Yeeewheew, I’m Baaaaackkk!!!

Hey guys, so I know it’s been forever since I’ve last blogged but you have to forgive me because for once in my life I’ve actually got a reason :) Yep I really do! And I swear to Gee Oh Dee, it’s not the “I forged my mums signature on an impostor permission slip to get me out of PE” type of reason for neglecting this delightful little page I have going here. Haha exaggerations aside, I’ve been a busy little intern, yes you read right! No really, I’ve been fortunate enough to land not one but TWO internships at two awesome magazines so please forgive me. Even though I’ve been so inspired and I’ve written little notes and posted links to some awesome blog ideas in my Iphone, I’ve been too busy to chase them up and actually sit down and write them out in a half decently entertaining way for you guys because even when I’m not interning I’ve had a shitload of Uni work to attend to! This semester has been seriously killing my …ahh wait what is it called again? Oh yes a life! I kind of forgot about that due to the fact that I actually lost the little life I had, but I’m back on board and it’s all thanks to the inspiration I got from the fabulous wordsmith lane blogger and all round nice girl Sarah Ayoub! But more on her later…

So on Thursday the 6th of May I attended the Walkley Foundation’s Media Pass Student Industry Day! It was held at Redfern Townhall, probably irrelevant to everyone else out there, but for my fellow aspiring journo’s you should seriously be kicking yourself… no, launching yourself into oncoming traffic for missing out on such an awesome event!

So I know there were more exciting things happening last week AKA ROSEMOUNT AUSTRALIAN FASHION WEEK!!! (Of which I shall blog about ASAP, so be on the lookout to hear about how I bluffed my way into RAFW and my take on the bizarre events that took place during the show)

But honestly, I’m so happy I attended this year! For those of you who are unaware of the Media Pass Student Industry Day, it basically gives us final year kids a chance to hear from a few awesome peeps in the industry. Now I attended last year… well I just sort of showed up as an interested 2nd year and posed as a final year student and listened to everything everyone said (of course I asked a million questions too). Last year was pretty good and even more so because there was a big group of UWS girls, however the members of my entourage were no where to be found :( actually most of them were busy interning and couldn’t make it! So clearly, I was forced to sit there and take in what each speaker was saying and even wait for it (so proud of myself) take notes!!! Most of them were mental notes of course lol it is me after all, but I’m so happy I did turn up because the guys from the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and Walkley Foundation really outdid themselves this year, the line up was pretty much on par with that of Future music festival :)

The day started off with a bang, what I thought consisted of the best panel, ranging from inspiring young Freelancer and media studies researcher at USYD Sarah Ayoub, Channel Nine news reporter Tom Steiford and the lovely Yalda Hakim, who is a video journalist at the SBS!

It was amazing to watch such a range of journo’s communicate with each other up on stage, each of them obviously from different walks of life yet they all shared one passion, the passion as a journo to get the msg across whether it be via video or written in print. Now most of you may not know (yet!) but I often cop a lot of flack from my girls for my absolute adoration for certain people in the industry aka the Mia Freedman’s, Lisa Wilkinson’s, Nedahl Stelio’s, Sarah Wilson’s and the Zoe Foster’s of the world. I know, I know I’m a nerd and I understand that yes all five of these women worked in magazines, I am and I will quote my friend Karina here an absolute “MAG WHORE.”

I totally accept the above title, but after hearing the “Making it in the media” panelists speak I learnt something:

1)Not only was Sarah a lifesaver for launching wordsmithlane.com but it was okay to doubt yourself every now and again.

2)Oh, it also confirmed that I definitely want to be a Journo!

Meet the peeps:
Sarah was warm and genuine, as expected. Ps I was familiar with Sarah and her work as we were twitter buddies prior to the event and I thank God for the day she sent me a link to her blog :) But seriously, believe me when I say I’m not being bias in regards to this group!

Tom was very confident, it was quite obvious he was a news reporter and his story was quite interesting, it turns out he got lucky in his second year at Uni when he got accepted to intern for WIN TV where he worked hard for a few years and found himself being promoted to Channel Nine news less than a year ago. And clearly he had no issues keeping the attention of the girls in the room, ifyaknowwhatImean.

The third speaker absolutely blew my mind. I have to admit it guys… I think I have a girl crush on Yalda Hakim. Honestly, she was so well spoken, so educated, the type of person that made me feel like I should probably remove at least 2 of the… “Wait, how many mags does ACP publish again?” Anyways…the number of magazines I carry out of my handbag and replace them with an extra textbook to read on the train. Her presence was startling; she was quite possibly one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. Btw, I mean beautiful not fake tanned, push-up bra, with half a can of hairspray melted into her scalp type of beautiful.

