This week’s quote de la quote is devoted entirely to the outrageous Kimora Lee Simmons and her husband, hiphop music mogul and billionaire Russell Simmons. (From Vanity Fair)
“ Fabulosity. It’s a state of being” Kimora on the 50 ft billboard of her naked in Times Square.
“I don’t need the money, I am filthy f88king rich” Kimora on working on TV.
“For richer or richer” part of their wedding vows.
“ I stay out of the fur conversation. I wear fur and if somebody throws shit on me I’m gonna whup your ass. I wish somebody would throw shit on me” (don’t worry it will happen).
“ He’s still a little ADD. He has not technically been declared it but he wakes up in the morning and wants to run and rip. He’s ADHD. Attention deficient husband disorder” Kimora on Russell .
“ You know I am doing a yoga tape? We got Donald Trump and Puffy talking about how I’ve changed since doing yoga. Think of all the money! It’s going to be huge imagine –selling God ?” Russell on being ADHD.
“ Having Yoga allowed him to have a straight mind about things because otherwise he might get into trouble but I am a tough girl and I will beat the bitch’s ass, Literally, Literally. I will drag a bitch, I will drag her through the dirt, literally “ says Kimora baring her teeth on Russell and trouble.
“ I ain’t worried about that. I don’t give a F88K, I’m still looking at the girls asses in Yoga. I can’t get out of it’ Russell on Being ADHD and that Kimora thinks ( knows) he cheated on her.
“ I think its very important that she does Yoga” Russell on Kimora
“ I don’t need those, I might need some ass. We Asians don’t have the booty” on being asked if she wants her boobs done and have plastic surgery on Paul Allen’s 413 ft $200 million Yacht (it has a hospital and a submarine on it.)
“ The amount of money you get has nothing to do with the amount of goodness you put in the world” Russell (you said it)
“Paul Allen already has given way more than you, that’s why he has a $200 million boat and you don’t” Kimora to her husband ( huh?).
“ You know she is an inspiration to a lot of people in what she does and represents. If you look at my house (my house?) you see you have photos, tons of photos, you have history, you see so many faberge eggs, all over the house, you see the Simmons crest on pillows” Russell on why Kimora needs to do Yoga.
“ I am not the kind of girl who gets into trouble. You will never find someone who will say “ I don’t like that bitch, when I came home she was giving my man a blow job ” I’m not that kind of girl ” (never find them because she has dragged them through the dirt: literally.)

Does anyone actually iron anything anymore? Yes, the ironing lady of course. And she will love this fabulous trick to make all your sheets smell like that cute little Auberge you always check into in the South of France. It’s the delicious smelling Bonne Mere lavender linen water from L’Occitane. Oh! It smells gorgeous, and infuses your washing with the most fresh and lovely subtle fragrance: your sheets will adore it and so will your ironing lady (it’s made from distilled water so the iron will perform brilliantly).

Bonne Mere Lavender Linen Water $34 from L’Occitane.

Trenchcoats are fabulous so how can you resist the new short version that is the must have item du jour for winter? It looks like you’ve taken your trench and cut it off, right under the boobs or at least the waist. It started last year with Balenciaga and then it just got hotter. Which mean it’s perfect for Australian mild weather. Who said anything about keeping warm and dry if you look this fabulous? Go grab the Burberry one in David Jones for around $1500, A/X Armani Exchange for the stone version with a belt $279, Max & Co for a longer version over the hips $350 or FCUK for a zip through bomber version $240. And if there is one left find a Victor & Rolf one at Robbie Ingham.

Who would have believed it? Eyelash curlers really work! After years of reading about them and watching being used on shoots I never actually thought of buying one and using them myself. But now I am converted. Such a simple device for doing miracle work, it uses the same technique as those awful fat calipers they clamp on you at the Gym. Squeeze and release. The best version is the very snazzy one by Shu Uemura; it’s expensive but think of the money you’ll save on mascara.

$62 Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler from Mecca Cosmetica.

