AOGs Tips: How To Start A Blog

Good afternoon you lovely lot.

In June it will be a total of 2 years I have been blogging on AOG.

Whats noticeable from 2 years now how social attitudes to blogs have changed dramatically. When I started out my blog I kept it a secret for a really long time- I'm not really sure why. I was developing my writing skills and the way I took my images and I suppose when I started out I wanted it be for only other bloggers to read not for family and friends.

Nowadays I have personal friends on my AOG twitter feed and if they would like to read the links I post up there then that's up to them, I'm actually very blessed to have friends that are very supportive of my blog. I know theres always ways to improve but I am really happy with the way my blog and blog content have developed over the years.

I have a few personal friends now that have their own blogs, and I love reading them. I get asked A LOT "How Do You Start Your Own Blog?"so I thought I would write this post and let you into a few things Ive learnt along the way.

Before you do anything

Pour yourself a brew, you need to catch yourself on a day where your under no time constraints and are in a productive mood.

Find Yourself A Unique Name

Think of something that is personal to you, it may be your name. I chose Aspirations Of Glam because when I started out I wasn't sure precisely which topics I wanted to blog about. Now I can tell you this is a beauty fashion and lifestyle blog. But if you want to write a blog about makeup only then you may want to feature that as part of your blog name. Choose something that stands out and is remeberable "Liz Does Beauty 2013 23" may not seem relevant if your going to blog over a year.

See Which Names Are Taken

Do a little research on twitter/ other blogs. The more unique your blog name is the better. This way readers will be able to find you. As an avid blog reader myself I may not remember the web addresses of my favourite blogs but its nothing a little Google search can fix provided I remember the blog name.

Get Yourself A Blog Layout.

If your new to blogging then dont worry yourself too much about this part. I would suggest starting out you use a simple template and when your blog starts to take shape you can play with HTML and get your blog looking the way you would like. There are loads of HTML tutorials to help you achieve the layout you want. 

Dont be overwhelmed by the pretty layouts of those that have been blogging for years and years. When it comes to blogging if your writing and content is excellent then you will gain readers that will return again and again.

Get Social Media Savvy

If you want to expand your readership then you need to think along the lines of social media.

At present I have a Twitter, Hello Cotton, Bloglovin, Facebook and Instagram account all in the name of "Aspirations Of Glam".

Obviously I didnt set all of these up overnight its was a natural progression overtime.

But if I were to pick two of the above lists I would stongly suggest Twitter & Bloglovin'.

Twitter is key, through this you will be open to like-minded people. In the beauty blogging community theres are weekly chats using the hashtag #bbloggers, fashion bloggers also use the hashtag #fbloggers and hold weekly discussions. At the end of every chat all of those that have taken part in the chat exhange web links, this is a huge opportunity to network and to find yourself some great new blogs.

 

Get Involved

Chances are if your starting a blog its because you already read them and have been inspired to start your own. Read up on posts and make sure you comment on those that you like. Take inspiration from other blogs but DONT reduplicate. The uniqueness of a community is what makes it great.

 

Be True To Yourself

Dont feel pressured to buy the "it" product, write about the things you enjoy. Take pretty pictures and share them on your blog, write about what inspires you and what your goals are. This is your space to express yourself-be true to you.

 

Don't Expect It To Happen Overnight

Blog readership is something that happens over time. No matter how unique and inspiring your blog may be the fact is gaining a readership takes a really long time. Make sure you blog for you whether you have 1 subscriber of 100,000. Write about the things that you like and in time like minded people will follow.

 

Accept It When Blogging Cant Come First

We all have crap weeks- don't feel the need to write a five paragraph explanation of where you have been, life just gets in the way sometimes. As as reader of blogs I know that if one of my favourite bloggers hasn't uploaded a post for a while it makes me anticipate the next post even more. If your having a crap time and want to write about it that's totally up to you- at the end of the day its your blog and your space to express yourself!

