S&P Sexy Men

Social & Personal's Sexiest Man Baz Ashmawy pictured with Sandra Bothwell (left) and Haley Rock.


A panel of eight judges, recruited by Social & Personal from the worlds of fashion, beauty, fitness, entertainment, business and sport, recently compiled their definitive list of the 100 sexiest Irishmen for 2009, as featured in the February issue of the society magazine.

With Egyptian and Irish blood flowing through his veins; it’s easy to understand why 33-year-old Baz Ashmawy doesn’t look like your typical Irish guy, which may be a reason why he was ranked by our judges at No.1 on this year’s list.

So, how exactly did the man himself feel about being honoured as Ireland’s Sexiest Man of 2009? “I was embarrassed when I heard. It’s fairly flattering and very humbling.” he said modestly. Having spent the past number of months travelling around Ireland and the States meeting different groups of people and getting to familiarise himself with other cultures, Baz’s next TV project, Baz’s Culture Clash, airs on RTÉ next month.

Others to feature on the list, that was announced at a party in Lillies, included Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Craig Doyle, Wes Quirke, Kevin J. Ryan and Nicky Byrne.

Wave Hello!

At the Neutrogena Wave launch party: 1. Caoilinn Taylor and Hahhah Devane; 2. Emily Rose and John Peters; 3. Emily O'Donnell and Elaine Stenson.

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The ladies flocked to top Dublin nightclub Krystle for the Pink Party which was held to launch the Neutrogena Wave. The no. 1 facial cleanser in the US and endorsed by Vanessa Hudgens of High School Musical fame (she stars in the ads too), the Neutrogena Wave is the hottest accessory with twenties, tweens and teens and has become a cult product sparking a wave of YouTube videos, blogs and so many sales that one flies off the shelves every 15 seconds!

I must say it's an ingenious little gadget. A power cleanser with replaceable cotton pads that contain a foaming cleanser, it's safe to use in the shower (i.e. it won't electrcute use) and leaves your skin as soft as a bed in the Four Seasons.

Guests who enjoyed pink champagne and cocktails included socialite Emily O'Donnell, entertainer Alan Amsby, TV3's Lisa Cannon and some of Dublin's top models including Caoilinn Taylor, Hannah Devane, Emily Rose and Lynn Pagi.

Pantene Best International Actress Award

Angelina Jolie narrowly leads the voting for this year’s race to become the winner of the Pantene Best International Actress Award at the IFTA’s (Irish Film & Television Awards), for her performance in Changeling. She is up against stiff competition, however, in the form of close rival Kristin Scott Thomas (I’ve Loved You So Long) followed by Meryl Streep (Mamma Mia!), and Emma Thompson (Brideshead Revisited).

This prestigious acting gong is decided by the voting public and last year they crowned two-time Oscar winner, Hilary Swank as the victor for her performance in P.S I Love You.

Who wins, you decide - the power is in your hands, and with the gap so close between the nominees, every vote really does count. Voting closes at midnight on Monday 2^nd February 2009 and to vote simply log onto www.ifta.ie/pantene

This year's winner of the Pantene Best International Actress Award will be announced at the IFTA ceremony, which takes place in Dublin on Saturday, 14th February 2009 and broadcast live on RTÉ One that evening.

Curvette of the Year

At the Curvette of the Year Awards lunch were: 1. Frances Winston & Laura Birmingham; 2. Karen Haskett and Gillian Dilmac (winner); 3. Sonya Lennon & Liz Greehy.

Curves announced the winner of the ‘Curvette of the Year’ competition at a gala event in Dublin’s Hilton Hotel this week. Michael Foley, International Marketing Director for Curves, presented the winner, Gillian Dilmac from Lisduff, Co. Clare who is a member of Curves in Corbally Co. Limerick with a ten years’ free membership to Curves plus a shopping voucher to help enhance their new wardrobe.

