“Fashion is always uncomfortable, when you feel comfortable, you never get the look,” Anna Dello Russo sings in her debut single called Fashion Shower

“If you take your clothes off, you’d be surprised how many jobs you’ll get.” Lady Gaga : A fashion shower?

“I love neon - it’s so man-made and loud and obnoxious, but that’s why I gravitate towards it … It gives you a total high when you work with it” British designer Christopher Kane. Especially if you take off your clothes.

“Most people hate to think that someone could be clever and glamorous. I just think it’s jealousy. A lot of people try to diminish anyone who’s pretty by saying, “Oh, they’re probably stupid.” Which is terribly unfair; when someone’s ugly, you don’t say, “Oh, they’re probably clever.” Fashion writer Plum Sykes.

“In middle school, this group of girls were always trying to beat me up - they called my ( tooth) gap a parking lot. It was a really awkward time. I mentioned I was looking for a model agent, and then the next week they came in with a list of things they didn’t like about me. I felt skinny and tall - it was the worst time of my life.” Model Lindsey Wixson is clever.

“It’s hard to think I have to live up to that, because I’m not her, unless Grace Kelly drank beer.” January Jones, to Allure

“No. I can direct breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I take pride in my kitchen, but I’m not going to direct a movie.” Julia Roberts when asked if she’d ever be a director.
“I told my agents that I wasn’t going to play pussies anymore. I was tired of playing, “Oh, boo-hoo-I was in love, but oh, boo-hoo-hoo.” I wanted to play men instead of boys. In your mid-30s, it’s time to start playing guys of compromise. And as you get older, men of bitter compromise [Laughs].” Tom Hanks on getting older and better movie roles.

Thinking of renovating your ski chalet?
Need a new cushion to snuggle with on cold winter’s night?
I suggest you speed straight to this cute site Snow Angel.
You will want to hug the fabulous EAT SNOW LOVE cushions $89. You will want to lie back on the chic linen snowflake cushions $79. If you have freezing footsies then you will adore climbing into chic, choc brown Waterproofed suede Moon boots with a shearling finish. Oh la la! $239. Perfect for cooking Lamb shanks.  After a day of shopping your feet will thank you.

EAT SNOW LOVE cushions and more cute ski bunny things from Snow Angel.

Reasons to love the Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub:

• Your skin matches your grey Hermes sweater.
• You skin matches your Gucci snakeskin bag.
• Your Crème de la Mer budget has shrunk due to your Prada spendage.
• The moisture-rich Soy extracts combine with smooth, round microbeads leaving your skin soft, smooth and even-looking as your new Givenchy bag.
• You like soy on your face as well as in your coffee.
• It smells as fresh as summer morning in St Tropez.
• Its soap-free, oil-free and fat free.
• Love!

$11.95 Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub from Aveeno.com.au

Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange [Paperback]….by Ines de la Fressange, Sophie Gachet.

I know. This fabulous little book has already been in The FiFi Report way back in November last year but now I have received my copy in the mail I must share with you my utter delight! J’adore this book. I first read about it when I was snooping around in Borders enjoying a couple of hours reading French Elle on the sly.  There were a few cute pages from the book plus a fabulous shoot on Parisienne style with Ines’ daughter. So chic. I had to own it.
What do we love about Ines’s style? She says that Parisian style is all about understated chic. It’s about building a look around a few fabulous basics. Parisian style is simple. It’s about how you mix it.  Stick to chic expensive looking colours. Don’t go crazy with mad fashion it bags and trends. Wear a man’s watch and a boyfriend jacket. Buy a little black dress. Live in your jeans. And always invest in a trench. Buy more expensive quality accessories and spend less on clothes. She says Fashion should be fun. I couldn’t have said it better it myself. (There are lists of do’s and don’ts to make it easy to follow if you are a dag. Bless).

What makes this book much more exciting is her list of secret Paris addresses from restaurants and home wares to the best cafes and boutiques . Oh la la!
The book is a little bit of Paris to keep by your bed when you are dying to escape to a more glamourous life (and George Clooney is snoring). Mais oui!

By the way I insist you watch this video and listen to Ines chatting away about the book: ‘eets zo French!

$17 Publisher: Flammarion (April 5, 2011) Amazon.com

16yr old model Nayasha Matonhodze is the New Face of Louis Vuitton: one of six up-and-comers shot by Steven Meisel in a Rolls Royce for the Autumn/Winter 2011. why so young? Madonna and J.Lo too old?  Telegraph

A must read from an outsider about Australian Fashion week “Australian fashion has an image problem. When I mentioned to friends that I was thinking of attending Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in Sydney, the reaction ranged from raised eyebrows to incredulous laughter. Others quipped that the sum total of Australia’s contribution to global fashion could be distilled down to Ugg boots and swimwear. businessoffashion.com

A fabulous chat and Lunch with Carine Roitfeld ” In Caviar Kaspia, beyond the deli on the ground floor, past the giant stuffed sturgeon suspended over the bar and the oil paintings depicting traditional Russian scenes, Carine Roitfeld is waiting” ft.com via businessoffashion.com

Hipstamatic, the iPhone app that makes your pictures look all cute and vintage-y, has teamed up with photographer Ben Watts on a new lens called the Bondi HipstaPak: Cool! refinery29.com

Director Sofia Coppola’s latest project? A wedding! She will marry longtime rocker beau, Thomas Mars, in August at her family’s villa in Bernalda,  in southern Italy. “Yes, they are getting married and having an intimate family wedding,” her rep tells PEOPLE.

