But what about my magazine pile??

So the story is that newspapers have been on the decline for some time now due to a little piece of technology called the Internet (you may have heard it-big thing, controls our lives, Daddy of Facebook and Twitter) and many of the major players such as the Guardian and Sun have been looking for new ways to keep readership levels up such as online articles and Smartphone Apps.

Now, as a student PR I should be slightly worried about this BUT as the only newspaper that I quickly flick through is the Metro, I'm kinda not that concerned. What I am worried about though are magazines? With Conde Nast already closing a number of their more specialised publications, are magazines facing the same dreaded fate?

After thinking long and hard about this I have 2 theories:

1) It is not because of the Internet that magazines are in danger, but because of the recession. Rather than going out and buying every glossy on the shelf like the good old days, people are opting to buy their favourite and swap with friends. Once the recession is well and truly over, magazine purchases will soar (just like shoes, clothing, expensive hair cuts and holidays).

2) Magazines hold more value than newspapers!! Sure, newspapers have a nostalgic feel to them and there's nothing better than sitting with a massive newspaper and reading what's going on in the world. This feeling is even better when it is the middle of Winter, half the words are on your hands and/or face, it's fallen apart from the 30 seconds you were in the wind and your on the Tube. In rush hour. Oh and don't forget the Rainforests are dying and the Earth is getting hotter, Ice caps melting, water-levels rising....

Reading the latest headlines on a computer screen or a phone or an iPad isn't a bad alternative when you consider the above. Think of it as a natural progression.

This situation is not the same for magazines. Firstly, magazines are not daily; they are weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, you get the idea and they are not just abandoned on empty chairs. Therefore they are less damaging to the environment.

Secondly, and probably the most important point is that they offer something that a newspaper or an online version can never provide. They are an escapism, inspiration. Think of all the times you have bought Vogue or Elle or my personal favourite Love and just curled up under a blanket with a hot chocolate and looked at all the clothes and read all the articles. How many times have you found a pair of shoes you have to have and saved up to get them, or how many exhibitions you have been to see just because Marie Claire says it's good. Think of all the amazing writers, photographers, designers and artists that have been discovered all because magazines are read. Thakoon was discovered through a Vogue initiative, without that who knows where he would have been now!

Those glossy pages offer so much more than overpriced clothing and endless 'dribble' about nothing. I don't even think I can put into words the impact magazines have.

I'm not the only one with this view. A number of highly influential people in the publishing industry have teamed together to help save print http://powerofmagazines.com/index.html On this site are facts and figures about the magazine industry and this cute little advert which offers a slighty different, and perhaps more informed view of the future of print.



Apart from creating writers, I'm pretty sure newspapers don't offer the same experience....

"It is simply not enough to follow" (Vivienne Westwood, 2010)

All of you will have heard of Vivienne Westwood and all of you will have heard about climate change but some of you will not have put the two together and come to the conclusion 100 Days of Active Resistance.


Any Westwood fanatic (or indeed Friday Night with Jonathan Ross fan) will know that she has been campaigning to prevent climate change for some time. After her appeal on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross she then made her way to Fashion Week armed with a runway decorated as a rainforest; showing her deep involvement with The Prince’s Rainforest Project.


Now she is reaching out to us in an entirely different way.


On September 8th she launched her 100 Days of Active Resistance with the denim brand Lee.


The Dame herself said  "It is that you get out of life what you put in and that the real experience of the world involves thinking. It is not enough to follow world politics, see films and read the prize-winning best seller. This is superficial, you need to go deep in order to understand who you are, what the world is and how things could be better. This involves culture which can only be acquired by self-education: human beings should mirror the world".


The idea behind the scheme is for people all over the world to submit their artwork and one will be chosen everyday as the ‘image of the day’.


Now 44 days in and the website is full of some of the most amazing pictures I have ever seen. My personal favourites so far are days 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, 21, 28 and 29. You'll have to go to the website www.ar100days.com to see them :p You will notice that all the images come with captions expressing the artist’s view on active resistance, climate change and the World as a whole.



