Interview with Top Online Influencer: Vicki of HonestMum.com

You know when you meet somebody and you instantly feel inspired by their warmth, generosity of spirit, tenacity and ingenuity. That's how I feel about Vicki, and I've actually never even met her in person. Yep, even through the power of the internet, this fabulous lady radiates positive vibes and always leaves me feeling uplifted, like i want to be my best self.

Over the past 7 years her blog has become her brand and she has worked to not only better her career but to promote and help other women to do so to. She is kick ass. She is a rock star. She is about to be an author of her first book.

Meet the Inspirational Vicki of Honest Mum.com

Why did you start Honestmum?

I started my blog in November 2010 when my first son, Oliver was 10 months old, at a time I felt pretty broken and identity-less to be honest. I was suffering from a traumatic birth, and along with therapy, a move closer to family in Yorkshire and starting my blog, I slowly began to rediscover my voice and with it came my confidence. With every small milestone met I felt stronger and by milestone that could mean a simple like on FB when I shared a post or an email that made me feel people were listening to what I had to say and appreciated my blog. Becoming a finalist at the BritMums Brilliance in Blogging Awards in the Fresh Voice Category, 4 weeks after starting was a huge turning point for me. That nomination got me back on set and eventually blogging full time.

I could never have foreseen my own journey with blogging and vlogging when I started, as the industry in the UK was very much in its infancy then. I returned to directing when Oliver turned one but by the time my second son, Xander was born in 2012, I'd found myself an accidental career I loved: a liberating, enriching way to work around my family which put me firmly in control of my work, and life. I'm writing my first book at the moment (published by Piatkus/Little Brown in March 2018) which reflects on my experiences and is jam-packed with advice for women wanting to become the mum-bosses of their own lives. My goal has always been to help empower other women to realise and utilise this democratic digital space so they can become whomever they want to be.

What advice would you give to bloggers on attaining success?

Tenacity. Talent is important of course, a dedication to honing your voice, exercising those creative muscles and refining skills but it's the commitment to achieving and picking yourself up on the down days, when things don't go to plan and in the face of adversity, always learning from mistakes and relentlessly improving which creates success. Not quitting. 

Success is relative and means different things to different people. I wanted to work in a way that suited my family on my own time and terms. My dream was to be able to work remotely and to see my kids as much as possible. 12 hour days on set as a director was not conducive to my changed goals once kids came alone. Thank goodness the rise of blogging and vlogging meant I could take what I knew (and build on that skillset) to make my blog, my job.  You don't need a media background to thrive though, you just need a laptop, a few deep breaths and a commitment to becoming a storyteller and you're set. 

My advice to those wanting to kick ass in whatever career they choose:

Work hard, have fun, surround yourself with champions: people you trust who have your best interests at heart and who will be honest with you, and know that hard work will equal positive results in time. Don't expect overnight success. No one achieves that. 

Which is your favourite social media platform and why?

This is a hard one as I love each one for different reasons, even snapchat which I always forget to use! Someone even tweeted me to tell me how pointless my snaps were. I was like, 'Yeah, I know, soz'!

So, Twitter because it was my first love and helped me connect to a community of like-minded mamas and some of my closest friends were made there. Twitter has always been there for me: as I breastfed in the middle of the night or needed answers to questions as a new mum. It is still the first place I head to online to keep up with news events. It will always have a special place in my heart. 

Pinterest is a happy place online for me. The social platform I have the most followers on (nearly 41k, I love how personal it feels there. I have lost of public boards but also private ones too I just share with my husband and friends featuring present wish lists, party ideas, photography, recipes and more. I was honoured to have made the finals for the recent Pinterest Food Awards and if anyone knows how to throw a party, it's Pinterest. 

Instagram, I was a bit late to the insta party, setting up an account a few years ago but not properly using it regularly until 12 months ago. I adore the fashion accounts I follow there like yours and the home interiors and US sites that are simply bursting with colour and scene scapes mostly of LA. There are some fab beauty and food accounts I love there too.  

Facebook: I love FB for funny parenting memes, pics and FB Lives where I love connecting with my friends and followers both on my personal and public pages. 

