It's a frockin' good cause

Hello lovelies!

During the entire month of October I will be frocking up in support of a festive fund raising initiative which, aims to raise funds and awareness for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF). October has now been renamed Frocktober!

Far too many women die of this disease each year. A major problem is that there is currently no screening test for ovarian cancer and many women are diagnosed when it the cancer is well advanced.

Frocktober aims to help improve the outlook for women with the disease by supporting the quest for a suitable early detection test, through fundraising for the OCRF.

Essentially, Frocktober is challenging women to don a frock for a day, week, fortnight or a full month during October, and get sponsored for it! Check out their website for more details.


I can thank Miss Melanie for sharing the news about Frocktober with me. She is also blogging her way through her many outfit choices for the duration of October. Do visit and sponsor her at Mellygoesfrocktober.

So now you know why I will be regularly posting images of myself in dresses for the next month, you can now look deep into your pockets and purses and sponsor me too:

•  Cash: just fill out my donation form when donating your money (obviously we can do this when I see you :P
•  On-line payment: visit www.frocktober.org, go to the 'donate' page and include my registration number (680068) in the confirmation page.
•  Electronic Funds Transfer: Enter my registration number (680068) in the 'reference' field from your internet banking service. This will help track your payment.
                       Account name: Frocktober Inc
                       BSB 633000
                       Account number 134323187

•  Cheque / Money Order: Please make payable to Frocktober Incorporated and post to Frocktober Inc, 10 Mulquiney Crescent, Highton VIC 3216.

Day 1 #Frocktober

Day 2 #Frocktober

Stay tuned and dig deep; it's a frockin' good cause!

Cheers
Maryann


PS - I should tell you that all $2 donations are tax deductible :) And let me know if you made a donation using my registration number. I'm keeping track.

Longshot ... more like a sure bet

@Melburnian, @Marcusmoments & moi. 

Last week I wrangled an invite to the launch of Matilda Bay's new dark ale beer Longshot at Toby's Estate in Brunswick. Thanks to @liquidideas and @hierohero for pulling some strings. Although I was terribly late to proceedings, I had a wonderful time and tasted some delicious treats and Matilda Bay beers.

Matilda Bay head brewer Scott Vincent was leading the tasting and gave us an insight into the beer brewing process. I'm disappointed I missed the start of the evening as Mr. Vincent was a fascinating speaker; it's not everyday you get a chance to hear how a product is created from start to finish. You can sneak a peak into a brewer's daily life by following this gent on Twitter. Check him out ... @matildabaybeer

So this was the menu on offer. Careful not to drool...

I

Image by @Melburniam

You have no idea how devastated I was to find out I had missed out on the lamb cutlet paired with Matilda Bay's Bohemian Pilsner!! Especially when everyone thought it was necessary to tell me how PERFECT it was!! What is wrong with people?? Don't they know teasing ethnic girls about food is dangerous ... for them ;)*stomp* *stomp*

Anyway my hissy fit is over as I remind myself that I was indeed late and only have myself to blame (kinda grrr).

I'm certain they left the best till last despite what my previous hissy fit may imply. Of course it was the best! This was the reason why we were all there - the belle of the ball, the centre of attention; Matilda Bay's Longshot coffee beer matched with a dark chocolate and Longshot tiramisu. For this particular beer, Vincent collaborated with gourmet coffee roaster Toby Smith creating a full flavoured dark ale with hints of coffee and malt, finished with subtle hop bitterness. Hmmm nom nom nom

Image by Melburnian

Given my current dietary restrictions where I've discovered diary and chocoloate ain't so good for my body, I ignored the warning signs and dove right in.

One sip ... "Wow" ... speechless.

I've never had a beer so perfectly match a chocolate dessert before. The pairing was divine and as the beer warmed a little, it had an even smoother taste. I cannot wait to pair this with a beef dish. Still um-ing and ah-ing about which to choose. Suggestions are more than welcome.

What a fantastic evening - great food, wonderful company and a delicious selection of beers. What more could a gal ask for? Thanks to Matilda Bay, Liquid Ideas, Toby's Estate, and especially Scott Vincent and Toby Smith - such a pleasure to meet two gentlemen passionate about their respective crafts.

If you're interested in treating your taste buds, Longshot is available from Dan Murphy's in a limited release of 5000 cases.  Go forth and spend $$.

Oh .. a huge thank you to the star photographer of the evening Mr @Melburnian and for letting me use your pics on my blog *hugs*

Going to bed now ... night xx
GB

Coke adds life :P

Stumbled upon this on youtube today. It was my FAVOURITE advertisement when I was a little girl. I always wanted to jump around the bubble too. I cannot believe it's from 1978 and that I remember it. They must have shown in for a few years.

