Amy Sheppard reveals details of romantic proposal
2020 hasn’t been all bad for Amy Sheppard, who recently became engaged to her long-term beau Lachlan Stuart. This is how he popped the big question.
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THE SCOOP
One could use the title of Brisbane band Sheppard’s new track, Brand New, to sum up the next chapter in the life of the indie pop group’s singer/songwriter Amy Sheppard.
It’s shaping up to be a very exciting chapter indeed with a couple of recent milestone events as well as Amy revealing that the band’s much anticipated third album is not far away. During the week she confided to A-List: “We are just finishing up the loose ends – it’s all very exciting.” September turned out to be a monumental month for the performer with her partner of six years, Lachlan Stuart, surprising Amy on September 11 with a proposal on the beach at Mooloolaba. Still basking in the afterglow of the engagement, the singer turned 30 just 11 days later on September 22. Celebrations on the day were kept low key with the singer telling A-List: “We had celebrated my birthday the day after we got engaged. Emma (Amy’s sister and band member) and Lachie organised a whale watching cruise boat to host a party on with a group of our closest friends. Oh, what a night!” Her thoughts on turning the Big 3-0? “The anticipation of (it) was worse than actually turning 30. I’m so happy and more confident in who I am as a person, more than ever before.” Speaking about the band’s new track Brand New that dropped last weekend, Amy says “It is one of the most romantic and effervescent songs we’ve written and it was very fitting to release it after getting engaged. It’s about never getting sick of your significant other and always keeping the love feeling brand new.”
Queensland’s most instagram-friendly spot
Kerrie Hess: Why you shouldn’t follow fashion trends
Mister Zimi stores at Brisbane’s Calile Hotel and Pacific Fair were inundated this week following the launch of the brands much-anticipated Kokomo collection.
A spokeswoman for Mister Zimi said the 119-piece collection featured denim, knits and new 100 per cent cotton and linen-blend style, with 15 styles selling out within 24 hours - in some cases, in less than 30 minutes.
“We were blown away yesterday with the response to our ‘Kokomo’ collection launch, but mostly by how incredibly amazing our Zimi customers are!’’ a spokesperson says.
“They were all so positive and patient with queues and restrictions on numbers in-store, and made it such an awesome, easy and fun day for launch along with our lovely team.
“We are so lucky and grateful to have such a legendary Mister Zimi community and are super excited for the next drop!”
And there’s more good news to come, with the team confirming another new collection - Kokomo Swim - is coming soon.
Longing to be in lockdown with a group of strangers for several weeks with your every move being filmed? Happy to say “I do” to someone you’ve just met? If you’re yearning for reality TV fame and fortune, Channel 7 presenter and two-time winner of reality TV competitions, Liz Cantor, and Big Brother 2020 housemate Shane Vincent have a podcast for you. A-List spoke to Cantor (who won The Mole in 2005 and Living Stone in 2016) about the Gold Coast duo’s upcoming new Reality Is podcast. The pair has been recording interviews with other successfully cast reality competition entrants including Luke Kennedy (The Voice runner-up), Abbie Chatfield (The Bachelor runner-up), Luke Toki (Australian Survivor) and Chad Hurst (Big Brother 2020 winner). Guests will share their own experiences and give advice on how to get cast in Oz’s biggest reality shows. Reality Is will debut on all podcast platforms next month with an Instagram profile already active at @realityispodcast
Award-winning novelist Claire Christian is back in print with her second novel, ‘It’s Been A Pleasure, Noni Blake’, released this week.
The book is Christian’s debut into adults-only fiction: a sex positive, body positive, queer and feminist romance novel that has rave reviews from Michelle Law who branded it “sexy in all the right places and squirm-inducing in all the others”.
And that’s which is exactly what Christian, of Sherwood, was aiming for.
“Noni Blake is unashamedly a rom-com that is meant to make you giggle, and feel good, and delighted, and swoony and self-reflective about what you want ... and what actionable things you can do to make yourself feel the way you want to feel,” Christian says.
“Writing a book about pleasure has really made me interrogate a lot of things in my life. In the best kind of way,” she says, adding that it even prompted her to says ‘yes!’ when friends asked her to pose in her underwear for a photoshoot.
Christian’s first book, the YA novel Beautiful Mess, won the 2016 Text Prize.
Keen for a spot of shopping that delivers that feel good factor?
Brisbane-based charity Dangerous Females this week released their new limited edition tees, mugs and tea towels designed by Kylie Zerbst from Melbourne-based brand Obus, and Ellie Hopley of Shuturp.
It’s the eighth limited edition collaboration by the not-for-profit which partners with local artists twice a year with merchandise available for just three months. Previous collaborations included Rachel Castle, Fussy Gus, Jericho Road Clothing and Rachael Sarra among others.
Since launching 2018, Dangerous Females have donated more than $140,000 to organisations and refuges all over Australia.
All profits from the sale of their latest limited edition merchandise will be split between Brisbane DV Service and Lou’s Place in Sydney.
