What It’s REALLY Like Being a Full Time Fashion Blogger (Who’s Not a Super Blogger)

What It's REALLY Like Being a Full Time Fashion Blogger (Who's Not a Super Blogger)

Being a full-time fashion blogger, to those who are either hobby or non-bloggers, may appear (on the surface) to be an endless round of attending fashion events and receiving free designer clothes. However, nothing could be further from the truth for me.

It wasn’t until I received a comment on my Bloopers and Outtakes post a few weeks back that I was inspired to explain what it’s really like being a full time fashion blogger (who’s not a super blogger). I’m pretty certain my life is nothing like Chiara Ferragni’s or Nicole Warne’s so I was taken aback a little when I read this comment:

…I hesitate to click through to your blog sometimes when I see your posts popping up in Bloglovin, as I class it under one of my “Urrrggghhhh life is so perfect there, I can’t be bothered to look at that perfect version of life now” blogs. I think you may just have gained a loyal reader in me with this post. You are normal… your body is not stick thin (you do have curves)! You obviously do laugh at yourself! Wonderful post. Loved it.

What struck me was that a reader had actually thought (before seeing the bloopers) that my life was “perfect” and that I had a “stick thin body”. I was taken aback by the comment because I have never, ever thought either of those two things about myself, neither before nor after becoming a full-time fashion blogger.

THE THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT MY OUTFIT PHOTOS AREN’T AN ACTUAL REPRESENTATION OF MY LIFE – THEY’RE STAGED PHOTOS SHOWING OFF WHAT I’M WEARING. 

I gave a lengthy reply explaining what my life is really like – and this post is basically an extension of what I said there.

My “glamorous” life isn’t glamorous at all

The thing to remember is that my outfit photos aren’t an actual representation of my life – they’re staged photos showing off what I’m wearing only. Photo shoots done on holiday are different – as are those done when we’ve gone out somewhere for the day – but 80% of the time they’re just taken outside my parents’ or sister’s house, or along the country lane just down the road from where we live, or on the path along the river down to to the local supermarket. Nothing at all glamorous about any of those places!


Secondly, I am quite, quite normal – but this of course depends on your definition of the word. We all come in all shapes and sizes, and truthfully we all know there isn’t a right or wrong size. I also don’t have a ‘perfect’ life at all (but then what does that mean anyway)? I might think that Living in LA = Perfect Life, simply because the weather is so great all year round… I’m sitting in cold and rainy England writing this. To me, that’s not in the slightest bit perfect or ideal. Yet I’m sure my humdrum tales of travelling up to The Big Smoke will make many a non-Brit go all misty-eyed and long for the adventure of a few days in London; it’s all relative.

So I’ve broken down what – for me – life is really like. I may be a full-time fashion blogger but unlike the Chiaras and Nicoles of the blogging world, I don’t constantly jet around the world and design collections with top brands. Here it is: The good, the bad, and the ugly (but in reverse)…!

The Ugly

If you’re thinking it’s all glamour – nothing could be further from the truth. For example…

  • I work from home. Some days what I’m wearing is so utterly uncoordinated that I’m ashamed to answer the door.
  • I have as many bad hair days, bad skin days, feeling-fat-because-my-skinny-jeans-are-so-tight days as the next girl.
  • Much of the time I’m in my onesie all morning and then finally get dressed at 1pm – just jeans and a sweatshirt – because I’m not leaving the house. Or I’ll put my workout gear on in the morning even though I’m not exercising till the evening, but I can’t be arsed to change later (or I want to save on washing). So not glamorous.
  • My bedroom is nearly always a tip because I’m trying on everything to wear and don’t have time to put it all away immediately because I have to get out the door and catch the last light to get a photo shoot in. My dressing table is a bombsite.
  • I work past midnight most evenings to “try and get it all done” before the next day then wake up feeling absolutely shattered. I never feel like a glamorous fashion blogger in the mornings. Or the afternoon. Maybe a little when I’ve done my hair and makeup and I’m off out in the evening.
  • I can easily put on 7lbs in a week (it’s happened before) if I eat too much and stop exercising – having a sedentary job means I have to be really careful about my diet and fitness routine.
  • Most Instagrams of bloggers’ work areas would have you believe we all have beautiful white gloss desks with only peonies in a vase and a laptop (completely wireless) on it. I have a dusty desk with a PC and huge widescreen monitor, leads coming out of everywhere and piles of notebooks and nail files/nail polish all over the place. I’m not going to Instagram that.
  • Standing outside in the winter in a party dress is no fun when it’s only a few degrees above freezing. I long for the summer months when the days are longer and the temperatures are higher and I’m not biting off my husband’s head while he fiddles with the camera’s settings and prolongs my freezing agony.
  • Keeping accounts, creating invoices, doing your tax return and chasing payment is no-one’s idea of glamour. I don’t have an accountant or an assistant, much as I’d like both.
  • Trying to budget for anything is hard when you don’t have a regular income. If clients delay their payments you may receive hardly any money at all coming into your account one month, and then a mini-windfall the next.
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What It's REALLY Like Being a Full Time Fashion Blogger (Who's Not a Super Blogger) | Not Dressed As Lamb

