BLOGGING ESSENTIALS

Through personal preference, there are a lot of things that I like to have desk-side when I am writing a blog post, or planning one, which includes a few beauty bits, some stationery and the technology bits and bobs.

Technology: When I am writing a post, I will always use the laptop, as this is just easy to type on (I'm sure the space is running low with the amount of photos I have on there), and makes the whole process easy. This is a family laptop which we have had for a good possibly 5 years and I have kind of inherited it now as a new one entered the household. It has been through a lot; smashed screens, viruses, and some of the keys have even gone faulty, but for the time being it serves me well enough.
My iPad Mini is something I always have nearby in case I want to do some quick research, have an Instagram check-in, or watch all the videos from the current youtuber obession - this device comes in pretty handy.

Water, lots of the stuff. Remember my New Year's resolution to drink more of the stuff, well I have been sticking to it. A pen and my blogging book are always nearby, so that I can flick through the notes I have made for an upcoming edit, or just to write down my blog's current stats. Whichever it is, they are a must have for me.

Of course, being a beauty blogger and all, I like to have a few products nearby. Maybe the one I am reviewing at the time, or I like to have a lip balm, and some hand cream as recently my hands have been so dry. Also, I like to paint my nails whilst either typing, editing photos, or watching youtube videos. What you see here is the Burt's Bees Beeswax Lipbalm, the Rimmel 60Seconds Nail Polish in Rose Libertine, Burt's Bees Hand Salve, and my current obsession which is Soap & Glory Hand Food. 

What are your blogging essentials?

 

BLOGGERS BLOCK

I have been running out of time this past week, and unfortunately that means I have been putting off posts/having no time or motivation to write any. It was my first week back at school this week (I know, I know, I only had 4 weeks summer break, lets all moan about it for a second...), and I have already had quite a bit of homework. I did have a post in the making, but halfway through I decided I didn't want to finish it.

If you could leave any kind of suggestions in the comments for posts, they would be highly appreciated!

Also, I am 2 followers away from 100 followers, and also from 80 on Bloglovin! Can we get get me there by the end of the week? I'm counting on you guys!

Lauren x

NEW LAYOUT

 After blogging on this blog for a few months, and constantly faffing around here and there with widgets, banners, and sidebars, I realised I was just not happy with my blog layout- and I wasn't prepared to spend the money I didn't even have on a full blown fancy layout.  

I had been following a lovely blogger who creates blog designs for a while now, and they had just released a free simple blog template download, so I was right on it, and I have that all here for your eyes to see. I am hoping I can spend more time on quality posts rather than juggling that with tinkering with the layout. I love the simplicity of this layout, but it also adds a nice pop of colour to the layout. I am a little obsessed.

I'm hoping this will encourage me to think up amazing ideas, and really get into detail with my (admittedly at the moment rather slacking) blog posts.

   

It is always good to keep your eyes peeled in the blogging world, because you never know what you might stumble upon!

Lauren x

*UPDATE - I changed it, again... oops. But I am very happy with my layout now so I don't plan  on changing it again*

Behind The Scenes of Blogging TAG | Created by Me!

Hi everyone! This is the second blogging TAG I have made now, and I am so excited to tag everyone! I will get onto the rules, as every tag comes with some of them!

COPY AND PASTE THE RULES

1. You MUST state that this TAG was created by www.thebeaubow.blogspot.com (Lauren)

2. You must use the image I have provided in this post on your post.

3. You must title this post 'Behind the Scenes of Blogging TAG' so everyone knows what it is about!

4. You must tag at least one other person, but there is not a maximum limit! -You will need to comment on their blog to let them know that they are tagged.

5. Thank the person who tagged you and link their blog.

6. You must answer all the questions

7. HAVE FUN!

 

 

 

Onto the questions:

1. Do you plan for each/some of your blog posts, if so, how do you do this?

I do, I mainy lay in bed if I can't sleep and think about posts and things, which is weird, and I also like to write it in my blogging notebook, which leads onto the next question!

 

2. Do you have a blogging notebook/diary where you write and plan about things to do with your blog?

Yep, as I just said in the last question. I did a post about it HERE so you can check that out after reading this post, and I find it really helpful when planning.

 

3. Do you feel pressured to buy things so that you have something to review on your blog?

At the moment, in the time I have been writing on this blog, I haven't had any problems with not having anything to post, but on my old blog, I ran out of nail polish to review, which lead to me spending a great deal of money, and I now have a mass of unwanted polishes...Blog Sale anyone?

 

4. Has the style of your posts/blog been influenced by someone else. If so, who?

I love Megan at www.thebeautypier.blogspot.com 's blog, and I like to look at her blog for inspiration. The other main few contenders are I Covet Thee, Zoella, Sprinkle of Glitter, Wonderland Wardrobe, and one of the main ones is Lily Melrose (llymlrs and etcllymlrs).You should all know who they are! I love them all!