Anyways, the day went on and a few more workshops took place but the other highlight of my day was after lunch during the “Pick me: Advice from Employers” workshop, the editor of Cleo, Miss Sarah Oakes was present and along side her was Heather Forbes, the staff director from ABC and the witty training and development director Jock Cheetham, from Fairfax.

Thanks to my awesome Radio and Television Journalism tutors I had actually heard Ms. Heather Forbes speak at Uni just two weeks ago so I wasn’t really fussed and gave my notebook and my right hand a much needed break from my aggressive note taking. However, I was pleased to see that Sarah had remembered me (how embarrassing!) as I’d run into her about a week before Industry day and introduced myself lol pretty sure my afro hair wasn’t hard to miss ;-) In short, that workshop was definitely relevant as they each spoke of the qualities they look for in a young journalist…I’m pretty sure I noted every tip Sarah was kind enough to share with us!



PS If any of you guys are interested in attending next year or anything Walkley Foundation related, hit up Allison at http://twitter.com/walkleys.

PPS they’ve extended the deadline to apply for Media Super Student Journalist of the Year Award so get to it – enter now! The winner will be announced at the Young Journalist of the Year Awards and also receives an invite to the Walkley Awards – it’s worth a try and hey I’m pretty sure that’ll get at least half your foot in the door. Even if you have like, massive Paris Hilton style feet ;-) Haha I’m actually still considering whether to enter or not, but I’ll keep you guys posted!

As always, much love Abi! xxx

Farewell Summer, for we must part… well at least til' November Sunshine!

Well hello there!!!

Long time no see, How have you been? You look different! Did you get those teeth bleached? Seriously, you're looking absolutely gorgeous today, I mean you're glowing...wait, OH SHIT... You're not pregnant are you? Nah, that's not it...OHMYGOD you've changed your hair haven't you?

If you answered YES, than Woahhh! I'm super talented since I can't actually see you at the moment, but for those (most of you) who answered No, you will most probably be getting a haircut or at least a treatment. Believe me you will.

What's that? Oh, so you like disagree? AS IF GIRLFRIEND? GOSH! With all those beached as bro' days we've been blessed to have had in Sydney this summer, we might as well be pulling a Gaga and get fitted for a wig ASAP! Even for those, who like me don't bleach their hair, or happen to be hair-dye-virgins, you need to know you are included. Basically, I've noticed my hair has dried up over summer and I am for-once-in-my-life so ready for a (Cringing as I type this) trim & treatment!

GASPING FOR AIR? Tis’ okay my lovelies, say it with me now- inhale and exhale, inhale and exhale :) The treatment I love and am actually used to it, I'm just surprised that I will HAPPILY/WILLINGLY allow my hairdresser to touch my curly locks, which are clearly overdue for a trim.

Look, don’t judge me. As much as I love summer, I think I’m ready to let it go. I mean, God knows I'm not a fan of the frumpy-ass winter days and considering that I, as a regular train commuter prefer the stinking hot occasional smelly-ass bogans on my trains to that embarrassing sprint to my platform in the pouring rain. (Mind you, if I’m lucky enough to catch the right train, I’m pretty sure as I enter I’m not greeted by a handsome young fella at the door who just so happens to be carrying an extra coat and a skim-hot chocolate.)

Okay REE-LAX, I know my life’s not exactly a Hollywood movie and truthfully, I don’t expect such a lovely & melodramatic situation ***Inmydreams.com.au to actually take place. But, as soon as those doors swing open there is a flood of people, people with dirty, smelly-ass shoes which after about three stops starts to irritate the absolute shit out of me.I guess I shouldn't complain, Thank God my stop is one of the earlier ones on the train timetable which is kind of a WIN! I get a seat, but then being the great citizen that I am, I kindly offer it to ANY PASSENGER who is remotely older than me(LOSS). I will most probably complain about that in winter. However, back to summer… So I can’t believe I, Miss Abi (aka highly enthusiastic promoter of all things summer) is kinda okay with the whole switch from summer to autumn/winter.

Now let me tell you, in recent years I have been one to hold on to summer for as long as possible for e.g. walking around in a singlet when the sky is greyer than that weird yet randomly sexy patch of hair Mr. Sheffield of The Nanny used to rock. Seriously, I am often FORCED to put my summer sandals away because I know it simply looks shit-house to wear a turtle-neck sweater with a pair of trendy sandals which conveniently showcase the 10 toes (I probably own) of which are clearly in the early stages of frostbite. Ps, I do realise that it’s highly hypocritical of me to do such a thing when I’m the first one to bitch about those Westfield-boganista’s who think it’s “TOTALLY HAWT” to team a denim MINI with UGG BOOTS in Sydney’s typical 40 degree heat!

