Women

The fine line between between fashion and today’s news?

Posted on by Keya

Images courtesy of google images

To my lovely fashion loving followers, have you seen the Netflix documentary about the extraordinary woman who edited Italian Vogue? If not, watch it NOW! For this months edition we are doing a deep dive into all things Vogue.

All pictures courtesy of google images

During this strange period of COVID and how it relates to fashion, one person who I have admired who has always pushed the boundaries between current news and fashion is Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani who reported controversial topics until her heartbreaking death in 2016.

Can you my dear readers think back to a headline that really struck a chord with you either emotionally, politically or spiritually? One situation recently where I remember feeling a sense of overwhelming emotion was when we went for our first COVID -19 vaccine. I remember walking into the vaccination centre feeling like this is something hopefully the rest of the world is going to experience and we are all working towards a common goal on the planet of eradicating the virus from our generation and generations to come hopefully for good.

One article from Italian Vogue which really resonated with me is the article that this amazing woman published about the oil spill in Mexico – Deepwater Horizon. Franca did a heartfelt piece on how the oil spill affected marine life and biodiversity with models posing with oil covering their bodies and it really struck a chord with me. My day job is working in the Oil and Gas industry and seeing those images made me think long band hard about the impact I myself am having on the world.I genuinely feel like renewable energy is the way forward in 2021 and it’s something I would like to explore deeper in my career but I love how she just pushed those controversial topics into a different ether and tested those boundaries.

The world has evolved so much, fashion has become pretty much on the back burner whilst the human race globally survive this pandemic but also where there is a will, there is a way! Now face masks have become a fashion statement have you noticed? What’s your mask of choice? It can literally be Gucci, Prada or H&M as long as it matches your outfit. Have you found your style of choice?

One thing I really hope will return even with all of the restrictions of the UK leaving the EU is being able to still afford sustainable fashion. One amazing talenof this is my mother handed down to me a Burberry trench coat which she wore in her 20s which I still wear each year in my mid 30s. The leather cuffs are worn and the shoulders are shabby but I still love wearing it as to me what is vintage is wearing a trench coat that my mum used to wear at my age. Have any of you got a family heirloom which has been passed down to you? Do you frequent vintage shops for classic finds or raid your own parents wardrobes?

What I loved about Franca Sozzani and something that I believe will be her lasting legacy was that she blurred the boundaries between fashion and real life journalism from the war in Afghanistan to celebs going to rehab or having plastic surgery – no subject was off limits and I loved that about Franca. She did not shy away from controversial topics and for that amongst many things you will always be remembered Franca ❤️ May your memory live on always and forever ❤️.

Until next time, take care

Keya x

Pastures anew

Posted on by Keya

Good afternoon to you my warmer temperatures lovers,

First off, where have the last few months gone? Even though we have been in a near enough year long lockdown in the UK, the months have just flown by. I hope that you and your families are all safe and well wherever in the world you may be.

A lot has changed for me personally in the last few months. I am proud to say I am now a home owner (eek whoever would have of thought it) so it has been a whirlwind so far of renovations, paint getting into places that it shouldn’t and also some time to just enjoy being still and quiet in the garden.

Have any of you found during the pandemic you really struggled with feeling cooped up and not being able to be outside? We spent the whole of winter in a rented house without a garden and I can safely say now I cannot get enough of having a patch of turf to call my own!

I hope that in your own countries restrictions are also starting lift slightly? I cannot tell you how happy I was yesterday to be able to go and have my nails done. It isn’t even just the fact they look nice, it’s just so amazing to feel pampered and relaxed for that hour. I am not a huge make up person (mainly because I do not even know where to start with all of the blushers and eyeshadows) but I do like to have my eyebrows shaped and my hands and toes to be manicured. What is your pamper treat of choice?

I know for a lot of men at the moment the one thing they cannot wait to have is a haircut. There is only so much slicking back or wearing a cap a man can do, am I right? I have giggled so much seeing all the memes of home hair cuts going completely wrong. I am sure we all have thought I can use a pair of scissors how hard can it be, much to our dismay when it goes catastrophically wrong 😊

Have any of you managed to go out for a meal or for a drink in a pub beer garden yet also? I have managed to book a Sunday dinner this weekend in a pub garden and on the reservation it said to bring warm clothing as heaters are limited! I think we will be happy to go out in a beanie hat and scarf, as long as we can have food that we haven’t had to cook ourselves at the moment. Haha.

