There's no denying that starting a blog was one of the best things I did in 2017, or in my life, in fact. It's brought me friendship, confidence, and some really special opportunities. It has its downsides, too (I wish I was joking about losing sleep over my Instagram theme), but overall, I'm so pleased with what I've got out of it. In 2018, I'm making it my mission to put more into it.

1.  Attend more events and meet more bloggers

I love Katy and Sammy's Carnlival events, and I've been really lucky to attend some brand events, but I am such a chicken about meeting new people and travelling to new places. I'd like to push myself and change this, as I know it would work wonders for my confidence and combat my FOMO. "A ship is safe in harbour but that is not what ships are for" and all that!

2. Comment on blog posts

I love supporting other bloggers through shoutouts and retweets, but I'm terrible at commenting on other posts. It's a real boost to get a comment on a post you worked hard on, so I'm determined to take the time to do that for the writers I love.

3. Search or ask for affiliate links before I buy

To support creators financially, I'm going to ask around for links before I make a purchase. It's no extra effort on my part to click their link or use a code, and if it generates a bit of income to help them produce more content, it's a win win situation!

4. Promote my shiz!
I would rather do 30 minutes on a treadmill than Tweetdeck, but after spending so much time writing and editing my posts and pictures it's a damn shame that I neglect to promote them. I'll try to get into a routine where you don't miss a post, but don't want to nut me for spamming your feeds either. You're welcome.

5. Find the balance

Like everyone, I feel so much pressure to have professional content with glossy photos and a swish layout, but this often overwhelms me and I stop writing. I'd like to find the balance where I push myself and produce great content across all platforms, but ensure that it's content that makes me happy as well as looking good or fitting a trend.

Glossy photos have their place, but I need to stop holding back and saying 'nobody cares', and focus on writing for my future self and memories too. I want to talk about my new favourite songs, walks I go on, and I've even dared myself to take the plunge into fashion posts!

How are you handling your blog in 2018?

In October last year, I went to an event with Bubbly Bex at Liverpool's Met Quarter. Not only did we get to know about the shops in the centre and their Christmas offerings, we also got a true taste of the Liverpudlian loveliness the city is known for from some of the girls who attended. 

Allie was one of them, and immediately chatted to us with warmth and welcome, telling us the best places to visit in Liverpool (why have I still not been to Bongo's Bingo?) and explaining that her blog name, Tie Dye Eyes, is inspired by her heterochromia, and her amazing different coloured irises. Her blog itself has such a colourful, eclectic design to match.

She was just as wonderful when Bex and I went along to an event she had planned at Voodou hair salon that Winter. I had stupidly chosen that day to have a foot of my hair cut off by an absolute butcher in order to donate it, and my locks were less than luscious. Surrounded by hair inspiration and glossy styles, I felt awful and couldn't stop the tears, but Allie was so reassuring and actually pulled in one of the stylists to help me. To this day, I am still so grateful. 

Not only am I thankful that I met Allie and experienced her kindness, I'm also thrilled that she introduced me to her content, which is just bursting with personality and creativity. First and foremost is her- to quote Bratz- passion for fashion, and it's easy to see that Allie has curated her own signature style, combining classic pieces with customisation and bold, vintage finds. On her blog you'll find style tips along with inspiration from her outfit posts. 

Another of her passions is Liverpool, the city she calls home. If you need an answer or recommendation, this gal is your online personal tour guide! Sadly the city seems to be a love or hate place, with people either adoring the culture and vibrancy, or believing negative stereotypes. I really respect Allie for championing her home and proving to the naysayers that it's an amazing place to be.  

While she often writes about the best of Liverpool, I'm here to say that Allie herself should be included on the list. She is one of the sweetest, most stylish bloggers I know, and someone whose content I always click on as soon as it appears on my feed, because I'm guaranteed to find something fresh, exciting, and 100% Allie.

