Blog Lovin

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On another note…Isn’t this picture gorgeous? It’s from Garance Doré… She is my absolute favourite of all bloggers. You should most definitely follow her.

Katy Perry You Gorgeous Thing

So about five minutes ago I was sitting downstairs and Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’ music video came on and my god it’s just gorgeous. For once it was nice to see a music video that didn’t involve underage gyrating or scantily clad, tattooed, women booty shaking over male singers laps.

This clip is different my friends. It features young adults with real problems. Yeah I know, crazy huh? REAL ISSUES AND REAL PEOPLE! It’s honestly the biggest breath of fresh air since I installed one of those pine o clean air fresheners in my car. Kidding – they smell rank.

But ‘Firework’ smells good! I bet Katy Perry doesn’t smell too bad either. Okay now I’m getting off track. Besides the fact that half way through this video Katy’s boobs strangely shoot fireworks, it’s fabulous! Just watch it okay?

Told you it’s awesome. Now share it with everyone you know.

A Few Thoughts on Self Promotion “Tweet Tweet”

I’ve been struggling for a while now – fraught with the concept of self promotion. You see, in a year I will be a graduate with a fist full of papers, a silly cape, and a degree saying ‘Bachelor of Communications’ printed on some fancy paper. I even found out the other day that I can put my degree’s initials on my business card, under my name. I didn’t realize people actually did that.

The real problem though is that I will be finished – Finito! – done and dusted with study, text books, and writing essays at 2am when their due at 9am. We all do it, don’t pretend you don’t. The issue is that I am dreading the day I can no longer say brashly, ‘I’m a student and I do some freelance work on the side’. This sentence makes me sound smart, committed and even slightly trendy.

When that day comes and I’m kicked to the curb on the corner of, ‘Are you going to travel?’ and ‘Are you going to get a real job now?’ I want to go down the later path. I’ve always been the kind that wants to set myself up first and then travel. Mainly this is because I can’t stand backpacking and am allergic to contiki tours. When I see the world it will be in a lovely suite minus the copious amounts of cheap booze thank you very much. For now, I’ll stick to piggy backing off my parents travels.

Unfortunately I didn’t make things very easy for myself either. I chose a career path that is extremely competitive. I’m also a jack of all trades who can’t make her mind up whether she wants to be a writer or a public relations person. I come from the generation that says ‘Why can’t I be both?’ I’m still trying to work out if that’s an impediment or a positive.

So as I ponder my own career path I also wonder how someone will know I am the beez kneez and hire me instantly. How do I make myself attractive and completely indispensable? I think I’ve got it sorted – social networking and blatant self advocacy. Someone once told me I had to think of myself as a small business.

This is exactly how my Blog came about. All I needed was a resume that didn’t bore the pants off the human resources chick or make the company CEO cry, ‘NEXT!’ Besides, an online resume is harder to toss in the bin or throw across the boardroom. A Blog is perfect. Not only does it keep my articles in tidy, easy to navigate archives, but it also shows future employees that I’m technologically savvy.

At first I felt extremely apologetic. Eg. My Facebook status update: ‘Totally been using my Facebook lately as my own little ego booster through shameless self promotion haha…sorry’.

I received some lovely comments from friends, saying ‘don’t worry, we love hearing about all the cool stuff your doing’. Although, I also had someone use the quote against me a few days later in the comments section of an article I wrote for another online publication. I thought my Facebook status was rather modest. Turns out you can turn the humblest of comments into a spiteful remark if the perfect context presents itself. Lesson learnt! I was quickly aware that to have a thousand lovers you need at least 500 haters.

However, I trudged on – harassing the few social networking channels I had control over. As uncomfortable as I felt, I don’t regret self promoting myself for a second. I have had several gigs thrown at me through Twitter, some from Facebook, and even more from directing people to my Blog. This is how I became a freelance writer, blogger, and unbeknownst to even me a ‘social networking specialist’ – all while still studying at Uni. I don’t want to come across as some kind of self proclaimed expert, but I just want to let people know that this social media marketing does work.

