“I have this weird thing that if I sleep with someone they’re going to take my creativity from me through my vag…,”  says Lady Gaga posing for vanityfair.com

“It’s unfortunate that we live in such a panicked, dysmorphic society where women don’t even give themselves a chance to see what they’ll look like as older persons. I want my kids to know when I’m pissed, when I’m happy, and when I’m confounded. Your face tells a story ….” Why the botox then Julia Roberts ? I haven’t seen you frown since Mystic Pizza.

“I was so embarrassed to go on Google and see myself look like a crazy person” Courtney Love now has a personal-style blog. Bless.

“‘She just seems fried: she makes Twitter unusable because if you follow her, she’ll post so much, it’s just really weird. Honestly, this blog isn’t as interesting because it’s not the craze-fest she normally puts out there.’ ‘ Trent from pinkisthenewblog.com.

“The people that I have always been drawn to are the worker bees. Whether that’s Steven Meisel - whoever it is - nobody I know wants to be a celebrity. They’re attracted to the work itself. Karl Lagerfeld once said to me, ‘We have class. Working class!’ Here’s a man that we all revere, bow down to, and love. What we do is not the fluff - it’s not going out to parties, it’s not to be seen.” Veteran stylist Lori Goldstein, of W, Italian Vogue, and QVC.

“You will definitely see me in the clothes. Like, you will absolutely see my trademark pieces. I’ll definitely do faux furs and incredible leather jackets and great trousers.” Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe loves to be seen in her new collection…

“I mourn the demise of people walking down the streets with umbrellas and hats. Reality that reflects reality is a big fat mess.”  Fashion eccentric Daphne Guinness

“I’m dressed really weird. I do it for the old people who laugh at me in airports.. You can only dress like this if you get the humor of it.” Daphne Guinness wsj.com

What: skinny cargoes
Which: I have been mentioning these for a while now and you need them in your wardrobe! You want a skinny chinos in a dark khaki or grey. Black is Ok but not preferable. They should be a narrow cut, with a few pockets and detailing. You don’t want over the top army style pants. You are not going camping. They should be slightly baggy around the hips and should stop short to show off your amazing heels. Mais oui.
Why: Because they are the love child of cargoes and harem pants. Because the military look is still hot. Because they are a great alternative to jeans and chinos. Because they work for weekends and evening. Because they are slimming: the pockets can hide all sorts of things.
Wear: With a blazer and a grey Tee a la Vicky B.  You want something tailored and sophisticated to balance the look. You want a jacket with strong shoulders to balance out the silhouette. Try tossing on a longer fitted coat jacket a la Dries Van Noten. Try a cream blazer and pointy heels a la Stella McCartney ( thankyou Gwyneth:she is wearing Current Elliot). I don’t advise wearing this with a bomber jacket: it’s just too military looking. You are not an extra in MASH.
Where: From Dries Van Noten at Poepke, Current Elliot and J Brand at Net-a-porter.com , Acne ,  Country Road,  Sportsgirl and Sassandbide.com

I discovered the fabulous Laura Mercier  tinted moisteriser while I was away in Paris. One of my most stylish friends appeared wearing it and we all gasped: her skin looked amazing and we all begged for her to tell us the fabulous foundation she was wearing. Then we rushed out to buy it at Bon Marche.
It’s sheer and lightweight with a slight illumination so that it really does give a glowing, dewy effect.  They say it has SPF 20 as well as the moisteriser. I say that’s all you need.
$78 Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer from Myer , major department stores and Lauramercier.com

Kate Moss Lands Her 30th Cover for British Vogue ..see all the covers here at vogue.UK

Superstar Stylist Lori Goldstein Talks about work and working hard...Fashionista.com

Vanity Fair’s 2010 International Best Dressed List is out! check out Michelle Obama, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, SamCam (a.k.a. Samantha Cameron, wife of Britain’s new prime minister, David Cameron), as well as Diane Kruger. There is also Helena Bonham Carter? What?! John Galliano, and the fabulous Duchess of Alba Vanityfair.com

‘His relationship with Lorenzo may be over, but Marc Jacobs is wasting no time getting back in the saddle: he’s Banging all his friends. Thanks to a new Facebook game-cum-promotion for his new men’s fragrance, that is’..Style.com

Marc Jacobs to do plus-size? Robert Duffy apparently tweets that they’re working on it. Says Style.com

