I didn’t invent it - this is the classic vertical fold that the professional organisers swear by - but I’ve simplified it down to the version I actually use every day, on repeat, without thinking. No rulers, no cardboard inserts, no fuss.

I do my PJS, Gym wear and Underwear like this - here are my Leays PJ's.

Why this fold, and not just “folding it in half”

The problem with the way most of us were taught to fold isn’t the fold itself - it’s that it’s built for stacking, not for a drawer you open and close a dozen times a day. Stack ten pairs of shorts on top of each other and you’re excavating by the time you reach the bottom of the pile. Whatever’s underneath gets forgotten, and you end up wearing the same five things on rotation while a drawer full of options sits there unseen.

The fix is simple: fold everything into a small, sturdy rectangle that stands up on its own, then file it upright next to the others - like books on a shelf, not like pancakes in a stack. Every single item faces up at you when you open the drawer. Nothing gets buried. Nothing gets forgotten.

A pair of boardshorts - folded so you can see what you have in your draws with ease.

The fold, step by step

1. Lay it flat. Shorts, PJ bottoms or underwear, right side up, smoothed out on the bed or a flat surface. No need to be precious about it - just flat enough that you can see the whole shape.

2. Fold one side in. Take one side and fold it in towards the centre, so the outer edge lines up roughly with the middle. You’re narrowing the width, not changing the length yet.

3. Fold the other side in to match. Same again on the opposite side. You should now have a long, narrow rectangle — roughly the width you want your final fold to be.

4. Fold it down into thirds (or in half, for smaller pieces). Starting from the waistband, fold down towards the hem in two or three folds, depending on the length of the item. The goal is a small, dense rectangle - think the size of a folded hand towel, not a doona.

5. Stand it up. This is the step everyone skips and it’s the one that matters most. Instead of laying your neat little rectangle flat in the drawer, turn it on its side so it’s standing upright, waistband facing up. Slot it in next to the others, upright, like files in a filing cabinet.

That’s it. That’s the whole method.

Here’s a step by step how to - !

Why it actually sticks

• You can see everything at once. No more digging - every pattern, every colour, every pair is visible the second you open the drawer.

• It holds its shape. Because it’s folded into thirds rather than left loose, it doesn’t slump or unravel every time you pull the drawer open.

• It fits more, properly. Standing pieces use vertical space instead of stacking height, so drawers that used to hold eight pairs comfortably now hold fifteen.

• It takes seconds, not minutes. This is not a precision project. Once your hands know the four folds, you can do a whole load of washing in the time it used to take you to fold three items the old way.

The only rule that matters

However you fold it - don’t lay it down flat once you’re done. The entire point is the standing. A perfectly folded rectangle lying flat in a drawer is still just a stack waiting to collapse into itself. Upright is what makes it foolproof.

Try it on your next load of washing. I promise you won’t go back.

XXRJ

Balloons

Pink Mix Events — The team for a full balloon moment — think garlands, arches, the works. 📷 @pinkmixevents | 🌐 pinkmixparties.com.au

Party Splendour — Michelle’s studio is a go-to for polished, colour-considered balloon styling. 📷 @partysplendour | 🌐 partysplendour.com.au

The Balloon Crew — Chris Adamo’s crew, for when you want the balloon shop that’s been doing this properly for years. 📷 @the_balloon_crew | 🌐 balloons.net.au

Bubblemoon Balloons — A Sydney studio built on personal, custom balloon installs — the kind of work that gets guests messaging the host afterwards asking who did it. 🌐 bubblemooballoons.com.au

Born to Party Shop — Mosman’s long-standing balloon and party shop, going since the late ‘80s — giant balloons, confetti balloons and a bricks-and-mortar range you can walk into. 📷 @borntopartyshop

An install by Chris from Balloon Crew for a Birthday Dinner I had some time back!

Cake Makers

Mastello Creations — Jennifer Mastello’s cakes are the ones people ask “who made this?” about before they ask “can I have a slice?” 📷 @mastello.creations

Sweet Bloom Cakes — Dewi Kurniadi’s Sydney studio, founded in 2008, known for the kind of delicate, nature-inspired cake design that reads as understated rather than overdone. 🌐 sweetbloomcakes.com.au

Lush Empire — Cakes & desserts with a strong wedding and celebration portfolio. 📷 @lush_empire

Sugar Pop Bakery — Nicole’s Silverwater studio for hand-rolled, sculpted cake pops — the couture dessert-table piece that’s almost too pretty to eat. 📷 @sugarpopbakery | 🌐 sugarpopbakery.com.au

A Hawaiian themed cake for Hunter’s last birthday in Australia by Mastello - a masterpiece!

And then there was this one - Alvin and the Chipmunks themed also by Mastello!

Cookie Makers

Cookies by Tash — Tash Ristevski turns out the kind of decorated cookies that are almost too pretty to eat. Almost. 📷 @cookiesbytash | 🌐 cookiesbytash.com.au

Entertainment

Fly By Fun — Isobel Hawson’s team for kids’ party entertainment that actually holds a room of children’s attention. 📷 @flybyfun | 🌐 flybyfun.com.au

Bounceorama — Sydney’s Northern Beaches jumping castle and soft play hire, from a husband-and-wife team with custom-designed castles you won’t find elsewhere. 🌐 bounceorama.com.au

Pistachio Entertainment — Mario & Emily Martinez, for entertainment that skews a little more grown-up — the act you book when the party isn’t just for the kids. 📷 @pistachioentertainment | 🌐 pistachioentertainment.com

Graphic Design & Signage

Edge House Design — Agnes Drozdz’s Sydney studio, for menus, invitations, signage and every piece of paperie that makes an event feel considered before a guest even walks in. 📷 @edgehousedesign | 🌐 edgehousedesign.com.au

Furniture Hire

The Treasure Room — Sydney’s prop and furniture hire house for the backdrops, bars, cake tables and antique pieces that give an event its “wow.” 📷 @thetreasureroom_ | 🌐 thetreasureroom.com.au

Take Me Hire — A Sydney tabletop hire company for the finishing details — dinnerware, gold cutlery, linen and props, plus styling and set-up. 🌐 takemehire.com.au

Mobile Pizza

The Pizza Boys — Sydney’s mobile pizza catering crew, wood-fired ovens and all, for the party where the food becomes the entertainment. 📷 @thepizzaboys | 🌐 thepizzaboys.com.au

Mobile Coffee

Sip Coffee Cocktails — Sydney’s mobile coffee and cocktail cart, for the party that needs a proper flat white in the morning or something stronger by the afternoon. 📷 @sipcoffeecocktails | 🌐 sipcoffeecocktails.com.au

Illuminated Letters

Limelight Letters — Sydney’s go-to for giant illuminated letter, number and symbol hire — the big glowing statement piece for a milestone birthday or engagement. 📷 @limelightletters | 🌐 limelightletters.com.au

Flare Bartending

The Bespoke Bartender — Robbie Stowe, a Trans-Tasman flair bartending champion with 20+ years of experience, for the cocktail-flipping, fire-performing centrepiece that turns the bar into the entertainment. 📷 @thebespokebartender | 🌐 thebespokebartender.com

Shot Bartending — Tailored mobile bartending for Sydney weddings, corporate events and private parties — mixologists, curated cocktail menus and bar rentals, end to end. 🌐 shotbartending.com.au

Dessert Towers & Displays

Pretty Tower Co — Luxury dessert towers built as a genuine table centrepiece rather than an afterthought. 🎥 @pretty.tower.co

Ice Sculptures

Mammoth Ice — Australia’s leading ice sculpting company, based in Sydney — logo sculptures, ice bars, luges and wedding centrepieces carved to order. 📷 @mammoth_ice | 🌐 mammothice.com.au

Lighting

Jay Productions & Events — A Sydney AV production house since 2008 — audio, lighting, staging and rigging for everything from a wedding to a 30,000-person NYE build. @jayproductionsevents | 🌐 jayproductions.com.au

Burger Truck

Shorty’s Food Truck — Western Sydney’s go-to burger truck, cooking fresh onsite, plus Greek street food and breakfast options for the wider spread. 🌐 shortysfoodtruck.com.au

Take Home Gift Boxes

Paperplayground — Astrid’s Sydney studio for bespoke paperie and unique party goods — invitation suites, custom goody boxes, backdrops and signage all designed to one theme. Check her Instagram for a look into the incredible paper creations. 📷 https://www.instagram.com/paperplayground/

A recent take home box for my friend’s son Henry’s class party!

Calligraphy

Char Cole (Charcole Design & Calligraphy) — Charlotte Cole’s Sydney studio, for place cards, signage and live event calligraphy with a genuinely luxe finish — her client list includes the likes of Vogue and Dior. 📷 @charcole | 🌐 charcole.com.au

Written by Hand — Glenda Davis, a Sydney calligrapher and lettering artist with 35+ years’ experience — place cards, envelope addressing, hand-lettered signage and live in-store activations. 📷 @written_by_hand | 🌐 writtenbyhand.com.au

Trish by Hand — Trish Garcia's calligraphy, tablescapes, murals, signwriting, artworks and styling — all done by hand. 📷 @trishbyhand

Calligraphy and Design by Char Cole for a birthday dinner at home for family and friends.

Custom Fans by Trish by Hand.

