SYDNEY

Nespresso Inissia Machine launch, Cell Block Theatre, National Art School

The guff for the new coffee machine which, let's admit, is becoming de rigueur for most kitchen benchtops, says this new entry level (read, slightly cheaper) machine is about contemporary design and advanced technology in a "small sleek package" with lots of "playful colours". And that's exactly how the party was. Plenty of young, nubile, colourful things, thrashing their So You Think You Can Dance-honed bodies to beats by DJ Alison Wonderland (she's hot and very exxy, as in dollar signs, apparently) in a setting which was part Munich Castle, part Parisian nightclub. For the rest of us not-so-nubile-types, various bespoke Nespresso cocktails and trays full of delicious canapes (no wonder, they were created by Colin Fassnidge) were enough to keep us old folk entertained. Gin and tonic jellies were also a favourite among guests. This was one event not for the faint-hearted. Tote bags filled with Nespresso products to take home meant those who kicked on long enough for the nitrogen affogato desserts wouldn't have a problem getting up for work the next morning. Taxi anyone?

Launch of The Lucky One, by Krystal Barter, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

There weren't many dry eyes in the room as Margie Abbott launched this memoir which charts Krystal Barter's journey from troubled teen grappling with her family cancer curse to becoming director of Pink Hope. She had a radical preventive double mastectomy at 25 when diagnosed with "the Jolie gene", and has become an inspiration to other women with hereditary cancer. Her husband Karl Stefanovic (described in the book as "her secret weapon") and their three children were present. As MC, Stefanovic quipped: "I think you're hotter than Angelina and I think your husband is better looking than Brad Pitt!" Barter says she has a suspicion it was her nan's shortbread that kept Karl coming back.

The Stables, Sydney launch, Level 4, The Grandstand Royal Randwick Racecourse

The Australian Turf Club and the Keystone Group unveiled The Stables, a luxury private members' club at Randwick Racecourse with exclusive services. The Stables concierge team greeted guests who were taken through the stylish restaurant, the outdoor terrace, the reading room complete with a billiard table and library, and the Moet & Chandon room. All rather swish. There's also a courtesy BMW chauffeur service. No request was too difficult at the Martini Bar, a hit with ladies lining up for their personalised cocktails.

SSO Vanguard 2014 Opening Party, Brand X @ Central

The idea is to bring the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, which some might consider stuffy, out of the concert hall and into unusual and unexpected places around Sydney to challenge public perceptions of classical musical. The latest edition had backyard party vibe, complete with Astroturf, shipping pallets, old chairs and milk crates. Not your usual orchestral environment but the tune list was traditional with Bach, Ravel and Haydn, plus a remix of Matthew Hindson's piece Rush, with an oboe replacing the guitar. And when the music wasn't playing, Jonathan Pease (professional creative type and style director on Aus-tralia's Next Top Model) stepped in to entertain. His stories had guests in stitches.

Opera Australia's Madama Butterfly, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney Harbour

With its giant sun and moon, spectacular set transforming the harbour front into an exquisite Japanese garden, stunning costumes and an international cast and team, Opera Australia's powerful drama has been the talk of the town. While the massive open air space would be forgiven for lacking intimacy, S was moved to tears in the final tragic act. Superb voices (Cio-Cio San and Pinkerton's exquisite love duet in act one was mesmerising) and Puccini's beautiful score – coupled with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge as a backdrop – will get you every time. Magical.

Sydney premiere of The Lego Movie, Event Cinemas, Westfield Bondi Junction

This premiere had a proudly Sydney vibe – many in the cinemas were Animal Logic creatives who had personally and painstakingly been part of making this film over two years. Animation co-director Chris McKay described it as "a foreign language film from Oz". With the little bricks forming the backdrop to so many young families' lives, S has barely witnessed such an excited crowd as was at this highly anticipated event among the under 10s. And with the lively animation and adult-friendly jokes, this flick didn't disappoint. One of S's children rated it "top 10 of all time". Now that's a big call.

MELBOURNE

Ms Collins launch, Collins Street

It's Ms Collins, got it; Ms attached to no one, beholden to none. On Thursday night we were invited inside the old Silk Road site to experience this new bar/restaurant, this new world of Ms Collins; her wicked colour and light – courtesy of artist Juan Mcarb – and her exquisite taste – beginning with the work of chefs Jacques Reymond, Daniel Wilson (Huxtable), Paul Wilson and Riccardo Momesso (Valentino). Inside this proud Ms we were still eager to learn, who did you wish was your Mr or Mrs, back in the day? “As a young boy, Wonder Woman,” Hatem Saleh said. “I thought she was amazing. She's got the power, I love women with power.” Saleh is one of the partners behind the venue, along with Simon Digby, Sami Saleh and Tony Perna.

MICF Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow, Palais Theatre

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow; it was at the Palais Theatre on Wednesday, and that's what it was called. Tommy Little, performing that night, thought “it should be called 'The People Who Didn't Quite Get the Gala'. They still want to make them feel important so they give them the show on the opening night.” American stand-up Jen Kirkman added, “We'd be able to do longer sets if the title wasn't so f---king long.” But still, it is a “supershow” so we wanted to know, what else are you super at? “I'm going to say shopping for vintage coats, I just bought one yesterday,” Kirkman said. “I know that's not really a skill ...” Little agreed, “You know, the usual exchange of money for goods is something that most people do.” Kirkman assured him, no, it's more than that: “I don't search. I walk, I vibe, I see it, and that's it.” And Little, what is he super at? “Don't say the same thing!” Kirkman cautioned. But he couldn't because he's good at ... “Nothing - which is why I'm doing comedy. Some people do it by choice; I do it out of necessity.”

Cecconi's relaunch, Flinders Lane

It was a get-together, a festivity, a celebration, as the Bortolotto family commemorated the relaunch of Cecconi's restaurant and cellar bar in Flinders Lane. And it was a responsibility they didn't take lightly; risotto with freshly shaved black truffles was served, and there was twice-cooked duck with sweet potato puree and lime, songbird Emma Birdsall performed and guests included Elliot Costello, Camilla Deague, and Sam Newton. We wondered, when there's a celebration in your family, who's in charge and what's the spread? Y-Generation Against Poverty (YGAP) founder, Costello, took us to Africa. “The best family spread that I've been involved in was with a Malawian family. It involved the whole community; every single person had a responsibility to bring something to the feast for everyone to share.” What did you bring? “Well, as guests from Australia we brought the standard little koala gifts and images of Australia, of Uluru and the outback, but we had to help to do the cooking and we had to help serve the elders in the community. We ate maize for the first time. It's a very dry product but it's the standard diet in Malawi. It was interesting; I wouldn't say it was beautiful,” he laughed. “The food tonight is much better.”