This is an exciting time of the year for several of you since graduation is coming up and you’ll be en route to the reality of working and paving the path for your dream career.

But first, you need to get through a few tough interviews. Oh how we all dread interviews – initially, we feel nothing, but excitement, then those feelings turn into sleepless nights, shoot up our stress levels, and bring on the nerves  – nothing good at this point. However, I can assure you that one thing will give you the confidence needed to ace that interview and that is: Preparation!

So how does go about preparing anyway?

The best way to prepare is to find a list of questions relevant to the industry and employer you’re interviewing with and jot them all down – I recommend having at least 10 questions ready. Next, you need to formulate well-thought out answers to those questions and write them down. I emphasize writing them down so that you won’t forget and so you can refer back to the situations and examples you’ve already used.

Your answers should focus on what you can bring to the table in terms of the position and employer and most importantly, you should be able to provide very specific examples to backup the skills you’re selling. Also, think about how your responses and examples can be manipulated to answer different questions in case you’re not asked the ones you were expecting. I recommend avoiding statements you’ve already made on your resume or cover letter since you would just be telling the hiring manager what they’ve already read. I assume your resume is a masterpiece in itself, which is how you landed the interview in the first place.

Since the actual interview is your spotlight and really your time to shine, make sure you have plenty of strong examples and comments that add value to the paper you’ve turned in.

I’ve had people come to me for advice constantly wondering how I’m able to formulate eloquent answers in such short timeframes during interviews and I can assure you that I’m definitely not a natural. However, I work very hard in preparing myself until the last minute. This means I have no
problem walking into a room with a notebook opened filled with notes (i.e. my answers) and glancing down at them if I need a refresher. Anyone should feel confident enough to do the same if it helps them.

Doing the things above will get your thoughts moving and allow you to remind yourself of the accomplishments you’ve had thus far. This enables you to relax and speak confidently about what you’ve achieved. Just remember that the more you interview, the better you get at them and the more prepared you are, the better off you’ll be. And finally, don’t forget to ask appropriate, meaningful questions as well.

Article by: Susan Hang – Blog Instagram Pinterest

Image Source Credits – Visual Optimism

The post The Best Way To Prepare For an Interview appeared first on Zanita.

What an incredible night!

And how special to be invited to such a prestigious event, honouring some of the best in the Australian fashion and beauty industries.f you haven’t heard, NSW has just experienced one of the worst storms we’ve had in years and this was the night it reached peak! Some guests were unable to make it due to flights being unable to land and our driver (provided by Lexus) took two hours to reach us in what is usually a 45 minute journey at most. I was probably one of the few guests who felt comfortable with their hair after being outside in gail force winds! Haha! 

Sara and I got ready together and both of us wore Toni Maticevski – but obviously VERY different looks. I had these photos snapped on the press wall before we entered the main area of the venue, which was the size of an aeroplane hangar. Huge curtains revealed rows of tables covered with candles – surrounded by more tables with candles! I heard one of the team organising mention that there was 22,000 of them. Crazy huh? You can see them in the header image, the candles on the dining tables were wax candles and the surrounding tables had mini electric candles. The effect was magical! We sat through a delicious meal and a runway showcase as well as the presentation of all the awards.

You can check out the winners HERE – special congratulations to my dear friend Toni Maticevski who took out the award for Best Australian Eveningwear Designer.

It’s such a treat to be invited to be invited to such a beautiful and prestigious event – something quite new for me! The Australian fashion industry is full of exciting innovators and I’m super proud to be a part of it. Hope you like these pics, provided to me by Max Media Lab, if they didn’t send them I would have actually no imagery of me wearing this fabulous and fun outfit!

Special thanks also to Sara for loaning (giving) me this bra which I’ve stretched beyond recognition with my big boobs to wear with my sheer Toni Maticevski top! I only had daggy ones – and Sara rescued me. I owe her one bra top, wasn’t quite ready to rep #freethenipple at these awards.

skirt and top, Toni Maticevski (new collection, not available yet sorry!)

shoes, CH by Carolina Herrera

watch, Larsson  & Jennings

clutch, Edie Parker

The post Prix De Marie Claire, A Night to Remember appeared first on Zanita.

There’s some pretty inspiring babes out there in the ‘blogosphere’…

One of the most fashionable and talented girls in Scandiland is Irina Lakicevic of the blog, A Portable Package. When Irina asked me to shoot her in this project for Mulberry, I leapt at the chance – maybe some of her indefinable cool will rub off on me? Either way, she’s got an amazing face and style to match.