Snapchat. The filters are everything. I just wish I could apply them IRL. My kids adore the filters too and we always have such a laugh turning ourselves in to animals or face swapping. 

Linkedin is great to stay in touch with business colleagues from the film, tv and media worlds and I share relevant posts over there.

I also auto share my Insta posts to Tumblr too. 

Google + offers a little SEO benefit so I also share posts there too. 

  

What has been your favourite 'pinch me' moment in blogging so far?

Oh gosh, good question, there have luckily been several pinch me moments. Working in the film and TV industry pre-blogging meant having some amazing opportunities like having my film work shown at international film festivals I was flown out to and seeing my work on TV in the UK, America, France, Greece and beyond which was pretty crazy as I started directing at 21 as part of my MA... My life pre-kids and Honest Mum was quite a whirlwind when I reflect back on it. I also worked for one of the biggest film companies in the world too.. Blogging was a 360 for me in the sense I was mostly behind the camera beforehand, apart from the odd shoot where I was profiled as a filmmaker, and I also presented a one off film programme for BBC2. I had originally wanted to be a broadcast journalist and presenter but loved the creative control screenwriting and directing gave me. 

My job now is the perfect combination of all those creative elements.

Having the opportunity to work with people and brands I admire has been amazing, be it interviewing superstar Anastasia or working with Jamie Oliver.. being signed as the digital ambassador for the airline Jet2.com and Jet2holidays (a first for a blogger in the UK), being represented by Neil Ransome at Insanity and having Robyn Drury as my literary agent at Diane Banks Associates, and of course my book deal were all stand-out moments. 

The beauty of blogging is you just don't know where it will take you or what will come next. By far, the greatest joy has been the experiences my kids have had such as incredible holidays in Jamaica, the South of France, Spain and other destinations, and meeting their own little heroes like Andy from Andy's Adventures (Xander cried when we had to leave). 

The friendships I've made thanks to blogging and life online have seriously touched my life. I didn't think it was possible to find sisters online but I have. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

The plan is to move to LA but who knows. I keep open-minded but felt a real affinity to LA when I was over there with a short film I directed years ago. I can definitely imagine my family and I settling there down the line. 

The dream is still to direct a feature film one day whilst continuing to grow Honest Mum. I have a small team now and I hope that will continue growing and building.

I see all creative pursuits feeding one another and crossing over. One thing I've learnt thanks to blogging and vlogging is that, as a creative, you don't have to compartmentalise yourself or your craft, you can go (and do) wherever your desires take you.

I would like another baby too, ideally once this current third baby (my book) is complete. I need to convince my husband though so it's not really a 'watch this space kind of thing' more let's see what happens over the next couple of years, but I'm so incredibly in love with my boys that I'd love to add another baby to the fam.  

R:

Thank you Vicki you are a complete inspiration. Best if luck with all your future plans, i just know you'll achieve them!

Seeing what Vicki has accomplished with her blog really does show how hard work and determination can pay off in abundance, and how we can all make our dream jobs happen.

Oooo i feel all tingly with inspiration, don't you?

His and Her Last Minute Gift Ideas (for around £30.00)

So Valentines day is tomorrow and if I'm totally honest i have only just realised it. We aren't big in to Valentines gifts here, but its nice to mark the day with a little something that doesn't break the bank. Plus it got me thinking of last minute gift ideas for any occasion when you simply haven't got a clue what to get that person. This will hopefully serve as great little reference for when you're thinking to yourself "Oh my god... What the hell can I buy him/her?" whilst running around flailing your arms in the air, as present buying is just sooo hard.

Thankfully there are lots of easy ways to buy and pay for gifts these days.

So after I had my minor freak out this morning I got to thinking of a few little gifts that could work for him or her on any given occasion.

Barware

I think a cocktail kit can be a wonderful gift for two reasons. Firstly, it looks gorgeous on a bar cart or display cabinet and having them out on display can mean impromptu cocktail hours happen more often. Secondly, they are fun. Creating and making your own can be a great way to have friends over and socialise or just you and your significant other making some memories and some tasty drinks together.

