Open Post, settling, doggy nail art, wardrobe week and our week

We've had an interesting week. Just ask Mia.

Hello Wednesday. It’s so nice to see you there. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.

Teamsters, it’s the middle of the week and we all need an opportunity to rave, rant, vent and unload. You know how you have those thoughts that just weigh you down – happy or otherwise – and it feels like only a forklift can get them off you?

Well, the Open Post is that forklift. Sit down, get comfy, share away. I’ll go first …

But I don’t want to settle

Most of my friends own houses. I’ve never owned an ironing board. I’ve borrowed and purloined them or re-purposed tables but I’ve never actually bought an ironing board. That would be the beginning of the end of my freedom, am I right? No?

Some of my friend’s mothers – and occasionally my own – look at me with despair in their motherly eyes when they ask me if I’ve ‘settled down’ yet. What they mean, of course, is: do I have a mortgage and at least two children?

Nil.

I hate renting as much as the next person but there’s something about home ownership that gives me the willies. Peter Pan didn’t have a home loan and a picket fence. I have nothing against my friends who have plunged headfirst into stability, they’re all perfectly happy people without any weird quirks at all I swear it. It’s just not very … me.

Behind the Scenes at Mamamia

Here's a closer look at Mia's ensemble. She's wearing a Willow dress, Witchery jacket Sass & Bide accessories and Rag & Bone boots. Meticulously matched, of course.

Sales manager Vanessa in Sheike dress and boots she's nabbed in South America.

Check out her bangle from Tree of Life. The ring is a vintage market buy. We're all a bit jelly.

And to celebrate Mamamia's 5th birthday we were sent these divine cupcakes. They did not last long.

Wednesday morning, back in the office and publisher Mia Freedman is juggling two phone calls. As you do.

We're very high tech in the office.

Site coordinator Nat decided a double denim day was in order. Just because.

The office has been a maelstrom of planning. Sales manager Mikki and editor of iVillage Australia Lana are brainstorming.

Digital marketing manager Matt always dresses snappily. He's wearing a Topman snood, ASOS top, Topman jeans and Jeffery-West shoes.

Here's a close-up of those shoes. Noice.

Harry the wonderdog is still an occasional office mascot, albeit a fairly lethargic one.

Lana baked what may be THE most amazing cake in the world: lemon cake. It was gone in 60 seconds.

Writer Lucy is such a delight. She definitely paid me to say that.

Nat is rocking this Bardot dress before heading out on a school night.

This is my perplexed 'what the hell is happening to that gallery' face. Intern Syl was coping fairly well.

Mia was an excursion at the beginning of the week, a work trip to the Uncle Tobys factory in Albury. She took the safety precations very seriously.

No, seriously, she did.

Intern Syl wears the coolest jewellery. This she bought from a shop in Noosa.

This one too.

Start of the week rainbow as Mamamia turns five. That's a good sign right?

Is coloured denim ever a bad idea? No. Here's Lana looking ace in Supre jeans and Max's shoes.

Lucy decided to style her hair a bit retro this week.

And then Lucy opted for a flashback Delta Goodrem moment on her old iPod. We pass no judgment.

Mikki and Lana spent about two hours like this.

Oh. I definitely look happy in this shot.

Part two in a series of 'Nat eating things'. Today: an apple.

And here's our very own office style icon Vanessa in a Sheike dress and Kookai jacket. We really swear Vanessa is not sponsored by Sheike. She just bought the whole shop.

Our very own Kate Hunter has just published her third book in the Mosquito Advertising series 'The Crunch Campaign'. Lana's son Ethan is in love with these!

'I want that one'. Editorial meetings are well underway.

We’ve still got smoothfm playing in the office. I’ve been in Billy Joel heaven.

Doggy nail art

I stumbled across this and had to wonder: for the love of all that is decent, why? Unless your dog has an IMDB profile and a list of film credits, I suspect doggy nail art is about as useful as a chimney on a submarine.

Just, no.

Wardrobe Week

Have you caught our Wardrobe Week posts yet? If you haven’t you can find our latest post here – and our gallery below. We’d love for more people to get involved…. If you’re interested more information can be found here. And any submissions can be sent to info@mamamia.com.au.

