High five to me, I’ve only gone and done it!

Thirty days ago I took up the challenge of writing 30 blogs for 30 consecutive days – easy some of you may say but I come from the world of fashion buying and being a hands on creative, I have had to learn to be a writer.

I had to learn to be a copy writer and blogger for my eccommerce site  Hat Attic, I couldn’t afford to employ anyone so had to learn from scratch how to do everything.

Sarah and Kevan Arrows challenge has been a great learning curve for me and although at times I have found it really hard I have thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt a hell of a lot on the journey.

“You get a good set of data to analyse.When you do a blogging challenge you work a little bit harder on your blogging. This means you start using keywords, an editorial calender and all the things you should be doing but don’t currently do.” Sarah Arrow.

Sarahs daily emails nudge you into new ways of thinking, planning and communicating without imposing on your own creativity. It has made me realise that I have something to say that other people are interested in and that those people appreciate me for being me.

The challenge has made me understand who my ‘Super customer’ is, which is the key to my marketing strategy. I now know I can talk to her without changing anything, by just being me.

“Rewards include being found better in search engines, increased social proof and the ability to network with others building their blog too.”

In conclusion I have found the challenge invaluable to learning my new trade of communication. It has given me another string to my bow.

So instead of just wildly throwing out a few sentences here and there “spraying and praying” Claire Mitchell, Awesome Business school, take some time, 30 days in fact and learn to do it properly.

I have completed my first challenge and will do it again, but for now I am just going to use everything I have learnt to make the blogs on my website even better so please subscribe to Hat Attic for newsletters and continue to read the benefits of my wisdom. You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter.

I just want someone to talk to!

I am a 45 year old woman who two years ago found myself without my job of 18 years. After battling my way through a nervous breakdown, chronic depression and anxiety I now find myself working full time in sales (eight hours a day on my feet, five days a week!)  and running two business’s of my own. I am an Independent consultant for Arbonne, a beauty, health and well being company and also my baby Hat Attic, a fashion accessories and gifting eccommerce site I set up to help women like me! In that I mean women without the time or quite frankly the patience to be running up and down the rather repetitive high street, where there are no hat departments, looking for that perfect gift, hat, scarf or necklace – YOU in other words!

I would like to share the ‘wealth’ of the wisdom I have picked up over my career with you and will do in a series of blogs and newsletters, subscribe on the home page and make sure you don’t miss any of these pearls. Or please get in touch at hello@hatattic.com if you have any particular questions or quandaries that I can help you with. Maybe you want to pick my brains about your skincare, what sort of hat you need for a particular occasion or are looking for a particular gift, or maybe you just want to say ‘hello’.

I am waiting and looking forward to hearing from you.x

Goodies for sale!

Yesterday I gave you five reasons for shopping at Hat Attic, today I am going to give you more of an overview of what we do, it’s not just hats you know!

Chimeera String lady in red and green

Fabulous scarves and shawls.

Some classic very fine knit shawls by Travelwrap. Great to take on holiday for the flight and those chilly evenings.

Beautiful woven and elegantly tasselled shalls by Cocowai, we donate 10% of each sale (and Cocowai match it) back to the families who actually made them to help get them back on their feet after the recent earthquake.

Simply stunning digitally printed silk crepe de chine scarves and canvas clip purses, with original artwork from the gorgeous Carol Anne Scowcroft.

Artisan leather bags and jewellery by Sardinias own Andrea Masia.Each item lovingly designed and made by his own fair hands in his sunny Sardinian studio.

Sparkling and mindful jewellery.

All that glitters is Amadoria! Inspired by tradition and crafted in amazing technicolour and sparkle.

A gift from the heart are the sentiments in the silver bangles and semi-precious stone bracelets with meaningful emblems.

Non- toxic nail polish by Mint, five carconogenics free, clean colours for your nails.

The cutest kiddies range from Catherine Tough, although I defy any grown up to resist Ellie or Flamingo!

And lets not forget the simply gorgeous collectable handmade dolls from the lovely girls at Blackbird Secrets. All made with vintage fabrics and accessories and hand painted faces. Every girl should have at least one of these beauties.

Blackbird Secrets, Amy.

There are lots of other weird and wonderful things that you need in the shop, like Sushi socks or hairbands that don’t pull or kink your hair and lets not forget all of the wonderful hats, by leading designers. The fun doesn’t stop in the Attic, I need you to shop, and photograph, blog and generally keep in touch. Come and subscribe to the newsletter so that you can keep up to date with what we are up to.