“It’s better to make guys want you. I’m having so many guys calling me because I just don’t do anything. But I don’t want a relationship because when I’m in love I focus on the guy totally and don’t even care about myself.” Paris Hilton (Got that on tape?).
“People think I drink when I’m out but I just have Red Bull. I’ll just dance and have fun. I don’t do drugs, I’ve seen a lot of bad things happen and I’ve lost a lot of friends, ” Paris Hilton on seeing bad things happen (like her video)
“I see girls out now who have been doing it for so long they look haggard and old. I like my young face. I don’t want to look old.” Paris Hilton on drinking and drugs (get that on tape)
“I had a one-day slip. What to you do? You get up and you go on and you try not to do it again.” Liza Minnelli on confessing she’d been drinking and she fell out of bed at Christmas ( a one day slip…. hic)
“Hopefully in some way we impact fashion, I am a designer.” Nicky Hilton (Yes, like a bad meteor)
“I’m a horndog, but Jade was hot to rock. And man, could she rock. She wore me right out.” N.E.R.D frontman Pharrell Williams on his rekindled his romance with Jade Jagger.
“When you’re married, it doesn’t mean you’re dead. I can still get turned on every day by falling in love with someone on the street. That moment of ‘Wow, what if.’ It’s like enjoying a flower - you can appreciate it but it doesn’t mean you have to pick it.” Richard Gere on opening a florist.
“Five or 10 years ago, average Glamour readers had no interest in what they perceived as capital-F fashion, they would’ve thought Manolo was a kind of pasta” Editor of Glamour Magazine
“I just get dressed and get out there and have a good time,” Imelda Staunton the actress from Vera Drake who wears her own clothes to the awards! SHOCKING ! her own clothes! An Alien
“ I still seem to be doing all my own cooking and shopping and washing,” Imelda Staunton (Pasta?)
‘I really wish I could cook. I’ve never had specific goals in life. I don’t say, ‘I’d like my next step to be this’, and then write it down and go after it. Actually, I don’t write anything down.” Jennifer Garner (can’t read or write. Pasta anyone?)
“I don’t talk about the Super Bowl,” Janet Jackson (Game over.)
“It’s not an attack on baggy pants. It’s not about Janet Jackson, to vote for this bill would be to do something good not only for Virginia, but for this entire country.” Algie T Howell, who has launched a crusade to have publicly-visible boxers, briefs and thongs banned (and Janet Jackson too?) Fa
“It’s very difficult for a man to learn on the internet that his wife has a new boyfriend” Ben Kingsley 61, on his third wife Alexandra, 30, kissing another man in a Berlin nightclub.( what was he looking at?)
“I’m feeling regal, I think this is the year Harry and William go to that weird, loony icon level. They’re both men now, and likely to make some big public errors. And, you know, is Charles going to marry Camilla [Parker Bowles]? And Sofia [Coppola] is doing that Marie Antionette movie. I think royalty is in the air.” Simon Doonan Barneys creative director (He is King of cool)

The wonderful thing about looking back at photos of yourself is suddenly realizing that you weren’t really fat all those years ago. And sure, you wore all those daggy clothes but now they look groovy: it’s a win win! So for Valentine’s Day stop thinking about yourself (but you can’t help it) and go through all those old photos of you and your loved one (choose ones where you look fabulous) then stick them gleefully into the very chic but cheap little photo books from Pepe’s Papeterie. Small, and covered in fabric they are available in lots of colours (red or black is best) and they tie up with a simple ribbon. (Then get The Way We Were out on DVD…)

$12 from Pepe’s Paperie at Bondi Junction 9389 5700

Lotions and potions and frocks and rocks, isn’t that what romance is all about? Of course there is one more thing to help you weave your magic spell (and make sure you get those rocks) and that’s the Marriage Freres ‘Fall in Love’ tea. Made from a sensational blend of black tea and rose petals, it sound a bit sweet but is simply quite divine. Even if you don’t drink tea it’s worth buying it just to have the gorgeous chic tin. Magic. Be quick it’s selling out!)
$54 from Simon Johnson 9967 9411

OK, you’re ready for your hot date. Sexy dress, fab hair, nails, serious heels and your passport packed in your tiny YSL Clutch. But isn’t there something missing? (George Clooney?) It’s that’s special glow that can only come from something incredibly artificial. You need mummy’s little helper (it’s legal), the Chance by Chanel Shimmering Touch Gel. It’s a limited edition (such as your good self) and it give you a gorgeous sparkle and shimmer and you’ll smell divine. Watch as your skin lights up when you smooth it on. Watch as your shimmering body matches the sparkle in your eyes when you see all those diamonds you are sure to get….

