Photos from LELOVE

Happy Monday kids...

LIFE LATELY ACCORDING TO MY IPHONE

2012 is really starting to look like a solid year. If the past few days are any indication of what's in store for me- I just can't WAIT! 

Classes started up again this week and our amazing faculty lined up some stellar guest speakers: magazine editors & ad/branding firm CEOs. Awesome.

I'll also be moving this weekend, so keep posted for updates and photos of my new (temporary) pad. 

Have a great weekend!

LAST MINUTES WITH ODEN

Last Minutes with ODEN from Eliot Rausch + Phos Pictures on Vimeo.


I came across this short a few years ago and have meaning to share it with all of you. Without fail, I will well up in tears watching it every single time. Such a moving little story. Enjoy.

SEGOVIA

Well I'm celebrating my birthday this weekend. Earlier in the week I went to my favourite restaurant with some of my favourite girls and drank some of my favourite wine. Who am I kidding- all wine is my favourite wine.

I went to Segovia on the corner of Osborne and Stradbrooke. If you've never been, it's a tapas style restaurant with fabulous cuisine, wine and atmosphere. At Segovia, they are passionate about fine ingredients and creating an unparalleled experience. Love that this place is mere blocks from my place.

I'll apologize in advance for the shizzy photos, my iphone is bull in low light. Just wanted to update you guys with a quick post! 

xo & have a great weekend,

Monique

5 THINGS BLOGGERS CAN LEARN FROM DON DRAPER

I wanted to share a post from International Fashion Bloggers that I absolutely loved.

 You can read the original post here.

Being the best and brightest means generating new ideas and providing something others can’t.  Draper makes Sterling Cooper one of the most successful ad firms in New York- enough so that he becomes a partner.  His insight, intelligence and quick mind are an asset to the company.  Provide your readers with something they can’t get anything else– your unique insight & perspective.

Share what you need to and nothing more.  Don’s a man with many skeletons in his closet–including not even being Don Draper! As bloggers, our personal touch is what makes us stand out against other sites.  Be careful not to overshare, and remember it’s okay to keep parts of your life private if they aren’t pertinent to your blog.

Great copy can sell the world.  Are you a great writer? No? Well, then work on it.  As a blogger words are your primary tool and in each post we’re trying to sell something–whether it’s the great sunglasses of the season, how to love ourselves better, or our own style.  You’re going to need words beyond awesome, stunning, sparkly, genius, and fab to sell each post.  Invest in yourself, your thesaurus, and a handful of great writing resources.  Don has a magical way of coming up with beautiful catchphrases and expressions for each client, and when he can’t do it– Peggy can.

Surround yourself with talented people.  Don recognized Peggy had an ability beyond a simple secretary, and she worked her way up to copywriter.  Don recognizes that Pete Campbell’s an excellent Account Executive, despite his dislike for Campbell.  We can’t do all of the work by our self, but we can find amazing and capable people to help us out.

Know your market, or “what women want.”  What makes Don the best Creative Director is his ability to get in the minds of consumers.  Whether it’s a woman entertaining guests, a man trying to seduce women, selling the idea of family or the fantasy of luxury hotels, he has insight in to what people want.  How well do you know your readers? What do your readers want? Can you anticipate the types of posts they’ll respond to and be interested in, anticipate their needs and desires?