When I wrote my first blog, I had aspirations of being a real life Carrie Bradshaw, but life got in the way...just a tad!
At the end of last year, I made the decision to get a full time job. I had become so complacent at Wallis that I was satisfied working 16 hours for basically no money, just because I got to work with people I got on with and around numerous clothes, telling people what to wear for a job. Accessorising was my forte and I was good at it. Then my boyfriend's lodger voiced that he was going to move out and my boyfriend voiced that he didn't want a new lodger, but wanted me to live there instead. Well, neither of us could have afforded to do that on my old wage so, against my better nature, I settled for a full time job, answering the phones to people buying power tools!
Out of character? Yes, but let's look at the brilliant aspects of this new career choice. I am being paid more than previously, working 40 hours a week, talking on the phone all day long. A perfect job for some one like me who finds it difficult to shut up. Now, after just three months of working there, I am looking to progress to a job more suited to my skills. As I write this, I am awaiting news as to whether or not, I have got a job in head office at the same company as a marketing assistant. I would love it! Honestly, when they told me I had a second interview I let out a squeal of delight. Maybe slightly unprofessional, but it was like Simon Cowell had told me I had made it through to the judges houses!
Further to this, I am now living with the boyfriend and facing what it is to be a grown up. I like to think he's grown a little bit too (mainly because he is an inch shorter than me). What I really mean is that he no longer takes his washing to his mum's house. Nope, that is now my job. To my dismay however, not satisfied with me doing his washing and ironing, he came home from work the other day and said, "Can I ask you a question without you going off on one?" Me? Go off on one? Never! He continues, "When you do the ironing, could you iron my pants too?" ...Enter my expletive response here...
As for my never blogging? I am finding it difficult to connect my laptop to the boyfriend's Internet, and though he has a computer, his is connected to the television and his keyboard leaves a lot to be desired. There may be a few grammatical, or spelling errors in this and this is due to the simple fact that I have to hit the keys so hard that, this far in, my finger tips are bleeding!
The other thing is of course that I have less time on my hands on account of more than doubling my working hours, and not being able to ue the computer when football is on, which I am now learning is ALL THE TIME! Thanks very much Sky Sports. I have only found time now as the boyfriend is at his mate's house playing computer games. What was I saying about him growing up?
The burning question on all of your lips however, is likely to be, "What of the Von Trapp curtain dress that was destined for London Fashion Week?" Honestly? It was 'Von Crap'! I had dreams of a beautifully fitting elegant dress, with a shallow scoop neck, a low back and a knee skimming tight, pencil skirted bottom. The skirt part went magnificently, the top was ridiculous. For a long time now I have considered myself to have ample bosom, well I may have over estimated this by not one, not two, but TEN cup sizes! This dress is perfect for Jordan, should she decide that pastel yellow floral embossed dresses formerly known as curtains, are the 'in' thing.
The attempt, as it can only be referred to, remains in the bottom of my wardrobe at my parent's house, and the sewing machine has not been used since. Not because I am disheartened by my futile attempts to be Vivienne Westwood, but because I am now living in a much smaller house, so there simply isn't the room for my beautifully kitch sewing machine.
Despite this, I do believe that you would be proud of me if you only saw the dressing room I have made of the ex-lodger's lodgings! It is Laura Ashley perfect!
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Complaints and Curtains
I think that it is about time for my new project. Yes I have turned a dress into a cushion, but what about a pair of curtains into a dress? Think of it as Golightly meets Von Trapp. It shall be as classic as Audrey Hepburn but at the end of the day it will be made from a pair of curtains, donated by my boyfriend, he's not too thrilled with my plan.
I am going to assume that this is going to be a much harder task than my first as I must use proper measurements if I intend to wear it. Despite this, I will take on the challenge as soon as I remember to take the curtains out of my boyfriend's bedroom and into my own. Must probably add here that these curtains are no longer in use, I am not literally taking the curtains from his window leaving his bedroom exposed to seagull eyes. Nope, they have been replaced with a stylish chocolate coloured pair, on my advice of course.
Pictures of my masterpiece will definitely follow. I cannot leave this project undocumented.
I cleared out my wardrobe yesterday. I was the most ruthless I have ever been, yet my wardrobe is still full of clothes. Both my mother and my boyfriend feel that it is because I buy too many. My boyfriend even referred to me as a "secret shopaholic", my response was that it is certainly no secret. However, when I thought about it in depth for an entire 5 minutes, I deduced that I am not addicted to shopping, but just owning new clothes. Carly from work donated me two cardigans that she no longer wears and I was just as excited by those as I would have been about two brand new cardigans.
I have decided that I will prove that I am a clothesaholic rather than a shopaholic in the completion of my dress formerly known as curtains.
While I think about shopping, it must be said, that after four years of working with Wallis, I am resigning to move into a swanky new full time job. I will still be selling, but I will be away from fashion retail. Very sad face. However, I am super excited about starting the new job and being away from the prying eyes of Mary Porter and her secret shoppers.