 Speaking of drinks, why not buy that special someone their favourite alcoholic beverage, even better have it personalised, I've previously had this done for my Father in Law (at a time when i was obviously a lot more organised than i am now!) and it went down a storm. Their very own personalised tipple makes for a lovely keepsake also.

Modern Muse Set £30.66

Georgio Armani Set £29.70

 Scent is a very personal thing, but sometimes, when someone buys you a scent that you may not have previously picked up it can become a new favourite. I actually love when family buy me a gorgeous new perfume as each time i wear it i'm reminded that a loved one bought it for me.
These are both excellent value as you will be getting a lot for you money, with the scent plus extras in each. These are really great presents for him and her (hint hint husband)

Mens Black rucksack

Ladies Saddle Bag

Who doesn't love a good bag. Both handy and practical these are perfect gifts. Less than £30 each these make perfect travel companions or for daily wears or weekend attire. The neutrality of both means you will hopefully be pleasing the receiver as they can pretty much go with everything.

Sony overhead Headphones

In Ear Runfree headphones

Does anyone else have headphone battles in their house? With the husband, the teenager and me all using them, its quite often they will go walkies and never return. Whether you're buying for a runner or a recreational listener, headphones could be the perfect gift. I never seem to go out and buy myself headphones, or if i do i'm quite stingy (obviously choosing to spend my money on more important things like uhh.. shoes😉), so to have a nice pair bought for me seems like a pretty great gift.

Marvel Socks 
Pink Valentine Socks

And when all else fails... Socks! You can never go wrong with some lovely socks. I love a pretty pair of socks.. is that weird? I don't know. I also love a man in nice socks that show a bit of personality. I don't think I've ever met a person who did not love socks😁


I actually really want those lovely socks, the tan bag and the perfume.. would it be wrong to gift them to myself?

Do you have any go-to gifts that you buy for people when you just don't have a clue?

Stripes FTW (& #Passion4Fashion Linkup)

 When in doubt: Stripes. This is like my life motto, ok maybe not my life motto, if i doubt my parenting skills i don't suddenly paint my son stripey, but in general outfits and less important things: Stripes!
If left to my own devices and had to accountability of daily outfit pics (so y'know, real life) i would probably wear stripes every, single day. Yep stripe fanatic over here. My first thought each morning when choosing an outfit is usually stripes, but then once my brain kicks in I often diversify and try different things, but on the days when the old grey matter isn't quite kicking in to action, you will find me perfectly happy in stripes.
Stripe dresses for me are the most lazy items to wear, no other brain power necessary (i.e bottoms) you're sorted in one easy hit! As soon as i saw this Masion Scotch dress, i unequivocally knew it would be mine. The cheeky little lips logo made it even more endearing.
And so the purchase was made and the outfit easily created with the help of my two go two pieces: OTK boots and Biker jacket. Bish bash bosh... Sorted. I added in the little tie chocker to make me look, y'know, a little fancy pants, but really and truly no effort was made. I hope this doesn't offend you 😉
Haha no but really, this dress really is dreamy. Its slouch and clingy in ALL the right places. it can be kind ruffled up to make it shorter or pull down to make it just on the knee. My most favourite thing is how it isn't clingy to the midriff, which is just music to this mum's ears.. or err.. tummy.
So yes, dress love once again, and how great it will be come spring with some trainers/sneaker and a backpack. Perfect stripey transitional wear!


Side note: Don't even ask whats going on with my hair at the moment... I had an idea, it was carried out by a professional, i left liking it, 3 days later i attempted to dye over it myself.. it's left me with multicoloured., and not in a supposed to be this way-way. I'm just running with it for now. I'm sure my hairdresser will kill me when she next see's me in March, and rightfully so. As long as she can sort it some how, she can beat me with the hairbrush as much as she wants..
So excuse the hair for now.. shall obviously keep you posted!

Outfit details:
Blank Denim Biker Jacket
Scotch & Soda/Maison Scotch dress
Leopard print bag
OTK Boots

What is your go-to favourite style? Me and striped will forever be in love i think!

