Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Wow...

Yes, I am still on my bloggy sabbatical, or blog-batical as I like to call it, but this was so good that I had to jump on straight away and tell you.

My hair is a total wreck at the moment due to my festive season diet of blow-drying, straightening, curling, straightening, blow-drying, curling ad nauseum. It’s dry, it’s distressed and it’s definitely in need of some TLC (the same could be said for me). I took the easy way out and went for a Pantene Three Minute Miracle in-shower treatment. I’m sure you’re all ‘but how much good can a three minute in-shower treatment really do’ and to that I say ‘lots’. My hair feels like it is back to normal – soft, shiny and manageable.

The best bit? It costs 2 gold coins. So ridiculously cheap. It’s a single use tube, but if you have short or fine hair like me, you can get two uses out of a tube, you tight ass. Added bonus? It smells good.

Price: $2.99. That’s so freaking cheap it isn’t funny!
From: Supermarkets, Priceline, Chemists etc – anywhere you can get Pantene
Why you need it: To fix your manky hair. The single use tubes are especially handy if you’re going on a tropical holiday and your hair is going to get damaged by the sun/sand/salt.

Picture credit: pantene.com.au

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Merry Christmas, Happy Boxing Day and all the associated niceties that go with this time of year!

In case you hadn't guessed, I'll be taking a few days sabbatical to eat until I can't move and then slowly breathe through the pain. I'll be back with more new stuff in a few days...

xx Elise

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Last minute festiveness

By now you should be almost ready for the big day. I'm just going over my to-do list for all the last minute preparations - buy vegies, wrap remaining pressies, dip strawberries in chocolate, do laundry, vacuum, clean bathroom, hair treatment, facial, manicure. Obviously I'm going to enjoy the facial and the manicure a lot more than the vacuuming or the bathroom cleaning. I just can't decide what colour I'm going to do my nails!

If you're looking for inspiration, like I am, and you have a spare five minutes, pop into David Jones and check out the OPI Holiday Wishes collection. Yes, there are a couple of dark colours in there which aren't necessarily appropriate for a sunny southern hemisphere Christmas by the pool, but there are a few really choice lacquers which would be sure to add some holiday cheer to your festivities. My favourites are Ginger Bells! - a yummy almost-kind-of neutral in a gingerbread shade, Comet Loves Cupid - a vivid true red and Dear Santa - a glittery bright red, perfect for Christmas and guaranteed to make you feel good. Well there you go, I think I just made my decision. I'm glad we talked this over, thanks for your advice.

Price: $19.95
From: David Jones
Why you need it: You're not dressed for Christmas without a perfect manicure.

Picture credit: OPI

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

I'm famous!

I can't believe I haven't told you guys this yet. Yes, it's true, I am in the latest issue of Cleo. See, that's me on the cover (ha! I kid! As IF I would wear my dress that long).

I'm on this months Beauty Panel (page 74/75), where I got given some cool beauty products to play with (All About Glo illuminator and Nak dry shampoo) and then I got to write reviews for them. It was so much fun, and I'm really thankful to Cleo for the opportunity to see my ugly mug in print.

On that, I recommend the All About Glo illuminator. It comes in a super-easy to use little pump bottle, goes on smooth, and gives a natural, healthy glow. I have used it almost every day since Rachael the beauty ed gave it to me and I'm almost out now. I will definitely be replacing it!

Price: $19.95
From: Priceline
Why you need it: To make your skin look all plump and glowy when you have the enthusiasm of a deflated balloon at the end of a Christmas party.

As an aside...

...make sure you pop over to Sassi Sam and check out the profile piece I did on the lovely Kate from Katiebo jewellery. Katiebo does really cool jewellery and it's always inspiring to meet a chickie that takes risks and sets up her own business!

Oh dear...

Can I tell you how much stuff I have to blog about?! I have been trying out new hair products left, right and centre (shout out to O&M - you guys kick ass), all sorts of cool new beauty products and obviously with Santa a couple of days away, he will bring a sackload of bloggable goodness too. But honestly, all I want to do is sit back right now with a cold drink and enjoy the warm summer breeze. That's not to say I don't love you guys, because golly I do, but this time of year is intense.

It is worth mentioning though that my tipple of choice this week is Smirnoff Grand Cosmopolitan. Smirnoff have done a range of 3 ready to drink cocktail mixers (grand cosmo, pomegranate martini, mojito) and the yumminess is already mixed in the bottle so all you have to do is serve over ice or, if you are clever like me, put it in the freezer to keep it extra cold. So delish.

The Grand Cosmopolitan is Smirnoff No 21™ vodka, Triple sec liqueur, Cranberry juice and a splash of citrus. It's the perfect blend of hard liquor and sweet juice, and I love that the only effort it requires is to unscrew the bottle top and add some ice to the glass. That's my kind of cocktail!

Price: $22.99 (700mL)
From: The local bottle-o
Why you need it: Kick back! Relax! Take a load off and enjoy a drink.

Picture credit: wishlist.com.au

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

It's Complicated? It's not very complicated.

I had the good fortune last night to get a sneak preview of the new Meryl Streep movie It’s Complicated. It’s a cheesy rom-com/family-com/chick flick, perfect for a day out with your Mum for some light entertainment. Winning Oscars? Not likely. Feel good? Yeah.

It’s the same writer/director (Nancy Meyers) as Something’s Gotta Give and Father of the Bride. Now I adore both of those movies, but you can definitely tell it’s the same head honcho. Very similar with cinematography, style of house the movie is set in, speed of the plot and even some plot twists. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; at least you know what you’re getting. Personally I like this style; when I go to the movies I am looking for forced relaxation with light-hearted entertainment. I don’t want to have to think, I just want to enjoy. And believe me, there was not much thinking going on here.

That said, it was a great cast. Meryl Streep plays Jane Adler, divorced for ten years with three grown-up kids and only just coming to terms with her split. Her ex, Jake (Alec Baldwin), is married to some young floozy with a five year old, but after a drunken night together the ex’s rekindle the flame and suddenly the ex-wife becomes the mistress. Cliché? (side note: maybe it’s the tan, but Alec seems about 10 years too young to be divorced from Meryl) Add to the mix the charming Adam (Steve Martin) who is also divorced and quite fancies Jane and you have a classic love-triangle movie with some nudity (I saw more of Alec Baldwin than I needed to - although apprently he used a butt-double) and the usual dramatic revelation somewhere towards the end.

John Krasinki (Jim from The Office) is the comic relief as Jane’s son-in-law, but to be honest I really think he was wasted in that role. He can be so funny in the right parts, but the role of Harley (seriously? Harley? The dude looks like a library nerd) was kind of lacking for him and it’s all very vanilla. The three Adler kids don’t really add much either, and are all kind of forgettable. In fact, I couldn’t even tell you their names right now if I tried.

