“They ought to put my figure into the chamber of horrors alongside the mass murderers. I look like Julie Andrews on heroin.” Hugh Grant on his wax figure in Madame Tussauds.
“If I’ve got anything, I’ve got cool hair. But the first day I get there I get the worse perm you’ve ever seen. It looked like Ronald McDonald on crack cocaine” Aspiring model/actor/filmmaker Matthew Gray Gubler on his debut in Wes Anderson’s “The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou.”
“They want to make me look fatter. They’ll have me in five T-shirts, and I feel like an Oompa Loompa.” Kelly Osbourne on her new TV show.
” At the medical therapy, the woman told me that my uterus was angry and I pissed myself laughing in the chair” Kelly Osbourne on rehab ( like Julie Andrews on heroin).
“People think I’m glamorous because of my lifestyle: Being married to Micheal you see me doing things most 35yr olds don’t, like meeting presidents, the Oscars, the yachts, having dinner with Koffi Annan” Catherine Zeta Jones ( why would people think that’s glamorous?) ( angry uterus)
“It started in the UK and took on a life of its own, I’m still not sure what it means.” Justin Timberlakeon being called Trousersnake ( a life of its own) what could that mean?
“It’s not a celebrity line; it’s a real line.” Kravitz on developing his own line of clothing and home furnishings. Apparently there is a difference.
“Oh my god, I was happy to see not just models and beautiful girls in my clothes, but more normal people, When you see normal people wearing Cavalli, they look different.” Roberto Cavalli See, there is a difference. Oh my god. Normal (just Julie Andrews)
“I’m not one of these people really into the latest fetishes like yoga or the Kabbalah, I can’t imagine anything worse than wearing a trendy red bracelet around my arm and running around saying, ‘I’m at peace with myself.’” Mischa Barton bless you .
“I’m not a really wild person,” Mischa Barton after turning down a glass of champagne. (Her endless frolics at the beach and late-night meals at Taco Bell with boyfriend Brandon Davis, not to mention their berobed appearances on the balcony of the Chateau Marmont, might indicate differently)
“I figured, why have it for one night? Why not go for it and, inhabit the look?” Mario Testino, said he’s definitely having more fun as a blonde, although his IQ has remained the same since he dyed his hair for his 50th birthday.
“I keep reading stories about myself that are totally untrue. I find myself wondering, ‘Do I love my job enough to put up with that?’ And I’m not sure that I do.” Kate Beckinsale on acting (Is that true?)

Sales Sales Sales
It seems everyone is having a sale. But the sale we all want to go to is the exclusive, once in a lifetime, amazing, spectacular and all out fabulous up to 90% sale at Belinda. Oooh la la. Shhh top secret we’ve only just got the inside scoop that it is on at The Belinda head office: Suite 1, 30-38 Victoria st Paddington and starts Wednesday the 15th of Dec at 10am. The sale will be running everyday until the 23rd of December.
Also for gorgeous vintage jewels and accessories mostly under $100 and all sorts of divine things head to the Dominique Jackson sale: Saturday, December 11 at 10am to 5pm Blank Space Gallery , 374 Crown Street (near Albion Street, Surry Hills)
Sonya Hopkins MOVING sale to William street, Paddington starts this Thursday 9th December, shop 6 Glenmore road Paddington 02 9380 8030.Everything must go all cardigans, camisoles, v necks etc in cottons, silks, cashmeres and wool mixes prices start at $20.
And the Nicola Finetti sale at Suite 3A Level 1 119 Kippax St Surry Hills. Friday 10th: Saturday 11th: and Sunday 12th: 10am to 6pm
And Evelyn Miles is on sale too.
And to help you get through all this mad rushing around I insist you go directly into Top3 by Design for their Emergency Christmas survival chocolate $7

