My work experience at Cosmopolitan magazine: part one

Ever since my first-year student self abandoned the idea of becoming a forensic linguist (true story dat) and set my peep toes firmly on the path to a career in writing for glossy magazines (a dream inspired largely by a particularly decadent issue of CN Traveller- but that's another story for another day), Cosmo has been the holy grail for me. For many journalists, The Guardian, or The New York Times is where it's at, but for me, it's always been Cosmo. Three applications for work experience later (I'm nothing if not persistent when I know what I want), I finally received an email back in October saying that I had secured work experience at Cosmo. Cue four months of panicking over what to wear, scrutinising old issues from cover to cover (more of a pleasure than a chore, really) and generally being very excited.

My first day, I was so excited, which makes a change, as I'm usually a bundle of nerves when I come to work experience placements - but this time I just wanted to get stuck in. Having narrowly avoided rocking up to the wrong building (Hearst Magazines have two buildings within the same street!) I arrived.

My first hour, I was a little bit star struck! Having followed many of these people on Twitter for ages, digging around for titbits and insights into what it's actually like to work at Cosmo, it was exciting and intimidating to finally be meeting them. Cue verbal diarrhea as I gushed at Rosie Mullender (Deputy Features Ed and enviably talented writer) how much I love her Burrito Blog before accosting Gem of Gem Fatale fame in the kitchen (Cosmo and Company magazine share an office), clearly knowing waaaay too much about her (an occupational hazard of blogging), then having to back track and explain that I had met her at the Company magazine blogger forum, and was not in fact a crazy stalker (all this as I was brandishing a kettle and a somewhat bent teaspoon)!

Naturally, I have undertaken the stereotypical work experience task of tea-making. Although many see this as the lowest of the low, a task assigned to those at the bottom of the office food-chain, any seasoned "workie" knows that it presents a fabulous opportunity to network. Turns out people are more receptive to chatting when waiting for a kettle to boil than they are when trying to respond to emails, answer 8 phones ringing simultaneously and meet a deadline. Who knew? The office kitchen is a great place to strike up conversation (although I did become cripplingly tongue-tied when I shared kitchen time with Company magazine editor Victoria White!)

Another task I have been asked to do is transcribe several interviews which the team have conducted, both with celebrities and non-celebs. A task which any journalism workie is oh-so-familiar with, I actually really enjoy transcribing interviews - not only do you get to hear the bits which don't make it into the magazine, it's a great way to learn new interviewing skills by observing techniques that journalists use to get information they want, lead conversations in the direction they want, and elicit print-worthy quotes from their subject.

My lowest point so far was my attempt at vox-popping. Having done a small amount of vox-popping at The Yorker, I was keen to improve my skills by going out onto the mean streets of London and ensnaring young men to feature on the "Twenty men who..." page (a feature which sees twenty random men answering the same question). No problem, I thought, there must be a plethora of men who would love to be featured in a national magazine, photo and all, read by thousands of women nationwide. Off I trotted, armed with a notebook, camera and oodles of naive optimism.

And so the problems began. Whilst past questions for the feature have included the relatively tame "What is the last thing you argued about with your girlfriend?", this month's question was "How do you feel if a girl is braver/ more adventurous in bed than you are?". Go out onto the streets right now, collar a dashing young man and see if you can get him to answer that question. I dare you. After a couple of hours of wandering the streets of the West End, accosting countless game-looking guys, I had to return to the office with my tail between my legs and just one respondent. At this point I was angry and disappointed with myself - I had been offered a chance to show what I was capable of, yet was left feeling like I had failed.

On the upside, my highlight so far was being invited to join in a planning meeting for the summer issue of Cosmo on Campus. Not only was I invited to join the meeting, but as a recent graduate, the team genuinely wanted to hear my opinion on some of the ideas thrown around, as well as allowing me to share my own ideas, a very gratifying opportunity, and one that intensified my desire to one day become a permanent member of the Cosmo team.

Between all this, and other tasks including web-based research, phoning film company PRs, organising interviews and generally getting stuck in, my time at Cosmo is going heart-breakingly fast. On the plus side, I am actually excited to be going to work on Monday morning- and I bet there aren't many people who can say that!

Labrinth feat. Emeli Sandé - Beneath Your Beautiful

Love, love, loving this beautiful track at the moment. Thought-provoking lyrics and perfectly executed, as expected of the wonderful Emeli Sande. Hit play, close your eyes and relax.