Although I am not an avid saver of the world (until America stops rolling around in Hummers and lighting Vegas up like a Christmas tree, me throwing my Diet Coke can in the right bin is not going to make the slightest bit of difference-BAD VIEW TO TAKE I KNOW!!) I cannot help but be immensely inspired by this woman. Of course, there are people who inspire me but none to the extent of Vivienne Westwood. She has this insane ability to actually make me stop and think about things, to actually consider every aspect. She gives people a platform on which to express themselves. She encourages you to think outside that very small box. I guess there truly is method in the madness.


Who else can you say does that, on that wide of a scale?


I think for the next 56 days we should all participate in the 100 Days of Active Resistance, not necessarily by submitting some art but by being brave enough to be who we want to be and by saying what we have always wanted to.


As the great lady herself says "it is simply not enough to follow…"  


To view her interview with Jonathan Ross go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My8er6jRAP4 for part 1 and http://www.youtube.com/watchv=2Kd4fbH8REs&feature=related for part 2 

SMCC10- A Student's Perspective

So as I mentioned earlier I attended a Social Media in Context conference run by Communicate Magazine. I sat, I listened, I Tweeted, I Facebooked (I love how just like Google, Facebook has become a verb-but for a net worth of 25billion you wouldn’t expect much less!) and now I’m blogging!!

Due to University commitments, I missed the first group of presentations but was lucky enough to see a number of incredibly insightful ones after the lunch break; and as wonderful as they all were, I am only going to talk about the two that really stuck out in my mind!!

“Why I Use Nokia-a very personal word of mouth case study” James Whately (Engagement Director, 1000Heads)

This short, yet effective presentation taught us that we should not be afraid to embrace the extreme and that actually engaging with your audience will have a greater effect than just trying to hit your targets.

Now, this blog is from a students perspective and coming from a lecture theatre where all the presentation slides are covered in black ink and the lecturer isn’t showing much enthusiasm, this presentation was a breath of fresh air. Whately was upbeat and engaging and his slides were not filled with boring black ink. Oh no! Some had pictures, some had charts and others had Post-it notes!!

(OK so it isn’t a fab picture but you get the point I’m trying to make)

If Mr. Whately would like to give my class members a lesson in how to present, that would be amazing (not that I’m saying you need it guys, but every little helps).

“Crisis Communications” Leesa Fogarty (vice president industry, Augure)

The words that stood out the most during her speech were “information can be around for a long time”. I had always been aware of this concept but had never really thought about it. What you say and do now will be there for a very long time, if not forever.

Her talk was based on a case study about an un-named client (although I have a sneaky suspicion who it might be due to another case study I analysed in Market-Led Management) and how they overcame a certain market.

Her company, which was established 8 years ago, has a focus on reputation management and has represented a number of luxury brands.

After Leesa Fogarty’s talk, I took a look at the Augure website and have since developed a keen interest in reputation management and the software that they have developed.

I’m really grateful that I had to opportunity to come to this conference as I was able to see the industry in which I want to work through the eyes of those who are experiencing it now and through real life case studies, making everything I have learnt in a classroom seem all the more real.

One last thing I would like to mention is Marc Campam’s (managing director, Webjam) top 10 tips for staying in control amid the chaos

1. Markets are conversations.
2. Enabling powerful new forms of social organisations and knowledge.
3. There are two conversations going on: one inside the company, one with the market.
4. These 2 conversations want to talk to each other & are speaking the same language.
5. We wonder why you’re not listening. You seem to be speaking a different language.
6. The inflated self-important jargon you sling around-what’s that got to do with us?
7. We like this new marketplace much better. In fact, we are treating it.
8. You’re not invited, but it’s our world
9. Companies that do not belong to a community of discourse will die.
10. Talk is cheap but silence is fatal!

These will stay with me for the rest of my life!!

To view Twitter feed from the conference search #SMCC10

I wonder what event I will attend next…xo

 

Social Media in Context

 

I think I may have mentioned it before but I am a student of PR-although now a slightly progressed one as I am now on a Masters course.

