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Sunday at Six Guest Post: Linda from ‘Boots, Shoes and Fashion’

Retirement Reflections

From Retirement Reflections: Remember back in November when I fell off my chair from a request to co-write a ‘Christmas Fashion Post’ for Sizzling Toward Sixty and Beyond? By stepping out of my comfort zone and accepting that challenge, I met some very interesting people. Linda from ‘Boots and Shoes’ is one of them. I am delighted that she has agreed to Guest Host on my site today. She even supplied her own interview questions. How cool is that?

Hi! My name is Linda, and I’m a blogger. By day I’m a cosmetic/retail merchandiser. I’m fifty-two, am happily married to Adam and I have five children aged from ten to twenty-seven. My first three children have all left the nest. My eldest is a professional chef. I have one daughter who is the second eldest at twenty-three. She is currently a hotel restaurant supervisor. My second son is in university studying animation.

I was honoured to be asked by Donna to guest post on her wonderful blog and was given free rein. I thought that the best way to introduce my blog would be to interview myself, which you can read below.

What was the inspiration for starting your blog?

My blog, Boots Shoes & Fashion, was begun in July 2012. It started off being a ‘traditional’ shoe and fashion blog, i.e., talking about styles, what’s in the shops and online, etc. By January 2013 I began to include interviews with fashion designers and my friends who just happen to be in that industry. I found that I enjoyed interviewing people and that the feedback was positive. Today my blog is an  ‘interview style/lifestyle/fashion blog’ where I profile many inspirational people from around the world, as well as doing the odd review and fashion feature too.

Career History?

I’ve never had a career involving shoes funnily enough – fashion, hosiery, and makeup yes, but not shoes! I’ve worked as a hairdressing salon junior; in sales and marketing for a fashion company and a makeup company. I’ve run my own children’s clothing company selling via market stalls. I’ve made and sold earrings and modeled hosiery. My current career is retail merchandiser based in the top UK supermarkets specialising primarily in hosiery and cosmetics.

You have interviewed many different people over the last few years. Do you have any particular favourites?

I don’t have any particular favourites – they have all been fantastic guests. I’m a bit of a bookworm, so I have enjoyed chatting with my author guests from Carol E. Wyer to thriller writer, Simon J. Stephens. The artists Jane McAdam Freud and Niyaz Najafov were also fascinating. I love the zany personalities of model Debi Jones, Rosemary Conley, CBE, photographers Nina Junger and Tom Cairns. The television personalities Celia Sawyer and Alex Proud as well as the Miss World 2014 contestants were also interesting. The fashionistas that blew me away included shoemaker Kevin Garlick, Tiannia Barnes, Bizi Buenos Aires, Milly J Shoes, Goldgenie and Designer Linda Blissett. It was also a great honour to interview Mo Endfield (wife of “Zulu” director Cy Endfield) and Tony Porter (founder of London Fashion Week)…not forgetting my fellow blogging friends too..

Being a blogger, you need to have regular interaction on social media. What social media outlet is your personal favourite? What social media tends to attract more readers to your blog? What is your least favourite and why?

My favourite social media is Twitter. I’m not sure why but I just enjoy tweeting! The most popular social media outlets when it comes to attracting readers to my blog is a toss-up between Facebook and StumbleUpon. My least favourite is Instagram. I don’t like using hashtags. My fellow bloggers think I’m missing a trick by not being on Instagram. I protested about using Pinterest a few years ago and labeled it ‘boring.’  I was then dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century by a blogger friend, and now Pinterest is in my blood! I do use Flipboard and Google+ so for the time being, at least, Instagram is on hold.

What do you like most about blogging?

I enjoy writing, reading and socialising. Through blogging, I have been able to utilise my love of the English language. There is such a fabulous range of different blog genres that I now read blogs instead of magazines. I ‘ve made  many ‘blogging friends’ around the world which I have found fascinating.

Let’s talk food… what is your favourite meal? What food genre is your favourite when eating out?

I love cooking curries and casseroles! I love to visit Indian, Thai or Italian restaurants.I also love visiting British gastropubs. I like to pick dishes that I don’t normally cook at home – could be fish or pasta dishes. I’m not a dessert person.

If you could visit any place in the world and money was no object, where would you go and why?

The top of my bucket list was Cape Verde Islands. I was lucky enough to visit there last summer. I would go back to the island of Boa Vista tomorrow if I could. Costa Rica and Sicily are high on my bucket list. The Cloud Forests of Costa Rica sound fascinating, but the wet weather is not finding favour with my husband so that place is not likely to be visited by us any time soon.  I’m attracted by Sicily — Mount Etna, the historical towns, weather, the food, and limoncello! To be honest, I’m such a geography geek that no country would be crossed off my list!

A lot of bloggers I know are also bookworms… are you one? What genre of book do you like reading? What book(s) are you currently reading?

Yes, I’m a bookworm. I read quite a wide variety of books. I prefer thrillers, mysteries or historical/classics, e.g., Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, etc. I have just finished reading Dan Brown’s latest book, Origin.

