“I got to interview her recently. I didn’t know her at all, but just sitting in front of her, I felt this incredible peace. She was breathtaking. I couldn’t help but stare, but it’s her inner beauty that you really feel.” Jessica Simpson on Angelina Jolie
” When other little girls wanted to be ballet dancers I kind of wanted to be a vampire” Angelina Jolie finds her inner peace
” Oh, God, I struggle with low self-esteem all the time! I think everyone does. I have so much wrong with me, it’s unbelievable! “Angelina Jolie knows inner peace is all about being self obsessed
“ There are loads of things I don’t like about my body. I don’t like my hair, my belly button, my stomach or my fingernails. Posh Beckham (but why? It’s all fake, non?)
“Before I had the surgery, men were talking to my chest the entire time, but I couldn’t blame them. When I waked into a room, my breasts were always several steps ahead of me” Mimi Rogers knows what outer peace is
“ In the beginning, I was a blank slate Then when I became famous, They see me as a sexy singer and too much in the media.” J. Lo boobs are a few steps ahead of her in auditions
“Either you are going to be a bad mom and be a really good career woman and wife, or a good mom and career woman and bad wife, or a good mom and a good wife and your career is going to suck.” Hey J.Lo ! The 50’s called, they want their values back .
, ‘I’m stupid, isn’t it cute?’ makes me want to throw daggers, I want to say to them, ‘My Grandma did not fight for what she fought for, just so you can start telling women it’s fun to be stupid.’” Reese on Jessica Simpson
“I think there’s a difference between ditzy and dumb. Dumb is just not knowing. Ditzy is having the courage to ask” Jessica Simpson

What’s hot in the world of home wares and design? Why the stem less wine glass of course. And anything to do with drinking alcohol gets my vote. These gorgeous simple curved or egg shaped glasses were first spied at Riedel ($45 for 2) and of course Elsa Perretti has been doing a whisky glass for years at Tiffany’s. Now it seems everyone is doing them. Find a white wine version at Country Road for $12.95, and a red wine version for $14.95. Or head to Wheel & Barrow for another simple and very chic version for around $4.95. I’ll drink to that.

Riedel Stemless Wine Glass

Apparently if you ditch the caffeine, eat normally and just drink green tea you will lose 6 kilos in 3 weeks. It’s true! I saw it Oprah so it must be right. But what’s eating normally? My normal is eating lashings of butter, olive oil, and finishing every meal with chocolate. For the Skeletons twins (Read Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Ritchie) normal is eating, um, er, eating tooth paste. So with summer on the horizon it’s time to get into the green tea and I have fallen in love with the most divine white, simple ceramic teacups from Husk. The Helmut Lang of teacups they are minimal with no handles or saucers. Perfect for tea, gorgeous for hot chocolate ( or ideal for brushing your teeth).
$10 from T2 or go to http://www.husk.com.au/

Missed out on that fabulous Bag in Gucci? Didn’t fit into those shoes at Prada? Maybe you just feel bad that you are still on the waiting list for a Birkin bag in crocodile. It’s time for an uplifter. No, not a new wonder bra or wonder undies but SK-II Signs Uplifter. This is a gorgeous, soft, gooey treatment from SK-II that feels great. They say that it ‘continuously quenches the skin with moisture’. And Yee gads, I think they’re right! My skin really does feel quenched and just adores this cream. I’ll look like Cate Blanchett yet.

$198 SK-II Signs Uplifter from David Jones.

The new Richard Avedon Foundation has announced its first project, a book called “Woman in the Mirror,” which is a collection of the late photographer’s portraits of women including Marilyn Monroe, model Suzy Parker and subjects he shot for his “In the American West” series. Abrams will publish the book in November.
We need some of this….it’s rain! …. listen.. http://www.rain-amsterdam.com/
This is a new hotel in Mallorca called Purobeach http://www.purobeach.com/
Imaret is a new luxurious hospitality property overlooking the city of Kavala in northern Greece.Following many years of renovation, the original building has been carefully restored into a hotel featuring 30 rooms and suites, a gourmet restaurant, conference room, reception hall, an indoor swimming pool and an original Oriental hamam.http://www.imaret.com/hotel.htm
This is a cool hotel in Amsterdam http://www.thecollegehotel.com/main-flash.html
For a new fabulous hotel in Valencia, Spain …go to http://www.hospes.es and click on Palua de la Mer
Check out this new hotel in Fiji http://www.thepearlsouthpacific.com/home.html
This is so ridiculous: Buy Spray-on mud to give the impression that your 4 wheel drive has been to your country property http://www.sprayonmud.com/index.html
Top London and international florist, McQueens unveils its new luxury lifestyle retreat in Italy this European summer. Casa McQueens will open in 2005 in Le Marche, Italy. Set in beautiful un spoilt Italian countryside, the converted farmhouse is located just five minutes drive from the historic and picturesque medieval town of Belvedere. http://www.casamcqueens.com/
This is very groovy: ‘For the launch of the new Volkswagen Fox 21 international artists from the fields of graphic design, urban art and illustration turned Hotel Fox in central Copenhagen, into the world’s most exciting and creative lifestyle hotel. There are 61 rooms, 21 artists, and 1,000 ideas. Each room is an individual piece of art. From whacky comical styles to strict graphic design. From fantastic street art and Japanese Manga to simply spaced out fantasies. You will find flowers, fairytales, friendly monsters, dreaming creatures, and secrets vaults http://www.hotelfox.dk/
This is a cool hotel in Rome http://www.hotelart.it/intro.swf

