I don't think you could ever find a single person whose mouth doesn't completely water when you toss up authentic Mexican for dinner.


Thank god we have Guzman Y Gomez on Gouger St to help us out!

Specialising in dishes such as tacos, nachos, and burritos, GYG (located near Chinatown) also serves famous Mexican refreshments like Latin lemonade and frozen margaritas; MARGARITAS PEOPLE



We asked the GYG staff on how many avocados they go through each day... are you ready for it? They use around 60 KILOS!! Now that's a lot of guacamole!

Every Guzman Y Gomez meal is prepared fresh on-site using authentic and ethically sourced ingredients. Each morning the chefs make the guacamole from scratch by opening and mashing the avocados by hand and all the meat is marinated and chopped up instore (Fun Fact: We got a tour of the back of the kitchen and our meal-prep goals have been attained! 😂)

Guzman Y Gomez aims to change the fast food industry by providing great food at speed without compromising in ethically sourced ingredients, quality, taste or nutrition. The company uses 100% sow-stall free pork, Lilydale free range chicken and uses 100% grass-fed beef - which is great for us ethical meat-eaters.



We were able to try the Chicken Enchilada that came with sour cream, guac (amazing), topped with jack cheese and corn chips - it was LIFE CHANGING! Also, hot tip, next time you head in, DO NOT LEAVE until you've tried the churros with dulce de leche. I was able to smash two on my way out of this event and I've been dreaming of them ever since.

With meals being able to be customized with your choice of meat, additions, fillings, and level of spice; it's clearly a winner when your picky group of friends are looking for a one-stop shop for good food.


So the next time you're craving mexican grub and any excuse to whip out your sombrero, head to Guzman Y Gomez!

Thank you to BPPR for inviting us to try the amazing selection of food available.

100 BLOG POSTS!!!!!!

WOW!

I can't believe I've actually hit 100 blog posts.

Since starting in 2015, my blog has grown from the Beauty Blog 'Matin Mon Amour' (meaning 'Good Morning, My Love' in French) to the more on-brand 'The Iconic Blonde' Adelaide Lifestyle and Fashion Blog.

I've had three writers on my team, hundreds of events (literally!), too many days stressing about what to wear, festivals, fashion shows, media passes, late nights, cocktails, celebrations, jobs, career moves, mentoring, keynote speaking, hosting, modelling, and supporting countless South Australian and Adelaide built businesses - I couldn't be happier with the positive influence that I've been able to bring into our community.

HOW FUNNY is my FIRST EVER outfit of the day?! 😂
I started my blog first and foremost because I wanted to pursue a hobby I was passionate about. Writing was always something that came naturally to me, and being able to engage an audience with my very own voice and opinions just felt right - who knew people would be clambering to hear my opinions on trending topics!

People I have supported have now become some of my best friends (Lisa from The Candle Establishment, Nicola and Melanie from Astor and Tyne, Katelyn from Ellery Events Australia, to name a few!), and the community that I have been welcomed in to has solidified themselves as friends for life (shout out to the fashion blogger girls group chat!).


And my first ever blog was about shoes! Just how fitting is that - Check it out below!


A big thank you to everyone I have met on this journey so far, the brands who have collaborated with me and the PR's/companies who have invited me to try products and attend events. I wouldn't have been able to learn so much and follow my passions without you. 

And another big thank you to my team, Silvana & Ashlee for accompanying me to events and helping me whenever I felt strung out trying to have it all.

Here's to another 100 posts!

Our favourite Drag Bar Mary's Poppin, has been brought to new levels - LITERALLY! 

With the popularity of Mary's Poppin (Adelaide's hottest LGBTQI all-inclusive bar); the land of the infamous Schlong Island Iced Tea has expanded into the lower level of the party venue formerly known as Dim Dooley's.


The fresh lower-level sports a flashy bar, neon for days, drag performances by our favourite local queens, go-go dancing cages, and my favourite... PINK! Pink everywhere. The expansion (that makes Mary's DOUBLE the size than it was previously) incorporates video technology that blasts the best pop, RnB, dance, 80s, and 90s tunes to get down to.


The launch night of the new bar gave patrons a VIP experience - with FREE performances from the Heart of Season 10 Monique Heart and Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5, Jinkx Monsoon.






The expansion has come to no surprise to the regular crowd, with lines growing well past Synagogue Place and spilling onto Rundle St on popular weekends. The bar will be home to the new 'Thirsty Thursdays' #Thirstday, opening their doors on Thursday nights from 8pm, on top of their regular weekend openings.


Mary's Poppin has brought internationally renown Drag Queens such as RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10 winner, Aquaria, All-Stars 3 Winner, Trixie Mattel, and an ever-growing variety of previous Ru girls for our entertainment. 




(Mary's is a Gay & Lesbian (LGBTQI) Safe Space but they welcome all hetero friends ONLY if you are kind and friendly.)

Mary's Poppin
5 Synagogue Place
Adelaide, SA, 5000




Written by Ashlee Dignon

On Thursday evening at The Crown & Anchor, Maisie officially launched their single 'Jungle Berry' to the Adelaide public with a gig their growing fanbase will forever remember.

Maisie, meaning child of light and perhaps a reference to Syd Barett's infamous blues jam, started in late 2017 and has established itself to 4 band members being Ben on lead guitar, Emmett on guitar and vocals, Kenny on bass, and Siddy on drums.


Opening the gig with special guests, Sons of Zoku, The Empty Threats, and Strangway; Maisie headlined to a packed crowd of eager fans - most of which were sporting Maisie's new line of merchandise.



