In Sydney? Check out Brooke Daniels

Loving the on trend block colors, fresh summery whites, and figure hugging fabrics. Especially the Splice Lucy Dress in White/Navy with Orange Sash (pictured above) - I die!

http://www.brookedaniels.com.au/

Amazing apartment design - utilizing small spaces

Here is a simple but very unique design. This apartment is designed By Parisian architects Emmanuel Combarel and Dominique Marrec. The challenge of utilizing the space in the 50sqm apartment has been turned into an advantage by putting this intermediary room in a central position, straddling the two floor levels, disconected from the floor. The bedroom becomes an islet in the heart of the appartment around which you can turn, experimenting different moods : up / down, below / above, on / under.

A wise African proverb

'Not everyone who chased the zebra caught it. But he who caught it chased it.'

Incredible places to go before you die..

Bad habits that lead to obesity

Obese people trying to lose weight make often two fundamental mistakes:
First - Dieting for only a period of time during which only low-calorie foods are consumed. (In fact, the word "diet" means in Greek "lifestyle", not a period of time.)
Second - Trying to lose as many pounds as possible in a short time.
There is no quick way – if we have been gaining weight for some years, it has to take time (two to three months) to turn this process around and set our body on the weight-reduction course.

Victor Hugo said that people couldn’t achieve what they do not understand. To apply this rule to obesity, we cannot lose weight unless we understand what leads us to obesity.

Bad habits that lead people to obesity

Please pay close attention to the following list of bad habits that are largely responsible for leading people to obesity and try to eliminate these habits from your everyday life. You will be pleasantly surprised by the results. Only your name will remind you of the obese person you once were.

The habit of eating fast and not chewing the food well causes poor digestion and the formation of fat layers in our body. Chew each bite at least fifty times – chewing is not a very demanding activity.
Drinking fluids at meals causes irregularities in the functioning of your digestive and hormonal systems. When you drink at meals, even water makes you fat. Drink at least twenty minutes before a meal or one to one and a half hours after a meal.
Eating sweet baked goods causes the absorbing walls of your digestive tract to be plugged up by starch and promotes the production of excess amounts of mucus in our body. Moreover, sweets promote weight gain. It is better to treat yourself to dried fruits, seeds (sunflower, pumpkin), and moderate amounts of nuts.
The habit of frequent snacking or constant chewing puts to much stress on certain systems in our body and takes them away from other important activities. As soon as anything gets into our mouth, the tongue (acting as the taste organ) sends a signal to our brain and immediately many mechanisms are engaged. Among them, just in case, is our body’s defense mechanism (the tongue does not provide full information about what it is that entered the mouth). Leukocytes have to leave their task of cleaning up and curing the body and they quickly gather around the stomach, where the content from the mouth is soon expected. When it is determined that no danger exists and leukocytes are not needed, they go back to their abandoned tasks. If there is another portion of food soon after, the whole process is repeated. As a result of being constantly overworked, leukocytes cannot do a good job at defending our body. This is why people who are used to frequent snacking are the first to get ill when there is, for example, a flu epidemic. Another problem created by constant snacking is the weakening of digestive enzymes produced by our body. Weaker enzymes mean incomplete digestion and the production of fat instead of water and carbon dioxide (by the way, chewing gum produces the same negative results).
Incorrect combining of food products makes digestion difficult and weakens the digestive mechanisms, because different foods need different digestive enzymes. Incorrect combining causes some food to putrefy and some to be turned into fat.
Lying down after meals activates mechanisms that normally function in sleep and takes the focus away from digestion. Undigested food is turned into fat. If possible do some walking on your heels after a meal to increase blood supply to the stomach and to improve digestion.
Sitting lifestyle does not use much energy and our body does not have the opportunity to use up its fat deposits. We should perform at least 1000 different energetic movements a day to increase the energy use.
The habit of eating while watching TV takes away the intimacy of our meals. Ancient dieticians advised that we should be "deaf and mute" at our meals. If we eat while watching TV, our brain gets confused – it has to process the information coming from the screen and to direct the digestive process at the same time. This interferes with our digestion and causes overeating.
Eating while irritated is another bad habit that causes us to forget moderation. Never eat under stress! Our liver reacts to stress first and the bile tubes become narrow. Bile does not get to our small intestine and food is not digested.
Eating before bedtime or at night is harmful because in sleep, all processes in our body are directed towards the rebuilding of cells and the rejuvenation of our entire body. The digestive organs do not have the necessary energy to process food at night. Eating at night gives us nothing but fat, liver stones, and kidney stones.
The habit of eating mostly refined and cooked food products makes us deficient in natural vitamins and microelements. We only get empty calories from these products; they do not have much nutritional value. Even if we eat large amounts, we still feel hungry and want to eat more. This way we end up eating five to ten times more than we should.
When we lose the ability to properly process and absorb the food we eat, our body starts storing fat around our hips, thighs, belly, neck, etc. The psychological causes are more complicated. Most importantly, we have to understand that obesity is a disease and there is no excuse for tolerating it.

