A Little Social Media Whine September 28, 2009
Posted by Lauren Cooke in Life, Chatter & Politics, Rants, Social Media.Tags: blogging, digital media, google, online media, Social Media, twitter
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I have noticed something interesting. This something interesting is also something a little… irritating, to be honest. With the blogging world and digital media world obsessed with social media sites, you could be forgiven for thinking that everyone has jumped on the twitter and social networking bandwagon. You could be understood for presuming that everyone is punching out witty one-liners (witty 140 - character-ers just doesn’t sound as cool) at the drop of hat, that blogs are de rigour in media savvy companies and that google is old hat and completely understood by the business world.
What did I notice?
I noticed that none of the above is actually true.
Firstly, twitter. Many companies use it well – publishing companies chat about new book releases, big companies host twitter competitions based on re-tweeting and more. A lot of people have twigged onto the fact that twitter reaches an instant waiting mass audience, easily and efficiently. More companies, however, do not use it well. Recruitment agencies, for whom twitter should be an invaluable tool, generally fail to publish new jobs to a captive and interested audience. Social media companies forget to link simply and clearly to their twitter feed, which seems rather hypocritical to me.
Then take blogs. Perfect for technological and forward thinking companies to show how much they understand their industry, and to boost their SEO returns to boot. So many, however, have a neglected pitiful creature of a blog, or never even set one up to start with. The static, unchanging, boring content of their website is deemed enough, yet not even a digital savvy sloth would stay around for more than 5 seconds. Hmm, what a crap metaphor!
Why are so many companies bucking the trend? No, scratch that… why are so many digital, social media conscious companies missing the potential. Are they rebelling against the power of the internet, or are they stuck in print for promotion even though what they promote is online? Have they simply forgotten to add their business result to google businesses, or is it an ommision of choice?
Come on people – put your media hat on and use it wisely, it has so much potential!
60′s Vibes September 28, 2009
Posted by Lauren Cooke in Vintage, What I Wore.Tags: 1960's fashion, Fashion, vintage
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1960's outfit
Make me a… 1930′s Satin Beauty September 25, 2009
Posted by Lauren Cooke in Advice, Fashion, Makeup/Cosmetics, Vintage.Tags: 1930's fashion, 1930's vintage, cosmetics, Fashion, how-to guide, vintage fashion
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The second in my series helping modern girls to wear the fashions of their ancestors, this week I address the exciting and tumultuous period of the 1930′s. These will contain clothes (both vintage, vintage inspired and direct repro), makeup and more, to help you achieve that distinctly vintage fashion style!
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This week I tackle the satin and fur clad 1930′s, a period that is heading back into fashion at high speed.
The 1930′s evening wear produced some of the most iconic looks of the 20th century. The day clothes were wonderful too (just watch atonement if you need proof), but the 1930′s evening gowns are where us modern girls can have the most fun. Traditionally the style suits curveless girls (Keira Knightly looks stunning in anything 1930′s!), but I believe it can be adapted and converted to let any girls have a go.
The dress is always the obvious place to start. Evening gowns in 1930′s fashion often involved delicate lace (hard to find as vintage now due to the fragile nature of the fabric), satin and silk – luxury was high despite the economic difficulties of the time. If you do have the right slender form and the money to invest in a true vintage piece, there are some treasures out there – this incredible vintage beaded dresscould be yours for a depressing $625! If you don’t want to sell your soul for a dress, however, there a few things to remember. First off, traditional halter necks are a great look, as is bias cut. Anything in satin too will look great, and a long satin nightdress can happily be turned into a 1930′s evening gown!
Beaded 1930's fashion bias cut dress
Going reproduction is a more affordable way to buy, and means that you can find dresses in modern dimensions. Following our 1930′s SS Atlantica extravaganza, we have found that this Ghost dress is a great 1930′s look alike 
This dress makes a frequent occurence on eBay, so if this one is sold try searching for another.
Ghost 1930's style Satin Dress
Elegant evening gown out of the way, we can start thinking about the accessories. As art deco was very much in fashion around this time, we can happily get either vintage or modern jewellery that will suit the angular stylized look. Generally silver toned looks best for this era, but you can branch out and go with a more modern version to update the 1930′s look. If you want to go all out then the era leans itself towards intricate diamond numbers, but otherwise French connection offer a modern art deco necklace that can jazz up your dress. This green drop necklace, too, is a beautiful satin friendly necklace that comes from the 1920′s but matches perfectly with 1930′s fashion.