In an interview with Radio Adelaide's Sam and Casey, lead singer Emmett described the Crown and Anchor as the band's second home, making the venue the obvious choice for the band to debut their single.


Before the show, our music writer Ashlee had the unique opportunity to catch band members Kenny, Ben, Siddy, and Emmett for a chat. The musicians described completing the song as one of their biggest accomplishments since forming the band and discussed the complexity of the time management challenges that comes with having multiple band members working together.


Recorded by The Empty Threat's own Matt Shultz, Jungle Berry is fun, original, and above all, catchy as hell. Maisie takes some of their inspirations from guitar god Jimi Hendrix and other rock legends like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, which we can most certainly hear in their psych-rock hit.



Once you've heard Maisie's hit new single Jungle Berry via the link below, make sure you follow the Maisie facebook page for updates on upcoming gigs; including your chance to hear the legends themselves at Adelaide's HQ complex on the 7th of September.



In one of Adelaide's most up-and-coming areas, Port Adelaide, online retailer, Miko + Mollie, have officially set-up their first flagship retail location - Woohoo!

Stocking high-end and luxury brands like Sass and Bide,  Alice McCallThurley, Ixiah, Shona Joy, and Camilla; Miko + Mollie promises to cover all of your fashion needs in The Port. P.S South Australia's own Acler  (known for being loved by Beyonce and Katy Perry), will be dropping in-store this month! Keep your eyes peeled.



Miko + Mollie first gained the attention of their fashion-forward market when brand owner, Courtney Rogers, started posting photos of herself sporting the various wears from Miko + Mollie. 

The technique of including ready to purchase items styled meticulously on a real woman caused a stir with shoppers who were sick of airbrushed models advertising garments that didn't represent the wear of the items accurately. With over 18,000 likes on Facebook and 27,000 followers on Instagram - Miko + Mollie is hitting its stride with Aussie women.

Since launching in 2016, Courtney has been able to secure high-end luxury brands through her bold vision, endless energy, and ability to create a community that encourages individuality, self-love and fashion risks.


"Miko + Mollie is unique, bold, unashamed of who it is 
and celebratory of all the beauty that surrounds it!"
- Courtney Rogers



The new retail location is absolutely stunning - with care and love being shown in every detail. The modern black chandelier brings a beautiful element of design to the store-front, with my personal favourite addition being the large black swinging saloon doors of the changing rooms that just scream bold elegance.


Check out all the fun from the Miko + Mollie Launch Party (courtesy of CLIQUE Mag) HERE!


A little over a year ago, The Iconic Blonde was invited by Miko + Mollie to document the Behind the Scenes action at their 2017 photoshoot! It's a blast from the past - so check out how far we've all come in the post from last year NOW!


With the vibe of the launch night being ~ALL THINGS FASHION~
Check out my outfit from the party below!


Find Miko + Mollie's retail store at 228 Vincent Rd, Port Adelaide 
(Look for the big timber doors next to the Taqueria!)


The Adelaide Fashion Festival presented by Mercedes-Benz Adelaide & Unley has officially launched for 2018, returning this October with a bold program of runways, lunches, masterclasses and retail activations.
In its 11th year, AFF will feature an expanded showcase of South Australian ready-to-wear designers, a bridal-focused couture runway, an ethical sustainable fashion presentation, and TAFE SA designs, as well as many returning favourites of the South Australian fashion industry.
While AFF is all about fashion at its core, there is also so much music, art, food, wine, and design to enjoy throughout the Festival. The AFF 2018 campaign location Lake Bumbunga has provided unique inspiration for many of these elements, with its dream-like beauty, colour, and light. The bubble-gum pink of the lake has formed the foundation of the AFF colour palette, and the rest of the principle palette’s strong brights reflect the ever-changing environment of the lake bed, surroundings, and sky.
AFF is also an important platform for championing local talent and South Australia, from the designers to the models, the musicians and the catering. The face of the AFF18 campaign Hollie Brown is an up and coming Adelaide model, while the musician featured in the AFF TVC – PNK 4ME – is a local Adelaide artist who will also perform throughout the Festival.

What can you look forward to at this year’s AFF? How much time do you have? The program kicks off with a Masterclass featuring The Daily Edited’s Alyce Tran, followed by an evening spectacular not to be missed. Internationally revered couture brand Paolo Sebastian will open AFF for the first time in an exquisite collaboration with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Showcasing his latest collection The Nutcracker, the ASO will perform the well-loved Tchaikovsky score live on runway.
Following this are 4 more days of fashion, food, and design. Last year’s sold-out and not-to-be-missed Vogue’s Kitchen with Edwina McCann will return to Sean’s Kitchen in 2018, the SA Designer Showcase presented by Spendless Shoes will have an exciting blend of ready-to-wear styles and aesthetics, and the Vogue Festival returns to Rundle Mall for two days of fun retail activity.
“AFF is always proud to introduce new designers and events to keep the festival fresh and representative of what’s happening in the industry right now,” said AFF creative director Chris Kontos.
“Many of our favourite brands will also return to the runway, and we’ve still got some surprises in store.”

One of this year’s most exciting additions, SLOW Saturday, gives you the opportunity to join Adelaide and Australia’s leading change-makers in the realm of sustainable and ethical fashion, featuring incredible sustainable fashion, vintage, and pre-loved looks. With food by Tasting Australia festival director Simon Bryant and wines by Wicks Estate, SLOW Saturday is an exciting and meaningful addition in the program.
There’s so much to see – and shop – during the Festival, so be sure to check out the Program now and start buying tickets before these events well and truly sell out.
The 2018 Adelaide Fashion Festival presented by Mercedes-Benz Adelaide & Unley starts on Wednesday October 17.