I hope you like these images, snapped by me in Hyde Park, London – Irina wearing Mulberry SS15.

The post Irina In Mulberry appeared first on Zanita.

Hey All! Just reporting from Dallas, Texas – I’m here for a conference with Rewardstyle – joined by fellow fashion bloggers and influencers from all around the world.  It’s the first time visiting this part of the world – which is doubly surreal because I’m so damn jet lagged, been awake since 3am.

Sharing with you some images and my favourite looks  from the Alice McCall show at MBFWA, that blue jacket with the tassles is my life!! Congrats to Alice on another very fun show.

I’m got loads to do today but I’m hoping to share it all with you in a video that I’ll edit on Saturday.

Hope you’re all doing awesome x

The post Alice McCall appeared first on Zanita.

 I’m in Dallas – but like you’ve seen so often before – let’s take a trip down memory lane, to Aussie Fashion Week.

Here we have an ensemble, again 70’s inspired, like everything I wore that week. I never thought of myself to much of a sucker for trends but for the 70’s – I just can’t resist! I think so many styles are quite flattering for my body type and I love a good bell sleeve. The scarf was a nice addition – but also a necessity because I couldn’t wear a bra and there was a risk that one of my boobs would pop out if I didn’t have some extra coverage.

I call it Boob Roulette! Fashion Week is the time to take risks with what we wear.

So anyway, I was lucky to wear this dress – a fun number from Alice McCall (see my photographs of the collection HERE) to the show. I always feel so much more confident when wearing a dress with a sleeve!

Apologies – I had tried to get a video happening yesterday but I wanted to include more footage so I’m still filming. Hopefully I had a chance to get it done tonight when I land in NYC.

bag, Chloe Drew

dress, Alice McCall 

shoes, Senso

scarf, Karen Walker

belt, Karen Walker

The post That 70’s Floral Dress of My Dreams appeared first on Zanita.

In continuation from last week’s post about preparing for interviews, I thought you would also find it beneficial if we broke down two of the most difficult interview questions people struggle with. Let’s get started:

1. Tell me about yourself.

What the Interviewer is really asking:

What have you done to progress in your career? What have you achieved that can be translated into this company? What are your strengths and what are you doing here? Don’t tell me what I’ve already read on your resume.

How to answer the question: You need to tell a story. Don’t include extensive details about your job history because that information is already on your resume. There also isn’t a major need to talk about your goals because that question will probably come up later. Briefly describe what you are currently doing, what you’ve done in the past, and what you’re working on now while honing in on the strengths, skills, and experience that are most applicable to the job and company you’re applying for.

Example:

I currently work in Merchandise Planning where I am responsible for developing allocation strategies that generate high sales, profit, and inventory turnover. I’ve been able to drive sales by being responsive to developing trends, analyzing merchandise performance, which resulted in my office ranking X out of the entire company. Prior to that, I held various roles in finance and supply chain. Those positions have really helped in developing my analytical, communication, and leadership skills, which I’ve been able to bring with me. While I really enjoy what I have done, I’m ready for the challenges X brings and that’s why I’m here today.

2. What is your greatest weakness.

What the Interviewer really wants to know:

You’re not perfect, nobody is, but if you know what you don’t excel in, it means you’re self-aware and we can develop you. Where will you be challenged? How can we help you grow and what are you already doing to help yourself?

How to answer the question: Be honest about where you really want to grow but don’t provide any weaknesses that are necessary to do the job. There’s a fine line between being aware, too honest, and just wanting to “look good”. This means avoid yawn-inducing answers that are pretty much meaningless to the interviewer, such as “I’m a perfectionist”, “I can’t say No”, or “I work too much”.

Example:

One of my biggest weaknesses is that I’m impatient and that’s because I am diligent in doing my research and providing high quality work so I expect that of others around me. However, I’ve learned that everyone works differently and I’ve become more understanding of the circumstances of those around me, even lending a hand when necessary to ensure the timely completion of projects and assignments with tight deadlines.

I hope you found the breakdown of these questions helpful. I know I really struggled with answering them when I was just starting out but I can honestly say with confidence today that I’m not as nervous as I used to be especially when I can formulate well-thought out answers in advance. The great thing about knowing how to answer the hard questions is that it makes the simple ones even easier. So best of luck to you all as you embark on this journey!

Article by: Susan Hang – Blog Instagram Pinterest

Image Source Credits – Fashion Gone Rogue, Studded Hearts

The post Nailing Two Difficult Interview Questions appeared first on Zanita.

