The Great Gatsby:: And The Countdown Is On

 

It's no secret - but I am so super excited about The Great Gatsby. Super. Duper. Excited.

I love Baz Luhrmann's films (well, except Australia, I didn't love that). So embellished, visually rich, well directed, and dense. You can watch his films a few times and still have something to chew on.

The sets, costumes, everything - all so lavish and luxe. Aye aye aye. I am so excited. It's been a long wait - not many sleeps to go (opens May 30).

I'm  going to organise a babysitter, take my man-friend and go watch this cinematic masterpiece, because I JUST CAN'T WAIT!

I love The Great Gatsby. I hope it does F. Scott Fitzgerald's book the justice it deserves.

Carey Mulligan:: The Great Gatsby. Give Me Some Sparkle. And a hairbrush

So the Sydney premiere of The Great Gatsby was tonight. And it rained. Boo hiss to the rain.

But while it was raining, and I am all for comfort, what happened to some good old fashioned razzle dazzle for the red carpet?! I can't help but feel a bit disappointed. Like girlfriend could have done so much more than this. Even with a tracksuit. Not even one bit of sparkle?! Come on Carey! It's the red carpet. We've been waiting for this for months!

I am quelle disappointed.

Paid Product Reviews:: What Does This Mean?

Voices of 2013 Blogs and Brands Panel (L-R) Brian Giesen of Social@Ogilvy, Lousia Claire of Brand Meets Blog, Stacey Roberts of Veggie Mama and me.

I had the great pleasure of attending Voices of 2013 on Saturday. I've been light in step ever since, I've felt so buoyed by the experience.

It's been good not only for my blog (inspiring!), but for me to meet so many like-minded people, and awesome birds that I only usually get to chat to on the interwebz. 

Maybe you might not know, but by day I work in PR. It's night time when I don a cape and mask and start blogging. I was delighted to sit on the Blogs & Brands panel as a blogger. Even if I did get covered in nervous rash sitting up there. 

So on the day, while we talked about sponsored posts, we didn't get to talk about paid reviews. And what I think of them. Or more likely - what I don't think of them.

Because at the heart of a review - it's meant to be an unbiased account of what you think of a product.

But if it's paid? Well then it blurs the lines doesn't it? It becomes a bit of cash-for-comment - because really, are you honestly going to bite that hand that feeds you? Will you look a gift horse in the mouth? (How many more cliches can I work into this one paragraph?). How can a review be unbiased if you're being paid to post it? 

The cold and quick answer: it can't. 

Or can it? I'm interested to know if you think that you can maintain an unbiased review while being paid by the brand. Because me? I don't think so. I think the lines are blurred, I think you're cosying up with Alan Jones, and your reader is going to be pretty annoyed to find that your writing paid reviews.

This stinks of lack of integrity.

Nielsen research shows that 71% of Australians look at web reviews before buying. That's a huge figure - a lot of Aussies looking for credible reviews to guide them. Now let's imagine if all the reviews you're reading are fictional. How to navigate your way through all that crud?

There's more power in honesty, integrity, and your readers will want to keep reading what you have to say. But if you're being paid to share your scoop de la scoop about products? Well who wants to read more PR guff. Not me! And I work in PR!

You need to give your audience more credit - they are smart and savvy. They can sniff out when something's not right. And if all you share are glowing reviews, then something's rotten in the state of Denmark. 


image is courtesy of the impeccable Cheryl of BusinessChic. 
THANK YOU CHERYL! (I'm in the pink - like Barbara Cartland).

I Did Reading Groups. It Was Good.

Due to work, I've never been to volunteer to do stuff at school. It kind of sucks because I know my smalls would love to see me in the canteen - and nothing would warm the cockles, even the sub-cockles, of my heart more than seeing their smiley little faces and giving all of their friends ice creams.

However this year, the tides have turned, and I was delighted (not exaggerating) so discover that Tiny's class had reading groups on my day off. Never has the school received a note so quickly from me, signed with my time and my availability. Boom! I am in!

Except last week I forgot I had committed to reading groups. The teacher came up to me in the playground to remind me that I was doing reading groups - and my face fell. To the ground. On the asphalt. I have the memory of a colander. With added drill holes.

I had pre-arranged to go sniff my friend's newborn. Nothing. NOTHING. Not anything was getting in the way of me sniffing in that newborn's sweet milkiness. Not even reading groups. I had been daydreaming about that wee babe for weeks. It was just hours from being a reality: me drinking in that newborn smell - I sound like such a creep - but I just love them. (NB: Matt, I really, really want another baby. Our family is not complete. And NO! A cat or dog will not fill the void. And PS we're not even allowed to have a cat or dog due to our charming landlord - THANK YOU OVERLORD).

Generously the teacher said I could start this week. I have to tell you, I was a bit nervous, never having being involved in reading groups.

And so it is, I found myself ecstatic to be sitting in a cosy classroom with about 23 small people, a few other mums and one teacher.

Tiny was overjoyed and clinging to my leg. Sidling over to me when she was meant to be at her teacher's attention. Blowing me kisses. She always slays me, that cuddly girl of mine.

I got the rundown on what to do - and away we went! Reading about... chairs! I work in furniture retail - there's only so much furniture chat one can do. Thankfully the books are short.

And then our group got in trouble for being too rowdy! Scandal!

Between you and I - I was delighted our little group had some joie de vivre! Better than being a group of wet fish talking about chairs!

It was SO fun - not dancing on tables fun (not that I've done that in about 10 years), but heartwarming fun. I am wholeheartedly so excited to be able to sit in with Tiny's class and do reading groups with them.

After school, to celebrate life (and reading groups) we went to the cafe for a round of caramel milkshakes and hot chips. Living large. Yep. That's me. Coyote Ugly stylie. 

Hair Iss-ews

I need a haircut. Like a ker-azy. I figured this morning that I haven't had a haircut since December. 

These are dark times. This is the Autumn of discontent. And split ends. And snapping hair. And a general look of scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz. 

I know. Wheel out the world's smallest violin. Bigger issues, yes. But help me out. 

I look in the mirror and realise I'm due for a trim when I see Ross Noble looking back at me.

I am loving Delta's snappy, swishy new chop.

Stick with Ross' tried and true, or change things up for Delta's chop? (except my hair is unruly and wavy)

Thoughts?

How Great Is This?

Much to the disgust of my colleagues I am totally addicted to this song. On repeat. So. Many. Times. 

And then I found this (above). Wow. My socks. They just blew off. My skirt. It just blew up.

So freaking clever. People are good.  

Happy Friday!

Miffy the Movie:: Instagram Giveaway (A Quickie)

Who doesn't love Dick Bruna's iconic Miffy? That's right - no one! I grew up on it, you grew up on it, we all grew up on it.

And my smalls still love Miffy.

Tiny has even combined Hello Kitty with Miffy - and now it's Hello Miffy.

Now almost 60 years after Dick Bruna first drew Miffy, I am delighted to be giving away a family pass to see Miffy the Movie.

Miffy the Movie in cinemas May 11-15

How to win? Head over to my Instagram (@pottymouthmama) feed and leave a comment. I'll pick the winner at random and have the invite sent out ASAP! GO!

Terms and conditions:
- Competition on Instagram - please leave a comment on the Miffy post
- Entries open from Wednesday 8th May - closes Thursday 9th May at 3pm