Natalie Tucker: Bianca Spender blouse with Dotti jacket, sportsgirl scarf and Cue skirt

Louise Bell: Subtitled top, vintage Levi 501s from eBay, Alibi belt, K Jacques sandals, Antik Batik clutch, Ginger & Smart silver necklace, Sandalwood beads from Beach Boudoir (Avalon).

Carly Jacobs: Dress from Jackie E, seriously I need help with my Jackie E addiction, cardigan from Supre (pains me to say it but it's favourite!), boots from Redpaths in Canberra (greatest boots ever), scarf from Country Road.

Melissa Martin:Sportsgirl crochet hat, Temt dress, Belt from local boutique Freeze, heels by Tony Bianco.

Georgina Craig: Gorman skirt, Agent 99 singlet, Sportsgirl Sunglasses and unknown Belt (photographed by Emma Scott)

Natalie Tucker: Witchery shirt with Veronika Maine skirt

Justine McKee: Basque dress with pearls and Tony Bianco nude heels

Meaghan Smith: Levis jeans, vintage shirt from the local charity shop ($8) Condura espadrilles, french market basket from Provincial Home Living

Jane Frosh: Green Sass and Bide pants, vintage gold belt, black havianas, white witchery T

Carly Jacobs: My oldest and most favourite dress ever. I bought it on ebay for $20A variety of op-shop and vintage necklaces from my hippy days. Disney Couture Tinkerbell Earrings from ebay and Kenneth Jay Lane bangle from Net-A-Porter. I have an obsession with designer costume accessories. Whittner shoes.OCC Liptar (the greatest lip colour on the planet!) in Pretty Boy and Darling Nail Polish in Wedding Crasher.

Carly Findlay: This is one of my favourite dresses! I saw it in a magazine four years ago and had to have it, and they'd sold out in Melbourne, so I asked my Mum to buy it from me from a store in Albury and mail it to me. The dress is fromJeanswest, the shoes are Diana Ferrari (my feet are really small and I hate buying shoes, But I found these in three different colours, on sale, so I bought all three pairs!) The bag is Target (it holds a lot of stuff for a clutch bag), headband is Mimco, the bracelet was a gift from my parents and the necklace is St Frock.

Justine McKee: Portmans dress and belt with Peeptoe stilettos

Carly Jacobs: Dress from Jackie E... yes. Again. Earrings from Beuy. No shoes. Again.

Louise Bell: Bassike tee (sleeves tucked into bra straps) and pants, Havaianas thongs.

Jane Frosh: Sass and Bide graduation pants, vintage 1960's butterfly top, handmade calfhide and stud clutch, Rubi shoes heels

Justine McKee: Black linen bias cut dress with red belt and red suede Guess heels with bronze zip detail

Carly Findlay: I wear this on Sundays when I go to the farmers market and hanging around the house. The tee is from a Bob Evans concert, the cords are Just Jeans circa 2003 - they are just so comfy and don't scrape my legs like jeans can – shoes are Converse and headband is Mimco.

Kate O'Bree: Peter Morrissey for Big W dress ($49), Charles Jourdan shoes (vintage, inherited from my late nanny)

Meaghan Smith: Blouse French Connection, pants Country Road, Gap belt, Robert Robert shoes & Givenchy bag

Marina Passalaris: Jumpsuit (Can you tell I am a jumpsuit fan!) - Top Shop - London Jacket - Don't Tell Amanda, General Pants Ring - Diva Shoes - Kurt Geiger, London

Danielle Melnyczenko: Virtu Embroidered Top, Crossroads Denim Skirt, Lovisa Aqua Bracelet (on sale for $3), Havianas.

Georgina Craig: Dress is Roxy, Jacket is Sportsgirl (photographed by Emma Scott)

Carly Jacobs: Dress from Jackie E, I'm experiencing a major love affair with Jackie E at the moment, silver coin necklace a gift from grandfather and wheelie bin necklace from design genius Tae Schmiesser. No shoes... I'm a barefoot gal if I'm at home.

