Marco Torres Pop Life exhibition @ El Hotel: 27/02/09

Knowing that it was the last weekend of winter gave Miss W the urge to batten down the hatches, hire some DVDs and snuggle up on the couch with her cats while she still had a seasonal excuse, however Ibiza’s glorious weather combined with the Pop Life exhibition opening party tonight had me reaching for my nearest tie-dyed mini-dress and hotfooting it down to Pacha’s El Hotel.

Screen print artist Marco Torres – one of the crew responsible for the mega successful Rock Nights parties – was tonight adding a splash of vibrant colour to the otherwise all-white El Bar, in the form of an exhibition of Pop Art work, a series of 60s inspired imagery in the well-known style along with some retro visuals and a feast of musical sounds courtesy of Lost Angeles.

OK, so it wasn’t exactly The Factory and the installation wasn’t quite Andy Warhol, but with the pop art on the walls, the groovy soundtrack and the uber-cool arty types draped across couches for art’s sake, it was enough of a Sienna-Miller-as-Edie-Sedgewick fashion moment for me!

Vibrant colours and plenty of teensy little dots made up the bulls-eyes, bullets, Twiggy and Audrey Hepburn inspired heroines and foxy afro prints adorning the walls – some images seemed familiar while others (my favourite being a long-haired girl driving a car) were fresh to the eye and left me asking the question, where can I get myself one of these?

The music had a fun, nostalgic vibe and had plenty of punters bopping about (many of them from the comfort of the big comfy white couches, like choreographed dancers in a film clip) and was inspiring a few singalongs to the lyrics – or perhaps that had more to do with the free-flowing champagne doing the rounds?

I have to say, not being a card-carrying member of the artsy squad in Ibiza – I’m more of a drop-in member myself – I wasn’t aware that the general dress code was all black, meaning my colourful sixties attire really stood out from the generic monochrome uniforms of everyone else.

But Miss W has always loved being in the spotlight, so who’s complaining?

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Art openings are always good for spotting geek-chic potential boyfriends and tonight was no exception. Think thick square glasses, skinny jeans, stripey t-shirts and floppy hair and you’ll know the type I mean!

THE BAD: The quality of sound in El Hotel was a tad too echo-y and tinny for Miss W’s ears – I felt like I almost had to shriek just to hold a conversation with my friends.

THE GOSSIP: Miss W knows of a few well-known Ibiza social types who didn’t make it to the opening, despite rsvp-ing in the affirmative. Luckily for them, the exhibition continues until March 11th so perhaps they could purchase a piece of art to make up for missing the fabulous fiesta?

Calçotada @ Ca n’Escandell: 21/02/09

Contrary to popular belief, Miss W is not averse to getting her hands dirty. As much as I enjoy a manicure and a lavish dollop of hand cream whenever possible, there are occasions where I’m happy to muck in there and get amongst it. ‘Get amongst what?’ I can hear you thinking. Is it pottery? Gardening? Finger-painting perhaps?

No, this is something, had you explained it to me a week ago, I may have shied away from, however you live and learn, you shouldn’t knock it until you try it and I’m here to tell the tale.

I’ll just get on with it then, shall I?

On a gloriously sunny Saturday afternoon, Miss W and the White-ettes, with Little Miss Mini-White in tow headed to the rustic surrounds of San Juan Agroturismo Ca n’Escandell to sample a much-loved Catalan gastronomic tradition – the Calçotada.

Translating literally to Onion Feast, the calçotada is an homage to the succulent, lush and sweet green onions known as calçots, a cross between a leek and a spring onion, sporting long pale stems and ripe for the picking at the very end of winter.

Judging by the mouth-watering smell in the air, one could literally follow their nose to find where the action was taking place. Just past the pool was a l-o-n-g makeshift BBQ, where sizzling away on top were hundreds of bunches of calçots.

Once blackened to a crisp, each bunch was individually wrapped in newspaper, fish and chip style and taking their place on the grill was an assortment of meat and sausages. The combination of the delicious smell wafting through the air and the sun shining on her face left Miss W feeling like summer had already arrived.

Once we were seated, the friendly and informal style of dining meant grabbing your own parcel of calçots – and this is where getting messy begins – and digging in. After a quick demonstration, it was all systems go for the White-ettes, pinching the root of the charred onion to pull out the soft centre, dipping it in Romesco sauce (a tasty blend of roasted tomatoes, hot peppers, almonds, hazelnuts, vinegar, garlic, paprika and a lot of love according to Cristina Escandell) then tipping our heads back, taking aim and praying to the gods of fashion that it doesn’t end up all over your Miu Miu sweater! De-lish!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: If you are spending the weekend at Ca n’Escandell, the Calçotada is included as part of your stay. Thankfully for the rest of the Ibiza population, the public is invited to join in the fun every Saturday from now until the onions run out in April.

THE BAD: On one charcoal encrusted hand, getting dirty is all part of the process. On the other, it wouldn’t hurt to have some bowls of lemon water on the table to help clean up afterwards and avoid accidental black smears all over your clothing and face!

THE GOSSIP: Miss W was afraid of having onion breath, however the sweetness of calçots means you don’t even need a tic-tac. However, vegetarians beware! While the onion part of this tradition is very veg-friendly, the following main course is purely carnivore based. Our advice? Skip straight to the dessert and the accompanying Cava and Café Caleta.

Valentine's Day in Ibiza: 14/02/09

I’d like to start by saying it is totally not my fault I am unlucky in love. It’s not my fault that I have what can only be explained as extremely high standards for the guys that I meet to live up to or that so far, no one has managed to meet them. And it’s definitely not my fault that I believe in love at first sight, a love that lifts us up where we belong and that all we need is love.

Like most single girls around the world, Miss W blames all of the above entirely on her mother – who in turn has every right to pass the blame over to Walt Disney, seeing as I was brought up on a resounding chorus of ‘Some day my prince will come’ along with the firm fairytale belief that every girl grows up to get her very own happily ever after.

I should be so lucky!

So anyway here we are again, another loveless Valentine’s Day in Ibiza, where the postman is not beating a path to my door nor are the native blooms in danger of becoming extinct due to my extreme popularity. Hmmmm…

Thankfully for Miss W and her un-betrothed co-horts, it seems there is plenty of love to go around on V.Day in Ibiza. It may not be a candlelit table for two, however party-hopping by the light of a disco ball is every bit as desirable, especially when you know everyone at these parties will be single! From Grial’s Does Ya Mama Know… It’s Bloody Valentine’s Day, complete with gruesome black cats and charred roses and Be My Baby at Girlz Skool to a pre-club soiree at Pacha’s El Hotel, the Ibiza lonely hearts club were anything but this weekend.

However (for Miss W anyway) there was a distinct lack of potential boyfriend material in attendance at any of these events – only serving to remind me even more of my New Year’s Resolution (why oh why do I declare these things in such a public forum?) and the fact I am no closer to achieving it than I was on New Year’s Day! Lucky I have my friends, my social life and my island (oh, and of course my cats!) to keep me busy in the meantime…

I mean honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to make time for a Valentine’s date in my busy schedule anyway! Though between you and me, at this late stage any lost-in-the-post cards, gifts and marriage proposals may still be accepted…

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Despite the fact that there were no love interests on the horizon, Miss W still got a surprise visit from the Valentine Fairy in the form of a tailor-made card… Awwwww, friends are just the best, aren’t they?

