Getting social in Toorak

Engagement levels were high on the night! I was invited along by the lovely people of Toorak Village to share my Social Media expertise on Wednesday 24 Feb. It was great to share my insights – plus I love an audience! Let’s take a look at how the social media event unfolded. Images by Dale Peucker.

Chatting with Toorak Traders Association marketing manager Tracey Cammock.

Giving Debra from Villique fashion store some tips on social media.

Shaking hands with the Toorak Traders Association President Tony Fialides.

It was a great night and I thoroughly enjoyed talking about my passion for Public Relations and Social Media. So, call me and let’s chat about how I can help your business. E: craig@craiglawson.net M: 0405 242 249

March 1, 2016 0

Pop-up Alert!

Ice-Cream Doughnuts & Craft Beer at The Strand Melbourne, 3 days only! I stopped by opening day to grab some snaps, have a little taste and chat to the people running the show.

150 litres of ice-cream is expected to be served up this weekend to eager foodies ready to get their hands on these beautiful delights. This has to be perfect timing as scorching hot weather is sweeping across the state.

The husband-wife duo behind The City Lane, Paul and Lauren Kristoff have put together this experience of doughnut ice-cream sandwiches and matched craft beers. They will make the toppings and ice-cream from scratch with the doughnuts freshly sourced from Big Lou’s in Fitzroy.

Chatting to Lauren, she says with European backgrounds their lives revolve around food, so it’s great with the pop-ups to share their passion.

“It will be a beautiful way to spend a nice summer day, enjoying the sunshine and chilling with friends,” she says.

Three flavours include; Peanut Butter and Crispy Dark Chocolate, Turkish Delight Cheesecake, and Orange and Cardamom. Matching craft beers have been selected from East Brunswick-based Temple Brewery including the New World Order American Stout, the Rye Hard IPA and the Bicycle Summer Ale.

Taste test: the ice-cream with its creamy texture had a delicious home-made taste and was a hit. Mixed with the topping and doughnut it made the perfect pre-Xmas indulging treat. I have to admit as it was early in the day and if I didn’t have afternoon meetings I would have loved to have washed it down with one of the craft beers as it would have brought a new twist to the overall experience – just another reason to go back over the weekend!

Open 10:30am to 10:30pm from Friday 18 December until Sunday 20 December, in a newly-created space at The Strand Melbourne on Driver Lane in the CBD.

December 18, 2015 0

Melbourne Cup 2015

The race that stops a nation sure knows how to put on a show! Melbourne Cup 2015 drew a massive crowd of 101,000 who witnessed a dream come true as Michelle Payne rode Prince of Penzance to become the first female jockey to win the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

The popular Birdcage Enclosure was home to a host of celebrities including international guest of the VRC and Emirates, Lady Kitty Spencer, Lleyton and Bec Hewitt and Ricky Ponting at Swisse, Jennifer Hawkins and Kris Smith in the Myer marquee, and French DJ David Guetta at G.H. Mumm.

I was on roaming reporter duties to capture the vibe, style and people. And boy was it fun, let’s take a look at the action I snapped…

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Emirates Stakes Day is on Saturday so get your tickets now! https://www.flemington.com.au/melbourne-cup-carnival

November 5, 2015 0

We’re off and racing…

Giddy Up! Derby Day launched the start of Melbourne Cup Carnival in fabulous style on Saturday. The morning thunder storms didn’t dampen the spirits of 85,000 race-goers who flocked to Flemington Raceway. The popular Birdcage Enclosure was home to a host of celebrities including Millie Mackintosh at Emirates, Hilary Swank in the Swisse marquee and Jennifer Hawkins in the Myer marquee, while the Lavazza marquee played host to footballers Marc Murphy and Chris Judd. The fashion was impressive and it’s great to see how people choose to express their personal style yet remain within the Derby Day fashion rules of black and white. Let’s take a look at my snaps from the fun, style and vibe of Derby Day 2015…

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We have three more race days to go! Get your outfits sorted and I’ll see you there. Tickets can be brought here:https://www.flemington.com.au/melbourne-cup-carnival

November 2, 2015 0

Toorak Village Art Walk

The fashionable shops of Toorak have joined forces to launch a street gallery exhibition. Upon capturing the action, I discovered an exciting new store dedicated to gifts for men. So, grab yourself a glass of champagne and let’s take a look.

The Toorak Village Art Walk is in its fourth year and combines an eye-catching mix of art pieces on display in the shop windows. Director Tony Fialides says it’s great exposure for artists and people can purchase pieces that catch their eye in a relaxed style. “People can walk around at their leisure and if they see something they like, then they can buy it,’ he says.

This Melbourne suburb of Toorak leads the charge in the style stakes and plays home to fabulous boutiques, hair salons and restaurants.

Traffic is a cool new men’s store that opened six months ago with the great tagline: Because men are hard to buy for. On display in the window is an oil canvas inspired by the Magpie and titled Close To The Edge by Toorak artist Peter Byron.

Traffic owner Don Gurr opened the store as he saw an opportunity for a place that was dedicated to gift ideas just for men. The store stocks a unique collection carefully handpicked that include antique ornaments, fashion jewellery and classic decorative pieces. Mr Gurr says it great to stock gifts for men that are more than just socks, jocks and hankies. “This is the store that lifts the lid on secret men’s business,” he says.

Make sure to check it out! Toorak Village Art Walk is on till 15 November 2015.

October 28, 2015 0

Eyes Wide Open

It was a gorgeous evening of divine fashion and entertainment as Talent on Demand delivered another extravaganza at Rah Bar on Saturday 23 August.

Talent on Demand director Natalie Heslop says the event titled Eyes Wide Open was a dynamic night that went towards a great cause.

“The feedback was positive; everyone embraced the word class choreography and garments in support of Beyond Blue,” she says.

The champagne flowed as the glamorous crowd enjoyed an insight into the coming season of spring fashion and jewellery to match. A highlight was an operatic performance from opera singer and designer Valentina Dobric before her designs hit the runway that left the audience wowed by her multi talents.

The spring fashion showcase was delivered by Velentina Dobric, Judith Penak Couture, Catherine Ellen Milinery, Vintage Designs, Stella Nemiro jewellery, Coelho & Pretty Porter with their vibrant kaftans!