5 Changes I'm Making To My Instagram

Like NO, you're addicted to Instagram. Without realising, or maybe with a little bit of intention to put my finger up to the Instagram algorithm, I've really started to change a few key things about the way I post and engage on Instagram. Girl, gotta do what a girl gotta do to get more than 11 likes in 3 hours at the moment. What about that? 

I've also unfollowed a lot of accounts recently to have a bit of a 'mental' declutter. Too much time is spent following people we only follow out of 'well they're following me' and 'I'll feel bad if I unfollow them' - the worst that's gonna happen is they're gonna see your name pop up on Instatrack (and that's only if they're an addict), they'll get over it. Same can't be said when someone unfollows me who I have devotedly followed for years, but whatevs.

I've started to make these 5 conscious changes over the last month or so and I'm really happy with my place on Instagram at the moment, despite the *cough* non existent likes. 

#1. Longer Instagram Captions

I feel like I'm always harking on about longer Instagram captions, well that probably has something to do with the fact I've mentioned it in the last few posts, soooo. But an attractive, visual image is just not enough these days. I want real life, I want to see an insight into peoples lives, know what made their day, what embarrassing moment that should never be shared but does and we laugh because we know we do it too. 

I've started to write captions in the way I speak on a personal level, because that's ME. Sometimes I'm still like 'This is a cute bag' - but I'm getting there, and the Instagram captions are taking progressively longer to write, but I like it. Someone that nails this is of course the queen who is Hannah Gale - love her meaty and witty captions.

#2. More iPhone Shots

Corrr the iPhone 6 takes a good photo, doesn't it. Well, sometimes. My DSLR makes my skin look all pretty, and WOW is that even me? But the iPhone camera gets more of the outfit and location you're shooting at in. I prefer these raw shots, and I'll always add a good dose of brightness and contrast to it as well that by the time I'm finished it's good enough quality to post.

Going back to the accounts I've been unfollowing recently, it has mostly been bloggers with editorial, photoshopped and unattainable pictures and lifestyles. I'm never going to be able to travel the world and constantly live in bikinis nor do I even want to own every new designer bag that comes out. For me personally these images don't have any personality or character that I can relate to. It's a lifestyle I'm not interested in, so more relatable shots are the way forward for me. Plus my flat lays always look 100% better on my iPhone, so there's that.

#3. Comment on 5 Photos A day

Okay, so I'm not limiting myself to 5 here, but it's a target. Nobody got time for Instagram pods, but as I'm scrolling through pictures, like them and think that looks amazing, why am I not commenting? Sharing the love is the best way to engage and build a rapport with the other persons account. They may even repay the favour on a photo of yours. Maybe.

Engagement is key to beating the bloody algorithm and I ALWAYS try to reply to all comments on my photos, even if it is a 'thanks lovely'. Lol.

#4. I Have A Theme

Like how did that happen? An actual theme I try to follow, well most of the time. I'm losing my mind trying to get it back onto track since coming back from Paris though. A theme is hard to follow when you actually have more plans than coming home from work and slobbing out on the sofa. 

It's been since I moved into my own home that it has changed, probably something to do with the fact everything is white, pink or copper. I only shoot outfit pictures against pastel walls now too, and I love it! I even shot some against the lilac walls of council flats last week, ingenious and effective! Also people really love the PINK - I always get my most likes with pinks, whites and well Instagrammable backgrounds!

#5. Mix It Up More

Looking back I'm really interior focused, then fashion and then just food, mostly food. I have a thing where I feel funny if I post 2 food photos in a row, or they fall on top of each other, I don't know if that's an OCD thing if I'm just really, really not well.

I haven't shared any interior posts for a while and I love doing them as I always get a lot of engagement on them. It's like getting that work/life balance right, so hard to master but once you're done it's easy! I think I need to schedule things in advance to try and really nail this. So expect more variety, food, fashion, interior, and not much else!

Have you made any changes to how you post recently? What do you think about my changes?

Follow me on Bloglovin , Twitter , Instagram

I Went To My First Networking Event & This Is What Happened

Last Thursday I entered the unknown and mysterious world of networking, a private event for old white men in suits if you will, because it was exactly that.

I've been wanting to go to a networking event for a while now, not necessarily to gain anything, but for experience and to see what this parallel universe to reality was actually like. And I'm not talking about blogger networking events where all the seats are pink and you pose for selfies for the whole evening. I was glad I went with my friend Brett, because let's just say I'd probably have got bored of talking to myself after 10 minutes.

