Browsing Tag

bloggers

Lifestyle, London

Vouchercodes.co.uk Swap Shop

November 14, 2014


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PicMonkey Collage

Last Monday evening I attended what is already one of my favourite blogger events of the season, the VoucherCodes.co.uk Swap Shop. The last time I went to the VoucherCodes.co.uk Swap Shop it was great, and every time it just gets better! I still have the items that I picked up the last time and I think that the ones I got this time will also stay in my wardrobe for a while. That’s how good these events are!

We had mac and cheese to comfort our stomachs and tasty cocktails to brighten up the spirits, as well as the proverbial blogger macaroons (how pretty are they? I can also assure they were delicious). The main thing that brightened everyone’s eyes was the clothes swap. Are we crazy about clothes? Yes we are! And how about if you can get a wardrobe uplift without having to spend any money? EVEN BETTER!

How does it work? You bring in 5 items you have in your closet that’s either new or barely worn and swap them for stamps, that you can the redeem and get other new or new to you items. The anticipation was high, as some of us had a look at the pictures of the items being uploaded on Instagram and had already picked a few favourites. Once everything was put in place the clothes frenzy started but in a very civilised way – no hairs were pulled or clothes torn as a lot of us are friends and even pick things up for one another. Talk about blogger love!

After picking a few favourites, I redeemed my stamps and enjoyed the glitter lipstick makeup and the photobooth printouts. Photobooths are some of my favourite features at events, what can I say? We all got our lips painted in sparkly colours and I decided to go for a turquoise blue, as it would complement my hair colour. I was surprised with the result, I think I may want to get some blue lipstick to wear on other occasions.

All in all, it was a lovely evening and I wish there were more events like these – it’s always great to see my blogger friends and get a new wardrobe at the same time! Thank you VoucherCodes.co.uk for organising this, please don’t stop!

Uncategorized

Ask a… Blogger

November 7, 2014

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Bloggers are equally loved and hated, by both bloggers and non-bloggers. Either because some people can be a little bit obnoxious, others condemn receiving free gifts and writing reviews… Whatever the reason is (there are plenty and really, no one is a dollar bill to be loved by everyone, right?), sometimes it can be a little bit embarrassing to say I am a blogger. Even makes me feel a little bit “dirty”. So I wanted to ask other bloggers:

Do you feel “dirty” when you tell people you are a blogger?

No, not at all. For the most part, I don’t really get asked if I’m a blogger or what my blog is like. Only my husband and daughters know, I feel no need to tell anyone else in my family. My sister knows, but thankfully all of them think it’s great. And have been supportive. But, I know there are people who look down on bloggers and think it’s not a ‘real’ job or needs much energy put into it. My husband realized this when he sat down with me as I was putting a post together & it took me hours instead of a ‘few minutes’ as he thought it would take.

A blog can essentially be like a webzine like place for not only one’s thoughts, but also a platform for sharing news and other important issues and opinions. So, I never feel ‘dirty’ so to speak when I say I’m a blogger, I think I only would if I was publishing information that wasn’t well informed or pointless. Or if I was one of those bloggers that were being pulled by strings just to be famous or well known. As long as I’m myself and other bloggers are themselves, then being a blogger should never been considered ‘dirty’. It’s just another form of expression, a creative way to reach people around the world that otherwise, you’d never come into contact with. I’m proud to be a blogger & also one that strives to be different and present exactly who she is!”

Kizzy, The Dainty Dolls House

“When I started blogging I didn’t tell anyone as it never crossed my mind. Eventually though my uni friends found my blog. Most of them were genuinely interested, although a few people were weird about it. It made me realise that something that seemed so positive to me could be seen as odd or even shallow by others. That upset me as I was so proud of what I had created.

Now all my friends and family know, and everyone is super lovely about it. They support me and are genuinely interested in it. Blogging isn’t dirty and I’m proud to tell everyone and anyone.”

Emma, Bloomzy

“For the most part, I don’t feel ‘dirty’ when I introduce myself as a blogger. However, having said, that I have had plenty people who have made me feel rather Christina Aguilera ‘Dirty’ when they have made comments to me about why I do my blogging- indicating that I write or give my opinion in exchange for freebies. Thank Goodness I get so much free soap, and cleansers; as what state would my conscience be in without it?

