Gone Flying. Back 9 February!


Hello hello! Just jotting a quick note to let you know I'll be travelling to Malaysia tomorrow for my friends' wedding!

Sadly, that means no Fabulous Friday post this week. Fear not, however. I have some juicy things lined up for you upon my return on 9 February, including an interview with a clever intern, a magazine guide and reviews of some adorable new glossies I've discovered here and there. Plus, all the goss from my travels.

In the meantime, I'll be updating Twitter and Facebook still, so pop by and have a chat there, if you'd like.

Love you all!

xx

Becks

Fabulous Fridays: 27 January 2012


Time for a cuppa and a good lie down ahead of an energetic weekend, or to set the tone for a relaxed one. Either way, let's explore what's fabulous and fascinating this week...


Have a good one. xx

Wheels + Dollbaby Challenge: Update #1


My new challenge for 2012 is to finish the zine I'm creating, Magazine Love. Here's the lowdown...

In early January, I posted "Hello 2012!" on this blog, in which I outlined my goals for the year, including the Wheels + Dollbaby Challenge. The Challenge is aimed at spurring me on to finish and launch Magazine Love, which I started late last year. Once this happens, I've promised myself free reign of the delectable Wheels & Dollbaby online store.

At this stage, I've finished 16 out of 25 double pages of the zine, so I'm getting towards the pointy end. Of course, I could just purge the last 9 pages and call it a day, but I really want to create a quality zine, something I would enjoy reading (and hopefully you will too!). I'm not quite satisfied with it yet. Today I got through the pages in the Zines section, so I'm gradually getting there!

So, here's the remaining pages I need to complete to meet the challenge:
  • Sporty and Zen
  • Fashion and Alternative
  • Letters
  • Reuse, Recycle
  • Giftwrapping
  • Gift Tags
  • Gift Baskets

I'll update you as I cross them off. Not long now!

Any advice to help motivate me? I'm all ears. : )

Fabulous Fridays: 20 January 2012


I'm finding the life of a features writer isn't all glamour, especially when you get a mid-week migraine (owie!). Let's see if we can find a cure...

  • Does Zooey Deschanel have champagne-flavoured nipples or something? The whole world has the hots for her in a major way right now and I just don't get it!
  • I'll be whipping this up for lunch today using leftover roast vegetables. Looks easy enough even for me. : )
  • Like Etsy, art, nature, jewellery and dreamy pictures? Step right this way to the JooJoo blog.
  • I'm crushing on Lula magazine right now. For fans of alternative fashion glossies like Frankie, Russh, and YEN.
  • If you're not already following hilarious Star Trek legend, George Takei (on Twitter, on Facebook), do yourself a favour!
  • My favourite stationery store, Typo, recently raised the ire of conservative Christian feminist, Melinda Tankard Reist for selling "pornographic" products... marketed towards adults. Overreaction, much?
  • Want a flawless look? Get Fotoshop by Adobe. Love.
  • The new version of '80s hit, Young Talent Time, will hit Aussie TVs this week. You can blame the original for launching Kylie and Dannii Minogue and Tina Arena into stardom. Sorry.
  • Hello sailor! Gorgeous.
  • My friend Nicola sent me this link: The Six Weirdest Cities People Actually Live In. Who wants to visit fun-sized Disneyland with me?
  • Feel like you're always in the dark? Leave a light on, I say.

A little Friday frivolity always cures what ails ya! Have a good one. : )

I Tried... Visiting a Psychic!


When I decided to tick "visiting a psychic" off my bucket list,  I didn't realise there'd be a psychic fair in my suburb the very next weekend. It was like it was meant to be...

In matters of the mystic, I consider myself an "open-minded skeptic" (aka fence-sitter). I've suspected I was clairvoyant on occasion when I accurately predicted, say, my dropped toast would land butter side down, but it usually turned out to be well-founded pessimism in disguise.

With this in mind, I dragged Mr Big along to the psychic fair and for a mere fiver, was admitted entry to the local arts centre transformed into a world where hippies ruled supreme. Middle-aged women sauntered among trestle tables of healing crystals, boxed tarot card sets, incense and bohemian jewellery of questionable style, but the psychics were where the real action was, at $30 or more a pop (ouch!).

Poor Mr Big looked terminally bored. I left him browsing books with titles like Find Your Guardian Angel and What Colour is My Aura? and stepped up to the only available psychic's table for a 20-minute tarot reading. She looked, well, like a pretty, thin, middle-aged lady with a kindly face bare of makeup. Not especially hippy-like. Good start, as far as appearances can take you.

