Just ask..!

Do you ever have those days where you're shopping and shopping and no matter how hard you look you just can't find anything at all?

Well, for me, today was one of those days. I was shopping for a graduation dress. I specifically tried not to think about it too much before I went shopping as it's so unbelievably frustrating when you have a pre-conceived idea about what you want and you can't find it..

..OK I'm lying just a little bit.. I knew I wanted a bold colour but that's all!

..Alright I lied again, I wanted an orangey/red, chiffon dress that was feminine with a hint of edge, short but not too short! That's not too specific is it?!! alright maybe it is! but if any other great styles were to suface, I would have gone for it.. I was very open, I swear!!!

I began my journey at an outlet shopping centre and I had really high hopes, great brands at a reduced prices, sure it'll mostly be last season stock but that doesn't bother me, I'll still rock it!

After going into every shop that didn't make me physically gag from the outside, I gave up. I'd been ignored by every sales assistant and witnessed their bitchy conversations about their fellow co-workers lack of work ethic and I was pissed off!

It can get very lonely, shopping by yourself, retailers note; this is your chance to bring home the sales!! capitalise on these lone shoppers, they are vulnerable, they need people to confirm that they are making the right decisions and guess what.. you are that person!

After a massive coffee and change of location, to a shopping centre where I was guaranteed to be spoilt for choice, I felt no better.. I went to all the key stores;

David Jones - nothing

Myer - nope

Forever New - no way

Review - eek

Witchery - nah

French Connection - wimper

Then all of a sudden, an epiphony.. Sportsgirl!! I hadn't been to sportsgirl yet! One of my fave aussie stores and I had forgotten all about it! For a split second I forgot that I had serious fashion-depression and practically ran there. The sportsgirl signiture, coloured stripes sang and welcomed me in as if I were a damzel and they were my prince charming, rescuing me from the evil dragon. I cross the threshold and take it all in, not knowing where to turn first, I do a full lap of the store.. then a second.. a third.. I stand in the middle of the store confused, perplexed.. there's nothing! you can't be serious?? 'Nothing' and 'Sportsgirl' aren't two words I generally use in the same sentance. Sportsgirl is my saviour, my safety belt, my guarantee that I will go to the ball!

I left the shop, more bummed out than ever, I was exhausted and defeated. I had given up, as I make the walk to the car, my feet moving slower than ever, too heavy to lift, I pass Dissh. I love shopping at Dissh for casual day wear but it isn't my pick for an night time event. I'd grown tired of my lack of success and couldn't bear another knock back but I lifted my head, put on a brave face and entered.

Instantly I am met with the perfect dress, it ticked every box and more;

Orange - check

Feminine - check

Chiffon - check

Edgey - a bit

In my price range - check

My size - check..

..wait, back up!! It's a size 10.. waaaahhhhh! I swear to god, it was all I could do not to cry, devastated I replaced the dress and walked away. It was at this time that a lovely shop assistant took pity on me, she came over and asked how I was. Well.. the floodgates opened!! "Depressed.." I said "...I've been shopping for a graduation dress all day and I can't find anything I like, I loved the Seduce dress but it's not my size and I'm not going to have anything to wear and I have no other chance to go shopping" She didn't miss a beat.. straight away, she grabbed my perfect dress and put it in a change room, she grabbed my arm and took me on a lap of the store, I already knew that there was nothing else in the store for me, as sweet as she was, she had been unsuccessful, there were no more sizes in my perfect dress, I was going home to drink heavily.

"Try on the dress" "Nah, it's too small" "Seriously try on the dress" "It really won't fit" "Just try it" ..She was pushing me but that was OK, I was just happy that someone was finally talking to me.. I would try on the dress and prove her wrong!

I step into the changing room and slip on the dress and...................................

.....IT FITS!!! Not only does it fit, it fits perfectly!! I still want to cry but this time it's with happiness, relief, excitement!! I stare at myself in the dress, it's a magic dress, this dress has been put on earth for me, from god. It was fate, all the rejections, the heartache and disappointment, was supposed to happen, to break me down so that in this victorious moment, I would feel pure, genuine joy! I savoured the moment, I had found a dress, it was exactly what I was looking for and most importantly.. IT WAS A SIZE 10!!!!!! me.. in a size 10! thank god for my best friend and nutritionist Lyndal who helped me slim down for this occassion, while I still have a way to go, I feel fantastic.

I exit the changing room and the sales assistant is there waiting for me, It's then that I realise.. she's an angel.. she's actually an angel!! I practically screamed as soon as I saw her, "It's perfect, it's perfect, I LOVE it, thankyouthankyouthankyouformakingmetryit!!!" she seemed genuinly happy that she'd helped me, congratulated me for graduating -bless- then she was gone..

It really just goes to show, ask, ask, ASK!!!

Don't assume that all sales people are out to rip you off, yes they want a sale but don't brush them off because you think that they can't help you, you think that you know best but the truth is, sometimes you don't and you really need them.