Whatever it is that you are most looking forward to about life getting back to some sense of normality, still remember to stay safe, look after each other and most importantly dress to impress at every occasion from now onwards.

No more jogging bottoms and messy buns – woohoo!

Until next time, take care

Keya x

5 things to help you stay positive during Lockdown 2.0

Posted on by Keya

Good day to you my lockdown warriors,

As is much of the world right now, the UK is in our second lockdown of the year. When I saw the news of this announcement from our prime minister, I like many people felt a familiar sense of doom and found myself saying “oh no, not again!” This negative outlook did not last long however as I decided in that moment that I am going to do this lock down differently. Hopefully with these top 5 tips, it may help you see the light at the end of the tunnel also. This months post is all things POSITIVE 😊

1) Be at one with nature.

During the first few months of this year, we actually moved home from the bustling hub of London to the rural countryside of the Dales. I have always been a outdoorsy person, preferring long walks or bike rides in the forest to busy, loud bars at the weekend and I literally feel in my element having so much green space on my doorstep. Even if you live in a busy city, really try to make the concerted effort to take an hour at lunch to go for a walk in a local park or if you are fortunate to have a back garden, go out and tend to your veggie patch or walk a friends dog around the block. I cannot stress enough how being in the fresh air does absolute wonders for your well-being.

2) Make an effort with your appearance.

If like me, your working from home attire has been comfy loungewear and a messy up do for the last six months, you will be amazed at how much better you will feel blow drying your hair or putting on a little mascara. I make a concerted effort on the weekend to put on a nice outfit or make myself feel good by having a pamper session at home because self love is incredibly important, even more so in these difficult times.

3) Stay in contact with your family and friends

Just because we are unable to see our loved ones at the moment, still let them know they are in your thoughts by having a once a week video call or just sending each other silly memes throughout the day. Many people are alone at the moment and even though they have family members close by, it can still be incredibly lonely so sometimes just a 5 minute catch up can really make someone’s day. Anyway, who doesn’t love a good belly laugh when they can!

4) Take regular breaks from your home office.

I am incredibly fortunate at the moment to be able to do my day job from home 100% of the time which I am more than grateful for. One thing that I’ve really noticed though is are you also getting so many more emails and teams calls now? Can you relate?

I went through a bit of a hard time about 6 months into lockdown where I felt like I didn’t have much of a work/ life balance because even though we are at home it can be easy to forget that we still need to take a lunch break or to make a cup of tea. Things which are usually part of your working day can sometimes take the back seat which is why it’s imperative to still get up from your desk at least once every hour to stretch your legs or have a glass of water. It is not sustainable to be “on” all the time, be kind to yourself!

5) Time to look within

Although 2020 has not panned out the way many of us would have ever imagined so far this year, one of the real positives I have found during this time is we have never had more of an opportunity to be at home with our families more than now. Usually we are caught up in the daily rat race of commuting to work, perhaps school runs or extra curricular activities or taking part in sports or working out in the gym, when that has been taken away though, what are we left with? Ourselves and a whole lot of reflection time. Are you using this time wisely if you are being honest with yourself? Are you unhappy in your current role or career path? Unhappy with your level of health or fitness? Or perhaps just stuck in a rut? I can tell you for me personally, I have really struggled to write this blog during this time because it can feel inauthentic to be talking about fashion, lifestyle or holiday destinations when there is so much devastation worldwide right now. But I have come to realise upon reflection that I feel creatively at ease as soon as pen hits the paper every time I sit down to write an entry. THIS is my happy place. Have you found yours?

(Image courtesy of Google images)

Until next time?

Take care

Keya x

Power dressing – the feminine touch.

Posted on by Keya

Good afternoon to you my sleek stylistas,

Well so much has changed since my last blog post. After much deliberation and decision making, we decided to end our chapter in Qatar and I am now living back home in London. I have also since started a new job – slightly more senior than I had been previously which is a huge challenge but mega exciting. Quite fittingly for this months post we are going to delve into the tricky world of power dressing but keeping it feminine.

