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I’m constantly battling with my blogfolio appearance & I think it’s something I’ve touched upon before. If you’re using your website / blog to promote your business, then you want it to look professional to attract customers & keep their loyalty. However, if your business is something creative, surely you want your quirky, imaginative side to shine through too?

With aimeemarie.com I tend to flit between, slick, basic black & white layouts, to something with a little more pzazz & colour. So which is the best option? Well for me, it’s got to be the latter, hands down. Because of course, you can have both, because professional doesn’t have to mean boring! It’s no longer a case of either or, but personality AND professionalism. You’d be forgiven for thinking that businessmen won’t take glitter, pink & unicorns seriously, but if quirky teen girls are your target market, then you’re onto a winner!

Just remember, if you’re trying to be taken seriously, then act seriously but never compromise your loves & personal tastes! (And if you’re not trying to be taken as a serious professional, then feel free to use Comic Sans. Haha.)

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I have the sweetest tooth, ever— worryingly so! I love chocolate, cake, biscuits & anything with sugar in that I can get my hands on. So when I saw this competition on Mademoiselle Robot’s blog, I had to have me a piece of the action! Look at that tea & cake ring! Isn’t it awesome? Tea, cake & accesories— three of my favourite things, neatly packaged onto my finger. Fabulous.

Lo & behold, I won & this beautiful little thing arrived in my letterbox yesterday, with a light thud.

Yum! There’s not actually any tea in sight & I don’t know what kind of cake has a slice of melon on top, but it’s cute ‘n kitsch nonetheless, & as for the tea, my own brew is just fine!

If you haven’t already seen the other delectable treats that Rock ‘n Rose have to offer, then go & ogle over the pages of contemporary as well as vintage items for sale!

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Because sometimes it’s just nice to write these things down, right? It’s not about a particular time, place, pastime, lifelong-loves or genre— it’s all the little things that are making me smile right NOW!

• Katie, my niece, learning to walk & talk
• my boyfriend!
• the Christmas lights being switched on in town
• learning new things for my new job & making a million notes every day
• waiting for Christmas to get my 2010 Moleskine diary
• singing my heart out in my new car on the way to work
• planning a short trip around Europe
• attending a winter wedding this weekend
• the colour pink (as always!)
• moving the furniture in the front room & realising how much space we have
• being a stationery geek
• Kate’s new blog Earth vs. The Wild Heart
• finding time to pick up my camera again
• a day off tomorrow!
• looking forward to re-visiting Paris & snooping around the Christmas markets
• making Christmas wishlists & planning presents for my partner
• hot buttery crumpets
• revisiting my 101 in 1001 list
• realising this blog has been going for 4 years, in one form or another!
• searching for the perfect winter coat
• coconut body scrub
• having a working car heater! what a novelty!
• face-paints & fancy dress
• impending lunchdates with Kate
• going on a wine & chocolate run in the ad breaks for The X Factor
• researching amazing Christmas decs
• fireworks!

Is there anything you’re loving right now!?

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Life is hectic at the moment & I haven’t had the time to blog, take photos or even post nonsense on Twitter about food, window cleaners or openly debate about what to wear. I know, I know, sad times. All of your amazing blogs are constantly inspiring me though, so I’m trying to find the time in between work, sleeping & eating to let my creative juices flow, as I’m literally about to BURST. This isn’t a hiatus message or anything, but a little note to the blogosphere to let you know I’m still alive & kicking, & I’m not giving up! When my routine starts to flow, things will be back to normal. WWW, I haven’t forgotten you!

Ciao x

PS. I did find the time on Saturday to dress up as a zombie nurse. Observe:

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I’m a bit of a girly-girl who enjoys make-up, cosmetics & everything under the beauty umbrella. I love creating new looks with colours, textures & embellishments, as you can tell, so the thought of going out with absolutely no make-up on at all, horrifies me! I’m not blessed with beautiful clear skin & my uneven skin tone often leaves a lot to be desired, so I always wear some kind of cover up, whether its concealer, foundation, powder or all of the above!.

However, sometimes needs must. With my recent promotion at work (hence the lack of blogging!) I’ve been working more hours & getting up earlier than any human should. 4:30am is a time where we should all be sleeping, safe & sound, not putting on a face full of make-up! And so, one morning I just didn’t. I washed my face, dried it off & didn’t look in the mirror. I went to work for 8hrs & didn’t feel any more or less confident than any other day.

This was a huge revelation for me! I probably won’t stop wearing cosmetics for years to come, as it can really be beautiful if you know how to apply it & it can completely transform you (plus, we all have bad days!), but it’s nice to know that I don’t need to turn down invites if I’ve not put anything on yet (it has been known!) or have an extra 20 minutes in bed!

