tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76174646912555097112024-03-14T06:40:22.409+00:00Sarah's Search and Social BlogFor logging, storing, reviewing and sharing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-31525240151188797752012-10-31T19:09:00.003+00:002013-02-18T20:04:01.918+00:00Simple's Spotlight on Talent Deserving Winner <iframe width="520" height="293" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jBs5-z94Lg4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Well done to Anye Chen, who won the Simple Spotless Skin, 'Spotlight on Talent' competition (hosted on Facebook), on securing a £15K scholarship fund.
Anye's talent is art with a focus on digital animation. View her 30 second entry above. I also love her "Why do I deserve to win"video, so clever, find this on her <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqwpAQ0ZQKg&feature=plc">Youtube channel here:</a><br />
If I could start again, I like to think that I would have focused on this subject, so jealous of her impressive prize ;)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-48370575367421729142012-10-26T01:01:00.001+01:002013-02-18T21:07:16.268+00:00Quick Recipe - Beef and Veg Stirfry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sz_B3bAAOrLKbuAwXzNsZdYmiZ38win8ZY53IM3gxGEMRDd3z4fFzC357iHpc5rPcFXF4T8AzSq8dKEPKZLOL4jKZ-fPwQSm6xgBStMqXWMCeGD6GnLjBgC8hWk3-qhL05TLnoci2Yob/s640/blogger-image--1858319590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sz_B3bAAOrLKbuAwXzNsZdYmiZ38win8ZY53IM3gxGEMRDd3z4fFzC357iHpc5rPcFXF4T8AzSq8dKEPKZLOL4jKZ-fPwQSm6xgBStMqXWMCeGD6GnLjBgC8hWk3-qhL05TLnoci2Yob/s320/blogger-image--1858319590.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Sharing with you this quick and easy recipe for two. Using easy to find ingredients. <br />
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Enjoy ;) <br />
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Shopping list:<br />
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Mushrooms<br />
Red Pepper<br />
Red Onion<br />
Carrot<br />
Garlic<br />
Ginger (fresh)<br />
Small tin of pineapple chunks in juice<br />
Rump Steak (1)<br />
Half a mug of rice <br />
Butter & Veg oil<br />
Maybe a little salt<br />
Nando's Hot peri peri seasoning rub<br />
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Stage 1: The preparing in advance<br />
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1. Chop 5 mushrooms, 1 pepper, 1 red onion, 1 carrot. Place in a heatproof container.<br />
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2. Grate about a little finger (size!) worth of ginger. Crush and chop 2 cloves of garlic. Put to one side.<br />
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3. Thinly slice 1 steak (Rump is OK for this). Put to one side.<br />
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4. Measure half a mug of rice.<br />
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5. Open a small tin of Pineapple chunks, you will be using half a tin with the juice. Store the other half in the fridge.<br />
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Stage 2: The cooking and the eating<br />
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1. Bring a pan of water to the boil.<br />
Throw in the rice. Add salt now if required. Once cooked, cool down with running water, drain and put to one side.<br />
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2. Add small amount of butter and veg oil to a frying pan. Once the pan is hot, throw in the pre chopped veg. Once softened return to the heatproof dish. Return empty pan to the heat.<br />
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3. Now place the beef into the frying pan and when it starts to brown throw in ginger and garlic, stir, then add the pre cooked veg & rice and stir again.<br />
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4. Throw in the pineapple chunks with the juice.<br />
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5. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of Piri Piri<br />
Seasoning to the pan. Stir some more until the meat is cooked through and rice is warmed.<br />
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6. EatUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-53748857259977612412012-09-21T16:13:00.000+01:002013-02-18T20:11:55.146+00:00A YouTube Channel To do list<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgPQQeiB1XUwHeEdJJgn-q9ROCCT9y8IYJnGhLXdR3EkM04pHql0Fi05ug40ERx1npHdxVJ4S6zbSEKR4GNFRK7zbbb-HaK7FEwSx22MS5ETuyhSIzDbRNRWOqGeH10JNwvwRstX0raUz/s1600/YouTube-To-Do-List.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="YouTube Broadcast yourself" border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgPQQeiB1XUwHeEdJJgn-q9ROCCT9y8IYJnGhLXdR3EkM04pHql0Fi05ug40ERx1npHdxVJ4S6zbSEKR4GNFRK7zbbb-HaK7FEwSx22MS5ETuyhSIzDbRNRWOqGeH10JNwvwRstX0raUz/s320/YouTube-To-Do-List.jpg" title="A YouTube Channel to do list" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was coffee shop networking again the other day and a random who overheard a conversation I was having on social media said: "I have a YouTube channel. I have posted videos, I am getting visitors, what else can I do?".<br />
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I took his email address and sent him the below today. Sharing with you too, and logging for reference just in case someone asks again ;) </div>
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<b>Here is my email reply:</b></div>
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Subject: YouTube objective: Interact, Inform, Inspire and Educate</div>
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Well done for setting up YouTube with such quality videos and for subscribing to channels that relate to your business. Great start. </div>
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The most important thing you can do is: Tag and name your videos appropriately for Search Engine placement benefit. Also write a description on your business and take advantage of opportunities to link back to your website. </div>
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The second most important point to note is that YouTube is not just about 'Broadcasting yourself' it is about interacting with the community and inspiring and educating others of the benefits of your brand and much much more. </div>
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Here is a YouTube to do list to keep you active. Once you have made good grounds with the below, talk to me further and we can discuss how you can grow your "relationships" on YouTube in line with your business goals. </div>
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All the best </div>
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<b>A YouTube Channel To do list in no particular order</b><br />
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<b>Respond</b> to comments and as appropriate look for mentions of YouTube reviews on your brand (Searching for videos will work if they are tagged/labelled correctly). </div>
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<b>Spark up</b> interest in your channel from engagement with related others.</div>
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<b>Find</b> “Fans” on YouTube and logging these (useful contacts for big campaigns). Look to promote those that have promoted you. Be thankful. </div>
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<b>Source</b> Twitter or Facebook profiles of YouTube bloggers you like, your customers would like and engage further.<br />
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<b>Review </b>who subscribes to you and who you subscribe too. Have a strategy in place which outlines why you would subscribe to a channel and how you will communicate with subscribers ('YouTube updates'). Also consider the strategy behind, putting a favourite tick on someone else's videos. Plus if you have Google Analytics on your site, be sure to look how engaged (pages visited) your YouTube visitors are. This will give you an idea as to how much focus you need to give to YouTube.<br />
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<b>Encourage </b>comments and respond to comments. Where possible (don't be spammy) add a call to action.<br />
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<b>Direct</b> people into your onsite community or other social media channels where comments can be easily shared.<br />
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<b>Remember </b>to save time you can set up feeds so that your Youtube activity can be automatically fed to some of your other social media channels.<br />
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<b>Consider </b>using 'YouTube updates' to the subscribers, how regular will these be. Why not try increasing the number of fans engaging with you by providing a short video on how to publish and edit a video on YouTube (as you defo know your stuff).<br />
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<b>Report</b> on the performance of your YouTube channel, using YouTube insights and web analytics data and be sure to note the stand out comments of the month (good or bad).<br />
That's enough to be getting on with for now I think ;-)<br />
<br />
END.....<br />
