I was thrilled to be invited by ALifeMoment to take part in the Writing Process Tour. If you haven’t checked out her blog yet, I urge you to do so now. It is packed full of mouthwatering recipes, beautifully presented and very clearly written. I have tried quite a few of her recipes already and am always earmarking new ones to try.Her blog has a real ‘feel good’ atmosphere and Alice’s zest for life and good food really shines through.

For those who don’t know what a Writing Process Tour is, it is a virtual tour where a blogger is invited by another fellow blogger to answer some questions and in return he/she has to invite three bloggers to answer the questions and post exactly one week after.

Here are my answers to the questions:

What am I working on?

I started a new job before Christmas so at the moment a lot of my time is spent writing about fine jewellery. Although it is related to fashion, it is a new area for me but I’m really enjoying working as part of a lovely team and learning more about jewellery and gemstones. The blog has had to take a slight backseat in the last few months but I;m determined to carry on with it. For me, the blog is as much about the visual element as the writing – I want it to look appealing and inviting to my readers. I am by no means an accomplished photographer but I am constantly striving to improve my skills. Lack of time is my biggest stumbling block – I have a number of half finished posts sitting in the note section of my phone that hopefully I will finish one of these days!

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Hmm, this is a difficult one. I have deliberately not chosen a particular ‘niche’ for my blog as I didn’t want to be hemmed in by having to write only about one topic, be it fashion, beauty or food. At the moment my blog is a mishmash of all three, plus some interior and family related posts. I can see how picking just one of these to concentrate on would make it easier to grow the blog as the focus and audience would be clearer, but I like the variety of the current set up. It feels like the blog reflects me and my interests and I’m never short of things to write about. My blog is my little haven, away from the everyday chaos of to-do lists and piles of laundry. I want it to be a positive place for people to visit and hopefully leave with a smile on their face.

Why do I write what I do?

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t write. I’ve always wanted to be a journalist and even as a child I would make my own magazines by cutting out and gluing pictures and writing made up celebrity interviews, fashion and beauty tips. I started this blog as a creative outlet last year after I gave up freelancing as the childcare arrangements got too complicated and expensive. I want my blog to be accessible and reflect my own life and tastes. While I do write about fashion, I am not a great follower of trends nor do I tend to buy outrageously expensive things. Setting up the blog has also been a great learning curve for me. I am deeply un-technical so every small hurdle that I conquer is a major achievement in my eyes – from figuring out how to set up sub-categories in the menu to adding the social media buttons. Connecting with other bloggers through the WordPress community has also been fantastic and humbling (there are so many great bloggers out there).

How does your writing process work?

I never schedule posts and get a little bit freaked out when I read about bloggers who have several months worth of pre-written posts just waiting to be published. I wish I could be that organised but at the moment I struggle to find the time to post 4-5 times a week, which is my current aim. I do usually have a rough idea of what I want to post at the start of the week and I try to vary the content so that I’m covering all the categories on the blog.

The three bloggers I would like to invite are:

Evelenmargaret: Evangelia’s positive outlook on life reverberates through every post and her blog is a daily source of inspiration. Fashion, beauty, art and travel go hand in hand and her breathtaking photos of her native Greece almost make you feel like you’re there. I have to hide my credit card when reading her ‘Daily Find’ posts, full of covetable fashion and accessories, beautifully put together.

The Hashtag Generation: This blog is quite a new addition to my WordPress Reader but it has quickly become one of my favourites. Well written with great visuals, it is fresh and current with a great mix of content.

Gluestick Mum: Witty and sharp yet warm and inviting is how I would describe this blog. Her anecdotes on family life really do make me Laugh Out Loud and, more often than not, nod in recognition. Reading this blog is like sitting down over a cup of coffee or glass of wine with that friend who always manages to make you feel better about life and put a smile on your face.