Editor’s Get It list

Editor’s

list

We’re already halfway through the year but it’s not time to slow down just yet. In fact, we’re just getting started! This June we’re celebrating empowered women, so here are our editor’s top picks to keep you in control and on the move

MAKE MY SHAVE: stop those cuts and nicks and help the planet. This kit includes a luxurious reusable razor handle, 2 x 5-blade, Superlube razor heads, one tree planted in Australia and free Carbon Offset delivery. The razor head refill kit, which includes 4 x razor heads and another tree planted, can be delivered every 1-month, 2-months or 3-months RRP: $21.99 makemyshave.com.au IZZ! COCKTAILS: Unlike other traditional cocktails, this new flavoursome sparkling refreshment has a lower alcohol volume at 4 per cent, comparied with a standard cocktail, which allows iZZ! lovers to take a little more control of their weekend sessions. RRP: from $25 izzicocktails.com

XALI: Australia’s first training, dietary and wellness program to cater to women going through biological changes with a focus on perimenopause and menopause. Xali offers a personalised daily workout recommendation based on users’ journey preferences paired with their daily emotion and intention. RRP: $3.50 per week. xali.com.au NORMAN MTB RECYCLED ENDURO SHORTS – These high function mountain biking shorts made in Australia from sustainable fabric, are custom designed to support the contours of the female body. Featuring a higher profile waistband for maximum comfort, freedom of movement and zero slippage, they’re water repellent and breathable - your go-to in all conditions RRP: $139.95 normanmtb.com

CARDS FOR CREATIVITY: A creative soul is a happy soul, and these cards aim to get your right brain active, giving you inspiration to bring creativity into your life each week. RRP: $19.99

MYS TYLER: this women-only social-shopping platform uses a combination of AI and human-based recommendations to match women with like-bodied content creators so they can “follow”, discover, and shop body-relevant fashion content. It’s fuelled by body positivity and is working hard to tackle the fashion industry’s “fit” and returns cycle issues – both of which have huge environmental and economic impacts. RRP: varies mys-tyler.com

The Power of Women’s Circles

Championing women’s circles here on the GC, Tash HilebrandLockie shares with us the importance of coming together, sharing and finding community in new ways post-pandemic.

1. What is a women’s circle?

Women’s circles are really very simple - it’s a group of women sitting around in a circle and sharing and connecting. But they are powerful because the nature of the circle and the principles they are based on allow us to drop our social defenses and truly connect, with each other and also with ourselves. This experience can be deeply nourishing for many women. 2. How did you start working in this industry? I started running and offering women’s circles back in 2016 after attending my very first women’s circle and loving the experience. It felt like something I’d been missing my whole life and I hadn’t even realised it! I was deeply craving this kind of connection with other women in such a real way. Not long after, I signed up to a women’s circle facilitation training course and cocreated a monthly women’s circle (that’s still going strong over five years later!). 3. What’s the history behind women’s circles?

Sitting in a circle is a practice that Indigenous women have been doing for millennia - they know the power of coming together in a circle and sharing from the heart, to share wisdom and to learn from each other. Along the way in our busy modern times, we’ve lost this ancient practice - but now it is returning. 4. For someone keen to attend but feeling unsure - what can they expect from attending a women’s circle? Women’s circles can be very varied - they can include meditation, sound healing, sharing around a topic or an open topic, reflection time - it all depends on the facilitator. I offer sharing circles in particular, and my role as the facilitator is to ensure that everyone who attends feels safe and comfortable, and also to provide a good structure for the circle. The most important thing to know for anyone coming along to a women’s sharing circle is that there is no obligation to share at a sharing circle if they don’t wish to - it’s their presence that is the most important thing. 5. We lost so much genuine, in-person connection across the pandemic, do you feel women need more of this now more than ever?

Yes absolutely! If there was one good thing that came out of the pandemic, it is that it has made us value and appreciate the importance of connection more! Zoom calls are one thing, but they’ll never replace the power of in-person connection. 6. Why do you think the Gold Coast is responding so positively to these circles?

I think Gold Coast people are as a general rule open, friendly and health-conscious, so it makes sense to me that there would be a natural interest in spaces like women’s circles. I also think many people are starting to look for ways to connect and socialise beyond the traditional drinking and partying scenes, and circles offer a great alternative for this.

