“I tell the younger ones, ‘I could be your mum.’ And they say, ‘But you’re not.’ Yahoo! Women my age, we want to have sex and are happy to say, ‘I want to have sex.’” I like guys that are kind and friendly, I like that they stand up when you come into the room. I like it when they pay, “I’m that shallow.” Sharon stone (Don’t worry, they are too)
“And finally, my little sex bomb, why does sex sell?” To Sharon Stone
“Because it’s so very rarely free” She replies (she likes it when they pay)
:”I walk to a door and you see my penis and I walk out of the shot. It’s dark and it’s three inches, uh, seconds long.” Colin Farrell on the fuss about his nude shot ( need to pay to see the movie )
“It doesn’t take much to be a bad boy. I use bad language and I have casual sex and a few beers and all of a sudden I’m a bad boy. But I know I’m not. Hitler was a bad boy.” ( Sharon let me introduce you to Colin).
“It’s not supposed to be mean-spirited, But if they do something I don’t like, I’m gonna tell them. I’ll be very strict.” Kathy Hilton on her starring role on the upcoming reality series “The Good Life,” as a coach for aspiring socialites (strict like is she is with Paris).
“What was worrying is that we understand the man was carrying drugs and other items to attack the house and he knew he was at the Beckhams.” Security Guard on the bungled burglary (Drugs to attack the house? Read ‘take’ to the house).
“I like being a housewife, Unfortunately I haven’t mastered ironing or cooking. I specially like tidying up Caspar’s room” Claudia Schiffer (needs to be attacked by drugs).
“The best new development is that Britney has been engaged for at least 20 minutes, and I just want to say, bravo, girl! I’m sure it won’t last through the year, but at least Brit’s doing what she wants for a change, complete with Kirstie-style ballooning and dangerous nips of ginseng. Practically from birth, she’s been squeezed dry by the people around her, who’ve never turned down a single appearance, tour, video, endorsement, or any other chance to make change pop out of her vagina. Now she’s finally breaking free, learning the hard way via her own rotten decisions.” Micheal Musto in Village Vioce (wants to be a housewife like Posh and Claudia)

It’s very exciting, winter is finally here and now all things summer are hitting the stores. Fantastic. The last thing you want to do is reveal your lovely, white, wintery body. For one thing it’s too cold and another is that it may not be for human consumption. Mmm. So I suggest you start at your feet (they don’t need to lose weight) and rush like a Prada junkie into Mollini for the best Prada ripoffs I’ve ever seen this summer! Yes, here are the tan leather flat sandals with the multi colour straps and a sling back all for the cheap but so chic price of $99.

Mollini Sandals $99.

In this crazy, mad world everyone is always searching for a God to pray to. Of course George Clooney is worshipped at FiFi HQ. Especially now he has 3 Villas on lake Como. But there is another God this year and her name is Prada. She is so clever at reading the Zeitgeist and then being one step ahead. But don’t worry you can be to, when you invest in one of her robot dingle dangles! Her winter collection cleverly kept one eye on the past and one on the future and now all we want is to have the cute robots ‘toys’ hanging from our handbags or belts. No really. You can have a furry Rufus, a metal robot called Victor, a skull and crossbones, lips, teddy bears.Take it from me, this is going to be big so start collecting anything you like: key rings, toys and clip them to your bag and have your very own look. Then keep on wearing black: no one will even notice Prada Dingle Dangle robots $380 or key rings $250 http://www.prada.com

The tears are always running down my face when I do my makeup. Was it the light in the bathroom (blame the lighting!) or just the price of the Crème de la Mer? No, it seems I’ve been using foundation that stings my eyes. I know. You are not supposed to put in your eyes but I just like to slap it on. But now I have discovered the best foundation that doesn’t make me cry, in fact it makes me smile. It’s called Nude Glow (bound to make you smile) It has a slight shimmer, great coverage and it slides for a natural nude glow. I love it.

Clinique Gentle Light Makeup Foundation $48.

