Mini Coupe & Roadster launch @ Bucket List

Bucket List – the hot new pop up bar that’s quintessentially Bondi…a Hamptons-style combination of funky beats, casual cool and breezy outdoor setting...

Eclectic mix of guests in standard Bondi style, from glamarama girls to boys in boardies…

Colourful deck chairs, cheeky Mini Coupes posing like models, jugs of Pimms & Lemonade...

A fitting location for a car that’s more a commitment to playfulness than a mode of transport

For more pics of the event, visit the Lifeafterfive* facebook page.

Bondi Pavilion Bondi Beach
11am-Midnight every day
http://thebucketlistbondi.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thebucketlistbondi

Guest Post: “If you can hammer a nail, you can build a boat”...

Guest post by Vincent Stander

“Anyone can cook!” was the mantra of the legendary chef, Jacque Gusto, in the movie Ratatouille that inspired a mouse to become a chef.

Now the Balmain Boat Company has made the exclusive world of boat ownership accessible…and far more rewarding. “If you can hammer a nail, and ice a cake, then you can build a Balmain Boat”, according to legendary industrial designer and co-owner Andrew Simpson.

Balmain Boat Company is an IKEA-style DIY boat building concept. The boat is delivered to your door in three boxes that contain 42 already cut pieces of plywood, epoxy glue, screws, nails, caulk (a google search enlightened me that this was sealant) and an instruction manual on how to build your own boat!  

Upon receiving these singular pieces of timber, paging through the instruction manual, watching the online instruction video, my initial reaction was that I had oversubscribed myself. 

Being a 30-year-old eastern suburbs male whose resume in the DIY department boasts one IKEA drawer set and the ability to change the tire on my push bike (with difficulty), I did not believe I was up to the task of building a boat. I called co-owner Nicole Still with the intention of returning the beautifully cut pieces of wood  before they were wasted on someone who would to hack and deform them into something akin to firewood and not a passenger-carrying vessel. 

For future reference, do not contact Nicole to say that you are unable to do something…you could try Andrew.

The boat build consisted of four distinct phases: 

(1) assembling the frame/skeleton 

(2) planking

(3) applying the sealant / caulk

(4) painting.

The clean edges and perfect dimensions of the computer-led wood cut pieces ensured that putting the frame together was a bit like building a large puzzle and nailing in each piece, and when securing the planks they were within millimetre perfection from the bow to the stern plate.

Each of the stages required specific skills, some of which I had not attempted before: using a power drill, applying sealant with a caulking gun, mixing the paint and curing agent to the appropriate proportions.

The social element of the boat build was unexpected and the most rewarding. I had friends around to look at the boat and all had an admirable attempt at hammering nails or drilling in screws (many of them for the first time of their lives!). I enjoyed conversations with Doug Sturrock of Sturrocks of Sydney about boat paints and numerous conversations with Sam from Bunnings about sealant and caulking guns. 

My dad was always a phone call away when I needed a hand or advice and successfully fulfilled the goal of Balmain Boat Company which is “to make parents and grand parents look like legends”. 

The dad... the legend

And similar to building a tree house or a model aeroplane, a Balmain Boat is rewarding in many more ways than the mere final ownership of the boat.

Do you know anyone in Sydney likely to get engaged in 2012? What better way to propose than an afternoon row on Sydney Harbour? BBCo will lend a boat (FREE) to any guy looking for a spectacular engagement plan. Email them at: nicole.still@thebalmainboatcompany.com.

A kiwi cocktail...

It was over 90 years before a select few apples were allowed across the Aussie / NZ ditch, yet luckily for cocktail enthusiasts a more popular kiwi export has migrated in a fraction of the time.

With an ethos combining fun and freshness, VnC cocktails have conquered a gap in the Aussie market by creating a pre-mixed, premium range of cocktails. A delivery of the naturally spirited range arrived on my doorstep just in time for a weekend getaway up the coast.

Our unanimous fave was the Passionfruit Caprioska, based on a fruit which is described as “the mousy librarian who removes her glasses and everyone realises is a real fox”. A close second was the mango daiquiri, a blend of banana and mango with New Zealand vodka.

Despite a high number of sweet ready-to-drink beverages on the bottle-o shelves, the concept of a natural fruit juice cocktail seems to have been previously overlooked. Founded by kiwi Shane McKillen in 2007, his commitment to no artificial colouring, preservatives or colours will appeal to those health conscious Sydney-siders who are still partial to a tasty cocktail.

Despite being the first company in the world to gain Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme (CEMARS) product certification, VnC cheekily claims that the “only problem NZ has is that there’s only three tv channels”.

Following in the footsteps of Flight of the Conchords, pavlovas and beached whales (forget the pesky apples), this is a kiwi export that is likely to punch above its weight (and probably soon be claimed as our own).

