This is officially the first post of our new Spotlight series, which will showcase favorites lists and roundups in all sorts of categories! Long before I launched She Tried What, I was a blog reading junkie. The creativity of those I follow is so inspiring and a huge reason why I took a chance and started my own blog. So, I wanted to start off featuring bloggers that inspired me as a small thank you. The first of the Blogger Spotlight series is focusing on lifestyle blogs I love.
You’ll find that despite all being under the lifestyle blogs category, each is totally unique in its aesthetics, voice, and content so there is something for everyone. So without further ado, here are my favorite lifestyle blogs (in no particular order):
Note: post may contain affiliate links
Wit & Delight
The name says it all. Kate’s lifestyle blog produces some of the most thoughtful, smart, gorgeous content out there! She has an incredible aesthetic and you will be drooling over her photos. Her house…the food…oh don’t even get me started. She is one of those women that you constantly think, “How does she do it all?” On top of running this incredible lifestyle blog, Kate has a newborn and does design and marketing work for brands like Target.
And despite being such a #girlboss who is juggling a million things, her writing and content this relaxing, effortless confident voice to it that I could read all day long. Yet, she is honest and real in sharing her feelings about being completely overwhelmed at times (see Pep Talk post below). Enough of what I think though, check it out for yourself. Here are some of Kate’s recent posts on Wit & Delight:
- W&D Home Renovation in Domino Magazine
- W&D for Target DIY: Hanging Air Plant Containers
- W&D Pick Me Up: A Pep Talk for Now and Later
A Cup of Jo
Joanna Goddard is the Jo to this incredible lifestyle blog that is praised by just about everyone from Forbes to Martha Stewart. Joanna’s background is in magazine editing and blogging for some of the biggest names. She first started Cup of Jo as just a hobby, but it didn’t stay that way long and for good reason!
Her editorial skills are in full effect on this amazing lifestyle blog. Each image is thoughtfully chosen and has some of the best content around to back it up. I am particularly addicted to the illustrations she posts and her roundup of links, books to read, TV shows to watch, and so much more! Recently, I have her to thank for getting me hooked on The Crown. She is so witty, funny, and relatable. Here are some recent posts I love to get you started if you haven’t already fallen for Cup of Jo:
And if you don’t already, follow the hilarious and incredibly talented illustrators she features:
A Beautiful Mess
Elsie and Emma are sisters and the brains behind this incredible lifestyle blog! You will instantly be struck by the bright colors and bold patterns and be overwhelmed by trying to pin everything you see. The two of them have more creativity and talent in their pinky fingers than I can ever hope to.
They are kind of like Zooey Deschanel meets Martha Stewart. This is my go-to lifestyle blog for DIY and crafting inspiration, but it has so much more than that. I love that Elsie & Emma focus on empowering other women to be creativity powerhouses like them and feature blogging tips, courses, and recommendations. Check out some of their content (warning: you better have your pin button ready because I admit I pinned something even when going to grab links):
P.S. They even have an app so you can embrace bold colors like them.
Paper n Stitch
Next on our favorite lifestyle blogs list is Paper n Stitch by Brittni Mehlhoff. You guys, her photos. Absolutely gorgeous! I swear I could just scroll through her thumbnails all day long (and may have just done a bit of that now). Brittni’s interior design skills and on point, and she has this incredible style that is modern and minimalist but also colorful.
Plus, I do not know how she comes up with such amazing ideas and DIYs. I love her DIYs to Try This Weekend posts and could very happily do all of them the whole weekend…hey that’s not a bad idea 😉 You will be dying to know how she creates such amazing content. Good news is she offers a course if you are interested.
- 6 DIYs to Try This Weekend
- 17 Incredibly Cool Bathrooms for Every Style
- Decadent Drunken S’more Pop Tarts
P.S. I have a weird obsession with how incredible all the workspaces for these blogs are. Check out the Paper N Stitch staff having lunch! With the newspaper background? Come on!
The Skinny Confidential
Speaking of swoon-worthy photography, my next lifestyle blog on this list is Lauryn Evarts’ The Skinny Confidential. This one is quite different from the others in that it is super girly and focuses more on health and wellness. Lauryn is totally put together and fabulous so I live vicariously through her with her perfectly styled bridal showers and magazine-worthy fashion shoots.
