Blog Presence Stats.

To evidence the work and time put into my blog during this module, I have gathered the Analytics for my blog month by month from the end of 2014 until May 2015. I have included month on month comparisons and also each months statistics. 

I have seen the greatest growth in my Instagram and Twitter. In January, I was on 500 Instagram Followers and 100 Twitter followers. This has grown to 1,400+ Instagram followers and 650+ Twitter followers. Alongside this, my twitter impressions have increased drastically, by approx 100% month on month, and my Instagram has seen a rise in both likes and comments. 

As a result of my increased media presence, I have received many brilliant opportunities. This week I attended a Supper Club with Madeleine Shaw at Harvey Nichols which I have blogged about and shared in my book, also producing a mini zine of the night. I also attended the House of Fraser Press Day in London for the AW collection. From that, I have a potential collaboration coming up on my blog featuring my boyfriend styling their menswear collections. 

Over the past few months I've had brilliant opportunities like this, and have had a number of companies wanting to work with me, including Lush Cosmetics, Second Thread Clothing, Getting Personal who sent me note pads and a mug with my logo on and Links of London who I collaborated with on a NYFW feature.

I have also received contact from a Swimwear brand this week to promote them during my upcoming holiday, and Oasis Fashion, working with them and Gandy's Flip-Flop's on their Charity for Orphans programme, the images of which will be live on the 26th/27th May on my Social Channels.

Harvey Nichols Supper Club with Madeleine Shaw

When Harvey Nichols invited me down to their Supper Club with Madeleine Shaw I jumped at the opportunity. Having followed her on Social Media for a while I'd actually planned on getting her book, Get The Glow, that day. I waited, of course, so that I could get it signed by her on the night, and what a night it was.

We were greeted with a Cocktail and the Menu for the night, perfect. Of course I went for a Mojito, nothing else gets considered when it's made with Golden Rum, yum! There was a small group of us bloggers and a couple of representatives for Voir Magazine there. We waited anxiously for the arrival of Madeleine herself, armed with a list of questions to ask. Having a group Q&A was a brilliant idea, we all had loads to discuss and people asked questions I'd have never thought of! I've written up a number of answers that I recorded but that would make this post far too long, anyone interested in a Q&A post of the Interview with Madeleine?

I'm not going to pretend I wasn't a bit starstruck when Madeleine sat next to me. She was so lovely, friendly and I adored her accent which switched between a British and Australian. She told us all about her digestive problems and travelling to Australia where she began cooking in a Health Food Cafe and fell in love with it. I discovered cooking through my Gluten Intolerance so I related completely and loved hearing about all her nutritional advice. I learnt so many new things and it was brilliant to see someone who honestly knows about nutrition and loves it. Let's just say, her skin was perfect and glowing, definitely walking evidence that her book works! With all the talk of healthy eating and cutting out sugar I did start to feel slightly guilty sipping my cocktail, oops!

After a drinks reception with the rest of the attendees for the supper club, we sat down for food. Madeleine began by thanking everyone for coming and introducing herself, her story and the book. After a quick look at the menu I couldn't wait to start trying the food! Madeleine had already told us a  bit about each dish we would be trying and why she chose them. I must admit I was pretty hesitant about all the Avocado as I'm not a huge fan, but the rest of the food sounded perfect!

First up, The Green Goddess Bowl. Kale and Spinach served with a Cider Vinegar and Mustard Dressing, topped with the most perfectly runny boiled Eggs and Avocado, covered in Sesame Seeds. I can't even believe to explain how incredible this was. I even LOVED the Avocado. It has the most perfect combination of tastes and textures and is definitely something I'd make myself for a summer lunch.

The second dish was an Autumn Salad: Mexican BBQ Grilled Corn and Quinoa, with Chilli Salsa. This dish was definitely different. Despite being Gluten Free I don't think I've ever had Quinoa before and the texture is something you need to get used to. It went really nicely with the corn, which I love, and was just a really fresh meal. This has far more ingredients and seems more complex to put together, but would be lovely to make at a BBQ (if you ignore the Autumn Salad name of course).

Our tables were cleared and soon the next two dishes were served. As a meat/fish lover, I preferred these to the Salads, but these were more dinner style meals so were more hearty in that sense. I ADORE salmon, I love smoked salmon and salmon fillets and it's honestly my favourite fish so the third dish was right up my street;

Spicy Salmon with Cucumber and Yoghurt. This looks super simple to make and there's just 10 ingredients needed (including the standard Olive Oil and Salt! Most of it you'll already have in your cupboards). This is in the 'Speedy Suppers' section of the book (definitely my favourite kind of supper). The Yoghurt was amazing, made with Paprika, Lemon and salt. This is used as a marinade for the Salmon and is also served with it. The Salmon was perfectly cooked and was lovely and juicy, falling apart, combined with the crunchy cucumber it was amazingly balanced and tasty.