During my first month on said course my peers and myself have been provided with a number of amazing opportunities. One such opportunity is been able to attend Communicate Magazines conference “Social Media in Context” at the wonderful Palace Hotel, Manchester.

The day consists of a number of talks by industry professionals about how social media has made an impact on their businesses and/or lives.

Due to morning lectures I was unable to attend the first half but when I did arrive, with my wonderful class mate Matt Horwood, we were greeted with a smiley face and a wonderful buffet.

In the conference room, circular tables are occupied by laptops, iPhones, Blackberrys and of course people, all at the ready to post their latest tweets, updates and blogs.

More blogs to follow…xoxo

Why Does it Always Rain on Me?

Dear The Heavens That Be,

 

Last week I walked from one end of Deansgate to the other in my brand new £200 shoe boots. It was the first time I wore them and just as I got to the Great Northern, you let it rain.

The rain made the ground wet and my shoes slippery (they are leather soles you see), as a result I slipped a little down a broken cobble and it removed half the leather from my heel! This upset me somewhat.

Once in a dry location it became clear that I will need professional help to fix them. The cost of this will be about £50!!

I understand that you need to rain from time to time, but I would greatly appreciate that if in the future you could maybe not rain when I’m walking in new shoes…or without an umbrella…or a jacket…or on my way to somewhere…

or at all when I’m outside.

 

Thank you Heavens That Be for your time and consideration.

 

Kind regards,

Sweet Lolita xoxo

Woe and Behold!!

 

Guys and Dolls I have done it!! It took me months to pluck up the courage to do and there was a lot of travelling back and forth to relevant source but I am proud to say that I can now KNIT!!

 

I mean, I wouldn’t hurry with your orders. I still have a long way to go and a lot more things to explore but non the less I actually learnt it!!

 

I wonder how it would look on my C.V?? Not that great?? No, I didn’t think so…oh well back to my essay!!!

 

xoxo

Thank God change is healthy!!

 

So it’s all happening- I’m moving to Manchester!! Got my apartment sorted on Weds (it’s aaaaaamazing, so super cute and just amazing!!!), I start at a new branch of The Store and my Masters course starts end of Sept!! It really couldn’t be more perfect!!

 

I still of course want to rip The Baby Giraffe’s hair out but you can’t have it all…although I fully intend on having pretty much everything we bought together!! Hehe!!!

 

xoxo

A Message From Fate!!!

 

So the Baby Giraffe dropped a massive bomb on me today-she has decided to move out and I am left with a  month to find a flatmate or somewhere else!!

After much tears and a lot of anger, fate may have handed me a solution. Allow me to indulge you…

I have applied for 2 Masters; one at Edge Hill and the other at Manchester Met, the latter being my favourite but way to expensive!! However, now that I have the opportunity to relocate I have decided that maybe I should go to Man Met. Also, The Store is opening another branch in Manchester which I may be able to transfer to!! Do you see where I’m going with this??

Any how nothing is set in stone but this is a strong possibility!! Told you things are beginning to get interesting!!

Nighty night

xoxo

I’m Back!! Did You Miss Me??

I’m sorry for long absence!! I’d like to say it was because I was on Safari in Africa or discovering the Amazon but I wasn’t; I was writing my dissertation and working extra hours at The Shop!!! Yep I know, it’s about as interesting as a cold sore!! Sorry!!

Anyway, I’m back via a relocation to another blog site! Once again sorry!!

Not much has happened since the last time we spoke but things are looking up and panic not I will keep you involved!!!

Much love xoxo

Missing: MY LIFE. Last seen over New Years!!

My room is a mess, my nails are chipped, my hair is unconditioned, I haven’t seen the inside of a club/pub/bar/restaurant in like forever and I woke up this morning to discover that it’s March!!!

WTF!!! University has officially ruined my life!! I don’t even know what the male population of Bumper looks like any more!! My little rose-bud summed up our life nicely-“I usually have either money, clothes or a boy but right now I have none!!!”

