To boldly go…

#330: An impending new year gives rise to reflection and goal setting. What will your goals for 2015 be? It’s never to early to start thinking about self improvement!

masterclass cloe drawing photo Kjersti Veel Krauss

Good question! Last year, one of my resolutions was to complete WordPress’ 365 Days of Writing Prompts challenge, which I think (minus the odd missed days – thanks Norway press trip!) I’ve managed to achieve.

Since I love self improvement, I’ll no doubt set a quite few various resolutions. Amongst them will probably be – to travel abroad at least twice (I’ve never had two holidays in one year); to finally move into London (it’s been a dream ever since I started working in central back in 2012); to progress in my career – whether it be in magazines/publishing, video editing/presenting/producing or even PR; to take part in more video interview/junkets and video projects; and no doubt to learn something new – whether it be mastering photography, finally learning British Sign Language through official tuition or even taking classes on a particular video editing software… I just love being a sponge!

Image of myself with Head of Character Animation for How To Train Your Dragon 2, Simon Otto: Kjersti Veel Krauss

This post was written as a result of being invited on a press trip whilst I was working at NG Kids Magazine. Permissions given for all images used.

Simply irresistable

#329: Tell us about the favourite dish or food that you simply cannot turn down.

I was really struggling to think of something because I’m fairly temperamental when it comes to food – I can be in a sweet mood, I can be in a savoury mood. But it’s something I’ll never know until I’ve sat down in the restaurant and soaked up the atmosphere. For example, one of my favourite Mexican restaurants is Las Iguanas and I absolutely love their gooey, chocolate orange Aztec cake. However, after gorging on Totopos (nacho chips with freshly made salsa) and a huge burrito, I can very really fit it in!

IMG_0153.JPG

And then, I had a magnificent lightbulb moment – Choccywoccydoodah! Of course! Shamefully, in the past I have been known to already be full before heading to this incredible establishment and STILL ordering a wedge of cake or a delicious dipping pot! I will never be able to say no to their delights.

IMG_0164.JPG

Images all my own.

365 Days of Writing Prompts rebellion: Sneak preview!

It’s my first day back in the office after having a relaxing week off, so I don’t really have enough time to write a proper story as the prompt requests, which is a shame. So, instead, I thought I’d share an (incredibly flattering) sneak preview of what will be published next Monday aka Dragons Day! I’ll also be posting and sharing the links and videos on here if anyone wants to find out how I ended up in Norway… in, effectively, a onesie, crash hat and goggles… you’ll be able to here!

Have a great day!Nat Geo Voss Vind (2)

Image: Kjersti Veel Krauss

This post was written as a result of being invited on a press trip whilst I was working at NG Kids Magazine. Permissions given for all images used.

Free to be me

#303: What’s the character trait you admire the most about yourself?

My determination and enthusiasm to succeed and be the best possible version of me! This being one of those moments where I’ve shown true gusto…

A couple of weekends ago I was flown to Norway, to celebrate the upcoming Blu-ray and DVD release of How To Train Your Dragon 2 (out on 17th November). Here, we were treated to a helicopter ride over the Fjords – let’s just say I was a little on the terrified side not having been in one before, but I’m soooo pleased I didn’t let my fear stop me. It was an incredible experience and I can’t wait to share my HTTYD2 junket interview (with Simon Otto, the Head of Character Animation) and my various on camera pieces with everyone!

helicopter cloe photo Kjersti Veel Krauss

Image: Kjersti Veel Krauss

This post was written as a result of being invited on a press trip whilst I was working at NG Kids Magazine. Permissions given for all images used.

Mid-season replacement

#284: For many of us the seasons are changing, bouncing unpredictably between cold and warm. Are you glad to be moving into a new season, or wishing for one more week of the old?

I honestly don’t mind either way… I just wish the weather would make its mind up! I can’t stand leaving the house in umpteen layers only to have to strip like a crazy women the minute I step onto the tube. Saying that, if today wasn’t so nice, I wouldn’t have been able to get such gorgeous photos…

IMG_1159.JPG

Image: my own.