Blogs and blogging is perceived rather differently to how it is perceived in the US or abroad-where it can be a more serious form of media and hence, writers or editors of the blogs are paid for editorial content. Here, in the UK it is looked upon as more of a contra concept where goods or services are exchanged for posts. Perhaps this is why I come across some who gives me those dirty looks. Blogging here, also seems to be associated with students, and namely students with no jobs. Being a freelance Marketing & PR consultant for the last three years I saw the extraordinary value my blog has brought me in terms of business. I always like to describe my blog as ‘the little engine’. Doing free blog posts for the most part, has given little tasters to potential clients who have asked me to do copy writing, and other tasks for them over the last few years.

I never feel bad about blogging because of all the wonderful people I have met through my art of writing. I know that at the end of the day it is truly appreciated, and I’ve got more than 10,000 fans who support and encourage me in what I do. My blog is a special place where I can share my expertise to others in fashion, beauty, and other lifestyle issues. I would and have encouraged many others to start their own blogs in the time I’ve been doing mine, because who knows where will it lead you on your path? Like all paths though, as in every enchanted forest we’re sure to encounter a troll or two. So whenever someone tries to make a blogger feel dirty, we’ll refer them to a beauty contact of ours who make great soap! Trolls wash your mouths out, as bloggers are here to stay!”

Lili, Beauty and the Snob

“The short answer is no. I tell people that I’m a blogger when they ask me about my interests and my passions; the subject comes out naturally when I mention that I’m a food lover and a writer. Sometimes, they’re absolutely unimpressed, and we move on to talk about something else. Others put up an excited face and ask me for my URL; flattering at first, disheartening when I discover that they never spent a second on my blog, and were just faking enthusiasm. Other times, the most surprising, unlikely connections come up; hadn’t I mentioned that I have a food blog on my first day at my new workplace, I would never have found out that a colleague’s girlfriend is a food blogger too!

None of this makes me feel embarrassed in the least: if the things I write about (or the fact that anyone with an internet connection can read them) made me feel uncomfortable, I would simply avoid writing them online. As for the people who dislike bloggers…well, as they say, it takes all sorts. Some people despise salesmen; others hate bankers; that there may be someone, out there, who feels that bloggers are a sham doesn’t surprise me in the least. We’re all entitled to our own views; whatever others choose to think of what I do is their business, and theirs alone. While I respect everyone else’s opinion, I have no intention to lose my sleep over it. All I care about is doing what I love, having fun while I do it, and connecting with like-minded people with whom I can share my passion. That shouldn’t be something to feel ashamed of, right?”

Federica, Whatever Gets You Through The Day

If you are a blogger, what do you think? Do you feel dirty to tell people you are a blogger? What would make you feel dirty to be a blogger? I want to know!

London

Weeks and weeks have passed

October 20, 2014

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Just because I’ve been quiet, it doesn’t mean I haven’t been doing anything… Au contraire! The last few weeks have been hectic but with my own laptop broken and not enough free time, pictures have been accumulating. As such, here’s a condensed picture post about events and things I did around London Fashion week! Better late than never, I suppose.

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Ada Zanditon Couture Show at ME Hotel.

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Did a lap around Somerset House, just for the sh*ts and giggles.

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Walked around Battersea with Aminta from Aminta Online and Victoria from Style Marmalade, following and documenting their Walking Povera art project.

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Coqui Coqui and Hacienda Montaecristo launch at Fenwick of Bond Street.

London

The great leap forward – moving to a foreign country

October 1, 2014

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This past August marked 4 years since I’ve become an expat (or an immigrant, whichever you prefer, I’m fine with both) in the UK. A lot has changed since then and even more so the last few months as I’ve moved to fast paced London, which is at a contrast with sleepy Grantham. I had discussed the idea of writing a blog post like this with a few other expat bloggers a while ago. After moving to London, the idea kind of simmered down in my head but thankfully Federica didn’t forget about it.