“They” tell you that your time at university is the best experience ever. You go out every night and all the drinks are cheap and you meet so many lovely new people...that is until you get to third year then your 3 months away from graduation, have a live PR campaign for the National Blood Service to run, a dissertation to write and a job to find. Oh and on top of all that I will have to start paying Council Tax soon!!!!!! Please can I go back to Fresher’s year??

The parents called to tell me that they have forgotten what I look like.

This is so depressing. Anti-Cupid’s birthday felt like forever ago.

My wish list did consist of a faded denim Balmain jacket and Vivienne Westwood Red Label strapless pink polka dot dress but now it consists of a life, a boy and a bloody good night out!!!

Anyway back to my many essays I have to complete!!

xoxo

Oh What A Night!!

Last night saw the event that all my ladies have been waiting for!!! Anti-Cupid’s birthday (I call him this because he insists on hooking me up with whoever is single even if it’s the worst match ever). FYI Anti-Cupid, that single friend of yours that I was chatting to was a good potential but you made me drag everyone onto the dance floor and so ruined my opportunity!!!!! You’re sacked!!!

Anyway it was lush. I mean to the extreme. Not only did Anti-Cupid and his Misses manage to get an upgrade to the presidential suite at the Hilton, the buffet involved chicken curry, mini fish and chips and mini hamburgers. It was insane; we also didn’t pay for any drinks!!!! The absolute highlight was The Baby Giraffe’s and mine awesome singing and dancing to Mumford and Sons’ Little Lion Man.

My head is slightly suffering and my hair deffo is. Beehives are good on the night but the wildness I woke up with this morning was an actual nightmare.

I’m still sad about the late Lee McQueen. Kate Moss cried at LFW yesterday during the silence but I have to say I loved the hat she wore for Hasaan’s show. Westwood today!! Can’t wait to see what she does!!!

I’m going to pass out on the sofa now, maybe watch some more Wife Swap USA and stare at the absolute feast The Baby Giraffe has made herself!!

xoxo

Ok, shock revelation!!

Ok so I’ve had somewhat of an epiphany!! My blog was originally set up to showcase my little fashion experiments but that has not been the case so far. Sorry. Also it may never be the case as I tried to sew the buttons back on some trousers and they just fell straight back off so I’m guessing I’m not that good at all that kind of thing. AT ALL!!

Wow, can’t sew, can’t cook, doesn’t like to clean, and hates kids. Please form an orderly queue those wishing to marry me!! I also don’t really want to do that either!!!! No wonder I’m single. Oh and if anyone does want to join the queue I’m told by my girlies that my type is slightly dirty and homeless looking!!!

Anyway back to my point. I shall continue to blog because I love it but the content may vary from what I originally set out to write.

In other news; did anyone else cry when Alexander McQueen died?? I did!!! We have truly lost a great person!!! Fashion is never going to be the same, and Fashion Week will forever be tainted!!

On the other end of the spectrum Kelly Cutrone’s book finally arrived and it is just fabulous as is my copy of Love. Just divine!! I got the cover with Lara Stone. The Baby Giraffe was shocked by the amount of nakedness and bored to death of me talking about all the new campaigns that were in it.

Anyway I’m going to say goodnight. I have 3 meetings, a date and a 21st birthday party this week so I need to get a head start on outfits.

xoxo

The underbelly of the swinging 60's

I went to a Motown tribute thing tonight and it really made me think. But before I tell you what I thought let me tell you a little bit about it. The seats were great but I felt highly exposed, like if they were to pick someone from the crowd they would pick me because I’m in their direct eye line and wearing a bright orange shift dress with circles on it (my sub-conscious told me to dress for the event). The male singers were amazing, the women too but I like to focus on the important things in life, they had some major moves. My little cupcake could hardly contain herself.

So now to my point...

When someone says “the 60’s” I instantly envision Edie Sedgwick, Andy Warhol, Brigitte Bardot, The Beatles, The Stones, Jackie O, Pirate Radio, Twiggy, polyester, short skirts and shift dresses. I imagine a time where everyone joins together in peace and love listening to Cream and talking about their new flares with flowers in their hair. For some reason I would never consciously connect Motown to that decade.

