Madison Sullivan Thorpe (1:47)

I'm doing the red sweater you have to do doll.

Joanna Fleming (1:51)

Actually make one for it.

Anika Joshi Smith (1:52)

She actually doesn't have one, so that would be, like, the fantastic gift.

Joanna Fleming (1:55)

Leave it to me.

Anika Joshi Smith (1:55)

I can't wait, though, you guys. Honestly, I just. I'm going to miss you both so much. But you're going to be seeing me a lot. You'll be seeing her a lot, and I just can't wait for this next chapter.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (2:06)

Are you feeling good?

Anika Joshi Smith (2:07)

I am. I mean, look, I'm very, very just heavy at the moment. Everything hurts, everything aches. She's dropped, so she is in position she's like, it's actually so true what they say when you do drop because you feel like you can exhale, but then it just gets very heavy down in this region. So she could come right here, right now. Who knows? Maybe we'll deliver a baby in the studio.

Joanna Fleming (2:29)

I'm ready.

Anika Joshi Smith (2:30)

I know Jo would actually like. I would actually consider you quite a good birthing partner.

Joanna Fleming (2:34)

My mom's midwife. My mother in law's midwife.

Anika Joshi Smith (2:36)

How do we not know this?

Joanna Fleming (2:37)

Yeah, I'm good to go. I know nothing about it, but I back myself.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (2:41)

I'm really good administratively, so I would back me to stay calm and call the ambulance or I don't think that I'm the girl for the.

Anika Joshi Smith (2:48)

I don't know if I would say that you'd be staying calm. When we were running late for Jo's wedding, it was just like bloody mission impossible. You were so stressed.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (2:54)

We were gonna be 20 minutes late. And the invite very clearly stated, sharp. This one's like, I'm just gonna go to Woolies, get some snacks. And I was like, hey, well aware, it's 2, not 2:30, right?

Anika Joshi Smith (3:04)

I know I may have gotten dressed in the car park. I may. I may or may not have.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (3:08)

But half of Joe's wedding guest definitely saw Annika's nipples.

Anika Joshi Smith (3:11)

Yeah, they got way more action than they bargained for.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (3:14)

Anyway, we know that this is an audio. You have no idea what we look like or, you know, sometimes people will like turn around to me in a coffee shop and be like, do you? Are you on a podcast? I'm like, yeah. And they're like, weird. I never knew what you looked like. I was like, there you go. But we do have some little puppies in the studio. Annika is in a rather divine pale pink mum to be sash. I think it's probably the only time she's worn pale pink since she was six.

Anika Joshi Smith (3:35)

I look stunning. Thank you, producer Kate. She really decked me out today. And I also have my beautiful balloon behind me, which you can or cannot say. And I have a nice glass of non alcoholic Prosecco.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (3:47)

Now you're probably sitting at home listening to this. If you are a regular listener going, oh my goodness, what am I going to do without my favourite Kiwi accent? Well, rest assured, we have a very familiar face. Filling in on our Wednesday episodes, we have our Friday co host and chief commercial officer of Shameless Media, recent promotion. Well done, Reed. Go Riri Rhiannon Joyce. We are going to be mixing things up on our Friday episodes a little bit Our Friday fortnightly episodes are going to have some rotating, so. So Ray and I will be stepping on and off for certain episodes. We have our amazing head of socials, Naima Fatima, who is coming on for a couple of episodes and Priya McPherson, who's also joining us, who is a Melbourne brand founder here. So a little bit of change on the Friday episodes. A familiar face coming in. I mean, she's usually sat in your chair, riri, when you've been globetrotting, so hopefully you guys will enjoy having. Ray will no doubt miss you, Annika, and we cannot wait until you're back. And selfish. They can't wait, Mike. Regardless, from when we come over for

Anika Joshi Smith (4:43)

cuddles, I know we'll bring our new little Mae into the studio as well. I honestly think like every time I'm here she just is like, she's either like actively like moving because I think she's like getting amongst the cackles or she's just like calm and chill. So like she's just kind of like going to know you guys. You might be her little soothing buddies.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (5:00)

I mean between us and the sage girly, she's probably heard a lot of our voices.

Anika Joshi Smith (5:04)

She is like the secret keeper.

Joanna Fleming (5:06)

Yeah, she already knows what's up.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (5:07)

Yeah, she's like. Especially from that annoying five foot three brunette.

Anika Joshi Smith (5:10)

Too much. She knows your deepest, darkest secrets.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (5:13)

She's like, we get it, you love. Life's dry. Jo, what have you got for us?

Joanna Fleming (5:17)

All right, well today we are going to be sharing our go to work bags, something that's been highly requested in our DMs. And then we're answering an opinions please about building closer friendships as an adult. But first, what are we swapping in Arnika, it's your last in person one but you are going to be joining us kind of virtually from afar.

Anika Joshi Smith (5:34)

I am. I honestly think this one is quite funny. Like I just wanted to bring some humor, some light hearted humor to my. One of my last swap ins but.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (5:42)

Cause you don't usually.

Joanna Fleming (5:43)

Oh, you are.

Anika Joshi Smith (5:44)

I'm actually quite the joke book, I must say. Don't you think?

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (5:47)

That was the whole point of my sarcasm

Anika Joshi Smith (5:51)

but Angelica Hicks, have you guys seen her on Instagram?

