Reasons for a fridge mounted bottle opener:
- Your dad loves a beer.
- Your dad loves a beer.
- Your dad loves a beer.
- Your dad loves a beer.
- Your dad can never find the bottle opener.
- Your mother will thank you.
- This gift comes packaged with guaranteed wow factor and a lifetime guarantee!
$37 Fridge Magnet Bottle Opener from Remo General Store
TIP: Remo is the only place to go for cheap but chic Father’s Day Gifts. Head to the new fab store at 219 Bondi Road, corner of Imperial Avenue, Bondi.
Reasons Dad will love a Bike Tool Set for Father’s Day:
- It’s not soap on a rope.
- It’s not a book.
- It’s not a shaving set.
- It’s not a man bag.
- He loves his bike.
- He should start riding it.
- Because this cute Bicycle Tool Set has 6 objects tucked away in the case and all men love a kit.
$45 Super B Bicycle Tool Set from The Bicycle Store.
Still looking for a Father’s Day present?
How can you resist a product called Aussie Butt Cream?
Perfect for all those crazy cyclists.
They say “the cream aims to prevent and reduce abrasions, and prevent bacterial and fungal infections that may lead to saddles sores.” Saddle sores? Who knew?
They say it has “anti-friction qualities that break down sequentially with lanolin, beeswax and cocoa butter”. Plus it contains the secret antiseptic ingredient: Tee Tree Oil.
They say that “it washes from bike clothes well”.
Your dad will be happy: We can’t have the Giorgio Armani cycling shorts getting trashed.
$27.95 Aussie Butt Cream from BA Gear.
Yves Saint Laurent has been giving out its Manifesto since 2007. The first lucky 2,000 passers-by in Paris, London, Milan, New York, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and now Seoul will receive a tote with Christy Turlington’s upside down ad on it. How fabulous! For those not in any of the cities when it launches on the Sept. 12, the new site will be available for download on the day of the launch. Yes, please.
Zeitoun… by Dave Eggers
“Zeitoun is a riveting, intimate, wide-scanning, disturbing, inspiring nonfiction account of a New Orleans married couple named Abdulrahman and Kathy Zeitoun who were dragged through their own special branch of Kafkaesque (for once the adjective is unavoidable) hell after Hurricane Katrina… [It's] unmistakably a narrative feat, slowly pulling the reader into the oncoming vortex without literary trickery or theatrical devices. Humanistic in the highest, best, least boring sense of the word.” —James Wolcott, Vanity Fair. A must read!
US$14.40 Amazon. Publisher: McSweeney’s (July 15, 2009)
The Christmas List: 1000 Garden Ideas… by Stafford Cliff
“A design consultant and art director, Stafford Cliff has spent a lifetime designing brochures, catalogues and magazines relating to the home. He worked with Sir Terence Conran on the very first Habitat catalogues, and in 1974, designed the groundbreaking The House Book, the biggest selling home book of all time. Since then he has produced over 60 books including The Way We Live, Home and most recently, 1000 Home Ideas.
He has visited hundreds of gardens in the course of his travels over the last forty years all over the world, taking photographs and making notes. With his designer’s eye and experience, he has created a revelatory work — a unique source book of the very best ideas providing choices and inspiration for every single garden dilemma and possibility, from colour and planting to hard surfaces and features.” A must buy for all gardeners for Father’s Day!
US$24.52 Amazon. Publisher: Quadrille Publishing Ltd (March 6, 2009)
Economy Class:
French Connection
Always good here and great for handy little pieces you think you need. I see cobalt blue everywhere but I also see a lot of navy and white. Lots of stripes. How nice. My picks are:
- The fabulous sleeveless stripe tee dress with a navy sheer dress over the top and a self belt: how chic. $89
- The red jersey very fitted dress with cap Kimono sleeves and a deep V neckline, $149. It has a gold zip down the back and two at the front on the pockets. Very Eighties. It’s also in grey marle which of course I am drawn to. Grey marle is the big colour and fabric of the season, so Flash Dance. Cool.
- You want the grey marle over sized T-shirt dress: it has a wide boat neck but it’s quite short. Fabulous if you’ve got the legs. You could still wear leggings under it if you have to. But try opaques instead or you could even try a black pencil skirt under it. This could be great to wear to the beach. $89
- You want the fab red and white contrast vertical stripe tank top in a cotton muslin fabric. It’s a loose shape, sleeveless, round neckline and a cute contrast ribbon around neckline and arms, $69. Handy to toss on with jeans or shorts.