If you have any other to dos for updating your YouTube Channel please post them in the comments section below.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-26883935433047788792012-09-21T13:21:00.002+01:002013-02-18T21:08:52.945+00:00Ten ways to increase your digital influence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJ6tRh2a4b4vxYc2XaeZqy1tm-Ps6zDNPFeapuT5Z2Py5GpQJANZ1Re_Jtk6gROYpxA3_lGpSKnM73cGpqCWS5lT2egJaJdoRKya9Be1xOdFbP2FqZQOlDLZXDQHvOOQsIqT3-t7hK7x2/s1600/how-to-increase-your-digital-influence-online.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJ6tRh2a4b4vxYc2XaeZqy1tm-Ps6zDNPFeapuT5Z2Py5GpQJANZ1Re_Jtk6gROYpxA3_lGpSKnM73cGpqCWS5lT2egJaJdoRKya9Be1xOdFbP2FqZQOlDLZXDQHvOOQsIqT3-t7hK7x2/s320/how-to-increase-your-digital-influence-online.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />
I returned back to work on Monday and after 7 months maternity leave, I have managed to delete 4K worth of emails. Still have more to shift. Tip for anyone going on maternity leave, if you have subscribed to sites for client research (ie: Groupon) make sure you unsubscribe before heading off on your new baby journey.<br />
<br />
Anyway back onto the topic of how to increase your digital influence online.<br />
<br />
Whilst going through old emails, I found something that I wrote for the Sales team at work, giving ten ways they can increase their digital influence. What I wrote (back in Feb 2011) all still relates, so posting here.<br />
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</b><b>HOW TO: Ten ways to increase your digital influence online </b><br />
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1. Remember there is nothing NEW to social media, the only new is the apparatus (even these aren’t that new!)<br />
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2. Note that social media facilitates face to face opportunities along with intensifying your personal and professional collaboration. (Deep!)<br />
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3. We (Rocktime) are creating compelling content to share with our customers and social media friends. The copy is currently seeded/sent out to four channels (do you know which?). Why not give our copy more legs & eyeballs and seed them out too!<br />
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4. We are already integrating our offline with our online (social media) communications (better ROI) making the most of our copy checking efforts<br />
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5. When engaging in the social networks consider how you can develop on your story telling skills, don’t always be selling / broadcasting (=boring) – be approachable honest and authentic (=builds trust). <br />
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6. Give your content wings and give it roots (Roots relate to you having a point of view) change from thinking about changing other peoples minds to changing your own mind. Be interested and interesting. <br />
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7. Be topical early in the news cycle. Do mention and link to what others have said, but keep it real and write your own opinion.<br />
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8. Consider how you could use online video to increase our visibility (Google Search results). Do you fancy doing a piece to camera?<br />
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9. Give praise where praise is due via social channels. People love recognition (I love it loads! hint hint)<br />
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10. If you are thinking of blogging & engaging: Consider finding a niche and develop that niche and be an influencer.<br />
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End--------------------------------<br />
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If you would like to share more ways of increasing your digital influence online then please do leave a comment below. And yes that probably is the worst blog image ever posted above, just took a photo of the blog post I was writing. It relates to influence though, so will stay until I think of something more creative.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-66669892207511387562012-09-11T22:12:00.001+01:002013-02-18T21:09:12.940+00:00River Cottage eNews Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4_XZlL9Rgt3to1ASeXdWdStBc7P9vElYOU-cvaXPIy-LNdxnjI4a1Bn-_FW20zmQI5Sef6mZiEfs_nWxRL09tvaRint9UG0jJKlaZtxGQh1iMAWm1oS5xQBC_cUpyxZA0DhfKYAB1oe7/s640/blogger-image-949959227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4_XZlL9Rgt3to1ASeXdWdStBc7P9vElYOU-cvaXPIy-LNdxnjI4a1Bn-_FW20zmQI5Sef6mZiEfs_nWxRL09tvaRint9UG0jJKlaZtxGQh1iMAWm1oS5xQBC_cUpyxZA0DhfKYAB1oe7/s320/blogger-image-949959227.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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Although I am a self confessed unsubscriber of eNews. I still get excited when I receive a thought out and well designed eNewsletter. This month I am praising the River Cottage newsletter for their content and multi channel integration. <br />
<br />
View the River Cottage eNews online <a href="http://rivercottagenews.net/interface/external_view_email.php?X8113025117251037514514234">here</a>:
<br />
My top five loves of this eNewsletter include: <br />
<br />
1. Brand style<br />
2. Calls to site/action<br />
3. Content<br />
4. Related social media links<br />
5. And I especially like the fact that they are using the eNewsletter to promote/drive others with their community section (see photo).<br />
<br />
One thing River Cottage 'could do better' is to consider the timing of the content rich eNews. I received this one (link mentioned above) at around 2pm. Open rate of the newsletter would work more effectively (re readership & engagement) if dispatch times were further considered. <br />
<br />
Thoughts: The content rich e-news would better suit an evening slot, for those social media 'night time browsers' and 'midnight social media link delvers' like me. I would suggest a short bullet enews around breakfast time and follow it up with the meaty content after 6pm. <br />
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It's all about the timing ;)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-12030997335916426922012-09-10T19:43:00.001+01:002013-02-18T21:09:41.270+00:00Best Big Sister Ever Ode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3cOIL0lc_z5yCx9Jl-X9Swx047Hn89sMRxx1uD7xoPL1eMwg__3g2P9S1eUk6dKMAwxl_ulAec_SbmADSRsIxY3I-ikPvcUo5OKmNF5D5O9o73Itm7cQfiMU2CzG3JrYdXfE5Vm_8XrV/s640/blogger-image--483352554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3cOIL0lc_z5yCx9Jl-X9Swx047Hn89sMRxx1uD7xoPL1eMwg__3g2P9S1eUk6dKMAwxl_ulAec_SbmADSRsIxY3I-ikPvcUo5OKmNF5D5O9o73Itm7cQfiMU2CzG3JrYdXfE5Vm_8XrV/s320/blogger-image--483352554.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Happy Birthday to my Big Sister Maxine,<br />
If I was to rate her against a Pedicure she would be pristine,<br />
She is the best Big Sister a Little Sister could ever need,<br />
She talks a lot of sense and has a passion to succeed,<br />
A fantastic role model and fabulous friend,<br />
Although her OCD can sometimes drive you round the bend,<br />
I love her so much and so pleased to have given her nephew Mason Tate,<br />
He's such a lucky little man as she's simply great,<br />
I am looking forward to holidays together when we are grey and old,<br />
There will be lots of funny stories to be told,<br />
Before this though, a happy birthday message needs to be displayed,<br />
Well done Maxine for being you and for you I have hip hip hip horrayed xUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-47519704306413932272012-09-05T10:32:00.001+01:002013-02-18T21:15:56.074+00:00Calpol launch iPhone App<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLGABq7sDP4zu3cAyTOuDfObgyvM7-nVbTlVxAvVox9qYTLRA77_0K81J39_gCc8JaHBzJbUbWOcelR93fqc8nGEVAvQyyw88-YbYmXFypXMGUkudpQC1yG4aBK7sVg1AKIwlqh36wx2P/s640/blogger-image-555232330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLGABq7sDP4zu3cAyTOuDfObgyvM7-nVbTlVxAvVox9qYTLRA77_0K81J39_gCc8JaHBzJbUbWOcelR93fqc8nGEVAvQyyw88-YbYmXFypXMGUkudpQC1yG4aBK7sVg1AKIwlqh36wx2P/s320/blogger-image-555232330.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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Late last night / early morning, after I has rubbed a <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Nelsons-Teetha-Teething-Granules-24-Sachets_2211/" target="_blank">Nelsons teething sachet</a> into Masons gums, I noted that I had received an email from the Baby Centre website letting me know about the new Calpol App. First thought that was a well timed email (teething hour).<br /><br />
The App was super quick to download and on launch had a lovely feel to it. Very on brand too. I love the dial on the app allowing you to easily select what you want help with. The app also has some very gentle noises as you navigate to new information. More than one child can be registered on the app, which is useful if you use it to monitor dosages.<br /><br />
Calpol have done a great job at keeping an app focused on customer needs and also relating to their key products. A great job well done. (see edit note at base of blog for latest update).<br /><br />
Key features of the Calpol iPhone App are listed below:<br />
<br />Dosage diary – Enabling you to record does given and when you to repeat, with optional timer.<br /><br />
Find my nearest pharmacy or hospital – Uses your location to track the nearest places<br /><br />
Symptom checker – Providing a range of symptoms and conditions to help you find a suitable treatment<br /><br />