Meaghan Smith: Levis jeans, Kmart striped long sleeve tee, Zara trench, Zizi by Florsheim heels & Sambag bag

Melissa Martin: Blue strapless dress, another $10 bargain from Flirty in Cronulla (my hubby didn't believe me because I say everything is $10!). Wedges I got in London many years ago from Top Shop. Red wooden necklace from the markets. Gold Scarf worn as a headband from Sportsgirl.

Carly Findlay: The blazer is Sportsgirl - I love that it isn't your average corporate blazer – jeans are Jay Jays (I dreamt of turquoise jeans, and wasn't sure if they'd suit me. But I love them! They're a good fit and interesting colour.) The bag is from Target, the bracelet is handblown glass, gift from parents, ring is St Frock, necklace is from Etsy, shoes are from DFO and my headband is Mimco.

Meaghan Smith: Gap shirt ($5 from the local DFO) Zara pants, Tiffany & Co bangles, Robert Robert shoes & vintage snakeskin clutch from Texas (Etsy)

Jane Frosh: Black skinny jeans, vintage biker boots, black Sportsgirl T, Vintage german army jacket, uberkate circles on neon, Gucci glasses.

Justine McKee: Wish top with Review skirt and Diana Ferrari signature buttermilk heels

Melissa Martin: Striped dress, Leggings, and Ballerina flats. This whole outfit is from Kmart. Probably cost about $20, including the beret.

Danielle Melnyczenko: City Chic Maxi Skirt and Singlet, Crossroads Belt and Shirt, Havianas, Lovisa Necklace, TS14+ Bag, Wittner Sunglasses.

Georgina Craig: Pants from Sass & Bide (called Rats), Shirt from Vinnies (for a grand ole $4!) Shoes from Zu. (photographed by Emma Scott)

Carly Findlay: I wore this outfit for the first time when I met the cast of Rush and so I guess it's my lucky outfit as Callan Mulvey and Sam Johnson have hugged me when I was wearing it! No one ever suspects this is a Target outfit! The dress and jacket are Target (I get so much wear out of this jacket, it looks like leather and it can dress an outfit up or down) The shoes are from a shop called Imagination - they look like Loubitons on the bottom! They are hard to walk in, until I have a few drinks and then I am kick-arse confident!

Louise Bell: Alexander Wang hoodie, Bassike top (underneath), Isabel Marant mesh singlet (underneath), Sportsgirl leather pants, Raised by Wolves cap, Havaianas thongs.

Meaghan Smith: Ernest pants (from Paris) Country Road belt, Witchery tan wedges, Cotton On (men’s) shirt ( on sale for $12) & Sambag leopard print bag. Armani watch (from Paris)

Jane Frosh: Witchery silk pants, Polo Ralph Lauren black high-top sneakers, vintage gold belt, supre tank, handmade crystal pendant, sportsgirl goild clutch, handmade cuff made from vintage belt

Natalie Tucker: G Star Raw boyfriend jeans with Country Road t-shirt and Dotti jacket

Melissa Martin: Striped singlet & Ballet flats from Kmart, Ruffle skirt & Leggings from Target. Hat was $2 from Rubi shoes. Short wrap top by Intimo Lingerie.

Natalie Tucker: Paisley denim dress with Country Road knit

Natalie Tucker: Witchery shirt with Portmans skirt

Meaghan Smith: Witchery long sleeve tee, Topshop shrunken blazer (I changed the buttons from brown to gold) vintage gold bracelet from Etsy.com, Paloma Picasso bag from eBay - $14. (It was brand new, never been used in the dust bag. An ex-boyfriend had given it to a girl and she never liked it or used it) Witchery wedges & Sass & Bide flares bought from a local Vinnies for $5 (brand new with the tags still on)

Georgina Craig: Shorts from Vinnies, Shirt from Kmart, Necklace was gifted, Jacket from York and Shoes from Topshop (photographed by Emma Scott)

Danielle Melnyczenko: Lily & Lou Floral Top (was a dress but I cut it up), City Chic Singlet and Bangles, ASOS Scrabble Necklace, Virtu Denim Crop Pants, Havianas, Target Enviro Bag, Wittner Sunglasses.

