What to wear on your first day of work

I’m starting a new job on Monday.  I’ll be the new kid on the block, at 42, that’s no mean feat.  I’ll be making friendly chit-chat and skulk out on my own at lunchtime.  I’ll have to ask where the loo is, how to make the coffee, what the kitchen etiquette is and how soon can I bring in my dog.  Yes sisters, you heard it here first, it’s a dog friendly workplace. Winning.

But I know that all of that will be a whisper in the wind by the end of the week, once I’ve worked with these awesome new people for a few days and I get the hang of the place.

What I am becoming super preoccupied with though, is what the hell do I wear?  It’s not a corporate, but I’ll be working with corporate clients, it’s not a big company, but I’ll be working with big companies.  It’s not shorts and jandles and it’s not suit and tie.  It’s the…..dum duh num dum……the inbetween.  Aggggggh (think 1950’s screen siren scream here).

Is anyone else like me and on their first day of school, a new job or a wedding and you absolutely have to purchase a new outfit?  Or is that just me?  Well, it is me, I have to own that.

So, I have a pair of Zara nautical styled (more on that style theme in another blog post soon) trousers I purchased in Sydney recently, that I haven’t worn.  I am having them taken up right now, cause I’d look like Groucho Marx if I didn’t.  But that’s as far as I’ve got.  Bugger.

I don’t want to go full nautical, corporate or too casual.  I am in a quandary.  My old clothes from corporate-ville are maybe a little too tired, but I only need a top,  now I have bottom half sorted.  So it’s a top, oh and some shoes.  I got my nails done last week by Pop Nails and they are fab-u-lous.  So that leaves me needing just a top and shoes, maybe some earrings.  Oh shit. Ok, breathe.

So, work with me sisters,  maybe I suck it up, wear a top I already have and then add some cool shoes.  Wanna know the shoes I’m trying to decide between?  You do? Ok, check these puppies out from Gorman and then these gorgeous ones from Kathryn Wilson.  Swoon much? But I can’t have both.  I have also been coveting these ones from Augustine, but they frustratingly sold out over the weekend.  I need to up my game, as I keep spying things I love and missing out by waiting too long.  Anyhoo, I digress.

What’s really exciting about starting a new job at this particular place and in an advertising and marketing environment means I can wear a T-shirt to work and it not be a major faux pas.  Call me crazy, but that is just beyond amazing.  I’m not talking simple T-Shirt and no bling.  I’m talking blinging that sucker out with a necklace and jacket and some mules and some other stuff and things, but just the mere thought of wearing the T-Shirt, with adornment, has got me all hot under the collar.  It probably means I should make more of an effort to find that elusive perfect white T  that I’ve been hunting for then shouldn’t I.

So wish me luck sisters, the ideas could all change tomorrow, but I reckon I am pretty darn excited for what I have in store for me in this new role.  I can’t wait to learn new stuff, meet new people and get some serious shit done.  I am chomping at the bit.  It’ll make for some exciting satorial adventures again too.

If you want to see the whole look come together, make sure you follow me on instagram @sisterhoodofstylenz and check out my Monday morning post.

And sisters, remember, if you need help styling YOUR first day of work at a new job, contact me today to book a styling session,  I would love to work wtih you.  Email me at emma@sisterhoodofstyle.com today.

Mmmmmwah, love EJ, the mother of the sisterhood of style xo

How to feel like Beyonce, every goddamn day

Hands up who wants to feel like Beyoncé, every goddamn day.  (imagine the hands up emoji here). I know I do.  So I will. I decided I would.  No one else, just me.  She’s fierce, fabulous and rocks her own style like no other.  You see, there’s no better magic than the magic in you sisters ,and I reckon you have it in you to bring it out and hear it roar.

