Urban Bloom is a personal floral delivery service for regular subscribers.  In a nut shell – if you fancy having a lovely bouquet of flowers delivered straight to your home or office on a weekly, fortnightly or even monthly basis at a reasonable price, then this is the service for you.

Whilst I adore having a lovely floral arrangement as a centre piece in our dining room, I’m not fussed on paying premium florist prices for a bouquet and don’t have the time to get to the flower markets to nab them at a good price.  The Urban Bloom service finds a nice mid-waypoint between both options, by providing a convenient delivery service and a lovely floral arrangement bundled together for a reasonable price.

The bouquet provided on this occasion was a lovely, abundant combination of purple and pink roses ($35) and accompanying the delivery was friendly service.

The bouquets available from Urban Bloom range from a small bouquet ($35), medium arrangement ($48 – $65) to an attention seeking ensemble ($85) and deliveries occur on a Friday.

• For more information, check out www.urbanbloom.com.au

The road may be busy and you can just hear the trains, but that doesn’t seem to matter once you step inside the tastefully decorated Montra Thai Day Spa.  The owner, I gather her name is Mon by the newsclipping proudly displayed by the entrance, is a lovely gentle soul who greets you with a seat, a smile and camomile tea. After some form filling, it was not long before I was taken into a  comfortable, clean private room, which was set at a warm balmy temperature, just right for me, but may be a bit warm for some.

I’ve had my fair share (or should that be unfair share?) of massages and this was certainly up there with the best. I was lucky enough to get Mon herself and she certainly knew what she was doing. I had 60 minutes of the traditional Thai message with oil. I was told that without oil, the massage targets pressure points and is a bit harder, whereas with oil is more for relaxation. Best of all, I was completely at ease with Mon and felt I could let her know if I thought the massage was too hard or too soft (it was neither). And there was none of the “hmmm, not too sure about this, that’s my spine, ooh, spinal cord…” which I have experienced in the past. I felt I was in safe hands.

After being given the full hour, and then some, I came out of my room to a small tray with a glass of water, more tea and two crispy spring rolls. I’m not too sure if the spring rolls come standard as it was lunch time, but it’s these small inexpensive touches which always impress me. 

Montra Thai Day Spa does a range of massage types (including for pregnancy), body scrubs, facials and reflexology starting from $90. Full details are on their informative website. They are having a special at the moment: $99 for 1.5hrs including traditional thai massage with oil, hydrating facial, foot spa ritual and light Thai meal. Not sure when that special ends.

Montra Thai Day Spa is open 9am to 9pm, 7 days a week. It’s not clear to me when Mon sleeps, but I will definitely be back and send friends and rellies her way.  Sorry, no pics for this one!

• Montra Thai Day Spa – 117 Annerley Rd, Dutton Park

I have never written an advertorial on the blog, but in this instance I am going to make an exception.

Why? Because CycleStyle is my business :–)

That’s right – while you’ve all been reading about my eating, drinking and shopping exploits, I’ve been establishing a little business on the side and I think it’s pretty HOT.

CycleStyle is an online store with stylish clothing and accessories for the urban cyclist. Basically people just like me! I don’t own a car, I ride a bike everywhere and I want to look good on and off the bike. Whether I’m going to work, the shops or the movies I don’t want to dress up in unflattering, flourescent cycle gear – no one needs to see my bum encased in lycra!

And don’t worry, I won’t be constantly bombarding you all with CycleStyle stuff – this isn’t what BNE: HOT OR NOT is about. Occasionally if there’s something spectacular I think you should know about then I’ll post something here. Otherwise you can keep up to date with CycleStyle news via the CycleStyle blog, CycleStyle on Facebook or via twitter.

I’m just starting out so and learning the ropes as I go – so please feel free to send me any feedback/suggestions/comments to  joyce@cyclestyle.com.au.

Over and out!

Deep in the archives for both BNE: HOT OR NOT and MEL: HOT OR NOT you will find reviews and promotions for the skincare brand Aesop, as our founder Jetsetting Joyce has located nirvana with this range of skin, hair and body products.

Following our recent promotion of the Aesop range, we were kindly invited to visit the Adelaide Street store to sample the fine goods and friendly service that Aesop has to offer.

