“It’s 10am in the morning and Beyoncé schleps it all the way down to the Staples Center to watch. I mean, She’s Beyoncé !” on her rehearsal for singing at the Grammys.

“She’s like, ‘The singing is great. But you’re not having any fun. Remember when we’re at Jay’s concert and Panjabi MC comes on and you do your crazy Indian dance? Do that.’” On Beyoncé giving her advice to improve her stage presence

“[He's] a musical genius. It’s like living with Picasso, and being like, ‘Should I make a little something-something?’” On choosing not to ask Chris Martin for advice on music.

“Beyoncé and Jay-they think that I should just go do it my myself. That I should go fuck around in a studio and see what happens.” On making an Album

“Doing Chelsea Handler is like doing Howard Stern: You’ve gotta rise to the occasion. It’s good to shock people who think of me as the prim Gwyneth Paltrow.”

“I’m sick of doing the crying-in-my-soup part. I want to laugh. I want to sing. The main thing is, I want to have fun.”

“When you go to Paris and your concierge sends you to some… restaurant because they get a kickback, it’s like, No. Where should I really be? Where is the great bar with organic wine? Where do I get a bikini wax in Paris? People know that I know that…” On deciding to launch GOOP.

“Unsubscribe!” On people who criticize GOOP

Read more of the interview in Elle !

Helmut Newton: Polaroids [Hardcover]
A collection of Helmut Newton’s test Polaroids

‘Polaroids occupy a special place in the hearts of many photo enthusiasts who remember a time when “instant photography” meant one-of-a-kind prints that developed within minutes of clicking the shutter. What was once a crucial tool for photographers to test their shots before shooting on film has now become obsolete in the face of digital photography. Luckily for us, legendary photographer Helmut Newton saved his test Polaroids, allowing a privileged and rare chance to see the tests from a selection of his greatest shoots over a period of decades, including many from the TASCHEN titles SUMO, A Gun for Hire, and Work. Selected by his widow, June Newton, from over 300 photos featured at the 2011 exhibition “Helmut Newton Polaroids” at the Museum für Fotografie in Berlin, this collection captures the magic of Helmut Newton photo shoots as only Polaroids can.’ Fabulous !

£34.99 Hardcover 224 pages from Taschen.com

The last couple of weeks in The FiFi Report fashion I have been writing about one single favourite item I have picked in a few stores rather than writing about what’s available generally from store to store. So dear FiFi Report readers do tell:  what you do prefer? A rundown of what’s hot in each store and chatting about lots of items in each shop ?  Or would you rather I find just one ( OK, Maybe 2) fabulous piece in each store and blab on about why you want it and how to wear it? Such as I have done this week…DO TELL! I love to get your feedback !

Sportsgirl
I am always checking out the accessories in here : you can get some really great cheap but chic pieces. Love the silver asymmetrical cuff for $24 above. In terms of clothing I love and adore the stripe - what they call -Midi skirt. Yes, stripes skirts are going to be everywhere this summer. We saw them on the summer Prada runway (below) and they are so easy to interpret on the high st. Please ignore all those ridiculous rules about stripes making you look larger. Or that a tube skirt will emphasize the lumps and bumps.WRONG! This little stripe number is flattering because it goes in and is narrow at the knees. Oh and aren’t we so happy that it’s actually over the knee? LOVE. By the way any age can wear this. And it’s so cute for summer mixed back with red and orange. I mean what do you want for $59? Oh and just so you know: mixing stripes and florals is the go so if you are feeling groovy mix it up.

justjeans.com
How can you walk past a cute, crop cotton trench slash jacket that is now reduced to $49? You can’t. So shut up and get in and try it on. It’s a little bit of colour to lighten up the wardrobe. Red is one of THE colours for summer. I say wear this with stone, beige and browns. Toss back with your fav stone (rolled up) slouch chinos and a stripe top. And heels darling. Always Heels. Why do I love a crop trench jacket like this? Because it has epaulettes tick. Because when it’s double breasted you can wear it undone and still hide the muffins and croissant. Because you get the benefit of the coverage of a jacket but it’s not as strict as a blazer. Wear it undone over a navy top and toss back with a black pencil skirt. It’s just a cute number to take through to spring. Especially for that price.

Witchery :
I am always looking for what I call “wear it at the table” jacket. This is a jacket that you can wear when you go out to dinner. It’s not a peaocat or a wintery style coat that has to come off as soon as you sit down. I am always wanting a jacket that gives good coverage that stays on. If you take off your jacket then you are stuck with the question: what the hell do I wear under it? ( answer: probably a floppy silk shirt which I have been telling to buy for about year!) Anyway I like this black jacket below from Witchery because you can keep it on at dinner. Push up the sleeves and toss over a sequin tank and back with jeans. Or try it with a flirty leather skirt and a print style punk Tee. It’s not too structured so you won’t feel over dressed. Love the minimal Celine inspired shape. Love that it’s in a trans-seasonal fabric so you can wear right now and into spring. $199