My musings today started off being about accessorising, but when I thought more on this and started writing, I realised I just want you to feel less overwhelmed at the thought of “being stylish”.  I overheard another sister talking to a friend the other day saying that it was easier to wear stretchy pants and a sweatshirt, then it was to put on a great outfit.  I had to hold my tongue at that, but what I should have said is that it’s no harder putting on an outfit with some style involved, for instance, a skirt, a good fitting T-shirt and a necklace or scarf with a pair of white trainers (they don’t have to be high-end) that it is to put on a pair of black stretchy trackies or yoga pants, a top and a zip hoody.  Is it?

Well, if you still think that’s a tough one, here’s  3 easy steps to try and shake you out of your yoga pant groove and into a “Beyoncé state of mind”.  These can all be achieved without spending a single cent.

Add an accessory – try adding a colourful scarf, or a chunky necklace.  You could add some colourful earrings or a snazzy belt.  Own that snaz.  This is a quick way to jazz (and snaz) up an outfit with relatively little effort.  Now I challenge you to go into your deepest darkest parts of your drawers and wardrobes and dig out that accessory that you’ve stuck at the bottom of the pile.  Now put it on and own that sucker!

Wear your hair differently – try it and you will notice a difference.  Admittedly, this may be easier for those sisters with long hair, but you can always give it a go, even with a short style.  You could add a temporary colour if you have shorter hair, or try brushing your hair with a different parting, flipping it from the root to the other side, to add volume, like Riawna Capri does.  If you have long hair, try a fringe (I got one last week and it’s a keeper) or for something less permanent, you could a fierce do (Beyoncé styles) or a top-knot.  The trick with the top-knot is to not try too hard, make it effortless by pulling and brushing all your hair up onto the crown of your head, wrap and bend into a band and fasten with bobby pins.  Trying new options for your hair is often the number one way to rock your style, without spending a lot.

Challenge yourself – next time you reach for your stretchy black yoga pants and sweatshirts, take one of them off and add something with a bit more style (and it will look like you made just that little bit of extra effort).  If it’s the pants you take off, add jeans or a skirt, style it for relaxed look with trainers and the sweatshirt, do your hair and add a bit of lip gloss.  Just bring yourself up, one notch on the style ladder and by simply giving yourself the time and owning your own confidence, you will start to feel that little bit “more” for yourself.

Before you go, I wanted to share this.  I  know that you are likely feeling the pressure from society, from social media, friend and family  to “like” certain looks, but don’t forget to listen to your own inner voice telling you, knowing you and trusting you to like what you like. Your style journey is unique to you, whether it be wanting to gain more confidence in style after losing weight/having a baby, losing your boobs to a mastectomy or breastfeeding, or having lost yourself through a huge career or raising young children.  But I know you want to feel confident, so badly. And you want to find your style in order to help yourself shine.  You want to feel fantastic, mysterious, fun, causal at the right time and smoking hot the next. You don’t want to feel confused or embarrassed by your wardrobe.  So sisters, be like Beyoncé, every single day, feel like a a queen. Allow yourself the pleasure of feeling great about yourself everyday. If you need some extra encouragement, repeat after me WWBD?  (What would Beyoncé do?).

Mmmmwah, love EJ, the Queen of the Sisterhood of Style

Come hang out with me on Instagram @sisterhoodofstylenz

xo

 

 

 

A stylish exit.

Leaving your place of work is a little like entering into life through the birth canal.  It’s often a long, lonely walk, down a corridor of memories and then swooosh, you’re outta there.  All too soon you’re “EJ Who” or “the girl that was here before you, she did that”. I can count on one hand the amount of places I have left, loved and will miss.

My first job in television was a five year love affair of mutual admiration and the first time I experienced separation anxiety about leaving.  But I left there in a hurry to have an emergency c-section with my first born and never got the goodbye cake fest and piss-take of the pregnant women party.   My current job (Sisterhood of Style is my part time passion business) is a little like the TV job.  I love the people but it was time to spread my wings and do a little flying into the unknown. It wasn’t to have a baby though, so I did the hand in the notice thing and waited out the notice period, trying to be helpful and productive, but feeling a bit like a spare prick at a wedding.  So it got me thinking, how do you exit well?