Carly Jacobs: Marimekko dress, my favourite purchase from New York last year, shoes from Trippen, KJL bangle from Net-A-Porter, resin bangles from Dinosaur Designs, silver lilypad ring made by me, and crest earrings from most favourite designer at Beuy.

Kate O'Bree: Dress from boutique in Richmond NSW (maybe $50), Innovare shoes from Myer last summer ($20 reduced from $300!)

Carly Findlay: I love this outfit and feel very girly when I wear it! The dress is vintage, the cardigan is Cocolatte, shoes I got from DFO, the bracelet is handmade blown glass – a gift from my parents – the necklace is Tiffany’s and the brooch - my friend who is a brilliant fabric artist, made it and gave it to me for my birthday - Http://curlypops.blogspot.com

Kate O'Bree: Temt t-shirt ($9.95), Cotton On shorts ($10), Tempt Belt ($12), Witchery shoes ($80)

Carly Jacobs: Safari skirt that I bought at St Vinnies in Canberra for $3, I felt so guilty that I made massive donation to the next Vinnies collector I saw, white linen top from Savers in Brunswick Melbourne, earrings from Bijoux in Canberra (the greatest jewellery store in the ACT), headscarf from eBay and bangles from Dinosaur Designs. No shoes.

Marina Passalaris (business owner): Necklace - I bought this piece at Accessorise in London, its one of my favourite pieces. Top is a $10 Cotton On top that is a great comfy basic Ring - a gold square ring from Bondi markets designed by Fit Fit Trousers - Black leather Wayne Cooper pants Shoes - Mollini heels that I could run a race in.

Natalie Tucker: Globalize dress with Country Road cardigan

Melissa Martin: Sportsgirl crochet hat, Temt dress, Belt from local boutique Freeze, Heels by Tony Bianco.

Marina Passalaris: Necklace - Peep Toe, one of my favourite stores.. Jumpsuit - IRO silk jumpsuit, jacket - Marcs jacket belt - Bondi Market, another $10 find! Shoes - Lucette, Paddington

Carly Findlay: I don't wear suits to work, and this dress is my Very Important Event dress. Job interviews, conferences etc. I feel very Posh Spice in it! The dress is from Cue, the brooch is Red Phoenix Emporium, shoes are Wittner, bangle is Witchery, Necklace is Tiffany’s and headband is Mimco.

Georgina Craig: Dress from Witchery, Shoes from Zu! (photographed by Emma Scott)

Jane Frosh: One Teaspoon flares, navy chinese beaded slippers, grey Bonds Tank, Sportsgirl military jacket, vintage marquise necklace, uberkate circles on neon rope, Pantone Ipad

Natalie Tucker: Cue top with Sportsgirl scarf and Kaviar shorts

Justine McKee: Red crepe satin Basque ruffle neck dress with Diane Ferrari buttermilk heels

Melissa Martin: Cap from Rubi shoes, stripped Country Road singlet, black wrap top from Intimo Lingerie. Sussan black harem pants (brand new with tags) from our local Salvos. Silver Havianas.

Marina Passalaris: Necklace - Peep Toe love hearts, dress - Red Berry, a cheap and cheerful find! Jacket - Wayne Cooper, Myer belt - Op shop find Shoes - Gina Shoes lace boots, London

Carly Findlay: This is my sun-smart outfit! I wear maxi dresses/skirts and linen tops on super hot days. The shirt my mum gave to me - it is from Target. The skirt is a maxi dress worn as a skirt and was given to me for my birthday from my friend who works at St Frock (www.stfrock.com). The hat is Billabong, sunglasses are Sportsgirl and necklace is Tiffany's. Under my dress I have leather Roman sandals on that I had made when I was 17.

Kate O'Bree: Tiffany & Co. Key, vintage watch, assorted arm candy bits from op shops, AgentNinetyNine singlet from General Pants ($29), Rider Shorts from Myer ($69), Thongs Havianas ($20)

Justine McKee (fashion blogger)

Kate Dell'Aquila: White Suede lace blouse, Staple skirt, Jo Mercer shoes, Jigsaw bag and Swarovski ring, belt from a Veronika Maine dress.

