beyond addicted

Monday, June 6

Beyond Addicted Fashion Police - June 6 MTV Movie Awards 2011

As I sit here watching the 2011 MTV MOVIE AWARDS I am laughing hysterically to Jason Sudeikis as host – he is sooooo BAD he is GOOD!

Best bit so far has been the introduction to Reese Witherspoon as she received her MTV GENERATION AWARD. Robert Patterson couldn’t even get his words out and Reese finished his joke for him, calling him “the best mother f**ker in Hollywood”! Too funny...

However, my BEYOND FAVOURITE part of any awards show is the Red Carpet and this Red Carpet didn’t disappoint. So, let the “Beyond Addicted Fashion Police” begin...

BEST DRESSED GOES TO...

Kristen Stewart in Balmain

The fitted bodice with mirrored appliqué, red and black studs and hundreds of safety pins makes this Balmain perfect for Stewart. The customary shorter length shows off her mile long legs and finished nicely with the patent pointy heels (it’s a shame that she replaced the black pumps for converse as soon as she was off the Red CarpetL) Anyway… her loose side swept hair and minimal make up is perfect for Kristen’s effortless look.

Reese Witherspoon in Vivienne Westwood

The 35-year-old actress was perfect on the MTV red carpet in a black and grey Vivienne Westwood dress that was stunning, yet age appropriate and sexy all at the same time. Reese accented her outfit with the ultimate earrings and a gold cuff by Neil Lane. Witherspoon was funny and encouraging as she made her speech about how “girls don’t have to have a reality show to make it in Hollywood”.

Leighton Meester in Balmain

'Gossip Girl' matriarch Leighton Meester looked BEYOND SEXY in a silver Balmain mini with Pierre Hardy shoes. Even though she may have lost Best Villain to Tom Felton, she certainly won best dressed on my list. It is the first time in a long time that I like what Leighton is wearing off the set of Gossip Girl. As Blair she is always stunning but in real life she has had more misses than hits.

Blake Lively in Michael Kors

Blake Lively's BEYOND AMAZING body looks smoking in this electric blue and skintight Michael Kors dress. The purple Christian Louboutin pumps complete this outfit flawlessly. As Serena she is beautiful BUT as Blake Lively she is a FASHION ICON.

Emma Watson in Marchesa

The little girl we used to know is all grown up and nailed it on the Red Carpet. Well done, Emma Watson! The silver Brian Atwood pumps were a perfect choice. The only thing that bothers me is her weak smile and pathetic hair colour. The colour is neither blonde nor ginger and isn’t very feminine.

WORST DRESSED GOES TO...

Jessica Szohr in Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet

Obviously Jessica Szohr’s stunning looks on Gossip Girl were all because of head stylist Eric Daman. I suggest she fire whoever suggested she wear that horrendous jumpsuit and hire Eric on the side.

Amanda Bynes in Herve Leger

Herve Leger isn’t for everyone and it sure wasn’t for Amanda Bynes. It does nothing for her figure and those fringed aqua Christian Louboutins are disgraced in this combination. Her tan is also over the top and the black clutch is six seasons old. Also what was she thinking when she painted her nails with white out?!

Nina Dobrev in Georges Chakra

'The Vampire Diaries' star Nina Dobrev looks like she is trying too hard to look like Kristen Stewart and instead looks like a tacky Christmas present. That is all…

Hope you enjoyed my first ever “Beyond Addicted Fashion Police”.

Many more to come as the Tony’s and Emmy’s are close.

Buona notte!

Luciana

great friends & great food = great night

I love last minute planning... Sometimes the less you plan the better!!!

When Mr. Wood (a.k.a Paul Wood) suggested we dine at Zucca I was excited and the GREAT thing was I had no idea what to expect. Throughout the day I managed to convince more friends to come along and when we arrived we were met by other great new friends...

As we were seated at the longessssssssssssssst table in the restaurant we let our very own wine connoisseur Paul Wood choose our wine for the evening. The viognier Paul chose was BEYOND DELICIOUS - not just yummy ;)... However, those who know me will know that I rarely drink. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy a glass or two BUT I prefer mineral water... ESPECIALLY designer mineral water! I must admit that I love collecting the pretty bottles more than I love drinking it. So far I have found Jean Paul Gaultier for Evian, Bvlgari for San Pellegrino, Issey Miyake for Evian and even Diet Coke endorsed by Roberto Cavalli and Karl Lagerfeld... but on this lucky evening I found the BEYOND BELISSIMI bottles of San Pellegrino designed by Missoni. Gorgeous is an understatement! I was like a child on Christmas morning when I saw this bottle. BEYOND EXCITED!!

