“I think I’m sexual in pictures and the way I dress and my whole image, but at home I’m really not like that. All of my ex-boyfriends—of course, not Paris—would be like, ‘What’s the problem? You’re so not sexual” Paris Hilton in Vanity Fair (got that on tape?).
“Out of everything combined, they’re everything wrong with culture, and everything wrong with art, and what we think of as art and musical culture - in one family!” What better way to kick off New York Fashion Week than a nasty catfight between Jessica and Ashlee Simpson and legendary photographer David LaChapelle?
“They’re nothing. They have nothing. They hold no interest whatsoever for anybody,” he sniffed. “They’re reality-red-carpet, lip-synching television stars. I don’t know what they are beyond that. I don’t think they offer anything” David Lachapelle (no different from any other celebrity)
“ I wanted to give up, but my family kept me going. - about losing a spot on The Mickey Mouse Club to Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera” Jessica Simpson. (Give up).
“I want to be a diva…like people-totally-respect-my-music diva, not diva like carry-my-diet-Coke-around” Jessica it’s time to give up.
What’s wrong?” asked Jamie Lynn to sister Britney Spears.
Wailed Britney, “Everything is wrong! Look at this corn chip Frito… it’s shaped like a TWO-HEADED BABY! This is a sign… an omen!” Jamie Lynn tried to calm her, but Britney was inconsolable until sis snapped,
“You’re creeping me out — and actually, it looks more like a heart than anything else!” Britney flung the chip down, crushed it under her flip-flops. ( It’s a sign alright…)
“My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and any other states affected by Hurricane Katrina. All of my family members there are safe.” Britney …..(glad to hear you’re safe).
“This isn’t the real one…I’m getting a newer one that’s even better. It’s totally a real diamond. .I want something that’s not as pokey-outy. The one I’m getting is a little bit flatter and it’s just more of a rare diamond.” Britney gets her priorities straight and goes back to shopping now she’s safe.
“Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this, this is working very well for them,” Mrs. Bush snr to American Public Media’s “Marketplace” program on people made homeless by Katrina in the Houston superdome Arena..( Like mother like son).

Sometimes it’s important to spend a fortune on shoes and sometimes it’s important not to. Case in point: The sensational copy of the Marc Jacobs espadrilles in Novo shoes for $59. Yes. I say the word copy because there is no doubt. Outrageous but true. If you don’t believe it check out the real Marc Jacobs espadrilles in Myer for about $500 and you shall see. They are sweet with rope and string lacing in gorgeous reds or pretty blues. The shoe of summer. The great thing about these shoes? You can now spend the other $450 on the Marc Jacobs flats that will last longer than one season.

$59 Novo Shoes Espadrilles

Worried about all those kilos from eating too much Turkish syllabub? Worried about getting into a bikini and revealing all that white, hairy cellulite (called your legs)? You should be. It’s time to get fit and the best way is actually by not thinking about exercise. It’s easy: buy the sensational Oregon Scientific mini MP3 player and you’ll zone out never thinking about your aching legs. This tiny little gem has an FM radio, stores about 2 hours of music and plays up to 10 hours without recharging. But one problem: it’s also waterproof which means you might have to get your hair wet.
$199 from Rebel Sport http://www.oregonscientific.com.au/promotions/mp3

I spend hours slapping my face with every new and fabulous moisteriser testing them out for the Salon de Beaute. Why is it that plastic surgery is looking more and more attractive than moi? Ok my skin is looking better than ever but what’s with the aging process? I want a refund. So my new best beauty find really does a great job. It’s the Nivea Visage All Day Aqua. This one really sinks in and tries ever so hard to fill in all the crevasses. Plus it’s not expensive so you can use pot fulls without regret. Bless that Nivea.

$13.99 Nivea Visage All Day Aqua 50ml from major department stores.

