This is the first post in our new Interview Series – Confessions of a Blogger, featuring the lovely Candice Bresler from A Gorgeous Life.
Hi, I am Candice, a vanilla-obsessed eater, baker and cook. I live in a beautiful little corner of Cape Town with my gorgeous husband and a balcony filled with home-grown vegetables and herbs. It began when I was a little girl of four, with wild curls, and a plastic striped clown apron, helping my mom in the kitchen, pretending to stir when I was really just licking the bowl. I grew up in a house where small portions didn’t exist – there was always enough food for seconds, and for the rest of the street.
- When did you start your journey as a blogger and why? I started blogging in October 2010, at the suggestion of my then-boyfriend (and now-husband). As I always spent so much time in the kitchen and find joy in words, he suggested I started a blog. At first, I was very hesitant – with the millions of food blogs in the world, who would want to read mine?
- Do you blog fulltime or do you have a 9-5 as well? I have a very normal desk job that keeps me busy during the day – this, thankfully pays the bills. Blogging is a mostly delicious, but naturally time-consuming, hobby.
- Tell us a little about your space on the interweb and what you blog about? A Gorgeous Life is a celebration of food, travel and the joy of home. After blogging for almost four years, my blog has grown and developed more than I could have imagined or planned. What started out as a strictly food blog, has now grown into one encompassing more lifestyle aspects. You can now expect to find recipes, restaurant and accommodation reviews, as well as beauty, health and home décor posts.
- Being a blogger is not always easy – what motivates you and keeps you going? Curating a good blog is difficult – not only creating original, interesting content, but also the occasional ethical challenges faced when reviewing an unpleasant product or awful restaurant. However, the joy far outweighs any challenges – my blog is my creative outlet, my life’s hobby. My week would feel so empty without planning blog posts, editing photographs or planning reviews. It gives me the opportunity to be creative and learn.
- What have your biggest blogging challenges been? Early on I had to tackle the issue of not-so-great (or downright awful) restaurant experiences – as restaurant reviewing is a large part of my blog, I had to create a policy, which has now spread onto all areas I write about – simply, I don’t do negative reviews. Whether it is a product, accommodation or restaurant, if I don’t absolutely adore it, it won’t make it onto the blog.
- Do you have any blog related or social media pet peeves? {things that other bloggers or social media peeps do, that really annoy you} Ah, transparency and disclosure. I don’t particularly care if bloggers beg for ‘freebies’, but please – if you have received anything for free, or are being remunerated for a blog post / review – please be honest about it. All it takes is a simple line at the end of the blog post. Both your readers and the company / restaurant involved will appreciate your honesty.
- What has your journey as a blogger taught you {about yourself or in general}? Has it changed your life in any way? A Gorgeous Life has greatly changed our lives – not a week goes past that my husband and I don’t have a review or event scheduled. It has also changed the way I cook and see food – most people will simply ‘cook dinner’ – I make a meal for the blog. It has shown me that people to respect and respond to honesty. That original content is valued. That I have a voice.
- If you had to give a newbie blogger any advice, what words of wisdom would you impart? First, re-evaluate your reasons for starting a blog. If you are starting a blog simply in the hope of receiving ‘freebies’ or wonderful event invitations, I would stop now. Blogs need to be built on passion – this shines through to your readers. If you are writing about something you love, everything else will follow – growth, credibility, and yes – lovely events. Blogging is not a solitary endeavor – there is an entire network of bloggers who have been doing this for years, sometimes decades. Interact with them – learn, ask questions, read their blogs and let them help you. On that note, there is also a wealth of information available online – helping you with everything from editing photographs to how to structure a blog post and find the perfect template – you can be brilliant.
- In three words tell me what blogging means to you ~ My passion, documented.
Thanks Candice for sharing a bit more about your life and blogging journey, with us! If you would like to find out more about Candice and A Gorgeous Life please click the links below.
Blog: A Gorgeous Life
If you would like to be a part of this interview series then please email Fiona or leave a comment below.