DIVE IN:

Why I Love Living In Liverpool

60s Lookbook

How We Planned Our USA Road Trip

Why Did I Start Youtube- The Tell Me More Tag

Who have you been loving lately?

Once upon a time, I was halfway down the Instagram rabbit hole, when I came across an account that just oozed confidence and sass. I wouldn't normally comment on a stranger's account, but I couldn't help reaching out and telling the girl how much she was smashing it, and how glad I was to find her account for inspiration. That, my friends, is how I 'met' Florence Grace: blogger, body confidence advocate, magazine editor, and all around girl boss.

Florence runs her own blog, Love From Florence Grace, and uses the space as a way to share gritty, personal stories that will all reach someone in a similar situation and say "Hey, me too. You'll be okay!". I've lost count of the times that I have related to a post myself, and felt comforted and encouraged. Florence doesn't fear sharing dark details, because she knows that someone out there will be helped when they see her story and how she has overcome many struggles to reach her goals, be they in her career, relationships or in her confidence. 

In addition to her own blog and a day job, Florence devotes so much time and energy to her magazine and accompanying blog, Love From. Having completed a journalism course, she really knows her stuff, and works incredibly hard to produce a magazine with varied content that completely defies the norm. She features real women and their businesses, includes recipes, current affairs, fashion, as well as shouting out content creators. It's the magazine you need to read, and the only one I would be happy for nieces or cousins to consume.

Far from being just a page in the magazine, Florence's support is completely genuine, and she loves to boost other girls and content creators. I can always count on her to fill my feed with sassiness, girl power, kindness, and inspiration. Everything she does truly is with passion and love from her to her readers. 

Who have you been loving lately?

If you asked me my biggest blog inspiration, I think I would have to say Cider With Rosie. I can't remember how I first stumbled across her blog, but I was immediately hooked on her wholesome lifestyle writing and beautiful photographs. I can practically feel the crisp country air, hearing the barking spaniels, and smell the blackberry crumble as soon as I click on.

Rosie's own inspiration was her dear grandmother, who laid the path for the most perfect journey. She encouraged Rosie to see Jason, who became her boyfriend, then husband, then father to their sweet baby girl, Ottilie. Rosie blogged every step and it has been such an honour to follow her journey and see her blossom as a writer, watch her relationship flourish, and to see little Ottilie growing into the loveliest little person. Through every change it seems that Rosie's confidence has grown, but her writing has always maintained a bright, cheerful tone, and she has kept her knack for finding beauty and joy in the littlest things, as documented in her '10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week' series.

In all honesty, I don't usually pay much attention to blog designs. I can appreciate an illustrated header and clear layout, but very often they look similar, mine included. Thanks to Flourish, her husband's creative company, Rosie's blog certainly stands out from the crowd, and deserves a shoutout all of its own. It fits perfectly with the country-casual-meets-chic-and-classic style Rosie shows in her clothes and her kitchen, and makes the perfect setting for her writing. Even if you don't read the posts, I implore you to go over and swoon a little! 

The blog may be called Cider With Rosie, but in my mind, it's Tea With Rosie, as I truly do feel as though I am sitting down with an old friend and a freshly brewed pot of English breakfast. I can rely on her content to feel refreshed and warm inside, and, much like cups of tea, I can't imagine ever tiring of it. 

Dive in: 

It Begins

Rosie very cleverly incorporated a 'read from the beginning' button, so you can see her reasons for starting Cider With Rosie. She was inspired by her grandmother, and I'm so very glad for it! Like me, her grandmother believed in celebrating the small, and she would be so proud of her granddaughter, and now great granddaughter. 

The Rainiest Tuesday

A grey day can look pretty magical if you look through a spaniel's eyes! Lots of photos of Ted and Elsie, the springer spaniels, in this post.

Homemade Almond Salted Caramels

I think I actually turned into the heart eyed emoji when I saw this recipe. Rich caramel with a salted edge and toasted, creamy almonds? Yes, yes, and thrice yes. 

