I set up my Instagram back in 2013 when Daniel and I moved back to England from Australia and I actually got an iPhone! I only ever had a tiny basic phone when I was travelling and it’s funny looking back at how excited I was to have one!
My Instagram page was on private for ages and it was really only a place to post photos I had taken with my camera phone or professional camera. I would write about things that inspired me, photograph places I found interesting and feature outfits I had put together from my charity shop trips. I studied photography for a year in college, had always been into taking photos and it was all just really organic. People seemed to like what I was posting on Instagram and I had no idea it would one day become my business.
Like all small businesses, there is always a story and a beginning. It was probably about 2015 time when I began to get invited to blogger lunches and a few events. I had my email on the bio of my Instagram (which was public after a while) and that’s how PR’s/companies would contact me. That was the start of the admin! It gradually progressed into me working on the laptop from the dining table. Again, at the time I didn’t have a clue that I could be earning actual money from what I loved doing so much. I was really just excited to be doing what Eimear did before she had a baby, you know?
We were in an open plan apartment and as the emails and editing photos became more regular, I realised I actually needed somewhere to work from! I think this was the start of me knowing how important it was to separate my work life from home life. I bought a little desk so I could have a small corner to go to and focus. I remember being so inspired and motivated when I chatted to an established fashion blogger at the time. If she was styling, photographing etc for a living, why couldn’t I! It’s what I was doing all the time anyway! I kept creating content on a regular basis and small paid work started coming in.
I would find myself working until all hours at that desk, after putting Saoirse to bed at night. At some points, I would be doing quite a few different jobs at once. Sourcing inspiration, creating content, photographing, editing, styling, reading, doing market research, writing and trying to get my head around the technical side of social media. I couldn’t work from my bed because once I got in, I would be asleep within a few minutes! I was so exhausted. Especially when I was doing all of that pregnant with my second child. I learned how imperative it was to sleep in my bed, without my phone/laptop/anything stimulating me… to just sleep in it.
When we moved into the rented house we are in at the moment, the first thing I did was convert the small room into a little office. To have somewhere to go and focus when Daniel had the girls (or when they were in bed) was so important for my state of mind. I want to be present when I am with the girls and need to concentrate when I work. So, working at home has to be a separate thing. I’m saying all of that, sometimes I actually need to leave the house and work form the local cafe for a few hours because sometimes, even if I hear the girls, I can’t find the urge not to tend to them!
So with actually beginning to understand the new dynamic of my home/work life, furniture was and is today an integral part of putting that dynamic into place. We don’t live in the biggest house right now, so I have had to think about each piece of furniture carefully. It has to have a place (actually fit!) and a purpose. Some of you would think that’s hilarious- but trust me it is true. With how many tabs I have open in my brain sometimes, I need to be able to have somewhere to just sit, look at a photography book/magazine to make me feel more chilled out and to encourage the inspiration behind my day to day work.
As you know, I am obsessed with interiors and having this beautiful Arlo & Jacob armchair in my bedroom for the last few weeks, has been a real game changer. With my third baby due in 7 weeks, my bedroom is about to become my world again. Well, to an extent. I’ll still have a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old to run around after! I never had a nursery for my babies and always just sat/lay on the bed when I fed. I keep looking at my new chair and thinking about how much I can’t wait to sit here comfortably and have baby snuggles!
The chair I picked out for this space is a Chesterfield (timeless!) armchair from the Darcy range and I love that it looks quite contemporary but also has a bit of a 70’s vibe. It’s so comfortable and you can really sink deep into it after a long day. I chose the natural legs because I thought they went nicely with the navy colour. This piece is the perfect blend between style and practicality, making it ideal for a modern family home. I don’t know how many of you remember when I did my IG stories of it being delivered a few weeks ago, but the whole delivery process was really fantastic. They took it right to the top of the house and talked me through the care pack too. All in all it has been an incredible service!
So now, finally, I have my office for one thing, bed for another and luxurious chair for just chilling out! Which I really, really cannot wait to do for a bit!
My outfit details for this post – my dress, necklace and top.
Photography by Sarah Blake