Tag Archives: tips

An Evening For Fashion & Lifestyle Influencers

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On Thursday I headed to Amazon HQ along with other fashion and lifestyle writers and bloggers for an Evening for Fashion & Lifestyle Influencers hosted by Amazon.co.uk. It was an entertaining evening, full of information and amazing, inspirational people. There was informative talks by fashion and blogging industry professionals, and the Amazon Fashion team also gave a great talk.

An Evening for Fashion & Lifestyle Influencers An Evening for Fashion & Lifestyle Influencers coco's tea party

I checked out the fashionable people and eat far too many biscuits and canapés. Professional Blogger, Ella Gregory (CocosTeaParty.com) was brilliant, giving amazing tips and talking endearingly about how she got started. Cosmopolitan journalist Gemma Royston-Claire was up next. Gemma gave great advice on writing engaging content and giving readers what they want. “People click for inspiration, education or entertainment.” Gemma said. Good advice indeed, and she should know as she started off with her own blog and now writes for Cosmopolitan Magazine. After food and drink we learned about Amazon Fashion. I was left very impressed with what Amazon had to offer and Frost will hopefully be doing a collaboration with them soon. I wanted to start shopping right there and then.

Freelance Fashion Stylist Rachel Story was next. She styles for HELLO! Magazine amongst others. Rachel gave some really great tips on styling. She is obviously at the top of her game and I learned a lot from her.

Lastly, Reena Rai from Fashiondaydreams.com talked about How to use Affiliate Marketing. Reena was definitely the most stylish of the evening. Head to toe in black and lace accessorised with killer shoes. She gave great tips on how to monetise with affiliate marketing.

The evening finished off with a Q&A with the Amazon team. The Q&A was great as I learned a lot of little tips to improve the SEO of Frost. Thank you to Amazon and all of the speakers for an amazing evening.

About the speakers:

 


Ella Gregory, CocosTeaParty.com

@cocosteaparty

London based, full time fashion blogger. Listed in The Independent’s Twitter 100: Top 10 Fashion.

 

 

 

Gemma Royston-Claire, Journalist

@gemfatale

Currently writes for Cosmopolitan magazine. Previously had an award winning column at Company mag, alongside her blog: www.gemfatale.co.uk

 

 

 

Rachel Story, Fashion Stylist

@Rachelstory29

Works with brands including HELLO! Magazine, Harvey Nichols & Ted Baker.

 

 

Reena Rai, Blogger

@Reena_Rai

Reena runs FashionDayDreams.com, alongside her day job in luxury retail. She’s a successful affiliate marketer.

 

 

 

Planning The Perfect Event

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BELVEDERE Vodka 'Walks Its Way' Into Cannes With Reverend Run And DJ RuckusWhether it is a birthday, engagement, wedding, or corporate event, there are certain factors that need to be considered when planning the perfect event. As well as the obvious things such as food and venue, there are some not-so-obvious considerations to make sure your event goes with a swing.

Planning and research

First of all, brainstorm! Create an event wish-list to record your first ideas. Then you can establish your budget – this depends on the size of the event and its purpose. When you have an idea of the size of the event, get a team on board to help you; choose people with different skills, contacts, and areas of knowledge. Make a list of guests or attendees. Decide on a date for your event, or narrow it down to several dates – you should have a contingency plan in case the venue you want is unavailable on a certain date. Consider whether any special permits will be required from governing bodies. Send “Save the Date” notices if you want to invite guests more than eight weeks in advance; make a note of those that RSVP.

Choosing a dynamic theme 

Consider involving an event design team for an event with a difference. You could style your event on a fashion show, sophisticated wine bar, hip nightclub, Hard Rock Café, theatre, award ceremony, circus or show with acrobatics. If you have ambitious plans, you may need some advice from experts.

Lighting and technical effects can make all the difference. Consider custom theme décor, sound, music, a DJ, and special effects to create mood and atmosphere. You could have strobe lighting, projected images, spotlights, neon lights, or lasers; or maybe your event calls for intimate lighting or candlelight.

Decorating the venue

Room and table decorations will really set the scene – consider wall hangings, furnishings and drapes, and chandeliers. Decide on the dress code and make a plan for food and drinks. Think about entertainment or professional speakers, and don’t forget to plan how you will photograph or film the event.

Advertising your event

Promote and advertise your event; create an event website to include details of agenda, location and ticket purchase. Post links on social media sites, advertise and contact the press. Keep attendees engaged by posting updates on social media.

