As we reach number ten in our 12 Bloggers of Christmas series, we’re thrilled to shine a special spotlight on Emily Henley, one of our longest-standing and most adaptable community members. Emily’s journey with Breaks & Bites is a brilliant example of how a blog, and its creator, can evolve, grow, and thrive through all of life’s changes.

Emily has been with Get Blogged almost from the start, and it’s been a joy to watch her content shift and expand as her own story has unfolded. What began as Bristol Bites, a love letter to the city’s food scene, has become Breaks & Bites: a vibrant celebration of UK food, drink, and travel, reflecting Emily’s move to Suffolk and her growing appetite for new adventures.

A Conversation with Emily Henley of Breaks & Bites

Get Blogged: Emily, you’re one of the longest-standing members of our community, and your blog is a fantastic example of growing with your audience. How did your blogging journey start, and how has it changed as your life has changed?

Emily: Originally, I was Bristol Bites – I moved to Bristol in 2009 and started the blog as a way to document the incredible food scene, mainly for myself, and it just grew! I moved to Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, a couple of years ago and rebranded. I’m trying to increase my focus on UK travel and attractions instead of purely food and drink.

Get Blogged: It’s inspiring to see how you’ve allowed your blog to evolve alongside your own life. Are there any collaborations from the past year that really stand out for you?

Emily: I loved putting together a round-up of 2025 food and drink advent calendars. A post in conjunction with Guylian, who gifted an Advent calendar for me to give away on Instagram. Great Food and Drink Advent Calendars for 2025

The Very.co.uk Autumn campaign through Get Blogged was a lot of fun to work on, and it was good to get creative! Get Cosy at Home with Very.co.uk This Autumn

I had an incredible meal at Blue Fig in Bury St Edmunds, which was gifted (Why You Need to Eat at Blue Fig), and had fun working with Lindahls to create paid recipe content on Instagram (Lindahls Recipe Content), among others!

Get Blogged: You’ve always been willing to try new things and push yourself. Has there been a campaign that took you out of your comfort zone?

Emily: My paid collab on Instagram with Seriously Strong Original Cheddar Cheese Spread! As part of the brief, they asked me to show myself trying the product and talking about it, which I did NOT feel comfortable doing! However, I did it, and it’s encouraged me to try and appear on my blog/socials more frequently, to make it more personal! Seriously Strong Cheddar Cheese Spread

Get Blogged: That’s such a great example of personal growth. Sometimes, the best content comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. What makes you feel valued in your brand partnerships?

Emily: There’s one brand I’m currently working with that produces a range of flavours in its products. They’ve been fantastic at checking in with me to understand my personal preferences and to share my own creative ideas rather than having a super fixed brief. They’ve sent me my favourite flavours, and they seem keen to ensure that my experience with their brand is tailored to me. I’m not just a number!

Get Blogged: That kind of personal connection is so important. When you’re considering a new collaboration, what do you look for?

Emily: Firstly, it has to fit my niche of UK food, drink, travel or attractions/experiences. I’ll then have a good read of the brief and ask any questions, so I totally understand what the client’s expectations are around deliverables, content type, etc. If I feel the brand isn’t something I would genuinely enjoy or love, then it’s not a brand for me.

Get Blogged: Fantastic advice. For bloggers hoping to build lasting partnerships, what would you recommend?

Emily: Sell yourself! When you’re pitching, demonstrate exactly what value you can add to a brand: what makes you stand out from other bloggers, what pain points working with you will resolve, what you can bring to the table that other bloggers maybe can’t.

Get Blogged: We’ve watched the blogging landscape change a lot over the years, but authenticity always stands true. What do you think is most important for creators and brands right now?

Emily: Agree – authenticity. I’m noticing more and more bloggers and social creators who aren’t stating when something is gifted or paid. In the same vein, I’m seeing huge amounts of content, both written and visual, that are clearly AI-generated… It’s VERY obvious!

The best collaborations are those where bloggers or creators are true to themselves, are genuine and honest, and let their own personalities shine through.

Key Takeaways for Bloggers

• Let your blog evolve as your life does. Your audience will value your honesty.
• Don’t be afraid to pitch your unique value and embrace new challenges.
• Authenticity and personal connection are your greatest strengths.

Key Takeaways for Brands

• Personalised briefs and genuine engagement make creators feel like true partners.
• Choose bloggers whose passions and stories naturally align with your brand.
• The most memorable campaigns are those where personality and honesty shine.

Follow Emily and Breaks & Bites

• Blog: breaksandbites.co.uk
• Instagram: @breaksandbites
• TikTok: @breaksandbites
• Facebook: Breaks and Bites UK

Emily’s journey is a testament to the power of adapting, staying authentic, and letting your blog grow as you do. As one of our longest-standing members, she reminds us that the best blogging is about curiosity, connection, and a willingness to embrace change.

Stay tuned for our final two features and more inspiration from the Get Blogged community!