Of course we’re struggling to get ourselves out of Christmas mode, but even the Quality Street tin is being neglected this morning after too much Christmas excess. It must be time to come back to work.

Poor reporter Patrick only got out of bed for a few hours on Christmas Day after a nasty bout of Glandular Fever which he’s thankfully shaken off to get back to the office today. I bought Wendy, Cher and Jenny all some Christmas knickers so I hope they all got a festive airing over the break. Don’t all bosses buy their female employees knickers for Christmas?

My own Christmas was fairly laid back; however the dog and I both need to go on a diet. Yes, that old New Year chestnut.

We’ve all noticed the increasing weight-loss adverts on television and in newspapers that have no intention of letting us forget out Christmas gluttony, and already we are hearing some amazing stories about women who have lost as much as 20 stone in 12 months by setting their heart on a goal.

So as a fresh start to our New Year, we’re asking you to send us yours and you friends’ weight-loss successes.

Have you lost a lot of weight for a specific reason or after a dramatic event? Maybe a picture of yourself spurred you into action?

Either way, we are desperate to hear your success stories, and all your other real-life stories too – so time to top-up your bank balance and make cash by selling your stories.

Call us today on 0845 83 88 555 or visit FamousFeatures.co.uk and leave us your details. Someone will get back to you TODAY to start working on your story.

Off to enjoy my lunch of a lettuce leaf and a tic-tac now… but it’s nearly Easter, right?

By Sally Windsor, Famous Features Director/Editor

The familiar Christmas tunes have started up in the shops, the Advent calendars and Christmas decorations are filling up the supermarket – but all share the same problem… Who in the UK really has any spare cash this Christmas just to cover the basics.

We know that times are tough and everyone is feeling the pinch this Christmas.

However, don’t despair – there’s an easy way to make cash from home to cover your Christmas costs… and it’s all on offer through your no. 1 online press agency. That’s US of course!

FamousFeatures.co.uk are offering three ways of making some quick, extra dosh in the next few weeks:

1) We’ll pay you to appear in a magazine or newspaper.
2) Refer a friend who has a true story that would be suitable for publication in a magazine and earn £50.
3) Add us as a friend on Facebook and win £100 (look for FamousFeatures PressAgency).

Here’s all you need to know:

1) Get Paid to Appear in a Magazine or Paper
We will consider all story ideas, and interesting photos.

They must be true, and they must be suitable for a magazine article or a newspaper feature. Send us your story idea via the FamousFeatures website (www.famousfeatures.co.uk).

We will get straight back to you if we can use your idea and will let you know how much your story is likely to be worth. If you’re happy to proceed we can then auction your story to the highest bidding publication, so you’re guaranteed the most money for your story.

Please note that we receive a high volume of stories, so we can only respond to stories that would be suitable for our publications.

We do read and seriously consider all story ideas, but here’s a sample of specific stories that we’re after right now:

A married couple with a reasonably big age gap (10+ years), ideally under 40 but it’s not the end of the world if he’s a bit older.
A woman whose bloke makes hardly effort with his appearance, and he’d like him to get togged up like Joey Essex! So a bit of a metros£xual make-over.
A woman whose bloke was convicted of paedophilia.
Love Rat victims.
Cougars who dated younger men and it did or didn’t work out.
Surgery gone wrong.
Young women whose male partner/brother/dad suffers from an eating disorder.
A woman whose bloke cheated on her…with a member of his family.
A woman who is addicted to plastic surgery.
Shocking or sensational stories.
Reunited stories – love or family reunions against the odds.
Freaky or bizarre stories – unusual thinks that will shock or intrigue.
Animal stories – cute, funny or strange.
Valentines day stories – romantic ones, or heartbreak stories.
Weight loss stories – have you battled against the odds to change your life?
Holiday stories. Holiday disaster, holiday romance, or funny holiday stories.
Unusual feti$h or disorders – anything that will shock our readers!
Incredible, shocking or unique relationship stories wanted.
A true story to make your hair stand on end! Anything out of the ordinary. The person telling the story really has to believe they really did encounter the thing they’re talking about.
Former female criminals who are now successful businesswomen.

2) Refer a Friend
We give everyone £50 who refers a friend with a story that could be used for one of our magazine articles.

