I'm dreaming of a White Christmas.. at COSH tonight

Another Year! Yehaaaaa!

Come celebrate Christmas with all your close buddies at Cosh, say your merry Christmas's, and bid your fond farewells for the Holiday period in style.

The "Cosh White Christmas Party"

Come in your best white outfit, prizes for the best dressed guy and girl

There will be a bar tab from 6pm to celebrate

DJ Ned Roy on the decks

A Peculiar Affair' - free Hendricks gin at Julep tonight

A Peculiar Affair' at Julep tonight - For goodness sakes, LET THEM POUR YOU A HENDRICK’S GIN. Yes its raining, but its free and fun so get down there!

152B Ponsonby Road 7-10pm

The Loft - Auckland's best kept yoga secret

Astanga on Tuesdays, Vinyasa on Thursdays, and Hatha on Mondays and Wednesdays - all at 6pm

It's $17 or $14 for students. And while Loft lovers may claim to go for the exercise and de-stressing, I know its largely for the truly delicious vegetarian dinner and dessert which follows the class. There's nothing that makes you feel quite so virtuous as a yoga session followed by healthy vegetarian food. Yum! As they say you are what you eat and if I ate this stuff more often I'd be bouncing off the walls

The Enlightened Kitchen, a mystical place where fresh, healthy vegetables, grains and other tasty vegetarian stuff, are transformed into Soulfood: karma-free food to nourish the soul, mind and body.

First floor, 103 Beach Road 09 379 7301

http://www.theloft.org.nz/

The final Vansin Crew gig of 2010

VAN SIN CREW - December Edition

Bringing you your monthly dose of tantalizing tech and fine minimal beats which will tickle the knickers off your ears and the socks off your co*ks.
Kicking off at 9pm this Saturday December 18th

Tunes served up fresh by:

Dubby24 2100-2200
DJ Demon 2200-2300
Lara van Osenbruggen 2300-0015
Antonie van Osenbruggen 0015-0130
Vivek George 0130-0300

Summer must be here because the George parties have started. Hoo rah!

George is back with another summer selection of afternoon parties in Auckland's parks. The first one is presented by Johnny Arrow Cider on Saturday December 11th, at the lovely Coyle Park in Pt Chevalier, Auckland 1pm - 6:30pm

George DJs on the decks all afternoon long include: Nyntee, T Rice, Uncle Barnie & Recloose!

It's 100% free, so lets pray for sunshine and get hot, get wet, get ON IT

Google Map to venue here >>>> http://tiny.cc/drkb3

http://www.georgefm.co.nz/

http://www.johnnyarrow.co.nz/

Be an angel and spread your wings

The Auckland City Mission have a generous sponsor this Christmas that will donate $5 for every photo uploaded to their Facebook page wearing their wings. Its a good cause, get amongst it people!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Auckland-City-Mission/128917087149408

Become an Angel this Christmas: find our Angel wings around Auckland, upload a photo of yourself wearing them, and our sponsor will donate $5 on your behalf. Here’s a map: http://bit.ly/angel-wings

OR DONATE NOW at www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz

New watering hole on the... water

Snapdragon opened up recently in the good ol' Viaduct. Looks pretty cool and its always good to find somewhere different for a change - especially being that its summer and they have balconies! Vital feature

Oh yeah - they have food too. And while I haven't tried it, I certainly will be soon enough cos it looks pretty damn tasty. I'm especially fiending for their White Chocolate & Banana Cream Pie with spiked hot toffee fudge sauce...........


http://www.snapdragonbar.co.nz/

Legendary Aussie label Sass & Bide comes to NZ at last

You can find the new store at 85 Ponsonby Road in the old Witchery space

Famous for their fantastic denim and fabulous dresses, if I win Lotto I'll be starting my shopping spree there. Wait.. I guess I'd have to buy a ticket first.



http://www.sassandbide.com/

Another great set of lungs from little ol' NZ

We've had Anika Moa, Brooke Fraser, Bic and Boh Runga, Ladyhawke, and Hollie Smith (and probably a few other laydies that I can't remember right now) in the lineup of female singers from this fair country.

Now there's the rather fetching doll-faced Kimbra at your service, all tumbling dark curls blue eyes and porcelain skin. She's now based in Melbourne so not sure if she's making appearances here anytime soon but we'll keep an ear to the ground

The biggest events this summer are... ba boom da bang

Here we go party people!