So feeling a little frantic and frazzled? Having a conniption about where to buy all those hundreds of presents? Take a deep breath, relax, pour a gin and tonic and print out this list of too too divine gifts ideas:
Best shops: Top3 by Design (http://www.top3bydesign.com.au/) is amazing, so is Orson & Blake, Aero (9380 8856) has fantastic little things and Bristol & Brooks (9232 8699)in Chifley is great for all things groovy . Simon Johnson and T2 ( amazing teas) and The Baytree are heaven. The MCA, The Powerhouse and the Metropolitan Museum of Art store in The QVB are cool. Check out Papaya, Arida and Mannning on Macleay. Boxx (9280 1878) Also don’t forget Australian Geographic and the ABC shops and of course Gowings to do your family in an hour. You know that Funkis and Dinosaur Designs has cool homewares, and so does Caravan in Bondi. Please go to Spence & Lyda for all the most divine New Missoni just arrived. 9212 6747.
Or try http://www.terrificscientific.com/ for kids,
Get personalized wine labels from http://www.nakedwine.com.au/ , for the organic hampers go to http://www.vibrantmarkets.com.au/, and for the best eco shopping go to http://www.ecoshop.com.au/
* But wait there’s more! To make life even easier at Westfield Bondi Junction go to the concierge and ask for The Hot List by FiFi: this fabulous list has 5 different gift ideas for everyone divided into categories from Metrosexual to Fashionista to workoholic to Crazy kids. What more do you want? Diamonds? Go to Tiffanys.

With so many parties and presents around there is a lot to smile about. You need a clean, bright, white smile that sparkles when you say cheese otherwise you might be saying please (no photos). My life as a serial party goer and smiler means I had to try the Macleans whitening gel. You apply it to your teeth every morning and night for 2 weeks - so attractive - but it’s not hard, it’s just hard to remember to do it. Does it work? Yes, my teeth do seem a bit whiter. Yes, a bit. I wouldn’t say Paris Hilton white but definitely an improvement and that’s got to be worth $28.

$28 Macleans Brilliant White Whitening Treatment Gel from chemists.

For their 44th issue, Visionaire the fashion and art publication extraordinaire,has collaborated with vanguard toy wizard Kidrobot to create an original Visionaire soft vinyl toy, and then further collaborated with 10 fashion designers–including Donatella Versace, Hedi Slimane, Karl Lagerfeld, Dolce & Gabanna, Valentino, Alexander McQueen, and Viktor & Rolf–to customize the toy into 10 different characters. Kidrobot is the world’s premier creator of limited edition art toys designed by world-renowned artists with backgrounds in graffiti, industrial design, fine art, graphic design, illustration, and music.http://www.artbook.com/1888645466.html
Neil LaBute (Nurse Betty) has written a new play “ Fat Pig’ about an overweight woman and the man who tries to love her. (eat more chocolate)
Check out the website http://www.bangkokhipster.com if you are off to Bangkok for all that is cool. I like the section called Boozy Corner .
In Miami groove at the new very groovex bar called The Pawn Shop Lounge http://www.thepawnshoplounge.com
In Marrakesh stay at Dar Les Cigognes http://www.lescigognes.com/
Or go to Sicily and stay at Capofaro Malvasia & Resort : a working Vineyard in Salina…oh this looks divine http://www.capofaro.it/
In Paris, a very cool new hotel in the 11th is Le General Paris http://www.legeneralhotel.com/ENG/paris_hotel.htm
The world’s largest Chanel store opened in Tokyo.The 14,000-square-foot boutique is housed in a new black tower on a plot of land that cost $170 million. A virtual demigod in Japan, Karl Lagerfeld is causing a stir on the streets of Tokyo, posing for photos before hushed, wide-eyed fans and also “taking pictures like crazy himself with all his cameras.”They would have torn me to pieces,” Karl Lagerfeld said last week after he had to flee a thumping dance party thrown by Paris boutique Colette to fete its temporary boutique in collaboration with Comme des Garçons in Tokyo .The designer was practically tackled on the dance floor as fashion fanatics petted, pinched and kissed him. “They wanted my clothing,” he said. “I’m not [prudish], but I don’t go out in order to get a massage.” “Rock star! Rock star!” Vogue’s André Leon Talley declared as a swarm of fans dozens deep surged around Lagerfeld on Saturday, including a woman so overcome with emotion that she sobbed into the shoulder of the designer’s Dior Homme peacoat. “They don’t do this for Mick Jagger anymore,” Talley quipped. WWd
Those who say that women are the kinder, gentler sex clearly have never been to a designer shoe sample sale. Ladies, and we use the term loosely, were so desperate to get into the Jimmy Choo sale in New York that they queued up for more than two hours. One woman tried to cut the line by bribing the doorman with $50 — no go. Another who couldn’t get in started crying. When asked by a passerby what all the fuss was for, a police officer on hand growled, “High heels.” Meanwhile, inside, two women got into a bona fide catfight over a pair of brown leather slingbacks. “I want them because I look better in them than you do,” said one. A third person finally stepped in and settled the issue with a fair coin toss. wwd
Sofia Coppola has edited the French Vogue December-January issue,“She was a natural,” enthused Roitfeld. “She could replace me tomorrow. She’s got the right eye and she’s got taste.” French Vogue traditionally invites celebrities to guest edit its holiday number. Catherine Deneuve did the honors last year. “Sofia was very involved in everything. She really got into it.” And posed for a raft of stylish photos by everyone from Craig McDean to David Sims. “She got hair extensions and she even posed [semi] nude,” said Roitfeld. Oh my god A Merkin? wwd
Michael Kors, new fragrance matches his wanderlust — Island Michael Kors. “And I think I’ll do personal appearances only in places that are islands — like Capri and Hawaii. And I grew up on an island — Long Island”
milliner Philip Treacy, who has been named design director of a new, five-star hotel in Ireland. The G, in the west coast city of Galway, will be the flagship property of Monogram Hotels and is due to open next summer
49 Grove is a new club in New York. Nestled in the basement space of a West Village building that used to house Halo, 49. ” It’s exclusivity in a Bungalow 8 mentality. It’s guest list only, and once you’re on it, you’re on”

