Reasons for a Port a bag handbag insert:
- Because you are tired of diving into your Birkin and not finding anything (and it can get dark in there).
- Because you are sick of using your Tom Tom to find your way out of your bag.
- Because when you change handbags every day it takes hours emptying one out to fill another.
- Because the more time you search for your wallet means less time to shop.
- Because George Clooney is sick of you not answering the phone immediately.
- Because it’s cheap but chic and looks very Longchamps.
$25.95 Porta-bag Handbag Insert from Howards Storage World.
What: A Beanie
Why: Because there is something charming about a Beanie thrown on with a Burberry jeweled necklace and fancy heels. (And just because it’s a fashion show from last year doesn’t mean it’s not still fabulous.) Because the grunge trend is lurking around the corner. Because it’s a great way to dress down a very chic dress. Because you are having a bad skanky hair day. Because it’s a sneaky place to smuggle in your brand new Hermes Watch (to hide from your recessionista husband).
Wear: With glamorous grown up dresses, with pretty tops and jeans, with a sharp jacket (Check out the fabulous Victoria Traina in the this Style.com video). Wear with aplomb.
Where: Country Road, Witchery, Sportsgirl, Just Jeans, Vanessa Bruno, Burberry,
Reasons you want a headband:
- Because you are tired of getting hair in your soup.
- Because you want to wear something in your hair without looking like Princess Di.
- Because you have lost your beanie.
- Because your roots are showing.
- Because it looks cool (and we love this shoot in US Harpers Bazaar).
Theoutnet.com
The chic online designer outlet store from Net-a-Porter has just launched! Just in time. Recessionistas everywhere rejoice! And yes, they deliver to Australia. The prices are in UK Pounds but there are some fabulous buys. Check out a Marc Jacobs degrade clutch now half price at £560.30 and Burberry short trench, yours for £287.23 and more…
Love Child: A Memoir of Family Lost and Found … by Allegra Huston.
I read the excerpt from this book in the May issue of US Vogue and loved it “When Allegra Huston was four years old, her mother was killed in a car crash. Soon afterward, she was introduced to an intimidating man wreathed in cigar smoke — the legendary film director John Huston — with the words, “This is your father.” So began an extraordinary odyssey: from the magical Huston estate in Ireland to the Long Island suburbs to a hidden paradise in Mexico — and, at the side of her older sister, Anjelica, into the hilltop retreats of Jack Nicholson, Ryan O’Neal, and Marlon Brando. Then, at the age of twelve, Allegra’s precarious sense of self was shattered when she was, once more, introduced to her father — her real one this time, the British aristocrat and historian John Julius Norwich.
Love Child is a seductive insight into one of Hollywood’s great dynasties and the story of how, in a family that defied convention, one woman found her balance on the shifting sands of conflicting loyalties.”
$17. Amazon Publisher: Simon & Schuster (April 7, 2009)
The Christmas List:
Gypset Style: Jet Set + Gypsy = Gypset … by Julia Chaplin.
“Yuppies, Yippies, Jet Setters, Bright Young Things, Generation X, Generation Y . . . and now the Gypset. Fusing the ease and carefree lifestyle of a gypsy with the sophistication of the jet set, the Gypsetters are artists, surfers, designers, and bon vivants who live and work around the globe, from Jose Ignacio, Uruguay and Ibiza, Spain, to Montauk, New York. Gypset Style explores the unconventional, wanderlust lives of these high-low cultural nomads and the bohemian enclaves they inhabit, as well as their counterculture forbears, such as the Victorian explorers, the Lost Generation, the Beatniks, and the hippies. And along the way, author Julia Chaplin looks back at quintessential gypsy boho moments in social history.
Julia Chaplin is a New York based journalist and editor who covers contemporary art, fashion, design, lifestyle, and travel. She is a frequent contributor to The New York Times, Elle, Vogue, Wallpaper, New York magazine, and Conde Nast Traveler.” Fabulous.
$32.40. Amazon Publisher: Assouline (April 15, 2009).
Economy Class:
Cue
Looking very fashion here. They are calling it “Sculptural glamazon” and they are right on the money. I see a lot of very black and white. There ‘aint much colour… which could be a good thing.