Temperature tracker – To help monitor temperatures over the course of an illness<br /><br />
Soothing lullabies – 4 tunes to help soothe your baby<br /><br />
History – To track doses and monitor temperatures<br /><br />
Information on immunisation – A guide to when you should immunise your children, which includes automated immunisation reminders<br /><br />
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/calpol/id519071291?mt=8" target="_blank">The new CALPOL® app for the iPhone is free and available for download now from the App Store</a>.<br /><br />
Check it out. This is not a promoted post.<br /><br />
Edit note Feb 18th 2013: Wish the App had ability to add a dose for Calpol and a dose for another drug like Nurofen, also would be useful to monitor how much sleep the parent has actually had, before the poorly or teething baby strikes. Reason for parent sleep tracking, is so we don't have to have a conversation in the morning about the lack of sleep we have both had. Nothing is achieved by discussing lack of sleep ;)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-44512324958181757202012-08-08T11:03:00.000+01:002012-09-21T14:15:58.534+01:00Big Welcome to my little boy Mason Tate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L1O8RRQP8o5Mc6mAi9lKdTkpMJlo7oS4PZ80xM1sZkQ96wwWzxbHVA_f1SBNXYTPYodDLhMPDHD8fawU9iM_LnzSW3WwDkqOXwdZXZ2krELSk32NA3o6Tknn2bzj1pL6f7GkkwR7KMq9/s1600/photo-1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L1O8RRQP8o5Mc6mAi9lKdTkpMJlo7oS4PZ80xM1sZkQ96wwWzxbHVA_f1SBNXYTPYodDLhMPDHD8fawU9iM_LnzSW3WwDkqOXwdZXZ2krELSk32NA3o6Tknn2bzj1pL6f7GkkwR7KMq9/s320/photo-1.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
In June 2011 we found out that we were expecting. After the 12 week mark was passed, I let my employer know. It was rather tricky to announce as it was at a time when we were expanding the Search Marketing division and I was recruiting for a new Search Marketing Executive (potentially two) due to increased wins in the field of Search Marketing (interviews already lined up). Thankfully we found a new graduate in online marketing to join and head up our team. Along with getting ready for the new recruit, giving our clients and partners the confidence that they were in good hands, processes were streamlined to assist the team and I provided several master classes in the field of white hat SEO, PPC and Social Media. As you can imagine from August to February it was very busy indeed and from about October to February, Pregnancy left me exhausted and five days a week life was very much "Work, Tea, Bed". <a href="http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/article-2174629/Yahoo-poaches-Marissa-Mayer-Google-5th-CEO-5-years.html" target="_blank">Marissa Mayer who joined Yahoo as CEO at 6 months pregnant </a>may wish to note that fact, you may want to work, but your body says 'BED'.<br />
<br />
I worked right up to a week before my due date. Thankfully little Mason was 2 weeks late, so this gave me time to consider the fact that "I was soon to be a mummy" and listen to my '<a href="http://www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk/87.html" target="_blank">Effective Birth Preparation</a>" Podcasts by Maggie Howell.<br />
<br />
When Mason arrived on the 25th of February 2012, the lead up time to the arrival day became a distant memory. I discharged myself the same day (I honestly thought I had been there longer) as we couldn't wait to get him home and settle him in to family life. I had thought that I would be on call from work and blogging while baby Mason slept, alas Mason had other ideas. He was on a growth spurt for the first 3 months and wanted to be fed around the clock. When he did sleep you find yourself reading up about development milestones, sleeping patterns etc. Your life is very much baby, baby, baby along with making sure you find the time to let your partner know how much you love and appreciate them. <br />
<br />
My employer has been fantastic and they have just got on with everything. Although I mentioned that, I would be accepting of phone calls whilst on Maternity leave, I haven't been contacted at all. This is greatly appreciated as the time with your baby from birth is so very very special. As you parade your baby around the streets for the first time, so many people say "awww they aren't that little for long, enjoy it". As Mason reaches 6 months on Saturday, I am becoming one of those people who say that phrase to new parents. <br />
<br />
At around 3 months into mummyhood, you do start to find time for yourself as you start to understand more about your babies cues that they are tired, hungry etc. But then you are then on catch up to do the paperwork you didn't do in your final months. Booking weigh ins, booking jabs, looking for nurseries, reading on the internet about sleeping patterns. It's all go and I have loved it all.<br />
<br />
At 6 months, I am now returning to work from the start of September. A childminder has been found from recommendation for a couple days a week and nurseries have been vetted by me and Mason and the winner will soon be announced. Mason is a real socialable baby so will love the interaction in the day with the other children. Most of the nurseries I took him to, he screamed with delight, so I won't have the guilty feeling of leaving him that some mothers struggle with. Although I will almost certainly miss him. The love that you have for your little baby is so different to anything I have every experienced before, it is much more than awesomely amazing. After sourcing on twitter, before returning to work, I have had support from a life coach, specialising in 'empowering mums', she talks to you about your core values and future aspirations. The initial talk with Tracy has helped loads, I will profile her some more on this blog, as it is something that I will be taking up again once the salary starts coming in (again). If you would like to find out more about it engage with <a href="http://twitter.com/TraceyWall_UK" target="_blank">Tracy on Twitter</a>, or visit the <a href="http://www.empoweringmums.co.uk/" target="_blank">Empowering Mums websit</a>e and sign up to the inspiring newsletter.<br />
<br />
Now I have written the above, about what I have been up to in the past year, I don't feel so guilty for not updating my blog. Priorities changed. <br />
I am now back in the blogging game, pleased to return, feeling very ambitious as I look to provide support for the amazing little man in my life Mason. <br />
<br />
I need to mention here too that I wouldn't be feeling as positive or ambitious if I didn't have the support from my amazing husband to be, Wayne (Aka Burb). He has been more supportive than I could ever imagined, he is the most amazing partner, Dad, friend that I could have wished for. I love him soooo much, and can't wait for our wedding day. <br />
<br />
I am a very lucky mummy indeed.<br />
<br />
Talking about how great my life is: I also have to mention that I have the bestest friends in the world and the most fantastic 'on call' parents. Not surprisingly my mum and dad are regular visitors and love their Grandson to bits, having already had two lovely Granddaughters, pleased that Mason can be their special boy. <br />
<br />
See you very soon,<br />
<br />
Sarah xx<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-79873883482272010862012-08-01T21:04:00.000+01:002013-02-18T21:06:06.281+00:00Web Lab at the Science Museum London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuRWD876_YKm4PmleTBX5u-500TQvoBb7sikI1kvdvRZBvaroahqgOsq4TJJcvwfuJzJgZeAuKPqxKHZ2s3c4xlGtIlAKuiW_9zNcBl6NyLOhCgV8o7pqSe-UXldqZnDurEIxsbjqKklO/s640/blogger-image-1076782721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Science Museum Web Lab Logo" border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuRWD876_YKm4PmleTBX5u-500TQvoBb7sikI1kvdvRZBvaroahqgOsq4TJJcvwfuJzJgZeAuKPqxKHZ2s3c4xlGtIlAKuiW_9zNcBl6NyLOhCgV8o7pqSe-UXldqZnDurEIxsbjqKklO/s320/blogger-image-1076782721.jpg" title="Web Lab at the Science Museum London" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Google has teamed up with the Science Museum to create Web Lab, a year-long free exhibition which never sleeps. The exhibition opened <br />
in July 2012. It looks so up my street, will be scheduling a visit for the new year. <br />
<br />
The web lab exhibition features a series of interactive Chrome Experiments intended to inspire a new generation of computer scientists and enthusiasts.<br />
<br />
To interact with the exhibition in realtime visitors can log on to www.chromeweblab.com where you will be invited to interact with the below five unique experiments. <br />
<br />
My favourite Google Web Lab experiment is the 'Lab tab explorer'.<br />
<br />
The Google Web Lab experiments: <br />
<br />
Universal Orchestra: An Internet-powered eight-piece robotic orchestra.<br />
<br />
Sketchbots: Custom-built robots able to take photographs and then sketch them in sand. <br />
<br />
Data Tracer: A map that traces where the world’s online information is physically stored.<br />
<br />
Teleporter: A series of web-enabled periscopes through which you can instantly access the world happenings.<br />
<br />
Lab Tag Explorer: A real-time visualisation of all Web Lab visitors from around the world that groups and categorises participants in a clever way. <br />
<br />
Google's Steve Vranakis, creative director of Web Lab, said: "The internet is incredible. It powers our lives everyday, allows us to explore the globe and lets us communicate with friends the world over. Until now, all this magic has remained locked behind our screens"<br />
