What you could win at our Valentine’s Day fundraiser for St Vincent’s Hospital

Posted on February 11, 2013 by JenniferHansen

My apologies. I’ve been a bit light on with the blogging stuff over the last few days, but I have been VERY busy. You see, being a very-important-committee member of a very-important-charity-event is VERY time consuming. I don’t need to bore you with WHAT I’ve been doing. Suffice to say Thursday night’s cocktail party – organised by The Sisterhood – is going to be bloody good fun. And if you haven’t bought a ticket… hurry up!!!

If you can’t make it, at least you can read about what you won’t be able to buy or win because you’re not going to be there. And the prize list is pretty fabulous.

There’s THREE ways to get cool stuff on the night.

(1) Buy a $50 raffle ticket which also scores you a divine glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne and be in the running to win either:
– A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR DIAMOND FROM BENSIMON’S JEWELLERS
OR

Crown Metropol

– A CROWN METROPOL PACKAGE which includes one night’s luxury accommodation, with full buffet breakfast for two at Mr Hive Kitchen and Bar, valet parking and complimentary access to the peaceful Isika Day Spa.

(2) Buy a $50 or $100 LUCKY DIP TICKET with the chance to win prizes such as Eclecktica earrings, a Cactus Jam voucher, a Microcloud Pillow, a Marie Claire subscription, spray tans from Body Bronze, one of my Booty Up products, a Breville Pizza Oven, a Liberty Belle Facial voucher to the value of $750 or even a Kaya Gym Membership valued at $1035. And that’s only naming a few…

(3) BID AT THE AUCTION. There’s only six items up for grabs and they’re all wonderful. Here’s a sneak peak…

(a) A HOLIDAY ON MAGNETIC ISLAND -Five nights luxury accommodation at ‘ONE BRIGHT POINT’ Magnetic Island Luxury Apartments. Featuring the ultimate ocean front accommodation, these apartments are located on the  beautiful heritage listed Magnetic Island, just off the Tropical  North Queensland coast. Magnetic Island is the sunniest location on the Queensland  coast with an average of 320 sunny days per year. It has  over 23 beaches, huge National park, shops, cafes, local  galleries and golf course.

Nicole Kidman at the Swisse marquee at Flemington

(b) SWISSE EXPERIENCE – 2 Tickets to the Swisse Marquee on Oaks Day, including transfers to and from the track, with overnight accommodation and a $500 Arthur Galan voucher to pick the perfect racing outfit.

(d) FOUR TICKETS TO THE FOOTY SHOW This award winning and sometimes controversial TV show is still going strong after 19 years. The Footy Show, starring Sam Newman, James Brayshaw and Garry Lyon is still so popular that there is more than a year’s wait for tickets. Four tickets are up for grabs to one of the live shows this coming AFL season. It’s a ‘money-can’t-buy’ experience.

(e) PRESIDENT”S DINNER FOR TWO – COLLINGWOOD VS CARLTON This Round Two match takes place at the MCG on April 7th. It’s one of the biggest games of the year. With one of the longest lasting and strongest rivalries in the AFL, Collingwood versus Carlton games are always blockbusters.
The Collingwood President’s lunch is a five-star way to enjoy the game. At over 400 dollars a head, the most ardent fans gather for a 3 course meal and afternoon tea at half time. As well as the blockbuster game, fans are treated to entertainment and a rousing speech from club president Eddie McGuire.

(f) A signed COLLINGWOOD FOOTBALL JUMPER – These are extremely rare nowadays, with Collingwood restricting the number of jumpers released that are sign by the entire team. This one is signed by each of the 2013 team members.

Hot-air balloon ride

So as you can see, there’s a tonne of very cool stuff up for grabs and given it’s not a massive function, if you can still get a ticket (and they are limited) then it’s likely you’ve got a pretty good chance of winning a TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR diamond. I know I’ll be buying a raffle ticket for that one.

Hope to see you there. If you DO want to buy a ticket to our Valentine’s Day event (for couples and singles!!) at The Deck at The Prince in St Kilda, click on the link below.

