A reason to watch the Menswear shows...

We’re often transfixed by the couture and RTW shows at international fashion weeks, but it’s not often that we check out the menswear collections. However, when it comes to the Dolce & Gabbana show, one can most certainly make an exception. Deliciously dressed, superbly styled, jaw-droppingly handsome male models? Yes, please.

And now our favourite Italian design duo have created something else that has us a little intrigued: the Dolce & Gabbana Rules for the Modern Gentleman App. Compiled by current British GQ Editor Dylan Jones, this clever app has been dreamed up by the innovative pair to educate chaps that consider themselves (or aspire to be) what might be termed ‘modern gentlemen’.

From how to tie a sharp, elegant Windsor knot and tips on choosing a suitable suit for a hot date to advice on etiquette (including the indispensable “avoid the anchovy salad”) and how to entertain in style, the app is an inexhaustable resource of handy pointers that will take just about anyone from basic Homo Sapiens to a modern day James Bond-esque dandy. There’s also ample information on general grooming and skincare. If you have ever tried to explain what exfoliation is and why it’s important, you’ll wonder just why this app didn’t exist before! The Rules for the Modern Gentleman app’s approachable style ensures that even the most seemingly complex grooming and fashion concepts are explained with wit and style.

The app was inspired by the brand’s latest fragrance for men, The One Gentleman; described as “the embodiment of  modern elegance.” Domenico and Stefano say of the scent ““This fragrance really reflects our gentleman in many things: he is worldly, successful, impeccable but he also boasts something else such as an innate elegance that distinguishes him from the rest. Men would love to be him, women to be his.” He certainly sounds like a chap that we’d like to meet. The scent is available to buy online here (UK) and here (US).

Have you tried the app? Have you downloaded it for your own Homo Sapiens as a gentle hint? Any tips for would-be modern gents? (Other than why exfoliation is necessary, of course…)

GQ's Dylan Jones presents his essential rules for the moden gentleman - the app was inspired by The One Gentleman fragrance...

Political fashion blogger Laura-Emily

Have you ever noticed the vibrant outfits circulating on Capitol Hill, or wondered about the fashionable ladies behind the dully-clad men of Westminster? Laura-Emily Dunn, the passionate writer behind Political Style, is an expert on the subject, with personal experience in the American capital and several exclusive interviews under her belt. In the last couple of years, she has interviewed figures no less than Sarah Brown and Sally Bercow, and now she joins us for a friendly chat as she shares her thoughts on her blog and reveals her particular ability to run in heels.

When and why did you start blogging?

I started blogging in 2007 after wanting a way to express my love of fashion and politics where I could reach other individuals who shared the same interests as me.

What’s your blog about?

My blog is entitled ‘Political Style,’ and discusses politics, fashion, the arts and culture all in one place! I also share my photography here and travel experiences.

Who inspires you?

Michelle Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Jill Biden, Jackie Kennedy, Joanna Lumley, Hillary Clinton.

What’s your day job?

I’m currently studying a Masters in Political Communication whilst interning for my local representative.

What do your family and friends think about your blog?

Many of them love the coverage and the idea! I’ve also been fortunate to make many new friends through blogging.

Do you read any other blogs?

I read many blogs, all varied in their topics and coverage. A current favourite is Dead Fleurette for French fashion and lifestyle, Mrs-O for coverage of Michelle Obama and Cap Hill Style for life on Capitol Hill (something which I miss dearly!)

How do you use Twitter and has it changed how you blog?

I’ve used Twitter for about two years, and totally love it. It has given me access and friendships with some notable Twitter users such as Sally Bercow and Sarah Brown, and I have been fortunate to interview both of these inspiring individuals for my blog and other publications that I contribute to. Whilst I don’t have a dedicated Twitter account for my blog, my personal profile is linked up and it has been positive to reach out to other bloggers. I tweet at @lauraemilyd.

What couldn’t you live without?

Family and friends; the Internet; books and travel.

How do you stay motivated?

By a very long to-do list! I love the feeling when you accomplish something.