‘September 15 now not only marks Marc Jacobs’s Spring 2011 show date, but a barrage of launches for the brand. Jacobs is using the Fashion Week buildup as an opportunity to open his new Manhattan book store, Bookmarc, and debut his e-commerce site for US customers ‘. Fashionologie.com

Rumor Denied: David Beckham is NOT Designing a Menswear Collection for Victoria’s Label Fashionista.com

Singer\actress Natalie Imbruglia is collaborating with Australian cashmere label  Banjo & Matilda on a limited edition sweater, where $100 of each sweater will be donated to Natalie’s charity..Banjoandmatilda.com

“It doesn’t appear that Sally Singer will be pillaging the ranks of Vogue - or even Conde Nast, for that matter - when it comes to stocking her team at T. She has made her first two hires: Michelle Kessler-Sanders as fashion director and Jacob Brown as features director. Kessler-Sanders, who replaces Anne Christensen (now executive fashion director at Glamour) was most recently SVP at Donna Karan; before that, she was president of Miu Miu USA, VP and fashion director at Juicy Couture, and accessories director at Vogue, where she and Singer first worked together..’can’t wait to see the first issue: Sally Singer is brilliant! Fashionologie.com

Terry Richardson shot Elisa Sednaoui for DVF’s latest campaign. Designscene

Italian Vogue’s September issue features a 24-page fashion spread in which a dirty, grease-streaked Kristen McMenamy flops around on an oily beach wearing black, feathery outfits shot by Steven Meisel…wow! Vogue.it

Giselle is on the cover of Harpersbazaar.co.uk

Julia Roberts is on the cover of US Elle she says about her family with husband Danny Moder: “The children became the shooting stars of him, of that thing we have. How lucky we are that we love each other so much that we burst into three pieces.” Aahhh..Lovely. Elle.com

Jennifer Aniston is on the cover of Harpers Bazaar US and poses as Barbara Streisand…um ,er Please explain..Harpersbazaar.com

So cute! So hilarious! Yes, you can buy this book on  Couture Kitties: Fashion Cats…from Amazon.com Via Fashionista.com

So what to wear to a war crimes trial at the Hague? Naomi Campbell testified at the trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor ….She wore Alaia, of course, and some evil eye necklace Style.com

See more of Celebrity Courtroom Couture here …. Fashionista.

Lily Allen Is Pregnant. Hellomagazine.com

Lindsay Lohan Shows Off Boobs in New Ad…Around the time she was sentenced to jail, she also posed in stripes! LOL usmagazine.com

“One of the most prominent Islamic countries in the Middle East has taken drastic steps to thwart the Christian ‘Frenchification’ of its populace by banning the French beret cap, the Saudi Culture Minister has announced. ” too funny! Dailysquib.

Aye aye Captain Klum! Heidi the model mother peels down to a bikini on family holiday..OMG that yacht is Huge! Dailymail

Elisabetta lifts lid on George Clooney to Italian Vanity Fair..it’s over?  usmagazine.com

Emma Watson Loses Her ‘Potter’ Locks: Love It or Hate It? Stylenews

Robbie Williams to marry actress Ayda Field tomorrow in intimate ceremony on ‘paradise’ island off California Dailymail.co.uk

We love Gwyneth Paltrow’s style… Popsugar.com

How does Elle get beach ready at 46? She is a mutation of the species! Peoplecom

One Day ….by David Nicholls

“The Hollywood-ready latest from Nicholls (The Understudy) makes a brief pit stop in book form before its inevitable film adaptation. (It’s already in development.) The episodic story takes place during a single day each year for two decades in the lives of Dex and Em. It’s 1988 and Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley have only just met. But after only one day together, they cannot stop thinking about one another. Over twenty years, snapshots of that relationship are revealed on the same day-July 15th-of each year. Dex and Em face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. And as the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed, they must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself…

“A wonderful, wonderful book: wise, funny, perceptive, compassionate and often unbearably sad . . . . it melts as you read it so that you don’t notice all the hard work that it’s doing.” -The Times (London)

“Just as Nicholls has made full use of his central concept, so he has drawn on all his comic and literary gifts to produce a novel that is not only roaringly funny but also memorable, moving and, in its own unassuming, unpretentious way, rather profound.” -The Guardian (London)

“Big, absorbing, smart, fantastically readable.” -Nick Hornby, from his blog

“[Nicholls] has a gift for zeitgeist description and emotional empathy that’s wholly his own. . . . [A] light but surprisingly deep romance so thoroughly satisfying.” -Entertainment Weekly

