Throwing an end of year Christmas team party

End of year work functions can be the ideal way to finish the year on a connected note.

I love this opportunity to say 'thanks' to my team who have supported me tirelessly over the year. It is also a great chance to give a few special awards and mentions to particular people who have gone above and beyond in making a real contribution to the ongoing success of my company. 

Here are my top 4 ways to create an unforgettable work Christmas function:

1. Dress to a theme that has relevance and a meaning to your company

This year we choose China as it was our 20th anniversary and China is used to mark this in marriage terms.

Every year we plan our parties around a theme. Each year is different (Island girl, 1940s, wild west) and the girls love getting together in the hours before the party to get themselves dolled up for a fabulous night out. The only problem is some of the costumes are so good it's a mission to pick the prize for best dressed… yes, we do award this.

2. Eat, drink and be merry

Really show your team your appreciation by splashing out on the best your budget will allow (if you don't have a lot of money, get creative). I love introducing my retail team from around the country to the amazing cuisine the Waikato has to offer and always look for a new premise each year. Think outside the square. They are worth it!

Watch the newcomers, it can be a little nerve racking for them and they can over-indulge in the festive spirit … drunk at the xmas do is not a great look!

3. Entertainment for the evening

It is a must that everyone in attendance has a great time and you may have a wide variety of ages - whether they're drinking or not. Some of our best team parties have included a karaoke night (where everyone dressed up as the performer of the song they sung) and the catwalk fashion show to celebrate the move into our new building that we put on at our Head Office. There are so many more options out there then hiring a Santa to give out a few lollies. And don't forget to look around your team and see who has a talent to share and ask them to give a special performance. This year one of our warehouse team members choose to do a wonderful solo Indian dance for us all... Just fabulous!

4. Prize giving

Use this gathering as an opportunity to show outstanding members of your team your appreciation with a special mention or award. Each year I give out trophies for Employee of the Year, Miss Personality, Sales Superstar and Most Improved Store etc. as well as a range of smaller prizes for particularly worthy people.

Don't go in with a Scrooge Mcduck mentality. This is the time to acknowledge and celebrate, no matter what has happened throughout your year. Look forward as to what you can be - never backwards as to what you have been.

Annah 

(Here are a few shots from our latest China themed Christmas party...)

Dogs subjected to lethal doses of party pills... Come on NZ! Stop this insanity. Please have a voice!

A plan discovered in documents obtained by media at the beginning of the month have revealed a proposal by the Government to rush through legislation allowing for the testing of party pills on dogs and other animals without any public consultation.

The proposed testing regime included discussion over employing the controversial LD50 testing method, where doses of a drug increase until half the test group dies.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne, who has headed the Government's crackdown on party pills, initially said animal testing was "unavoidable to prove that products are safe for human beings" and "it is an unpleasant but necessary reality".

But after huge public backlash Dunne has apparently ruled out the use of LD50 and said no decision to use other testing methods involving animals would be made without a thorough consultation period.

However, a discussion document the ministry sent to Health Minister Tony Ryall and Dunne - featuring a sub-heading "Draft for comment - not Government policy" - says: "Consultation will be narrowly targeted to industry representatives and scientific experts, and will not be open to the general public.

Emails by Ministry of Health officials working on the project, obtained under the Official Information Act, also suggest public consultation was not planned.

The proposed party pill testing regime would be applied to any brand of party pill or other synthetic high before it was allowed to be sold legally in New Zealand.

The draft discussion document sent to Ryall and Dunne said animals would ingest the intended "legal highs" in the same way future human consumers would - in pill form.

SPCA Executive Director, Bob Kerridge has said the proposal is "barbaric. product that has no benefit to humans and will cause considerable harm to dogs and other animals. There is no beneficial outcome whatsoever".

Fashion Designer and avid dog lover, Annah Stretton has created a campaign to ensure the proposal does not go any further.

"We must stop this testing that will subject dogs and other animals to lethal doses of chemicals until half the test group dies. PLEASE HELP ME ESTABLISH A VOICE." 

