Rufus Wainwright is back

I'm a HUGE, huge fan of Rufus Wainwright. I've seen him perform live a few times and he's a seriously talented singer and performer. His new album, produced by Mark Ronson, is out in April. And he's just released the first single. Love it.

Listen here: Out of the Game

Golden Globes 2012 - Post-mortem

I finally managed to download the Golden Globes last night (damn you Chinese TV!). Nothing like watching something "live" ten hours after everyone else. Here are my random thoughts.

- Ricky Gervais was a bit too tame. Ripping on Jodie Foster's Beaver was about as risque as it got. Disappointing.

- Madonna is really, really up herself. "Me, my, me, my." That's all she said in her speech. Who said filmmaking was collaborative? Not Madonna!

- Seth Rogan had the line of the night. And I loved that Kate Beckinsale just laughed it off. An American starlet would have got the huff but trust a British girl to get the joke.

- These Hollywood stars are a narcissistic bunch. From Helen Mirren's showboating during Morgan Freeman's moment to Reese Witherspoon's "my friend Alexander Payne" moment, for God's sake, just read the prompter and give the moment to someone else.

- How many freaking award shows is Mildred Pierce going to hang around for? Kate Winslet's "wow, I won" schtick is wearing thin. Although to be fair, this speech wasn't as toe curling as her previous outings.

- Idris Elba rocked the house. Loved that he was sitting at the same table as Dominic West. Stringer Bell and Jimmy McNulty together again.

- Does anyone in Hollywood eat?  There were some seriously skinny bitches on that stage. And don't get me started on the botox. Jessica Lange was frightening. Although I liked her laidback speech.

Have I lost my love for magazines?

I have been obsessed with magazines my entire life. As a child, I always had my head burrowed in a book or newspaper (there is ample photographic evidence!). But I reserved a special love for magazines. If we visited relatives' houses and I disappeared for any length of time, you'd be sure to find me in a quiet corner with a stack of Woman's Day and New Idea. Total junkie behaviour. I used to offer to "help" my mum do the weekly grocery shopping at Coles and then stand at the checkout and flick through magazines like a deranged speed reader. Her rage for my cheap and cheeky behaviour was palpable! But she fell for my "help" excuse every time. Duh!

When I started a part-time job at age 13, I saved my money for two things: magazines and music. I had a subscription to Rolling Stone, Juice, Dolly, then Cosmo. But my favourite was Who Weekly. I'd walk around to the corner store faithfully every Friday and buy my copy and inhale it like a drug. Celebrities, fashion, gossip. Heaven! And I never threw them out. Ever. But at 18, when I moved out of home, I had to throw my collection out. I'm still not sure I'm over it.

So last week, when my husband and I had a big clean-out of our study to make way for the nursery, the first thing I tackled were the seven or so boxes of magazines sitting like the Tower of Pisa in the corner of the room. Still sitting in removal boxes and unopened. They weighed a tonne. I had back issues of Vanity Fair, GQ, Elle, Marie Claire, Real Living, Vogue, Vogue Living, Esquire, Elle Decor, Belle, In Style, Travel + Leisure, Gourmet Traveller, Wallpaper and Monocle. You name it. I had it. Shockingly, I have moved internationally twice in the last three years, so some of these magazines have lived in Sydney, Singapore and now Shanghai. And most of them have never been opened again since I first read them.

Why oh why do I hoard these 100-page paperweights?  I'm not usually a hoarder. But for some reason, magazines are my achilles heel. I can't throw them out. Ever.

Until now.

This time, I had no problem. I flicked through each and every magazine perusing for articles or recipes or decor ideas that I'd like to tear out and keep. Just in case. But there was nary a pile of clippings to be seen at the end. What has happened to me?! Is my obsession over? Perhaps it is.

This is a shocking turn of events. I have put it down to a number of factors:

1. I have now worked in the magazine industry. I know what goes on behind the curtain.

2. Gossip is so much faster to access on the internet. Why buy Who, People or New Idea when I can read it all on the net FOR FREE on blogs and e-mags?

3. Magazines are verging on inaccessible in China. And they're insanely expensive.

From buying around ten magazines per month, I have now whittled myself down to about two magazines. Two?!!!  Am I insane? How in God's name have I reduced my reading to Vanity Fair and Hello magazine (no judgement: Hello is only CNY30 at my local pirated DVD shop and I buy it a month or two after its publication date. So frugal and retro!).

