1.What’s your usual Starbucks drink?

Diet Coke. I don’t actually drink hot drinks, apart from hot Ribena when I’m not well which is something my Mum used to do me. I actually happen to hate the smell of coffee, it makes me feel really sick, so I don’t actually go to places like Starbucks very often.

2. What does your work station look like?

I don’t have an actual work station at home for blogging, but my work desk is a bit of a mess right now. There’s paper everywhere, folders piled up in my filing cabinet, and then snacks, more paper and just chaos in my drawers. We’re actually starting a clear desk policy and reducing the amount of paper in the office this month so hopefully I’ll have a more organised desk soon.

3. All-time favourite food?

I love pasta, cheese, Chinese, chocolate, meat and so many more. But my all-time favourite food is my Mum’s fried egg sandwiches, she just does the perfect level of yolk!

4. Favourite author?

I have about five favourite authors; Ally Carter who wrote the Gallagher Girls series which I have reread a number of times. Edie Clare who wrote the Leigh Koslow series, Angela Marsons with the DI Kim Stone series, and Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke who wrote the Under Suspicion series. I would recommend all these books to no end!

5. What do you think of open relationships?

Tajinder said “If you label it open, is it truly a relationship?” and I completely agree.

6. What’s your favourite video game?

It’s got to be the classic Super Mario Bros or Sonic. I’ve completed both so many times but could happily play them all over again. Oh, and Sims, I love a bit of Sims.

7. What’s your guilty pleasure treat?

Listening to True Crime podcasts, I’ve always had a weird fascination with crimes and what makes people do the things they do and what leads them to committing atrocious crimes. And lobster when I’m a little flush!

8. Your favourite movie?

My favourite film of all time would have to be A Little Princess, no matter when I’ve watched it I’ve not been able to not cry when she is reunited with her Dad.

9. Favourite book?

Any of the book series listed under my author’s questions and Hide And Seek by P.S Brown. It’s a psychological thriller with an incredible twist at the end.

10. Best advice you’ve ever received?

Never have any regrets, because what you did was what you wanted at the time and led you to where you are today. And work smarter, not harder!

11. Twitter or Instagram?

Twitter! I have a massive love/hate relationship when it comes to Instagram in that it causes far too much stress to us all when it is essentially just a photo sharing app. I’m tired of hearing people complain about it, I’m over obsessing about follower and like counts. I’ll still post pictures there but I’m much more of a Twitter lover!

12. Are you a desktop or a laptop person?

Laptop, I currently have a MacBook.

13. What projects are you working on right now?

I’m working on making a return to blogging and finding a healthy balance of managing two websites.

14. What’s your favourite colour?

My favourite colours are pink and navy blue.

15. Did you get good grades in school?

Not particularly, I got 6 C’s in my GCSEs and my A Levels were a bit of a write off as I just wanted to work so I had money and then spending it on partying. The courses I wanted to take in college were cancelled the year I started and it was too late to find somewhere else so I just wasn’t as interested as I could have been.

16. Dream job?

I’d love to blog full time and have some form of involvement with events.

17. Played any sports?

I was on Millwall Football Club’s Gymnastics team, I played Netball at school and I always took part in sports day at school. I have always loved dance and went to a Performing Arts Academy on the weekends.

18. Do you have a degree?

No but I do have a diploma in being a Holiday Rep.

19. Nationality?

British.

20. What’s your favourite type of blog post to write?

I love writing my quarterly catch up posts as they always make me smile over great memories, make me proud to have overcome obstacles and I just love reminiscing. I’m considering making them monthly instead of quarterly and I also love writing event reviews.

21. What do you like to collect?

As a family we bring back a magnet from every holiday destination, but on my own I collect Urban Decay palettes as I have no will power with them, and bottles of Prosecco.

22. Describe yourself in 3 words?

Sassy, Sarcastic and Loyal

23. If you were a rapper, what would your rapper name be?

T Woww or T Dawg – mainly because I’ve been called that before by friends.