Sure some will lie to you but you ultimately know what you feel comfortable in, trust you insticts but don't automatically shun anyone who approaches you....I'm supposed to be a stylist and I couldn't even dress myself today!

So next time you're out shopping and you see a salesperson approaching, don't run away, they're just doing their job and you never know, some of them may just make your day.

Trinny and Susannahs Australian Make Over Mission

About a month ago I was sat in class, deep into the most time consuming, gruelling assignments of the year when, the director of the college pulls me and my dear friend Anklet (Bree) out of class. Instantly my chest turns red, my cheeks start to burn and my breath shortens.. what have I done? Am I in trouble? How much trouble.

Anklet and I stand in front of Tracy, silent, worried and concerned, ready to lie, make excuses; anything to get us out of  the grief we are sure we are in..

You can imagine the relief followed closely by incredible excitement when we find out we are not in trouble at all.. quite the opposite. We have been asked to work behind the scenes of Trinny and Susannahs Australian make over misson...

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH MYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is this really happening? Am I seriously involved in a conversation that I have dreamt of having, yet would never in a million years have expected full stop, never mind 10 months into my study!

No questions asked.. the answer was a thousand times YES! In a weeks time we were to travel up to Brisbane to work behind the scenes of two of the most famous stylists in the worlds TV show, not to mention two people whose shows I have watched and loved for years. I was literally about to have a dream come true.

After what felt like the longest week of my life I awoke at 4am, shattered from a serious lack of sleep. I take my time getting ready making sure everything is perfect with my outfit, that my make up is well and truly on and I haven't a hair out of place.

One bubble skirt, basic white singlet, oversize khaki shirt, statement gold necklace and ring, red lip and black eyeliner later and I'm ready. First stop coooofffeeeee the size of a small country. I pick up Anklet and off we head, next stop Trinny and Susannahs-ville.

A little over an hour later we pull up to the location, we have no idea what we are going to be doing for the day and the nerves have definately started to creep in.

Two ladies are stood out the front and ask if we are here for Trinny and Sussanah 'Yes' we reply, 'This way, follow us' they say. Ank and I exchange very confused glances and seeing the expression on her face I know that she's thinking exactly what I'm thinking "How the hell have these ladies got a job in fashion dressed like that?!!!" They were wearing haviannas, tracky pants and scuzzy oversized (not in a chic way) tees. No make up on and clearly no brush has run through the hair today.

We step out of the lift and our confusion is amplified ten fold, badly dressed women are everywhere, still unable to address the elephant in the room we find someone in a position of authority to announce our arrival. We are told to wait while the other stylists arrive and in the mean time help ourselves to breakfast, fruit, tea and coffee.. of course we don't; way too nervous and shy to go up and help ourselves, instead we rush to the toilets to debrief! "Why is everyone dressed so badly?" "Are we overdressed?" WHAT'S GOING ON! By now I'm sure you know where I'm going with this story but being there, I swear to god you'd have been going through exactly the same thoughts as we were!

Obviously the ladies were all clients, there to be made over! duh!!!!

In the toilets, just arrived, capturing the moment!

dresses and jewelery and shoes.. oh my!!

Of course, we were under no illusion that we would be working alongside T&S themselves and our jobs were not the most glam; pairing shoes, laying out accessories,creditting outfits and being general run around girls. I'd be lying if I was to say it was 'fun'. Under any other circumstances if may have even been  hellish but none of that mattered because.. we were working with Trinny and Susannah.. who cared in what capacity!!!

We were on film a lot, in the background pottering around doing odds and ends, we got in trouble by the director for staring at Susannah while she was filming.. hard not to. We didn't get a lot of opportunity to talk to T&S, the odd comment here and there but they were so busy that it was impossible to get too chatty.

When it came to filming they were complete naturals, they did everything in one take, used no scripts and were totally comfortable in front of a camera. They had a few stylists working behind the scenes who were responsible for sourching all the clothes. Annie was one of them.. she travels with them and works with them all the time, she was fab, so cool, so stylish, so real and so friendly. I couldn't get enough of her, full of tips for making it in the industry, easy to chat with, approachable and funny.

 Behind the scenes pics.

  Just took this to show how badly linen travels!!

Before we knew it the day was over.. we were tired, starving and disappointed it was over. We had an amazing look into what behind the scenes of a TV show looked like, we learned a few lessons in how NOT to treat people when we are in a higher position, we were filmed and will be able to see ourselves on TV in Feb, we'd drooled over all the clothes and accessories and flirted with the idea of stealing a couple of pieces.. in jest of course!! and we'd been horrified by the sight of so many designer clothes being thrown over the disgusting floor.

Couldn't eat this soft shell crab roll quick enough.. it was delicious!

Behind the scenes of a fashion show may not be all glitz, glam, high heels and hotties but it doesn't put me off one bit.. it's stressful and it's exciting and I loved it.

Point three on my bucket list.. check!!