I am aware there’s a lot of controversy surrounding bloggers and “influencers” (I really hate that word) recently. By now, we are all aware that we need to clarify when we’ve received something from a brand to ensure there’s no question for readers or followers on social media in terms of our relationships with them. But with so many terms around, it’s not only readers who are confused by the terminology but many of us producing the content are in a similar boat!

I thought today, I’d share some of my thoughts on how and when I use certain terminology and what it all means. If it’s sometimes baffling to me – a veteran in this blogging game – then I can only imagine how baffling it is to others who are not in the business of blogging!

Blogger Tips Sponsored Advertisement Review What Does It Mean

First off, I just want to say that I will always always do my best to talk about the relationship I have with specific brands. I will never knowingly mislead anyone and I’ve always felt very strongly about declaring anything I’ve received for free. I also want to say that I only ever work with brands I actually really like, whose products or services I would be happy to use myself, who I’d recommend to my best friends. If it’s not something I really like or don’t believe in, you simply won’t see it on my blog or on my social media feeds. End of.

There are plenty of brands that I love and look to regularly to fill my home and so when I’m able to collaborate with them to create content, I’m normally thrilled. It often means I’m able to share something I may struggle to do without the support and so it means the world to me to team up with them. I hope that the content I create with them is not only just as good as anything I’d create on my own but even better. Without brands supporting my blog, I simply would not be able to carry on blogging and supporting myself. It’s my job, it’s what keeps a roof over our head and our fur babies fed but alongside that, it’s also my passion. It’s what I love to do and I’m so thrilled to be able to do something I love and support myself and my family at the same time.

So here is a little breakdown of my understanding of all the various terms surrounding declaring when working with a brand and how I do it here on the blog and over on my social media feeds:

Sponsored (or #sp)

Shopping for Plants in a Garden Centre - checking labels

My post on How to Shop for House Plants is an example of a sponsored post by Push Doctor who were looking to create a buzz around their #GoGreener campaign.

This normally means that I’ve been paid to create content with a brand. For the most part, I’ve been given free reign to create the concept and execute it as I see fit. While they may provide details in terms of the kind of messaging they’re keen to include to support a specific marketing campaign, the brand does not approve the content before you see it. I will normally run my ideas past them prior to doing anything and we’ll discuss the general look and feel of the content (whether that’s a blog post or an Instagram post) but for the most part, I have the freedom to talk about their product and/or service honestly and openly.

Review

Cat in bed blush pink room with gold velvet headboard

My blog post on the Simba Luxe Mattress is an example of a review style post. The mattress was provided free in exchange for my honest review of the product.

This normally means that I’ve received a product for free in exchange for a review of the product on my blog or my social feeds. Sometimes, there is also a fee paid but not always (I will normally state in the disclaimer at the bottom of the post whether or not I’ve also received payment). Again, I normally have free reign to create, shoot and style the content as I see fit and the brand does not have prior approval of any content – you see it when they see it and I’m always free to be as honest and open in my review as I would like to be.

Ad (or #ad)

terrace outdoor garden with pergola

This image on my Instagram feed was a paid advertisement for AC Hotels whom I travelled with recently to Spain. You’ll notice the image is marked with #ad.

This one is a little different. An advertisement according to the ASA is when the brand does have the right to dictate what will be contained in the blog post or Instagram post. It is a paid feature, not unlike what you might see in a magazine. The brand may request seeing the post prior to it being published and will have the opportunity to make any changes to it prior to it going live on my blog or on my feed. Sometimes they may provide specific wording they would like to be used. I don’t normally do these on my own blog (I prefer to have total editorial rights to my content) but you may see it from time to time on my Instagram feed.

Affiliate (or #aff or #affiliate)

Oliver Bonas Shopping Roundup Feature Image

My post on berry, blush and gold picks from Oliver Bonas was not paid for nor was I commissioned by them to create the post but did contain affiliate links.

