Bloggirls Q&A

Name: Fathima Blog: Happiness is... Do you prefer summer or winter? Why? I definitely prefer winter. I love wearing layers, so it's fun to dress for the weather. Winters in Durban are fantastic - it's not freezing (usually not cold or long enough, in my opinion) and there's beautiful sunshine and blue skies and fluffy clouds during the day with an icy wind - I LOVE it. Being outside in that weather makes me so happy, the winter sun feels amazing while the icy air freezes the tip of your nose. Then there's snuggling up in bed at night, hot chocolate, blankets and heaters... just so much cozyness and comfort.  Are there any local websites or blogs you like to visit daily? Wolfeyebrows, Mooki Noodles, China Doll Illustrations, Cupcake Couture, Lucky Pony, Wolves and Social Contract.

If money wasn’t a concern, what would be your dream job?

I'm not sure what exactly it would be, but it'd involve being outdoors with nature and animals, something relaxed with minimal stress. Maybe roaming around, travelling and doodling little doodles for people, and doing odd jobs here and there working with animals. If you know of a job with that description, let me know!

If you started your own business, what would you do?

It would be freelance design, which I do a bit of at the moment. I feel like there's something better I could do, but I'm not sure what that is just yet.

Any new musicians you’ve recently discovered and love?

Haven't found anything new recently, but some songs I've had on repeat the past few weeks are:

'Towers' - Bon Iver
'Midnight City' - M83
'Float On' - Modest Mouse
'Little Lion Man' - Mumford & Sons
'Winter Winds' - Mumford & Sons
'The Girl' - City and Colour

What is your go-to happy song?

It'd probably be '5 Years' Time' by Noah and the Whale or anything by The Cat Empire.

You love cats, tell us about your cats – what are their names? What do they look like?

You shouldn't get me started on my cats, I could go on about them for hours! Their names are Salem, Garfield and Ninja. (Garfield's a very unoriginal name and very unsuited to his character, but he came with the name so it had to stay).

Salem is grey and white and half persian, so he's super fluffy with long hair. He has so much personality it's sometimes uncanny. I know I shouldn't have favourites, but he's definitely mine. When he was about 3 years old he got hit by a car and had to get pins put into his hip - it was a very pricey op and had we not paid he might not be with us now, but thank goodness my dad was able to pay it off (I was still in school at the time) and he's still here with us today about 7 years later, and going strong. I really love him so much. 

Garfield is a lovely ginger cat who was unfortunately an unwanted gift to someone, and we took him in so that he wouldn't have to go back to the SPCA. He's a more reserved character than Salem, but has his own quiet ways and snuggles up with me every night, which I absolutely love.  

Ninja is the most recent addition to the family. We heard her mewing outside our house on an icy cold winter night last year where she was abandoned, and we took her in. She must have only been about 3 or 4 weeks old, she was so tiny. She's completely black with slightly longer than average hair, and she's gorgeous. Not a fan of being cuddled, unfortunately, but super cute and fun to play with.

The best advice you have ever gotten?

If you don't try you'll never know, and if you don't ask, you won't get. (From my mom)

What’s your current go-to outfit?

I'm an extremely casual jeans-and-T-shirt kinda girl, although I do love unique, floral, vintage-look dresses as well. But for a go-to outfit it'd have to be a pair of skinny black jeans that fit really well, a plain comfy slouchy tee and a fun cardi (I did mention I liked layering), and pumps or sneakers. I love unique brooches, necklaces and rings, so I'd spruce the outfit up with one of each and iIm good to go.

What item of clothing is on your shopping wishlist for winter?

A cardigan-type jersey with leather elbow patches! I've been wanting one of these for ages and had just planned to DIY it, when I spotted one at Zara that caught my eye.