Wednesday, December 20, 2017

And so this is Christmas....

And so this is Christmas....

Paraphrasing John Lennon's famous verse...

As another year nears its end, I am taking a little time to look back over the last 12 months. It has been an interesting year for us at Spirit of Life. A couple of road trips to the bush to fit ladies who are isolated. (And thank you to all rural Queenslanders for your amazing hospitality) And another 2  -3 planned for 2018. We shall advise where and when in the fullness of time.

Refuelling on the way west!

Talking to ladies at Barcaldine prior to fitting some of them.


The boutique has been busy and is keeping Christina and me on our toes. Lovely to meet a lot of new ladies and take care of them over the year.

We made the decision back in 2012 to specialise in mastectomy and post surgical only and when ladies come in and ask "Which bras are suitable for mastectomy patients?" we simply say.. "All of them!' And they just love it!

Also just unpacked in time for summer are some new Sunmarin mastectomy swimsuits from Sunflair of Germany



Look for these on our website in the next 24 hours.

Updated...here now!

If there are any politicians of any party that ever read my blogs, let me tell you this. The one thing that our customers tell us when they come in.. is how concerned, no make that troubled, worried about their power bills they are. Telling people that their bills will fall by $160 a year or that you are finding ways ways for people to pay their bills off.... is not the answer.

You need to seriously find a way to lower power bills by around 40%. The pensioners use as little as they can.. but they get nailed by the fixed charges.

To ALL politicians of ALL parties.. it isn't good enough!

Families struggle to survive while the power companies vacuum up all of their cash.


On a personal level I have a birthday coming up soon and we are going with some friends on Saturday night to celebrate at a local restaurant with Christina and Mark. Looking forward to that.

And I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of our special ladies for your support this past year, your custom is appreciated.

You know, the very reason that we come to work each day, is to be here for you.

To truly help make a difference in your lives.

Christina and I and our associates are passionate about what Spirit of Life does.

Because we honestly believe that there is Life and Lingerie after Breast Surgery.

And we thank each and every one of you for your kind responses, the emails, the cards and phone calls... and the hugs. Especially the hugs!

Speaking of associates, we are pleased to announce that Glenda Harris, formerly of Amoena is now an associate of ours at the boutique and you will probably see her working here on our busier days.

Welcome on board Glenda!


Glenda and Debra

And so to Christmas... obviously we will not be open on Christmas Day as we will be enjoying the spirit of Christmas with family and friends.

However, unlike past years, we will have Christina here on the non pubic holidays between Christmas and New Year. She will be on her own as I will be out of town. So if you need anything, give her a call. If you get voice mail, it just means she is busy and will call you back. I might suggest you call her and make a booking if your time is important to you. As it stands she already has bookings for fittings during that period now.

And finally... I wish each and everyone of you a magical Christmas with your families. We look forward to seeing you all in 2018.

Take care out there.

Debra



Friday, December 8, 2017

This s NOT acceptable! Ever!


This is a note from Mark.. Debra's husband.

To the lady who drove 250 km to Debra's boutique today to buy a small form and then was upset to find we didn't have it in stock.

I would like to say.. 3 of our deliveries from Amoena were lost in transit this week making for very hard retailing for us with low supplies.

Now when you came in Debra herself was on the way to Gympie to see her ailing father, and our daughter Christina was running the shop.

Your outrageous behaviour in abusing Christina (which reduced her to tears and made her physically ill - she thew up after you left)  and throwing your prosthesis at her is totally unacceptable.

Your foul mouth with your ranting and swearing is again totally unacceptable.

Debra does not employ Christina to take such abuse.

She, like Debra is there to be of service, not to be criticised.

Your threats to tell your breast care nurse and your friends about what a terrible shop Spirit of Life is... are welcome.

QLD breast care nurses know what a great service Debra provides and will probably ignore you.

And if your friends are like you.. we don't want them in the shop either.

And so in closing.. you know who you are... from this point on we have a choice too... and our choice is to not have you as a customer.

We don't need your custom, we don't need your money and we certainly don't need your abuse.

If I had of been there I would have ordered you out of the door... on the spot.

