Here it is again, that damned trans-seasonal weather; too hot for winter clothes and too cold to get straight into a summer wardrobe. It’s time to grab some t-shirt tops to throw under your Chanel/Gucci/Marc Jacobs jackets. And because you are still paying off your Chanel/Gucci/Marc Jacobs jackets you need to buy up on cheap but chic little tops in cool colours. So rush into the store Cotton On (what a name) for racer back, square neck, loose, cotton tops with shoestring straps and a low wide waistband. In a chic steel grey or black or white (and even green) at $15 they are cheaper than the latest UK Vogue..

$15 from Cotton On.

Multi tasking is easy according to Jennifer Connelly. (see Quotes). But if you like to chat on your mobile and drive at the same time it can get dangerous; who knows what you might say if you are not concentrating. So please invest in the Blue Ant Super Tooth II. It’s a speaker phone for your car that uses blue tooth technology so you don’t need to plug it in. Simply attach it to the sunvisor (or wherever), dial a number and chat away. Which means you can be hands free to do other important things while you chat like your nails, and lips Perfect
$179 Blue Ant Super Tooth II from The Tesltra Shop http://www.blueant.com.au/

Men might call it war paint but I like to call it camouflage. Whatever it’s called we all need something to hide behind when we go into battle. Because if we went out without makeup it could turn into a scene from War of the Worlds. Too many creepy Aliens running around scaring people. So this week it’s time to really get into the paint; Bloom eye paint. I love it. They come in cute little paint tubes and seem to go like a cream but then dry like a powder. Which means they stay on and don’t do that crease thing in your eye lid. You can wear it as an eye shadow or underneath to give it a simmering zing. If you prefer colours that are subtle then go for ‘chocolate’. Because if you can’t eat it you may as well cover yourself in it.

$20 Bloom Eye Paints from major department stores.

In London check out the Eileen Gray exhibit at the Design Museum from Sept 17th to Jan 8: One of the best loved architects and designers of the early 20th century, Eileen Gray (1879-1976) influenced both the modernist and Art Deco styles. Go to http://www.designmuseum.org
See Kirsten Scott Thomas in the play As You Desire Me at the Playhouse theatre London from 19 Sept.
Check out the new concept in airport hotels; The Yotel. http://www.yotel.com/
Want a new adventure holiday? Whitepod is a high tech eco camp for ten guests situated at 1700 m in the Swiss Alps. Access is by ski or snow shoes only. There are no cars. No buses. No hotels .In fact nothing at all except the beauty of the Alps! GAWD. Stay at the http://www.whitepod.com/flashindex.php
Wow, The Bed Supper Club is a place where you can go to bed and have dinner at the same time ( of course it’s in Bangkok) But it’s very groovy http://www.bedsupperclub.com/explore.php. ‘BED SUPPERCLUB is a ‘dining in bed’ experience. Best described as a unique combination of upscale restaurant, club, art gallery, theatre and stage merged into one, it’s housed in a custom-built new building and set in a modern and futuristic all white environment.
OK, so he’s not talking about why his son left News Corp., but Rupert Murdoch does reveal his newly refurbished London penthouse in the September issue of Wallpaper. The six-page spread shows the media mogul’s pied-à-terre, complete with bulletproof-glass sliding doors leading to one of the terraces. On the rooftop patio, a half-dozen satellite dishes are hidden in cupboards, and the crowning glory is a state-of-the-art barbeque — Murdoch is, after all, an Aussie. WWD
Marie-Chantal of Greece has opened her new children’s store in New York on the Upper East Side. The sliver of a boutique is a quiet sanctuary from the busy traffic on Madison Avenue, just the way a princess would have it. WWD
Queen Elizabeth’s White Wardrobe, Paris 1938,” is the main exhibition this year at the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace. It showcases the seven dresses and outfits English couturier Norman Hartnell designed for the royal couple’s first state visit to France.
The legendary, London-based Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts is celebrating its centenary with a coffee-table book and an accompanying portrait show at the Getty Images Gallery, which opened this week. The show, called “Off Stage,” runs until Aug. 20 and features portraits of 100 famous former students, including Anthony Hopkins, Ralph Fiennes, Joan Collins, Roger Moore, Imelda Staunton and Alan Rickman. .WWD.

http://www.labiennale.org
The Venice Biennale website, it’s great to see what’s happening in the world of art and to check out which films will be showing at the Venice Film Festival starting August 31st.

http://www.liquidgeneration.com/Games/tarareid_drinkinggame.asp
This is just so ridiculous and silly (but fun) …Party with Tara Reid ( hic!)