http://www.urbandictionary.com/
Forget about the new Oxford Dictionary this website is the place where modern language is born. Find fantastic new phrases such as:
1.Jump the couch: A defining moment when you know someone has gone off the deep end. Inspired by Tom Cruise’s recent behavior on Oprah. Also see jump the shark
2.Earjacking: Eavesdropping on a conversation that you have no business hearing. “Bob totally earjacked my conversation with Susie and now everyone knows I got a boob job”
3.Cellular faux : a social phenomenon wherein which a person acts as though he is on his cell phone in order to shield himself from uncomfortable situations. “ When Peggy saw the bum approaching, she flipped open her LG and began laughing incessantly as though someone had told a joke on the other end of the line”

http://www.superbad.com
Please explain: This is kooky…just an endless maze of groovy graphics and weird images…

Britney Spears and her security staff are denying knowledge of photographer Brad Diaz’s pellet-gun shooting. The paparazzi photographer was struck in the thigh by a pellet outside the Malibu mansion where the pregnant singer attended a baby shower.
Angelina Jolie is rumoured to be expecting Brad Pitt’s baby. ( What’s new?)
Keira Knightley has split up with her model boyfriend Jamie Dornan
Mischa Barton is not back with Brandon David, they are just good friends.
Jude Law and Sienna Miller have rekindled their romance - but their wedding is still off.
Charlize Theron is planning to get married to her boyfriend later this year.
Eddie Murphy’s wife filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
Kate Moss has rekindled her romance with Pete Doherty - after he allegedly set fire to his bed. Sources claim he torched his bed in a “cry for help” aimed at the sexy supermodel, who is now back in his arms.”It’s been a tough few weeks for Pete ” He split with Kate, sacked his manager and got arrested for fighting a reporter.” (What’s new) .
Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman are hoping to play lovers in an upcoming Baz Luhrmann film.
Karl Lagerfield has opened up his home to good friend Kylie Minogue as she recovers from chemotherapy. The singer and her boyfriend Olivier Martinez are currently holed up at Lagerfeld’s holiday home in the French resort of Biarritz.
Dana Reeve, widow of Superman star Christopher Reeve, announced Tuesday that she has lung cancer.
Sadie Frost has split from her boyfriend of two years Jackson Scott..
Heath Ledger’s pregnant girlfriend Michelle Williams stole the show at his latest film premiere when she arrived on the red carpet with her leading man on her arm and a big diamond ring on her engagement finger.

Picasso: The Real Family Story by Olivier Widmaier-Picasso
Another book about the Picasso family, I know, but they are always so interesting! ‘This book presents an insider’s portrait of Pablo Picasso, the women in his life and the Picasso family. The author, Picasso’s grandson Olivier Widmaier-Picasso (whose grandmother was the artist’s muse and lover Marie-Thérèse) spoke extensively with relatives, friends, and contemporaries of the artist and discovered unknown information about Picasso’s life. This compassionate, penetrating biography, which includes never before published family photographs, offers a unique perspective as it explores the double-edged sword that is fame and talent’.
$20 http://www.amazon.com Publisher: Prestel Publishing (December 30, 2004)

The Christmas List:
Hip Hotels Orient (Paperback) by Herbert Ypma:
Another Hip Hotels book, I know, but they are always so fabulous! ‘The hotels in this gorgeous book aren’t just hip: some are funky, some are sophisticated, some are minimalist. Flipping through the pages of this book is itself an escape: lush ferns at the Begawan Giri Estate in Bali practically cover an ancient-looking stone staircase; a frothy bubble bath awaits a lucky visitor to Amankora in Bhutan. Outdoor terraces with pillowed benches are centered around small fireplaces at Aman-I-Khás in Rajasthan, India, and a veranda on the upper floor of a room at Puri Ganesha Villas looks out over the Bali Sea. Ypma offers a two-page description of each hotel, explaining its history, architecture, interior and amenities. ” from Amazon. Start booking that holiday…
$55 from major booksellers Publisher: Thames & Hudson (May 23, 2005)