All images courtesy of google images)

Whenever I hear the words power dressing, I can’t help but be reminded of Oliver Twist – sooty faced chimney sweeps on one end of the spectrum and gentlemen in elegant three piece suits with a slick hairstyle to match on the other. It does seem like quite an old fashioned notion especially as today’s fast fashion is one in which we embrace our individuality and what we wear today is yesterday’s news once it’s picture has been posted on social media – however power dressing has had a serious upheaval in recent years.

As I recall I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, the very first time I watched the series Suits on TV with Jessica wearing an one shouldered monochrome dress with sky high Christian Louboutins and Rachel in fitted a line dresses or shirts and pencil skirt combos I was sold. I knew that I wanted to improve the way I dressed in the office too.

One of the fond memories I have from living in a conservative state in the UAE is it really made me think twice about the length of my skirt or whether my shoulders were covered each day. I really liked how elegant I felt in midi skirts or floaty long sleeve tops and trousers. I have always believed in the less is more approach to dressing anyway so being covered up in the work place felt natural and comfortable.

In my new role I wanted to embrace that new style into my wardrobe so I find my day to day go to’s are knee length fitted dresses with a jacket and heels or tailored chinos with a smart top and heels. It really doesn’t have to cost a fortune, I find by mix and matching my jackets or cardigans or shoes with certain outfits it can look completely new and is extremely versatile.

Because my days are so fluid in the office also I never know when I will have to attend an impromptu meeting so I find a simple shift dress with paired back accessories and simple hair can take you from boardroom to after work team building with ease.

One of my absolute style crushes for work wear at the moment is Amal Clooney. She effortlessly puts outfits together so beautifully and she looks amazing whether she is attending a red carpet event or spending a day in the office. There is something so chic about a twin set and pearls and she really pulls off the old school 50s Hollywood glamour.

So whether you prefer a sharply tailored suit or a ankle length pleated dress and jacket for your work wardrobe, just remember in a proverbial mans world we can still be feminine and on trend with or without the trousers in the board room.

Until next time,

Take care

Keya x

Fast fashion – the True Cost.

Posted on by Keya

Good afternoon to you my fashionista friends,

A short while ago, I watched a documentary on Netflix called “The True Cost” (an absolute must watch if you are as fashion conscious as I am) and it had such a profound effect on me. I knew immediately it was something I needed to research in more detail and share with my readers. Therefore, this month we delve into the world of Fast Fashion.

(All images courtesy of google images)

I was in tears by the end of the documentary as it goes into great detail about the working conditions in textile factories in some of the most poverty stricken, third world countries in the world. Mothers can be seen bent crookedly over their sewing machines whilst their newborn babies are swaddled in a blanket at their feet, whilst others earn so little money each month they have to send their children to live with relatives in distant villages because they cannot afford to provide basic human needs for their families.

It really puts a spot light on the influence of how Fashion has evolved so dramatically even in my lifetime. The demand for ready to wear collections; seen one day on the catwalk and then available in stores the very next is now the norm – but at what cost?

I was absolutely appalled to see how in some remote regions in India, because of the harsh chemicals used to dye leathers and suedes, the local rivers which provide drinking water to its inhabitants are now heavily polluted. These areas do not have access to bottled drinking water like we in the western world take for granted, so they risk severe illness and even death by consuming it.

Or when textile workers complained to their senior management about unsafe working conditions in a factory in Dhaka which was ignored, Rana Plaza came crashing down to a pile of rubble in May 2013, killing over a thousand people albeit barely making international news channels. These companies are under such pressure to produce garments as cheap as possible, with the notion of if they refuse, the fashion houses will just find another factory to fabricate their collection even cheaper.

It really puts me into such a conundrum. I, like everyone I know will shop in high street chain stores where you know you will be getting basic items at minimal prices because frankly we all love a bargain. That feeling of buying a dress which was originally £50 but only amounted to £19.99 when you go to the checkout counter is an instant endorphin boost. I wholeheartedly admit that with the world of social media and digital technology, the ideology of being able to wear a new outfit every time you socialise with your friends is highly coveted but not sustainable at all. What with rising costs of living, bills and supporting families – many of us do not have anything extra from our salaries to purchase frivolous clothing.

