Alannah Hill Challenge: Update # 8 and FINISHED!


Fireworks! Music! Partying! I've reached my goal of a whiz-bang writing portfolio of magazine articles to kickstart my freelance writing career!

I finally bought the lovely "Poor Little Fun Mum" Alannah Hill cardie pictured above for my reward. I heart it so much! You can't really see from the dodgy-quality photo I took on my iPhone (sorry!), but it's black with pink bows all over it and best of all, I bought it half price and fit into a size smaller than usual. Sweet! Also, because it's black, it'll go with so much of my wardrobe, but it's still quirky and cute enough to make me smile whenever I wear it. I'm so happy I treated myself to celebrate finishing this challenge. : )

When I started the challenge in January, I was all fresh and eager to succeed this year. I've now accumulated six glossy issues in my portfolio, and more on the way, but I'll be honest -- it's been a hard slog and not everything has turned out as expected along the way. This has been both bad and good...

The Bad:

  • Being asked to write 'on spec' (with guarantee of publication) by SA Life and, more recently, Good Health and after writing 1,000 words or more each time, having those articles rejected. Grrrrr!!
  • Receiving a "yes" from a magazine editor in March, saying she'd be in touch later in the year for their summer issue. When I followed up this week, I discovered she's resigned from that role and I was asked to re-send the pitch (ie back to square one). Double grrrr!!
  • A famous brand of travel guides offering me a gig updating the outback SA section of their Australian book for a scarily low rate. By the time I paid for petrol, accommodation etc visiting all the restaurants, sites and hotels, I would've been earning next to nothing. When I sent a polite reply email clarifying the deal, I never heard from them again. Nice.

The Good:

  • Learning that feature writing and short stints working as an office temp combine quite well -- you earn a tidy extra income and playing secretary temporarily doesn't interfere with your writing. Also, office work can be quite interesting if you're not at any one workplace long enough to be bored by your allocated tasks or annoyed by the office politics. Yay!
  • I'm exploring the wonderful world of copywriting. I'd never really considered it before, but I've been approached by a business to do some blogging for them and I'm seriously looking forward to it -- I think it'd be fun. We're still finalising the details. More info will be revealed as it (hopefully) happens. ; )
  • Other opportunities have taken me by surprise as well, such as competitions to be a magazine intern or paid fashion blogger, writing for smaller magazines on some very entertaining topics and being given a role as assistant editor for The Essential Guide to Twitter.
  • Exchanging emails with a fellow Sydney Writers' Centre graduate who first wrote to me a couple of months ago. The info and support we've shared has been invaluable in keeping my spirits up and generating ideas.


So it's had a few twists, this Alannah Hill Challenge, but every time I wear this cardie, I'll be wrapped in how far I've come. Thanks to the editors, my email pen pal and the others who've helped me along the way. I couldn't have done it without you. : )

What's your dream job? How have you been working towards it lately?

Fabulous Fridays: 23 September 2011


It's that time again! Celebrate Friday and explore the best online has to offer in fashion, food and fandom (at least, according to me!)...

  • Did anyone else grow up with The Sooty Show as well? Between that and Muppets, I seem to have quite the puppet fetish!
  • Nerd call-to-arms. Put your mad gaming skillz to good use in a charity event. : )
  • Betsey Johnson's rockabilly creations are all sorts of cute. I'm trying hard to resist this skull watch.
  • How Harry Potter Should Have Ended. Stick around for the last bit with Gandalf. Gold!
  • I caught up on my Buffy Season 8 comic reading earlier this week. So, so good. Just finished volume 6.
  • Coloured jeans. I bought a cropped pair on Wednesday and am oh-so-happy with them. Love, love, LOVE!! (Mine are a cornflower blue.)
  • Her designs always had the look, but now Stella McCartney and ballet are hooking up in an official capacity. Awesome.
  • Who can help but be touched by the delightfully politically incorrect Borat? Certainly not his sister. One of my fave movies. : )
  • Can someone make me marshmallow snowballs, please? They look so easy, I might even do it myself (gasp!).
  • The coolest DIY party idea: mustache drink toppers. I think I've found my birthday craft project!
  • I managed to score tickets to a preview screening of the Footloose remake this week. Most exciting for a dance movie die-hard like me. Tough to beat the original though.

