# 15 Fear

I think it is true to say that fear makes you more determined.

After weeks and months in the planning we edge nearer to the launch of my very own baby http://www.hatattic.com

Reality comes crashing in with each delivery and yesterday signing and sealing our storage depot has made it even more real.

Whilst I know you are going to love what I have in store for you there is still a feeling of anticipation, nerves, what ifs ?????

But seriously after all these years(18 to be exact) of buying and working for someone else, now is my time.After all the heartache and drama of the last few years I am ready, my life is just starting, this is what it has all been about, what all the training was for.

I am not going to lie, ten months ago I was terrified for my life.Fear was my buzz word.What was I going to do, no job, no money, at my lowest ebb.

Stupidly I didn’t have a plan B, I’m not qualified for anything but retail and buying, who was going to want me? Did I trust anyone enough to dedicate my working life to?

The answer is no.

I was going to have to do it for myself and I am more than qualified for that.

But with a mixture of therapy, soul searching, the best friends & family a girl could ask for, meditation, yoga, sheer determination and time,I’m ready.

Coming to a computer near you very soon :-

http://www.hatattic.com

You will not want to go anywhere else for your hats, fashion accessories and gifts and you won’t have to.The most beautiful, must have,exciting things will be at the end of your fingertips.x

 

#14 Hat Attic

I am going to cut to the chase here and give you five reasons why you should register and buy from http://www.hatattic.com

1. It’s different – are you fed up of taking on the high street and finding exactly the same products in every single store.

At Hat Attic the products are handpicked with you in mind.

2. Quality – because everything is carefully handpicked the quality is is amazing and this is a very important factor in my buying, there      is no volume buying involved so stock is limited, making it even more special.

3. It’s not just hats, there are other fashion accessories, gorgeous scarves,bags and jewellery plus other gifty bits dropped in for good measure.Everything is a ‘must have’ if not as a treat for yourself then for someone you know.

4. It is all brought to you with love and meaning.

5. If you love it and it appeals to your senses on an aesthetic level or even a spiritual one I have achieved my goal!

http://www.hatattic.com will be open for business soon,please log on and register so that you don’t miss out.

#fashion #hats #scarves #bags #jewellery #gifts #books

 

# 13 India

Or to be exact Rick Stein travels India.

What an incredible series.

I have been learning to cook, having managed to get to 44 without ever really needing to!

I rather like spending my weekend mornings picking up snippets from the lovely James Martin, The Greedy Italians and the like but I can honestly say I have been most inspired in more than just cooking by Rick Steins travels in India.

What an amazing country that is definately a mass of contradiction and contrasts but all brought together by its love of food.Food seems to represent love and bonding. Through the television screen,  you could smell the fragrant, pungent spices as they are ground or infusing the air through the cooking.The amazing our door but under cover kitchen , Rick was cooking in (with Cynthia the snake living in the water pipe).

Amazing to watch people of all casts and creeds coming together, sitting cross legged on the ground and eating with their hands off of banana leaves. I could feel and smell the rice, the various dall and curried mixtures, with fresh Roti.

As Rick says ‘When you get the feel for a curry, nothing else will do’ .

It is amazing to see the colours in the markets, of the produce and the buildings, people and bunting.

The markets heaving with fresh vegetables, fish and vast amounts of hot coloured spices.

The fabulous old buildings and palaces that just seem to pop up.

I love the way they use colour, red with pink and orange, yellow, bright sky blues, rich purple, vibrant zingy greens.These combinations are not just worn but adorning the streets and colouring the buildings.

Not only have I been inspired to be a bit more adventurous in my culinery efforts, but I want to replicate the superb array of colour and adornment on my website http://www.hatattic.com.I aim to give you the thrill of mouthwatering choice and beauty.

My mouth is watering now so off to the kitchen I go.

#12 Career

Are you defined by your career?

You can only really know when suddenly your career,your job is gone.

Once upon a time I was an international buyer always buzzing around at appointments,in Paris,Milan,Florence,Birmingham.I was the person once referred to as ‘The famous Hat lady’ by The Queens milliner Phillip Somerville.

I was responsible for creating London’s premiere Millinery department in Bond Street.

I worked with the most amazing Designers ever to give London the most fabulous,comprehensive collection of Millinery from London and overseas.

I had other buying responsibilities too in my 17 years at the store.

I have experience buying  Jewellery, Hair Accessories, Hosiery, Scarves, Sunglasses, Cards and Stationery, Childrens wear and Baby shop, Gifts, Christmas Shop all of which I loved.

You could say I was a bit of a jack of all trades but I was at least an expert in hats!

I was working in a very high fashion luxury sector but I never at any point considered myself to be a fashionista, in fact I flatly  refused to tow the line and tried to just be me and let my work be the shining star. Maybe that was my downfall?

But whether I was wearing the highest heels or carrying the latest handbag is irrelevant, I can never be critisized for my work.

I was brought up to always be different,not to follow the herd.

Taste and Style has always been more important to me than ‘fashion’ so to speak .

It’s all very well following trends but frightening if it makes you into a mockery.

So in respect of this topic, I guess I was defined by my role when I was actually at work, I was always stressed and very judgmental. And quite frankly,just mental,walking on glass,confined by rules & regulations.

Now ten months after walking away from it all,I can say I am re-born into the person I always wanted to be.

I have a conscience.

I am thankful for my life and the people in it.

I care about the planet and its beings.

I am eager to share my knowledge and happiness with everyone.

I have time to think and breathe.

I know I am not here to be judge and jury but to help and nurture.

I do not need to lose my hair with stress because I am made to something that is against my beliefs.

I am my own person.

I do not have to fear.

I can live with the knowledge that I have a good heart and only strive to do the right thing.

I am still the Hat Lady though and people in the ‘industry’ will always know me as that.

So I have decided to put all of my knowledge and connections together and give it to people in a hope that it will bring them some joy.

In September the doors of http://www.hatattic.com will open.

I get to go and do something I love, finding beautiful objects that can bring a smile to peoples faces.Gifts and goodies that people can treasure,things that make them feel loved and wanted.

I stay in touch with my wonderful millinery friends and we get to work together again to bring you the most exceptional, perfect hats for special occasions, snow, rain and sun or just because its gorgeous and you just must have it!

I get to bring a splash of colour and fun into your life.

Please register on http://www.hatattic.com and be the first to experience something that can only enhance your life.

 

I also work with beauty, skincare and nutrition products that are planet and person friendly.

http://www.arbonneinternational.co.uk

 

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