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (5:54)

I don't think so.

Anika Joshi Smith (5:56)

Oh my goodness. You need to give her a follow. So she kind of recreates like infamous and really famous like viral looks of the moment. So like you'll see like a like beautiful Scaparelli dress on the red carpet like on Kendall Jenner and she will go and recreate the look at home in real time using, like household items. So it could be like, you know that beautiful dress that was like quite sculptural and like an hourglass, but then it had like a hip accent. So she'll like put pantyhose over her body. She'll shove like big pillows under there, make herself into like a little diaper. And then she always has like chocolates on hand. Like there's something about her I just gravitate towards.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (6:31)

What do you mean? She has chocol chocolates on him.

Anika Joshi Smith (6:33)

Always has chocolates. Like Ferrero Roches and just like little bits and pieces. She'll undo Ferrero Rocher, eat it, and then put the gold as her necklace, like from the case. She's hilarious. She kind of reminds me of Celis Barber.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (6:44)

Okay. Who we love homegrown talent.

Anika Joshi Smith (6:46)

So I think she just pokes fun at the fashion industry. She doesn't take herself too seriously. She's one of those, like good time girls. Like, she'll be the type of girl you would love to have a drink with.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (6:54)

You're looking at me. Yeah, I'm looking at you. Okay. Yeah, great. Thank you. So mine is also an Instagram account and it is at brand blueprint. Now this is just for my marketing girlies. If you love because of marketing, basically all the instruments. If you've loved any Instagram account that I've swapped in to this point, you'll love this one. Yeah, it's more of the same. Lots of greens, green, lots of like. Huh. How fascinating. Does a lot on like how great rebrands have worked or why a brand trip is landing or not landing. I just love her. It's super digestible. It's snackable. I love the phrase snackable content. I can't remember where I heard it. It was in a meeting room with someone. But it's like my favorite thing. It's like that content that you can just have like a little biki.

Anika Joshi Smith (7:35)

It's like bite sized baby.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (7:37)

Yeah, bite size baby. I just love it. And then the other thing I want to swap in is just because it's so cute and because you're having a little girl, I just think that maybe I can have another one. Amina Muadi have the cutest campaign right now. And ironically, I saw it on because of marketing and Annika and I saw it together. They've just encapsulated that perfect moment that every little girl will remember trying on your mum's heels at some point.

Anika Joshi Smith (7:58)

Yes.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (7:59)

And so their whole campaign video is just little girls tottering around in Amina Mori shoes, kind of replaying those moments where they're like giggling and just that pure start of life. Joy of just like nothing's, you know, too serious. You probably got a boo boo on your knee and the biggest, funnest thing to do is play in your mum's high heels. And I love that campaign. I'm like, bring back nostalgia that doesn't have to be like 90s based. They can be just like nostalgia of your life that everyone lives that little point.

Anika Joshi Smith (8:27)

Do you want to know something funny that's actually just triggered like a memory in my mind when I was little. My mum reckons the reason I have bunions is because I went through this phase. Right. Do you remember those little plastic high heel shoes in your dress up box? Yeah.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (8:38)

Clip clops.

Anika Joshi Smith (8:38)

Clip clops.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (8:39)

Did you call them clip clops?

Anika Joshi Smith (8:40)

I don't know what we called them. Probably princess slippers because I'm a princess.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (8:43)

Oh, yeah.

Anika Joshi Smith (8:43)

But anyway, of course. But my mum said I would not leave the house without those shoes on. Like any outfit, going to school, whatever. My feet, like, we all saw the diva pick. The diva had those shoes on and she was so ready. But Mum's like, that's why you've got bunions. I was like, well, what about you? You've got them too, doll.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (9:00)

I grew up in country vict. Can you imagine me at the supermarket in those? Because I love those. I ate shit one time in those so badly. Mum's like, we never let you wear them again. Like Mum's like, you on a tile in my hazard was a hazard. I mean me in a heel now, not a hazard.

Joanna Fleming (9:15)

My swap this week is some Aussie brands that are worth browsing at the moment. And I was kind of brought to bring this up because I saw Michelle Andrews wearing a very cool matching set from Jag last week on, or it might have been the week before on Shameless Socials and I think maybe stylish socials as well. And it was a little strappy like denim set from Jag, which I loved. And I actually have a few pieces from Jag and I think they do some good stuff, like, especially if you work in a corporate setting and you need corporate appropriate stuff or you just want casual stuff to wear on the weekends when you're just kind of like bumming around and, you know, taking kids to school sport and things like that where you don't necessarily want to put your activewear on but you want to be comfortable and casual.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (9:56)

Yeah.

Joanna Fleming (9:57)

I also bought recently from Decuba randomly. I have literally never shopped at Jacoba, but I bought a cropped trench from there for a trip that I'm about to go on. And I just need something like mid weight, not a full coat because it's going to be kind of spring, but it will still be fresh. So I bought that for myself. Really love it. It's got a nice final neck on it and it's like a thorny kind of color, but I do think it comes in a green and a dark brown. I actually didn't know it came in the dark brown at the time, but I probably would, as we know, would probably would have bought that color.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (10:27)

But I think we're nearing after pay sales. The time is near.

