Monday, August 16, 2010

How far would you go for your child?

Australia has the highest per capita rate of parental child abductions in the world, with around 150 Australian children abducted each year. How scary a statistic is that? Who would have though Australia would rate higher than places like the Middle East or even the US?

The Retriever is a new book by Australian private investigator Keith Schafferius and Grantlee Kieza. For the last three decades Keith has specialised in child retrieval cases, slipping into countries like Poland, Yemen and the Philippines to retrieve children taken overseas against court orders after the breakup of their parents’ marriage.

It’s a tale of clandestine meetings with CIA contacts, forged passports, and the threat of being thrown in jail – everyday challenges in Schafferius’ line of work. Over the years Keith has built up a vast array of contacts, paid thousands of dollars in bribes to officials, been on international wanted lists and found himself in many terrifying situations, including being shot at and pursued by police.

This book talks about Keith’s six year enlistment in the Royal Australian Air Force and part secondment to ASIO, and of the incredible and often unbelievable retrieval missions that have taken him to all parts of the world in his bid to reunite families torn apart by parental child abduction.

Sounds like a gripping (if terrifying read). Available from September 1, $35rrp

Friday, August 13, 2010

Hot roller for your eyelashes

I would love love love to have better eyelashes but I don't know if that's enough for me to take a heated eyelash curler to my eyes. Perhaps it is just because I am more uncoordinated than Bella in Twilight but I am more likely to sear a hole in my eyeball than successfully curl my lashes.

The fact the new 'double heating coil' reaches 60 degrees instead of 40 and curls at the root of the lash - just makes me feel more nervous.

So what does everyone else think? Would you give it a go? If the answer is yes, you can get this new Turbo Lashwand Heated Eyelash Curler free at the moment when you spend just $39 on the ModelCo range at David Jones. 

It is only available for a limited time though so better hurry.  Offer ends 5th September or until stock runs out. If you've tried this or any other heated eyelash curler, share your experiences with the other WA Style readers by hitting the comment button below.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

The secret life of Coco Chanel

Acclaimed author and journalist Justine Picardie has spent the last decade puzzling over the truth about Coco Chanel, attempting to peel away the accretions of romance and lies. The result is a new book Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life.

Justine says the story of Chanel begins with an abandoned child as lost as a girl in a dark fairytale. Uncovering remarkable new details about Gabrielle Chanel’s early years in a convent orphanage, Picardie explores what lies beneath the glossy surface of a mythic fashion icon.

Based on personal observations and interviews with Chanel’s last surviving friends, employees and relatives, the book throws new light on her passionate and turbulent relationships and gives a fresh look at how Coco Chanel made herself into one of the most powerful women in fashion.

Justine Picardie is the author of four books and was the former features director of Vogue and editor of the Observer magazine. You can visit her blog at www.justine-picardie.blogspot.com.

DJs post show wrap with Madison



A great video from Youtube of Paula Joye discussing the David Jones show with the Madison team. If you don't already subscribe to Paula's Life Styled newsletter it  is never too late... www.lifestyled.com.au

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Zac Efron is coming to Australia

OMG – Zac Efron is coming to Australia. Is it wrong for a grown woman to have a little-bittie crush on Zac Efron (and why do I keep using his full name)?

I think it’s all part of a new syndrome which I will call they-are-so-good-looking-but-are-so-young-itis and it is sweeping Hollywood these days. Taylor Lautner or Daniel Radcliffe fall into this category as well, they are international stars and good looking to boot but it’s just a little bit wrong because they are well – so young.

Even though Zac Efron (there it is again) is now 22 in his earlier movies he was still a teenager so it still seems a bit wrong somehow.

Anyway I digress. The big news is he will be heading to Australia next month. Although there are no plans for Zac to head west, he will walk the red carpet and attend the Australian premiere of his new movie Charlie St. Cloud on Sunday 19th September in Sydney. Further details and location yet to be announced - so don't rush out and buy a plane ticket just yet.

