Those who have entered the underwater inspired cavern that is Romance Was Born's concept store and fallen in love with the seafaring realm can now proceed to stampede down Glenmore Road in Paddington. Stepping into the oceanic dream world created by the creative duo Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett was nothing short of experiencing your very own underwater fable. Beautifully named "Pearl's Dream", the concept store was sure to make lovers of deep sea treasures and haute couture pine for the shell embellished heels amongst an underwater garden of other numerous gems. Yet hefty price tags shall no longer impede our aquatic treasure hunt! The collection at 'Pearl's Dream' is now retailing at a 50% markdown.
Sale lasts until 31st January when King Triton reclaims his jewels...

2a Glenmore Rd, Paddington

Over a century ago a little known British author rowed up the river Thames with three young girls and was so delighted by one of them, he wrote a book about her. The story included waist-coated rabbits, tyrant monarchs and smoking caterpillars, and has been printed and adapted to film more times than the Queen of Hearts herself felt the need to behead small blonde children. And now, Lewis Carrol’s Alice in Wonderland is inspiring two fantastical and wonderfully decadent lines of jewellery to coincide with the release of Tim Burton’s adaptation.

Former Disney animator turned jewellery designer Tom Binns is releasing two collections which revolve around embodying the stunningly over-the-top realm of Wonderland. Inspired by the “weird little story� and Carrol’s surrealism, the CDFA honourary has collaborated with Disney to release six high-end luxury pieces for fine boutiques including Bergdorf’s and Barney’s in the US. Innovative and daring, Tom Binn’s creativity signals a perfect fashion interpretation of both Carrol’s and Burton’s aesthetic.

The pieces are inspired by the story’s characters, including the Red Queen, the White Queen, Alice and the Mad Hatter. It’s not too hard to imagine the Alice bracelet as a mish-mash of treasures strung together whilst falling down a rabbit hole. Staying true to his signature mix and match of different materials, an abundance of charms, chain and leather make up this covetable piece.


The equally embellished Queen necklace evokes an air of vicious royalty with its predominant red beading, safety pins and interlocking horns. Only for those who wish to rule by making a sharp statement!

The high-fashion ‘Tom Binns for Walt Disney Signature’ line will retail from $1000 to $2000, whilst the more affordable ‘Tom Binns for Disney Couture’ collection will be available in department stores and speciality boutiques. The 35-piece line, designed in collaboration with Lucas Design International, will retail from $100-$500.

No word on when they’ll be available down under, but lucky US folk can get their mitts on them come March 2010.

There’s something about the end of the winter woolly season that brings a smile to my face. Obviously bikini season is right around the corner and I’m whipping out the Ray Bans and denim cut offs quicker than a kid who just scored a sold out ticket to Parklife, but the start of September always brings a smile to my face. The lovely people at David Jones know how to brighten up the bustling urban jungle of Sydney, and it’s not just the latest from Alannah Hill, Wayne Cooper and Sass Bide that send me all giddy. Whether you’re a flower person or not (I for one, am a self-confessed Valentines Day scrooge. And don’t even get me started on anniversaries!), you’re going to feel like Dorothy stepping into a field of poppies when you enter the David Jones doors on Elizabeth street. This year’s theme is dedicated to an Australian flavour of floral arrangements. Our very own native flora has taken over the window displays and the inside of David Jones from the 1st to the 13th September. There’s complimentary guided tours too, led by horticultural experts who’ll take you through the thousands of banksias, lilies, and Eucalyptus macrocarpa.

As one who was momentarily traumatised by the very graphic description of Aayan Hirsi Ali’s circumcision in her autobiography, the new decision to ban the ancient practice in Uganda is in stark contrast to Monday’s report in the SMH on the impenetrable glass ceiling.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni stood up for millions of oppressed women in Africa and deemed the ritual a violation of God’s work and lacking in any scientific foundations. The brutal procedure is also associated with an increased risk to contracting HIV, as well as an increase in death for both mother and child during birth.
Whilst progress in Uganda for women's rights is a strong shift in the right direction, should I be feeling lucky to live in a secular society or rightfully pissed off about the existing drastic difference in salaries between males and females?

The Alliance Francaise French Film Festival enters its 20th year running this March with 32 new films and documentaries, sure to please those wishing for a reprieve from the latest churn of Hollywood celluloid (ok, ok, so I must admit, I really do want to go see He's Just Not That Into You). There's a film to please all sorts whether you're into an Ocean's 11 style action ( Cash combines a visual treat with fast cars and fast money), musicals (opening night's Paris 36), dramadies ( A Christmas Story for my fellow scrooges), and the politically and emotionally provactive Born in '68.
The festival runs nation wide from March 4 to April 5.
Check the website for details.

Brunswick Music Festival is all grown up and turns 21 this year. As one of Victoria's premier cultural events, Brunswick Music Festival presents to all you lovely Melburnians a delectable line-up of international and home grown acts such as Kate Miller-Heidke, the Red Stick Ramblers from Louisiana (score!), folk singer Colum Sands from Ireland and many, many more acts bound to whet your inter-cultural appetite. Come celebrate the festival's impending adulthood at the Sydney Road Street Party this Sunday March 1, and catch the rest of the festivities at various events throughout Brunswick from March 12 - March 22. More info at the website.

Hello lovely Yen-ites, I do hope your summer has been a most festive and momentous occasion. But now, let us have a few moments silence in honour of those brave soldiers, the university prospectus, whose fate was announced today (or last night via the UAC website). Congratulations to all whose plans of becoming a neurosergeon/equine vet/podiatrist have now been put into action. I would offer my condolences to those who are not entering the higher education realm, but I do believe a gap year does you the world of good. Now is the perfect time to grab your Maccas wages and pack your bags for the Switzerland Alps, the bonny bonny banks of Scottland or wait around till June for Camp USA to take care of snivelling, snotty, Ritalin deprived children. But seriously, if there's one thing a regret it's not being productive in my year off. All that time wasted spent making lattes could have been put towards building a village in Namibia. So after receiving my very own offer from the University of New South Wales last night, I've deferred and have bigger and better plans. Seize the day ladies and enjoy your youth!