Fabulous Fridays: 26 April 2012

It's that time again... let's get fabulous!

• Recycle your old coloured pencils and add to your accessories wardrobe at the same time. Neat!
• You can't get much Closer to the perfect internet meme than this.
• A spot of inter-species relaxation. Very, very cute. : )
• Go nuts for fun projects and crafty goodness? Get curious.
• Usually I can't stand spoof movies, but accidentally caught a few scenes of Dance Flick the other night and couldn't help LOLing.
• How to make a Muppet.
• Blythe + Japanese + pink + zine = incredible!
• Salt-N-Pepa makes everything taste better.
• Girly LEGO -- incredible or insulting? I vote for the latter. Read what Jezebel has to say.
• It's not lame, it's lame... Oh never mind. It's silver and awesome and that's all you need to know.
• Lucky dip Hello Kitty mini figures? Purr. : )
• The Modern Women's Survival Guide provides compelling reasons to quit your job. Don't tempt me...

Kick back, watch an episode of Mad Men and pour yourself a cocktail. I know I will be. ; )

"Diabetic Living" Query

Hooray! My article, "10 Health-smart Ways to Save," has been published in the May/June issue of Diabetic Living magazine (out now). I originally emailed the idea to the magazine on 12 February and the editor responded four days later, saying she was interested, but would like it to be 600 words instead of 1,500.

The finished piece is on pages 46-47 of the issue. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Here's what I wrote in my query email to make it all happen...

I'm a freelance writer, mediator for Consumer Affairs and qualified lawyer who's been published by magazines such as Women's Health & Fitness and Cosmo Bride. Samples of my work are available on my blog.

10 WAYS TO STAY FIT AND SAVE MONEY

Working for Consumer Affairs, I've become somewhat of a bargain shopping guru, helping customers receive better deals on, amongst other things, shoes, supermarket groceries, exercise equipment and gym memberships. I'd like to share the tips I've gathered in an article for Diabetic Living, "10 Ways to Stay Fit and Save Money". Readers would learn how to save money on food, fitness and healthcare, without compromising on quality, including:
* Attending student clinics for discounted podiatry and physiotherapy treatments and more from supervised university students (at significantly reduced fees)
* Borrowing pilates, yoga and aerobics DVDs from the library (free!)
* Visiting the gym or taking healthy cooking and fitness classes at your local community centre (generally around $6 for a casual gym visit and under $5 for classes)
* Snapping up deals on massages, gym memberships and relaxing retreats from group buying sites like Scoopon and Cudo (usually saving at least 50%)

The article would include specific examples of where readers can find these bargains and who to contact for more information. Coming to 1,500 words, it would be delivered within three weeks of hearing you're interested.

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Douglas

Fabulous Fridays: 20 April 2012

You may have noticed there was no Fabulous Fridays post last week. Friday the 13th lived up to its reputation and was truly nightmarish in our household. One of our beloved cats, Jemma, has gone missing. We are still searching for her and are terribly, terribly upset.

I've decided to resume Fabulous Fridays today because during unhappy occasions like this, we all could do with cheering up. So, whether you've had a wonderful week or a shocker like mine, please enjoy...

• A pastel-lover's paradise: Such Pretty Things blog.
• Whose Line Is It Anyway makes everything all better, especially the "Scenes from a Hat" game.
• Mr Big and I recently watched Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl. Silly, gory fun... in Japanese. : )
• Vogue Paris website now available in English. Magnifique!
• When break dance and pole dance join forces...
• Nigella Lawson teaches us how to softly, sensually bake cheese stars.
• Wanna join me in writing a novel in November? Head to NaNoWriMo.
• Girly and gorgeous: pink gingham gift tags on Etsy.
• They just don't bounce and binge on Gummi berry juice like they used to... My childhood fave. : )
• Wait... what? Bacon like you've never seen it.
• Prim, navy and sporting a gigantic bow. The perfect pencil skirt.

Wishing you a happy Friday. xx

Cath Kidston Magazine and Crafting

Who doesn't love a free magazine?

I found out from the gorgeous Victoria's Vintage blog that you can order Cath Kidston magazine for free online and just had to do it. Apparently there's a new edition every few months. Can't wait to receive my copy!

If you're not familiar with British designer Cath Kidston's look, picture floral crafty goodness in pinks, blues and reds. It's perfect if you're going for a bright vintage feel.

