On Monday night I attended the Apple WWDC event held by Dreamr at Rise Manchester. As a non-comital Apple  fan (I do own a MAC and an iPhone) I was interested to see what Apple would be releasing in terms of new  products etc, also as someone not massively technical in terms of coding I also find these events a good way to  learn and expand on my tech knowledge.

The event started with an awesome panel debate with some fantastic panelists, Jack Barmby, CEO  of Gnatta, Renate Kalnina, CEO & Founder of Gratuu, Adam Mitcheson CEO of My2Be, Kate Cocker, Presenter  & Coach and James Heggs, Co-Founder of Clos Consultancy. Hosted by Naomi Timperley

Questions were asked around what the panels relationship was with Apple products, some spoke about how they  had fallen out of love with Apple a bit recently and how they felt they needed to up their game. Others thought that Apple would release something around music in terms of speakers to compete with the likes of Amazon’s Alexa and Googles Home. There was also a lot of input from the audience on how they thought Apple would step it up in terms of their products and offerings. A really fun interactive section of the night!

Following on the debate, we were treated to beer and LOTS of pizza in which we could have a quick catch up following the debate and then it was onto business, the Apple WWDC streamed live from the US.

You can check out all of the announcements here, but here is a brief overview:

A new iPod pro that has a 10.5 inch screen, I’ve never owned an iPad, however this baby does look pretty cool and powerful! iOS 11 will be released providing new features to you iPhones and iPads. There will be a new (and pretty sexy looking) iMac Pro. macOS High Sierra will be released with enhanced features and quicker performance. watchOS 4 will be more intuitive and intelligent. There will also be a new AppStore which is more user friendly and tailored to you. Then came the biggy (drum roll please) the HomePod to rival all other speakers on the market, it will be released in December and of course has the wonderful Siri included.

As I said at the beginning of this blog I am not a developer, however do have a keen interest in digital and tech, so this event and many others I have attended in Manchester are fantastic for people who come from a development or tech background, but also for people like me who want to be up to date with the latest that is going on in the world of technology and in our city. It’s also a good opportunity to see and speak to inspiring people who are building fantastic companies and ideas in the digital and tech space.

Massive thank you to the guys who organised this (and are inspirations themselves) Mylo Kaye, Jack Mason and the team at Dreamr.

So I thought I’d do a post about what’s in the make up bag of a 30 something. I always enjoy reading blogs, seeing Instagram pages of what other people use so I can try them out. I do have a lot more than this but these are my daily “go to” products.

So for primer I use Nivea Men Post Shave Balm, this product has been all over blog and beauty pages. At first I was a bit wary with it being a product for men BUT it is amazing and actually makes my skin feel nice and fresh as well as helping that foundation to stick.  You can get it from any drugstore and it’s not expensive at all.

Next up for my foundation I have two products that I love. My friend Claudia recommended the FITme! foundation from Maybelline (in 105 Natural Ivory) as I have quite shiny, oily skin that’s prone to breakouts (yes ladies my skin is still like a teenage girls, not sure if that’s a good or bad thing). This foundation goes on matte and stays on! However I have found now that it’s coming up to summer it’s a little heavy so I have recently switched to Revlon Photoready Airbrush Effect (001 Ivory). It’s quite lightweight and application is really easy!

One of the best items in my beauty bag is the Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Eye (Light). It’s one of my best ever beauty finds, perfect for dark circle and line cover up. This is constantly in my beauty bag! I also use Revolution Focus & Fix Concealer for any blemishes as it gives a really nice cover up.

For powder I love Liz Earle in Sheer Ivory, helps with the matte look and isn’t heavy. Bronzer I use W7 Honolulu, this was really cheap and can go on a little heavy so I tend to use the brush it comes with and use it more to contour and then blend it in. To highlight I found this little bargain from technic, which highlights without looking to over done!

