How to do a 'mail to' link

The other day, someone asked me how to do what is called a 'Mail To' link.
For example: Email me here or email lauren.glossary@gmail.com

When you click the bits in pink, your email program will automatically launch a new email with my email address in the 'To' box. Nifty, huh?

'Mail To' links are great because they save your readers time having to search for your email addy and then having to copy and paste it into a new email. Also, if you want to make it easy for people to email you but you'd rather not publish your full email address, the 'email here' option is a great solution.

If you also want to know how to create a 'Mail To' link, I'll tell ya!
 (I'm not familiar with Wordpress so I'll tell you what I do using Blogger.)

STEP 1
For blog posts: Use EDIT HTML mode
For side bar: Use an HTML/Javascript gadget

STEP 2
Insert this code:

<a href="mailto:youremailaddress">here</a>

You can replace 'here' with your actual email address if you prefer.

It's as easy as that! You may not want to give readers the option of contacting you by email but if privacy is a concern, you can always create a separate email account just for your blog. Personally, I'm grateful when blogs have an easy to find email option because comment forms can be buggy on occasion and sometimes I prefer to ask a question privately. Of course, it's up to you to do whatever works for you!

If there's anything else you'd like to ask me about how I did something on this blog, please feel free to fire away in a comment! I'm no code cruncher but I'll do my best to lend a hand.

Music & Lyrics

So much for my blogging break, eh. I should be unplugging but everytime I hear or see something I like, I want to blog it. I always imagined that if I were to write about anything, (aside from work stuff) it would be music. That was my bag, long before handbags and shoes were. I've played guitar since I was 13, twanged for a couple of garage bands and contributed some dodgy riffs to the odd choir album. When I was younger, I wanted more than anything to write for Kerrang magazine. Ha. Somehow, I've ended up punting 'two for the price of one' curry deals. Well, among other things.

My taste in music isn't particularly edgy or cool. These days, I usually have no idea what the hipsters are referencing. I'm a grunge girl through and through although I do have a penchant for cheesy metal. My only pop album, Britney Spears' 'Greatest Hits' is sandwiched between this lot but I could make room for Gagaloo and that Cheryl Cole.

I'm sure we all feel this way but I really do have a record for every year. Tonight, I'm listening to the Arctic Monkeys (circa London '08) and was just reminded of one my favourite lyrics. Sooo...I thought I'd blog those and some other faves. These aren't necessarily my ultimate faves, my mind is too hazy right now to remember 'em all. And yes, I googled these below:)

Last night what we talked about,
It made so much sense,
But now the haze has ascended,
It don't make no sense anymore"
Arctic Monkeys, From Ritz To The Rubble

A cloud hangs over this city by the sea,
I watch the ships pass and wonder if she might be,
Out there and sober as a well for loneliness,
Please do persist girl its time we met and made, a mess
Incubus, Anna Molly

How I wish you could see the potential,
the potential of you and me.
It's like a book elegantly bound but,
in a language that you can't read.
Death Cab For Cuties, I Will Possess Your Heart

she shakes and she moves me or something
she's like jellyroll like sculpture
i was wearing eyeliner
she was wearing eyeliner
it was so good down here
saving for my scrapbook here
way down down down in this subbacultcha
Pixies, Subbacultcha

Someone falls to pieces
Someone kills the pain
Spinning in the silence
She finally drifts away
Someone gets excited
In a chapel yard
And catches a bouquet
Another lays a dozen
White roses on a grave
Audioslave, Be Yourself

And the sky was made of amethyst
And all the stars were just like little fish
Violet, Hole

I love music. When you can't find the words, you can always play a song.
(Especially when you don't know how to tell someone 'they're like jellyroll, like sculpture.' What the flip is Jellyroll, Black Francis?)

Blush in a box!

I want to tell you about this blush I’ve fallen in love with! It’s called Dandelion and it's by Benefit. I’ve bought Benefit cosmetics as gifts for people but until a few weeks ago, I’d never treated myself to any. I got this blush before my mom gave me the Benefit Cheek Tint (thanks again ma!) so now I switch between the two.

Dandelion makes me smile every morning and not just because I have to dust the apples of my cheeks. As you lift the lid off the box, you get a delicious whiff of scented blush! Inside you’ll find a little pink brush to sweep some on. It’s probably a touch too light for my skin although it’s perfect for a natural, springtime look. I think the idea of ‘blush in a box’ is genius because you waste less product and there’s far less chance of breakage. I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve dropped and shattered a palette of blush. Maddening, that is. Now, I want to know what your favourite blush is. Tell! 

Dressing up with Retro Chick!

Gemma Seager is the lovely lady behind Retro Chick, one of Blighty's most popular fashion blogs. Just this Sunday, she was featured in the Sunday Times and today, the Daily Mail. I managed to steal this busy bee away for a couple of minutes to chat to her about about blogging and achieving the Retro Look. Pour yourself a post-work cuppa and enjoy!



