Category Archives: Daily Post…

Aneurin Barnard Interview/We’ll Take Manhattan

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Last June I was invited to interview Welsh actor Aneurin Barnard who had just completed filming new BBC Four drama “We’ll Take Manhattan” for Buzz magazine.

We’ll Take Manhattan sees Barnard take on the role of iconic photographer David Bailey and tells the story of his 1962 Vogue photo-shoot with model Jean Shrimpton.

I have to say that he was possibly one of the loveliest actors I’ve interviewed he was very down to earth and extremely passionate about his new project. Below is a copy of the article, which was in the July copy of Buzz. I can’t remember where I saved the original full-length transcription of the interview but I’ll have a good look through my files and post it underneath when retrieved!

We’ll Take Manhattan is on BBC Four tonight at 9pm (26.01.12)

Click to view >>

Aneurin Banard Interview

The Best Of The Sales…{part one}

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I have to admit that it has taken me until now to log on and have a look at the sales. I just can’t face shopping after Christmas, I like to put my debit card away and spend some time enjoying what I already have. But since the sales are on, it would be rude not to take a look!!

Here are some of my favorite sale items…

URBAN OUTFITTERS…

Dear prudence teacup, powder room shower curtain, tiny camera ring, social media magnets

JOHN LEWIS

Cartier gift set £41.25, Country living cake set £11, country living apple pie & custard £8, Molton Brown Glory Unisex Shower Gel Gift Set £21

BOOTS


Nando’s Hot Stuff Set £6.25, FairTrade Hamper £12.50, FCUK The Woman Has It All Overnight Bag £22.50, Accessorize Fragrance Gift Set £7.50

 

 

Cranberry Sangria & Stowells Light

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I can’t quite believe Christmas is upon us, why it’s come as such a shock to me is something else considering I’ve been scoffing the mince pies with abandon for the last few weeks. But in an effort to reign in I’ve given some low calorie wine a whirl.

I’m not usually one for low alcohol booze, it doesn’t usually have the same taste and is a little like glorified grape juice but surprisingly Stowells Light is refreshingly different and full of flavor {with the added benefit of having 30% less calories than most Australian wine}.

Of course you don’t have to just have it straight out of the bottle (not literally), I’ve found this recipe for a great White Wine Cocktail, which is perfect for the Christmas season…

Sparkling cranberry sangria

Ingredients:
1 bottle white wine
25 oz. sparkling cranberry
1 apple, thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh cranberries

Directions: In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the following ingredients and refrigerate until ready to serve.

A few things:
Each glass of Stowells light is just 60 calories (for a 125ml glass) and it’s a low alcohol choice at just 5.5% – less than one unit per glass. This is a sponsored post and whilst it may be Christmas I’d like to just remind you all to drink responsibly.

Image and recipe for the cocktail via yummymummkitchen.com

This time last year…

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I can’t believe that it was a year ago today that I went with my gorgeous friend Daren to see the Scissor Sisters in Cardiff. There was snow on the ground, it was freezing COLD and yet we still got our glitter out and our heels (well I did, not Daren} on and we headed out.

scissorsisters

Click the above to see the snaps!!

This year really has shot by. I know it’s a sign of aging when you start the whole “I just can’t believe its November/December” thing {see the Michael McIntyre clip below} but it does seem like just yesterday I was getting ready to battle the snow!!
I had SO many goals to achieve this year {although technically as my business year is April to April I can still achieve them} and I don’t think I’ve managed to tick as many off my list as I should have. However, I’m currently working on my new personal website which should tick a few boxes!!
In the meantime, hope you enjoy the pics and the video.
X

National Freelancer Day…

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Being a freelancer isn’t easy. Trust me. The beauty of working in your pjs and taking as many tea breaks as you like soon wains…especially when the cabin fever and hunt the invoice games start to kick in.

I’ll be honest, since going freelance I can’t honestly say i’ve had a great nights sleep. You go to bed with ideas, worries about money (i’m still chasing invoices from MAY!), to-do lists whirling around your head, important things you must remember to tell your clients etc and on top of that we have people offering to work for free or undercutting you by miles (which is especially annoying when you know there is no way they can live on that kind of money themselves. – Casing Point – I was told about someone charging 38p for 1000 words a few weeks ago – who can do 1000 words for 38p and survive??

