Lauren B.

Mangiaforte

New York, NY email: laurenmangiaforte@gmail.com web: consult-with-lbm.webs.com phone: 630 903 0432

Writing Samples
Fashioning Darlings Image on Facebook Working as a sales adviser and marketing assistant at La Boutique in St Andrews, my creative turns of phrase turned the shop owners head. Once I successfully injected some signs of life into the shops Facebook page, she asked me to create a page for her new venture, Darling of St Andrews. About Timeless Dresses and Stunning Accessories for the Woman of Taste Description Located in the breathtaking town of St Andrews, Darling takes its cues from its modern, royal, and ancient surroundings. Here, beautiful British design meets exotic materials. Here, classic cuts and fashion-forward style live together in harmony. Just like the darling town in which it is nestled, our Darling keeps up with the times while maintaining the belief that there's nothing wrong with taking a few lessons from the pastespecially when the past is gorgeous. Company Overview Premiering in Spring 2011, Darling of St Andrews is a special occasion dress and accessory boutique. We are quickly becoming the belle of Bell Street, and our luxurious products are the talk of the town. Be one of the first to experience our lavish shop and superb customer service. Mission At Darling, we believe that women should feel, well, special in their special occasion wear. We are dedicated to providing women with dresses and accessories that make them glow with pride in themselves: from prom, to bride, to grandmother of the brideand every event in between. What We Will Do * Greet you with a smile, whether you're a local, student, or visitor. * Make product suggestions based on your budget, taste, and the nature of your event. * Help you accessorize like a certain Miss Middleton. We have all the pretty things, from sparkly bling to feathery fascinators to Ascot-appropriate hats. * Offer you complimentary alterations on any dress or jacket purchased in our shop. What We Won't Do * Knowingly sell the same dress to anyone attending the same event. We know it's a small town!

Adventuresome Words for Study LCA This is a start-up thats passionate about giving all students the chance to study abroad, regardless of their financial circumstances. They chose me as their writer based on my wanderlustbut also my ability to help a company become a brand, and to help a brand become a distinctive voice. A FEW WORDS ON EXCURSIONS: GET OUT THERE. Rome. Paris. Barcelona. Theres no doubt that Europes major cities offer incredible cultural opportunities. But youd be surprised at just how vibrant outlying towns and villages can be. These arent the suburbs as you know em. One of the most exhilarating parts of studying abroad is steering off the beaten, metropolitan track for a day or twoand with our organized, safe, and hassle-free excursions, youll have plenty of chances to do so. Sit back and enjoy the sights, weve got it all covered: secure lodging, a tasty breakfast to give you a jumpstart in the morning, entrance fees to a variety of sites, and transportation back to your host city. Well even provide you with an itinerary before departure, so you dont have to spend all your time with your nose buried in a guidebook when you should be taking in your surroundings. LEARNING AND FUN CAN HAPPEN AT ONCE. When were done with you, you wont know the difference between the two. Plus, youll travel no-hassle in style while doing either (or both): all our transportation and transfers are arranged in advance. Depending on the when and where, well get you there by private coach bus or via trainwhat could be more Continental? Your Program Director will be there to lead you fearlessly through a variety of activities, including concerts and plays, visits to historical sites and art museums, and bicycle tours along beautiful boulevards and country roads. And it wouldnt be a trip to Europe without wine and beer tastings, now would it? STUDYING ABROAD IS ABOUT DOING YOUR THING. Your Program Director is there to direct the program, but also to make sure youre getting your own time to sink your teeth into your host city. Ideally, youll spend your down time between classes and excursions exploring by yourself and with friends. Do what you want to do: rent a bike and ride it along that gorgeous riverwalk in Zurich. Sit in a caf with a book and sip an espresso in Florence. Explore winding, cobblestone streets in Barcelona. Haggle with merchants over an Eiffel Tower print in Paris. Drink a beer and eat a currywurst while walking toward Brandenburg Gate. Now is your chance!