The news last week that Prada was closing Helmut Lang’s SoHo headquarters had the fashion pack in a panic!
Mario Testino and the late Herb Ritts received the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Award for their contributions to the merging worlds of entertainment and fashion.
Off to the Cote D’Azur? Go to http://www.lemascandille.com/ which has a shiseido spa.
In Paris go to the Yohji Yamamoto exhibit ‘Juste des Vetements’ at the Musee de la Mode.
At the Scottish National Gallery pop in to see over 80 of Andy Warhols self portraits.
For an active adventure mountain holidays go to http://www.mtsobek.com
For all you need to know about the graffiti festival outside of Paris in June go to http://2004.kosmopolite.com/welcome/
Christian Dior hopes to make Granville, a picturesque town on the Normandy coast, a fashion destination this northern summer.To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of its founding designer, the French house is organizing a slew of events there starting May 15 through October, from a rally of vintage cars and concerts to a festival of films in which Dior dresses appear. WWD
Check out San Francisco’s newest hotel , The Hotel des Arts presents the contemporary work of local artists http://www.sfhoteldesarts.com/hoteldesarts.
In Rome check out the amazing Fortyseven hotel “ A new hotel, with a contemporary flavour, combining Design and Deco. A tribute to Art, in the city of History. Five floors, each one dedicated to an Italian master of the 20th century: Mastroianni, Greco, Modigliani, Quagliata, Guccione. http://www.fortysevenhotel.com
The costumes for the latest production of Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers,” playing at New York City Opera this month are designed by Zandra Rhodes.
Tom Ford will be honored at the Savannah College of Art and Design’s annual fashion show. Ford will receive the André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award from namesake Talley, Vogue’s editor at large.
The Tsubi team — designers Dan Single, George Gorrow and Gareth Moody — is opening their first store in America in New York. WWD says”: In the Mulberry Street space, the facade of the new boutique, designed by Gorrow and Urbanautics architect Stefan Röschert, has been sliced off and fitted with a glass wall. Inside, a trench tears through the mosaic-tile floor and runs up to the ceiling. Walls are left unfinished, with cutouts that expose the brick underneath. Come mid-April, a mesh cage will cover the store’s glass facade. Filled with dirt and laced with “seedbombs,” the tructure will give the notion of company growth a new meaning. “From inside, you’ll look through the glass and see the dirt, the roots of the plants, the worms,” Gorrow said”
Marc Jacobs opened his store in La. “It wasn’t even 20 minutes into the opening of Marc Jacobs’ new store and the mass of invited guests that spilled onto Melrose Avenue was already vying with the fire marshal to get inside. Even Anna Wintour and Debbie Harry stood in a holding pen” WWD

http://www.joshrubin.com/coolhunting/
This is a cool website (blog) of Josh Rubin (who must be gay because he has a long fringe over one eye and has a white fluffy dog in his photo). Based in New York “ Cool Hunting is a daily update on stuff from the intersection of design, culture and technology. Check out art, food, travel , devices and the future, which has some kooky futuristic ideas ( like the underwater hotel in the Bahamas).If you have time to read this it’s great (otherwise let FiFi do it for you.)

http://abc.go.com/primetime/desperate/quiz/index.html
It’s the desperate housewives quiz! Which housewife are you? ( you can click male or female) Silly, funny, stupid and outrageous and that’s just the quiz .

Nicole is not dating Steve Bing “ It is very hard for a single woman in my position, We are friends.” She is also keen to set the record straight on her recent meeting with Colonel Gaddafi’s son Al-Saadi. “That was business,”
Kate Moss is rumoured to have signed Pete Doherty up for treatment at the Landmark Forum conference in North London.
Rachel Hunter wants $70 million to set Rod Stewart free so that he can make an honest woman of Penny Lancaster. This may explain why Rod, who keeps his money as close as he keeps Penny, has never gotten around to ridding himself of Rachel.
Robert Redford, and Paul Newman are n talks to do an adaptation of “A Walk in the Woods” from the book by Bill Bryson. Redford said, “It might be something for Paul and me, if Paul can hang on long enough before he gets in a wheelchair.” ( “Grumpy Old Men III) .
Jennifer Aniston has filed for divorce from Brad Pitt dashing any hopes of a reconciliation.( dashed)
Russell Crowe is in negotiations to star in “The Power of Duff”, by Ron Howard.
Cameron Diaz had the scare of her life while filming new MTV travel show Trippin’ in Africa when a lion charged two of her cameramen.
Whitney Houston has checked back into rehab again.
Britney Spearshas slammed reports her marriage is in trouble, sending an open letter to the American press telling them to leave her alone. “As you read this letter, I bet you are asking yourself: ‘Who? Who, me? Am I a false tabloid?’ Well, I don’t know,” reads the letter ( neither do I).
IS Jerry Hall dating Sharon Stone’s ex-husband editor Phil Bronstein?
Brad Pitt has handed over keys to the $14 million mansion to Jennifer.
Ashton Kutcher’s wrist was reportedly edited for his latest film Guess Who because he sported a Kabbalah bracelet throughout filming “ They spent something like $100,000 on digital imaging to remove it.”
Columbian actress Sofia Vergara has laughed off reports her relationship with Tom Cruise has already turned serious. haha
Venus and Serena Williams are doing a new reality TV show
Madonna and Guy Ritchie have infuriated religious chiefs following their decision to attend a party dressed as a nun and the Pope respectively - at a time when Pope John Paul II is becoming increasingly frail.( infuriating)
FiFi, from the infamous and hugely successful FiFi Report has become a scientific marvel and is now being investigated as the first woman in history who has never aged after the age 18. Obviously a mutation she has scientists baffled at this extraordinary discovery. (She also married George Clooney in a secret ceremony in St Barts after accepting the offer of $200 million from LMVH to take over her media Empire. (April; Fools day)

