Bloggers We Love – Ruth Maguire
When preparing for your pregnancy journey, it’s helpful to hear from those who have experienced pregnancy themselves. To make this easier for you, we’ve decided to feature our favourite pregnancy bloggers right here on our blog.
This month, we sat down with Ruth Maguire, a lifestyle blogger currently pregnant with her first child, to talk about her blog, Willow Lane, who she draws fashion inspiration from, what she thinks of our maternity range and how she’s making valuable maternity additions to her wardrobe.
Introduce us to Willow Lane, how did you get started?
Willow Lane is a lifestyle blog which I founded in May 2012. On Willow Lane, I write features on style, beauty, home interiors, food and travel. Very soon I'll also be incorporating parenting and kids wear as well. I've been blogging for almost three years and was a frustrated blogger long before then!
How would you describe your style?
In the past few years, my style has become more paired down and simple – but not boring! – as I invest in staple items for my wardrobe. I dress according to my mood: some days I love to wear bold colours; other days I prefer a more monochrome look. Most of the time you'll find me dressed casually, wearing jewellery and one of my many pairs of specs or sunglasses!
Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
I get most of my style inspiration from fellow bloggers and Pinterest. I’m also really inspired when I'm visiting a different country and spot the local street style. I collate all my favourite looks on my Pinterest board WillowLaneBlog.
What is the best part of blogging for you?
I love seeing how far Willow Lane has grown and become steadily more successful with each passing year. I put a lot of time and effort into the content, photography, videography and social media elements of my blog. It's always rewarding when I see my readership grow and when I get the opportunity to work with fab brands and companies.
Whose style are you currently obsessed with?
The list is endless! The bloggers I turn to most for style inspiration are Kendi Everyday, What I Wore, Orchid Grey, Keiko Lynn, Hey Natalie Jean. These are all bloggers I've followed for a long time. Celebrity-wise, I love the looks of Julianne Hough, Olivia Munn and the ever-stylish Mary Portas.
What is your personal experience of shopping maternity clothes?
I've only started looking for pregnancy clothes as, so far, I've been able to get away with wearing most of the items from my existing wardrobe. There seems to be a good variety of maternity clothes options online but a severe lack of them on the high-street. I'm currently on the look-out for a maternity swimsuit, maternity leggings and jeans, t-shirts and more maternity bras. I think I’ll end up buying these online as there’s a larger choice.
What are your favourite pieces from the bonprix maternity collection?
I'm on the look-out for appropriate summer clothes for my upcoming “babymoon” to Gran Canaria. I should get plenty of wear out of my denim shorts and tank tops during the summer months! They’re good, basic items to add to my maternity wardrobe.
If you had to share one piece of maternity fashion advice, what would it be?
Stay true to your own style whilst pregnant. Invest in key maternity items like a quality pair of jeans, comfortable bras and longer length t-shirts and continue to wear some of your pre-pregnancy pieces so you still feel like 'you'.
What are you most looking forward to in 2016?
The arrival of my first baby at the end of the summer! Life will change big time, but I can't wait to live life with my partner and a little one in tow.
We’d like to send out a great big thank you to Ruth for speaking with us. Which bloggers do you take your style tips from? How are you staying true to your style whilst pregnant? Let us know in the comments below and through Twitter and be sure to check out the style tips from our brilliant maternity bloggers seen previously on Bloggers We Love.