Here’s my top four on the sliding scale of stylishly exiting the building.

For a start, buy donuts, they were a treat and a dozen Dunkin Donuts looks pretty spesh. Share them with your team and make them smile.

Don’t  gloat about the new role.  Only talk about it if asked, speak highly of it when asked and then move on.  To be fair, it’s only on the penultimate day that my grin was hard to hide.  It’s not that I am grinning because I’m happy to be leaving, but I am tremendously happy about where I am going, so that feeling is kinda infectious in the face department.

Start wearing all the clothes you haven’t been able too. I work in a corporate environment, so while this outfit will work just fine in the new roll, I wore a denim top today with wildly yellow trousers.  It was a little risque today and that felt a smidge naughty but incredibly freeing.

Lastly, which I guess is technically fourthly, leave (them) wanting more (of you). Don’t be too quick to skip outta there.  Go gently into the night.

I go into my last day with a sense of completion and finality.  I have my outfit planned, my lipstick primed (my kid is not gonna want to kiss me goodbye today) and a long winded speech prepared about some to the highlights and lowlights that turned into highlights or funny moments.

Goodbye old friend, you are missed already.

Have you got any stories from leaving work?

Mmmmwah, EJ, the mother of the sisterhood.

 

 

 

What NOT to wear to a beauty pageant.

And the winner is….the crown, it was always about the crown. Ohhh and the sash, the sash was lovely and when I received one on my hen do, it made me feel all tingly inside, even though it said Bride to Be and not WINNER, MISS WORLD.

I always loved watching beauty pageants as a little girl.  And now, well now, I get to attend one, like my seven-year old says “in really true life”, see it live, maybe even trip backstage, and maybe, just maybe, touch that crown (is there a crown?) and covet that sash.  Miss Auckland, here I come.

As a wee girl I LOVED watching Lorraine Downes win Miss Universe back in 1983. She was the golden New Zealand Princess and I wanted to be her. It was one of the most exciting things I had ever seen, aside from when Princess Di married Prince Charles. The dresses, the posing, the outfits, the sparkly things and that farking crown; it was enormous and awesome and I wanted one. From there I watched every Miss Universe and Miss World (to be fair I didn’t know there was a difference at that time) that I could get my hands on and then moved onto the Benson & Hedges (icky cigarette sponsorship aside) Fashion Design Awards in the late 80’s. So you get the picture, I liked pageants  things a lot.  And to be honest, the love has never really died.

Then one of my many step-brothers just goes and gets his own “really true life” beauty queen and kick arse producer of awesome and she is pageant Director of Miss Auckland. The really cool thing about Miss Auckland is that the pageant motto is “beauty with purpose”, gotta love that.

So this weekend, we are going along as a family to hoot, holler and show our support.  I, of course, will be eyes on stalks and trying to get my hands on the crown (just for research purposes of course).

Cut to what to wear. I am in a total quandary as to what to wear. This Queen is confused. I’m not usually confused for sartorial options, but this is hard. There are so many faux pas to potentially make, so many ways I could cock this up. So, instead of compiling a list of what to wear, I’ve compiled a list of what not to wear.

1. SWIMSUIT This was easy, I mean, no, just no.

2. SEQUINS In my head, even if they don’t wear them, I imagine the night to be awash in sequins.  Do I dare try and compete?  I have a cool paid of Sass and Bide sequinned trousers, but I suspect I should be leaving them well alone.

3. ALL BLACK This look is probably best left for fashion week, rather than Miss Auckland

4. TWIN SET AND PEARLS I’m not a Dance Mom, so let’s not go there, even though I’m probably old enough to be one of the finalists big sisters; well alright, young aunt.  No?  OK, stop, (whisper) mother. So the Twin Set and pearls can shove it.

5. ACTIVE WEAR that would just be silly or psychotic.

6. A CROWN I so want to, but no, no, no.

So what will I wear to the ball?  Well I will either spend the next 24 hours obsessing over this or, choose in haste after a day in the garden with my boys, run inside, put my hair in a do and pull it together.  I suspect leopard print and a kaftan will be involved.  Watch this space sisters.

