Because it’s New York Fashion week…
“I would have never let Tom leave” Gucci rival Bernard Arnault
“If knockoffs are the opinion polls of fashion, he’s won by a landslide ” Style.com on Marc Jacobs
“Who is my Gucci man?Glamorous, chic, well-tailored playboy. These guys smoke, they drink, they go out — they sleep with women or men. They enjoy life! Tom Ford what will we do without you?
“Hideously dressed trashed and emaciated people wandering the streets, fighting over cabs, talking shit about everyone. It’s Manhattan at its finest!” Gawker on New York’s fashion week
“The designers hate me now so I couldn’t borrow a dress. Valentino said, ‘No way.’ So I’m wearing a $32 top. Fashionistas like it if they don’t know it’s cheap. And it’s real bling.” Courtney Love on always looking fablous.
“It’s not where you sit. It’s the contribution you bring with your ideas and your talent.” US Vogue’s Andre Leon Tally on not wanting to sit in the front row (is he insane?)
“I’ve had people from the Rocky Mountain News tell me they want to sit in the front row, but I have never had someone tell me they don’t want to sit in the front row.” Showroom organizer (what is happening to the world?)
“ I did it 15 years before Tara Subkoff, who’s a fake actress and a fake artist. That line is more like Imitation of Vincent Gallo. She was talentless then and she’s even more talentless now.” Vincent Gallo on being so unique.
“Naomi Campbell needs champagne,” a harried waiter screamed furiously into his headset” from WWD (They have headsets now?)
“There is no such thing as not making an effort .No one just throws something on” socialite Liz Cohen (obviously hasn’t been to Bondi Junction!)
“I wanted him so much, it physically hurt. He’s devastatingly sexy and I had to give in to my urges. We’re going to join the mile high club together and by the time I’ve finished with Peter, he won’t ever want to come back down to earth” Topless model Jordan on why she is a topless model and Peter Andre (her quotes are better than Tom Fords!)
“Longing for another person is an exciting mental experience. I think we all know what it’s like to long for someone, to desire somebody.” Nicole Kidman being more articulate than Jordan but saying the same thing
“The new Queer Eye is apparently going to be a Black Eye.” Gawker on black culture.
Some new words: ‘Slutney’ i=Britney and ‘fatkins’ people who eat Atkins.
“There will be no reunion shows” Jennifer Aniston before they announced the Friends reunion show.
“I’ve got a couple of things in the oven” Jennifer Aniston after friends.
“Next time I promise I’ll act” Cameron Diaz on winning an acting award.
“Leave it crooked’ Cameron Diaz to surgeon after breaking her nose (that is Hollywood history !)
“I want to make sure every word my character says in that film is accurate, otherwise I shall spew.” Britt Ekland on Charlize Theron playing her in “The life and death of Peter Sellers’ (that’s what Lara Flynn Boyle says too!)
“What’s great about Halle is she has an equal following among men and women, young and old, urban and nonurban, black and white. She embodies the two sides of womanhood. sensitive and open, very sexy, and comfortable with her sexuality and comfortable in her own skin.” The producers of ‘Catwoman’ (I think that’s pretty much the population!)
“She had the wrong approach, wrong attitude, wrong choreographer, wrong moves and wrong hair” Nancy Sinatra on Jennifer Love Hewitt’s rendition of These boots are made for walking! (Better start!)
“Why not me? I can look quite young with makeup.” Lord Snowden on why he rejected Hugh Grant (too old) to play himself in a movie about Princess Margaret

Valentines Day is here and if you want to give a little something that sweet, cheap but chic and says ‘I actually remembered’ head to Fleur Wood in Paddington and grab a cute little clear French soap with a petite red hear inside oooh ! $10 so romantic! Or you might also want to buy the gorgeous white old fashioned linen hand towel with ‘Kiss me’ embroidered on it for $12 (Hint: Valentines presents should never really be cheap but chic “money can buy me love” so hot foot it into Tiffany and Grandiflora now!)
Fleur Wood 9380 9511

Ok you say you don’t believe in Valentines Day but every year you accept all those diamonds and roses and Chanel 19 just to be gracious! Mmm But what can you give in return? In life I follow a strict rule when in doubt (and trouble) there’s only one thing to reach for… Chocolate! Head to Max Brenners for the most delicious chocolate and stock up big time. If you want a taste sensation try the AMAZING coffee beans covered in white chocolate and cinnamon (fly me to the moon) in a cute tin $10. Or fill a box with all sorts of handmade delicious chocolates from $18. Yum. Max Brenner 9357 5055

If you are still trying to join the dots with your tan and trying to get your lovely white legs to match the shopping tan on your arms then here’s another fake tan which does the trick. The Lancôme flash bronzer shimmer effect gel is great because you can just whack it on while you are deciding what to wear. Actually no it’s quicker than that. We all know trying to work out what to wear can take hours. No, this is what you can quickly apply to your legs (when you’ve put the same black skirt on AGAIN) to get those legs a little more shall we say, presentable! With an instant bronzing shimmer in the gel your legs will look a thousand times better and that’s before the subtle tanning colour comes through. It seems to dry pretty quickly, doesn’t seem to get on your clothes but it still smells like a fake tan. Sorry. $48 from major department stores.