You want:
- The fabulous slim black and white (subtle) tweed high waist cuffed pants. They are going to make your legs look so long and skinny. I think that might be a lie if your legs are short and fat. I should know. But you should try them on because surprising things can happen when the cut is good. Wear with a biker jacket and your favourite Alien or monster heels. $269
- I love the black heavy jersey fitted long sleeve tee. Why you may ask? What is so special about that? Well, first of all it is in a heavy jersey fabric so it will skim over all those easter eggs sitting on your stomach, secondly: it is cut with a high round neckline. No it’s not a polo neck. And it’s not a scoop. The sleeves are tight which means you can wear it under a lot of jackets. And that makes it flattering. This is a sharp piece and the perfect canvas to wear a fabulous Burberry jeweled necklace. $149
- You want the grey, fitted, single breasted blazer in a wool jersey with a flared peplum, very fitted. Wear this with last season’s black pencil skirt sitting there looking plaintively at you in your wardrobe dying to out. Wear with dark denim skinny jeans. $279
- You know the jumpsuit is hot because it was an item du jour in The FiFi Report way back in 07. So now it’s hit its climax and reaching the top of the groove richter scale. Which is why you want the double breasted black jumpsuit: it has ¾ leg, has buttons that are asymmetrical and cute short sleeves. It even has its own patent belt. Very thoughtful. Remember: I always say jumpsuits are great if you are alcoholic: they stop you drinking. (too hard to undress). $277
- I see another fabulous top: it’s light grey jersey with a round neck, a zip front and a full on peplum so that it swirls out from the waist it’s a great piece to wear now when it’s not too hot or cold. You want to show off your waist again this season so put down that creamy iced chocolate donut. And put on with your harem pants. $239
- You want the chic black silk jacquard fitted sleeveless dress with an exposed zip all the way down the front dress, oh so very Lanvin. The dress is still a big trend which is great because throwing on a dress is so easy. Wear with black opaques and fake tan on your arms. And don’t wave to anyone if you are over 35. $249
- The-oh-so seriously fitted sculptured black wool princess coat is a winner: very fitted in the waist with paneling $495. Is that an economy price? Maybe not. But it’s a coat you will wear for seasons to come. And you will never look daggy. Which is reassuring to know.
Witchery
There is a sale on but I was drawn like a moth to the flame to the new collection, of course…
You want:
- The black double breasted military wool jacket: it’s cropped with silver buttons. There are so many military jackets around this season but don’t worry it’s not too aggressive: Make love not war. Wear with your ripped faded Balmain skinny jeans. After you buy them for $800 you won’t be able to afford anything more than $249.
- Love the black trench. I know you are shocked. But my trench obsession continues. This one seems a little longer which I think is much chicer than a trench coat that stops at the thigh. It seems so much more luxurious. Also good to cover the hot cross buns on your knees. This one has black buttons and is belted. I thoroughly recommend it. $199
- Check out the pretty sheer cream or black blouse short sleeves blouse with tiny pleats around the sleeves. It’s so feminine. It’s all about detailing on the shoulder and the sleeve this season. Wear this with your jeans but ditch the jacket: you want to show off the pleats. $139
- Love the Grey wool sleeveless bomber jacket with zips, epaulettes and side slit pockets. This is a must buy. You know how to wear this? Wear with a white T shirt to freshen it up and a full skirt flirting out from under it. $169
- The crop black wool jersey military jacket is so chic with front brass zips and epaulettes: the fabric is slightly soft and not heavy and bulky. This means that it’s not a jacket that has to be taken to Hobart to be worn. You can wear it now. Save the air fare and buy shoes. $189
- In accessories there are very Balenciaga-esque flat gladiator sandals in black which are cool. Especially if it’s getting chilly on your tootsies. Funny but I don’t like flat open toe sandals with black hosiery only heels. Is that weird? I think it is. $169
- Love the black patent, square toe flats with a cute pleat detail at the toe $149. You can walk in these without a Zimmer frame. Or getting a car and driver.
