Book releases for Christmas

Aldeburgh Book Shop shares their literary Christmas present recommendations with the EADT

So much for a Book Mecca, huh?
About six months between posts, I'm setting a record.

Before I start properly I just wanted to say that my thoughts are with all the people effected by the atrocities in Paris.
I wasn't sure whether to write this post, it seems so petty and unimportant in the face of such life-changing events. But carrying on with our lives is one of the best ways to stand up against these people. I'm not saying posting on a tiny blog is somehow going to bring down terror, but by continuing to do what we love we are showing defiance and living must go on.

Anyway, I have to post this today as it's in connection with the Christmas supplement that appears in today's East Anglian Daily Times newspaper.

Myself and my colleagues have been working on the supplement for the last few weeks and it's full of everything festive, from recipes and events, to fashion pages and gift guides.

One of the pieces that I put together was the book page. It sees a local book shop provide its top recommendations for reads for Christmas. This year John from Aldeburgh Book Shop provided his top picks.

He really covered all bases with his choices, appealing to all tastes and he even got a local author in there too. He provides excellent descriptions and I for one have put most of them on my Christmas list.
I'm not going to post them all here as there's still time for you to go and buy your copy of the EADT and read the article...
but here's the local one: Love is my Favourite Thing by (Aldeburgh based) Emma Chichester Clark.

It features Plum, her dog, who became famous on her blog and was previously featured in Chichester Clark's book Plumdog. The new release has lovely illustrations: "We particularly like the illustration of Plum destroying a feather cushion," said John.

Go and buy a copy, there's still time, just!

Writing Weddings - Bride Magazine

Suffolk and Norfolk brides listen up, Bride magazine is out now and it's pretty damn good, and I'm not just saying that because I've written some of it.

It's produced by Archant, who I write a lot for, and is available in Suffolk and Norfolk at most supermarkets and newsagents. As a bride-to-be myself I know that some local wedding magazines can be a bit...crap, to be honest, but this one isn't. Not only is it lovely and glossy, and designed beautifully by the Archant Norwich team, but it covers pretty much everything to do with weddings and wedding planning. I wrote articles on stationary, hair, makeup, marquees and transport, and that's only a small part. There are lots of real brides inside as well as lots of vendors, I've been noting down a few of my favourites as I've been writing.

Although this was a lot of work I had great fun writing for Bride, I'm sure in part because now that I'm engaged it's actually relevant to me, but also because it's a lovely subject and I got to meet and talk to a lot of different, talented people.

 Here are a few excerpts from the magazine.

 

Catch up and new writing job

This is a very quick post just to update people on what I'm up to. I promise I will write something more interesting soon.

The last few months have been incredibly busy, I've been doing a lot of work for website-creating company HIBU writing web copy. Then, about a month ago I started a new job working with Archant. Most locals will know Archant as the company that produces the East Anglian Daily Times newspaper and the Evening Star. I'm freelancing with the Special Editorial Projects Team. Roughly translated that means we write all the random stuff, including regular supplements, one-off publications and glossy magazines.

I managed to join in a ridiculously busy period and so have been thrown in the deep end somewhat. In the last month I've produced three regular supplements as well as contributed to several other supplements and publications. This includes the Education Supplement and the bi-monthly West Suffolk Lifestyle supplement, both photographed (badly) below.

I've got to say it's great to be back writing for print again and it's incredibly varied so keeps me on my toes. The team are lovely and I actually worked at Archant years ago when I was 18 so I've seen a lot of familiar faces.

FYI I will now be looking after the regular supplements Framlingham: Our Town and West Suffolk Lifestyle. So, if you know of anything exciting happening give me a shout.

I will write a more interesting and less self-obsessed post soon. But not for a week or so as I'm having a well deserved break!

Writing about the Big Subjects: Female Pubic Hair

If you're related to me or of a particularly sensitive constitution, please stop reading.

I wanted to update you some on some work I've been doing for online and e-magazine Raw Attraction. This is a nice change for me as instead of writing about crafts, health or children's clothes, I've mainly been writing about pubic hair.

It all started with Cameron Diaz; she released The Body Book in which she sung the praises of pubic hair and this led me to write an article about female pubic hair for Raw Attraction which is named Is Bush Back? (I'm pretty damn proud of that title) It explores how pubic hair has gone from large 70s bush to bald Brazilian and how the trend is now something in between.

Here's the first page of the article.

In the process of writing this article I asked a couple of experts for comment. One of them is A-list beautician and make-up artist Gemma Aldous who's let me know what her clients expect from a bikini wax.