I mean, do you see The Supremes hanging out with The Beatles??

Whilst the Teddy Boys were going crazy for the girls in short, short skirts and the Mods were cleaning their Vespers; Whilst Twiggy and Edie were sending shivers down the World’s spine and Bob Dylan was hanging out with Mick and Keith; Whilst Vivienne Westwood was setting up shop and fashion was experiencing its metamorphosis; Whilst populations were high off life (or Acid) there was a whole different movement happening. The movement was record label Motown.

So why do we forget to associate these greats with their decade? I mean I have yet to meet a woman that doesn’t melt at the sound of Marvin Gaye’s voice or hasn’t sung Baby Love into her hairbrush!!

My theory is that they weren’t controversial enough. They were the good kids that sat in the front of class whilst Woodstock (thank-you Mr. Lang and co.) at the back. Keith Richards and John Lennon were making paper aeroplanes and launching them at Smokey Robinson!! Nobody wants to know that Stevie Wonder went to church last Sunday when Mick Jagger got arrested on Saturday. Nobody cared that The Supremes were experiencing some problems when Edie and Andy were at war.

Still, like all things from the 60’s they survived the test of time.  Shame my Nana's clothes didn't, I could have rocked some lovely vintage!!

The Blogger or The Editor

So the latest scandal on the runways is not how thin the models are, or who fell over (whenever I write this I have thoughts of boys singing “who fell over” in a sort of football song chant. How annoying!!!) It’s that fact that Little Miss Tavi Gevinson blocked Paula Reeds view at the Dior Haute Couture!! Firstly, Tavi is 13 and therefore should have been in school not in Paris. Second of all I don’t really know how I feel about the situation. All I know is that the story is everywhere.

One half of me, the Angel or the Devil I have yet to decide, is on Team Editor. I mean its Haute Couture not Bendles. Paula lives and breathes in the Fashion Industry, she is older and therefore much wiser and has the maturity to talk about Couture (if you could see the inside of my head now, you will see that I view Haute Couture as this ancient ritual that helped shaped the world and Ready-to-wear is it’s Great Granddaughter-I don’t know what came in between them but that’s how it is in my noggin). Tavi has no need for Couture in her life so why was she even there. She lives in the Chicago suburbs and she could hardly wear a Galliano creation for 4th period maths now, could she? And the bow was a bit silly, even if it was Stephen Jones. Why should these people who have worked their butts of their whole life be placed second to people who just blog. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to be sent all colours of freebies and sit front row but I just wouldn’t feel right knowing I had stolen it from somebody who truly deserves it.

Now my other side. Social media is the new black (see told you I constantly think about PR) and with or without the special treatment from PR’s those pesky bloggers are just going to keep on blogging. HHmm, maybe if I blog really bad things about Vivienne Westwood she will find out and invite me to her offices and give me her entire collection for free. Or maybe she won’t. I’m not going to risk it. Anyway back to my point. Bloggers will keep on typing so why not keep them sweet so they only write good things. It’s a very effective way of keeping control over what’s written and totally eliminates negative press. But I do think that consideration should be taken into what events these bloggers go to. Haute Couture-not appropriate for Tavi. Met Ball-totally not appropriate for any blogger.

Another topic for debate is why guys don’t appreciate ice-cream the way us ladies do?? It can solve wars don’t you know!!!

The Queen has arrived

So Sarah Jessica Parka had taken her throne at Halston and if I’m totally honest with you I don’t like it. Yes, we all know that she played Carrie Bradshaw, had a wardrobe to die for and a totally amazingly cool apartment (Perry Street of Bleaker-it’s my Nirvana) but we do need to remember that that wasn’t actually her.

Carrie is styled by Patricia Field and when Sarah Jessica Parker is on the red carpet or at any type of event she is given the beautiful dresses she wears. Have you noticed that when she is just kicking about the Big Apple (Sigh) she doesn’t look so great? In fact she looks a bit drab!! Sorry SJP but I just don’t see how you qualify for such an awesome position.