- You must have the Marc Jacobs style shoulder bag in a pale beige: it has a resin chain strap and flap over the front: love it.
- And then buy the Prada inspired ruched shoulder bag with a black chain resin strap handle. I have to say this is not an inspired bag, it’s an amazing copy. $269.
- Please buy the gorgeous flat long boots: they go high up the leg and are one of the best flat boots I have seen. So chic with a pretty floaty chiffon dress. $349
French Connection
Love this collection; there are a lot of great pieces.
You want:
- The chic de la chic light grey wool peacoat. You need it. Why? Because it will update all the sad old black basics that have piled up in your wardrobe. Because you are a recessionista who is not going out to buy more black basics. Watch the sad one suddenly look happy when they see the light grey: talk about lighten up. $259
- You want the Balenciaga-esque military style roll neck long sleeve tee with cute little gold buttons on the epaulettes along top of the shoulder in a few colours. This is great to wear right now. Because if you wear it under a jacket you will hide the fabulous buttons. $69
- The gunmetal jeans are pretty cool: with a slim fit in a black metallic denim. So much more exciting than just boring old jeans or classic black pants. Wear with a classic peacoat to tone down the glitz and your Balenciaga heels to add va va voom. $179
- If you have the legs and feeling young and thin then you will love the strapless fitted black and white check tartan dress: it stops at mid thigh so you need to know you have a cellulite free zone to carry it off. Wear over a knit top and big stomp-a-licious heels. $149
- Love the long, loose, V neck cardigan with front pockets in lots of great colours… but Oh Ok, go for grey. You can wear this belted in over a print dress or wear it sloppy over a pretty chiffon skirt peeping out. Wear over a simple white Tee. Wear it on the couch eating chocolate Meringue fig and walnut tart… (see FiFi’s Recipe). $129
- Love the black shiny woven wool/acrylic bomber jacket with brass asymmetrical zips: so chic: I know it sounds a little tacky (shiny?) but it’s one I would wear. Because it’s got the texture so it’s not just plain old black and it looks expensive. $199
- The stripe Tees are fabulous, some have scoop neck but they are very French from about $49.
Business Class:
Scanlan and Theodore
All divine; what can I say? If you want print and colour or sharp, simple black it’s all here.
Best pieces are:
- The amazing leather skinny navy jeans. Oh la la. If only I could wear them. Maybe I can buy them and just look at them. $500
- Love the prettiest soft cream and pale pastel blossom print dress: so lovely with pleated detailing on the sleeves. It’s a loose shape with short sleeve and oh so floaty. Wear with some tough heels and toss on a leather jacket. Wear with a belt to show off your waist. Wear skipping through a wheat field when the sun is slowly setting… $700
- Love the choc brown/tan/cream abstract painterly print chiffon pinafore dress: it has a deep square neckline (thank God it’s not a horrid scoop) and has short sleeves; again it’s floaty and soft. Don’t you just love a trans seasonal piece? The answer is yes. Because you can wear it now and later when it’s cold under a big military coat. $600
- You want the big, oversized, chunky, knitted long multi stripe scarf in orange red, green with a bronze lurex trim. It’s so big and dramatic and will transform anything you wear. Let’s face it no one will notice you are wearing something from last year. $350
- Fur is a big trend for next winter. Is this a good thing? Not sure but I do like the little black fur cape that sits on your shoulders. $1200.
- So you want a stunning dress in black? I thought you did. So buy the divine simple black chiffon drape dress here. It’s sleeveless and a rather fabulous fabric. $850. There are some fabulous very fitted 80’s style black sexy dresses here as well. You need Spanx to wear those.
- If you have got the confidence then you should wear the red/burgundy patent belted short jacket: it’s not outrageously bright so relax people won’t mistake you for a traffic light. Wear with a choc brown chiffon skirt or tossed over pretty print dresses. $500
- Check out the full grey cotton skirt, very 50’s, so full and so dramatic. Add your shoes boots and a biker jacket and you are the bomb. $350
- In accessories: You’ll drool over the Jamin Puech bags: so divine! and the gorgeous Pierre Hardy bags and shoes. And of course the Azzedine Alaia shoes and boots are fabulous. I die.