In the 21^st Century you’re only going to get the job you want from promoting yourself. On another note, this could be the reason men thrive in the workplace, receive better pay and superior job titles. There arrogant. But before you bite my head off, men have the good sort of arrogance that says, ‘I know what I’m doing, hire me, or it’s your loss!’ – even if they are under qualified and incapable of the task. Once they have the job they’ll figure out how to do it.

So this is my conclusion; Blog’s and social media are good for getting a job, getting a better job or keeping a job. So because we surround ourselves with work, it’s probably a good idea to get on board before everyone thinks of it. Personally, I just want to land my dream job after Uni (whatever that is) and if this gets me a smidgen closer, why not be a little self loving?

At first it’s hard to find a voice online, but eventually you do. Over a short amount of time I have developed some kind of online presence and am in contact with people I would have never met otherwise. At the end of the day employees want to know that you can produce content. Content is key. But that doesn’t mean you should post about every Tom, Dick, Harry and his dog. Prioritize content of value and manage your self branding – whatever that might be. I’m still finding mine.

Wow, that was a rant and a half…

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Got a Question?

So G&G is doing our very first question and answers session and who better to start with than the Australian born, model turned jewellery designer, Samantha Wills.

She’s stunning huh? Yes, we can officially hate her. But in that I-love-you-so-much-I-hate-you kind of way.

I have been a huge fan of Samantha’s designs for a long time. It was love at first sight when I was given a simple, silver pair of Samantha Wills hoop earrings. The adorable packaging (amazing little carved wooden boxes) was just the sprinkles on the already perfectly iced cupcake. In fact, here is the SW version of christmas…

Got a question for Samantha? I know I have several (thousand). You can ask anything, from her life as a budding jewellery designer to, ‘How the hell can I accessorize my kaftan for Summer?’… okay that’s my question, no stealing.

Leave your question below in the comments section and I will pass them onto the lovely lady herself. Make sure you subscribe to my blog so your aware straight away when I post her answers to your questions.

In the meantime you should totally browse her collection here. She even has her own blog. On a totally selfish note, would you like to see what I want for Christmas?

I’m such a fan of bangles, bracelets, really anything that lives on my wrist, and these are just gorgeous. Plus they would look ah-ma-zing with my summer kaftans. Thanks Santa Samantha.

Where is your true ‘Home’?

I used to live in Melbourne. When I was there I was unhappy with what I was doing, but never unhappy about where I lived. That’s why it was so hard to leave something I wasn’t enjoying.

I’m fortunate enough to travel back frequently though and every time I come home, I feel like I leave ‘home’ behind.

Anyway I took some snaps on my latest Melbourne adventure… thought I would share them with you. But want to know my absolute favourite thing about Melbourne? Flowers are so cheap!!! These were out the front of the GPO…

And the funny thing is $25 is expensive in Melbourne. You can usually pick some up for about $10 at the train station. Ridiculous. On the Gold Coast these would set you back at least…AT LEAST… $50. More likely $60. I don’t blame my boyfriend for not buying me flowers, but if we lived in Melbourne there would be no excuse haha

Home…

Variety Garden Party

Like gardens? Enjoy Parties? Then you should be going to the Variety Garden Party this coming Saturday. The dress is poolside chic – my kinda style. Mainly because I’m presuming I don’t have to wear heels. Oh damn, the girl in this poster is wearing heels…

I’m attending for my client Living Silk who are showcasing some of Camilla Franks designs at the event. I will be the one running around in a blue sparkly kaftan with a camera round her neck shoving it in front of people’s faces. Pretty classy stuff.

And if you can’t go, then that’s okay because I will be back with pictures and video from the evening. But it would be lovely to see you there if you can come – after all it is for charity.

Details are on the invite below…

Do I have to wear heels?

Missoni Hand Towels & Babes Named After Cocktails

I collect Missoni hand towels. I collect them because I am completely addicted to Missoni, the brand, and its leading lady – Margherita Missoni. I hate her. But only because I love her.

I’m sad I know. Hand towels are only a step up from tea towels. But their the only thing I can afford from the Missoni range, and I’m not totally comfortable with upgrading to a $200 beach towel.

So here she is… my absolute favourite style icon. She’s uber-super cool, plus her name is a cocktail.