Madonna’s 47th birthday celebration was marred when she suffered several broken bones in a horse riding accident at her country home outside London,
Jude Law has been snapped in the nude by paparazzi in France.
Liz Hurley has booked a private island in the Maldives for two weeks reportedly for her wedding.
Angelina Jolie went shopping in New York with baby Zahara,, “Zahara’s first shopping spree with mommy.” Asked where Brad was, she said “He’s not here with us.” Then she rubbed baby Zahara’s head and, in her best baby talk, said: “Do you miss Brad? Mommy misses Brad!” ( so does Jen).
Heath Ledger will take a year off from acting to help when his baby with girlfriend Michelle Williams is born.
You’d better sit down for this one….In a shocking scandal that would not be news any other month but August — when frankly nothing else is going on — Paris Hilton has split with her teacup Chihuahua, Tinkerbell.. The miniature mutt has been callously replaced with a smaller version called Bambi. “[Paris] only likes them when they’re very small, and Tinkerbell got too big,” The former A-list animal has been sent to live with Kathy Hilton.( NYPOST)
Kylie Minogue is going to marry Olivier Martinez next year.
Jude and Sienna are back together.
Denise Richards has been seen wearing her engagement ring in public.
Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have hired a $1000 an-hour private divorce judge to maintain their privacy during the divorce.
L’OREAL was forced to ban two of its ads after the UK Advertising Standards Authority ruled that they misled women into believing they could be cured of wrinkles and cellulite simply by using its creams. The ads, one of which stars Claudia Schiffer must now be removed from screens. ( But I thought it was true!)
Brittany Murphy plays a Vogue intern in her new film, Love And Other Disasters.(Yes, it will be)
Christy Turlington and Ed Burns are expecting another baby .
Britney Spears has announced that she is having a baby boy
Brad Pitt has reportedly hired four body doubles to try and shake off the paparazzi in the US
Christopher Walken for President ? what the ??http://www.walken2008.com/campaign.html.
..

Lunar Park by Bret Easton Ellis
Everyone is talking about this new Bret Easton Ellis book. Love him or hate him he is a man of the moment ‘In his novel Lunar Park, Bret Easton Ellis takes first-person narrative to an extreme, inserting himself into the haunting story of a drugged-out famous writer living in the suburbs trying to reconnect with his wife and son and reconcile his damaged past. Lunar Park confounds one expectation after another, passing through comedy and mounting horror, both psychological and supernatural, toward an astonishing resolution–about love and loss, fathers and sons–in what is surely the most powerfully original and deeply moving novel of an extraordinary career. To hear hear Brett Easton Ellis read from Lunar Park http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/14/books/review/14COVERSCOTT.html
$16 from http://www.amazon.com Publisher: Knopf (August 16, 2005)

The Christmas list:
A Gun for Hire (Hardcover) by June Newton (Editor), Helmut Newton:
‘Helmut Newton once said, “Some people’s photography is an art. Mine is not. If they happen to be exhibited in a gallery or a museum, that’s fine. But that’s not why I do them. I’m a gun for hire.” This prosaic proclamation from one of the 20th century’s most celebrated photographers is not a little shocking, but nonetheless firmly positions Newton as the no-frills image-maker that he was. This book brings together a selection of Newton’s fashion catalog work from as early as 1962 through 2003 and his last editorial photographs for US and Italian Vogue—all work he made as a “gun for hire.” Fabulous.
$US39 http://www.amazon.com Publisher: Taschen (August, 2005)

