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People Talking

Posted by LucyI | March 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

Your weekly update on what’s happening now. Each week the editorial team will highlight trending topics that are creating buzz on the Web and what you should  keep an eye on in the coming week. For more information on how to best use this information, log in and check out the community forum post located here.

Five Trending Topics:

Middle East Protests
Tsunami
Wisconsin Budget Battle
iPad 2
Japan Earthquake


Five Breakout Topics:
St. Patrick's Day
Budget Talks
NCAA Tournament
Easter
Spring
Editor’s note: Every Friday from now until April 1, we will be announcing the winners of our contest Fierce Friday on the blog. Fierce Friday was launched as a way to highlight our best writers and copy editors working on the Tyra Banks’ Beauty & Fashion website, typeF.com, which is launching March 15. Each winning writer will receive $300 in Concert Cash for LiveNation.com, and each winning copy editor will receive $100 of the same. Congratulations to this week's winners, writer Kelly Anne Fitzpatrick and copy editor Bonny Jones.

What Time of Year Is OK to Wear Black Heels?

by Kelly Anne Fitzpatrick, for typeF.com

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While Lady Gaga is still coming up with new articles of "clothing" (ahem, an egg?), designers for the rest of us have pretty much nailed down all the possible pieces that could be worn as clothes. That's great news, because it means fashion houses around the world are getting creative with pairing things you probably already own. One of these innovations is the abolishing of seasonal color rules, resulting in the phenomena of "winter white" and "summer black" on the catwalk, the red carpet and in real-world retailers. Embrace black for summer by doing a little creative pairing of your own.

The Shape
The classic black pump likely gets you through the winter, no problem. When it comes time for spring and summer, though, try to pick more open silhouettes. It's not that pumps aren't appropriate for summer -- it's just that it's not every day you can wear shoes to show off your pedi. Start with a peep toe when spring starts warming up, and switch to an all-out strappy number for summer.

Make It Shine
You already know that adding metallics can make almost any outfit evening appropriate, and the same is true for shoes. If you're worried about your solid black shoes looking like they came straight from the office, switch to a pair with metallic buckles, straps or other embellishments. If a little shine doesn't convince you, maybe the fact that Manolo Blahnik put out a strappy silver and black heel in his Spring 2010 collection will. Wear them with a metallic top or dress for a fashion forward look, or pair with solid black to let the shoes stay in the spotlight.

Black and Brights
Working brights into your everyday wardrobe can be a challenge, but the color-blocking seen in Spring 2011 is a fresh new take on it. Many designers who embraced this trend tempered brights with one or two statement-making black pieces. Try pairing black shoes and pants with a bright colored top and jacket in different shades. Alternatively, try another Blahnik Spring 2010 look: a black shoe with layers of color added on. A shoe like this one adds a touch of summer to any black outfit.

Black and White
White can easily warm up black for summer, while black cools down white for winter, making a mix of the two an obvious choice for any season. During summer, pair a white suit with a black shirt and black heels, and for winter, layer a white coat over a brightly colored shirt, black pants and black shoes. On the other hand, you can mix black and white in the same pair of shoes. While black and white shoes may be difficult to pair with many outfits, they add a very chic touch to neutral outfits.

Key Concepts
·    black for summer
·    seasonal colors
·    black shoes
·    black high heels
·    wear with black

References
·    Style.com: Accessory Report: Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear
http://www.style.com/trendsshopping/accessoryreport/S2010RTW/slideshow?loop=0&iphoto=259&play=false&cnt=4
·    Style.com: Spring 2011 Trend Reports
http://www.style.com/trendsshopping/trendreport/011811_Trend_Reports/slideshow?loop=0&iphoto=3&play=false&cnt=4
·    "Glamour"; LA Trend Alert: Summer Black is the New Winter White!; James Patrick Herman; August 2008
http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2008/08/la-trend-alert-summer-black-is.html



Editor’s note: Every Friday from now until April 1, we will be announcing the winners of our contest Fierce Friday on the blog. Fierce Friday was launched as a way to highlight our best writers and copy editors working on the Tyra Banks’ Beauty & Fashion website, typeF.com, which is launching March 15. Each winning writer will receive $300 in Concert Cash for LiveNation.com, and each winning copy editor will receive $100 of the same.

Please read on to learn more about this week’s winning article.


Why This Works:

While this article doesn’t have a smattering of jokes and plays on words like the last Fierce Friday winner, Jessica has taken this title and slowly churned it into a fun, insightful work of art. She starts the article with a bit of a twist by addressing when not to wear long earrings instead of when to wear them.
This introduction provides her with a solid jumping-off point, as she uses humor to emphasize the importance of knowing when to avoid wearing long earrings. By doing this, she smoothly segues into knowing when to wear long earrings and how to make them really pop.