Inspirational first lady Michelle Obama

Typical blog wardrobe?

I don’t wear any specific item or favourite outfit when I blog- whatever I feel comfortable in! I’m usually blogging before/during/after doing university work so it’s frequently something comfy and warm.

Blog soundtrack?

Tough one! But I would say a mix of jazz, pop classics and classical pieces. This is pretty much what I listen to when blogging! I also listen to Internet radio to discover new artists and songs.

Favourite European city and why?

London as it’s fast-paced, beautiful and full of excitement. Plus, it is only two hours away from where I live!

What do you think is the biggest problem in British society today and what is the most positive thing?

Biggest problem is the level of unemployment and the cuts being made by the coalition government that will have no positive effect on Britain’s recovery. The most positive thing is the mood and determination of the British public, one thing that I think will always be powerful.

Do you ever get blog block?

Very occasionally, but I am constantly reading the news, visiting fashion sites, tumblr and other blogs to keep up to date and to find posting inspiration.

Dream purchase?

A Chanel 2.55 black quilted Caviar bag.

Desert island blog?

Mrs O, Dead Fleurette and The Huffington Post.

Is blogging a viable career?

I think it can be with the right structure, method and subject matter. I would also recommend guest blogging on other sites to raise your profile and experience.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I hope to be working full time for a politician, particularly through the management of press and policy.

Can you run in heels?

Of course! It’s a particular skill of mine!

Some of the features available on Dunn's Political Style - a fascinating, eclectic read for fashionistas and politicos alike

Recruiters are now headhunting online

Job hunting has never been more competitive and if you’re one of the 80 million people signed up to professional networking site LinkedIn, you’ll know just how insignificant you can feel when you see the sheer number of people out there working in the same profession as you.

LinkedIn is all about projecting the version of you that heads off to work each day; it’s your online CV laid bare in cyberspace. Having a LinkedIn account is a valuable resource, perhaps one that’s currently underrated. But with more recruiters making use of talent search engines, how can you make your profile stand out?

Here RIH shares some top tips that will help to give your profile a mini makeover, and in turn, rank higher in those precious search results…

Sell yourself

LinkedIn isn’t a place for modesty – you need to showcase what you can offer a prospective employer if you want to be in with any chance of landing that dream job. Your profile headline, which appears in search results, is a prime opportunity for you to grab a recruiter’s attention, so make it count! Try to tailor this towards the job you want, as opposed to the job you already have. Think of it as your strap line – a chance for you to promote your own personal brand to employers.

Similar to your CV, your LinkedIn profile should feature keywords that will get picked up by search engines; you’ll also rank higher in the website’s own people search. Try to include keywords in every section of your profile, but don’t overdo it!

Build your reputation

Do you have any recommendations on your profile? Ideally, you should have at least three, so if this section is currently blank, send out requests to your former boss and colleagues. If you’ve already got one or two – get a few more! These short references add credibility to your profile and will help to build your online reputation into the bargain. They’re also a much more effective way to communicate your skills, abilities and achievements to prospective employers – and as the comments are from other people, it means you won’t appear arrogant!

Get connected

It’s true: it’s not what you know, but who you know. It’s all very well signing up to LinkedIn and filling out your profile info, but it’s a tad pointless if you’re not going to keep it up-to-date or proactively increase your connections. Exploit every possible source: connect with current and former colleagues, university classmates, clients and friends. LinkedIn is also a great way to stay in touch with new acquaintances from conferences and industry events. Make it easy for people to link up with you; claim your LinkedIn url so that your full name appears in the web address. You can then add this to your email signature, plus, your name will rank higher in Google search results.

Link up

If you have a couple of social networking sites and websites on the go, make it effortless for people to flit between them all and learn more about what you do and what you can offer. List your blog and website on your profile and add your Twitter RSS feed, which will then populate the activity section on your page. In turn, this will help to keep your profile current and it’ll ensure your name keeps popping up on your connections’ network feeds. Be careful what you tweet though – do your professional contacts really need to know what you ate for lunch?!

