Entries about australia

You can never be overdressed or overeducated - OSCAR WILDE

The world of fashion once seemed a foreign, unobtainable way of life for me.
Where I’m from back home, as long as you’ve got some trust denim shorts, a coloured singlet (cami) and haviannas, then youre set.
The first few months being abroad, I lived in my jeans and tshirt, don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love this combination, but luck and fate had something in store for me. To learn to become a true London fashionista.

After landing a job at Oasis, a UK female clothing store selling feminine, classy and beautiful clothes (I could only try to compare it to the likes of Forever New or Dotti in Australia). With a nice little staff discount, I had room to explore the many chains of the store and immerse myself in the latest trends.

Don’t get me wrong, I will admit there were some rather questionable items I mixed and matched, but hey, you have to make mistakes right?

I know it just seems like ‘oh, she got a job in a clothes shop,’ but it really is so much more than that. Discovering your own body type and working with colours, fabrics and styles that will flatter your body shape is a skill that many people don’t acknowledge. Or even how customers open up to you in the fitting rooms, asking for your genuine opinion as well as a fashionable one. I’ve seen ladies nearly burst into tears because a dress won’t fit them and to be honest, it’s at these moment they’re most vulnerable. You not only have to do your job, but kind of be a friend.

One of the most helpful people in our team was our helpful stylist. She is so good at looking at someone’s skin tone, hair colour, body shape, personality, and finding the perfect outfit that will compliment them. I’m no expert in styling, but I’ve definitely progressed significantly. A memorable moment was when a lady was looking for an occasionwear dress and I picked some that she initially turned her nose up at, however, once she tried them on, she was thrilled with how her breasts looked bigger, her hips looked smaller and her legs looked longer. There’s something very satisfying about recommending an outfit and they love it. Because afterall, style is a very personal thing which represents your personality and lifestyle. And that’s what I love about it.

I absolutely love English fashion. It’s so classy, elegant, a bit preppy or alternative but overall its ‘gorgeous darling.’ The great thing about living in such a big city is the diversity and with that comes incredible trends and fashion. You can never be overdressed because all in one common area, the tube, because people are going everywhere, job interviews, the races, work, weddings, concerts, dates and travelling. It takes something quite absurd to make you look twice.

With London becoming very cold over December, the most important fashion item is the all important winter coat. People are faced with the dilemma of choosing between colour, warmth, fashion, length, practicality or price. To be honest, I’m happy for my (minimal) savings that I won’t be staying in London for years on end because I would be too tempted to buy all the beautiful coats that we received in stock. Although I did purchase a lovely tan, short, military coat and gorgeous leather jacket. Despite the thought that it’s ‘boring, drab or dull’ you really cannot go wrong with a nice black or navy coat. The colours of winter this season, burgundy and a deep green, look lovely with these block colours.
Although I’ve immersed myself in the London fashion scene, I still like to think that I’ve got that bit of Ozzy beach babe style. I’m looking forward to bringing a bit of an English class into my wardrobe with all the beautiful clothes I now own.
After now finishing up with my job, I can reminisce on all the great times I’ve had at work with the amazing team I worked with. I couldn’t have asked for a more supporting, accepting and friendly environment and I’ve made friendships that I’m sure will persevere the Pacific Ocean.

Xxx
A

Somehow, it's all the little things that can influence your life in the greatest way.
They may not be ground breaking or completely radical... but this beautiful little moment I experienced this week, is definitely blog worthy, warmed my heart and in a way, you could almost say mind opening.

So, I was at work, when my favourite customer in the world, a 10 year old boy along with his mum, walk through the door.
His mother smiles and walks to the racks of clothes whilst Buddy, waves and comes straight towards me.
He's dressed in his school blazer with his violin slung across his shoulder.
I say the usual, 'Hey Buddy, how's it going? How's school/football/violin? Are you looking forward to Christmas?
We talk as he walks around in circles feeling the textures of different clothes.
Today, he just didn't seem himself.
I asked him what was up.
He responded with a typical child's answer, 'I HATE MY MOTHER.'
He told me his story (he was misbehaving so she took his gameboy off of him) and I listened intently.
Being the polite young man he is, he changed the topic and asked me how I was.
I broke him the news that I would soon be leaving work and heading back to Australia.
And his reaction captured the pure essence of being a child that I absolutely love.
'Ah, but Australia is so far away! Why do you need to go home?'
I told Buddy that like him, I had family and friends that care about me very much at home, and that it was time for me to go back.
'But that's.... a million miles away!'
I smiled at the thought.
I told him that my family makes me upset sometimes, but they're always just trying to do what's right for me because they love me.
His mother was finished shopping and returned, announcing it was time to go home.
Buddy then suddenly wrapped his arms around my waist and began crying.
I was overcome by emotion.
I couldn't believe how much trust and compassion this boy had towards me, someone he barely knows.
I hugged him back fighting tears.
His darling mother then said, 'baby, I'll bring you back in next week so we can say goodbye, ok?' He reluctantly agreed, took his mothers hand and together they left, both of them smiling at me.
I turned to my colleagues who had seen the whole thing and I went out the back to compose myself.

This beautiful little moment touched my heart and made me think about the pure beauty, innocence and compassion that children possess, something we could all learn from the little ones in our lives.
Children live with such honesty which I think if we adapted just slightly, we'd all be much happier people.
This little boy will probably never know of the gift he has given me, a genuine insight to a child's mind and love from a child, but I hope to carry his legacy with me.
I hope I see them this week so I can say, au revoir, and wish him the very best of luck for his future and to remind him to treasure all the little things, because that's what makes life so beautiful.

xxx
A