Read that third sentence in the intro: “That means don’t wear long earrings during a wrestling match, in a windy convertible or when babysitting toddlers who like to grab shiny things.” Don’t you just hear a sarcastic, lighthearted tone? The article says to its reader: “Follow your instincts, and you can’t go wrong.” And that’s what most fashion choices, like wearing long earrings, are all about anyway!

Jessica uses a very easy, smooth, conversational tone to give the reader as much information as possible. It’s not all laugh-out-loud funny, but it will put a smile on your face. She uses easy phrases like “go all out” and “crazy bejeweled hairball.” These phrases come across naturally and speak to the typeF.com demographic.

Copy editor Amy Francisco pointed out Jessica’s great line, “Think of long earrings as style caffeine, and throw them on when your look needs a little extra kick.” We love this sentence because it’s a great analogy, but it feels really empowering, too. The idea that fun earrings can add the same sparkle to your style that caffeine adds to your morning is just contagious.

Anyone want to guess what kind of accessory I’m wearing tonight?

When to Wear Long Earrings

By Jessica Lynn, for typeF.com


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Before you can learn when to wear long earrings, you must know when not to wear them. You probably know of at least one girl who had an earring ripped out -- don't be that girl. That means don't wear long earrings during a wrestling match, in a windy convertible or when babysitting toddlers who like to grab shiny things. As long as you look out for your delicate lobes, a snazzy pair of long earrings can make a pretty striking fashion addition.

Bring Attention Upward

Long earrings and strapless dresses go together like hamburgers and French fries. In fact, any dress that's lacking flair up top can benefit from an eye-catching pair of dangling earrings. They'll add visual interest to your top half, helping to keep people's eyes trained on your face, not your cleavage. If you're sporting a dress with lots of visual interest up top, like a big collar or ruffle details, opt for smaller ear jewelry that won't overwhelm your look. But if your top half is plain, go ahead and go all out with big, long earrings.

Complement an Updo

If you're wearing your hair back, throw on some long earrings to frame your face and accentuate and elongate your neck. Updos and long earrings are totally harmonious partners, because they literally don't get in each other's way. With your hair back, those earrings can sparkle and swing unencumbered. You don't want to worry about your hair and your jewelry getting all snarled together in some kind of crazy bejeweled hairball, so put your danglies up on the days you want to let your hair down.

Cure Your Boredom

When you're suffering from wardrobe boredom, think jewelry. A striking pair of long earrings can instantly jazz up a boring outfit and add a little sparkle to a dull ensemble. Dangle a striking pair of long earrings over your favorite little black dress to give it an instant shot of personality, or throw on some big ol' chandelier earrings to cure a case of the Monday blahs. Think of long earrings as style caffeine, and throw them on when your look needs a little extra kick.

Picking Long Earrings

Think about your head shape when deciding what kind of long earrings you should use to bookend that gorgeous face of yours. Go long and narrow for a round face, but if your face is already long and narrow, balance it out with wider earrings. If your head is more square-shaped, avoid boxy, angular earrings and go for curvy circles instead. For a heart-shaped face, balance out your smaller chin with a pair of bell-shaped chandelier earrings.

Resources
·    "Elle"; February Shops -- Extreme Earrings; January 2009
http://www.elle.com/Accessories/Trends/February-Shops-Extreme-Earrings/%28imageIndex%29/1/%28play%29/false
Key Concepts
·    wear long earrings
·    wear dangly earrings
·    wear dangling earrings

References
·    Lucy & Lolita: Custom-Fitting Earrings For Your Face Shape
http://www.lucyandlolita.com/content/custom-fitting-earrings-your-face-shape
·    Focus On Style; Chandelier Earrings, the Big Drop in Jewelry is Back; May 2009
http://www.focusonstyle.com/Trends/Fashion/chandelier-earrings
·    "Glamour"; Dangly Earrings -- The Antidote to Monday Morning Wardrobe Angst; Susan Cernek; March 2010
http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2010/03/long-dangly-earrings-the-aspir.html

People Talking

Posted by LucyI | March 3, 2011 | Leave a comment

Your weekly update on what’s happening now. Each week the editorial team will highlight trending topics that are creating buzz on the Web and what you should  keep an eye on in the coming week. For more information on how to best use this information, log in and check out the community forum post located here.

