Monday, December 20, 2010

Merry Christmas

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With 5 days to Christmas, and 10 days until the New Year its time to look back on the year that was.

2010 will go down as one of the best years of my life. Its the year where I moved into working freelance full time as a blogger/stylist/writer/photographer, essentially a jack of all trades or a "slasher" as they say, and pretty much living my dream life. Its the year where I achieved my goals of getting published in both Fashion Journal and Culture magazines (where I got the front cover) and then had a minor freak out about what's next? Luckily I was able to clear my head in New York for a month, where I stayed in Williamsburg and just generally chillaxed and contemplated what I wanted from life. Turns out I want to be challenged. In Melbourne I was as far as I was going to go as a stylist really, there aren't that many Melbourne based publications to get published in, and I had already been published in them! So it was onto Sydney, the fashion industry capital of Australia (please note how I didn't say the fashion capital, that title belongs to Melbourne with its sophisticated intellectual style and its amazing boutiques which I miss immensely). The industry is based in Sydney though, its where the mags, pr firms and ad agencies are all mostly based, and the city buzzes with the possibilities for someone like me. And if that wasn't challenging enough, I went and started my own online magazine while still working on my freelance projects. Talk about a busy last few months.

The year that was

January
  • See my costumes for Miami Horror on stage at the Sandcastles music festival. 
  • My street fashion photos are published in Cleo magazine
  • I start working for The Vine as the Look of the Week stylist
March
  • I got asked to style up Sportsgirls Chapel Street Window
  • My first ever shoot in print with the Miami Horror boys gets published in Fashion Journal
  • I freak out about how great everything is going, sharing with you my anxieties and battle with depression
  • Have a blast at LMFF, get super excited when Dion Lee says he reads my blog.
April
  •  My 2nd ever published shoot, and its a COVER for Culture magazine! All 2009 I would say that a cover of Culture magazine was my goal. I never expected it to happen so fast!
  • Decided to go to Tokyo earlier than planned for some much needed time with my bestie.
  • Am really really lucky to be invited to Lady Gaga's intimate performance for Mac Viva Glam in Tokyo, this was after missing out on her Melbourne show as I was sick.
May
  • Appeared on ABC's Art Nation to talk about fashion blogging, which actually was Henry's dream for himself back in art school. At least one of us go to live the dream, and Henry still has a chance with his interior design work anyway.
  • The BEST thing about 2010 was helping my Mum celebrate her 50th Birthday with her first ever overseas trip in Tokyo. A dream I had for years finally realised. As you can see here, and here, she loved it.
  • Another AMAZING mind blowing thing that happened in 2010 was getting mentioned in a book about the history of Australian fashion. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that would happen!
  • I turned 26 and celebrated with the best bunch of friends you could ask for. I miss them all so much living in Sydney now. At least most are on twitter!
June
  • Interviewed for The Age about FATshion, and how I see myself less as a plus size role model, and more as, well, just me!
July
  • Get flown all around Australia for the Chambord Shine Awards, the winners of which were my good friends at Limedrop! Here are my posts on the Brissy, Melbourne and Sydney legs of the awards. These were my 1st ever FREE flights and hotel nights, to say I was pretty damn excited is an understatement!
  • My 3rd ever published shoot, an ad for Windsor Smith, appears in Fashion Journal
  • Get flown to NEW YORK for the Young, Fat and Fabulous conference thanks to City Chic. Have an amazing time with the sweetest people on the planet as you can see here, here. Suffer from severe jet lag thanks to all the flying for Chambord followed immediately by flying to LA and then the longest stop over in LA as the plane broke down (spent 3 hours on the tarmac, and then 6 hours in the airport!) 
August
  • Spent a few weeks in New York in the nicest hostel just having a good time and thinking about my future. I loved New York, which you can see here, and here.
  • Came home to Melbourne, and then packed up and moved to Sydney. Just like that!
October
November
  • Dressed Miami Horror for the Arias
  • Launched my online magazine On The Streets Of Sydney.com
  • Had two lovely year 10 work experience kids work with me for a week. Was really nice and encouraging to meet such talented and motivated young people, and boy did they help me. It was actually one of my busier weeks, and in the end they learnt, hopefully, how hard yet rewarding working for yourself in the creative field really is.
December
I'm not writing all this to show off, more to show myself that, wow, yes 2010 was a heck of a mind blowing amazing year! I'm really lucky to have been able to share my amazing year with you. Without your encouragement and support I wouldn't be here. Honestly, thanks so much for reading my blog and commenting and just being there for me when I do talk about my anxieties and fears. This was my 4th year of blogging and I hope to be blogging for many more years to come. 2011 will see me living in Sydney and essentially starting again, making contacts and working on developing On The Streets Of Sydney.com as well as celebrating my 10 year anniversary with Henry (4th year of marriage)! Can't wait to see what 2011 brings.

