Something A Bit Different

Dear Blogger Friends... Five Years From Now

Who knows where we'll all be five years from now. I often contemplate the possibilities. Will I be a successful writer? Will I have even sent my novel to a literary agent? Maybe I'll be a mother, or maybe I'll be a recluse with a collection of fifty cats ha ha. Of course a lot can happen in a five year period. Rewind sixty months and the one and only Zoe Sugg was probably only just starting to make a name for herself in the blogsphere. February 2009 saw her gain 1000 or so followers. Fast forward to September 2015 and she'd received over 540 million visits. Sprinkle of Glitter was a phrase more likely linked to an art student. And Tanya Burr was a name I'd never heard of. How things change.
Any blogger worth their weight in gold has heard of these three women. Let's face it, seeing their success makes us all that more hungry for some of our own.

I think it's fun and exciting to imagine where we'll be and what we'll be doing in the future. With that in mind I decided to write a 'letter' to three of my favourite bloggers set five years from now. If you enjoy reading it and it inspires you to do something similar, feel free.

Hello my lovely blogger friends, how is life treating you? I cannot believe how quickly five years has gone by. Who'd have thought we'd all be where we are now.


Jordan, as Craig Revel Horwood would say, you were FAB.U.LOUS in your West End debut. Wicked is my favourite all time musical. Maybe you might get invited to do Strictly next! Fingers crossed hey? I also heard that you achieved your dream of becoming a Victoria's Secret model?! You're going to be AMAZING! Not jealous in the slightest. Not one little bit. Pah, Who am I kidding? With a figure like yours, we're all jealous! Huge congratulations. Looking forward to reading your debut novel. I'm currently writing my second and sales are doing well on the first. Don't tell anyone yet but they're talking movie rights! Hugely excited to see where this journey takes us all next.

HelloMissJordan

Hi Jemma! Hope you're well. Firstly I have to say how much I ADORE your new stationery range. Who'd have thought this time five years ago you'd be collaborating with WHSmith for an exclusive line? Actually I always had a sneaky feeling that you would do well. You've been talented and determined since day dot and if anybody deserves success it's you! I just know your dad will be watching so proudly over you. Secondly it was fantastic watching 'Who Are You Really?' your latest YouTube video. Zoella and you seemed to hit it off really well. She's just so down to earth despite her 'celebrity status.' Then again, so are you. That's what I've always loved about you Jemma! No matter what, you've always had time for others and will try to help where you can. I think you should do a Q&A with Louise Pentland next! I heard the next Girl Gang event is to be held in the Manchester Apollo this year? I hope I can get tickets this time. They always sell out so fast!

DORKFACE 

Hey Flo! How are things? One of these days I'm going to have to catch you for lunch when you're actually in one place for long enough. I can't keep up with you lol! Jet-setting from one country to the next. You look like you're having an AMAZING time though! And huge congratulations on getting the DJ job for Radio 1's Big Weekend! I knew you'd do it. Maybe you could write about it in your next column for Look magazine? I predict even bigger things from you this next twelve months! I finally bit the bullet and bought my own Bridal shop. Better late than never hey? I'm currently working on an eco friendly line so watch this space!

LoveFromFlorenceGrace

Lots of love

Justine

xxx

So there you have it. Of course this was just for fun and I couldn't possibly have included ALL of the bloggers I follow. That said, each and every one of you deserves every success and I can only hope that we all get to share in each others success and spread the joy along the way. There's always a risk that one of us might get bored and fall off that old blogging wagon but I doubt it. We all enjoy it too much! Happy humpday. Now go BE that flamingo in a flock of pigeons. Dare to be different. Dare to be yourself. We each have our own unique gift to share with the world. Go forth and kick some blog ass! 

Love to you all xxx

All photos except header image taken from respective blog owners. Header imagine FREE stock photo from ColorUBold.

Zoe Sugg facts found from Wikipedia

Photo Magic - Free Photos For All

Happy hump day lovelies! We're halfway to the weekend already. Where do the weeks keep disappearing to?

As you know I follow quite a few talented bloggers and I'm always on the lookout for the latest must read posts and/or inspirational photos. This week I discovered that two of my favourites have decided to share some of their stock photos for FREE! Yes really!

