TURNING THREE

JULY... 'Happy Birthday to Meeeeeeeeee' said The Colourful Edit!

I really just want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart <(Oscar speech to follow!)>... who has supported my colourful journey in every way. Hubby, Parents, Siblings.  From my family and friends holding my babies, offering coffee (wine), and listening to my questions... When I’ve had orders to get through, my helpers and makers rallying around me... to the quiet stylish ambassadors looking fabulous and spreading the neckwear love, my wonderful stockists embracing new trends, to my startup small (and growing like mushrooms) business clients for taking a chance on the un-norm, for all my personal clients holding their shoulders back whilst rocking their new wardrobes, to my bride and grooms with my captured art printed and hung on their living room walls... it’s been quite a journey! I blinking love my job! 

Last month saw my 100th online order via my website - it’s only been live a year, without any paid advertising, so really chuffed at that. London, Liverpool, Oz and NewYork (!)... All new customers! 

People often ask how I juggle work with raising three little full-time  (Col's the main bread winner, I like to add the pickle, salami and hot sauce). This year has been much more balanced with Colin working locally however. (Not entirely sure how we got through the two prior!). There’s so much going on in my head most days 😂 I do try and live life like a child (with my three beautiful little kids), and look at things with an open heart. I always follow ‘effectiveness through creativity’, something I picked up from my old agency. And I never watch the news (or the TV for that matter!). But basically, I have to be organised (yup - you were right mum), always kind, roll with the punches, say please and thank you, accept that I may not get much rest, understand that it’s me/house looking good, keep all my receipts (argh), and believe that I can go out and be proud of what I achieve.  

And to CELEBRATE our Birthday, I'm giving away THREE £50.00 gift vouchers which can be redeemed in a stockist, against a styling session, or against a 'capture' photo session.

To be in with the chance to win, you simply need to like (and share with friends if you see fit) my pages on social media, style yourself up in a Colourful Edit neckwear (clothes optional! (actually clothes are preferred!), take a PICTURE - a selfie or get a friend to snap you, then tag me* on facebook or instagram @thecolourfuledit #thecolourfuleditisthree and be in with a chance to WIN one of the vouchers :)  WINNERS ANNOUNCED 1ST AUGUST 2018.

Any questions, ask away! xx 

(*permission to share imagery across my brand platforms granted - thanks! I'll probably make another brand book to go out to market if that is ok :) )

Confetti and Cake

I had the absolute pleasure and privilege of capturing the wedding of Louise and Paul on Friday. It was a beautiful occasion of family, love and laughter and all the kids just made it very special. 

Here are some of my favs... 

Local Suppliers:

Venue: Kingsknowes Hotel, Galashiels
Flowers: Flower Expressions, Selkirk
Cake: Heavenly Cakes by Mama
Hair: Laura Lauder at Chic Hair, Galashiels
Make Up: Sarah at L.A Beaute, Galashiels
Piper: David Sanderson

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

THE COLOURFUL EDIT - FESTIVE TRADING

______________________

THANK YOU KINDLY FOR ALL OF YOUR CUSTOM IN 2017
IT’S BEEN A WHIRLWIND!

I’M TAKING A LITTLE ‘TIME OUT’ TO SPEND WITH THE FAMILY,
 RETURNING IN MARCH 2018

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ORDER AN ACCESSORY,
PLEASE VISIT ONE OF MY LOVELY STOCKISTS OR ORDER ONLINE.

SEE YOU ALL IN MARCH FOR AN EXCITING LITTLE POP UP!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS XOXO

Online Shop is now open!

Order fresh new styles straight to your door... xx

Online Shopping

Hello Lovely People,

Hope you are all well!

Thank you so much for ordering through the shop thus far...

I'm actually taking a little breather and then revamping the store with some exciting new trends, so it'll be down from now, until September.

If you would like a neckwear, please do contact me directly or visit my lovely stockists!

Thanks Kindly xxx

#thecolourfuleditstyle

EVERYONE! I'm popping together a new brand book for stockists and I would LOVE to feature your faces! Please send me in your snaps of you wearing your neckwear's - through FB message, or hashtag #thecolourfuleditstyle over on Insta. Love to see how you are all styling them up - whether it's daywear, nightwear, casual wear, sporty wear.

