Welcome to the world!

Yesterday (4th) I was all set to get comfortable on the sofa and write a new blog post...until my mum came home and told me that my sister had given birth to my niece! She popped her out in 45 minutes flat, weighing a teeny-tiny 5lbs 15 ounces and she's the cutest thing possible! Oh, and her name is Daisy!

I'm sure there will be some better photographs (her dad is a photographer) to come but this one was taken at just a few hours old! She has lots of dark hair and blue eyes, very pretty!

We've all pretty much been waiting and waiting for her to arrive and she wasn't actually due until the 10th July so we were very happy that she was early!

So, before all of the excitement, I wasn't really getting up to much. On Sunday Vince and I went for a little picnic at Chew Valley lake which was really nice. I've also been slowly taking on the dreaded job search for Journalism related and general jobs, but it's not going so well...I got rejected from a supermarket which was a bit depressing! Luckily I will be getting some holiday pay from my old job which should keep me going for a little while but I really need to not go crazy and spend it all! There's really not many jobs going in the town. It's such a small town and everywhere is full! I might have to branch out and search in Bristol but that would be an aweful lot of money every day on petrol/train fare. I think today I will continue my search, wish me luck!

Good things come to those who wait

If you're a regular reader of my blog you would have heard me moaning on a regular occasion about the fact that I can't find a job and have no money at the moment! Well, in the past hour or so three pretty cool things have happened and I feel like a little weight has lifted off my shoulders!

You might remember how I didn't get the River Island job that I had an interview for a few weeks ago. Well, I just got a phonecall from them out of the blue offering me a 15 hours a week job on a Monday, Thursday and Friday. It does mean I can't go home during the Easter holidays but I'm sure I'll survive!

I thought I didn't get the original job because of my Work Experience placement at Red Magazine which starts on Monday (OMG nerves!), but I mentioned this on the phone and they were fine with me starting after it. So I've got a 3 hour induction on the 26th and start on the 28th. Finally I'm going to have a bit of spending money to play with (hello Discount!), but I also want to make sure I do the sensible thing and save some of it as well.

Not long after that I found out I was one of the winners in Ellie Loves... Bourjois Effet 3D lip gloss giveaway. I'm not usually a lip gloss fan but I've seen this being raved about all over the Blogosphere so I thought why not enter and I can review the product for the blog when I recieve it!

After these two bits of good news I was pretty damn happy and certainly wasn't expecting to be contacted by a staff member from my University who I had previously worked with. He offered me a Content Writer position on the University website! And the best thing is, I can work from home!

Now I'm really starting to believe that good things come to those who wait, and I have been waiting a pretty long time! I start my Work Experience placement on Monday and although I'm extremely nervous and dreading the early mornings, I'm determined to get as much experience as possible and be one of those annoying people that bugs everyone for jobs to do! I really want to make a good impression as it could lead to other opportunities! Wish me luck!

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!

Working in Retail

The fun of being unemployed wears off fast! I've managed to get myself into a bad routine of going to sleep in the early hours of the morning and not waking up again until after midday. It means that I'm totally missing the first half of the day because by the time I'm showered, dressed and properly awake, it's usually way past mid-day!

As I'm looking for a job at the moment, I'm going to have to get used to early mornings again. After handing out lots of CVs last week, I got a reply from Miss Selfridge and I have an interview on Friday at 4pm. If I'm successful it will be my first retail job since working in New Look. I did enjoy working there and quietly looking at all the products as I tidied up and replaced stock. Unfortunately, the people there were not so nice but I thoroughly enjoyed the 50% discount!

Working in Retail again would be a nice change from the Cafe I've been working in for three years back home in Weston Super Mare! No more smelling of chips and fat! I've already planned what I'm going to wear for the Interview. I did wonder whether to go with the formal Interview outfit of black trousers and a white shirt, but I thought I would go for something a bit more 'stylish' seeing as it is a clothes shop.

I've decided on some Tailored Crop Trousers, which I've never worn, along with my new Caramel Coloured Boat Neck T Shirt from Zara. Being the idiot that I am, I've forgotten to bring any black flat pumps to Southampton so I've decided to wear a teeny tiny pair of heels which I wore for my graduation.





I'm actually quite pleased with the outfit as I feel it's smart enough for an interview while still being 'fashionable' enough to be seen in a clothes shop! I would usually panic and leave it until the last minute, but in the spirit of wearing items in my wardrobe that I haven't done so before, I thought I'd dig out the cropped trousers! I'm just praying it doesn't rain or I'll be getting wet feet!

What does everyone think about my choice of outfit?

'When I grow up....'

Wow, I haven't blogged in so long! Sorry about that! I'm back in Southampton now with Vince and it's colder than ever! I swear it's warmer outside! I love having my own place to live and my own independence, but I hate the cold and having to clear up after everyone else who lives here. I can stand a little mess but when it builds and builds, I just have to clean it, even if it's not mine! I know that makes me a bit of a mug, but I'd rather not live in pure filth.

