17:00
Recently I saw a post from Beth Sandland a while ago about the apps she used for blogging and Instagram and I thought this was an amazing i...
Recently I saw a post from Beth Sandland a while ago about the apps she used for blogging and Instagram and I thought this was an amazing idea! When I started blogging there really wasn't many apps that you could use for things like planning blog posts,
PLANOLY
This is the app that I usually use for planning my Instagram feed. There are quite a few apps out there now for this kind of thing but this is the one I have found I prefer to use.
CANVA
I have been using Canva for a few years now and it is the software I use to edit and create my blog headers and my post headers. I will admit that I usually prefer to use the desktop version as I find it easier and I'm usually working on my laptop when I need it, however my highlight covers on my Instagram were created through the app.
PS EXPRESS
PS Express is the app I will use the most to edit my photos for any Instagram food posts and also for any photos I use on my blog. There are so many apps around for photo editing and it really is a case of just finding one you like to use. I'm probably one of the only bloggers not using Lightroom but it's just not a software I enjoy using.
VSCO
VSCO is another photo editing app and is easy to save filters used on previous photos which is great for keeping a more put together Instagram feed, however is also great for just simple photo edits too which is what I mostly use it for I have had themes on my Instagram a couple times now and am currently enjoying just uploading whatever I want without worrying if it suits a certain theme.
Unfold
Unfold is an app that allows you to plan Instagram stories, most of the time I like the natural look of uploading a story as and when I want to using the Instagram app itself, however I will use Unfold if I am going to an event or on a holiday that I'm able to take photos at but want the stories to look a bit more put together.
AIRBRUSH
Alot of my blog photos and Instagram photos are taken on either my Iphone or a camera I've had for years I will usually use airbrush to blur the background so that the focus is on one part of the image. This can help to make your photos look like they were taken with a more professional camera which can naturally do this. I will also occasionally edit out any blemishes I have with this app too.
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12:00
I've wanted to share a post like this for a while now and as I've been blogging on and off for 6 years I wanted to share some of th...
I've wanted to share a post like this for a while now and as I've been blogging on and off for 6 years I wanted to share some of the tips I've learned about juggling blogging whilst still working. It is 100% something that can be done but requires alot of dedication and time.
Plan Your Posts
Planning your content in advance is definitely the most important thing I'd recommend as this means that whenever you are able to find some time to blog you will have some idea of what it is you want to say and this will hopefully make it easier to write posts.
I'd also recommend bulk writing posts if you have the time as this means that in a week where you are busier and don't have as much time you will still have some content to post.
Take Photos In Bulk
Similar to above I definitely recommend taking any post photos in bulk. By having content planned already it should be easier to work out what you need photos of. Another option that I've found useful is taking photos regularly when I have time and working a post around the images I already have.
Write When You Can
As I only work evenings I have time during the day that I can dedicate to writing posts and taking photos however, I always find I am more inspired to write late at night when I get home from work and use the day time hours I have to take photos and make the most of the day time. The majority of my posts are usually written around 2am or 4am.
Work out when you are most inspired and are likely to be able to dedicate time to your blog and go from there.
Scheduling and Social Media
There are various apps out there that allow you to write social media posts in advance and schedule them to post at various times throughout the day. i find this incredibly useful for when I've scheduled a blog post to go up at a time where I am at work. This means that I don't have to worry about finding the time to promote my posts whilst at work as they are already written and scheduled to post.
Don't Feel Guilty If You Can't Post
The most important thing I can say is you and your mental health will always come first. Blogging can be great and some days you can want to dedicate every second you have to it but there will also be days where you just don't have the time or you want to spend time with people and not think about it. Both of these are completely okay!
I wrote a post a couple of years ago about how sticking to a blogging schedule was just not something that was working for me and how I was okay with that. You can read that post here if you are interested.
Let me know if you have any more tips you want to share!
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12:00
A while ago I made these almond flavoured cupcakes and never got round to sharing the recipe so I thought I would share it here now....
A while ago I made these almond flavoured cupcakes and never got round to sharing the recipe so I thought I would share it here now.
What you need
60g butter/margarine (room temperature)
100g caster sugar
2 egg
1/2tsp almond flavoring
70g self-raising flour
100g ground almonds
What to do...
Preheat oven to 180°C/325°F/Gas 5
In a bowl mix together the butter and sugar until well mixed.. add the eggs and mix well
Add in the almond flavoring and the ground almonds, mix until well combined
Sift in the flour and mix well, this is where you can add more almond flavoring depending on your personal taste
Spoon the mixture into paper cases making sure they are only half full
Bake for 20 minutes until well risen and cooked though (you could use a cake skewer to check they are fully cooked)
Leave them to cool on a wire rack
For the Icing
Icing Sugar
Butter
Almond Flavoring
Add the butter to the bowl and mix until smooth and fluffy
Sift in the icing sugar and mix well
Add the almond flavoring and mix until well combined
Add the mixture to a piping bag and decorate how you wish.
Send me a pic if you make these!