Style icons

Malin Akerman
Sienna Miller
Blake Lively
Kate Moss

Forever New, now in Newmarket, St Lukes & Sylvia Park Westfield malls

Love, love love this store! Classic styles, beautiful cuts, exquisite colors, and the price tags don't send you into shock.

http://www.forevernew.com.au/

My favorite track from Adele - Set fire to the rain

Book review - Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert

There was so much in this book that I related to strongly, having been through all kinds of relation*shit* in recent times. I found it heartbreaking, comforting and intriguing, all at the same time. Its not for everyone - in fact it has had some quite negative reviews particulartly from Eat Pray Love fans. But I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it, particularly if you have been through a horrible divorce and you're coming out the other side a stronger calmer and happier person, not despite but because of the experience. What doesn't kill us :)

As in the New Yorker -
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2010/01/11/100111crbo_books_levy

Keeping things in perspective is not Gilbert’s strong suit. This is why she goes on so many trips and does so much information gathering: she wants to understand how her fellow-humans have resolved the issues that torment her.

So we should not be surprised that when Gilbert found herself on the verge of a second wedding, in a state of dread, she decided “to put a little effort into unraveling the mystery of what in the name of God and human history this befuddling, vexing, contradictory, and yet stubbornly enduring institution of marriage actually is.” She consulted books and scholars. She interviewed Hmong grandmothers in the mountains of Vietnam about their level of marital satisfaction. She went to see her grandmother. The result is Gilbert’s new book, a journey through domestic history and her own neuroses, “Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage”.
Gilbert had not intended to remarry. Both she and her gentleman friend Felipe — a Brazilian gem trader she met in Bali, who provided her with passion and adoration and a tidy romantic ending for “Eat, Pray, Love” — had been “so badly gutted” by their divorces that they “had sworn with all our hearts to never, ever, under any circumstances, marry.” But Felipe is not an American citizen. After one too many trips to the United States to visit Gilbert and to sell his rocks, Felipe was taken away in handcuffs from immigration control at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and told that he could not return to the U.S. unless he had an American wife. Gilbert, then, is “sentenced to marry,” and she’s none too pleased about it. “I felt mournful and sucker punched and heavy and banished from some fundamental aspect of my being,” she writes. “But most of all I felt caught.”

The divine Ecoya candles, one of my new favorite things

Ecoya candles are simply beautiful. I'm currently addicted to the Vanilla Bean travel tin, I love that I can take it anywhere I go and fill the room I'm in with its incredible scent. Makes me feel right at home, even on the other side of the world!

What makes Ecoya candles special is their soy wax (unlike the majority of candles which use traditional petroleum based paraffin) and 100% natural, lead-free cotton wicks. They are all natural, burning cleaner, longer and cooler.

The range includes Lotus Flower, Wild Frangipani, Vanilla Bean, Lemongrass & Ginger, Sweet Pea & Jasmine, French Pear, and Pink Champagne. But who can choose? I want all of them!

www.ecoya.co.nz

The Green Living Show & NZ Organic Expo next weekend

Sat 28th May 2011 – 11.00am – 6pm | Sun 29th May 2011 – 10.00am – 6pm
Alexandra Park Function Centre, Greenlane, Auckland, New Zealand

Clean, green New Zealand is where the organic and environment industry meet.