THE BAD: Is it bad to feel pangs of envy when your friends are being showered with Agent Provocateur, weekend spa escapes at Aguas De Ibiza and even romantic proposals in sunny Mexico? I guess this is one time Miss W will have to settle for living vicariously through others…

THE GOSSIP: Is that the pitter-patter of tiny feet we can hear? At least, that’s what we suspect may be on the horizon for one of the island’s newly engaged couples, judging by the swift proposal and hasty wedding preparations…

07/02/09: Japanese Cultural Week wrap-up

I’m turning Japanese, I think I’m turning Japanese, I really think so…

That’s the tune that’s been on high rotation in Miss W’s head this week, the second annual Japanese Cultural Week in Ibiza. The seven-day program dotted with kitsch events and quirky workshops was enough to make me dig out my finest kimono (well, kimono-inspired outfit anyway) and get involved.

Starting with a contemporary dance performance – Butoh is the official name and I guess the best way to describe it is as a Japanese modern ballet interpretation. It was certainly something we don’t see on the podiums at Pacha in the summer!

Next up, a Manga flick (I love the amazing animation, even if I can’t always follow the storyline) followed by master classes in sushi making at Ibiza hotspot, sushipoint. After two days of lessons, I think Miss W can safely say that she’d prefer to leave this particular art to the professionals.

Sadly, Friday night’s dance spectacular in the Dalt Vila Cathedral was rained out, which meant early doors at Grial for Does Ya Mama Know (‘We’ve got Japanese Friends!’ their gorgeous Geisha girl emblazoned flyer declared).

With beautiful oversized folding fans, paper lanterns and sprigs of almond blossom hanging from the roof, a dash (or four) of sake plus the rain-sodden performers (who at one point decided the actual bar was the perfect space to dance, instruments and all) Grial became Ibiza’s very own little Tokyo for the night.

The grand finale? The closing party at Pacha’s El Hotel, presented by HOVI VJ Club. A room that can sometimes appear a little clinical white space became a buzzing hive of full of TV screens and techie-looking equipment, churning out a fusion of music and super cool visuals, inspired by Japanese culture. By midnight, the bar was overflowing and Miss W thought it was the perfect time slip away unnanounced….

I mean, you wouldn’t want me to turn into an origami pumpkin would you?

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The chance to become completely immersed in another culture for a week, without even having to leave the island.
THE BAD: The crazy kooky weather the world has been experiencing this week has even affected ibiza, as we were hit with a week of unpredictable high winds and flash storms, which didn’t bear well for the outdoor events planned.
THE GOSSIP: The promotional flyer for the closing party spoke of inspiring Japanese fashion, however Miss W isn’t quite sure you could call the choice of matching head-to-toe red ensembles of audio visual producers FR4M3 particularly inspired. Even though the duo have recently returned form a trip to the place in question, we're pretty sure this is NOT a direct nod to the streets of Harajuku…

24/01/09: Rock Nights @ Somni

When news of a Comic Book Heroes party in Ibiza broke tonight, Miss W was the first on the scene – disguised as a mild mannered reporter for a major metropolitan well, website – to bring you the scoop, in the name of truth, justice and the Ibiza way!

Rock Nights was the party and Ibiza’s all-new whiz-bang club Somni was the place to be and judging by the amount of super heroes milling around the Figueretes promenade, this was going to be a fancy-dress event to rival Bambuddha Grove’s Halloween extravaganza (and this time, Miss W arrived early enough to actually gain entrance).

A couple of super-sexy Wonder Women, some masked Avengers, a green-haired Joker, the obligatory Batman and (even better!) his sidekick Robin, a Zorro here and a Lara Croft there – and that was before we’d even stepped through the doorway!

Once inside Miss W was absolutely blown away, not only by the many plastic-gun toting villains in attendance, but also by the incredible décor adorning every inch the club. Somni had been morphed into a geek’s wildest dream - amazing oversized comic strips plastered the walls, a life-sized Batman silhouette dominated the DJ booth, iconic characters covered every wall, pillar and post and of course, cartoon graphics were on constant loop on the plasma television screens.

I tell you, if I hadn’t have known about the party, I would have been petrified I’d stumbled into a comic book convention by accident!

The dance floor was as full as a hot summer’s night, with a temperature to match – and let me just say, when there is that much spandex in one room, air conditioning is essential! At one point it resembled a rock concert, complete with moshing, jumping and singalongs to all your old favourites - think Depeche Mode and The Clash and you’ll get the animated picture.

For Miss W though, it was all about the amazing costumes – and discovering who was beneath the masks. A real live Mrs Emma Peel, Kill Bill’s Bride in all her yellow Lycra glory, Clark Kent with just a hint of the ‘S’ popping out of his shirt, an Incredible Hulk and enough slinky Catwomen to get the male population purring…

Don’t ask me who they were though - I can never reveal my sources…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Soooo much effort went into making this a truly unforgettable event –the costumes sported by guests and the spectacular themed décor - and it’s clear to see why this party is fast becoming the most anticipated monthly night this winter.
THE BAD: The biggest villains on the night had to be the bar staff – or lack therof. With a full-to-the-rafters club, just reaching the bar seemed like a challenge, however once you arrived, the challenge to actually get served had only just begun.
THE GOSSIP: Whispers on the day of the party centred around DJ Colin Peters, flying in from London for the occasion. Was his flight really delayed due to hurricane warnings in Palma? Were all ferry services suspended? Was this just another hoax? Was Super-Colin going to appear behind the decks to save the day? Sadly… the rumour mill proved to be true and Colin was nowhere to be seen. Guess Superman was too busy on the dance floor to come to his rescue!

16/01/09: Fish & Chip Friday @ Ocho

Miss W loves a good tradition, however given the oft-unpredictable fast-paced-meets-laidback nature of Ibiza life, it can seem a little hard to come by – or to stick to. But now we’re in the thick of winter (in all its sunny glory) the opportunity to start a new tradition has presented itself and Miss W plans to be the first to embrace it.

The event in question? A time-honoured tradition all over the world and one the island residents are already quite adept at – that is, the long, lazy (and dare we say occasionally boozy) Friday afternoon lunch.

Today, the colourful and cosy surrounds of Ocho beckon, kick starting the weekend with a very special menu item that has stomachs growling and mouths watering at sunrise. Ladies and gentleman, welcome to… Fish and chip Friday!

From the minute I walked through the door – escorted by the ever so charming (and equally good looking!) Pacha posse – it felt like turning up to lunch at a friend’s villa. After a warm welcome from the gorgeous lady of the manor (or finca!) Leah Tilbury and Ocho’s adorable waiter Marco (who pulls off quirky-chic to perfection), we circled the three intimate rooms like a social soiree, saying hola to practically everyone we’d ever met. Looks like good news travels fast…

Now let’s get down to the matter of the food. Melt-in-your-mouth creamy battered fish, fresh buttery peas and quite possibly THE perfect potato chips accompanied by a creamy dill-rich tartare sauce courtesy of chefs de jour Miguel and Damien were being whizzed out to every table at a rapid rate - though Leah assures us this is due to demand and regular menu items are still on offer, should you feel the need to variate from the special. Though with fish and chips this good, I can’t imagine why anyone would?

