Tue Review: 3 March 2020
I had planned to write my next review on the last Tuesday of the month, but I guess the first Tuesday of the month is just as good! The last Tuesday of February was the day before we flew out to Malaga airport for a…
Author: Ellie
Tue Review: 28 January 2020
Happy New Year! Belated, yes. But I have returned. I feel things have changed a lot since I was last here 12 months ago. Let’s start with what is the same: loving my amazing husband, our adorable flat, and my crazy job. Fitness is also…
Designing My 2019
My autocorrect changed “Designing” to “Destining” when I first typed it. Seems appropriate.
I have been thinking about my goals. Endlessly. But something odd happened at work that made me think a little harder. My 40 before 40 goals are tangible, as they should be. Something that can be accomplished and ticked off the list. But there are personal goals that aren’t so easy to define, or measure, or achieve.
In a work environment, it is inevitable that there will be run-ins. Disagreements, and the like. Earlier in my career, I felt free to argue my case as I saw fit without having to worry too much about the consequences. If my colleagues or managers disagreed, it didn’t matter too much. I stated my opinion but did as I was told (with a few exceptions, for another time).
But I’m a manager and although I could choose to be as I have been before – say how I feel but follow the line – things are different now. Not that I will necessarily think or feel differently about things. But now I’m aware that my team watch to see how I respond to things. As as an introvert, I would much prefer to sort things out quietly with time to think and plan. But being quiet and confuse people. Not stating your intentions can lead to wrong assumptions.
The little argy-bargy at work is not something I’m concerned about. It’s most likely going to go unresolved and become gossip that colleagues giggle over for years to come. But it did make me think about my leadership style.
I lead from behind. I like to inspire others to set their own goals then support them to reach them. There are always themes about ownership, taking pride in what you do and finding meaning in it. Back in my uni days, I remember the moment I first heard about leading from behind, or shepherd leadership, and immediately I knew that was how I work. It was actually a relief to hear that it had a name and was, you know, a “thing”.
Knowing this is what suits me, and that I want to be consistent and confident in my approach, I realised that I wanted to find out more about the style, and leaders who used it. A list of inspiring leaders who lead from behind that read about or follow, to help me learn more about the style and feel inspired. Then I realised – it’s a Leader Board!
The main name I have is Nelson Mandela, from whom the phrase “Lead from Behind” seems to originate. But it looks like there are a few CEOs around the world that have the same approach. So that’s how my year is starting. Leaderboard homework!
Tue Review: 9 October 2018
Honestly, why can’t I just hibernate? Not to be warm or miss winter – I love winter! – but I do wish that I could hide from the world at times. To not hear a voice, to not have to talk. I wish could take…
Tue Review: 18 September 2018
Hmm… I has a few website issues last month, but I didn’t realise that I’d lost a whole bunch of posts in that time! Yikes! I have no idea what I wrote before, so here I go, starting again. Again. I’ve written by 40 before…
Tue Review: 26 June 2018
Today was fun, because I went to a chiropractor. It sounds strange, I know, but I had been looking forward to it for ages. Chiropractors are amazing, especially for someone like me who is prone to migraines – these are the people who can really put you in your place, in a good way.
It’s also reassuring when a health professional says things about your body that you agree with. Hubby’s tension was all muscular and the Chiro recommended massages for him instead (honestly turning down business – how scrupulous!). But for me, I get another appointment in a week. I also got the comment that “You have a very good understanding of your body and where the issues are.” It’s so uncommon to hear that. So many health professionals will just shrug and be non-committal, so much so that you feel that they don’t believe you at all. But this guy was great. It’s funny the things that can give you that little boost.
Brain: I will complete Tale of Two Cities by September.
Action: Whoops, I missed this week.
Body: I will get my waist measurement down to less than half my height.
Action: Not a great week, but not bad either.
Soul: I will make a plan for Camp NaNoWriMo in July.
Action: I’ve been adding a lot to my mind map. But I can’t believe the first of July is so close!
Tue Review: 19 June 2018
I’ve finally begun to use a tool that has always seemed like a good idea, but never quite clicked. Mind maps. It started as a way of prepping for Camp NaNoWriMo in July, but I began making maps at work as well. It’s really ideal…
Tue Review: 12 June 2018
Well. What have actually been up to this year. I’ve been loving my new job (happy 1st anniversary to me!), I’ve been playing around on some other blogs and have neglected my identity a little, a nasty habit I have which drew me to creating…
Something borrowed – take a little #RoyalWedding with you
Did you watch the royal wedding? It was the type of event that was hard to avoid, but has it happens, it was worth watching! After the initial wait to see the dress, there were the sweet little exchanges, the very popular bishop, and the shots of the audience where saw muted giggles and guests who looked asleep. Always fun!
The fashion was always going to be a hot topic. After all, everyone there must have put a lot of thought into their choices. My god, what would you wear to an event like that?!? Everyone looked stunning and, as it’s been shared on Twitter, it was diverse in terms of styles and influences.
If these two aren’t best friends separated who time travel through a vintage mirror getting into all kinds of vaguely fashionable hijinks? l’ll eat a hat. #RoyalWedding #PriyankaChopra #abigailspencer pic.twitter.com/5oBd1HSXQw
— Sarah McMullan (@SarahMcMullanNZ) May 19, 2018
If anyone says something about how black hair isn’t professional enough for the workplace, let them know that these braids, twist outs, Senegalese twists, afros, & crotchet hair were good enough for the #royalwedding !!!! 😏 https://t.co/Rn80uf8lhc
— okurrrrrrr (@ohKai_then) May 19, 2018
So when work is busy, and you need that little extra kick, going for royal wedding inspired outfits seem like a good idea!
So what where the top looks? Three little words, if the hyphen works that way: florals, a-line, and navy.
Floral was the choice of Carey Mulligan, Joss Stone, Sofia Wellesley plus a few others. Most of which were drop-waist, with that 20s elegance. Doria Ragland chose florals and a coat, and Pippa Middleton added on our second top look: a-line.
Here at Pear Flair, we love a good a-line! While Pippa Middleton’s dress was gorgeous, Lady Kitty Spencer’s a-line floral number was more vivid and ready for spring in a bold dark green. I do hope to see more dark greens in the stores!
The green wasn’t the only darker shade in user, there was a lot of navy to be seen as well. At first, it seemed like an unusual choice for a spring wedding, but Victoria Beckham, Sarah Rafferty, and Jessica Mulroney, all made it work. Extra props to Sarah, those sleeves really tuned into classic visions of fairytale weddings!
While, the florals were to be expected, I think we’re in the middle of a revamp of the colour navy. The great thing about navy is that even though it’s a cool colour, warm-toned people (like me), can do very well in navy as it’s very dark. Extra bonus, it’s easy to match with super bright accessories!
I have a necklace that I came my “gumboil” necklace, which I love to wear with navy as the dark colour really makes the necklace pop. The same goes for white accessories and let’s face it, white and navy is a classic combination.
What suggestions do you have for pairing with navy?
Tue Review: 20 March 2018
Can this be right? It’s been 5 months since I wrote for Hermitopia? That’s horrendous!!! Actually, it’s been an crazy 5 months. There was a mini-getaway to Nice, Christmas in Portugal, snow flurries across the county, endless social get togethers, and a new car!! Now…