I’d ask, ‘Momma what’s crack?’ and she’d answer, ‘Well crack is this, the pipe looks like this, let’s open up the crack dictionary.’ Model Tyra banks in WWD on why she never did drugs (her excuse).
“People who want to be rich and famous should try rich first, fame is a 24-hour job.”Bill Murray.
“I don’t mind being called a dumb blonde because I’m certainly not dumb and I’m really not blonde.” Diane Sawyer quoting Dolly Parton
“We need the right people to interpret the brands. It is not a question of morality.” Gucci on who will take over from Tom (Good point on a label who had a G bikini wax).
“The Conquest of Australian stars is even more impressive when you consider how long it takes them to fly anywhere” US Vogue on Toni Collette (and still look good!).
“ Tell me what you see? Blubber? Cellulite? ” Hysterical Naomi on what the front row can see.
“ Everything” Stella Tennant’s answer in US Vogue
“ I don’t mind that we’re copied so much. it’s really flattering.” Marc Jacobs on Louis Vuitton.
“Counterfeiting is our worst enemy” The Chairman of Louis Vuitton.
“I am lazy about dressing. I just buy everything I like in 10 colours” Stephanie Seymour (Lazy but so happy).
“Nobody knows the burden I carry,” Gisele Bunchen (did Victorias Secret pay for both burdens?).
“If we were lesbians we would marry each other” Jennifer Aniston about Courtney Cox.
“ Do you all want to be there when we conceive?” Jennifer Aniston to a journo (yes please!).
“ It was probably like kissing his mother’ Diane Keaton on kissing Keanu

Wandering in Cheap but Chic central, Target I shouldn’t have been surprised when I spied this weeks cheap but chic nomination. I rubbed my eyes, was I dreaming or was that really the Christian Louboutin patent stilettos in front of me for $19.99? Incredible! In black, in hot pink or white (for the young). I tried them on and they looked pretty good to me. Yes I know what your mother said about cheap shoes but just think how perfect they will be in black under jeans for outdoor parties where your heels sink in the ground. (Don’t waste the Manolos.) Just don’t take them off God forbid someone might read the label!

P.S Borders Books have nearly all the Marie Claire cook books on sale for $19.

This humidity (and rain) is too much for the hair and the Batcave. I can’t take it any more! It’s time to find a groovy fan that’s quiet: What’s worse: not sleeping due to the heat, being kept awake by a noisy fan or the worry the old fan will kill you in the middle of night? So I’ve searched and found the best one: sleek, round, modern, small, quiet and white (sounds more like the perfect child?) from Dimplex. Groovy Baby! $39 Bing Lee

Go the Fro! Well that’s Ok if you’re a singing virgin but I can’t sing! And I’m not interested in having frizzy hair either however famous! So when a fabulous makeup artist whispered to me about her favourite product to tame humidity frizz on shoots I was onto it! Especially something called a secret weapon. The John Frieda Frizz Ease secret weapon is ‘A Flawless and extraordinary finishing crème applied to dry hair to transform puffy parched hair into a perfect smooth supple texture”. Well I never! and no my hair isn’t perfect but it does work on the ends and on those flyaway frizz but beware it can weigh down your hair so don’t use too much. About $20 from Coles supermarkets and chemists.

Aussie Celebrity hairstylist David Mallett (ex Sloanes) has opened a chic “coiffure studio” in Paris for his clients such Liz Hurley. The 1,110-sq-foot space is for only 2 clients at a time for individual, haute service. (You’ve come a long way baby).
Jennifer Aniston and Brad have bought the Marianne Pearl book A Mighty Heart (see FiFi #14) to make the movie (the mind boggles!).
Check out the new groovy hotel in Paris Hotel Le A with no pets, no kids (A for Arty?).
John Galliano is doing his first signature line for men.
Alexander McQueen is tipped to take over Gucci but says he want to give up fashion.
Starbucks is opening in Paris (Mon Dieu!) in Avenue de L’Opera.
UK Elle editor in chief will be deputy editor to Glenda Bailey at US Harpers Bazaar.
Cate Blanchett shot her second season of ads for Donna Karan by Mikael Jansson in Mexico,
Rosie O’Donnel Broadway show about aids and drag Queens “Taboo” closes (Wonder why?).
The first university of Gastronomic Sciences opens this year in Italy as a part of the Slow Food.
The cool boutique Colette in Paris is having an exhibition of Bruce Weber photos at its gallery.
Marc Newsome has launched his polished aluminum Zenith Chair the successor to the Nimod chair.
Tom Ford had his last Men’s collection this week in Milan “It was not a show necessarily based on clothes, but everyone left realizing that Gucci always stood for sex.” WWD.
The French Haute Couture shows starts this week so check out the groovy Philippe Starck restaurant The Crystal Room when you’re there.
Philip-Lorca diCorcia the cool photographer having a show at the National Center of Photography in Paris called “A Storybook Life” of photos taken over the past 20 years

http://www.workingfortheman.com
This is a very funny website it “humorously explores the horrors and absurdities of the workplace, and provides a much-needed antidote to the doldrums of dealing with a bad boss and a dead-end job.” This issue has the calendar for 2004 public holidays (US) with days to take a sickie! (Hilarious)
http://www.Kodak.com.au
Perfect if you want to get your digital shots printed on photographic paper. Just email them through via the free Kodak software and pay about 80cents a print and then collect them at one of 700 outlets or have them mailed. Easy