$63 Chance by Chanel Shimmering Touch Gel from David Jones.

In New York walk through 7,500 gates, festooned with saffron-colored fabric, along 23 miles of pedestrian paths in Central Park all due to the exhibition by Christo.
In Paris check out the new newly revamped Ritz Club launched by the hot guys behind Nobo and Korova (club membership is from $2500).
In Florence check out the Yohji Yamamoto Retrospective as part of the Correspondences Exhibition at the Pitti Palace.
In London please go to the Lee Miller Portraits exhibition at the National Portraits Gallery.
In New York check out the ‘Cy Twombly 50 years of works on paper’ at the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Don’t forget to go to Jonathan Adler’s (the groovy ceramicist’s) first hotel design project in Palm Springs called Le Parker Meridien http://www.palmsprings.lemeridien.com ( he is the boyfriend of Simon Doonan from Barneys and see it in the latest Travel & Leisure)
The much-buzzed-about portrait of Kate Moss by Lucien Freud, sold in London at for 3.5 million pounds and the purchaser is unknown.
Sideways” was once again awarded the film of the year award, in the international category, by the London Film Critics’ Circle, while the British movie of the year went to abortion film “Vera Drake.”
Dazed & Confused’s Jefferson Hack is extending the ‘Another Magazine’ brand with a biannual men’s glossy called Another Man, “There will be a mix of men’s high-fashion designers and gentlemen’s labels with a strong influence of street subculture,” said Hack. “If this magazine were coming out 30 years ago, [a typical story] might have been Serge Gainsbourg by Tom Wolfe shot by Helmut Newton.” (Dream about it baby)WWD
Macy Gray, the singer, will launch her first fashion collection later this month, joining Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Beyoncé Knowles, Lil’ Kim, Mandy Moore and Missy Elliott in the fashion game.( do I see any fashion designers becoming pop stars? Maybe Tom Ford better start singing)
Sofia Coppola is the guest designer the cashmere label Lutz & Patmos. She designed, and even modeled, her short, belted dress that’s part of the forthcoming fall-winter collection. Past collaborators included Christy Turlington, Fabien Baron and Ines Van Lamsweerde. WWD
New York Fashion Week continues with Sass & Bide’s collection “ outrageous, fun, rock ’n’ roll and very, very cheeky. With them, it’s about personality and not the clothes. Too many straps flew around or dangled, detracting from otherwise well-structured jackets and pants” WWD.
And at the Baby Phat show André Leon Talley.( big Bwana at US Vogue) was refused entry at the door moments before Usher and his entourage had no problem getting in. “It was out of control, It’s just not about the clothes anymore, it’s all about a party now. I don’t see how they can expect a professional to go all the way downtown on a Saturday night and get treated that way” All that way downtown. Outrageous!
Australian Martin Grant ( based in Paris) has his own signature line, and also is in charge of designing the in-house label for Barneys New York, and recently added a consulting gig to the German house of Joop.
Speculation is heating up Tom Ford’s next project could be a signature scent.

http://labs.google.com/
Google has a section called Google labs which is Google’s technology playground. “Google labs showcases a few of our favorite ideas that aren’t quite ready for prime time. Your feedback can help us improve them.” One of the latest tricks they are trying out is Google Suggest where “ as you type your query google gives you word completion in the search input box. As you type, a popup menu appears with suggested words to search for….brilliant.!

http://www.vanityfair.com/
Finally the Vanity Fair website is here. Where to click on first? ‘HOT’ of course! Go straight to books, music or film or click on Q & A and find out what hairdresser frederick Fekkai favourite things are ( Blackberry ,Plasma TV, and Levis) . Go to ‘Roundtable’ and click on ‘Last night in London, Paris and New York’ and you’ll find the ‘party picture link page’…. Cool

