After 5 1/2 years today is Ashlie Magpie’s final day in the Nest. She has been an absolute joy to work with, and I know that during the lockdown I was so grateful for her help with the shop. I wanted to share a few of my favourite memories of working with Ashlie with you all, as I know you all will miss her big smile and cheery greetings. When Ash first joined the Nest she was our Saturday girl, working the weekend shifts while studying for a Law degree ( just realised I’ll have no free legal advice on tap now!!) I know she used to come in a tad hung over in those days, but my favourite early memory of her was her famous power naps on her lunch break. Mainly as I was envious that she could actually fall asleep in the most uncomfortable and coldest staff room. She’d set an alarm so she didn’t sleep though her dinner, and come out of the staff room all refreshed. How envious we all were!! After finishing her degree she took on more shifts while she looked for a proper job in a solicitors, and we got to see more of her personality come through. Ash has a hilarious sense of humour and is an excellent sales lady – ask her who won the Christmas nail file sales competition in 2020.. she hardly ever mentions her victories.. such a gracious winner… Like the time she won our annual Sprout Olympics. She came first in the sprout and spoon race, and if you were on Melbourne Street on Christmas Eve you may well have seen a gaggle of Magpie’s running down the street with sprouts balanced on spoons chasing after Ashlie.
We were sad when she temporarily left us to work in the corporate legal world, so we hatched a plan to lure her back to the Nest. I ordered new Jellycat and sent her the brochure.. sure enough she was back with us before the month was out:) This of course brings us on to Ashlie’s love of Jellycat. Everyone likes Jellycat, but Ash REALLY likes Jellycat and what she doesn’t know about them isn’t worth knowing. I know the Jellycat will be sad and miss the shop cuddles from her too. However it’s time for to spread her wings just like her own Jellycat “Ding Bat” and venture out into the big wide world. We all wish her the very best of luck, and we know she will be keeping in touch.. well, we have a Jellycat stand! Which leads me onto my next cunning plan.. should I need her back.. I’ll order some new Jellycat.. that should do the job! Take good care Ashlie, and thank you for all the hard work and laughter you have brought to Magpie’s Nest over the years. We are hosting a little farewell party for her tomorrow between 3pm – 6pm in the café upstairs, if you would like to call in you would be more than welcome as we ensure she has a good send off!