After lunch it seemed a grown-up game of musical chairs was in session, as we proceeded to take places at other tables, chat over a glass of vino, occasionally switching tables or widening our circles to include newcomers – oh, and if you worried this all sounds a tad too local-centric, let me assure you, everyone is welcome and Miss W doesn’t bite! Particularly if you’re tall, dark, handsome and errr, single…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Friday. Fish. Chips. Need I say more? Oh wait – peas. See you next Friday!
THE BAD: The much hyped apple crumble was so popular it ran out before Miss W could give her verdict! Though my waistline would probably argue that skipping dessert is a good thing…
THE GOSSIP: The lovely Leah is heading off to London this weekend but it doesn’t mean we won’t still get the same warm reception next week – Miss W hears whispers that Leah’s vibrant mum (and well-known island personality) Patsy will be taking over the front-of-house reigns while she’s away…

07/01/09: Miss W’s 2009 New Year’s Resolutions

In the spirit of starting the New Year on the right foot – though if you ask me when you are wearing the gorgeous new IBZcode boots I got for Christmas BOTH left and right feet are the right ones, if you know what I mean – Miss W has decided to publicly declare her New Year’s Resolutions. I figure, if I put them out there, I feel more of a responsibility to make them happen…

1. Detox. I do believe winter is the perfect time to detox, to purify, to get in shape and to really focus on your own personal holistic wellbeing. Does it sound like Miss W has come over all Gwyneth Paltrow-esque? You may laugh at my celebrity inspiration, but I’ll have you know that just because I don’t meditate on a daily basis doesn’t mean I’m not down with the teachings of the Dalai Lama! In 2009 I plan on practicing daily (well…. perhaps every second day!) yoga at the Ibiza Gran Open Spa, decked out in Stella McCartney’s über-luxe Adidas range of course, and indulging in a little Ayurvedic massage and a Panchakarma retreat (inspired by White’s very zen-like Wellbeing editor Larah Davis of Ibiza Retreats) and finally, changing my diet to include only organic produce. Breakfast, lunch or dinner at Parawdiso anyone?

2. Broaden my horizons. It has come to my attention lately that over the past few months Miss W has garnered a bit of a reputation for being a party girl, a term she finds slightly offensive. Social butterfly yes, party girl no. While I am not arguing that I do indeed spend a lot of time at fabulous events, I would like it known from hereon in that I have a brain AND a heart to go with my fantastic wardrobe. It’s easy to live life as though you are in a bubble in Ibiza, which is why I have made it my mission, Angelina-style, to volunteer for charity work (and yes, walking homeless dogs counts) and brush up on my knowledge of current world affairs whilst also mastering the Spanish language. Should make me a fascinating and highly sought-after guest next time the likes of Deliciously Sorted or The Shop are sending out invites to their ultra-excusive VIP events. Just don’t expect me to adopt any niños a lá
Ange – now that is a look that totally does not go with any of my outfits!

3. Take a holiday. You may or may not have noticed that Miss W has been on duty, reporting round-the-clock for the last 11 months or so – not an easy feat when everyone around you is on holiday! But then… I don’t want to abandon my post you see, plus wherever in the world would I go to? As the New Year dawned it finally occurred to me – very Dorothy in The Wizard Of Oz style – that I needn’t look any further than my own backyard. Here in Ibiza we have absolutely anything and everything I would possibly want from a ‘mini-break’ – great shopping, amazing beaches, beautiful countryside, sensational restaurants and of course, amazing nightlife. So it is my solemn vow and promise, to start taking weekends away, ON the island, in 2009 – and checking out all the fabulous home-away-from-home style luxury getaways the island has on offer. Starting with Can Lluc, when the almond blossoms begin to bloom in the next few weeks and closely followed by a decadent spa weekend at the new five-star Aguas de Ibiza. I can hardly wait. I just need to find someone to share it all with, which leads me to…

4. Fall in love. There, I’ve said it. I’ve had enough of Potential Boyfriends, I’m tired of falling for – and having my heart broken by - Super Rats time and at long last I’m not even remotely interested in being a DJ groupie (with the exception of Luciano that is!). Miss W has decided she has spent enough time playing the field – realistically, it’s been the dance floor but you get my point – and thinks it’s high time she acquired an accessory of the more permanent variety, to display proudly on her arm at this summer’s soirees. And no, I’m not talking about the latest Miu Miu masterpiece from Mayurka (even though I do quite fancy that as well!) I am talking about taking the plunge and actually entering into the world of ‘serious relationships’. Though if that idea doesn’t work out for me I’ve always got my cats and my island to fall back on. Serious applicants, please apply asap in writing…

5. Find the perfect pad. Miss W already lives in a pretty cool place up in the ancient walls of Dalt Vila, however my contract ends October, which means I have the next nine months to get to know the property market inside out, discover locations that will truly suit me and my lifestyle and most importantly, find somewhere with a big enough closet to house my ever-expanding wardrobe. In my mind, I can already picture myself spending many a lazy Saturday afternoon shopping for interiors at KsaR, Sluiz and La Maison de L’Elephant – think zillions of candles, Moroccan lamops, exotic décor, a little bit of sparkle and eclectic furnishings. It’s Chateau Marmont meets Pikes Hotel with a little splash of the Gaansevoort for good measure. Can’t you just see me, lazing by my pool (in a Missoni bikini of course) beneath a huge white umbrella sipping mojitos? Now there’s just the little matter of stopping being frivolous and starting to save my euros that I need to consider… Should be a snap!

Ohhhh, choosing my top five resolutions for two thousand and wine, dine and mine was so difficult – it’s like asking a mother to pick a favourite child! So I can’t help but quickly whiz the runners up by you – in no particular order:

* Wear a completely different outfit each and every single day this summer.
* Radiate peace, love and happiness at all times.
* Always have fun and live like there’s no tomorrow.
* If I can’t say anything nice, I wont say anything at all…
* Become best friends with Kate Moss. Oh come on - girl’s gotta have at least one friend willing to lead her astray…

01/01/09: The Crunch presented by Shantico

Umm-ing and ahhi-ng over whether or not to go to bed between parties is a traditional part of the New Year’s Day ritual in Ibiza. If you go to sleep, even just a cheeky disco nap for a few hours, will you lose your enthusiasm or miss out on some action? Or if you stay awake, will you fade too quickly at the after party and need to go home early? It’s an age-old conundrum and while I won’t disclose which decision Miss W made (a girl likes to have an air of mystery about her you know – and I ALWAYS love a costume change between events, sleep or no sleep, so you’ll never be able to tell!), I can say that at today’s special event there were a good portion of guests who looked incredibly fresh faced and others sipping on hair of the dog with a grimace…

The event in question? The debut of ‘The Crunch’, a party presented by all-round Ibiza legend and host-with-the-most Sid Shanti. Just when we thought parties beginning before dusk were a thing of the past (read: the good old days), came the announcement that this party – with the location remaining a secret until the day – would kick off at 1pm, bringing us together early to ensure the New Year spirit continued to sparkle for another day at least.

Guests were given directions to a parking lot off the beaten track and then transferred safely over to the venue – Sa Tasca, a traditional Spanish restaurant with huge garden areas, stunning views across the hills and out to sea, set on the road to San Jose. The sight of kids – and plenty of dogs - playing outdoors greeted us on arrival plus an assortment of early bird revelers making the most of the chance to hang outdoors in the fresh Ibiza air – very bohemian indeed.

