Top Ten: Warning signs that you need to bail on a first date

1. You start talking about marriage and children 

There is no need to discuss any kind of future any longer than what you're doing next Tuesday. 

2. They mention their ex more that once 

This only means one thing, they're definitely not over their ex. We've all had them, and consequently we've all wished someone dead, and that's totally natural. If they're still reminiscing on the good things about their ex, then they wish that she was sitting across from the table from them, not you. 

3. They tell you how much they earn 

I get it, they're trying to impress you. But what kind of girl do they think you are if they think you're going to be impressed by that? The only other word that springs to mind when someone says the term "gold digger" is "whore". 

4. They ask you what your parents do for a living 

This is category one 'wankjob' territory. Not only are they delving into your financial status, but when they start to talk about what your family does for a living that's when the alarm should go off. If you are wanting to roll into my lounge to find my family sat around a table of caviare, toasting to their riches while wearing their rubies and pearls, you are in for a rude awakening my friend. 

5. They are dressed to go to the gym 

I'm thinking trackies and a bum bag is no way to rock up to a first date. Ever. Under any circumstances.

6. If they order for you

Just because they don't eat carbs and are watching their salt intake doesn't mean you have to. 

7. If their idea of a date is a psychology appointment 

On a first date if you find yourself consoling them, run for the hills. The first date is suppose to be a fun and entertaining encounter where you giggle and he makes silly remarks. If it turns into a deep and meaningful about the time he lost his grandmother when he was three and how it has affected him as a human being, then that's when you know this is not going to be an easy relationship and move on. 

8. Come over to my place for a movie 

This is guy code for, "come over to my place and let's watch the opening credits to Mean Girls while I strategically try to put my hand down your pants for the remaining 134 minutes of the film". 

9. Awkward silences at any time

...

10. They ask you how many people you've slept with 

I'd imagine the dialogue would go something like this...

Boy: "Let's play the question game"

Girl: "Okay, what's your favourite colour?"

Boy: "Blue, yours?"

Girl: "Purple. Your turn..."

Boy: "How many guys have you rooted?"

A Capital Collection: Our History is Back in Fashion

A Capital Collection takes you on a journey through time, recreating fashion to tell the story of the development of the National Capital.

Liza Emanuele, renowned Adelaide fashion designer will officially open an exhibition on Thursday at The State Library of South Australia showcasing the fashions worn to four of the nation’s most significant events.

‘The exhibition provides South Australians with an opportunity to explore the social history of some Australia’s momentous occasion through fashion. What we wore, or remember people wearing is a trigger to recalling times past, and becomes an identifier of people, place and events,’ said Director of the State Library Mr Alan Smith.

The exhibition includes outfits and accessories that could have been worn by an invitee to the event, one of the crowd, children if possible and either the military or service groups that provided the ceremonial support.

Each exhibition has included original invitations and other memorabilia together with community photographs of the event, media articles of the major event or an associated function.

The four major events depicted are:

• 1913, the laying of the commemoration stone;
• 1927, the opening of the Provisional Parliament House;
• 1964, the Inauguration of Lake Burley Griffin; and
• 1988, the opening of Parliament House.

'A Capital Collection' is on display at the Institute Room, State Library of South Australia from Friday 31 October until Sunday 1^st February. The exhibition is open 10am to 5pm daily except public holidays. Entry is free.

KickOn: a revolutionary Tinder-like app to 'change the way the world parties'

KickOn, a revolutionary new party events app, gives users access to underground parties amid Sydney's pesky new lockout laws.

Sydney has recently introduced 1:30am lockout laws and 3am last drinks and is having a major impact on CBD nightlife.

This new 'Tinder for parties' app allows you to party and meet with random strangers - whether you're 13 or 35.

Founder Charles Stewart, a Sydney investment banker, created the app to connect party goers with party throwers, even after the doors of a club have closed.

“KickOn provides students, introverts and extroverts and everyone in between with the opportunity and confidence to host house parties like never before and invite people they want party with – even if they’ve never met them. It’s a cool new way of bringing people together for a good time.” Mr. Stewart said.

“The beauty of the app is that it can be used to host any party or event you like, from a university or fraternity party, a last minute 1am KickOn, a house-warming, an underground warehouse rave or a welcome to the neighbourhood BBQ."

