Competition!

THE RULES/ LES REGLES

To enter this one in a lifetime competition, all you have to do is create Le Papillon De La Mode a brand new blog button!

- You must live in the UK to enter

- You must be a follower via Blogger or Twitter to this blog

- Your entry must be in before the closing date

- Buttons should include no violence, swearing, sex references or drug references

- Entries should be emailed to me at awkwarddonkey@gmail.com

CLOSING DATE/ DATE LIMITE

30th January - my blog birthday! All entries must be emailed to me at awkwarddonkey@gmail.com before 12:00am on the 30th January. Winners announced and informed within 2-5 working days.

THE PRIZES/ LES PRIX

1st Prize:

- Limited edition beauty pack (brand undecided)

- Small bag of Designer accessories (brand undecided)

- Guest post on Le Papillon De La Mode

- Signed postcard off illustrator Nick Sharratt

- Signed Joanna Nadin book

- Various signed book/ fashion posters

2nd Prize:

- Limited edition beauty pack (brand undecided)

- Small accessories set (brand undecided)

- Guest post in Le Papillon De La Mode

- Signed postcard off illustrator Nick Sharratt

- Various book/ fashion posters

So, what are you waiting for? Go make some blog buttons! And tell all your friends!

ModePapillon♥ 

Merry Christmas..

Joyeux Noël!
¡Feliz Navidad!
圣诞快乐！
메리 크리스마스!
क्रिसमस की शुभकामनाएँ!

As you all know, tomorrow is CHRISTMAS! The birth of Jesus Christ!

So, as this is Le Papillon De La Mode, here's what I'm wearing for our Christmas party!

I'll be matching some skinny jeans with a baggy Christmas jumper, and some charming little black wedges. To accessorize I'll be wearing my adorable golden locket, Swarvoski bracelet and some cute diamond earrings.

What are you wearing for this special day? And what do you want dear old Father Christmas to bring you? The ultimate accessory I want is a darling bowlers hat and a gorgeous silk scarf.

Merry Christmas!

ModePapillon♥ 

The Quiff..

quiff  

/kwif/

Noun A piece of hair, esp. on a man, brushed upward and backward from the forehead.

Synonyms forelock Now, we all remember the famous 'Quiff' from rock legend Elvis Presley, right? But do we realise how casual the Quiff has become? This laid-back hairdo has recently become a fashion statement, worn by celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Cameron Diaz. Dating all the way back to the 1940's, the Quiff has appealed to a wide audience, but has now developed from the excessive, one-off coiffure, to the nonchalant, everyday style. Now the fashion is to shave both sides of your head, leaving your fringe great and dramatic, and is considered to be a 'unisex' hairstyle. Colour such as theatrical blues and intense reds are now added to the tips of a Quiff, and is a hairstyle often spotted on the catwalk. To achieve an 'average' Quiff, you need a tub of styling gel and a comb. Brush your fringe upwards, push slightly forwards, and gently slide back for the finishing 'curl'. Either use hair gum or a clip to  fasten the Quiff in place. Then just add some bright orange flares, and carry a portable boombox for the finishing look. ModePapillon♥

Updation

First up, this is still the blog of an Awkward Donkey, but it has gone through an extreme makeover to fit in as my new fashion blog.

I have finally decided that I would like to be a fashion journalist when I'm older. And here's what I think I need to do to get there...

Step One: Start up a fashion blog.
 -New name
 -New design
 -New posts
 -Fashion reviews
 -Fashion news
 -Fashion interviews

Step Two: Go to Brit School.
 -Or at least try to get in
 -Inspiration: Laura Dockrill
 -Click HERE

Step Three: Go to the London College Of Fashion
 -Inspiration: Felicity Jones
 -Click HERE

Step Four: Intern at London Magazines
 -Such as Glamour, Vogue, Company and Elle
 -Inspiration: Victoria White


Step Five: Move to France
 -Go to art college in France
 -Learn the language
 -Build contacts
 -Intern at fashion magazines such as Bonjour and Mode Hebdomadaire

Step Six: Move to New York
 -Go to the NY Journalism Institute (university)
 -Build contacts
 -Intern at NY fashion magazines such as The Cut and V Magazine
 -Click HERE

Step Seven: Stay in New York or move to London
 -Work at magazine
 -Intern at other magazine

Step Eight: Climb the ladder
 -Move up in the magazine
 -Go on fashion shoots to Madrid and Paris and California
 -Become editor assistant

Step Nine: Reach the top
 -Take over current magazine = become editor
-OR start up own fashion magazine

Step Ten: Be amazing
 -Maybe have my own talk show
 -Constantly interviewed by people such as Oscar de la Renta and Diane von Fürstenberg
 -Speak fluent Prada
 -Part time actress
 -Editor of world wide famous fashion magazine


And so, my dear readers, I have decided to rename my blog, and give it a complete UPDATION.

What do you think of the following blog names? They're all French because I want my blog to have a French theme. Comment with which one is your favourite! ...

1) Le Papillon De La Mode - The Fashion Butterfly
2) De La Mode Vintage - Vintage Fashion
3) Bonjour La Mode! - Hello Fashion!
4) Mode Barbe à Papa - Fashion Candyfloss

But you choose!


A<3*

*Also, my new signoff! Choose from:
1) Béatitude - Bliss
2) Félicité - Felicity
3) Chérie - Sweet/ Honey

Interview with Jo Cotteril

Jo's latest book, Deep Water, is out now.

First up, how many books have you published so far and which is your favourite out of them?

I have published about ten books and three plays under my name Joanna Kenrick, and five Sweet Hearts books as Jo Cotterill. It's really hard to choose a favourite, but I do love Model Behaviour, Book 5 in the Sweet Hearts series. I really enjoyed creating the characters and I think it's really funny in places!

