I’m a little bit honored to have such a prestigious blogger on #MeetTheMembers today. Meet Claire from Life, love and dirty dishes. She’s a proper funny writer, so much so that she’s chief of all things funny for Britmums no less. Now that is some serious blog achievement! She also runs a funny-post-linky ‘Friday frolics’, which I totally need to join in with. What makes someone like Claire so spesh, is that she is entirely humble of her own status, which shone through in this guest post. She’s basically wonderful.
x MMT
N.B. This is the last guest post in the pipe line so if you would like to be featured on Meet the Members, drop me an e mail. Don’t be shy, you’re a blogger remember. And yes, you ARE cool enough.
Meet The Members: Life, Love and Dirty Dishes
Why is it I can write blog posts all day long, but when it comes to writing about myself and my blog I find it really difficult?!
A few facts about me…
Hi, I’m Claire, I’m in my mid thirties (37 still counts as mid, right?). My claim to fame is that I once spoke to Phillip Schoefield on a Going Live phone in. I know, awesome.
I live with three boys; The Husband, The Big One (6) who never ever stops talking, and The Little One (2) who never ever stands still.
We live in a Lego house. We don’t really, but we have so much off the stuff I could probably build one.
I love Gerard Butler, handbags, chocolate and Rose wine. My guilty pleasure is James Corden. Mushrooms make me cringe and I can’t stand bad manners. I am crap at crafts. Really really crap.
I’ve been with my husband since I was 14. We’ve been married for 10 years. He’s my best friend, my biggest fan, and my rock. He rocks. We are total opposites in pretty much every way but somehow we work!
I have a degree in Advertising & Marketing and worked in print marketing for several years. I became a stay at home mum after having the big one.
The birth of a blog…
I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I never really found an outlet for it. Unless you count some long forgotten poems riddled with teenage angst, that I wrote many moons ago in my bedroom, surrounded by pictures of River Phoneix and listening to REM.
I’ve always been a bit of a bookworm, but after having children found I never really had the time to read books, so I started reading blogs. Then one Sunday the husband took the big one out to the park, the little one was having his nap, and I was desperately putting off cleaning the kitchen, so I created a wordpress account. With absolutely no clue what I was doing I published my first blog post.
There was no planning, no big launch, and certainly no idea what a linky party or SEO meant.
It kind of grew…
For a few months I did nothing to promote what I was doing. I’m quite relieved now, because when I look back those first posts were awful. But I developed my writing style, and the more I wrote the more ideas I had.
Then I went public. I set up social media accounts and started promoting my posts. I was blog of the day for Mumsnet and was literally walking on cloud 9. I still get the same buzz today when one of my posts is picked up by the likes of Huffpost and Netmums.
I got addicted…
I got addicted to everything; The writing, the networking, the fabulous blogging community, learning more about blogging, learning more about running a website, the stats. Oh my god the stats!
Then I started to earn money. Not huge amounts. But brands started to approach me and I got a media kit together. It started to feel like I might actually be able to achieve what I never thought was possible. A flexible job that I could work around the kids, and it was something that I loved.
Right now…
Right now I blog when the little one naps and in the evenings. I’m working really hard to make this a successful business for myself. I’ve done a few freelance jobs, and hopefully my dream might actually come true.
I’m the LOL round-up editor for BritMums and I host a linky called Friday Frolics for funny posts. I also run a guest blogger series called Rookie Mistakes.
The future…
I’m just going to keep dreaming big and working hard and seeing where it takes me.
Come and say hi…
You can find me on Facebook and twitter. If you really want to make a blogger happy subscribe here! ☺
Claire
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 8, 2016
What an introduction! Wow! Thanks for having me. I love this feature, it’s always nice to get to know other bloggers.
Franjones April 14, 2016
That’s awesome. I need to learn more about promoting and building my presence. I love that you’ve been with your husband so long. Thanks for sharing! #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
It is pretty cool, all though neither of us had that expectation at the start!
islandliving365 April 14, 2016
What an inspiring post. I love Claire even more now that I know she has a thing for James Corden 😉 #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
Hands off, he’s mine 😉
beautybabyandme April 14, 2016
A fabulous introduction and can I say, what an inspiration you are. I can only dream to be as successful as you but I’m going to keep trying!! xx #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
Thank-you. If I can do it anyone can. I still feel like a novice most days!
beautybabyandme April 14, 2016
Ha ha 🙂 You’re fab hun xx
Mrs Lighty April 14, 2016
Fab post! I’m glad it’s not just me that gets that ‘high’ when one of your posts is picked up (although I’m by nowhere near the dizzy heights that you are!) and through the stats! Oh my God the stats!!!! Thanks for sharing your blogging story with #coolmumclub 🙂
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
I don’t think I will ever loose the thrill of knowing someone else liked my post.
