Sarahs Style Emporium

After the fab night out at Style Review on Monday, the week of fun and fabulousness continued with the launch of Touche Hombre on Thursday evening.

With Mexican food the seemingly hottest cuisine in town at the moment, a point of difference at any establishment is important. Touche Hombre, located on the corner of Lonsdale St and Tattersalls lane opposite QV, provided it in spades and put on a party some won't forget for a while - even with the aid of tequila.

Fashion Journals' editor Leah White with Tamara Perenic and the Touche Hombre donkey

A donkey greeted guests on the street before waitresses handed out cocktails like candy. Tequila was the beverage of choice, and as the room filled up, and it was more difficult for the waitresses to get through, the bar became the place to be as the bar boys dipped glasses in salt and mixed drinks.

The food was served in small morsels - corn on the cob with spices, various taco tasters and tostatidos hovered on trays above heads while waitresses squeezed through. You had to be quick to try these bite size bits.

You can only book for lunch on Fridays - the latest trend in restaurants is not taking bookings - but when you are as cool as these guys, chances are, you don't need to.

www.touchehombre.com.au
Images thanks to AMPR

Now that I have SO much free time on my hands (this is totally untrue, I feel like I have less time that I did before but at least I'm having fun), I was pleased to not have to cancel last minute on Style Review, a catwalk show that depicicted personal styling on real women - no skinny minny models here.

Fashion blogging fun and laughs L-R: Iolanthe Gattuso from Ruby Slipper, me, Michelle from Michelle's Style File and Cecylia from Cecylia.com

Cindy Newstead hosts Style Review twice a year to show women how high street fashion can be incorporated into their wardrobes - and be worn to their advantage, meaning your clothes work for you and not the other way around.

Bloggers in technicolour: Cecylia, me, Kyra Pybus of Pybus PR and Iolanthe.

Seven models, ranging in age from mid 20s to mid 50s and in a spectrum of sizes, took to the catwalk to show off Cindy's styling efforts in this seasons latest trends. We talked inverted triangles, boyish figures, 'bits we all want to hide' and other styling secrets and heard about the seven womens' journey to find their perfect outfits.

I'm going to single out model Nicole for the purposes of this blog, simply because she wore Ted Baker for each outfit and I fell in love with every one. Blonde Nicole wore natural tones and camel hues so well and her height, further assisted with heels, made for some spectacular outfits.

Divine! Wishing I was as tall or as blonde as the lovely Nicole, but the whole Style Review exercise was proof to the women in attendence that there is something out there for everyone - no matter your shape, size or age.

The catwalk show was accompanied by a pop up shopping area, where I procured a gorgeous recycled resin ring in orange from Dames and Divas.

A big thanks to the Style Review team for having me along! See you in Spring.

Images thanks to Meagan Harding Photography.

With the last of the Autumn sunshine beaming down, last Saturday presented perfect conditions for a day at the races. The 7-Eleven Pink Ribbon Cup bought a mostly young crowd to Caulfield, dressed fittingly in pink, to enjoy the picnic atmosphere and enjoy a Slurpee and Krispy Kreme donut.

Jess and I: Jess wears Siren Shoes, Runway Australia dress, Karen Hamilton hat and Chanel bag. I'm wearing Wittner shoes, Cue dress, homemade hairpiece and op-shop find bag.

Hanging with Jess, from What Would Karl Do, we perused the fashions whilst sipping a traditional raspberry slurpee.

The frocks were mostly fabulous – our personal fave being the fashions winner, as selected by Jess – while some others took the pink theme a touch too far in dresses that were more suited to a nightclub than a races marquee.

Fashions Winner Madeline Jones

It felt a little early for dancing at 11am, but the DJ played, the photobooth flashed and girls queued for fake eyelashes and hair extensions. The 7-Eleven young members marquee felt like a teenage dream birthday party – complete with bubbly champagne, an ice cream freezer and horse races just out the window.

Dan and Dani, from Channel 9's The Block

Milinery by Danica Erard was on display and was a much coveted prize for the best dressed, while the teams from The Block provided a few celeb spotting opportunities.

