Looking back and going forward

Looking back and going forward

by | Nov 18, 2014 | blogging, Self

Last January, as I sat there in the scorching summer heat, I was working on a DIY blog planner. Colouring in pages and highlighting ideas, thinking of colours and creating vision boards. I knew I really needed a creative shot in the arm, using all my tried and true techniques to make it happen. But sometimes, no matter how much you try to stick to the plan, follow the system or work on dreaming up new ideas; if they don’t come from the right place they just don’t stick. That pretty much sums up the beginning of 2014 for me.

In the very moment that the name “Vintage Current” came to me, things finally started falling into place. I had clearer vision and purpose, making it easier to evaluate ideas by this new drawing board. It hasn’t been the quickest process, but while you see what happens on screen, there has been so much more happening behind the scenes. My mind tends to go at a hundred miles an hour, so it’s often difficult to stop myself from getting distracted; sorting out the good ideas from those that just aren’t for me. Even though it is only half way into November, I wanted to stop and take a moment to look back before I head into these new chapters.

What I really wanted to achieve, (and am still working on every day), is to bring you all the good stuff. The things that inspire, uplift, teach and generally make life better in some way. I also wanted to be able to improve the quality and consistency with which I can produce these things. After trying so many productivity techniques I came to the realisation that as a Mum to two primary school girls, with a home to look after and a couple of businesses to run; that I didn’t need to work harder or plan better, I just needed more hands. I had reached a point where I either had to give up one of my businesses or I had to scale things up dramatically. Being the stubborn over achiever that I am, I decided on the latter.

As scary is it can be to jump off into employer territory, that is exactly what I’ve done this year. What makes me the happiest about this is not that we can achieve so much more, but that through doing what I love, I’ve been able to create jobs for other people to do what they love too! It’s not all smooth sailing making this kind of commitment, and as any self employed creative can tell you, it’s hard enough just trying to pay your own bills. In spite of the fear that comes with turning a one woman show into a much larger enterprise, the sense of reinvigoration, inspiration and unlimited potential with all these great minds is simply brilliant.

So what does this all mean going forward?

Vintage Current is finally able to turn the corner I wanted it to. To be able to launch our first series of eBooks and digital styling courses to help anyone, anywhere in the world! If you haven’t already joined our newsletter, do it now! This is where you’ll get all the info before anyone else, including special deals only available to subscribers.

Not only will the series by available in January 2015, but I’m now able to bring my full day workshop to cities all over Australia and have dates being organised right now for the USA! If you’re USA based, let me know in the comments which cities you’d like to see these hosted in. At the moment I’m planning for April 2015 and have the most epic of trips happening.

We finally have the space and time to be able to produce more frequent, higher quality video tutorials; sharing all the styling knowledge I’ve gained through thousands of hours with hundreds of women. Our You Tube channel is just beginning to kick up a gear and the last few months have been busy producing all kinds of new hair and makeup tutorials you’ve never seen before. The Daily Outfits are also coming to video, and I’m always happy to answer any fashion questions you have including specifics about fit, comfort, quality and sizing.

So the next big thing on my agenda and happening very, very soon is…….. New York!!

Yes, not only am I headed off to Dubai this December, but I’ll then be headed straight across for a New York winter! I can hardly wait to see New York at Christmas, but oh the fabulous things I have organised to share with you. Secret little vintage hang outs and treats, speakeasies and beautiful streetscapes, as well as interviews with other vintage creatives. What a cracker December shall be! If this is your city, let me know and I’ll see if we can organise a bit of a meet up one day too.

What is exciting me most at the moment, is the realisation that with all these changes I have the opportunity to help more people unlock their own unique version of their style. To inspire with new ideas and sustainable ways to focus on remembering yourself in the midst of daily chaos. To help you take the time to dream and find ways to add more happiness to every day. Maybe it will be the perfect red lipstick you’ve always wanted to pick up a dreary week, or even something as big as helping you plan the vacation you’ve always wanted, taking in the culture and historic sights that make forever memories.

As always, I want to hear from you. Yes, really. Even if you haven’t written to me before, I’m inviting you to the conversation. Because as full on as all this blogging stuff can get, I always want to remember that the most important thing to me is why I started this in the first place, and that was to find “my people” (that’s you) and share our vintage loving lifestyle secrets together.

Candice Xx

Welcome

Welcome

by | Jul 27, 2014 | blogging

I’ve been on this journey for quite a while now, back before blogging was even a “thing” here in Australia.

When I first started writing Super Kawaii Mama, I had no idea that anyone would ever read it. I initially wrote it just for myself, as a bit of a style diary; a way to keep track of the outfits I put together and the various style moods that took me over. It quickly became apparent that, even though I thought I was alone in my passion for vintage style, I was just one of a world wide army of devotees. And how wonderful it has been getting to know you all!

This July marks a big change for me, one I’ve been planning for a few years but the timing was never right. I’ve wanted to change the name of the blog for some time, but never happened upon a name that struck the right chord with me. I’d also wanted to find a clearer purpose to what it is that I write and share; to bring more of my historical perspective and hard learned lessons that contribute to the ‘vintage’ tone my life takes.

The feedback I’ve had from you over the years, both online and in person, shows me that there is still so much to be written. Sometimes as bloggers we think we’ll run out of ideas, (and occasionally we all suffer from creative fatigue) but like clockwork, I find myself awake at strange hours of the morning with a plethora of stories I still want to tell.

As I lay there one night wondering when, if ever, I will finally teach myself to knit, I had a thought. Since I was very young, elements of the vintage world have always romanced me. At times I’m more in love with one style than another, sometimes I don’t want to dress and go out, but simply stay home read the books of my childhood. But no matter how I feel and how I’ve grown, one thing has always remained the same. That through the stream of my life, there always runs a vintage current. And so, a new name, and a renewed purpose was born.

Over the next few weeks you’ll notice a lot of changes around here, all for the better. A more streamlined, simplified look that should enable to navigate to the things you’ like to see with ease. New resource pages with entirely new content designed to help share all those old world tricks of the trade that keep things running smoothly around here. I want to share with you more of my vintage collection; all the pieces you’ve never seen as they are squirrelled away waiting for their moment in the sun or a mannequin with a much smaller waist.

For now you’ll see that I have changed the name of the blog and the look of the page. You’ll also notice the name change on social media over the coming weeks, and then a change over to the new URL in August.  I’m doing my best to ensure that the transition is a smooth as possible, but if you notice any broken links or funky formatting issues, please be patient with me as this is a DIY job. From the ideas to the basic coding, I’m doing this one myself and working over time to get it just right.

I’m more than a bit excited by this time of transition and growth, and I’m planning ways I can celebrate and share this milestone with you all. I can’t thank you enough for your support and friendship over the years, it has truly transformed my life and I don’t ever feel like “the weird kid who wears dead people’s clothes” anymore. Xx