To get the male point of view I asked porn star Tyler Knight, an expert indeed. By the way, his view is that "real men aren't afraid to get hair in their teeth."

I loved writing this article and I have a couple more coming up with the magazine.

This article is in the latest issue of Raw Attraction which is available here.

By the way, they've called me Elizabeth in the article. This is because they thought I'd be embarrassed to use my own name, but, hell, who cares? They've also said that 'Elizabeth' likes to cook and "make love on the kitchen table," which shows how little they know me. I don't have a kitchen table.

I'll update some more soon. Keep in touch.

Plus, if you have any strong opinions on pubic hair please let me know.

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How to Work when it's Sunny - Reblog from Ideas Tap

The weather has been glorious recently and I shouldn't complain, but like a typical British person I will; it's so hard to work from home when it's so hot and sunny.

The heat that melts your brain and the sun that's begging you to go outside all work against you.

However, I've just seen this great article on Ideas Tap for freelancers and artists on how to work in the sunshine; it's got some great tips, such as taking a siesta and working in the morning.

I'd also add another; invest in a fan!


I've reposted it below, see the original here.

How to work when it's sunny

British people treat the sun with the kind of casual, reasoned indifference with which moths treat flames. But there are ways to stay on track when the sun is shining....

Find it hard to concentrate when it’s hot? Pals, you’re looking at the girl who did her entire Psychology A-level revision sitting in a paddling pool, listening to Barry White (I got an A, thank you for asking). But here are a few things I’ve learned on the way about getting shit done in the blazing sunshine. 

Get up earlier

Take a tip from our cousins on the equator. My Indian family wakes up at 5am and work through til lunch. A lunch which they spend, like all right-thinking people, having a nap somewhere near a whisper of breeze. 

Of course, in the UK things are milder than a block of cheap cheddar. But the model still applies – to make the most of a lovely, warm day, wake up early and get as much done as possible during the cool, crisp dawn, before things get really glorious. Then you’ve earned a nice midday sun soak, park party of whatever else it is you kids get up to in nice weather. Then, when things cool down and the sun sinks below the horizon, you can get back on track.

Go lo fi

Computers and midday sunshine are about as compatible as thumbs and lit flames. So, wherever possible, leave those winking plug-in borefests at home. Writers – rediscover long hand. Designers – remember pencils? Actors – take your dictaphone to the park. Photographers – are you sure you need to be editing shots, rather than taking them?

Find somewhere with big windows 

Preferably ones that open. If, like 42% of our members, you’re London-based then make like those insufferable chumps in silver paint who pretend to be robots all day, and head to the Southbank. The Royal Festival Hall, for instance, is a lovely place to work when it’s sunny – with the view of the river, ready access to fountains and windows big enough to sink a ship.

So, let’s crowdsource this puppy: where are the nice places with big windows that are nice to work in near you? Let us know in the comments section below...

Ask for flexitime

It is, after all, the law.

Use your phone 

If you have a smartphone then you can get a hell of a lot done away from your desk. Record memos, answer emails, take notes etc etc. Just be sure to turn off your location settings if you’re emailing an office-based colleague as they’ll only start to hate you. 

Go into total denial

When working from home on a sunny day, James Hopkirk – our noble editor and super chief – pulls down his blackout blinds so he can’t be distracted by the sun outside. Now, while the idea of total domestic solar eclipse makes me want to shave my head and go run into a stream, he may have a point. Sometimes, when the sun has put his hat on, it’s best to don your blinkers and get shit done.

Image by **Mary** via Flickr under a creative commons license.

Age Old Youngster - Vintage Lifestyle Blog

So I'm not doing very well at posting regularly on this blog. This is partly laziness and partly because I am actually quite busy with my freelance writing now.

I've been doing some more work recently writing content for websites, but I'll update you on that in a future post. Today I wanted to post about my other blog, Age Old Youngster.

It's basically where I can right about my inability to keep up with modern trends and my love of retro TV, books and clothes.

I know there are thousands of vintagey blogs out there but I'm aiming for something a bit different, instead of a 'look how beautiful and perfect my life is' type blog it's more to showcase fashion, literature, media and other things that I enjoy and think others will too.

I've been writing the blog for over a year now and it was a slow start but it's gaining in popularity. I have a couple of regular series; every Monday I write an Affordable Wedding Dresses post; providing inspiration on vintage-style big day dresses that don't break the bank.

I also often post my Tattoo Trends series where I showcase amazing tattoos on various themes.

Please check it out here; I hope you like it.

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Never Work with Children or Animals

I don't have much experience of children, but I can definitely agree on the animal front. These two did their best to stop me working today.