What does the weekend have in store for you? My tummy is looking forward to burnt fig icecream on a gourmet day trip tomorrow. : )

The Secret Influence of Cosmo


Blogger and yummy mummy Latorsha shares her secret affair with Cosmo magazine in this guest post...

Latorsha is the blogger of Life is Hard, Laugh Anyway, a place where she tries to remain optimistic by any means necessary, mostly laughter. She especially loves connecting with new people. On Twitter you can follow her at @AnOptimisticMom or contact her at AnOptimisticMom@gmail.com

Cosmo isn’t just for the singles...

Let me tell you Cosmopolitan isn’t just for singles. I’ve been married for nine years and a couple of years ago I became obsessed, I mean interested, in Cosmo magazine. It became so that I would find myself stalking the magazine aisle for the newest issue.

Secretly, I didn’t want anyone to know I was reading this magazine. You’ve seen their feature articles talking about topics related to sex, naughty tricks, and secret hot spots.

Yes, I am a married woman, but somehow the articles seemed to help me spice up my own bedroom. I know you think married women know exactly what to do, but I confess sometimes you gotta change it up!

Some of the headings that I took interest in over the summer are below.

July 2011 issue: The Sexy Confidence Men Can’t Resist

Sometimes we get caught up in routine and stop displaying the things that made us attractive, such as our confidence. We get so settled and content. Showing confidence not only makes a woman feel irresistible to her man, but for me, I feel more sexy and desirable. So essentially it leads to double the pleasure.

August 2011 issue: His 6 Secret Sex Spots

Who doesn’t love getting the scoop? Why guess when you can get the information from men who know what they like? Sure, I know you probably are thinking I should just ask my husband. Well, sure I can do that and I have done that, however that leaves little surprise impact, don’t you think? Kind of like wrapping your own Christmas presents.

September 2011 issue: Guys Answer Your Sexiest Sex Questions

This article brings it all together with a question and answer session. Absolutely love it! Many times women have the same questions, so you already know you are getting the good stuff you’ve been wondering about.

What a great way to secretly gather information, right?

My husband has even made comments about how the magazine has me a little more…..well, ummm……. Just pick up a copy and see for yourself. I have already said too much.

Just know Cosmo isn’t just for singles.

I feel like Latorsha every time I pick up any of the celebrity gossip magazines like FAMOUS -- it's a guilty pleasure. Do you have a secret or not-so-secret relationship with a glossy? Do tell...

Luxe Blog: Batty's Bath


All craft and beauty bloggers take note -- this is the way to run your online business and blog!

Firstly, I'd like to say that the girl behind the blog, Canadian soap maker, Jamie, is truly a class act. I first encountered Batty's Bath around the blogosphere (on a blog hop, I think?) and became a fan of the Facebook page. Suddenly, I noticed posts about the yummiest beauty products appearing on my feed and eventually, I couldn't take it any more and succumbed to temptation by putting in an order.

I've always preferred my beauty products to contain natural ingredients and smells. Anything fruity, or chocolatey/creamy appeals to me much more than a synthetic "fragrance no. 486". I guess my love of food carries over to my makeup bag and bathroom sink preferences! I also try to buy products that are not tested on animals and are kind to the environment.

Batty's Bath products fit the bill on both counts. Jamie's range includes a line of vegan products and all are eco-friendly and cruelty-free. Aside from that, they sound so darn delicious. I ordered strawberry shampoo, a marshmallow bath bomb and deodorants in buttercream icing and cotton candy. Much better than the usual environmentally-friendly deodorant scents of tea tree oil and eucalyptus on Aussie shelves!

I was thrilled with my order and eager for my precious products to arrive. Unfortunately, there was a mix-up and I was sent the wrong products, then my order was re-sent and didn't arrive. These things happen. Jamie was fantastic throughout the whole situation, quickly responding to my emails and refunding my money. Even when my order was eventually delivered after the refund, Jamie was happy for me to keep the money for my trouble. I know from my work at Consumer Affairs that retailers who excel at customer service like this are worth their weight in gold. I'd happily buy Batty's Bath again knowing Jamie will always look after me no matter what.

