• 22nd May
    2012
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Sometimes thought questions ask the same questions multiple ways. What it does show me is how framing a question or a statement can positively or negatively impact your thoughts/memories.

The answer for the first three squares for me is inner confidence. That is without signs of pride or arrogance. There is a lack of conflict in my life of late, perhaps I am more forgiving of myself and of others; more open, patient and understanding as I listen now too - without re-interpreting words to match my agenda. What I find is that this one change is like being a magnet of positive interactions at work, at play and at home with all relationships. The irritable me of old is gone, thank God.

I once had a boyfriend whom I would wish a ray of sunshine fall on his handsome head and shoulders no matter the weather or the situation he found himself in. Today, I believe that ray of sunshine is on me, glowing warmly wherever I go. If only I had wished the same lovely thought on me as I did him a long time ago….

And lastly, to answer the last question….accidentally funny. I never mean to make other people laugh but inevitably do.

  • 14th May
    2012
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Great British Fashion stamps, by Sølve Sundsbø

How lovely are these stamps? The Royal Mail celebrates 10 of the very best in British post war fashion designers with a stamp collection that is definitely a must have item for stamp collectors and fashionistas alike.

Most notable piece is the tartan mini by Vivienne Westwood - it was the outfit Naomi Campbell was wearing when she famously slipped on the runaway due to her excessively high platform shoes. 

  • 10th May
    2012
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Dear Vodka We had a deal. You were supposed to make me sexier, funnier and a better dancer.I saw the video. We need to talk. Yours sincerely,One too many (An oldie but a goodie)

Dear Vodka

We had a deal. You were supposed to make me sexier, funnier and a better dancer.
I saw the video.
We need to talk.

Yours sincerely,
One too many

(An oldie but a goodie)

  • 8th May
    2012
  • 08

Abe Burmeister: How I Built A Fashion Brand With No Experience, Just Punk Rock Spirit (And The Web)

This talk by Abe Burmeister illustrates how he has created a fashion brand that really cares about its end user (namely himself). Price, quality and functionality is at the heart of this presentation. Outlier was borne out of the need to have a pair of pants that you can use to cycle to work with and use at work - one that is sweat/water resistant and is hardy. This is the complete opposite of all the Style Workshops which I have been producing this season. Throw away clothing vs one that is well designed and are investment pieces.

On a side note, the Sydney fashion landscape is changing with the designer row in Paddington in desperate need of a re-invention. Paddington is empty with landlords halving rents to retailers in a desperate attempt to halt the retailer exodus. What once was a hub of fashion designers and high end clothing is like a mini ghost town with many spaces vacated. Is the culmination of vast amounts of rain, terrible parking and the new retail landscape at Pitt St Mall, Paddington’s death knell ?

  • 7th May
    2012
  • 07

Sir Ken Robinson on PASSION at London’s School of Life

Have you ever placed a season’s worth of TV spots in an easy to read spreadsheet to show your client when their TVC will air? I have. It is mind numbing work. That’s how I came across TED, I had to listen or watch something that would transcend me from the mediocrity of my day to day existence.

The very first one I saw was of Sir Ken Robinson in 2006, perhaps the most humorous talk about education I have seen. This talk on passion, struck a particular chord with me. I do many things very well but not necessarily for the joy of it. The word for it is capable. I am very capable. But what of passion?

If you are in London, why not spend some time in the School of Life, just like Creative Mornings in New York, it is guaranteed to enlighten your week.

  • 5th May
    2012
  • 05

Rory Sutherland’s TED talk on Perspective

I love how he explains the benefits of creative/psychological solutions. I still believe his blog post in Campaign Brief two or more years ago is the best commentary on a topical subject I’ve come across - Tiger Wood’s fall from grace. It starts:

“Surely Tiger’s decision to outsouce sexual services to a range of competing providers is in line with Management Consultancy’s established best practice?”
It’s short, sweet and offers a different perspective.

In this talk he talks about creating value with an ingredient often forgotten or dismissed as spin - perceived value through psychology.

Now, how do I apply this to the current set of communications am about to implement - changes on ‘free’ parking…..

  • 16th April
    2012
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  • 16th April
    2012
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  • 15th April
    2012
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  • 9th April
    2012
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  • 5th April
    2012
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  • 2nd April
    2012
  • 02

Retro Swimwear

Stylist Josie McManus showed us the retro swimwear trend for the summer of 2011-2012. Problem was, we never really got to see this in Sydney beaches last summer with the rainiest summer recorded (50 days of rain). Regardless, I love the images that were captured and the very womanly silhouette of the 50’s/60’s woman. With AW12 in full swing, it’s nice to look back on what we celebrated a mere three months ago.

  • 25th March
    2012
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Security Training

Shopping centre management is trained by the very best in security - our training officers are ex-Australian marines; ex-New York City cops who saw through the fall of the twin towers, ex-fire fighters and police. We have weekly desk top scenarios and quarterly training, where we are tested with our response to potential suicide, brawls, bombs, building collapse, rape, active shooter….

Whenever I do my Duty Manager shift in the weekends and gather my team for the day. I ask them what they anticipate and how we can best help each other. Nine times out of ten, it’s car-park that we have to be wary about, or torrential rain but we have a laugh when someone says - active shooter. It is so out of the ordinary that we dismiss it. We would take a bomb scare more seriously than an active shooter.

So it came as a surprise when reading the news tonight that police have shot a man dead in a Sydney shopping centre. In the food court, no less. I feel for the DM, working with a skeleton staff who will no doubt be in endless enquiries. That shopping centre will enact its crisis management operations and will no doubt be under scrutiny by the media and corporate alike.

Our trainers always reminds us to be prepared for the worst. I guess, I will have to treat an active shooter scenario with more respect on my next DM shift.

  • 19th March
    2012
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  • 18th March
    2012
  • 18

A snake in the carpark

Yes, working in a shopping centre is a real treat, with two fashion shows, a pop up parade, market day plus a slithering snake to catch at the end of a busy day. Best afternoon I’ve had at work in ages, larking about, teasing our 6’2” security supervisor and fit facilities supervisor about their manliness as they tried unsuccessfully to catch the snake.

Well done boys!