When I was little my family were actively connected to community, even though the connections changed roughly every two years. I’m an Army brat, which means I grew up the daughter of a soldier regularly moving from army base to army base. Moving was tough for me because kids at school can be cruel and teachers have their favourites and let’s be honest kids who come and go within two years just aren’t worth the hassle. I wasn’t worth the hassle.
For my parents it was different, without family around they got busy getting involved in the community. They were connected to their Army community attending Friday night drinks at the mess hall, weekly evening tennis matches, macrame classes, camping trips and weekend barbeques.
Those early years taught me how to cope later in life when I found myself without family, living in another state, raising two boys and trying so bloody hard to stay sane. Sure I had the huz and he is amazing but I also needed to feel connected to others, to community.
Over the years my version of community has changed, sometimes it was a new neighbour, sporting clubs, school Mums, volunteer roles and even work mates. Community is about connecting with others, it’s about having attitudes and interests in common and finding joy sharing with others.
The times are a changin’
Community is changing though, where once we lived nearby and often saw each other ‘face to face’ technology now brings communities together. Like right here on Styling Community. Now you all know I love my community here, adore you and am proud of this community who connect online.
Seeing women from all across the country (globe even) striking up friendships makes my heart sing. Even better is when they are supporting and cheering for each other, witnessing women who empathize and feel deeply to their core for their online friends…well that’s something special.
It’s special because we can all find there are times when we can be alone and feel lonely, this can chip away at our confidence and before we know it we just don’t feel like we have anything to offer. But truth is we all have something to offer, we are worth the hassle but you just gotta find your tribe and connect. Love the shit outa them, learn, teach, belly laugh, shed a tear, disagree and cheer.
So how can we find the community that suits?
Connecting doesn’t have to be hard, you can dip your toe in or go the all the way, just be safe Ok? While we need to let down some defenses to allow others to really get to know us we also need to smart and not let others take advantage, so take it slow in the beginning. Wondering where you can connect and feel a part of a community? Here’s a few ideas…
-Volunteer
–Schools
–Sporting clubs
–Exercise classes
–Book clubs
–Forums
–Social Media
-Cooking classes
-Community gardens
–Travel groups
–TAFE
IT’S TIME TO BRING THE STYLING CURVY COMMUNITY TOGETHER
Something I have been wanting to do for aaages is more Styling Curvy Community catch-ups, bringing you together to meet and connect in real life. I have enjoyed workshops and Styling Curvy On Tour so much because I get to meet you all, I get to see the faces on my screen come to life and I love seeing you connect with each other. So, over the next twelve months I will be bringing you exciting events for us to connect. Let’s not wait, let’s get started now!
Ladies who do tea at Madame Hanoi.
First up I have an exciting tea party, I know, clutch your pearls ladies because we get to frock up AND eat! Don’t worry ladies I plan to look after you 🙂 I am thrilled to announce I have five tickets to giveaway for you to join me for a planned Hendrick’s High Tea at Madame Hanoi, located at the Adelaide Casino.
This is an elegant afternoon of enjoying some of the best gin tea Adelaide has to offer along with some of the tasty French Vietnamese signature dishes at Madame Hanoi restaurant.
This will be a grown up ladies afternoon filled with laughter, conversation, food and drink along with some extra special surprises and of course connection.
There will be French macaroons, yummy confit duck and tasty ginger encrusted grilled Tasmanian salmon and did I mention the gin tea??
How to get a seat at the table at Madame Hanoi
Ladies you will experience the full silver service, because you are worth it, and because that’s just how Madame Hanoi rolls. The afternoon will be 2-5pm on Sunday 17th December at Madame Hanoi and includes the complimentary high tea experience plus some special gifts.
Who wants in? All you need to do to enter is tell me who you would most like to share a cuppa with? Leave your comment below or on the Facebook post and the lucky duck winners will be announced Sunday 10th December. All winners need to be available to attend Madame Hanoi, Adelaide Casino North Terrace, Adelaide S.A. on Sunday December 17th.