Island of misfit posts

#174: We all have something we’d like to write about, but that doesn’t really “fit” our blog. Write it anyway.

Luckily, as stated in my headline, my blog is a load of hodgepodge… i.e. a jumble, a mixture, basically a blog full of mix and match posts. But this is what I love about it – I can write absolutely anything I want and it still fits 😀 For example…

Yesterday, I took my cousin and her boyfriend to the gala screening of How To Train Your Dragon 2 – and boy was it good!

Image

I was first to arrive at Leicester Square yesterday, so whilst waiting I decided to have a little wander. On my travels, I enquired about West End Live‘s mini exhibition opening times as I didn’t want to miss it, and then I stumbled upon a row of sleek vehicles. These were from the famous James Bond movies and were neatly lined up to promote a new exhibition, called Bond in Motion, that has recently opened at the London Film Museum.

Image

Once I’d met up with my guests, we entered the cinema – there were cute little dragon cookies on display (which tasted delicious may I add), refreshing “dragons blood” mocktails (which were a concoction of cranberry juice, orange juice and lemonade, over ice), the chance to feature on a HTTYD2 poster (we’re big kids so couldn’t resist dressing up in the famous vikings headdresses and attempting to slay my cousins boyfriend!), as well as other activities for the kids… face painting, balloon dragon makers etc. When we entered the screening itself, we were treated to further refreshments, popcorn and a copy of Cressida Cowell‘s original novel!

We put on our 3D glasses and in doing so, joined the biggest action packed adventure you could ever think of! Not only that, but this sequel was full of humour and it was visually, the best kids film to hit the big screen this year! The graphics were phenomenal and the hundreds of creatively designed dragons meant that you didn’t have a chance to get bored! So my congratulations go to everyone who was involved in making it – you’re all in for a very rewarding summer!

After this, we went to the West End Live mini exhibition – such a great idea! We were able to get closer to original scripts, set designs and costumes, used in our favourite theatre productions. My favourite (as you can see below), was Mufasa’s costume from The Lion King. The Lion King is my favourite West End show (joint favourite I should say, with Les Misérables) – the staging, the vocals, the costumes – everything is absolutely magical! There was also Elphaba’s famous outfit from Wicked, but the lighting restricted me from getting a decent snap.

Image

NB: words not written or at all edited by a third party – these are my own views and opinions, no one else’s.

This post was written as a result of being invited to visit as press whilst I was working at NG Kids Magazine. Permissions given for all images used.

Another award… this time the Quartet of Radiance!

The lovely Monique over at Mind of Monique has presented me with the incredible Quartet of Radiance Award! This amazing honour came only a week and a half after my Liebster Award nomination, so I couldn’t believe it! I was literally floating on cloud nine the entire day.

I’ve tried to find the origins of this award but it has proven pretty tricky! What I have found however, is that this award is made up of four separate ones… The Influential Blogger Award, The Awesome Blog Content Award, The Inner Peace Award and The Sunshine Award. Yikes – what an overwhelming honour!

20140511-222317.jpg20140511-222334.jpg20140511-222340.jpg20140511-222345.jpg

The rules when accepting this award are:
1) Thank the person who gave you the award
2) Describe yourself using the alphabet
3) Pass the award to others
4) Notify the nominees
5) Smile from ear to ear for the rest of the day!

