The Imperial. In Sydney town Round Paddo Way

Just a quick note to let you know that tonight I enjoyed a crisp glass of Pinot Gris at my newly renovated local for the very non-princely sum of $6. SIX DOLLARS.

When was the last time you unearthed a local gem serving good wine, at a great price which also happens to be a mere hop, skip and a jump from your abode? And then to make it all the more amazing, there's a very interesting little bar menu there to fill your tum too. And seemingly helpful staff. Who actually seemed to care about what you like to drink!

Sheer brilliance I say. Jog don't crawl friends.

Enjoy the PGs.

Best Dressed at the Oscars? Rose Byrne.

OMG I am seriously IN LOVE with Rose Byrne right now. Don't get me wrong, I've always loved Rose but tonight, on the red carpet (RC) she is absolute heaven.

Statuesque and liquid shiny in a hot, black sequinned gown with the most exquisite shoulder strap and under arm cut out you've ever seen. Its so simple but just so amazing to look at. And then there's the hair. I mean the woman's a genius. If there is one woman that Brad would up and leave Ange for? It's Rose. Hands down.

Ok, now moving on from Rose there were some other star performers tonight. My second place getters include Gwyneth in tight, white, immaculately fitted and cut Tom Ford. I now see how she drags herself out of bed to hammer it with Tracy Anderson every day. It's to be able to get up in front of a gazillion people wearing tight white jersey at 39. Worth every drop of sweat Gwynnie.

And in joint second place I'm going with someone I never give best dressed honours to (ok apart from that time she wore those amazing emerald drop earrings). Its not because she doesn't wear magnificent red carpet worthy gowns but because lately she's been looking a little pale, plastic and generally flat. Like she has nothing to be smiling about. But tonight she was different. She was a real movie star again. In classic black with the best red lips of the night Angelina smashed back into town. Just one thing though... Ange, you seriously need to tuck into some Oporto burgers. Don't hold the mayo.

And lets just have another look at her. She really does look pretty bloody incredible doesn't she?

Who else looked fab. Well what about the delightful and so youthfully elegant Emma Stone? Great eye makeup, great hair and great smile. And then there's the joie de vivre that she so carelessly throws about the place. Refreshing and fun. I mean if you were walking the red carpet, wouldn't you be just stoked? Beside yourself with glee? Yep you would! And this is one of the few people who unleashes that brand of natural joy out there tonight. Good job Em.

Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton.  A mille fuille of tangerine silk matched so elegantly with absolutely no earrings, a simple yet gutsy vintage diamond necklace and a bubblegum pink clutch. Killer.

Other magnificent women on the RC included Nina Garcia in another exquisitely crafted delicacy of folds (whose photo I am struggling to find), Kristen Wiig in a nude corseted gown with layered organza and the loveable Giuliana Rancic. Knockout from the front and the back. No easy task.

And here's a few more ladies who really sparkled for me tonight.

Colin's wife looked really beautiful I thought.

Navy. I always love navy.

OK so I'm over the fringe but I love this dress.

I know it's controversial but somehow I like it. The hair, the lips and the gown. Oscars need a little shake up each year and it was Miss Kelly who did it this year.

Best Use of Colour?

This award has to go to Glen Close who stole the colour show with a really incredible sage satin gown. And great hair huh?

Rather than say Worst Dressed, I'm going to call this the Needs Improvement. 
Offender No. 1: Stacey Keibler. Now a regular on the RC, Stacey has no excuse for yet another tragic choice. She has wrestled her way to an incredible body, she has the best handbag in town and as I always lament about poorly outfitted RCers, access to the best designers, accessories, jewels and makeup in Hollywood. Come on Stace. It's time to lift your game.

Actress who most needs to pull back on surgery? Melanie Griffiths.

Best of the blokes?

Christopher Plummer. Partly because I just adore the Sound of Music and partly because he reminds me of my gorgeous Dad.

Kenneth Brannagh. Has he had work done? Looks great anyhow.

Brett McKenzie from NZ. A spunky Kiwi with spunk.

Pharrell Williams. GREAT suit.

Public Lip Service Announcement

I just read an interesting article about the lead content of lipsticks. Interesting... Who'd have thunk it. The cheeky peeps at our favorite make-up brands are popping in the odd bit of lead in our lippies. Now I don't know how dangerous this is but if we're not supposed to have lead in our wall paint then I can only assume its not a good thing to have it on our lips. Especially if you're like me and you end up ingesting more than a little bit of it. Anyhow, I was well chuffed to lean that my fave lippies by Chanel, Tom Ford, Napoleon and Clinique don't feature on the top 400 worst offenders list. But maybe you want to check yours out? http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/ProductInformation/ucm137224.htm#expanalyses

 Check it out and let me know how you go! S xx

Renovation Update 2

Well we're in the final run home to the finish and I couldn't be more excited! Our kitchen is taking shape. This week the building team put up the gyprock and the room became a room for the very first time. Check it out!

Looking into the kitchen/dining from the family room.

Looking at the kitchen from the back entrance.

The tiles have arrived and are waiting to be laid.