So thrilled to share with you my latest video from Dallas for #rsTheCON – including loads of your favourite fashion bloggers, cool events by River Island and Matches Fashion – plus loads more!

The post Video: Fashion Bloggers Go To Dallas appeared first on Zanita.

This is seriously the best leather skirt ever.

It’s really just the style that’s flattering and miracle of miracles, easy to sit in. Highly recommend getting a skirt in this style in your life. I usually find mini skirts quite frustrating because I’m constantly concerned about flashing my knickers – but this has an ease of movement and doesn’t creep up at all. Win!!

Snapped these pics with Rebecca whilst in Dallas for the Rewardstyle Conference, which I attended with a few of my close bloggers friends from Down Under and a whole load of girls from all over the world. I made a Youtube video to share some of the (very fabulous) experience that you can check out HERE.  Since that trip just a few nights ago I’ve already visited two more time zones and next week I cross two more. It’s a pretty intense time for me.

On Sunday Gustav and I head to Hong Kong for our long await #lifewelltravelled trip with Cathay Pacific. Expect a bonanza of content!

Thanks so much for reading my blog, you guys are the best xxx

skirt, old season Witchery (very similar HERE – kind of similar HERE and HERE)

shirt, And Other Stories

bag, River Island

heels, Senso

Photos by Rebecca Laurey

The post Get The Look: Tan Leather Skirt and Printed Shirt appeared first on Zanita.

Being entrepreneurial is not just about having great ideas and being your own boss…

A great idea is a really good start to building your company but in my perspective it’s not the key. New businesses start out with an idea and evolve as part of a learning process, adjusting their products and services as the market changes. The most exciting evolutions in product and service development are often born out of companies who adapt quickly to new challenges and demands.

So what if you can’t find the perfect idea?

My mindset is: It’s better take action than to doubt and do nothing. I won’t wait until my idea is planned and crafted meticulously, I’ll get it out there and work on customer feedback and results to make adjustments. By creating a product/service that’s based on needs and preferences of my consumer I’m setting myself up for more of a win. If just listening to myself i will end up with a product/service perfect for me, but what I want is a product/service perfect for my intended customers.

Once you’re out there and selling your idea, the absolute ultimate goal is to create satisfied customers, which can be achieved by keeping expectations and delivery in mind. For example, If I booked a hotel at a lower price and arrive to find the service is above my expections, I’ll be a happily surprised and satisfied customer. However, If I book an expensive room and arrive to find services of a lower standard then I’ll be disappointed. It sounds simple – but if you’re starting a new business then understanding the value of your product/service to your clients and customers and delivering what is expected is totally vital for longevity.

I try to keep the promise and delivery in mind in all parts of my life, I always want to deliver more then expected of me in all situations. 

Having satisfied customers will give you repeating customer (or visitors) and that will allow you to create a relationship with your customers. With a relationship comes the perk of being able to have a conversation and getting feedback on how to develop your product for the better.

So Zanita and Myself decided to go into business together! The first step in our plan was the remake of zanita.com (we hope you like it). We don’t have one totally clear set-in-stone idea about where we want to take it – instead we have several ideas of what we want to do. One of them, taking on more talented people to write – like Rebecca and Susan – with great voices of inspiration that suit our main goal of inspiring creativity and greatness. So it’s in this pursuit to create more high quality content for zanita.com we also want to hear your thoughts and what you want to read, so please let us know what your interests are and which creatives and brands you would love us to work with to create beautiful content.

I hope you like these topics! If so,  I’ll keep writing and sharing my thoughts on entrepreneurship, career and personal development. 

- Gustav

The post Understanding What’s Behind A Great Business Idea appeared first on Zanita.

I will be milking this 70’s trend as far as I can take it.

Up until around six months ago, I don’t think really owned anything in my wardrobe that was BROWN. I just think that typically, brown is a really challenging hue to pair with other colours – that is, until this 70’s trend went into full swing and my wardrobe started to overflow with those burnt yellow orange hues and all the deep green. So now I’m all about it!

What I also love about the 70’s trend – is the length of sleeves and skirts. Maybe I’m a bit of a prude to prefer being covered up neck to toe – but it’s what feels right for me. The bell sleeve, the long line skirts, flowing lengths! It’s all class.

