16 Unmissable Reads, The Best of the Blogosphere (February 2020)

In my Best of the Blogosphere this month I have ‘Instagrans’, 70s eyewear, influencers being idiots for the gram(!) and more.

[Reading time: 3 mins – not including time spent down any internet rabbit holes…!]

(In case you’ve not seen these posts before my Unmissable Reads are a monthly round-up of things I’ve seen, watched and liked in the blogosphere that I’m sure you’ll love too.)

In a winter where the UK has seen nothing but interminable wind and rain, I’ve been looking for joy wherever I can find it on the internet. February has brought a real mish-mash of subjects, from spreading kindness to beautiful photography to women kicking ass left, right and centre in all sorts of ways (personally and professionally).

As always there’s funny stuff and light-hearted reads, some poignant or educational articles and some head-nodding pieces. Hopefully you’ll love them all.

Do have a read of these great links – you never know who or what you might discover that makes your day/week/month!

What links did you like – and have you found any fabulous new blogs to follow? Comment below…!

A quick note…

Oh, and before I go and leave you with these great reads – you might want to read this excellent article first: It’s 2020. Does Blogging Still Work?

For me, the answer is yes. It’s summed up here:

“The short answer is, blogging will continue to live so long as people turn to Google (and other search engines) for answers to their questions. And, more specifically, so long as users continue finding answers in the high-quality, relevant results served on search engine results pages.”

I find it reassuring that, in a world [the blogosphere/social media] where more and more content creators are abandoning their blogs in favour of Instagram, there are thankfully those who still WANT to produce something meatier, more open to discussion and more enduring than just a throwaway image and caption that lasts 2-3 days.

I’m forever grateful to all the bloggers who still take the time and care to research, write and produce interesting, valid, thought-provoking, worthy content (that we’re given FOR FREE). So, consider this an official THANK YOU. We think you’re bloody remarkable.

✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷

This month’s unmissable reads…

Smarter, not harder: Alison talks about how she quit her job to blog full-time not to become a millionaire, but to get her life back.

OMG. I’m so ashamed to be even in the REALM of “influencers” when you see some of the crazy/stupid/hilarious things they’ve been captured doing while creating content as featured on @influencersinthewild – this one and this one are perfect examples of embarrassment (for them) and utter stupidity respectively.

I love most things 1970s, and optometrist Liz’s picks of the Seventies eyewear trends for 2020 have me drooling.

Fabulous Suzi of Alternative Ageing talked to the BBC about why the world needs ‘Instagrans’ and to spread the message about positive ageing.

Want to see some beautiful, creative imagery on Instagram where no Photoshop trickery was involved? Take a look at Tiago Silva’s incredible photography.

If you’re with me on the lack of joys that exist with regards to the cold season, you’ll probably enjoy Amber’s hilarious rant about how the worst thing about winter is… everything about winter.

Kate has written a beautifully poignant post about the stories we tell [about ourselves] and how we can lighten our burdens by speaking our truths. Just wow.

A woman who had a consultation with a stylist learned why clothes look better on celebrities (and it’s nothing to do with their body shape or size).

Michelle ponders what’s so great about a plant-based diet (quite a lot, actually).

Of all the posts this past week that touched on the tragic passing of Caroline Flack, I especially loved Victoria’s post (someone who’s experienced a lot of online trolling) about how we should all have the courage to be kind and choose kindness above all else.

Blair’s listed her favourite NYC photography locations and included tips that apply to shooting in any photogenic city.

Judith’s scarf room made my eyes pop out of my accessory-loving head.

Ashley’s listed her top 6 movies to see in 2020: Top Gun 2 and No Time to Die for me, please.

I love the app A Color Story from a Beautiful Mess and these photography tips they’ve shared are spot-on (I learnt quite a few great tips from this roundup post).

Amber again, but I had to include this one as well: her Awkward Files Part 3 describes how her toddler Max embarrassed her at the swimming pool AND at the supermarket, how she ended up putting skincare on over her makeup because she wasn’t wearing her glasses and loads more. We’ve all been there…

And a few Not Dressed As Lamb posts you perhaps missed first time around:

My Greatest Photographic Moments of the 2010s,
Generation X Women Blowing Kisses at the Camera: Weird and Awkward or Not?,
7 Colourful and Classic Rainy Day Outfits From the Archives and
Extracts From My 1980s Teenage Diaries

XOXO

Catherine