Ruby Smallbone. More like Ruby Big-Inspiration!

Yes I realise that Smallbone is more practical, but when I saw her models strut their stuff last night, there was a massive 'wow factor'.

I'm talking awesome hair and cool threads. I was actually thinking about cutting my hair and adopting the blunt bob look, but when I saw the wispy high buns on her models, I was mesmerised and inspired. The models looked casual yet appropriate for a black tie event. Even though the buns were high, they were also loose, which is great as they probably won't cause headaches (I have thick hair and a lot of it, so I am definitely a hair-ache sufferer).

The clothes were just as gorgeous. I mean pastels, prints and wearable fashion, OH MY! The pastels were creamy and seemed to compliment all skin tons (the seemingly Asian model and Samantha Harris assisted me with this conclusion). Ruby Smallbone made silk shorts look fun and flirty, she also had an incredible white dress which I fell in love with.

The show was no doubt a parade of inspiration.

A big thank you to Elise who let me be her plus one and Renee from Stellar PR for inviting us along.

I wish every Wednesday was a Cleo Bachelor Party...

Cleo threw one of the BESTEST events I have ever attended! And no I am not exaggerating.

The 2010 Cleo Bachelor of the year party was located at the Zeta Bar at the Hilton hotel. I was there with the lovely Stuff That I Bought blogger Elise, we were ready to let our hair down and party like it was 1999 (except do it millennium style). The mini-food was delicious (salmon with mashed peas and avocado tartlets), the drinks were flowing and the atmosphere is what you would exp

ect from a room full of women who knew that 50 of Australia's hottest and most eligible bachelors were going to enter the room (it was a hen's night times 10).

Elise and I were also playing spot the celebrity and avoid the cameras- a game which is surprisingly hard to do at the same time with a delicious drink in hand. The 'celebrities' (non-bachelors) we did spot were Vince Colosimo, Michelle Bridges, Sarah Wilson and Charlotte Dawson just to name a few (the few that I can remember and recognised). So after the audience were introduced to the delicious men in white shirts and black ties, they were set free to mingle in the crowd. The whole room seemed to need a cold shower. Elise and I were quite tame of corse, as we have our own spunks to go home to.

Then it was time for the big announcement and Firass Dirani, took the title. So the champagne was poured (yes more alcohol was needed to celebrate this incredible moment) and everyone partied a little bit more.

Best Wednesday ever!

I'm just going to be blunt... What happened to THE CLARE?!?!?!

So last Saturday I went back to The Clare at Ultimo (after a long hiatus) - this place is pretty much a rite of passage for Uni students who have attended UTS or Sydney Uni or anyone who works/worked for the ABC.

Back in the day, when you walked in you would usually be slapped in the face by the smell of stale beer and a room full of students (who should be in class or have just failed a subject), you would sink into the 'much-loved' (and 'overly-loved) couches and the staff were aware of your exact drinking needs and would serve you with as many beers as you could afford (within the rules of RSA of course). The atmosphere would be filled with delightful banter, intellectual (and un-intellectual) debate and unknown, underground music filled the remainder of the space.

But now, the staff have become so disdained and jaded with the idea that they (the Clare) are 'too cool for school' and have begun neglecting the basic essences that made the Clare, 'the Clare'. Most noticeable was the vapid blonde who actively mocked customers (along with ignoring them) as she sat at the end of the bar with other staff members and 'friends'.

The staff failed to inform us that there was free pool on a Saturday night, after 6 games - it kinda would've been nice to know. Then there was the music - it was different to say the least - (I know I must sound really old right now reminiscing about the past, but seriously it's not like what it use to be). The DJ would play music from his laptop and then sit down and join the blonde for a chat at the end of the bar. YES people, and he got PAID to do this. And it wasn't the underground stuff from before, it was Beyonce and all your top 40 hits of today. Can you believe it? Maybe they should just put the radio on, or whack someone's iPod on instead.

This is just not right. Bring back the old Clare! And bring on staff that want to 'want' to add to the Clare and its' colourful history.