We came back to Southampton on Monday and since then I've pretty much been cleaning up our bedroom and the rest of the house. I still have the living room to go which I'm not looking forward to. Today was spent job hunting. Not for a job in Journalism this time, but just for a normal 9 to 5 job in retail. I printed over 30 CVs this afternoon, stuffed them into envelopes and visited just about every shop in the town centre. Unfortunately, most places do all of their recruitment Online and they won't even take CVs anymore, which is ludicrous. I've checked all of their websites and there are no vacancies, but luckily a few shops did have some vacancies and they kindly took my CV, so fingers crossed I get a phone call for an interview!

Since coming back to Southampton I'm on a money saving mission. I'm currently living on the wages I made during the Christmas break, which really isn't much and until I find a job, I really need to cut down on my spending and shopping. It's not easy, believe me. We did a weekly shop at our local Tesco and brought mainly Tesco's own brands and items that were on offer, yet it still came to £41! Luckily we split the cost between us, but still...£20 is a lot to someone with no money. I'm definitely trying to stop myself popping into town to have a look around when I'm bored because that is definitely the biggest culprit.

I think a proper job in Journalism is going to be put onto the back burner for the time being. I know that unpaid Internships are probably the best way to go for me, but obviously I need to save some money to be able to live while I do them. We also have to start thinking about what we're going to do and where we're going to live once Vince finished University. Of course, that means more money if we're going to rent a flat, so once everything is sorted and we are all settled, then a proper career job hunt can begin.

It's daunting being a 'grown up' isn't it?

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?

New house, new start!

I can't believe I forgot to blog about this...it's not like I can even use the 'busy' excuse either.

I have moved into my brand new house - well, it's Vince's student house but it's all new to me! He still has a year left of University so we decided that I'd move in with him while I try to find a job, hopefully relating to Journalism, or if that's unsuccessful...something relating to Topshop ;)

So far, it's pretty good. I've certainly put my feminine touch on his bedroom, making it brighter and much more cosy. I'm fully prepared for the ludicrously cold winter with heaps of blankets and hot water bottles. It's single glazed so it gets seriously cold...you can see your breath when you speak!

We had a mass clean up of the lounge and kitchen, which are still both looking nice. Of course, living with three guys will be a bit of a test but I think it'll be ok. Now all that's left is to buy some funky posters for the walls and we'll be all set. :)


Not surprisingly, I didn't get the copywriter job I went for last week and my work experience placement at Sugar unfortunately only lasted a day and a half, so I'm still on the job hunt...but while I'm hunting I do have the Solent copywriter temp job to keep me going!

Bumbling fool!

I think I've been jinxing myself by writing about my job interviews on here. The previous interview I wrote about, went horribly. It turned into one of those horrible, complete blank mind situations which obviously resulted in me not getting the job. If I had just taken a moment to think and get out my notebook, I would have been able to answer their questions easily and possibly would have got the job.

On paper, I think I look like the right person for the job, but when I open my mouth (or don't in this case) I come across completely nervous and bumbling. So, despite not getting the job, I did get to spend a fun day in London with Vince. (Getting up at 5am to catch the coach was kind of worth it) We explored Oxford Street, Selfridges, Camden, Charing Cross, Trafalger Square, Carnaby Street, Canary Wharf and Westminster until my feet were nearly bleeding.

We spent a lot of time in Camden and I really enjoyed it, I managed to pick up thise cute owl necklace, that I've seen splashed all over the net, for just £7!



I'm going to admit to being completely thick here but I came over all touristy while trying to find the interesting looking Charing Cross road, and failing spectacularly! Doing a quick Google search, I can see just how close we were! Oh well, we decided to sit at Trafalger Square with an ice cream. :)


After our great adventures in London, we returned home and I had yet another job interview! The job is a short term writing job for my University recycling project...and I am the new copywriter within the team! Thankfully I wasn't too bumbling this time and actually managed to impress them! So I'm off to Southampton on Wednesday to find out more and I should hopefully start soon after!

I should be moving back to Southampton pretty soon, which means time to start looking for a job to help pay the rent while I look for something within the Magazine Indsutry. I've been scouring the job sites but now I really need to put some proper effort in and get my foot on the ladder of Journalism.


Tomorrow we're off to Alton Towers with my free tickets I collected from The Sun newspaper! I can't wait! For now, I'm off to try a new marbling nail art effect, wish me luck!

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!

So frustrating!!

I got a phone call this morning about an Online Fashion Editor Internship that I applied for yesterday. The woman wanted me to go to London this week for an interview and emailed me the details over..but I had a sneaking feeling that she didn't realise I was in University until May..I was right.

So frustrating!!!

The good thing is though, that she told me to email back in April so it could possibly happen after all, just a few months later!

I have no idea how I will afford to be in London for six months but I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it!