What Laura Did Next.

She walks in beauty, like the night

   Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that’s best of dark and bright

   Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

Thus mellowed to that tender light

   Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

   Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,

   Or softly lightens o’er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express,

   How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,

   So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

   But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

   A heart whose love is innocent!

"You wanna be thin? Stop eating fatty!
You wanna be rich? Work your ass off lazy!
You wanna be happy? Then find someone you like and never let them go."

- From one of my favourite characters, in one of my favourite films! 

I've been going through a bit of a rough time recently in my personal life, as you all may or may not know, and I've been feeling very low, thoroughly uninspired and hugely fed up. Whilst having a conversation with my mother, she asked me who inspired me. It's a tricky question for me, because I just don't know. So, as I do to help me gather my thoughts, I decided to blog about it - nothing clears the mind like a cheeky blogging session!

My biggest professional inspiration in the past was someone who I had admired so much growing up within the PR and digital industry in Manchester. I really aspired to be like them, but from close quarters, they turned out to be an illusion - this was a huge disappointment for me, I felt cheated to be honest. 

Obviously, there's the usual suspects on a list of inspirational people for a girl like me; Victoria Beckham, Zuck, Chanel - that family member that you're closest to, in this instance my Granny. And yeah, maybe she never set up a million dollar business, but she was without a doubt one of the most genuinely good people that I've ever met and her capacity for love was endless, she was real and truly wonderful - and I believe that everybody needs someone like that in their life. 

Oh, and for everyone who really can't understand my love for Veeb (that abreev is for you Ben!) think about it realistically, how many times has she changed people's perceptions of her? And have you ever read in interview with her? She's funny, sweet and dedicated. I love her clothes, she's got a gorgeous husband, an amazing career and four beautiful children. Plus, allegedly she barred Liz Jones from her show, and anyone who does that is alright in my book... 

I think I'm more inspired by people's traits than by actual people, I'm inspired by people who chase their dreams and who just f**king do it. Like my little brother Will, an immensely talented young cyclist who trains so hard, and delivers amazing results - he's dedicated and seeing that in someone whose peers (if they were anything like mine at that age!) are starting to drink and do naughty things - dedicated sixteen year olds are hard to find in my experience! 

Or my other brother Charlie, he's sensitive - there's no two ways about it, whereas Will and I are very much like Dad - focused and can detach ourselves from situations, Charlie gets his unfailing compassion from my wonderful mother and Granny. He lives in Leeds, he's at uni, but he's always on the end of the laptop for a bit of FaceTime if I'm feeling low, he's always checking up on how everyone is - he cares, sometimes too much! But his compassion and caring and full awareness of how other people are feeling is inspiring to me, because I know it's something that I lack at times. 

If you've ever had a conversation with me in any capacity, the chances are that I mentioned my Dad, who's just fantastic. Like me, but male and older, and with more dollar. (For now!) He's supportive, loving and he's focused and when I'm falling apart - which I'm doing a lot at the moment - he can always help me see clearly what I need to do. My mother is, I think, the reason that I'm a real human and not just some business-bot who just gets shit done. She's just wonderful, like Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way, from the way she strokes my hair, or takes me for coffee when I'm down - to the way she cooks me and my girls breakfasts on Sunday mornings when we're feeling delicate! My parents inspire me, but I suppose that's what they're supposed to do!

And talking of my girls, I couldn't be surrounded by a better group of friends, we're all so different, and taking different paths in life, but when we get together we just laugh. They're the best friends I've ever had. 

I've met a lot of people since I started work experience at SKV Communications years ago, and worked for and with a lot of amazing people. But when I think of who I've met that really inspired me, I can think of one person who actively inspires me. She makes me want to be a better person - since working with her, and getting to know her, I've strived to be nicer, more approachable, to go out more - I eat more chicken in a basket and that's thanks to her too! (My thighs don't love her, but I do!) Her name is Shameema, and she's wonderful - if you don't already know her, you're missing out. She works so hard, and really cares about her clients and what she does - she's simply an inspiration.

I guess the crux of this whole post, I apologise if it seems like my mind has swiftly unravelled via Posterous, is that I've realised how short life is. I was recently at a memorial service of a friend of mine, who in her 21 years had obviously touched so many hearts and changed people, and the world around her. And it made me realise that unless we decide to do something, change the world - and make life something to be proud of - it'll be over before we know it. And then what's left?

I guess I want to be an inspiration. I want to, as a good friend of mine recently put it, f**k sh*t up! I want to leave a footprint, so this is me telling you that I'm going to. I've seemed to spend a lot of time over the last few years inspiring other people, making other people believe that they can do anything - they can, we all can. But along the way I think I forgot about how to inspire myself, other people and traits can inspire me for a time - but it's up to me to do something about it right? So I probably should take my own advice and just do it.

Wish me luck.

I found this written in my mother's cookbook this morning, I love it.

"Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two."

Well, from what I’ve heard on the grapevine, this is the question on everyone’s lips.

Here’s my answer.

So, who am I? I’m a digital native. I’m a digital native who’s passionate about social media. I’m a digital native who’s passionate about a tool that I’ve been utilising and enjoying for over a decade. I’ve worked for some amazing agencies, and with some fantastic brands, and I’ve decided that I do it differently, and that other fantastic brands deserve to benefit from my unique blend of passion, insight and intelligence.

So there you have it – I set up a business, a little haven where brands can flourish online whilst their communities are nurtured and embraced. Where brands can get honest advice and real, in-depth strategy and can join the social media revolution safe in the knowledge that a digital native is looking after them every step of the way.

