To lasting friendship and a spot of wine tasting

Last year marked the 30th year since I finished school. Can you believe it?! After having celebrated in Byron Bay in 2014, and our friendships ignited like it was 1984 again, the girls and I decided on a trip to the Hunter Valley for this year’s reunion. To celebrate lasting friendships, all the way from teenage shenanigans to the “not-so-grown-up” adult years.

Really, my friends and I have social media to thank for formalising our yearly get-togethers.

After last year’s special reunion, it sparked my natural tendencies to be an organisational queen – and the perfect reason to celebrate! Of the nine of us, seven are on Facebook, making the process super easy. Naturally, all the girls were keen as mustard – some having not seen each other for almost 20 years.

We set a date for March 2015 and travelled in our “glamour coach” with our Coach Captain, Michelle. She’s found her new calling as tour guide/driver!  

In a nutshell, the reunion trip was three amazing days of girl-power and escapades, with the Billy Idol concert certainly apt for an ‘80s flashback. Talk about a time warp! Since the teenage years, we’ve all taken different paths; some of us have twins, partners and husbands. Each of us had something to share and there’s a comforting familiarity from these childhood friendships.

In the next couple of years to celebrate a few significant birthdays, you’ll find us in New York City! We are so fortunate to have reunited as a group. Big love and thanks to Michelle S, Michelle B, Wendy, Tracey, Donna, Megan and Mel for being amazing YOU.

We are collecting moments, not things.

Jen x

My latest adventure – a Bali Girls Getaways trip

Hi lovely readers,

I wanted to let you know that I recently arrived home from a wonderful girly week with seven beautiful friends. The purpose of the trip was to “road test” a new GG Bali package; our first venture overseas. What a success!

My bestie, Judy, now lives in Sanur when she’s not frolicking on Sydney’s beaches, so it made perfect sense to both of us to develop a GG package. Judy is the perfect contact and tour guide in Bali.

We nutted out the details for the package over a bottle of wine, then sent out an invite to a few friends. Needless to say, we had six “YES” responses in an hour. Flights were booked in November, with a departure date of Sunday, 3 May.

We had a pretty full itinerary, specifically with lots of pampering and girly activities (of course!). Our accommodation was a traditional villa in Sanur with beautiful pools and open living areas. To welcome the girls, a cool drink (yes, alcoholic!) and a leg and foot massage were a must around the pool. We ate, drank and pampered the six days away, including a cooking class in Ubud, a catamaran trip to an island and yoga in a bamboo treehouse. The girls were all friends of mine from different walks of life, and acquaintances of each other but firm friends after the week. We even have plans to reunite towards the end of the year.

Here is Lorraine’s reflection of our trip to Bali:

“Life is routine: work, family, cooking, cleaning. To me, having the opportunity to break away with a group of girls for the week in Bali was such a brilliant time. Girls understand girls… the break from everyday routine gave me time to be ME. A time of indulgence for me with the girls. Very grateful for the invite and everything you did to help me get there and your organising in Bali. Love ya, Jen!”

Jen x

Our Bali Break Away package will be launching this year in September. Want to be the first group of girls to take advantage of this amazing package? Simply register your interest with the form below.

I still spend time with my Mother’s Group – here’s why

When I say I'm going away with my Mother’s Group, people look at me a little strange. No, I haven’t popped out a baby recently. And yes, after 21 years we still have a special bond that I’m sure will endure to our wrinkly years.

It was March 1994. We met at the baby clinic’s six-week baby/parent course. The rest, as they say, is history. We all come from different walks of life and varying ages. Leesa, the baby of the group, was 23, and Carole the “senior mum” was 30+. However, the most unique thing about this group is that we didn’t choose each other. We all shared the common bond of a new little baby bundle – and the pros and cons that came with it (most of which we had no idea about at the time!).

Over the years, we’ve celebrated many milestones and endured some sad times. Our bond has grown and the support we have for each other is immeasurable. Between the eight mums, we’ve given birth to a gaggle of 22 babies, including Carole’s Jeremy who, sadly, was stillborn. Adele has moved overseas and Kate has moved on, so our core group is now six, and ever stronger.

The mums and I celebrate our own birthdays with a catch-up dinner and, of course, an annual getaway. This year is Mornington Peninsula, to road-test some Girls Getaways options. I can hardly wait to share with you the results. I’m sure much pampering, giggling and champagne will endure.

Although most of the kids and dads didn’t necessarily retain the close friendships like us mums, we do have a family bond with one family – they’re like cousins to my children. Many holidays and celebrations have been shared.

I am truly blessed and eternally grateful to have these beautiful women in my life. Much love to Carole, Kim, Leesa, Margaret and Michelle.

Jen x