Rumours are The Weinsteins are leaving Miramax to buy MGM with Steve Jobs.
Sylvie Guillem is dancing at The Royal Opera House in London August 8.
The Cadogan Hotel in London has been revamped by Grace Leo Andrieu who did the snazzy Montalembert in Paris.
Les Ambassadeurs is the new, hot restaurant in Paris at the Hotel de Crillon ( says T&L) with jaw dropping prices. Also everyone is talking about The Crsytal Room designed by Phiilipe Starck ( reported months ago here at FiFi HQ).
Lagerfeld, Lacroix and Kenzo have designed packs of sweeties for Canderel.
The first W hotel in Asia has opened in Seoul.
Princess Diana’s necklace, “Swan Lake,” boasting 214 diamonds and 7 Salt Sea Pearls, designed by Garrard will be auctioned off for charity. The necklace as bought for her by Dodi Fayed and is the only piece of jewelry she owned that is ever expected to be available for sale. The asking price is $1.8 million. WWD
Armani has reportedly pulled his advertising from the New York Times in response to a negative men’s wear review that Guy Trebay calling his shows “errant, confounding and stuck in a vision of an unrecognizable world.”
Check out The Straf hotel in Milan http://www.straf.it (listen to the chatter).
In Monte Carlo you must stay at the (about to opened) Hotel Metropole designed by the same people who did the Hotel Costes in Paris.
The Baron Alexis de Rede, the social grandee known for his opulent balls, fastidious manners and grand tastes, died in Paris He was 82. He was known for throwing sumptuous parities, like his Oriental Ball in 1969, when he transformed the Hotel Lambert into a lavish Eastern fantasy with turbaned figures on enormous papier-mâché elephants and platoons of half-naked Nubian torchbearers. One guest came dressed as a pagoda; her costume was so big and rigid that she had to be hauled in on a truck and was unable to sit down” wwd
In recognition of Ralph Lauren’s contributions to the Caribbean island of Jamaica, the country is considering putting the designer’s image on a stamp.

http://www.liquidgeneration.com/quiz/villainquiz.asp
This is soooo silly! But when you are PMT, it’s just what you need before you gorge on chocolates and buy more hot pink and green shoes you’ll never wear. It’s just all about discovering which movie villain you are: (Be afraid, I came out as Hannibal Lector)

http://www.bagborroworsteal.com
Now here’s the best cheap but chic idea in years! (But unfortunately it looks like they don’t ship to Australia) This website is all about borrowing bags and returning them! “For a US$99 monthly fee, borrow the Kate Spade, Gucci or Prada bag of your choice. For $20, customers can have Coach, Ralph Lauren or a trendy bag with no name. You can keep the bag as long as you want, or trade it in for another as soon as it bores you, for that “ I have 1,000 more just like this in my closet” look. If the relationship lasts, Bagborroworsteal.com will quote you a price.” WWD. Bring it on!

Kirsten Dunst and Jake Gyllenhaal have gone splitsville “ Perhaps all of this Brokeback Mountain stuff was too much for Dunst–maybe the on-camera action between Heath Ledger and Jake wasn’t hot enough for her, maybe she tired of him wearing the chaps at home and the constant references to his “six-shooter.” We hear some chatter about “conflicting schedules,” but that’s just Hollywoodspeak for a young cowboy looking for some fresh beef to brand or a little lady tired of the same old side-saddle and craving a little reverse-cowgirl.”.Defamer
Us Weekly is vehemently “sticking by” its claim Michael Jackson is to father quadruplets - even though the pop star has denied the allegations.(Jackson 5)
Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta Jones are locked in a bitter battle after clashing on the set of Ocean’s Twelve. Julia is furious because Catherine was given more glamorous dresses than her own pregnant character (furious!)
Hugh Grant was photographed picking up the morning papers from Jemima Khan’s London doorstep after spending the night there.(furious)
Pamela Anderson is about to publish her debut novel, Star, and will appear semi-naked on the front cover. Pamela says the novel is “inspired” by her own career. In the book, Star enjoys a lesbian encounter and later has an orgy with her rock star lover.( Yes but can she write?)
Nicole Richie was forced to show her breasts to airport security after her nipple ring set off their metal detectors. Uk Vogue ( there’s a book in that)
We’re told that “Chad Savage,” who has appeared in such carnal classics as “How the West Was Hung,” is supplementing his sex job by working as a valet at Bohemian Grove, the all-male annual gathering inside a 2,700-acre redwood forest in Monte Rio, Calif., that has been attended by every Republican president since Calvin Coolidge, All of us valets in the Grove are tittering about it,” says our Bohemian blabbermouth. “To think there’s all these powerful conservative guys having their drinks and food served to them by a gay porn star. He makes their beds and attends to their every need — and they have no idea who he really is.”NYP.( every need)
A couple got on stage with a rock band in Norway and had sex to protest environmental issues and now have a website ( you can find yourselves, thanks very much)
Brad Pitt has bought Jennifer the same yacht Richard Burton gave to Elizabeth Taylor.
THE owners of a Gloucestershire cottage that Kate Moss apparently hired with Jefferson Hack for the christening party of their daughter Lila are claiming compensation. They say there was extensive damage to the property including soiled chairs and radiators hanging off the walls. Moss is unwilling to pay up, UK Vogue

