Handpicked Media Blogger Workshop No.1 – Fragrance | Events

Very exciting news for beauty bloggers; Handpicked Media are doing a series of workshops to help you up your game. The first one is about fragrance and is well worth the money. Buy before the 5th of October and tickets are £10, after that they are only £15. What are you waiting for? Buy now. The event is held at Conde Nast College.

 

Improve your knowledge and language of fragrance with our brilliant line up of industry experts.

 

Gain confidence and skill when talking and writing about fragrance through the years of experience our experts have from all aspects of the fragrance industry. With speakers from a leading luxury brand, one of the UK’s most famous beauty journalists and one of the biggest fragrance PR’s in London.

 

Meet Camille Goutal & Isabelle Doyen and hear about their fascinating story that takes them from Paris to NYC. Take part in a workshop with Jo Fairley, co- founder of The Perfume Society that focuses on finding out more about scent and how you can express fragrance in an engaging way to your audience. Hear from Nicola de Burlet on how to build a good relationship with a PR.

 

All attendees will receive a year’s subscription to The Perfume Society (worth £25) and a fragrance to take home.

 

When: 6:30pm – 8:30pm Wednesday 21st October 2015

*Please arrive for 6pm

Where: Condé Nast College, Soho, London

Price: £15 per person

Early Bird discount: book before October 5th for £10 tickets

 

The Experts:

joalanstrutt

Jo Fairley, The Perfume Society

A former magazine editor (Honey, Look Now) and journalist for a wide range of publications, Jo has always had a particular passion for writing about fragrance, and is twice winner of a Jasmine Award, the ‘Oscars’ of the perfume-writing world.  Jo remains a Contributing Editor to the Mail on Sunday’s YOU magazine, The Telegraph online and writes extensively for other monthly and weekly magazines.

Jo is co-founder of The Perfume Society alongside Lorna McKay, and edits The Scented Letter, the beautiful Jasmine award winning subscriber magazine of The Perfume Society.

 

Camille Goutal & Isabelle Doyen

Camille Goutal & Isabelle Doyen

Pianist, then fashion model, Annick Goutal discovered she had a genuine gift for creating perfumes and in 1981, opened her first shop in Paris. In her workshop, she pursued her love for beautiful raw materials and soon made a name for herself thanks to the originality of her creations such as Eau d’Hadrien and Petite Cherie, which are still best sellers to this day.

Annick Goutal bequeathed her love of perfume to her daughter Camille and her lifelong colleague Isabelle Doyen, who since have become the House’s perfumers.

 

Nicola de Burlet, Kenneth Green Associates

Nicola is the head of press at KGA, with many years of experience working with perfume. Founded in 1990, by Kenneth Green, KGA is one of the largest distributors of cosmetics and luxury fragrances in the UK, representing over 25 brands and has won many fragrance industry awards.

 

 Krista Madden, Handpicked Media

Beauty industry expert and MD of Handpicked Media, Krista Madden has owned a successful hair and make-up agency, and is the founder of www.beautyandthedirt.com, one of the most successful independent women’s websites of the last 15 years.

 

 

Immediate Media Co Partners With Leading Independent Publisher Network Handpicked Media

Exciting news in publishing: Handpicked Media, whose independent publishing platform Frost Magazine is proudly part of, has teamed up with Immediate Media. The press release is below and we are very excited. 

The Handpicked Media team.

The Handpicked Media team.

Immediate Media Co, the special interest content and platform company,  announces a partnership with Handpicked Media to provide sales agency support for the leading social content marketing and blog network.

The partnership sees Immediate’s commercial division provide agency sales support to Handpicked. Immediate already provides similar services for a roster of clients including BBC Worldwide, Eye to Eye Media and LPG Inc.

Handpicked represents over 300 independent websites and blogs, reaching over 10 million unique users a month. The partnership will allow Immediate to use its commercial infrastructure to unlock the value of these influential bloggers and sites.

As a social content marketing platform, Handpicked Media has curated a growing network of influential blog sites across a range of lifestyle channels since it was launched in 2009 by media entrepreneur Krista Madden. It manages the interaction between its network and a range of consumer brands, offering clients an array of opportunities to reach a very targeted and highly engaged social audience. Key content channels within the Handpicked network include Entertainment, Lifestyle, Beauty, Fashion and Food.

Immediate Commercial Director Duncan Tickell says: “Handpicked has a network of fantastically engaged audiences with its roster of blog and independent media sites. These highly passionate and engaged audiences are complementary to our existing portfolio and offer our commercial partners a new and exciting way in which to connect with them”.

Handpicked solutions include social media strategy, blogger outreach, content creation, events and integrated campaigns for a range of brand partners including Intel, Vodafone, P&G and Hilton.

Krista adds: “We are really pleased to be working with the successful team at Immediate Media, their range of brands is a perfect fit for the Handpicked audience. We both see the benefits of creating great content with context and scale across our popular communities. ”

Immediate is home to internationally famous brands including Radio Times, Gardeners’ World, BBC Good Food, Olive, You & Your Wedding, Perfect Weddings and Made For Mums.

Follow them at @Immediate_Media

 

 

The Rise of Female Bloggers

Frost magazineI am not actually a fan of things that pick out gender, race or class. A person should be solely judged on who they are and what they do, but we don’t live in an ideal world. Then I read Dr Duncan Green’s blog post on why there are so few female bloggers and I thought ‘what the hell is he talking about?’ Personally I have nothing against Dr Green. I am sure he is a lovely person, but, in this point, he is not accurate.