24. Who was the last person you DM’d?

Charli, to tell her I’d watched Us and that I was actually getting my writing arse into gear and writing this post up.

25. What’s on top of your wish list right now?

A holiday to Bali! I really want to go for two weeks but I need to save up as the flights can be quite pricey.

26. Sorting House?

On Pottermore I was sorted into Hufflepuff but on any other Harry Potter Quiz I’ve seen (my sister is the biggest fan) I’ve always been Slytherin.

27. How many tattoos do you have?

One. I have a star pattern on my foot that I got in Magaluf because I knew that I needed to be drunk to get myself into the chair. I really want to get a Prosecco glass on the side of my ring finger on my right hand.

28. What are you most grateful for this year?

Getting to see my friend Lauren get married and being able to be a part of her journey from engaged to married. I’m also grateful for my true friends who have been really supportive and checking in on me whilst I’ve been struggling with my mental health.

29. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this month?

This month has only just begun so I can have a guess and say the best thing this month will be judging for the second year at International Cheese and Dairy Awards, but last month I got to see Cinderella The Ballet at Royal Albert Hall and it was just beautiful.

30. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you today?

Feeling good enough and creative enough to actually start writing this post and getting back into blogging.

31. What’s the best thing ever?

Cake.

32. Favourite season?

Summer.

33. Favourite holiday?

Halloween. Anyone who knows me knows just how much I adore Halloween and every year I get so excited to celebrate it. I always get my make-up done professionally (except for one year where I did it myself, but it took so long) and I get dressed up as I love fancy dress. For the past two years I have celebrated in Brighton, and last year I got to cover a bunch of Halloween events through The Live Review and I was just loving life!

34. What fictional character do you relate to the most?

Ariel from The Little Mermaid of course, did you see my outfit for my Disney themed fancy dress 30^thbirthday party.

35. Do you like surprises?

Yes, but obviously I’d prefer them to be good surprises, no one wants a bad surprise.

36. What’s the biggest surprise you’ve ever had?

Recently it was being invited to review The Crystal Maze with three of my friends and it was basically a dream come true. I’m honestly still surprised and feel so blessed every time I get a new blog opportunity.

37. What’s the surprise that made you cry?

I’m sure I’ve cried at a surprise, but I can’t think of one right now.

38. What’s the best surprise you’ve ever given someone?

I got to take my Mum to Culture Club at Wembley last year which was her first ever concert at the very same venue as a teenager. I also got 21 presents for my friend’s 21^stbirthday, and I just love doing presents for people.

39. Do you like muffins?

Yes, I love chocolate chip muffins and blueberry muffins.

40. Do you cook often?

Not particularly but I’m trying to improve my kitchen skills, and last month I made my first ever batch of scrambled eggs and my first omelette. They might sound really simple but I’m really proud.

41. What’s your favourite dessert?

Jam Roly Poly and custard.

42. Is there a dessert you dislike?

Well any dessert with nuts because you know allergy life, but also coffee cake and carrot cake.

43. Cake or pie?

Cake.

44. What’s your least favourite food?

Vegetables!

45. What’s your favourite condiment?

BBQ sauce.

46. It’s 4am on a Saturday night, what would you eat?

If I’ve been drinking you know I’ll be first in line at the kebab shop, although I wish they did curry sauce in the UK in kebab shops as I usually only see it in Magaluf and it’s amazing!

47. If you could teach a college class, what would it be called?

Procrastinating 101. Sarcasm Society. Standing Up For Yourself. Learning To Love Yourself As A Mid-Size Woman.

48. Best animated film?

The Little Mermaid. Hercules. Mulan. The Incredibles 2. God there’s so many!

49. What has a guy done or said to impress you?

To be honest I don’t have a great history with relationships and guys so I can’t actually think of anything a guy has done to impress me.

50. The best thing to do on a first date?

I’m quite happy with a classic meet at a bar for a few drinks, preferably one that isn’t too loud so you can actually talk.