An InLinkz Link-up

Thought on Capsule Wardobes: A Year later

So its nearly a year since I started, what was at first an experiment on working with less clothes in a Capsule Wardrobe.
Learning to shop less was one of my primary aims as my unnecessary spending and my wardrobe habits were spinning out of control. Pieces worn once or some not at all. My wardrobe became like narnia.. not entirely sure what the heck was back there.

Blogging and daily social media posts of #OOTD photos had created some nasty habits for me. The constant need to keep up, the constant need for the latest fashions and passing phases, the 'I need this item so i can post it on social media' mentality was exhausting my mind as well as my bank balance.

But after a long hard look at my, quite frankly, ridiculous wardrobe and bank balance, i decided to try a seasonal capsule wardrobe.
Last Spring i started by clearing out my entire wardrobe and only put 45 items back in.
I ran with those items solely for the entire Spring season. Then came summer and i did it again, Autumn was one of my favourites and then winter, which we're still in.
Through the year i flexed to suit some weather conditions, allowed myself the odd spend here and there and wore what i had repeatedly.

It felt good.
It felt good to wear great items over and over again. It felt good to get my monies worth from items i'd spent my hard earned cash on. It felt good to not feel pressured (all be it my own pressure) to live up to social media standards.

Over the time i felt like i got to grips with what worked with a capsule wardrobe (lots of neutrals and lots of easy remixable items) and what didn't (too much patterns, clashing colours and dresses).
I learned that buying quality over quantity is far better than shopping cheap sales buys that i would never wear, or only ever wear once.
That investing in great jeans is key, especially if you're a jeans lover like me.
I learned what style suits my lifestyle, rather than shopping for outfits that inevitably weren't me.
I learned a lot about my shopping habbits (Hello, i'm Rachel and I'm an emotional shopper) and when i like to shop and how.
I learned that clothes don't define me, but they are a rather great expression of who i am.
So i guess you could say I learned a lot.

However, sometimes the neutrality of my wardrobe bored me and left me feeling lacking. I couldn't conjure up any excitement from the pieces and it made me realise that i actually do love to add in quirky, fun, fashionable pieces.
This past season i have been left perplexed, once again standing in front of my wardrobe and before you know it that dreaded thought floods in "I have nothing to wear".
I ended up feeling un-enthused by my options. The neutrality becoming mundane, the remixes all already remixed.
Suddenly the capsule doesn't seem so shiny anymore.

The other thing i noticed was how some Capsule Wardrobe advocates will shop spending £250+ at the beginning of each season to buy their pieces for the duration. This is great if you have excess expendable cash to do this. I don't.
I'm a picky shopper, i pick pieces up through the season, and especially watch out for sales too.
The couple of times i shelled out some money to buy new things at the beginning of the season when they were full price, i would find they'd be in the sale a mere 8 weeks later, leaving me a bit miffed that maybe if i'd waited i could have saved my pennies. Granted this can happen whenever, but it happened a few times and did make me see that splurging at the beginning of a season to fit the Capsule Wardrobe dates, wasn't for me.

So, what does this mean? Am i now going relegating the Capsule wardrobe and returning to my old ways as a shopaholic?
Well no of course not. I'm dumb but i'm not that dumb.
I've learned SO much from this past year. I'm now A LOT pickier with my clothes. If i order them and i'm not 100% i send them back the very next day, i don't sit on them and ponder until its too late to return. I try things on in the changing rooms, and again if i don't absolutely love it, i don't buy it.
I also work on a one in one out rule, leaving my wardrobe at around 55 pieces. I won't allow myself to get overrun by clothes again, and it means everything i do own, i love and want to wear.
I sell anything i no longer have need for or don't feel is 'me' any more on my Instagram sales account or ebay.

I've also come to accept that. although i am more frugal with my clothing purchases, I'm still allowed to buy the frilly interesting 'fashionable' top; if i like it and know i'm going to be able to get good wear out of it, then i buy it.
Outfits are an expression of our personality, and getting dressed each day is a little glimse in to our make up. Express yourself well. Life is short after all.]

Would love to know your thoughts and feelings on your clothes and shopping habits. let me know in the comments below.