Headlines around the world today are dominated by the news of Prince Charles, getting married to the ‘old Rotweiler’.
‘Pete Doherty fought back tears in an emotional phone call to lover Kate Moss from his rehab clinic yesterday. The rocker rang the supermodel at a break in his first day of treatment for heroin and crack cocaine addiction. The ex-Libertines frontman checked into the clinic on Tuesday hours after being released from London’s Pentonville Prison. He was banged up in the prison and police cells for a total of six nights’. The UK Sun (banged up!)
Cindy Crawford has turned down $1 million to pose for Playboy for a third time.
Sir Elton John is lining up Justin Timberlake to play him in a new movie about his life charting his meteoric rise from his humble beginnings as Reg Dwight ( banged up?)
Posh Spice is said to be having a daughter, not a son who they will name Luna..
Filming on Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman’s new movie Eucalyptus has been interrupted because, on-set gossip suggests, Nicole has sneaked off for a quick breast enhancement.( gossip! )
Britney Spears’ second marriage is on the rocks and she has been rowing with her new husband over money after she was left to pick his $5,400 bill for a weekend he spent partying.
Hugh Grant and Jemima Kahn are planning to splash out £35 million on an exclusive island retreat. They have already made two visits to Sainte-Marguerite, off the Cote d’Azur. The tiny island is only two miles wide and has its own private beach. ( splash out!)
Heather Graham is single again after splitting from boyfriend Josh Lucas
Brad Pitthas been linked to American Maxim model April Florio
MATTHEW MELLON the estranged husband of Jimmy Choo creative director Tamara, has been arrested after allegedly attempting to have her phone tapped. Matthew, who run’s his own Harry’s shoe line, contacted an agency in a bid to wire the phone, but it turned out to be an undercover police unit, Tamara and Matthew split early in 2003 after he checked himself into an Arizona rehab clinic and she began a short-lived affair with Oscar Humphries, and despite reports that they were back together by December that year, she has since been linked to Flavio Briatore. (There’s a book in that! ) UK Vogue.
Paris Hilton and Nicky are feuding over who should front their new joint retail venture, a chain of upmarket stores (upmarket?) selling clothing and accessories they’ve designed.
Nicole Richie is set to marry her DJ boyfriend,
From New York Fashion Week: “In accordance with the recent trend, celebrities continue to wreak havoc on fashion week. As the lights went down at Oscar de la Renta, Beyoncé Knowles joined the socialite-dominated front row and sent the media frenzy into an even greater uproar. She has plans to develop a fine jewelry line, which seems appropriate given that both Beyoncé and Tina were sporting serious bling. As soon as the house lights were illuminated, a scramble of photographers rushed to their seats, shoving some slow-moving Vogue staffers into one Manolo-clad mob

The Food of Love by Anthony Capella
Ah! the wonderful tasty and satisfying combination of food and love! A perfect read for this time of year. It’s a story about “ a American exchange student in Rome who, fed up with being inexpertly groped by her young Italian beaus, decides there’s only one sure-fire way to find a sensual man: date a chef. Then she meets the handsome Tomasso who seduces her with succulent baby artichokes and frothy zabagliones” Do they cook up a storm? Read it and eat. Delicious.
$29 from http://www.angusrobertson.com.au

The Christmas List:
Committed: Men Tell Stories of Love, Commitment, and Marriage by Chris Knutsen and, David Kuhn
No, this is not an oxymoron. Apparently it does happen. Scientific tests have proved it. And it’s all here in this fabulous book of essays by celebrated male writers, (American Vogue had a story from it in their December issue, the authors parents met aboard the boat taking Princess Grace to her Wedding). A perfect book for Valentines Day it is ” a deeply personal collection of stories that busts open one of the most enduring mysteries - what makes a man commit? In this gathering of compelling contemporary voices, the answers come as men speak intimately about the struggles-and joys-of finding and remaining in a committed relationship. Read from David Sedaris on how not to let your partner grow overly familiar; ( funny) or Geoff Dyer, John Seabrook, James McManus, and others. A rare insight into the hearts and minds of men who commit”! It’s a must read for the inside scoop….
$16 from http://www.amazon.com