What decade of fashion are you drawn towards? Which popular styles of any decade didn’t/don’t float your boat?

I like dresses from the 1950s; tunic dresses of the 1960s; the hippy styles of the 1970s; the colours of the 1980s… I wasn’t keen on the shell suit fashions of the 1980/1990s although I did own a fetching bright green outfit! I can’t stand onesies.

What fashion item is next on your wish list?

Top of my list is a pair of knee-high laced up boots from Joe Browns. I have bookmarked the item for my husband’s attention!

Boots Or Shoes?

Boots – ankle or knee high, with a heel or flats … I love them all. In summer, I love to wear ballerina style flat shoes, espadrilles or slip-on sneakers.
Boots, Shoes and Fashion

Thank you for letting me share a bit about myself and my blog. I would love to connect further! You can find me at:

Blog: http://bootsshoesandfashion.com
Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/bootsshoesandfashion
Facebook Shoe Group: f.bootsshoesandfashion.com
Twitter: t.bootsshoesandfashion.com
Google+ : http://plus.google.com/+LindaHobden
StumbleUpon: https://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/linda2269
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/LindaHobden/
Flipboard: http://flipboard.com/@LindaHobden

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

46 thoughts on “Sunday at Six Guest Post: Linda from ‘Boots, Shoes and Fashion’”

  1. Hi Linda – nice to ‘meet’ you via Donna and Retirement Reflections. You had my attention at boots and shoes. Once upon a time during my working years, I had a closet full of shoes, now I’m afraid they are mostly casual boots, hiking boots, snow boot, … you get the idea.

    Books, travel, blogging … I can relate to all of it 🙂

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  2. Hi, Joanne – I hate to admit it….but for the fourteen years that I worked in China, I was a bit of a ‘shoe-hoarder’ myself. (My excuse was that it was next to impossible to buy Size 10 shoes in Beijing). Now that I am back home and retired, my shoe rack likely looks similar to yours (casual boots, hiking boots, rain boots, flip flops and gym shoes).

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  3. Hi Linda,
    I’m beyond impressed with your social media savvy! I’m don’t “get” Twitter or Instagram. Never heard of StumbleUpon or Flipboard. I can say I’ve used Pinterest in an inspirational design board kinda-way for a few different things – nothing to do with blogging. I’m not sure if I want to learn about them all and there help with blogging or not. Oh… as far as shoes, I own a full closets worth – heels and flats in every color. Yet, I seem to wear the same 2-3 pair each season. I’ve also given myself a task of not buying anymore unless a pair wears out (or I donate them) – there’s just no space for more!

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    1. Hi, Pat – I know many who sing the praises of both Flipboard and StumbleUpon. I have accounts for both…but seldom use them. I do regularly publish my posts on Twitter and Pinterest (and Instagram when I have featured my own photos). It doesn’t mean that I fully understand them….but I am trying! Social Media is such an individual preference. Other than Facebook, Instagram is my preferred way to connect with friends and make new connections.

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    2. Hi Pat!
      It has taken me a while to get to know the different social media outlets- I worked on getting used to each one at a time. Pinterest is such a good way of getting your blog out there – in fact they are all good for growing your blog. Flipboard is a cross between stumbleupon and pinterest. As you are already on Pinterest, you can always create a board just for your blogposts. Give it a whirl! 😊

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      1. And next, we’ll get you on Instagram Linda! You are adept at the interview genre, I’m impressed by how much information you pulled out of yourself. (Loved getting to know you a little bit more!)

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  4. Great to meet you, Linda! I’m fifty-two as well. Remember when we thought that was old? 🙂 Although I do love summer sandals, I’m a purse hoarder and the bigger the bag, the better. I really enjoy Twitter, too! Thanks for introducing us to Linda, Donna. Happy Sunday, ladies.

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    1. Hi, Jill – I am in total agreement with you. Bigger is better when it comes to purses (which is why I usually use a backpack rather than a handbag). I hope that your tooth is feeling better. Thanks so much for dropping by — I greatly appreciate it!

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    2. Hi Jill,
      I’m so glad that 52 is no longer “old” 😜 I’m not so much a bag colllector – I have a large everyday bag; and if I go out & need a bag I have a small clutch big enough for my phone, keys & lipstick 😊

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  5. Hi Linda, nice to meet you! I’m with Pat, in that the more I learn about using all the social media outlets, the more I find I need to learn! Arghhhh! Sometimes it feels like there are just not enough hours in the day! Your blog is lovely! Thanks, Donna, for introducing us!

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  6. Hello Linda. I enjoyed getting to know a little about you and being introduced to a new blog. I’m not very knowledgeable about fashion, but know what I like when I see it. I love shoes and boots as far as fashion, but much prefer being barefoot or in flip flops for comfort. I used to love shopping, but now find that I want new clothes, but not the hassle of shopping. I’m participating in an 8-week transformation challenge. If I reach my goal, I think I’ll treat myself to a new outfit from head to toe.

    Thanks Donna for another great guest post!