The run-up to the event

Send out invitations eight weeks before the event and keep a list of replies. Set a schedule and delegate; establish deadlines. What equipment will you need, and can you hire it? Get quotes, ask for recommendations, and obtain samples. You need to finalize catering arrangements, music or entertainment for your guests, event staff such as bartenders and waiting staff, volunteers to guide guests, florists, gifts and favors, tables and chairs, officiants (priests, rabbis, etc.). Consider name badges or passes, and how to manage the attendee list.

Finally, don’t forget to plan how you will clean up afterwards, get the venue back to how it was before, and return the hired equipment. You will also need to send out thank you messages. You can then post photos and videos of your event on your website. With so much to think about, detailed checklists and being able to rely on your team of helpers will really help you keep on top of things.

 

 

Sensationail Home Kit Review

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Hello everyone, its been ages since I last posted an article but I hope this one will keep the ladies happy! Ok so I never thought I’d see the day I rave about an at home gel nail kit. But that day has come and if you follow me on Instagram you would have seen me mention this a few times. This Sensationail kit is incredible on so many levels.

I was sent this kit to review and used the product over a few weeks. I have removed it and reapplied the system to really put it through its paces. If you haven’t come across my site before then welcome. I used to be a Celebrity nail artist and an Educator for some of the biggest professional nail brands in the world. I can honestly say that Sensationail is in fact….Sensational!!

I’m going to go out on a limb here and state that I think this kit is possibly better an any professional product I have ever used tested or worn myself. Now I know everything there is to know about gel polish, the way the chemicals react and how different products work together. I also put my nail enhancements through utter hell. I can, as I know someone that will fix them in a blink of an eye if they chip, drop off or lift and that’s me.

Most professional gel applications become a little spongy, soft and lift after about a week on my nails. Not sensationail it’s incredible. I got 2 full weeks out of the first application. Only taking them off to redo as the regrowth was looking a little unsightly. I removed them and reapplied them with ease and I can report that this brand is seriously rocking my world.

You won’t need to worry about applying extra layers as it’s so strong it’s just perfect. It has the best combination of strength and possibly the biggest factor that makes nail enhancements perfect and that’s it’s also flexible. So it will bend a little like real nails should. Too brittle and they can crack. This leads to lifting and all sorts of problems. Not with Sensationail you don’t! Not to mention the shine of the topcoat. It holds as good as new for all 14 days. No scratches, no dulling and certainly the shiniest of top coats I have ever come across. With the added bonus of being a 2 in 1 product. A combined base and top coat. Amazing don’t you think!Sensationail Home Kit Review

Sensationail Home Kit Review Tips

  • When lightly buffing the surface shine make sure you don’t damage the nails natural thickness, as over buffing will thin your nails drastically.
  • Cleanse with the product supplied. Don’t use nail polish remover as this is a solvent and could possibly cause lifting.
  • Don’t touch any of the nails after cleaning as this will transfer natural oils from your fingertips and will result in the product not settling properly.
  • When applying the primer only add it to 4 nails (leave the thumbs to last) Its a sticky product and fluff will drive you mad!
  • When applying the base coat to the 4 natural nails make sure not to touch the skin (this will lead to lifting) By laving a tiny margin around the sides and bottom it will increase the length of time that the product will stay looking perfect.
  • If you get any product on the surrounding skin just remove it with the orange wood stick provided in the Sensationail kit.
  • Do not wipe off the shiny, tacky residue from any of the layers as this is a very important part. *Sticky sticks to sticky or a rough surface. If you remember this you wont ever go wrong. If you remove it by mistake its OK but you will find the product might not adhere to the next layer. So all you ned to do is lightly buff the surface and recleanse.
  • Swirl the lid and brush in clockwise, or an anti clockwise motion around the neck of the bottle (whatever one feels easiest) as you take the applicator out. This will prevent dripping of the product and only the amount you need will be on the brush.
  • Next professional tip is to apply the polish as thin as you can. I found this product self levels and it’s amazing even if you are a little heavy on application. But its a good habit to get into as you could get a few more applications out of one bottle.
  • This is possibly the best tip I am going to give you now….Start to apply the polish in the middle of the nail. The push the brush towards your Proximal nail fold (cuticle) “I am going to drop in a diagram at the bottom and an explanation all about the cuticle at the end of this article. Make sure you read it as it will be very beneficial for you” As you push the brush back it will do all the work for you and you will see the polish edges are as neat as a pro! Try it a few times and let the product just glide on. *You are in no rush as it wont set until you are happy and place it into the lamp.
  • Top tip….Don’t leave any products near a lamp that it on. The bright blue light will most certainly cure whats in the bottles or the brush you leave on your desk!!!! Be warned!
  • Take your time when you first do a set. read the Sensationail instructions, my cuticle advice and the professional routine bellow before you start and Practice makes perfect!
  • Once you have mastered a few tips all you have to remember is that the Base & Topcoat take 30 seconds to cure and the polish takes 1 minute. Simple as that. If you need 3 coats, then apply 3.
  • If you have exceptionally weak nails I suggest a double layer of base and a double layer of topcoat cured for 30 seconds at each application.
  • When you are finished cleanse, wash hands and Oil those stunning nails twice a day with almond oil. There you have it some professional advice.Sensationail Home Kit Review