With the rise of the ethical consumer, more people are growing socially responsible, the consumer wants to know more about green living products and all things organic. Now is the time to use market power for good.

Green living and organic is good for business and green living and organic is good for the consumer.


Tickets are free, just register on their website (www.organicexpo.co.nz)

Gluten Free Food and Allergy Show - this weekend

The Gluten Free Food & Allergy Show is New Zealand's only exhibition dedicated to bringing you ideas and solutions for a wide range of allergy and intolerance issues.

At the show you will find products that cater to:

•Food allergies and intolerances such as - Coeliac, wheat, egg, lactose
•Airborne allergies and respiratory conditions - eg asthma, hayfever
•Skin conditions - such as eczema, psoriasis, chemical sensitivities
•Vegetarian, vegan, organic and other dietary requirements
Come along and meet the manufacturers of your favourite brands and find out which products best suit your needs. The teams from Coeliac NZ, Allergy NZ, Endometriosis NZ, and Asthma NZ will be there to answer your questions and provide practical advice.

There are free product samples to taste, great show specials to buy and an excellent seminar series to attend. Hear experts talk about the latest research! See the seminar page for a speaker timetable http://www.glutenallergy.co.nz/

Its being held at ASB Showgrounds this Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm, only $10 entry.

LIFE

If you're not a sleeping beauty

It's a problem for many of us, and we all need more of it! Try these tips

- Go to sleep when you’re tired It seems obvious, I know, but I regularly ignore yawns and think, “I’ll just do this first”.
- Get up at the same time each day This is more important than going to bed at a set time because it’s the time you wake up that resets your body clock to sleep that night
- Keep a sleep diary Note when you try to go to bed, when you fall asleep and what you eat and drink. - - Avoid TV and computers For at least an hour before you want to sleep. (More on this later.)
- Get out of bed if you’re awake for more than 15 minutes I’ve heard this before, but apparently you have to do something aside from TV, texting or going online. Doh.
- Make sure you’re not too hot - your body heats up during the night, so ditch the second layer. A room temperature of 15-20 degrees is ideal for inducing sleep.
- Make sure the room is dark and use earplugs if it’s noisy. Studies show unfamiliar noise during the first and last two hours of sleep can suppress immune function, even if you don’t wake up.

- Ignore worrying thoughts about not sleeping Instead, focus on the fact you’re getting some sleep – even if you don’t know it. A study by the US National Sleep Foundation found a third of the participants thought they’d slept for at least an hour less than their brain-wave activity indicated.

Modern problem?

Experts believe many cases of insomnia can be attributed to the three Ss: stress, stimulation and screens. Which pretty much sums up most people’s lives today. “Once, Thursday night shopping was a revelation – now you can do it 24/7… There’s far more stimulation,” says Dr Joffe. And long gone are the days where the only thing on TV after midnight was the test pattern. Facebooking or watching DVDs into the night won’t just overstimulate you, though – screens are sleep’s nemesis for a very scientific reason.

“TV, computers and car headlights all give our brains direct exposure to ‘blue light’,” says Osiecki.

“This specific light frequency (430-460 nm) suppresses the release of melatonin, the hormone that tells our body to sleep, and disrupts our circadian rhythm.”

Melatonin is released by the pineal gland from about 9pm to 7.30am, but blue light delays or shuts it down, making it harder to fall asleep. “Even light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on mobiles and digital alarm clocks disrupt sleep,” says Osiecki. Hence the strict ban on screens – big and small – before bed.

As for stress, if you’ve ever nodded off in front of the TV (or at the movies, or at your mother-in-law’s dinner table), only to find yourself completely awake when you go to bed, that’s a classic sign of stress-related insomnia, says Dr Bartlett.

“Women tend to upload everyone’s problems all day,” explains Dr Mansberg. “So when you stop and get into bed, your body and brain will decide to process it, and go ‘I forgot to call so-and-so...’” She says the old advice of taking paper and pen to bed still stands. The key is to actually action those night-time niggles you write down, “Then you’ll be able to relax.”

