An Ode to Grazia Australia.

As I sit ay my desk eating triple choc cookies and reading the last edition of Grazia, I have The Sound of Music’s “So Long, Farewell” going around in my head. The song is a final farewell that is fun, yet elegant.

That would have to be the one word that I use to describe Grazia’s last hoorah … elegant.

Not too over the top, but a graceful look down memory lane.

Editor Amy Molloy got it spot on!

The headlines that were, perfectly mixed with fresh articles on some hot topics.

As I discussed with my newsagent after the announcement of Grazia’s cancellation – Grazia is more than a trashy weekly magazine. It is a magazine that contains some, as the newsagent put it, “Great little articles.”

We Need to Talk… prompted adult conversations. This week’s out-going discussion on sex was some cleverly, sophisticated food for thought.

The fashion pages that made Grazia the smart, sassy fashion bible it was, went out with a bang. 

With Bowie’s latest film clip for The Stars (Are out Tonight) going viral this week, Grazia’s Bowie inspired fash piece could not have been better timed.

I loved that it was kept local with a piece on up and coming it-girl, Isabelle Cornish. (Sister of Abbie Cornish and the face of both Bonds and Tony Bianco.)

The final fashion pages were jam-packed!

A little bit of everything, for the loyal, diverse women that was the Grazia reader. 

Baroque, fine wine, nomad!

Strong poses, killer make-up, killer clothes!

Now on to my favourite Grazia column, The Glosspel according to Tracey Withers, a great final piece with more lasting advice, 

“The way you exit the party is every iota as crucial your gloss count going in … the out-door’s always, always where the paps are parked!” 

This witty column will be sorely missed.

So I guess that’s it, I might go for a walk now, to work off those cookies.

To the only weekly magazine I bought,

To the stylish mag that was Grazia Australia,

I bid you Farewell,

Rachel x

   

Lola Bensky - Book Review

Lily Brett’s fictitious novel Lola Bensky is one of the most alluring and satisfying books I have read in a long time. From the very first page, where Lola is interviewing Jimi Hendrix, I was sucked into Brett’s 1960s world.

Brett draws on her own experiences working as a rock journalist (in the US and the UK) for the novel. It follows Lola as she finds herself in fantastic situations including interviewing the likes of: Mick Jagger, Janis Joplin, Brian Jones, Jim Morrison, The Mamas and the Papas and Sonny and Cher.

Peats Ridge Arts and Music Festival

It's been a week since New Year's Eve and I have finally found the time (and energy) to sit down and write about my New Years.

This year I went to Peats Ridge Arts and Music Festival at Glenworth Valley. As a virgin to this festival I have to say it was pretty amazing.

I have never been to a festival that had so many different things going on at once, there was so much to see and do! Although I did spend a lot of time trying to stay out of the horrifically hot sun that does not get along with my red hair and fair skin too well.

With over 10 000 people converging for the event the start of the festival was greeted with a line up and car search, which is generally to be expected for camping festivals. After waiting for an hour we were through and more than eager to find the rest of our crew, set up camp and meet our neighbours for the next few days. The first day is generally when everyone had the most energy. We were fresh faced and ready to spend the day exploring the festival and what it had to offer. Highlights from the daytime definitely included Mat McHugh and the Seperatista Sound System who had everyone up dancing. Also David Knight, who at 19 years of age is definitely a true talent to keep an eye (or even an ear) out for!!

The first night brought with it so much fun! Headlining the main stage was The Herd who, as always, were fabulous. As a group they are fantastic performers but I have to say that Jane Tyrrell definitely adds that extra something to the group. I heard quiet a few people giving her the praise she definitely deserves.

Over at the Chai Temple Valley of Kings had their whole audience captivated.They definitely fit the relaxed vibe of the festival.

The last act I saw for the first night was Krafty Kuts vs A-Skillz. They had a few technical issues to begin with that were sorted out in enough time to keep the audience from straying. 

The second day brought with it a hot sun and many more fantastic acts. Day two is definitely a rest day after partying hard the first night. 65daysofstatic and The Black Seeds were my personal favourites. I didn't see anyone without a huge grin on their face during 65daysofstatic. 

New Zealand's The Black Seeds had everyone dancing around as they sung about "Something Beautiful".

The second night saw friends made and another late night.

Day Three - New Years Eve! What can I say, this day was even hotter. And the hangover's were certainly starting to kick in. John Butler Trio were amazing to bring in the New Years, they suited Peats Ridge Festival perfectly. Even telling everyone to, "pick up three bits off rubbish" at the end of their set. 

I treated myself to some Wood Fired Pizza after John Butler and is was absolutely delicious to say the least. 

I was so glad that acts continued well after midnight. I have been to other festivals where not much happens after the countdown, leaving everyone looking for something to entertain themselves. 

Friendly Fires DJ Set with Jack Savidge was perfectly timed to continue dancing. Finishing up his set with "Love is in the Air" was great!