Thanks to 7-Eleven for a fab day out, to support a wonderful cause!

Pictures thanks to Andre Elhay Photography.

‘Somewhere over the rainbow’ is supposed to be a mythical place that only exists in your head; a place where dreams come true, skies are blue and people are smiling and happy all the time.

This is a place that Dorothy imagined for herself in The Wizard of Oz, but discovered, as many of us do, that the grass is not always greener on the other side and sometimes we need to create our own rainbows instead of feeling like we need to leave to find them.

This is a reality I think I have been struggling with for the past few months. Stuck in an endless cycle of working on projects I wasn’t passionate about, I dreamt of running away to Canada, of all places, (I had my reasons though), to escape the never ending dread that I was going to be someone I hated for the rest of my life.

While my friends and family became increasingly frustrated at my lack of availability (and constant checking of my phone), I started to realise that I was the only one who could change this cycle and after reading an article that detailed the Top 5 Regrets of the elderly and terminal ill, I decided to make my move. I quit my job without a job to go to. Again.

Those who have followed my online journey for the past years will know I quit my government job in 2009 because I wasn’t feeling challenged. Two years later, I am leaving because although I am challenged, I am still not doing something I am passionate about.

My mother insists that it’s called work for a reason, but I am an advocate for work life balance and of working for something you believe in. Otherwise, what’s the point?

There are those who live to work – I am not one of them. Don’t get me wrong, when I am working on something I love, I could sit at the computer until 2am – perhaps longer – and not feel like I’ve been there an hour. I could talk about fashion, or social media, for hours and hours without taking a breath (actually if you know me, this is pretty much how I talk anyways).

I want to feel excited about working every day. Is that so much to ask?

I also firmly believe that once you are set on the right path in life, the universe will deliver. That is why, within hours of my quitting my job, I believe I was offered some part time work with a woman whom I admire and respect, and a company that has the same vision and passions as I do. Within days, another two offers landed in my inbox and while nothing is concrete yet, the opportunities are there.

Call it serendipity.

So one door in my life closes and many, many more are opened. I have no regrets about any of the work, or decisions, I have made about my career for the past few years – everything I have learnt, the people I have met and the places I have been all contribute to making me the person I am now.

It’s simply time for the next chapter to begin.

This article first appeared in Onya Magazine, August 2010.
While some of the circumstances in 2012 are slightly different, the sentiment remains.
Oops - I did it again. ;)

~

Crunch time.

I hand over the letter, slightly shaking, terrified. The person across the table opens it with a knowing look on their face, reads the content and smiles a funny little smile, a knowing smile but a smile with disappointment behind it.

I have just quit my job. My steady, stable, well paid, close to home, flexible, source of main income, job. And I don’t have a job to go to.

I’ll pause here while you decide what to say. Do you cringe inside, smile and say, ‘Wow, that’s really brave!’ Or maybe I sense that hint of ‘Oh my god, what have you done?!’ Perhaps you know me well and your first reaction is to say ‘Congratulations!’

So, now that you have decided how you feel about my life changing decision, I have one question to ask you before I tell my story. Would you do it? Would you quit your job, with no job to go to, when you still have a mortgage, and rent, and bills and unexpected expenses? Think about that now, then assess it again after you finish reading. I wonder if you will feel the same way.

Three years ago I was eighteen months out of University, desperate to make my mark in the world and chomping at the bit to find a place to work that would provide me opportunities, support my beliefs and put an expensive education to good use. I applied for many, interviewed for few and finally was offered my current position.

I remember the interview well – my future boss said she liked my shoes and I knew I was in. I remember sitting in the interview, nervous beyond belief, telling her that I was looking for a company where I could move up, spend many years learning and grow with the business. It wasn’t until two years later she told me that she didn’t believe a word of it.

As a part of Generation Y, we don’t tend to stay in jobs the way our Baby Boomer parents did. My father has worked for the same company since he was 17, with the exception of a midlife crisis of about 12 months where he decided to be a builder – this was something that I aspired to do, (stay in a company for a long time, not be a builder) but have discovered is not the way my generation does business.

