Post Comment Love & Blogger Showcase 7-9 December

Hello there and welcome to this week’s #PoCoLo a friendly linky where you can link any post published in the last week. If you were here last week, it was great to see you and if you’re new here this week, then you’re very welcome. Both Morgan and I know you’ll find some great posts to read, and encourage you to pop over to some of the posts linked and take the time to leave a comment or two so that everyone benefits from some extra love.

The only progress I’ve made since last week on Christmas is the start of Christmas nights out, more mince pies and munching my way through part of the gingerbread house I helped to make at a Neff and Currys PC World blog evening. And while the gingerbread house - and its 3D tree - was a success, it’s not going so well over here, and with that shorter deadline I may even have to go into some actual shops soon.

Wish me luck…

A gingerbread house

Blogger Showcase: Montana from The Moody Mum

1. Who am I?

I am a mama of two who comes from a small hometown, trying to make it as a parent in the city life. I am used to having a yard, and a large space to go outside and play, we are now living in a 1 bedroom apartment - which is surprisingly the norm around here for new families. I had my children very far apart - nine years, so trying to navigate parenting between two very different life stages is a challenge, but one I accept with arms open. I grew up dancing on the stage - ballet and tap, something I still enjoy to this day. I am a huge bookworm, and love to create in the kitchen.

2. How did I discover blogs/blogging?

I have a background in working with people who suffer with addiction problems. As much as I love my job, it really drains me. I was always interested in blogging and creating websites and doing something more for myself, but I never knew what I would write about. Who would want to read anything I created? I had always had this idea to start a blog - and had been following some of my favourites for awhile. It was more a courage thing for me, what if I fail? What if nobody reads it? I finally realised that none of that matters. What matters to me is how I feel when I am writing, and it makes me feel great about myself, a definite sense of accomplishment. 

3. Why did I start blogging? 

I started blogging after I had my daughter. Being at home on maternity leave I have a ton of free time and to be honest, I was getting bored. I finally realised that I have something that interests me, and something that I would enjoy writing about. Being a mama! 

4. What do I find most challenging?

When you are starting out as a blogger, or with any new website really, it takes up a lot of your time. It really is like my third baby these days. Whenever I am not parenting, I am on the computer writing, researching, jotting down ideas for future posts. I know my spouse thinks that I am spending too much time on the computer and maybe I am. Finding a balance is tricky.

5. What is my favourite topic to write about?

I have a lot of information on my site, some about teething, breastfeeding, what stay at home moms do in a day, and those are all great but my number one favourite thing to write about is my day to day life with my family. I am actually a recovering drug addict and have come so far in my life and I don't ever want to take that for granted. My life looked very different not so long ago, and there were times that I had no family around me because I was so deep in my addiction. I am so proud of where I am today, and the family that I have created. 

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

Both! There is a definite plan to create an income out of what I am doing, but I really do love the writing. As long as someone, just one person can take away something from my words than I am happy. 

7. What is your favourite thing about blogging?

That nothing is off limits! You can literally write about ANYTHING, and someone will most likely be interested in it. It kind of reminds me of being young and keeping a journal, it’s like a secret that you write down not knowing if your mom is going to read it. I love seeing the reactions to my posts, and reading all of the comments.

8. Have you ever attended a blogging conference?

No, I have not. It is something that I would love to experience at some point in my life though. 

9. What are your three best posts?

My favourite post so far is: My life as a mom, the things nobody talks about - it is literally the down and dirty nitty gritty details about childbirth and after that nobody ever wants to tell you! 

Happy Six months to our little lady - Marlow's birth story

Outdoor Yoga Benefits - A day with my gal pals

10. Describe yourself in three traits

  • Quirky

  • Particular

  • Sociable

11. Tea and biscuits or coffee and cake? 

Tea and cake, please! 

12. Your perfect night out?

Picnic blanket on the beach with take out watching fireworks or the stars. 

If I had time to plan it would be something out of the norm like a pottery or cooking class.

One thing I want to try is going on a double date where we each buy our spouses an outfit from the thrift store to wear to dinner. That one would be funny! 

13. Your perfect night in?

Bubble bath, candles, a good book, an excellent meal, and not having to clean up after! 

14. My best quality according to my mom?

Helpfulness.

Remember to stop by Montana’s social channels before you link up: Facebook - Google+ - Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram

If you’d like to be featured as a future Blogger Showcase, then please send either Morgan or I your answers to the questions and we can agree a date, we’d love to share more about you.