And the products? Well, let's just say my armpits are now cupcake-scented, I have Strawberry Shortcake's hair and my lips taste like blueberries thanks to a lip balm freebie. I've satisfied my dessert cravings using beauty products instead of food. The perfect diet plan! Now, on to the web site...


Batty's Bath definitely has a great online presence. It has a gorgeous web site and blog, vibrant Facebook page with 2,837 fans and an impressive 6,446 followers on Twitter (@battysbath). Plus, there's the well-stocked Etsy store.

The blog has a stunning banner which echoes the retro look of the products' labels and packaging. It makes you feel ladylike and luxe just looking at it. Jamie also gives you plenty of personal insight into herself and how she runs her business in her posts, taking you to her stalls at craft shows, showing you the makeover of her workspace, sharing beauty and health tutorials, her inspiration boards, and much more. There's a healthy mixture of photo posts, recipes, videos and lists of "What's New @ Batty's Bath" to keep you updated on sales and new features on the site (I'm thinking I may have to nick this idea for Becks and the City -- it's brilliant!).

There's also ample insight into how she makes her soaps and other items, along with her beauty philosophy. Whether you're an avid fan of Batty's Bath products, seeking natural beauty how-tos, sourcing inspiration or looking for advice on selling your wares on Etsy, the blog is sure to have what you're after. An uncluttered, but substantial sidebar completes the blog's focus on being helpful to visitors (think free downloads, a blog archive, a list of popular posts, profile of Jamie and links to Etsy and Facebook). It's everything you need without unwanted extras. Love it!

My Favourite Posts

Try these beauty-riffic posts to get you started:
  1. My Week So Far: It's a Batty Life (A candid behind-the-scenes post.)
  2. Friday Favs (Pretty pictures.) 
  3. Getting Ready for Spring: Craft Ideas (Chic craft inspiration.)
  4. Homemade Herbal Tea: Apple & Cinnamon (Easy, healthy and sounds divine!)
  5. Ador-A-Bull Dog Rescue (Admirably supporting such a worthy cause.)
Shockingly, Batty's Bath only has 213 Google followers right now. Pop on over and show Jamie some love!

Fabulous Fridays: 16 September 2011


The hour of flower has arrived! Floral is a massive trend at the moment, so who are we to argue? Have a fantastic, flowery Friday...


That's it for this week, petals. xx

The Anti 9 to 5 Guide


I actually wrote this review just before Christmas last year and am only posting it now. As you'll be able to tell, I've taken the author's advice on becoming a full-time freelancer to heart...

Does your job resemble Peter Gibbons’ in Office Space? Are you one step away from stapling the company policy to your boss’ forehead? Do you play bullsh*t bingo in meetings, marking your scorecard as managerial types bang on about being “customer centric,” using “best practice” or, God forbid, “value adding”?

If yes, you’ll definitely appreciate Michelle Goodman’s advice for fleeing the cubicle in The Anti 9 to 5 Guide. As a former corporate drone turned freelance writer, she quit the cubicle cold turkey several years back and now advocates a more nicotine patch-style approach to jumping to your dream job. She covers part-time and work-from-home arrangements, temping, and other stop gap measures to help you, as she puts it, “take a flying leap, but wear a helmet”.

Not sure of your dream job destination but break out in hives at the thought of “those self-helpy parachute books”? Goodman’s got you covered with her “Career quiz for women who can’t stand career quizzes”.

Feel free to snoop on my answers...

1. What’s on your nightstand?

It’s basically Magazine Mountain, with Madison, Shop Til You Drop, Cleo, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire all taking up real estate. Also putting in an appearance are Paris and New York travel guides and, of course, The Anti 9 to 5 Guide.

2. Out of all your friends’ jobs, which one are you most jealous of?

Although I’ve never met her, I am totally envious of the chick who won the Westfield shopping centres’ “Get Paid $100,000 to Shop and Tell” competition. It can’t get much better than a year of shopping and blogging for a hundred grand. Hell, I already do that for free, I’m just waiting for the salary to kick in. Any day now.

3. What’s the one thing you’ve been talking about doing forever that your friends are sick of hearing about?

Writing a book and freelancing for magazines.