There are a wealth of female bloggers out there, writing about anything and everything you can think of. Personally I started blogging when I was 15. I had a livejournal and I would blog about other women I admired. Sofia Coppola and Angelina Jolie were my main points of conversation. I have a blog in which I cover my acting career, and now I also have a blog called Frost Magazine which I have run for four years. Frost is my baby, It has been more successful than I thought it could ever be and was picked up by Handpicked Future. But one women does not make a revolution. So I have found and interviewed the top female bloggers in Britain today. The criteria was the following: I had to read the blog and enjoy it and so did other people. Simple. I apologise if I left you out, there are thousands of other female bloggers out there and it is not possible to cover everyone. But do get in contact if you have a blog. I hope their blogs and answers inspire many more women to set up blogs and make their voice heard. (in the issue of clarity, I have also answered these questions. My answers are at the bottom).

Name Debbie Djordjevic Blog www.thelife-edit.blogspot.com

How long have you been blogging for?

About a year

Describe your blog

It’s a general lifestyle blog written by a woman in her late forties. We are under-represented in the blogosphere but just because you hit a new marketing demographic doesn’t mean you somehow ‘die’. I am as interested in fashion, beauty, food and popular culture as I was twenty years ago, I just have an older (but not necessarily wiser) take on things. I write for women like me and to show the younger generation that ageing is nothing to be scared of and can actually be enjoyed. I have late teenage daughters who keep me young but I don’t want to be them, we just learn from one another really. I like finding products that I think work and are relevant and I will pass those on. I hope I inform and inspire and also entertain, but I write it for me as an aide memoir as much as anything – I have been known to visit my own blog for a recipe I’ve loved rather than search for it again through my numerous cookbooks.

How did you get started?

Well working at Handpicked Media with so many blogs I felt I needed to really understand a bloggers perspective and the only way to do that was to start one myself.  I am a journalist by trade and this is a very different kettle of fish.

Highest point?

Seeing my traffic grow considerably once I came out of the Google search sandbox and everyone could find me. Having people respond to posts – though I must admit this tends to happen on my Facebook page or on Twitter rather than on my blog.

Lowest Point?

Clearing off all the spam comments which are written to try to fool me – I’ve been around too long to be fooled!

Favourite blog?

Now I am not going to get into trouble with all my brilliant blogger mates out there, but I can tell you the first blog I read was www.lileks.com which is an American journalist’s blog which makes me laugh out loud and gives me insight into American life. I started reading him as far back as 2002 so I have been aware of blogging for a long time. Inspiration? The many, many blogs I come across in my day job. I admire their passion, tenacity and the fact that they have gained audiences by tapping in to what people want to read.

Top tips for other bloggers?

Keep going and don’t do it for the money. It’s a brilliant way of getting exposure, proving that you have opinions worth sharing, making friends, and gaining experience, just don’t expect to necessarily be able to give up the day job. Some can, but the vast majority should do it for fun and to share a voice.

Do you make a living blogging?

No and I wouldn’t want to. I have spent 20 years making a living from either writing or editing and this is a blessed release. The freedom to blog about a wide range of topics and to give my own opinion is worth more. If I was younger I may think differently and I’m in awe of those who manage to make a living, don’t get me wrong – and lots of them keep their credibility and unique voice while doing so – it’s just not the reason I blog.

What do women add to the blogosphere?

It’s not just women don’t forget, men add a lot too! But women specifically have had decades of being told by the likes of me what to wear, what to buy and how to live. We all need a little assurance that we are making the right choices (we can’t all be trend setters, how appalling would that be) but it is cool to get opinions from women ‘just like me’ rather than the media. I have experienced through the different communities I have been involved with over the years the most incredible and powerful support that women give one another over the internet. Women who may never meet, who come from different backgrounds and experiences are able, via online communities and social media tools to work together, give encouragement, support and encourage and sometimes (though thankfully not too often) support in a very basic way when others are grieving. It is a shame that the publicity that is given online is always to the minority of bullies and ‘trolls’ who enjoy creating miser,y other than the thousands out there who daily give support and encouragement and are never talked about. Women are not stupid, they know what they like and they naturally like to share their experiences with others – the internet has given them a voice which is relevant and often extremely knowledgeable.

Name Carrie Barclay (aka Queenie) Blogs DIGITAL bungalow — www.digitalbungalow.co.uk Kitchen Bitching — www.kitchenbitching.co.uk

How long have you been blogging for? DIGITAL bungalow launched in June 2011 and Kitchen Bitching launched in November 2011.

Describe your blogs

DIGITAL bungalow is a conglomerate of creative minds. Technically a lifestyle blog, Db features everything from art to restaurant reviews; wedding inspiration to fashion photography … and many other subjects in between. We want DIGITAL bungalow to be a source of inspiration so if it inspires you in some way, we’ll feature it! Kitchen Bitching is a cookery site like no other; aimed at enthusiastic amateur cooks with some knowledge but in need of a friendly, helping hand from fellow enthusiasts. All amateur cooks know the pain of a recipe that just won’t do as it’s told. Like a disobedient puppy it sulks, sticks, slides or sinks at that crucial moment just as your mother-in-law is rap-rapping on the door. Kitchen Bitching is here to provide an open forum for amateur cooks to bitch about their culinary woes, rave about their kitchen triumphs and get hints and tips from the very best source – other cooks!