 

5. What are your favourite posts to plan and write about?

I really love planning collection posts, whether that be fashion, nail polish or makeup related, they are just so fun to write! I also love OOTD posts, putting outfits together is so theraputic!

 

6. Do you think that your knowledge of makeup (and applying it) has improved because of blogging?

Definitely! A year or two ago, you could hand me a highlighter and I wouldn't know where it would go! I feel like I learn more and more when I watch tutorials on youtube, and looks people have created on blogs!

 

7. Do you test all products for a certain amount of time before you review them?

Kind of!? I won't test all products for the same amount of time, I just wait until I feel like I can write a good wad of honest text about a product.

 

8. Do you have any other websites for your blog? (e.g, twitter, youtube, bloglovin', or a facebook page etc.)

I have Twitter, Bloglovin' and Youtube! No facebook page yet, maybe one day?! I find that using other sites will get your blog more noticed after time.

 

9. Do you feel the need to buy something you have wanted EVEN more when you see your favourite blogger talking about it?

Definitely! If someone says something good about it, I will be in the shop, at that till, spending my pennies on whatever that product may be. I havent done it for a while, as I have tried not to set my eyes on anything, as I am on a spending ban..:(

 

10. Do you find taking pictures to be a chore, or not?

Most certainly not! Taking the pictures for my posts is one of my favourite things to do, I take way more than needed because I am having such a good time haha! I suppose the picture taking would be a chore if you had a bad camera and you weren't getting as many good pictures.

 

Onto Who I TAG!

*You don't have to do this, but it would be nice for a comment and possibly a follow if I do tag you, but no pressure there. You can also do this TAG if i havent tagged you already*

 

TheBeautyPier

Fl0ralKittens

MyRunwayFashionWorld!

Kimberley's Beauty Blog

The Last Broken Road

 Floral Vintage

Modestly Sophisticated

In Charlottes Shoes

Bambi Legs

Thumbelina Lillie

Bold in Ballerinas

My Fashion Tribe

Cinwilson

Fashion Bridge

The Creation of Beauty is Art

SuperCalaFashionstic

 

I hope you guys enjoy this TAG, and let me know if you do it or follow!

Don't forget to follow, comment and ENTER MY GIVEAWAY

Bye! Lauren x

Cute DIY | Money Savings Jar

So, me and Megan spent some time together yesterday, and we discussed that we were going to be going shopping for her birthday in June, so we kind of need to start saving. I had seen it before on instagram and things, but Megan said we should made a savings pot out of an old jam jar and decorate it.

It was so much fun to make, and so theraputic!

We used all sorts of things, fabric, nail polish, paper, pens and other things, and I am really pleased with how my saving pot turned out!

I think it looks very vintage and crafty, and the money is adding up nicely, after looking in purses for change, using all my pennies, and finding an odd note or two. I am going to try and make sure that once the money goes into the pot, it doesn't come out again.

I had a lot of fun making this, let me know inf you are going to make one yourself! If I ever need to save for anything again, I will definitely be makeing more of these, and maybe I will just make one that I put a few coins in everyday for a few months and then treat myself!

Thanks for reading, don't forget to ENTER MY GIVEAWAY HERE, follow, and comment!

Lauren x

Fl0ral Kittens - A new blog to see!

Hi everyone! Just a quick post as a friend of mine has created a new blog, and I know that when I was starting my blog I wanted to try and gain some more followers, so I thought I would give her a shoutout as I know you lovely people will go and help her out!

Her blog is - www.fl0ralkittens.blogspot.com

It's very similar to mine, and I know you will like it!

Be nice! See you in my next post, Lauren x

Orgainised Blogging - My Blogging Book/Diary

Hi everyone!

So, sometimes blogging can get a bit out of hand when you don't know what you need to swatch, and you can't remember all the things you have already taken photos of, and when you don't know all the details about a product. That is why I decided to write notes. I started by writing on an old notebook, but I decided I should invest in a good quality one that will last me for a while.

I found this one in a department kind of store about an hour away from my house called 'Boundary Mills/ Downtown'. It cost me £4.99, which I didn't think was incredibly reasonable, but I fell in love with the print.

HOW CUTE!? Oh, and, ignore the chipped nail polish. Collection 2000 Hot Looks range isn't fab.

Well, do excuse the chipped nail polish... The front and back are the same print with a polka dot spine. The 'bunting' reads 'notes, thoughts, ideas, lists, doodles, dates' and I thought that was so cute!

The full cover.

I love the fact that it looks like someone has actually stuck on small buttons and sequins, as when you look closely you can actually see that they have even printed the illusion of glue onto it! So creative!

Oooh pretty :)

A sneaky peak inside :) the paper is actually very high qualuty and thick.

I wrote in red pen as I thought it matched with the notebook...is that OCD? Ha ha!

This notebook will be something that I will keep forever so that I can remember all about blogging!

It's a super handy idea aswell, is you often feel a little stressed when blog posting!

Thanks for reading, comment and follow! :) (GFC and Bloglovin' - Button to the right)

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheBeauBow