Behind The Blog… featuring Katie from Plus+ Beauty

Hello Beauty Buddies…

Hope you’re all having a super duper week so far – it’s a cold one here in N. Ireland as snow descends from the heavens, which of course can only mean one thing… time to dig out the heavy-duty thermals as the country prepares to come to a stand still over a skiffle of the white stuff! *rolls eyes* For me, it’s the perfect opportunity to get caught up with some writing projects I’ve been needing to finish *yippee*

However this morning I’m SUPER excited to bring you another Behind The Blog post – as always, If you’re new to Confetti & Curves *friendly wave* and not entirely sure what Behind The Blog is all about *click here* to bring yourself up to speed – you may even find yourself getting involved too!

So onto today’s beautiful blogger….

The gorgeous Katie is ‘thee’ perfect example of why I love social media and the digital world so much – if it wasn’t for the wonder of the inter-web I probably wouldn’t have ever met this amazing girl. Katie is one of those incredible people you feel you’ve known your entire life – she’s beyond welcoming, one of the most encouraging people I’ve ever met, is always there at the end of an email or comment and simply a great all-round friend. She somehow manages to sprinkle vast amounts of cheeriness wherever she goes – you can’t not get infected with her positivity even though she is battling such tough health issues of her own. If you haven’t already figured, I adore Katie & her beautiful blog Plus+ Beauty – and I absolutely know you will too ladies! So if you haven’t already checked this gorgeous gal out then get yourself over pronto… well, after you’ve popped the kettle on and read all about her of course!

In only 5 words describe what readers can expect from your blog:

Beauty, Makeup, Fun, Style, Enthusiasm

What inspired you to start blogging?

I started blogging a little less than a year ago. It’s more of “who” inspired me to start blogging which was my best friend. She mentioned to me that she was going to start a blog and I thought it sounded like something fun to do and a way to share my interests and passions with others. At first I started my blog on Tumblr and then decided to move it to WordPress which has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Not only did I get to share my interests and passions but I’ve met a lot of great people along the way as well.

 

Tell us about your blog name… what made you decide on it?

I decided on the name “Plus+ Beauty” because I originally intended to include more fashion posts than I do. Being a “plus-size” and loving all things beauty, it just sort of came together. Then I just thought that the plus sign after plus looked neat too. I also wanted to spread the message that there is more to beauty than just what is on the outside, but what matters most is what’s on the inside. Here is my blog’s description that you see along with the title: “A beauty blog. Beauty comes in all shapes & sizes & within.”

Do you ever suffer from Blogger’s Block & if so how do you overcome it?

Actually I have not had that problem. I do a lot of product reviews and there is always something I need to review. Right now I have tons of products to review actually lol. Though I would like to expand a little bit and touch on some other subjects, such as including more fashion posts. The possibilities are always endless!

What’s your favourite post to date? 

Well going way back to last June, my favourite post has always been “Beauty Comes in ALL Shapes & Sizes.” It includes some fashion and I feel like it’s a very motivating post. It really says a lot on the message that I want my blog to convey.  Here is the link: http://wp.me/p4Aog5-69  I have actually thought about reblogging the post because I didn’t have as many followers back then like I do now but sharing it on here will be great!

Describe your everyday clothes style:

Well to be honest, whenever possible I am wearing pajama’s or some kind of comfy clothes such as my sweats or lounging pants. If I have to go somewhere then it’s usually jeans and some sort of nicer top. Whatever it is that I am going to be wearing, it just has to be comfortable.

What are your current top 3 beauty items?

1. My forever foundation that I always come back to and have been wearing since forever is my L’Oreal True Match Foundation in W1 Porcelain. I do try out other foundations but this is my absolute favourite.
2. theBalm’s Mary-Lou Manizer highlighting powder. I always use this whenever doing my makeup. It’s become a permanent part of my routine.
3. For my hair, my Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray. I discovered it through Ipsy and I love to use it when I want to wear my hair more natural and wavy. No hard crunchy curls for this girl!

