Love, Rosie preview - free tickets for charity

This Wednesday night an advanced screening of the new rom com movie, Love, Rosie, will be airing at The Jam Factory in South Yarra. And the good news is that tickets are *free* AND you'll be helping charity. 

How, you might ask? 

The event helps raise awareness of the First Seeds Fund - a charity dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty and abuse in our own backyard, by supporting women and children through community, education programs and employment. The more people that know about it, the more impact they can have. 

To nab your tickets, simply register here and if you're keen to give back and up your kudos you can also make a donation to the First Seeds Fund. 

Share the good word, feel the love and enjoy the movie! 

ABOUT THE MOVIE
Based on the hugely successful romantic novel from Cecilia Ahern, author of ‘P. S. I Love You', ‘Love, Rosie' follows the lives of two inseparable childhood friends, Rosie (Lily Collins) and Alex (Sam Claflin). The friends take a leap of faith when they decide to leave their little town in the UK and go to America together to attend University. But, fate has other plans for Rosie. After a crazy night out celebrating, Rosie soon discovers she can’t leave the UK. She encourages Alex to go without her, hopeful that she’ll catch up with him, eventually. Over the next twelve years, their lives change dramatically but an undeniable connection remains. Rosie and Sam, forever in each other minds, always wonder 'what if’. Were they meant to be more than just good friends? 

LOVE, ROSIE is a modern comedy-of-errors tale posing a simple question about relationships: Do we really only get one shot at love? 

Movie commences at 6.30pm on Wednesday 5th November at the Jam Factory. 

 

This event and post is proudly sponsored by Little Miss Melbourne. 

Tix time: BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP

Colin Firth is back again, this time alongside Nicole Kidman and Mark Strong, in suspense thriller BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP. It's not the first time we've seen Nicole in the thriller genre (or naked) but hopefully it will have a touch more of the thrill element to this one.

Rotten Tomatoes rates it as a "stylish, fast-paced, and well-acted diversion" albeit with what sounds like a fair dose of cliche thriller moments. Be your own judge and snap up one of seven double passes to BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP, courtesy of Studio Canal and Little Miss Melbourne.

To be in the running to win:

- Regram this image on Instagram
- Tag @littlemissmelbourne
- hashtag #beforeigotosleep and #littlemissmelbourne

That's it! Competition closes Monday 13th October. Winners will be selected at random and contacted via Instagram. Tix are valid from Thursday October 16 til the season ends. 


polēpolē - the new watering hole in town


who: polēpolē

what
The CBD's new 'watering hole' and kitchen serving up share plates along the likes of ribs, pork cigars (amazing), eggplant chips, sweets, and more - all designed to eat with your hands. Liquid inspiration via signature cocktails, an accommodating wine list, plus rare and imported African beers and ciders.

where
Above Little Collins Street between Elizabeth and Swanston. A grounding, earthy space with lots of timber and concrete features and rustic lighting. Perfect to chillax in.

when
Open 7 days a week from 4pm - yippee! 

how much
polēpolē cocktails go for around $18, a friendly selection of wines are from $38-$68 a bottle ($120 for Veuve), and eats are priced from $8-15 for small plates and $13-18 for the four different types of ribs.

why you should go
polēpolē is Swahili for 'take it easy' - which is easy to do here. Kick back with a drink and some tasty morsels and go with the flow. Good for groups in booths, perching on pods, intimate chats for two, a few at a tall table, or quite simply drinks at the bar. The husband and wife team behind polēpolē, Jeanelle and Dean Mariani, are absolutely lovely too which always influences the personality of a venue. Adam Mariani - Dean's brother and previous co-owner of The Petty Officer - is managing the bar so you're set to be in good hands all round.


polēpolē
upstairs of 267 Little Collins St 
(yup, it's at the old Tony Starr's Kitten Club) 
7 days a week 
www.polepolebar.com.au




Emporium launches (officially) with a BANG


Ok. So the laughs have been had about just how many launches Emporium needs to have in order to declare itself open. But Wednesday's party, hosted by the ultra-smooth Baz Luhrman himself to *officially* launch Emporium Melbourne, was nothing less than dazzlingly incredible.