The Bad

Then there are the things that seem bad, or annoying, or a chore, but they’re actually pretty great if I stop and think about it because they wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for the blogging. Moaning about it to other people makes it sound like you’re ungrateful. For example…

  • Some days I can receive up to five deliveries: 1. Things I’ve ordered because I keep seeing great-stuff-I-can’t-stop-myself-buying on other blogs; 2. Things my husband has ordered because he now has a blog too; 3. Freebies from brands (yay). Constantly jumping up to answer the doorbell does get a little testing when you’re trying to work from home, however.
  • As a result of all the deliveries and parcels we get, there is almost always a mountain of packaging that needs to be sorted in the middle of the living room floor and I never seem to be able to keep on top of it.
  • If I’m doing something for a brand or magazine and I need to go to London (95% of things are in London), I often have to catch the stupid-o’clock train to get there (the 06:51). Over two hours on the train getting a cricked neck and bemoaning my lack of sleep and dark circles under my eyes is not fun – then I have to do it all again in reverse to come home the same day.
  • I get a constant stream of emails offering me “the best deal ever”: Pick something from a brand that sells $15 dresses and write all about in a blog post and follow up on social media. If $15 dresses were edible I’d never have to buy food again. Or I could burn them and save on heating bills….?
  • Haggling over fees with brands and PRs isn’t exactly ideal and sometimes I wish for a fixed salary again – then I remember that I am in control of my earning power, and no one else.
  • I had a look at the posts I published in December and January and counted how many outfit posts I published: it was 16 in total. So out of 62 days, I only featured what I wore on 16 of them. That’s roughly 1 in 4 days. But it’s nice to look back and see that I did make an effort on some days at least.

The Good

Now these things do sound more glamorous, though these opportunities take up a very small percentage of my time. Working for myself is also a huge benefit. For example…

  • I won a competition last year with Fever London last year to model their SS14 collection with four other bloggers. We all had a vintage makeover and there were about six outfit changes – we were shooting in the street in central London. But it was February and it was really, really cold.
  • I’ve done photo shoots for three magazines now: with Rachel the Hat for Woman & Home, for Good Housekeeping (April 2015 issue), and for the Sunday Times Style (coming out 1st March). Getting your hair and makeup done and trying on fabulous clothes never gets tiring.
  • I won a competition to become a brand ambassador for La Redoute for a year and got to go to Paris for three days. Need I explain more…?!
  • As a freelancer I have complete freedom to do with my time whatever I feel like doing and when. In the summer I can spend the day outside relaxing and then work in the evening when it’s cooler. In the winter I can snuggle up in my home office wearing three pairs of socks, a blanket over my legs and keep a hot water bottle on standby without looking unprofessional or like a bag lady (to my colleagues, if I had them).
  • No two days are ever the same, and you never know what you may be offered next. I’m totally addicted to checking my emails because I am so excited about what the day could bring in terms of brands to work with or a “fan letter” (for want of a better expression) from a reader. Those days are the absolute best.
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Blogger photo shoot
Above left: Getting my hair done for the Francesco Group photo shoot; Above right: Good Housekeeping photo shoot. If only this were a “normal” day for me…!

So when I say I’m just as ‘normal’ as the next person hopefully you see what I mean. The outfits I publish are the slightly more dressed up times, but that’s because I want to give inspiration to those who may not dress up ever, or to those who want to change things up a bit, or to those who are afraid of wearing bright colours and in their forties and are looking for ‘permission’ to do so. As Amber wrote in her post Are Fashion Bloggers Fake?, Most bloggers (myself included) carefully select which aspects of their lives they want to share with the internet.”

Me, too. In order to make women feel positive about themselves I feel a responsibility to be as positive as I can be, whilst retaining a sense of normality and a touch of honesty about the whole thing.

