I have a blog myself but recently I’ve been uninspired and finding it hard to think of content. I wanted to know how you stay inspired and don’t end up repeating yourself sometimes? – alittlebitofseven
I definitely struggle sometimes too, especially when it’s the middle of winter and all I want to wear is thermal leggings and drink tea and watch Gilmore Girls. Pretty much the only thing that sorts me out sometimes is travel; a trip somewhere new keeps me and my content fresh and renews any lost motivation and drive too. If I can’t get away, getting out and about at home can help too whether its for a movie or just heading into town for food can breathe a bit of life back into me. Finding the time to read magazines, old or new, and trawl the web for inspiration is something I don’t do enough but really helps keep ideas fresh and hone in on what you’re really into.
Sometimes its good to just take a break too. If I’m really battling for ideas or just feeling a bit ‘bleugh’ I’ve learnt it’s often better to just not publish anything for a day rather than forcing it. I normally end up hating those posts anyway and its’ all about quality rather than quantity anyway.
Here a few of my recent pins that might inspire you as they did me. Any excuse for an impromptu inspiration post hey…
What size is your Celine Trio bag? Large or Small? – HattieInglis
I think it’s the large but there’s not a huge amount in it from what I can tell. Definitely my most worn bag though.
If you could only wear one piece of clothing for the rest of your life what would it be an why? – sunset_ch8er
Probably jeans, and (so as not to be eternally topless) a white t-shirt. Is that cheating?! I live in denim and on an average day I would automatically reach for a pair so I’d be completely lost without jeans. Just as good at home as they are for meetings and nights out; I seriously don’t think I’d be able to get dressed without jean which is probably a bit obvious given how much denim there is on here. And you can cut them off into denim cut-offs which are actually way more preferable than jeans thinking about it… Of course, if I can live out my days on a white sandy beach I’d be happy as a clam in a white cotton slip dress.
I’m a recent graduate and currently interning. I would love to start my own fashion and lifestyle blog, How would you recommend going about this while also having a full time job? Do you think social media would be a good place to start these days before building a website? Is it possible to launch a blog on a very small budget? – Charliehale1
Hi Charlie, thanks for this and great that you are keen to start something up on the side while also being busy with interning. I started Fashion Me Now while doing fashion internships after university and kept on it for four years before I was in a position to take it full time. In terms of how to do this obviously some sacrifices have to be made. Evenings and weekends were often (and still are) spent writing blog posts and doing images so being committed and loving doing it above all is really important. I started my blog several years before Instagram launched so that was definitely an add-on for me rather than the starting point. While there are a lot of talented people who use Instagram as their sole platform and revenue generator, I was once given a great piece of advice that I really believe in. Your website is the only platform you really own and have total control over so don’t lose that no matter how many amazing, new apps take up your time and attention. Social media can allow you to generate large followings and post whatever you fancy, but ultimately they own that content. If they were to fold, change important algorithm (•coughs) or be overtaken by another competitor (•coughs again), there’s nothing you can do and are kind of at the mercy of that particular app. So personally, I would always have a website as well as a social following in the long term as your own site really is a vital piece of the puzzle.
And it’s definitely possible to do on a small budget. I think some people think you have to be able to buy Chloe bags and expensive cameras just to start a blog but I only bought my first of both of those 18 months ago. Squarespace and Blogger are great for creating a free site and they both offer quite a lot of creative freedom in terms of design. You will need a camera (can’t recommend the affordable and adaptable Olympus Pen enough), maybe some editing software (I use Lightroom) and that’s it. If you’re not buying and wearing designer clothes, then it shouldn’t be something you’re blogging about. I’ve only starting adding more investment pieces into my wardrobe in recent years, before that it was all high street, vintage and ebay – I had one Louis Vuitton bucket bag I got secondhand that I used for years but aside from that, everything was high street. Be true to yourself, blog about what you know and most of all go into it from a place of loving it. Good luck!
