the week in brief...

Tuesday
Did a shoot at the beach for a clothing designer. Whilst walking to the next location, we spotted a wonderfully quirky beachhouse, perfect for the next shot. After getting permission from the owner, found out she was Mandy Coakley, who owns Mandy Coakley Represents a makeup and styling agency. She told me to come in and see her.
Just that morning I had been discussing my reservations about going to see agencies, and then there I am, 8 hours and over a hundred miles later, with the universe signalling to me, strong and sure.

Friday afternoon
Went to see Nacho Libre, which, let's face it, won't win any accolades, but I loved it anyway. Jack Black, thass a funny guy, yo. Now I'm waiting for Talladega Nights, with Will Farrell to get here.

Saturday night
The rain is pelting down, and the remains of our picnic soaked as we stand amidst a huge scattering of raincoats and brollies
watching Bjorn Again, the most well-known Abba tribute band, peform on a stage, out on the river.
Later, after being told we need to spend a grand on drinks to sit at a table, we move to the side and dance anyway until 3am in the wildly self-conscious west end club. We are not in mini dresses, or having waiters bring us bottles of
champagne carried high up on a tray, with the fanfare of 2 sparklers, as denotes the big spenders, but we are here, 11 of us, to celebrate Sarahs hen night, but more importantly, her friendship.

Bank Holiday Monday
Reading the fabulously gossipy book, Fashion Babylon, I take a break, the sun in my eyes. The random flowers on the lawn, weeds really, all bend their yellow faces in the direction of the sunshine.
It's a good lesson. Look towards the sun.
I used to have a spider that lived behind the right wing mirror of my car that would simultaneously impress and disgust me. I would never really see it, but every day, the web that had been blown away by the wind whilst driving, would be replaced by a brand new one. That spider never gave up. Until I saw it one day and brushed it off with a bit of old
paper and a shudder. I just don't like em.

In the supermarket today, I can feel the blister from that night, on the side of my left heel. Back in the car, I remove my white pumas and feel sand between my toes.
I get a flashback of one of the girls going round to each of us, whilst we were dancing, and applying a lipgloss that's supposed to be plumping, very carefully to our lips.
The things that you think of doing when you're shitfaced...

listening to Remain-Jose Gonzalez
anything that makes me want to dance...

ONE YEAR ON...

<---I DID THIS!!!!


So it is one whole year since I've been back in England. Its gone quickly, although I wouldve said differently during those first six months.
I look forward to this, my 'new year' with excitement and a brave heart, knowing that even what scares me, especially what scares me, can bring me unparalleled fulfillment.
My heart and mind are stronger than ever, my body is energised and healthy, my spirit is evolving.

“The period of greatest gain in knowledge and experience is the most
difficult period in one’s life.”

Here's some of what I did...
Moved countries
Found a flat and lived in London for 6 months
Went to Barbados twice for work
Went to Lupe and Julian's wedding in Chile and danced with wild abandon
Did my first fashion editorial, and have since worked on 7 other shoots
with the same mag
Learned how to update my website
Bought my beautiful portfolio
Learnt how to drive a stick in 2 weeks
Made some new friends, let go of a couple of old ones
Stayed in contact with the people who really mattered
Assisted on London fashion week
Gave up retail-for good!
Started therapy
Started living my dream
Became a gym bunny and took up yoga
Never gave up

Happy new year Cheryl

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