The new Summer Travel issue of T sets sail with the model-sailor-adventurer Daria Werbowy, who skippers a sailboat from St. Bart’s into the spectacularly blue Caribbean Sea. Plus: the Selby heads to Melbourne. Nytimes.com

Carla Bruni Is Reportedly Having a Boy Nymag.com

Zoe bots listen up ! Rachel Zoe is apparently selling her line next season in all the best stores: Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Shopbop, Nordstrom, Saks, Intermix, Kirna Zabete and Selfridges have LITERALLY all picked up the label; Shut the front door! ELLE

Balmain has a new head designer (Olivier Rousteing replaced Christophe Decarnin last month), and now the French fashion house is launching a secondary ready-to-wear collection called Pierre Balmain, Apparently less expensive! Yes, please.  WWD.

Jimmy Choo has been bought from London-based private equity firm TowerBrook Capital by Labelux, a burgeoning luxury group which owns brands like Bally, Derek Lam and Solange Azagury-Partridge. Labelux reportedly paid between ₤500-550 million-around $850 million-for the high-end shoe label. That is alot of shoes Tamara! Reports vogue.co.uk

‘She cooks! She sings! She wins Oscars! She has perfect straight hair! And now, she’s landed a gig as Coach’s brand ambassador. Coach celebrates its 70th anniversary this year and Gwyneth Paltrow is to front its fall and spring international campaigns’ says Fashionista.com

Writer Plum Sykes talks Snobbery, Vogue, and Hating Chick Lit: Love her!:nymag.com

Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks chat to W magazine about ‘adult education, starting out in Hollywood, the power of optimism, and their new dramedy, Larry Crowne, the recession-era story of one man’s reinvention. ‘ wmagazine.com

Isabeli Fontana is on the cover of July French Vogue, looking very LInda Evangelista circa 90’s!

The Dream Life of Penélope Cruz: She tells Vogue ”I was pregnant and a pirate: A beautiful experience.”  Vogue.com

Economy class

I have been out shopping all week! Here are my best buys :

Diva sale:
I see there is a $5 sale ! OMG: It’s a necklace. My picks are the cute cuffs or bangles. Otherwise go for a mega big ring.  It’s throw away fashion it’s true,  but you have your money’s worth if you wear it once.

Zara:
I headed back in here for another snoop; Again there were queues but it was not as bad as last time. My picks this week?

• It would be the very Prada inspired faux fur caramel collarless jacket coat $479. Wear with the red skinny cotton pants: You know they are cool since you read it here months ago. $59.
• Also buy the black and white snakeskin Tee in silk $59. It’s a loose shape and snakeskin is hot, hot, hot so get into it now.
• You will be very happy to buy the very Derek Lam wide leg blue high waist jeans $79.
• Oh, Ok, one more buy: check out  the brown and black animal print single breasted coat  with cute puff shoulder $159.

Seedfemme:
Head here to find some fabulous cotton cuffed grey chinos : If you can’t go for the pleat front 80’s style chinos then you will love these flat front side pocket pants.  You should roll them up when you wear with heels. It’s about the crop pant. Who cares if you get cold on the ankles. Shut up!  $129. The desert boots here are fabulous if you want some weekend shoes . Oh and they are flat. Best of all they are called FiFi! $169. J’adore!

Gap:
I nicked in here to do a quick little tour: My picks this week are the grey /black almost camouflage print loose Tee: it’s kind of a paint splattered print. This will instantly update your wardrobe. Yes, yours. $69. Also check out the oatmeal and grey knits for $49. Also check out the sale online : they ship to Australia even though there is a store here.

Sportsgirl:
it’s raining it’s pouring so we all need the chic black gumboots here for $59 . Only in black but an excellent price. Love !

Sportscraft:
I am always looking for the perfect long sleeve round neck ( not scoop) tee: My prayers have been answered when I spied a chic wool dark grey long sleeve grey sweater in David Jones. It’s the perfect little knit Tee to go under everything you own. Probably not to wear on its own because it’s a little revealing in the lump department. If you have them that is. Bless. $99.

Myer :
If you are after some pointy toe loafers a la Celine then head to Myer for the best low heeled versions from Innovare. $279. The label is made in Italy and great quality. You can see here a shot I snapped with my iphone. If I buy them I might get the heel changed to a more refined kitten heel. You can do that you know.