Post Comment Love 30 November - 2 December

Hello there and welcome to this week’s #PoCoLo a friendly linky where you can link any post published in the last week. If you were here last week, it was great to see you and if you’re new here this week, then you’re very welcome. Both Morgan and I know you’ll find some great posts to read, and encourage you to pop over to some of the posts linked and take the time to leave a comment or two so that everyone benefits from some extra love.

Erm, how is it December this weekend?

I don’t know about you but Christmas seems to be everywhere this year already, and has been for a while. I usually start Christmas shopping earlier than I have this year, but I think I’m getting there with only a couple of my family still on the “no idea” list. I’ve already collected four parcels from the Post Office and I’ve a feeling I’ll be going back a few more times yet!

But wherever you are in your preparations for the month ahead, remember this:

Photo by Clark Tibbs on Unsplash

Photo by Clark Tibbs on Unsplash

Blogger Showcase: Gabrielle from The Opinionated One Blog

Gabrielle describes herself as passionate, dedicated and funny, who’s a coffee and cake girl and so much so that there’s details of both, which I think is a first for this question. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that of course, I love the detail. She blogs about beauty, religion and lifestyle and has named her cat Rum Tum, after the mischievous cat from Cats.

She loves to connect with bloggers on social media, so before you pop over to Morgan’s to find out more, take a moment to say hello: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube.

Post Comment Love & Blogger Showcase 23 -25 November

Hello there and welcome to this week’s #PoCoLo a friendly linky where you can link any post published in the last week. If you were here last week, it was great to see you and if you’re new here this week, then you’re very welcome. Both Morgan and I know you’ll find some great posts to read, and encourage you to pop over to some of the posts linked and take the time to leave a comment or two so that everyone benefits from some extra love.

With a weekend at home we finally got around to tackling the leaves in the garden, or rather MOH did, while I faffed about avoiding the back breaking work of picking up leaves. It’s my cunning plan every year, and it generally seems to work, if you ever find yourself in the same situation. I spent the time taking pictures of the garden - there’s more in the post I’ve linked this week, covering up the garden furniture and pizza oven, moving pots into a more sheltered position and covering our agapanthus in fleece. Which as it turned out was a good move, as as well as the rain earlier in the week we had hailstones, which was a bit of a shock, and then a heavy frost yesterday morning.
Oh, and I picked my last crop of tomatoes, some lettuce and even more bizarrely two miniature broad beans, like you do mid-November

the last pickings of tomatoes and lettuce from my garden

Blogger Showcase: Alonyo from Alonyo Kilama-Oceng

1 Who are you?

Hi, my name is Alonyo Kilama-Oceng a London based blogger. I am British born but of Ugandan heritage.  I have been blogging for just over a year on my self titled blog www.alonyokilamaoceng.com

2 How did you discover blogs/blogging?

Looking for an answer on the internet and then slowly stumbled across You Tube videos and then blogs.  Then I slowly began watching vlogs and reading more blogs of my favourite influencers.

3 Why did you start blogging?

I wanted a space where my friends and family abroad could come and see what I have been up to. Where I have been travelling to, clothing I am loving and everything in between.

4 What do you find most challenging?

Sometimes it’s the inspiration and ideas of what to write for the blogs.

5 What is your favourite topic to write about?

I currently enjoy writing lifestyle pieces. I enjoy writing more about my experiences to help others who could be going through the same thing as me and helping others out.

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

This is a hobby which I really enjoy.  I take it seriously but I find it fun to write and edit.

7 What is your favourite thing about blogging?

Being able to interact with other people near or far. Getting new ideas and reading about experiences from others.

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

I have not been a blogging conference or event. But would love to go to one .

9 What are you 3 favourite posts?

10 Describe yourself in three words?

Diamond in the rough.

11 Are you a tea and biscuit or a coffee and cake person?

I love a Chai Latte or Chai Tea with custard creams or red velvet cake. But no sugar in any hot drink I have.

12 What’s your idea of a perfect night out?

Out with a few of my girls, anywhere with great music, mojitos and nibbles. Oh not to mention a great view to take a few photos social media worthy.

13 Your perfect night in?

In my PJs and fluffy socks with candles lit with my boyfriend. Ordering in mainly pizza and just watching TV or a movie.

14 What would your best friend or mum say about you?

I am too caring with a big mouth.  

Don’t forget to stop by Alonyo’s social channels: Twitter - Instagram