RUDDY, SET, GO!

For all of you fortunate enough to receive the generous allowance from the Rudd Government, or for those who've saved their 'Baby Bonuses', here's a few suggestions on how to give a little back to the economy. Most of you are respectful, responsible citizens, but those few who like to splurg, forget groceries, forget petrol for the car or nappies for the infant, these little wonders below are far more important, especially, for Christmas. Who said having 6 Kids was stupid?

1. Valentino Crystal Clutch. This will keep your leftover change safe for a rainy day, or maybe for Baby Formula...........or better still, Cigarettes!!

2. CH25 Chair. Veto the traditional Christmas Table and feast on your Pudding and Brandy Custard from your Throne.......it's a good place to sit and ignore the Defacto as well.

3. EASTON PEARSON 2008/09. Carve the Turkey wearing a technicolour piece from Brisbane's Design Duo, and no-one will have any idea you've had 5 Kids from 5 different Fathers.

4. ETRO MENSWEAR 2008/09. Knock back a few cold one's while ingognito as a Greek Aristocrat.......looks can be deceiving, especially when your really a divorced Father of 4, who's secretly shagging the 18 year old next door, while collecting Worker's Comp.

5.VESPA 250GTSIE. Ride to the nearest ATM to collect your Dole payment in style, this baby can also carry a carton of VB from the Bottle-O discreetly.

6.AZZOLINI SWIMWEAR. Dress proper to wash the Datsun 180B.

7.HERMES POCKETWATCH. Because of your 8th Grade education, ask someone the time by showing off this Luxurious timepiece.

So there you go, some little brick and a little brack to make this festive season even more wondrous. And as gift from me to you, for all those who did'nt have a baby, or receive a little embellishment to your bank account to spend carefree, I APOLOGISE on behalf of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

If I had a Bow big enough, I'd wrap it!!

CICCONE VUITTON.

Here's a sneak preview of the new LOUIS VUITTON campaign shoot by Steven Meisel and starring MADONNA. Look out for the entire series which will hit newstands in the Glossy's come February '09.

Fifty, Not Out!

OTHER OF ALL MUSIC STORES!

Other Music Store.

Rough Trade.

For all those music freaks out there, whose life's purpose is to track down the planets best music stores, then here's another one to add to your list. OTHER MUSIC.

Situated near NYU, Other Music has remained diligent in it's quest to be the place to go for Esoteric Electronica, Indie Rock or anything slightly alternate, and has been successful since 1995 thanks to owner Josh Madell. The stores website http://www.othermusic.com/ has a digital download site to accomodate the MP3 Fanatic.

Music to my ears!!! Other Music, 15 East 4th Street, New York.

PS. Another website where you can buy music, is http://www.roughtrade.com/, or if you're in London, head to Brick Lane to the store itself. It stocks some of the hardest to get Records and CD's in the world.

Rough Trade East, 'Dray Walk', Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL

HIDDEN GEMS.

The Inoue Brothers.

Nom de Guerre.

As some of you know I have travelled to London alot over the last 2 months, and I have stumble upon so many incredible discoveries, and here's two more.

Danish brand 'INOUE BROTHERS' have some of the most incredible knitwear I have ever seen/touched. These Danish born Japanese brothers have a passion for soft-as-cashmere 'Alpaca' from Bolivia, and along with their attention to detail, have created some of the most luxurious jumpers and scarves available.

A percentage of all sales goes to the Bolivian Arco Iris Foundation, which supports disadvantaged youth. The jumpers are hand-stitched by local artisans.

http://www.theinouebrothers.net/

Another label I am over the moon about is NOM DE GUERRE. Started in New York in 2003, Nom de Guerre's designs are minimal with a militray edge. The concept of the label is to combine diverse influences from Art, Music, Fashion and several other New York subcultures.

Enough said. http://www.nomdeguerre.net/

CHANGEZ VIENT.

Just to let some of you know what's happening at COLETTE in Paris. Japanese Designer 'Masamichi Katayama' whose past projects include mega chain UNIQLO and BATHING APE, has been commissioned to create new interiors for the 3 floors of the famed Parisian store. COLETTE is always at the forefront of style, so get ready for it to up-the-ante. I understand the toilets will be well worth the visit!!

Toujours et pour toujours stupefiant!

http://www.colette.fr/

(WO)MEN OF STEEL.

Excuse me if I come aross a little forward, and, well, rude, but what is it about Men marrying Women who look like Men?

The thought of waking up in the morning and seeing something that resembles Bruce Paige in a Camisole scares me, and my heart goes out to all these men. I understand LOVE conquers all, but are'nt heterosexual men suppose to be attracted to feminity.