Now I’m one of the most uneducated girls I know when it comes to skin and body products and if it weren’t for my good friend and beauty therapist Princess, I’d still be committing the ultimate skin care sin of washing my face with everyday body soap and moisturizing with sorbolene cream!  So when I step into stores that ooze sophistication when it comes to skin care, I’m always a little unnerved and intimidated that they’ll treat me with contempt.  Not the case with Aesop.

The store manager Alison was very accommodating to my naïve ways when it comes to looking after my skin.  She took the time to ask me about my normal cleansing routine (without judging me) and didn’t show any glimpses of going the hard sell.  As I described my lifestyle at a high level and what’s important to me as far as maintaining healthy skin goes, she gradually lined up a range of products that we could play with.

I should mention at this point that the Aesop store is uniquely set out as one long large work bench, with a couple of industrial sized sinks and funky taps where the staff can perform hand treatments for customers to sample the products.  In the middle of the work bench is a perfect display of the product range and promotional packages – whoever does their marketing is a clever little so and so.

I felt very spoilt and pampered as Alison went through the range of products, from face cleansers and exfoliants, to toners, serums and moisturizers.  I was running out of patches of skin to test them on, but it didn’t matter.  The aroma of the products was instantly relaxing and not overbearing in any way.  The fresh scent of citrus and indefinable (to my uncultured nose) herb and plant extracts was divine and I couldn’t wait to take a stash home and pamper myself some more.

Lucky for me, I was fresh out of facial cleanser and moisturizer so Alison didn’t have to try too hard to make a sale.  For myself, I walked away with the fabulous face cleanser (200ml, $47), the camellia nut facial hydrating cream (60ml, $43) and the rind aromatique body balm (120ml, $33).  I purchased the Rosetti gift pack ($95) for my Mum consisting of the resurrection aromatique hand wash and hand balm, the rejuvenate aromatique body balm, rosehip seed lip cream and coriander seed soap slab citrus body balm.  Personally I think we’re both glowing!

Knowing I was only a couple of weeks from walking down the aisle, Alison was kind enough to also throw in samples of parsley seed exfoliant and anti-oxidant serum plus several packs of deliciously gooey vitamin C infused gel face mask.

Since its inception in 1987, the Aesop philosophy maintains that every product is made with the same attention to detail that they believe should be applied to life at large, taking into consideration the needs of the consumer’s skin, the elements of their environment, and the constraints on their time.  They advocate the use of their products as part of a balanced lifestyle and this is evident through their marketing, store management and of course their delicious products.

(All photographs thanks to Aesop and Michael Warnock)

• Aesop, Shop GL35 Adelaide St, Queens Plaza, Brisbane +61 7 3229 1337

I am partial to Thai massage and it’s always on my “must-do” list every time I visit Thailand or transit through. Therefore, I could hardly contain my excitement when Northern Style Thai Massage Spa opened its doors a short while ago. That means I can have a Thai massage any time I want to without having to go to Thailand.

I would describe Thai massage as an “active” massage as the recipient has to work with the therapist to get the benefits. It involves continuous deep tissue rubbing and pressing, body stretching and joint manipulation. No oil is used. So there is no way you can lie down and sleep through it like a normal relaxation massage.

In order to find out if their massage techniques are “authentic’ Thai, I phoned to book for a one-hour appointment (normally $80, opening special $69). The spa is located on a quiet and leafy strip of Lamington Street. The inside area is quite small. There are three treatment rooms closed by sliding doors together with a waiting area. The simple decor and the soft lighting gives a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere. A glass of cold water is offered to the waiting clients and then a hot cup of lemongrass tea is offered after the massage.

I was led into a massage room with 2 mats on the floor and was given a clean set of pyjamas to change into. The therapist then softly walked in. She told me to lie stomach down and put my head on the big soft pillow. Next she wrapped my foot with a hot towel and start massaging them by acupressure, blissful…..

For the whole hour, the therapist worked on my tense muscles, pulled and stretched my limbs and torso, it was like having a massage as well as a good stretch exercise. At the end of it, I felt so much “lighter”. That’s what a Thai massage should be like.

Northern Style Thai Massage Spa also offers a range of other treatments as well. It’s worth paying them a visit for a good Thai experience.

• Northern Style Thai Massage Spa, Shop 6, 27 Lamington St, New Farm

Chances are most of us are always looking for ways to improve our health and fitness – but if you’re anything like me, this isn’t going to be achieved by spending hours on the machines in a pretty, image driven, look-at-me-I-go-to-the-gym gym, or by spending hundreds with a personal trainer.  I do a lot of free-of-charge running and riding through the streets of Brisbane to balance out my love for food and beer, but this can get monotonous too.

