It seems that Taylor Swift has up and moved on from her nasty text message split from Jonas’ Brother Joe Jonas and rocked out at the V festival at Hylands Park in the UK! She performed her hit single “Love Story” wearing a black fringed Rachel Gilbert dress with sequin detail. Styling this spectacular piece from the Rachel Gilbert Collection she held her guitar up high performing alongside acts such as Razorlight, The Specials, Lily Allen, The Script, Starsailor, and Mcfly.

Taylor seems to have taken a liking to the Australian based designer who is famous for her embellished hand beaded evening dresses. Taylor has been was spotted walking the red carpet at the Sydney Premier of ‘17 Again’ and the Much Music Awards. Not to mention that the young pop princess did in fact get this dress from our very own humble abode. You’re an absolute darl Taylor and just keep up telling yourself ‘Joe Jonas who?’

Krystal xx

Confused, arrogant, naïve, lonely, irresponsible, brazen, and spontaneous – all traits of typical teenagers played out on stage at Sydney Theatre Company this week, by Belgian group Ontroerend Goed.

‘Once And For All We’re Gonna Tell You Who We Are So Shut Up and Listen’ is the ironically childish title of the award-winning play, features 13 young performers acting out their teenage rebellion as an array of recognisable characters. There’s the loner, the tomboy, the female flirt, the attention-seeker, the male jock, the nerd, the boy everyone has a crush on, the wild child, and a whole host of characters that the grown-up audience will identify with as their younger selves.

The beauty of this play is its simplicity – a simple scene where the teenagers enter the stage and socialise in complete chaos is repeated and reinterpreted in a multitude of ways – in a ‘brady bunch’ style skit, as a drug-induced haze, in an amorous and verging on explicit act, and finally reverting back to the original scene. In between takes, various members of the cast offer thought-provoking soliloquies about adolescent life – the funniest from the class clown who instructs the audience to scream ‘back off’ and ‘fart’!

In keeping with the rebellious mood, audience participation is a key feature (whether they like it or not!) – when we saw the play, one audience member in her 60’s had lipstick daubed on her face, the front row was squirted with water, and one lucky guy was the object of a female teenagers affections of the majority of the play.

And I haven’t even mentioned the music – Radiohead, Velvet Underground, Jose Gonzales and a host of other guitar-riff laden tracks form the soundtrack to this carefully orchestrated production. Relive your youth and prepare to get messy – the play runs until this Saturday (29 August) at Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 2, The Rocks.

Amy xx

This Friday is Daffodil Day, and there’s still time to make a vital donation to the cause by purchasing a gorgeous bunch of flowers from Pearsons Florist.

The Sydney chain of florists has created the ‘Gift of Hope’ – a huge bunch of daffodils in a glass vase, with 50% of the flower sales going directly to the Cancer Council. Buy a bunch for your mum, sister, boyfriend or just treat yourself – and get the feel-good factor of supporting an incredibly worthy cause.

With one in two Australians being affected by Cancer every year, the Cancer Council raises much-needed funds to support research and education – hundreds of events are being held across Australia with some of the biggest names in fashion getting involved too –  11 of Australia’s favourite designers have created Daffodil Day inspired fashion pieces. Designers include Akira Isogawa, Arthur Galan, Bettina Liano, Flamingo Sands, J’Aton, JASONGRECH, Jayson Brunsdon, Jenny Bannister, LIFEwithBIRD and Lady Petrova.

Amy xx

This weekend, the Betties slipped on their best frocks and headed to the Westin Hotel for a decadent afternoon of high tea and high fashion with designer Rachel Gilbert.

The design darling hosted the elegant event for over 100 Sydney fashionistas in the Heritage Ballroom, previewing her exclusive high summer ‘Cruise’ collection on an array of stunning models on the final day of Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival.

We indulged on a chic high tea platter of sandwiches, scones and yummy cakes and enjoyed champagne and Rosemount wines at the event, which ran from 2pm – 4pm. The fabulous Kai Aiyub of Channel 7 fame welcomed everyone before introducing the runway show, when Rachel’s latest glittering creations were unveiled, in beautiful summer pastels with the designers’ signature embellishments.