Five Trending Topics:
Libya Protest
NFL Labor Talks
Wisconsin Protests
iPad 2
American Idol


Five Breakout Topics:
Mardi Gras
Budget Talks
NCAA Tournament
St. Patrick's Day
Spring
Demand Media Studios is thrilled to announce that Rachael Ray will become the lead creative force behind the eHow Food channel.  Rachael will bring her considerable knowledge and original perspective to eHow Food as she becomes its creative voice. Rachael will also identify and develop up-and-coming culinary talent to be featured in high-quality, original programming produced by Demand Media Studios and distributed through our web properties.  Click here to read the full press release. If you’re an existing community member with an expertise in food, be sure to apply for our Talent and Experts Network using the internal application on your Account page. Writers, keep a look out for more food titles in the new Topic View Lite format. 
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Please join us in welcoming Rachael Ray to the Demand Media family! We look forward to working with her as the new voice of eHow Food!

typeF.com's Fierce Fridays!

Posted by Jessyca | February 25, 2011 | Comments (6)

Editor’s note: Every Friday from now until April 1, we will be announcing the winners of our contest Fierce Friday on the blog. Fierce Friday was launched as a way to highlight our best writers and copy editors working on the Tyra Banks’ Beauty & Fashion website, typeF.com, which is launching March 15. Each winning writer will receive $300 in Concert Cash for LiveNation.com, and each winning copy editor will receive $100 of the same.

Please read on to learn more about our first winning article and for a sneak peek into typeF.com.



From Runway to Roadway: Why This Works

What should you wear on a motorcycle? Well, it’s a pretty safe bet that the readers of typeF.com won’t come to an article like this hoping for advice on how to conjure up Jesse James. Instead, they’re probably looking for information on how to maintain sex appeal while also being safe.

Writer River Holmes-Miller delivers on this, which is why she and CE Aldene Fredenburg are this week’s Fierce Friday winners.

From the clever subheads and great photo to the funny jokes and thorough information, River’s article encourages safety and style. She pumps the reader full of confidence that she can strut straight from the catwalk right to her Harley, looking both sexy and safe.

The best thing about this article is it never once loses the point amidst the humor. Every single sentence has a specific purpose and is integral to the piece. After reading the article, we know the importance of high-quality leather as opposed to the cheap stuff. We also know why gloves, boots and a helmet are so vital to hopping on that cruiser before riding off into the wind.

Want to know why we know all this? Because this article is so entertaining and smart, we couldn’t help ourselves but to keep reading! It’s not cheesy, though it could’ve been. It’s not boring, though it definitely had the potential. Instead, it has the perfect balance.

Congratulations to River Holmes-Miller and Aldene Fredenburg for creating such an extraordinary article for typeF.com.

 

What Should I Wear on a Motorcycle?

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By River Holmes-Miller for typeF.com


If you have dreams of hitting the highway in your Daisy Dukes and teeny-weeny bikini top, you better think again. Like it or not, there's a reason motorcycle mamas swaddle their hides in pounds of leather. Whether you're at the controls or simply the babe on the back, you've got to make your clothing count when the rubber meets the road.

Don't Have a Cow . . . Wear One!

Everyone from the biggest, baddest biker dudes to the sweetest biker honeys know that there's nothing sexy about turning your top half into Hamburger Helper. That's why leather jackets are the go-to accessory for the biker set. And not that wafer-thin, cheap-o stuff you see on sale at the mall, either. This leather is the real deal -- layers of heavy-duty cowhide that won't bite the dust if you find yourself hitting the pavement at 100 mph. And an even better bet is leather that's got some hard plastic inserts around the elbows and other strategic spots -- it may look a little Michael Jackson, but it'll keep your tender parts safe if you crash.

Smarty Pants

If you don't want your mile-highs to look deep-fried, you've got to go long when you're on a motorcycle. One little bare-legged bump with that pipin' hot exhaust will give you a raspberry the size of an orange. So if you've ever wondered whether you had the mojo to pull off a pair of leather pants, now's your chance to find out. Leather pants will keep those gams under cover in event of a crash and turn chance encounters with exhaust pipes into no big whoop. If leather pants are just too disco, put on your thickest, burliest pair of jeans -- they're not half as good as leather, but they're better than bare.

Full-Throttle Footwear

Flip-flops and sandals are the kiss of death on a motorcycle, so don't even think about it. Motorcycles can kick up anything from gravel to pancaked squirrel guts, and with your tootsies just inches from the ground you'll want some protection. Leather boots are best, especially if they've got plenty of protection around the ankles.

Keeping Your Dome Dent-Free

The prospect of helmet hair may not thrill you, but it's a small price to pay for seeing your next birthday. A motorcycle helmet is simply a must -- it'll protect your head and face from flying debris and go a long way toward keeping your noggin intact. According to Motorcycle.com, you need to look for something that says "DOT" on the back of your helmet -- this will let you know your helmet means business when it comes to safety.

The Finishing Touch

Get a grip with a good pair of leather gloves. Going bare-handed at high speed is a good way to turn your digits into "Look Ma, no hands!" The heavier and longer the better. Whether you're driving or riding, you'll need to be able to hold on tight, so pay attention to fit.