Lauren xoxo

(Legal stuff: Permission to use pictures is assumed with receipt of image) xx

...And, a happy new year!

2017, how did that happen! Happy New Year Everyone!

2016, how unbelievably busy, rewarding, crazy and challenging! I am so thankful to all of you for supporting my business dreams, showcasing my handmade accessories beautifully and generally just being a great at spreading the love for my brand.

Highlights would have to be - seeing all my lovely customers in their neckwear's and styled outfits. Being asked to speak at Abbotsford House in front of 90 other Business Woman in the Scottish Borders - about how I turned ‘my’ passion into ‘my’ business! And, to top it all, creating lovely relationships with new brands, brides and clients... Oh, as well as opening my online store.

So the plan for the year ahead…

As you know, the business isn’t the only thing expanding! We are adding to our wee family in February, so I am officially ‘signing off’ for a wee rest and recoup! Until the fun really starts!

I will continue to fill up the shelves of the stores that stock in, and you can always come through my online shop to place any orders or make contact. New collections are coming soon online, and overseas delivery options too.

A wee change for my local home grown lasses and lads… This will be my very last month in my Galashiels store, Kid’s Threads. I would like to just say a big thank you to Kari-Ella and to all of you for supporting the brand - you have been awesome. But with end of an era news, comes start of a new chapter news - I’ll be moving to another local store in the near future, so watch this space!

For all my lovely clients with vouchers, please still get in touch and we can get a session penciled in. Everything else - Photography, Branding, Bespoke Accessories & Styling - well, I'll be stopping to take a little breather until the Summer of 2017. 

Pantone Colour of the Year 2017 is a yellowy green - which doesn’t really suit my complexion anyway! Ha Ha! So best I avoid you all!

So I hope you have all had a lovely break and an exceptional start to the New Year! I wanted to ask a favour... If you happened to receive a new neckwear for Christmas, can you please send in your pics to me, or hashtag #thecolourfuledit on instagram. LOVE THEM! #thecolourfuleditstyle

Lauren x

Let the online ordering commence!

So... after a few months of planning and getting all organised, I'm happy to announce that my online shop is now LIVE.

For the initial phase, we'll have the Abby, Ruby and Macca, plus Bunting for your perusal and purchase... with more to come down the track - collections, seasonal colours, new designs.

Shipping will be Mainland UK for the initial phase of launch, but my International friends, please don't worry, in early December we will make this an option for you too!

So - feel free to have a wee look, hopefully you will see something that takes your fancy!

Thanks

Lauren xx

Stocking up for Stockbridge

So I received a wee email yesterday letting me know my application had been successful for showcasing The Colourful Edit Accessories in Stockbridge, Edinburgh.  I'm so pleased that I'll be showing off up in the city and look forward to creating bespoke collections in the upcoming months...

scotland the brave, the colourful, the fairest...

Excited to announce that The Colourful Edit will be showcasing at Glasgow SECC this September at Scotland's Trade Fair. It'll be a busy few months of planning and organising and packaging my products so that potential traders may scoop them up for the Christmas run. Wish me luck! :)

the colourful academy

As you may know, I do a little bit of voluntary work for Energise Galashiels.

Recently, I was involved in sprucing up one of the local shop windows on Douglas Bridge, a local area where we host a lot of vacant shops.  I decided to pull in the local students at Galashiels Academy and we collaborated to make it a little promo for their upcoming Fashion Show,  headed up by the fabulous Pamela Inglis (Art Teacher).

The girls came down on the Sunday and did a little parade along the bridge, wearing my colourful Abby designs. They will also be walking down the runway this Tuesday wearing a few bespoke creations - all of which will be available to purchase, after the show. 

Here's some snaps from the shop frontage...

The Fashion show will be held this Tuesday 21st June - tickets available at the School Office.

trendy tuesday...

Every Tuesday, I intend on writing or sharing a little something something to make me smile. It may be a new local haunt, a travel destination, an experience, a hair or make up trend, photography tips... ooooh, you are in for a treat! :)

Drumroll.... Welcome to 'Trendy Tuesday!'

This week I'm starting with something I know really well. My fabric neckwears... Abby, Ava and Ruby.

The Galaday* is coming up and with it means traditional black and white dress code (if you are a traditional type of guy or gal!). I've popped a few designs together to spruce you up and make you stand out from the crowd of rosettes... you may despise the Galaday, but simply just like black and white - a real monochrome lover, so these too would work into your wardrobe!

Here's how I'd wear them...

Black and White Spot Abby

Worn here with a crisp white interesting shirt. Team with black skinny jeans and coloured heels.

Black and White Striped Abby

Worn here with a split leg (way hey) jumpsuit. A twist on the floor length gown - wear with killer heels.

Black and White Graphic Abby

Spacey. Worn with an intergalactic silver front, white tailed top, this look can be pretty striking. Add leather.

Black, Grey & White Ava

Worn with a coloured cut out singlet, team with skinny jeans (or a maxi skirt) and wedges for a summery look.

Black Ruby

Worn with a statement graphic tee can bring a little edge to the look. Team with denim and high tops.

Graphic Coloured Small Ruby

Worn here with a vest top and denim, add in a littl pair of white denim short and flat sneakers or sandal and keep comfy through the day!

Graphic Coral Statement Ruby

Tailored pleat top teamed with statement neckwear. The bottom half - leather trousers, white skinnys, or a pencil skirt. Add heels/sandals.

All these styles will be available for purchase from tomorrow, at Kids Threads/Eden - my Galashiels stockist. If you would like to place an order for a bespoke design - for example a 'blue, black and white Ruby' - then please do so through by emailing lauren@thecolourfuledit.com, or through a private message on Facebook.

Cut off date for Galaday designs - Saturday 25th June xoxo

*Galaday - Celebration of the town that is Galashiels.

harper photographics

My time working with Simon Harper, Advertising Photographer NZ was one of the highlights of my career in Advertising.
I learned so much about photography, the ins an outs of running a creative business, exceptional client service delivery and how to handle high pressure situations. Mainly though, I made a great friend and a mentor who I kept in touch with. I miss you dearly Simon. Life isn't quite the same on this side of the camera now that you are gone. Thank you for the opportunity.

Only wish we'd had instagram back then ;)

Lauren worked for me as my Producer back in 2005. Her role included duties associated with commercial photography such as; day to day running of business, organising props, scouting locations, booking models per brief, styling, setting up lighting, preparation of backdrops and direct client communications at all times.

Lauren's mature, friendly, outgoing personality was a positive advantage when dealing with clients, whom she related with extremely well. She is cooperative and flexible, willingly attending after hour shoots as well as location photography around New Zealand.

Lauren demonstrates a natural ability in relating to clientele, showing understanding, compassion, good humour and respect, whilst at all time being professional.

I found Lauren to be totally trustworthy, reliable and resourceful. It makes natural sense that Lauren now has her very own company - she was meant for this. And I wish her all the very best and look forward to one day working together again.

Simon Harper, Managing Director, Harper Photographics Ltd

sisterly loving

Well, what a weekend. We gave away our little sister at the weekend, to her wonderful fiance Pete (and welcomed our new brother into the family!). In typical big sister/little sister style, I was recruited as the planner, stylist, photographer, designer - oh, and dress holder (aka bridesmaid). Lucky I had mumma bear as my right hand woman!
Here's how it went xoxo

colour, shape, style... and shoot!

Working as a stylist allows me to meet some lovely people. I help girls (and boys) for an event such as a wedding, or a day at the races. Some people just want to find out which colours make them shine, while others are clients for life, who come in and out along the way. As a wee treat, I asked a few of my clients to spend their Sunday with me. They received a little bit of a pamper (hair by Lianne Tawse and make up by Greg Johnson). Then it was their time to style themselves and have fun in front of the camera. xoxo

A massive thank you to my super-models Louise, Elaine and Leanne.  You all look beautiful and confident xxx

Hair by Lianne and Caeli Tawse.
Make Up by Greg Johnstone

pinteresting....

Oh hi. You can follow me on pinterest by clicking here.

Here’s a little snapshot of my inspiration boards… x

Obviously, Pinterest is a great way of collecting pictures which inspire - I also find it a useful tool for sharing client story boards and working on my online presence and photography.