The stage that had a DJ with naked dancers drew in a very naked crowd and awkward looking onlookers. 

To finish the night off I went to the Future Bubble, which was essentially a bubble that popped up out of no where at some point during the night that featured DJs. 

It is also apparently a known fact that the last night of the festival is dress up time. 

People were dressed up the whole festival, however NYE saw people get extremely creative and some obviously put huge effort into their costumes. 

A mention has to go to The Night Odditorium which was an installation that just had to be experienced.

Also a shout out to my amazing photographer Chris, without him this post would have been extremely dull.

Peats Ridge Festival was such a relaxed festival which I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend to anyone willing to listen.

What did you do for New Years?

Rachel

xx

Gatsby!

Baz Luhrmann has to have one of the most anticipated films for 2013. Although it was once said that Baz's adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby would be out Christmas 2012, instead we have been delivered a fantastic second trailer. By the looks of things the film is going to have Luhrmann's trademark spin - theatrical costumes, superb acting and a killer soundtrack to accompany. If you haven't read the book yet you still have a few months to still do so before the film comes out. When I read it a few years ago I completed it in a day. It is definitely a novel worth reading and is set to be a film worth watching. 

Rachel

xx

The Herd

As part of Polyester's cover of The Peats Ridge Festival we recently caught up with the fantastic Shannon Kennedy aka Ozi Batla from The Herd.

We spoke all things festivals. 

Be sure to check out Shannon's essential items for festivals including, "all the pieces for your tent!" We've all been there!

Aria Awards.

Miss the Aria awards last night? Luckily Polyester has the fashion and awards here for you in a nutshell.

The Medics

With the countdown to New Years Eve on, Polyester is doing a special on the Peats Ridge Arts and Music Festival. We will be talking to some of the fantastic acts that will be heading to Peats Ridge this year. And who better to start it all off with than The Medics!

Polyester had a chat with lead guitarist Andy about playing festivals and supporting The Living End.

Bellflower

To be completely honest I did not sit down to watch Bellflower with high expectations. Sure I’d seen the perfectly put together trailer, the reviews from Rolling Stone describing it as, “Hallucinatory. Bellflower practically jumps off the screen.” But I still wasn’t convinced. I was expecting another average artsy film.

After watching the film, my view has completely changed.

Evan Glodwell’s first attempt at writing and directing is outstanding. He is definitely one to watch in both fields.

Melbourne Cup

So that's it for another year of the Melbourne Cup. And because I know your all sooo interested I've got  a round up of the celebrity fashion for the day. So if you missed all the fashion due to work, prior commitments, too busy getting blind drunk and blowing all your money at a pub (in which case your probably still there) here it is!

To start we have the turban wearing Jesinta Campbell. Now I could probably make some crude joke about Jesinta's choice of headpiece, but I actually like it. I think the colour is great with the white dress. It's a little bit different and I definitely prefer this to some of the hideous feathers that were sticking out of some ladies heads. So kudos to you Jesinta.

The Interview

In a society addicted to “reality TV”, Sam Atwell’s adaptation of theatre play, The Interview, will have you questioning truth and how celebrity is perceived.  The fast-paced drama, originally penned for theatre by Theo van Gogh and subsequently transformed into a film staring Steve Buscemi and Sienna Miller, follows B-list celebrity and tabloid regular, Katja (Alison McGirr, Home and Away), who yearns to be taken as a serious actress.

5 Reasons Why the Amish are Lovely

5 Reasons Why the Amish are Lovely

“You May think us Amish are strange folk with our buggies, beards and barnyards”

SBS’s new heart warming reality show ‘Living with the Amish,’ offers an insight into the notoriously secluded Amish society. The program is atypical of the Amish community and was created to elucidate the advantages of living a pure and simple life. In fact, the show reminded me of Paris Hiltons idiotic show, ‘The Simple Life.’ Fortunately, ‘Living with the Amish’ has less psychopathic rich losers and lovelier, down-to-earth Amish folk. Although Amish culture is very strict about most things, rules and regulations brings everybody together with a sense of community. Writing this blog made me feel like a ‘reserved hippy,’ but at the same time, it did make me stop and think about what life is all about and how a few rules can actually inspire people to become an individual without superficial things like clothes.

1.           Bowl cuts look good?

There is something about that bowl-cut, fresh from the field look the Amish men have perfected.

The Knowledge

Image by Kathy Luu

High school teachers are people too. They swear, have sex, break rules. At least that’s what UK gent John Donnelly explores in his play “The Knowledge”.

 Written from experience, the dark comedy follows the life of high school teacher Zoe. Highlighting the repercussions that working in a shitty school is having on Zoe’s behaviour.

Tropfest 2013.

Do you aspire to make fucking awesome short films? Have you got a great idea that, say a heap of Australian film insiders would love? If your answer is yes, or you just love watching short films then you'll be glad to know that Tropfest 2013 is drawing closer.