French Connection Art Deco Necklace
Green 1920's vintage green glass necklace
1930's style vintage white faux fur stole
Finally, lets address 1930′s makeup. If you are going for a vintage look, the makeup is the one part that probably should be updated to the 21st Century, except for the modern brushes and suppliers that we will use. Keep it surprisingly simple, focussing in on the eyes and again on the bowed lips. Rouge came into fashion in this era (just a little!), whilst eye makeup stayed dark, and aimed for a deep set look. again, no eye liner was used, apart from to smudge under the eyes. To go all out wear this look with actually finger waved or pin curled hair (the internet is full of tutorials), or add a modern twist with a funky up-to-date hair style.
Real 1930's makeup
Links à la Mode : Breath Mint Anyone? September 24, 2009
Posted by Lauren Cooke in Blogs, Fashion, Links á la Mode.Tags: Blogs, Fashion, link love, Links á la Mode
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Edited by Jordana
There’s something about the fall season that brings both calming and chaotic feelings. As we kiss our wild summer nights goodbye, we say hello to late night study sessions and longer days in the office. As New York Fashion Week closes and we’re trying to catch up on the latest collections, London Fashion Week kicks off. This week’s round up of Links à la Mode from Independent Fashion Bloggers embodies a little bit of everything in an effort to give you a breather in between the deceiving calm that comes with fall. We’ve got runway reviewes ranging from Fashion Pulse’s take on Tory Burch to Fasshonaburu’s humorous experience at the Snuggie fashion show, and Style Amour rated the top five most disappointing Spring 2010 collections. There are also a few new DIY’s worth checking out, especially the Maison Michael bunny ears post from Monoxious. Last but not least, make sure you check out Ashe Mischief’s scando-style post on Sarah Von of Yes and Yes on Dramatis Personae.
By the way, if you haven’t checked out the IFB Dress Up Soiree & Evolving Influence Panel recap, click here.
Links à la Mode : September 24th
- A Typical Atypical: Make me a… 20’s flapper girl – vintage outfits for the modern girl
- Aysha’s Rabbit Hole: Watch the accessory madness
- Bobbins And Bombshells: Musings on the history and significance of red lipstick
- Broke & Beautiful: Bored with the same old nude pumps? Elle shares some architectural ones to covet, instead
- Clutch 22: DVF ss10 Cleopatra in the 21st Century
- Decline Designs: Looking Forward to Fall at Decline Designs
- Dramatis Personae: Sarah Von of Yes and Yes shares the secrets of Scandinavian Style
- Fashion Hippo: To Trend or Not to Trend? Fall 2009 trends contemplated
- Fashion Pulse: Up close and personal at the Tory Burch Spring 2010 presentation.
- Fasshonaburu: Alyssa goes to and reviews the hilarious Snuggie Fashion Show during NY Fashion Week!
- Friend in Fashion: More milage from your fashion dollar. Tube skirt, 6 different looks
- Glamoursplash: They don’t make ‘em like this anymore; the beautiful mermaids of Busby Berkleys Footlight Parade
- Idiosyncratic Style: If fall’s hottest shoes belonged to a clique
- Independent Fashion Bloggers: The IFB Dress Up Soiree recap… photos and more!
- Monoxious: How to make your own Maison Michel Lace bunny ears!
- Prom Mafia: DC Fashion Week embraces white after Labor Day and shows beauty comes in all colors, shapes, sizes
- Retro Chick: Win a Lulu Guinness Cameo City Tote
- Style Amour: Spring’s 2010 biggest Misses – the top 5 most disappointing NYFW shows
- Sweet Fuzz: Win the gorgeous Gemma necklace (worth $155 dollars!) from Twisted and Beautiful, featured on Bravo’s NYC Prep
- The Coveted: Buckled and Booted… essential boots for Autumn
- The Fashion Planner: How to make a T-shirt Lei Necklace; plus enter to win one!
- The Sideshow Scrapbook: Review about the “Ones to Watch” catwalk show at LFW
PLEASE READ IF YOU’D LIKE TO PARTICIPATE:
If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine
A sneak peek September 24, 2009
Posted by Lauren Cooke in Life, Chatter & Politics.Tags: architecture, Life, new flat
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Proper photos will go up in the next week or so, when my flat is properly kitted out, thoroughly cleaned and a little bit lived in. For now, however, I thought I would show you my view and balcony. You can see the close proximity to the road and the railway line, neither of which are actually anywhere as annoying as perhaps you would expect.
I spent most of yesterday hating Wednesdays, moving, dust, walking… so forgive me if in my grumpy stressed state I forgo eloquence in favour of lists!
Leamington railway line and road!
Beautiful Georgian leamington architecture
And finally, the wonderful floor to ceiling Georgian windows that I have dreamt of having since the moment I moved to Leamington! Woop!
- Georgian windows
What do you think?
Puff Pastry Parcel September 22, 2009
Posted by Lauren Cooke in Foodiness.Tags: Food, food writing, recipes
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Mmm, I had a delicious dinner last night. in fact, I will be having a delicious lunch today too, from the leftovers.