Gillian was one of six worthy finalists selected from across the country, who have lost more than 20 stone altogether since joining Curves. All finalists were given the VIP treatment with an overnight stay at Hilton Dublin plus professional hair and make-up styling before attending the awards luncheon. Guests in attendance included Off the Rails presenter Sonya Lennon, beauty journalist Laura Bermingham, Liz Greehy of Stylebible.ie and celebrity stylist Cathy O’Connor.

GBK

Enjoying the GBK experience were: 1. Quentin Fottrell & Sarah Binchy; 2. Isabelle Dabiri & James O'Neill; 3. Conor Hearhy & Joanne Martin.

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The latest eaterie to open in this fair city will surely be a hit with recessionistas. No fancy foam, purée or consommé on the GBK menu; we're talking burgers, and gourmet ones at that. Just opened on South Anne Street, GBK (Gourmet Burger Kitchen) is the 6th of its kind in Ireland and joins the Temple Bar branch in Dublin.

Developed 8 years ago by a group of New Zealanders who craved a good burger, the brand has seen phenomonal growth and gained a loyal following for award winning food. Decorated in funky, earthy tones the restaurant is the perfect pit stop place for a quick bite.

Some of the guests on the opening evening included beauty guru Triona McCarthy fresh from a stay at the Evian spa in France, Caroline Desmond and Jean Crowley, Lord and Lady Mountcharles, Andrew Rudd and Ben Bringer, writer Quentin Fottrell and RTE's Audrey McGrath.

Ariel 15 degrees of Coolness

At the Ariel party were: 1. Andrew Fowler & Tara Leniston; 2. Nadia Forde & Rebecca Lawless; 3. Hilary Murphy & Brendan Scully.


Ariel, purveyors of cleanliness, hosted an innovative event in the cavernous CHQ building recently to celebrate the launch of its newest product, ExcelGel. Cleaning at as low as 15 degrees, the theme of the party was 'coolness' and there were certainly plenty of cool things to experience.

As if it wasn't cold enough outside an oxygen bar, Nintendo Wii Ski games and ice sculptures set the cool tone for the evening. Guests included actress Tara Leniston, models Sarah McGovern and Laura Toogood, Bairbre Power and Roisin O'Hea and The Dubliner's Paul Trainer, who is getting ready for his big birthday bash to coincide with the 8th anniversary of the magazine.

NYE at Lillies

Also at Lillies bordello for New Years eve were: 1. Haley Rock and lorna Kennedy; 2. Social & Personal editor PJ Gibbons; 3. Adele Plant and brendan Wall.

NYE at Lillies

Back to black at Lillies for NYE were: 1. Elise Erdine and Johnny Christie; 2. Catherine and Rebecca Hughes; 3. Mary O’Connell and Ann Marie Barnet.

What better way to kick off the 2009 diary than a New Years Eve party? Celebrity haunt Lillie’s Bordello hosted its NYE bash with the theme “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

The theme for the party was aimed at raising the spirits of all those that attended and the club bosses want members and regulars to forget about economic doom and gloom (at least for one night) and to forward to 2009 on a positive note - a Champagne Bollinger reception took care of that. Invited guests on the night included Guggi, Bono, Gavin Friday, Des Bishop, The Script and Virginia Macari.

Happy New Year

So, here we are, another new year. Aprés the holiday festivities I hope your transition back to the real world was relatively hassle free. A quick tot up of the 08 diary revealed that there were 198 'official' events attended last year - 'official' events are those that might be reported on here and/or on air.

It was a good year, with plenty of quality parties and extravagant hospitality, but I think the social scene is beginning to feel the pinch from the recession. Just after Christmas, for example, the Lexus Chase race day in Leopardstown was a trimmed down affair with no hospitality for guests (as opposed to a boozy long lunch in previous years). When a high-end car manufacturer takes it down a few gears you know they see trouble on the horizon.

Having lunch out and about the other day a PR girl stopped by our table to say hello and I took the opportunity to quiz her about plans for the coming year. Working in the luxury brands sector she confided that yes, clients are starting to cut back and demanding more bang for their buck. Interestingly though she also thought that it will be 2010 by the time the real knock on effect happens in the world of PR events.

