The Liebster Award - By Cassie

So the lovely Nicolette at Just Nicolette gave us the Liebster Award tag. Now I will be honest, I didn't know what this was until I read her post, and now I am grateful for the chance to get involved with this tag. Now seeing as this blog is a collaboration with Scarlett, I'll do this one and if Scarlett can make time to do her own then you will get two, but for now it's just me Cassie.

The rules are list 11 random facts about yourself. Answer the 11 questions the person who nominated you asked, nominate 11 people of your own, and ask them 11 questions. (Also let the 11 people know).

So here it goes. Cassie's Random facts

1. My Blogging Alter Ego Cassie is not known to many people that know me

2. I never wear matching socks

3. The First time I ever dressed up fully as Cassie was aged 14. Full wig and make up. I was skinny then and I envy myself now.

4. Only 5 people who see me on a regular basis know about Cassie, the rest of the people are internet people I have met through blogging and Twitter.

5. I use to shave my legs throughout high school and nobody noticed.

6. My Celebrity Crush was Micheala Strachan

7. I accidentally took and wore a womans Dorothy Perkins coat home from a party and never noticed for weeks.

8. I use to wear a skirt in private almost every night after school when my parents were at work

9. When I was 15 I had a myspace account as Cassie that is still out there somewhere

10. I told a girlfriend about my crossdressing aged 19 and she dumped me because she didn't like the fact I looked like her sister (TRUE STORY!)

11. I am a lazy Crossdresser in my 20s

So there are some random facts about Cassie.

Here are the Blogs I nominate for this Tag/Award

1.   Thou Shall Not Covert : http://thoushaltnotcovet.net/

2.   Beauty in Beta : http://beautyinbeta.co.uk/

3.   Wanting to be a domestic goddess : http://wantingtobeadomesticgoddess.blogspot.co.uk/

4.   Nickie Kinickie : http://www.nickikinickie.co.uk/

5.   Eat Read Glam : http://eatreadglam.wordpress.com/

6.   Wander Lynn : http://www.wanderlyn.com/

7.   Simply Roxilicious http://simplyroxilicious.blogspot.co.uk/

8.   4eva Fashion Princess http://www.4evafashionprincessmonthly.com/

9.   Hayley Squibb http://squibbvicious.com/

10. Aine Beauty http://ainebeauty.blogspot.co.uk/

11. Paint Potted http://www.paintpotted.co.uk/

So Now here are the Q's I have to answer

1. What would you need to have on a long flight?
- I would need some kind of device that plays video. I need to watch a film, box set or something to keep my entertained. I find it difficult to read on the plane as it makes me feel sick, so I can watch hours of tv and film

2. If you had a talk show what would it be called?
- It would be called "Cassie's Corner!" and I would be dressed like Lois Lane trying to get to the bottom of everything

3. Season of Choice?
- Winter! I love Christmas and wrapping up warm. In Cassie mode I get to wear the thermal tights and winter coats

4. Favourite Film?
- Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar (1995) This film made me want to become a Drag Queen! I Still fancy Chi Chi

5. If you had a choice to rename yourself what would it be?
- Well seeing as Cassie isn't my real name I would choose that 

6. Dream date?
- Any type of date with Lucinda Rhodes! She is a gem 

7. Any pets?
- No, My Housemate is a allergic to animals and fun

8. Any advice you would give your younger self?
- Never be afraid of unleashing your inner woman! There are more people like you out there

9. If you could live in a fictional world which would it be?
- I would live on Wisteria Lane (from Desperate Housewives) and be that Guy who dresses as a woman, WHAT A STORY LINE!! 

10. Go to makeup?
- Any type of Lipstick. I need lippy to feel better

11. And you won't leave the house without...?
- I would never leave the house, as Cassie, with my make up bag, as I need to keep the make up good or the man underneath ruins the illusion!

So, there you go, my Q's are Answered. I hope they were good enough. Now here are the 11 Q's for others to answer. I don't think you are obliged to answer them, but I am just following the rules, and I am a stickler for the rules.

1. Who was your first Celeb Crush?

2. Who would you like to be for 24hrs?

3. Do you remember your first kiss?

4. What Song could you listen to on repeat 24/7

5. Skirts or Trousers?

6. What celeb do you look like?

7. Have you ever been attracted to a member of the same sex?

8. What would you do if you caught your partner wearing your clothes?

9. Fav Movie?

10. Style Icon?

11. Why do you Blog?

Now, Hope to hear back from you.