Hot Chocolates On The Heathland

A perfect example of how Rosie can turn something simple into the most wondrous occasion, and a post that really illustrates her her photography and sense of style beautifully.

Ottilie Turns 1!

Prepare yourself for the most adorable pictures. You can really feel the love that everyone holds for this little lady, and if you click through to this one after reading the posts above, you can really see so much confidence and joy in Rosie and Jason.

Who have you been loving lately?

I was going to write something about diamonds being a rare treasure, formed under pressure, but I gave myself a crinjury. It's exactly the sort of sentiment that applies to Samm, though. It is so, so rare to find someone with the wealth of kindness and care she has, and even more unusual to find someone with a wicked streak. A lot of sweet, a bit of sour. The perfect combination!

From speaking to Samm on a daily basis and learning her stories, I can make an educated guess that Samm's sweetness is born from her struggles with physical and mental health, which she is never shy to blog. Beauty is the name, but there is no game Samm won't dive into. You can find posts about relationships (her partner, Dave, is a legend), Liverpool, restaurant reviews, and more.

As well as writing an A* blog, Samm is one of my favourite tweeters. She will help anyone, and I always see her supporting people with retweets and compliments. Samm isn't scared to support causes she cares about, either. I learn a lot from her well rounded, educated views, and I really applaud her for voicing them.

I feel so lucky to have Samm in my life. I trust her completely and know that I have found someone who will laugh with me, rage with me, but also stand up to me when I am doing the wrong thing. Friends who can mould you and keep you on the right path like that are invaluable, everyone needs one beside them.

Dive In:
Tell Me More
Samm celebrated her blog's second birthday by doing my tag, the babe! It's a great way to get to know her.
8 Things Not To Say To Someone With PCOS
Since PCOS is a very common syndrome, I can guarantee everyone needs to read this post at some time! Samm has blended her sarcastic humour with serious facts to shed light on PCOS and how best to respect people with it.
6 Reasons Liverpool Is The Greatest
Somehow Samm's forgotten to mention that it's the city in which she met me in person for the first time, which is obviously the number one reason, but whatever. More recently, Samm has written travel guides for the Isle Of Man and Vienna, but there's nothing like sharing that hometown glory.

Who have you been loving lately?

With her subscriber count rapidly reaching 300,000, this lady definitely doesn't need a shoutout from little ol' me, but she is one of my favourite creators. Whenever I see a new blog or vlog from her, I can't help but click it immediately, which is a sure fire sign that I am head over heels for someone's content.

Her channel started life as Dolly Bow Bow, a space where Kate would share Barry M nail polish collections, tutorials, and Primark hauls. As the years have gone by, Kate has become a wife and mother, and her channel has evolved to the most beautiful family channel. Through it all, the bright, down-to-Earth personality that first got me hooked has stayed the same, and now we also get to learn the personalities of her husband Rikki, and her lovely little boys: Archie and Elliot.

I'm personally not a fan of vlogs that centre around the children and document every detail. However, Kate has found a perfect balance, and she and Rikki create the sweetest vlogs to capture and share memories of the whole family. They aren't afraid to be realistic and show the truth. Sometimes Archie will be cuddling Elliot, the next he's screaming in a car seat. I imagine it's hugely comforting for other parents who may be watching.

The same applies to her other content. While her channel is hugely successful, her home a haven of shabby chic, and her wardrobe and makeup perfect, she never brags, and always stays humble and grounded. A lot of YouTubers aim for the approachable, friendly vibe, and Kate has got it spot on. Whatever the topic of Kate's videos, I trust that I can click on them and find brilliant quality, a bubbly personality, and honest opinions and advice.

Dive In:
Family Vlogs
Fashion And Beauty
Kate's Blog
Homeware and Jewellery Shop

Who have you been loving lately?

There are some things I'm good at (eating, sleeping...), some things I'm bad at (organisation, contouring...), and some things I am truly abysmal at, like independence. Luckily for me, I have a constant source of inspiration in the form of Tasmin and her blog, Grandiose Days.

