Today is the first day that I’ve turned my computer on in at least a week! Life has been even more chaotic than usual, as I had to sit my Department Manager panel— which is like an assessment— at work and there was so much training I had to do. Thankfully, I passed so a new store with my very own department, plus a nice pay rise is coming my way! Finally the 12hr days are beginning to pay off (& I’m sure there’s plenty more to come!)
When I’ve not been cracking on with retail jargon, I’ve been photographing a friends wedding and spending some quality time with my own bridesmaids. Apart from that, I’ve been exhausted. Truly, exhausted. I’ve lost my focus with blogging a bit, but it’s not something I intend to give up! I just need to muster the energy to tidy my flat (I can’t work in messy conditions!) and find the time— hopefully being at my new store will help— to blog, because I have so much to share. I’m still reading all your lovely blogs and comments!
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Filed under: Admin, Life and Love, Work |
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Image by Helgasms!
Life has been absolutely hectic, and not in a good way either! A typical day involves waking up at 4am to get ready for work and be there at 6am, ask to go home at around 5pm (yeah, asking to go home when I’ve already been there 11hrs with just a 30 minute break, thankyouverymuch!), get home at around 6pm and make dinner and tidy up a little for when my fiance comes home at around 7:30pm, eat and then fall asleep on the sofa at around 9pm, before mustering the energy to climb into bed shortly after. There’s simply been no time for blogging, seeing friends or family, housework, photography, reading, or anything fun! This does not a happy Aimee make. 6pm isn’t exactly late to be getting home, but it is when you’ve been up for 14hrs, and have to get up in another 10! This job is killing me, both physically and mentally. I’ve applied for exactly 34 jobs since 6th May and I’ve heard zilch, and I’m starting to lose the will to live.
In happier news, our wedding plans are going swimmingly! The thought of it has been keeping me going, when sometimes I’ve been so tired, bored and irritated (at work) that I just want to cry. I’ve been talking dresses, cupcakes and colour schemes to any ear that will listen. I love it. I think I might be turning into one of those mothers with newborn babies that can’t talk about anything else but their offspring. This wedding is like my little sprog! We’ve got so many great, unique ideas! I just want to plan it all now— and while that’s a GREAT idea— some of it is just not feasible to be doing this far ahead. We have been designing our Save The Date cards though, and they’re going to be awesome.
I’ve also been working on my 101 in 1001 list, which I haven’t even managed to finish writing yet!
Do you have a 101 in 1001 list? What’s on it? I need some inspiration! What do you want to accomplish in life?
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Filed under: 101 in 1001, Weddings, Work |
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Sometimes, I find myself sitting in my work uniform when I get home and it never feels like the day has actually ended. I veg out in front of the TV and then I realise if I did this every night, life would pass me by quicker than you can say ‘procrastination’! I’m not saying I want to come home and work, work, work, but it’s important to do something with your spare time, isn’t it? If there’s one thing better than finishing work for the day, it’s coming home from work AND pampering yourself into complete relaxation and tranquility, with a few little, simple treats and feeling like you’ve accomplished something too (no matter how small.) Bliss! So, put your feet up and let the unwinding begin…
Image by Pink Sherbet Photography
Get organised. Work, unfortunately, doesn’t always end at your front door. If you’re anything like me, you won’t be able to fully de-stress if you know there’s a pile of washing up waiting to sparkle, or the floor needs vacuuming, or something equally tedious. It’s tempting to kick off your shoes and just relax straight away, but spend just 10 minutes doing something, whether it’s sorting out your finances, putting a load of washing on, or putting your clothes away. A little weight will be lifted off your shoulders instantly!
Shower. Wash the day away! You will feel so much better.
Feet. If you haven’t got one already, invest in a foot spa. They’re lush. You can always make do with your own DIY attempt though— fill an old washing up bowl up with bubbles and hot water, and feel the tension rushing out of your body! Finish up with a foot scrub and massage a scrumptious body butter into your toots! Yum. Make sure you pay extra attention to your aching muscles and dry skin.
Nails. There’s no better quick pick-me-up than a mani-pedi! File your nails and paint them your fav refreshing shade. Don’t forget your (now lovely and soft) toes either! It might be miserable weather (in England at least), but who knows when you might have to crack out the sandals next!
Music. Put on some soothing music and lay down for a while. Alternatively, put on the heaviest tunes you can find and rock-the-fuck-out! Whatever floats your boat.
