We Love Carine Roitfeld, the Editor of Paris Vogue!

• “So I would love to get an award for making people have more sex through my images. Imagine the design of that award!”
• “Do you know why (I love Cartier)? Because Cartier is the jewelry you give to your mistress. It is not the jewelry you buy for your wife. I heard that and it might be totally wrong, but it is this idea and I love Cartier because of that.”
• “In France we drink wine and eat cheese and bread and finally we stay slim. I am skinny, and all my girls are skinny. People think I weigh my girls in the office but I do not. We have a scale in the office because we travel a lot and sometimes you can’t bring more than 25 kilos a case. It’s just to weigh my luggage, not to weigh my editors.”
• “I think sometimes I need a psychiatrist just to understand what I did in my pictures. You know, I have been repetitive about eroticism. And knives. Why do I put knives in the pictures? I hate knives. “
• “There was a moment when I was working a lot with Mario Testino and people thought I was a nymphomaniac. I said: Why? And they said: Because your pictures are always about sex. But Mario and me are just great friends. When we finish a story that might have been very sensual and erotic, we go back to the hotel for a cup of camomile tea.
• “It’s funny, because I never get awards for fashion. I’ve got an award for being the best-dressed person. I was on the Time magazine list of the most influential people. But I never got an award for my fashion pictures.”
• “When I started doing all the Gucci campaigns with Tom Ford and Mario Testino we pushed so much and after that everyone copied it. Everyone tried to be this Gucci girl that we created. We were the first ones to do these kinds of images to sell a product, and after that everyone kept on doing it. I think now it’s too much. It’s no fun. It’s not chic.
• “We always had a chic eye on everything, even when we shaved the G on the girl. A lot of girls started shaving their p*ssy in different ways after that so it really became a trend”.

From an interview in Acne Paper and Fashionologie, and sketch by Karl Lagerfeld from CNN

The good news? I can wear my fabulous Louis Vuitton open toe gladiator heels in winter. So I have been searching for the best black opaque tights.
The Levante Ultimate 80 are perfect. In amazingly soft Microfibre they are lovely to wear and exactly dark enough for excellent black leg coverage. The price might be more than you might spend but my philosophy is buy cheap, buy twice. Meaning: if you buy the cheapest they usually fall apart and you end up having to buy twice. Invest in these and you will get a winter’s wear out of them. You see they don’t seem to run easily. But neither can I. Not in Louis Vuitton heels anyway.

Levante Ultimate 80 black opaques Hosiery, $24 from major department stores. (See more fabulous shoes at jakandjil.com.)

Reasons for wearing Gum Boots this winter:

• Heels don’t seem to work in a paddock.
• You don’t want your pedicure to get wet.
• You don’t want your Balmain gladiator heels to get wet.
• You want to look chic when the drought breaks.
• They are the only boots that will actually fit around your calf.
• They are the only Jimmy Choos you can afford.
• The only place you will wear colour is on your feet.
• They are very cool.

For the best gumboots head to Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Steve Madden at Myer, My Island Home,  Sambag and Target

Reasons for sore dry lips:

• You have been kissing your new Balenciaga heels too often.
• You have been kissing your $900 tax refund.
• You have been overdoing the air kissing (and the air is cold out there).
• You didn’t realize the wine bottle still had the lid on it.

Which is why you need Aesop’s fabulous Rosehip Seed lip cream. Light and creamy, it is loaded with Vitamins C and E.  Slather it on your lips and watch it work miracles moisturizing and soothing even the driest of lips. Tastes good too. (And it has absolutely no calories.)

$15 Aesop Rosehip Seed Lip Cream from Aesop.

