And so another year draws to a close....

Taking time out between Christmas and New Year I have been thinking about 2106. Both the highs and the lows. The world has changed in ways I could never have imagined even 10 years ago. We do live in troubled times despite what our politicians may say.

On a positive note I do hope that 2106 has been good to you and that 2017 will do the same. If this past year has not been the best, then I sincerely trust 2017 will be filled with sunshine and love for you. We close the boutique between Christmas and New Year so I can enjoy a well earned break with Mark. Being self employed, I don't get the annual 4 weeks holiday each year, so this time to break bread, to be be thankful and also to simply take time be still.. is important to me.

To the two ladies who wanted to shop for bras on Christmas Day; I am sorry to have disappointed you but for our family, Christmas is a time of special meaning for us and so the Boutique is always closed on Christmas Day. And at the risk of offending you, we make no apologies for that.

While it has been a good year for us, a week in Hawaii (frequent flyer points can work sometimes) in October, we have had our share of rainy days too as we attended too many funerals this past year. I guess as one becomes older, this is to be expected.

It just shows to me at least, that every day is precious. As Zig Ziegler once said.. "If you think that some days are not important.. just try missing one."

So we open up for business next Tuesday the 3rd and I look forward to seeing you then. Should you have a prosthesis rupture in the meantime, please email us and put URGENT in the message line with your contact details. I will try to help you out.

Mark has been repairing a friend's motor scooter.. he used to be an auto electrician in his youth.. and so sorting out the headlight on this is something he enjoys getting his teeth into. He convinced me today to be photographed on the Scooter as he likes the sun glasses and hat combination.

Debra.

Transgender women are also important...

This came by email to me. I have removed the names and identifying parts of this ladies message.  All transgender women are always welcome at the boutique. We are there to help and are not judgemental at all. 

"Hello

Although your primary audience is mastectomy patients, you probably realise that there's a significant market for transgender women needing help while we "grow our own".

I have a set of Aqua Wave forms and Contact Multi 3S adhesive pads, which I picked up from the wonderful ladies at Spirit of Life Boutique, Clayfield, Brisbane.

I got them just before I left for three months in (with held) as the (with held) at the (with held) Lodge.

In the daytime, I often take long hikes up the surrounding mountains. My Amoena forms have been wonderful. Always stay in place, even during strenuous climbs in 40 degrees. And in the Lodge swimming pool after! Or spiffed up for dinner.

The concave back on the forms is allowing my own breasts to grow without the overall look becoming unnaturally large."

Cheers

Debra

There is life and lingerie after breast surgery !

We have been working in conjunction with one of our marketing guys based overseas and after seeing what we sold, he said, "There is life and lingerie after breast surgery."

To me this was a very powerful and positive message to woman who have had their own private breast cancer journey.  In fact it grabbed me so much is it now our new tag line and you will see it on our website and soon all business cards and brochures etc.

We even have a website based around it and you can view it by clicking  here:


So if you have been through your own personal journey with breast cancer and wonder where the old you went to.. then come and visit us and let us show you beautiful lingerie from the widest range of Amoena products in Australia. The new you is waiting for you to discover and we are happy to help you in your selection. Or just come for a visit and a chat and we will show you what is new and what just might suit you. There is no obligation, you will be amongst friends.

Cheers

Debra.

P.S. Some days we get so busy we have standing room only, so before you drive down from the Sunshine Coast or up from the Gold Coast.. it might not hurt to make an appointment. Just call us on (07) 3511 4222 and then we can slot you in and make sure we can have uninterrupted time with you.

Taking time out to write....

Of late I haven't had time to write on this blog. Things are really popping along at the boutique. We had an outstanding response from you our wonderful customers to our Spring/Summer Newsletter. And this November we are still going flat out with so many prostheses going to our lovely ladies this month to date.

And this month we have a had ladies from the UK, USA, NZ, Iran as well as the  Gold and Sunshine Coasts and all states of Australia popping in for a new form. I find it amazing to see how many of these ladies are suffering with really older designed forms that are so heavy.. and so hot to wear. They all leave here delighted with their new Amoena forms that are so much lighter and cooler.

It is so rewarding to see them happy and laughing when they leave.. as our tag line says...

"There is life and lingerie after breast surgery"and this is all we do here at Spirit of Life. Please drop in sometime and say hello. We would love to show you our range.

Also we now list our mastectomy bras as both fashion and basic, you can check the fashion ones here.

Another Important Fundraiser.

So today finds Mark and me at the Brisbane North Chamber of Commerce Breast Cancer Fund Raiser Breakfast. Held at Wavell Services Club, it was an emotional time as we heard from a mother and daughter about their experience when mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. This lady's daughter was only 9 when her mother was diagnosed and was a real support  as mum went through the trials and tribulations that eventually saw her out the other end and feeling great.

Jo, Norm and me. Norm is a hoot!

A good turn out with Simon on the hunt selling raffle tickets!

Jo along with Maureen and her team from MHJ.