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and I hope 2011 is your year with all your dreams coming true xxx

21 comments:

  1. Well done, look forward to working with you in the future, have a lovely Christmas!! xx

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  2. What a fantastic year you've had. Congratulations on your successes and kudos to you for all your hard work. Look forward to hearing and seeing more!

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  3. You've definitely have had an amazing year. Looking forward to hear more from you and continue to inspire us ♥ ^^~

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  4. Congratulations Hayley. You are a true inspiration to me. I look backed at some of your old comments you posted on my blog WAY back, and can see now how many more amazing and big things have happened for you since then. I can only hope and dream to be able to live out as many dreams as you have. Just stay true to who you are, and what you love doing, because I think in the end filling your true passions and life long dreams is gonna mean more than any amount of money or success or fame. So happy for you!!

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  5. Merry Christmas, Hayley. Thanks for all your blogging and creativity xoxo

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  6. Merry Christmas Hayley and congrats on such a productive and amazing year!

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  7. congrats hayley on your wonderful successes! your blog has become one of my favourites on 2010. look forward to seeing what 2011 will bring XX

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  8. That is a very impressive year lady, you should be very proud!

    A massive thank you to you, my virtual friend, thanks to you, many new folks come by my blog to say hi, check out an old cracker who's no quite ready to hang up her heels.

    I look forward to checking out what kinda mischief you will get up to in 2011.

    Sleekit x

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  9. This is such an inspiring list of achievements Hayley! It sounds like facing your fears has really opened up a lot of opportunities for you. Have a great Christmas and all the best in the New Year.

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  10. I want your life. So exciting!!! Hopefully 2011 is the year for me!!! Keep up the good work!

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  11. You're amazing hayley! Merry Christmas!

    XXASAB
    http://angelaseeangelablog.wordpress.com/2010/12/23/pre-christmas-haul/

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  12. merry christmas hayley :) seems like you had a hell of a year and here's wishing you another awesome year for 2011. really proud of what you have achieved in your life :D

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  13. Hey Hayley!
    Been fan of your blog for quite some time- well done a fab year!

    We've been living Tokyo for the past 2 months as we had a baby here (unexpected!!) thought you might find it a read as you love Japan!

    Renee x

    www.renosslah.blogspot.com

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  14. It sounds like you've had a great year, so happy for you (hopefully that doesn't sound too weird coming from someone who's never met you, haha)! Hope 2011 is just as spectacular!

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  15. The amount of stuff that happened to you (& that you made happen) this year is actually pretty impressive. It's a good idea to look back at your achievements, I think, it makes you realise how much you are capable of; especially the stuff you were surprised by... who know what 2010 will hold? Way to go Hayley x

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  16. discovered your blog this year, and it has been such a lovely read. hoping to read much more captivating stories and journeys in 2011. maybe a trip up to the good old sunshine state?

    kind regards, Helen

    http://blanc-out.blogspot.com/

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  17. You have had an AMAZING 2010! WOW!!
    Such brilliant things have happened or you!
    I had a pretty awesome 2010 too - asked to write for the Vic govt and the ABC and won a media award!
    Yay for following our dreams!
    Good luck in 2011

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  18. You've worked hard to deserve all these things happening to you, hopefully 2011 is better :)

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  19. woow great job! good luck for all!

    great blog, I will follow you!

    http://angystearoom.blogspot.com

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  20. Hey,

    just discovered your blog and am immediately insanely envious of your life.

    Keep inspiring
    <3

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