How did you get started?

I write for a living, and my partner is a photographer. DIGITAL bungalow was simply an opportunity to write about anything and everything that inspired myself and my partner. Very quickly we caught the bug and we were, for a time, posting at least once a day. When Kitchen Bitching was born we reduced our posts on Db to allow us to focus on KB, and now DIGITAL bungalow and Kitchen Bitching run harmoniously alongside each other. The idea for Kitchen Bitching came about during a bitching session in our kitchen about a cake recipe that wasn’t playing ball! Within days the site was designed and live, and we haven’t looked back! We appointed an Editor about a month after launch and we’ve now got 12 regular contributors and an ever-growing number of loyal, enthusiastic readers.

Highest point?

The highest point to date has to be when DIGITAL bungalow was incorporated as a Limited Company. What started as a little pastime has now become a bona fide business and we’re thrilled to be in talks with people about running events for bloggers, and I’ve recently been headhunted as a consultant for KAPOW Consulting to help new bloggers and small businesses enter into the blogosphere.

Lowest point?

When we were trying to keep up momentum of posting every single day and I felt that Db was losing its focus it was a difficult time. I all but gave up on the project, until my wonderful partner (in business and in life) sat me down and told me where I was going wrong. In blogging there’s sometimes no one to rein you in or monitor what you’re doing, so it’s fantastic to work alongside someone who you trust to get the best out of you and not let you wander too far off-track.

Favourite blog?

Other than my own (of course!) my absolute favourite blog in the world is A Beautiful Mess (http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/). The design, the subject matter, the photography and the aspirational nature of this blog means I can lose myself for hours in its folds and crevices. Elsie Larson really knows her stuff and her approach is friendly warm and inviting – A Beautiful Mess is a lovely place to spend time.

Inspiration?

Db is inspired by everything we come into contact with that gets us excited! On a personal level as a blogger I do really admire Elsie Larson of A Beautiful Mess and Sian Meades of Domestic Sluttery (for whom I was a columnist until recently); both ladies are such established, professional bloggers flying the flag for female bloggers and businesswomen everywhere. Kitchen Bitching is inspired by every man, woman and child out there who wants to be able to cook up a storm in the kitchen but invariably ends up sitting under a table with a tea towel over their heads having a little weep (or is that just me?!). Again, on a personal level I have to say that Holly Bell (of Great British Bake Off fame) is a truly inspirational woman. We’ve been lucky enough to work with Holly on a number of features on Kitchen Bitching – she’s such a down-to-earth, realistic person and, my word, can she cook!

Top tips for other bloggers.

Be nice! Bloggers have a bit of a reputation in certain industries for having a rather inflated sense of self-importance. The world doesn’t owe you a living, and PRs aren’t there just to give you free stuff. If you got into blogging for the freebies then may I politely suggest you get out now! Blogging is about personal opinion, self-expression and having a creative outlet. Sure, sometimes people will want to offer you nice things, often for free, but remember that these are a privilege, not a right. Find clarity. Your blog is like your baby. You won’t be able to see its sticking-out ears or unfortunately shaped nose. To you your blog is perfect, but make sure you have some people around that you trust to let you know if you’re moving down the wrong path or wandering off on a tangent. A blog is an ever-evolving entity, but if you’re simply revolving with no real purpose then you’ll struggle to engage your audience. Remember the photos! Images are SO important in a blog – we all spend so much of our time on computers for work and pleasure that a break from big chunks of text in the form of clear, well-composed, engaging pictures is a sure-fire way of getting readers coming back for more! Do you make a living blogging? How do you make a living from blogging? DIGITAL bungalow is now a Limited Company so we now do make money from what we do – although not purely from the sites on their own – we make money through using our reputation as bloggers to help new bloggers and small businesses set up social media platforms, through organising events and we also offer sponsorship deals and partnerships to a very select number of companies that we admire and respect.

What do women add to the blogosphere?

Women add to the blogosphere exactly what men add. The world of blogging is a micro version of the real world. There are wonderful caring people, horrible bullies, friends-in-the-making and people you’d cross over the street to avoid. Women are as much of a necessity in the blogosphere as they are in reality. In order to have a successful, thriving blogging community you need representatives from all walks of life – men, women, children and even the odd pet included.

Name Shimelle Laine Blog pretty paper. true stories. www.shimelle.com 

How long have you been blogging for?

I started blogging informally via livejournal in 2002, and transitioned to a more professional blog in 2006.  That blog soon started to present itself as something that needed more time than I could devote as just a side project, so in 2007 I took a year out from my job (as Head of English in a secondary school) to try the blog business full time, and I’ve yet to go back.

Describe your blog

I write a very niche blog in the crafting world, with a focus on scrapbooking.  My blog itself includes a range of articles to cover new craft products, how-to videos and discussions on the merits of documenting everyday life through photos and writing.  I also offer premium content in the form of online workshops through paid subscription.

How did you get started?

I got into scrapbooking as a hobby while at university, and not long later picked up some freelance work for specialist magazines, which was always just a bit if work now and then, but it grew year on year and gave me the opportunity to lead workshops at weekend retreats for crafty women.  I found that keeping a personal blog, mostly read by close friends, made me want to update my website often but it was such a hassle in the format of a traditional site, so I added a blog format to make it easier to share finished projects, really.  As soon as I added that element, I got requests to teach my workshops in more places than were viable and I felt horrible that I kept having to say I couldn’t make it to every town requested, which made teaching online a logical next step.