Books. Reading is really important, but something I rarely find the time to indulge in. Now is the perfect time to kick back and relax with a trashy book. Whatever genre, it has to be exciting— it doesn’t count as fun if you’re reading something related to your job or studies!
Hobbies. Do whatever it is you enjoy— photography; baking; blogging; composing music; riding your bike; craft; knitting; hacking up old clothes into new; whatever it is, get stuck in.
Friends. Contact that friend that you’ve been meaning to speak to for ages, whether it’s face-to-face, over the phone or via email. Catch-up!
What do you do to unwind after a long day?
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Filed under: Articles, Hints, Tips and Advice, Inspiration, Life and Love, Work |
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Well, I’ve been scoffing pastries, getting addicted to Cadbury Twirls, making spotify playlists, spring-cleaning and rearranging furniture around the flat, applying for My Dream Job among others, hating the odd flurries of snow, catching up with family and friends, slacking on my 365 project… oh and launching my brand new photography portfolio and business!
Yes, that’s right. This girl’s in business! Spread the word! I’m still in the very early stages of the business aspects, but it’s all very exciting. As you’ll see, it’s not quite up yet, but I couldn’t keep it under wraps for much longer— I’ll let you know when it’s live!
I had a realisation after months of being seriously unhappy in my retail management job and too many shed tears— why am I doing this to myself?! I was very flattered when I was asked to undertake management training and it blinded me from the fact that I never wanted to go down this route! All of the unhappiness of late had clouded my vision and I temporarily lost sight of my creative dream, but I’m now beginning to get back on track. I’m still there until I find another job, but now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, rather than darkness! I kept telling myself that there wasn’t much need for creative services during the recession, but I was wrong & now I’m working towards my own destiny, rather than letting it fall into my lap.
It’s all about positive mental attitude. When someone asks what I do, I now say “have fun!”— we all need some enjoyment & shouldn’t be defined by our job (particularly if it’s one you despise!) I think it’s really important to forget about your day job when you get home & distance yourself from it, before you get bogged down.
Separating my (semi-personal) blog and professional business portfolio now means I can focus on both, without worrying about the boundaries between the two, merging. The blog can become more fun / personal and I’ll still have a working, slick portfolio for my clients. Hooray!
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Filed under: Admin, Photography, Work |
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Okay, so here’s the deal: Remember a few years ago when you found yourself saying, “When I grow up I want to be…”? Well that is suddenly now. You’ve grown up. We’re grown-ups! But have you found that your efforts haven’t really got you anywhere? Don’t worry, it’s never too late to break into the creative industries.
Firstly, I strongly believe that you need to be in a career that you wholeheartedly love & enjoy, so think about all the things that you do everyday that inspire you– do you love photographing your family? Can you differentiate between good typefaces & bad? Do you enjoy shopping & giving fantastic fashion advice? All of these things that you like can be made into a vocation & career, but it will take a lot of hard work from you.
Now might not be the best time for money-making in the creative industries, what with the recession– but stick at what you do best, as no industry is completely recession-proof, so you may as well be working towards something you enjoy! When the bad-times are over, you don’t want your craft to have depreciated because you haven’t been flexing your skills! And not everyone has stopped spending, so there will be people out there that need you. Work hard & be the best that you can be– times are very competitive, but there are a few things you can do to beat the rest:
If you’re lucky enough to be living at home rent-free, then use that fantastic opportunity to do unpaid work experience to really bulk out your CV. If you leave a good enough impression, you’re more likely to be called upon when another position opens up, or you could even be headhunted by another company!
You’ve obviously still got to work to earn, while you’re working towards your dream job, so try & do something that’s kind of related, no matter how small. For example, if you want to be a photographer, try working in the sales department of a photography agency. Or if it’s make-up artistry you want to do, try & work behind a beauty counter. You never know who you might meet or what opportunities will arise, when you’ve surrounded yourself by industry people!
Want to be a journalist? Then I hope by now you’ve got your own blog! It’s a perfect (& free!) way to get yourself out there, no matter what it is that you want to be writing about– reviewing cosmetics, writing about fashion, giving lifestyle tips & advice– it can ALL be done! Blogs these days are dime a dozen, so find your niche & stick to it. Comment on blogs that you enjoy to get yourself exposure & use it as a portfolio for potential employers.