There is no escaping the Boho Chic for summer, it’s everywhere but beware it’s about to be Boho Geek next season so don’t go overboard.
Economy:
Supre: Have a very ‘Easton Pearson’ style embroidered, full skirt in a black and white print with a scattering of sequins $60; and some fabulous bargain, scoop neck, baggy T-shirts $18, plus a lot of tracksuits, hoodies and shorts, if you are a size 6 or age 12. EDC esprit; There is a cool brown Khaki cotton twill blazer $99, and a cute red and orange batik hippy skirt $59. Shoo Biz: There are some groovy but cheap shoes here in gold and silver for around $99; check out the round toe, lower heel, with a criss cross front. And the peep toe, 40’s style with a heel and a chic little ribbon laced around the edge with a bow, ever so lady-like $99. Also check out the metallic silver and black version too.Portmans: have some sexy Liz Hurley white jeans (but a bit flared) $79 and of course the choc brown, military jackets in cotton twill $99. Esprit: check out the cool little jersey T shirt tops with a cinched in ruched waist in red $39; the chinos in choc brown $79; the black, long hippy dress from last week $139 and the handy black cropped narrow pants with a cuff $69.Nine West: have some new black pointy flats in black with punched leather, I’m thinking very Pierre Hardy, for you $129.Cue; Love all the Miu Miu inspired colours in here. Smart move, no obvious signs of Boho chic, thank the lord. Buy the graphic print 50’s skirt; the dark grey fitted jacket $279; the chic classic knits in great colours $89 and the bronze metallic bubble skirt dress with a drape front, very Jil Sander $233. Plus there is a chic purple, mini pleat, full skirt in chiffon with a satin band $189 and a cool print cream, blue, brown chiffon blouse wt short sleeves $189.
ZU Shoes: go here for some YSL style dark brown leather sandals. Check out the brown heels with a T bar and ankle strap $100, and the mini platform T bar ankle strap heels (high) $100 in black.MNG: Have some cool pieces in. Check out the stripe (purple/green) chiffon blouse, very Scanlan and Prada with the secretary tie at the neck $139; a cute prince of Wales short peacoat $189 with epaulettes; a beautiful brown leather jacket with patch pockets and overstitching, it must be real leather at $599. Check out the crop beige trench, bolero style $119 and the choc brown leather blazer this one is wrinkled but still chic $599 ( ouch).There is a groovy cream, vintage lace, Victoriana high neck sleeveless blouse $59 and a nice cream cotton baggy T shirt with raw edge $39. Speedo: Lots of simple, chic classics here. Go for the simple cotton caftan tops (no embroidery) with a drawstring waist $69 and some simple black or brown one piece with silver ring detail if you are going to Noosa. Not for Capri not glamorous enough. David Jones: Checkout the Milana shoes; there are some cool Birkenstock styles obviously inspired by Robert Clergerie (or was it Sergio Rossi?) from last year ; in a fab dark choc brown leather and with a brass ring detail $129 and also a very nice Miu Mui style ankle strap wedges in choc brown with a flower on the front $199.FCUK: best pieces are the pink/brown harlequin print wrap dress $169, skirt and tops as reported last week. Plus I see a lot of watermelon.

Business Class
Country Road: have some cute short, shorts with a cuff and over stitching $95; the Prada ish thin T bar flat sandals (very Jackie O on Capri) from last year have been redone this year in a silver, white and tangerine. $99; There is a raw edge, silk, full skirt in a steel grey $225 and a lurex crochet cardigan $139. Check out the blue sequin shrugs $199; the oatmeal knit shrug with a silver thread thro it $119 and a baggy tank in a blue lurex (but it’s a bit too pastel). There is a also a very Chloe style satin cami in champagne $129 with black straps. David Lawrence: has a chic little black knit shrug with black sequin trim $99; a lovely choc brown, simple, satin cami ( no lace) $99 and the black rib poncho is still here $129. Check out the choc brown single breasted trench is $269 and I do l like the choc brown crop trench with epaulettes $269.There is a beige velvet blazer $189 and an oatmeal knit cardi with a huge collar $119 but oh dear so much watermelon.Queenspark: they sometimes have groovy ish things in here. They have gone mad on bags so check out the YSL style croc or snakeskin slouch bag $299. I see a beaded caftan $120 but you already have a million of those from last year don’t you? But there is a chic camel suede jacket ( (very Marni) with scalloped edge and a flower brooch $250 .Karen Millen: has a chic red, cotton, single breasted trench coat $595 and a very Missoni silk stripe scarf $190 and I like the red and pink slinky singlet tops with a plaited straps and a dinky self belt $270.Bettina Liano: Best pieces are the white muslin pieces as reported last week; the fab slim denim jeans and the Missoni style stripe tops. And of course the funky grey waistcoat $245. Wear it a la Kate Moss with shortest of shorts.A/X: So much hot pink and purple I am speechless and that’s saying something. But check out the crop stone trench $250;the silver tank $89 and the grey singlet with a sequin trim as reported $120.Max & Co: Lots of fab new pieces have arrived here. Buy the gorgeous rib knit round neck sweater with silver military buttons along the shoulder and on the cuffs $295; a white cotton blazer $520, a cute print multi patch top $160; an orange/pink hoodie $260 and a cool white military style jacket $420 with silver buttons. Check out the grey maille tank with silver sequin trim $215 also in white; the beautiful black leather blazer $895; and a brown tie dye T shirt with Lanvin style jewel encrusted front, $210, it’s cool.
Sass & Bide: Check out their new store in Paddington. The jeans are great of course and so is the cool little waistcoat $270. I see a cool military style denim blazer $320 and but I also see watermelon and yellow.

