Official Grad

If you're around my age, and have friends at uni, your FB newsfeed over the last few weeks will have been filled with flying mortar boards, happy families and robes. If not, you can only imagine how annoying it is after the first few, but after hundreds of 'friends' graduating, it is just too much. 

However, I'm going to bore you all with my special day pictures, because after three long years, and so much stress and hard work, I finally graduated with a 2:1 in International Fashion Marketing (with a 1st in Financial Management) and I couldn't be prouder of myself. 

As soon as my mum saw me in my attire she burst into tears crying "My little baby!" which was sweet. 

There was laughter and gaiety amongst friends, champagne and ceremony selfies. It was just the best day and I didn't want it to end. 

I am currently on holiday (back in the cayman islands) so I won't be posting for a week or so, but I will have plenty of photos to bore you all with next!

Interview blues

This post is going to be half rant, half 'name and shame', all about Monsoon. 

I thought I would put this out there because I found the way I was treated by this company was degrading and frankly disgusting, especially as a struggling grad looking for work, like many others. 

So, at the moment I'm applying for jobs in London for my big move there in September. I have a degree in International Fashion Marketing and so applied for the Merchandising Admin Assistant role for Monsoon on the off chance, knowing that I have studied merchandising roles (so I know what they involve) and have experience in admin. 

I was surprised and excited when I received an email for the Monsoon careers office asking me when I'd be available for a telephone interview. After booking the time slot, re arranging my work shifts around this and then spending hours preparing standard interview answers to what I thought would be an interview, I did not expect to be treated the way I was. 

After answering the call from my 'interviewer' she immediately asked me why I even wanted the merchandising role as I have a marketing degree. I replied because I'm interested in the field, have studied it as a module, and want to work for a large company. She told me that I would find the role boring, questioned what I knew about it (and when I answered told me I was wrong) and with a very patronising tone suggested that I try for marketing positions in future as I 'clearly' do not have a passion or an understanding of merchandising. 

Before I even put the phone down I was in tears. Not only because I'd been made to feel small, insignificant and had all my confidence battered out of me in one swift phone call but mainly because I was in shock. 

After being told I was to have an 'interview' for the position, I did not get asked one interview question but instead was basically asked why I had even bothered to apply for the role. 

Maybe it was fair of her to ask why I thought I was qualified, maybe she didn't think I had a genuine passion for the role, but then if so, WHY ASK ME FOR AN INTERVIEW?! This is the thing that really bugged me. Why even ask me for an interview when you don't think I'm qualified or passionate! 

The whole thing really upset me, and I have written a strongly worded email about it to them. However I highly doubt that this made a spot of difference to how they are treating candidates who have shown a genuine interest in the company. The whole situation has surprised and baffled me to my very core. 

But like all other graduates struggling to find a good job, that is worthy of the constant rejection and your time, I have to keep my head up and keep trying. But I can tell you all now, I will never step foot into Monsoon again. 

Do you think I was treated unfairly? Please leave comments below!

Babyliss Pro Perfect Curl

I got my hair done today, finally. I hadn't had it highlighted since May, so yes, I was sporting the badger look with my roots which as we all know is never very attractive. 

When my lovely dresser was done blowdrying, she said "I'm going to show you my new toy". Now I was slightly hesitant as we never want to be experiments in the hair department, those of you who are very attached to your locks would sympathise. Anyway, she bought out this long black plastic thing with a cylinder on the end, explaining that it was a curler. 

In fact, (after a bit of investigating) I found out it was the Babyliss Pro Curl curler, which costs a whopping £165!!

Apparently, it's going down a treat in the UK, (we're a bit behind the times here in Jersey) and have sold out practically everywhere, and I can see why!

My hair is so thick and so long that it usually takes a good hour to curl the whole thing, but with this product, it took roughly ten minutes. 

I have posted a video below so you can see how it works, but the device sort of traps and wraps your hair, heats it in the cylinder and when you release it, theres a curl!

Now Babyliss haven't always had the best track record with these sorts of things, especially with this product, as you can see how your hair could easily get caught whilst being wound up, but I was actually very impressed! 

Here are some snaps of my hair after using the Babyliss Pro Perfect Curl. 

Have you tried this product? What did you think? I would love to hear feedback from others.

Thanks guys!