51. The worst thing to do on a first date?

Talk about past relationships or the gym.

52. What’s the funniest pick-up line a guy could use on a girl?

I’ve actually had a guy come up and break some ice in front of me and say, “Well that’s broken the ice, want a drink?” So weird but strangely funny!

53. Best comic book character?

Wolverine, but then that might be because Hugh Jackman as Wolverine was a dream and I was heartbroken when he decided to hang up his claws and retire in that role.

54. What are three things that are always in your purse?

Aside from the obvious phone, purse and keys, there’s always and inhaler, a mirror and my diary as it’s basically the bible of what I’m doing and where my Live Review reviewers are.

55. Favourite drink?

Diet Coke, Prosecco and Pornstar Martinis.

56. If you could play a historical figure in a movie who would it be?

Josephine Butler, who brought into open discussion in Victorian Britain the double sexual standard that existed in a male-dominated society.

57. Kittens or puppies?

I’m not a big animal person but out of the two I’d probably go for kittens.

58. Tell me your favourite sushi roll?

Not a fan of sushi.

59. What kind of lipstick do you use?

My favourite lipstick is Urban Decay Matte Rapture and I have about four tubes floating around my room and in different handbags. I recently got the Ariel lipstick from Colourpop and that has now become Rapture’s rival for top spot.

60. What kind of foundation do you use?

I use Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue and if I want a stronger coverage I use Urban Decay All Nighter.

61. Blow dry or air dry?

Air dry if it’s hot, otherwise I have to blow dry as my hair is so long that it won’t air dry itself on a colder day.

62. Who is your fashion icon?

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Amanda Seyfried, effortlessly sophisticated and understated sexy. And of course Billy Porter who forever slays and breaks down the “social norms”.

63. Favourite Disney Character?

Aside from Ariel I’d have to say Mulan, she went charging into a war dominated solely by men and saved China.

64. What are you doing tomorrow?

Working, blogging, filling in my Manifestation and Mindset Journal and hopefully coming up with my defined plan of how I will manage my two blogs smarter.

65. A movie you laughed the hardest through?

Walking On Sunshine, me and Charli were in absolute hysterics. It’s one of those total car crash movies that are so bad they’re brilliant. All I have to say is My Beats Per Minute Never Been Da Same!

66. A movie that made you cry?

I cry at a lot of movies but the first one that came to mind was My Sister’s Keeper.

67. If you could sing a duet with someone, who would it be?

S Club 7 would be my childhood dream, or Taylor Swift

68. If your life was a song, what would the title be?

Sassy Disaster.

69. What’s your favourite animal?

Dolphins.

70. Favourite illustrator?

I can’t say that I have a favourite illustrator to be honest.

71. A person you want to have coffee with?

Amanda Seyfried, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alan Carr, Rob Beckett. God there’s honestly so many, although I’d have Diet Coke over coffee.

72. What country do you wish to visit?

Bali, it’s the top of my travel wishlist. I’d also like to visit Mauritius.

73. Best way to decompress?

Upbeat music that makes me want to dance, cocktails with a friend or takeaway and Netflix.

12 Bloggers I’m Tagging

Below are the 12 dolls I’m tagging to take part in the challenge, and can’t wait to read their answers if they choose to take part. Tag me on Twitter if you do so I can nose at your lives. Thanks for reading my Vogue Parody!

Charli

Abi

Char

Hannah

Ellie

Kelly

Sammy

Jessie

Lauren

Abbie

Evie

Lucy

The post Vogue Parody: 73 Questions With Glam Glitz Gloss appeared first on Glam Glitz Gloss.

I wanted to share with you some information that I learnt at the Blogging 101 event as well as some of my own knowledge and once I got started writing this post up it took on a life of it’s own so I’m having to split it into multiple posts as no one was going to strap in for all that information in just one hit. This piece will be covering your website and media kit, with the second focusing on social media and the final post will be on what most of us see as the daunting subject of SEO. I also have some general do’s and don’ts of working with PRs but I haven’t quite worked out how to filter that in so who knows there may be a fourth post.

