Friday 30 November 2012

The Friday File #13 - Channing Tatum


Getting voted People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive is a sure way to get attention, Channing Tatum has been catching my eye long before this accolade ;-)

Films like "She's The Man", "The Vow" and of course "Magic Mike" *swoons* have made him very much on my radar and whilst 13 is unlucky for some but not for us right now :-)

Monday 26 November 2012

Music Monday: The Lumineers - Stubborn Love


I absolutely love this band. Booked to see them next year, cannot wait!

 


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Friday 23 November 2012

The Friday File #12 - David Beckham


David Beckham is always big headline news but this week he's everywhere as he's announced he's leaving LA Galaxy but where next? Every club is probably going to get linked with him until he announces where he is off to. France? Spain? Australia? Staying in the US or is he indeed coming back home to the UK?

Can't beat a bit of Becks ;-)

Monday 19 November 2012

Music Monday: Gabrielle Aplin - The Power of love


The song features in the Christmas John Lewis advert and helps bring home the emotion and pure joy that Christmas can bring to you. The first time I saw the advert I couldn't help but do a great big "awwwwww" at the end and also wipe away a few tears. So simple. So lovely. So expensive to make! 

The song 'The Power of Love' was of course a Frankie Goes to Hollywood song but now sung slower it seems to take new life. A female voice takes the song back to its original edge and you feel the words pass through you with almost a chill and then your heart lurches with emotion.

 

"Make Love Your Goal"

I think the John Lewis advert and of course the Coca Cola adverts are my favourites this year. Marks and Spencer's one is particularly weak although they get massive props for including a child with Downs Syndrome, even though it wasn't their own idea really.

Also check out more from Gabrielle Aplin on her YouTube channel

 "Dreams are like angels..."







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Friday 16 November 2012

The Friday File #11 - Bradley Cooper


Oh Bradley how I love thee...

He has a new film out (Silver Linings) and I don't know if it's good or bad but I will be seeing it, this weekend! I actually remember seeing him in an episode of Sex & the City YEARS ago and thinking "who is that guy" and now he's pretty much everywhere. It was the movie 'The Hangover' which pushed him into the Hollywood limelight and of course Wedding Crashers, Limitless, The A-Team and He's Just Not That Into You.

He's dreamy.

Wednesday 14 November 2012

My Blogging Manual


With the Google Panda, Penguin, Elephant, Squirrel updates making the internet a bit of a nightmare for some bloggers and website owners I thought I'd share a few of my tips. I've had this space on the internet now for over three years and I've learnt a lot about myself and what you lot who take the time to come back like and don't like. So here are my tips;

Make a series 

I have a very successful Music Monday post and a very new but very popular Friday File. I've had other series in the past which might come back at some point but these two are my regular ones for now. People like routine and you can plan these weeks in advance. You're more likely to get people looking through at the rest of the series if they visit your page just once. You can create your own series on hop on with others, the main ones are the photo only posts called Silent Sunday and Wordless Wednesday.

Follow other bloggers

There's a great blogging community out there and you'll find you've got a great support system there. Some will ask you for advice and others will be on hand when you can't work out why your image won't centre properly. There are so many ways to follow each other through social networking as well as the blog itself. There is the argument that you should follow those in the same category as yours which is true but also follow the things that you love, I follow a lot of food blogs. I love food (have you noticed?).

Take the time to say hello

Like the above comment, don't just follow and leave. Say hello. There's more of a chance that you'll get talking more if you make an effort. I've gained lots of blog friends this way across many social networks. If you read something and it really makes you think "That's brilliant" or you have the answer the blogger needs - COMMENT!

Get personal

I've got personal a few times on here and each time it has been greatly received. People shared back and I know it helped me and others. I would recommend using your writing at times to be personal but be careful to balance it with some "normal" stuff. People don't want to just read about issues all the time.

Find a second outlet

Some people just have their blog and that's it. For me, I find Tumblr and Pinterest are my other outlets, I can send this blog across them and get more followers and friends and also get to curate other things that I love. Food... mainly :-) Make sure again you balance a "bit of your own blog" with "other stuff". Don't get too promotional all the time and people will just love you. Ok, like you a bit ;-)

Read

I've had writers block a few times and it can be so frustrating! Now I've found that reading helps; blogs, books, newspapers. Reading content every day will help you to come up with some ideas for future posts. I also find listening to music helps me to focus on writing. When you're reading blogs, take the time to read the comments. Normally find some real gems in the comments on some of the tech blogs like Mashable and TechCrunch.

BE YOU!

Having your own space on the internet can be quite overwhelming at times, yes it can! Just remember to be yourself and people will appreciate your honesty and opinion.

So Google Animal updates might be making some people's heads spin but I think going back to those above tips might help you to keep you smiling for now. Now does anyone want to send me a real panda or a penguin?




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Monday 12 November 2012

Music Monday - Calvin Harris Feat. Florence Welch - Sweet Nothing


I'm a big fan of Florence and actually of Calvin Harris. I can get my dance groove on you know ;-) So obviously I was going to love this song, and I do!


It's pretty much on loop on my iPod at the moment, love it!




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Friday 9 November 2012

The Friday File #10 - Paul Walker

Friday File has reached double digits and by looks of my stats I'm not the only one enjoying these so they are staying. I know you're so relieved. This week is Paul Walker, oh how I wish to meet him one day. I really loved the Fast and the Furious film series and the next one is due for release next year, YES!

Updated 1st December 2013 - Paul Walker died on November 30th 2013 as the passenger of a car accident. His friend who was driving also died. Rest in peace Paul.

Monday 5 November 2012

Music Monday: Labrinth feat. Emeli Sande - Beneath Your Beautiful


If you ignore the "your" "you're" mess surrounding this song and just enjoy the song it's another absolute gem by Emeli Sande. 2012 really has been her year and I do love this song and Labrinth brings a new depth and style to this.


Oh and it's quite clearly "your" once you've listened to the lyrics fully ;-)




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Saturday 3 November 2012

Singing in the shower?


Who doesn't love singing in the shower?

Exactly.

We all love a good sing song and this cute shower radio is just the right thing to help you with the greatest backing singers in the world. Now the radio is a blue tap... LOOK!


It's a blue tap!

Now I've used various shower radio's and I've never been happy. But this one was a lot clearer on FM but didn't get much luck on AM but that just might be in my bathroom. I'll admit I don't normally use AM so I don't know as I just used both for this review.

I had real difficulties getting this to stick on my tiles with the suction caps. It seemed too heavy and it fell off once and it kinda chinked a corner of the radio :-( But I like having it by the taps and the volume settings are pretty good so it was probably better quality sound being further away from me.

This is only £4.99 and I've seen shower radios for at least twice this amount. It's a great gift and perfect for secret santa's!

- I was sent the shower radio free for an honest product review, you can have a look at more Christmas gifts here.





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Friday 2 November 2012

The Friday File #9 - Patrick Dempsey


You know I love Grey's Anatomy so of course I love, love, love McDreamy - otherwise known as Patrick Dempsey. He has signed up for more Grey's and this new series shows him face a whole new challenge (no spoilers here). He's also in one of my favourite chick flick movies 'Made of Honor', but I didn't admit that did I?