How do you feel about make-up? Are you a slave to foundation, bronzer & eyeliner, or is a quick slick of mascara enough for you?

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With my obsession for organisation, each blog I follow on my Google Reader has a tag, e.g. fashion, beauty, food, art, DIY etc— but my fav of all, has to be my ‘regulars’ list, with so many blogs about a variety of subjects, with new, constantly updated content! It’s no wonder time flies by when I’m on the internet.

So, here are my current Top 10 blogs (& a few reasons why they should be yours too!)

• Eleanor Jane // Amazing Welsh photographer Eleanor Jane produces dreamy, grainy images.
• Cupcakes & Cherries // Wanna read about beauty products? Daisy’s your girl.
• Afeitar // Helen loves to bake, read & buy pretty dresses. If you do too, you’ll love her!
• Cupcakes and Mace // Ace jewellery designer Kim writes about work, life & fun in between.
• Gallivant // Poppy may have pink hair, but she’s not all glitter & unicorns— girl’s got opinions!
• Kris Atomic // Kris’ posts are few & far between, but her illustrations are totally worth the wait.
• Lick My Cupcakes // Em is the kind of girl you want to be your best friend. Read her interview!
• Oh Fab // As well as being a great dresser, Nikki is an awe-inspiringly-talented, witty writer.
• Terminal 12 // Kate is one of my oldest mates, who documents her life in words & photos.
• Sarah Kane // One of my fav photographers, shoots beautiful, crisp & clear images.

Who would be in your Top 10?!

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First up, is Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo. Usually my hair is in pretty good condition, but since I’ve started growing it, it’s been dry & brittle. I’m molting everywhere! Plus, I dye it & endless heat-treatment & clipping it up while it’s still wet, has meant my hair is breaking & my ends are split. The only thing that can really sort this out, is having a trim, but this shampoo is a great in between step, while I’m being lazy about booking an appointment!

My pet peeve with shampoo, is it not lathering up enough! With some cheaper brands, I have to wash my hair a couple of times, because it doesn’t feel like it’s rich enough & actually touching my scalp! But this shampoo produces a lovely lather, that smells great too— I love stepping out of the shower & still smelling it in the bathroom hours later, as well as on my hair. My hair feels soft & bouncy & clean, without stripping it off all of it’s natural oils. It’s got volume & doesn’t weigh my hair down, leaving it flat at the roots, like some products!

No hair pampering sesh is quite complete without a little conditioner! Instead of using the matching Miracle Moist Conditioner, I jumped right in with the 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Deep Conditioner, as my hair was in a sad state of affairs. I slathered it over my head, did my thing & then washed it off a few minutes later & it felt so good. You know how sometimes, you’re washing conditioner out & your hair either feels no different at all, or just completely greasy? Well, not this magic potion. No, no. My hair’s soft & shiny! I’d definitely recommend this as a weekly must-have, to keep your hair in tip-top condish!

My hair smells: kind of like sherbert! It’s sweet, without being sickly & overpowering. And the scent lasts until the next wash.
My hair feels: soft & healthy.
My hair looks: shiny & bouncy, despite it’s real state!
Rating: 7/10.

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Thursday 24th September ‘09
Shorts — ASOS
Grey top with 3/4 length sleeves — Primark
Studded skinny belt – Primark
Blazer — Primark
Boots — New Look (customised with studs by yours truly)
Over-the-knee socks — H&M
Scarf — H&M

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21. If I had to choose one cuisine to eat for the rest of my life, it would definitely be Chinese. I just love chicken chow mein, singapore noodles, crispy duck & pancakes, spring rolls, prawn toast… mmm-mmm! (Obviously not all in one sitting though…)

22. I’m a very organised person— I like to know what’s happening & when, folders with different divided sections, labelled items & putting things in alphabetical or chronological order. My brain just doesn’t work, otherwise! Despite the way my flat might sometimes look, I can’t actually work in a messy environment.

23. I’ve never had a pet (besides two goldfish when I was younger, that died after a few days & got flushed away— RIP fishies with no name!) & find it hard to have sympathy for people, when the death of a pet hits them hard, like the death of a family member. Sorry if that’s you!

24. I loved dancing & acting on stage at school & auditioned for every production. Bit of Guys & Dolls, anyone? Maybe you’d like to see me dancing in a blue wig to a medley or awful music, with my pals? Yeah, there’s video evidence that’s yet to be destroyed!