To book tickets:

http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=39386

Hate to say it, but my 15-year-old son was right…

Posted on February 9, 2013 by JenniferHansen

It’s hard to admit, but yep, Tom was right. At the tender age of fifteen, he knew straight away from the title – The School Of Life – that something was awry. (see Tuesday’s Blog)

Being a huge fan of the author and philosopher Alain de Botton, Fletch had learnt that a branch of this wise man’s school was opening in Melbourne and thought it would be nice for us to go along to an event. It sounded fascinating. A chance to discuss interesting topics with a bunch of smarty-pants types over a feast of food. Maybe I would walk away with new insights into how we live our lives and how to make the world a better place? Surely I’d absorb some of the scholarly vibes through osmosis and magically transform into an intellectually superior being?

It didn’t start well. The floral chair covers sounded warning bells straight away. We arrived after most of the guests were already seated and were told to find a place. Anywhere. Sit with anyone. No nametags and no place names on the tables. Big shared tables. Now, I don’t mind meeting new people, but I’d thought we’d have our own table and the discussions on the night would be mediated by the MC. In a public forum.

Dinner with Epicurus

So we joined a table and introduced ourselves. Me, knowing full well, I’d forget all eight names in five seconds. Already I needed a drink. The only wine on the table was sauvignon blanc. As any chardonnay lover knows, you might as well offer a prime rib to a vegan. EWWWWWwwww. I asked a harried waiter if there was an alternative. Looking very put out that I’d even ask, he said there wasn’t. That always, without fail, puts me in a bad mood. A pre-paid set menu dinner and no decent wine. Luckily I have a wonderful husband who knew what was up and quickly raced to the bar to buy bottle.

Dinner menu and program

I picked up the program on my bread plate and read some of the topics. Fascinating stuff. We’d be hearing about things such as:
– Should we try to be happy? If not, what else is there to aim for?
– Is pain ever pleasurable to you, or sadness somehow happy? Why?
– Is love ever really unconditional?
– Does work have to involve drudgery as well as joy?
– When has failure helped you?

And that was just for FIRST COURSE…

Then Damon Young, the Melbourne philosopher and writer employed as MC on the night, began with his introduction. Erudite, witty, pleasant – he kicked proceedings off to a good start.

What I DIDN”T like was discovering that after Damon read out the topics for discussion, we were supposed to chat AMONG OURSELVES. With our new best friends. Over some of the North Firtzroy Star’s fairly ordinary food.

I’m sorry, but you have to know a bit about someone before you get into whether pain is ever pleasurable for them – don’t you? So here’s what I don’t GET about nights like this. Unless the mediator calls for discussion in the room, the guests at the table probably AREN’T going to stick to the topics because they are too busy edging their way around who is who, and who does what, before getting into the deep and meaningful.

So, quite frankly, I couldn’t see the point of any of it. I would have preferred a night out with my friends. I don’t need new friends…. much as the people on our table were very nice.

Me with MC Damon Young

Damon Young was nice too. And an excellent MC. I just think The School of Life needs to look at how they run these nights because I didn’t get anything out of it. Alan said he managed to have several fascinating discussions that stuck to the topics. I missed those.

Guess I’m going to just have to save that program with Epicurus on the cover for our next dinner party and use it as a conversation starter then. Interested?

The sugar-free yoghurt led me there…

Posted on February 7, 2013 by JenniferHansen

My apologies to overseas and interstate readers – this story isn’t going to be much help to you, but I couldn’t resist this one. It’s so hard these days to find original, quirky and PRICE FRIENDLY gift ideas, that when I stumbled across RED PROJECTS, I knew I had to do write a story. Especially with Valentine’s Day around the corner.

Red Projects – 112a Acland Street, St Kilda

For those who might be able to make it to St Kilda, it’s definitely worth a visit. I was walking down Acland Street – deliberately to buy one of those amazing sugar-free yoghurt treats I mentioned on Tuesday – when I stopped to read some amusing metal signs featuring astrology traits, which were sitting outside a shop.