Highest point?

Going full time in 2007, then being able to be the household earner from 2010, allowing us take on some seriously big travel then letting my husband work on a project that wouldn’t have a regular income.

Lowest Point?

Although my posts are less about the details of my own life than many female bloggers, it is very personal in that I blog things I have made for myself.  Because of that, it is often hard to separate criticism and I have had a few times when I took something so personally that I felt I couldn’t continue.  I’m thankful I’ve not lost my love of craft along the way, as it is very common for people in creative industries to stop enjoying it when they transition from fun to work.

Favourite blog?

I really don’t have a single favourite, and maybe that is odd.  I love to discover a new blog then read it all up, like when you can’t go to sleep because you’ve just started a really fabulous novel.  But because I like to read that way, I often get a little overkill and I don’t go back for a few weeks.  I like to save up the posts and have a bit more depth to read at once so it feels like an extended conversation with the blogger.  I also find these days I read more via links passed around on social media than just from my personal favourites, and I love how that has introduced me to new content in fields I probably wouldn’t have found on my own.  One day I followed a single link from a friend of a friend and ended up reading case studies in an entirely different field that inspired a pitch that became a big part of the work I do now – and it was all because I read a really rambling blog post by a friend of a friend of a friend.  

Inspiration?

I work with a mix of regular features that repeat on certain days, topics assigned by companies I work with and things that I just get the urge to try or share in some way.  That balance works really well for me – it gives me half routine, half flexibility.  If I rely entirely on being spontaneous, I never get anything done and if I rely entirely on routine, it feels too monotonous to be worthwhile.  I like that I approach things in a slightly different way to a lot of bloggers in my niche.  Many are very much about the visual because it’s craft, but I love the written word.  I love the discussion that comes with a community of readers.  So I am often inspired by how on one hand, this topic is quite literally just glue and pretty paper but on the other, there is quite a lot of philosophical goodness to be found, if one wants to consider it.

Top tips for other bloggers

Let the passion come first and the profit come later.  Whenever I work with or meet groups of beginner bloggers, there are always so many who have decided they know they want to make a living blogging but they don’t know what they want to blog about yet.  That sounds like such a recipe for burn out to me.  If you’re only picking a certain topic to make money, how much can you really say about that topic?  And at this point in the game, there is a blog on every topic out there, and the most profitable topics have a flooded market anyway.  What makes this my perfect job is how I get to think and write and share about something I love doing even when I’m not paid for it, and it’s something I would frankly love to write about even if I was pondering whether to pay for craft supplies or food.  Whatever your passion is, then that is the topic for you.  I think that’s why fashion bloggers have such intriguing blogs: they loved putting together outfits and showing them to the world way before they started blogging about it.  By blogging they just have a new, highly filtered and specific audience.  So my biggest tip is always go into blogging for the passion.  And also: punctuation is your friend.

Do you make a living blogging?

Yes! It’s my full time job and I’m currently the sole earner in our household.

How do you make a living blogging?

Unlike most blogs in my niche, I don’t sell traditional sidebar or banner advertising.  I’m not entirely advert-free in that I do earn from affiliate links when I recommend my favourite products.  My main earning comes from teaching online workshops (with a subscription fee) and I also earn by contributing content to a few related sites (stores and manufacturers of craft products), which I also post on my blog.

What do women add to the blogosphere?

Several years ago a real-life friend who is also a blogger and I discussed how there was a gender divide in the blog world and men’s blogs seemed to be in love with technology and so future-oriented, while women’s blogs were filled with dress making and baking and home decor, like a post-war housewife equipped with the latest gadgets from the Apple store.  There is certainly still a bit of that about but I think there is far better representation now.  There are definitely women writing in technology, in games, in comics, in music criticism.  There are more women writing in those fields than there are men writing in my incredibly female niche.  Much like girlfriends in real life, the female blogging world benefits when women work together and it suffers when we cut each other down.  Both things happen.  But of all the things I’ve come to appreciate in all these years of blogging, there really is an audience that accepts intelligent female voices.  As both a student and a teacher I witnessed years of smart girls being teased, tormented or ignored in that entire ‘clever isn’t cool’ attitude that goes on.  On the internet, clever is ridiculously cool.  The blogs I read time and time again? I don’t care what subject they are on: I can tell from their writing that those are smart girls. Of all the comments I’ve received over the years, those who say they read my blog or take my classes because I make them think… those are my absolute favourite.  If the internet can make it fabulous to be confident in one’s intelligence, it makes me very excited for the next generation of smart girls. Name : Simone Antoniazzi Blog : The Bottom of the Ironing Basket  http://thebottomoftheironingbasket.blogspot.co.uk

How long have you been blogging for?

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Describe your blog :

My blog is a mixture of things that inspire me, lifestyle and style images, my own thoughts on life, travel, style, London and family. It’s a collection of anything & everything that I love and find interesting.

How did you get started?

I was inspired by an American friend who had started her own blog.

Highest point?

Probably right now, my readership is at its highest. Through my blog I have been invited to London Fashion Week, to go to Morocco and I am just starting work with a personal trainer! Discovering ability that I didn’t know I had and finding out more about myself.

Lowest Point?

I’ve don’t have one.

Favourite blog? A Cup of Jo http://joannagoddard.blogspot.co.uk/

Inspiration?

