As I’m about to enter my fifth year of writing this blog, I started thinking about how much our readers know about me. Sure, you know what I think about parties, about V.Day, W.Day, New Year’s Day, my birthday, and lots of other days… but about me personally? Well! We’ve never really been formally introduced now have we?

So recently when Chief White-ette forwarded me a few blog entries entitled ‘33 things you might not know about me’ (Google it to see who you find!), I got the impression she wanted us to get a little more acquainted with each other (despite me feeling slightly apprehensive). So here you go. Based on the 33 things below, it might turn out that you come to like me. Or it might turn out that you stop reading my blog altogether (I hope not!) And for those of you who know me… am I telling you anything you don’t know at all?

1. I don’t like writing. Of course, I think I’m pretty good at it, and I seem to have built a career on it but it’s not something I enjoy doing at all.

2. I strongly dislike exercise of any kind. For god’s sake please don’t suggest a Sunday afternoon walk on the beach to me, a morning swim in summer or any kind of yoga, gym or pilates class unless you want me to delete your number from my telephone. From time to time I will actually partake in some forms of exercise under extreme duress (ie, need to fit into sparkling sequined dress from 2005 in summer 2012) but if you see me doing it, it’s best for all parties concerned if you don’t make eye contact. Or mention it. Ever.

3. I occasionally contemplate running away from Ibiza to live in New York or Paris. But all I can think of doing in either city is being a writer, and lord knows both places have too many wannabes already, not to mention the aforementioned fact I hate writing. So I’ll stay here until further notice.

4. I love everything about the ‘70s. The hair, the clothes, the architecture, the attitudes, the TV shows, the music, the lot.

5. I have a HUGE irrational fear of medical professionals, to the point where I’ve almost suffered blood poisoning twice while trying to avoid visiting the emergency room. I honestly have no idea why I feel this way. At this point in time I am suffering from an incredibly bad back, incomprehensible period pains (too much information? Sorry!) and at least two wisdom teeth that are seriously past the point of needing to come out but I’m ignoring them. So far, I’m winning the battle against my pain threshold but I know the day will come where I have to give in.

6. I would buy everything in pink if I lived on my own, in a house where I knew absolutely NO ONE could ever visit me. I’m talking couch, tables, rugs, that amazing SMEG fridge, lights, candles, bedding, the lot. But I would never do this if I thought people could see it.

7. I have the word cat tattooed on my neck in Japanese. When asked why, I give people many reasons (in some parts of China, year of the cat is actually year of the rabbit, but I love Japanese script so chose that is just one of them), but in reality, it’s honestly because I love my cat Buffy more than anything in the world, but it seemed a bit complex to spell that out. As an aside, I was once in a lift in New York when a very obnoxious man kept asking and asking what it translated to, to which my quick witted friend responded, ‘It means F*** off.’ Brilliant.

8. I love singing at the top of my voice. Unfortunately, I’m really, really bad at it and way too self conscious to do it in front of anyone else so I rarely get the chance. Luckily for you.

9. I have a slightly morbid fascination with death and grief. I have been like this ever since I was a child and while I’m aware it could be considered mildly unhealthy, I also think it means my mind is open to the possibilities of what does or doesn’t happen after we die, and I’m not scared (yet) of it happening to me. Could also explain my ongoing obsession with vampires…

10. I always wanted to be a movie star. Not actually an actress, but a real bona fide movie star. My two favourite movies as a child were The Wizard of Oz and The Elephant Man… not sure which one inspired that career aspiration! I also hate having my photograph taken, so I probably wouldn’t have been very good at the vocation anyway.

11. I was in a very large amount of debt for a long time. I’m not now, and I never will be again. I believe the banks that continued to raise my credit card limits despite the fact I couldn’t pay my bills were to blame, but I still accepted responsibility for my actions (read: ruthless spending!) and paid it all back. Ouch.

12. I couldn’t care less about politics. Never have, never will. I understand some people may think that’s ignorant, but I just don’t care enough to give it the time of day.

13. I love living in Ibiza because I can do what I want, when I want, with whomever I want. It really annoys me when people say, ‘Oh you’re so lucky to live there all year round.’ No I’m not. I was brave enough to make the choice, but there was no luck involved.

14. I totally believe in plastic surgery if it makes you happy. I quite fancy having my lips plumped up and getting my wrinkles smoothed out when the time comes.

15. I think weddings are absolutely ridiculous however I really believe in the ideology of marriage itself. And despite my wedding phobia, I’d really love a flash engagement ring and I look forward to the day when I can change my surname and practice a new signature!

16. Paying for water in Ibiza makes me furious. And I don’t just mean the inflated club prices, I mean buying the cheapest bottles from the supermarket too.

17. I never liked Michael Jackson. And I will walk out of a shop/club/room if any of his music is played.

18. I am totally addicted to American television shows – most of them aimed at teenagers. Sometimes I think I enjoy TV just a little more than real life. Just sometimes though…

19. I usually end up disliking the people I live or work with, which could be why I am a little scared to move in with my boyfriend or start a business with friends. There are exceptions to this rule… and I think if they’re reading this, they’ll know who they are. I hope.

20. I find it very difficult to relax and I haven’t had a holiday since 2005. Prior to that, I hadn’t ever taken a holiday in my life. True story. I have had a job since I was 14 years old, and have always worked really, really hard – to the point where I think now it’s quite possibly an addiction. I’m extremely loyal and dedicated – sometimes perhaps too much – and can’t imagine life without working. Right chief?

21. I hate answering the phone and the front door unless I’m expecting your call or visit. A courtesy text message or email is the best way to get on my good side (and get granted an audience!).

22. DC10 is the happiest (and my favourite) place on this earth. I can say this in all truthfulness because I’ve been to Disneyland and I wasn’t half as happy there – did you know they don’t even serve alcohol inside? Conveniently they have a strip of bars at the entrance, and unlike many of Ibiza’s clubs, they DO give passouts.

23. I always say I’m bad with numbers, but in reality I’m quite good with numbers. I just don’t like to pay attention or be responsible for anything numerical or financial.

24. I do not believe in (or perhaps I just don’t care about) in conspiracy theories. What’s done is done. Deal with it.

25. I am a little concerned that one day I will lose my memory or develop Alzheimers. Movies like The Notebook really freak me out because of this.

26. I have a second cat called Shunti and I sometimes feel bad for not having her name tattooed anywhere. I wonder if this is the way parents feel about their second child when they have one… I will do it one day. Honest.

27. So many people don’t quite ‘get’ my sarcastic humour – more so in person than in print. Perhaps this is why I ended up being a writer. It upsets me a little, because essentially I am a nice person and I don’t like to think that anyone thinks otherwise.

28. I don’t like food (or cutlery holding food) to touch my lips. Hence I will only eat fruit that has been cut up, small mouthfuls from my meals or tiny bites using only my teeth. The exception is a McDonalds Quarter Pounder with Cheese (Quarto de Libre con Queso en Español), which I will dig into with gusto, however I will ALWAYS wipe my mouth between every bite.

29. Bad spelling drives me insane. Especially in this day and age, when spell check makes it so easy! So don’t even get me started on abbreviations. WTF!

30. Small talk makes me feel really uncomfortable, to the point that I often forget my manners and don’t enquire about other people’s lives/jobs/loves because I’m too busy trying to squirm out of the conversation. I’m not sure if this is down to shyness, nerves or just the fact I hate fake conversations. I’m sorry if I’ve ever done this to you.

31. Stand-up comedy makes me cringe. I generally just don’t find it funny.

32. When I was growing up, we had a dog called Molly who got sent away to live on a farm. I still believe this is true – I never once thought she went to doggy heaven. I don’t think I’m being naïve, I just don’t remember her being sick at all so I presume she actually did get sent to a farm rather than wither away in our backyard while I was inside playing with Barbies or watching Disney movies. But I’m never going to ask my mum to clarify!

33. Despite the fact many of the points I’ve written here seem negative, I am actually a very Pollyanna-esque always-look-on-the-bright-side kind of person… some may think I am hypocritical, others might see the funny side of it all, but it’s true! Trust me!

Oh – I’ve reached 33 already? But I was just getting started…

Let me start by saying that’s not my beautiful wedding dress you see hanging in the window there. Let’s not get overexcited here. Gorgeous yes, mine no. You see, unlike most other girls my age who also happen to love fairytales, fashion and footwear, having a major W-Day (as the bridal magazines say) has never really been my dream. But when (if!) I do have a wedding, I will be sticking firmly to the 10-point checklist below…

1. It has to be spontaneous. Because as my mum will tell you, I get so overexcited about special events (proven year after year with birthdays, Christmas and Kylie Minogue concerts) that I always make myself sick! I’m talking puking, fevers, migraines, bed-ridden type sick. So you can only imagine what impending nuptials would do to my immune system!

2. There will be no walking down any aisles. In fact, there will be no aisle. Because why on earth would you walk down a piece of carpet while everyone stares at you, just because you’re tying the knot? Unless you’re a film star, red carpet moments are totally overrated and let’s face it… I’d probably just trip and fall flat on my face anyway.

3. It will be a flower free zone. I mean honestly, when in real life do you see girls carrying bouquets around? So why would you do it at a wedding? The closest thing to flowers you’ll see me carrying is a Valentino rosette clutch – a girl needs one hand free for champagne after all!

4. Forget the idea of a wedding dress! Have you seen my skin tone? Wearing white only serves to make me look blotchy and pink, and there’s no doubt I’d spill vino tinto down the front in minutes. I hate the feel of lace, long gowns make me look dumpy, vintage doesn’t suit my figure shape and those slinky red carpet number should be best left to the celebs (see above!). And as for the Ibiza boho bride look? I’ve seen too many high street versions at Space on a Sunday in summer!

5. There will, however, be a damn good ring. Diamonds are forever AND a girl’s best friend after all.

6. No one touches my hair or make-up. After six years spent as a beauty magazine on a glossy magazine, I’ve come to the conclusion that I just don’t like being primped and preened – I wish I did, but it just makes me anxious and uncomfortable. I never ever like the way I look with professional make-up and no one has ever managed to tame my mane better than me (those six years have obviously paid off!) so I’m quite happy to DIY thank you very much. Which leads me to my next point…

7. No photos please. Actually, that’s an order. One of my biggest pet hates in life is posing for photos, or even appearing in photos anywhere, any time, let alone having everyone’s iPhone or camera flashing in your face while you’re trying to scoff your cake. If there’s no photos, it also means you don’t have to be on your best behaviour… no fear of getting papped in a precarious predicament! Plus, all my fave photographers will be on the guest list, not working!

8. Oh dear God, there will definitely not be any bridesmaids. I think there’s something super weird about lining up a bunch of your mates (that’s after you’ve gone through the trauma of choosing who makes the cut) in matching gowns like a collection of Barbie dolls, letting them make embarrassing speeches about you, insisting they pander to your every whim for a day. Oh, actually that last part sounds bearable…

9. Vows? Are you kidding me? I spend all day, every day writing for a career, can you imagine the pressure there would be to be intensely creative with my wedding vows? I get flustered writing on birthday cards at the best of times! And as for those pre-written to have and to hold lines? Not on your nelly.

10. I’m saving all my money for the honeymoon! Rather than splash loads of cash on a bunch of things I don’t need or want just ‘because it’s my wedding’, I’ll be living it up a week later in a five-star resort and posting status updates and super glam location photos to make you all jealous on Facebook!

Of course, that’s just me. I will totally rejoice, cry, laugh and enjoy all of my friends’ weddings in due course… just please don’t ask me to be a bridesmaid!

Wedding dress photography by Maria Simon

Have you recovered from the head-throbbing-to-the-point-of-decapitating-oneself-hangover yet? Are you ready to bunker down for the customary January detox and hibernation or are you of the belief that New Year continues all the way through until Kings Day on January 6 (in Ibiza anyway)? While I’m not going to tell you which side of the fence I’m leaning towards, let’s recap the last few days of party action to help inspire you one way or another!

The North: Aura
Guest list: Yummy mummies (and daddies!), neo-bohemian expats plus Ibiza youngsters popping past for the midnight moment on their way to house parties. Music: By Aura’s beloved resident DJ Antz, all night long! Dress code: Figure-flattering black, fur gilets and knee-high boots for the ladies, chunky man-cardies, v-neck knits and dapper shirts for the guys… all made even more interesting with adornments from the NYE party packs – think leis, masks and party hats and you’ll get the picture. Drink of choice: While famous in the summer for their cocktails, on this Noche Vieja many a bottle of the finest cava were popped! Well, when in Spain…

More northern party vibes: A festive family-style dinner at La Paloma, and an exclusive red and black themed bash just down the road at Nagai made for the perfect northern road trip slash party crawl!

Ibiza Town: Pacha
Guest list: Tourists hailing from all over the globe (braving those non-connecting flights for the occasion), locals who like to party-hop and V.V.VIPs of course! Music: Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike. Apparently they were guests of the Swedes throughout summer, though we’re surprised there wasn’t a bigger name on the bill. Dress code: Sequins, sparkles and plenty of skin on display for the girls, suit jackets for the guys… quickly relegated to the convenient cloakroom of course! Drink of choice: Vodka and Red Bull, VIP style – and when you’re splurging on a table, why stop at just one bottle?

More townie party vibes: For those who didn’t want to be un-fashionably early to Pacha, the night kicked off with a gala dinner at Café Sidney, or cocktails from midnight at La Cava.

The beach: Nassau Beach Club
Guest list: Expats hailing from Germany, Holland and the UK plus numerous Ibiza ‘orphans’ looking for a guaranteed friendly atmosphere, fab food and an up-for-it party vibe. Music: Island fave and We Love Space resident DJ David Phillips – famous for his eclectic dance sessions – was on the musical duties for the special occasion. Dress code: Wrapping up warm was the order of the day, though once inside and surrounded by heaters, the coats, scarves, gloves and hats were quickly discarded! Drink of choice: Kir Royals served between courses got the good vibes a-flowing, followed by lots of Grey Goose vodka as the night went on.

More beach party vibes: Just a little further down the beach, at Playa D’en Bossa’s newest player, Mumak, was an all-night-long all-inclusive affair incorporating great food, music from resident DJs and an array of expertly chosen wines… all with a beautiful view too!

The centre: El Clodenis
Guest list: The tight-knit French community of the island flocked to this legendary Ibiza establishment plus the hi-glam international gypset and a few creatures of the night on their way to the all-night-rave-athon across the way at Underground. Music: DJ Rob Torres brought the Hed Kandi-esque beats after the clang of the church bells had died down! Dress code: Chic, elegant and understated – designer labels an absolute must, only this season’s fashions acceptable. Drink of choice: Champagne all the way darlings…

More central party vibes: When people talk about the heart of the island, in both a literal and metaphorical sense, it’s often Underground in San Rafael they’re referring to. Starting late and carrying on well into the daylight hours in typical Underground style, as always, a meeting point between other parties and pre-DC10.

Santa Eulalia: Sandy’s Bar & Restaurant
Guest list: The loyal Santa Eulalia crew who know they don’t need to leave the barrio to find a good time, über-cool hipsters plus a big crowd of local musos who’ve adopted Sandy’s as their ‘local’. Music: Sandy’s music policy encompasses tunes from 1964 – 1976, which was the bar’s previous hey day (when it was voted by Playboy as one of the best three bars in the world) and really captures that ambience of party days gone by. Dress code: A little bit of OTT flamboyance is always welcome at Sandy’s, even if just a feather boa, sparkly face mask or bow-tie. Drink of choice: Classic cocktails only, from a Bloody Mary to a dirty martini, a Tom Collins and a grasshopper. Hey, if it was good enough for Errol Flynn…

More Santa Eulalia party vibes: In a not-so-secret Santa Eulalia location, was a not-so-secret villa party exclusively for those with an invitation or wristband for admission. No big name DJs but ultra tight security on the door… was there a special secret guest star they didn’t tell us about?

New Year’s Day: DC10
Guest list: Yep, I was on it after some last minute arrangements… but just how many people weren’t and were caught begging at the door? This is really where the who’s who of the island get together, the early-afternoon after the night before, so to speak. Bar, restaurant and hotel owners mix with DJs, party people and fashionistas, with no VIP to speak of – just perfect! Music: The arrival of Tato to the decks really got the party going, continuing with The Martinez Brothers, the mega-hottie ladies’ favourite DJ W!ld and DC10 regular Dan Ghenacia on the terrace, while the smaller room seemed a bit empty despite Circo Loco legend Cirillo on duty. Dress code: As always with DC10, obligatory oversized sunglasses hid party-hardy eyes, plus in true Circo Loco style there were plenty of fancy dress accessories, this year’s item du jour seeming to be plush animal hats. I believe I was guilty on both counts! Drink of choice: Hierbas con hielo in a big plastic cup of course, though at the inflated price of 12€ per drink (many of us remember the days when it was 4€!), it looks like the powers-that-be at DC10 have cottoned onto what was once the local’s tried and tested affordable way to keep drinking all day. Oh well! Those icy, icy cold aluminium Heineken bottles were a pretty good substitute in the end!

More after party vibes: Well! After DC10, there was indeed another after party. And then the after-after party. But if you think I’m going to spill any of those secrets, you’d be totally mistaken… after all, what happens at the after party stays at the after party (and the after-after party). My sources tell me that the party is STILL going as I type!

The problem with me and New Year’s resolutions is that I always have so many of them, I kind of lose track, half-heartedly follow some of them and then end up totally forgetting them all, meaning come the following New Year’s Eve, my list is always exactly the same as the previous year’s!

So for 2012, my first New Year’s resolution is not to have the same resolutions as last year (and the year before that, and the year before that!) and not to fall into the same trap of forgetting them! So without any further ado, please find following Miss W’s revamped and streamlined New Year’s resolutions, fresh for 2012!

1. Learn to speak Spanish – properly! I’m slightly embarrassed to admit it, but I’ve been getting by on Spanglish for a very, very long time in Ibiza and it’s just not good enough anymore! I want to be able to talk about more than just the weather with Maria and Joan in my local corner store – imagine all the gossip I can get in two languages! So in order to keep this resolution rolling, I have already enrolled in Spanish classes starting next week. Any tips, tricks, coaching and practice conversations welcome – find me on Facebook to follow my progress!
2. Write a book – for real. You see, Miss W has had a great idea for some time now, but spends so much time writing about Ibiza that the great idea has been growing and developing and expanding and improving in my head, and now I think it’s ready to be unleashed on the world! Publishers of the world, I’ll be in touch soon…
3. Get to the beach more often – and yes, that means in summer. You may occasionally wonder why there are no photos of Miss W in the White Ibiza photo galleries… it’s because my skin is so pale it’s almost translucent, and thus, like a vampire, I am not visible in photos! Why? Well, I work all day and have been known to be a creature of the night! So this year, I plan to follow the Spanish work culture and take a siesta every day… on the beach! Who says a girl can’t have both a beach life and a night life? Because seriously, I can’t take another summer of jibs from friends about being ‘pale and interesting’ – let’s face it, being tanned and interesting is way cooler!
4. Broaden my horizons. No, I don’t mean I’ll be leaving the island (as if!) but I do mean I’ll be trying lots of new things in 2012. New restaurants, new parties, new friends, new fashions… if the opportunity to do something I’ve never done before comes up, I’m always going to say yes! No matter what time of the day or night it is.
5. To achieve my resolutions of course!

That’s the question I keep hearing out and about in Ibiza lately, provoked by the consistently amazing sunny weather, constant stream of visitors and plethora of parties to attend! Not that we’re complaining of course (in fact, we’re loving every minute), it’s just that, well, aren’t we supposed to get some downtime at Christmas in Ibiza?

Not this year! We’ve had mince pies and mulled wine aplenty, as the expat community brings its festive traditions to the island – whether it’s a shopping event, dinner party or disco (we are in Ibiza after all)! And speaking of parties… they just haven’t stopped! From Cadenza Vagabundos and Defected in the House at Pacha to a super cool sunset-meets-full-moon-rising soiree on Cala Conte, I’ve seen more Ibiza locals out and about in the last month than I did all summer!

Now, it’s time to start planning the Christmas festivities and we really are spoilt for choice (see our Things To Do Blog for full details of the island’s best parties, events and happenings, including Christmas Day). Despite my hankering for a white Christmas, I’ll be pretty happy spending the day on the beach with my buddies… and more than happy to relinquish the cooking and cleaning to one of my favourite Ibiza restaurants!

So it seems downtime can wait just a little longer… Isn’t that what January is for?

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: I’m loving the variety of things to do this winter in Ibiza… just when I thought it might have gotten boring, the island’s latest influx of winter newcomers present a host of new events. From cooking classes (M Wellness and Nagai) and cool Spanish conversational classes (thanks Nagai!) to secret warehouse parties (I’m afraid I can’t share my sources on that one!), salsa parties (Mumak and Sandy’s) and mince pies and mulled wine galore, it’s almost made me forget my longing for summer!

THE BAD: I must admit I am feeling just a little envious of big city shopping right about now… our quaint Christmas market is a novelty, but it definitely doesn’t have the razzle dazzle of London or New York – or the convenience of being able to find the perfect last minute gifts on every corner!

THE GOSSIP: With all this festive eating and drinking to be done, we suspect there will be quite a few kilos piled on Ibiza’s residents (and I count myself in that collective of course!) in December – thank goodness for New Year’s resolutions… embarking on detox programs come January 2 is probably going to be number one on this isle. Post DC10 of course!

Two front teeth? Got ‘em. A partridge in a pear tree? Not enough space in my apartment. Gold, frankincense and myrrh? Difficult to gift-wrap. Mistletoe and wine? Perhaps. A White Christmas? Well, now that you mention it…

With most White Ibiza Christmas offers available online, you don’t need to be on the white isle to enjoy the best Ibiza has to offer! Anyone in need of Christmas shopping (or Christmas wish list!) inspiration should check out our very special Ibiza Christmas offers to see what takes their fancy. But as for Miss W’s own personal Christmas wish list (Santa, are you listening?), it goes a little something like this…

1. A teleporter, so my friends and family all over the world can join me here in Ibiza for Christmas. Failing that, direct winter flights would do nicely.

2. Luciano to play at Pacha in the winter. I mean, I know having a Cadenza party on Christmas Eve is pretty cool and all, but really, it’s been a few months now since my last Luciano fix, so a personal one-night-only appearance would really do the trick!

3. Feed the world. Totally inspired by my Philanthropic Foodie friends in Australia, I would like to volunteer to feed the homeless, and ‘let them know it’s Christmas time’ here in Ibiza this year. Who’s with me?

