Many of you may often read The Londoner’s blog, either to try out some of her delicious recipes or just admire her seemingly perfect lifestyle. However, what if we told you that there are some blogs that are just as good and written by your fellow students at Exeter? Perhaps they don’t feature 2-week holidays to Fiji or new Prada purchases, but the student blogs we’ve read are incredibly entertaining and just as good, if not better! As a result, HCX has compiled a list of some of Exeter’s best student blogs, which we feel should get a little bit more credit! Even if blogs aren’t your thing, procrastination probably is, and reading blogs is such a great way to do this. So Rosie The Londoner, you have some competition coming your way! Emma White lists her top Exeter student blogs.
Best Travel Blog
http://travelandtapenade.wordpress.com/
You know you’ve come across a great blog when you are presented with such a dynamic, interesting and well-put together home page. This is exactly what Phoebe has done. She writes delicious recipes as well, tastefully linking them in with the destinations she has visited, giving us more than just your average travel blog.
Best Baking Blogs
http://nensbakery.blogspot.co.uk/
As soon as I clicked onto this page, I fell in love and could almost smell the delicious aroma of something delicious baking in the oven. This is precisely what you want from a blog: for someone to click onto the page and know exactly what he or she is about to read. I think Nen hits another soft spot of ours as soon as she mentions she would love to open her own bakery one day and it is always really special reading about something that someone is passionate about.
http://withacuppat.blogspot.co.uk/
I absolutely adore this blog’s background. Written by two great friends, this blog is perfect if you want to find a recipe to go with your afternoon cup of tea. Something I think we can all probably relate to! Although still relatively a young blog I really hope they carry on writing, as I absolutely adore the look of some of their recipes.
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Best Beauty Blogs
http://belles-affaires.blogspot.co.uk/
Without a doubt, I am so incredibly envious of Caroline’s make up collection. However I am warning you it is very dangerous reading this blog- you will want everything! A blog also full of recipes and fashion and one that inspired me to write my own, I would genuinely recommend a read! The Cath Kidston background beautifully compliments her writing- very girly and cute!
http://pagesandperfume.wordpress.com/
Pages and Perfume is probably the easiest blog I’ve found to navigate by providing a tab at the top for Beauty, which then filters out into Beauty Reviews, Beauty News, and Beauty Tip of the Month. It seems that this is the go-to page for any advice before buying any beauty product! They obviously know their stuff!
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Best Lifestyle Blogs
http://myuniyears.blogspot.co.uk/
This blog is another personal favourite of mine and written by one of my great friends, India. It has even been praised by The Londoner herself, claiming it’s the country version of her own. India knows exactly what she needs to create a great blog with many followers: fab photos, interesting posts and an appealing design. Well done India!
http://bellajolly.wordpress.com/
A beautifully presented blog filled with student antics. Totally relatable, super informative with great photos, Bella is another Exeter student who knows exactly what makes a successful blog. I love the way she writes in such an engaging and personal way, which is really what gets readers coming back for more!
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Best Newcomer
http://francescatrafford.blogspot.co.uk/
Although she’s only been writing for a few months now, Frankie ticks all the boxes for a super student blog. Writing about recipes, beauty and many of her student antics, she is one of my favourite writers. It’s a genuine joy reading her posts as she is so funny and gives a very honest opinion about all of the products she reviews, which is very important.
Best Fashion Blogs
http://yassysblog.wordpress.com/
Although there are only a few fashion posts on her blog as of yet, Yassy promises us more, which is great news for us! I absolutely adore the simplistic design of her blog, which I personally believe is the best foundation for any fashion or beauty blog, as the colours of photos tend to pop out even more. The Vasa Watches post is definitely a favourite of mine and I have a sneaky feeling that Yassy’s blog will eventually become a fashion-ista’s internet haven.
http://scot-down-south.blogspot.co.uk/
Another blog that was of great inspiration to me when I started my own! Although Lauren writes far more than just fashion, I do believe this is her strong point. I love her regularly ‘Label Lust’ posts: introducing us to some of her favourite, newly discovered brands, which are always to my taste! Although her lessons on Channelling Katie Middleton’s look I think would appeal to everyone.
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Best Art, Literature and Music Blog
Girls and Boys, if any of you are considering starting up a blog or re-vamping your own, this should be your inspiration. Mark has it absolutely sussed and is officially a pro in the blogging-sphere (check out the .com!) Reading his posts makes mine look completely inadequate, as he writes with such ease and such wit, on topics that you probably won’t find on anywhere else on the internet (such as what it is ACTUALLY like to be a woman!!). This is probably the first ever blog I’ve laughed out loud to. Please carry on Mark!
Best Photography Blog
http://culture-vultures-online.blogspot.co.uk/
I crave a blog filled to the brim with exciting and inspirational photos to browse through on a gloomy afternoon when it seems as if the concept of colour itself has been eradicated from our planet. If you are on the same wavelength as me and need a little visual pick-me-up every now and again I would highly recommend this blog! I love the dynamic way it has been designed, as it makes it so easy to browse the stories behind the photos.
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The Best Student Blogs
http://wastingtuitionfees.wordpress.com
I didn’t think there was actually a genre of blogs called ‘The Student Blog’ until I found this little gem. Every student should read this if they want to make it out of uni alive. As well as giving tips for students, Emma also entertains us with many of her (very) relatable student antics. LOVE LOVE LOVE!
http://blogs.exeter.ac.uk/eyesofimi/
Another great guide for students and one in which we follow Imi through her ins and outs of her University career. What I love the most is the way that she writes: I feel like I’m having a genuine conversation with her rather than just reading it. Really funny and would really recommend it!
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Best Rambling Blogs
http://mismatchedknitwear.wordpress.com/
‘Rambling’ is a term often used as a criticism of essays, but in the blog-o-sphere it is considered to be a crucial aspect of a good blog. I love reading Jess’ posts as they are written in a way in a way that they would be spoken. Spilling everything that’s on her mind onto wordpress, Jess captures our attention with her humour and her thoughtful reflections of her student adventures. Please write more posts on Playlists- the first one is great!
http://tiddelypomblog.blogspot.co.uk/
When I read Kathleen’s blog I feel like I have just entered into her mind. Welcome everyone; this is what it looks like. You never know what you’re going to get when you read a post and that’s what I love. For example: start off talking about her 15k run, end with a squid recipe. Start off discussing things that will change your life (e.g. certain biscuits), end up ranting about people who apply for jobs when they don’t actually like them. Full of surprises this little one. Very engaging and humorous reading, I would definitely recommend a read.
My Own Blog
www.myscrapbookecw.blogspot.com
Right, this is the scary bit. I have officially reviewed my favourite blogs, and I have yet to show you mine. Obviously it was out of the question to put it in my top 15 genres but I do feel that it would be legitimate to show you a sneak peak. Please don’t go assuming that I am the bees-knees of the blogging world, many of the above blogs are far experienced than I am. In fact, I only started a few months ago, but it has become a massive hobby of mine and I love checking out other people’s as it feels like I’m having a little nose around their life! Have a little preview if you wish…