Where is The Clare? 20 Broadway, Ultimo
Photo Credit: smh.com.au

Do you know random stuff and want to make $$$ from this knowledge?

Test how much you REALLY know @Newtown RSL, every Sunday at 4pm - Free Trivia, with Trivia Master Steve. There are several chances to win free grog and first prize is $50 in cold hard CA$H!! - I have only had the privilege of winning once, and the winnings were put towards an awesome Thai dinner.

The questions are a mix of subjects reminiscent of the game Trivial Pursuit, but instead of ‘pie’, there’s alcohol. The questions are reasonable, even if a bit ‘Gen-X’ – however, this shouldn’t deter anyone from participating, because most of the answers are filed away in the ‘I’ll never need to remember that’ part of the brain. For example...name a country made up of one word that contains all the vowels? (I will reveal the answer in a week's time, unless someone can beat me to it?)

So get your butts down to the@ Newtown RSL, on the corner of Station St and Enmore Rd. and test out your know how! A good way to chillax on a Sunday afternoon with friends.

Is 3 Jugs of Bulmer's too much for a work Christmas Party?

NAH!

Last night I attended my department's Christmas party at the Paddington Lawn Bowls. It was a lovely event organised by my usual partner-in-crime, Elise. My favourite food was ordered, MINI FOOD! This included mini hotdogs, mini vegetarian pizzas, mini hamburgers, mini chicken schnitzels and mini gelato cones. This was ALL delicious!

So the game itself was boys versus girls, blue balls vs. the pink. Our instructor was Tom, he also doubled as our man candy (it's a tough gig but someone's gotta do it- and I'm glad it was him). The games was explained to us and it was pretty much bowl the ball gently along the green and try and get closest to the jack (small white ball at the other end of the green). The 'catch' is the ball is weighted on one side so when you roll it, it will curve.

We also had trophies to entice our performance, Best and Worst on the field. So I was excited since I had never known the feel of holding a trophy. I also expected to really suck at the game since I had done so previously, so the Worst on field had my name written all over it.

This is where the 3 jugs of Bulmer's comes in. No one else in my department was drinking it, so every time someone went for a drink run, they got me a jug. So as the afternoon continued I began to get quite 'relaxed' and my game also improved, in fact I managed to get my ball touching the Jack... it was a beautiful moment *tear.

Fast forward to the end of the night, everyone voted in a secret ballot who was best and worst on the field... Worst on field was a Batman obsessed 'gentleman' KAV and Best on field was ME! So I am now Kat, owner of a trophy.

P.S- Love a place that has cider on tap.

One step closer to being the female Bond, James Bond.

You will soon learn of my obsession with 007...
How did I get one step closer? I attended a Defensive Driving Coarse on Saturday at the Eastern Creek raceway (yes on the 30 degree day).
I was invited by Elleni from Galmatic a company who aims to educate women on their cars, how to look after them and how they work.They also run 2 hour workshop on the general maintenance of your car, incl. how to change your Tyre- a very skill if you like to drive through parking areas with a lot of speed humps and just fly over them in your mum's 1990 Toyota Seca (trust me- you WILL need to know how to change ata tyre).

This driving coarse was such a great experience, Mark (the man with the crap load of driving experience and the instructor) took us through some road rules that you knew about, but also weren't quite sure about. Vehicle safety was the biggest wake up call, we can't just assume that since we're in car we'll be okay. In fact, the only difference between cars and motorcycles is the bonnet and the boot, the side panels are just full of air. So learning how to drive defensively could save lives.

There was also a practical component to the day, so this meant that I was able to take my Astra (Ella) onto the track- and boy was she excited! It was then that I really understood the difference between doing 40km and 80km. Without other cars on the road, you realise how fast 80km is and how much damage it could do.

So the main lesson of the day is (as obvious as it is) obey the road rules, don't get distracted by the mobile or by your own awesome singing, pay attention to the roads and DO THE SPEED LIMIT. You stop a lot quicker at 40km than at 80km.

Sorry to get all preachy, but as someone who has lost a loved one from a car accident it's so important to look after yourself as well as others in the road. Ask yourself, is your life (or someone else's) worth the rush?