Oh My, Dont I Feel Old!

This is my daughter Layla, she graduated High School on Friday! It just doesn't seem possible that 15 years has passed since we moved from Townsville to Brisbane. And to make matters worse she is celebrating 'Schoolies' this week (on the Sunshine Coast thank goodness - at least she has a brain - lol).

Her Gradutation was great. Not only did she receive the Cultural Award (for her drama/theatre work) but she also sang not one but 3 solos. Allison had to keep nudging me in the ribs telling me not to cry. I am the world's biggest cry baby and did well not to walk out of there with major panda bear eyes!

So what is my little MC (monster child of course) doing now? She is auditioning for one of the Drama/Theatre/Acting degrees at QUT. I am picking her up from Roma St Station this morning and then driving her into the QUT Kelvin Grove Campus. Having never been there myself I am a bit nervous about getting her there in time - but we have over an hour to find the place and I am just about to download their campus map off the internet - so here's wishing her luck!!

I'm OK!!

For those in the Brissy area know only too well the storm we had yesterday.

What started as a gorgeous HOT sunny Sunday morning soon turned crazy. The storm hit us around 3pm which is about the same time my internet crashed. By 4pm we had no power. That in itself isnt a bad thing. I can cope with no power for a reasonable length of time, but when your partner is at work and you are alone in a dark house with nothing to do but read a book by torchlight and eat cold food for dinner, it isnt the most enjoyable evening.

Dont get me wrong, we needed the rain and I love hearing it on the roof and looking out the window across the valley behind us, knowing the land is getting some much needed water. But to have to waste an entire evening curled up on the couch, reading... well, what can I say!!

I am all for enforced R&R but when it is your ONLY option, well, it sucks big time. Luckily the power was back on by the time I got up this morning at 6am. I have managed to answer all the emails that came through from yesterday and also finish baking the 'lemon delicious' slice I got half way through yesterday afternoon. Mmmmm the house smells so yummy now!! Is 8.30am too early to taste test it?? NEVER!!

So what is on the SOS front (SOS = style on stage)

Orders and inquiries are coming in steadily every week for bikinis and comp prep. It is awesome to see so many girls getting in early. I think this year scared a few; the first time in the 7 years I have been doing this that I have had to turn girls away. And to answer your question, no, it is never too early to start your prep!!

I have done a huge update of the website and added a heap of new info. You can check what was updated HERE .

I have found a few new fabric suppliers and am (eagerly) awaiting the samples to arrive. There is nothing more I love than getting new stuff for the business. Fabrics, crystals, shoes, it's like having a great excuse to go shopping!

DIVA Consignments is coming along nicely - the website will be up and running asap and new stock is coming in steadily. So for those that don't know about it you can check the DIVA Blog and see what it is all about. More stock is needed though girls - so go check what you dont need anymore and consider selling it at DIVA Consignments!!

On another note, I get heaps of people wanting to know why I have gone vegan and of course - that age old question "so what do you eat?" ..... I am setting up a blog (yes, another one) but this one is more just for Allison and I to post things about how and why we decided to go vegan as well as some great links to restaurants and resources as well as some great recipes. I am hoping it will shed some light on a few things - like vegans arent all hippy extremist treehuggers that are out to ruin everyone's lives - lol -but regular everyday people that are interested in environmental and ethical issues. Once it is up and running (it is there, just havent posted anything yet) I will post the link and I hope you will drop by every so often to check things out. Trust me, it can be quite eye opening at times - and I promise not to post anything too 'graphic' .

Ok, time to say goodbye for now- lots to catch up on today.... and I had better have some brekky, the smell of that slice is killing me!

Oh How Sweet..

... it is to be sitting here watching Idol with my notebook on my lap, our bird on my shoulder and one of our furry critters at my feet AND NO BIKINIS TO DO RIGHT NOW!!

Yes, I have admitted I watch Australian Idol - but I have a legitimate excuse - honest!! Chrislyn is one of my daughters best friends. I have watched her grow over the years from a very insecure young girl to the amazing performer we are seeing now. It is truely amazing to see her up there!

