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Wednesday, 16 July 2014

Two Ticks With....Sophie in the Sticks

It's that time again. The wonderful time where you get more familiar with a new blog. The excitement of getting to know some of my favourite bloggers better never wears off and today it's time!

From fashion to fitness and cooking to the country there's something for everyone on ! Find out why she's one of my faves below....

Hey Sophie! For anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of stopping by your blog before, can you give us a brief rundown of what they can expect?
Hello everyone! I cover everything that I am passionate about on Sophie in the Sticks which does happen to include quite a bit, all based in my little piece of heaven the Norfolk countryside. In the last couple of years I've grown really fond of capturing the places we go in pictures and sharing it on my blog, along with my frequent fashion posts, plenty of recipes and restaurant reviews and documenting my health & fitness journey. It's all from the heart.

You’ve recently started documenting how fitness fits in with your lifestyle. What’s your favourite aspect of that to write about? Do you find it has a different response to your other posts?
I love to share updates on how I'm trying to improve my fitness as I am so enthusiastic about keeping active and toning up. The key to staying active is to find something you really love to do, for me it's bootcamp and running. When I read about other people's journeys I find it really inspiring and I'm kinda hoping that my drive to reach new goals will rub off on others who can find their own reasons to jump on the healthy bandwagon – the more the merrier. There is so much support out there, I love to hear what everyone else is up to and if I have helped motivate them.

You’re quite the wonder woman with all the topics you cover here at Sophie in the Sticks. So let’s talk a bit about fashion. What’s your favourite type of outfit to put together?
An outfit to take a walk in, maybe on country lanes, grassy footpaths, along the riverbank or forest trails. The possibilities are endless, you cannot fail in ankle boots and something fun and lighthearted. Overdress, who cares? It's fun. My personal style is quite rural, easygoing and bright, I dress to make myself happy!

And if you had to start your entire wardrobe from scratch and just keep ONE item, what would pick and why?
Firstly, this is something of a nightmare. How can you put this thought through my mind, Megs?! I have FAR too many clothes and really struggle to part with any of them. The vintage-y charity shop finds would have to be my most valued and the classic Jaeger tweed jacket was the first thing that came to mind so I'll pick that. It was my favourite ever buy at £7 and will forever look as charming as well as suiting my countryside style right down to the ground.

You aspire to cook from scratch regularly…for a newbie to food blogging, what would your top tips be? And what’s your favourite dish to cook?
If in doubt take a picture, the number of times I haven't taken one before it's too late and regretted it! Photography is the hardest part of food blogging and I'm still working on how to get the best from my pictures. I'm a creature of habit and there is nothing more indulgent than homemade lasagne, it's got to be the best comfort food, for sure.

Marilyn or Audrey?
Audrey.

And finally a quote to live by?
I don't have a quote but I do have a couple of tips

Always check the forecast before getting dressed, you'll do yourself a massive favour.
Be kind to people, it's rewarding because you get a warm fuzzy feeling inside and they are much more likely to be kind in return <3

If you want to get to know Sophie more, you can find all her social platforms below!

Twitter - @sophieintsticks

Blog - Sophie in the sticks http://www.sophieinthesticks.co.uk/

Bloglovin - Sophie in the Sticks http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10472659

Instagram Sophieinthesticks

Google+ Sophie in the sticks

This post is brought to you in association with the Exclusive Advertiser package. Available for blogs and small businesses you can take advantage of this 30 day service for less than £1 a day! If you'd like to snap up a package, you can find all the details

Sunday, 1 June 2014

Meet My Marvellous Advertisers

When you feel like life really isn't on your side, it's nice to take a step back and remember the positive people that surround you, the ones that inspire you to carry on.

My monthly advertisers are special to me. They choose to place their faces on my sidebar, which means they must see something that you lot see when you read my blog, which essentially means, you should love their blogs, non? This month I’ve had the pleasure of hosting ultimate awesomeness and I really can’t wait to share them with you...

Sunny Sweet Pea
You may have already spotted the beautiful Jenny on a recent blog post interview, where she helped us get to know all the juicy deets behind her blog Sunny Sweet Pea - If not, click here and catch up! Jenny writes beautifully and I've thoroughly enjoyed reading about her view on friendships in a recent post - it certainly struck a chord with me and I think lots of you will be able to relate too.