IN ORDER TO MAKE WOMEN FEEL POSITIVE ABOUT THEMSELVES I FEEL A RESPONSIBILITY TO BE AS POSITIVE AS I CAN BE, WHILST RETAINING A SENSE OF NORMALITY AND A TOUCH OF HONESTY.

I hope that I do that… I have enough loyal (and brutally honest!) readers who would definitely tell me if I was losing my touch on reality.

I’m basically very lucky to be doing something that I love, and to love what I’m doing (which isn’t too much to ask from a job, is it). I never, ever thought I’d be one of those people who does a job that they absolute adore doing – it can just be a bit crazy sometimes and not really make sense. Take photos of yourself and put them on the internet? As a job?! That’s just bonkers.

The thing that tickles me most about being a full-time fashion blogger is that as I don’t have a 9-5 anymore I work from home rather than going to an office every day (like I used to). So that means I have more excuses to stay in my onesie all day. And in turn, that means I have to make much more of an effort now to dress up in order to have non-pyjama outfits to feature on the blog.

How ironic is that…??

Catherine

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P.S. Like this post? You might enjoy reading how I created my own at-home glamour: How To Star In Your Very Own Luxury Brand Advertising Campaign

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85 Comments

  1. 11 September 2015 / 8:37 pm

    I really enjoyed reading this post as well as all the comments and replies! I've only been reading your blog for a short time, but you have already inspired me to wear more color! 🙂

    My cousin is a full-time fashion blogger, so I have seen some glimpses behind the scenes… Also, I am a college instructor, and when I'm not teaching, I usually work from home. So I do dress up every day, but usually only for a short period of time – most of the day is spent in lounge clothes (although I am trying to change that as being dressed up makes me somehow more productive…).

  2. 31 March 2015 / 12:23 pm

    This is a brilliant post – it's so interesting to see things laid out bare like this. As a part-time fashion blogger with a very much full-time job, I often wonder what it's really like! I've followed Amber for a while and love her truthful accounts of things… and now I feel I know just that little bit more 🙂 And my wardrobe covers my entire bedroom just trying to work out what to wear on a normal day, so perhaps for that reason I should never be a full-time blogger!! CC x

    • 7 April 2015 / 12:03 pm

      Thanks so much CiCi – I'm a huge fan of Amber too and am always inspired by her truthful accounts together with her ability to look absolutely stunning… maybe if I wasn't a f/t blogger too I might think she's glamorous 100% of the time – but I know it's pretty much impossible!! x

  3. 9 March 2015 / 8:14 pm

    Oh no, dearest Catherine…you might have just made me second guess whether I'd like to become a full-time fashion blogger myself one of these days!! ;D Seriously though, even doing this blogging thing on a part-time, non-paying basis has made me realize how UNglamorous it actually can be (having your entire closet dumped out on the bed?? Sounds VERY familiar!!) But it truly is sooo much fun…both showing off my outfits (at least my Internet friends appreciate my efforts!) and getting to know fellow fashionistas from all around the world!! P.S. I don't care what you say…you ARE a Super Blogger in my books!! XOXO

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.blogspot.com

    • 15 March 2015 / 9:34 pm

      Haha yep – unglamorous it definitely is (most of the time)! Monika you are such a sweetheart… bless you, you say the loveliest things x

    • 9 March 2015 / 10:16 am

      Miriam thank you, and welcome! I'm always glad to have a new follower and it's funny that you should find this post first. It means you're under no illusions about me right from the start ;))

  4. 4 March 2015 / 10:28 am

    This took my breath away. Your honesty is so greatly appreciated, THANK YOU! I struggle with this as well. When a client says "You always look good" I feel like saying "you should've seen me this morning when I got out of bed!" My workstation doesn't look like Pinterest either – it was such a relief to read that!! God you are awesome!

    • 9 March 2015 / 10:15 am

      Awwwwwww hun what a lovely thing to say, thank you so much!!! It wasn't until I received that comment [the one I quoted] that it made me realise that Hang on, people think my life is perfect?!! So far from the truth!

      And you should see me when I've just got out of bed… what a sight. Dear oh dear ;))

  5. 3 March 2015 / 9:07 pm

    Brilliant post Catherine, really really so true! I know exactly what you mean about the doorbell going constantly, and the spare room is a constant bombsite – but on the flip we get to only work on the things we love, although there are never ever enough hours in the day! Love your honesty – although I am a touch jealous your hubby takes your gorgeous pics – mine simply hasn't for the patience and just doesn't get it!