Foreign Affair by Valerie Barnes
I was listening to Margaret Throsby interview Valerie Barnes, and she sounds like a hoot! This is her biography/memoir of her glamourous life as an interpreter at the UN in Geneva “Joining an elite breed of independent women who travelled the world in the 1950s and 1960s, Valerie lived a jetset life as an working in exotic locales and rubbing shoulders with prime ministers and presidents. At the same time she was juggling a Swiss chalet home, three children and a love-rat of a husband back in Geneva. From dancing flamenco to being kidnapped in Cairo, wooed as wife number 14 by an African president or falling for a passionate Pole, Valerie’s tales from home and abroad make ‘A Foreign Affair’ a lively, funny utterly delightful memoir”
$29.95http://www.dymocks.com.au

The Christmas List:
Living and Eating by John Pawson
You‘ve got celebrity chefs, you’ve got celebrity architects, so why not a celebrity architect doing a cookbook? And if you were going to choose an architect you’d have to choose John Pawson known for his clean spare minimalist look. “The recipes are stunning–surely impressive enough to wow guests–but all are exceedingly simple to prepare. In Red Wine Risotto, wine cloaks the rice with a lustrous deep crimson emulsion and creates a delectably silky texture. Roast Monkfish is smeared with an anchovy-rosemary-lemon-butter and wrapped with prosciutto. As it bakes, a deliciously buttery sauce is formed, perfect for mopping up with chunks of crusty bread. There are nine recipes for roast chicken–from homey Chicken Roasted to Roast Guinea Hen with Pistachio and Lemon Crumbs” You want this book! Full of spare design and great shots of Pawson’s extraordinary house.
$82.95 http://www.angusrobertson.com.au

Economy:
New shop Alert! It’s not fashion but just as stylish ( or more so) Saskia from Grandiflora has opened a new store with Alison Coates at 230 Oxford St Bondi Junction (opposite Macro) called Jute by Grandiflora .It’s so beautiful and you can even put together bunches yourself. (9369 5559 ) and here’s some cheap but chic hot in Ikea: buy 6 white Chopsticks for $2 and ice block trays in every colour and shape: stars, long thin, arrows, hearts and squares 95c! Plus 12 wooden coat hangers are now $8 instead of $12. Sportsgirl: Still have some things on sale like some bargains coats; Knee length 50’s button through ( right for next winter),there is a red tweed one and a fake mink one (J.LO Style) from $99. There is a cute pleated black skirt $59. Portmans: Best buy (for the young) is the cute spot strapless 50’s dress $89.Nine West: are onto the Chanel quilted look already, and you can get a clutch on sale $29! And you might want the logo-ish tote (Gucci copy) not bad at $99 and the cute small orange bags $59. Cue: a lot of black and brown in here, but check out the a cool drapey neck shell top $59. Their ads are very groovex so keep an eye out for cool things to come. Jag: have a great soft pink, wool camisole with satin trim $79. Mollini: Is looking good for a cheap but chic place: there are T bar heels $168, Helmut Lang style open toe sling back punched leather sandles $158 and gold, silver and bronze twisted strap heels $139. Seduce: have some cool feather jewellery and a Prada tie dye cardigan in brown and blue $119 and s/s poloneck in the same colours. Witchery: Have done that Balenciaga bag with studs in a Bigger size and its great $200 ish and there some cool snakeskin clutch bags in pink and black $49. Simona: have done a car coat trench (no belt no nothing) must be waterproof $499. FCUK:have some cool new things like a Mathew Williamson skirts and tops in pink and blue.

