THANK YOU!

Frocktober is over!

A huge thank you to all those who sponsored me. Together, we raised $551 for ovarian cancer research. To celebrate, I'm wearing shorts!

Vanessa

Every kick-arse woman I see on TV  makes me think in some way of Vanessa. I've only seen her in a dress once, but she rocks a leather jacket like nobody else. When it feels like it's me against the world, Vanessa is the friend I need. Partly because she has the strength and the resilience to get me through, and partly because she doesn't mess with the truth. If any part of the problem is my fault, I'll know about it.

She's a classic beauty, with long red hair. She looks like a Jane Austen heroine, and has the quick wit and an air of independence to match. She wears big jewelry, enamel or brass-coloured, which always (to my mind) reflects her love of different cultures. She has a sharp mind and loves reading and learning. We've studied different disciplines with vastly different ways of approaching the world, and every conversation with her expands my mind, teaches me something.

Women's health is important because individual women are important. Currently in Australia, a woman dies of ovarian cancer every ten hours. There is no early detection test. Your donation of $17 will help fund research. Think of the amazing women in your life.

Marie

One of the beautiful ladies I have had the pleasure to work with is named Marie. Wherever Marie goes, she always appears effortlessly chic. She is one of those enviable people who always looks either casually elegant or elegantly casual. Marie never makes a fashion misstep, but over time I have come to the conclusion that her secret to looking fabulous is that she is always comfortable in her own skin.

Marie knows herself, and she likes herself. She's confident. And, bless her, she's confident in the way that allows her to unselfconsciously appreciate the beauty and the kindness in other people. She's one of the most uplifting co-workers one could hope for, because she is graceful in every way. (Kate Miller-Heidke's 'Supergirl' makes me think of Marie whenever it pops up on my ipod.)


How many amazing women do you have in your life? Women's health is important because individual women are important. Your donation of $17 will help fund research into an early detection test for ovarian cancer.

Mrs. T

Let's start with my friend, Mrs. T. She is every bit as fabulous as the begloved lady in the picture here.

She has her own vintage style, always wears amazing shoes, and changes her hair every time she gets bored with it. Everything she wears is beautiful, and everything she wears is carefully selected.

She always looks feminine, independent, resourceful. The way she styles herself - with thoughtfulness and creativity - reflects who she is. There is nothing this woman can't do. She's creative in more ways than should be humanly possible - the gifts I have received from her include a mask, a hat, a stationery folder, a painting, and lots of baked goods, all made by hand. She's the most thoughtful friend anyone could have, always crafting a gift especially for me, always with an encouraging word at the right time.

Women's health is important because individual women are important.

Mrs. T's favourite author (one of Australia's finest, Sara Douglass) passed away last week after battling ovarian cancer. There is currently no early detection test. Help raise money for research by donating $17. Just click the button to the right.

I love clothes. I love getting dressed. I love observing what people choose to wear. I love how some of my closest friends express  their self-awareness and individuality through their carefully edited wardrobes, and others express it through an unselfconscious, thrown-together personal style. Because whether you like it or not, what you wear says something about who you are. I'm one of those people who relishes the opportunity to be deliberate about image.

Frocktober is a month-long campaign to raise money for ovarian cancer research. It involves being deliberate about what one wears for a cause greater than personal style. Throughout October I am going to wear a frock every day, and occasionally blog about the amazing women in my life and their style. Women's health is important because individual women are important.

Where do you come in? Donate $17 in support of this cause.

As you may know, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year. Thanks to early detection and amazing medical science, she is recovering well. Ovarian cancer is in the same family of cancers, but there is currently no early detection test. Let's make the world a better place by contributing to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. I need 31 people (one for each day) to contribute $17 each in order to reach my target of $500. How could you say no? Donate here, or talk to me about giving me cash directly.