Make the most of LinkedIn with an app

One of the best ways to make new connections on LinkedIn is by joining sector-specific groups. You can engage with other professionals in your sector, share best practice, discuss the latest industry trends and even find out about new job openings. If you want to stand out from the LinkedIn crowd – start your own group and use it to arrange networking events in your local area.

Get an app

Whether it’s on your iPhone or Facebook page, there’s no escaping applications these days and the same applies to LinkedIn. You don’t need to go app crazy though, make use of one or two to enhance your profile. Slideshare is good for creative types, as it gives you a platform to show off your skills. There’s also a WordPress app which lets you sync your blog posts on LinkedIn, another effective way to integrate your online presence.

If, after following these tips, you’re still unsure as to whether you’re making the most of your LinkedIn profile, check to see if it’s 100% complete and you’re well on the way. Remember to engage with people; social media is just that, a social platform that lets you connect with others so make sure you’re a proactive user. Simply ‘hoping’ that a recruiter stumbles on your profile isn’t enough – you need to make it happen.

Huma ready to blog (image: Sarah Ahmed)

In the first of our Blogging in Heels features, we quizzed one of our favourite bloggers, Huma Qureshi who writes the blog Her Little Place; a fascinating (and hunger-inducing) insight into design, interiors and yummy food!

When and why did you start blogging?

I set up my blog one spring Sunday in April last year. I was on the tube, and there was a discarded copy of the FT House & Home lying there; in it was a feature written by a blogger all about home and interiors blogs. The piece struck a chord with me that I could set up my own. And so, the very same night, I set up HerLittlePlace.com.

What’s your blog about?

I’ve always been interested in design and interiors, and moving in to my own apartment meant I could really indulge in it. So, HerLittlePlace.com started off as a blog on everything and anything that inspired me home-style wise. It was an extended wish list of sorts, of things I wanted for my own apartment or styles that inspired me. But as it developed, it’s become about two real elements that I love the most – homestyle (through interiors) and comfort food (mainly cake recipes).

What inspires you?

Interiors style-wise, my inspired switch flicks on when I see clean lines and pops of colour; contemporary and quirky modern with the slightest hint of vintage. I don’t like showiness – so low-key simplicity, and gentleness in both a person’s or a place’s character and style is also my inspiration. This picture sums it up for me; and I guess the woman whose home it happens to be is pretty inspiring in herself too.

What’s your day job?

By day, I’m a features writer for Ikea Family Live Magazine, an aspirational lifestyle interiors magazine that’s all about contemporary living – so it’s right up my street. I also write freelance for The Guardian, the Times and the Metro. I write on anything to do with lifestyle – food, books, health, interiors, craft. Before joining Ikea Family Live, I worked as a features writer for The Guardian for five years.

What do your family and friends think about your blog?

I was initially quite shy about telling my friends and family about HerLittlePlace.com; it’s not as if they all share my interests, so I was worried they’d see it as fluffy nonsense. But it turns out my shyness was unfounded – they all like it. Plus, my brothers are more business-savvy than I am, so they helped with my site’s shop-function, which sells cookie giftboxes and cards. But judging from the comments, most people who read my blog are other bloggers or people who just stumble across it and keep coming back; those who are into what I am into. It makes it more of an achievement to know that it’s not just friends or family reading it.

Do you read any other blogs?

There are some that are my inspiration staples – Apartment Therapy, Design Sponge Online – but also I love quirky, characterful blogs that reflect personality, such as Conversation Pieces, From The Right Bank, Truly Smitten and What Katie Does.

How do you use Twitter and has it changed how you blog?

I’m a latecomer to Twitter (follow @Huma_Qureshi). I’m still getting used to it. It hasn’t changed how I blog, but when I’ve written something new, be it a feature for a paper or a new blogpost, I’ll always link it up on Twitter and it’s nice to get positive comments back on my work. I also like connecting with bloggers who I feel like I already know because we always comment on each other’s sites already. It’s good for work – a great way of making contact with PRs and finding case studies.

What couldn’t you live without?