I confessed to being a newbie and asked how we should proceed. She explained as she got me to shuffle and cut the card deck that I could either ask a specific question or have a general reading. I opted for the latter. Some nice-sounding cards came up in the latticework arrangement she made on the table. Except the hanged man. I hoped that wasn't a bad one.

When we started, I deliberately didn't reveal anything about myself to see what she would come up with unprompted. She zoned in on career questions, explaining I had many possible paths and that I should try to extend myself and learn new things (like trying a pyschic reading, perhaps?). She said my partner is very accommodating (correct) and that she could see travel to nordic countries like Denmark (Legoland?!).

All of her predictions sounded positive and in tune with my past, future goals and present plans. I was a bit puzzled when she could see pharmacy or chemistry around me, but hey, maybe she was predicting last night's jab in the bum to cure my migraine? Who knows. In any event, even the hanged man turned out to have a positive interpretation, something about the bubbles surrounding him representing opportunities I can pluck out of the air.

And there you have it, I'm all predicted up and ready to kick my future in the balls. Or something.

Have you visited a psychic? Did they have any startling predictions for you?

The 4-hour Work Week


There was such a huge buzz surrounding this book, I just had to check it out...

I hate business books, as a general rule. To me, they always seem to be filled with vague mantras like "work smarter, not harder", without giving examples of how to actually put the concept into practice. Plus, their hard-sell language on the back cover always puts me right off.

I made an exception for Tim Ferriss's book because, frankly, who can resist the lure of working 4 hours a week? Plus, everyone seemed to be raving about it, so there must be something to it, right?

Damn straight, there is! He challenges what we've all been trained to believe from a young age: that to be a good citizen, we should work 40 hours per week in a boring job until we're 65 or so and then retire. By retirement age we're often too old to really enjoy ourselves. Instead, why not take mini-retirements throughout your life and work as little as possible? Sounds good to me.

Before you go thinking Tim is one lazy SOB, here's a quick run-down of his achievements:
  • Princeton University guest lecturer in high-tech entrepreneurship
  • First American in history to hold a Guinness World Record in tango
  • Advisor to more than 30 world-record holders in professional and Olympic sports
  • Wired magazine's "Greatest Self-Promoter of 2008"
  • National Chinese kickboxing champion
  • Horseback archer (yabusame) in Nikko, Japan
  • Political asylum researcher and activist
  • MTV breakdancer in Taiwan
  • Hurling competitor in Ireland
  • Actor on hit TV series in mainland China and Hong Kong (Human Cargo)

Impressive, huh? Not only does he share how he's done all this, there's plenty of challenges, online resources, examples, worksheets and links to templates on his web site to help you emulate his success. If you even take away one of his tips in the book, you'd see your life improve, but even if you don't implement any of his suggestions, you'll definitely enjoy the plethora of cheeky anecdotes from Tim, his friends and previous readers.

The principles are certainly applicable to writers and freelancers -- how to "batch" your work tasks, not get distracted during the work day, and ease your way out of a 9-5 job and increasingly work from home. They have definitely helped me.

I borrowed this book from the library, read it, bought the expanded edition on Amazon and then reread it. This is one you'll want to return to again and again until you wear the words off the page.

Read it IMMEDIATELY. Thank me later.

Rating: 10/10.

Have you read The 4-hour Work Week? What did you think?

Fabulous Fridays: 13 January 2012


Yes, it's one of those spooky Friday the 13th editions of Fab Friday *shivers*. Quick, distract yourself with these finds of the week...


Just don't walk past a black cat or under a ladder in your stilettos and you should be fine. Happy Friday!

Query Letter: "Peppermint" Magazine


Many of you would know of my long-standing love affair with Peppermint magazine. Writing for them would be a dream come true, but unfortunately it wasn't to be this time around. I never got a response to this pitch I emailed...

I'm a freelance writer from Adelaide who's been published by magazines including Women's Health & Fitness and Cosmo Bride. Samples of my work are available on my blog, Becks and the City.

What's a girl to do when she meets injustice in the world? Unfortunately, the modern answer can often be worry about the cause, but not know how to solve the problem.

It's time to bring back the elegantly-phrased protest letter!

I'd like to use my experience working for a state minister and hobby of serial letter-writing to magazines (a major glossy once published seven of my letters in one year -- I stopped before they took out a restraining order) to bring "Make a Statemint" to Peppermint readers. Covering the different causes, where to address your letters and when to start or join a petition, the article would provide a gentle, politically-neutral guide to practicing your penmanship and literary fist-shaking all at the same time.

