“It’s a shame people write so many things when they haven’t seen it, when you see the film, it makes more sense. It’s an art film. It should be playing in museums” Chloe Sevigny on her ten-minute scene where she performs fellatio on Vincent Gallo ( Art. That’s what Vincent called it too).
” doesn’t anyone want to see me naked? Nobody wants me – I don’t get much work because I’m an old bag.” Sharon Stone (try doing something Arty)
“I want to keep them grounded, We don’t have DVDs in our cars in LA so that instead they look out the window and take it all in ” Rachel Hunter on her parenting skills.(So grounded. Wow, no DVDs in the car in LA.)
“SJP is teaching her son to say ‘President Kerry’ because she’s convinced he will win the race to the White House” (Grounded.)
“With Julia I saw up close what fame really does to a person. It sounds great but it comes with a terrible price. Getting too close to the light is a dangerous thing. My wife doesn’t have an unbearable ego.” Benjamin Bratt on Julia Roberts ( Not grounded. unbearable)
“ it’s my damn finger, If I want to pick my nose with that finger, if I want to wipe my bum with that finger I can! It’s my body if I want to put something on it then I can. ” Keisha from the Sugarbabes about a diamond ring ( a bit too grounded).
“I can’t believe that girl bought her own engagement ring. I’ve seen it, up close. It looks like she got it on QVC.” Christina Aguillera on Britney (She can do what she damn wants with her finger).
“I know Britney. She’s not trailer trash but she sure acts that way.” Christina Aguilera ( she should know).
“ I truly feel in my heart that the president wanted to take the focus off of him at that time, and I was the perfect vehicle to do so at that moment,” Janet Jackson on nipplegate. ( Political. Dubya uses nipple as WMD. Arty).
“I see enormously fat people walking around in restaurants — and not cheap restaurants — in Bermuda shorts and flip-flops with big stomachs sticking out. We’re in a time where people don’t have much self-esteem, because how could they go out looking like that?” (Must have seen Britney.)

If you wait long enough in fashion, someone will always copy the shoe you really want. And if it’s a good design, by the time the copy comes out, it will still be groovy. So I was thrilled to find in Nine West, a Manolo-esque shoe (that Jil Sander also did) which I was desperate for about 2 years ago. An eon in fashion time, I know but I’m thinking it is still very au courant. A toe thong with a kitten heel, and the back enclosed is the only way to describe them. The heel is not too high, good for hours of shopping, and they come in a black or white faux snakeskin or in silver and yours for $119. Check them out online in the shoes/sandals section, they are called Louvre.

$129 Nine West Louvre Sandals

Can I repeat myself? Long time readers will know that they were instructed to buy a chic Dior silk neck scarf as the ‘item du jour’ seasons ago! But if you were a bit slow, ne panickez pas! They are still on the groove richter scale and haven’t climaxed yet either and you’ll get at least another year of wearing these around your neck or on your Birkin. So I suggest you nick into Parlour X for some fantastic ones from Cacharel and Pucci in lots of different sizes and prices. From $155 for Cacherel and about $500 for Pucci. Also DFS (in The Rocks) have a great collection of Dior scarves as well from about $200.
$155 Cacharel scarves at Parlour X

I think I am trying out every lip gloss in town. Well, it is my job to investigate and shop very seriously. And can I break the news? None of them really stay on. So don’t waste your money on gloss that leaves a trail of destruction on everything you kiss or eat! No, I suggest you invest in David Jones’ own brand of clear lip gloss instead, then you can reapply as often as you eat. (That will make you stick to a diet.)