I also believe however, that spending a bit more on classic, well made items ensure they really do stand the test of time. A wonderful example of this is a well worn Burberry trench coat is now one of my prized possessions after it was handed down to me by my mum. It comes out in the Spring every year and must be at least 20 years old but utterly timeless in my opinion.

I guess my passion for Fashion has predominantly come from seeing masters like Manolo Blahnik lovingly going to his factory in Italy every few months where he insists on making the sample shoe of each style himself, teaching his staff the skills and quality he brings to his brand. And Dries Van Noten ensuring all of his textile factory staff are taught how to sew couture gowns and intricate sequin work by hand as he wants his legacy of dress making to continue long after his reign in the industry has surpassed. When you learn that a standard Michael Kors bag can be made in 20 minutes whereas a Hermes Birkin can take easily 24 hours as it’s all hand made – you can fully understand how the costs can vary so dramatically.

Personally I have learned that I as one person will never be able to change the world myself by refusing to wear animal products or only choosing to buy clothing from high end designers perhaps once a year instead of for that special occasion you would like to look your best for, but by consciously thinking about where the item was made and if you really need it instead of merely wanting it – day by day you can make a difference to your own life and your loved ones around you. I believe one small act of kindness or compassion achieved by us all, will collectively make a lasting impression in the world for our future generations.

Until next time,

Keya x

An ode to Oud

Posted on by Keya

Good day to you my sweetly perfumed patrons,

Just over a month into my time here in the Middle East, I felt it imperative to immerse myself in the local culture and traditions as much as possible. It is such a different way of life to my own upbringing back in the UK, but immensely interesting.

As a predominately Muslim country, I have personally witnessed many people taking part in Wudu, which is the religious ceremony of washing one’s hands, faces, feet and arms prior to prayer. Another facet to this ritual of cleanliness is scent which is what I wanted to delve into in this months post.

When you walk into any fragrance store here you are instantly subjected to an overload to the senses. Firstly you have the utter visual beauty of the glass bottles displayed on the shelves, secondly the heady scents of incense, Amber and the rich woody texture of Oud fills your nostrils and finally tracing your fingertips over the amazing tapestry of presentation boxes can easily transport you to a traditional store in a souk in Morocco or Saudi Arabia.

Auod/ Oud or agar wood as it is also known, is one of the most expensive woods in the world with an average price per kilo as QAR 40,000. The wood can be burned on its own to perfume an individuals home, or more commonly the oil from it is used as the base for many perfumes. It’s rich, powerful aroma is instantly recognisable.

With agar wood as the base note of the scent, other delights like incense, Amber, or strawberry (the list could go on) are amalgamated to form the most incredible scents. Many are unisex with women preferring the bolder hints of the masculine eau’s and the lighter, more fruity feminine fragrances are used by men subsequently.

The delightful concoctions are not just limited to our skin either with many people opting for perfumed hair sprays and body musks to ensure they all are smelling deliciously fresh and clean in the summer heat.

These fragrances are not just a wonder for our noses either, the opulent and luxurious bottle designs would not look out of place in the palace of Versailles, however we too can have our own slice of exquisiteness on our dressing tables at home.

It is utterly impossible not to walk out of an Arabian perfume shop without having a huge smile on your face and more than likely owning your own personal scent bottle also. Our senses are heightened everyday with the world around us and sometimes a certain smell can remind us of a lost loved one or transport us back to a childhood memory at the drop of a hat.

We decide everyday what outfit, lipstick colour or shoes to wear, who says our perfume choice can’t be included in our daily routine also?

Until next time,

Take care

Keya x

New Year, not new YOU.

Posted on by Keya

Firstly welcome to 2019 and I hope you all had an amazing festive break with your loved ones. I hope you are all feeling rested, revived and ready to tackle the New Year ahead.

I have been procrastinating for days now about writing this post because the subject matter genuinely scares the life out of me, but alas if we cannot reveal our own flaws as human beings how can we be compassionate of others?

