The best marketing ever

I went to see Wall Street at the movies yesterday and this ad ran before the film started. I have to say I think this is the smartest piece of marketing I have seen in a very long time. It is long but stick with it, it is clever and a very interesting piece of branding.

I have to admit I am influenced by a good piece of marketing and was considering buying a bottle just so they see the return for all their hard work.

What do you guys think? Love this video or not? Does it make you want to rush out a buy a bottle of Scotland's best? In case you are wondering, this post is in no way sponsored - I just had to share this really cool ad with you all.

Sneak peak of Gnomeo & Juliet

This adorable pic is a sneak peak shot from Gnomeo & Juliet, a 3D animation slated for release in Australia in February 2011.

There is something really gorgeous about this shot, although I bet Shakespeare never thought his most romantic of stories would be re-imagined as an animation staring a garden gnome. That's progress for you.

Put a stylist in your pocket

Have you ever wished you had a portable stylist you could carry around in your bag ready to give you the thumbs up on a shade of lipgloss or pursed lips when you unsuccessfully try to pair prints with stripes?

I know I do, although it’s about as likely as me running a marathon. I have discovered the closest thing though and it’s the new book from one of my favourite fashion gurus, the infamous Nina Garcia.

Aptly titled Look Book (a ‘look book’ is basically a designer’s catalogue of all the key pieces used by media and industry insiders), the book is full of expert advice, fashion illustrations, fashion history and pop-culture trivia. With Nina’s help, I think we’ll all be rocking the latest style trends without a hitch.

In case, you don’t know who Nina Garcia is (we can’t be friends anymore) she was the head designer for Marc Jacobs before taking the leap into magazines. She worked her way up from assistant stylist to be the fashion director of Elle and has now moved over to the same role with US Marie Claire. You may also know her from Project Runway.

Look Book hits the shelves next Friday (October 1) and will be priced at $39.95.

Queen of the vegie scene

As a vegetarian I can attest to how hard it can be sometimes to get a really good meal out. Often in restaurants you only have one or two choices available and more often than not they are the same dishes with little variation.

I was therefore quite excited to hear that after the Melbourne edition rushed off the shelves, the national version of The Australian Veg Food Guide is hitting the market.

A brand new nation-wide food guide for both locals and tourists that contains over 200 reviews and listings of as many vegan, vegetarian and veg friendly restaurants from all around Australia.

The book is only $17.99 but the bad news is the book won’t be available until November. Will keep all you vegos out there posted!

Animation movie trailer: Tangled

 
This movie looks really cute and the trailer made me smile - hope it does the same for you! Check out the new trailer for Tangled and watch Rapunzel take on the world, with her hair…

This special sneak peak trailer is courtesy of Disney, this animated comedy doesn't release in Australia until January 6.

Trend alert! Mixing denim on a budget

Denim is going to be hot, hot, hot this summer but there’s a twist - the key is mixing your denim.

Rather than pairing your old classic blue denim jacket with your favourite jeans, to nail this trend you need to be mixing the colours and textures of the denim. Think a white denim top with blue jeans or even better (and easier) invest in a pair of denim shoes with one or more contrasting shades of denim.

We’ve taken the legwork out of it for you with three fantastic new styles to help you rock this look.

The Sniper from Betts (pictured above) is normally $89.99 but is currently on sale for $62.99 so is a bargain buy. If you’re not confident enough to pull in the enclosed ankle open toe look, you can try the Bella (left) also from Betts and the same price. 






If you’re a lover of the dark denim for a night out on the tiles, try Wittners Pinacolada in light blue. These bargain babies are available on the website now for $50 instead of the normal $169.95.

Last but not least if you want to get your kids in on the trend, Williams are offering the Crayon ‘baby shark’ for just $19.95.

Success for Aus war movie

Aussie flick Tomorrow When the War Began is now officially the highest grossing Australian film of the year having taken more than $7.7 million in just two weeks at the Australian box office. 



It seems the film has also been a hit online with the film’s official Facebook page having reached over 50,000 fans. 



Mike Selwyn, Paramount Pictures Australia managing director and vice president Australia/New Zealand, says: "We are looking forward to a successful school holiday period and hope that the film will move on to a much bigger box office and will help pave the way for the sequels that we would all love to see.”


How very Chanel

Loving this Safade cheery rose ring! It is super-chic, on trend and very Chanel, but luckily its far from the Chanel price tag. You can buy it now at the Artery Store online for just $24.

Are we ready for cape town?

According to on-trend UK fashion website Fashion Confidential one of the key trends for the coming year is capes.

Do you think this is a trend ever likely to take off in Australia? The fact we are about to enter warmer weather aside, do you think Aus is fashion-forward enough to embrace this trend of will it be relegated to the same ‘fashion’ pile as jeggings?

Big sale at Mimco

Calling all bargain hunters, if you're hunting for that Minco bargain check out www.mimco.com.au to shop online or for more details on the sale. There's up to 40% off a range of products including some pretty lust-worthy bags!

Hypocrite versus high fashion

Isn’t it amazing how much we change? I think it was only about four years ago that I remember saying to my now husband – “I really don’t understand people who spend a fortune on designer shoes, you can’t wear the same pair of shoes everyday and you walk around in them so they just get ruined.”

Fast forward to today when I just received shipping confirmation that the new pair of Christian Louboutin I ordered are winging their way to me as we speak.

I think it makes it even worse that the shoes are listed as being made of cork. As my husband gently pointed out – will I even be able to wear them if it rains or will they just swell up and explode?

