Tag Archives: Lord Mayor of Liverpool

Apr 01 2017
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The Lord Mayor of Liverpool’s Charity Fashion Show 2017

On Thursday evening 8 of my friends took to a catwalk and strutted their stuff to a classic Whitney track……and I teared up with pride.

The Lord Mayor of Liverpool (the lovely Roz Gladden) hosted the third annual fashion show which raises vital funds for four local charities and also gives aspiring designers, models, make up artists and event managers an opportunity to roll up their sleeves and experience it first hand.

Landgirls

I signed up to create and show a collection back in September 2016 and the biggest lesson I have learned from the whole experience is that leaving absolutely everything – including the actual making of the clothes, until 24 hours before hand, is not a good idea.

Models

However, three sewing machines, two acrylic nails and the best sister in the world later  (thank you so much Cazzy), a mini collection of 13, 1940’s Land Girl Army inspired pieces, was born. Who doesn’t love a head scarf and a winged eye liner on a Thursday night?

MDAM-B2

Having grown up as an ‘Army brat’, married into the RAF and more recently worked closely with 156 Regiment in Allerton, I felt that the armed forces theme was the way forward, and my second thank you is to Maj Laurence Roche, who very kindly donated his mess jacket (Which I wore) and tartan trousers (worn by Cath Bore), which inspired the rest of the collection.

drunk

I specifically asked friends of all ages, heights and shapes to model my collection. What society calls ‘real women’. Ensuring there was a range of sizes from 6-16 was important to me, as was empowering my models to go out into the limelight and own the catwalk. No sullen faces, but plenty of attitude, a bit of a dance and ear to ear smiles.

megan

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the girls who battled nerves, victory curls and my wonky-tailoring, to show the 150+ crowd of smiling faces, just how utterly amazing you are. Thank you Cath, Leanne, Steph, Caroline, Paige, Meg, Deanna, Ashleigh and Michelle.

caz

For the first time I truly appreciated just how much make up and hair makes a collection really pop. Thank you to Hayley and Ashleigh for creating razor sharp, sultry flicks, red lips and victory curls that brought everything together. You absolutely nailed your first show, and Ashleigh even ended up modelling for me too! Legends!

It all came together at the very last minute – as these things tend to do. Kudos and huge thanks to Andrew, Anna and Emma – seasoned pro’s at smashing out breath-taking runway looks as standard!

hayley and ashleigh

A few people to thank:

To my three beautiful children – I almost broke under the pressure so many times, trying to juggle everything, be a good mum, progress at work, do my small bit for charity. I don’t always get the balance right, but coming home every day to hear you all arsing about, giggling makes it all worth while. Love you millions x

Emma for the best show day surprise I could ever have imagined and for supporting me every step of the way and at all hours of the day and night.

Jay at The Guide Liverpool for allowing me to shirk work for a few days to create the collection and also show it on the night. John at The Guide Liverpool for filming all the action and not being phased by half-naked models running about!

Thank you to Andy and Geoff at 156 Regiment for the loan of the berets and flags. I’ve never been so nervous of borrowing something so precious!

Paul, Pauline, Tash and especially little Kaidie, thank you for being there to support us all on the night x

deanna

My biggest thanks and admiration are to Jodie McShane. I have no idea what I’d have done without you and considering we’d not met before, you read my mind and kept everything running smoothly when I was flapping! I’m really looking forward to working with you again.

Lord Mayors Fashion Show

Led by the lovely Sofia Spencer, the show ran smoothly and raised just over £1400 for the Lord Mayor’s charities. To see all the official photos from Ian Williams and Andy Forster and video clips of The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Roz Gladden realising her daughter was on the catwalk……click here. Also check out my Gallery page for all the backstage pics and shenanigans too!

Same again next year?

x

 

 

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Dec 26 2016
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Boxing Day Musings

Hello again all, I hope you had a very merry Christmas?

It’s Boxing Day, 3:40pm and I’ve lost sight of my living room carpet again for the second day running, which is a sure fire sign that my children have been spoiled, and more to the point, I am fully relaxed!

 

merry-christmas

My 11 year old daughter lining up my wine glass for a classy Christmas photo!

 

Springing up off the sofa to throw the vacuum around or repeatedly ask my dudes to tidy their new toys away is just not on the agenda……well not until tomorrow.

I’ve not written very much on the blog in the latter stage of this year, mainly because work has been insanely busy and writing for pleasure had lost its appeal. I’ve succumbed to the more convenient few lines on my Facebook page instead, but it’s on my resolution list to write here a lot more.

As 2017 draws near (I filed my NYE nightlife copy this morning!) I’m reminded of the importance of taking a moment to just breathe and put things into perspective. Yesterday news spread around the world that another pop legend, George Michael (I’m a big fan), had passed away and coupled with quite a few glasses of festive bubbly, I found myself sobbing watching Love Actually on my own, feeling incredibly sad.

Professionally I’ve enjoyed some soaring highs this year. Joining The Guide Liverpool as a graduate, being promoted to Head of Editorial Content and working with some of the industry’s brightest stars had been phenomenal.

 

maggie-alphonsi

Huge career highlight for me, a masterclass in rugby with the legend that is World Cup Winning Rugby Player, Maggie Alphonsi MBE at Liverpool One.

