Your new homepage has arrived!

Pelactiv's new website is now LIVE!

Apart from it being AMAZINGLY FABTABULOUS, ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL & DOWNRIGHT SMASHING. It really does bring out the essence of the brand and targets both the professional and consumer world of beauty.

But, don't take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. Click any of the links below:

www.pelactiv.com.au

www.pelactiv.com.au


Over and out lovers,

Girl Next Door xoxo

What I am obsessing over right now.....!

Morning Winter Snow Bunnies,

Just a quick post this morning before I run and jump into the work playground that is my office right now (surrounded by pink and blue Pelactiv bags for Beauty Expo). Seriously. I can't move my chair without one gliding underneath it!

How divine is the below ad?


OK, so I am a LITTLE biast but the girl's at Women's Health agree with me too. If you want to check it out in all its glory, then grab a copy of the latest Women's Health and call 1800 655 745 for your nearest stockist.


OK plug over.

Stay warm,

Girl Next Door xoxo

Updates from the World of Beauty

Hi there Thought Fans,

Soooooo, I do this Weekly-News-Letter-type-thingy for work and I was thinking that you would probably benefit from it as well. Basically, I send out an email every Friday to the Pelactiv staffers and fill them in on what's going on in the Land Of Beauty - media wise. What's hot, what's not, what's going on sale, who's looking good, who's looking crap - you know all the important stuff.

This one is from last week. So may be a little outdated. But I will post the one I wrote today on Monday (just so you have to come back and visit moi again. Mhaaaa. Evil I know.). But, I do LOVE it when you visit.

Anyways have a looksie at what happened in Beautyland last week.

Sydney Hair Expo graced the shores of Darling Harbour over the long weekend. Hair Experts came from far and wide to see what this year’s installment of the popular expo had in store for them.

The Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Expo Hairdressing Award winners were announced across 13 categories on Monday, June 8. The longest running awards in the Australian Hair Industry, the Hair Expo awards are a pretty big deal for hairdresssers in Oz. And the winners are (insert drum roll here)…………………..

Australian Hairdresser of the Year: Caterina DiBiase, Heading Out Hair & Beauty, Melbourne
New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year: Adrian Barclay, Venom, Invercargill, NZ
Colour Technician of the Year: Jacen Ward, TONI&GUY, Paddington, NSW
Salon Team of the Year: Gary Latham, Wild Life Hair, Milsons Point, NSW
New Creative Force: Jason Fassbender, Parlour Hair, Malvern, SA
Session Hair Stylist of the Year: Benn Jae, Look Production & Management, Darlinghurst, NSW
Apprentice of the Year: Alexandra Kontos, Nischler, Hobart, TAS
Best New Salon Design: Cranium Hair, Manly, NSW
Best Photographic Collection: Caterina DiBiase, Heading Out Hair & Beauty, Fitzroy, VIC
Entrepreneur of the Year: Dennis Langford, TONI&GUY, Paddington, NSW
Excellence in Salon Marketing: TONI&GUY, Paddington, NSW
Excellence in Hairdressing Education, Registered Organisation: BIBA Academy, Fitzroy, VIC
Excellence in Hairdressing Education, Individual: Sharon Blain, The Art of Hair, Pennant Hills, NSW
Hall of Fame Inductee: Anthony and Susa Wynne-Hoelscher

Round of applause for those winners.

And, while we’re on hair, The-Wacky-Hair-Gizmo-That-We-Like-The-Concept-Of-But-Really-Don’t-Need-Award goes to…………. (can we get that drum roll again please?)

…………………………..Dario Controneo for launching MyCurl

Leading hair stylist Dario Controneo has launched the MyCurl, a curling utensil that works with hair straighteners to provide a range of wavy hairstyles. The MyCurl is Australian-made and has already been used on celebrities, i.e. Natalie Bassingthwaighte. “It’s a styler for the hair iron,” says Controneo. “It takes out the technique of creating wavy hair. There are four different characters each represent a different look you can achieve with the MyCurl and we will continue to launch a new character and style each month. “We started with sketches of a figure eight as that is the shape we needed to create the right curl. We then experimented with the bend of the ‘S’ – a tighter bend means a tighter curl. The strap though is a miracle worker, it was the hardest thing to do. Once we got the shape of the ‘S’, developing the strap took another year.” Really? A WHOLE YEAR to develop the strap….hhhmmmm. Cool concept but doesn’t the GHD already do good enough curls? PLUS! How random does it look?!

The Lob, it seems is the new ‘It’ Haircut as seen on Gwynie Paltrow (below).

Katie Holmes has also had a hair makeover (below).