New York Fashion week ( Autumn Winter) is of course THE most important globetrotter headline this week..
Luella Bartley’s collection” delivered a typically British mix of tailored tweeds, stiff biker leather, Victoriana, some slouch and splashes of primary colours: bohemia meets rock meets the nursery and traditional English country life.” From UK Vogue (Sounds like it all)
“Marc Jacobs did girlish bows at the neck of ruffle-fronted silk blouses and on narrow belts around the waists of pencil skirts. but Jacobs typically managed to avoid resorting to anything twee with Chunky wool trenches,round-collared mink coats, Forties-inspired finely floral printed silk dresses and silky cashmere cardigans, opening into wide V-necks, are all bound to be first on the list for the high street copyists this season.” from UK Vogue
“Leave it to a pair of foxy Aussie gals to inject a high dose of fun and attitude into the start of fashion week. For their debut New York show, Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton pulled out all the stops and styled their sexy jeans and sparkly tops to the beat of a vixen warrior on a Vegas stage. Sure, it was over the top but in the end, who cares when clothes can be this fun?”WWD
The worlds largest Louis Vuitton store opened in New York and a gospel choir sang the hymn,“Oh Happy Day,” and a mock Eiffel Tower made of LV luggage rose to the ceiling (“Jesus must love accessories,”) from WWD
Imitation of Christ had a collection where “the monotony was doubly numbing” WWD
The paparazzi frenzy made Anna Wintour sit in a vacant fourth-row seat until the flashes died down, reclaiming her front-row seat just before the start of the show. (Is she insane?)
Tom Ford will stage his swan song show for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche on March 7 at 8 p.m. ( a fashion show on time?)
Lizzie Jagger, Theodora and Alexandra Richards, daughters of Keith, Lydia Hearst ( nuf said) and Annabelle Jones are all hot, young groovers everyone is talking about.
Salma Hayak will be the new face of Avon.
Cate Blanchett will be the star of Barcelona fashion week even though she’s 7 months pregnant.
A new exhibition is at New York’s FIT called “Fashioning the Modern Woman: The Art of the Couturière 1919-1939.
Alexandra White has been named Fashion Director of W magazine.
Tory Burch (New York socialite) has launched a fashion line called (surprise surprise) Tory, with a store in downtown Mott Street.
Playboy is hopping out Bunny Boutique shop-in-shops at Colette in Paris, Harrods in London, Seibu in Hong Kong, as well as a Playboy’s fashion concept store in Tokyo in the coming weeks.
Sotheby’s will unveil ‘Beaton at Large’, an exhibition featuring more than 50 photographs accompanied by Beaton’s bitchy but sometimes sweet comments with portraits from the 20’s through the 60’s and includes everyone from Marlene Dietrich to Coco Chanel and Mick Jagger.
CNBC Europe will have male and female anchors dressed in Armani head to toe including watches and makeup.
The Costes Bros of Café Costes are opening a private club in London.
Princess Caroline is the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations.
Hot new Hotels are The Gray in Milan, the interior by Gucci Boutique designer Guido Ciompi opposite the Galleria….perfect for Milan fashion week

http://www.wireimage.com
This is a fantastic website which is just one great big New Weekly magazine (or No idea) without the crappy writing and bviously where they buy all their images. But you don’t need to buy anything, you can just browse the shots for a quick peek. Check out the pictures from every openings and partie the world over! Heaven! See shots of the Louis Vuitton party, see the shots of the New York fashion week. Click on the party and you get the celebrities listed on the side. There’s even a news link which is quite bizarre. See Israeli soldiers alongside Martha Stewart, and check out international news at a glance. Outrageous global voyeurism and tit bits at its best!

http://www.abebooks.com
This is what we all want: a fabulous website with “the world’s largest online marketplace for used, rare, and out-of-print books. Abebooks connects those who buy books with those who sell them, providing abundant selection at affordable prices.” So if you are trying to track down a long lost and loved book try the ‘book sleuth’ search. Check out the spotlight news section (today about Spalding Grey) and an article on all the Oscar nominated movies based on books! Read all about it!