The who’s who of local DJs were indoors providing the soundtrack, including We Love’s David Phillips, Wonderland’s Tomas Hedberg, Pacha’s Graham Sahara and a very special set from Ibiza Sonica’s Andy Wilson which had the entire dance floor full to capacity quite early on and the room steaming up with body heat – and when half the room is nursing a hangover, that is one feat to be proud of.

Overall, the event had that hedonistic feel of days gone by – the free-spirited vibe of an illegal rave, an impressive roll call of name-droppable guests (from the old school acid house crew to the high end social set and everyone of all ages in between) letting their hair down, a mix of musical styles - underground in one room and eclectic Balearic beats in the other and the overall feeling that you were part of something new, 100 per cent fun and completely true to the original spirit of Ibiza.

In some ways, I guess you had to be there – I’m so glad I was!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Attending 2009’s first daytime party of course! In the absence of the annual Circo Loco NYD bash, many islanders were left wondering whether they were indeed be having a well deserved sleep in for the first time in their lives come January 1st. Three cheers to Shantico for creating an all-new party to fill the gap in the market… and an extra cheer for making it a free event to all.
THE BAD: While a good party is not always judged by its appearance, Miss W has to admit that grubby plastic chairs, tables and even plastic flowers are not really the most aesthetically appealing décor…
THE GOSSIP: The cryptic nature of the propaganda for this party implied a brand spanking new venue in close proximity to town, however it turned out that a new equaled an old Ibicenco restaurant which was fresh to the party scene and the location of KM4 was actually if you were driving from San Antonio – from Ibiza town, it was in fact KM17.5 on the San Jose Road. A classic case of putting-us-off-the-scent until the last minute…

31/12/08: The 12 grapes of midnight…

Well here we are at the dawn of a new year, the time when we should be sitting back and reflecting on the previous 12 months, planning, hoping and dreaming (or perhaps plotting and scheming!) about what’s to come and maybe even daydreaming about who it is we’ll be smooching at midnight – all the while reclining in a big comfy pedicure chair of course!

But rather than relaxing over a bit of buff and polish, Miss W found herself racing back and forth across Ibiza town trying to grab one essential last minute accessory for New Year’s Eve– a kilo of grapes.

No, this is not some new way to get shinier locks or a trick for sparkling skin and no, Miss W has not come over all DIY with plans to make her own homemade vino. This is in fact, one of the most important Spanish traditions of the evening, one it is essential to partake in – and that is the tradition of eating 12 grapes upon the 12 strokes of midnight.

You see tonight, Miss W has decided to try something she’s never done before – throwing her very own last minute soiree. An ultra-exclusive dinner party no less, for the White-ettes, a token White male and one very special Little Miss Mini White. I know, I know – there are so many fabulous restaurants to choose from in Ibiza, it’s New Year’s Eve and then I decide to go all Martha Stewart! Who’d have thought?

What can I say? Miss W has always been a little on the spontaneous side…

As we prepared to watch the fireworks over the port, each of us with 12 grapes ready in a glass, the cries of ‘Feliz Año Nuevo!’ began echoing over balconies and the church bells began to chime. Gulp (quite literally) – that means it’s time…

Have you ever tried eating 12 grapes in 60 seconds? On the seventh chime it became perfectly clear that none of us would be able to complete the task… Just between us, I didn't want to risk dripping grape juice on my new Kurru Kurru frock before leaving the house!

Then it was off to Pacha – who had thrown a very extravagant dinner in the restaurant prior to opening at 1am – where the main dance floor was heaving however it was upstairs in the Funky Room that reigned supreme. House classics, a dash of disco and a bunch of very fashionably dressed locals schmoozing and grooving their way through the first few hours of 2009.

Start the year as you plan to continue it, I say…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Seeing the party capital of the world kick back into action for a few days in the middle of the ‘off-season’ proves that it’s as much of a world class New Year’s Eve destination as any of the major cities around the globe.
THE BAD: Unlike the rest of the world, very few bars or clubs (in fact, no clubs at all!) are open for the stroke-of-midnight moment in Ibiza, meaning you need to be ultra prepared in advance to reserve yourself a table somewhere. Sadly, this doesn’t leave much room for spontaneity… OR the opportunity to kiss a random stranger at midnight!
THE GOSSIP: The throngs of eager clubbers lined up outside Pacha were equivalent to an FMIF party (albeit dressed in coats and scarves) at the peak of summer and even included a few, ‘But don’t you know who I am?’ moments on the guest list entrance. Looks like some things never change…

29/12/08: The White New Year Style Guide

Five foolproof steps to dressing for New Year’s Eve – a method tried, tested and totally recommended by White Ibiza’s very own social butterfly Miss W…

1. Wow the room with your ensemble.
There’s nothing worse than turning up to a party to find another girl wearing The Same Fabulous Frock as you. Avoid such mortification at all costs by making your selection from the incredible collection on display at Kurru Kurru. The modern day equivalent of Cinderella’s ballgown, Marinela Cifteli has a showroom full of couture creations that will inspire gasps of envy from other guests when you dramatically remove your coat upon entering a room – from floor-length ethereal gowns to flirty and fun baby doll dresses, the choice is yours…

2. To accessorise or not to accessorise?
Oh, that is a silly question! One step down into the amazing space that houses IBZcode and you’ll be more than spoilt for choice when it comes to accessorising – you’ll be overwhelmed with desire! A one-stop shop for stunning handmade leather shoes and boots, luscious leather bags, eclectic jewellery selections and those ever essential sunglasses for the morning after, IBZcode is like the proverbial pot of gold (silver, bronze and diamonds) at the end of a rainbow, adding the perfect finishing touches to your outfit.

3. Cover up in style.
When you go to all that trouble dressing up for an occasion, it would be a shame to put it all to waste by covering with anything less-than-special – thankfully the amazing selection of coats, hats and scarves on offer at Histericomplements are designed to make as much a statement as your party frock. From sensational metallic macs and tactile rich woollen shrugs to floppy felt winter hats so great you’ll never want to take them off, it’s enough to make you want to spend more time travelling to and from your party destinations. Hailing a taxi has never been so glamourous.

4. Always have a back-up outfit.
Just because midnight heralds the dawn of the New Year, it certainly doesn’t mean the party is over. With plenty of party options scheduled for the first day of the year, it’s imperative you have your outfit planned before heading out the night before – after all, one can never make sensible ibiza fashion choices with a fuzzy head and you can guarantee there won’t be any stores open for impulse purchases on the day. A trip to Gisela G ensures yet another one-of-a-kind party look to impress your friends – whether you opt for cashmere, shimmering silk or a sparkling sequinned affair, one thing is for sure: the first New Year Ibiza style crisis is averted!

