“People ask me why I don’t tweet. Honestly, I’m so sick of myself.” Blake Lively.

“I feel like a walking cartoon most of the time.” Katy Perry.

“I’ve been excommunicated from the church of fashion. They saw me eat a carb.” Kathy Griffin.

“God, I feel I’ve gone to therapy just to erase some of them. The cornrows I wore with ‘N Sync. That was pretty bad. Britney and I wore matching denim outfits [to the 2001 American Music Awards]. Yeah, another bad choice. I’d probably pay good money to get some of those pictures off the internet.” Justin Timberlake.

“Sometimes Geeks Can Be Chic” Anna Wintour’s five-word acceptance speech when she received the “People’s Voice” prize, presented by Daniel Radcliffe at the Webby Awards.

“When Mario turns to you and says, ‘It’s beautiful, but I think it would work better naked, no?’ How can one refuse?” Kate Winslet on how her clothes came off for Mario Testino.

“We tell the kids, ‘Mom and Dad are going off to kiss.’ They go, ‘Eww, gross!’” Brad Pitt.

What : a chunky knit sweater
Which: You want a chunky knit sweater in a navy or cream. It could be in camel or burgundy and it might be in grey. A fashionable chunky knit sweater should have a poloneck. It might be sleeveless and it could almost be as long as a mini dress. It should have a loose insouciance about it. That’s French for I-just-threw-it-on-and-I-look-fabulous-and-I-don’t-care.
Why: Because, man, it’s so cold out there. Because we love everything, everything at Celine. Divine. Wearable. And chic. There are no other reasons.
Wear: When you look at those chunky knit sweaters in the shops you might think: “Oh, that’s very country, that’s very weekends away in the Costwolds.” No. Wrong sweetie,  wrong.  Look at those sweaters and think “I can wear that in the city. I can be fashionable and warm”. How so? Darling just look at these runway shots from the Celine shows below and you will swoon at the simple, chic understated way of putting it together. Toss a red sweater over black leather skirt, throw a sleeveless sweater over the white shirt with skinny pants. Wear the chunky camel knit with a silk pants (from Michael Kors) Keep it simple.  Mix it up: think about opposites. Leather with soft knits, loose with narrow, silky with chunky . Tough with soft. George Clooney and me.
Where: Esprit, Country Road, Witchery, Scanlan Theodore, CK Jeans and CK Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Celine at David Jones.

Big, bold Eyebrows are back.
You want brows like those of gorgeous model du jour, Arizona Muse in US Vogue
You do.
Now you can.
You need three things:

• Tweezers: The best are from Tweezer man for Laura Mercier  :  They are slanted, easy to use and go in for the kill without once hesitating. Please do not over use. You are growing your brows back. $40 from Laura Mercier at Myer and Adorebeauty.com.au
• Eyebrow pencil: My favourite is from Lancome because there is a handy brush at the end. Once you blend it through and fill in those peculiar bare spots your new eyebrows will look fabulous even through the hours of raising them continuously again and again in the sales. $17 at Strawberrynet.com
  
• Eyebrow Gel : I love the Bloom cosmetics Gel. You simply comb on the clear gel and those weird shaped, going all over the place eyebrows do as they’re told. You will never look like John Howard again. $22 from Bloomcosmetics.com

State of Wonder … by Ann Patchett

If you loved Bel Cato and then you will love this new book by Ann Patchett:’
Amazon Best Books of the Month, June 2011: ‘In State of Wonder, pharmaceutical researcher Dr. Marina Singh sets off into the Amazon jungle to find the remains and effects of a colleague who recently died under somewhat mysterious circumstances. But first she must locate Dr. Anneck Swenson, a renowned gynecologist who has spent years looking at the reproductive habits of a local tribe where women can conceive well into their middle ages and beyond.
Dr. Singh must face her own disappointments and regrets, along with the jungle’s unforgiving humidity and insects, making State of Wonder a multi-layered atmospheric novel that is hard to put down. Indeed, Patchett solidifies her well-deserved place as one of today’s master storytellers. Emotional, vivid, and a work of literature that will surely resonate with readers in the weeks and months to come, State of Wonder truly is a thing of beauty and mystery, much like the Amazon jungle itself.’
$14. Publisher: Harper (June 7, 2011) Amazon.com

Mulberry 40th Anniversary Book [Hardcover] by Venetia Dearden and Mulberry (Author)

When I saw this book on all the fashion sites I thought ho, hum: whatever.  That was until I checked it out on the Mulberry site: It looks fabulous!
“2011 marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most cherished British brands, Mulberry. From Somerset craftsmanship to the catwalks of London and New York, Mulberry has a rich history of producing iconic accessories and ready-to-wear that reflect the duality between traditional heritage and contemporary luxury. To celebrate their 40th year, they commissioned celebrated photographer to capture the people, events and excitement of Mulberry’s personality to present the fashion house in stunning imagery capturing both whimsical and candid moments.  Shot by Welsh photographer Venetia Dearden, the book took nearly three years to make. “It was a real labour of love,” explained Hill to Anothermag.com. “From candid shots of the show’s stylist Edward Enninful to images of the frizzy redheaded models who marched down the S/S11 catwalk, as well as behind-the-scenes photographs of the brand’s thriving Somerset Factory (special for being the last brand-owned luxury accessories factory in the UK); this luxurious book beautifully captures the heart and pulse of Mulberry. ”
Flip through the inside pages in this cute video here !

