The Long Drive – ways to use peak hour

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the long drive

My return to corporate work has also heralded a return to peak hour traffic. But with a different perspective. As a mum I cherish periods of time alone, no matter how that time presents itself.

Of course grid locked traffic is never ideal – particularly when the clock ticks steadily towards late. That’s stressful no matter how much you crave alone time. Fortunately, it hasn’t happened often.

Accidents aside, I have a fairly leisurely 45 minute ride in and out of work. And I treasure it.

Here’s how I get the most out of the traffic minutes: Read more…

Life Gaps. Wardrobe Gaps.

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wardrobe gaps life gaps

Wardrobe gaps. I have always believed in filling them. In identifying pieces that would link others together and offer countless more outfit combinations. I still think it’s a sensible way to keep a wardrobe functional. Too many clothes languish in the back of cupboards, not for a lack of owner love, but for a lack of any play mates. Getting the basics right is the easiest way to ensure that the showy Deliah piece has a sensible Jane garment as her wing woman.

But when I looked into my wardrobe not so long ago, I didn’t see any gaps. I saw A LOT of clothes. So what was I filling as I was continuously buying more? Gaps in my wardrobe or gaps somewhere else? Read more…

Getting back to Corporate Style

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Next week I step back into heeled shoes and corporate clothes (read more about why here). After a couple of years working for myself, it’s a huge sartorial change.

getting back to corporate style

At the beginning of the year I culled my wardrobe. It’s a new year tradition. This year I focussed on figuring out my office wardrobe, how it would play with my existing casual threads and identifying any clothes I would need. Happily, I discovered I have a lot of clothing that translates into office wear. Unhappily, many of the pants and dresses I wore years ago no longer fit.  Read more…

8 things I learned about running my own business

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Last year at this time I was in the terrifying and exhilarating position of setting up my own business. Not talking about it. Not dreaming about it. Not conceptualising it or taking courses on how to do it. Actually doing it.

What I learned

It was a steep learning curve. I’ll warn you now – this is not going to be a post about how I made seven figures, worked 20 minutes a day and lost 15 kilos in the process. There are plenty of those stories on the internet if you want them – but this isn’t one. Truth is there were weeks I barely covered the cost of the daycare that allowed me to work. Cue the mother guilt right there. There were plenty of days when I realised that working for myself was never going to deliver the work/life balance I craved. Sure, it delivers flexibility and independence but working for yourself is a hungry beast that could eat 24/7 if you let it.

Read more…

Study Tips for Parents (Sponsored)

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Thanks to Careers Australia for sponsoring this post.
Words and opinions are my own.

Parenthood has a profound effect on every part of our lives. Including our careers. Sometimes we choose to close doors when we become mothers. Sometimes the doors are closed for us.  But I also believe windows of opportunity open.

study tips for parents

The average person will have a number of different careers within their lifetime. There are natural stages in life when we seek a different direction because priorities and perspectives change. And often that change in direction will necessitate new learning. Early parenthood is certainly one of those times. Many mothers choose to study whilst their children are small.

But how do you do it?

How do you manage a household, look after your kids, potentially hold down a job AND study? It is a very different looking set of challenges to what you may have faced fresh faced out of high-school, in your first year of univeristy.  Read more…