Elizabeth Hurley wants to play Princess Margaret in a television dramatization of the lovely star-crossed princess’ life.
Britney Spears is considering the role of Eliza Doolittle in a revival of “My Fair Lady” and also wants to be the next Bond girl (Aim high girll!)
Jennifer Nicholson, Jack’s daughter had s show at New York fashion week (of clothes darling, of clothes)
Kelly Preston organized friends to fly TGA “Travolta Global Airways’ to Los Cabos, Mexico, over the weekend for a surprise “Jet Fete” in celebration of John Travolta’s 50th birthday.
Pop star Mya was taking a lot of pictures during Sass & Bide’s runway show in New York.
Lara Flynn Boyle broke her nose on her car door in L.A. while trying to escape the paparazzi. (Not any bones?).
Hugh Grant has been seeing the very married Princess Rosario Saxe-Coburg,wife of Prince Kyril of Bulgaria, a London investment banker. They are just friends (he told me).
Justin Timberlake is taking up acting and doing a film with Kevin Spacey.
Catherine Zeta Jones is making Oceans Twelve (sequel to 11!).
Renee Zellweger will propose to her boyfriend Jack white because it’s a leap year (How do they know that?).
David Schwimmer has split from his girlfriend.
Nicole Kidman has had the all clear after she suffered a breast cancer scare last month.
Did Uma Thurman had an affair with Quentin Tarantino during Kill Bill before she started Andre Balazs?
Dr Robert Atkins of the famous low-carbohydrate diet, was clinically obese at the time of his death, (so eat up!)
Anna Nicole Smith is a (shocking) size 10!
Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie will do “The Simple Life 2 ” a road trip in the South and Southwest to live with several families while also staying in a camper. (What is happening to the world?)
Cameron Diaz holds the Guinness book of records for being the highest paid actress (for not acting!)
Jaimie Lee Curtis and Diane Lane had a fight in the ladies at the Golden Globes

P.S I love you by Cecilia Ahern
Since we are on the Valentines Day theme how appropriate that this book is THE hot book du jour ! Only released the 1st Feb it was written by the Irish Prime Ministers daughter Cecilia Ahern, her debut novel she was paid $1 mill for a 2-book deal and has sold the movie rights. Hello this has hype all over it! It’s about a young widow who finds out her husband has organized to have letters sent to her each month after he dies. It’s about life and love and loss. Sounds like it is a D&M of SATC and BJD set in Ireland (Deep and meaningful Sex and The City and Bridget Jones Dairy) A literary winner! Check it ut on amazon.co.uk.

Christmas List:
Love: A Celebration of humanity ( M.I.L.K)
Here is a gorgeous book which has been out for ages but is still a great buy for Valentines Day or just to have when you want more inspiration in life than listening to Love Song dedications! Filled with beautiful shots of people from around the world from birth to old age it is part of M.I.L.K. (an acronym for Moments of Intimacy, Laughter, and Kinship) “ a spectacular celebration of the human spirit. For two years, leading photographers from every one of the world’s 192 countries were invited to submit photographs that capture and celebrate the essence of humanity” from Amazon $69 at most booksellers.