Pretty darn smokin’ if you ask me. She’s looking much more like the Katie Holmes we all feel in love with - when she spent her nights climbing in and out of Dawson’s window wayyyy back in the day (Pre-I'm-married-to-a-scientology-psycho). Am still wondering why the costume department didn't make it compolsory that she WEAR A BRA. In every episode.

I just had to include this pic below….talk about YUM! But, actually this strapping young man, Tyson Ritter (he even has a hot name!) is the lead singer of ‘All American Rejects’, they sing that song, ‘When you see my face, Hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell’, yup, now you’re going to have that one in your head all day. Anyway, Ty has just been signed on to Hugo BOSS to promote their new men’s fragrance, BOSS in Motion White, set to hit our stores on the 26th of July 2009. The sexy scent features blood orange combined with cinnamon bark, saffron and black pepper as well as vetiver, which makes the scent smell very very hot. MMmmmmmm. Definitely one to put on the list for future boyf gifts. But, seriously, I think we all just need to stop what we’re doing and take in this ad that is very, VERY close to perfection.

Interesting piece of info # 48…I found this survey on the SMH site and below are the results after 133 people had voted:

Question: Are you spending less on beauty products during these hard economic times?
91 answered YES

AND

42 answered NO

Interesting….. especially for those of us who work in Skin Care. i.e me.

On that note I will leave you with the sounds of the rain and the 10 degree evening I am about to shimmy out into.

Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

Sorry about the no-posting of late. My bad! But I have NEWS!

So you know how I was going to take you into the lives (and mine as well) of my friends dating lives? Well it actually turns out that my friends (and myself) don't really want to kiss and tell. And I'm not sure if you guys warmed to my whole Sex & The City/The Hills-style blog. Am I right? I usually am.

It just so happens that I've taken a different direction into the media world and found myself smack-bang right in the middle of a very delightful skincare office.

The brand? Pelactiv.

The gig? PR & Marketing Manager.

The conclusion? Best. Job. Ever. After my gig at Girlfriend of course!

Any hoots, if you want to check out a more in-depth/celeb-style version of my movements click here.

I know you're DYING to know about the amazing products I am flogging so just press here. The site is at this very minute under construction but if you check back in the next few days you can see for yourself why I am so besotted with my new job! In the meantime, you can lust over the few products that are displayed on the 'Under Construction' page.

I'm thinking this blog is best suited to updating you on all things Pelactiv and beauty PR related from now on. It's a pretty fast-paced, fun and exciting industry to be involved in, but let me know. I need updates on your lives too! Leave me a comment bloggies.

Yours in mountains of cream cleansers,

Girl Next Door x

P.S Contrary to popular belief the girl in the pic is NOT moi.

In case you hadn't noticed....

...it's the New Year! Welcome to 2009 lovelies!

I hope the year has already brought some magic into your lives whether it be in your work life, home life - alright I'll just cut to the chase and tell you what I'm really interested in hearing about -your love life! Pashes, one night stands, seeing someone on and off, waiting for Him to text you, sending him a flirty text. I want to know ALL about it. And, as promised I have done somewhat of a re-vamp with my little blog that you have all come to know and love. But guess what? Now you're going to love it even more.

This year Thoughts will be doing her best to bring you more into the heads of those creatures we just can't live without - men! By bringing you into the real (very dramatic - real dramatic though not Home & Away/The Hills dramatic) lives of her and her close friends.

So without further ado........welcome to my first 2009 post of re-vamped Thoughts from your average girl next door!

Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

P.S If you have a boy dilemma or something you think needs explaining or you just want to tell me how great/not so great my blog is email Girl Next Door at thoughts@live.com.au

Sending out some pre-Christmas cheer as I wave buh-bye to Oz for a few weeks

I have to apologise for my lack of posts lately. But I have had a legitimate reason of why I haven’t been your blogging bestie for the past few weeks. I have been preparing myself to leave the country! Yep that trip I have been geeing up to you for the past ooh, 10 months now is finally just around the river bend. I leave on Monday morning to start one of the most amazing (and hectic) holidays of my life (so far).

The funny thing is I have always wondered why my mum (and anyone else for that matter) has gotten so stressed out before they leave to go overseas. The whole ‘I can’t wait to get on that plane’ thought is very true. Especially when you’re jetting off half way around the world by yourself. I have travelled by myself before on a plane and driven to many destinations on my lonesome but to have actually stepped foot in another country on my own, never happened. Ever.