This is a look I wore running errands and catching up with friends here in Stockholm, back just a few days and then off again. I owe you all a proper ‘Checking In’ blogpost… and my NYC video, which I cut off a little early – but I hope you’ll like anyway. xx

Spirit bracelet, Claire Aristides

grey knit, Reiss

vest, Witchery old season

bag, River Island

jeans, Citizens of Humanity

The post Flare Jeans Forever appeared first on Zanita.

We previously talked about the best way to approach an interview and tackling the most difficult questions often asked. However, we have one final, but essential piece missing: The most effective and best questions to ask in an interview, which we’ll focus on in this last installment.

Having great questions ready prior to your interview show that you’ve taken initiative, done your homework, and you’re genuinely interested in working for the company.

To determine what you should ask, think about the types of questions that provoke even further conversation – those that will take your interview to the next level and set you apart from other candidates. What do you think your counterparts will ask? Avoid redundant questions that an interviewer might receive over and over again. You can gauge what these questions may look like by visiting your University’s career center and reading through their recommended “questions to ask” list. Just be sure to scrap it afterwards.

I tend to stick with 3-4 questions, but definitely no more than 5 if you must. Your questions should be specific and applicable to the job, the culture of the organization, and/or how you might fit in. With that said, here are my top 5 never-fail questions to ask:

1. What do you enjoy most about working here? What’s the worst part? (Variation: What do the individuals in this position find most rewarding about working here – or in their job? What do they struggle with most?)

2. What are the biggest challenges someone will face coming into this role? (Variation: What are the most important skills I need to bring in order to be successful in this position? What are the opportunities/challenges the company, or specific area/department, is facing currently and how can someone like myself come in and help?)

3. Find something specific to the company and ask about it – this could be related to a new product, service, growth, or phase. It will require you to do some research so get on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or social media and find out what’s up and coming. The question should be tailored to the job/position you’re interviewing for. Example: When I interviewed for my current role in merchandising, I knew E-commerce and mobile were huge initiatives across retailers so I asked specifically about what that process looked like, how it has impacted the business, and what kind of reach they’ve achieved.

4. What does growth look like in this position? (Variation: How do you reward performance and how often?)

5. When will I hear from you? (Other variations, if appropriate, include: How many candidates are being interviewed and how many will be selected? When will you make a final decision? What is the next step for me in this process?) – I only recommend asking something along these lines if you felt strongly about how the interview went.

So this concludes my Interview series. I hope you have a renewed perspective on how you should approach your next interview. I also hope you can walk into it with confidence, being armed with a wealth of answers from preparing. I’d love to hear what you’d like for me to write about next so be sure to drop me a note below. As always, good luck to you all!

Article by: Susan Hang – Blog Instagram Pinterest

Image Source Credit: line-mag, milavictoria and glamourparis

The post Best Questions to Ask In An Interview appeared first on Zanita.

I didn’t really get much time in last week in NYC to film – but I threw together this quick little video anyway. I’ve just landed in London having flown from Stockholm and about to head to Hong Kong tomorrow – having the most insane travel schedule right now! So happy I have all of you to share it with, thanks so much xx

The post Video: Two Nights in New York with Rebecca appeared first on Zanita.

I’ve always steered clear of buying too many white pieces for my wardrobe because of my inclination to spill anything and everything on my clothes…

But as my penchant for a good classic look has grown, so too has my fearlessness for the lighter hued garments and as summer approaches, nothing spells fresh like a suitcase full of cotton white goodness! Here’s some of my favourite pieces floating around at the moment. Wishing I had these stashed in my case for Hong Kong! I’m so ready for summer.

Lemaire Trousers – Frame Denim Apron Dress – Marni Bag

Acne Studios Cotton Shirt – Proenza Schouler Fringe Mules – Rachel Comey Jumpsuit

Proenza Schouler Platform Slides – 1205 Cotton Jumpsuit – Isabel Marant Etoile Dress

The post White Out: The Staple Hue That’ll Have You Ready for Summer appeared first on Zanita.

Racing to get this post up as I sit at the airport, about to be called to my flight to Hong Kong.

Gustav has been madly editing this video – and so as it goes live on youtube, there’s footage that occurred mere hours before. How’s that for a turn around! I know I’ve mention it so much before but we’re both enjoying making them so much.

Look forward to sharing more from our trip to Hong Kong!

xx

The post Video: 24 Hours in London appeared first on Zanita.

I can be a stubborn ass, so it’s taken me quite awhile to realise and admit that I’m addicted to social media/my phone. Guess it does make me feel a little better to know that chances are, we’re in this together.

