Archive for November, 2008
Cairnseye Christmas Shopping Tips
Nov 28th, 08
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Pip's Christmas Wrap Up of Shopping Tips
I hate to admit it, but shopping is one of my favourite things. And I am not talking groceries. I am one of those people who find a real high is found in hallowed department stores and boutiques…and by pressing the ‘buy it now’ button on my keyboard. That said, I derive the greatest pleasure buying gifts for my family (starting with the four kids) and friends.
With Christmas looming, the pressure is on. If you haven’t started, don’t worry, here are some tips (ABC_ to help you hunt and gather with success – translation – smiles on dials.
A: Avoid shopping centre car parks
Why drive around in circles and risk denting the car when you can park out front and pay for the pleasure….
B: Beat the budget
Plan, Plan, Plan. Write your list and work out in advance a ball park figure for each person on your Christmas list.
Shop around. Be it the web, the phone or good old-fashioned browse. Keep in perspective, if you can buy something now, why trek across town for a $10 dollar saving?
Don’t be afraid to ask a retailer for their best price – you will be surprised how many are willing to drop their price or value add to secure a sale.
C: Creativity Counts
The longer you give yourself to Christmas shop, the more time you have to find the perfect gift. Throughout the year, use your ears and listen for hints….write them down for the future or really think about the person in question. What would ‘they’ like?
When all else fails, a personalized gift is a great fall back – be it framed photograph, album or canvas, t-shirt, cushion or jigsaw puzzle (www.bepuzzled.com.au)
Gift boxes of assorted goodies also have great wow factor.
D: Department Store Loyalty Cards
Shop and earn points, enjoy added discounts and recognition. Think Myer One….it is free to join and offers a plethora of great savings, value-adds, exclusive shopping nights and you even get a free mag…
E: Exercise your body and mind
Well, it is fair to say, shopping can be great exercise for the body and mind (thinking of those perfect gifts). Make sure you wear flat shoes and walk briskly between shops.
F: Fashionistas dress down – the secret to a good shopping mission – cool, comfortable clothing.
G: Gift giving is one of life’s greatest rewards….so enjoy the process….don’t do it all at once and leave until last minute – chop up into smaller bite size pieces or shopping trips. Start with a coffee, end with a glass of wine….
On that note, take care with your wrapping….add a bow, a card or some gorgeous cellophane.
H: Think with your Head and your Heart…..if you see something you like for a special person and Christmas is nowhere in sight – buy it there and then on the spot….because like all givens, it will arrive sooner than expected. And then, if something else comes along in the meantime, you are covered…no pressure!
I: Internet, Interflora – don’t diss the world wide web when it comes to shopping. Ebay is a great place to start if hunting for a bargain – but remember, refund policies and postage can be dangerous traps if you don’t fully inform yourself before you buy. For the overseas rellies, buying something on the net and having it delivered is a godsend – think Amazon.com, Ebay.com; Interflora.com.au etc….
J: Junk – don’t buy it….buy the best you can afford…..especially when it comes to gifts for your nearest and dearest….if you have to fall back on a gift voucher, nothing wrong with that….after all, plastic is fantastic!
Baby Shower / Cyclone – Invitation
Nov 28th, 08
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Bumpity Bump
Sneek a peek!! Come and celebrate my first and last baby shower / should be a cyclone!
Saturday – December 13th – 3-5 pm.
359 Pease Street , Edge Hill – RSVP pip@pipmillerpr.com.au
Wear some pink, bring a pink plate – be it the food or the plate – and something to drink – champers
and wine and loads of fun will be provided…..
Family photos – in full bloom – taken Nov 08
Nov 25th, 08
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Pip's Head
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Zoe and Mum
This is a preview of a photo shoot we had at home one Thursday night recently – the very gorgeous Veronica Sagredo came and took these photos as a gift – aren’t we lucky – and just in time for Xmas!
Editorial The Cairns Post – future of Festival in air
Nov 21st, 08
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Festival Cairns Dress up Your Business Winners
Nov 21st, 08
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MEDIA INFORMATION Friday 19, September 2008
THE BUSINESS of SPREADING FESTIVAL LOVE
Lorraine Devine is over the moon this morning – and quite rightly so – for the second year running, her creativity and enthusiasm for Festival Cairns has ‘bagged’ first prize in Festival Cairns’ Dress Up Your Business campaign.
Lorraine and her husband John take home the $500 cash prize for their Aplin Street business, Devine Gelato.
“I am just so excited. I love Cairns and I love the festival,” said a delighted Lorraine on hearing the news.
“This year I went all out – over and above last year – with a music display, Japanese display, local produce display and a whole wall dedicated to my love of Cairns. We even introduced a special ice-cream called Festival Fusion – a combination of mango, pineapple, coconut and lemon. It has been so popular our customers have asked for it to be kept on the menu – but I think we will keep it for Festival Cairns,” she said.
Originally from Adelaide, Mr and Mrs Devine have lived in and loved Cairns for the past four years and have just celebrated two years for their ice-cream and gelato business.
And what will she do with her prize money? “I think I will have to give it to my husband to re-paint the walls I have decorated in Festival Cairns. But never fear, it’s a joy to be involved and next year we’re going for a hat trick.”
Lorraine Devine can be contacted during shop hours (midday to 10pm) on tel: 4041 4959.