So Jo, where did you first start? What was your inspiration?

I first started writing stories when I was very young. I wished I could live in fairytales (real life seemed so boring!) so I wrote lots of stories about magic. At the age of 13, I fell in love with acting, so I didn't think about writing again until I was in my twenties. Around that time I was working as a teaching assistant and I got inspired to write stories specially for the kids I was working with. My biggest inspiration has always been READING! I love reading, can't go anywhere without a book! 

What was the first book you've published?

The first book was called 'Moondance' and it was a picture book for young children about a tiger who makes up a dance. Sadly it's out of print now but it looked beautiful and I was (and still am) very proud of it. 

How long did it take you to publish?

I'm not entirely sure. I think it took about three years. I had LOTS of rejections (and I still get them even now!) but I just kept writing more and more stories and sending them out. I firmly believe that if you want something, you have to work at it. The more you practise, the better you'll get! 

How long have you wanted to be an author for?

Probably since my early twenties. As a child, before I wanted to be an actress, I loved drawing, so I always said I'd like to be a book illustrator - but I don't think I was anything like good enough!

  

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

It depends very much on the length of the book. Some of my shorter books have only taken a week to write - but my novels take longer. The longest I've spent working on one book is a year. The Sweet Hearts books take about three to four months each. 

How long on average does it take you to get a good idea?

Half a second ;-) But having the idea isn't enough - you've got to be able to turn it into a proper plot with characters and everything. THAT'S the hard bit, not having the idea in the first place! 

What is your favourite book written by somebody else?

Ooh, this is always such a tough question. I love so many books by other people, but you've just reminded me of 'Lucas' by Kevin Brooks, which I read years ago and thought was brilliant. I must read it again. 'Noughts and Crosses' by Malorie Blackman is another classic - and 'Stargirl' by Jerry Spinelli. Oh dear, you just asked for one, didn't you?! 

Have you had any other jobs, or wanted to have another job?

I've had loads of other jobs! While I was at university I worked at the benefits agency (very depressing) and did all sorts of temporary office work. I've also worked for a gas company (customer service, also depressing) and as a sales assistant. But my main jobs have been actress (brilliant fun but very badly paid), teaching assistant and English teacher. I've enjoyed being a teacher enormously and would definitely go back to it if people stopped publishing my books! 

Have you ever wanted to be somebody else?

Nope ;-) 

How did you cope as a teenager, I mean, how did you do with spots and stuff?

Ack, I did have spots. Not as badly as some but they always seemed to arrive at JUST the most inconvenient moment, like the day you had to stand up in Assembly or do a show or talk to the boy you fancied. How did I cope? Hmm. We weren't allowed to wear makeup at my school until sixth form, so I suppose I just tried to forget about the spots as much as possible. What bothered me more was that I didn't physically 'develop' *ahem* until quite late on, so while my friends were all getting bras and all that kind of thing, I was still straight up and down. That did make me feel down quite a bit. I wouldn't go back to being a teenager, I really wouldn't. It's such a difficult time.

What is your most treasured possession? Why?

Ooh, that's a good question! Gosh, I don't really know. I have a beautiful ceramic unicorn that my parents bought me for my 18th birthday. I'd be VERY sad to lose that. And photo albums - I love looking through those.  

Who is your favourite author?

That's like asking me to pick a best friend! It's also hard because sometimes I love one particular book by an author but not their next one so much. But I'll read anything by Kevin Brooks, Meg Rosoff, Mary Hoffman, Louis Sachar, Lee Weatherly...oh, and the author I turn to when I'm feeling a bit tired or depressed? Agatha Christie! 

Why did you want to become an author?

Two reasons: to see my name on the front of a book (nothing beats that feeling!) and also to know that other people could share in the stuff that I made up. I adore hearing from readers :-)

Have you ever got any fan-presents?

Three girls made me a badge once when I visited their school! It said I was an honorary member of their book club! But I've had a few fan letters and they always make me feel so lucky to be doing what I do. 

How many pets have you got? Have they influenced your writing in any way?

No pets! I did grow up with a dog though (and a succession of hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits) and am very fond of dogs. 

What do you do when your stuck on what to write?

Do something else. I surf the net, go for a walk, make a cup of tea, write a blog post - and then go back to the story. Usually the stuck bit works itself out in the end. 

Do people chase after you in the streets and beg you for autographs?

Hahaha! No. 

Do you have a special writing place?

Yes, I have a study in my house. It's a bit of a tip because we moved into the house a few months ago and my study has become a dumping ground for things we don't know where to put!

Have you got any tips for young writers?

READ. It's amazing how many people say they want to write a book but they don't love reading! And write, of course - don't worry about showing it to people or getting it published, just WRITE and keep writing! If you want to play the piano, you practise, don't you? It's the same with writing - keep practising and one day you might see YOUR name on the front of a book too!

A<3

Christmas Presents To Moi

Okay, so I've already given each member of my family an extremely loooooooooooooong Christmas list, but looking back I realise I've missed a few things.

So, since I received my first pay cheque today (my first article in a magazine! WOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), I've decided that I want to buy myself those things. So, here's a list of what I'd very much like to make my own(:


1) A WATCH BRACELET.



They're so lush! And I can wear them at school because it's a WATCH, not a BRACELET(;


2) GLOBE MONEY BOX.



It may look like a globe, but it's actually a money box! So I can start saving up for New York(:


3) BEGINNER ARCHERY KIT.



So I can be the next Katniss Everdeen.


4) TRAMPOLINE.



So I don't embarrass myself again in PE.


5) VENUS FLY TRAP.



Because I have a fear of insects.


6)  NEW YORK WALLPAPER.



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A<3