To add your support visit and like http://www.facebook.com/pages/Annah-Stretton-against-Animal-Testing/130947600396291

Or sign a petition form at your nearest Annah Stretton or Annah.S store. www.annahstretton.com

To read more visit http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8025166/Dogs-facing-death-for-legal-highs

She’s leaving on a jet plane …

She's 24 years of age, worried about getting old and has finally left a job that she loved to bits and boarded a jet plane as the first part of her big OE.

Never mind that the first leg of her journey saw a five hour departure delay at Auckland airport (as storms assaulted our beloved country last week) and two of these hours were experienced from the confines of the plane. She's done it; she's left the country for the adventure of her life.

And me, how do I feel in that for the first time in 24 years I will be having Christmas without my kids? (The other one is in Australia enjoying the heat and higher wages).

Hmmm isn't that what Christmas is all about? Sure, it will be cheaper, but perhaps not given that I'm certain I will still get international requests for support during the year! I know that it’s certainly made me a lot more focused on Christmas with my mum as there is nothing like not having something to make you realize what you do have and what is important.

For 24 years I have loved her and endeavoured to create a values platform for her to live her life from. I suppose my job is almost done. Our last few days together, yes she came home with all her bits and pieces (even wanted to keep a few of her beloved frocks, the ones she has secured from her hours of opp shop buying, in our in-house library) and we hung around together for three days.

We went out to eat, she cooked for me and we laughed out loud as we tried to pack within the 23kgs of luggage weight that she had been allowed, all her special bits acquired over her 24 years. I know I will miss her; she has so many of my traits it’s almost like looking in a mirror, but she's also her father’s daughter in so many other ways.

As she heads to the Cayman Islands to look for a hospitality job and join her step-sister's life of party and sun, I am truly envious rather than remorseful. Departure day arrives and we head to the airport, endure our last McDonalds together (we have always had common food ground in cheeseburgers) wondering how we will react at crunch time. We take one last photo at the departure gate and much to her disgust, I couldn't get the look right; she likes to take a great photo. We laugh as she deletes all that is left of this last moment together. Through the departure gate she goes.

I text that I love her (as if she doesn't know) and walk back to my car. The storm is approaching; I head down the motorway and the music plays ... yep you guessed it, there’s always a moment that is unexplainable in music-land in conjunction with the relevant moments in your life and this one was no exception. On comes ‘Living Next Door to Alice’. For 24years I’ve been living next door to Alice and I guess I'll never get used to not living next door to Alice. She is so much a part of me. I have watched her grow, shared her successes and her sorrows, laughed at her obsessions and her insecurities, knowing that she will always be loved and supported as long as I draw breath. She starts another part of her life’s journey and the one thing I do know is that it brings her closer to coming home and maybe working alongside me…

The Luna Park Mirror affect

I have just spent the last two days working on the floor in our Adelaide store in Norwood and whilst I thought I knew and had seen it all re the behaviours of women when endeavouring to purchase a new frock, now I'm not so sure. The South Australians really have it over the NZ girls as to having such a love/hate relationship with their body. What the hell is this about girls? Why is fat such a feminist issue? Either love and embrace what you have or change it. Only you can do this.

If it has to be it is up to me!
Sure, as we age and often even before that, we start to see the inevitable change that happens to our bodies... the flabby arm bits that still continue to move long after the wave goodbye has been completed and the muffin top that lovingly wraps around our middles.
If you really care that much, do something about it as there are plenty of people that will be happy to take your money and support you.
If not, get on with it and accept what you look like that and frock accordingly. There are so many great styles that will make you look fantastic. Believe that not all shopping experiences mean the 18 year old, don't give a damn shop assistant. Just work harder to find your shopping fit. It is out there.

Do not come out of the changing room supporting the new frock and grizzle about the mirror image. I swear, you all see yourself as if you are looking in a Luna Park theme mirror (the wonderful terminology that came from the mouth of my Adelaide manager).

 And what's with all the hidden purchases? The stuff that you remove the tags from so you can bring it out at a later date exclaiming 'oh this old thing', as your partner comments on your look. Surely as a grown woman you are allowed to purchase a frock for yourself. The last few days in store have shown me that we are still very much in a man's world. Whether you contribute to the household or not, his voice is prevalent in so many of your purchasing decisions. I mean, we even have you ring us to tell us you have to return the garment because he hates it. Shouldn't that make you more determined to wear it? What has happened to us?
Come on ladies, we are not an extension of a man. We need to fall in love with the body we have. It's about healthy living, not obsessing as to every little kg. You will always deserve a new frock. It's not just about occasion, it's about celebrating who you are every damn day. And stop looking in those Luna Park mirrors. They are for the theme park only and don't exist in the real world.