We had some puff pastry left over in the fridge from a scrumptous chicken pie Ben concocted last week, and I hated to see it sitting there, looking forlorn and unloved. So, a quick trip to the supermarket to pick up a few jars of expensive-but-long-lasting ingredients and some tasty extras resulted in this idea – which, incidentally, turned out delicious and yummy!
Bacon, Feta and tomato puff pastry tart
The pie close up!
How to make this scrumptous, salty and tangy pie? Read on!
Ingredients:
- Puff pastry, rolled to 0.5cm thickness
- Half a normal block of feta
- Bout 6-10 sun dried tomatoes
- 3 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- A teaspoon full of capers
- 4 rashers of bacon
- 1 onion
Finely chop the onion, and fry it with the bacon. I fried it in basil/lemon oil to add some flavour, and added oregano as the main herb near the end of frying. Chop the bacon, and put both it and the onion into a bowl. To the bowl add the feta (sliced or chopped), the cherry tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes (chopped) and the capers. Mix hard with a spoon, ensuring that everything is broken up and mixed together thoroughly.
Spoon into the middle of the rolled puff pastry, fold over into a parcel and glazed with a little beaten egg. Cook in the oven for approximately 25 minute until golden brown.
We served it with a variation of garlic bread, butter and boursin toasted. To be honest though I would almost have preferred just eating the stinky boursin on a spoon straight from the fridge! hehe.
Ooh, pretty… September 21, 2009
Posted by Lauren Cooke in Present lists..., Vintage.Tags: Fashion, shops, velvet, vintage
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I have a new favourite vintage seller. Vintage Secret has beautiful items, reasonable pricing, and there is nothing on their stock list that would not be wonderful in my wardrobe! The items on vintage secret are often expensive, but never for no reason. The branded items are as pricey as you would expect, but I have fallen in love with this stunning long black velvet coat, which is priced at a respectable £65. On the Christmas list perhaps?
Kingsgate of London velveteen coat
Wonderous Cars September 20, 2009
Posted by Lauren Cooke in Photos.Tags: audi, audi R8, automobiles, cars, ferrari, ford, leamington Spa, maserati, mustang, nissan, rolls royce
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Sorry about the scarcity of posts the weekend guys – I am moving house and it is tiring and chaotic and stressful and meh. I will be back on form Monday, I promise. For now, I will leave you with a little car porn.
Leamington Spa, it seems, is wonderfully rich. We got hints about this from the regency architecture, the inability to deal with unusual clothes, and the fabulously plummy accents that seem to be all around. The upside to this is that everyone in Leamington seems to own beautiful cars. Here is a rundown of the most wonderful cars that I have seen driving through and around leamington this weekend (oh, and I was never fast enough to take my own pictures, so these are borrowed!):
1 x 2007 Ford Mustang GT (my favourite car...)
1 x White Audi R8 (and I know there is a silver and a black around here too...)
Approx 5 x the Sexy Nissan Z
1 x Vintage Rolls Royce
3 x Different Maserati!
1 x Sexy but Ostentatious Red Ferrari!
Not bad going for one weekend eh?!!
Semi-Daily eBay | Astonishing Alexander McQueen Runway Dress September 19, 2009
Posted by Lauren Cooke in Fashion, Semi-Daily eBay.Tags: alexander mcQueen, daily ebay, Fashion, runway, Semi-Daily eBay, velvet dress
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Oh. My. God. I have come across one of the most absurd, expensive and downright fascinating dress I have ever seen. I don’t mean a pretty dress with a little bit of sparkle. I don’t even mean a ballgown with a little bit of pizzazz. This is the type of dress that if I was ever to wear it I would look… wait for it… ridiculous! I would be a little pale looking Lauren head floating on a sea of fashion so expensive and “desirable” that quite possibly I would catch fire and spontaneously combust, much as a witch is supposed to when in contact with water. This Alexander McQueen runway dress is too much, too stunning, too beautiful to ever be worn.
Oh, and it is 5 thousand dollars. Not much, eh?!!!!!!!!!!
Alexander McQueen Black Velvet Runway Dress
Wine Fridays September 18, 2009
Posted by Lauren Cooke in Life, Chatter & Politics, Photos.Tags: Drinking, fun, Photos, wine
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Inspired by Amber’s post (as many other people have been, it seems) I thought I too would share some photos of me and wine (or alcohol, at the least). It sometimes is pretty, it often isn’t sensible, but I must say that these photos show some of the best times I have had on a night out with a glass in my hand!
Oh, and whilst Amber looks the same in all her photos, I look totally different!
Wine being imbibed at SS Atlantica
The girls on holiday!
This night was such a mess!
Referee Lauren, reporting for duty!