Aries dark side – all signs $24 each

In fact, it was the Aries description that caught my eye, (you can buy both negative and positive versions for each star sign) because that’s supposed to be about Fletch. Which clearly it isn’t. Self-centred? Bossy? Never. There’s only one word that applies and that’s probably Too Much Information. (guesses welcome in the comments section)

Melbourne canvas – $75 (80 x 140cm)

Next to the star signs was a canvas that also appealed. I was looking for something masculine and neutral for Tom’s bedroom, and wondered whether the Melbourne locations board might suit. At a sale price of just $75, I thought that was pretty good value so decided to check out what else was inside the store.

Red Projects owner Carolin Hemingway

And there I met Carolin, who said she’s had Red Projects for about seven years. She started up in Port Melbourne but moved to St Kilda when the rent became too steep.
‘It’s a smaller space,’ said Carolin.’ But I live in St Kilda and I love it here, so it’s great to live and work in the same suburb.’
The shop might be small, but it’s jam packed with hidden treasures. Carolin says she never buys anything for the shop that she wouldn’t buy herself.

Her love of St Kilda is reflected in the shop’s wall mural, painted by local artist Greg Irvine, which highlights all the local landmarks.

St Kilda mural by Greg Irvine

Silver heart pendants – $75

Given Valentine’s Day is just next week, I asked Carolin what her best suggestions were for gifts. There’s plenty of jewellery to pick from – an appropriate piece for next week being these sterling silver heart pendants – designed by Carolin herself.

Carolin says she loves being in the gift business. ‘ I love to shop. It’s great because I get to go to the trade fairs and it’s like shopping for myself, except I get to buy multiples in every colour!’

Bells for favours – $12

These bells are also a popular gift, (and very economical!!) but Carolin says they don’t come with guaranteed results.

I asked Carolin how she deals with difficult customers who don’t know what they’re looking for.

‘It is a challenge and it’s difficult,’ she said. ‘But if I really can’t find something for the customer myself, I leave them to look on their own and generally they always find something.’

FOR THE WALL…

Small wooden signs – $14.95

It would be hard NOT to find something that suits. Carolin is also big on SIGNS. There are signs everywhere – wooden, metal, big small – all featuring quirky sayings or pearls of wisdom. One set of smaller wooden signs comes from a couple that live in the country and make them by hand. Mostly they’re about pets.

Bathing Beauties – $38

There are also canvases of all descriptions featuring photographs. My favourite is the black and white ‘Bathing Beauties’ from a 1950s snap.

Handmade butterfly pictures – $99

If you’re after an original art piece, these hand-made butterfly pictures come in all types of patterns, and each one is unique.

HOMEWARES

I could write forever about the number of home-wares in Red Project, but here are two that caught the eye – both bargains!

Aqua glass decanter – $49.95

Hanging rust chimes – $18

QUIRKY

Phrenology head $49.95 and palm-reading hand $28

As for QUIRKY, there’s plenty that fits the bill here… How about a Phrenology head or china palm-reading hand???

But the weirdest ones of all are the Vegetable Pets. I’m not sure who would actually buy them, but there are fascinating… and quite ugly. I mean, a Cauliflower dog? Seriously? At least they’re cheap…

Cauliflower Poodle – $20

Cabbage fish and sweet potato guinea pig- both $15

VINTAGE

Carolin is also keen on vintage designs. If you’re looking for extra special gift cards, these classics are priceless. Made by an artist in Byron Bay, they feature vintage images on balsa wood, which is then pasted to the card. Beautiful!

Vintage cards – $6.95

Vintage Paris Wall Clock – $22

FOR THE KIDS

Plush microwave toys (bed warmers) $29

For the kids, my fave are these plush microwaveable soft toys that act as bed warmers. So cute and cuddly! I’m sure I’m not too old to have one…

Owl trio – small, $18 and large, $24

But no. I need to grow up. Learn the great lessons of life and bestow that wisdom upon my children. Luckily there are dozens of different wise owls hanging around Carolin’s shop so I browsed and I browsed….

Owl Pair – large $44.95, small $24.95

…and I settled on this pair. They now live happily in our sunroom. I can feel the wisdom. It’s coming….

If you’d like to visit RED PROJECTS, head to 112 Acland Street, St Kilda.