Missoni for San Pellegrino

Jean Paul Gaultier for evian

Bvlgari for San Pellegrino

Issey Miyake for evian

Roberto Cavalli for Coca Cola Light

Karl Lagerfeld for Coca Cola Light

Anyway.... back to the food! We were spoilt this evening as head chef Adam, treated us to a delicious 6 course meal from the Zucca Menu. We started with an array of Greek dips, wrapped fetta, fried fetta – fetta anyway is amazing!!! Then we moved on to mains – The first was grilled scallops with Persian fetta, cauliflower cream & salted pistachio nut crumble. I love scallops and these were cooked to perfection. Then we moved on to baked barramundi in tomato, pea and dill rizi (risotto). The Barramundi just melted in our mouths...

Barramundi with rizi

The cabbage leaf dolmadhes filled with rice, pork mince and white wine sauce came out along with the Moussaka layered eggplant, potato minced meat and béchamel bake. I have never had Moussaka like this Moussaka – the béchamel sauce made all the difference.

Moussaka mmmm.....

And then.... came the char grilled lamb souvlaki with salata in raspberry vinaigrette and tzatziki. The raspberry vinaigrette was like nothing I had taster before. It was like a party in my mouth. I love salad but this salad was like all my dreams came at once – A DESERT SALAD!! BEYOND UNEXPECTED!!

Souvlaki and Salata with raspberry vinaigrette!

Overall our meal was amazing and I will definitely be back. Thanks to Adam and his team for a wonderful night.

Paul & Adam

I have to also admit, even though the food was good the company was GREAT! Thanks for a wonderful night all!

Ciao!

Luciana

Sunday, June 5

Once, twice, three times a lady!

Instantaneously on Tuesday afternoon, two dear friends invited to the same art exhibit - “Fräuleins – Three times a lady!”. I hadn’t heard of this exhibit before then but intrigue grew after reading a review on the Adelaide Magazine lifestyle blog. Ms. Kate Bowden had convinced me that it was worth venturing out into the cold winters night to see this magnificent exhibit. BEYOND BEAUTIFUL!

The all female art collective Fräuleins is being displayed at Gallery on Waymouth – a sleek modern hotspot that is divided up into three levels – Ground floor “the restaurant”, level one “the gallery” and level two “the rooftop bar”. The Fräuleins show has taken over “the gallery” on level one and on opening night the impressed crowd took over all three floors.

The third instalment of Fräuleins will be proudly displayed until Thursday, June 30. Be sure to check it out...

The following are my favourites from the exhibit....

Elisa Mazzone – Elisa’s portraits are MY ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE pieces from the entire showcase. Each portrait tells a story of a strong female who understands her sexuality. Even though, in each picture the feature woman appears to be crying from her cheek. The images are emotionally engaging as they prove the strongest women can still have a soft side. I would buy these pieces immediately and could easily find space for them in my room.

Elisa Mazzone

Lisa King – Lisa’s three pieces convey elements of Indian and Japanese art culture, whilst exuding extreme sexiness. The lingerie, jewellery and arm work all have the effect of being tattooed on the women who are all bare breasted. They all display a shy nature through their body language, as even their eyes are looking down. However, something about this piece tells me that these women have conquered men in their own seductive and quite manor. I could see these pieces in a modern home with high white walls and dark wood furniture – a style which demonstrates street culture at its very best.

Lisa King

Ruby Chew – Ruby - the Dita Von Teese look alike – stood out this evening as her art work was easily recognisable through her very own self portraits. The 22 – year – olds vibrant oil paintings and stunning watercolour pieces surely make this young South Australia on to watch out for.

Ruby Chew

Check out the show’s Facebook page (login required) for more information.

Have a lovely weekend!

Ciao!

Luciana

Thursday, June 2

Giallo Delizioso!!

Giallo era delizioso!!!! Giallo was delicious!!!!