So in the meantime, I’ll leave you with this to ponder; the question asked of Gloria Diaz of Philippines in 1969 Miss Universe “in the next day or so, a man will land on the moon.  If a man from the moon landed in your hometown, what would you do to entertain him?”

See you later you gorgeous beautiful queens.

mmmmmwah, love  EJ, the mother of the sisterhood. xxxx

Welcome back, I’ve been expecting you

Hi there harem pants, cork wedges, gypsy-boho chic, off the shoulder, tied at the waist, embellished jackets, shoulder pads, how the hell are you? So you decided to visit us again, did you miss us, or did twenty years go by and you thought to give us another whirl?  Try another generation on for size.

I get that, it landed well last time, but you suspect this generation may just be the one to “get you” and you wanna go steady.  That’s cool, you’re just displaying the repetition theory in fashion.

So I guess nothing is new and new is old and old is recycled and everything has been seen before.  But now, right now, as you wear the off the shoulder top and the cork wedge, it’s new for you and it resonates in this moment in time and you love what you have on.  But then, so may have your mum back in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.

The theory goes and to be honest, isn’t rocket science,  that there is a recycling theory in fashion every 20 years or so and styles “re-emerge”, reimagined.  If you look at what’s hot for spring / summer 2016 – off the shoulder (hot in the 80’s), the ruffles (Victorian era anyone?), the gorgeous suede skirts (hey Hippie 70’s) and the flat mule (hello 1990’s), they all tip their hats to another era, in some way.  I love that some of the 80’s synching in at the waist (suits me hiding my mum-tum) and the glitz and gold of that era is filtering into some of the styling I love in 2016.

This Spring/Summer, keep a look out for paper-bag waists (it looks like a paper bag, at your waist, just before you blow into it cause you’re hyperventilating), netting, wearing gauzy lingere over your clothes (I am chuffed to say I did this in the 90’s on my OE and my dad though I was wearing a nightie – result!)

And remember, if the style you loved in the 90’s is making a comeback and you loved it then, then try it again, it can’t hurt you. No one said it better than the glorious Iris Apfel “if you make a mistake in what you put together, the fashion police are not going to haul you into jail”

What style do you love that’s been here before?

Mmmmmwah,

EJ, the mother of the Sisterhood of Style x

White T-Shirt Tales.

Despite knowing better sisters, I have a deep love of white T-Shirts.  In my head, I look like a movie star, all oiled on the decollatage, perfect pointy breasts sitting nicely but not obviously in my tee, as I drape languidly in a chair sipping a wine on a balcony looking over Capri.  My long tousled hair gently falling over my shoulders and softly landing at the middle of my back.  We are eating a beautiful red tomato based meal as I  wear this white T-shirt and none of it slips, trips or falls onto it.  There are no stains or dirty hands, snot or otherwise near this beautiful crisp white tee.  None whatsoever.

Cut to reality.

White T’s and me have a love-hate relationship.  I love them, they hate me.  Well that’s not entirely true, but they don’t freaking love me all out like a teenage love, they just somewhat tolerate me and my boobs and hips and mummy-tummy, my kids snot, underarm “persperation”, makeup and pasta meals.

So why do I love them so much?  They are so simple to style well.  Dress them up with a blazer and necklace with jeans and call yourself done.  You can tie it at the waist, pop on a maxi skirt and look freaking gypsy chic sorted.  Wearing it with shorts, jeans, skirts, trousers, jackets, denim is all possible and I could go on, but I won’t ’cause white T-Shirts work with everything. End of story.

But there’s a hidden dark secret – finding  the right one can be hard.  Just like that elusive pair of great fitting jeans, white T-shirts can sometimes be an epic fail.  Especially if you have boobs, hips and a bit of under bra back bulge that white tee can be a little bit unforgiving.

