If you are totally obsessed with social media like I am and love everything country related, especially fashion, then I am sure you have stumbled across the country fashion instagram icon somersetcountrygirl.
While we are having to spend more time in our homes finding things to do to keep us occupied due to lockdown, I thought it was a great opportunity to ask Jess a few questions for you guys to get to know her a little better!
Jess started her instagram in September 2018 just after finishing her uni degree in Classics and had no idea that her account would hit over 9k followers in just under 2 years! She manages to balance training to be a primary school teacher and her social media account down to a T.
Jess is well known across the instagram platform for her fashion flat lays and great style wearing all of our favourite brands! Not only is Jess a beautiful person on the outside but she is also on the inside and that shines through on her instagram stories and the content in her posts.
Through having similar interests and both being lovers of the coutryside and the fashion that comes with it Jess and I have become quite chatty over social media, especially after recently both becoming brand ambassadors for one of our favourite companies Sprawling & Osborne.
Jess kindly answered some of the questions I had put together for her for you guys to get to know her a little better.. From how to grow engagement on your social media account, to her favourite 3 items & what she cannot live without..
1. What inspires you for content?
I get inspired from lots of different things, I love going to different country shows and seeing what people are wearing, I also follow lots of different accounts which post inspiration as well. Mainly though, I just post what I like to wear or things I like to do!
2. Where do you see ‘Somerset Country Girl’ going in the future?
I’m really not sure! I never imagined my account to gain the following that it has done. I have never had a set ‘goal’ with my account, I just began by sharing aspects of the countryside that I love, and everything has gone from there. I would love to meet up with some of the fabulous ladies that I have met through Instagram though, I think that would be my next aim.
3. What are your 3 ‘go to’ brands?
I would say that Dubarry, Fairfax & Favor and Whale Of A Time Clothing were the first three brands that I developed a love for and am most known for on my Instagram; I wear at least one of them every day; they also complement each other well. However, since beginning my Instagram I’ve had the chance to work with new clothing brands, such as Sprawling & Osborne and Woburn Clothing Co; I really admire these brands as their founders are around the same age as me and they have created incredibly successful clothes. I like to support smaller businesses and have been really lucky to develop relationships with these brands! 
4. Tell us a bit about you?
I’m 22 and have lived in Somerset my whole life. I met my boyfriend when we were 14/15 and have been together ever since, we are hopefully going to be buying a house later this year! I love history and studied Classics at the University of Nottingham (I’m an absolute Geek for the Greeks & Romans) and actually wrote my dissertation on Ancient Green Poetry. I’m currently training to be a Primary School teacher and I cannot wait to qualify! It’s a lot of hard work but its definitely worth it.
5. What is your favourite content to make?
I think my favourite content has to be outfit inspiration! I love getting dressed up and sharing ideas with everyone. I’ve recently started creating outfit flat lays too which is fun, it’s easier than dressing up as I’m not fussy with the photos and don’t have to worry about how I look!
6. Tell us 3 of your favourite items of all time?
This is a tricky one; my top 3 favourite things are Cadbury’s dairy milk chocolate buttons; my Fairfax & Favor Reginas and my Chatham deck shoes. 
7. What can’t you live without?
My family – They mean everything to me (Maybe my phone too).
8. Would you ever start a blog alongside your Instagram account?
I have considered starting a blog and am really tempted, but at the moment I don’t think I could manage it alongside my teacher training as I would be too over stretched and wouldn’t be able to give it the time it deserves! Who knows for the future though – Never say never!
9. What are the most staple pieces in your wardrobe?
Footwear wise I would say my Fairfax & Favor Reginas and Oak Explorers as well as my Dubarry Galway boots and Le Chameau wellies for the muddier days! In summer I live in my Chatham deck shoes – They are so comfortable and go with absolutely everything! I also love stripes, I have so many blue and white striped tops which are great to pair with a Schoffel.
10. What advice would you give the younger generation wanting to start influencing on social media?
I don’t consider myself an ‘influencer’ but the advice I would give is to just post what you enjoy and engage with your followers regularly. If you love what you post, you will find other who like similar things. I’ve found that Instagram has been a great place to meet new people with similar interests.
11. Do you live by a motto?
Not really – I just try to remain as positive as I can. Positivity is key!
12. Do you have any pets?
I have two cats, Oscar & Milo and I am obsessed with them!
13. Why did you decide to go blonde?
I decided to go blonde because I wanted to do something completely different with my hair, my natural hair is very dark and I fancied a change as it had been the same for years. It’s been great fun and I do love being blonde, but I can’t cope with the maintenance and I miss how low maintenance my dark hair was – being blonde is hard work and I don’t think I’m cut out for it. I’m going back to my natural colour once lockdown is over.
14. What advice would you give to gain engagement on social media?
I think to gain engagement you jut need to be active on your account and talk to your followers. I try to post everyday, which is easy at the moment due to lockdown, however was quite a struggle when I was on placement for 10 hours each day!
15. What are your 3 favourite Instagram accounts?
I don’t think I could choose just 3! I follow so many amazing accounts.
16. What do you do to switch off and relax?
I find it quite hard to switch off and relax and normally only do so when I’m on holiday, but at weekends I like to read and bake!
17. Tell us something we might not know about you?
I can speak French and Spanish (and can read a little bit of Latin).
18. What is your favourite food?
My favourite food is probably pizza or pasta, but I do love pub food too.
19. What is your favourite thing to do with your time off?
Spend time with my boyfriend, family and friends. I love visiting new places and I’d like to do a bit more travelling. I went to Australia last year for 8 weeks and would love to go back and explore more.
20. What are your tips to be able to keep active and consistent on social media?
I think if you enjoy using Instagram and engaging with your followers then keeping active on it is quite easy. Some days I don’t fancy it, so I don’t make myself! Just listen to what you want to do and go with that.
Jess Marsh 🙂
Thank you so much Jess for answering the questions that I had collated for you and taking the time to do so! I have most definitely enjoyed reading your answers and writing this post for everyone!
I really hope you enjoyed, but most importantly STAY SAFE!
Thank you for reading, until next time..
Francesca x
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