Lipbalm, laptop, love; faith, family, friends. Not necessarily in that order.

Huma's delicious lavender shortbread

How do you stay motivated?

Since going freelance, I’ve had no choice but to stay motivated – my career depends upon it. Every feature of mine that ends up  in print spurs me on to score another one. If you have any sort of creative outlet, be it words or photography, you sort of end up motivating yourself because you have to get it out there, so to speak – or else, what’s the point?

Typical blog wardrobe?

A variation on skinny jeans, dresses and ballet pumps.

Blog soundtrack?

Bizarrely, I can’t write with music on – but when I’m in the kitchen, trying out or inventing new recipes for my blog, I invariably have my iPod plugged into my docking station. It’s a completely, utterly random mix of tunes. Either that, or the radio’s on.

Favourite European city and why?

Hands down, London. I’ve lived in Paris and Bordeaux, and seen lots of European cities on holidays, but it’s always been London for me. Whenever I’ve been away from the city too long, I end up missing it and get a real buzz to come back. It’s so much more than just somewhere to live or somewhere to work, it’s one of the most amazing cities in the world. I secretly love London in the winter – look beyond the bad weather, and there’s something movie-scene-charming about wrapping up in layers, cold winter air and bright city lights. Throw in good company, a little central heating and hot chocolate and it becomes nearly magical.

Do you ever get blog block?

I used to. When I first started out blogging, I set myself a goal of doing a blog post a day. It was completely unrealistic. When I blog, I don’t want to just re-write what someone else has done, I want to create my own editorial value, write something new and where possible use my own images. Sometimes a new post is a note-to-self; a reminder of something I’ve seen that I want to bookmark. I don’t put myself under pressure to blog constantly. In an ideal world, I’ll post a few times a week, but if I’m short on ideas or time, it’s no big deal and I’ll leave it until I’ve got more of both.

Dream purchase?

A loft apartment in New York; a loft apartment in London; a house in Hampstead. Lofty dreams indeed.

Desert island blog?

I’d rather a good book than a blog, but Design Sponge Online. There’s so much to read, I’d never get bored.

Is blogging a viable career?

For the blogger with the right, original idea, then yes. I wrote a feature about bloggers who had turned their blogs into careers for The Guardian; most of those that “made it” did so by their blogs being turned into books, or commercial ventures – but it happened at a time when blogging was fairly new. Now, with there being so many blogs on so many subjects, and many so similar in style, I think it’s much harder for a blog to stand out. For me, although there is a business element to my blog, with the online boutique, the products I sell are things I love making or sourcing; the love or enjoyment of it comes before any sense of it being a viable career.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In an ideal world, I’ll be settled down with my own little family in that home of my dreams, working as a magazine editor with maybe a book to my name (I’m working on a food-based book concept right now). Ultimately, if I still have the people I love in my life, I’ll be pretty content with my lot.

Can you run in heels?

Run in heels? I took flamenco lessons for a year to tone up my legs. If I can dance in heels, I can sure as hell run in them!

Check out Huma’s blog Her Little Place and follow her on Twitter @Huma_Qureshi. Images of Huma are courtesy of Sarah Ahmed.

Jessica Simpson recently tweeted this charming photo...

Everyone from Obama to Jessica Simpson has a Twitter account nowadays making it easy to keep up to date with everything from the daily musings of political leaders to the minutiae of celebrity’s lives. But if, like me, your interests veer more towards Rev. Run’s daily words of wisdom than the Dali Lama’s, here’s a list if the five essential twitters to keep yourself up to date on the world of celebrity.

TMZ

An online celebrity gossip and investigative reporting site with a reputation for breaking celebrity news, this site broke the stories of Michael Jackson’s and Brittany Murphy’s deaths and is where other sites go for material. Whilst their coverage, especially their use of video, is sometimes criticised, there’s no doubt that the site is fulfilling its mission statement to ‘feed the current American obsession with celebrities.’

Follow either @TMZonline or managing editor @HarveyLevinTMZ on Twitter for a constant feed of celebrity gossip.

