King Karl gives us more fabulous quotes and stars in a music video with French electro-pop artist Jean Roch and Snoop dog see ..here ! Hilarious and so French…Mon Dieu……

‘While France’s new socialist president settles in, Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld decamps to Versailles to celebrate luxury, style and the Queen’s jubilee… Shown to only 200 guests (a few journalists, a smattering of celebrities and a slew of its best customers from around the world), the Cruise collection is Chanel’s most theatrical show…. from Telegraph.co.uk

“Today, on the internet, it is nice to see something that looks like a movie. Maybe 99 per cent of the people who see the clothes will never own them, but they can buy the lipstick or the perfume.”

“Forget about the past. If you think it was better, you are finished: out. We have to adapt to our time, as time does not adapt to us.”

“Fashion should be about frivolity - serious frivolity. I know a lot of people who were saved by frivolity, as the superficial part of life is very healthy.”

“The world of luxury is another world from that of daily life. This is what the French do best; perfume, champagne - luxury. These are the exports, so we better make an effort and not believe the world is all… just normal.”

“In fashion we have more queens than kings.”

“Now, I have more books than I have shelves.” Does he have time to read them?

“Yes! I am a brain-bodybuilder. Schwarzenegger of the brain.”.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail ...by  Cheryl Strayed

I loved reading the excerpt of this in American Vogue and it’s on the New York New Times best seller list….”A powerful, blazingly honest memoir: the story of an eleven-hundred-mile solo hike that broke down a young woman reeling from catastrophe-and built her back up again.
At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State-and to do it alone. She had no experience as a long-distance hiker, and the trail was little more than “an idea, vague and outlandish and full of promise.” But it was a promise of piecing back together a life that had come undone.
Strayed faces down rattlesnakes and black bears, intense heat and record snowfalls, and both the beauty and loneliness of the trail. Told with great suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild vividly captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

“One of the most original, heartbreaking and beautiful American memoirs in years. . . . The unlikely journey is awe-inspiring, but it’s one of the least remarkable things about the book Michael Schaub, NPR Books

$14 Publisher: Knopf (March 20, 2012) Amazon.com

Rooms to Inspire by the Sea …by Annie Kelly, Tim Street-Porter

This is a gorgeous book full of gorgeous beach houses!
‘Freed from the frenetic pace of daily life, a beach house is a place to express your playful, adventurous side: white floorboards replace thick carpets, rooms are accented with jaunty nautical touches, and the palette ranges from pastel tones to shots of vivid color.
An unprecedented tour of breathtaking beach community and waterfront properties in idyllic settings such as Southern California, Florida, the Hamptons, and Puerto Vallarta is showcased in this alluring volume. The select houses-ranging from casual weekend retreats and charming cottages to luxurious family compounds-are the personal homes of decorators and tastemakers such as Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan, Juan Montoya, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, Matthew Rolston, Linda Garland, and Michael Bruno.
This beautifully photographed and inspirational book encourages one to explore the design opportunities available at the beach with flair.’

$34 Publisher: Rizzoli (April 10, 2012) http://www.amazon.com

It’s another FiFi style session !
Last week I presented another fashion workshop : this time on stage for Westfield Burwood.  It was all about the key pieces for winter and how to wear them. So I must share with you- again -the behind scenes shots of our fitting and all the fabulous outfits on our gorgeous Model Angela (from Scoop). How fabulous she does look, as always, without any hair and makeup?!

You can see it’s all about wearing every piece twice and getting serious mileage from your wardrobe. It’s also showing you the tricks to taking your wardrobe from day to evening just by changing a few accessories. There are so many great looks and the prices are fabulous: We’re talking cheap but chic heaven. The links are there to every store (in red!) so you can virtually buy everything. Right now.  That should make you smile.
Let me know what you pick as your favourite outfits!

Look 1:
Country Road double cloth pants $129,
Sussan oatmeal coat $169.95,
Dotti peplum top $39.95,
Sussan faux fur stole $49.95,
Tom Ford sunglasses from Sunglass Hut $425,
Sussan grey bag $69.95,
Wittner black pointy toe shoes $169.95.

Fashion Tip;
The peplum top is the key piece of the season. Love it in white.
A faux fur scarf with joosh up any outfit!