Couture Crush
Rei, what a beauty to behold *le sigh*. I open her webpage and am automatically hooked on the wonderful photography. Her outfits are spectacular – living in Hawaii with American-Japanese routes her style is literally out of this world. Think Blair Waldorf meets Audrey and you’d be imagining the beautiful Rei’s wardrobe. Yeah, I know, I’m green with envy. I mean just look at this.

Love Thy Accessories
If you're looking for bold, statement, affordable jewellery, look no further. Love Thy Accessories holds some of the most stunning jewels online, with pieces that look like they've cost an absolute fortune, you know, like those stupidly expensive Zara necklaces for half the price?! Yeah...it's the kind of store that means you can treat yourself more than once that month, and what girl doesn't love that?

If you'd like to find out more about advertising your blog or small shop with Wonderful You, all the details are !

Wednesday, 28 May 2014

Two Ticks With...Sunny Sweet Pea

It always leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy inside when one of my 'online' blogger friends decides to advertise with me. Jenny, who writes (can we give her a huge thumbs up for the best blog name ever, please?) is one of my absolute favourites on this here interweb. I'm so excited to introduce you to her, and her beautifully written, down to earth blog. Take it away, Jenny.

Dear Jenny, your blog is a firm favourite of mine - but for anyone who might be new to your corner of the internet could you give us an insight on what to expect from Sunny Sweet Pea?
I guess I'd describe as my creative outlet. I love writing, always have. And writing my blog gives me something to channel my creative energy into. My day job is all spreadsheets and figures, so having somewhere to share my photography, write recipes to satisfy my sweet tooth and simply record the everyday things that make life worth while, is really important to me.

Amongst an array of beautiful recipes are book reviews...what's your favourite book and why?
It's fair to say I'm a bit of a bookworm. I have a channel where I mainly post book related videos, as well as the occasional vlog and I love writing reviews on my blog. But Megs, you've asked the hardest question of all time! I'm not sure this is my favourite ever book, but it's a book that I bought for, and recommended to, so many of my friends, because when I finished reading it I felt inspired to change my life. That book is This I Know: Notes on Unraveling the Heart by Susannah Conway. Susannah lost her boyfriend very suddenly to a heart attack and subsequently started a blog that led to her whole life changing. It's the most positive, life affirming book I have ever read and if you're a fellow blogger, or in fact anyone who has a dream left unfulfilled, then this book will speak to you like no other book you will ever read.Here is my full review if you want to read it.

You live in a beautiful part of the country, Norfolk. Your pictures on your blog tell a thousand stories of how wonderful it is there, but if my readers were thinking of visiting, where would you suggest they stop by?
I still feel like I am new to Norfolk, but when I work it out I have lived here for over six years now. I've grown fond of its overtly agricultural landscape, its long sandy beaches and amazing sunsets. It's certainly a change from my home country of Wales, but the more I explore, the more I come to love it here. Norwich is a beautiful city, with a real vintage vibe. The shopping is amazing and down every little alley and lane you'll find cute coffee houses, tearooms and independent shops, a real city to explore. And on Norwich's doorstep is the beautiful Norfolk countryside, I recommend hiring a boat on the Broads. Perhaps a visit to some of Norfolk's magnificent stately homes - Blickling Hall being one of my favourites. And, one of my very favourite experiences living in Norfolk, visiting the seal pups at Horsey Beach. The grey seals arrive in the winter months to have their pups on the beach. You can get incredibly close to them, such an amazing encounter with nature.

As I said above, cooking is clearly a big part of your life. What tips have you got for any new foody bloggers out there?
Experiment and practice. I am no chef. I still make a crap Victoria sponge, I don't know what it is about them but mine come out so dry. Every time! I turn to Pinterest for inspiration, or find a basic recipe and adapt it. I love my floral flavours, so experimenting with lavender, rose, violets and any other edible flower is one of my favourite things to do. They don't always work, but that's okay, practice makes perfect and my readers don't see my culinary disasters. Trust me, they happen! More often than not.

What's your favourite thing to cook?
I have a seriously sweet tooth, so I adore baking. However I am on a bit of a health kick at the moment as I'm training for a triathlon. You're more likely to find recipes for summer salads, smoothies and protein shakes on Sunny Sweet Pea at the moment. Perhaps it's time to invent a healthy chocolate brownie!