Country Road
The best thing about walking instore here? It’s not a sea of black…
Best buys include:
- The fabulous black or choc brown leather biker jacket with a silver zip and great pocket stud detailing. This is one of the nicest biker jackets I have met. It has a good narrow cut so it’s flattering when you wear it undone. Plus it has lovely manners. You could take it home to meet your mother. But not if she is one the Gypsy Jokers. $549
- Love the red paisley print, puff sleeve, tie waist dress: it’s fabulous which is why I think it’s just about sold out. Sorry. $249
- You should buy the black felt bomber jacket: it’s not too heavy and bulky so it will love to go to the office with you (might not like the hours) and then it will adore to go out at night with jeans and heels. It will also adore a drink. $240
- You want all the pretty paisley print silky blouses to add colour and movement to all the boring black snoozing in your wardrobe. There is a grunge feeling coming back so this is for all those people who are still clinging to the BoHo Luxe look. Wear this with a faux fur vest. Then listen to Nirvana. $179
- I adore the dark grey flannel cuffed pants: oh the fabric is quite divine: wear with your bomber jackets, with knits and flat shoes. Wide pants can handle flat shoes. It’s that man style look. $199
- I love the look of YSL where there were grey marle T shirts under navy sleeveless jackets. Now you can channel the look. Invest in a couple of the dark grey marle short sleeve Tees: perfect $34
- For those who have lost their waist and spent years on private detectives to find it, you must have the tunic print dress: yes it’s loose and easy to wear with short sleeves: it’s in a soft pretty pink watermelon print with reds and black pattern. It would be great with black leggings and boots to toughen it up. $169
- In accessories: You want the over sized black textured leather clutch with silver zips. Love it $169. The lime chartreuse small clutch with brass clasp detail $149. The long leather gloves are so right $129 love them in brown.
David Lawrence
Head here if you want every day classics and some good quality knitwear.
Best buys include:
- A trench coat! Check out the grey stone or black cotton single breasted trench coat: then tell me if I should invest in this for the trench exhibition I am opening. $249
- Love the fabulous knit poncho: I saw last season and I am so happy they have reissued this. Does that make it vintage? It has a rib through it and is all you need to wear when you want to look chic but are feeling like a lazy slut on the weekend.
- Check out the light grey rib knit long sleeve tops. In a fine knit so they are perfect for wearing under jackets and biker jackets. So so chic in choc brown too. $119
- So you want a little black dress that is little casual? Then you should have simple black wool knit dress. It has round neck and a narrow cut and a little self belt. Toss on your own Bally belt to change the look if you want to snazzy it up. Other wise throw on with long flat boots and a big scarf. Then pray it will get cold. Soon. $199
- You know baggy boyfriend jeans are hot and so are cream cotton chinos: wear the same way and roll up the legs to show off your Chloe wedges. $129
- By the way you want a long line belted cardigan this season… remember to sex it up with a pencil skirt or belt it in (your waist is in there somewhere) or you will look like Emma Thompson in Nanny McPhee. $189
First Class:
Vanessa Bruno
I love this store; so minimalist, so French, so laid back chic. So on sale too.
You want:
- The gorgeous black double breasted ¾ wool melton pea coat: Oh, the cut is sharp and fabulous: now sale about $800. Do I have to tell you how to wear this? If you don’t know by now you shouldn’t be buying it. New FiFi subscribers excepted.
- Check out the cute item du jour beanies and the wool snuggly gloves: so cute and even cuter because they are on sale.
- You need to invest in the T shirts here; gorgeous quality now on sale for about $95.
- You will adore the big, oversized, cream chunky scarves on sale for about $250. Great for hiding your double chin. Or for smuggling in shoes so your husband doesn’t see.
- Love the new season just arrived instore and there is more to come… Drool over the divine brown leather jacket $1500. I want. I want I want. I want.
- There is also a fabulous biker leather jacket in a light pale blue $1100. Wear when cooking fudge or when playing with children and dogs on a rainy day.