Country Road:
What am I looking to wear right now? Tops that I can slip under jackets. Tops to throw back with jeans or chinos or my fav black peg leg pants. I love this black halter  top here below with the gold buckle. The higher neckline works to cover any bad cleavage, the gold buckle is reminiscent of Gucci or Celine ( tres cool if you didn’t know) and the black jersey fabric skims but doesn’t cling. You can toss this under a jacket and it seems to work. The cut away shoulder line is flattering much more than wide low scoops. I promise. This is what I call a handy number. It might be a little chilly now but it’s worth investing toute suite. It’s called a Halter Neck Top and it’s just $69.95 so how fab is that? Very. BTW that’s it in the photos below with wide leg pants as well as all on its lonesome…

David Lawrence
How many black dresses do I own? Never enough! I can always add another to the wardrobe. Do I have to tell you again why we love a black dress?. Always chic. Covers up the lumps. Covers up the crap. ( ie. That sneaky jam donut). Works day to evening. It’s a blank canvas for accessories. Etc. Etc. I think everyone should try this cute black dress I found in David Lawrence. A winner. It s a great shape. Higher neckline so no scoop that ages everyone by 325 years. It a fitted top so shows off your skinny torso /top but flares out to cover those almond crossant thighs. A narrow black dress can be tricky because you can’t wear it with flats - you just can’t - but with a flared skirt you can throw on cute brown flat T bar/gladiators and skip around all day. Or heck even wear with beaded thongs or converse if you like. You can belt it in with a brown belt twisted belt. Wear this with wedges in summer but right now with black opaques and stomp-a -licioius heels. Toss on a velvet blazer in navy which I know you have bought. Please ignore if you have flabby arms. No one will even notice because you will look so pretty in this dress. $199

Bassike
I have been banging on about bright pants - like red jeans- for about 6 months or since I first spied them on the Isabel Marant runway. So now you have had plenty of time to get used to the idea. I am sorry but you have. C’mon it’s not too scary you can do it. I am telling you that you now need some blue peg leg pants. Please don’t frown; it will just cost more in Botox. Check out these cool denim blue pants here at Bassike styled just right with a chic black/navy blazer and tank top with flesh heels below right.  Love the high waist, love the narrow leg, love the pleat front. Love that they are in cotton. Love the price $260. They are called pleat front pant in denim. Must wear with heels but that’s ok.
Also there is another must buy you must here at Bassike. It’s the ” supersoft subtle shimmery glitter tank in genius 100% cotton non-itch lurex.  It’s lurex in the front and soft cotton jersey at the back for contrast and comfort.”  I know I will LIVE in this. It’s the perfect little underneath -wear-it-with-anything-top with that round ( read NOT low scoop) neckline. Plus the lurex means it ‘aint just another boring black top. $150. Love. HINT: when going for black you want texture, shine or embroidery. Otherwise you might fall asleep.

Jac + Jack
I need more sweaters. I know winter is not over and I love this grey number ( middle below) in cotton cashmere : what a beautiful grey ! What a great slouchy fit ! it has cute front pockets and the shoulders are cut quite wide so it gives the illusion of wider strong shoulders. This is a good thing. Love back with high waist skirts and pants. You could layer over a white tee and have it just peeking out the bottom. You could. $260. Toss this on with a seriously beaded full on necklace like this one below left from Jay Kenneth Lane at Net-a-porter.com. It’s the perfect sweater to go out for dinner with the jewels, the skinny grey or red jeans and a clutch. Bobs your uncle. Tip: love the idea of mixing flashy jewels back with casual slouchy grey marle. So chic!

Recipe: Spinach and Walnut Pesto Pasta …adulterated from Marie-claire

I love a variation on pesto! Perfect for vegetarians and for a quick bite during the week. It’s great served tossed with a few spinach salad leaves.

You need for 4 fashionista, 28 models or 2 teenage boys.

45g English spinach, tough stems removed
4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
3 tablespoons chopped walnuts, plus extra to serve
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
8 tablespoons grated parmesan, plus extra to serve
500g dried pasta, such as rigatoni

• Slip into Gucci fleece pajamas.
• Turn up the fire ( and ask George Clooney to go out and chop more wood; He love to do that.)
• Pour a glass of divine wine. Inhale.
• Find the Whizzer/Blender.
• Peel garlics and toss in.
• Drink wine.
• Set aside some walnut for accessorizing later.
• Then toss in the remainder of walnuts.
• Drink wine.
• Remove stems from spinach.
• Toss in whizzer
• Drink wine.
• Pour olive oil in whizzer and whiz until the garlic, walnuts, spinach is as smooth as Nicole Kidman’s brow.
• Drink wine.
• Grate the Parmesan
• Drink wine.
• Now pour the walnut gooey mix into a bowl, then add the parmesan and stir until it looks like hippy face mask.
• Season with lots of sea salt and ground black pepper.
• Set aside while you cook the pasta and let all those flavours meld together in a love in.
• Cook the pasta until al dente. Ask George to cook it: He thinks he is Italian anyway.
• When it’s drained, reserving ½ cup of cooking water to add later.
• Hint: you NEVER rinse pasta.
• Toss the pasta back into to saucepan and plop in the walnut pesto and then toss it all so that’s it’s mixed in.
• Now gently add a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency so it’s just as gooey as you want.
• Serve accessorized with the chic little extra walnuts and lots and lots of grated parmesan.
• Grazie!