    • 9 March 2015 / 10:12 am

      Oh what would I give for more hours in the day, Zaz??!!!!!! If only I could clone myself it'd be brilliant! Luckily my husband was always quite keen on photography anyway so he was quite happy to learn some extra bits n pieces from me, and now he's pretty awesome at it.

      Thanks my lovely xx

  6. 3 March 2015 / 2:09 pm

    Love this, love you (as you know)-you know we are in many respects living the dream, we work for ourselves and life is never boring and pretty glamorous but it's hard work and I too love rocking my work out gear all day and a onesie! Keep being you, a creative, talented strong voice and beautiful woman inside and out, you absolutely ROCK. Hats off for this honest post, I wrote about not being a superwoman the other day as people see me being a Mum with a full time blogging career and wonder how I do it, I wanted to be real about how many people help make it a reality for me x

    • 9 March 2015 / 10:10 am

      Awww bless you Vicki, you're such a sweetheart!! Your post was great, and I guess some people think I'm a glamorous blogger (sooooo far from the truth) in the same way some think you're a supermum. Though I know you're definitely a super mum… that goes without saying!! x

  7. 3 March 2015 / 5:03 am

    I completely agree with you, working from home/freelance has it's good and bad. I've noticed if I'm in my pjs trying to work at home it's not the best way to be productive. I realised I'm too relaxed meaning I get nothing done. My advice to new bloggers/working at home/freelancers is to change into something else, it can be something comfortable but I believe physically changing your outfit helps you be mentally prepared for the day. What do you think? Or is it just me?

    Thank you for sharing this blog post, these are some really great insights.

    thinkitdreamit.wordpress.com

    • 9 March 2015 / 10:08 am

      I do agree with you about being more productive, Nat, if you're dressed – my problem is I like to start early so I find I get up and sort of start thinking "I'll get dressed in a minute". I get so engrossed in what I'm doing "a minute" turns into several hours!! However if I know someone may be knocking on the door it does make me get dressed earlier… though I am getting better at the getting dressed early thing.

      Glad you liked the post, thanks so much for commenting! x

    • 9 March 2015 / 10:06 am

      Thank you Dawn, I'm really pleased you liked it xx

  8. 2 March 2015 / 4:11 pm

    This post is my new favorite of yours Catherine. It's so comforting to know your desk isn't Instagrammable (mine is a lap desk on my coffee table which also doubles as my studio space so often my laptop is just laying on the floor… yikes!). It's such a relief to know others suffer under the piles and piles of packages sent (many of which I never requested!). It's rewarding to know that I'm not the only person typing out a gorgeous outfit post braless in a pj top and jeans because I only somehow managed to get half dressed. Working for yourself is HARD work. it's anxiety-inducing at the best of times. It's a lot of long hours with so little feedback (except from the fabulously supportive group of other bloggers who KNOW what we're going through). It's a lot of accounting and contracts and photo-editing and planning your life weeks in advance. I know what I'm posting to the blog everyday for the next four weeks — not because I am an over-achiever or a planner but mostly as a survival tactic to prevent myself from drowning and falling into a overwhelmed state-of-mind and inevitably crawling into a dark bedroom and staying there for days just to cope. It's hard determining how much to share of yourself in such a public space and it's hard to be judged by the harsh internet community — it seems like every blogger I know has been criticized for their weight and size (irregardless of their size… negativity seems to be the name of the game when it comes to body types). Your post was the shining light I needed to get through this Monday morning – just knowing I'm not alone and that other fashion bloggers live in their workout clothes on off days too, makes a world of difference.

    Thank you!

    Sed Bona

    • 9 March 2015 / 10:05 am

      Haha you and I sound very similar, Ashley!! Luckily I haven't come across too much criticism of other bloggers for their weight or size – but maybe I'm just very picky about who I follow on social media and stay away from trolls somewhat. I'm so glad the post brightened your Monday morning! Thank you so much x

  9. 2 March 2015 / 11:15 am

    Hey Catherine
    Just love your blog and this post gave a little relief… I was wondering how any woman could manage to dress up every day… and I have to dress just a little bit up every working day, so I enjoy sundays 😉
    When I run out of inspiration, I often turn to your blog… and then suddenly I it's not that difficult to dress up again. Thank you and greetings from Denmark

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:57 am

      You probably dress up more than me now I'm not going to an office every day, hun!! Remember I said only 1 in 4 days are ever documented, and then many of those are casual outfits. Thanks so much for such lovely comments, I hope to continue to bring you lots more inspo in the future! C x