Business Class:

Country Road:
My pick this week?  The fabulous black seamed Double Knit Top  $99. It has little exaggerated shoulders and sits so that your arms look thinner. It’s a miracle! It will work with everything. A perfect top for wearing to dinner : you know the occasions when you take off your coat and yell help! what have I got to wear under it? It’s a good top because it skims the bumps but doesn’t cling. Thank you. Also you want the new high waist , wide leg dark denim blue pants  $149

Mimco:
This weekend you can shop online and receive 20% off the full priced collection. My picks are the the silver long necklace with a chunky link: still a cool look $179. Also check out the silver braided chain choker $179. Me thinks the prices are lower here than you used to be. How nice.

Marcs:
I am having a skirt moment this week and my pick this week from Marcs is the grey boiled wool double breasted straight skirt with cute side pockets. You can wear with short ankle booties. Love it sitting on the waist but you could get a bigger size and wear lower on the hips. So there.  $159.

David lawrence:
If you want a skirt that is not as sexy as a pencil skirt but just as versatile then head here to DL for the cute black wool A line skirt with silver buttons . It’s a Celine style skirt with 3 silver buttons down each side. Tres chic. $149. Or if you want something more trans seasonal buy the chic camel wrap skirt. $169.

Midas shoes;
Now it’s chilly I have been on the look out for some groovy shoe booties: but I need a style to wear all day shopping. Yes, comfortable heels. They do exist so stop laughing. I was snooping around David Jones and saw these fab shooties from Midas. The heel is not too high plus they have a rubber sole which means it’s a little spongier to pound the pavement.  About $299.

Oxford :
I don’t normally shop here but it’s right near the Witchery store in WBJ so how could I not check it out as I strolled past their sale.? My pick is the black or faded grey short crop leather jacket. Please ignore the bad photo below: it is much nicer! I like the collarless neckline and the slimline shape which is a neat cut . Perfect for a Sydney winter. i.e it will not keep you warm but darling you will look faaabulous! On sale now for $299 was $599.

Lamb Shank Tagine with Apricots.

It was a cold winter’s day and I  was looking for an new version of a lamb shank recipe and I found this from Bill’s Basics. The wonderful thing  is that you can whip  this it up at 4 in the afternoon and it will take about 20 mins and then it cooks for 2 hours. That should give you just enough time to work out what to wear for dinner.
For 4 to 6 girls, 3 teenage boys or 35 models you need:

1 teaspoon ground cumin
I teaspoon of tumeric
1 teaspoon of smashed coriander seeds if you have them or use ground.
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tabs fresh ginger grated
1.6 kg of lamb shanks
I onion grated or chopped
1 preserved lemon:  Yes,  one whole lemon rinsed and just the rind.
600 gram sweet potatoes peeled and chopped
1 cup chicken stock
Handful of dried apricots
2 tabs of honey at the end
Coriander leaves and couscous
I tab of light flavoured oil like vegetable oil
Lemon juice

• Slip into a fleecy Chanel leisure suit
• Pull on Snow Angel Moon boots.
• Remove Vuitton skiing gloves so you can drink and slice.
• Pour a glass of wine toute suite.
• Preheat oven to 160C (315F).
• Smash  and bash up the Coriander seeds: think of that horrible woman you worked for all those years ago.
• Ask that lovely George Clooney to slice and grate the ginger ( add more if you love ginger).
• Pop on your new Prada sunglasses as you chop the onion as small as Kate Middleton’s left arm. Don’t cry : you will never get as slim as her.  It’s impossible. ( or marry a Prince). Tip: so just keep chopping Cinders and you shall go to the ball.
• Slice up the sweet potatoes as large as a Jimmy Choo buckle.
• Rinse and chop the preserved lemon into tiny pieces; Maybe as small as LiLO’s talent.
• Now find a bowl and toss in the coriander, tumeric, cumin and cinnamon and give it a good mix.
• Now rub over the lamb shanks one by one so each is covered like fake tan.
• Now heat the oil in a frying pan over a high heat.
• Add lamb shanks and cook for 2 minutes on each side, or until they are well browned as Beyonce.
• Then add the preserved lemon, sweet potatoes, ginger and onion, the chicken stock and apricots.
• You might notice the stock is not high enough to cover the shanks. If they are lying down it’s better. Don’t worry it’s not enough liquid . Tip: if it dries out a but during cooking you can more).
• Season with sel and poivre.
• Sock down another glass of wine.
• Bring the lamb shanks to the boil and then either turn down, pop on a lid and simmer for 2 hours. Or you can pop in the oven again with a lid on. The saucepan not you.
• It should cook for about 2 hours or until the meat is falling off the bone and you are falling off the couch. Drunk.
• Before serving bring it to medium high heat and then drizzle in the honey and some lemon juice to thicken the sauce.
• Serve with couscous and accessorise with gorgeous green coriander leaves.
• Perfect for a cold winter’s night. Amen.