A Day in Life of Rebecca Bogue
Today’s feature is a Day in the Life of article by Rebecca Bogue of Lunacy Boutique. Grab a cup of tea and read all about Rebecca’s day.
Getting Up
When I get up, not being the best morning person in the world, I have a shower to wake me up and get me revitalised for the day. Usually it’s a slow start putting my alarm off and on snooze about ten times! It drives my boyfriend crazy!! Then it’s make-up, hair and decision, decision as to what to wear. I love changing my look from day to day and this definitely is reflected in the shop as it’s a real mix of eclectic, classic and quirky pieces all jumbled together.
The Journey to Work
Going to work varies as my sister and I have two shops, in addition to the website, and we alternate between working at the Cardiff and Port Talbot shops. Of course the website can be updated, amended etc. in either shop. We always work separately just because we are starting out and money permitting, erhum! If I work in the Port Talbot shop - as I live in Port Talbot - it does mean a bit of a lie in and a 10 minute walk to work. If I’m working in Cardiff it means I’m a little grumpy for the first half an hour of the day, as I have to get up earlier and it involves a 35 minute train ride to work, as well as around 15 minutes walking each way.
The Working Day
Working, as well as part-owning a boutique, especially one that’s so small involves lots of work including window dressing, shop work, checking and replying to emails, updating the website, stock checking, pricing new stock and accounts. Each day can vary and it’s truly lovely having a bricks and mortar shop as well as an online presence, as you get to physically meet new and interesting customers. Our Cardiff shop is situated really close to Cardiff Castle and you get to meet lots of tourists including a favourite of mine - a fabulous Tokyo girl who was very wacky and left wearing a totally new outfit from the necklace, dress and cardigan . . . which makes you very proud!
Working Lunch
Lunch . . . erm is in the shop. Working by yourself - the sacrifices one must make! Shame it hasn’t had a good effect on my waistline. Drat! If I can rush out it’s literally for five minutes to grab something to eat in the shop. So food of preference is always non smelly, easy to eat food for pure easiness and to minimise spillage. Company at lunch is either myself - poor me - or our lovely customers, either regulars or newies who love to scout around.
Relaxing
To relax I love spending time with my boyfriend or friends. LOVE going to festivals . . . . Going to Bestival now soon. Yippee! Also gigs in the university where they’re smaller, more intimate and the band/singer is not a tiny dot in the distance. Also I love those crap model and designer shows on TV such as ‘Make Me a Supermodel US’, ‘Project Runway’ and Mary Queen of Shops’, especially for hints and tips. Other than that it’s when I get time to clean the flat - groan or hosting my own parties.
The last party, which was a long time ago now, had a Hawaiian theme, complete with pineapple scraped out cocktails and plastic coconut cups. Excessive - me - no! Hehe. My next party lined up is a Super Furry Animals party. Being Welsh I thought patriotically we could listen to their fabulous tunes all night and dress up as super furry animals. My friend has bagsied being a llama!
Working with Indie Designers
We prefer to stock small, independent designers for originality, as well as being able to deal directly with the designers themselves. With having two shops as well as a online store, though we do stock other labels we always try to obtain smaller lesser known brands. Therefore it’s the design that shines through as opposed to the label and overpricing that many bigger brands do and get away with because of it’s mass appeal. Our motto is, well there’s a few, “wear the clothes, don’t let the clothes wear you”, “we prefer Marmite clothes” (either you love it or hate it but at least it’s a better reaction that 20 people saying you look okay), “mediocrity is boring and bland!” and “you can even wear a polo-neck with it” … One of lunacy’s favourite all time clothing items. What a gem!
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Thank you Rebecca. It looks like a fascinating store. And for anyone who can’t make it to Port Talbot or Cardiff, you can check out Lunacy Boutique here.
