best of the best 2016

The Best of the Best returns to Melbourne for its second edition bigger and better and relocated to the national Gallery of Victoria's Great Hall.  The first edition of this glamorous gala was held three years ago in the Saint Kilda Town Hall and it was such a stellar event the stakes were surely set high to better it. (Check out Best of the Best 2014 Here).  Cleverly curated and superbly staged by the NGV's Women's Association as a funds raiser for acquisitions for the NGV's collection, the event garnered over 40 design savvy participants to put their best table tops forward.  All manner of fine crockery and cutlery were interspersed with a dizzyingly, dazzling diversity of designs.

The wonderful hosts of our table, Christine & Peter Barro, collaborated with the exceptional style meister, Christopher Graf, to present a brilliantly elegant ode to Sandro Botticelli's Birth of Venus painting.  A statue of Venus hovered above the table top floating on a tower of perfectly sculpted flowers resplendent with pearls and seashells.

More fantastic fun and performance was provided by the Huxley boys.

And to top off a fantastic evening, here is Mr Brown with the charming Virginia Dowzer in their 

"Winners are grinners pose", having jointly then out second prize in the charity raffle, of this stunning  Paspaley pearl necklace.  The stylish Ms. Dowzer will be sporting this gorgeous bauble in her usual debonaire manner, look out for it next time she passes by.

What a night, truely the Best of the Best.  Bravo Melbourne.

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003 License to Swim. The Party.

In a departure from our more disco orientated parties and escapades, our latest birthday festival is dedicated to Oskar Storm on his third birthday celebration in Manila.  With a James Bond themed "003 License to Swim" event featuring a silver sportscar birthday cake, a fabulous jumping castle with waterslide and wading pool and lashings of lollies and ice-cream cones, just add 20 odd guests aged between 6 months to 6 years and away we go.

Very exhausted after four hours of relentless play, swimming and fun.  Sure is a first for the Nic Nak Castle crew.

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Mothers Day from Manila.

A tropical Mothers Day arrangement for our fantastic hosts in their new Manila abode.

Fort Santiago, Manila.

Back in Manila and searching out some of its more historical sites, it was time for a tour of the Fort Santiago area.

Touring companion, James Eden, was very excited to meet and greet with the local statuary.

Then a fine Spanish/Philippine luncheon to follow a hard mornings touring.

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Arcade games.

With the absolutely fabulous Penny Arcade, for a post show catch up after 21 years.  Still as irreverent and cutting as ever.  Time has not dulled the sharp edge on this Penny.

With the newly blonded Sir Geyer, Penny Arcade & Mr Brown.

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