The evening was held at the Gin Distillery Refectory Bar on the Barbican, Plymouth, perfectly fitting for a teetotal 24 year old who only wants to drink lemonade, lol life. The evening is known as the 6 o clock club, v catchy seeing as it is held at 6pm and not 6:30pm like I thought until I was frantically rushing home in 5:30pm traffic.

We arrived on the dot at 6pm like the totally fashionable and cool people that we are. There was only a handful of people when we arrived so there was limited options to get amongst people. This is an event that is held once a month so it did feel cliquey, like seriously though, what group of Middle Aged people are going to want to talk to someone who looks 16 and ask what barbies she played with on the weekend, no one. It will be no one.

2 gin and tonics down for Brett, and half a lemonade for me, we finally plucked the courage up to talk to someone. Like another person. I was nervous. Despite recognising this person from the business park that I work on, he pretended he'd never seen me before, not embarrassing one bit. This guy really liked laughing at his own jokes that were NOT FUNNY and he also found it totally hilarious when I mentioned that there are a group of bloggers in Plymouth that brunch once a month. Like the obnoxious middle aged man that I expected to be at this event, I moved swiftly on and vowed to never say hello to him next time I bumped into him at work. 

We were getting more into it and even managed to speak to 2 other people. Now if 2 and a half hours of only speaking to 3 people is not 10/10 networking then I don't know what is! The other 2 people were interesting, one seemed to be working the event as a recruiter, and the other a man who thought that just doing Facebook boosted posts is a job. Not even the content, nope. Literally just putting a budget onto a post and clicking boost. Lol. Enough said. There were some interesting characters for sure and albeit it probably wasn't for me. However, I'm glad I have dipped my toes into the networking thing and it's fair to say I learnt these 3 things about the evening that will help me to do bigger and better again, Just maybe not at THAT event.

1) Actually network. Try to talk to more than 3 people, at least I have a target to beat next time, huh?

2)Don't laugh when people are speaking. I was that totally rude and embarrassing person that was laughing during mid conversation. I'm sorry, but when Brett was explaining his job and that 'I do a bit on the side too' - I totally couldn't keep it together, and yes I am totally immature.

3) Networking doesn't make you a better person. If you go to regular networking events you're a likeable, excellent business person with solid connections, right? Well maybe, but I don't see it that way. Networking isn't for everyone, and I think it's quite a skill to have. Maybe it works for middle aged people, but millennials are not 40 year olds and the way we do things is so different these days. So if that's blogging brunches, meeting people on Twitter or sliding into someones DM'S then that's how we do it. That's the way I like it.

Haver you ever been to a networking event?

Follow me on Bloglovin , Twitter , Instagram

The Pink Velvet Shoes Everyone Needs In Their Life

GUYS, look how candid I am. Can always count on my mum making me laugh after calling my dad a stupid man for ringing her 4 times in a row when HE KNEW WE WERE DOING OUTFIT PHOTOS THOUGH. Men, huh?

Enough about that, let's turn our attention to the real stars of the show here. The sneaks. I have fallen hook, line and sinker for these beauties from Rocket Dog and I don't care who knows. 

I thought my glittery pink brogues were my favourite ever shoes, but I appear to be mistaken. Velvet, pink and ribbons - what more could a girl seriously want, huh? I've really moved towards sneakers, flat shoes over the last year and if that doesn't shout IM GETTING OLD, I don't know what is. Or maybe I've dealt with enough blisters to last a lifetime that my poor feet deserve better. I'm 167% taking these on my trip to Paris in a couple of weeks, as there is going to be a lot of walking, but I also need to look v cute for those Eiffel Tower shots, and these velvet sneaks are a must!

It feels good to be back with a bit of fashion content, I'm already feeling 10 times happier with my new approach to these as my content was getting samey and I wasn't always happy with the pictures. After revisiting 4 of my favourite blog posts and my old type of content, going back to basics is what works best, remembering why you first started. I mean the 10's of comments my blog used to get might not exist these days, but if I'm happy with my content and my outfit what else matters? You do you.

Top - Topshop

Jacket - Zara

Jeans - Hollister

Magic Pink Crush Velvet Sneakers* - Rocket Dog

Are you a fan of these sneakers? What is your ultimate pair of shoes?

