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Hand Luggage Only is written by Yaya Onalaja-Aliu and Lloyd Griffiths, two travel lovers who met at university. In under four years, the two have become giants of the travel blogging world, winning Best Travel Blog at the Vuelio Blog Awards 2017 and now topping the world-famous Top 10 UK Travel Blogs. Oozing the writers’ charming and fun-loving personalities, Hand Luggage Only has wowed audiences with its stunning photography and real-life travel reviews.

We caught up Yaya and Lloyd to chat about the travel blogging community, ‘leaning in’ to the destination you’re visiting and working with brands and PRs. 

What makes your blog unique?
Ironically, we think that the thing that makes Hand Luggage Only unique is actually the thing that makes it quite ‘normal’. For us, travel has been always about the experiences and focusing on what the destination has to offer so, rather than attempting to define a niche topic to focus on, our blog is unique as it cuts across several different ways to travel. We allow the destination to be exactly what it is, not what we’d want it to be – whether that involves active hiking to see amazing sights or just relaxing on a picturesque sandy beach.

That’s always been the most important thing for us (when we travel), to really savour and relish the beauty of new and exciting places.

We try to never have any preconceptions on places we visit. We keep an open mind, which always allows us to lean into the destination and that’s the most important thing to us.

How has travel blogging changed since you started?
Gosh, travel blogging has changed considerably over the last few years. I mean, the principles are the same but the methods in which we share our experiences is constantly changing. With the advent of new platforms and offerings like IGTV, there’s always something new to learn and new ways of sharing our experiences.

That being said, we’ve also noticed lots of new travel bloggers in recent years emerging with lots of different backgrounds, cultures and insights. One of our favourite things about blogging is how it democratises travel and having a more diverse mix of people being part of the conversation is fantastic. It really does help provide a more balanced view of the world and helps provide new and interesting insights on travel as a whole.

What’s the community of travel blogs like to be part of?
It’s very fun and very open-minded. I think the general nature of travel means that the community is filled with fun-seekers who are curious about the world around them and absolutely open to learn about everything available to them.

The thing that’s really lovely about travel blogging is that pretty much everyone is in it because they’re passionate about travel. There’s this innate curiosity in the community that means that everyone is excited to read each other’s posts, to share their own experiences and essentially help each other see more of the world.

What’s the best travel experience in the world?
I don’t actually think there’s one ‘best’ travel experience in the world. Travel experiences are so relative. Some people like switching destinations constantly while others like returning to the same place; some people like it hot while some like it cold; some people want to chill while others want active adventures – sometimes the same person wants all of this, just at different times of the year.

My point is, the goalpost for ‘best’ keeps changing so it’s hard to define one specific type of travel experience that is best. What perhaps is common with some of our fondest travel experiences is back to our point of setting no expectations for a destination and just leaning into what it is. You could return to the same destination 10 times in a row and have different experiences every single time (like we have in Amsterdam) and so it’s important to shake off any pre-conceived notions and find your own path to fun every time you travel.

What’s the best mode of transport you’ve ever experienced?
Probably paragliding into Switzerland. While in France, we headed up to the hills and ran off the cliff with an instructor who guided us over to Switzerland. It was so much fun!

What’s your scariest experience while travelling?
Probably snakes! Lloyd really doesn’t like snakes and while we were in Sri Lanka I was playing about on his phone and nearly walked onto a snake that was bathing on the road. He still shakes thinking about it. Ha!

What should PRs know about you?
I’m not sure. I guess that we are pretty open minded and always flexible in how we work with people. No two destinations or brands are exactly the same, no two people are and so it would be unrealistic to expect two projects to be.

We always see collaborations as a two-way conversation (not just one party telling the what to do or not do), which always helps when working with brands.

What are the best campaigns you’ve worked on?
There are so many amazing campaigns we’ve worked on, especially with a destination focus. We love our long-term partnership with KLM, Germany, Canada and with Visit England as ambassadors.

That being said, we also love our campaign with Apple where we are able to share not just out love of travel but also photography tips and tools we use with other like-minded travellers.

Do bloggers need their own industry association?
There would be a real benefit to this. An industry association or some sort of body would certainly be welcomed in a very new and often changing industry as it can really be of a lot of value to help standardise practices in what can be a pretty fragmented environment.

What other blogs do you read? 
That’s difficult to answer because I’m a big link clicker from other channels such as Twitter or Instagram, so I can find myself on some really obscure blogs. I veer away from the ones that don’t give any real opinion or always love everything… they’re just not that useful or authoritative without a point of view.

Lloyd, Yaya and Hand Luggage Only are all listed on the Vuelio Influencer Database along with thousands of other bloggers, vloggers, journalists and opportunities.

