Independent Fashion Bloggers ran this as part of their IFB Project a week ago. I wanted to participate in the project but as it was to be blogged over the weekend, I wasn’t keen on doing it then because I prefer to publish blogging-related topics on Bloggie Wednesdays. Oh well, never too late to do it now, eh?

So, what’s a blogger’s tool kit? It’s essentially what you’d use to blog. It’s what you’d use to create the images used in your blog. What you’d use on social media for your blog. Basically the things you’d need for your blog.

Here’s a peek into my blogging tool kit.

HARDWARE:

Dell Inspiron 1720 – my main blogging equipment. It’s a 4-year old laptop that belongs to Tim. It does the job well, but I do reckon it’s time we get a desktop because this computer is friggin’ SLOW.

Panasonic Lumix LX5 – I bought this in Malaysia in January. Most of the images since then were taken with the LX5. It might not be as compact as most cameras are, but for a point-and-shoot, this has very good manual options for very good, crisp photos. It’s also what I’d normally bring to events.

Canon 400D (not pictured as I used it to take the photos for this blog post) – This belongs to Tim, but he relinquished it to me for the blog. I’m still learning how to work the darn DSLR.

iPhone 4 – I use this mostly on social media for my blog. Twitter, Facebook, checking my Google Analytics stats (I use the AnalyticsPro app for that), photography on the go, etc. Can’t go anywhere without this baby.

iPad + wireless keyboard – I’m hooked on this like chocolate. It contains my blogging notes, fashion magazines, videos, music, etc. When I’m away from the computer, I blog on this. Even when I’m on the porcelain throne. That’s right. Dedication, yo! 😛

SOFTWARE:

WordPress – My blogging platform. What I refer to as “the dark side” 😉

Adobe Photoshop 7 – I’m not going to deny it. I do use Photoshop extensively. I do not always get to photograph products and swatches under the best lighting, and Photoshop is needed to edit the images, giving it contrast and clarity. I have not, and will not, use it to remove blemishes, smoothen and/or even out skin tone or anything that will make me not look like me. I have my highly over-Photoshopped wedding portraits to remind me of that. (the buggers removed my moles. My MOLES!) Photoshop is also used to add watermarks and create collages.

Font Picker – This free software is great for designing elements like headers, titles, etc on your blog. It allows you to preview your desired text in all the fonts available in your computer. Makes choosing of fonts a whole lot easier.

Google Analytics – My primary web statistics tool. I have this integrated to my WordPress Dashboard so that I can see my traffic on a daily basis. It’s good to keep track on what brings in traffic, and what does not. Plus it’s a good laugh seeing what people search for on Google that lands on your page.

Springpad – My “on-the-cloud” resource. I have this installed as Google Chrome extension, and in my iPhone and iPad. It’s similar to Evernote, where I can add notes, tasks, checklists and bookmarks. Whenever I get an idea for the blog, I’ll make a quick note about it on Springpad. Any changes made is reflected instantly on all platforms. I also save useful bookmarks on products, reviews, tips and tricks to my Springpad, which I’d be able to access in future.

OTHERS:

Fashion and beauty magazines – Great source of inspiration. I subscribe to Shop Til You Drop and Vogue Australia. Most of my magazines are international ones via Zinio for the iPad. They’re far cheaper than buying individual copies on the newsstand. My favourites are Marie Claire US, Instyle US, Harper’s Bazaar US and Glamour UK. I also read Asian fashion and beauty mags like Vivi, Ray, Vogue Japan, etc (okay, I can’t actually read the words; I just enjoy the pictures).

Beauty Products – Somehow, whenever I’m blogging, I need to have at least one beauty product on my desk. It could be a lipstick, handcream, serum, etc. Call it a security blanket if you will. It helps me write 😛

Notebook – I write my blogging ideas, tips from experts in the beauty and blogging industry, shopping lists (ahem), etc in a cute Kikki K notebook that I bought a while ago.

There you go, just some of the tools I use to create the content you see here on Beautyholics Anonymous. Oh, I just realised I forgot to add beverage to the list as well. Coffee, tea or Milo. It’s a must 😛

So, what’s in your blogging tool kit?