Two lucky guests (not us unfortunately!) each won a dress from the new Cruise collection, after finding a lucky pink envelope under their chair, and everyone walked away with a goody bag crammed full of fashionable treats including lingerie from Bras N Things, Redken products, Guylian chocolates, a Dermalogica candle, and bracelet from Sydney accessories house Cristiana.

Rachel looked simply divine in a silk maxi dress, and was thrilled with the support from her Sydney fans. Saturday’s event marks an incredibly successful season for Rachel Gilbert – having worked with Lisa Ho and headed Nicky Hilton’s ‘Chick’ before launching her label in 2007, Rachel’s eponymous creations have been seen on a whole host of stars including US songstress Taylor Swift, rockers the Veronicas, and most recently, Sonia Kruger on Dancing with the Stars – sparking a stampede for the silver sequinned number she wore on screen with 600 sold in one week.

And the future looks even brighter for this creative maven – Rachel Gilbert is collaborating with Sportsgirl later in the year to bring her luxury gowns to the masses.

www.rachelgilbertsydney.com

I’ve heard rumours about these parties…a group of like-minded hedonists get together for a top secret evening of debauchery, no one knows the venue until the day of the event when they receive a cryptic text message, and they’re led into a hip underground lair of pounding beats and some serious naughtiness…

Imagine my delight when I found out one of these shindigs is taking place here in Sydney! Hosted by the infamous Lost Boys of the Shark Island Party fame, ‘Lost…In The Underworld’ will be held on Saturday 17 October, inviting Sydney’s cool kids to dress in their best ‘Underworld Twisted Masquerade’ get ups and jive to quality tunes from DJs Bagraiders, Jason Barry, Bozo and Moneyshot from 7am until dawn.

Held in a secret underworld lair in the Eastern Suburbs, the scene of many a reckless evening, Lost in the Underworld attendees will be informed of the venue by SMS on the day – and with tickets only $70, this is the edgiest festival you’ll attend this summer. Visit www.lostevents.com.au

Amy xx

We have found the best bar in the world! Travel to Beirut and spend an indulgent night out at the VIP roof top nightclub, Sky Bar. Mix and mingle with hot guys and sexy girls in lavish surroundings, whilst enjoying some of the best views of the Mediterranean.

Sky Bar is the perfect place to have a wild night out, while keeping it stylish. But this place doesn’t just party at night, there are pools and Jacuzzi’s up there too, so enjoy the amazing sundown views with a crisp glass of Champagne in the bubbles of the jacuzzi!!

With the Sydney Morning Herald describing Beirut as ‘sin city of the Middle East’ the conflicting economic issues don’t seem to stop party goers here. Sky Bar is always packed with an elite group of party-goers that party like there’s no tomorrow! But don’t expect to just walk on up to Sky Bar, you may need to book months in advance to even get a table here. But let us just tell you, its so worth it!

xx

Moving house has to be one of the most overwhelming tasks. The sorting, the packing, the organising, and the parting with beloved items of clothing/shoes/handbags that you haven’t touched for at least six months but you are SURE you’ll wear again soon. Or not…

On the flip side, moving house means an exciting new decor, a new view, new neighbours and best of all – a brand new wardrobe. Like back in the days of school when the beginning of each new school year meant new folders, stationery and a desire to be organised and keep on top of things; moving house inspires the same kind of change. This time I will keep all my hanging items on matching hangers. All items of clothing will be sorted in length/style/colour. Everything will be folded ’boutique’ style. And shoes? This time, I vow to keep all shoes neatly stacked and sorted by heel height.

To assist in my strive for wardrobe excellence; I have invested in none other than a collection of Pink Lily clear shoe boxes, boot boxes and a handbag garage, because let’s face it- I AM going to use that clutch again in the next twelve months. These sturdy, slick clear shoe boxes are an organiser’s dream! Fill them, stack them and never worry again about chipping a nail opening ten shoe boxes before finding the right pair; or scuffing heels as you throw your shoes with reckless abandon into the deep abyss (your wardrobe).