SEXNCITY Spoiler! Don’t read if you don’t want to know: Samantha gets breast cancer, Miranda marries Steve and Carrie has an affair with Baryshniko (as first reported by FiFi last year)
Harrison Ford and Calista are on the rocks and his divorce is final (here’s my chance!).
George Clooney has broken up with his girlfriend Krista Allen (Double whammy!).
Enrique and Anna Kornakova have kissed and made up.
Prince Charles sent Whisky to recovering patient Ozzy Osbourne (hic!).
Kate Moss is going to be in the Film Polo (from Jilly Coopers novel).
Athina Onassis turned 21 and has dropped the cursed name Onassis.
It’s not true that Renee Zellweger is dating Prince Andrew (but she’d like William please).
Ryan Hadden is in Rehab (Christian Slater’s wife after bashing him up).
Paris Hilton is going out with a Back Street Boy(could be a good name for a video!).
Mark Walberg has dumped Rhea Durham (and child) to go out with Jessica Alba.
Amber Valetta married her Volley ball playing Boyfriend and father of her child
Kylie denies she caught the bouquet at Natalie Umbruglia’s wedding (she dropped it?)
Keanu is back with his ex Amanda de Cadenet (ex of John Taylor of Duran Duran)
Madonna and Guy went to Rome for Christmas Holidays (fascinating stuff)

A Death in Brazil by Peter Robb
If you loved Midnight in Sicily then you love this new book by Peter Robb about his ”encounter with one of the world’s greatest and strangest countries, Brazil. Combining travel, history, culture and his own memories of twenty years of Brazilian life, he delves into the past and present of a baroque country. Using the art and the food, Robb takes us on a journey into a sensual and frightening world.” Highly recommended, a great holiday read as it’s quite long $45 Major booksellers

CHRISTMAS LIST: Faces of Sport.
Giorgio Armani has just launched this book this week for this Olympic year. It’s in three categories and has intimate portraits, shot specifically for the book, as well as sports photography and all proceeds go to the Special Olympics.Should be molto stylish.

When shopping in the sales think ahead! I love it when fashion can follow on from summer to winter and if you use your brain (a rarity in the fashion industry) and be fabulously clever you can buy transeasonal pieces to go through to winter. But this season it’s all change! From too much punk/neon/eighties summer to a more lady like winter which makes it difficult to find anything (but I tried).
ECONOMY
General Pants: I‘ve said it once and I’ll say it again I love the Emily The Strange T-shirts and they have new ones in. Cute in pink black or white $59.95. And don’t forget they have the best selection of trucker caps from $49.95.
Target: Have 40’s sling back shoes with a bow in black or red patent $25.95, and (matching!) Mickey Mouse T-shirts $19.99 long sleeved 2 tone with black sleeves. Low cut black hipster pantyhose and 50-denier black tights (must have for winter) 2 pack at $9.95 and don’t forget to pick up a string bags here in black brown white red $9.
Sportsgirl: Have gone a bit mod and there is a cute black and white tweed mini $69.95
Black jacket $179, new cool diamante drop earrings $19.95,cute pink undies with ‘cheeky monkey’ on the front on sale at $4.95! Dior copy of a buckle clutch in black (a bit Vinyl looking) $49.95.
Portmans: Have gone the Mod too. Best buy is the cute black patent 3/4 kitten heel boots $79.95.Esprit have a cool camel belted trench $149 and YSL copy of the slouch bag with plaited strap in a deep red or black and brown 49.95.
Witchery: Have some new shoes in.Check out the kitten heel Rossi copy? in black or with a higher heel in cream, black, soft pink $139 and a gorgeous chiffon aqua and brown print wrap top $149.

BUSINESS
Bulb (Transvaal Ave): have some gorgeous Vintage glomesh bags, which are well, priced with a gold purse $95 and a silver $75, and a black and silver clutch $120. Also check out the amazing vintage beauty tools (found by the owner Makeup artiste Dotti) like the yellow leather beauty case in immaculate condition from the 50’s $420 or the 40’s red leather nail set $110. Also you really want (but I will buy before you get there) the 50’s diamante drop earrings $95 and the Karl Lagerfeld gold charm bracelet (with arches) $140.
Saba: What’s new? A gorgeous white knit scarf embroidered with sequins $295, black wrap jersey dress $275, simple white shirts with button up the sleeve $165 and classic white dinner shirt $195. On sale they have some things 75 % off. Best buys are the black sheer pretty lace cami now $39,the flesh pink sequin and drapey shell top with slashed sides now $249,Helmut Lang style long sleeve white slash neck T $35.
Max and Co (Double Bay) have a rack of $50 and $80 which is worth a rummage! There’s a big canvas black tote bag now $175, a dark denim biker jacket now $232.
Bare have an amazing black leather or caramel suede coat half price now $600.
Gary Castles: Have amazing Emilio Pucci shoes in! You want the stilettos in pink Pucci print $749, flat round toe $499 and crazy Pucci print trainers (a bit much!) $499.Also new are the Christian Lacroix (sweetie) Red satin ¾ boots amazing at $1060 and black satin with huge silver buckles up the side $1400. A great loafer in lots of colours even red patent $259. On sale get the green crocodile T bar heels now $139!
Papoucci: Have some fabulous new Italian bags in and new collection of Tods. Check out the heels $475 and loafers in a lot of great colours from about $595. Gorgeous!