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Every magazine I pick up, every website I go to, all I read about is this new book by Jonathan Safran Foer . All the reviews on Amazon have 5 stars and what ever you think about it, everyone is talking about the Jonathon Safran Foer and his follow up book to ‘ the bestselling ‘Everything is illuminated “. It is about “ Oskar Schell, a nine-year-old amateur inventor, jewelry designer, astrophysicist, tambourine player and pacifist. Like the second-language narrator of Illuminated, Oskar turns his naïvely precocious vocabulary to the understanding of historical tragedy, as he searches New York for the lock that matches a mysterious key left by his father when he was killed in the 9/ 11 attacks, a quest that intertwines with the story of his grandparents, whose lives were blighted by the firebombing of Dresden. Foer embellishes the narrative with evocative graphics, including photographs, colored highlights and passages of illegibly overwritten text, Wow!
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (April 4, 2005) $16 from http://www.amazon.com

The Christmas List:
Michael Thompson: Images by Michael Thompson
Another groovy book from another groovy fashion photographer ” In his work for Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, GQ, W., and other glossies, photographer Thompson has shot some of the world’s most beautiful people, in stark, highly stylized settings. This giant-sized book presents 82 of his photos (51 in color) in full-page format, with blank facing pages to minimize distraction and brings together Thompson’s alluring photographs of some of the world’s most celebrated subjects and beautiful models, including Claudia Schiffer, Sting, Kate Moss, and Britney Spears.” Cool
$80 http://www.amazon.com Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (February 1, 2005)

Economy:
Esprit: Has a cool green/brown multi stripe knit zip sweater $79, a lovely green poloneck sweater, casual $59, a chic brown and green stripe L/S T shirt $39.95, and don’t forget the best buy: the paisley green and taupe chiffon blouse $119 and yes, I repeat the trench. Check out the cool fake fur scarves in brown and black $39, the very cheap but not bad fake suede shoulder bags in purple and tan with a jewel clasp $49, the op art swirl skirt $89 and the shrunken jacket in choc velvet $99, the woven black oversized bag, very Bottega Veneta $49 ( obviously not leather) Nine West: Check out the good fake snakeskin boots with a pointy toe kitten heels in choc brown or black $319, some flat boots with square toe, very last season Miu Mui with a plastic sole and elasticized sides $249, and the spectator pumps $139 (good for races). Also check out the ankle strap 40’s fake snakeskin heels $129 and the fab evening shoes with a jewel toe $129. Cue: have a cool little green wool blazer $225, a cute, very cropped cardigan round neck in grey or green , $119, a cool black peacoat in wool melton $499, a pretty print chiffon skirt $215, lots of cute little knit T shirts and handy white singlets on sale $19. Sportscraft: have a plain black round neck sweater with black beads along the neck ,simple, subtle $99, a tweed black and white princess coat $299, and a cool teal round neck sweater $99. Kookai: has a tweed princess coat with a high collar $279 and scoop neck long, long sweater $69 and a lot of hot pink. Nuf said. FCUK: have lots of puff sleeve T shirts $39, a handy white L/S T $49, a soft mohair dark blue sweater $189, a zip grey knit polo neck $89, and a very handy and flattering flared black skirt $120. David Lawrence: check out the black boiled wool DB cardigan jacket, also in green and burnt orange $169, the cotton sateen, great looking, choc fitted blazer $189, a choc or green wide neck rib sweater with buttons along the shoulder $89,and the cool deep V neck sweater in green $79, plus a brown suede, flared skirt $249. Zomp Shoez, so many boots, so many shoes. Nick in here for the Pura Lopez, very simple round toe, Minnie Mouse shoes $315 and the 40’s ankle strap ones in gold $370 and some Robert Robert tan or green pointy flats $180. Also there are heaps of fab T bar flat sandals for your trip to St Barts on sale from $55.

