Spring has sprung

It's been a long time since I wrote a proper blog post! Most of my posts recently have been nail art and promotional posts, but I promise it won't continue to be all like that. I'll definitely try and write properly more often, it's just difficult at the moment as not much is going on!

As I previously mentioned, I had an interview with River Island. I thought it went pretty well...as soon as I walked in, I was asked to pick out an outfit suitable for a Friday/Saturday night out. Well, I picked some black skinnies and a cute 'going out' top along with jewellery and some pretty killer studded heels. I had to explain my choices, which I did pretty well and then answer the usual customer service questions. They said they would let me know by the next day but I got an email from them about half an hour later saying I wasn't successful. I probably shouldn't have mentioned my work experience placement in March, but I did say I would be willing to not do it if I was to get the River Island job. If that wasn't the thing that made them decide not to hire me, then I don't know what is. I don't want to be big headed but I feel like I did well in the interview, I was chatty and friendly and answered all of the questions. I'll just have to put the interview down to experience and move on. I'm going to wait until AFTER my work experience placement to look for some jobs now I think.

So, this leads me onto my next piece of news! I was kind of dreading Work Experience just because it's going to cost SO much to travel to and from London every day. Luckily I have £200 saved up already, but I had nothing spare for lunches and the odd bits and bobs, but it seems like my luck was in as I won £100 from The Shopping Forecast! I couldn't believe it! Basically, I am part of the Style Council on the website, where I add items I think are going to be on trend for the season ahead. At the end of every month, the items with the top votes win and the people that submitted them, win £100. I submitted a gorgeous black and white stripe trench coat which got over 40 votes!

Now I feel a bit more comfortable about my work experience placement and I'm even looking forward to it now. I'm currently creating a proper Online portfolio of all my work, where I can direct potential employers. I've been thinking about doing a video CV/Resume but I'm afraid I'll look like a complete idiot and will loose my train of thought on camera.

I've applied for a couple of Journalism related jobs that are taking place in the months before I leave Southampton, so I've got my fingers crossed for those, but if I'm not successful, I might look at going home for the Easter holidays and working back there for a few weeks!

I've been on a few shopping trips recently and finally found myself a pair of navy cropped trousers! I'll be sure to post a blog about my haul soon and I'll have a Matalan haul coming up soon too!

you only live forever in the lights you make

Today has been a pretty good and positive day! I managed to secure myself a work experience placement at Red magazine for two weeks in March! The magazine's editor complained on Twitter that their work experience girl had quit after 1 day so I quickly zapped an email to them, telling them that if they wanted someone who valued a work experience placement then I was the girl for them! I got a reply about 5 minutes later and now it's all arranged! It's going to cost a lot to travel but I have a bit of time to save. I'm really going to put my all into this placement and get as much experience as I can out of it!



Today I also had my interview with Miss Selfridge that I mentioned in my last blog. I think it went really well. I felt very confident in the outfit that I chose and will definitely be wearing the cropped trousers more often! My feet literally froze as I walked into town but once I got to the interview that was totally forgotten about. The lady that interviewed me was very nice and chatty and she asked me most of the usual questions about retail, which I think I answered well. When she asked me what the most exciting thing I had done this month was, I was pretty stumped though. I realise I've literally done nothing this month! After more questions I was given a little task. To go out on the shop floor and pick out an outfit for someone to wear to work and then wear out for drinks with colleagues. I opted for some smart trousers, similar to the ones I was wearing, with a blue floaty top and cardigan as it made a smart but casual outfit, for any time of job. For the evening look I picked out some pretty high heels, a statement ring and necklace. I think I did OK, it took a while and I got a bit sidetracked looking at all the clothes but the interviewer seemed quite impressed. Now, I just have to wait to hear back from them. Fingers crossed!

Yesterday I received an email from a company called Parker Worldwide who offered me an interview...except I didn't remember applying for a job with their company. My mum told me I should go anyway so I confirmed it with them, but this morning I decided to ring and ask what vacancy it was I had applied for. They just told me it was a 'customer service role with the opportunity of a management position.' OK? So, Vince did a little Google search and found out that the jobs they are offering are all a big scam to do with cold calling and sales. After reading up a little about it, they seem to find your details through job websites and constantly go on at you to make sure your going to attend the interview (they rang me 4 times and emailed twice!). It's no wonder they were so vague about the job description! There was no way I was going after that!

It's quite scary how they managed to get my mobile phone number! I'm going to be extra careful from now on...and to anyone else out there on the job hunt, watch out!

Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life

Are you ever job hunting and spot an advert for a job you just know you can do? If the company or person would just give you a teeny tiny chance, you know for a fact that you'll be brilliant at the job! This is what frustrates me so much about job hunting. I recently came across an advertisement for a simple writing job that I just know I would be great at, obviously I've sent off my CV and covering letter etc, etc...but I feel like that just doesn't do me enough justice, if I could just put my skills into practice for them to see, things would be so much easier!

But life is just not that easy, so I'll continue to send my CV and out and keep every single part of my body crossed!

In the mean time, writing for Styleclone.com and The Fashion Buzz is going really well. I'm making a little money which I'm hoping to put into a separate account, to save and then use for important things! Although fashion isn't my first choice of subject to write about, I'm finding it extremely interesting and fun. Although I do love looking at catwalk collections and the latest trends, through viewing various fashion blogs, I've come to learn that fashion is really all about what you feel comfortable and confident in. Some blog writers look more stylish and glamorous than some celebrities and these people are really the ones we should all be taking note of! (This has also given me an idea for a new weekly or monthly post)

My blog is a bit of a mish mash of subjects at the moment and I'm starting to wonder if this puts people off a bit? Would you rather see a blog dedicated to just one subject or do you enjoy reading posts about a variety of different things?

1 in 270

Yesterday, a particular news story caught my eye. The Daily Mail news website claimed that 1 in 270 graduates have a chance of landing a job since the recession.

Up to 270 graduates are battling for every job vacancy after the recession triggered an unprecedented scramble, a study shows today.

Applications for graduate posts have hit a record high this year as rejected candidates from 2008 and 2009 swell the ranks of job-seekers.

Now that I'm considered a graduate, I not only have to compete with 2010 graduates but also graduates from the past two years aswell, making it even more difficult for me to land a job.

I have been looking for jobs in the Magazine Journalism industry since before Christmas, before I even finished University and I've so far had 1 interview for a web content job. I've applied for pretty much every job I come across that I feel I could do but I don't even hear back from most of them. A nice email thanking me for my application but letting me know that I've unfortunately not been successful this time around would be much better than being completely ignored.

It's proving extremely difficult to find a job in my chosen industry so I'm doing lots of odd writing jobs here and there, sometimes for free, in order to build up my CV. Many positions require people that already have experience in magazines, so what hope do I have of landing a magazine role if I can't actually get experience in magazines? It's all one big vicious circle which makes you feel like you've wasted the past three years of your life!

Job hunt & this week's Styleclone.com posts!

It's really hard to blog about anything interesting when you sit at home all day doing nothing because you have no money, so I'm sorry to the follower that left me because my blogs aren't interesting enough!

Anyway..I finally got my bedroom sorted yesterday. I'm stuffed into the box room so it was quite a job, especially with the amount of DVDs and just general 'stuff' that I own. I could do with a few more shelves and a desk but so far it isn't too bad. I'm so glad I've got my CD player up and running, now I just need to ask Dad nicely if he can set up my TV.

Here's my 'dressing table' where I'm storing pretty much everything that won't fit on the shelves! Notice the very appropriate poster!



My personal DVD store:




On my last blog I mentioned that I was quietly thinking about job related things..well, on Thursday morning I applied for a Web Reporter position and on Thursday afternoon I recieved a reply asking if I was able to go in for a chat! Well I've thought about it and of course, I'm going to go in for the chat on Thursday at 3pm. It will be typical if I get a job in Bristol just as I have moved all of my stuff into Vince's house in Southampton, and although I don't want to get ahead of myself, it would be a great first job out of Uni. I've decided to wear my black trousers with my new blazer and striped top. Personally I think it's a bit TOO smart for a 'chat' but Mum says I must wear it! It's just about the only smart thing I own to be honest.

In the mean time, I've not got alot going on. I think I'll make the most of this week to catch up with review writing and playing on the Wii!



P.S - While I'm here, here are the links to this week's Styleclone.com posts! Once again, I ask that if you visit the link, please comment on the stories as it really helps to generate more buzz around the website!

NME launches Music Icon T-Shirt range (LOVE this!)

MANGO & Shakira launch 'Waka Waka' collection

Missoni's 2011 Resort Collection

Alexander Wang 2011 Resort Collection



P.P.S - I've been stuck on 65/66 followers for a while. I'm really hoping to raise this number and possibly hold another competition once I hit over 75, so please follow if you're not already!