• In the annual TIME 100 issue, they name the people who most affect our world. And see the red carpet video here for the Time 100 dinner.
• See all the glamour and chic direct from Cannes Film Festival.
• Actress Ginnifer Goodwin is on the cover of W.
• We love the shots and videos from the Chanel Cruise 2010 show in Venice. And see the slideshow here.
• “They accessorize the most famous bob haircut in the world. They add to an aura that is both glamorous and mysterious. But the dark glasses play a more practical role says legendary editor Anna Wintour, who is seldom seen without them. She reveals why she wears them and much more to Morley Safer in her first long-length interview for U.S. television to be broadcast May 17.” See the trailers video here.
• “In a rare public appearance, Anna Wintour spoke to Jonathan Tisch at the 92nd Street Y. Topics included how Vogue stays relevant in the recession and how to look good without spending a lot of money. Fur might not have come up had the members of PETA in the audience not interrupted. “This woman skins animals alive!” they shouted. As they tossed a banner over the balcony and called Wintour a shame, the editor’s expression was a mix of polite restraint and Is there no security in this place? Drowning out the sounds of the chant “Fur Shame! Fur Shame!”, an audience member yelled, “I love you, Anna!” to booming applause.” Read more here.
• Marion Cotillard plays the femme fatale to the hilt in “The Lady Noire Affair,” a mini movie making its debut May 20 on the Internet as Christian Dior puts more star power behind its brand and, the French firm hopes, more content into fashion advertising. The six-and-a-half-minute thriller, which reunites the Oscar-winning actress with “La Vie en Rose” director Olivier Dahan, bristles with Hitchcockian tension as Cotillard totes her Lady Dior handbag, and its contents, to the summit of the Eiffel Tower amid swelling music and trailing a gaggle of gangsters. It will appear at ladydior.com, Reports WWD. See the trailer here…
• “Le freak, c’est chic. He’s the great fashion eccentric whose leather jackets have made him one of the best-selling designers of the decade. Sarah Mower meets Rick Owens, the man who reinvented a classic.” Reports the Guardian.
• Donatella Versace blogs from her trip to Washington and the White House Correspondents dinner for the Huffington Post. “Michelle Obama looked fierce. They’re a couple who knows how to dare. I’m sure she has people around her telling her it’s too much. She looked great in Alaia. I want to know her size. I want to send her clothes. But I’m a bit shy.” Fashionologie.
• The editor of Vogue UK, Alexandra Shulman, chats about featuring a naked Natalia Vodianova on the June cover “putting a nude on Vogue is quite a risk because, obviously, people buy it to see clothes. So we’ll see what happens.”
• Sandra Bullock in on the cover of US Harper’s Bazaar.
• Megan Fox is on the cover of US Elle.

www.theselby.com

A fabulous website site devoted to divine interiors of cool people!
Todd Selby photographs everyone who’s anyone in Paris, London or New York. From Karl Lagerfeld, to Jaques Grange, Helena Christensen in the latest Vogue Paris to the chic Julia Restoin Roitfeld. …Click on the photo of the person you like and you will enter their home…

• Out of ideas, Posh? Vicky B, the fembot loves her Balmain jacket…
• Amy Winehouse to be Fitted with Muzzle… reports the Daily Squib.
• Cindy Crawford has back fat! (no hope for the rest of us)… says The Superficial.
• Madonna is paying a tutor about $1,000 a week to teach her 22-year-old Brazilian boyfriend, model Jesus Luz, how to speak English. But why do they both need to speak English when they speak the language of love?
• Madonna and her toyboy lover Jesus Luz are set to tie the knot in a Kabbalah ceremony. Reports The Daily Mail.
• ‘Peter Andre blames Katie Price’s drinking for their divorce. Hey, what else is a married, giant-breasted woman supposed to do all day? She didn’t buy those things to clean the oven with.” reports The Superficial.
• Obama Seen Walking on Surface of White House Pond… reports the Daily Squib.
• Reunited: After year-long split Pink and Carey Hart walk hand-in-hand and smiling. The Daily Mail.
• Hugh Jackman to Son: Don’t Use Me to Get Girls (just boys?) People.com
• Los Angeles Police Find Mess at Lindsay Lohan’s House (Police: A burglar had no part in her home being trashed.) Huffington Post
• Martin Scorsese is to make a biopic of Frank Sinatra’s life. Early reports: he’s do it his way. Vanity Fair.
• George Clooney was caught partying like a man half his age on his 48th birthday. Bless.
• Gisele Bundchen looked angelic in in her white wedding dress for her wedding in Costa Rica last week.
• Kate Moss sings with The Lemonheads in a song called Dirty Robot “No, I don’t care for your metal looks / I don’t care for your bleeps and bloops / Go away, why don’t you just shut up?”