At just 24, she has flown almost completely solo and moved into her own home. No parents, no boyfriend, no handouts, just Tasmin and her two delightful doggos. What a woman.

When she's not busy climbing the property ladder, Tasmin devotes her spare time to climbing walls, bouldering, wakeboarding, mixed martial arts, and any other activity that promises a huge hit of adrenaline along with a risk of broken bones. I haven't the guts to walk into a singing class alone, let alone stride into the gym and release my inner warrior!

Tasmin's strength is more than just physical, and I am incredibly honoured to call her my friend and to have her support. Her advice is always logical and practical, and her kindness knows no limits. I truly do believe that that same attitude pours through in her blog posts, and her inviting tone quickly makes every reader feel like they are catching up with a friend over a cuppa.

I love following her adventures, and find them so inspiring. Tasmin is literal proof that you can go somewhere alone, even travel the world, and live to tell the brilliant tale. I also love that her emphasis is definitely on appreciating life's experiences and events rather than the items. One of my biggest goals in life is to own the perfect house, and following Tasmin's progress really encouraged me to put more away for my future- both in terms of a cosy place to call home, and places further from my comfort zone. 

DIVE IN:

Buying My First House

Seeking your own nest is hugely exciting, but daunting, too! Let Tasmin guide you through with her handy advice.

My First Ever Solo Trip To Brussels

Whether you're looking for a travel guide for the Brussels area, or a sign to fly solo yourself, this post will deliver the goods.

Self Love For Valentine's Day

This post contains more girl power than a Spice Girls album, and is the best example of Tasmin's quiet confidence and inspiring self belief.

You can also find Tasmin on Twitter and YouTube!

It's fair to say than when I attended the Bloggers Blog Awards I felt more than a little out of my depth. I didn't have a blog then, so to be surrounded by people discussing SEO, the best props, and of course, those nominated for awards, was quite a shock. While I did eventually warm up a little, I mostly stuck to Bubbly Bex Beauty, and panic set in when I lost her at the bar.

Fortunately, the fates smiled on me and sent Sarah my way. This beautiful girl appeared like a magical tattooed fairy and struck up a conversation as though we had been friends for years. Ever since that chance meeting I have never seen her being anything other than welcoming and wonderful.

I have, however, seen her creating some wonderful, thought provoking pieces of artwork. Sarah recently graduated, and one of her final projects was based on human's impacts on wildlife, showing how plastic bags can choke turtles and litter endangers seabirds. Using a combination of watercolour and fine liner pens, she created seriously detailed pieces that spread her message perfectly, just like her blog, Scarlet State.

Following a vegan lifestyle means that Sarah's passion for animals and the environment flows into her writing, and she has the most amazing way of discussing these topics in a way that is inspiring and achievable, not at all scolding or out of reach. From finding cruelty free brands to recommending the best bamboo toothbrushes, Sarah shows how we can all make changes for the better, and it's easy to see how deeply she cares about what she writes. 

I also find that her blog is a place of happiness and confidence. It gives the impression that Sarah is a very balanced, well rounded person, comfortable in her skin and her place in the world. It's sadly rare to find that, and her tone makes for a refreshing and encouraging read. 

DIVE IN

Wild Swimming in Windermere

I remember the day that Sarah journeyed to The Lakes and shared snaps of her swimming her stresses away. She was so carefree and happy, I started to wonder if she was a secret mermaid. This post really reflects her free spirit and love for nature.

5 Things We Need To Stop Buying

Who knew that switching your plastic straw for metal or glass could save a sea turtle? After reading this post I vowed never to buy them again, and ran straight out to buy a reusable water bottle. Not only did Sarah give me some immediate ideas, but she planted the inspiration to constantly look for changes I can easily make.

Celebrating 21 Years In My Body

We are all guilty of scrutinising that stretchmark rather than celebrating the growth it commemorates, and this is where Sarah's wisdom and self ease shines. This post, thanking her body, is one I would recommend to absolutely everyone.