Look 2 ( without the coat, same pants and top)
Country Road double cloth pants $129
Dotti peplum top $39.95,
Wittner silver foil shoes $169.95,
Sussan faux fur stole $49.95.
Sussan grey handbag $69.95

Look 3
Country Road double cloth pants $129
Sheike white top $79.95,
Sportsgirl sequin cardi $129.95,
Mazal tear drop crystal necklace $179,
Colette chain trim bag $39.95,
Wittner silver foil shoes $169.95,
Sussan faux fur stole $49.95.

Fashion Tip;
Add a glittery shrug and watch this look suddenly go from day to evening.
Keep the party going on your feet with silver pointy heels.

Look 4:
Portmans faux fur coat $169.95,
Sheike white top $79.95,
Sportsgirl silver collar necklace $29.95,
Glassons faux leather skirt $59.99,
Country Road burgundy leather gloves $129,
Wittner black pony hair shoulder bag $149,
Country Road heels $199

Fashion Tip;
Fashion is having a love affair with leather and faux fur. Talk about looking expensive !
Long gloves rock a 3/4 sleeve jacket and day time jewellery is minimal, just add a silver choker.

Look 5:
Glassons black and cream merino knit $39.99,
Country Road faux fur vest $149,
Mazal cuff $299,
Glassons faux leather skirt $59.99,
Rubi shoes taupe suede ankle boots $49.95,
Colette orange taupe shopper tote $49.95.

Fashion Tip;
Add a contrasting colour with an oversized tote ( very Celine inspired) for an edgy look and keep the shoes neutral.
Don’t be afraid of mixing all these rich textures, fur, leather and suede.

Look 6:
Glassons black and cream merino knit $39.99,
Portmans black coat $229.95,
Sportsgirl red skinny pants $89.95,
country road faux fur scarf $149,
Bluebird grey satchel from Strandbags $39.99,
Payless red suede platforms $49.95,
Ray Ban aviators from Sunglass Hut $289.

Fashion Tip;
Invest in red pants, the hot piece of the season! Best way to update your wardrobe without spending a fortune.
No excuse for being a dag this season:even Payless shoes are cool ! Shut up!

look 7:
Sportsgirl red skinny pants $89.95,
Bardot cream blouse $69.95
Mazal brass and diamante mesh collar $149,
Betts nude patent heels $99.99,
Portmans red clutch $24.95.

Fashion Tip;
Those red pants go from day to evening in a second by adding a statement necklace and  a silky shirt.
Nude patent heels are the go to shoes for any occasion : That colour is so versatile!

Look 8:
Bardot cream blouse $69.95,
Sportscraft navy velvet blazer $269,
Glassons black faux fur collar $24.99,
Sportsgirl ink sequin pants, $149.95,
Betts cobalt platforms $99.99,
Portmans orange clutch $24.95.

Fashion Tip;
Blue sequin pants are for those who dare! ( tip with sequins go for a drape loose shape in whatever you choose: tight and glitter= Las Vegas!)
Tone down the glitz with a classic cord blazer and simple cream shirt.
Add a touch of colour with an orange clutch.

Look 9:
Sportsgirl ink sequin pants, $149.95,
Portmans cobalt top $49.95,
Oxford navy pocket coat $249, now $124!
Colette silver metallic bag $34.95,
Betts cobalt platforms $99.99.

Fashion Tip;
Guess what?! I have turned this blue top back to front to get a better neckline.
One of the major trends this season is to wear same tones of colour from head to toe.
There is no need for Jewellery when you’re wearing sequin pants. ( Keep it simple stupid)

Look 10:
Portmans cobalt top $49.95,
Country road navy pencil skirt $149,
Portmans latte swing trench coat,$169.95,
Tony Bianco snakeskin bag from strand bags $89.95,
Country Road mohair snood $69.95,
Novo tan suede boots $89.95,
Prada Sunglasses from Sunglass Hut $370.

Fashion Tip;
With simple block colours you can add afford to add a mad print like a chic snakeskin oversize tote .
Cankles be damned! brown suede ankle boots rock!
stick to expensive colours like choc black and tan and you will look it..