So I’m on a mission my sisters, to find a great white T-shirt that can marry my boobs, my hips and my mummy tummy and tolerate my kids hands, snot and my deep love of pesto pasta.  I’m going to track it down before summer hits and I will let you in on the find.

In the meantime, here’s some that you could try for yourselves, because I absolutely believe a white T-Shirt should be in your wardrobe, ready at a moments notice to make you look effortlessly styled.

Kowtow clothing  recommended to me by an ace style maven,this tee has length in the arms, which I like – a lot. It’s choppy at $89 but could be a solid find.

ASColour is a favourite of mine, cause you can dress the whole family in T-shirts and sweartshirts with their special of 5 garments for $110.  Their fit is probably the most forgiving and I have high hopes of finding my summer tee here.  My only gripe is that the lower cut versions can be a bit gappy on the boob, but great fitting everywhere else.

Bassike I don’t own one, but I might, because I have heard on good authority they keep their shape and their cotton is durable and soft.

Then there are these options I recently found at  Decjuba .  I tried on all of their White tee offerings and it was an experience of great highs (I loved the look of all of them) and a brief low when I realised my assets got in the way.  🙂

So sisters, I haven’t found her yet, but I will persevere.  I will leave no white T-shirt unfolded.  I will prevail.

I’m a woman on a mission.  If you have found the perfect white tee, share it with the group.

Mmmmwah, love, the mother of the sisterhood of style.

EJ x

 

I got a fire in my belly for you

My belly is on fire for the women I want to help and the sisterhood I want to be a part of. Styling looks so flamboyant and untouchable to most people and I hear them say to themselves “I could never do that”. But I want to tell you sisterhood – yes you can.

Styling is not an elite sport, it’s not for “everyone else”.  It is an awesome opportunity to create the external message you want to portray.

Spending time on yourself, taking care of how you look is not vanity.  It’s a careful curation in helping you to put your best self forward.

Your not trying to win Miss World – though a sash would be nice. You’re trying to be the very best you and styling yourself right can help that.

Back to the very first people who put clothes on, we have seen embellishment and adornment being used to better the outfit.  By adding pops of colour, a necklace, nail polish, a favourite brooch, it’s saying I care, I like this. It’s not saying (unless you want it too) “look at me”.

I want you to know that you’re allowed a personal style and it can be whatever you make it.  But make it say something. If you rock all black, then let that be your style, but do it to the best of your ability.

If you’re a busy, frantic, fabulous mum who needs to stay in active wear all day, cause it’s easy, you didn’t shower after your walk and you get hit with a bits of food all the time, then so be it. But let’s make sure you take the time to rock some great hair, get your nails did or feel bloody marvellous in that active wear.

If you work in a corporate and they expect a certain look, don’t hide from that, rise up to embrace it and the power that “power-dressing” can provide you.

Most of all though, personal styling is about offering you the opportunity to feel confident in your wardrobe and in what you wear on a daily basis.

I fluctuate between slouchy mum wear to an all out colour explosion and print extravaganza.  I usually only wear all black when I am  I in my active wear or when I have my period.  But that’s me, not you. You maybe completely different and that’s ok, I’m here to style you, not your size or in my style.

Personal styling can be your luxury, in fact, let it be your luxury.  It can be your investment in yourself, where you say I’m going to take the time to look good, feel great. I want my confidence back. I am so worth this experiences. I don’t want you to say you aren’t worth it or it’s for “other” women.  So why not you sister?

Don’t get lost in a sea of everyone. Help bring back that stunning smile and recognise yourself again, or finally discover who she is.  Be that through a wardrobe edit, a personal shopping experience or a style workshop.

When you’re ready to book, you can find me here: emma@sisterhoodofstyle.com or click here for my packages.

You are fabulous and sensational and so freaking worth it.

mmmmmwah,

EJ the mother of the sisterhood of style.

A chin-wag with the Sisterhood

Hey sister, so great seeing you here.  I love that you came to me, asking about my styling sessions.  I really value that you trust me to look after you.  We’re going to have so much fun uncovering your style.