A pack of VnC Cocktails was sent to lifeafterfive* by Liquid Ideas.

Table Talk @ Cafe Mint

“Over the years I have become convinced that we learn best – and change – from hearing stories that strike a chord within us”

Professor John Kotter, Harvard Business School & author of Leading Change

Table Talk is an innovative concept that takes the age-old tradition of discussing issues around a dinner table, and transplants the conversation into a trendy Surry Hills café.

Devised by two experienced counsellors with backgrounds in psychology, training and management, Nadene Alhadeff and Ros Kennedy decided to recreate the ancient art of a meaningful dinner conversation; the original forum where knowledge was imparted, ideas explored and intimacies created through channelling personal stories.

Nadene Alhadeff & Ros Kennedy

Accustomed to running workplace training courses in corporate settings, Nadene and Ros were convinced that removing the conversation away from a stress-fuelled work environment and creating a relaxed atmosphere would allow groups to connect on a more personal, deep level.

It is a Monday night at Café Mint in Surry Hills, and 14 Gen-Ys have gathered to experience the concept first-hand. The topics on the table are mindfulness, stress management and using empowering language, and the facilitators open with a brief visualisation to focus the group.

We open our eyes, the first delicious course is served - and a spirited conversation ensues. Nadene and Ros deftly guide the conversation, coaxing personal stories from each of the participants and drawing in the latest research and providing useful, practical examples. Personal anecdotes, challenging questions and controversial experiences were shared, with a focus on Gen Y’s unique approach to stress management and the link to social expectation emerging as a common concern.

We explore the danger of words such as “should” – as in, I “should” call my grandmother, I “should” be earning x dollars per year, and the effect that this has on our wellbeing. We learn to recognise the body’s unhealthy responses to stress, and are offered practical steps to address them.

Chef Yoni Kalfus of Café Mint serves an exotic array of share plates, ranging from grilled haloumi skewers, chicken kefte ball in tomato sauce to fish and polenta. The shared food creates a convivial sharing atmosphere, with the private space allowing the group the confidence to speak our minds.

Two hours fly by, and there are many lingering questions as we wrap up the evening. With appetites satisfied and our minds inspired, the conversation flows on the journey home. A rare opportunity to discuss challenging personal concepts collectively, Table Talk provides an ideal opportunity for groups of friends or colleagues to gather, unwind and connect.

Table Talk is an initiative of Nadene Alhadeff & Ros Kennedy, in conjunction with Cafe Mint.  It costs $95 pp, and includes 3 x courses, venue hire and a facilitated discussion.   Discussions are tailored to the interests of individual groups and workplaces.

For more information, contact nadenealhadeff@yahoo.com.au or rosken@bigpond.net.au.  

Diesel Island; the land of the stupid and home of the brave

A pink goat greets us as we enter a non-descript warehouse in Alexandria, followed by crashing waves, a denim flag and a welcome line of models threatening to fight us with feather pillows. 

Welcome to Diesel Island, ‘the land of the stupid and home of the brave’.  Where cocktails are served with provocatively labelled flags, scantily Diesel-clad ‘island natives’ loll about in tree houses and Alexandra Richards (daughter of Rolling Stone, Keith Richards) DJs to over 250 well-heeled ‘pioneers’.

Diesel Island... where heels are high & goats are pink

The locals in their natural habitat

Island Law #2; Trouble makers shouldn't be sent to jail but art school

We have been invited to ‘help shape the future of this magnificent country’ at the Sydney event on 31 August 2011.  The controversial global campaign aims to provoke discussion and push boundaries by stating that the world is f**cked up, but Diesel Island is the least f**cked up country of all.

Conceived by advertising agency Santo, the campaign documents the first pioneers arriving on the tropical island – “living exciting experiences, solving some of the world’s oldest problems and holding wild parties to celebrate the birth of their nation”.

Alexandra Richards DJs to the crowd

Martin Matthews, General Manager of Brand Collective, explains that while Australians aren’t as aware of Diesel’s satirical, ironic character, the concept of challenging the status quo and rewriting the rules while having fun resonates with the Australian ethos.

The natives stand to attention as the Diesel Island anthem plays over the big screens, the cocktails are abundant and a giant seafood paella is cooked under driftwood scaffolding.  I am reminded of island law # 7 – everything that exists was once imagined.  Somehow, I don’t think it’s going to be a hard sell to Aussies looking for a utopian escape.  Just be sure to reach the island before someone calls on the PM to ‘stop the boats’.


Watch the history of Diesel Island

Pioneer Jane Willesdorf enjoys a rebellious cocktail

"We prevent terrorist attacks by not pissing them off"

A visit to the dark side - Schweppes Elixir launch

Schweppes invites you to the unveiling of Elixir… come as you please, but prepare to be transported to another era in time. ..