Now for the Eyes, I do have the Naked Palette from Urban Decay but my go to eye products for every day are the Terry Ombre Blackstar Colour Fix Cream Eye-shadows. They are divine. I have them in 11 – Beyond Gold (my fave), 5 – Misty Rock, 1 – Bronze Moon and 1 – Black Pearl which I used as an eyeliner for a perfect smokey eye. I use a brush to apply them to get a more defined look. They’re not cheap, but so so worth the money! Mascara I use French Connection black mascara, I love it, one of my fave mascaras I have used, doesn’t clog and you can build it up with a couple of applications.

So there you have it, my day to day go to buys! Let me know if you have used any of these products, or if you have any other recommendations.

G x

So this bank holiday was a very busy but fabulous one! My friend Claudia from London came to visit, we haven’t seen each other for around a year and a half so a catch up and a G&T were long overdue. I’ve really missed her as she is such a positive and encouraging person to be around!

We got to explore Manchester (something I’ve not had much time to do) and found some awesome places I’d not been to before. I finally explored Beech Road in Chorlton and realised it’s not very far from my house at all, had a good girly shopping spree and then lovely dinner at Australasia and drinks at Cloud23 and to finish the weekend a lovely coffee and stroll in the park.

It’s made me realise that even on your doorstep there are new and exciting things to do, so I’ve decided I am going to try and make sure I experience at least one new “Manchester thing” a week (so any recommendations welcome).

I am terrible for wanting to stay in my PJ’s and catch up on my latest Netflix addiction (which is Riverdale at the moment), it’s fine now and then, but I need to get out and about, meet new people, catch up with old friends, visit places I’ve not been before etc. Life goes by so quickly and there is so much to do and see, I want to see it all (well as much as I physically can).

As someone who moved to London and then to Manchester on my own I find it can be difficult to make friends as an adult in a new city. It can be scary to go outside your comfort zone, but it is 100% worth it. I love meeting new and interesting people and in the famous words of Amelia Earhart “The most effective way to do it, is to do it”.

Have a fab week!

G x

Due to the terrible and sad events in Manchester yesterday I wasn’t sure what to write in my blog today, everything seemed so trivial. My heart goes out to everyone affected. The vibe in the city was one of sadness, but also of coming together & supporting each other.

I went to the vigil last night which was beautiful and so lovely to see everyone standing together, also saw Tony Walsh (@LongfellaPoet) read his poem which I think sums it up:

This Is The Place
by Tony Walsh

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recently I have been thinking about how short and precious life is and how we should spend it being happy and doing the things we love. So, I am putting it out there for all to see Project Gemma has begun!

I have decided to focus on me! Which means focussing on the things I enjoy doing that make me happy. Also, focussing on being healthy (in both mind and body), looking after myself, writing a list of life goals and the small steps I can take to reach them.

I recently saw a TED Talk by Sarah Knight, the author of The Magic of Not Giving a F***, very amusing and also very true (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwRzjFQa_Og). We’re always doing things we don’t want to because we are so bothered about what others think. Why? Why should we? I do think there must be a balance of you being happy and not upsetting people purposely just because you don’t want to do something! So, this part of the Gemma Project is a work in progress to find that right balance.

In terms of my health I am making a promise to myself that I will stop eating food that is bad for me, less caffeine, more water, more fruit and veg and generally eating well. I am not going to stop enjoying food and will be indulging in a nice meal out now and then but generally I don’t want to be putting rubbish into my body.

One thing I find difficult is exercise I HATE the gym! There I said it. Also, it can be so expensive when you can work out for free especially now it’s the summer. I am going to aim to do three runs a week, with some strength training. I have downloaded the 7 Minute Workout App, which I am going to do each day as well as my lovely shake weight. We’ll see how this goes!

In terms of my passions and things I enjoy, this blog is one of them it’s made me realise how much I enjoy writing, so I might start that book I have been promising myself I am going to write. I love spending time with my family and friends, spending time outdoors, reading, visiting new places, meeting new people and attending events. These are my passions that I am going to spend my time doing.

As I said at the beginning of this blog life is so short and I want to be able to look back on my life and say (in the words of Frank Sinatra) “I did it my way”.