LINKS

Twitter: SarahJDocker

Instragram: SarahJDocker

Commissions: Sarah Jane Docker Illustration

Who would be more deserving of a Sunday Shoutout than The Sunday Girl herself, Adrienne? Not only does her blog name make a delightful fit, but her blog is one I have read for years and still come back to for some of my favourite cosmetic-related content. 

Thanks to her regular beauty reviews, I can keep up to date on the latest releases and upcoming trends, and I can count on Adrienne's honest opinions about both. I really enjoy her mix of high, medium, and low end features, and the variety between skincare, body, fragrance, and beauty. She even blogs about products from different countries, particularly Korean sheet masks and American drugstore gems. From head to toe, I know that Adrienne will have the perfect recommendation.

With plenty of experience comes expertise in her field, and I can always rely on Adrienne for totally transparent reviews. If a beauty product is chalky, greasy, or overpriced, she will be sure to let her readers know, and will often throw in some better alternatives for them to try. This spells disaster for my wishlist/bank account, but it shows a genuine care towards the readership when a blogger makes the effort to note what would better suit their skin type or budget. 

Her kindness doesn't stop at her writing, and one of the main reasons that I chose Adrienne for a shoutout is due to her down-to-Earth nature. She is a full time blogger and for me, up there with the likes of Lily Pebbles and The Anna Edit, yet always finds time to chat to readers and fellow bloggers in a warm and friendly manner. It's sad that some influencers seem to never interact with their supporters, but I have never found Adrienne to be anything other than polite and supportive.

Everything Adrienne puts out paints her as a model blogger. Her photos are lovely, her reviews are honest, she is involved in the blogging community, and she follows every blogging rule to the letter. While I would advise everyone to read The Sunday Girl, I'd especially recommend it to newer bloggers who want to see a high yet achievable standard, and get to know a brilliant member of the blog world. For anyone who already loves her work, I'd recommend following Adrienne's tweets for hilarious anecdotes and cute stories about her grandpa!

Dive in:
The Sunday Girl X Roccabox
All that passion poured into one box? It has to be a winner. Adrienne only chose cruelty free products to go in her box- further proof that she listens to her readers!

Tony Moly I'm Real Sheet Masks Review
For an easy pamper or a first foray into K Beauty, sheet masks are a must. Tony Moly create some of the best on the market, adding natural extracts to help the skin in different ways. Adrienne has tested them all and will help you find your perfect one in this post.

How To Spring Clean Your Makeup Stash
A great post to highlight both Adrienne's fun personality and her extensive knowledge of all things beauty. She makes some brilliant points about when it's time to toss things out and keep your collection at its cleanest.

Who have you been loving lately?

I'm not sure how I'd describe my own style. Casual with a twist, perhaps? It is certainly more mainstream and boring than my college days, where my main aim every morning was to throw together an outfit with as many colours as possible! Even then, I don't think my outfits matched up to the quirkiness that is Lima, AKA Fashionicide.

Silver, pastels, and mermaid or unicorn themed looks are Lima's choice, all topped off with a healthy dose of holographic goodness, and killer hair and makeup to match. Nobody could pull off her unique style quite like she can, and I love that she writes with the same bold, unapologetic attitude that she pours into her clothing. 

Having a background in hairdressing means Lima can bring her pastel hair dreams to life at home, and kindly shares her insider knowledge with her readers, and it's not uncommon for her to share the most incredible graphic eyeliner looks and beautiful bright makeup either, but under that stunning shell is a woman with a sharp mind and a voice that needs to be heard. 

Being from Indian origin and the Islamic community, Lima has a different perspective to me as a white woman, and I love learning from her through the information she slips into her blog posts and tweets. By seeing parts of her story and experience, I'm inspired to learn more, which is such an important step in supporting people with less privilege than yourself. Knowledge is power, as they say.

