Life & Style Blog - Special Occasion
Events, outings and all things happening in and around Forrest Chase
11 May 2012, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Image source: iTunes vouchers from Myer, Apple TV from Dick Smith, Noise cancelling headphones from Dick Smith
Aside from open bottles of red wine and people doing things for me because I totally paid them, laughing is my favourite thing ever. Imagine my excitement at the launch of the Perth International Comedy Festival: that’s a whole two and a bit solid weeks of wine drenched comedy slaves willing to do anything to make the laughs (also the rent). There’s quite a bit of funny business going on – the amount of talent about is somewhat overwhelming (unless you’re a freewheeling artistic type with not much going on during the day), so I’ve done the good deed and cherry picked three of my favourites. Not only that, but I’ve ALSO created a “…is sort of like” festival guide to help you make the hard choices. AND, AND all you need to crib is in Forrest Chase: an iTunes voucher so you can have pretty much any movie at your fingertips on most of your portable devices, an Apple TV transmitter so you can watch them on your big television, and noise cancelling headphones so you can hear the sketches under the sound of your screeching laugh. You’re welcome.
Sammy J and Randy: The Inheritance are sort of like… The Muppets
It’s a truth universally acknowledged: puppet lovers will laugh at anything delivered by a handful of fabric with googly eyes stuck to the front. If you love The Muppets, you’re probably going to love the felty, musical stylings of Sammy J and Randy – not only are they both resplendent with puppet performance, but their capers are just as exciting and the songs just as ear-wormy, if not vaguely more adult. (Buy Sammy J and Randy tickets for May 18 and 19 from here - and The Muppets Take Manhattan is $7.99 with your iTunes voucher).
Tropical Parodies: A Cocktail of Comic Song is sort of like… Wayne Brady
But whiter. Much, much whiter (aside from Rhoda). Because like the beloved Whose Line performer, the Tropical Parodies team not only re-writes pop songs with the skill of a seasoned musician, but they’re performed beautifully – and cleanly, so grandmothers are going to love this just as much as they all are contractually obliged to love Brady. Plus, there’s a little bit of Brady-style impro, too. (Buy Tropical Parodies tickets for May 11 and 12 here, and bone up on your Brady for just $9.99 with your iTunes voucher).
Jimmy James Eaton: One Small Sketch for Man is sort of like… Robin Williams
But without the terrifying body hair or rehab. Much like Robin, Jimmy James Eaton is a delightful, dreadfully talented impressionist with a magnetic stage presence - and someone who can easily carry an entire show with not much but a microphone and a gleaming, egg-like head. (What!? Robins lay eggs, guys. Come on. ) (Buy tickets for Jimmy here – he’s on May 11 and 12, and listen to some good old fashioned Robin Williams live at the met via iTunes).
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Category: Featured
Tags: Myer, Special Occasion
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07 May 2012, by Rachael Ciccarelli
There’s only a week until you have to prove how much you love your mum the best way possible: with material goods! (Psst… Mother’s Day is Sunday May 13). That’s right, nothing says: “thanks for everything, especially that whole nurturing and breathing life into me thing” than piles of gifts with shiny bows. At least that’s what my mum told me last week when she also told us in no uncertain terms that we wouldn’t get away without a Mother’s Day gift just because she’s flying out to Japan the day before (ahem) I LOVE YOU, MUM DON’T READ THAT SENTENCE UP THERE OH DEAR IT’S TOO LATE.
Anyway, here are a few other ways to convert your love and stay safe from retribution this Mother’s day:
1. A chic Fossil wrap around watch so your mum will be able to chastise you for your lack of punctuality in style ($149, Fossil).
2. A gorgeous white tux shirt for the classic mum from Witchery, where 100% of the gross proceeds supports Ovarian Cancer research… which is an awesome double gift, really ($129.95, Witchery).
3. Fabulous sunglasses by Vogue that’ll suit pretty much any face shape and’ll make your mum feel a bit Audrey Hepburn ($129.95, Sunglass Hut)
4. A sweet berry coloured Chevron weave scarf to brighten her winter wardrobe ($29.95, Portmans)
5. Viktor and Rolf’s Flowerbomb, which is as explosive and flower laden as its name suggests. Much longer lasting than fresh flowers, too. ($99, Myer).
6. A wee 2GB iPod shuffle, perfect for mums who exercise – or mum’s with a… shall we say, well edited, collection of Demis Roussos-centric tunes. ($52, Dick Smith).
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Category: Featured
Tags: Fossil, Myer, Portmans, Special Occasion, Witchery
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20 April 2012, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Rejoice! You've got me back on Perth soil. Well, physically. It's not that I don't want to be here with you; it's just my mind is still in India, soaking up vibrant colour, landscapes so diverse each state feels like a different country, and eating everything in sight. And after 6 weeks loving the subcontinent (with brief waves of WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME), I thought I'd tempt you to visit – or at least have you sit at your desk hating me while I gloat via tips and tricks from my tremendous Indian sojourn.
