and the winner is....

Rewind; remember this post: Australia's Next Top Model  

Update:

Well, last night, LIVE at the picturesque Sydney Opera House in front of thousands of fans (and some celebrities, can't recall seeing anyone worth mentioning) was the Australia's Next Top Model Final Results show!!!

My emotions were running wild, I couldn't contain my excitement and enthusiasm because once again, the judges got it right, the final 3 girls were all very deserving.

L-R: Montana, Liz and Simone

Montana : The winner and my favourite from the very start! She has this natural grace about her, facial features are all in the right places with the right dimensions, great figure/shape and more importantly, a clean canvas- perfect for any artist (or designer) to work on. I personally believe she has what it takes to be a successful international model. So, move over Miranda Kerr and Samantha Harris because this is the girl to beat.

just like a pro

Liz : The epitome of classic beauty. The modern "Helen of Troy". She resonates the late Elizabeth Taylor, whom was the most beautiful woman on screen. Well, no wonder! I can't take my eyes off her.
In saying that, Liz is *too* beautiful to be an international model. Her face is immaculate and I cannot see her walk down the runway channeling Balenciaga or Balmain. Can someone please give her a movie career?

Simone : Probably one of the most entertaining contestant considering she is the only person who've voiced opinions about all the girls aka b****. That, and the blonde moments of course.
It's true, Simone is the girl next door and I see her more as a Victoria Secret's model than a high fashion model. In saying that, I thought Miranda Kerr was girl next door material and look where she is now? There's still a chance Simone ;)

The Final Show : Last year, I had the opportunity to attend the LIVE show at Lunar Park, it was amazing! There were goodie bags, live entertainment, interviews with the final 3, spoke to the parents of the final 3, asked judges to pick their favourite etc etc etc

This year, none of the above occurred. No interviews with the girls and their parents, judges didn't get to pick a favourite and I heard from my sister, there were NO goodie bags tsk tsk!!!

However, I think the most notable moment would've been the actual announcement of the winner where Sarah Murdoch composed herself well and did not repeat last year's blunder ;)

Without further adieu, here are some of my favourite shots from the season! I cannot wait until the next cycle because I believe there are still many hidden talents yet to be discovered...

***All pictures are courtesy of Australia's Next Top Model and Fox 8***

let's paint the town red.

So, I was in the Chanel store the other day to check out the BOY collection (for the 100th time) and I was disappointed to be told that the gorgeous flat red colour is "out-of-stock" - again!!! Then it dawned on me, my chances of seeing this calf-leather beauty in the flesh is very slim - unless I wait until my overseas trip early next year!

Then, something else dawned on me. In most cases, if a red colour is available in a particular bag range, I'd automatically prefer the red over the rest.

Here are some more RED bags I am currently lusting over, however, cannot afford.

Alexander McQueen

Balenciaga

Zatchels Satchel bag

to-die-for Celine Boston bag

Fendi Classico bag in red

Gucci

YSL clutch

oh my love, my darling...

Harbourside: Kazbah's popular breakfast Tangine - -Lamb Mince, Sucuk, Spinach, Roast Capsicum, Roast Tomato, Caramelised Onion, Feta, Eggs, Turkish Toast, Lebanese Bread

Nok Nok Thai Eating house at Darling Quarter: sui mai with plum sauce

Nok Nok's Pad Thai

Harbourside Criniti's: Antipasto - cold Italian meats, marinated vegetables & a variety of cheeses w Italian bread

Criniti's Pork Ribs - full rack

Criniti's penne romana - chicken breast, mushrooms, avocado & shallots in a cream sauce > massive servings!

Yours truly at Nok Nok channeling masculine fun; Dion Lee for Cue bib shirt, Asos tailored pants with braces and Tie Rack bow tie (undone)

Sydney's Darling Harbour- you can't miss this place! Basically, this is probably, and I dare say, one of the most visited places in all of Sydney!!!

There are two sides to Darling Harbour (or so we thought, but I'll discuss that later) - Harbourside and Cockle Bay! Both features popular restaurants, cafes and bars to suit all ages, tastes and of course, budgets.

• On the harbourside, familiar names such as Hurricanes, Criniti's, Pancakes at the Rocks (Darling Harbour) and more recently, Kazbah - amazing Arabian cuisine.
• In the centre, you'll find Meat & Wine Co and Starbucks.
• Cockle Bay is more relaxed and "young" with restaurants such as Blackbird Cafe- famous for its $10 cocktails and loud music!

But wait, there's more!

Recently opened, located near the Chinese Gardens next to Tumbalong park is the new "Darling Quarter" featuring more restaurants and cafes. Here, we have the popular Taste cafe offering gourmet style baguettes and campos coffee. There's also the crowd-pleasing Guylian cafe and a new Thai, Brazilian and Japanese restaurant as well.

All in all, whenever you're out in town, hungry and don't want to spend a fortune, head to Darling Harbour! Oh, and did I mention they have random fireworks every Saturday???

all aboard!!!

Inspired by my upcoming birthday yacht adventure, here are some key summer pieces which will hopefully inspire some of my guests ;)

Top: L - R; Camilla Kaftan, Missoni Kaftan, Matthew Williamson Kaftan, orange gorjana bracelet, tigerlily bikini, Elizabeth and James kaftan, Zimmermann red swimsuit, rag & bone fedora and Tom Ford sunnies

Balmain Resort 2012

Outfit 1 - The Row Resort 2012, Outfits 2 & 3 - YSL Resort 2012

Yee ha!!! Bring on Summer!!!

Let's Lunch.

Wearing; Asos wide leg pants, River Island leopard print loafers, Bardot floral blouse and carrying Dolce & Gabanna Miss Sicily bag in Lamb

Accessories; Fendi cuff, YSL Arty ring, Asos ring with OPI nail polish

Menu at Bentley Restaurant and Bar

course 1: Octopus with Almond and Garlic

course 2: Pumpkin custard with pumpkin seed and goats curd

course 3: Poached Mulloway with Celariac, Cracked Wheat & Black Sesame

course 4: Pork Belly with wattle, garlic milk and rhubarb

course 5: Caramelised Strawberries with Barley cream and Beer Sorbet

In Sydney, when it comes down to deciding on a nice venue for lunch, we are rather spoiled for choice.

A few weeks ago, I caught up with a close friend over lunch at The Bentley in Surry Hills. With different menu options available, we opted for the $55 per person fixed price lunch menu. The menu consists of 5 courses as pictured above.

The following menus are available at The Bentley:

• The Main menu (À la carte)
• The Tasting menu - $120 per person + $70 for matching wines
• Vegetarian tasting menu - $110 per person + $70 for matching wines
• The Bar menu
• The Dessert Menu
• The Dessert Tasting menu - a must for all dessert lovers
• Fixed price lunch - $55 per person

The fixed price lunch menu is perfect for a nice lunch out in town. Although all courses on the menu were good, I'd have to say I enjoyed the pumpkin custard most - mixing the pumpkin seeds in together with the pumpkin custard, the taste was to-die-for!!!

Highly recommended, definitely one of my favourite place for lunch! What's also good about Bentley is that if you're ever too early and waiting for your guest/s to arrive, you can spend the waiting time wisely by visiting all the cool vintage op-shops nearby!

The Bentley
320 Crown Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Trading Hours
Tuesday to Sunday