“It’s 1972. Skirts are up, pants are down. Girls can have anything: Fabulous careers, fashionable clothes and oral sex.”

This was how Paper Giants: The Birth of CLEO was sold late last year. I just can’t wait. Last week, the first trailer was released with the much more politically correct descriptor as follows;

“In early 1972, 30 year old journalist and editor, Ita Buttrose (Asher Keddie) and 35 year old Kerry Packer (Rob Carlton), heir to what was then Australia’s most ruthlessly powerful and influential publishing family, got together to create a magazine that became one of the most dramatic sensations in Australian publishing history. CLEO went on to help define women, Australia and the relationship between the two.”

Starring Asher Keddie, Paper Giants looks at Ita Buttrose’s rise through the Australian publishing ranks in the 1970s. The two part telemovie – telling the story of the early days of ACP – will air on ABC1 on Sunday April 17 and Monday April 18. 

Pics and info thanks to The Vine and Mumbrella

I had a whole other post planned for today. And then along came the Macaron.

In the past weeks whilst planning my trip I have discovered one of the delicacies I will be able to enjoy in Paris is the Marcaron, most recently made famous by MasterChef and enjoyed all over France and Melbourne.

Made from almond meal, they are ‘naturally’ gluten free and I’ve become rather addicted. They are my new vice and seriously worth getting fat for. The South Melbourne Markets’ Emerald Hill Deli has a great selection – the bubble gum doesn’t sound at all appealing but looks divine and last night at Brunetti I had a good raspberry one.

And then today I was distracted by a tweet that offered Hot Cross Bun Macarons. Yes. Hot Cross Bun flavoured Macarons. The very clever and talented Pierrick Boyer at Le Petitie Gateau has created this miracle and I had to try it. Along with three other flavours. (Cause I was there, you know?)

Every one was sublime. The blueberry was perfect. The Hot Cross Bun even came with a cross and has currants in it! The closest I have come to that flavour in 8 years.

Besides dreaming up innovative macaron flavours, Pierrick and the Le Petite Gateau team put on a range of cakes, sweet treats and mouthwatering morsels to tempt you away from even the strictest diet and every bite is worth it. Last week I sampled flourless orange cake and a chocolate mousse (pictured).

Who needs Paris when we have such fabulous French favours here?

Le Petite Gateau 
458 Little Collins Street
Melbourne 3000
Open Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm
03 9944 8893

(Hot Cross Bun Macaron images thanks to Kenneth Meow Twitter: @eMeow33)

Til I am sipping lattes on the Left Bank. Miss J and I will be in technicolour, but I’ll be the lady on the left.

Image thanks to FS Magazine

I like to buy stuff. I know I have told you I can still remember the very first purchase I ever made for myself clothing wise at age 14 – a three quarter sleeve navy blue polyester top for $12. Yep. I was all class.

Well as I got older, my tastes changed and I’m now likely to average $120 and buy silk than anything from the discount store on Main Street in the burbs. But with changing trends and my ever expanding wardrobe, something had to give.

And it has. My bank balance. Not discounting a little trip I am taking this month, my available funds is starting to look a little worse for wear while the past 6 years worth of clothes I no longer wear (or fit into for various reasons) lies dormant in Mum and Dads runpus room.

I’m too lazy for eBay, to tight to donate to the op shop and way too slow to book any of those great recycled vintage markets. And then along came Wardrobe Wonderland.

It’s an event they’re calling Fashion Matchmaker – a different spin on the idea of a clothing swap. A bunch of stylish girls get together at fantastic South Melbourne hotspot Honey Bar; you bring items from your wardrobe that just aren’t getting the love they deserve, which are then sold to friends (and friends of friends) to be given a whole new lease on life.

Its like shopping your best friend’s wardrobe. You’re getting the best cast offs around – designer duds, vintage treasures, gorgeous jewels, shoes and bags – without having to trawl eBay for hours and with the added bonus of getting to touch, try and veto things before you take them home. Most things will be in the $50 to $200 price range so come along with your cash in hand and snap up some gorgeous treasures.

Tickets are $25 and includes bubbles, nibbles and a chance at some great giveaways. (Woo!)

Sound like your cup of tea? Best get yourself a ticket quick smart because its on Tuesday April 12 – THATS NEXT WEEK – from 6-8pm.

Scanlan and Theodore silk dresses, Chloe shoes, vintage fur jackets, Ginger and Smart silk skirts, Carla Zampatti velvet blazer, Mimco bags and much, much more up for grabs!

Plus you will help me make a few extra bucks for Paris. Come along. I promise to bring you home something pretty.

Last Monday, after seeing the new Adam Sandler and Jen Aniston flick, Miss E and I ventured across the road (from Melbourne Central) to Match Bar and Grill for a quick drink post flick.

It was quiet – but it was Monday – and I’d like to think Miss E and I brighten a place up. Whilst walking up the stairs though, the disco fever feeling of the lights made me feel right at home and we settled in for a drink. Or 3.

The extensive cocktail menu was inviting but I was keen for a red and the fancy schmancy wine cooler/storer/futuristic way to serve the vino was quite the selling point. The Pinot Noir was rather lovely – I have no idea what it was but your friendly barman can help you with that – and Miss E and I ventured to the balcony to watch the city go by.

On a balmy night, or even a cool one, the balcony is a great spot to drink and chat, taking in Swanston Street and the city lights. Inside cosy couches and benches bathed in orange light are a brilliant spot to relax with the bar menu or venture through the wine tunnel to the restaurant, where I will be returning cause it looks quite nice.