Will I have to get my clothes off in front of you?

Babe, only if you feel comfortable.  I am no size 8 and know it can be embarrassing getting changed in front of others with your mum undies and bad bra on, or maybe you’ve got your sexy matching knicker set on, to make you feel outstanding. Either way, it’s up to you, but I reckon, you’ll get far more out of our session if you do get changed into the outfits we are styling.

Will you laugh at my clothes?

Honey would you laugh at my clothes?  No, there’s no way I’d do that.  This experience is special for you and you’re allowing me into your home, your sacred space and I’ll honour that.  With your permission I’m helping to find your style in your wardrobe and to get you to look at things anew. I want you to walk confidently into the world, head held high, styled in what you already own. If you see value in that, then you may like to book me to go shopping with you, but baby steps right? Let’s get your wardrobe sorted first.

What will you do though? How does this work?

I’ve loved putting outfits together since I was a little girl.  My love of style came from my gorgeous mum and grandmother. Firstly my grandmother.  She often wore a kilt with a  gorgeous brooch or pin. Her favourite colour was moss green and her jumper or cardigan always matched her skirt or kilt. My mum though, wow, just wow. She’s 70 now and rocks a fabulous personal style – all her own.  And that’s what I want to achieve for you.  Not being 70, but a confidence within you to style yourself daily. I suggest that you sort out your clothes that you want help with first, the clothes that you love or don’t know how to style. Or maybe the one trick pony that you brought on a whim and don’t know how to style it.  Then we’ll work on mixing and matching them with some sex, drugs and rock n roll, or you know, embellishments (like a scarf or necklace or a roll of the sleeve).  I’ll take photos of you in the outfits we style, so that you can access the pieces and looks we have created anytime.  At first you’re gonna feel awkward.  I can see it in my client’s faces, “jesus, what have I done, this woman is in my bedroom, going through my closet”. But quickly, I’ll  make you feel safe and secure. There’ll be banter, hard questions and some quick decisions. I will try to shake off some of the style shackles you’ve put yourself in and help you to embrace a whole new wardrobe.

But I don’t like what you wear!

That’s okay, I do. This is about you and what you wear that matters. I love how I look and what I wear and this is why I do this.  I want to share that joy with other women and make them feel more confident and crack open their own style game. ‘Cause you got this babe, you just forgot it was there or haven’t unlocked it yet.

What makes you think you can do this?

Well I know I have confidence in my style and I like what I put together. I’m training for a Diploma in Professional Styling, so I’ll have a piece of paper soon, if that floats your boat.  I’ve got a tonne of testimonials from happy clients.  I have an innate ability to put an outfit together and feel great in it and I have the ability to do it for others.  My mission is to help women find their confidence through style. I have achieved that with my clients already and I know I can do this for you. One client told me the experience was “life changing and everyone should have me in their closet”.  I want you to feel in control, with me riding shotgun, as your navigator.

Why do you do this?

Because it inspires me to help women. There are so many of us out there going about life just okay. One of the ways that can make a woman feel great is through her styling. This doesn’t mean dropping a wad cash, wearing designer clothes or being a snob. This means her dressing daily with purpose and attention. Attention on her. For her.  You don’t have to be getting accolades for your outfit (though, be honest, it’d kinda nice when you do), you just have to love what you have on and I guarantee you, like armour, it will help you face the day ahead.

Okay then, let’s get started, here’s my wardrobe…

Don’t be scared sisters, you are so bloody worth the effort.

Love EJ

Mother of the Sisterhood of Style x

 

 

My top three style secrets

Let’s hear if for the girls, let’s give the girl a hand. Sometimes she don’t talk sweet, but I don’t really mind.  I know some may say I swear like a potty mouthed trooper but I’m 42 so I think I earned my stripes. And (I’m gonna swear now)……..I just want to say thank fuck for you.

