Reasons to buy a Diva black flower necklace:
- Because you are not wearing outrageous designer heels.
- Because you need to divert all eyes from your daggy black pumps.
- Because you are wearing outrageous designer heels.
- Because your black credit card has exploded.
- Because we like the way the girls in the Burberry summer 09 campaign wear their necklaces long and layered.
- Because a long necklace will always get in your drink.
- Because you are having an alcohol free hour.
- Because they are $24.
Black flower ribbon necklaces $24 from Diva.
Let me give you the scenario. You see your chic de la friend. She looks fabulous. You love, die, fall, and drool over her new outrageous shoes. You take a closer look. Oh dear. A little too close. You see the heels of her feet are not looking good. They are trashed. Cracked and dry. Neglected. Your friend would never go out with bad hair so how she go out with bad feet? Give her the very useful and so easy to use Heros cushion. Well, they call it a cushion. I call it a stone. It will gently scrub away any dry skin and keep your feet looking as good as your Louboutins. Then book your friend into the optometrist.
$2.30 Heros Chiropody Sponge from Home Pharmacy.
Twitter is HOT!
“ON JAN. 15, one of the first reports of US Airways Flight 1549’s emergency landing in the Hudson River was made by Florida businessman Janis Krums: “There’s a plane in the Hudson. I’m on the ferry going to pick up the people. Crazy.” Krums didn’t leave it as a voice-mail message, nor did he just text a few close friends: He broadcast the note to his Twitter followers, who then relayed it, screen to screen, all over the world.
Twitter, the two-year-old Web service, has become explosively popular. You can fire off tiny messages - limited to 140 characters - from your computer and cellphone, wherever you are, and have them appear on the screens of whoever is keeping track of them.
Twitter is already a productive source of new vocabulary. The messages are “tweets”; the people signed up to get them are your followers - or tweeple, or tweeps (although there are people pushing twerps and twits as the proper nomenclature). The Twittersphere (or Twitterverse) includes both the Twitterati (or Tweetstars) who have lots and lots of followers, and those who have just a few. It even includes tworkers - people whose jobs involve using Twitter. ”
from the TheBostonGlobe.com
The Women: A Novel …….by T.C. Boyle
The Women is a dazzling novel about Frank Lloyd Wright, told from the point of view of the women in his life. ‘With this potboiler about the love life of Frank Lloyd Wright, T.C. Boyle, one of America’s most inventive writers, bursts feverishly into the realm of romance fiction. The Women is an altogether manic, occasionally baffling and yet strangely riveting novel. True readers of the genre, be warned: It’s a romance only in spirit. Call it a thinking man’s soap opera. As for the women, well . . . . The fiery loves that populated the life of America’s premier architect make excellent grist for an over-the-top melodrama. Wright’s private life was shocking, lurid, the stuff of pulp fiction. World readers gasped over the wicked details. He had always been a flirt and womanizer. Wright’s women all turn out to be strikingly similar: They are conniving harridans with big scores to settle. And though it’s impossible not to read on (so striking and wild is the true story), Wright, too, becomes something of a mask: a cruel, self-absorbed, oversexed genius. Even his famous edifices never quite come alive. So much for the material. But, oh, the writing! It’s the writing that pulls you through, and it’s the writing that will reward you in the last scene of this altogether predictable and (sometimes deliciously) overwrought novel. Boyle is a marvel at descriptive prose. Through the congeries that makes up this maddening maze of a novel, you find yourself turning the page and go on from scene to scene, marveling at a turn of phrase or some well-articulated emotion. As with a fickle lover, it’s the words that keep you there.
$16 amazon.com Publisher: Viking Adult (February 10, 2009)
The Christmas List
High Society: The History of America’s Upper Class …..by Nick Foulkes
With insight and nostalgia, High Society explores the intrigue of New York s upper-class society and culture. From Greenwich Village and the Sugar House to Stone Street, author Nick Foulkes unravels Manhattan s past, starting in the early seventeenth century and leading up to the prosperous present. With stories of the residents that have made and make up Manhattan s lavish citizenry the Vanderbilt, Frick, Morgan, and Astor families and the restaurants, playhouses, galleries, and night clubs where they socialized Le Grenouille, El Morocco, and Le Cirque the narrative weaves the political, social, and literary moments of the eras, delivering a spectacle of culture beside a poignant selection of photography.
$40 Publisher: Assouline (October 1, 2008) Amazon.com
Economy Class:
Target:
It’s always sneaking in here with sunglasses on and hat pulled down to check out the bargains:
- My best picks are:
- Check out the tan/almost orange leather bomber jacket with a zip front and a round neckline and pockets, $199 (it is leather so consider the cost). There are so many leather jackets around for winter and the choice is endless. But of course you don’t need to buy one because you did as you were told and in The FiFi Report and bought one last year. And you have worn it over your Boho dresses and with your flirty skirts and skinny jeans. And loved it.