http://www.petersofkensington.com.au
Here is another idea for lazy people who only get excited going into shops when they are buying for themselves. So save time, beat the crowds and get all your Christmas presents here online. This is the most amazing online gift service and the selection is absolutely huge ! They send to anywhere in Australia but the Christmas deadline is Monday 13th, so get cracking.

http://jestmag.com/3-5/banana.html
Anything that makes fun of rummy and dubya has got to make you feel better! Do the clothes make the fascist? Scroll down to see them in the Banana Republic Catalogue. Hilarious

Madame Tussauds has been heavily criticised for a celebrity nativity scene at the London museum. The display features the Beckhams as Joseph and Mary and Tony Blair and George Bush as two of the Wise Men. And Samuel L. Jackson, Hugh Grant and Graham Norton as the shepherds, and Kylie Minogue as the angel. “I can’t wait for the live television debate between George W. and his waxwork counterpart. It’s sure to be a close call.” Gawker
Socialskanks Paris and Nicky Hilton are in negotiations to promote Antz Pantz.
Phillipe Starck horrified guests at the “Art Loves Architecture” party during Art Basel weekend in South Beach by incorporating “little people” as part of the entertainment. The party doubled as a showroom for the designer’s latest furniture creation - foot stools with garden gnomes as legs. So Starck hired dwarves to dress as gnomes and mingle with the guests, “Look!” said a staffer, “The dwarves match the furniture!” “The only people who had a bad reaction were people who have a fear of little people or a phobia of them,” a rep told us. “[The dwarves] were having a great time. They were drinking and walking around and calling themselves ‘Philippe’s gnomes.’ NYDN
Relax, It’s a Typo: She Meant “Most Fornicating People of 2004″ Paris Hilton has been named one of the ‘most fascinating people of 2004′ by Barbara Walters. Gawker
Christina Aguilera has gone to India to the exclusive resort of Sahara Lake City, A private helicopter delivered her to the luxurious destination, which is India’s first planned hill city, The opulent retreat includes four man-made lakes set in 235 acres of land, as well as golf courses and several nightclubs. “India has always captured my imagination with its myriad cultures and spiritualism,” she said. Spiritual
Prince Harry is going out with Chelsea Davy, a 19 yr old blonde South African .
Kenneth Cole sponsored a party The Orangery at Kensington Palace to launch a book of “Women to Women: Positively Speaking.” Shot by Mario Testino and aimed at raising awareness of women living with HIV/AIDS.
J.LO will spend Christmas Day entertaining homeless fans in New York’s Bronx.
Nicole Kidman’s recent sorties with Steve Bing have been setting tongues wagging The two of them have made little effort to hide their cosy outings together, choosing a variety of high-profile haunts in which to dine and canoodle by candlelight. They also spent Thanksgiving together. Some say it’s all a façade, that Nic, 37, must have her eye on someone else and is stepping out with the film mogul to divert attention from her real romantic object.
Kate Moss has found a new boyfriend, fashion boutique owner Chris Malcolm, known as Big Chris to his friends because of his height ( not anything else? Hands?)
Doctors are considering operating on George Clooney s back, after he injured it while filming a strenuous torture scene in his upcoming movie Syriana ( George confined to bed:torture)
Rachel Hunter 35, is wearing a huge sapphire ring from her boyfriend, Sean Avery, 24, from the L.A. Kings hockey team She is reprising the Tina Louise part as Ginger in “The Real Gilligan’s Island” on Ted Turner’s broadcasting system this month
Madonna’s fired her long-term manager after discovering Henry was having an affair with a bodyguard “Madonna and Guy are deeply committed to their Kabbalah faith which preaches monogamy and faithfulness. It’s ironic, because Madonna used to eat men for breakfast.”
Jennifer Lopez reportedly walked out of her album launch party in Stockholm, Sweden, earlier this week after being heckled by drunks.
Lucien Freud 82, has entered into a new friendship with a new model, 32-year-old sculptress Alexandra Williams-Wynn. They go for long hand-holding walks together and Alexandra is taking a year off from her studies at the Royal Academy to be with Freud. (Long hand holding walks?)
More debate on the state of Lindsay Lohan’s live vocals on yesterday’s Good Morning America appearance: Lohan reps say she used extra backing because it was “rock and roll.” Those in attendance say the genre sounded more like dying babies.