You may be gasping at your screens right now and thinking, ‘How is it that at the ripe old age of 23 has she not done the whole ‘travelling thing’ on her own.’ To be completely honest with you, I have never felt the urge to do so. When all my friends were packing up their rooms and farewelling their parents for a year on the Canadian slopes or sipping a cappuccino and scoffing down a gelato in Rome I was getting up at the crack of dawn to travel to what made me very happy and content at that point in my life. My job. And as many of my regular readers would know that was of course my role at Girlfriend Magazine. It was by far the most fun and exciting job I have ever had and I feel so blessed that I had the chance to experience such a great job at such a young age. So many of the friendships I made at GF (I know) will be apart of my life forever. Phoebe, the then fashion assistant is travelling to New York with me and when we get back we’re moving out together! Talk about mean’t-to-be?! Not to mention all the people who I had the privilege of meeting along the way during my time at Girlfriend. You know who you are.

Anyway the point I’m trying to make is that when it comes to going overseas or even if you’re travelling locally any kind of break away from home is always good. It leaves room for the mind and spirit to awaken themselves. More so than if you’re just doing the same day-to-day-existing-as-a-person-in-your-little-sheltered-(and in my case Northern Beaches sheltered)-world. I know I’m going to get a shock when I step my Steve Madden sandals onto American soil - my friends have already warned me about getting pulled aside randomly when entering a U.S airport from another country and the security factor. But I am intrigued and very excited. It’s definately time for me to fly the nest and grow and flourish a little more.

On that note I want to wish all of you a safe and happy festive season. I really hope you all take the time you need to relax and catch up with the people that you love. I will try and check in with you over the break and upload some pictures for you to see what I’m up to. Thanks for reading this year. I have a lot planned for you in 2009. And you didn’t hear it from me but I am getting together some ideas for a bit of a re-vamp for Thoughts. I’ll be focusing more on relationships and sex and most importantly men and how they think compared to how we as women think. Ring any bells? I’m going to take Carrie Bradshaw’s lead and give you the info you need on boys/men and relationships – coz let’s face it, who doesn’t want to read about sex and hot men? Any topics you’d like to see me cover in particular, please email me at thoughts@live.com.au

Peace, love & jingle bells,

Girl Next Door xoxo

You know how I am friends with one of the coolest beauty ed's in Sydney?

Well, she has this site beautyeditor.com.au, you may heard of it? A very popular and highly commended site within the mag/beauty industry/beauty addicts around the world.

Guess what?! I just so happen to be her Reader of the Week, this week!

Excited much? Me too!

Check it out by clicking here.

Have a fab-tabulous weekend bloggettes!

Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

Can someone please pass me a bucket?

While I barf!

It seems that Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag (Montag-Pratt now?) have tied the knot. Well actually they have ‘eloped’. In Mexico.

I have something that will make you barf/laugh even more, Pratt’s wedding vows, are you ready?

"Heidi, from the moment you came into my life, I knew my life would never be the same without you. You are the light in my life like the sun to the Earth! Your loving warmth makes me want to be a better person. Being with you, I feel complete. I'm honored to even be able to call you my wife. You are the most amazing, loving and caring woman on this planet. I will love you forever and always."

What. A. Tool.

I have only seen up to the end of Season 2 of The Hills and from what I’ve seen so far Spencer is the biggest tosser ever. After playing Heidi for any other chick that had a pair of legs (hookers not excluded), turning Heidi against her best friend Lauren ‘L.C’ Conrad and generally playing the part of a total dick, this is what Heidi had to say about their ‘union’ to Us Magazine, 'I'm ready to marry Spencer. He's my soul mate.'

See, told you, total barf material.



Can I have that bucket now?

Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

*TGIF!

Bloggettes! It's my fave time of the week/year/season!

We're on the cusp of spring/summer and with Chrissy, NYE and festival season only posts away it's time to start discussing what we're all doing for the holiday season!

I want to know what you're doing, where you're going (who's going with you). What you'll be doing/seeing/watching/flinging/partying up a storm with?

We all know where I'm headed, right? Well, for those of you who don't, I'll give you a quick run through. Only two of the hottest cities in the world right now (after Sydney of course), Miami & New York City. Yep, in a mere 4 weeks and 2.5 days I will be one plane ride away from the holiday of a lifetime. I've only been planning this holiday since, ooh, March this year?

And, after many, many interruptions in my saving process (job swaps/car accidents/tax bills/living out of home/paying back money I owe people/nights out) I have finally started to really knuckle down and save my mula. Last night reaching the ultimate number of $2,000! That is the most money I have ever saved in my entire life (just quietly) and there will be more to come!

OK, first rant over.

Second rant is all about the full moon we had last night.