  10. 1 March 2015 / 9:58 pm

    Oh Catherine! I always cherish your honesty. Only last week I was talking with a fellow blogger about how hard we work at what we do and sometimes we wonder why. It can be unglamorous. I often wear a hoodie and jeans whilst writing and yes.. Have to brave the cold to do the photo shoots. But I love it, wouldnt change it for the world. I just wish I could make it work full time. Thanks for another amazingly frank and open post
    http://www.ladympresents.co.uk

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:55 am

      I think I'm with you on every point, Rachel!! Thank you so much x

  11. 1 March 2015 / 8:39 pm

    Lovely post. And so true…. I was the fly on the wall there with you and saw it all. It is true haha.
    Greetje

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:54 am

      haha yes you were, Greetje!!! Thank you my lovely x

  12. 1 March 2015 / 3:09 pm

    Hilarious great post. I never for a minute think that being a full-time fashion blogger is glamorous work. I think it is crazy-hard, even tedious at times, and I love that you admit to the jeans and sweatshirt wearing! I know how hard you work and I am in constant admiration of your energy, dedication, and well-written (and beautifully shot) posts. You are simply one of the best! XO, Jill

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:46 am

      Jill WHAT a lovely comment – thank you so much!! I think other bloggers realise it's not all glamour but maybe to non-bloggers it seems otherwise, though I may be wrong…? But thank you thank you, I really appreciate what you said! xx

  13. 1 March 2015 / 12:18 pm

    OMG you have no idea how refreshing reading this post was (although you probably do from all the comments ahahaha). thanks for being so honest! i only stumbled across your blog today, but i'll definitely be back!

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:39 am

      Hehe yes I'm glad everyone's found it an eye opener! Thank you sweetie, so glad you enjoyed it x

  14. 1 March 2015 / 7:24 am

    Thanks for this post Catherine! Can you imagine Chiara's life? I think, for as glamorous as it look, it might be exhausting. From her IG account, I don't think she ever gets to sit in sweats!

    I wonder if one day I'll be able to quit my day job and be a simply a blogger. I've read the post where you decided to go for it, but do you have a post detailing the steps needed? Just curious. Also, I'd be really curious how you plan out your day: is if filled with a to-do list? Do you make the schedule the day before? Do you mark everything out in a calendar? I'm just curious about the real nitty gritty details that get one to actually blogging full time. Right now, there are so many days where I feel like I can barely keep my head up between working and momming and blogging. Luckily, I feel happy. When I'm busy, I'm happiest.

    Thanks for this post Catherine!

    Ann of Kremb de la Kremb

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:04 am

      Thank you, Ann – TBH I have NO idea how bloggers who are also mums and have a full time job do it – I have a full time blog only and that takes up all my time, I don't know how on earth mums fit in anything else!! There isn't really much more to tell other than what I wrote in that post, but yes I do write a to-do list at the beginning of the week.

      I also have to write a six-month weekly plan because of the freelancing work I also do (social media, newsletters and blog post-writing for other companies) and so that has to follow a very strict schedule.

      For my blog I have a big wall calendar with mini post-its for the different posts that I can move around to fit everything in (usually planned 2-3 weeks in advance), and all the posts are in draft form in Blogger (including ideas for posts as drafts, often just a post title).

      For the freelancing work I keep an A5 week-to-view diary where I write what I have to do each week/day for each client. Although I use the calendar in my iPhone for actual appointments and meetings (like "dinner at mum's" or "dentist appt") I have to use a system where I can see it on the wall or on my desk, I can't do everything electronically like some people… I'm an old-fashioned pen n' paper girl!

      Hope that explains it a bit more for you! Thank you my lovely – with your enthusiasm and determination I'm sure it will be something you'll come to realise one day if you want it enough xx

  15. 1 March 2015 / 7:07 am

    Love this honest, thoughtful post. I've been a longtime reader and always appreciate your sense of adventure with color, pattern-mixing and trying new things — like this post! You also give super-practical advice for bloggers, which I appreciate. (Also, you and your husband are the cutest.)

    Jen @ Librarian for Life + Style

    • 9 March 2015 / 8:52 am

      Jen thank you, that really means a lot. I don't know about being the cutest (hehe sometimes it really doesn't feel like it at all) but thank you, that's really nice of you to say!!!!

  16. 1 March 2015 / 3:06 am

    Thank you for being real, tis true it is blogging and actually still going to the office that forces me to not just dress but to try and be original, if I worked from home I think it would be hard to dress for fashion not for comfort.
    You have always come across as a person that photographs what you really would wear though and that makes you at least to me the blogger to follow and aspire to be.