E! Online

Describing itself as the source for entertainment news, celebrity gossip and pictures, this site is one of the more comprehensive gossip sites out there offering gossip, videos, photos, fashion and movie reviews. E! Online also hosts Ted Casablancas, one of Entertainment Weekly’s top ranked gossip columnists.

Follow E! Online @eonline.

Holy Moly News

For gossip with a UK perspective look no further than Holy Moly News, an entertainment website with a weekly email element. The material is sourced from industry insiders and their scoops are often copied by the tabloids. The site also contains an opinion area with sections like The Corner where users can rant about what annoys them.

Follow at @HolyMolyNews.

Perez Hilton even tweeted when he was 'attacked'

Perez Hilton

Perez might not be the most reliable nor impartial of celebrity commentators but with 1.8 million followers his amusing and equally infuriating posts certainly have an audience. While his pursuit of personal fame and recognition seems to have clouded his celebrity observations, it was never especially objective to begin with so follow his twitter for the sensation for being partial to one man’s extremely subjective, gossipy insight into the celebrity world.

Follow Perez @PerezHilton

Gossip Cop

The antithesis to Perez and his ilk, Gossip Cop policies other gossip websites stories and rates them on a scale of 1 to 10 – 1 being rumour and 10 being real. Websites listed as being under surveillance include Perez Hilton, E!, The Sun and The National Enquirer. The website also includes a feed called Twit Happens which follows hundreds of celebrity tweets. This is the site to consult before you repeat gossip to anyone else.

Follow Gossip Cop @GossipCop

Or follow the entire list on Twitter here.

The homepage of Arcademi

Last July I was privileged enough to attend the opening of the 53rd Biennale di Venezia. It was an extrodinary display of marketing, complete with showbags, fancy dress cocktail parties, and naked men presenting artworks. All of these methods get your attention. And so they should; art likes the names that attract media.

Many artists and designers have skill, but perhaps do not have the exhibition space, the screenprinting skills or enough good-looking friends to pull a crowd. So their work is not recognised and they wither away in the wings of the art world, slowly developing their client list and waiting to be discovered. Unless they are artists with initiative. Then they may find other ways to sell and promote their work.

Arcademi is a new online platform that has been designed to make links between new artists and interested curators or collectors. Curators often have to travel and may not have time to make to look at every pavillion or go to every show. They can get distracted; particularly when they are being handed glasses of champagne by naked men. And even then, many buyers would hestitate to take a chance on a new artist with perceptable talent but no brand power.

Using Arcademi, buyers can take the time to assess new work. Young artists and designers can upload images of their fashion design, objects, jewellery, sculpture, paintings or photographs. Artists can also upload profiles and biographies to give visitors more information about their work. Smaller galleries can register to use it as a way to promote all their artists and a buyer or any interested shopper can browse through the art gallery or design showroom in any given category. Or alternatively they can punch in keywords, for example, ‘naked man’, and see what they find. If they want to buy a work, they must register. They can create a watch list, write in the forum or make purchases. They can also check out local design or art events and read artist blogs. This all sounds democratic for the buyer.

If you are an artist or gallery and you wish to set up a profile and upload your work then you must first submit an application, which has to be approved by a panel. While the internet should enable open slather democracy, the art world would like its members to be included according to taste, which often comes down to the aesthetic and conceptual judgement of specialists. The specialists who set up and moderate Arcademi are a group of art historians, designers and architects from Germany.

A photograph from Arcademi by Gilles et Dada

So it is not necessarily a revolution in the buying and selling of art, but rather a transference of power to a new group. Having said that, the website does look more slick than most art sale websites. It is essentially a new gallery concept, which can exhibit all artworks all the time, and therefore does not have the limits on space that other galleries are governed by. For this reason, new artists and designers may have a better than average chance of selling. But this move into the new frontier of cyberspace does create other limits.

