Friday photos

It's been a while since I've had a spare 5 minutes to put together some Friday photos but after reading a number of emails and trawling the web last night, there's a few from the last 2 weeks that I just had to load up.

Angelina Jolie

I know you'll agree with me - if you had legs like Angelina Jolie (and a partner like Brad Pitt of course) you'd wear a skin coloured, high split dress on the Cannes red carpet too. And sky high Louboutin's in a matching shade of beige - perfection!

Ashley Tisdale

No, I'm not a fan of High School Musical (in fact, quite the opposite). But I am a fan of a darker haired Ashley Tisdale, rocking some hot short shorts and biker boots. I wasn't much of a fan of the biker boot until a work colleague mentioned she purchased a pair recently and I've been keeping my eye out for them ever since. While I don't have the legs to pull them off, I know there are a lot of chicks out there who do (SH that's you!).

Lauren Conrad

Leaving The Hills might be the best or worst move she ever makes but either way, the girls still got style. I love monochrome outfits and LC's leather skirt, white blouse and scarf are so simple but so hot. Lauren really pulls off casual chic well - here's hoping she moves onto bigger and better things (and leaves the bitchiness of The Hills to Heidi & Kristin).

Nicole Richie

Still one of my favourite stars to watch for style, Nicole pulls off fashionable pregnant Mum better than anyone! Showing off her own line of jewellery from House of Harlow while heading in to record an episode of Larry King Live, Nicole loooks lovely in another black & white ensemble, all the while making carrying a bub in 10 inch heels look effortless.

Enjoy your weekend.....

Yours truly

d+s

Weekend wind-up

1. Cleaning
Praise the lord for James Home Services. 3 hours and $110 later and a dog hair free couch, paw print free tiles and taps so shiny I could put my lippie on in front of them.

2. Shopping
The dog’s been for a walk, the house is being cleaned and you’ve got 3 hours free – what else do you do but shop? (in fear of feeling like a Stepford wife minus the Prozac and twin set, I made sure my shopping trip had a purpose – I was researching for this blog).

3. Truck Show
Yes, that’s right. Truck Show. Haven’t been to one? Let me enlighten you – big, shiny, expensive road trains, RM Williams boots and flannelette shirts on every second person and an unheard of amount of mullets (so much so I lost count). In case you’re wondering why on earth I would go to a truck show, it was for my man’s work. And, even if I do say so myself, he was the best dressed bloke in the whole place (thanks to some great tan shoes we picked up from yd prior to the show – on sale for $99.95, bargain). I may not be into flannel (even though it’s similar to tartan) but I love my man, so much so I missed a screening of Breakfast at Tiffany’s to stand around and stare at wheels taller than me for an hour.

4. X Men Origins – Wolverine
It’s hideously expensive and I hate the colour of the chairs but when you can put your feet up, have your food brought out to you at the time you chose and drink a bottle of wine at your leisure, there’s nothing better than gold class movies. Add in a decent amount of Hugh Jackman built buffer than Arnold Schwazanegger in Terminator (phwoar) and you’ve got a great Sunday night. Just don’t check your bank balance after the movie tickets, wine and dinner - yikes.

5. Mondayitis
Only cured by a good coffee, healthy breakfast (I highly recommend Uncle Toby’s Apple & Cinnamon oats) and some leisurely time to sift through emails. While all Monday’s might not be this easy, at least there’s only 4 more days till the next weekend. A big shout out to the Brisbane Barracudas Women’s team for winning the National League title on the weekend in Sydney – if anyone’s going to have a case of Mondayitis, it’s them (I believe they were still up at 5am Sunday morning drinking from their silver cup). Well done girls!

Yours truly
d+s

No Friday photos today.... why?

Because I want to share some music with you instead!

If you're not signed up to Gwyneth Paltrow's newsletters through her Goop website, it's well worth doing. Inspired by her email today, I think I am going to finally take some time this weekend and make the "mix cd" I've been meaning to put together for over a 2 years (full of songs that my man and I love to listen to in the car).

Before I post my list, I have to share with you the great Party Jams Gwyneth's friends have chosen cause they're very iPod worthy!