Overall, I would recommend it purely for a nice day out with Mum. It’s nothing you haven’t seen before (including Meryl Streep in an apron, cooking up pastries and saying bonjour – déjà vu?) but it’s an interesting take on dealing with divorce in your 50’s, after 20 years of marriage and raising three adult children. I will admit I got teary once.

Price: $15
From: Your local cinema
When: Starts screening Jan 7th
Why you need to see it: It has been far too long since I saw Steve Martin on the big screen – see him in a proper grown up role (a much nicer grown up role than Shopgirl, thankfully)

Picture credit: imdb.com

Monday, December 21, 2009

Christmas checklist – Christmas crackers

Christmas lunch isn’t complete unless everyone is sitting around wearing stupid paper hats and grumbling about the fact they are wearing stupid paper hats (except Mum, because she loves it!). While we’re at it, why is it that the only photos I ever seem to have from Christmas day are my family with these hats on? Never any nice ones sans hat, but plenty of stupid poses. Let’s try and rectify that this year.

Last thing on the checklist is Christmas crackers. I’m sure we aren’t the only family where you sit down to lunch, crack the cracker, put the hat on and then read the lame jokes and roll your eyes at how lame they are because you’re cool like that, even though secretly you chuckle because you love a good pun. Yep, can I get an amen, sista!

The crackers I bought are Tom Smith Christmas Crackers and, according to their website, are the first line in luxury when it comes to snap, crackle and pop (my words, not theirs - but they are welcome to use that snappy line if they like). That said, I bought them at Target so I’m not sure just how luxurious you would classify that. The box seems to indicate they have some pretty rad novelties in them, so I cracked one to see just how accurate that was (I bought a box of 12 and I’m only having 7 for lunch, so I was allowed). Hat? Tick. Lame joke? Tick. Novelty – it was a mini periscope. I wouldn’t re-gift it, but definitely one of the better quality cracker novelties I have had in my time. I will admit I played with it for a good 3 minutes.

And the joke? Q. What should a prizefighter drink? A. Punch. Don’t tell me you didn’t just laugh.

My suggestion for Target: it appears Tom Smith do Disney crackers. I would be most appreciative if they could hook those up next year. Cheers.

Price: $29.95 (although I got them on sale for $19.95)
From: Target
Why you need them: Silly hats, ahoy!

Now that I have my wrapping paper, decorations, crackers and all my presents wrapped up under my bookshelf-pretending-to-be-a-tree, it's on to the food. I won't bore you with the details, but I bought my pork and my turkey from Thomas Dux Grocer on Crown St Surry Hills. I feel so grown up.

Picture credit: Tomsmithchristmascrackers.com; polaroided by poladroid.com

Sunday, December 20, 2009

You never have to leave your desk again

Tired of keeping your drink in the office communal fridge? Yeah, me too. Keep it at your desk instead. Then you don’t have to go into the kitchen and make polite small talk with the other people who work on your level. Gosh, I hate that.

Seriously, this was my secret santa gift for my office AND for my extended family (luckily there is no crossover between the two – that could have been awkward!). It’s a mini fridge that fits one can in it and you plug it into your computer via usb cable. Genius! It has a silver disc at the bottom of it that keeps things cold, so it’s probably best suited to cans rather than plastic bottles for quicker cooling.

I got it from R4Card.com.au and they have all sorts of really cool little gadgets. Some of my favs are the usb mix tape (practical), R2D2 usb hub (practical) and usb arm wrestler (not at all practical in any way, shape or form). Sadly, the fridge is now sold out, but there are always birthdays next year, right? I’m early Feb if you’re interested.

Price: $22.45 (price limits on secret santa were $20, but what’s $2.45 between friends?)
From: R4Card.com.au
Why you need it: To keep your drinks cold. It’s like something Dwight would keep on his desk.

Picture credit: R4Card.com.au

Friday, December 18, 2009

What do margaritas and body wash have in common?

Since we are talking about New York (kind of), it’s a good time to share the phenomenal pomegranate margarita recipe from Rosa Mexicano. Apart from the fact that they make the guacamole fresh at your table, the pomegranate margarita is the highlight of dining at this fine mexican establishment(s - there are 3 in Manhattan). November and December are when the pomegranates are shipped in to Aussieland from California, so you can easily get them in the supermarket or fruit shop. It’s a fun twist on a traditional boozer - impress your friends.

This recipe is from Roberto Santibanez, Culinary Director of Rosa Mexicano, and comes via cdkitchen.com.

60mL white tequila
15mL Triple Sec
30L fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh pomegranate juice (Can substitute bottled pomegranate juice)
175mL ice (or more)
Garnish with lime wheel or wedge

I figure that since poms are so good for you, you are more than justified in having 3 or 4 of these babies. It's practically like eating fruit!

Did you know poms are also good for your skin? If it’s good enough for my insides, then it’s good enough for the outside too. I have recently been using the new Weleda Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash and Regenerating Body Oil, and not only do they smell good, but my skin feels great too. The Creamy Body Wash is a lush mix of pomegranate (obvs), sandalwood, vanilla, neroli and blood orange. This isn’t for the faint-hearted – a small amount on the loofah and it really hits you in the nostrils. It’s quite nice in the morning to be slapped across the face by such a vigorous, intense mix of scents. It wakes me up.

As I said, I have also been using the Regenerating Body Oil, which is a very dense, rich oil. Some body oils, like the Neutrogena oil, are quite light and fine for daily use, while this one is much thicker and more powerful. Containing organic oils like macadamia and jojoba, this gets in deep to regenerate cells and nourish with their crime fighting anti-oxidants. You only need the tiniest bit (too much = greasy bear) and it has to be massaged in – just slapping and dashing will create a not so pleasant oil slick. This is a real pleasure to use and my skin definitely enjoys the treat (I know it does because it told me).

Price: Body Wash - $19.50; Body Oil - $37
From: Health food stores and chemists – check the website for stockists
Why you need it: Because you’re worth it. Oh wait, I probably shouldn’t use that line. Am I breaching copyright? But seriously, spoil yourself.

Picture credit: weleda.com.au

Thursday, December 17, 2009

I ♥ NY

Technically I didn’t buy this, but it was just too awesome not to share! We did our secret santa at work and instead of each person drawing a name, we put all the presents in the middle and then drew numbers for the order we picked our pressies in. If someone who went before you got something you wanted, you could trade – fun game! Funnily enough, I went last so I got pick of the litter and I fell instantly in love with one pressie in particular.