    • 9 March 2015 / 8:50 am

      Ohhh Linda that is so lovely of you… what a wonderful wonderful compliment!! Thank you so much – and for all your support of course xxx

  17. 1 March 2015 / 2:56 am

    I'm a hobby blogger so I try not to take it too seriously. Of course I want to post the nicest pictures I can, but that didn't stop me from including a totally goofy one last post. :o) Obviously I don't rely on my blog for income. I'm so glad you include the blooper reels! When you first started featuring gifted items, I was afraid your style was becoming too generic, not really "you". More recently though, I have seen you feature gifts styled in a definite "you" way. That's a very good thing. :o)

    JJ
    http://www.dressupnotdown.blogspot.com

    • 8 March 2015 / 9:42 pm

      I've been receiving freebies from very early on in the blog, JJ… so I'm not sure when the period that you were referring to was – I'd be interested to know!! Funnily enough I don't view my blog any differently to how I did when I started it… obviously I have to monetize it now but I enjoy it and put as much effort into it now as I did then (or is it the other way round)?! Anyway thank you! x

  18. 1 March 2015 / 1:06 am

    Hi there Catherine! Interesting read, lovely to learn about your "behind the scenes" life. 😉 I think you are quite brave to go full time blogging, I would have been worried sick if I didnt have a steady income every month. Thank you for for being so sincere and open about your RL as a full time blogger! 🙂

    • 8 March 2015 / 9:39 pm

      Basically I just tried it not knowing how it would go, Monica – it was a case of "I gotta try it"!! Luckily the husband has a regular full time salary so that helps with the mortgage, but if clients paid on time it would be a lot easier…!!! Thanks so much for your lovely comment x

  19. 28 February 2015 / 11:08 pm

    This was a great post Catherine! I know there are bloggers that have assistance and PR people but that's the elite of the blogging world. I think people forget about all the business side of things to make it happen.
    It take s a lot of discipline to be your own boss.

    Alice
    http://www.happinessatmidlife.com

    • 8 March 2015 / 9:37 pm

      It certainly does take discipline, Alice, and I don't have enough of it yet. I still get very distracted by my Twitter feed and all those celeb stories I simply "have" to read!! I'm glad you liked the post, thank you xx

  20. 28 February 2015 / 8:15 pm

    Catherine, I don't know what you're on about, I lounge about in a vintage peignoir most days whilst the butler brings me martinis, just waiting for my next photoshoot…

    Super post!! One thing to add is maybe scheduling your life around outfit posts?! Oh, we're going there today, I'll just pop in the camera and a change of shoes…

    So funny, love it. xx

    • 8 March 2015 / 9:35 pm

      Actually it's all a lie, P – I wrote this from the comfort of my private yacht but really didn't want to brag about it. People need to think I'm just an ordinary girl when really I'm living the Life of Riley.

      HAH!! If only…!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much, and yes I agree about the scheduling life around outfit posts. Just today we had to time lunch, going for a run and shooting my outfit around the best position of the sun.

      =SIGH=

  21. 28 February 2015 / 4:28 pm

    Great post. Non bloggers don't realize the amount of time and effort that goes into running a blog. It's not all fun and games.

    Although I must confess I'm obsessed with keeping my office clean enough so I can take photos any time I like in it. Since I live in Canada, taking photos outside during the winter months is only for those that are insane or oblivious to -20 C temps and snow.

    bisous
    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

    • 1 March 2015 / 3:08 am

      I have been that insane person this year LOL, but 6 photos in 30 seconds ts my max .

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:38 am

      Aww you're lucky that you have the room to take photos inside, Suzanne – my house just isn't big enough to stand far enough back to get me all in! In my first year of blogging I did do some indoor shots in the winter but I had to move all the furniture every time and it became a pain in the bum. But then I couldn't do the freezing temps either! I'd have to find a nice indoor space with good lighting and lots of room to do them :))

      Thank you for your comment xx

  22. 28 February 2015 / 2:43 pm

    Ahhh I love this post!! I'm a full time blogger myself and so can relate to a lot of these – although as an interior design blogger, I'm constantly taking pictures of my house! Which on one hand, means I can totally take pictures in my onesie and no one is the wiser 😉 On the other, it means my home ends up being portrayed as looking 'perfect' at all times – and nothing can be further from the truth because well, I have to live and work here too. So erm, it often will look like a bombsite. It's just a snapshot and what happens behind the lens may not be 'Pinterest-perfect' so it's not shown but a touch of honesty and humility is what keeps you grounded. Well done – fabulous reading! xxx

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:34 am

      OMG I can't possibly imagine having to photograph my house for an interiors blog, Kimberly – I've have NO followers!!! I do love my house and when it's tidy I pride myself on trying to keep it that way but being self employed means the house does get neglected a little. It's funny, being an interior designer was one of the jobs I considered doing when I was young, so I do get why it must be a great blogging choice.