Favourite interiors shops and homeware finds? –2matesandablog
So this is very of the moment seeing as I’m currently in the throes of renovating my new place! I love the likes of Graham & Green, Cox & Cox, West Elm and Rockett St George for everything from chairs and storage to mirrors, cushions and lighting, and have recently discovered the likes of Rowen & Wren, Rose Grey and French Connection homeware. There’s a shop in Fulham called Holly’s House that I’m obsessed with and my friends at Att Pynta have amazing taste. I love browsing Golborne Road at the weekend too and I’m plotting a trip to Sunbury Antiques market soon too – I’m still in need of bedside tables and a dining table and I think that might be the place for them. For lighting, Pooky is amazing and I just ordered my new sofa from Loaf which I’m super excited for.
Right now I’m lusting after these cushions from Wood Grey and the entirety of the Not Another Bill shop – anything marble, brass or paint splattered for my kitchen yes please.
How do you make your photos all the same edit each time? What filter/edit do you use? What app do you use for editing? – beadodds/Juliacaru
Thanks so much for asking as I sometimes feel like I’m not quite where I want to be with my editing! I use afterlight for all my instagrams and Adobe Lightroom for blog pictures. I’ll occasionally add one of the VSSCO filters but normally afterlight is enough. My go-tos are to clarify, sharpen, bring the shadows down and cool the temperature a tiny bit. Everything else really depends on the picture; sometimes I’ll bring the exposure down if it’s super bright or green and sometimes I’ll brighten it a bit. In terms of getting it the same, I don’t rely on filters so I really just use my eye and go with what I like…
What pieces would you say are must haves from the upcoming fall and winter seasons? Both classic and trend-led items :) – brookereichart21
One thing I’m really excited about for Autumn is layering a knitted polo neck under silk and velvet dresses to make that slinky dress work a bit harder. A little bit 40s, a little bit 70s, this is an update on the tried and tested t-shirt under slip dress formula and ideal for transitioning into colder times. If you haven’t already, invest in some good slip-style dresses (tea dresses could also work really well) and a cashmere polo neck or chunkier fisherman’s jumper to put under it.
I’m also really feeling patent leather as an update on matte black and it adds a little bit of 80s tackiness which I’m kind of into. This Mango skirt and these Acne boots are my two favourite finds so far but to be honest anything patent and black is going to be catching my eye this season.
Lastly, a good heritage checked coat is firmly on my wishlist for the colder months. Basically anything that looks like and old picnic blanket or a moth-eaten tapestry. If you liked gingham over the summer like me, this is the next step… Gucci is leading the way but a little too kitsch for me, so Isabel Marant and Balenciaga’s checks are speaking my language.
I’ve put a few favourite examples below so you can get a feel of it. Now we’ve got on the subject I’ve realised I’m actually really ready for jumpers and coat weather!
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Who is your favourite designer for denim? You always have the best! – Krystalschlegel
Ooh that’s hard because I’m such a hoarder of all things denim. Obviously I love Redone and classic non-stretch Levis but for skinnies and other shapes, my current favourites in terms of fit are AG jeans, J Brand and MiH. I also love Mother (they do killer t-shirts and jackets too) and have just discovered Paige too. Not a great answer is it because I like so many! I also think Topshop and Zara are brilliant at affordable denim.
How many hours a week do you spend in total on blog work including all social channels? – Sophe-bh
I’ve never actually worked this out so here goes! I start work at around 8.30 or 9 A.M and on an average day, I’ll work pretty much non-stop until around 6 pm or 7pm and then (eek) if I’m at home in the evening, I’ll normally be back on my laptop and/or phone for a couple of hours in the evening after supper. That work is mostly emails, editing, writing, shooting images, admin and includes going to meetings and appointments. I’m really trying to curb my working at weekends but as I write this its a Sunday evening because I’m heading to see my sister tomorrow so I needed to get some hours in so I can afford to have a half day tomorrow… If I have a free Sunday I’ll normally spend up to half a day editing and getting things ready for the working week. Plus, if I’ve had a busy week travelling or doing back-to-back meetings, weekends are often my only time to catch up, clear my inbox and prep posts for the week ahead. To me balance is a bit of a myth, especially when you’re your own boss but I think I’ve got a lot better of letting go and closing the books so to speak. But I’d say on average, taking into account all the social media and things like work dinners and the occasional midnight editing session, I spend probably about 60 hours working (gulp). However, I will say that while it might be a bit above average (according to google), for the most part it doesn’t feel like hard work because it’s something I love to do and want to do which is why it’s often hard to stop rather than start. Plus if I’m working late, I’m doing it on the sofa with Netflix on in the background so its not all bad :)
Solid & Striped swimwear: are you an XS or a Small? – cvu19
I needed someone to answer this question when I was buying Solid & Striped! I originally bought an XS but it felt like it was straining slightly at the sides so then swapped it for a Small which feels a little bit big in the swimsuit but perfect in the bikini.
