KITSCH – THAI – MARKET TUCKED AWAY IN SYDNEY CBD

It’s 8pm on a Tuesday night in Sydney’s CBD. I’ve just finished work, had Japanese and heading home. Walking down Pitt St, I have no expectation for any shops to be open but, kill me. I’m a girl and I could think of nothing better to cap my day then looking at shiny objects and delighting in a bargain or two. But, this is Australia. Shops aren’t open past 6pm on Tuesdays… unless it’s FOOD.

Oh, so you would think. An initiative by the D.I.T.P (Department of International Trade Promotion – Ministry of Commerce Royal Thai Government) and the city of Sydney, have brought us a slice of Thailand’s renowned bargain markets. And guess what? It’s open till 10pm, if not later – weekdays and weekends. Offering men’s street wear, under garments, a hair salon, accessories, movie & DVDs, money transfer, women’s street wear, handcrafts, handbags, freight export & imports, beach wears, THAI MASSAGE, make-up & cosmetics, Asian groceries, vitamins & supplements plus much more! I feel like I’m on a holiday at a midnight market yet, I can walk home!

The market is called Chatuchak JJ Markets and its located at 425 Pitt St, Haymarket, NSW 2000. For a small fee of $36, I picked myself up the cutest pair of black and gold slip on flats. Not bad therapy after a day’s work! And at a fraction of the price of a shrink. This definitely brings a new meaning to “walk it off sister”. Accessories are as low as $5, but the design concepts are incredible. One that caught my eye, was a necklace made from leather throng and the internal mechanics of a watch. The composition of brown leather, brass and stainless steel cogs really caught my eye.

Then there are those DVDs Thailand is renowned for. I could continue to rave about this kitsch wonderland though, it would really be easier if you just checked it out for yourself.

They have a facebook link “jj markets” and a website http://www.jjmarkets.com.au.

See you there after work ladies!

……………………………XOX RED

Ayurveda – Holistic Healing: Massage, Meditation, Nutrition & A Facial In One

I feel out of whack. And yeah I’m tired but, it’s more than that. It’s not like I don’t get enough sleep, or as if I’m starving myself – my brain and my body are just not computing. Stressed? Maybe. Anxious? Sometimes. Worried I’m aging before my time? Totally. So what’s wrong with me and all my friends that play me this line, like a broken record, every time we meet?

Apparently, like all apple products, we are not syncing our hardware to our software. Our minds and bodies are running in spite of each other, instead of as one. And, at this rate it’s not going to run for long… till something gives! That something, is called a mental break down. The solution a mental software upgrade, Ayurveda.

Ayurveda, is a holistic approach to health, healing, beauty and overall mental wellbeing. Demi Moore speaks openly on the treatment saving her from an unbalanced life-style and pulling her from rock bottom. So what exactly is it? No, it’s not rehab but then again, in some ways – it is.

Rita Sagrani

Rita Sagrani from the Ayurveda Wellness Centre, Bondi Junction, invited me inside to learn more. Besides being credited in magazines RUSSH, Cleo, Grazia, Marie Claire, Rita explains, that Ayurveda is a 5-6,000 year old exact science of healing – not a fad treatment. It is a traditional system of healing from India that looks at relationships with the external world of people, weather, food, colour, as well as our relationships with ourselves. Doctors study in excess of 5 years, to practise techniques that interlock yoga, vedic astrology and vedic architecture.

Practitioners understand the world in energetic terms and seek to balance the three basic energies in the body-mind called Doshas. The three Doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha and everyone is a different composition of these three. Once you have found out your unique Dosha body-type, you can then balance it out by changing your diet and life-style.

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For example; a person dominant in Vata is sensitive to cold, prone to worry, more highly strung and more likely to suffer from dry skin and constipation. These people do better with warm, moist food, warm living conditions, regular routines and ample down-time to clear the mind.

So, naturally, I had my Doshas mapped out with an introductory treatment to see first hand the results that can be achieved. Treatments use the 5-senses; food as medicine, massage with custom medicated, herbs and oils, aromatherapy, music and colour therapy.