I am one that is very intrigued by the moon and the energy that it gives out. I've heard so many rumours/stories of strange things happening when there's a full moon and have always wanted to know if there is in fact any truth to these stories, so I decided to Google it, the full moon that is. This is what I found out:

'Full Moons are traditionally associated with temporal insomnia, insanity (hence the terms lunacy and lunatic) and various "magical phenomena" such as lycanthropy. Psychologists, however, have found that there is no strong evidence for effects on human behavior around the time of a full moon. They find that studies are generally not consistent, with some showing a positive effect and others showing a negative effect. In one instance, the December 23, 2000 issue of the British Medical Journal published two studies on dog bite admission to hospitals in England and Australia. The study of the Bradford Royal Infirmary found that dog bites were twice as common during a full moon, whereas the study conducted by the public hospitals in Australia found that they were less likely.
Many neopagans hold a monthly ritual called an Esbat at each full moon, while some people practicing traditional Chinese religions prepare their ritual offerings to their ancestors and deities on every full and new moon.'

Source: Wikipedia

Thanks Wikipedia.

I, on the other hand aren't one to believe in something just because it hasn't got scientific evidence to back it up. And really, dog bites? Are they kidding? Why don't they conduct a study on 20-something year old's and the effect that alcohol has on them, say on a night with a full moon and on a night without a full moon? Now that's a study I'd be willing to partake in!

It seems there's not much on the web that is legit (maybe they ran out of dogs to conduct tests on). So, I'm just going to come to my own conclusion on this one and say that I believe that the moon possesses very strong powers and gives out more energy than we could ever have possibly imagined. I mean, come on, how can something that huge, that gives out that much natural light not have an effect on the world around it (or the world that it spins around for that matter).

Intrigued much? Yep, me too.

I'll leave you with that to think through til Monday.

Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

P.S Maybe the full moon has affected me more than I thought?

*Thank God It's Friday!

Can I get a round of applause for Aveda?

Beauty Tip # 87623

Yep, I’m talking bout that organic skin care, hair care, make up and lifestyle range, their tagline? ‘The Art and Science of Pure Flower and Plant Essences™’, doesn’t that in itself make you want to lather the stuff all over your body?

Don’t let the fancy-pants packaging trick you into thinking these guys are new to Beautyland, they’ve been around the traps longer than you and me: 1978 to be exact.

I have been using Aveda for about 6 months now. My mum put me onto the range of skin care and I have never looked back. The products have a way of making your skin look and feel amazing. Last week I purchased ‘Sun Source’ their moisturizing self tanner. I applied it on Friday night and then yesterday (Sunday) my friend commented how good my spray tan looked.......
Friend: ‘So, your spray tan looks hot.’
Me: ‘No spray tan, this is 100% DIY faux tanning at its best, I’m talking organic, all natural, no chemicals involved at all, so you can use it on your face and not break out!’
Friend: OMG, you have to tell me where I can get some, you look like you’ve just spent a week in Carbo’.
Me: ‘Run, don’t walk down to DJ’s or selected salons who stock Aveda products (http://www.aveda.com/) RRP: $39.95.
Friend: ‘Sigh, what would I do without your wealth of faux tan knowledge?’
Me: ‘Not too much’.

And that’s how it’s done.

Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

The best $10 I've spent in a while

For those of you who don't know me and can't see the pic of me on the right hand side of this page, well, it's time I let you in on a little secret: I'm blonde.

The thing with being blonde is it's a major up-keep with the whole growing-back-of-the-hair situation. I go to the hairdressers every 6-7 weeks, spend 3 hours and about $150 to get me through to the next 6-7 weeks and then do it all over again! It's upsetting for me sometimes as that $150 is alot of money to me. And, to be going every second month (I believe) is just ludicrous. This passing Friday night I discovered a way to keep my hair lasting those extra couple of weeks in-between salon visits. And you know what? It ain't rocket science.

Step one: Mosey on down to your local Woolies/Chemist/Priceline/Coles and get yourself acquainted with the home-hair-colour aisle. Don't be scared - esp if you're blonde, coz let's face it, bleach is bleach and it's going to do the same thing that a salon colour will do to your hair any day. Plus you can have no-roots for less than $14.95!

Step two: Cast your eyes over to the Clairol range of hair colours. Ahuh that's right, now pick your preferred colour, Note: it doesn't matter if the shade you pick is a little off yours, it will still look hot.

Step three: Make sure you have a shampoo and conditioner that will hold your colour in place. i.e if you're blonde have a blonding shampoo and conditioner handy and same if you are a dark colour.

