The Mecca Cosmetica Beauty Blog

We consulted the lifestyle experts at Daily Addict to provide you with the top picks of places to spend your Valentine’s Day in Melbourne and Sydney. These qualified social butterflies provide those in-the-know with the best of what’s on and what’s worth knowing, so you can trust the Daily Addict to come up with some love-inspired ideas for the biggest day on the dating Calender… Get ready to be swept off your feet!

Melbourne:

The Waiting Room:
Sweep the feet off your Valentine at Neil Perry’s The Waiting Room (T.W.R.). Cozy up at one of the small candlelit tables for two at this intimate bar. With low lighting and lavish design, it’s just perfect for a romantic rendezvous without the whole restaurant fanfare. Here, you can savour custom-made sodas, amazing bespoke cocktails and try the new menu which features a number of small plates (perfect) for sharing. Pure class.

Image courtesy of Daily Addict

Botanical Gardens:
Hit the markets in the morning, pack a picnic (tips; marinated olives, crusty baguette, gooey cheese and a fine red), and tell your other half to meet you at the ‘Bot’ (Botanical Gardens) after work. Wander the gardens until you find ‘your spot’ and roll out your rug. Relax, unwind and lap up the serenity of the beautiful gardens. This locale is textbook for enjoying the simple things; each other, the stars, and nature right in the heart of the city.

Image courtesy of rbg.vic.gov.au

Newmarket:
Want to take your loved one (or your bestie) to the new hip and happening place in Melbourne? Just head to Newmarket in St. Kilda. Pull up a pew in or outdoors and revel in the produce driven Latin menu, carafes of wine and boutique beers. Share corn on the cob, tacos and quesadillas (and if you still have room) the succulent roast of the day. You’re best to book a table as it can get super busy at peak times, but for a fabulous, relaxed place to spend your weekend or Valentines day you can’t beat this new market.

Image courtesy of Daily Addict

Sydney:

Eau-De-Vie
Tucked in the back of the chic Darlo hotel (walk past the first bar), Eau De Vie makes cocktail hour cool, with vintage-inspired décor, a bar stocked to the hilt with the good stuff and dark corners to canoodle in. This modern speakeasy boasts an award-winning yet down-to-earth crack team of mixologists led by Scotsman Barry Chalmers. It’s an insider’s favourite for kicking drinks pre or post dinner.

Image courtesy of Daily Addict

Botanic Gardens Restaurant
You, your BVF (Best Valentine’s Forever) and a select few lovebirds have exclusive access to the Botanic Gardens Restaurant and Gardens this Valentine’s Day, both of which are usually closed in the evenings. Make your booking and you’ll receive a secret password (keep this close if you enter the leafy surrounds after 8pm). The stage is set for love to blossom. The rest we’ll leave up to you.

Image courtesy of Daily Addict

Adriano Zumbo
Follow your nose as the signage for Adriano Zumbo’s newest Manly hole in the wall patisserie is minimal. ‘The Things I Love’ (and what will no doubt help your Valentine’s equate that to you) is Zumbo’s latest range on offer, a delightful reflection of his quirky, mischievous and cheeky nature. Pick from ‘Yuzu’, ‘Wheely Carry Me Mel’ and ‘It Tastes Sweeter’ and stock up on those infamous macarons. Flavoured raspberry liquorice, bacon and eggs, carrot cake or vegemite sourdough, they’re guaranteed to catapult you both to a sweet high.

Image courtesy of Daily Addict

Want to get the look of love? Click here for Valentine’s Day beauty advice from our resident Makeup Artist Bec Brown.

Megha Kapoor, Fashion Assistant at Vogue Australia

Megha and I met at Vogue’s Fashions Night Out. Running about   the city from luxury store to store, we learnt all about each other; she’s from NZ, just moved to Sydney and the shops Assin, World and Zambesi are among her faves. This fashion assistant is intelligent, fun to be around and of course, very stylish!

Tell me a little about yourself…
Law Student turned Fashion Assistant at Vogue Australia and all the better for it!

What’s your Beauty Game Changer?
Of late it has been verging on the offensively bright orange lipstick.

Favourite product?
Nars Blush and Comme Des Garcon Incense candles in Avignon (try  CDG Insense Agignon fragrance).

I can’t live without…
My family, Thommo, spicy food and style.com!

Best job to date?
Vogue Australia hands down.

What’s your New Years Resolution?
The pace at which things keep evolving in the world of fashion is hyper active to say the least so I guess you can never feel like you’re completely across it all at any one time – however, the aim is to be exactly that and also discerning and nuanced about the way this information is presented to our readers. At the same time I’m determined to start an Ashtanga yoga course I’ve been postponing!