My particular treatment started with my feet being soaked in warm water infused with herbs and massaged. Oil was then dripped onto my scalp and worked in, focusing on pressure points. I was then taken to a bed carved out of a solid piece of wood. A continuous stream of customised oil was poured all over my body. The idea is that the oil penetrates deeply into the tissues, softens the skin, mobilizes impurities and benefits stiff joints, sore muscles and fatigue. My body was then wiped clean with a hot compress. This process was complimented with music therapy and I must admit, your mind does drift into a type of outer body experience – no joke.

Treatment Room

Now most treatments in a day spa would end here – not Ayurveda. A separate candle lit room awaited me for a further half-hour of music therapy. I was advised to meditate or simply clear my mind of all the junk I had accumulated. After 15 minutes, a lovely practitioner brought me organic pumpkin soup and crusty bread. This was complimented with a herbal tea to aid digestion and to keep the body warm as the oils continued to penetrate deeper within my skin.

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After a total of two and a half hours, I left the centre feeling celebrated, with peace of mind and a sense of purpose. To think this was only an introductory session?!

So what’s the damage to the wallet? Nothing more than your usual sports massage and even less than day spa. Customised treatments range from $65 to $300. Additionally, you can arrange to see the doctor to exactly map out your Doshas and have food, plants, herbs and oils prescribed to balance them out. Ayurveda doctors can also use your pulse to see whether certain organs are under performing and prescribe a life-style plan to re-sync everything.

It has been a week since my treatment and it’s the first time I’ve actually received compliments about how fresh, energetic and happy I come across. I am looking forward to investigating this wellness doctrine further and letting you know whether the results are sustainable.

XOX RED………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

OLD-WORLD GLAMOUR FOR A NEW AGE – L’ ELEGANTE

Dorian Ho Collection

Tucked away in Sydney’s forgotten Double Bay, a little boutique heads an international style trend; wearable, workable old-world class with today’s sex appeal. L’Elegante, founded by Marie, specializes in evening wear that leaves everything to the imagination and nothing short of seduction.

If you are looking for bridesmaids dresses and or mother of the Bride outfits, Marie can customize, import, style and even design exactly what you need. Although L’Elegante is known for it’s exceptional bridal service, it is their celebrity styling which many clients flock for.

Having dressed Jennifer Hawkins and a series of recent Miss Universe hopefuls, actresses and musicians, L’Elegante, has a tried and true formula to make your appearance linger in the minds of others.

Fashion Aid: Kasia Stelmach & Silvana Lovin

Marie travels twice a year to Italy and France to bring back the latest designs from such designers as Valentino, Pronovias Couture and Dorian Ho. In-store, L’Elegante offers hand beaded evening wear individually designed for you and has a large range of “ready to wear” on hand, for that last-minute occasion.

LABELS AT L’ELEGANTE

Labels such as Valentino (Italy), Dorian Ho Couture (Hong Kong), Hand Beaded Gowns (India) – Designed by L’Elegante, Pronovias Cocktail collection (Barcelona) – And introducing a new collection by Claudio Couture for L’Elegante

Valentino Butterfly Dress

MADE TO MEASURE

Quality, Style, Colour for beautiful hand beaded fabrics and garments that are individually designed just for you. Choose from over 400 colours. For a private fitting, please call their Double Bay boutique, where their professional staff will gladly assist you.

L’Elegante:

Shop 24, 22-24 Knox St, Double Bay, NSW 2028.
Ph 02 93283773 E: marie@lelegante.com.au

Website: www.lelegante.com.au

Sex, Lies, and Storytime: "It's okay, you're not broken."

Reblogged from Shaunanagins:

I have wanted to write about this for a long time.  I have so much to say about it. The problem is that I don’t have any stories about it-- not that I am willing to share, at least. The world belongs to people who have the best stories.  Sexual liberation belongs to women who are willing to stand up and say “I have sex!

Read more… 727 more words

I feel as if you ripped this from my mind and painted it in words I could never. No truer words have ever been spoke... "It's ok, you're not broken."

WHAT’S ON THIS VALENTINE’S DAY – FOR THE SINGLE OR TAKEN AT HEART!

Every year, Feb 14th, never ceases to surprise me. You’d think by now the world would run out of options, as, let’s face it, how many times can you re-work a diaper baby with wings, blasting arrows? Hmmm yeah.