In some cases, if the story is a major exclusive, we are able to organise an even larger tip-off fee with the publication.

Some people even make a living from finding true-life stories for us. There is one hairdresser who works with us, and makes more from recommending us to clients than she does cutting hair! Get in touch via the Famous Features website to find out how you could become one of our top tipsters, and work with us daily.

3) Facebook Friend Competition
We’re giving away £100 this week. All you need to do is find us on Facebook (search for ‘FamousFeatures PressAgency’) and we’ll give one of our new friends £100. The draw will be made at random on 7th December 2011.

I hope you find this blog entry useful. If you want to sell your story, but don’t know where to start – please drop a Famous Features reporter a line on 0845 83 88 555 and one of us will happily help you get your story into print.

I’m not going to lie; my Saturday nights are largely made up of the same steady format: Eat dinner, bath child, (child sleeps), drink tea on sofa with my boyfriend Matt, and watch as much reality TV pap as I can physically force through my eyeballs.

And I know I’m not alone, especially since the beginning of September when the trusty King and Queen of reality TV Christmas came in to nest; since X Factor and Strictly started, I’ve been glued to both, and unlike my critical fellow journalists, I find it impossible to slag either programme off… but that doesn’t stand for the contestants.

The question on everyone’s lips tonight is; has Frankie used his last can of Elnett? Week one and that first audition – I admit it, as what would be considered an older female, I had a twinkle in my eye for this cheeky so-and-so with his multi-tattooed buttocks stated his famous conquests. Oh, to be five little letters on that left peachy cheek – or just a mere two in Jo Burrows case. I thought for, well, 30 seconds – and pegged him as one to watch.

But just as his ego, and in turn hair got bigger – his seemingly inept level of talent depleted. Pete Doherty he was not, especially not with that perfectly GHD-created ‘mess’ on his head. We all realised that he was about as rock n’ roll as a Lollipop lady. Whatever Gary says.

Once the eyeliner was slapped on like the buttercream on top of a red velvet cupcake, what transpired was something in this: He came on stage, he shouted, he touched his hair a lot, he left. It was quite an anti-climax, but well – it’s hardly stopped any of us tuning in every week. Even if every person in the country physically cringes when Tulisa does her weird arm salute.

As for Strictly, it was my first love – and it will be my last. When transfixed by a TV show I really love, it cuts so deep that I seem to be able to make the stars my imaginary best friends.

In the past, I’ve been best friends, and then mourned Adriana from the Sopranos, Stringer Bell’s mistress and I’m not going to hide the fact that in my make-believe telly world, I go round to James and Ola Jordan’s house for dinner about once a fortnight where they teach me to rumba.

What I really wanted to say is that we all get caught up in our television programmes and have our favourites – and where would our weekends be without them?

At Famous Features, reality TV show for wannabes or celebrities are just what we want to hear about. If you’re one of the famous names on Frankie’s backside, dated any of the boys from The Risk, or got on the wrong side of Nancy Dell’Olio and her outrageous demands – even a tiny bit of gossip, or photo could make you money. Get in touch with us at famousfeatures.co.uk today.
]]> http://www.famousfeatures.co.uk/blog/co-cozza-we-just-can%e2%80%99t-get-enough%e2%80%a6/feed/ 0 http://www.famousfeatures.co.uk/blog/britains-biggest-online-agency-are-famous-features/ http://www.famousfeatures.co.uk/blog/britains-biggest-online-agency-are-famous-features/#comments Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:24:03 +0000 admin http://www.famousfeatures.co.uk/blog/britains-biggest-online-agency-are-famous-features/ By Sally Windsor, joint Company Director.

You heard me right! Famous Features press agency is now both the largest and fastest growing press agency in the UK. With 11 brilliant reporters and two talented photographers, boasting a massive 10,000 contacts on our database – it’s impossible for us not to feel the need to gloat just a little.

Since begging our business four years again, my business partner Oliver McAninch and I have created eight websites under the Famous Features brand, set up a PR facility and moved into new premises THREE times to cope with our ever-increasing workforce.

Not to mention our success rate of our talented trainee reporters getting jobs within the national media. With Famous Features reporters heading up key roles in women’s weekly and glossy magazines, and national newspapers – our alumni is stretching far and wide, making the brand name ever bigger in the industry.

