“Love me” Campaign

Old news? Yes, but Smashbox (cosmetic brand based in LA) has collaborated with the alluring graffiti artist, Curtis Kulig and created an iconic, fresh and edgy “Love Me” collection.

Though I intern at Cosmetics Magazine, this campaign didn’t cross my path. After perusing the magazine racks at Chapters one hot afternoon with mom, Wonderland Magazine February/March issue caught my eye. Excited to read this foreign hipster looking and trendy mag – published in London, England – I sifted through, only to find the below article:

Words by Jack Mills (Wonderland In Bloom, The Babes Issue Feb/Mar)

So the story goes, Curtis Kulig is famous for graffiti-ing the iconic phrase “Love Me” in the streets of New York, Tokyo, etc. It seems natural for Smashbox to have gravitated towards his text – lustrous, thick, dripping paint with hints of colour and a Pop-Art feel.

Here I am reading this article, captivated. At the end I was disheartened that I hadn’t got my hands on any of the products in this campaign. Days later, and while riding down the elevator with Cammie and Andrew – heading to The Boat (Kensington Market) for Suni’s birthday – I put my hand in my purse. I grabbed my lip gloss, only to find:

I WAS IN SHOCK. All of a sudden I started rambling on to Cammie and Andrew about how happy I was to own this Smashbox gloss that I had absent-mindedly chosen to keep from Cosmetics Magazine! They had no idea what I was talking about.

I love the way this lip enhancing gloss, called “charm me” in nude, makes my pout look! Sometimes glosses are too tacky, or sticky, and leave lips dryer then you’d like. This Smashbox product coats my lips evenly, truly hugging them. Once it’s all kissed off – by my boyfriend, of course, cause there is no other way to run out of your gloss faster – they feel smoother than before.

Plus I get to participate in owning a part of this unique collab! Life’s unexpectedness couldn’t get any better than this.

What you didn’t know about Freelance Writing

I made the mistake of assuming that all freelance writing opportunities would be a positive experience – when it comes to adding to my portfolio, and just having fun doing what I love – but it’s a lot harder than it seems. If you’re not the right match, Editor to writer, it’s hard to see eye to eye, or even e-mail to e-mail.

For some unknown reason, I didn’t consider that as a Freelance Writer you need REAL contacts. Employers are entitled to ask you for quotes, and these aren’t just any quotations. Depending on who you’re writing for, or what your topic is, you need a renowned fashion critic, famous individual or public relations person to provide you with a reliably quoted statement on the theme of the article. You could always go interview someone of relevance yourself, but not everyone has time for that kind of adventure.

Honing in on this journalist-skill has been difficult, but thanks to some friends in relevant places I’ve managed to pull some things together for a particular article on 60s inspired weddings. As a freelance writer, you need to have A LOT of contacts and enough networks to support your creative inclinations. I definitely learned this golden rule the hard way.

Not every Editor is as productive as others. Without the use of track changes I’m at a loss for what really needs to be changed. I appreciate the insight and suggestions in how to achieve a particular tone that the publisher is looking for, but the back and forth through email can be challenging. I love interacting in person and having a “go-to” to hash my ideas out with.

When it comes to rates, even if you’re like me and have established your own, employers that I’ve come across don’t seem to honour them. With experience you earn more, but that’s over time. Take it from someone at the bottom of the freelance writing pool, it’s hard to keep it all in perspective when you’re being paid practically nothing.

 

Ultimately, it is a learning experience and you’re not obligated to work for any employer more than once. I was forced to drop this particular project around the time I was asked to do a third version of the rough draft – just about from scratch.

I wish I had a freelance mentor who could help me make the right decisions. Any takers?

 

 

“Keep it moving!”

Unexpectedly – though it seems both logical and necessary – following the first interviews that I had for a couple of Writer Editor positions, I was asked to complete a writing test.

Recently, I made an online portfolio of my published work. Thinking this would be enough to seal me a full-time position as a writer editor with some lucky company. Yet, there was a lot riding on this so-called “writing test”. Game to complete the task, I couldn’t help but question why I had to prove myself when I had valuable examples available for the employers to see.

I understand that these Human Resource employees needed to ensure that I could produce work in a style of writing that pertains to their actual company or organization. Wouldn’t you think that I’d be more guaranteed the position if asked to do that though? I tried not to get my hopes up, but I couldn’t resist. The jobs were right there! Dangling in front of my eyes and all I had to do was write well. I could do that.

I didn’t get offered either of the positions. Disheartened and teary eyed – that’s an understatement because I cried a lot – I decided that all I could do was accept the reality, take it as an invaluable experience on account of interview practice and keep applying.

I applied to about 7 jobs the night I found out that I didn’t land either position, and that was after tutoring at Sylvan. If anything, it was a shit ton of motivation to “keep it moving” as my friend Kim would say.

Retraction…

My poor little head is all over the place…

Once my dad caught wind of the rumours – that “we’re Scottish”, said Aunt Lil – he called his sisters in Vancouver, Canada. My mom informed Andrew and I today that dad phone conferenced each sister in, and they came to the conclusion that WE ARE IRISH. Phew.

Now I can go back to being a drunken debauched person each St. Paddy’s day – not like I missed out this year, but I was disheartened that the Irish was nearly wiped out of me.