One thing that can banish both stress and insomnia is, you guessed it, exercise. “It’s vital for nixing depression and sleep issues,” says Dr Mansberg. “Traditionally, we’ve said to do it before 2pm so you don’t get an endorphin rush that keeps you up, but after work is better than not doing it at all.” Get out for a morning jog and you’ll be ticking off another important sleep tip – getting early morning light. Sunlight in the AM sets our sleep clock to doze off that evening, Dr Bartlett tells me. Light needs to pass through your eyes for your brain to register it. I decide to add a brisk morning walk to my “sleep hygiene” homework.

Sleeping on it

Of course, we can get by on little sleep – it’s just not pleasant. “Our survival needs are met in the first 90 minutes [of sleep], and our core needs after four to six hours,” says Dr Bartlett. A full sleep cycle takes about 90 minutes and it’s ideal to have five cycles a night – and that’s what I’m gunning for: the elusive eight hours. Yet researchers still don’t fully understand why getting proper sleep is so important. What they do know is that without any sleep we’d die. The University of Chicago, US, conducted a study in which rats were kept awake. After two weeks, none were left alive – that’s less time than it would take them to starve to death. Humans can last a bit longer: the lengthiest recorded period of being awake is 18 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes. The poor subject, 17-year-old American Randy Gardner, suffered hallucinations, paranoia, blurred vision, slurred speech and memory and concentration lapses. Not fun.

Where research has made headway is into how the different types of sleep can benefit us – in particular, the stage we’ve all heard of, REM (Rapid Eye Movement). “We know lot more about the biochemistry of our brain,” says Dr Joffe. “And the findings are that dreaming and REM sleep are crucial to the development of memory consolidation.” This makes forgetfulness and absent mindedness one of the first symptoms of sleep loss, as REM makes up about 25 per cent of our total sleep time. If you’re getting eight hours, that is. You have longer phases of REM during the later sleep cycles of the night (see diagram on p69), so people who only have, say, five hours’ sleep are missing out big time.

So don’t be fooled into thinking you’re someone who can run well on a short night. A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, US, found that participants who thought they get by well on six or fewer hours have cognitive deficits, they were just too sleep-deprived to know it. Touché.

How you can look better in photos

It can be a bit tricky to look really good when getting your picture taken. Try these tips to be ready for your close-up:

Step 1
If you observe men and women standing naturally without ANY coaching, you’ll notice there is a BIG difference between how they stand. Women naturally shift weight to one foot. Doing so angles the body slightly, tips the shoulders a little, and angles the head just a bit. This stance immediately adds dimension to any photo, it looks more interesting and natural.
Men on the other hand, we tend to face squarely into the camera with weight evenly distributed on both feet. We have all seen the results, pictures that look stiff, unnatural, and very plain looking.
Here’s the solution.
If you are standing – turn slightly and rest your weight on one foot. It may FEEL goofy, but you WILL look better.
If you are sitting – angle to one side or the other.
Step 2
Lean slightly toward the camera. Leaning slightly toward the camera adds interest, dimension, and a natural look to a photo. Think of having a long neck like a gazelle, and tilt your chin down just a bit to avoid the appearance of a double chin and also to prevent the camera from getting a view right up your nostrils.
Step 3
Learn how to change your state. Changing state means going from level 1 to level 5, or in other words, instead of looking like you were caught off guard, you look natural and like you are enjoying yourself.
Models are taught to change state by developing a “trigger.” So when they are about to have their picture taken, even if they are in a crummy mood, they can go from level 1 to level 5 in a heart beat. Firing a trigger is a reminder to do the things that make you look good. Believe it or not, THE most successful trigger we found over the years was called the “rear cheek squeeze.” It’s really cool because it’s inconspicuous. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like; you squeeze the cheeks of your rear end together. Don’t make fun of it until you try it. To see it’s effectiveness try this experiment. Ask someone to sit on a chair and then ask them to squeeze their cheeks together. I have not met ONE person who doesn’t immediately smile and say something like, okay, now what?
Step 4
Learn to “¾ smile” People don’t like pictures of themselves with huge smiles. Smiling too big exposes gums and causes your eyes to turn into slits.
Step 5
Never look directly at the lens – ALWAYS, look slightly ABOVE the lens.
Here are some additional tips if you know you are going to have your photo taken and you have a little time to prepare.
1. If needed, use ‘teeth whitener’ to have pearly white teeth – it does make a difference. Plan ahead and give yourself enough time to brighten your smile. Get a teeth whitening kits at your local pharmacy.
2. Dress for timelessness – Stay away from patterns, go more for solids. Example: horizontal stripes will make you look heavy. Don’t wear red, black or white. Digital cameras sometimes have problems with red. Black and white offer too much contrast.

