Melbourne
ELLY LOU LAUNCH, MOCHA CHADSTONE
"What's in a name?
Brooke Testoni at Touchstone by Paspaley. Photo: Chloe Paul
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Despite her best intentions names did prove a sticking point for Juliet and her Romeo. On Thursday night, names mattered, too; we met Elly Lou, a jewellery collection Nicki and Dotan Stein named after their daughter. At the launch at Mocha Chadstone we wondered of guests, what other names were in the mix when you were born?
Party people: October 10
From ARIA award nominations to launch parties, here's a rundown of last week's events in and around Sydney and Melbourne. Photo: Thomas Kane
"My parents thought I was going to be a boy so the girl option wasn't even out there," Natalia Kalinowski said. "The doctor was convinced I was going to be a boy and when a girl popped out they were like, 'Now what do we do?' I was wearing blue clothes for the first year because mum was so prepared for a boy."
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"My dad wanted to call me Amanda and for a boy I was going to be Harley, as in Harley-Davidson," Tabatha Kovatch explained. So your dad lost that one? "My dad would have lost either way. Mum loved Tabatha because she was reading a book at the time and the character was named Tabatha; I think it was a romance."
"They were going to call me Jet," Jesse O'Brien said. What happened? "I think Jesse was just a happier sounding name. I think I popped out and they decided I was a happy person."
THURLEY SPRING RACING PREVIEW, HIGH STREET
On a spring Wednesday morning there was just one spot for brunch; High Street Armadale at the Thurley spring racing preview. Designer Helen O'Connor explained that the Prism collection was inspired by a moment in front of the Sydney Tropical Centre: "It's a garden within glass; fragile nature, beauty, a whole ecosystem within a man-made structure. It made me think about when nature takes the power back. This is a collection for the classic girl who wants to play by the rules at the races."
So we've got classic looks, what about a classic brunch; where is your favourite brunch spot in Melbourne? Liv Wells nominated The Pantry in Brighton: "I love their porridge. They do this amazing grilled banana on top and I am bananas for bananas."
And for O'Connor: "Alimentari in Brunswick Street, they have the most amazing corn cakes and the best coffee as well. My dream brunch partners would be Patsy and Eddie from Ab Fab because I'm pretty sure they'd be happy to have some bloody marys and peach bellinis with me. I'm not into boring brunch."
MIMCO SPRING RACING PREVIEW, CHAPEL STREET
A bunch of flowers arrived, hypericum berries, chrysanthemums, andromeda and the accompanying card read, "We've got a crush on you". Maybe that happens to you all the time but over here, not so much. Though it was just a little crush it was still a happy invitation to the MIMCO spring racing preview, so on Wednesday night in Chapel Street we had to ask, who are you crushing on?
Olympia Valance chose Mark Wahlberg, at any age, in any incarnation, while for Jiordan Tolli it was James Franco: "Some of my friends have been private messaging him on Instagram hoping for a response." Do you message him? She spoke very clearly and slowly, "No, I have not. I have a boyfriend." And then, "But, maybe, just a couple of times ���" Lindy Klim had a real-life crush-sighting at the Bowery Hotel in New York: "David Beckham in the flesh. He's just like he is in photos, he's incredible." What did he smell like? "I don't think I smelt him, unfortunately. His voice was still really high and squeaky, but he just needs to not talk."
Sydney
ARIA AWARDS NOMINATIONS
It's always unusual to see rock stars in daylight, but the ARIA Awards nominations dragged the movers and shakers of the Australian music industry to the Art Gallery of NSW. Chet Faker won his first ARIA Award at the event for producer of the year. Jimmy Barnes, nominated for best rock album, is out of hospital and was in fine form.
THE STAR INGLIS READY2RACE SALE
After a big weekend of racing at Royal Randwick, thoroughbred sales company Inglis hosted a soiree at the Star Sydney's Sokyo Lounge for guests in town to buy some serious equine flesh at the Star Inglis Ready2Race Sale. Jockey Hugh Bowman was presented with a collectors' engraved vintage bottle of Johnnie Walker by Johnnie Walker ambassador Teddy Joseph, for his winning ride on Polanski at the 2013 Derby Day.
IPPUDO CENTRAL PARK OPENS ITS DOORS
Japanese restaurant Ippudo launched its second Sydney joint in Chippendale's sparkly new Central Park complex. With the traditional sake barrel-breaking ceremony to ensure the venue is as successful as its CBD sibling, celebrity guests such as Alvin Quah, Caroline Groth and Arnott Olsen toasted their sake, as tradition dictates, to the health and safety of all.
ASIA ON YOUR DOORSTEP LAUNCH
Promoting the food and culture of China, Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand, lord mayor Clover Moore hosted a cocktail party in China Republic's private dining room to launch Asia on Your Doorstep. Guests included Consul-General of China Li Huaxin, Charles Billich and Glen Marie Frost.
MARBLE BAR FRESHENS UP
The Marble Bar, downstairs at the Hilton Sydney, has been lubricating local folk since 1893. The ornate Victorian watering hole has undergone a few cosmetic tweaks over the years and relaunched with a new menu of cocktails, plus a new offering of 45 single malt whiskeys. Marble Bar guests including Jeff Lack, Zoe Marshall, Christian Wilkins, Georgia Berg, Scott Tweedie and Nadia Fairfax enjoyed a tipple or three.
SOLAR D BRINGS THE SUN
For the launch of the vitamin D-friendly sunscreen Solar D, it was Murphy's law that it would be a cloudy day for the breakfast at O Bar & Dining. Family Feud host Grant Denyer put a smile on everyone's dial, as did the summery menu.
CENTENNIAL PARK FUND-RAISER
Centennial Park strikes a chord with so many Sydneysiders. None more so than actress Marta Dusseldorp, who regaled those gathered for Centennial Park Foundation's the Park Dinner at Centennial Parklands Dining with her tale of falling in the duck pond at age four. The event raised funds for a new children's garden.
TOUCHSTONE BY PASPALEY SPARKLES
There were serious baubles on display for Paspaley's launch of the latest Touchstone by Paspaley collection at est. restaurant. The new collection features gems set against Paspaley South Sea Pearls. The 2012 Miles Franklin Award-winning author Anna Funder was a special guest. Funder shared her first short story, Everything Precious , created especially for Paspaley.