Look 11:
Country Road navy pencil skirt $149,
Sportsgirl sequin t shirt $129.95,
Cue orange metallic clutch $210 ,
Glassons purple faux fur stole $24.95,
ICE bracelets $5.95 each,
Rubi shoes glitter Dansie boots $59.95,

Fashion Tip;
Dress up a simple black pencil skirt with amazing glittery accessories and tee.
Keep the jewellery simple : it’s all on your shoes and Tee ( orange bangles are enough to handle all this glitter.

Look 12:
Bardot faux fur coat $50,
Sportsgirl sequin t shirt $129.95,
Sheike cobalt cropped pants $109.95,
Wittner gold glitter shoes ,$169.95,
Rubi shows glitter clutch $19.95,
Cue orange and diamante drop earrings $95

Fashion Tip;
Sequins! Faux Fur ! Bright colours! This outfit is for the fearless!
Say goodbye to short and tight : the longer length skirt is a huge trend so invest now in a classic pencil skirt for seasons of wear.

Look 13:
Country Road oatmeal coat $349 now $260
Cue colour block tee $125,
Sheike cobalt blue cropped pants $109.95,
Rubi Shoes faux fur scarf $14.95,
Wittner suede merlot platforms $149.95,
Sportsgirl satchel $49.95

Fashion Tip;
The colour blocking trend continues on into Winter : Buy the Tee and you’ve got the look.
The bag is very inspired by the YSL muse bag (It’s price ? $2000 : yours from Sportsgirl for $50.)

Look 14:
Cue colour block shirt $125,
Glassons burgundy pleather shorts $59.99,
Cue clutch $215,
Wittner patent heels $179.95,
Rubi shoes hat $19.95,
Dotti leather cuff $19.95.

Fashion Tip;
The floppy trilby hat is a great way to add a little joosh.
If you have got the legs, show them off in leather shorts ( otherwise go for a skirt or pants)

Look 15: Office to evening
Country road grey dress $229 now on sale $171
Jeans West grey pea coat $119,
Wittner black ankle boots $229,
Novo black sequin tote $79.95.

Fashion Tip;
A simple black and grey office dress is the ultimate in versatility.
Keep jewellery simple, a statement necklace is all you need to take this look from work to weekend.

Look 16:
Sportsgirl studded tunic $129.95,
Mazal necklace $279,
Rubi shoes pointy toe glitter boots $39.95,
Rubi shoes glitter clutch $19.95

Fashion tip:
This fabulous dress will work from summer to winter : swap flat T Bar flats in summer or go for glitzy heels for evening.
You can’t past a rubi shoes sequin glitter bag for $19.95!

Chocolate brownies …..adulterated from Bill Granger’s Bascis

These delicious chocolate brownies are the easiest and most scrumptious of all brownies. Believe me I should know.
Tip : leave in the oven a little longer to get crunchy on the outside.

You need for about 16 squares or 10 gourmandes or 32 models.

350g caster sugar
80g cocoa powder
60g plain flour
1 teasp baking powder
4 eggs, lightly beaten
200g unsalted
butter, melted
2 teasp vanilla extract
200g dark chocolate, roughly chopped

• Slip into chic choc brown Prada leisure suit.
• Pull on Burberry fur lined boots.
• Pour a big glass of wine.
• Preheat oven to 160ºC fan-forced (180ºC conventional).
• Line a 22cm square baking tin with baking paper so you don’t have any mixture sticking to the tin.
• Melt the butter. Do not think of your bikini at this moment.
• Let it cool slightly.The butter not your bikini.
• Ask George Clooney to stop reading Vanity Fair , put down the Gin and Tonic and get off his arse and start helping for once in the kitchen.
• He can now chop the chocolate into chunky but small bits the size of a Hermes buckle.
• Throw sugar, cocoa powder, flour and baking powder in a bowl and give it a stir to combine.
• Add eggs, butter and vanilla and mix until combined.
• Taste to make sure it’s delicious.
• Then stir in chocolate bits.
• Taste to really make sure it’s delicious.
• Do not think about Lake Como and getting into a bikini at this moment.
• Pour brownie batter into the tin.
• Throw in the oven for 40-45 minutes.
• Lick the bowl carefully. Get George to tidy up while you do this.
• They are cooked when they are nice and crunchy on the top and gooey in the middle (just like George).
• Leave brownies to cool slightly in tin, then cut into squares and gingerly lift onto a wire rack.
• Accessorise with sprinkles of cocoa or icing sugar.
• Divine!