miss b's quote

'I haven't been everywhere yet but it's on my list' Susan Sontag

Thursday 29 May 2014

miss b loves .......'1339 Facts to Make Your Jaw Drop' (and a few random ones about me!)



I've always been intrigued by trivia.....random facts about random topics. I read about this fascinating little book in a newspaper article during a very long flight. I thought it might make a quirky gift and I actualy bought three copies!

Here are a few snippets to whet your appetite...

*The word 'journey' is from the French 'journée' and once meant the distance one could walk in a day.

*Only 5% of the world's population has ever been on an aeroplane.

*Johnny Depp collects Barbie dolls.

via

*In 1950, 7% of American women dyed their hair. In 2013, it was 75%.

*Mothers over 40 are twice as likely to have left-handed children as women in their 20s.

*Mo Farah, Sir Roger Bannister, Sir chris Hoy, Jason Kenny and Sir Steve Redgrave were all born on March 23rd


Mo Farah doing his signature pose
via

*Jenga means to build in Swahili.

*Julius Caesar had two sisters both called Julia.

*In 1379, more than 600 years ago, a baby girl in Yorkshire was christened Diot Coke.


*On any given day, half of the world's population are wearing jeans. 

*Dame Judi Dench has the James Bond theme as her ring tone.


via

*JK Rowling has no middle name. 

via

*There's a carpet shop in Dublin called Lino Ritchie.

*A moment is officially defined as 90 seconds.

*One jar of nutella is sold somewhere in the world every 2.5 seconds.

*For 214 years until 2012, it was illegal in Paris for women to wear trousers. (Read more here)


via

*111,111,111 x 111,111,111
           =
 12,345,678,987,654,321


Amazing .... and at the end of the book there's even a web address where you can type in the page number to find the source and verify the fact!


Talking about trivia, a few weeks ago Ms Madge from the lovely Chinwags and Tittle-Tattles nominated me to write a few random facts...... about me....so here goes........

*I'm left-handed. The only other person in my family to be left-handed was my Grandad who was forced to use his right hand at school. How times have changed - thankfully! 

*I have almost as many French books(mainly from my student days) on my book shelves as English ones and my plan is to reread them at some point.






*I'm obsessed with books set in Paris or about Paris


I bought two more last week ......




*I was a student in Lancaster for four years (quite a while ago!!) and this interesting little city has recently been named as one of the '19 Delightful English Towns Everyone Should Visit Once'


The Ashton Memorial
in Williamson Park, Lancaster

*I've mentioned before that I had ballet lessons from the age of  four to seventeen and every year we performed in a show.  Dressing up of course was all part of the fun....from a flamenco dancer....to an icicle(!)...the roles were varied! I no longer have any of the tutus or costumes but I still have the castanets! 


*My interest in fashion began when I was about eight and I started to make outfits for my Sindy and Tressy dolls. Tressy was the doll whose hair grew too!


via

Her bouffant bob could be transformed into endless styles by pressing a button in her tummy and pulling out a thick strand of hair (A key in her back was turned to retract the hair back inside the doll - clever!) 

I'm sure I am meant to nominate a few bloggers to write random facts about themselves but I know how busy people are. However, if you have time, you may like to join in the fun ......

Sheri at Red Rose Alley
Sara at C'est Moi, Sara Louise
Arni at Travel Gourmande
Evi at Sexta-feira

60 comments:

  1. Oh thank you so much for the nomination! It's been some time since I did a post like this!

    I enjoyed learning more about you! I read Paris in Love some months ago and what I liked most about it was Eloisa James' choice of words. I think I highlighted half the book! :)
    The same goes for my bookcase, it's divided between literature in Greek and in English.

    This is so much fun! Thank you again, I'll write a post soon!

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    1. Looking forward to reading your random facts, Evi!

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  2. What a fun post! I loved the trivia you shred, both random AND about yourself! Have a great weekend! xoxo

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  3. Interesting facts! Would love to read this book too. I have also read Paris vs New York and I loved it.

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  4. Wow, I never knew Johnny Depp collected Barbie dolls. These trivia information are so educational. It was also nice to know more about you. I also like reading books about Paris. I highly recommend "Paris A Love Story" and "Paris Letters". Both are true stories. You will enjoy them.

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    1. Thank you for those recommendations, Pamela. Two more to buy!

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  5. What fun this is! A lot of new things I learned about you along the way. I love that doll. That would be so cool to play with when you were little. And you dressed up as a flamenco dancer, how pretty! Jess took salsa lessons with her boyfriend, and it was such a great time. I see that you love French books.......then you must have watched the movie "Amelie." I watched it the other night, and thought it was so entertaining.

    Thank you for including me in the fun. If I decide to do a post on this, I will be sure to let you know. You're such a special blog friend to me, and I appreciate your friendship.

    love,
    ~Sheri

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    1. Yes, please let me know and thank you for these kind words, Sheri.

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  6. Random facts are so fun and always make such great conversation! That's amazing that you were once an icicle in ballet!

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  7. Wow, this post was so educational haha! Every single fact was interesting to read. I knew it that people all over the world buy Nutella! And 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321! :) Suprising! I didn't know you know French, how cool! Seems that you are interested in Paris as I can see from your book collection!