Every now and then it’s nice to mix it up with a bit of hardcore, intense, vein-bulging, weight lifting activity with someone yelling a bit of healthy banter across a sweaty room at you.  So if you are like me and don’t rate the fancy gyms around town, I’d recommend giving CrossFit Arena in South Brisbane a go.

CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program used by many police academies, martial artists, and elite/professional athletes worldwide.  The CrossFit program delivers fitness that is broad, general, scalable and inclusive and the specialty is in fact not specialising. Many sports and life in general reward this kind of fitness and on average, punish the specialists!

CrossFit is the true representation of the age-old term ‘Cross Training’ and for someone who’s been involved in the fitness industry for a long time for both work and pleasure, I have to say I like what I see.

There are several CrossFit programs/centres in Brisbane, but CrossFit Arena, a little sweat-box in South Brisbane, has been my home away from home over the last seven years and I’ve seen it go through some creative transitions, the latest of which I’m really impressed with.

Jarrod Bowe is the owner/trainer of CrossFit Arena and cut his teeth in Bushikai Muay Thai Kick Boxing. Jarrod is possibly the leanest, fittest guy I’ve ever met and easy on the eye as well (sorry boys).  When I first met him, he was leading a circuit class for the masters (read: oldies) swimmers and playing personal trainer to kick-boxing wannabes.

His little cement box gym has never been glamorous, it has minimal air flow, smells of sweat and doesn’t have fancy equipment – it’s very raw and real, but it’s always drawn a crowd.  These days, while kick boxing is still close to his heart, he’s jumped head first into the CrossFit philosophy and converted his gym into a new-look, new-feel arena for his underlings to sweat it out in a bit more style, but without losing that raw, unsophisticated feeling that keeps the patrons down to earth and realistic when it comes to keeping fit.

The CrossFit Arena is a great place to meet like-minded people, work hard and have fun. CrossFit sessions are of 1 hour duration, run twice daily in the CrossFit Arena and are attended by everyday, no frills men and women who are all in this to sweat hard and keep fit while encouraging their fellow compatriots to reach their goals and never give up.

• CrossFit Arena, Somerville Sports & Aquatic Centre, 4 Stephens Rd, South Brisbane +61 414 371 986

I’m not really an advocate of sports that involve hitting, punching, kicking, chopping and generally beating the crap out of other people….but throw me into the bush on a sweltering hot day, with cammo gear, a gun that fires pellets of paint and a bit of nervous adrenalin – it’s game on!

Until earlier this week, I’d never played paintball before but had heard it was a pile of fun.  Imagine a bunch of action-deprived IT nerds being let lose in the bush, with weaponry and armor that makes them feel like super heroes?  It’s absolute carnage.

Whilst I don’t have an alternative to compare it to, Top Gun Paintball centre in Keperra is what you’d expect from a facility that promotes combat style sports….it’s dirty, dusty, derelict and located in the middle of nowhere with all the creepy crawlies.  The staff are pretty laid back, and probably could’ve been a little more sensitive towards those of us who’d never played before, but all in all they were pleasant and took good care of our group.

We spent some time going through the rules of engagement and the more I learnt, the more nervous I got.  We were kitted up with over-sized, homeboy style cammo gear, which was pretty amusing for all involved and the women were given a breast plate to protect the essentials.  Protective facemasks are provided and are compulsory wearing as long as you’re in the combat zones.  You can hire additional protective equipment such as arm/leg pads at an extra cost, but being brave souls (or perhaps stupid) we decided to go without.

Enter the combat zone.  The first activity was a basic game of “steel the other team’s flag” – my heart was beating through my chest plate and the sweat beads were forming in anticipation.  But as the start whistle blew, my legs refused to move, and my trigger finger didn’t seem interested in engaging.  I had nothing.  I went into survival mode…or was it coward mode?  Somehow my team managed to snag the flag of the opposing team but I had made zero contribution.  As they celebrated a win, I hung my head….I was a failure to my fellow troops.  So, with one game down and five to go I picked up my bottom lip, sucked in some deep breaths, pulled my baggy pants up and stuck my chest out.  Go hard or go home right?

Game two was the same game, with the same result – my team won…but this time there was a new soldier in camp!  I covered my wing men with rapid fire and knocked the opposing troops out one by one as we advanced towards their coveted flag.  Flag in hand, I remained untouched by the opposing team’s bullets of yellow paint.  Others in my team weren’t so lucky and were lifting their sleeves to reveal large red marks on areas that had been shot.  Ouch.