Easter Placards by Char Cole.

Candle Hire

Loved by Lucy xo — A large hire collection of candles for weddings, christenings and events, styled and quoted to your event. 📷 @lovedbylucyxo | 🌐 lovedbylucy.com.au

Candles for Pixie’s Farewell by LovedbyLucy.

As always, these are people I’ve worked with and trust — save this edition for the next celebration on your calendar. Missed something and need advice on who I would use - leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

xxRJ

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Clean Skin Club Clean Towels (Sensitive Skin) Single-use, XL face towels that are basically a cabin-bag non-negotiable. Great for wiping off makeup or cleansing on flights without reaching for a hotel towel.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Cleanser A gentle, gel-to-milk cleanser that pairs with the eye cream, face mask and barrier cream for a full skin routine on the road.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Mask A calming, hydrating mask for post-flight or post-sun skin recovery. I buy this kit!

Biodance Bio Collagen Real Deep Mask A hydrating collagen facial sheet mask — an easy in-flight or overnight treat for plumping and pore refining after a day of travel.

Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream A barrier-repair moisturiser packed with hyaluronic acid and ceramides — ideal for skin that’s dehydrated from air conditioning, flights and sun exposure.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Eye Cream A hydrating, brightening eye cream to counter jet lag and long days in the sun.

La Prairie Skin Caviar The Mist A refreshing setting/hydrating mist for hot climates — the kind of little luxury that makes a long-haul flight or midday touch-up feel a bit more indulgent.

Naked Sundays CabanaCream Water Gel Serum SPF50 An illuminating, water-gel sunscreen serum — lightweight enough to wear under makeup, with a glow finish that suits a tan.

Summer Fridays ShadeDrops SPF50 Mineral Milk Sunscreen A mineral, milk-textured facial sunscreen — my go-to for daily sun protection that still feels skincare-forward. Linked it for you!

Haircare

Mermade Hair Brush A great all-purpose detangling brush — works on wet or dry hair and is gentle enough for use with extensions. It's this!

Milbon Repair Restorative Shampoo (mini) A travel-size reparative shampoo for damaged or colour-treated hair — smooths and reconstructs without a full-size bottle taking up space.

Milbon Repair Restorative Treatment (mini) The matching mini conditioner/treatment to the shampoo above — repairs and adds manageability, especially useful after sun and salt water.

Oribe Superfine Hair Spray A flexible-hold, fine-mist hairspray — holds style without stiffness, ideal for humidity.

Razors & Body

Venus Razor (travel case) A mini razor in its own snap-shut case — one of the minis I buy in multiples so there’s always a fresh one ready to pack, use and bin.

Sure Nonstop Protection Deodorant (Cotton Dry) A travel-sized antiperspirant built for heat and long days — another one I buy in bulk for the “use, bin, next” rotation.

Fragrance

Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise Extrait de Parfum My holiday scent. An extrait concentration so it lasts through heat and humidity without needing constant reapplication.

Makeup

Refy Face Sculpt A cream contour/sculpting product for a natural, no-fuss holiday base — quick to blend with fingers by the pool. Linked here.

m.ph Le Skin Foundation A skin-like, breathable foundation — the one I reach for when I want coverage that doesn’t feel heavy in the heat.

Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick (Biscuit) & Baby Cheeks Blush Stick (Petal) My cream contour and blush duo — both blend with fingertips for an easy, sun-warmed finish, ideal for minimal-effort holiday makeup.

Linked Petal Blush Here and Linked Contour Here

Chanel Lumière d’Été Healthy Glow Highlighting Powder A compact highlighter for a lit-from-within summer glow — small enough to toss in a day bag for touch-ups.

Lancôme Idôle Ultra Precise Waterproof Liner Waterproof is the operative word here — built to survive swimming, sweat and humidity without smudging.

Summer Fridays Lip Stain A tinted, lip stain in pencil format, almond is my colour — easy, low-maintenance colour for holiday days. This one -

Tatcha The Melting Lip Balm A rich, melt-in lip balm for lips that take a beating from sun and salt water.

L’Oréal Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist A budget-friendly, high-performance setting spray — up to 36 hours transfer resistance, essential for makeup that needs to survive a full day out.

Brushes

Rae Morris Brush Set A compact set of face and eye brushes — enough for a full base and eye look without packing a full brush kit. This is the kit

Hair Colour & Cutting

Mèche Salon — @mechesalonla 📍 8820 Burton Way, Beverly Hills

You cannot go past Mèche. I stop in here for a full head of foils and a cut every time I’m in LA. Founded by colourist Tracey Cunningham and stylist Neil Weisberg, this is the salon that colours half of Hollywood — think Margot Robbie, Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton — and it shows the second you sit in the chair. More than 30 stylists and colourists on the floor, and the quality is completely consistent regardless of who you’re booked with. Book ahead, it’s by appointment only.

Pixie had a trim and layering with Neil the Co-Founder

Brows

Damōne Roberts — @damoneroberts 📍 9730 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 105, Beverly Hills

If you need brows, you can’t miss this one. You don’t have to see Damōne himself — I had one of the female Archisans, as did Pixie, and she was fab. They’re trained by him directly to perfect “the arch,” and it genuinely transforms your whole face. While you’re there, grab one of their highlighter chubby sticks for under the brow — it’s become a permanent fixture in my bag.

Tint and Shape at Damone’s salon in Beverly Hills.

Manicure & Pedicure

Lisa Kon — @lisa_kon_ 📍 9863 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills (also Studio City)

THE go-to for a Russian manicure. I turned up having broken nearly every nail, and the ones I hadn’t picked off were in a real state — I walked out looking like a new human. Lisa is the manicurist behind Kendall Jenner and a long list of others, and the technique is meticulous: deep cuticle work, nail bed alignment, colour applied right under the cuticle. It takes longer than a standard manicure (closer to two hours), but the finish lasts for weeks. The pedicure was the best I’ve had in months. Book ahead — this one’s in demand.

Skin & Aesthetics

7Q Spa Laser & Aesthetics — @7qspa 📍 Glendale: 1648 W Glenoaks Blvd, Suite 102 | Calabasas: 26540 Agoura Rd, Suite 102

If you’ve got extra time and can squeeze in a skin treatment, this is where I send people. Physician-guided, with a proper menu of injectables, Sculptra, RF microneedling and laser — the kind of place you go for a genuine result, not just a top-up. Two locations to choose from depending where you’re staying.

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XXRJ

And I get it — because finding the right surgeon is not like finding the right florist. The stakes are different. The research is harder. The internet is full of noise, paid placements, and before-and-afters that tell you precisely nothing about the person behind the scalpel.

So here it is. My actual list. The surgeons I have sat in the chair for, the ones I have watched work on people I love, and the ones I would call tomorrow if I needed to.

No paid placements. No gifted procedures. Just the book.

In the chair of Jelena of The Cosmetic Lounge in Sydney for Lip Filler…. Without, let’s be frank, I have no lips - which you will see in my before photo below!

THE NOSE

Dr George Marcells — @drmarcells (Bondi Junction, Sydney)

If you want the best rhinoplasty result in Australia, this is your man. Full stop.

George is an ENT Facial Plastic Surgeon based in Bondi Junction and the President of the Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery. His practice has been purely in facial plastic surgery since he returned to Sydney in 1999 after his Advanced Fellowship Training in North America, and he has consolidated his focus to just two areas: deep plane face and neck lift, and rhinoplasty — primary and revision. That kind of singular focus is rare, and it shows in the results. RhinoplastyresearchDr George Marcells

I had my rhinoplasty with George and I cannot speak highly enough of him. No adjustments needed. The outcome was exactly what I wanted. His bedside manner is calm, considered and genuinely reassuring — and when you are handing someone your face, that matters as much as the technique.

If you are serious about your nose, book a consultation. You will understand immediately.

This was the day I had the procedure done back in May 2015 - it’s day surgery! Don’t know whats worse, the fact I hadn’t yet discovered lip filler or my old lady PJ’s!

THE BREASTS

Dr Anoop Rastogi — @drrastogi (Double Bay, Sydney)

I have had four augmentations. Every single one with Anoop Rastogi. That tells you everything you need to know.

The first was when I was 24 — yes, I put it on my credit card, yes, I was absolutely done with being referred to as sultana tits, and yes, I would do it again in a heartbeat. The subsequent procedures came after breast cancer and treatment, and each time I came back to Anoop without a second thought.

Since founding his Double Bay practice in the 1990s, Dr Rastogi has attracted patients from across Australia and abroad for his personalised approach to cosmetic surgery. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Newcastle, is a Surgical Fellow of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine, and currently serves as Surgical Dean. Dr RastogiDr Rastogi

What I can tell you from lived experience: he listens, he is meticulous, he does not rush you, and the results speak for themselves. I trust everything he says. I would not go anywhere else.

Here’s me waiting to go into surgery - I went from a 12B to now a 10C. I didn’t want teardrop, I asked for round - I want to look like I got my monies worth which as you can imagine made Dr Rastogi laugh!

My after - late 2025!

LIPOSUCTION — AND A WORD OF WARNING

Dr James Southwell-Keely — @drjsk (Woollahra, Sydney)

Context: after cancer treatment and the dreaded Tamoxifen, I went from 50kg to 68kg. For someone who, and I say this with love for myself, is not much taller than a garden gnome — that was confronting. During COVID it got the better of me, and I tried liposuction.