Joanna Fleming (10:30)

I might just get a second one. And the third brand was Seed. And the reason that I bring this up is because you're wearing your sculptural wedge today. My daring sculpture, they have some points with a sculptural, like a. Almost a cut out from the back of them. Do you know what I mean? A bit like those ones where it's just kind of like hollow at the back. Yeah, yeah. So they've released some points in a red, which I have, and then also another like fawny color, which I feel like are a little bit more. Yeah, versatile is probably the right word, but I'm obviously in my red era at the moment, so I've got the red ones.

Anika Joshi Smith (11:02)

I'm so here for it. And I want to add to this. So you know, your trench, your crop trench, you're just speaking about all the rave you guys coming up. Like, everyone is now kind of changing their links from being. We've done like the maxi trenches. We're doing things in a reimagined way. And a crop trench that can cinch and kind of has that soft peplum like we spoke about last year. But bring her in, give her a little bit of shape. But playing with proportions.

Joanna Fleming (11:26)

Okay. So Annika said, I'm cool and you're so cool. I'm happy.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (11:30)

And I had my little crop Henny trench on last night.

Anika Joshi Smith (11:32)

I know. You look divine. I saw that. Do you know what? I almost wore mine today.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (11:36)

It's a bit hot.

Anika Joshi Smith (11:37)

Mine, guys. I walked in in like a full fit and yeah, we've just had to

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (11:41)

remove some layers, remove some clothing. Decuber's CEO Audrey is a legend from all accounts. Miranda was at an event of theirs recently, and apparently she is just the coolest person in the whole world. Oh, and fun fact, I hosted a charity event last Sunday Audrey was on the panel. I messaged her cold LinkedIn message. I was like, hey, any chance? It's a long weekend? It's a Sunday morning. People have lives. She replied in like 10 minutes and was like, girl, I'm there. Count me in.

Joanna Fleming (12:07)

Oh, okay.

Anika Joshi Smith (12:08)

You know what?

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (12:08)

Nothing has made me want to go and shop out to Cuba more than that.

Joanna Fleming (12:11)

Well, there you go.

Anika Joshi Smith (12:13)

Much like our plain white tanks and pinky nude lipsticks, you can never have too many pairs of sneakers. Even if they look similar to the untrained eye, we know they're all completely unique from their comfort levels to their slightly different colorways. Sneakers are just one of those things. You can never have too many. That's what we thought when we spotted the new Adistar Control 5 from JD Sports. Even if you think your sneaker collection is done, these are a whole new vibe. Paying tribute to the iconic running silhouettes of the 2000s. They blend today's Y2K trend with function and comfortable. Trust me when I say these are one comfortable shoe. Constructed with elastic adiprene technology, it's basically like walking on clouds. Style wise, they're throwing it back to the early noughties with the iconic open Mesh upper and Y2K inspired silver metallic details. We're obsessed. You'll be reaching for the Adistar Control 5 every weekend. Find them in store and online at JD Sports. And thank you so much to JD Sports for making this episode of Stylish possible. Okay, so welcome to our styling suite. We've noticed some DMS from listeners around work bags recently and this is one of the call outs that we got from a listener saying desperately, I need your advice. I can't find a work bag that fits everything I need and looks cute. Girl, me too. Because finding a work bag that you like aesthetically that also can fit everything you need on a day to day basis isn't always easy. So we're going to share our favorites with you today. Okay, girls, tell me your work bag.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (13:42)

One is from Naked Vice. It's the Tilda. It's a black leather tote. You want to know how you know a work bag's good. It can hold two laptops. I feel like a corporate equivalent of like a guy on Wall street with like his BlackBerry and his iPhone. When I have two laptops, but I generally have them both with me at all times. I can carry two laptops. I've got notebooks in there. I've got pen, I've got paper. I've got 47 lip glosses. That's Great. And the other brand that I love, I have two bags from them that I've used for work is Verstersi, which is. They're all Aussie brands.

Anika Joshi Smith (14:15)

Yeah. We love the Aussies.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (14:17)

Oryton as well.

Joanna Fleming (14:18)

Let's cover off what goes in the work bag. You've said two laptops. I don't personally leave the house often to go to work. Like, I come here to the studio and that is my only time we're leaving the house.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (14:28)

I love when you bring, like, a little tiny bag, too. Yeah.

Joanna Fleming (14:31)

I always just have, like, a little tight because my laptop's at home.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (14:33)

I don't need it.

Anika Joshi Smith (14:34)

I'm like, I got a lip liner.

Joanna Fleming (14:37)

So for most people, we need to fit one laptop because most of us are not carrying around two, Your lunch, your miscellaneous accessories, like your sunglasses, maybe a little makeup bag, a few lip products, potentially hand cream. Sometimes maybe gym clothes. If you're going to or from the gym or Pilates before or after work, you might carry those things as well. So you need, obviously, space in a work bag. So that's really the criteria that we're trying to hit in this.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (15:03)

Yeah. Do you know what I think as well as the criteria? As I said, sometimes a base is good, so there's, like, a structure to the bag that it's not just like a big sack. So I think things kind of all just, like, gravitate to the bottom in the middle, and then you're, like, just rummaging through until you hear the tinkering sound of your keys and you're like, bingo. But when you're on the porch, like, 8 o' clock at night, and maybe the light hasn't turned on.

