Blogging: How To Get Your Blogging Mojo Back

There's a term us bloggers like to use when we're on a roll, and that's 'blogging mojo'. When you've done a post you're proud of, a bit of networking, replied to your e-mails and feel like an unstoppable force of productivity, that's when you've got your blogging mojo. But what happens when you lose it? Last month I suffered a serious case of blogger's block. My notepads were empty, I had no ideas and couldn't seem to find that motivation to get a post written. When you feel like you've lost your blogging mojo, it's easy to stay uninspired and hard to break out of the cycle. But here are my tips for picking yourself back up again...

 1. Have a Brainstorming Session 
 Burn some candles, clear a space where you can focus and spend some time jotting down ideas. When I'm brain storming, I always use my calender to plan upcoming blog posts. This helps you to keep in mind any holidays or events coming up and gives you a clear visual calendar. Think about what you've been loving lately, current trends, the products you've recently bought, and figure out interesting ways you can write about them. If you incorporate this into your everyday life, then blogging becomes super easy. If you've figured out a way to style a recent trend, or have got your Christmas party outfits planned, share them with your readers. Inspiration is everywhere, just make sure to write down all of your thoughts!

 2. Make use of the 'Notes' section on your phone
I would be completely lost without my iPhone 'Notes' which I use as my diary when I'm out and about. Your phone is always something you have with you, and is really useful for writing rough drafts for posts when you have free time to fill. Inspiration for content can strike in the most unusual places, so making use of your 'Notes' means you can keep all of these ideas in one place. iPhone automatically backs up to your Gmail notes section, too, which makes things even easier!

3. Get Re-connected
One of the most important parts of blogging is keeping up an online presence and posting regularly. If you haven't posted for a while, your blog interaction will take a serious hit. It's really important to stay connected and keep your social media updated so that your readers know about your new posts. Be sure to social out your blog, post on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

4. Read Your Favourite Blogs 
Reading my favourite blogs always motivates me to get blogging. Sometimes you have to remember why you started your blog and what you love about it to get your enthusiasm back. Staying connected with other bloggers is also really important when you feel like you've lost your blogging mojo. They're the people who get where you're coming from and are always on hand for support. Try to schedule in a Twitter chat, use the #fbloggers and #bbloggers tags, and be sure to get back up to speed with other people's blogs and comment on them.

5. Answer Your E-mails! 
Nothing says TRIUMPH like an empty inbox. Working with PR companies is a huge bonus of blogging, but when you're being chased by PRs for blog posts and have dozens of people to reply to, it can get quite stressful. My main tip would be to reply to e-mails as you read to keep on top.  Keeping a log of the products you're reviewing and ticking them off also helps. Try to get a time frame in mind, answer your e-mails and refocus!

What do you do when you feel like you've lost your blogging mojo? Do you agree with these tips?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

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Disclaimer: image via Pinterest

WHAT I WORE | THE BLANKET CAPE

SHOP BLANKET CAPES (DISABLE AD BLOCK)

SHOP THE BOOTS

SHOP THE PLEATED LBD:

SHOP EVERYTHING ELSE:

FOR VISUAL LINKS SEE THE WIDGETS ABOVE
Blanket Cape - TKMAXX (Similar here (use WRAPUP for 24% off,  here, here, here) | Boots - Schuh (sold out) but exactly the same here (Similar here, here, here here, here, here ) | Dress - Topshop  (similar here, here, here) | Handbag - Vivienne Westwood 

Is there anything better than getting to wrap up in a blanket whilst feeling incredibly stylish AND cosy at the same time? I don't think so. A lot of my friends have been a bit confused by how I've been walking around in something that could be a picnic blanket lately. But paired with a pair of thigh high boots, this has to be my favourite trend of the season. I picked mine up in TK Maxx but Boohoo currently stock a similar one (use WRAPUP for 24% off). My favourite ways to style blanket capes are with a simple, basic piece like this pleated dress from Topshop but I've also got my eye on these turtle-neck dresses from ASOS.  I'm all about that Olsen twin, tramp-chic thing, and I guess going out in a blanket kind of hits the nail on the head.
Can we all just take a minute to appreciate my new boots?! When these arrived on my door step it was one of those scream at the postman in happiness, angels singing and rainbows forming kind of moments. I was obsessively checking ASOS like a crazy lady for a similar pair to come back in stock until I found them on Schuh. They've sold out now, like the cleated heeled versions have pretty much everywhere, but you can find the exact same pair on River Island. They're a little pricey but definitely an investment as thigh high boots are the perfect staple piece to dress up any outfit and never go out of style.