Tadao Ando remains a favorite architect of the fashion crowd. To wit: Designer Issey Miyake has selected Ando to design a new 5,000-square-foot design museum in Tokyo.
Louis Vuitton has commissioned artists Vanessa Beecroft, Olafur Eliasson and Tim White-Sobieski to do works when it unveils its new Paris flagship on the Champs-Elysées.
Karl Lagerfeld has just wrapped up shooting actress Selma Blair on the streets of Paris for Chanel’s upcoming eyewear campaign..
Kirsten Dunst, Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Garner are all interested in playing Samantha Joyce, the endearing young heroine of “Sammy’s Hill,” the comic novel by Kristin Gore, Al and Tipper Gore’s younger daughter, which has just been bought by Columbia Pictures.
The Swedish fast-fashion giant H & M expects an extra rush on Nov 10 when its one-time Stella McCartney for H&M collection arrives in some 400 of its doors. Shoppers in 22 countries will be directed via ads or the Internet to locations that stock the collection. ( will keep you posted)
Check out the site of the cool new movie ‘Thumbsucker’ http://www.sonyclassics.com/thumbsucker/.
Meryl Streep will check out New York Fashion week next week for a little research on her upcoming flick, “The Devil Wears Prada.”.
Prada is launching a new denim line called Prada denim
Want to stay in a divine chateau in France? It’s France’s finest five-star deluxe château-hotel. http://www.bagnols.com
Checkout the website for Lady Diana’s family seat Althorp. http://www.althorp.com/
Off to Ibiza to stay with Jade Jagger? Go to this groovy website to get sorted! http://www.deliciouslysortedibiza.com/
Off to USA? Need to find a groovy hotel in Hollywood, Palm Springs or Washington? These are very cool http://www.korhotelgroup.com/hotels/index.html
Need a luxury yacht to rent? Go no further http://www.nigelburgess.com.
Check out the new ipod nano: http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000153057792/

http://stores.ebay.com/Portero/
Here is a great site ( run through ebay) to buy gorgeous luxury bags, shoes and clothes. As the leader in auctions for new and previously owned luxury goods Portero is uniquely positioned to provide extraordinary value to both buyers and sellers in the luxury marketplace. See Hermes Kelly bags, Lanvin, Prada, Gucci and Helmut Lang. (They charge 30% of the first $1000 and 15% thereafter.) Heaven.

http://www.alibris.com/
Here is another fab site selling books. Alibris connects people who love books, music and movies to thousands of independent sellers around the world. Our proprietary technology and advanced logistics allow us to offer over 50 million used, new and out-of-print books to consumers, libraries and retailers. Heaven.

Jimmy Choo president Tamara Mellon and socialite Kimberly Stewart have embarked on a war of words after the shoe designer found out her boyfriend had been photographed kissing Rod Stewart’s daughter.
Margherita Missoni, the 21-year-old daughter of Angela Missoni, the head designer of the Missoni is dating Ernst August Jr., the 22-year-old son and of Prince Ernst August of Hanover (the world knows Daddy Ernst August is now married to Princess Caroline of Monaco).
The Duchess of Cornwall’s 31-year-old son, Tom Parker Bowles, a food writer and godson of Prince Charles, will marry Sara Buys, 31, a fashion editor at Harpers & Queen, on Saturday. Prince Charles considers his wife’s children part of the family and recently set up trust funds for both Tom and Laura.
Gwyneth Paltrow helped comfort frightened fellow passengers on the airplane she was on when it was sent back to New York mid-flight because of technical problems, causing her to miss the premiere of her new film, “Proof,” at the Venice Film Festival.
Princess Michael of Kent has allegedly been duped into making a series of unflattering remarks about the Royal Family by a Sunday newspaper reporter posing as a rich Arab interested in buying her house.
Jennifer Lopez was spotted shopping for baby clothes. wow.
Jennifer Aniston is expected to spectacularly slam Brad Pitt in a TV interview with Diane Sawyer (spectacular).
Martha Stewart is finally free after removing her electronic ankle tag.
Angelina Jolie is poised to sue a British tabloid newspaper over reports her adopted daughter Zahara Marley is not an orphan.
JAY-Z ADOPTS BIRTH NAME! What? JAY-Z has dropped his hip-hop handle in favour of his birth name and insists he is now to be called SHAWN CARTER at all times. (What is happening to the world?). This comes weeks after P.DIDDY’ announced he was shortening his name to DIDDY.
Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards are reportedly set to renew their wedding vows.
Lance Armstrong and Sheryl Crow are engaged.

