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.

Welcome USA style aficionados!

Hello to the US of A. So far today WA Style has had visitors from Gainesville Florida, Corpus Christi Texas, Chicago Illinois and Arlington Virginia!

'Tis the season for new catalogues

If you haven't already put your clammy hands on the new IKEA catalogue, run don't walk. I have to admit it is one my guilty pleasures as it is packed full of nifty ideas to create the perfect bedroom/bathroom/lounge.

I am also keen to check out the new Howards Storage World catalogue from October 1. Perhaps it is my complete inability to put anything away that makes me so fascinated by rooms full of perfect storage devices?

Jennifer's back in town

Ever wanted to meet Jennifer Hawkins? Here's your chance, Jennifer will be a special guest at the Morley Galleria shopping centre for the grand finale of their three-week Spring Festival on Sunday October 3.

Even though it is a Sunday the shopping centre will be open and Jennifer will be signing autographs and meeting her fans at 11am and 1pm.

I was lucky enough to interview Jennifer a year or so ago and I have to say - the woman is as friendly as she seems. She is very down to earth and approachable so if you have ever wanted to meet this stunning beauty in person, here's your chance.

Galleria's Spring Festival will run from September 12 to October 3. If you want to know more about what's happening during the three weeks find out at www.centro.com/galleria.

Beauties interviewing beauties

Another great video from the ladies at Perth Fashion Festival. In this one Emily Cattermole (the face of the 2009 Perth Fash Festival) is interviewed by the stunning Fabienne Vaderhaegen. Talk about two beauties! For more info on how to be part of this year's festival head to www.perthfashionfestival.com.au

Lust-have laptop cases

Marc Jacobs has just released these lust-worthy laptop bags. Looks like they'd be just about the right size for my new 15" Macbook Pro so these are definitely being added to my purchase wish list this week. You can buy them online now at www.net-a-porter.com

New book teaches kids about cancer

Regular readers of WA Style will know I had both friends and family members diagnosed with cancer and any opportunity I can get to support a worthy cancer-related cause, I will jump on it.

This is a particular interesting product as both the Cancer Council NSW and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre have pledged support for Susanne Gervay’s book Always Jack. This book highlights the challenges that children face when a parent is diagnosed with cancer.

I have seen how family and friends can be affected when a loved one has cancer and I think this challenge is especially difficult when there are kids involved, so I think this book is a great idea to help explain what is happening to the small people in your life.

Always Jack uses humour to break down the taboos surrounding cancer and encourages parents, teachers and children to discuss the subject openly.

A multiple breast cancer survivor herself, author Susanne Gervay faced cancer when her children were six and nine years of age, again when they were teenagers and yet again just recently. She clearly has firsthand experience of just how alone young people can feel when cancer touches their lives. 

While she found Always Jack an emotionally difficult book to write, Susanne is passionate about reaching children, parents, schools and the community. As a result, she is donating a percentage of her royalties to Cancer Council and NBOCC.

Always Jack also includes details of the Cancer Council Helpline for families and children in need of support. The book will be available from October 1 for the price of $14.99. For more information about cancer related issues visit www.cancercouncil.com.au or call the helpline 13 11 20.

Wimpy kids help Telethon

Doesn't this pic just make you want to laugh out loud? On Sunday 19 September, you can be among the first in Perth to see a preview of the school holiday hit comedy Diary of a Wimpy Kid and help the Telethon kids at the same time.

For just $8 a ticket you can be part of the Movie Masters Telethon Movie Day. There will be multiple sessions screening across all Ace and Grand Cinema locations in Perth, and also in Busselton and Bunbury, with proceeds to Telethon. 

Sessions are as follows:
Ace Busselton: 11am
Ace Midland:10am and 2.30pm
Ace Subiaco: 10am and 2.30pm
Ace Rockingham: 10am and 2.30pm
Grand Armadale: 2.30pm
Grand Bunbury: 10am and 2.30pm
Grand Currambine: 10am and 2.30pm
Grand Joondalup: 11am and 3pm
Grand Warwick: 10am and 2.30pm
Grand Whitfords: 11am and 3pm

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a hilarious live-action comedy movie for tweens and families that deals with the universal tween ‘awkward’ phase, and the themes of the cool kids versus the wimpy kids.  The movie is based on the popular illustrated book series of the same name, and is set to release in cinemas on 23 September.

Tickets on sale now from all Ace and Grand Cinemas locations and online at:
www.moviemasters.com.au

Tomorrow When The War Began rocks box office

Aussie film Tomorrow When the War Began ruled the Australian box office throughout the weekend taking $3,862,193 in its first four days of opening bringing the total box office takings to a total of $3,898,547.

These outstanding results have cemented this movie as the third biggest ever opening for an Australian film behind Happy Feet and Australia (with final box office figures of $31.8 million and $37.6 million respectively) and the second biggest ever non holiday opening for an Australian film.

I haven't yet seen this movie, but I plan to. I don't think there has been enough hype behind this local release, but definitely check out the trailer above. It looks like slick production and far more like a Hollywood blockbuster than the usual type of film we see produced locally.

Mike Selwyn, Paramount Pictures Australia Managing Director and Vice President Australia/New Zealand says: “We are particularly pleased with the strong regional and country results to go with the excellent figures in metro and city areas and we are looking forward to the word of mouth reaching out to all audiences and strong results right through into the school holidays to help set up the franchise”.

X Factor punch up

I heard about this on the radio this morning and just thought I'd share. Reality TV at new lows when 'best friends' start a punch up on stage in front of a crowd and the judges! I was embarrassed for the girls, their families and the shows producers.

