It’s a routine I funnily enough look forward to because I get to mouth the word “NO”…I rarity in my normal everyday conversations.

So this month I’m off the booze and no I’m not doing it for charity…its been a part of my life for as long as I can remember so I just get on with it. It also comprises of tons of salad,veges, fish & chicken and simply prepared clean food…I go low on high carb and keep the fruit to a minimum…BORING :( But I do spice things up with garlic, chilli and herbs. Mineral water martini’s are my preferred choice of beverage and green tea… no coffee…BORING. It takes a couple of weeks before you feel amazing but you just hang in there and the results speaks for themselves.

Tips if you choose to do it; Dining out, best to choose Japanese restaurants, its primarily clean food and goes well with jasmine tea…importantly you don’t feel unsociable by not drinking.      Also when you are out with others at lunch/dinner, drink water in a wine glass…it stops the “critics’ from focusing on what you’re consuming and giving you a hard time. And finally don’t be scared to do a runner early, for me as the night gets louder and sloppier the finale curtain comes down. I do the ‘Tivoli fade’ around 11pm and hit the sack.

Give it a whirl..it is the shortest month of the year and THE best way to start the new decade on a high.

Annnywayyyy…one thing I have noticed is most of my mates don’t like travelling in cars as much as I do. What, are you kidding??  I cant understand why you wouldn’t like travelling from one distance to another without having to work at it? Seriously I just like to hang back in my car bed (attached of course to the bloody seat belt…yuk) and fall asleep…instant dreamlike state. Anyway I heard Mum telling someone what I look like when I’m non compos and she bloody well took a pic… honestly is that all I’m here for…to amuse everyone!

This dinner, put on primarily by Australian Tourism has gathered quite a following over the years and one hears its a fabulous night, also famous for matchmaking Keith & Nicole. So I gear up in my Bianca Spender maxi dress and hit Hollywood & Highland, lip gloss blazing. Highlights of course was Nicoles heartfelt and very amusing speech to Simon Baker and subsequent duet with both Keith & Nic sans shoes…a comfort thing or a height thing? Me finks the latter :)

I was excited to catch up with Jimmy & Jane Barnes, last I saw Jimmy was mosh-pit Cold Chisel @ Homebush…slightly different surrounds. He was in LA recording a new album. Great to chat to friends Ben Mendelson, James Hurd, Pete Evans, Curtis Stone, Jen Hawkins, Greg Norman (also honored) but the major highlight was meeting Mr AVATAR himself, Sam Worthington. So dam cute!! A little on the short side and slightly intense like our Russell but also VERY unaffected…unlike Russell!

The night was a great tribute to all our amazing Aussie talent and I for one was as proud as our flying flag.

Bring on 2010

Well I have to say Billie and I have had such a gorgeous break over Christmas/NY. Had some dear friends stay with me from the US for a couple of weeks. They were celebrating their 10 year wedding anniversary which I organised at the 9 o’clock fireworks a decade ago…needless to say it was all about seeing the Chinese firecrackers that night.

The one thing I’ve always had trouble with is taking a decent holiday break at home…how do you shut the office door and just chill out doing “noth’n”? Well I happily discovered that its best to import help. Having guests that are unfamiliar with Sydney summers allows you to be the perfect host and just join them ‘ hanging out’. So it was the beach every morning for a swim, breekie @ Swell in Bronte, Doyles for fresh fish and a chilled Riesling, lazy naps in the afternoon and fun dinners with the barbie as centerpiece most nights.

After two weeks of pure bliss, I was nothing short of fat and happy! A great way to exit 2009 :)

Now is it just me…but every time I think I want to get wet I choke at the last minute (Mum calls me Billie Norman). Yes I’m hot, panting and in dire need to cool down but I hate getting my silky locks wet!

Let face it…it can take hours to look this gorgeous and one quick dip just ruins everything. So I’ll find a cool stone floor and a breezy hallway and that’s how I plan to do summer!

North and Taylor

Justin out of the kitchen!

I have to pinch myself at how lucky I am sometimes! I was invited to celebrate Taylor Wines 4oth anniversary today at The Australian Golf course. With food at the very clever hand of Becasse’s Justin North, we drank our way from a delicious 2001 St Andrews Riesling to an almost silken like 1966 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Paulliac. Seriously…if I slipped on the wet pavement as I left Iwould depart with a smile on my face!

Overlooking the gorgeous greens on the 18th , I sat with the ever charming Justin Taylor and listened to the endearing Australian heritage the Taylor family has worked so hard for. Taylor’s wines have been associated with golf for many years and with the Australian Open on the horizon its the perfect time to lift a glass or two to celebrate in style.