New York in a bag! It’s a sweet little drawstring bag with 14 wooden pieces in it (8 buildings and 6 cars) so you can create your own little Manhattan scene. There is a Chrysler building, Empire State building, Guggenheim and Statue of Liberty among the pieces, so you tick all the iconic boxes, plus some extra buildings to make up the skyline. The cars and limos are cute too (limos = so Manhattan), although not necessarily small people friendly, as you can imagine little fingers jamming them straight into little mouths and getting lodged in little throats.

Definitely an awesome present for a massive Upper East Sider like myself (ha! I kid. I’m totally a downtown chick). Cute, cheap and quirky – that’s what I look for in a secret santa gift! (As an aside, the gift I put in totally rocked the kasbah – I can’t wait to tell you about it next week. I have family secret santa on Sunday so will post Monday I PROMISE!)

Price: $14
From: Muji.com
Why you need it: Perfect for New Yorkers and New Yorker wannabes OR you could grab Paris, London or Tokyo in a bag.

Picture credit: muji.com

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Bless you my child

I’m having a bit of a religious phase at the moment. Religious jewellery, that is. I have always had a soft spot for iconography. I love the symbolism and faith of religion, and how each person can find meaning in what would otherwise be wooden beads, crosses and stars. Some friends were having a bit of a debate about this the other day – do you find it disrespectful to wear a Star of David if you’re not Jewish? Or a crucifix if you’re not Christian? I would love to hear your thoughts. Personally, I think that as long as you are respectful and acknowledge that the piece you are wearing holds significance to someone else, then it’s ok.

Anyway, I have most of the majors covered at the moment. I picked up some really sweet bangles last week from Surf Dive N Ski – it was a set of 4 hard bangles with religious charms attached and two wooden bead stretch bracelets, also with religious charms. The brand is Icon 77 and I’ll be darned if I can’t find more than a stockist number for them. I’m also rocking a red string with a hamsa similar to the one I mentioned a month ago. Grazia might have declared Kabbalah strings ‘so last year’ but I like the symbolism of the amulet protecting you from the evil eye.

I have also found the holy grail (zing!) of religious pieces at MarLey Rose. They stock Cristiana jewellery (above right), which is boho chic and a celeb favourite. Think colourful, stackable beads with charming catholic motifs. I remember buying jewellery in Tijuana circa 1992 with charms very similar to these, so it reminds me of a special trip with my family, and makes the pieces feel very vintage. You can imagine some beautiful old lady sitting in the Mexican countryside beading the bracelet while gently thumbing this very crucifix. Or maybe that’s just me.

A couple of my other big tick, lustworthy pieces from Marley Rose are the Ettika rosary wrap bracelet - above left - (currently on sale! Run!) and the Good Charma tassle charm necklace, also on sale (right). Both are sophisticated statement pieces and both make great gifts. For me. Email me for my address.

Price: Icon 77 set - $22.95; Cristiana from $33; Ettika on sale for $56; Good Charma on sale $176
From: Surf Dive N Ski; MarLey Rose
Why you need them: Casual boho chic is a good look for summer. Add a maxi dress and some beach waves and you’re set!

Picture credit: Marleyrose.com.au

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Light up your life. Or at least your eyes.

I’m going to make an admission. I never understood the fascination with YSL Touche Eclat (Radiant Touch). People would rave on about it with such passion and I would think ‘yeah, sure, it’s not really that great, is it?’ and carry on using my other myriad illuminators and concealers and whatever other shiny stuff I had in the bathroom to try and make the panda eyes less panda-y.

Apparently I was WRONG. YSL is the miracle illuminator that everyone claimed it was. It’s all in the application though – no point spending all that money if you’re putting it on wrong (this is where I say thank goodness for Zoe @ Primped for showing me the light – pun intended). You must first use concealer underneath. Touche Eclat isn’t about hiding the flaws (I *still* use Playboy slap for that), it’s about illuminating your face and using reflective light particles to make it look like you’re all shiny and fresh when you actually need a good nights sleep and a bowl of broccoli. Once I conceal, I do a nice upside down triangle of the juice, let it sit for a few seconds (long enough to spray dry shampoo) and then gently pat it in. Good to go.

I have tried so many different illuminators over the years, and while they are great for cheeks and brows and cupids bows, nothing quite brightens the eye area like this one does. Everything else seems a bit too pearly for the peepers, but this is the right blend of creamy neutral and illuminatey goodness. It’s so good that I’m just making up words now.

Price: $75
From: YSL counters – DJs, Myer and select pharmacies
Why you need it: To reflect all sins.

FYI: Chemistwarehouse.com have Touche Eclat on sale at the moment for $29.99 + shipping

Picture credit: ysl.com; moi

Monday, December 14, 2009

Everything went swimmingly with Atlantis Hair

You know those nerves you get when you go to a new salon for the first time – will they judge me? Will they make me feel uncomfortable? Will they ask ‘who did this to your hair’ and criticise everyone else who has ever touched your hair (this actually happened to my friend last week at another salon)? I tried a new salon on Saturday and it was the most welcoming and friendly first salon experience I have ever had. Thumbs up, Atlantis.

Atlantis Hair is tucked away just off Oxford St in Paddington (do you know where Dinosaur Designs is? Right near there) and I knew it was going to be a good day when I snagged an unrestricted spot right outside. Take that, parking inspector! Sophie welcomed me in and I instantly started wondering what I would look like with her perfect blonde long bob. Always a good sign when the staff have definitely excellent hair.

The lovely Larissa did my roots and balayage, and I had full confidence in her because she had beautiful balayage herself. I got a luscious red-brown base on my roots. Did you know all browns come from either a red base or a purple base? True story. A red base gives you a rich chocolate or auburn, while a purple takes you towards the black end of the brown spectrum (and is usually what I go for in winter). The colour looks amazing, if I do say so myself.

Jade did my cut and I’m so pleased to have all those dead ends gone. I’m trying to keep the length, so she fixed up my shape and gave me a little side fringe that is short enough to be styled, but long enough to be pushed back. She also did a blow dry and gave me some body using Velcro rollers. She was explaining how notoriously hard it is to style using Velcro rollers on your own because you have to heat the hair and curl it first using a barrel brush and then set it using the rollers, and that I should just use hot rollers at home instead. Noted.

Atlantis is a really beautiful salon, the staff make you feel really comfortable, everyone is friendly (even early on a Saturday morning) and they use Original & Mineral products, which are all natural and really good juice for your hair. All in all, a positive salon experience. Well played, Atlantis. Think I might go back for a global keratin treatment soon!

Price: Price list here, but I paid $279 for roots, balayage, treatment, cut and blow dry
From: Atlantis Hair, Paddington
Why you need it: To get good hair. Simple.