Hayley Hall, the artist formerly known as London Beauty Queen, has been once again ranked as one of the top beauty bloggers in the UK. A leading member of the beauty blogging world for many years now, Hayley has twice won Best Beauty Blog at the Vuelio Blog Awards. Having relaunched her blog, including its now eponymous title, to reflect the change in her content, Hayley is going from strength to strength and remains a key figure in the industry.

We spoke to Hayley about being unique, the next big trends in beauty and working with PRs on long-term objectives.

What makes your blog unique? 
My tone of voice and the topics I cover; I try to be a ‘friend’ to my readers and talk to them just as I would in real life, giving them recommendations but also discussing the same topics that you probably would with your mates over a glass of wine. I’m not afraid of tackling taboo subjects and I like to be able to celebrate women that don’t fit into a societal size ‘normal’ too – people are very much sick of seeing carbon copies, so I hope to be able to offer a refreshing outlook and approach.

How has your blog changed from when you first started to now?
It’s changed completely. When I started it was all about what was new and what I was trying, whereas now it’s a wholehearted overview of everything in my life – the products I’m loving, what I’m wearing, where I’m going and what I’m thinking. Not only is my content a lot sleeker, but there’s a lot more of ‘me’.

What is the biggest trend in the beauty world right now?
Personalisation – consumers want products to address their specific and changing needs, rather than being told they have to fit into three or four boxes.

What will the next big thing in beauty be?
New skincare textures; we’ve been seeing a move away from creams for a long time, but I think we’ll start seeing more water-like textures and lightweight products that deliver big.

How do you split content between text/video/audio?
It’s 99% text and imagery. I’m not huge on video, although I do have a podcast which is fun to manage.

What’s your favourite beauty brand?
It changes all the time – I wouldn’t be a good blogger if I had one I was biased towards!

How important are PR trips to your blog?
They’re great, but not essential, and they have to be relevant. It’s often fab to be able to fully immerse yourself in a brand or launch and get to really know it to ensure a long-term relationship, but they don’t guarantee anything. They should always be well executed and the objective long-term.

Do bloggers need their own association like other industries have?
I think it would be incredibly helpful, but a nightmare to manage. As it increases I do think some kind of regulatory body would be great, or some place to get all the advice and support you need.

What should PRs know about you?
That I need to feel important, ha! I need to know that you value my time and energy and that you’re interested in nurturing a long-term relationship, not out to just land as much coverage as you can. It’s transparent and, in a lot of cases, disrespectful of the skill we offer as content creators.

What are the best campaigns you’ve been part of?
The ones that have offered me freedom to execute the objectives how I see fit, and the ones that offer more than just a single piece of content; brands I’ve loved working with have included Boots, Simply Be, Palmers, Philips and Aveeno.

What other blogs do you read?
Tons, but I’m always on the look out for new talent to follow. The interesting thing about blogging is that it’s never the end – it’s only just the beginning.

Hayley Hall and her blog, Hayley Hall, are both listings on the Vuelio Influencer Database along with thousands of other bloggers, vloggers, journalists and opportunities.

Slouching Towards Thatcham has steadily climbed its way up the daddy blog ranking and most recently reached the third spot. Written by Tim Liew, Slouching Towards Thatcham reports from the ‘frontline of fatherhood’ and features tales of Tim and his three kids. A popular figure among daddy bloggers, Tim is also well-known for his hilarious musical parodies. Tim told us about the daddy blogging community, how he likes to work with brands (including the fact he’s cheap!) and the many other blogs he likes to read.

What makes your blog unique?
For starters, I’m a dad, I work full-time and I’m Asian, which makes me a rarity in the parenting category. I also focus a lot on audio content. I hosted parenting podcasts for two-and-a-half years (although I’m currently taking a break) and, despite my less than stellar ability to hold a tune, I regularly write and perform parody songs about my experiences as a parent.

What’s the best thing about being a dad?
Just being there to watch the kids develop and grow. Our three are all so different: Isaac takes after his mum, Toby is basically my mini-me and Kara has a personality that is all her own. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them take some of the best bits of both their parents, while building their own unique skills and experiences. I think the best part is seeing them become more than just the sum of their mum and dad.

How are daddy and mummy blogs different?
I’m not sure they really are that different, insofar that I don’t believe there’s any such thing as a typical mum blog or a typical dad blog. 99% of the time we write about the same things. Okay, the male perspective on childbirth or period pains is never going to be the same as a woman’s. But even so, I think the biggest differences arise as a result of environment rather than chromosomes.

The blog of a mum in a traditional nuclear family is going to be very different from a single mother or one half of a lesbian couple. Similarly, my experiences as a 40-something working dad of three aren’t going to be the same as a 20-something stay-at-home father with a Down’s syndrome child. Fundamentally, we’re all parents with our own takes on this parenting life.