Economy:
Note to all mass market chain stores: no more shrunken cord or denim jackets and no more dusky pink. Please. You can now buy them in Target. I rest my case. If you have to do denim take a leaf out of (or copy) Habitual’s book who have done great denim pieces that look very Proenza Shoueler. Or at least try to do the Lanvin look of layered skirts, or Prada’s look of stripes and Khaki. And where are the copies of the Balenciage navy baggy pants? Lets face it all those collections came out in October and you’ve had months to copy it all….
Zomp Shoez: Wow, so many shoes on sale especially at their store in the city Mall…lots of flats and lots of strappy heels. Worth a look. David Jones: Have done their own label wool ponchos which are great in a stripe knit with a fringe, in a orange, red and pink or blues and greys $135.Sportsgirl; Have gone crazy with the vintage retro look but the colours are too dirty and it doesn’t look very authentic. In fact it all looks cheap. Damn, they used to have some great designer rip offs here ( just because it is cheap doesn’t mean it has to look it.) Best pieces are the side pocket chinos $79, the feather/fur scarves in brown and green $49, the green T shirt is cool with a square V neck and yes, silver sequins $79. The tweed Prince of Wales jackets are Ok for $129 but haven’t we all seen that denim blazer a hundred times since marc Jacobs did it years ago? The paisley chiffon drawstring loose shirt is cool in oranges and brown $89 and the purple print chiffon dress is nice $119.Also lots of Sienna Miller plaited belts too $20. FCUK; Have done a cool open tote canvas bag in a chic red with pockets… it’s a chinos bag! It even comes with a little belt and buttons $49 , also in a big overnight size too $$. Witchery: have some cool side pocket chinos for that Marc Jacobs look $79, the Prince of Wales check jacket is Ok, $179 and I like V neck sweaters ( but belt them please) and if you want some basic black it is all here especially the kind of Lanvin inspired layered skirt (though this one looks too hippy) $99. Also not a lot new in the accessories department .Nine West: Are looking great for copies of all the designer shoes. Some cool open toe 40’s heels in burgundy and green $129. I still think the print fabric heels are great $139. Also check out the very groovy wedge patchwork snakeskin heels $139 and the patent pointy heels are cool in ombre (from light to dark) in green or red $139 and there are very goof copies of Pucci print clutch bags with a clasp. Mollini : have some fabulous fake snakeskin round toe flats in black $145, really comfortable and they look expensive. Perfect. David Jones; Have the best round toe ballet flats in red by Milana for $199, made in Italy and seriously comfortable too. Esprit: Have a cool v neck sweater $89 and an interesting black and white tweed jacket $139, and you should have, right now, the very good expensive looking double breasted camel trench with tortoiseshell buttons (thigh length) $129, the suits in grey are good for work $229 with matching pants (if you must go to work in an office..eeekk). Also there is a pretty paisley chiffon dress and some jeweled brooches too but you bought them last season didn’t you? Quick Brown Fox: have amazing brightly coloured bags, very marc Jacobs and very Japanese and cute and tiny clothes. They’re on sale and you can get great patent bags in fab reds and greens from $29 (yes pleather.) and all sorts of cool shoes flat with round toes in outrageous colours. Cue: They have done a fab copy of the Luella bag, the first sighting of one, and it is rather good, I must say, in a light blue or not so exciting cream $229 ( leather) and I like the grey wrap knit ballet top $99 and the short sleeve knit T shirts in a great green or red $65. Check out the windows: I like all their layering with the red shirt under the green v neck sweater with a thin belt over a 50’s skirt. Sportscraft: have done a very fabulous classic trench coat with tortoiseshell buttons, double breasted and very Burberry looking I think it’s a great buy and if you haven’t got a trench coat , shame on you, buy this $349, Plus the small slouch bags in burgundy with silver hardware $229.

Business Class.
Bulb: have some fab new sunglasses that are big and in colours that look vintage but are actually new by French designer Francois Pinton around $372, also check out the fab vintage beaded or glomesh clutchs from $90 to around $300, the divine lingerie especially from FiFi Chahnil and don’t miss the make up called ;lingerie for lips’. If you are after fabulous vintage diamante earrings or fabulous vintage bangles this is the place too. Max and Co: lots of new things in for winter but it is looking very casual and nothing to sink your teeth into yet. Best pieces are: the oatmeal zip through chunky knit $360, the tweed brown, black and white skirts with a velvet ribbon $320, the dusky pink is here too ( ouch) but go past that to some chic shirts, and perhaps the khaki cropped pants $170 then check out the jackets are on sale from $150… worth having a rummage. CK Jeans: not lot in for winter yet and it’s all very casual looking but check out the grey T shirts top $199.Country Road: a few new pieces in this week: lots of green, the chinos in khaki or choc brown ( wear a la Marc Jacobs with your tweed jacket from last year and heels) $129, the pleated khaki skirt with flecks of white is cool $169 ,the ballet slippers are good $179 in suede and perhaps you can have the a gorgeous dark grey scoop neck sweater $129 and the thin belts are nice too $49. The dark grey knit V neck cardigan is very chic $119 ( anything dark grey always is). Jigsaw: oh, if anyone likes lilac it’s here….it’s all looking very granny chic without the chic.