The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet… by Reif Larsen

It’s the book everyone is talking about! … “A brilliant, boundary-leaping debut novel. When twelve-year-old genius cartographer T.S. Spivet receives an unexpected phone call from the Smithsonian announcing he has won the prestigious Baird Award, life as normal - if you consider mapping family dinner table conversation normal - is interrupted and a wild cross-country adventure begins, taking T.S. from his family ranch just north of Divide, Montana, to the museum’s hallowed halls.

As he travels away from his family we learn how the journey also brings him closer to home. A secret family history found within his luggage tells the story of T.S.’s ancestors and their long-ago passage west. As T.S. reads he discovers the sometimes shadowy boundary between fact and fiction and realizes that, for all his analytical rigor, the world around him is a mystery… A very special debut.”

US $16 Amazon. Publisher: Penguin Press HC (May 5, 2009).
Check out all the amazing illustrations and diagrams here.

The Christmas List: Visionaire No. 56: Solar (Hardcover)

‘Using the latest in printing technology, this issue of Visionaire changes before your very eyes! The world’s leading photographers contribute black-and-white images that transform into color (or reveal hidden layers underneath) when exposed to direct sunlight. The cover of this large-format board-bound book features intricately embroidered artwork that turns to color, and the issue itself arrives inside a white plastic case composed of the same light-sensitive material. Watch this issue magically transform as you hold it in your hands!’ Fantastic.

US $250. Amazon. Publisher: Visionaire (July 31, 2009)

Economy Class:

Witchery
There is always something you really want here: My picks are:

• The fabulous black sequin jacket/cardigan. It has no buttons and more structured than a cardigan, so cool. You want to wear it over a simple white Tee with your black faded denim skinny jeans. And of course your fav monster heels. You must dress down the glitz: it’s about wearing sequins in the day. This jacket will take you through to summer. $399
• You want the black Mongolian shag a delic fur vest (I just adore the one I found in Sussan) $349. Love this with your peg leg pants, over a simple round neck knit, over a pretty dress. It will wake up all your sad,old clothes from last season. It’s an instant updater.
• Check out the chic black or caramel soft knit zip hoodie. The brown oatmeal one has a caramel trim and the black one has a subtle grey trim $129. Love this with chinos and heels under a peacoat. It’s fabulous too with a pencil skirt under a leather jacket. Yes, you can also wear it on the couch being a lazy slut at home eating donuts on the couch.
• You want the gorgeous leather caramel biker jacket: it has no collar and side zip. This will lighten up all the brown and black. Love it over a pretty floral dress. It’s neutral like Switzerland so it will go with everything. And take no prisoners. $699
• Love the chic must-have-for-winter black short wool military peacoat: it has double breasted black buttons and a belt. Now on sale and a great buy $199. Wear this over your simple knit Tees and with jeans or a flirty skirt.
• If you need a dress then check out the black silk dress with a gold zip down the front, drawstring waist and ruching. It’s sleeveless and very summery but will look great if you wear a knit under it. Talk about trans-seasonal. This will work with boots too. $159
• Also check out the black or cream knit polo neck A line sweater dress. This is easy dressing. A little short so you have to wear it with leggings or hose. Because it’s an A line means you can eat more of the butter on the croissant and no one will notice. $159
• There is a fabulous copy (yes, it is) of a black ruched Prada bag. (I have mentioned before but it’s worth reminding you again.) It has a black resin chain handle and is quite small with a black metal clasp. It’s a great buy. $269
• Plus everyone needs a belt so why not have the black stud double buckle wide belt $129. It will cinch in the waist big time and stop you from eating and breathing. Too often.

Nine West
You will find a great selection of cool boots and on trend heels at great prices. Best buys are:

• The fabulous dark grey or black suede oxford style lace up shoes boots. With a round toe and not too high a heel it also has a rubber sole. Good for stomping around. Love these because they are not too Monster vs Alien style outrageous heels. They will look fab with your new harem pants, with a pretty flirty skirt or with a dress. Good with jeans if they are rolled up. (The jeans not the boots.) $179
• Buy the fab short black leather ankle boots: they have a round toe with a small stud on the side near the zip. You know how to wear these and that you will be arrested if you wear them under jeans for violating good taste. $199
• There are sometimes clothes in Nine West and I love the chic black nylon puffa jacket with a big collar and a hidden asymmetrical zip $259. Remember a Puffa is perfect with a dressed up sexy pencil skirt and heels. Don’t worry it’s not about going to the country or doing anything too out doorsy. It’s more about a Burberry look and tough chic.
• I feel sorry for anyone who can’t wear heels (read: 80% of the population: bless). I suggest you buy the black peep toe pumps with with a demi wedge in faux snakeskin. A demi wedge sounds like an icecream or something your undies are doing. But whatever, they are a smaller size heel (Compared to the stilts around ). But when you see them you may just smile and shake your head. And keep wearing ballet flats. $139
• In the bag department check out the Go West faux suede fringed tote in brown or black now $109. A fringe tote is cool just don’t wear with riding boots and a vest and a whip. Yee ha.
• Love the black slouch bag with one single strap and silver ring hardware. It has very Balenciaga style stud details, but it’s very simple understated and looks more expensive than $129.
• Also buy the choc brown faux suede slouch tote: it has its own little belt strap across the front with brass buckles, two handles and looks chic: on sale now $129.

French Connection
Love French Connection. There are always great pieces whatever age you are… My picks are:

• The black cotton jersey jumpsuit with kimono cap sleeves, V neck and wrap tie front $169. Breathe in. It’s slinky mininky and very cool. You could wear a knit under it but I think it’s better worn over a black sheer Metallicus top. Then throw on a sharp shouldered blazer and heels in a colour.
• Buy the light grey wool melton peacoat: it has black buttons and is a little shorter and neater than a longer peacoat: chic de la chic. The light grey will work with black - bien sur - but also with brown. Wear it with high waist pants or skirt. It’s another instant updater. $259
• Check out the cream or black sleeveless top with the frill around the neckline and sleeves in cotton: it’s just perfect for under everthing if you don’t want to wear knits. $89
• There is a Boho Haute Hippy Paisley print (black, red and blue and white) short tunic floral dress: it’s in cotton and has roll up sleeves. This will work with boots and black hose and a leather jacket. $129
• Love the black woven Bomber jacket with a symmetrical brass zip $199. Yes, I have reported on this weeks ago but it’s a great buy and if you don’t want to rock a leather jacket then you shall go to the ball in this instead. It will work with everything but because it’s in a soft shiny woven fabric it is more feminine and softer than leather. Love it over a dress or with peg leg pants.
• Love the cream chunky cream sweater for those weekends away in the country or at Como with George. It has rollover collar and ¾ sleeves and is in a short square cut which makes it more modern. Wear with chinos and white converse.
• And check out the long orange V neck sweater: orange is the colour du jour next summer so get into it now. $89

Business Class:

Country Road
There are knits galore here… best buys include:

• The cool peg leg grey pants in a lovely wool fabric. The cut is great and they are great short length $199. What can I say? Pants are back if you didn’t know and you need this new cut. Works so well with your new tailored blazer or your fur vest. You need, NEED platform heels with these pants. And yes the gap between the top of the shoe and the end of the pants is fine. Except you might get frost bite. Who cares you will look sensational.
• If you are still scared of eighties front pleat high waist pants then you should just wear the classic grey slouch pants $179.
• Love the black silky, tie back dress with puff sleeves. It has covered buttons, a V neck and pleat details on the bodice: this will look fabulous on everyone: whatever your shape and it’s a great day dress $249. Love it with boots or stomp-a-licious heels.
• There is a dark grey or navy wool melton ‘felt’ bomber with a front central zip: Wear with the high collar turned up for a very dramatique look: this will great with skinny black pants and your monster heels. It’s also a great jacket for tossing on for the weekend or if you want a more casual jacket for work. $249
• Everyone needs the very handy grey or black jersey dress with a frill along the hem and a tie neck. It’s just easy dressing. It’s a loose shape but you can belt it in. $179. There is also a red/navy floral silk tunic dress with tie neck line too if you are crying out for colour.
• Also check out the ‘Flame’ red and cream small print dress with a ruffle on the hem and V neck. Wear with a brown leather belt and your black opaques $249.
• The jeans are fabulous and are a very flattering cut: how do I know? I have been in there trying them on my muffin hips. Love the high waist flares in black denim $129.
• In accessories: you want the choc brown standup bucket bag with an outside pocket in brown patent $279; the flat long riding boots $299, and the very Lanvin inspired round toe elastic side slip on ballet flats. All in gorgeous chic colours $99.
• You want heels that are easy to walk in? Buy the round toe, classic pumps in shiny leather with a stiletto heel and a mini platform; they seem to have padding $199. There are also low heeled pumps with a cone heel, so eighties and old fashioned they are cool again. I am not so sure I can rock those. Anyway they are called “Vintage pumps” for a reason.
• Buy the big oversized chunky scarves they will instantly update and no one will notice you are wearing all your old clothes $79. Just how chic your big scarf is.