Business:
Country Road: lots of classic here with a bit of edge. Check out the side pocket dark denim jeans $159, (but have creases on thighs) , the gorgeous black belted wool trench coat, very Max Mara, looks expensive, is too, too chic $499, the dark grey knit wool sweater with dark jewels on the neckline ( tasteful and subtle) $99, the long red gloves in red, $169 also in black or tan , and the short version in all sorts of fab colous $129 , ( mint, green,).There is a green 2 handle crushed leather bag also in (guess what?) smoky pink, $299, a choc brown knit V neck poncho wide sweater that you belt in , cool $149. Don’t forget the tweed peacoat is a great buy $499 and the pleat dark grey linen skirt with white spots $229 is very transeasonal. Myer: have a gorgeous Kate Sylvestre black peacoat (called a stella coat) $959 and a black and white tweed fleck crop jacket but with short sleeves, looks cool, great for Sydney $669 and the same in pants $$.And don’t forget the DKNY in here if you like green. CK Jeans have a cool black chiffon shirt/blouse $199. Bettina Liano: has a few things that are quite chic, the best piece is the (surprise) shrunken jacket in cherry red or teal velvet $325 and black satin cami if you are the last person to not have one (bless) $129, and of course narrow jeans if you are too ( narrow) and some cool cord pants $225. Armani Exchange: Has a cool red belted trench $299, a red zip front polo sweater with paneling $259, love the red distressed leather shoulder bags with pockets and silver ring detail, perfect for the weekend $189, the cute leather bags, (a bit marc Jacobs) 2 handles and silver ring details in red or tan $229.There is a chic pleated wrap black chiffon top $159.Max & Co: Have fabulous black baggy soft black pants $320, and some cuffed ones $295, a beautiful tweed skirt with red fleck $270, a high collar black wool peacoat $710 is very chic, and so is the watemelon V neck knit $295. I love the chiffon swirl paisley print, red and black top with knit waist and wrists, $250, also in a caftan style $280, and how snazzy is that Balenciaga style satin and black knit patchwork top for $195? Very. And if you want a very simple black princess coat with a bit of texture (you do, it’s very next winter) then this one is for you $620. Saba: has a few new pieces in this week. Checkout the brown, very long, soft, belted wrap cardigan $245, also in a fab green, the black poloneck with a wide rib waistband $145, the gorgeous satin trim wool cami $95, the grey crop pants are cool $245 ( to the knee) and so are the white shirts.

First.
Ralph Lauren: has a few new pieces in store: check out the grey cashmere sleevless top with a drape satin neckline $999, the white long sleeve T with buttons on the shoulder, $199, and don’t forget the fab trench here, it has a detachable lining, perfect for Sydney $1200. Versace: the best piece here is the very un Versace cream, cable knit sweater $450 and some cool bags. Pappoucci : Have Tods, Tods, Tods galore! In patent, in suede, with toggles, $495, with white stitching, with a heel $695, with a buckle , all in every fabulous colour. Also you want the chic cashmere V neck grandpa tops in delicious colours by CP Studios, with little buttons $499 and the chic Tods bags.
Max Mara: it is very classic here, for a woman of certain age as they say in France but Zut Alors! There are some gorgeous coats and knits and a never ending supply of suits for work. Best pieces are they black and white stripe L/S T $380, a dark grey poloneck chunky knit sweater $470 and a choc brown sweater with leather trim $470. Check out the ruffle front soft grey knit cardigan, the classic trench $1495, the pretty very marc Jacobs chiffon blouse in pink and black $495. Martha & Theodora: Some lovely new season Cacherel is in here and there are some cool pieces not seen in Myer: You want the gorgeous multi stripe cotton 50’s skirt ,very painterly $420, the divine dark brown chiffon dress with net waist and tiny rose bud print $690, the amazing brown linen and leather embroidered dress $1350, and the fabulous floral trenchcoat $1300. There is an arty crafty pocohontas style suede camel skirt with embroidery $1100, a pretty ruffle pint silk blouse $430. Also check out the label ‘Naja Lauf’ and the gold lurex knit twinset ( $320 cardigan $250 top), the pretty teal and brown chiffon shirt $350. Also the Ashish collection from London which is too out there (they must have been stoned designing it) and a few pieces of Jill Stuart such as a Navy lace silk dress with embroidery $950.
Christensen Copenagen: is having a serious sale with all sorts of goodies, get in there fast ( Paul & Joe coats from $999 to $299).