7. How important is it to have dedicated women-only spaces? I believe it’s very important - for both men and women. Most of our lives are “co-ed”, and so I believe it’s important to carve out time for things like women’s circles (and men’s circles) so we can share more openly and honestly about things we are genuinely feeling and experiencing, without having to censor ourselves (either consciously or unconsciously). 8. Where would you like to see your work evolve to in 5 years time? I would love to continue to be involved in the mainstreaming of women’s circles. I dream of the day that attending a monthly women’s circle is as normal and mainstream a thing for women to do as going to the gym or a Pilates class.

Fashion - Accessories

Labels carefully selected for quality, fit and design from Australian and European designers. Complemented with fabulous costume jewellery and accessories.

Enjoy a premium shopping experience!

my music

is just the beginning

While many artists struggled to stay on track during the pandemic, singer-songwriter Suzy J found her moment to step into the spotlight. Today, Suzy sits down with Get It Magazine’s Holly Bartter to talk purpose, knowing yourself and growing her US fan base.

For Suzy Jamieson (or Suzy J as she’s known in the industry), the path to a career in music felt like destiny. “I was singing the moment I could speak!” she tells me.

“My love for music was instant and it was infectious. Singing is all I ever wanted to do as a career so yes I guess I always knew I’d end up in this space. To me, music isn’t really something you choose but more of a calling.” Suzy, a “true born and bred Melbourne girl”, describes her music style as being “at the crossroads between country and pop”, an interesting genre that’s already inspiring fans around the world.

“I grew up listening to pop stars like Kylie Minogue, Belinda Carlisle, The Bangles, and Madonna, so vocally I am very pop orientated,” she explains. “More recently however, as I’ve gotten into songwriting, I have really fallen in love with country music and the way it really enables you to tell a story. I guess my style has tried to marry the two - catchy pop with a country heart!”

With the US being the home of country music, Suzy is about to fly over to Nashville to record another album. There, she’s found a second home for her work, and a new audience that’s celebrating her talent. “In the Christmas just gone, I released my song ‘All I Really Want For Christmas Is You’. I felt it was just what the world needed after such a tough few years of the pandemic. It was upbeat and fun and it really resonated with people here in Australia - and particularly in the USA,” Suzy shares. “I was fortunate enough to be on some billboards in cities like Nashville, Dallas and Denver too which was a real thrill. I just wish I could have seen it myself as that would have felt very special.” During lockdown, Suzy took advantage of a unique but challenging situation, releasing both an album and a Non Fungible Token (NFT).

“It forced me to think outside the square and try things I hadn’t done before. With Melbourne in complete shut down, I ended up connecting with talented Nashville producer Ben Reno to help bring my album to life. I had always wanted to go to Nashville so this was the next best thing. Amazing really to think that my music was made with the help of people on the other side of the world and so much easier than I had imagined which just goes to show how important it is to keep agile and move with the changing times. “As an indie artist, I felt this NFT concept could provide a way for me to connect with fans anywhere around the world. I created a collection of unique covers of my debut album 262 and have listed them on Opensea and marketplace. My hope is that people will support me and buy one.” Making her own way in a notoriously competitive industry to break into, Suzy has grown to trust herself and her instincts when it comes to her vision and work, she explains, “I think at this stage in my life, my sense of purpose is strong. I finally know who I am and I am really comfortable in my own skin. I am not looking for anyone’s approval and am singing and writing from my heart. “It’s so important to take the time to find your sound and your words. Once you know this it will help you not be swayed by others’ opinions of who and what you should be.” With her rise to fame clearly charted, Suzy is looking forward to a future that includes more global impact, travel, and of course, plenty of new music. “I’m excited for the year ahead,” she tells me. “I have my first single, ‘I’ll Show You Love’ out now which is getting great reviews. I am also going to finally travel to Nashville which will be a real bucket list trip, but my own music is just the beginning! In five years’ time I want to be touring here and in the USA and songwriting for other artists too. “I love connecting with people through my music and I think those who see me perform get that. I think all of those things keep me true to my vision.”