Sensational has all the right ingredients to create perfect nails at home time and time again. I can’t fault this in any way. Well if I was really going to be picky I’d say that with some of the colours it shrinks back just a little with the first coat of polish….But on applying the second you would have forgiven it in a heartbeat. The coverage is unsurpassed.

Professionals would normally do 3 thin coats, very thin ones when applying any products for a client as they can ripple and not cure right the way through. This leads to lifting and unhappy customers. Now this is where I feel this products comes into it’s own. The ease of application is tremendous, it’s near on impossible to get it wrong. The applicator brush of the combined base and topcoat is brill and the colours glide on almost seamlessly.

I give this a huge 10/10. For anyone that wouldn’t set foot in a salon this is perfect and for those of you needing to save a few pennies this will blow you away. Excuse the pun…This is Hands down the best gel manicure kit I have used in years.

Below is a professional explanation about the real Cuticle and manicures.The True Cuticle

To explain what the true cuticle is… in fact it covers the entire nail bed. Yes thats right girls. The cuticle is basically the residue from the proximal nail fold when the nails are growing. Its there to keep infection out. And should NEVER BE CUT, EVER. As the nail plate grows it just travels with it. It can be carefully cleaned away by yourself but you just need a little know how…So I have done a little routine for you to help you apply Sensationail like a professional.

1. Grab a towel and some kitchen paper and place it on a table with a good light above the area. Preferably set up during the day. Sundays are best! Set aside about 1 1/2 hours to do a great job.
2. Gather all you need and plug in the lamp and arrange your desk with everything you need.
3. To remove the true cuticle gently glide the Sensationail remover tool (this is perfect) up and down the ENTIRE nail bed very gently. You can do this on dry nails with the remover and you will see lots of dry powdery debris coming off. Don’t over work it just do tiny moments with a little pressure and you will be amazed at what comes off!
5. Wash those hands and nails, getting rid of the excess debris. Then dry them off with a clean piece of kitchen roll.
6. Using a gentle file, shape nails. Lightly zig zag the file on the ends. This will add a little bit of key so the base coat will be able to nestle into the ends and seal them.
7. Arrange the lamp, bottles and products so they are easily accessed and loosen the lids a little.
8. Grab a cleanser pad provided in the kit and cleanse (not too much as this will saturate the nail and will lead to lifting!) one drop will do all 4 nails. Really cleanse those nails and scrub away at them so they are nice and clean. Try not to get any fluff left behind.
9. Look at the nails and see if you have any fluff or dust. Do not touch the nail plate if you have. Try to remove it by reusing the pad.
10. Apply a very small amount of base coat to 4 nails (do the thumbs last). Remember to add some around the free edge (tip of the nail). Keep it simple and try not to touch the skin. Keeping it just on the nail bed.
11. Place in lamp for 30 seconds.
12. Apply the colour thinly around the free edge. Then over the nail. Gel polish is amazing as it won’t set until it gets near the lamp! If you find its shrinking back a little just flash cure each nail for 5-10 seconds then move on to the next. This normally happens with darker colours and reds. Word of warning….don’t place any gels near the lamp as they will set, as I have mentioned before. Its always good to remind you!
13. Pop your beautifully and carefully painted nails into the lamp for 1 minute.
14. Apply a second coat to just the nail bed, paying attention to making sure it’s as neat as possible.
15. Pop in the lamp for 1 minute.
16. If you need a 3rd coat go ahead and do another.
17. Place in lamp for 1 minute. If you have applied this thickly you will feel it get a little warm. This is very normal it’s just the molecules connecting and being activated to link together until it sets. It sets so fast it’s a little friction and nothing to worry about.
18. Apply a thin coat of top coat and make sure you run a little along the tip to seal the edges. Then place your hand in the lamp for one last 30 second session!
19. Now do this to all 4 fingers on the other hand, followed by the thumbs. All done! I do hope this has helped you along with my professional gel nails tips.