Kate Moss on the other hand can do no wrong. Her Topshop range is just delicious and her new Longchamp bags are worth killing for. Where ever she goes she looks amazing (even drug addled) and us normal people bend over backwards to be like her (minus the drugs). One of my lovely ladies couldn’t even watch the show she did with James Brown because she wanted to keep the air of mystery around Kate Moss alive. Not once have I heard that reference being made about SJP, Carrie maybe but never SJP.

And whilst SJP is sitting pretty with her Este Lauder like perfumes, Kate Moss is rocking it up as Agent Provocateurs’ Miss X. I guess what I am trying to say is that SJP is just a bit boring and people seem to confuse her for Carrie (a bit like everyone fancying R-Patz when in actual fact they fancy Edward). Someone like Victoria Beckham or even Ashley Olsen would have made more sence!!

Serge-a-like Should Come With a Health Warning

In the future I think it best that I meet Serge-a-like in an open field, whilst wearing flats and 100% sober!! Seriously!! After the disaster of the stairs last week I thought that this week would be different. And considering he had already touched me I knew what to expect.

Well, I did not expect the sofa I came in contact with!! Yes that’s right the sofa...I fell over. The horrific thing was that I had already made eye contact and smiled when it happened so HE SAW!!! Honestly this guy must have a secret vendetta against me. Or maybe it was the very strong Mojitos (thank you Bailey), amaretto (thank you me) and sambucas (thank you me again) I was drinking that blinded me, causing me to not see a massive 3 seater which I proceeded to then fall over!!

Nope, defiantly the secret vendetta!!

I might lay low for a week or so. In fact make that lay low until Wednesday (Mojo is having a gig night).

In other news, Clive has discovered that the Baby Giraffe has been on his MySpace and company website (i.e. majorly stalking him). It’s ok though; she told him I went on them to see what bands he has work with. So now I’m a crazy drunk boy mad stalker!! Life just keeps getting better and better.

Thank God The Affordable Vintage fair is in town next weekend. I need some projects to take my mind and eyes off of the male species. I think I might make myself a hi-vis jacket to wear next time I'm out.

Note to self: never try and talk to Serge-a-like on or near a road. The consequences may be fatal.

It's worse when your sober

So after the Serge-a-like events of Saturday, you know when he touched me and I thought I was going to faint, I thought my life couldn’t get any more worse. BUT IT DID. And this time I was SOBER. IN THE GYM.

It was a normal Monday night, the Baby Giraffe and I watched Glee then went to the gym (I do realise 10pm is an odd time to go to such a place but we can barely get up for work in the mornings and our gym is in the opposite direction to Seal Street so all temptation to go out is lost...well almost). The gym was going ok despite the high concentration of men that happened to be there but we figured its Monday so everybody has good intensions.

Anyway, we finished all our cardio so you can imagine how attractive we look and we moved to another floor to start doing sit-ups and things like that. Upon entering this floor we spotted ARMS on the Elliptical and oh boy was he hot...think Abercrombie and Fitch hot. Then whilst I was on some inside leg toner thing and the Baby Giraffe was on some side abs toner thing, ARMS came and lay on the mat next to me and opposite the Baby Giraffe. Well the Baby Giraffe couldn’t even look and I got the giggles and had to move. AND NO JOKES HE MOVED TO THE MACHINE NEXT TO ME!! It was awful; he was tall, broad shoulders, arms that could throw you around some and a face you could stare all day long (and the night).

We left. We had no choice. I was in fits of very girlish giggles. We went to Tesco’s for some food.

THEY WERE IN THERE ASWEL. By the milk. The Baby Giraffe spun on the spot and hid in the “gluten free” isle and I hid behind a freezer, giggling. Worse of all he was with CELLPHONE GUY another fit bit that was at the gym last week and spent the entire time on the phone and working out!!

Why do bad things happen to good people!! The Baby Giraffe is currently sat on the sofa in depression unable to turn the TV on (I better not be missing anything good) and I have just inhaled a chocolate yoghurt with bits of Cadbury’s Flake in it.

I'm considering becoming a hermit!!!

Me Plus One!!!