(All images courtesy of google images)

As those close to me would know, I have spent the last six months in talking therapy for a cleanliness OCD and also to deal with internal battles from bullying and an eating disorder when I was a teenager at school. In all honesty 2018 was the toughest year I have ever faced and although there were many high moments (the most prominent being when I met the love of my life) the lows were crippling, not just for me but my support network also.

I had been the way I was for so long, that I just thought it was part of my personality -just ME. Sometimes however, it takes a defining moment or catalyst to finally say those magic words – I need help and that happened for me in the early part of last year. Once I had taken that first step however, being assigned a therapist was a lot less painstaking then I imagined, and as soon as I met mine for the first time the floodgates opened and it felt amazing to finally talk to an impartial person about my childhood and how it shaped me into the person I had become.

I know this post is not in my usual style of writing if you have been a subscriber since the beginning, but in reality, life is not all sunshine and rainbows. I also cannot sing the praises enough of the Waltham Forest Talking therapies group through the NHS as they ultimately have changed my life forever.

Approaching the end of 2018, equipped with new lessons, tools and a belief in myself for the first time made seeing in the New Year with my amazing partners family in Sunderland even more poignant for me. This was the first year in as long as I can remember, it felt right to not set a New Years resolution. I knew that I wanted to go into 2019 using my new techniques and assertiveness skills to know that I AM good enough, I have a voice and being open and honest is ALWAYS the best policy.

This has been my own personal journey but the message I would like to leave with you all is that it is OK to ask for help, it’s OK to be open about working on your own mental health, it’s OK to not have your shit together, and finally it’s OK to be selfish and say to your loved ones I need time for ME.

Whatever challenges or hardships you have faced in 2018, I wish that 2019 is a year of growth, lessons learnt put into practise, transparency with those who you love most and ultimately just living the best version of you, you can be.

I cannot wait for all of the new content, research and most of all providing thought provoking posts for you regularly this year.

Until next time, don’t worry be happy 😊

Take care

Keya x

Friend or foe?

Posted on by Keya

Good afternoon to you my loyal lovelies,

Since transitioning into my 30’s, along with seeing changes in my physical appearance, energy levels and career development – one other area I have really noticed a shift in is my friendship circle. For this months post, I really wanted to delve into the complicated world of maintaining those special relationships in the modern world.

(All images courtesy of google images)

At school I wasn’t one of the “popular”, the musical or the high tech computer sets of friends but I had a core group of around eight girls and we did everything together. I still think fondly back to the first time we got into a night club (we were so excited and felt so grown up) and also heading into London in style in our own limousine after prom night. Back then you felt as if you would be friends forever although when we all started going off to different colleges or getting work placements, the group whittled down to barely a handful by the time university or full time employment came around. I am lucky enough to still have one of my very oldest friends in my life from the first week of secondary school, it’s been 21 years and she is like a sister to me still.

I am so grateful that in my 20s I was able to travel to some amazing places around the world – real bucket list destinations like Bali, the Amalfi Coast and Brazil. Also working in Africa, Houston and Norway on secondment which was incredible for life experience (and passport stamps) but not so great for maintaining those important friendships in your life.

Don’t get me wrong, with the introduction of social media and technology like Skype and WhatsApp calls it does make the world seem a little smaller when you get that all important beep on your phone from your best friends, but as I have said before on earlier posts, sometimes social media can be as much a hindrance as a help. I still find it so strange how a quick text or comment on Instagram has replaced spending hours chatting in each other’s bedrooms, or how catching up over a glass of wine can be few and far between as life just passes by so quickly.

It’s amazing how you continually meet people as an adult also who just instantly feel as though they have been there forever – forging new friendships which mesh seamlessly with the old, reminiscent of the edges of a well worn patchwork quilt. Whether that be in the work place, doing one of your favourite hobbies or at a party through a mutual friend, I really feel as women we have an invisible bond which should be uplifting not belittling each other.