The combat exercises that followed were a mix of defensive and offensive activities that required speed, stealth, confidence and bucket loads of paint pellets.  Lucky for me, I’m pretty quick on my feet and vertically challenged….the grass in the combat zone was at waist height, so I could crouch down and run through without being noticed.  My string of success however didn’t last and before too long I too was sporting red marks on several body parts.  But there was so much adrenalin pumping through my body that the pain was negligible.

Paintball isn’t for the faint hearted and it identified those of us who were too competitive (or too stupid) to back down.  As we progressed through the afternoon’s combat exercises, the troops were starting to feel the pinch.  It was 35 degrees, our masks were fogging up and many were hurting from war wounds.  My team was still in the lead and with only one exercise to go, it was time to put the nails in their coffins.

This final combat required the teams to advance towards a target (a milk crate) and instead of having the retrieve the target, a soldier was to sit on it for a period of 30 seconds and cop a barrage of fire for that time, to claim the victory.  As my team advanced through the bunkers, I ducked and weaved until I had reached cover only 2 metres from the crate.  I looked back at my team, and saw that many had fallen, taken down by rapid fire.  From the sidelines my name was being called to take to the crate, but I thought there would be others who should take the glory (eg the men!).  Seconds that felt like minutes passed, and still there were no takers.  The opposing team seemed reluctant to advance also.  I knew then that if this victory was to be, it was up to me.  I sucked in one last breath, put my head down and sprinted for that crate.  With my hands over my head I tucked into the fetal position and copped a barrage of fire from the opposition.  Perhaps even my own team had turned on me in the heat of the moment?

After what seemed like an eternity, the final whistle blew and there were cheers of victory from my team.  The trophy was ours.  I did a body check – arms, legs, head – all still intact.  My body was burning all over and my head was pounding, but as I stood to survey the carnage, I was surrounded by cheers and back slaps in admiration of my bravery and sheer stupidity.

It was brutal, it was hot and it hurt – lots.  Five days later I’m still black and blue.  So would I play paintball again?  Not sure….but I don’t regret playing it and it gave me a huge respect for the soldiers who do this sort of thing for a living.

If you’re adventurous with a high pain threshold plus happy to sport a few war wounds, it’s a no brainer – you have to give the team at Top Gun Paintball a call. Maybe wait til winter!

• Top Gun Paintball,  Glengarry Rd, Keperra +61 7 3847 1933

Just a reminder that Eco Fashionista’s first Brisbane trunk show will be held at Red Sea Gallery, New Farm, on Thursday 26 November 5-8pm in conjunction with the award-winning New Farm day spa Outshine.

Check out clothing and accessories brands such as Good Society, Sublet Courtney, Beyond Skin, Minna, Fifi Bijoux and Ashley Watson, many of which are not available in Australia.

To get into the Christmas spirit, 10% of the profits from all sales through Outshine and Eco Fashionista on the night will go to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

If you’d like to attend the free event, RSVP at info@ecofashionista.com.au and just mention that BNE: HOT OR NOT sent you.

Check out the review and pictures from Eco Fashionista’s recent trunk show in Melbourne here.

Over a soy latte Alex chatted to me about fashion, living eco-conscious and being a business-owner with a young toddler.

Alex, how did Eco Fashionista come about?

Eco Fashionista was launched almost a year to the day my son Max was born. Max’s arrival (and the huge sense of responsibility that arrived with him) was the catalyst for me to make a bigger commitment to being “green” – and, ever the keen shopper and fashionista, I realised the “greening” needed to extend to my wardrobe!

As I began to explore whether there was such a thing as “designer eco fashion”, I became so excited about the amazing labels I was unearthing – many of which weren’t available in Australia and in the one shopping destination. If I was going to seek out these chic pieces for myself, then why not share the love and let others in on my discoveries? I believe most people want to be eco-conscious about their lifestyle, but they also don’t want to give up the things that matter – such as style, quality and individuality. And that’s where Eco Fashionista comes in….

With so many fashion designers out there, how do you select the stock for Eco Fashionista?

A lot of brand research lies behind Eco Fashionista’s collection and the designers must demonstrate serious design and eco credentials.  How they achieve their “eco fashion” mission differs – from using organic, sustainable or vintage fabrics,  eco-friendly production, making small quantities to order or by hand and ensuring fair work conditions. We have given ”eco attributes” to each piece in our collection with these symbols.

