Third Time Lucky

Well I can finally deliver some good news about my buying career. After nearly 2 years of working towards it, I've finally been offered a Trainer Buyer position! Officially I'll start work on 16th April and cannot wait to get stuck in. What a week it's been waiting for an answer but finally the right one came. In the mean time, if you have any suggestions for first day outfits, I'm happy to hear them!
Lots of love,
VA xxx

How much of success is actually just luck?

Today I spent a gruelling afternoon trailing round Manchester doing research for yet another presentation. Some may think that going round shops looking at children's clothes would be easy as pie, but no, not when you're trying to get an idea of what pure competitors are doing and how this compares to a range you've never worked with before. Now we all know this is the third time in a year that I am going through this process, the second time it's for a childrenswear job. This got me thinking how much of my progression is really down to me and my hard work, and how much is down to luck, circumstance and the ever present, who you know. I realise that in my first attempt I wasn't ready and it was completely fair that I didn't get the job. Then in my second attempt, I had worked so hard, done everything I could and yet still it wasn't enough. To be fair to the interviewer, there were others with more experience, but in my defence, how can I get more of this without giving up my current job and paying my mortgage to replace it with a free month or two or work experience?! Whoever says once your foot's in the door of a business you can move around, don't believe it. If anything, the fact that I already work in the company - even though it's in a completely unrelated dept - means that they expect more from me than any other candidate. I realise I don't have as much experience and so they probably need me to strive harder for it, but really, no one has time to give me this experience when they're already so busy and working long days. I can't expect them to give up their free time to help me, but neither should my office.
Anyway, I suppose I'm preparing myself for the worst, again. Whether I'll have a mental breakdown if this happens is another question. But I will ask this, if I've done everything I can to get all the experience I can, what else is there? Luck. And often the helping hand of someone high up. Fortunately, or unfortunately, for me I have principles. I know, I didn't realise it till now either! But I don't want to be given a job based on someone on high saying they want me to have it. I want to be given the job because I'm good enough and I've worked hard to get it. Its bot like I'm under some delusion that I can do this - last time HR and the interviewer said i was more than capable of the job and would do well. So surely that's only fair that I should get it? Right? I guess I'll just do my best and wait for a phone call.
Lots of love,
VA xxxxxxxx

Nutella and Marshmallows

My favourite pancake filling. Mmmmmmmm it's good. But so so sickly that I only managed one and half last night! Plus one with orange zest and sugar. Yum yum. Hope you all enjoyed your pancakes. Now for something to give up for 40 days... Can't be chocolate, that's just too hard! But maybe crisps?? I've done it before so I know I could do it again. Or maybe what I need is to eat something like this everyday instead of anything with sugar in! Think the weight might drop off a bit easier then! so here's some inspiration, I have to admit these oranges were nearly as yummy as the chocolate and marshmallows! Nearly.
Good luck with your plans for lent!
Lots of love,
VA. xxxxxxxx

Finally!

Well it's finally finished and I have something to show you that I'm truly proud of. Although its not something I designed and the fabric was chosen for me, I can't believe I've done it!! Big smiles all round : )
What to start next?...
Lots of love,
VA xxxxx

On your marks, get set, bake!

Today is my Granny's birthday and in honour of that day, I've made her a cake. We're going round for drinks after tea and having some birthday cake too. As I'd run out of white sugar paste to cover the entire cake, I had to go for regular icing and hope that my decorations would be good enough to make it look worthy! First time making roses... Not quite sure they look like roses but they look pretty either way :) Quite proud for a first attempt but I'll have to practice more once I get my new sugar paste! Anyway, here it is. I'll let you know how it tastes!
Lots of love,
VA xxxxxxxxx

P.S. The Cath Kidston bag is nearly finished. Promise!! Xxx

The bubble bursts

Apologies for my recent absence. I've been fighting for, preparing for, completing and waiting for feedback from my trainee buyer interview and presentation. Unfortunately that ship has sailed and I'm not on it. So I'm back to concentrating on my blog! I'm totally gutted as it was a fantastic job and I felt I'd truly improved from last time. What makes it worse and better all at once is the interviewer thought I was fantastic and has since told me I'm definitely ready for the job. The only reason I didn't get it was because someone else had more experience. But we're getting closer! Could it be third time lucky?? We'll see what HR comes up with next.
In the mean time, I can get back to my day job, my sewing projects and my house jobs. The Cath Kidston bag is very nearly finished-obviously went on hold whilst all this was going on! I'll post some pictures when I'm done.
Hope you all have a fab Friday.
Lots of love,
VA. xxx

Birthday celebrations

Happy birthday to my good friend Laura. We've decorated her desk at work and bought presents, organised a pub lunch and made a cake. Although its not my best work - still have to show you the Christmas cake I made! - its not bad considering the amount of time I had to complete it last night. As soon as I got home I set to making the cakes. But as we were going out with friends, I only got up to the buttercream before it was time to leave. Bring on a late night icing session! Anyway, it's not quite what I hoped but hopefully she'll love it and it will taste yummy!
Lots of love,
VA xxx