That's right, they're everywhere. It was brought to my attention at work that on Mary Porter's website there is a page dedicated to the general public and there comments on customer service they have received. The first thing that occurred to me was that people are quicker to comment on bad customer service than good. Let's be honest, who has ever turned to a friend and said, "I went shopping today and the man in Tesco was really nice to me"? I haven't. In fact, it goes the other way too.
Case and point? Whilst at work one day I received a phone call from a customer looking for a particular item of clothing. Here is how the conversation went as follows:
Customer - I was wondering if you had a black knitted dress with ribbing?
Me - It doesn't sound like anything we have on the shop floor, can you tell me anything else about it?
Customer - Well I know you have it, I saw it yesterday. I have the line number.
She proceeds to tell me the line number, I mishear a nine for a one so am wrong when I repeat it back to her, this does not impress her.
I go away and find the jumper and put it on hold for her.
To this day, I believe that the customer asked the wrong question from the start. She should have said, "I saw a knitted dress in your store yesterday I was wondering if you still had my size?" That way it would have been easier for me to determine which one she could have possibly meant.
In this story though, it is not the actual incident that is my point. My point is that the following day, this is the story I decided to tell Amanda. Of all the customers I had served the previous day, all of the customers who were a joy to serve, this one was the one that I remembered enough to tell Amanda about. You can probably guess where this is going, the customer was in the shop to collect her jumper and overheard me slagging her off for being rude. She told me that she had found me rude on the phone. Not one to embarrass easily, I went and fetched the jumper for her and let Amanda process the sale.
Woopsy Daisy!
I am going to assume that this is going to be a much harder task than my first as I must use proper measurements if I intend to wear it. Despite this, I will take on the challenge as soon as I remember to take the curtains out of my boyfriend's bedroom and into my own. Must probably add here that these curtains are no longer in use, I am not literally taking the curtains from his window leaving his bedroom exposed to seagull eyes. Nope, they have been replaced with a stylish chocolate coloured pair, on my advice of course.
Pictures of my masterpiece will definitely follow. I cannot leave this project undocumented.
I cleared out my wardrobe yesterday. I was the most ruthless I have ever been, yet my wardrobe is still full of clothes. Both my mother and my boyfriend feel that it is because I buy too many. My boyfriend even referred to me as a "secret shopaholic", my response was that it is certainly no secret. However, when I thought about it in depth for an entire 5 minutes, I deduced that I am not addicted to shopping, but just owning new clothes. Carly from work donated me two cardigans that she no longer wears and I was just as excited by those as I would have been about two brand new cardigans.
I have decided that I will prove that I am a clothesaholic rather than a shopaholic in the completion of my dress formerly known as curtains.
While I think about shopping, it must be said, that after four years of working with Wallis, I am resigning to move into a swanky new full time job. I will still be selling, but I will be away from fashion retail. Very sad face. However, I am super excited about starting the new job and being away from the prying eyes of Mary Porter and her secret shoppers.
That's right, they're everywhere. It was brought to my attention at work that on Mary Porter's website there is a page dedicated to the general public and there comments on customer service they have received. The first thing that occurred to me was that people are quicker to comment on bad customer service than good. Let's be honest, who has ever turned to a friend and said, "I went shopping today and the man in Tesco was really nice to me"? I haven't. In fact, it goes the other way too.
Case and point? Whilst at work one day I received a phone call from a customer looking for a particular item of clothing. Here is how the conversation went as follows:
Customer - I was wondering if you had a black knitted dress with ribbing?
Me - It doesn't sound like anything we have on the shop floor, can you tell me anything else about it?
Customer - Well I know you have it, I saw it yesterday. I have the line number.
She proceeds to tell me the line number, I mishear a nine for a one so am wrong when I repeat it back to her, this does not impress her.
I go away and find the jumper and put it on hold for her.
To this day, I believe that the customer asked the wrong question from the start. She should have said, "I saw a knitted dress in your store yesterday I was wondering if you still had my size?" That way it would have been easier for me to determine which one she could have possibly meant.
In this story though, it is not the actual incident that is my point. My point is that the following day, this is the story I decided to tell Amanda. Of all the customers I had served the previous day, all of the customers who were a joy to serve, this one was the one that I remembered enough to tell Amanda about. You can probably guess where this is going, the customer was in the shop to collect her jumper and overheard me slagging her off for being rude. She told me that she had found me rude on the phone. Not one to embarrass easily, I went and fetched the jumper for her and let Amanda process the sale.
Woopsy Daisy!
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
I'm a seamstress not a miliner you goon!
Floral prints are absolutely everywhere at the moment. Although Cath Kidston is never out of fashion, handicraft florals are the rage. In fact, it is a trend that even Wallis are following at the moment, unusual for them to get the right trend at the right time, but they have seemingly nailed it this season.
My point? I love florals and girlishness and lace. It is a trend I can definitely get on board, I just don't have the finances at the moment to splash out on the latest pieces. I figured, being the hoarder that I am, that I am bound to have something appropriate in my wardrobe. I was right. I have numerous dresses with simple flowery designs covering from seam to seam. One River Island dress that I loved in particular, as it was not only bold florals, but it was covered in tastefully placed sequins too. Ooh I love the sparkle! So I tried it on. Here is where I should add that I have recently lost weight. Not a great amount, but enough to mean that some garments from my past no longer suit. This dress was one of them!