Katy (@hotpinkwellies) April 14, 2016
I love these posts – so nice to get to know the people whose blogs I love! I’m inspired by the fact you manage to fit in blogging just around naptimes and in the evenings – I find I’m too tired by the time the evening comes round to do anything that taxes the brain! #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
I’m dreading the day the little one drops his nap. Think I will be burning the midnight oil most nights then, until he starts pre-school :/
Rhyming with Wine April 14, 2016
You always come across as such a professional and you really seem like you’ve got your blogging erm stuff together! I love to hear about the story behind the blogger and your journey is not only very funny – as are all of your posts – but also inspirational! Oh and er thanks for the pic of Gerard – brightened my Thursday right up! 🙂
Dawn x
#coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
Thanks Dawn. And you are most welcome, but I don’t understand why you are not thanking me for the picture of James as well???!!!!
Mrs T (@SothisismeMrsT) April 14, 2016
lovely to read all about you hun and your goals. #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
Thanks. It’s a great series.
Mum in Brum April 14, 2016
I love Claire’s blog – always makes me chuckle! I love how none of us really understand what we are getting into when we decided to set up a blog, it really is all about getting back what you put in. I’m totally with you on Gerard Butler! x #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
I don’t think I would have started if I knew. It all sounds like really hard work!
pinkpearbear April 14, 2016
I love these! I’ll do it if you want me?! 🙂 So nice to find out a bit more about people. Together since you were 14, that’s some epic love story these days I think. #coolmumclub
MMT April 14, 2016
Yes please I’d love to feature you! Pop something together and email it to me (see about me page) xx
pinkpearbear April 14, 2016
Ok cool! Is it just these questions? It will probably be next week if I’m being realistic!!
MMT April 14, 2016
No it’s just a free text space – do with it what you are inspired to do! Check out some of the previous editions for inspo? xx
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
I know. I think we both feel like we’ve had a relationship with several people in the time though as we have both changed so much. We’ve grown up together really.
pinkpearbear April 14, 2016
I’ve been with my hubs since I was 19 & know exactly what you mean. It really is wonderful to be able to grow together. Hard work sometimes though!!
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
So glad you understood my comment as I read it back and wondered if we could be misinterpreted as swingers!!!
rachel April 14, 2016
Such a lovely blogging community. I was so scared of critics when I first started 7 weeks ago but all you lovely blogging mummy’s have made it so enjoyable. I respect you all. This is a lovely way to get to know other bloggers. This is a fabulous read, thanks life,love and dirty dishes you’ve encouraged me to keep it up xx #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
It’s a fantastic community Rachel, everyone is always so helpful. Good luck with your blog 🙂
motherhoodtherealdeal April 14, 2016
Yay one of my FAVE bloggers great to see Claire on this series! Big hashtag trending #coolmumclub high five to you co-hosty partner! xx
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
Thanks Talya xxx
Helen April 14, 2016
Brilliant. Honest and funny – two of my favourite things. Congrats on your hugely successful transition from work to mum to blogger boss! I will be looking out for linky Friday Frolics. From one crap crafter to another, bravo x http://www.gumdropsandthebear.com #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
Thanks Helen. Come and join the #FridayFrolics party any time. It’s always good for giggles.
Ellen April 14, 2016
Oh Claire you are one of my faves! Definitely blogging royalty. So good to get to know more about you. You always make me laugh but your blog is so professional too. I think I am a bit of a fan girl haha. #Coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
Thanks Ellen, such a lovely comment. I’m still in awe of the girl who can devote two whole blog posts devoted to biscuits 🙂
Kat April 14, 2016
Great to know a bit more about you and how happy blogging is making you. Can’t go a miss with a glass of Rose myself! 😉 #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
Cheers to that!
emetomumblog April 14, 2016
very inspiring, espec since im just starting out really. i have become slightly addicted too 🙂 #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
It’s my third baby! It certainly keeps me up at night too 😉
cherylbarry April 14, 2016
So lovely to hear more about you Claire, I can relate to what you say about blogging because I started in a similar way and I agree that the more you blog the more you get addicted! It kind of takes over! Great to hear that you’re making it work for you now, gives hope for the likes of me and others out there! My little one no longer naps so I frantically try and cram everything into evenings and around pre-school! #CoolMumClub xx
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
I am so dreading him dropping his naps! I’ve got 9 months until he starts pre-school.