The truth is, I have no idea as I bought the shoes off a website and I have never actually seen them past this photo. I don’t actually know if they’ll even fit as my standard size was sold out (what’s half a shoe size between friends?).

However I do know they were 60% off and I found pictures of Victoria Beckham and Blake Lively wearing them. That seemed like a good enough reason to me.

So what do all you WA Stylers think? Am I in severe danger of being branded a hypocrite or do you think my purchase was a sound and wise decision showing my growing maturity as a woman (or something like that) who can afford to spoil herself? I am ready – let me have it!

By the way, if you want to see the shoes click here.

Am I a suburbist?

I have realised something important about myself today – I am a suburbist. Now I am not proud of this fact as I pride myself on not being ‘ist’ about anything, but when I had to sign up for a PO Box for my new business (more about that soon) I found myself turning my nose up at certain locations.

It seemed preferable to me to drive long distances to collect my mail rather than associating my name with a suburb I didn’t feel worked with my brand. Nuts? Probably.

As it so happens fate slapped me with the ‘serves you right’ stick anyway and after all my deep thought about the best location to showcase on my business cards – only one location even remotely plausible had any boxes the right size available.

Hello Wangara.

So what about you? Have you ever found yourself being suburbist? For those of you who live in WA and know what I am talking about, do you have any words of reassurance for me that Wangara is actually a very hip place all set to become the next fashion capital of Perth? Please, anyone?

The Power of Mothers

While I do believe mothers to be some kind of incredible all knowing, all seeing machines, I am not sure what I think about this upcoming book release so I’d love to know what WA Style readers think.

The Power of Mothers is described as a hard-hitting look at our troubled society, the intergenerational cycle of crime and criminal families and the women who have the power to change things for the better.

“Author Celia Lashlie takes a look at the deep-seated issues underlying our appalling youth crime statistics. Telling it like it is, she reminds middle-class families that these crimes are not being committed by the children of ‘criminals’ - they are our children, and we are all responsible for them.”

What do you think? Do you think this authors right on the money or do you think this just puts even more pressure on women?

Mc Donalds - I Was Lovin It

You have to watch this video. Why? Because I said so. OK, maybe not because I said so but because it is controversial and thought-provoking and it promotes vegetarianism.

This is an ad that is actually running on TV overseas and having worked in the media I have to wonder where they stand on copyright. Basically this ad attacks McDonalds as a cause of obesity and uses their branding to do so.

What do you think? Do you think this this is clever and it's about time someone took a swing at the big M or do you find it offensive and inappropriate? Please share your thoughts with us by clicking on comments under this post.

Calling all wine buffs

If you like nothing better than extolling the virtues of a great pinot then this event is well-worth a look see. The George is holding their fourth event in the Australia’s First Families of Wine series. These events was created to showcase soe of Australia’s best family-owned wineries.

This particular event will take a look a the wines from Howard Park Wines a winery established in 1986. Jeff and Amy Burch from the winery will be at The George between 5:30 and 7:30pm on Thursday 14 October for a night of tasting and tapas.

Tickets are $45 and bookings are essential. www.thegeorgeperth.com.au

Great local fashion video

Check out this fantastic video of local fashion designers who were part of the Times Square aspect of Perth Fashion Festival. I love the editing and I think Bronwyn (the model) looks as stunning as ever. I worked with her for a fashion mag cover and lead shoot once before and she was such a natural in front of the camera.

Dates confirmed for Zac

We mentioned a while ago that Zac Efron will be heading to Australia to promote his new dramatic film Charlie St. Cloud. I promised then I’d keep you all apprised for when and where he will be appearing.

I can confirm on Sunday September 19 Zac will walk the red carpet along Church Street, Westfield Parramatta, before the premiere screening of Charlie St. Cloud at Event Cinemas.


If like me, you’re not based in Sydney you can check it out streamed live online at thedirt.com.au  and Facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU.

Shrek rocks the box office

Although the move Shrek Forever After didn’t exactly rock my world, it seems the 3D fourth and final installment in the smash hit saga of the loveable green ogre, has now become the highest grossing DreamWorks Animation film of all time at the international box office.

Over the weekend the film added another $4.7 million to its international box office to take the international total gross to $480.7 million. A lot of money for a cartoon right?

Shrek Forever After is now the fourth highest grossing animated film of all-time at the international box office and stands as the third highest grossing film released internationally in 2010.

Modelco tips for racing style

New issue of Home Beautiful

The new Home Beautiful has just hit the shelves and although I am not normally a big fan of pink, I love this cover!

If like me you are primed to commence renovations, this issue looks like a good one for picking the key styling trends for the coming spring/summer season. Here are some of the topics covered in this issue.

BEDROOM BLISS: Add a little love to your sleep sanctuary with five distinct looks featuring patterned bedlinen, luxurious throws and soft cushions for a good night's rest.

SENSE SENSATIONS:
 Bring your garden to life with plants, objects and materials that will stimulate the senses and fire every faculty.

GRILLS:
It's time for a spring sizzle session! Unpack the outdoor umbrella, fire up the barbecue and enjoy these mouth-watering treats.

40 SPACE-SAVING TIPS: Make the most of a small bathroom and create a zone that soothes the soul with our clever space-saving tips, tricks and best buys.

OUR HOMES:
From a sunlit and spacious three-storey weatherboard to a relocated Queenslander on the NSW North coast, this month's homes epitomise laidback Australian living.