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  8. I love these facts!! Have a great weekend!

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  9. Julia, Julia, and Julius. Hahaha. I'm assuming the sisters are from different mothers or dad? Hahaha. I love books like this, about random facts and trivia. I'd look this up. I'm so pleased you did the random facts tag :) It's great to know more about you. Of course I knew about your love for Paris, but didn't know that you trained as a ballerina. You must be a very good dancer then. Never had a Sindy and Tressy doll, but it would be something I'd definitely would ask my mum to get for me. Thanks for sharing! Have a lovely weekend x

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    1. I wasn't talented enough to be a professional ballerina but I really enjoyed dance classes and the friendships which were made. There were ballet exams but the rest of the year it was fun!

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  10. How amazing...we make so many assumptions based on our own experiences and don't really see what is out there. Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my blog Travel Write Draw. I really appreciate all the love and support I receive. I'm following you now with GFC and bloglovin.

    Meag xx
    travelwritedraw.blogspot.com

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  11. I am always fascinated reading these sort of facts, but must admit, my brain stuck in Johnny Depp collecting Barbie dolls!! A bit unusual, isn't it??

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    1. It is unusual and was one of the facts which took me by surprise!

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  12. I love trivia too! I always love how surprised I am but some of the facts.
    Happy Friday~
    pve

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  13. fun post I still ♥ Johnny Depp Always will !! enjoy the weekend!!

    http://www.nycstylelittlecannoli.com/

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  14. Miss b,
    What a fun post! I am going to look for that book. I love trivia too.. Too funny about Diot Coke!! Great to know more about you. I also did ballet forever. Isn't it wonderful because it stays with you always I think..I also had that same doll with the growing hair too, but her name was Crissy here! I love France and took French many years, but never was good enough to read. My high schooler just read Harry Potter in French last week and is onto his next French novel.. All of yours look so good!
    Thanks so much for your sweet comment on my blog. Always love stopping here! have a lovely weekend! xx Kim

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  15. Miss B, I love your Paris obsession! I have to catch up with you and those books. So nice! I'm still stuck on Johnny Depp collecting Barbie Dolls. That is WILD. It so makes sense now. HAHAHA I would love to read that book. I bet it's so interesting. Great post!
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  16. I like your little Sindy and Tressy dolls:) I used have the original Barbie's and used to make their clothes AND style their hair .. which involved washing with a harsh cleanser and cutting (not pretty!). So impressive that you have all of the French books! I wish I'd learned to speak French as I was growing up. It would have been so much easier to learn. Fun post filled with so many fun facts!!

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  17. Hi Miss B, this was such a fun and informative post, I love hearing random facts that make you think and wonder. Cant believe it about Johnny Depp and its pretty interesting knowing about the airplanes and jeans! Loved learning more about you, you have a wonderful book collection and you must be the most amazing dancer! I am entirely grateful for your visit....Have a splendid weekend!

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  18. I just wanted to let you know that I did my 'random facts" post today if you want to check it out. I didn't add any other blogs at the end, cause as you said, I know how busy people are. But I think you will like it just the same. Thank you, again, for including me in the fun.

    Have a happy weekend.

    love,
    ~me

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  19. I also put your blog on our side bar as "lovely blogs." I don't have many up there, but yours is filled with simplicity and beauty - two things which I appreciate. Have a very nice weekend, friend.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Thank you, Sheri. I enjoyed reading your random facts too! Glad you decided to join in the fun.

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  20. Love to learn some new facts...did not know about Johnny Depp!! Hope you are having a lovely weekend:)
    ~Anne

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  21. Hi missb, so nice to meet you. I am visiting from Sheri's post and so enjoyed my visit to your lovely blog. This was a fun feature and I learned some new facts. Thank you for sharing. I am your newest follower.
    Have a nice rest of the weekend.
    Hugs from Texas!

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  22. Loved learning a bit more about you and also I need to get that book - I adore this sort of trivia, too. :)
    x

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  23. I love it to read and now such facts as they are help to put many things in perspective :) Thanks for sharing it with such lovely pictures and interesting informations!

    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena

    www.dressedwithsoul.com

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  24. The Trivia book is fascinating! I'm shocked by only 5% of the world's population having experienced flying in an aeroplane and also Johnny Depp collects Barbie dolls?! Just when I thought I couldn't find him even more attractive.. !

    http://findmethoseheels.blogspot.co.uk/

    x

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  25. I enjoyed reading this post very much. Haha, I never would have guessed Johnny Depp collected Barbie dolls. So nice to know you're a leftie too Miss B. Thank you for the nomination. I will definitely write a post soon. Have a lovely week.

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  26. Hi Miss B,

    Lovely to discover your blog via Sheri - I really enjoyed all the fun trivia you shared. Who would have thought Johnny Depp collected Barbie Dolls.
    I am now following your great blog.
    Happy new week
    hugs from New Zealand
    Carolyn

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  27. haha Johnny Dep collects Barbie dolls! how fun!