LOOK OF THE WEEK
Event: Rolls-Royce Ghost Launch
Location: The Calile Hotel
Name: Sarah Corbett
Suburb: Runaway Bay
Occupation: Stay-at-Home Mum
Dress: Mackenzie Mode
Shoes: Tony Bianco
Handbag: Chanel
Earrings: Gemstones and Pearls
Style Icon: Rebecca Judd
EVENT OF THE WEEK
Zonta Roaring 20’s Charity Lunch, Manly
It was a trip back in time when the Zonta Club of Wynnum Redland hosted a colourful Roaring 20’s-themed charity lunch at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.
Dressed for the Gatsby era, guests sipped champagne and enjoyed a gourmet lunch overlooking the sparkling harbour with one of the afternoon’s highlights being a vibrant parade featuring fashion from Cleveland boutique Labels by the Bay. Mindful of social distancing measures, guests were able to catch up and socialise safely with friends they’d not seen for months. Other highlights included a vintage car on display, 1920’s music and Charleston dancers with funds raised from the annual event to be used to support Zonta projects locally and internationally.
INSIDE MY WARDROBE: ALI BRIGGINSHAW
Women’s rugby league has grown in popularity in recent years; with Broncos player and Queensland caption Ali Brigginshaw nowa household name.
A dual Broncos premiership-winner and a two-time World Cup winner with the Jillaroos, Brigginshaw still owns each jersey she’s played in - dating back to when she was a kid.
“They’re something that can’t be replaced and they mean so much to me,’’ she says.
“I’ve also kept my playing boots so if I’ve won a Premiership or test match in those boots, I don’t wear them again, I keep them in a box.’’
When it comes to her off-field attire, comfort is king.
“An acid wash T-shirt, shorts and my Vans is my go-to. And I’m obsessed with new undies and hoodies; I buy jumpers all throughout the year,” she says.
“I love when people give me compliments for being who I am,’’ she says.
“I wore a suit on the red carpet at last year’s Dally M’s and I didn’t get any negative comments … they were how powerful it was that I was myself.”
How would you describe your personal style?
I always think that my style is. I don’t ever like being told what to wear so if it’s a guy’s T-shirt that I want to wear, that’s what it is. I don’t want to dress how someone is meant to dress so girls don’t have to wear dresses, they can wear suits. That’s my motto when I’m getting dressed.
Has your style changed much over time?
Definitely. When I was younger I thought you had to wear that sparkly dress that your mum told you to but as I got older I started to realise I’m my own person and I want to wear what I want to wear. As I’ve gotten older and more mature I’ve also become more confident in wearing what I’m happy in.
Is there anyone whose style you admire?
Alex Glenn has pretty good style. I admire any girls that rock that comfy look. I see girls who look really uncomfortable in what they’re wearing and I think ‘Why don’t you just put a T-shirt and shorts on, you’ll be much comfier and still look good’.
What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look?
An acid wash T-shirt, shorts and my Vans.
Do you have a favourite fragrance?
Bulgari; it smells woody.
Is there a trend you like right now?
I love white sneakers; I think they look good on everyone; girls that wear dresses and white sneakers look awesome.
What are your favourite labels?
Adidas would be my favourite brand. Their clothes are suitable for anyone and the T-shirts are the comfiest you’ll wear. And you don’t have to iron their shirts before you leave the house, you can just chuck them on.
What’s the best fashion advice you’ve received?
I love when people give me compliments for being who I am. I wore a suit on the red carpet at last year’s Dally M’s and I didn’t get any negative comments … they were how powerful it was that I was myself.
Most recent purchase?
My Apple Watch and it has changed my life. I don’t like to be addicted to social media, so now I can leave my phone in the car which cuts back on my social media time.
Biggest fashion indulgence?
T-shirts. I’ve got that many plain what and plain black. I love a new T-shirt.
Five things you can’t live without?
T-shirts.
Bonds undies; I’m obsessed with new undies.
Hoodies. I like to buy jumpers all throughout the year, even I summer.
Shoes. I’m obsessed with any type of shoes and I like new shoes. If I have a pair I love, I’ll buy a new pair in the same type.
Sunglasses. I like to use sunglasses as an accessory; I don’t really wear them, I just like to have them on me.
What is your most sentimental item?
All my jerseys. I’ve kept every single jersey I’ve ever played in since I was a little girl. They’re something that can’t be replaced and people always ask for them, but they mean so much. I’ve also kept my playing boots so if I’ve won a Premiership or test match in those boots, I don’t wear them again, I keep them in a box.
Biggest fashion faux pas or most cringeworthy outfits or trend you followed?
I’ve looked back at photos of me in dresses and I don’t know what I was thinking at the time because I don’t think I even look like myself.
What’s something you’ll never throw out?
I never throw out clothes, I’m a hoarder. It might be a T-shirt I’ve not worn for a year, but I’ll keep it and try to hide it from my partner so she doesn’t see. I do not like throwing away clothes.