How would you describe the daddy blogging community?
Small but perfectly formed – and under-utilised. There are some fantastic dads with lots to offer in terms of their diverse parenting experiences and creativity, covering the LGBT, adoption, stay-at-home and autism communities among others. Brands are starting to appreciate the value of working with dads. We’ve come a long way in the past few years – but there’s still a wealth of untapped opportunity (and talent) out there.

When do you create most of your content?
I’m a night-owl so I do a lot of my writing late at night and at weekends. But I’m also constantly jotting down notes and taking and editing photos in spare moments during the day. Blogging is 24/7 – there’s no such thing as a 9-to-5 day.

What are the biggest issues facing dads in the UK today?
It’s a real challenge for modern dads to establish their place in a world that hasn’t always moved with the times. Many of us are deeply involved in all aspects of our children’s lives; in some cases as the primary carer. And yet, there is still a huge gap in societal attitudes towards dads, from the old ‘dad as babysitter’ jokes to baby-changing facilities and the low adoption of shared parental leave. That’s not to say that mums don’t face many issues of their own – of course they do – but too often dads are the forgotten half of the parenting equation.

Do bloggers need their own association or industry institute (and why)?
Yes! The blogging industry is getting bigger and more complex, faster than ever, with the rise of influencer marketing and the arrival of GDPR, among other things. I think a blogging association is desperately needed to help raise standards among bloggers and PRs, and to give brands the confidence that bloggers they work with are credible and professional. I wrote a piece outlining my thoughts on this topic for the Vuelio blog.

What one thing should PRs/brands know about you?
That I’m very selective about who I work with, simply because I don’t really focus on monetising my blog. I work only with brands I’m genuinely interested in, so any content I produce comes from a place where I’m passionate about the brand or what it stands for. (Also, I’m cheap!)

What are your favourite collaborations you’ve worked on?
I’ve worked on some fantastic projects over the years, but my personal favourite was the year I collaborated with Gadget Show Live because it meant giving the boys a fantastic experience too. They loved the show but they were particularly thrilled about something as simple as having press passes, which made them feel like VIPs. We even produced a podcast review of the show together afterwards. Those kinds of experiences are worth more than payment or product for me.

What other blogs do you read?
In the parenting niche there are too many to mention but my favourites include John at Dad Blog UK, Matt from Man vs. Baby and the incomparable Sarah of The Unmumsy Mum fame. As a long-suffering Arsenal fan, I also read Arseblog every day. And, as a former TV reviewer, I religiously read many of the major pop culture blogs/websites, although The A. V. Club is probably my go-to.

Tim and Slouching Towards Thatcham are both listed on the Vuelio Influencer Database along with thousands of other bloggers, vloggers, journalists and opportunities.

Grey Fox is the ‘mature search for style’, written by David Evans. The blog recently ranked in the Top 10 UK Men’s Fashion Blogs and has been a stalwart of the male fashion blogging scene for years. With fashion and menswear content for all men, Grey Fox has built a loyal following and provides a unique perspective in the blogosphere.

We spoke to David about the origins of men’s style, how shoes can make or break an outfit and the amazing campaigns he’s collaborated on.

What makes your blog unique?
I’m a men’s style blogger aged 63. The blog started as my search for style as an older man. There are few enough men’s style blogs and even fewer that cater for the man over forty (in fact I only know a very small handful). However, while my main readership is over 40 on the blog, on Instagram it’s aged between 25 and 35! I describe a fairly classic menswear style and, at the moment, that appeals to all ages.

Will Men’s Fashion ever catch up with Women’s Fashion?
I suspect that men’s fashion has already overtaken women’s in terms of amounts being spent. Some studies show that men spend monthly more than women and it’s certainly the case that the men’s clothing market is growing twice as fast as women’s. Interest in menswear is huge; I see this on my blog and social media.

Who is your favourite ever designer?
I don’t really have one as I like to find inspiration from many directions. Having said that, I love what New & Lingwood and Oliver Spencer are doing and there are many small menswear businesses here in the UK that deserve our attention, such as SEH Kelly, Marwood, Lamler and others.

What up-and-coming designers will be tomorrow’s stars?
Again, I can’t really say. The world of men’s style is different from the more volcanic fashion world where names come and (usually) go, and are quickly forgotten. My interest is in the durability of classic styles inspired by Savile Row and Jermyn Street but which includes many newer and younger brands.

What’s the best fashion show for men?
Oliver Spencer always do a great show at London Fashion Week Men’s, but looking more widely at the world of menswear, Pitti Uomo in Florence is, for me at the moment, the greatest display of men’s fashions and style. While it is largely Italian, there are some 100 plus British brands there this June and it’s a great place to see the best-dressed men in the world. I’d love to see something similar in London where there is so much creativity and, arguably, the whole concept of men’s style originated.

