This podcast is new to me and new as a whole! Everyone has probably heard of Casey Neistat who shares his life on YouTube, and so it's no surprise that he has started his very own podcast alongside his wife, Candice. This podcast delves into their personal life, in which they discuss candidly the ups and downs of their marriage (me being nosey, I definitely wanted to hear this), friendship, parenting and their lives in the YouTube spotlight. It is also interesting to hear the view and voice of Candice, which we wouldn't normally hear, and the more personal view of the pair. This is definitely a must listen, even if you're not a Casey Neistat fans.

This podcast isn't my usual go-to genre and theme, yet after listening to just one episode I am hooked. Conducted by Emily Dean from The Times, she interviews various comedic friends, whilst well walking the dog! This makes the podcast seem so natural and flows effortlessly, just as though your walking beside. They talk about the weird, the wonderful, the funny and the extraordinary. If you are put off by the aspect of it being a comedy, don't be fooled, as to be honest I enjoy this podcast just as much as any other (I think it's the interview which does it!).

Again, another new discovery of mine which I was so excited to give it a listen as it bloody Ferne Cotton!! This podcast follows her successful bestseller 'HAPPY', and this is equally as successful by delving into unlocking the inner happiness. She chats to inspiring individuals who have either made a change in their own life or who help people every day to find a different way of looking at life; revealing what happiness means to them.  The conversations are so raw and real, which takes this topic to an extra level on meaningfulness. By far, my favourite episode has been with Stephen Fry (it's an emotional one), with Alexandra Shulman coming a close second!




This concludes my second round up of podcasts, to keep you going through this half-term! There is a podcast for everyone, plus they are all free and are a great source of entertainment for an evening chill or a getting ready supplement. The choice is yours! 

What are your current favourite podcasts?

Before I schedule my post or hit publish, I make sure to re-read my whole post, to check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and any other changes I can make. I usually try to do this a few hours after initially writing the blog post, and even better a few days. When I come back to it, I have a fresh mind, and spot mistakes I previously hadn't. It is also helpful if you have a second person to proofread your work, with a fresh perspective in mind. To prevent simple grammar mistakes, I recommend installing the programme 'Grammarly' onto your computer - it simply highlights any mistakes you have made and how to correct them. 

When previewing my blog post, I always like to check my photos. I like to make sure they have loaded properly, are the same width as the main chunk of text and are not blurry or grainy. Images are the first feature that people see when landing on your page, so having them correctly aligned gives the post a professional look. I only started doing this recently, and it has become so beneficial to the overall design of my blog. 

Once my post has officially been published, I immediately promote my post via social media, mainly on twitter. This platform is amazing for getting the initial readers of the new post, and gaining a continual flow of readers and traffic into the blog. I currently use HootSuite, to help me schedule tweets throughout the day - this platform is absolutely free - and is great to tweet old and new posts. I also recommend inserting some hashtags and accounts into each tweet, to increase the audience and readership of each tweet. My favourites include @femalebloggerRT, @BBlogRT  and @GRLPOWRCHAT. Using this tip is so helpful to gain traffic and new followers, especially if you have a low initial following on Twitter. 

I don't think I have mastered the art of Pinterest in gaining traffic, but I always do pin photos from each post to again promote! I always pin to my 'On The Blog' board and then any other relevant boards, including the group blogger boards.
You can follow my Pinterest here: follow me 

When it comes to being a new blogger, it can be hard to get your name out there, and equally as hard to get your first initial view or follower. This can be so frustrating, especially when writing just one blog post takes time and effort. Despite this, there are multiple easy and simple ways to increase your blog traffic instantly.

One of the biggest tips for increasing blog traffic is definitely the wording of your titles. People are always looking for solutions, tips and answers daily, so by creating titles that bring this solution (e.g. 'Top 5 Tips to Become a Morning Person' or 'How I Cleared My Skin') will instantly bring the traffic.

Active on Social Media

Clear Design

Stay Consistent

Create Shareable and Beneficial Content 

The posts which drive the most traffic for me are ones which are helpful for my readers, usually by sharing my tips and tricks (like this blog post!). This type of content is perfect for sharing on Pinterest and I've found that I get more engagement and interaction from these posts. Linked to this tip, is the idea of the catchy titles. 

What do you do to increase blog traffic?

I always follow this tip especially during the weekdays, as getting myself prepared the night before is so beneficial. It helps to save time in the morning, when I know I wouldn't want to be rushing around, and it prevents me from forgetting anything. This usually includes packing my school bag, pre-making lunch or even breakfast, getting together my outfit, printing out work and writing the mornings to-do list.

One of my worst habits (that I still need to break), is instantly checking my social media minutes after I wake up. I then consequently lie in bed for an extra two wasted hours! Instead, you need to train yourself to instantly get out of bed and fully become awake - for me, this is washing my face and eating a good hearty breakfast!

By cultivating a space that you enjoy and feel happy in, allows you to have a calm space for sleep. The best part of the morning is waking up in a bedroom that you love. 

In order for all these tips to actually be set in stone, you have to stick to a schedule, and be strict! By following a plan, you will get plenty of sleep the night before. I believe this is the ultimate trick for becoming a morning person. By getting enough sleep, you'll wake up feeling energised, making the 'getting up' an easier task. So, try to go to bed at the same time each night, and wake up at the same time! Also, don't forget to continue this schedule into the weekends, otherwise your body clock will be thrown off. 

Before you're a morning person pro, your best friend will be the alarm clock. Until you have trained your body clock to naturally wake up at 6AM, the snooze button can be very tempting. The extra 5 minutes in bed can turn into an extra hour. If you're struggling to get rid of this habit; place your alarm clock on the far side of the room; in an area where it is still in hearing distance but far enough to physically get out of bed.

Blogger Aimee Song and New York Time's Bestselling Author of Capture Your Style showcases her feminine style, yet isn't scared to go bold. With over 4.6 million Instagram followers, she's my go-to-girl for head-to-toe fashion inspiration. Not only does she document her style, but also her travels and exotic locations. For me, she is as close to my own personal style, as I love her play on the contrast between feminity and tomboy style. 

I love Tezza's range of styles: from Californian teen to business women on the streets! As she is a creative director and self-stylist, you can count on her for imaginative photos as well as a rocking style. 

If you want to channel all Parisien vibes, then follow Monica (who is actually Spanish!). The rocker of thigh high boots and oversized jumpers, Monica's style combines luxe high-end and the 'I've borrowed my boyfriend's jumper' look. She owns the classic blogger style, and I'm all for it! Som particular pieces she wears (hint: the telephone jumper), remind me of a retro twist thrown into her everyday style. 

If you're a fan of red and neutral tones, then @livelyus is your girl! Her style is so simple, affordable and re-creatable, she has the perfect feed for a quick style fix.