Then there are those critics who don’t want to be pigeon holed as supporting a plight for “mass consumerism” in the name of, “a chemical abnormality” referred to as, “love”.  Cleary some people have Asperger’s syndrome.

And last but not least, there are those (for fear of being overwhelmed or setting a precedent) who simply don’t feel the need to celebrate one day of love. They rather tell themselves they show enough love throughout the year.

So, where do I fit in? Well a little bit of column A, a little bit of column B and a little bit of everything in between.

To be honest… I love Valentine’s Day. And believe it or not, most years, I happen to be single on this day.  To me, Valentine’s Day isn’t a day a of “love”, its global people and food appreciation day!

Love comes in all forms and doesn’t have to only be of the wild insatiable romp kind - no! (although that is fun too). This day is really an excuse to take out the people who have; stood by you, mentored you, nursed you and above all, listened to you and go hey! Thanks! I acknowledge your existence and you know what? I kinda think you’re awesome!

So where to from now? Well if you’ve read this far, you’re probably now motivated to take out your mates, family or special other to act on this new-found ideology.

And what kind of global people and food appreciator would I be without giving you a few options of where to hang this Feb 14th in Sydney. Click the below images for more details… I know where I’ll be this Valentine’s Day! Gazebo Wine Garden! Munching on a few chocolates, a loin tingling menu by Matt Kemp and a grand old vodka with the people who help me paint my life RED! Feel free to join me!

XOX RED………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

THE SKY FELL FOR SYDNEY SKYFALL PREMIERE

I’m not a professional interviewer by any means. But somehow, like all things in my life, I found myself in that exact situation, attempting to interview Daniel Craig and the cast of SKYFALL. Thanks to EVENT TV, I had the daunting task of getting the notorious hater of interviews to talk about the film that pays for his livelihood. Safe to say the rumours are true, Daniel Craig hates interviews. Not to say that he is an ass (like most other interviewers had led me to believe), in fact, far from it! He is a genuine nice guy. Considering the first thing he did, once out of his tinted vehicle, was dodge a car, greet fans and sign autographs. I think he just hates media – fair call. Wearing a Tom Ford suit, he didn’t really divulge or compel me to go see the film. In true espionage style, Daniel answers, there’s a lot of explosions and grand car chase scenes…revealing – NOTHING!

Daniel Craig, dodges a car to greet fans

The real juice and intrigue about the latest Bond addition came from the ladies Naomi, Bernice and Barbara Broccoli. Naomi was the sweetest lady I have ever chatted to, I honestly could imagine sitting with her, over coffee and talking for hours! And with those amazing feline eyes, you couldn’t help but be sucked into their warmth. I think, she herself is still in awe of were her career has taken her. The mere fact, that out of all Bond woman, she is the first to be brought back for another film.

Now, it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t ask a random question, so here it went. If you could take something home, from set, what would it be? Naomi shocked me with the answer. Out of everything on the Bond set, the cars, the jewels, the dresses… guess what she picked? Leather pants. That’s right, she likes comfort and a bit of animalistic instinct – you go girl! Looove it!

Naomi Harris, Daniel Craig and Berenice Marlohe / Pic: Adam Taylor Source: The Daily Telegraph

Bernice on the other hand, when posed with this very same question, left my mouth hanging! Again, no fast vehicles, designer gowns, men, set designs… no… she’d rather take home some very unique, white, candles. I wonder what that says about her personality? Mood lighting vs. meditation? A very interesting pick none the less.

Seductress Bernice Marlohe

On that note of potential mood lighting, I thought Bernice could shed some light on what she thought mad the ultimate Bond girl seductress. Besides the usual curves and sophistication, for Bernice, it is an animalistic aggression that defines a Bond girl. That like a wild cat, when injured, it strikes back and does not cower. I really like this perspective on the Bond girl.

So I need to come clean, I did have a little bit of a hidden agenda when Barbara Broccoli stepped onto the red carpet. Yes, it is the 50 year anniversary of the Bond Franchise. Which makes me wonder, how many more Bond movies could there be? And is there any hope left for me to be a bond girl in the next 5 to 10 years? Thankfully Barbara is a really gentle hearted lady and she assured me that as long as we keep watching, they will continue to maintain her father’s legacy – massive sigh of relief! She even commented that I looked the part… but, I think she was just being polite *Grins.