      Good to know that your house isn't perfect every day though, like my dress sense!! Thanks hun x

  23. 28 February 2015 / 2:39 pm

    Loved this post, Catherine (and thanks for the shout-out, too!). I'm particularly relieved by your "not dressed by 1pm" revelation – that's SO me! I normally put on my workout clothes when I get up, with the intention of working out ASAP, but most days I'm still wearing them by lunchtime, and I haven't been near the treadmill… I only shoot one or two outfits per week in the winter (totally impossible to get decent photos right now), and I obviously just shoot the outfits I wear when I've gotten "dressed up" for something – I often think my readers would be horrified if they could see what I look like the rest of the time! It's such an interesting topic to me because, as I said in my post, I always assume that it must be fairly obvious to people that they're only seeing a tiny glimpse of a blogger's life, but then I've also had comments from people which make it clear that they take it at face value, which I'm always taken aback by. Anyway, great post – I'm always fascinated to hear about other blogger's "behind the scenes"!

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:31 am

      Oh Amber I'm so relieved to hear that you don't dress up every day either – it goes to show how I need to apply what I say about myself to others too… I can't think of many (any?) bloggers that post outfits every. single. day. – Imagine that?! I couldn't cope with either the pressure of wearing something blogworthy every day or having to photograph and post it every day!!

      You're welcome for the shout out, I think you and I have quite parallel lives in terms of blogging as I often read something you've written that I'm either working on myself or wrote recently. Thank you for the fabulous (and insightful) comment!! x

  24. 28 February 2015 / 2:13 pm

    A great honest post here (it is 2pm as i write this still in my pj's) The thing is i find with blogging, is that you can be whoever you want to be! I work part time as a hairdresser/beauty therapist , People most probably think I am always "glammed up" but in reality I am a carer for my partnner who is ill, which is why i chose blogging. Most day's i wouldnt answer the door either!
    Laurie x

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:26 am

      Haha a woman after my own PJs all day heart…!!! I'm sorry to hear about your partner, Laurie – I think it's great that there is something you can do just for you however as you deserve that, I hope it brings you the joy you need to help you cope! You sound like a bit of a superwoman, but good for you for keeping it real too. Thank you hun xx

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:23 am

      Aww thanks so much Lauren, I really appreciate your unending support xx

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:22 am

      And that's the most important thing, Christine! I think a blogger's success depends a lot on how much they enjoy doing it. (By success I mean how much satisfaction you gain by doing it and how much effort you put in, not by any sort of monetary scale.) So you're well on your way – and thank you for your comment! x

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:20 am

      I'm really glad you liked it, thank you Jeanne x

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:20 am

      Ohhhhhhhh thank you Monica, that really means a lot xx

  25. 28 February 2015 / 12:23 am

    Wonderful post, Catherine. *Every* life has good, bad and ugly. It's good when we find the beauty in even the "ugly" aspects. xox

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:19 am

      That's a wonderful observation, Patti – thank you so much!!!!!!! So true :))

  26. 27 February 2015 / 11:00 pm

    This is why I enjoy your blog. You are always this honest!

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:19 am

      Aww thank you hun, I really appreciate that!

  27. 27 February 2015 / 9:34 pm

    what a brilliant post, it made me smile when you mentioned those other bloggers who you perceive as having a great life with 'super blogger' status, i wonder if they were to write a post like this they would say just the same. You look amazing in the GH photo, far from looking like you put on 7 lbs, you are are a delicate little thing. Everyone thinks I am a delicate little thing are are quite surprised that I have the dimensions of the Honey Monster…

    • 9 March 2015 / 9:18 am

      Thank you Alexandra….! When you say I'm a "delicate little thing" you have to remember that I take many, many photos per shoot, and of course I only choose the ones that are most flattering. I've put on about a stone (14lbs) in the last 18 months, but I had lost loads of weight because I was very stressed in my job and having a very hard time with it. I'm struggling to fit into many of my clothes at the moment so as far as *my* standards go (i.e. only comparing myself to me when I'm fit and healthy, no one else) I'm a lot bigger than I should be.

      I've been laying off the exercise and eating a lot more since going full time as I mentioned, but of course I take photos from more flattering angles to make me feel better about myself – I don't want to look at a photo on the blog of myself looking heavier than I'd like!