Anika Joshi Smith (15:23)

No.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (15:24)

Someone isn't there to turn it on for you. It's like. So I think a base is sometimes helpful or a structure to the bag that at least emulates a base. Also, thicker handles. Like, I think if you're someone who is. Sorry, Joe, to leave you out of this one, but, Annika, we are both carrying a laptop.

Anika Joshi Smith (15:40)

Yeah.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (15:40)

Maybe a physical diary or a, you know, leather book or something. Like, you want a thicker strap because if you're walking from, like, the train station or from the car park and it's like a bit of a hike.

Anika Joshi Smith (15:49)

Yeah.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (15:50)

A thin strap. One, you're at risk of it snapping if everything's too heavy. Or two, it's just painful on your shoulder.

Anika Joshi Smith (15:55)

It's true.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (15:56)

Yeah.

Anika Joshi Smith (15:57)

It's so true. I actually have a pet peeve when it comes to finding work bags. Like, I don't know what it is. And you guys need to tell me if you've actually found a bag or if your bag does have this. But so many work bags do not have zippers.

Joanna Fleming (16:10)

Yeah.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (16:10)

Have you noticed July drew bags with a zipper and I think so.

Anika Joshi Smith (16:14)

She's a travel bag.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (16:15)

Yes.

Joanna Fleming (16:15)

But she works as a work bag. This is going to be my recommendation. Okay, July, Juliet.

Anika Joshi Smith (16:21)

I have this bag as well. She's my travel bag.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (16:23)

I'm going to just be the disclosure police here that we all got gifted one of those bags. We did. Yes. We do have that bag.

Anika Joshi Smith (16:29)

I find it too big for my day to day for work. Like, she's just that bit too big for me. And so when it comes to, like, my requirements for work has to be sturdy. Like I have tried in the past having canvas bags and different textures, like even a suede. But because of how much I travel, I want that bag to be durable enough that it can go under a seat on top of the overhead. It can literally. If I spill my water bottle, which happens all the freaking time, or my lunch spills. Bane of my existence. Disgusting. Disgusting.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (17:00)

Have you ever had a yopo go in there? Cuz let me tell you, girl, never been more grateful to have a leather rather than a fabric work bag when the yogi is gone and just had a dance party on the base.

Anika Joshi Smith (17:11)

It's not cute. It's not cute. It does. But I literally just find like, I love your point as well about the handles because having a top handle as well I think is really important, especially when you're on the go. And the size for me is just. It's crazy. There's like, I actually toggle between a few bags and I'm in the market for a new bag at the moment and I've got a few recommendations. Baby bag, well, that's what I would like it to double as. So now I'm kind of thinking about textures again and then compartments. So compartments is something I find also that I kind of struggle with when it comes to looking for a perfect work bag. Because you want it to fit your laptop, you want to make sure you've got like zip ups for any kind of like wallets, keys, all those important things, but then sometimes they're not like the most practical size. Yeah, it's really. Maybe I should start a bag brand.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (18:00)

I mean, I feel like we've just witnessed a light bulb moment. Might I also suggest there are like, little compartment things that you can buy to insert in your bag? Like bag.

Anika Joshi Smith (18:08)

Yes. But if your bag doesn't have a zipper and they fall out, then you're.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (18:11)

Yeah, okay. So hence why you need the zipper. Do you know who else have really good work bags? I'm like going to lean on a viral TikTok here or a viral tick tock trend target. We're doing like 100 suede bags and I think they were like 90 or 100, which. Great. I mean, I'm not saying that's cheap for a bag, but it's cheap for 100 swag.

Anika Joshi Smith (18:26)

It is.

Joanna Fleming (18:26)

I don't think they have a zip on them though.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (18:28)

No, I'm not solving your sip crisis there. It was just a light bulb, Mom. For those who don't feel as passionate about zips as you do, I put

Joanna Fleming (18:35)

it in my group chat and asked a few of my friends what they use just so that we could get

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (18:40)

more feedback, you know, for those dressing gown.

Joanna Fleming (18:43)

Yeah, exactly. Because I just felt in equipped to answer that question. So one of my friends uses the Tony Bianco Zulu tote bag which is like a woven faux leather bag. I don't believe that has a zip on it.

Anika Joshi Smith (18:54)

Yeah.

Joanna Fleming (18:55)

Another friend uses the Country Road Hobo Shopper which she said was better for public transport because it's a little bit more secure.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (19:01)

Yes.

Joanna Fleming (19:02)

Sort of open to the public.

Anika Joshi Smith (19:04)

Yeah.

Joanna Fleming (19:04)

And my sister in law has the age untold landscape tote which she said she likes because it looks a little bit more like classic and like a proper handbag, not a work bag. Looks a bit more put together.

Anika Joshi Smith (19:15)

Okay.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (19:16)

I feel like they're all coming to me now. Camila and Mark also do some great tote work bags.

Anika Joshi Smith (19:21)

Yes.

Joanna Fleming (19:22)

Pretty as well.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (19:23)

Yeah.

Joanna Fleming (19:24)

You want something that's washable.

