“A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won't be too bad.”
—Robert Wagner

Oliver

There is a saying that you are either a dog lover or a cat lover, I grew up with both and I must say I had a lot more fun and enjoyment playing with my dogs. Many years later our family dog Oliver, also known as “Love Sponge” has put up with all the same crazy things kids do to them and at the ripe old age of 10 he thinks he is still a puppy.

Every day when I arrive home from work Oliver greets me with his toy, we have called “the stinky duck”, he waits for his rub on his tummy and then will follow me around the house like a shadow until I get into bed with a cup of tea, he then curls up on the end of my feet until my husband comes in and puts him in his own bed, much to Oliver’s dismay.

Just like me, many of the women I work with have a special four legged friend in their life. I spoke to Dianna and Jastine who have kindly shared their stories.


“Tiny”
Let me introduce you to Tiny Robinson, our Chihuahua and new member of the family.
Tiny arrived at our house on Christmas Eve, a present for Jed from Santa and is now 4 months old.
Tiny has recently graduated from Puppy School & achieved best improved.
Tiny loves to swim & enjoys doing the dog paddle.
Tiny loves to go & have coffee at our favourite cafes in Bondi and also likes to go walking around her favourite parks, Waverly Oval & Cooper Park where she meets her friends.
Tiny also loves chasing our Burmese Chocolate Point cat, Zara around the house.
Tiny loves to eat her Holistic biscuits & drinks a lot of water to keep her coat looking shiny smooth.

Di Robinson
Millers Garment Technician

Shop: Dress, Shoes, Necklace, Bracelet

Shop: Necklace, Top, Pants

Looking for a pot plant but cannot find one anywhere? Well, with a little bit of imagination and a sense of fun; you can recycle and transform ordinary household items into the most unexpected and whimsical planters that will brighten up your garden and make you smile.

I love my garden but I am definitely not a green thumb, unfortunately many plants have not survived my lack of watering and general care. Then I discovered succulents, they are the perfect plant for the lazy gardener like me. Succulents like full sun or shade, indoors, outdoors, they don’t seem to mind where you place them or what you plant them in. They can survive with very little water and soil, ideal Australia’s dry conditions and are very easy to propagate.

Here are some fun ideas to get you thinking outside the box, or should I say “pot”:

Fun with Fashion
Do you have a pair of shoes you have worn once and you know they will never be on your feet again, why not turn them into planters, The options are endless, Gum boots, work boots, stilettos and of course the very practical Crocs, which I think look better on a fence than on  my feet. That old handbag with one broken handle, can be re-purposed into a hanging pot plant or that old trunk could be turned into a great garden trough.



Kitchen Kitsch
Old copper pots and pans, cake tins, enamel colanders, a wooden bread box, even an old pot belly stove can make gorgeous homes for your favourite plants. If you have a favourite chipped teacup, rescue it and transform it into a quaint pot plant.



Recycle, Re-purpose, Re-use
I am all for sustainability and I try to be as “green” as possible. Re-purposing old household items is a great way to achieve this. Old tyres, are very difficult to get rid of as rubber does not break down, so reinvent the tyre into a hanging basket, or lay it flat in the garden, paint it your favourite colour, fill it up with soil, add flowers and you now have a lovely  planter. If your pot plant cracks, no need to throw it away, turn it into a living sculpture.

Recently discovered a fantastic local garden nursery called Pre Loved Roots Garden Nursery in Alexandria, they specialise in rescuing and re-homing unwanted plants, so you can donate your old scraggly neglected plants and swap it for a renewed and much healthier plant for a bargain price. For more info go to: http://www.prelovedroots.com.au



So next time you have a spring clean at your home and are about to throw away your old favourite but broken pot, think about your garden and give it a new home, Happy gardening.

Till next time, Julie

Shop: Jumper, Bangle

Tip 2: Take your outfit from ordinary to extraordinary with key layering pieces

Trans-seasonal fashion is all about layering it up and being able to layer it down!

How to Wear: Cardis


How to Wear: Wraps

Shop: Outfit 1: Bangle. Outfit 2: Shoes - Outfits coming soon!

Shop: Top, Cardigan, Pants, Shoe, Necklace

Why travel abroad when we have so much to see and do in our own backyard!  Become a tourist in your local area, all you need are a few ideas to inspire you. That’s where I come in, as well as your sensible shoes of course. The options are endless; culinary tours and cooking classes might spice up your life. If you have an adventurous spirit why not dare to go on a “Night Ghost Tour” at the Rocks in Sydney.

Here are some more of my favourite ideas:

Up The Garden Path

This time of year the weather is perfect for enjoying the great outdoors, so why not take advantage, breathe in some fresh air and smell the roses or the Eucalypts at your local Botanic Gardens. 

Australia boasts some of the most beautiful parks and gardens to explore and you will find a Botanic Garden in every state, for more info go to: www.anbg.gov.au/botanic-gardens/index.html

Hop on Hop Off

If you have a sense of fun and would rather sit back and be driven around in style on a double decker bus, book a tour with Hop on Hop off. With fun commentary and a tv channel for the kids, it’s a great way to see the sights. Tours run in Sydney, Melbourne, Blue Mountains and Perth. www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com

Market Day

I just love going to the markets. I just stroll around, taking in all the different sights, sounds and smells. There are so many unique and interesting markets to explore, selling everything from fresh produce to handmade arts and crafts and vintage furniture. With so much on offer it’s hard to resist a sample of homemade jams, cheese, and other delicious goodies . To guide you to your local markets go to: www.marketguide.com.au

Step Back In Time

A graphic tee can solve almost any case of "I have nothing to wear” especially when you need a quick, comfortable, and stylish outfit. With a graphic tee you can have it all! Short sleeves and stunning prints characterise these tees and ensure that your casual outfit goes from ordinary to extraordinary. Some of our range also feature lace detailing at the back to ensure a touch of elegance is added to your look, allowing you to dress the tees up or down. We think wearing a graphic tee can be a lot of fun.

Over the past few days Miller’s wonderful team of regional managers have come together for a conference at Miller’s headquarters for the introduction of the tran-seasonal range to the team and an update on the next chapter of Millers. 

The conference has proved to be a success as many conversations were had about how to better our relationship with customers and give back to our customers that give so much. The team not only manage, but are also stylish Miller’s customers as well, who want a fabulous and comfortable range for their customers. 

The three lovely ladies; Beck, Mon and Jenny, have given us a behind the scenes insight on the conference and might have even let a sneak peek of the new tran-seasonal range slip! Beck and Mon are part of the team in Australia, and we were lucky enough to speak to Jenny from New Zealand, who gave us an insight into what’s happening with Millers in NZ!

Left to Right: Jenny, Beck and Mon

A sneak peak at the tran-seasonal evening wear!

The conference also featured a fabulous and fun fashion show displaying new tran-seasonal outfits that will be hitting stores and online soon!

The conference’s fashion show to give a tran-seasonal sneak peak!

Team Millers