Looking at it positively: I'm now being budget-conscious, time-efficient and judicious. Looking at it negatively: I've lost my magazine mojo. But never fear: the one time I become a magazine obsessive again is when I fly. Show me an airport newsagent and a plane and I'll show you an empty wallet and a stack of glossy tomes.

But I have reformed: instead of dragging these magazines back from my holiday locale to sit in my apartment unopened again for eternity I am going to do a shocking thing. Leave them behind. Or, shock horror, throw them in the hotel bin. My 13-year-old self would be horrified! But my 34-year-old self feels evolved and very, very free.

On that note, I'm off to bed with my "new" old copy of Hello. You'll find it in the bin in the morning. Victory!

2011 Review: Best and Worst Magazine Covers

While I have not seen every single magazine at newsstands, I do try to keep up to date with as many covers as I can by browsing online. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but here are my picks for best and worst this past year. I judge by concept, brand and audience synergy, styling, coverlines, creativity and overall impact. For me, the worst covers have terrible styling and picture selection and have missed the mark considerably in terms of their audience/brand suitability.

BEST MAGAZINE COVERS 2011

 

WORST MAGAZINE COVERS 2011

Lady Gaga makes the cover of Vanity Fair again.

It's pretty impressive that Lady Gaga has made the cover of Vanity Fair again. Her last cover was just over a year ago in September 2010. She must really sell magazines.

"Hold it away from me and set fire to it"

This has been around for a few months, but it's worth another viewing. A compilation of Nigella's best bits. I think I lost it at "clam flesh".

Kate Moss does Ziggy Stardust

Say what you want about Kate Moss' messy personal life, but you can't really argue about her ability to model - and sell magazines. I'm loving this French Vogue cover inspired by David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust character. I particularly love how clean this cover is. No distracting coverlines, just a striking concept and image.

The sexiest man alive? He's wearing a cardigan!!

I'm liking the choice of Bradley Cooper as People's "Sexiest Man Alive". But I'm not loving their choice of cover image. He doesn't look sexy at all. Bad angle, bad outfit. Daggy grey cardigan.

Yikes. Donatella has to know she looks BAD. Right?

Check out this pic of Donatella Versace with Jennifer Lopez at the Glamour Awards in New York last night. That is one scary face. It's seriously getting worse. I didn't think it was possible. Are we sure she's not really Miss Piggy? The Muppets think so.

This is what she looked like before she slammed a frying pan in her face.

Whoopsie, I got divorced

I just watched this hilarious skit from Saturday Night Live about the Kardashian divorce. It's so perfect. I almost cried when Bruce Jenner appeared.

We need to stage a fashion intervention

I am seriously worried for Katie Holmes' mental health. On what planet (Xenu?!) would it be okay to wear this outfit?  I seriously don't understand how she can have so much money and so little taste.

Let's break this ensemble down from head to toe.

A side plait. 

A black misshapen cardigan

A grey sweater

Blue denim overalls. Rolled up blue denim overalls with a patch on the left thigh.

A yellow security blanket

Black high heeled ankle boots

I am officially starting a regular "Katie Holmes Fashion Watch".

We need to stage a musical intervention

Gwyneth. You. Cannot. Sing.

Put. Down. The. Microphone.

Why is she terrorising the world with her musical attempts? Now, she's even singing for royalty.

It has to stop, people.

Stupid quote of the day: "I'll eat when I'm dead"

Apparently this is what fashion follower / socialite Daphne Guinness told a stylist on a New York photo shoot.

And judging by her physique, she's not joking.  Silly woman.

More Emmys fashion - the ugly

Whoa. Paz de la Huerta's makeup and hair is even worse up close.

What kind of haircut is that exactly? A half-head mullet?

And what colour do you call that lipstick: grey, beige, greige?

More Emmys fashion - the good

Archie Panjabi

I'm a big fan of her on The Good Wife, and I love her choice of dress here. 

Simple, bold and incredibly flattering.

Sofia Vergara

I had discounted this in still photos, but when she was on stage, she was a knockout. The earrings are verging on a Miss Universe-style look, but you can't deny that the cut of this dress accentuates her amazing figure fabulously.

