My Blogger must have essentials

by HollyJune 6, 2019

We as bloggers love to experiment with different things on the market to see what will help us as creative writers and add a bit of pyzaz to it.

Well these are some of the things that I have purchased that I wouldn’t be without.

You can click on the coloured link and it’ll take you there. (not sponsored or paid in any way)

Living in England there’s only a little sun so when it goes in before you can get a good shot something else has to be that artificial light and this ring light is just perfect. Not bulky, not over big and can easily be tucked away. You can put your phone on it and record videos or take selfies too which is a great added feature.

RING LIGHT AND TRIPOD WITH SELFIE HOLDER

If you are out and about and want to throw a bit of light on your face when you’re taking a selfie a little ring light that you can attach to your phone for under a tenner is something not to miss. Easily charged by USB or power if you have a spare plug.

RECHARGEABLE RING LIGHT FOR PHONE

If you have been looking for the tripod that you can depend on then the Gorilla pod is the best one out there in my opinion. You can bend it any way and even wrap around the tree for hand’s free photos. This one is for your camera and is under £30.

GORILLA POD TRIPOD

Then of course there’s a smaller one you can put in your bag and put your phone on it. I believe its £10. Bloody bargain.

GORILLA MINI POD TRIPOD FOR PHONE

Well I have to say I don’t use my camera that often I prefer my phone as its more to hand. When I do use a camera I grab my Sony A6000 which has fab specs and well worth getting.

SONY A6000 INTERCHANGEABLE LENS DIGITAL CAMERA

For the last few months since my upgrade I can honestly say the Huawei P20 Pro is a bloggers phone indeed. The battery life is great, the 3 cameras in it has such quality and its super slim to fit into your pocket or bag.

HUAWEI P20 PRO 128GB

I wanted a laptop that wasn’t too cumbersome and that I could take with me on the go if needed, so when I stumbled across the Asus Transformer Book Mini it was exactly what I was after. With the detachable screen and the pen I just had to get it. It was on offer when I got it but its still affordable for a nifty piece of kit.

ASUS TRANSFORMER

BOOK MINI 10.1

Not every blogger will need one but if you also like making videos/podcasts or voiceovers then a microphone like this one is the perfect addition to your blogging essentials.

MICROPHONE FOR VOICEOVERS AND PODCAST

I hope by sharing my faves it may give you food for thought – more like tech for thought.

Til next time

Monthly favourites – MAY

by HollyMay 31, 2019

It’s the last day of May today, summer is finally upon us.

I always bring you a monthly favourites so here is this months

My Favourite song – Lola by The Kinks

This song is an old love. It’s been on a few Spotify playlists so a good excuse to listen to it and sing along slightly out of tune too. I said to my mum years ago if I could change my name from Holly I would choose Lola. I think it’s quirky and different.

App of the Month – Colour Checker / Asana

I like to make To Do Lists and then tick as I go. Sometimes my iPad/phone is nearer to me than a notepad so it’s easier to make my lists there.

Both of these are great apps. The colour checker is a simple one you can colour code your goal/ chore / thing to complete. Asana you can break things down and even delegate to others if you add their email to your app account. I find this one helpful if I have bullet points for my blog posts and pics to not quite put on here quite yet. Think a blogger would benefit from either of these.

Quote of the month –

No matter what things you go through in life, there will be happier times and this quote will give you comfort in knowing that. Got to love a quote with a positive message.

Favourite Tech bits

My MPOW wireless headphones I’ve had a while. I really do love shutting out the world and listen to my music, watch a film or a YouTube video at the end of the day these are perfect if you can’t afford beats or can’t justify spending over 100 pounds on headphones.

I have never had an all singing all dancing printer. The two I’ve had before were meant to be wireless but have ended up not connecting and then the paper getting stuck. So mum treated us to this one the HP Envy 5032. It is touch screen, so even mum can understand how to use it. There’s this instant ink too that you get 13 months free then only £1.99 a month for 50 prints which is perfect for me as I don’t print out loads.

Think that’s a long enough post, don’t want you nodding off.

June, I’m ready for you.

Hope you’ve had a fab May.

See you in my next post

Don’t let social media ruin your life

by HollyDecember 6, 2018

I know as I am writing this it is on some form of social media. But this is our little blogging community and on a whole people are lovely and super inspiring.