Cassie xoxoxo

The perils of blogging

I've been blogging now for about 2 months, and have really enjoyed the responses all the posts have received.

As a blogger it is quite normal to just blast out a post in 10 minutes while you're 'in the moment' and it quickly gets posted onto various social networks for all to read.  The thing about that is, I often don't think about who is actually reading my stuff.

With a blog of this nature (quite personal) you make a decision to effectively publicise your life to the world, and now I'm on a proverbial roll I don't want to (nor think I should) stop.  My life, chaotic as it may be, is 'out there' for anyone to read.  So what have I learnt so far in my short blogging career thus far?

1.  People find it quite amusing to read.  I'm still not sure if the people I know who make these commets laugh at me or with me (!) but I like to think they're enjoying the writing none-the-less.

2.  Ex boyfriends are actively reading my blog.  A fact I am now used to, but found quite bizzarre when confronted with an ex a few weeks ago on a night out.  he asked me if the 'commitment phobe' post was about him?!  (NO, was the answer of course!)  I dated this guy briefly about 10,000 years ago and to his dis-credit he was a commitment phobe, but it's all so far in the past that I wouldn't have even related the two!
(Feel at this point I should do a shout out to this guy, who I hope enjoys this post and doesn't take my comments to heart!)

3. Ex boyfriends whom I DO write about often read too much into the content and don't appreciate the humour of the situation!  For my first ever post I wrote about a more recent ex whom I have been doing the 'are we aren't we' dance with for the past few months.  It was only a small thing, and in no way offensive or angry, yet I received a message off him saying 'I read your blog (just curious) and saw a few things that made me think you may be p****d at me?"

4.  Potential new dates read my blog.  A fact I thought I was comfortable with (and largely I am), but recently I've received a few strange, out of the blue messages from guys who I thought were relatively classy.

A real life example is as follows:
Guy:  Hey commitment phobe ;)   - a nod to my post about me being a commitment phobe also!
Me: So I see you read my blog.  What do you think?
Guy: I think it's great, very funny.  
Me: Thanks, I enjoy writing it!
Guy:  Can I ask you a personal question?
Me: Go on...
Guy:  How sexually adventurous are you?
Me: I've never even met you before...that's a little bit forward really!!

So you see, this guy felt he already knew me just through way of reading my blog.
Trouble is, his perception of me was misplaced.  Yes.  I blog about dating, my lovelife and the many many car crash encounters I have with the opposite sex.
The only difference between me and lots of single girls is the fact I blog about my expereinces (good and bad!) but that doesn't make me any more adventurous in the bedroom, or some kind of maneater!

5.  I will contine to blog EVEN if I do get into a relationship.  And whoever I finally end up with will just have to deal with that!  Besides, the right guy will love me and my writing!

So here's to a very merry Christmas and may the New Year bring with it lots of interesting things to write about!

Enjoy yourselves!

Scarlett
xoxo

The Christmas Jumper Challenge

So,  today I enter my place of work armed with all intents and purpose of ‘Christmas-izing my colleagues with my loud, cheesy Christmas jumper.

But what went wrong??

I mean sure, I’ve had the odd wink, thumbs up, even a few ‘nice jumper’ comments from a few of the predatory men in my office.  (Let’s face it though, these are the guys who would compliment me on a nice pair of socks).

But it wasn’t enough for me.  Being the attention seeking, outrageous character I turn into during casual Friday at work; I like to stand out from the crowd…..and when the majority of said crowd are also wearing Christmas jumpers which are disappointingly on par with the outrageousness of mine I find it a little, well, outrageous.

So I’ve decided to up the ante.  This weekend I will be customizing my otherwise ordinary jumper and turning it into a festive freak show to delight and inspire people from all over the world (of Christian descent of course) into loving Christmas (and my jumper) – equally.

Being a dab hand with a knitting needle and thread (who knew, the girl can sew!) I’m thinking a makeshift felt tree, baubles sewn across my front and back (so that with a coat on over I resemble the hunchback, sides and front of Notre Dame), some fake snow bobbles, maybe even a sewn on recording device that shouts out Noddy Holder’s famous line “It’s Chriiistmassssss’”every time I press it..

Anyhow, my challenge has been set, and tomorrow (that’s Saturday folks) I will be embarking on a quest to buy lots of cheap and cheerful bits and pieces to bring my dream jumper to life.

