The past couple of months

Hello everyone!

Wow with so much to tell I don't really know where to start. Firstly an apology is probably in order, I've been a bit rubbish and naive about how much free time I would have working, I've hardly been at home, in and out the door catching up with everyone and starting a new chapter. Can you sense the rubbish excuse? I think frankly I've just been enjoying having no deadlines for once outside of work! Hurrah!

But I'm back now and will endeavour to inform you of my whereabouts and whatido's. In the past couple of months a lot of exciting things have happened. Once of my closest friends has got engaged after six years together and we're still all eagerly waiting to have the engagement party! I accidently found out the information before her.. so it was the hardest secret to keep but I did it!! Another only has a few months to go until the actual wedding, and another close friend is expecting her second baby! It's all go here!

I went to Henley Royal Regatta again this year with Matt and our families. It was really lovely to actually sit in the sun, eat cupcakes, drink Pimms and watch the rowing. Definitely don't take the sunshine for granted now I work in an office. I always try to have a walk at lunchtime and explore, but somehow always end up at the park watching about a hundred ducks in the lake!

I've also found out final results from my university degree. A 2:1 whoopee! I was surprised with a pearl necklace from Ma & Pa on the morning, and was taken out for a late night picnic with wine from Matt. Didn't really expect it all and I can't quite believe that part of my life is over. Conversations with the girls recently always go back to this scary thought that, all your life you've been brought up to achieve and do the next step, like college, work and uni and whatever, but then it suddenly stops and your left with the notion that you can actually do what you want now. It's totally up to you! So I'm still getting my head round the fact that someday soon the prospect of moving out with Matt will actually be a reality, not an escapism dream kinda thing.

Also, now I've calmed down enjoying the extra free time at home, I'm starting to re-discover sketching. It's always been a big part of my life, when I was little I used to love just sitting on the sofa with a sketchpad. I used to draw a lot of outfits on ladies, cartoon strips, ideas of future homes and gardens or animals. I prefer sketching still life now as I don't feel as creative to pluck something out the sky and draw it. But who knows, practise will get me there!

In a few weeks time I'm off to Italy with Matt and a couple of friends, Lake Garda to be exact and I will be sure to update you with my time away and all the sights. I'm still not totally sure what I really want to do out there - think I want it to be more of a surprise and see what happens! Also got tickets to the Olympics next week. Will actually see Usain Bolt compete which is so cool!

How's things with you?

X

Leaving university and starting work

What a busy month it has been! The past month has been a bit of a blur - a blur of tears as I finally finished university. Reality hit when Natwest kindly posted me a letter informing me my student account was changing to a graduate account.. eek!

As you will see from above, this is my actual dissertation all printed and bound, awaiting my final grade. I produced 8,000 words worth of features for a retrospective supplement for Good Housekeeping. I uncovered original 1920s features and brought them to a modern perspective to contrast and compare. With the trend of the Twenties and British heritage strong this year - it was a perfect accompaniment that I really enjoyed producing. Although once you've stared at and edited something for nine months, I began to look at it quite negatively and was happy to see it all finished.

Here is also a new publication created by me, Emma Hursey and Emily Tsontilis. It sells the vintage tea drinking lifestyle 'Polly' enjoys, inspired by the nursery rhyme about putting the kettle on. We are in the process of putting it online for you to read, but for now here's a sneaky peak of the final printed copy. She is so soft and was the best feeling to hold! Only a few weeks back did we all think of a magazine idea, and to finally see it all in it's 52 page glory is great!

I also have a little secret to tell - I got a job! Last Friday I attended an interview and was given the best phone call that evening. I'm starting this Monday and I'm going to be working for a property PR agency called Oracle PR. I've been getting a bit over-excited, buying new shoes and blouses to replace my jumpers and jeans. Now my official name will be BA (Hons) Harriet Edgar, Account Executive... or something like that...

My how the past three years has flown by as I leave education behind and step into the world of work! Of course I'm going to miss it, but I'm always one to embrace change and look at the glass half full. How has your past month been? If you've finished university too, how does it feel?

X

Waterloo walks to work

Here is a round up of my week in three photos. It’s been pretty busy, going to work in London and coming home to complete more work. But I definitely enjoyed it. I really hope to go back to IPC in the near future. But for now, it’s time to take that experience and continue on applying for more jobs. Although I feel I’m getting the balance wrong as I spend more time looking for jobs than I actually do completing uni work.

Although I had one of those moments looking through my final project, as I realised I’ve actually done a bit more than I first thought. Massive sigh of relief.

I can’t wait to share my final project with you – but for now it stays fully under wraps! If you want a hint, it involves looking at magazines from over 90 years ago.

I’m only 10 weeks away from the big hand in here. It’s quite daunting but altogether exciting at the same time. I already feel bad for the neglect Sugarlips might have in these few last weeks, but then I’m going to make a radical change to it so it’s worth looking out for.

As Sugarlips has been the forefront blog of an aspiring journalist, it’s only fair that the blog receives the same upheaval as my own life, as I finally step onto the career ladder. Will keep you informed… obviously!

X

Working 9 til 5

Firstly - a bit of apology on the lack of posts this month.

I am definitely understanding the true meaning of third year thanks to the overwhelming amount of work.

It seems all I am doing at the moment is sleep - library - food, in whatever order I choose! But I have got a few things to be looking forward to this Christmas to make up for all the hard work.

This weekend I'm off to Longleat - yes the safari park with the monkeys - for some well deserved giggles and good food with friends.

For New Year we are also escaping again to a little cabin in the South of Wales to have a right laugh in our onesies and drink copious amounts of Wine.

But for now - I have to continue my hunch over the Mac to get all this work completed for hand in which is only a couple of weeks away. One of the things I've been creating is a blog - funny I know as I enjoy this one - but do take a look if you are interested. It's called 'Keep calm and just graduate'... I've also been developing a beautiful sketchbook and reliving the fun I used to have in college, basically cutting and sticking, but predicting a trend for 2013. Looks fab so I"ll photocopy some page for you to see in due course.

Speaking of college I managed to un-earth an image I sketched about 5 years ago. Shame I don't sketch half as much as I used to. It used to be a way for me to relax and occupy myself when I was younger, now I find I don't have the time! Maybe something for the Christmas holidays I can look forward to again?

X