What do you think of this outfit? Are you a fan of blanket capes and thigh high boots?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

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My Autumn Face

MAC Mineralize Moisture Foundation | MAC Pro Longwear Concealer | Too Faced Long Wear Lipstick in 'Melted Violet'* | Benefit Hervana Blush* | Benefit Majorette Blush*

SHOP THE POST:

Let's be real. Being a final year student, my daily make-up menu consists of a one-sweep wonder eyeshadow and neutral lip to power through the day. But I can never part from my love for bright, bold lipsticks for long, and lately it's been all about the purple. I blogged about my three favourite shades recently, so here's the Too Faced Long Wear Lipstick in 'Melted Violet' in action. This is one of those 'wam, bam, thank you ma'am' kind of lipsticks which is why it I love it so much. It has the texture of a gloss but packs crazy pigmention and doesn't feel gloopy and gross on your lips.

Onto skin, I was convinced by one of the MAC girls to switch up my MAC Studio Fix for the MAC Mineralize Moisture Foundation. In the summer months I'd been on the hunt for something that wasn't going to dry out during the day and didn't feel so heavy on the skin. This foundation is a good medium coverage, perfect if you don't have much you need to cover up and makes a much lighter to wear alternative to Studio Fix. But if a high coverage and flawless finish is what you're after then go with Studio Fix, all the way. The product I've really fallen in love with from MAC over the past few months has to be the Pro-Longwear Concealer. My NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer had finally given out so I felt like it was time to try something new. I love NARS for a creamier concealer which illuminates the skin in all of the right places. The MAC formula sits is somewhere between creamy and firm, has a matte finish and most importantly does not budge. For a concealer that lasts FOREVER and isn't going to crease on men, MAC has to get my vote over NARS.

Keeping it simple for the eyes, I used 'Naked' from the NAKED1 palette for a neutral base shade and layered 'Woodwinked' from my MAC palette which blends out into the most gorgeous glittery-brown. I haven't been feeling liquid liner lately so used my MAC 'Teddy' eyeliner to line my eyes and blended it out with my Real Techniques detailer brush to smoke it out.

The blush that has been seriously exciting the beauty bloggersphere has been the release of Benefit's Majorette blush. I've never been one for bright blushes, but I've fallen for the silky to powder finish and the soft, peachy glow it gives when applied with my Real Techniques buffing brush. Majorette can also be worn as a primer for your favourite blushers, so I dusted Hervana over my cheeks for a dusty rose finish.

What do you think of this make-up look? Have you tried any of these products? What products are you wearing at the moment?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

WHAT I WORE | THE AUTUMN TWO PIECE

Jacket & Two Piece - Ette Clothing * | Boots - Topshop (similar) | MAC Rebel Lipstick | Ring - Forever21* | Necklace - Brandy Melville

Autumn always brings out my inner witch. Give me berry lips, crystal jewellery and a big, shaggy coat and I'm good to go. If you've been a reader of my blog for a while now, you'll have seen Ette Clothing popping up quite a lot in my outfit posts. I'm a huge fan of their online store for their one off, boho pieces that have that perfect witchy vibe. When I saw this coat pop up on their online store I knew I had to have it, along with this pretty lace two piece that is just a perfect wardrobe staple for mixing and matching.

What do you think of this outfit? What do you love to wear in Autumn?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

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OOTD | A PERSONAL NOTE...

Coat - Primark (similar here & here ) | Dress - Missguided | Boots (currently out of stock) similar here & here - Topshop | Headband* (similar here & here) | Bag* (similar here, here, here)- Forever21 |

I hate to start a blog post with something negative, but it feels a little strange sitting down to ramble about my outfit without some kind of explanation for why I've barely blogged for the past month or so. I see my blog as my creative outlet, and when inspiration isn't striking, or my heart simply isn't in it, it tends to take the back seat. Lately I've been finding it hard to remember my camera or to set aside those few hours to take photos in the sunlight. I'll never desperately try to sell you something on here, everything you read is always written in my own voice and that is why I'm okay with things getting a little personal. If I don't feel that something is 100% then I won't publish it at all, and I've always felt that if a blog isn't personal, then what's the point?

Being a perfectionist is tough to deal with, sometimes it motivates you and other times it leaves you wrapped in a blanket on your bed, ignoring your schedule and watching Orange is The New Black instead. I have to remind myself that it's okay to have these blips. You can't do everything all of the time, and sometimes it's better to just to do nothing at all for a while until you can get it together again. But inevitably, everything starts to pile up, and if you've ever battled with anxiety or OCD you'll know what I mean when you end up procrastinating to the point of what feels like no return. With deadlines looming, work piling up, and graduate anxieties kicking in, my blog just hasn't fit in. I've realised that it's time to get my shit together, but I've only been able to do that with some time to clear my head and get my passion for what I'm doing back.

Anyway, on a happier note, let's talk clothes! This Primark teddy bear coat was such a steal for just £20 and I've barely taken it off since I bought it. I can't really get over the quality of it, it's genuinely just as fluffy as the Topshop ones and is perfect for cold, winter mornings. As for the Missguided dress, I nabbed this in the sale and it's adding to my ever-growing collection of cobalt blue pieces. Headscarves, chunky boots and fluffy coats are everything I love about A/W fashion.

What do you think of this outfit? Have you ever felt like you've lost your blogging mojo? How do you stay on top of things?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo