See you in 2018...

As you have probably noticed (or maybe not) I have been fairly absent from the blogging scene this year. I haven't uploaded a post since Halloween and although I've had lots of ideas and a whole lot of intention the content just hasn't come.

For the last few months I have been running a company, working a second job, trying to keep up with my family and friends and you know... living my life, which means blogging has taken a back seat. (I'm not sure how many times it is now that I've written that sentence.... but it's definitely more than a few.)

Not only do I struggle for time when it comes to blogging but, if I'm being honest, motivation. 

Since starting 'A Yellow Brick Blog' (AlohaKirstie's previous name) in 2013 the blogging world has taken a huge leap in terms of content, quality and overall uploads and over the past 18 months I have really felt like I've been left behind. Girls in which I started this journey with are killing it with insane photography, brand deals and general amazingness and I could not be prouder to have seen them grow and shine - I know firsthand how much they deserve it all. But for me I feel like I've faded into the background of the blogging world, with my content being amateur and weak compared to even brand new bloggers.

I always will be forever grateful for every single person that still clicks on this site, follows me on social media and generally is a babe towards me, but lately I feel like I've been letting those people down with my shoddy attempts at blogging and I need to remember WHY I started this in the first place. An outlet for myself to share things I love, share advice and basically just have a little Kirstie platform to hold dear to my heart. 

So in 2018 I'm hoping to be BACK, maybe with a new look, a new vibe - but I really want to be that blogger I was in 2013/14/15 creating fun content that I love, sharing products, places and things I want to share and just enjoying my work!

So fingers crossed here's to an exciting new blogging venture in the new year....

Please do share in the comments anything you'd love me to include here on AlohaKirstie or maybe posts you've enjoyed in the past. 

Where to find me in the meantime:

Twitter: @AlohaKirstie

Instagram: @AlohaKirstie

Facebook: /AlohaKirstie

New Beginnings

Well it's officially here - AlohaKirstie is up and running (welcome!) and it is time to say goodbye to A Yellow Brick Blog.

A Yellow Brick Blog was started back in 2013 in a time of jobless wonderment after many failed attempts to starting a blog. I have always been obsessed with being creative but having zero talent in the art department the internet has been the perfect place for me to pop things together and express what I'm loving.
Blogging has been such an incredible experience for me and as I am now approaching my fifth year of creating, writing and general chatting I thought it was about time my blog evolved with me.

I outgrew A Yellow Brick Blog a while ago and felt like the name just didn't reflect myself, my personality and/or the content I wanted to create. The name for me was a rushed idea and although I loved that it was different and stood out from the crowd, I always knew it wouldn't be forever.

AlohaKirstie is the new and improved version of me! I know over the past year my blogging has been well... a little MIA! From getting a new job, to opening my own business (which wasn't planned!) and everything in between unfortunately it had to take a short backseat, which made me so sad.
 But I now feel refreshed and ready to get back into the swing of things and continue to upload new and exciting content for you all!

You can expect to see lots of the same and lots of new ideas and thoughts :)

If you have any requests or ideas for posts let me know in the comments below or tweet me @AlohaKirstie! 

Don't forget you can also find my new page on Facebook at /AlohaKirstie (go click 'like' now so I know you've read this post!) and of course Instagram @AlohaKirstie!

5 Ways To Make Your Blog & Social Channels Easier For PR Companies

As most of you will already know I work in PR and social media (and LOVE it),  and I also, obviously, run this blog! It's so fun being both sides of the e-mails and I really enjoy interacting with fellow bloggers as well as fellow PR companies!
In my time within this industry I have talked to many fellow bloggers (and yes they are all total babes)!
When it comes to contacting and organising bloggers, I have noticed there can be a few things that hinder a company or brand getting the information they need so I thought why not write out a few TOP things for you guys to ensure you are including all the information that's needed!
Check out these 5 EASY bits and bobs below.....

Tell Us Your Name
Yes, you would think this would be a total given, but yet there are still blogs out there where there is actually no indication at all of what the writers name is.
 I hate having to write "Hi there" in my e-mails and one of my personal pet hates is getting e-mailed "Dear ayellowbrickblog".
I mean fair enough if you want to keep anonymous or not use your real name, but make sure there is something that we can call you by! I have been on Blogs, Twitters, Instagrams and more of the same person and still have no clue what their name is or what to call them!

Social Media - the kings of the internet
It is always fabulous to have your social media channels in plain sight on your blog and even better if your followings for each are showing! Being able to find all your platforms in one place is a life saver.... believe me!
(Oh and for the love of God... get them to open in a new tab :)

UK? North, South, East, West?
Now this one is handy for event invites!
If PR companies are looking for bloggers in a certain area it's great for them to be able to see if you are close enough or not!  I'm not saying give up your street name, postcode or even town but just the area you live in makes it so much easier for PR companies to send you relevant e-mails that may be of interest to you - Manchester, London, North West, South East, Isle Of Wight....  it's always good to know - even if it's just on your Twitter or Instagram!

Contacting YOU
It's all well and good finding your blog and loving your content - but if you want to be involved in PR opportunities, having your e-mail address prominent on your blog/social is essential.
Having a 'Contact Me' section is always perfect.... one where you have a contactable e-mail address too not a form to fill out ;)
Including it in your social media bios is also perfect - it makes life ALOT easier and saves so much time.

Searching...
Having a search option within your blog is also a fantastic addition and useful tool for people looking to work with you. It gives them access to be able to find any relevant content you may have created previously.

These may all seem SO super obvious but you may be surprised to know I sit there weekly looking at blogs unable to find names, e-mail address or even if they have a Twitter or not!
Do let me know if you'd like any other PR themed posts, or maybe if you have any questions at all!


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4 Reasons Internet Friends Are God Damn Great!

A good few years ago if you said you had a friend online people may have looked at you like 1. you were crazy, 2. naive and 3. ... kind of sad. (Or 4. your parents would have banned you from using the family computer)

Nowadays more or less all of us who venture into the world of social media have people we talk to on a regular basis without, most of the time, ever even meeting - and it's not weird!

This is a huge thing in the blogging world and I, myself, have many lovely girls I've met online who I class as friends that I can contact and talk to at any time of the day!

So..... why are internet friends oh so fabulous? ....

1. You have ALOT in common

Yes - you are always guaranteed to find someone else online who has the passion and love for the same thing/s as you! 

You may bond over your obsession with Buffy The Vampire Slayer or Disney - or talk in depths about that awesome TV show that's on right now *cough*PLL*cough*(yes I'm totally referring to myself here) ... or maybe you collect spoons and you've found someone else that does too - you never thought you'd see the day right?

Sometimes you may even feel that you have more in common with those internet pals you tap away on your phone talking to than your best friends of 20 years. (Nothing wrong with that obviously, we all have different passions and hobbies!)  

2. They are ALWAYS there (any time of day or night!)

I mean us bloggers are online alot. We are slaves to social media and spend a good few hours on the internet a day..... don't deny it.

So if we need some help with some online shizz, want to ask a question.... or maybe need to vent about things that your friends, family and partner might not quite understand? Queue those incredible internet friends that totally get your html woes and Instagram struggles!

3. They are amazing supporters

The amazing girls I've been luckily enough to chat to are literally the supportive babes ever! Always helping me when I feel down and helping me with my blogging woes and confidence issues. (April Todd you are the best!)

4. Even though you've never met .... you can still pour your heart out to them.

They say sometime it's best to talk to people on the outside! Hello internet friends.
Yes, you can crack on and pour your heart out to them, rant, tell them your deepest darkest secrets and know they won't judge you or think you're strange.... in fact they probably did the same thing to you last week.

 Thank you to all my internet pals out there - you know who you are - not everyone understands the weird 21st century relationship we have .... but you rock! (and we WILL meet asap, I promise!)

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Life Update

Why hello my favourite internet people!

It's time for me to finally sit down and type away my feelings.... it's been a while and I've missed blogging regularly SO much and I thought i was about time I did a mini life update for you all..... in case you've been wondering where I am! 

What's new with me? What's gong down? 

Well.....

I've been working... alot! I LOVE my new job so much but working online all day I struggle to then sit down and open my laptop once I'm home enjoying my free time - which makes me sad as I LOVE blogging so much but I do need time to switch off from it all. But I'm determined over the next couple of months to get A Yellow Brick Blog up and running like it used to be! 

I've booked a holiday......... to DISNEYWORLD! Yes I'm so, so, so, sooooo happy - I finally cracked my boyfriend and he agreed to go back next year :)

So, lots of saving and counting down for me until March - I still can't believe I'm going to get to go back, a dream come true once more!

Summer is coming and I have lots of exciting plans! From the Isle Of Wight Festival next week to one of my best friends hen do's (in a totally secret location.... I'd better not say because she could read this, we've kept this a secret for 6 months and I'm just spoiling it now!) later this month to V Festival in August ... I'm looking forward to some amazing weekends with good friends :)

INSTAGRAM - I have a brand new Instagram - @AlohaKirstie - and I would seriously appreciate it if you'd hit follow, I can't believe it's already hit over 400 followers in less than 4 days!

Alot of people have been asking why I have made a new account.... well, my old one, for me, was just messy - which sounds SO stupid but I'd had it since 2009 or 2010 I had over 4000 uploads. I just needed a fresh fun start!

Will my blog change names? Who knows?! Not anytime soon :) 'A Yellow Brick Blog' seems to have a lot of love from what I've seen and been told so maybe it should stay :)

I'm still on that health kick - I'm obsessed with the gym classes I'm going to and I am trying seriously hard with my diet (although I have slipped a few times recently)! I did just complete #ChocolateFreeMay though - wahoooo! I'm excited to keep on challenging myself, setting new goals monthly and seeing improvements!

What have you all been upto? What's new? Let me know in the comments below!

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Happy 3rd Birthday A Yellow Brick Blog!!!

WOW!

I did not ever expect to be writing this....3!
My blog is officially 3 years old. (It was on Saturday but I've been sooo busy I've only just managed to sit down and celebrate! aka.... sit and watching Kardashians whilst drinking tea & typing!)
I mean for one.... 3 is my lucky number so that makes me super happy and two... 3 years of blogging!  How cool is that!
I'm so super proud too still be at this little hobby which has quite literally changed my life.

Balloons - Urban Outfitters

3 years ago I was unemployed (which alot of you probably didn't actually know).
 I had been a temp at Liz Earle for 6 months doing the Christmas shizzle but temp unfortunately meant that just because Christmas it was time to say goodbye.
Now... I'm not unemployable - I'm smart (ish) and friendly and I have great experience but being stuck on the IOW the market for jobs available was... slim!
 So for 6 painful months I was unemployed, living off savings and selling things on eBay - yup real life!

Fast forward to today. 2016. 
 I've just worked a 10 hour day from the comfort of my own home doing something I love! Since January I have been working in PR and Social Media and I know for a fact without my blog I would have never ever had the knowledge or confidence to get or even do this job!
And although it's taking up alot of my time and my blog has been a little slower than usual, I love it and I'm SO grateful for the journey I've been on over the last 3 years!

Anyway.... I thought it would be fun to take a step back and look over all the posts I've uploaded over the last 3 years and pick out some of my favourites!

Where it all began... 

 Awwww the first post I uploaded! I had actually started A Yellow Brick Blog back in 2010/2011 but ... that content is GONE so I like to think this is my official starting point!

The Weightloss Story 

Still to this day one of my most read posts! I like this one  mainly because I really got to write from the heart and be totally honest, I think I'll always struggle with my weight and image but looking back at this I can see how many great changes I've made!

The Travel Dairies 

SO many memories going through these posts..... although I never actually finished the series... opps! If you wanna see my America travels these are the ones the read!

Dress Like Disney 

These posts are some of the ones I am most proud of! They used to take me forever but I LOVED being so creative and making something so individual!

How I Make My Collages

 I get asked this question so much so I thought I'd make a step-by-step guide to help everyone, I've had such fab response from it, so I'm really glad it helped :)

Easy Ways To Put A Smile On Your Face

Sharing positivity and happiness is something I want to do so much more on here.

The Christmas Fund

I'm still SO proud of the blogging community for this one. £500 raised for Crisis UK last year.

A Few DisneyWorld Top Tips

I just love talking about Disney don't I........ roll on March 1st!

Easy Oatlicious Sugar & Dairy Free Banana, Fruit & Nut Bars

I have made these every single week since creating this posts.... and saved SO much money on snacks! (Plus they're healthy!)

The Stresses Of Being A Blogger

Real-life talk. 

4 Books To Help You Create A Positive & Healthy Lifestyle

The response on Bloglovin' for this was insane - was a proud moment!

Are there any posts I've done that really stick out in your memory? Let me know!

And once again.... thank you so much for all your support, love, likes, comments and follows over the last 3 years - BIG HUGS TO YOU ALL!

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5 Things To Remember When You're Having A Bad Blogging Week

As you may have noticed.... A Yellow Brick Blog has been very quiet recently.

Something that I hate but right now with work and general life plans I'm running out of spare time and brain power to create and write.
This makes me so super sad and I hate looking at my bloglovin' seeing that my last post was 7 days ago - shame on me, I'm just not used to being this slack with it all!

I know I'm not the only one who struggles with not only time but ideas and thoughts for posts! I'll have days where I'm bursting at the seams with fun post ideas but at the same time I have weeks where I just cannot muster up the words or energy to throw myself onto my keyboard and type away.

My '5 Things' posts always seem to have a great reaction and I love writing tips/advice/chatty posts - in fact I prefer doing them to your bog standard beauty review (which have been very thin on the ground here for a while now... I'm sorry!)

So, let's talk blogger's block and what to remember when it hits!

1. We All Have Them
Yes, it's true! From the blogging beginners to the full-time blogging babes - we ALL have those phases now and again where we just.... can't!
 Can't think of anything to write, can't get our photos just right, can't seem to persevere with that ever-growing to-do list.
I'm been suffering alot recently - I think working online full-time may have something to do with it - and I've had an overwhelming sense of panic that I have no content scheduled, written or even planned! The less I do the less I feel I can do ... time to shake it off!

2. It Doesn't Mean You're A Rubbish Blogger
It took me a long time to realise this.
There's been many a time I've thought to myself - how can I call myself a blogger when I'm sat here with an empty brain and 5 posts going up a month, I'm pants! 
But the reality is.... I'm not a rubbish blogger it's just a short mini break while I adjust my thoughts and get back on the blogging wagon - I mean look how many posts I've uploaded in the past - I'm not pants, I'm pretty darn cool.

3. Look Back At How Far You've Already Come
Exactly! Just because you're having a bad week doesn't mean you're heading back to square one.... in fact, I bet at least 75% of your readers and followers won't even notice you haven't uploaded, unless you tell them! 

4. There Is Always Someone To Talk To!
Well....  there's never a shortage of blogging buddies - especially on Twitter. The amount of times I've expressed my stresses and blogging woes and feelings on there and had support thrown my ways within minutes - everyone's felt it and will assure you it will pass and you'll be back to you're usual awesome self in no time!

5. It Will Pass
It will. You'll be back typing away until your fingers ache before you know it and you'll wonder just where that motivation and those ideas were hiding! 
Don't stress, even if it's a month or even two, just give yourself time and don't force yourself into writing content - it will never be as good as the stuff that comes naturally!

Keep with it and don't you worry!

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IT'S OKAY TO...

It's okay to..... treat yourself.
Month in, month out I see my well-earned cash go on so many bills and general living costs (adulting really sucks sometimes).
 It's sad, that's life - but with the money I earn I also know that it's okay to treat myself now and again... I mean, shopping sprees, cupcakes.... that's what life is about right? 
It's okay to buy that pair of trainers you've been dreaming of or sneak in a cupcake after a workout. Balance is key but treating yourself is a necessity.  

It's okay to..... be confident!
This is something I get green with envy with. Confidence can sometimes be seen as arrogance but it's SO okay to be confident in yourself, in fact it's pretty bloody brilliant!
Knowing who you are and being okay with it, that is amazing. Nowadays there is SO much pressure on being perfect, we compare ourselves to others far too much and as much as I preach about positivity and owning it..... I'm STILL one of those girls scanning through Instagram wishing I had 'this' or looked like 'that'.
I can't wait for the day where I except who I am, what I have and what I look like, be content and not fuss about every single little thing.

It's okay to..... love your own company.
I wish more people understood this. It is totally okay to love your own company. You're not boring or a loner. I, for one, LOVE my own company, I love having evenings to myself, my own thoughts and all the things I love to do. I think being happy with your own company is actually really healthy so please don't feel weird if you're in constant need of some alone time and just want to do your own thing.

It's okay to..... CRY.
Good god YES!
 It is okay to cry. There's times in fact that it's just bloomin' necessary... even if you don't even know why you're crying - let it out, you'll feel much better!

It's okay to..... have your own passions and interests.
For a long time alot of things I love I wouldn't share or talk about with others as I thought they wouldn't care/ would laugh/ would think I was weird. But now I've realised having your own loves and interests is what makes us different - whether it's our choice of music or TV shows or even the hobbies in which we decided to spend our spare time doing (*cough*blogging*cough*). Share youre passions, be proud of your personal activities - I mean all those different things about us is what makes us more interesting as people. Whether you're bird watching, listening to classical music or line dancing, be you, enjoy your passions. 

It's okay to..... say no.
That is all.

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Blogging Bits To Invest In

So I held a poll on Twitter the other day asking what post everyone would like to see next! At straight to the top was "The blogging bits to invest in".... so... I give the people what they ask for!

I've been blogging now for nearly 3 years (which I can't quite believe, three bloomin' years!) and over that time I've bought every single little thing you could probably imagine for my blog. I've got bits and bobs coming out of my ears, some used, some a waste of time! So I thought I'd pop together an easy list of 3 things that are worth spending your money on!

Crisp Flavour Pencils, Kick Ass Notepad & Sticky Notes - Ohh Deer*

Backdrops

The number one thing to buy in my eyes! Ever wonder how bloggers always seem to have that fabulous pure white background? Or a gorgeous marble patterned backdrop for their images? Maybe you've admired the gorgeous white wooden floorboards bloggers seem to have running through their homes?

Well..... no. 9 times out of 10 these are a trick of the camer and no more than an easy peasy sticky back plastic paper.... like this one - here!

I used a large oversized white card for years which was only £5 from my local stationary store and it worked a charm! (Fab for someone likeme who has black furniture throughout her home... not quite the same effect as clean white!)

My marble backdrop has become my blogging lifeline - and it was such a bargain! There are so many different versions on amazon I'm going to start switching them up soon!

(The illusion is over... that is what blogging really looks like!)
Lighting

Now.... this isn't the cheapest thing to invest in but I'm happily say it changed my blogging life.

 If you're looking to take your posts to the next level and want to take your blog seriously I highly recommend investing in some soft box lighting. (Example)

This is probably the best thing (minus my DSLR camera) that I've bought to enhance and improve my blogs images. 

Remember your photos are what draw readers in, small, dark images are enough to make anyone click off and ignore anything you've written - which is not what you want!

No matter what day or time I decide to start a good old photo session I have amazing bright light to work with, making my photos clear, even and saving me SO much time. (Natural light can be a pain in the butt... especially in the UK.)

Stationary

Now this will be your best friend for two reasons.
 1. Blogging is about being creative, having ideas and getting everything from that brain of yours onto a screen. The amount of notes I write myself, posts I plan out on paper and schedules I jot down is unreal!

Having notebooks, sticky notes, pens and diaries at my constant reach is a must.... and if they look cute - even better!
2. Stationary isn't only fab for storing all those creatives ideas and dreams - it is also fab for using as image props! cute notebooks, pens and all sorts end up making their way into my photos! A win-win situation really!
Top Tip : TK Maxx always have the cutest range of notebooks ... here's some I've picked up recently.

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We need to talk...

Hello lovely readers. I hope you are well :)

We need to have a chat - and don't worry it's not a bad chat.... well I don't think it is anyway - it's just a bit of an update/news/heart-to-heart ramble. (yup, one of those posts.)

I've been wanting to write this for a while now but it's been a struggle finding time to sit down, relax and let the words flow from my brain to my fingers, but here I am. #Hello

Yes. I'm talking about my blog and my current feels about my blogging life.

I started uploading to this blog regularly in 2013, nearly 3 years ago now and I could never imagine that I would have actually stuck to the huge commitment that it is PLUS gained everything I have done.
I've worked with amazing companies, been able to make the BEST 'internet' friends ever and even managed to get myself a dream job from my experience and self-taught know-how (cool right?). 
But lately my blogging routine has changed and it's bought a few things (and feelings) to light for me.