Step four: Follow the instructions and jump in the shower applying previous said shampoo and conditioner. Style your hair as usual and voila! Salon sexy colour that will have you strutting round like you just stepped out of Ken Paves’ hair salon! Minus the hefty receipt!

Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

Carrie Bradshaw style - coming to a Myer store near you

Hands up who has seen the Sex & the City (SATC) movie yet? Hands up who has seen the SATC movie more than once? More than twice? Three times or more?
I am in the latter, and that was only at the cinemas!

I will admit, I have only just begun to get into the highly addictive series this year. When I first found out that the series would be debuting on the big screen I had to find out for myself exactly what all the hype was about. 6 seasons, 2 blocks of organic chocolate and countless nights of forcing myself away from the TV, I was sick with Sex-Fever. I couldn’t believe it had taken me this long to realise I had been missing out on one of life’s not-so-guilty pleasures!

The girls laughing up a storm in their big screen debut!

By the time the movie came out I was busting to know what happened to every character. Did Carrie and Big get married? Did Charlotte and Harry get the child they had been longing for? Did Miranda and Steve live happily ever after? Did Samantha finally find 'The One' in hunky Smith Jarrod?

After seeing the movie with a good friend, I was hooked! It was everything I’d hoped for and more. So incredibly satisfying. The fashion, the cast, the places, the set, the um, sex!

Speaking of which (fashion that is, not sex), Patricia Field the series/movie costume designer is bringing out her own range (based on the SATC movie) to Myer stores (!), Destination Style New York – so very appropriate! So, if it’s the hot little dress that Carrie wears in the opening scene of the movie, (you know the one with the huge, amazing flower on the neckline - my personal fave) or the ‘bright’ canary coloured suit that Samantha wears to the auction, that you fancy. You will be able to purchase one like it at a Myer store very soon (please take a breath, I was hyperventilating for 10 minutes when I found out too!).
Patricia Field - the world's hottest costume designer of the moment

Run, don’t walk to your nearest Myer store on October 18th, the date the collection arrives in store. You’re lucky, I was almost not going to give you the date (more for me! He he). The movie comes out on DVD on October 16th (Thursday this week!).

Peace out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

Mini is the new black in Beautyland

If your boyfriend is part of the new-age ‘metrosexual’ phenomenon, then you’re probably getting pretty over him disappearing with your hair straightener when you’re getting ready. Yes, you do like him to look as good as you (well, maybe not that good) but a girl’s gotta have her getting-ready-time, and we all know this can be anywhere between 1.5. to 3.5 hours. Even though most of us do roll out of bed looking pretty darn hot (that’s just in case you were wondering guys).

The point of the matter is once he’s finished styling himself up there’s almost no time at all for you to do your um ‘do. What you need is a portable, small-enough-for-your-handbag straightener. Before you reach for your mouse to click onto your next favourite blog site I’ll let you in on a little secret: they do exist.

If you haven’t been lucky enough to snag yourself one of the pink BaBylissPRO’s 15cm Mighty Mini Straightener’s then shame on you! BaBylissPRO have just released their second range of colours – raven black and high gloss red.
These easy to use high performing hotties will have your hair screaming sex-siren in less than the time it takes to reach your destination. Farrah Fawcett flicks, Kate Hudson straight or Sarah Jessica Parker ringlets are just a car ride away. And better still when you get there you can just slip it back into your handbag for touch ups during the night!

Or if you really wanted to be a good girlfriend to that metro-boyfriend of yours you could always pick him up one for Chrissy and for just $39.95 it’s clearly an investment worth investing into. Just make sure you claim your straightener back before you purchase one for him. To find a stockist near you give the friendly folk at Dateline City a call on 1800 251 215 or you can visit http://www.datelinecity.com/, shoot the guys an email and they’ll shoot you one back telling you exactly where you can find your very own Mighty Mini.

Happy Hair Days!

Girl Next Door xoxo

The saving of daylight – who knew anyone, could write a whole blog entry on the subject?!

I have a little piece of info that I have wanted to clarify for you (OK and for me) for some time now. It’s something that Sydney-siders go ga-ga over every year. Kind of like our intro to summer. Daylight Savings.

Dating back to the days of our great grandfathers and grandmothers in the U.S of A (of course), during World War 1, the idea of the longer lighting was to save money on fuel. ‘Really?’ I hear you all gasp in astonishment?! Yes! Hard to believe, I know.

So, why do we still have daylight savings then? I mean, yes, understandable that many years ago our grandfathers wanted to save money (I can only hear my grandfather, too clearly, yelling at me to turn the light off when I walk out of a room, not to mention my dad). But, what is the meaning behind the extending of the days during the warmer months? Is it a plea for employers to prolong the working days? So we sit at our computer screens for that extra hour and then don’t realise it’s 7 o’ clock til the cleaner comes in and starts vacuuming around our feet. Is it so we can go to the beach at the end of the working day? I doubt the government would have been that giving!

