Author: Lauren Bravo
Style & Social Media Columnist Lauren is a professional tweeter, pop culture junkie and Netflix addict. She's written about fashion since she was in flared jeans, and barely a trend goes by that she doesn't have an opinion on. An early adopter, she can usually be found hunting for a bargain on the virtual high street and blasting the latest high-tech skincare claims.
10 social network ideas that might just make us rich
When Miranda July’s truly social new app Somebody launched last week, it inspired a vast spectrum of responses – ranging from ‘MY HEART IS WARMED AND HUMANITY IS SAVED’ to ‘strangers keep hugging me and now I hate the world more,’ with a lot of ‘but… why?’ in the middle. Meanwhile, we were thinking: what…
The women who paved the way: the inspiring women who run #RunningWeek
What better motivation to get you out of bed and into your trainers than remembering all the great women who broke down boundaries, smashed preconceptions and crossed the finish line before us? In just five decades we’ve gone from a time when doctors didn’t think women were capable of long distance running, to female athletes…
How to complain on Twitter: A six step plan for sure-fire social justice
Whether it’s dodgy products, bad food or collective public rage, Twitter is now apparently the quickest way to get a response from a brand. But that’s only when they do respond. It’s also the least satisfying channel for complaints, with only 39 per cent of UK organisations able to answer questions successfully through their Twitter…
The five best places in London to work and kill time: Ziferblat, Yumchaa, Park Theatre
Sometimes a quick pitstop is all you need, and London is eternally well-equipped for those. But what about the occasions you have work to focus on, or time to kill, and home just isn’t an option? There’s a lot of chat about 'coffices' being the future of urban working, but not every café is up…
What professional photographers really think of your Instagrams #PhotoWeek
One of the best things about the advent of apps, sharing sites and high-tech cameras in recent years is the way we all get to pretend we’re photographers. Thankfully the days of getting your holiday snaps back to find a roll of 30 blurry, thumb-obscured disasters are a mere memory – one that we’ve quickly…
Pouting, Paint & Contrast: an ode to Myspace selfies #PhotoWeek
Warning: this article features examples of extreme pretension and self-promotion. Readers of a weak disposition may wish to consult their GP before continuing. We know by now that selfies have been around for longer than we have. There’s Robert Cornelius’ first effort back in 1839, the Edwardian lady with her Kodak Brownie and at least…
“Who is TAKING all these photos of you?” And 9 other comments we wish we could leave on Instagram #PhotoWeek
…but never will because ultimately we’re good people, damnit. "Careful, you’re almost out of loo roll…" Ain’t it just one of life’s cruellest tricks that the most flattering lighting is always in the toilet? Still, anyone looks great next to an avocado bathroom suite. "D’you know, I think the 13th hashtag might be overkill?" But…
INSIGHT – How Unroll.me (slightly) changed my life
Ah, marketing emails. The infestation of the modern age. Always wriggling their way in despite our efforts to keep them out, to be swatted at and exterminated while they determinedly multiply, the way our ancestors did with mice. Except we still have mice as well, so that’s not fair. McKinsey estimates that high-skilled knowledge workers…
Inspiration and perspiration: how to survive shopping in summer
Online sales growth has actually slowed this summer. And although the proportion of online retail sales has leapt up a whole per cent from last year, at 16.7% it’s still a surprisingly small fraction compared to all the shopping we do in real shops. Whether that’s because (despite all the tech at work to minimise…
The new narcissism: why am I addicted to my own Facebook profile?
I’d like to admit something, and ask politely that none of you judge me. We are all friends here, in the cozy and confidential circle of trust that is the internet, aren’t we? Right then, here goes. My name is Lauren, and I Facebook-stalk myself. I am ashamed of the amount of time I spend…
