Last week I was randomly at home on a weeknight (which NEVER happens, you guys know this) and managed to catch Channel 10s The Project, where I was spoilt by the satorial choice of female host Carrie Bickmore – a gorgeous dress (which at the time I thought was a top) with a city print.

A little Twitter investigation and a few emails later and the dress was revealed to be Jolet, and the city print my beloved Paris!

Jolet AW12 turned out to be a gorgous collection of pieces, inspired by the romance and passion of an idealised love story set on the streets of 1960s Paris.

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

“”We are the girls with anxiety disorders, filled appointment books, five-year plans. We take ourselves very, very seriously. We are the peacemakers, the do-gooders, the givers, the savers. We are on time, overly prepared, well read, and witty, intellectually curious, always moving… We pride ourselves on getting as little sleep as possible and thrive on self-deprivation. We drink coffee, a lot of it. We are on birth control, Prozac, and multivitamins… We are relentless, judgmental with ourselves, and forgiving to others. We never want to be as passive-aggressive are our mothers, never want to marry men as uninspired as our fathers… We are the daughters of the feminists who said, “You can be anything,” and we heard, “You have to be everything.”— Courtney Martin”

http://daughterofafeminist.tumblr.com/post/18965026280/we-are-the-girls-with-anxiety-disorders-filled

Last week at LMFF I was lucky and honoured to be able to wear shoes courtesy of Zu Shoes. These ponyhair and gold glitter stunners were my absolute favourites and I can’t stop looking at them.

And now they are on sale for your buying pleasure.
Half price. Go. Now.
Qualla Heels $80 (online only)

Dear ladies, girls, women, who read this blog (note: anyone I work with, am related to or who possesses male genes might like to head somewhere else for a few minutes).

This is a blog about bras (and all the boys who kept reading just left).

I realise this is a topic not usually attempted here (or on many blogs for that matter) and I guess that’s because it seems like a bit of a taboo. But I am here to tell you that bras – underwear in general – is essentially the building block of a decent outfit and those bits of lycra and cotton are just as important as your accessories.

Here is what I know about bras.

They are a pain in the butt. Or, rather, the boobs. Let’s face it – they are painful and annoying and expensive. They pinch, twist, get in the way, can ruin a neckline and rob us of a decent chunk of disposable income that could be spent on shoes. Much like tampons, they are painfully necessary.

But, having said this, I have a few bra stories to tell from recent weeks that I hope will enlighten you.

Berlei Ambassador Kate Ceberano

I recently had a birthday – a shocking twenty eight years old (pause for the horror). But, the shock to more of my girlfriends (following a hilarious discussion around the five dates in five weeks concept) was that I didn’t own a push up bra. Oh yes. Terrible isn’t it!

Now, this was not an intentional error. I didn’t realise there was some kind of push up bra sisterhood that I hadn’t been informed about; I’m a rather naturally endowed lass who has never wanted for any extra oomph. Until I went for a little birthday shopping trip (with some birthday dollars from Nana who will probably be horrified I bought lingere instead of books).

My friendly Myer assistant poked and prodded and measured and flitted back and forth between the sales floor and my change room until I felt like I had tried on every bra in the store. And you know what? I still didn’t think I need a push up bra. But I bought some pretty lacy things and was properly fitted for a day to day bra that was comfy and practical. Cause that’s what I’m all about – the practical (probably also why I don’t have a date).

The Berlei Barely There. Available in 7 colours, RRP $59.95

Until a little invitation arrived in my inbox from the Berlei bra bar. They would be setting up shop at LMFF and offered fittings and champagne. Of course I said yes.

I learnt that you are supposed to get fitted (PROPERLY) for a bra every six months. I learnt that having a bra that doesn’t fit properly can do horrible things to your back, neck and posture. I learnt that a bra should most often be done up on the middle clasp. I also discovered the most comfy and flattering bra I have ever worn.

The Berlei Barely There is everything it promises and more – and for this well endowed lass, just the right amount of tee shirt smoothness coupled with ‘oomph’. I’m not about to photograph my chest and post it here for you to see (sorry for the boys who kept reading) but I assure you, I recommend this bra and then some. I’m going back to get it in all the colours.

And just so you know I am practically an authority on bras, I’m going to reveal my size. I can tell you I can’t buy bras at Kmart and finding something with with right balance of support and sexy (I am only 28 after all!) is hard when you move past a C cup. I was officially fitted as a 10E. Yep, E. I bet you thought you were two cup sizes less than you were too. Go get fitted!!

Unfortunately (unless you live in Sydney), this sale is only for the kids in Sydney.

I was lucky enough to meet Kirrily last week at the Fashion Industry Forum for LMFF and in addition to designing amazing clothes, she is also a gorgous girl who is just divine.

Stock up on the recent SS11/12 ‘Habitat’ collection, timeless Kj basics and past season favourites.

Don’t miss out on shoes, bags, jewellery, swimwear and signature Kirrily Johnston pieces at never seen before prices!

Peter Jensen Raw Seamed Colour Blocked Blouse at ASOS. $308.18AUD

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the business events at the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. One of the speakers was Kevin Panozza from Engage P/L, at the Herald Sun Marketing Breakfast.

His presentation was largely focussed on re discovering the message of ‘the customer comes first’ but as part of his keynote speech, Kevin showed this video of Abbey – the cutest (and most advanced ‘digital native’ you will ever meet).

If you ever wanted to question the future of digital, I think this answers your query and leaves no stone unturned. Business can not afford to not be online.

I’m just a little bit exhausted. After twelve days straight of working, I’ve taken myself off for a little weekend r and r to get my thoughts straight in my head and remember my name.

Essentially. (The r and r part not going so well so far, I get bored easily)

This is also known as eating a lot of cheese, sleeping late and watching old films that look good on the box but end up being a waste of time – but I’m reminded I don’t care because it’s my time.

I am TERRIBLE at down time. I am one of ‘those people’ who has to be busy; who needs to be doing something or seeing someone all the time. A very wise person said to me last week – ‘want something done? Ask a busy person.’ – and this is too true of me. I will find more time to do it, even if that means an earlier start or a later night. I get things done.

I am not good at having nothing to do. I get bored quickly and when I have no one to talk to, I fill the void with food. Which is what I have done this weekend. (Diet is definitely starting on Monday).

I’d like to add I have very little internet access (not helping with the boredom) and that I dropped my iPhone in the bath yesterday whilst trying to relax (see, can’t even do that right!). I’ve also been trying to go to sleep for an hour and a half but my mind is thinking about all the stuff I should be doing at home.

I need mental stimulation all the time. Perhaps I have ADHD? Or perhaps I have spent too long chained to my mobile phone, on the go from 5am til 11pm, always thinking; acting; responding.

Don’t get me wrong – I love being busy and engaged. I love being needed and having a job to do. If I don’t, I make jobs. As I mentioned, I bore easily – I like to be challenged; stimulated and engaged.

But sometimes I need to make a proactive decision to be bored for two days just to know that I spent it sleeping, lying on the couch and going for walks. Enough time to let the noise in my head die down to a dull roar and for every muscle in my body to say, ‘hurrah, you took off the heels!’

I have been ‘away’ for about 30 hours. I am so bored I went to bed at 8pm. I can’t sleep for the excitement of seeing people tomorrow. I am hanging out for dinner with my family and almost looking forward to work on Monday after being away for a week.

I may not be able to rest easily, but absence does make the heart grow fonder – and I know I miss my hectic life. Every crazy minute of it.

Dress by Cue (from Savers), Clutch by Faith, Shoes, Graffiti by Zu Shoes 
Pictures thanks to Cheryl Lin and Meagan Harding