Hot Blackened Salmon Salad with Coconut dressing (from Donna Hay)

Black is back and so let’s get into this new trend and apply it to the most important thing in life Food. This is the perfect meal for someone who can’t cook and always burns the dinner, yes this recipe asks you ( very nicely) to burn the salmon. Which gives a fab crust especially when marinated with chillies. Whip in 10 smoky minutes.

You need for 6 to 8
3 Salmon fillets
1 tabs salt
1 ½ teasp of dried chillies
2 tabs olive oil
2 or more cups of mixed green leaves
2 cucumbers sliced
½ cup mint leaves
olive oil for brushing

For coconut dressing:
½ cup of coconut milk (Low fat is always good )
1 ½ tabs of lime juice
1 teasp caster sugar
salt et poivre.

·Make the dressing first by (believe it or not ) mixing the ingredients for the coconut dressing.
·That was outrageously easy non? Taste and see if you need more lime juice
·Combine the salt and chilli then:
·Brush the salmon fillets with oil and roll them in the chilli salt,, they love it
·Heat a non stick frying pan (better for the burning) over serious heat, and add the olive oil ( non designer ) and get it hot baby hot.
·Then open the windows, turn off the fire alarm, take children take outside, pour yourself a drink and start a burning that salmon.
·Pop the salmon fillets on to cook skin side down first until the skin is blackened
·Let the chilli and salt burn and blacken and get so crispy and almost carmalised but don’t let it over cook and dry out the fish.
·Set aside, stick your head out of the window to get some fresh air
·Wave goodbye to the fire brigade (offer them a gin and tonic first)
·While the salmon is cooling down peel and slice the cucumber ever so finely and make the salad ( by throwing the mixed leaves in a bowl with the cucumber and mint)
·Flake the salmon now that it has cooled down (with your fingers is easier)
·And toss it nonchalantly over the salad leaving some fabulously chunky bits
·Spoon over the coconut dressing and serve
·Quite divine, and a fabulous combination of hot spice and the cooling coconut.
·Talk about healthy! ( apart from the smoke inhalation !)

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zizzou written and directed by Wes Anderson
I love Wes Anderson (who also made The Royal Tenenbaums,) and this movie is hilarious. Ok, so there isn’t much of a story but who cares when something looks this amazing! Watch as Bill Murray does a funny little dance in a wet suit as Oceanographer Steve Zizzou, watch as pregnant Cate Blanchett becomes an upper class English journalist, watch as Willem Dafoe plays a wimpy, petulant, emotionally needy sentimental European, watch as Angelica Huston plays Morticia Adams again. Drool as the gorgeous nose of Owen Wilson look even more crooked and then laugh as Jeff Goldblum wears spotless white and looks increasingly gay. This movie is brilliantly art directed, the sets are fantastic, and the clothes are cool in a 70’s kind of way (Team Zizzou wear light blue polyester tracksuits , red beanies and cool Addidas sneakers) The brain of Wes Anderson must be very kooky and incredibly clever to think up such original and crazy concept : the film is a spoof of Jaques Cousteau and about a group of oceanic explorers called Team Zizzou who fight evil pirates as they try to find the shark that killed one of their crew members .All this to a soundtrack of David Bowie songs sung in Portuguese. The New York Times says” Mr. Anderson favors static, head-on compositions stuffed with beguiling details, and Mr. Murray holds still for him, allowing the audience’s eyes to peruse his carefully arranged surroundings. The actor’s quiet, downcast presence modulates the antic busyness that encircles him, and his performance is a triumph of comic minimalism” There’s only one problem with this movie: the trailers show most of the great scenes which can spoil the surprise but it’s so fabulous I am rushing out to buy speedos and a red beanie now. Comic minimalism: it’s all part of the bling backlash of course.