The next morning I woke to some incredibly exciting news. I had been accepted into the internship programme with the fashion department at The Independent and would be spending a few weeks there over the summer.
Ever since I can remember I've wanted to be a writer, I loved writing as a child and was forever scribbling in books. It was much more recently that I decided I wanted to work in fashion. There's a lot of stigma around the kind of person you have to be, or become, to work in fashion but through my experience the majority repel all of these stereotypes indefinitely. So to be gaining experience with The Independent is something both exciting and incredibly nerve-wracking. But it is also recognition of the last four years of studying, interning and working in the industry and a really exciting step… so it would have been rude not to have started the day with a cosmopolitan.
Pippa returned mid morning and eager to join in the celebrations. We lapped up the sun drinking, blogging and drinking some more. Since it's just been Pippa and I in the flat we've become like conjoined twins. When I first moved to London, Pippa was the first friend I made. Our rooms were next door to each other in the flat and every homesick tear, hungover breakfast and late night movie we shared together.
We spent two blissful days enjoying the sun with little obligation, only popping inside to get another bottle or recharge the Beyonce megamix, giggling hysterically at nothing at all and making lists of hilarious things we need to never forget. I won't however, be publishing those.
I've got a new dream dress. It was a steal I saw my favourite blogger thelondoner wearing on her birthday and I fell in love instantly. Torn between sophisticated black for evening wear, and impractical but bold white for summer days, I eventually went with white. The material is light but the boning in the sweetheart neckline provides structure and support where you need it. The off the shoulder sleeve adds to this too and the scuba skirt adds a girl-next-door innocence. It's the perfect dress for flirting with summer, and is available from the oh my love store, or via ASOS.
Sadly our weekend of fun had to come to a close, and while I headed to work, Pippa chained herself to her computer as the smell of Monday began to waft into the air. "Dinner?" Pippa text me no more than twenty minutes after I had left the house. Of course I wasn't going to turn down that offer.
I rushed home and we headed over to The Phene. While it's frequent spotlight on Made In Chelsea may tarnish this place with a brush dripping in snobbery, this couldn't be further from the reality. The Phene is homely and welcoming and the heated garden covered in fairy lights is the perfect setting for date night or a catch up with the girls. We started with our favourite grape juice, before quickly ordering. I chose a Sunday roast while Pippa opted for the Seabass. We arrived quite late on a Sunday and many dishes were unavailable. This was no problem to us, and the staff were so apologetic and accommodating, making my roast especially for me.
Dinner arrived exactly how I like it and we were quick to tuck in. The menu is simple, but executed with delicious expertise. Too full for dessert, we quickly migrated to the garden to enjoy the last of our wine and sit among the beautiful setting. With a big interview ahead for the following day, Pippa and I returned home for an early night.
The following day I had the biggest interview of my life, for an internship position at the esteemed Giorgio Armani. Petrified but prepared, I made my way to the sixth floor of the building and awaited my meeting. The offices are as sleek as the women who grace their floors and I was immediately intimidated. I've always thrived off my nerves but with this interview I was convinced I would crumble. So when I heard the press co-ordinator saying they'd love me to start next monday as she extended her hand to shake mine, I couldn't quite believe it. While my passion has always been in journalism, I'm eager to gain some PR experience, and in a luxury fashion house nonetheless.
Monday is now 48 hours away and the nerves are beginning to kick in. There is so much conversation around fashion internships being paid or unpaid, but it is a right of passage anyone serious about a career in fashion has to go through and I promise to keep you updated as to what I'm doing.
I couldn't wait to share my news with my beloveds, and raced home to tell Pippa, who was almost as excited as I was. "LETS CELEBRATE" she said, boots already on. And where better than my favourite place on earth? Sushisamba is the natural choice.
We enjoyed a french martini overlooking the incredible London skyline and toasting to the coming weeks. It is so easy to take everything I have now for granted but I've come such a long way from the shy young girl dreaming of a career in fashion two years ago, to the occasionally outspoken and determined young professional about to begin one of the most competitive jobs in the industry.
It's difficult closing certain chapters of your life, and that's what all the girls and I appear to have done this week. But its time to begin a new one, and I can't wait.
The dream dress can be found here:http://www.ohmylovelondon.com/papa-dont-preach-cream-off-the-shoulder-skater-dress
All information on The Phene: http://www.thephene.com