I was going to quote a bunch of statistics here but instead I found this great graphic from GO-Globe. Way more engaging!

I’ve often been called up by my friends for being on my phone too often – but relied on the excuse ‘I’m doing work’ when the reality is, I’m only doing essential stuff maybe 50 percent of the time. It’s so easy to fall down a pit of information online, especially on instagram when you end up looking at your ex-colleagues girlfriend’s best friend’s dog trainer’s page.

You know you’re in a desperate situation when you’re having to be overly cautious not to press the like button on a 154 week old picture… don’t want to appear the creepy stalker type!

These apps are designed to get you hooked, so even though I’m quite the enabler (check out my content guys!) I won’t stand to take all the blame. Is it really so bad to be addicted to your phone and constantly burning through facebook or chatting on whatsapp? I mean, its social right? Being social is good for us!

Well, yes and no.

One thing I’ve noticed about my social addiction is that now, when I’m talking to people face to face – it’s consistently more challenging to stay focused on the conversation. I won’t usually pick up the phone in the company of another… but theres more exceptions than limitations. Hanging out with bloggers (and interestingly enough, PR types), everyone is on their phones constantly for #work so you get a free pass. Same goes when I’m around friends I hang out with regularly or if I’m in a car with friends… or on a bus/train. I don’t wanna be that girl  who won’t give it a break but everyone I know is doing the exact same thing so maybe it’s just what’s done now.

Kids these days are practically born with iPad’s in their hands. The other day I saw a two year old using a smart phone with ease! In other words, things aren’t really going to change anytime in the future. So can we clock all this up to the fact that digital revolution has changed the way we consume media and therefore, the way we spend our days? I think yes – but I dread to think that I might actually be damaging my mind in some way. It’s actually one of those things I’m avoiding researching because I don’t want to find out that it is and have to cut back because… its work guys! Idiocy I know, but ignorance is bliss.

So there’s gotta be a strategy that can help ease the problem. Life is better in the present. Conversations are best held face to face.

So while my phone is excellent for business and a great tool for any entrepreneur but it can be stealing time from you that’s better spent with family, having fun with friends, reading, working out… anything that doesn’t involved a screen!

So I’ve devised a plan, it’s not fool proof because the only person who’s tested and applied it is me. If I can help even one of you gain back 15 minutes of your life otherwise trapped deep in realms of facebook or twitter or tumblr, then I consider it a job well done.

Build up the resentment.

Social media steals our time – and while you can get that little rush of endorphins from discovering some new content, opening an unanswered message or sharing a hilarious meme – those moments are actually taking time from real living. You can’t take them back. Prepare for the future by adjusting your mindset, instead of thinking of that time wasted as maybe a treat for yourself or an escape, think of it as something that’s impacting your life negatively, by taking away potentially more meaningful experiences. If you really ponder it, you can see how spending so much time looking into your phone instead of looking out the window is really strangling your ability to think freely and contribute better to relationships. What could be a better motivation to keep away from it than that?

Remove it, physically.

I’ve considered going through periods where I delete my social accounts for a short period of time and then add them again – but that strategy won’t work for me because I need to use it for my career. Instead, I’ll leave my phone behind when I leave the house with friends for shorter periods of time or if I’m going to get groceries. There’s always that little voice in your head “But what if some emergency happens and no one can reach me!?” but when was there honestly a time where you had to be reached urgently for something like that? For me it was pretty much never. So I leave my phone behind and at first I’m pretty panicked about it… but lately it’s started to feel like liberty. When I’m alone and without my phone I feel more creative and consider my life and surrounds on a deeper level.

In summary, there are a load of reasons to cut down those hours spent staring into your devices – so if you’ve got anymore tips I would love to hear them! I need all the help I can get… really wanna totally kick my social media addiction!

Zx

The post What To Do About Your Social Media Addiction appeared first on Zanita.

Gustav and I are eating our way through Hong Kong.

I haven’t had a chance to visit this city in quite a number of years and now that I’m here I can’t really understand why. There’s so much to do and and see, this place is full of culture and life. We are here working with the airline, Cathay Pacific – and it feels like an absolute dream! But more to come on that later.

The past two weeks I’ve travelled across 4 continents and through 6 timezones – which is pretty crazy even for me. I don’t really like doing such flying ‘sample’ visits to destinations. For me – the best way to consume a new city is to really bunker in for a good week, get a bit of a routine, visit the tourist landmarks but also do as the locals do.

