Bearded Backchat with Claire from Lazy Girl’s Life
Bearded Backchat is a chance for me to interview PR people and fellow bloggers. This week it’s Claire from Lazy Girl’s Life.
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Claire is a full-time parent, PTA wonderwoman, owner of three blogs, lover of music and reluctant landlady to too many teddy bears.
Who are you?
I’m Claire Deegan in Real Life and online I am Lazy Girl, previously 20somethingmum but then I got old and turned 30.
As I am rapidly approaching 40, I’m going to ignore the “old at 30” comment! What is your “day job”?
Full-time parent and PTA volunteer extraordinaire.
What is your blog called and where can we find it?
I clearly have no life, whatsoever, so have three of the things. They are Lazy Girl’s Life (www.lazygirluk.wordpress.com), Family Panel Reviews (www.familypanelreviews.co.uk) and Vinyl Problems, a music blog which I forget about for ages then go back to again (www.vinylproblems.wordpress.com)
What’s your blog about?
Lazy Girl is a mish mash of opinions (wanted or not), usually under the “Is It Just Me” heading, along with blogging tips and life tips too (under the #BlogSchool and #LifeSchool heading).
Family Panel is a review blog linked to videos my diva-like social media loving daughter produces, and Vinyl Problems is me and my stupidly big, non-hipster related vinyl collection.
Why did you start blogging?
Erm, boredom and an internet connection! In 2006, we had just had a net connection installed, and my superstar DJ nephew was living in our house and he had MySpace.
He showed me you could write a diary on there, so I did, until it died (I lost my entire blog through my pregnancy with Mini who is now 9), and then Twitter started and I was hooked!
Ha! I giggled at MySpace. Why do you still blog?
I guess it’s habit now. I don’t blog quite as prolifically as I used to do, I’m no longer a stats chaser ad I certainly don’t consider myself a “face” anymore, but I have gained some brill mates from it, and had some amazing experiences too.
How has blogging changed since you started?
Too much pressure on bloggers now, and sadly it’s from other bloggers.
Ten years ago, no one cared if you had a fancy background, were self-hosted or had a “good” or “bad” DA. SEO was not thought of, it was the way you wrote and what you wrote about.
I recall in 2009, a newer blogger bought a background, and us old lot were like “really? Why spend that much, who cares?” Clearly we were so wrong!
Would you count your blog as a job or something fun to do in your spare time?
Erm, it used to be, yes, I used to chase sponsored posts and the like. But I gave up about two years back as I was sick of having SEO people moaning about little changes, or removing links, or pitching me things which made my blog look like shit.
Especially when I couldn’t write the post myself. It just wasn’t worth the money anymore, and despite my experience and stats at the time, as other bloggers would write for £20 and a £5 Amazon voucher, when I asked for an amount I thought more appropriate, they would scoff.
I do still review stuff, but it’s very much under my terms, and only if it matches to my family.
That and if I had of brought in one more big box of toys, Elder, my other half, would have left me/made me live in the shed.
Where do you get the inspiration to write a blog post?
I don’t really. I write as and when, I never schedule posts, it’s very much stream of consciousness at the time with me!
Claire
If you could recommend three other blogs to read, what three would you recommend and why?
So hard! OK, I’m going to say Alice’s blog www.lifeasalice.com as she loves gin as much as me. I would tag Lis as she is a legend www.newmumonline.com, and also Chelsea as I love her honesty, her humor and we are currently in a gift war which is meaning my Amazon suggested buys is getting eyebrow raising and meaning when post comes I have to run into the kitchen so my kids don’t see. www.thehazelkey.com
I’ve never heard of a gift war, but it sounds intriguing! Tell me more…
The gift war has now gone on hiatus for now but was rude gifts! Including - as Chelsea likes colouring - a pornographic cartoon colouring book, and a cake tin shaped like a certain part of the male anatomy. I got a cup very similar, and a book of naughtiness too!
What is the single best thing that has come about as a result of your blog?
Friendship. Forget all the gifts and the days out. It’s when it’s late, on a Saturday, all your child-free mates are out, you feel like crap, and one of them will tweet you a funny picture just because.
What would be your perfect blog post?
I don’t think I can name one.
To me, a post is a post, is a post. The fact I or someone else has taken five minutes to give you a view into their mind, scary or otherwise, that’s perfect, and its one of the best things about the net.
What can you recommend to other bloggers to increase the traffic to their sites?
I’m probably the last person to ask to be fair! I just keep chatting away on Twitter (@TheLazyGirlBlog), and on Tumblr (www.thelazygirlblog.tumblr.com) , and if people find me, that’s all good.