I think I'd best give up for now.

Alex Monroe's New Jewellery Collection

Jewellery Designer and Previous Interviewee Alex Monroe Releases the 'Banquet' Collection

Alex Monroe Baroque Parrot and Fruit Necklace

I had the pleasure of featuring the very talented jeweller Alex Monroe in the November issue of Make & Sell Jewellery magazine, the last issue I worked on before I left. I had been after him for a while as my colleague on the magazine had one of his signature Bumble Bee necklaces, which I loved.

Alex Monroe Bumblebee Necklace

The design sums up his style; natural, detailed, unusual and with a little touch of whimsy.

He was ahead of his time as bee jewellery is becoming a big trend, I did a feature on it in the November issue of Make & Sell Jewellery.

I was lucky and managed to interview Alex for one of our regular features, How I Started, which was also in the November issue. As the name suggests, the piece is a look into how big-name designers began their journey. Alex was really interesting, funny and refreshing, plus he comes from Ipswich, so he's local to me. His story is fascinating; he's gone from being homeless to one of Britain's most successful jewellery designers.

Here's the feature in the November issue of Make & Sell Jewellery magazine.

Now Alex has released a new collection of jewellery called Banquet. It's a fitting title, the range features Baroque style pieces depicting delicious fruit and exotic birds. It makes me hungry just looking at it.

Alex Monroe Perching Parrot and Fruit Ring

Alex Monroe Split Pomegranate Necklace

Alex Monroe Split Peach Necklace

I particularly love the Asparagus Bundle Necklace, I never would have thought to include vegetables in my jewellery.

Alex Monroe Asparagus Bundle Necklace

Check out Alex's Banquet range, and all his other collections, they are beautiful.

I'm afraid the November issue of Make & Sell Jewellery is no longer out (due to my slowness at posting) but you can order back issues here. Or you could buy a current one, it's a pretty good mag, even if I don't work on it any more.

Happy December!

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Still Going: Freelance Copywriting

I know I haven't written anything for ages.
You'd be fair in thinking my freelance writing career had crashed and burned. Luckily it's quite the opposite. I have gradually built up some regular clients and have quite a mixed workload, varying from writing product descriptions for children's clothing to informative articles on haemorrhoid treatment (I kid you not).

I'm still writing for children's fashion and gift company Kidsen, as I described in my previous post. I've been writing descriptions for some of their Christmas stock, including this cherry print dress which I want in adult size.

Mini Rodini Mon Cheri Dress from Kidsen

I've also been working for a medical information site called Health Beacon, writing informative articles on subjects like pregnancy and, yes, haemorrhoids. Here's a link to a few of my health articles, I'm afraid the haemorrhoids one isn't up yet.

As well as that, I'm also writing freelance for www.ineedlinks.com, which, as the name suggests, helps websites build links and increase their audience. I write website copy for their various clients and I've also written a few blogposts for them, including this one on building links.

It's really great to work for these websites as it gives me a chance to increase my knowledge of web writing and SEO. Plus, they pay me, which is always good.

As you can see, I've been pretty busy with work and blog posts have got a bit left behind. I've also been busy as my boyfriend and I have recently adopted a puppy.

Jack

This is Jack. He's about seven months old and was a stray in Bulgaria before he was rescued and brought over here by dog charity K9 Rescue. They do great work helping stray dogs and increasing the public awareness of the plight of Bulgarian street dogs.

Jack's lovely but still a little nervous so we're working on increasing his confidence and socialising him. He already likes hanging out with our cat Otis (who we got from Suffolk Animal Rescue, another great animal charity).

Jack and Otis - Cat Selfie, Dog Photobomb

I don't want to be one of those people who ramble on about their pets all the time, but Jack's part of my excuse for not posting more regularly. He's cute but he's hard work.

So that is what I have been up to. I'll attempt to post more regularly now, when I'm not looking after Jack or writing about bodily functions.

Off to a Good Start: Freelance Copywriting

La Loi Paint Print Leggings, £39, Kidsen

I've been quiet for a bit as I've been busy working on my freelance writing career.

I found my first job as a freelance writer through Elance. The site connects freelancers with people and companies looking to hire them. For any other journalists, copywriters, bloggers and proofreaders out there, Elance is a good place to look for work, although you do have to search through some rubbish for the decent jobs.

I did find some gems on there though and one of them was a job writing product descriptions, meta descriptions and tags for children's clothing company Kidsen. Luckily they liked my proposal, plus the first few descriptions I wrote, and I'm now writing for most of their AW/13 range.