That’s who I know that I am, if you want to join me on this journey check Auburnise out on Twitter, or our website.

ltxx

Okay, so this week has been hectic, but here are a couple of articles that I collated that made me go oooooh. 

How to do sarcasm online... The Guardian

11 ways to measure the value of social media... Econsultancy

What do people really look at on Facebook brand pages? Find out here... Mashable

7 things that highly productive people do... Inc.

Top 10 business building tips... Momeo Magazine

Facebook plans first foray into mobile ads... Bloomberg

That's your lot, I've got too much to do today! 

If you've found something interesting, tweet me! I'd love to see... 

ltxx

Just a quick note to let you all know before you hear it on the grapevine that I’ve left Juice Digital.

It was entirely my decision, and not one that I took lightly. When it comes to choosing who you work for and with, it’s very much about chemistry and, as I’m sure we can all remember from high school, when you add hydrochloric acid to a previously stable concoction – you’re guaranteed a volatile reaction.

So in conclusion, I’m all squeezed out. But keep your beady eyes peeled for my cheeky new project - launching January 2012. 

ltxx

It's been said many times that I say, "that's interesting" too often whilst stumbling upon awesome content at work or at home - so I've decided to utilise my Instapaper account, and collate my favourite links, and then I'll share them with you on a Friday!

Some will be related to digital, social and advertising - some will be just for the lols!

So, enjoy these few - a selection of what's interested or inspired me over the last few weeks! 

Social Stuff

How social commerce works... Social Commerce Today

50% of ecommerce site visitors are logged into Facebook... TechCrunch

Some great social stats from McCann's Mobile Well Told event... The Drum

A sexy directory of companies using Fcommerce... Social Commerce Today

Facebook to launch Subscribe plug in for websites... Econsultancy

Zuck's girlf almost married him on Facebook... Gawker

Twitter's had a total redesign... Media Bistro

Twitter launches new brand pages to compete with Facebook... Media Bistro

Digital Stuff

OK Magazine's app redone to include a real-time celeb spotter... Also The Drum

47% of Britons have reviewed a product online... Econsultancy

Samsung burns the iPhone hipsters in a new advert... Buzz Feed

Fun Stuff

Coca Cola's fantastic campaign to reward honesty... Social Media Today

Schoolboy reunited with his pet chicken, thanks to Twitter... Metro

Simon Cowell's real right hand woman, and how she handles his empire, and ego... The Hollywood Reporter

So there you have it! There won't always be so much content, but this is just week one! 

Congratulations for making it this far though, I hope some of this was interesting for you too - tweet me and let me know what you liked! 

LTxx

Big news everyone, I've been inspired.

Inspired by the Telegraph's Christmas gift guide, inspired to write the song you're about to read... Please read it out loud, you all know the tune...

On the first day of Christmas, my Daddy bought for me a scanner mouse with USB, 

On the second day of Christmas, my Auntie bought for me two photo frames and a scanner mouse with USB. 

On the third day of Christmas, my brother bought for me three candles, two photo frames and a scanner mouse with USB. 

On the fourth day of Christmas, my sister bought for me four iPad cases, three candles, two photo frames and a scanner mouse with USB. 

On the fifth day of Christmas, my Grandma bought for me five hip flaskes... Four iPad cases, three candles, two photo frames and a scanner mouse with USB. 

On the sixth day of Christmas, my neighbour bought for me six Barbour jackets, five hip flasks, four iPad cases, three candles, two photo frames and scanner mouse with USB. 

On the seventh day of Christmas, my uncle bought for me seven kitschy cushions, six Barbour jackets, five hip flasks, four iPad cases, three candles, two photo frames and scanner mouse with USB. 

On the eighth day of Chrismas, my puppy bought for me eight pairs of slippers, seven kitschy cushions, six Barbour jackets, five hip flasks, four iPad cases, three candles, two photo frames and scanner mouse with USB. 

On the ninth day of Christmas, my colleague bought for me nine comedy teapots, eight pairs of slippers, seven kitschy cushions, six Barbour jackets, five hip flasks, four iPad cases, three candles, two photo frames and scanner mouse with USB. 

On the tenth day of Christmas, my houseplant bought for me ten Aspinal SatNavs, nine comedy teapots, eight pairs of slippers, seven kitschy cushions, six Barbour jackets, five hip flasks, four iPad cases, three candles, two photo frames and scanner mouse with USB. 

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my notebook bought for me eleven glass paperweights, ten Aspinal SatNavs, nine comedy teapots, eight pairs of slippers, seven kitschy cushions, six Barbour jackets, five hip flasks, four iPad cases, three candles, two photo frames and scanner mouse with USB.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my boyfriend bought for me... Something that I actually would like, not something featured in the Telegraph 'gift guide'.

Seriously guys, something is wrong when you're buying your Grandpa an Aspinal Sat Nav case surely? And I think my Dad would go mental if I bought him a DIY Handbook - and as for my Mother, she made it quite clear that if I EVER bought her something from Cath Kidston I'd be disowned. 

This might be just me, but last time I checked Christmas was about spending time with the people you love, not spending money you don't really have on stuff people don't need.

Now, please don't all be thinking that I'm Scrooge and I'm just ruining Christmas and having a strop etc, but really, if you're going to be buying someone a present - perhaps ask them what they'd like! 

Rant over guys, let's go Christmas shopping ;) 

ltxx