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Victorine : A Novel by CATHERINE TEXIER (Publisher: Penguin April 20, 2004)
This was voted the best book of the year (fiction ) in US Elle and I can see why: it sounds a great story and just the thing to read over summer relaxing on the beach. “Catherine Texier has taken a page from her family history to create a portrait of her great-grandmother, Victorine, as she leaves her husband and children to follow her lover to Indochina. A lyrical novel it weaves a spell around the couple as they build a new life, all while conveying Victorine’s anguish at leaving behind her family, the struggles, the passions, the hardships and the conflicted feelings at the heart of the story. It’s a Victorian love story. Lurking questions of empire and expansion lend an extra dimension to this bittersweet romance, reminiscent both of Madame Bovary and Duras’s The Lover.
$35 from http://www.angusrobertson.com.au

The Christmas List: Richard Avedon
Was an amazing photographer and now that he has left our world to go to the great big studio in the sky, it seems only right to give or receive one of his fabulous books for Christmas. And what a choice there is. The best books are Evidence 1944-1994, ‘an this oversize assemblage of 284 photographs, a loose record of faces, moments and events that have shaped his life” $40 from Amazon OR Richard Avedon: Portraits. “Spanning the artist’s entire career, from the late 1940s through his most recent work, it offers a superb selection of his photographic portraits” Publisher: Harry N Abrams; Slipcase edition (September 17, 2002) $35 from Amazon

Economy:
Supre: have some silly Slogan T shirts such as “save Santa a trip and be naughty” “I love the O.C” and ‘I am blonde what’s your excuse?” They also have white sequin slouch bags that I am not sure if they are hideous or fabulous. Quick Brown Fox: have lots and lots of rip off Marc Jacobs bags for about $69, plus all sorts of things from little teddybears to jewels.Plus there is a fab frayed huge red straw hat for $19 and I think I want it. Sportsgirl: Bling Bling Bling. Best pieces are the beaded caftans forn $199 in all sorts of colours, the watermelon top with silver sequins $79, the green and pink chiffon dress reduced to $99. And check out the string beach bags too for $30, the aviator sunglasses in tortoiseshell very Gucci $38, and the retro print stripe skirt with stripe inserts $79. Just Jeans: have cool stripe beach bags with a bamboo handle $30 ish Esprit: so much pink, so much black. Best pieces are the black satin cami if you are the last person not to have one $79, and the edc white jeans $89 and I do love the paisley print cotton pink and orange print dress with shoe string straps for an easy $59!
Witchery: Ditto with the pink. Boring. Best pieces are the white Singlets with a tiny diamante edge $59, the woven Bottega Veneta style clutch bags and the white T shirts with a high neck $39, and the white T shirts with white on white stitching a bit more exciting than your average T $49. Cue: have a cool candy stripe cotton A line skirt very 50’s $99, their Louis Vuitton style bag now in yellow and green.Best pieces are the drape singlet tops $59. Kookai: have a chic satin shrunken blazer in watermelon $189, the beach bags are all cool and so are the short black drape dress $139. There are some sexy mama nylon jersey dresses $139 and the taupe blazer is cool.Too much Tie Dye are we are over it now ? Wear it only if it is Prada. But I like the floral fabric heels $99. SDS: have lots of Emily The strange T shirts $49 and all sorts of Paul Frank things from thongs to undies.