If it’s something in visual communication that you aspire to, then again, use the internet to your advantage & make yourself an amazing portfolio for people to refer to. Put your photos on flickr & who knows who might see them?
Apply for jobs 24/7. No, seriously! know I’ve done it myself way to often– I’ve uhm’d & ahh’d over way too many jobs & then they’ve gone, so have your CV & a template cover letter at the ready so you can apply for every job that you think you might enjoy.
If you want to be your own boss, then I’d seriously think about going freelance. There are obvious, big, money-related risks, but if you have the skills & the contacts, it will pay off & there are lots of perks for you to enjoy!
So, what do you want to be? Have you found your dream job yet?
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Filed under: Articles, Life and Love, Work |
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You know it’s time to move on, when you receive a badge from your dead-end job, congratulating you on being there for 5 years. 5 years.
(It’s not like I haven’t been trying.)
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Filed under: Work |
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It’s been reported that on average, a person changes their career at least 5 times, before they find their feet. But with everyone wanting experience and graduates, how do you make that first step up the career ladder? That vicious circle comes rolling round the corner with every job application – you need experience, to get experience. But you can’t get experience, because you haven’t got any previous experience. Confusing much? In the creative industries, it’s just practice, experience, practice, practice, experience, until you get your lucky break. (If you get a lucky break!)
Primarily, I’m a photographer. I love the freedom, the post-processing and creative ideas involved. You can take a camera anywhere and photograph anything. Although my photography often involves a lot of work with people, I’m not too keen on studio work- there’s too much involved technically. And although I understand it, I prefer to work with natural light and catch candid moments. But in what career can you do that? Not many, besides event or wedding photography.
I also love fashion and beauty, and writing about it. (Infact, I’ll write about anything, near enough!) I’ve had my fair share of experience of internships, with some magazines that shall remain nameless and all of them have been horrific experiences. It’s understandable that the fashion/lifestyle team still have their own jobs to do, but they give you the most tedious tasks sometimes. Tea-making is fine, we all love a good cup of tea, but “Oh, this milk’s been left on my desk and it’s warm now. Can you go and empty it?” does not cut it. I’m not here to be your skivvy! Nor am I here to open your mail (which you are going to have to read anyway). There’s very little actual on-the-job training or shadowing involved. I don’t know how you’re expected to know what the job involves or if you want to do it, if you’re stuck in a teensy fashion cupboard, returning last seasons Kate Moss for Topshop collection. But the bosses at your favourite celebrity and fashion mags know that they can get you to do all the little things that no one else wants to, because you’re just there to put it on your CV. And unfortunately, if you want to make it in the industry, then nine times out of ten, you’ll need that reference.
So here are my top tips to make the most of being a magazine Intern:
1. If you can make a good cup of tea, it will be well appreciated! But don’t let that be the only thing that you end up doing during your stint.
2. You will be called the “workie”. It can be patronising and rude, but if you want to be able to put the experience on your CV, stick it out.
3. If you’re doing fashion returns, don’t worry about getting them all done and finishing your days work. There will always be more somewhere.
4. If you think you’re doing them a favour by tidying up the cupboard, don’t waste your time. I can guarantee that by the next morning, a mountain of screwed up clothes from a photoshoot will have magically appeared, messing up all your hard work.
5. At some point you’ll probably be asked to open someone’s mail. It’s such a pointless task, as you won’t know what’s rubbish and what’s not. Try to put it off, as I’m sure the person in question is quite capable of opening an envelope themselves!
6. If things really get that bad, then leave. I’ve met lots of Style Assistants who have done the same thing and have still got their dream job, so it doesn’t always have a negative effect. Just miss it out on your CV! (And make sure you get your travel expenses paid before you leave.)
Of course some people are lucky enough to not have to do years of internships and they make it on their own. If you’ve got the right attitude, talent and bags full of ambition, then good things will happen eventually. A lot of people are head-hunted this way and their blogs, magazines and portfolios get picked up by the people who can further their career.
I’m not the best at any of the things I do, but you know when you just have a feeling that there’s something that you really can do and would be perfect for? In an ideal world, some Big Boss Man would find me and say “Take candid photos of people and street culture, write about fashion, life and street-style, wear all this fabulous clothing and get paid £25,000 for it. And here’s a slice of Lemon Cheesecake.”
I should start my own mag and be my own boss.
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Filed under: Articles, Work |
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