REPEAT AFTER ME... I LOVE WHO I AM!

Annah gets closer to the Australian outback

It’s always great to get to a warmer climate and my trip to Brisbane was no exception. Great also to catch up with the Manager and store team of the two stores that we have there and do some exploring into our next location, a possible site in Toowoomba.

Day one saw us in Noosa and what was to be my virgin visit to our store in the junction. My mission was to introduce a new label ‘Tav’ from the Cook Islands that I hope will be a better fit for the resort customers in this area.

Day two, we headed to Toowoomba, approximately a two hour drive from the city even though it’s only 100 kilometres away.

We arrived and considered the possibility of the old Fletcher Jones site in the heart of a very sorry city... the surrounding mall developments have certainly sucked the life out of the CBD.

With 30 minutes to spare before the agent turned up, we visited the Grand Central mall. The usual suspects filled the retail spaces but the big surprise was that 50 percent of the stores weren't open, being a Sunday.

This is generally unheard of in mall environments where the rules of the mall usually ensure that it’s all or nothing as to who's trading and when. Perhaps the challenge of paying double time, which can be as high as $50 an hour on a Sunday, has also got to the larger generic players as well?

I do know that the shift in the law in Australia as to the treatment of outworkers (women sewing at home) is that it now needs the same treatment as an employee from a wages perspective. This has certainly got the Fiji manufacturing operations excited at the chance to re-kickstart their flagging industry with increased engagement from the Australian fashion industry.

I am undecided as yet on the suitability of Toowoomba; apparently it gets a lot colder than Brisbane in the winter, (so perhaps a better fit climatically) and challenged by the exit of retail from the CBD, although visits to the smaller malls that have sprung up would see them as nothing more than service centres. We took time out to reflect and grab a coffee at a central cafe serving Supreme coffee (a NZ brand). It wasn’t great, and I’m not sure that Supreme would be happy with this representation of their brand.

The Toowoomba city has a service radius population of 140 kilometres. Mining development has also brought some of the money into the area. The city felt very similar to Rotorua; big streets and the multi street destinations with no real centre to speak of.

I encouraged Heather, a Facebook friend from this city, to have a coffee with me. She and her friend Carolyn where delightful and I barraged them with questions on demographics, events and retail. I also encouraged them to look at opportunities for me to speak in the area.

Homework well and truly done, we headed back to Brisbane under a black sky and threatening thunderstorms, destination James Street in Fortitude Valley, an area we looked at originally before we settled on Paddington. A quick walk and we well and truly made our minds up that this was not the space for us. So we settled in for a big Aussie shiraz and some food at what has always been one of our favourite cafes, Cru on the strip.

Ouch, the food was terrible! I even sent mine back and I haven't done that for a while. The wine was average and limited, so we were disappointed as we will now need another favourite eating space. But then as with most things, nothing stays the same.

However, the meal we had on Friday, the day of our arrival, down on the waterfront at Organic Char had been excellent. Service was slow, but when the food came it was excellent even though the waiter was on his last night and happy to be so!

The storm raged through the night making any meal efforts too far from the hotel difficult and pointless, so we settled in for drink in the bar of our excellent hotel, The Emporium on Ann St, and considered the possibility of the Toowoomba site - I’m giving it 6 out of 10 at this stage ….

So, what do I need to do to win 'Fashion in the Field'??

 After a huge day of judging Fashion in the Field at in Christchurch this week, I finally feel qualified to comment on what it takes to be a winner.

To win a competition like this can be very rewarding, from overseas trips, loan vehicles and wonderful gift baskets, to driving a fashion brand or label's profile. It appears that the prize loot simply gets better with each level of competition.

Imagine winning the Melbourne Cup ... not only for the brand recognition should you be an aspiring or established designer, but also for the very desirable loot!

