite colour?
Green.  Green.  Green.  Errrm ... oh yes, green!  But at last count, I do own 22 black dresses.

I experimented with red hair last summer.  Even more high-maintenance than bottle-blond.  At least green is versatile:).


7. Your perfume?
I buy cast-off testers when they're on sale.  My favourites so far are *cough* Kylie Minogue's Sexy Darling and Christina Aguilera.  I've never had so many compliments before when wearing them.


8.  Your favourite film?
Oh come on - this is getting really hard now.  It depends entirely on my mood which can swing from Shanghai Express-mode to Betty Blue or Gosford Park in a few hours.

9.  Which country would you like to visit and why?
I would love to return to Spain.  When I hitchhiked from Santander to Cadiz 22 years ago, I swore I would go back and live in Spain.  It's the people - so laid back, so generous, so kind.  I met people who within minutes of meeting them, would invite my travelling companion and I to their homes for a meal, a free bed for the night, a refreshing stop at a bar for beer and tapas.  No strings, just pure hospitality and kindness.  And patience with our slow Spanish:).
I'm desperate to visit Italy and Poland - never been, but I know I would feel at home.


10.  Make up the last question and answer for yourself.
What are you thinking about today?
My heart is heavy for the 29 brave men who died in the Pike River mine this week.  I searched for names I knew but recognised none of them.  Even as strangers, I grieve for them.  My father worked in dangerous conditions of mine and dam construction before he died 16 years ago - there was always an aura of dread and danger connected with the profession he loved passionately.


I'm supposed to pass these questions on to 10 readers, but today I would like to pass the mantle over to those who have the stamina so late in the week:).


Desiree xoxo