Essentially, affiliate marketing is when you use a specific link within your content that when clicked on, the brand is notified that you have referred traffic to them and you get paid a (very small) commission either on the click itself or if the person clicking the link goes on to buy a product from that retailer. There is no contract in place here nor is there any obligation on the part of the content creator (blogger, Instagrammer, YouTuber, etc) to use the links so this is where affiliate links differ from sponsored content.

I tend to use affiliate links in a lot of my product roundups and you will usually see a disclaimer at the start and/or end of the post saying that I receive a small commission when using my links. To be honest, the commissions are TINY (like a few pence) so I will always only link to products that I like, have used myself or would recommend. The person clicking the link will never pay any more for the product when using the link. The commission is essentially just a small thank you from the brand for referring traffic to them.

Gifted (or #gifted)

coffee table styling with flowers and candles

My recent post on the updates we’ve made in the living room contained gifted products that I was not under any contractual obligation to share like the Lavender and Lillie candle.

And finally, when an item is gifted, this means that I am not contractually obligated to share the product unless I want to. A “gift” generally means there are no strings attached to the free product sent, it’s simply sent to me to try out and if I like it and want to share, then I’m free to do so. No money exchange takes place here. This happens a lot more often for beauty influencers where PRs have their address and simply sends on new products as they become available, hoping they will use the products in front of their audience and they usually have no idea it’s even coming. It’s less common in the interior design niche but I will often be contacted by brands, asking if I’d like to try a product out. I will always let them know there is no guarantee of coverage although you’ll usually see me unboxing anything in my Instagram Stories – that’s my way of thanking the company for sending things my way! Sometimes you’ll see the products on my blog, sometimes you may not.

So that is the way I tend to use all these terms around declaring content! I hope this has shed some light on what I normally do here on Swoon Worthy but if you have any further questions or require more clarification, please do let me know in the comments!


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Swoon Worthy
Blogger Tips Sponsored Advertisement Review What Does It Mean
Shopping for Plants in a Garden Centre - checking labels
Cat in bed blush pink room with gold velvet headboard
terrace outdoor garden with pergola
Oliver Bonas Shopping Roundup Feature Image
coffee table styling with flowers and candles
Meet Kimberly
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Amara IBA19 Winner Home Styling
Vuelio Top 10 2020
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Ad (Press Sample) There are few kitchen products that are considered absolute classics but there is one that I have lusted after for YEARS and that is the utterly iconic @lecreusetuk large casserole pot. 🤩

For nearly a century, Le Creuset has been trusted for its superior performance, lasting quality and iconic design and the enamelled cast iron allows incredible versatility - not only can you use it with just about any heat source (from induction, glass, electric etc), you can also do everything from stir-fry to slow cooking to baking a cake in it and more. 

So, imagine my delight when Le Creuset got in touch to ask if I'd like to shoot their brand new colourway 🍑 Pêche 🍑 in my kitchen. I mean, there couldn't be a more perfect colour match with that juicy coral shade which if you've followed my account for any length of time, you'll know is one of my all-time favourites (not to mention that beautiful soft gold knob! 😍). The matching petite casserole dish and mugs are the perfect companions but you could easily mix and match this colourway with Le Creuset's other designs (Might I suggest the Sea Salt, a soft blue-green which would be gorgeous with Pêche). This new juicy summer shade is currently available exclusively at Le Creuset Official. I'd love to know which colourway is your favourite in the range?

#lecreuset #kitchendesign #kitchenstyling #kitchinspo #victorianhome #englishhome
My little neglected makeup/dressing room has had a glow up 🥰

#swoonworthy #beforeandafter #dressingroom #makeupvanity #closetgoals
My new rug can't compete with that belly.

Rug is from @laredoute_uk (not an ad) not that anyone cares 😅

#kitchendesign
I've really loved making these pretty reusable Christmas crackers! I'm still in the process of finding cute bits for filling them but they'll definitely be a centrepiece for my table this year!🎄💕

Suggestions for what to fill them with coming soon!

