What’s your blog name?
Ooh La Laura
Where did the name come from?
Ooh La Laura came about after my third attempt at starting a blog. Previously I was “Field of Cans” which was a play on my last name and all the things I have my creative hands in. Ooh La Laura is a better fit and more representative of the content I post. When I write a blog post, share a tutorial, style an outfit, I am always aiming for the audience to “ooooh” over it.
Where do you live?
Louisville, Kentucky
Tell us more about you and your blog
Ooh La Laura is a life and style blog featuring truly affordable style, most pieces are under $100 if not significantly less, attainable beauty routines, DIY projects, and probably my favorite part, transparent posts about motherhood and marriage. I started my blog because I love to write and also share the insane things I find or ways I save money, time and manage life as a mom of three. It’s my place to be creative and also completely me.
What people don’t realize about blogging is…
It’s incredibly time consuming. Every little detail from registering a domain, finding a host, to customizing widgets and uploading proper photography. This is all before you actually write a word.
What are 3 things you wish you knew about blogging before you started?
- Photography matters most. An iPhone picture speaks to the quality of your content just as strongly as poor grammar.
- There’s a hidden community of bloggers just waiting to connect and support your efforts
. Consistency is key for a successful blog. I wish I had known this in 2015 when I launched Ooh La Laura and stuck to an editorial calendar or even posted at regular intervals.
What’s been your most memorable moment as a blogger?
My favorite blogging highlight is my post in June of 2018 when I discussed why I left my full time job to stay at home with my three kids, but more over, why I am more than just a mom.
Give us your best tip for maintaining a blog work/life balance
Digital and paper planners combined with an editorial calendar. I jot down in some sort of planner as soon as an idea, event or sale comes about and then sit down in the morning and find a place for it in my editorial calendar. If you get behind, it’s incredibly difficult to catch up.
Instagram or Twitter?
Books or Podcasts? Tell us your favorite.
Books – anything by Jen Hatmaker, especially For the Love.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met?
Honestly, my 4 year old daughter, Aria. I could listen to her talk all day about the world she sees and the dreams she has for “when she’s a mama”. I believe so fiercely that she is an old soul and is incredibly wise. Her spirit is infectious, her inherent ability to comfort and show love is admirable, and every day I try to fan her flame and shine her sparkle.
What is your guilty pleasure?
It’s a little embarrassing but I have been doing it since 2009. I fill a one cup ramekin with a hodge podge of snacks and sit down to watch my shows. The guilty part is the fact I refill my “podge bowl” [as my husband calls it] two or three times per one hour show.
What’s one product you can’t live without?
My Norwex cloths. My mom introduced me to Norwex in 2016 and I can clean my bathroom or stove with the same cloth, using just water, in under 5 minutes. They are amazing and make home maintenance manageable.
What’s your most memorable trip or vacation?
At 6 months pregnant with my third child, my family of 4 met up with my sister’s family of 5 in a little North Carolina beach town. It was the first time we both have planned and paid for a family vacation. We had little on our agenda besides beach time with our kids and home cooked meals in the rental house. Opportunities for adventure fell on our doorstep and laughter came in droves.
We love our apps, which ones do you swear by for your business?
Tailwind – We agree! You can check out our post on how to use this awesome platform for Pinterest traffic here.
Who do you love to follow on social media?
Kathleen Barnes of Carrie Bradshaw Lied. She makes me laugh and keeps it real.