- Love all the drape front Tees I am seeing everywhere. Check out the one here in cobalt blue or black, $69.
- Buy a stripe something this season: even if it’s just a cute stripe Tee. It will break up all the boring plain colours and it’s like a print but it’s not horrible flowers. So much chicer. Love stripe T-shirt dresses with cap sleeves but they are snug so put down that almond croissant now. $89
- There is a cool black T-shirt with a big silvery white embroidered butterfly across the front, $79. Will look great under a blazer with grey jeans or harem pants.
- You want the grey marle drawstring top with cut out shoulders, $119. It’s loose with long sleeves and then because the shoulders are cut out there are 2 small straps. If you know what I mean. This is a great top because it can cover flabby arms but you are still not too covered up. It’s in black too. Yhat will make you happy.
- If you can’t do the over the top gladiators then you should try the simple black T bar flat sandals here that have an ankle strap (but are not cankle stranglers) and not really any outrageous buckles, $79. Chic and simple don’t you think?
- There are also silver sandals and bronze flats with big jewel diamante on the T bar, $99.
Esprit
You can always find fabulous basics here for casual weekend dressing. I see a lot of nice navy and, gasp!.. yellow! My picks are:
- The denim blazer, it’s actually a bit faded but the shape is good. Yes, we have seen the denim blazer last season but it’s a still a handy little number. I think you should put shoulder pads in to make it cooler. Wear this with your harem pants and monster heels or toss over a pretty dress. It would be cool with short shorts, or just with rolled up chinos. $139
- There is the cute dark denim shirt dress here again that was actually in store last year (I remember doing a makeover with someone wearing it. I think I put it on a model on Channel 7 Sunrise or something.) It has a drop waist and simple, white stitching and a loose shape with short sleeves. The point being is that it skims over the yukky bits sitting on your stomach. This is a handy casual little run about day dress. And it’s chic, $119.
- You want the flippy, dark denim skirt with white stitching and panels. It has 3 buttons at the fly at the waist. Great for those with stumpy fat legs such as my good self. It’s a little above the knee but not outrageously short. You can wear this with flats and a skirt and still look Ok. Because you know a straight denim skirt with flats is a NoNo. Unless you have fab long legs and the skirt is short. That counts you out. Sorry. $99
- Love the classic navy, black or khaki cotton chinos. They have a classic leg, side pockets and their own little belt: how thoughtful. You want to wear these rolled up and with killer heels or try with converse. Nice with a sequin tank or a drape Tee and T bar sandals. Just a great classic shape not too flared, not too harem, not too baggy. $99
- Please buy the cream and red tie dye cotton scarves with fringing: on sale from $49 to $39. Also in purple and black.
- I see yellow… No-one can wear yellow unless your name is Kate Moss. Sorry.
Sussan
Lots of great fashion basics here, getting more fashion as I go in here each time. My favourites are:
- The fabulous navy and white halter neck cotton jersey dress: so chic; it has a drawstring halter neck and 2 cute pockets on the front. It’s knee length or at least not outrageously short, $59. Wear this over swimsuits, on weekends, on the yacht. It’s a fabulous dress.
- There are a lot of caftans: All very good for the beach or the holiday in St Tropez. Buy the cobalt blue caftan top with silver embroidery, $69 or the cool peachy cotton caftan with broderie anglaise trim hem, $39. Both seem to be mid thigh. Thank you Sussan; some us whatever age we are don’t want to flash our thighs.
- Please buy the lovely white cotton sundress: it is a trapeze swing shape and has a ruffle along the hem with shoe string straps and a cute pleat detail on the front. It’s very loose and you can see that it will be so easy to wear. Toss it on for the beach or lazy days. Sorry Melburnians to talk about beach wear so early in the season. I know you are still freezing down there. Bless. $79
- Love the citrus green caftan dress that has an elastic shirred waist with a V neck, $59. It’s very resort
- You want the black cross over front dress in a cotton jersey; perfect for wearing to the beach, $99.
- Love the black cotton singlet maxi dress: it’s like a tank dress with paneling and top stitching. It’s a fabulous buy with bra safe straps. You will live in this over summer. $99
- You want the fab brown and cream cotton African print maxi dress that has a shirred, ruched top with shoe string straps or it maybe strapless. It then floats into a lovely loose maxi dress, $69. Love it with choc brown gladiators.
- Of course there are those fab Rick Owens style leather jackets if you can find one. You know fashion is having a Rick Owens moment. Read about it here.
Business Class:
Marcs
This is looking a bit more fashion and less classic: great news. My best buys are:
- The navy and black cotton subtle pinstripe shirt dress with buttons down the front. It’s sleeveless with epaulettes and it’s a funkier version of the ubiquitous shirt dress seen everywhere this season. You can wear this with flats or just climb into those killer heels with the oxygen tank and stagger out the door. It’s also in dark denim which is cool. $179.
- Love the navy silk shoestring dress with two black ribbon cross over straps. It has a black ribbon that ties back at the waist and is fitted to the waist. Toss a black sharp shoulder blazer over the top. Love it with your stomp-a-licious heels. Very Lanvin inspired and chic, $299.
- You want the cute dark denim bell skirt. It has its own denim belt and no obvious stitching, quite short. Tuck in your tank with this and try another belt. If you’ve got the legs this is a great buy. Love it back with some colour because it’s such a basic, $179.
- Yes, there are drape neck tees everywhere this season: check out the version here in grey marle. I also see it in peach watermelon and hot pink so I have kept walking. Those of you who are FiFi Readers from way back know my relationship with that horrid watermelon colour. And hot pink. It’s for anyone under 18. Or if your name is Paris Hilton. Nuf said. $79
- Buy the cool racer back tank in silky cotton orange with a rib trim. It’s very similar to the Calvin Klein CK top I bought last season, $139. A little scoopy but not bad at all. Quite chic, just get the right bra. Tip: if you have muffin arms it’s best to show them and wear sleeveless. Better than wearing a top that has sleeves that cut your arms off at the fattest part. Ewww. And let me tell you, I should know. Scientific test have proved it. (No models were hurt during the testing of the products.)
- Love the faded grey and white stripe fine thread Tee. So chic with a round neck and cute rolled cuff sleeve: a must buy. Also in navy and white. $49. Yes, please.
Sass & Bide
The girl in the shop tells me “it’s not just young girls who shop here, there are also middle aged people as well. “That’s nice. Must tell my mother! I see a lot of black and a touch of bronze so you know that it’s not just me choosing it… Best buys are:
- The amazing black fringed vest with taffeta silk layers around the collar $390. Love it tossed nonchalantly over a Tee with jeans.
- Try on the fabulous black and gold sequin oversized tee. It seems to have a drawstring hem and a wide neckline. This will look great with narrow jeans or peg leg pants. You could even toss it on with short shorts and heels. The thing is that with oversized loose tops you must wear something narrow on the bottom: you don’t want to look like a round blob, $650. Snazzy.
- Love the ruched grey marle leggings, also in sexy shiny black. Only for the girls who want to show off their legs. Of course Magda Szubanski if you love them and they fit you then just go for it. As long as you feel fabulous that’s the most important thing. Wear these with a blazer and Monster vs Alien heels. $170
- You want the gorgeous silk soft pale pink halter top: it has a cool triangle of brass studs at the neckline and is a fab top to wear with anything from jeans to chinos to shorts. It’s a top that takes the attention so ditch the jewellery except maybe a cuff. No earrings please when there is hardware around the neckline, $490.
- Buy the S&B Vie cream T-shirt with lots of baby brass studs at the front, $130. It’s cool what else can I say?
- Check out the cool black racer back tank with brass studs on the shoulder pads: love this with harem pants and your Balenciaga heels. $220
- For a dramatic Grecian dress you want the divine long maxi dress in a crushed muslin cotton. It has brass details/studs around the waist and chic black rope tie with buttons down the back. Just add your gladiators and head out to the Parthenon. Then ask your boy to feed you grapes… $790.
Zimmermann
Always great here for dresses and, of course, swimwear. Please put down that cream puff… My picks are:
- The cute sleeveless chiffon dress short dress with shoe string straps and a draped ruched front. It’s pretty short and sexy mama. Put it this way it’s not for the office unless you work in a bar, $450.
- You want the beautiful navy silk maxi dress with a drawstring neckline. It has an elastic waist (good for eating) and cap sleeves, $395.
- Love the silk drape ‘lattice’ dress. It’s in a loose shape with the lattice cross over detail on the shoulders and is such an easy dress to wear, $295.
- Check out the light blue/aqua halterneck knot short dress (as seen in FiFi’s Favourite Finds) $295. So lovely for summer. You know you can wear all those gladiator platforms with all these pretty dresses. But you knew that. You can even toss a blazer over the top. Keep jewelry simple.
- Buy the navy silk “concertina fan” dress with shoe string straps. Again it’s a loose, easy A line shape with a V neck and then cut outs at the neckline. Love this with flats or heels. It’s just a great casual dress to toss on over summer without thinking. And remember it’s all about mixing navy and black together. I have been banging on about that for seasons since we saw Balenciaga bring back navy years ago! Finally its here and we love it. Best thing about mixing navy and black? It doubles your outfits! $350.