The best bit is, I’m stopping over at my sister’s in the evening to perform saintly babysitting duties, so will keep the little blighters busy by setting them an ‘arts and craft’ project before bed time whilst I delegate tasks!  

“Right, you…careful with that tinsel now….” (Welcome to the Christmas work house kids!)

I am an amazing auntie, and pretty soon, people will see me coming down the street and say:  “She looks like Christmas.”

Bless.

I’d love to hear about your Xmas jumpers this year….and I’ll be sure to post up some images of my design!!

Till next time

Scarlett

xoxo

You know you're dating a commitment phobe when....

As you all know, I have been given the gentle nudge into trying to date again.

I'll be honest, the thought didn't exactly thrill me.  I mean, I'm happy as I am.  Don't feel I need another person to 'complete me.'  The term 'other half' makes for cringeworthy images of only being half a person until you meet 'TheOne.'

But, reservations aside; I've been giving it a go (kind of).  And today, I decided to stop.
"Why" you may ask.
Well.   It takes me a lot to like someone.  It's a pretty rare thing for me to actually want to be with someone, or even give it a shot.  But last weekend, I found myself on a date with someone pretty awesome....pretty awesome and also a commitment phobe  (who knew!).  So to ensure none of you lovely #Bbloggers end up (almost) sobbing in front of a guy like some kind of desparado, I've created a unique checklist to spot the traits of the most unfortunate of male types you could deign to date.  This is a pretty raw time to be writing up my latest dating experience but I needed to get it out there and I hope you like it/get it.  ENJOY!

THE COMMITMENT PHOBE

Has a brilliant social life

Is charming, fun and makes you feel the most important person (for a short time at least).

Has been hurt before (hell, haven't we all?!)

Does and says all the right things to put your insecurites to rest: "I don't think I've EVER got on with someone this well - it feels I've known you forever!!" 

Does all the running to get you out on a date:  "...must be keen!"

Makes grand gestures about his feelings for you being 'so unexpected'.....but only when he's had a drink.

Asks you out during date: "I don't want you to date anyone else...can we make it official but take it slow?" which puts you at ease EVEN though you think it's far too soon for a relationship (at least he's not just after one thing, right?)

WRONG: You'll sleep with him because, well, all of the above, and he'll carry on the 'we're in a relationship but taking it slow' pretence well into the next day (and beyond!).

Starts cooling it with you a few days in, yet even though you give him an out of the 'relationship' many times, he maintains his position (nice!).

Hopes you'll respect his honesty when he finally decides to tell you (somewhere public, whilst out with his mates) that actually he just got 'carried away with it all' and actually can't quite see where this is going:  "I'm just not ready for a full blown relationship" is a classic line, but seems a little 'horse, stable, door, bolted' when you've already decided to give it a go (and besides...thought we were taking it slow?!  Doh).

Humiliates you further by telling you that he 'had an awesome night and would love to do it again, and I generally enjoy meeting new people and doing this!"  Um.....what?  Enjoy telling people you don't actually want to be with that you want to be with them?  Or luring people into false sense of security so they give up the goodies?!

Can make even the most toughest of cookies well up with self-pity and humiliation tears after their 'honesty speech.'  (At the point you feel the tears rising, you need to get out of there).

Won't follow you as you leave so don't expect him to (he has his mates and footy on inside, remember).

Tells his mates that he 'had a word with you, and you fled in tears!' (even though, actually, you held it together pretty well!)

Finally:  This person will make you feel more rubbish than any annoying (but nice) hipster or comic nerd; because you let your guard down, and they've reminded you of all the reasons WHY you don't want to be with anyone.  On top of all this, you feel pretty cheap, and thought you were smart enough by now to see through the commitment phobe.

The only advice I have to deal with this guy/girl is to ignore them.  Whilst a blog post or writing in a diary is a great way to vent feelings, it's definitely not worth even acknowledging them or calling them out on their behaviour, because ultimately it actually isn't their fault; they just can't deal with 'labels' (and that's fine, because neither can most of us!).

For now I am having a few days off work, because I have sobbed so much I look chinese, and have a big puffy blowfish face :-/  

For the time being, dating is definitely off the cards for little old me.  Need some Cassie advice, a huge bar of Galaxy and a relaxing facial to get me feeling back to, well, me....

Until next time

Scarlett

xoxox