G x

“I can’t do that”
“That will never happen”
“I can’t change my career”
“I’m too old”

I know that I have definitely been guilty of these thoughts, putting myself down and not having the confidence to do something. People do look at me having the jobs I have had and the fact I moved to two cities not knowing anyone as a confident person but I don’t feel that way a lot of the time.

So, this week I decided to attend the ThoughtWorks Women: Confidence – Clarity – Connection event, the speaker at the event was Amanda Brown from the Leading Ladies Company (@Make_LifeHappen). I was a little apprehensive as it did say it was an interactive event, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, however it turned out to be one of the most fun events I’ve been to and afterwards I felt a lot more confident about following my dreams! I’d definitely recommend checking out one of Amanda’s free taster sessions.

Confidence and following your passions seems to have been a bit of a theme this week. When I got to my parents this week I picked up my Mum’s Women & Home Magazine which had a number of articles around these subjects (think the universe is trying to tell me something). So here’s a list of things things I have learnt:

1. Each day before you go to bed, or on your commute home think of the things you achieved today that you are proud of. This can be something small like “I am proud that I made my lunch today instead of buying it”, or something huge that you achieved!
2. Think of the things you’d love to achieve no matter how out there they are and write them down. Then think of the small steps that you could do to achieve this. For example if you want to buy a house, small steps could be to look on the internet at the types of houses you’d like, look at the areas you’d like to live in and maybe visit them. Each small step is one step closer to your dream.
3. Talk about your dreams to people, when you say it out loud it makes it feel more real.
4. Step out of your comfort zone each day, again this can be something small.
5. Everything is possible, nothing it too out there or crazy if it’s your dream.
6. When you wake in the morning don’t allow bad thoughts, think good thoughts think about how awesome you are, the good things you have done the day before etc. You’re amazing!
7. Take time for yourself whether this is a pamper day, a weekend away, an hour reading a good book, take time to do the things you enjoy!

I think building my confidence is definitely a work in progress but even after a week I feel a lot more empowered and energised to work towards my dreams and to enjoy living life.

G x

So being a single girl in her 30’s is an experience to say the least, with most people asking, “when are you going to settle down”, “are you dating anyone”, “when are you going to have kids”. I remember one friend who has been in a long-term relationship saying to me “surely it can’t be that hard to find a boyfriend” (bearing in mind she met her partner the old-fashioned way many moons ago).

There’s so much pressure on women in their 30’s to meet someone and have a family, I went through most of my life (from age 17 to 27) in long term relationships, some good, some not so good. Since then I have been on a number of dates over the years and really, I could write a book about the bizarre and some downright cruel experiences I have had.

However, I try not to dwell on the past and live for the here and now. I am more focussed on enjoying my life and being happy with myself than hunting for men! Of course it would be nice to meet my partner in crime and “settle down” I am sure it’ll happen when it’s meant to (I am a big believer of everything happens for a reason).

I have tried your obligatory dating apps, Tinder, Bumble, Happn, POF, however it’s definitely a numbers game, and can be quite disheartening when you receive yet another strange, or creepy message. Also I think it’s hard to judge someone on a picture.

So, as my Mum says I need to get myself out and about. Here are some suggestions I have had for places to meet guys, what do you think? Did you meet your man in any of these places?

1. The gym. Now this one isn’t my favourite of the bunch, reason being I HATE the gym! Also, I’m not sure it’s the best way to meet men when I am sweating and red faced from running on the treadmill.

2. Clubs. As in the running club kind, not the raving kind (my raving days are most certainly over). I love to run so I am thinking of giving this one a go if only for the health benefits.

3. The supermarket. Once and only once have I been given a guys number in a supermarket when I lived in London. Needless to say, it didn’t go any further than him handing me his number and suggesting what rum I should buy!

4. Networking events. This one I am not so sure about, I think I’ll stick to the networking events for work rather than for meeting men. Although saying that my friend did meet her fiancé at a networking event.