One Special Summer (Hardcover) by Lee Bouvier, Jacqueline Bouvier
This book (being reissued) is by Lee and Jaqueline Bouvier ( as in Jackie O) about their first trip to Europe together in 1951– exactly as they lived it as told by their letters and postcards, with alot of cute drawings. The book was written after the trip as a thank you and a memento for their parents. The record is 50 years old but it already harkens back to a lost age when young ladies traveled with a chaperone, and crossed the Atlantic by ocean liner. Lee Radziwill explains in her introduction “We split the fun: Jackie did the drawings, the poetry and the parts on Rome and Spain. I described most of our adventures-on the Queen Elizabeth, in London, Paris, Venice, Rome and Florence. ” Charming is an overused word, but charming it is.
$16 http://www.amazon.com Publisher: Rizzoli (September 13, 2005)

The Christmas List:
Michael Roberts: The Snippy World by Michael Roberts, (Grace Coddington, Anna Wintour.) Essays by Manolo Blahnik, John Galliano and Andre Leon Talley.
“Michael Roberts is the Jean Cocteau of the fashion world,” wrote the celebrated Tina Brown in 1997. Roberts has worked for many years as a style editor (The London Sunday Times, Vanity Fair) and has produced numerous illustrations, photographs, paintings, and columns of fashion criticism for various media and his striking visual style is collected here for the first time. From evocative pen-and-ink sketches to acrylic paintings to intensely witty New Yorker covers created from cut paper, these works capture the fads, foibles, and fashionability of our times. Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of American Vogue, in her introduction to “this beautiful book” calls them “fiendishly accurate satire.”
$85 http://www.amazon.com/Publisher: Steidl Publishing (August 31, 2005)

Economy:
MNG: Check out their stone leather bomber jacket with brass stud details $119; the black crop trench (cropped to waist) $119; the black tank with a satin trim and a bow ribbon front; cute $59; a T- shirt grandpa top with gathered front $59 and the Prada style jewelled cardi (as reported last week) is still a great buy. There is also a classic v neck lose cardi $59.Dangerfield: Have the cutest flower power cotton totes, in a very marrimekko style print with wooden handles in a blue or red/orange pattern $38. There are also some big, beachey chic stripe cotton fabric bags, very Ici et La French fabric $24 and check out the very 80’s grey and orange stripe sweat shirts $54. Climax: at WBJ check out the cool V neck T shirts with batwing sleeves and small pleating down the front in every colour $39, a good basic. Just Jeans: have some cool white ¾ jeans $69 and some simple crop turned up jeans $69. Zu Shoes: I do like the mini platform choc/tan leather, very YSL sandals with lacing, T bar and high heels $120.David Lawrence Check out the cool military cotton twill jacket in a taupe or choc $99; the grey black dark trousersuit; the African print green/cream sleeveless dress with a belt $79 and the black jersey A line dress with a rope trim and cap sleeves and a belt. That will take you anywhere. Except maybe to dinner with George Clooney. Best pieces are the little black satin cami $89, the black S/B trench and the Chloe style silk pleat skirt $119 as reported. There is a rack of watermelon but buy the oatmeal rib, wrap knit ballet sweater $99; the stone cord /velvet blazer $199 and the choc leather woven belt with rings detail $59. Cue: So many great Miu Miu style looks in here. I like the new polo shirts in great colours $85; the cute blue dress with a self belt $279 and the fab graphic print skirts and the Balenciaga style black knit dress with brass studs. And check out the bags and the belts.Nine West: http://www.ninewest.com.au. The best pieces are the faux python YSL style sandals with a serious heel, mini platform and ankle strap’ Penina’ $129, the satin peeptoe heels ‘Barina’ $119, the round toe low flats in distressed silver or gold ‘Avner’ $129 and the T bar sandals with serious heels and a shell front $129. But buy the cool, very roman style flat sandals with jewel on the T bar $119 called neff in bronze black or silver. In the bag department check out their pleather bags at great prices. Esprit: Check out the chic red T shirt top with gathered front $39; the multi pleat cami in a khaki or cream satin top $89; a cute crop light blue jacket $119, the light blue cuffed shorts $49, snake skin belts $29; a blue drapey jersey top $69 and the simple white T shirts $39. There is a chic choc brown work jacket $229, plus matching trousers and don’t forget the basic and very handy black shorts $49.
Mollini: Love the crazy cork wedges with mad tiny leather flowers all over them in pinks or blues, $148 called Ilana; some kooky snake skin patchwork wedges in red blue and yellow with an ankle strap $158; and some strappy sandals in distressed leather in white or orange $128 and a stacked heel. Portmans: have some seriously hippy chic, long white embroidered cotton dresses with tiered skirts and shoestring straps $139. I give in to that Boho/Hippy chic/Olsen twins look but only for the beach. Please.FCUK: best buys are the white T bar sandals $99; the green little military jacket $159 and the wrap dresses and cute white vintage looking cotton shirts $79.