- Check out the very 80’s cotton, double breasted jacket in a pale grey, about $500. You can just see this jacket on all those French girls walking down the Rue in Paris. With ballet flats and simple jeans and a scarf tossed nonchalantly around the neck. Mais oui.
- You want the little black tank top with the chicest little frill floating down the front about $400.
- Buy the cream (or is it white?) sleeveless blouse with a high neck and a lace insert for about $500.
- You want the black silk tank with a very pretty lace insert trim along the edges $$. So divine.
- Love the new season grey oversized tote $$. Yes please.
Hugo Boss
Don’t we all want beautiful classic Italian designer clothes? The new arrivals for the winter collection have arrived instore.
Best picks include:
- The grey or black polo neck knit sweaters with a ruffle that cascades down the front. $549
- Love the painterly spot print silk top in greens, blue and browns: so chic. It has a high neckline and short sleeves and will be fabulous with jeans. It has a cream background and looks almost very Marni. $699
- Check out the divine pale pink suede short peacoat with black buttons: I die. Oh I die. Rachel Zoe will die too. $2000
- Love the caramel leather single breasted blazer $1900. Double die.
- Drool over the beige leather single breasted blazer with 2 buttons. Then get a tissue: all that drooling is embarrassing. $1700
- You want the fabulous café au lait brown leather peacoat with black buttons. Faaaabulous! $2000.
- Buy the simple and oh so chic light grey wool Melton belted military belted coat, beautiful with brown buttons. $999
- Adore the pretty chiffon print loose hippy dress, very floaty $$. The print is very renaissance painting. If you know what I mean.
- There is also a rack on sale with a lot of skirts and dresses for 50% off…
Belinda Paddington
It’s a shoe sale galore! Miu Miu! Chloe! Prada! Costume Nationale! And new season Pierre Hardy Sport shoes…
Fig and Walnut Tart… adulterated from Maggie Beer
After a weekend of gorging out overdosing on Chocolate Easter eggs I think it’s best to keep the sugar level right up with this fabulous meringue cake.
You need for 8 gourmandes, 3 teenage boys or 40 fashion editors.
180 g walnuts
330 g dried figs or dried dates
6 egg whites
250 g soft dark-Chanel brown sugar
Mascarpone
Strawberries to accessorise
- Preheat the oven to 220C.
- If you are feeling very energetic then roast the walnuts on a baking tray for about 5 minutes but don’t let them burn. Although men in Uniform would be nice to see arriving at the house.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 180C.
- Now moisturise a 24 cm spring form cake tin with lashings of butter and line it with baking paper too.
- Chop the hard stem bit from the figs so that you don’t hurt your false teeth when you bite into the cake.
- Ask your personal assistant to chop the figs or dates into chic little bite size pieces so you have about a cup and half.
- Throw the walnuts and the fig or dates in together. They love each other and have alot to catch up on.
- Find an electric mixer and whisk the egg whites so that they form the cutest soft peaks. Think a wonder bra.
- Then slowly drizzle in the soft dark-Chanel brown sugar in heaped tablespoons until the meringue is divinely thick and stiff. Think George Clooney.
- Tip: If you can turn the bowl of egg whites upside down over your head and the eggs don’t come out then they are thick and stiff enough. If not shampoo your hair.
- Lick your fingers. Think that’s naughty.
- Now scoop a spoonful of the meringue and mix it through the figs and walnuts. Just so you break up the fun little party of figs and nuts.
- Then tip this gooey bit back into the rest of the meringue and fold it through. Fold it delicately like a Lanvin dress.
- Now spoon the meringue mix into the cake tin.
- Swoosh the meringue around so it is messy, bumpy and the soft peaks are still peaking. Think rough and ruched like a Prada bag.
- Think this is what cellulite actually looks like.
- Toss in the oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes. It should be cooked if the tart has shrunk away from the sides and it’s hard and set on top. Like meringue should be. It should be sticky, soft and gooey on the inside.
- Now leave it to cool then gently pull away the baking paper.
- Serve with an outrageous dollops of lovely cream or mascarpone.
- When you serve it don’t fall apart if the tart falls apart. You want it all very haute Hippy and Boho luxe.
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