Sandstone corridors lit with candles, bartenders in top-hats creating steamy concoctions and a distinguished grandfather clock keeping watch over the crowd. Twirling our parasols and adjusting our corsets, we saunter into the cellar of Elizabeth Bay House to discover 1900s chemists and scientists performing wild culinary experiments in every available cranny. 

Keeping watch over the crowd...

A stormy night set the tone for the mysterious Schweppes event taking place in the grand heritage-listed house. Guests (of the 2011 era) were advised to redress upon arrival and presented with a mirror-laden room full of 1900s gowns, feather boas and umbrellas. It was a Lion-Witch-Wardrobe style leap into a make believe world, a dream for anyone holding on to childhood fantasies of dress-up boxes and fairy tales. Attire, atmosphere and fabulous hats prepared us for the journey underground - unintentionally thrown into character, we found ourselves channeling Jane Austen accents and mannerisms as the night progressed.





Ladies... Mandy Barbera, Sal Giblin &
Daniella Alhadeff (Lifeafterfive*)

 Elixir was the star of the night, with new-fangled potions (aka cocktails) designed in the apothecary with the mixer in mind. Created specifically as a mixer, Elixir is a sharp blend of caramel, coffee and cocoa flavours – with a hint of vanilla. The Elixir Batango cocktail was an ideal antidote to the wintery winds howling outside, combining Elixir with tequila, fresh orange, a dash of orange bitters and a salt and pepper rim. A strong rum-based compound known as the Stormy was popular with the gents.

Mixologist creating Batangos

The magicians behind Boon chocolatiers were whipping up a batch of mouthwatering Roasted Macadamia Caramel on the spot for guests to sample the freshly concocted “chocolate experience”.

The Chocolate Experience worth having... Roasted Macadamia Caramel

Said to grant the drinker eternal youth, the dark and mythical elixir of life has been pursued by alchemists for centuries. While the Schweppes apothecary may be yet to unravel the full mystery, it is worth a visit to the dark side of Batangos and Stormies. Who knows where you might end up?



Hugh the Baron Von Paton Smithson performing aromic magic with dry ice

Fabulous pics of the event by Dan Grey of Gray Noise can be found here

Event created by Karina Munoz of Behind Bars and costumes provided by The Wardrobe Costumiers

Article also appeared on Eat Drink Play

Drunk on art

Ray Bradbury famously said that ‘you must stay drunk (on your art) so reality cannot destroy you’. To be honest, when you’re drinking freshly twizzled cocktails, admiring art by Andy Warhol and Louise Borgeois, and being plied with New York style pizza slices, reality seems like a pretty good place to be – drunk or otherwise.

Stepping into the launch of the Absolut Art Collection at the Ray Hughes Gallery in Surry Hills, you would be forgiven for wondering if you had taken a ride on a ‘Back to the Future’ hovercraft and found yourself in downtown New York circa 1980s. Silver armchairs, Mario Bros pinball machines and colourful artworks recreate the street style made famous by Andy Warhol’s factory. The fact that the artwork descriptions can only be accessed by flashing your iphone QR reader at the wall (which provided us with hours of novelty factor entertainment) is one of the few hints that it is, in fact, 2011.

Read more about the launch and details in my post on behalf of Ms Darlinghurst at Eat Drink Play.

An apple a day...

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But the humble apple has faced tough competition in recent years, with trendy “super foods” like goji berries, wheat grass, and pomegranates hogging the limelight through slick marketing campaigns.

Luckily for our health (and our tastebuds), two Bondi locals have partnered with Batlow Apples to create Batlow Premium Cider. Handcrafted from a blend of 100% Australian-grown apples, brothers Rich and Sam Coombes are helping us fend off the doctors by creating a far more exciting way to fill our daily apple quotas.

When a health scare led Rich to quit his high-pressure job in the corporate world, he decided it was time to revive an old dream to create his own product – “it struck me that life was too short and precious to be doing something I didn’t love”. Enjoying drinks with mates on Bondi’s grassy knoll one summer afternoon, he realised that there was no cider equivalent of a Coopers beer – locally made and premium quality.

He and Sam contacted Batlow Apples, and so began the journey to create what has the potential to become an iconic Australian cider (watch this space!).

Read my interview with Rich Coombes on Eat Drink Play & find out how you can get your daily fix!

Love at first twist

In the same way that the 2009 liquor licensing laws changed the face of Sydney’s watering holes, frozen yoghurt has knocked ice cream off its summer pedestal and is fast becoming our dessert of choice – whether we’re at the beach, taking a post dinner stroll in Darlinghurst or craving a cheeky afternoon snack.

With Wow Cow in Darlinghurst first introducing us to the concept of breakfast for dessert, Bondi's Twisted creates a new experience for frozen yoghurt aficionados with its focus on organic, natural and sustainable products.

Check out my adventures with Twisted Froyo on behalf of Ms Darlinghurst’s Eat Drink Play.