Hello Wise Women
Wow, what a night!
Thank you to all the wonderful women who supported Wise Women Talk.
Me Camille and Lana
I could not have felt more proud to be standing there surrounded by over 140 beautiful faces eager to find out what makes us tick and learn tricks and ideas.
To go back a few weeks, there was so much preparation. Big business had jumped in to support us, and the minutes were ticking away.
We were hoping you would see this as your opportunity to support an entertainment for women and donate to charity as well. And you did Yeahhhh.
We had so many prizes to give away and fantastic raffles to support the Ovarian Cancer Foundation.
On the night there was a room filled with like minded women.
On the day I spent the morning curling ribbon for the tables. Then it was time to head down the Gymea, Mr G bound for baby sitting duties. When I arrived and Lana, Mr J and Sweetie were already in full swing. The James team is certainly formable and they were getting things done. I decorated the tables – bright pink, black and teal blue, vases with carnations coupled with the teal blue, pink bags from Blue Illlusions which make it look very festive.
Our MC was a fabulous Wise Woman named Camille Valvo and if you need an MC, don’t go past her.
She was sensational and certainly showed us the ropes on this our very first Wise Women Talk. My son was in charge of music and powerpoints, daughter Bri and Sweetie manned the reception table and were also models for the fashion parade. This was a family affair when all the troops rallied.
At the beginning of the night I helped take the registrations and I must say it was incredibly full on. When I looked at my watch it was past starting time. ‘Sorry girls I have to go….’ Since I was first to speak and I needed a bathroom break. Fresh lipstick applied, a glass of water, all the wise women seated and Camile introduced Lana and I.
I made my way to the microphone. This was the first time I have ever done anything like this. I would have preferred to be walking around on the stage as I had practised at home, but I stuck behind the dais with my speech at chest level. Not exactly as that was supposed to have panned out, but you know, you go with the flow!!!
I handed over to the ever professional Lana….a celebrant for many years and who is an old hand at these things.
Sharon Del and Michelle
And so the show began. Sharon Del and Michelle professional stylists from their company AbFab, gave a fascinating talk about getting clothing right, colours, shapes and so much more.
A wonderful snippet into the challenging job of dressing as we get older and who doesn’t need help!!! Brilliant presentation girls.
Then the most amazing Janice Lorraine took to the stage.
She is 70 next year and the women were gasping as they looked on. She is a terrific example of having a dream and achieving it and helping women along the way.
We spent about 10 minutes doing some very hilarious facial exercises to tighten up our ‘sagging’ (did I say that!!!) faces which had in fits of laughter. If you forgot to purchase her book on the night, you can buy her facial exercise book at her website here.
Also you can read my interview with Janice that I did a few years ago. I admire her positive attitude and her tenaciousness and the fact she can look like she does at her age. Mind blowing.
We were then introduced to Philip Morandini to talk about Oriental Medicine.
A warm friendly guy took us through some very interesting territory. Take on board some of his suggestions and I am sure improvements would be found. Lana swears by him.
An amusing set up happened when he demonstrated acupuncture needling on Lana, ever the joker, screamed out much to Phil’s horror. He was probably thinking ‘what a night to stuff up’!!! But it was taken in good fun. The Ladies were fascinated by his talk.
By this stage food was being delivered. The Tradies Club had cooked some lovely meals and I had excellent feedback – especially on the fish, which I managed to have a few mouthfuls too. Lucky door prizes were called – lovely prizes which I am sure Lana will tell you about.
After dinner Geraldine Georgiou (right), a celebrity dietician spoke.
A friend who attended said this was her favourite talk of the evening as she got so much out of it. Alas I missed the entire presentation because I was readying myself for the fashion parade. But I have since read her take away pamphlets and I will investigate more.
The Fashion Parade clothing curtesy of Tina and Trish from Blue Illusions–
Graciously I succumbed to being a model for this. My daughter and daughter-in-law were the others.
Now I am still unsure what happened with the clothing I wore but I have two ideas! Either the girls from Blue Illlusions got the sizes and the styles back the front or Lana set me up big time!!!
You see I never, ever, ever, ever wear sleeveless clothing and on the whole I like flattering folds down my body! Well Bri and Sweetie who are sizes 8-10 wore jackets, long sleeves and lovely drapery etc….. What did I wear?
Well, the first thing was a sleeveless (yes sleeveless) long tube dress and thankfully came with a stunning large scarf that truly needed to be fully spread over the dress at all times!. As we girls giggled in a dark changing room corner with no mirror, we waited for the music. So “I'm a model you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the catwalk’ blared as I walked out.
The next thing was a long tube red top with beads – no hiding behind anything there. Then I had to don long tight pants to the waist and a short top. Oh dear! The other clothes were a bit more covering until the end……when I was squeezed into a black (oh thank the Lord for that colour at least) tube dress that had to be stretched out over every lump and bump. It was sooooo tight it had to be dragged down…..