Shoes or watch?
Shoes can make or break a look. Poor ones can ruin the best outfit, while good shoes can lift a mundane look. I do like a good watch though – a vintage example adds a real touch of style.

Beards: in or out?
Men should wear what they like – it’s a question of style, not fashion.

What one thing should PRs/brands know about you?
I represent a demographic that is growing fast. Over fifties are wanting to spend time and money on style, holidays and consumer goods. They are responsible for nearly half of consumer spending and brands ignore them at their peril.

What are the best campaigns/collaborations you’ve worked on?
Driving a Maserati in Northern Ireland recently for Maserati UK. Designing a summer collection with Alexandra Wood. Driving a Range Rover Velar in Norway. Having hats made by Taylor Red Millinery – there are so many which have been great fun.

What other blogs do you read?
It probably sounds terrible, but I don’t. Time is precious and I prefer to follow on Instagram where I follow all the main menswear Instagrammers. One blog I do like to follow is That’s Not My Age in which Alyson Walsh talks about style for older women.

James Smythe is the man behind the independent tech blog, Mighty Gadget. Recently named in the Top 10 UK Tech Blogs, Mighty Gadget covers everything from TVs to phones and holds exclusive competitions for top tech prizes. We spoke to James about the latest trends in tech, his favourite gadgets and working with excellent PR agencies.

What makes your blog unique?
Mighty Gadget is an independent blog, probably 80%+ of the content is mine. I cover all aspects of tech, but due to being limited to just one writer I tend to cover things that interest me personally. I love the normal stuff like mobile and audio visual, but I also cover as much fitness related technology as possible. I love gadgets that can track all my fitness and health stats!

What’s the best gadget/tech you own?
There are too many to choose from! My current favourite is my Ring doorbell; I get so many review samples delivered and picked up it is very frustrating when I miss the door, so this has helped loads. Apart from that, from a pure use perspective it’s my main PC, I spend all day doing my work on it and I am also a keen PC gamer.

What trends should we expect to see in tech in the near future?
Home Automation appears to be going mainstream now thanks to Alexa and Hue. So, I think we will see these devices becoming commonplace within the home.

From a fitness perspective, I think there is a good chance that Android Wear devices will start to eat into the traditional sports watch market. You already have Garmin, Fitbit, and Suunto integrating smartwatch type features into their watches. Current Android watches have okay fitness tracking, but it is nowhere near the level of Garmin, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see an Android OS watch in the next year or so that is much more focused on sports with options to pair with all the sensors many athletes use.

Which tech companies are the giants of the future?
I can’t think of any specific company but EVs and automated vehicles appear to be the next big tech revolution that is well underway and we all know the names involved in that industry. Beyond that, I may be biased due to my interest in health, but I think the longevity industry will take off in the next few years. We have already seen a growing trend of people being more conscious about their health; the supplements industry is worth $37 billion-a-year in the US, so I think the next logical step is the trend towards prolonging your life as much as possible. There are already quite a few companies that claim to be able to lengthen telomeres, which are a key component in ageing.

What phone do you have?
Huawei Mate 10 – it is not the latest and greatest, but the camera is superb, and the battery lasts all day, so it is perfect for working on the go.

What’s the best tech invention EVER?
So much to choose from! I would say the Internet; it’s an obvious choice but it’s a technological revolution that has affected everyone in such a large way.

How do you like to work with PRs?
They can be frustrating at times, but I appreciate it is difficult dealing with hundreds of bloggers all pestering you for review samples or event details. I wouldn’t be able to cover as much content as I do without their help.

What’s the best campaign/collaboration you’ve worked on?
I have worked with Acer multiple times over the years at first with Otto Comms & PR, and now with Agent 42. They have always been great to deal with, responsive to all emails, easy deliveries and pickup and well-organised events. This year I had a great time with Qualcomm at MWC which was organised by Hotwire Global; it was a great event, all the PR team that looked after us made things run smoothly with a laid-back schedule that allowed us to explore MWC in our own time.

What one thing should PRs know about you?
I live in Blackpool! So, unless you are paying for the train journey, it is unlikely I will be able to attend a press event. It isn’t the best place to live when you are a tech blogger!

What other blogs do you read?
I sometimes stalk rival blogs such as Gadgety News to see if they are reviewing anything I might be able to blag. I am a fan of DC Rainmaker, the same as everyone in the fitness industry; he offers an unrivalled level of detail in his fitness tech reviews. Automated Home is great for home automation stuff. Then OC3D and bit-tech for PC-related news.

James Smythe and Mighty Gadget are both listed on the Vuelio Influencer Database along with thousands of other bloggers, vloggers, journalists and opportunities.