*Products marked with an asterix (*) have been sent to me for review. However, all opinions in this post are 100% my own

Follow me on Bloglovin , Twitter , Instagram

10 Things That Only Happen On An All Inclusive Holiday

I mean I DO love waking up somewhere different every morning on a cruise, having my crumbs brushed off the table and donning a different ball gown every night, but needs must, and this girl bought a house this year.

So, this summer I went on my first all inclusive holiday, as an adult. I didn't know what to expect except England tops, tattoos, multicoloured desserts and the fear of getting food poisoning that was almost stopping me from getting on that plane, almost. English people flock to all inclusive holidays every year, because HELLO free food and alcohol for a whole week, your clothes won't fit when you return, but you gave it your all.

I actually had a really good time, but the lack of pink walls had me freaking out and I am laughing so much at these 10 things that literally only happen on an all inclusive holiday...

#1. The Judgement At Dinner Time

Yes, I only want to have Pizza and Chips for tea every night like a child, and wot? You hate waiting in the queue when you know you only want the pizza, like a school dining hall EVERYONE who is everyone looks up from their table and peers at your plate when you walk past, even the kids. You hold your plate up higher each time so no one can judge you on your eating habits.

Just FYI, pizza and chips after a whole week will nearly send you over the edge.

#2. No One Dresses Up

LOL. At least I didn't buy 7 nice new dresses for the holiday. Helps you cut down on your suitcase space, because why not just wear the neon bikini and see through kaftan you did to the pool all day, cuts down on washing when you're home too. 

So all inclusive holidays are NOT like cruises, wear your rags down to the buffet in the evening and less people will gawp at you than when you wear that cute new dress from Topshop. 

#3. Sunbed Runs

Apparently people miss their 6am alarm at home so much that they just let it run through. Hmm I know what 6am is perfect for on holiday, reserving the sunbeds. The sunbeds we won't actually use until 12pm. 

The same family hogs the same sunbeds for the whole holiday, a bit like how cats territorially wee on their walls to show it's theirs. 

#4. You Forget What Hunger Feels Like

Well, you gotta get your money's worth, right? You eat everything, you eat because you can, and you almost certainly can't remember what it's like to feel hungry. Wait, people don't eat until they're hungry?

That will be one full stack of pancakes every breakfast followed by all the pastries, oh and no fruit, don't be silly. Plate of fries every lunchtime, has to be finished with something sweet. You'll then snack some more and come dinner time, your dessert has to be at least 4 cakes because, let's face it, why bother else?

#5. Welcome Rep Meeting

Oh the welcome meetings? Yep, except you never go to those. Why do you need to be told what to do on an all inclusive holiday WHEN THERE IS NOTHING OUTSIDE THESE FOUR WALLS. Skip the chat and reserve those sunbeds before anyone else does.

#6. All Day Drinking

Excuse me, but I didn't think I was staying on the strip of Malia with my mates for a week. If there's something Brits love more than junk food, it's alcohol. The bar opens at 10am and shuts and midnight, and they'll be sat there out in the sun with their beer and fag for the duration. Every. day. for.a.whole.week. You might even get to hear your neighbour being sick in the night too. You're just praying it's not something they ate in the restaurant...

#7. You Don't Leave The Resort For The Entire Stay

There is nothing. You don't remember reading that there was nothing to do within 167490 miles of the resort. I mean, take your pick from the offering of 3 English bars and a Chinese restaurant. 

The only thing to do is sunbathe, swim and eat for the whole week. The most cultural thing about an all inclusive holiday in Spain is the rice pudding for the dessert. That was probably tinned.

#8. You Go To Bed at 10pm

If you like evening entertainment like they have on Benidorm then crack on. If not it's back to your room by 10pm, because you forgot there wasn't anything else to do here. Maybe you'll watch sky news again or watch everything you downloaded from Netflix before you went away. Or most probably you'll fall asleep by 10pm because sunbathing and eating all day kinda takes it out for you.

#9. 'That' Wristband

The wristband that a) grants you all your food and drink for the week b) ruins all your outfit photos (like NO that is not a cute green bracelet) and C) looks like you discharged yourself from the local hospital (plz see photo above). I hope to god people do not leave these on like people do with festival wristbands, because v ugly.

#10. The Sunburn

Apparently English people have not heard of sun protection, because come 8pm in the 'canteen' - you can't tell the difference between your sachet of Tommy K and the lady from 2 tables down face. Ouch.

If you didn't get sunburn on holiday did you even go on an all inclusive holiday though?

Follow me on Bloglovin , Twitter , Instagram