David Jones High Shine Lip Gloss $14

‘The first major screen adaptation of the events leading up to the September 11, 2001 received its world premiere on Wednesday. Hamburg Cell, a drama documentary about the lives of the al-Qaeda hijackers, had its first public screening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival’ SMH
David Hare’s new play called ‘Stuff Happens’ based on a saying of Donald Rumsfeld ( that’d be right) will open at the Olivier theatre In London in Sept .
Sam Taylor Ward ‘Portraits of sadness’ exhibition at The Mathew Mark Gallery in New York is of photos of famous actors crying such as Paul Newman, Peter O’Toole and Willem Dafoe.
Bruce Weber has made a movie called “A Letter to True” about his love affair with his, um, retrievers ( True is one of his dogs). Narrated by Julie Christie and Marianne Faithfull, it is an ode to gentler times. Bless (VF)
Amy Sacco of the grooviest nightclub in New York ‘Bungalow 8’ is opening a restaurant called Bette (after her mother ) at the end of the year.
“Memoirs of a Geisha” is being make into a movie with Rob Marshall as director, Steven Spielberg producing and starring Ken Watanabe from The Last Samurai and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’s Zhang Ziyi .
Gore Vidal is selling his 5,000-square-foot villa in on the Amalfi coast after 30 years for $17 mill to move permanently to his other house, in Hollywood.” I end up with big houses because I have so many books, If I didn’t have the 8,000 volumes, I’d be in a one-room flat somewhere.” NYT ( I know the problem).
In the soon to be released Chanel No 5 commercial, Nicole Kidman is cast as “the most famous woman in the world, relentlessly stalked by the paparazzi in a mythical metropolis. Seeking shelter from the flashbulbs in a waiting taxi, she finds it occupied by a ruggedly handsome young man who is completely unaware of her identity and fame. He whisks her to his ramshackle garret in a skyscraper topped by a double-C logo, where love quickly blossoms and Kidman’s character relishes the freedom to be herself. Ultimately, after a few days of romantic bliss, she is discovered in her hideout and coaxed back to her old life and responsibilities. But back on the red carpet at a premiere, the star can feel her lover’s eyes upon her from his rooftop lookout.” Sounds like her fantasy. Baz Luhrmann had her do 27 takes.
Sass & Bide’s Wolfnation, a limited-edition, higher-priced line will debut with the signature line during New York Fashion Week next month. They came up with the name “Wolfnation” simply because they liked “the strength of the two words put together,” woof woof

http://www.howdoyou.com/flash/gaptv.html
Here’s a glimpse of Sarah Jessica Parker and Lenny Kravitz in the new Gap ads. So cool. But it is only a snippet , you need to click back here on August 29.

http://www.shopseptembervogue.com/index.jsp
The site means you can buy anything from the ad pages of Sept American Vogue and it is their biggest issue ever with 832 pages ! For example click on Gucci, scroll over the ad and then select what you want to buy. The blue sequin dress for $7250? or the fabulous shoes? You can even buy the GG logo whiskey glasses for $135. There are digital representations of 442 of the ad pages representing 186 advertisers. Hours of fun.

Christina Aguilera’s publicist has issued a statement insisting her client isn’t pregnant. Rumours began circulating after she was seen throwing up on the roadside in California, on her way to a romantic meal with boyfriend. (Romantic. Bulimic)
Julia Roberts is expecting one boy and one girl (not Bulimic. Romantic)
Posh isn’t pregnant again as reported (Bulimic)
Kylie is back with the love rat Olivier (Romantic.).
Brad and Jen are adopting a baby and house hunting in England (Not romantic)
Hugh Grant is holidaying with Jemima Khan in the South of France. (Romantic)
Despite rumors to the contrary, Kate and Andy Spade are not separated.(rumors)
P.Diddy was spotted sprinting through Ibiza sporting just a pair of boxer shorts and a fur coat after armed security men raided his $7 million yacht in a bungled drugs raid. (sprinting)
Madonna has bought Britney a Kabbalah book as an engagement gift. Britney is apparently so pleased she takes it with her everywhere she goes. (Confucious say: Read book, not carry it.)
Cher is rumoured to be having fun with a Calvin Klein model. The model says he has never met her but her rep, Liz Rosenberg said” She’s been dating many male models but she doesn’t usually ask their names. She also has a chicken coop backstage and her manager gives out passes to the cutest guys, and Cher makes her selection from the coop.” (Chickens)(she looks like a chook)
Were Diana and Jemima sisters? Rumors are Diana’s mother had an affair with James Goldsmith (Stupid)
“When models aren’t dating rockers, they date the princes of very small little countries. Adriana Lima, best known for doing Lenny Kravitz, is reportedly an item with Prince Wence of Liechtenstein. Prince or not, can’t a Brazilian do better than Liechtenstein?” (Gawker)
Kate Moss and Jade Jagger, who last week made up after years of feuding were said to have fallen out again over 21-year-old Jacobi Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe. (A coop)
Paris Hilton didn’t actually lose her chihuahua, Tinkerbell. Rather, she just dropped the dog off at her grandparents’ and forgot about it.
Reports are surfacing that Paris’ Hiltons’ dog may still be missing and Paris is toting around Tinkerbell’s “body double” ( this is news??)

