Never fitting in and ‘overdressed’ for everything was the story of my life. My first day on campus was met by a group of girl’s smirking in my direction ‘mmmmhhhhmmm who does she think she is… she thinks she’s so special’. At the time I was attending a state community college before transferring to a University in London.

For most of my life, despite never fully conforming, I toned down my passions and personality to fit in. I come from a relatively small town in the US where it is more common to wear jeans and trainers (tennis shoes to the Americans). While working at Hugo Boss to pay my way through school, a journalist from our local paper who had popped into the shop said that ‘I was a diamond in the rough’. Not sure what he meant, but I took it as a compliment at the time.

Years later I understand now that we are all beautiful in our own way and that life has to chisel away at our being through hardship and struggle in order to reveal the treasure buried within. Never be afraid to shine! I wore a black cocktail dress on a Sunday afternoon after recently moving to London. On my way to work at Burberry, this time I was greeted by a handsome Swiss gentleman shouting my praises ‘darling you look gorgeous’. That is when I found a place where I belonged.

Perfect Song for this post!

No holding back…Time to Shine!