Stewart is embarking on a three week venture to the United States to find brand ambassadors and essentially build the app into an international brand.

KickOn will introduce a revolutionary new aspect of partying; a digital rating system where partgoers can rate a party out of five start.

This way, KickOn will then know where the best parties are in each country, each state and even each university in the world.

This is how the app works:

• A party host uses the app to set up their party or event
• The event goes live on the app 
• Party goers request to attend the event by swiping left or right
• The host decides whether to invite people who have requested to attend
• Only people who have been invited and have been sent a “Kicket” (a unique, scannable code which is scanned prior to entry) can attend
• Party all day or night long 
• Get voted as the MVP (most valuable partier) at an event to enhance your reputation

Get your Van Wilder on and become a party liaison with KickOn today and help the world become a 24/7 party.

Visit www.kickon.com

New web store promotes independent Australian designers

Striving to bring the world the best of independent and emerging Australian fashion, The Clique Arcade was founded by Perth brother and sister duo Ross Wyness and Storm Wyness.

Ross says, “Free shipping on all products and a 24 hour funds transfer/ order dispatch system will be the key attraction for buyers”.

“The problem smaller labels face is that they do not get seen in the fashion marketplace let alone in an already saturated online market. Our marketing strategy drives buyers to our website where they will find quality Australian independent and emerging designers allowing our talented designers to be seen and compete with the larger players.”

Australian fashion has said to have made a huge impact on the world fashion stage within the past few years, and will continue to do so in years to come with the help of websites such as The Clique Arcade.

The Clique Arcade’s website will be live from Friday 24 October 2014 and can be found at www.thecliquearcade.com.au.

Fashion Legend Oscar de la Renta dies at 82

Oscar de la Renta 

July 22, 1932 - October 20, 2014

Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta passed away October 20th at the age of 82. The fashion mogul is a much respected presence within the fashion world and his influence will be sorely missed.

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, de la Renta began sketching for leading Spanish fashion houses at the tender age of 18. He was soon to procure an apprenticeship with Spain's most treasured international fashion designer Christobal Balenciaga, then settling as a couture assisstant with Lanvin in Paris and as they say... the rest is history!

The Oscar de la Renta brand most recently made the press for being responsible for the wedding gown of the now Mrs. Clooney. The couple, Amal Alamuddin and George Clooney wed in Venice this year.

Let's take a look back on some Oscar de la Renta gowns that wowed us as we pay our respects to a fashion industry great...

Amal Alamuddin

Amy Adams

Jessica Alba

Amy Adams 

Met Gala May 2014

Zooey Deschanel

Cameron Diaz

Anne Hathaway

Jessica Chastain

American Film Festival Sept 2014

Megan Fox

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premiere Aug 2014

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker 

Met Gala May 2014

Top Ten: Signs you are getting old

1. You don't like opening your mail anymore

Remember when you use to run to the mail box with glee and open up a letter from k-zone or your local library. Nowadays you get inundated with bank notices (letting you know how much money you don't have), overdue parking fines, phone bills, reminders for overdue phone bills. Basically, we now receive nothing fun and exciting in letter form.

2. you begin to complain about the weather

When you were younger you never would have stopped to Google the weather before heading out just in case you needed to take a jacket. You used to scoff at your mum when she made you never leave the house without a jumper and you wouldn't plan your days according to the weather, like you do now.

 

3. You see a p plater and automatically think "hooligan"

You were one once, a long time ago yes, but it was you. Or on the flip side, you glance into a P platers car to check if they're good looking, only to find a pimply 17 year old dweeb staring back at you.

 

4. You remember when Pitbull use to be cool

 Yeap young ones, believe it or not Pitbull use to be one of the most respected international rap artists the world had seen... then he started associating himself with people named Ke$ha.... And rhyming Kodak with Kodak.

 

5. You choose clothes based on comfort instead of style

 When you were younger your very least concern was comfort when you strapped yourself into those sky high heels. Nowadays you're binning the G-strings and 9 inch heels in return for a more comfort friendly look.

 

6. When you start spending more on home décor than on yourself

 You find yourself saving your money for that new swanky floor lamp instead of turning into liquid gold on a Saturday night.

 

 7. You begin notice those 'fine lines' on your face

 

Even if you don't have those fine lines on your face, the fact that you are still thinking about it makes you old. You may even go to the extent of googling tips and tricks or buying a night eye cream.