DJ AM’s Picks
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” – Michael Jackson
“Into the Groove” – Madonna“
Lovefool” – The Cardigans
“Hypnotize” – The Notorious B.I.G.
“Be Faithful” – Crooklyn Clan
“Crazy in Love” – Beyoncé
“One More Time” – Daft Punk
“I Wanna Be Your Lover” – Prince
“Jump Around” – House of Pain
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses

Guy’s Picks
(Guy Oseary is the Maverick man and played the DJ in Charlie’s Angels.)
’80s Play List“
Under Pressure” – David Bowie & Queen
“Tainted Love” – Soft Cell
“Let’s Go to Bed” – The Cure
“Just Can’t Get Enough” – Depeche Mode
“How Soon Is Now?” – The Smiths
“Our Lips Are Sealed” – Fun Boy Three
“Ghost Town” – The Specials
“Blue Monday” – New Order
“Burning Up” – Madonna
“Bankrobber” – The Clash

Gabe’s Picks
(Gabe Tesoriero is VP of Publicity at Def Jam Recordings. His iPod always makes it happen – he is the life of the party.)
“House of Jealous Lovers” – The Rapture
“Paper Planes” – M.I.A.
“One More Time” – Daft Punk
“We Are Your Friends” – Justice
“What We Do” – Beanie Sigel, Freeway & Jay-Z
“Hey Ya” – OutKast
“L.A. Woman” – The Doors
“Feel Good Hit of the Summer” – Queens of the Stone Age
“Heartbeats” – The Knife
“Juicy” – The Notorious B.I.G.

Samantha’s Picks
(Samantha Ronson is America’s best-loved and most well-known female DJ.)
“Another Star” – Stevie Wonder
“Stomp!” – The Brothers Johnson
“Into the Groove” – Madonna
“Can You Feel It” – The Jacksons
“Big Pimpin’” – Jay-Z
“Groove Me” – King Floyd
“Toxic” – Mark Ronson feat. ODB
“Electric Feel (Justice Remix)” – MGMT
“Music Sounds Better with You” – Stardust
“The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall Into My Mind)” – The Bucketheads

Phil’s Picks
(Phil Harvey is the devastatingly handsome fifth member of Coldplay.)
“1 Thing” – Amerie
“Groove Is in the Heart” – Deee-Lite
“Cigarettes and Alcohol” – Oasis
“Out of Space” – The Prodigy
“1979” – Smashing Pumpkins
“Superstylin’” – Groove Armada
“Step On” – Happy Mondays
“Doo Wop (That Thing)” – Lauryn Hill
“Into Your Arms” – The Lemonheads
“Sir Duke” – Stevie Wonder

William’s Picks
(William Orbit is a Grammy Award-winning producer who did albums like Blur’s 13 and Madonna’s Ray of Light. He is a musical prodigy and lives in London.)
These are my top ten party favourites! I was visualising a party with a wide range of age and taste. They’re listed in order of play, not of preference.
“Car Wash (Shark Tale Mix)” – Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott
“Music” – Madonna
“Don’t Stop the Music” – Rihanna
“Rock This Party (Everybody Dance Now)” – Bob Sinclair
“Wearing My Rolex” – Wiley
“Jump Around” – House of Pain
“Groove Is in the Heart” – Deee-Lite
“I See You Baby” – Groove Armada
“Filthy Gorgeous” – Scissor Sisters
“Crank That (Soulja Boy)” – Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em

Gwyneth's Picks
(Gwyneth Paltrow is not a music expert but is an avid listener and knows how to get down.)
"You Only Live Once" – The Strokes
"Time to Pretend" – MGMT
"Let's Go Crazy" – Prince & The Revolution
"Paper Planes (DFA Remix)" – M.I.A.
"Someone Great" – LCD Soundsystem
"Strawberry Swing" – Coldplay
"Mr. Brightside (Jacques Lu Cont's Thin White Duke Mix)" – The Killers
"Keep The Car Running" – Arcade Fire
"Single Ladies" – Beyonce
"Wrong Prayer" – Jaydiohead (Jay-Z & Radiohead)

