Open post of the week: Brisvegas, Gotye and more

Welcome to Open post – it’s like Friday night drinks. Except on Wednesday. And without the drinks. But can we suggest you make yourself a cup of tea, a piece of toast or a glass of wine (drinks!) and kick back to hear about what’s been going on at Mamamia this week and share anything that’s on YOUR mind in the comments. Anything at all.

BRISVEGAS BABY

Well. I went to Brisbane last weekend for MM’s deputy editor Bec‘s baby shower. Lana (our Managing Ed) came with me and we had a short but delightful time up north. On Saturday night we went to MM contributor Kate Hunter‘s house where we were treated to some home-grown Brissy hospitality complete with Wine, Women (Kate’s sisters Janey and Nicole) and Song (not really but hey).

In the few hours we had between checking into our hotel (The Emporium which was recommended almost unanimously when I asked about boutique Brisbane hotels on Twitter – thanks, it was excellent) and going to Kate’s for dinner, I watched a movie.

A movie! I am so hopeless at watching movies. I never watch them on TV. In fact I never watch anything on TV without my laptop or phone. My concentration span has totally forgotten how to do one thing at a time.
So I watched Horrible Bosses while eating the 3 complimentary Lindt balls on my bedside table and I enjoyed it tremendously. Great movie. Jennifer Anniston saying the word “pussy”? Too funny. Lindt balls were good too.

DON’T PANIC, IT’S ORGANIC

I’ve been playing around trying some new products lately. Sodashi skincare and Original Minerals haircare are two brands I’m currently a bit in love with. Both sent me products but both I’ll be buying myself as soon as they run out. I tried a lot of ‘natural’ shampoos and conditioners and they all were ugh (somehow made my hair greasy and dry at the same time) until Louise Bell recommended O&M. Great stuff. You can check it out here. Sodashi was a Zoe Foster suggestion. I’ve also been using some Priori skincare and really liking that but Sodashi is my new thing.

There’s a great story behind these products – Australian made by a very inspiring business woman based in WA. You can find out more about them here.

Have you discovered any great new products you’re feeling a bit evangelical about? Please share in comments.

SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW

My kids are as obsessed with this Gotye song as I am and beg me to put it on whenever we’re in the car. It’s sparked some really interesting conversations – initiated by them – about the lyrics. “Why is he shouting?” Because he’s a bit sad because he broke up with his girlfriend. “Why did they break up?” “????????” Etc.

It certainly made me realise how kids DO listen to the words of songs and think about them. Ugh. Rihanna.

MY GREEN SMOOTHIES

Everyone continues to mock my breakfast. Admittedly, it does look a lot like nuclear waste but it’s far better tasting than that. Possibly it’s an aquired taste and I have developed Stockholm syndrome but whatevs. It’s working for me. For those who have asked what I put in it:

-1 frozen banana (Louise told me to peel it before freezing or I’ll get freezer burn trying to unpeel the frozen skin)
-handful of frozen berries
-water
-scoop of chia seeds
-scoop of Mesquite protein powder
-scoop of Acai powder
-scoop of greens powder or some fresh kale if I have it
-splosh of flaxeed oil

Whack it in my Vitamix (makes everything smooth, no lumps or gritty bits) and drink up. Well, chew a bit. I like it thick.

I’ll be honest, I have no idea about what half of that stuff does. But I’ve gleaned bits of information from friends like Louise and consulted the people at my local health food store and there you go. I wonder if the mocking will ever stop?

NECKLACE SNAP

Regular readers might have noticed the flouro orange Sass & Bide necklace I wear most days at the moment (check it out in the gallery below). In fact I wear it so often Lana says she’s officially sick of looking at it. Last week, I went to the launch of the Range Rover Evoque with my fellow ambassadors Jennifer Hawkins, Sarah-Jane Clarke (Sass) and Heidi Middleton (Bide). I went to a dinner party a few weeks earlier and was wearing the same gold S&B jacket as Sarah-Jane (I’ve also put it in the gallery below). Needless to say, with the amount of S&B I own, there was a real risk of me wearing the same something as one of the girls. Heidi told me that she and SJ SMS each other photos of what they’re wearing before they turn up to an event to make sure they’re not wearing the same thing, and offered to do the same for me that morning.

Lucky she did because she was wearing THAT necklace. I was still at home and immediately took mine off. Lucky I did because when Heidi arrived at the Opera House to be greeted by paparazzi, Jennifer was wearing it as well. D’Oh! So we came thisclose to all turning up wearing the same distinctive necklace. FIRST WORLD PROBLEM, yes it was indeed. Heidi and Jen both took theirs off – still, we were all pretty much head to toe in Sass & Bide.

I learned lots by watching Jennifer pose for the camera. The good news about being at a photo opportunity in Jen’s stratosphere is that nobody cares about you. So I could actually have been wearing that necklack through my nose and nobody would have pointed a lens my way – which suited me fine. She really is a pro. She does this thing where she lifts her leg up and holds her body in this way that’s just…..well, the girl earns her money. And she’s a lot of fun. And I want her jacket.

Here’s what we’ve been up to around the office…

How is your week going? What’s on your mind?