Claire Danes

Now this is how you do sequins in a classy way: keep the hair and accessories simple and let the dress do the talking. 

Kerry Washington

This girl is WAY too thin, but this dress is absolutely gorgeous. Funnily enough, she didn't look this emaciated on TV.  Maybe the camera really does add 10 pounds. Scary.

Rachael Taylor

I love this icy blonde goddess look this Aussie actress has going here. The sequins are on trend, but she keeps it modern with a great new haircut and subtle styling.

Cobie Smulders

Now this is not my favourite shade of blue. However, the detail on this chiffon Alberta Ferretti gown is just so beautiful that it has made me reconsider this colour. Am loving the drop earrings and shorter hair.

Kristin Wiig

Again, this was a dress that I'd skipped past on first viewing, but the whole look is
growing on me. Brown is a hard colour to pull off, but I like the bold choice and understated styling.

Emmys fashion- the good, the bad and the ugly

You know I love an Awards show!!  And today is the Emmys. Who got it right and who got it wrong on the red carpet? Here goes:

TOP 10 BEST DRESSED

1. Christine Baranski 

This is perfection. I love this structured Zac Posen dress. 

It is classic black but not boring. Love the contrast bag.

2. Michelle Forbes

She's not a well-known star, so her sophisticated look is appropriate and striking.

3. Christina Hendricks

I think this is her best red carpet look to date. Love the hair, love the sparkles, love the classic styling.

4. Emily Blunt

This is gorgeous. Loving this dark navy colour. 

It looks classy and elegant, but still bang on trend with the beading.

5. Rashida Jones

She makes this blush pink gown less girly by adding a 

deep red lipstick and interesting bracelets.

6. Katie Holmes: 

It's rare that she ever gets fashion right, but I do love this simple look. 

The colour and cut is bold enough not to worry with excessive jewels or fancy hair.

7. Maria Bello

The nude, sequin gown seems to be a trend tonight. See also Cat Deeley, Jennifer Carpenter and Taraji P. Henson. But I like this look the best. Mostly because of her simple styling.

8. Lena Headey

 This could have turned into a Goth look, but it didn't. And I love it. Her hair, makeup, belt buckle and earrings are fantastic.

9. Julie Bowen

I'm not usually a fan of sequins and deep plunging necklines, but she keeps this classy 

by styling her hair in a pony tail and keeping the jewellery simple.

10. Evan Rachel Wood

Loving the silhouette of this gown. The tasteful jewels, makeup and hair offsets the beading perfectly.

THE TOP 10 WORST-DRESSED

1. Gywneth Paltrow

This could have been the best-dressed of the night. Her hair, makeup and jewels are fabulous and understated and the sequins, cap sleeves and pattern are gorgeous. But she can't help her attention-seeking ways.  Why would you ever cut this gorgeous dress in half? Who wants to wear a crop top to the Emmys?!! We get it: you exercise. Now go away.

2. Heidi Klum

What in God's name is this monstrosity? Major fail. I wish Seal would do up some of those buttons and take those silly sunglasses off. As a couple, they look like they're going to a fancy dress party not an awards show.

3. Juliana Margulies

I love her in The Good Wife, but this is just horrible. The hem is too long and her 

helmet hair is just awful. That bodice looks like a chewed-up orthopadic back brace.

4. Elisabeth Moss

I love you in Mad Men, but why did you decide to audition for Dancing on Ice tonight of all nights?  I am calling this look; "When Nude Gowns Go Bad". Let's not even talk about the hair.

5. Olivia Munn

The colour is initially striking, but the fit is just awful. Stripes, satin, 

spaghetti strap/cowl neck, belt and train. Way, way too going on.

6. Paz de la Huerta

I suspect this chick is a nutjob. Why else would you think this make-up looks good?

7. Loretta Devine

I don't even know who she is, but I do know she needs to be wearing a bra.

8. Kyle Richards

Now, I love a reality star, but not at the Emmys. And not in a blue taffeta monstrosity. 

Is that a fishtail with a ruffled hem? Oh dear. 

9. Jayma Mays

Ice-skating costume above the waist, toilet doll below. Hideous pink all over.

10. Padma Lakshmi

This should work, but it doesn't. I'm blaming that 

assymetrical seam on her mid-section. And her greasy make-up.