How do you decide where you are going to go on your next trip and do you sometimes go to places you don’t like and have to blog about them? – Laurajoanne11
I think I touched on how I decide on where to go in my last blog post so check that out here. It’s mainly a mix of finding places in CondeNast Traveller, seeing pics on Instagram and Pinterest and just mentally storing places I’ve long wanted to go. Time of year and the length of time I want to go for also factors; I tend to aim for going on the edges of peak/high season rather than in the thick of it and sometimes low season works even better for me as it’s quieter, cheaper and the weather can be good unless it’s somewhere like India or Sri Lanka where monsoons really come into play. If I’m unsure, going onto the ‘inspire me’ sections on i-escape and Mr and Mrs Smith are really good at making you dream of somewhere that wasn’t even on your radar before. Right now, I’m lusting after Langkawi, the Philippines, California, Puglia, Cinque Terra, East Africa… The list goes on.
I’ve never been anywhere I really didn’t like to be honest! Obviously everywhere has its pros and cons so I’ve preferred some places to others, but I’ve never been anywhere I 100% would not want to recommend. I will always try and get across as best I can what somewhere’s like so people can figure out whether that best suits them. For example, somewhere rustic, low-key and remote has just as many merits as somewhere super slick, modern and luxurious but it really comes down to personal preferences. But I would definitely blog openly and honestly about any dodgy travel experiences and have always flagged anything that was a bit off; life’s not a bed of roses so I think it’s important blog posts reflect experiences as they really are.
Hi Lucy, my sister and I have followed you from the beginning and have watched your success grow. We are in the process of starting our own business and wanted your advice on how you grew your business and marketed yourself. It would be great to also hear about experience of being self-employed. I hope the flat transformation is going well! – nutriciousliving87
Thanks so much! And yes flat is going well but not quite there yet :)
In terms of marketing, I have to admit this wasn’t something I’ve ever focused on. I just worked really hard on honing my ‘product’ which would be my blog, and being really active online and on social sites. Interacting with your peers on the likes of twitter, instagram etc is also good – I remember linking with other bloggers back in the day through commenting on each others sites and have all supported each other remotely from different corners of the world since.
I love being self-employed and to be honest, I think it suits me and my personality perfectly. Being able to be flexible with my time, having unlimited holiday days, working at home and not being micro-managed by a boss is the dream. Of course, those holidays will never be what holidays use to be when you could leave your laptop at home and just switch off, and working at home can be suffocating at times, but for me the pros definitely outweigh any cons. You can have a bigger and bette read about my experience of being self-employed here.
Getting a good accountant is key because taxes are the absolute worst but also totally unavoidable so to ease stress levels and feel in control, paying someone qualified to sort out your finances can be worth every penny. I find I exercise 10 times less now I’m my own boss which is really weird and annoying so that’s something I’m working on. I think it’s mainly down to fact it becomes really hard to actually leave your desk and small chores outside the house feel akin to working towards climbing Everest! So yes, there are definitely ups and downs when it comes to being self-employed. You’ll work harder than you ever have, go slightly mad in the process, but ultimately if its right for you, you’ll feel freer, happier and more focused than ever more. I hope the new business goes well :)
Will there be another Lucy Williams X Missoma collection? – Nativemeadows
Well… Let’s just say all good things have to come to an end but we’ll be finishing on a high :)