SIX WEEKS OF SUMMER DETOX

Okay I know what you're thinking. Another detox? Sara you failed miserably when you set out to attempt 100 days of detox (off the booze), why set yourself up to fail again?

Well, long story short, I'm not going to fail. Why?

For starters, this time I have motivation. In a few weeks I'm optimistic it's going to be warm enough to hop, skip and jump down to Bondi Beach and jump into those crystal blue waves. The dilemma? Traditionally to jump into the water, you're required to slip into something that closely resembles a bra and undies. Resembles? Who am I kidding? I have bras and undies that cover more flesh than my swimwear! So upon realising this on the weekend, I decided I needed to shed what we women call "winter weight" and shape the hell up! Some girls take to pinning up inspirational pics on their mirrors/walls. Me? I know my body and I know what it looks like at its best, that's what I want it to look like, not someone else's.

The other reason I know this is going to work? I'm not going without. You see, the reason I think I fail at detox is because I decide to go cold turkey. This self-designed diet is being fair to me, fair to my body, and it's achievable. The idea of never having something again is what forces you to give up. You want something so badly that you throw the towel in on the whole lot. best I get into my rules at this point...

1. No gluten - Why? Because deep down I know my daily exercise/activity does not require a substantial amount of carbs for energy. I sit at a desk for eight hours and do pilates when I get the time. (Yes, Elixr, I hope you appreciate my $120 a month donation.)

2. No meat - I've done this often. It's not a moral issue for me. I don't associate the slab of veal on my plate with a calf named Molly roaming in a grassy green field. For me, I associate it with bloating (much like the above)! Your body works so fricken' hard to digest meat and mine certainly feels it. I'm allowing myself seafood as it's much lighter, works well with my body, it's a source of protein, and I love it.

3. No obvious fats or sugar - Now this is a sketchy one. I use the word "obvious" because I'm not completely clued up when it comes to what is in which foods. So by saying this, I mean those that scream out, "Eat me and I'm going straight to your ass/thighs..." Yes, lollies, chocolates, ice-cream, excessive amounts of cheese, anything deep fried etc. This comes down to common sense for me. I'll still use a splash of oil if I'm cooking or what not.

Now, my favourite part. The exceptions! I love an exception to the rule, and as I've said, I believe this is what's going to make this little escapade work.

I get one cheat day per week. This means I can eat whatever I like, one day a week, should I choose to. I should add here, I LOVE CARBS. I don't feel like I've eaten a meal unless I've had carbs. Carbs for me are like meat for a male - they make the meal! So this is the most challenging part. I'm pretty adamant I'm going to stick to no meat even on cheat day, but knowing that one day a week I get to have toast, pasta, and mashed potato (my favourite carbs!) is what's going enable me to go without for the other six days.

The other allowance is that I get two nights per week to indulge in alcohol. For some that still may seem excessive, but in my profession, I assure you it's not! This week alone I have the launch of a Mexican restaurant (Tues), a venue's birthday (Weds), a magazine party (Thurs), and then a trip to the snow (Fri and Sat), so to cut my booze sessions from five to two per week is still a big change in my habits. And that's what this is about. Making some small (achievable!) changes to my dieting habits.

Bear in mind, I'm not a nutritionist. I've decided on these rules because after having so many messages thrown at us about good food, bad foods and superfoods, I'm choosing to apply those that have resonated with me. Each to their own, right? I'm going to post my daily menu on twitter because documenting it is going to keep me honest. Wish me luck :)

Oh PS. Must give a shout out to my buddies Heath and Dom for inspiring me...

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO DATE A... PR CHICK

I get told that I'm quite different to other PR chicks, but after reading this article, I'm not so sure I am anymore.

From about 13 years of age I was raised by my dad because I chose to live with him over my mum after my parents split. Treated like "one of the boys" from puberty meant I was in for a future of BMX, motocross, touch football, fishing and camping. As a result, not only do I swear like a dirty sailor (I'm sure you've noticed this if you're on my facebook, twitter or blog) but I can ride motorbikes, drive a manual car, drive a boat, bait a hook, put up a tent, build a fire and pass a footy, amongst many other things usually left to the boys. Men? Who needs men? Kidding! I do! Anyway, when I first moved to the eastern suburbs in Sydney seven years ago, every single girl I met was a Princess. When I moved into the PR industry full time at 22, I thought so even more.

However, while I think I certainly swear more and play more sport than the average PR glamazon, this article sent to me via twitter has made me consider the fact that maybe us PR chicks share more in common than our career objectives.

About five years ago I became single after around 10 years of back to back relationships (yes, sadly, since I was 14 I had bounced from one relationship to another) and I began writing a book. I began dating and started to notice that each guy had quite strong characteristics which I would jokingly put down to their jobs. So I started banging out a book which I later named "What It's Like To Date A..." The book was going to be an A to Z of occupations and what a male in that particular profession was like to date. It was fun to write, but sadly my shitty old Compaq decided to stop breathing and I lost half the letters of the alphabet I'd completed. Devo. Oh, and I fell in love and stopped dating so research became a bit too challenging.