Business:
Country Road: The singlets here are $39, in really nice cotton and you want the green ribbed V neck, short knit with collar $119, also in other colours. The classic belted trench coat very simple $399, the big slouchy bags in choc and black $250 are cool and the grey jersey top with a twisty neck is good $59. David Lawrence: have done a black vest with subtle sequins woven in (good over a white shirt) $169 and a black or steel satin trim cami $75 and a cool double breasted belted Trench $299. Leona has a rack of dress all under $100 in Bondi Junction. Ralph Lauren : has a pretty floral pink halter 50’s dress $499 and cream vintage lace style cotton cami $399, Coach: There is a new shipment in and they have some gorgeous winter bags: a bit 70’s and in tan and Prada esque too) and it seems they are selling he bags at duty free prices. I want the tan square one with a brass and leather strap about $580. Also there is long square one in a fab green pistachio colour with 2 handles $690 and a very ‘handbag’ 50’s style one black and choc $585. Check out the burgundy vintage brass collection with studs and things $590 ish! Escada Sport: Have some chic grey wool trackpants $700 and top multi print hoodie $790. David Jones: Have some new Armani Jeans : Check out the multi strip shoe string dress $850 and the CK Jeans grey hoodie $139 and there is the groovy Von Dutch label in here with truckers caps and T shirts. Karen Millen: Have some new pieces in like a satin wrap dress $425 and a Pink suede skirt with a back YSL style ruffle $350, and don’t forget the suiting looks great in here too.

First Class:
Prada:
The A/W is in and it’s all gorgeous but don’t expect to see much colour and texture because a lot of it is all black in the clothes department. There is a black dress there with mink collar for you $6000, the beaded encrusted cardigan is faaaabulous and the must have at $1230. You want the camel and black tie dye sweater $760, and the cardigan $970. The V neck cashmere sweater is $480 and the perfect LBD $1600.Now about the accessories: If you hurry you can buy the other must have/item du jour: a divine jeweled brooch $250. It’s all you need this season. Then buy up all the robots and the bags inspired by video screens in green. The shopper is about $1400 and you want the choc buffalo bag with metal clasp $1600, the burgundy bag with eyelets $1400 and a cute small purple suede one $1600. Yes it’s all gorgeous and you must have it all.( and go to NET-A-PORTER.COM to buy the Mui Mui collection: it’s hot!). Chanel: The Ligne Cambon collection is here ( it’s the bag Uma and friends have been photographed with.) The divine quilted multi pocket one is $4000 and the smaller version $1000. But there are some cute little pouches in orange leather, good for makeup $570 ( with interlocking CC) and check out the Surpique collection of quilted shoppers with contrasting stitching $2700. There is some new costume jewellery: based on makeup knick knacks. You can have the 3 brooches, all 3 $440, or the belt with dingle dangles $400. And of course you can have the A/W item du jour, a frayed tweed jacket $3700 and skirt $2000 or the mohair silver lurex cardigan jacket $2900. XSRE They have sold out of their Luella bags and are taking a waiting list for more to come in. But you should have, I insist, the new Lanvin bags from next S/S with brass handles and details: the black patent clutch with straps that can be shortened is $1995 also in white and bronze. For the best buy, you must have the pythin print red hobo bag by Desmo now less than half price at $960 and the small satin evening bags are now $350.NB: the Chloe prefall collection of bags arriving in mid August. Evelyn Miles; Have Michel Petty purple satin heels now on sale $550 and check out the new season YSL loafers $795 in suede pink, tan, mint, white black Lovely!,

Fish with Black bean and Chilli sauce ( adulterated from Kylie Kwong)

This recipe is originally cooked with steamed Mud Crab but as if I am going to be killing a Mud crab (maybe my Accountant but not a crab). What you can do is, cook the fish as you like and then drizzle this sauce over it.
There are lots of ingredients but don’t get scared, it’s a quickie and a goodie.

