Max Fashions

Describing their Spring/Summer 07/08 collection "feminine and eclectic", Max Fashion's new line is now available in it's New Zealand shops with some pieces yet to be released (November at the latest). Browsing through their collection online I found myself drawn to the bright red berry satin dress that greeted me while the site loaded. I tried to be objective and pick a variety of pieces, but what caught my eye were their dresses with only one top n short outfit finding favour with me.

1. Seville print dress $129

2. Georgie strapless dress $129

Their spring/ summer line contained a lot of blues, blacks, greys, whites and reds with various floral prints.The dresses and skirts were very feminine with an 80s/70s/60s feel about them i.e. loose and flowing knee to above the knee length dresses and high waisted skirts while their pants and shorts were boyish i.e. the news paper boy shorts. My disappointment was that they played it safe with black still dominating their palette and that several of the darker pieces were not available in other colours.

3. Taylor Chiffon Tunic $99

4. Leuella Satin dress with gathered detail $129 (available in berry and silver)

5. brown pin stripe chiffon top $89 & brown pinstripe long short $89
note. I think the top is hot but I would loved to have seen it in another bright colour to really make it pop

Here are some tid bits about Max Fashions
-Max is a New Zealand owned company that was founded by David Wright in 1985
-their ranges come out every week
-they cater from size 6 to 16
-price range is $49 up

The Waterfront

Located on the Viaduct just outside the America's Cup yacht the Waterfront caters to 250 people max. The last time I'd been to the Waterfront was last year in April or May and my has it changed since then.They've done a major overhaul to the interior and revamped it.

They've extended the space by adding an extra lounge over what use to be the bathrooms. Gone are the booth like seats which lined the walls and there are now 2 major dance areas: the old dance floor & the space just before the deck (to the left as you walk in).

There are even more sitting areas:
-the deck outside for smokers (smoking inside bars and clubs in NZ is banned)
-the two booths to the front of the bar
-the lounge area where the bathrooms used to be and

-the outdoor sitting area on the other side of the main dance floor which over looks the viaduct.note: the lights looked like candles in the ceiling.

The DJ was great that night. He did some great mixing and manged to get the crowd going with some good tech n house joints adding into the mix some hip hop n rnb club bangers. He surprised me with a mash-up of red red wine and buy you a drink (which I'm still searching for). Other faves that night would have to be destination calabria (once again), blow my whistle and a lot of other songs that fail to come to mind right now.

It's definitely risen on my list as one of the night spots to visit. Note to the fellas, mind what shoes you're wearing because their dress code changes. Sometimes they'll let you in with your nikes, vans, etc and sometimes they won't. Always have your ID ready otherwise you won't get in. And don't bother going if you're claustrophobic cos it does get crowded in there. My rating 4.5/ 5

a night at R'toto

Right, I've been in Auckland for a week now. Its been good to get back and see the fam although it did have the downside of me filling in my sister's cooking nights because she's away for Netball champs in Whangare (pronounced fang-a-rey).

My sister and I decided to kick start our weekend last night by hitting up R'totos on the Shore. We waited for nearly an hour to get in but it was sorta worth the wait. I swear to G that short white chick who kept shoving me was on her last straw. But I consider myself a passive person so I let it slide. Besides she had a fugly out-fit on so that was punishment enough for her lol (my inner "mean girl" is chuckling to herself right now).

R'totos is a bar /restaurant in Takapuna in Auckland's North Shore. It's pretty big with a capacity of 200 plus maybe (I'm just guessing) and is one of the North Shore's swankier night spots (plus it's close to home). The music at times reminded me of Lamana. It was a combination of dance/tech/rock/rnb/rap and they even had videos for every song. I caught myself watching the videos in the midst of dancing. It's got a good vibe about it and once you get inside all you wanna do is grab a drink and dance. The water features outside are funky (I think someone poured some bubble bath into it last night) and the main bar is a beach hut complete with thatched roofing. There is ample sitting space inside and out but the dance floor is pretty much where you want to be.

My highlights for the night - when they played destination calabria, pictures by Sneaky Sound System, Rock this part by Bob Sinclar. My pet peeves for the night - R'totos closing at 1am, the long line outside, the mini- Lisa Loeb with the fugly outfit who kept trying to shove me and the clowns who kept pushing or line-jumping. Overall I'd give it a 3 out of 5.

Alex Guadino - Destination Calabria