Hello!

At Simply Her, your problems are our problems. Every story we write – whether in our print and digital editions, or for the website – is in answer to an issue women face. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve chatted with a friend, reader, colleague or relative, and even strangers, and felt the beginnings of a great story take root.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel
What I’m buying this month
Artwork featuring beautiful calligraphy is my new favourite thing. Pg 86
Artwork featuring beautiful calligraphy is my new favourite thing. Pg 86
Check out this whisk. It collapses into a slim column and is a space saver in the kitchen drawer. Pg 18
Check out this whisk. It collapses into a slim column and is a space saver in the kitchen drawer. Pg 18
My new go-to shoes. Pg 26
My new go-to shoes. Pg 26

At Simply Her, your problems are our problems. Every story we write – whether in our print and digital editions, or for the website – is in answer to an issue women face. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve chatted with a friend, reader, colleague or relative, and even strangers, and felt the beginnings of a great story take root.

The most common question I get when I tell people what I do for a living is “Where do you get all your ideas from?”. “Everywhere” is the most simplistic answer. But the truth is that all our stories come from our interactions with people. Take this issue’s story on handling rejection at work. It started at our monthly presentation for the Get List column (pg 18). The Simply Her team takes great pride in curating only the most unique and value-added products for the page, but the downside is that a ton of stuff never sees the light of day. It was an unusually brutal ordeal, with product after product relegated to the reject pile in quick succession. You’d think everyone would be used to it by now, but the team looked gloomier by the minute. Trying to lighten the mood, I joked that there should be a story on how to handle rejection at work, especially for times like these. And just like that, a story was born. It has useful tips on how not to take a “no” from your boss to heart and move beyond it. It also tells you when and how you can revisit the idea with your supervisor – and when to drop it for good (pg 76). Everyday women are at the heart of Simply Her. This month, we pay tribute to them. On pg 56, read the in vitro fertilisation diary of a woman, the carrier of a rare genetic disorder, who’s desperate to give her first child a sibling before she and her husband get any older. I shared her tears and dejection when things didn’t go as planned – and her joy when they did. Then there’s Nadia, a 32-year-old ex-drug offender who started abusing Ecstacy when she was 16. She moved on to heroin and was imprisoned for drug possession. She cleaned up her act in prison and is determined to put her past behind her. Turn to pg 60 for her story. You’ll find inspiration in our cover star, too. Model, actress and host Jaymee Ong (pg 52) reveals the eight things that never fail to make her happy. In fact, many of you are sure to agree with the first on her list: having a happy, healthy family. Get a copy of our digital edition, too. Beauty editor Simone Wu teaches you how to get luscious lashes. Plus, learn what foods to avoid during your period. And follow our step-by-step mooncake-making guide for the mid- Autumn festival. Enjoy!

My Reading Room
My Reading Room
PENELOPE CHAN, EDITOR

PS. Thanks for all your lovely letters. E-mail us at magsimplyher@sph.com.sg or write to us at 82 Genting Lane, Level 7 Media Centre, S(349567), and keep sending in your wonderful ideas.

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@simplyhersingapore

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