4. An endless stream of Christmas movies! Here in Ibiza, our Christmas day television viewing is not-quite ‘A Wonderful Life’, ‘Miracle on 34th Street’, ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’, ‘Home Alone’ or even ‘Bad Santa’. A non-stop internet TV station would be ideal – though perhaps Spanish lessons might be a better idea!

5. A white Christmas of course! We’ve had remarkably warm weather right up until this point in Ibiza, which makes me think there’s a cold snap just around the corner. So come on powers that be, show us what you’re made of – let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Of course, diamonds, gold, Apple products, fashion magazine subscriptions and a puppy – plus any of the White Ibiza Christmas offers – would be most appreciated too!

The year-round Ibiza lifestyle is a tale of two seasons. The fast-paced, hectic, hedonistic glory days of summer, around four months in total, and the lengthy, lazy, chilled out winter months – yep, all eight of them (spring and autumn rarely rate a mention, despite putting in some pretty stellar performances!).

We see our winter friends – those true BFFs you’ll never see in summer because we’re all too busy, but can be relied upon come out of the woodwork from October onwards, for quality catch-ups and proof they’ll always be there for you, no matter how many summer ‘new friends’ breeze in and out of your life as seasons go by.

We start our winter routines and rituals – joining the gym, going back to yoga, running along the beach in the mornings, getting back on our bikes, studying Spanish, sipping coffee in the square, sunset picnics, winter wine festivals, country hikes, early morning markets, cooking for friends, making those hit tracks and finally getting around to writing that book… All the things that were but a distant memory in the haze of summer!

We dig out our winter wardrobes – quite literally on November 1. Despite the fact the sun is blazing down all over the island, and the temps remain in the high 20s, the thought of stepping out of the flip-flop and into the knee-high boot, switching whites for warm, wintery earth colours and adding accessories like scarves, hats and gloves is a temptation that’s too hard to resist. Plus, the new collections are in store! It’s all about layering… because as much as you love your carefully crafted ensemble, chances are you’ll be stripping much of it off to walk along the beach in the sunshine!

We love our regular winter haunts – some of our summer favourites switch into winter mode and offer special seasonal events (we’re loving Antz at Aura on Fridays, the Sunday Roast at Cicale, open mike night at Sandy’s, live music at Villa Mercedes on a Sunday, sunsets at Mint Lounge and big breakfasts at Café Sidney, among others!), plus there are still a plethora of restaurants and bars serving up the island’s finest all year round. Our favourite beaches are even more beautiful at this time of year (though swimming may be for the very brave), long, empty stretches of sand just waiting for you to leave your footprints!

And of course, we also have our winter parties – the smaller, more intimate soirees that quite regularly turn out to be even more over the top, crazy and FUN than summer! From the stripped down back room of our favourite super club (Pacha’s Global Room becomes the mini-main room in winter) and industrial warehouse spaces to off-the-beaten-track villas, plush apartments, the back rooms of beachside restaurants… anywhere and everywhere has potential. My winter partying tip: if you score an invite to a party, just go! And be spontaneous – see where the night takes you. You just never know where you might end up, or who you might meet, and that’s the beauty of Ibiza in winter!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: My winter friends – you know who you are!

THE BAD: The only thing we don’t have right now, is direct winter flights. While on one hand, I kind of like the fact that my ‘secret’ Ibiza winter is not easily accessible to everyone (seeding out the truly dedicated!), on the other, I do feel for those who need to do business in other countries or have family to visit. Watch this space for news – there’s a team of believers out there fighting for your rights to winter flights!

THE GOSSIP: Given the ‘small town’ vibes of Ibiza in the winter, it stands to reason the rumour mill becomes quite intense in the off-season. From who’s sleeping with whom (not naming any names) to who’s doing business with whom and where (Swedish House Mafia leaving Pacha to go to Privilege is this week’s number one story), all the real white isle wheeling and dealing and kissing and cussing goes on in winter. And I’ll be watching…

Photography by Ana Lui

One of the many things I love about Halloween in Ibiza is that I feel like I can get away with saying and doing almost anything, because no one knows your identity! There’s something about being in costume – and indeed, in character – that gives you a sense of freedom and courage, though I guess all the cocktails consumed may have something to do with that too!

So with a group of freaky friends in tow (a not-so-friendly ghost, Colonel Gaddafi, the Black Swan, a criminal mime, a sloth and a faceless skeleton) we hit the Halloween party circuit in a haze of capes, cloaks, fake blood, facepaint and a resounding chorus of trick or treats!

Guess who? Could it be... me?

First stop, La Cava, where the new bar and menu was being unveiled, albeit under a cover of cobwebs and pumpkins! Next up Bambuddha Grove, for the famous Fetish Halloween Ball, where the intensity of people clamouring to get in was the equivalent of a F*** Me I’m Famous party in the middle of August, made much more scary (if that’s possible!) by the fact everyone was ghoulishly made up like zombies, vampires, witches, werewolves and corpses and the temple shrouded in a haze of creepy fog!

Nagai was next, where there were more vampires per square inch than an True Blood, Twilight and Buffy put together! Then it was up to Aura, where make-up artists were on hand to transform those who needed an extra dash of scream factor. Finally, it was back into Ibiza town to Pacha (well it is on the way home after all!) for the Rock Nights Halloween Creatures & Dead Rockstars party, where a shrine to the aforementioned rockers was eerily placed by the bar and Jim Morrison danced with Joey Ramone while Dracula got down on the dance floor.

Happy Halloween indeed Ibiza, how can you possibly top that next year?

A 100% perfect replica of the Black Swan, complete with self-harming scratches and blood. Ouch!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The costumes, the blood, the guts, the gore, the theatrics, the sheer size and scale of the efforts people went to in order to be their scary best! A Hollywood horror movie ain’t got nothing on this little island!

THE BAD: Trying to party-hop on Halloween is pretty tricky. Given that the two-way road between the restaurant road and Santa Gertrudis (where Bambuddha Grove sits about a third of the way down) becomes a one-way traffic nightmare, police had to contain the traffic and I saw more than one car need to reverse ALL THE WAY to Santa G! No only that, taxis were few and far between… all in all, as much as you may want to show your costume off, my tip for next year is a pick your party and stick to it (though I’m not sure if I’ll practice what I preach).

THE GOSSIP: How many excuses can be used trying to wangle one’s way into a party? Here’s just a few I heard, begged, implored and shrieked at the door at Bambuddha Grove (I won’t tell you what I used – I may need to use it again next year):

Grasping at straws: ‘But I’m friends with Sasha Moon!’
Grasping at more straws: ‘But I went to schoolwith Jonjon Moon!’
Trying to call on the big guns: ‘John Moon personally invited me’
‘I’m with the DJ!’ Then why are you outside while he’s inside?
‘I AM the DJ!’ Errr, no you’re not. He’s inside playing.
‘I had my 500€ costume custom-made for this!’ And what a lovely costume it is.
‘I flew in from London/Italy/France/Berlin for this!’ Should have booked a table when you booked your flight.
‘Don’t you know who I am?’ OBVS not, given that you’re in costume!

Yes, this is ACTUALLY one of my friends. A genuinely disturbing one.

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-halloween-queen/feed/ 0 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-el-chiringuito-closing-party-2011/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-el-chiringuito-closing-party-2011/#comments Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:13:53 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=8895

Here we are, almost at the end of October and the parties in Ibiza just keep on getting better! Seriously! Take El Chiringuito at Es Cavallet for example. Now that, my friends, is what an Ibiza closing party is all about…

Take one amazing Ibiza beach restaurant on a sun-drenched autumn day, add the who’s who of Ibiza plus those lucky tourists who are still around, a truly mouth-watering menu, throw in some amazing DJs and include one very special charity association, an up-for-it atmosphere and you’ve got a real recipe for success.

Let me elaborate…

For the final lunch session of the season, El Chiringuito owners Jonathan Thorogood and Olivia Fleury teamed up with one half of Groove Armada, donating all proceeds of meals sold on the day to a special charity, the Doncaster Jazz Association, where the taller of the GA duo got his musical leg-up as a kid. Over 400 people for lunch were all eating for a good cause – you see, Ibiza DOES indeed have a heart!

And what a lunch it was. Unlike other restaurants, who on their last day may try to make do with what produce was left in the kitchen, El Chiringtuito’s three-course set menu was made up of the best of the summer menu. I opted for the calamari to start and the roast chicken as a main, but conveniently managed to have a bite of pretty much everything else on the menu (the beauty of sitting at a big table – oh, and did I mention we were right on the edge of the terrace with front row views of the beach?). Burgers, burrata, tartar… and let me tell you, they weren’t shy on the portion size either – quality AND quantity!

Over lunch, El Chiringuito’s resident DJ Mr Doris set the mood, in the specially built DJ booth that had been relocated to the middle of the restaurant in anticipation of the party action that was to follow. Andy Baxter was up next bridging the gap between the two parts of the event perfectly (building up a steady dance floor while all the tables were cleared out), before handing over the reins (or headphones as the case may be) to Andy Cato of Groove Armada, the only man I’ve ever seen ducking as he was walking through the restaurant to avoid hitting his head on those beautiful white ceiling beams!

All of a sudden it was lasers and lights, a throbbing dance floor and pulsating rave tunes (with the obligatory rendition of Superstylin’ of course) floating out over the beach as the party kicked up a notch, and never have I ever seen so many people smiling – for many Ibiza residents this was the first chance to really relax after a hectic summer of work, so there’s no surprises there really, plus there were plenty of mums and dads making the most of the Kids In Ibiza corner or babysitters for the night (even more reason to let the hair down) before the party respectfully died down at around midnight…

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: The staff at El Chiringuito are without a doubt, the happiest, friendliest, most helpful restaurant team on the island. These guys have worked their butts off over the summer and  – as a person who’s had the good fortune to dine there many, many times – I can truly say, the standard of service never faltered. Not once. Not even on the closing, when one might be tempted to slack off or become exasperated at the heaving crowds. That’s precision training, right there folks, and hats off to the team!

THE BAD: That it had to come to an end. I’m not just talking about the epic party, I’m talking about the restaurant side of things too. Goodbye flour-dusted calamari, adios gazpacho, ciao for now truffle risotto, au revoir roasted chicken, sayonara summer crumble – I’ll miss you all so much, though I expect my waistline could be happy about our little winter ‘break’ from one another. Though I won’t miss that traffic chaos driving in and out of Es Cavallet!

THE GOSSIP: Quite literally, anyone who was anyone was there. In fact, everyone was there. And their dogs! And kids! Except a certain someone who was notably missing. And their dog. Know who I mean? Did you notice it too? Do you know where they were? Answers on a postcard please…

A funny thing happened on the way to the Café Mambo closing…

You see, at the end of the season (and by this I mean post-DC10 closing party), you’d expect to be enjoying some quality downtime. A quiet night in with a DVD. Civilised dinners with friends. But no. Not this Saturday night. Why? Because not only was iconic sunset institution Café Mambo throwing their closing party, but the lovely folk from Rock Nights were also putting on a very special party at Ibiza Rocks House at Pikes Hotel!

Yikes! I guess I should be thankful they were both in the San Antonio hood!

All day I’d been glaring at clouds and dodging raindrops, declaring I would stay home. Until the sun came out, the temperature went up to a mighty 28 degrees and I had no excuse to stay in (washing one’s hair never cuts it!) anymore. Cue instant wardrobe crisis and a mad panic to get ready in time to see the last sunset and dash off to dinner. Which didn’t quite happen as planned.

Because on the way to the car – knowing you need a full 25 minutes from Ibiza town to get to Café Mambo and with a mere 30 minutes to spare – we may have, ahem, lost it. LOST THE CAR. The huge, hunk of white metal. Lost, in the middle of Ibiza town! (I take no responsibility – if Volkswagen hadn’t been occupying the entire car park, it would have been where it always is and we would have made it in time.) Hey, these things happen!

But that’s not the funny thing that happened on the way to the Café Mambo closing…

After finding the car a few minutes after the sun had set, we revised our schedule to head straight to Ibiza Rocks House for dinner with the Rock Nights gang (who were celebrating the end of their summer residencies at Space). What a feast! Tray after tray of chunky, yummy canapés (we’re talking meal-sized canapés, not fussy little bite-sized bits) kept us occupied – perhaps an intentional plan to stop the impromptu karaoke sessions to the ‘80s-fuelled tunes of Diego Calvo and Colin Peters?

But before long, it was time to check into Freddie’s Suite. Uh-oh! Do you remember the last time I was held captive there? Need I say more?

Yes actually, because a funny thing happened right about now…

Deep within the suite, a pair of pink flamingo lamps were giving off a luminous rosy glow… and next thing you know, one of them was tucked under my arm and dancing with me, and my friends, and the rest of the party (and yes, that’s the funny thing that happened on the way to Café Mambo). Oh we danced, we sang Belinda Carlisle together and we ordered shot after shot of hierbas and……… ohmygoodnessisthatthetime? Almost midnight, and we STILL hadn’t made it to Mambo (or turned into a pumpkin) yet!

With the blessing of Ibiza Rocks House über-host Sunny (I was just taking him on a road trip, I swore, I’d bring him back later), my new friend Freddie The Flamingo and I made a mad dash to Mambo to join in the closing festivities. Thankfully, they were in full swing and we blended in with the rest of the party people quite nicely – I mean really, it’s so passé to be carrying a flamingo in your bag these days, don’t you think?

After doing a few laps of the room, it was clear the family types had gone home after sunset and the serious party crew were in attendance for the after-dark antics. Party promoters. PR princesses. Off-duty DJs. TV crews. And of course, the infamous Mambo brothers Alan and Christian (who deserve a MASSIVE standing ovation after an epic season at the helm), plus proud papa of the empire, Javier Anadon presiding over the lot.

Freddie Flamingo and I did an impromptu photo shoot, had another little dance behind the DJ booth, downed some Hierbas… AND THEN! Wouldn’t you know it, it was 5am and I was in a car on the way home and ohmygoodnessistillhadtheflamingoinmybag! The Ibiza Rocks gang is going to want to kill me. Sunny will never speak to me again. I really did have good intentions. I’ve never stolen anything in my life. I went to bed with the intention of returning him the next day at the final Sunday Roast.

Except with a Café-Mambo-closing sized hangover, I accidentally slept all day and missed it!

Ah Café Mambo. You and your Hierbas shots have got a lot to answer for. But the REAL lesson learned here? Don’t drink and dance with flamingos. They’ll just lead you astray…

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Who else can say they’ve done a photo shoot with Freddie Mercury and Danny Tenaglia’s plastic and blow-up flamingoes respectively? When we arrived home, I immediately remembered my souvenir from the Danny Tenaglia party at Ushuaia, and introduced the two. Whatever it takes to make a kidnapped flamingo feel comfortable…

THE BAD: Me! Me! Me! I’m so sorry Freddie’s flamingo, honestly I am. And to my dearest Ibiza Rocks House at Pikes Hotel, I PROMISE to bring him back safely as soon as possible. Just think of him like Dorothy, now he’s somewhere over the rainbow…

THE GOSSIP: There was a serious case of bro-mance going on in the Café Mambo DJ booth tonight, as resident DJs Alex Wolfenden, Andy Baxter and Jason Bye made the most of their last evening behind those famous decks for the year. Which is all well and good of course, unless you happened to be one of three unfortunate girlfriends waiting outside on the wall outside LONG after Mambo had closed! Sorry ladies, they only had eyes for each other (musically speaking of course!).

Well it would have been downright rude not to!

PARTY NUMBER 1
Starting with Ushuaia (which was where it all began back in May), where the Cadenza crew were holding court, we arrived fashionably late to a v-e-r-y full house indeed, as 2011’s most talked about DJ, Luciano, was taking to the poolside stage. Dressing the part for a pool party might I add, in a very un-Vagabundo patterned Hawaiian shirt!

Hanging around in the backstage area, there were more beautiful girls than at a fashion shoot casting. It may be the end of summer, but the temps are still almost 30 degrees, meaning there was plenty of flesh on display and beautiful skimpy outfits to be gawked at everywhere you looked.

With fireworks bursting from the stage, confetti bursting from cannons, jaw-dropping performances by Gore’s dancers (everything from Geisha inspired routines and fetishest latex contraptions to those giant marshmallow men again) and a greatest hits style set of tunes (albeit with a tech-house beat) from the venue’s star DJ, it was a much bigger affair than the opening. WAY bigger. Bigger than big. In fact, it was so crowded, Miss W actually snuck away five minutes before the end to ensure she could get a taxi home in the interest of pacing myself over the weekend.

PARTY NUMBER 2
Given my obsession with Luciano, I decided to treat Sunday as a day of rest, and give myself plenty of time to prepare for the Vagabundos closing party at Pacha later that night. Arriving early, we spent a few hours on the rooftop terrace, again reveling in the balmy summer night air before hitting the dance floor to the sounds of Reboot playing live before Luciano stepped into the booth for one last time in 2011, joined by pianist Francesco Tristano, adding a great live element to the night.

It wasn’t quite as busy as I’d expected, perhaps due to the mega party marathon of Amnesia’s closing (which had continued until 5pm that day!) and Space’s epic closing fiesta at the same time. All good in my book, as it meant having much more room to dance – though the same can’t be said for the DJ booth, where it looked as though at least 25 people were crammed in, passing around bottles of Hierbas and looking as though there was no chance of the party stopping… until it got to 8.30am, when the Pacha night managers officially pulled the plug. Boo.

Francesco Tristano, the piano man (the guy in the background, not the concrete man!)

PARTY NUMBER 3
So the sun was shining, the weather was sweet and news of an after party at Ushuaia quickly reached my dancing feet. I’m not normally much of an after party girl (I prefer a hot shower and my bed to sweaty ravers in last night’s clothes!) but given the fact Luciano was playing AGAIN and it would be the last time this summer I could see him, I could hardly stay home now, could I?

Having received the special wristbands that allowed access (this was a ‘private’ after party apparently), we walked into the venue to find the pool area roped off and a smaller stage set up towards the beach. And it was LOUD. Boy was it loud. You’ve got to hand it to the Cadenza lot – they do know how to go out with a bang (or at least a very loud four-four beat)! Luciano was on the decks (of course) playing back to back with most of the Cadenza artists (biggest props to Mayaan Nidam – amazing!) over the course of the afternoon.

The vibe was magical. Hedonistic. Dancing with reckless abandonment in the daylight with like-minded souls to the very best (loud) music in the world. What more could you ask for? Well, at 4pm, with the party still in full swing, I began to ask myself the same thing when I remembered there was somewhere else I was supposed to be…

PARTY NUMBER 4
Circo Loco at DC10 was calling. I gathered the troops, weary but not yet beaten, and made our way to what is, quite possibly, the world’s craziest club, made even bigger with a garden stage set up for the occasion. Yes, I will admit it, I was still wearing the same party frock from the night before. Oh the shame… but how good is getting carried away in the moment? That’s what Ibiza is all about if you ask me – thankfully I have a job that doesn’t require me to be at a desk at 9am on Monday mornings!

So 24 hours of partying (though admittedly I did have a break in between parts) later, here I am. As far as I know, there are STILL after parties going on as I type (clearly Luciano isn’t playing or I wouldn’t be at the computer). In 2011, it just seems like the summer is never going to stop. But please – let’s call it a day now, shall we? (Unless you can tell me where Luciano is today?) I need a holiday just thinking about it!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: A three-party Luciano marathon. Need I say more?

THE BAD: Wake me up when the hangover subsides!

THE GOSSIP: Daytime parties and after parties are officially back, after the past few years have seen them dwindle due to the ban enforced by the government. But how is this legal? Has there been a change in the law or are our super clubs just getting braver now the heat is off… I’m already looking forward to next year to find out just how much further we can go!

Photography courtesy of Space Ibiza

Let me tell you a little story about ten minutes of my life. Ten glorious minutes, perched on the edge of a railing, my eyes glued to the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes upon in my whole entire life (aside from my cats, clearly). Ten whole minutes where I didn’t once think about deadlines, diets, DJs, fashion, friends, shopping, sleeping, shoes, stress, money, make-up, music, beaches or even my boyfriend!

For these magical ten minutes of my life, I was mesmerised, completely under the spell of the one and only (major league drum roll please!) Dita Von Teese…

Photography courtesy of Space Ibiza

The ‘Queen of Burlesque’ had jetted into Ibiza as special guest star for the closing party of Café Olé at Space, tweeting as she did so: ‘Landed in Ibiza tonight… the bird’s eye view of 1000s of open-air ravers was astonishing! Happy to be back in electro-mecca!’

Her face was splashed all over billboards and bus stops across the island in the weeks prior, and the pop-up MAC boutique in Ibiza town reported a sudden demand for red lipstick!

But I digress… back to the tale of ten minutes!

Photography courtesy of Space Ibiza

We arrived about an hour before the show was due to start, to find a good position to watch (and I’d worn my very highest heels to ensure optimum height) and I was happy to see the stage had been built high above the DJ booth in Space’s famous Discoteca… which meant you could see from everywhere in the room. Still, Miss W has to admit when she found her friend and fellow Dita-enthusiast Lhea Taylor, who also oh-so-conveniently happens to be a co-promoter at the club on Saturday nights, she didn’t say no to the opportunity to view the show from the VIP (thank you!).

So this leads us to the edge of the railing I was perched on for ten minutes (or slightly longer, if you account for a few minutes of anticipation). Café Ole’s own dancers were posturing and writhing around on a glittering gold horse and in an antique bathtub respectively, but as the house lights went down and the silvery curtains began to swish and sway they scurried down to make way for the saucy star of the show.

And there she was… all five feet and five inches, apparently but a mere 52 kilos and what looked like another five kilos of Swarovski crystal embellishments and a flurry of fuchsia feathers in a glittering, gilded Victorian birdcage…

So it appeared we were being treated to Dita’s famous ‘Bird of Paradise’ performance, apparently a tribute to Burlesque legend Sally Rand (one of her inspirations, according to good old Wikipedia) where she reinvents the classic feather fan dance with two E-NOR-MOUS magenta feather fans.

Slowly, surely and oh-so-sexily, Dita (a classically trained ballet dancer by the way, who spent most of the ten minutes en pointe – except when she was hanging upside down from the cage of course) removed almost all of her barely-there-anyway costume, before spinning around on her sparkly perch while water showered over her body and ohhhhhh wouldn’t you know it, the ten minutes were over already!

Strip strip hooray!