First in our lineup is the biggest party of New Years Eve, Highlife at Stonyridge on Waiheke Island. December 31st, just to state the obvious

Then there's Big Day Out Jan 21 at Mt Smart Stadium. It's a bit bogan so far but there's so much on I bet there will be a few decent musicky things to get down to

Laneway is Jan 29th in the newly revamped Aotea Square.

Splore is in the city this summer.. totally different vibe to their normal event but might be a winner, it's on February 11 & 12

Mmmm mmm I love those damn cows

Cos if it weren't for them we wouldn't have all this deliciousness

The Collective Dairy is a new(ish) favorite of mine and now a regular in the shopping trolley. What better way to end the night than a few sweet creamy spoonfuls straight from the tub of Lucious Lemon, Russian Fudge or Pomegranate Cherry yogurt

Pan fry their haloumi for a party in your mouth. Hardest decision is which one I like more - the Kalamata olive, lemon chilli, or the plain


http://www.thecollectivedairy.com/

It's been a long time comin....

We're in the process of designing a new website here at The Hype which is why things have been a bit quiet here, but bigger and better things are on the way, so stay posted!

Indulge in a bit of this, bit of that at the Wine Loft

Whats awesome about the Wine Loft is most of their wines are available in 50ml taster glasses for about $3-4 each, which means you can try HEAPS of different ones! In the words of Peter Griffin, it's freakin sweet. Great atmosphere and their platters are pretty good

Leather couches, polished wooden floors, cool artwork, an open fireplace and jazz playing in the background - yup, its my kinda place

Upstairs at 67 Shortland Street
http://www.wineloft.co.nz/

Awake or dreaming... Inception

It is the mindf*&^k of the year. LOVED IT. Note - Imax is perfect for this movie but if you see it there make sure you get a seat near the back. You don't wanna walk out looking like a cripple because you had to strain your neck to see the screen proper like for more than 2 1/2 hours.

With full on wicked special effects its definitely one to see on the big screen, don't wait for the dvd.

I'm beginning to wonder if our Leo can do no wrong... most of his films these days are very Hollywood but almost guaranteed to be excellent. I reckon I'm backing him!

Lisbeth Salander, back for Part II...

Tattoos, nose rings, spiked collar - Noomi Rapace is not your usual Hollywood heroine but her character in Girl Who Played With Fire continues to have everyone totally intrigued.

This is the second of Stieg Larrson's trilogy and in short, its not as good as the first one but still very good.

Girls day/night in? Call in the troops!

One of my girlfriends is celebrating her birthday afternoon with a spa day at her hotel suite. What a lurvely idea! Indulge in a massage or manicure while kickin it with your friends, gossiping it up and drinking champagne or cocktails. Perfecto! Fun way to start the party and get looking totally fabulous for your night out.

New subscribers to their monthly e-newsletter receive a $5 gift voucher

http://www.pamperedonlocation.co.nz

Squeeze into one of the littlest bars downtown for a whiskey and cigar

They call themselves the friendliest little bar in town and they do a good job at living up to their claims! This cosy little spot is tucked into the corner of Wolfe and Federal Street. It's a great place to chill after work, meet a date, or celebrate a special occasion - intimately. The lurvely bartenders will provide you with a great selection of cocktails, wines and cigars. Mo's might be your new local, but don't tell too many people, it gets crowded easily!

http://www.mosbar.co.nz/

Make a cafe in 24 hours? It can be done, apparently..

Auckland cafe & organic coffee roaster Kokako, just created a pop-up cafe in the CBD. Although the cafe was created in 24 hours, the plan is to fit it out over time and engage the customers in the process. Fun idea!

The cafe is open Monday to Friday serving all your usual cafe fare

You'll find them on the corner of Federal and Wolfe Street in the CBD.
Phone 09 359 9113

Snobcakes - for posh tastebuds only

These sexy little cupcakes taste as good as they look. There is always an occasion, especially if you have a sweet tooth.

Chocolate confession, vanilla bombshell, lemon lust, mocha rush, bollywood temple and ginger kiss. Just give me one of each please!

Check em out at http://www.snobcakes.co.nz/

It's almost here and it's fabulous, Daaahling - NZ Fashion Week

This year New Zealand Fashion Week is on from 20-24 September 2010 in the Auckland Viaduct Harbour Marine Village.