Just today, new Junior Reporter Patrick Gysin and Senior Reporter Jenny Francis have double-page spreads in both The Sun and The Mirror, with other massive shows in this week’s weekly magazines.

We’ve come a long way from Ollie in his geeky bedroom at his parent’s house in Bath, building our first website, and me feeding my baby, (who’s not a baby anymore), pureed mush whilst making phone calls to prospective interviewees from my kitchen in Hove!

And we intend to become even more of a force to be reckoned with in the next 12 months with some groundbreaking plans to bring the world of the press agency even more into the 21st century than we already have – so watch this blog space… and don’t forget, that if you want the best deal for your real-life story and cash before Christmas – get in touch on 0845 83 88 555.

But this time, rather than heading home for the night for a lonely supper before she goes to bed – tonight she’s doing what any other normal 28-year-old might do after work – she’s heading out on a date with Patrick, 32 – a fireman in Islington, North London.

Both of these attractive singles have been taking the lonely route home for too long, as their work life and regular night shifts have affected not just their social life, but also their love life.

Until they found Uniform Dating… Where a first date in an all night diner in Smithfield, London doesn’t seem a ridiculous idea to the couple. Or for that matter, any other Police Officers, Firefighters, Soldiers, Military Singles, Nurses, Doctors, Pilots and Air Crew that suffer the silly hours that often puts a prospective suitor off.

Jane says: ‘I’ve been single for three years, the whole time in fact that I’ve been working as a qualified nurse. After meeting someone through a regular dating agency who I actually really liked – but he’s finish work at 6pm, want to meet for drinks at 7.30pm with his friends from work – and then hook up with me at 8pm.

But that’s the time I started work. And even times when I tried to meet him, and start my shift an hour later – things were too rushed. He’d moan at me that I didn’t make any effort to be with him. He just didn’t understand what it was like working shifts at all, and we finished.

I realized then the only way I was going to meet someone else was if I met another doctor or nurse. But seeing as the hospital is hardly a place to flirt and socialize, that proved impossible too and I’ve been stumped for dates even since.

That was until a friend told me about Uniform Dating. I realized that I can’t have been the only single girl who works shifts that can’t get a fella, because the website seemed tailor-made for a nurse like me. Now I can finish my shift and rather than go home to a meal for one, stifled that I cant even ring a friend for a chat – I can go out for a meal or a coffee with someone who works the same shifts as me. It’s what I have always been waiting for!’

Whether you are looking for a man who works in a uniform and for people who fancy dating a policeman, dating a nurse, dating a fireman or trying military dating. Uniform Dating is the UK’s FREE to join dating service where lots of women and men in uniform desperately want to meet someone like them.

Then there are women like Lisa, 34. Lisa is a mum-of-two from Theale in Berkshire. She’s looking for love, but after realizing she doesn’t fancy most blokes in bars when she goes out for the night with friends, she wants to cut to the chase and find someone she knows will set her sizzling – a fireman!

Lisa says, ‘I’ve been single for about a year and whilst I’ve been set up by my mates on a few days and met a few guys in bars, I find it hard to meet anyone with that extra something. Most guys leave me bored to tears with that naff chat about their boring jobs. ‘

‘When my friends quizzed me about why I’m so picky, I realized what the problem was. What I’m really attracted to is a man in uniform, especially firefighters. So when I came across Uniform Dating via another website and I saw that I didn’t have to be a uniformed-worker to join, I jumped at the chance to meet a brave, muscly fireman.

Now I’m dating John from Reading, a fireman who has nothing but exciting stories to tell me on every date. I hang onto his every word and the uniform sets my pulse racing every time I see him!

I’m thrilled to have found the site and that it was so easy to find just who I was looking for. Every time I hear I time a siren, I get butterflies in my tummy. I’m one very happy girl.’

So visit www.uniformdating .com now to sign up today. And when you’ve got a success story of your own, make sure you tell Famous Features all about it!

I’ve just returned to the Famous Features office after a week at Boot Camp Training Live – and boy am I on cloud 9!

Ex-soldiers Billy and Boris put me and a group of ladies through our paces on the week-long residential course in Weymouth.