I am not going to sugarcoat it. Liposuction is not pleasant. I have a high pain threshold and it knocked me for six. Go in with eyes wide open.

That said — James was genuinely fabulous. Dr Southwell-Keely is a FRACS-qualified plastic and reconstructive surgeon based at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, specialising in body contouring, breast surgery, facial surgery and microsurgery. His results are excellent, his manner is warm, and if liposuction is an avenue you are considering, I would not hesitate to recommend him. Just prepare yourself, and line up your lymphatic drainage before you go in. St Vincent’s Private Hospitals

Okay, this was when I came out, same day procedure again, I had my legs, arms and under chin done, hence the fancy head thing - lets just say, I felt like I had been hit by a bus but atleast I didnt have 3 chins anymore! Thanks to Pixie for the lovely selfie!

Lymphatic drainage post-liposuction — Saila Insua at InBody Clinic

Vital. Non-negotiable. Saila is a miracle worker and the only person I trust for this. I still see her whenever I am back in Australia. Book her before your surgery, not after.

FACIAL SURGERY — WHEN YOU’RE READY

Dr Steven Liew at Shape Clinic — @shapeclinic (Sydney)

I am not ready for a facelift. But when I am, there is only one person I am calling.

Dr Liew was the first Australian to be admitted as a fellow in plastic surgery at the prestigious Memorial Sloan-Kettering Medical Centre in New York, where he focused on facial and breast plastic surgery. He is internationally renowned for his world-first techniques in facial enhancement, and is the first practitioner of choice for companies like Allergan and Galderma when launching new generation dermal fillers into the Australian and Asian markets. His clinic is incredible — the environment, the team, the level of care. Even if you are just starting to think about it, a consultation with Steven is worth every minute. Shape ClinicShape Clinic

THE BROADER LIST — SURGEONS I HAVE RESEARCHED AND WATCHED CLOSELY

These are names I have followed with interest through the results of people close to me. I am not in a position to give a personal surgical account, but the before-and-afters and the reputations speak for themselves.

In Australia:
Dr David Caminer · Dr Michael Miroshnik · Dr Kourosh Tavakoli

Globally:
Dr Steven Levin (if Kris Jenner’s face is any evidence, need I say more) · Dr Paul Nassif · Dr Cat Begovic

As always — These are my personal recommendations only. Always do your own research, consult multiple surgeons, and make decisions that are right for you.

— RX

So here we are. Nine free editions. Florals, interiors, transport, caterers, beauty clinicians, photographers, event planners, and everything in between. It’s been the most fun I’ve had creating anything in a long time.

But from the next edition, The Little Black Book moves to paid.

This is not a decision I’ve taken lightly. What goes into every single edition — the relationships, the vetting, the 18 years of knowing who is actually good and who is just good at Instagram — has real value. And it deserves to be treated that way.

If you’ve been here from the start — this moment is for you.

Founding Member pricing is open now, for a limited time only: $100 AUD per year. Locked in forever. After the founding window closes, subscriptions move to $150 per year or $15 per month — and they won't come back down.

What’s coming on the other side of the paywall: destination guides, more city edits, the vendors I use for every occasion, and the recommendations I’d only ever share with someone I really like.

There is so much more in the book.

Subscribe below and I’ll see you on the other side.

Subscribe now

— RJX

Subscribe now

This is the edit I come back for every single time. No filler, no fads — just the nine products that have earned a permanent spot in my bag, my bathroom cabinet, and my “please pack an extra one for me” texts to anyone flying out after me.

1. Osmo Soft — Cooper

The after-sun rescue. This is the gel every French chemist reaches for the moment you mention sunburn or overheated skin. It’s cooling, fragrance-free, and — crucially — doesn’t sit sticky on the skin. One layer on angry, heat-flushed skin and it calms almost instantly. A non-negotiable if you’ve spent any real time outdoors.

2. Biafine — Émulsion

The original cult classic. French mothers have sworn by this for decades, and for very good reason. Sunburn, grazes, minor burns, even skin recovering post-laser or post-treatment — one tube covers an enormous amount of ground. If you only bring back one thing from this list, there’s a strong case for it being this.

3. Dermalibour+ — A-Derma

For angry, irritated skin. A CICA-cream built specifically for compromised skin — think bites, scrapes, eczema flare-ups, anything reacting badly to heat, humidity, or travel in general. It’s gentle enough for babies and effective enough for the rest of us, which is exactly the kind of product I trust.

4. A313 — Pommade Vitamine A

The insider’s secret. This is the retinol ointment French dermatologists have quietly recommended for years, long before “retinol” became a skincare buzzword. It smooths texture and softens fine lines with repeated use, and it’s the kind of product people ask about the second they spot it in your bag.

5. Haute Protection SPF 50 Tinted Compact

Sun protection, perfected. Mineral filters, a weightless tint, and zero fuss for reactive or intolerant skin. It’s compact enough to actually live in a beach bag, which means — unlike most SPF — it gets reapplied.

6. Cicalfate+ — Avène

The 48-hour fix. Repairs, soothes, and protects sensitive, irritated skin, with visible results within 48 hours. This is the cream in every French bathroom cabinet, and once you’ve used it, you’ll understand why it’s earned that spot.

7. Huile Prodigieuse Or — Nuxe

The icon. One dry oil for face, body, and hair, finished with the faintest golden shimmer. This is the product that really put French pharmacy skincare on the global map, and it still outperforms half of what’s launched since.

8. Exo Boost Mask — Weleda

The reset button. The first thing I reach for post-flight, when skin has that dull, dehydrated, “I’ve just crossed four time zones” look. It resurfaces and revives in one step, so a tired complexion looks awake again before I’ve even properly unpacked.

9. Eau Thermale Water Essence — Uriage

The instant hydration hit. A lightweight, thermal-water-infused essence that goes on like a mist and sinks in like a serum. It’s the first thing on my skin after a long-haul flight — cooling, calming, and exactly what dehydrated travel skin needs before anything else goes on top.

These are the nine I stock up on the second I land — some for the plane, some for the sun, and one or two I simply can’t find anywhere near as good back home. If you’re headed to France any time soon, save this list for your first pharmacy run.

That someone is your event planner.

I’ve been lucky enough to work with some extraordinary ones, and today I’m sharing my personal go-tos — the people I trust to bring an idea off the page and into a room, a lunch, a farewell, a celebration. These are not recommendations I’ve pulled from a list. These are the names in my phone.

My Personal Planners

DK Events | Diane Khoury | @dianekhouryweddingsandevents

Australian-based Diane Khoury is one of those rare planners who understands the assignment before you’ve even finished the brief. Her most recent work for me was Pixie’s Singapore-themed farewell event hosted in Sydney at Matteo Double Bay — and she absolutely nailed it. Diane has a sharp editorial eye, an impeccable sense of how a room should feel, and the kind of calm, capable energy you want beside you when you’re throwing a meaningful party. She works with a level of attention to detail that’s hard to find and even harder to replicate. With 429K followers and a global portfolio, she’s quietly one of the most sought-after names in the region. If you’re in Singapore and you want it done well, Diane is your first call.

Scribble & Style | Mary Ronis | @maryronisevents

Mary was the woman behind my last Christmas dinner with friends, hosted at my mother’s home in Sydney — and she made it feel exactly like it should: warm, considered, and completely personal. What sets Mary apart is her ability to work within a space that already has a life and a history, and make it sing without overwriting it. She doesn’t impose a look — she draws something out. Sydney-based but available state wide and genuinely one of a kind, if you want intimate entertaining done with real taste, she’s your person.

Simon Tayoun Events | @simontayounevents

Simon has done an intimate luncheon at home for me and friends in Sydney, and his approach is best described as refined restraint. He’s not about spectacle — he’s about the details that matter. The table. The flow of the afternoon. The moments that happen in between the toasts. Elegance with real warmth behind it. Less is not more with Simon — less is exactlyright. If you’re in Sydney and you want someone who understands that the best entertaining feels effortless (even when it absolutely isn’t), Simon is well worth knowing.

The Curated Life | Belinda Brett | @belinda_thecuratedlife_

Belinda is someone I trust completely with a venue I don’t own. She recently executed a lunch at Grill Americano in Sydney that was pitch perfect — working within the restaurant environment to layer in a level of personal curation that made it feel like so much more than a booking. A decade of London luxury brand PR before returning to Sydney means Belinda brings a genuine international sensibility to everything she does. She knows how to amplify a space rather than fight it, and the result always feels effortlessly elevated.

BNT Management | Benita Kam | @bntmanagement

Benita has been with me for two of the most significant events in my personal archive — my last book launch and my 40th birthday. That says everything you need to know about the trust I have in her. One of Australia’s most respected event creators, featured in Vogue, The Australian and Cosmopolitan Bride, she brings genuine emotional intelligence to the job. She understands the stakes of a milestone, and she plans accordingly. With Benita, you are in safe, extraordinarily capable hands.

Accounts I Love | Global Inspiration & Trend

You don’t always have to be planning something to find yourself falling down an event rabbit hole at midnight. These are the names I follow for inspiration, trend-watching, and the occasional reminder of just how extraordinary this industry can be at its best.