For enquiries, phone (03) 9525 5255

Stuff I didn’t know about my own Blog…

Posted on February 6, 2013 by JenniferHansen

Sometimes I wish I’d done an official computer course. The longer I write this Blog, the more I’m finding out about how websites operate and how much I NEED to learn!

For instance, after meeting with my lovely website consultant a few days ago, I only just discovered how the ads on my OWN website work… Pathetic, I know.

Supersprint ad

I just thought they sat in the side bar, so that people could look at them and know where to go if they wanted to follow up on something. Like a billboard that gives you something to look at if you’re stuck in a traffic jam on Punt Road. (Which happens all the time…)

BUT I learnt that if you actually CLICK on these ads, they give you a lot more information, by taking you to that companies actual website. Durhhh…

SO, for instance, if you want to go to the Guns and Roses concert, you just click on the ad on my Welcome page, or when you’re reading a story like this one, and it takes you straight to the place you need to go to buy tickets.

If you want to enter the Australian Grand Prix Run on March 10th, click on that ad. Or if you’re needing a fab haircut, check out the glamorous Salon Golightly salon ad and book in with Justin.

For bridal couples looking for a unique car, check out Pete’s Garage and hire a really cool Mustang.

Pete’s Garage ad

There – just thought I needed to share that with you.

And another thing. So I can attempt to make a living from writing, there will be more ads appearing shortly on this Blog. This is good news because it means the Blog is growing rapidly in popularity and I now have great figures to justify ads. But I promise NEVER to EVER allow any of those nasty, loud, in-your-face, POP-UP ads that drive people insane. Me, in particular. I HATE those. They’re scary…

If anyone is interested in placing ads on our website, please contact Kelly at youguys@catacombcreative.com for a quote.

Why I feel like a drug cheat – New Year’s resolution update

Posted on February 5, 2013 by JenniferHansen

I feel a bit like Lance Armstrong today. It’s Tuesday – my day of reckoning – where I have to ‘fess up to how I’ve fared in the past week as far as my New Year’s resolutions have gone. And quite frankly, it’s all about the sugar. I’m aspiring to be like Emma the Guru (who hasn’t had a lolly in SEVEN years) and Sarah Wilson, author of I Quit Sugar, but next to these role models, I’m a failure.

Lance Armstrong

Some say that Lance Armstrong showed little emotion or remorse when interviewed by Oprah Winfrey about his drug-cheating scandal. Not me. On this level, we’re fields apart. I’m lying prone on the floor, beating my fist to the ground and vowing to change my wicked ways. You see, last week I confessed to eating a Choc Top at the Gold Class Cinema.

This week I have sinned not once, but THREE times!! Which means I have completely failed in the first of my five resolutions – to quit sugar – or at least stick to the ONE LINE RULE of not consuming anything above five per cent sugar.

Connoisseur chocolate icecream

It must be something to do with me watching movies. Because the second time I fell off the sugar-free bandwagon, I was watching a movie at home with my daughter, Veronica, when she pulled out a tub of my favourite ice-cream. Connoisseur Chocolate Obsession… I watched her enviously as she devoured a bowl and after that, couldn’t get the image out of my mind. Knowing all the while that very tub of ice-cream was only metres away in the freezer, begging me to try some. So I relented. BIG TIME.

I thought I’d grab the tub and just eat a few teensy, weeny mouthfuls, but that turned into a glutinous gorging spree and I finished the whole bucket.

Jersey caramels

Then it got WORSE. Veronica had also had friends over to celebrate the end of school holidays so she’d put together a lolly bowl. After the ice-cream, she pulled out the leftovers and there, tempting me viciously, were my most treasured of all lollies – jersey caramels. My much adored, dear-departed Grandmother and I used to share a packet when she took me to the movies as a child. Well, I thought, done my dash with the ice-cream, may as well go the full hog. So I did.

The third sinful moment came when, the next day, I was down the street buying the kids a bakery treat for afternoon tea to mark the first day back at school and that smell of sweet, fresh bread sent my hunger pains into overdrive. Another treat I’ve really missed on this sugar-free caper is the fruit bun. Dried fruit is very bad. But I’d lasted a month, so for my reward, I bought one and gobbled it up while traipsing through the supermarket aisles. Couldn’t even wait till I got home.