5. Plump that pout.
All girls know that hair and make-up is as an essential part of one’s ensemble and on no other occasion is the prepping of the lips more essential than New Year’s Eve, the one night of the year that it’s virtually impossible to avoid a bit of a kiss at midnight! Miss W’s personal view on hair and make-up is that less is more – I like the simplest of applications, just a dab of tinted moisturiser (foundation really only seems to make one look older, don’t you think?), a quick swipe of rosy pink blush, a rim of black kohl around the entire eye plus lashings of mascara. Finish with a slick of nude gloss – my personal favourite is ModelCo Liplights in Summer Nectar, a nifty little gloss that I generally refer to as my disco gloss (available in mainland Spain or on any jetsetting trip to the UK or Paris). Why? Well apart from the fact it’s an ultra glossy and long-lasting formula, it comes complete with a miniature mirror on the side of the tube and – here’s the best bit! – LED lights concealed inside the lid, to illuminate your lips as you touch up meaning no need to make multiple visits to the bathroom. And there’s nothing wrong with putting the spotlight on your pout if you ask Miss W!

Now the next step is to start thinking about just who is it you’re going to kiss at midnight - I know who I've got my eye on... Do you?

20/12/08: Cardamom Club Christmas Market & Party

The festive period is starting to feel a little bit like the opening and closings to Miss W at the moment – seeing the same faces, the daily what-to-wear dilemma and that slightly fuzzy morning after feeling… But that’s what we love about living in Ibiza isn’t it? Well, apart from the fuzziness perhaps!

It’s also what keeps people coming back to the island, some to live permanently, some for annual holidays, some for monthly jaunts and some to celebrate the festive season, which is what the island collective were all doing this weekend, despite the fact that Santa – or Papa Noel as he’s known in Spain – hasn’t even started packing his sleigh yet. Kicking off the weekend’s proceedings was the annual Christmas market and soiree at our favourite Bollywood-meets-Ibiza haunt, The Cardamom Club in Santa Eulalia.

With Ibiza’s glorious sunshine high in the sky, Miss W and the White-ettes hit the road early in order to make the most of strolling around the gorgeous orchards and sitting in the courtyard devouring chef Craig Collligan’s divine Indian delights as if it were just another summer afternoon. Sadly for us, we weren’t the only people with this idea as the courtyard was already completely packed before we arrived!

Not one to let that dampen the shopping-meets-party spirit, we simply spent more time indulging in last minute Christmas treats – think homemade brownies, Florentines and sesame snaps, luxury crackers, those last important decorations for the tree, amazingly adorned cards and divine handmade jewellery – before moving indoors to take our place in the communal bar dining area with faces from many of the island’s most important establishments joining us – think Ibiza Rocks, Icon Ibiza, The Shop, Bacchus, Wonderland, We Love… and Pacha and you’ll realize it was a very busy space indeed!

As the afternoon turned into evening – and the chill quickly set in – all market stalls were packed away and the action moved indoors. With DJs Jo Mills and Tomas Hedberg providing the entertainment (an awesome opportunity for lucky guests to witness intimate sets from the island’s finest local talent) and every seat in the house full (and some with kids on their laps even!), Miss W couldn’t help but wonder how hostess with the mostess Navine managed to keep her cool all night – it’s a tough job when everybody knows your name and are all vying for your attention at once – so hats off to the hostess, we say!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Getting to see one of our favourite establishments really show us what they’re made of – to be able to simultaneously manage a market, live music in the courtyard, a busy bar, DJs and decks plus offer a full a la carte service in the peak of the festive season is a feat second to none. Cardamom Club crew, we salute you!
THE BAD: At one point in the afternoon, the kitchen actually ran out of food! While this was clearly good for business, it was bad for Miss W, who left without being able to indulge in all her favourite dishes before the kitchen – who seemed to barely have a spare second to breathe – got the chance to do further preparation. Oh well, all the more reason to return!
THE GOSSIP: Although Miss W went home at a relatively tame hour – a girl needs her beauty sleep this time of year you know – her spies say the party continued well into the morning hours before relocating to Aura. A good indication we think, as to which way the Cardamom Club’s New Year’s Eve bash may go…

12/12/08 Does Ya Mama Know? It’s cocktails at Grial…

When two of the island’s most well-known and well respected residents-slash-professional-party girls (and I mean that in the best sense of the term – chances are they’ve had a hand in many of the best parties you’ve attended in Ibiza) decide to throw a winter soiree, it should come as no surprise that almost everyone on the island – plus a few very special flown-in-for-the-occasion guests – would be in attendance.

But do their Mamas know?

Given the ultra-sexy leopard print-meets-red fringing and feather boudoir style décor, smooth Bossanova sounds and ludicrously delicious cocktails on offer, Miss W would gamble her red Gucci stilettos that Mama doesn’t have a clue, and it’s probably better if it stays that way!

From the very respectable hour of 8pm tonight, the cocktail bar at Grial reopened for the winter season, complete with happy hour until 11 – practically unheard of in Ibiza – and a cocktail list packed full of classics that were a welcome alternative to overpriced spirits and lacklustre wines.

Of course, Miss W couldn’t go past a Cosmopolitan – all that cranberry juice has amazing anti-oxidant and detoxifying properties you know – and while initially I was a little upset to be served my drink in a wine glass rather than the oversized martini glass I’m used to, I had to eventually admit that the room was so busy it was probably better this way. Martini glasses are really only suited to sitting down at a bar, otherwise you slosh it all over the place at the slightest jostle. Unless you’re James Bond of course, but that’s another story…

From hoteliers (who finally get to surface now the high season is over) and property magnates (who say they are busier than ever despite the economic climate) to the dance music fraternity and some snap happy photographers, the mix of clientele was definitely 50/50 Spanish to English, always a sure sign that you’re onto a good thing on this island…

Breakfast At Tiffany’s was being projected onto the wall – a lovely visual to be entertained (not to mention fashionably inspired) by - and classic tunes piped through the bar while the hoi polloi and their hosts caught up and compared Christmas and New Year plans over a cocktail or three - Miss W overheard more than one group of revelers declaring how happy they were to find yet another winter watering hole to whet their whistles. Three cheers to that!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Happy hour. There’s a distinct lack of places to go in the limbo hours between eight and midnight (unless you’re happy to stay at a restaurant or a café) in Ibiza at the moment, and this night filled the gap to perfection. Not only that, but when cocktails are two for the price of one, it’s all the more reason to splash your cash on a round of Christmas Cosmopolitans for your mates, considering the credit crunch and all that jazz…
THE BAD: The smoke! I’m not usually one to complain if someone lights up beside me but the ventilation in Grial leaves a lot to be desired. I know the idea of a dim-lit smoke-filled jazzy bar is sexy, but in reality, it just makes your eyes sting and your throat hurt. Ouch.
THE GOSSIP: It was a little like Grial had revolving doors come midnight with the amount of comings and goings that were happening. Where did they all come from or where were they going? Was it Pacha? Bombay Lounge? Aura? Ocho? Or heavens forbid, bed? Either way, it was difficult to walk through Grial without seeing a familiar face, no matter what hour you were there.

06/12/08: Dreaming of a White Christmas…

The first few days of December in Ibiza were a little wet and soggy, even included some snow, which by all accounts is extremely rare - but there’s something kind of magical about seeing the normally lush green countryside covered in white powder so the sudden chill was very welcome.

Speaking of magical, it’s the festive season where Ibiza really comes alive. ‘Whaaaaat?!’ I hear you exclaim, probably thinking there is enough life on the island during summer to last the entire year, however Miss W is here to inform you that Ibiza has done the equivalent of getting a haircut and splashing out on a new party frock, undergoing a makeover for the occasion.