Keep an eye out for the fabulous new label Maaike. It's a high end clothing label with beautiful, orginial and - most importantly - wearable garments. It's sure to be a big hit!

http://www.nzfashionweek.co.nz
http://www.maaikeclothing.com/

Bubble bubble... $15 Veuve at Lola!

For the whole of August from 5pm - 9pm one of my favorite Ponsonby bars is offering glasses of Veuve Clicquot yellow label for only $15. Score! Get in there and Bubble Up

You'll find the beautiful Lola at 212 Ponsonby Road. While you're there, try their raspberry white chocolate martini. It's positively orgasmic, trust me

www.osocio.org

Social advertising and non-profit campaigns from around the globe. This website is brilliant, check it out!

ILLUMINATE Paint party! August 2010

★ ★ILLUMINATE PAINT PARTY 2010 NZ TOUR - (AUCKLAND) ★ ★

I haven't been to one of these but it looks like a lot of fun - and mess!

On Saturday August 14th Illuminate will be transforming Ellerslie Racecourses Stables into a 2-Zone, Mega Scale Party venue, with MASSIVE Sound, Flooded UV's and killer visuals, enhanced with Illuminates theatrical setup. WEAR WHITE!

★ Stunning Light Show and Amazing Visual Displays

★ Hot Illuminators fully armed with Paint Pumps as well as heaps of paint bottles thrown out to the masses!

★ OFFICIAL PAINT-DROP 12am Sharp

★ Now featuring a full merchandise outlet with Shutter Shades / White Boiler Suits / Extra paint bottles in case you HAVE to have more

Check out www.facebook.com/paintparty for more info

Whitianga Scallop Festival! August 28

28th August, 2010. Tickets available at www.iticket.co.nz now

Tickets are selling fast so get in there quick!

Eddie Raynor and Paul Crowthers from Split Enz have a new Band called the Con-Rays and they are playing at the Festival

For the quick and the undead.. daily deals, get your credit card ready!

All of these sites are brilliant. Join their mailing list for emailed daily specials, I've bought loads off them! And I'm saving money with their wicked discounts... right? I think..

www.dailydo.co.nz

www.1day.co.nz

www.grabone.co.nz

www.dealaday.co.nz

Waiheke's Island of Burlesque festival 22-24 Oct 2010

Waiheke has been chosen to host a high end Burlesque festival this year.

The exclusive event will showcase international stars of Burlesque alongside some of New Zealand’s most recognized and up and coming performers including Venus Star of Wellington and Sugar Le Brun of Melbourne.

13th Annual Monteiths Wild Food Challenge is ON

Monteith's Beer & Wild Food Challenge judges will visit and judge the top 27 outlets to select the five finalists who will compete in the live "Cook Off" in Auckland on 23rd August, 2010.

The winning restaurant or bar takes home the title of National Winner Monteith's Beer & Wild Food Challenge, along with a cash prize of $10,000

Check out their website for participating restaurants and get along to try some of their crazy creations
http://wildfood.monteiths.co.nz/

Auckland Food Show 2010, starting July 29th

It runs for 4 days, 29 July – 1 August at the ASB Showgrounds from 10am to 6pm Thursday Friday and Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.

It's their 11th year running, and in 2008 and 2009, the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia named The Food Show Auckland as the Best Consumer Show Under 10,000sqm and the Best New Zealand Show overall.

Tickets are $22

Really yummy sushi at Bian!

Bian at the top of Symonds St has probably the best sushi in Auckland. Its fresh, plenty of variety - and the most incredible home made sauce that I can't help but pour all over everything. Its kinda like a tartare sauce - that must have cocaine or something else highly addictive in it cos you could seriously eat the entire bowl and still want more.

Their fried salmon sushi is my favorite but they're all really good, its hard to choose just a few when you really want one of everything - and there's 16 different flavors so good luck with that!

They have these amazing deep fried potato corn balls. You must try, YUM

You can eat in or take out, their cafe is pretty cosy, seats about 20

183 Symonds St

http://www.biansushi.co.nz/menu.html

Russell Brand, hopelessly loveable nutjob. Love ya

He's got a style all of his own that lad. Girls jeans, eyeliner, mesh tops, ripped clothes that look like they were stolen from a homeless person.. I don't know how he pulls it off, but he does - every time.