(By the way, I'm not a skilled seamstress so I'm sure my techniques can be improved but just sharing what worked for me 🤗😅)

Let me know if this is something you'd try? ❤️

#swoonworthy #christmasdecor #christmascraft #diychristmas #diycrafts #easysewingproject
On 22 October 2022, I married my best friend! I can't believe it's been a whole year (and one day) I've been calling @2nilup my husband 🥰 We've been together for 15 years now and I simply can't and wouldn't want to imagine my life without him ❤️ 

#youandmeagainsttheworld #2222 

Photography: @violajayphotography 
Flowers: @primroseavenuefloral 
Dress: @camillawithlove
DIY REFILLABLE CHRISTMAS CRACKERS 🎄🎉

I've been thinking about making refillable crackers for so many years now - I just hate the waste the disposal ones create! So I'm so excited I've finally gotten around to starting this project!

I will be sharing more details on how to make them as well as ideas for what to fill them with too so stay tuned for more but in the meantime, what do you think? 

#swoonworthy #diychristmas #christmasdecor #christmascraft #easysewingproject #sustainableliving #ecofriendlyliving
Just wanted to introduce my latest plant baby in my dining room 🪴

It's from @botanique_shrewsbury and it's a Peparomia (I am probably pronouncing it wrong, I keep wanting to say
GUEST BEDROOM REVEAL 🌟

I decided on a whim, 2 weeks before we were expecting visiting family, that our guest bedroom was in desperate need of a refresh.

Well there's nothing like an impending deadline to light a 🔥 under my 🍑 and I managed to clear out the clutter, repaint the woodwork, ceilings and walls and hang wallpaper as well as restyle the room in one week 😅 (Meisha was zero help 😼)

I'm calling it Boho Vintage Victorian Grandma 😆

This wasn't sponsored in any way but the wallpaper and bedding is from @lauraashleyuk and the paint is @earthbornpaints Peach Baby - everything else I already had!

What do you think of the new look? ❤️

#bedroombeforeandafter #guestroom
#bedroommakeover
#beforeandafter
#bedroomdecor #cottagecore #vintagestyle #victorianhouse #ihavethisthingwithpink #bengalsofinstagram
🔥JOIN US ROUND THE FIRE PIT! 🔥

ad | One of my favorite things to do in summer is sit around the fire pit in the evenings with a cold beer 🍻 There's just something incredibly relaxing watching those flames and embers crackle, warming yourself up and taking the edge off falling temperatures as the sun sets!

Thanks to @homefireuk they've made the whole process incredibly easy and enjoyable with their Handy Firepit Bundle which include 2 bags of kindling, 2 bags of natural firestarters and 3 large bags of kiln-dried logs 🪵 for a really great price! 

No more standing around waiting for things to light properly or billowing smoke from wet wood, everything burns beautifully! ☺️ We literally sat around this for hours as the logs last so long, long after the sun set, just chatting and enjoying ourselves! 🥰🍻🔥

Do you love a good firepit in the summer?

#homefire #readytoburn #smokelessbyhomefire #heartofyourhome #logsbyhomefire #summerideas #firepit #gardenideas
San Sebastian photo dump - just a tiny selection 😄

We have had such a fabulous holiday to Basque Country - our first 4 days spent in the beautiful city of San Sebastian, land of pintxos, stunning architecture and some damn good wine.

#sansebastian #travelgram #photodump
A little kitchen reshuffle today so I thought I'd share 🥰

It's been 4 years since we created this space and it's still one of my favourites ♥️

#kitchendesign #kitchendecor #kitcheninspiration #kitchenideas #openshelvingkitchen #kitchenstyling
Ad 🩷 Before and after Deck makeover! 🩷

This little decked patio was looking worse for wear after a wet winter but @frenchicpaint came to the rescue with their beautiful Dusty Blush Alfresco Paint, perfect for all your outdoor projects!

The deck has been a few colours over the past few years but this is definitely the most fun and gives the whole space such a tropical vibe - even in Shrewsbury! 🏝️ 🦩🍹😄

The paint has incredible coverage and was so nice to use - I loved the tools they provided too, especially the oval brush which got into all the nooks and crannies easily!

Let me know what you think of the new colour! 

