Can I pull off saying ‘killing it’? Let’s just go with it, and pretend I’m cool enough to say ‘killing it’.
These are mums who, for me, are doing brilliant things on Instagram Stories. In case you’re not familiar with Stories, it’s the little extra feature that Instagram launched last year, where in a Snapchat style, people can post a series of photos or videos (with amazing new filters that can turn you into a bunny! Praise be!). These Stories disappear after 24 hours, so it feels less permanent than other social media and as such, I think people are a bit more relaxed and informal on it. Stuff you say there won’t be Google-able in ten years time so it’s unlikely to come back to haunt you.
And while there are people who are doing BRILLIANT things on Instagram, taking beautiful photos and writing awesome captions, there are also a bunch of people who really excel at Stories – they’re worth following just for the daily snippets of their lives. Here are some of my favourites…
Alice Judge-Talbot – @alice_jt
First on my list is Alice, because it was while watching her Stories that it occurred to me that a) she is fantastic at doing them and b) I should make a list of my favourite mums doing Stories. Alice just has this knack of filling you in on the minutiae of her life in a really engaging and entertaining way. Even if she’s filling us in on her latest dating disaster, she does it in a way that makes it feel like she’s your mate and you’re in the pub sharing a bottle of wine. ALSO her house is gorgeous so it’s great to get glimpses of her pink sofa of dreams. Her two kids Elfie and Huxley are cute too and her snippets of family life are reassuringly normal.
Elle from Feathering The Empty Nest – @feathering_the_empty_nest
I only recently started following Elle. I asked my Instagram followers for recommendations of people who are good on Stories, and a few people mentioned her. She lives in Surrey with her husband and pug Boris, and last May they tragically lost their newborn baby Teddy after just three days. She blogs about learning to navigate life again and renovating their home – and her Stories are a lovely insight into her journey. There’s something so watchable about Elle. She’s the only person on this list that I don’t know in real life, so it feels a little like watching a reality TV show that features a very likeable and funny person. Does that sound weird?
Clemmie Hooper – @mother_of_daughters
I love watching Clemmie’s Stories because she tells it how it is – some days you see her going to exciting work events, some days you see her in the car waiting for one of her older girls to come out of an after school club, some days you see her juggling life with twin toddlers, some days you see her with her slippers on, feet up, wine in hand and watching Netflix. Her life seems really similar to mine – you know, if you remove the three extra kids, the book deal and the squillions of followers her and husband Simon have between them….
Gemma from Mutha.Hood – @mutha.hood
I first watched Gemma on Stories after Clemmie mentioned her and said they had a mutual fan girling thing going on, and then I had the total pleasure of meeting Gemma at a book launch. Her Stories give a behind the scenes glimpse to her ‘mama march’ business, Mutha.Hood, and whether she’s talking about stock issues, post office dramas or everyday parenting dilemmas, Gemma is so entertaining. She is also the queen of the black and white filter when she’s filming herself. I need to take a leaf out of her book…
Vickie Neave – @inpolife
Mum of four Vickie is one of those ladies who’s excellent to have a wine with, as I discovered last week – she’s SO MUCH FUN. And that comes across on her Stories – they’re fun to watch and she is a genuinely funny lady. As well as being generally excellent on Stories, Vickie makes prints which are sold on Etsy and Not On The High Street… so she is talented as well as being funny. Grrr.
Erica Davies – @erica_davies
Erica’s Stories are great because they show anyone who doesn’t know her IRL that she’s a down to earth Northern lass and not a scary-ass Fashion Editor. She might be heading to a swanky press dinner wearing an amazing frock, or she might be dressed down on the school run, but she’s always warm and modest. And her house! She’s in the process of renovating, and the parts that have been done are gorgeous. But even if you’re not into fashion or interiors, Erica is worth a follow.
Susie Verrill – @susiejverrill
Last but not least, Susie is mum to toddler Milo, with another baby on the way, and her Stories will make you laugh. We worked together on Look magazine a few years ago, and despite not being the best of friends at the time (another story for another time) she never failed to make me laugh in meetings. She’s just an extremely funny lady. And very lovely! Plus, like quite a few of these ladies, she’s not afraid to film herself make up free, which is so refreshing and shows she keeps it real.
Who are your favourite mums on Instagram Stories? Give me a follow if you fancy it – @iamalisonperry
Super choices ! But bloody typical today even Erica is not ‘Storying ” so I can’t compare, as only a few were up to see!
I love Jess from ‘the only girl in the house ‘
Go check her out xxxxx
Author
I follow Jess but haven’t seen her Stories – off to watch now. And I know, Erica has been v quiet on Stories, I hope she isn’t overwhelmed by brick dust and her new puppy!
I think you need to be added to this list babes. But fab recommendations I will have to check a few of these that I don’t know out (I know where have I been) I am just getting into the ig stories a lot more lately too. Loving it.
Author
Ahh thanks Jenny!! Def check these ladies out.
Agree! I just cannot get my head round doing stories – possibly because I look rubbish in a selfie – but you do a fab job.
Love your choices and you should definitely be on the list too. I’m Mum to a 15yo daughter so a little further ahead in terms of child’s age but love all these Mummy insta stories. Another mum whose insta stories I really enjoy is the ever stylish & hilarious @doesmybumlook40. x
Author
YES Kat is awesome on there. So funny!
Oh I am so overwhelmed to be in such an amazing line up! Honestly it has blown my mind. Thanks Alison. I look forward to your stories so you would be one of my favourites too!
Vickie x
I love all of these ladies on instastories..particularly Alice and Elle..i also love @littlewoodlife ..everything about her is just so likeable and @emilydonman ..she is so funny
My lovely friend Mia is @cigarettesandcalpol – mother of one, pregnant with another – really funny, very real and bloody hard-working – she’s just finished her 3-year degree course, whilst juggling being a mum and attempting to have a social life! She’s brilliant.
thanks for the lovely recommendations! I’m a mama of a 1 year old and I am writing a new family lifestyle blog, take a look on http://www.mommy-licious.com, I mainly write about style, family life, travel, food.