During one of the usual nights out (I don’t care where I go just as long as I start in Peacock and end up in Bumper) I was ending in Bumper and there he was, the almost love of my life...Serge-a-like. Naturally, the actual love of my life is the actual Serge Pizzorno, guitarists/singer/songwriter/sex God of Kasabian. I decided to make my move and I totally fluffed it. Like OMFG. Allow me to build up to the event that has left me somewhat disheartened.

It was a Saturday night, and just like Friday the Baby Giraffe and I were getting ready for another night out. I was wearing a black lace top with black body-con bustier underneath, high-waisted skirt and River Island feathered ankle boots. One of our friends Miss Welsh came round and we had a couple drinks before embarking on our adventure up the road.

As stated previously we always start in Peacock, however there was a queue so we broke tradition and rolled on over to Mojo. After a quick drink there we back tracked to Peacock, of course Bailey* was behind the bar and of course he made me favourite drink without even needing to order (either he’s into me or I just go there way too much), this isn’t the smoothest thing he does. The night before, the baby giraffe and I was stood at the bar and out of the blue two shot glasses appeared in front of us and about 30 seconds later they were filled with my favourite mint chocolate shot and he just walked off. All without saying a word. Stunned.

Anyway back to the story, after Peacock we hiked on up to Bumper and there he was. The Serge-a-like. With a little push from the baby giraffe and Miss Welsh I decided to try and get his attention. It went downhill from there then. On my ascent I fell down the stairs and fell into some guy, scratching him on his neck (sorry dude) then when I was stood by the bar NEXT to the Serge-a-like I kept on getting pushed and shoved. Not a good look. Serge-a-like was chatting away to his friend and I was so distracted by his voice that I didn’t even notice it was my time to order. The Serge-a-like, after receiving his drink put his hands on my arms and moved past me. Well that was it, I nearly fainted. Not only is he beautiful, but he was wearing a lush trench coat and was deliciously tall...even taller than the baby giraffe in heels!!!!!! I was sooo dazzled by the fact that he touched me I totally forgot what I wanted and ordered a friggin shot of Jagermeister, which I dribbled down my chin!!!

He moved to a different bit of the venue and I drowned my sorrows in a portion of chips and gravy. I’m now living on the hope that I will see him again.

*His name isn’t actually Bailey, just like Serge-a-like isn’t called Serge-a-like and just like Clive, who the baby giraffe is going on a date with, isn’t called Clive. We have a bad habit of not knowing the names of people we really should so we just give them nicknames and see how long we can keep it going.

Burberry, but for who??

I'm sure we have all seen Mario Testino's latest masterpiece-the SS10 Burberry campaigns! And of course the pictures are sensational and the clothes are mouth-wateringly delicious but I can't help but wonder one thing...the age of the people in the campaign??

I will admit that what I am about to say is 40% down to the fact that I am envious that Emma Watson gets to parade around in the most beautiful clothes, with some rather good looking boys and be photographed by a legend.

But it is concerning. The actress, musicians and baby bro are all 21 and under, essentially making the target audience for this campaign MATURE TEENS!! Could you imagine someone in their 30s looking in these pics and thinking "yes, I shall have that dress" NO is the answer people!! She will more than likely be thinking "I like that dress, but it's more suited for you young things". As for the men who shop there, well apparently they are going to be looking like they have hit a quarter life crises dressing like 2 year old indie boys.

Young things cannot afford £900 trench coats.

I just don't get it. Did Christopher Bailey just decide to sod all the marketing techniques this season (by the way I study PR, so I tend to think along these lines like all the time).

Admittedly, previous campaigns haven’t exactly featured the older generation but Agyness Dean, Lily Dawson and co. attract those who are maybe in their late 20's and can afford such pieces. What normal 17 year old do you know kicking around Glasto with Burberry wellies or walking into 2nd period maths with a small Marlow patent shoulder bag??

If anybody knows the reason behind this please enlighten me!!!

xoxo

Ladies, take your seats. The show is about to begin!!