YOUR WEBSITE

First impressions are everything in the blogging world, especially if you are hoping to monetise and work with brands. You could be the best writer in the world but if your website is visually unappealing then no one will take the time to realise how good your writing is. This is not to say that you shouldn’t put your personality into your site but if you have a messy page, pop ups covering half the screen, your photographs run into the sidebar etc. this can put people off.

Your email address and contact page should be visually and easily accessible as without this information how can you expect to move forward with any collaborations. You should also include your location and if you can list it near or alongside your email address this makes life a lot easier for PRs. They can record this information on their systems and then contact you when relevant campaigns come up.

Finally, with your site make sure to add a short bio to showcase your personality, although if you can avoid the classic line of “Welcome to my little space on the internet”. PRs see this so often that coming across a unique bio is instantly going to capture their attention. If you post your bio on your About Me page, I would recommend including the topics you cover and linking to that categories page so the PR can check for examples of previous relevant content.

MEDIA KIT

In the 8 years that I have been blogging I have only ever used a media kit a handful of times as I tend to just email with all the information that is covered in a media kit. I like to think I know how to sell myself in an email, PRs may be reading this right now thinking not in the slightest love, but I’ve had a number of campaigns come in from pitching via email.

Whilst personally I tend to steer away from Media Kits, I know a lot of people prefer to use them, as not only a visually appealing tool but also because it’s so much easier than waffling away in an email. Once a media kit has been created you only need to update your stats and any irrelevant information on a monthly or quarterly basis, dependant on how often your stats increase.

You can create your media kit on a number of different platforms, including Canva, Powerpoint, Word or Photoshop, which all have premade free and paid for templates if you are not the most creative or just want some inspiration. It may sound obvious but start with your blog name and link, I have seen media kits where you don’t actually find out someone’s blog name until you hit the social links.

Whilst on pilot I will usually end up sending over an email that doesn’t mean I can’t let you know the tips that were shared with me by Spot Digital. Your media kit shouldn’t just showcase your stats, this is your chance to showcase your personality to brands and agencies with an About Me section. Like I mentioned in the website section try to avoid starting with the clique “Welcome to my little space on the internet”.

WHAT TO INCLUDE

Make it clear what genres you cover on your blog, and if you are able to include a link to these sections on your websites so that it’s easy for the PR to check previous examples in that area. Highlight what makes you unique, the blog world is only ever increasing these days so you need something to make you memorable or stand out to the brand, what makes you special and why should they work with you over another blogger.

As mentioned earlier you should always include your stats, but this shouldn’t just be your social media following. I would also mention unique monthly views and unique monthly users, the engagement rate where relevant from social channels and if you have purchased your domain then include your DA score (I will be talking more about this in the SEO post if you are not too sure what that is). I’d also encourage you to cover some demographics of your audience as these are always of interest to the PRs, information such as top audience locations, gender and age.

I would incorporate your own photography within your media kit to showcase these skills and include some of your past collaborations. If you have any testimonials from previous campaigns make sure to include these, and if you don’t have any pop over a quick email to someone you’ve recently worked with just asking for a sentence or two on how the campaign went.

Finally let the PRs and agencies know what you offer; are you happy to work on a gifted basis, do you only accept sponsored content, or do you have a social media package that covers all your platforms. You can mention your rates within your media kit but there is also nothing wrong with stating “Fees available on request”.

The post Blogging 101 – Website and Media Kit appeared first on Glam Glitz Gloss.

The Aperfield Inn was formerly known as The Fox And Hounds after The ”Old Surrey Foxhounds” who used to meet at the pub before their hunt. It now takes its name from an ancient spelling of “apple tree field” and is built on land that once formed part of the Manor of Aperfield. This was one of the manors that William the Conqueror presented to his half-brother following the Norman invasion in 1066, so it’s fair to say the area is rich in history!