    Have you seen my latest blogpost ? I travelled to London for the RgentTweet blogger event . Read it on my blog!
    www.v-fashionwise.com

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  28. i'm a huge fan of trivia as well, so i definitely need to check out this book! and i love le petit prince as well :) anything about paris/france akes me happy!

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  29. I LOVE trivia! Seriously, I live to dominate at the game Trivial Pursuit! I definitely have to hunt this book down!

    ~Alexis Grace of North On Harper

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  30. Lovely post Miss B. Those random facts are definitely random but so interesting and insightful. I never knew about the Paris one and having to wear trousers - that would have suited me and how amazing is that mathematics calculation. I'm going to test that and share it with some of the kids I work with. Love the facts about you. How amazing to hear about your ballerina days and your love affair with French books. Perhaps you might like to read one of my Instagram follower's books that she has recently published, 'After the Shots' by C Fardoe. Let me know if you buy it.

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    1. Thanks for the book recommendation Colleen. It might well be the next one to add to my collection.

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  31. I love these types of books! I used to buy them all the time when I was younger, consequently, I'm really good at pub quizzes :)
    P.S. My cousin, Mrs. London's birthday is March 23 too! x

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  32. You had me at Johnny Depp collects Barbie Dolls!!! i did not expect to read those words

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  33. Love this post Miss B! I've learned some fascinating things about you (and Johnny Depp). I loved my Barbies (not gonna lie) and am still obsessed with books written in Paris. I recognize some of those titles you shared. You have such style Miss B. thanks for sharing. xx

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  34. What a great post! Really fun to read all these interesting details and facts! Amazing the etymology of the word journey! Really glad to find you! Greetings!

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    1. I've noticed that you are my newest follower. Thank you , Joanna!

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  35. Such fun facts, but the one that really blows my mind is that Johnny Depp collects barbies!

    xo Mary Jo

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  36. I don't know which fact amazes me most; I love them all. Great great post !xx

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  37. un moment c'est 90 secondes...ok!
    ca me plairait de bouquiner ce livre!



    www.letiziabarcelona.com

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  38. I so enjoyed this pot purri of facts. I had the same doll and made little outfits also I was not too impressed with ken though. Gave a lovely weekend

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  39. Coucou, j'ai appris plein de choses dans ce post ! Impressionnée par tous les livres en français que tu lis....ça explique aussi ton excellent niveau en français !

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  40. Johnny Depp and Barbies? Wow, these are certainly some other interesting facts as well. What a great post miss b. Have a wonderful weekend.
    /Madison
    http://fashiontalesblog.com

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  41. Oh my…. I could have gone my entire life without knowing that J. Depp collects Barbies- i no longer know how I feel about him haha!

    And this is INCREDIBLE, in your very first photo of books, you literally picked out the books I love the most! "Les Fleurs du Mal" is something that I've loved since I was an agnsty teenager, "Madame Bovary" is the only book that I re read every year (and every year I love it even more), and well, Les Fables de La Fontaine is something that I quote on a daily basis when I'm talking to my mother and on an hourly basis when my grand mother is around! :D

    Hayfa
    http://www.londonloafers.com

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  42. Wow some funny facts and interesting ones. I guess what cracked me most was Johnny Depp collecting barbie dolls. Can send him my daughters collection now that she has grown out of it. Lol.
    www.thoughtsofpaps.com

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  43. I can't believe the 5% stat for aeroplanes! That's amazing to think. And love your little collection of Paris books I have my own about Paris and New York. The fashion insiders guides for those cities are some of my favourites :)

    Krissie x - http://pearlsofstyle.blogspot.com.au

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  44. Hello Miss B! Oh, this is the kind of book Id love to read, so fun and interesting! Jonny Depp hobby made me so laugh, cant believe it! And neither the fact pants were forbidden in pants for such long time. Btw, I didnt know you were left handed and I could expect your obsession for Paris!:) I had ballet lessons too, missing dance a lot. Many kisses and have a lovely week! xo

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  45. Miss B, your blog never disappoints! No matter when I stop by, you've always got something terribly interesting to share. I may never look at Johnny Depp the same way after reading this post, but even so, all of these facts were fascinating. The christening of Diot Coke in 1379 is particularly mystifying but wonderful. I've always thought that human beings had a finite number of ideas between us, or at least that we were all connected enough that we were bound to repeat the same ones over and over... this may have just proven me a bit more right ;)
    xox,
    Cee

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  46. Bonjour Miss b. I have meant to stop by and thank you for the kind message you left on my blog a few days ago. Thank you for your support. It is very much appreciated. Glad I stopped by today to enjoy this fun post. I learned a lot, as you might have guessed ;-) Like Lilli, I was a bit puzzled by the Johnny Depp story, but then again, when Johnny is concerned, I guess everything goes ;-) I hope life is treating you well, and you are getting ready for summer. A bientôt, Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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  47. I'm delighted to have received so much feedback! Johnny Depp and his Barbi collection in particular seems to have surprised many of us.
    Thank you very much to everyone for taking the time to leave so many interesting and detailed comments.

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  48. <333 such nice pics !
    http://www.karolinagespucci.com

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Thank you for taking the time to write a comment on my blog. I really do appreciate it. miss b

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