Had there been a mirror I may not have left the change room – Ha!!! I believe I can do just about anything now!!!!
I smiled so hard trying hard to make eye contact with every woman so they wouldn’t look at my fully revealed body. But this story says everything about my foibles and nothing about the elegant clothing I was wearing.
In fact, let me just add, how divine the clothing from Blue Illusions actually is. Gorgeous materials, delightful patterns, attention to detail, beautifully cut (so maybe I did really look gorgeous!) stunning accessories and so much more. Take a look on their website and stroll into their shop and have a whole lot of fun.
Our final speaker was a personal trainer Leigh Sargeant who took us through all sorts of training hints and the reasoning behind it.
Being such a big fan of exercise it was terrific to hear his words of wisdom – nothing like reinforcement again and again and again. Leigh works out of Fitness First and being a member of this club myself I can thoroughly commend it.
Go and have a guided tour as it will cost you nothing and you might just decide to join. Honestly, it would be the best thing you could ever do for yourself.
The evening came to an end and over 140 very happy women left the room with their bags of goodies, prizes, giveaways and hopefully lots of motivation and enthusiasm.
So I would like to thank every one of you for supporting ‘yourselves’ really!!! You all looked fabulous and it was just so thrilling to see you enjoying yourselves on your night. Bravo to you.
For those of you who missed out, maybe you can come to the next one…..
MISSING WISE WEEKS
You have missed quite a few weeks of my life because of Wise Women Talk business and increasing working hours to get all my jobs done at my ‘real job’ before I go away on holidays. Birthdays, exciting outings, movies, hair colour change, dinners, etc have been bypassed but now onto new things.
It is thrilling because Mr G and I are off on an adventure in China, and I will be visiting the real Shangrila in the world. I did write a story a while ago about my Shangrila in Laddakh, but this time it is the real shebang! And they did have an earth quake over 5.6 last week so I am hoping the world settles down right about now!
I can hardly wait to dip into a new world though and you’ll find out all about it next time.
JAPAN
My gracious me, what is happening to our beautiful world! Has it decided enough is enough and making us take stock and listen.
Honestly, what an absolute disaster that has occurred and it seems like they are dealing with one blow after the other. Earthquakes, tsunamis are one thing (we know their threats are immediate and devastating) but nuclear meltdown has be terrifying as no one really has any idea of what might lie ahead and for how many years.
Take a look at these before and after pictures
And since I am flying up in that direction soon, and as I will be going to an area of China that has had some pretty devastating earthquakes of its own recently, I hope I can completely relax!!!
One thing about this sort of disaster though, surely it must make those nations at war sit up and take heed! Surely the welfare of the world far outweighs petty grievances. Fighting each other is so trivial in the scheme of things and we must put the fight towards saving our precious planet. I’d like to think there is something left when my great, great children are alive.
There have been so many sad things lately that the impact on us as we view it must crush our spirit. It is hard to even shift such a burden as we are swamped with image after image.
‘Reality disaster television’….read all about it.
It is ghastly but we are hooked. We share the pain, the sadness and even though we see these things we can’t believe our eyes. Let us hope we are never play a part in this new Disaster Series.
So when are we finally going to ‘get it’! We have to act now before it is all too late......
Our prayers and thoughts are with those who are caught up in this awful happening.
And so to MEADOW MIST & cheerio & onto sunnier things
The cat is packing his bag…well he’s off on holiday, to five star accommodation no less!
He’s a Cornish Rex called Remus and he is a stuck up fancy boy! Last time he arrived home from the Cattery he had developed a meow like you would not believe.
Its ‘bossy’ come ‘don't dare send me back there again’ all rolled into one!!! And he just hasn’t lost it.
I truly fear what sort of a cat we will get back when we return. He’s 13 so he probably can’t inflict too much damage on us in a physical way, but he will snub us initially and then Lord his objections!!! We are doing our best as owners though…truly …..we did choose 5 star!!!!!
Our dear old Kojak, a Staffy. who has been living for the past year with his real owner, my daughter, was mercifully put down about 4 weeks ago. His time had come but the whole experience was shattering, especially for Bri, and I am sure Mr G shed a quiet tear or two. The whole pet experience has its downside that can wrench your heart apart, but the joy you give them on their doggy or catty journey is what they rely on in their moment on the planet.
Be kind to your pets……they love you.
LANA’S WISE WEEK
Now you are sure to want to read Lana’s Wise Week. It is bound to full of Wise Women Talk as well. She looked absolutely beautiful on the night, and showed us all what a star she really is.
WISE WORDS
Here is a great quote to finish off my Wise Week.
Charles Dickens said:
Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers and are famous preservers of youthful looks
So there you are, you can easily download those qualities and without any cost. Have fun trying..
Have some super fantastic few weeks ahead and I can’t wait to share all my travel tails with you when I get back.
love