“Nicholls offers sharp dialogue and wry insight that sounds like Nick Hornby at his best.” -The Daily Beast (A Best Book of the Summer)

“[An] instant classic. . . . One of the most hilarious and emotionally riveting love stories you’ll ever encounter.” -People

“Those of us susceptible to nostalgic reveries of youthful heartache and self-invention (which is to say, all of us) longed to get our hands on Nicholls’s new novel.  -New York Times Book Review

“Who doesn’t relish a love story with the right amount of heart-melting romance, disappointment, regret, and huge doses of disenchantment about growing up and growing old between quarreling meant-to-be lovers?” -Elle, Top 10 Summer Books for 2010

$8.22 Publisher: Vintage (June 15, 2010) http://www.amazon.com/

At Home with Town & Country... by The Editors of Town & Country (Editor)

“These remarkable homes, lavishly photographed to the publication’s singular standard, reflect the latest developments in residential architecture and design, including the “Invisible House,” Tadao Ando’s avant-garde dwelling for the Benetton family in northern Italy and Antoine Predock’s art-filled Dallas retreat for Deedie and Rusty Rose. Classic design also plays a part: here, too, are Chatsworth, the 400-year-old ancestral seat of the Dukes of Devonshire; Ralph and Ricky Lauren’s 1920’s-era family estate in Bedford, New York; and Spike and Tonya Lee’s historic Manhattan town house. Each of the chapters concludes with a practical guide to a universal aspect of design, from planning the perfect cook’s kitchen to building a second home.
This sumptuous book is sure to grace the coffee tables of the most fashionable homes.  ” Not yet released but you can order it !

$35.  Publisher: Hearst (September 7, 2010) http://www.amazon.com

Economy Class:

Sportsgirl:
Always worth heading here to see what’s the hot look and if there are any fashion bargains…
My picks are :

• The cool green khaki utility cargo jacket with grey marle lining: It will make you a little warmer in this cold weather. It has a few zips and drawstring and is over sized and loose. $149. As I have said it’s not about going hunting, shooting, fishing or train watching: You need to wear this with heels and sex it up.  And I think you can wear this kind of jacket if you are over 30. True. Make sure you have some sophisticated heels and bag to counteract the look ( see the Italian Vogue editors here on Garance Dore wearing Prada heels).
• You want the very Givenchy style black and white stripe jersey blazer: it’s double breasted: you might remember something like this from the 80’s when you were 10 years old. Ahem. Anyway this is quite cool and will work Givenchy style over baggy nappy pants or with the black crop pants $79.
• The skinny khaki cargoes $79: As mentioned in the item du jour these are a hot look: A real buy now and wear now kind of piece. Got to love that! You want to wear with a blazer and heels.
• You should look at the grey cotton chinos : they are man-style and classic with side pockets $79…but I must say I think the ones in Trenery are a way cooler 80’s style cut with pleat front and a narrow leg. Radical.
• Check out the sand suede lace up peep toe wedges: they will be everywhere this summer so may as well start buying and wearing now $149.
• Buy the big chunky diamante and jeweled neckpiece: still on trend : what do you want for $29? Wear with a grey Tee and a blazer and green cargoes.

French Connection:
Always good pieces here for whatever your age…
My picks are :

• The fab over-sized and loose , slouchy boyfriend blazer in a black pinstripe $189. Yes, I have telling you for about a year or two to buy a blazer so if you are still a little behind the times and still a dag then I suggest you hop to it here: This will work with your cargoes or with jeans and over a pretty dress.
• Love the new grey knit poncho style sweater with a belt and rib detail: it’s kind of like a cape and a great piece to wear now over leggings with boots or with heels. You could even wear it lying around on the couch. $129.
• On sale is the fabulous deconstructed, colour blocked grey and black dress. Love it and it’s now $59.
• Also on sale is a chic de la chic grey, belted wool coat with a detachable fur trim hood. Love the narrow cut and now for you $199. Wear with skinny jeans or pants and keep to a Celine style minimal look. Or toss it over a flirty skirt peeking out..

Sussan.
I see a few cargo pants, striped Tees as well as cropped trenches and utility jackets…you’ll find the slightly classic interpretations here
My picks:

• I do like the green Khaki utility jacket with a drawstring and pockets and over-sized $119. I repeat that yes, we have seen these jackets around last season but they are going on to next season so why not get in on the trend?  I repeat: you have to wear this over a dress or something cute and feminine.
• Check out the stone/caramel military jacket with double breasted buttons, round neck, epaulettes and all that military paneling. Funny, but I think Marc Jacobs did something like this five years ago and it’s slowly filtered down to the general consciousness. Now everyone’s doing it with a little puff on the edge of the shoulders. You want a military jacket that is fitted and tailored. Wear with a grey Tee and baggy chinos. $99
• There are some cute long summer dresses for that mid winter break and, of course, fabulous, white cotton caftan that stop on the knee: bravo! $59.
• Love the stone cropped trench with double breasted tortoiseshell buttons , epaulettes and it’s short stopping at the lower waist. It’s $179. So handy. Perfect to wear on weekends with jeans but you can wear to work with a pencil skirt over a chic little neat knit. Wear it with baggy peg leg nappy pants or with skinny cargos. Am I repeating myself every week with all this styling advice? Yes, but the look is a classic and it shows how you can wear it without ever looking daggy. God forbid.
• You want the long sleeve round neck grey Tee’s now on sale for about $29. So perfect to throw under jacket : not so much for wearing alone, these Tees are more about wearing as a layer under a jacket to give the illusion that you are slim and gorgeous under the jacket..

Business Class:

Max & Co:
You can’t go past Max and Co for fabulous quality for the price …and the prices are just getting better…
My picks are:

• The fabulous double breasted dark denim trench : so chic. Oh did I mention I have a trench addiction? I Am sure I have mentioned this before and I love it. So right for Australian weather.
• Buy the pink, red and white small Liberty print style shirt dress: So fresh and summery with a drawstring waist. Of course I am scared of florals because they can be aging. Eewww. Sorry to swear at you. But you can toughen this up with short boots and then toss on a leather jacket over the top. Also just great little number if you want a summer beach casual dress $289.
• Check out the fabulous navy and white cotton Tee : it’s in a heavier cotton like the Petit Bateau tops and it has a boat neck: great quality, great price $150.
• Love the white/cream short single breasted 3 button trench in cotton twill. It has a loose kind of empire waist detail which makes it wider and more of a A-line shape. It’s also in black if the thought of white makes you turn purple with fright.But a white jacket is the key piece of summer. True. $585.
• You want the navy and white tie kind of abstract animal print dress. yes, it’s a Boho style shirt dress and it’s quite cool. I think you will find the same print in a top too. It reminds me of a Marni print. It’s very summery so I don’t know if it will work to wear now. Yes, even with a leather jacket. Sorry. $430
• On sale is a kind of cape wool melton poncho style jacket for you $373 ( was about $700).

Armani Exchange:
I see all sorts of leather jackets here and why not? It’s all about leather for summer and winter…
My picks are:

• The short black leather jacket which is tight fitting with 2 side pockets and elastic along the hem. The silver zip goes up around the neckline but don’t worry, I quite like the detail. It adds a little bit of je ne sais quoi. Wear over a white Tee and then with everything you own. No, really. Even with your bright short floral dress and your hot pink pyjamas. $599.
• Love the fitted and tailored black leather jacket : it has a hidden zip and it’s a little longer than the other jacket so it might be more flattering depending on your shape. How to wear this? Read the above instructions. $659
• Buy the grey marle cotton jersey blazer. Yes, of course we have seen a lot of these jackets everywhere for winter ( yes, even in Target!) but it’s still a great look. This A/E jacket has a little back tab detail $199. It’s a good buy because you can wear it when it’s warmer without dying of heat exhaustion. Plus being in a cotton jersey makes it easy and relaxing to wear. Love it with harem pants and a stripe tee.
• I see a black tee with very subtle black sequins in a bit of a stripe. Very tasteful and quite a handy little number to wear under your blazers. Chic $99
• I see a lot of cobalt blue but I don’t think I can face that again this summer…Please no more…

Marcs:
They seem to have got a look happening! I find myself wandering in here more and more to see what they are up to:
My picks are:

• I see more leather jackets and I say why not? Perhaps you haven’t bought one yet?. Don’t worry, leather will still be big trend for summer and next winter so you won’t regret it. You want the black leather jacket that is very military style with covered buttons and cute little puff on the edge of the shoulders. It ’s very fitted and has covered leather buttons which makes it quite softer. It’s also in a vintage style brown leather $599.
• Buy the short , cropped grey jersey blazer that is double breasted with two low buttons doing up under the waist if you know what I mean. $229
• Love the fabulous olive military shirt in a heavier cotton with two patch pocket ( press studs button on the pockets) and roll up sleeves : it’s very cool and I think one of the best I have seen. It’s a little more polished like a Chloe shirt than a wrinkled style shirt. $149. You need to wear this with a pencil skirt a la Carine Roitfeld : it should be tucked in. Or try it loose over skinny jeans or harem pants. You can dress it up by layering under a blazer too.
• Buy the grey knit rib tee with a tiny little chains along the neckline : it’s like an 80’s style sweat shirt which is a hot look now. Everyone from Dries Van Noten to Alexander Wang are doing them back> wear with brocade and lace. $159. Love it.
• Check out the must have black and grey stripe long sleeve Tees, so right to wear under just about everything about $49. There are also some fabulous V neck Tees: love them in every colour…as you know I hate the scoop neck on anyone over 20 so this is a great option..

First Class:

Prada.
I had to nick in here just to inhale it all and pretend I was back in Paris. I had to come to pray at the Altar of Miuccia. The Guru. They were unpacking the new season winter when I dropped by and I just drooled over it all…
You want:

• The amazing blue and white check dresses: $$2200. Very 50’s and fitted, and the fabric is so much heavier and has such quality in real life.
• The brown shiny shoulder bags with silver chain about $1600. Divine
• The fabulous camouflage khaki print nylon bags ..about $1400.
• And,of course ,there are quite a few new iconic ‘Gaufre’ ruched nappa leather totes about $2400. Classic.
• The beautiful little black dresses about $2220, the fur chubby $$$! and the divine kooky/chunky knits.
• The amazing little pointy toe shoes with the kitten heel: Oh, so nineties and they look new…and comfortable..Yes please!
• Oh, and check out the fabulous video here at Prada.com with model Angela Lindval singing “Fever”! it’s fantastic!

Roman gnocchi with mushrooms, pancetta and cheese…Adulterated from cuisine.com.au

A great little number to warm up winter nights: Just whip up the polenta/Gnocchi over the weekend - it needs about 2 hours in the fridge - so it’s ready to eat and then you bake it drizzled with mushrooms and cheese. Pancetta optional

You need for 4 shoppers, 10 fashion editors, 18 models :

750ml milk
250ml water
250g Italian semolina (coarse)** our just use quick instant polenta!
1 tbsp butter, chopped
2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1 tsp sea salt
100g grated gruyere or parmesan
400g mushrooms, e.g. swiss browns, wiped clean
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp roughly chopped parsley
Sea salt and pepper
8 thin slices pancetta or prosciutto cut into strips
A few sprigs of lemon thyme is nice too

• Slip into Gucci ski suit with detachable gloves.
• Wrap up in cashmere head to toe
• Ask George Clooney to crank up the fire and chop the wood.
• Pour a huge glass of wine.
• Find the mushrooms and give them a little clean and rinse.
• Lightly beat the yolks.
• Ask George to grate some cheese. He is so handy in the kitchen.
• Roughly chop the parsley.
• Pour another wine.
• Slice up the pancetta into strips as thin as GAGA
• Chop up the butter for easy melting and beating later.
• Now find a saucepan and heat milk and water to just before boil.
• Reduce heat to very low and slowly add the semolina, whisking constantly.
• Swap the whisk for a spoon when mixture thickens and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Otherwise just cook up instant polenta.
• Remove semolina from heat and then beat in the butter, then slowly add the egg yolks, salt
• Toss in grated cheese but keep one tablespoon for accessorizing later.
• Now spread mixture on a moisterised and oiled tray and smooth it all down like a face mask , with a wet palette knife to about one centimetre thick. Think as thick as Britney’s brain.
• Now leave to cool.
• Then toss in the fridge for at least two hours or overnight.
• Pour another wine and read the latest Tatler. So much better than Vanity Fair.
• Then when it’s hardened and ready you can cut it into discs to what ever size you want: Bigger is best wouldn’t you agree? Tip: use a cookie cutter to do this because it can be sticky.
• To cook you should arrange four chic rows of three slightly overlapping discs on a lightly moisterised baking dish.
• Scatter with remaining cheese.
• Heat oven to 200C.
• Now trim mushrooms, thickly slice and toss in with olive oil, parsley, salt and pepper. Ad a few sprigs of lemon Thyme as well.
• Toss mushrooms and pancetta on top of gnocchi and bake for 15-20 minutes.
• Tip: Use an egg slice to lift on to warm plates and serve.
• Yum.

** More like light, fluffy polenta than potato gnocchi, Roman-style gnocchi is made from semolina, a golden durum wheat flour sold at health food stores and Italian-style delis. It’s best made ahead and freezes well.