Planning a holiday? You need to check out this site

~!

www.tripadvisor.com is a lifesaver. I consult it before I book anything - hotels, resorts, restaurants, tours, you name it. If someone's done it, then its probably on this site

Living the Simple Life - could you do it?

Think you could live with only 99 things? Well that is exactly what Asia is going to do. She is selling everything she owns except for 99 things (clothing, shoes, cosmetics everything!!) and will donate 25% of the profits to the Auckland City Mission. Check out the blog at http://asias99problems.blogspot.com/

Her inspiration was Dave who you can read about here.

http://guynameddave.com/2010/12/becoming-minimalist/

I was fascinated by this particular paragraph

"And our journey began. Since that conversation, we have removed 60-70% of the personal belongings from our home, we have virtually stopped shopping for anything other than necessary purchases, and we couldn’t be happier. We have less stress. We have found more opportunity to financially support other causes. And we have found more time and energy for our children."

Hard Kandy - suck on that, bitches!

HARD KANDY featuring SHOCK:FORCE (UK), KARDIAC ARREST (AUS) and SCOTT ALERT (AUS) and Aucklands own Mirage (Kaos Radio)!

Tomorrow at 10:00pm - Sunday at 6:00am
Location Area 6
6 Osborne St, Newmarket
Auckland, New Zealand

Jagermeister brings us the Auckland Easter Weekender 2011!

...Jagermeister proudly present the Auckland Easter Weekender 2011!
♛ HUGE INTERNATIONAL ACTS / 3 MASSIVE WEEKS / 3 MASSIVE EVENTS ♛
Friday 8th April / Friday 15th April / Thursday 21st April

☠☠ TASTER WEEK 1 ☠☠
►DANNY BYRD (UK) - Hospital Records, Album Tour
➣Massive Local Support

☠☠ TASTER WEEK 2 ☠☠
►B-COMPLEX (SK) - Hospital Records
►THE UPBEATS (NZ) - Non-Vogue
►MC LOWQUI (UK)
➣Massive Local Support

♛♛ THE EASTER WEEKENDER 2011 ♛♛
►NERO (UK) - MTA, Album Tour
►FOREIGN BEGGARS LIVE (UK) - Dented, Never Say Die
►TROLLEY SNATCHA (UK) - Dubpolice
►SKISM (UK) - Never Say Die
►SHOCKONE (AU) - Viper Recordings
►FASTER THAN LIGHT (NZ) - Debut

Check out WWW.EASTERWEEKENDER.COM for info and tickets

Dressing up in Smoove as fuck

Thats their slogan, its on their swing tags - Smoove is out there in your face and they rock

You'll find them tucked in behind Whitcoulls amongst the asian clothing shops. They've been around for quite a while and are much loved by Aucklanders. Join their mailing list for text/email outs of secret sales, usually for half price everything! What more could you ask for. All you gotta do is say the secret password, usually something like 'Spank me.' Just don't be offended when they actually do.

http://smoove.co.nz/

Whiskey, all over the WORLD! In Elliott Stables

Alongside single malt, blended Scotch and Irish whiskey, they also stock Bourbon, rye, single grain whisky and all the best blends. You will find single malts from countries around the world, including New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

Join their mailing list if you're an enthusiast as they host tasting nights regularly. The guy that owns/runs the place is like a walking talking whiskey encyclopaedia - I was in there for close to an hour one day talking to him, and he was spouting off info left right and centre about any bottle in the store you could point at. Fascinating stuff!

