The new beginning

It's been a hard year. After achieving the dizzy heights of a distinction in my Masters from the London College of Fashion it has been a long haul to get to the end of 2010. In the March I completed a bid for script funding from the now defunct UK Film Council. I didn't get any funding but the writing was already on the wall for all sorts of Arts funding and most definitely film funding.

It was back to styling for me and this felt like going through the motions. Even when I started to get some exciting bits of work I kept feeling highs and lows almost simultaneously. Then the petit garcon started school and I realised that relying on public transport and paying an arm and a leg in child care was not what I wanted to do.


Then one night I was watching Ugly Betty and I had an epiphany! There was a hilarious scene when Amanda tried to become a designer but failed.



Mark had to explain to her that it takes years of training to be a designer. But Amanda pointed out she wanted to do something creative and she had just helped Betty and an up and coming designer to style a successful debut show.

So, Mark suggests she becomes a stylist. Amanda whines about not wanting to go to college and Mark says all you have to do is say 'I'm a stylist'. Amanda repeats after him , 'I'm a stylist' and there are high fives all round.

I was laughing so much because the comedic undertone was spot on. I started as a junior fashion assistant years ago at Elle magazine and then went on to work on a few publications producing the style sections. A stint on radio and then a proper career in the creative department for Orange gave me the much needed financial boost I need that working in fashion couldn't give me. Then I returned to my first love, job and passion and have earned a living for the last six years as a freelance stylist.

A recent review with my many contracts brought home the reality of day rates, planned productions and projected business revenues and in fashion the hard times are getting harder. I know full well things are cyclical and if I want to throw myself into things I could. But here is a little whisper, when you are being under cut by 'bloggers turned stylists' who do the work for free then you know things aren't great.

However, the reality is I don't feel the need or drive to once again rise phoenix like as a thrusting stylist . The main reason is the petit garcon. I know I can never have the time back with him ever. My best bit of 'work' this month which was entirely voluntary was building Santa's grotto at his school for the Christmas Bazaar. I loved creating a set that was magical and the kids loved it. My fake snow and cotton wool did cause all manner of nuisance combined with wet boots but I cleared up well.
The petit garcon & his buddy visit Santa in the grotto!

I love writing more than anything, I can whip up an outfit for an ad or create a fashion shoot look blindfold. But writing amuses and pushes me. I love creating stories and I can combine my visual creativity with words. I am going to take a year out to write, write, write and nothing but write. This means I can keep going with my blog and still interact and learn from all of your wonderful blogs, lives and thoughts. I had some invaluable feedback from Sister Wolf on my film script as she was a script reader for many years. I have done nothing with it now for 6 months because every thing else gets in the way. In my very large box of writing I have 3 unfinished novels, one television drama, a non fiction book and a film script plus numerous short stories and ideas. I know I am wasting my talent. It was really brought home to me when I was invited to write part of a chapter for an academic book and after the research I didn't have the time or head space to deliver!

2011 will be my year to succeed and focus on my writing. I have a few styling contracts I have to fulfil but at the end of March I will be a free of all obligations.By not working I will save myself untold money on travel and childcare. I can if I want live all day in a dressing gown save the school run but that would be quite hideous and uninspiring. However I won't need to buy items for things and intend to make do with my wardrobe and stick to my style challenge (still only bought the Valentino skirt and I will do a 5 ways to wear it post very soon).

I've always been a working girl and like to contribute to the running of the household, I really couldn't abide to abdicate such responsibility and am mindful I am being very selfish in some respects. I'm sure Mr MDS would love a year long golf sabbatical - which is completely out of the question! Therefore I've set up shop with my Make Do Style Health & Beauty online store for Arbonne productsThey are very lovely and I was introduce to them by a famous ex popstar's wife when I was styling him for UK television during a stint on the West End a few years ago. She works for them! It is funny in my job I see all sorts of people at their height, their lows and then when they are sorted.

I have 3 sample sets to give away to 3 readers in return for a small review either on their blog or for mine. Email me and I will send them out. If you do need anything and would like the convenience of ordering online for some very lovely product then please do! Currently the only criticism I would have is the postage is too high in the UK but that is being sorted. It is fine in the US, Canada and Australia. Until it is resolved then I'm happy to refund postage because I'm so confident you'll love the products. I will promote my site in order to earn something, but probably no more than once a fortnight in my posts but let me know if it annoys you after all I like feedback!

What hopes and desires do you have for 2011? What would be your dream come true?