16 Unmissable Reads, The Best of the Blogosphere (July 2021)

In my Best of the Blogosphere this month I have what disabled people do all day (not what you think!), recipes not stressipes, the hypocrisy of Instagram – and more!

Soooo much colour, positivity and flamboyance this past month. I find summer always seems to bring out the happy vibes in people. Maybe it’s the stage we’re now at with the pandemic and vaccinations and so on – a little bit of normality is returning, albeit with a great deal of caution. Combine that optimism with sunshine and you’ve got a case of the summer cheers.

(Though in the UK we’ve gone from heatwave to wet, wintery storms in the space of seven days… I MEAN, wtf summer?!)

[Reading time: 2 mins – excluding time reading links]

Having reached my 10-year blogiversary this month (well, last month really – I know it’s now August but this post is all about July) I’ve been a little contemplative about blogging and how much harder it is to find a selection of great blog posts to choose from. So many blogs are being given up in exchange for Instagram, and I think it’s a shame.

Fear not, I’ll still be here for a while yet. Even 10 years of outfits and writing my thoughts down, big chunks of money not paid to me and one pandemic later and I’m still churning out the content like there’s no tomorrow.

So if I can do it, I’m sure many others still will too.

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…!

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I love the idea of emotional housekeeping – tuning into your thoughts, paying attention to what angers you and deciding what you need more of are just some of the ways to do it.

Beth proves that one-shoulder tops look amazing on women of any age… I’m having a bit of a moment with them myself right now.

“The night belongs to the vaccinated”… who else loves the idea of nightclubs and bars being taken over by all the older people who have been double jabbed?!

Three ermahgerd-gorgeous plus-size vintage two-piece sets from More Than Your Average – that statement blue floral is to die for.

We’re always talking about fashion being one of the most polluting industries in the world, but have you ever thought about the toy industry – all that plastic? This Italian woman is giving toys new life to spread happiness during the pandemic.

Sharon has highlighted the hypocrisy of Instagram, where men can slide into your DMs and face no consequences, but call them out for it and you’re immediately breaking Instagram community guidelines.

If you like cooking accounts on Instagram AND British humour, you’ll love What Willy Cook on IG (his bio sums him up: ‘Recipes not stressipes, children’s Masterchef runner up 1997, all cooked by me unless it isn’t, saying words and things’).

Trinny Woodall has featured her comedian double/doppelgänger Ruairi McInerney who has done an UNCANNY impression of her… let’s just say Trinny is a very, very good sport.

Amber has asked that we still social distance and wear masks after “Freedom Day” (as 19 July was dubbed in England) to help protect – and allow a little freedom for – CEV (Clinically Extremely Vulnerable) people: “The end of restrictions doesn’t have to mean the end of empathy or consideration for others, and just because we CAN do certain things again, it doesn’t mean we HAVE TO.” I’m 100% with her.

Lex runs the Real Skin Club and has started selling mirror stickers as a way to “fall in love with your reflection” – you’ll be greeted with a positive and joyful message every time you look in the mirror. Or any smooth surface you want to stick them to (laptops, windows, shelves, boxes, notebooks).

I loved this article about how to infuse your life with more enchantment (I’m also an aesthete who adores nature so I appreciated that suggestion).

Suzy has published some of her recent bloopers which I’m ALWAYS going to love reading (and nod knowingly at in a “yes that’s me” way).

I’m always in awe of the fabulous Sandie, who’s shown us exactly what people think disabled people do all day – compared to what SHE does all day…

I ADORE these hand-painted pastel wavy wall stripes and am now thinking where I could paint some in my house.

This yellow, purple and pink look from Meja is all sorts of summer gorgeousness.

Sophie has discussed a plastic-free July with a neverending list of zero waste swaps, low waste habit shifts and tips for going plastic-free. Imagine if we ALL made just one swap every week…?

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

10th Blogiversary: A Brief History of My 10 Years Online,
Tulle, Black Lace and Boots + a New ‘Instagram Husband’,
18 Things I Can’t Stand (That Everyone Else Loves)
and
How to Get Long Eyelashes Naturally: Revitalash Review

Stay safe XOXO

Linking up to… Monday: Stylish Monday, Inspire Me Monday, Ageless Style Linkup (first Monday of the month), My Glittery Heart, On Mondays We Link Up || Tuesday: Style With a Smile, Trend Spin/Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Turning Heads Tuesday, Spread the Kindness, Confident Twosday, Happy Now Blog Link Up || Wednesday: Style Me Wednesday, WowOnWednesday || Thursday: Chic & Stylish || Friday: Neverending Style, Fancy Friday, On the Edge, Fabulous Friday, Fabulous Friday’s Link Up