If you're interested in more baking posts check these out!
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12:00
So as most of you will know Fathers Day is next week and if you are anything like me you always leave things to the very last minute when b...
So as most of you will know Fathers Day is next week and if you are anything like me you always leave things to the very last minute when buying things like presents.
Fathers Day for most people this year is likely to be very different to usual as at the time of writing this most places are still closed (some shops open Monday however not all and not places such as pubs & restaurants).
So for this gift guide I wanted to share some ideas for the day itself as well as just ideas for gifts as alot of dads I know are happy to just spend the day with their children & family.
Gift Ideas
Day Out/In Ideas
Breakfast In Bed
If you're lucky enough to be spending lockdown together, start the day with a breakfast in bed treat, make him his favourite breakfast or even just bring him a hot drink! Remember it's the thought that counts.
Film Nights
If you're not bored of watching films or shows yet then one idea could be getting comfy, grabbing some movie snacks and having a chilled out day/evening watching yours or his favourite films together (if you can).
BBQ & Snacks
As the weather in the UK has been mostly good these past few weeks one thing I know most dads love to do is set up a BBQ and have a fun night out in the garden with a few ciders/beers.
Picnic Walks
Similar to the BBQ idea why not pack a bag with some of his favourite snacks/lunches and go for a walk and picnic somewhere.
Virtual Pub Quiz/Video Calls
If you're not able to spend the day with your dad due to the lockdown there are many ways to celebrate virtually whether this is just a phone call chat or a virtual pub quiz over a video call.
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12:00
I know that we are currently relaxing the rules of Lockdown on an almost daily basis and at this point most people are probably bored w...
I know that we are currently relaxing the rules of Lockdown on an almost daily basis and at this point most people are probably bored with Netflix now but I thought I would share some of the shows I've been watching recently just in case anyone is looking for anything good to watch.
I'm almost sad to admit I was late to the game with this show and didn't watch it for a good few years after it first came out however for the last few years it has been my all time favourite show to watch. It's such an easy show to get into and that is definitely something I look for in a show.
This series is definitely different to most shows I watch and took a couple episodes to get into. The season itself is very short with only 6 episodes, each being half an hour long. Each episode of the show makes you want to watch more and find out what happens next.
The show itself reminds me a little of PS I Love You as it centres around the main characters life after the death of his wife.
Since watching this has probably become one of my favourite films and I have definitely watched it more than once! What starts out as an easy watch chilled out film turns into a mystery/thriller type film with multiple twists and turns. The film stars Anna Kendrick as single mum Stephanie who becomes unlikely friends with glamorous mum Emily played by Blake Lively. Emily asks for one favour and then dissapears.
This series definitely has a Pretty Little Liars vibe to it in the way that it's set out. Similar to Pretty Little Liars the show is centered around a group of teenagers living in the town of Riverdale who seem to be constantly surrounded by dark mysteries. It is for sure a must watch show for anyone who enjoys mystery and drama style shows.
The Hustle (1h33)
After spending a while working out what to watch on Netflix recently I stumbled across this film which I've been meaning to watch for a while and honestly was hooked from the start. The film followed 2 con women who work together to prove who is the better con woman and end up teaming up in order to take down a man who wronged them.
Although this show came out in 2019 I only found out about it at the start of lockdown and was pretty happy when I found out season 2 was being released only a couple of weeks after I'd finished season 1. Most shows usually take me a couple of episodes to really get into however I was hooked on this from the first episode! The show is about 2 women.. one of whom has recently lost her husband in a hit and run and the other who befriends her and tries to help her through the situation... however she has a big secret!
If you want some more recommendations you can check out my previous Netflix posts here:
What have you been watching recently?
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18:00
With Lockdown meaning that we are currently still unable to go shopping in shops I can imagine that alot of people are taking advantage of t...
With Lockdown meaning that we are currently still unable to go shopping in shops I can imagine that alot of people are taking advantage of the online shops and what they currently have to offer.
Whether that's the latest loungewear perfect for those days spent chilling around the house or for the perfect night out/date night outfit for once all this is over.
This is a first for my blog here but I thought I would share with you some of the items currently on my wishlist.
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12:00
It's been a while since I last wrote a blog post ideas post and as the UK is currently still on lockdown whilst I'm writin...
It's been a while since I last wrote a blog post ideas post and as the UK is currently still on lockdown whilst I'm writing this I figured it might be helpful to share some lockdown blog post ideas! I love looking at the kind of posts to get ideas on what to post myself.
I've also shared a couple of posts I've written myself during these crazy times we are currently in.
- Spring Essentials
- How are you spending your days in Lockdown?
- Baking recipes (Chocolate Cupcakes)
- Skincare routine
- What are you looking forward to doing most after Lockdown? (Life After Lockdown)
- Spring DIY
- What do you want to achieve by the end of the year?
- Outfits of the day
- What you eat in a week
- How to manage working from home, any tips you have
- How to be more organised
- What are you currently watching?
- Review some books you've recently read
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