My favorite - the extremely old bottle in a beautiful wooden cradle. Of course it was my favorite, it was $13,000.... by the way, its my birthday coming up and I wouldn't mind

http://www.whiskyshop.co.nz/afawcs0133248/Home.html

Cigars and whiskey... old schoolz style

Looking for a good Cuban? Place to go is Havana House, which has now been in Auckland for 10 years! Happy Anniversary to them :)
They have a great range of cigars and the guys there are extremely helpful. Plus they have humidors, cases, lighters, and a small range of fine spirits - a couple of which I haven't seen anywhere else, so great place to get a special gift if you want to splash out a bit

http://www.havanahouse.co.nz

Great website with in depth explanations of Chinese signs

I love this kinda shit, nothing like having your personality spelled out for you. Does yours seem fitting?

http://www.rainfall.com/horoscop/chinese.htm

Summer Sounds - yet another awesome free summer event

Saturday, March 5
Time: 2-6pm
Raindate: Sun 6 March
Venue: Coyle Park
528 Pt Chevalier Road, Pt Chevalier, Auckland
Cost: Free
Suitable for: All ages

This year's heavy hitter, Summer Sounds presents none other than Anika Moa, Autozaam, Gareth Thomas and Julia Deans (of Fur Patrol fame) is set to deliver a kicker of an afternoon at Coyle Park.

FUN!

http://www.musicinparks.co.nz/events/detail.asp?ID=497

Sounds in The Sun - what better reason to pull a sickie?

It's free, what more can I say! On Thursday March 10th Sounds in the Sun is back for 2011 with a pretty sweet line up including:

• The Black Seeds
• Katchafire
• Kids of 88
• J. Williams
• Kidz in Space
• Mt Eden Dubstep
• North Shore Pony Club

Hosted by DJ Karn Hall

Sounds in the Sun sees thousands of people partying on the fields at Unitec from mid day enjoying an afternoon of good music, great company and a cold beer or three.
There will be market stalls, food stalls and an R18 bar
Its on a Thursday if you've gotta work but hit this as soon as you finish and you'll still get to catch some of the acts as it goes till 8pm

Deadmaus is coming. Da da da da da da….

Deadmaus hits Auckland with a bang on the night before Easter, April 21 at Vector Arena.
Not loving the venue, or that its an Our House gig - that to me is like having a rapper at a heavy metal event, weird fit much?
But - misgivings aside, I reckon it will be a pretty fantastic night. Tickets are selling like hotcakes here's hoping the rather hefty price of $100+ keeps the kiddies away.
Special Guest SKRILLEX from the USA is the 2nd headliner.

The party starts at 9am and goes till almost dawn so you'll be wanting to crank that Red Bull to keep up

Un prophete (A Prophet)

LOVED. Its not to everyone's tastes, a couple of my friends who saw it weren't as impressed as I was. But if you were like Scarface then its my bet this will be your cup of tea. It ain't a Hollywood flick by any stretch of the imagination.
Its French, subtitled, and 2.5 hours long so watch it when you have plenty of time and concentration.

Here's the synopsis.
Synopsis: Condemned to six years in prison, Malik El Djebena, part Arab, part Corsican, cannot read or write. Arriving at the jail entirely alone, he appears younger and more fragile than the other convicts. He is 19 years old. Cornered by the leader of the Corsican gang currently ruling the prison, he is given a number of "missions" to carry out, toughening him up and gaining the gang leader's confidence in the process. Malik is a fast learner and rises up the prison ranks, all the while secretly devising his own plans.
R18. Out on dvd now

Open Air Cinema - breathe in the freshy goodness (and hope it doesn't rain)

Open Air Cinema runs till March and its all FREE!! Oh my, how we love that word.

