Lifestyle blogs we love
Feeling uninspired? Stuck in a rut? If your life could do with a serious overhaul, we've found some excellent bloggers to help you on your way. From revamping your wardrobe to getting off the beaten track abroad, let these lifestyle bloggers inspire you!
A Life of Geekery
Vicki is a self-confessed geek (a real one - she writes pub quizzes!) and she loves to blog her favourite recipes and culinary creations.
You'll find a diverse range of recipes here. Like oriental cuisine? Try the sesame pork noodles. Prefer something for a sweet tooth? The almond butter cups are probably right up your alley! At 'A Life of Geekery' you'll also find a smattering of home interior design and kitchen must-haves.
We really love her clever pinwheel sandwiches. Just wrap cucumber, ham and cream cheese into a pretty tortilla spiral - perfect for a healthy kids' lunch!
Bangs and a Bun
Muireann is more than just her hair (although that is utterly fabulous). She's also a writer, fashionista and exercise enthusiast who writes about everything from style to female empowerment. Phew!
You'll find lots of genuinely useful, down to earth advice at this wonderful blog. Muireann writes honestly about getting what you want at work, accepting your friends' life decisions, and the fact that everyone needs to cry once in a while.
We particularly love her enthusiasm for exercise, especially running. She mentors young runners and recently helped two girls run a half marathon - they finished in good time and she learned plenty from them along the way.
Do What You Love
A website packed with useful tools and exercises to help you get the most out of your life. Find the wisdom distilled on their lovely blog, where the theme of this month is exploration!
You'll find amazing advice here for everything from getting more adventure out of life, to learning how to be more creative. There are inspirational quotes and interviews with people who are doing what they love (and they think you should too)!
We really love the post about making time - it's all about taking time away from the computer and getting outside as a family. What could be better?
Eat Like a Girl
As you might have guessed, this blog revolves around all things food. Niamh writes about recipes, restaurants and where to get a good meal when you're off travelling.
You'll also get a sneak peek behind the scenes of some great cooking events, like Niamh's mouthwatering Sunday Bacon Club, celebrating the tastiet of meats. You can also discover the processes behind the food you eat, such as cheese-making in Italy!
We can't get enough of her recipe for prawn kebabs with cous cous and chilli tomato sauce - ideal for a barbecue on a warm summer's evening.
Fat Frocks
Gem only wears dresses (no trousers here!) and she started this blog as a place to show off her impressive collection of plus-sized frocks.
This fab blogger continues to write her staple outfit posts, but there are also tasty recipes, events and other musings to get your teeth into here. You'll find loads of ideas to help you revamp your wardrobe and dress stylishly for any occasion, whatever your size.
We really love her meringue kisses post - such a simple idea, but it makes for a truly divine dessert!
Incurably Curious
It's good to be curious, and this blogger makes the most of her curiosity by investigating the cool, quirky stuff there is to do in our capital city.
She writes about every aspect of life, from work to romance, personal organisation to the pain of being 25. All of her posts are both insightful and hilarious, as she faces life with an irreverent (and totally addictive) sense of humour.
We particularly love her 9 tips for unproductive people, including making lists, tidying up and even filming yourself (yes, really!).
Little Winter
A girl, a boy, a cat and a hamster - that's who you'll find at Little Winter. Follow their adventures in fashion, travel and dreams for the future at this beautiful blog.
We love this fashion-conscious pair, and they have loads of great ideas to get a little Winter style in your life. Why not try using courgette instead of pasta with your next meatball meal? Or redecorating your spare room in chic neutral tones?
We particularly love their advice about relaxing at the weekend - it's about striking a balance between being productive and letting yourself chill out (although this blogger discovered she's not really the relaxing kind!).
Love Audrey
Franky tries to emulate the beautiful Audrey Hepburn in everything she does, and here you can take inspiration for your wardrobe and makeup from the great lady too!
This glamorous blogger loves to write about all the things that make her smile, including days out with her family and the things she has learned in her 20s. This funny, family-centric blog can help you refocus your life on the things that are important to you.
We really love her post about her recent birthday. There was plenty of time with the family, good food and, of course, a showing of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'!
Nishaantishu
This heavenly blog is all about life, laughter and travel. From Bermuda to Hackney, Freya has come a long way but she's never stopped noticing the things that make her smile.
Rediscover the beauty of the little things at Nishaantishu. There's calligraphy, fashion, photography, food and drink ... everything you need to help you take a little time out of your day and relax. (Oh, and there's a completely adorable dog called Molly too.)
We particuarly love Freya's passion for photography. She writes about how important it is to pour yourself into doing what you love and in her case that's producing stunning photographs, such as this one from her trip to India!
Poppy loves eating out, reading books, travelling, crafting, fashion... The list is long and this blog has something for everyone!
Packed with wonderful things to do and see - especially if you live in London - you can get some adventure in your life thanks to Poppy Loves. It's hard to be stuck in a rut when you can constantly discover new sights to see and recipes to try.
We can't get enough of her post about Wilderness Festival: a vibrant, child-friendly festival with plenty of quirky things for adventurers to do!
Rock My Style
This team of bloggers is here to help bring style into every corner of your life, from your home to your wardrobe to your makeup table.
There are so many fantastic categories, you might not know where to begin! We recommend 'Real Style' to check out the wardrobes of some very impressive fashionistas, and 'City Guides' to get some cool tips for what to do on your next city break.
We really love their house tour of a one-bed 'cluster house'. It may be small, but it packs a huge design punch thanks to its gorgeous monochrome interior!
Steve Booker
A lifestyle blog with a gentlemanly twist, Steve Booker is a place for aficianados of photography, technology and good quality coffee.
He compiles awesome monthly playlists so you'll always have something new to listen to, and his travels to test out the latest technology will make sure you're always informed about the cutting edge of the industry.
We particuarly love his post about sublety in styling. You don't have to be super flashy all the time - just take note of details like watches and classic shoes and you're sure to get noticed!
The Little Loaf
Kate believes that eating is more than just a necessity, and given that she has had a passion for baked goods since the age of two, we can see why!
Of course, bread recipes are a staple here, as well as biscuits, cakes and pastries. Even if you can't make these goodies yourself, you can still enjoy the food photography on this blog - we guarantee it will have you drooling.
We think the feta and thyme soda bread sounds absolutely heavenly - Kate recommends drizzling it with honey for a truly sumptuous snack.
Top With Cinnamon
At Top With Cinnamon you can follow Izy's adventures in cooking, as she creates all manner of treats from beautiful breakfasts to delicious desserts.
As well as classic recipe posts, you'll find handy tips to improve your cooking, such as how to shape a pretzel or (perhaps a more important life skill) how to make a pizza on a barbecue. You really won't regret visiting this absolutely mouthwatering blog!
We simply adore her chocolate and cherry meringue stack. It looks wickedly indulgent and it's gluten-free so everybody can enjoy it.
If you would like to nominate a blog to be part of our network, do get in touch at dotcomgiftshopblog@gmail.com.