This year the indulge Bay Model fashion show was just same week. Juliet Rowan
Last weekend marked the end of a hectic but exciting time for the indulge team. Three fabulous events showcased the power of sisterhood - the indulge Speaker Collective, in association with Craigs Investment Partners, indulge Bay Model,in association with Blur Eyecare, and indulge Outlet Sale, in association with Aspire Health and Sports.
On October 7, the inaugural indulge Speaker Collective drew a crowd of more than 400.
Key speakers included nutritionist Claire Turnbull, who shared ideas about optimising what you eat in order to look and feel good; Jane Hastings, chief executive of NZME, who spoke about how to get ahead in business and life and how to juggle a high-powered career and a family; and Retirement Commissioner Diane Maxwell, who advised women on how to save for our retirement without sacrificing our wardrobes.
Three local female entrepreneurs were also involved in the event: Rachelle Duffy of Little Big Events, Shaye Woolford of On My Hand Props, Styling & Flora, and Danielle Cubis of Spongedrop Cakery.
The women chosen to speak at the first Speaker Collective were beyond inspiring and gave you the feeling of having basked in the company of greatness for an evening. They were also incredibly down-to-earth - Retirement Commissioner Diane Maxwell revealing her past as a penniless single mum and how she balances her high-level government job with being a mother again at age 48 (her son is now 3).
NZME chief executive Jane Hastings. Indulge Speaker Collective, Photo/George Novak
She reminded women that we are smarter than we think when it comes to investment, and that really there is no mystery to building wealth. Money invested makes money which in turn makes more money, she said.
NZME chief executive Jane Hastings spoke of the similarities between her job and parenting, and her positive take on being a lone female voice in the boardroom. Nutritionist Claire Turnbull was funny, real and cool - and I'm trying desperately to take her advice to eat "way more veges" and consider my relationship with food.
She said the biggest barrier to weight loss is our emotions, and without a healthy attitude to food (guilty as charged) we can never achieve a healthy body permanently.
At indulge Bay Model, I was lucky enough to be backstage with the 15 finalists, many of whom had never modelled before but rocked the catwalk like professionals.
indulge editor Annemarie Quill looked the picture of gorgeousness in an amazing pink one-piece pantsuit by Juliette Hogan, and, as I write this, I'm about to buzz off to the Outlet Sale to try and snap up a bargain or two.