Economy:
Zara: is now in Myer. This is the label from Spain ( I think) that does fabulous copies of all the designer labels. This collection looks as if it’s winter. But oh dear I can’t see much that is at all exciting. There is a lot suiting and good god! Please not more cord, shrunken jackets $128 and watermelon? But get in there as there are racks and racks of things. Sportsgirl: Check out the cute cap sleeve, 3 buttons T shirts in every colour $24; the baggy tanks $24; the groovy, choc cotton waistcoat a la Kate Moss $79.; a fab copy of a Cacherel layered floral 50’s skirt with lace trim $79 and a cute cotton muslin top in white with embroidery on the bodice $59. Also check out the sale rack at the back of the Pitt st Mall shop, there is the gorgeous paisley, silk nylon, layered long skirt on sale around $59 and the jeweled heels are now $49. Outrageous.
Esprit: Check out the black velvet blazer, very next season, good to wear now $139; the long watermelon and white stripe T-shirt $34; the sequin skirt from last week, very Easton Pearson $89. There is a cute ruched, shirred red and pink floral chiffon top, with a stripe trim in retro print $59; and the same fabric as a dress $119. Check out the long-ish black, cotton, hippy dress with drawstring waist ..handy for summer $139 with a crochet insert. Witchery: There is a cool white cotton haltertop with plaited strap $49; lurex sweaters with batwing sleeves and ribbed waist $99 in bronze or silver; cork tan wedges $149 and wooden wedges with tan Chloe style strap $149. There is a beige satin Chloe style skirt $119; a cute grey maille racer back top with silver bling on the shoulders; $59 and some very handy long shorts $89 in black; the perfect basic for summer with heels. Also available with a cuff too $89. Veronika Maine: Has a cute cement cotton peacoat $359 ( $359? Ouch, maybe buy Max & Co for that price); check out the Prada postcard print skirt if you must $189; but the flower print skirt is cute $189.Cue: check out the knits $89; the little, cream, chiffon, drapey, goddess top $199; the black jersey, drape Balenciaga style dress $229 and the green peacoat in cotton $289.There is a blue and brown chiffon floral tie top $149. I’m not sure about the Luella bags in canvas. Best buy are the Miu Miu style graphic print skirts.Seduce: I see watermelon. There is a Balenciaga-esque drape jersey dress $179; a cute, white, caftan top with a gold thread $89 and a cool tan leather woven bag $179.Diva: this jewelry shop has lots of cheapo beads that look expensive if you take them out of the shop and squint your eyes. Check out the cute wooden daisy necklaces for $10. Mollini: Great wedges for a price as reported last week.Sportscraft: I see watermelon. Check out the classic chinos $149; the trench in steel grey $299 and the pretty orange floral chiffon top.

Business:
Mimco: Has a cool, big, tan slouchey croissant bag with brass ring detail $399, a funky, crochet knit shrug in pinks, very hippy $159 and a chic big black stand up tote $399.Check out the cool long knit multi coloured scarves $139. Gary Castles: Check out the groovy wedges, with ankle lacing $300 and chic open toe heels, very 40’s in great colours and gold too $250.
Saba: There is a cute, crafty, Miu Miu style cotton 50’s skirt in brown with red flowers scattered on it $95 and a pink Missoni esque silky wrap top $135.
Morrissey: I see watermelon; Big time. Check out the snake skin chiffon blouses instead $229.Midas: has some cool, tan, heel sandals with a fringe $229; some chic red plaited YSL style sandals with stacked heel $229 and a coach style open top tan bag $69.Country Road: Check out the funky plaited belts in great colours $49; the bronze/brown pleated skirt a la Jil Sander $199; the crinkle tanks $40 and the satin caramel Chloe style skirt $229. There is a cute satin green cami $39;a lime green crinkle cute tunic shirt (yes, lime green…best for your holiday in Noosa) $119 and pearl/donkey grey chunky knit crop cardi $99.David Lawrence: has a sheer black evening top with tiny sequins and velvet trim, very similar to one in Witchery 2 seasons ago…$119; there is a black sequin knit bolero top $119; an Indian caftan top in white with lace trim $110 and a choc brown wrap jersey dress $249.CK Jeans: There is a cute, sexy-mama black, chiffon, backless halter top $99 and a teal zip thro’ sporty nylon bomber $179. Myer: Gorman has done a very Cacharel esque stripe 50’s skirt $450. Same fabric? oops Buy the original for just a bit more in Martha & Theodora or Parlour X.
Tino Lanzi (Next to Borders in Skygarden) has some fab round toe black patent heels $450 and also in a blue, very Marc Jacobs. Chic.