4. What’s the one off-the-wall, pie-in-the-sky job you’ve always wanted to try that no one knows about?

A computer game or Lego model designer. I also fantasise about building the Big Banana’s and Big Pineapple’s stylish second cousin, the Big Stiletto, and selling shoes, chick flick DVDs, pink cupcakes and Sex and the City memorabilia from the gift shop, with part proceeds going to the RSPCA.

5. If you could start any business or organization, or sell any service or ware, what would it be?

My body. Just jokes – my writing and maybe shoes.

6. If you could work anywhere in the world, in any country or organization, where would it be? Doing what?

In Denmark for Legoland or writing on a deckchair in the Maldives with a chocolate-y cocktail.

7. If “debt,” “years,” and “practical” weren’t words in your vocabulary, what would you be doing now – besides sipping margaritas on your own tropical island?

Oh, besides getting sloshed on a gorgeous beach? I wouldn’t mind job hopping from one crazy role to another and getting paid to write about them at the same time.

The results are quite revealing – I’m nuts, have a shoe fetish, am a not-so-closeted nerd and am gagging to write for fashion mags. What would your answers say about you? Take the quiz and then check out the chapters to help you reach your dream, whether you want to work from home, be your own boss, do work that helps others, feed your wanderlust or crack open the door to a male-dominated field.

Whatever your Holy Grail of occupations, Michelle Goodman’s witty but invaluable advice and nifty action plans will have you on the right track – correction – your right track in no time. And once you’ve taken your cautiously optimistic flying leap out of the cubicle, read the sequel, My So-Called Freelance Life, to learn how to sell your wares once you’re no longer selling your soul. For more info on both books and living a freelance life, drop by Michelle's blog, http://www.anti9to5guide.com/.

Rating: 9/10.

Are you itching to flee the corporate jungle? What's your dream?