Under a theme of reimagined glamour, Emporium exploded with glitter, confetti, sparkles and allure, dancing, singing and model-esque beauty, putting you right in the house of the Great Gatsby and the throws of one of his wild parties. Yes, Baz knows how to bring a theme to life. Baz knows throw a party.

In between the bubbles and the glam, it was inspiring to hear about the history of the building which Emporium now calls home, 75 years after the establishment of the MYER Emporium.

 

It’s an exciting development for our city and Melbourne retail, housing a mix of local and international talent including the largest collection of Australian designers in the country. It’s made others sit up and take notice too, with surrounding malls like the Galleria, Strand and Australia on Collins jumping into refurbishment and offering our city a new edge and injection of colour to complement our famously black ‘robes.

Emporium, you’ve brought a new retail experience to town. You smell nice too.

It’s great to have you here.

And the winner is....

On Monday night at Flinders Lane’s new Peruvian venue, Pastuso, a room packed with hospos, food lovers and wine guzzlers (respectfully) celebrated Melbourne’s hottest cafes, restaurants and chefs at the 2014 Timeout Melbourne Food Awards.

Awards included Best Bang for Buck, Best New Restaurant, Best Café and Restaurant of the Year. Individuals were recognised with Hot Talent Award and a brand spanking new Chef of the Year Award, plus a People’s Choice Award for readers to pick their faves.

Here’s the top of the crop of the 2014 Timeout Melbourne Food Awards:

HOT TALENT
Dave Verheul, The Town Mouse

BEST NEW RESTAURANT
Saint Crispin

BEST CASUAL RESTAURANT
Nieuw Amsterdam

BEST BANG FOR BUCK
Jimmy Grants

BEST CAFÉ
Hammer and Tong 412

PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Smith and Daughters

CHEF OF THE YEAR
Phillippa Silbey, prix fixe

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Brae

THE LEGEND AWARD
Flower Drum  

Thanks Timeout Melbourne and congratulations to the winners and those involved!
 
Little Miss xoxo

Make space for what matters

Tonight after a bath, I looked for my face cream on the bathroom cabinet but could not, for the life of me, find it anywhere. Admittedly the bathroom was a little messy after being sick and busy with work all week. A bit of a quick tidy later and as I started to clear everything away, I found the face cream where it had been smack bang in front of me the whole time.

Then I realised - sometimes you have to clear away the clutter to find exactly what you're looking for...and it'll most likely be sitting right there in front of you.

Tonight's epiphany: make space in your life for what truly matters to you.

Yours,

Little Miss Melbourne xoxo


A dose of Europe at Madame Brussels Lane

Melbourne often reminds me of Europe - and for four weeks this winter Madame Brussels Lane is really bringing it home.

The European Night Markets will kick off from tonight and will be on every Friday until August 8. Get your dose of mulled wine, German sausages, Italian bombolini and sweets, plus fresh baked pretzels and European beer - with a side of live music, market stalls and entertainment. Wunderbar!

That should help keep us warm while the real Europe soaks up all the sun on the other side of the globe...


European Night Markets
Madame Brussels Lane
50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Friday nights 18 July-8 August
4pm til late


Napping in Prahran and French facials

Over the last six weeks, I have ruthlessly househunted, found my perfect apartment, bought it, packed, moved, unpacked, had housewarming drinks and now planning a feature wall in the beautiful heritage pad I now call home.

I feel like I've aged at least 12 months for each week.

So it was a welcome relief when I had an already scheduled appointment with a beautician that I'd been hearing good things about since the start of the year. Known as the The French Facialist, Christine Clais is indeed our local Frenchwoman extending her knowledge and offering her healing hands by way of facials in Prahran.


Christine is an expert at reading your skin and applying the treatment that best suits you personally. The appointment first entails the standard information collection form followed by a chat about the history of your skin, body, health and lifestyle, plus any concerns you have.

The French Faciliast then goes about doing what she does oh-so-well; looking after your skin. Refreshingly, Christine gives you full permission to switch off when she tells you she prefers to work in silence. This suited me just fine given my exhausted, somewhat shell-shocked post-moving state.

My facial went for 90 minutes, although I can't entirely remember the process - I was simply too relaxed to care about anything at all. But the results were evident when I eventually needed to wake up, sit up and check myself in the mirror (often the scary part after a facial...). My skin was plump, soft, supple and rosy, without any dermabrasion, peels or needles. In fact, if I don't mind saying so myself, I looked damn good!

