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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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.