+ India is not as confrontational as you expect. If I could draw a pie chart of people's reactions when I told them I was going to India for 6 weeks, it would have looked like Pacman – the body making up the "Oh my GOD, WHY?! Be careful" part, the mouth slice being that small helpful portion of "Amazing. It won't be a relaxing holiday, but… just don't eat any street food" and Pacman's invisible teeth making up the portion of those who just said "Awesome, enjoy it". But: India is a major tourist destination. We're built in. It might not always be easy, it's often frustrating, it is dirty, and things obviously will not operate the same way they do in the Western world, but if you have even the slightest inclination to visit and are being held back by fear, just do it. Just go. Sure, the constant touts are irritating, poverty is visible and there are a lot of people, but it's not all a duck and weave, Slumdog Millionaire place. The rewards far outweigh the trials. I spent the majority of my time as I would on any other holiday: relaxing, looking at pretty things and eating.
+It's the country of "no problem". You can ask for almost anything and about 10 Indian men will be there, willing to do it (for a small fee, of course). Naturally, this has left me very lazy, but it does make the place a lot easier to negotiate.
+The Taj Mahal is not overrated. It rules, and you should see it before you die. Standing at the gateway it felt like a mirage. We went around midday when the crowds weren't too bad and it made all the difference.
+Travel writers recommend low season because it's awesome to be somewhere with less nauseating hippies talking about spirituality and "tribes". We visited Srinigar in Kashmir in low season, and basically sat on a houseboat and looked at the Himalayas for a week reflected into a flat glacial lake with nobody around us while Indian dudes brought us bread, tea and hot water bottles. It was one of my favourite experiences of the entire trip.
+The Lonely Planet is a double-edged sword. It's a handy on the ground guide, but every single time you go anywhere they recommend, you'll be surrounded by a bunch of white people and it starts to feel like a cop out.
+Aside from the sights at Agra, we didn't do a lot of checking-all-the-boxes tourism: we mostly asked about things that might interest us. I'm not a huge believer in "you've GOT to go" – only go to 58754867386 mosques and temples if that's really your bag, or you'll hate your holiday. If your bag is cocktails and fried snacks (ahem), do that instead.
+Speaking of which, street food will not (always) kill you. Actually, you're far more likely to get sick from something fresh in a restaurant. Stuff on the street is deep fried in one million degree coconut oil, and nothing will survive that. And it's often the tastiest and most authentic food. I had this god-like samosa in Cochin I won't be forgetting any time soon… and the bel puri? Oh boy. Indian food is delicious.
Tempted? Hop to Flight Centre at Forrest Chase – you can book a return flight to Mumbai for just $941 and then come home and trade stories with me.
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Category: Featured
Tags: Special Occasion
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09 February 2012, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Image source: Dress from Sportsgirl, Heart bracelet from Myer, Ankle boots from Novo
As Feb 14 approaches, long stemmed roses increase in price by six million percent, babies fasten their nappies and adhere their wings, and single women everywhere announce that they "don't believe" in Valentine's Day. And so, it's up to the rest of us who understand Valentine's Day isn't a figment like the Tooth Fairy, but a day that exists whether we like it or not, to man up and buy stuff or have our significant others get cross.
As someone with many years of decrying Valentine's Day under her belt, I am pleased to inform you that most Valentine gifts fall under one of three categories: sexy, classic or ironic. Unsure which direction to go in? Check this handy multi choice quiz:
I introduced myself to the object of my affection:
- When we locked eyes across racks of moth-eaten vintage
- Shortly after we re-dressed
- When I noticed they were the only other person wearing a red carnation in the bar
- This one time, after a gig, five years ago. His hair kept falling in his face, so I'm not sure if he was actually looking at me, but I'm pretty sure there was some energy there
Most of our dates:
- Consist of cider consumption, heavy fringes and liking bands before other people like bands
- Include candlelight, oysters and Barry White
- Are a distant memory
- Have only happened in my mind
Our song is:
- There Is A Light That Never Goes Out – The Smiths
- Ignition (the remix) – R.Kelly
- God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
- Hopelessly Devoted To You – Olivia Newton-John
MOSTLY A'S
Like it or lump it, but you're a dirty hipster who enjoys IRONIC gifts. Your bespectacled love will totes appresh some hilare oversized teddy, bunch of fake flowers or singing telegram. SUBVERSION amirite?!
MOSTLY B'S
Congratulations on your active love life, SEXY gift giver. You should probably just give underwear or lingerie, even if you partner won't be wearing it for long.
MOSTLY C'S
It sounds like a CLASSIC gift is in order here. Go for perfume, balloons or roses and try not to leave it til the last minute.
MOSTLY D'S
Hey, guys… Um, I'd probably actually approach the object of your affection and tell them how you feel before you get arrested.
Oh, and in order for your gift to be successful, all should be accompanied by a handmade, or hand written something. That touch of humanity is what's probably going to get you that sweet hand-holding and cheek kissing you've totally been angling for.
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Category: Featured
Tags: Special Occasion
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