It Seemed Important at the Time : A Romance Memoir by Gloria Vanderbilt
This is not out till October but be the first with the inside scoop! The latest Vanity Fair has run a couple of the chapters of this book and it is absolutely fascinating. Gloria Vanderbilt writes surprisingly well about her life and all her loves: it’s a romantic comedy in a book, a kiss and tell memoir. Perfect! “Vanderbilt opens with an appetizer of schoolgirl sex with a chum from Miss Porter’s School in the 1930s and then regales readers with a star-studded cast of intimates—Howard Hughes, Leopold Stokowski, Bill Paley, Marlon Brando, Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, among others. Some were one-night-stands, some torrid affairs; three or four she even married. Even in the last chapter, Vanderbilt’s going on about some man who’s “the Nijinsky of cunnilingus.” Ah, toujours l’amour! ” ….Gasp! You go girl!
Not out till October US$16 www.amazon.com

The Christmas List:
Women I Have Dressed (and Undressed!) by Arnold Scaasi
The gossip columnists in America are all a twitter about this book because Arnold Scaasi ‘dishes’ on some of his most famous clients “Mostly, though, the book is a name-dropping romp through high society ( fab!) and Scaasi ( Isaacs spelt backwards) can be viciously catty when critiquing other fashionistas. He basks in the reflected glory of his celebrity customers and revels in fabrics, feathers and furs, sharing 66 photos and plenty of chitchat. His memoir is, at heart, gossip for the celebrity-obsessed, with a caveat: it’s mainly for those who worship a bygone era.” And don’t forget his clothes were seriously bling when it wasn’t in.
Not out till October either! www.amazon.com

Economy:
There is too much pink and so much sparkle everywhere. Bling Bling ! David Jones; Have some cool caftans ifor your trip to Sardinia in lots of colours by the label “The 2 Mrs Grenvilles” for about $29 and there are some skirts in cotton (Easton Pearson ish) in black and white muslin $49 (on the ground floor next to the scarves). Witchery: Did I mention they have reissued the 40’s satin heels with brooches $139? and they have some cool new Bottega Veneta style woven bags in choc or black for you $159 and a pinstriped camel and pink blazer $339. Sportsgirl: have some cool jeans in boot cut or straight leg in dark or washed denim and in lots of variations around $89, and there is a cool wide, green, woven belt that looks a bit snakeskin with your eyes squinting, $49. Also check out some cool retro peacock print silk/poly scarves $19! And don’t forget the flesh pink leather blazer, not bad for $399. Also you can have a soft pink cotton shrunken blazer for $119. In the city store you will find heaps on sale such as ‘the buy of the week’ a cream 70’s Chloe style trench with brown stitching is now $129. Cue: have a cool cream cotton zip bomber with a knit trim $279 and the Prada tie dye sweater in blues and greys $119 and frou frou skirt with a drop waist $179 and don’t forget the zip sporty tops in orange trim $115. Palm Beach shoes: have Robert Robert Mui Mui esque satin sling back heels wrth a blue stone paste brooch in the toe $170/ Dotti: has done cropped over the knee jeans for $49! And some fake fur chubbys in black half price at $79, not bad at all and check out the glamorous multi embroidered beaded clutch purse/bags, great for a cheap but chic $49! Nine West: have a cool 40’s open toe patent heels for $149, very YSL or Louis Vuitton.

Business;
Nicola Finetti: Has Costume Nationale sunglasses 20% off .He was inspired last year by Prada, this year it’s very Balenciaga. You want the sexy jersey skirts with a fish tail and paneling $196, a bit more exciting than your average plain skirt and very chic. There is a cotton paneled pencil skirt in light blue $196, and the singlet with pearls and beads $197, very nice. Orson & Blake at 78 Queen St. Yes, nick over the road and check out all the gorgeous things here too. There are some fab retro print dresses from an Australian designer, Helen Muriel, in a gorgeous paisley print $395, some fab Orson & Blake own skirts in retro prints $255. I love the groovy screen print/photo print T shirts $145 one of a poinsettia, one of a mountain side. And you want the Sylvester black and white leopard print chiffon skirt $255.Oh and the Lacroix here is, quite fab,lots of colour prints T’s for $275. And check out the very cool ‘paste’ jeweled bangles, buy up big $105 or grab the leather cuffs in great colours $75.Tim O’Connor: He has lots of summer in, the best buys are the strapless satin 50’s dresses but the colours are not so great, so I think you need black, $350, and the jersey strapless ruched dress with a belt is cool $390.You will love the black satin trench $560 or the short white cotton one $505.Or invest in his trouser suits he has a great cut jacket $489 and pants $289. And if you are after some black oversize glam sunglasses go for the Blinde ones, here for about $289 and there is also a good selection of Peter Lang diamante earrings. Jigsaw: has a black sequin singlet with a knit trim $199, and a matching black capelet /bolero, a square neck ruched black L/S top $189 and a basic black stretchy singlet $59, and very handy camel crop jeans to the knees $119.