So what have I been up to today you may ask?? Well, since I have no urgent orders I have managed to have a teeny sleep in, eat pancakes (vegan of course) with icecream and maple syrup for breakfast, work on a few website projects and walk our 3 furry critters. Feeding time at our 'zoo' is always interesting with the 2 goats fighting for attention & food, and the three dogs doing laps in the kitchen while waiting for their dinner to be served.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Lia this evening also. My heart goes out to her at this most difficult time, and I, like most of you reading this will be there for her in the coming weeks!! I went through a similar situation with my own mother 6 years ago, so I understand what it's like.

On a different note..... I now have half a dozen or so orders for 2009 - and that doesnt include the ones from girls that have pulled out of this years shows. I gotta love it when they get in early for costumes. So, if you know you are competing don't be afraid to contact me whenever you are ready to order your new bikini. I will inevitably start getting busy again fairly early in the new year so it really is never too early!!

Diva Consignments has a blog now too - so add it to your favs so you find out when the website is up and running and when new items are available. Girls, for those of you looking at selling off some of those unwanted bikinis or posing shoes, get in contact with me so I can include them on the new website.

I had better head off now - Idol is over and I need to vote for Chrislyn!!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

OMG - it's nearly over!!

What a year!!!!

I have one single solitary suit needed for a lady heading over to the USA this week to finish and then I can honestly let out that huge sigh of relief!!

Not to say my work for the year is over - far from it. I have already started working with some new clients preparing for 2009 shows and have fittings for bikinis wanted for shows in March to arrange and make and decorate. On top of that I have to finish the new look Style on Stage website - which is very very time consuming - as well as a few new ventures that are currently uncompleted. The first I have just announced on a new Facebook Group and already have a good number of 'groupies' - lol

Say hello to "DIVA Consignments" an online store for you to buy and sell unwanted or pre loved competition apparell - including bikinis, one piece suits, shoes, fitness outfits and dresses (suitable for sportsmodels). The website is under construction but that doesn't mean you can't contact me to lodge your interest if you have something you would like to sell. I will be getting a new blog for this as well and Allison and I will be working on all the 'legalities' over the next week, including pricing, contracts etc. The site will be open to any suits that are in good condition and are clean - I am able to repair or replace any lost crystals to help bring the sale price up if neccessary (a small cost will apply of course) and am able to supply a cleaning service if you are apprehensive about doing it yourself.

So what is next you may ask...... I have another surprise that will be revealed in the near future but this one will take me a little longer to develop completely. So be patient and hopefully some of you will take advantage of my new venture!!

I am hoping to work out dates for Get Ready 2009 and will be updating the current site with new venues and weekends. If you would like Get Ready to visit your location just let me know so I can see if it is a viable option. Minimum numbers will apply for each workshop to make the trip/s a success so start seeing who else would be interested!!

On the home front, Allison has just done the BEST DEAL at our local 'good guys' store - she can do all my shopping from now on!! She has just purchase the air condition for my studio (and it is a big airconditioner), our new dishwasher, a pedastal fan and a breadmaker - with extended warranty - all for under $2000 - WHAT A BARGAIN!! The breadmaker is coming home with her this afternoon while the other items are being delivered next week. Just have to get someone to instal the dishwasher and airconditioner now !!

Hopefully my next post will include pics from the ANB show last weekend - and what a show that was!! 204 competitors run over 2 days. How proud am I of the following Style on Stage clients - Michelle Goodall won her second women's physique overall title and over 52kg women's physique while Vicky Thomas won masters figure 35+ , Donna Baillie won masters figure 45+, Angela Tsourgos won figure tall class and Fern Purturiero won the under 52kg women's physique class - heaps of other SOS clients placed top three, but regardless of placings just getting to compete at this level is awesome and I am proud of every single one of them!!

I had better race off - still got 3 loads of washing to finish as well as this one piece suit to complete. Have a wonderful weekend everyone and I look forward to the opportunity to post more regularly now (at least for a while).