We endured beach work-outs, boxing sessions, rock-climbing, pier circuits and stretcher-runs – to name but a few activities!

I expected to return a shattered wreck – but I’m actually full of energy and keen to keep the regime going – my husband and friends are not sure where the old Jo has gone!

The residential camp is just as tough as other boot camps on the market – but if you can sacrifice luxury manor house accommodation for sharing a holiday caravan with fellow boot campers, it will cost you just a fraction of the price.

The women-only camp offers the same level of programme and delivers fantastic results (I lost 5lbs and 6” off my hips), as well as the constant hilarious banter from cheeky Billy and Boris – who somehow managed to make working out extremely fun.

The guys also taught us all how to improvise with every-day objects like bricks, scaffold poles and playing cards to build effective work-outs into our routines once home without an expensive gym membership.

I’d recommend this boot camp to anyone looking for a kick-start back into fitness, or even someone who is already pretty fit but after some inspiration for their workouts.

And there’s no need to worry that you’ll be left behind because you’re not quite as fit as you might like – Billy and Boris tailor the work-outs to suit the varied levels of fitness in the groups.

We had all levels on our course, and no one was left trailing behind or feeling like they weren’t being worked hard enough.

The biggest thing I was worried about was the food – I love my food and the thought of going hungry terrified me!

But the meals were always delicious and filling – you’ll be left wondering how it was possible to eat so well and still lose weight!

And to be honest, you’ll be so shattered at the end of every 7am – 5pm day you won’t care where you lay your head – you’d be able to sleep on a park bench if you had to!

Check out the website at www.militaryfitnessbootcamp.co.uk – there are lots of boot camps available, with different accommodation meaning the prices range from £400 for the budget option to £1,200 for luxury.

Here at the FamousFeatures office, we’ve been suffering from a post-Royal Wedding hangover.

The build up to what was undoubtedly the wedding of the century had us crazy with excitment for weeks (oh who are we kidding), months on end.

Speculation over who would design the dress, what the bridesmaid would wear, and whether we’d see Victoria Beckham’s bump, was all too much for one office to handle.

The bunting went up two weeks before the big day and as the 29th crept closer we crossed our fingers that the weather forecasters had got it wrong and the rain would hold off.

And when the day arrived we woke up feeling like it was Christmas.

I myself held a garden party in Clapham, south London to celebrate complete with homemade bunting, Wills and Kate posters, Union Jack flags and an abundance of royally themed cupcakes and large helpings of Pimms.

The regal fancy dress theme saw housemates and guests don RAF uniforms, Royal Soldiers outfits, union jack dresses, and Zara Phillips joppers while and I couldn’t resist stepping into a wedding dress for the occasion – why not?

And as we took our seats around the telly box we held our breath as Kate stepped out of the car. It was everything we hoped for, the dress was classically stunning – if anyone passes Sarah Burton in the street please give her a congratulatory high five from us – the ceremony was incredible, the carriage was fairytale and the balcony kiss(es) made us gush.

Also, Pippa Middleton, where did that figure come from? Can you please pass on those diet secrets? Or at least divulge the name of the personal trainer responsible!

While we let the Royals continue their celebrations behind Palace doors, we continued ours. More Pimms, more cakes and a lot of bbq-ed meat.

The day made us proud to be British and all I have to say is Chelsea Davy, if you’re reading this, I’m coming for Harry!

But now that it’s over we need YOUR wedding stories to keep us from entering too far into post- Royal Wedding sadness.

Funny moments? Marry your childhood sweetheart? Have a surprise engagement? Let us know so the Famous Features office can continue the romance for the rest of the summer!

Generally when I’ve got my heart and mind fixed on an idea, I find it near impossible to forget about it.

So, shortly after my daughter’s third birthday earlier this year, when I started to think about how great it would be to have a dog at home, I couldn’t put it to the back of my mind.

And of course, I weighed up the pros and cons. For a long time, the cons stopped me from taking the plunge. But after lots of research on different breeds, talking to breeders and owners and working out how I could tailor a pup’s needs into my daily routine – I got my daughter into the back of the car and surprised her.

‘Shall we go and get our puppy today?’ I asked her. She squealed with delight.