Anika Joshi Smith (19:25)

Preen is so good because it is washable. And I feel like they really dabble into the trends as well. Like you know how you've got that really beautiful sort of acne woven style? Praying have done that as well. One bag that I'm actually using at the moment is Alio and it is very similar to that woven trend we're seeing as well. But I think you'd like this one, Mads, because it's deep enough that it has got like a really good structured base. And it's actually kind of my Mary Poppins bag. Like there is so much in that bag, but again doesn't have the zipper closure. So I'm constantly like worried if I travel with it.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (19:55)

Okay. So I like a base and a thick handle. You like a zipper and you like, like staying home. I was trying to find an inclusive se I was going to say cute little bags of any size.

Anika Joshi Smith (20:09)

Yes.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (20:09)

Rapid fire. What is always in our work bags? Jo, not to leave you out, but I think Arnica will go first with you.

Anika Joshi Smith (20:15)

Okay. Top five. Ready?

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (20:16)

Yep.

Anika Joshi Smith (20:17)

Rhode lip balms. Panadol Hydrolyte. I don't go anywhere without it.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (20:21)

Hydro Mama.

Anika Joshi Smith (20:22)

Hydromama. And I've actually been cheating on Hydro Mama with two islands as well. I know. It's so good, you guys. Earpods and canned tuna. Oh, so rogue. I know.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (20:33)

Character rock. Yeah.

Joanna Fleming (20:35)

What I used to take to the office in my bag. Eclipse Mints. Hand sanitizer.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (20:40)

Yep.

Joanna Fleming (20:42)

Spare panty liner. Yep. You just never know when you're gonna need it.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (20:45)

Character arc.

Joanna Fleming (20:46)

Yep. And what else? Lip products. Like 10 lip liners. You just never know. Yeah. You.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (20:52)

I'm gonna do what you did. Cause I liked that. Lip products, I'm just gonna put into one, but no, there's about 27 floating in there. Sodi. I've always got a Sodi. I have one every day. I always have Dettol. I always have my headphones. I don't want to use my AirPods anymore. I'm sick of trying to look for them. I'm sick of having to use the Find My feature. I've gone back to wire headphones. I love them. I love everything about them.

Anika Joshi Smith (21:14)

They're trending.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (21:15)

What else do I always have? Tampons. I always have tampons. I actually don't get my period. Probably all that much to warrant as many as I have. But I am always the girl you want in the office when someone's like, who's got tampons?

Joanna Fleming (21:27)

Band aids is another one for me.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (21:28)

Yes.

Anika Joshi Smith (21:29)

I reckon you're missing something. Your pack and go. Toothbrushes.

Joanna Fleming (21:32)

Yes.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (21:33)

Oh, my God. Yeah. I mean, I've got a makeup bag. I've got my mini toothbrushes. I've got a phone charger. I've got another cord if someone needs a usb. Usc. I've usually got product samples from like you want. You tell me. 5.

Joanna Fleming (21:46)

It's no secret. We're major skincare enthusiasts here at Stylish, and we love sharing new products on our radar. At the top of our wish list right now is the Medicaid Niacinamide Peptide Serum. It makes some big claims, but it's got receipts to back it up. Thanks to an ultra gentle but highly potent ingredient complex, this multi benefit serum is proven to target pores, congestion, redness and excess oil, delivering a visible glass like Glow. Upgrade your routine with Medicaite. Starting with the new niacinamide peptides. A huge thank you to Medicaid for making this episode of Stylish possible. Alright, it's time for Opinions Please, which is where we talk about our listeners problems and we try and solve them for them. And today's Opinions Please came in from listener Lily. Hi Mads, Jo and Annika, Coming to you with a dilemma I find pretty embarrassing. I'm 28 and I have barely any close friendships aside from siblings, cousins and maybe two high school friends. I don't really have any friends. I've always been a little bit shy and my family moved around a lot when I was younger, so I didn't really get much of a chance to develop these lifelong friendships lots of people make when they're younger. I thought things would get better during university, but I lived at home while studying and found it really hard to turn a polite chat in a lecture or tutorial into a full blown friendship. I now have people at work I'm friendly with, but they've never asked to hang out outside of work and I feel like I don't know how to deepen friendships as an adult. I feel like I've missed out on so much already by not having any old friendships and I don't want to let the fear of rejection stop me from trying to make friends in my late 20s. You all seem to have such solid groups of girlfriends and I really admire how you speak about your friends on the show. So my question is this. How do you develop really solid friendships as an adult? And how can you turn an acquaintance or work friend into a proper intimate friendship? I would love to hear any tips you three might have. P.S. thanks for being such a comfort for me. I listen every week and you three have made me feel so much less lonely. Love, Lily. We love you Lily.

Anika Joshi Smith (23:34)

Right now. We love you, Lily. You're not alone.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (23:36)

You got three and a half friends over here. Four and a half if you want to count Kate. Kate Producer Kate I just want to start by saying female friendships are the best. They just are. And I love how much of girlhood and friendship is shared online. I'm really fortunate that when I say that that warms my heart because I feel that I have that. I can't help but feel it would be a really lonely place to be on the. It's probably the loneliest time to be on the Internet though, when that is what is on there right now.