Picture credit: I did a vain self portrait so you could see how great the colour is.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

New Muzak: The ultimate Christmas tune

As far as I'm concerned, All I Want For Christmas Is You by Miss Mariah Carey has always been the ultimate Christmas choon. It's the only Christmas song I can never get sick of, no matter how many times I hear it flogged on the radio/in the shopping centre/on repeat in the lounge room. BUT! I think I may have found a new hero holiday song.

The absolutely adorable Andrew Allen is an indie singer/songwriter from Canada, and he sits somewhere on the Jason Mraz/John Mayer/Maroon 5 end of the pop spectrum. He's cute, he plays a guitar and he spouts bubblegum lyrics to make your heart melt while flashing a perfect smile. The kind of guy you could take home to Mum.

He has released a single for Christmas and I am in love.



Check these lyrics!
I wanna be the 12 days wrapped in 1
I wanna be your drummer boy, burrum bum bum bum
I wanna be the eggnog in your rum
I wanna be (I wanna be)
I wanna be the north star that you see
I wanna be the partridge in your tree
I wanna know your Christmas just ain't Christmas
Without me

Swoon! Make sure you download it and put it on high rotation. Beats the heck out of Jingle Bells.

Price: $1.69
from: iTunes
Why you need it: To get in the Christmas spirit.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Christmas Checklist – Gift wrapping

I have started wrapping my presents already. Are you impressed? Yeah, I thought so. No please, stop with the applause, you’re making me blush.

Like I said in my baubles post, I like to theme everything. I’m not sure whether the need to theme everything is a sign of creativity or anal-retentiveness. Either way, I enjoy it and that’s all that matters. Last year I did all my presents in silver paper with purple ribbon and used purple baubles as gift tags. This year, I’m using really bright lime green paper, popping silver bows in the corner and writing straight on the paper instead of using gift tags (I bought tags but then changed my mind. Cest la vie). What do you think? It’s kind of a casual approach and not exactly traditional, but lots of fun and my pressies will definitely be noticed!

Funnily enough, as I’m sitting here writing this, my lovely flatmate is wrapping her pressies in some beautiful double-sided paper from Ikea. One side is black and the other is silver with a black filigree pattern. Totally different to mine, but very classy. She is also being a clever little ducky and wrapping strips of alternating paper and silver paper around for contrast, and using silver baubles as gift tags. Feel free to rip off either of our ideas.

Price: lime green paper - $5.99 for 5m; black double sided paper - $4.99 for 3m
From: lime green paper - Target; black double sided paper – Ikea
Why you need it: A present isn’t a present unless it’s wrapped. Make a bit of effort.

Picture credit: Polaroided by Poladroid.com

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Current Obsession: Holly Jones

Have you met Miss Jones? I have. She is lovely – all shiny and fresh with her baubles and lace and lovely, girlie jewellery.

I bought a friend of mine some jewellery from Holly Jones a few months ago and I have been thinking about it ever since. Thinking about it in a ‘is it wrong if I buy the same necklace that I bought my friend’ kind of way. It probably would be, since it was a big statement piece. The kind of necklace that you wear with the simplest jeans and singlet or LBD and you don’t need to do anything but apply a lick of lipgloss because it carries you and suddenly you’re the centre of attention. Truly.

I’m talking about the Queen Bee necklace from her Je Ne Sais Quoi collection (pictured). Pretty, right? So do I buy it for myself or not? Would you be offended if a friend bought you something unique and amazing and then rolled up in the exact same thing? Yeah, I would probably be cranky too. Oh well, I have a Holly Jones wishlist. I’m sure I can pick something else out! She has beautiful cocktail rings and you know how much I like bold, chunky rings.

Oh yeah, she has a sale on TODAY. Current collections, samples and excess stock reduced by up to 50%. Whee! If you’re in Sydney, pop on over to Neutral Bay (Suite 1, 40 Teo St – til 9pm) and get your accessory on.

Price: $120
From: Holly Jones
Why you need it: Good for gifts; better for you. Spoil yourself!

Picture credit: hollyjones.com.au

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Christmas checklist - baubles

While I can't tell you about every single pressie I have been buying, I can tell you what I have been doing to get my house all festive-y and stuff. Did I tell you I'm doing dinner for 7 people on Boxing Day? Yea, that's kind of daunting. And when I say kind of, I actually mean oh my goodness!! I have never hosted a proper Christmas meal before so I'm starting to panic already and I still have 2 weeks to go. It's doing wonders for my blood pressure.

Anyway, I'm all about classing up the joint with some tasteful baubles. I always go with a colour theme. Last year was purple, year before was pink, this year was supposed to be lime green, but I lucked out at Target - obviously everyone else had the same idea as me. So blue and silver it is. Not that I'm complaining, because they look fab. I don't know about you, but I find regular old red, green and gold quite...blah. Cliche? Perhaps. Definitely not my taste. Maybe it's because they are such rich and deep colours, while Christmas in Australia is all about blue skies and bright sun, and everything is seasonally topsy-turvy. I can never bring myself to send a Christmas card with a snow scene on it.

I have little clusters of baubles hanging around the place, sitting in urns and vases and generally adding a touch of sparkle. Subtle; but definitely more me. Plus they are versatile enough that when I need the vases for flowers, I just tip them into a salad bowl and I'm being all artistic. Clever me. How do you jazz your joint up?

Price: $6.99 for a box of 18
From: Target
Why you need it: Shiny balls > tinsel in the decorating stakes - they leave less mess!

Picture credit: Polaroided by Poladroid.com

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Stuff That I Can't Tell You About

I've got to say...this time of year is not good for blogging (for me, anyway). I'm still shopping loads, but I can't really tell you what I'm buying since I know most of my gift recipients, if not all, happen to read this blog (hi Mum!). The presents are steadily piling up under the tree, or they would be if I had a tree, but I don't want to ruin any surprises so I'll just have to speak generally for a while (Sunday's Miijo post should be a hint to...someone).

That said, I'm going to keep doing my best. I have bought two really amazing gifts for our extended family secret santa gift exchange and that is happening the weekend before Christmas, so I'll post about them the day it happens (unless I crack beforehand; very possible).

On a totally unrelated note (truly) I was given a most definitely excellent present by my almost-brother-in-law two Christmases ago and loved it so much that I have been consistently replacing it ever since. Hand wash. No kidding, hand wash. But not just any hand wash. Oh no. Molton Brown. This is the good juice. It's like the Rolls Royce of soapy products. It was the most exquisite box set of liquid soap and moisturiser, all tied up nicely in a Molton Brown box with a ribbon and a tag. Sigh. I'm such a sucker for a beautifully presented gift. You could give me poop in a box, but if that box was artfully decorated and lovingly wrapped, I would still be appreciative (for a moment, anyway).

If you're in the Sydney CBD, I highly recommend you get into the Molton Brown store in the QVB. You can try all their different scents (my favourite is Naran Ji - sweet orange and grapefruit) and choose from a mix of soaps, moisturisers, skin care, hair care and home fragrance products to find that right gift for Christmas.