 

Have Fun With It

Dont make blogging a chore. Enjoy it and when you don't have time think about stepping back a bit. Try to keep your content fresh and current, I have had a lot of positive experiences from blogging and I really hope if your reading this with the intention of setting up a blog that you do to!

So fellow bloggers, what other advise would you offer to another person if they were thinking of setting up their own blog?

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Lusting For Springtime Jumpers

Although it’s mid March and Easter bank holiday is rapidly approaching (hurrah!)  there’s still an undeniable chill in the air. I’m getting all excited for wearing pastels this springtime and eyeing up my Essie Candy Apple nail varnish in full preparation. My shopping splurge last weekend consisted of loads of soft springtime hues ….the only thing is alone they are rather chilly outfits and I didn’t think as far layering more like “ahh a spring dress perfect”, now I realised how flawed that was given the climate!

Ever heard of the expression “Don’t cast a clout until Mays out”?  Its only since I’ve been working a commutes worth away that I’ve come across all of these northern-isms I had never heard of before. In short this means don’t put all of your knits into storage until Mays in full swing and (hopefully) the accompanying joyous weather is in full bloom, (and isn’t this being proven right at the moment!) The thing is my knits are all grey and dismal colours and after donning them all winter the last thing I want to do is layer them over a pretty lace springtime dress. I always forget how chilly it can get particularly in the evenings so it’s always serves well to have a backup jumper at hand even in the summertime. I also have a cute sleeveless not-at-all-appropriate-unless-layered shirt style denim dress which looks adorable the collar and skirt peeping out of a jumper with a statement necklace.

I’ve been eyeing up some of New Look’s lightweight jumpers. There’s some really nice spring-appropriate colours. I’m really lusting the mint green and this cream heart stud jumper, their just so delicate and their shades are perfectly spring appropriate.  It goes without saying mint green was perhaps a little overdone last season but looks certain to be a trend that will come around again this season and its a colour I wish I had paid more attention to last colour as it is so flattering to all hair types/skin tones. Along with pastels I also think that neon knits and crochet are going to be seen a lot over S/S 2013. Mint green look so great layered up with other pastels or perhaps under my blush pink blazer with some skinnies, simples.


Are you going to be rocking jumpers over Spring/Summer?

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Goodbye Google Reader

So there is a huge little panic this week over news that Google has given us a final date (July 1st) in which they will remove Google Feeder permanently. Its removal is a conspiracy which has always floated around social media since I began blogging,  part of me isn't surprised at all.

 

 

 

To stay in touch with AOG please have a look at the following links.

    

 

I have just imported my subscription list to Bloglovin', just now and its super easy and doesn't take up much time, for a tutorial please have a look at this great tutorial by Maria

 

Its a bit or a nightmare for anyone like me that regularly reads blogs, but I do really like the Bloglovin' format so I will be taking myself over there for future cuppa tea and Sunday reads.

 

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900 Follower MAC Giveaway Winner

Firstly thank you ever so much to everyone who took the time to enter this giveaway by tweeting/commenting following Aspirations of Glam on Facebook.

 

I am happy to announce that the winner is…..*drum roll* Computer Girl!!

Congratulations! I will be sending you the beautiful colour of Girl about Town in the post…hurrah!Please look out as im sure there will be more giveaways on AOG in the future!

 

 

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Where Have You Been?

So what have I been up to lately...?

Working 45 hours a week and training to run a half marathon has made life pretty hectic. I am so thankful that its getting lighter outside because this means I will be able to road run on week nights.

Progress so far is going well, my run app indicates I have ran a total of 26 road miles since the beginning of February and my longest runs are two sets of 7 mile runs. My poor feet are getting a bit tired now so I tend to aim for one big run a week and two little runs in the gym if at all possible in the week. I'm working out 3-4 times a week at the moment and weirdly really enjoying it. On top of my half marathon I am going to enter for a 10K run at the start of April to give me an experience of running at an event and of course raise some money for charity.