<br />
Web Lab opened - both in London and online on Thursday 19 July and is scheduled to run until Summer 2013. Entry to Web Lab is free.<br />
<br />
More information can be found at the links below: <br />
<br />
http://sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/galleries/weblab.aspx<br />
<br />
http://www.chromeweblab.com/Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-69923943601651386082011-07-19T08:21:00.000+01:002011-07-19T08:26:21.329+01:00Blog Update July 2011<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(68, 68, 68); line-height: 19px; font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:15px;"><div>Quick post, I haven't blogged in a while, over here. But I have been very busy over at the <a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/">Rocktime Social Blog </a>talking about Channel Optimisation, Local Targeted Campaigns and Social Commerce. </div><div><br /></div><div>We have had an influx of new Search Marketing wins and are growing the Flashlight Search Marketing team at Rocktime, if you would like to work with me, find out more at the link below. Good luck ;)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(68, 68, 68); line-height: 19px; font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:15px;"> </span></div>Fab digital marketing vacancy Search Marketing Assistant <a class=" twitter-atreply" name="rocktimesocial" href="http://twitter.com/rocktimesocial" rel="nofollow" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(8, 130, 83); text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap; "><span class="at" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline-block; opacity: 0.5; ">@</span><span class="at-text" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">rocktimesocial</span></a> in Poole <a href="http://t.co/0NPyAjc" url="http://www.rocktime.co.uk/Jobs.aspx/" title="http://www.rocktime.co.uk/Jobs.aspx/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="twitter-timeline-link" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(8, 130, 83); text-decoration: none; ">http://t.co/0NPyAjc</a>Closes 25th July.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-8483183529945357692011-03-24T09:19:00.000+00:002011-03-24T09:34:05.958+00:00Rocktime Blogs in March 2011As I manage the Rocktime Blog, sharing the blogs I wrote this month. Interestingly the goal posts changed on the blog post plan; alot Twitter posts this month. What I really wanted to blog about was the Google Panda update, if I get round to blogging that this month, will edit this post. Simples...<br /><br />Next month is all going to be about local targeting, local search campaigns. Already have the material, just finalising some research on local deal sites that the team at Rocktime use.<br /><br />Fiona is also writing a blog about "How easy it is to get a mobile site" - as this seems to be the question on all our clients lips at the moment, so she is talking to Tech and putting pen to paper and emailing the steps out.<br /><br />On a personal side of things, I am relaunching a cookery blog which hasn't had any activity for a year. Also on this blog, will be heading down blockbusters at the weekend, to try out one of the Games I haven't played yet, that were nominated at the Game Baftas last week, so will post up a game review. Think I might go for <a href="http://www.alanwake.com/buy/">Alan Wake</a>, as I love a thriller.<br /><br />My March Rocktime Blogs<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/2011/03/twitter-security-feature.html">Twitter Security Feature</a><br />Very short post mentioning about the HTTPS Only feature in security settings that recently popped up.<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/2011/03/why-you-should-mobilise-your-website.html">Why you should mobilise your website </a><br />Following a meeting with the sales team, this post discusses the latest UK Statistics relating to mobile that we believe will help our clients and propects make the move to <a href="http://www.rocktime.co.uk/mobile-websites/">mobile website development</a>.<br /><a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/2011/03/twitter-promotions-explained.html"><br />Twitter Promotions explained</a><br />Following a conversation with a client on increasing social media reach. Wrote a blog about Twitter promotions, outlining the pros and the cons.<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/2011/03/twitrelief-bid-for-celebrity-follower.html">TwitRelief campaign: Bid for a celebrity follower</a><br />We got tweeted by Suzi Perry from the Gadget Show, and receive a Direct Message with a Kiss too, so had to blog about it, and also help support a good cause.<br /><br />Feel free to comment ;)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-51624276996248152172011-02-28T09:16:00.000+00:002011-03-24T09:29:37.979+00:00Rocktime Blogs in Feb 2011As I manage the <a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/">Rocktime Social Blog</a>: Sharing with you each month a selection of posts I was involved in this month. Any questions on the below or if you feel that you can expand on points raised, feel free to leave a comment on the relevant <a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/">Rocktime post</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/2011/02/update-to-google-social-search.html">Update to Google Social Search</a>: Short blog where I introduce the latest Google Video on Social Search, sharing my love of the fact that Google are increasingly sharing realtime data with their customers.<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/2011/02/adwords-trademark-uk-policy.html">Adwords UK Trademark Policy</a>: Quite a comprehensive blog where I highlight what you need to know about Adwords UK policy and bidding on trademark names.<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/2011/02/ebay-fashion-and-augmented-reality.html">eBay Fashion and Augmented Reality App</a>: I invited Alice at Rocktime to review the latest Augmented Reality app from Ebay. We are still finding AR very exciting, I am sure in the future it will be more common place. You can expect more AR blogs on the Rocktime blog, as we watch this area develop.<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/2011/02/facebook-deals-launches-in-uk.html">Facebook Deals Launches in the UK</a>: Co Author on the Facebook Deals post, I have a feeling that Facebook deals is going to move pretty fast, this post gives an overview of what it is all about, how it compares to FourSquare and advice on how deals will work for businesses.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-12926126402429260522011-02-27T20:57:00.000+00:002011-02-28T09:10:45.510+00:00Tangled UK Campaign on Stardoll<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwWpfeO_m-s1-ly-EuVezNUigon3XLX64MwW4-OXYhilVVzG90AfsySRoltLihpYIraHDGM8TDtDMCn1Lxv-HVq4WtMPFMXZ0HxDEbtn9MN_SU5074wuViPMQYEgIbFBZSff3tqKSjArc/s1600/Acorn+Electron.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578664351422769634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwWpfeO_m-s1-ly-EuVezNUigon3XLX64MwW4-OXYhilVVzG90AfsySRoltLihpYIraHDGM8TDtDMCn1Lxv-HVq4WtMPFMXZ0HxDEbtn9MN_SU5074wuViPMQYEgIbFBZSff3tqKSjArc/s320/Acorn+Electron.jpg" /></a> <div></div><div><a href="http://sarahsearch.blogspot.com/2010/08/stardoll-review-100-engagement-level.html">Stardoll</a> members went crazy sending out buzz of the news of the <a href="http://www.disney.co.uk/tangled/">Disney Tangled film </a>Stardoll promotion to receive a free Tangled cape and chameleon character to arrive in their virtual Stardoll Suites. I spent some time this evening visiting some of the popular Stardoll insider blogs, where UK members have let other Stardoll fans know about the spoilers and how to obtain the free (virtual) gifts via going through a UK proxy server and pasting in relevant "/en/" Stardoll links.<br /><br />Their passion for getting the free 'virtual' gifts in their Stardoll suites is pretty amazing, especially as the demographics are teenagers. This gives indication that Stardoll members are very tech savvy indeed: I would like to think that I would have been in their techy clan when I was a teenager (alas when I was younger the Internet didn't exist and I was in the back bedroom, trying to hack Ceefax on an Acorn Electron. Hence above image!!)<br /><br />Along with the tech savvy drive of the Stardoll members, I was equally impressed with the campaign and the "Stardoll to Facebook back to Stardoll integration", a few screen shots of the journey below. The journey included a link from Stardoll to a fab Facebook game/app where you have to identify Disney characters hair do’s, then back to Stardoll. A little bit of effort and fun for a free gift, and I was encouraged to Facebook 'like' the page too, so got to know more about the latest movie (which looks great by the way). Fantastic campaign nice work Disney and Stardoll ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiz_w0BLnjz8KYeb_EIeicCapdXdoSJmWqTQxiAdtxJD2pQtBHVz078bNgy5Rr0OrhkEN-i4_jcgh8oln2TI6Lr3xIbmOFtkwPmGm_cHtaEZu4ifWL_OvMXARoXpYsP0_JXCrLv8so_sm/s1600/Picture+18.