 8. you get excited about a new cleaning product

Three words. Easy. Off. Bam. The greatest thing I have discovered. Even when I was ecstatic about the results on my kitchen counter, i wanted to cry inside due to the fact I had told at least 6 people about my discovery.

9. You see 3 for 1 specials for soap at Coles and get excited

You know you need to calm down and hop off of the train to the old age home when you get excited about saving $1.20.

 

 

 

 10. You realise that 1996 kids can now legally go out clubbing and you want to cry

Not only are you taller than everyone else, but when someone flirts with you, you're instantly going to feel like a paedophile. Standing in line to the club and glancing at the birthday on the ID the kid in front of you is holding is a sure fire way of ruining your night, because you should be at home being responsible and watching Antiques Roadshow or something.

Top Ten: Best and Worst Things About the USA

Best 

1. A channel that airs nothing but back to back episodes of Forensic Files

Oh that's right. There's nothing better than a hangover day in your bed, eating munchies and watching the trashiest TV you can find. And what's trashier than good ol Forensic Files? 

2. Netflix

Netflix is responsible for the distribution of many shows that weren't picked up by major networks. If it wasn't for Netflix, shows like Orange is the New Black, House of Cards and True Detective wouldn't have reached the masses. 

3. Food

Say audevoiur to old boring French fries and hello to fries paired with everything you can possibly dream of. Cheese fries, chilli cheese fries, nacho fries, disco fries, chicken parmy fries, cheeseburger fries, and pretty much anything deep fried. Don't underestimate an Americans ability to find something to deep fry, because you'll be surprised when you read "deep fried cheesecake" on the menu. You can definitely understand why Americans are amid a battle of the bulge, being inundated with oily, sugary, deep fried goodness  

However, if you're not feeling like the usual take away grub though there are places you can get delicious home cooked meals. New Orleans was our favourite spot for a meal, where we finally got our hands on a plate of food that wasn't drowned in oil and fat. We enjoyed a meal of veggies and grilled fish, something that may not sound appetising, but when you've been travelling for months it's refreshing eating something that tastes like home. 

4. Some cities actually try to be healthy 

Contrary to the point that dot point number 3 made above, it's nice to go somewhere and have a salad that's not drowned in oil. LA feels like the birthplace of the healthy food phenomenon that has taken the world by storm. Freshly pressed juices are available on every corner and do it feels nice giving the body the nutrients it actually needs other than drowning your arteries in fat. 

5.  Americans

The most welcoming and friendly people you will ever meet live in the south. Not only will they take you under their wing and show you their beloved city they call home, but you will probably meet their family while you're at it. They are down to earth and eager to show the out of towners how things are done. They definitely made us feel like we were visiting a home away from home! 

Worst 

6. Having to tip everyone, even if they've done a shit job 

We literally had cab drivers refuse us to let us out of their car because we didn't tip them enough. By the end of the trip you just learn that tipping isn't necessarily for good service, but to avoid getting into an argument with the waiter or cabbie. Whatever happened to customer service? 

7. Their adverts 

You're probably thinking, oh but all commercials are pretty bad aren't they? Well, Americans take them to that extra level of cheese with over acting, stupid punch lines, and those pesky pharmaceutical ads that need to mention all of the side effects of the said pharmaceutical. 

8. It ruins everything you thought you knew about Hollywood 

Not only is Hollywood boulevard aan actual dive, when you tour the studios it ruins everything you have ever seen. On he silver screen you realise that all houses and rooms are actually filmed in studios and houses like Wisteria Lane are made of styrofoam. The same street you see as Gotham City in the early Burton Batman movies is the same set as this years release of Jersey Boys. Basically, everything you know and love about the escapism of cinema is destroyed with a 45 minute studio tour. 

9. One cent coins 

The bane of our existence. Nothing more can be said about these little pieces of copper that you find in abundance at the bottom of your bag once you've left the country. 

10. Americans 

Americans don't do very much to disprove the ol stupid American stigma at all, because they're exactly that. The amount of times we got asked if we spoke English or Australian became less of a joke and more of a concern. Also, their annoying, in your face kind of patriotism that in effect does not make you love the USA more, but conversely makes you want to like it that little bit less. 

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