Price: $38 for the hand wash
From: Molton Brown - Sydney QVB or David Jones
Why you need it: Excellent choice of gifts for Mum, Mother-in-Law, Nan and other assorted people who you have no idea what to buy.

Picture credit: Moltonbrown.co.uk

Monday, December 7, 2009

How to be trendy without waiting until February

Chanel are known (amongst other things) for setting nail polish trends. You remember the jade right? It’s barely being wiped off fingernails around the world and we are already gearing up for the next collection. Did you catch the pictures from their S/S ’10 collection; Lily Allen performing, barnyard, clogs, hay bales? Do you recall seeing the delicious lacquer on the fingernails? Chanel are calling it taupe, although the official name is Chanel Le Vernis Particuliere. There are 3 shades in the spring 2010 collection – Particuliere (taupe), Tendresse (shell pink) and Inattendu (neutral creamy peach maybe?), but all the attention is on Particuliere.

In my opinion, it’s the perfect neutral - a mix of grey, warm brown and olive, with a hint of lilac. It looks good on pretty much every skin tone as long as you have short, tidy nails. After some intense googling, I have discovered that the closest match to a colour already on the shelf is OPI for Sephora Metro Chic, which, coincidentally I have been rocking for a year now (see pic, right). Take that! Pow!

Sadly, you can’t get OPI for Sephora here (WHEN will you start shipping to Aus, Sephora?! Custom laws be damned!!) BUT it is also a very close match with OPI You Don’t Know Jacques, OPI Over The Taupe, OPI Parlez-vous and Essie Mink Muff (of all those colours, I can only verify You Don’t Know Jacques myself – the rest is based on swatch comparisons online).

Alternately, you could go for the real thing. It will be on Chanel counters for about 15 seconds on Feb 21 (you should probably get on the waiting list if you’re a real keen bean – call 1 300 CHANEL [no, I’m not kidding]), although the trend, in my opinion, will be over by then and we will be lusting after the next colour. Fickle, aren’t we?

Price: OPI for Sephora US$9, OPI $19.95, Chanel $40
From: Sephora, David Jones, DJs/Myer
Why you need it: Get ahead of the curve – pretend you’re a beauty editor...

Picture credit: guess whose fingers...

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Attention Shoppers: Miijo! Sale!

Just a quick heads up that the Miijo sale is on until midnight tomorrow. When you check out, put the code PRESENTS09 in to get 20% off. If you haven't checked out Miijo before, I highly recommend you get amongst it. I have bought my sister some really cool Disney Couture jewellery on there before, and I'm a big fan of Dogeared, One of a Kind, House of Harlow and Ettika. They also have cool clothes, scarves and shoes, but for me it's all about the jewellery. You pay $10 shipping and they are really quick (usually 1-2 working days, depending on whether what you want is in stock). I have just done some Christmas shopping and it will arrive at my desk in a couple of days, all nicely giftwrapped and ready for the big day!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Get fresh and natural with Jurlique

I was out shopping at the Myer one day sale (sidenote: CHAOS) and acting as a personal beauty consultant for my good friend Kat when we landed at the Jurlique counter. I ADORE Jurlique. They have made their way into my everyday life with a variety of products and I could never go back. Everything about Jurlique is organic, fresh from their biodynamic farm in South Australia, so you know you’re getting the highest quality, most beautiful ingredients for your skin. It’s one of the few brands I bang on about constantly, so if I haven’t ranted to you about it yet, I’m sure I’ll get to you eventually.

Anyway, Kat was taking her first steps into the world of Jurlique and I recommended (along with the very smart girl at the counter) that she try the Beauty From Balance Introductory Sets. It’s a smart little set that comes in an egg carton (CUTE) and there are four different sets so you can find the right one for your skin concerns: rebalance oiliness, maintain balance, rebalance dryness and rebalance sensitivity. Each set comes with 5 mini versions of some of Jurlique’s signature products. Kat has some crazy combination skin so she went for the Maintain Balance set – Balancing Foaming Cleanser for cleaning her mug, Daily Exfoliating Cream for gently washing away the dead skin cells, Herbal Recovery Gel (the first Jurlique product I ever bought) to fight those yucky signs of ageing, Clarifying Day Care Lotion to keep skin smooth and hydrated and, my all time fav Jurlique product, Rosewater Balancing Mist. If you have never sprayed your face with Jurlique’s Rosewater Balancing Mist, then you haven’t lived. It’s a light rosewater and marshmallow mist that keeps skin fresh and hydrated. Perfect for setting your makeup in place, keeping cool and staying hydrated when you’re stuck in an air conditioned office or airplane.

These sets are a GENIUS way for newbies to try out Jurlique and find out if it works for them, or for experienced Jurlique lovers to buy mini versions for travelling. You get all the essentials for a proper skin care routine without a huge commitment (not many dollars – big return!). I highly recommend these for Mums, Nans, Sisters, Mother-In-Laws and Aunties for Christmas. As long as you know their skin type, you’ll be laughing.

I’ll have Kat check in for us next week and let us know how she went (you got that Kat? Mark it in your diary).

Price: $59 – a really good deal!
From: Jurlique (they have stand alone stores, counters in department stores, and an online shop)
Why you need it: Because your skin deserves the luscious, organic-ness of Jurlique.

Picture credit: Jurlique

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Todays post is brought to you by...


...Panadol Rapid.

I've been punched in the face by one of those summer colds that seem to hit around this time every year when the weather goes from hot hot hot to cold cold cold and you're in and out and in and out of air conditioning all day. BLERGH. I need some broccoli and a good nights sleep.

Price: $4.79
From: Coles
Why you need it: For that pounding headache that just won't go awayyyyy

Picture credit: gsk.com.au

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Turn the computer off and grab a pen

You know what the start of December means...Christmas beatles! Yep...John, Paul, George and Ringo in santa hats. Just kidding; I totally mean the bugs, silly. Those cute little critters herald the arrival of summer and the festive season (in my mind, anyway). The start of December also means putting up trees, walking around in circles at Bondi Westfield and writing Christmas cards.

I’ve mentioned before what a fan I am of the handwritten note, and Christmas cards are no exception. There’s something really personal and heartfelt about even the simplest of handwritten note or card. Don’t you agree? Handwriting can tell you so much about someone’s personality, and people just don’t write anymore. I was cleaning out my bedside table on the weekend and I found a whole stack of Christmas and birthday cards from the last 5 years – it was really special to read back over them and see what friends and family had written. I also found $350 in one of the cards, but that’s another story.