First:
Bally: Love the fabulous red or black suede wedges with lacing up the ankle $525; the white, orange or aqua loafers with silver detail $375; and the big, black slouchey bag with silver ring detail ( from last season and it was also in blue) $1100; There is the fab choc brown strappy heels with a wooden clumpy sole a la Miui Mui $525, quite divine and very high; and a nylon red messenger satchel bag $750. Also check out the fab gold drawstring bag $899 and I see some sexy gold heels too.Ralph Lauren: has some sporty spice orange zip tops $399, some very classic stripe shirts and some cool stripe T shirts of course. Christensen Copenhagen Double Bay: Have some new pieces of Paul & Joe and Mayle have arrived. Checkout the green, pretty, vintage style, 40’s dress $650, a blue vintage satin 40’s style dress with a red floral sketches scattered on it $695; and a babydoll empire dress in green silk $650. New Paul & Joe is a light blue cropped cotton pants $350; a light blue cotton twill, military jacket with silver buttons and epaulettes $495; ( also in black) and there are some cool Capri pants $250. Check out the chic little camisoles $455 in satin; the Paul & Joe black lace and cotton coat/top $895, the black cami/tank $375; the tie back black cotton tiered dress $895; and a black cotton military jacket $495. Checkout the Collette Dinnigan floral dresses, all on sale (obviously didn’t sell) $250. There is a Pureheart white cotton or is it silk?caftan tan ,very Indian $250 and some cute ballets flats by Pure sole and also some cool jeans by Acme from $200 to $400. There is 25% of the Nina Ricci. Checkout the red knit V neck cardigan top now $1295 and a grey silk skirt with a silver lurex trim $1200. Buy the Missoni: a stripe silky jacket $1895, a cream stripe silky skirt $1415, and a long skirt in a green and pink stripe $1395.

Fennel scented Lamb with Mint sauce. (from InsideOut)
Here is another quick de la quick, little recipe to whip up on a winter’s night. The recipe says to marinate the lamb overnight but don’t worry about doing that. In fact just drizzling the homemade Mint sauce on the lamb is good enough for me. This is perfect with delicious crispy roast potatoes or on a relaxing bed of rocket.

For 6 you need
For the lamb marinade
2 tabs fennel seeds
2 tabs of fresh rosemary
4 tabs olive oil
1 lemon zested and grated
1 garlics crushed
3 x lamb racks
salt and pepper

For the Mint sauce
½ bunch of flat leaf parsley
2 teasp of Dijon mustard
1 tabs red wine vinegar
6 tabs of designer Olive oil
½ teasp caster sugar

·To make the mint sauce
·Throw all the ingredients in a whizzer and whiz.
·Set aside for some time alone
·To make the lamb marinade:
·Dry fry the fennel seeds until golden and
·Then get out the mortar and pestle and give them a good old bashing
·Chop the rosemary and the garlics
·Mix the fennel seeds with the rosemary, the olive oil, the lemon zest and juice and the garlics.
·Add some salt and pepper
·Rub into the lamb racks and leave for a couple of hours or if you can be so organized, let them marinate overnight and get some beauty sleep.
·Cook the lamb racks in the oven or grill them (but brush off the excess marinade or you‘ll be looking at a lot of handsome firemen: Not a bad thing)
·Then serve with the Mint sauce drizzled over the lamb with some crunchy potatoes and rocket
A thousand times more delicious than any yukky store bought mint sauce. .

Mean Creek by Director Jacob Estes’s (his feature film debut)
The Plot: A group of kids in a small town in Oregon go out for a day on the river with the intention of playing mean and dirty tricks on the local big fat kid …and all sorts of things unfold. Lord of the Flies has a day on the river.
Who: Rory Culkin, Ryan Kelley, Scott Mechlowicz ( has to be Brad Pitt’s younger brother)
Acting: All the kids were unbelievable. Are they really acting?
Photography: Director of Photography Sharone Meir shot it almost entirely with natural lighting and with a handheld camera and the shots are magic. It’s a very beautiful film and you can almost smell the river and the hot summers day.
Interiors: it’s suburban America that’s almost (or is) groovy again; brown 70’s chairs, patterned carpets, and plastic tables.
Blood’n’ guts: it will spoil the story to reveal what happens.
Head in hands to avoid gory bits: 2 times
Car chases: Thank the Lord, the answer is no
Salon de Beaute: It’s all so very natural, just a hint of gloss, very Chloe spring summer 05
Smooches: These are just kids so there are no smooches just snogging.
Waterproof mascara? No need to cry but put on your lip gloss; the lead actor is a hottie.
Tom Cruise sighting. No, but there is a Culkin sighting.Rory is the brother of Macauley Culkin And he must be a scientologist. Surely.
When Harry met Sally romance Richter scale: 1/10
Rename it: This movie is very similar to movie The River’s Edge (1989 with Keanu Reeves)
See it or donate to the Prada bag/save Katie fund? This is a fabulous movie, and just like a Prada bag worth every cent. Beautifully made, full of the great detail and gorgeous to watch, it’s a bit scary when you first lay eyes on it but you are finally thrilled with the end result.
http://www.meancreekmovie.com