As well as hearing Lima's voice, her Asian readers will also be impressed to see her foundation files. I don't know anyone who finds choosing foundation an easy task, but it's even harder when the high street mostly caters for Caucasian skins. Luckily, Lima has used her (vast) makeup experience to find some gems that work for her, and some great recommendations for readers with a similar skin tone. I'd definitely recommend that any makeup artists out there have a browse of it! 

With 8 years of blogging under her belt, Lima has created one of the most individual blogs I have seen. If you enjoy confidence, cats, and creativity, Fashionicide is the one for you.

DIVE IN:
Face Lace Dazzledots || Festival Makeup Minus The Cultural Appropriation
Lima was quite rightly sick of seeing bindis being used as baubles, and has created a look that won't cause offence with these holographic stickers that look like they were made for her.

Makeup || The World's Funeral
Just as artists may use gouache to express their grief, Lima has used eyeliner to illustrate her outrage. This post was a really interesting to discuss some political points- I told you she was unapologetic!

Reviews || Phee's Makeup Shop Luxe Holographic Highlighters
If I've described her well enough, you'll already know that 'holographic highlighters' is the most Lima beauty product imaginable! These particular ones are from a small, independent creator, and the review and photos really let them shine.

Who have you been loving lately?

How many times have you heard 'just be yourself'? It's an encouraging phrase that we've all heard or said at some point, but it's not advice we always take. I know a girl who utterly embodies it, doing exactly as she pleases without worry or remorse, and I adore her for it. 

Erin, or BeautyCreep, as she goes by, is totally unashamed to share her passions, and doesn't care if they're slightly outside the norm. This is a girl who decorates her room with Freddie Krueger costume and once dressed up as Slash, and she's proud of it! She's unique, hilarious, and as well as filming with unusual props, produces content unlike anything else I've seen online. I mostly watch and read beauty and lifestyle, but Erin's videos are mainly related to walking, the paranormal, and periods. 

Living in Scotland means that the weather isn't exactly tropical, but on those rare sunny days you can guarantee that Erin will be up the nearest mountain with a Snickers, a flask, and her camera, ready to share the breathtaking views. I used to walk with my parents, but I'm a lazy lump and gave it up as soon as I could, and only her videos have inspired me to head for the hills. She's so peaceful and confident on her solo walks, and the way that she passionately talks about her pastime reminds me that the outdoors work wonders for both physical and mental health.

Another pastime that I'm not so keen to indulge in is her exploration of the paranormal. Visiting haunted hideaways and vlogging investigations doesn't phase Erin, whereas I'm usually shaking behind my screen! I find the stories absolutely fascinating, and they often tie into local history and folklore, which is something Erin loves to share on her channel, too. 

Lastly, and most boldly, Erin vlogs her periods. It's not quite as graphic as it sounds, but she certainly doesn't hold back when discussing her symptoms and how the menstrual cycle affects her each day. The purpose of the videos is to serve as a reminder that periods are healthy, normal, and nobody who has them should be ashamed. Recently Erin even discussed a Bartholin cyst, and I really admired her for talking about it and stressing the point that it is so, so important to monitor your health and get straight to the doctor if anything is up down there. The reward for her open, honest sharing is the number of men who get in contact to tell her that they feel more educated and better prepared to help women, including their own wives and daughters. 

Hopefully I've painted a picture of how confident Erin is in her abilities and her interests. A part of me still feels she is in high school and worries that things won't be cool enough to share, no matter how many times I repeat my golden rule: if you're not hurting anyone, it's fine. Erin has shown me that she is not only not harming, but is actually helping people, and on a personal level she inspires me to keep fighting anxiety and following what makes my heart happy. 

Who have you been loving lately?

Ready for some real talk? I wouldn't be writing this blog if it wasn't for Charlotte. In 4 years of absorbing content, I have never seen anyone with the raw passion and determination that she has for her blog, By Charlotte Ann, which used to be Colours and Carousels.