SEO-minded Articles for Sivani Designs I was called upon to produce some sexy SEO-conscious articles for European jewelry designer Silvia Nikolovs venture, Sivani Designs. She was especially concerned with reaching a higher-income, stylish male consumer. Here was one example of my continued response to her request as staff blogger. Masculine Aesthetics in the 21st Century Then and now, leather and silver have been staple materials of mens fashion. Think of your grandfathers leather jacket, or your fathers silver cuff links. In our modern world, though, the definition of masculine aesthetic has expanded, leaving men of taste with a greater range of fashion and accessory choices than ever before. In constructing her designs, artist Silvia Nikolov keeps the modern mans desires close at hand. Sivani leather wrap bracelets for men are just one example of how she effortlessly moves the masculine aesthetic forward using traditional materialsand makes a statement while doing it. For instance, her leather wrap bracelet in sterling silver and cats eye. This is a Sivani signature piece that is eye-catching as well as versatile. One of the features of this beautiful and rich black or brown leather bracelet is that it functions as both a bracelet and a necklace. It is long enough to be worn with an open linen shirt, and can wrap around an average mans wrist six times. Sexy with its cats eye tourmaline gemstones, its sterling silver tubes and lobster claw clasps provide additional elements of visual interest. This unisex piece is at once contemporary and classically masculine. Silvia Nikolovs designs are sure to keep you looking as if youve read this months issues of GQ and Esquire from cover to coverand actually taken notes. Next month, flip through the pages with a remarkable leather and sterling silver wrap bracelet on your wrist. Allow us to suggest Sivanis simple leather wrap bracelet with sterling silver. You can alter the way you wear this piece each day, depending on where you are and what youre doing. Wrap it around your wrist at a sporting event, or around your ankle at the beach. This bracelet is comprised of one long strand of 2mm thick rubber or leather. Its unique dcor includes beads of sterling silver fashioned by Thai hill tribes known for their silver-working techniques. Mens leather wrap bracelets are an accessory for every season and every decade. Making an investment in a Sivani leather and sterling silver wrap bracelet by Silvia Nikolov is a clear statement to the world that you plan on being a man of style for decades to come.

Smooth Web Content for Balance Softwares Homepage I provided a trendy software company out in Oregon with words of the highest quality for their new website and business cards. This project was completed in less than 24 hours, as my client was headed to a huge tech conference the next day. Viola! Branding in action. At Balance Software, were here to help you develop extraordinary mobile applications for iPhone, iPad, Anroid, Blackberry, Mac OS X, and beyond. For over ten years, weve specialized in assisting the likes of Fortune 100 clients make the transition from print to digital media. Our mobile application creations have facilitated many a move from traditional business to iBusiness in a single bound. How do we do this? Its entirely about balance. We balance our brightest tech talent with your business goals. Our resulting apps for iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, and Anroid balance style with practicality, and functionality with fun. Some of our previous exceptional work includes: iHeart Radio for iPhone. This clever app streams live radio direct to iPhone. With over 2,500,000 Facebook likes, this is one of our many flourishing products. Ansel Adams Viewbook for iPad. We converted this essential American artists photos, letters, and biographical materials to a sleek, interactive app that allows fans to view her works at home or on the go. James Patterson app. A downloadable app that allows readers to interact with the popular author on their mobile devices, this program includes exclusive promotional extras such as sample chapters from new releases. Our services have also been engaged to covert graphic novels, visuals-based hard covers, and other print materials to digital formatting. Balance Softwares service-oriented approach and white glove service are sure to impress. To discuss how we can collaborate to achieve your digital business balance, please contact us at: Balance Software 5285 Meadows Road, Suite 242 Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035

