Post Comment Love 6-8 April

Hello there, welcome back to our post-Easter #PoCoLo - while it was lovely to have a break, it's nice to be back isn't it?  And the sun's making an appearance too, way better than the colder and snowy weather that had been around in some parts of the UK last week.

It's finally starting to feel as if we may be done with winter, doesn't it?  Let's just hope spring is kind to us.  The weather has played all sorts of havoc with my gardening, or rather that should be my lack of gardening so far this year.  I'm behind where I usually am at this time of year - and often that's behind in any case - so this year I'm seriously contemplating buying some seedlings to help catch me up.  It's a more expensive way of growing edibles, but with some careful choosing it could mean we have produce to pick.  It also means I get to pore over a different section of the catalogues and websites, all in the name of research.

I've taken few photos since the weekend - the post I've linked this week is from a trip into town over Easter - so I've delved into my photo archives again, and this bookshelf in the National Trust's Mottisfont called out to me.  I think it's my subconscious telling me I need to read more books - and I do - and I've a pile of "to be reads" stacking up on my kindle, but not necessarily all of these!  

Blogger Showcase: Katelynn from Hampers and Hiccups

Katelynn is a new(ish) blogger who regular linkers may already be familiar with as she's also joined us a few times already.  Morgan is hosting all of Katelynn's answers on her blog this week, but before you go let me tell you that her perfect night in involves popcorn and her perfect night out includes getting up to no good if she's with her best friend.  I think we can all relate, can't we? 

If you're not connected with Katelynn on her social channels, then pop over to Pinterest and Twitter and say hello!

If you'd like to be featured in the Blogger Showcase spot, then please get in touch with either Morgan or I.  We've currently got a waiting list until the end of May, but we're always looking to add people to our list.

An InLinkz Link-up

Post Comment Love 23 - 25 March

Hello there and welcome back to Post Comment Love, it's Friday again and that means another day off for me this week - I know it's becoming a bit of a habit!  If you were here last week, it was great to see you and if you're new here this week it's great to have you along.

I don't know about you but I'm so over winter, so I'm hoping that the milder forecasts - and the start of spring - are correct. I could do with some more warmth, after the very brief taste we've had of it. And I'm hoping that it's not followed by the same as last week. 

I'm also over socks. And boots. I'm living in trainers, boots and such like all of which require socks. My socks it seems like to rumple down towards my toes and I forever seem to be hoicking them up - even more than tights, which really is peculiar.  I thought perhaps my socks were exhausted, so bought some new ones, but these seem even worse than the old ones. 

So I'm ready to ditch the socks as soon as I can. It seems the only way to save my sanity. That or stapling my socks to my legs, which I don't think is going to be a sensible solution. But enough about socks.

My photo this week is from our visit to Hestercombe Gardens last Friday. It was taken in the spring-like part of the day, before the hail arrived. Aren't the textures great?  Wood, stone and iron all in one shot - and a bit of rust for good measure too.

Much better than socks.

Bloggers Showcase: Sarah from Life in a Break Down and UK Bloggers

Sarah runs one of the best bloggers groups, and I'm sure many people including many of its members don't know what's involved in keeping the group running smoothly.  It's one of the groups I joined fairly early on and so it's nice to feature Sarah in this spot this week.  Morgan is hosting Sarah's full responses, so do pop over there and have a read.

But before you go, here's a taster... 

Sarah's first real experience, and what it could become, took place on Live Journal and you'll know things have progressed somewhat when Sarah says last year she took the decision to try and make blogging her full time income, and so far so good.

Sarah admits she finds it hard to stay on one subject on her blog - which is music to my ears as I "suffer" from that too, as you've probably noticed.

Before you head over to Morgan's to find out more, do give Sarah and/or UK Bloggers a follow on Twitter, or Life in a Break Down on Facebook.  And if you're a blogger based in the UK then take a look at the UK Bloggers Facebook group too.

If you'd like to feature in a future Blogger Showcase, then please get in touch with Morgan or I.

*** PoCoLo is taking a break next week for Easter, but we'll be back again and raring to go 6 April ***

An InLinkz Link-up

Post Comment Love and Blogger Showcase 16-18 March

Hello there and welcome to another Friday and the weekly linky I co-host with Morgan.  It's great to see you every week, and if you were here last week thank you - it was great to read your posts. If you're new here this week then welcome, it's good to have you along. 

This week I've realised that despite all my planning - and I love to plan - I've also become a bit of a last minute girl. I'm not sure when, or how that happened, but it has and so once again I'm writing my post at the last minute.  It seems a bit of an anomaly to me to be a planner, but also last minute.

Or is it because I plan I'm comfortable leaving things to the last minute as I've already worked out how to tackle something, and the last minute part is just implementation. Who knows?  What is more than likely is that I'm already planning the next thing, so at times (well, often) plan more than I can actually do, but in my defence I do do the doing, at some point too.