Curious about the latest trends in health, wellness, and beauty? Lauren is your girl. I love her writing style and voice too. It’s very conversational, funny and engaging. You can easily hear her in your head as your reading it with all the sarcasm and inflection she adds. Even more so now that I have listed to her podcast. Plus, her headlines immediately hook you and make you want to read more. Check out her posts:
Peanut Butter Fingers
Some may argue this is more of a health and wellness blog, but Julie of Peanut Butter Fingers writes about so much more than that so I am going to group it with my favorite lifestyle blogs. The thing that differentiates Julie and Peanut Butter Fingers from the rest of the lifestyle blogs on this list so far is the same thing that I adore about it: it is 100% relatable.
There are no overly stylized photos, just genuine, real content that I find so appealing. When reading, you feel like you are having a conversation with your best friend instead of some “blog personality.” Julie is gorgeous and she has the most adorable little family: husband, baby, dog, and all!
Since every tutorial or photo is not stylized within an inch of its life, it feels more accessible. Because of this, I feel more apt to try her recipes or check out her favorite products. This was a huge inspiration in starting my own blog, so thank you, Julie! Check out some of her recent posts (I especially love her Things I’m Loving Friday recommendations):
Katie Did What
Similar to Peanut Butter Fingers, Katie Did What is another on the lifestyle blogs list that I adore because of its relatability. Katie was another big inspiration to me to start blogging. When they are run by real ladies who you can see yourself in, you really feel like “Hey, maybe I can do that too” instead of being intimidated by the perfection of some of the bigger name blogs. But don’t get me wrong, Katie’s blog is super successful and for good reason.
Katie is an adorable blogger from Northern California (maybe this is part of why I love her so much since that’s where I grew up). She has an adorable family and just welcomed her second child. She does a lot of fashion posts that are accessible and affordable and writes about life as a young mom. She also writes candidly about her journey to becoming a successful blogger. Check out her posts:
Say Yes
Liz created this award-winning lifestyle blog that is the perfect mix of practicality and creativity. Say Yes does it all: DIY, recipes, gift ideas, fashion – you will find it all here!
Oftentimes you hear the advice that you need to pick a niche in order to be successful, but Liz proves that wrong. Say Yes is the perfect example of how lifestyle blogs can be incredibly versatile yet still thread everything together with the common thread of their unique style. Check out her recent posts:
- Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes
- 10 Tips for Simplifying Holiday Shopping
- 15 DIY Back to School Projects
The Balanced Blonde
Jordan is the blonde of this amazing wellness & lifestyle blog. She has a boho meets girl next door vibe. Jordan has created an incredible brand that has books, apparel, a podcast and much more. Need a yoga and chia seed pudding fix? She’s your girl.
BUT Jordan is much more than that. What sets her apart is her authenticity and bravery in being so honest with her readers about her own struggles. You’ll get a taste in this article but she tells her in-depth story in her book. She offers a very real commentary on how we should strive to be healthful without it taking over our lives…that’s where the balanced part comes in. Check out her blog:
- My Current Fave Lululemon Looks for Winter
- I Cannot Travel Without…
- The Dreamiest Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Loaf Recipe
The House that Lars Built
Brittany is the creative mastermind behind The House that Lars Built. She writes, “My mom’s favorite quote was ‘a creative mess is better than tidy idleness’.” I absolutely love that quote and think it summarizes her blog very poetically.
Brittany has this great fun, quirky personality that you can even more fully appreciate in her YouTube videos. And her love of life comes through in her DIY projects that are adorable with often a touch of goofy, and she can make just about anything out of paper! Check out The House that Lars Built:
Now last, but certainly not least…
As a new blogger myself, it can be a difficult road trying to shut out your own self-doubt, find fellow bloggers to connect with, and continue to work so hard for something that has no guarantees. Oftentimes these new blogs have some of the most incredible content but struggle with getting it out there for readers to see, so I also want to promote new lifestyle blogs. So, here is a recent new favorite (and hopefully I will add more to the list soon):
Peaches & Salt
I stumbled upon Madalyn’s blog during a link party recently and instantly related to her blog. I read one of her book club posts and every book on there was one that I had read or had on my to-read list.
Peaches & Salt is so well designed and she is constantly putting out new content even while working full time in NYC – super impressive! When I reached out to her to connect, she was incredibly friendly, supportive, and immediately offered support and suggestions. Check out Peaches & Salt and join her Tuesday Link Party:
Hope you enjoyed this lifestyle blogs list and found at least one new one to add to your blogroll! Comment below with some of your favorites or share your own! I would love to find some new favorites. Stay tuned (by subscribing below) for future spotlight posts that will feature other blog favorites and much more.