So in honour of national freelance day this is my message:

and equally important…

p.s I’m just getting in to Tumblr – why not give me a follow? HERE

L’Oreal Paris and Cheryl Cole Need YOU! *competition

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After spending all summer attempting to “go blonde” I made an executive decision last week – I decided that it was time to go back to the dark side. I popped on a deep cherry red colour and I have to say I am once again embracing my glossy locks. Seriously, I have never been able to master the blonde glossy look.
Anyway, that brings me around to competition from L’oreal Paris…

L’Oréal Paris is looking for three girls to star in the next Casting Crème Gloss advert alongside spokesmodel, Cheryl Cole. From 31 October to 27th November, fans of Casting Crème Gloss will be able to cast themselves in the role of either: deep brunette, fiery redhead or honey blonde.

To enter visit the L’Oreal Paris UK Facebook Page and click on the application button which appears on the left hand side of the page, follow the steps to enter and upload a picture of yourself then ask friends and family to cast their vote from the 28thNovember to 4th December 2011.

Those shortlisted will be sent for a L’Oréal Paris Casting Day where they will receive a makeover by hair & makeup artists in preparation for a live audition, in front of a panel of judges.

This will be your chance to go in front of the camera and tell us why you love Casting Crème Gloss. And yes, you can even utter those famous words,

“Because you’re worth it!’

Disclaimer: Opens to female UK and ROI residents aged 16+. Entrants must register with L’Oréal Insider, colour their hair using Casting Crème Gloss and upload a photo on facebook. No purchase necessary. Closing date 27/11/2011. For full Terms & Conditions and to enter visit this page.

*sponsored post*

Big Knit: Innocent & Age UK

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Have you seen the innocent smoothies with their little hats on? Cute right? Well, it’s not just because the smoothies are fashionistas – the little hats are all part of the big knit.

What’s it all about? Each year Innocent smoothies ask the nation to knit little hats (which then go on top of the bottles) in order to raise money for Age UK. 25p from each bottle sold goes to Age UK helping them supply blankets, hot meals and advice for older people who struggle to keep warm throughout the winter.

The Special Project and how YOU can get involved:

This year the project is being taken to facebook…

www.facebook.com/innocentdrinks

Innocent and Age UK are asking you get a hat (you can buy the smoothies from Boots and Sainsbury) and take a photo and upload to the facebook group. As well as helping AGE UK raise money (they get 10p each for each photo uploaded)  you can also win prizes.

The aim is to be creative and take pictures “wearing” the hat. Just hold the cat between the camera and the subject and voila. I’ve done a bad impression below:

I’m going to take a few more pictures this weekend but I’ve got 3 little hats to give away if you fancy having a go…send contact me below or drop me a tweet…@rachaelphillips

NaNoWriMo begins…

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And so it starts, 30 days of literary abandon. I’ve accepted the challenge to write at least 50,000 words (aka a novel) in just one month. I’ve got my story laid out in my head, my main characters are in place and I’m looking forward to just getting stuck in.

But this isn’t the first time that I’ve tried to take on the NaNoWriMo challenge, I attempted to give it a whirl last year but ended up falling so behind that I just gave up. However, not this year, I’m ready and waiting.

So I stumbled across this blog post, which has given me a great idea for keeping that motivation going. It’s all about setting up a reward system and that reward is that on day thirty you only have to write ONE (YES ONE) word. Now, if you’re like me and usually wait until the last day to cram in as much work as possible then this idea will seem pretty strange. But I think it could work extremely well.
The reward system is all about embracing the motivation you get at the beginning of the challenge and therefore relieving the pressure the rest of the month.
Here are the recommended daily word quotas: Continue reading →

Lazy at work? Think again…

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If you spend more time in work poking your friends on facebook or tweeting Gary Barlow then you may want to rethink your attitude.

A leaked report from Downing Street suggests that the law maybe changing making it easier to sack unproductive employees and “lazy workers” losing their benefits.

Now unless you want to spend more time at home watching Jeremy Kyle on your cute corner sofa scouring the internet for work then here are a few tips* on how to NOT lose your job…

1. Improve your performance. Yeah I know, that’s obvious. If you can’t improve your performance through selling more, achieving more etc etc then befriend a boss and go down that route.

2. Avoid procrastination. I’m the Queen of procrastination, I can turn the simple act of checking my twitter feed in to a mammoth tweet session resulting in several hours passing without so much as a cuppa tea.

3. Get a new job. Quit. Go out and do something you love doing. If you hate your job that much that you just can’t *do* it then stop job blocking and go find yourself something else. The jobless person taking over your position will be grateful and you’ll save yourself health issues in the near future.

* Clearly my role in life isn’t to work in the careers market and this is very much tongue in cheek! But still, be careful in work and turn twitter off!!