"a well spent day brings happy sleep" - da Vinci

I took a day off work today.  It was probably a bad idea seeing as it was the last day of the month, but I did it for me and I have no regrets.

I didn't sleep in, instead I spent the day volunteering for a room full of Business Chicks with Mia Freedman as the key note speaker.  I love giving my time when I get the chance, while learning along the way.

Simply put, Business Chicks is a network for working women.  Through an online community and regular breakfast, lunch and casual networking functions, working women get a chance to not only dress up and get out of the office but also find new clients and meet other friendly, ambitious business women.  Don't forget those business cards! 

You can read more about Emma Isaacs, the CEO of Business Chicks and as well as read her blog here.

I love and admire Mia Freedman.  She's a beautiful woman but also a successful one.  She was editor of Australian Cosmo magazine at age 24.  She's a mother, entrepreneur and somebody who isn't afraid to share her opinions - be it on fashion, what Kim Kardashian wore last night or her dislike of the opposition leader.  As a woman it's empowering to know that there are women in this world who can do what they love, do it on their own terms and still maintain a marriage and motherhood. (don't worry Mia, we do know it's not all glam).  Mia shares her often unglamourous daily experiences with us through her blog and also her column in Sunday Life.  Sunday papers are my weakness, the regular readers of my blog would know that.  Her column always leaves me pondering and forming an opinion, getting into an argument with myself.

Today she spoke from the heart, without notes, without a script.  A raw, witty and honest overview of her life and particularly her fight to show "real" women in fashion magazines.  And all coupled with a slideshow of images of the real Mia, sans make up and unafraid of poking fun at herself for this outfit choice... (I found it on your blog Mia!)

Mia opens up even further in her memoir about life at the very top of the fashion magazine world (editor in chief of Cosmo, Cleo & Dolly which reach 72% of Australian women), a rough foray into television, the loss of an unborn child...

I had the pleasure of chatting to Mia for a few moments before she left and I'm really looking forward to reading her books over the weekend (even though I should be studying).  I've felt a bit flat lately, but I'm feeling inspired and motivated all over again after such a lovely day....

Wishing you all a lovely weekend... x