If a guy set out to write that same book (I'm full of free ideas by the way, just give me a category and I'll hit you back with one) then I reckon it would be a pretty cinch task to prepare a par on girls in PR. In addition to the three points that the NYC PR Girls point out in this article, I've summarised a few key personality traits that I reckon us good PRs share..

1. Our career comes first. And, quite often you'll also have to compete with it. And more often than not, you'll never win. To be in PR it takes a lot of hard work, long hours and a few years on really shitty pay. It's drive and determination that got us to where we are so please don't be offended if we don't want to compromise our careers and throw it all away for you. Pro? Our motivation and independence will turn you on. Con? The nights spent hanging on the couch will more than likely just be you, alone.

2. We're organised. Like nothing you've ever seen before. Borderline OCD. It's the most critical characteristic of a PR so it makes sense that this would be quite prominent in our personal lives too. Everything has a place, every task needs a checklist, every appointment time is confirmed. It's kind of freakish. Pro? You'll always have your lunch made, dry cleaning dropped off and remember your mum's birthday because she'll have your "to do" list in her diary too. Con? You'll probably (definitely) be yelled at if your side of the bedroom isn't spotless.

3. We're planners. We plan every day in our profession. We write communication strategies, timelines, and work on events and campaigns with strict deadlines. On occasion we've been known to make a plan to make plans. On average I'd say we're about three months ahead of everyone else in the planning stakes because that's where long lead media sit. Pro? When it comes time to take holidays together you don't have to think about a thing. It'll be booked and paid for and your run sheet, I mean itinerary, will be prepared down to the hour and presented to you in an excel spreadsheet. Con? Chances of spontaneity are slim, not being prepared would more than likely cause a nervous rash to break out on our necks.

4. Our attention to detail is second to none. We've been trained this way, okay?! If we miss vital details in the work we do it can have huge ramifications on the end result. Seemingly small or insignificant details to you are given hefty weighting by us. Pro? We'll remember your boss' wife's name for you. And your boss' pet dog's name for that matter. Con? We will correct your spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors in emails and texts. And we'll notice if you wear the same shirt on our second date.

5. We talk a lot. This is probably why we first embarked on a career in PR. At school we won toastmasters, we were always nominated to present the oral assignments to the class, and we still have a lot of friends who bag us for talking so darn much. The amount of times I've suffered of verbal diarrhea is a little embarrassing. I kick myself every time. Even when I know I'm doing it and just can't stop. It's kind of like a disease. You see what I just did there? Yep. Pro? You can take us anywhere - engagement, wedding, divorce party, bah mitzvah, birthday, family BBQ - and we'll be able to strike up a conversation with a wet mop. Con? We speak to everyone. Not ideal for insecure, jealous or possessive types. Plus we might exhaust you occasionally.

This is my favourite PR chick. Ever. Of all time. Shauna Roberts. She doesn't really exist, but if she did I'm certain we'd be friends.

MAGICAL SPLENDOUR MOMENTS

In the beginning.

Where everyone secretly wanted to be.

Push It.

Joss and vodka. Breakfast of champions.

The longest my little legs will ever look.

Groupies.

Papa El-Bayeh.

We certainly did.

Tommy doing the Tipi warm up.

Chapman.

Jetson.

Ohhhh Rexy you're so sexy.

You know you're buckled when...

Cuteeeeee

That guy.

Nut bags at Cloud Control.

When you gotta go, you gotta go.

Words of wisdom from the water closet.

Poor girl. 

Furry friend.

Shirts off. Pitsis would be proud.

The End.

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS

My first Splendour In The Grass (SITG) experience was in 2009 when the festival was held at the Belongil fields, just outside of Byron Bay. Despite not remembering about 80% of the weekend and our car breaking down half way home, I still recall it as being one of the best times of my life.

Last year was the first time SITG was held at Woodfordia, their name for the grounds just outside Woodford in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Entrance to last year's SITG site was a shit fight. To give you an idea, our crew of about eight left Brisbane in the Winnebago at around 4pm on the Thursday and we didn't make it through the gates until 11pm that night. A one hour trip that took seven? Now there's an opportune time to break out "FML". Again though, we had an epic little crew, and it was another splendid few days.

Come 2011 and entry to the site went seamlessly. So seamlessly in fact that we managed to smuggle in a few cases of beer and about six bottles of vodka between us. Winning! I'm not sure why (I'm sure they have a super sensible reason for not allowing alcohol in the camp sites, other than that fact they don't make any moolah off it) but every year it's the same challenge... How do we get our grog inside?! Not because we're all bad asses who don't have respect for rules (although I'm sure it comes across this way), but because when the festival finishes up at around midnight each night, some of the most memorable moments happen when you're drinking in the wee hours, sharing stories around the campfire. Oh, hang on, we weren't meant to start fires either were we? Camp SITE. Sharing stories around the camp SITE, I mean.