A stroll through Ibiza town – and Santa Gertrudis, Jesus, Sant Jordi and Santa Eularia among other villages – shows off this amazing transformation. Every street, lamp post, square, park and even shop windows are adorned with the most amazing Christmas displays, from dazzling lights and striking trees to quaint decorations and markets aplenty. It’s enough to make you think you’ve stumbled across Santa’s hometown – or his holiday getaway at the very least!

Of course, being the shopaholic that I am, it was the markets that peaked my interest so the minute the weather cleared up – and you’ll be pleased to know it’s now all blue skies – I donned my festive finest and headed to Vara de Rey to get amongst the action.

It was the covered marquee, housing the most beautiful array of Christmas trees, decorations and lighting, which put the first dent in Miss W’s Fendi wallet, where I opted for a faux (but very lifelike) tree with gold and pink themed decs. Then it was onto some stocking filler-type goodies from the rows of mini-market stalls lining the square. Of course I can’t actually tell you what I bought or it wouldn’t be a surprise come Christmas day, but I just think knitted scarves, hand made trinkets, embossed leather belts and strings of pretty coloured lights and you’ll get the idea.

After indulging in some fairy floss, a hot dog and a Nutella crepe along with some Gluhwein (similar to mulled wine) from the stalls surrounding the kiddie fun fair, it was next stop, Las Dalias. The infamous hippy market throws open it’s wooden gates for winter, complete with decorations and festively themed gift ideas – the difference to summer is that the stalls are in indoors and with plenty of Gluhwein to go round, it was retail therapy indeed – in fact at one point, I must admit I got so into the spirit of shopping I seemed to have purchased more gifts for myself than those on my list.

Well, I had to make sure there’d be something under the tree for myself in case Santa decides I’ve been naughty…

MISS W’S CHRISTMAS WISHLIST
1. The gorgeous bronze silk sports jacket in Kurru Kurru – the perfect lightweight accessory to throw over a little black dress or team with jeans.
2. A whimsical Morrocan tea set from KsaR – makes me feel all Alice In Wonderland and will inspire me to have a tea party.
3. Black Superfine jeans from reVolver – the perfect fit. And if they’re good enough for Kate Moss…
4. The amazingly soft over-the-knee grey suede boots in Histericomplements – flat, so ideal for dancing all night long on NYE.
5. A membership to the Gran Hotel’s Open Spa – all this winter food means Miss W really needs to practice some serious yoga.

29/11/08: Funky Party @ Pacha

While the ever-so-slight chill in the air at the moment makes the idea of party-hopping seem less than desirable, we’re here to assure you there is one party hop in Ibiza that doesn’t require a scarf and coat between venues – and that’s the swift hop (across the road), skip (down the path) and jump (over the velvet rope) from Bombay Lounge to Pacha. Though if you’re looking for an opportunity to show off your new season’s wardrobe – a là Miss W – chances are you’ll don the winter warmers for the 30-second strut anyway.

After a bit of schmoozing with the hoi polloi at Kama Night, Miss W decided it was time to make the switch to Pacha’s Funky Party, where DJs Graham Sahara and Andy Baxter were bringing the sounds of the Funky Room – which has an incredibly huge cult following in summer – to the main room of the club for one night only.

As per the summer tradition, it was the small crowded space and stairs behind the DJ booth where the REAL action was taking place. Thankfully, Miss W’s special privileges apply all year round so she was there to witness firsthand the festivities.

From bottles of hierbas passing the lips of otherwise refined islanders and couples sneaking off up the darkened stairs for a reason I could never possibly guess - only to be sent back down in shame by the switched on security staff to a gaggle of glam girlies (or should we call them groupies?) dominating the space behind the booth, it was Pacha party central – no surprise given that one half of the DJ duo was celebrating his birthday and half the island had turned out to celebrate.

At 3am, the place experienced a surge of new partygoers (as nearby Bombay Lounge closed its doors I suspect) and the dance floor was packed. I took it upon myself to manoeuvre through the club more than once and can report that while it was a local-heavy crowd, the summer standards of frocking up had not fallen at all – Pacha is one of the only clubs that has a cloakroom and while it may not be needed in the warmer months, it sure is getting a workout these days.

THE GOOD: While the lengthy guest list queues of summer are no more, there is definitely a spectacle of sorts taking place outside the club – albeit an amazing spectacle. The famous palm trees that dominate the clubs exterior are now dripping with decorations – huge glowing red baubles hanging from the leaves and thousands of sparkling fairy lights adorning the trunks – Cherry Christmas indeed!
THE BAD: The amount of people who had promised to come and show their support and celebrate the birthday of their good friend DJ Andy Baxter that were no-shows on the night - you know who you are! Just because the previous night was rather extravagant on the party front doesn’t give you license to play hooky – plenty of others managed to perform for the double header.
THE GOSSIP: Miss W heard a whisper that the music wasn’t quite as ‘funky’ as the general style of the Funky Room in the summer and that at one point a certain man in a Very Big Hat - notorious for creating the original room – stepped behind the booth to have a quiet word in the DJs’ ears about getting back to their roots.

29/11/08 Kama Night @ Bombay Lounge

When the news of a fledgling events company - born in Ibiza during the winter months rather than the slew that pop up throughout summer - promoting weekly parties in a venue that has undergone a recent, and may we say amazing renovation reached her ears, Miss W has to admit that her interest was peaked.

Within just a few short weeks, Sanskrit Events – the brainchild of Pacha Magazine ad-man Massimo Shadi Saab, inspired by Indian culture and driven by the Kama Sutra’s sultriness according to its promotional material – has gone from hosting one weekly party at the newly revamped Bombay Lounge to three. Thursdays give you Vatsyayana with Jazz Music, Fridays Funky Sutra being (as the name suggests) funky house flavoured and Saturdays play host to Kama Night – and tonight, Miss W was going to find out just what all that was about.

Upon entering Bombay Lounge, the first thing that struck me was what a modern and international appeal this place has gained with its makeover – a chic space decorated in multiple shades of rich and earthy warm brown tones, from lush leather couches and glossy wooden tabletops to pile upon pile of comfortable cushions and impressively regal columns. Add some strategically placed bronzed Buddhas, flattering soft lamps complemented by plenty of candlelight and a cosy fireplace and it looks like the new kid in town is certainly making a dramatic entrance.

Beyond the daybed style booths was the crowded bar area – it seems Ibiza’s locals don’t like to be restricted to just one booth, sofa or table, preferring to hop from group to group since everyone knew practically everyone and everyone who was anyone was here anyway – and the DJ booth, where island fave Angel Cielo was spinning some smooth house grooves with a constant smile on his face. No surprise given the reaction he was getting from the crowd, who seem quite enamoured of their new watering hole and its entertainment.

The good news for those girls who like to travel light on a night out is that Bombay closes at the incredibly tame hour of 3am, meaning there’s no need to pack your sunglasses… unless you head across the road to Pacha of course!

