Confessions of a Blogger | Inspired Living SA

Blogger Series

Hi lovely readers! This post is a bit late but we are currently travelling in Italy, a long time dream of mine! It it amazing but does pose problems with connectivity! I am posting this from beautiful Florence but more about that later!

Back to the post at hand! Today’s Confessions of a Blogger, features one of the loveliest people, who I have had the privilege of getting to get to know, over the past year! Charlene from Pretty Please Charlie is not only beautiful on the outside but on the inside too, not to forget really fun to be around 🙂

Hi! My name is Charlene and I am addicted to all things beauty. This doesn’t really make sense to most of my family and friends, and that is why I decided to blog. I am like a little kid at Christmas when I hear about a new product launch. I often feel that I should have followed my passion after school, but that was not part of my journey. I do believe that I am where I’m meant to be right now. And my most important job is that of a mother and wife. My family and friends are my everything. I love dogs, tattoos, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, belly dancing and chocolate. And lots of it!

When did you start your journey as a blogger and why? I love skincare and make-up and I didn’t really have anyone to share this passion with, so I decided to blog about it. I started my blog 2 years ago and I never really imagined that it would grow as much as it did. The point of my blog was to share products and services that I think could benefit others. If a product that I review or recommend helps to boost someone’s confidence and makes them feel pretty, I’ve done what I have set out to do.
If you are not blogging where will we find you? At work doing boring admin, or at home. Home is where the heart is. It may be a cliché, but it is very true in my case.

Tell us a little about your space on the interweb and what you blog about? My blog is truly still a work in progress. I blog mostly about beauty, but there are a couple of lifestyle and ‘mommy’ posts too. If it’s something that I like or find interesting, I like to share it.
What do you think makes a blog successful? I think it depends on your reason for blogging. Is it a creative outlet, a journal or means for you to be part of an industry that you love (like it is for me)? If you can look at your work and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, I think you are successful. And being recognized by brands and having a good following of course doesn’t hurt.
Being a blogger is not always easy – what motivates you and keeps you going? I go through slumps and sometimes have little motivation to write, but then I spot new products or try something for the first time and I can’t wait to get to the pc to tell people about it.
What have your biggest blogging challenges been? Constantly stressing about stats and comparing my blog to others. That completely sucked the joy out of blogging. Luckily I got over that quickly. Now I just blog because I want to, and I try (my best) not to compare. It is hard though… we all want to be noticed, right?
What do you love most about being a blogger? The people! I have met so many amazing people and I have made very good friends in the blogging community. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
What has your journey as a blogger taught you {about yourself or in general}? Has it changed your life in any way? It has given me such a confidence boost. There are people out there who actually want to hear what I have to say?! That makes me feel very good. It has also given me the opportunity to experience a small part of the fabulous beauty industry that I have always longed to be a part of. And it gets me out there, meeting new people. I need that. Maybe I’m not as shy as I thought?
What are your top 5 SA blogs? Just five?! The number one spot will always have to go to Gee Whiskers (geewhiskers.com). Charlene is the one who inspired me (and told me) to start a blog of my own. I also love Femme Lifestyle (www.femmelifestyle.blogspot.com), Hipstyler, Pretty and Ginger (www.heygorgeoussa.wordpress.com), Lipgloss Kisses (www.lipglosskisses.com), Not Another Poppie (www.notanotherpoppie.com) and I (obviously) visit Inspired Living every day. I love South African blogs and the bloggers behind them. There is actually only one international blog that I frequently visit. Local is best.
If you had to give a newbie blogger any advice, what words of wisdom would you impart? Do it because you want to and because you enjoy it. Your blog is just one part of you, don’t let it take over your life and always be wary of what you share. Realise that what you put out there is available for the whole world to see and scrutinize. That being said, always stay true to who you are. Your blog is your space and yours alone. Be honest, be genuine and have fun.

Thanks Charlene for sharing a bit more about your life and blogging journey with us! You can find out more about Lisa and stalk her here:

Blog link: http://www.prettypleasecharlie.co.za

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prettypleasecharlie

Twitter: @MsCharlieW

Instagram: http://instagram.com/pretty_please_charlie

If you are a blogger and would like to be featured on Confessions of a Blogger, then please email Fiona or leave a comment below. Or if there is a blogger see featured here please drop me a mail or comment.

Image Source: Charlene