While Arcademi may be somewhat more democratic, the one thing the Biennale has over an online portal is that it is an event. It’s more fun and you may encounter new art by surprise; not based on preconceived search criteria. In addition to this, when you are face to face with an artwork you can appreciate it’s sensory properties in a way that you cannot when you are staring at an image on a screen. This may not be such a problem for photographs, but to know an object you should see the way it handles, it’s odour, the way you experience it in a room alongside other objects.

It is likely therefore, that this kind of wholesale internet gallery can not actually replace the event as the main forum for showing and making a fuss of art. And it is not completely democratic, otherwise it would not be art. What it can do is provide a place for the more cautious buyer to find that artwork or look for something new once the excitement has died down. It is a new way to sell art. And it is best administered alongside one of the older ways, such as a naked man holding out a glass of champagne.

Check out Arcademi online here.

“I still think we are destined for each other…you idiot.”

“When I was younger, I didn’t kill myself because I had to know how Harry Potter ended.”

“Today was my last day as a rape victim and my first day as a rape survivor.”

“I’m terrified of having children.”

All of these confessions can be found on PostSecret— one of Running in Heels’ favourite site on the internet. PostSecret is a global art project where people send in their secrets on one side of a postcard. It is also an online community that fosters a place of security and relief; for secrets shared are no longer secrets.

The secrets published on PostSecret cover a vast spectrum of human emotions and experiences; fears, hopes and dreams, traumas, humor and desire. Whoever you are, wherever you are you are sure to find a postcard on the site that is also your secret.

Some secrets are funny “My dog winks at me sometimes. I always wink back in case it’s some sort of code.”  Some are heartbreaking. “Sometimes, I knew it was abuse…but didn’t say anything because at least it was attention.”  Some secrets are disturbing. “I read cookbooks on the toilet. (Sorry dinner guests).” In fact, the site’s creator, Frank Warren, has often joked that the most common secret he receives is “I pee in the shower.” Despite the differences in content, PostSecret secrets have three things in common. They’re all anonymous, real and they have never, ever been shared before.

Since its launch in January 2005, the site has displayed over 2,500 postcard secrets. In addition, five books have been published with some never before seen collection of secrets hidden in their pages. The most recent PostSecret Book: Confessions on Life, Death and God went on sale on October 6th this year and is on the top of the New York Times Bestseller list.

PostSecret has also won numerous blog awards. In 2006, the website received five Bloggies (the web’s more prestigious award for blogs), including Weblog of the Year, Best American Weblog, Best Topical Blog, Best Community Weblog and Best New Weblog.

Its popularity shows no sign of abating.  Roughly between ten and twenty secrets are published once a week on a Sunday.  Running in Heels may keep some secrets, but our love for this site is definitely not one of them. Check it out!  And if you have a secret you would like to share, you can send it on a 4X6 postcard to:

http://postsecret.blogspot.com

Some of the touching , emotional and downright hilarious secrets on PostSecret

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Now, most of us log onto facebook and click through our photos and everybody else’s photo albums in a final bid at escaping the ennui of daily routine.  Sharing photos is one of the key reasosn that the social networking sites really took off. However, lots of my friends have resisted the facebook revolution and I still like to share photos with them.  And, as with everything, the initial adoration of FB has begun to tarnish and increasingly I am hearing grumbles about the lack of privacy and especially the “tagging” in photos. So if you want to “detag” from the facebook phenomenon but still share you photos, what options are there?  Plenty.

I have spent quite a lot of this week creating new accounts on photosharing websites to give you the lowdown.  My ultimate requirements have been that the site is free (most have pro options, but I think if you have got that far then you probably don’t need my advice), simple to upload and simple to share photos.  These are my favourites:

Picasa

The joy of Picasa, is the sheer simplicity of it.  I think I could teach Great Aunt Mabel how to make her very own web album in under five minutes.  It really does take the faf out of photosharing.  The site runs you through the upload and then you simply enter the email addresses of the people you want to receive the photos.  They don’t have to sign up or anything  – simply share the photos and the happy memories.