Magazines, other blogs, travel, life in general.

Top tips for other bloggers : Blog about what you really genuinely love and find interesting, that way you will develop a style and your “voice” will really come through. Don’t feel you have to be confined to one topic, I blog about whatever appeals to me and is going on with me right now. Being yourself and honesty is the key to longevity.

Do you make a living blogging?

I earn money from it, not enough to give up the day job yet though!

How do you make a living blogging?

I carry advertising and advertorials on my blog.

What do women add to the blogosphere?

Creativity, style, focus. Also, I’ve never had a negative comment on my blog in 3 years, I think readers and other bloggers are supportive and empathetic.

Name: Camilla Tillson Blog: asensibleheart.blogspot.com

How long have you been blogging for?

For about 2 years now

Describe your blog?

Its definitely fashion based with lashings of baking and d.i.y projects and my own photography.

How did you get started?

I saw a really lovely blog online which inspired me to start my own, its so great because that’s exactly what they are there for!

Highest point?

The first time I was featured on a bloggers social networking site as one of their top fashion blogs, its great when your blog gets noticed! and going to Bristol Fashion week for free with my blog! Its really nice to do something active for your blog and meet other bloggers similar to you.

Lowest Point?

I’m not sure if I have had one yet, my blog is all on my own terms, so if I don’t fancy blogging I wont force it.

Favourite blog?

I have to say one of the first blogs I ever read unabellavitablog.com and ‘a beautiful mess’ everything on there is so inspiring!

Inspiration?

A lot of things, the people around me, the the city I live in and I’m inspired every day by my blog feed!

Top tips for other bloggers?

Your blog is your own space, do you own thing and let it develop in its own time. Don’t ruin the space with ads before you have enough traffic, enjoy it while you can. Its not all about stats and followers, mine started off as a online live journal and if people are interested in reading what I post that’s great!

Do you make a living blogging?

Not currently, I wouldn’t ever say no to sponsored posts if I felt it could benefit my blog and my readers. I know its a touchy subject for people, but why not earn a little off doing something you enjoy, as long as you’re doing it for the right reasons.

How do you make a living blogging?

Id probably say via advertising and sponsored posts, and I guess you can save money

if you’re sent clothes and other bits. I’m not too hot on this topic! What do women add to the blogosphere?

So much! It’s great to see woman who have started their own business via their blog. I also think there are a lot of fashionable bloggers who are also tech whizzes, it really changes your views on the graphic/web design world which many people would be male dominated,  there are so many woman bloggers who post about nail art and HTML codes, for example “Girl Does Geek” (http://girldoesgeek.com) and “Flower Girl Blog”

Name Becca Day-Preston Blog www.bdpworld.blogspot.com BDP World

How long have you been blogging for? Only since October: I’m a baby!

Describe your blog

It’s a place for me to put all my thoughts about makeup and fashion and nails, without boring my friends. I was shaky at first, not discussing ‘important’ stuff, and just putting up pics of my nails, but recently I’ve written about confidence, airbrushing, period shame (that’s a thing, apparently) and abstinence education in the UK, as well as keeping up the nails and lipstick posts.

How did you get started?

With bad quality pictures and a lack of serious know-how…!

Highest point?

Sali Hughes from The Guardian endorsing my angry rant about National No Makeup Day

Lowest Point?

Getting an email from a follower asking why I don’t “just lose a bit of weight” UGH!

Favourite blog? Feministing

Inspiration? Veronica Sawyer

Top tips for other bloggers.

Do what you love! Don’t chase followers or try to score freebies: just have fun with it.

Do you make a living blogging?

No, and I think I never will!

What do women add to the blogosphere?

 That’s actually a really hard question to answer. I feel like there’s a sense of community innate in women’s blogging that isn’t necessarily there with male bloggers. There’s a more inclusive feel, and a drive towards honesty that I find very refreshing. As a feminist, the amount of incredibly erudite and witty women out there, contributing to the bigger picture. I don’t feel like I’m even a part of that yet, but maybe one day…!

Name Emma Iannarilli Blog fashion-mommy.com

How long have you been blogging for?

Since August 2010

Describe your blog

A fashion/shopping/beauty/lifestyle blog from a full time mom

How did you get started?

I was Deputy head at a Primary school when severe post natel depression forced me to quit my job. After six months in counselling I felt better, but was bored just being a wife and mother. I read an article in a magazine about blogging and decided this could give me a creative outlet. Hence Fashion-Mommy was born!

Highest point?

So many. Meeting heroes like Markus Lupfer and Stella McCartney. Being named on of 2012’s hottest blogs by Spreading Jam. Being named as Blogger of the month for Next, blogger of the week for M&Co and publisher of the month for Boden. Being invited to Evans photoshot  for their Autumn/Winter 2011 catalogue – just so many!

Lowest Point?

I tend to blog at night so I get very little sleep. Juggling the blog as a full-time job, with a demanding child not yet in school can be exhausting,

Favourite blog?

Big Fashionista is hilarious, and I love all the Brummie  Bloggers.

Inspiration?

Liberty London Girl, she was the first blogger I really noticed.

Top tips for other bloggers

Work at building  your audience,  use Twitter and facebook to aid this, reply to comments to engage debate and discussion. Be original  – let your personality shine through your work.

Do you make a living blogging?

I’ve just  started too –  it’s take a year and half to get to this point.

How do you make a living blogging?