I've also been spending my time cutting out pretty magazine pics to use in gift wrapping. Here's one I decorated with a pic from Ray magazine. You may recognise the image I cut out and used below from my blog post here.

I wonder how many lovely free magazines are out there waiting to be discovered. I'm thinking I should go on a treasure hunt!

Query Letter: "SHOP Til You Drop" Magazine

I unsuccessfully pitched an article idea about funky, underground pop-up shops to fashion magazine, SHOP Til You Drop, mid-last year. I think while the concept was intriguing, I didn't explain in my email why they should pick me to write on it. See what you think. This is what I wrote...

I'm a freelance writer 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.

THE RISE OF POP-UP SHOPS

They come, they sell awesome goods, they retreat softly into the ether... pop-up shops (or "guerrilla stores") are becoming increasingly popular as a form of flash mob fashion. They add an air of cool, exclusivity and secrecy to the retail experience, the ultimate in fast fashion. Mimco is currently operating one in Regent Arcade, Adelaide, Ksubi has gotten in on the action in Melbourne and Sydney has been graced with the temporary presence of a 7 For All Mankind version, amongst countless others.

I'd like to write "The Rise of Pop-up Shops" for SHOP readers to learn how and why this trend has evolved and find out about upcoming pop-ups for high street and designer brands in their area.

Coming to 1,200 words, the article would be delivered within two weeks of hearing you're interested.

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Douglas

What do you reckon? Where did I go wrong?

Fabulous Fridays: 6 April 2012

Hello Easter bunnies! Here's what will have your tails a-twitching this week...

• Best. Thing. Ever. Dress up a Sarah Jessica Parker paper doll! See how I styled her here. : )
• Saw Man v Food for the first time this week. Check out that massive pizza!
• While Jersey Shore is on hiatus, we've been getting into the UK version, Geordie Shore. Damned if we can work out what they're saying half the time, though!
• I must admit I've never tried salt water taffy, but this recipe on the Vanilla & Lace blog is definitely tempting me.
• A bit freaky: nature's night lights.
• Samantha Brick caused major controversy by claiming women hate her because she's beautiful. I think there's some truth in what she says.
• Like girly reads of the Candace Bushnell and Sophie Kinsella persuasion? Novelicious will become your second home.
• Roller derby: girls kicking ass and chewing gum... and they're all out of gum. I wish I could skate. : )
• And on a related note... whip it!
• My dance performances could do with some baton twirling action, except I'd probably lose control and accidentally smack an audience member in the face!

Have a fantastically fluffy-tailed Friday! xx

Music Words for Writers

If you're aiming to write for the likes of Rolling Stone and other music magazines, these words are sure to hit the right note.

Chord, instrumental, beat, guitars, drums, percussion, synthesizer, arpeggio, set list, performance, album, jazz. blues, bass, volume, loud, soft, silence, note, tone, rhythm, session, music festival, mosh pit, general admission, concert, compilation, soundtrack, solo, ensemble, choir, groupie, roadie, encore, standing ovation, backstage pass, cymbal, melody, harmony, a cappella, listen, hear, dancers, rockstar, accompaniment, duet, gig, playlist, mixtape, genre, tracks, artist, group, radio, lyrics, release date, MP3, vocals, musician, frontman, EP, punk, hardcore, pub, nightclub, folk, collaboration, ode, voice, listener, sonic, gruff, indie, vibe, booms, bass, rap, reggae, tunes, hypnotic, style, operatic, whisper, eerie, intimate, local, production, floaty, noise, anthem, R&B, avant-garde, keyboard, piano, squeal, sexy, record label, songwriting, raw, energy, debut, Grammys, earnest, honed, pop, Motown, tour, microphone, groundbreaking, explicit, iTunes, single, Aria, underground, number one, chart topper, fans, live show, impromptu, press, media, interview, comeback, crescendo, drone, power, resonance, vulnerability, crowd, audience, CD, cassette tape, vinyl, record, quiet, pause, play, review, trio, diva, mainstream, disco, electro, classical, videoclip, dance, demo, accent, protest song, easy listening, compelling, era, grunge, hip-hop, stardom, teen idol, syncopated, image, upbeat, melancholy, cover, laments, slick, over-produced, platinum, critics, ballad, hits, falsetto, glam rock, influences, commercial, boppy, acclaimed, successful, strained, refrain, conductor, composer, round, theory, aural, symphonic, riff, blend, contemporary.

Have I missed any?