It all sounds like there are loads of stages but trust me once you have done it a couple of times this will save you so much money and you will be able to have stunning nails all year round that look like a professional job.

*Please remember if you are thinking of doing other peoples nails you need proper training a licence/insurance and tell the council you are running a salon, either from home or mobile. It’s not worth running the risk of getting in trouble.

The key to anything is learning to do things properly and this article is intended for the use of Sensationail home gel nail kits.

For more beauty, fashion or styling advice just Tweet me @sarahbacchus and check out my site SLBstyle.com

For any photography and Personal Styling bookings please email me at sarah@slbstyle.com 

Naomi Watts: I Was Ready To Quit Acting

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acting, acting advice, quit acting, Naomi WattsSome actors find success easy and others struggle for years. Naomi Watts definitely falls into the latter category. The Oscar nominated actress used to drive for hours to pick up bad scripts people refused to send her. She regularly doubted that she would ever have a career after moving to Los Angeles as things were so tough.

“[I went from playing leads] to being someone who had to drive for two hours to get two pages of really bad dialogue in some TV movie, just because they couldn’t be bothered faxing me the pages. And I did that for pretty much ten years. When it was like, you know what, I can’t handle it, I’m giving up. But every time my bags were packed, I’d get a call saying, ‘You’ve got this part.'” she told InStyle magazine.

The 46-year-old actress took anything she was offered when she moved to LA.

“Oh, listen, I did not have any snobbery about anything. I just wanted to work. I always had the attitude that work begets work and one thing would roll to the next, I think I knew I had something. But I certainly had plenty of doubt.”

The star did not get her big break until David Lynch cast her in Mulholland Drive solely from her photograph.

 

If you are an actor then check out How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur. It is available in print and in all eBook formats on both Smashwords and Amazon. 

 

 

New Social Shopping Site Launched For New And Expecting Parents

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parents, parenting, kids, berry clever, Parents need all the help they can get. Which is why we think BerryClever, a brand new social shopping site for new and expecting parents is great. It aims to make online shopping more fun and interactive by giving parents the power to discover and choose the perfect parenting products by reading and sharing honest advice from the people they can trust the most, their friends. BerryClever has had over 7,000 members joins since it launched 3 months ago.

Online shopping has revolutionised our lives and the range of product choices available to parents for their little ones has never been greater. But with this overwhelming range of choice often comes more questions than answers, especially for first time parents who are under pressure to buy all sorts of baby essentials that they often know nothing about. BerryClever’s research found that an incredible 91% of people surveyed admitted that they had wasted money buying the wrong products for their babies. What’s more 86% of people surveyed wanted their friend’s recommendations when making purchasing decisions. So where do you start when it comes to choosing the right products for your baby? That’s where BerryClever comes in.

BerryClever has created a unique online environment, which allows you to connect with existing friends and new like-minded ones to discover the products they love, regret or simply can’t live without. Kristi Flax and Emma Kafton, who are both mums themselves, recognise that parents in particular prefer recommendations from people they know and trust when it comes to buying products for their babies. Because the reviews on BerryClever are written by friends in your network, you know they have no vested interest in promoting certain products and that they are just sharing their own honest and experienced views. Emma explains that “the idea is to make online shopping for your baby feel intuitive rather than the transactional and anonymous experience you get on many other ecommerce websites. With so much online content being disingenuous, the ability to read information from people you trust is ever more valuable”.

BerryClever’s reviews, known as ‘tips’, are no longer than 150 characters making them quick to write and read on mobile devices and ideal for busy mums on the go. As parents overwhelmingly prefer reviews from people they know, BerryClever’s unique algorithm ranks reviews based on their social profile so they will always be shown the most relevant products reviewed by their friends and the people they are most similar to first.

Users can also upload Pictips – a product photo review, watch recommended videos from the web and create lists of favourite or most wanted products for themselves or to share with others. The ability to explore friends’ lists provides a simple way for experienced parents to help their newly pregnant friends find everything they need for every stage of their birth and child’s development, from weaning and feeding to potty training, playing and learning.

Not only does BerryClever help parents make the important decisions on what to buy, it also quickly and easily links directly through to their Amazon account or the retailer’s website to allow them to make the purchase. There is even a ‘demand a lower price’ feature to help parents, who on average spend £5,000 in the first year of their child’s life alone, save money on expensive items like buggies and car seats. If a lower price can be found, the user will be sent an email within 48 hours confirming an offer which they can choose to either accept or decline, with no hidden small print.