#frenchicpaint #beforeandafter #deckmakeover #gardeninspiration #gardeninspo #outdoorproject
So on a whim I decided to paint the bedroom pink yesterday 😅🩷

This room has been neglected for so long as I've wanted to fully redecorate for about 3 years now but there are always other bigger priorities or a lack of time/energy/money so I keep putting it off 🙃🙃🙃 (tell me I'm not the only one) but happily this didn't cost a penny as I used what I already had although it did take me the best part of a day!

I went through my paint stash and found that I had extra @coatpaints Percy from when I did the living room early last year -- well I'm not one to let something this good go to waste (honestly this paint is absolutely wonderful to work with and has amazing coverage) and my goodness it's just so pretty in here 🥰 I also moved my pink curtains from my office into here and the whole room just glows!

I might actually be able to live with the mural a little longer until the room gets the attention it deserves! Let me know if you like the change ♥️

*For those who are wondering, it used to be white walls and I had grey curtains! 😅

#swoonworthy #bedroomdecor #bedroommakeover #bedroomdesign #pinkpinkpink #pinkinteriors
A little photo dump from my recent living room shoot because I still love to dig into the details of a still photo 😄💕

#swoonworthy #swoonworthyscents #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #photodump
ad How to De-stress at Home in 6 Simple Steps 😊

April has been #stressawarenessmonth and so I've teamed up with the wonderful @frenchbedroom to share a few simple tips in creating a cosy sanctuary at home!

One of my favourite ways to add a feeling of comfort and relaxation is with glorious touchable textures and the stunning Mulberry Silk ruffled cushion from French Bedroom not only looks spectacular but feels incredible too! Pairing this with other feel-good fabrics will add depth to your design and will beg you to sink in and unwind 😍

French Bedroom are also now stocking my own home fragrance brand @swoonworthyscents candles, adding another element of calm with scent to your home. I chose No 02 Sunday Morning for my living room with rejuvenating Jasmine and refreshing pine and lemon notes 🥰

Check out my latest blog post for more tips on creating a relaxing sanctuary in your home via the link in my bio!

#swoonworthy #swoonworthyscents #frenchbedroom #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #calming #aesthetic #cottagecoreaesthetic
Who needs pancakes when you can have Lemon Drizzle Cake with Lemoncello glaze?! 😉🍋

I've had such a craving for this cake for a while so figured I'd make it today! This is a recipe from @bbcgoodfood and it's rather gorgeous 🥰

#baking #lemondrizzle #lemoncake #bakewithlove #shrovetuesday
Are you lucky enough to be owned by a cat? 🐈🐾

#bengallove #bengalsofinstagram #bengalcat #bengal #catsofinstagram #catlife
Finally managed to get the gallery wall completed in our hallway!

I couldn't have been happier with @violajayphotography capturing our little intimate wedding in October and knew as soon as I saw the photos I had to print them for our home! I admit, I've never been one to hang photos but it's probably because all we ever had after 14 years together was selfies 😂🤷🏽‍♀️ I'm so pleased we finally have some lovely shots of us together 🥰

Do you have photos of you/your partner/your family up around your home?? 🤔

#gallerywall #autumnwedding #hallwaydesign #hallwayinspo
✨These little vintage copper pans needed some TLC! ✨

After searching for a while for vintage copper pans, I found these on eBay - they looked quite grim on the ad but I knew they could be shined up nicely! A little @barkeepersfriend later (not an ad!) and I'm loving how they look in my kitchen 🥰

Let me know if you like the new addition ❤️

#kitcheninspo #kitchendesign #vintagestyle #kitchenstyling
Oh hey living room, nice to have you back ☺️

I always feel very ready to remove the excess of Christmas decor pretty much as soon as the 26th arrives but I've been later than usual this Twixmas as we've both been unwell the last couple weeks 🤦🏽‍♀️ Nevertheless, I've managed to get things packed away and I styled this little faux arrangement today for my coffee table so ya know, small victories 😄🙌🏽

#livingroom #livingroominspo #fauxflowers #coffeetabledecor