Entrants must be Australian residents and aged over eighteen years. Attendees must agree to having photos shared on Facebook, Instagram and the blog. All attendees must agree to have a bloody good time with lots of laughter and no thinking about kids/work/xmas shopping 🙂 EDIT-GIVEAWAY CLOSED
I can’t wait to meet you and sip tea with my pinky finger held high…like a lady! For those in this community who won’t be able to attend don’t worry, there will be a live video from the event plus you can follow along on Instagram stories. Don’t forget, I am planning more events so stay tuned.
Would you want to attend one of my Community Connect Events?
Til next time,
Jen x
This is a sponsored post, experience giveaway brought to you by Adelaide Casino and Madame Hanoi.
Being an “army wife” I know all about the isolation that comes from moving every few years or having your friends move and you stay behind. I’m in Brisbane so can’t come to this fabulous event but if I could I would want to have tea with my friend Bec. She lives in Adelaide and we met online through our army wife community. Like everyone my family have gone through some very tough times over the last few years and Bec was my rock through them all. She was the one sitting up all night with me when my husband was gravely I’ll. She was also the one who helped me to smile again when we got through it. When we do get together it’s like we just saw each other yesterday so I know we’d spend the afternoon gassbagging and laughing our heads off!
I’d love to share a cuppa with a wonderful woman, Sheila Flynn. Google her. She is compassionate, has a wicked sense of humor and set up a community of women in Africa called the Kopanang community. (The story’s too long you have to Google!) oh and I forgot to mention she’s a nun! Love her to bits!!
I would really love to have high tea at madame Hanoi with my number she is too unwell with pancreatic cancer and receiving her chemo… She would love it… So I would take my gin drinking sister Sherie …mums diagnosis has bought us closer together but in a very different way than ever before. It would be nice to have a few laughs during a very tough time ❤
Congratulations Michelle there is a seat at the table for you. Can’t wait x
Awesome… Can’t wait thank you so much
Xxx
I’d love to have a cuppa and a long chat with Sir David Attenborough, I just think he is amazing.
Congratulations Alice you have a place on the table. Can’t wait!
I’d like to have a cuppa with you – hope you’re going to come to Sydney to connect the Styling Curvy community too!
How wonderful of you to arrange such a fantastic event .
Sorry I am unable to attend as I’m on Mid North Coast NSW and it’s impossible to get away at this crazy time of the year .
All the best for a fab time Ladies I will tune in and watch with envy xxx
I’d love to share a cuppa with my mum. We moved states 17 years ago and finances and 4 boys mean I haven’t been able to get “home” as often as I’d like.
I would love to have a cuppa with you Jen and meet some of the lovely Styling Community girls. ?
Congratulations Angela there is a seat at tge table for you. Can’t wait!
What an experience, thanks for the chance of having high tea at Madame Hanoi’s. I think having afternoon tea with Amanda Keller would not only be interesting but a blast as she’s an incredible woman who’s bubbly & full of life!
I can’t attend this event, I live in Melbourne but as someone who knows how hard it is to be away from family and friends I think this is a wonderful idea to be able to connect with others. I’m from WA but lived in the ACT and now in VIC I know how difficult it can be to find your “people”. It’s an emotional roller coaster that’s for sure and can take a lot of persistence, and resilience. It has many low and lonely times but then there are times when you put yourself out there and you meet some amazing, loving people who become part of your life. I hope you all have a fantastic time, connect and make many memories and next time I’m in Adelaide I am going to Madame Hanoi’s just for that amazing artwork on the walls!!
I’m in Melbourne!
I have no friends that would come along – all too busy and this isn’t their thing unfortunately – COs how fab does this sound?) do you need a plus one? Reminds me of sex and the city episodes of ‘plus one’ and way back then they told us it’s okay to go without a plus one! So im in, minus one! I’m all about connecting communities !