100 Ways to be Happier

It's good to have a list of mood boosters for those times you're feeling low, so I decided to create one. Hopefully you'll find something that sounds like fun. C'mon, get happy!
  1. Eat fairy bread. Bonus points for using cookie cutters to make shapes.
  2. Buy a hula hoop and practise tricks in your garden.
  3. Give yourself a neon pink/yellow/blue mani or pedi. Try OPI or Butter LONDON for great shades.
  4. Watch LEGO Death Star Canteen.
  5. Buy a colouring-in book or download and print and get scribbling! Recycle as wrapping paper when you're finished.
  6. Make cupcakes and decorate with extra sprinkles.
  7. Shout yourself a fresh bunch of flowers.
  8. Collect free brochures at a travel agency and start planning your next holiday.
  9. Pack a picnic with sangas, strawberries and pink lemonade. Invite your best friend, Mr Big or fly solo.
  10. Chew bubblegum. Blow enormous specimens of bubblehood. Pop loudly.
  11. Buy cute stickers like these. Use everywhere.
  12. Adopt a fabulous new name, whether you insist your friends call you Starlight Suspenders from now on or you just use it as your online moniker.
  13. Wear big, bad-ass earrings. Strut.
  14. Invade a photobooth with a friend. Go crazy.
  15. Write what's bothering you on notepaper. Place in an envelope. Bury it.
  16. Book in for a massage or have a friend with magic fingers give it a go.
  17. Visit a psychic (even for a laugh if it's not your thing).
  18. Dye your hair the brightest colour you dare.
  19. Buy a roaming gnome, take quirky photos of him and send him overseas to a hostel with his Aussie pics and a note. Include a return address or Facebook page to hear about his international exploits.
  20. Tickle someone or something, even if it's your own fancy!
  21. Dress up for no reason. Take pictures in pin-up girl poses.
  22. Splurge on luxurious lingerie or spruce up existing dacks by sewing on cute bows.
  23. Collect pretty papers and try your hand at origami.
  24. Send a postcard to a foreign land.
  25. Join Compingclub.com for free and start entering competitions.
  26. Experiment by adding fruit, Nutella, sprinkles, popcorn, chocolate topping or lollies to icecream. Aim for surprising combos.
  27. Buy cute fake tattoos and wear them on naughty body parts!
  28. Become a pinball wizard at your local burger joint or video game arcade.
  29. Memorise three funny jokes for when you're asked to tell one in future.
  30. Solve a 9-letter word puzzle.
  31. Make yourself a soda spider.
  32. Fill a friend's letterbox with a little present (think Juno filling Paulie Bleeker's mailbox with Tic-Tacs!).
  33. Rediscover the joys of magic popping gum or hi-sour lollies.
  34. Read One Red Paperclip or Yes Man.
  35. Enrol in a fun short course and learn archery, to play the harmonica or to make beaded jewellery.
  36. Have a hairdresser blowdry your hair.
  37. Try making balloon animals using a kit.
  38. Learn a party trick like rolling your tongue or wiggling your ears.
  39. Build a loungeroom fort from quilts, blankets and chairs. Have a Sex and the City marathon.
  40. Help someone by replying to a questions on Yahoo! Answers.
  41. Pop bubblewrap.
  42. Visit a playground and play on the swings.
  43. Set yourself an eBay or Etsy challenge. Find the cutest, cheapest trinket and shout yourself.
  44. Slather yourself in moisturiser and slip between the covers of a newly-made bed.
  45. Try learning striptease in the privacy of your home.
  46. Ring or email your local radio station. Request a song, leave a message or enter a contest.
  47. Learn to say "bite your bum" in several languages, just in case.
  48. Solve a mystery jigsaw puzzle.
  49. Crack open a Kinder Surprise egg.
  50. Make yourself a bento box lunch.
  51. Hunt for our bobble-hatted hero in a Where's Wally book.
  52. Try using up odd ingredients at home to create a makeshift cooking masterpiece.
  53. Sign up to volunteer or complete a challenge for charity.
  54. Play squares/handball against a wall with a tennis ball.
  55. Write a letter to your favourite magazine. You may even win the monthly reader prize!
  56. Go for a long walk with a good friend.
  57. Pick yourself a bunch of flowers and arrange them in a vase, jar or teacup.
  58. Wear outrageously large false lashes. To the supermarket.
  59. Get a firemen calendar for your perving pleasure. "Hello 911? I'm on fire..."
  60. Grow a jar of alfalfa sprout seeds. Enjoy on buttered bread.
  61. Assemble a vision board of magazine tear-outs, photos and postcards that inspire you.
  62. Inflate a whole packet of balloons in your living room.
  63. Check out a freebies web site and write away for perfume samples, shampoos, coffee and more.
  64. Evoke your inner minx with leopard print.
  65. Register to become a mystery shopper. Getting paid to shop = win!
  66. Apply to be in a magazine using a site like SourceBottle.
  67. Visit an online job site and apply for the wackiest roles you can find. That giant human hotdog mascot role is waiting for you.
  68. Explore a beautiful plant nursery or secret garden.
  69. Wander vintage stores for retro bargains.
  70. Get a bouncy ball with rabbit ears and make like a bunny.
  71. Play old computer adventure game, Leisure Suit Larry. Endearing and dirty all at once!
  72. Jazz up your look with a fascinator, flower or headband. They're not just for the races.
  73. Learn to breakdance.
  74. Relax with a chocolate biscuit and a copy of Vogue.
  75. Sing along to the radio, Singstar or YouTube.
  76. Write a little "Choose Your Own Adventure" book. Include your pals as characters and email or post them a copy.
  77. Join a book club (in person or online).
  78. Find a mentor (try searching online).
  79. Knit yourself a rainbow-coloured woolly scarf this week.
  80. Start a miniature dolls house in your wardrobe!
  81. Browse your local library and borrow a mystery novel or craft book.
  82. Go on a free food scavenger hunt.
  83. Have someone else wash your hair. Lazy, but luxurious!
  84. Indulge in gooey fondue or take fruit and custard out on a picnic. Dipping = fun and delicious.
  85. Learn all the lyrics of an iconic song, like Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby to bust out at karaoke nights.
  86. Play correspondence chess or Scrabble.
  87. Cuddle up to a fluffy animal.
  88. Go on one of those kiddy rides outside supermarkets!
  89. Pay someone a compliment. It'll make you smile too.
  90. Find a Book Crossing book.
  91. Day-glo underwear -- look into it!
  92. Create a bucket list at 43 Things.
  93. Enjoy a pot of exotic tea.
  94. Have a long, hot soak. Go crazy with the bubble bath.
  95. Watch your favourite childhood program or film. My picks? Sesame Street, The Muppets and Uncle Buck.
  96. Sit in a grassy patch of sunshine.
  97. Start planning your next birthday party and compile a list of presents you'd love.
  98. Introduce more glitter into your wardrobe, stat! Eyeliner? Nail varnish? Stilettos?
  99. Play with water balloons in the back yard.
  100. Read Becks and the City. ; )
Want even more? Read Gala Darling's post that inspired mine.