As for my other resolutions – not playing I-phone games, exercising at the gym at least three times a week, not smoking and tidying my office – all big ticks for this week. In fact, with exercise, because of my new trainer, I’m going great guns. Maybe that’s why my body has weakened this week with the sugar thing?

Scoops Gelato and Yoghurt Bar – Acland Street, St Kilda

But I do have some good news for all the anti-sugar campaigners out there, searching for substitute treats. I found a beauty down Acland Street, St Kilda on Sunday. I was prepared to go without when the family opted for an afternoon ice-cream, but then I spied a sign – sugar-free natural yoghurt!!

Sugar free yoghurt with Stevia

I bought a tub and it tastes AMAZING. So good, I have planned to cover a story about a shop in Acland Street this afternoon so I can pop back and get some more. This is the best sugar-free discovery I have made yet! Ice-cream has always been my weak point, so now, I may just have found a solution to satisfy that craving.

Hopefully I’ll be able to bring you a better report card next week.

The next big thing on the social calendar – searching for the meaning of life…

Posted on February 4, 2013 by JenniferHansen

When I told our 15-year-old-son what we were doing this week, he rolled his eyes with all the worldly scorn and condescension only a teen his age can muster. ‘Are you serious?’ he scoffed. ‘Someone has actually called this The School of Life? Don’t they know how ridiculous that sounds?’ Before I could even attempt to explain, he snorted derisively and walked away.

Alain de Botton

It may sound ridiculous to him, but the school’s founder – philosopher and best-selling author Alain de Botton – appears to be right on the money when it comes to finding a popular social concept.

The Swiss-born British writer, now living in the US, opened his first School of Life in London in 2008. There, you can take part in social events and short courses designed to offer ‘good ideas for everyday life.’

It’s all about people getting together to discuss deep and meaningful philosophical issues for entertainment, rather than going to the local pub for the three-thousandth time and getting inebriated with your mates to the point where you have little recollection as to the night’s events. It seems people must be tiring of that exercise, because de Botton’s courses are in high demand and most often sold out.

We know this because de Botton opened a School of Life here in Melbourne only last week. Fletch is a big fan of de Botton’s work, and has studied philosophy academically, so suggested we might like to try a session or two. There’s nothing he loves more than an all-consuming philosophical debate. And I love new ideas for a night out – plus it’s something we can do together, (rather than Fletch’s current passion, golf, which I still find a tad dull) so I readily agreed. But by the time we managed to look at the calendar and choose an event, we’d go on-line only to find it had been sold out. And this happened not once, but several times.

There’s plenty of engaging topics to pick from. Things like ‘How to Balance Work with Life’ (yes please!) ‘How Necessary is a Relationship’, ‘How to Make Love Last’, ‘How to Find a Job You Love’, ‘How to Face Death’ (not yet, thanks…) and ‘How to Fill the God Shaped Hole’. Just to name a few…

The London school sums it up on it’s website as “services concerned with how to live wisely and well. We address such questions as why work is often unfulfilling, why relationships can be so challenging, why it’s ever harder to stay calm and what one could do to try to change the world for the better.”

Epicurian wisdom

All pretty worthy issues to ponder, don’t you think? The one night we did manage to score tickets for is called “A Dinner with Epicurus’.

I’m pretty happy about this as apparently the sign on Epicurus’ garden gate read: “Stranger, here you will do well to tarry; here our highest good is pleasure.” I’m all for pleasure – bring it on. Apparently we’ll be seated in the comforting ambience of the North Fitzroy Star, with not only a feast of food, but plenty of conversation stoppers on the menu – mostly about appreciating life’s most important pleasures.

Damon Young

Leading us through the discussion will be renowned philosopher and writer, Damon Young. He’ll help us explore topics such as ethics and religion, and friendship and happiness. If all goes well, I should leave with a satisfied tummy AND a revitalised understanding of the pleasures of living wisely and well. Hip hip hooray.

The only bit I’m not clapping about is ‘the chance for in-depth conversation with a number of other guests.’ That could be a bit TOO intense… Can’t I just listen?

