I always fancied myself quite good with a coloured pencil. I stayed between the lines, mastered the ‘shading technique’ and always put them back in their box meticuloulously in colour order. I wanted a box of Derwents (the ‘cool’ brand) nearly as much as I wanted War Heads, Push Pops, a Brain Yo Yo in blue gliter and multiple Tamagotchi’s. When I finally got my double layered, bush themed, 120 piece tin of pencil perfection – I thought I was made. Chopping them up into little pieces would have been out of the question – even use of the sharpener was a closely monitored activity.

Kids of the world shut your eyes because there is a new big kid in town taking 1000’s of pencils, cutting them into 1-inch sections, drilling holes in them and sewing the bits together! Yes the 3^rd grade kid inside me just burst into tears..

All jokes aside, Jennifer Maestre is creating sculptures so creative, so colourful and so kaleidoscope cool it is enough to make your head spin!

Check them out at www.jennifermaestreculpture.com.au

Maz xxx

All eyes were on Sydney this Friday for the MTV Australia Awards – with international performers, a star-studded Aussie guest list, and a few bizarre incidents, the bash was a typically boisterous affair with some amazing highs and ridiculous lows.

Hosted by Fall Out Boy’s Mr Pete Wentz, the evening kicked off with an A-list welcome for the gathering celebs – MTV darling Rub Rose literally ‘rolled out’ the red carpet from the tail of her slinky gown and was joined by The Hills ‘star’ Audrina Patridge as the VIPs rocked up to Darling Harbour’s Convention Centre. With a guest list the Ivy Pool would be proud of – Lara Bingle, Brian and Delta Goodrem, April Rose Pengilly to name a few, the antipodean army were out in force and were joined by a selection of international stars including Welsh songstress Duffy, Pete Wentz’s lovely wife Ashlee Simpson, and brit rockers the Kaiser Chiefs.

The good – Killers opening the show with new single Spaceman – Brandon Flowers’ in full heartbreaker mode with his feather-adorned blazer and beautiful smile (yes I’m a big fan), Danni Minogue channelling futuristic chic with a razor sharp bob and metallic couture dress, quirky Aussie singer Sia performing ‘Buttons’ dressed as a unicorn amongst a sea of balloons, and the Kaiser Chiefs giving a typically energetic rendition of Never Miss a Beat.

The bad – Pete and Ashlee’s awkward kiss during the Kings of Leon satellite performance (an attempt to quash rumours of marriage problems?), Audrina Patridge’s wooden presenting skills, the distinct lack of celebrities in the VIP area (it was half empty most of the night) and the bad choice of venue – it felt like we were attending a school disco rather than an awards ceremony!

And the downright ugly – Vanilla Ice storming the stage to sing Ice Ice Baby with Pete Wentz (give it up!), the awful ‘fans’ who collected awards for the winners absent from the awards (Pink and Katy Perry included), and the fact that MTV couldn’t even get some of the award winners to record thank you videos – surely the whole point of an awards show!

I positioned myself next to the VIP area and witnessed some amusing incidents – Make Me a Supermodel’s Tom Penfold with his new squeeze who looks exactly like his on-screen fling Shanina, Luke the sheep-shearer from Australian Idol was seated on the back row of the VIP section and looked bored to tears for most of the evening, Delta Goodrem and Lara Bingle having girly gossips while most of the awards were being presented, and the crazy guys from Wolfmother sticking out like sore thumbs among the sea of wannabes and young trendsters.

The MTV Australia Awards have a long way to go until they’re as slick and celeb-filled as their American counterparts – Friday’s show was slightly shambolic and lacking the wow factor that the organisers usually pull out of the hat for these bashes, and most of the bands that performed were only in town because they were playing V Festival the following day (which was awesome by the way!) - but getting so close to Brandon Flowers meant it was good enough for me!

Amy xx 

We brought you news that teen-of-the-moment Taylor Swift wore Rachel Gilbert to a Sydney film premiere earlier this month, and since then a host of US magazines have placed Ms Swift’s ensemble on their ‘best dressed’ lists.

First off the mark was Instyle, crowning Taylors red carpet moment as their ‘Look of the Day’, and OK Magazine and US Weekly have all followed suit, devoting column space to Taylor wearing the stunning halter neck dress adorned with glittering sequins and rhinestones.

Sydney-based Rachel Gilbert is renowned for her luxurious cocktail dresses and elegant collections – Taylor is the latest in a long line of starlets seen wearing the label, including twin rockers the Veronicas, TV presenter and singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte, and MTV VJ Ruby Rose.

www.rachelgilbertsydney.com

Here at Sweaty Betty we love treats particularly in the afternoon! We are always known to be ravenously searching the cupboards high and low for that piece of chocolate to satisfy our cravings.

But now thanks to BLACK STAR PASTRY our chocolate addiction has finally been quenched…. This trendy new patisserie has recently had a makeover by phenomenal pastry chef Christopher The.

He has created everything from the magnificent dark chocolate ninja for only $2.50 or the wickedly grown up dark chocolate version for only $4. They also make exquisite croissants, brioche and macaroons, and elaborate pastries such as the lemon meringue and basil jelly tart.