Business;
Scanlan & Theodore; have great rib simple singlets $85, the multi print green dress is fab $350, the orange bag is great $350 and it comes in green. There is a beautiful pink and orange print drapey dress $600, cool vertical stripe shorts $200, black T shirt with a sahara camel print $180, a black V neck top with net detail, and a brown chiffon racer back top with amazing gold leaf embroidery $400. I Iike the secretary blouse in chiffon , a bit 40’s with a tie waist $380, the V neck shoe string paneled dress $800, the green chiffon tie dye top $400 and the pleated skirt in a vontage print $450.And please check out the amazing collection of one off vintage sunglasses and fantastic snakeskin clutch bags $600 ish. Orson & Blake Surry Hills: have lots of fabulous things for Christmas shopping downstairs.Best pieces are the diamante encrusted singlets $90, a capelet Tshirt in grey maille $145, a woods and woods white taupe stripe blazer $290 and a T shirt that says NOT FOR SALE $70 and the motel black/bright floral tanks $45.Plus there are lots of fabulous books here too and divine costume National sunglasses. In the homewares there are fabulous sun lounges, divine crystal candlesticks same as Empire but $20 cheaper. Saba: is looking good; Best pieces are the watermelon silk long cami ( or a dress?) with lace trim $195, the watermelon drawstring dress with orange tie dye $325,the khaki narrow shorts to the knee $195 and the fab satin silk hoodie zip jacket $295. Also check out the grey maille top with gold lace and sequin cap sleeves for you at $475 and the white cream knit vest with gold trim $145 and a fab little black dress $285. Armani Exchange: have groovy thongs in red $49, a black zip top with a thin sporty white stripe and a hood $169, a black and white stripe cap sleeve T $219 and I love the caftan in white with black swirls $99 and the blue and white halter top $99 and the clutch bag is cool $79. Coach: have some new bags in but they have a fur trim ..all a bit wintery, but there is 30% off the cute logo pull on hats.Best pieces are the big leather shopper in camel or black $1000, the square shoulder bag in camel $580 and the fabulous pink and red stripe wool scarf is $470.

First :
Chanel: A lot of fab bags in here. You want the cc bag in camel with white stitching, the chain one with pockets on the side, the handy quilted CC one in burgundy and so many more including the black quilted one seen on Uma Thurman called the Ligne Cambon multi pocket. $2000 ish. Downstairs the tweed jackets are all divine : you want the black one $5087, the pink one in check $2205 and the white T shirt with a frill is so chic $1826, and the lace black jacket is gorgeous $6000. Also please get some ballet shoes while you are there and the cute little quilted coin purses. oh and you also want to check out all the sunglasses. Emporio Armani: have some hot pink sexy knits $300 ( this pink is Ok), some fab ballet shoes $600 and a lot of winter clothes in including some fab coats. You want the little black dress, $800, the black leather blazer $1700, and the black all over sequin tank is chic $650, and the brown slouch bag looks great too. Louis Vuitton: has the winter fall collection in; Check out the tartan coat with Fitch fur trim $11000, the Catseyes sunglasses, the chantilly lace black wool and satin dress is dvine $2140, the 50’s black cigar pants $1300, and the denim skirt in panels $745.The cuffs are fabulous, check out the wish ones $350 ( you can write a wish in it, better than a red Kabbahla string) or a stud flowers versions $350.There are also the swimsuits : a multi mongram one piece $800 and the cute navy bikinis for $600. Also the new costume jewellery is in and the chockers are pretty out there with pearls and little pendants hangin off $1120. Plus please buy the new Gracie bag ,very vintage looking etched in alligator $11,000.Thankyou

The amazing chunky nutty Christmas cake (from my mum)

This is basically lots of delicious healthy nuts and dried fruits and all sorts of goodies held together with a little bit of flour so it is really crunchy. Cook this up about a week before Christmas and it will last in the fridge for about a month! Fabulous

You need:
½ cup whole brazil nuts that have had a Brazilian (i.e no shells or skin)
½ cup of walnut halves
1 cup of dates stoned (but not pissed either )
1/3 cup chopped candied peel
½ cup red maraschino cherries and ½ cup green (drained of syrup)
½ cup raisins
¾ cup flour
½ teasp baking powder
½ teas salt
¾ cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teas vanilla essence

