August 19, 2013

Win £1000 of John Lewis Vouchers in Six Seconds

August 19, 2013/ Claire Spence

John Lewis have debuted their first ever insurance advert, and like most John Lewis ads, the commercial is an event in itself. Captured in unbelievably detailed stop motion, the ad brings an entire home's belongings to life and asks, 'what matters most?'. If you don't want to wait to catch it on tv, you can view it here.

Alongside the advert launch, John Lewis hope to inspire you to create a six second animated video using the Vine app, available on iPhone and Android. The prize is a glorious £1000 to spend in store, or online, and there are also weekly prizes of Canon SLRs. Full details here.

To enter, create your Vine and Hashtag it #whatmattersmost

If you follow me on Vine (link at the top of the page) you'll see I Vined my kitsch collection. I've yet to make an animated Vine to enter, but I've my thinking cap on.

August 17, 2013

Culture Label Have Left Something Pretty Snazzy in the Street For You

August 17, 2013/ Claire Spence

Culture Label is a new online museum/art gallery, curating work by up-and-coming artists from various cities. Launching last week in London & New York, they performed a clever little stunt with view finders across the urban areas.

During the week launch of the new look CultureLabel.com, a site pioneering ’immersive shopping’, Londoners are being encouraged to see the real London by looking through hundreds of bespoke Viewfinders they have placed around various landmarks across the city including the National Theatre and Brick Lane. The images the public will see while perusing the Viewfinders were generated during the pre-launch campaign on social media dubbed #DisruptLDN, encouraging people to unearth the “creative underbelly” of their much loved-city.

Knowing I'm a sucker for retro toys, they kindly packed one off and sent it to me. The 3D images are a treat, and definitely made me want to check out their website to see the art that they have.

August 17, 2013

Out of Print T-shirts - Literary Classics You Can Wear

August 17, 2013/ Claire Spence

Out of Print's mission is to bring classic, often literally out-of-print book covers, and make them into wearable art. The illustrations from the last century make for clever clothing. The material itself is softer than regular tees, as Out of Print want you to be reminded of the feeling of holding a well-worn, favourite book.

There are dozens to choose from, in men's, women's, children"s and babies'. The book covers are also on sale as phone cases, tote bags and Kindle cases.

I chose the Fahrenheit 451 print on a ladies' XL tee. I'm a size 14-16 and its a very flattering size and fitting. Why not check if your favourite novel has made it onto Out Of Print's pages?

August 15, 2013

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, How Do Your Wine Bottles Grow? Un-oxidised, actually.

August 15, 2013/ Claire Spence

Love these cute bottle stoppers from Trudeau, only £3.60 available here. They slow down the oxidisation process that occurs in opened wine bottles. Now if only I drank!

August 15, 2013

6 Blood Covered, Brain Crunching, Zombie Teddy Bears You Daren't Take to Bed. WARNING: NOT FOR THE WEAK OF STOMACH

August 15, 2013/ Claire Spence

Undead Teds are the creation of Phillip Blackman. Cuddly toys for grown ups, each handmade and lovingly zombified for your pleasure. Could you sleep with one of these in your arms, I'm not sure I could even have it in my bedroom!

Phillip releases the exclusive teds in batches, so follow him on Twitter @Undeadteds to catch the latest updates to the shop, as they currently fly out very fast. rarrrr!

August 15, 2013

Heatons is Your One-Stop-Shop for Back to School Bits & Bobs

August 15, 2013/ Claire Spence

Bit of an island of Ireland specific blog post this afternoon, but those further a field do have the option to buy any of these items on www.HeatonsStores.com

As well as these lunch boxes & stationary items from the latest cool kids' cartoons, bands and games, Heatons also stocks a range of basic, well priced school uniform and shoes. Worth a peek online or in your nearest store to compare prices.

August 14, 2013

The Original No-nonsense Beauty Blogger Releases Her First Book, The Science Bit by Hayley Carr

August 14, 2013/ Claire Spence

I've just bought a beauty book. If you knew me growing up as a makeup-less tomboy, you'll know that's the last sort of book I'd ever buy. No, actually, it's more unlikely I'd buy a chick lit, but anyway, I've just bought The Science Bit. by London-based, long established beauty blogger, Hayley Carr.

£2.05 Kindle Edition. Cheaper than a mascara!

I met Hayley at the first ever Cosmopolitan Blog Awards, when I was up for the lifestyle category and she the beauty. We spent the morning together drinking the most expensive tea in London Town, and eating Cosmo pastries and scones.

Hayley is a really down to earth blogger, no crap from her, and she takes no crap from brands either. If you any you beauty reviews stripped down to the positives, negatives, how-tos, with no BS, then London Beauty Queen is for you.

Hayley also lets me contribute on occasion, giving my spin on how the naive beauty wannabe finds certain products to use.

If you're a brand, London Beauty Queen can help you too. Hayley owns her own social media advice business.

This week her first ever book has arrived on Kindle, pre-printing. Typically no-nonsense. It's a straightforward Q& A layout means its easy to read in bite size chunks whilst commuting, and very fast to hunt down the questions on topics you need answers to.

Questions like: "Why are facial wipes the worst invention ever?" And " Why Do I need to use face cream anyway?". A handy book for pros and beginners, or to buy your teenage daughter. Available on Kindle now, and publishing 'proper' soon. I wish you great sales and loads of luck, Hayley.