- Love the short black military wool melton jacket: it has a black zip front and a round cut off neckline and 4 satin military stripes across the front. It’s subtle. Don’t worry you won’t end up looking like you play trombone in a brass band. I mentioned it last week but I think it’s a beauty. So Balmain. style.com Well, I should say, so Balmain inspired. Wear it undone and with skinny dark jeans and your short clumpy shoe boots or stud heels.(see left)
- Are you always looking for basics? Then you will love the dark grey round neck long sleeve Tee. This is an integral item in any wardrobe. Especially now. Wear with piles of Chanel pearls and your Balmain ripped jeans and sharp shouldered jacket, $19. That’s for Tee not the Balmain. Sorry. (You have spent all your $$ on Balmain which is why you are Target.
- Love the simple dark denim wide leg. There is not a lot of stitching. Which means the jeans won’t look like they are $49. I am not a fan of spending hundreds of dollars on designer jeans. Rather spend the $ on bags and shoes. Or Botox.
- Oh what a thrill: I always like to check out the shoe department here and I love the fabulous black and white animal print gumboots! LOVE them. Now on sale for about $25…
- And if you want or need thongs for the beach then you must have white thongs. (Please don’t wear ANY other colour).So spend up big, go crazy and lash out on the thongs here now on sale for 20% off $5….= You can do the math’s. Hurts my brain.
- Check out the patent shoe boots in black or stone with a split up the front and a cone style heel $39. Barganza. This is Recessionista budget dressing at its best. Bless.
Supre:
You should sneak in here….there is always something cheap but chic to razz up the wardrobe:
Best picks are:
- The Tees are always funny here: I like the white Tee with a black and white shot of horse on the front, very Stella McCartney, $24. Wear under your Marc Jacobs jacket, with a pencil skirt and killer Balenciaga heels. You should buy up T shirts like this because they are a handy way to dress down strict tailored jackets. They add a little dollop of insouciance to a stitched up look.
- Check out the over sized grey jersey Tee shirt dress (they are short) $20. Great for the beach and to throw over bikini. Buy in bulk because they come in lots of colours.
- I do spy some denim leggings but I am scared. They would work if you are, like, 3 yrs old. Bless, $26.
- Oh you must have the I kissed a vampire and Liked it T shirt. Very clever,$18.
- There is a cool cotton denim short tight jacket in black. It has black zip and buttons and I could see myself wearing that with a flirty skirt or some peg leg pants. Anything with volume on the bottom (oh that’s me) needs a little fitted top. So the silhouette is balanced. And you don’t look FAT, $55
- Buy the V neck cotton cardigan in grey with grey buttons, so simple, so chic who would have thought? This is a fabulous buy, $35.
MNG:
You will always find something here. Carine Roitfeld’s daughter Julia did (she is the label’s face for spring 09 - see left)
- Love the sleeveless very YSL inspired satin black Tuxedo jacket. It has one button and a long V neck, $219. Look much more expensive. I love that you can wear this right now in the warm weather. Throw it over a white Tank with your peg leg pants. Wear it with skinny jeans, or the try it with a flirty skirt peeking out from under it. It’s a lovely lean line.
- Buy the black All in one long sleeve jumpsuit, $179. It’s fabulous. You know the jumpsuit is hot don’t you? (you remember it was the item du jour months ago). I have mentioned this before but it’s worth reminding you again. Wear it and love it. (Forget about drinking. Getting out of this will take too long. HINT: Don’t wear on a date)
- There is also a strapless version of a jumpsuit/ all in one, $179. I might wear that to the 70’s party I am going to. Bianca Jagger eat your heart out.
- Checkout the black leather bomber jacket with a sliver zip; it’s pretty tough looking so wear with a pretty skirt or dress to soften the look. Unless of course you are a dyke on a bike. Bless, $419.
- You will love the faded denim jeans here are cropped and stop at the knee. No, not like shorts they are more like harem pants. This is a good thing. But Harem pants that don’t have the low crutch situation and they are not too baggy, $119.
- For a more classic look you must have the navy washed cotton, double breasted pea coat. It’ short and has ¾ sleeves: it’s very casual as the cotton is a bit wrinkled, $149. It has navy buttons and a few trench details. Wear now with chinos, or jeans.
- Buy the seersucker, blue and white stripe cotton pants with side pockets. Seer sucker stripe is all through US Vogue March issue. So it must be cool Buy now, $69.