Mindy Weiss | @mindyweiss

LA-based, three decades in the business, and still one of the most distinctive creative minds in the game. Mindy’s client list — from the Kardashians to Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi — speaks for itself, but what I love about her is that no two events ever look the same. Her philosophy is simple: every celebration should be infused with the client. No templates. No formulas. Her feed is a masterclass in detail — and she’s one of the warmest presences in an industry that can sometimes forget to be human.

Lanza & Baucina

If you’ve been paying any attention to the event world in the past year, you’ll know this name. The London-based firm, founded in 2000 by Counts Aleramo and Riccardo Lanza and Prince Antonio Licata di Baucina, does not have a social media presence — by design. They don’t need one. They planned the Bezos-Sánchez Venice wedding in 2025. Before that: George and Amal Clooney, Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault. All in Venice. They operate on discretion and a client list that speaks in whispers. The polar opposite of the Instagrammable event world — and entirely compelling for that reason.

Colin Cowie | @colincowie

South African-born, New York and LA-based Colin Cowie has spent over 40 years defining what luxury events look and feel like. He’s produced Oprah’s Legends Ball, opened Atlantis Dubai and Fontainebleau Las Vegas, and been the person behind some of the most extraordinary private celebrations in the world. His philosophy is rooted in the five senses — he believes a truly great event seduces you, and every detail from the temperature of the food to the volume of the music is a considered decision. In a world where everyone is starting to look the same, Colin remains genuinely singular.

Alessandra Grillo | @alessandragrillo12

The Milan-based planner behind some of Italy’s most high-profile weddings — including Chiara Ferragni and Fedez — Alessandra is an event planner with the instincts of a creative director and the warmth of someone who genuinely loves what she does. She limits the number of events she takes on each year, which says everything about her commitment to depth over volume. Her work is deeply personal, emotionally intelligent, and rooted in an unwavering understanding of Italian location and style. 286K followers on Instagram for a very good reason.

Sarah Haywood | @sarahhaywood

London-based, two decades in, Sarah Haywood is the definitive name in UK luxury celebrations — and she exports that sensibility globally. From royal palaces and private estates to superyachts and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, her team approaches every event with what she calls “quiet elegance.” Her business has just marked its 20th anniversary by becoming the first wedding and social events company to transition to employee ownership — which tells you everything about her values. Consistently on Vogue’s Ultimate Wedding Planner Master List, and for those who want understated done to the very highest standard, Sarah is the benchmark.

A Special Mention | Philip Carr

No post about the people who have shaped my world of entertaining would be complete without acknowledging Philip Carr.

Philip planned our wedding — now fifteen years ago — and from that first event, something clicked that went well beyond a professional relationship. He became part of the family. He was there for the moments that mattered most, and he brought to every single one of them a brilliance that was entirely his own. His events weren’t just beautiful — they were felt. There was a generosity of spirit in everything he created, a warmth that ran through every detail, and a level of craft that I have never quite seen replicated.

Philip passed away, and the loss of him is something those of us who were lucky enough to know him — really know him — carry quietly. But his influence lives on in the way I think about entertaining, about what a room should feel like, about why the people behind the magic matter just as much as the magic itself.

This one’s for you, Philip. 🤍

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— RJX

WHERE TO STAY

Raffles Singapore — @rafflessingapore (City) The original and still one of the greats. Raffles is an institution — the suites, the colonial architecture, the courtyard, the Long Bar. If you want Singapore done properly and historically, this is the address. It is grand in the best possible sense and still manages to feel personal. Book a suite and don’t rush it. And while you’re there — order a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar. It was born here in 1915 and it remains one of those rare tourist experiences that is entirely worth doing. Throw the peanut shells on the floor as tradition demands. Also within the Raffles Arcade is the AP House Café — the Audemars Piguet café is one of those only-in-Singapore discoveries that elevates a morning entirely. Whether you’re a collector or simply appreciate beautiful things, morning tea here — surrounded by some of the most extraordinary timepieces in the world — is an experience. Build your morning around it.

Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa — @rafflessentosa (Sentosa Island) The Sentosa outpost gives you all the Raffles DNA with a beachside, resort-style feel. The villas are exceptional, the pool is gorgeous, and the pace is completely different to the city. Perfect if you’re travelling with children or want to decompress without sacrificing luxury.

Capella Singapore — @capellasingapore (Sentosa Island) My top pick on Sentosa. The grounds are extraordinary — heritage colonial buildings set within lush tropical gardens — and the service is consistently world-class. The spa here is exceptional (more on that below), the restaurants are excellent, and Bob’s Bar is one of the best sundowner spots on the island. Worth every dollar.

Shangri-La Singapore — @shangrila_sg (Orchard) A Singapore institution and the most family-friendly of the luxury options. The garden wing is set across manicured grounds, the pools are spectacular, and the sheer scale of the property means there is always something to do. Children love it and adults don’t have to compromise.

W Singapore — Sentosa Cove — @wsingaporesenosa (Sentosa Cove) The fun option. The W has incredible energy, a great pool scene with a slide for kids, and a vibe that works particularly well for families with teenagers or groups. The marina setting at Sentosa Cove is beautiful and the food and beverage across the property is consistently strong. The Marina also has a host of easy, casual eateries all suited to families with kids.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

LOCAL

La Pa Sat (Raffles Quarter) If you do one hawker experience in Singapore, make it this one. La Pa Sat is one of the most beautiful hawker centres in the world — a Victorian cast iron market building that dates back to 1894, now buzzing with some of the city’s best street food stalls. Come here for chicken rice, and come hungry. It is exactly the kind of experience that makes Singapore unlike anywhere else. Bring paper napkins and a fan, its hot, busy and hectic!

ASIAN

Mott 32 — @mott32singapore (Marina Bay Sands) Exceptional dim sum and the design alone is worth the trip. Mott 32 is the Singapore outpost of the celebrated Hong Kong restaurant and it delivers on every count — the food is refined, the space is stunning, and the service is polished. Book in advance and get the duck!

KOMA Singapore — @komasingapore (Marina Bay Sands) My go-to for sushi in Singapore. The interiors are theatrical — a striking mix of traditional Japanese design and scale — and the food is consistently excellent. Great for a dinner where you want the full experience.

Mei Jiang — (Dempsey) Fabulous Chinese, and made infinitely better by the setting. Book the Dempsey outpost at the Peninsula and request the outlook — looking into the greenery during the day is genuinely stunning. The kind of long, relaxed Chinese lunch that restores you completely.

MODERN EUROPEAN & FRENCH

Claudine — @claudinesg (Dempsey Hill) Chef-Patron Julien Royer’s French neo-brasserie set in a charming old chapel atop Dempsey Hill — this is one of my favourite lunch spots in Singapore. Named after his mother, Claudine serves honest, comfort French cooking with a warmth that cuts through any fine-dining stuffiness. The space is beautiful & the caviar is not to be missed. Book ahead.

Brasserie Astoria — @brasserieastoria (Victoria Concert Hall, Empress Place) The Singapore outpost of the Stockholm original, conceived by Swedish chef Björn Frantzén and set inside the historic Victoria Concert Hall — this is dinner with atmosphere. Think tableside service, flambé trolleys, and Frantzén’s Nordic spin on classic brasserie fare, all delivered in one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the city. Don’t leave without a martini at the bar.

GREEK

Estiatorio Milos — @estiatoriomilossg (Marina Bay Sands) Singapore’s first and only outpost of Costas Spiliadis’s celebrated Greek restaurant — fresh seafood flown in from the Aegean daily, guided past a spectacular fish market centrepiece, and prepared with elegant simplicity. The marble entrance is carved from Pendelikon stone that traces back to the Parthenon. Order the whole fish baked in sea salt and the Milos Special. One of Singapore’s most extraordinary dining rooms.

FRENCH FINE DINING

Odette — @odetterestaurant (National Gallery Singapore) Three Michelin stars, housed within the iconic National Gallery Singapore. If you are a lover of a true degustation experience, Odette is the one you cannot leave Singapore without doing. The restaurant recently reopened after a three-month refresh, now offering a five-course lunch and seven-course dinner with a subtle shift toward Asian influences while staying true to its French roots. This is a special occasion experience — book well in advance, come hungry, and savour every moment. You will talk about it for years.

CASUAL & CROWD-PLEASERS

COMO Cuisine — @comorchardsg (COMO Orchard, Orchard Road) My go-to for a casual, quality lunch without the fuss. COMO Cuisine sits within the integrated COMO Orchard building alongside COMO Shambhala, Club 21 and Cédric Grolet — which makes this the most efficient block in Singapore for a full afternoon of wellness, shopping and eating. The food is clean, consistently good, and the setting is a lovely break from the bustle outside.

La Vache — @lavachesingapore (Multiple locations) Steak Frites done exactly right. La Vache is a Singapore institution — convivial, unfussy, and reliably excellent. Come for the set menu, which is extraordinary value: a generous steak and unlimited frites. It is the kind of meal that makes everyone at the table happy, which is always the point.

