Was it the sunshine? Was it the fast track? Perhaps it was the lucky punters? Whatever the reasons, Wellington Cup 2013 at Trentham on Saturday was superb.

Today was the first day of the second ever New Zealand Chocolate Festival in Wellington. The Chocolate Festival is such a winner of an idea that I can't quite believe that nobody thought of it before! We have fashion, wine, art, jewellery, music, farming, beer, and harvest festivals, so this was long overdue. Plus it is quite possible that out of that list, the Chocolate Festival could become my firm favourite.

Last night at a glittering and glamorous event hosted by Rydges I was the co-MC and fashionista du jour of the Mid-Winter Charity Ball. It was my task to select the best dressed winners from the crowd and to help the silent auctions and raffles flow alongside radio personality Justin Rae.

It was every commitment phobics worst nightmare: 19 brides in one room.  Hairspray, bobby pins, lip-gloss, bronzer and rescue remedy were their weapons of choice.

From a composer who has worked with Dior to a choreographer who is currently the face of an Yves Saint Laurent men’s cologne it is impossible to attend Royal New Zealand Ballets triple bill NYC and ignore the fashion.

Picture a wedding dress in your mind’s eye. Is it white? An off the shoulder number, perhaps a strapless bodice and floor length flowing full skirt? I bet it is exactly that dress. Because today’s modern bride seems to be stuck in a cookie cutter vortex of never ending repetitious strapless whiter-than-white tulle confections.

Last night I was one of the lucky who got to see the WOW before the masses descend on the show. We were treated to the full dress rehearsal and it was a delicious indulgence from the appetiser, through the main course, right through to the dessert. (In fact I’d have liked a double helping of that pav!) YUM!





(I’m not planning on putting any major spoilers in this post so read on with confidence.)

The day of the most recent big earthquake felt in Wellington, (I think it was the Taupo one), I was sitting at the front window table of Coco at the Roxy with Helen from the Mary Potter Hospice and Casey from Ashley Fogel.

Sorry folks for the absence and delay in posts – I have been rather over run with deserving charity gigs lately and have been using my ‘me’ time for ‘cause’ time.

Tonight, thanks to ZM’s New Hot Guy and his gorgeous little Chihuahua puppy Priest I got to see the preview screening of Bridesmaids. I have been a Bridesmaid myself twice, so I know the potential pitfalls and pandemonium that can befall the Bridesmaid and indeed the whole Wedding party. I have seen it all: tantrums, family in-fighting, budget blowouts and psychotic jealous sisters.

Each season for the past three or so years I have teamed up with Westfield Queensgate (or as I fondly refer to them ‘my local’) to present the latest looks of the season. We have covered everything from boho to sport luxe.

Presenting the ZM and Westfield Style Session is always fun and because it is live there is always something that can and will go wrong. This time it was that my head set microphone was brand new and wasn’t wearing its fluffy cover thing (what is that called?!) so every time I breathed it sounded like Darth Vader was on stage with me.

It was dreamy eyed excitement that got me out of bed early this morning (Mothers Day) to meet my Mum at my local Farmers, for the two of us to see the replica of the Royal wedding dress.

Driving home tonight this awesome rock anthem from the glam rock band Europe was on the radio. I don’t know that 'The Final Countdown' would be on Catherine and Williams’s playlist tonight but I thought it was the perfect tune to listen to in the lead up to tomorrow’s big event.

Last night I was a contender in my first ‘style-off’. Much like a’ walk off’ a style off is a fashion term for when two people try to out style each other.

I have moved through feeling helpless and hopeless about the Christchurch earthquake, today I feel excited and motivated because I have had an idea of how I can help, it has come to fruition thanks to the generous support of many many people and I hope to see you there.

Move over Baby....I have just had the time of my life. I have been working deep in the bowels of the Opera House as a dresser of Drag Queens.  Hold up - What do you call a group of Drag Queens? A gaggle? A herd? A flock? A gleam would be appropriate (with all the sequins..). well, I was backstage with my flock of Drag Queens, preening, ohhing ahhing and not only was I witness to their mystical metamorphosis but I ended up being a mine of information, tips and tricks for them.

I'm immensely proud to be a New Zealander and to be born and bred in the Hutt. My heart swells with pride when I recognise each time little ol' Aotearoa has led the world in something, whether it is in giving women the vote or conquering Mt Everest, inventing the electric fence or splitting the atom.

World firsts and New Zealand are something that have gone together since literally the dawn of time. We see the sunrise first and perhaps that is what gets our number 8 wire innovative brains ticking in the direction of innovation and ideas?