The Book Trailer

It is Oscar time again and I am really excited. I love the whole buzz around the Academy Awards, seeing all the A list stars dressed up to the nines and watching all the films, actors and directors who have made an impact last year. Now the academy may not always get it right but the event certainly makes damm good entertainment. Popular actors and respected directors may be able to sell a movie to an audience but it is the trailer that gets bums on seats. Movie studios spend thousands of pounds putting together the trailer of a film to look right as this is the bench mark that people use on whether to see it or not. The book publishing industry has got onto the act and we now have trailers for books. Hence author, Lorelei Mathias who produced a trailer for her book, Step On It Cupid (below) which is based on the life of Amelie, a sassy advertising executive who has everything except the right guy. Not one to give up while she is ahead, Lorelei has come up with another promo ad for her new title, Lost for Words (above) which is the tale of Daisy, a book lover who slogs away at her job in a publishing house till a tall and handsome stranger starts work there. Both books are published by The Little Black Dress Books, who I blogged about here.

Check out both trailers and tell me what you think.



If these videos otherwise known as vidlits have tickled your fancy then read this article in The Bookseller which was written by Lorelei Mathias herself. She discusses the popularity of viral marketing in promoting books. It certainly makes interesting reading - excuse the pun.

http://loreleimathias.com/images/Bookseller%20Viral%20piece.jpg

In the Red

I started reading this book in January when myself, the whole world and his dog were totally skint after the Christmas activities. In the Red is the story of Alexis Hall, a 39 year old journo turned PR, who has very expensive taste in clothes, shoes, make up and all other goodies which results in her ending up in severe debt. Sounds familiar? Umm yes, it does sound very much like The Shopaholic series but there are fundamental differences. In the Red is a bio that is set out in diary form; Alexis comes up with a strategy that will see her debtfree in a few years and unlike our beloved shopaholic, Becky Bloomwood, she actually sticks to it. Sassy Scot, Alexis hits a rock and a hard place when she realises how much debts she has racked up over the years. In total her personal debt is a whooping £30,000, give or take a few pounds. After a stint of self reckoning Alexis decided to turn over a new leaf and starts spending her money on simply bare essentials over the next year. Can she subcumb to the temptations of cute boutiques and swanky stores on her high street? Well it remains to be seen. This book reminds me a lot of Save Karyn, the cult hit about a gal about town who is on a mission to clear her debts. Alexis' witty and amiable style realy draws you in and has you rooting for her. She may be up to her ears in debt but this lady is no victim.

Mac - Metal-X Cream Colour Shadow

I was a bit of a late bloomer when it came to make up and did not get the hang of it till I was in my early 30s. A fantastic makeover at Mac had me hooked on their products for life. I am in love with their Shock-O-Late lipglass which is the complete bomb and leaves your lips with a choccy glossy look. I also use their foundations and eye shadows avidly. I received the all new Metal-X Cream Shadow a while back but did not know what to do with it. The Metal-X Cream Colour Shadow comes in sumptous colours such as virgin silver, fusion gold, cyber metalic; all colours that I like a lot. However the sample colour that I got was Pink Ingot, don't get me wrong, I kind of like pink - but just not on my face. Anyway one morning I was feeling adventurous so I decided to try it and I was pleasantly surprised. The Cream Colour Base turned out to be a real treat - it not only glided on smoothly, it looked hot in a frosty kind of way. It brings creamy to the max and if you like a luxurious feel in your make up then this little gem is for you. I have not tried it on my cheeks or skin yet but plan to do so very soon. The Metal-X Cream Shadow is a cream to powder metalics shadow that provides liquid metal effects. It comes in a wide variety of colours such as Virgin Silver, Pure Ore, Goldspice, Fusion Gold, Metalblu, Cyber Metallic, 6th Sin, Plum Electric. I also have a crush on Chintz on Chintz lipstick, which is a uber nude colour which has been the reason for my move back to lipstick.

Britannia Rocks

London Fashion Week (LFW) has come round again amidst a time packed with glamorous media festivities such as the BAFTAS and the Brit Awards. The British Fashion Council have organised a mouth watering menu of catwalk shows from cutting edge designers such as Gareth Pugh, Christopher Kane and the new darling Emma Cook. As well as the new wave there is the established posse such as Betty Jackson, Caroline Charles and the grand dame in the shape of Vivienne Westwood. LFW is always an amazing event full of excitement bordering on hysteria. In between the shows there are lots of launches and champagne receptions and lets not forget all the activities in press room. Every night there is a slinky party where the fashion pack can shake their designer clad booty to the cool beats.

Oh and then there is the Exhibition which plays host to over two hundred designer labels, from established to up and coming and brand spanking new. It is also where the buyers and owners hang out sipping Moet hoping to nail that huge order that will pay for their jet set lifestyle. If you think the catwalk looks glamorous then you really need to take a trip down here. On the ground floor you have jewellery, bags, footwear and millinery and upstairs is where the ready to wear collections are. Taking a browse through the Exhibition can be pretty daunting as you are looked over head to toe by perfectly coiffed fashionistas. What is funny is the way they all look immediately at your pass; obviously to see if you are a buyer from a large store. Those curious looks then turn to fake smiles when they realise that you are press. This year the Exhibition which is sponsored by Topshop, who welcome a revamped New Gen which showcases the works of some of the most promising names in fashion. Hip labels such as Christopher Kane, House of Holland, Duru Olowu, Erdem and Todd Lynn all hold court here. As you enter this section you experience a total new vibe that is cool and shaking. Gone is the smooth albastor interior and in its place is a space that is akin to an old fashioned boozer with that touch of hippy hippy shake. It comes complete with a bar, dartboard and of course a pool table. New Gen is definately the place with LFW embracing the best of Brit talent.

So much that this week's Grazia celebrates this by producing a special 'Britain Rocks Again' issue which shows model, Agyness Deyn on the cover carry the Union Jack. The magazine also has Aygness and her mate, Henry Holland aka House of Holland, adopting the infamous pose that Patsy Kensit and Liam Gallagher did in Vanity Fair back in the 90s. Grazia also features other Brit idols from the entertainment industry.