Westerham is a town in Kent, nestled between Biggin Hill, Bromley and Orpington which you might be a bit more familiar with. Although it was only a half hour bus journey away I haven’t really explored this area of Kent so I was excited to try out a new venue and area, and even more so when I found out the bus stopped right outside, easily pleased or what. Little fact for you, Sir Winston Churchill’s home at Chartwell is just a short drive away and you can also see the study where Charles Darwin composed “On the origin of species” at nearby Down House.

I went to The Aperfield Inn with Abi and we were given the option to sit wherever we felt more comfortable, with the options being in the conservatory area which has full windows all round allowing the sunlight to soak the room, perfect the upcoming summer months, or the enclosed area. We decided to sit in the enclosed section as there were some cosy corners and booths, and the conservatory was fairly busy that day.

The Aperfield Inn has multiple menus, including a Sunday one, a Vegan one, Fixed Price menu, but we were eating from the Monday to Saturday menu which has so many options. The menu begins with the Starters, Sharers & Grazers, and the very first item listed is the Sticky Meat Platter, which comes with Maple Glazed Chicken wings, Prawns & Chorizo in garlic butter, Sticky Ribs, Salt & Pepper Calamari and a stone-baked Garlic Flatbread. As soon as I saw this on the menu when I researched online beforehand I instantly knew it was my kind of place.

On the day we didn’t end up going for the Sticky Meat Platter as I went for quite a dense main and decided this would be too much between two of us on top of a main and dessert and so I will definitely have to go back to give that a try. I ended up going for the Salt & Pepper Calamari which came with chorizo-flavour seasoning and chipotle chilli mayonnaise, and Abi went for the Duo Pate; coarse pork & Madeira pâté and duck liver parfait, served with Bramley apple butter, blackcurrant curd, baby gherkins and rustic bread.

Both myself and Abi suffer from allergies, I have a nut allergy and she has an alcohol allergy, which was actually listed against both dishes she wanted to go for. We had a really friendly and super helpful server called Allie who went and checked with the chef if the dishes she had selected could be made without the alcoholic element. We also gave Allie an additional back up dish that was also listed as alcohol incase one was easier to adapt than the other. She came back and let us know exactly what the alcohol was, where it was within the dish and the options they could do so that she would be able to stick with that dish, they really went above and beyond!

The rest of the menu was split into different areas; Mains, Steaks & Burgers, Stone-Baked Pizza & Salads, Sandwiches & Lunch Bites and Sides. We both ended up selecting the same dish off the Mains section, Seafood Risotto, which was a scallops, lobster and prawn risotto with thyme roasted tomatoes topped with Gran Moravia cheese. I personally opted for the tomatoes to be removed as I am not a fan but I completely cleared the plate and we both agreed that the dish was absolutely delicious. There were so many incredible sounding options on the menu but I would definitely go back and find it hard to not order the same main again.

We were both feeling rather full at this point but I have never been a girl who turns down the dessert menu, unless it’s a birthday and I know there’s cake waiting for me at home. We looked over the pudding menu and I decided to try the Bramley Apple Pie which came with both a pot of custard and a bowl of ice cream, and Abi went for the Lemon Meringue Pie with Raspberry Coulis. I struggled a little to get through my dessert but I ate enough to appreciate the flavour and would definitely recommend it.

I was really impressed with all the dishes we ordered, although Abi said she could have done with a little extra bread with her pate, and would definitely go back. I have already told the family about it and have convinced them to organise a family meal there soon, they do set menus for special occasions like Fathers Day so maybe that will be a good time and excuse for us all to go. If you live nearby or find yourself in the area I would definitely recommend The Aperfield Inn whether it’s for lunch, dinner, or even just for a drink if you’re on the look out for cute pubs.

*I was given a £50 voucher towards my meal and we paid the remaining balance as the entire three courses plus drinks came to £66, very reasonable and worth it. All views and opinions stated are my own. Interior Photos; courtesy of The Aperfield Inn Website Gallery

The post The Aperfield Inn Westerham Review appeared first on Glam Glitz Gloss.