First Class.
Belinda Shoe salon: Lots of new winter shoes and bags here and they all gorgeous: You want the marc Jacobs snakeskin heels $575, Mary Janes in burgundy by costume National $715, the Sigerson Morrison silver heels $695 and bronze metallic bag, and the marc Jacobs spectator pumps in creams and browns $595. Check out the Givenchy camel sling backs with kitten heels with tassles $695 and you want the Givenchy red satin heels $695 also in black with diamante detail $695. There are the same fab Sigerson Morrison bags (as in Paddington) in patent and also the patent pointy toe flats in light blue $675. Plus a fab marc Jacobs bag $1800 ish in green. Cosmo Shoes: Yes, they had a big sale. Yes, they are still heaps of things at great prices, a $100 shelf ( cash) and also $200 and $300 and up wards. There are some YSL loafers, some D&G slingbacks and some fabulous diamante heels. All on sale and check out the gorgeous Sergio Rossi slouch bags with a bone handle and silver hardware in choc, camel and black lovely at $700.A bargain, buy 2! Also new in are the gorgeous Jimmy Choo bags, sooo divine about $2000 in delicious green and burgundy and the Bottega Veneta woven bags in all sizes and shapes. You want the Jimmy Choo patent boots $2150, the patent soft pink shoes not so sure about, the Rene Coavilla snakeskin heels, $1250, the D&G slingbacks in pink, blue and camel with a kitten heel $720, and the Rudolph Menuedier python flats with a silver ring $1200, Wow. The satin YSL ankle strap heels in burgundy, red and camel and the snakeskin ones in brown $$! Plus the Sonia Rykiel bags are great too, perfect size, not too much hardware.Christensen Copenhagen: coming soon: watch out for a new Danish label called Pure Heart, ( silk dresses for about $600) a label called HeartMade and Nina Ricci , now designed by Lars Nilson ( ex Bill Blass) plus Mathew Williamson, plus more fabulous pieces from the label Kabana. Also the Mayle collection will arrive in March and more Missoni. Now instore is the Paul & Joe ( already reported) and a couple of Missoni pieces that are gorgeous ; a print off the shoulder dress with a black ribbon belt and fabulous top.

Turkish Delights
Go on, don’t be scared, you can make them, it’s as easy as making Jelly. A simple little sweetie, make them for Valentine’s Day. Then wrap them in a chic little box so when he gives you that perfect little blue box, you can give him this one…

You need:
15 g gelatine
4 tabs hot water
1 cup sugar
500 ml of water
2 tabs lemon juice
½ teasp of tartic acid
3 tabs of pink rose syrup
Icing sugar to sprinkle
Pink or red rose petals washed and dried

·Dissolve the gelatine in 4 tabs of hot water
·Heat the 500 mls of water, sugar and rose water in a saucepan until sugar is dissolved
·Reduce the heat and add the gelatine mixture and keep stirring. So boring, I know, so think about which shoes will go with that new Missoni dress…
·Now turn up the heat baby, and bring it to the boil. In fact let it go crazy boiling for about 8 to 10 ten minutes, all the while stirring it please.
·Should start to look and feel gluggy and thicker (a bit like your self after you’ve eaten all this sugar).
·Add the lemon juice and the tartaric acid (more tart than acid like your good self)
·Cook for another minute and mix it up well. Looking good?
·Pour into a rectangular cake tin that is rinsed with cold water and shaken dry ( it’s better if it’s a bit chilled).
·Now pop it into the fridge and let it chill out baby for a couple of hours and rest after all that stirring.
·Now you can get back to doing what you do best : thinking about what to wear tonight…
·When it looks like it has set, dip the base in a basin of hot water to loosen it up and turn it out onto a chopping board and then cut it into squares, the bigger the better I say (and easier to cut).
·Grab a bowl and fill it with icing sugar and carefully pop them in to give them a going over and a covering of sugar. Maybe use a cake slice to move them, you’ve got to be tender with these little cuties.
·Serve scattered with rose petals , perhaps a dollop of cream and some berries or tie them up in a gorgeous box lined with baking paper and a big kiss
it’s a delight !

Closer…. Directed by Mike Nichols with a star studded cast of Jude Law ,Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen
Seedy, sordid, sex, lies and videotape: it’s not the perfect movie to see for those seeking romance. Oh! did I mention betrayal, manipulation and deceit?. Lovely. Worth seeing, it is a very clever, sophisticated movie but it should have been a French film: there’s lots of intense talk and every one is full of angst. Mais oui! It follows the four characters as they meet, argue, double cross and fall in and out of love. Clive Owen is an evil, mean and wicked Neanderthal who takes your breath away as he gets more sinister as it goes along, Jude Law is a wimp and not really convincing as a too bit bob obituary writer, Julia Roberts is beautiful but she is always Julia Roberts (and she replaced Cate Blanchet who backed out : damn), and Natalie Portman is fantastic as a young, zany stripper. The problem with this movie is that it gets a bit too smart, too self conscious and just plain confusing, but of course watching all these rotters show the worst side of human nature is riveting. (George Clooney would never behave like that) but you somehow come away wondering what is was all about. So frustrating because you don’t end up liking any of the characters, they are all so awful. Instead of feeling closer to them you are pushed away… Ah, the perhaps that’s the moral to the story