5 THINGS | BLOG INSPIRATION

We all lack inspiration for blog posts sometimes; I have been feeling it a bit lately - especially since I've been spending less and I'm so used to blogging about new things!  I thought I would share some of my favourite ways to get motivated again and get some fresh ideas, most of which you probably already do or have read about, but ya know a girl can try! 

1. Go on Pinterest, Twitter, Google and find some new blogs.  I have found some amazing blogs just by searching for a particular product review etc, and I find that there's no better way to feel inspired than by enjoying reading some new material and sharing the blog love.  If you usually read beauty blogs for example, coming across a lifestyle blog that you love may inspire you to branch out into different kinds of posts.
2. Take a break.  There's nothing worse than feeling like you have to post often if you're really not into it.  I always make random resolutions about posting more regularly etc but at the end of the day, if I don't feel like writing or am not happy with my photos I just quit and go back to it when I actually want to.  No one will love your blog if you're not loving it yourself first! (so cheesy soz)
3. Twitter chats make everything better.  You're not going to feel inspired by talking to someone who isn't interested in make up, fashion etc - so talk to people who are!  Twitter chats are truly awful for your bank balance, but are the perfect way to feel positive and motivated again.  
4. Take your camera everywhere.  Or your phone.  Take photos of anything and everything, look back through them at home and chances are you will find something that you'll want to talk about - even if it's a review of the restaurant where you photographed your dinner! 
5. Buy a nice new notepad.  Every blogger loves stationary, right?  It might just be me, but when I get a fancy new notepad I just find myself scribbling (read: practising my best handwriting) down ideas and planning posts that I didn't realise were formed in my head yet!  

Let me know your own thoughts and what you do when you're in need of some motivation! xx

Hey, it's ok..!

I thought that I would write a post inspired by one of my favourite columns in my favourite magazine, Glamour.  I religiously buy the mag every month, and if I'm honest the first part I always flick to is the 'Hey, it's ok' page.. I can't be the only one who does that? I love how hilariously honest the statements are and how pretty much everything rings uncomfortably true with me!  So I thought of a load of my own, and hopefully you will be able to empathise with a few too! 

Hey, its ok..

To watch all of the 'clean eating' videos on YouTube and feel immediately more healthy after following just 1 recipe.

To lie to your hairdresser that you gave up using heat on your hair ages ago, and the split ends couldn't possibly be caused by straighteners. 

To have a bad day at work but Instagram that fancy dessert you bought to make it look like you've eaten at the Ivy.

To spend an unacceptable amount of time trying to take outfit photos for your blog, but most of them end up showing your exasperation with your camera/boyfriend/tripod. (see above photo)

If you make sure you have enough money to cover your ASOS order but money for next week's lunch hasn't been taken into the equation. 

To seriously consider becoming a detective after so much chin scratching and deducing when watching Pretty Little Liars. 

If you accidentally-on-purpose misplace your receipt so you can't return that Zara jacket that you really do not need.

To plan a whole day of writing up blog posts but somehow end up in bed watching Netflix with various snacks surrounding you.

If you secretly don't really like all the trends that everyone else seems to love.  Dungarees will only ever remind me of Dexy's Midnight Runners (look 'em up!).

To forget to take a photo of most of your meals out because you're just too damn hungry and tuck straight in to it. 

Please lease me know if you liked this post, and obviously I would love to hear your own versions too! xx

  

HOW TO BE A BEAUTY BLOGGER & NOT GO BANKRUPT

So, a little bit of a different post from me today; it's not really like me to go dishing out advice, since I'm definitely no expert on beauty blogging and it's not like it's my full time job or anything.  However, I've been blogging casually for a couple of years now, and have recently really started loving it again which naturally means bad times for my bank balance!  I've learnt a few things in my blogging time though that has ensured that I get to indulge my beauty addiction and still have a few pennies left before the next payday comes around!  

1: Sample sizes are your best friend.  I cannot deny that I will often buy a product based on a handful of positive reviews from my favourite bloggers, but more than once I have done this and it turned out that the perfect product for them was a bit of a let down for me.  After learning the hard way that not all high end make up will be my holy grail, I have relied on sample sizes to test out products and see if they are right for me.  Most magazines include sachet samples of new foundations and creams, and often if you order make up online from somewhere such as Space NK, you will be offered free samples at the checkout.  You can also ask for samples of make up products at most beauty counters, they are the perfect size to test out and see if they are right for you!

2: Don't buy for the sake of buying.  This sounds like a no brainer, but the amount of times I have gone out on payday looking for bits to buy just because I know I have the money is ridiculous!  All that happens is I end up with a few unnecessary products that often end up forgotten in the back of my make up drawer.  Plan what you would like to buy before you get paid, and when the day comes look back at the list and see how many of them you actually still think you want/need.

3: Swap your stuff!  Blogswaps and blogsales are a good way to sell or trade products with others, so you can either make some money back on unwanted products or swap them for something you've never tried before!  Twitter is a great way to find other bloggers who are selling or holding product swaps.  

4:  You don't need every new release.  I chant this to myself fairly often at around 3p - no not really; but quite often we see full time bloggers raving about new releases in the beauty world: this is their job and they are lucky in that they get sent these new things to try out - but like I said before, it doesn't mean that these products are perfect for you!  Remember that bloggers are sometimes gifted these things to give honest reviews, so it is worth doing you're own research into cost, product size etc etc to see if it is right for you. 

5:  Ebay!  I wouldn't particularly recommend it for selling make up, but it is the perfect way to sell on your unwanted clothes all kinds of other things.  If you have a wardrobe clear out and list it all on Ebay, the money soon adds up, and then you have some extra cash to splurge on something that you do want! 

So there are 5 'tips' for saving a few pennies  It may be that I just stated the obvious to you, but do let me know what you think or if you have any advice of your own to share! xx