Anyway, you have a few options when it comes to cards. You can grab a generic pack from Coles or the Two Dollar Shop, or even splash out at Myer or DJ’s. Or you could truly do something special and go for personalised cards or Christmas note cards. My current stationary love is French Navy – they do exquisite note cards with matching envelopes which are just a joy to write on. It isn’t a fold in two card, but it encourages you to use your words rather than images. Imagine yourself sitting in your parlour (what? You don’t have a parlour?) with your beautiful calligraphy pen, inking out messages of good tidings to your loved ones in far flung corners of the globe. You could even send them their own set of French Navy stationary to encourage them to correspond back. Clever you – a gift you benefit from too!

My other favourite cards this year are from mooo.com.au. They do super cute and quirky cards - you can either buy the cards on their own OR have them personalised with your name and/or picture. Having your picture on your Christmas card is a very American thing – I remember when I lived there everyone I knew did that, and even now I still receive the odd posed family portrait in the post at this time of year. Not your thing? Just have your name or a message put on the front. I promise you will stand out in a sea of nativity scenes and trees. Plus, most importantly, those who matter to you will linger over your card a moment longer and appreciate your effort.

French Navy note cards
Price: $35 for 10 (and they come in a classy box)
From: French Navy online
Why you need them: For a touch of sophistication

Mooo Christmas Cards
Price: $20 for 16 cards OR from $40 for personalised cards
From: Mooo
Why you need them: For a quirky, personal missive

Note: If you go with either of these options, make sure you send me one!

Picture credit: frenchnavy.com.au; mooo.com.au

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Who's the man in the suit? Who's the cat with the beak?

I have mentioned Harvey Birdman a few times, but I have never actually introduced you. How positively rude of me! I do apologise.

Harvey is my half bird/half man attorney. I kid! He doesn’t practice law anymore. He retired to go travelling and spend time with Peanut.

My boy Harvey flew in to my living room one really hot day just after Christmas last year and planted himself on the classic literature shelf on the bookcase. Clearly a genius, both in reading material and finding a new owner. He made himself quite at home and didn’t want to leave, and who could blame him really – he has been a member of the family ever since. I would love to tell you he is something exciting and exotic, but he’s a regular old budgerigar. He does have a beautiful Tiffany blue belly, crissum and rump though.

I sometimes wonder if he is hatching world domination schemes in his little lair. He has mastered getting the cage door open but, alas, his lack of opposable thumbs means that once he gets the door open, gravity just defies him and it shuts again. One day maybe he will be lucky. Keep tryin' Harv!

He will sit quietly for hours and then when you want to record a video blog he wants to chat and/or throw a tantrum (how very fur-child of him). He sings along with music (again, classic sign of genius) and he eats the newspaper from the bottom of his cage which is kind of like reading it – pretty much ready for Mensa.

Harvey Birdman is of course named after Harvey Birdman, the hilarious and surreal title character from the cartoon comedy full of 60s and 70s Hanna Barbara characters. If you’ve never seen Harvey Birdman I recommend you track down the DVDs, plant your ass on the couch these summer holidays and prepare for some head scratching, eye-rolling good laughs!

Harvey Birdman - Attorney At Law Vol 1
Price: $34
From JB Hi-Fi
Why you need it: Perfect Christmas pressie for boyfriend/brother

Picture credit: Thanks to Harvey for posing; capcom.com

Monday, November 30, 2009

This shiz is bananas B.A.N.A.N.A.S

"Yellow nails" you say, "Isn't that kinda gross and ick?"
"Not even" I say, "as long as you have the right brand and you apply it properly. I'm so fashion forward that Rihanna is eating my dust"



(apologies for the incessant squawking in the background - Harvey ONLY does that when I'm talking. It's either an attention issue or he hates yellow nails)

Here are the obligatory visual aids...

The bottle


















The nails
















The smashed up bottle















Just as I was sitting down to record this video the bottle slipped through my fingers. Apparently OPI bottles don't bounce. Who would have thought? Also, it's a pain in the ass to get nail polish off terracotta outdoor tiles. My landlord is not gonna be impressed, and I have an inspection this week!

Price: $19.95
From: David Jones
Why you need it: Live a little! Put the coral away and go for something bold this party season.

Picture credit: OPI, moi

Friday, November 27, 2009

Product Trial: Braun Silk-epil Xpressive Wet&Dry epilator

Welcome to the Stuff That I Bought Great Hair Off!

My hairy guinea pig and I trialled the new Braun Silk-epil Xpressive Wet&Dry epilator. I am a waxer and she is a shaver so you’ll get two different perspectives on how effective the new wet&dry epilator is and, most importantly, how much it hurts!

What the Braun Silk-epil Xpressive Wet&Dry promises: "The Xpressive Wet&Dry is the first epilator from Braun that is designed to be used both in and out of water. The introduction of in-water use reduces discomfort and provides the gentlest epilation ever from Braun. The Silk-épil Xpressive Wet&Dry is extra kind to your skin, making it ideal for women with sensitive skin and those who are new to epilating. The warm water helps soothe the body and the massaging rollers help comfort the skin, so that hairs can be removed gently. Hairs are removed at the root so the skin will stay smooth and beautiful for up to 4 weeks."

Let’s meet our guinea pig:

Yarni - shaver, cricket fan, second funniest person I know

Length of time shaving: With the best intentions a 13 year old can have when planning her hair removal future, I had my legs waxed until I was 15. However, once the sun from the Summer of '97 hit, it was straight to the razor, ne'er to look back.

Frequency of shaving: A male classmate once called me "Gorilla Legs" at a primary school swimming carnival. Justin Garlick, you owe me 10 years of therapy. With this in mind, I shave every two days.

Pain threshold: Massive sook. Massive.

Length of time took to do a leg: So, apart from one failed epilating attempt when I was 17 (Emjoi Gently? Uhhh no.) this was my first attempt with an epilator. I didn't time myself, but I think it was around 30 minutes for one leg. It would have been much faster if I wasn't a Massive Sook. I also have to admit that I did one leg and then decided I needed a 'rest', so did the other leg the next night. The second time around I was a lot faster; maybe 10 to 15 minutes.

Pain level: Bearable. Less than I thought, that's for sure. There were parts of my leg that hurt a lot more than others (such as around the ankles) but I found if I did it directly under the water it hurt a lot less. Basically the water washed away my sorrow and took away my pain (yesssss Madonna reference.) Keeping the skin taut was also helpful.

Smoothness rating: You know a baby's bottom? Yeah, not my leg. There are some hairs that it didn't grab, and some I think that broke off rather than being pulled out, but these were fairly minimal. If someone had said, 'Hey Yarni, can I touch your leg?' I would've said, 'Totally, man!' and not felt bad about it. Even Justin Garlick.