Blue Faced Momma (@BlueFacedMomma) April 14, 2016
I did the same thing with my blog, just kinda went for it. I’ve been at it for a month and am seeing good results so that’s exciting, and I just placed my first ad ever yesterday (woohoo). This is very witty and fun, I can’t wait to read more of what you write! Congrats on making it so far!
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
Congratulations. Wishing you lots more success. Hope you enjoy more of my blog 🙂
ljdove23 April 14, 2016
This is inspiring, your blog is amazing and I’m so glad that it has the recognition it deserves! I did laugh lots at your claim to fame, I loved Going Live and my right sleeve of my coat was shown on it one week broadcast from the Isle of Man! Ha! #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
Saturday mornings TV was the best! I used to have posters of Phillip Schoefield on my wall!
ljdove23 April 14, 2016
I still love the silver fox!! Xx
Mess and Merlot April 14, 2016
Ha I just read your (very funny) post on DIY through another linky and then popped over here to find you on MTM – HOW WEIRD?! So glad to have discovered your blog today, I can already tell it’s going to be one of my new faves! Lovely to get to know you a bit better on here. Not to kill the buzz or anything but you just reminded me of when I queued for ages to get Pips autograph, post Radio 1 Roadshow and just as I got to the front of the queue they CLOSED THE BARRIER!!! As you can see I’ve never quite gotten over it 🙂 🙂 #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 15, 2016
Scared for life! So great to have a new reader 🙂
Emma Jones April 14, 2016
Lovely get to know you post. My house is also lego filled. We’ll done on a your blog achievements. I’m a relative newbie as only started in November. #coolmumclub lifeinthemumslane
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
Love the name of your blog Emma 🙂
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
#heartbroken! So please to have got a new reader 🙂
A mum track mind April 14, 2016
Ah this gives me hope that I might be able to make blogging work as a career for me too! I’d be doing a little dance if Mumsnet or HuffPost picked up one of my posts too!! #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
Go for it!
rightroyalmother April 14, 2016
Oh goodness, I just trickled a bit of Weetabix out of the corner of my mouth at the James Cordon pic (sorry, tmi!) Really lovely interview; great to get to know a bit about REAL blogging royalty Claire 🙂 You were my first real ‘friendly voice’ when I started blogging at the start of this year and definitely encouraged me to keep going. And oh god I feel it about the naps. My two both kip in the day still (aged 7mo and 2.5yrs) and when they go, I am doomed! Long may they continue … #coolmumclub PS we are exactly the same age so I know a phone conversation with Philip Schofield on Going Live is MEGA.
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
Mega mega! I love your blog 🙂
rightroyalmother April 15, 2016
EeEeek. From you THAT is mega! What a day 🙂 Happy happy weekend. (oh gosh, just remembered I haven’t linked to #FridayFrolics yet … I’ll be there after supper!)
min1980 April 14, 2016
I’d like to say I’m most impressed by your blog achievements but, though they are certainly impressive, being on the phone in of the great Going Live is the most impressive of the lot! Can we have a post about that please? Great to hear about the “blogger behind the blog.” Love it. #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 14, 2016
I know, I’ve been trying ever since to reach the same dizzying heights of fame and achievement!
jaxbest April 15, 2016
A great post thank you! Your enthusiasm and excitement is catchy! Great for a new blogger to get caught up in! #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 15, 2016
Thanks 🙂
Nicole April 15, 2016
Recently stumbled upon your blog Claire and instantly fell in love with it. More so, with the way you write. Brilliant, funny, easy-to-read prose. Great to read about your blogging journey and how it all started; and as Sarah from MMT has said, it is your humble nature that makes you and your blog all the more wonderful. We haven’t met in person, but I sensed this humbleness through our interactions via social media and blogging. Here’s to more from you, and all the best.
#coolmumclub
PS: MMT, I enjoy this series too. It’s a great way to get to know the blogger behind the blog:) Thanks.
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 15, 2016
Thanks Nicole. That’s such a lovely comment.
Tracy April 15, 2016
Had to laugh at James Cordon being your guilty pleasure – mine’s Alan Titchmarsh ha ha. Pleased to ‘meet’ you. 🙂 #Coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 15, 2016
Just spat my tea out. I love hearing about other people’s guilty pleasures. I also have a thing for Ray Winstone!!!
Tracy April 15, 2016
My worst one is Robbie Coltrane, as Hagrid. 😉
wendy April 15, 2016
Lovely to get to know more about you Claire and find out more about your amazing blogging journey. Not so sure about the James Corden thing but I’m definitely with you when it comes to Gérard Butler!xx #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 15, 2016
That’s ok, I get to keep James to myself!
Tracey @ Mummyshire April 15, 2016
lovely to meet you and I’ve popped by many of the BritMums LOL roundups (very funny, btw) – great idea! Lovely to ‘meet’ you and you have a new convert! So many people seem to start off with a random idea it and just grows into something amazing – it’s always reassuring to hear too, that not everyone starts off with a plan!
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 15, 2016
I actually cringe when I look back at some of my first posts! I am by no means an expert, but I have certainly learnt a lot since I started!
G April 15, 2016
It’s so nice hearing more about you! sounds like you’re living the dream and your blog is fab by the way! I’m a new blogger so always looking for tips and any advice, which is why its nice to hear about those first few bad posts. I’m also going to check out the friday link. thanks for sharing #coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 17, 2016
Never be afraid to ask. In my experience bloggers have always been really friendly at offering advice and answering questions. Good luck with your blog.
G April 17, 2016
Thanks, it’s so true it’s a very friendly bunch mostly and I’ve been loving blogging 🙂 thanks x
G April 17, 2016
Thanks it’s so true! The blogging community is a friendly one 😉
G April 18, 2016
Thanks! bloggers really are a friendly bunch and I’m always asking questions and advice.
This Mum's Life April 16, 2016
Yay, I finally got to find out more about an absolute legend, and one of my firm favourites!! I did the biggest of wows that you’ve been with your husband since you were 14! I don’t know of any other childhood romance that has been such a success-you need a huge congratulations! I love that you started the same way as me too-just wrote a load of stuff on an empty WordPress site, without knowing what you’re doing! (Well, visually I’m still struggling, but it looks a bit better now than just a blank site with no pictures/header etc!!) I do have an admission though-I’ve only just got google analytics, and I’ve only looked at it twice! I don’t seem to have the blogger thing with stats like everyone else-maybe I’m weird?! You can most definitely make this your career, as you are too awesome not to have people falling over themselves to have you write for them!
#coolmumclub
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 17, 2016
I still don’t really understand Google Analytics, but shhhh, don’t tell anyone 😉
absolutely prabulous April 17, 2016
I still can’t believe you fit in SO much blogging into such little time. When we meet at Britmums, you’re so going to have kick my arse over my appalling time management skills. Great post as per usual, my dear blogging bestie x
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 17, 2016
Before or after drinks? 😉
DomesticatedMomster April 17, 2016
Hello Claire! I keep meaning to come link up with your linky as I too love humor! You have had quite the success with your blog…congrats!!! And where do you find the time to fit it all in??? I feel like I rarely have time to write because I’m so busy doing my linky and commenting. I just need to get more organized I think. Thanks Sarah for hostessing another fab #coolmumclub! I didn’t realize the badge hadn’t posted but it’s on there now!
Life Love and Dirty Dishes April 18, 2016
Hi Trista. Linkys are hard work aren’t they. I think because mine is for a specified type of post I have few link up which makes it easier to manage. It’s a lovely little community though. 🙂
DomesticatedMomster April 19, 2016
Yes I will have to link up. If you get a chance do send me an invite on Twitter! I have lots of funny posts 😉 My linky community is small too and I like it that way. Otherwise I wouldn’t have time to write!
Naomi April 18, 2016
I cannot un-see that picture of James Corden… My eyes!!! Seriously, though, it was great to hear about your journey. So many bloggers start out the same way but you’ve made a real success of it… It’s inspiring. #CoolMumsClub