It's hard enough being a woman in a man's world, but trying to be a woman who looks like a man in a man's world, must be hell. You know these women, there the ones wearing linen shirts from Country Road, capri pants from Big Gals Pay Less, and flat shoes, usually Birkenstocks or Crocs. They have bodies sometimes stockier then their husbands and in eveningwear they look like Ian Thorpe with a blow-wave.

I respect the fact that as we get older our bodies change, but hey ladies, this does'nt mean we pack in the Easton Pearson in favour for garb straight out of Prisoner! Put some make-up on, get your hair done and act like a lady.............or at least look like one!

PS. When I say 'at least look like one', I don't mean turning yourself into a Kate Miller-Heidke lookalike. Being overstyled to the point of Harajuku suicide and coming out looking like a 40 year Pre-Schooler aint good either!!!!

LONDON CALLING.

Man, it's been a while. Sorry to everyone who's emailed me wanting MORE, but I have been somewhat busy with, well, everything. Life is just too complicated, but I'm back and blogging.

I thought I would let you know about some 'secret' addresses I found in London on a recent visit, and as I am headed there again this week, I should return with more! So here goes.....

1.THE VAULTS at GORDON'S WINE BAR. An off-the-beaten track bar in the famed Wine Bar on Villiers Street. Intimate, even when over-crowded.

47 Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NE.

2.RD FRANKS. Fashionista's Paradise. This hard-to-find Bookshop/Newsagent is an Oasis of hard to get Magazines and Books. Pure Heaven for Magazine Collectors.

5 Winsley Street, London, W1W 8HG. http://www.rdfranks.co.uk/

3.SHIKASUKI. A shop filled with heavenly pristine vintage finds. Millinery and Art.

67 Gloucester Avenue, London, NW1 8LD. http://www.shikasuki.com/

4.COUVERTURE. Vintage collector items, European fashion and original designer pieces for the home are found in this well-crafted emporium of taste.

188 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 2ES. http://www.couverture.co.uk/

5.Last, but not least, is a website dedicated to ONE-OFF pieces. A sales assistant at LIBERTY told me about it. http://www.20ltd.com/ offers limited edition statement pieces, that will have you envied by everyone.....even men!

Welcome Back to Me! x

TRIBUNETASTIC.

For all of you JEAN BROWN followers, you would be well aware of it's little sister TRIBUNE.

Opened now for quite a while (that's fashion years), TRIBUNE is a little bunker boutique positioned in Arthur Street, Fortitiude Valley.

People know it as the 'Jean Brown Sales Shop', but when you're staring at Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Lanvin and Alexander McQueen, you know this is no ordinary 'outlet'.

Hanging alongside discounted bags and shoes, are edgy clothes designed by students and unknowns, but dare I say it......not for long.

We have Amber Long to thank for this little gem, and as always, like Jean Brown Gallerie and Jean Brown Robe, TRIBUNE delivers.

Now where's that Menswear store?

Tribune.

164 Arthur Street

Fortitude Valley.

COMING ATTRACTIONS.

Here are some suggestions for your viewing pleasure in the coming months. All these movies are well-worth the admission, and well worth the wait.

As usual most are dramatic, but all are entertaining. Whether it be a sordid love affair, a lesson about music and hope or..................wind-screen wipers, there is something here for everyone, who respect fine film.

Some are based on true stories.

Fade to Black.

AND THE BRIDE WORE GRBAC!!

News just in.......Brisbane Designer Darling and Project Runway favourite, Juli Grbac married her English beau, Paul Edge in an intimate ceremony on Monday 11th August.

With only a handful of family and close friends in attendance, the couple sealed their committment to each other in one of the most equisite small weddings.........EVER!

Juli designed and made the strapless dress herself, as expected. It was accompanied by lace Sergio Rossi heels, bought from JEAN BROWN and drop earrings from CHELSEA de LUCA's new collection.

Paul wore a dark suit, with matching white cufflinked shirt and tie, and polished lace-ups!

Juli's 3 year old niece, Angelina, executed the role of matron of honour/bridesmaid and flowergirl beautifully!!

Guests were treated to High Tea at 'The Brasserie' located inside the Stanford Plaza hotel.
During the informal festivities, all guests made personalised speeches around the table. During Mr Edge's speech he proudly gave Juli a surprise gift from TIFFANY & CO.

The happy couple returned to their gruelling schedules the next day.
Congratulations!

FAVOURITE THINGS AUGUST 2008.