Go and find another retailer to abuse.. you are no longer welcome, in fact you are banned for life at Spirit of Life Boutique.

Mark




Sunday, November 26, 2017

Something new!


One of the great things about having your own business is that you are always working. Even on a Sunday night! Mark is down in the kitchen cooking dinner for me and I have just uploaded our new black nightie to our website. There really are pretty. Stop by and have a look. Got to go... dinner is served... apparently!


Talk soon...

Debra

Friday, November 3, 2017

Latest Mastectomy Swimsuit just in time for summer.

Just in yesterday to the store is this wonderful range called "Cairo" mastectomy swimsuits. Range is limited so get in quickly girls as of late with the warmer days our swimsuits are just running out the door.

Cairo Mastectomy Swimsuit


And don't forget your swimform to go with it!

Cheers

Debra.

Monday, October 30, 2017

Thank you Rockhampton...

Well back last night from a fabulously successful trip to Rocky. Mark drove us up on Friday in the Holden and on Saturday I was overwhelmed with the support from our customers in Central QLD. To a lady they were so happy to catch up and purchase replacement prostheses and bras. And the always popular Valletta Tops too!

And to all of the new customers who came along for the first time, I thank you as well. Spirit of Life has a lot of costumers in Rockhampton and it was good to bring the Boutique to you for a change.

We will be back early in 2018 if you missed out.

I would like to thank in particular Olwyn Cook who helped me to look after the "Shop" at short notice and also a really big thank you to the Cancer Council Qld, Rockhampton branch who provided the venue.  We could not have done it without you.

Set up time in the morning.

Mark brought his older brother Max along to help set up the display and then they cleared off up to Mt Morgan. Max was born there and he and Mark went around visiting Max's old haunts from his childhood while I looked after my lovely ladies.

Once again, thank you for your support ladies; we do care about those in rural places and are keen to look after you.


Max at Mt Morgan Railway Station.

And finally. a special thank you to the Park Avenue Hotel/Motel. We stayed there and the service was amazing. The meals in the hotel were of the highest quality and served by the most wonderfully friendly staff. Cannot recommend them highly enough. Will be staying there next time we are in Rocky.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

We love these letters....

"Dear Debra,
Thank you so much for the kind attention my request for Amoena products. The breast form you suggested is so comfortable and I love the pretty bras.
You even filled in the Medicare claim form and enclosed an envelope with a stamp on it to make sure I got my refund.
You are outstanding and many customers would echo my words.

Sincerely, Jean S.
NSW"

One of the great rewards of looking after our special ladies is when they take the time to send us a card thanking us for our service. I truly am passionate about what we do here at Spirit of Life and our customers do appreciate it. 

Debra T

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Another Boutique road trip this moth....

Yes.. we are taking the show on the road to Rockhampton.


Have you had breast surgery? 

Welcome to the Spirit of Life Boutique.

There is life and lingerie after breast surgery.

Regain and retain that feeling of who you really are!
Appearance can make all the difference in how people see you and how you feel about yourself – and it’s always nice to have so much choice that you can pick things that are exactly right for you.

Who we are
We are a lingerie shop that specializes in mastectomy lingerie, swimwear, breast prostheses and bras – and we have one of the largest selection in Australia. That’s possible for us because caring for women after breast surgery is all we do at Spirit of Life. 

And we are coming to Rockhampton for a prosthesis and lingerie fitting day! 

Where: Cancer Council of QLD, 43 Upper Dawson Rd, Allenstown QLD 4700

When: Between 9:00 AM & 3:00 PM Saturday, October 28

See: The latest mastectomy fashion bras and swimsuits.

Win: Lucky door prize of an Amoena Valletta Mastectomy Top!

Debra herself will be onsite to personally take care of you and give you that specialised service that she is known and loved for. But fitting numbers are limited, so you need to call her right now on (07) 3511 4222 to book your appointment. When you call, Debra will talk with you about choices and sizing etc and bring garments with her for you to try on the day. There is no need to pay any cash up front and Debra will have credit card facilities on the day!

Don’t miss out! Bookings close October 24! Call Debra now (07) 3511 4222
Why not visit the Boutique on the internet in the meantime?


