Charlie St. Cloud
is a big step for Zac as it is the first time he won't be featuring in a 'teen' style movie. This time he has a dramatic role playing Charlie a young man struggling with life after surviving a tragic accident. It releases to Australia cinemas on September 23.

Monday is cupcake day

Grab your favourite recipe, dust off your chef’s hat and get your mixer ready for the sweetest event of the year, Cupcake Day for the RSPCA.

On Monday 16 August, registered RSPCA Cupcake Cooks across Australia will descend on their schools, workplaces and social groups with batches of scrumptious homemade cupcakes to be exchanged for donations to the RSPCA.


Last year, the event raised $1.1 million to assist in the care and protection of Australia’s animals. This year RSPCA want to reach a target of
 $2.5 million. The cherry on top of the cupcake is that for every $100 raised online, you’ll receive one additional entry into the draw to win 2 Kymco scooters.

Whether you register as a Cupcake Cook or go into training as a Cupcake Eater – you’ll be supporting the 155,000 animals that the RSPCA cares for every year.

Find out more at www.rspcacupcakeday.com.au

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Something to make you laugh



Need a bit of a mid-week giggle? Here it is. This is my husband's first contribution to the site. His boss bought this for the office so he recorded it on his phone and it has been a source of constant amusement ever since.

As someone who admits to being a massive fan of this song in its heyday - this just makes me laugh every time, particularly the head movements!

New ‘de-puffer’ from Clinique

I perpetually suffer from dark circles and under eye bags and have a plethora of products designed to treat this unsightly issue.

It’s also why I get excited any time there is a new product to test out! The latest is the Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage. Despite a ridiculously long product name, this looks like the next must-try.

Use the special ‘roller ball’ end to cool and massage the area under your eye. You can also use it either over or under makeup depending on your products and your preference.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Perth Bride Expo this weekend

Calling all brides-to-be! This Sunday Perth Bride magazine will be holding the Perth Bride Exhibition at the Hyatt Regency Perth.

Running from 9.30am until 5pm on Sunday – entry is $15 including a free copy of a previous issue of Perth Bride.

I went to a lot of wedding expos while I was planning my wedding and they are handy, particularly in the early staging of planning when you’re not really sure what you want. You are sure to come away with a few ideas and maybe even one or two confirmed suppliers.

Sneak preview Don't Be Afraid of the Dark



Advance warning - if you don't like scary movies - maybe don't watch this sneak preview trailer for Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. It did make me jump!

Those of you who are keen to see some snippets from the movie Katie Holmes was filming in Australia recently - check it out. It looks like a must see for horror-lovers! This definitely still an early peak though as we won't be seeing the full movie in WA until January 27, 2011.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Mimco releases sunglasses

Label Mimco has just released their first range of eyewear. The ones in this picture are uber-cute. Check them out for yourself at your local store or online here.  They are in stock now.

Cutest cupcake ever!

This has to be the cutest cupcake ever! Made by a Perth company Sugarbloom Cupcakes & Macaroons. Find out more on their blog http://sugarbloomcupcakes.blogspot.com/

Your chance to walk the red carpet

I love movies and I love celebrities, so no great surprise that I intent to almost obsessively enter a new competition that gives me a chance to meet celebrities on the red carpet!

If like me, the idea of walking the red carpet at a film premiere is your idea of heaven on earth, then make sure you buy a Events Cinemas movie ticket online or via your mobile before September 30. Seven people who do this will have the chance to win one of the below celebrity experiences.