So after a full day of judging one of the largest NZ fields of entry that a Fashion in the Field competition attracts outside of Ellerslie, Auckland, I do feel experienced to offer well informed views.

Alongside this, we have also provided an unsuccessful entry for one of our team to wear at the Melbourne Cup this year, so we have some wonderful learnings to share.

As always, it is great to have a wide variety of skill and experience on a judging panel and from an entrant's perspective it’s always assuring to know that you are all in with chance. It is however imperative from the organizers end to make sure the judges are from a broad background to ensure robust discussion and decision making as part of the process.

So what does it take to win?

I, for one, will always see a winner as a classic daywear ensemble with a twist... a Kate Middleton on speed look.

Note ladies that race wear can never be evening wear and must always be well thought through as to colour style and completion.

A great body is an excellent start; lots of height and a great pair of legs where possible.

The model you choose, or if it’s yourself, will need to carry herself well as deportment is key to showing the garments well. And if they win, they will need to be able to converse well with the media.

So how do you start?

Perhaps consider the very necessary hat first - quirky, with some height, interesting and able to be worn well - something that no one else is likely to have on the day.

Followed by the shoes that match the hat colours you have selected. In choosing the shoes there is plenty of room to introduce drama and the very necessary height!

Finally, the dress will then pull all this together. I'm a big fan of the 1950s, which lends to knee length, sleeveless, a full skirt, shaped bodice and not too much bust if any. Think late 1950s Dior.

 Consider that the day may be cold, so a cover up will be needed. This becomes another way to add to your ensemble, not to disguise it, so plan carefully about how this will look should it need to be worn.

The dress needs to be beautifully constructed, with an eye for detail as to hems, linings and neckline.

 Use strong colour and colour block - yes, you need to stand out! Remember, whilst you may work with a fashion trend from a bygone era and endeavour to execute this well, less will always be more; the frock, the shoes and hat will do all the talking you need.

Finish with a pair great tanned legs (not too tanned) or toeless nude hosiery - yep you can get these.

It's the details that count, so nails painted and perfectly to work with the outfit, this includes painting the toes, hair perfectly and firmly styled (you don't want your chances ruined by wind gusts) to enhance the hat placement and a small bag with an interesting point of difference - needs to have the ohhhh factor!

Make up professionally done; think about eye colour and drama, eye lash extensions. There is so much that can be achieved in creating a look. It must however work with your total look, this is not Halloween. Once again, classic with a twist and lip colour will be extremely important.

The Melbourne Cup report

Annah Stretton Australia Senior Stylist, Belinda Sherriff says that while selecting an outfit that is 'on trend' is important, women must retain a classic style when dressing.

"It's very much about matching and dressing like a lady," Belinda explains. "This year I noticed that outfits leaned slightly towards evening wear instead of strictly day wear - this is in fabrics and style. Likewise this year it was more about fascinators than hats."

After talking with judges at the Fashion in the Field event, Belinda learnt that winning outfits were chosen that were 'on trend, precise and classic with one stand out item, which is normally the headwear but not always... rules do get broken'.

This year Belinda herself entered the Designer category with an Annah Stretton outfit and while she didn't place, the judges were very excited about having a NZ designer in the competition.

Some tips from our Beauty Guru, Phoenix, to get you in the winner’s circle

Take first place in the beauty style stakes with some tips on getting race-day glamorous.

Display Smooth Skin

Put your best face forward come race day by applying a radiance-boosting mask the night before. It's a great way to add extra moisture before facing the dehydrating conditions of the day ahead, as well as plumping up your skin for a smoother look

Glow gently

Race-day etiquette suggests a classic dress, statement headwear and polished accessories - it doesn't condone an orange tan. While it's tempting to coat post-winter limbs with an extra dollop of fake tanner, a more natural result is best. Use body moisturiser with built-in bronzing ingredients for a few days leading up to the Cup for a believable glow.

Lighten your look

Remember that, unlike in the office, or when you're out at night, harsh daylight can be unforgiving when it comes to your make-up. So, rather than relying on a heavy, full-coverage foundation, which can look unnatural when you're outdoors, select a sheer base that blends seamlessly into your skin. Mineral make-up is a great choice