In case you need reminding, Alain de Botton’s most recent best seller ‘Religion for Atheists’ topped Australia’s book lists for the large part of last year and has been critically acclaimed by most – apart from one bloke from the new York Times, who had this to say:

“Many of us would rather live frustrated in the company of the believers than fulfilled in this flatland of the atheists. The atheists know what they don’t believe in, but they don’t seem to know what they don’t feel. This is a gap that has existed for centuries, and de Botton doesn’t fill it.”

Hmmm, that’s food for thought for another blog altogether… keeping in mind we’ve always been taught the two things NOT to chat about are religion and politics.

Chatty Cathy

Which brings me to the one course the School of Life repeats over and over, which is ALWAYS sold out – ‘The Art of Conversation’. Now, anyone who knows me would probably agree I’m not usually stuck for words when it comes to having a chat. Nor am I what you would call a ‘shy and retiring’ type. But I would like to know what The School of Life considers a good conversationalist. I’m intrigued as to the advice offered. I’m determined to get in to this course, whatever it takes. I need to know. What if I’ve been getting it wrong all these years???

Sometimes leggings CAN be pants…

Posted on February 3, 2013 by JenniferHansen

The WRONG way to wear leggings…

There’s many a fashion guru out there who scoff at that old wardrobe essential – leggings. I’ve been known to join them in that catch-cry you scream in your head when you see someone down the street, wearing leggings the WRONG way.

‘Leggings AREN’T pants!!’

Threadbare ain’t good either…

Honestly, some people just have no idea… If you can see the crutch area, you’ve got it wrong. And threadbare? SERIOUSLY wrong.

The RIGHT way to wear leggings

But leggings ARE great when you realise that mini-dress you used to wear is now WAY too short, but could be a nice top if worn over leggings. And what about the long-jumper-with-boots-look over leggings? That can look pretty cool, worn the right way…

All Saints

Raffi leggings – £40.00

Then I came across this look the other day, from one of my favourite overseas stores, All Saints.( It’s one of those seriously cool stores you imagine someone like Johnny Depp might stroll into.) They’ve managed to incorporate a skirt into the legging – making it an all-in-one piece – the perfect solution for those of us concerned we might commit a fashion sin. These are foolproof! You CAN’T go wrong!!

Raffi Cropped leggings – £25.00

There’s even a cropped version, although I think I prefer the full length style, myself.

Sadly, All Saints hasn’t opened a store in Australia yet, but you can order on-line at http://www.allsaints.com

A warning – it’s dangerous, as I just know you’ll be tempted to buy more than just the leggings. And don’t forget the price tag is in POUNDS – so it’s almost double in Aussie dollars.

Blaize jumper dress – £118.00

This was another piece I fell in love with – the Blaize jumper dress – so simple and versatile, yet uber stylish. Not to mention that necklace… Love it!

Happy shopping.

What housework and emails have in common…

Posted on February 2, 2013 by JenniferHansen

If there are two things in life that are certain – death and taxes – then I’d like to add to that list. Two things that certainly NEVER get finished – housework and emails. When life gets busy, these two everyday, necessary chores are the bugbear of my life. Increasingly so…. And they both have a lot in common.

They can be ignored, but they pile up, weighing on your conscience. And the longer you leave tackling them, the bigger and more daunting they appear.

Email overload

I used to be much more responsible on both fronts. When I worked at Ten, I had a set period of time where I would deal with emails and because I had a routine, I managed to deal with them all. But then I was juggling only one job. Now, wearing several hats, the email input is busier than ever and life has less structure in terms of dealing with it.

I became weary of being the one person I knew who emailed everyone back ‘straight away’. It became a reflex. Even at home. Hear the email ‘ping’ on your phone, and there I was, tapping away a reply instantly. I became frustrated if others didn’t do the same. So now, I’ve decided to be like everyone else and take my time. Not do emails on the weekend, because hey, everyone needs a break, don’t they?

I’m not sure it’s such a good idea. Right now I can see 109 emails in my inbox… Perhaps I should go back to being ‘Responsible Jen’?