Anyway, I digress. His latest film which is an adopted storyline from the epic 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' had me in stitches right through. I haven't seen a movie this funny in way too long, in fact I saw it twice because I had to drag my boyfriend along to it as soon as I possibly could. Don't want to rave on too much and give you ridiculous expectations but go see it, damn you. And if you don't laugh your ass off maybe you're missing your funny bone.

Vvvvvvvvvvibratrain

I call it magic. Its my favorite form of exercise because its quick, effective and works wonders on cellulite. What more could you ask for!

Vibration training has been around for a while now and a while back when it was a fad in Auckland there were studios sprouting up all over the place. Most of them were rubbish and have closed down but Vibratrain has stuck around. They rock.


Their main studio is at 7/192 Victoria Street West. Go talk to Lloyd, he'll probably hassle the crap out of you and talk your ear off but he's pretty good value. First time is free, after that it's about ten bucks a sesh. Best to go 3 times a week, you'll see results pretty quick

Phone: 09 309 6874
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday 6.30am - 10.00pm
Saturday - Sunday 9.00am - 6.00pm

The Girl Who Played With Fire - in cinemas July 29th

If you haven't seen the first one yet - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - GET IT OUT. A couple of brutal scenes so girls don't watch at home alone on a cold stormy night.

The second one in this trilogy will be out in NZ on July 29th, and is getting rave reviews in North America where it was just released.

Kiddies movies worth seeing

Shrek 4 - pretty decent! Love the fat ass Puss n Boots.

Toy Story 3. Also on in 3D for those of you who aren't totally sick of EVERYTHING being in 3D these days...


Despicable Me is out in North America but not here till September 16th. Its getting wicked reviews and looks damn good, I will be there with bells on

International Film Festival 2010 - on in Auckland July 8 - 25

You can buy tickets to any of the films on Ticketek.

Went and saw 'Splice' at the Civic Theatre last night, made by the director Vincenzo Natalio who also did 'Cube' a few years ago, excellent film. This is equally good and very provocative, I haven't stopped thinking about it since we left at the end of the movie.


http://wwwnzff.co.nz

Whats that? Your face!

If you're thinking about freshening up your appearance, winter is the time to do it while the sun isn't so intense. Get beautiful before the crazy Christmas season!

The Face Place on Vulcan Lane is a well regarded Medi-spa that has been open for 8 years and specializes in all kinds of non-surgical skin solutions.

The initial consultation lasts for about an hour and they go through everything with you. They were definitely customer satisfaction oriented, rather than just getting money out of you. This was refreshing, some clinics are all about the kizash and getting people to spend as much as possible.

Their doctors are quite aware that too much Botox is never a good look, nobody wants a frozen face a la Nicole Kidman.

http://www.thefaceplace.co.nz

Auckland City
Level 2, 4 Vulcan Lane,
Phone +64 9 358 5860
NZ Freephone 0800 2BOTOX (0800 226869)

The Black Sheep backpackers in Queenstown, cheap 'n' cheerful!

No, the rooms don't come with a sheep to keep you warm. I know some of you will be disappointed but you have to take your own. Baaah.

Other than that, it's a great little spot. If you're down there for a few days and you don't want to be kept awake every night by the party animals in the village, its perfect. Still only 5 minutes walk from the action and there's free parking if you rented a car like we did.

It has an outdoor spa, perfect to soak in when you've spent all day up the mountain and you can feel every muscle aching in your body. Unfortunately some moron left the lid off it when we went to jump in and it was barely lukewarm but thats ok, we put snow in all his boots.

The showers had wickedly strong pressure and I managed to have a nice long hot sesh every time without the water ever going cold. I've been in hotels with far worse showers so I was stoked with this.

Staff were pretty friendly and we all got involved in the WII ten pin bowling game they play on Wednesday nights. Costs nothing, everyone who plays gets a free drink and the winner gets a $30 bartab. Yeehah!

Don't bother bringing your alcohol, they're not licensed for it and their bar is ridiculously cheap. Happy hour from 6-8pm gives you $3 beers and $2 wines (cask, but you get a large plastic cup.)

Promoters from the nightclubs come round pretty much every night and give you 2-4-1 drinks vouchers, plus with your room key you get that deal any time at Buffalo Bar. Drinking in Queenstown is generally damn cheap, especially when you're used to Auckland prices!