I can't eat (as much as I usually do), I can't sleep and I'm on edge (I even shouted at my yogalates DVD this morning because I couldn't get my breathing right; relaxing? I think not!!!). This must mean only one thing...Fashion Week is nearly upon us. I can't help it, it’s like swine flu-you can't escape it (speaking of which are we still in this pandemic?? The last thing we need is Bailey getting all ill). I have all these thoughts like what if a model falls or I don't like anything or all the editors don't like anything or nobody turns up because they're all snowed in or kitten heels are making a huge come back. As I live in none of the locations I spend the whole time glued to my laptop and Blackberry, checking all blogs, tweets and videos. I should change my name to anti-social Lolita.



Oh and it doesn't stop there. No no!! After fashion weeks we are greeted with the BAFTAs, Oscars NME Awards and Brit Awards. Who's wearing what, who's with who, are R Patz and K Stuart going to go together? Will Pete get busted for drugs? Will Serge finally declare his undying love for me when he wins sexiest male in existence, ever!!! Who will give the longest and tearful speech? Who will win what!!!


My mind is in overdrive.


All nervous dispositions aside I do have a personal request though. If Viv could do something truly fantastic and amazing in her show that would be fab. I'm doing my dissertation on her you see, and would love something more to add!!! Thank you!!

xoxo

I heart Lulu

During a recent trip to Waterstones to find a PR book I accidently* fell upon the most fabulous Lulu Guinness book named Put Your Pearls On Girls. Not only is it a chic pop-up book, it has a foreword written by the oh so fab Helena Bonham Carter.

After reading it I felt so amazingly inspired and so fantastically happy. I loved it that much that I made the baby Giraffe read it and then made it a flat rule that we have to read it at least once a day.

It is the guide to life. Fact.

*By accidently I mean I went into the biggest Waterstones I’ve ever seen and rather than make a b-line for the business management section I detoured to another section of the shop, waded through all the self help books and placed myself firmly between the well-being section and the maternity section. I then proceeded to look at every single book on the fashion shelves before coming across Lulu’s little number.

I then ran for the checkout, paid and ran out the shop back home. Never did get that text book, I’m sure they have a copy in the library.

xoxo

Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

The frosty wind stung my face, the bitter cold ate at my hands (normally I would be wearing my Ugg mittens but I left them at the M&S self-service), the ice on the floor made walking dangerous and my bloody over the knee boot kept falling down. I was thirsty and hungry from the walk. But despite all the elements being against me I made it to my destination.

Yes kids that’s right, I made the 3 minute walk from my flat to Baby Blue on the Albert Docks!! And why do I hear you ask, have I risked my life on a Sunday morning to go to such a place?? The answer is this...Pill-Box Vintage Fair!!

It was my first step into the vintage world and I liked it. It was a lot smaller than I anticipated and really rather dark but I figured this to be a good thing as anything to big and I might have had an early afternoon breakdown!! Plus, the baby giraffe overslept so I was all on my own.

About 35 minutes later my purchases (a long knitted jumper complete with bow and pockets, a silk scarf and a paisley print long sleeved dress) and I left, slightly warmed from the shopping high and ready to embark on the dangerous walk home.

Just to clarify, I made home ok. The baby giraffe approves of my buys, which means that I wasn’t blinded by all the shiny things.

Are you going to say 2010 or 010 or just 10??

You know those moments you have when your sat watching Hollyoaks, with loads of uni work to do and your health obsessed flatmates nipped out to JD to buy some more yoga pants and you think "God my life is dull". Well, I've just experienced such a moment.

I'm not sure if it's because I've just turned 21, or its a new decade and a new start kinda thing or because Hollyoaks is crap and I desperatly need to get a life but I've decided to make some resolutions.

Not boring ones like "drink less" or "diet" but achievable and fun ones like learn to sew, customise clothes(like many I tend to just shop at Topshop and it's not fun seeing someone in the same outfit as you) and shop more vintage. They are all things I have always wanted to do, but never got round to it(I'm a big fan procastination).

And to keep me focused I shall be posting all my adventures on this blog..the successes and the failures(and being me there will be many). So here's to the New Year. Cheers!!

xoxo