Full credit for Charlotte's logo belongs to her and her designer.

When you click onto her blog, you never know what the latest post may be. Fashion, food, health, or travel, Charlotte can turn her hand to anything and writes each post with astounding quality and seriously swoon worthy photographs- plus a healthy dose of cat features! She really does eat, sleep, and breathe blogging, and isn't shy about sharing her passion and the lessons she's learned. Through devouring every piece she puts out, I became more and more inspired to properly throw myself into blogging, and her advice has proved invaluable in helping me to hit the ground running.

We all know how annoying it is when we ask a girl where her dress is from and she pretends not to know, and it's doubly annoying when you want to know all the best blog tips. Who should I tag for retweets, how many times should I post, where do you buy the best summer props? I can guarantee you that Charlotte holds the answers, and if you're looking to up your blogging game, or even just to get started, I would highly recommend signing up to her newsletter, which promises regular tips and advice from the queen herself, all for the low cost of... nothing! There's no greater testament to how hardworking and kind Charlotte is.

Even if you're not a blogger yourself, I truly believe that her dedication is infectious, and you can channel it into whatever interests you. Keep learning, sharing, networking, and building just as she does, and you will reap the rewards. 

Dive in: 
How To Get Free Stuff For Your Blog
So you want to start working with PRs and receiving #bloggermail? You'd better read this for no-frills advice!
Glasgow Burgerthon Series
If, like me, Man Vs. Food is your guilty pleasure, you will live for the Burgerthon series! Being a wee Glasgae lassie, Charlotte has reviewed local independent spots, but has also given chains a chance, too, meaning you can take her expert advice when looking for the best burgers in your town.
Brand Focus: Pixi Beauty
If you've ever been curious about Pixi's skincare or cosmetics, you can trust Charlotte to share her honest opinions in this run down of their line up.
My Endometriosis Story
Endo is a huge struggle for so many women, and yet we don't hear about it nearly enough. It's painful, it's debilitating, and by writing about it Charlotte gives hope to fellow sufferers- reminding them they're not alone- and educates others. She also suffers with alopecia and covers that with sensitivity and strength, with the aim to support anyone in the same boat.

Who would you like to shout out?

Have you ever seen someone so glamorous that you felt intimidated by them? Maybe that's just a reaction formed from my experiences with my school's own Mean Girls, but I must admit that it was how I felt when I first saw Alex, or, as she is known, The Lipstick Lady.

We were at a hair event, of all places, on the day that I had had my hair bluntly hacked off in the name of donation. I felt an utter mess, and she looked so put together, but I should have known better than to judge a book by its beautiful cover, because it turns out that she is an absolute sweetie pie!

There's no denying Alex's passion for makeup, as she loves nothing more than to share it on her blog and Instagram (thelipsticklady_). She really knows her stuff, and if I ever need high end recommendations you can be sure I'll turn to her first. Most days she can be found snapping glam makeup tutorials and making them look so easy- she often dances to 80s tunes while she blends! Her Snapchat story is also the place for quick reviews, mini hauls, life updates, and the most adorable snaps of her puppy, Barney.

If you're looking for more in depth reviews then you simply must head over to her blog. As an English language student, she writes beautifully, and again, the passion flows through in every post. As well as expressing her love for makeup, skincare, and haircare, she can also turn her hand to personal posts, such as her breast reduction story. Everything she writes is intended to help in some way, and this is reflected in her kind and positive tone. If only I'd read it before I stepped into that salon!

Dive in:

Sometimes Life Goes Tits Up

Definitely a post for anyone considering a breast reduction. Alex has shared her story to explain why she had this procedure, what happened, and the impact it has had on her. 

Get Your Summer Glow On With Liz Earle

You can't do perfect glam makeup without caring for your canvas! Read all about Alex's favourite skincare brand. 

Beauty Bay Best Of USA

8 reviews in 1 post to really give you a feel for Alex's tone and passion.