How do you give yourself an instant pick-me-up? Share your tips below.

Interview: Miranda Drew

Miranda is currently an intern in The Australian Women's Weekly magazine's fashion and beauty department. She joins us to share what it's like being a magazine maven-in-the-making and to introduce her brilliant new blog, Miranda in Wonderland.


1. Tell us about yourself and why you'd like to become a journalist.

I’m 20 years old and live on the NSW Central Coast, an hour north of Sydney. I am currently studying at the University of Technology, Sydney. I’m working towards finishing with a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Journalism. I am also doing an internship at The Australian Women’s Weekly in the fashion department and by night I work in a local bar.

I have always loved writing; I find it quite therapeutic. I enjoy sharing my opinions and telling people about new things. That’s the lure of journalism -- being able to do something I love and getting paid for it. Over time, I’ve flirted with the idea of being a nutritionist, book editor, fashion designer, public relations professional, social worker, and librarian, but I always came back to journalism.

I love all those girly women’s magazines like Marie Claire, Women’s Weekly, Vogue and Cosmo. It would be great to join those ranks some day.

2. How did you become an intern? Did you apply to many different magazines?

I was quite lucky scoring my internship. I finish uni for the year in September and I’d mentioned to my mum that I was hoping to do a few days interning during the break. My mum met a man whose daughter is the Market Editor at The Weekly. After telling him about my plans to intern, he gave me his daughter’s contact details! From there, it was a matter of perfect timing.

When I got around to e-mailing her, the department was looking for a new intern and she forwarded on my details. I started a few weeks later. I was lucky because it was the only magazine I’d had a chance to apply to at that early stage. It took a few weeks for her to figure out that I was the girl her dad had told her about because it turns out I’d actually forgotten to put it in my application!

3. What was your first day like?

The first day was very nerve-racking, as first days always are. Starting in the fashion department of a popular women’s magazine, I was particularly nervous about what outfit to wear. I was expecting a little bit of a Devil Wears Prada atmosphere and was prepared to be running around all day, fetching coffees and dry cleaning. But it wasn’t like that at all!

There were five or so ladies in the department where I was working and they were all very friendly, so lovely and very welcoming. I spent the morning cataloguing shoes and bags and packaging them so they could be couriered back to the designers or PR firms. Before my lunch break I had to drop some hats back to Sydney’s The Strand Arcade and on my way back to the office I had to pick up some accessories from the Zara head office! I also had to go to Burberry and pick up this huge bag of Burberry items. It was the largest bag of designer goods I’ve ever seen and the most amount of money I’ve ever had in my hands! I found this all very exciting, I love to play with clothes and shoes and really enjoy wandering around the city. It was a little bit like a dream come true.

4. What does a typical day involve?

To sum it up in one sentence, a typical day involves playing with clothes or accessories of some sort. It can be shoes, bags, jewellery, swimwear. It can be anything from department store to high street fashion to couture. I do whatever needs doing in the fashion department, which is usually arranging the return of items back to the people who sent them to The Weekly in the first place. Occasionally, if things are too close to be couriered, I will pick them up or return them to the store or company myself.

5. Tell us about the blog you've started.

After a little bit of nudging from one of my favourite lecturers at uni, I decided to start my blog, Miranda in Wonderland.

I am very addicted to shopping; I shop at least online every single day so I always have a lot of new clothes, shoes and beauty prodz to write about. Interning in the fashion department of a magazine and playing with what’s hot all day, I sometimes feel like I’m privy to secret insider knowledge about the world of fashion. I thought that compiling my adventures as an intern and all the discoveries I make as a shopping addict might be an interesting concept. And so, Miranda in Wonderland was born.