Photography courtesy of Space Ibiza

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: What a performer! It may have been only ten minutes, but my, oh my, that girl’s picture-perfect pretty face never faltered. Not once. Not to mention her incredulously impeccable timing… even when en pointe for the majority of her act and even underwater! And not a hair out of place either. Hmmm, I think a few Ibiza club dancers could have learned a thing or two… if only they’d had the night off!

THE BAD: Ten minutes. I mean, really? JUST TEN MINUTES? It was all too brief, excuse the pun. I know there weren’t a lot of clothes to be strewn off… but hasn’t anyone ever taught Ms Von Teese the value of layering when you get dressed in September in Ibiza?

THE GOSSIP: Miss W spied her own personal Ibiza style icon, Claire Manumission (obviously before the ten minutes in question here), up in the specially constructed VIP corner with partner Mike, Space owner Pepe Rossello and all the club’s dancers and performers. And wouldn’t you know it, the following day Facebook was all a-flutter with the news Dita Von Teese has agreed to play legendary Burlesque performer Sally Rand in the Manumission – or should I say Cinemission – duo’s latest all-new project. Style attracts style…

Photography courtesy of Space Ibiza

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-dita-von-teese-at-cafe-ole-closing-party/feed/ 2 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-pure-form-at-el-hotel-17-09-11/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-pure-form-at-el-hotel-17-09-11/#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2011 03:13:42 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=7694

Photography by Geoff Fenney

While most of the world’s stylistas were buzzing post-NYC and pre-London Fashion Week, Ibiza’s fashionistas were (as usual) buzzing around in their own unique fashion bubble, a place where it wasn’t so much about trends, key pieces, collections or who was sitting in the front row – rather, it was all about an event that could have potentially put the forthcoming Christie’s auction of Dame Elizabeth Taylor’s bling to shame.

Oh – and in case you weren’t in the bubble last weekend, I’m talking, of course, about the Pure Form ‘Art in Motion’ show at El Hotel on Saturday night!

Check the AMAZE cocktail ring on the wooden hand! Engagement perhaps?

Gold, silver, diamonds, pearls, semi-precious stones, precious stones, opals, shimmering seashells, feather adornments, silk beads, chunky chains, delicate threads, intricate hand-woven creations, statement pieces, antiques and future heirlooms were all on display, in a multitude of pop-up boutiques with a luxe black carpet down the middle, surrounded by spotlights, hinting at the catwalk spectacular that was to follow…

Before the show began, I perused each of the boutiques and definitely found a favourite within each one (hint hint, I really loved the giant crystal cocktail rings, JOY Jewellery long beaded necklaces offset with peacock feathers, teensy tiny peace symbol rings by Ana Ostrum among SO MANY OTHER SPRAKLY PRETTY THINGS!) and just when I thought it might be time to call my beloved boyfriend and insist he ‘pop in’ for a drink, the lights went down and the music went up… cue the models… aaaand ACTION!

Love the teensy tiny little peace sign rings... and the rest!

Draped in gold, silver and lavender knitted silk dresses by Elkke ranging from sassy and short to elegant full length –their metallic finishes serving to complement the jewellery perfectly – each of the models was sporting a gliterrific striking eye look courtesy of Smack Ibiza, plus tribal braids by hair stylist Louisa Mason Cooper. (After the show I made a point of asking Corina from Smack just how she got their lips so luminescent… the answer? Real GLITTER, surprise, surprise. Not sure how user friendly that would be when sipping one’s morning coffee however).

After the show, the pop-up boutiques swiftly became a hive of activity – there’s nothing like seeing someone actually wearing something to inspire serious cases of jewel envy! The show was dubbed ‘Art in Motion’ and at the end of it I have to say I totally agreed… Who needs Fashion Week when we have so many talented and unique designers on our doorstep right here in Ibiza?

JOY Jewellery - I'm totally loving the peacock feather pieces (and also the bling-tastic print by Noam Ofir in the background!)

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: The show’s soundtrack had me almost as enthralled as the jewellery – from Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend (Nicole Kidman’s Moulin Rouge version thankyouverymuch) to Spandau Ballet’s Gold, each song was themed to fit the parade… a testament to the attention to detail of this entire production! Bravo!

THE BAD: The large group of gentlemen (and let me just say, I am using that term very loosely) who not-so-subtly made their exit from the bar mid-way through the show. Sure, I get it, it’s a pretty girly affair… but come on guys, you could have at least used the garden gate rather than rushing down the side of the catwalk. Or in the very least stuck around for another ten minutes to check out the super sexy models!

THE GOSSIP: Quite a few Ibiza jewelers (or their in-house spies) were spotted in the audience… were they eyeing up the competition, supporting their peers or perhaps pitching for a spot in 2012’s Pure Form collective? Only time will tell…

In lieu of canapes, beautiful shell creations were served up on a plate!

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-pure-form-at-el-hotel-17-09-11/feed/ 1 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-in-a-balearic-state-of-fashion-at-ocean-sky/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-in-a-balearic-state-of-fashion-at-ocean-sky/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:40:42 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=7441

Sunset and shopping. Two words that never fail to inspire me in Ibiza, so when they were combined for the first ‘In A Balearic State Of Fashion’ pop-up shopping event on the beautiful rooftop bar at Hotel Ocean Drive, I knew it was an occasion I couldn’t bear to miss!

Miss W and the White-ettes arrived just as the sun was setting (fashionably late!), that perfect moment when the sky above Dalt Vila becomes almost a work of art, with swirls of coloured sky complementing the beautifully illuminated sandstone and twinkling lights. We maneuvered our way through the DJ-beset lobby bar (Ocean Drive is the hotel of choice for so many of the major clubs’ visiting artists) to make a beeline for the elevator. Sorry fellas, but when we can sniff a fashion sale, there’s no time for small talk!

We spilled out onto the rooftop excitedly, to discover a sophisticated soiree in full swing, greeted by a rail of Le Paradis Collection kaftans blowing delicately in the breeze. Shimmy to the left and there was entire table of Don’t Do Dainty’s edgy handmade silver jewellery glistening under the lights. A little further to discover a super-cool sunglasses installation by Love i-Wear, an array of quirky beads and statement necklaces by Hilos Fluo and a small selection of one-off pieces by Michiko Koshino. How very Ibiza!

Credit cards at the ready then…

While perusing our future wardrobe options, we were treated to the chilled sounds of DJ Mia Lucci (you can always trust a chica to provide the perfect shopping soundtrack!) and sipping on teensy little bottles of chilled Pravda vodka, adorned with sparkling crystal embellishments that made them the perfect fashionable accessory. Though I do have to say, holding a drink (no matter how sleek and chic) can occasionally be an impediment to my shopping skills… at times I wasn’t quite sure of my priorities!

Spotted on the rooftop: one of Ibiza’s leading ladies when it comes to concierge, a kaftan-clad property tycoon with famous celebrity connections, a couple of top club promoters in search of next week’s outfits, a very well known fashion journalist scouting for new discoveries, a cluster of models and their obligatory hipster boyfriends lurking in the shadows… a very girlie event indeed.

The only thing it was lacking? Shoes, glorious shoes! Any volunteers for next time?

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Seeing Ibiza’s young, up and coming designers come together to create an edgy, bazaar-style atmosphere in such a stunning location. Who needs a mall when you’ve got a gorgeous rooftop bar complete with cocktails and DJs?

THE BAD: As pop-up boutiques are becoming more and more frequent in Ibiza, I’ve begun noticing many of the same fashionista faces at events. Showing support is great of course, but there are a certain few (and if you’re starting to blush as you read this, then there’s a fair chance it is you!) people who seem to always arrive early, drink all the free champagne and yet never buy anything from the designers. Bad form ladies… let’s support our local designers, not bleed (or drink as the case may be) them dry!

THE GOSSIP: There’s nothing like a little social ‘lubrication’ to inspire retail therapy, and as the event was presented by Pravda vodka, there were trays of complimentary champagne and lovely little bottles of chilled vodka circulating the gorgeous rooftop bar at around sunset, and sure enough, after dark, the Chanel purses and Miu Miu wallets were out in force!

So when I received a personal invitation to attend (despite the fact I’m not a member, I’m not from London and nor do I have any connections to that social set – oh wait, I did party with Prince Wills and Lady Kate at Pacha a few years ago, perhaps they passed on my details), I wasn’t about to turn it down in a hurry!

The location of the event was kept secret until 6pm on the day of the party… You know, I really don’t like surprises – how else can one plan their outfit? (OK, so the invite said dress code was bikinis and flip flops, but after dark? Really? I needed to know more.) Now, I may not have any connections in the Boujis camp, but I do in fact, have many a friend in high places here in Ibiza, so I did a bit of sneaky research a few days before and discovered it was to be held at S’Estanyol. SCORE! Of course I kept that little piece of info to myself – no point in ruining the surprise for everyone else.

We arrived at the early-by-Ibiza-standards hour of 10.30 to find the entire venue – which had been transformed into an open-air nightclub complete with VIP areas, tables with bottle service, dancers, DJ booth and pretty amazing lasers – was totally packed! Boujis runs on UK time I guess, no matter where it may be.

Glamorous wannabes were desperately clamouring to get in, the queues were 50 people deep and it was at this stage that I once again thanked my lucky stars to have my Ibiza connections, as the dashing head doorman winked and whisked us to the front of the queue and we were inside in seconds!

The businessmen and blueblood brats I’d read about in association with Boujis were definitely either nowhere to be seen, or in off-duty holiday mode, as the entire atmosphere was laidback, ultra-social and more than anything, up for a good time. There were the bronzed. There were the buffed. There were the beautiful. There were even babes in Boujis bikinis!

As we maneuvered our way through the sandy dance floor to get to the bar – no mean feat given just how many revelers were already getting their groove on, batting oversized (I’m talking one-metre long) Boujis glowsticks – it was nice to see fresh faces and some fabulous fashion rather than the typical boots-shorts combo Ibiza girls are known for! Those who’d ignored the dress code however, were seriously struggling in the sand in sky-high heels! People watching just never gets old in Ibiza…

Back to the bar! Once again, our Ibiza connections came in handy as the bartenders recognised us and ensured we were swiftly served each time we arrived at the bar – and when the Moet Hennessy and Grey Goose are free flowing all night long, you can just imagine the chaos and queues that creates!

We schmoozed in the VIP, chatting with Boujis owner Paul Deeming, shimmying past royal ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy and bumping into a few familiar Ibiza faces along the way. I’ll say this for the jetset, their manners are impeccable – I had more people initiate interesting small talk with me tonight than in years in Ibiza! Or perhaps it was just different… either way, a welcome change from talking about the latest club nights and DJs (eventually on this island, you need a break from all that jazz – that’s why we love the winter).

The beauty of S’Estanyol is that the party can well and truly continue until dawn, and Boujis started to wind down at around 5am… just enough time to get that last drink in the Pacha VIP, I suspect! My lasting image of the party was two people sitting on the famous plank stretching out to sea from the beach, being completely splashed with choppy waves (either oblivious or loving it, hard to tell by the light of the moon!) with no intention of coming to shore. You don’t get THAT in London now, do you?

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: The ‘house specialty’ drink – Boujis Crackbabies, shots made with Chambord, passionfruit, Grey Goose and Washed down with Moet. Don’t mind if I do…

THE BAD: The seemingly professional queue jumpers, pushers and shovers, who don’t have the patience to wait their turn (I exclude the White-ettes from this category, given that we received preferential treatment rather than force our way to the front). From the car park to the entrance through to the bar, I was surprised at the lack of etiquette shown by many guests, particularly at an event where everyone is supposed to be a VIP.

THE GOSSIP: Boujis are renowned for their guest DJs in Ibiza, so I was excited to see who it would be. Would it be Groove Armada, given their close connections with the team behind the party’s production? Or was it going to be Erick Morillo, given that we’d spotted his PA Caroline Harrington on the way in… but alas, there were no surprises (well, I did say I didn’t like them so I can’t complain!). DJs included Andrew Dax, Zeb Wayne, Rob Marmot and Klaus de Macedo plus Ameet Jaugnauth on bongos, but I have to say, a very famous face would have been the icing on the cake for me. It is Ibiza after all…

It’s August. It’s hot. It’s busy. It’s hectic. It’s crazy. These are the things we constantly hear people saying (myself included) to sum up the peak of the season in Ibiza, so when I was recently invited to a private pool party in the luxurious surrounds of  boutique guesthouse Can Xuxu in Cala Tarida, I couldn’t help but think it was the perfect antidote to my severe case of August-itis.

Plus, I was pretty excited to be included on a guest list that was rumoured to also include Leonardo DiCaprio – but more on that later!

I arrived in the company of the afternoon’s amazing entertainers, vocalist Peyton and DJ Alex Taylor (‘I’m with the band!’ I gushed, thinking myself to be the Ibiza version of Kate Hudson in Almost Famous), who literally received a hero’s welcome as we came through the entrance, having performed at the previous year’s pool party, not to mention a host of other glamorous clubs and special events around the world.

Can Xuxu owner Alexandre Narakas was truly the host with the most, welcoming his beautiful collective of friends, on a first name basis with everyone, making all the right introductions and ensuring everyone had a drink in hand (namely a delectable punch of Prosecco and pink grapefruit juice, mmmm!), a comfortable sunbed, leather beanbag or giant daybed, flitting between groups while his gorgeous pack of dogs paraded around the pool and posed on the perfectly pristine grass – seriously, everything within Can Xuxu is picture perfect!

But back to the guests! Did I mention everyone looked as though they had stepped from the pages of the latest edition of Vogue? The fashion vibe was very Hollywood Hills meets ‘70s St Tropez with a dash of Ibiza boho luxe – think Missoni jumpsuits (and maxi dresses and espadrilles and beach towels – oh my!), wide brimmed straw hats, floor length kaftans, colourful strings of beads, long flowing locks (boys and girls!) and of course, all-over golden tans.

As Alex took control of the DJ booth, he also took the party’s tempo up a notch (Tensnake’s Coma Cat will do that every time!), and a spontaneous dance floor quickly erupted in front of the swimming pool. Soon after, Peyton reached for the mike, introducing his accompanying pianist Natasha, and we were treated to a very up-close-and-personal set from the trio, beginning with an ‘unplugged’ kind of vibe followed by a dancier, upbeat vibe.

Talking us through his upbringing in Southern Virginia, with tales of an evangelical Pentecostal father between songs, Peyton’s Jamiroquai-esque performance style fused with his powerhouse of a voice (like Elton John mixed with a gospel singer) was the perfect poolside performance… cracking clever jokes, doing shout outs to the crowd, switching between house tunes and gospel songs, all the while evoking an emotional, magical response from the audience (I may have gotten a little watery-eyed myself at one stage) as the sun went down with the sea in the background – I can almost see it up in lights: ‘An audience with Peyton’. Watch this space!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: The glamour! The chic, sophisticated and stylish crowd and the veritable fashion parade that was unfolding around the pool made it the perfect afternoon of people watching for me!

THE BAD: It seemed like a bit of a waste to me that the beautiful swimming pool wasn’t put to good use on such a hot, sunny August day! Of course, I wasn’t going to be the first to dive in, but when I think pool party, I think water, bikinis, lilos, beach balls… you know, the stuff MTV film clips are made of!

THE GOSSIP: The big rumour on everyone’s lips (though ‘they’ all stressed that I didn’t hear it from them!) was that Leonardo DiCaprio was going to be making an appearance at the event… news that kept my eyes constantly fixed on the entrance just to be sure. I can’t say I saw him… and a bit of Google vigilante work the following day revealed he was actually in Sydney at the time! A clever ploy to keep people at the party longer, or just another product of the Ibiza rumour mill?

At least someone enjoyed the sparkling swimming pool!

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-can-xuxu-private-pool-party-21-08-11/feed/ 1 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-ibiza-rocks-after-party-at-freddies-bar/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-ibiza-rocks-after-party-at-freddies-bar/#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2011 01:44:31 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=6888

Let me preface this by saying, I’d love to give you all the juicy gossip from what is quite possibly Ibiza’s most fun, quirky and intimate after hours soiree. Really I would. But I can’t. Well, I could but I won’t. Because if I let you in on any behind-closed-doors-secrets of the Ibiza Rocks After Party at Freddie’s Bar, well, it seems pretty unlikely I would ever be invited back again now, would I?

Let me tell you, when a party is that good, you don’t want to risk being blackballed!

In case you’ve been living under an Es Vedra sized rock and have no idea what I’m talking about, let me get you up to speed: Freddie’s Bar is the mega-suite (we’re talking big, bigger than my own apartment!)) formerly known as the Marrakech Suite at Ibiza Rocks House at Pikes Hotel. As the name suggests, it’s where Freddie Mercury once slept (ahem!), and this year it’s been completely revamped into the ultimate party pad.

Ahhh, if walls could talk! Well, I guess I could let you in on just a few little details…

There are DEFINITELY ghosts in this picture. I can only imagine who haunts that room to this day!

Upon arrival, we were greeted by flamboyant Wall of Sound main man Mark Jones, who had taken over the entire after party to celebrate his birthday. Ever the OTT gracious host, he instantly invited my posse into the back room – where Freddie’s bed remains – for a ‘Pussy shot’. Now of course, we all instantly thought it was going to be an alcoholic concoction of some sort, and prepped ourselves… Gosh, I just can’t bring myself to tell you. I don’t want to spoil Mr Jones’ party trick in the future! Though I’m sure my suitably blurry photo (which I suspect matched many partygoers vision at some point) might give you a clue…

As a general rule, I believe the better the party, the less photos there are to prove it, you know what I mean? How can you enjoy all the action if you’re too busy either posing or snapping. However there were a few occasions (as above for example) I thought it was absolutely essential I take a few happy snaps… and I think I can truthfully say, they have captured the after party vibe perfectly…

Is it just me (and the hierbas), or is there a serious Freddie lookalike vibe happening here?

Speaking of blurry, I must admit my memory is already pretty hazy (I think Dawn and Andy may intentionally keep that hierbas a-flowing to ensure no one actually remembers the hijinks they got up to!), in no particular order: Mrs Jones – aka Lottie hopped behind the decks for a party set spanning multiple decades; at one point there literally seemed to be people hanging from the rafters; a birthday cake was doing the rounds, rumoured to be ‘flavoured’ with a mood enhancing type ingredient; the dress-up box was being raided by folk probably old enough to have worn the vintage rollerskates and gold disco boots back in their heyday; an aging DJ was parading his latest botox investments by the poolside bar; the headline acts from Ibiza Rocks were schmoozing in the courtyard; and the Freddie Mercury lookalike bartender was subjected to about 500 hopeful choruses of ‘Club Tropicana drinks are freeeeeee… oh – you mean I have to pay?’

I woke up in the late hours of the following afternoon to find myself sporting: A) a rather large headache and B) an ‘I ♥ Ibiza’ plastic ring on my finger. Just for the record, I’m still wearing it now… I have no idea how it got there, but I couldn’t have put it better myself!

DJ Andy Carroll mans the makeshift booth, slapped together on an overturned dresser.

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: The sheer diversity of people in attendance. All ages, all walks of life, all styles of dress and all manner of personalities were milling about over the course of the party… just add Hierbas and you’re guaranteed a cracker of an evening!

THE BAD: It’s completely possible to lose all track of time inside Freddie’s Bar. I swear one minute it was just after midnight and yet there I was rolling into bed at around the same time ‘normal’ folk go to work. Sheesh – next time remind me to get a room!

THE GOSSIP: I’d heard whispers that 2manydjs would be gracing the decks at some stage over the course of the night, however it seemed there was no prising the birthday brigade away from the makeshift DJ booth. Too many Djs indeed!

Mrs Jones - aka Lottie - managing to look more together than anyone else in the room at all times!

Photography by Ana Lui

It was a hot and steamy summer night, there was a full moon rising, we were on Las Salinas beach, surrounded by chic and stylish Ibiza peeps… I mean really, what more could you ask for? Well actually, a Pravda vodka cocktail bar, an exclusive fashion show by Ibiza boutique Paul & Fred, live music from Rat on the Roof and singer Jude La Joia and a sumptuous feast from the five-star kitchen of Guarana Salinas Beach Club.

Ask and you shall receive… at the first ever Full Moon Dinner presented by White Ibiza!

Of course, since Miss W and the White-ettes had the honour of hosting the event, we arrived early enough to enjoy the view as the sunset turned the Salinas sky a dusky hue and the glowing full moon rose above the clouds and sea, as Warren Cahill from Rat on the Roof provided the acoustic Balearic soundtrack. Oh – and of course in time to greet our lovely guests while enjoying the view (both the sky, AND the boy-tastic eye candy)!

Photography by Ana Lui

After cocktails on the deck, we sat down at the (appropriately) white-clad tables to chilled bottles of Can Rich rosé and an interesting combination of starters – a super-scrumptious gazpacho of strawberries, tempura asparagus in brie foam and satay chicken sticks – while a gaggle of gorgeous girls flitted about before dashing to the makeshift ‘backstage’ area. A-ha! The models for the evening’s fashion show had arrived, which was Miss W’s cue to politely leave the table and ‘supervise/style’ the preparations…

The tireless girls from Smack Makeup Ibiza, Corina and Sara (still buzzing from the previous evening’s Michiko Koshino production at Blue Marlin, as were most of the models) created ‘70s inspired looks, with glittering multi-coloured eyelids, Farrah Fawcett flicks and long, lustrous curls, befitting the array of animal prints, cocktail frocks and big furry handbags ready to be strutted in the show, courtesy of cool new Ibiza boutique Paul & Fred.

Just as the guests finished their main meals – succulent sea bass or decadent filet steak topped with foie – the parade began, a stream of Jenny Packham, Amor & Psyche, Manuel Luciano and Single LA dresses that wouldn’t be out of place on the red carpet (including one frock that has already been promised to Eva Longoria and another A-MAZING bejeweled jumpsuit as seen on Rihanna, I kid you not!) or in the Pacha VIP later that evening (and was conveniently available in the pop-up boutique for those who felt so inspired).

Photography by Ana Lui - as seen on Rihanna!

Afterwards, as Johnny La Plage played some laidback beachy beats, the lovely (and gorgeous!) Jude La Joia warmed up her vocal chords and treated us to an amazing vocal performance, culminating in a cover of Miss W’s fave ever house track, Kings of Tomorrow’s ‘Finally’.

Of course, no one ever wants a full moon party to end, so when the show was over, we moved to the deck – aka, the Pravda vodka cocktail bar – and lingered as long as the accommodating Guarana staff would allow. But I’m not going to tell you what time THAT was!