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 261px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578493257762785282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiz_w0BLnjz8KYeb_EIeicCapdXdoSJmWqTQxiAdtxJD2pQtBHVz078bNgy5Rr0OrhkEN-i4_jcgh8oln2TI6Lr3xIbmOFtkwPmGm_cHtaEZu4ifWL_OvMXARoXpYsP0_JXCrLv8so_sm/s320/Picture+18.png" /></a><br /><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-24371811279042616112011-02-22T07:51:00.001+00:002011-02-22T08:43:49.497+00:00Competitive Intelligence Tools<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZWxZWUZoWiRIKmjOpTCqS96MBa7citRKa2ULBwCX8gr4cgPk_buHZSrNeWf2rvHsz3U2kYr44eUEqGzEv9Vu0sNWTir3iXFx1LnZhkXyI68PLDxmRJR56VVzPZQbjYp9AyxPH80Vkbvm/s1600/monitor-graph-image.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576426362517505810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZWxZWUZoWiRIKmjOpTCqS96MBa7citRKa2ULBwCX8gr4cgPk_buHZSrNeWf2rvHsz3U2kYr44eUEqGzEv9Vu0sNWTir3iXFx1LnZhkXyI68PLDxmRJR56VVzPZQbjYp9AyxPH80Vkbvm/s320/monitor-graph-image.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div>One of my friends has asked me this morning about what resources I use in my reporting to clients. Sharing what I dispatched below, interesting that majority are Google products. </div><div></div><br /><div>I use <a href="https://www.wordtracker.com/trial/">Wordtracker for keyword research</a>, and have done now for a number of years. I never just presume a phrase to be correct for a client with their Search Marketing plans and seek to uncover the competitiveness of that phrase and the popularity. This helps me brief expectations and meet them. Otherwise your SEM campaign is based on "just a finger in the wind" ie: not accurate or linked to strategy.</div><br /><div></div><div>Although only approximate figures, <a href="http://www.google.com/trends">Google Trends </a>is a useful tool to enable you to compare search volume patterns of websites across regions, countries. I also like the fact that when viewing data on the site it will let you know, people who visited this site "also visited" and "also searched for". Trends is pretty addictive so set a good amount of time to really dig into the data and set yourself up with a cup of coffee and a couple of biscuits. </div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.google.com/insights/search/">Googles Insights for Search</a> is pretty cool tool and like the rest, once you delve in you can be in there for hours (trust me). The tool is similar to Google Trends, but more focused on words over sites. You can review a keyword trend over time, start with your main keywords (that bring in the most traffic) and then view your performance (against) your competition. The data you find will help raise questions and potentially help you get sign off for search marketing campaign budgets. It is useful to throw a few brand names into Google Insights and see which one performs best and check keyword trends in a number of regions too to highlight interest, which could assist with International expansion. Basically Google Insights can provide you with a whole heap of new opportunities. I saw this post a couple of days ago in the New Scientist: <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/onepercent/2011/02/lights-camera-search-google-ha.html">Can Google searches predict Oscar Winners, go check it out</a>.</div><br /><div></div><div>For paid search keyword reporting, you can get an idea of the volume, cost per clicks of keywords using <a href="https://adwords.google.co.uk/select/KeywordToolExternal">Google's Adwords Keyword Tool</a>. In all honestly I have never really found this to be very accurate and that the numbers are often inflated. However it does give you some indication of budget that needs to be set to targeted campaign. I rarely use it.</div><div></div><br /><div>Another place in which you can use a whole heap of time (you have been forewarned!!) is the <a href="http://www.google.com/adplanner/">DoubleClick AdPlanner</a>, similar to Google trends this little portal is pretty addictive and can help you refine your online advertising. It is useful to obtain demographic and psychographic analysis (age, gender, income, education) of a sites audience. I have used this to find new advertising portals and to capture information on bloggers reach to convince clients to run competitions with them, as unfortunately with large businesses, the top table generally what to know about the potential reach numbers. Another handy thing about the Adplanner is that it will let you know "people who visited this website also visited this", which is a really handy feature and can lead you to find a whole heap of new advertising opportunities for your clients. </div><br /><div></div><div>There is also <a href="http://www.hitwise.com/uk/">Hitwise </a>too, which is expensive, but invaluble if you have the resource to make the most of the data, I highly recommend it, very easy to use and the information that you receive on competitors, market share (online) can lead to one thing, progression - which is what we all need. </div><br />Before Google existed we had "Brad", these guys are still around and their website states that they provide: "<a href="http://www1.bradinsight.com/">Effective planning with in-depth media intellegence at your fingertips</a>", so if you have the budget you know who to call.<br /><br />And finally for a bit of fun to compare the results of two competing keywords, opt for <a href="http://www.googlefight.com/">Google Fight</a> where an animation helps decide the winner.<br /><div></div><br /><div><em>Author: Sarah Griffiths </em></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-24671786578729315562011-02-03T21:34:00.000+00:002011-02-04T07:33:58.441+00:00My January in images<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFts5dGuOcfSelXrwdAXauxLbKELwvXwapoJ7slvIOzMsiyBQUKaoLY0zTe80IaX98EUG6gh0m8ERNJbFp_INVNO3IDDOHAvE9JkImtpU7PuqiHIysf-W44pSkQVq0YJynk_A3vU_QFZk/s1600/January+2011.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 342px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFts5dGuOcfSelXrwdAXauxLbKELwvXwapoJ7slvIOzMsiyBQUKaoLY0zTe80IaX98EUG6gh0m8ERNJbFp_INVNO3IDDOHAvE9JkImtpU7PuqiHIysf-W44pSkQVq0YJynk_A3vU_QFZk/s400/January+2011.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569580204581715746" /></a>On January the 1st 2011 I started my quest of taking an image a day. I have been uploading the photos to Twitter and as my Twitter links to my Delicious bookmarking account I have a quick way to source them all. The above shows the full collection of my iPhone images for January 2011. <div><br /></div><div>The reason I have embarked on this project, is not because I am interested in photography, neither is the quest to remember what I did (although finding that a benefit). The goal is simple: "to get me to get away from my work desk more and seek out the new and the interesting". This month it seems it has mainly been about shopping, food, wine and gaming. What will next month bring, time will tell. <div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>Although it is often difficult to find a picture to reflect your day, I am really enjoying this project and think it may even help me reflect a bit more on what is important to me (in life).</div><div><br /><div>Sarah ;)</div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-7111890379448267482011-02-01T11:39:00.000+00:002011-02-01T12:03:35.944+00:00Geek Hoodie Love<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguk4maTeDSGizV6kWhxUJCaYTxvGDVoOTABJqDZFmG4M5HSPpEgvWEQc56Ew44oge9Amx0dnd8ShyphenhyphenDMsLpEPO6sy5KxPhTQY30lifcdyuyJAQOseN_B7XZ-S4Er7Gae-TJor7Jof3KDRi/s1600/RustyWiredGirlsHoodie.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568685540478658274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguk4maTeDSGizV6kWhxUJCaYTxvGDVoOTABJqDZFmG4M5HSPpEgvWEQc56Ew44oge9Amx0dnd8ShyphenhyphenDMsLpEPO6sy5KxPhTQY30lifcdyuyJAQOseN_B7XZ-S4Er7Gae-TJor7Jof3KDRi/s320/RustyWiredGirlsHoodie.JPG" /></a></p><p>As I like to talk about 'Geek product finds' on my blog, thought to give a shout out to this ladies hoodie, hope to get this for my Birthday in March ("because I'm worth it").<br /><br />I spotted this hoodie last week over at <a href="http://www.hydr8boardsports.com/products/rusty-wired-basic-hb3-ladies-hoodie-small-2207.aspx">Hydr8board Sports website</a> (a local shop to me <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?cid=15895435317769460817&q=hydr8boardsports&hl=en&cd=1&cad=src:ppiwlink&ei=C_ZHTfuQBo_3jAf_ltTxCg">Lilliput, Sandbanks </a>and a work client). The hoodie is uber geeky as it features machine washable headphones built right into the fabric, designed so that there are no visable wires and the plug to hook up your mp3 player is cleverly hidden in the pocket. Genius.<br /><br />The hoodie is from the Rusty Wired Series and the technology is from the new InSoundTM brand from <a href="http://www.hb3technology.com/">HB3 Technology</a> who are paving the way on embedding audio functionality into clothes and garments, do go and check them out.<br /><br />It's listed as £49.99 on the <a href="http://www.hydr8boardsports.com/">Hydr8board Sport website</a>, pretty reasonable for a styled hoodie. I hope this product takes off by March, as otherwise people will know me around Bournemouth as the girl who puts her hoodie draw cords in her ears!! <br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-58191639432191507702011-01-15T17:09:00.000+00:002011-01-15T17:49:12.082+00:00My win with @OlivesEtAl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv20bOrOFbYZm6-3Ne-5T1SC5_qk9hyphenhyphenQ5t5ToJCRa9S3sKgyEDBzfJUOWgVg6CFLvUM9a7AufGFbZqdHV_TVOVhNEqc2EriZ4QX4UL-sXR3cylrCU3mrs4WlBLS7Q5K877un8T9QZw_To/s1600/photo-73.