Just when you’re getting depressed by too much cheap 80’s rubbish bad taste or daggy work librarian looks (for 16 yr olds) you find DKNY and Kors by Michael Kors at Grace Bros/Myer and you scream with joy going into Scanlan & Theodore, The only place in town apart from the beach.
Economy
Cambodia House have cute T-shirts with ‘Hope’ in Khmer written across $30. Robert Burton always has lots of gorgeous home wares and now has the cool French sneakers Bensimon $60.
Tree of Life: have got fab floral halter dresses in lots of cool prints, very 70’s with a yoke $59 and some groovex floral skirts $49.
Witchery: have some cute new black flat shoes a bit like the marc Jacobs mouse shoes (at a glance) $129, and some cool new ‘Balenciaga’ (who would have thought 2 years on?) with studs and zips aged leather in black and brown $149.
Nine West: has some new shoes in crazy Pucci print $139 (if you are brave) and some great bags that are a fab rip off of the marc Jacobs in great colours from red to lime green. They come with a matching makeup bag and mobile phone holder all for $79! (That’s what happens when you’re a big mama company!) They can’t be in leather but you’d never know.
Sportsgirl: don’t have much this week except the cute retro print 50’s skirts in lots of different colours $59, pink and grey wide check Miss Marple coat $320, and a black rib crossover lurex top $69.Also if you squinted your eyes you might like the stripe ‘Missoni” top $59.
Jag: have a great black peacoat $199, a good buy for winter and a white L/S T with black buttons along the top $39 and a classic black nylon trench $99.
Cue: have done a YSL style narrow black pencil skirt with panelling and satin trim $114 and some great light merino wool knit L/S T-shirts in gorgeous chic greys and black $99.And a few great knit classic tops that you can wear now in camel,taupes and khaki $69.
Grace Bros/Myer; have the label I.N.C : a cool camel trench with a leather trim along the hem $199, a black leather mini with zips $179,black leather /knit biker jacket $299, and a beige suede trench belted trench really cool $299.
Target: have some real leather! jackets: zip front and classic for $129 and a black pleather biker jacket with zips $49.Hey not the best quality but hello this Target! Also a great selection of sporty zip tops $39.In the cheapo knock off bag department, there’s a caramel canvas slouch bag with choc brown leather trim and pockets $29!In the shoe dept don’t be scared of all the white plastic boots (aaahh) and check out the leather ballet shoes (round toe and bow) in black, soft pink in suede, awful hot pink, and red $39!
Business:
Scanlan & Theodore: you want it all but check out the black Chanel style jacket $650, red chiffon L/S top $450, petticoat dress $265, black DB military jersey peacoat jacket $650, brown leaf chiffon skirt $800,L/S lace top $169, amazing sheer lace leather trim bolero jacket $2000! Thick jersey knit button thro long cardi jacket $500, best jersey pencil skirt ever (no split) $250, leaf print chiffon tops $280 and dress $800 and on and on…
DPO: have some new G star pieces like a black zip hooded top $230.
Billion Dollar Babes: have done a cool belted trench coat very 70’s, narrow cut in red or camel $499.
Grace Bros:
Have some fab Kate Sylvester including a divine black long peacoat $955 (no wonder) and a matching skirt with 4 buttons $415. Check out DKNY and divine simple grey knit T $299, a black shaggy knit jacket $699, lots of work suiting. There is a longer peacoat jacket $899, black satin yoke (marc Jacobs style) dress $699, gorgeous ruffle mini dress $969, black leather zip biker jacket $999, DKNY jeans have a cute singlet with a ruffle along the bottom in sage and pink $99.Cerruttti Jeans have a simple chic black rib polo $270, DKNY jeans have done a cute ruffle sleeve polo neck sweater $229 in moss and salmon.
See by Chloe is in but it’s too khaki/military/camouflage for that price! But there are some cool jeans $529. RED by Valentino has a divine black rib polo neck with sheer sleeves and a knit cuff $800 and you want the black mini cord satin trim tuxedo $1999, and sheer lace chiffon top $625.Penny Black lots of good work pieces at good prices but you want the fabulous black crop wool peacoat jacket $649. The Rebecca Taylor collection is very Marni inspired but too much of THAT soft pink like a chiffon dress with beading and sequins $850, and it would look great with the chunky multi coloured tweed coat $999. Check out the Seven for all mankind jeans $399.
First Class
Akira is on sale and if you are an Akira girl hop skip and jump in there for some divine pieces: Red chiffon A Line dress $600, cute white singlet with red patchwork $133, red print dress with sequin straps $680.
EXRE: the funky new store in Castlereagh St that sells Burberry skateboards and Prada Yo-Yos is now selling Jean Paul Gaultier teddy Bears with a satin corset $295 (they do have false eyelashes too!).
Grace Bros/Myer:
Their new imports collections are very work orientated and quite conservative, a lot in black but there are some really beautiful luxe pieces. Valentino: Best pieces are the beautiful camel coat $2750, and a gorgeous black chiffon dress $2200, Kors by Michael Kors is all gorgeous! Check out the divine camel leather jacket $1900, chic camel skirt $550, a simple black and white tweed shift dress with belt $950, a black and grey strip knit $750, and a simple camisole $379.Chloe has a chic black coat with satin trim $4699, soft pink chiffon shirt $1299, black mini dress/top $999 and a divine black tux trousers $1399. Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti: has a lot in THAT soft pink and too many Khaki military pieces but best picks are the soft pink chiffon dress $1560,moss green velvet zip top $625.Anteprima has some great classic pieces, a lot in black too. The best pieces are the black rubber trench coat $2250, a beautiful black polo neck with a sheer knit front $599.Donna Karan: check out the beautiful grey knit T shirt $755, and lots of tweed and classic black suits. Cacheral: Yah a bit of colour! You want the Aqua print chiffon shirt also in pink $449, a fabulous black trench lined in a wild floral print $1125, amazing black chiffon dress with colour patchwork $679, a signature print cami $259.