Adverts, sponsored posts,  text links, skimlinks  and affiliate links – but it’s not a fortune!

What do women add to the blogosphere?

The female perspective on all subjects – we have a voice, it needs to be heard.

Name Anne-Marie – Ree for short Blog  http://www.reallyree.com/ 

How long have you been blogging for?

It will be 2 years in June.

Describe your blog

A personal lifestyle blog about the things I love across fashion and beauty. Face of the day, Outfit of the Day and lots of Product Review fun!

How did you get started?

I started it as a hobby – and wrote a lengthy post about the differences of opinion between men and women on the subject of shoes! Highest point? Working with BaByliss to make How To hair tutorials.

Lowest Point?

There are always low days when it is hard to stay motivated but they never last.

Favourite blog?

I love BritishBeautyBlogger.com to make sure I am up to date with all things beauty, and have a giggle!

Inspiration?

Everything I see and try inspires me. I have started to actually think in blog posts!

Top tips for other bloggers

Stay connected, build your network and always talk to people.

Do you make a living blogging? Yes

How do you make a living blogging?

By working with brands on a project basis.

What do women add to the blogosphere?

I think that women add fun and beauty and glamour to blogging. Blogging should be fun and engaging and there are tonnes of female personalties shining through!

Name: Aisling Blog: fash-ling  http://www.fash-ling.com

How long have you been blogging for?

A year

Describe your blog: It’s mainly my style, what I wear and what influences my fashion choices but I also include some beauty bits

How did you get started?

I read a lot of the international blogs for years and when a friend started hers I was introduced to the UK blogging scene

Highest point?

Pretty much any time someone new decides to follow me!

Lowest Point? Well trying to deal with HTML, I am useless and I find it so frustrating!

Favourite blog? Frassy

Inspiration? The catwalks, magazines, girls on the street and other blogs of course! Top tips for other bloggers: Just keep doing what you love, that’s all that matters

Do you make a living blogging? No, I do occasionally get sent items or invited to events which is truly an honour

How do you make a living blogging? n/a

What do women add to the blogosphere? I think each person, whether female or male adds a unique aspect to the blogosphere. The great thing about the online world is you can get such varied opinions, in anything you choose to find! Everyone has something to bring to the table and blogs allow for you to add your own personal touch.

Name – Lenka Silhanova Blog – Acting Abroad –  http://lenkasilhanova.blogspot.com

How long have you been blogging for?

Over a year.

Describe your blog

I’m sharing my experience of becoming an actress abroad, sharing tips and creating a community of people with the same goal. I think it’s important for us actors to stick together and help each other out, as I’ve learned a lot myself by reading other people’s blogs. This is a way for me to give back as well as to meet like-minded people and keep myself motivated and goal-oriented.

How did you get started?

I’ve been playing with the idea of starting a public blog for quite a while, since I’ve been keeping a private journal for several years, yet I was intimidated by the whole concept of opening my life and career out there in the world. The first few months were the worst as I was still figuring the whole blogging thing out and writing in English, my second language, wasn’t easy too. But I love the language so much it pushes me to constantly work on improving it. I found that I’ve learned so much by just by sitting down and writing, but also by reading A LOT of blogs, websites (that are edited) and of course books. After few months I’ve really gotten into blogging and I find it now, after a year of blogging, very fulfilling. I also find it to be a great marketing tool, till I’m ready to have my own website, this is a way to showcast my work both as an actor and blogger. Last but not least reason to blog is that it’s a form of storytelling, which is what I’ve chosen to dedicate my life to and this is a way of having it in my life without other people’s permission. It’s taking a part of my career I have the control of in my own hands and being proactive.

Favourite blog?

That’s a tough question, there are so many great blogs I don’t even know where to start. I love the Actors Voice by Bonnie Gillespie, this blog has taught me everything I needed to know about the show business. The Acting Blog by Mark Westbrook is a great no-BS blog on acting. I also love blogs like The Green Room blog, Backstage Unscripted, The Actors Enterprise, all written by actors for actors. A Younger Theatre is a great platform led by young people passionate about theatre, I learned a lot about UK’s theatre scene through this website and its blogs and I’m lucky enough to write for them too – my blog is called International View. Or actor blogs like Stars In The Eyes, The Great Acting Blog or B.A.B.E. to name just a few, are a great source of inspiration and advice too.

Inspiration?

Actors who get things done, who take their careers into their hands and always work on mastering their craft no matter the level their are on.

Top tips for other bloggers

I’d say just start blogging and learn as you go. Read a lot of blogs to learn about formatting and SEO. Choose the design for your blog so it resembles your personality and the theme of your blog, as well as is pleasant for people’s eyes and looks professional. Aim to improve, don’t settle for what you are doing now thinking it’s good enough. Always appreciate your readers and take the time to create relationships with them. You do it for them, after all, so be there for them. Find a targeted audience for your blog and write about what you know, don’t try to just come up with something, write what you care about and are passionate about with the targeted audience in mind. Put yourself in their skin and ask yourself if what you are writing is going to give them something.

Do you make a living blogging?

Not yet, but would love to as it would allow me to write more. Currently I’m looking into opportunities to do so.

What do women add to the blogosphere?

I think we are great in creating communities and friendships that perhaps begin online, but are taken on and maintained on personal level later on too.

Name Catherine Balavage Blog Frost Magazine

How long have you been blogging for?

Four years with Frost. Longer overall.