£55 Publisher: MULBERRY (1 July 2011) mulberry.com

Sale time!SaletimeSaletimesaletime!

I nicked back into the stores to check out the sales again this week. It’s a hard life but someone’s got to do it.

Here is quick run down of my hot buys in each stores: it could be sale item or something new in.  If your head spinning in a crazy world of many bargains and you don’t know what to buy: Never Fear FiFi is here: read on…

Economy class:

Just Jeans:

The new store has been renovated in WBJ and it looks great.

My picks here are the Just Jeans own label jeans: I a not a fan of snazz-a-licious designer jeans ( I would rather spend the money on handbags) and I love the Just Jeans  S Fit straight vintage jeans $79. Why is that? These jean have no obvious stitching and are a little faded and wrinkled. A bit like me. Bless. Tip: if you find jeans that fit really well buy two pairs.  The way to wear jeans is to roll them up so they are short above the ankle with your fabulous heels. Like Virginia Smith from American Vogue below in her black jeans . Otherwise get them taken up so they sit ruched on the ankle such as Valerie Bolster from American Vogue below in her fabulous fur and grey marle Tee. J’adore.

If you want a simple zip front soft crinkle biker jacket with a round neckline you can’t go past the black leather jacket here on sale for $150 ( $50 off the $199.) Outrageous ! The leather biker jacket is a wardrobe staple and because this is a softer jacket you can wear it into spring, I am sure, over a grey marle Tee with your chinos or jeans . Rolled up, of course,  to show off your purple/red/blue stompalicious heels. Zanna Roberts gets the look below left here at Street peeper .  Still stuck on how to wear your jeans? Bless; just check out these shots and apply to your own style. It’s easy : You shall be not a dag forever. I promise.

Esprit:

My pick here is the black or navy cord or velvet blazer: You need a blazer: NEED. Repetez , Repetez; There doesn’t seem to a lot of great blazers around at the moment and this is the pick in the cheap but chic department: $149. Yes,  I have reported this number before so don’t go thinking I am drunk and delirious. That will happen tonight. I see a winner so I must remind you. Why is that? It has a snug fit which is flattering. It is stretchy. Just like your waist. And the fabric is more interesting than boring old black twill. Yawn. snooze.  Velvet with denim jeans rocks: Toss a velvet jacket with a pencil skirt for work and you have jacket that is adorable. It will do what it’s told in every situation.  Just like your children.

Cue:

The good news here is that the Dion Lee for Cue is all on sale right now at outrageous prices. My pick is the black/grey/ navy dress with cute little short sleeves, a round neckline  and a waist panel; It’s a very school girl style of dress : but with a groovy touch and great for work now $100. It’s trans-seasonal too. Wear now with opaques and then into summer. Also check out the crop trench /jacket in black cotton now about $100. Sorry no photos: so annoying that Cue doesn’t have an online store.

Portmans:

The new store is renovated in WBJ and it certainly looks better. I’m not sure about the clothes: sorry to say but I think the fabrics look cheap. Yes, it’s true. Bless.  I think they will be in trouble with Zara opening up where the fabrics look expensive and they already have in store copies of summer’s Celine and Prada. Plus the jackets at Zara are a great cut for $69. Shut up! Anyway back to Portmans: I had a very good snoop and I spied one thing: a chic black or caramel leather  A line skirt ( which is probably too short pour moi ) $129. Remember leather is a big trend for next season so it’s not a one hit wonder and over by next season. Oh No. BTW the store has a fabulous collection of fashion books…

Witchery;

It’s sale time. My sneaky, snoopy pick?  You must have the black slim line, cuffed, front pleat pants. These are what I call peg leg pants. Love the fabric in these pants: expensive looking and they fall softly ( and they don’t even cry ). They are already short so that you get that cropped look plus they are, wait for it…slimming! It’s a miracle. Yes, I have tried them on over my muffin hips and I have dressed my shopping clients in these pants. Scientific evidences reports they are a great fit over most people’s ’situation’ on their waist. They sit on the waist but are not looking too scary high waisted. Also this fabric is,  yep, you guessed it…trans-seasonal : so wear them when it’s warmer with wedges/sandals and an equipment shirt and an Hermes belt for good luck. I see on the witchery site these pants are still available in a few sizes so hop to it and buy. $79. P.S I also spy the very Givenchy style hobo slouchy black bag now on sale $179 and the lace suede heels now $99.

