Blogs for your ears

Posted on by Emily |

I feel a bit behind the times when it comes to podcasts, I never quite got the appeal and believed you had to pay to listen to download them back in the day. Turns out you don’t and they are really great, who knew?! Apparently everyone, you learn something new everyday and all that… anyway I’ve discovered the love of podcasts from reading blogs, my favourite bloggers, vloggers and now favourite podcasters recommending the best ones to listen to as well as someone close to home producing her own.

On that note I will begin with hers, because it was probably the first one I got into and it is never not entertaining.


The Female Struggle is Real

by Emma Jo Real Davies

I love Emma’s attitude, the language she uses and the enthusiasm in her voice. I find it endlessly funny, interesting and generally enjoyable. She’s always up for trying new things and discovering different opinions from others about the topics she’s raising. I feel whoever you are it’s an entertaining listen.


At Home With…

by Anna Newton & Lily Pebbles

Around the same time as the previous podcast mentioned, I was hooked on At Home With… using the Acast app. They showcase photographs of the homes they visit so you can view the rooms as they are discussing them. I’ve discovered a new found love interiors so this podcast is great, hearing about those internet famous and more on how they’ve created their personal spaces, and a little on what they are up to.

Girlboss Radio

by Sophia Amoruso

I first heard of Sophia through the clothing store NastyGal, which I love (have a lush skirt from there, well worth a look see). I then found they had created a TV show on Netflix about Sophia’s journey to creating the online store, which is loosely accurate to the truth but still a good watch – I’ve watched it twice. From this and my discovery of the podcast I started listening to ‘Girlboss Radio’, totally motivational if you want to further your career, freelance work and generally feel inspired to get going.

Happy Place

by Fearne Cotton

Does what it says on the tin, well pretty much. It’s a great podcast to hear about celebrities who have gone through tough times and how they’ve overcome them or get through them, in a way sad yet very up-lifting.


The Adam Buxton Podcast

by Adam Buxton

Currently listening to this podcast, and one of the ones I feel I was late to. His first series started in 2015 so I’m currently making me way through the years to get up to date. I LOVE this podcast, for one he is bloomin’ hilarious and the topics are pretty easy going so great for my commute and while I’m at work. I thoroughly enjoy the sections where he’s walking his dog, his interjected ‘Jingles’ and his cold episode is just great.


Table Manners

by Jessie Ware

Lastly, Table Manners is my main go to as it’s comforting and has a lot of great people on discussing what they are currently up to. You get to know the little things about them i.e food they like and their habits while dining. I love Jessie and her mums relationship with each other in every episode.

So now because of these podcasts I’ve become and avid listener and I’m constantly discovering more and more, please let me know of any recommendations on podcasts you have. 🙂

Blogs that get me inspired

Posted on by Emily |

I’m relatively new to proper blogging, bare in mind I build websites for a living. I was introduced to blogs through tumblr, but that was mostly reblogging and typing out the odd immature “cryptic yet not so cryptic” comments that I felt reflected my teen problems at the time.

I’m slowly finding my way into the modern blogging world, this all started whilst reading and loving what others have posted. Perfect for a lunchtime read to pass the time or curl up on the sofa with a coffee for some “me” time. The blogs that I’ve found perfect for these occasions and have also helped me gain a little knowledge along the way, here are the blogs that get me inspired:

Blogs that get me inspired

LIFESTYLE

I love lifestyle blogs, these are my go to for relaxation and motivation for the  day kind of reads,  I’ve also discovered a passion for interiors and productivity through these guys. Through trends and positive thinking these bloggers have become part of my daily schedule. I feel it’s a great way to start the day while or my commute, or when I’m feeling a lack of motivation these blogs give me a kick up the arse and get my productivity flowing.

The Anna Edit

I found her blog through her youtube vlogs, although I enjoy those too her blogs stand out more to me due to her high quality photographs, interior styles which are minimal and clean, as well as her fun positive attitude for productivity, travel and health.

Cait Meredith

Her blog discusses the issues with food, while talking about her own experience to help others feel better about the way they experience food. A great way to show others they are not alone but also that it’s completely normal to have these thoughts as well as up and down days. She’s recently turned to discussing her productivity and budgeting which I also love because reading about organising gets me real inspired to do it myself.

Sheer Luxe

This is more of a fashion and beauty blog, but I mostly read it for it’s articles on health, sleep facts, the odd ‘How to be a better morning person’ type of post and if there is the chance I see an outfit I can even slightly afford it’s nice to imagine I can pull it off.