5. Driving range. This one is quite promising and I might give it a go. Hitting the ball will be a good stress reliever and if I can meet a nice guy whilst doing it, bonus!

6. Dog parks. Any friends fancy lending me their dogs?

There are a number of ways to meet new people, but I think if it’s going to happen it will happen and isn’t something that can be forced. As they say “It’s better to be single than in the wrong relationship”.

Happy dating!

Gem x

So as many of you will know if you follow my blog I am very passionate about the digital industry. This week saw the North’s digital world come out in droves to see who the winners were of the prestigious Prolific North Awards 2017!

It’s amazing to see the North’s digital scene being recognised for it’s talent and contribution to the digital space. A massive well done to all that where shortlisted and a HUGE well done to all the winners!

So here they are, the Prolific North Awards 2017 winners and nominees:

Animation / Graphics Company
Winner: Flipbook Studio

Also nominated:

• Bearded Fellows
• Digital Imaging fx
• dock10
• Flow Creative
• Process Moving Image

Small Digital Agency (Up to 25 Employees)
Winner: Marketing Signals

Also nominated:

• Corporation Pop
• Digitaloft
• Fluid Digital
• Mashbo
• Modern English Digital
• O.EYE
• Reckless

Large Digital Agency (25+ Employees)
Winner: CDS

Also nominated:

• Building Blocks (part of Dept)
• Click Consult
• Clicky Media
• hedgehog lab
• Latitude Digital Marketing
• Twentysix
• WMG

Independent Production Company
Winner: True North

Highly Commended: Audio Always

Also nominated:

• Blakeway North
• Endemol Shine North
• LA Productions
• Nine Lives Media
• Veracity Digital
• WhiteNoise Media

Small Integrated Agency (Up to 29 Employees)
Winner: We Are Boutique

Also nominated:

• Absolute
• BDB
• Fantastic Media
• Hitch Marketing
• ICG
• The if agency
• ZEAL Creative

Large Integrated Agency (30+ Employees)
Winner: Jaywing

Also nominated:

• BJL
• e3creative
• Intermarketing Agency
• One
• Stein IAS
• Workhouse Creative Marketing
• WRG

Media Agency
Winner: AKA North

Also nominated:

• MEC Manchester
• O.EYE
• Media Sales

Media Sales
Winner: Channel 4 – Nations & Regions

Highly Commended: More Media Sales

Also nominated:

• Guardian News & Media
• Immediate Media Co.
• Time Inc

Small PR Agency of the Year (Up to 20 Employees)
Winner: Roland Dransfield

Also nominated:

• Acceleris
• Avant PR
• Harris
• KC Communications (Marketing)
• SkyParlour
• Smoking Gun PR
• Viva

B&S logo 2016Large PR Agency of the Year (21+ employees)
Winner: Brazen

Also nominated:

• Weber Shandwick Manchester
• Havas PR UK
• PR Agency One

SEO & PPC Agency
Winner: MEC Manchester

Also nominated:

• Branded3
• Bring Digital
• Click Consult
• Latitude Digital Marketing
• Marketing Signals
• Return
• The SEO Works

Content Team
Winner: MEC WAVEMAKER

Also nominated:

• Digitaloft
• Flipbook Studio
• Hattrick
• Lime Pictures
• Reckless
• Search Quest Europe
• The Content Market

Broadcasting Programme – News & Factual
Winner: True North – Breaking the Silence

Also nominated:

• Audio Always for BBC Radio 4 – The Best Exotic Etiquette Academy
• Blakeway North – Panorama – Revealed Britains Mental Health Crisis
• Endemol Shine North – Idris Elba Fighter
• Lizardfish TV & BBC Learning – Early Civilisations BBC Teach for 7-11 year olds
• Made in Leeds – On The Aire – When Local Went Live
• Nine Lives Media & CBBC – Ground-breaking documnetary to help breakdown the stigma of mental illness
• True North – First Day at Big School