What makes them even better? Most of them include a holiday and some even include shopping – be still my beating heart…

  • The Other Guys – walk the red carpet at the Australian premiere on the Gold Coast and meet the film’s two stars Will Ferrell & Mark Wahlberg. All inclusive of flights & accommodation
  • Tomorrow When The War Began – attend the NZ premiere, walk the red carpet and get a meet & greet with the cast. All inclusive of flights & accommodation
  • Cats & Dogs The Revenge of Kitty Galore – VIP family trip to Warner Bros Movie World. All inclusive of flights, accommodation & limo transfers for Movie World
  • The Last Airbender – Trip to Vietnam to explore where the film was shot together with exclusive earth, fire, wind & water themed experiences. All inclusive of flights &, accommodation
  • Charlie St. Cloud – Walk the red carpet at the Australian premiere in Sydney and meet the film’s star Zac Efron. All inclusive of flights and accommodation
  • Wall Street Money Never Sleeps - Walk the red carpet at the London premiere and meet & greet with the film’s stars. All inclusive of flights, accommodation, limo transfers & a $1000 wardrobe spend for the premiere
  • Legends of The Guardian The Owls of Ga’Hoole – Family behind the scenes tour of animation studio and home of the film’s creators, Animal Logic. All inclusive of flights & accommodation
Me? I am gunning for The Other Guys and Wall Street Money Never Sleeps. the first for the celebs and the second for the trip to London and the shopping.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Don't forget Jeans for Genes day

Don't forget to wear jeans tomorrow to raise money for Jeans for Genes day - just make sure you make a donation or buy a badge to support this worthy cause. There are heaps of places you can get them from including Big W, Harvey Norman, Gloria Jean, Myer, JeansWest and Westpac.

It's a great cause so make sure you get behind it.
Find out more about the event or view the complete list of places to buy badges at www.jeansforgenes.org.au

marie claire turns 15 & an insight into Jackie Frank

A big congratulations this month to my favourite magazine - marie claire – who is celebrating its 15th birthday with the September issue on sale now. Not only does this issue have a whopping 426 pages, but if you buy it from the newsagent you will get a free Estee Lauder Pure Colour lipgloss ($42)! I have been busting to buy a red lipgloss so I can't wait to grab this one.

Even more importantly, you absolutely have to read the article by Nicky Briger (the editor of Who) about Jackie Frank (the editor of marie claire) up now on the website. I absolutely love, love, love this article – is hilarious particularly if you’ve worked in the media/magazines industry or if you think the whole industry is really live Devil Wears Prada. You can read the full article here but in the meanwhile here is a quick taste of some of my favourite lines:

She cries on a whim, belly laughs with gusto, takes the trolley from the waiters at yum cha, plays practical jokes and sits cross-legged on the floor, hitching up her frock to dangerous heights. She'll steal scraps of food off your desk, bellow your name across the hall (her dulcet tones can slice through concrete), and swear like a footballer.

Despite this anti-chic exterior, Jackie is a walking fashion encyclopedia and besties with hot-shot designers, stylists, supermodels and photographers the world over. When her imported stilettos went missing across the Atlantic two days before her wedding, she playfully screamed down the phone to the designer (in a mock-Asian accent), "Jimmy Choo, where my shoe?"

Jackie navigates fashion's many quirks like a pro. When a French stylist threw a tantrum and locked herself in the fashion cupboard, refusing to emerge unless Jackie reinstated a photo of a Gucci tote that had been cut from her story, Jackie phoned her in the closet and deftly coaxed her out, like some hostage scene from a Hollywood blockbuster. What's high drama to most is all in a day's work for Jackie.

Let me know what you think of the article and the new issue! While you're at it you might also want to check out the special birthday subscription offer they've got going on. I've been sitting on the fence about subscribing for a while (I love the free newsagent goodies too much) but with a full year’s subscription for $39.95, I whipped out my credit card so fast I gave myself whiplash. Find the offer online here.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

New book from Devil Wears Prada author

Who could forget the Devil Wears Prada? Meryl Streep sashaying and pursuing her lips in a way guaranteed to make your whole body quiver with inferiority. I am sure my smart and knowledgeable readers will know that before the movie came the book from Lauren Weisberger and was rumoured to be about her experiences working with notorious Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

As well as Devil Wears Prada (the book is quite different from the movie by the way) Lauren has written several other books and her latest – Last Night at Chateau Marmont – has just been announced for an Aussie release date of September 1.

As someone who has read all her books (the last few before they were published) I am very, very excited about this release. I have already added this to my birthday wish list (October in case anyone was wondering).