The housework blues

Emails are also like housework in that they both invoke a feeling of Groundhog Day Syndrome. As soon you THINK you’ve finished, sit back smiling with a wine in hand, the computer pings or you spy a cobweb in the corner and it’s time to begin all over again.

It’s just like Joan Rivers says. ‘I hate housework! You make the beds, you do the dishes and six months later you have to start all over again.’ Okay, so I don’t leave it six months between the washing up cycles, but it feels like every day the list of chores in my head grows longer and more tedious.

Like housework, emails don’t care if you’re going through a busy patch. They don’t stop and say, ‘Hang on, Jen’s under the pump. Let’s lay off a bit.’ Oh no, they just keep growing and growing, turning into a bigger, dirtier pile than ever that you have to deal with once that other busy stuff is done.

We used to have cleaners, but more than a year ago decided to ditch that idea. With me not ‘officially’ working, it seemed indulgent, especially when they took such long ciggie breaks outside, turned up late and there was the constant pressure of having to ‘tidy up for the cleaners’. It just wasn’t worth the trouble.

To his credit, Fletch does more than his fair share of the household chores. Ever since I started this Blogging caper, I’ve been scampering upstairs to my office, pronouncing I have a ‘very important’ blog to write and letting the housework slide. He’s picked up the slack without complaint. But as I tap away and hear him washing the dishes downstairs, I do start to feel guilty. He doesn’t lay a guilt trip on me either, which makes it worse. He really needs to develop a few flaws.

One housework solution

To combat the guilt factor, I actually pulled out the vacuum this morning and decided a full spring clean of the bedroom was required. I’m talking vacuuming BEHIND the bed-head and getting on a ladder to dust the light fitting!! Impressed? I was.

And the funny thing was that as I cleaned away, slightly resentful of the boring tasks at hand, I was hit with some fab blogging ideas.

So perhaps there is an upside to this housework burden after all? Perhaps cleaning can be a source of creative inspiration? I might even tackle the rumpus room tomorrow. If this keeps up, I’ll be Australia’s answer to Martha Gardner before the week’s out. Watch this space.

Tilkah bags and accessories – a bejewelled and lush winter ahead

Posted on February 1, 2013 by JenniferHansen

I was contemplating which fashion label to focus on next, when Rochelle, who often kindly models for this Blog, suggested we take a look at accessories instead. A brilliant idea, I thought, so we headed off to Chadstone to see what Tilkah has in store for the coming season. A timely decision too, given the Aussie brand is celebrating a milestone ten year birthday.

Tilkah at Chadstone

To survive in the highly competitive world of bags and accessories is no mean feat. I think Tilkah’s success comes from targeting a mid-range market – somewhere in-between the uber high-end labels and the cheaper, fast-turnover chain stores like Diva and Colette.

Heading into the winter season, the jewellery designs lean towards a glamourous olde-world Hollywood theme, with lots of sparkle and bling. The bags, meanwhile, come in earthy tones in lush suede with studding and leather.

Here’s a sample of some of our favourite picks in store right now:

Eden Satchel – $229

Hearts and Daggers necklace – $89.00

Rochelle wearing Ripple Effect necklace, $79 with Black Theodora studded tote, $279

Joplin tote (Sahara) – $399

A closer look at the Ripple effect necklace – $79.00

Alana, who works at Tilkah, wore the Ripple Effect necklace in mint – $79.00

Jenna also works in store and teamed the Entangelemt necklace in Sherbet – $89 – nicely with her coral cardigan

Big on bling, the Silken Whisper Pendant – $79

Daughter Ronnie helps out, modelling the Princeton Tote – $269

Ronnie also pounced on these Hearts and Daggers ear-rings – $79

We ALL loved this bag, the Sienna Sling – $229

After buying my new baby yesterday, I’m on a strict budget… But if I could, I would LOVE to snap up Tilkah’s signature Veruka bag. (below) So versatile – either over-the-shoulder or a short-handle bag. But seriously, which colour? Black or yellow?

Tilkah’s signature bag, Veruka Soft Tote – $299

If you can’t get out to Chadstone to check out Tilkah in person, then you can always shop on-line at http://www.tilkah.com.au/shop-now

When you least expect it, a new baby comes along…

Posted on January 31, 2013 by JenniferHansen

It was the last thing I was expecting today, but well overdue.