Your staff are friendly, happy to join you for a drink (or 3) and share the quiet night, always remembering that these occassions are few and far between – this place is quite the party spot and their services are required behind the bar.

Miss E and I will be brightening the bar many a Monday night in the future I dare say. And perhaps some other days ending in y as well…

Match Bar and Grill
http://www.matchbar.com.au/
249 Little Lonsdale St
Melbourne 3000
9654 6522

Bar open Mon-Thurs 4pm til late, Fri-Sat 3pm til late
Restaurant open Mon-Sat 6pm til 11pm

From never finding the time to watch anything on television to seeing two films in two days, my life certainly goes from one extreme to the other.

This week I saw L’amour fou, a part of the French Film Festival. The film is a documentary about the life and times of Yves Saint Laurent.

Yves Saint Laurent built one of fashion’s most celebrated empires. The documentary chronicles his rise, his lifelong partnership with Pierre Bergé and Pierre’s decision to auction off a lifetime of precious art and objects.

Bergé and Saint Laurent met in 1958 after Saint Laurent had left the House of Dior in a much publicized scandal. Over the next forty years, until Saint Laurent’s death in 2008, he and Bergé amassed a collection of objets d’art that spanned the centuries, which are sold at the end of the documentary.

Whilst Saint Laurent is a creative and brilliant talent, his life was tragic in that he could never find real happiness, nor contentment.

Yeojin Bae presented a Fashion Tableau at the closing night of the French Film Festival, a worthy addition to the evening and the perfect ‘3 weeks til Paris’ night out for me.

The second film I saw was the complete opposite of the cultured and beautiful piece I witnessed on Sunday night – Just Go With It is the latest rom com from Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston.

The film is funny but very formulae, with added bits for the boyfriends who are dragged along (not to mention a fair bit of bikini action).

I’m a bit of a fan of Jen A, by virtue of the fact Friends always has been my fave TV show, but our poor heroine has to dress a bit dowdy and wear glasses for most of the movie until she get her gorgeous on (and they fix her hair!)

Anyway, it’s a laugh but don’t expect to learn anything. And PS. Nicole Kidman is a supporting actress. And she’s not bad.

L’Amour fou is likely on DVD somewhere. Just Go With It is in Australian cinemas from Thursday March 31.

I am sure every one of you knows my trip to Paris is just around the corner, I have been rather vocal about it after all. But now comes the hard part. What to pack?

It’s time for some home truths. I am a TERRIBLE packer. I regularly take way too much stuff (usually shoes) just in case and then find I have no where to wear them – or always forget something important. Like underwear.

Paris is a whole other story. How much stuff do I take in order to leave space to bring new stuff home? Do I just buy toiletries when I get there (ooh la la, French shampoo!) to save more space? How many pairs of shoes is acceptable to take when you plan on buying quite a few more?

A friend recently travelled to Europe for six weeks and only took carry on. ONLY TOOK CARRY ON!! The very thought gives me chills. I take practically my whole wardrobe for a weekend at our beach house – where I might add, I actually have a wardrobe of clothes, shoes and the like. Technically, I don’t need to take anything.

I’m very fond of my material possessions. I know which shoes would be fabulous in Paris, if not impractical. I know which coats would look amazing walking along the Left Bank (accompanied by those fabulous shoes no doubt) but do I need 3 coats for only 9 days? What if I meet a charming French fellow and need every pair of earrings I own? Or I head to coffee with a model agent friend and am asked to a French fashion show? What if???

My only concession to the virtues of packing is something my Dad tells me every year before we go skiing. Whatever I take, I will have to carry. And therein lies the ‘Oh god’ moment – the thought of manual labour.  And when you are someone who packs a lot, there is a lot to carry. Especially in heels.

So far my Paris luggage stands at a medium suitcase, a slightly smaller than medium suitcase, a beauty case, laptop bag and carry on. Someone bring me a trolley.

Better still, is there a service I can hire to pack for me? How do I choose the shoes? The coats? HELP!

sass & bide Melbourne warehouse sale

sass & bide are reducing their styles by up to 80% off.

Do you watch ‘The Farmer Wants a Wife’ on Channel 9? I’m not converted to it but I don’t mind watching it every now and then. I especially love the end of the season when relationships are made or broken and the follow ups from previous seasons – who is still together, who is not and how it all worked out.

While this story wasn’t on ‘The Farmer Wants a Wife’, the sentiment is the same. Girl meets boy, they fall in love and someone has to move. City or country? Jane Cay, founder of birdsnest.com.au, made a tree change to the country and never looked back.

The move inspired her to create a world class online clothing store that offered personalised service, stocked all the best brands, was attainable, friendly and had a sense of fun. What sets birdsnest apart from the others is that it is designed with a complete focus on ‘you’ – the purchaser – so instead of getting someone else’s look, you can search for an outfit based on your body shape, favourite colour, personality or a relevant special occasion. 

Sound good? It gets better. The birdsnest philosophy is all about making the most of your best assets. ‘The result of looking your best is feeling your best”, says Jane.

The team at birdsnest strive to continually innovate and set benchmarks in the experience they provide to their online customers. New brands join the range on almost a monthly basis and the site has undergone a significant re-build to provide an even better online experience in 2011.

The Autumn Winter 11 collection is now awailable for your perusal and you won’t be disappointed. These are a few of my fave picks, with a Parisian slant. Navy, red and white all the way!

 There is also currently a promotion to join ??? birdsnest ?mailing list and? go into the draw to Win a $500 Wardrobe at Birdsnest?!.??????? Enter your e-mail ???to join the birdsnest girls and be ‘in the know’. ?Good Luck???!