Daily Addict's blog - Filed under 'Event'

January 4, 2010

Sydney Opera House New Year's Eve 2009 Party

Watching the sun set across our beautiful harbour with a signature martini concocted by one dexterous bartender in hand really is a perfect way to celebrate the beginning of a new decade.

Lifestyle specialists, Yakusan and the Sydney Opera House transformed the western boardwalk into a lavish oasis complete with cabanas, plunge pools and model like waiters serving our every whim.

In keep with the theme of pure luxury, Chef extraordinaire Matt Moran designed a unique menu especially for the event with an abundant selection of gourmet delicacies, personalised service of fresh oysters, mini wagyu beef burgers and the Moran's family lamb.

International DJ, Samantha Ronson headlined the night with her mixes of the classics from the Jackson Five to the Kings of Leon. Sets by Goldfish and Jon Sa Trinxa (Pacha Ibiza residents) and a host of local Australian DJs including Dolso (Sneaky Sound System) and Ian Spicer rocked the evening; along with an appearance by Australian fashion designer come guest DJ, Kirrily Johnson.

At the stroke of Midnight, the 750 guests turned their attention to the spectacular Harbour Bridge and city skyline fireworks with many hoping twenty ten might continue reminiscent of the evening- full of fun, opulence and style.

Much gratitude for the special touches: after 9 hours of partying in heels I welcomed some respite. Thank you to Flipsters for providing the ladies with a pair of comfortable yet stylish flats.

Wishing all of our fabulous readers a brilliant 2010 filled with love, laughter and fruitful possibilities x

Click here to download:

Sydney_Opera_House_New_Years_E.zip (1060 KB)

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Filed under // Event party social pics Sydney

Posted by Carrie Choo

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December 16, 2009

Nicola Boutique Manly Opening

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Filed under // designer event fashion launch social pics

Posted by Carrie Choo

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December 13, 2009

Tokonoma Shochu Bar & Lounge opening

A number of mesmerising gowns from Akira Isogawa's only previously viewed in Paris Collection added to one very eye-pleasing set up at the new Tokonoma Shochu Bar and Lounge launch party (just next door to Toko Restaraunt in Surry Hills).

Over some delicious Toko bite-sized canapes and chilli infused edamame we deliberated over which cuisine one would pick if you could only have one for every meal for the rest of your long years (Japanese won, with Italian coming a close second).

It wouldn't hurt to add in a beverage selected by Paul Birtwistle, Australia's very own Sake Sommelier:

Hakka Martini - Shiro shochu with Hendricks gin, cucumber and mint
Gen awa cha - Lychee bubble tea with Genmaicha infused shiro shochu, lemon and lychee jelly
Negroni swizzle - Whitley Neill, Antica Formula and Campari infused with pineapple, aged and swizzled with homemade falernum and orange wedges

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Filed under // eat & drink Event launch social pics Tokonoma

Posted by Carrie Choo

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December 13, 2009

Mr & Mrs Smith Australia and New Zealand Hotel Collection book launch

"Mr & Mrs Smith are back - and this time we've combed beaches, climbed mountains, trekked deserts and scoured cities all over Australia and New Zealand to bring you a collection of the sexiest boutique and luxury hotels down under"

The Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel Collection Australia/NZ launch party was held last week at Christine Manfield's Universal Restaurant. Tastemakers came together to see the release of one very sassy travel guide for naughty weekends away; 33 boutique hotel reviews by Mr & Mrs Smith reviewers including David Grant, Sigrid Thornton, Kirstie Clements and our very own Carrie Choo.

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Filed under // Event launch Mr & Mrs Smith social pics

Posted by Carrie Choo

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November 22, 2009

Paspaley Polo in the City - a dash for the dashing

The marquees were up, the sun was shining. Champagne free-flowing and men in polo attire on powerful steeds.

The 2009 Polo in the City Series is a highlight of the social calendar and the G.H. Mumm Marquee the hot ticket. This year those with the right coloured wrist band could toast all day, and down freshly shucked oysters by Two hated chef, Warren Turnbull. The “it” accessory had to be a G.H. Mumm fan or umbrella (last year's was the red galoshes).

Have a look at these pics for the Mumm Dash - a classic (and somewhat startling) sight watching well-dressed ladies kick off their heels and bolt for G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne. Congratulations to Amanda - her strategy? "There was a bit of jostling at the start but I stayed completely focused on the prize".

We expect more from the Stella Artois men's dash next time - the ladies drew blood!

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Paspaley_Polo_in_the_City_-_a_.zip (3642 KB)

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Filed under // event Paspaley Polo in the City social sydney

Posted by Carrie Choo

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November 22, 2009

King's Vault - pop up wine bar

Know much about King's Valley or Prosecco?

Step into King's Vault - one of the best pop ups bars to grace the Sydney scene this year. There's still time to check it out until 27 November at 20 McLachlan Ave, Darlinghurst.