I’m celebrating the sisterhood today sisters, all of you and then some.  You’re a fabulous bunch of style mavens, queens, mothers, non-mothers, brilliant, kick-ass sisters.  I felt you deserved some celebration.

When I set my first style challenge on Instagram this week, I didn’t realise the bond it would create with strangers.  I have been so awed and impressed at everyone that has played along, messaged me personally, posted their pics on Instagram, shared their style creations and played along  with their sisters on the other side of the world.  It brought tears to my eyes and told me, I’m on the right track, the Sisterhood of Style is here for the right reasons.

So I thought I’d say thanks to the sisterhood and share my top 3 style secrets and how you can achieve your own Sisterhood of Style.

Make yourself count.  You are awesome – everyday, in every way, you get better and better.  I think that was in a children’s book I read once, or maybe it’s reminiscent of Judy Bloom’s “Are you there God it’s me Margaret”. I think I’m digressing.  As we age, we go through so many facsimiles of ourselves, we morph and we change like we do our underpants, but one thing I know to be true – once I hit 40, I felt more myself than ever before and that feeling gets stronger and stronger. So celebrate your age, your style, how you feel about yourself.  Don’t be beholden to who or what you think you should be.  Remember self doubt is a total dick. Let go of any hangups and just be you, you are plenty. To add to how you feel about yourself, make sure you present yourself in the very best way.  Your style says a lot about who you are and what you think about yourself, so make it count.

Break out of your comfort zone.  Try pushing yourself to try something new.  It doesn’t have to be a big something, it just has to be something.  Move forward.  From what I’ve seen with my Sisterhood of Style challenge and those using #sisterhoodofstyle this week on Instagram, there was a whole lot of trying new and pushing out of comfort zones.  It’s a marvellous thing. Keep going.

Show your own style. Consider your body shape, your attributes you want to accentuate, the things you love.  Is it your eyes, your rocking hips, your fabulous legs, your insanely amazing boobs, your defined waist, your gorgeous feet?  Hold that thought. Then consider what colours affect you, what colours make you happy and makes your eyes shine.  Buy those colours, accentuate those features that you love and don’t be afraid to have a signature style.  Mine is eclectic-bohemian with a dash of corporate funk. I made that up. And so fucking what, I don’t want to conform, I just want to be me and to be kind.  Not sure what that means? Well I love leopard print, stripes, maxi skirts and dresses, fitted but not tight pencil skirts, structured jackets, denim, printed trousers and bright colours and I do it with a smile on my face. I also like embellishment.  In fact, embellishment is the QUEEN of everything to me.  I am officially a magpie I’m that attracted to baubles and shiny things, feathers and accoutrement. So that’s mine, what’s yours? Take some time to hone it and own that sisters, it’s uniquely yours.

Love you all, this Sister is one happy mother of the Sisterhood of Style this week. Remember, if you need help in showing your style, then let’s talk, I can help.  Email me at emma@sisterhoodofstyle.com for a chat.

The challenge this week and some of the things I wore.  Head on over to @sisterhoodofstyle #sisterhoodofstyle to see more.

 

Hi, my name is Emma and I don’t like small talk.

I popped my cherry for the Sisterhood last night.

Get your mind out of the gutters sisters from other misters,  I popped my biz networking cherry to be exact. Part of starting your own business is about networking, meeting new people, influencing others on your business and trying to figure out how to make sense of this crazy thing called entrepreneurship.  I was bricking myself. I even shot to the toilet as I arrived to calm my nerves. I gave myself a stern talking too and got my big girl panties on and headed out into the unknown and into a sea of chattering networking women biz owners.

For those that know me, I don’t have a problem with talking to people.  I was known as gabby-jaws by my pseudo godfather (my real godfather was an absentee reverend who fell off the wagon) but I digress. In fact I freaking love talking to people.  I love people, I love what they have to say, I try to be curious about them and I generally walk into parties feeling very confident in myself, knowing I won’t have a problem finding someone to talk to.  This is because a party is likely to be for someone I know, a friend.  I have connections with those friends, they know me, know I am no wallflower, know I love a wine or three like to spin a good yarn. We cut through the small talk years ago, we just shoot the shit, straight from the start of the night.