Anika Joshi Smith (24:07)

Yeah.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (24:08)

So I want to start by saying I really empathize with Lily or anyone who's maybe moved around or had changes in seasons of life and feeling a little disconnected or a little lonely. I find this question fascinating because I think a lot of the time tenured friendships are really celebrated. And I have, well, tenured friendships. But I would also say in the last five years I've experienced a lot of change in my life. And as a result, I've made really deep, meaningful friendships that have intensified so quickly because in those last five years I've really become, particularly last, probably three, really sure of who I am and a lot more comfortable being myself very quickly, very openly, take it or leave it. So I think I've formed friendships really quickly. So I loathe that kind of sentiment that the only good friends are tenured friendships. Because the beauty of tenured friendships is you see people in all these facets of life and you see these different life stages and you love them. There's like this respect and love of like being able to show up no matter how people change and the stages or, you know, life cycles they go through. There's also something really lovely about being a fully formed adult with, you know, maybe a more solid belief system and morals and values and lived experience and going, hey, I meet you here. And we. We align.

Anika Joshi Smith (25:21)

Yeah.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (25:21)

Bloody fantastic. We haven't had to form and mold to that.

Joanna Fleming (25:24)

Yeah.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (25:24)

We're like, no, we're here. But they're also friendships that you might find in a lot of unexpected places. And they do involve, unfortunately, big acts of bravery. Like, hey, what are you doing tonight after work? Like, we should go get a drink. Or when you're doing the Friday drinks, like, oh, would anyone want to go maybe for dinner after? Like, if we're going at 5 o' clock on a Friday, we could do a 6:30 reservation. We keep saying we all love the look of that Thai place.

Anika Joshi Smith (25:51)

Yeah.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (25:51)

What do you guys feel like? Where have you met your closest friends?

Joanna Fleming (25:55)

One thing that I wanted to note about Lily's submission was that she said she's quite shy and she also said that the people at work haven't initiated anything, which tells me that maybe she also hasn't initiated anything.

Anika Joshi Smith (26:06)

Yeah.

Joanna Fleming (26:06)

And that's where that big act of bravery comes in, of getting out of the small talk zone, of just going to get your cup of tea in the communal cafeteria together.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (26:16)

Yeah.

Joanna Fleming (26:16)

And it bursts open into more of a friendship because you're, you've got more to talk about, you've got more in common and it's a great place to start when you work together.

Anika Joshi Smith (26:23)

Yeah.

Joanna Fleming (26:24)

Because you have this mutual thing in Common that you can already talk about at length.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (26:28)

Trauma bonding. Yeah, exactly.

Joanna Fleming (26:30)

Like, I have so many friendships as an adult from my workplaces. However, I will say that I've worked in female dominated industries, so making girlfriends has never been a challenge for me.

Anika Joshi Smith (26:41)

Yeah.

Joanna Fleming (26:42)

After school because I went into female dominated places and I actually made friends with a lot of people that were a lot older than me. I didn't just try and make friends with people that were my age because I was the youngest there for a really long time. And so some of my like work friends are like 10, 15 years older than me and I still catch up with them to this day. Like my first reception job in a cosmetic clinic. I still see those girls to this day.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (27:05)

I love that though. Yeah, that's because you didn't have the prejudice of what they a friend in that workplace should look like.

Anika Joshi Smith (27:10)

Totally. Yeah. And I think that's it as well. It's like sometimes it does just take being a little bit brave and actually breaking out of your comfort zone. You already probably have so much in common working in the same environment. Like, I've had quite a few different roles in my, I would say my 20s. I did have quite a few different roles, different opportunities, and you kind of just have to break the ice somehow. Whether it's like noticing patterns, what time everyone gets a daily coffee, whether or not you just say, hey, you can see someone might be having a bad day or you can sense like something happens in the office. Be aware, pick up on those tones and moments and be like, hey, do you just want to grab a quick coffee together or do you feel like stretching your legs and getting some air? Should we go to this? Oh, I noticed you like matcha. Like little things that you can do. And I know it can be a little bit awkward at this age because it is, I mean, like, you know, that innocence of being a child on the playground and just making friends. Because the sky is blue. Oh my God, the sky is blue. I like blue. That was so random. But like that doesn't. I think in adulthood you can kind of be a little bit like more reserved. You're just kind of little bit more shy, which is so normal, but just breaking their eyes and kind of picking up on things that people do. That was something I used to do in the office. And like even like, you know, you don't want to eavesdrop, but sometimes you do. And like if someone came to work and like they were like bitching with their boyfriend on the phone or just like, hey, are you okay? Like, is everything all right? Do you want to take a quick five together?

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (28:33)

Yeah.

Anika Joshi Smith (28:33)

You can form some really beautiful friendships. And I'm quite lucky in that regard because when I moved to Melbourne, I was in my early 20s and I was still figuring things out. I was still quite shy. But you find those things you have in common, and you can use that to really build some beautiful friendships.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (28:48)