Is blogging purely a hobby for you, Jenny? Or do you have plans for Sunny Sweet Pea going forward?
Blogging is a wonderful hobby of mine that I am lucky enough to make a few pennies from. I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunities my blog has given me. Back when I started Sunny Sweet Pea in 2009 I was quite happy that just my sister read it. I could never have imagined where it would take me over those five years. Going forward, I'd like to see my blog grow and I am working on finding the time to do that. But I also want to start writing more outside of my own blog. I hopefully have some exciting life changes ahead of me, which may see me studying again. 'Life's too short' as they say.

A quote to live by?
'You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore' - Christopher Columbus.

I'm sorry, but don't you just love her? Yes? Okay then, here's where you can find her:

Sunday, 13 April 2014

Two Ticks With...Thoroughly English

Today, I am excited. There is nothing more brilliant, than to share a blog with you that I love. When Bess, who writes said she'd like to advertise with me this month, I nearly did a wee out of the excitement it gave me. She is one of my all time favourite foody bloggers - trust me, this girl knows her stuff. I can't wait for you to find out more about her and hopefully full on fancy her blog like I do.

Over to you, Bess!...

Hello my lovely. I’ve been reading your wonderful page on the web for some time now –but for those that aren’t as fortunate as I, could you give us a bit of a low down on what YOU are all about?

I wish I knew! I've dabbled in being a full time food blogger, but I just don't like to stick to one thing! So Thoroughly English is a mix of food, silly tales and snaps I take on my travels.

It’s pretty clear from the beautifully displayed menu options down your blog sidebar, that Thoroughly English prides itself on being the king of recipes. Personally, cooking and baking scare me a little...how did you learn and where do you get your inspiration?

I'm completely self taught (with a little help from Daddy TE). I think with most things I cook, that people have been doing this for hundreds of years. Cake came before electricity - so how hard can it be?! Lots of things I do go wrong (namely, kale chips. Yuck). It's only food and a few photographs - nothing to stress over. I was once told that cooking 'keeps the hands busy' and it's very true for me. I cook to occupy my mind just enough, but not to make myself worry.

Plus, if shop bought is good, homemade is better. Every single time.

You recently snapped your first ‘Outfit of the day’ blog post. How did it feel? I know you were super nervous about it, but you look SO wonderful. Do you think you’ll make it a more regular thing?

Honestly Megs? I was in the middle of Leeds on a rainy Friday and I felt like a bit of a prat! But it was a lot of fun to do, and it was nice to get out of the tiny space in my flat where I normal take photographs. I'd like to do more, but I'm still figuring out the whole tripod/remote control thing, any advice?!

You don't need it! Practice makes perfect :) So, following on from that, how would you describe your personal style?

Boring. Or, on a good day 'classic'. Now I'm old, I like to buy things that will last a long time, and all that responsible malarky. I'm a bit of a stereotypical country girl, you'll find lots of leather, tweed and pearls in my wardrobe. I'd like to think it's more K-Mid than granny...

If any fellow bloggers were thinking about introducing a foody element to their blog, what tips would you have?

Have fun, experiment and be honest. If you're new to cooking, no one expects you to start devising unique recipes first time. There's an amazing community of foodies with limitless knowledge and advice. Everyone has to eat, and food brings us all together - it's the most amazing thing. Plus, everyone's made a rubbish dinner in their time, so there's no judgement!

What's your FAVOURITE thing to cook?

Roast chicken and Yorkshire pudding is my favourite thing to eat. I get bored easily, so I rarely remake a recipe I've perfected. I got my head around marshmallow and macaroons and I'm currently making 3D chocolate rabbits for Easter. Making my own chocolate is definitely on the agenda for the future, as is perfecting a brioche burger bun!

Is blogging simply a hobby for you Bess? Or do you have anything you’d like to achieve with it going forward?
I'm always astounded that so many people take the time to read and comment on my blog. There is actually thousands of them. My favourite blogs bring lightness to my day. They make me feel like I'm reading an email from a best friend and I love that. I hope I can always be honest, and tell you all the truth. Even if it means admitting my encyclopaedic knowledge of Game of Thrones.

