by | August 19, 2012

a big picture book

I’d say that if there is any job in the world you don’t want to do, you can pretty much find someone (and obviously pay the price) to do it for you.  Well, the lazy just got lazier.  It turns out that all those photos sitting on your digital camera, iphone or lap top can now be organised for you by your very own personal photo organizer (in the US there has been a huge explosion of these ultra-organised and often artistically unfulfilled people).  Leaving you with your images filed by holiday, prints ordered by child and mouthwatering photo albums to show any great aunt who happens to drop by, I can see that this might just pick up in certain areas of the UK too.*

one of my instagram-doctored photos

Personally, I would be too ashamed to show anyone the lack of image efficiency in my house.  But, more than this, I’m adoring using my newish toy, Instagram (follow me @lifeofyablon).  I have nominated myself chief photographer here in Ibiza and I am obsessing about the borders, tints and effects I can add to each picture.

And I have a plan for my return too.  These images won’t just live in Cyberspace.  The fabulous people at CEWE Photobooks are not going to allow me to be lazy this time.  With an offer to download their award winning software, select one of their stunning photo books and review just how easy it is layout my shots, these photos will become an actual paper memory, a beautiful coffee table book which will delight the Smalls every time they chose to flick through and remember this Ibizan adventure.

COMPETITION:  And, of course, I wouldn’t just run off into the balearic sunset without a competition prize for my readers.   So, follow me on twitter @yablon and then all you have to do is retweet my chosen photo of a beautiful beach tagged as @cewephotobook competition photo.  2 of my retweeters will be chosen to win a £50 voucher each to make their own stunning photo book at CEWE Photobook.  Competition ends 25th August 2012.

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by | August 18, 2012

here come the Men in Flip-Flops

He is not sure what to wear.  Tonight we are heading to the Atzaro Beach Club where Groove Armada will be playing a set, Jade Jagger and her chums will be sipping cocktails and quite frankly, in dress code terms, this is a British man’s nightmare.

A perennial problem, British men find the hot weather a fashion issue.  As soon as the (rare) summer evenings are among us – or we are abroad for family holidays – it’s virtually impossible for our men to find something appropriate, let alone cool, to wear.

In Casino Royale, Daniel Craig wore a classic Sunspel polo shirt… but no flip-flops

And I haven’t even started on footwear.  So few of our fellow countrymen can wear a flip-flop with ease.  The feet need some care and attention after a long hidden winter and then a little colour so that they don’t appear translucent in the bright, glaring sun.  But are deck shoes, espadrilles or sockless loafers really the only alternative?  None cut the mustard, in my scathing opinion.

In honesty, I think I only know two men who handle summer with anything approaching style.  And even then, they have a little Italian or French blood in them and this is probably their saving grace.

So what should our male counterparts wear in sunnier climes? Here are my top 5 items from His summer ‘collection’ which have all had the Yablon go-ahead:

And so, as I lie back on my deck chair, I shall cherish the thought that it won’t be long before he is back in jeans again.

 

 

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by | August 16, 2012

Charmed by a Wishbone @astleyclarke

I know it’s hard to believe but – 6 years ago –  heads were shaking in disbelief at the idea of an online jewellery business.  Personally, I had absolutely no issue.  Particularly when He decided to surprise me and buy me a spontaneous gift from this new almost-visonary website, Astley Clarke.  A Carolina Bucci ring, ordered from His desk, was delivered to me at home (at the time with two screaming babies) – virtually and seamlessly.

Wishbone Friendship Bracelet from Astley Clarke £135

Fast-forward 6 months and I was (back at work) intent on launching yet another online business.  Instead of delivering jewels, I was marketing an in-home beauty treatment service, Return to Glory, and Bec (Astley Clarke), founder and managing director of Astley Clarke, pops back into my mind.  In need of her advice and know-how, I remember dropping in on her home-cum-office and chatting to her about the trials and tribulations of online marketing while she packaged up gift boxes ready for delivery.

The rest, as they say, is internet history.  Except that recently I was sat next to Bec at a rather posh dinner at the House of Lords (another story altogether) and now we are making some exciting plans for 2013 (a story for the future!).

To this day, I am a massive fan of the Astley Clarke jewels.  My Smalls recently bought me the Wishbone Friendship Bracelet for a big birthday.  Charmed by the idea that the wishbone would make all my wish come true, they had persuaded Him that I would wear it along with my other non-removable friendship bracelets and have more luck that I should ever need.

 

£135 from www.astleyclarke.com

Click, delivery, wish.  Who could wish for more?

 

 

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by | August 14, 2012

I blame Jessie J

Jessie J with her purple dip-dyed hair

 

Mini-Me was glued to The Voice every Saturday the talent show was aired.  Mesmerized by the singer, it wasn’t long before the not-even-eight-year-old was asking if she too could dip-dye her hair purple too.  An easy question to answer.

However, the Neighbour did suggest a compromise.  Feather Ray hair extensions, now available

rainbow festival mix

in TopShop (Oxford Circus), are an ingenious way of adding a splash of colour (or a more subtle feather dimension) to your hair.  The feathers, brought to the UK by two festival-loving friends, can be washed and styled just like normal hair.

Mini-Me’s Feather Ray

I had to remind Mini-Me to breathe, she was so excited about our mission.  She choose beautiful turquoise feathers (not cheap at £25!) and is now delighted with her edgy but extremely subtle punk look.

The feathers can be ordered online (and come with instructions) but I’d advise a trip to the shopping mecca (ground floor by make-up) to have it put in professionally.

Feather Ray at TopShop

 

 

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