1 GB of free storage.

http://picasa.google.com

Photobucket

Photobucket, is not the prettiest of websites.  However, its functionality is great.  You can simply email photographs to your photobucket account and they will be uploaded, from my experience really, really quickly.  This is brilliant!  So if you simple send an email with attachments they are automatically added to a web album. Photobucket also enables you to upload your photos and then share them via facebook ( you can’t escape it completely!), blogsites, email or twitter.  The options are endless. There is a chance that the other sites also offer this level of functionality – but if they do, it wasn’t obvious to me!

500MB storage

www.photobucket.com

Flickr

Flikr was one of the first photo sharing sites.  Created in 2002 by Caterina Fake and Stewart Butterfield, it is really popular.  You will likely be able to hook up with some of your friends who are already on there.  The public photos you can find on Flickr are second to none and the sheer creativity is mindboggling. However, the sharing aspect is more complicated.  You cannot simply send an email;  people have to sign up to Flickr if they want to see your photos, or they can log onto a public “photostream” , or on a blog, but that means there is no privacy at all.  This is a huge drawback – I want to click and send or, vice versa, click and receive.

That said, the privacy settings, once you are signed in,  are simple (public, family, friends or no one).  I don’t feel a the barrage of advertising that I do on some sites – so, I do like the feel of flickr.

2 videos and 100MB of photos per calendar month.

www.flickr.com

Photobox 

You can send a link to a slide show of your photos to your family and friends or even embed a slide show from photo box in your blog. Once you have sent the link to family and friends they can easily order their own prints.  Perfect.  However, a total of 200MB for sharing is really not very much and won’t keep the snappy happy amongst us happy for very long. There are others like Photobox, that focus more on the selling of products (ranging from prints, to photobooks to aprons and mugs etc.).  My experience has only been uploading and sharing images so the prices and the quality of these other sites varies but so you can explore yourself, some other options are:   Mypix, Snapfish

200MB for sharing  but seemingly unlimited for printing

www.photobox.com

5)       Extrafilm

Extrafilm was great but not because it made sharing the photos particularly easy.  It appears you can only share your images with people who also have an extrafilm account.  However, the photos were really simple to upload and once uploaded they were really easy to edit (only basic editing: rotate, crop, get rid of red-eye, change the colour).  This for me was a great feature, because that is the kind of tedious correction I will never get round to doing unless someone hands it to me on a plate – and Extrafilm does just that!

There is no obvious limit on the site.

www.extrafilm.com

There is a reason why I have prioritised the photo sharing facility in my look at the websites.  This is because to really, really be sure that you keep you photographs safe, you should back them up on your computer and on an external hard drive.  These sites are businesses and like all businesses their future can be uncertain.  For example I logged onto “Bubbleshare” to be told that the site will close november 2009.

It is a competitive market out there, selling everything from prints to pinnies with pictures on them – and not all of the sites will survive.  So keep you photos safe on your computer in digital form – or use one of these sites to get cheap prints and then you can thumb through you holiday snaps just like you did in the 90s.

School Between The Fronts

Mostar, Bosnia’s second largest city, was torn apart in the Croat-Bosniak war which ended officially in 1995. Despite the large scale reconstruction of the city, most schools in Mostar still have an hour interval between Croatian and Bosnian classes to avoid conflict between the two ethnic groups. An invisible divide still exists however, with Muslims remaining in the east of Mostar and Croats inhabiting the western part of the city. But at the United World College, 200 students from all former republics of Yugoslavia as well as 31 other nations come together to learn “international values” in peace and respect of each others cultures and backgrounds. Inspiring stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpO1ijEkqgs&feature=channel_page

Curse of the Camorra

Since the publication of Roberto Saviano’s Gomorrah, a chilling investigation into organised crime in Naples, eyes have turned from Sicily’s notorious Cosa Nostra, to the Neapolitan equivalent, the Camorra. This film looks at the organisation’s ruthless tactics to control the region; from the racist killing of innocent Nigerian immigrants in revenge for their countrymen’s attempt to muscle in on drug trafficking in the area, to petty crime such as selling cigarettes and stolen goods. The Camorra operates on all levels and takes no prisoners. Naples is Italy’s most dangerous city and the Neapolitan police has the considerable task of trying to stay one step ahead of the Camorra.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DjmzOemvXA&feature=channel_page