First:
Louis Vuitton: The spring summer will be in store until the end of August but there is already a few pieces of the Autumn winter arrived to drool over. A divine black coat with a mink trim $5000; black crop breeches in velvet; a divine ruffle front white shirt; a black straight leather skirt with back frill and divine mink buttoned, fitted wool jackets. In the spring/summer there is a crazy beaded sequin denim jacket $4000; a silver, sloppy Joe sweater $3800 and a tweed jacket and skirt. Plus go here for the fab leather cuffs and cute dingle dangles for your bag. Then check out the fab shoes: the white round toe platform heels with an orange, yellow and blue stripe $1170; the black round toe with white strip $800; the beautiful satin square toes with jewel encrust in red …divine $1200; the little tan round toe with tiny studs $1040, and the green ankle strap open toe $1040 Evelyn Miles: Miu Miu shoes are here too but they are for the next winter season as opposed to the summer collection in David Jones and Belinda. Check out the silver snakeskin with cone heel, very 80’s $428; and the cute pointy flats with gold buckle $458 David Jones: Check out the Dior boutique for some chic black wedge mules $729 and some cool pointy flats $700.Myer: More Agnes B has arrived but it’s really boring though the prices and the quality is great. Goddamn. There is a lot of daggy yellow and daggy postcard print floral but check out the suiting, the halter T shirt dress in black with a white star $119 and the shoestring classic dress in black $169; and a pink and white wide stripe top $189. There is a cute dress in Liberty print floral $729; a shrunken jacket in cream $650 and some chinos. But keep calm! There is a ;large range of See by Chloe: more of this collection has arrived here too. There is a fab pink chiffon drapey top $1099, a funky drapey teal caftan top $1300; and some fab floatey blush pink dresses $2099, very shipwrecked style. Check out the crinkle chiffon pants $859, and the crinkle racer back top $999 (yes in watermelon but it’s cool). Tara Jamon: there is cool cream wrinkle trench with a chiffon tie $899. DKNY: mmm too much hot pink and boring black. Bally: is still on sale and the shoes are great. Cosmo Shoes is having a HUGE sale…get down there vite..

Lemon Hazelnut Pesto
This is a fabulous recipe. I am a sucker for anything with preserved lemons and when I found this one in an old RED magazine years ago I knew it was a dream come true. This pesto is just perfect for roast lamb or any red meat but it’s fabulous with fish too. It keeps for about 2 weeks in the fridge and even better you can make it for a quick dinner mid week with garlic mash or for a jazzy dinner party. Absolutely delicious it takes no time at all. What more do you want?
Hint: It’s very rich so you don’t need a lot for each serving

For 4 or more big servings
You need:
100g preserved lemon (this is alot and makes it very tangy so try about 80g first )
90 g roasted hazelnuts
2 garlics
I dessertspoon dried mint
15 fresh mint leaves
½ cup flat leaf parsley
160ml olive oil

·Pour a drink
·whizz all the ingredients
·Put in the fridge.Now go and spend hours getting ready for dinner
·serve a dollop of pesto on some juicy roast lamb lying about on some creamy mash.
Hint: serve with an accessory of some rocket or parsley.

Me and My Sister ….directed by Alexandra Leclère …French with English subtitles
The Plot: wealthy, chic, but outrageously grumpy, old housewife married to boring man ( sister #1) is visited by her gauche, outgoing, daggy sister from the provinces ( sister #2) .
Who: Isabelle Huppert and Catherine Frot
Acting: tres drole
Interiors: Tres BCBG, Sister #1 and her bourgeois apartment is very chic.
Designer inspiration/wardrobe: Sister #1 wears Chanel and carries an Hermes bag, and only wears black. Country sister #2 wears the same old white mac and a big, long crochet scarf all the way through the film.
Blood’n’ guts: only of the verbal kind, sister #1 is so bitchy she takes your breath away.
Car chases: Mais non!
Smooches: Mais oui! It’s a French film so the husband has a mistress (bien sur)
Botox: Sister #1 should drink it.
Snooze alert: ooh la la. This film does become a petit peu tiresome
Waterproof mascara? It’s not really funny and it’s not really sad but who goes out without mascara?
Tom Cruise sighting? Paris was the place where Tom proposed to Katie.
When Harry met Sally romance Richter scale: Paris itself gets 9 out 10. Plot: 2 out of 10
Rename it: The original title was Les Soeurs Fachees – The angry sisters
See it or donate to the Prada bag/save Katie fund? If this film were made in Hollywood it would be boring. Sister #1 and her obvious bitterness are about as subtle as a Prada copy on Ebay. Unsophisticated sister #2 is only slightly more amusing. Get it on DVD and go to Paris for your Prada.