I apologise for the lack of postings over recent months, but I have been overseas, and computers have been far from my mind. I thought I'd come back with a vengence and deliver my favourite things for August 2008, here goes:

1.BALLY. The impending opening of a fully fledged store is making my knees quiver. Despite what the alternate say, BALLY deliver exceptional contemporary design, and at ok prices as well. http://www.bally.com/

2.MINNIE PWERLE RUGS. As a fan, at first it was upsetting, the thought, of a rug being made from Minnie Pwerle paintings, but when you finally see one in person, it's quite simply jawdropping! Head to Designer Rugs in the Valley to see these exquisite floor coverings, alongside others from Dinosaur Designs and Akira Isogawa. http://www.designerrugs.com.au/

3. BULGARI RESORT. These are no ordinary Villa's. Grow wrinkly in your own private plunge pool while sipping cocktials, but if that's not enough, take the lift to the beach, and do the same thing!! Bali has never been so exquisite.

BYJ (Bring your own Jewels). http://www.bulgarihotels.com/

4.BURGER JOINT. Situated in the up-market le Parker Meridien Hotel is BURGER JOINT. Resembling a roadhouse grill, expect one of the best burgers in town, and remember, I am a burger afficianado!!! 119 West 56th Street.

5.FRANK GEHRY FISH BRACELET. Once again Mr Gehry delivers a one of a kind neck hanging that even Wilma Flintstone would kill for. Tiffany & Co 1800 731 131

WITH A DASH OF LIME.

Another Boutique hotel has opened in Brisbane and this one, unlike THE EMPORIUM HOTEL, exudes class. With contemporary furnishings and accessories, THE LIMES HOTEL, (which is nestled away from the noise and grime of the Valley in a back street), is the perfect place to bed down.

With a rooftop bar and cinema, this is the perfect place to cool down on summer days, or get up- close and personal on winter nights.

With the NO VACANCY sign already lit up, book in advance to secure one of the very few rooms.

Shame it does'nt have a modern diner or lap pool, ahhhh well, beggars can't be choosers!!

LIMES HOTEL

142 Constance Street

Fortitude Valley, Brisbane

4006

(07) 3852 9000

http://www.limeshotel.com.au/

BLISS.

In recent years, Brisbane has been ambushed by day spa's. And as we all know, choosing one can be a daunting task.

The experience must start at the welcome and finish at the goodbye. It must be sincere, comforting and positive.

A visit to BODY ESSENCE is one of those rare experiences that commits you to a marriage of sorts, that marriage being with the service, and the product.

BODY ESSENCE has recently opened it's second spa in New Farm, and no expense has been spared. With quiet, exquisitly designed rooms, body treatments for both men and women are out-of-this-world surreal, and because of this, the BODY ESSENCE sanctuary may become your second home.

Yoga and Pilates Classes are taken here, and the spa is available for private hire. I am honest when I say, there is nothing like it in Brisbane. BODY ESSENCE owner Miriam Van Doorn is'nt called 'A Living Icon of Wellness' for nothing.

http://www.bodyessencedayspa.com.au/

(07) 3358 3100

THE NAME GAME.

What's in a name?

I have said for many years that Brisbane is way behind Sydney and Melbourne in the name game. What name game you ask? The very important game of..................naming a business.

As we know, Brisbane is behind our southern sisters when it comes to abundant, top quality venue's, and although little stars shine brightly out there, supernova's have'nt been spotted for a long time.

Now appearance is everything, and by the looks of some, not much thought or money goes into the creative side, and because of this they usually crash and burn. I'm not saying this does'nt happen in Sydney or Melbourne, but alot more venues survive there due to constant revamp and promotion. Hospitality venue's that exude charisma with it's interior, staff and product usually stick around alot longer. Trends exist, not only in fashion, but in social destinations.

Here in Brisbane we seem to excell on being mediocre. Half baked idea's done on the cheap to look expensive, and although popular, will sooner or later lose their lustre. For fickle reason's, I've always thought a good venue should be given a good name. Something original, cutting edge and not try-hard. There are some which are good, and there are some that are bad, and then there are some that are downright ugly. A name is something people are going to associate you with. A name is everything.

There are cafe's and restaurants, bars and clubs with names that although may mean something heartfelt to their owner, are nothing more then forgettable embarrasments. Where's the creativity in this town? I know it's out there.

I hope as time progresses, proprietors knuckle down and realise that concocting the perfect name for their business is just as important as the wine they sell or clothes they stock. I also hope they hire a good graphic designer to do all the harder work for them, because even a good name requires good embellishment.

Another thing done exceedingly well here is the 'Buy Up'. People buying exsisting businesses, keeping the name, but slowly morphing it into something completely different, therefore destroying the reason why it was popular in the first place, eg: Burgerurge. Note: The appearance of a business reflects the product.

Petty, I know, but I've always felt this way, the name of a business is huge in my books, just like the cover of a book or a magazine......I have to be drawn in. It's hilarious when people give their outlet a name in french (thinking it's cool), but have no idea the english translation is so much better!