- Love the long line, V neck, light cotton cardigans in light blue, navy and white. So easy to wear. Just don’t do up all the buttons, $69
- Love the bronze, silver and gunmetal stripe glitter clutch: fabulous! Very Bally inspired, $99.
- Is there a reason that I only seem to mention black and not a lot of colour? Yes. Black is back but also regular FiFi Report readers know my secret equation: Bright colours + cheap fabric=cheap. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Business Class:
Country Road
New pieces in store this week….. You want:
- The simple navy and Black subtle stripe cotton shirt $129. A stripe will give this shirt a little edge and adds another dimension and texture. Not just boring black. And we love black and navy. I have telling you to wear those colours together for years. So French.
- Adore the grey charcoal marle wool, classic bootleg pants $179. The fabric looks and feels like it’s fabulous quality. These pants should be a core item in any wardrobe. Grey is so chic with black navy, red, or brown. And honey you don’t want to wear any other colours do you? Stick to 3 colours on the body and you can make your wardrobe work and create endless looks (Celebs with millions of dollars are exempt to this rule: they wear any colour, any time. Once. They don’t need to build a wardrobe. )
- You also want the Boyfriend two button single breasted jacket in a dark grey gabardine or wool. It has 2 pockets and with subtle overstitching: So chic. You know the blazer is a must item this winter. The bigger the shoulder pads the better. Love it with the sleeves pushed up. $279
- Buy the dark denim high waist jeans with bootleg and front pockets with no stitching. Classic, easy to wear. Think of these as the new black pants. Wear out for a drink with a sequin tank with your outrageous heels. $129
- Love the accessories: It’s the best budget way to razz up your wardrobe if you are on a budget. You want the black (or brown) sling back Marni esque peep toe heels. They have a multi strap, twisted into a knot on the toe with a platform heel $199. Fabulous.
- You want the oversized clutch in burgundy and brown with an outside silver zip $169. We love a clutch. The bigger the better.
- Love the long flat riding boots in black $299. (Believe it nor not there are people out there who can’t or won’t wear heels: and we send you our sympathy). Wear with a flirty skirt and a tight leather jacket. Please do not wear these under jeans. Oh god. Just don’t. it’s bad look. You can tuck your jeans into them if you must. But I prefer long flat boots with a skirt. Or when I am rising to the trot and have a whip in my hand..
- Checkout them the rather fabulous grey tweed wool, round toe classic pumps. Yes, we are talking heels in a wool . snazzy a licioius. $199. They have a platform and are very sexy. Minexy
- Love the scarves here too….
Oroton:
Best picks here are:
- The red or black clutch are very simple and let’s face it very Prada. They have subtle ruching and no hardware or any glitz at all. $295
- Check out the very Prada inspired black leather hobo, slouch bag with a silver chain and leather strap $545. It is in other colours but the black is only way to go. It’s pretty chic and the leather is lovely. With the dollar the way it is this may be the closest you will get to Prada.
- Love the cute little leather bracelets with a little tiny charm in stone or black $75. You need to stack these up your arm. Make a statement. Don’t be mingy. Hate mingy. The more bracelets and cuffs the better. Remember if you do that you should ditch any other jewellery. Keep the focus on one area. So take off the necklaces, the earrings, the tiara…
- How amazing is the silver or gunmetal cuffs with an over the top diamante encrusted flower? $495
- The diamante clutch that is completely covered with sparkle is for the Oscars $995
Jigsaw
It’s all full of winter pieces here with a few pieces that would work for now: My best picks are:
- The big oversized caramel oatmeal cardigan or is it a wrap? It’s very long in a fine knit without any buttons and is just a loose shape. Something to climb into and snuggle into when you want relax. Throw it on over a white Tee and some trackies. Good to wear in rehab. $229
- Of course I was drawn to the trench coats( like an alcoholic to a drink). Love the double breasted stone/tan trench with tortoiseshell buttons and belted: it’s a must buy. $379
- You want the black and white tweed single-breasted sleeveless dress with a belt. Wear layered over a Tee or a knit. Or go on flash your arms. You haven’t been working out by lifting all your platforms shoes for nothing. Just make sure wear it with black opaques and your favourite stomp-a-licious heels. $329
- Check out the very Marni inspired necklaces in all sorts of shapes and colours about $79.