How do you like to relax & unwind after a stressful day?

I like to either watch a movie or some TV show that I recorded, take a nap, or take a nice relaxing hot shower.

Describe your ideal Saturday night:

That would be a night in watching a good movie and enjoying some take out. I am so exciting aren’t I? lol.

What do you do to relax?

My answer would be pretty similar to how I like to relax and unwind after a stressful day but I should also include that I also like to cuddle with my boyfriend. I also like to pet and hang out with my cat Allie. She is such a sweetheart!

Everyone has their bad habits, what’s yours?

Online shopping! I am so bad! I am always getting packages delivered all of the time!

What’s your most cherished childhood memory?

When my parents were still together and they took my older brother and I on vacation. We went to Cedar Point which is an amusement park with rides, then we went to Sea World, and then to another amusement park type place but spent most of the day at the waterpark there. It was my first time in a wave action pool. It was just so much fun! Such a great family vacation!

What was your favourite school subject?

I was never a big fan of any classes while in high school but in college I really enjoyed my Medical Assistant Techniques classes.

What’s your dream job?

To be a Mother someday. I really want to have at least one child, at the most two. Don’t know if I could handle more than that haha. Though I am 30 now and time is ticking away lol.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I am hoping to at least be married to my boyfriend by then. We will have been together for 3 years in January, also to have had a child by then and I plan to be blogging still of course. J

What top 5 things are on your bucket list?

1) To become a Mom.

2) To travel to Ireland one day.

3) To improve my quality of life by somehow figuring out a good way to manage my symptoms.

4) I’d like to get more into photography and just maybe become good at it.

5) Go to New York City for New Year’s Eve.

What’s your biggest achievement to date?

Becoming a nationally certified Phlebotomist. I felt like it was something that I was really good at.

Who inspires you?

My Mom. With everything she has had to endure and overcome in life, she is one of the strongest women that I know. Growing up she was always there for me and we just have such a close relationship. She is like a best friend to me. I feel like I can talk to her about anything. To my Mom, when it came to her children and getting for them what they needed, nothing was impossible. I have a younger brother who is 21, he has Cerebral Palsy, is non-verbal, in a wheelchair, and is severely disabled. My Mom is always fighting to get everything that he needs and she is always working on ways to better improve his quality of life. She has such a big heart and is always open to helping out other people on top of it all. She makes me want to try to be the best person that I can be every day. I hope to become a great mother and person like her as she has been to me.

Do you have a favourite inspirational quote?

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson (I love Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quotes!)

What top tips would you give to someone who is thinking of starting their own blog?

I would tell them to…

-Just try and take things one day at a time. You’re blog will take time to grow, don’t expect it to be an overnight success.

– Be honest in what you write and be yourself.

-Take this opportunity to connect with other bloggers and read other blogs. Interact with other bloggers and comment on each other’s posts.

-Don’t be afraid to make some great friends along the way. J

-Most importantly, just have fun with it!

QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS:

Tea or Coffee = Coffee

 

Coke or Pepsi = Diet Pepsi

 

Messy mayhem or Super Organised = Messy Mayhem lol…though I would like to be Super Organised.

 

Cute kitten or Playful puppy = Cute Kitten

 

Night In or Night Out = Night In

 

Heels or Flats = Flats

 

Lip Stick or Lip Gloss = Lip Gloss

 

Rock Chick or Pop Princess = Pop Princess

 

Paperback or E-book = Paperback

 

Contact Katie:

 

Blog: http://plusbeautykatie27.wordpress.com/

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katiehplusbeauty27

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HarmanKatie27

 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/plusbeauty27

Don’t forget: If you would like your blog to feature in Behind The Blog then please either leave your details below or alternatively get in touch via *here*, I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks so much for reading and of course do say hi in the comments below… we always enjoy a good chatter here on Confetti & Curves 🙂