I think I needed more time in Stockholm to re-couperate but it wasn’t to be – upon arrival I got to ‘enjoy’ our apartment lacking a kitchen… instead there was a dusty construction site and an empty hole. I thought it would be fine to stay there but it does feel  a little bit like camping when you don’t have functional amenities in your home. I had full suitcases to empty/switch over and the contents of our kitchen littered all through the place – our pots and pans have found a home on our bedroom floor!

Ultimately this isn’t something to be complained about! We are due for return to Sweden in mid-june whereby upon return we will find a totally completed kitchen (SO excited about this) and with some lucky, so perfect summer days. Can’t tell you how much I love summer in Sweden, I’ve ranted about it here before but seriously it rocks. The Swedes are so happy in the summer – by comparison most Aussies take good weather for granted. Why? Cos
there’s a damn lot of it.

So what’s upcoming for us? Next week I’m flying home to Western Australia for a much needed ‘break’ with my family. Luckily Esperance is such a beautiful spot, we can still make some wonderful content for you all. Follow that it’s back to Sydney for the final push in filming Fashion Bloggers. Can’t believe Season 2 is really happening! I have such a crazy life/schedule that I haven’t really had time to take it all in. The show is airing in over 120 countries… Crazy!! And again, I’m really sorry that it’s not available online, I wish it was.

So now I’m sharing these images with you snapped in Kowloon, Hong Kong. It’s so great to be wearing such light clothing, I’m finally getting over dressing for the winter climate. Very much looking forward to sharing all that went down with our #lifewelltravelled experience here in Hong Kong.

Thanks so much again!

Drew bag, Chloe

sandals, Zeus & Dione

shirt and skirt, Zara

The post Checking In: Life Update Hong Kong Edition appeared first on Zanita.

Committing eight hours a day to a job can seem tiring, but it’s much more tiring to have children, and doing both is unimaginably cumbersome. A baby is an all day, every day thing for 18 years as is work for basically life. But you have to make that decision – one between being a mom, a boss, or a mom-boss. There are women who do it all.

With two little ones myself, I can attest to the exhaustion and tremendous effort required to be a mom while pursuing a full-time career – throw in blogging, writing, hobbies, housework, dinner and your life is practically a mess (just kidding). To be honest though, I had never envisioned myself as a mom let alone a working one, but it’s one of those things you can’t think twice about. The more you contemplate it, the more reluctant you become because it’s difficult, but definitely possible.

Planning and preparation are key if you want to be a total boss with kids, but you need to be flexible. Pack your meals (and your bags) the night before, but be aware that when the morning comes, your mascara might smear and you’ll still be running late. You could be planning months in advance but when that moment arrives, your babysitter may flake out, the baby is sick, you’re sick – the whole family is sick – whatever it is, accept that shit happens and you need to adjust accordingly.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about being a mom, it is adapting and re-adjusting to everything.

You also need balance. Yes, Work-life balance sounds like a load of crap, but that’s really up to you to dictate. Sometimes, you’ll need to stay late at work or even travel and that’s perfectly normal – do it, but you eventually need to come to a point where the computer goes off and you go home whether or not your work is complete. Children are needy little creatures and you need to be there for them even if it’s just for your attention. I don’t necessarily believe that you need to keep work and home separate, but you do need to set limits between the two. They can’t crossover too much.

You should also learn when to say Yes and No. As women, we have the natural tendency to say “yes” to everything we’re asked to do, but when asked if we need help, we’re inclined to say “no”. It’s crucial to answer honestly. Though we’d love to be, we’re really not superwomen all the time. So when someone offers to help, say YES if you can really use it. Actually, take advantage of it because a lot of times, people aren’t able to help with the chaos in their own lives. And if your boss asks you to stay an extra hour, but you know you have a 6 O’clock game to attend, you should obviously say NO.

If you work in a place that truly cannot accommodate your needs as a mom, no matter how hardworking you are, you’re in the wrong place – time to move on.

The only way to truly have kids and be a total boss is to simply do it and adjust to the twists & turns along the way. As a working mom, you’re always on the gas pedal, never in cruise – whether you slow down or speed up, turn left or right, it’s really up to you. At the end of the day, you’ll realize shit still needs to be done and maybe you could have done more, but don’t be so hard on yourself – you can’t always sweat the little things. There’s tomorrow, the day after, and you’ll still be rockin’ it. You will always be the best in your children’s eyes as your mom was to you.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you kick ass moms out there!