Coming to 1,000 words, the article would be delivered within two weeks of hearing you're interested.

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Douglas

Not sure what went wrong. : ( Please send me any advice you can muster!

Wedding Words for Writers



A wedding is not a time where you want to be stuck for words. Here's a few to get you started.

Occasion, nuptials, marriage, countdown, proposal, romance, passionate, bridal, bouquet boutique, floral, flowers, bonboniere, stationery, catering, event, gown, frock, festive, merry-making, enjoyment, DJ, musician, celebrant, seasons, bubbly, champagne, toast, speech, cocktail, dinner, brunch, ballroom, invitation, embossed, bejewelled, pampering, beauty regime, makeup, toned, trim, boot camp, tanned, lighting, rings, personalised, intricate, simple, elegant, graceful, first dance, train, fascinator, hair clip, veil, bow, lace-up, pearlescent, glittery, buttons, lapel, moonlit, candles, special, soiree, delicate, embroidered, sweetheart neckline, ruching, bustle, control underwear, strapless, decolletage, sprinkled, cupcake, fruit cake, croquembouche, pastry, artistry, beach, garden, hotel, homestead, sculptures, drinks, embellished, family, intimate, regal, lavish affair, trickling, fountain, suits, dinnerware, registry, honeymoon, destination, elope, budget, chic, mother-in-law, father-in-law, plans, decorations, organisation, weather, chandelier, processional, ceremony, buck's night, hen's night, venue, dressmaker, florist, toasting, menu, ritual, entree, main, dessert, organza, tulle, lace, silk, taffeta, vintage, layered, modern, traditional, conservative, groomsmen, bridesmaids, jewellery, entertainment, details, off-white, cream, coffee, ivory, satin, favours, theme, roses, peonies, tulips, image, portrait, photography, angles, capture, dress, chapel, table runner, church, groom, ruffle, wispy, sheath, corset, mermaid, princess, chair covers, de-stress, diamantes, maid-of-honour, pavillion, garden, marquee, bodice, Hollywood glamour, celebration, confetti.

Any I've left off the list?

Fabulous Fridays: 6 January 2012


How's 2012 been treating you so far? Easing your way in or bursting into the new year, we could all do with a dose of the delightful...

  • We miss you, Patrick, but we'll always have Dirty Dancing to remember you by.
  • It isn't even a fair contest -- Cake or Death? Get your bloggy sugar fix here.
  • Who needs a meat schnitty when you could enjoy eggplant parmigiana instead?
  • I'm thinking the Girls! Girls! Girls! CD would be a good investment in my future of raunchy dancing. Plus, it has a cute cover, so it's bound to sound good, right?
  • The story of the 30-something woman who decided to advertise for a sugar daddy: Sugarbabe. One of my absolute faves for its insights on men. Read it!
  • Would you let your car be plastered in advertising for money? I'm considering it, but can't decide if it's selling out or money-making genius. PS, if it were an ad for troll dolls, I'd say yes in a heartbeat!
  • A biochemist by day and Las Vegas pole dancer by night. Can you think of a better superhero?
  • Back in the '80s, I used to traipse around a pixellated wonderland as Sir Graham for hours playing King's Quest (nerrrrrd!). Best. Fridge magnet. EVER!!!
  • We're cooking this low-fat Vietnamese chicken salad for dinner at tonight's girls night at my house. Can't wait. : )

What's new @ Becks and the City

  • Facebook: New favourite Vogue covers in my gallery, including Kate Moss.
  • Facebook: CLEO magazine quoted me on lipstick in the January issue, but screwed up my age!
  • Etsy: Find precious vintage and handmade pieces Carrie would be sure to appreciate in my Sex and the City: Carrie's Closet treasury.
  • Facebook: New gallery of fashion drawings by Megan Hess, illustrator for several Candace Bushnell books, including Sex and the City.
  • Facebook: More girly indie publications you'll adore in the ZINES gallery, including a Sex and the City comic and the first issue of Cosmopolitician!

That's it 'til next week. Cheerio!

Hello 2012!


2011 is, like, sooooooooo last year.

And not everything last year went to plan.