My mom and I are tempted to use ancestry.com to resolve this mystery once and for all…but I hear it charges?

“we’re Scottish?”

I’ve been lied to all my life. My father was under the impression that his Dad – Grandpa Holmes to me – was Irish. Grandpa Holmes passed away either right before I was conceived or when I was 1 years old…so we don’t have a reliable source hanging around. BUT my dad’s sister informed us just last year that he wasn’t Irish. SHOCKING I know. I’ve been telling a lie EVERY St. Paddy’s day. Turns out he was Scottish.

I can still celebrate though, no?

Yesterday, some friends and I got up to some downtown Toronto shenanigans. We were the decoration – balloon – stealers. The first pub made it too easy,  with helium balloons floating throughout the entire bar. Walking around all day with the flag of Ireland in balloon form, we could have been the “most noticed” people on Richmond Street. By the end of it all I had given my balloons away to the live band at Bier Market - our last destination during this unsanctioned pub crawl – as compensation for an encore.

It was VERY worth it.

GIRLS a season in review

With two episodes left – and right before the return of Game of Thrones on HBO – Isabella and I have realized that GIRLS episodes this season have been hit or miss. It’s tough for shows to maintain the level of energy and spontaneity of season 1, so I don’t mean to be too critical – but here are some thoughts:

1. Least Favourite.
My least favourite episodes are the ones that are singular topics or focused on one characters’ story line, like Hannah. These episodes are less sarcastic and have a serious tone – one of life discovery. Yes, this happens in our twenties, but there are supportive characters in shows for a reason. I miss Shoshanaa.

This especially comes to mind in last weeks episode Video Games (Jessa visiting her father with Hannah) and One Man’s Trash (Hannah’s love affair with a recently separated man). It’s too much of one flavour – like when you order macaroni and cheese at a fancy restaurant and get sick of it because it only tastes like one thing, noodle cheese. 

2. Nicknames?
Since when did everyone start referring to Shoshanna as ‘Shosh’? This nickname – sort of – came to life in season 2 and it’s an awful short-form. Especially when Hannah and Ray enunciate the “Sh” – “Ooo” – shHH” in a high-pitched tone?!

Phonic’s, gotta love’em.

3. Elijah.
Don’t you just miss him? Cause I do. Isabella and I both love Elijah and the role he played in Hannah’s life. It was a hilarious scene, the day Elijah was forced to move out after sleeping with Marnie, and I knew exactly what Hannah meant when she said she shouldn’t have “repurposed” him back into her life. Now actor Andrew Rannells, who plays Elijah, is on The New Normal…a show Isabella and I know nothing about.

Just come back.

4. Future hopes & questions.
Marnie – Figure it out, and believe in yourself. Its tough. Especially when ex-boyfriends are becoming more successful than you, but you know you’re a singer now thanks to Ray…so live it up.
Shoshanna – Break up with Ray. I just don’t like him that much.
Hannah – Have less “sexcapades” and spend more time actually writing! What ever happened to the article you wrote about being on coke? Did it turn out well?

Isabella and I both admire the wit and humour that is Lena Dunham. Anything we write or say will never live up to what GIRLS has become. I love the show and am excited for the season finale, despite everything I’ve ridiculed above.

From 3 to 1…Jobs

Someone on Facebook said “for the shortest month of the year why does it feel so long? End already February!” No matter how true this is, and it’s true because February 2013 has felt like a lifetime, I don’t want this month to end. I still do not have a full-time position, or my career under control.

I hit a low point last week – insert apology here: addressed to my closest friends, novio and family because they dealt with my panic attack, convulsive crying, and depressed state last week – once Sylvan broke the news that they’d have less and less hours for me.

From 3 jobs to 1 I couldn’t handle it. Being unemployed AGAIN and without a pay check is not fun. Thus far, Sylvan’s part-time hours and great pay enabled me to go on vacation while remaining at the same account balance!! With less high school English students – my expertise as a high level English tutor is no longer needed. Understandable, but not ideal.

In relation to the freelance editing I was hired for…well, there isn’t anything currently. All the networking I’ve done has paid off – that in Cuba and through my connections at Carleton – but they just don’t have completed projects that they need me for.

Ironically, prior to the news, I felt discouraged and began to lack confidence in my ability to land a job. Continuously applying week after week – no interviews have come my way. I am qualified for the positions I apply to, so that’s not the problem. Having discussed matters with the Editor-in-chief at Cosmetics – my boss Kristen – I’ve come to realize that with a little bit of regrouping I can only go up from here.

I’ve begun to put together a writing portfolio and am considering investing in a unique case for it. Kloportfolios are a Vancouver based company that make custom screwpost portfolios. Get excited!

I continue to apply to Writer/Editor positions with various companies, and freelance writer positions that catch my eye. Something is bound to happen. If it doesn’t I may be going back to school, which seems to be a natural feeling for most graduates without full-time positions. A 1-2 year program in Journalism at a college wouldn’t hurt.

Some things going for me are that: I’m debt free, and living rent free with my parents – did I mention Matthew (my brother) is still kicking it here too? Just while he waits for his condo to be built – we are the boomerangs of the world.

I will bounce back. I’ve got to.