wk 52 – Anarchy, Apothecary & A NEW JOB!!!

After a vaguely anarchic year of exceptional travel experiences, I’m home, Loc and I have almost unpacked, we have our cats back, and after following 49 instructions on an Ikea flat pack, I’m well and truly ready for a new challenge…

I’ve been thinking about the best way to complete this blog, and did not expect it to be with a new job, although taking after my ultra organised mum, I guess it was partly predictable, as I did start the search a few months ago…

Aside from multiple positive reasons for making this career choice, the new role is in my genes; my Dad’s a now retired, amazing Chemistry teacher and writer, and I took it successfully to A’level…(having said teacher helped)…oh and my periodic table t-shirt.

Another element that attracted me is the history of the profession, mentioned in descriptions of Pompeii and referred to in the past as ‘druggist’ and ‘apothecary’, how could I not be intrigued?

We visited a few incredible examples in France a few years back; I fell for the vessels and labels and overall beauty of the displays, have a look at these photos to get an idea…own brand and planograms to the max!

One of the most spectacular in the world is the Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella in Florence. Their glass botttled orange blossom water came home with me, despite a full backpack, and the place is stunning in every way, dating back to 1612; it’s their 400th anniversary this year, have a look at their website and you’ll see what I mean.

http://www.smnovella.it/

With another equally impressive anniversary of 100 years, I’m excited to say that in less than a week, I’ll be joining Sigma, as National Marketing Manager, looking after the Amcal, Amcal Max and Guardian brands. If you’d like to have a look, particularly for all those outside of Australia, here are the websites (yes forever the marketer…more than happy for you to join the loyalty programs too; perfect way for you to see what I’m up to!!!!!)

http://www.guardianpharmacies.com.au/

http://www.amcal.com.au/

An interesting move from bookseller to apothecary, still within the retail marketing I know and enjoy… and again perhaps pre-destined; one of the first things I bought in Australia, after a book by Geoffrey Blainey, was a huge litre bottle of Amcal own brand suntan cream…!!!

Thanks to everyone who has visited yeehaahols over the last 52 plus weeks. Writing about the travels and getting such lovely feedback about the adventures and photos has been superb, it also kept me on my toes a little with a weekly deadline, and has left me with an incredible diary of adventures to dip into.

And so ends an exceptional year with the beginning of another.