Every day on my way to work, I pass a little yellow sign “Giallo” on Rundle Street... I have always wondered what this tiny restaurant offered?? Was it just a wine bar?? Was it just a cafe?? Were the meals themed around yellow food??

Last night all my questions were answered as I ventured inside this modern creation. I felt like I was stepping into a restaurant in Milano... Its sleek European design exuded romance, but an Italian type of romance that is all about a love of food. Even though the restaurant wasn’t huge it was welcoming and made you feel like you were the only one in this exclusive space.

As we (Phoebe) were seated near the fire place - a.k.a the LCD screen – we gazed at the BEYOND DELIZIOSO menu. My piatti preferiti (preferred choice) from the “Giallo” menu are as follows.

From the Starters I adore the Spanish white anchovies with sourdough toast, salsa verde and a soft boiled egg. My Dad makes a similar dish. It is piatto povero (rustic plate) that our town serves as antipasto, so I was intrigued to see what they offered.

I am not a fan of Carpaccio so I passed on that choice.

From the Primi Piati (First Plates) pan seared scallops with a white bean puree on a bed of crisp pancetta, accompanied by brown butter vinaigrette. My mouth is watering when I simply mention the dish. Scallops are one of my favourite seafood ingredients since they are simple but BEYOND FLAVORSOME.

The Second Plate choices are few but fulfilling to the tastebuds. The South East Black Angus scotch fillet with the exquisite horseradish butters is not for the vegetarian at heart.

On the side you can’t go past pomodori e fiore de latte (tomatoes and mozzarella). I could live with these two simple ingredients. Since I was little I have adored the creamy softness in fiore de latte, there is nothing like it. In my opinion this side dish could accompany any meal and I would be BEYOND SATISFIED!

I prefer savoury to desert but who can go past a soft and fluffy Tiramisu. The “Giallo” Tiramisu looked like the cream was whipped air and the coffee smell radiated from the top.

Even though the above are my favourite from this season’s menu at “Giallo”, the talented waiter was able to persuade me from the original menu to the specials for the night, which is a rarity. I hardly every chose a special but this time I couldn’t go past Gnocchi in a white truffle sauce with spinach and shaved pecorino cheese served in tegamini (mini casserole dishes).

BEYOND is an UNDERSTATEMENT!

I can still taste the truffle sauce and pillowy soft gnocchi a day later.

I will certainly be back to try more of their menu and indulge in few more vinos....

Grazie Giallo!!

Ciao!

Luciana

Tuesday, May 31

The "Violet Haze" at Bec & Bridge

Bec & Bridge's RAFW 2011-2012 "Violet Haze Collection" was my absolute FAVOURITE collection of the week... It was the very first show for the week in the OPT and it was BEYOND FABULOUS!!

The Violet Haze collection took me back to the late ‘70s in New York City as it was obvious the designers muse was Lauren Hutton – American model and actress.

Lauren Hutton

The collection is feminine and effortlessly sexy with a mix of the sheerest of fabrics, patent leather and the softest figure hugging suede.

Two stunning prints feature throughout - The first named “Chrysler - was inspired by New York landmarks” says the designers, which feature abstract shapes on a soft cream backdrop. The second print named “Dahlia” is a kaleidoscope of floral colours.

The "Chrysler" print... BEYOND STUNNING!

The "Dhalia" print

P.S. My BEYOND FAVOURITE dress of the entire week... I can't wait to get this for Melbourne Cup!

Loosely fitted long skirts with thigh high splits, along with the sheerest shirts emphasise the relaxed feel in the collection.

Accessories are a massive style feature of this runway show as the renowned Australian Label Akubra collaborated with the designers to create the special “Bianca Adventurer Fedora”. The limited edition fedora is available in shades of lilac, khaki, blush and magenta, and is lined in Dahlia printed silk exclusive to Strand Hatters of Sydney and online at Bec & Bridge.

The "Bianca Adventurer Fedora" in Magenta is BEYOND STYLISH!

The “Chrysler Heel” was the other MAJOR accessory on the Bec & Bridge Runway. The spectacular stylish two toned suede shoe with gold detailing is available in 5 different shades which were designed to work with the collection. The shoes are available EXCLUSIVELY through the Bec & Bridge online.