Anyhoo, I hope you have a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. Will the champagne bubble burst? We'll see....

Coldplay at The O2

Last night I went along to my last concert of the year and what an amazing event it was. Put together one of the best bands in the world and what surely must be one of the best venues in the world and you've got a memorable experience.

Coldplay (above, sorry for the poor quality pic!) were just so full of energy and the crowd of 10,000 went wild. The O2, as a venue, has to be seen to be believed and is a testament to Harry Crosbie, O2 and Live Nation.

I think I'll make this my last post for 2008 so I'd like to take this opp to thank you all for reading, e-mailing and whatnot and wish you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy new year!

x

AUSTRALIA

At the premiere were: 1. Rachel Kavanagh; 2. Nadine Wai O’Flynn and Astrid Brennan; 3. Natasha Rocca Devine.

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Jacob’s Creek has partnered with AUSTRALIA, the new Baz Luhrmann film, as the exclusive global wine partner and to celebrate this Jacob’s Creek hosted a gala screening in Movies @ Dundrum and post screening party in Harvey Nichols.

Guests who attended included writer Marian Keyes, Karen Koster, models Joanne Dever and Rachel Wyse, Jayne O’Keeffe and Mike Reilly, Veronica Ryan, Sandra Byrne, Ben Bringer and Nadine Wai O’Flynn to name but a few. After the screening guests traversed the courtyard, which reflected scenes from the movie, and made their way to Harvey Nicks where Jacob’s Creek hosted an unforgettable party complete with didgeridoo player.

Starring two of the world’s biggest stars, Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, AUSTRALIA is directed by Baz Luhrmann a revolutionary filmmaker at the peak of his career. The movie has already generated high awareness, and there is a sense of buzz and anticipation surrounding its official launch, scheduled for December 26^th.

AUSTRALIA is an epic and romantic action adventure, set in that country on the explosive brink of World War II. In it, an English aristocrat (Kidman) travels to the faraway continent, where she meets a rough-hewn local (Jackman) and reluctantly agrees to join forces with him to save the land she inherited. Together, they embark upon a transforming journey across hundreds of miles of the world’s most beautiful yet unforgiving terrain, only to still face the bombing of the city of Darwin by the Japanese forces that attacked Pearl Harbour. With his new film, Luhrmann is painting on a vast canvas, creating a cinematic experience that brings together romance, drama, adventure and spectacle.

It’s an adventure as epic as the land in which its story unfolds.

Winter Style at The Lexus Chase

Pictured at the announcement of Winter Style at The Lexus Chase were Jenny Lee Masterson, Lizanna Kirwan and Aoife Cogan.

On Sunday 28^th December, the glamour stakes will be under Starter’s Orders when Lexus Ireland hosts the most stylish competition of the annual Leopardstown Christmas National Hunt Festival – Winter Style at The Lexus Chase.

With a guaranteed minimum prize fund of €200,000, the Grade 1 Lexus Chase is the richest race in the winter national hunt calendar. And, with a competition prize pack valued at 15,000, Winter Style at The Lexus Chase is the richest Ladies Day prize of the winter season also.

Presented by Lexus Ireland in association with The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt, the winner of Winter Style at The Lexus Chase will be the lady whose style, poise and glamour personifies festive style and the winter season. Leading the selection panel this Christmas will be Lexus Style Ambassador and Ireland’s most-stylish woman, Lisa Fitzpatrick.

The €15,000 Winter Style at The Lexus Chase prize pack includes:

• Transfers to The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt, including Lexus chauffeur transfers
• Two nights in the hotel’s ultra-exclusive Presidential Suite (where each nightly stay costs €5,000!)
• Pampering in the hotel’s ESPA spa
• Dinner for two at Gordon Ramsay at Powerscourt
• A €2,000 Dundrum Town Centre shopping spree with lunch at Roly Saul Dundrum and a Personal Style Consultation

A prize worth winning I’m sure you’ll agree, so get out those glad rags!