Photography by Ana Lui

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: The afternoon’s ominous clouds clearing up just in time for the moon rising over the Mediterranean Sea. Talk about timing… and what an amazing sight!

THE BAD: Poor little Miss W was so busy in a flurry of Swarovski crystals, feathers, models and spotlights she missed her main meal… but then again, if you were hanging out backstage with a bunch of half naked skinny girls, you wouldn’t really be that inspired to eat now, would you?

THE GOSSIP: Well, it was a full moon and you had to expect something to go haywire – in our case it was the DJ equipment, which just up and decided to fizzle out right at the moment the very first model was about to step onto the makeshift catwalk. Doh! However, this being Ibiza, there are always DJs aplenty floating about and it was Mia Lucci to the rescue, with a ‘here’s one I prepared earlier’ disco demo mix CD that was perfect for the Studio 54 vibe of the clothes and was easily streamed through the restaurant’s sound system. Hey presto!

Click here to view the full photo gallery from this event

Photography by Ana Lui

Let me tell you, it isn’t often Miss W goes ‘off duty’ but there are indeed some days here in Ibiza (just a few, mind you), when I like to give the laptop a rest, leave the iPhone at home and totally disconnect from it all. Last Saturday was due to be one of those rare days…

There I was, bikini, kaftan, sunglasses and the latest edition of Vogue at the ready, all technical equipment officially shut down and en route way to my favourite ever secret Ibiza beach (and no, I’m not telling which one!) when the pestering little voice of my conscience started to whisper, ‘Wax Da Beach, Wax Da Beach, Wax Da Beeeeeeach!’

I mean really, who am I to argue with that?

So a speedy detour around a conveniently placed roundabout and it was off to Sands in Playa d’en Bossa (still early enough to nab a rock star parking space!), where the ever-so-lovely Sands on Sabado (aka SOS) crew were hosting Wax Da Beach, who had the honour of presenting the Ibiza debut of none other than Massive Attack’s Daddy G.

Not a bad day off if you can get it!

We arrived to be seated at a premium beachside table for two – yes, I’ll admit I broke the tech-ban and borrowed the BF’s phone and call ahead to book a table – surrounded by the who’s who of Ibiza, out in force for the occasion. Seems you don’t really need your phone in a place like this, seeing as everyone you’ve ever met is pretty much within shouting distance.

On the makeshift stage were two super-amazing, jaw droppingly talented Flamenco guitarists, very well endowed in the dreadlock department, encouraging plenty of applause and whoops of appreciation from the rapidly swelling crowd. George Evelyn, aka DJ E.A.S.E of Nightmares on Wax informs us he first heard the papa and son duo, Gino and Giri, on a campsite at Cala Nova and now they’ve just scored a well-deserved major record deal. Nice spotting!

The man they call Negghead (though apparently his mum calls him Dan Ward) took over, with his signature smooth grooves and dubby beats setting the perfect scene for a long lazy lunch – we shared a sushi roll and tempura battered fish and chips after much deliberation over the tasty menu – then we hit the sunbeds for a few hours, near enough to appreciate the tune-age, but close enough to the water to catch the sea breeze… it was HOT out there. August has well and truly arrived!

Nightmares on Wax were up next, with Shovell and Wolfgang Haffner accompanying E.A.S.E, building up good vibes the dance floor in anticipation of Daddy G’s imminent performance. I have to admit to being a little star struck on this occasion… Massive Attack have been one of my favourite bands since, like, FOREVER, so I was more than a little nervous in his company! Who’d have thought, Miss W lost for words!

Once he was behind the decks however, I shed the nerves and hit the dance floor, to the hip-hop, soul and groove laden set – the perfect soundtrack whether you were on a sun bed, at a table, having a chat at the bar or throwing some shapes! With smiles all round, an almighty cheer went up as Grant Marshall (yes, that’s his real name!) dropped the Massive Attack classic, Unfinished Sympathy. I almost cried. Really. What an amazing end to an amazing set and an amazing day on the beach.

Just a shame I didn’t have my phone to start bragging about it!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Given the major changes at some neighbouring Playa d’en Bossa beach bars this summer, it’s great to see some amazing music-driven parties are still free to one and all on the beach, embracing the true spirit of Ibiza and capturing those summery, Balearic vibes. And the good news is, it’s happening every week – with the added bonus of the Wax On gang making an appearance twice a month!

THE BAD: It was – dare I say it – just a little too hot at some point! Too hot to sunbathe, too hot to dance… but rather than complain about it, we just ordered icy cold mojitos in order to deal with said heatwave. Of course, then there was the problem of the ice melting too quickly… Our solution? It’s pretty obvious – drink faster!

THE GOSSIP: Did I miss the phone? Was I craving my camera? Was it hurting me not to check in at the event on Facebook? Yes! But then again, sometimes it’s refreshing to experience an event by being completely, utterly, wholly and soul-ly involved in it, rather than tweeting, posting, snapping and recording the day’s events as they unfold. Refreshing in fact… getting back to basics! Shame the memory banks aren’t as reliable as my notepad however, when it comes to remembering tracks played… Anyone got a live recording knocking about?

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-wax-da-beach-at-sands-with-daddy-g/feed/ 0 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-guilty-pleasures-opening-party-at-aura-27-07-11/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-guilty-pleasures-opening-party-at-aura-27-07-11/#comments Mon, 01 Aug 2011 18:57:50 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=6282

Photography by Jon Trite for Guilty Pleasures

After a sparkly, glitter-filled whirlwind of publicity for the entire week prior, the all-singing, all-dancing Guilty Pleasures extravaganza rolled into Ibiza, ready to set up shop at Aura for the 2011 season.

Cue: hundreds of colourful, branded balloons. A truckload of vibrant feather boas. Wigs, masks, and fancy dress supplies galore. Add an entire back catalogue of pop classics, retro hits and singalong favourites from the past few decades – aka, guilty pleasures – and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a night of reckless dance floor abandonment.

Photography by Jon Trite for Guilty Pleasures

After a quick drink under the stars on the garden terrace (now the canopy has been removed it’s so hard to resist the alfresco experience!) Miss W and the White-ettes entered the Aura cocktail lounge, to the disco-tastic sounds of ‘You’re so fiiiiiiiiiiine’ as we were greeted with a vision that could only be described as an episode of Sex and the City that had sprung to life right here on the white isle.

Behind the booth, Guilty Pleasures resident DJ Anna Greenwood – a cross between prom queen, cheerleader and Energizer bunny – held court, bopping, bouncing and singing along to every song (thinks classics like Madonna’s Holiday, The Supremes’ You Can’t Hurry Love and Aerosmith’s Walk This Way) with never ending enthusiasm, while founder and cohort Sean Rowley got on the microphone to welcome the crowd and introduce the special guests for the evening… The Dream Bears.

Photography by Jon Trite for Guilty Pleasures

Now let me say this about that. I was not quite prepared for the performance we were about to witness. While some people might enjoy male strippers… to me, it’s not really my personal definition of a guilty pleasure. Particularly not when said strippers are (ahem) portly in size (we’re used to buffed and bronzed Matinee dancers here you know!). The fact it took place in the middle of the Aura dance floor, to the tune of Lady Marmalade may have added further to my perplexity – the dance troupe may have amused Piers Morgan and won the hearts of Britain’s Got Talent, but I’m not entirely sure Ibiza is ready for them yet!

Of course, there is one guilty pleasure that never fails to satisfy me – that is retail therapy! So it was off to the beautiful, amazing, stunningly beautiful new boutique at the back of the garden terrace (another beautiful creation of Victoria Durrer-Gasse), where I fell in love with about ten boho-luxe dresses, four handbags, two amazing cocktail rings and one oversized wide-brimmed straw hat that wasn’t appropriate for the dance floor that evening, but will definitely be making an appearance on the beach with me later this week!

Photography by Jon Trite for Guilty Pleasures

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Ibiza is all about freedom and musical diversity, so it’s great to see the pop genre now being embraced too, as are live bands and hip hop artists galore. What is it they say about Pringles? Once you pop you can’t stop… So I’ll see you on the Aura dance floor on Wednesday night (though I’ll be giving those bears a ‘wide’ berth!)

THE BAD: I’m sure I wasn’t the only person in the room who questioned the DJ’s selection of Mark Ronson’s ‘Valerie’, just days after the tragic death of its talented singer Amy Winehouse. While there’s no question it’s a great song, I don’t think it could be classed a ‘guilty pleasure’ and it just seemed a little bit… I don’t know…. immoral, to drop the tune just when the dance floor was clearing in order to get more people dancing. Timing is everything, and now was not the time.

THE GOSSIP: Did someone say Kylie? The princess of pop was indeed in town, and there were whispers in the Aura camp that she’d be making an appearance… alas, it was not to be on this night, though on Friday night Ms Minogue and her entourage hit the Aura dance floor all night long to the sounds of DJ Antz.

Photography by Miss W - you didn't really think I'd be in the photo now did you?

I know right? It sounds like something out of a movie (or in the very least a hit teenage American TV show)… eight of your best friends splashing around in an amazing clifftop spa, followed by cocktails and canapés at sunset then a truly decadent private dinner. But in this instance, it wasn’t just my James-Bond-slash-A-list fantasy being played out yet AGAIN in my head (though I must admit, I was lacking the desired Oscar de la Renta gown), it was ACTUALLY my birthday party, at Ibiza’s original five-star hotel, Hacienda Na Xamena!

How old, I hear you ask? Well, an Ibiza lady never tells her age, but let’s just say conversations at the table ranged from outdated 1990’s Balinese furnishing trends to this season’s hot pink Alexander McQueen ankle boots, David Guetta being spotted taking happy snaps of Usher at Ushuaia and pretty much everything in between.

But back to the birthday!

We arrived en masse at the gorgeous San Miguel hotel, fashionably late of course, at around 7pm on Friday evening (even the birthday girl has to meet her deadlines you see!), and were ushered into the all-new private entrance to the La Posidonia Spa and Eden Lounge… where they were awaiting our arrival eagerly and I must admit at this point, the fact that everyone knew my name really did give me a bit of a celebrity-style buzz!

Photography by Miss W - but really.... you had to be there!

Starting with a sundown session in the hotel’s famous Cascadas Suspendidas – a series of different hydo-baths, massaging at different speeds and in different places along the way – we instantly forgot the deadlines, stresses and trivialities of the day, INSTANTLY relaxing from the minute we emerged underwater and felt the first jet. It was somewhat of a cross between an OTT ‘80s soap opera (I mean really, how often do you get in a spa with eight of your besties?) and an Ibiza pool party (because really, how often do you get in a spa with eight of your besties?!). Everyone had their favourite pool – mine, the steaming hot Jacuzzi, the perfect contrast to the cooling air at our high altitude!

Afterwards, we changed for dinner… of course the boys were done and dusted in five minutes, immediately hitting the bar while the girls spent a good half an hour on hair and make-up! With perfect timing, we drifted onto the all-new sunset lounge terrace (in floaty kaftans and with wavy, mermaid locks thanks to the salty spa water) to the sounds of acoustic guitar, and were greeted with a chilled glass of cava as the sun melted into the sea right before our very eyes. Sound like heaven? Pretty damn close in my book!

But then… it got better! After a quick tour of the restaurant spaces – all the while ooh-ing and ahh-ing and hoping we’d get a table on the frontline – we were led upstairs to (get this!) OUR OWN PRIVATE TERRACE FOR THE EVENING! Yesiree. Private. Terrace. Billion dollar views. Oh, and another couple of bottles of chilled cava for good measure, with tasty appetizers to quell our rumbling tummies.

As we lazed around the zebra-print emblazoned lounges, I couldn’t help but wonder where we would be led to next. I could see the silhouette of staff setting a table indoors, through frosted glass windows and figured we’d be moving inside for the main event. But lo and behold, almost like an optical illusion, said table was deftly lifted and transported out onto our terrace, almost as if it hovered there without any assistance. And what a beautiful table it was, scattered with seashells, softly lit by multiple candles and beautifully laid out with sparkling glassware and glistening cutlery.

Photography by Miss W - the magical, hovering table!

The gourmet experience was equally as rewarding as the spa and sunset before it – the highest quality produce presented in the most beautiful of fashions. Starting with a selection of deluxe entrees – think terrine of foie, marinated salmon, lobster cannelloni, creamy arancini and more delicacies created by the Hacienda’s master chef – I could have stopped right there and said it was the best meal of my life. But of course, it would have been downright rude, so make way for the main course(s) we did!

Two mains, two large portions, representing the sea and the mountains (Mar y Montana on the menu) surrounding the hotel, we indulged in a divine filet of the softest, tastiest snapper, followed by a mouth wateringly good beef tenderloin (at this point, my ever-expanding waistline was grateful I’d chosen to wear a forgiving and comfortable kaftan). All the while, our wine glasses were topped up when needed, and our every need one hundred percent catered to – when it comes to fine dining and service, Hacienda’s staff are on the money.

Last of all was an amazing dessert platter – decadent chocolate mousse, carpaccio of pineapple, coconut and ginger sorbet and a selection of cheese – plus the obligatory coffees and rounds of hierbas and my favourite part, the giving of gifts, topping off a perfect evening in an even more perfect fashion.

I feel like my words can’t do justice to what an unforgettable evening this was – old school Hollywood glamour, OTT celebrity style, V.V.V.VIP service, outstanding cuisine and the best of friends – may I take this opportunity to say thank you to all involved, from the very bottom of my heart.

If only we’d thought ahead and booked rooms for the occasion! But then, there’s always a next time…

Photography by Miss W - the most amazing dessert plate!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: The whole entire experience. If this is how the other half live, I am ready to cross over to the other side! Each and every one of my guests secretly confided that it was the most glamorous, the most decadent, and the most fun thing they’d ever done in Ibiza! And I (despite pretending I do this type of things every day) totally, one hundred percent agreed with them!

THE BAD: In retrospect, I think the hotel could provide guests at the Cascadas with more ample change rooms and general spa facilities (like beauty products and hairdryers). After all, if a girl’s going to dinner in a posh frock, then she’d like the opportunity to blow dry her hair post-spa. Thankfully, our dinner was private, and at least we were all only gazing at each other! Oh, and I could do with that designer gown to wear to dinner and perhaps even a room to stay the night next time. Diva? Me? Never!

THE GOSSIP: The ultra professional and amazingly attentive staff at Hacienda Na Xamena have a strict discretion policy, meaning you won’t hear any gossip from my party (because I surely won’t kiss and tell either!) nor from anyone else’s… no matter how much you may (like me) implore them!

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-my-private-birthday-celebrations-at-hacienda-na-xamena/feed/ 1 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-diesel-island-party-at-sestanyol/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-diesel-island-party-at-sestanyol/#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:38:32 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=5950

There was a full moon, it was a hot steamy night and we were headed for a secluded Ibiza beach… No, I’m not getting into the business of writing romance novels in my spare time (Spare time? In Ibiza? You’re kidding aren’t you?), I’m talking about the officlal launch party of Diesel Island at S’Estanyol in Ibiza last Friday night!

The concept of the event was ‘the birth of a nation’ (for the foreseeable next six weeks anyway), a place where it’s all about freedom, the beach, the sun and the Mediterranean Sea… but I have to admit, I was a little hesitant when the invites declared it the ‘land of the stupid and home of the brave’! What kind of new world order was this?

The only way to find out was to be one of the brave…

Along with a few hundred other brave invitees (some familiar faces and other unknown peeps who looked so cool and Diesel-esque I had to wonder whether they’d been flown in as ‘stunt guests’ for the occasion), we made the pilgrimage to S’Estanyol (oh alright, it’s only a ten-minute drive from town so not much of a pilgrimage, but it is a bumpy ten minutes!), where we arrived to free flowing mojitos (and when I say free, I mean quite literally) and crisp, cold Singha beer…

By the light of the full moon, and some serious Diesel branded spotlights on the cliffs,we were treated to a killer live performace by Nightmares on Wax – and seriously, I have seen NoW about a zillion times, having the good fortune to live on an island where they play at least once a week and this was THE BEST YET! With some truly amazing guest vocalists – including the young MC Charlie, who was making his debut and had a huge crowd of (fresh out of Morna school) mates in the crowd showing their love and creating an awesome atmosphere – in tow, DJ E.A.S.E. and crew whipped the crowd into a full-moon frenzy, and at one point, as each and every member of the dance floor was pulled up onstage, it felt like it had turned into a rave of sorts!

Later on, French DJ duo DJinger and Kiddy Smile treated us to a funked up selection of eclectic tunes, as entertaining with their rather interesting costume changes (or costume swapping!) throughout the night as they were with the beats – and a very refreshing change to see some new faces (and thus hear some different sounds) on the Ibiza party scene. Bravo Diesel Island!

While many other party goers fell under the spell of the full moon (or perhaps it was the über-strong mojitos!), poor little Miss W was suffering from a case of the dreaded midsummer Ibiza flu, which meant sadly an early getaway was in order this time before I could get myself into any more trouble – doctor’s orders. Even I wasn’t brave OR stupid enough to argue with that!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: The free shuttle service – and we’re not talking about a bumpy old bus ride here, we’re talking a sleek and sexy Diesel Land Rover – to and from the party was the perfect way to arrive in style AND ensure guests didn’t drink and drive, given the party’s hard to navigate location. And it felt pretty V.VIP to boot!

THE BAD: What was with the hardcore techno in between the good vibes of Nightmares on Wax and the super-fun eclectic beats of French duo DJinger Twiggy and Kiddy Smile? I know good music is in the ears of the beholder, but seriously, it a-l-m-o-s-t killed the vibe for a little while there…

THE GOSSIP: There are some island locals out there having a little moan about one of their favourite ‘secret’ beaches being taken over by a corporate brand – but I say let’s give Diesel Island a chance! This is corporate cool (I mean seriously, it’s not like Diesel are the suit-and-tie types by any means), Ibiza stylee and it’s here until August 31… we can have the best of both worlds!

So it was just another Friday afternoon in Ibiza when I got the phone call, inviting me to dinner and a Flamenco show at the gorgeous beach restaurant La Escollera on Es Cavallet. A phone call that meant washing my hair was in order. A phone call that meant finding an appropriate outfit (one which could go from beach to bar within 10 minutes – literally) was necessary. A phone call that would irrevocably change my outlook on Flamenco forever…

You see, I’ve lived in Spain for quite a long time, but Flamenco and I have never really managed to strike up a friendship. It’s not that I was against it or anything, it’s just that we’ve never really crossed paths socially. Until now, I’ve been more of a dedicated four-to-the-floor type… frequenting the clubbing dance floors and listening to Ibiza Sonica rather than immersing myself in true Spanish culture (sorry!).

So on this particular Friday night, the mega-famous Andalusian Flamenco band Navajita Plateá took to the stage while the luxe restaurant put on an amazing Mediterranean buffet dinner, for a sophisticated evening of dinner, drinks and dancing. I have to admit, I felt as if I were on holidays on the mainland, so authentically Spanish was the entire experience…

Arriving just as the sun was setting, the pink and purple haze over the Mediterranean Sea took my breath away. Two professional jamon-slicers were on duty as we mingled by the sea – an ohmygod it was one of the most amazing jamons I have ever tried, and I’ll admit to taking a second, third and perhaps even a fourth helping to be sure!

A diverse mix of people slowly began to trickle down the red carpet, from families and young Spanish fans of the band, to ultra VIPs like Scandinavian MTV! All the staff (ultra-friendly and helpful) La Escollera were easily identifiable, by their special polka dot sashes, handy when you needed a drink or (I swear, not me) another plate of Jamon…

We took to our tables (which were bedecked with the traditional Flamenco-esque red carnations) after dark, as Navajita Plateá took to the stage. A cross between a rock band (with a very Antonio Banderas-esque frontman), buskers and gypsy musicians, they entertained with enchanting Flamenco guitar, emotive vocals and an infectious energy that had toes at every table tapping! Not being an expert on this style of music, I had to admit I was enthralled… the sound quality was pitch perfect – never an easy feat by the sea – and the view of the illuminated beach, with Dalt Vila in the background was second to none.

As the band took a break, we indulged in even more fine food, after which we couldn’t resist the ultimate digestive, a traditional shisha with apple tobacco. YUM! Normally, you’d never see smoke pass my lips, but in this case, I have to admit I enjoyed every minute, despite my inability to blow glamorous smoke rings and constant urge to giggle every time I inhaled.

The band returned to the stage just before midnight, as the crowd flocked to the front of the stage and really threw themselves into it!  The tempo was increased with more electric guitar to modernise the sound, something I hadn’t expected and yet a sound that was fresh to my ears. I’ll admit, many of the lyrics were lost on me (which totally didn’t matter – it’s all about the feeling!), there were a few that managed to make my ears prick up, including a Bob Marley melodic, ‘I wanna love ya…’ and a very specific, ‘La Isla Blanca’. Translated of course, that means White Ibiza – was he singing to me?

We’ll have to go back tonight to find out – Navajita Plateá are playing every Wednesday and Friday night at La Escollera throughout July and August!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Knowing the words – IN SPANISH MIND YOU – to the band’s biggest hit, Noche de Bohemia… I don’t know how or where I have managed to learn it off by heart (in the Eroski checkout queue perhaps? Too much time on Kiss FM?) but I loved being able to join the crowd with gusto as they all sang it as though their lives depended on it…

THE BAD: Having to leave early (well, we’re talking 1am here), in time to catch a certain R&B superstar onstage at Pacha that very same evening… the things we do for work! I could have stayed for at least another hour… or two.. all the more reason to visit again next week!

THE GOSSIP: You snooze, you lose they say, and when it comes to a buffet, never was a truer word spoken. Certain White-ettes preferred to stay chatting at the table snacking on plate after plate of (admittedly amazing) jamon, while others were tucking into deluxe starters of mussels, prawns and more because they made the effort to visit the buffet… did I already say all the more reason to visit again next week?

Photography by Victor Spinelli

One of the things no one ever warns you about when you’re planning an event is that sheer moment of terror, right before the party starts, when you really, truly believe (despite all the positive RSVPs, dinner reservations, OTT promotion and just general faith in one’s own popularity) that no one is going to turn up!

Yes, it happened to Miss W last week, when I arrived at Supperclub Novum Ibiza in broad daylight before it opened for the Lazy Garden Party (presented by White Ibiza) and realised what a giant space it was to fill. Yowzers! All those big, luxuriously set tables and that l-o-n-g row of luxe white day beds – what were we thinking? Did we really know enough people in Ibiza to fill it up? Even Miss Sunny hadn’t arrived yet – had she decided to ditch me too?