I would love to attend high tea, the person I would like to chat to woul be you Jen, as I you have made me a braver person with body image, style, compassion and your sense of fun and enthusiasm. Would also like to meet other styling curvy community ladie ?
Hello Ann you have a seat at the table, congratulations lovely! Please email me [email protected]
I would love to share the afternoon with my best friend Cathy. We have known each other since high school and no matter what has changed in our lives we still are best friends. We both love Gin and we don’t see each other much, so this would be the perfect opportunity to catch up with her. Oh and we guarantee to have lots of laughter, fun and a bloody good time! And we get to meet and hang out with you! ?
I’d love to share a cuppa with my best friend. We live many kilometres away from each other and the busy-ness of family and work life leaves little room for those precious moments together.
Oh wow! Sounds divine. Alas I’m in Sydney and to fly that weekend just ain’t gonna happen. However! I would love to have a cuppa with my mum. Unfortunately she passed away many years ago, but if I could have her for just 1 Cup of tea – it would make my year! Have a lovely time you girls – and Jen, bring on Sydney I say!!!
Besides obviously wanting to share a cuppa with you Jen, I would love to share a cuppa (and a champers or two) with my dear friend Judi who moved back to Hobart many years ago. We haven’t caught up in person for a few years now and I miss having my closest buddy nearby to confide in and share a laugh. Usually at our own expense. Maybe I could make a new best buddy at your high tea?
The idea is great. Specially for me who is curvy, new to australia and dying to dive in to the social scene. Trying to know adelaide as i am only 2 months old here. Hope to meet you styling curvy
My lovely friend of 40 years Sue Pike.
I would love to attend the High Tea at Madame Hanoi’s, such a gorgeous restaurant and hold my pinky finger high with my adorable buddy Philippa who introduced me to Styling Curving and to your beautiful ethos of life Jen.
Philippa is an absolute star and we would endeavour to behave as sophisticated ladies, whilst providing engaging conversation, possibly even heart to heart conversation but most certainly conversation that would be filled with laughter and the joy of being part of a community.
Congrats Sue you have a seat on the table. Can’t wait!
I would love to share this with my sister Sophie, she isn’t a facebook user but knows all about you and this community because I’m always talking about it ! I would also like to have an opportunity to meet you as I have only seen you from a distance at West Lakes Westfield !
Hi ?
This is probs a bit left of field but I would have loved to have had a cuppa with Alexander McQueen [or any kind of meeting actually]
Cheers and thank you for this wonderful opportunity to meet you F2F for a good yarn and a cuppa ??
Louise Xx
I would love to have a cuppa with my dear friend Melissa-we have known each other for about 28 years and only recently got back in contact – it was like no time had passed at all! I don’t know what I did without her x
I would love to have a cuppa with my Nana. She has been gone 5.5 years and i miss our cuppa and chats so much.
I would love to join you Jen for a cuppa… and bring my one and only 19 year old daughter along and share the experience. We have had a tough few months having had her Dad my partner pass away in April this year. This would be a great opportunity for us both to do something together….and as it happens it’s his birthday on the 17th December…. ?x
I would love to have a cuppa with anyone and everyone! I think we as a society have lost the art of connection in everyday life, where we feel safe to just start a conversation with a random stranger. I would love to come along to your High Tea!
I would love to share a cuppa of English breakfast with Oprah. I grew up watching her TV show and I have learnt so much from her. She has taught me not to ignore my instinct, to have courage and to visualise what I want to achieve. I would love to ask her what she thinks the purpose of life is, how we can be our ‘true’ authentic self and what inspires her.
If I can’t meet Oprah I would love to share a high tea with some lovely Adelaide ladies!
I moved to Adelaide in September and would love to expand my community of connections!
I would love to have a cuppa with new people and you Jenn – I need some new people in my life 🙂