FIRST CLASS
Christensen Copenhagen: still have a sale and they are some great buys at 50% off A Fillippa K rib round neck sweater very chic now $112, a divine Mathew Williamson black and multi print wrap dress now $697, A Fillippa k black single breasted jacket now $300! Grey maille long sleeve top $112 and track pants $87,a Fillippa K chocolate brown mini now $447,Paul and Joe very pretty lace petticoat dress in pale pink, green or blue lemon now $212, a Paul and Joe very pretty matching camisole and Paul and Joe sexy black dress now $445.Check out (not on sale) the fabulous Petit Bateau white, grey, black or pink T shirts $40 and singlets $35 and look out for their delivery next month of Rogan jeans.
Belinda (Double Bay) has lots of new winter collections in such as Marni, Ann Demeulemeester, Missoni, Yohji, Clements Ribeiro and Diane Von Furstenburg. Best pieces were the DVF red print chiffon shirt $475,DVF black and floral chiffon dress $725,The Yohji hounds tooth skirts (Thousands!) the Missoni lurex stripe sweater $1175,the Blur leather jacket, the black suede and lambs wool lined peacoat perfect for $4300, and the Clements Ribeiro cream 50’s style coat $2285.
Belinda’s shoe salon: has new shoes and I was so thrilled to see the Marc Jacobs famous flat mouse shoe is back! It was fabulous back in the nineties and it’s fab now! In black silver or white $585 (also in a black sling back kitten heel) Check out the Marni patch work flats in red or green $825,the Marc Jacobs lace up boots are incredible $965 in teal, chocolate and white! You want the Cacheral patchwork suede pink T bar shoes $898 and the Jimmy Choo metallic pink or blue strappy heels $895.
Tearose: are on sale but there is a lot of bridal style dresses.Best buy is the amazing photo floral print dress now about $1200 and wide jersey pants now about $1200.

Spicy Couscous with Salmon (From Good Living)

This is what you want to cook for lunch or dinner over summer when you are still in your towel and starving after a crazy day of relaxing on the beach! You can whip it up ahead of time and serve it when you’ve slipped into your Pucci caftan!
Remember it can be served warm or even cool as a salad (for 4)

1 Salmon steak per person
11/2 cup couscous.
11/2 cup Fish stock (warmed if you can be bothered).
Olive oil.
2 teasp of Harissa (Buy this in a tube at Woolies, at a groovex deli or make your own! It’s a must have of the season!).
1 cucumber peeled and seeded then finely sliced.
1/2 preserved lemon rind rinsed and finely chopped.
1 cup of rich creamy yoghurt.
Lemon juice.
Bunch of rocket.

· Pop the salmon steaks in the oven for about 10 mins till cooked. Turn off the oven, cover with foil and they can just wait there patiently to be eaten.
· Heat oil in a saucepan on a low heat.
· Add the couscous straight from packet. Yes I repeat open packet, measure and pour into saucepan. Ne cookez pas first!
· Coat couscous with oil and cook till it’s toasted and a golden brown and tanned more like Paris Hilton than George Hamilton.
· Stir in Harissa and smell that sweet spicy smell and think back to that wonderful night night in Tangiers!
· Pour in the fish stock (or water will do if you’re lazy) mix through and turn off the heat and pop on the lid for it to fluff up!
· Cut the cucumber and the preserved lemon in thin slices
· Mix the yoghurt, lemon juice and preserved lemon
· Fluff up the couscous toss in some rocket and throw on a serving platter.
· Flake the salmon (with your finger licking fingers) over the couscous, toss on the cucumber, drizzle the yoghurt and lemon over the top, and chuck on some more rocket salt et poivre and Voila!
· So slimming. so healthy. sooo this summer.

Cold Mountain (by ‘English Patient” Anthony Minghella with our Nic and Jude Law)
Boy meets girl, girl meets handsome spunk boy. Kiss. Boy goes to the Civil War. Sees shocking blood and guts. Girl is only thing to keep him going. Trecks across America to get home. Girl’s accent is so Aussie it’s embarrassing. Girl loves doing a Scarlet O’Hara impersonation. Girl ends up wearing Prada Autumn/winter 2004 belted coats and pants. Girl is too old to play part of girl but looks mighty purrty just the same. Girl makes friends with Bridget Jones so she can eat. Baddies are mean and keep turning up. Scary. Blood. Cover eyes. Yuk! Girl finally meets handsome spunk. Great photography. Great Epic. Great. Long movie. Sore bottom. Very emotional (movie not bottom).

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