Order online at www.pinklily.com.au

Mon xx

I had a little jaunt down to Melbourne last weekend, and as well as the usual laneway bar hopping, retail therapy and gastronomic delights, I also took in a spot of culture at the National Gallery of Victoria.

The legendary surrealist Dali has landed in Melbourne, announcing his arrival with huge red ‘Dali’ illuminous lights at the entrance to the stunning museum, backed by a wall of gushing water. A fitting welcome for one of the last century’s greatest artists, and the exhilarating start of the largest travelling Dali exhibition, titled ‘Liquid Desire’ and chronicling his complete life and work, from his early days gazing at the rocks in Cadaques, to his eccentric friendship with Andy Warhol and his foray into filmmaking.

I always appreciate good art, but this exhibition literally took my breath away – over ten rooms of Dali’s greatest work lies in wait for visitors, painstakingly arranged in order with detailed explanations and history about each piece, pulled from the world’s two largest Dali exhibitions in Figueres, Spain, and St Petersburg in Florida.

And if you had any preconceptions about this flamboyant, creative genius, prepare to be puzzled, shocked, amused, bemused, and entranced by the sheer talent of one man – self portraits at the tender age of 13, portraying him recovering from sickness ‘trapped like a bird in a cage’, his touching tributes to family members, abstract and surreal paintings featuring the signature skulls, buttocks, beans, melted musical instruments, and crutches (which are said to act as emotional crutches for his many anxieties), and his 50 year love affair with Russian older woman Gala, are all captured by the moustached man’s paintbrush.

But Dali wasn’t just at home behind an easel – he turned his hand to a whole host of other creative exploits, all of which are included in the exhibition. His infamous ‘lobster telephone’ sculpture is on display, you can watch the very bizarre Dali film ‘Un Chien Andalou’, and even marvel at Dali’s jewellery collection, crafted by the man himself and culminating in a motorised beating heart made of rubies, which was created to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth.

Give yourself at least 3 hours to fully appreciate this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition, and I won’t spoil the ending, but let’s just say the grand finale will leave you completely overawed.

Visit http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/dali/ to find out more.

Amy xx

Take a moment to forget the woes of Wall Street and escape into a world where the finer things in life are everything in life. New website www.luxuryculture.com invites you to “Share the Art of Living Well”.

Imagine finding an oasis in the middle of a bustling city with tours of the best world class hotels; or finding the ultimate party with exclusive insider guides of Paris, Milan, New York and everywhere in between- that is exactly what Luxury Culture offers you.

Browse the latest hotels, luxury yachts, the world’s most coveted addresses and peruse the latest in lifestyle, fashion and food and wine online. Whether you’re looking for the latest gallery opening, limited edition Sonia Rykiel teddy bear chocolates or even a treadmill for you four-legged friend; Luxury Culture has it all – and you can view it from the comfort of your computer desk.

Laura and Catherine xx

Anyone working in fashion will tell you it’s one of the toughest industries to break into, and an even tougher industry to succeed in. Boundless energy, an unquenchable thirst for everything fashion-related, attacking every task with enthusiasm, whether it’s 8am in the morning or pushing midnight, quick-thinking and the ability to excel under pressure, an eye for detail and a brain for big ideas, and a wardrobe to be proud of…these are just a handful of attributes you’ll need to make the grade in one of the iconic industries of our time.

If this job description doesn’t have you running for the hills, and you believe you can make your mark in fashion PR, the opportunity of a lifetime awaits you – we’ve teamed up with V-Raw, the online campaign which offers internships within the very best creative companies, to devise an exclusive eight week work experience programme for one lucky individual.

The chosen one will spend 2-3 days a week with the Betties, working in a junior publicist role, assisting with brainstorming concepts and campaigns for a handful of clients that they will consistently work on during their duration of their internship. In addition they will be trained up in the day to day operations of our business – including managing our busy showroom, organising looks and ensembles for top fashion magazines, and updating our popular blog and Twitter page!

We’re expecting sackfuls of applications so make sure you stand out! Click here to apply and prepare to get Sweaty!