Click here to download:

Kings_Vault_-_pop_up_wine_bar.zip (1574 KB)

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Filed under // eat & drink event King's Valley King's vault launch pop-up bar prosecco social

Posted by Carrie Choo

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November 16, 2009

SOYA Awards 2009 Mentorships

Mentorships can be hugely rewarding, or unfortunately, a huge waste of time. I'm onto my third formal mentoring relationship and two of them (Jill Danks and Ian Lyons) I consider priceless.

Recently the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards' (SOYA) mentorships caught our attention - tapping into the expertise of creative leaders like Marc Newson, Zimmermann, Vince Frost and Liz Ann Macgregor. Not only do the SOYA09 Winners take out a cash grant and free flights, these mentorships help young innovators expand their horizons, build up their business base, and learn the ropes from leading industry icons and some of the greatest creative minds in the world.

Congratualations to this year's winners.

INDUSTRIAL & OBJECT DESIGN
Tom Fereday (23, Newtown, NSW)

FASHION
Romance Was Born (Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales, 27, Surry Hills, NSW)
Mentors: Australian designers Nicky Zimmermann and Simone Zimmermann

FILM
Kasimir Burgess (28, Melbourne, VIC)

MUSIC
Oh Mercy (Melbourne, VIC)

PHOTOGRAPHY
Nirrimi Hakanson (17, Townsville, QLD)
"I want to shoot for Vogue before I'm an adult". She's 17.

VISUAL ARTS
Rebecca Baumann (26, Willeton, WA)

VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
tin&ed (Tin Nguyen and Edward Cutting, 28, Melbourne, VIC)
Edward Cutting: "It's very collaborative." Tin Nguyen: "We just argue."

Click here to download:

SOYA_Awards_2009_Mentorships.zip (1692 KB)

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Filed under // Awards design emerging creative event fashion mentorships photography SOYA

Posted by Carrie Choo

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November 8, 2009

Carla Zampatti - ICCI 2009 Hall of Fame recipient

It's not often you come across a lady who is supremely confident, remarkably successful as an entrepreneur and all-bella-class.

At the 31^st Italian Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Gala Dinner held last Friday (6 Nov) at the Westin Sydney, one such lady was honoured; Ms Carla Zampatti - ICCI's 2009 Hall of Fame recipient. Not only does she amaze with her iconic collections, we're truly inspired by the many demanding roles she is able to fulfil (mother, mentor, designer, business woman, exec chairman...the list goes on).

Most warming moment of the night - the acceptance speech by the patriarch of Italian Restauranterus Beppi Polese and his wife Norma when awarded a Business Excellence Award. Who else has a family-run restaurant going strong after 52 years?

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Filed under // awards Carla Zapatti event Fashion social

Posted by Carrie Choo

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November 8, 2009

Melbourne Cup at the Stables - raising champagne glasses for Cure Our Kids

Despite 37 degree heat making a few fillies fluster 380 guests showed up in all their finery for the inaugural Cure our Kids Cup at the Stables on Melbourne Cup Day.

Charlotte and Arthur Inglis (Inglis Thoroughbred Auctioneers) opened the doors of their Newmarket Stables with one of the longest red carpets, to an enormous Marquee via stables holding six thoroughbred horses.

With VIPs seated in one of the historic stables, much of the fun and giddiness took place outside - highlights include a recycled garbage Fashion on the Field hat making contest (judged by Fashion designer and Stylist Donny Galella).

The Melbourne Cup race had enthusiastic punters jumping and screaming watching it on a huge screen. Faux pas of the day would have to go to a lady who took a bit of a tumble as her winning horse crossed the line. Shocking indeed but we doubt she did mind.

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Melbourne_Cup_at_the_Stables_-.zip (2033 KB)

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Filed under // Charity Cup at the Stables event Melbourne Cup social

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November 7, 2009

'Cirque de Luxe' at The Observatory Hotel

The Observatory Hotel's final 'Night of Luxury' event for this year went all fun and frivolous with a luxury circus theme.

Under a red, velvet tent, glasses of bubbly were sipped and decadent treats were munched. Plenty of the ladies stepped right up to the canapes of silky pancakes stuffed full of plump duck meat; and dessert - brightly coloured macaroons and chocolate dipped strawberries.

The night's Ring Mistress presented a fashion show by Leona Edmiston with Spring/Summer collection dresses evoking thoughts of sunny spring lunches and wistful summer evenings.

From fashion to beauty; MAC Senior Artist, Nicole Thompson took to the stage to demonstrate the application of the new Holiday range. And at the very moment we began to feel a little weary, we found the Day Spa team spreading some love in the Pamper Palace where therapists, sporting eccentric circus make up, performed hand and foot massages - bliss.

Goes to show, circuses are not just for kids.