Business;
Country Road: Check out the light blue cotton full skirt with a flat waistband $149; a cotton canvas jacket in blue, distressed, faded cotton$119; a simple silk cami $69 and the scoop neck knit T shirts with front panelling $99. There is a deep V knit crossover knit $119 with a fitted waist; handy $119; a cute distressed leather clutch $129 with a silver chain strap and some pretty sundresses, very Grecian in georgette with a satin trim $299. I like the choc brown crop knit card with tortoiseshell button $109; the cool plaited belts in great colours; the fab bead necklaces $59; and the cool tracer back tank with a knit back and low waist band $99. There are also a fab floppy straw hat here for $79.Midas: have some black satin heels with a bow at the peep toe, a copy of Chanel I think or was it Jimmy Choo? $198. And check out the coke wedges with tan leather $198. Veronika Maine: check out the Mint twisty top tank $99; the pretty brown skirt cut on a bias with panelling and a bow ribbon belt, very chic and what a flattering cut $209; a black wide leg pants with bow ribbon belt and side buttons in crepe $229; and a pinstripe black jacket $249 and matching trousers $149. There is a gold Prada esque print, wide pleat skirt with a beaded belt $379; a yellow scoop neck knit $135 with a chiffon drawstring neck; a leaf print gold bubble satin skirt $329 and a sheer dark grey ruffle neck s/l blouse $119. A lot here for those working girls who don’t want to do boho geek. Zimmerman: Love the paisley print gathered halter dress with a tiered skirt $407, the suit jacket in dark grey $517, the matching man style pants $179 and the chiffon cami $308 with a ruffle in blue. Bettina Liano: New in is a fab silver metallic linen story ( a la Jil Sander ).Check out the trousers, the groovy waistcoat $259, very cool and a jacket with a peplum $560.

First Class:
Theodora and Martha: Have a few pieces on sale: Must buy is the Cacherel red/blue/white big rose print trench now at half price $600. Cosmo shoes: There are some fab Missoni heels on sale for around $300 and also lots of new shoes in by Sergio Rossi, Jimmy Choo and YSL. Too many to mention. Please just get in there if only to see what everyone is copying!Christensen Copenhagen: is still on sale and get in quickly for the chic must have stripe Petit Bateau tanks, singlets and sailor tops; they have nearly sold out. Ralph Lauren; Check out the café latte boob toob in cotton knit $249; the pink blazer in cotton (if you must do pink you need The FiFi Report so keep reading; you will soon change your ways) $299; a red/green and yellow large stripe long sleeve T $219; and the fabulous black crop jacket/trench is still here and now reduced to $600( a great buy).Plus there is a very simple black shift dress here $539 and some cropped cable knit sweaters in black, blue and yes a pastel pink $199. Please don’t. Bally: Best pieces are brown and linen bags in all sorts of shapes and sizes; the patterned B bags in cream, red and black ( also in blues) and the divine big black or light blue suede slouch bags with gorgeous big silver ring details. All around $990 they are great prices (compared to $2000 for Prada and Jimmy Choo). In the shoe department: of course you need the red or light blue suede lace up wedges I keep writing about $500; the chic brown sandals with a lower kitten heels and elastic strap $400; the eyelet belts in cream and black are cool and so are the simple red mules $425. Myer: New is a See By Chloe frayed edged, white denim jacket $899; cream linen wrap skirt with a black butterfly print $579; and a groovy green tank with wooden beaded front $299. There are some cool white jeans $329; some ‘Christmas tree’ green and red and white print dresses but go for the cami; it’s a lot subtler $299. DKNY: there is a baggy linen cream pants $559; a cool simple dark denim blazer; very plain with no outrageous stitching $559. Agnes B: Best pieces are the white cotton peacoat sailor jacket with white buttons $479; the beautiful simple white cotton knit cami $139 and the black and white print dresses but eww! It has a black frill trim $729. Also check out the Penny Black blush pink cardi $215 and the chiffon blush pink mini pleat skirt $429.Cacherel: checkout the new funky khaki knits with a stripe trim and appliqué $459, the tank in the same fabric with a star $299; the ruffle edged silk top in a retro floral print in bright colours $459 (to go with the fab multi cotton stripe skirt $379) and the blush scalloped edged trench $1159.

