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When people ask what my job is like, I reason that it’s an impossible question since no two days are ever really the same. I hope this proves what I mean.
Between getting around the city for various appointments, endless meetings, and emails, emails, emails, there’s a lot that goes into the work of fashion journalists besides just online shopping and runways.
But as chaotic as the weeks can get, there’s always a way to find a bit of balance—and if not, being able to get up and go elsewhere is always a great option. For this particularly busy week, I borrowed the new Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid SUV to help me get around.
Ahead, a play-by-play of a week in my life as GRAZIA’s new Fashion Features Editor.
Wednesday
It’s not quite the start of the week, but Mondays and Tuesdays are for getting back into the swing of things, no? Either way, I know it will be a busy few days—not that it’s ever anything but—so I’m already tossing up a quick weekend trip from the moment I wake up.
6 am: I get up before my alarm, and it’s already a very hot day. I partake in my usual routine of taking my dog for a walk—grabbing some fresh Foccacia on the way back home—before making some breakfast to enjoy in the sun.
Getting up early when it’s sunny feels like a time hack. I’m not on the clock and don’t have anyone emailing me, so I can catch up on the news and prepare for the day in relative peace.
8 am: Now I am on the clock, and writing up some fashion news pieces for our digital site. Halfway through working, I realise I haven’t had coffee, so I finish my articles in a local cafe. I really enjoy not being chained to my desk, as I feel like I get more done when I switch up my surroundings.
7 pm: I head to the National Arts School, where our favourite New Zealand beauty brand Emma Lewisham is hosting a celebration… featuring an intimate performance by Florence + The Machine. Yes, you read that correctly. Parking in the city is never easy, but the Corolla Cross’ advanced parking assistance and pre-collision safety system is a godsend. I’m even notified of what’s happening in my blindspots which is super important when I’m in a rush.
After some champagne and canapés, we’re ushered into the great hall for the performance. Trying to describe the room’s energy would be in vain, but it’s definitely a night I’ll never forget.
Thursday
6:30 am: I get up and embark on the usual routine of attending to my dog’s every waking need—driving her to new places to wee, as the grass in Surry Hills is a bit ‘been there, done that’. I’m still reeling from the night before, and the one too many champagnes—so I settle on cereal (Nutrigrain, if you’re curious) and start work early, given the day is a busy one!
11:30 am: I head to meet with my director, Jess, and partnerships manager, Laura. We take advantage of the nice day by skipping Zoom and meeting IRL at Bill’s for scrambled eggs and coffee. Naturally, we get carried away and must run off to our next appointment.
12:30 pm: Jess and I jump in the Toyota to head to several PR showings, and I’m already obsessed with this car’s start button—it saves the busy key-searching in my giant tote bag. The showings aren’t too far, but I like any excuse to drive. We ooh and ah at stunning new fashion drops, catch up with clients, and learn what our favourite brands are getting up to.
3:30 pm: Back at home, I type away at my laptop and get through a slew of emails, but before I know it, I’m needed elsewhere.
6 pm: Tonight, I am likely the closest I will ever be to Cate Blanchett and Jennifer Lopez. At Giorgio Armani’s Martin Place store, special guests include six gowns from the brand that have actually been worn on the Oscars red carpet. Some wearers include the aforementioned women, along with Glenn Close and Sharon Stone. A glittery strapless number Naomi Watts wore to the 2016 Academy Awards had me particularly starstruck.
Friday
7 am: I get up a little late, and fetch a pastry for breakfast. Friday mornings are probably my favourite, but I remind myself that I have a full day of working ahead before the weekend.
8 am: With not much to deter me, I have the most ‘normal’ day of the week. By this, I mean that there’s little to interrupt my work, and I can write, write, write away.
6 pm: I clock off for the week, and the urge to head to a pub is luckily felt throughout the whole house. Alice, my dog, is very happy about this and joins us.
By the night’s end, I think about planning for the weekend. There’s nothing unmovable on the calendar, and it’s been a big week—only followed by an even bigger one next week. My partner and I agree we should find somewhere to escape on the weekend.