XO,

Susan

Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest

Image Source Credits – Vogue, Visual Optimism, Fashion Gone Rogue

The post How to Have Kids and Still Be a Total Lady Boss appeared first on Zanita.

How to have an awesome day:

“If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?”(Steve Jobs)

I, like most people, love a lie in. The warm bed, the soft morning light filtering through the window – sometimes it’s extremely hard to pull yourself out, especially in winter!

While sometimes I jump out of bed like there’s spiders in it, most of the time I lie there for a minute or two trying to gain my composure. Even though I’d like to hit the snooze button occasionally, I know getting up will make me feel a hundred times better. Why? Because I have an awesome morning routine. A morning routine should be an essential part of everyone’s day. It helps you set goals, revise what needs to be done, gives you some time to focus on yourself and most importantly sets the tone for the rest of the day.  

Many extraordinary and successful people use morning routines to help set themselves up for success everyday.  Anna Wintour – editor-in-chief of Vogue plays tennis at 5.45am every morning, Eva Chen – editor-in-chief of Lucky magazine checks her favourite websites and twitter first thing and once she arrives at work has a cup of green tea and Michelle Gass – President of Starbucks wakes up every morning at 4.30am(!) for a run. These three woman set routines so they can achieve the most out of their day! 

Now I know what you’re thinking, “I’m not a morning person” or “4:30 is a good night out, not a time fit for waking up”. However, I am a very strong believer that anyone can be a morning person. I dislike the comment  “I am not a morning person”, this is an excuse to not get up and spend as much time living as you can. Anyone can learn to be a morning person, it might be hard but once you set the habit, it will stay.

To make your habit of starting your day earlier stick, you need a solid (and fun) morning routine that you look forward to. Not only will you feel great – you’ll be super productive, fitter, smarter, healthier and happier for it.

Sound good?

Here are five ways to starting a morning routine to kick start your day for success:  

Hydrate

Number one is to re-hydrate your body. This includes washing your face and downing a large glass of water. Splashing cold water over your face first thing will wash away any dregs of sleepiness as well as revitalise and refresh your skin (that’s spent eight hours unattended).  Next, have a glass of water with a squeeze of lemon (it’s a great detoxifier), you’ve just spent the whole night losing moisture into the atmosphere through breathing so it’s time to put it back in.

How to make it a habit: Place a cut lemon wedge and a glass next to your kitchen sink the night before so you just walk straight in and get it done.

Sweat it out 

Walk/jog/gym/stretch/yoga– Incorporating exercise and dynamic movement into your morning routine is a great way to get motivated and put you in the right mind frame. When you exercise endorphins are released into your system. Even if it’s a fifteen-minute run or a walk around the block, it will change the way you look at the rest of your day! Exercise is a time to clear your head and focus on yourself. 

How to make it a habit: Place your workout clothes and shoes next to the bed so it’s the first thing you see – this forms a habitual trigger to then get up, get dressed, get moving!

Motivate

Review your goals/tasks – Spend five minutes to write down what you want to achieve in the day. What are the three main things you need to get done, do or achieve. They don’t need to be life changing but writing down little things to accomplish will help prompt you throughout the day and ticking it off will give you a sense of achievement. It can be something as simple as: go for a run or don’t eat that snickers bar in your work drawer.

How to make this a habit: Go to your local stationary store and buy a note pad/book and pen that you absolutely love. Have the pen and note pad/book ready and waiting and sit down and start writing. Don’t forget to review during the day and check off as you go.

Learn

Take twenty minutes to learn something new every morning. Read anything, it doesn’t have to be a book it could be a blog post, newspaper, an article on an upcoming artist – anything that will add value to your life. Learning is priceless!  

How to make it a habit: Do this while eating breakfast or having a cup of tea. Have your preferred reading material ready at the kitchen table.

Eat

Healthy breakfast and green juice – yes you have heard it before and I’m pretty sure you’ll hear it again, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!  It gives you energy, it helps kick-start start your metabolism and keeps you going throughout the day! (Smoothie, porridge and Green Juice recipe below)

How to make this a habit: Make sure you have all the ingredients! The easiest way to make or break a healthy breakfast is simply not having the ingredients to make it. When you’re at the shop make sure you account for each day of the week and buy enough to last you through.

Have you got an awesome morning routine? Let us know what you do to start everyday!

Breakfast Smoothie – 1 Banana, Berries, 1 cup of milk/milk alternative or coconut water, chia seeds, 2 tbs Oats, 1tsp of coconut oil, 7 almonds, 1tbs dried coconut, 1 tsp honey, ice cubes.

