Book Month

A new biography of Australian billionaire James Packer gives a fascinating insight into Packer's recent "breakdown" with the author Damon Kitney of The Australian newspaper being given exclusive access to James:

"I was like Icarus," the billionaire tells his biographer of the heady days of 2016 when he broke up with pop star Mariah Carey, abandoned living in Hollywood and Israel, left the global casino stage, and divided the family fortune in a bitter separation from his sister.
With these words, Packer delves for the first time into the story behind his stunning public revelation in mid-March 2018 of his battle with mental health issues, which forced him to resign from the board of the Crown casino company he owns and loves.

Packer says he was "saved" partly by close friend Hollywood actor Warren Beatty who Packer often stayed with in LA and who he calls "father" (pictured above). 
 'The Price of Fortune' will be available on 22nd of this month.

21 : and Just For Fun

Anyone brought up in Sydney will recall the motto of the fun park Luna Park : Just For Fun. Situated with possibly the most commanding views of Sydney Harbour it was the location for media heiress Francesca Packer Barham to celebrate her 21st birthday. Francesca is the daughter of the late Kerry Packer's only daughter Gretel Packer and her ex-husband British banker Nick Barham. When she's not partying at Luna Park, Francesca hangs out with the likes of Tom Cruise and Robert de Niro on her uncle James Packer's cruiser in the Mediterranean.
Pictured is Francesca ( as a Minnie Mouse character) with PR supremo Roxy Jacenko of 'Sweaty Betty' fame and below, a snap of some other fancy dressed guests.

Melbourne & Across The Sea

Milliner Phillip Treacy locks lips with singer Grace Jones at the Battersea Power Station

 Perhaps it's the way of future- an extended series of Mother's Day celebrations. Last week we had the launch of the Murdoch Children's Research Foundation garden party in Elizabeth Bay at the Boomerang mansion which will become an annual charity fundraiser and which hopes to inspire numerous similar events around the country,
The following Friday Crown Casino in Melbourne hosted a Mum's Day event with some of the same guests, namely rival media names- the Packers. Attending were Francesca Barham with her grandmother Ros Packer, widow of the late Kerry Packer. Barham is the daughter of James Packer's sister Gretel Packer and British banker Nick Barham (James owns Crown)

At Crown :  Nicole Trunfio         Rebecca Judd              Sherri Biggs             Nadia Bartel       Jesinta Campbel

Meanwhile in London the iconic Battersea Power Station is soon to be turned into apartments- and what a location that will be -they threw their annual party and we have an exclusive video of the night's entertainment- rock royalty Elton John.

Aussies on The European Catwalk

 

YOU CAN'T MOVE on the European fashion cat-walks at present for Aussies-Miranda Kerr, Gemma Ward and the androgynous beauty Andrej Pejic (a favourite of Jean Paul Gaultier)

The way was paved of course by the likes of Elle McPherson , but now male twins-the Stenmarks (left) are becoming the ones to watch.

Zac and Jordan Stenmark have appeared in shows for Calvin Klein along with a host of other Australian male models as reported by noted fashion writer Patty Huntington who regularly prowls the fashion precincts of Europe and the USA and writes the informative frockwriter blog.

The Stenmarks hail from Mosman in Sydney and are the sons of former 80's models Susie Stenmark and Stuart Darcy and they come with impeccable social credentials.

Georgia & Paul Stenmark

Andrej Pejic

Second cousin (also) Susie Stenmark was the communications manager for Chanel for many years and before that, the Park Hyatt hotel. 

Another cousin Paul Stenmark is the marketing manager for Laurent Perrier champagne (we lurve Paul!) and is married to the photographer Georgia Moxham whose best pal is Gretel Packer, the late Kerry Packer's much loved daughter .

Only The Best

It's one of the world's finest champagnes so when Laurent Perrier announced they were launching two new versions the Shuttle felt that it would be only good manners to help them out.

Sepia is a relatively new bar and restaurant in downtown Sussex Street not far from Chinatown and it's quickly developed a  reputation for it's atmosphere and fine food presided over  by Martin Benn whose credentials are impeccable. Recently from the Boathouse, Glebe's top eatery but formerly Benn was head chef at Tetsuyas.

nice-Natarsha Belling at Laurent Perrier

And Tetsuyas -as anyone worth his salt knows, has received more world awards than one can poke a fork at including being voted amongst the fifty best restaurants in the world for 8 years.  Owner and chef Tetsuya Wakuda has now reached God-like status in his birth country Japan where he commands audiences in the thousands when he makes an appearance there. One of his regular customers David Bowie makes side trips to Sydney just to eat at Tetsuyas.

Georgia Stenmark & Gretel Packer at Sepia

So Marin Benn has been part of that magic and has now brought it to his own establishment, aided by partner Vicki Wild in a New York  type brasserie with Japanese and French influenced food that is quite simply, sensational.

But more on that champagne: Laurent Perrier Ultra Brut and Brut Millesime 2002 which are really quite superb and were served in copious amounts at the tasting.

Taste is far too personal to describe the exquisiteness of these two bubblys. Just go and grab a bottle now as they are on sale at $140 and $120 respectively. You will definitely not be disappointed.
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We've just scored a pair of tickets for Elton John's show at the Hope Estate at Polkolbin in the Hunter Valley in December.

This is how spectaculars always should have been-at one of the world's finest vineyards. Hope have really hit the jackpot with this brilliant concept by joining with promoter Michael Chugg , so much so they have now built their own 19000 seat amphitheatre. Recent shows have included The Who and Neil Diamond.

Pepper's Convent

It makes for one of the most pleasant weekends- a two hour drive to the glorious Hunter (especially in December), stay at one of the cheery hotels and guest houses (we always stay at Peppers, either the guesthouse or the Convent) and dinner at one of dozens of fantastic restaurants in the area and then on to the concert.

But you have to book now!. It will be sold out by September. Book here 
 ## And we will have 2 tickets to be given as prizes for Elton's just announced concert at Star City-there will only be 2000 seats !. More later.