My pick of the Queenstown/Wanaka ski-fields

I lived in Queenstown for a few years so I know the area pretty well. In my opinion Coronet Peak is the best ski-field for various reasons.

The road there is in great condition and you're generally sweet as in a normal car - it's infrequent that you need a 4wd vehicle or chains. It's the closest to Queenstown of all the fields, 18km (about 20min drive) from the village. Big in my books because I hate driving for ages just to get to the damn place! It's only 7km from Arrowtown but while this is an awesome little town to visit, screw staying there. It's in a freezing cold gulley that gets very little winter sun.

Carparking is plentiful and only a short walk from the lifts, or there are shuttles to take you lazy bastards up.

The ski hire, ticket booth and shops are set out really well and are all undercover. There's plenty of room and hardly ever cues.

The restaurant and cafe are spacious with plenty of options and the food was decent. Generally ski-field food is as rubbish as airports and other places with a monopoly on the area!

The bar served the best mulled wine I had anywhere in Queenstown/Wanaka. Mmmm mm.. nothing like mulled wine when you're getting amongst it in the snowy mountains!

If you prefer to take your own lunch with you there are loads of tables outside with braziers to keep you warm.

Its one downfall is the tendency to be quite icy because of its low altitude. We struck it lucky on our trip down, the snow was perfect but it ain't nicknamed 'Con crete Peak' for nothin'!

See their website for weather reports and snow conditions, lift passes and facilities etc. http://www.nzski.com/

Queenstown!

I recently went to Queenstown for a week during Winter Festival for a bit of a holiday and to do some snowboarding. It's been about 3 years since I last made it down there, and it was bustling with energy. I always loved it down there, it might be cold but the sun is almost always shining and it's incredibly beautiful with the blue lake entirely surrounded with snowcapped mountains. Did not want to leave!

Lolabar - Ponsonbys classiest watering hole

This is a newish spot in Ponsonby, and while it was the first time I'd been there a week or so ago it definitely won't be the last. Sebastian is the helpful bar manager (god knows where he's from but he has a pretty strong accent)

Bouchon restaurant Kingsland - BYO Everything. Seriously.

We have tested their policy and it came up tops. Took our own bottles of rum and coke, beers, vodka, so on and so forth. There was about 25 of us there for a birthday and they did well - good service, good food, and we stumbled out of there well drunk.

We had most of the outside courtyard to ourselves, which is fully enclosed and heated and nicer than sitting inside I think.

The owner is very helpful and obliging and made sure we had a brilliant evening - we'll be back for sure!

Top 5 restaurants in Auckland

At a glance -

The French Cafe - magical food heaven. There's a reason this place has been open forever and is booked weeks in advance. Some damn good wines too (Henschke is calling my name..) It's a bit noisy for my liking as the tables are pretty close together but when you taste the manna from heaven they serve up you soon forget all about those minor details. Who needs to talk when your mouth is otherwise occupied with splendid morsels of deliciousness...

The Grove - voted top restaurant in Auckland this year by Metro. Not sure if I would make it my number one but its definitely up there. When the right 'mixologist'is behind the bar (wish I'd asked for his name because its a hit or miss with cocktails otherwise) their espresso martini is AMAZING

Vinnies - just wonderful, daahling. The Maitre d' - I think his name is Rowen - is an absolute star. He's got a lot of camped up personality without being annoying or in your face, and he's not afraid to recommend wine matches or food choices that he thinks will suit you. Plus, he somehow manages to look after the whole restaurant seamlessly pretty much on his lonesome. Passion in bucketloads

No.5 - cosy and warm, good everything. It's in an old villa so feels like being in a friends living room. This is in the Entertainment Guide too for those of you sensible enough to buy one. 25% off your bill, alll-right

Jervois Steakhouse is up there, although its not really fine dining. The Alaskan King crab is a must try, and if you are lucky enough to be attended to by the strapping young(ish)Ozzie guy Hamish then you'll have a brilliant night. The other staff are lovely too but he is my favoritist


There are a few others that are good but not great in my opinion. Although others would say differently! Dine, Kermadec, Merediths, O'Connell St Bistro, Antoines, Clooneys, Sails, Euro, 4.2.

Have not yet been to Seoul or Iguacu which I hear are marvelous, so will check them out next. Watch this space.