I LOVE writing and creating and since the year has begun I've found that talking about and reviewing PR samples, writing about my favourite cosmetic bits each month and general product jargin has been more of a chore I've needed to get done than a fun time for me to express myself through my favourite hobby.

I feel like my content is my same old beauty reviews/favourites which seem to get lost out there in the sea of other similar posts that are uploaded 24/7.
I've always wanted A Yellow Brick Blog to have that little something different and I feel like I've lost it and that's why I want to be honest with you all.
So..... going forth with A Yellow Brick Blog (Yes I'm not quitting!) I'm going to be creating alot more stand alone lifestyle, health/fitness, advice/tips, style and obviously beauty posts for you guys. (Yes beauty will still be a part of everything as it's obviously still a passion of mine - don't worry it's not going anywhere!) (Oo.... and maybe a bit of Disney too... obvs.)

I just want to create things I'm proud of and not feel pressured to get certain things written and uploaded within a particular time frame. Right now having a box full of products in my spare room to try out and review just isn't for me.
 I want to write original stuff from the heart and my head! (Plus I really want to start writing that book I spoke about last year! #oneday)
Obviously I still have a beauty reviews and PR bits and bobs for you guys, and it's definitely not something that will be stopped all together - beauty is what I started with after all - they just aren't going to be as regular as they have been in the past.

I hope this hasn't disheartened any of you, I really do.
 Most of the time though the amount of 'saves' on Bloglovin' and page views I receive more or less triple when I put up a totally original post like : 'The Stresses Of Being A Blogger' , '5 Things I Cannot Live With In My Cupboards', 'Putting Down My Phone',  '15 Things To Remind Yourself In 2016', '2016 Goals, Aims & Plans', and 'Life Thoughts'.  

So, that's that! I would LOVE for you all to leave in the comments your honest thoughts and any requests for posts that you would love too see :)

Thanks for listening to my rambling ♥ I love you guys, thank you always for your lovely support!

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The Stresses Of Being A Blogger

Yes - you've read that title correctly.
 Blogging has it's stresses, and recently I have been feeling them weighing down on me a little more than I probably should.
I mean blogging is a hobby, something I love and do for fun and enjoyment - it shouldn't have me breaking out in a cold sweat or give me an uncontrollable feeling of weight on my shoulders should it?

Since starting my new job at the beginning of the year I have been leaving my 'blogging stuff' until the weekends (as I leave my laptop at work Mon-Fri for convenience) - but with plans and general life getting in the way I've been struggling to get on with everything that I want too, queue - the stress of blogging.

I think, sometimes, people don't quite understand how time consuming blogging actually is - I take my hat off to anyone who has a blog with regular content (even myself!), so much goes into it all but just looking at a pretty picture and a few words, maybe sometimes that doesn't come across.
I'm sure if you're a blogger reading this you will agree with me and ALL of the below!

The Inbox
I will hold my hands up - I can be a total pain when it comes to e-mails. Replying, remembering,  I hang my head in shame sometimes with my lack of internet skills.
 I may spot one in my inbox one afternoon and then totally forget that it's there for 3 days... I'm sorry okay!
I do try my best to reply to as many as possible/necessary but it comes to a point where sometimes there is just no need for me to reply. 
An infographic about superheros, reviewing men's beard oil or someone claiming they can better my google search ranking - sorry you guys go straight to trash and... I don't feel rude doing it.
Working within the PR industry now I do realise how helpful it is to reply quickly and efficently to the brands that you ARE in contact with though - so I've been trying my best to keep in regular contact, let people know when things arrive and send them over any links to my posts/mentions I may have done - but again, this all takes time and sometimes I have more flagged e-mails to remind myself to do things than not! #helpmyinboxistakingovermylife (I cannot imagine how 'big' bloggers and influencers feel - they must have SO.many.emails)

The Post - The Pile - The Photos
This is the part of blogging that I sometimes find the most stressful. Yes... we all love getting post - I get most of my things sent to my parents house as it's a little easier for me but when I head there and there's 6-10 different parcels/boxes/packets waiting for me my brain kind of goes into overdrive and I start to panic.