Your photographs are always so beautifully composed, crisp and delightful. What camera do you use? And do you have any tips for someone who might struggle to get the best shot of their pudding?
I use a Canon 600D and I've had it around six months. It's definitely not necessary to have an expensive camera - I often use a mix of DSLR and iPhone shots. But investing made me understand the need for light and composition. I've honestly learned through looking at other blogs, and using what I have around me as props and detail. I like to shoot either from directly above, or from almost level with my dishes - using angles can be a really good way to develop your own style.

When all else fails, add melting butter or nutella, and you're on to a winner.

A quote to live by?
"she did the best she could, with the talent she had"

I don't know about you, but I'm completely head over heels for Bess and her astounding little . If you love her as much as I do, have a look at some of the other places you can find her :)

Monday, 24 March 2014

Meet Moo's Marvellous Advertisers | April 2014

My April Advertisers post is a little early this month, simply because I’m just too excited to wait any longer! Filled to the brim with new blogs, vintage inspired jewellery and lingerie stores and a wonderful new online magazine you’re really in for a treat tonight....

I cannot quite explain the joy that Bess' blog brings me. If you are a foody and haven't read this part of the internet, then where the hell have you been? This is by far, my absolute favourite go-to for cooking inspiration - from green eggs and ham to honey wheat loaf and ice cream cakes it's certainly got something for everyone's appetite. Not only that, Bess has recently delved in to the realms of outfit posts, which excites me hugely. Are you still reading this? If so, why? You should be on her blog already.

Your one stop shop for perfectly cute, vintage inspired jewellery - from lockets to happy whale earrings and crystal rings, it’s bound to brighten your Monday evening. Since establishing in 2008 Ji Ji Kiki has grown to also cater for your home ware, stationery and clothing needs. I’m pretty certain there is something for everyone on this lovely store and at an affordable price too!

A lingerie store that fulfils every girls knicker needs - whether you are in to your delicate lace or a beautiful bustier, they’ve really thought of every ladies taste. I love the vintage feel to a lot of the collection and as a fellow lingerie lover I can’t wait to get my hands on a few of their lovely sets!

I had the pleasure of keeping Sara on my blog for another month, so you may have already discovered her wonderfulness :) if not...you can expect heaps of detailed product reviews, behind the scenes photo shoots and natural spring time makeup looks. Sara posts super regularly, so you're in for a treat, grab a cuppa and get ready to fall in love.

A brand spanking new online magazine, headed up by lots of wonderful bloggers. Contributing their loves for the industry, including beauty tips and tricks, style posts and lifestyle inspiration - they make sure everything is covered with fresh, relatable content. A lot of work goes in to building something so informative and it’s up to us fellow bloggers to help them spread the word! You heard it here first, Beauté Vie Mode is the one to watch!

If you'd like to find out more about advertising your blog or small shop with Wonderful You, all the details are !

Thursday, 13 March 2014

Two Ticks With...Scared Toast

When one of your favourite bloggers decides to perch their loveliness on your sidebar, there’s a need to be excited. I literally couldn’t wait to share this post with you, because Tabitha is bloody awesome and I’m absolutely certain you’re going to love her blog just as much as I do. Her writing style is so honest and addictive, plus she has a really gorgeous doggy, Dudley. Enough of my thoughts, let’s hear Tabitha’s!

What inspired you to first start your blog? And can you tell us a little bit behind the name?

I remember researching something MAC-related and coming across the world of blogging. I spent a good few weeks religiously checking the blogs I'd found; it was like a secret I'd stumbled on and I couldn't get enough. I umm-ed and ahh-ed, and eventually Ed, my boyfriend, encouraged me to give it a go myself. I think we'd been watching back to back Nip/Tuck at the time, so my original blog name was 'A Perfect Lie', but I began to feel like that was restricting me with regards to focusing solely on beauty so when I got round to buying a url I decided to go for something a little more abstract so that I could blog about whatever took my fancy. I touch on it in my "" section on my blog, but basically "Scared Toast" is the name my family give to undercooked toast!

For those who may not have had the pleasure to read your bloggy yet – could you sum it up in just 3 words?

Only three?! Light-hearted, candid, me.

You cover a wide variety of subjects on your blog – what’s your favourite thing to write about?

My favourite thing to write about is probably lifestyle and the things I do. I love trawling back and looking at old outfits, but it's the chit chat that goes with those posts that transports me back and reminds me where I was in my life and how I was feeling. And I hope people like to read it too!