Broadcasting Programme – Entertainment
Winner: True North & Channel 4 – The Lie Detective

Also nominated:

• Blakeway North – 1966 – A Nation Remembers
• Blakeway North – Julian Clary’s Greatest Ever Christmas Ads
• Lime Pictures Digital Team – Hollyoaks Live from Facebook HQ #HollyoaksNoExit
• Made in Tyne and Wear – Made with Pride
• True North Productions – Teen Mom UK – MTV
• True North Productions for Channel Four – A New Life In The Sun
• True North Productions for More 4 – Homes By The Med

Broadcasting Commercial – sponsored by Group IMD
Winner: PHD & BMB – Rubicon Spring – grabbing the water market by the mangoes

Also nominated:

• Equinox Film and TV Productions – Oak Furniture Land
• On The Eighth & Transport for Greater Manchester – Radio Awareness Campaign
  Uber Agency

Website of the Year
Winner: Amaze & Childline – Putting children at the heart of digital transformation

Also nominated:

• Code Computerlove & MediaCom North – Hillarys.co.uk
• Diva Creative & Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust – Move it Boom! Rio
• Formica Group & Kagool
• Liquid Creative Agency – Southport Flower Show Website Design
• Phoenix Digital & Argos Customer Support Website
• Reckless & Bateaux London – Setting Sail In The Right Digital Direction
• twentysix – New Era EMEA E-commerce website

App of the Year
Winner: Silverchip & Bolster Systems – Bolster App

Also nominated:

• Apposing – Liverpool ONE Tree Fairies AR App
• Bolser Digital Agency & KFC – KFC Colonels Club App
• Code Computerloves – The Higher Lower Game
• Forepoint – Deals App produced for Moto Hospitality
• TransPennine Express & The App Builder – The Loop
• Uber Agency – Sheffield Doc/Fest App

Video of the Year
Winner: Manchester United Foundation – United and Samuel – UnitedandMe

Also nominated:

• Anattic, Shortcuts Software & Jam PR – Barber Better Faster Stronger
• Bearded Fellows & Global Support Services – Career and Companionship Campaign
• Intermarketing Agency & PhD Nutrition – Brand Video ‘The Difference’
• Lizardfish TV & BBC Learning -Early Civilisations – How to Look Great Maya
• Stein IAS – Cliche Killer Videos
• TransPennine Express & Studio North – Platform Providers
• Welton Media – Craig’s Story – His fight against pancreatic cancer

B2B Marketing / Integrated Communications Campaign
Winner: 3ManFactory & Innova Solutions – When You Dont Have Mark Felix

Also nominated:

• BJL & BASF – Evidence sells Internally and to customers
• Cameron Wells Communications & PMI Health Group – Superfoods Integrated FTSE 250 Campaign
• Delineo & Aldermore Bank – Lazy Money
• Don’t be Shy – ClassFlow – Bringing Learning to Life
• Fox Agency & Pagid – Taking the niche to the masses
• Outwrite PR & Jackson Fire & Security – securing a hot reputation
• Upp B2B & Brian Alfred – Nice one Brian! (Early Tax Rebate)

B2C Marketing / Integrated Communications Campaign (Less than £50k)
Winner: Prohibition & Interflora – How good is your birthday?

Also nominated:

• Great Western Railway & MEC Manchester – #TracksOnTheTrack
• K2L Marketing & GMPCC – #SittingRightWithYou- Domestic Abuse campaign
• Liverpool ONE – Tickle on tour as part of the Tickle the Ivories festival at Liverpool ONE 2016
• Markettiers, Playtime PR & BBC Worldwide – Getting the nation hugging for Cbeebies Hey Duggee
• Pace Communications & KCOM – KCOM mobile acquisition campaign
• Strawberry & Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust – Remarkable People. Extraordinary Place.
• Weber Shandwick Manchester & Aldi – Kevin The Carrot

B2C Marketing / Integrated Communications Campaign (Over £50k)
Winner: BJL & Sherwin Williams – #RonsealAdBreak