Length of time hair took to grow back: It was probably about a week later, but it's nothing like shaving regrowth. It was a lot sparser and much, much less noticeable. Gorilla Legs rejoiced.

Would you use it again: Heck yes I would. How else am I going to be able to deal with four nights of camping without a shower at Falls Festival? In all seriousness though, I'm a definite convert. The pain was nowhere near as bad as I imagined it to be and the results are worth it.

Elise - waxer, lover of pie, funniest person I know

Length of time waxing: Every 3-4 weeks for the last 5 years. No wonder I have no money.

Pain threshold: I can fall asleep during a leg wax these days, although not the case for a bikini wax. Make of that what you will.

Length of time took to do a leg: You need to book time in the diary for this cos it’s not quick, but I reckon it took 20-25 minutes all up. And I apologise for all the water I used.

Pain level: Definitely bearable. Didn’t hurt as much on the firmer parts like my calves (these were also easier to do). Doing the wobbly bits was a bit trickier and a fraction more painful, probably from all the moving flesh.

Smoothness rating: My waxer is going to be most disappointed in me. We worked for so long to get all my leg hairs ‘in sync’ i.e. growing at the same rate. I got impatient and used the epilator halfway through my waxing cycle, so the smoothness didn’t last long with all these new little ones coming through. But almost 2 weeks later and I’m still wearing a short skirt no worries. Plus, this baby can pull the short ones (from 0.5mm), so I'll be able to grab them this weekend and hopefully be back in sync again (all this talk of in sync has gotten Bye Bye Bye stuck in my head).

Length of time hair took to grow back: a week or two, but that’s because of my out of sync hairs.

Would you use it again: Ab-so-frickin-lutely! The cost of this baby is the cost of 3.5 waxes for me, so 3 uses and it has paid for itself. Plus I don’t have to make appointments, I can use it when I need to and every few weeks I get to enjoy a long, hot shower.

Also wanted to add: You know how when you get a wax and you have those horrible red dots on your legs for a few hours afterwards, meaning you can't flash your legs until the next day? No red dots with this. So I can do my legs in the morning and wear a skirt in the arvo. So convenient!

Overall verdict: This is a winner for both waxers and shavers. The fact you can use it in the shower is what seals the deal, because the use of water makes the whole thing a lot less painful. It’s a money saver for waxers and it will thin out the hair of shavers. Wins all round.

Price: $208.95
From: Department stores and electrical places
Why you need it: For smooth silky legs without stubble or having to wait for your waxer.

Picture credit: Braun; Polaroided by Poladroid

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Put a Tic Tac in your mouth and get a bang out of life!

I'm a big Tic Tac fan. Sure, they rattle in your handbag when you walk, but I don't mind sounding like a maraca for that 2 calorie little hit of sweetness.

Yesterday I discovered what is probably the coolest little blending of two of my favourite things - Tic Tacs and sour candy. I had never seen Tic Tac Bold! before, but my corner store had apple sour and mint. A little bit of research tells me they also come in berry sour, but they aren't readily available in Aus. That's fine, I prefer apple anyway.

The box is opaque, not clear like usual, and more rounded than the signature rectangle shape. The little white Tic Tacs look innocent enough at first, all white and shiny and Tic Tac-y, with a pleasant apple taste on contact. But the real magic is in the centre. BAM! Tongue squirming, lip puckering sour goodness. Delightful! My biggest problem is showing restraint and not eating them all in one sitting.

Price: $1.85
From: your local corner store, or wherever you buy Tic Tacs from
Why you need them: For a flavour burst!

Picture credit: calorieking.com.au

Attention shoppers: get ready to save!

Once again, a weekend chock full of good sales all around Sydney. I have cherry-picked a few designer ones for you, so mark the details down and set your navmans.

SYDNEY-CENTRIC

camilla and marc warehouse sale – their recent stuff has been to die for. Fri 27th-Sat 28th. 291 Young St Waterloo Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat: 10am - 4pm

Seduce Warehouse – forget the work gear and go for their party dresses. Wed 25th – Sun 29th. 51 Princes Highway St Peters. Wed - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat & Sun: 9.30am-5pm

Rachel Gilbert – sequins + dresses! Wed 25th Nov - Sat 28th Nov. Suite 11, Level 5 50 Holt St
Surry Hills. Wed 10am-7pm; Thurs 10am-8pm; Fri 10am-7pm; Sat 10am-5:30pm

Leona Edmiston Vintage Warehouse sale – how very girlie! Fri 27th Nov – Sun 29th Nov. 483 Darling St Balmain. Thu: 10am-5:30pm; Fri: 10am-5:30pm; Sat - Sun: 9:30am-6pm

NIVEA – they know how to treat a lady (oh Niveaaaa). Saturday 28th Nov ONLY. 36 Huntingwood Drive, Huntingwood. 8:30am - 3:30pm. It's a bit of a mission to Huntingwood but the proceeds go to the Salvation Army so you feel extra good while you're stocking up!

MARK IT IN THE DIARY

MANNING CARTELL warehouse sale – keep your hands off the blazers; they’re mine! Thurs 3rd Dec - Fri 4th. 45-47 Meeks Rd Marrickville. Thu: 9am - 8pm; Fri: 9am - 7pm

Picture credit: Nivea.com.au

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Get back in the kitchen and make me some pie!


I have found the bestest, most wonderfulest, most awesomest cookbook ever. See how awesome it is? So awesome that I'm making up words now. THAT'S how awesome.

I was brought up, like many Australians, on a steady diet of food produced using The Australian Women's Weekly cookbooks. These books are like bibles - I challenge you to find me a home that doesn't have at least one. I can sit around with any group of friends/colleagues/randoms around my age and guarantee we can all talk about which cake Mum baked from the cake book (I had, amongst others, the butterfly and the swimming pool). The recipes are idiot proof and guaranteed to work since they are triple tested in the Women's Weekly test kitchen - big call, but they are pretty difficult to stuff up.

Anyway, Women's Weekly have just put out their latest offering called Eating Together. It's a really beautiful A4, 400 page soft cover cookbook full of glossy images of happy people and food porn. The recipes are all designed to be shared; whether it's breakfast with friends, a cocktail party, family dinner or baking in the kitchen with Grandma. I have cooked a few things from it so far (pecan pie - yum!) and flagged about 30 more pages of stuff that I want to try. How very fortunate for my flatmates.

As an added bonus, there is a really hot blogger that you may or may not know featured on pages 366/367. In my not-so-humble opinion, these pictures really make this book worth buying.

Price: $39.95
From: Bookstores
Why you need it: Would be an excellent Christmas present for Mum/Mother-in-law (that's a hint as to what I will be buying my Mum/Mother-in-law this year)

Picture credit: The Australian Women's Weekly

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Stuff That I Grew!