Easy-to-Read Political Biographies A political consultant needed 20 unbiased biographies on current Congressmen. She wanted a professional and readable tone of voice that summarized their accomplishments, personal background, and any political pet causes. Here is one such profile of Ben Lujan (D-New Mexico). This is Lauren in research assistant mode. Though a far cry from the tone of voice in my masters dissertation on Gilbert & Sullivan. New Energy for New Mexico: Ben Lujan Congressman Ben Lujan comes from a political family, on both the state and local levels. The Democrat, who currently represents New Mexicos 3rd congressional district, was born on June 7th 1972 to the current speaker of the states House of Representatives and an administrator of the Pojoaque Valley educational system. He is also kin to a former congressman and Secretary of the Interior, Manuel Lujan, Jr. Congressman Lujan was brought up in New Mexico, living in a small, agricultural community called Nambe. He graduated from Pojoaque Valley High School before enrolling at the New Mexico Highlands University, where he later received his bachelors degree in business administration. Lujan attributes his values to his upbringing in New Mexico. Indeed, the issues important to his constituents are well-represented by his appointments in the House. The Congressman is involved with several caucuses, including the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the Native American Caucus. Of primary concern to Congressman Lujan are issues involving environmental preservation and renewal energy sources. Accordingly, he is a member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the Technology and Innovation Committee, and the Energy and Environment Subcommittee. In these and other committees, including the Water and Power Subcommittee and the Committee on Natural Resources, the congressman has worked to help his state become a principal actor in leading the country toward supporting renewable and sustainable energy sources, and particularly solar energy. He believes that industries surrounding new energy sources can help to boost local, state, and national economies. To achieve these ends, he has worked on a regional level with delegates from Washington, California, and Oregon, joining the states together in the Joint Action Framework on Climate Change. In addition to his environmental work, Congressman Lujan is committed to helping underrepresented and minority groups achieve economic and cultural prosperity. As a member of the Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Subcommittee, he continues to lobby for improved conditions among Native American groups. Similarly, his energy initiatives are marked by his efforts to utilize Hispanic talent in the development of alternative energy sources.

From The Boys Who Wouldnt Grow Up The first chapter of my second novel. I. May The sun flickered above the North Sea, as it tended to do on spring mornings such as this one. Like an obedient firefly in a glass jar, its light teetered out at an uneven pace, projecting onto the enormous stone wall of the ancient castle. Everything was illuminated in this buzzing light: the earthy sand, the golden land, and the long green hairs of Scottish grass that fell over the cliffs shoulders and down into the whirling, wash-pot sea. The grass shivered in its dark and icy bath, wishing the sun would hurry up and rise. Laughing in their wheezing way, scruffy seagulls looked down at the grass from the lampposts where they perched. Seeing the birds lose their balance as their rubbery claws gripped the slippery steel rusted with years of salty rain, the grass laughed back with chattering teeth. This sacred exchange continued as tiny mice pounced from leaf to leaf, so light that no detection of their modest and urgent motions could be traced from a human or bird perspective. They hurried between the ancient brick and iron, weaving paths of trodden earth behind them in tangled yellow flowerbeds. Occasionally they took the routes left them by their furry ancestors, but most of the time they scurried in whatever direction they smelled a discarded kebob or a beautiful Scottish flower. The mice were like that in those daysthe mice were just like everyone else. The sandy beach at the foot of the castle was several dozens of feetor metres, if that was your sort of thingbelow the castles outer wall. To access it, you had to struggle down the steep, wide steps that wound down the castles side like a curled spine. Being careful not to lose balance was of the utmost importance, for the consequences of doing so were fatal. This was a heroic challenge in the traditionally wet Scottish weather, particularly when you had a glass bottle of wine in your hand, or a few drinks from the pub sloshing around your stomach like the churning sea below. No one could really say whether climbing down or climbing up was more perilous than the other, and no one ever really did either unless it was very early in the morning or very late at night. During the warmer seasons, the beach was a popular gathering place for the students at the university, who exploited the townspeople and polices shared dislike for the steps as an excuse to do many things, among them: falling in love, breaking up, selling drugs, buying drugs, taking drugs, dancing, smoking, singing, crying, laughing, starting fires and putting them out, proclaiming Gods goodness, cursing His unfairness, and on several special occasions people even used the rocks to the West of the beach as a hard place to fall from the castles high wall atop the cliffs. When someone did this, it was usually reported in the St Albas Chronicle to have been an accident. For one thing, the view from the cliffs was much more beautiful looking outward rather than down, where stretches of volcanic rock had settled like crumpled, porous rags of a ruddy brown color. Looking towards the horizon, the calm rocking of the waves stretching out before you, joyous in the moonlight and sunlight alike, it seemed wasteful to do anything but be alive. The locals thought it a cause for great concern, and a commentary on what was wrong

with the privileged youth of St Albas, when someone suggested by doing it that it might be possible to want to kill your self in a place as breathtaking as that. On this particular morning, though, no one wanted to die. This wasnt just because everyone had been drinking since the sun went down last night. It was because this was May 1st, and everyone wanted to run into the sea.