When will I have enough time to sort all these? What order do I do them in? Why have I committed to so much work?
This probably all sounds absolutely ridiculous if you don't blog (or even maybe if you do aswell) but that pile of products/items growing in my spare bedroom to organise, trial and photograph is enough to put my heart into overdrive!
Yes, my photos are okay - not fantastic, I'm well aware of that, but I mean I've come a long way over the last 3 years from my poxy little camera taking photos in my garden.
It takes a fair bit of time to get everything set up, plus I can be a bit of a perfectionist so I have to take about 20 different photos of the same exact setup and angle just to make sure I'm happy!
Now I write all this I am thinking to myself.... what's there to be stressed about really Kirstie? - but I always just want to do the best I can and create things that others are going to enjoy and want to read... which takes me on too.....

.....Personal Pressure
I've gone from starting out blogging not really knowing what to upload and when, to blogging every single day, to now - writing as and when I can. I think the pressure I put on myself is probably the biggest stress of all.
 I'm always striving to make my blog bigger and better and will only ever upload something if I am totally happy with the outcome and how it looks, which can take a long while I tell ya!
Time is really my number one enemy - a few hours on a Sunday afternoon isn't really ideal to create a whole week's worth of posts and I think this is what makes me so stressed. There's always so much buzzing around in my mind that I never know where to start and it all kind of goes wrong from there.
I try to upload at least 3 posts a week - and even then I don't think that seems enough, I have so many ideas in my mind I wish I could just blurt them all out!

The Comparisons
I struggle with this one and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
 It's not jealousy and it's not that I don't want others to have great content and blogs I just always feel like mine is a little bit pants when reading and enjoying other people's. I get in the 'what's the point', 'will I ever improve' head space and I beat myself up far too often.
The way I write, the quality of my photos, my content ideas - I need to remember how far I've come and maybe force myself to look back through some 2013 cringe to realise that 'hey, I'm doing alright! Chill.'

FOMO
The Fear Of Missing Out.
Blogging friendship groups, the meet-ups you miss, events you can't afford to get too! This may just be me but I always stress that I'm missing out on so much by being over here on the Isle Of Wight. 
All the fabulous things I haven't gone too or have missed out on for one reason or another just stresses me out! Do you think you need to be physically present at things to make an impact in the blogging world? (Let me know below!)

All-in-all blogging is a bloody amazing thing - the best hobby I could have ever started and I LOVE it,  but it does come with some downfalls - all worth it obviously!
I say onwards, upwards and calm from here on out!
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The Blog Make-Over

Hello one and all - and happy weekend!

Yes .... you may have noticed, things are looking a little bit different here on A Yellow Brick Blog!

After months of not being happy with my little internet space I decided to take the plunge and have a bit of a blog re-vamp. (minus my header..... although that is still a strong possibility!) 
There are a few more tweaks to make and things to add but we are up and running and I feel so much better about things already!

This year I seriously want to up my game with this blogging lark - every year I've talked about growth and volume but my mind right now just wants to focus on the content - the stuff I'm writing, the photos I'm taking - lets take AYBB to the next level!

I'd love to hear any feedback you guys have on the new layout and if you have any requests for posts or favourite types that I already upload :)

See you soon girlies xoxo

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Weekly Round Up #1

1. & 2. Mockingjay Part 2 | 3. J-Law Hair Goals |  4. Pinterest Loving | 5. Being Positive | 6. A New Read | 7. Trying Protein Treats | 8. New Blog Set Up | 9. Finding Dory Trailer

1. & 2. Finally it's here.... and I don't know whether I'm happy or totally gutted about it! I've been a Hunger Games fan for years - I started reading the books in like 2009/2010 so it's been in my life for a while now and for the movie's to now be officially over it feel like the end of an era!
I went to see this on Thursday night and surprised my bestie for her birthday - she thought she was heading for a date night with her husband but me and our other friend were there waiting for her! I LOVED the movie - although I clearly knew what was going to happen I was still on the edge of my seat, so tense and so emotional! Incredible. (I also had a popcorn treat which was bloomin' delightful!)

3. So I'm heading to the hairdressers on Thursday.... and this is the photo I'm going to take! I asked on Twitter last week if I should head back to the lob or keep on growing my hair and like 78% or something said lob so people... I'm listening to you! I'm thinking super blonde, about an inch off and maybe a couple of layers to give it some texture.