Ok let’s get down to it…

INSTAGRAM

You have two typicals that you probably compare yourself to

1) whatever they post they get loads of likes even if you think yours is just as good, it’s the person they are liking most of the time not the pics. Sometimes they do have fabulous feeds. But really it’s nice to get to know the real person behind their Instagram. People are not just photos they are more wonderful than that.

2) No matter how hard you have tried it just doesn’t seem to come close to the followers or likes of the said group of instagrammers above. You get frustrated when you don’t get the appreciation too. Please don’t worry, it doesn’t make you any less of a person. Its only an app after all.

FACEBOOK

Don’t get me wrong, facebook is a wonderful thing to keep in contact with friends and relatives. But it’s when it becomes something quite destructive that you need to question whether it’s good for you or not.

The egos of some people they post something provoking and then the more fuel is added to that fire the bigger their egotistical minds get. Sad people really.

Then on the other hand there’s the ones who don’t give themselves down time from facebook, they comment on everything, like everything and post quite erraticly, that’s facebook addiction.

TWITTER

I always look at Twitter as the Fomo app (fear of missing out). You can be on there for absolute hours and not have gained anything but hours of just scrolling through tweet after tweet.

Using it for the greater good is always the way forward. It’s one of my favourite social media platforms to use. Surround yourself with happy people on Twitter and you won’t be just scrolling you’ll be Sending out positive energy and making great friends.

It’s always a question i hear a lot and here’s the answer.

Those that don’t love you for who you are are not your people. Delete and move on.

Hope you’ll look at social media differently after this.

Til next time

MAKE YOUR INSTAGRAM STORIES STAND OUT

by HollyJuly 4, 2018

Last night i decided to do a video on what apps i have started using on my Instagram stories – to make them more interesting to watch.

I’ve spent most of this morning editing it and now it’s finally up on my YouTube channel.

Click down below to watch it

Or you can just type holzie into the YouTube search bar.

Feedback on my videos are always much appreciated.

Til next time…Much love xxx

You can find me here

by HollyMay 23, 2018

A follower of my blog notified me and said the Social Media links on my sidebar wasn’t working…

That has now been fixed but I thought I would link them here too along with my new video over on YouTube.

Click on the text above the pics to take you directly to it.

MY INSTAGRAM

MY PINTEREST

MY TWITTER

I can’t seem to shrink the youtube video but here it is anyways I uploaded it today.

It will play within the blog post…

Thank you to all of you that follow me on here too. I love my little blogging family.

See you next time

Dear Music

by HollyMay 16, 2018

Dear Music,

Thank you for always clearing my head, healing my heart and lifting my spirits.

There are times in life when a lyric in a song can pinpoint exactly how you’re feeling or describe a person to a T.

There are the songs that you can listen to that clear all the unwanted rubbish in your head.

That playlist you know will mend your broken heart. The hurt will stop hurting so much the more you listen to these songs.

Then comes the tunes that perk you up no ends that you listen to endlessly to get you pumped up and ready for pretty much anything.

Music you always know how to make things better.

Thank you xxx

How do you blog?

by HollyMay 2, 2018

If you are a blogger, chances are your office/work area looks very similar to this pic.

Your notepad with all the amazing ideas you have jotted down ready to type up and make them into an awesome blog post.
A cuppa of whatever you fancy. Something that’s going to keep you alert.
Your Phone/iPad to transfer any photos you have taken and edited ready for when you hit publish.
Some beauty products to apply inbetween your pauses…your thinking time.
Something to nibble on that’s going to give you a boost of energy to see you through your blogging sesh.
Your trusty laptop/computer where all the magic happens and you put the final touches and then promote from once your blog post goes live.

There are more bits of course that help along the way in the blogging process. Those above are to name a few.

We all have certain ways also on how we plan and put together a post. No two people are the same. That’s what makes us unique.

If you are new I post here on my lifestyle blog 3 times a week normally Tues/Thurs/Sat

See you in my next post

Til next time…

My typical day

by HollyFebruary 15, 2018

When my alarm goes off I really do struggle to get out of my snuggly warm bed I am good though i will only snooze it once occasionally twice before I get my bum out of bed and make some breakfast. I am one of those that can’t go without breakfast I think its when I was younger I was told it was the most important meal of the day and that’s now instilled in my head.

Off I go and get myself ready for the day whether its a day in or out I think its best to get ready first thing, I usually do a deep cleanse the night before, so I make sure my skin is prepped for my makeup and the rest of me squeaky clean too.