Describe your blog

Frost is a thinker’s lifestyle magazine, a magazine for smart people who love fun. I also have an acting blog.

How did you get started?

My love of reading lead to a love of writing

Highest point?

Frost launch party, being picked up by Handpicked Media, covering everything from London Fashion Week to the Raindance Film Festival. Interviewing Zac Goldsmith and Alain De Botton.

Lowest Point?

The hosting company suspending my account because we were getting too much traffic. I had to move the site from one server to another. I had no idea what I was doing. Also: someone hacked the site and I lost some content.

Favourite blog?

All of the above! And Hintmag and Feministing.

Inspiration?

Every writer who ever inspired me to write my own stuff. My parents who told me I could do anything I wanted.

Top tips for other bloggers

Do it because you love writing and have something to say. Don’t do it just because you could pick up lots of free stuff. Also, listen to your instincts.

Do you make a living blogging? No

How do you make a living blogging? Affiliates, advertising, not sure yet. I’m not there.

What do women add to the blogosphere? A balance.

Future Publishing Acquires Stake In Handpicked Media

handpickedfutureSome very exciting news from Handpicked Media, which Frost Magazine is a part of, here it is in their own words:

Future has acquired a stake in Handpicked Media – a marketing agency for independent digital publishers – creating Handpicked Future Future plc, the international media group and leading digital business, today announces a strategic partnership with Handpicked Media.

The partnership sees Future acquire a 35% stake in Handpicked Media, which represents over 500 independent websites and blogs, reaching over 3.5 million unique users a month in the UK and six million globally. The Handpicked Future partnership provides Future with access to Handpicked’s roster of influential blogs and independent sites across a range of lifestyle channels including Fashion, Beauty and Entertainment. And in return Future will drive the effective commercialisation of those sites.

As a pioneering agency working in social media, Handpicked Media has curated a growing portfolio of influential sites across a range of lifestyle channels since it was launched in 2009 by entrepreneur Krista Madden. It manages the interaction between its community and a range of consumer brands, offering clients an array of opportunities to reach a very targeted and highly engaged audience.

Mark Wood, CEO of Future plc, says: “Handpicked has created a powerful social media proposition, curating a portfolio of leading independent sites and blogs across a range of sectors including beauty, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment. Our partnership grows Future’s digital audience in attractive new sectors and is another signal of Future’s intention to deliver greater audience engagement and diversified revenue opportunities from digital platforms.”

Handpicked Future solutions include social media strategy, blogger outreach, content creation, events and integrated campaigns for a range of brand partners including Gucci, Karen Millen, Vodafone, Nivea and Intel. Future will drive the next phase of commercialisation across the collective, with an initial focus on developing the women’s lifestyle offer, under Future Women Managing Director, Jo Morrell.

Jo says: “Future is all about digital innovation and creative content, and Handpicked Media shares that sensibility. Krista and her team have created a really powerful social platform, which Future can support, expand and commercialise. Our award-winning digital excellence offers tremendous opportunities for lifestyle, fashion and beauty brands to deeply engage their audiences through Handpicked Future. I’m thrilled to seal this partnership.”

Krista adds: “We are very excited to be working with Future to expand our audiences, while supporting and developing the talent we have. The combined expertise of the new Handpicked Future team brings innovation and a unique proposition across social and digital platforms.”

Future reaches 58 million global unique users a month online and in the last year so over five million digital editions of its products for tablet and smartphone devices.

Future is the PPA and AOP Consumer Digital Publisher of the Year and the BMA Media Company of the Year.

Handpicked Media London Fashion Week Suite SS14 | Fashion

The Handpicked Media London Fashion Week suite was as amazing as ever. As well as lots of lovely people I also got pampered and checked out some great brands.

I had my brows done by HD Brows, they looked so good afterwards I didn’t want to wash my face. Ever. I tried on some jackets from Superdry. Their tailoring is amazing and their jackets are such good quality. Superdry also have great Bento Beauty boxes. They have some great products in them and look cool.

I also had my make up done by Martin Carter. The Stila make up artist used some amazing Stila products on me, including the CC Cream which comes out blue, but looks great on. I love Stila and Martin taught me some amazing make up tricks such as; put eyeliner in between the upper lash line for a natural, defined look and to paint mascara on the bottom lashes with a brush rather than applying the mascara directly. I wish I looked how Martin made me look 24/7.

I also had a hot stone massage and a hand massage from The Mandara Spa. I am completely converted to hot stone massage now. My spine and hands were never so happy. I felt completely relaxed and happy. I highly recommend them.

I also had a bra fitting thanks to Freya lingerie. Like most women I found out I was wearing the wrong size. Apparently women think their back is larger than it is, this turned out to be true for me as I thought I was a 34D but am actually a 30DD. I love my Freya Lingerie, below.

I had a relaxing manicure. I always love getting manicures. When my nails look good and are painted just looking at them makes me happy, even if I am having a bad day. WAH nails gave me some great blue polka dot nails. I love them.

Legendary hair dresser Errol Douglas was also doing hair. My fellow bloggers/writers were walking out with amazing hair styles. Unfortunately I had to head off to a show so couldn’t get one myself.

I managed to pick up some products in the suite at One Aldwych Hotel and will be reviewing them in the coming months.

Well done Handpicked Media, see you in six months.

Do you want to try any of the above? Which one?