4. Oh my golly gosh I am so addicted to Pinterest again! Sometimes I worry about going on there as I think once I'm on there I will fall into the hole of Pinerest and not escape for at least an hour - I love it! Follow me here - KirstieLouiseS.

5. I've been trying to feel alot more positive recently and ever since changing my diet  I've been feeling alot happier with everything and I'm getting super excited for 2016 and everything that could come my way!

6. After doing a spot of shopping recently I was about to walk past the magazine stand when I spotted Women's Health. Since my recent life overhaul I've been so interested in health and fitness and have been loving having something else to read through other than cosmo - how amazing does Natalie Dormer look!!

7. I've been trying lots of new snacks recently - my previous chocolate and biscuit addiction is long gone and I've been loving trying out alternatives. Trek's protein original oat flapjack is awesome - obviously I've only been having like 1 or 2 a week as they aren;t an everyday thing - I love Holland and Barrett and their range of different things to try.

8. Yes! I have a new blogging set-up! I mean the way I take my photos is still pretty much the same I just now have my on little set in my spare room and it's so handy I love it! I can store all my blogging bits in one place and finally feel a little more organised.

9. Last but not least.... it's here! The Finding Dory trailer is here! I mean anything Pixar is exciting in my eyes but I think we've all been waiting for this trailer since the movie was mentioned years ago! Bring it on.

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four thousand.

Four thousand. Four thousand of you. Wow!

You may have noticed (as I got highly excited about it on Twitter) that last week my blog hit 4k followers on Bloglovin.


This totally gave me a 'high-five myself' moment. I have been blogging for 2 and a half years now and it has become my biggest hobby and most treasured passion.
I really do struggle to remember what I used to do with my spare time before I started this, like seriously what did I use the internet for?!

I'm starting to feel really proud that all hours and hours I put into this site is actually giving people out there some enjoyment, so much so that they will come back again and again.

I cannot thank you enough for this. Yes I started blogging for myself, but knowing other people want to read what I'm rambling on about makes me work so much harder.
If you're not a blogger I will tell you now.... blogging IS hard work. 
You may look at it as a few pretty pictures, being giving products to review and talking with friends on Twitter most nights but the amount of time I spend creating my content is... well kind of shocking. (just ask my boyfriend who thinks I'm glued to my laptop!)

Setting up photos, sorting the lighting, taking the photos, editing them, uploading them, thinking up different and unique idea daily, writing paragraph after paragraph - so much goes into that post that takes you a minute or two to have a look/read of, so it means everything 

Everyday that passes I realise even more that THIS is the road that I want to go down in life. I love writing, creating, having my own little space to do anything on and share with everyone.
I'm not sure how possible it is too become a "full time blogger" or do something along the same lines but it's something I'm always going to strive for (I'm sure I say it about 1000 times a week haha!), my job I have is not what I want to be doing for the rest of my life, hell I don't want to be doing it for another year but I gotta pay my bills!
 As much as sometimes blogging feels like 'work' I love every second of it and can't imagine getting bored or loosing the fire for it.

I think back to when I started doing this... to the sarcastic comments I used to get from people and the "what's the point?" "why?" questions and now I just think.... ha! Look how much my little idea has grown, I'm super proud of myself.

So I'm going to keep on blogging ... forever. Haha okay okay slightly extreme but it's my little thing that I do and cannot thank the bloggers before me for paving the way for this to actually be a 'thing'!

Well this post was mainly to say THANK YOU and let you know that fingers crossed A Yellow Brick Blog will just keep growing and growing!

Goals before A Yellow Brick Blog's 3rd birthday : 

A complete layout re-design (It is soooooo needed!)
Be able to drop one day a week at my current job?!?!? (dreaming?)
Keep uploading a minimum of 3 posts a week
Including alot more fashion based posts (I know I've said this a million times but I mean it!)
Possibly starting a second blog focused on.... DISNEY! (I'm still thinking about that one though)
Hit 5000 followers - let's dream big people!

Love you guys thanks again for all your clicks, tweets, comments, shares, support - you make me smile xxxxxxxx

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