What did I want to write about? Mainly the differences. I think I am pretty well adapted to living in England but I also know I will always be different. I am different just because I am my own person but also because there are always things about us that are a product of where you came from or who raised you. In my case, I was born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal and I will always have some “Portugueseness” about me. I am proud of that difference. I don’t pretend to be anything else than who and what I am. I have an accent, for example. It has changed over time, but I have one. It might change again in the future, but it’s not a conscious process.

Given all this, what are the main differences (apart from the obvious, like having to adapt to a different climate or currency) that I notice? There are many, and I am fine with most of them. I wouldn’t be living here if I wasn’t, trust me. Others, I can’t for the life of me get my head around them:

The obsession with tanning. I can understand that getting a bit of sun down on you is a good thing (hello vitamin D, my bones love you), but fake tan… really? Spray tanning, tanning lotions, all seem a bit odd to me. I know, this comes from a person who comes from a sunny country… but how is looking like an Oompa Loompa a good or healthy look? Or the way the spray tan looks like when it’s wearing off… the homeless-person-who-hasn’t-had-a-shower-in-months look is not a good one. Please do show me some fake tan that’s done properly and doesn’t look fake, so I can change my mind.

Separate hot and cold water taps. One of my favourite pet peeves. Picture this: you want to wash your face, and you either burn it or you freeze it. Or you have to really quickly move your cupped hands between the two taps. Not good nor practical. I’ve discussed it with a few of my other foreign colleagues at work and we all agree: Britain, get some mixing taps. (I’d like to add that thankfully the house where I live at the moment actually has them. Great quality of life improvement, I would say!)

Aisles of crisps in the supermarket. One of the things that completely shocked me was the amount of crappy processed food available in the supermarkets. I’m no health buff nor do I consider myself a foodie, but how many miles of shelves full of crisps and other similar things does one actually need? Same goes for chocolate, sweets and confectionery. I’d just say that no wonder this country has so many problems with obesity…

I hope no one is (too) offended by my observations. Not everything has been a cultural shock or difficult to grasp and there are a few other habits and foods that I’ve actually embraced fully and happily:

Onesies – I have 2, obviously cat themed. 

Tea with milk – I’ve always hated coffee (and for that called a fake Portuguese person) but I’ve had more cups of milky tea in the last 4 years than the rest of my life.

Putting on weight – Sadly, it’s a fact, I’ve put on a few kilos that I don’t seem to be able to shed. Must be something in the water. that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. 

Marmite – Got acquainted with it while I was still in Portugal and now I have it even more often. 

Fruit flavoured cider – What’s there not to like? It’s cider and it tastes of strawberry or lime or pear… Yum!

These are just a few examples I can think of. There’s plenty more things but I also don’t want to bore you too much. Living in a foreign country is hard but it helps when you are open minded and not afraid to try new things. Which I do, all the time!

Check out the other ladies’ blog posts on being an expat in the UK here: (more links to be added as we get them ready)

Italy vs Britain – A Game of Culinary & Cultural Differences by Federica of Whatever Gets You Through The Day

 I Heart London by Honey from The Girl Next Shore

London

#First International Football Tournament – Vodafone

July 23, 2014

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Last week I attended an event at the Arsenal football stadium. I can hear some of you who know me well say “Whaaat? What were YOU doing in a football stadium?”. I can assure you that it was for a good cause! I am not a huge fan of football but the whole idea behind the Vodafone #First campaign is to make people’s dreams come true, so I guess that was worth it. You may have seen the viral video of the old ladies that had never flown before, and this time, they brought a team of young lads from Ghana to play with a team in London. How cool is that?

“Work hard and remember where you’re from”

Those were the words Sani, the football coach said to the boys as they started their journey to the UK. Those are wise words and good advice to anyone, I would say.

I am sometimes a bit cynical when it comes to advertising but, in this case I think Vodafone did a nice thing. Much better to help a few people achieve their dreams and try something for the first time they wouldn’t otherwise be able to do, than pay a bunch of celebrities to feature in their campaigns. Seeing the happy smiles on the boys’ faces was certainly worth it and it’s the kind of thing that makes you feel happy just for watching.

I had a lovely time with other bloggers and the ladies from Tribal Media. thank you so much for the opportunity to see this first hand!

Watch the trailer here: