Claire Hanan - The Official Website for Claire - Journalist, Publisher & Mizzou Grad

So, yesterday Shut-Eye went before a panel of judges from Esquire.com, Popular Science, and InStyle. I nervously presented part of our web plan, which included strategies for apps, site navigation, SEO, social media, and video (check out Shut-Eye on the Street below).

The judges responded positively, and ultimately we won awards for the best business/ad plan and best design. It was a great learning experience and the feedback we received was invaluable.

Tomorrow the book section of SPI begins, as will the second round of prototype projects. This time around I'm the director of publicity for our book launch, a position for which I'm very excited and very unprepared. It's a great thing the 'ol Missouri Method turned me into a lover of learning on the job.

Disclaimer: I made this video using a friend's digital camera, and iMovie editing software under a time crunch. I'm aware of its marginal quality.

Emily Shannon, who was the editor of Mizzou's Greek Chronicle when I wrote for them my first semester at Mizzou, has started a fashion and lifestyle blog, Pretty and Poor. Her blog's following is rapidly increasing, and it just so happens that Emily was kind enough to let me blog for her.

So, my most faithful readers, check out Emily's awesome blog and read my post "Tread Carefully in the Land of Jorts."

While editing Shut-Eye's Wordpress blogs, I inadvertently taught myself quite a few HTML coding tricks. A part of me felt like I'd outsmarted the blogging software, but the larger part of me said: Claire, fifth graders can do this. Thanks for finally getting on the bandwagon.

Anyway, WIN!

Hello, loyal lovelies. Check out my post on NYU Pub Posts, the program's blog, about our mobile app panel.

Even though it's only been two weeks, Shut-Eye is nearly complete. This time around we don't have to produce 100% of the content, which has saved a lot of time and worry, but we do have to plan the first year of issues as if we were. As the editor of Shuteye.com, I've researched our Google AdWords strategy to facilitate SEO, created blog content, mobile app plans and I've helped with the layout of the site (some of which will be up here soon).

While the site will offer much of the same kind of content that the print publication does, the main goal is to build community. In researching our original web strategy, we found that insomnia communities were remarkably common. In them, users discuss sleep remedies, lifestyle tips and some simply don't want to be alone. Shuteye.com strives to replicate this community while offering lists of late-night options, events and entertainment. Some of our blog titles include "I'll sleep when I'm dead" and "I'm dating an insomniac."

Of course we've got our hands in social media so follow us @shuteyemag and visit our facebook page. Let me know if you have any brilliant suggestions, and I'll be sure to consider them briefly.

I tweeted about this $65 Topshop blouse about a month ago, but I can't seem to get it out of my head. It's feminine, but not overly so and highlights the delicate curves of the collarbone. The colors are soft, yet it could be worn with black or grey jeans, or grey suiting. Adorned with simple earrings like those below, this blouse is perfect for date night or after-work cocktails.

Our merry little band of editors at SPI has decided launch a magazine for insomniacs. In its essence, the magazine is a lifestyle magazine for the 58% of Americans who want to prevent, cure, or cope with sleeping disorders.

We were all quite surprised to find how much we're excited by the concept. Thus, in my excitement I designed a mock-up cover and some font and color templates -- and also, because I love a good CS5 free trial.

If you, dearest readers, would be so kind as to take a survey to help our efforts to become America's Next Top Magazine, my whole group would really appreciate it.

You can find it here:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/877TXJM

As an aside, I'm currently waiting what feels like a millennium for  Illustrator to download so that I can turn the overturned 'e' in the logo into something shaped like an eye. Thoughts?

Because the first week of SPI  is coming to a close, our program directors treated us to magazine tours. My group went the beautiful Conde Nast building at 4 Times Sq., and toured SELF. After looping through the editorial offices, fashion closet and creative department, we sat down with three associate editors and learned a bit more about what it's like to enter the industry.

The editors had all landed at SELF via different paths and learning this was both encouraging and refreshing. The production process is fascinating and ever-changing and I can't wait to be a part of it.

So despite the fact that Times Square resembles a zoo on steriods, today was pretty fabulous.

Another publishing-related web favorite: The New Sleekness

Read "Me, Mom and Ray Bradbury" and you'll know why.

I leave for New York. Before then I have to copy edit an article for Ladies Home Journal, create a wonderful concept for a magazine (with mission statement and web plan), and flesh out my six book pitches.

Also, I must pack. How many pairs shoes are too many for six weeks (but hopefully more)?  15? 20? Hello, extra baggage fees, and a big thanks to my dear friends at AirTran.

While we're chatting shoes, these little leather j.crew footsies would look good on just about any leg shape. The scooping ankle strap is low enough that it won't make the leg look shorter or awkwardly segmented. They're so cute, I'd take them in both colors.