Cut of Your Hands' Expectations was just this second playing on the radio. God that's a fine song right there isn't it? I went from running around the office pretending to be a horse (no really, everyone LOVED it!!) to tapping my feet, and even humming a little bit, before the first verse was out. These New Zealand lads truly make the most perfect pop ("powerpop" according to the Wikis) and the proof is in their recently released debut album, You and I - it's a cracker my friends. As part of the album's release Cut of Your Hands have returned to Australia for a National tour, starting with Sydney's Gaelic theatre this Thursday. Head here for dates. Also, thanks to the nice people at Speak 'n' Spell records, we have five copies of You and I to give away! You pretty much must hate being happy if you don't email me right now and ask for a copy.

Christina Hendricks is STUNNING! And she has red hair. And Joan Holloway -  her sassy as hell character on Mad Men -  is probably my favourite thing about the show. "He has a place in South Hampton. I'm not saying that I've seen it, but it's beautiful"

Flowers and perfume? Pfft  -  a boy could lock up my heart forever if he attached a card to these gothic bon bons. Named the Mori Ex Cacao collection these beautiful chocolates are a collaboration between L.A chocolatiers Valerie Confections and alchemist Douglas Little - a man known for his skull candles and other curious delights. Not only are the flavours singing to me (Curious Chili, Scorched Caramel, and Bitter Brandied Cherry anyone?) but the packaging is absolutely...errr... killer; the skulls come nestled in a black-as-sin silk box, complete with an inky coloured ribbon! Oh, at $65 for three this shit ain't cheap - but hey, if I lived in L.A I'd be treating myself to some and enjoying them with the bubbliest of baths, a glass of champagne, an arsonry of candles and Swing the Heartache on blast.

This is simply too good not to post. On Saturday Sarah Palin's clearly dopey staff allowed her to speak with two Canadian prank callers posing as French President, Nicholas Sarkozy. Even more astonishing than the call getting through was the fact that the pranksters kept Palin gushing like a schoolgirl for over six minutes. Despite "Sarkozy's" declarations that he too "loves killing the animals - taking the lives you know?" and that Carla Bruni has penned a song about Joe the Plumber, Palin only realised  she was being had when the pranksters, umm, told her. Must be the foreign accent?

Check out these beautifully stark works from Sydney artist Addison Marshall. With a background in fashion (you may know him from his popular store at the Surry Hills markets) and a keen interest in design, Marshall has put together a solo art show built on those key aesthetic elements of form and simplicity. Entitled reForm, the exhibition includes ceramics with a wonderfully unrefined, wash-up-on-the-beach quality as well as bold, inky works on paper. reFORM can be viewed at Sydney's Orson and Blake until November nine. 483 Riley Street, Surry Hills.

There are some things in life that are guaranteed happy-makers:  puppies, fresh flowers, gelato for dinner (guilty as charged), reading in the park, bedroom karaoke, beers in the sun - the list goes on really. NZ artist Mark Alsweiler looks at finding enjoyment in life's simpler pleasures with his latest exhibition, Merriment. The crew at Palmer Projects are touting this show as one of the year's best and in celebration invite you to come get merry this Thursday night.

Just the extended trailer for the forthcoming biggie biopic. My favourite quote so far; "what sort of grown-ass man calls himself Puffy?". It's what we've all thought Mrs Wallace.