I am quite routine with my makeup I am not too adventurous so it takes me about 15 mins tops. I look like I have some on but not too made up. I save that for special occasions. That’s when I need to watch the youtube tutorials for tips.

I get myself dressed and more than likely since I am a home bird I am in for the majority of the day so I grab all my technology bits such as my laptop, mobile and headphones. This is where I will do some blogging, online shopping or watch some youtube or Netflix.

Being a typical woman I have some days where I am waiting for a parcel to turn up with some goodies in that takes forever to get here. Why couldn’t the driver be psychic and know I hate waiting and deliver to me first.

I of course have my lunch and I must confess I am a bit of a chocoholic so I snack on whatever chocolate bar I fancy on that day. A little bit of what you fancy does you good or so I’ve been told.

I do love my music I can’t go a day without listening to it so out come the earphones and on goes Spotify. I love how you can get lost in a song or an album and travel back in time. Sometimes I do take the odd selfie if I am feeling really good about how I look, self-love is good for you anyway.

After my tea when I am watching the soaps or some documentary I grab myself an Ovaltine or hot chocolate. I am not that much of a hot drink person apart from these two. It helps me settle down for the night.

Then off I go to bed and I generally have a nosey on social media and have a quick chat with my friends on there then its lights out and to the land of nod.

There you are that’s my typical day

All of the above is adapted due to needing a wheelchair most of the time but I do what I can the best I can.

Thanks for stopping by to read my post

Til next time….

Q AND A WITH SWEET ALLURE

by HollyJanuary 30, 2018

Today’s feature on the blog is Tarnya from Sweet Allure

I have been following Tarnya for some time and I was delighted when she wanted to come on my blog to do a Q and A.

so without further ado let’s jump in with the Questions

1) What are your top 3 favourite books?

I couldn’t possibly pick just ONE book from the Harry Potter series, so I’ll have to say the entire series as my first choice!

Then I absolutely love Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk, it’s dark but I love all of his books.

Then lastly I’d have to say Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur, I read it recently and it really rekindled my love for poetry.

2) What is your favourite cruelty-free brand/product?

I love Nars, Charlotte Tilbury and The Ordinary for CF make up! Also Superdrug own brand is good and affordable too!

3) What did you want to be when you were asked at the start of school and has it changed?

I wanted to be a Vet when I was younger, but then I heard you had to put your arm up a cows bottom and changed my mind! I’ve never really known what I want to do, but I’m happy with my current job as a games tester in the Video Game Industry.

4) What are your favourite arty things to create?

I actually am obsessed with photography, it’s my favourite thing. I want to try and incorporate more photography with art like an art journal or scrapbook this year for fun.

Why not show your support and follow Tarnya on the links below:

Let me know if you would like to see more Q an A’s on my blog or if you would like to be featured.

Thanks for reading

I’ll see you in my next post…

What’s in my bag

by HollyJuly 10, 2017

Good morning and Happy Monday, Despite the weather change to a dismal grey sky.

I haven’t been feeling too grand of late so apologies for the lack of posting last week. However can’t let things keep me down so here i am with todays post.

Whats in my pink chord Backpack?

I want you to bear in mind this is just the basics that i have in my bag at one time as a woman you know our handbags feel like we have bowling balls in them and have sooo much stuff we really don’t need.

As i love to write i make sure i have my great ideas notepad and a pen.
My boots floral Make up bag with my concealer, to hide my dark circles, my eyeliner and a pink lippy of course
I always have some sort of hand cream and The Body Shop Strawberry one smells so good and leaves my hands so soft.
I either have a chocolate bar or something sweet in my bag as i’m addicted to sugar and at the mo its Tangfantastics.
Something a lot of you wont have is catheters in your bag i have about 5-6 in my bag at a time as i have a bladder stoma so when nature calls i’m prepared for it.
Everyone needs some paracetamol in their bag for when pain strikes.
I have my Sony A5000 camera for taking photos of whatever catches my eye i like to capture things in the moment.
I am not a huge fan of chewing gum so a packet of soft mints it is. your breath is always better being minty fresh.
My purse was a charity shop find. It was brand new and still inits wrapper so i thought for £3 your coming home with me.
A pair of Sunnies as British weather is so unpredictable you never know when you are going to need them.
My Iphone because who leaves home without theirs these days…Not me.
My HP Stream laptop as a blogger its always great to write your posts up wherever you are and this one has a touch screen too so i can draw on it too which i love.

HOLZIELOVES

Category Archives: Technology