It’s universally ok and an unwritten rule too whether you have children or not, that because our lives are so full and busy – we cannot possibly expect to get a response to our message or voice mail immediately like we did when our phones were constantly glued to our hands as teenagers (quite frankly a few hours to respond is commendable, but a few days more likely)

In summary I guess I am trying to say that like any relationship, friendships also take work and effort. I put my hands up completely and admit that I tend to retreat into myself when I’m sad or hurting but if you are going through a particularly tough or difficult time and you lose friends because of it, then in my view they were not very good ones to begin with. Sometimes even when we feel as though we have 10 plates spinning in the air simultaneously, a simple voice note to your best friend is enough to let them know you are thinking of them and you are there to be a supportive hand when they are ready to open up.

What with all the controversy, wars, famine, poverty and huge social issues like the sheer number of people suffering with depression, mental health issues or loneliness – even if you have one special person in your life who you know you can always turn to for advice – CHERISH them as to me, having people around you who genuinely love and respect you is worth more than any materialistic item in the world.

Until next time, take care

Keya x

Balance is not just walking in stilettos.

Posted on by Keya

Good morning to you my joyful jugglers of life,

I am sure if you are anything like me, from a young age it was drummed into you in magazines or on the television that you can be a woman who has it all – a high flying career, a beautiful family, a successful social life and for there to even be time to fit in an exercise class or two for good measure; I grew up wanting to be that kind of woman. For this months post however, I wanted to talk about Balance.

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(All pictures courtesy of Google images)

As a woman of 32, I currently have a career that I receive a huge sense of satisfaction from although I feel is still in its earliest throes of progression. I have a wonderful handful of true girl friends who I have grown up and evolved with. The main difference now being our wild nights together consist of sharing a bottle of wine whilst putting the world to rights over a nice meal instead of coming home at 5am in last nights party frock. I have an amazing family who support me through the best, the worst and every other period in-between who mean the world to me. And last but certainly not least, I have a partner in my life who supports me in every challenge I face, who is my rock and makes me laugh and feel loved in a way that I did not even know was possible until now. And to top it off, after receiving my Spinning Instructor certification back in 2016, I also ensure I get some exercise classes thrown in each week too with me on the microphone 🙂

With all the positive elements of my life though, I too fall into the trap of not knowing how to juggle all of these things successfully at times. Are you nodding your head whilst reading this – its OK if you are! haha.

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I often wonder to myself if one day we are unable to keep all of these proverbial balls in the air and one drops, what will actually HAPPEN? If we realize that we accidentally double booked a dinner date with a friend on the same day we already said we would go to visit your partners family – will we lose that friendship or cause an argument? The answer is usually no, but why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to appear to the outside world we have it all in order? And in all honesty if that was the outcome which came from those situations, the next question you would need to ask yourself is are you surrounding yourself with the right kind of people who deserve your love and time? Now that is a hard question to ask yourself believe me but sometimes the answer is so enlightening and empowering 🙂

Another trait of women statistically is we usually would not put ourselves forward for a new role at work unless we felt 100 percent certain we could carry out all of the tasks required whereas men tend to be more confident that they can learn the required responsibilities once already employed in the job. Why do we sometimes doubt our capabilities when we know that we are just as right for that role as our male counterpart? It all comes down to having self Confidence and Esteem. I have learnt only in the last few years that I AM good enough and even know you may not have the necessary experience in a particular industry, it will translate to another in many circumstances. Finding those commonalities will mean the sky really is the limit for you.

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I will wholeheartedly raise my hands and say that I am a perfectionist in all areas of my life and I genuinely feel like super woman when I have managed to do a days work, taught an energetic spin class, cooked a healthy dinner, put a load of washing on and still managed to enjoy a relaxing glass of wine with my loved one before bedtime – but realistically not every day is like that. Some days, my only achievement is moving from my bed to the sofa and back again but with each passing year I have learnt that doing nothing is OK too.

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Which brings me perfectly to the very subject of this post – Balance. Life will always inevitably get stressful, activity filled and chaotic which will only increase when children are thrown into the mix but as my wise parents often remind me Rome wasn’t built in a day and if you cant get all your washing done today – we have another 60 years hopefully of doing it so it really does not matter. Or if you realize with a heavy heart you haven’t seen your best friends for a month, just pick up the phone and give them a call – sometimes just hearing your voice and letting them know you are thinking about them is enough until you next can see each other for a catch up.