The name itself came from Alice in Wonderland. It’s been my very favourite movie for as long as I can remember. Likewise for the book. I think it’s fitting, because I sometimes feel like I’m in over my head in the world of fashion and beauty, it’s like a Wonderland.

6. How would you describe your fashion and beauty style?

To be honest, I’ve only just recently developed my style. I am very petite, with a large chest and practically no butt so it took me a very long time to figure out what worked for me and how to apply it to outfits I like and feel comfortable in.

I’ve grown into a style that is surprisingly very cutesy, especially considering I was a tomboy as a child. Think headbands, bows and frills, camis, chiffon, wedges and blazers.

As for beauty, I love a dewy fresh, natural look with a healthy glow and long, voluminous eyelashes. For special occasions or when I’m feeling like I’m in a bit of a beauty rut, I experiment with my nail polish, eye make up and red and pink lipsticks.

7. What are your career goals for the future?

In the short term, I plan to finish my uni degree while continuing to intern. After I graduate, I’d like to work in a women’s magazine like The Australian Women’s Weekly or similar, either in editorial, fashion or beauty. I will also keep posting and working on my blog.

Fabulous Fridays: 9 September 2011


Sorry for being a Tardy McTardy-Pants with this Fabulous Friday, folks. I was a slight mess yesterday generally, even getting lost on the way back to my office temping job after lunch. Yes, I really am that ditzy! In other news...


May you lose yourself in the weekend, not the streets. Have a good one. : )

Fabulous Bookstore


That's right, you can now source all your lust-have fashion and beauty books at the one destination: the Becks and the City bookstore!

The store, which has made an appearance on the right-hand sidebar, currently contains titles featured in the Fabulous Books series of reviews, including:




I've also added a selection of Becks and the City readers' favourite books, as nominated by you in last week's giveaway.

Has your recommendation made the cut? Click here to find out.

And the Winner Is...


SARAH LATHAM!!! YOU'VE WON!!!

After reading a sad book like Hannah's Gift, what better way to perk you up than winning the Becks and the City gift pack? I will be emailing you shortly to arrange delivery of your prize. Congratulations!

Thanks to everyone who entered. : ) I was stoked with the number of entries and to have so many of you join on Twitter and Facebook as well. Perhaps there should be more giveaways in future?

If I do hold more contests in future, what would you like to see as prizes? Cast your vote here...

Fabulous Fridays: 2 September 2011


A big hello to my new followers and welcome back to all the rest. For my regulars, take a moment to enter the Becks and the City giveaway. It closes TOMORROW, and I wouldn't want you to miss out. : )

If you've already entered, stick around and take a stroll through my edit of the best of the Web this week. Enjoy!

  • One of the giveaway prizes, Intimate Adventures of an Office Girl, jumped out at me at the bookstore (what can I say, anything with "Secret Diary" or "Intimate Adventures" in the title reels me in). Find out more...
  • The best new fashion-related zines in 2011. My pick: Girl Crush.
  • Generally, I hate horror films, but this is more a puzzle-solving thriller where a group gets picked off one by one. Check it out: Cube.
  • The Japanese sticker version of Alice in Wonderland. Kawaii!
  • Thanks to everyone who's voted for my PRIMPED beauty reviewer competition entry. I'm now up to 48 votes. : ) If you haven't yet clicked on the vote button for me, be a pal! Check out my Lady Gaga lipstick review and video entry while you're at it.

  • I have a secret hankering for murder mystery jigsaw puzzles. Don't know why, guess it fits in with being a Cluedo fan, which is a lonely business. Anyone else with me?
  • The late Brittany Murphy at her best, with my lookalike, Alicia Silverstone in one of my fave films.
  • Do you wanna intern at the quirky-licious Frankie magazine? Get cracking.
  • As you may know, I totally heart Heart and they're about to tour Australia for the first time ever!!! To celebrate,  here's Ann and Nancy Wilson's version of You're the Voice. Amazing.
  • Got any odd phobias? Me? Coulrophobia.

Good luck in the competition, everyone! Catch you tomorrow to announce the winner. : )

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