Mani On The Move: Meet The Blogger: Meet Nikki Of Awkwardly Chic

It's time for Meet The Blogger! Are you enjoying this series? I know I am😊

Today you get to meet Nikki from Awkwardly Chic.

What make you start a blog?

I've been a writer in some format ever since I was a little girl. I always loved to write. To get my ideas down on paper, to express myself in a way that I was too shy or apprehensive to do in person. So with that, when blogging started taking off, a desire within me grew to start one. But, it never got past the, "Oh this would be so cool to try!" stage. LOL It wasn't until last year when I started getting heavily into the indie polish world, that I felt the need to actually act on the desire.

How long have you been blogging?

I published my first blog post on Friday, August 21, 2015.

What would you say makes your blog unique?

I think my blog is unique because I try to cover a small range of topics. While I would like to become an official reviewer and swatcher, I also have other interests and obsessions. I believe that keeps my blog not only fun and interesting for the audience, but also for me. I feel if it became like a chore to do, then I wouldn't keep up with it as much.

There's also few people of color swatchers. Especially with my dark shade. Which also ties in with why I started a blog. Because when I began to get into the indie world, I noticed there weren't many swatchers of my skin tone. And while some colors can look good on all tones, you have those ones that will not flatter you. Since indie polish is at a higher price point, it's nice to have examples out there that I can use to help me make my decision. If I can help just one person with my swatches, I feel like I will have accomplished something in that regard.

What's your favorite part of having a blog?

Being able to express myself in a way that I may not be able to in person. It has also given me a self esteem and confidence boost. I also like helping people. Right now my numbers may not be there, but even if I'm helping one person, I'm ok with that.

Have you ever reviewed a product that has become something you use all the time?

One of my favorite things that I ended up reviewing, (It was under a different account though.) was a tangle teaser brush. I don't think I would have purchased it had it not been for me keeping a blog. Blogging has also given me this curiosity to try things no matter the outcome. Good or bad, it would be something worth writing about! Any who, that brush has been able to tame my naps! And I love it. The Deman and all those other ones, did nothing. What may be strange for some is the fact that the tangle teaser is intended for horses. LOL But I've noticed more and more things being used for purposes other than the intended purpose of said object. So if you know someone with curly or kinky hair, or just straight up tangles all the time hair, I would give it a try. I got mines off of Amazon.

What would you say is the downside of blogging?

It can be a bit time consuming at times. Especially if you have a full time job or other projects going on. Currently, besides having a full time job, I'm trying to get a business up and running with my sister. With that, it also has a blog, IG and FB page that I help post and run, and a website that I am designing. Not to mention the products that I'll be making and getting ready for my contribution to the store. But I don't want my personal blog to suffer. So trying to maintain all of that and inadvertently letting posts pile up in the meantime until you can get to them, can be overwhelming once you try to actually start posting again.

Do you have a least favorite post that you've written?

I don't really have a least favorite post. I do however have a few swatch pictures that I wish I wouldn't have posted. LOL It is pretty neat though to go back and look at some of the older swatches because I can see how far I've come in such a short period of time. I still have a ways to go though. :D

What is something you have to have while writing a blog post?

The main things I require are space and comfort. As long as I have those two things, I'm good. Sometimes I may have a beverage to sip on, but it's usually just me, my space, and my blog.

Do you think your blog has changed of the years?

For my situation, more like months. :) And I don't think it's really changed. The one thing that I changed, was the way I write my swatches up and how I title them. Originally, I wanted to tie my geeky side in by taking a title of one of my favorite shows or movies and replacing a word with the word "swatch" or a variation of it. But I felt that was taking up too much time trying to find one that fits and sounds decent. Plus, I don't think anyone really noticed. LOL So I decided to keep things simple instead.

Are you married?

Yes. I married my pain in the I mean soul mate 3 years ago in April. :D

Do you have any kids and/or pets?

No kids, (unless I'm able to count hubby and our roommate.) I've always wanted to be a Mom though. However, I'm at that point in life where I don't mind if we have kids or not. Actually, leaning more towards the "or not' these days.

Any advice for new bloggers?

I think starting up is probably the hardest part of blogging. But once you do that, everything else pretty much flows. It can be time consuming at times, and if you aren't feeling it that particular day even bothersome. I think having a schedule or at least keeping it in your mind to write something or work on a draft during available free time will help a lot. Also, don't compare yourself to others or beat yourself up if you miss more time than usual in-between your posts. Life happens. Some can post everyday or almost every day, while others go once a week or longer. As long as you are doing your best and you are enjoying it, that's all that matters. We all start somewhere.