You see, I’ve been driving the same car now for EIGHT years. And it’s been a lovely car.I wasn’t complaining. A simple Audi A4 sedan in a pale sparkly colour called champagne. Colour, as we know, is one of the most IMPORTANT things about a car.

BUt last weekend, I got a SIGN. You know, when something happens after a long string of things, and you know a certain relationship has to come to an end. I had driven Ronnie to the local video shop and was parking when I heard a loud CRUNCH. Yep, the concrete parking stopper on the ground had a bout of fisticuffs with my bumper bar and this was the result…

Ooops…

The bumper bar lay on the gravel and there was no way I could piece it back together. Another bill to pay and another job to add to a long list… Big bummer. Big sigh.

But Fletch had been making noises about the end of January being a good time to buy a new car. When I say ‘new’, I mean ‘new’ for us, but second-hand as far as cars go. I hadn’t taken much notice as I thought he was primarily talking about a machine for himself, so I did that nodding thing in the kitchen where the man thinks you’re listening while you dawdle over the stove, pondering your next fantasy holiday in the Greek Islands and only taking half in.

Turns out I had been included in the conversation I hadn’t been listening to. So this morning, I made school lunches and got the kids off to school, went to the gym, then managed a marathon supermarket shop before racing home to work on blogging duties and a certain project with a deadline. So when Fletch called to suggest I meet him in West Melbourne to look at second-hand cars, I wasn’t too excited. I was busy. I thought we’d be looking at cars HE wanted for himself. He mentioned a couple I might be interested in, but I didn’t think it was something we could afford or that they would appeal. But I agreed to join him – just in case. Still not thinking this was a serious shopping mission, I spent more time on the computer than I should have, then realised I had to leave home damn quickly or I’d be late. There was no time to change clothes. I’d have to front up in my old gym gear and no make-up. Never mind, I thought, it’s not about me – who cares what I look like?

And that’s when you should ALWAYS turn around, go back inside and get changed.

Audi Showroom, West Melbourne

The instant I turned up at the glamorous Audi dealership on Kings Street, I felt markedly under-dressed among the schmick looking salesmen in shiny suits and smart businesswomen in high red shoes. Still, Carlo, our salesman, made me feel at home while we waited for Fletch (see – I DID have time to change. HE was late!) and made me a coffee.

As we sipped and waited, he told me with a broad smile, that meeting me had made him a little star-struck. I nearly choked on my coffee. It’s been so long since I read the news, I forget that people might remember who I am or find that at all impressive. Flattered as I was, I immediatley regretted wearing my ten-year-old threadbare exercise gear and no make-up. It’s awful seeing the disappointed looks on people’s faces when they realise what you REALLY look like. But not Carlo. He seemed delighted. Bless him.

Most of all, I liked his sales approach. He showed me a couple of cars and we chatted away but he never went for the hard-line sales pitch. Which I hate. He was charming without being saccharine, and helpful without being obsequious. Just a normal, natural kinda guy. Rare in a salesman. Which is why I vote Carlo best car salesman of the year. And this is what we bought.

Carlo, me and my new baby.

It’s a second-hand Audi A4 B8 Multitronic sedan. The detail in the name doesn’t mean much to me as I’m not much of a car buff. I just thought it looked pretty cool.

And it wasn’t that Carlo twisted my arm. He just pointed me in the right direction. What really made up my mind was the headlights.

A winning feature

A bit like sparkly disco eyelashes, don’t you think?

So now I have a new baby. It’s all happened so fast, I’ve barely had time to take it in, but I’m sure the smile on my face will last for some time to come. It’s a bit late for you to get an end-of-January deal now, but if you are in the market for an Audi – second-hand OR new…

Carlo Cunico

– then I know the man. Carlo Cunico at Audi, Brighton.

That’s Carrlo.cunico@audicentrebrighton.com.au or just give him a buzz on 0416 137 710. A top bloke.

And I’ve learnt my lesson. Never go car shopping in old gym gear and no make-up.

The Official Jennifer Hansen Website

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Category Archives: Opinion