THE GOOD: The amazing transformation from the old Sante Fe to its current incarnation as Bombay Lounge – this is a bar that wouldn’t be out of place in any of the major cities around the world.
THE BAD: While the venue is notably attracting a good crowd, the quality of drinks being served didn’t quite live up to its glamorous surrounds or clientele. I don’t know about you, but Miss W certainly doesn’t like her vodka and tonic served in a jumbo-sized chunky glass without a straw and very little ice – or am I just being overly fussy?
THE GOSSIP: As the neighboring corner plays host to one of the island’s biggest high-glamour heavyweights – that’s right folks, Pacha is located directly opposite Bombay Lounge – one has to wonder how the competition will affect both venues. But then again, sometimes a little competition is healthy, don’t you think?

23/11/08: The Geisha - The Boat Charter Company

Take one 18-metre sailboat, fitted with teak and adorned with striking black sails, add an incredible gourmet picnic spread made up of the finest Spanish wines, traditional ham, cheese and enough delectable canape style treats to tempt a pirate, then introduce the team of White-ettes, a couple of Token White Males and the wonderful crew of The Boat Charter Company (including a very cute co-captain of the canine variety) and you’ve got the makings for an amazing day of sailing in Ibiza.

Donning my very best nautical attire for a day on the high seas and remembering to pack a scarf and sunscreen because it does indeed get a little chilly despite the glorious sunshine, it was all aboard the good ship Geisha, the pride and joy of The Boat Charter Company. Really an incredible vessel, featuring three bedrooms plus a kitchen and living space for those who can’t bear to go onto dry land once the sun goes down – this is true luxury on the water and an afternoon experience Miss W is looking forward to indulging in more over the course of the coming winter months.

At the helm was captain Len Hall and hostess with the mostess Mandy Gregory, ready to prove that a drop in temperature does not mean a trip to Es Palmador and Formetera is any less cool! In fact, as we sailed out of Marina Botafoch and headed across to our neighboring islands, with the sun on our faces and slightly windswept hair, I couldn’t help but imagine how glamorous we looked as we sailed past those on ferries or smaller little boats. If you ask me, it was like a scene right out of a movie – and we all know Miss W would be casting herself in the lead role!

Of course, my co-stars were equally as glamorous – particularly one Token White Male who was very adept at assisting with sails and ropes while the girls simply gazed on in admiration (subtly and behind sunglasses of course – though they’ll probably deny it after the fact) and imagined him to be our very own pirate of the Mediterranean for the day.

The crystal clear waters sparkled with clarity and the tranquil beaches looked divine without the sun beds and umbrellas they’re peppered with in summer while all hands on deck seemed to be consistently be holding a glass of wine just to add to the ambience of our own personal movie set!

I don’t know if it was a case of sea legs or if the free-flowing vino tinto had anything to do with it, but Miss W certainly noticed more than one of the guests walking with a bit of a sailor worthy swagger once on dry land…

THE GOOD: Amazing winter weather makes for the perfect day of smooth sailing. Sure you won’t be diving off the boat for a swim (unless you’ve packed your wetsuit) but the gorgeously sunny conditions are perfect for smooth sailing, sightseeing and sipping on vino...
THE BAD: Daylight savings means the sun goes down earlier so you don’t get to experience as many hours on the water – unless you get up super early that is, and Miss W is definitely NOT a morning person!
THE GOSSIP: Miss W hears that the instant success of the new Ryanair direct flights from London and Milan to Ibiza means the demand for chartering weekend yacht trips in Ibiza is on the rise. While The Boat Charter Company has plenty of options available, there’s only one Geisha so we think you should make a reservation pronto!

15/11/08: Sushipoint Saturdays

If you thought the action in Ibiza slowed down just because we’ve slipped into the colder half of the year, you obviously haven’t been party hopping with Miss W on a Saturday night yet.

While there were plenty of options on the plate for tonight, Miss W was most looking forward to heading over to Marina Botafoch for Sushipoint Saturdays. While the name itself doesn’t give too much away about the nature of the event – Is it dinner? Drinks? Dancing? – the fact those left on the island have been buzzing about it all week meant it was definitely the number one option on my dance (or drinks or dinner!) card tonight.

Inside the cosy and stylishly lit surrounds of Sushipoint I caught up with some friends I’d hardly had a chance to see since the closing of Space more than a month ago (as they say, time really does fly…) for the chance to sample the specialty sushi prepared lovingly and expertly by chef Pablo – who scored extra points at Miss W’s table on account of him being quite the hottie!

As we settled in and made our difficult choices from the special menu – three courses for a mere 20€ and all sounded spectacular – the room seemed to fill up within a flash. Seriously. Faster than Pablo can speed-slice sashimi, it seemed every table was full with a lot of über-chic types lingering at the bar and outdoors on the comfy sofas. With a cross-cultural and cosmopolitan crowd like this, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in New York or London. Thankfully for us, this was all happening in downtown central Ibiza. Well, slightly left-of-centre but you know what I’m talking about.

The atmosphere was that of a cool lounge bar, thanks to the fabulous early-evening stylings of DJ Olli Odd – think deep house meets chilled classics with an extra sprinkling of soft and melodic techno. By midnight, it was definitely a case of drinks and dancing taking precedence over the menu, as more and more guests arrived to fill up the cosy space and as Olli gave the music an up-tempo turn, I couldn’t help but wonder if he was ever going to come out from behind the DJ booth for a quick drink break to say the least. Nope – it seems the resident DJ is quite happy manning the decks for the duration of his party, as I saw him sneaking quick bites of sushi in between mixes – it could be said this is the Ibiza way to sing for your supper!

Dinner? Check. Drinks? Check. Dancing? Check mate! Now if only someone had warned Miss W she needed to keep her sunglasses tucked in her handbag, it could have made the taxi ride home more bearable.

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: It seems this side of the marina is where it’s at on the weekends in the winter, where it’s easy to nip back and forth from one venue to another – Sushipoint, Pacha and Kama Night at Bombay Lounge here we come!
THE BAD: Unfortunately for Miss W – who has a weakness for chocolate brownies – the sheer volume of people in attendance meant that the flustered-yet-incredibly-apologetic Sushipoint staff had trouble keeping up with the orders at our table, resulting in us missing dessert. While a complimentary bottle of wine was much–appreciated, I’m still craving that brownie…
THE GOSSIP: Whispers doing the island rounds at the moment are that the weekend Sushipoint soirees have been continuing well into the daylight hours – it’s lucky they serve breakfast then, we say!

07/11/08: Summing up the season

So yet another summer has just passed us by – although passing by probably isn’t the right way to express it. Another summer has crashed headfirst into our lives, put on a spectacular performance and then danced on out again like the whirlwind it was.

Well, at least that’s how it was for Miss W anyway.

So how do I sum it up? A couple of parties here, a bit of clubbing there and a lot of nail polish, mascara and lip gloss (always a creamy nude thank you very much!) slicked on in between – not to mention sunscreen on those sultry summer afternoons on the beach! There have been many a faithful pair of boots and stilettos re-heeled after all the action on the dance floor and I can’t even begin to imagine the amount of fresh mint plants I have slaughtered in the name of a good mojito – for research purposes of course!

There’s been some talk in the White Ibiza Studio that perhaps Miss W should nominate some of her season highlights, like best DJ, favourite beach, favourite club night, best looking bartenders and the like – but you know, I just can’t play favourites with my babies (cough Luciano splutter Cala Jondal gulp We Love… Sundays erm Base Bar). It wouldn’t be fair, you know?

But what I can do is relive a few of my own personal highlights.