I want these shoes!

I really, really, really want these shoes. What does it matter that I'd be completely unable to walk in them, would be too scared I'd damage them to wear them anywhere and at 425 pound, they are ridiculously expensive? Details, details! I will just keep clicking here and admiring these stunning Christian Louboutins until I wear out my mouse button or they sell out...

Jimmy Choo gets the UGG treatment

Jimmy Choo is collaborating with UGG. No, your eyes did not just hallucinate. The high priest/priestesses of shoes are going to release a limited edition co-branded range of UGG & Jimmy Choo women’s sheepskin footwear products. I think I just vomited in my mouth - just a little bit.

According to the official release the new collection, which I have dubbed the UGGChoo, "...is based on the iconic UGG Australia boot construction with design details that embody the spirit of the Jimmy Choo brand."

I am sorry, although I love everything Choo - I do not think I can love this. I am still waiting for someone to tell me this is some kind of joke. But then again, maybe they won't be as bad as the picture in my head.

In case you are wondering, there are just six days until all will be revealed. The capsule collection will be available for pre-order online from 10 September and available in store (not that Perth has a Choo store) from October 2010. There will be five styles available and will be priced  between £495-695.

Discover the horrible truth for yourself at www.jimmychoo.com


* The image shown are Jimmy Choo products available from the website, but are not from the proposed collection. We will have to wait for those pics...

Oxford dictionary moves with the times

I can’t believe the Oxford English Dictionary is hanging up the proverbial hat and admitting dictionaries are no longer needed as a hard copy product.

While it is good to see a company moving with the times, I do think there is something sad about losing this old tradition. There is something special about having so many words written down in the one place – or maybe that’s just me?

Bestselling British author and journalist Simon Winchester has backed the move by Oxford University Press to bring out the next edition of the Oxford English Dictionary in online format only. 
 
Winchester, who is in Australia to promote his new book, Atlantic, says that Oxford University Press is doing what is right and proper for consumers. 


“My view is they are entirely prescient in bringing the OED out in digital format only,” he says. “Although I will certainly regret the Oxford English Dictionary’s passing as a book, this is a move that is being repeated all over the world and its really only bowing to the inevitable."


 
In case you are interested (or even if you're not), Oxford dictionary’s word for the day is bouillon. The online dictionary is available at www.oxforddictionaries.com

Sass & Bide have a Perth store!

Christmas in September

Have you guys been into the city this week? I was in this morning and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw David Jones had already set up their Christmas display. It is just me or does it feel like it is getting earlier and earlier each year? It has only been spring for a few days!

Does this just mean Christmas is becoming even more commercial, or should we relish the opportunity to kick ourselves in to the celebratory season a little earlier?

To continue the Christmas theme of this post, I thought I’d also share one of the seasonal products that have already started arriving in my inbox. I thought this was pretty cool. This kids book True Blue Santa gives Santa and Christmas a distinctly Aussie twist. Not a bad stocking filler for the kids. It’s only $14.99 and will be available from October 1.

Behind the scenes of PFF

For those of you who saw the Perth Fashion Festival TVC (that's tv commercial for all you non-media types) on WA Style the other day, you might be interested in watching this behind the scenes video to see how it all came together.

It is a great sneak peak on what happens at a photo shoot and includes some tips from some great WA hair and make-up artists. I've been lucky enough to have been able to book make-up artist Rebekah Clark on a few shoots myself and her work is always fantastic.

What do you think of the behind the scenes video. Would you like to see more things like this popping up on WA Style?

WA Style around the world

In the last 24 hours WA Style has been visited by people from Philadelphia, New Delhi and Hod Hasharon (Israel). Not to mention NSW and our normal Perth-based audience. How cool is that?

Time to glow!

I’ve always been a fan of the ModelCo spray on/wash off tans as they are great just for the spontaneous night out to give you a bit of shimmer and glam. They are also really reasonably priced staying around the $20-25 mark.

Today ModelCo has released a heap of new related products for you to try including One Night Tan, Tan Mousse and Tan Gloss. Each has a different purpose depending on what you are trying to achieve.

The One Night Tan is a mousse you can apply all over (or in selected areas as needed) for an instant tan that will wash off with water. This particular product is all tan without the added shimmer or sparkle many of these products have.

The Tan Mousse is ModelCo’s darkest coloured tan they’ve released, it is also a mousse but contains six percent DHA (the highest amount of tanning agent they’ve ever used) for a longer-lasting tan. It also includes caramel extract which means you won’t go out stinking like noxious chemicals!

Like the name suggests the Tan Gloss Shimmering Self-Tan is a combination of tainning product, bronzer and a body shimmer. The bronzer and shimmer gives you an instant glow but the tanning product included gives the tan a bit more longevity.

All these products are available today from David Jones, ModelCo counters or from www.modelco.com.au.

Quirky ideas for fathers day

Are you like me and panicking about finding the perfect Father's Day gift? Glad to hear I am not alone. I did want to share these quirky ideas from www.arterystore.com ideal for the Dad who has everything.

The grillslinger is $69.95 and is a wearable BBQ tool belt complete with beverage cooler and the 'Leg Opener' $ 29.95 is guaranteed to get a laugh if nothing else.

Great result for charity!

Hi all. A while ago I posted about a fantastic cause (here), a charity screening of Despicable Me to raise money for kids with cancer. I am thrilled to report that 90 children living with cancer will now head to one of Camp Quality’s recreational camps thanks to the over $79,000 raised.

A big thanks to any WA Style readers who went along and supported this worth cause. Despicable Me will be in cinemas 9 September.