Dolly Dusty Pink and Cream Pettiskirt, £50, Kidsen

I didn't think I'd luck out with my first freelancer job, but I really did. It's a lovely company with friendly people, plus it's so nice to write about interesting and attractive things. I just wish the clothes that Kidsen stocks came in adult sizes.

I particularly love this bear jumper.

Tootsa Macginty Delamere Jacquard Knit Jumper in Ruby, £43.99, Kidsen

Here are a few other products I've been working on.

Bobux Chocolate Chelsea Boot, £23, Kidsen

Kidscase Harvey Knitted Red All-In-One, £53, Kidsen

Mini Rodini Snow Leopard Sweater in Beige, £50, Kidsen

Mini Rodini Fox Sweatpant in Grey Melange, £35, Kidsen

Nice, right?

I've got a few more writing projects in the pipeline. I'll keep you posted.

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Last Day

I have now officially left Aceville Publications and have started on my exciting/terrifying new career as a freelance writer.

It was a bit of a strange last week; we were on press with the October issue of Sew magazine so I barely had time to think about the fact that I would be leaving on Friday. I still don't think the realisation has sunk in.

I got a good send off and some lovely presents, including Rob Ryan goodies and my very own Sew magazine cover.

I managed not to cry but I was very touched. I will miss everyone on Sew and Make & Sell Jewellery magazines and all of Aceville.

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Alyssa Smith Jewellery

Gingerbread men jewellery - Alyssa Smith

We've recently launched a new feature in Make & Sell Jewellery magazine called How I Started. It's a feature on an individual from the jewellery world about, you guessed it, how they started.

I've been lucky in managing to get some big names, including Alyssa Smith. She's got a strong celebrity following (Sheridan Smith and Dawn Porter to name a few). I thought because of this she would be too big to talk to me, but oh no, she was actually one of the nicest and funniest people I've ever featured.

Alyssa Smith

Happy Ever After Necklace - Alyssa Smith

She started her company straight out of university, even though she "didn't know how to fill in a tax form." Now she's a successful business woman. Her Tweetie necklaces in particular are popular.

Tweetie Necklace - Alyssa Smith

I think I like her best because when the magazine came out she posted this on Twitter:

'I put the magazines on the main stand and left all the pages open at my interview. Had to be done! :-D xxx'

Legend!

The magazine is out now so take a look.

Business Cards

Look at my spanking new business cards. It's great to have my own cards and not ones that I have to scribble my name on the back of anymore; people tended to look at me like I must have stolen them and was playing make believe.

This is how I felt when I got my two boxes of cards...





You've got to love a little bit of The Emperor's New Groove.

Lou Gardiner, Free Machine Embroiderer

A National Treasure - Lou Gardiner

A great part of my job is getting to contact and write about stupidly talented people, one of them being designer Lou Gardiner. She creates amazing works of art using just a sewing machine. It's a level of talent that I'm in awe of.

Lou Gardiner

Pink Fizz and Feathers - Lou Gardiner

I interviewed her for one of our regular features on Sew magazine, My Sewing Room, which is a one page in depth piece on a person from the sewing world. She talked about her inspiration and her work with Sensations crisps, designing the logos for their new flavours.

Kettle Chips - Lou Gardiner

Also, she designs pictures of ducks wearing chef hats.

Bonjour Canard Cupcake - Lou Gardiner

She's now become a regular columnist for Sew where she frequently talks about her love of sherry, my kind of girl.

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I'm Back

So, it's been a year or two with no word.

Anyone would think I'd given up this writing milarky completely, but actually it's sort of the opposite. I was trying to fit in writing around my (rubbish) job but in April last year I managed to get myself a real life journalist job, yay!

I work for Aceville Publications who produce lots of magazines on a variety of topics, including several craft titles. I work as an Editorial Assistant on Sew and Make & Sell Jewellery magazines.

Make & Sell Jewellery - August Issue

Sew Magazine - July Issue

No, I am not doing any of the sewing projects myself, my stitching skills aren't quite up to scratch yet, but I do proof read, write, copy write, source pictures, style photo shoots and help in the design stage. In fact it's a really great job as I get to discover and work in all aspects of the publishing business, not just the writing.

They even occasionally let me out of the office to represent the magazines at events, I must be doing something right. A colleague and I recently attended Treasure at Somerset House, which is part of London Jewellery week. I saw so many amazing designers and spent my day looking at pretty sparkly things. Quite chuffed I get to do that as a job.

Anyway, I will attempt to post a bit more frequently now (once a year maybe). I'd like to give a good excuse for not writing, but it was mainly lazyness. Plus, you know, I'm busy.