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    2. Hi Christie,
      Your transformation challenge sounds interesting & I wish you the best of luck.
      I don’t get time nowadays for proper shopping at the weekend as I often have my 2 youngest boys in tow & they’d rather go to the coffee shop for hot chocolate & muffins than go traipsing around clothes shops! I do a lot of online shopping. My “proper” shopping in shops usually occurs whilst I’m working,as I’m child free then!

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  7. I’ve known Linda for a while now and loved learning more about her! Great interview with yourself, Linda. I love your blog and your interview questions. You find the most interesting people to write about and today you really found a winner! 😉❤️

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  9. Hi everybody! Thank you for making me feel welcome and thank you Donna for asking me to do a guest post. Donna’s blog is one of the many that I read regularly & it is great to be featured 😊

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  10. Hi Linda, Nice to meet you here at Donna’s blog. I go through lots of boots and shoes as walking is my primary mode of transportation. It’s winter where I am so winter boots are my friends :)Thanks, Donna, for introducing us to another interesting blogger and blog. Happy Sunday!

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  11. Well you learn something new every day! I didn’t know you had FIVE kids – that’s amazing. It was so interesting reading a bit more about your life – hosiery modelling and all 🙂 I can relate to your disinterest in hashtags – mine even extends to not only not having IG but also not using Twitter – I’m a relic indeed!

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    1. HI, Leanne – I am so glad to hear that you learned a few new things about Linda. I’m good with Instagram (hashtags and all) but have never really understood Pinterest (although I do keep trying)! Thanks for dropping by and reading Linda’s post here.

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      1. Hi Leanne!
        Oh, I thought you knew about my brood … I must have drip fed mentions of them over the years but not actually given you a total number!! LOL! Glad we’re in agreement about hashtags – I’m not totally sure I use the right hashtags on Twitter – I’ve got a little red book where I’ve written the “important” daily hashtags down. Other than that, I’m winging it! LOL

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  12. What is hosiery? As you can probably tell, I don’t know anything about fashion. And, honestly, I don’t care about it either. As far as I’m concerned, clothes and shoes are invented to be warm and comfortable. I love flip flops and flip flop weather.

    That being said, I enjoyed reading your self-imposed interview, Linda. Like you, we usually try to eat something new, or something we can’t cook or rarely make ourselves when going to a restaurant. Sounds like you are a busy bee, what with family life, blogging, a regular job and all those social media forms! Happy to read that you manage to fit in travel as well! 🙂

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    1. Hi Liesbet!

      Hosiery is just a collective name for tights, pantyhose, stockings etc. Living in a hot climate all year round it’s no wonder that you have no need for them! 🙂

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      1. Unfortunately, we don’t live in the tropics anymore, but we do our best to pick sunny areas to house sit. I actually do have one pair of black tights (with the socks attached), but they live in New England, where they belong. 🙂

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  13. Hi, Liesbet – . I agree that Linda has much on the go (five children, full time job, well-established blog, social media, travel, etc., etc.). I’m exhausted just typing this out! 🙂 I greatly enjoy reading her posts and her interviews. Thank you so much for stopping by and reading about her here.
    PS- You are lucky to have a lifestyle and climate that has reduced need for hosiery (pantyhose, nylons, tights, socks, etc). In Canadian winters I would freeze without tights or socks!

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  14. Hi Linda. Very nice to meet you via the Lovely Donna! I don’t consider myself much of a fashionista, but I’m amazed at how many shoes I own (although I don’t think that there is a designer pair in the bunch). You social media skills are impressive. I’ve thought about exploring some of them a bit more, but as it is, I already spend too much screen time… how do you do it all?

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    2. Hi Janis!

      To be honest, screen time is a carefully balanced thing and I don’t spend as much time glued to my iPad/iPhone as I used to. I cut down publishing my blog to once a week – I started off 3 times a week . I tend to catch up on emails/blogs/social media early evening or weekends.

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  16. Hi Linda, it’s lovely to meet you here at Donna’s blog. Fashion doesn’t really interest me, but I enjoyed reading the answers you gave to your questions. I’m a big fan of Twitter as well, and also of StumbleUpon and Flipboard. I came off Facebook last year, and haven’t looked back since. 😀 Did try Pinterest once, but had no idea what I was doing, so it’s a gonna, too.
    I wish you much success with your blogging.

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    1. Hi, Hugh – It’s great how some Social Media works for some people, and other Social Media (or even no Social Media) works best for others….Differentiation at its finest! Thanks so much for stopping by and reading Linda’s post here. I greatly appreciate it.

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  17. Hi Donna, I love Linda’s blog and the various people she interviews. I love shoes but don’t wear heels anymore except for wedges, preferring flats, sandals, joggers and boots. Now that I don’t go to work anymore I don’t see to indulge nearly as much I used to!! Thanks for sharing another interesting blogger with us.

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    1. Hi, Debbie – I still have many high-heeled shoes in my closet…but never wear them. When I have pulled out a pair (for a Wedding or Festive Party) I can’t believe I once wore them all day long. As with you, casual boots and running shoes are now my ‘go-to’ footwear. Thanks so much for commenting.

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