The Fourth Dish had to be altered for me as I don't eat whole nuts, so here's my personal portion. (Can you tell I was STUFFED by the end from all this food?!) This course was a Thai Beef Salad (mine served without the Salt and Pepper Cashews). The beef was perfectly cooked medium rare (just how I like it) and was so tasty. The Salad was pretty standard but I'm sure this was far more interesting with the contrast of texture of the Cashews! Definitely one I'd recommend!

And last, but certainly not least, one of the most incredible puddings I've ever eaten, and I eat A LOT of puddings. Raw Chocolate Cherry Fudge served with Vanilla and Coconut Dairy-free Ice Cream. 

One word, WOW. Apparently my face lit up when I had my first mouthful. It was so yummy. Not overly chocolatey, but enough to satisfy any cravings. If this is what healthy eating tastes like then sign me up!!! This is going to be the first recipe I try from the book. The fudge is made from just 7 Ingredients and you literally mix them all together in a Food Processor (there is an order, but there's nothing complicated about it). Serve it up, stick it in the freezer for 30 minutes then swap it to the fridge. It'll keep in the fridge for 1-2 weeks, perfect for when you're craving a tasty treat!! Definitely the highlight of the whole night.

A huge thank you to Harvey Nichols, Leeds for inviting me along and to Madeleine for all the advice and the amazing recipes! You can even try a selection of Recipe's from the book yourself! They're running the Get The Glow menu at Harvey Nichols, Leeds in their Fourth Floor Restaurant until the 31st May. I'd highly recommend all of the dishes I tried, especially the Raw Chocolate Cherry Fudge, obviously. 

You can find all these recipes and more in her Get The Glow book (£20), including her six week programme which she is starting LIVE tomorrow (join her here)! I'm going to give it a go too, but just cutting down on sugar without cutting it out entirely, not sure I should start my new job next week going through the moody sugar withdrawal process!! Fancy joining me? 

Laura xx

Cat Morgan - Interview based on 'Untitled Streets'

What’s your creative practise?

Creative Direction, Photography and Styling.

Tell me about ‘Untitled Streets’.

Untitled Streets is a project about style, personality, identity and age. I know that sounds like a lot of things when it’s written down, but really when I capture street portraits it is very simple. It is simply what stands out to me when I see someone on the street. Everybody has a character and everybody has something unique about themselves. This is the challenge of the project, to capture and research what it is that makes someone unique. The exciting part? I never know who I’m going to meet and photograph.

Do you think Leeds has its own personality and how does it differ from other cities?

Definitely, Leeds is full of character. It’s a place of arts, music and is full of different environments to explore. There is a lot of personality in this city but that’s what’s great about Leeds. People welcome you with open arms. Compared to other cities, northerners are a lot friendlier. If I was doing this project in London, everyone is a bit more rushed and busy, and do not have the time to stop and chat. I also don’t know where I’d go in London to meet the types of interesting people I’ve met in Leeds.

What is the most important thing for you to portray through these photos?

It’s mainly what they have to say about themselves. What they’re wearing is obviously important, and what initially catches my eye. It’s also really great when they’re interested in my project, not everyone is, and it varies from person to person. I’ve tried to focus on the older generation, and those that are seen less in the media.

Has it been difficult to find people who want to be photographed?

Yes that’s been the main worry about doing this project, I have 16 photographs altogether from December 2014 to now and that is quite a lot considering how many people hate having their photograph taken! That factor does need to be taken into consideration when doing a project like this, and also where the photograph is going people always want to know that. I’ve had to be clear and precise about my aim when talking to strangers, it takes a lot of courage, but I have learnt a lot.

What’s the most interesting story you’ve heard?

I met Jean in Easter holidays who is my oldest participant, she is 86. She lost some fingers due to a coal mine accident and then whilst I was taking the photograph she starting mumbling the song ‘smile’ I asked her if she liked that song, and she said she sings it everyday because her husband died recently and they used to sing it together. I met twins Sylvia and Susan and they were great. They also did a studio shoot for my self-published book and that was a lot of fun. Its great that they were happy to get involved as the whole project is a celebration of senior style.

Do you plan on continuing this work into your future professional practise?

I think I will, but as I won’t be living in Leeds anymore come the summer I will definitely start another project like this, it has been stressful, but I’m pleased I carried on because I was really close to giving up at many points.

Katie Gillies - Interview Un-edited Version

An unedited version of the Katie Gillies Interview segment of her film.