Every feature is intended to make BerryClever a place where shopping can become a fun, social and resourceful experience.

Sign up now and invite your friends to see what they really think of those ‘must-have’ products www.berryclever.com

 

 

 

Don’t Let Renting Hold Back Your Interior Design Ambitions

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The Big Ben Wall ClockinteriorsIf you are living in rented accommodation, it’s often tempting to put your interior design ambitions on hold. You may think, for example, that as it’s not your property then any efforts you make will be wasted. However, with a little bit of creativity and ingenuity you can still create a beautiful interior design scheme, one that you’re happy to live with, even if you are staying in a rented house or flat.

 

Refresh the décor

 

One option that is quick, cheap and simple is to refresh the paint in the various rooms. Using white or magnolia paint throughout is unlikely to upset the letting agent or landlord, though it always makes sense to check beforehand, especially if you find that the landlord or a previous tenant has made a bold statement by using striking colours or patterns. Generally, property owners will be more than happy to benefit from a refreshed interior that’s free of charge. They will also know that their tenant respects and wants to look after the property.

 

Personalise the space

 

Pale, neutral shades will provide a good backdrop for your possessions as these are what will make your rented accommodation feel like it is your own space. This doesn’t necessarily result in a cold or sparse atmosphere as once you add your own personal accessories you can make the space your home. To warm up the rooms add your chosen decorations, such as colourful artwork and family portraits, which will help make any house or flat feel like home.

 

Make good use of all the storage available, including any shelves. Fill these with your favourite books, games and DVDs as well as other personal artefacts. Even if you are living in a furnished or partially furnished property, you can still cover floors with your own rugs and sofas with your preferred cushions, blankets and throws. By making the most of personal touches, there is no need to consider that rented property necessarily presents a design limitation.

 

Buy flexible furniture

 

Remember that every item of furniture you buy for the property (unless you are replacing something that you have broken) is your personal possession and can be taken with you when you go. This means that additional pieces that you like represent an investment. Be sure to exercise caution in this respect, though, as things that might look fine if you are in a spacious property, such as a king size bed, very large wardrobe or enormous sofa, may not fit so easily into a smaller one; as far as seating is concerned, modular sofas or individual statement pieces are much more versatile.

 

Make it your own

 

With a splash of paint and a little imagination, you can really make any place into a home. If you love colour, then white or magnolia surfaces provide you with the ideal palette to be dressed by curtains, rugs, cushions and throws. Add to this your favourite artworks and artefacts and you’ll finally feel like you’re really home.

 

 

 

Tips To Get a Hotel Business Off The Ground

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Tips to get a hotel business off the groundChoose your location wisely

 

To have a successful hotel business, you need clientele. Tourist hot spots are, of course, a prime location. However, if you are just starting a hotel, many prime locations can be too costly. Although it can be hard to predict some things, if you can buy property in an up-and-coming area, it is possible to start a hotel business with less capital investment. You also stand to gain a lot of equity. There are plenty of examples of entrepreneurs seeing their real estate investment gain considerable value over the years. Stephen Wynn is famous for setting the standard for luxury hotels in Las Vegas. He started investing and developing real estate before Vegas became the world-renowned city it is today. His first Vegas enterprise was renovating the dilapidated Golden Nugget; however, it was the opening of his Mirage hotel in 1989 that set the standard for luxury Vegas accommodations. Now Stephen has the world famous Bellagio. A good real estate agent can help you with delray beach housing as well.

 

Know your budget

 

It is easy to go over budget when starting a hotel business. For example, you will need more money if you plan on offering a food service or other amenities. Even lower-priced hotels usually at least offer a continental-style breakfast, but a kitchen is not necessarily needed for that. If you buy a building, make sure that you are prepared for the costs of renovations and upgrades. Sometimes you can get a real bargain by getting a property that needs some work. The downside is that it can be hard or impossible to know what issues a building might have. A building inspector can help you make sure that you are not biting off more than you can chew. You don’t want to find the perfect property and then discover when the walls are being redone that you have asbestos that needs to be removed.

 

Get ready for some hard but rewarding work

 

The hotel business is not easy. You have many people to keep happy. Stamina, and a good attitude are all necessary to succeed in the hotel industry.

 

Victor Sukseree is the manager of the five-star Dusit Thani Hua Hin Hotel, in Thailand. He says that he works all the time but doesn’t mind because he is passionate about what he does and looks forward to every work day.