Also nominated:

• BBC Learning – The Mind Set campaign
• Channel 4 Nations & Regions – MediaCom Hijacks C4 Comedy Gala
• Everton Football Club – 2016/17 Season Ticket Campaign – Nothing Will Be The Same
• gyro Manchester – University of Salford Undergraduate Recruitment Campaign 2016/17
• Manchester Airport – Hainan Airlines takes off in the UK
• MC2 – See Things Differently
• More Media Sales, AdMaxim, DAN Network – Pizza Hut; Taste Freedom Christmas Campaign

Digital / Social Media Campaign of the Year
Winner: Modern English & Foo Fighters – Foo Fighters Glastonbury Announcement Campaign
Highly Commended: Rule 5 for British Cycling – Half Way to a Billion – Taking Track Cycling to the World

Also nominated:

• CreativeRace & Ritter Sport UK – Creating Social Magic for Ritter Sport Unicorn
• Havas Media Manchester – BBC Eastenders #EELastOrders
• I-COM & JMW – Website search visibility and conversion campaign
• Prohibition & Interflora – How good is your birthday?
• Social Chain X hungryhouse – #LoveTakeawayActually
• University of Salford, Tunafish Media and Petal & Co – A Match Mad

 

So this week is Mental Health Awareness Week. This is a topic quite close to my heart.

Mental health is a subject that has been getting a lot more press recently, as you know from reading my blog I recruit into and am passionate about the digital media industry, I recently saw an article about Tunafish Media’s MD Sam Jones talking about his battle with anxiety attacks (http://bit.ly/2prqDyC) it was a lovely piece and it’s very brave of him to speak out.  A number of celebrities have also been speaking out about their battles with Mental Health, your life might look perfect to others, but nobody really knows what is going on inside your head.

I am so lucky that I have people around me who I can talk to, as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I have my “Positive Polly’s” group on WhatsApp, my wonderful friends and fantastically supportive family. But there are a lot of people who feel ashamed to talk about how they feel, or don’t have that support network to reach out to. Anyone who suffers from anxiety, panic attacks or depression will know how difficult it is sometimes to see through that fog or think rationally about a situation, BUT there are people out there who can help.

There are a number of different places you can reach out to or get advice from such as Mind (www.mind.org.uk) and ReThink (www.rethink.org), or the NHS website which has a number of different resources.

Don’t suffer in silence!

Gem x

So life can get pretty overwhelming sometimes, a couple of my friends and I have a WhatsApp group where we build each other up, have our moans and give each other support (we call in the Positive Polly’s). During one of these chats my lovely friend Anna sent me a “list of lists”, it was something to do when you’re feeling down or anxious to bring you out of that slump.

One of them was a list of things that make you happy, I thought I’d share mine as it’s something that helps me when I’m feeling a bit blue and I’ll try to do the things on the list, or just reading it helps to remember all the positives in life.

1. Spending time with my family. I am MEGA close to my family and I love going out to the countryside to spend quality time with them. My family are my best friends I am very lucky to have them.

2. Spending time with my friends. Due to having lived in Cleethorpes, London and Manchester I have built up an amazing network of friends around the country. Many a fun time has been had over the years & many more to come I’m sure.

3. A bubble bath. One of my favourite things to do, especially with a good book and a Lush bath bomb!

4. Cold, but sunny days. When the sun is shining but there is that cold chill in the air. Beautiful.

5. Cuddles with the pups! Puddin and Pepi are my parents dogs but they are the cutest and craziest pups around. Having morning cuddles with them is the best!

6. Pamper nights. Face mask, hair mask, previously mentioned soak in the bath, nails etc. What girl doesn’t love to indulge?

7. Daffodils. This is one I share with my Mum. Love having daffodils in my room. Their colour and the fact they are a cheap and cheerful little treat is perfect.

8. A cup of coffee on a Sunday morning, catching up on my favourite blogs. Pure Sunday bless.

So that’s my happy list! Comment below to let me know what’s on yours!

Gem x