But networking, that’s different, that’s hard that requires small talk and me explaining what I do.  That makes my tummy do flip-flops and my teeth freeze in my mouth, with a demented smile plastered to my face.

Even though I’ve worked for years where networking was an important part of what we do, this was different, I was flying solo.  You see what I did there, I said “we”. Because 100% of the time that I have ever networked, it’s been about what we do, about a business I work for, a project I am working on.  This time was hugely different, it was about Sisterhood of Style and no one else can talk about it like I can – and that’s so scary I felt a little bit sicky uppy.

But you know what sisters, as soon as I grabbed my drink (non-alcoholic) a gorgeous sister come straight up to me and introduce herself – thank you Fiona Hall.  She had recognised me from Facebook and Instagram and immediately put me at ease.  Then I felt my nerves slide slowly away and anyone I mentioned my nerves too, they all nodded in agreement with me, imparting their own cherry popping moment for networking or how they like to handle it.  One very sisterhood-loving difference about a women’s networking event – you hug hello – heart to heart.  That’s fucking cool. You don’t get that at a male dominated network night.

So I thought some of you sisters may be feeling the same way about networking and I could help with some tips I learnt tonight. I’ve also included some gems that I learnt from the speakers, who were kick-arse awesome and who each spoke on purpose and perseverance, timely given I was struggling to persevere with networking.

This story has a good ending, a great ending.  I sucked up my scardy-cat and gave myself a good talking too.  I mixed and mingled and started to hand out my newly minted business cards.  Women asked me what I did, we hugged, we were introduced to new people, we laughed, we agreed to meet up and possibly even collaborate (that got my creative juices flowing) and I left at 11pm freaking happy, so buzzed I couldn’t sleep, so I sat up and wrote this.  I hope your next networking is as successful, try my tips & tricks below to help you. If you’ve got any advice on networking, the sisterhood would love to hear it, please share.

SISTERHOOD OF STYLE NETWORKING CHERRY POPPING TIPS

Tip 1: Don’t drink.  Despite loving seeing a glass of wine waiting for me at an event, I appreciated that I didn’t drink. A large group of women in a room have a an incredible energy (and noise) and don’t need alcohol (sometimes we do) to fuel it.  Without the booze (it was a dry event) I had no dutch courage, I just had me and that ended up being ok.

Tip 2: Force yourself, whatever you do, to introduce yourself to someone you don’t know.   I was a bit giddy to meet a lot of women I’ve only known via social media and coaching groups I am in.  So to meet them in person, to realise that some of them knew of Sisterhood of Style, was incredible and mind-blowing and just bloody awesome.  But I wouldn’t have found that out, unless I had forced myself to be brave in the first place and buy a ticket to the event and then say hello to strangers.

Tip 3: I can’t let a tip and trick slip by without sharing my style advice.  Wear something that makes you feel fantastic.  Don’t wear anything that you need to pull, push or alter during the evening.  Wear colour.  Stand out if you can.  Women appreciate good style, they know when they see it.  You are in a room of like-minded business women, all putting their best selves forward, you should too.  Wear something that someone will comment on – its a great icebreaker.  I fell in love with a million pairs of shoes at the event and spoke to the women wearing them, telling them so.

Snippets of kick-arse awesome advice from the speakers:

JFDI – Just fucking do it – Belinda Tuki from Honest Food Company

Shed your shit and shine – Dr Martha Nessler

Life is about stepping stones and stopping points – Dr Martha Nessler

Set a bold money goal – Catherine Newton 

You can’t unlearn that – Amanda Betts from Bridge the Gap 

I don’t want to be famous, I want to change the world  – Natalie Cutler Welsh from Go to Girl NZ and the event host

Mmmmmmwah,

EJ  xx  The mother of the Sisterhood.

 

This is the outfit I wore to the event.