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv20bOrOFbYZm6-3Ne-5T1SC5_qk9hyphenhyphenQ5t5ToJCRa9S3sKgyEDBzfJUOWgVg6CFLvUM9a7AufGFbZqdHV_TVOVhNEqc2EriZ4QX4UL-sXR3cylrCU3mrs4WlBLS7Q5K877un8T9QZw_To/s320/photo-73.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562462809343950162" /></a><br />After winning a Twitter competition last week with <a href="http://twitter.com/OlivesEtAl">@OlivesEtAl</a> I received a lovely Kilner jar of <a href="http://www.olivesetal.co.uk/view/products/olivesandantipasti/oliverefills/detail/151/">Sunshine Olives</a>. I let them know via Twitter that I would be attempting one of their recipes (featuring Sunshine Olives) featured on their website and that I would send them a pic of the finished dish. Will share this with you below. <div><br /></div><div>I seem to keep bumping into Olive Et Al at local Deli's, local food fairs, I love love their distinctive packaging and have been a fan of their story for some time now. There is a fab 5 minute video over at Jamie Olivers website, which interviews one of the founders: Giles Henschel, where he explains how the business began, his passion on using traditional methods in preparing the Olives (dating back 6000 yrs) , the best thing he likes about his job etc. If you are passionate about local produce & like to hear business success stories: <a href="http://www.jamieoliver.com/jme/makers/olives-et-al.html">go view the video here</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>The recipe I stole & adapted slightly (no Thyme) from Olives Et Al, wasn't particularly adventurous, however I did make my own fresh tagliatelle (new Pasta Making machine for Xmas).</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPV96hou2p4sstMn9bZn4Fx_qyhyphenhyphene7kluVPBq9Hz3KhK6c6xNPlQGvpFXQsqbGzFC4fGQsZVDZqVpuM8Q3GQ8Mxq7oJebVsrabv-b71SuQv61-jznzyUaRYfXyEX_afR8HwCtl9sLAgv6m/s1600/photo-72.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPV96hou2p4sstMn9bZn4Fx_qyhyphenhyphene7kluVPBq9Hz3KhK6c6xNPlQGvpFXQsqbGzFC4fGQsZVDZqVpuM8Q3GQ8Mxq7oJebVsrabv-b71SuQv61-jznzyUaRYfXyEX_afR8HwCtl9sLAgv6m/s320/photo-72.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562468559763900562" /></a></div><div>So for lunch we both had: <a href="http://www.olivesetal.co.uk/recipes/search-results/detail/roastvegpasta?searchstring=Veggie%20Dishes">Roast Veg Pasta with Sunshine Olives</a> and it was delicious.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rather than fresh Thyme, I stirred in Jamie Olivers Pesto to the Roasted Veg, the olives & pine nuts finished the dish off lovely. So many thanks sent to Olives Et Al, for allowing us to have a very posh lunch on a Saturday.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJw3Wdq3XnZ8GlS_U26vAitd9qWoGuSKd-5qFKM8ICBmRmDlmv-61etJ8Nuj3napZaM0SAtgAk2P5WPGJqJo8GIHpEqBkcJKsq4y95yO7MUdEQzCt0O3MLu9djmkEDmbG5TSB4fqlJ7Eb4/s1600/photo-74.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJw3Wdq3XnZ8GlS_U26vAitd9qWoGuSKd-5qFKM8ICBmRmDlmv-61etJ8Nuj3napZaM0SAtgAk2P5WPGJqJo8GIHpEqBkcJKsq4y95yO7MUdEQzCt0O3MLu9djmkEDmbG5TSB4fqlJ7Eb4/s320/photo-74.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562469734181976018" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-45571166747138692062011-01-11T21:49:00.000+00:002011-01-11T22:07:12.879+00:00My short 2011 wishlist<div><br /></div><div>1. To reach for the SKY rather than the MOON. Write short resolution lists. Chillax & roll with it</div><div>2. Follow the "<a href="http://www.thetoothbrushprinciple.com/">Tooth Brush Principle</a>" </div><div>3. Plan early (& save) for trips to see mates & relatives</div><div>4. Get a North Face Jacket (as I am mid 30's) so no excuses not to go for a walk on the beach</div><div>5. Send Thank you cards often </div><div>6. Find a niche for my blog</div><div>7. Start freelancing for money, rather than fun (Have a wedding to pay for)</div><div>8. Review my issue of keeping hold of unnecessary paperwork at home and work</div><div>9. Find a place that inspires me</div><div>10. Share my experiences via social media</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-40948969547476863622010-12-21T12:49:00.000+00:002010-12-21T12:58:54.206+00:00The Digital Story of the Nativity<p><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GkHNNPM7pJA?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GkHNNPM7pJA?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object></p><p>Love love this so had to share, the video from the clever <a href="http://www.excentric.pt/">http://www.excentric.pt</a> tells the story of the Nativity through social media, the web and mobile. The integrated approach is something I have been talking about all year, so it really suits my mindset. </p><p>Happy Christmas</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-65824970510092202632010-12-07T07:44:00.000+00:002011-02-22T10:13:27.172+00:00Blog Log: November 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUhhey-2j0Oy1nBLsB15YSHbFAaFcwHIv-7kZyzAyYbHrabSbljB9uKA0jBxyPuLz2jwH8_sDyH1o8tCFSpTCwg0XAa0fzD24AnStVMrCNYJv-iYo4CKTgQXhS0KkELaUYHGnejzsiZrb/s1600/twitter_profile_image.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547846404592401490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUhhey-2j0Oy1nBLsB15YSHbFAaFcwHIv-7kZyzAyYbHrabSbljB9uKA0jBxyPuLz2jwH8_sDyH1o8tCFSpTCwg0XAa0fzD24AnStVMrCNYJv-iYo4CKTgQXhS0KkELaUYHGnejzsiZrb/s320/twitter_profile_image.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><strong> </strong><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">What I blogged about in November over at the Rocktime Blog, feel free to click through on the header for more info:</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span></span><a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/2010/11/social-media-meets-commerce.html"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><strong>Social Media Meets Commerce:</strong></span></a></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"> </span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">A blog introducing the Ebay Group Gift Service (launched in the US) and the fact that the UK aren't ready for it yet. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/2010/11/facebook-pages-building-real-community.html"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><b><a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/2010/11/facebook-pages-building-real-community.html">Facebook Pages Building the Real Community:</a></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">I really like this blog post. I am banging on that great content is key on Facebook Pages and along with talking about building a community, I share some lessons in engagement, sharing these below:</span></span></div><div><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px" class="Apple-style-span"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px" class="Apple-style-span"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">Lessons in Engagement</span></span></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px;font-size:medium;" class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px;font-size:85%;color:#666666;" class="Apple-style-span" >Give your fans a reason to visit</span></li><li><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px;font-size:85%;color:#666666;" class="Apple-style-span" >Get them to love your page so they can recommend you to others</span></li><li><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px;font-size:medium;" class="Apple-style-span" ></span><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px;font-size:85%;color:#666666;" class="Apple-style-span" >Provide interesting insights of value (to the fan)</span></li><li><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px;font-size:85%;color:#666666;" class="Apple-style-span" >Share news</span></li><li><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px;font-size:85%;color:#666666;" class="Apple-style-span" >Competitions</span></li><li><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px;font-size:85%;color:#666666;" class="Apple-style-span" >Deliver informative information which indicates that you know your industry and don't constantly promote your products or service</span></li><li><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px;font-size:85%;color:#666666;" class="Apple-style-span" >Give people a reason to talk about the page</span></li><li><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px;font-size:85%;color:#666666;" class="Apple-style-span" >Introduce people to the reasons as to why they should be visiting or liking the page</span></li><li><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px;font-size:85%;color:#666666;" class="Apple-style-span" >Be chatty & human to encourage conversation and ensure ongoing interaction</span></li><li><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px;font-size:85%;color:#666666;" class="Apple-style-span" >When delivering Facebook Ads, keep the target audience in mind, deliver an ad that will resonate with your fan rather than shouting about how great you are</span></li><li><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px;font-size:85%;color:#666666;" class="Apple-style-span" >Advertise on the Facebook page to encourage further interaction on your site</span></li><li><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px;font-size:85%;color:#666666;" class="Apple-style-span" >Make a note of all your customer touch points (Newsletters, Lost password, Page 404 not found) and how you can advertise your networks of interaction there to encourage Facebook Page fan growth</span></li><li><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color:#666666;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Finally, keep it real (think topical stories and conversations</span><span class="Apple-style-span">)</span></span></span></span></li></ul></div><div><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 15px" class="Apple-style-span"><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/2010/11/amazon-black-friday-hits-uk.html">Amazon Black Friday Hits the UK:</a></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://blog.rocktime.co.uk/2010/11/amazon-black-friday-hits-uk.html"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">I also introduced Amazon Black Friday. News is I didn't manage to get any of the deals, went for the Flip Cam and Xbox Offer. However I did have a giggle over at the Facebook Amazon UK page, when an Amazon Friday winner bragged about all products he managed to get, to then be shamed by the Amazon UK Facebook Page Fans, with "we will find you on Ebay comments". Pretty funny.