I’m so, SO excited to be sharing an interview with the wonderful Angela, of The Awkward Blog here today on Cider with Rosie! She’s been one of my favourite bloggers to follow for a good couple of years now, because it’s just 100% impossible to read one of Angela’s posts and not feel uplifted by it! I mean, you only need glance over the gorgeous photos I’ve popped into this post to see why I love it so much, right?! Anyway, enough from me, and let’s get to know Angela a little better!

1. Will you tell us a little about how you got started writing The Awkward Blog, and what it means to you?

It all started three years ago- I was working at an advertising agency and just felt like I desperately needed some sort of creative outlet to escape into. I didn’t have a clue about having a niche, I didn’t know any other bloggers personally, I just wanted a space to write things or share some photos. Over time, I loved that it connected me to this new online community and that’s really what my blog means to me- connecting to other people through our different stories.

2. How would you sum up your blog, in just 3 words?

Silly Little Adventures…because I feel like that’s essentially what my life is about-whether it’s going on a trip, having an embarrassing moment, sharing a recipe or a story, they’re all my own little adventures (and also, I try not to take myself so seriously!)

3. Let’s talk a little about the blogging community! What’re some of your favourite things about being involved in the industry? And anything you’d like to change, if you could?

I like that blogging is a community- there’s always a social aspect to it. It’s created many new friendships that I otherwise would never have made and I love that! I love that it opens up all these conversations and exchange of stories, and a sense of kinship.

On the other hand I do feel that we put too much pressure on ourselves, to the point it sucks the fun out of blogging. There is always a sense of needing to be better, to network more, to master this, that or the other more. Blogging has always had this edge of competitiveness and its easy to start questioning yourself. So if I could change something, it’d be that. We should all be nicer to ourselves. I felt a bit burnt out by it all towards the end of last year, and I promised myself that I would remember to have fun with it again.

4. Would you share with us three of your favourite posts, and tell us why they’re particular favourites?

Number one is my wedding! I got married last year, here in London. Having all my friends and family together blew my mind (I also wore feathers, so that was pretty cool too)

Number two, isn’t really a specific post. I like sharing my Life Lately updates- if I have a few interesting links to share I’ll add them in, as well as little snippets of what’s been going on recently. I’m less strict with myself on a Life Lately update; it’s not about layout or photo quality but more of a focus on sharing the everyday (for instance, hiding out in a loo at work)

Travel posts are my favourite, but I have a soft spot for the Morocco ones. I like looking back on the photos and remembering our newly wed adventures there.

5. Okay, let’s talk London! What would be your ideal way to spend a day in your home city, if budget were no option? :)

My favourite way of wiling away the time would be to just walk! I’d make the most of the day by grabbing a coffee and a croissant and then people watch along the Southbank. I’d explore the Tate Modern, cross the bridge over to Embankment, and head towards Soho. I’d get some tea and dessert at Said Dal café, browse the shops on Carnaby Street and maybe treat myself to a mani/pedi. I’d ride a bike through Hyde Park and wander up Westbourne Grove and Portobello Road for trinkets. I’d head south to Brixton to have dinner and drinks at the market and then to a gig at Brixton Academy, before heading home to sink into a sofa with tea.

6. Travel is a big passion of yours, right? What destinations have been your favourites to visit, and where are you keen to explore next?

Morocco, where I spent my mini-moon, was exciting. It’s only a four hour flight away but it’s a different world. There’s an air of adventure there but also, a great place to unwind and relax. I’ve recently come back from New York and it was really cool getting to explore the city with my sister this time round. Next week I’m looking forward to a weekend in the countryside and then for New Year’s, we decided to escape winter for a bit and are planning a trip to the Maldives.

7. If you could snap your fingers and suddenly become master of any particular skill or talent, what skill would you choose?

I wish I was more musically gifted. I’d love to play so many different instruments- The guitar! The drums! The bass! But I have zero coordination. I tried to take guitar lessons but sadly, I’m about as skilled as Phoebe Buffay. I grew up on a tropical island, where it felt like everyone could play something and I was envious that my musical talents only extended to the recorder. I can play a mean Three Blind Mice (and a decent Smelly Cat)

8. And finally, it’s our old favourite Desert Island Discs! If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring along for the ride? You can bring two albums/CDs, two books, two films, ingredients to make a meal, and one luxury item!

Two albums- Can I have a Motown and Soul music compilation? I never ever tire of Sam Cooke. My second album would be…the Grease 2 soundtrack. I know it’s awful, but it’s so bad that it’s good, and if I’m stuck on a desert island, I’d really need some laughs.

Two books- I’d take Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, because that’s my favourite of the series. Then I’d also take Bossypants by Tina Fey to keep me laughing and motivated.

Two films- I’d take Labyrinth because it’s a classic (and David Bowie) and then probably Toy Story.

Ingredients to make a meal- I would take rice, spring onions, and some sort of honey soy glaze for the fish I will catch. I’m assuming I will be an expert fisherman.

And finally, my luxury item would be a razor to tame the leg hair situation. I’m on an island, I need to remain mermaid like at all times.

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Thanks so much to the lovely Angela for such a fun interview! Don’t forget to follow along with The Awkward Blog via Bloglovin, and head over to read Angela’s most recent posts too!