Of course, we had called in the experts at Lazy Ibiza – long time party planners and the folk who brought us the truly legendary Dirty Diamonds Villa Parties (back in the day!) – to collaborate, so the responsibility wasn’t all on my not-quite-tanned-enough yet shoulders, but I was so freaked out I instantly had to soothe my nerves with a glass of cava and a quick bout of retail therapy in the swish Kurru Kurru boutique just inside the big gold Supperclub doors.

Because everyone knows a new outfit makes all the difference in the end!

As the beautifully styled Supperclub staff shimmied around in preparation, the first few guests tricked through the door – greeted by gorgeous Supperclub hostess Camilla Tuhuleruw then whisked off to their chosen setting – followed by the next, and some more after that, and even more again. Many familiar faces mingled with new faces, and my anxiety soon became excitement, as I could feel we were in for a pretty special evening.

Photography by Victor Spinelli

As the sky above turned pink – conveniently matching the lighting illuminating the garden terrace – the A-list’s favourite DJ Samir selected track after track of uplifting, positive music, from soul to house classics and was soon joined on stage by Ibiza’s favourite percussionist Shovell and saxophonist Deva.  Over dinner (the hugest sushi platter I have ever seen!), Lazy resident Gianluca de Tiberis took the reins, with just the right amount of aplomb… not too loud that you couldn’t enjoy your meal, but loud enough that toes and heads were tapping at every table.

And then… like a vision… the face of Supperclub, Sunny Jansen glided across the terrace, between the daybeds (to the delight of those perched on them – those of us down in the restaurant had to rubberneck to see properly in some parts), singing (ahem) Whitney Houston’s The Greatest Love of All, every inch the diva herself. Bravo sister!

A hard act to follow, yet Assad Phoenix – straight off the plane from Paris – clad in nothing but white body paint and a chalked face (oh, and some teensy tiny little white hotpants!) flexed, twisted and dramatically danced the bolero, up and down the aisle to the sounds of Ravel’s famous Bolero… A standing ovation! I’m sad to say however, he moved so rapidly under the soft lighting that none of my photographs do him justice.

See what I mean? You really had to be there... or go there again to check him out!

From thereon in, we left our tables and mingled under the starry night sky, until it was time to take the party – which had grown yet again inside thanks to a post-dinner influx of guests – inside to the debaucherous surrounds of the Red Room… with DJ Antz at the helm.

Well whaddya know? Turns out we threw quite a party… so good in fact, we’ll be doing it all again on Wednesday July 27! Let’s see if I can do it without the nerves next time!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: I get the feeling that Supperclub is coming into its own in Ibiza now summer is in full swing – did we ever doubt it? The tables were full, the beds were completely booked out (and chock full of glamourpusses might I add) and the shows really seemed to really work in the Supperclub context, just like Amsterdam with the added benefit of being beneath the stars!

THE BAD: Getting people to ditch the cancer sticks – yeah you heard me, CANCER STICKS and by that of course, I mean evil cigarettes – and get inside to dance. Is it really necessary for all you naughty smokers to linger outside for almost two hours once the party had moved inside? I mean really… pop outside for a smoke, but come back in afterwards. It’s just plain rude not to!

THE GOSSIP: While the fabulous Sunny Jansen blew us all away with her ‘rendition’ of Whitney’s biggest hit, there were plenty of folk in the audience who actually believed she was singing! Talk about a talented lip syncher… but we’re still waiting for Sunny’s piece de resistance performance to be unveiled in Ibiza. What are you waiting for Sunny? Our next party is Wednesday July 27… hint hint, nudge nudge!

Sunny or Whitney? You be the judge...

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-lazy-garden-party-at-supperclub-novum-ibiza/feed/ 1 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-a-week-in-the-life-of-a-real-ibiza-vip/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-blog-a-week-in-the-life-of-a-real-ibiza-vip/#comments Wed, 29 Jun 2011 01:40:48 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=5416

Amazing Ibiza Villas... does what it says on the tin!

Every once in a while – just occasionally mind you – Miss W likes to put herself in someone else’s shoes, in order to understand the type of ‘real’ Ibiza experiences visiting holidaymakers undertake. Those shoes are generally skyscraper Jimmy Choos of course (you can’t say I ever do things by halves!), and this week, when a visiting posse of jetsetting pals flew into Ibiza, I stepped right on in to their designer footwear, took some time away from the computer and counted myself in on their itinerary.

Now while I’d never normally kiss and tell, there are some details of this whirlwind week I just can’t bear to keep to myself – though names have been changed to protect the (dare I say it, after a week in Ibiza?) innocence of my cohorts.

While most people would make the beach their first priority, the girls in my gang – let’s call them Miss Vogue, Ms Celebrity Stylist, The Starlet and Little Miss DJ for the sake of this blog – had more important things on their minds, like manicures, blow-dries and faux-tanning upon arrival. Between you and me, personally I think spray tans are quite passé but I guess when you’re getting the best of the best, the results are an all-over bronze I couldn’t even dream of achieving in an entire season spent on the beach (imagine that luxury!).

For the first time in my Ibiza life, I didn’t have my friends asking me a zillion questions about who to call – they’d thought ahead and enlisted the services of a VIP concierge.

When I arrived at the villa – sourced through Amazing Ibiza Villas, and let me tell you it did not disappoint, all-white, modern and boasting views across Es Cavallet all the way to Formentera – not only was I overjoyed to see my friends (it’s been a few years between mojitos), but also to see Corina Smith of Smack Makeup Ibiza and hair stylist Louisa Mason-Cooper attending to their beauty needs. I couldn’t have recommended better myself, and hastily checked the reflection to make sure my melted-off mascara and humidity-fried locks weren’t too much of a shame on me before getting in on the action myself.

At 9pm, we were swept away in a chauffeur-driven glossy black SUV for a luxe dinner at new cabaret restaurant Lio (premier table in the middle of the floor, perfect for viewing the cabaret shows, the Japanese Robata barbeque and the Dalt Vila vista in one sweep – the tables that are allegedly already completely booked out this summer), followed by a VIP table in Pacha (on the frontline and right next to superstar DJ Erick Morillo no less), loaded with champagne and premium spirits… ahhh, this is the life!

Even better was the personal bodyguard (I kid you not) enlisted to ensure no one bumped our table, we had a clear path to walk to and from the bathrooms and outdoor courtyard and to watch our handbags at the table while we danced with reckless abandonment. A girl can never be too careful when she’s traveling with Alexander McQueen, Chanel and Michael Kors you know!

Fast forward a few days (post- Blue Marlin, Amnesia VIP, Pacha yet again, El Ayoun and the villa’s neighbouring El Chiringuito and a few hangovers – there’s no concierge in the world that I’ve met who can solve that particular dilemma) and we found ourselves boarding a super luxe speed boat, headed for the paradise of Formentera and the haven of Juan y Andrea. Ahhh, heaven. What more can I say? Miss Vogue and I dreamed up some fantastical fashion and beauty shoot scenarios – I can only hope it means she can be return to our fair shores soon. We have a production team and modeling agency ready and waiting…

Yet another highlight revolved around that Amazing Ibiza Villa… with a personal chef and morning-after cleaner, it was inevitable that a villa party was going to happen and spontaneously it did, with Little Miss DJ in charge of the tunes of course. My only problem with said party, was (at a certain hour that I won’t admit here) when I was ready to go home to the comfort of my own bed… wouldn’t you know it, the driver was off-duty and for the life of me I couldn’t explain the directions in Spanish to the taxi driver!

I mean really, what’s a girl supposed to do? Bunk down in one of the spare rooms of course, reveling in the Egyptian cotton sheets and plush pillows, dreaming of the day when someday, one day, this could all be mine… Though after a week spent living the high life, I must say my bank balance is looking pretty low!

Best get back to work then, shall I?

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: It’s definitely a bonus when you walk into one of Ibiza or Formentera’s premier restaurants or the Pacha VIP and are immediately escorted to a table on the frontline – some of those tables are booked about a year in advance… and now I totally understand why. The power of the concierge is a force to be reckoned with…

THE BAD: Sometimes, living in Ibiza makes you forget just how exhausting it can be as a tourist! My advice from now on is don’t overplan your itinerary (no matter how many White Ibiza Summer Diaries emails may be tempting you) and make sure you get a few hours a day of downtime, whether by the villa pool or at the closest beach. Then again, if you’ve got the stamina, you may as well flaunt it – I’m now even more grateful that I have everything on my doorstep and there’s no rush to try and cram it all in to one week!

THE GOSSIP: While we were being escorted to and from the courtyard and VIP bathrooms to our table at Pacha by our ‘bodyguard’, there was another A-list guest in the club who was actually worthy of all the attention, and protection. Jamie-Lynn Sigler, aka Meadow Soprano, was in the house and kept a much lower profile than my friends, sitting casually upstairs on the terrace and schmoozing with the local lads like Alan Anadon from Café Mambo and James Fowell of Pacha… perhaps someone fancies themselves as the new Turtle?

Photography by Jake Sully - Rat on the Roof

White Ibiza Summer Launch Party review

From a behind-the-scenes perspective, Miss W has got to say, R.E.S.P.E.C.T. to all the Ibiza event planners out there. Because in the lead up to White Ibiza’s Summer Launch Party at Agroturismo Atzaró last week­ – in a flurry of invitation lists, DJ set times, casting calls, catering menus and goodie bags – I couldn’t believe just how much work (and stress!) goes in to putting on a big-scale event!

Because usually I just turn up on the night and enjoy them!

From an on-the-scene perspective however, Miss W would like to high-five everyone involved in throwing the party because – after an hour of hair, make-up, styling and pre-party nervous jitters – I loved every single minute of the entire event! Which went a little something like this:

Starting at the very civilised hour of 6pm, DJ Andy Baxter – who also ever-so-kindly mixed our amazing summer compilation CD exclusively for guests at the event – kicked off the proceedings with a laidback, chilled out musical vibe perfectly befitting the beautiful surroundings of the venue. Meanwhile, behind closed doors, Kitt Proudfoot was winning a legion of pint-sized fans at the Kids Disco, expertly run by Kids In Ibiza while mums and dads were perusing the pop-up boutiques and make-up bar for retail therapy.

[At this stage Miss W was gulping chilled cava to calm her nerves as the Smack Makeup Ibiza girls did their best to beautify me. You have to admit, when it’s your party, you’re always a bit nervous that no one will come!]

Next up was an acoustic performance from Rat on the Roof, and as the sun began to sink down over the hills, we wandered down to the Bubble Bar as the beautiful Balearic sounds of acoustic guitar creating the perfect pre-sunset ambience as our guests settled in to the plush white day beds and mingled around the catwalk snacking on sushi or sizzling barbeque bites.

[Right about now, Miss W was scoffing both because she’d forgotten to eat all day… though I prefer to think of it as quality control!]

The it was over to Hed Kandi residents Ben Santiago (behind the decks) and Lovely Laura (on sax), for an eclectic set that picked up the pace perfectly, setting the mood for the upcoming fashion show presented by Atzaro and featuring the 2011 Michiko Koshino collection, plus new faces from Deva Models. Rather than me wax lyrical about how gorgeous the clothes were and how I want EVERYTHING, you can check it out here, in an amazing shoot styled by Midnight Sun‘s Maya Claughton.

[Miss W, resplendent if I do say so myself, in a truly amazing Le Paradis Collection floor-length kaftan and the highest ever vintage 1970s wedges did her very best model impersonation, strutting down the catwalk immediately after the show was over. Did anyone notice? I think not.]

Kitt Proudfoot returned for round two, this time accompanied by Strictly Rhythm vocalist Duane Harden who belted out a selection of tunes including his massive hit ‘U Don’t Know Me’ on the catwalk. Then it was over to newcomer Mia Lucci, who was a huge hit with her modern disco vibes, creating an impromptu dance floor by the bar before Yolanda Be Cool stepped up to the plate for their Latin-infused closing set.

[Completely satisfied with the turnout and thrilled with all the performances, Miss W returned to her room (well, I would never drink and drive now would I?) and wondered how she’d ever write a review of the party given that for the first time EVER, she hadn’t been taking notes or photos with her trusty iPhone. Can anyone help fill in the gaps?]

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: What’s not to love about being pampered before your own party? The super talented Smack Makeup Ibiza girls turned my sleep-deprived, lacklustre skin into a glowing complexion and transformed my boring hair into a Rapunzel like cascade of curls… If only I could have them on call for every party I go to!

THE BAD: When the clock struck 12, we had to call it a night… it’s not that the White-ettes were going to have a Cinderella moment or anything, it’s just that we were having such a good time we didn’t want the night to finish! Luckily, Aura was just around the corner…

THE GOSSIP: The next event presented by White Ibiza is already in the pipeline so watch this space! Diaries at the ready? Wednesday June 29 at Supperclub Novum Ibiza…

FREE White Ibiza Summer Launch Party: Thursday June 16, 2011 – TOMORROW!

The big day is almost here! The official White Ibiza Summer Launch Party is taking place tomorrow at Agroturismo Atzaró from 6pm until midnight and while our Miss W is busy creating chaos in her wardrobe trying to find the perfect outfit, we’re here to give you the official lowdown on the event. 

First of all, it’s completely free to one and all, so grab your gang and come along! We have an amazing line-up of special guest DJs and performers, including Yolanda Be Cool, Duane Harden (live), Rat on the Roof (live), Andy Baxter, Ben Santiago and Lovely Laura (live), Kitt Proudfoot and Mia Lucci.

If you’ve got little ones in tow, we’ve teamed up with the experts at Kids In Ibiza to create a super-fun Kids’ Disco (from 6pm until 8pm), complete with dress ups, games, entertainment and much more – open to all ages.

If you’re more of a fashionista, be sure to arrive early to check out our selection of stylish pop-up boutiques, from Ibiza’s best designers and stores, and stick around until after sunset to check out the fashion show presented by Atzaró and featuring the all-new collection from internationally renowned designer Michiko Koshino. Smack Makeup Ibiza will also be on hand, showcasing this season’s newest looks and giving on-the-spot skincare and make-up lessons before prepping the gorgeous models by DevaModels for the parade.

Want more? There’s a fun photo booth complete with crazy props from Ana Lui Studio, an Ibiza photo exhibition from the White Ibiza team of expert snappers, delicious cocktails (to help get you in the photo booth mood), giveaways and oh so much more…

Click here for more information on White Events

Photography by AIEBE fotografía

It’s not often Miss W is super intrigued about an opening party. Because… well… usually I’ve seen it all before – not that I’m jaded or anything, it’s just that after a few dedicated years on the job I know what to expect from a beach bar, a swish restaurant or a flashy club on opening night. Or so I thought…

But when it came to Supperclub Novum Ibiza, I had no idea what was in store. Sure, I’d been lucky enough to have a sneak peek earlier in the week, and even sample the new menu (gotta love the perks of my job!), but all the décor wasn’t in place, the performers weren’t on podiums and having never visited a Supperclub anywhere else in the world (shame on me!), I truly had no idea what to expect…

Of course I Googled, I Facebook-stalked and I asked everyone I’d ever met… but at the end of the day, I entered the all-new Supperclub Novum Ibiza with an open mind and no expectations – what a nice way to be!

From the minute we walked in, greeted at the door by Supperclub Novum Ibiza hostess Camilla Tuhuleruw – over six feet tall of pure gorgeousness and at least another foot of super-styled hair that might intimidate some people, but from the minute her breathy voice uttered, ‘Welcome to Supperclub,’ we knew we’d arrived at a friendly place.

Air-kissing our way through the amazing ‘AMOR’ art installation and a series of white-clad models and performers dressed in antique wedding dresses, with Ophelia-esque hair and striking turquoise lipstick (love it, but don’t see myself sporting it any time soon), we made our way up to the new Supperclub beds – a communal space that’s just like one big, long, daybed… a space I’m looking forward to spending more time on this summer, that’s for sure.

Trills, tweets and breathy exclamations coming from a microphone helped us locate Supperclub hostess Sunny Jansen, who was totally pulling off a vintage Audrey Hepburn vibe in a dress she assured me was from H&M (impressive!), adeptly weaving her way through the throes of people to ensure she said hello to literally everyone in the venue!

Sensational music came courtesy of Supperclub musical director (and all-round Balearic legend) John Sa Trinxa, inspiring the party vibe well before the clock struck midnight and we were all shimmied inside to the sassy, sexy and super cool Red Bar, where we danced the night away in what I’ve since learned, was true, scintillating Supperclub style. A treat for all the senses… and then some!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: While I was initially a bit worried about being sent to the Supperclub beds without any supper, a non-stop delectable selection of delicious and beautifully presented finger food was sating my hunger… if this is a taste of things to come then Supperclub Novum Ibiza is onto a good thing!

THE BAD: It was a wee bit chilly outside, due to the annoying cold snap we’ve been having this week… but I must say I made the most of it in a FAB Victoria Ibiza hand dyed pink silk velvet creation. Wait – that’s not bad at all now is it? Was there anything bad? Not that I can remember!

THE GOSSIP: Miss W has heard many a story about the performances by Supperclub creative director Sunny Jansen, but it seemed tonight was simply her night to shine as a social butterfly. A clever ploy perhaps, to get us all back again to see her show? Indeed, because I’m already planning my next Supperclub experience in anticipation!

Photography by AIEBE fotografía

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-supperclub-novum-ibiza-grand-opening-2011-review/feed/ 0 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-ushuaia-beach-hotel-2011-opening-review/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-ushuaia-beach-hotel-2011-opening-review/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2011 06:00:39 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=4801

Photography by AIEBE fotografía

If you’re anything like me, you would have been counting down the days until the official Ushuaia Beach Hotel opening party all year. If you went one step further, you might just have booked yourself a room…

With hordes of people milling outside the hotel, Miss W and the White-ettes shimmied past security with a quick flash of a press pass then swanned through the shiny new lobby space to arrive at the giant, festival-style stage where Cadenza DJs Reboot and Robert Dietz already had the packed dance floor in the palms of their hands.

It was the polar opposite to the empty, quiet hotel we’d visited earlier in the week for a sneak preview! Gorgeous retro-styled dancers were perched in Veuve Clicquot buckets in the pool or prancing around the podiums, giant green frogs, white alligators, black cats and other pieces of whimsical décor…

Beautiful dancers aside, there were beautiful people everywhere – the layout of the hotel means there are so many different ways to enjoy the party and watch it unfold, whether from the comfort of your room’s terrace (which I must admit, was my favourite place after we quickly made some new friends with rooms!), from the middle of the thumping, raving dancefloor, from an elevated position by the pool, from the plush VIP areas or reclined on tables chairs and couches towards the beach end of the venue.

No matter what your personal party style, you’ll find a spot to indulge in it at Ushuaia!

Photography by AIEBE fotografía

We spotted an entire table of Pacha-peeps, some looking like it had All Gone Pete Tong at the opening the night before, others clinging to their iPads as if they’d never had a day off in their lives (or perhaps they were taking notes?) and a few more looking quite chuffed, given it was their Cadenza cohorts providing the day’s tuneage.

No matter where you looked, it was like a fashion show and I was so impressed by the amount of effort people had gone to for this event. In fact, poor little Miss W felt so frumpy in her flip flops (excuse me, but I thought it was a pool party!) she gallantly offered to switch shoes with a White-ette whose partied-out tootsies couldn’t take any more dancing in heels. Good deed of the day, done!

But back to the party. As the sun went down over the San Jose hills, it was the picture perfect pink-to-purple spectacle Playa d’en Bossa is known for. But as always with an Ushuaia party, as the sun went down, the action heated up and the visual stimulation continued with some amazing white dove-shaped parachute balloons hovering on the skyline, and enormous Marshmallow Men careening through the crowds, hi-fiving and hugging anyone in their path. Sounds weird? It wasn’t – it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Because that’s the beauty of Ushuaia… anything could happen, and quite frequently does!

Photography by AIEBE fotografía

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Everything, everything, everything! I felt like I had discovered the future of Ibiza’s party scene. The hedonistic Ibiza vibe that seems to have fallen by the wayside over the past few years was back was back with a shiny new vengeance – this was the people’s party. You wanted outdoor clubbing? You got it. Long live the new Ushuaia!

THE BAD: There are always teething problems with a new venue or new party, and in the case of Ushuaia, the drink ticketing system seemed to be causing chaos. Sure, we understand the need to control the cashflow and consumption in a place of this size, but with the instructions on how and where to get drinks could have been a lot clearer… Due to the sheer volume of peeps waiting for service, it was hard to tell whether you were at a ticket counter or bar at times! Oh well… there certainly could be worse things to complain about!

THE GOSSIP: They were calling it ‘The Unexpected Party’ which I must admit, I thought was pretty ridic, considering it was emblazoned all over billboards and the internet for months prior to the event, making it hardly unexpected after all – in fact, it was one of the most hotly anticipated parties of the year. Sadly, the most unexpected thing was the absence of headline DJ Luciano, due to personal reasons, and while some people may have expected the crowds to be smaller or less enthusiastic, it turns out the show must go on, as Cadenza DJ Michel Cleis unexpectedly stepped into the booth and kept the party at its peak until the very end.

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-ushuaia-beach-hotel-2011-opening-review/feed/ 0 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-cafe-mambo-opening-review-20-05-11/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-cafe-mambo-opening-review-20-05-11/#comments Tue, 24 May 2011 23:30:05 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=4690

Photography by Annie Peel

You know, the more I go to Café Mambo over the years, the more I fall in love with it. When I was a little Ibiza whippersnapper, I harboured dreams of working there (which never came true) and as I grew older, I became obsessed with watching famous DJs and street parades at pre-parties (still a bit of a guilty pleasure). Today, it’s more about the social aspect of the world famous sunset bar and restaurant for me – Café Mambo is a bit like Ibiza’s version of Cheers… where everyone knows your name (not that they’ll tell you mine of course!).

As always, the familiar faces began arriving predictably around a half an hour before sunset, including the most familiar of them all, owner Javier Anadon, who must have, as always, been the most popular man on campus this evening, closely followed by sons Christian and Alan, who were keeping the well-oiled Mambo machine in check as if it had open all year!

Photography by Annie Peel

Due to the fact every single table at Mambo was full well before sunset, Miss W and the White-ettes (who felt pretty silly when they realised they’d forgotten to book ahead – everyone might know my name but it was so busy I couldn’t call in any favours!) snuck next door to Mambo’s sister restaurant Mint Lounge for a pizza – an amazing pizza, might I add – when hunger pangs began to strike, but thankfully, we could still hear the tunes from resident DJs Jason Bye and Andy Baxter from our balmy terrace seats.