Where do you turn for eco-fashion inspiration?

I’ve always devoured fashion magazines, and it’s wonderful to see titles like Vogue, Madison and Marie Claire now turning out green glamour and eco chic issues. I also read the stylish Australian eco fashion magazine Peppermint, and inspiring eco fashion blogs -  Eco Stiletto and Green Lashes and Fashion just to name two. For high-end designers with a conscience, it’s hard to go past Philip Lim (who launched his “Go Green Go” line in 2008) and Stella McCartney.

What advice would you give to someone starting their own business?

Three words have guided me over the last few months  – patience, perseverance and perspective. Having a clear vision of your business and its direction is essential, but equally important is the flexibility to adapt to the challenges that will be inevitably thrown at you. I’ve also had to learn that sometimes I am not the best person for the job! You need to concentrate your energies on your strengths, and in areas where you lack experience or skills – delegate or outsource if /where you can.

What are you wearing at the moment?

I’m wearing one variation of my “home with Max” uniform - Good Society jeans, Sublet Courtney top and  Beyond Skin Tilly floral ballet flats. It’s all about comfortable style these days.

I do love to dress up when I get the chance though! My fiancé and I have a rare dinner date tonight, and I’m looking forward to wearing my Minna Maria vintage print dress, accessorised with a pendant from fair trade jeweller Fifi Bijoux and Ashley Watson’s super-soft recycled leather oriole clutch.

Eco Fashionista’s first Brisbane trunk show will be held at Red Sea Gallery, New Farm, on Thursday 26 November 5-8pm in conjunction with the award-winning New Farm day spa Outshine. Even better, 10% of the profits from all sales through Outshine and Eco Fashionista on the night will go to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

If you’d like to attend the free event, RSVP at info@ecofashionista.com.au and just mention that BNE: HOT OR NOT sent you.

Check out the review and pictures from Eco Fashionista’s recent trunk show in Melbourne here.

These days, cycling seems to be one of Brisbane’s favourite past times and the city has a lot to offer when it comes to cycling routes, paths and facilities.  Cycling is a lifestyle choice and it’s like vegemite – you either love it or you hate it. Without entering into the controversial debate of motorists vs cyclists, I’ve got a touching tale to tell about a ride held annually to raise public awareness of cyclists on our roads.

In November 2007 a tragedy occurred on one of Brisbane’s most popular cycling routes at Mt Coot-tha.  In an accident during a standard training session, one of the Brisbane cycling community’s well known members Ian Perkins was involved in a fatal head-on collision with a motorist.  I didn’t know Perko, but I heard of the tragedy the day it happened as news like this travels fast in these circles.  I can’t begin to imagine how witnessing such an event would leave you feeling and God knows it would be nearly impossible to get back on your bike.

In true Aussie spirit though, Perko’s team mates and the extended cycling community came together just days after his death and held a memorial ride on the popular “River Loop” to honour their mate’s life and courage.

Now, two years on, Perko’s family and friends with the extended cycling community gathered again to celebrate his life and raise awareness for cyclists.  The 200 strong peloton departed for the River Loop from MB Coaching’s headquarters in McDougall Street, Milton, at 5.15am in the presence of a police escort.  What an invigorating yet humbling experience it was to ride with such a large group of people, all gathered to achieve a common goal.  Most cyclists have experienced one or more near-misses with cars in their time and on those occasions you realise just how vulnerable you are.  On last week’s memorial ride for Perko, no one was racing.  There were no prejudices about how shiny your piece of carbon was.  There was minimal added wank-factor that is often synonymous with cycling.  How refreshing!

We don’t often take time to reflect on how precious life is, and it’s unfortunate it takes a tragedy to remind us of this.  Thanks to MB Coaching for organizing the ride and providing Perko’s mates the chance to remember and celebrate his life and The Lifestyle.

• The Annual Perko Memorial Ride, MB Coaching, 12 McDougall St Milton +61 7 3367 2488

• Nutrition Warehouse, 530 Logan Road, Greenslopes +61 7 3394 1945‎ and 5/2958 Logan Rd, Underwood +61 7  3341 2533‎ and 

• Healthy Balance Massage Therapy, Shop 2, 190 Cavendish Rd, Coorparoo +61 7 3397 1504‎