- There is also a very YSL inspired oversized Muse bag in caramel patent $$……
- Love the very Marni style green elastic belts with interesting square tortoiseshell resin buckles $79
First Class:
- Marc Jacobs Show …A review of the hottest show at New York Fashion week from style.com
‘Leave it to Marc Jacobs to deliver a neon-hued, big-shouldered, crimpy-haired eighties antidote to the gloom and doom of 2009. “I was thinking about the good old days in New York,” he said after the show, “when getting dressed up was such a joy.” By the good old days, Jacobs means the nights he spent at clubs like Area, the Palladium, and Paradise Garage. Maybe it was the recent Stephen Sprouse project he completed at Louis Vuitton, or perhaps it’s the fact that he now lives in Paris full time, but his Fall show was a big, juicy nostalgic kiss to a city that doesn’t really exist anymore. The show started simply enough, with a gray cardigan sweater and charcoal trousers, but when the model walked past, you saw the back half of a kilt and braces—Jacobs’ new uniform—and knew it was going to get personal. He worked his way through little silver-and-black A-line shifts; party dresses in metallic leathers and floral brocades with flaring, full skirts and monster shoulders; velvet bustier tops and high-waisted over-dyed jeans; and Crayola-bright jackets, capes, and hooded coats. The only filter that separated these clothes from their East Village forebears was the expensive, luxury fabrics they came in. Every girl had a different hairdo, shellacked into Mohawks, flips, and bouffants, and the makeup was straight off the album cover of Duran Duran’s Rio. The cumulative effect of all that color, volume, and optimism? One editor called it “A Flock of Seagulls meets Alexis Carrington.” Will fashion as outrageously ebullient as this—in some cases, make that just plain outrageous—sell in the harsh reality of the late aughts? (And talking about harsh: More than 1,000 people were nixed from the invitation list this season in a cost-cutting slash and burn.) Jacobs insists that he wasn’t thinking about the economy when he was working on the collection, and maybe he wasn’t. These days, wagering that women will splash out on feel-good clothes is as good a bet as any.
Paul and Joe
- The new season is instore and I see a fabulous navy , white and red nautical story. There is also an oversized floral story and lots of gorgeous pieces.
- My favourites include:
- The fabulous navy, long line knit cardigan with a white narrow trim along the edge at the V neck. So chic, so French. Love the pockets at the front: it’s almost a sweater dress. You could be Coco Chanel wearing this on the yacht $475.
- Buy the cream hippy Caftan top with an oversized floral print in red $795 . This is a top to wear right now. In summer. It has wide big 80’s style sleeves almost like a poncho. If you want arm coverage then this top is for you.
- I just love (But I couldn’t wear them ) the grey jersey side pocket narrow pants. Oh la la . Wouldn’t I love to have the legs to wear those? Unfortunately the muffin thighs would show through. But if you are a skinny Minnie then you will love these pants $525
- Love the chiffon dress in orange (or in chic navy) with a drape neckline and short cap sleeves. It has a square neckline and a loose shape. We know the very fitted body con style dress is coming next season so make the most eating cream iced donuts now. $795.
- There is still a sale rack here and I spy a lot of fabulous pieces; I loved the black (!) tuxedo trousers and the orange brocade dresses…..
I Spy…
- This store has moved form WBJ to Transvaal avenue in Double Bay where the Belinda shoe salon used to be. It’s full of fabulous discounted designer pieces from the Belinda stores including shoes and boots…
Corn, chili and Prawn Fritters…adulterated from Donna Hay
You need for about 6 or 8 fritters ( enough for 4 men or 20 models)
150 grams of corn (canned is Ok)
75g self raising flour
1 large egg
¼ cup milk
2 teasp vegetable oil
½ teasp of chilli flakes (add more if you like it hot)
1 or 2 spring onions, finely chopped
½ cup fresh coriander
120 g of raw prawns, peeled and roughly chopped ( or whizzed)
Salt and pepper
2 tabs vegetable oil for shallow-frying
* Throw on new Balenciaga Space Age frock…perfect for frying fritters.
* Gulp down a wine.
* Climb out of Louboutins.
* Open can of corn but watch the manicure.
* Find a bowl and sift in the flour.
* Then add the egg, milk, oil, salt and pepper and give it a whisk.
* Slice up the spring onions.
* Now yell at George Clooney to turn off the cricket.
* Ask him to peel and clean the prawns. There is no way you are doing that.
* Give him a beer.
* Whizz the prawns in a whizzer if you want to make it easier.
* In the bowl of batter throw in the corn, coriander, chilli, spring onions and the prawns
* And give it a good mix.
* Add more chilli or even ginger to give this a spicier edge.
* Heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. • Blob in large tablespoons of the prawn corn batter and fry it till the Fritters are as gorgeous and brown as Donatella.
* Let them drain all the naughty FAT oil on kitchen paper (NOT a vogue).
* Accessorize with a fabulous handful of Prada green coriander.
* Serve with a little green salad and some chopped chilli mixed with Mirin and lime juice
* Lovely.
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