</span></span></span></div></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-67275944539422418802010-12-01T14:30:00.000+00:002010-12-01T22:38:59.016+00:00P P Pick up a #sHamleys Penguin Story<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMBBN_y1FrZCpKFi2alLDnchddOaO9AFn96usAdJp6qKOH7KGAnH2FuEMBNrGR3W2jHB8gG5oEoqNYekYps1rieS_btVTLNhIopIlUNV0YSHgHqspW15Vt09q9wdPAfWc8U9J7zwfWcyf/s1600/Penguin+pile+up.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 193px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545726508500842018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMBBN_y1FrZCpKFi2alLDnchddOaO9AFn96usAdJp6qKOH7KGAnH2FuEMBNrGR3W2jHB8gG5oEoqNYekYps1rieS_btVTLNhIopIlUNV0YSHgHqspW15Vt09q9wdPAfWc8U9J7zwfWcyf/s320/Penguin+pile+up.bmp" /></a> <div>If only Hamleys had a social media strategy, this would never have happened.<br /><br />I found out about the story last night on Twitter, it really wound me up, that Hamleys weren't responding via Twitter and I was more wound up by the morning to see they were still keeping silent.<br /><br />For someone passionate about social media like me, this was a hard pill to swallow.<br /><br />This morning I saw the events unfold, as the media got hold of the story and more bloggers started to blog about: what Hamleys are planning to do.<br /><br />It would have been so simple to fix, <a href="http://twitter.com/jamesmb">@Jamesmb</a> (from: <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(68, 68, 68); line-height: 17px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><a href="http://www.socialholic.co.uk/">http://www.socialholic.co.uk</a>) </span>tweeted last night, that one tweet could have fixed this and I agree with him.</div><div><br />Along with "if only they had a social media strategy", the other "ifs" include:<br /><br />If only they educated earlier about the penguins welfare, provided positive information for people to share !<br /><br />If only they spoke to the people who had concerns promptly.<br /><br />If only they understood the point of Twitter!!<br /><br />My recommendation for #shamleys was to ditch n slide the live penguins and to put up a big screen on the Ground Floor to show Penguin Webcam at Edinburgh Zoo > <a href="http://bit.ly/eIIwDN">http://bit.ly/eIIwDN</a> which was (incedently) an Internet Hit on Monday. Have they got back to me. No they haven't, this isn't social media !!<br /><br />As the above image of the Penguin Pile Up image shows "Some will stand firm, some will wobble and some will tumble down" - the same rings true for those entering social media without a strategy.<br /><br />Thought to share a collection of a few blogs, news stories, forum posts and tweets that cut n pasted over a Greggs Pastie at lunch time.<br /><br />Power to the People ;) Will check the links out later - as busy at work now...<br /><br /><strong>Tweets<br /><br /></strong><a href="http://twitter.com/Wildlifephotog">@Wildlifephotog </a>- We'll update the blog on #sHamleys as and when thing happen today http://bit.ly/d5BqaI<br /><br />Via <a href="http://twitter.com/achrisevans">@achrisevans</a> Final call for should real penguins go to hamleys for a spot of Xmas fun. First fruitcake poll. #fruitcake YES #fruitcake NO. about 7 hours ago via ÜberTwitter Retweeted by WildlifePhotog and 4 others<br /><br /><strong>Blogs<br /></strong><br />Please keep telling Hamleys this is wrong – Wildlife & travel ...<br />30 Nov 2010 ... Please keep telling Hamleys this is wrong. by Darren. Well, it's been a busy 24 hours since last night I tweeted about Hamleys outrageous ...<br /><a href="http://www.wildlifephotography.tv/please-keep-telling-hamleys-this-is-wrong/">www.wildlifephotography.tv/please-keep-telling-hamleys-this-is-wrong/</a><br /><br />Born Free Blog<br />Please e-mail Hamleys at customerservices@hamleys.co.uk or contact the store via their Facebook page ...<br /><a href="http://www.bornfree.org.uk/blog/">www.bornfree.org.uk/blog/</a><br /><br />Hamleys' penguin and reindeer show angers animal welfare supporters<br /><a href="http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/12/01/hamleys-penguin-and-reindeer-show-angers-animal-welfare-supporters/">ParentDish UK</a> - Kelly Rose Bradford - 3 hours ago<br />Hamleys on London's Regent Street had advertised an in-store event featuring live penguin and reindeer as a Christmas treat for youngsters. ...<br /><br />Hamleys – the world's most appalling toy store #sHamleys at ...<br />1 day ago by Socialholic<br />Take a look at this website – yes, it's Hamleys and, yes, you too can go to a central London store, possibly one of the busiest London stores that exists (especially at this time of year), full of excited and loud ...<br /><a href="http://www.socialholic.co.uk/">http://www.socialholic.co.uk/</a><br /><br />Naughty Hamleys, Penguins and Reindeer Are Not Toys<br />1 day ago by Mat<br />Not only are Hamleys having a week long “Reindeer Park”, where for two hours per day you can “pat and feed our beautiful mummy and baby reindeer!“, but for four hours on Monday 6th December, you can “see the penguins swim, interact with ...<br /><a href="http://matstace.me.uk/blog/">http://matstace.me.uk/blog/</a><br /><br />Hamleys Toy Store Of London, A PR Disaster For Christmas?<br />1 day ago by admin<br />Hamleys are having live Reindeer and Penguins in store at what must be one of the busiest times of the year and the Animal Welfare groups are not happy. People are creating enough negative noise via social media about Hamleys Christmas ...<br /><a href="http://blog.pauldaviddrabble.co.uk/">http://blog.pauldaviddrabble.co.uk/</a><br /><br /><strong>News<br /></strong><br /><a href="http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Hamleys-Penguin-And-Reindeer-Christmas-Displays-Outrage-Animal-Rights-Campaigners/Article/201012115844023?lpos=UK_News_First_Strange_News__Article_Teaser_Region__0&lid=ARTICLE_15844023_Hamleys_Penguin_And_Reindeer_Christmas_Displays_Outrage_Animal_Rights_Campaigners">Outrage Over Hamleys' Live Penguin Display<br /></a>Sky News - Pete Norman - 1 hour ago<br />Hamleys toy store in London has sparked outrage for its plans to bring real penguins and reindeer into the shop as part of a Christmas promotion. ...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23902774-hamleys-defies-animal-rights-outrage-at-live-penguin-show.do">Hamleys defies animal rights outrage at live penguin show<br /></a>This is London - 2 hours ago<br />Hamleys today declared it was pressing ahead with plans to have live penguins in the Regent Street toy store despite protests from animal welfare groups. ...<br />(NB: Image taken from this site)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3253992/Hamleys-sparks-anger-with-plans-to-use-live-animals-for-Christmas-stunts-in-store.html">Fury over Hamleys' live penguin show<br /></a>The Sun - Virginia Wheeler - 12 hours ago<br />HAMLEYS sparked fury from wildlife groups and animal lovers yesterday - over plans to have LIVE penguins and reindeer in the toy store ...<br /><br /><strong>Forums<br /></strong><br />Live penguins in Hamleys Central London toy store? - Pet Forums ...<br />14 hours ago by shibby<br />Has anyone heard this story yet? Live Penguin Show at Hamleys Criticised by Bloggers, Tweeters Londonist Hamleys – the world's most.<br /><a href="http://www.petforums.co.uk/general-chat/134932-live-penguins-hamleys-central-london-toy-store.html">http://www.petforums.co.uk/general-chat/134932-live-penguins-hamleys-central-london-toy-store.html</a><br /><br />Live Penguins + Reindeer in Hamleys - Wild About Britain<br />1 day ago by Ukwildlifeo<br />Sorry not sure where to put this, but Hamleys toy store London are currently advertising a display of real reindeer and penguins in their shop.<br /><a href="http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/general-wildlife/79003-live-penguins-reindeer-hamleys.html">http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/general-wildlife/79003-live-penguins-reindeer-hamleys.html</a> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-7545061745997544882010-11-19T22:10:00.000+00:002010-11-19T22:28:17.187+00:00Is it a table is it a frame - Amazing!