Business Class

Country Road;

Still on sale but my picks this week of non-sale are the fabulous high waist wide leg denim style pants:$149.  They tick all the right boxes in the FiFi Report card: a fabulous flattering cut: tick. Trans seasonal : tick. Dress up or down: tick. Very Celine inspired. Tick. You can wear with a faux fur.  See how to wear the look a la Hanelli below: she rocks it with a cute little furry bag and platforms. Also new instore is a camel straight skirt with side pockets and a cute front split $129; this little number will work back with all your black or grey or navy: fabulous with long knee high boots and perfect going into summer with a Tee. Yes, please.

David Lawrence:

It seems to have had a groove injection here.  My pick this week is the grey sleeveless drape cape $249; on. It is in a light grey and so right. Love it with pale skinny jeans and a stripe Tee like the Celine cape from last season below. Love it with red jeans or a leather skirt. I am always looking for jackets or capes you can wear at dinner. Who wants a jacket that you have to take off? ( what do you wear under it? Jackets are your friend and cover a lot) . This number can be worn at the table if you toss the drape over your shoulder so it doesn’t fall into your soup. Ouch. Yes, it does look like something Darth Vader would wear in this photo but trust dear FiFi Report readers, Trust. Then try it on. Light Saber optional.

CK Calvin Klein:

Amazing sale here: There are the chicest grey or black slouchy, loose tops for just $160. Adore the fabrics which are so chic. Also check out the men’s Tee’s: so handy for wearing under jackets: on sale for about $40. Plus also check out the racks of fabulous little black or grey dresses: all very minimalist ( but some are too short for my muffin knees. ). The prices are fabulous here for the quality.

SeedFemme

Big sale continues: I have two best buys here; The first is the navy velvet blazer (See the write up in Esprit for all the reasons and why you need it and how to wear it) Now reduced to an outrageous $127.. Shut up and buy it. You will have no regrets. BTW: always, and I repeat always, wear your blazer with the sleeves pushed up. Why? Who knows. It’s groovy. Love it . Also buy the green cuffed cotton chinos for $44 and the sneakers $29. You know how to wear chinos because I tell you every week. Bless.

Incu:

On sale at the Galeries in George street : I LOVE the designers here like APC as well as Acne. My picks are the APC khaki parka now $420 (Love how they show it over a stripe Tee.) You know that Parkas and anoraks were all over the next winter runways so the sporty trend in not going anywhere except on your back. Also buy the Acne navy and black sheer knit tank now $100. Divine ! And then just to finish off the day I suggest you nab the T by Alexander Wang grey long sleeve Tee now $100. There are also Marc by Marc Jacobs Bags with 20% off. Yes, please!

Pumpkin Soup with Coconut milk and Chilli …. adulterated from a recipe at jamieoliver.com

This is a new version of Pumpkin soup; Quite spicy and so rich and creamy. Perfect for a cold winter’s night. You can add ginger for more spice in your life.

For about 4 fashionista, 3 blokes and 32 models

1 average sized Hokkaido or any style pumpkin, cut into chunks (deseed but don’t peel)
1 large potato, cut into chunks
1 medium onion, sliced
750ml chicken or vegetable stock
200ml coconut milk
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 heaped teasps of curry powder (or curry paste)
1 - 2 small red chillies, sliced
A little olive oil

• Climb into Chanel ski suit .
• Pull on Gucci beanie.
• Turn the fire/heater up. up. up.
• Pour a wine or ten.
• Pop on Prada sunglasses to chop the onions or there will be tears.
• Chop up the garlic and chilli as small as a Lindsay Lohan brain. Maybe not that small.
• Chop the potato the size of the clasp on the new YSL bag.
• In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil and gently fry the onions, chilli and garlic till soft as your new Chloe bag.
• Now toss in the pumpkin and potatoes and sprinkle with the curry powder. Cook for a quick minute or so until soft.
• Pour in the coconut milk and stock, cover, then simmer gently till potatoes and pumpkin are cooked. Takes about 10 to 15 mins.
• They should be mushy and soft as you when you see George Clooney.
• Pour another wine and relax while this is cooking.
• Do not think about the calories in coconut. Don’t go there. Please.
• When it seems to be cooked and mushy let the soup cool down a little and them blend in a whizzer until as smooth as creamy as crème de la Mer facemask.
• Serve with a dollop of cream/yogurt/coconut cream.
• Accessorise with some chic Prada green coriander.
• Divine!

*Photo from sunbeam