Stila CC Cream

Stila CC Cream

manicure, wah nails Stila, make up, photo, handpicked media, beauty, beaty blogger, Catherine Balavage, stila make uo Catherine Balavage, wah nails, manicure Catherine Balavage, Superdry bento beauty box Catherine Balavage Catherine Balavage Freya Lingerie

#OOTD goes designer with Nivea Soft and World Renowned British Fashion Designer Giles Deacon

128 Nivea Soft, Catherine Balavage, manicure

I checked out the new Nivea Soft pots designed by Giles Deacon in the Handpicked Media London Fashion Week Suite. I love the product and the cool design. We also have a Giles Set to giveaway. This includes all three of the limited edition pots and zip pouches.

I also managed to fit in a cool manicure at the Handpicked Suite, take a look below.

Fashion Ready Skin Starts With NIVEA Soft

 

One of the hottest tickets of the London runways, Giles Deacon has lent his unique blend of superior craftsmanship and whimsical irreverence to NIVEA Soft to create three new collectable limited edition packs.  The introduction of these packs in-store in September heralds a new lease of fashion streaming to #OOTD as a panel of experts from the NIVEA Soft judge the ultimate online fashion competition.

 

Get Involved!

From 11th September until 25th September, NIVEA Soft will compile a glamorous look book of the best #OOTD and will also give out 60 spot prizes to fashionistas.  It’s worth entering just to be in with the chance of winning a Giles Deacon designer handbag or Limited Edition Soft Pots. After 25th September all entries will be reviewed by the NIVEA judges and their favourite 15 looks will be put through to a finalists gallery where they will be voted for by the public.  The top 15 finalists will need to have the style and panache to create an interesting look and a stylish statement in one fashion moment!

 

Fashion Voting & One Winner

From 25th September, visitors to the site get to vote on their favourite outfits and the person with the most votes will win the ultimate prize of a styling session with Giles Deacon!!! NIVEA fans will be invited to check out and cast their decision by voting on the Instagram gallery*. This is huge exposure for any keen style kings or queens and a great way to connect via your own facebook, instagram and blog sites.  It’s going to be fashion mayhem!

 

Styled by Giles!

The #OOTD super stylish winner chosen by the public will get a behind the scenes meet up with Giles and then a once in a lifetime styling session with the coolest fashion man of the moment. Also included will be overnight accommodation in London for the winner and £200 of spending money

 

Upload here:

A NIVEA Instagram gallery will host the #OOTD entries and votes.  The entry process is simple, just upload your image via Twitter or Instagram and include #OOTD and #NIVEASOFT for automatic entry. If you make it through to the final 15 why not include the link in your blog as well as facebook and twitter so your readers can see or even vote?

 

Fashion Ready Skin Starts With NIVEA Soft

The all-purpose nature of NIVEA SOFT ensures a quick beauty routine, making skin incredibly ‘soft’ and supple, leaving more time for fashion decisions and styling. It has a lightweight formula like whipped cream, containing Jojoba and Vitamin E that melts into skin instantly for a hydrated and refreshed feeling that lasts all day.

Seascape Beauty Review. Eco Friendly Beauty.

Seascape is a British brand. The ingredients come from local producers in Jersey in the Channel Islands. They smell amazing and are Eco-friendly. As Seascape say:

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“All Seascape products are paraben, silicone, petroleum and SLS free and are suitable for vegetarians. They’re also free from artificial colours and synthetic fragrances”.

The carton is even produced by a carbon neutral company. It is completely guilt free beauty. I met Seascape at the Handpicked Media lounge at the Aldwych Hotel during London Fashion Week and I also got an amazing hand and arm massage from them.

There are six ranges, Uplift, Revive, Unwind, Soothe, Homme and Les Petits. I reviewed three of their products.

Peppermint Lip Balm
Has 100% natural peppermint essential oil. I love this lip balm. It is not too peppermint but soothes lips and stops them drying out. Works beautifully and leaves my lips looking luscious. Even in cold weather. You can see the ingredients below.

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Refresh Hand & Nail Cream
This weather makes my hands dry out horribly. They get really dry and cracked. This hand and nail cream has lemongrass and Geranium. Like all of the products, it smells amazing and it saves my hands. A personal favourite.

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Unwind Body Lotion.
This body lotion has Lavender to soothe and Ylang Ylang to ease tension. It is also enriched with Jersey Beeswax and Shea Butter. A little goes a long way and it is not too thick. You can get dressed quickly after using. I love how soft and moisturised it makes my skin.

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I would definitely buy Seascape products. They are eco-friendly, well made and they really work.

http://www.seascapeuk.com/ From £10.

Freya Lingerie SS13 | Fashion

I came across Freya Lingerie in the Handpicked Media suite at the Aldwych Hotel for London Fashion Week. I loved their SS13 range. They are innovative in many ways, they do the Deco 365 bra. It is a bra which you can wear under any clothes. It was launched in 2009 and they have sold over 300,000 of them.

If you are a larger cup size then it can be hard to find a bra to wear under most things. That is what makes the Deco great. It can be worn any day under any outfit, and day.

Freya also have a sports bra that not only supports you, but also has coolmax material to wick moisture away from the body and a Polygiene fabric, a silver ion based technology that inhibits the growth of bacteria, which gives an odour free, antibacterial finish. It keeps you fresh no matter how hard you work out.

I have chosen some of my personal favourites from the new season. Glamour also love the purple set. Let me know what you think.

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DECO-HONEY-IRIS-GLAMOUR2

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