As much as I love it, it still won't entice me to sip a Coke today.

Cheers nonetheless

GB xx

Hope you like beef

Recently Mr Bug and I got back from a trip to WA. We attended a wedding in Perth but that's another post.  While over there, we made it our business to head down south to Margaret River, a stunning place that neither of us had ever been to. And one thing that is particularly striking about the Margaret River region is all the damn COWS!! Not real ones but they do have those too. Instead the 100+ cows all painted and decorated by local artists as part of CowParade.


CowParade is currently on display in Margaret River until June 2010. So what the hell is CowParade, I hear you ask? Well it's only the largest public art exhibitions in the WORLD!! 


Now I have to admit I hadn't heard about this wonderful project until a few weeks ago when "cow pushed out to sea" popped up on my Twitter stream. I clicked on the link and prepared to rage against animal cruelty. Lucky for me, I just giggled at the prankster who with bolt cutters in hand, 'cownapped' a public art display and sent it floating in the Indian Ocean. For a chuckle, check out the story on Perth Now.


Having now spent time in Margaret River, I love the cows even more. CowParade has been around since 1999 starting in Chicago, Illinois and subsequent exhibitions have taken place in New York, Sydney, Paris,  London, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Milan among others. However Margaret River can claim to be the first regional centre to host the exhibition. So yay!! to Margaret River. 

The cows will be auctioned on Saturday 10 July and all funds raised go to charities. So please buy one. To date, CowParade has raised in excess of $20 million for charities around the world. Pretty impressive record. 


Regardless of the great cause, I just love them because they are gorgeous. Every place we visited, I had to pat the cow (or pose :P). Margaret River is a beautiful region of the world with wonderful produce and wines. The cows just add the extra special touch that makes you smile. 


What do you think of them?

I want one. Will anyone buy me this one?

You can check out more information about the Margaret River CowParade on their website. 

Happy weekend folks!

GB xx

Shame, GirlBug! Shame!

I know I'm a bad and infrequent blogger. Truth be told I'm hanging my head in shame... overindulgent online shopping shame.. well kinda. Here's the juxtaposition I'm in. I'm also the proud owner of a new pair of Grey Ant Status sunnies and... yes there's an 'and' here folks...a pair of cherry red Melissa Frye riding boots.

I've been lusting after these since January but it's taken this long to actually purchase. Not for want on trying mind you. The Grey Ants were out of stock for so long that I almost forgot about them. Now I can hide behind my oversized wayfayers whenever I choose (I just wish I can hide from my credit card statement).

Anyways... I love them so much. Once in stock, I must admit I'm pretty impressed how quickly & efficiently Revolve Clothing dispatched them. Oh what joy to find a package from Revolve in the post rather than the usual drib drab of bills.

A few days later my boots arrived from Revolve too. w00t! I've been lusting after them but couldn't justify spending the US$450+ despite encouragement from evil friends. Checking a website daily just to perve at the boots proved to be a wise albeit obsessive move. They came down in price by HEAPS!! And with a strong Aussie dollar... Well I pounced!!

How could I not? Please tell me how!!

The boots are so comfortable and unique. I so enjoy wearing them. With Winter months nearing, our union is perfect timing :)

Now all I need is a pair of slightly distressed blue jeans to go with. It never ends :P

Have a fab weekend xoxo
GB

Dumb shit I do: birds

For those you don't know, I'm terrified of birds. Apparently, it's called ornithophobia. 

Today as I got to work, I was greeted by a magpie. So I waited, waited and waited some more hoping it would move right along. Then I tried to tail a passer-by, praying when he walked by the mapgie, it would fly away. Instead, it moved closer to my work place doorway. Rather than waiting all day for the bird to finally fly away, I called my boss to come outside and shoo the magpie away.

Yes, I'm one of those idiots that flinches in terror whenever a bird flaps its creepy, dirty wings near me.

*grins*

GB xox

Treme: 26 days and counting

I am SOOOOOO excited about Treme starting on April 11. All I had to know was the following:


1. From the creators of The Wire. Do you need any more information than that?

2. Bunk is back! Wendell Pierce was one of the first actor to sign on to this project. Oh thank you higher beings! *SQUUEEEEE*

3. Lester Freeman is back too! Clarke Peters is also on board.

Check out the trailer. How awesome does it look!!

And if you haven't seen The Wire yet, do yourself a favour! One of my all time favourite crime shows.

Later,
GB xoxo