Life can be tough enough at times, so why add that additional pressure on yourself to try to do everything all of the time – kick back, relax and go for that impromptu dinner date or picnic in the park. The routine can wait until tomorrow 🙂

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Until next time, take care

Keya x

 

Yearn for Yard family 

Posted on by Keya

Good morning my wonderful, fashion loving, incredible followers,

Wow, do I have a treat for you all today. As I mentioned to you late last year one of my resolutions for my blog for 2017 was to endeavour to bring you interesting, thought provoking content with each entry which is why as you may have noticed I’ve scaled back my posts to once a month now. This gives me time to research and gather my input so I can be excited and proud of every post I deliver to you. 

For May’s edition, I have managed to gain an all access interview with the sister duo who make up the awesome new company you ALL have to get on board with, Yard Family. 

K – Hello Emily and Alice of Yard Family, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. First off, could you perhaps explain to myself and my readers, how did you come up with the name “Yard Family”?

YF – We wanted the name of our business to reflect our philosophy, which is to get together with loved ones i.e. family, friends, etc and enjoy the great outdoors – whether it’s your backyard, beach, park, or off the beaten track!

K – What is the concept behind the business and how did it originate?

YF – These days, where technology like iPhones, computers, and computer games are an easy and available source of constant entertainment, it is easy to forget that there are so many beautiful places right on our doorstep that are there for us to enjoy. We believe that time away from the barrage of social media and digital entertainment is of paramount importance to the enjoyment of life, health and vitality.
We are both mothers with several children each (Alice has 4 and Emily has 3), and we can see that there is a huge temptation to allow kids to use technology as a convenient source of distraction.

Our own families’ philosophy is to get outside with the family, kids, and friends as often as possible (and the weather allows!) and soak up the sunshine and fresh air. We wanted to create a product and brand that promoted that quality outdoor time, in a way that is stylish and fashionable. And so Yard Family (and the Yard Blanket and other products) was born!
K – For those of my readers who do not know both Emily and Alice are mothers to a total of seven children, how do you find the time to invest in Yard Family around your already busy lives?

YF – It definitely requires juggling and balance! We usually make the most of the time the kids are at school, during nap times, or in the evenings after the kids are in bed. Every now and then if we have a particularly busy period where we are working on a collaboration or a sale, our amazing husbands step in and take over the childcare duties to allow us the time we need. But we have definitely found that the more you have to do as a mother, the better your time management becomes! Otherwise it would all end up in disaster!

K – Has being family yourselves (Emily and Alice are sisters) helped or hindered the day to day running of Yard Family? Do you have the same creative and commercial ideas about new collections for the brand?
YF – Thankfully we are a pretty amazing match – Emily is the business end of things and Ally is the creative. We bounce ideas for collaborations around and are usually in agreement with most of each others’ ideas. We are both willing to give in to the other if one of us feels strongly about doing something the other isn’t so keen on. But that happens very rarely!
K – What would you say is each of your strengths that has helped make Yard Family the success it has been to date?
YF – Ally, being the creative genius, does all the photos, product styling, and graphics. Emily does the writing, emails, manages the website, and other technical things. We try to keep those boundaries pretty clear as our strengths definitely lie in what we do best!

K- Where do you see Yard Family in five years time?
YF – We hope to continue to have a successful business that we can manage from home, expanding as our children grow and don’t need us as much! We would love for families all over the world to own and enjoy a Yard Blanket, for our products to feature with some well-known lifestyle brands, and generally have a name that is synonymous with quality time and the good things in life.

K – Can we expect any new designs or further forays into the luxurious, family outdoor living in the near future?

YF – Absolutely. We are always brainstorming new ideas and have some great plans for expanding our range up our sleeves. As we grow we will be branching out into other lines and products, all in keeping with the philosophy of Yard Family!

K- For those who wish to purchase any of your beautiful creations, what is the best way to do this?

YF – We have an online store at http://www.yardfamily.com where you can see our range and the details of each product. We ship worldwide for a flat fee of AUD$50, and offer free shipping within Australia. We accept credit card, PayPal and Afterpay, which allows you to buy now and pay later!

And with that, Emily and Alice are back to their families and day to day lives. What an inspiring and creative duo they truly are, thank you so much for the interview 😀

Until next time, take care 

Keya x