2008 Winners of Dress Up Your Business as follows:
• 1st – place Devine Gelato – Cnr Abbott and Aplin Stret (next to Outback Jacks)
• 2nd – Shoetopia – Woodward St, Edge Hill
• 3rd – The Coffee Club – The Esplanade
Honorable Mentions for:
• All-Star Dry Cleaners – Anderson Street
• Mediapower – Shields Street
• The Capta Group
Background Information:
Following the success of last year’s Dress Up Your Business Campaign, Pacific Toyota once again gave local businesses the chance to dress up their premises and be in the running to win great prizes.
Festival Cairns Operations Manager, Narell Black said the response exceeded all expectation with the “Love Cairns, Love the Environment” theme being embraced by over 30 businesses and as such, is omnipresent throughout the city.
Judging is taking place today and the winners will be announced tomorrow.
To help businesses on their way, every organisation that registered received a starter pack containing five festival icons which include leaping fish, twirling rainbows, green palm fronds, butterflies and love hearts.
The kits were available to all participating businesses, free-of-charge following registration. And there are some great prizes up for grabs:
First Prize: $500 cash plus Birch Carroll and Coyle Movie Package, an advertising package in The Cairns Post and a feature on WIN Local News (weather)
Second Prize: Birch Carroll and Coyle Movie Package
Third Prize: Birch Carroll and Coyle Movie Package
All prize winners will also receive tickets to the Festival Cairns VIP Finale event on Saturday 20 September 2008.
Festival Cairns 2008 will run from Wednesday 27 August to Saturday 20 September, 2008.
For further information about Festival Cairns 2008, click on www.festivalcairns.com.au or contact management company, Events Cairns on tel: 07 4051 0222 / email: info@eventscairns.com
Ends
For all publicity enquiries, contact:
Pip Miller
Pip Miller PR
Ph: (07) 4032 4400
Mob: 0419 681 543
Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au
Internet: www.festivalcairns.com.au
Essence Raises $26k for Leukaemia Foundation
Nov 21st, 08
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MEDIA INFORMATION Tuesday 28 Oct 08
Essence – An Eye on Fashion – Showcases Australian Glamour and Raises Funds for Leukaemia
Model struts her stuff in Wayne Cooper on the Essence – An Eye on Fashion Catwalk – a highlight of the event at Hilton Cairns on Friday 17 October 2008
A glittering guest list of 320 turned out in their fashionable best on Friday evening to attend, what has been coined, Cairns social event of the year. In its third year, Essence – An Eye on Fashion did not disappoint with a diamond-studded affair combining all the elements of Australian glamour in a stylish and sensual blend of food, fashion and fundraising.
As in previous years, the highlight of the night was the spectacular runway show of Australia’s Spring/Summer fashion – albeit made a fresh take when it was staged within Hilton Cairns’ newly unveiled million dollar event space.
According to the Hilton Cairns general manager, David Kelly, Essence – An Eye on Fashion was perfectly timed in that it enabled the hotel to showcase its most significant investment for 2008.
In a high-end production by Lindsay Bennett of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Brisbane, the labels of Easton Pearson, Wayne Cooper, Paul Hunt, Pistols @ Dawn, Lisa Ho, Alex Perry, Jayson Brundson, Flamingo Sands, Grbac, Marnie Skillings and Cairns own Vivienne Francine hit the runway to the delight and acclaim of guests.
While elegance and indulgence set the tone for a fun-filled night ahead, the event also comprised a more serious objective of raising much needed funds for leukaemia. In its third year, Essence – An Eye on Fashion successfully raised $26,000 to benefit the Leukaemia Foundation and when added to previous efforts, equates to a grand total of $76,500. Funds were raised in a charity auction of valuable items that immediately followed the fashion show.
With celebrity guests that included event emcee, Holly Brisley, bespoke Brisbane designer, Paul Hunt, Project Runway runner-up, Leigh Buchanan and doyen of Australian fashion, Wayne Cooper, other highlights included the traditional diamond champagne and chance to win a $5000 Hardy Brothers diamond. This year, the lucky winner was local man and Thrifty Car Rental employee, Michael Stewart – who couldn’t believe his luck and is naturally, one very satisfied guest. Michael, along with every guest, was presented with a glass of sparkling on arrival. While each flute held a gem stone, only one was the genuine article.
Another special moment of the night occurred early on with the bugle entry of the hand-crafted Emirates Melbourne Cup 2008 trophy. In Cairns on a whistle-stop tour of Australia before it returns to Melbourne for the race that stops the nation, it was escorted to a special platform in the hotel lobby by Leukaemia Foundation ambassador, Kimberley Busteed. Guests were quick to line up for their chance to hold the 18-carat, solid gold trophy and be captured in a souvenir photograph.
Essence – An Eye on Fashion is presented by Hilton Cairns and Hardy Brothers Jewellers, in conjunction with Cairnseye magazine. Other event partners included Mercedes-Benz, Pernod Ricard, Myer, Stageworks, Simon George and Castlemaine Perkins.
ends
EVENT
INQUIRIES: Lisa Minikas, Marketing Executive, Hilton Cairns
Tel: 07 4052 6753 Email: lisa.minikas@hilton.com
MEDIA
INQUIRIES: Pip Miller PR Mob: 0419 681543 Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au
Images available on request