I don’t know about you guys, but due to my current state of unemployment and Uni Holidays (which leave me with too much spare time on my hands), I think I’m just totally inspired after reading international magazines and viewing overseas fashion websites for the past 3 months. Which typically feature the likes of Leighton Meester and Kim Kardashian wearing the most FABULOUS boots & gorgeous winter coats!







Well, what do you guys think? Are you over the summer fashion yet? Or are you seriously going to consider travelling to the other side of the world once winter hits us kids here down under?

***Inmydreams.com.au is not a real website; it was clearly used for emphasis :P Geez HOW EMBARRASSMENT! I really hope ya'll didn’t get all excited and try to Google it or anything.

As always, much love Abi xxx

Carrie Bradshaw found real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, cant-live-without-eachother love. And I found Textbook Romance!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It's that time of the year...SALES!! But more importantly all the uni bums are currently on holidaysss!!! Which for me, means finally starting my work experience at the local radio station and catching up with everyone from the school/uni mates to cousins and my gorgeous niece who was ignored for the last two miserable-ass weeks of the semester.

Anyway, I promised myself as soon as I was free I would dedicate my first two weeks to catching up with the girls. And so I did. Unfortunately because I’m so popular this was split into a few different outings as I tend to hangout with a variety of sexy biatches from different (as shitty and high school as it sounds) groups.

So, I met up with all my lovely ladies and I noticed a key theme in terms of conversation… surprise surprise MEN. I like to call them boys, because most of these guys were in their early twenties. Every girl had a different issue, some stories were just the usual “I can’t find a decent guy,” whilst others were afraid they may have committed to a non-existant relationship to a foreign man in a foreign country! Anyway, we shall leave the Sex and The City stories to another day. But this made me realise something about myself, I’m content with the single life; I also realised I have a new obsession…'TEXTBOOK ROMANCE.'

Zoe Foster’s Textbook Romance is basically a gal’s “step-by-step guide to getting the guy.” I've found myself selling this book, which has seriously become my newest obsession. I have even started to use the lingo Zoe has created within everyday life. In fact every time something came up in conversation last week I'd be like, "Oh babe, trust me-engage the apricot!” Unfortunately for me, no one got it, which meant I then sat there explaining. Wow! If exclamation marks could interpret my tone, imagine my husky voice at the highest pitch it could possibly reach. In short, I LOVE IT!

Oh and btw I’m so sorry for blogging about this after Christmas (I hope you can find a copy on the shelves!) but I seriously just milked that book because I didn’t want it to end.
How the obsession came about?

Well guys, you are going to have to use your imagination a bit here and visualise me, rocking up to the Dymocks counter in Liverpool Westfield’s… No, I’m clearly not the 40 something year old woman with a moustache! However, if you’ve spotted a girl with the curly (fuzzball) hair, rocking too-much bronzer-that’s me! As most of you know, I have little to no shame at all, thus my confidence levels are rather high. Yet, here I was perched over the counter with this sales assistant standing before me and I ask “do you have Zoe Foster’s…” and suddenly my loud confident voice turned to a small whisper as I force out “Textbook Romance!” As she ran over to fetch it for me, I made it as though I was ever so interested in some random cookbook. Anyway, once she’d returned I was so besotted that I got the last one on the shelf I could have kissed the poor girl, yet I contained myself and just turned to her with a gleeful look and she knew. Believe me, she knew. She gave me that look, you know that, “Oh I know you’re embarrassed, but its okay look!” So, she attempted to make me feel better, as she commented, “It’s a good read…ahh Hamish’s contribution is funny!” First of all I was like woahh?? I love Hamish (I really do) but its Zoe’s book too man. Secondly, REE-LAX girlfriend- I’m not heartbroken and clearly show no signs of a desperado in the making, I just loved Zoe’s first book (Air Kisses) which i also highly recommend… anyway, awkward moment much? So, I proceeded to pay for my
book and order in (coz God forbid I find it anywhere) Mia Freedman’s new one, Mama Mia!!

Ohh so excited (that reminds me I must go pick that up, girl called me during my workout to notify me that it arrived- how convenient with my pulse radiating at 20,000 km per millisecond, as if I could focus on phone etiquette? ANYWAY, that’s just a whole other story in itself! Which, I shall probably blog about anyways.