I have done my research on the subject and it seems that one of the main reasons that daylight savings has been up kept is actually quite simple: safety. Hmmm. Some people believe that if we have more daylight at the end of the day then we will have less accidents. I, for one will not support that ‘theory’. It was less than a week ago when I got an early mark from work and crashed up the bum of the vehicle in front of me. And trust me; it was pretty damn light outside. The accident was caused due to my delayed response to watch what was going on in front of me (duh). It had nothing to do with the sun setting. I have been in a handful of accidents in my life and 100% of them have been in the day. Maybe I’m just lucky?

Basically, I think it comes down to the fact that these days we are more eco-aware. We want to do more to help our slowly disintegrating home we call Earth. Therefore, having the sun’s light keeping our lives lit for longer each day (was that a tongue twister for anyone?) means saving a hell of a lot more electricity and energy, which, in turn makes our Carbon footprint less, um imprinted.

Personally, I LOVE daylight savings and I think a lot of people would agree with me. It marks the start of the warmer months and the Sayonara of the cooler ones.

Daylight savings starts this weekend! Come Sunday you can all breathe a sigh of relief as we lose an hour. Why, you ask? Well, I'll be getting on a flight from Melbourne to Sydney. It departs at 7am. Which actually means it departs at 6am. Which means I will be getting up at 5am. So think of me while you're all sleeping in.

Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

Good vibes are all the rage right now

If you’re like me and you have not been living in a bubble for the past couple of weeks (those of you reading this that live in the Northern Beaches can no doubt relate) then you would have realised that summer is creeping up on us faster than you can say slip, slop, slap!

Summer means a lot of different things to all of us. One of the main realms of excitement for me lies in those long hot 30 degree (D) days spent at a good ol’ Aussie music festivals.

All you need is your sunnies, high waisted shorts, a cute top (if you’re a chick), I.D and some good dancing shoes – not to mention that drink bottle of whatever you may decide to put in it (only because to buy any drink at a music festival you have to be a millionaire. 1 x Bottle of Water = $6+!!! ). On second thoughts scrap that last sentence, security confiscates all drink bottles on entry anyways.

As some of you know I’ll be missing out on the first instalment of festivals for this year (My trip to NYC will be a festival of its own kind). To get the ball rolling there’s Parklife next weekend, then there’s Harbourlife in late Nov. Then Homebake on the 6th of December. This, my friends, is when the real fun begins. Aussie bands in their element and this year the annual festival brings back one of its finest home grown talent’s ever to touch our soil (cue drum roll): that band is of course Crowded House.

I saw Crowded House play at Homebake back in 2006 and wow, did they get the crowd going! Even though they were the last act, it was unbelievable the amount of people who waited all day to see this band get back together and make the ending to the day Something So Strong.

Next up is Field Day on New Year’s Day 2009. Not one for me, especially after what I heard about the 2007 day. It was 40D and people were overheating and passing out left, right and centre. Fuelled by alcohol and whatever else gets past security is not a good mix in any weather above 30D!

Then there’s Big Day Out (BDO) which I haven’t heard anything about yet – I have always loved this festival but for some reason this year there were just too many people and the whole day was spent standing in lines to get a drink or trying to find a line that wasn’t so long to get a drink. Not so cool.

Good Vibes is my absolute fave festival these days. Not too big and not too small, PLUS they always seem to get the best acts playing – even more so than BDO now.
2007 saw the ‘mystery act’ on the timetable appear as none other than Snoop-Doggy-Dog. You should have seen the crowd when he came onto the stage - the entire festival (a huge sea of people) just migrated straight towards him! It was so surreal to have such a huge celeb playing right in front of us. It helped that I had some Media Passes and was allowed into the Photographer’s Pit to get pics of him. Talk about up close and personal!

So far all I’ve heard for next year’s Good Vibes is that Sam Sparro is playing.
I’m at the point now where I don’t even care who’s playing it’s just such a good day when you’re there with all your mates, there’s such a good vibe (no pun intended - promise!!) you can’t not have a good day. BTW Tickets for this event go on sale 9am October 13th 2008. I’d get in there quick coz these ones don’t last long.

Then there’s V Fest in late March – the last of the festivals for the Australian summer. Boo! But, usually by the time this one finishes up we’re all ready to take a break from festivals for the next 6 months!

Phew! I’m exhausted just writing about them – but also so super excited!!!