What do you call someone who works full time, raises a child, and posts regular magazine worthy content? Superwoman? Nope, Antonia!

This lovely Liverpudlian came into my life via a group chat, and my goodness, am I glad! Antonia is the most well rounded, balanced person you can imagine, which is always a welcome antidote to my more fiery personality. Despite being calm and laidback, Antonia still has a real fire in her belly when it comes to Allure La Vie, as well as some delicious food in there, too!

Most food blogs leave me feeling totally overwhelmed with health jargon or a encyclopaedic list of ingredients, but Antonia manages to create beautiful fresh, healthy, balanced meals which are made from simple ingredients that we all recognise, and won't take hours of faffing in the kitchen, nor thousands from your wage packet. The emphasis is on nourishing herself and her son, and packing nutrients into delicious dishes, which is a refreshing change from the many blogs that automatically tie healthy eating to weight loss and appearance. 

As well as sharing her mouthwatering recipes and professional looking photos, Antonia also loves to chat about luxury beauty, lifestyle, and has even branched out into mental health posts, with the aim to bring inspiration and light to her readers. Having gone through various struggles of her own she has now come through the other side, and I completely trust the pearls of wisdom and advice that come from her life experience. 

Everything about Allure La Vie is uplifting, each word is written with love and great intentions. I would recommend a read to anyone, but especially to those who are feeling lost and want to look to somebody for hope and inspiration.

Dive in:
Low Carb Mexican Turkey Burgers
Cod Curry with Cardamom Rice
What Is Our Purpose
Managing Money
The Clarins Combo I Can't Get Enough Of

This is quite a grumpy, serious post for such a new blog, but I just had to get it out there! I really hope it doesn't make me sound like a horrible cow. I'm actually quite nice, but we all have our limits! 

When I was at university, I was very lonely, and so I found YouTube, and in particular, a girl who lived in the same region as me. She talked about all the things I liked, she had similar interests to mine, and every video felt like she was speaking to me personally. So I left long comments, praising her and telling her about myself, building what I thought was a friendship. 

After some time, her replies got shorter, then more sporadic, until they fizzled out completely. I was so upset! I couldn't understand why she didn't appreciate all the praise I was giving her or why she didn't want to be friends with someone so in tune with her. I even spoke to family and friends about it, and they advised me to stop watching her. It took a long time, but eventually I had enough of the rudeness, and cut all ties, as it were.

About a fortnight later, a man started to speak to me on Twitter. It started with friendly replies to my tweets, and a few compliments about my videos. It was a little strange because he did not seem interested in beauty or blogging, but there was no threat or malice in his messages. 

He then asked me if he could send me a private message, which I agreed to, and he told me about some family issues. I am not trained or qualified to provide solutions, and I did not know him well enough to offer advice, so I simply gave my condolences. I think this kindness was seen as a chink in my armour, because from that point on the tweets were relentless. Constant updates about his day, things that had no relation to me at all. If I didn't reply, he would send private messages, or write indirect tweets about ignorance. 

It sounds so silly. Even as I read it, I think 'block him!' but I felt bad doing so. He had told me personal things and come to me for help, but I started to dread opening the app and seeing him him him, or posting a video to know he was watching. Finally I realised that at no point had I asked for any of this! Since then, I have had similar experiences but felt no shame in blocking when my boundaries were crossed and strangers became too close for comfort. I am a friendly, kind person, but I am not a counsellor, or a nurse, and no matter how many people my videos reach, it is up to me how many of those become my friends. 

It was then that I realised that I had done almost the same thing to the girl I mentioned at the start. I had taken her 10 minute videos and blogs to mean friendship at a time when I was lonely, taken advantage of her warm personality, and put her in an uncomfortable position. When she eventually cut me off, it really did hurt, but it was a very important lesson for me to learn- both as the audience and as a creator.

 Whether you make content or not, remember: if anyone is making you uncomfortable, it is just as okay to block them online as it is to walk away in real life.