Photo of the day: 18/02/2013

I spent this weekend back in my old stomping ground, York, and one of the highlight's was catching up with the lovely Rhi. Although our charity shop crawl was unsuccessful, we stopped off at a craft market in the shadow of the Minster, and she managed to sneak off and buy me this gift without my knowledge. It now has pride of place on my bedroom wall!

Photo of the day: 17/02/2013

A little sugary snack I picked up for my train journey back from York, from Candy Avenue, a new American sweet shop in York.

Photo of the day: 16/02/2013

Returning to York for the weekend, it was reassuring to notice that not a lot had changed. However, what I did discover was a new cupcake shop, nestled in the shadow of the Minster. Situated next-door-but-one to the already existing Vanilla Cafe (who must have been more than miffed when the new place opened), Crumbs Cupcakery is the perfect place to refuel after a morning shopping. Obviously, it will never compare to my beloved Sooty's - for a start the cakes were nowhere near as nice- but the kitsch teapots made for a nice photo!

Photo of the day: 14/02/2013

Photo of the day: 10/02/2013

Today's photo comes courtesy of the macarons I picked up in Borough Market, London, yesterday. It seems that this sweet treat is taking over as the cupcake of this decade. Admittedly this presentation does little to rival the elegance and grandeur of a Ladurée box, bought with love (and lots of money) from Fortnum & Mason, and the journey they took around London in the bottom of my handbag did nothing to enhance their image. Still tasted great though! 

Comptoir Gourmand, Borough Market

Photo of the day: 09/02/2013

Yesterday's photo is this landscape of London; specifically, the view from the newly opened Shard building in London. Unfortunately we chose a foggy day, so the view was somewhat restricted - we couldn't even see Crystal Palace! The views to the East were the most impressive, with views of the sweeping Thames flanked by Tower Bridge, and Canary Wharf in the distance.

A naughty extravagance

I did something really naughty recently - something which I almost never do. An extravagance in which I should not have indulged. In my defence, Mother Goose thought it was a good idea and she really, really never does this.

 I bought the same dress in two different colours.

In my defence, it's quite a versatile little number, as seen below. It can be worn casually, for a trip to the seaside (it conjures up images of deckchairs and lashings of ginger beer), and in my head is a classic British piece. However, it is not from Boden or Whistles, but from our trusty friend *hushed tones* Primark.

It can also be dressed up for office wear, or a more formal occasion, with a blazer. With belt, without belt, flat shoes, wedges.....the possibilities are endless. And at only £13 each, how could I not?!

I also indulged and bought the jumper which I was harping on about in my weekly wishlist a couple of weeks ago. Although a bit of a splurge at £38, I knew I'd regret it if I resisted.

That's my funds exhausted for a couple of months!

My weekly wishlist 02/02/2013

I'm feeling quite monochromous (monochromy? Either way I just invented a new word) this week. Fashion seems to be at one end of the colour scale or the other at the moment with spring pastels fighting an ongoing battle with black and white.

Untitled #2 by scribbling-lau featuring leather hats

This sixties style dress is an absolute bargain from Peacocks (£22), and would be a great addition to any work wear wardrobe. Although it may seem a bit premature to be looking for light summery dresses, the heavy fabric ensures that it can be worn all year round, and the versatile colour scheme lends itself well to a marriage with black tights, until the summer is really here.

Peter Pan style collars are everywhere at the moment, and fortunately this is one trend that doesn't require an expensive wardrobe revamp. Most high street stores are selling stand-alone collars, allowing you to jazz up your pre-existing clobber. From pearls to lace, dainty to chunky, there is something for every style, but my personal favourite is the pearl beaded collar from New Look (£7.99).

Sticking with the monochrome theme, I've had a hankering for a wide brim black fedora hat all winter - a side effect from an autumnal overdose of Made in Chelsea, I believe- and although this beauty from Topshop is my ideal purchase, it'll be a while before I can justify spending £32 on a hat.

Last but by no means least is the gorgeous Eiffel Tower, an absolute bargain at £3.10 from Forever 21, my new favourite store, It doesn't work too well with the monochrome backdrop, but a girl needs a little colour in her life, and with Valentine's Day fast approaching, what could be cuter?