Saturday
7 am: I get up with a frightful task: packing. I start with the basics—swimmers, PJs, etc—and then add and add and add, dreaming up every scenario that could possibly occur.
“Pack the vintage flapper dress,” says a voice in my head. “Lest you get invited to a themed party by strangers you’re unprepared for.” I overpack, of course, so I’m thankful for every inch of the 436L of boot space.
8 am: We’re somehow on the road and on schedule. We couldn’t decide between the beach or the bush, so we took our Toyota up north around the Avoca area. Having polar taste in radio, we take advantage of the Apple Carplay function and throw on a podcast for the journey.
12 pm: Once we arrive, we take the car off-road, which can be a little daunting, but safety features—including an inbuilt communication device that connects us to help—put our minds at ease.
EXPLORE the new Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid SUV
We head down a walking track that leads to Little Beach, where no one else is around. The swim is refreshing, but the hike back up is a killer. My partner is sweating more than I’ve ever seen anyone sweat, and I’m roasting in vintage denim that does not breathe. We sit in the car’s crisp aircon to regain our senses.
5 pm: After relaxing at our hotel for a while, we jump back in the car to get some fish & chips by the water before heading out into the town for a drink. We felt pretty old at the beachside bars, so we decided to take a bottle back to the hotel and watch Bridesmaids on free-to-air.
Sunday
9 am: After a decent breakfast buffet, we head out on the road again. To soak up the quiet before returning to the city, we drive through the National Park. The roads are rocky, but we feel in control with the car, so we stop to take in some views. We’re so blessed to have all this in our backyards, and hybrid cars like the Toyota Corolla Cross make it that much easier to do our part for the environment without compromising on the things that city life requires.
11 am: As we make our way down, I insist on stopping by any and all antique stores and op-shops. Thank god for the car’s navigation system, as I’m utterlessly useless with directions.
My scores include a ludicrously chunky bowl for dips, flower-engraved wine glasses at 50c each, a mini dress and a ceramic vase. I think I spent $10 in total, and what’s all that boot space for, right?
5 pm: Once home, we enjoy the remaining hours of the weekend by having some wine and pasta on the balcony. I try to catch up on my Book Club’s reading, while also getting carried away on resale websites.
Monday
6:30 am: I have no problems with Mondays. In fact, they’re generally the most easy-going day for journalists, as it’s mostly just playing catch-ups and setting up the rest of the week.
The day starts off really hot, so I head to the library to get some work done there in a dress that I found out was surprisingly sheer upon catching my reflection in a shop window. Luckily almost all my innerwear is black.
1 pm: The weather takes a miserable turn, and I run home in the rain—yes, still in the sheer dress—to finish off my work. I was supposed to attend the ten-year celebration of Michael Lo Sordo’s namesake brand on a boat tonight, so I’m praying the rain clears up.
4 pm: We arrive at Rose Bay Wharf, and everyone’s dressed to the nines. The rain has ceased just in time to board the yacht. As we eat caviar on waffle fries and sip Dom Pérignon, we make our way under the Harbour Bridge. Not bad for a Monday.
I remember that despite what I tell people—and how much of it I do in sweats—my job really can be quite glamorous at times.
Tuesday
9 am: With the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week right around the corner, I head to the annual schedule launch breakfast, where we hear speeches from some of the organisers.
12 pm: The sun is out, and I’m boiling in my unventilated inner-city terrace, so my housemate and I drive down to the beach for a quick lunchtime dip at Clovelly. My phone dies—which means I’ll probably get an urgent email—so I leave it in the car on the charging pad while I get a smoothie.
6 pm: I get dressed up for another tenth anniversary—this time for Anna Quan at Matteo Downtown. Parking is super tight in the CBD, but the Corolla Cross’ side-view mirrors retract automatically upon parking—a feature I’ve learned the hard way is vital to Sydney living.
With my time with the car drawing to an end, we take it upon ourselves to take one last smooth drive through the CBD—something I usually find stressful, but it actually quiet and calming on this particular evening. I think we’re often at odds with our love for the city and nature, and the real beauty of this car is that it not only doesn’t make us choose but actually empowers us to live out both.
Find out more about the new Toyota Corolla Cross at Toyota.com.au