Wednesday 16 February 7:30 pm THE ROLLING STONES: SHINE A LIGHT
Thursday 17 February 7:30 pm IRON MAN 2
Wednesday 23 February 7:30 pm 500 DAYS OF SUMMER
Thursday 24 February 7:30 pm JULIE & JULIA
Friday 4 March 7:00 pm ECLIPSE
Saturday 5 March 7:00 pm SHREK FOREVER AFTER
Friday 11 March 7:00 pm THE KARATE KID
Saturday 12 March 7:00 pm TOY STORY 3
Friday 18 March 7:00 pm INCEPTION
Saturday 19 March 7:00 pm Peoples Choice:
DESPICABLE ME or
SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD or
TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN

They're all held in different parks around Auckland, check the website for locations.
http://www.openair.co.nz/events/movies-by-moonlight/

Aqua - water fight, bitches

Wanna get wet? The first time this has been held in NZ, could be interesting!
AQUA
THE WATER PARTY
SATURDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2011
SANCTAURY, PRINCESS WHARF

This event will have 2 zones, playing uplifting house, electro, dubstep and hard trance.

Zone one is the Aqua zone with water sprinklets overhead, water fountains, water spouts, water cannons, and water balloon drops. You will get wet - DUH

Zone two is the Dry zone.

Overhead aerial water pymphs and wet and wild f/m water dancers - sounds hot!

Wear whatever you want - I like that part! Bikini anyone?
And, you can bring water guns/pistols but they're not allowing super soakers. Aw.
There will be a free bag and coat check so could be a good idea to bring a towel/change of clothes

TICKETS
EARLYBIRDS $15 - 1ST EDITION $20 - 2ND EDITION $25 - FULL PRICE $ 30
AVAILBLE
WWW.ITICKETEXPRESS.CO.NZ , REAL GROOVY, SUPRE SHOPS OR DIRECT THREEAM2010@GMAIL.COM

More FM Winery Tour - good, but could be better

Brooke Fraser, we love you. Your music is wonderful, your voice is angelic, and you're so damn nice! But shame on you More FM for putting Brooke at the end of the concert after Midnight Youth and Opshop. Everybody was loving it, the energy levels are high - to follow that with Brooke and her lullabies was a crime.

All in all though, it was a brilliant day/evening out. The mad ques on arrival were as bad as previous years, no improvement there. But the setting at Acension Vineyard was magical, the weather was hot hot hot and people came armed with chairs, blankets, picnics and ready to have fun.

They are touring all over the country over the next few weeks

Pretentious, contentious bars - give it a break already

Long Room
1885

Seriously guys, you need to get a handle on your policies. I had a friend who recently celebrated her 30th at Long Room. A few male friends that came to join were refused entry - wearing tidy shirts, jeans, and expensive shoes - only they weren't black. Other guys were allowed in wearing cheap nasty No 1 shoes, because they were black. Its Ponsonby for Petes sake, is this really acceptable?

Chinese Lantern Festival Feb 18-20

Chinese Lantern Festival is on this weekend - Feb 18-20, in a blaze of color, food entertainment and of course, the lanterns which are the stars of the show.

Had a wicked time last year, but then again, I was pretty smashed. Get amongst it!

Live at the Islands, this Saturday!

SPLORE INDOORS - will it stack up?

There is huge debate over whether Splore should have ever done the city thing, when the essence of Splore is the magic of being in the middle of nature. Well the proof is in the pudding and the pudding gets eaten this weekend, so we shall find out soon enough!

I have to admit it went down the scale of interest for me a few days ago when they decided to move it to Auckland Town Hall - so not only is it in the city, but its completely indoors. However looking at the volatile weather that may have been entirely necessary.

There is no denying that the brains behind Splore are incredibly talented at finding new and exciting acts, and the ones less known. Standouts for me are The Cuban Brothers, who get pretty crazy and often naked to top it off. Empress Stah for her incredible burlesque performances will be doing 2 shows per night. Caribou, J Star and Shortee Blitz will also be ones to fight your way to the front for.

Splore also usually attracts a wider age group which, once you leave the 18-21 year bracket is a more pleasant experience than having to deal with hoards of barely-of-age kids that can't handle their alcohol/pills.

Yup, it's a long way from the pop culture of our other main events here such as Our House. We need more please!

They have also lowered the price (it is now $85 per night or $150 for both nights) and changed the schedule it now runs from 7pm to 2am Friday and Saturday.