Caprice news

I have just returned from a happiness conference. Yep, that's right. I went to a seminar on how to get happy. It was run by The Happiness Institute and all proceeds from the night were donated to Camp Quality - the amazing charity for sick children and their families.
100+ people gathered in a room and attentively listend to Dr. Happy (Australia’s leading expert in Positive Psychology, Dr. Timothy Sharp ) and well-known comedian Anthony Ackroyd. Many stories were told and many laughs were shared. It was amazing to look around the room and see so many faces from all walks of life. I assume most of whom were looking for answers, searching for a cure for a broken heart, grief, sickness, loss, or depression. Whatever we were all looking for, this seminar bought us a little closer to finding it. Go here to check out The Happiness Institute's website. They're a group of people merely hoping to make a difference. You can even sign up to receive daily happiness quotes, to lift your spirits. So c'mon, paste a smile on your dial and get happy!

I read a lot. Okay, I actually read more than I sleep, eat, walk or talk. I couldn't tell you how many books I've read, but it's quite an astronomical figure. I believe reading opens up my imagination and gives life to my emotive/creative mind. I believe a lot of my life leasons have been learnt from what I have read in novels. Anyway, the point of my post is to tell you to read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. In all the many books that I've read, I haven't read one quite like it. Not only was this book impossible to put down, it had me crying throughout. For me, this book was quite hard to read because it does sit so close to home, but I loved it all the same.
Apparently, it's in the works to be made into a film. Personally, I would rather not watch it, because the characters I have in my mind are so real and so vivid, I would hate to see some hot-shot movie director ruin it for me.
No book, other than The Bronze Horseman has affected me at such an emotional level.
This novel is about family, love, living, dying and everything in between. It's magical. Please, read it and let me know what you think.

The other day I was walking in the city when someone yelled "new beer". Thinking they said "Free Beer" I pretty much tripped over myself; arriving at the scene red-faced and panting only to be offered a postcard. My dissapointment was short-lived though as I noticed the little, lemon-scented seeds imbedded throughout the card and the claim that "this ad can be planted'. Yes; bury the card, show it some love and a drought-resistant native bottlebrush you shall soon have!! This cool little campaign is for Cascade Green; a new, 100% accredited carbon-offset beer that uses recycled packaging and soy based inks; lightweight glass and sustainable growing methods. Phew, I don't normally need an excuse for a cold beer but the oppurtunity to minimise my saquatchian carbon footprint (and beer belly - it's low carb) is a pretty good one.

I don't know about you but when I see a picture of Miranda Kerr, a bileous pool of envy doth rise in my stomach. Not because she calls Orlando Bloom her boyfriend (or not, depending on what the hag-rags have to report this week), or because her legs are about the height of my entire body. No; it's the dimples godammit. I think dimples are simply adorable and ever since I was young have wanted to wear a pair - yet cruelly, the only dimples I'm destined to sport are the ones that will surely begin to appear on my thigh/bum area in the next few years. If only this was the 1930's; then I could simply pick up Miss Isabella Gilbert's dimple machine and create what nature forgot to give me from the privacy of my own home!!!

Last night (April 3) saw the launch party for CURVY 5, YEN's annual all-female art book, at the Mori Gallery in Sydney. A growing crowd patiently waited outside the gallery for up to an hour early before the doors opened at 8pm to see the beautiful and eclectic collection of graphic designs and illustrations exhibited by CURVY featured artists. Artists in attendance included Bindi Booth, Kareena Zerefos and Smitten by Stephanie among others.
Guests were treated to music by Chicks on Decks with John the Lad and sipped on beverages from V, Singha beer and Skyy Blue Vodka while scribbling thoughts and graffiti on the 'YEN Room' walls with coloured Sharpie pens. The gallery was packed with artists, art enthusiasts and collectors and if you missed out on purchasing your own copy of CURVY last night, they will soon be available for sale here online. Many artists sold original pieces on the night and several guests purchased Jeremyville Sketchel bags emblazoned with one-off designs by their favourite artists. All in all a fabulous and inspiring evening with some drinks thrown in for good measure. The exhibition will be open at the Mori Gallery (168 Day St, Sydney) until April 5 so go check it out and support young female artistic talent from Australia and overseas.

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YEN's fashion director (oh the irony!) fowarded me this; it's her friend Sasha, who is currently in the running to win a 66' Camaro ss.thanks to his stunner of a mullet.  The competition  is called "March  Mullet Madness" and Sasha (who entered in the "Squirrel pelt" bracket) has so far beaten out 64 other follicly tragic hopefulls to make it to the top four but he needs your help to take out the long-backed crown.  Sasha's mum has recently been really sick and if he wins he plans on selling the car and using the money to pay off her medical bills. Really; that's a pretty good reason to be scaring children and repelling the opposite sex with something so perfectly awful. So vote for Sasha! you have until April 5 so Click here!

Ever wondered how to find the perfect pair of jeans? pondered over which mineral make-up is the best or why 8 hour cream is so popular? or are you just looking for a great thai green curry recipe? Well, www.wonderstuff.co.uk can help you with all of the above. The user-run website is a one-stop for lifestyle queries and modern-day conundrums; you can search a question in Wonderstuff's boundless archives or if it's not there, simply type it in and let other Wonderstuff Users or one of site's resident fashion, food, drink and beauty experts, share their knowledge. You'll be a no-it-all in no-time!