1. Bumping into Luciano (and flicking my hair accordingly) on the red carpet at Ocean Drive – in front of That Person Formerly Known As Potential Boyfriend. My finest hour indeed.

2. Dancing with Kate Moss in the makeshift VIP area at Space as The Chemical Brothers rocked the Discoteca at We Love… Sundays’ 10th birthday bash. Oh OK, I was just dancing NEXT to her. But it looks like we’re mates in the photos!

3. Inadvertently taking part in a protest along Vara De Rey against the closure of DC10 and other after-hours parties – the critics may have shunned it but I was totally having my very own Angelina Jolie-esque freedom fighter moment. Libertad!

4. Dancing on the sand at Groove Armada’s not-so-secret live concert at S’Estanyol – world-class production, sensational music and quite possibly one of the most spectacular locations on the island.

5. Welcoming a gorgeous little blue-eyed stripey kitten into my Ibiza family – the essential accessory to snuggle up to after any event. It’s not always about parties you know!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Summer. Ibiza. Is there anywhere else in the world I would rather would I rather be? Not a chance.
THE BAD: While the law is the law and if you’re not abiding by said law then it’s true you have to pay the penalties, Miss W was incredibly saddened about the closure of DC10. Those were the days…
THE GOSSIP: Of course, at the end of the season the gossip is always about who went well, who will survive, who is planning what for next year, but I have to say, the one thing that I am most interested in is the future fate of Manumission. Have they jumped ship from Amnesia? Will there even be a Manumission club night next year? Are Mike and Claire opening a burlesque restaurant after all? Will there be the long-awaited world tour? Only time will tell… and you can rest assured Miss W will be here to tell you all about it when the time comes.

31/10/08: Halloween, Ibiza style…

Miss W would love to tell you all about the annual Bambuddha Grove Halloween party in Ibiza style. She’d love to tell you all about the amazing décor, from cobweb-encrusted ceilings to buddhas in hockey masks, oversized spiders hanging from the roof and skeletons in every corner. She’d love to talk about the amazing spookily-themed cocktails and how it was so busy it made getting to the bar quite a challenge. She’d love to talk about the special guest DJs and their amazing music getting the crowd on the makeshift dancefloor til the early hours of the morning.

And most of all, she’d love to tell you about the phenomenal effort made by every man, woman, child and even dog on the island to dress up for the Halloween occasion. From not one but two sets of Ghostbusters and many a gruesome fanged vampire – including one saucy schoolgirl vamp with a creepy matching vamp-esque dolly by her side – to skeletons, witches, warlocks, pirates, Bollywood babes, the Joker, a ladybird, KISS characters, a life-sized pumpkin, several Grim Reapers, a Tinkerbell and a couple of X-Men thrown in for good measure.

BUT! Sadly… Miss W can’t. She can tell you all of these things as hearsay – from Very Reliable Sources I might add – however when it came to the Halloween action, it seems Miss W’s Halloween was more of a trick than a treat.

Yes folks, tonight Miss W was off her game. By trying to spread myself thin and attend as many pre-Halloween bashes as possible, I’d opted to bypass the dinner part of the festivities at the Grove and just attend the ensuing party.

Big mistake. Big, big mistake. Big, big, biiiiiiig mistake – and I’m not afraid to admit it!

Why? Because by the time I had party-hopped my way around Ibiza Town – including an extended stop-off at Base Bar’s spooky special event – and then made my way up to the Grove, it seemed The Authorities (not content with just making Their Presence known throughout the summer) had intervened and pulled the plug. No amount of begging, pleading or phoning a friend could help Miss W get inside the party, and I guess I had no one to blame but myself. Not one to throw a ‘don’t-you-know-who-I-am?’ style tantrum, I simply hotfooted it over to Pacha, where all trick-or-treaters were welcome.

Apparently it was something to do with the venue being over capacity, as Bambuddha Grove really is a restaurant, not a bar. It seems a shame to end the season without even one exception being made to the rule, but them’s the brakes. Or are they?

They say rules are made to be broken, and if gossip is to be believed (see below), it looks like the guests of the party really got the last spooky laugh tonight…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Missing out on Bambuddha Grove didn’t mean the end of my Halloween – it simply meant I got the chance to check out the intimate Pacha winter set-up (along with all the other ghouls and goblins who missed out on a place inside the Grove) for the first time this season – and now I’m looking forward to spending a lot more quality weekend time on that dance floor.
THE BAD: Missing out on all the action of course! Looks like skipping dinner certainly didn’t do Miss W any favours on this occasion as it was definitely a case of first in, first served.
THE GOSSIP: Although the non-official word was that Bambuddha Grove had been closed down by the police – who had definitely made an appearance – and the doormen were certainly not letting any more guests inside, there are plenty of partygoers who will testify to the fact that the party went on until well after 4am.

25/10/08: Making new friends

One of the best remedies to help deal with the sadness of bidding your friends farewell for another season in Ibiza is to make some new friends. Sometimes you’ll meet them at a party, other times in a bar, sometimes they’ll be friends of a friend and others may just turn up completely unexpected. For all you know, they could well be strolling along beside you as you walk through town.

The latter is exactly the way Miss W made her New Best Friend today. After a brief stroll through the slightly soggy Sant Jordi market this morning – a girl will cross any terrain to nab the type of amazing vintage silver earrings I picked up this morning – Miss W decided it was high time she spent a little less time shopping and a little more time socialising so she headed back to Ibiza Town, where all the action was taking place in Boulevard Matutes de Vila, the pedestrianised section of the new town.

Rather than cruise about the place chit-chatting to everyone, today Miss W took a more carefully considered approach to making new friends – she lingered around the outskirts, checking out the looks of everyone but it wasn’t too long before she was approached by a very big, dark and handsome type, in town on somewhat of a business trip.

He wandered right up to me, sniffed me – very forward don’t you think? - then seemed to nod his approval. Then his minder made me an offer I couldn’t refuse – not that Miss W is shallow or easy - and he was just so good looking I had to follow his lead.

My NBF, as you may have guessed by now is of the four-legged variety, a gorgeous-yet-homeless shepherd dog named Pelut, one of the many dogs in Ibiza living in a shelter and looking for a new home. Today marks the first ‘Day Of Responsible Adoption’, a promotion that takes these furry friends out of their cages and onto the streets, with the objection to place them in new homes, staffed completely by volunteer helpers and veterinarians.

There were big ones, small ones, teensy tiny baby ones, fluffy ones, scruffy ones, stray ones and even adorable old ancient ones – the only trouble was how do you pick which one? Thankfully Miss W’s NBF made her decision easy and chose her.

You’ve gotta love a dog with a nose for Marc Jacobs perfume!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: 17 of the dogs were successfully adopted out to new families today, a testament to the volunteer workers and veterinarians who worked to oversee the event all day. If you’re interested in helping out or adopting your very own perrito, head to www.ibiza4patas.com for further information.
THE BAD: Sadly, Miss W lives in an apartment with two bossy felines, which meant there was no way she could take Pelut home with her. The good news is, she can volunteer to walk him until he finds a new home, meaning her newfound friendship can continue.
THE GOSSIP: The ominous rainclouds overhead almost threatened to ruin the event (imagine that many soggy wet dogs trying to seduce new owners?) but the heavens must have been smiling on the dogs as it managed to stay dry until the end of the event.