Burnt Ends — @burntends (Dempsey Hill) Founded by Australian chef-owner Dave Pynt, this Michelin-starred modern barbecue restaurant in Dempsey Hill is built around a custom four-tonne, dual cavity oven and four elevation grills, with a menu that changes daily. This is the one you book months in advance and then count down to. It is the kind of restaurant that changes your reference point for what a great meal feels like. Do not miss it.

SUSHISAMBA — @sushisambasg (Capital Tower) A fun evening out — Brazilian-Japanese fusion perched atop Capital Tower with 360-degree views over Singapore. The cocktails are excellent, the energy at dinner is brilliant, and the views are genuinely spectacular. Not a quiet night — a great night.

COFFEE

Common Man Coffee Roasters — @commonmancoffeeroasters (Multiple locations) Singapore does not really do early mornings, so be prepared to recalibrate. If you want genuinely good coffee — not a chain — Common Man is your answer. Australian-founded, meticulous about their beans, and the food is excellent too. The perfect start before a day of doing everything on this list. Oh and they serve Vegemite Toast !

DRINKS

CÉ LA VI at Marina Bay Sands (Level 57, Marina Bay Sands) Drinks at the top of Marina Bay Sands needs to be on the itinerary at least once. The views across the Singapore skyline from up here are extraordinary — particularly at sunset. Go before dinner and let the city unfold below you.

NIGHTLIFE

Not really my world, but for those who need it:

Marquee Singapore — Marina Bay Sands is the mainstream option for a big night out — world-class DJs, huge production, and the full club experience. And then there is Bricks. I will say this: make sure you have had a few drinks before you arrive. I needed approximately a week to recover from the experience, and I say that as someone who has seen a few things in this life. Consider yourself warned and go anyway.

BEAUTY

HAIR

Blonde Boudoir — @blondeboudoirsg (Just off Orchard Road) Australian-owned and outstanding at both colour and blowdries. This is where I send anyone who needs their hair done properly in Singapore. The team understand Australian hair, Australian colour sensibility, and the importance of not sending you out looking overdone. A trusted favourite. Worth noting: the humidity here is not kind — even the best blowdry has a lifespan of approximately two hours. Manage expectations accordingly.

HERA Hair — @herahairsg (Tanglin Mall & Sentosa) Another excellent option for colour and cuts, with the added convenience of a Sentosa location if you’re island-based. Be prepared — the humidity is relentless and affects everyone equally.

MAKE UP

Makeup by Fiona B — @makeupbyfionab (Mobile, Singapore) If you need a make up artist in Singapore who truly understands Australian style — Fiona B is your person. Fiona Bennett is a professional MUA and hair stylist who is mobile, meaning she comes to you, which is exactly how it should be done. There is a real difference between heavy, overdone make up and the kind of fresh, wearable result that Australians gravitate toward, and Fiona nails it every time. Whether it’s a wedding, an event, a shoot, or simply because you want to look your best — book her early, she is in demand.

MANICURES & PEDICURES

VIVA — @vivagroup (Sentosa Cove) I have tried almost every nail salon in Singapore. VIVA at Sentosa Cove is the one I keep going back to — a one-stop wellness and beauty destination overlooking the quay, with consistently high standards across manicures, pedicures and beauty treatments. If you’re based on Sentosa this is a non-negotiable. Believe me, I’ve done the research so you don’t have to.

SPA

COMO Shambhala — @comorchardsg (COMO Orchard, Orchard Road) COMO Shambhala’s Singapore flagship occupies the fourth level of COMO Orchard — a state-of-the-art wellness space designed as an urban oasis in the heart of the city. The facials are exceptional. The facility also offers contrast therapy including infrared sauna, oxygen therapy and ice bath — which, after a few days in Singapore’s humidity, is exactly what you need. Afterwards, pop downstairs to Cédric Grolet for afternoon tea and browse Club 21’s edit of international labels including Alaïa, Amiri and Thom Browne. You will not leave empty-handed.

Capella Spa — @capellasingapore (Sentosa Island) The Capella spa is one of those places you genuinely lose the day in — steam rooms, hydrotherapy pools, and treatments that are among the best in Asia. Book it as an afternoon, not an hour. Finish with drinks at Bob’s Bar and dinner at Fiamma, the Italian restaurant on property. A perfect Sentosa day.

SHOPPING

Shopping is what you do daily in Singapore — it is almost impossible not to. My favourites:

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands — The anchor. Extraordinary range, beautiful environment, and everything under one roof. You will need more than one visit.

Paragon — My preference on Orchard Road. Well-edited, easy to navigate, and anchored by the right brands.

Ngee Ann City / Takashimaya — A Singapore institution. The Takashimaya basement food hall alone is worth the visit.

ION Orchard — Four levels of excellent retail connected directly to the MRT. Efficient and extensive.

Dover Street Market, Dempsey — Brands for days in the most unexpected setting at Dempsey Hill. The edit here is genuinely exceptional and worth the trip out. This is where to go if you know what you’re looking at.

For teens: Head to Orchard Road where you’ll find Victoria’s Secret and Subdued alongside the full run of high street and contemporary brands. They will be very happy.

KIDS

Singapore is one of the best cities in the world for children. Here is where to direct them:

Resorts World Sentosa — Universal Studios Singapore, the SEA Aquarium, a waterpark, and kid-friendly eateries all in one precinct. You can easily fill two full days here.

Gardens by the Bay — The Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, and the Supertree Grove at night. Genuinely magical, and one of those places that impresses children and adults equally.

Singapore Zoo Night Safari — An absolute game changer. The Night Safari is one of the most unique wildlife experiences in the world — open-air trams through naturalistic habitats after dark, with nocturnal animals at close range. It’s also a much cooler time to experience the Zoo - daytime is way too hot IMO! There is also a Zoo Stay experience which we loved. Book it. Non-negotiable.

Ice Cream Museum Singapore — Designed entirely for children (and the Instagram-inclined). Sweet, colourful, and endlessly entertaining for the younger ones.

ArtScience Museum — If you have inquisitive children, this is brilliant. It sits at the base of Marina Bay Sands and combines art, science and technology in genuinely engaging exhibitions. One of the best museum experiences in Southeast Asia.

ONE ESSENTIAL TIP

Uber does not operate in Singapore. Download GRAB before you arrive — it works exactly the same way, is incredibly efficient, and is the only way to get around the city properly. Don’t forget this step.

Next edition: Event Planners. From kids birthdays to weddings, 21sts to boat parties — every occasion covered. The people who I work with to make every event, unforgettable.

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xx Roxy

A great photographer is one of the most important calls you make for any event - client or personal. The wrong one and you’re left with images that don’t reflect what actually happened. The right one and you have something you’ll use forever. After 18 years producing events across Sydney and beyond, these are the photographers I reach for without hesitation.

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

Stanley Images — @stanleyimages (Sydney)
Mark Stanley is one of the most trusted event photographers in Sydney and a name that appears consistently at the best events in the city. His work is polished, professional and always captures the energy of a room rather than just the surface of it. A photographer who genuinely understands what event coverage requires — speed, discretion, and an eye that misses nothing

Chloe Paul Photo — @chloepaulphoto (Sydney)
Chloe Paul shoots events with a warmth and authenticity that is completely distinctive. Her images feel natural and considered rather than staged — the kind of photography that makes people look like themselves at their best. An exceptional choice for both corporate and personal events where the atmosphere matters as much as the moment

Shayben Creative — @shaybencreative (Sydney)
Shayben Moussa brings a creative, editorial eye to event photography that elevates the work well beyond standard coverage. The images are striking, beautifully composed, and consistently deliver something that stands apart. For brands and events that want photography with genuine visual impact, Shayben is the call.

George John Photography — @georgejohnphotography (Sydney)
George John brings an assured, confident eye to event photography that makes every brief look considered and intentional. His work spans commercial and personal events with equal strength and he is one of those photographers whose images always look like they belong in a publication.

Jessica Abraham Photography — @jessicaabrahamphotography (Sydney)
Jessica Abraham is a standout for events where you want the photography to feel personal and beautifully observed. Her work has an intimacy to it that is hard to manufacture — the kind of images that capture the feeling of an event rather than just the facts of it. Highly recommended for both private and commercial occasions.

Karon Photography — @karonphotograph (Melbourne)
Regina Karon is a Melbourne-based photographer and director with nearly two decades of experience across photojournalism, events, portrait and commercial work. Her photojournalistic style — unobtrusive, unposed and instinctive — means she captures what is actually happening rather than what someone told everyone to do. The kind of photographer who reads a room and finds the shot before anyone else realises it's there. Well worth knowing for Melbourne-based events and beyond.

SOCIAL FOCUSED - Your go to for content creation…

Daniel Hanslow — @danielhanslow (Sydney)
Daniel Hanslow is a multi-disciplinary artist and creative director working across stills, motion, branding and production — and genuinely one of the most interesting image-makers working in Sydney right now. His approach goes well beyond photography into a complete visual language for brands and projects. For anything requiring a creative director who can shoot, conceptualise and deliver a cohesive body of work, Daniel is an exceptional choice

Canty Creative — @cantycreative / @eugeini (Melbourne — available nationally)
Eugene Canty shoots people, events and fashion with a distinctive, fashion-forward sensibility. His personal eye is evident in everything he produces — the kind of photographer who brings a genuine point of view to a brief rather than simply executing it. Well worth knowing for anything where the creative bar needs to be high.