It was good to see the "usual suspects" there who come to support the breakfast every year. People like President Simon Penrose, Councillor Norm Wyndham and of course our pretty in pink (always) lady Jo Hasson.

And also great of Michael Hill Jewellers to be the major sponsor for these events too. It all helps to ensure more of the money taken on the day goes to Breast Cancer Research. There is still time for you to get to a Breast Cancer Fund raiser this month.. just Google it!

The boutique was very busy these past two days and it was not helped by a major computer/software issue that meant we were hand writing receipts. Thankfully all of this should be resolved by tomorrow.

I am having a week off next week and leaving Christina, Annie and Desleigh to run the show. Why not pop in and see them?

Cheers

Debra

It's October... breast cancer awareness month again.

So another October and another month of Breast Cancer awareness functions kicks off. These are very important as it both promotes awareness about breast cancer and also raises much needed funds for research into this dreadful disease. Tonight (Sunday) Mark and I have just returned from a small get together at Rochedale where some survivors of the diseases have put together a fabulous gathering of food, fun and music while they raise much needed research dollars. Sheila and her friends put this together at the local community centre and what a great night it was.

Shella and me in front of some of the amazing pink decorations.

Apart from the fun and food we heard from some brave cancer survivors, a clinical psychologist and I was also asked to speak about where Spirit of Life Boutique fits in with a patient's journey. Lots of fabulous prizes were raffled off including a gift voucher from Spirit of Life too. And even though I supported the raffle,  I didn't win any of the prizes, but that's OK as a lot of people went home with some fancy prizes and whole new perspective on how a breast cancer diagnosis affects people.

Yes.. that's me. Mark had his camera.. as usual!

Shella and I istening to the one of the speakers. All good things!

So if you get the chance, I would recommend that you attend one of the functions (there are many to choose from) to support research into breast cancer and to also learn more about this disease. It now affects 1 in 8 women.. and that is up from 1 in 12 not that long ago.

Next Wednesday we are off to the Brisbane North Chamber of Commerce Breast Cancer fundraiser. Might see you there?

Debra

Just working with our webmaster...

So ladies, I was just working with our webmaster adding a new bra from Amoena. Yes the Johanne underwire mastectomy bra with matching briefs is so really good. It will look great on you.. so I thought we would give you a sneak preview right here.

As this is a seasonal fashion it won't last long.

You can order one for yourself by following this link.


Cheers

Debra.

It's nearly over.. don't miss out!

So ladies.. only two more days of our April sale. Buy any two bras and get a 15% discount off both! And if you buy a new Amoena breast form at the same time as the bras, you will receive a free bottle of form wash valued at $9.95 and a striking Amoena beach bag valued at $37.95.

Thats a freebie to the value of $47.90 PLUS the 15% discount off the two bras of your choice from the Amoena range as well!

But don't delay.. this is an Amoena Factory Bonus and it must end on the 30th of April.

Look forward to seeing you in the boutique in the next two days!

Debra.

How old is your prosthesis?

We often see ladies who are wearing prostheses that are really long in the tooth. Sometimes they are held together with sticky tape and they have developed cracks or splits and are leaking. You do know that Medicare will provide a rebate (up to $400 ) every two years for a new prosthesis?

And when you consider that the prosthesis has a two year guarantee, well it makes sense to replace it every two years so that you will always have the protection of a manufacturer's warranty!

So don't be caught out like this lady.....

15th April 2016

Hello Debra.

Many thanks for posting my new breast prosthesis to me. It arrived this morning and I do appreciate the free postage too! I just wanted to say that I should have listened to you when you advised me to replace the old one when I was in your shop a few months ago. At the time it was very sticky with cracks appearing and you suggested to me then that it was well past its use by date. And at the time I thought I might get another year or two out of it.

To my horror I found out you were right when it sprung a big leak last week as I waited outside my grand daughter's school to collect her. I wondered why this lady was staring at me when finally she came over to me and asked if I was okay as a large dark stain had started to spread across my navy blouse.. it was the silicone leaking out I discovered when I returned home. Although as soon as I saw the wet patch I knew exactly what had happened, but having to explain it to a much younger woman was very embarrassing.

Next time, I will replace it when it is due and I am entitled to a Medicare rebate for it. Once again, many thanks for the speedy service and your expertise.

Your faithfully,

(Name & address withheld) 

Is your prosthesis too old? Ring the boutique today 0n (07) 3511 4222 and ask the girls to check if you are due for a new one. If you haven't changed size, they can mail one to you (free postage) and you will be set to go!

Cheers

Debra

Wow! Talk about busy.

Our newsletter is out and the response is amazing. (If you haven't received yours yet.. is is in the mail!) We actually started Friday with back to back fittings in the boutique. The Tracy bras are incredibly popular with their soft micro fibre pocket.

But all the new Amoena bras are brilliant .. so get in soon ladies for the best choice in sizes.

Looking forward to seeing you soon in the Boutique.