And here's just a sample of some of my favourites.....
Hotel California – The Eagles
Drive – Incubus
Take Me Away – 4 Strings
Rollercoaster – Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Mama Said – Metallica
Master of Puppets (S&M version) – Metallica
Girls – Prodigy
Smack My Bitch Up - Prodigy
Red Light, Green Light – Limp Bizkit
In The Air Tonight – Phil Collins
What I’ve Done – Linkin Park
Numb/Encore – Linkin Park & Jay Z
Joker & The Thief – Wolfmother
Ulysses - Franz Ferdinand
Embrace - Pnau fet. Ladyhawke
Honey - Lovers Electric
Where do I begin - Chemical Brothers
This old love – Lior
We are the people - Empire of the Sun
Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon
Closer - Kings of Leon
Never the Same - Supreme Beings of Leisure
To build a home - The Cinematic Orchestra

Have a great weekend (go buy some music!)

Yours truly
d+s

Three things I'd rather be doing today....

Yours truly

d+s

Barkins online

In case you haven't read a blog, magazine or fashion website in the last month or are simply living under a rock, let me introduce to you Barkins and their latest season, all available online.

Receiving a 2 page spread in Mylookbook.com.au this month and a number of other blog mentions around the world wide web, Barkins offer cute, cheap on trend items that appeal to a wide range of age groups. They do have a few stores around the country, check out the listings on their website but if you're wondering why you might have seen the label before, they are also available in Table Eight Outlet stores (my local DFO at Brisbane Airport has almost the entire range every season).

I've fallen in love with a few new season items so much, I'm tempted to do a DFO trip this weekend to check them out. When you can get a whole outfit for less than $150 hell, who wouldn't want to pay them a visit.

Check out my picks.....


From top to bottom:
Stone Trench $89.95

Petal Print top: $39.95
Paisley Tunic: $49.95
Pleated Waist Top: $34.95
Splatter Printed Skirt: $39.95
Lace Corset Belt: 24.95

Yours truly
d+s




EDIT: Being the addicted shopper I am, I raced to DFO last night to try on these items and couldn't help but purchase the Petal Print top and Pleated Waist top, too good to pass up at such a small price. Had I needed a beige trench, I would have bought that too. If your off shopping this weekend, I'd recommend DFO Brisbane Airport, there were a number of great items in other stores I didn't have time to look in (including some hot printed gumboots in Steve Madden!).

Test Drive: Clinique Take the Day Off Make-Up Remover Milk

What THEY say: Gentle, milky makeup dissolver removes even long-wearing facial makeup and sunscreens, then tissues off or rinses away with water. Residue-free formula leaves all skin types soft, comfortable. For all skin types, ideal for drier skins. Allergy tested, 100% fragrance free.

Directions: massage over dry face, avoiding eyes, rinse or tissue off. Follow with Clinique 3-Step.

So you’ve tried everything from a Coles $3 facial tissue to $70 SK-II Cleanser and you still wake up to see your pillow looking like you we’re hit with a makeup gun a-la Homer’s crazy invention in the Simpson’s “Wizard of Evergreen Terrace” episode.

While I can’t confirm this stuff will give you Cate Blanchett’s skin overnight but what I can tell you is that for a makeup remover that is JUST a makeup remover, it’s worth every cent. Thanks to the lovely lady at the David Jones Clinique counter I met a few weeks back while buying foundation, I was given a sample and as usual, threw it in a drawer with all the other samples I’ve been given over the years (I really should throw out that brown lipstick that I was given back in 2001).

Two things set this product apart from every other I’ve tried – firstly, it’s just a makeup remover. So many products I’ve been given or tested in past years are cleansers, purifiers, toners or moisturisers when all I want is something that will remove a day’s worth of work in 5 minutes. Secondly, you don’t need water. This may sound neurotic but I when I have to take my makeup off with water, no kind of shower cap, headband or towel can seem to keep the water away from my hair and wet hair means another wash the next morning (which if we were on lower level water restrictions in Queensland I wouldn’t mind so much but I am trying to be kind to the environment). To my delight however, a day or two after being given the bottle I went back into the drawer and read the directions – rinse or TISSUE off. Praise the lord, I didn’t need water!

