VnC at All Asia Polo Cup 2012, Bangkok

DC Shoes Opening Party, Shanghai

About.com review VnC Cocktails

What Are They?

Are they Really that Good?

The Bottom Line

Naturally Spirited on the Red Carpet

FASHION // The Up’s and Down’s of the Golden Globe Red Carpet

Well awards season is definitely in full swing, kicking off with the Golden Globes yesterday.  Check out some of the best and worst outfits below. Of course there were some bores, Jessica Biel, Nicole Kidman, Madonna – we are looking at you. Tilda Swinton rocked like only she can, Sofia Vergara was sumptuous in an impeccably fitted Vera Wang gown and Helen Mirren out-shined women half her age in Badgley Mischka. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s tie-dyed/patterned Monique Lhuillier gown divided most.

 http://www.naturallyspirited.com/fashion-the-ups-and-downs-of-the-golden-globe-red-carpet

Kiwi Drinks at O’Malley’s Irish Bar, Shanghai

Lifeafterfive* enjoy a Kiwi Cocktail…

http://sydneylifeafterfive.blogspot.com/2012/01/kiwi-cocktail.html

It was over 90 years before a select few apples were allowed across the Aussie / NZ ditch, yet luckily for cocktail enthusiasts a more popular kiwi export has migrated in a fraction of the time.

With an ethos combining fun and freshness, VnC Cocktails have conquered a gap in the Aussie market by creating a pre-mixed, premium range of cocktails. A delivery of the naturally spirited range arrived on my doorstep just in time for a weekend getaway up the coast.

Our unanimous fave was the Passionfruit Caprioska, based on a fruit which is described as “the mousy librarian who removes her glasses and everyone realises is a real fox”. A close second was the mango daiquiri, a blend of banana and mango with New Zealand vodka.

Despite a high number of sweet ready-to-drink beverages on the bottle-o shelves, the concept of a natural fruit juice cocktail seems to have been previously overlooked. Founded by kiwi Shane McKillen in 2007, his commitment to no artificial colouring, preservatives or colours will appeal to those health conscious Sydney-siders who are still partial to a tasty cocktail.

Despite being the first company in the world to gain Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme (CEMARS) product certification, VnC cheekily claims that the “only problem NZ has is that there’s only three tv channels”.

Following in the footsteps of Flight of the Conchords, pavlovas and beached whales (forget the pesky apples), this is a kiwi export that is likely to punch above its weight (and probably soon be claimed as our own).

Scratch DJ Academy NYE Party, LA

www.scratch.com/LA

NOM*d Store Re-opening, Christchurch

We were delighted to help celebrate the re-opening of the NOM*d Christchurch boutique, following earthquake damage.  The store looks beautiful, cheers to new beginnings!

Neat Eats are keepin’ Summer alive with VnC

While the holidays might be done and dusted for another year, the good news is that summer is far from over – you’ve got another six weeks of fine weather to enjoy. So instead of shedding a tear over lost days at the beach, you can cheer yourself up with balmy nights to come, spent with a cocktail in hand.

VnC Cocktails have piqued our interest and tickled our tastebuds with their range of ready-to-pour, but all natural, drink selection. They’ve been kicking around in their country of origin, New Zealand, for a few years, but now there’s a selection of flavours available for the Australian market.  A Vodka Mojito, Pomegranate Cosmo, Pacific Mai Tai, Mango Daiquiri, or Passionfruit Caprioska are all yours to enjoy without expending a modicum of effort (apart from opening the fridge door).

What we especially love about the VnC range is that they only contain the kinds of things you’d put into a cocktail yourself: vodka, juice and a touch of sweetener. It’s all you need, really.

The VnC Cocktail range is available nationally at Woolworths Liquor, Dan Murphy’s and BWS. RRP $19.99/700ml bottle.

The Gold Coast Magic Millions Race Day