Blog love – my favourites

Every so often my husband asks me why I started blogging and what motivated me, and we can never decide on the answer to either of them! The answers are far clearer for the now – the motivation is definitely to keep a family record, as well as being an outlet for thoughts and ideas.

I love learning new things, being inspired by new ideas, looking at beautiful photos, realising I’m a ‘normal’ parent (what ever that means?), discovering new places and making things, so I wanted to share with you my very random assortment of ‘go-to’ blogs. I can’t seem to shift my preference from books to online for food, crafts, health, sewing and exercise. I love nothing more than a big fat recipe book full of healthy meals, an exercise magazine or a gorgeous book of things to make.

So here goes…

Fashion Me Now is my current favourite read and Lucy has given me the most stunning travel bucket list for the (hopefully not too) distant future. The places she visits are exotic and authentic, and her pictures are breath taking. In my dreams I have a wardrobe, eye for fashion and style to match Lucy’s – but we all know that’s not going to happen. Her outfits are uber fashion forward but never too fussy – it’s the only fashion blog I’ve found where I love each and every look. Her pictures are never too posed either, which  for a fashion blog is hugely refreshing.

 Apartment Apothecary is jam packed of ideas for your home and Katy’s ideas could not be more to my liking. Lots of white, splashes of colour, flowers, natural features and homey touches. Ways to transform spaces in your home, get doing DIY, in order to transform your home to the way you want it. The photography is gorgeous.

Lou at Littlegreenshed knows how to appreciate nature, and she describes it in a way you can see, hear and feel it. I haven’t read it regularly for a while, but it is one I always come back to. She runs a feature called ‘Nature in the Home’ that produces remarkable photography from homes around the world. She has two boys that are her life and I love reading about the delightful things they get up to. Her house is full of quirky touches that make me want to live in an old house.

Bradshaw & Sons is written by Emma and she celebrates all the simple things in life – baking bread, paddling in streams, quirky holidays, being outdoors and everything in between. She also celebrates nature and the true beauty found in family life. I particularly love reading about birthdays and Christmases, as her ideas are always so incredibly thoughtful. Her house looks cosy, inviting and is full of home made crafts. Her posts are short and deliberate.

Rosie’s blog is a mixture of lifestyle, fashion and well being. She has such a positive perspective on life, an eye for style and she writes with such honesty. I love it when she shares the books and articles she’s been reading because I always love them all. I’m due to buy another batch of books so a Rosie Outlook will come in handy. She is also good at going running in the morning and yoga at home – two things I aspire to have in my life. Oh! and she had gorgeous hair and rather cool tattoos.

I’ve been reading Abigail and the Future for more than a few months and I love the simplicity of it.  Her little family doing lovely things, going on adventures and taking gorgeous pictures. Jared and I are determined to go to a family festival this year and I loved reading her experience of Green Man festival. She also has a section called ‘Montessori at Home’ which is fantastic for small educational activities to do in the home, many of which I’ve enjoyed doing with Winston.

Let me start by saying what a talented writer Emma is. I’m not a writer myself, but I know one when I see one! Life at the Little Wood is a lifestyle blog with masses of gorgeous interiors. Emma writes with such integrity, humour and genius. She has three children and celebrates all the magnificent opportunities and precious moments that life brings. I met her briefly at BritMums Live last year on the only occasion I dared strike up conversation with someone and she is so lovely. Did I mention she’s Irish?

I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is that I love about Jess’s blog, but I really love it. It’s primarily a lifestyle blog and it’s one I’ve been reading for a long time. She’s personal, down to earth, honest and always shares the right amount of information. Interiors and crafts feature heavily too, which I’m never going to complain about! Jess’s blog is also great for reviews on products for children. It is thanks to Jess that I bought my Moby wrap and Ergo carrier, which have both been completely invaluable.

Katie writes over at Mummy Daddy Me and I’ve only properly started reading it over the last few months. Katie champions everything that is ordinary, incredible, mundane, normal, hard, rewarding and beautiful about family life. The importance of spending time together, recording memories, cuddles, days out and looking after each other could not ring more true here, and it is all written with absolute perfection. She’s also been giving health and fitness updates, which is right up my street and so inspiring.

The number one aspect I love about the Gingerlillytea blog is the photography. Her photos are dreamy, whimsical and almost always in the woods with her two girls. She manages to capture such natural moments. Keri-Anne also displays the most gorgeous wall art in her home featuring flowers, postcards, vintage trinkets, jars, pages and other delightful bits.

It wasn’t intentional to have ten, but it seemed to turned out that way.

If that isn’t enough to inspire you – then I don’t know what is!

E xx