THE BEGINNING

SMILE. That would probably sum up the last few days. Thursday evening was gradball on Birmingham Uni campus- a night of fun and frivolity to celebrate the end of student life. After an uncharacteristically sophisticated dinner at Strada in the Mailbox and a minor pit stop back home for some last minute games and glasses of fizzy, we sauntered on amongst the red brick buildings to enjoy many hours of nauseatingly hilarious fairground rides (my bruised legs testament to countless bashings on the dodgems) and the silent disco which can only be described as mankind's greatest invention (expect a silent disco birthday/wedding/christening from all members of 22 in the near future). Friday was doomsday. The dreaded day of results. I think it's fair to say that I have never experienced such crippling anxiety as I did that morning. Thank GOD it's all over and I NEVER have to wait for exam results again. But it was all worth it in the end because I got my desired result (a first!) and have been deliriously happy ever since!! I celebrated on Saturday with my parents and grandparents: a four course, four hour lunch at Chez Bruce opposite Wandsworth Common (I think I'm still full) followed by extensive shopping along the Kings Road and in the enormous Whole Foods on Kensington High Street. If you are a food lover, health freak, department store enthusiast or just interested in checking out a bit of imported Americana then this Whole Foods is the place to go- three floors of everything edible (and otherwise) that you could ever desire, but all organic and eco conscious with helpful and thought provoking labels categorising the safety of methods of farming and the carbon footprint of the transportation. We left with two enormous cooler bags packed with cheeses, vegetables, meats, seafood, crackers, chutneys and various other items- most of which we compiled into our brunch at midday today.
As today has been my first day of anxiety free rest I decided to clear out my environment as well as my mind ready for a new start at the beginning of the week. This basically resulted in an all day major Spring clean in which every single drawer (13 in all!!) and cupboard in my room as well as the floor to ceiling clothes rails in the loft were sorted through and organised with many plastic bags of clothes being sent to charity shops. FINALLY my room is clear and my clothes, shoes and bags organised...

Designer and vintage bags are on the top shelf with my silk scarves and one of my many boxes of magazine clippings. The main wardrobe has all my dresses, and the bottom shelf (completed covered by the clothes!) has all my other bags and clutches. 

I used to arrange my wardrobe by colour but then everything just sort of blended into one and nothing ever really jumped out at me. Now that it's in a jumble I can immediately pick out certain prints and fabrics which I feel like wearing on certain days.

At the moment I am SERIOUSLY lacking in shoe space. Everything is piled on top of each other. On the left are sandals, flat fun shoes and boots. On the right are more boots and all of my nicer flats like French Sole pumps and my FAVOURITES- the Russell and Bromley loafers and brogues (plus my new peep toe wedge lace ups- pictures to come).

Obviously I have to have a separate rail for tops and jackets and the few skirts I own. I really just live in dresses and playsuits these days. Once again a pretty nonsensical jumble of stripes, leopard print, check and florals.

My favourite trainers and lace up pumps are in a tidy row along the bottom of my bed. Basically my wardrobe takes up my entire room (plus most of the loft where my beach wear and winter wear is currently in storage.....). But I am determined that once I move to my new pad in Old Street London (YYIIPPPPEEEEE) at the start of August then I am going to organise my things properly like in a studio with separate rails for different items and my shoes in rows up against the wall. My finances are also going to need a MAJOR spring clean, especially as at the moment I shred my bank statements before I open them... ERROR. Going to be on a shopping ban whilst I am living the dream as a seriously low paid assistant stylist (also starting in August!!!). In response to the debate on blogs about how people finance their shopping for their frequent posts I say that the famous bloggers get stuff for free or are financed by rich parents whilst the rest of us make do with what we have and blow our wages each month on those special things (or on everything if you are as undisciplined as me). I get gifts from my parents now and again when I've worked hard for something (like my degree) but I feel like I've earned it and I am very conscious about becoming self sufficient now that I am no longer a student.

I hope to work my own way to the top. I don't care how long it takes or how much time and effort it sucks out of me. As long as at the end of the day I can buy my own Chanel.

:)