For 4 You need:
1 red capsicum
3 tabs peanut oil
7 spring onion (green shallots)
a heaped tabs of sliced ginger
3 garlics crushed
3 large red chilies
1 red onion
2 tabs salted black beans
3 tabs of Shao Hsing wine
2 teasp of sugar
2 tabs oyster sauce
½ teas sesame oil
½ cup chicken stock
2 small chillies finely sliced
2 teasp of black vinegar

Yes I know it’s a long list but that’s never stopped you before.

·Slice the capsicum into fabulously stylish little strips
·Slice up ginger, shallots, garlics, onions into not too small bits (too small and they burn in the wok)
·Slice the large chilles just in half
·Rinse those black beans but don’t blow dry them.
·Pop on the fish to be steamed or fried or something. The fish should be just about ready to eat before you stirfry. Nothing worse than over cooked, limp, tragic stir fry. Limp never did anything for anyone
·Bring out the moisturizing peanut oil and heat it in a wok.
·Stir fry the ginger, shallots, garlics, onions, black beans, large red chillie and capsicum
·Pour in the Shao Hsing wine
·Pour a wine or two for yourself
·Actually that should have been done before anything. Sorry.
·Stir in sugar and oyster sauce, sesame oil, stock and sliced little chillies and stir fry for about 3 minutes.
·Add vinegar and remove from the heat or else limp !
·To serve: pour this deliciously chic little joy of joys over the fish
·And add some sliced Spring onions for a bit of snazzy accessorizing
·Hear the crowd swoon over yet another too, too divine dinner

The Return:
If you are scared of foreign language films then this one is perfect for you. Sure it’s in Russian but who cares if you can’t be bothered reading the subtitles. This movie is so exquisitely shot, you can just watch the photography and still lap up every minute. Spare, austere, and haunting, we decided it could be called John Pawson, The movie. And it is riveting. Riveting because it’s a thriller and riveting because it is jaw droppingly beautiful. Yes, so beautiful my arm was aching from the art director next to me elbowing me every time an amazing shot came up. Which was every frame. But it’s not precious or pretentious or so arty you start dozing off. That’s why it’s fantastic. Winner of the Golden Lion at last year’s Venice Film Festival it is about a father who returns mysteriously after 12 years and takes his two sons off on a fishing trip and they wind up on an (absolutely stunning) deserted Island. The father is pretty mean and ‘spectacularly ill equipped’ to look after the boys and the boys are both dazzled and dismayed by their father. The L.A Daily news says ” It’s eerie, deeply unsettling and absolutely, psychologically real. Marked by tragedy itself, the movie’s young star, Vladimir Garin, drowned in the same lake by which much of “The Return’s” action is set” Too sad. But we loved it so much we even stayed to read the credits, all written in gobbledygook Russian.

UK Vogue August: Has the lovely Caroline Murphy on the cover and lots of new ad campaigns to look at such as Prada and YSL (both with Aussie Gemma Ward). Read about the literary festival in Hay-on-Wye shot by Aussie Hugh Stewart. And check out the catwalk guide of winter and the trends: Bloomsbury, Tartan, Vintage, and embellishment.
Travel & Leisure July: A great issue; read the story on Weekends (only invented in 1879), about the next hot destination, the next Tuscany: Puglia where Lord MacAlpine has his bed and breakfast. Read about the groovy new resort in Arizona called The James and what lovely shots of New Zealand taken by my old friend Blasius Erlinger.
US Teen Vogue July: Mischa Barton is on the cover, the next IT girl after Scarlett johannsen.Lots of bikinis here and it’s a thin issue ( so to speak) but it is funny seeing the stars of Harry Potter trying to look cool ( bless).
Vanity Fair August: has Ronnie and Nancy Reagan on the cover ( oh dear)