 

Personally I struggled to come to terms with a couple of crashing lows that just as my friends and family assured me, would take time to heal. It also took a wonderful long weekend in Paris and a whole lot of laughs.

2016 has been a real up and down year for a lot of us. So many high profile deaths, personal challenges and bouts of illness, yet I’ve had my fair share of mind-blowing experiences and opportunities and so looking back, I can’t complain.

I’m starting the new year planning and designing my first ever clothing collection, ready to grace the catwalk of the Lord Mayor of Liverpool’s Charity Fashion Show in March. Paying homage to my military upbringing and a mark of respect to those who have served and those who continue to keep us safe.

Also, I’m absolutely delighted to report that I’m joining Hugh Baird College as an industry representative in an attempt to help media students gain valuable experience of the industry while building their portfolio’s and contacts list. Super chuffed about this!

 

mib-awards

The Guide Liverpool Team. Director and Presenter Jay Hynd, Videographer David Wright and me and the MIB Awards following our nomination for Best Creative Business

 

And as if that’s not enough, The Guide Liverpool continues to grow and 2017 is going to be absolutely belting. We’re constantly evolving and adapting to how the public wants to consume information, whether that means me taking part in the Santa Dash 5k with a Gopro strapped to my head (yep I did that) or recording live from gigs and events right across the north west, I’ll be part of the hardest working team around, bringing you all the action as it happens.

As you look back on 2016, I hope you can say you lived life to the full? If not, keep it in mind as 2017 rolls around and make it a year to remember for all the right reasons.

Happy New Year x

 

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May 27 2016
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May I?

I’ve failed my exams this month, spectacularly. I’ve so much respect for print journalists who can knock out 100 words per minute in shorthand, especially when dealing with sensitive subjects, noisy environments and random accents. You people are like, magical or something.

Sadly I’m not sure I’m cut out to join the elite, despite my brilliant shorthand lecturer persevering with me, I have hit the 80 wpm wall and cant seem to block out all the nonsense long enough to hit that coveted centenary mark.

I bowled into college, 12 minutes late last Friday morning, amid a flurry of phone calls that wound me right up, only to realise I had no pen (not even my trusty Army, Be The Best biro) or paper to transcribe on to, urgh.

shorthand

One emotional meltdown and four and a half minutes later I had failed my 100 wpm exam. Undeterred by the fact I was busy trying to concentrate, the drama continued through-out the break and into the 80 wpm re-sit exam an hour later. Plus some kid was sitting in MY seat. Failed again, head was most definitely elsewhere and not in the world of Teeline.

I’ve stressed myself out so much this month that the stomach ulcer I cultivated back in October decided to make an unwelcome return resulting in horrendous sickness for three long weeks. I didn’t even lose any weight, no need.

My daily diet of strawberry laces, Costa and cake wasn’t helping. I routinely resort back to the usual excuse; single mum of three, studying, working to build contacts, reputation and an attractive portfolio, plus running a home…..oh and my cat popped four kittens out on Sunday morning. I’m a bit busy to say the least and I’ve survived for too long on nervous energy and sugar!

So on to the positives! I now eat food, proper grown up food, and the biggest surprise is…..I actually like it! (munching porridge with grated apple and banana in it right now in fact). I feel so much better in just 4/5 days its remarkable. If you see me loitering around KFC, you have permission to kick my ass.

And because I feel better I’ve been able to get involved with some awesome events. I spent four idyllic days in Barcelona and sat in the press box and conference room at the Nou Camp. I’ve solved a murder mystery at the The Empire Theatre with Agatha Christie’s The Mouse Trap.

I’ve (unsuccessfully) tried to nick a lamb from Farmer Ted’s ( they’re so bloody cute) and held an Amazonian tree frog! I’ve rocked out with a bunch of ten year olds at a disco party and ate my (substantial) body weight in Army field kitchen chicken jalfrezi at the Liverpool Food & Drink Festival, Sefton Park.

I had a bit of a snog with Paddy McGuinness (sorry Woernee) at Madam Tussauds, Blackpool and tickled a stingray at Sea Life Centre. Watching the Kop come alive at Liverpool V Chelsea a couple of weeks ago was phenomenal, I’ve never experienced anything like that atmosphere, and the die hard fans tell me it was rubbish at that game

I had the privilege of cuddling brand new baby Elliot and feeling so much love for my wonderful friend Lisa who brought him into the world in a convenient 20 minutes! The same day I had root canal, two fillings and a cocktail for lunch…..and a 3 hour mid afternoon nap as a result!

My little dudes have had a blast in Blackpool, 518ft up in the air at the top of the Blackpool Tower, gasped at the awesome acrobatics at the circus and built their very own tower replica from Lego. We went back to school and walked the corridors of Broadgreen International school, 17 years after I left, whole separate blog post on this shortly.

I’ve photographed my own fantastic city from the roof of the Hope Street Hotel, had a brew with the new Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Roz Gladden and begun work on my first ever complete fashion collection, ready to show in Autumn 2016.

Ulcer schmulcer. Thank you so very much to the Alice and Greg, Jay Hynd and Amanda Moss for your continued support and thrilling opportunities to write. There are tonnes of new photo’s in the gallery here and check out my most recent work with The Guide Liverpool here.

Bring it on June!

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