Almond Biscotti (from Good Living last century, I think it’s from Jill Dupliex)

These biscotti are ridiculously easy to make and the perfect little home made gift to take for a dinner party or as a little je ne sais quoi to nibble on with coffee. If you make play dough then you can make this. The idea is you bake them as loaves then slice them up and bake again to get that dry crunchy taste.

For about 40
You need:
250g plain flour
250g caster sugar
1 teasp of baking powder
Pinch salt
½ teasp vanilla essence
2 eggs
1 extra egg yolk
100g almonds

·Preheat the oven to 180
Toast almonds till they smell nutty and just start to turn as golden as Paris Hilton.
·Let them have a little rest to cool down, then give them a big battering and chop them up roughly ( they love it rough).
·Now throw the rest of the ingredients in a bowl: the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and eggs.
·Blend them all till they are in a lovely ball. (This can be done in a food processor but there is something nice about doing it in your fingers).
·Plonk the dough onto a floured board or table and toss the almonds on top and knead it till it’s all mixed (they need it ).
·Now with your hands divide the dough into long logs and pat them into shape. They should be about 25cm wide and about 5cm high.
·Plonk onto a baking tray covered in greaseproof paper or has been moisterised.
·And make sure they have room to expand (Like yourself after a big lunch).
·Lick your fingers; the dough is delicious and has no calories. No, really, none at all.
·Bake them for about 25 mins or until a light brown tan and a little firm (like Nicole Ritchie on a good day) .
·Remove from the oven and let them have a cool down for about 5 to 10 mins.
·Reduce the oven to about 150.
·Now here’s the fun bit: slice up the logs into lovely thin biscotti shapes. The thinner the better (like Nicole Ritchie on a good day)
·Arrange them in a chic way on the baking tray again (you can pile them up on the angle if you must ).
·And throw them back into the oven for another 20 mins or so they go all crunchy and let them get more of a golden tan a la Beyonce.
·They are ready when are dry, crunchy but not too brown.
·Let them cool and store them in a secret jar where no one else can get their beady hands on them. But if you are taking them as a gift, wrap them up in some white baking paper tied up with chic natural raffia ribbon. .
Too easy, too chic, and too too divine.

P.S The Plot: A divorced, pretty and lonely 39yr old art professor at Columbia meets cute young toy boy student painter who bears an uncanny resemblance to her ex dead boyfriend of 20 years ago. Same name , same looks, same….
Who: Laura Linney, Topher Grace, Gabriel Byrne
Acting: Fantastic.
Photography: nothing to write to FiFi about.
Interiors: boho chic: Arty, intellectual with fab paintings.
Wardrobe: very Micheal Kors, and Calvin Klein. She loves a poncho.
Blood’n’ guts: it’s a romance so, as usual, it’s all metaphorical.
Car chases: There weren’t any cars. it’s a chick flick.
Smooches: Oh! Yes, baby, yes!
Smokin’ Smooches: oh! Yes, baby, yes! It’s the full packet of Marlboros..,on fire.
Waterproof mascara? Topher Grace is so cute it’s worth popping on some lipgloss and mascara just to sit in the dark. No tissues needed.
Tom Cruise/Alien sighting? Toy boy Topher Grace is so nice, normal, sweet and romantic he must be an alien. And is he reincarnated? (The scientologists would say so). Laura Linney’s brother is pretty, kooky, and gay (Tom Cruise reincarnated).
When Harry met Sally romance Richter scale: love is in the air! 9/10!
Best review: “Deliciously perverse and nutty throughout.” Los Angeles Times
Rename it: Ghost 2
See it or donate to the Prada bag/save Katie fund? Who needs a Prada bag? Who cares about Katie?