Javier Bardem Vs Joker

Now to the crux of why I was there, is the bond film worth going to see? Considering the previous Bond film fell victim to the American writers strike, you are definitely guaranteed a more cohesive plot line. Daniel Craig (despite his aversion to interviews) has maintained that Bond be portrayed as a real human not a theatrical wonder man who doesn’t break a sweat. And Javier Bardem does offer a stimulating evil villain, although, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to the Joker from Dark night. Yet, viewers need to remember that Dark Knight and Bond are two completely different styles of film, one is based on comic and the other is known for its theatrical undertones.

Knowing all this, I think you will thoroughly enjoy SKYFALL. So why not go to your nearest EVENT CINEMAS and check it out … NOW!

EVENT TV

XOXOX………………………………………………….RED

I HATE CHAMPAGNE BUT TELLTALE CIDER… I LIKE!

Ok, so I’m a self professed vodka connoisseur – agreed. You’ll hear me rant left, right and centre about the many virtues of this viscous liquid when chilled properly. BUT, when something stumps my tastes buds from left field, it’s only fair that I wish to share. I hate champagne – FACT! The bubbles, the acidity and the sometimes overbearing sweetness… Well, it makes me want to gag. Yet, this late Sydney 7th of Nov, at the Winery in Surry Hills, I may need to eat my own words.

To tell the tale, (in between sips from a champagne glass) an “apple cider” made it’s debut. Scott and his associate Hamish from the McWilliams Wine Group would like me to believe that they have produced a crop of apple based champagne… Now that’s a tale!

Is it Cider or Is it Champagne?

So is it a cider or is it champagne?! I contemplate this, whist sipping his brew from a champagne glass. I’m confused and somewhat horrified at the idea my tastes buds could actually like champagne! Thankfully, Scott explains that it is an ALTERNATIVE to champagne, NOT a champagne. Sigh of relief!

The idea to create Telltale apple cider, came from an entrepreneurial spur 2 years ago. Scott Mc Williams explains, “I wanted to make a separate identity,” his own love child from the McWilliams wines branch. Understanding that cider, today, is generally the realm of a brewery, not a winery, Scott appealed to the sensibilities of Hamish and his brewery.  ”We recognised a niche, a 750ml cider to target the 25-35 affluent female, so the flavour package was tailored to them” – this required the two art forms of brewing and wine making to merge.

How do you like dem apples?

So, how exactly is an up market cider produced? Well, they make it like a wine- confused yet?! And the irony continues, you don’t use cider apples! What tha? … I’m seriously starting to wonder if you can actually call this a cider! Instead, you use fully ripened, juicy, crisp eating apples. Next, emulating a traditional apple mill, Scott uses a glorified apple shredder to create pulp which, they then press, to drain the juice.

Left to ferment like a wine, scott waits till gravity settles the solids out of the juice, racks of the clear juice and allows spontaneous fermentation to occur. Add a dash of wild yeast, starch and a dollop of yeast from the champagne region and you have a nice clean finish.

Not too sweet, and one of the driest ciders on the market! A distinct flavour profile of Australia’s sparkling wines BUT! low and behold ….made from apples!!! And not to mention an alcohol reading of 7.4%, giving it much weight, texture and accentuating fruit sweetness.

Made with love

Having taken their time to produce Telltale, only 1000 bottles will ever be released this season. Each bottle is hand loved, by non other than, Nora McWilliams and between Scott and Hamish they have personally touched all 2 ton of the apples used in the making. The labels are made by hand and each bottle is hand numbered, hence, taking on average 6 minutes to bottle. No wonder it is the most expensive cider ever to be released in Australia. But what do you expect? For an up market flavour profile, that isn’t too sweet, it has a nice tartness to it.

Gazebo Wine Garden

So where can you find this unique brew of Telltale? Especially, knowing now that it has won the heart of a clean spirit drinker from the east ;p! Well, the Keystone group has exclusivity over this batch. Nice one guys! You can purchase by the glass or by the bottle across 3 venues Gazebo, Winery, and the Newtown Hotel.

So get drinking, tell a tale and drink one too.

………………………………………………………………………………..XOX RED