There’s only one thing left to tell you now: Bring on Festival Season! YEeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwWW!!!!!!

Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

Need some inspiration for the weekend?

In this hot, sultry, get-yourself-a-summer-fling kinda weather we’ve been having us Aussies start to get back a little something called ‘motivation’.

After the cold winter months of staying in, snuggling up to your boyfriend (or puppy) and making hot chocolate after hot chocolate (with one too many marshmallows) we decide that, yes, it’s safe to go outside again. Local pubs have made their killing in the winter months – for those of us who crave a night out on the town and can only be bothered to step outside our front door and straight into another one - one with warm air conditioning.

But it’s when the heaters are turned off, the coats are pushed right to the back of the wardrobe and the weather is ALWAYS above 25 degrees the real fun begins. Buh-bye winter – Hu-llo summer! Yep, summer in Australia is more than getting sun burnt; it’s a way of life.

The gym has been packed to the brim every day this week, after our first 28 degree day in about 6 months! Last Saturday Sydney-siders upped the ante on their exercise routine and felt the need to get into shape for those long hot days at the beach.

For some, well for some, it was time to set a World Record. That someone just so happened to be my Uncle. That’s right; Mark Battistella a Sydney born, Central Coast personal trainer led a spin class (FYI: I struggle through my 45 minute class!) of 11 bikes and 200 cyclists on the road to a 26 hour world record. The current world record is 24 hours! They did break for 5 minutes every hour and Battistella snacked on protein bars and a few servings of my *Nonna’s pasta to keep him performing at his best. Now, the big question that I know you’re all dying to know the answer to: Why would anyone want to do this? Jad Raguz, the owner of the Mt Druitt gym that the World Record took place says, “We did this because we wanted to try something so out there, and participate in something outstanding.” They definitely succeeded in that.

My Uncle going for gold!

But, if some of us moan about getting up two mornings a week to exercise, there has to be some kind of super human force behind these people – right Uncle Mark? “It’s all the crazy training, he says, “When the pain barrier comes, it’s the mental part of training that helps.” Too right.

What an inspiration – congrats to everyone who was involved and more importantly congrats to my Uncle Mark!

Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

*Nonna is Nanna in Italian.

The best thing you can do today (apart from enjoy the sunshine)…

I’m not being a bossy boots but, I do highly recommend that you flick on over to beautyeditor.com.au after reading this post and check out the latest tips and tricks that are heating up the globe – beauty wise. If it’s advice you’re after you can contact Kat – the site’s creator/editor/beauty extraordinaire/very good friend of Girl Next Door’s and she’ll happily pass on any inside info you need and have you on the road to Happy Land sooner than you can apply liquid eyeliner (properly) onto just one of your eyes.

Freebies galore are just a mouse click away on beautyeditor, the latest comp you can enter gives us the chance to win over $250 worth of Palmer’s Body products. FYI, their Natural Bronze Lotion is A-MAZING! I applied it a few times over the weekend and currently look like I’ve just shimmied off a plane from Hawaii! So a very big thumbs up from moi! Not to mention it smells like a chocolate milkshake – minus the liquid texture and extra calories of course.

If you’re a fan of facebook (and let’s not fancypants around the issue - who isn’t?) then you can also ‘Become a Fan’ of beautyeditor’s site and keep up-to-date with everything that's going on inside the world of beauty. Simple, easy, beautiful (no pun intended). Here comes the link: http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/BeautyEditorcomau/43751747720#/pages/BeautyEditorcomau/43751747720?ref=ts

So if it’s a personal beauty editor you’re after then look no further then beautyeditor.com.au

Peace out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

What I've learn't over the past week

Let's face it, as women our lives are just one huge roller coaster ride of emotions. Waiting to strike us at any waking moment. I've had a few 'free' rides this week, out of nowhere emotions have been clawing at me like a cat to a rug and before you ask - no, it's not PMS. Here are a few tips I picked up from my friends that have helped me cope with the goings-on inside my body.

When you're feeling (and looking) like you've just stepped out of a fight scene from Batman then you know it's time for some pampering. Start by giving yourself a well deserved bubble bath. Light some candles and breathe in the serenity. After letting the bubbles and warm air soak into your pores for a few minutes use a soft loofah sponge with a salt scrub to wash away the day. Rub the sponge in a clockwise then anti clockwise direction. Your body will feel oh-so fresh and smooth. When you emerge from your hot bath take yourself to a basin. Use the tips of your fingers to apply a good mud mask all over your face - be careful not to rub in too much as masks work best when sitting on the surface of your skin. Leave for 10-15 minutes, relax - take a seat and read a book, rinse, then apply a nourishing moisturiser. Your skin will feel like a soft cloud - Mmmm!

