The Red Lippy Project

I need no excuse to wear a fabulous red lippy, but if one was needed, then I can think of no better inspiration than 'The Red Lippy Project'. Starting tomorrow (Sunday 9th June), 'The Red Lippy Project' is teaming up with 'The Eve Appeal' to raise awareness of cervical cancer screening. The project aims to make talking about the cervical screening test less taboo:

"The campaign is celebrating femininity and the importance of looking after ourselves and each other. The initial idea was to create a platform that talked openly about the importance of cervical screenings and cervical cancer with a fun, bold, visual language that women and especially younger women can relate to."

I will be showing my support for this project by wearing my favourite shades of red throughout the week, which I will be sharing on Twitter and Instagram.

If you are a red lips kind of lady, then don't forget to share your photos with @redlippyproject and #theredlippyproject Even if red lips are not your makeup look of choice, you can still support the cause and its vital research by texting TRLP80 £10 to 70070. 

I have also changed the blog's cover photo on Facebook to show my support for the cause. You can find it here if you would like to do the same!

Happy Birthday Atterley Road

One of my favourite online discoveries of the past year has been Atterley Road. The site has a great edit of both premium high street and boutique labels, including Whistles, Petit Bateau and Ganni. The aim of the site is to offer the experience of shopping on your favourite street, but online.

They say time flies when you are trying to be stylish (or something like that!) , so I couldn't believe that the store's first birthday had come around so quickly. To celebrate its first year, Atterley Road is turning the usual birthday logic on its head and offering its customers something special. Here are the giveaways which will be running over the next fortnight:

• June 7th – 9th - Win a £1,000 summer wardrobe from Atterley Road
• June 10th - Will Torrent signed book and a Pampered Chef hamper of goodies
• June 11th - Win a Petit Bateau outfit & preview copy of special edition vintage archive book 
• June 12th - An Allium B liberty print dress and flowers for 6 months from Wild at Heart  
• June 13th - A personalised Zatchels with customised finishings/leather and monogrammed initials 
•  June 14th-16th - £1,000 summer wardrobe at www.atterleyroad.com

 So if you are feeling lucky, and in need of a style boost, take a trip to Atterley Road. You won't regret it!

Win 'innocent inspires' tickets & free smoothies for a month!

I think that we can all do with some extra inspiration every now and then. I know that I certainly can! That is why I was really interested to discover the ‘innocent inspires’ series of events.  The series invite you to “leave your shoes at the door and feel the grass between your toes as you step inside the innocent yurt for an evening to discuss some of the things we can all do to make a difference”.

The next in the series (Paradise Park, London - 7pm, 19^th June) is of particular interest to me, as one of the speakers is model Laura Bailey, looking at how we can live a stylish and sustainable life. We all want to look stylish, and if we can be sustainable at the same time, then all the better. Other speakers at the event include Arthur Potts Dawson discussing sustainable food, and also the Good for Nothing Crew, who will be talking about how you can use your skills to do some good (and create some good karma while you are at it!). And just in case you are worried that the events might just be a series of standard talks, ‘innocent’ promise that the series will be all about “laughing, smelling, tasting, jogging, drawing and thinking, and above all, lots of inspiration!” Oh and of course a few smoothies and a delicious picnic thrown into the mix!

If you are more of a ‘hands’on’ type, you will also be able to help transform an urban area into a wildflower wonderland with the Guerilla Gardeners. 

Unfortunately I am unable to attend the event. However ‘innocent’ have very kindly given me a pair of tickets for the event for one of my lucky readers. And the winner will be able to keep the inspiration going after the event with a month’s supply of delicious ‘innocent’ smoothies.

To enter the draw, please leave a comment below telling me who/what inspires you, and why. You can gain extra entries by doing the following: 

• Following me on Twitter and tweeting this: “Find some inspiration with ‘Lou Lou Muses’ & #innocentinspires http://bit.ly/13CqV5e ”

• Liking the ‘Lou Lou Muses’ Facebook page and sharing the ‘innocent inspires’ competition status

Each of the above will gain you one additional entry, so if you do all three you will get three entries into the draw.

The closing date for the competition is noon on Friday 14th June. The winner will be announced the same day.

So, who/what inspires you and why?

My Month in Instagram: May

A slightly delayed post, but I thought that I would share some of my photos from one of my favourite social media platforms, Instagram. I love how it gives people the opportunity to take beautiful photos, even if they aren't the best photographers! The Instagram filters and I have become firm friends!

 

Clockwise from top left:

• I went for a run in the fields behind my house and was really struck by the intensity of the colours. If cross-country had been like this in school I am sure that I would have been more inspired to do it!

• Cardiff University where I work has some beautiful Portland stone buildings surrounded by magnolia & cherry blossom, I couldn't resist taking a photo on my way back from a meeting!

• My new mantra after following Natalie Massenet's talk at the Vogue Festival.

• At the start of the month I (and 500 other people!) took part in Goodnight Walk around Cardiff to raise funds for Tenovus Cancer. The route was 10 miles but it seemed to go really quickly as I was lucky enough to be walking with two of my lovely colleagues.

• This month I have been all about the statement necklace. I dug out this one from last season that I picked up in H & M. What do you think?

You can follow me on Instagram as louloumuses .