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The June issue of Esquire had a feature titled "Men Aging Well" that was just one of those articles that makes you want to cut out and send to someone. "Refrigerator journalism" is the correct term, I think. Anyway, this article was illustrated beautifully in the print version and turned into a slideshow for the web, and was ultimately something I wanted some impressionable young lad to read. Like my brother. So instead of mailing it to him (postage is expensive, you understand), I'm dedicating this post to my brother, Kyle.

The article includes what Esquire's man should drink, read, do and watch at every age. It's clever and entertaining, but mostly it makes me wish that I could send it to all the men in my life. So to my peers: it's time to crank the Dylan; to my brother: congrats on already owning a fabulous suit; and to my dear Dad: I think you're a great example for the younger set...And, it's time to start listening to the music Kyle and I put on your iTunes.
 
Below is a gallery of my favorite looks from who style.com has deemed the "contemporary master of camp," Alexis Mabille. At today's show in Paris, it seems as if each look takes a rather Gothic twist on the romantic shapes of the 1950's, like the jagged edges on the tulle of the red skirt. If I didn't want to risk looking slightly like Cruella de Vil, I'd wear the black car coat every single winter night.

Who am I kidding? If I had the money, I'd staple it to my body.

Enjoy the rest of Mabille's work at here, and all photos courtesy of NYMag.
 
The dream of owning these Victoria Beckham Acetate Round glasses, that is.
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Unfortunately, the dream of owning these will not be realized until my dream of employment is. Le sigh.

Nonetheless, these beauties could be the classics I crave to replace the overexposed Ray-Ban Wayfarers that populate the streets.
 
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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.

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