My A-Z took longer than I first expected, but I think that was more because there seemed to be two appropriate words for each letter! Here goes…
A – Anti-bacterial hand gel: I’m known for having some in my draw or my bag!
B – Blog-aholic: a newly born blog-aholic at that…
C – Comic book heroes: I love DC/Marvel films & of course, The Big Bang Theory!
D – Duck Egg Blue: the colour that I’m super obsessed with!
E – Enthusiastic: thankfully, in everything I do.
F – Family: I’m extremely family orientated & wouldn’t know what I’d do without them.
G – Gerbera’s: favourite flower.
H – Hard-working: I couldn’t imagine being anything less!
I – Intelligent (98% of the time): I like to think I’m quite a clever little cookie in general.
J – Journalism: I love writing and being in the magazine industry!
K – Kids mags: I get to be a kid everyday… who wouldn’t enjoy that?!
L – Love to travel: love the thrill if discovery.
M – Music: it runs in my veins!
N – Northern Lights chaser: I will not rest until I have seen them with my own eyes!
O – Organised: to an OCD level… ask anyone who knows me.
P – Paralympics: was lucky enough to see London 2012 Paralympics, meet David Weir, go to last years Sainsbury’s Anniversary Paralympic Games and see The Last Leg broadcast live!
Q – (the) Queen: I just think she’s adorably amazing.
R – Rollercoasters: I’m a theme park junkie!
S – Shows (theatre): absolutely love everything to do with West End musicals.
T – Thai food: this is a newly introduced cuisine and I can’t get enough Dim Sum!
U – Unique: I love tonnes of things but thrive at filmed junkets 🙂
V – Volunteer: I love helping people and making them smile.
W – Willingness to learn 24/7: I’m a giant sponge… I love learning something new!
X – X-tra mile (cheating, I know!): I always give that little bit extra in everything I do.
Y – Yoga – it’s just incredible and really allows you to relax.
Z – Zumba – paaaaaaaarty!!!!!!

The blogs I am nominating are ones that I really enjoy, but unfortunately were unable to nominate for the Liebster Award. They are:
Nikkitarobert at http://penpadandthoughts.wordpress.com/
Natalieslovelyblog at http://natalieslovelyblog.wordpress.com/
Lifeoutofthebox at http://lifeoutthebox.wordpress.com/
Projectlighttolife at http://projectlighttolife.wordpress.com/
Bepresentyoga at http://bepresentyoga.wordpress.com/
Foodlikecake at http://foodlikecake.wordpress.com/

All images: http://julialidman.wordpress.com/

All about you

#43: Explain why you chose your blog’s title and what it means to you.

The name of my blog, chloemayward, is self explanatory. Actually, so is my tagline – it’s all hodgepodge! (and the fact that hodgepodge is such a cool word!). Although since I began the 365 Days of Writing Prompts challenge from WordPress, it has made me realise that a hodgepodge blog is so much fun! I knew that I wanted to start a blog but I had no idea where to start or what topic to focus on, so this challenge has been absolutely ideal – and quite frankly it’s been a real confidence boost to see that other bloggers are reading and liking what I’ve written 😀

The reason behind my chosen theme, Forever, is that I not only love the sophisticated, simple layout but I want blogging to become a regular part of my life, for the rest of my life. I’m not one of those individuals that go through phases or start things on a whim – I’ve made the decision to publish my writing on a daily basis, classing it as a necessity!

Whoa!

#42: What’s the most surreal experience you’ve ever had?

Fox Ice Age 4 Continental Drift, Icelandic Adventure

By far, the most surreal experience I have ever had was relaxing in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, combined with the fact that we were joined by Peter de Sève, the character designer for well-known movies such as the Ice Age franchise,  Finding Nemo and Tarzan, to name a few. I’d only just met him 24 hours before this surreal experience, after summoning my professional self when interviewing him for Ice Age 4: Continental Drift! So to go from having a brief professional relationship, to one where we were all in our swimsuits and bikinis, was a tad difficult to comprehend. This wasn’t even part of the press trip either, it was just something that us UK girls wanted to do with our free morning before heading to the airport to fly home. So, whilst floating around, I remember thinking to myself… how did I get to this point in my career? (I’d only been interning with the magazine for 4 or 5 months, but I’d proven myself so much that they wanted to reward me and also see what else I was capable of!). What made it even more unbelievable was that it was raining/sleeting quite heavily at one point, but we were all still perfectly hot since the water was being powered by volcanic lava (well underneath the surface any way!). It was as if it was completely normal to stay outside when there’s a down pour – it goes against everything you’ve ever been taught about being outside, without an umbrella, when it’s raining. Although, it’s definitely a moment that will never be forgotten – I still remember it very vividly, even though it was back in October/November 2012!

2012-10-27 13.07.16

 

Image: Peter – Twentieth Century Fox. Blue Lagoon – myself.

This post was written as a result of being invited on a press trip whilst I was working at NG Kids Magazine. Permissions given for all images used.