But it's interesting isn't it? Are you the same, or do you have your feet firmly in one camp? I'm intrigued, as for me research mostly always precedes the planning, and becomes part of the planning process. 

I guess it's all about balance, which leads me nicely onto this week's photo:

This garden seat, in the Walled Gardens of Cannington in Somerset caught my eye as soon as I stepped into the Australasian garden. We stopped off for a walk around the gardens and to explore the botanical glasshouses alongside an overnight stay (in a hotel, not the glasshouse) before heading to Devon for the weekend.

I've many more photos to share, so look out for those soon.  I've a few more garden visits planned while we're in this neck of the woods so I'm fully anticipating to spend some time sorting, editing and wading through plenty of photos.

Blogger Showcase: Urszula

1. Who are you?

My name is Urszula Makowska. I am a growing social media influencer, full time fashion blogger, and actress born and raised in the heart of New York City. Growing up in Brooklyn, I attended dance class for five years and completed my certificate in acting.

As an actress, I am best known for my role on MTV's show Catfish Season 5B Episode 1: Lucas & Many. Since the episode aired, MTV filmed a follow up with me, in February of 2017, adding the footage into the original episode.

Professionally, I graduated with a Bachelor's of Business Administration degree in Visual Merchandising from LIM College in 2016. For years I worked in social media and public relations. Today, I am currently working as a merchandiser for Full Beauty Brands and I am working on my blogging career. 

Urszulala is the name of my fashion blog and it was formerly, launched as Fash Fab in 2012 by me in the early development of my fashion career. 

2. How did you discover blogging?

Once I started college, I decided I wanted to be a stylist and thought "wow blogging is sort of the way to go." I can create looks and share it with world. I also loved to write and decided to give it a chance. So, one day after class I just started my own site.

3. Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging in the early stage of my fashion career, basically from scratch. I was strictly blogging about fashion at the time, I shared my daily fashion inspirations, outfits, and tips with viewers with hope of inspiring them with my taste because that is what I wanted to do. I really wanted to inspire others out there with my style and my visual creativity.

For me, personally, it was a work of art to create looks and write. I was doing what I loved and following my dreams, while seeing how much I really change throughout my college years. Today, it has become a full time job for me and through my blog and instagram, I have affiliated and partnered with major brands such as Aveda, NYLON, Amika, Christian Dior, LA MER, I SAW IT FIRST, Cartier, Estee Lauder, Givenchy, Daniel Wellington, and many other brands.

4. What do you find most challenging?

I had a difficult time branding myself in the beginning. I was in the early stages of really learning a lot about myself and my style. I had to learn a lot on my own and really figure out who I am and what my style is. Once I figured that out (which took me a year), what was once known as Fash Fab, soon became re-branded to Urszulala.

I took my blog a step into the darker side of fashion. The darker and edgier look has grown the blog's popularity. The bold eyebrows and cat eyes became my signature look. Furthermore the blog has expanded into beauty, lifestyle, and travel that has inspired others. I've gotten far to having my site featured from Elle PL, MTV, Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, and many other publications.

5. What is your favorite topic to write about?

Fashion, fashion, fashion! I just love fashion, but I also love to write about travel, instagram tips, and beauty. I have a strong passion for everything I do. I put my whole heart into it.

6. Are you blogging for fun or do you have goals?

I do it for fun and it has also become a full time job. In response to the second question, as bloggers we all have goals. I definitely have goals set that I plan to achieve. I plan to push myself further and further as a blogger.

7. What is your favorite thing about blogging?

I love being able to create, write, and share. It is a form of art. I feel free and this is what I love to do. I love being a role model to others and inspiration to others. I want everyone to feel amazing about themselves and to be successful.

8. Have you ever attended a blogging conference and if so, what did you think?

Yes, I have. I love blogger meet-ups and conferences. It is always a pleasure to meet new people and network. It is actually extremely important to network and maintain relationships. Also, it is a great learning opportunity. You always learn something new.

9. What are your 3 best posts?

They are related to fashion!

10. Describe yourself in three words.

Humble, kind, and outgoing.

11. Are you a tea and biscuits or coffee and cake person?

Can I choose both? Haha! I love coffee and cake. I have a sweet tooth and I can't help it, but I also love tea and biscuits. This is the hardest question I've ever had. I cannot choose two over the other two.

12. What's your idea of a perfect night out?

My perfect idea of a perfect night out is dressing up and going out with my ladies somewhere spontaneous. Also, having dinner and just spending time together with non-stop laughter.

13. What would your best friend/OH/mum or kid say is your best quality?

Everyone would say that I'm the most nicest person anyone will ever meet. I have a big heart and I am the type of person you can count on no matter what. I always love to help. 

Thanks for sharing more about you and your blog Urszula.  If you're reading this and are interested in being featured in a future Blogger Showcase then please get in touch with either Morgan and I.

An InLinkz Link-up