Socials by Josh Joseph — @socialsbyjoshjoseph (Sydney - available nationally)
Josh Joseph is my go-to for real-time social content at events. While your photographer is capturing the formal moments, Josh is across the room shooting the content that goes live the same day — the behind the scenes, the energy, the details, the moments that make people feel like they were there and make those who weren't wish they had been. In a world where content needs to land in real time, having someone dedicated to this at your event is no longer a nice-to-have. It's essential.

Aniella Batten — @aniellabatten_content (Sydney)
Aniella Batten brings something genuinely unique to event content creation — a stylist's eye, a background in fashion and events, and the kind of intuition that means she knows what to capture before the moment has even fully formed. Working in harmony with your photographer and videographer rather than across them, Aniella moves effortlessly through an event capturing authentic, behind-the-scenes content that feels like a beautiful reflection of the day itself. All content is delivered within 24 hours — highlight reels, unedited galleries, special moment reels depending on your package — so you wake up the next morning ready to share. For weddings and private events especially, she is an exceptional choice.

Next edition: The Singapore guide you didn't know you needed. Shop, eat, drink, stay and see — the real insider edit from someone who calls it home.

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xx Roxy

SKIN, INJECTABLES & COSMETIC CLINICS

All Saints Clinic — @allsaintclinic (Sydney)
Dr Joseph Hkeik & Dr Steve Crimston are my go-to for filler & botox. All Saints is one of the most respected cosmetic clinics in Sydney — results-driven, medically rigorous, and consistently excellent. Both Doctors have a meticulous eye and an incredibly natural touch. If you want to look like yourself, just better, this is the clinic.

The Cosmetic Lounge — @thecosmeticlounge_ (Sydney)
Jelena Vucica Shah and her team specialise in threads and botox, and the results speak entirely for themselves. The Cosmetic Lounge is the kind of clinic that attracts clients who have tried everywhere else and found their person. Considered, precise, and genuinely invested in the outcome for each individual face. I swear by Jelena for threads every time I am in Sydney!

Sofia @ Merakii Beauty Room — @merakiibeautyroom (Bondi)
There are facialists, and then there is Sofia. With 24 years as a dermal therapist, Sofia Stapic operates out of the most beautiful private home salon in Bondi — intimate, considered, and completely worlds away from the conveyor-belt clinic experience. Merakii is a one-woman show in the best possible sense: every treatment is entirely customised to what your skin actually needs on the day, using an exceptional edit of brands including Biopelle, Dr Spiller, Dermaceutic, BioRePeel and LaseMD Ultra. Whether you're after LED therapy, RF skin tightening, collagen induction, dermaplaning or a signature facial that will genuinely transform your skin, Sofia delivers results without the hard sell or the waiting room. The kind of person you find and never tell anyone about — except I'm telling you.

DENTAL

FY Smile — @fy___smile (Sydney)
Dr Fadi Yassmin covers both general and cosmetic dental — and does both to an exceptionally high standard. A great dentist is one of the most underrated relationships you can have, and FY Smile is the benchmark. Beautiful work, modern clinic, and a team that actually makes the experience enjoyable. Fadi completed my Porcelain veneers and I couldn’t be happier with the results. He also has an amazing team for general dental and hygiene who are great with kids - both Pixie and Hunter are patients!

BROWS

Amy Jean Brows — @amy.jean.official (Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland)
Amy Jean is the name in brows in Australia. Whether it’s maintenance, shaping, or tattooing — her work is precise, considered, and completely transformative. A well done brow changes everything and nobody understands that better than Amy Jean. I see Gloria or Amy but can confirm all artists are AMAZING! So good I fly back to do my brows every 3 months! Book well in advance.

LASHES

Fancy Lash — @fancy.lash (Sydney — Potts Point, Bondi Junction)
Kathy Duong and her team are the best in the business for lash extensions. The work is immaculate — natural enough to look like yours, full enough to make a difference. One of those appointments where you walk out and feel completely put together without anyone being able to pinpoint exactly why.

NAILS

USA Nails Bellevue Hill — @usanails.fs (Sydney)
My local and my favourite. Consistently excellent manicures and pedicures, every single time. The kind of place that never disappoints — which in the nail world is rarer than it should be. Every Sydney trip I pop in for the best mani and pedi on the go before I fly back to Singapore.

Merv @ Joh Bailey Salon Double Bay — @johbaileyofficial (Sydney)
Merv at Joh Bailey is my go-to for a pedicure. Joh Bailey is a Sydney institution and Merv is the reason I keep coming back. Exceptional hands and the kind of old-school professionalism that feels increasingly rare. The best thing about this is you can get a wash and blow-dry at the same time as doing your nails - efficiency at its best!

HAIR — COLOUR

KODA Cutters — @koda_cutters (Bondi & QVB, Sydney)
Diane Gorgievski - is the creative director and founder of KODA Cutters, one of Sydney's most respected hair institutions with salons in Bondi and the QVB. She is the person I go to for a lived-in blonde that genuinely looks like it belongs to you — effortless, considered, and never overdone. What makes KODA exceptional beyond Di herself is the entire team — her stylists are so well across styling post-colour that you leave not just with beautiful colour but knowing exactly how to wear it. Featured in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and on runways in Sydney, Milan, Paris and New York — the credentials are impeccable and the results speak for themselves.

Katrina Gallo — @katrinagallohair (Sydney)
Katrina is one of the most talented hair colourists in Sydney and her work consistently looks expensive, considered, and exactly right. If you’re serious about your colour, Katrina is the conversation you need to have.

Belinda Jeffrey @ La Boutique — @belindajeffreyhair (Sydney)
Another exceptional colourist who I trust completely. Belinda has an incredible eye and a genuine understanding of what works for each individual — not just technically but aesthetically.

HAIR — CUTTING & BLOWDRY

Keiren Street @ Valonz — @keirenstreethair (Sydney)
Keiren Street at Valonz is who I trust with my cut. Valonz is one of Sydney’s most respected salons and Keiren is a standout within it — precise, creative, and someone who actually listens to the brief. A great haircut is the foundation of everything else and Keiren delivers it every time.

BLOWDRY

JOH Salon — @johbaileyofficial (Cross Street, Double Bay)
JOH Salon on Cross Street is my go-to for a blowdry. The signature Bailey glamour blowdry is iconic for a reason — volume, polish, and longevity that genuinely lasts. Trusted by the likes of Elle Macpherson and Hugh Jackman, and the kind of salon where you walk out feeling completely put together. When you need your hair to look exceptional and you need it done properly, this is the address. This is the newer of the two salons - low key and more intimate than the flagship that can be, overwhelming! I see George Zara!

HAIR — EXTENSIONS

Kylie @ Priscilla Valle Extensions — @kavenuehair (Sydney)
Kylie is the go-to for hair extensions in Sydney. The work is seamless, the result is beautiful, and the longevity is exceptional. If you want extensions that look like your own hair — genuinely — Kylie is your person.

MOBILE HAIR

Rania Khouri Hair — @raniakhourihair (Sydney)
For those moments when you need exceptional hair and you need it to come to you — Rania is the answer. Professional, talented, and completely reliable. The kind of mobile stylist who makes you look like you’ve just stepped out of a very good salon, wherever you happen to be.

WELLBEING & BODY

Future Clinic — @futureclinic.modernbeaut (Sydney)
Adie Robertson and the Future Clinic team offer lymphatic drainage massage that is genuinely one of the best things I do for my body. Not a luxury — a necessity, especially around events, travel, and anything where you need to feel your best from the inside out. The results are immediate and cumulative. If you haven’t tried lymphatic drainage, start here.

WAXING & MASSAGE

Venustus — @venustus_australia (383 Oxford Street, Paddington)
Venustus is one of those places that is genuinely impossible to describe without sounding hyperbolic — and yet everything said about it is true. Founded by Jeannie Bourke and now celebrating over 30 years on Oxford Street, it is far more than a beauty salon. Walking through those doors is an experience in itself — the energy shifts the moment you step inside. Treatments span waxing, massage, facials, lymphatic drainage, and some of the most extraordinary bodywork available in Sydney, including a signature six-hand massage that is the pinnacle of indulgence. Every therapist is multi-certified across beauty, massage, and healing techniques, and the level of expertise is consistently world-class. The egg-shaped treatment pods are noise-resistant, lined in cashmere and linen, and designed to make you feel completely held. If you’re looking for a gift voucher for someone who deserves something truly special — this is it. Venustus e-vouchers are available online and are one of the most genuinely divine gifts you can give. And yes, I am stuck in the dark ages, I still prefer to wax so Venutus is my go to - Laser isn’t for me!

SPRAY TANS

Beach Street Beauty Bar — @beachstbeautybar (Sydney)
If you’d rather go in than have someone come to you, Beach Street Beauty Bar is the destination. Consistently great results and a genuinely lovely experience from start to finish.

Stacey McPherson — @staceymcpherson07 (Sydney)
Another exceptional mobile option. Stacey is professional, reliable, and produces a beautiful tan every time. A name worth having in your phone.

The Body Spray Tan — @thebodyspraytan (Sydney — Mobile)
Another exceptional mobile spray tan service that deserves a place in your phone. Professional, convenient, and delivers a flawless result every time — the kind of tan that looks like you’ve just returned from somewhere warm rather than had it applied in your living room. Exactly what a good mobile tan should be.