Those who know me are aware that I am the go to girl, without hesitation I inflict my advice on them-unfortunately whether it is music to their ears or not ... I must admit I’m the girl that prefers to be the ref, the one who is a celeb in her own right but decides to stand in the background and observe the game fair and square.

I often opt to enforce those ESSENTIAL DATING RULES! I’m not emotionally involved, but happy just monitoring the surface of the game rather than become the team player. Many may be surprised that I picked up a self help book; in fact I can directly quote Maya’s reaction over lunch the other day “WTF Abz, a self help book??” Sure, I got a few giggles and “Abz, babe, you ok?” Relax my lovelies. Don’t be surprised I haven’t been sane since the minute my dad cut that umbilical cord. Now I could have said that but in response to my worried friends, I (harshly) stated “Ahh yeah! I'm fine bitch, but that's because I have this to prepare me for the future! When you call me in tears or are rolling around in a foetal position, I‘ll try my hardest not to quote Zoe’s famous “No offence, but you’re a moron.” Basically, I believe this is the Bible, Quran, Buddhist Readings, Tanakh (Torah) and the code that scientologists go by of
romance! I know, pretty big call but you’ll understand when you read it.

So I know (ok never say never) but at the moment I believe that I won't allow myself to be in a relationship for a few years (unless of course Channing Tatum/ Tyson Beckford decide to leave their wives) Or ‘The Guy’ will have to be pretty darn spesh! However, I think every living female should own a copy of Textbook Romance! Zoe is witty, honest and straight to the point and Hamish’s 2 cents worth is as expected, perfectly amusing!

Furthermore look I'm more than happy to listen to my girls and I'm the first to admit when it comes to relationships I hold the least amount of experience. But funnily enough, I think I have that advantage, I’m not emotionally attached and as the old saying goes sometimes it takes an outsider to bring you back to reality! We all know I'm brutally honest and despite allowing my girls hours of crying on my shoulder ( to the point where my blouse becomes see-through) I'm the first to say “Babe, Fuck it- he isn't worth your time!”
But the golden rule which I absolutely LOVED was "he doesn't need to be reminded of your existence" ahhh pretty sure when I say: Jenny* don’t text him, he knows you’re alive, babe…believe me I know, I understand how tempting it is to text him but take your sim card out and shove your phone in your undie drawer (funnily enough Zoe agrees LOL she even insists you lock the drawer and freeze the key.) Over the top? Fuck yeah!! Nonetheless an ingenious idea!! Admit it, the girl is extremely wise.*P.S. names may have been changed due to the boyfriends who have me as a mate on Facebook.

So there you have it, I hope I have convinced you to checkout my new obsession. And to my dear friends, I’m so sorry in advance. This may or may not be just another obsession e.g. Mariah Carey, Iphone, Magazines, and countless celebrities that you have to add on to the list of things I will be talking about forever.

Oh, whilst I’m tooting Zoe’s horn right now, you should probably checkout the world’s best beauty blog http://www.primped.com.au/ where their motto is the-go-to for the how-to in beauty! Furthermore, for the girls that have read Air Kisses and are just as obsessed as me, Zoe will be releasing her new novel ‘Playing the Field,’ which is expected to be in stores February!

Finally, here’s to hoping you all stick to those New Years Resolutions! I hope to continue to lose the last 10 Kilos (ps lol SO over this resolution I’ve had it for 2 years and have lost 29.) I also aim to do as much work experience (Magazines) as humanly possible whilst maintaining decent results at Uni and getting in touch with my creative side by learning to play acoustic GUITAR!!! Hmm…I wonder if it’s a big jump from Air Guitar? But more importantly I wish you all a blissful 2010, filled with laughter, generosity, inspiration, and a bit of curiosity ;)

P.S. For the tight-asses who wish to borrow my copy of Textbook Romance, dream it-because there is a long waiting list!

P.P.S. I thought I’d add in a great quote/text message I received from my friend Maz today regarding Zoe’s first book Air Kisses, “I love Zoe Foster…I have about 80 pages left n I can’t put it down OMG I don’t want it to finish!!! EVER!!” Clearly, I’m not the only fan?

P.P.P.S you guys can reach Zoe via Twitter @zotheysay. I can't guarantee she'll reply but ya never know …Erm just make sure you don't mention my name, otherwise I'm pretty sure you’ll be getting the zotheysay@(inserturname) Please tell @ AbiMoustafa to quit stalking me. Nah, like seriously the bitch is getting annoying with her tweets/retweets!

Abi xxx