You can personalize and use them on your own social media pages and blogs. How fab is that? How you personalize them is up to you. I haven't quite figured out that part yet but my aim is to learn and improve my own photography skills in the next twelve months. Watch this space.

The awesome photos above are from Jasmine at Color U Bold  and you can download more by checking out this link. You can follow Jasmine on Twitter by following this link.

The above photo is from Rebecca who blogs over at From Roses and if you subscribe to her newsletter then you'll get four gorgeous images like the above, again for free. Click here to find out more. You can follow Rebecca on Twitter by following this link.

I think both girls are incredibly talented and their blogs are worth checking out. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Enjoy the rest of your week, I'll catch up with you all in a few days xxx

Just a catch up...

Happy Friday! I'm off to a party shortly but first I thought I'd just write a quick post and check in with all of you lovelies. Hope the week has treated you kindly.

Last weekend I made the trip to Kirkby Lonsdale with my six year old nephew, Isaac. I was especially proud of myself because I didn't think I'd be able to do it. Usually I'm with another grown up and rely on their directions. However, Isaac fancied a jaunt to the countryside so off we went. To my surprise I didn't get lost along the way!

In other news, Jemma of Dorkface is working on the header for my new 'community' book blog. I think she is incredibly talented. Just look at her new fancy Halloween header below! Click HERE to check out more of her designs. Prices usually range from £14-£28.
And while I'm on the topic of the book blog, if you love reading and fancy trying your hand at a book review then please do get in touch. I'd love to hear from you.

Last but not least, I have another book recommendation! I am totally obsessed with Jennifer Niven's new book, 'Holding Up The Universe.' I read and wrote about her previous YA novel, 'All The Bright Places' for my very first blog post and ever since I have been anticipating the release of this. Do check it out. I got my copy from the supermarket for a bargain £3.99. Review to follow soon.

That's it from me for now. Better go get my glad rags on! Have a lovely weekend. I'll catch you all soon xxx





All images my own except Jemma's 'Dorkface' header which was taken from her website - http://www.dorkface.co.uk/ and 'Holding Up The Universe' book cover which was taken from Jennifer Niven's website - http://www.jenniferniven.com/books/holdinguptheuniverse/

Taking Inspiration from Zoella

Hello all! Sorry for my lack of posts this last fortnight, I've been crazy busy. Got lots of things in the pipeline including a new book blog which I can't wait to share with you all! Meanwhile you can keep up to date with plenty of book related stuff by following @BloggersRead over on Twitter.

Yesterday I bought Cosmo magazine for the first time in ages. Now I'm going to be honest here, I don't usually read it. In fact I probably won't for another year - sorry Cosmo! The only reason I picked up the current issue was because Zoe Sugg aka Zoella was on the cover and I wanted to read the article.

To me, Zoe is the queen of blogging. I know there are countless other talented bloggers out there, and yes I love you all too. But Zoe has managed to achieve something that most of us can only dream of and has remained just as down to earth in the process.

I have lost count of the times I've had to explain to my non-blogger friends and family just what it's all about. Some look at me with puzzled expressions and clearly just don't get it. Others nod along encouragingly and give me motivation as and when required. I hope they read Cosmo this month and that the penny drops. Because this girl is living my dream!!

I started this blog as a way to put myself out there a bit. Also to start building an author platform. I didn't expect to love it so much or to take it all so seriously but here we are, over a year down the line and I have BIG plans for GGD! I'm not at the point of creating videos - yet. (Give me a paper bag to wear over my head and I may consider.) But I'm working on lots of different projects all blog related. Some of my goals may never see the light of day, but I'm sure as hek having fun trying. It's because of Zoe and others like her that I feel like I CAN achieve these crazy feats.

Reading how far Zoe has come makes me wonder where we'll all be in five years time. Will any of us have our own beauty or lifestyle range? I hope so. Maybe I might finally see my novel published too. Finishing it would be a start! I hope that whatever happens we all continue to have lots of fun along the way.

As some of you may know, this hasn't been the easiest of years for me. However, for the first time in ages I feel like I want to say the future is looking bright. Or brighter at any rate. I hope yours is too.

Love to you all xxx







Header Image taken from Zoella post: https://www.zoella.co.uk/2016/09/fell-in-love-with-edinburgh.html Copyright not my own