Mum on the Run

It’s official! My business is one!

I’m so grateful for everyone who has supported me in the last year. And for those of you who ever doubted me, well, silly you…

I obviously had to throw a little party to mark the anniversary. Thanks for all the cards and flowers I received on the day. It really means a lot! It was a lovely evening and we had some delicious treats from the Olney Cake company and a new London based venture, Cookie & Biscuit. The cake pops were delicious, as were the mini cookies. But it was the parcel they arrived in that put a smile
on my face:

Main picture by Shaneen Rosewarne Cox

I can’t believe a year has flown by since I opened POP The Fashion Store in May last year. It was quite a big gamble opening in a ‘tricky’ economical climate, but a year on the store is still  going strong. The support from people has been amazing, and it’s so rewarding when customers tell me they love my selection and that they have never experienced service like mine elsewhere. The online sales have been steadily growing  too.

Being nominated for Draper Magazine’s Inspiring Independents, and being included in their list of 100 best small boutiques alongside the likes of Dover Street Market, Browns, Donna Ida and Start Boutique was also amazing and totally unexpected.

The list of brands I have in store is also growing. I am mixing more ‘commercial’ labels, such as French Connection, Great Plains and Melissa with edgier ones, such as Finsk, Minna Parikka and Miista shoes, Moxham jewellery, Jane Goodchild bags as well as Ivana Helsinki, just to mention a few.

I am celebrating POP The Fashion Store’s first birthday in store on Friday 3rd May. If you can make it, come by for some bubbles and snacks, including mini cookies and muffins.

You can pop by any time between 7.30 and 10pm. Address: 4 Rose Court, Olney MK46 4BY. (If you are coming from London, the fastest way to get here is to take a 30minute Virgin train from Euston to Milton Keynes and then jump in a taxi for 15 minutes.)

I hope to see many of you then. And a huge THANK YOU for anyone who has supported me in the past year, I really appreciate it!

I haven’t done a Wear What post in ages. Mainly because the camera on my iPhone is pretty knackered (luckily I’m finally up for an upgrade this month!) but also because I often have no one who would take my photo.
Check out the Billy no mates…

Last week I had a brilliant local photographer, Ed Lee, take a few shots of me so I thought I might as well share a some with you, as for once, I look half presentable!

He is also going to do some sporty ones of me very soon and I can’t wait to go run around in the local park for the shoot.

Dress: Great Plains Necklace&Bracelet: Moxham Watch: Chanel Leggings: American Apparel Boots: Skin by Finsk 

I’m so pleased to be the first UK stockist for Ivana Helsinki, (the SS13 collection arrives in store and online in the beginning of March) and I was in clothes heaven when I went to place my AW order with them today. I played dress up, but I think we can all agree that the model, Vera Hyvämaa looks much better in the designs than I do.

I fell in love with this cape. I also love it that all the Ivana Helsinki knitwear is still made in Finland and the quality is excellent.

My next stop was the new Minna Parikka store. I had a hard time deciding which AW styles to go for besides the glittery bunny ear heels, which are just amazing.

I knew I wasn’t going to have time to go for an actual training session today, but I wasn’t going to fail my self imposed fitness challenge so I came up with a little plan. And here is why I don’t buy the “I don’t have time to exercise” excuse!

Day 6: Bum squeezes on the bus (20minutes)
It takes me about ten minutes to get into town from my mum and dad’s house. So I spent the journey there and back working on my butt. Yep, that happened… I felt ridiculous doing it but it was effective and gave me a good laugh! It also proves a point that you don’t have to go and do an actual training session at a gym to work on your fitness.

I’m hoping to run tomorrow, but I’m out with my friend tonight so I don’t think it will be a long one…

Today’s post is short and very much straight to the point. I want to say a huge than you to everyone who has supported me and POP The Fashion Store since I opened last May. It means a lot when people choose to come and buy outfits and gifts from me as opposed to the high street chains.

It’s safe to say I jumped into opening the shop without giving it much thought, but I have loved every minute of it from the buying of new season’s stock to helping women choose clothes they feel sexy and confident in. Lovely emails from people who have been to see me in the shop or bought online always make my day as it’s nice to know people have found shopping at POP a great experience.

So THANK YOU –  you all know who you are! I still don’t know who nominated me for the Drapers Inspiring Independents- awards but whoever you are, (and yes, there might be more than just one of you!) I will have a drink for you next Monday in London!

Can you tell I’m full of love and joy today? Must be the sunshine…