One Year Blog Anniversary!

Hello lovelies!

Yesterday was the anniversary of Pretty Little Flirt. A year ago, I decided to create a page on the internet where I could share my thoughts and opinions for the world to see. I never imagined it building up how it has so far..

Thinking back to the person I was a couple of years ago, shy - not confident AT ALL, never really sticking to anything properly before, to be able to say I have blogged for a year is an achievement for me. I'm not going to say I didn't doubt myself countless times, or say I want to quit or don't want to do it anymore, because I did, a lot. But I always reminded myself that I do enjoy it and so I continue.. I always found taking a little break when I doubted myself really helped me realise I do enjoy it and miss it and then gives my the motivation to get back on it again

There have been so many highlights during my year of writing on the internet, here is just a few of them,

• I have reached over 10,000 page views
• Over 1k bloglovin' followers
• Have been nominated for multiple awards (Liebster 1 & 2.0, Infinity Dreams, Versatile Blogger, Real Neat) - thank you to everyone who nominated me x
• I guest posted on 'Steph's World' over Christmas (here)
• Created my blog's Instagram account! @prettylittleflirt
• I have worked with multiple brands including Beauty Essentials, Pick 'n' Melt and a few more that will be posted here very soon!

Some of my favourite posts so far have to be 'Pretty Little Thing Wish List', 'The Boyfriend Tag', I really enjoyed reviewing a lot of products such as 'Avon Mascara' 'Body Shop Serum and Moisturiser' 'Shadow Switch' etc

what was your fav?

So yeah, I did have some low moments of self doubt but I've also had some amazing moments. Either way, I am so happy that I pressed that publish button and leaped into something that I really had no knowledge about. I have grown as a person, online and off and I didn't even realise it

I want to say thank you to each and every person who has read any of my posts, it truly means a lot that someone takes time out of their day to read what I post and even comment. I love talking to loads of people on Twitter, you really do get to meet some lovely people and find friends for life x

Shani xox

The Real Neat Blog Award

Hey guys! 

So I was nominated by one of my best friends Tania from TaniaaWrites for the real neat blog award. 

Heres the rules:

• Thank and link the blogger who nominated you (they deserve recognition, very important!)
• Answer the 7 questions they asked you
• Nominate other bloggers and let them know!
• Ask your nominees 7 questions

Tania's questions to me:

1. What do you love about blogging? Being a part of such a lovely and supportive community. As well as being able to freely express my opinions on the internet, its therapeutic at times actually

2. What's on your bucket list? Definitely want to travel more I have a post on this here

3. What are your goals for 2017? I have a few goals for my blog such as getting a domain and being more socially active (post on this here), in general life I want to get fitter, exercise more, eat healthier build my immune system. I need to work on my temper, not blowing up if I'm annoyed or overthinking things

4. What's the best part of blogging? Definitely being able to talk to lots of different people from different backgrounds, it's such a lovely way to make new pals. I've also loved meeting other bloggers at meet ups and talking in group chats!

5. What motivates you? Planning out what to do in order to reach a goal I have is definitely a way for me to get things done. Also thinking of my future and family, need to keep going and never give up or you'll never achieve what you want

6. How do you like to relax after a busy day? Well I mean I would say a hot relaxing bubble bath with a good ol' lush bath bomb, however, I only have an en-suite shower at university haha! So I'll have to say a hot shower with a face mask and lil pamper session with some snacks and a Netflix binge

7. Any tips or advice for new bloggers? Definitely only write about what you enjoy, don't feel forced to write about topics or things you don't want to. Follow other bloggers who interest you and join twitter chats it's such a lovely community to be involved with!

Thanks again for nominating me Tania! xxx

I tag the following lovelies to do this post on their blog:

Tania at Life Happens
Charlotte at Charlie's Wonderland
Emma at Just Emmaculate
Brianna at Bri536
Katie at Katie Yvonne
Holly at Da Silvax

My questions to you lovely ladies are:

1. What is one item you cannot live without? (a makeup product or accessory?)
2. Where do you see your blog in a years time?
3. How did you find joining the blogging community?
4. What are you looking forward to the most this year?
5. Where do you wish you were right now? If you could fly anywhere..
6. What is your favourite Netflix series right now?
7. Do you think you could survive a zombie apocalypse? 

I absolutely love tag posts so this was a lot of fun! 

Shani xox

Blogging Goals | 2017

Hellooo loveliesss!!

Firstly I'd like to say Happy New Year to everyone, I hope that January so far is treating you all well! I have had a fair bit of time off posting to relax a little bit after Christmas but I am back with some goals for my blog this year.. I have seen a few other bloggers do this post earlier in the month, and I know I should have done it earlier too but it's still January so lets pretend it counts haha

I've decided I need to be a lot more organised when writing up posts, I need to have no distractions meaning not having the TV on, and not sitting in bed where I can get comfortable and fall asleep or become lazy.. so, I will be sitting up the table with my notebook where I will be listing post ideas and structuring while writing!

Here are my 2017 blog goals:

1. Regular Posting - Last year, I went through stages where I would post regularly and then another stage where I wouldn't post for weeks.. whether that is lack of motivation or being busy or ill I'm not too sure, however I want to improve on that. I'm going to be realistic and say I want to be posting once a week, at least. I'd love to be able to say I will post more than that, but if on the odd occasion I wan't to post more than that, then of course I will

2. Photography - I really want to improve on my photography, I have been super comfortable with just using my iPhone, to be fair it isn't bad quality at all, it does the job. But I would just like to be able to say I used my proper camera to do it. If I just don't end up liking it and prefer my phone then I will continue to do that but I just want to try..

3. Bloglovin' - So currently, I have just under 950 bloglovin' followers. I wan't to make a goal to reach 1.5k followers, which is a little steep and ambitious. But thinking about it, I only opened an account in September, 5 months ago. So I think within a year I should be able to reach it! I have added a bloglovin' widget in the side bar so follow if you haven't already, I always follow back!!

4. Instagram - I definitely want to open an Instagram account soon, specifically for my blog, it would be a nice way to share my posts and follow other bloggers without it being my personal account, if you have an account comment with your username and I will follow!

5. Comment on and find new blogs - I am going to make an aim to find, read and comment on at least 3 blogs/posts per day. I really do not do this enough as I should! This will really help branch out for new inspiration and finding new bloggers!

6. More social media active - I feel like I am quite active on twitter already, however a lot of the time I forget about twitter chats, and following new people. I want to keep track on as many twitter chats as I can to be able to take part much more, and therefore following lots of other bloggers and making new friends

7. Domain - I have been thinking about this for a while and I would love my own domain, I think it will make my blog look so much more professional. I have already added and removed certain little details on my page to look a bit more professional but the final step would be to have my own domain!

Do you have any goals for the year?

Shani xox