Previously the dress looked like this. Like I said, I was bigger then. This time when I tried it on it was frumpy and loose all over, the neckline was far too low so that if I had chosen to wear it everyone would have seen boobage. I was disappointed to say the least, despite the confidence boost from how skinny I've obviously become!In an attempt to grasp every opportunity by its metaphorical balls, I began to think. I began to think that here was an opportunity for me to use the sewing machine I bought for myself for the first time. That's right, three months after awarding myself with a gift, I will put it to use! This now frumpy dress was going to have a new life as a cushion!
It was an arduous task. Mainly because the dress had an awkward lining that had to be removed. Nothing at all to do with the fact that I have never sewn anything before in my life. Seriously, I ask my dad to sew on missing buttons for me. Well no more.
I cut and pinned and placed and finally sewed! Ok, so it isn't what I would consider "shop ready" but for a first ever attempt I am pretty pleased with it. It is obviously a cushion and it is the first Scarlotte original piece.
Here is where I should announce that I have already devised my own brand. Scarlotte. It makes sense, trust me.
So here it is, in all its glory. My cushion!
I bet you're all pretty impressed right now!
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
22 and eleven twelfths.
I never thought that turning 23 would be scary. It's not considered old at all. Having said that, I am tired of having to consider what I have already accomplished and what I am yet to.
So what if I still live with my parents? So what if I haven't pinned down my dream job yet? I consider myself to be on the right track. I have my degree and I have my ambition, all I need now is opportunity. Where do you find opportunity? "Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon 'em".* I must be one of those set to achieve greatness. This is my starting point.
I purchased myself a sewing machine before Christmas. It is humble and inexpensive, but I hope it will teach me tricks of the trade. Yes I know what top must be worn with what skirt and what colour must never ever be worn with another colour, but it means nothing without the practical knowledge behind it.
For years I have influenced the fashion choices of my friends. Just ask Cherry, who would wear an ill fitting t-shirt sporting the face of Winston Churchill, with a plaid, calf length skirt and what can only be described as walking boots threaded with starry laces. I must say, this one was my first challenge! I loved her dearly no matter what she wore, but it was difficult to want to see her in public places. Shopping with her was a nightmare too. She was adamant that she would not wear trousers (except the jodhpurs stored away in her wardrobe from her horse riding days), she was adamant she would not wear colour. So strictly black and white and strictly skirted. Hmm. School uniform anyone?
Enter me. The force to be reckoned with. Now we see a beautiful young woman, allowing all who pass a glimpse of her perfect hour glass figure in a knee skimming Aline dress. And by the way, it is navy blue and covered in flowers of pinks, blues, greens, yellows and reds. Beautiful. What shoes does she where with this strapless party number? Why turquoise stilettos of course. Lesson learnt. Next project.
It is all very well giving fashion advice to your best friends, but I want to be bigger than that. I want to style the models and the celebs. The ones that look fab in everything but need me to transform a little black dress into this seasons must have look with shoes the colour of Quality Streets and clutch bags that contrast yet compliment. That is who I will be.
Now....
...where did I put that opportunity?
So what if I still live with my parents? So what if I haven't pinned down my dream job yet? I consider myself to be on the right track. I have my degree and I have my ambition, all I need now is opportunity. Where do you find opportunity? "Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon 'em".* I must be one of those set to achieve greatness. This is my starting point.
I purchased myself a sewing machine before Christmas. It is humble and inexpensive, but I hope it will teach me tricks of the trade. Yes I know what top must be worn with what skirt and what colour must never ever be worn with another colour, but it means nothing without the practical knowledge behind it.
For years I have influenced the fashion choices of my friends. Just ask Cherry, who would wear an ill fitting t-shirt sporting the face of Winston Churchill, with a plaid, calf length skirt and what can only be described as walking boots threaded with starry laces. I must say, this one was my first challenge! I loved her dearly no matter what she wore, but it was difficult to want to see her in public places. Shopping with her was a nightmare too. She was adamant that she would not wear trousers (except the jodhpurs stored away in her wardrobe from her horse riding days), she was adamant she would not wear colour. So strictly black and white and strictly skirted. Hmm. School uniform anyone?
Enter me. The force to be reckoned with. Now we see a beautiful young woman, allowing all who pass a glimpse of her perfect hour glass figure in a knee skimming Aline dress. And by the way, it is navy blue and covered in flowers of pinks, blues, greens, yellows and reds. Beautiful. What shoes does she where with this strapless party number? Why turquoise stilettos of course. Lesson learnt. Next project.
It is all very well giving fashion advice to your best friends, but I want to be bigger than that. I want to style the models and the celebs. The ones that look fab in everything but need me to transform a little black dress into this seasons must have look with shoes the colour of Quality Streets and clutch bags that contrast yet compliment. That is who I will be.
Now....
...where did I put that opportunity?
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