I love that notion, too. And I also think, like, when I moved teams internally at a business at one point, and I remember, like, they all went to Kohl's to go and get stuff to make their lunch, like, every day. And, like, I was always, like, racing in and out of meetings. But, like, you know, there were times that I was like, okay, go for the walk to Coles. Or, like, there was one group that always went to sushi. And I'm like, I don't really feel like sushi as many times as I ate it. But if that's where the crowd went, I was like, it's, you know, 30 minutes that you're spending with that group. And at the very least, you form better friendships at work. It doesn't always mean you hang out after. But I love the notion of, like, friends in unlikely places because I have a group that I still catch up with. We all work together at Bega. I don't want to get anyone's ages wrong, but There's Carla, who's mid-40s. She's a mum of a beautiful little girl who's in primary school. There's Mossy, our token straight male. I don't know how he made it into the group, but he's probably all of our favorites. He was in category. Like, he has no reason, being in the girls club. Like, he should have been in some macho boys club at Vega, but instead he's with us. I want to say he's like, late 30s. In my mind. We're all the same age we were when we worked together, like, seven years ago. Phoebe, she's a mum of two. She's in her mid-30s. Miranda, I met Miranda at work. And people are always like, how did you two meet people? I think people think because, like, we go to events and stuff now that we met each other there. I'm like, hell, no. I met her one day when I got in her car because I lied and said that I, too, would need to know where the car parking is, because I was too embarrassed to say that I was 25 without a license. Not because I lost it, because I never got one. I'm like, oh, yeah. I didn't drive today, so I'll just. And I got in the car and I was like, deep moment of vulnerability, Miranda, I'm pathetic. I don't actually have my license. I know that I don't know you. And then I look down and she goes, I'm so sorry that my car is a shit show. And I'm so sorry. I've got like three things of collagen on the fl. I know it's probably placebo, but I love that shit. And I was like, I think I've just found my new favourite person in the whole world.

Anika Joshi Smith (30:39)

Yeah, we're gonna get along great.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (30:40)

I know you're shy, Lily, and what I would urge you to think about is what is worth being shy or not having connection. And sometimes it's those little acts of bravery and, I mean, I'm very self deprecating. We talk about that a lot. The one thing that I will say about humour and the ability to have a little laugh at your own expense is that it completely disarms someone straight away. And I think vulnerability is a superpower. And vulnerability doesn't always have to be like, I had a terrible weekend because I cried all of a sudden. Like, you know, vulnerability can be like, oh, my God, I was such a shamuzzle. I've got to wear a bra today to work. Like, how? I mean, don't say that too, you know, like your male boss.

Joanna Fleming (31:18)

Yeah.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (31:18)

You know, like if you're one of the girls and you're getting a match and you're like, I reckon I can break the fourth wall here. Yeah. Or you're like, oh, my God, I got my period on the train last night and I. Can you fucking believe it? Like, there's just those funny little moments where you have a laugh at your own excitement and someone goes, oh, my God, I can be a bit silly around you. Or like, I don't have to feel like everything's put together all the time. Because I think personally for me, that's what's sort of like bulldozed through immediacy of friendships is that I'm like, no, I'm not going to be off limits. I'm not going to hide who I am because you'll love it or you'll hate it.

Anika Joshi Smith (31:51)

Yeah, 100%. When you can be unapologetically yourself and just like, not take yourself too seriously as well, I think that's when you can really have those, like, beautiful kind of moments where people are like, like, huh, she might be my silly friend. Or, huh, she might Be that friend for me that I know I can go to and rely on, which is important in any environment.

Joanna Fleming (32:08)

And I would argue that work is the easiest place to meet friends because you're stuck together like a thousand percent. They can't just leave. But it would be harder in an environment like you see the same girl at Pilates, you go to the same class on a Monday morning together, but you're rushing off to get to work or whatever it is. But maybe you plant the seed of one day. We should grab a coffee afterwards, like, if we get time. Or do you maybe want to go to the Saturday class? I'm going to start going to Saturdays. We should go together.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (32:34)

Yeah.

Joanna Fleming (32:34)

Or like, you know, try and initiate something outside of it. Because you're always going to stay in the small talk zone.

Anika Joshi Smith (32:39)

Yeah.

Joanna Fleming (32:39)

If you only stay in that one environment if it's not work.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (32:42)

Yeah. And if it's not work as well. There's a lot of other things. And I know run clubs get spoken about all the time. And look, I used to run a lot. I don't run nearly as much now. And I'd never loved it in a group, so I don't blame you if you don't want to go to a run club. That's not the only one. There's book clubs, there's walking groups. Now there's things like clubs, fantastic initiatives. When brands are hosting community events. Like when kick are doing, like a walking event. Go to one of those. Like, yes, it's brave. I loved the stylish event that we did with New Balance. There were girls that were coming and one girl was like, oh, my God, I wasn't gonna come. My girlfriend from work pulled out and I was like, oh, my God, what am I gonna do by myself? I was like, you stay right here. This other lovely girl over here also works in government. Let me go, I'll introduce you to. You've both come along. It's like, I don't know, I got. I hope they went and got a wine. They seem like they hit it off. But those moments, it's like if all you get is connection, fantastic. If you get something more than that, you get friendship. Yeah. And also those little moments when I think, even if you only have a couple of friends, if they invite you to a birthday or they say you should meet such and such, come to a drink with us. Or I'm meeting with all my friends. Join us.

Joanna Fleming (33:43)

Yeah.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (33:43)

It can feel awkward when you're like, the odd one out and. Yeah, there will be awkward moments. They'll laugh about a time they're away together or whatever.