Victoria Lee, Model

Victoria and I met on one of her first ever shoots. It was for a major hair campaign – which I have to say is a pretty amazing feat and a sign of things to come for this gorgeous gal from western New South Wales. She has an impressive resume for someone who’s only been in the business for two years. You’ll have seen her in shop windows, in every magazine and on the catwalk at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. The most impressive thing though is that from day one to the other day when we caught up, she hasn’t changed a bit. She’s still that smiley, bright, friendly and caring girl. Ps. Did I mention she has the most amazing hair?

Tell me a little about yourself…
My name is Victoria Lee, I’m 20yrs old from Narrandera in western NSW. I’ve been modeling for almost two years now with Chadwick in Sydney. I’m also studying via correspondence. I enjoy reading, being creative, drawing and making things, cooking… long walks on the beach at sunset… haha. I’m kidding.

What’s your Beauty Game Changer?
Rosewater face mist. I love the smell and it’s so moisturising and refreshing.

Favourite product?
In a Good Light SPF 30+ Tinted Facial Sunscreen – Sun protection is very important to me and I have quite sensitive skin, this product is perfect to wear everyday.

I can’t live without…
My family and being surrounded by nature.

Best job to date?
A shoot that was on location on an stunning property out near Bowral. I stood in a dam where a yabby swam out from under my feet and scared me half to death, I rode a beautiful horse bare back and stood in a lush paddock where very inquisitive cows and calves came up to say hello. It was amazing weather, the crew were lovely and I had so much fun.

What’s your New Year’s Resolution?
Travel overseas and see the world.

Bowen Arico, Photographer

Bowen and I met in May this year however it seems like we have known each other for an age. We have been on many adventures together. He has fabulous eye and is constantly filled with amazing ideas. He is definitely a talent to be reckoned with. I also love his wicked sense of humour.

Tell me a little about yourself…
My name is Bowen, I am a freelance photographer based in Sydney, I shoot all sorts of thing but my interest is in Fashion Portraiture.

What’s your Beauty Game Changer?
My beauty game changer would have to be split up between moisturizer, avocado, and lots of water!

Favourite product?
One of my favorite products would defiantly be Kiehl’s Mens Facial Fuel. I love how its not oily because thanks to my Italian background, I am already oily enough!

I can’t live without…
I can not live without my Nine Inch Nails cd’s, good friends, family and my camera!

Best job to date?
That’s a hard one. I like all my jobs as they are all totally different, I’m always going to new places and meeting new people. I don’t think I’m capable of doing the same thing for too long.

What’s your New Year’s Resolution?
Next year will be for new adventures. I want to travel to a country I have never been to. Possibly Iceland.

www.bowenarico.com

Jasmine O’Loughlin-Glover, Jewellery Designer of GALA Curios

Jasmine and I get on like a house on fire. We have so much in common, especially a love for beauty and baroque art, that when we get together we get so excited that we have to take turns speaking. It’s ridiculous, I know. I’ve only known her since mid-last year but she’s the kind of person that’s so inspiring you want to know everything that’s happening inside her world. Jasmine’s label, GALA, is making big, big waves. Seen on the pages of Harper’s Bazaar, Oyster, Marie Claire, and InStyle, as well as online at Style Bubble (UK) and Pages Digital, GALA Curios are objects that re-interpret familiar forms and materials utilising highly experimental techniques. The name is inspired by Surrealist muse, Gala Dali, as well as the artefacts of the cabinet of curiosities. GALA Curios are objects of beauty and strangeness, designed to make us question perception and reality.

Tell me a little about yourself…
I am a jewellery designer based in Sydney. I have a little studio set amongst lots of lovely trees, from where i make almost every GALA curio by hand. I am a beauty obsessive – whether it be in the form of art, nature, people, design or fashion – so my work is really a labour of love, and forever stimulating.

What’s your Beauty Game Changer?
The palest shade of foundation around and deep black mascara. They are my daily lifesavers, along with perk-me-up bright lipsticks.

Favourite Products?
Darphin Skin Mat Matifying Fluid – everything about it is just divine, from packaging, to texture and delicate scent. I think of/pretend I’m in Paris every time I apply it.

I can’t live without…
Alone time. I love to get lost in my own world for a little while each day.

Best job to date?
Why, working with Anni Hall of course! I’m not kidding – the most recent shoot we worked on for my upcoming AW11 collection, ‘Into the Fold’, was such a great experience. We had an amazing team who brought the vision I had in mind for the range together right before my eyes, it was magical, and the results are stunningly beautiful. I look forward to your readers seeing the results in 2011.

What’s your New Year’s Resolution?
To spend more time with friends and family, and taking care of myself. I love my work (too much) but I am slowly learning to realise that jewellery is not the most important thing in the world!

http://www.galacurios.com/