So after deliberating over three gorgeous litters of puppies, we chose a small Bichon Frise X Shi-Tzu, only ten weeks old.

We got him home, and named him Ralph. Then, the real fun began.

So, he’s three months old now, chews everything, and sometimes still poos in places he shouldn’t, but Kiddo and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

We are spending more time laughing and joking on walks, looking after him and watching him play, that it’s bought a whole new dimension to our lives, and so much joy.

Being a single mum, and broody as can be – it also satisfied an urge in me to look after a new little person. Ralph has become like the baby of the house, and we love him dearly.

So, what’s the problem you might ask?

Well, nothing to speak of here. It’s just everyone else with the problem.

So far, I’ve been thrown out of two parks, abused by an old man on the street for Ralph doing a poo and me not clearing it up (he didn’t), Ralph accidentally doing a little whoopsie in a colleagues office, (they called him in, but all hell broke loose when they got him over excited), and let’s say the odd indiscretion in the Famous Features office.

Oh, and did I mention those sharp little teeth that nipped my daughter’s dad quite badly? Now, my tiny puppy, who’s learning new things every day no different to a new-born is being labelled a ‘devil-dog’.

What’s all that about?

I’m not phased by his teething troubles; goodness knows I did a good job with my daughter, but why are people so offended by our pets?

Ralph is the sweetest, most gentle and lovely little thing in the world. Everyone who sees him can’t wait to get down and stroke his fluffy baby fur. So why are they so quick to want to get him away from them when he does what ‘babies do’?

Dog-owners of the world – what do you think?

Here at Famous Features, we see hundreds of tall tales about talented pets, whether it be life-saving dogs and pampered pooches, or parrots that can sing Britney Spears songs.

If like me, you love your pet and want to shout about their story, get in touch with us now. I can’t wait to see some of your photos – and don’t forget to give me your puppy training tips too!

Sally
Editor

National Newspapers and Magazines are looking for the following stories in particular.  Can you help?

You will be paid to feature in any of these magazine or newspaper articles.  Just fill in the form at www.FamousFeatures.co.uk to let us know if you would like to earn cash from any of these features:

• New Year’s Eve stories;
• Foreign love rats (girl who met a guy on holiday who did the dirty);
• X factor stories or pictures (gossip / snaps / information);
• Couples called Kate and William wanted for a magazine feature;
• People getting married 29th April next year;
• Valentines day stories (yes its that time of year already at FamousFeatures!);
• Domestic violence where the partner/husband/wife has been convicted;
• Girls who take drugs or drink excessively aged 12-18;
• Apprentice stories or pictures (anyone know any of the apprentice contestants? Any info could earn you cash);
• Shocking accident or injury pictures;
• Unusual dating stories;
• Unusual relationship stories (do you have a relationship that doesn’t conform to the norm?).

Please get in touch if you think you could help with one of these magazine or newspaper stories.  We will pay you for your participation, so visit www.FamousFeatures.co.uk today and fill out our online form.  If you would like to sell a story that isn’t on the above list, just let us know; we are looking for all kinds of stories.

(ps. our latest media requests are coming soon.  Watch this space, or follow our twitter account at http://twitter.com/StoryRequests

If like me, you’ve got a toddler who loves eating burgers and cooking them, this recipe is a great way to avoid the endless leftover dry turkey, but stay Christmassy and relatively mess-free. Perfect for us working mums!

Having first experimented on lamb and feta burgers, these perfect patties were a hit with my cooking-mad daughter Ruby, almost three. The kids will love these, and for the grown ups, Organic turkey meat is much lower in fat than normal burgers too.

Ingredients

500g turkey mince (organic)

½ red onion , grated

1 garlic clove , crushed

1 egg yolk

1 tbsp sunflower oil

4 burger buns

Cranberry sauce to serve

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Prep 10 mins

Cook 10 mins

In a large bowl, mix together the turkey mince, onion, and egg yolk with a little salt and pepper. Combine well with your hands, then shape into 4 flat burger patties.

Heat the oil in a frying pan over a high heat, then cook the burgers for 5 mins each side or until cooked through.  Toast the cut sides of the burger buns. Place the salad on the bottom halves of the warm buns, then top with the burgers and dollop of Cranberry sauce.