I have been pretty awful at setting up a Just giving page at present, in fact I did it today in the office link but I have some fundraiser ideas involving a weekend full of baking in order to raise some sponsorship for Dementia UK.

All this running really has toned me up and my boyfriend even commented that  I "looked good" the other week which is remarkable as sometimes I'm sure if I wore an alien head he wouldn't notice....god love him.
 

 

On top of this I have a million and one things to save for:

My dads birthday- March

My boyfriends birthday- April
My brother birthday- April
 
Car tax-May
Car Insurance- July

Holiday of a lifetime involving 6 weeks travelling Asia- May-July

I was awfully naughty at the weekend and went shopping in a foul mood and spent a lot of money that I HADNT budgeted for. Although I'm kicking myself  I now have a spring ready wardrobe and this has been my first big shop since last year which for me in itself is an achievement. Most of the items I bought are for holiday so I'm kind of writing it off as an "essential shopping trip".....say what you like retail therapy works!

I have a little note pad in which I have written down all of the above things I need to save for and a guideline of how I'm going to do it. Saving setbacks happen and I haven't put myself in debt or in a position where I wont be able to save for all of the above things so my little hiccup is partially justified in my mind!

All in all I cant wait for the weather to heat up a little more and its only 10 weeks until I go to Asia for 6 weeks, I'm super busy but feeling really positive about whats around the corner.

What are your current goals?

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YSL Touche Eclait Foundation Review

When it comes to foundations I much prefer a dewy base. I have a lot of love for Estee Lauder’s matt double wear foundation because of its longevity and office appropriate durability, but a dewy base is no1 for me, and its around spring time I look for a lighter coverage foundation to let my skin breathe a little more as the weather (potentially!?) gets warmer.

I purchased Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclait around Christmas time with super high hopes. The foundation bottle as with all YSL packaging is a product of beauty. Its iconic gold lid and delicate gold writing makes it an appealing little bottle to sit on my dressing table,who doesn’t like a bit of decadence?! It would be moronic to not mention the inspiration of this foundation: YSLs touché eclait highlighter which has been a must have product for many years known for its highlighting properties and this foundation was a highly anticipated product by many woman all over the world.

I like the gold pump (take note Estee Lauder double wear), I like YSLs expansive colour range and different selections of colour tones, and I do think I have a good match to my skin tone. It’s just I haven’t enjoyed this product as much as I had hoped, having worn it on nights out any sort of camera flashback gives me a ghostly appearance rather than a glowy one. The foundation is slightly scented which I could do without and unfortunately it does not last on my skin for the endurance of my hours in the office and the formula is a bit runnier than I would like. After a little research I am going to give this a try applying this with my fingers. I’ve not given up on this foundation as I think it will fit the bill for a slighter spring/summer foundation, but I am somewhat underwhelmed. Ive made no secret of my hunt for a Chanel pro lumiere dupe in the past, and unfortunately this isn’t the one.

Have you ever tried Touche Eclait foundation?

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Mothers Day Gift Ideas

 Mothers day is only a week away...

I'm sure if your mother is anything like mine I ask her on any present giving occasion what she would like and its always the same answer "oh I don't need anything"....this is never helpful when regardless of whether she "needs" anything I will be buying her a gift.

I think when it comes to mothers day its more about the sentiment than how lavish your present is. This year I'll be purchasing my mum some Chanel perfume. This is because she would never purchase it for herself and for the first time I am not a poor student and can afford to push the boat out slightly more than before, I also know that she will really appreciate the gesture.

I think the ideas below are soo cute!

1. Next Flowers

2. Chanel Allure perfume- Boots

3. Heart Shaped chocolates- Thorntons

4. Vanilla Cupcake Candle- Yankee

5. Heart Shaped Baking Tin- M&S

6. Jewellery Storage- M&S

What will you be buying for others day this year?

 

P.S only a week left to enter my MAC giveaway, click here for all the details.