We like to be challenged, motivated and offered tasks with responsibility, encouraged and given opportunities to be creative.  Generation Y doesn’t care, to a point, how much they are paid. We want to make a contribution. We want to change the world.

After three years in my role, I feel I have learnt all there is to learn. I have tried different things and decided the things I don’t want for my future. Now I have an opportunity to explore new territory, learn more and discover what I am really passionate about and what I do want for my future.

The saddest part of leaving your job is most often losing the friendships you have formed in the workplace. Often, you spend more time with the people in your team at work than with your family, and I won’t deny that the thought of not seeing some of these people every day nearly brings me to tears.

As someone who lives alone, the people I work with are my family. They know my quirks and nuances, laugh at my jokes and share my stories and successes. I recall starting at this company and feeling like I didn’t fit in. It took me a good six months to feel like I belonged but I imagine it will take much longer to feel okay with not seeing them every day.

It’s my second last day today and I am nervous about finishing up, but excited about all the opportunities that lay before me. The decision to quit without a job to go to was not made lightly and I still question it four weeks after it was made, but I am confident that I have a strong support network in place and should things go pear shaped, my family will be there to help me pick up the pieces.

At the end of the day, I have decided to leave to try new things, explore opportunities and discover where my passions lie. I want to know what I am good at, what I enjoy and what I can be happy doing eight hours a day, five days a week. If that means less money, then that’s ok. If it means a longer commute, that’s ok too. I’ll make new friends and learn new things – and scary as that might be, it’s the right thing to do for me.

So I ask you again – would you quit your job with no job to go to? Would you do it for less money if it meant your personal happiness? What would you sacrifice to be challenged and motivated? I may be the Girl Without a Platinum Card – I may not even have a card after this decision – but I know my happiness is worth more than anything plastic can buy.

Editor’s Note:

To Sarah, our Girl Without a Platinum Card,
The whole Onya Magazine team, and we’re sure your loyal readers too, wish you all the very best on the completion of your (stable) job tomorrow. Whilst you’re not exactly sure what the next step of your life will entail, I’m sure that you’ll approach it in the same style and grace that you approach everything else in your life. You are brave, beyond belief, to pursue happiness and experience over money and security, and while some people may not get it, while some people may think it’s silly, I know it’s nothing like that at all. Your passion and talent will not go unrecognised and I’m sure there’ll be a lot of people fighting for a piece of you in the months to come. Best wishes for this next chapter in your life. And don’t worry, if it all goes pear shaped, I’ll start a collection. After all, fighting for your passion and dreams is something worth supporting.

Love,
Sandi  Sieger – Your Editor and Friend

Yesterday I had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday at the Couturing.com launch party - a fabulous extravaganza held at Melbourne's GPO with everyone I know and love.

There were cocktails, polaroids and the most gorgeous array of outfits I have seen in quite some time. Given it was my birthday (and I'd had the day off), I frocked up - nothing but couture for a party of this nature.

Me and Sandi Sieger, Editor of Onya Magazine (and fantastic friend!)
Image thanks to Styled By Sally

Following an epic day - I visited the Body Freedom Day Spa and gave my credit card a bit of a workout on Bourke Street - I was really looking forward to a night with my fashion friends.

Couturing.com is bringing together the best of everything in fashion and have even created a window display at the iconic GPO to showcase Australia's finest. Akira, Lisa Ho, Willow, Manning Cartell and Anaessia are all featured and will be on display for two weeks.

Couturing Creators: Thom and Lisa
Image thanks to Couturing.com

I had a brilliant time at the function, then continued on at the Money Order Office with Sandi and Dan (have you heard what Dan is doing? You won't believe it. Check out of Feast of Dan here...) to sip Laurent Perrier and feel wonderful.

Thank you to Lisa and Thom for having their party on my birthday and to everyone who wished me well!