If you haven’t read any of Lauren’s books yet definitely grab Everyone Worth Knowing definitely my favourite. It goes inside the insane world of high-profile PR.

About her new book:
Two college sweethearts are living a happy, rather ordinary life in New York but there’s a slight twist — she’s the breadwinner, supporting her musician boyfriend. Until the tables are turned when he’s discovered by a Sony exec and their worlds are turned upside down.

Soon they are holidaying in the Hamptons, adorning the cover of Vanity Fair and attending every glitzy party in town — all the while his career is reaching new, dizzying heights. 

But the trappings of this elite lifestyle mean our heroine must face the wrath of the US press.


One final note – I also discovered Lauren is also on blogspot! Check out her blog at www.laurenweisberger.blogspot.com

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Wanna be a PFF model?

Ever wanted the chance to strut your stuff on the catwalk? Well the Perth Fashion Festival and Carillon City are giving you that chance.

Be one of 15 real WA women to appear on the catwalk with Australia's most well-known plus size model Natalie Wakeling in a special fashion show of real women in Fashion Central (aka Forest Chase).

Entries are open to all women, the only restriction is you must be 18 years and over. If you're chosen you'll also receive a session with renowned fashion stylist Des Eddy (the man is a genius), a professional photo shoot, modeling workshops and VIP tickets to a Perth Fashion Festival event.

Register yourself here: www.carilloncity.com.au

I heart this skirt

Hussy has just released their new season range, including this really adorable skirt. It is oh so stylish and you could wear it in so many ways! Personally, I'd wear it to work over opaques, on the weekend with a singlet or out on the town with something spangly and sparkly.

The bad news is they don't have a store in Perth yet, but you can place an order by phone 02 9280 1610 or by email info@hussy.com.au

By the way in case you are wondering, Hussy do not pay me to wax lyrical about their skirts. It is just one of the many privileges or being a blogger. Enjoy!

See a movie & help kids with cancer

Amalgamated Holdings Limited (AHL) is hosting an exclusive charity preview screenings of Universal Pictures 3D animated comedy adventure, Despicable Me to raise money for Camp Quality.  

You can be one of the first in WA to see the film at Event Cinemas Innaloo on Sunday 29 August at 11am.

AHL Managing Director David Seargeant says the previews are part of AHL’s commitment to give back to the community. “We are delighted to again team up with Camp Quality to help raise much needed funds for children living with cancer and their families,” he says.

“This will be the third consecutive year we have held the screenings in support of Camp Quality and we’ve got no doubt Despicable Me will deliver because laughter is the best medicine.”

From the creators of hit family movies Ice Age and Horton Hears A Who, Despicable Me is a 3D animated comedy adventure for the whole family featuring the voice talent of Steve Carell. It is the story of the world’s greatest villain who finds his greatest challenge in three little girls called Margo, Edith and Agnes. 
Watch the trailer below for more about the film - it does look hilarious!

Tickets for the special screenings go on sale on 29 July and proceeds will go directly to Camp Quality. All tickets are $12, and can be purchased online at www.eventcinemas.com.au or at cinema box offices.


Monday, August 2, 2010

Big change for Spring in the Valley

I don’t think you could live in WA and not know about Spring in the Valley but the big news is this year’s event is getting a much-needed face lift. Instead of hordes of teenagers/twenty somethings descending on the valley by the bus load for one weekend of drinking and debauchery the festival will be spread out over a whole month.

Hopefully this move will help make the event more couple and family-friendly as the trouble-makers won’t all be in the one place at the one time (last year I saw four young men in a row urinating on a wall - blurggh!). Fingers crossed this new step will do the trick.

At the very least, it should also make it much easier to get in (venues often have to close their doors due to number restrictions) and to be able to go along to events, enjoy fantastic food and in general enjoy more of what the valley has to offer. Even better, October has five weekends in which to enjoy it.

As the event gets closer more info will be available online at www.springinthevalley2010.com.au