First Class:
Orson & Blake: There are lots of fab things in for summer. I like the Boss yellow car coat $1185, an Akira pink linen embroidered jacket with $785, the ‘Stanley’ stripe zig zag dress with shoe string straps $330, and the Kenzo print T shirts $335. Check out the Boss gathered ruched cotton Jil Sanderish top $318 and a dress version too $685 and ‘et vous’ singlets are here with a silver sequin racer back (a fourth sighting of this after Seduce ,Country Road and Witchery). Check out the Mint /Prada esque long muslin pink and brown tie dye skirt, and a fab black and white print skirt, the Boss cream zip bomber jacket in cotton satine with a knit trim $635, and Orson and Blake own label gorgeous print sheath dress with grosgrain ribbon in a retro print $295, and the Leonie shower proof (shock!) DB trench $795. I love the black and white zebra print singlet D&G $259 and there’s a t shirt too. Cool. Also in the homewares check out the divine flocked red velvet Tricia Guild cushions $265 and the iittlala gorgeous solid glass candlesticks $300 ish, Plus there is still a sale rack with a few good black buys upstairs. Belinda Accessories: The Sigerson Morrison bags are so cool. You want the green suede one $1200,the big white one with silver rings $1225, and a ‘lady like bag’ in green $975. Yes and you want their shoes too. The patent sandals with a silver kitten heel in many colours $695. There are marc by marc Jacobs black satin T bars heels with silver sequins $595 and a gorgeous camel bag $1700 and more. Best buy are the Louison lurex sparkle messenger style bags that were here last season. In bronze or silver, pink or black $175 for big or $145 med and for the cool zip wallets a mere $95 Also the gold, silver or bronze shopper totes are divine $395. The Corner Shop; I came to pray at the Balenciaga but there is not much left. There are some bags, but now of course, that Witchery has been doing them for so long they look fake! Ironic but you can have the gorgeous clutch version in blue, white or black $595 or a medium size black one is $1600 ish. You want the orange cotton L/S T $596, the divine drape black dreses that everyone has copied $2295 ,the tulip black jersey skirt $1176 and a gorgeous grey knit with tie front $995. Also here are lots of the fabulous T-shirts by C& C in great colours $9.Bring it on.

Lemon chicken with Minted couscous

Here is another quick one to whip up! A winner for a quiet night at home or to impress a cast of thousands…

For 4 you need:

4 chicken breasts
2 teasp of fennel seeds
2 teasp cumin seeds
1 teasp of coriander seeds
use ground coriander
½ cup of lemon juice
2 tabs of olive oil
2 tabs of grated ginger
2 garlic cloves or more as you desire, finely chopped

·Want to get rid of end of week stress? Time to bash up the fennel, cumin and coriander seeds in a mortar and pestle . Feels great? Make sure they are pretty crushed. They can take it baby.
·Better preheat the oven to about 200.
·Ok, now throw the bashed up spices into a bowl with lemon juice, olive oil, ginger and garlic: they need to cool down.
·Mix it up, stick your finger in and give it the taste test.
·Mmm add some salt and pepper.
·Pour the marinade over the chicken breasts.
·Make sure the chicken breasts are in a bowl first. Messy.
·After all that bashing it’s time for some quiet time and you need a drink. So grab the latest Vanity Fair, and leave the chicken to have a little fun marinating for about ½ an hour or so.
·Refill that wine glass
·Now here’s the tricky bit: pop it in the oven to cook for about 20 mins.
·Baste it a bit after about 15 mins, if you can drag yourself away from the Vanity Fair story on Gloria Vanderbilt.
·Then make the couscous and when it’s looking fluffy and decidedly gay, thrown in the some shredded mint, and salt and pepper
·So pretty, the green against the yellow.
·Serve the chicken on a relaxing bed of the couscous and the delicious marinade drizzled over the top.
·Delicious, actually slimming and outrageously easy!

The Ladykillers by The Coen Bros
The Coen Brothers do great movies so we couldn’t wait to see this one, especially because it has Tom Hanks playing a kooky professor. But all the way through all I could think about was George Clooney. Sure, it happens every time I sit in the dark but he should have been cast as the villain professor in this movie instead of Tom. Better to look at for sure, and he would have been funnier. Tom plays it too straight. Sorry Tom. Apparently this is a remake of a caper comedy from the 50’s, and is set in Mississippi with Tom playing “Goldthwait Higginson Dorr, Ph.D., a would-be professor who talks his way into the root cellar of Mrs. Munson where he and his supposed band will practice their “Renaissance music.” But they are actually plotting to tunnel through to steal a mint from a riverboat casino”. The motley crew of incompetent criminals includes all sorts of stereotypes from the mother f**cker hip hop black guy to a kooky demolition expert with irritable bowl syndrome. Mmm that can only mean one thing: fart jokes. Oh yeh people were laughing, killing themselves laughing. They were probably 15 year old boys. I’m with A.O Scott from The NYT who says “The heist plot is mighty tired, and the Coens don’t really bother to revive it. Instead, they confect an uneven shaggy-dog joke, with a handful of pricelessly funny moments and a splendid and sublime gospel soundtrack” Yes, buy the CD and get Intolerable Cruelty out on video.