I would like to think I have a bit of a green thumb, but the best I can usually do is green nails. Usually. For the first time ever I have successfully managed to keep a plant alive - in fact I have 8 plants alive at the moment; no mean feat given my track record. I truly have the best of intentions, but plants and I don't often get along (please don't think I have the same killer instinct with animals - my budgie Harvey Birdman is almost a year old, touch wood). I am currently cultivating some sort of indoor tree, a peace lily (no lilies yet), frangipani tree (no flowers yet), tomatoes (no tomatoes yet), tulips (no tulips yet), snap dragons (yay! flowers) and basil with some very large leaves. But my pride and joy is my strawberry plant because it has Real Live Strawberries on it! Or rather, it has A Real Live Strawberry. I tell you what though - it smells amazing! I can't wait for it to get a just a wee bit bigger so I can pick it, whip some cream and enjoyyyyyy.

Price: $3 for seeds
From: Coles

Price: $9 for the pot
From: Flower Power

Growing and eating your own strawberries: Priceless (with thanks to Mastercard for letting me steal their punchline)

Picture credit: my own Canon Ixus 85IS; Polaroided by Poladroid

Monday, November 23, 2009

I need your help!

Current obsession: electric pink lips. BUT even with lip liner and a setting gloss, my lipstick wore right off on Saturday night. Granted I wasn't using the best brand, but it was the right shade of pink so I thought I might be able to make it work. Apparently not. Before I hit the cosmetics counters and start shelling out hundreds to find the right one, can anyone recommend from experience a solid, long-lasting electric pink lipstick? I'm talking magenta pink, not baby pink. Knock your socks off pink. Sell it to me and I'll start shopping and trialling.

Zinc on your nose

When I think zinc, I think stripes of green and blue across my nose as a kid. Remember the school swimming carnivals when you used to have your house name written up and down your legs and arms in a passionate show of Kellerman/Melba/Franklin/Oodgeroo pride (our houses were named after historical Australian women) and there was always that silly girl who didn’t put sunscreen under her zinc and had to come to school the next day sporting a swimming carnival tan with white words scrawled up her red arms. Glad that was never me.

Point is, zinc has changed a lot since the 90s. Take Invisible Zinc for example. While the word zinc conjures images of pore clogging thickness, the Invisible Zinc Environmental Skin Protector is a really light and moisturising cream that sinks right into skin. PLUS this baby is a superfighter. It’s good for all skin types, reflects UV rays (A & B!) and assists in neutralising all the yucky environmental pollutants that do mean things like cause wrinkles and make skin sad. I was spurred on to write about this because I have been passionately using the Invisible Zinc ESP since it launched, and my Dad asked for a recommendation for something strong enough to wear to his outdoor weddings without the whole sweaty white face that seems to come with hardcore sunscreens (background: my Dad is a wedding celebrant and does a lot of outdoor weddings in summer – I highly recommend him, but I’m slightly biased). It might not stop him getting wrinkles at this stage (love you Dad) but it will definitely fight the harsh summer sun while keeping him looking fresh and celebrant-y.

Price: $35
From: David Jones
Why you need it: To fight those harsh UV rays and the evil wrinkle causing pollutants. Bam! Ka-pow!

Picture credit: invisiblezinc.com

Sunday, November 22, 2009

She's be-cider herself with the new Strongbow!

I dunno about you, but I burn out pretty quickly from party season. I feel like I’m starting to fade already and there are still 6 weeks to go til we hit 2010. Do you ever think ‘I can’t possibly go to one more function and make small talk with Barry from accounts whilst gagging on house white’? Me too. I would much rather be on my balcony drinking cider.

I will admit I am fairly new to the cider market, after conversion via a good friend and a shouted schooner down the local. Not sure why I had never considered it before; probably because I have never been a fan of apple juice and I just assumed it would be like apple juice on crack – all sugary and harsh. To-ta-lly wrong. I now have a 6-pack of Strongbow Clear in the fridge for days like today (i.e. hot, minimal clothes, too lazy to do anything). Before you ask, yes I did pick the Strongbow Clear because it is 50% less sugar and 35% less carbs. All the finger food at parties and Maccas hangover breakfasts are playing havoc on my waistline.

Here’s the Stuff That I Bought handy checklist for how to drink cider properly:
  • It has to be ICE COLD. Chill your glass in the fridge. Throw in some extra ice cubes. Do whatever you need to do to keep it sub-zero.
  • Drink outside. Coldness mentioned in previous point juxtaposes well with Australian summer temperatures.
  • Best consumed in groups. Not sure why that is, but the more people who are around, the better it tastes.
  • The group needs to be naked. Oh wait, that’s an orgy. Wrong list!
How not to drink cider:
  • Through your nose. It burns.
Price: $14.99 for a 6-pack, $50.99 for a case
From: Your local bottle-o
Why you need it: To break the heat and the monotony

PS - I would like to take a moment to apologise for the appalling header. I just really wanted to use the word cider in there!

Picture credit: Fostersgroup

Friday, November 20, 2009

Flip flop flip flop - the sound of summer

Just a quicky today to say get these on your hoofs! Since summer has hit us with full force, it’s going to be a beachy kind of weekend and you need to be prepared. This involves sunscreen, hat, esky full of cold ones and a pair of New Zealand safety boots, as my Dad used to call them. Or thongs, if you’re not fluent in 80s ocker slang.

Havaiana’s sexy Brazilian cousin Dupe (doo-pay) has hit our shore and is ready to party. Just as comfy, if not comfier (is that a word?) than Havaianas, they are made from a super-soft, flexible high-tech rubber to protect and cushion your feet while you traipse a kilometre from your parking spot somewhere in the back of Bondi, negotiate the scores of British backpackers on the hot sand and then get you back to the convenience store for a Calippo and a bottle of water. That’s a lot of walking for a relaxing day at the beach! See the gel spot on the heel? That's HXP gel (translation - feels good, man).

Price: starts from $14.95
From: the usual thongs stockists (I got mine from General Pants)
Why you need them: Do you wear anything but thongs in summer?

These same cool cats are also bringing us thongs with an edge. I first spotted Bruna thongs on the feet of the fashion director of one of the big mags and instantly fell in love with the chic studded design on a simple black thong. (FYI - Bruna is the niece of the chick who brought Havaianas to Australia - that's good thong breeding). You can pick from square studs, round studs or rows of crystals on black or white. Consider them your formal thongs, for big occasions. (Thanks to the glamorous Sassi Sam for letting me steal her image of the Bruna's!)

Price: $39.95
From: General Pants
Why you need them: Like I said, do you wear anything but thongs in summer? You need a nice dressy pair for those big occasions (weddings, formals, Christmas parties)

Picture credit: Dupe.com.au, Sassisamblog.com
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