Blogs that get me inspired

DESIGN

Creative Boom

A blog that can not only give visual design inspo is great but what’s best for me from Creative Boom is that they give career, freelance and client tips & advice. For which not too long ago helped me a great deal when I was trying to detach myself from a job I hated and get rid of any baggage I may have had for new ventures.

Off Grid

I read about these guys literally this week so this one is a newbie for me. I’ve discovered whilst looking at their work they also have a similar blog set up to creative boom, where they discuss their experiences in the design world as well as encouraging you to be happier with your self to help you mentally in life and work. I read about these two from a Creative Boom article, I was drawn to them by their change in location outside of the city to be within nature which helps their design process and inspiration. I love being around nature myself so this is something I’m willing to follow more and see what they get up to.

Blogs that get me inspired

FASHION/ BEAUTY

Emma Jo Real Davies

I’ve never been great with fashion and beauty, not gonna lie I am trying as I grow up, and it takes a good blog for me to get interested in the topic. This is one blog I do love to give a read every time she posts, (a little biased of me perhaps) as she’s one of my home girls, however her outfits are so sheek, she always looks beaut and her writing style is fun, engaging and represents her hilarious personality so well.

Please let me know of any blogs you love to have a good read of, because I’m really up for discovering more! x

Do more of what you love

Posted on by Emily |

After speaking with a few people I’m close to, they’ve expressed their disinterest in the ‘New Year Resolutions’, predicting failure or it’s too much to consider right now. I’ve not really been one to make a goal or give anything up, only to come up with something that is fail proof.

Last year my plan was to put more effort into my organisation, I could look back on the year and feel I’d improved on the year before, even it was a small improvement. I picked up the bullet journal method and already I was a tonne more productive than I’d been previously, success!

This year I’m concentrating on my personal well being, there’s a lot more things I’d like to concentrate on to feel happier and healthier, but keeping it small so I’m not overwhelmed if I don’t complete the task. it’s a positive goal too so I’m less likely to shy away from it, I want to do more of what makes me happy by doing more of what I love.

Do more of what you love

Hobbies

I’m one of those, start projects to then get distracted and begin another, I’d like to complete one of my craft projects before starting the next. The same with books, my list of books to read is piling high, as I get so lured in by a new book then another and another and so on… my new favourite genre is self help but not quit the conventional ones, more to do with finance, work and mindfulness. However I would like to get back into the world of novels and finish those darn Game of Thrones books. I would love to reach my reading goal by the end of the year for once!

Do more of what you love

Fitness

I’ve noticed a change in my weight which has gotten me down a fair bit this last year or so, it’s a tough subject to discuss so all I’ll say is, I’m not happy with the way I see myself and want to make a change. Now at a desk job for the past 4 years and not doing P.E every week I’ve forgotten I need to exercise, but diets don’t appeal to me and I’m happy with what I’m eating, so getting toned and fit is the answer for me! Currently eyeing up the Joe Wicks HIIT routines and will see how that progresses, as well as a good old fitness tracker on my wrist which will help show my movement throughout the day and what to improve on.

Do more of what you love

Organisation

Improving my schedule skills and keeping up with habits, I need to keep my home environment up to scratch regularly as my mood is completely reflected in the state of my home. I’d like my plants to have more life in them and less dust about the place. Making time for chores weekly is something I need to get better at.

Driving

Lastly my main goal for the year is to finish learning to drive, I hope to be in a better place financially to afford to drive but the first part to tick off is to go back to my lessons and get those dang tests completed. I would really love that freedom and quit leeching lifts off others, I thank thee gratefully.

Do more of what you love

Try not to put so much pressure or expectations on yourself, do what makes you happy. The little things are the best bits.

Happy new year x

Christmas Prints

Posted on by Emily |

Ever since I learnt to screen print at college, I’ve been a huge fan of printing my own designs. I got a sense of achievement out of printing when I cut stencils by hand. I know how clean and professional you designs look when printing digitally onto the screen, but using the chemicals and cleanings seemed like such a hassle doing it at home. I went went onto Etsy and discovered a fairly cheap print screen kit, which I love. This tradition started last year when I printed on blue card and blue metallic wrapping paper from Paperchase.

As the above image I also experimented with gift tags, cutting out and printing snowflakes. The cutting was not my favourite technique, it’s better to stamp or laser cut I reckon. the print turned out well but harder to place the print accurately. Although this gave it a cool cropped look.

This year I went for the recyclable paper and card, this worked great, I went for trees this year in varied graphic styles to create a pattern. This was so much fun to make and I enjoyed cutting out each tree even though it was a lot more intricate.

The Card this year I wanted to play around with typography, and keep the like with the print on the wrapping paper running through.