Porridge – ½ cup oats, 2/3 cup of milk/milk alternative. Add to top 1 tsp chia seeds, a few almonds chopped, 1 tsp coconut oil, 1 tbsp sunflower seeds, ½ a banana and a tsp of honey.

Green Juice– 2 Green Apples, Kale, Spinach, 1 Cucumber, Mint, and Lemon

– Mon

Follow me at M.B Harper – BLOG | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK 

Images by M.B Harper

The post Five Ways to Improve Your Morning Routine  appeared first on Zanita.

I’m so thrilled to be finally sharing with you the results of my latest collaboration with iconic UK label Reiss and one of my closest friends and fellow Fashion Bloggers alumni, Sara from Harper and Harley.

With Summer in the City vibes in mind, Sara and I took to Sydney’s Martin Place. With the help of Gustav we navigated a VERY large lens and posed up a storm in some of Reiss’ best pieces to compliment your working wardrobe. What I love best about Reiss and what made this collaboration so perfect, there’s some classic pieces for everyone. I’m not really a minimal and monochramatic kinda girl – unlike Sara – yet both of us worked looks that made us feel totally confident. Here’s the 101.

The Light Trenchcoat

A trench coat is one of the those pieces that I believe suits absolutely everyone. For workwear, a light trench is more comfortable than a blazer and in my case, helps you bring a sweet dress into the work place while still looking like you’re here for business. Sara’s navy trench adds a confident element to what would be quite a fun and casual ensemble.

Zanita: Dress – Trench       Sara: Trench – T-Shirt – Shorts

All White

In the summer, white is a holiday staple – but how about for the office? Rules are meant to be broken. Office wear should be sensible but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be bright and fabulous. Wearing all white lightens up any day! Just be maybe skip having that curry for lunch #stains.

Sara: T-Shirt – Skirt        Zanita: Knit – Skirt – Bag

Office to Dinner

There’s nothing worse than having to go from the office to a fine dinner and feeling dowdy or uptight in plain workwear. I’m sure of you might disagree with me, that a mini has no place in the office – but I think in this modern time – anything should go! My rule for mini skirts and meetings – if sitting down feels awkward and you need to adjust your skirt ‘on the reg’ then leave it for the weekend. Sara’s all black ensemble feels conservative enough for the office but moves easily and has a fun flow if you should so happen to end up on the d-floor! My mini skirt is sharpened up with a white shirt but still has a stylish element that feels right for a nice meal in my favourite restaurant. Plan ahead or plan for the unexpected!

Sara:  T-Shirt – Belt – Skirt – Heels     Zanita: Shirt – Skirt

Casual Vs Power Dressing

Let’s face it – all work places aren’t created equally. If you’re working in a Law Firm, the norm could be a little more structured than creative. Even though my work as a creative means I’m total freedom with my attire, I’ll still dress in a professional manner when it comes to important meetings. The why I get around this is by wearing pieces with soft structure – but still loads of colour and print. ‘I’m here for business, but I’m still going to express myself with style’. Sara’s look still speaks with the same philosophy – but in a more formal way. Suiting doesn’t have to be black/navy – a textured print can work too. You can have a bit of fun regardless of your work style limitations.

Zanita: Trench – Skirt        Sara: Blazer – Trousers – Heels

You can still more imagery on Reiss’ site HERE along with an interview from yours truly. x

Photography, Me

Styling and Modelling, Sara and Me

Photography Assistant, Gustav

The post How to: Master Work Wear for Any Occasion appeared first on Zanita.

If you’re a northern hemisphere reader – then I’m feeling your excitement.

Summer is almost here! Finally! So it’s time to start the switch of wardrobes, putting all those heavy coats in storage (good riddance!) and stocking up on breezy separates and slip on dresses. I’ve compiled a list of essential designer pieces perfect to pack in your suitcase for a timely getaway – best of all? They are all under 150 dollars. Go wild!

Equipment Silk Tropical Print Tee

Enza Costa Ribbed Jersey Dress

JCrew Chambray Shorts

Marc By Marc Jacobs Gold Cuff

Toteme Linen Shorts

JCrew Green Utility Trousers

Rag And Bone Striped Jean Tee

Tart Warp Jersey Dress

Michael Kors Sandals

Etre Cecile Bad Ass Paris Tee

Madewell Playsuit

Palm tree images by Oracle Fox

The post Summer Holiday Must Haves That Won’t Hurt Your Wallet appeared first on Zanita.