In saying all this, not only does a name go along way, but so does an interior, so look out for the incredibly tacky ZURI opening in October, as well as the over-exposed and over-ugly CLOUDLAND coming in 2009.

For good graphic design, go to http://www.entica.com.au/
For good names, go anywhere else in the world.

SCHMOOVEST SHOE AROUND.

For all those fashionable, yet athletic blokes who require a stylish shoe with the comfort of a trainer, do I have the product for you.

SCHMOOVE Shoes are not only more stylish then a traditional shoe, they're really a running shoe/slipper in disguise. Wear them with a suit, or jeans, and you'll never have to steal your girlfriends party feet again! Bing Crosby would've loved them!!!

Prices vary.

http://www.schmoove-eshop.fr/

THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT!

Check these uber-cool sunglasses from MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA. Called L'INCOGNITO, they sit across the eye like a Sci-fi Zorro Mask. There is no indention made for the nose, nor is there shape for around the eyes. They stay in place due to a ridge which is not seen from the front and gives the appearance they are floating in front of the wearer, therefore producing double takes from passers-by.

In photo's it looks as if the person wearing them has had black masking tape put over their eye's.

Available from Maison Martin Margiela for around AUD$840.00.

BUBBLE BUBBLE TOIL & TROUBLE.

On a recent visit to LA, I visited ANTHROPOLOGIE at 'The Grove' in West Hollywood and picked up an incredibly decadent bubble bath from COTE' BASTIDE. These french elixirs are packaged in apothecary-style bottles, and have a soft, sweet lingering scent that fills your bathroom with lilacs and violets.

Sit back and channel Marie Antionette.

US$45 each.

TWO OF A KIND.

Launched last week at JEAN BROWN ROBE, capsule collections from local jeweller CHELSEA de LUCA and designer JULI GRBAC sold out within days. Ms Grbac's '48 HOURS IN PARIS' (who came up with that name I wonder?) collection, and Ms de Luca's 'WILD SWANS' collection proved once again these talented women know their customer.

Both have been going from strength to strength in recent months, and although Grbac closed her boutique in March her clothes have never been more sort after. Even committed Grbac devotee's missed out on pieces at Jean Brown Robe, which is evidence her clothes are, as always, Collector Items.......especially now with her status sky-rocketing thanks to her appearance on the aussie version of 'PROJECT RUNWAY'.

Due to her being in 'lockdown' in Melbourne during filming, Juli could'nt make the JBR debut of her exquisite clothes, which hang alongside some notable foreigners, but she was there in spirit with some Brisbane style leaders wearing past Grbac creations.

Chelsea was in attendance, and like her missing in action partner in crime, her lady of the hour tiara shone brightly. Jean Brown owner Amber Long, who has been a DE LUCA/GRBAC afficianado since her stores inception, knows a good thing when she see's it, and is always the perfect canvas for both designers art.

Onwards and Upwards!!
Love you two.
x

A MOTHER OF A DAY!!

The following are several ideas for Mother's Day gifts. Some may require a little more time to acquire, but all Mothers are well deserving. Credit Cards at the Ready!!!!!

1.NINA OIKAWA Jewellery. Melbourne jeweller Nina Oikawa's kitsch elegance redefines exquisite jewellery. The ring above is an experimental piece and is what she calls 'Fossil Jewels'. AUD$900.

2.BOX SOFA. The Box Sofa, which is a collaboration between AUTOBAN and DE LA ESPADA, is the ultimate 'Ladies Chair'. Allow 6 weeks for delivery. http://www.delaespada.com/

3.MASERATI GRAN TURISMO. Offering V8 power alongside slick and sexy Italian styling. Seats 4, but better for two. You need room in the backseat for those Belinda bags!!!http://www.maserati.com.au/

4.PRADA FAIRY BAG. Enough said. http://www.prada.com/

5.BETTE MIDLER TICKETS. Vegas says Goodbye to Celine Dion and Hello to the Divine Ms M. Tickets are on sale for 'THE SHOWGIRL MUST GO ON' tour at the Colosseum at Ceasars Palace. Hurry, tickets are selling fast. http://www.bettemidlerlasvegas.com/ http://www.qantas.com/

6.OUTSHINE TREATMENT. Omnnulix Red Light Therapy to turn back time.

12 x 3o minute Treatments AUD$1100. http://www.outshine.com.au/

Fortitude Valley and West End.

If you can't afford any of the above, then head to Jean Brown's new store, 'TRIBUNE' in Fortitude Valley for heavily discounted shoes, clothes and accessories including pieces from Lanvin and Marc Jacobs.

Happy Mother's Day!