Journal May 2019

Dear Stylers

Winter IS here, which means it’s my birthday month and that brings me great joy. I fear not the arrival of another year on this planet. Quite the contrary. I celebrate it with a week or month-long festival in true Gemini style. To all my fellow May/June Gemini sisters, happy happy birthday to you.

Read on for a look at what’s been happening around these parts.

SYTL HQ

1. We launched our second Styling You The Label collection and you went nuts for this blazer. We have got limited available from those who have returned sizes and our pre-order on new stock has almost sold out. This will be the last we get of these blazers as our exclusive leopard print fabric stock has been used up.

2. Styling You The Label made its national TV debut on Studio 10 (we’re on in the last six minutes). What a hoot that was. I had sweat cascading down my body as I sat chatting with TV legends Angela Bishop and Sarah Harris while our fabulous models showcased our designs. 

Wearing Styling You The Label Jane animal print dress

3. Our new pop-up space in Paddington, Brisbane, opened this week at Hummingbird the Shop (173 Latrobe Terrace). We’re open Tuesdays-Sundays every week in June so come on in and say hi.

Wearing Styling You The Label Nikki sequin tee | Kerryn blazer | Jude mid-wash cropped jeans

4. We’re SO close to reaching the magical 10,000 followers on Instagram. If you’d like to help a sister out to get full functionality on Instagram, please give us a like HERE. 

Events

Denise Duffield-Thomas came to town as part of her Chillpreneur book tour and I didn’t miss a chance to see her in person. I love how Denise takes away the “dirty” about talking about money for female entrepreneurs. She’s impacted and hugely helped my business is so many ways.

White Label Noba once again brought the WOW factor to a fashion launch, showcasing its autumn-winter winning combination of colour, ruffles and sparkles to its fans. The secret venue was unveiled as the new Smoked Garage bar in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. Check out my some of my faves from the night here. Many of the designs are available now in store or online.

Travelling

I was away in Sydney for three nights for the Studio 10 appearance and a Business Chicks Power Players event. It’s not the first time I’ve stayed at Ovolo Darling Harbour and it won’t be the last. It’s a great central location without being in the busy CBD and has the intimate feel of a boutique hotel. I stayed in the Stirred room – complete with its own rooftop balcony. 

Travel style: Styling You The Label Cate shirt in navy; Maria pants in black | FRANKiE4 Footwear BEC flats in leopard

Reading

Love at First Flight by Tess Woods – turns out this was Tess’ first book. It wasn’t crucial but I should have read this one first (before I read last month’s Beautiful Messy Love). It did hold its own but I loved the setting up of two of the main characters for Beautiful Messy Love.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee – epic historical stories are not usually my thing but this book was mooted for our “Book Club for the Unreliable” and since there has been a long time between book club books, I downloaded it and got stuck in. I’m almost finished and it’s surprised me with its compelling story set in Korea and Japan, spanning 1932-1989. The sheer grit of the women at the centre of the story captured and surprised me.

Listening

I found myself re-playing this podcast over and over. As a start-up business owner, hearing Melanie Perkins’ Canva business story is combination of big goals and tenacity.

Watching

I think I’m one of the few who’s actually ok with how Game of Thrones ended. I like ends to be tied up – or gently left open for possible spin-offs. 

I’m getting into new Australian drama from the writers of Offspring – Five Bedrooms. Ok, so we don’t have a fashion icon the likes of our Nina. Oh, and seeing one’s Year 11 boyfriend pop up on the small screen is always a spin out. I’ll keep you guessing on which character that is.

Eating/drinking (more over at @stylingyoueats)

We dined at the new Italian – Polpetta – at Howard Smith Wharves for the husband’s birthday. Rooftop drinks upstairs at the Fantauzzo Fiume Bar are a must.

For Mother’s Day late lunch, I chose a consistent fave, Madame Wu. Always a winner, from cocktail starters through to a delicious banquet.

Shopping

Styling You The Label was part of the #ShopBNEcity event last Friday, sharing a Brisbane Fashion Month pop-up space with some fabulous designers. I may have got into the shopping spirit of the day myself …

Wearing sass and bide knit; article cross-body bag; Styling You the Label skirt and FRANKiE4 Footwear flats

Speaking of earrings, my friend Katie launched her side hustle last week and if you love a statement earring or three you’ll love Fred and Ginger. 

Home

Our new deck deck is complete. We’re waiting on the pool fence to go back up so that the pool can be filled and a run of dry weather to make sealing and painting the Hardiedeck possible. It’s looking so good, so bright and fresh. Roll on spring!

Family

The eldest is back in Australian waters. AND I’ll get to see him and the ship for my birthday weekend. WOOHOO. Best. Present. Ever.

I conned my daughter into running the Mother’s Day Classic with me. It’s always such a great morning.

My youngest has loved popping into our pop-up shop after school every afternoon to see how the day has gone.

I nailed MVP in our family indoor soccer team … and haven’t played a game since (due to work and circumstance). Clearly I’ve peaked too early!

And we celebrated Mr SY’s birthday with friends and family. Never a miss a moment, I say.

Beauty obsessions

Ok, so this is the opposite of me trying to find THE perfect eyeshadow palette … a quest I’ve been on since Hourglass discontinued my favourite BUT maybe, just maybe, I don’t need a palette. Maybe there is one single shadow out there to answer all my eye makeup needs? That’s what I told myself as I dropped $42 on a single eyeshadow – Marc Jacobs O!mega Shadow Gel Powder Eyeshadow in O!yeah because Leigh Campbell told me so. Here’s the thing, this beautifully pigmented shadow hugs the lid superbly all day. It’s a chocolate colour that throws a little burgundy and just seems to work on my skin tone to create a defined eye. I pop a vanilla shade across the whole lid and then work this on the lid up to the crease. The illuminating effect makes my eyes pop.

Supporting

We made our first $1000 donation to the Lady Musgrave Trust, representing 100 of our sequinned logo charity t-shirts sold. The Lady Musgrave Trust is Queensland’s oldest charity providing shelter and accommodation for young homeless women and children. Thank you to all those who have bought a tee to help us support this charity.

We were honoured to be able to support each of the 11 Share the Dignity High Teas around Australia last weekend. I’ve long been in awe of everything that Rochelle Courtenay started but continues to achieve to stop period poverty in Australia. 

Oh, and I got to take the rest of my girl band … and we met actor Rebecca Gibney. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon. No, not at all.

From left: @what_brooke_wore, @ilovethatskirt and @stace_mcgregs

(My dress – coming to the blog Monday – is by Bohobird at Birdsnest)

Have a fabulous June. Tell me what you’ve been up to.