Audrey or Marilyn?

Audrey. Although I love a bit of OTT glamour, it's Audrey's chic style that wins for me.

I ruddy love your style – so relatable to the public eye but effortlessly chic! What’s your secret?

Ooh I'm not sure I have a style, let alone any secrets! I'm really inspired by other bloggers to just go out there and experiment. I don't like to stick to one genre of clothing and I like to think I'm not a label snob. So I guess my secret is to follow as many fashionable people as you can find, stalk their style and shop around! Don't be afraid to try new things because you might just surprise yourself.

A quote to live by?

There are so many quotes that I love! I think the one that I relate to most is from Alice in Wonderland and it's "but it's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then." I'm such a worry-wart and this reminds me that there's nothing I can do about moments from the past, and that without them I wouldn't be who I am today.

I mentioned in my Monthly Advertisers post that I loved your Making Memories series – how are you finding it so far and can you tell everyone the story behind it?

So the idea came from reading another blogger's bucket list at the beginning of the year. I always want to make bucket lists but just find them so unachievable. I dragged my younger sister into it with me, and then decided it would be a great way to make some memories together, just doing simple things each month. Some of my favourite memories with family and friends have come from off the cuff moments and that's what we've tried to capture here. We've each secretly chosen 6 activities that have to be completed within the month. It's a great way to make sure we set aside some time for each other and do some sisterly bonding. We've had a so far, and this month it's an ice skating trip!

If you could only keep one item from your home, what would it be and why?

I'm assuming that since you said item, Ed and the pets are safe?! It'd probably be my laptop because all my photos, music etc (basically my life!) are on there. That's a really hard question to answer without seeming shallow!

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Tabitha a little better :) I can't wait to see what's up next on her Making Memories series, and if you want to keep updated on all things you can find her in all these lovely places:

Tuesday, 4 March 2014

Meet Moo's Marvellous Advertisers | March 2014

It's only bloody March already! It's going to be summer before we know it and then I will be sad, because a winter wardrobe is my absolute fave...

You guys have been such a wonderful support of late (am I getting boring yet?), so today's post is a lil' summin' for you. Where you can discover the wonderful blogs and shops on my sidebar. They're all wonderfully brilliant reads and I hope you love them <3

Scared Toast

I first discovered Tabitha’s blog towards the end of 2013 and I instantly fell in love with her infectious personality. She knows her stuff when it comes to fashion, expect mood boards aplenty - however it’s her interior and lifestyle posts that also really my attention. You’re going to be finding out lots of amazing things about Tabitha in my ‘Two ticks with post’ later this month, but in the meantime, take a look at this post. It inspired me and I think it’s a fabulous idea!

Beauty Steals

Is a pretty awesome website for us beauty lovers. Their aim is to offer you those brands you absolutely love, at a discounted price – excellent!! Get your purses at the ready ladies, with brands such as MAC, O.P.I and Benefit you’re going to be in beauty heaven! The perfect opportunity to spoil your mum on Mothers Day.

How She Wears It

The lovely Tasha resides in New York City (jealous.com) and documents her love for fashion and beauty on her lovely blog How She Wears It. You can expect heaps of product reviews and tutorials, including ‘get ready with me’ videos incorporated in to posts from her lovely . Tasha is so stunningly beautiful and has the most incredible skin...her eye make-up always looks flawless and she’s inspired me to try a little harder with my half arsed attempts at a smoky eye!

Every Little Thing 07

Ella is a beauty to behold and her lovely blog is the perfect match. She will write about whatever takes her fancy, hence the title – but her main passion is with beauty. Her photography is what really stood out to me, so beautifully crisp and well composed – the feeling must be mutual with others as she’s very handily written a photography tips post so we can all get wonderful snaps like her :D yippee!

Sunny Sweet Pea

Jenny’s blog is one of my favourite lifestyle reads and it should definitely be one of yours too. She lives in Norfolk with her boyfriend and gorgeous pup and produces the most stunning photography and content to boot. It’s so lovely reading what she gets up to, like most recently visiting the Harry Potter studio tour. But she also throws in the odd personal post, in particular this one about staying positive – it’s sometimes difficult to express how we feel, and often we can feel alone, so it’s amazing that Jenny can share some of those emotions with us, it’s so important to have that support and I think she’s wonderful.