Which brands do you enjoy working with?
Camp Bestival are amazing. I went in 2010, with Johnsons, and reviewed it in my very early days at Family Panel.
They caught the link and were very nice about it! In 2014, they asked if I would like to be an Official Blogger and I jumped at the chance.
They are great fun to work with and they clearly care about the experience of those who buy a ticket.
I see you’re an Official Camp Bestival 2016 blogger. What are you looking forward to this year?
Well for me I am going to shamelessly fan-girl Fatboy Slim, but I also love the freedom of camping and dressing a bit weird for 4 days. The kids get to run like loons and make new friends too.
We plan on having a Camp Bestival wedding in the blow-up church this year too for fun.
Everyone has that one company that they have always wanted to work with but have never quite been able to. Who is yours?
Any music related people - I wouldn’t mind working with Technics - I love a good deck and mixer!
The closest I get to a deck and a mixer would be a Double Decker and a Twix! What is your own personal favourite post on your site?
I have so many I like for different reasons, but this one sums my daughter up in a nutshell. She still has too many teddies. https://lazygirluk.wordpress.com/2015/04/22/dear-mini-with-these-teddies-you-are-taking-the-piss/
Whose blog would you love to be featured on or write a guest post for?
I’d like to write for the Britmums blog again.
I did many years ago write a post for them, but you have to have so much respect for the Britmums ladies, they started all this off for many people and gave Mums and Dads a voice.
Lastly, if you were to interview another blogger, what question would you ask that I haven’t asked here?…
What does your significant other or kids think of you blogging?
… And what is your answer to that question?
Elder, well he hates politics in blogging but he now has gone from Mr anti-social media except for Facebook, now he has Instagram (and gets more likes than me the sod).
Mini loves it, she is a true social media generation child, it’s given her a lot of fun and confidence.
Littlest is too busy playing Wizard 101 to care what Mummy is doing but he does like the coding side of things too so maybe I’ll get my fancy layout one day!
Thanks for taking part, Claire!
You can catch up with Claire in all of the usual places:
Visit the Lazy Girl’s Guide to life on Facebook.
Claire’s also tweeting as The Lazy Girl Blog on Twitter.
and don’t forget to visit the Lazy Girl Blog too.
You can see all of the Bearded Backchat interview series by clicking here!
(Header adapted from an original design by www.lucykatedesign.co.uk, with thanks)
by DannyUK
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Hats off to her, three blogs? I can barely manage one 😉 I can relate with what she said about pressure from other bloggers and how a few years back, bloggers didn’t really care much about their numbs and DAs. I’ll be honest I only found out what a blimming DA was when I joined FB bloggers group late Feb of this year 😉
Twitter: dearbearandbean
on April 25, 2016 at 10:35 am
Wow three blogs!! That is commitment. Fab interview, really enjoy hearing from other bloggers 🙂
Twitter: nefamilylife
on April 25, 2016 at 1:30 pm
What a great interview, she must have seen so many changes to blogging over the last few years. Three blogs is amazing! I struggle to keep up with just the one! x
Lindsay At Newcastle Family Life recently posted…A Afternoon In Scarborough
Twitter: tobyandroo
on April 25, 2016 at 6:15 pm
Wow three blogs! You are where I want to be, though I am struggling to keep one above the water.
Harriet from Toby & Roo recently posted…Twinning is winning… sometimes!
Twitter: faded_spring
on April 25, 2016 at 7:38 pm
I feel like me and Clare would really get along. She seems determined to write how she wants to write and that is an ethos we can all learn from!
Twitter: _ellenokeeffe
on April 25, 2016 at 10:12 pm
I love these type of posts to find new blogs to read. Three blogs? I totally relate to her addiction to twitter though!
I think we’ve all been there with the Twitter addiction, Ellen! lol
DannyUK recently posted…Stop losing your keys – Beets BLU Key finder
Twitter: Myrabev
on April 25, 2016 at 9:15 pm
What a lovely intervene and Claire sounds like a busy but very lovely person
Anosa recently posted…{Fashion Monday} Chill with Maud
Twitter: DomesticMomster
on April 25, 2016 at 11:28 pm
Wow! Three blogs? That is just complete craziness. I have 2. One that is read by everyone and the other is anonymous because there are some things I feel the need to write about that I don’t want people I know, knowing that I wrote it. Now if they happen to read it and figure it out that it’s me well that would just be a miracle and highly unlikely. I love your question about how the spouse and kids feel about the blog. My husband told me to get a hobby but I don’t think he realized how addicting my hobby would become and you are right there are lots of pressures that come with blogging but I only recently learned about DA scores. I knew about SEO, but I really try just to do what I want when I want with my blog and that is that. It was so nice to meet you Claire! And thanks for sharing this great post Danny. I am visiting from he Facebook BloggerUKClub page.