      So remember it's all smoke and mirrors. Plus wearing things that show off your best bits and hides the bits you don't like will always always make a huge difference! You said yourself that people think the same about you – it's true for me as well!!!

      Thanks so much for your comment, I'm so glad you liked the post :)))

      P.S. I'd kill to read an equivalent post by Chiara or Nicole!!!!!!!!!

  28. 27 February 2015 / 8:16 pm

    Brilliant post, Catherine! I love how candid you are – very refreshing 🙂
    I hope blogging continues to be an avenue of success for you!
    -Carley
    xx

    • 2 March 2015 / 10:41 am

      Carley that's so sweet of you, thank you so much. Hope you're enjoying life here in the UK…!!!

  29. 27 February 2015 / 8:15 pm

    Such a great read! I do sometimes find myself guilty of looking at 'full time bloggers' Instagrams, blogs and Twitter and feel pangs of jealousy at their lifestyle – but at the same time, I know I edit what I show, and try and remember that those that I feel envious of will do the same. Even though it seems like someone 'has it all', thanks for reminding me that everyone has good and not-so-good aspects of their lives!

    Milly // Mini Adventures

    • 2 March 2015 / 10:40 am

      As they say, Milly – it's all smoke and mirrors!!! Thank you my lovely, glad you enjoyed it x

  30. 27 February 2015 / 7:15 pm

    This is a great post that's why I like your blog so much and especially you. I basically am the same eventhough I am not full time fashion blogger. I have to laugh when one reader says that I am from a different planet. It's hilarious what people are able to come up with.

    You do a great job! Keep up!

    • 2 March 2015 / 10:40 am

      Aww Martina that's such a lovely thing to say – thank you so much!! I know what you mean about saying we're from a different planet – a bit like the comment I received that I quoted at the beginning! It's nice to be able to dispel the myths :))

  31. 27 February 2015 / 7:09 pm

    This is a brilliant post, its amazing to think that most bloggers live a hugely glam life.

    • 28 February 2015 / 7:10 pm

      Thanks Ellen – well mine definitely isn't, as this post testifies. Just some very rare glimpses of it!!

  32. 27 February 2015 / 6:21 pm

    Catherine, I think that is one of your best posts… because it is so true and honest! I sometimes want to quit Instagram (which is BTW my favourite social media…) because I am tired of the perfect lives and the fancy desks (yes, including the pink peonies…)
    I do dress and do my hair at 6:30 in the mornings as I have a full time job besides blogging but otherwise I can fully relate to what you have said.
    Thank you for this great post!

    xx
    Annette | Lady of Style

    • 28 February 2015 / 7:09 pm

      Annette that is a WONDERFUL compliment… thank you!!!!!!!! I did of course use to to do my hair and face early when I had an office job, and it's actually quite liberating not to have to do it everyday any more, but rather when I choose to. Sometimes I do it just because I fancy putting some make up on…!

      Your words really meant a lot, thank you thank you xx

  33. 27 February 2015 / 6:11 pm

    This is an excellent post! It isn't quite the same thing, but I recently set up my own company, and some family members seem to think it is easy. I just swan about and earn money. If only it was that easy! The fact of the matter is, whatever you do each day, none of us looks permanently as thought we stepped out of vogue!

    • 28 February 2015 / 7:07 pm

      I know what you mean about people thin king working from home is somehow easier… I find I actually work harder than I do in an office because I'm not chatting to everyone!! And I DEFINITELY don't look like I stepped out of Vogue on any random day ;)) Thank you Nellie x

  34. 27 February 2015 / 5:42 pm

    I don't think I would ever get dressed if I worked from home! Readers will always create a persona for bloggers, even imagined lifestyles. After reading this, I know I've certainly been guilty of it. Great post Catherine x

    • 28 February 2015 / 7:06 pm

      Hehe it IS hard to force yourself to get dressed, but quite often it's simply because I'm itching to get on with my work and putting proper clothes on just gets in the way!! Thank you hun x

  35. 27 February 2015 / 5:06 pm

    Love this! Reading the good made me smile a lot. A couple of years ago, you and I were both shortlisted for the Bath In Fashion South West Blogger's Award, and seeing that list of all the great things you've been part of lately makes me all warm inside, seeing how well you're doing.

    • 28 February 2015 / 7:05 pm

      Thanks so much, George!! And yes, we were… seems such a long time ago now! That's so nice of you to say, I really appreciate those kind words :))

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