Welcome!
Hi friends! And welcome! If you’re new here, hello! I’m Monica, an OG blogger and newbie to Substack! If you’re a long-time reader or follower, hiii I’m so happy you’re here!
When I was thinking about launching this Substack, I was a little torn. Life looks a lot different now than when I first started blogging in 2011—then under the name ‘The Elgin Avenue’. Who’s been around since then?!
I began my career online with a traditional fashion blog. I would share my outfits—cash-strapped on a student budget, they were often Zara sale or second hand finds—and as my life progressed through my early—then late—20s and into my 30s, so did my interests. I ended up contributing to—and being featured in—publications including Vogue, Marie Claire, Grazia and more. I also began to work with brands, which quickly became—and still is—a large part of my working life.
I’ve always loved fashion. I was the girl who’d pore over magazines, scrap book favourite shoots, agonise over what to wear, take part-time jobs in clothes shops . . . getting dressed has always felt FUN.
Equally—as we often hear—two things can be true at once. And I have many other interests alongside fashion, including: health and wellbeing, interiors, skincare, business, and—most recently—motherhood.
As with many Millennial content creators, I’ve adjusted the articles/photos/posts I share to wrap around each chapter of my life; home, work, marriage + more. And, generally speaking, it’s continued to strike a chord. The majority of my readership are also Millennials and we’ve shared echoes of life. Never exactly the same, but similar or relatable.
However, my life changed, in a momentous way, during my pregnancy. As well as having big blue eyes, a raspy laugh and a really good head of golden hair, my son Luca has Achondroplasia—the most common form of dwarfism. (I wrote about my family’s experience of receiving Luca’s diagnosis here.)
As I launch this Substack, Luca is days away from turning 1. Truthfully, I had thought that I would get back into my writing groove sooner, but—as I’m sure most parents can attest to—parenthood is a wild ride. And alongside the regular rollercoaster of Motherhood Year 1, I’ve been learning how to best support Luca and his unique needs and care.
That torn feeling I mentioned? The version of ‘me’ now, feels wildly different to the version of ‘me’ that first shared her life online in 2011. I know logically that we all change and evolve with the benefit of thirteen years. But the seismic shift of motherhood and welcoming a baby boy into the world with a rare condition . . . it’s a layer of life I hadn’t anticipated.
Motherhood is a prominent part of my life now. And it is unquestionably a pillar I want to and will be sharing about on Substack. Both the bigger heart-led conversations, and the fun. Like baby knitwear OMG.
And—to lean on the two-things-can-be-true-at-once trope again—I’ll also be sharing about the lighter ingredients of life. The things which have brought me so much joy to experience and write about over the past 13+ years.
All this brings me to say, that here you can expect honest conversations on: motherhood, fashion, wellbeing, interiors, skincare . . . and whatever feel-good thing crosses my path that I think you might like to hear about too!
THANK YOU for being here 💗 Eeep, new chapter here we go!
With love, Monica x
P.S. a fun fact! I started my blog on the 01.01 (2011) and I’m now launching on Substack on 01.11 (2024)—as someone who loves serendipitous alignment, this pleases me no end!
P.P.S. a huge love note of thanks to my dear—and wildly talented—friends Charlotte and Victoria, for their photography and branding prowess respectively. They’ve both put their stamp on this new corner of the internet for me, and I am forever grateful for their unwavering support and creative magic.
Subscription Info
All articles throughout November 2024 will be free. From December 2024 the following subscriber structure will kick into action. But first, a month-long taster 😊
Free Subscribers
Subscribe for free to receive my monthly ‘Croissant Reading’ newsletter. This is a hug-in-a-mug kind of newsletter sharing links from around the web I love. This series has been going for yearsss (I’ve lost count of how many!) and I’m excited to bring it over to Substack.
You’ll also receive ad hoc articles which are open to all.
NB: articles about Achondroplasia and my experience navigating pregnancy and Luca’s diagnosis, will always be free to read.
Paid Subscribers
For £5 per month (or £50 per year) you can receive the complete catalog of articles from me, including: long conversations on motherhood, homeware and style edits, energy tips, wellbeing chats . . . the full remit! You’ll also have access to the comments section of every post, which as we know, is where the good stuff goes down 😉
Founding Members
You have the option of making a one-off payment of £150 to show your support 💗
Whichever route you choose, thank you again for being here!
Welcome to Substack, Monica! Been here since January and it radiates that old-school blogging mood here – I love it. Can't wait to read what you create here x