Key Concepts

    * wear on motorcycle
    * dressing for motorcycle
    * dress motorcycle ride
    * riding motorcycle clothes
    * reason leather motorcycle

References

    * "Motorcycle"; What to Wear When You Ride -- and Why; Jeff Cobb; November 6, 2009
      http://www.motorcycle.com/rider-safety/what-to-wear-when-you-ride-and-why-88120.html
    * "Los Angeles Times"; What to Wear on a Bike; Susan Carpenter; October 10, 2007
      http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/highway1/la-hy-gear10oct10,0,1938825.story

 

People Talking

Posted by LucyI | February 24, 2011 | Leave a comment

Your weekly update on what’s happening now. Each week the editorial team will highlight trending topics that are creating buzz on the Web and what you should  keep an eye on in the coming week. For more information on how to best use this information, log in and check out the community forum post located here.

Five Trending Topics:
Libya Protest
Space Shuttle Discovery Launch
DOMA
Wisconsin Protests
NBA Trades

Five Breakout Topics:
iPad 3
Winter Weather
Academy Awards
NFL Draft
St. Patrick's Day

Editor’s note: As our emphasis on quality – that of both our content and your experience – continues to grow, so does our team. We recently brought on three assistant editors to help ensure we’re seeing to your needs as best possible. These three individuals will be helping out with Help Desk, the forums, rejection appeals and more, and we’re very glad to have them here. You’ll be seeing their names pop up from time to time, so we felt it only appropriate to have them share a bit about themselves. To learn a little about their backgrounds and interests, read on!

TIM

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My name is Tim. Since you all will be seeing my name around, I figure it would be a good idea if we got to know each other. And since this blog post is a bit of a one-way conversation, let me tell you all a little about myself.

I’m a native Southern California resident, born and raised in the smallish city of Lawndale, which is a suburb of Los Angeles. My two passions in life are writing and athletics, one of which currently has me on crutches and wearing a protective boot for an ankle injury. I’ll let you guess which one! I’m also a bit of a nerd, which encompasses anything from literature to science fiction. If there is a way to nerd out on it, guaranteed I will find a way.

I’m very excited to be here working for DMS, and I’m looking forward to working with all of you as well.


KENDRA

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I am absolutely elated to be working with all of you. Before I was hired as an assistant editor here at Demand Media Studios, I had absolutely no idea how to remove a tree from my front yard and I most certainly did not know that the best way to DIY pink highlights is by using a perforated shower cap.

Thank you all for sharing your writing, experience and gumption. It’s contagious.

As I’m sure you can easily assume, it was my love of writing and editing that brought me to Demand. So instead of launching into a laundry list of work experience and writing samples, I will tell you exactly what I would tell you if we were bonding over a couple of cappuccinos.

I shamelessly love talking about food, politics and pop culture. In my ideal world, every night would be a dinner party and every morning would be spent reading, blogging and walking the dogs.


MIKE

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Hi, I’m Mike. I am new to Demand and to Los Angeles. In a way, you could say that I’m new to America. I’ve just returned from nine years living overseas. I lived in Japan until last November. Everything is a bit of an adjustment. In L.A., it can even be an adventure just riding the bus to work (although, to be honest, I’ve heard that’s the case for everyone riding L.A. buses).

There are a lot of friendly and welcoming people here.  I have to strongly resist bowing to everyone.   Don’t be put off if I seem too formal.

I was a contractor with Demand for the past year and learned about the company through a friend who worked with me in Japan.

Anyway, I’m sure you’ll get to know me through our many online interactions.  I’m one of the people you get when you contact Demand for help.

People Talking

Posted by LucyI | February 17, 2011 | Comments (1)

Your weekly update on what’s happening now. Each week the editorial team will highlight trending topics that are creating buzz on the Web and what you should  keep an eye on in the coming week. For more information on how to best use this information, log in and check out the community forum post located here.

Five Trending Topics:
Iran Protests
Unemployment
Watson
Medicare Fraud
Wisconsin Budget Protests

Five Breakout Topics:
iPad 3
Winter Weather
NBA All-Star Weekend
Motorola Atrix 4G
President's Day

People Talking

Posted by LucyI | February 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

Your weekly update on what’s happening now. Each week the editorial team will highlight trending topics that are creating buzz on the Web and what you should  keep an eye on in the coming week. For more information on how to best use this information, log in and check out the community forum post located here.

Five Trending Topics:
Egypt Protest
Unemployment
Verizon iPhone
Flu Season
Diet Soda

Five Breakout Topics:
iPad 3
Winter Weather
NFL Draft
Facebook Phone
Valentine's Day
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