Carly Jacobs: Marimekko dress, repeat offender. Whittner shoes, repeat offender. OPI nail polish in Lincoln Park After Dark, OCC Liptar in Strumpet, earrings by Bouvier and bag made for me by a Smaggle reader.

Meaghan Smith: French Connection shirt, Country Road jeans, Husk necklace (I can’t recall where the espadrilles are from) & Givenchy bag

Marina Passalaris: Dress - Gina Kim knit wear Clutch - Reiss, London Shoes, Charles and Keith, Brunei

Justine McKee: Basque dress with flower detail, M&S leather belt and Zoe Whittner purple pearlescent stilettos

Kate O'Bree: Collete Necklace ($20), Temt dress ($9.99), Zara Shoes (maybe $100? from NYC 4 years ago)

Melissa Martin: Jacket from Sportsgirl (I got it for $4 in local op shop), Dress was a $10 bargain from Flirty in Cronulla, beaded belt from the markets. Gold thongs from Italy, a hand me down from my boss!

Carly Findlay: This dress is from Harris Scarfe - I saw it in the window and had to have it! My shoes are Wittne, necklace is Tiffany’s and bangle and hairclip are Mimco

Meaghan Smith: Bonds t-shirt, Country Road cropped blazer & jeans, vintage gold cuff & ASOS leopard print ankle boots

Jane Frosh (stylist): black skinny jeans, black havianas, black Sportsgirl T, vintage gold mesh jacket, vintage black and gold belt, pantone grey ipad case. uberkate silver bangle, silver uberkate dogtags on gold leather

Danielle Melnyczenko: Damn You Alexis Dress, TS14+ Tights and Leggings, Wittner studded pumps (FREE from my annual Curvy Clothes Swap charity event for Girls Night In), Lovisa Robot Necklace (My son Aidan picked it out for me), Equip Polkadot Sunglasses (on sale for $10).

Natalie Tucker: Bianca Spender blouse with Witchery Jumper and Witchery shorts

Louise Bell: T by Alexander Wang cotton knit from Shopbop (addicted), Bassike (men's) denim shorts, Alibi belt, long silver necklace from Ginger & Smart (a Christmas present from Mr Tonic), short silver chain from Tiffany & Co, shell bracelet on left hand by Tree of Life (only $4!), Havaianas thongs.

Kate O'Bree: All Jewellery from Tempt & Big W, Dotti Shirt ($49), Temt Jeans ($39), Factorie Flats ($5!!!!!!!)

Georgina Craig: Dress from American Apparel, Witchery Jacket (photographed by Emma Scott)

Danielle Melnyczenko: Sara Aqua Rouched one piece, Tree of Life Embroidered Kaftan (only $30), Rubi Shoes gold peeptoe flats (on sale for $5), City Chic bangles (the only ones big enough to fit over my hands), ASOS sunglasses, Vintage string bag ($2 from the op shop).

Carly Findlay: This feels a bit rockstar! I have had this top since I was 18, it was the first thing I put on layby! It’s Miss Shop, circa 1999, my skirt is Sportsgirl, the shoes are Diana Ferrari and the headband is Mimco.

Justine McKee: Black and white spotty dress Tony Bianco nude heels

Carly Findlay: Dresses are so easy to throw on for work and really flatter the figure. Dress and belt are Portmans (I love the shoulder detail). My shoes are Wittner, brooch is Etsy and headband is Mimco.

Well, that’s enough of me. What’s OMM (On Your Mind) this Hump Day?

Tags:

Open Post: What's on your mind?

But I don’t want to settle

Behind the Scenes at Mamamia

Doggy nail art

Wardrobe Week

10 Of The Best Beauty Advent Calendars Of 2024

Redefining Your Style Through Perimenopause

But I don’t want to settle

Behind the Scenes at Mamamia

Doggy nail art

Wardrobe Week

Top Comments

10 Of The Best Beauty Advent Calendars Of 2024

Redefining Your Style Through Perimenopause