Nichole Richie talks about her new book

How did I not know Nichole Richie was an author? Apparently a previous book was a best-seller and she has now released a new book called Priceless. I knew about her family, her design label and half a dozen things I probably absolutely did not need to know, but didn't know about this.

So what is her book about? It's a 'fiction' book that follows tall, blond and willowy twenty-two-year-old Charlotte Williams who seems to have everything going for her – she’s rich and gorgeous, a talented singer, and has just returned to her Park Avenue penthouse after a year studying in Paris. But since her mother’s tragic death years ago, her father, an extremely successful financier, has been her only family –
and if she’s being honest, her only true friend.

Some life imitating art here? Get Nichole's take on her new book with this interview with her. What do you think? Is this a book you will want to read? It goes on sale October 1 and will be $19.99.

New range from Bobbi Brown

New hydrating range has just been launched from Bobbi Brown cosmetics - available now. Loving the product photography! www.bobbibrown.com.au

More adorable clothes for kids

Regular readers will remember my post a while back about the adorable SOOKIbaby range (you can see the article here). I really couldn't help but share this adorable picture from the same range's new kids collection.

The range blends style with storybook fantasy and is super-trendy and fun while being completely age appropriate. The SOSOOKI collection admits to being inspired by a 'geek theme' but finds a way to make being a nerd oh so cool!

Isn't this outfit super cute? SOSOOKI is available in Myer stores nationally as well as selected boutiques. For local WA retailers check out www.sookibaby.com.auor call 02 9553 3900.

Great TV ad for Perth Fashion Festival

Check out this wonderful TV commercial for the Perth Fashion Festival. I love the use of colour, it is just so 'fashion'.

The last 10 things a woman would ever say

I know this was produced by Harpers Collins to promote a sex/self-help book and although I didn't agree with all the points, I thought it was funny enough to share anyway.

Here are the last 10 things a woman would ever say:

1) Could our relationship be more physical? I'm tired of just being friends.
2) Go ahead and leave the seat up. I love the feel of cold, wet porcelain.
3) I think hairy bums are really sexy.
4) Wow, get a whiff of that one! Pull my finger again.
5) Please don't throw that old t-shirt away. The holes in the armpits are just too cute.
6) This diamond is much too big! And by the way, I've got enough shoes.
7) Take that block of chocolate away
8) I don't care if it's on sale. $500 is too much to pay for a designer dress.
9) Does this make my bum look small?
10) I'm going out for a while. Why don't you phone your ex?

If you like the humour, check out the book Why Men Want Sex and Women Need Love.

Please support daffodil day

I wanted to make sure all WA Style readers are aware tomorrow is Daffodil Day. This is a charity day very close to my own heart as like most Australians I have both family members and friends who have been touched by this horrible disease. I also had a skin cancer scare myself earlier this year - I was lucky mine was a false alarm but many others aren't so lucky.

Did you know one in every two Australian men and one in three Australian women will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85? Scary statistics. 

The most important thing we can all do, is support cancer research to find better treatment and potentially a cure for this terrible and terrifying disease.

If you want to support this worthy cause you can buy merchandise from Coles or one of many volunteer stands around Perth today and tomorrow. If you want to know more you can visit www.daffodilday.com.au  

Daffodil Day fast facts

• The largest national fundraising event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, Daffodil Day raises essential funds for cancer research, education and support programs.
• The daffodil is the international symbol of hope for all touched by cancer.
• This year Daffodil Day is aiming to raise over $9 million to fund the cancer control initiatives, patient support and education services of Cancer Council's eight state and territory member organisations.
• More than 10,000 volunteers are expected to staff over 1,200 Daffodil Day sites across Australia.

Cancer facts and figures

• Cancer remains one of Australia's biggest health problems. An estimated 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85.
• An estimated 111,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia in 2009.
• More than 60% of cancer patients will survive more than five years after diagnosis
• The survival rate for many common cancers has increased by more than 30 per cent in the past two decades.
• The most common cancers in Australia (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) are prostate, colorectal (bowel), breast, melanoma and lung cancer.
• Each year, around 434,000 people are treated for non-melanoma skin cancer (the most frequently occuring cancer in Australia, but the least life-threatening).
• Cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia – more than 42,000 people are expected to die from cancer in 2009.
• Cancer costs $3.8 billion in direct health system costs (7.2%).

Hot new bags from Mimco

Check out these hot new release bags from Mimco. Available online now at www.mimco.com.au

National organising week

Did you know National Organising Week is being celebrated from 6-12 September? Yup, me neither! Do you think it would be wrong to celebrate by buying a new pair of shoes that I have nowhere to put?

Clearly I am far from an organising genius, so we've brought in the organisation expert from Howards Storage World, Cathy Player, to share her top tips.