Every single person on this list has earned their place through years of consistent, exceptional work. These are not gifted appointments or paid endorsements — they are the people I actually call.

Next edition: Event Social Content Creators & my Go to List for Event Photography — the ones I trust when the occasion demands exceptional content, imagery and videography on a time crunch.

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xx Roxy

Food is the thing people remember. Not just the flowers, not only the venue, not the lighting. The food. After 18 years producing events of every kind — corporate launches, intimate dinners, children’s parties, VIP functions, and everything in between — I have a very considered list of caterers I return to again and again. Here it is.

FULL SERVICE CATERING

The Blonde Butler — @theblondebutler (Sydney)
Alex Cadger and the Blonde Butler team are one of my most trusted calls for full-service event catering. Polished, professional, and consistently excellent — they handle everything from canapés and cocktail parties to sit-down dinners with the kind of ease that makes your event feel effortless. The presentation is always beautiful, the food always lands, and the team is a genuine pleasure to work with. Alex and his team have done every thing from intimate dinners to large scale events and personal functions for me, all, within a tight turnaround and to budget!

Simon Ekas Catering — @simonekascatering (Sydney)
Simon Ekas is one of the most respected names in Sydney event catering and the food speaks entirely for itself. Whether it’s a high-end corporate function or a private event, Simon brings a level of culinary excellence and professionalism that is hard to match. A name that appears on the best event tables in the city for very good reason. The very first caterer I used when I started in PR and I have never looked back!

Cook & Waiter — @cookandwaiter (Sydney)
Cook & Waiter is my go-to when I need exceptional food paired with impeccable front-of-house service. They do both equally well, which is rarer than it sounds. A seamless experience from kitchen to table — the kind of operator who makes hosting feel like the pleasure it’s supposed to be. David’s food is like art - presentation is always 10/10!

ON THE GO — READY TO UNBOX & PLATE

Boxed by Blonde Butler — @theblondebutler (Sydney)
If you want premium catering without the premium price tag, this is the answer. Boxed by Blonde Butler is the Blonde Butler’s drop-off offering — beautifully prepared food delivered in chic white boxes, ready to unbox and plate up with zero fuss. No chef required on site. Order online with 48 hours notice and they’ll deliver anywhere across Sydney metro. Breakfast, morning tea, working lunches, canapés, hot finger food, boxed buffets — all of it freshly prepared and presented with the same attention to detail the Blonde Butler is known for. One of the most cost-effective ways to make your event look and taste exceptional.

SUSHI & JAPANESE

Sugoi Sushi — @sugoi_sushi_au (Sydney)
Jin and the Sugoi team are my first call for sushi catering. Fresh, beautifully presented, and always a crowd favourite. Whether it’s a sushi station at an event or a full Japanese spread, Sugoi delivers quality that genuinely stands apart and all in your own home!

MEDITERRANEAN

Tayta’s Food Co — @taytasfoodco (Sydney)
A family-owned catering business established in 2015, combining authentic Mediterranean cuisine with modern Australian influences. The food tastes like it has been cooked with genuine love — because it has. Recipes passed down through generations, brought to your event with warmth and incredible flavour. Perfect for grazing spreads, buffets, and anything where you want the food to feel abundant and soulful.

KOSHER

JunEdelmuth Catering (Sydney)
June Edelmuth is incredible. If you need kosher catering done properly — with genuine care, beautiful food, and not a single compromise on quality — June is the person to call. Food made with so much love for any occasion, and a reputation in the Sydney community that is entirely well deserved. There is no one better. June and her team have done a vast number of my family events and I cannot fault her, innovation, presentation and tasty!

GRAZING TABLES

Stories to Gather — @stories_to_gather (Sydney)
Lia Townsend creates grazing tables that are genuinely works of art. Abundant, beautiful, and always incredibly well considered — the kind of spread that stops guests the moment they walk into a room. If you want a grazing table that becomes the centrepiece of your event, Stories to Gather is the only call you need to make. Upmarket, chic and minimal and so very now!

CAVIAR SERVICE

Events with Caviar — @eventswithcaviar (Sydney)
Sydney’s first roaming caviar experience — and once you’ve seen it in action, you’ll understand immediately why it works so well. White-gloved hosts circulate through your event with their signature caviar belt, serving blinis topped with crème fraîche and the finest caviar directly to guests. It’s a luxury performance as much as a catering service — elegant, theatrical, and completely unforgettable. Available for everything from intimate private dinners to large-scale corporate galas, with options ranging from White Sturgeon to Oscietra to Beluga.

Luxe Caviar — @luxecaviar (Australia)
Lisa Downs is a Caviar Ambassador for the Gourmet Providores group and one of the most knowledgeable people in Australia when it comes to sourcing the world’s finest caviar. What sets Lisa apart is the directness of her supply — caviar sourced straight from the producer, sub-zero temperature stored, HACCP approved, and packed daily by experts in Australia without going through third parties. Fresh, unpasteurised, and country-of-origin compliant. If you want caviar for an event, a dinner party, or simply because you have excellent taste — Lisa is the person to know.

The through-line across every single one of these: food that people actually remember. That’s the brief. These are the people who deliver it every time.

Next edition: my go-to beauty clinicians — the people I trust with my face, my hair, and everything in between.

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xx Roxy

After 18 years managing talent, VIP transfers, international travel, and more logistics than I care to count, I have a very firm position: on-demand apps and taxis are not the brief. Not for clients. Not for talent. Not for myself. And absolutely not for my children.

What I want — every time — is the right operator for the right mode of travel. Professional, reliable, and entirely without drama. When you find the people who do it well, you keep them. Here is my list of preferred suppliers as tried and tested over and over again!

CHAUFFEUR

Unity Limousines — Sydney & Melbourne
Unity Executive Services is my non-negotiable for everything on the ground in Australia. Corporate transfers, VIP arrivals, celebrity movements — they handle all of it with complete professionalism and genuine discretion. The cars are immaculate, the drivers are exceptional, and the communication is seamless. I have also trusted Unity with my children when work and commitments have made it impossible for me to do school pick-ups and transfers personally — and that says everything. When you put your kids in someone else’s hands and feel completely at ease, you’ve found the right operator. The best in the business for Sydney and Melbourne. And the owner Evan is hand-on and across everything which is always such a plus! I have been using the team for as long as I can remember - this picture seems like forever ago !

Blacklane — Worldwide
When I’m travelling internationally and need a transfer I can book in advance and trust completely, Blacklane is my go-to. Consistent across cities worldwide — which is exactly what you need when you’re navigating somewhere unfamiliar after a long-haul flight. Book ahead, confirm the details, and arrive in a car that is waiting exactly where it should be. No guesswork. No surprises. I do this via their very comprehensive app - choose the style of car and even book by the hour - which is what I do if I need to go from place to place without delay!

Wheely — London
London’s finest. Wheely sets a standard for chauffeur service that I haven’t seen matched anywhere else in the city. Beautiful vehicles, professional and knowledgeable drivers, and an experience from booking to drop-off that is genuinely effortless. For anyone spending time in London, this is the only number you need. Even their instagram is cool - worth a follow!

PRIVATE JET

NavAir — Australia
My go-to for private aviation within Australia. NavAir offers direct charter bookings across the country with a fleet and a team that make the process as seamless as the flight itself. Whether it’s a quick hop between Sydney and Melbourne or something further afield, NavAir handles it with the level of professionalism the mode of travel demands. Tip is to fly out of Bankstown where possible, its a cheaper option than Sydney Airport and is a short drive from the CBD!

VistaJet — International
When it comes to international private aviation, VistaJet is in a class of its own. Founded in 2004 and now operating to over 1,900 airports across 207 countries, they are the first and only truly global private aviation company. The fleet is exclusively Bombardier — Global and Challenger aircraft — and the onboard experience is exceptional: cabin crew trained by the British Butler Institute, seasonal menus curated by world-class chefs, and a level of service that makes a long-haul flight feel like anything but. Available via membership program or on-demand booking. If you travel internationally with any frequency, VistaJet is the conversation worth having.

YACHT CHARTER

Burgess — Worldwide
When it comes to yacht charter, Burgess is the gold standard. Founded in 1975 and now operating across 18 offices globally, they are the superyacht industry leader — specialising in yachts over 30 metres and trusted by the most discerning clients in the world. Their brokers know the yachts, the crews, and the destinations better than anyone, and every charter is built entirely around you. From a week in the Mediterranean to an extended South Pacific itinerary, Burgess handles every detail — right down to private jet transfers and bespoke shore-side experiences. If you are considering a yacht charter for the first time or the tenth, there is no better hands to be in. A image in port from a few summers back, a charter through burgess for the family!

Edmiston — Worldwide
If you haven't been paying attention to Edmiston, the incredible Alo Yoga collaboration aboard Silver Fox — a 72-metre Sanlorenzo superyacht that became the most talked-about floating venue at the Cannes Film Festival this year — will have changed that. A "Wellness Club at Sea" experience that stopped the internet, and a perfect example of what Edmiston does better than almost anyone: curating extraordinary experiences around exceptional yachts. Founded in 1996, with offices in London, Monaco, New York, Newport and Mexico City, Edmiston operates at the very top of the global luxury yacht market across charter, sales, management and new build. Their offering is genuinely world-class — and if you're looking for the right person to navigate it, ask for Chris Gregory. A long-time friend and a true guru of all things superyachts, Chris is the person I'd point anyone to without hesitation.