I was then recommended a few products (sans pressure to buy) that were best for ME: not just my skin type and personal beauty concerns, but also for my schedule (or lack thereof). The products have been excellent for me and I'm enjoying seeing the positive changes in my skin. I'm now counting down the weeks until my next scheduled facial with Christine (aka, napping in Prahran).

If you're sick of never knowing what the right treatment is for you, confused about the array of options available when you visit a beautician, or just looking to make some positive changes to your skin, consider putting yourself in the hands of The French Faciliast. Christine is such a warm, lovely person who is clearly highly experienced - also, her skin looks amazing - always a good sign.

my treatment: 
Le Royal Facial-Signature facial
(90 mins) $195AUD
"This high performance facial features the use of LED light therapy to encourage skin detoxification and cellular rejuvenation. Also includes deep pore cleansing as well as a scalp, face, hand and foot massage. A real journey of total skin, mind and soul rejuvenation."

http://www.thefrenchfacialist.com/
296 Malvern Road
Prahran
PH: 0410 556 557


Another sacrifice, dear?

Think you got it tough? Thank your lucky stars you're not in 14th century Mexico.

It seems when the Aztecs weren't hard at work being sacrificed, they were hard at work making implements to support the process of being sacrificed. Or having their possessions taken from them to pay for 'tax'. Or having their soul tested through a grueling nine trials of the underworld in order to reach the paradise of the north - after they've died, that is. Unless of course they drowned which would guarantee one express ticket direct to paradise. Score.

Sacrifice was a family affair for the Aztecs.
This remarkable civilisation, rich in bustling trade, agricultural technology and, ok, maybe a bit too much of the old god-worshiping via human sacrifice, stamped their mark in South American history over the course of 200 years.

And now they're in Melbourne (eep).

On until August 10, our dedicated Melbourne Museum has brought the incredible history and story of the Aztecs to life (not literally - we hope), in an exhibition that will have you thinking well beyond the realms of your pulled pork taco and Tromba tequila (mmm).

It's cold and miserable outside in Melbourne. Get chills of a different kind and spend the day soaking up the story of the Aztecs at Melbourne Museum. Hot tip: make use of the audio tour.

Aztecs: An Epic Story of Life and Death
Melbourne Museum
Daily, 9 Apr - 10 Aug 2014
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM




When LMM comes to town


This time last week I was surrounded by boxes in my Carlton apartment, wondering what the hell I was doing. No one likes moving. Everyone, at some stage in the process, asks themselves 'why exactly did I decide to do this?'.

But tonight, in my very own city pad (and in my very own substantial debt), I'm completely unpacked with everything in its place. Housewarming drinks have been drunken, subsequent mess has been unmessed, and I couldn't be happier with my decision. I mean - the place has a *bath*. Yay!

Most of all, I'm back where I feel most at home - in the heart of Melbourne. Flinders Lane. The town hall clock. Block Arcade. Shanghai Street Dumpling. Paris end of Collins. Spring Street Grocer. Flagstaff Gardens. The nooks. The crannies. The buzz. The energy. Whatever I want, whenever I want it. And so many beautiful buildings.

As you can imagine...there are many city tweets and posts to come...

I've moved back to the city. And I LOVE it.

Truly yours, 

Little Miss Melbourne xoxo 


top image via zazzle.com  - bottom image www.instagram.com/littlemissmelbourne 

Bodytorque: ballet with bite


If you like ballet with a bit of an edge, you have just one more opportunity this season to get to the Arts Centre and witness a series of clever talent emerging from The Australian Ballet.

Bodytorque has debuted in town this season showcasing the works of five aspiring choreographers, inspired by a theme of "DNA", together with the graceful strength, poise and skill of the Ballet dancers.

I loved seeing how each choreographer interpreted the theme, leveraging the skills of the dancers and oozing personality, in a very consumable five performances across 79 minutes including interval.

Fantastic for those looking to see how the next wave of dance is taking shape, or if you're new to the ballet and want something fresh, sharp and snappy to get you started.

Beautiful, eerie and enigmatic. What a thrill!

Bodytorque
Tuesday 24th June, 2014
Melbourne Arts Centre
Tickets online from $41 for students or $71 for adults