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One last blog

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CLEO is a fabulous place to work. The day always starts and ends with talk about celebrities, food, Gossip Girl (or whatever other TV show we’re obsessed with at the moment) or someone’s new shoes/outfit/handbag. To liken it to primary school (because that’s the only way I can find to describe it), it’s more like having seven hours of play lunch, and one hour of class. So, as much as I’ve put on a big smile this morning, it’s hiding sadness as I say good-bye to this office after three years of calling it home. I thought in my last blog, to give you an insight into life at CLEO, I thought I’d let you in on some of the things I’ll miss when I leave today:

* The writer’s room. This is the part of the office where Rachael (our beauty ed), Bessie (our senior features writer), Marie-Antoinette (our current web ed) and Jo (our lifestyle editor) all sit. There are often debates as to which part of the office is more fun – art department, fashion department, subs (who have lovely windows looking over the park) – but my vote goes to the writer’s room (yes, I’m biased).

* The fashion girls walking into the office with a box of things and saying, “Freebies, girls.”

* Getting a courier notice come up on my email to tell me something’s arrived at the dock, and then finding out it’s chocolate.

* Being able to chat to a wide variety of people – PR, celebrities, experts in all areas of life – all day everyday.

* Ant (our chief sub and the only guy in the office) sending a reply with a ridiculous photo every time someone sends an email to the whole office (he can’t help himself).

* Our art director Acacia’s Oreo cheesecake. It’s too good for words. And I hope by writing this here, she will be persuaded to put the recipe up online or in the mag for readers. Start a campaign…. I dare you!

* Editorial coordinators. There have been four while I’ve been here – Lisa, Zoe, Anna-lisa and Verena. They are the heart of the office and they’ve all made me smile as I walk in the door each morning.

* Cover line meetings. These are when the writers all sit together and try and work out what words we’re going to put on the cover. Let’s just say that the very worst comes out of all our mouths, before you get what eventually makes it to the cover (which I hope is the very best).

* Finally, getting a new issue put on my desk (usually one or two days before you guys see it on stands). It’s a funny moment. The office stops and everyone starts flicking through their issues. Even when we’ve spent the last few months working on all the pages, it still is the best feeling to have the finished product in your hand.