- As I have been saying grey marle is also a huge trend everywhere and I love it too. You want the Tee dress with the top bodice in a navy silk. $275. It’s a great little dress that is just perfect for tossing on without thinking. We love bra safe straps and the loose shape. Just add heels but do you need instructions to wear dresses? It does have an asymmetrical hem but, hey, you can always get it cut straight. Sorry Zimmermann!
- You want the chic de la chic bronze black leaf print, very 70’s maxi dress, $550. Toss on the flat gladiators or wedges (no heels with a maxi dress please). And maybe add a stack of cuffs. Be careful with prints and adding jewellery. It can get scary. Keep it bold and simple. Love a maxi dress by the pool not shopping.
- Check out the fab silk ruffle dress in a zigzag Richter scale pattern in purple and blues …Oh and a dash of pink. It has shoe straps and a V neck and is nice and loose too, $495.
First Class:
Hugo Boss
Chic, understated and very wearable. It’s always worth heading here for serious quality pieces for the office or just for special key items. My picks are:
- The fabulous shiny grey, patent belted short jacket, almost like a single breasted peacoat. It has ¾ short belted sleeves (this means the sleeves roll up and button) and it’s quite the jacket to wear with everything. Talk about trans-seasonal. Love it. $2379
- You want the blue cotton, sleeveless, blouse with pleating down the front: it has a high neckline and it’s as if the flowers have been squished into an origami look on the front. Also in white and black, $549. Lovely for work because it’s not a boring shirt but also chic and understated.
- You want the black sequin rib tank, $349. The sequins are not too glitzy and they are on the front but not the back. Not sure about that but it’s nothing to loose sleep over. You know how to wear a sequin tank: For day with jeans and chinos. For evening with harem pants.
- Check out the fab V neck rib sweater dress in grey: it’s gorgeous and so right for now. Wear with boots or heels. Doesn’t look too clinging, $799.
- You want the soft dirty pink suede peacoat with black buttons. Divine! Wear with black or tossed over all those pretty dresses. $2000
- Buy the very Roland Mouret inspired black, slinky jersey dress with a drape asymmetrical neckline that has a silver clasp. It has cap sleeves and is so chic but it looks a little long. (Could it be over the knee?) so I would have it taken up, $1000.
- Also I see a gorgeous very Rick Owens grey fine leather wrap jacket; it’s floppy with no lining and is quite fabulous, $2000 (I think).
- You want the pink/taupe floral chiffon blouse with poets sleeves and a drawstring. So pretty and lovely to wear with black jeans and tough shoes. Can’t have too much frou frou, $499.
- Love the grey T bar flats, $359 and the bags are fabulous. Go for the very slouchy one handle bags with a silver buckle, $1600. Chic.
Walnut Honey Caramels… adulterated from Gourmet Traveller
This is a perfect little gift for George Clooney on Father’s Day. Or for you to munch on when no one is looking…
You will need to make 30 to feed one fat daddy, 2 mamas or 60 models.
1 cup honey
1 cup pouring cream
2½ cups walnuts, roasted
1 orange, finely grated rind only
- Slip into your Stella McCartney track pants and top.
- Pour a wine.
- Pull the cream out of the fridge. Don’t even think about putting it in your coffee.
- Turn the oven on low.
- Pop the walnuts on a tray and toss in the oven to roast for about 10 mins.
- Let them cool.
- Grate the orange rind. Mind the manicure.
- Pour another wine or two.
- Now find a bowl and toss in the walnuts and orange rind and mix.
- Get a saucepan and heat the honey and cream over medium heat and bring to boil.
- Then reduce heat and let it bubble away for about 20 minutes (or they say until it reaches 121°C (firm ball stage) on a sugar thermometer.) It should just be wobbly and gluggy. As you will be after eating this.
- Pour the gooey, warm honey mixture over walnuts and give them a stir with a wooden spoon to make sure they are covered with the yummy sticky stuff.
- Now Nigella: stick your finger in to taste the gorgeous cream honey.
- Get an oven tray or some such thing that will fit in the fridge (yes, a plate) and pour a tasteless oil over it to moisterise. Tasteless meaning it has no flavour as opposed to not being chic.
- Spoon out little tablespoonfuls of the walnut goo on the tray.
- Pop in the fridge to set.
- Happy Father’s Day George! (Warning: he might be surprised!)
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