Never under estimate the power of having friends around you. If you feel like absolute shite they'll always be there to put a smile on your face, no matter what they have to do to see that frown turned upside down.

Hire yourself a season of Sex and The City and laugh! As if we all don't want to be just like Carrie, the fabulous, successful writer who's only down side is her obsession with Mr Big (OK, it's not exactly a down-side. He is damn sexy!)

Fill your body with nutritious foods. Forget reaching for that chocolate bar or cigarette- it'll give you a high for about 1 minute after you place it in your mouth, then, voila! You're left with a bitter aftertaste of guilt and 'OMG, I need to get to the gym' moments.

Get thyself to a gym (or beach or whatever other type of exercise regime you can think of) . Exercising releases endorphins (those natural chemical's released into your brain when your heart rate is elevated) and endorphins make everything better (trust me!)!

As humans (well, OK as women) we have a tendency to over exaggerate things and basically make a 'drama' out of anything that we can possibly get our hands on. When things feel like they're getting a bit too much for you sit down, breath and make yourself a cup of yummy herbal tea - good ones for winding down include: Chamomile, Peppermint - anything that doesn't have caffeine in it. FYI: Green Tea has a teensy, weensy bit of caffeine in it so steer clear of this one if you want to calm yourself.

Hopefully that will give you some ammo to get through the tough times if you ever need a little extra TLC.


Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

I have a new job!

As many of you know, for the past 5 months, I have had a mini-break from the world of publishing. It was time for me to break away from the routine of getting up at 6am every morning. The 9am-5.30pm (plus 3 hours travel time each way) had to come to an abrupt end as I was completely and utterly worn out.



I live a 40 minute drive out of the city (that's without traffic) so I took it upon myself to seek out a job that was closer to home. One that was 'easier' to get to and from each day, one that was 'easier' to handle. I chose a job at my local mall in a shoe store, the girls I worked with were lovely but something just wasn't right. It took me 20 minutes to get home each night but I was striving for something bigger and better. I wanted my old life back. My life of getting up at 6am everyday to beat the traffic on said bus. The life of getting freebies day-in and day-out, anything from food, to drinks, to beauty and fashion products.



One day I decided (after having a pair of shoes thrown at me for not giving a customer a 'discount' coz the shoes had a mark on the bottom of them - mind you the shoes were already half price) that enough was enough. This was not leading my career anywhere and my bank account looked like it had an eating disorder. I was bored of standing around all day dreading an upset customer coming in and making my day un-liveable.

I cleaned out my locker, gave my badge back to my manager and the rest is history.



My new job is with a cute little publishing house in St Leonards, Sydney (Good Health Publications). Yes, I will be making myself very acquainted with Sydney's transit system once again, aka The Bus. But you know what? I don't mind. I'll just be happy to sit in an office with other jounalists and chat about journalisty things, like what we'll have for lunch, what we're making for dinner - oh and really important things like who's going to be on the next cover, and what cover lines are going to make the cover, etc, etc. I'll be working on a number of doctor's journals PLUS putting together pretty much the entire issue of Healthy & Heart Wise Magazine, not sure if you know it, but it's definitely worth a looksie. If you're interested in keeping yourself super healthy and keeping your heart super healthy, then sprint on down to your local newsagent's to score yourself a copy. At only $5.95 remind me why you're still sitting there?



Peace out to all my readers taking the next step to achieving the best for your body and well being (By heading to your newsagent's to get a copy of the mag. Now!) I mean, come on -who doesn't like Mike Munro, one of the biggest journalists Oz has to offer?



Girl Next Door xoxox

P.S Website for said magazine is heartwise.com.au

Ooh, yay a little Jessica lovin'!

Some exciting news has just fluttered on into the beauty world, wait for it, Jessica. Simpson. Is. Releasing. Her. Own. Fragrance. Yep, you heard correct!

This soon to be released scent entitled Fancy, has notes of apricot, pear, sandalwood and vanilla. Mmm if you like your fragrances sweet smelling and sophisticated then you'll love this. It's being launched officially in the U.S tomorrow but is already available to buy at one of the biggest department stores in the world; Macy's.

I'm sure it will be launched here in Oz, but there is no hint as to when or if it will be as of yet. I will keep you posted though lovelies.

Love, love, love this pic of her - so sassy, wouldn't you want to smell like her?

Just in case there are any more die hard fans out there Jess will release her debut country album, 'Do you Know?', on the 9th of September. Look out for that one y'all.

Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo