Journal March 2019

Dear Stylers

It’s somehow the end of March and I thought it was time for an overdue check-in and a catch up. Every day on Instagram or Facebook I (over) share bits and pieces happening in my life – work and personal – that I thought it would be fun to put it all together here as a bit of a monthly journal. It’s something I used to do years ago but it fell away to social media. 

So, hello to YOU; farewell to March … grab yourself a coffee or a glass of wine and let’s get stuck in.

SYHQ

I cannot believe that it’s been just six weeks since Styling You The Label launched. Our small team has been working daily on getting orders out to you; talking to you about refunds and exchanges and doing a lot of behind-the-scenes things to keep getting the word out about our first collection. You’ve loved how we’ve represented our clothes on models in each of the sizes we’re stocking and I’m truly grateful for every order that has come in. This week we will shoot the next collection – which will launch in May. I busting to share with you what’s coming so I may do a couple of sneak peeks in coming weeks.

Our community manager, Jasmine Hunt (aka @prettychuffed) is now officially on maternity leave, awaiting the birth of her third child. We’re so excited for her and can’t wait to share the news of the arrival. Subbing in for Jasmine as community manager is Bec Nolan (aka @ilovethatskirt) and, on our next photoshoot, the fabulous Brooke Falvey (aka @what_brooke_wore) is representing our size 10s.

Events

I was honoured to be asked to speak at the inaugural Wild Spark event, connecting rural, remote and regional women in Mt Isa. Kirsten Smith (aka @kirstenandco) made the trip together and were roomies. I love anything that brings women together but it was my blogging friend Miss Chardy’s dream to bring together women outside of capital cities. You can read more about the event on her blog. It was the second time I’d connected with women from our north west and I’m already looking forward to heading back some time next year for a Trek West hiking tour. We are better women indeed when we meet and talk with others whose lives are so different from ours. 

This weekend I’m back at Toowong Village to present an autumn-winter 2109 fashion workshop. I LOVE putting these workshops together, finding pieces to highlight the season and making it simple for women to update their wardrobe with a few key purchases. The team at Toowong put on an amazing day, with superior catering and stage design and I get to meet so many of you in person. 

I was lucky enough to attend the Book of Mormon in Brisbane two nights in a row. Talk about boundary-pushing hilarity. Do yourself a favour. 

Travelling

We started the month with a weekend in Sydney to farewell our eldest son, who’s now on a navy ship in Asia (he called from Sri Lanka during the week and is loving it). We stayed near his base at the Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel and would stay there again. You are warned that there will be noise from the bar downstairs (and there was) but the view across the harbour and the walk around the coves and headland far outweighed that inconvenience. It’s such a pretty pocket in Sydney and feels like you’re not in the hustle and bustle. We dined out at Catalina for lunch and Icebergs for Sunday brunch. Both exquisite.

Mr SY ended up in a team for the Mooloolaba Triathlon so we headed back to our old ‘hood for a night and absolutely loved staying at the Peninsular Resort. Talk about being right in the thick of it. I got my cardio up doing some shopping and we all had a great post-event meal at my friend Tony Kelly’s restaurant, Rice Boi, at The Wharf.

Reading

I’ve long been a fan and follower of Denise Duffield-Thomas and her latest book, Chillpreneur, has got me thinking on many levels. I love Denise’s approach to building a business and I love how she gets us talking about money – and being ok with that. 

One Day in December – this one’s for you if, like me, you love a romance tale that’s filled of “what ifs” and sliding doors’ moments thanks to relatable characters who took you through words that I didn’t want to put down.

Listening

Offline The Podcast – I’ve been following and listening to Alison Rice’s podcast since she started it last year. Alison interviews a range of people, mostly women operating in the online world, exploring their sense of self (and therefore encouraging us to do the same). I’ve been in this world for almost 11 years and it can be a strange beast – particularly from the outside looking in.

The Quicky podcast by Mamamia – this is a new podcast from the Mamamia network and it’s a 15-minute grab that keeps you up to speed with the news stories of the day. It also “deep dives” into one topic each broadcast. The episode of about the dark side of social media and “click farms” for Instagram likes was indeed an ear opener!

Watching

MAFS – I know. Judge away. I’ve never watched a season until this one but I kind of know Heidi through Sunshine Coast connections and it sucked me in. 

Eating/drinking (more over at @stylingyoueats)

Moet Ice Imperial Rose – yes, way Rose! I love Moet Ice Imperial, so getting to try this new offering at Howard Smith Wharves’ Mr Percival was next level.

Donna Chang – my blogging friend Christina Butcher (aka @hairromance) was in town and I knew I needed to take her here for lunch. The former bank building is now home to lush, blush and green furnishings and some pretty damn good Chinese served up with a side of Seinfield humour.

Nota – when I new restaurant opens in my ‘hood, I’m always keen to try. This restaurant has opened in what was once home to Brisbane icon, Montrachet. The chocolate leather seating and exposed brickwork brings a fresh look to this space. And the European-style food is uncomplicated and YUM. 

Shopping

I shopped up a storm in Mt Isa (doing my bit for the rural economy – HAH!) at Desert Luxe, Loft 23 and Worn Out West.

The Beach People picnic basket – I’m far from an outdoors girl but the prospect of cheese and wine served on this esky/basket/platter has me super excited for the Easter holidays.

Binny leather jacket – my good friends at Petrol Boutique know me well, maybe a little too well. They messaged me last week to say that Binny’s AW19 leather had arrived in store. Resistance was futile.

Arlington Milne crossbody bag in spot suede – speaking of futile resistance, I cannot get enough of @babymac‘s edit her and sister Lucy’s online store, Add to Cart. When this crossbody bag popped up, I had to make it my own toot suite (see above for its first outing to Book of Morman). It’s sold out but make sure you leave your email to be notified. I love that it comes with two different straps for two different looks. I took mine to lunch AND the soccer sidelines last weekend.

My fave tights brand, Active Truth, has released a range of tees and tanks in the softest of fabrics. My favourite is the bamboo singlet (I bought black and blush). I love how they fall lower over the tummy but do size up from your regular size.

Home

Our pool and deck reno has begun. It’s out with the 1990s safety hazzards and rotting deck and in with a modern, fresh outdoor space. Stay tuned!

Beauty obsessions

My favourite eye colour palette was discontinued by Hourglass last year. I was in denial about this cruel beauty act until my final palette ran out. That was this month and since then I’ve been on the hunt for something that comes some way to stacking up to the perfection (for me) that was that palette. I’m currently trialling this one from Smashbox (Petal Metal) and the Mecca Max Desert Queen palette. I will report back next month with my findings.

I’ve been banging on about bhave keratin smoothing treatments for about five years now – and I’ve been getting them done on my hair twice a year. This month I was back in the chair and very happy again with the frizz-free, low-maintenance results. More on my Insta Story hair highlight. 

Supporting

Thank you to everyone who has bought one of these tees. So far, we’ve raised $750 for The Lady Musgrave Trust, which champions and supports young Queensland homeless women. You can read more about our partnership HERE. 

I’ve got so much respect for the work that Share the Dignity does in communities around Australia. On May 26 the annual Dignitea high tea events are being held in 11 cities. We’ve donated a prize for each event and I’m excited to be attending Brisbane’s fundraiser. Make sure you get in quickly to get your ticket to these events. Details HERE. 

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading. Bring on April. We’re escaping to Straddie for a week over Easter in between the crazy of getting ready for the next launch of Styling You The Label and our Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe online style program.