25. I don’t actually drink alcohol that often, but when I do vodka & OJ is the way forward!

26. I have a love/hate relationship with my retail / customer service job, on a day-to-day basis! On the whole though, I like it. You can slag retail off as much as you like, but I get to meet so many people, from all walks of life. Plus, I find enjoyment in knowing that I’m often right & the customer’s wrong— it can be a great stress-reliever!

27. I used to be so shy. Like, really shy— even though I loved to be on stage. I can still be quiet in some situations now, but that’s because I’m an observational person & I’m taking everything in. Photographers need to be almost invisible sometimes y’know!

28. I’d choose chocolate & biscuits over savoury snacks, any day! Biscuits & tea is the best combination, after a long day at work (or shopping. Those bags are heavy!)

29. I don’t actually own many clothes— I’m all about the accessories! I can’t even begin to count how many rings, necklaces, bracelets & bangles, belts & scarves I have.

30. I’ve worn glasses since I was 5 years old. Little speccy-baby! I can’t see much without my specs or lenses at all.

31. My pet peeve is noisy eaters. I manage to eat without looking like a camel & smacking my lips, so why can’t you?

32. My first car (Renault Clio) was a free gift from a neighbour & family-friend, who didn’t need it anymore, because she was going travelling. Bargain!

33. I was a big fan of Funeral For A Friend back in the day & saw them approximately five times with Kate, as well as all the other bands at the time, that sounded pretty much the same. Ah, sweet nostalgia.

34. I became an aunt for the first time on 2nd August 2008, to my little niece (well, she’s actually my boyfriends niece, but that’s a mere technicality!) Katie. I’m currently trying to teach her to say my name!

35. I won a raffle when I was around 8 years old at a fair for London Cab Drivers that I was at with my cab driver Dad (something that when I was this age, seemed so exciting— free crap like pens, paper & plastic hats? Yes please!) & got my hands on a massive hi-fi! Plus, because I was wearing the free neon yellow baseball cap at the time, I got a free camera as well (perhaps this is where my career began?) I might also add that I didn’t know that if you were the winner & wearing said cap, you’d get a bonus prize— I was simply wearing it, ‘cos that’s how the 8 year old Aimee Marie rolled. Smooth.

36. I’m a big meat-eater! Myself and Ashley gave it up for a month once & it was hellish. I’ve often declared “I need MEAT” after an alcohol-fuelled night out & my friends won’t let me forget it.

37. I hate talking on the phone, if I don’t know someone to well. Awkward silences!

38. I guess you could say I’m half South-African, as my Dad’s side of the family descend from there & my dad was born & bred in Cape Town until he was around 10 years old. …exotic, eh?!

39. I wholeheartedly believe Ricky Gervais is a complete genius.

40. I got a grass-seed in my eye when I was at Brownie’s, by running through a field that I shouldn’t have. My eye blew up & my sister renamed me ‘Quasimodo’.

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The idea that someone would choose to wear something they don’t even like, completely baffles me. I’m not saying we’re not all influenced by current fashion trends, whether they’re all over the high street, the catwalks, or being adorned by your favourite blogger, because of course we all are— just yesterday, I bought a boyfriend-fit blazer. But I bought it because I genuinely liked it, not because other people were wearing it— the fact they were exhibiting it, simply bought it to my attention. Next season when it’s declared ‘out’ by someone who believes they can dictate peoples wardrobes, I’ll still be wearing it!

However, Kim’s comments on my last post, astonished me— do people really not wear what they want to wear, in their own time?! I’m not talking about at school or work, where there may be some kind of uniform or restrictions, but at the weekend, evening or any other time that you would call your own.

I asked the Twitterverse if they wore what they truly wanted & here’s just some of the responses I received:

Midorigreen— “I guess most people don’t wear exactly what they want because they’re influenced by other people and available clothing.”

Vixel & Leia— “I wear what I like as far as the weather and physical comfort will allow me to!”

Kate— “ahaha I don’t because everything I want to wear is always in the washing basket.”

Perhaps it has something to do with shopping on my own, but I always wear what I want & I love it. It may not always be the most creative or outlandish of outfits & there may be key pieces from current trends, but I’ve chosen them because I like them. (And there are plenty that I don’t— broderie anglais, brogues, fringing & harem pants to name but a few!)

No one has to an ‘individual’— a truly unique person is so hard to come by these days! But I think everyone should enjoy & love what they wear! Whether it’s carbon-copy of something you’ve seen on your fav celeb, or on the catwalk, or if it’s your very own creation— lap it up & luxuriate & relish in it’s glory!

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