I had two writing goals for 2011, to create a kick-ass magazine writing portfolio (tick!) and to get my non-fiction book published (FAIL). To help myself along, I issued challenges to myself with highly desirable rewards for inspiration. When I was satisfied with my portfolio, I treated myself to a beautiful cardigan in the Alannah Hill Challenge. My quest to own a pair of sweet little mouse flats in the Marc Jacobs Challenge didn't fare so well.

Let's take a look at the flip side -- my personal goals for 2011. I had nine, I accomplished... two (improving my writing portfolio and going on a girls' trip), and the second one was only because my friend's husband organised it, not me. Yikes, that's not a great strike rate! In the words of Carrie, "If I was a ball player, I'd be batting... whatever really bad is".

Rather than feel guilty (such a wasted emotion), this year I'm going to alter my approach. So, hang onto your fedoras, ladies, here's the plan as we delve into 2012... : )

Firstly, I'm resuscitating the Marc Jacobs Challenge, which since the beginning of 2011, has only had two updates (naughty, naughty!). And, I'm introducing...

The Wheels & Dollbaby Challenge


Picture Alannah Hill clothing with a stronger '50s edge, worn by the likes of Dita Von Teese, Gwen Stefani and Katy Perry and with rockstar prices to match. Check out the gloriously girly eboutique here.

So, if I win this challenge, I'm giving myself dangerously free reign in the W&D store. To earn it? This should hopefully be easy -- finish and launch my zine, Magazine Love. For my first blog post on this new challenge, I'll outline my game plan. : )

Personal Goals

As for my personal goals, I've decided to take a fresh approach. Even though my current bucket list is rather small, it still has enough items to overwhelm me. The multi-tasker in me wants to begin all of them at once and then gets frustrated, so I'm keeping things simple and... where I can see them.

In 2012, I'm introducing a mini bucket list on the Becks and the City sidebar to show you my latest personal goals -- hobbies I'd like to take up, experiences I'd like to try, my travel wishlist, etc. You can even send me suggestions. Big and small aspirations will be included and feel free to share with me whether you've tried any of them or your tips for succeeding! I plan for it to be an ever-changing kaleidoscope of experiences and you'll hear about when I succeed in ticking off an item. Boy, will you hear about it! ; )

So that's the plan. What do you think? And what do you think of my current mini bucket list?

Goodbye 2011


Beck's year 2011...

  1. Enjoyed being part of a live TV audience for a football show, along with Mr Big and friends.
  2. Revelled in the glorious tackiness that is the Eurovision Song Contest.
  3. Completed my first paid copywriting assignment for a recruitment agency's blog.
  4. Placed 3rd in an amateur pole dancing competition by performing a routine to Jason Derulo's "In My Head".
  5. Was a bridesmaid for my very close friends, Alexis and Ying, in a lovely October ceremony.
  6. Experienced my first spray tan, massage and facial and shortest haircut (a bob) in ten years.
  7. Won the Alannah Hill Challenge by compiling a nice little magazine writing portfolio and bought myself a pretty cardigan as a reward.
  8. Became hooked on the fist-pumping, hard-drinking action in Jersey Shore.
  9. Celebrated a delightful first anniversary in Sydney with Mr Big, exploring Taronga Zoo, discovering the amazing Kinokuniya bookstore and eating at Pie Face and Wagamama.
  10. Became hooked on zines and started creating Magazine Love.
  11. Dressed as a Strawberry Shortcake character, in a masquerade mask and as a pirate for friends' birthdays.
  12. Survived the fifty-billion musical numbers we watched in a stage production of Miss Saigon.
  13. Worked as a guerrilla secretary in a private boys' college, tree-lopping company, hospital, car dealership, solar panel provider, law firm and old folks' home, amongst others. Almost worked for Witchery.
  14. Witnessed my football team's worst thrashing in the club's history live in Melbourne.
  15. Hosted the first Becks and the City giveaway.
  16. Let my inner nerd out to play at my first comic convention and saw Lance Henriksen (the android, Bishop, in Aliens) speak live.
  17. Wrote for Women's Health & Fitness and eBayLife magazines, and scored a gig as assistant editor for The Essential Guide to Twitter.
  18. Won a VIP backstage pass to a fashion parade and enjoyed a personal styling session, makeup application by The Body Shop, meeting hot cricket stars and getting a behind-the-scenes view of the modelling world with my mother-in-law and two friends.
  19. Nearly collapsed learning to dance the can-can.
  20. Enjoyed a full 12 months off from my regular 9-5 occupation to write, write, write.
Thanks 2011, you've been amazeballs and awesomesauce!

Wanna see my 2010 list? Here it is.

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