So here it is.........finally

So here it is (finally) my shiny new blog! Except it's not actually shiny at the moment as I only decided last week that today (15.5.15) would be the PERFECT date for my first post! After a couple of really busy weeks at work, it's now past 9pm on the 15th and I'm rushing to still make this date! So for now there's no pretty design but next time you check back with me there will be! (I promise). We're all settled into our (now not so) new home and having decorated nearly as much as I can without starting again I'm ready for a new challenge/hobby so here we go! Bare with me as I type like I talk (fast and not always making sense). 

If you know me from Instagram (@prettylittlepoppet) you might have wondered 'what does she actually do??' (other than shop and eat) and if you know me from Facebook then you'll know a bit about Pretty Little Poppet but maybe not how it started? So for those of you who don't know Pretty Little Poppet is the 'brand' name of clothing I design and make. Everything is handmade by myself from our small spare room (my boyfriend and I moved in together coming up to a year ago) So without sounding too much like an advert for myself here's a little more about PLP...
(you're more than welcome to skim read this part)

Once upon a time.... quite a long time ago now actually, I studied art/textiles at A-level and afterwards went straight to uni to study Fashion design (specialising in costume design during my final year), after leaving uni 'Pretty Little Poppet' just came about really it was never planned as a business or full time job. I came up with the name to go with a small stall I had at a 'Help for Haiti' charity event I had planned where I was selling suede plaited bracelets and Paris themed necklaces using Eiffel Tower charms I'd brought back from a trip to Paris. I found a lot of genuine vintage 1950's-1990's fabrics at home leftover from my Mom's dressmaking days and with her help I would make myself clothing. Over the summer friends and friends of friends would ask me to make them outfits too. I put it on Facebook so people could easily contact me and the rest as they say is history! I started part time while working and soon became full time. While I was part time I would do local vintage fairs which are a great way to start and get your name out there as well as being fun (often more than a bit stressful too but mostly fun- they always have someone selling cakes!)
If you're considering doing some sort of similar work or are maybe at school/uni yourself I'd recommend doing as much work experience as possible, however big or small - it's the best way to learn and it's even made me realise whether I liked a job or not, I've taken part in several catwalk shows/competitions to showcase some of my work locally, interned with Zandra Rhodes at her London studios preparing for Paris fashion week and I've had some great opportunities selling through other lovely local businesses in Birmingham and online in both the UK and USA. As I've mentioned it is just me so at the moment I can't expand too much but in the future who knows!.....

Other than being self employed and spending far to many hours of my work day in my pyjamas, I'm an English girl, never living far from home but always dreaming of California. I love the sound of seagulls and the feel of sand between my toes. I've become obsessed with interior design since moving and I have a not so secret shopping problem. Handbags are my weakness.
They'll no doubt be a lot of clothes/shopping related posts so here are a few of my (many) favourite brands, Spell Designs,Samantha Wills, WILDFOX (check me out learning how to link things!) If I could only ever wear these guys again I'd be happy!- I'm a sharer and like to let everyone know where everything is from so if you like something- just ask!  I love yoga and more recently I've started Ballet Barre (or Booty Bar) classes which sadly I'm not as good at as I am in my head, I still have to force myself to exercise, I wish it came more naturally to me than it does (that goes for blog writing too). I get over excited about most things and there's nothing I love more than a themed party (or a new Pinterest board). I'm easily distracted by shiny things... 

Sorry this is such a long one! This is probably everything there is to know! My next post will be more photo based and I'll be posting about clothes, make up, home interiors and anything else you'd like to read!- please feel free to let me know and the blog will look a lot prettier soon too! Thanks for reading, Sophie x