Anika Joshi Smith (33:49)

Yeah.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (33:50)

But they become less and less. And I think those little moments of bravery are really lovely and important as well, because best friend in laws are great. It's like, introduce someone to someone else and it fills your cup. Like, I love it. I love bringing friends all together. I'm like, it's like a Disney Channel crossover episode. I'm like, I got Hannah Montana, the Suite Life of Zack and Cody. I've got Selena Gomez. Like, get along, become friends. Because it's way easier when I can hang out with one lot of you than have to fragment you all off

Anika Joshi Smith (34:19)

the meshing of the friendship groups. I love it. Like, actually, through both of you, I've like, met all of your people or a lot of your people, and it's been instant. Like, oh, yeah, it'll make sense. And it's like they gravitate towards each other. Oh, my God, the baby shower's a hoot. But it's like we literally, like, all gravitate towards each other's people now. But it's like the three of us also met, like, well, actually, I met both of you through this podcast. You guys were already acquainted and it's like, look at us now. Yeah.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (34:44)

Do you know what I love as well? Recently, I've been thinking about this because I, you know, it depends the industry you're in, right? You might go to industry networking events that aren't just your work. And being in certain industries, you know, people will reach out and be like, love to get a coffee. I went for a wine recently with Zara, one of the co founders of the Daily Aus. She messaged me out of the blue and was like, hey, I'm in Melbourne, I'd love to get a wine. And I had heard the best things about her. She's probably one of the most highly spoken about people I've ever met, like, heard of. And she sent me a really lovely message months ago, just being like, hey, I just want you to know I had this really lovely compliment about you and I wanted to share it. That made my entire month. And she didn't know I was just having the worst fucking month of my life. And we went for a wine on a Tuesday night and don't usually drink midweek. I don't like it. We got there at 8. We were like, it's 10:45, they're gonna close, so we better go. I was like, I now have someone I can call a new friend. I did feel a bit nervous. I Felt like I was going on a date. And also she's really fucking smart. And I was like, I felt a bit dumb. Dumb. But we had the time of our lives. And I'm like, had I not just been. I mean, she was brave because she asked me, you know, I was less brave, but still brave to say so.

Joanna Fleming (35:48)

That's an example of when you have a little bit of bravery, you can get a connection that's mutually beneficial to each of you because you're both going to feel something out of that exchange 100%.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (35:57)

And that was through, I would say, you know, industries and friends of friends and all those things. But I also think if you go to like some networking event that's like, I know business chicks doesn't exist anymore, but there's things like social summit or like big brand events, or it might be that you work in food and wine and you go to the Melbourne Good Food and wine show, like, be like, well, I'd love to talk work with you. You don't know where that's going to transpire.

Anika Joshi Smith (36:18)

Is there like a Bumble for friends or something? Yes.

Joanna Fleming (36:22)

Bff.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (36:22)

Bumble. Bff.

Joanna Fleming (36:23)

Yeah.

Anika Joshi Smith (36:23)

I feel like there's so many things in this day and age where there could be. Like, if you're, like, scared to do it in person, build up a little courage online.

Joanna Fleming (36:30)

Yeah.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (36:31)

That's all for this week's episode of Stylish. Arnica Joshi Smith. Thank you and goodbye. Just for a little while.

Joanna Fleming (36:38)

Good luck. We'll miss you.

Anika Joshi Smith (36:40)

I know. So long, our Vita Zen. Goodbye.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (36:46)

I'm gonna pretend that that was the baby that made you not quite hit that pitch because it's sitting a little too high. Remember, you can drop us an email anytime@style-ishamelessmedia.com or you can slide into our DMs over Yelishpod. I don't think this is the first or last time we'll hear about this, so if you have any recommendations of groups or things that you do in your area, let us know. We can pop them on socials. We can always share. We also can't forget to thank the team who make it all happen, Shameless Media's head of podcast, Lucy Hunt, and our senior podcast producer, Kate Emma Burke. Bye. Bye, baby. Oh, my God, I can't wait for her to listen.

Anika Joshi Smith (37:19)

I know you guys will put it to slate. Probably.

Joanna Fleming (37:21)

Well, thanks.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (37:22)

I know.

Joanna Fleming (37:23)

She's so sweet.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (37:24)

I thought we might get her first giggle, but sure, I guess whatever works. Love you.

Anika Joshi Smith (37:30)

Love ya. This podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri land. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

Ruby Hall (37:50)

Hello, it's Ruby hall here. I'm the host of Shameless Media's interview show, Inherited. New interviews drop every single Tuesday. And now you can find the full length video version of these interviews on Spotify. This week, I speak to British pop artist Maisie Peters. Maisie is only 25. She signed with Ed Sheeran, who she casually refers to as her boss, has made her Glastonbury debut and supported Taylor Swift at the ERAS tour. Look, here's a quick snippet of our conversation.

Joanna Fleming (38:20)

I think you're gonna love it.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (38:21)

My manager calls me and he says, what are you doing August 19th? And I am just not really paying attention because I'm in this shop and I'm like, oh, I don't know, like, what am I doing August 19th? And he was like, would you like to support her at the ERAS tour? And it was a huge moment. I mean, yeah, literally a dream come true. I ran into the changing room while my sister was getting changed into. She was trying something on and I was like, ellen, you will not believe what I've just been told to listen

Ruby Hall (38:43)

to my chat with Maisie in full. Just search Inherited on your favorite podcast app right now. New Inherited episodes drop every single Tuesday in the feed.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe (38:52)

So I'll see you then.