I don't look a day over 21... right? Image thanks to Meagan Harding of StyleFarm

Fashion Note: Top by Zara, Skirt by Rodarte, Shoes by Wittner, Vintage Bag

It's fairly safe to safe I had a pretty average start to 2012. It seems luck just wasn't coming my way. There was a little house flooding, I was pulled over by the police not once, but twice (just for the record I was only doing the wrong thing once) and I have managed to make it through the whole of the first week of the year on cheese slices, Christmas chocolate and muesli bars.

But then yesterday my faith was restored. Not only in my luck, but in people generally. I headed out to Fitzroy to buy bread from my favourite organic bakery, only to discover it was closed. Yep, more bad luck. And then whilst trying to put money in the meter so I could enjoy breakfast with friends at Birdman Eating next door, the machine ate all my silver change and didn't spit out a ticket.

My frustration was immense. I texted the number on the meter advising what had happened and that I was only staying an hour. And then I went to breakfast - if I was fined I was going to fight it!

Breakfast was great and I returned to my car an hour and ten minutes later - only to round the corner and see that tell tale white slip of paper sitting on my dash. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

But then as I got closer, I discovered it wasn't in fact, a ticket. Whether it was a parking inspector or a good samaritian, someone had paid the one hour parking fee and placed a ticket in my car. It had been done only 5 minutes after I left my car and as much as I have no idea either way as to whether it was an inspector or a stranger, my faith (and luck) was restored.

Amusingly, I had trouble with the parking meter at my next destination as well, but my trip to Fitzroy yesterday will bouy me for weeks. I have kept the ticket as a good luck charm and when I feel like everything is against me, I am going to look at that ticket and remember that sometimes, you find luck where you least expect it.

Tomorrow (Sunday), I will be 27 and 11/12ths. I am starting to feel old.

There are several factors that have led to this conclusion including my long hours at the office (very middle aged man), Friday nights at home alone on the couch with Sex and the City (very middle aged - single - woman) and my increasing desire to be in bed at a reasonable hour (just shoot me).

Nevertheless, in my quest to find a better work/life balance (ie. less time at the desk AND the couch), I am going to endeavor to stop looking at these things as negative and just start thinking positively - I mean, it can't hurt right?

While the long hours suck (I don't care how much you love what you do - no one wants to be at work for 15 hours a day, watching the sunset from their desk), I am changing my thinking to a more 'look at what I am achieving' point of view.

The Friday nights watching SATC are often preceeded by a drink with a friend, or in the case of last night, a swim (okay, we swam two laps, thought we might die and figured the water slide and wave pool were safer). We laughed at ourselves quite easily (very healthy) and then returned home for noodles (where we both ate the whole box) and bad free to air TV. And a GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP.

Which is why I am feeling so positive this morning. The sun is shining and I have had a productive - if long - week. I have no definite plans for the weekend and I can't wait to just go for a walk, have a coffee, read the paper, watch some new Gossip Girl, have an impromtu catch up with a friend, or just be.

Cue skirt, on sale for $118

On a more fashion-y note, this week, I finally made it to some of the after Xmas sales. While I definitely should not be shopping (I confess I owe Civic Compliance a little of my salary at the moment), I managed to pick up a gorgeous Blair-esque Cue skirt (above) and an ASOS dress (below).

ASOS Fit and Flare Dress $76

Shopping just makes life more positive, doesn't it?

PS Mum, I didn't paty $118 for the Cue skirt. I got an extra 20% off for being a Cue Card holder and I had a $50 gift voucher from my birthday eleven months ago. It was going to expire so it was totally justified. Skirt cost me $40. Awesome bargain huh!

Check out all the gorgeousness from the OPSM Sunshine Tour! The weather in Melbourne was perfect the day the ice cream van rolled into town - we could not have asked for a more sunglasses worthy day!

Fashionable favourite Philip Boon rocking his shades

I think I'll take one of each please...

Miss Cecylia checking out the goods

These ones are nice!

The crew have some fun

After lots of trying on and smiles for the camera, I decided on these Burberry beauties. What do you think?

Thanks to Couturing for images and to OPSM for a lovely afternoon!