Not only does this milk remove almost all traces of makeup (and I use medium to heavy based foundation) but it also makes your skin feel lovely afterwards and can easily be removed with a small makeup pad (I use Swisspers in case you’re wondering). Now I don’t mean to sound like a complete contradiction but after a few uses I did actually end up putting a little touch of water onto my hands before applying the milk, simply so it was a little easier to apply but fear not, my hair was drier than the Simpson desert.

Pros: Did I mention you didn’t need to use water?

Cons: Because I use a medium to heavy based makeup I did find a little bit of foundation remained after one use with the milk however a second application with a tiny amount soon removed it. Due to the instructions advising not to use around eyes I couldn’t remove my mascara as well but I always keep a pack of facial wipes in the bathroom cupboard (mainly for late nights out when all I can manage is to wipe a tissue across my face before falling into bed) so my eye makeup was swiftly removed with minimal effort.

Verdict: At $45 for 200ml, it’s not exactly the cheapest makeup remover on the market but if you’re after something that is allergy tested and fragrance free and really stacks up, then this is for you. Without having to use too much each application, the bottle should last (and frankly, if it works it’s worth it – wait, that’s Loreal’s line isn’t it?). Ask your local Clinique counter for a sample if you’re not willing to fork out for the full bottle first time round.

4 ½ out of 5 stars

Yours truly

d+s

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More from the Logies - best dressed?

It has to be the stunning Jodi Gordon. Blessed with insanely long legs and beautiful olive skin, she was by far the winner for the evening. The one shoulder dress is flattering on her, the makeup and hair matched the dress perfectly and she added just a hint of colour with a purple clutch. I don't think I've ever seen a photo of Jodi looking bad - here's proof!

Yours truly

d+s

Logies 09 - Hits & Misses

HITS: Left to right are Sandra Sully & Natarsha Belling, Adam Hills, Suzie Wilks, Shelley Craft, Top Gear's The Stig.

While there were a number of other hotly dressed TV folk out on the red carpet on Sunday night, I took a particular shining to Suzie Wilks navy number. In the past, she's not faired so well but this dress (unsure of the designer) is perfect for her skin colour and body shape. Meanwhile, who would have thought news readers could dress better than half of the actors?! Sandra Sully & Natarsha Belling both looked lovely, Natarsha choosing the hot favourite of the night, a one shoulder dress. Special mention to Shelley Craft who was one of a few in white and Adam Hills from ABC's Spicks & Specks looking very dapper in his dinner suit. And how can I not mention The Stig from SBS' Top Gear. I'm not a huge fan of the Australian version but the UK version is a favourite Monday night program in our house (and for someone who never speaks, The Stig is one of the funniest people on TV).

MISSES: Left to right are Margot Robbie, Nadia Townsend, Myf Warhurst, Sonia Kruger, Susie Elelman.

Ok, so some of the "looks" in these outfits are on trend (frills on Margot, tulle on Nadia) but trend doesnt necessarily equal hot. Margot has good legs but she looks like she's going to a Vegas themed party dressed as a sexy card dealer. Fellow Spicks & Specks presented Adam got it right, unfortunately Myf didnt. She's a funny gal but you can tell she knows her music - this was just all wrong for her! Susie Elelman - I don't think I need to say anything. And last but not least Sonia Kruger.

Note to Sonia:

Turquoise: tick

Trains: tick

Frills: tick

Looking like you've stolen your daughters Little Mermaid costume: wrong!

Yours truly

d+s

Friday photos - Mother's Day special

I couldn't help but put in more photos than normal this Friday, especially a few special Mother's Day pics (as if gals didn't like Zac Efron enough, we have to see him cuddling up to his Mumma).

And how adorable do Mrs Aguilera and her gorgeous Max look in their photo for People Magazine - cute as a button and she's looking fabulous.

I also couldn't help but take a hint from the gals over at Fabsugar and include this gorgeous alphabet tote from Urban Outfitters. While there might not be time to have it delivered from the US, it's certainly going on a wish list just maybe for Christmas....

A very Happy Mother's Day to Mum's everywhere - especially to girlfriends Merrin (having her first Mother's Day) and Nat (who isn't far off due!).

Yours truly

d+s