Twitter: TheLazyGirlBlog
on April 26, 2016 at 9:44 am
Oh hello! Thank you for the lovely comments, I am indeed crackers to have three blogs, it’s why I tend to neglect them from time to time!
It was rather enjoyable being interviewed and glad no one has been cross about the pressure from other bloggers thing, I was quite nervous it may rile some people up.
Everyone who has commented about having more than one blog, or just having one, whatever way you do it is marvelous, that you take time to cultivate it as a hobby or possible career, or whether like me you couldn’t care less on DA and SEO, its all good!
And thank you for popping over to the blogs too 🙂
Twitter: lifeunexpected2
on April 26, 2016 at 10:48 am
Such a great interview to read! It’s so interesting to hear what blogging used to be like too and how much it has changed. We can all learn a lot from this interview. x
What an awesome interview. Blogging sure has changed since she started.
Boy, you are one busy lady!! Congratulations on managing to find enough hours in the day!!
Twitter: mejoramihogar
on April 27, 2016 at 2:45 pm
Very interesting reading your answers. Great Interview!
Brenda Cisneros recently posted…Divertidos Pancakes o Hot Cakes de Colores
Twitter: muchmostdarling
on April 27, 2016 at 8:45 pm
Three blogs? She must be a superwoman! I can barely keep up with my one 🙂
Shannon Peterson recently posted…Cardimom: a 10-in-1 convertible nursing sweater and top
Twitter: hhmommyordeals
on April 28, 2016 at 12:44 am
Three blogs?? Cheers to her! Its crazy to see how much things have changed since she started.
I like this segment, it’s a nice chance to meet fellow bloggers and learn from them. Claire seems like a cool mom and a fun lady all together! Thanks for sharing your interview with her!
Interesting interview, id love to see more of this blogger on blogger chat.
Twitter: hautebeautyblog
on April 28, 2016 at 6:08 am
I can’t imagine keeping up with three blogs! That is so impressive. I always wonder what other bloggers spouses think about their blogging. Mine hates it, but he doesn’ t have any social media accounts. It’s encouraging to see hers has come around to Insta/FB at least.
This is so great! This way we can learn more about others bloggers! Three blogs sound like a lot!
Wow! Superwoman! I just started my blog and I can’t imagine committing to 3! Also, I LOL’d at the fatboy slim comment! haha.
This is interesting, chat with another blogger is exciting.
What an awesome post and you are amazing, Congratulations you manage very well
Great interview! Love that other bloggers can share a part of their life with you! Great job!
Claire is busy and talented, I only have 1 blog and its so much work!
Twitter: afableaurora
on April 28, 2016 at 11:03 pm
Wow! I was there when blogging just started to happen! She is right, nobody really knew what Seo meant. A few years later, after coming back from the military, that is when I started seeing SEO.
Sounds like you had a lot of fun during this! Always great to get to know new people.
Coralie recently posted…Exclusive interview with Chris Evans about #CaptainAmericaCivilWar #CaptainAmericaEvent #TeamCap
It is good to know a bit more about our fellow bloggers. This is a good one. Do you by chance thought of turning this into a meme so other bloggers can join in regularly? I am sure a lot of us would love to join in! 🙂
I hadn’t even given it a thought to be honest – I’m not even sure I know how to do that! However, I’m always looking for new interviewees. If you’re interested, just let me know!
DannyUK recently posted…Let the kids be kids
Twitter: momyrockinstyle
on April 29, 2016 at 7:51 am
Such an inspiring interview. I learned a lot from her. Thanks!
Mhaan A recently posted…Wild Peach – Great Dupe for Z Palette and my BeautyMNL Experience
Twitter: mskathykenny
on April 29, 2016 at 5:07 pm
I handle two blogs, one for business and the other is personal and it consumes me already. I can’t imagine how she even does 3. HATS OFF!
Kathy Kenny Ngo recently posted…April
Twitter: MardeneC
on April 30, 2016 at 2:48 pm
I handle more than one blogs even though I have my main one. I had to laugh at the part that says she got old when she turned 30…..LOL
nice series and blogger interviews! i’ve thought of this before to feature some bloggers weekly but its so hard with all my travels reviews nad events that i needed to update! nice to know simple things about here