While we're talking breaking rules (again, I swear we're not normally like this) special mention has to go to, um, let's call him Thomas, because that's actually his name. Thomas was kicked out of the Smirnoff Cocktail Bar on Friday night for being too intoxicated. Intoxicated? At Splendour? Surely not? Anyway, after being escorted out, young Thomas decided he really wasn't ready to wrap it up, so he went back. Copping a $400 fine for "trespassing" and having his passes taken from him a few moments later, Thomas would probably tell you it was worth every second. On Saturday, after an arts and crafts session constructing a new wrist band from the remnants of other people's - Thomas again decided to pop in to the Smirnoff Cocktail Bar where he was spotted, yet again, and this time was taken to the local cop shop at nearby Caboolture. After a night in lock up and released on the condition he doesn't show his head at Splendour again, brave Thomas found his way back to Woodfordia and accepted the challenge, heading back into the festival for the final night of play. Rounding up some spare passes and covered in what closely resembled a niqab, Thomas soldiered on throughout the Sunday night festivities and lives to tell his tale. Thomas has just been signed to write a book about his SITG 2011 experience. It is scheduled for release in early 2012. Watch this space...

Other than the VIP Gold Bar, which was convenient purely because you didn't have to queue too long for the bar or loo, our crew's favourite hang out was the Jagermeister Hunting Lodge. Totally NOT because our bestie is the Brand Manager for Jagermeister. Honestly! In all seriousness, the Jagermeister Hunting Lodge was another massive improvement this year. If you cast your mind back to 2010 I'm sure you'll remember "that smell" wafting from what used to be the Jager Cube. It had been raining all week prior to the festival and, very sadly for our favourite between-sets-pit-stop, once you stepped inside the Cube, all you could smell was a mixed scent of rubber and mud. Devastating really. Anyway, the Jagermeister Hunting Lodge this year was unreal. I think I was especially in love with it because it felt like both a ski lodge and an old Queenslander home at the same time. Throw in an avid snowboarder originally from the bush in Queensland and you have one happy little Vegemite. Well done Jager! Here's some of this year's posse looking totes relaxed at the Lodge...

Okay I know this is already turning into an essay so I best get to some chat about the beats. I have to say, I thought The Kills and James Blake were pretty disappointing. Each to their own. Just sayin, not the best start. Redemption, however, when Kanye stepped out on stage that night. Pretty sure he silenced any critics he may have had and, well, if he didn't, they're just mad haters who need to lighten the f*ck up because he was clearly killing it. Also on Kanye, I heard a rumour on the weekend that he turns up for international flights 20 mins before departure because he "doesn't like waiting around" ha! Such a cool cat... So anyway, nuff airtime for Mr West...

Loved Architecture In Helsinki, plan on listening to more of their tunes in future. My favourite band of the moment, Foster the People, pretty much blew my mind. (Safe to safe I'm naming my first born Cubbie after one of the band members.) Actually pretty sure they blew everyone's mind who tried to pack into the Mix Up Tent for their set. Do yourself a favour and listen to their album "Torches" if you haven't already. Although I don't know a lot of their stuff yet, Friendly Fires were apparently ridic, as was Kele and Yelle, both whom I missed. I crashed early Saturday night and sadly missed Pnau too, which I am quietly (or not so quietly) devastated about. Fail Sara. When Sunday came around everyone was pumped and we kicked off the day with Cloud Control, definitely one to watch. Cut Copy are one of my all time faves and they didn't disappoint. Ripping, really. We finished the festival in the Amphitheatre with Coldplay. I didn't think I was a huge fan of theirs but their live performance put me in my place. This was at the finale... Epitome of epic...

Will leave you now with some of my pals' Most Memorable Splendour Moments. They may not make a lot of sense but, if you were there, you'll probably get it...


"Our mate strapped a GOLD branded bar of soap to his wrist and flashed it at security to gain entrance to the VIP Gold Bar. Band wise, Foster The People and Friendly Fires killed it." - Shannan Quinn, Brand Manager, Jagermeister


"The double whammy of the two best acts back to back - The Hives then Kanye. Best crew, best music, best times." - Maude Garrett, Hot 30 Countdown, 2DayFM


"Watching a fake porno play out, complete with a midget in a fake naked bodysuit. Is that inappropriate?" - Ruby Forrest, PR Coordinator, Sara Bray PR & Events


"Chris Martin's tribute to Amy Winehouse - very touching." - Richard Penny, Sales Manager, Zanerobe


"Cut Copy playing Hearts On Fire on the final night in the doof doof tent. The sax kicked in and about 15 of us were jumping around, screaming the lyrics, and fist pumping in perfect unison." - Tom O'Dwyer, Sales Manager, Lee

Til next year kids!!