·Preheat the oven to slow … around 150
·Grease, moisterise and line a cake tin with baking paper.
·One with a hole in the middle, donut shape, looks particularly chic
·In a bowl mix the dates, nuts, candied fruit, the cherries and raisins
·Maybe grab a handful of fruit and nuts to set aside and throw on later
·Add the eggs (beaten up) and mix to coat
·Sift the flour with sugar, salt and baking powder
·Then add to the nut mix and stir it all so it is really stiff ( it should not be runny) and add the vanilla essence.
·If its too runny better add some more fruit perhaps the dates
·Press the gooey mix into the baking tin and flatten it so it looks pretty
·Whack into the oven and get it cooking
·Don’t try and be smart and cook it hotter and shorter because it will burn on top ….not a good look dude.
·After about ½ an hour, throw the leftover fruit and nuts on top so they sink in but won’t burn and it will look quite divine
·After about 2 hours, check that is cooked
·How do you know? Because it just looks it, Ok?
·Then when it’s done, let it sit and cool down for about 10 mins, ( it gets angry getting pulled out of the oven ) then pull off the paper and let it cool a little more
·How chic does that look? Superb
·Serve just tres naturelle, as is, naked with a dash of holly on top.
Seasons Eatings!

Kitchen Stories Directed by Bent Hamer
At the end of this movie we looked at each other and said ‘Kooky’. Oh yes, this is really kooky but it does seem to slowly creep up on you ( if you don’t have a little nap in the middle), but you have to be in the mood. There’s no sex, violence, car chases, or movie stars. And no cooking. Outrageous. For some reason I thought it was about food. Mais non! It’s a very a quaint story about the friendship between two aging men, in Norway in the 50’s. The comedy/kooky bit is how a team of Swedish scientists–all men—are hired to observe bachelors living alone in Norway. “Their methods are absurd. The observers live in funny, little, kooky, very 50’s chic trailers outside the bachelor’s houses. They sit in kooky high chairs in the corner of their kitchens where they take notes on a clipboard. Finally, there is a strict kooky rule that the observer and the subject must not speak to each other or make contact of any kind. But in the case of the protagonists Folke and bachelor Isak, it is ignored. The two aging men become fast friends, passing wintry afternoons in the rural countryside sipping coffee, smoking pipes, and telling each other fantastic kooky stories.” It’s a sweet story and I must say a nice change from all that over the top Hollywood stuff. Just have a serious gin and tonic beforehand to get in the mood for kooky.

US Elle Dec: Has Natalie Portman on the cover and a story inside. A Brainy girl. There is a story on the gorgeous Jake Gyllenhaal and his next films: Proof based on the play (with Gwynie) and of course the gay cowboy romp with Heath Ledger ‘Brokeback Mountain’ .Read about America’s Top Model or entertaining for Christmas like a glamourpuss, alot of beach fashion too.
US Harper’s Bazaar: Has Catherine Zeta Jones on the cover by Peter Lindbergh and the most hilarious pretentious interview inside. ( see quote de la quote). “Nothing says I love you like a big rock” “My kids aren’t needy (4 and 1 yr) I drop them off to my parents for weeks at a time so we can go on a boat trip, travel, just have fun. (read: she is the one who’s not needy). And she is making the sequel to Zorro. Also on the diet page ( so old fashioned) is a story on chocolate: ‘Indulge and stay slim’. Oh really? The fat content makes you feel full and will discourage overeating. When does hunger have to do with eating? Read about the best dressed list with the usual suspects. Karl Lagerfeld gives his recipes for Xmas cookies and there is a ridiculous story on the art of competitive gift giving ( that’s the spirit) and then Karl shoots Carmen Kass, Amanda Harlech and Betty Catroux on which is better for night : an LBD or a black tuxedo.
Uk Conde Nast Traveler Dec: Heading of to Moscow? Here’s the low down on what’s cool. Have a long weekend in Milan and stay at the groovy hotel 3 rooms, read about the five groovy hotels in Paris from 90 euros a night, (see Globetrotter) and a fascinating story on Beirut and why it’s so glamorous and the party destination for now ( there’s hope for Bagdad). Read about the best hotels in New York for Christmas: The Pierre, The Carlyle and the St Regis. You will love the shots of the Concept One Chalet in Chamonix ( see FiFi 64) and then go off piste in the Canadian rockies.