The Kitchen: “Plan your space, sort your items into groups and store them appropriately.  This will not only save you time when cooking, you’ll also save money by eliminating waste,” advises Cathy.

The Bathroom: “The top two hot spots for clutter in the bathroom are the shower and the bathroom cupboard. The shower is easily fixed with a stylish new caddy. For your cupboard, pull everything out, throw away the space-robbers and establish a system of caddies to group like items together. Make sure that medicines are safely out of reach or locked away from children."

The Bedroom: “The bedroom should be a place to relax and retreat to, and creating a clutter-free haven can be easy if you use all available space. Whilst the majority of Australians cite the wardrobe as their main concern when it comes to home organisation, this can be avoided with the right storage and display solutions." 
Like me do you fall into these categories? These were the findings of a recent HSW survey.

·         30% of people felt their clutter was out of control!
·         60% of people would welcome advice and support
·         77.7% of people wish their home was more organised
·         92.73% of people said their disorganised home caused them stress
·         50% of people did not know what steps to take to get their home organised
·         63.51% of people spend over 3hrs a week putting away household clutter

So how do you deal with clutter?

Aren't these cute?

I have only recently entered the wonderful (and terrifying) world of baking and I can't help but think what better way to disguise my terrible failures than in an absolutely adorable cover? I am loving these groovy wrappers from Pink Frosting. Would be great for a party or a baby/bridal shower. Available online at www.pinkfrosting.com.au 

The freerange cook

I am all for freerange, freerange eggs, chooks, etc. But I've never before head of a freerange cook - does that mean she runs around in the wild while whipping up a mean meringue? Okay, probably not.

Annabel Langbein has just released the book The Free Range Cook and in her own words: "It’s not about impressing people with culinary acrobatics or turning out complicated plates in the theatre of a restaurant. It’s about having fun and celebrating what nature has so graciously provided for us."


According to the blurb:

Photographed at and around Annabel’s lakeside cabin in Central Otago, at the foot of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, The Free Range Cook is much more than a recipe book. Alongside the photographs of fresh, seasonal dishes, gorgeous images transport the reader into Annabel’s country life — where she cooks on a simple double gas burner and chops wood to fuel an outdoor bread oven. Here, luxury is a glistening fish just out of the water, a perfectly ripe peach or a beautifully aged piece of farm meat, rather than exotic, hard-to-find ingredients. It is this simplicity that inspired the idea of free-range cooking — where a pared back approach to food and cooking celebrates a spirit of resourcefulness and the ability to enjoy whatever is in season at its very best.

Recipes are organised according to their source: From the Garden, From the Farm, From the Oven, From the Larder, From the Orchard, and From Lake and Sea. Interspersed throughout the book are delicious menus taken from the TV series that provide three or four impressive courses to share with friends and family.

Annabel’s signature ‘Fridge Fixings’ — useful flavour bases, rubs, sauces and dressings — are flagged throughout the book and cross-referenced to a multitude of quick, easy recipes. Cooking methods are clearly explained, and handy preparation tips, serving suggestions and storage advice introduce every recipe. Thanks to Annabel’s clever cooking tricks and techniques, home cooks are offered the chance to recreate restaurant-style dishes they might once have thought were too difficult or time-consuming.

Annabel Langbein is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated food writers and cooks. She is the author and publisher of 17 bestselling books, which have sold close to 1 million copies throughout Australasia, North America and Europe. The Free Range Cook is on sale in WA on October 1, 2010 for $49.99.

New styles from Nicolangela

So pretty! New SS10 styles are in store right now. Find out more at www.nicolangela.com

Pop up retailer for the Perth Fashion Festival

Returning to the Perth Fashion Festival for a third run, Popsicle has become a firm favourite on Perth's independent fashion calendar. In case you haven't heard about this phenomenon before, Popsicle is a 'pop-up' or temporary store selling products from heaps of talented local designers and will be operating between 10 and 5pm daily from September 9 to 15.


Focused on Western Australian emerging designers, Popsicle will be packed full of fashion, jewellery, art and other designer goodies. Housed within shipping containers, Popsicle directly supports 15 of WAs most talented emerging designers and will be located in the heart of Northbridge, Perth's creative and cultural centre.

Zoë Trotman, of featured label Lonely 8-bit Heroes says: "It's a real honour to be showing my creations alongside so many other amazing creatives who, like me, desperately need a head start in securing stockists, gaining recognition for their skills, and of course to make some actual sales."

Ping Pong Diplomacy's Ainslie Webber says: "We've decided to utilise the vast array of artistic talents in Perth by exhibiting a collection of one-off customised ping pong bats, and printing several of those designs on men's t-shirts. By getting local artists, from fine art graduates to street artists, to contribute and display their skills, Popsicle is providing exposure to a wide field of young up-and-comers!"

An initiative by the team from OnWilliam, Popsicle only operates during Perth Fashion Festival and each year re-establishes itself in a new form and in a new environment to ensure a fun and unique shopping experience.