But it wasn’t long before we were back on the strip, with Miss W recruiting stylish girls for our all-new street style blog (keep your eyes peeled as we’ll be publishing the results all week) as if it were Ibiza’s next top model while the island’s movers, shakers and wannabes schmoozed their way up and down the strip.

If I was a fruit fly on the wall of the Café Mambo bar, I’d love to tell you just how many bottles of hierbas were consumed on Friday night… given the amount of shot glasses I saw whizzing back and forth over the bar, out to tables, into the DJ booth, and onto the terrace I wouldn’t even hazard a guess… any anonymous bar staff want to let us in on that little secret?

Photography by Annie Peel

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: With a horrible forecast all week long, Miss W had been almost certain there would be no sunset to speak of this evening, however for a change this month, the weather man couldn’t have been more wrong – woop woop! It was a picture perfect sunset, applauded by the crowd as usual as it sank into the Med to an overly dramatic film score track… three cheers to the first of many!

THE BAD: Was it a case of too many photographers spoil the sunset vibe? Miss W heard a whisper from someone behind the scenes that there were way too many intrusive cameras and flashes in the house on this occasion, one in fact, who insisted on muscling his way in amongst crowds, bars and DJ booths far too many times. It seems sometimes, certain snappers forget other people are there to actually work… not strike a pose.

THE GOSSIP: There seemed to be an extra large group of little ones (or mini-mes, when you saw all the parents) at Café Mambo this year… and all of those of a female persuasion seemed to have developed a crush on the Mambo resident DJs! While Mambo has always been a family-friendly establishment, this is the first time I’ve ever seen the booth full of girls under four feet tall! But that’s what you get when your old school crowd goes and grows up!

Photography by Gypsy Westwood

Another day, another opening. Yes, we’ll all be making that joke for at least the next month to come… but indulge me while it’s still fresh right now! This time, it was time to head up north to Aura.

After last year’s mammoth renovations, you’d think these guys (and gals!) would want a winter off. A little downtime. Some rest and relaxation. A well-deserved break. But noooooo. Not Aura. While others spend the winter hibernating, they spend it plotting, planning and well, just generally revamping, renovating and rebuilding. Clearly it’s a habit. I’m already interested to see what next year will bring…

But I digress. We arrived to discover an enormous canopy extended over the garden terrace. Now I’m talking Cirque de Soleil style peaks and poles (though there were no acrobats to be seen – best to leave that to the folks at Foc I Fum!) – which according to those in the know, can be taken down when it’s warm enough to enjoy 100 percent alfresco dining and be erected easily whenever there’s sign of bad weather.

Not that we have bad weather in Ibiza in summer of course!

Photography by Gypsy Westwood

While diners outside were settling in for a long meal, inside was rapidly filling up – fast. It seems the return of Aura’s Friday night party Dantz was hotly anticipated… and judging by the screams (and when I say that, I really mean SHRIEKS) of the girls/women/mothers at the front of the dance floor as Aura’s musical director took to his task, Antz still remains the ladies’ choice in Ibiza!

And from then on, it was back to business. Great cocktails, party music, about a zillion friends and Aura, just the way we like it.

Photography by Gypsy Westwood

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Watching the parade of nude outfits parade into the garden restaurant (as in beige, not the other kind of nude) one after the other. You see, Vogue is always right. And so is White’s fashion forecaster, Guadalupe Revuelta, who predicted the trend last month. You read it here first folks, this summer, it’s all about going nude.

THE BAD: An 8.30pm booking at an Ibiza restaurant opening is not generally a good idea. It’s not the restaurant’s fault… honestly! But the late, tardy, naughty, disrespectful guests who turn up over an hour late then take half an hour to sit down and then another hour to order who create the chaos that must be held responsible. I’m just saying…

THE GOSSIP: Now that Aura has changed their menu concept – no more tiny tapas bites and back to big three course style offerings, you have to wonder whether the concept of big groups sharing those big round tables will still work, or in fact, if it will be more practical – less clutter on the tables. Time will tell of course… and Miss W is looking forward to her next visit so she can tell you all about it.

Photography by Ana Lui

Miss W has never arrived early to a party in her life. You see, I like to be fashionably late. I like to make an entrance. I like to be sure the party is going to be in full swing, so I can get straight amongst the action. However in the case of Nassau Beach Club’s opening party last Saturday night, Miss W was (gulp!) actually the very first guest to arrive…

Oh OK, I wasn’t literally the first, there were still scores of people milling around the sun lounges on the sand, sipping sangria and mojitos and generally looking like they were winding down after a day on the beach.

‘Donde esta la fiesta?’ I thought to myself… when I spied a chalkboard announcing the party’s kick-off at 8pm. Well, if you’re going to be fashionably early, I say embrace it and swiftly ordered myself a mojito and decided it would be a nice change to kick back and watch the ultra-glam, fashion parade-esque stream of guests swan in…

Fast-forward four hours (and four more mojitos – in the chilly winter months I’d forgotten just how good they are!) and the party was in full swing. The restaurant was full with many familiar Ibiza faces – namely restaurateurs scoping out the new menu additions, party people getting back into the socialising groove and concierges ensuring the Nassau standards were as high as previous years (indeed, they were!).

Nice little touches noticed by Miss W (obviously arriving early has its perks!): the sparkly new diamond-esque table settings, heaters outside on the terrace for all the smokers no longer aloud to light up indoors, pretty little paper lanterns lining the entrance and decking along the terrace.

At one point, the music – courtesy of DJ Andi Piper, very dressed up in a swish suit jacket for the occasion – reached a fairly loud volume… and as I mused that perhaps it was a little too loud if you were still eating dinner (mind you, it was well after midnight at this stage), the fabulously flamboyant Mucki Braun (the matriach of family owned and run Nassau and Las Salinas hotel Casa Munich) breezed past me and declared, ‘This is Ibiza darling. It’s loud.’

I couldn’t have put it better myself!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: The island is busy. The island is packed! The summer seems to have arrived early, given the amazing weather and the volume of newcomers flooding our beaches, restaurants and bars right now. Well done to Nassau’s team, for catering to such a huge crowd in such a smooth, seamless manner… you’d have thought it was mid-August, not their third day on the job!

THE BAD: The body-popping antics of a young Prince William wannabe (who happened to be popping to a young Fergie clone, now that we mention royal look-alikes!) on a banquette in the bar before midnight. That sort of behaviour (and those appalling dance moves!) are best left for behind closed doors in a private member’s club… not in our beautiful beach bars!

THE GOSSIP: Another opening party, another car park chock-full of glossy black SUVs… Either a new car dealership in Ibiza is lending out vehicles for each occasion or these black beauties have all been safely locked away all winter, because I certainly haven’t seen them cruising the Ibiza streets until now!

It was with a heavy head that Miss W arose very late in the afternoon of the Blue Marlin opening party this year and I suspect that was the case for at least half of the island’s population, given the numerous celebrations taking place the evening (and carrying well on into the morning) before. Yes, Ibiza is officially back in the business of partying!

But of course, duty called, so after a very heavy application of concealer and some super-dark sunglasses (thank you reVOLVER! Last summer’s Emergency Shades came in handy yet again!), it was out into the sunshine and off to the shores of Cala Jondal to do it all again. Joined by the White-ettes and Ibiza super-snapper Ana Lui (check out her awesome gallery of photos here) we arrived with enough time to catch a few hours of the sun’s rays, a huge reminder (along with the perfect 20-degree weather) that summer really is just around the corner.

I have to admit, people watching at Blue Marlin is a bit of a hobby of mine. The amount of effort many people go to with their ‘special Blue Marlin ensembles’ never ceases to amaze me and today was no exception. Sky-high stilettos, despite the fact you’re dancing on the sand, sparkling sequined dresses worthy of the Pacha VIP even though you’re in the hazy daylight, OTT rabbit-fur vests even though the sunshine is making you sweat and bikinis and denim shorts after dark – these girls clearly plan their outfits in advance, and goddammit, nothing will make them change it.

The amount of chicas jostling for the full-length mirror in the bathroom was also quite funny. I’m positive many of them went back for hourly make-up touch-ups!

Clearly, this was one person who didn't have to worry about their outfit for the opening party!

Away from the real-life fashion shows, it was Blue Marlin in all its glory – magnums of champagne being whisked deftly into the VIP, sunbeds draped in glamorous Euro-bods (and quite a few little trendy kids too, I might add), last night’s ravers still in action and cutting moves on the crowded dance floor and so many different languages being spoken (or shouted, given the volume of the music) throughout the multi-cultural crowd.

Before making my stealthy back door exit just before midnight (really, it’s way too hard to try and navigate the crowd to say goodbye to everyone at these type of events) Miss W spied a very chuffed-looking Blue Marlin owner, Yelle Oomes, holding court behind the DJ booth. Well, you’d be pleased too if that was your first day back in the office too now, wouldn’t you?

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Bueno musica! Bravo Valentin Huedo and Vidal Rodriguez, for delivering more than just your average Balearic beats – by the time the sun went down, these guys were playing to a full dance floor (and I’m talking hands-in-the-air and reckless abandonment) and dropping bomb after bomb, all night long. Loved it.

THE BAD: As is often the case with opening parties in Ibiza, waiting quite a long time to be served at the bar and being pushed from pillar to post out on the deck!

THE GOSSIP: Is it true that Blue Marlin were only allowing sleek, sassy and sexy cars into the official parking lot for the sake of appearances? The official word on the subject is that it was for VIPs only – which explains the bevy of BMWs, Mercs and Porsche Cayennes – but Miss W spied some bona fide Blue Marlin VIPs (not mentioning any names!) being ushered into the fields next door because their rugged, classic Ibiza style 4WD didn’t seem to cut the mustard!

Photography by Ana Lui

Flowers, flowers, flowers! Spring was in the air, but it was also on the trees, in girl’s hair, on the belts and lapels of waiters and wrapped around the specially constructed entrance to Agroturismo Atzaró for the annual Fiesta de la PrimaVera this year, a little touch that didn’t go unnoticed by a veteran like Miss W!

Arriving early for the special three-course lunch, Miss W and the White-ettes nabbed one of the last remaining tables in the sunshine (and before you ask, no, we didn’t pull strings to score the best spot, we had booked in advance like all the other clever diners – it was packed on the Atzaró Restaurant terrace!) and were tucking into a crisp vino blanco before you could say por favor!

After a long, lazy and luxurious lunch (and I’d like to take this opportunity to give a nod to the chef, for the a truly delectable entrée of creamy mushroom rice), we made mingling our mission. We headed up to the cocktail bar where there were hundreds of happy faces milling around, from young families, people with pets and loved up couples to super cool Ibiza scenesters and even the mega famous (yet understated) celebrity types (see the gossip below for more details).

With pop-up boutiques from some of our favourite Ibiza fashionistas, such as reVOLVER, Natasha Collis Fine Jewellery and JOY Jewellery, a special tarot and astrology hotspot from our exclusive astrologer (and birthday girl!) Tamara of Inner Power Astrology and cohort Dale Andre of Tarot Soleil plus special kids entertainment from Kids In Ibiza, to say there was something for everyone was almost an understatement.

Photography by Ana Lui

Ibiza’s favourite Flamenco family were in fabulous form, with Paco Fernandez and co presenting an all-new performance for 2010, after which some of Ibiza’s finest DJs – including Jon Sa Trinxa, Tuccillo, Brunofromibiza and more – built up a buzz and kept the party in full force until long after the much-talked about ‘super moon’ had risen over the sprawling property.

As for the antics that went on after that? Well, I’ll never tell… but at least I have the moon to blame (never the vino blanco of course).

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Here comes the sun… A week of grey sky and drizzle led up to the event, so seeing the sun shining through the curtains on this Sunday morning made it easier to jump out of bed and whiz on up to Atzaró.

THE BAD: Dare Miss W say it? The following morning’s hangover was a killer! Yes indeed, I was one of the attendees who arrived early for lunch and stayed until the DJs played their last tune… and loved every minute.

THE GOSSIP: Was that Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant we spied, enjoying the festivities and soaking up the sun’s rays? Yes indeed… we’ve heard he’s been frequenting the island for years, and it was nice to finally put a face to the rumour!

Photography by Ana Lui

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/fiesta-de-la-primavera-at-agroturismo-atzaro/feed/ 0 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-the-anti-valentine-2011/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/miss-w-the-anti-valentine-2011/#comments Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:00:23 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=3054

Valentine’s Day? Bah humbug! If you ask me, love is not in the air, everywhere you look around. Love does not lift us up where we belong. Love isn’t a many splendored thing. All you need is not love. Oh ok, I’ll stop (in the name of love), but just so you know, as far as I’m concerned, Saint Valentine, you can eat your own heart out.

Yes, it seems Miss W is the unofficial president of the island’s Anti-Valentine’s brigade, but please let me explain. My aversion to the world’s biggest Hallmark holiday started at a very young age. You see it’s my mother’s birthday on February 14, which means I’ve always ignored any V.Day sentiments and focused on singing happy birthday instead.

Unfortunately, Mama W’s birthday falling on said occasion also meant buying her flowers was out of the question (tripling in price for one-day-only, not to mention the queues in the florist!), the best birthday cards were nowhere to be seen (ditched to the back of the stockroom to make way for sloppy sentiments and tacky pink bows and ribbons), getting a dinner reservation was near impossible and as for giving the traditional mum-esque gift of perfume? Well, you try being elbowed around by a bunch bumbling blokes snapping up last minute offerings for their ladies!

So please let me take this opportunity to say sorry to Mama W, for what must seem like a lifetime of bad cards, thoughtless gifts and half-hearted celebrations. My heart is always in it… it’s just that everyone else’s heart-shaped sentiments get in the way!

Anyone who’s seen the recent Academy Award nominated film Blue Valentine (not to mention all Beyonce’s single ladies) might be quick to agree that in today’s world, love certainly doesn’t seem to conquer all (because if you can’t stay in love with Ryan Gosling, I mean really, who could you love?), but ranting aside, that’s not to say Miss W is not an advocate of love. Quite the opposite in fact. I’m love’s biggest cheerleader.

I believe in happily ever after, that some day your prince will come and that there’s no such thing as a Bad Romance. It’s better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all, right Romeo and Juliet? And Carrie and Big, Ross and Rachel, Homer and Marge, Buffy and Angel and the list goes on (though Bill Compton, perhaps it’s time you cut your losses. I’m just saying).

I’m not even single for St. Val’s sake! I just think you shouldn’t be bullied into publicly declaring your love for someone on one particular day in February.

Thankfully here in Ibiza we’re not too inundated by OTT V.Day celebrations – of course, it’s there if you want it (as you can no doubt tell by this week’s White-Escapes homepage), but you can forget ridiculous cards, floral bouquets, helium balloons and overpriced, impossible-to-book restaurant dinners.

Of course, should Señor W opt to whisk me away for the weekend, surprise me with something a little sparkly or simply leave a puppy on my doorstep with a big pink bow tied around its neck… well, who am I to knock it back?

Oh Cupid… just shoot me now.

Dear Santa

I know at this time of year you’re really busy, what with organising all those elves in the factory, revamping your sleigh, getting the reindeer in shape for the big night and not to mention reading all your millions of letters and emails (you are on email right? I couldn’t seem to find you on Twitter or Facebook – well, I tried but there were a lot of imposters and I wanted to make sure I had the real Santa) from around the world, so I’ll try to keep this brief, ok?

I know some people would probably say I’m too old to be emailing you, but I live here in Ibiza and as I’ve been looking around, it seems to me that this island is full of boys (like Peter Pan) and girls (like me) who never quite grew up. That’s what I love about this island – you’re never too old for anything (though it’s true I am a little too tall to go on a few of the rides at the fun fair).

But anyway, I digress. I was hoping I haven’t left it too late to send in my Christmas wish list and I have a suggestion that might make your sleigh-load a little lighter. I mean let’s be honest here… you’re a big guy (and who can blame you, what with eating all the cake, cookies, sweets and treats every Christmas Eve… though – not that I’m judging – I have been wondering what you do with the rest of your time in the year? There are some very good detoxes and fasting retreats available in Ibiza you know) and it must be exhausting lugging that big red sack of presents around the world all night. So I was thinking… to save a few kilos of excess luggage, that I’d just ask for one thing this Christmas.

Please Santa, could you make it snow in Ibiza? If anyone can pull of that kind of magic, it’s you. In just a week the temperatures on the island have dropped from 23 degrees to just four (though it is still beautiful and sunny), so it’s not like I’m asking for something ridiculous, like snow in August. And it wouldn’t be just for me – it would be for everyone in Ibiza. I really am selfless like that at times, you know?

Just think of how amazing a White Christmas would be. We could go tobogganing down the drawbridge to Dalt Vila, we could build snowmen on the beach and we could turn the square of Plaza Del Parque into an ice skating rink! Imagine how beautiful Es Vedra and the mountains would look with snowcaps? Maybe we could even snowboard down the slopes of Sa Talaia? And what an excuse to wear some amazing winter fashion!

Thanks so much Santa… and listen, if you get time on Christmas Day, I’m going to be cooking a roast turkey (I have a foolproof method from White’s blogger Mark Watkins) and we can save you a place at the table. We’ll be drinking a lot of cava, wine and hierbas, so I suggest you park the sleigh, give the reindeer a break and stay in Ibiza overnight so you don’t drink and fly. I can get you a really good rate at Hotel Ocean Drive. Mrs Claus is more than welcome too of course!

Love Miss W xx

P.S. If you can’t make the snow happen, I do have a couple of other ideas. I really do need an iPad you know – because the 3G model would really help me with all my social networking on the go. Hmmm… and I really need an outfit to wear on New Year’s Eve – I really loved that red fur-lined Santa-meets-Red-Riding-hood cape Sienna Miller was wearing about a week ago (and just like in the picture, Jude Law to go along with it might be nice too)… perhaps you should pick one up for Mrs Claus while you’re out getting mine?

Sienna Miller in red, fur-lined cape

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/all-i-want-for-christmas-2010/feed/ 1 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/halloween-in-ibiza-31-10-10/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/halloween-in-ibiza-31-10-10/#comments Sun, 31 Oct 2010 22:59:13 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=2835

Forget openings and closings – anyone who’s experienced October 31 in Ibiza will tell you that Halloween is the single most important day on the party calendar. And judging by the amount of spookily themed events taking place in Ibiza over the weekend, it’s only getting bigger…

Aura, La Bodega, Casa Colonial, Rock Nights at Pacha, Rock Factory at Somni and of course, the famous big bash at Bambuddha Grove were all on Miss W’s fright night agenda, but rather than give you a blow by blow account of each party, I thought that this year, I’d run you through my favourite costumes to get you inspired to start planning your own Halloween outfit for 2011! Take note: token bunny ears or painted cat whiskers are not acceptable here. The stakes are high… though of course if you’ve come dressed as a vampire, they’ll most likely be straight through the heart!

Victorian Zombie bride and her Evil Cardinal groom – If there was a prom-style award for Halloween king and queen, it would go to these two, hands down. A ghoulishly terrifying Victorian zombie bride paired with a red-cloaked zombie-esque cardinal that looked as though they’d stepped straight from the set of a horror movie. Miss W hears the special effects came courtesy of liquid latex… and I have to wonder, whether it’s actually washed off yet!

The haunted painting – If you’ve ever wondered about the term ‘if walls could talk’, this is what it would look like! An elaborate portrait of a tightly corseted lady complete with picture frame come to life, and just like the Mona Lisa, her eyes follow you whichever way you look at her. Even better, were the ghosts and ghouls eager to have their photo taken within her frame!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Dressing as a team has many advantages and there’s a certain group of locals who have always excelled at group efforts (including previous impressive stints as Ghostbusters and Super Mario Brothers) and this year was no exception. Turtle power was out in force, shells and six-packs alike and there was even a token furry-faced Splinter to keep them in line! I hope they got a discount on green face paint – or stain remover for their pillows the next day.

Dead Riding Hood – Halloween has long been an excuse for adults to take kid’s fairytales and sex them up, and this sassy red caped chica was no exception, complete with an evil glint in her eye and who knows what was under that cloak! As for the severed wolf’s head in her basket? All the better to scare me with my dears…

True Blood – There’s no doubt about it that 2010 was the year of the vampire, and my oh my, if True Blood didn’t just come to life right here in Ibiza with one clever PR guru’s take on the fang-banging theme, all the way down to an authentic blood-stained Merlotte’s uniform and a bottle of True Blood. Now that’s what I call dedication to the Halloween cause… now if we could just manage to dig up a lifelike Eric Northman, Miss W would be a very happy girl indeed.

But who was Miss W dressed as, I can hear you wondering? I can’t tell you of course, or (in true Halloween style) I’d have to kill you! Or at the very least, set some of my newfound zombie friends onto you…

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Year after year the painstaking efforts Ibiza residents go to with their costumes just get bigger, better, badder and soooo much scarier. Hollywood horror movies have nothing on us!

THE BAD: Don’t even get me started on the last-minute costume panic – the security on the door of La Cucaña, Ibiza’s major fancy dress store, enforcing the one-in-one-out policy on Hallow-eve was stricter than the Pacha guest list at the F*** Me I’m Famous Closing Party.

THE GOSSIP: Hmmm, at least all that heavy face-make up and the rubber masks do wonders at hiding certain people’s wonky eyes and inebriated faces!

Counting down the days to leave Ibiza was a sad story. White-Escapes gave me an amazing chance that I happily took and I have learned and experienced more than I could ever imagine. What normally happens in a week anywhere else, happens in a day in Ibiza.

Now I am back in the real world, I am busy, busy, busy with school and work. It’s lovely to be able to spend time with my friends again but I am missing Ibiza. The things I miss most are the sea and the extremely stunning sunsets. I wish I could quit school and just write, write, write but reading about Ibiza in October creates a big smile on my face and knowing it never changes makes me more patient.

White has shown me the many different facets of working for an online magazine. I’m extremely grateful to have been able to experience what White is built on: knowledge, energy, creativity and lots of passion.

For me, White-Escapes opened the door to heaven, now back to real life. Hopefully to be continued… next year!

