Happy New Year you lovely lot!
First of all, Ell and I did this shoot over Christmas by my Mama's house at Souter Lighthouse in Whitburn by the sea. A place I've loved ever since I went on a school trip there when I was about seven. I’d had this shoot in my head for ages and I’m so happy with the way it turned out. Elliott did such a good job making it look as Wes Anderson-esque as I’d imagined and I think the outfit and location work perfectly - I love the colours. I hope you guys like the snaps just as much as me!
So anyway - new year, new me - that old chestnut whacked out every year by every Tom, Dick and Harry that thinks they're gonna start the new year with a sparkling halo of goodness atop their head... Well, in this instance I actually feel like I’m allowed to use it as this year brings a massive change for me.
Ever since I left University (Manchester Met where I studied Fashion Buying) I’ve worked full time within the fashion industry, in the form of something relating to a Digital Merchandiser, and I have (on the whole) loved it. When I moved to London back in 2012 from Manchester where I was interning part time for a digital start up, and working part time for Mulberry selling beautiful bags to people (but also clawing my eyes out at times on quiet days it was that boring), with no job lined up it was, to say the least, a leap of faith. I believed I could get a job easier being in London and I had to believe that. I had to believe in myself. Frankly not an easy task for 22 year-old me but I did it anyway. I was desperate to move to London, be with my friends who were already there ‘living the dream’ and be amongst it all. I was lucky that I had friends already there to host me in the interim of setting up life, and will be forever grateful to them for welcoming me in with open arms (and alcoholic beverages). I did, and still do, think that London is the fashion capital of the world. London is always my favourite of the fashion weeks and us brits really do know a thing or two about pushing sartorial boundaries (not that I am personally that wild tbf but I can absolutely appreciate those that are). Fast forward six years later and here I am, having handed in my notice at my solid, reliable, office based full time role at Fenwick and forcing myself to really believe in me once again as I venture into the unknown, WFH freelance life as a blogger/ part time Influencer community coordinator. I’m not gonna lie, I’m excited and terrified in equal measures but I feel in a good place, I love what I do and I want to do it every day for as long as I can so I’m throwing myself in and hoping you’ll all come along for the ride.
I'm massively looking forward to having more time to work on my blog content, both shooting creative imagery and also writing more too. Up until now i've been writing posts long into the night, at weekend, lunchtime and basically whenever Ive had a spare minute so actually being able to sit down, think straight and type away to my hearts content will be amazing. I also want to get super organised and get better at planning out content in advance and planning out collaborations etc. too. I'm bursting with ideas and excitement so here's to 2018 - new year, same me really but a very different day to day life and I can't bloody wait!
Always love to hear from you guys too so don't hesitate to give me a shout, leave a comment, send me an email, whatever you fancy, if you have any ideas or suggestions of what you'd like to see here/ on my Instagram! As always, thank you for sticking round, for reading, liking, commenting and ultimately your support - I couldn't do it without you!
Rachael
x