Commenting on the initiative, event organiser Lake Bovell said: "This year Popsicle has a slightly nautical theme; we are excited about the space and are getting our hands dirty converting wooden shipping crates into furnishings and learning how to tie knots!"

The event provides emerging designers with a platform to test their products in the market place while also offering festival visitors and fashion lovers one-stop designer shop and a different shopping experience.

Featured Designers:
Lonely 8-Bit Heroes, Kiss Me Quick, Little Gracie, PeppermintMilk, Bo Ra, Heart City Design, Bad Hair Mountain, White Square, Lovers & Dreamers, Leah Tarlo, Prufrock, Ping Pong Diplomacy, Love is My Velocity, Kingbrown Magazine and Hit & Miss Magazine.

Beautify your dad

If your Dad is something of a metrosexual or you think he needs a bit of sprucing up, check out this great man product offer from Clinique. This great set is available for $75 for a limited time. Check it out at www.clinique.com.au or your local counter.

Why men are necessary

Have you ever really pondered why are men necessary? I haven't. At least I hadn't until I heard about this new book dedicated to this very topic.

I actually considered the answer to this question fairly self-explanatory but turns out there really is a deeper meaning. Here's the blurb:

There are a thousand bleak books about Australian families - rent asunder by divorce, drugs, children in hoodies and the sheer horror of being alive. This book is not one of them. For once, Australian family life is being celebrated. Why Men Are Necessary and More News From Nowhere is a hilarious — and optimistic — book about Australian family life. It’s about the way most of us live — and the wild comedy of being part of a healthy, loving, back-talking, buoyant family.

Meet the sexy and feisty Jocasta; confront teenage rebellion in the form of a fish called Wanda; do battle with magpies the size of small fighter jets; and try to work out which font you use when speaking the language of love. In Richard’s stories everyday life becomes vivid, magical and laugh-out-loud funny.

Richard Glover is the author of twelve books, including the bestsellers In Bed with Jocasta, The Dag's Dictionary and Desperate Husbands. He writes a weekly column for the Sydney Morning Herald and presents the comedy show Thank God It's Friday on ABC local radio.
So what do you think. Are men necessary? Are you running out to buy this book (if so, better hold off it doesn't come out until October 1 - RRP$27.99).

Gap is coming to Australia

It's official ladies (and gents) hot off the heels of the announcement of Zara opening down under, comes the news Gap is opening in Aus. The Melbourne store is opening in August and Sydney in October. No plans for a Perth store yet, but we can live in hope!

Be one of the first to find out more by registering now at www.gapaustralia.com.

Personalise your Louis Vuitton

Isn't this just the height of luxury? I think I might get a hot stamp inside my agenda or a luggage tag for my bag - or maybe I will just have to buy myself something completely new. I feel the LV fever coming on... obsessed? Moi?

Click on the image to view it larger if you have trouble reading the text!

The Parlour changes hands

The iconic day spa The Parlour in Nedlands has changed hands and may be undergoing some changes.

Original owner Paulette Contessi, who established the instantly recognizable Stirling Highway green and white striped awnings building, says: “I am sad at selling the salon we had some great times, but it is time to simplify my life and owning three salons, whilst running a recruitment company and sitting on several boards and committees, it became quite a juggle.”

Aveda junkies need not despair as Style Bar in the Carillon City is Paulette’s other salon and she has no plans to sell the city store.  “Style Bar is a hair and makeup only salon, we don’t do body treatments in the city, but we still stock all the whole Aveda beauty and makeup range.”

To celebrate the end of an era, Style Bar has put together an amazing challenge for all Aveda “virgin”:-
 Have your hair coloured at Style Bar and if you’re not 100% satisfied the natural chemical-free hair colour is better than other chemical-laden brands then you will receive your money back.

Style Bar is on the Hay Street Level in Carillon City.  For more information on Style Bar or Aveda chemical-free hair colour call the salon direct 9322 4600. Image is from www.theparlour.com.au

Two liger cubs born in Taiwan

They may be controversial but these two 'liger' cubs are adorable. The offspring of a male lion and female tiger were born in Taiwan at a private zoo this week. What do you think? Adorable and natural or morally objectionable?

Event for fashionistas

Whether or not you have attended a Lunchbox List event before, if you are a fashionista this event should be on you radar. On Friday September 10 at 12:15 pm the Parmelia Hilton Perth is holding the Fashionista Forum.

The three speakers are Chrissie Catling, S2 designer/retailer, Liz Davenport and Tanya Muia, Chadiwkc Models WA manager. Fashion design, retail, marketing, promotions, environmentalism, management - this trio have done it - and will tell all about the trials and tribulations of working in the fickle and fabulous world of fashion.

Single seats are $88. Tickets are available from www.lunchboxlist.com

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