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YuV5upnCWZijN9_evhTamRwDzIVOtBy6LZzOIuPeWRe-aKuI-SPVqD2oDNipq8WKFuOWzR0jWAWiR-0UJ8yXOAOAdTqiH2krvuWmhw-NgmMqdIJMngi3YvYWAdUESjQ6oXtTMeJwRhWk/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YuV5upnCWZijN9_evhTamRwDzIVOtBy6LZzOIuPeWRe-aKuI-SPVqD2oDNipq8WKFuOWzR0jWAWiR-0UJ8yXOAOAdTqiH2krvuWmhw-NgmMqdIJMngi3YvYWAdUESjQ6oXtTMeJwRhWk/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541386701589310418" /></a>A new addition to my blog, is going to be about 'Storage Solutions'. I am constantly on the look out, on how to create more space in the house/flat. Going to share any storage solutions findings here to help inspire me (and others) on my 'Place for everything' mission (and an end to the Monica cupboard). <div><br /></div><div>My friend at work sent me a link to this table / picture frame piece of furniture. The <a href="http://www.ivydesign.at/products/picture-table">designer can be found here</a>. How cool is it !! Thinking of challenging <a href="http://www.twitter.com/the_burb">@the_burb</a> to make one for the kitchen. Can't be too difficult, just 4 pieces of wood, pane of glass and some clippy things..;) Simple !! </div><div><br /></div><div>Actually ditch the glass, could be health and safety issue, and just paint with Magic Chalk Board paint instead. Ikea if you are listening, I would pay £35 for this & with the addition of chalk board paint £45. I thank you. <div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-10632389915173583672010-11-19T20:33:00.000+00:002010-11-19T21:44:56.345+00:00BAFTA Kids Vote 2010 - Big Kids Vote for Stardoll<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7adliwgNhvqn4UUYpEefOB7-Jxol-mbZupWZdZKS5qJI4n1Kf7dLmOVCaO8XQ3H-CvJApLipRtIkKF3cE71gspbxoQSthyphenhyphenWwYrBZm1lpqpXpZQPDYXOY1CCJpRxGyEQAqUS75Dx7mWcs6/s1600/Picture+12.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7adliwgNhvqn4UUYpEefOB7-Jxol-mbZupWZdZKS5qJI4n1Kf7dLmOVCaO8XQ3H-CvJApLipRtIkKF3cE71gspbxoQSthyphenhyphenWwYrBZm1lpqpXpZQPDYXOY1CCJpRxGyEQAqUS75Dx7mWcs6/s320/Picture+12.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541379157892360258" /></a><div>As a big ambassador and self confessed <a href="http://sarahsearch.blogspot.com/2010/08/stardoll-review-100-engagement-level.html">fan of Stardoll</a>, I've just been checking out the BAFTA Kids Vote 2010 tonight (whilst trying to watch '<a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-event">The Event</a>'!, totally lost now) to check out this year's web nominations. Stardoll are nominated and I've done something really naughty and voted, and should be aged 7 - 14yrs, sshhh, don't tell anyone!!</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Voting for the <a href="http://www.baftakidsvote.org/">BAFTA Kids Vote 2010</a> opened end of October 2010 and closes 26th November 2010, so if you know any teenagers and nearly teenagers let them know about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Along with <a href="http://www.stardoll.com/en/campaigns/bafta/">Stardoll</a> the other nominations for the Best Web Site this year include:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.cartoonnetwork.co.uk/">Cartoon Network</a></li><li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/default.stm">CBBC</a></li><li><a href="http://www.clubpenguin.com/">Club Penguin</a></li><li><a href="http://www.disney.co.uk/">Disney.co.uk</a></li><li><a href="http://www.girlsgogames.co.uk/">GirlGoGames</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lego.com/en-gb/default.aspx">Lego</a></li><li><a href="http://www.miniclip.com/games/en/">Miniclip</a></li><li><a href="http://www.moshimonsters.com/">Moshi Monsters</a></li><li><a href="http://www.nick.co.uk/">Nick.co.uk</a></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't just visit my blog tonight to tell you about my voting confession, thought to pop by to say how much I love the BAFTA Kids Vote interactive site / <a href="http://www.bafta.org/awards/childrens/barney-harwood-to-host-the-2010-british-academy-childrens-awards,1451,BA.html">Barney's Bafta Boulevard</a>. I have been playing on it for half the night!!</div><div><br /></div><div>It was designed by '<a href="http://www.completecontrol.co.uk/">Complete Control</a>' a web design agency & online game developers, that I can't believe I haven't heard about before.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's always nice to find an agency that have developed on a niche area & won big time, they have only been around for just over 10 years and boast a really impressive client list including: CBBC, Nickelodeon, Charlie and Lola, Dr Who, Topsy and Tim, Mr Bean, Penguin and a number of high profile charities such as Comic Relief, NSPCC, Oxfam, Unicef. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well done guys!! Lots of jobs very well done.</div><div><br /></div><div>Check <a href="http://www.completecontrol.co.uk/">them out here</a> and prepare to be amazed by their quirky style & talent.</div><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-62593943345961603652010-10-22T07:59:00.000+01:002010-10-22T08:09:07.153+01:00IMO: Best Pub Restaurant in the UK<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyDzHOuIjxMCItC1voPbMQIZyyuSdV0WQOlJaylE7jAEh7qrjBoUBxKuKWevp-ysDQH9UQ6f5aOeXk_jzEaytn2EPP7LfhXmuDHouI715GRxZlNAGYpw79dBuulkUZtWGSva_mvGyzRX9/s1600/B2-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyDzHOuIjxMCItC1voPbMQIZyyuSdV0WQOlJaylE7jAEh7qrjBoUBxKuKWevp-ysDQH9UQ6f5aOeXk_jzEaytn2EPP7LfhXmuDHouI715GRxZlNAGYpw79dBuulkUZtWGSva_mvGyzRX9/s320/B2-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530761626884357938" /></a>I was so impressed, decided to blog my excitement over this place as I will be recommending it to friends: Introducing the <a href="http://www.lordpoulettarms.com/">Lord Poulett Arms</a> in Hinton St George, Somerset. My parents took me and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/the_burb">The Burb</a> there a couple of weeks ago for Sunday Lunch. Everything was excellent, the ambience, the food, the interior design, the patrons, the staff, the loos (the boys reported their loos were interesting too). The food is really really fantastic, great presentation & great taste. If you are planning a holiday near Somerset, then you must book your table early and visit this place. You will not be disappointed. <div><div><div>I think I may enquire about getting married there, it just felt so right, only 100 guests though, hmm who could I cut of my list. Check out their <a href="http://www.lordpoulettarms.com">website here</a>:</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617464691255509711.post-66129788743897459152010-10-22T07:39:00.000+01:002010-10-22T07:55:34.740+01:00Campaign for Fun 404 pages<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBTbn31o1_NpmfUGU6xfg2mGXF7rqstWBDyzhv8uuwyWaIgeCozX-lxVizfsUimE6bse9Ph2BpsdE16k5Td1d0nYsfvq4jwX-i1t-i3M8wL8tssEFpfgPJUD1SQdfO6RAabGa9TfGnbkv/s1600/404-error-page.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBTbn31o1_NpmfUGU6xfg2mGXF7rqstWBDyzhv8uuwyWaIgeCozX-lxVizfsUimE6bse9Ph2BpsdE16k5Td1d0nYsfvq4jwX-i1t-i3M8wL8tssEFpfgPJUD1SQdfO6RAabGa9TfGnbkv/s320/404-error-page.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530759228813989282" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We've all seen them, 404 pages. On websites that are served by Windows servers it is a plain white page that has this text:</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 36.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Error 404 - The page cannot be found</span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.</span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Please try the following:</span></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If you typed the page address in the Address bar, make sure that it is spelled correctly.</span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Open the www.mysite.com home page, and then look for links to the information you want.</span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Click the </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Back </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">button to try another link.</span></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This screams BORING and I have decided this year and into 2011, I will be campaigning (via Rocktime) to make our clients 404 pages more friendly, attractive and useful to visitors. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Anyone reading this can have a more attractive 'page not found page' on their site, you just need to ask your website host to set it up so you can use your own custom made 404 page, which makes it clear to users that they have indeed found the right website and have simply landed on the wrong page. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">For usability I suggest you link your 404 page back to your home page or maybe provide a Sitemap too (that would be handy) or direct them to the inbuilt search engine built on your site. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family:arial;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://mashable.com/2010/09/04/404-error-pages/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mashable recently shared 35 Entertaining 404 pages check them out here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">:</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hopefully our designer can pull something very special out of the bag, and we will appear on the Mashable list in the new year. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:medium;"> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0