The through-line across all of the above: exceptional service, zero compromise, and the kind of reliability that means you never have to think about it twice.

Next edition: Caterers — from kosher to buffet, canapés to cocktails, and everything in between. Yes, including the flare bartenders.

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xx Roxy

I have done multiple offices that needed to be a statement — spaces that had to stand apart from the competition and communicate something the moment you walked through the door. I’ve also done my fair share of residential projects. These are the people I have trusted with both.

Blainey North — @blaineynorth (Sydney, London & New York)
Blainey is my go-to for residential and has been across multiple projects. She is, without question, one of the most talented designers working anywhere in the world — her studio has won the International Design and Architecture Award for Best Residence over £40M, been named among the twenty best architects and interior designers worldwide, and worked on everything from A-list private residences to superyachts to the world’s tallest residential tower in New York. But what sets her apart for me personally isn’t the accolades — it’s the experience of working with her. If you hate what’s trending and resent being presented with something generic, Blainey is your person. Nothing is off the shelf. Nothing is impersonal. She works with you until she understands exactly where you want to land, and then she gets you there. Across every project we have done together — walk in, turn key, nothing is an issue, nothing is too hard. One of our most recent projects - Vaucluse Residence in Sydney, Australia.

ORK Design — @ork.design (Sydney)
I had the opportunity to work with Tsolair Nazarian and the ORK team on our Sydney office in Double Bay (pictured) and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Tsolair was hands-on from day one, worked to a tight budget and a tight timeline, and everything she presented was a yes. What ORK created was aesthetically brilliant — but critically, it also worked. A high-traffic office environment needs to function as hard as it looks, and they nailed both. If you’re looking for a commercial interior designer in Sydney who delivers without the drama, call Tsolair.

Also on my radar — worth a follow:

Freeman & Co — @__free__man__co — Sydney, London & New York — luxury turn-key interior design
Nina Maya — @ninamayainteriors
Sophie Patterson — @sophiepatterson (London)
E&M Interiors — @eminteriors.sg (Singapore)
Banda — @bandaagency (London)
Pierre Yovanovitch — @pierreyovanovitch (Europe)
Körner Interiors — @kornerinteriors (London — Rebecca Körner, Australian-born, Condé Nast Paris to award-winning London studio). Check out this sofa from her range of furniture - I am OBSESSED!

Next edition: transport — from the tarmac to the road, the services I actually use and why I will never compromise on either.

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xx Roxy

After 20 years producing events, campaigns, launches, and the odd very chaotic birthday party, I’ve worked with a lot of florists. The ones below have stayed on my list for a reason. They’re talented, they deliver, and they don’t give me heart palpitations the morning of an event.

All are Australia-based. All are worth knowing.

Poho — @pohoflowers (Sydney) Ed West and the Poho team are my go-to for anything that needs to look elevated and editorial. The arrangements are consistently beautiful — architectural without being cold, lush without being overdone. For brand events and corporate launches, these are the people.

This reference was from Pixie’s 14th Birthday Family dinner in Sydney!

Seed Flora by George Low — @seedflora (Sydney) George is one of those rare florists who genuinely has a point of view. And coincidently, I used to work with George in my days as a part time florist - yes it was about 10000 years ago! His work doesn’t look like anyone else’s, which in an industry full of sameness is actually saying something. If you want something that people will photograph and remember, call George.

Lilac and Willow — @lilacandwillowflowers (Sydney) Georgie runs one of the most consistently gorgeous studios in Rose Bay, Sydney. Romantic, considered, and always seasonally led. Ideal for intimate events, and anything where the flowers need to feel personal rather than produced. Georgie is fast and super creative!

This was one of my weekly Friday installs at home in Australia.

Doctor Cooper — @doctorcooper (Sydney) Lisa Cooper is an institution. Her work is bold, dramatic, and utterly distinctive. I reach for Doctor Cooper when I need a room to stop people in their tracks — think large-scale installations and events where the florals are the centrepiece, not just the backdrop. When you want less styling and more statement! Her orchid installs are to die for!

This heart was custom made for a my birthday lunch by Lisa for the private room at Mimi’s.

Christiana Marie — @christianamarieflorals (Sydney) Soft, feminine, and endlessly elegant. Christiana’s florals have a handmade quality that photographs beautifully and feels incredibly personal. Great for intimate gatherings, baby showers, and anything where you want the room to feel loved.

John Emmanuel Floral Events — @johnemmanuelfloralevents (Sydney) For large-scale events, John is in a league of his own. I’m talking galas, marquee moments, full venue transformations. His team handles everything with the kind of professionalism that makes a very complicated day feel considerably less complicated.

Hermetica — @hermeticaflowers (Sydney) Jai Winnell is in a category of his own. Based out of a converted automotive warehouse in Woolloomooloo, Hermetica is Sydney’s most design-forward florist — bold, architectural, and completely unlike anything else in the market. Trusted by Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Paspaley Pearls, Merivale, and Solotel. The gifting experience alone — signature wrapping, hand-calligraphed note, Polaroid keepsake — is worth it.

Flowers Vasette — @flowersvasette (Melbourne) A Melbourne institution, and for good reason. Founded in 1989 by Cherrie Miriklis from a Brunswick Street shopfront, Flowers Vasette has grown into the largest floral and events business of its kind in Australia — without losing any of the personality that made it great. The range, the colour, the sheer abundance of what they do is unmatched. If you’re in Melbourne and need florals that make a room feel extraordinary, this is your first call.

Kate Hill Flowers — @katehillflowers (Melbourne) Kate Hill has been the name in Melbourne floristry for over 25 years and the clientele says everything — Tiffany & Co., Chanel, Fendi, Burberry, Bulgari. Her work is refined, considered, and unmistakably elegant. Qualifications in both interior and floral design means she thinks about how flowers live in a space, not just how they look in isolation. Featured in Vogue and Belle, trusted by the best venues in the city. Worth knowing even if you’re not based there.

Grandiflora Singapore — @grandiflora__singapore (Singapore)
Saskia Havekes’ first outpost outside of Sydney, sitting inside Culina at COMO Dempsey — which tells you everything about the calibre of the address. The same sculptural, seasonally-driven approach that made the Sydney store famous, now available on our doorstep. If you’re in Singapore and want something that feels genuinely world-class, this is it. If you are Sydney based - stop by, it’s a cave of absolute beauty and even the calligraphy on the cards with each order is divine! I had Grandiflora create my 2024 Christmas tree - A sea of phalenopsis orchids and deep green velvet bows!

Charlotte Puxley Flowers — @charlottepuxleyflowers (Singapore)
Charlotte is a Londoner who trained at Jane Packer and Scarlet & Violet before bringing her English countryside sensibility to Singapore in 2015 — and it works beautifully here. Wild, romantic, and deeply seasonal, her arrangements feel like they’ve just been gathered from a garden somewhere in the English countryside, which in Singapore’s floral landscape makes them completely distinctive. She also runs Ida’s, a bar and event space next to the studio at Gilman Barracks — a genuinely lovely spot.

This is a gorgeous Christmas Install I had in 2024 - her wreaths are also fabulous!

JM Flower Market — @jmflower.sg (Singapore — for the DIY enthusiast)
If you love doing your own flowers — for the home, for a dinner party, for a last-minute something — JM is your place. Singapore’s leading wholesale flower supplier with over 30 years in the market, available to retail customers and stocked with everything from classic roses and orchids to more unusual seasonal stems. Fresh, well-priced, and an absolute joy to wander through if you’re that way inclined. I always come away with more than I intended. The best day to go is Wednesday in my opinion remember, everything is imported and I am certain that flowers drop on middle of the week so head there then for freshness!

Every single one of these businesses is independently run and worth supporting. Follow them on Instagram — their feeds alone are worth it.

Next edition: the interior designers I've trusted with my homes, my offices, and my most opinionated briefs as well as some new comers that are on my radar ….

xx Roxy

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After 18 years in PR, I’ve been asked the same questions more times than I can count.

Who does your flowers? Where do you get your event signage printed? What scheduling tool do you actually use? Who’s the photographer that makes everything look that good?

The honest answer is - I have a list. A very long, very well-worn list of suppliers, vendors, small businesses, and behind-the-scenes operators who have quietly made my world run for nearly two decades.

This is that list.

Welcome to my little black book - finally made public.

I’m Roxy Jacenko. I founded Sweaty Betty PR at 24 working on PR & Events across local and international household brands for some 18 years, some years later, I established The Ministry of Talent, one of the first Digital Creator agencies in the region. Over 20 years I’ve produced events, managed talent, built brands from scratch, navigated social media before it was called social media, and worked with some of the best - and most underrated - businesses in the industry.

This Substack is where I share them.

Every edition will cover the people and businesses I actually use and trust - across PR, events, social media, small business, and what it really takes to build something from the ground up. No ads. Just the real edit.

If you’ve ever wanted to know how I do it - you’re in the right place.

Hit subscribe and let’s get into it.

xx Roxy