EVERY DAY ITS A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING UBER AMAZING...WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?

If you want to find out about anything from a lady who knows everyone in Marlow - it's Lizzie. Before you ask - she is not a busybody, she is not the lady at the end of your road with twitching curtains, nor someone you cross the street hoping you don't catch her eye. What Lizzie is - is infectious, with many fingers in lots of pies, creating, influencing and genuinely wanting to make Marlow a better place that we call home.

Beautiful illustrator, crystal lover and creator of the local #INSTABRUNCH designed to educate and nurture all the local business using Instagram as a marketing media tool. If you're local and you haven't had the pleasure of meeting her... Please do... here is Lizzie's story for my Friday Feature...

Tell me, a little bit about yourself…

We moved from Battersea to Marlow 10 years ago with our two little girls now 10 and 12. I have always been an illustrator, a longtime lifestyle PR for the likes of Laura Ashley, London Fashion Week and Home Barn. I became a true blogger and social media addict back in 2011 after a stint at helping a friend run a blogging conference called Cybher (2010)

Now freelance and running Creative Communicator I'm involved in some wonderful local initiatives, promoting and supporting through the Gourmet Picture Company, Marlow Town Council Campaigns, and Marlow Town Regatta to encourage visitors and locals to spend time in the wonderful River Thames village of Marlow. Oh and brimming with excitement I am about to be part of a new magazine launch!

How did you get into PR?

I studied Fashion Design at Ravensbourne DECADES ago and fell into fashion PR after there. I guess working for on and offline retailers and media opened my eyes to consumer habits and how business and fashion trends flow.

Why PR?

I love finding the latest ways to communicate trends, news and find unique ways to gage interest in the brands I work for. It helps I’m a creative and some of my ideas are a bit ‘out there’…which can then be reigned in by more sensible minds sometimes.

What's your usual week / day look like?

My work currently works around school hours. I slot in a Hiit Bootcamp with Josh Woods 3 times a week at 6.30 am before my hubby Ed has to go to work, drop Poppy off to Holy Trinity, go for a quick run on the days I don’t do bootcamp, or shoot off to meetings and press appointments after I’ve dropped her off. My days at the moment vary wildly, two seasons a year I’ll be backstage at London Fashion Week, mostly pulling together a proposal for a client, chasing copy for a magazine I’m currently working on, visiting interiors shows, looking like a teenager while I batch Instagram Posts on my phone, and then I become the ‘Clubs Taxi Service’ after pick-up!

What inspires you?

Just everything – I rarely finish a conversation because another subject has entered my head and I want to discuss it with whoever I’m with. So literally people inspire me, even the mean ones! I’ve recently completed a life drawing class at the Henley School of Art – THAT was the most inspiring thing. I absolutely love drawing the human form. I’m doing an oils course now, so I’ll be focusing on Figurative Art.

What did you want to be growing up?

A fashion designer – bit of an odd one for a farmer’s daughter growing up in the middle of the Staffordshire countryside, literally in the middle of nowhere. But that’s really what I wanted to be as a child.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Raising two beautiful little girls who are kind, thoughtful (sometimes), make me laugh and cry equally. Giving birth too was one HECK of an achievement!!

What’s next on your to do list?

Oh it’s endless! The most exciting thing I need to do though is something I’m collaborating on for a beautiful local boutique hotel and a well-known face – that’s Friday’s goals!

When are you happiest?

With Ed and the girls, we could be anywhere really, doesn’t matter.

When was the last time you laughed out loud?

Oh all the time – recently actually, at a random little night out in Brecon during the Easter Hols, and we went to this comedy night. Some London Comediens had driven up to this tiny café in Brecon, and performed what the Times actually described as the Mighty Boush on Acid – I don’t think anyone else really got it as much as Ed and me – god it was funny, and strange and slightly mesmerizing at the same time!

How as women, can we help to empower others?

Stop excluding others because they don’t ‘fit’ a certain ‘tribe’, women can be utter bitches at times, and yet we’re all ‘follow your dreams’ on Instagram! So hypocritical – just be real, support whoever needs it at the time, call or just text someone you know is going through a rough time. Be KIND to each other and remind others that you have shit times too.

What’s your style?

Vivienne Westwood all the way – LOVE that woman. Have you seen her Fracking campaigns – Ki her photographer lives here in Marlow you know! Going starry eyed just thinking about her! (Photo courtesy @emulsion_London)

Guilty pleasure?

My hair – Ollie at Oxygen in Beaconsfield is just a blummin genius. I should learn to dye my own roots, but why when I can have it applied professionally, WITH a head massage AND a hand massage… plus he’s an Instagram guru, so get all my tips from him during my visits!