Max & Co
The quality here is fabulous for the price. Repeat after me “the quality here is fabulous..”. My favourite pieces include:

• The fabulous black classic double breasted wool melton peacoat: it has epaulettes and is a little longer so it might cover the top of your muffin bottom. It’s simple, tailored chic and looks so French. Wear with classic dark denim jeans and a dark grey knit. It looks great worn undone which is really how we wear jackets isn’t it? Always buy a jacket on how it looks undone.
• Love the gorgeous and very opulent, black shiny, quilted, brocade, single breasted princess coat. It’s fabulous and the kind of jacket that you know you will buy and never take off. Throw it over everything from jeans to dresses. Don’t be scared of brocade during the day. There are scarier things to worry about like hot pink and boots under jeans. $875
• You want all of the sensational quilted puffa jackets in all sorts of chic colours (Read: black brown, khaki, caramel). Perfect if you are going anywhere cold. Like Tasmania or Melbourne. Bless. Or if you are putting together an exhibition about Puffa jackets.
• On sale! You want the wool gab swing crop peacoat with a big wide sleeves and a belt. So trans-seasonal now $440.
• On sale! There is a black sequin zip top with a knit back now $210 and a silver grey sequin tank with a grey knit back… now $160. Sequins are a huge trend now and into next summer so invest now and get ahead of the game.
• In accessories: You want the fabulous and very well priced black patent ruched bag for an outrageous $165. It’s very light to carry - must be fabulous plastic- so you can throw in all your phones, change of shoes, diaries, makeup and bottle of gin and you won’t feel like you are lugging around a small car. Also the black Balenciaga style bags are fabulous here too and about $370.
• Love the Marni style blue and white check silk tunic dress with cap sleeves: it has a back exposed zip and you could wear it now in winter over a knit and then wear into summer. $345
• The chunky cream polo neck sweater is a great buy for those weekends away in the country about $285.

Zimmermann
Great here for over the top prints and cool girl items. My best buys are:

• The too, too, too, divine black laser cut silk round neck blouse: the sleeves are cut up almost as if someone took scissors to them. Yes, I have reported on this top before but it’s so chic it’s worth repeating $650. Divine.
• Check out the red/orange check chiffon double breasted dress with gold buttons (also on bright hot pink!) with a round neckline $550. You should wear this a black shoulder blazer and your crazy platforms. It’s a loose shape so you can order dessert.
• You will love the tie dye purple/blue/cream poets sleeves drop waist dress $575. Very trans-seasonal you can wear now and into summer. It’s a loose shape so that makes it quite casual and easy to wear.
• The black frill edge knit wool sweater dress $365; it has a frill that sits out so that it looks like it has a layered vest over a long sleeve top. Love the idea of any shoulder detail like a shoulder pad. This is a dress you will live in. Also in hot (gulp) pink and as a sweater.
• Adore the black/cream chiffon print blouse $395. A blouse is the go if you want a chic little number to throw on with jeans and heels.
• You want the light Grey wool bomber jacket with a gold zip and button details. You know how many times I mention Bomber jackets so you must realise you can’t live without one. Just as you can’t live without a power shouldered jacket and outrageous heels (and unsalted butter).
• Still after a print dress? Then buy the red/burgundy rose print silk/cotton long sleeve shirt dress with gold buttons all the way down the front. Comes with its very own black slip so you don’t; have a wardrobe malfunction. $495
• Love the faded black denim double breasted cropped military jacket with brass buttons and a zip. Cool $275

Marcs
Go here for classic with a fashion edge. Best buys include:

• The cool dark denim jeans in a raw wash with a narrow cut leg $140. Everyone needs denim this season and if you don’t want anything ripped or faded then invest in classic dark denim with no visible stitching.
• Yes, there is a cotton drill military jacket here but it’s in navy. It has asymmetrical black buttons and it’s a little short and cropped. It has that collarless look. Love the idea of black and navy together. It will update the black and work with florals or prints. $259
• Oh no: I confess I was drawn to the single breasted stone trench. I am addicted and that’s Ok. I keep going to Trenches Anonymous but I get depressed trying to work out which trench to wear to the meetings every week. This one has a belt and epaulettes. $359
• Yes, there is another peacoat here: it’s in black wool melton and has a high big fold over collar. You probably need one of these so just try them all on and work out which one looks the best. Or just go and buy a serious blazer with super shoulders. $299
• I spy a cute dress in a red/orange print on a light brown background: it’s called a ‘tic tack toe’ silk dress and it has a tie back, V neck, cap sleeves. The shape has been around for a few seasons but it’s still a good look. You know it ties up under the bust and then hangs down to skim over the mars bar on your stomach. Love all these dresses with long boots. $199
• You need the dark grey knit sweater with a subtle boat neck: very handy to wear under every thing, it has a little gathering on the front and is neat and chic. $129

First Class:

Paul and Joe
So many pretty clothes here. You want:

• The divine dark blue dress with one shoulder: it seems to have a wrap and tie almost obi style waist and Kimono style one shoulder sleeve. Wear now under a blazer with heels and black opaques, and then into summer with bare legs. $999
• Love, Love, love the big flower print tunic dress in cotton muslin (with a white background). Very summery so think about that trip to St Tropez and buy it now. It’s now on sale for $649.
• You want the drawstring silky soft blue kimono sleeve dress with buttons up the front. Layer it over a knit and climb into your heels. $895
• I see bright yellow and I am scared. So scared. Keep walking.
• Check out the fabulous black floral dress with orange and pink flowers print all over it on sale for $1400.
• Please someone buy the black snakeskin shoulder bag with a silver chain strap. $895
• You want the navy sheer chiffon round neck, very prim blouse. It has tiny pleats down the front but you can sex it up if you wear it with a short skirt or shorts and heels. Or wear with leather pants and outrageous heels. On sale $499.
• Adore the black wool melton, princess double breasted coat. Divine. it is double breasted with silver buttons; so chic understated luxurious and you could wear anywhere. $1475
• Buy the white caftan style dress with lacing at the front and very simple like a shirt dress: white is THE colour (or not colour!) for next summer so invest now $229 on sale.

Plum Jam… adulterated from All Recipes.

Luscious plums are in season so it’s time to make jam. You can make jam. It’s easy.
The best thing about this recipe is that you can leave the stones in until the jam is cooked and then you scoop them out at the end.

You need to feed 4 families, 10 footy players or 100 models over 5 years. Will make about 3 jars.

1.5 kg plums, washed and don’t worry about taking stones out
3 and 3/4 cups (1.5 kg) of sugar
2 or 3 cups of water. Tap is ok. Evian is not.
15 g unsalted butter

• Stay in your Chanel Pyjamas.
• Pull on Hermes socks.
• Tie up hair.
• Now wash the plums. Count how many there are. That way you know how many stones to fish out at the end.
• Toss the plums with pips and all in a large saucepan pan with 2 to 3 cups of water.
• Let the plums simmer for about an hour, or until the fruit is very soft and gooey and  mushy.
• The liquid should have reduced down by about two-thirds.
• Now turn down the heat baby and add the sugar and stir until it has dissolved completely.
• Turn up the heat baby and toss in the little bit of butter and give it a stir until it has all melted.
• Bring the jam to a full rolling boil and boil rapidly for 15 minutes. Watch out it’s bloody hot and will splash out at you so don’t be wearing white.
• Relax and read the latest UK Vogue full of articles about body shape.
• It’s ready when the jam will cling to the back of the wooden spoon. You can boil it longer if you need to.
• Turn off the heat and grab a slotted spoon to remove the stones. You should have counted them before they turned to jam.
• Tip: Skim any icky froth from the top.
• Pour or spoon the jam into clean, warm jars.
• If you are a professional you should cover immediately with waxed paper discs and cellophane covers.
• If you are FiFi you just pour the jam into jars and let it cool for about ten minutes before you put the lid on. (I haven’t killed anyone yet).
• Eat with your own homemade Soda bread.
• Hint: George will love you forever after he tastes this.