A Wedding in Prague

The Czech Republic was the first post-communist country to introduce civil partnerships for gay couples, with the first ceremony taking place in 2006. During communist times, gays and lesbians had to hide their sexuality for fear of reprisals. There haven’t been widespread objections to their introduction and when the law came into force, 70% of the population supported the move. Just under 30% of Czechs are Catholic and so opposition to the partnerships is not, in general, on religious grounds. However at the first gay pride parade in 2008, police had to intervene as violent, right-wing groups distributed “Down With Queers” leaflets and tried to attack those taking part.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHpWPOyBnCM&feature=channel_page

Europe’s Black Hole

You may not have heard of Transnistria; the separatist region proclaimed its independence from Moldova in 1990 and is unrecognised by the international community. In this film Journeyman Pictures travels to Transnistria to find out what really goes on. The region has often been accused of turning a blind eye to organised crime and conducting illegal arms sales and the Transnistrian authorities are brutal in their treatment of anyone dissenting. As well as arms, Transnistria is also responsible for the trafficking of women, as one survivor recounts in the film. It’s a chilling account and its hard to believe that this kind of brutality is taking place within Europe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdYhnkxJQkY&feature=channel_page

Flamenco Ghetto

You may have seen flamenco dancers as a tourist attraction in Spain, but the dance and the music that accompanies it are not, in fact, Spanish. Flamenco came to the country hundreds of years ago with gypsies who settled in cities in the South of the country. This film looks at some of the stars of flamenco in Seville who live far from the middle class suburbs of the city. Flamenco’s brightest stars are to be found in a run-down estate, built to house the city’s gypsy population. With the beat of flamenco in their hearts, they are using this gypsy art form to rejuvenate and give hope to their community.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yrlb9NDPw4&feature=channel_page

The freecycle revolution has hit, and is here to stay. For whatever reason, most of us collect junk we don’t need and end up with cluttered homes. Well instead of throwing out unwanted items meaning that they end their days in a landfill site, isn’t it just possible that your trash could be someone else’s treasure? I freely admit to being a bit of a hoarder; I rarely throw anything away until the day comes where I feel overly motivated to get organised and rid myself of the jumble of magazines, books, blankets and ornaments that I have amassed. But I know that instead of putting my formerly-loved picture frame into the bin (which involves second and third guessing before it goes trashwards  – I paid for that, surely it has some worth!) I can easily post it onto the site,  and give it to someone who will appreciate it and get some use out of it. Using freecycle means helping out the environment as well as you fellow human beings!

The site is easy to use – you sign up for an account, find the group closest to you, and join their Yahoo Group. Current membership stands at 5,531,000 across 4,556 communities, so it is more than likely you can find one in your area!  The site is very user friendly; entries of items available are listed in the same forum which makes it easy to see what is up for grabs. Items are labelled “offered” “taken” or “wanted” and entries are generally clear and very concise. All scratches or marks are detailed, as well as if the Freecycle members own pets or smoke.

Before I started using freecycle, I was familiar with the concept – there is an expat website  I have used where people sell their belongings before they move back home. In fact this is where I found most of my furniture, and at bargainous prices! But Freecycle is different; the members on the site are friendly, helpful and enthusiastic about giving things about – there’s a real sense of community. And it isn’t just furniture either – on the Munich site, you can find baby formula milk, craft supplies, electronics and pretty much anything else you can imagine. Membership of the site is free and anyone can join and begin freecycling. I moved into a new flat in April, taking with me only my bed and couch. Everything else in my apartment is freecycled from the Munich and surrounding areas.  With a little patience, I had no problem finding what I needed and at the same time was able to give someone else all of my moving boxes once the dust had settled.  A great part of the fun is meeting the people you freecycle with – everyone is so friendly and really glad to see their stuff go into good hands. So the next time you decide to clean out or fill in your home, check out freecycle.org and see what you can do to help the earth a little!