So why don’t you stop by this little patisserie because life doesn’t get much sweeter!! Black Star Pastry, 277 Australia Street, Newtown.

Phone: 9557 8656

Caz xx

Retrosuperfuture is building a cult celebrity following FAST!

Perhaps the most loyal of all celeb fans is rapper, record producer and singer, Kanye West.

With a penchant for fine fashion the The Louis Vuitton Don’s dress sense is a hot topic and 2009 sees his style go to the next level with his love of statement making sunglasses Retrosuperfuture.

The latest video for Kanye’s hit single takes his SUPER love one step further as the shades feature through out the entire video!

Check it out on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ6sp3X_LVk and get your groove on just like Kanye with SUPERS.

www.retrosuperfuture.com

Picture yourself walking into the world’s largest walk-in wardrobe, sass & bide on one side, Alice McCall on the other and Rachel Gilbert’s red-carpet gowns glittering right in front of you. The ultimate fashion event finally arrives on 14 May, at the Royal Hall of Industries in Moore Park.

Fashion Weekend Sydney, presented by Shop Till You Drop, has been the buzzword on every fashionistas lips over the past few months and  this year is shaping up to be even better than before.

Get ready for a shopper’s heaven with your favourite labels on sale up to 70% off. See the latest trends from Australian designers on the catwalk, as well as beauty tips you cannot buy. So make sure you visit www.fashionweekend.com.au to book your tickets, before everyone else does!

Alana xx

Okay so we may be biased – BUT – Corbin Harris – Host of Fuel TV and Skater extraordinaire is definitely on our radars as one to watch in 2009…….

For more: http://www.corbinharris.com.au/

xx

LA chick and star of ‘The Hills’ Audrina Partridge has a very special surprise awaiting her on her arrival in Australia – a custom-made diamond necklace worth $7,000.

Sydney’s king of bling David Nader has created the necklace, which spells Audrina’s name in 1.50carat diamonds, to welcome the teen starlet to our shores as she prepares to host the red carpet show at MTV’s Australia Music Awards this Friday.

Audrina’s in good company – Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria, Cheyenne Tozzi, Delta Goodrem and Sophie Monk all own the coveted Nader name necklace, inspired by the Sex and the City ‘Carrie’ accessory and created completely from scratch for each individual wearer.

www.nader.com.au

This Saturday sees the return of Earth Hour – the Australian initiative that began two years ago in Sydney when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. By 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness. This year will see 83 countries committing to Earth Hour with an aim of 1 billion people switching off. And even if you haven’t jumped on the ‘green’ band wagon yet and aren’t necessarily losing sleep over our environmental situation; it’s a fun, novel way to spend your Saturday night.

Last year my boyfriend and I headed out for dinner to one of our all-time favourite Japanese restaurants, Busshari. Much to our dismay, as we were sitting in the taxi on our merry way, a radio announcer reminded us that Earth Hour was due to take place at the exact same time as our dinner reservation. Lucky for us; Japanese always has a very good ‘raw’ offering. Unlucky for us; we prefer to drink our Sake warm!

However on arriving at Busshari we were greeted with the space lit with rows and rows of tea light candles (for all you romantics out there) and bright green and blue glowing bracelets to wear during our meal. Not only were all our regular favourites still available (even the ones that required cooking); they also offered an additional menu of Earth Hour specials. It was a completely unique experience and one I would certainly recommend.

Earth Hour is on this Saturday 28th March from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Switch off your lights and head to Busshari for possibly one of the tastiest Spider Rolls you’ll ever eat; and definitely one of the most extensive Sake lists you’ll ever have to choose from!

www.busshari.com.au

119 Macleay St, Potts Point

Mon xxx

PS- See I told you I was the office foody! x

Here at Sweaty Betty HQ we type away to the sweet sounds of the radio and whatever chart-topping tunes are on Nova’s playlist, but recently we’ve been listening to one particular song over and over and over again thanks to Roxy’s current obsession with Jessica Mauboy!

Yes, the Sweaty Betties are constantly humming ‘Running Back’ by the lovely Miss Mauboy and most of us claim to know every word, having heard the song at least five times a day! R’n’B Queen Roxy is Jessica’s number one fan and has been bubbling with excitement all week from the news that Jessica will be performing at the grand opening of Liverpool Markets this Sunday.

Sydney’s newest weekly market is located on Orange Grove Road in a refurbished 15,000 square metre complex – with more than 225 stalls showcasing a range of products including fresh food, homewares and fashion, Liverpool Markets are set to become the sophisticated weekend shopping destination for the city’s suburbanites.

The markets throw their doors open for the first time on Sunday, with children’s entertainment, competitions and giveaways, and refreshments for the huge crowds expected to attend. Former Australian Idol finalist Jessica will be performing alongside this year’s winner Wes Carr and will be signing autographs after the performance – we can guess who will be first in the queue!

Liverpool Markets open this Saturday, located at 2-18 Orange Grove Road, Liverpool. The official opening ceremony is held this Sunday from 10am.

www.liverpoolmarkets.com.au