Hello Gemma, how are you today?
I'm fine and dandy actually. How are you?

Very well, thanks:) Congratulations on your 2 year bloggaversary! What or who inspired you to start blogging?

 Do you know, I really can't remember now! I started off with an eBay shop selling vintage and pre owned clothing, and blogging grew out of that. I can't remember what was the final motivator to start it though as I didn't read a lot of blogs at all at the time!

How did you feel typing your first post many months ago?

Kind of confused! I didn't have anything specific to say, and I hadn't done any of those professional blogger things like "choosing a niche". I was just rambling, and thought probably no one would ever read it!

Please can you paint us a picture of the space where you blog from! Is it a couch, a desk, under the covers!?
I have a cream and dark wood papsan chair, from the sadly now defunct shop the Pier. I sit in that with a little laptop table and often some trashy TV!

Nice! Love a bit of trashy telly. What have been the highlights of your blogging experience so far?
The first time I was invited to anything because of my blogging was back in Feb 2009 when Global Cool invited me to a Swishing Event, that was exciting. The first time I got Press approval for London Fashion Week was also a massive highlight!

I bet! Is there anything you wish you'd done differently?

Not really, I think the blog has just evolved. There are things I've learned that I would probably put into place earlier if I were to start again, but I'm happy with the way I did it!

You're a lover of all things retro. How did your personal style develop? Was it gradual or did you just fall in love with the retro look one day?

It's kind of a bit of both. As a child I was obsessed with Enid Blyton, then when I was slightly older I was obsessed with WWII home front stuff. My Mum always said I was born in the wrong decade and I've also always been interested in fashion, so my style just evolved from all the influences I took in and my interests!

How would you suggest someone go about developing their personal style?

I actually wrote a whole series on this at the beginning of the year http://www.retrochick.co.uk/category/define-your-personal-style/ I think it's about learning what your ideal style is, by taking in as much information as possible and really looking at what attracts you. Then you need to fit that in with the realities of your life and body shape.

What are the key pieces to achieving the retro look?

I think mostly it's about the hair! Doing something interesting with your hair can make the simplest outfit a little bit different, I have a couple of You Tube videos with some fairly simple hair styles. Accessories are also key. Things like scarves, bracelets or a string of pearls can immediately change your look.

Which is your favourite era in fashion and why?

I love the 1940s. Both the US Hollwood Glamour, and the simplistic styles of wartime Britain. There's an elegance, but also a practicality about it and I love that people made an effort to dress properly every day. I also have a soft spot for 1950s styles with full skirts and wiggle dresses.

Who are your biggest style inspirations?

So many! I love elegant women who aren't afraid to experiment with fashion. Victoria Beckham, Dita Von Teese and Audrey Hepburn, to name but a few!

Hurrah for 'Posh!' If I had only 50 quid to spend in the UK, where would you send me?

That much!? If you come to visit me in Norwich I'd take you to the Treasure Chest on Magdalen Street to hunt for vintage bargains.

Sounds fun! You've got an hour to kill on Oxford Street and only 10 quid on you. How do you spend it?

I'd buy a tube ticket to go anywhere but Oxford Street! Or maybe I'd just walk round to Baker Street and go to the Sherlock Holmes Museum, I've never been.

Haha! Agreed, Baker Street is lovely. What do you find you wear most days? Any go-to outfits?

In winter I have a black jersey dress that's my go to outfit. With a variety of different scarves and belts I can change it's look whenever I want. In Summer I have little cotton slip dresses that I tend to just fling on with pumps.

Do you ever have 'I look and feel rubbish' days and if so, how do you deal with em?

I do, and I make an extra effort! A bit of red lipstick goes a long way if you're feeling rubbish. Wearing huge sunglasses also not only hides a multitude of sins but makes you feel a bit glam!

What suggestions would you make to someone starting a blog?

Don't give up just because no one is reading. Make sure you have a stats programme like Google Analytics or Stat Counter installed and subscribe to ProBlogger for the best tips!

What is your biggest dream?

I'd like to own a proper bricks and mortar shop one day. I'd like to continue to sell vintage and pre owned clothing, but also vintage repro and accessories.

And the best piece of advice someone's given you?
There's no point worrying about the future as all you'll do is ruin the present.

Thanks so much Gemma! It was lovely chatting to you.
You can visit Gemma, aka Retro Chick over here! 

A little note

Hello, me again. I just wanted to let you know that I won't be blogging as much as usual over the next few weeks. I don't have 'blogger burn out' or anything of that sort, just got alot of stuff coming up that I need to focus on. I'll still post my interview with Retro Chick as soon as I can. Please feel free to rummage through the arhives in the meantime if you wish:) For now, I'll leave you with two photographs. The first is of the bag Nikki kindly donated to me and the second is a little candy heart brooch that my highschool art teacher made. Take care and keep well:) Me x