Almost Flourless Chocolate Cake

What else do you want to cook for loved ones ( and yourself) than an almost flourless chocolate cake ?!its a Like water for chcolate moment…

100g unsalted butter
125gdark cooking chocolate
3 large eggs
100gcaster sugar
pinch salt
2 tabs plain flour

* Put the chocolate and butter in a bowl over gently simmering water till it’s melted and smooth.Like your skin on a hot day (this is not difficult.Really)
* Beat those naughty egg whites and salt till they are stiff and are afraid to move
* In another bowl beat the chocolate and butter (after it has cooled and you’ve licked the saucepan) till it’s light and creamy and so delicious.
* Beat in sugar, egg yolks and flour ( please learn to separate the egg whites)
* Fold in the egg whites slowly so they don’t lose their stiffness ( a disaster.. we all know what that’s like)
* Pour into a lined cake tin ( a square one looks chic!)
* Keep licking those fingers the calories don’t count.
* Cook for about 35 mins at about 180
* Don’t get a fright it’s supposed to look cracked and have a delicious crust and be very moist inside…
* Let it cool then turnout on a rack.
* Decorate with Nutella instead of icing for a delicious and quick hazlenut taste or sprinkle on icing sugar and cut up strawberries and if you feel like it some rose petals for a bit of romance (they’re the bit not fattening) and dust with icing sugar

so pretty and Absolutely deliciously indulgent!

Big Fish by Tim Burton
Giants, witches, dwarfs, Were wolves, dancing dogs, a huge fish and quaint old fashioned small towns are all things you see in Tim Burtons’ s Big Fish. A big movie with big spunks (Ewan Macgregor and Billy Crudup) it’s about imaginary friends (my favourite) and full of fantasy, whimsy and surreal visions. Just seeing Jessica Lange’s plastic surgery and botox is suspending belief! Basically a story about a travelling salesman father who loves spinning tall tales and embellishing the truth and his son (who is over it) who wants to know the real truth at his father’s deathbed. Laugh, cry, watch as all crazy things happen like hearing Helena Bonham Carter, Albert Finney and Ewan all try and speak with southern accents. Outrageous! Ewan sounds Australian (a cross between Scottish and Southern) I got so involved in the story mesmerised by the amazing art direction and by Billy Crudup I forgot it was going to end. Not as dark and deep as Tim Burton’s earlier movies, it’s still a tearjerker and good escapism, which is why we love the movies (apart from the air conditioning) Bring tissues.

US Vogue Feb: Has Natalie Portman on the cover with a Louise Brooks new hairdo, fab shoots on New York fashion designers, a shoot of divine New York brownstone and a fashion shoot called the anti stilleto!( very sad)
OZ Vogue March: has Jennifer Aniston and the interview from US Vogue, an amazing Michelle Jank shoot in the museum with dead and stuffed animals as the backdrop, and the runway report on the Spring Summer 04 collections.
W February: has Cameron Diaz on the cover and a fab interview inside. The whole issue is devoted to the Hollywood A list and lots of great reading as usual with articles on the dressers, the players and an amazing shoot based on “They shoot horses don’t They’ inspired by Alexander McQueen’s show.

“Had another great laugh ..I think quote de al quote is my favourite….what a brilliant concept…don’t those fuckers know what they’re doing to themselves?? that intelligent people like you (and your aficionados) are watching!!!
“Here’s a story…. its midnight and before I fall into a coma I’m trying not to rev myself up by worrying about the zillion things to do tomorrow when my eyes land on a pile of old printed out FiFi reports. I smile. I think now that’s what I really feel like reading……a good laugh (getting funnier by the day) a bit of goss etc. I briefly consider rereading the old ones, just to read that Cold Mountain review again and also all the Tom Ford quotes then it hits me!!It’s Friday night and there’ll be a new FiFi report waiting on my computer and with all the certainty of the caramel INSIDE the chocolate I am now wide awake, groping my way to the computer, I’m a loony, turning on the computer, waiting for it to boot up, waiting for it to download and now waiting while it prints that to which I am obviously addicted. I am a FiFI tragic!”
“We love Kerry no matter how you slander him. He’s posh, he’s rich, he’s
educated, he has smooth, firm facial skin and he might beat Bush”( Yah!)
“I have just finished the FiFi Report. and I look forward to it so much more than
that beastly US Harpers!”
“Just to let you know I’m forwarding The FiFi Report to some poor creature who might discover a thread of truth to take and weave themselves a new life…!