Wednesday, August 30, 2017

One more day to spring!

Just one more day to spring! Warmer days, mild temperatures and lots of fun. And with Spring as usual we have our Spring - Summer newsletter with all sorts of new and exciting lingerie. As a teaser i have shown the front page here!

If you are on our mailing list you should get yours in the next week or so.. come on now Australia Post.. go harder!

Here's a little video of some of the new goodies.

Looking forward to seeing you in the boutique ...... real soon.

Debra
Here it is!

Monday, August 28, 2017

A quick trip to Barcaldine!

So we are back from a 2200km trip to Barcaldine. A long way to go to attend a workshop but worth every minute of the trip. The Breast & Prostate Cancer Association of QLD run rural workshops to educate men and women about these cancers, their occurrences and treatment options. We have been very proud to have been asked along for many of these events.

Mark & I have travelled to St George, Biloela, Mt Isa, Warwick, Charleville etc for these events and the ladies are always very happy and appreciative of the effort that goes into them.

On this trip apart from myself talking about what we do at Spirit of Life, we also had a breast surgeon, oncologist, men's health specialist doctor, psychologist, dietician and breast care nurses too. Because of the weight of the products we take to display, flying is not an option so Mark drives us out there in our Holden. Here are some pictures of the trip.

Breakfast at Barcaldine on day 2 of the drive!




A cold lemon squash on arrival at Barcaldine




Betty the model about to do her thing in the local hall.




All set up so very early in the morning!




Very attentive ladies indeed.




The team of presenters and organisers.




Even got 10 minutes to see the tree of knowledge!

To the nurses from Rockhampton, Emerald and Barcaldine.. what a dedicated bunch of professionals you are. I am really humbled to be there with you and the Doctors. And to the people of the West.. thank you so much for the warm hospitality you showed us all. An amazing place to visit and I highly recommend that you consider a drive out to QLD's far west to enjoy all of it for yourself.

The locals will make you feel very welcome.

Now back to the Boutique as our September newsletter mails this week... keep an eye out for it!

Debra

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

And so the Ekka is over...

And that means our September newsletter is about to be posted in the next week. We have been busy here at the boutique, inserting newsletters into envelopes and addressing them. And of course serving customers too!

On Thursday we head off to Barcaldine to be part of a breast cancer awareness function and I am looking forward to that. Our first road trip in some time and the first in our "new" 3 year old Holden.

In other news.. Mark often hangs some of his own photographs (apart from commissioned work) from his studio in the boutique for Decor. One in particular drew so many comments and got so much attention that I was being asked by people if they could buy a copy of it.

Long story short.. yes you can.

A beautiful 24 x 20 inch print produced on metallic finish silver paper by Mark's profession lab.

And you'll find it on the boutique's website.

Have a look here!


More envelopes to stuff so I must get back into it.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

At last, they're here!




Yes.. at last our 2018 Sunflair mastectomy swimsuits are in store. Despite a limited quantity being made available for us, we do have a nice size range available right now. Sunflair of Germany make some of the most beautiful and high quality swimwear we have ever seen. Come on in and see them in the fabric.. you can see and feel the quality of these amazing garments.

Here is the link to our web shop!

See you in the Boutique soon.

Debra



Friday, June 23, 2017

Last week for Anita specials.

June is nearly spent and with it will go our factory rebate on Anita mastectomy bras. Buy any two Anita bras and you will receive a 20% factory rebate on them. They are made by a very old commonly in Germany and are so very comfortable. And of incredibly high quality too! So come on in before June 30 to take advantage of this great for.

Cheers

Debra

Symmetry Matters


One of the things we do every day at Spirit of Life is look after ladies who have had breast reconstruction post breast surgery. Often the results are two breasts that are not quite the same size. This happens, but can make choosing the correct size bra difficult. Now the same thing can happen with post lumpectomy breast surgery.

In both cases, what we do is provide a partial prosthesis. Covered by Medicare these come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and we find one that will enable us to fill in a smaller side and make both breast match in a bra. Just amazing little thugs and covered by Medicare. In fact you will have your entire investment refunded when you submit a claim form.

There is a little about them on our web site.