With love from behind the scenes xx

El Ayoun Closing Party photographed by Annie Peel

Oh my, what a weekend we’ve just had in Ibiza! Did it feel like a whirlwind to you? It most definitely did to me, and when I try to cast my mind back to relive the memories (and yes, I’m aware it was only a few days ago), they fly through my brain faster than TV commercials or a flashback sequence in a movie. A very fun, crazy movie mind you – so let me give you my drive-by version of the events…

Friday day: A boat party, with the very best of friends in the most beautiful weather sailing on the most gorgeous sea, all in the name of celebrating the end of yet another fabulous summer. Where to? Formentera of course, returning home at sundown just in time to get ready for…

El Ayoun Closing Party photographed by Annie Peel

Friday night: El Ayoun Silver Fetish Closing Party, where Miss W opted to wear a silver dress, however upon arrival, stood out like a sore thumb given that most of the other guests had opted for black, and the fetish theme. Though in hindsight, given the amount of flesh on display (on others), perhaps no one noticed my sparkling frock in the first place – there was far more eye candy to be seen! This was the place to see and be seen, with the amount of last-minute mingling taking place reaching obscene levels!

Saturday night: Port closing bar crawl is a bit of an Ibiza ritual, and having had the luxury of sleeping for most of the day (half in bed and the other half on the wonderfully protected cove of Sa Caleta), Miss W had no choice but to frock up once again and make her way through the winding streets for a chupito de Hierbas in too many bars to mention, finishing at the infamous Rock Bar where all sorts of unmentionable shenanigans were taking place. I would tell you, honestly, but that part of the evening is a little fuzzy…

Ushuaia Closing Party photographed by Federico Capoano

Sunday afternoon: Ushuaia Closing Party. I’ll admit, I swerved the Amnesia closing party the night before, given that I had the inside knowledge that the three special guests would be none other than Richie Hawtin, Loco Dice and Marco Carola, preferring to dance on the sand rather than in a sweaty, overcrowded club however I started to regret the decision when I arrived to Ushuaia to find it still quiet at 4pm – turns out Amnesia was still open, however as luck would have it, Dice was cruising into the beach bar at that very moment, meaning I too cruised in as part of his entourage, VIP wristbands and promotional fans included. It wasn’t long before the clubbers began to pile onto the beach, and with picture perfect weather, you couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the season on a high note. Fireworks display and all.

Sunday evening: Space Closing Party was a bit of a work diversion for Miss W, as I needed to stop and have a quick chat with legendary Space DJ Steve Lawler, before he hotfooted it back to Barcelona for the winter. Backstage at the gigantic Flight Arena the dancers could have been the leftovers from El Ayoun’s closing party, so much flesh was on display. Just another day in the office really – so much to do, so little time, I checked out each of the rooms, did the obligatory catch-ups and was on my merry way. Seen one Space closing…

Sunday night: Pacha Cadenza Vagabundos Closing Party was obviously at the top of my list on this given Sunday so after a quick pit-stop at home for a costume change, it was over to the home of the cherries for the final full-scale summer production at the hands of my very favourite DJ (yes, still!) Luciano. Suprisingly, it was very quiet upon arrival – no guest list queue to be seen and a very empty club indeed. It seems in Ibiza you really can go to everything, and at around 3am the vibe started to pick up, ultimately becoming packed to the rafters, however I have to say, as much as I love Luciano, I don’t think it was the best night for the club to have their summer closing. I mean really, when you’ve got Guetta and the Swedes, how does a Sunday night compete? Then there was the matter of the after party at La Plage, where Luciano was a complete no-show… what a let down, after all his infamous beach party action this year.

Monday day-to-night: DC10 Closing Party is generally considered to be the closing of the closings, if you know what I mean and it’s the one place you know you’ll see each and every one of your Ibiza friends, and quite possibly for the last time in the season given how many of them fly straight back to their mother countries once the parties are over! Also, it’s the day that you just don’t care about hair, make-up, clothes, networking – just dancing. It’s pure, unadulterated Ibiza hedonism at its best, with the dark prince of dance music Ricardo Villalobos at the helm in one room while queen of the underground scene Tania Vulcano holds court in the other. As always, Circo Loco lived up to its wild and crazy reputation and a good time was had by all – I’m so happy that the unsung hero of Ibiza clubbing lived to see another amazing season!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: I hate to admit it, but, well, hurrah! It’s over! There’s only so long the collective minds, bodies and souls of Ibiza can take so much fun and games, and by the first week of October we’re all ready for a much-needed break. Bring on the Sunday roasts, yoga classes and detox programs…

THE BAD: What am I doing awake? Hibernation has begun…

THE GOSSIP: What’s this we hear about the ‘last ever’ party at Ushuaia? Is it true that all the Playa D’en Bossa beach clubs will be switching positions and changing names next year? Did Amnesia and Ushuaia really gang up on Space and Pacha with their double-whammy all-star event? By the way Loco Dice, what’s with that awful hairdo? Were Space too big for their boots thinking they could have a two-day closing event? Why did Luciano play the same closing song he’s played all summer? And why did he let Carl Craig play blinding techno on the beach the following day? Perhaps we’ll never know… but we’re already counting down to next summer to see what happens next!

Bob Sinclar at Cafe Mambo photographed by Tillie Wood

Closing parties, beach parties, birthday parties, private parties, album launches and fashion shows – to say there was a lot going on in Ibiza last week would probably be the world’s biggest understatement! But despite some of the huge events taking centre stage this week, there was one event that (in Miss W’s eyes) really stood out among the rest: the Café Mambo pre-party for Defected in the House, starring none other than French house maestro Bob Sinclar.

Probably just another day in the office for the Mambo crew, for Miss W, it proved to be a party that took me by surprise, a party that harked back to Ibiza music heritage of ‘old’ and the kind of party that reminded me of just how amazing this island really can be. It was also a party that I can now say (quite literally) been there, done that and got the t-shirt…

Arriving at the iconic San Antonio sunset strip location at the perfectly polite time of ten-minutes-before-sunset, to catch the view that truly never gets any less spectacular no matter how many times you see it, Miss W was ushered to the ultimate front row seat, in the VIP section directly in front of the DJ booth, having been invited to join the Defected crew for their very last pre-party dinner of the summer.

Perched on the end of a v-e-r-y long table indeed, it did have the feel of a last supper, as we were all anxiously awaiting the arrival of our long-haired hero to spin the suppertime set. The Mambo team were bedecked in cute ‘I ♥ Bob’ t-shirts, while Defected’s drum warrior Shovell was bedecked in his signature kaftan, war paint and eye liner, a thin line of smoke from his incense sticks wafting after him wherever he walked. Then as the Frenchman du jour (who hasn’t aged a bit in around ten years!) arrived, it was cameras a-blazing and hierbas a-flowing, as the party kicked into a new gear.

Christian Anadon, Bex Pawsey & Tillie Wood heart Bob!

Proving once again why he really is the French house DJ of choice for true music lovers (F*** Me, who’s famous again??), Bob Sinclar took the up-for-it audience through decades of eclectic musical stylings, sometimes through original versions such as Van McCoy & Soul City Symphony’s Do The Hustle, UB40’s Red Red Wine, an amazing remix of Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game, Bob Marley’s Get Up, Stand Up, and super cool downtempo covers of tracks like Cyndi’s Lauper’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares to you (what a finale!). Think salsa, Cuban, reggae, disco, chillout, alternative – anything and everything expertly fused together for the most perfect pre-party set I have ever experienced. If anyone happened to record it… well, you know where to find me!

Tonight, for the first time in, well, quite a while to tell you the truth, I no longer felt like one of those seen-it-all-before Ibiza types – I really felt a buzz in the air and a new energy, as I embraced the entire Café Mambo experience from cocktails at sunset, to dinner and the pre-party build up. It was the authentic feeling, dear readers, that you read about in Mixmag, that they rave about in the Sunday Times, the spirit of Ibiza that cynics say is gone for good. I’m here to tell you, it was right there at Café Mambo – perhaps, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, I never lost it in the first place, I just forgot where to look.

Ah, Ibiza. There’s no place like home…

Bob Sinclar at Cafe Mambo photographed by Tillie Wood

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: This is what superstar DJ sets at Mambo should be all about! I know I’m not only speaking for myself when I say I relish the chance to see a famous DJ play an eclectic set, and for all of the island pre-parties, a venue like Mambo provides the perfect platform for them to do this, though sadly, many of the special guests just come in and bang out the same club tunes they’ll be playing at 3am that night (please take note Laidback Luke, Erick Morillo and Deadmau5). A standing ovation to Monsieur Sinclar then, who had even requested a longer, two-hour set time in which to entertain us with his alternative music collection. I couldn’t have said it better than the promo t-shirt – I ♥ Bob!

THE BAD: Me. It was totally my bad this time. After having such a lovely evening at Café Mambo with the Defected crew, Miss W was a tad chilly so decided to go home and get changed before heading to Pacha for the closing party. Where, upon sitting on the couch and having a little snuggle with the cats, I promptly fell asleep. Sorry Defected! What can I say – it’s the end of the season, and I guess we all need to catch up on a little sleep by now.

THE GOSSIP: A certain ‘Mambo brother’ was very hesitant to part with an ‘I ♥ Bob’ t-shirt for Miss W, but despite his insistence that I must wear it on the night (err, sorry, but it just didn’t match my shoes!) for promotion in order to be bestowed with it, I somehow managed to use my powers of persuasion to be able to take one home with me to customize. If only he could see me now… seriously!

Shovell at Cafe Mambo photographed by Tillie Wood

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/i-%e2%99%a5-bob-at-cafe-mambo/feed/ 2 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/behind-the-sceneschapter-10-shoot-me-down-bang-bang/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/behind-the-sceneschapter-10-shoot-me-down-bang-bang/#comments Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:10:33 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=2716

When two different jobs come together as one, the new White-ette discovers all sides of both jobs. My work for White Ibiza includes writing, research, linking complementary websites to White, social media, building and maintaining client contacts. Meanwhile, back in the ‘real world’, I live two different lives: I study International Communication and Media and I work as a model.

Here in Ibiza, White is expanding her horizon and creating more of a presence in the world of fashion through editorial photo shoots. Last week, we organised a fashion shoot for our clients reVOLVER, IBZCODE and Arizona. The idea was to showcase their gorgeous autumn winter collections. Despite my modeling experience, I’ve never been involved in the organisation of such a shoot, rather, I’ve been the spoiled brat who arrives on the day and is merely transformed by the make-up and clothes.

Lesson learned: this is not as easy as it seems! Especially when we’re talking about organizing anything in Ibiza’s relaxed culture. It is generally accepted that people arrive late, cancel or re-schedule with little notice. Models, a photographer, a make-up artist and stylist are essential for a photo shoot. The logistics were a nightmare!

Creating a concept, finding a suitable location and a date everyone is available is the toughest part. That last one is the main problem during the summer in Ibiza. Everyone is extremely busy and always on the run. Just when it all seemed to be arranged (with me filling the role of model), the re-scheduling began. SHOOT ME DOWN I was thinking… but it all worked out in the end, at the last minute in true Ibiza style.

After a stressful week, I needed a good make-up artist and Corina Smith of Smack Ibiza fit the bill perfectly, giving me a natural but glamorous look (yes, it’s possible to have both). Make-up can do a lot – like the look of having eight hours sleep! Meanwhile, our fashion photographer Maria Simon, who has a great eye for fashion and detail, was the one to shoot me – I found it incredible how she could see opportunities in every movement and the surrounding Ibiza environment.

The photographic results amazing. Behind the scenes however, it was not that glamorous at all! We were shooting at the warehouse at the far end of Las Salinas, a beautiful location, but with no place for hair, make-up or costume changes. Make-up was done outside on some stairs leading down to the boat sheds, dressing was done in and around the car and with no shade to protect me from the burning sun, I was dying to dive into the water – rather, I made do with sipping from the bottle being lugged around with the props.

Now, I’m waiting to see the finished photographs – keep your eyes peeled on our fashion and style section in the coming days to see the results for yourself!

From behind the scenes with love xx

Rebeka Brown photographed by Ana Lui

There’s a common misconception that Ibiza is all about thumping dance music, and while it’s true we live here in the clubbing capital of the world, it certainly doesn’t mean our ears are closed to all other forms of music. In fact, in just one week (last week to be precise), Miss W experienced pop, flamenco and hip-hop… plus everything in between!

The highlight of my musical adventures has to go to sensational Spanish songstress Rebeka Brown, who wrapped up her summer season at Matinee last Saturday night with an amazing OTT production called ‘Disco Dramah’ that should have Ibiza-adoptees Kylie Minogue and Lady Gaga looking nervously over their shoulders. Ladies and gentleman, we have a new contender…

But I’m getting ahead of myself, as I have a tendency to do! While still reveling in the music from The Specials at the Ibiza Rocks Closing and the retro vibes of Flower Power (which I detailed here last week), I kicked off my next week of musical treats with my favourite Ibiza crew, Nightmares on Wax at alternative sunset spot Kumharas. Beats, grooves and rhymes were the order of the evening, complete with live drums, bongos and vocals and while I could wax lyrical about it, let me just say more on Wax On later!

Thursday, the White-ettes united to bid farewell to their favourite beach party for the season, Sasha’s Never Say Never at Ushuaia. With Matthew Bushwacka and Damian Lazarus playing alongside him, it was the perfect end to a perfect season – dreamy, progressive melodies fused with eclectic, slowed-down techno and just a little bit of quirkiness. The who’s who of Ibiza turned out to show their support, from DJs and club promoters, to party people and fashionistas alike – we hope they all signed our petition to bring the party back next summer.

Lailololailo at Boutique Hostal Salinas photographed by Eli Zuta

After declaring Friday a day of rest (don’t shoot me, I had deadlines to meet! By the way, if you want to see what I was working on, check out our comprehensive guide to the closing parties where you can buy tickets and book VIP tables online so you don’t miss out), I was ready, willing and able to seek out some aural pleasure, and at Boutique Hostal Salinas, after a lovely relaxing day on the beach, the Lailololailo (try saying that after a chupito or two!) were only too happy to oblige. Flamenco fusion is how I’d describe it, with DJs spinning, guitars a-strumming and singers warbling in that unique Spanish style. With the quirky décor, an icy cold beer in my hand and snacking on authentic tapas, I almost felt transported to Mexico (yes, yes, I know it’s not in Spain, but I’ve got an overactive imagination) in a little seaside bar, the kind of place you hope to stumble across on your holidays, and then it hit me.

There are actually people here in Ibiza who HAVE stumbled across this little gem on their holidays! There’s only one party left this season, so be sure to head there this Saturday if you’re on the island… trust me, once you embrace the vibe, it’s an experience like no other in Ibiza.

But in true Ibiza style, it wasn’t enough for Miss W to just call it a night – instead, it was home for a quick costume change and then make a beeline for Amnesia, where, as mentioned above, the amazing Rebeka Brown was backstage being beautified as she prepared for her final Disco Dramah performance in Ibiza this summer. Wow. What a woman. I’d caught up with Rebeka earlier in the week to find out a little more about the Spanish superstar, and let me tell you this much for free: if you haven’t heard of her yet, you most certainly will have heard her voice, as she’s responsible for some of the biggest Ibiza dance floor anthems of the last five years. And now, she’s branching out into the mainstream (she’s a mega-star in Spain already), bringing her unique energy and powerful stage presence to the world.

Rebeka Brown photographed by Ana Lui

Descending from the ceiling in a futuristic Perspex bubble, Rebeka was every inch the pop diva, strutting, singing, dancing and wowing the audience, who were holding hundreds (perhaps even thousands!) of cameras in the air, hoping to capture a little of her magic to take home. But really, you had to be there – from the power of her magnificent voice to the cleverly choreographed dancers, the rapidly flashing visuals, the light show and the all-round energy, Miss W thinks this is the future of Amnesia. Fusing electronic music with a pop-style edgy production such as this really suited the venue – and Rebeka Brown had the crowd in the palm of her hand. Watch this space folks… I’m sure you’ll hear a lot more from this sassy singer in the months to come.

On Sunday, it was a whole lot of disco grooves, in the side room, El Salon, at We Love… Space, where the legendary DJ historian Bill Brewster was holding his birthday celebrations. If any of you are interested in the roots of our clubbing culture, Bill is your man… Meanwhile, out on the sunset terrace, The Lovely Laura absolutely blew me away with her skills on the saxophone, as she improvised alongside local world music guru Mr Doris. Wow. If I didn’t have it on good authority, I would have thought the two had practiced their set a million times before, so in sync were their musical stylings and timing. Hmm and she’s quite the hottie too, even while tooting away on her sax, which you’d think wouldn’t be glamorous at all – it seems some girls in Ibiza really do have it all!

On Monday, it was back to my clubbing roots, as Tania Vulcano, Dan Ghenacia and Dyed Soundorom kept a packed dance floor enthralled (and sheltered from the rain) at DC10, with a blend of techno and house music that was peppered with classics from the late ‘90s. Awesome to see such renowned underground types saluting the past – I’ll be back for more next Monday, that’s for sure.

To complete my musical week, and going full circle of sorts, Tuesday night saw Miss W and the White-ettes head up north, where the Wax On massive had a very special guest joining them for their penultimate Wax Da Jam session at Aura – none other than hip-hop legend Roots Manuva. Miss W caught up with the big man himself, who despite being a London-dweller, admitted he found the cool September evening chilly, sporting a huge jacket while Miss W was still in her summer’s finest. So much for a tough guy rep!

Roots Manuva photographed by Eli Zuta

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: While Roots Manuva himself may have been the main draw of the evening at Aura last night, Miss W wants to give HUGE props to the utterly amazing Ricky Ranking, who sang alongside his cohort and then proceeded to perform with his Nightmares on Wax posse afterwards. Having seen him perform three times in one week now, I have to say cool doesn’t even come close to describing him… the man is a downright legend!

THE BAD: I have to take this opportunity to say – and let me apologise for lowering the tone but it’s something that’s been bothering me for weeks – that I have been absolutely appalled at some of the shall we say, amenities, at some of Ibiza’s most amazing locations. From no toilet seats whatsoever in a certain famous club that expects its patrons to shell out around 18€ per drink to an uber-stylish beach bar where one poor staff member has the horrible task of physically handing its fashionable clientele wads of tissue as they enter the block, it’s downright insulting and also embarrassing. For an island that is so amazing in so many other ways, it seems that the bathroom etiquette has gone to… well… you know what I’m saying?

THE GOSSIP: Oh boy, do I have gossip! Miss W has the inside scoop on all of next week’s super cool after-closing-parties, but I HAVE BEEN SWORN TO SECRECY! Keep an eye on my Twitter, as I’ll let you in on the goss as soon as I’m given the green light to go ahead, but let me tell you now, the DJs who’ll be hitting the decks are the very best in the world. I’m talking toco Dice, Luciano, Sven Vath, Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos, Deadmau5… oooh the list goes on but I fear I’ll give too much away if I keep writing!

The MAN Ricky Ranking with DJ E.A.S.E. photographed by Eli Zuta

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/ibiza-music-pop-hip-hop-rebeka-brown/feed/ 0 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/beach-parties-vs-closing-parties-whos-got-the-love/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/beach-parties-vs-closing-parties-whos-got-the-love/#comments Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:59:49 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=2607

Carl Cox Funk & Soul Sessions at Sands photographed by Ana Lui

There was something in the air in Ibiza this week… whether it was the fresh, cool autumn air after the much-needed rainstorm or a real wind of change sweeping across the island now September is in full swing, I don’t know… but I do know it brought with it an amazing new energy, positive, happy people and a super-relaxed vibe in shops, restaurants, bars and clubs across the island.

In addition to that, the first wave of closing parties began sweeping the clubs, while the man responsible for one of last year’s best events, Carl Cox, returned to Sands for his second annual funk and soul session on the beach, proving once again, that beach parties really are what people want! And boy oh boy, were the good people of Ibiza ready, willing and able to participate in this one…

Every man and his dog (and I’m being serious when I say that – there were plenty of poochies on display) plus every yummy mummy with her bub, and vice versa, descended upon Playa D’en Bossa along with hordes of über-keen clubbers, the local UK contingent (think Hotel Es Vive by the sea) and lucky beachgoers, who thought they’d stumbled across clubbing mecca when the big man himself turned up, complete with a big bag of fun and soul classics to really get the beach rocking.

Broadcast live on Ibiza Sonica (who looked as though they were having the time of their lives, don’t you just wish you had their jobs sometimes?), it meant no matter where you were in the world you could tune in to this rare set from one of the world’s biggest DJs, who told Miss W he throws this party as a grand gesture of thanks to all the islanders who’ve supported him over the season. Awwww thanks Carl, you shouldn’t have. Actually, on second thoughts, you most definitely should, and we hope this annual tradition continues for years to come!

Never Say Never at Ushuaia photographed by Eli Zuta

Proving that there’s plenty of room on the beach for everyone, just a hop, skip and a shimmy to the beat down the beach to Ushuaia, another legendary DJ in his own right, Sasha, was holding his own court at Never Say Never, alongside his good mate Sander Kleinenberg, who took time away from the party to have a chinwag with Miss W about the 2010 season, his love of barbequing, dislike for winter and the beauty of beach parties – read about it here.

As Sander and Sasha played back-to-back for the last hour (and people flitted between the two events as if it were a neighborly block party), I couldn’t help but stop and pinch myself, to remind myself how truly blessed we are here on this island… not only were there two sensational beach parties with the world’s most famous DJs co-existing on the same stretch of sand, they were one hundred percent FREE to one and all to attend! Who said Ibiza was only for the jet set?

A very SPECIAL closing party at Ibiza Rocks Hotel

As I mentioned earlier, closing parties have begun. Cue tears from Miss W. First up in my diary was Ibiza Rocks Closing Party, with legendary British group, The Specials. While I must admit, originally the line-up didn’t grab me, when I received a quick musical culture lesson from Ibiza Sonica’s Andy Wilson, and was in fact informed that I knew at least half of their songs (A message to you Rudy? Much too young? Oh that would be the Specials then!), I was on the phone quick smart to get myself access to one of the parties of the year!

Wow – for guys that were old enough to potentially be the grandfathers of over half the audience, there was much, if not more, energy on that stage (except for one broody singer, who I have since learned – thanks Ade of Ibiza Blog - was Terry Hall) than The Prodigy had at Ibiza Rocks’ birthday earlier this year. Congrats Ibiza Rocks, on yet another job well done – world domination to follow shortly.

Who said San Antonio was the domain of 18 - 25 year olds?

While one half of the party scooted off to Ibiza Rocks Bar, followed by a mammoth after party at Es Paradis, Miss W opted out at curtain call, because a certain super club in Ibiza town was calling her name. Iconic Ibiza party, Flower Power, was throwing its final soiree of the season over at Pacha and I couldn’t wait to indulge my inner hippie. Kaftans at the ready and flowers in the hair, I gave a quick nod to John, Paul, Ringo, George and security as I floated through the VIP entrance…

Pacha seemed to have acquired some new security guards for the event

Think Harley Davidsons roaring through the fancy-dressed crowd, John and Yoko free-loving their way around the dance floor on a bed, a life-sized yellow submarine weaving across the room and more jaw-dropping deco than on any other night in the club (David Guetta, take note!) and you’ll start to get the picture. Add miniature hippy markets (including makeshift hair and make-up stands) for those who didn’t quite dress in theme and the main man, DJ Piti on the decks, bringing the very best of the ‘60s and ‘70s (and the occasional ‘80s) back to the Pacha dance floor and you’ve got yourself one hell of a party – that I’m very glad I was on hand to say goodbye to for another year.

If you’ve never been to this party, then I suggest you start looking at flights for the opening party next summer. It is a sight to behold. It is a vibe to be embraced. It is a feast for the eyes and the ears like no other in Ibiza. I’d challenge even the toughest techno fan in the world NOT to have a good time at Flower Power, it really is that good.

All I’m saying, is give peace a chance…

John, Yoko and the Pacha go-go girls photographed (badly) by Miss W

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: The hospitality of the ever-so-lovely Jill Canney, FIX Ibiza PR guru and all round know-it-all, does-it-all and makes-it-all-a-breeze (all the while looking like a fox!) for Ibiza Rocks. Thanks for an amazing summer at Ibiza Rocks – and we’ll see you again next summer (though most likely, we’ll see you in Lo Cura for a drink one of these days soon, now the summer’s winding down).

THE BAD: Having daily deadlines makes it extremely difficult to attend both the daytime beach parties AND the nighttime closings, not to mention the after-hours villa parties. Anyone got any suggestions to help Miss W’s quest for work/life balance easier? Note to Chief White: Perhaps we could change deadline day/ schedules in 2011, to make ‘attending-parties-for-work’ just a little easier?

THE GOSSIP: Miss W just got a hot tip (or, perhaps more appropriately, a cold one) from her good friends at We Love… Space that it’s forecast to SNOW in the UK at the end of this month, so if ever there was a reason to book an Ibiza closing party beach holiday, you heard it here first (or perhaps on the BBC, but you know what I mean!) Dates to watch out for: September 26, We Love… Closing Party with Aphex Twin and Basement Jaax, September 27, Tiesto Closing Party at Privilege, September 30, F*** Me I’m Famous Closing Party with David Guetta, October 1, Wonderland Closing Party with Pete Tong, October 2, Amnesia Closing Party (locals say this is THE party of the summer), October 3, Space Closing and October 4, Circo Loco at DC10 shuts up shop. Book those flights, get that last minute hotel deal and get over here and get a tan before the big chill!

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/beach-parties-vs-closing-parties-whos-got-the-love/feed/ 1 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/september-secret-parties/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/september-secret-parties/#comments Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:22:38 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=2593

Despite what other people may think about Miss W, it’s not all glamorous parties, long days on the beach and constant shopping – I wish! While I won’t bore you with the details of my day-to-day routine (a girl has to keep some air of mystery about her after all), however I will tell you that this week, I’ve had a week of experiences that’s a-l-m-o-s-t made me feel as though I was on holidays here in Ibiza – and isn’t that just the life?

Starting with a top secret party, held in a top secret location, with super secret famous DJ guests… I’d love to tell you who, what where when and why, but I was sworn to (surprise surprise!) total secrecy as I entered the venue… so unfortunately I can’t kiss and tell. *insert foot-stomping temper tantrum here*

But, a promise is a promise, so suffice to say, despite the amazing acrobatics, stunning white stallion performing on the beach and superstar DJs bringing the beats, I just can’t tell you any more than that. Apart from the fact I had an awesome time, and juuuuust a little hangover the next day after consuming more than my fair share of French champagne for the occasion.

After a full day at the office (sporting the obligatory dark glasses), there was plenty more fun to be had, and on Thursday, it was a day spent on the beach at Ushuaia with visiting friends from London – impressing them with a roster of cocktails, sushi and sun tanning – before celebrating the birthday of Sasha at Never Say Never… I waxed lyrical about this party last week, so will leave the details to your imagination, as long as your imagination involves an after party at Aura and even more after-hours antics in a private villa elsewhere… Do these people ever sleep? I wondered to myself on the long, cab ride home in order to make it to a fashion shoot just in the nick of time on Friday.

After styling, snapping and strutting around Salinas for the day, I dragged my exhausted self home to bed early on Friday… Because Saturday was about even more sun beds and seaside waiter service, on the fine shores of Playa D’en Bossa in front of Sands, where DJ Jo Mills was reminding us why she’s still one of the island’s best. Just as I was about to sneakily head home to catch up on some zs, I got the phone call about Faithless playing at Privilege. Dammit – just when you thought it was safe to take a disco nap! So, with 9 999 other punters at my heels, it was off to San Rafael for a clubbing experience that proved really, for once and for all, that God is a DJ. Or in the very least, a collective of them called, ironically, Faithless!

Continuing the theme of a clubbing marathon, we made the pilgrimage to long-standing Sunday party We Love… Space Sundays the following day, with Simian Mobile Disco, Hot Chip, Dimitri From Paris and too many more to mention on the bill to keep us dancing til dawn. Of course, it wouldn’t be We Love… without an after party to attend, and it was off to San Mateo, for an exclusive villa party featuring man-of-the-moment Tensnake, the aforementioned SMD and special secret surprise guests.

Oops – methinks I may have said too much. Again! Oh well – another week, another hectic social calendar… with no signs of slowing down throughout September.

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Holiday! Celebrate! It’s not like Miss W to actually totally relax for a weekend, but under the influence of friends – and just a few glasses of chilled vino tinto – this weekend gave me a whole new lease on Ibiza life. September is where it’s at – good times, good parties and above all, great people…

THE BAD: At the same time Miss W and co were having a holiday like experience, not one, not two and not even three… but FOUR of my very good friends were the victims of villa robberies. If you have a villa, be safe, be secure, don’t keep money in the house and if you can, invest in a security guard… the baddies are out there, just waiting for their moment to strike. Let’s hope the police step up their game after this spate of incidents.

THE GOSSIP: A certain DJ – who I could never possibly name – had to jet off on a long-haul flight to Brazil the day after the super top secret party… we bet that was a plane ride from hell for someone running on two days without sleep!

Lucky me: Ibiza is my office. Not a lot of people can say they have such a magical place to work in as I do, not to mention the amazing views from my ‘office’ windows! Me, my computer, my phone and my camera, all I need is my own mobile office without walls. Due to the amount of meetings we have at a variety of so many different places with our clients, the new White-ette never knows where she might end up working on any given day!

The White-ettes are always on the run from meeting to meeting, from interview to interview and party to party and so on. For me, it’s essential to be able to work from anywhere, as we are always flying over the island in a flurry of all of the above. At this moment, I am writing my blog in bed with a fresh juice, the perfect beginning to the day (sure beats getting up at 6am to beat peak hour traffic). For now, I have absolutely no idea where I will be spending the rest of the day. We are very flexible with clients so most of our days never really go as planned, but we don’t mind.

For example, the second day of the sad, sad story of the Benirras fires. One of the most popular and beautiful treasures of Ibiza was covered in flames for almost days, during which time we had a meeting scheduled with Natasha Collis in San Miguel. As we were driving to her, it was as though we were driving into a volcano, and in the end, the smoke was so thick we just could not reach her. The meeting had to be rescheduled and we went back to work on other things – while hundreds of locals were busy saving their properties, belongings, families, pets, businesses and more. We are now looking for ways to help those affected by the tragedy.

On a lighter note, my favorite place to work is on a lounge bed at a calm beach. Nothing is more refreshing than working outside while listening to the sound of the waves and feeling the breeze through your hair. If only they could invent a sunlight proof computer! I spend a lot of energy squinting my eyes, only just seeing what I am actually writing. Perhaps the downside of my amazing mobile office is that it is causing me wrinkles!

For me, the most dangerous place we work is La Cava, on Vara De Rey in Ibiza Town where we have a lot of meetings, due to the fact it has quite possibly fastest internet connection on the island! Perfectly located, you do not have to make your cortado (small coffee in Spanish) yourself, but the danger comes when I have 20 minutes to spare. I love to walk through the town. I promise myself every time that I won’t buy anything but I always come back to La Cava with some form of shopping bag.

Well, what’s a girl to do when reVOLVER, IBZCODE and Arizona are just around the corner?

With love from behind the scenes xx

Photography by Eva Kruiper

Despite the fact this event had the Jezebel (as in Jade ‘Jezebel’ Jagger) cool factor stamped all over it, there was something about the party that simply screamed ‘Entourage’ tonight. No, I’m not talking about the ‘FOJ’ (friends of Jade, for those who aren’t in the know) in the house, I’m talking about the fact it was a party promoting a V-E-R-Y exclusive brand of new tequila. If you’re not following, I suggest you head to the HBO website for a heads up on our (fictional) man Vinnie Chase, and his tequila follies to know what I’m talking about!

It was sipping tequila to be precise, and served up in a sleek champagne glass, giving it so much more credibility than your standard shooter, yet every bit as tempting to shoot in a flash! Of course Miss W would never be so uncouth, and proceeded to sip her tequila slowly… if only they hadn’t have kept topping me up so swiftly, I could probably remember more to tell you about the event.

Or perhaps that was the point?

Photography by Eva Kruiper

Casa Dragones was the name, and sipping was the game, a premium tequila that the Jezebel crew are apparently quite partial to drinking, judging by the event. We’re talking 200€ (ish) a bottle folks – this is not a strip poker style substance!

Smooth, softly scented (and I can say this with the conviction of a professional, given that someone spilled their glass all down my top, and rather than smelling like a brewery, the only thing a stranger could detect was my Serge Lutens Orange Blossom scent) and crystal clear, I must admit, the idea of sipping said tequila seemed sophisticated…

The Ibiza cool kids (and cool adults of course) were all in attendance, though the age gap certainly seemed to be an average of about 23 (go figure that one out!). As DJs D.R.W. and man-of-the-moment Luca C picked up the musical pace, our lovely host and her equally as beautiful daughters took to the stage for a tango – and all I could think was, I wish MY mum was that cool when I was their age!!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: I’ve never actually been to El Chiringuito for an evening affair, and I have to say, the venue was every bit as beautiful as in the day. The restaurant are was curtained off, with chic white drapes, making it a more intimate size and shape, yet you could still see the beautiful reflection of the post-full moon over the water. Subtle yet stunning.

THE BAD: Call me old fashioned, but I like my drinks ice cold, particularly on a hot summer night. So the sipping tequilia wasn’t quite the thirst quencher I was looking for. Tasty yes, but not something I could sip all night. Well, maybe I just needed a beer chaser…

THE GOSSIP: Just across the road, the legendary Tony Humphries was headlining the DC10 20th anniversary party, and there was plenty of talk about a ‘top secret’ American DJ guest who would be making an appearance at El Chiringuito… would he, or wouldn’t he? Sadly, Miss W couldn’t wait any longer to find out, and hotfooted it over to DC10 in anticipation of the education in house music that was to follow…

Photography by Eva Kruiper

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/ibiza-restaurant-jezebel-el-chiringuito-25-08-10/feed/ 1 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/ibiza-beach-restaurant-ushuaia-never-say-never-sasha-19-08-10/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/ibiza-beach-restaurant-ushuaia-never-say-never-sasha-19-08-10/#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:59:17 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=2515

Photography by Federico Capoano

Just another Thursday afternoon in Ibiza, just another super cool beach party with the world’s best DJs behind the decks. You know how it is… Oh what’s that? You mean you don’t know what it’s like? Well, let me give you a little bit of an education…

At around 7pm – just as some pesky lingering rain clouds finally cleared making way for the most beautiful sunset over Playa D’en Bossa – Miss W and the White-ettes descended en masse upon Ushuaia, ready to rave at the all-new beach party that’s been kept a bit of a subtle secret thus far. It’s the kind of thing you dream about as a young clubber really, stumbling on a secret, intimate beachside session by the legendary Sasha, and as they say about most things in Ibiza, you should Never Say Never…

Photography by Federico Capoano

After having a nice chat with Sasha about all things music and Ibiza, we moseyed out of the VIP area and onto the dancefloor, where a nice crowd was starting to build in anticipation while resident DJ Dimitri Nakov played a smooth, melodic house that set the scene perfectly for the main event.

As Sasha took over the decks, a cheer went up from the crowd, who flocked in from the sunbeds and out from the sweatbox of a bar inside. It was, as we expected, quite a grown up affair, with more and more chic and stylish partygoers arriving by the minute, beautiful people in beautiful clothes (Miss W noticed plenty of shimmering sequins about) – a messy beach rave this was not!

However despite the older crowd, the vibe was still completely up-for-it! Arms in the air, whistles, screams and cheers, and a bustling dance floor proved that beach parties really are the way forward in Ibiza (fingers crossed they all stay controlled so we can continue to enjoy them) and that Ushuaia, who really pioneered their resurgence last year, continues to be the leader of the pack.

Photography by Federico Capoano

Berlin-based DJ Cassy followed, switching musical gears to a more minimal direction and at this point, the White-ettes opted to head outdoors to make the most of the sea breeze and take in the intimate party vibe from the venue’s outskirts. Not for long however, as for the last hour Sasha and Cassy played back-to-back, a rare treat for Ibiza music lovers.

The good news? It wasn’t just a one-night-only affair! There are two more Never Say Never parties scheduled for Ushuaia this summer – so if it’s Thursday and you’re in Ibiza, you know where to find me!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: What’s not to love about seeing Sasha play at Ushuaia? I mean really… the intimate vibe, the amazing music, the generous hospitality of the event organisers and Ushuaia PR team. And with an early finish time of midnight, it means you can be tucked up in bed with a nice cup of tea, with plenty of time to get a good night’s sleep and start work bright and early in the morning! Orrrrr… you could follow Sasha and co, and head across the road to Space and keep the party vibe going all night long. No prizes for guessing where Miss W went!

THE BAD: After (sadly) hearing more than one tale of woe about having one’s belongings stolen from parked cars this week, Miss W decided not to tempt fate, which meant lugging around my laptop, camera, a pair of boots (while flip-flops were appropriate on the beach, a change of footwear was necessary for Space), make-up and a whole bunch of junk. The bag lady look is definitely not in style, nor does it make dancing with reckless abandonment possible!

THE GOSSIP: There may have been Another Beach Party with Another Famous DJ taking place just down the beach at La Plage, however it seems Sasha is ‘the DJ’s DJ’ so to speak, attracting luminaries such as Sander Kleinenberg and Miss Kittin along to the shores of Bossa for the occasion.

Photography by Federico Capoano

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/ibiza-beach-restaurant-ushuaia-never-say-never-sasha-19-08-10/feed/ 8 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/chapter-8-a-stealthy-return/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/chapter-8-a-stealthy-return/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:36:02 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=2531

Photography by Federico Capoano

Just another day at White-Escapes headquarters, with the new White-ette running through the office not knowing which dress she should change into, as we’re about to hit Playa D’en Bossa and La Plage, as guests of Stealth Live! Why, oh why did I leave that last review for our beach section to the very last minute? This is an invitation-only party and the guests always look fabulous, so I need to transform my looks from desk to dancefloor within 15 minutes. Then it’s off to collect the other White-ettes and off we go…

Personally escorted to our VIP table by the Stealth Live’s Cassandra – who had collaborated with White-Escapes on the previous Stealth Live! party, giving us 25-double passes to give away to our readers – we immediately forgot about all the stresses of the day and we were grooving to the good music provided by Martijn ten Velden and Prok & Fitch.

Label boss Roger Sanchez looked like a proud daddy with a twinkle in his eyes – he told me he knew La Plage was the perfect residence for Stealth Live straight away. The White-ettes know the feeling – we think it would be perfect to be featured in our beach restaurants section and we love the way everyone is treated like a VIP.

Photography by Federico Capoano

To the untrained eye, it would seem we were just at the party for pleasure; actually we were there to work. A series of photos were being taken by White-Escapes photographer Federico Capoano, while over in the corner another White-ette was interviewing Roger Sanchez for an online video show… a White-ette of many talents!

Spotted at Stealth: Pippi - an island icon, rumored to be many things, ranging from a princess and an alien to an ex-child star. Always dressed in a unique and creative fashion, carrying a teddy bear around with her, Pippi (often called Pippi the Panda Lady) is friends with all the DJs in Ibiza and regularly spotted at parties. She’s has a bit of a mythical status in Ibiza, so I couldn’t feel any more flattered than when she said she liked my outfit. She seems to be such a warm person and indeed there’s something magical about her… if a little kooky! Spot the difference in the photos…

From behind the scenes with love xx

Photography by Federico Capoano

]]> http://blog.white-ibiza.com/chapter-8-a-stealthy-return/feed/ 0 http://blog.white-ibiza.com/chapter-7-a-never-ending-story/ http://blog.white-ibiza.com/chapter-7-a-never-ending-story/#comments Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:47:05 +0000 Miss W http://blog.white-ibiza.com/?p=2479

Wednesday is the White-Escapes newsletter day – always quite the adventure. So much work to be done in order to uncover every cool new event or party, plus new articles, blogs, podcasts and interviews to publish. Every week the question, ‘Will we make it?’ occurs. As always, we made it and that accomplishment feels so good, it gives you the energy boost you need!

For those who live here, work in Ibiza never ends during August, not even while going out to dance the night away. White’s Miss W sent me on a mission to spy on P.Diddy in Pacha, when he was playing with Erick Morillo.  I have never ever, EVER experienced so many people in Pacha – it was crazy! Moving from one side to another was like a boot camp. I caught but a glance of the man in question, but with a full day of research for the beach section ahead, I made my escape from the jungle early-ish (if you call 5am early!) But not without a quick pit stop at the unhurried but wild Space, where Dutch DJ Secret Cinema shared his love of music with the thrilled dance floor.

Morning: Me, the car, my music, my map, my pen and paper on the road. Visiting several beaches, making notes while enjoying the sun and sometimes even a refreshing dive into one of the beautiful seas that surround Ibiza. Sounds like the perfect day after a wild night out. It was, until I got lost in the middle of nowhere. The thing is, you can easily get lost in these areas, which is no problem if you have network coverage on your phone! On this day, I did not, so I had to make friends with my intuition and follow her. Lucky me, she lead me to a service station, where they helped me on my way!

After this adventure it was off to Blue Marlin, where we celebrated the end of yet another successful newsletter day. Afterwards, we went to Ushuaia, for the new ‘Never Say Never’ beach party with Sasha. I love Ibiza and I love my job. Could it get any better than this?

From behind the scenes with love xx

Photography by Federico Capoano

It was around this time last year that Miss W discovered her inner art critic, falling in love with urban art after receiving a brief education at the first Urban In Ibiza exhibition at Atzaro. So I was more than excited to head back for the second installment tonight, an event that promised to be even bigger and better than the last.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one with such a plan, as an overflowing car park and hordes of traffic greeted us at the entry to Atzaro just after sunset, so we quickly scooted inside, with the intention of snapping up a modern masterpiece to take pride of place in my bare walled apartment!

We shimmied down a red carpet, past some live graffiti work happening on what was once a lovely, clean white car, past a couple of models having lettering painted all over their backs, past the restaurant, past a very busy bar, past a DJ spinning party tunes and past some more live painting exhibitions – this time on canvas – and before you knew it, we’d shimmied all the way to the all new Bubble Bar and fashion runway, completely bypassing the exhibition!

‘Oh well… may as well have a drink now that we’re here,’ I thought to myself as I snapped up some drinks tickets for myself and the White-ettes, planning to head back up to the gallery in a flash.

But before you know it, I found myself chatting to curator Inkie (read the full interview here) about art (check his favourite piece from the exhibition below), inspiration (Ibiza – where else?), beautiful places (Atzaro) and life in general, and just as I was about to head inside to view my potential investments, the music got a whole lot louder and my attention was drawn to the runway, where a fashion show by Sasha Moon was about to start.

Photography by Federico Capoano

As DJ Bones kicked off the parade with Skee-Lo’s  classic track ‘I wish’, I couldn’t help but think how appropriate it was (you know the one – the lyrics go ‘I wish I was a little bit taller’), as I couldn’t see over the heads of all of the other guests gathered around the runway!

After a mad dash across the runway, almost knocking a model out in the process (sorry!), we finally scored a front row position, ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the models and their gorgeous satin and leather ensembles. Note to self: Must do a detox in order to be able to wear leather micro-shorts! In the meantime, as cropped leather jacket and two-tone satin kaftan have Miss W’s name written all over them (not literally, to any graffiti fans reading this!)

Finally, I dragged myself away from the events area and up to the main gallery space to view the collection, where an amazing array of work was on display (and on sale), including pieces by Goldie, that were the basis for this year’s Wonderland artwork, plenty of work by Miss W’s favourite, Ben Allen, Chu, Lilliwenn, Agent Provocateur and more.

Photography by Federico Capoano

But there was one piece in particular that caught my eye, an amazing black and white leopard, having escaped from a cage, that would look perfect positioned over my dining table (not to mention look fab next to my own two kitty cats). As I started to think how easy my decision had been, my eye was drawn to the artist’s name and price:

Banksy. POA.

Hmmm. Perhaps I’ll need to start saving for next year then…

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: The turnout – wow! This was by far and away the busiest I have ever seen Atzaro (yes, even busier than the Cocoon closing after party), packed with fashionistas, budding art critics, London trendsetters, tourists, the Euro-jet set, the local party crew, business owners, DJs, yoga teachers… you name them, they were here!

THE BAD: While I love the new layout of Atzaro, and the events area is truly magical place for a party, the logistics of this event needed a little fine-tuning, whether it means more signage, indicating where certain things take place (or which bars serve cocktails!), or perhaps keeping it all contained in one area rather than sprawling across two, or perhaps a program of event timing to avoid confusion. But teething problems aside, we’re looking forward to the next one already!

THE GOSSIP: A generous on-island PR guru had donated her pristine white car to the live-graffiti cause, however despite the brave face she put on at the end, Miss W was not so sure about the finished product. Sure, it looks urban, edgy and cool… but for a girly girl who is not shy of a splashing out on a bit of colour? Hmmm… any budding Ibiza artists out there willing to come and colour in between the lines?

Photography by Federico Capoano

Click here to view the full photo gallery from this event

Click here to read the interview with curator Inkie