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Nicole Ritchie looking starved

This is the latest picture of Nicole Ritchie that's causing gasps (and comments to the ilk of 'eat a burger' or 'fat bitch!') on the blogosphere.

I thought she had gained a bit of weight recently, but it looks like she's lost it again, and has gone beyond thin - veering dangerously towards anna territory. She could take a few pages out of Heidi Klum's book on how to be slim and toned without starving the crap out of yourself.

Photo: c/o thesuperficial

Smoking while pregnant

I know this might piss some people off, because they've done it, or their mums did it, or their grandmother's did it. And while I don't want to offend anyone here, I'm afraid I can't fence sit when it comes to smoking while pregnant. I have a very strong negative reaction to it, especially in this day and age, when we know, or at least should know (unless you've been living in a cave) how harmful it is to an unborn child to be exposed even to regular second-hand smoke, never mind a smoking mother.

Perhaps, you may argue, our mothers and grandmothers weren't aware of the full extent of the dangers of smoking during pregnancy - fair enough. But these days, I think to be aware it and still consciously do it, is incredibly selfish and indescribably negligent.

I've held off posting about this, because it seemed inconceivable to me that someone who has been voted 'Celebrity mother of the year' here in the UK, not once, but twice, is allegedly still smoking, despite being three months pregnant.

I've now seen it reported in two magazines, and a number of websites, and according to Star magazine:

A close friend of Kerry's family confirmed she is definitely smoking, saying: "She cut back when she was pregnant with Molly, 4, and Lilly Sue, 3, but has never given up."

For those of you in the USA or who don't read tabloid mags, Kerry Katona is one of those people in the UK that was in a band once, and now does commercials and has a column in OK magazine, but is still mysteriously viewed as some sort of celebrity, and is accordingly hounded by the press.

She has been quoted as saying, "My doctor said: If you're more stressed about not having a cigarette, you're better off having one. The stress harms the baby more."

OK, not all babies suffer visible negative health effects from smoking mothers, but the percentage of those that do, makes the odds incredibly dangerous, and certainly not something you'd want to risk. According to stopsmokingnow.co.uk

A German study showed traces of NNK, (nicotine-derived nitrosaminoketone) which is one of the strongest cancer causing agents found in tobacco products. It was detected in 22 of 31 newborns of mothers who smoked during pregnancy.

I appreciate it's a hard habit to kick - having quit myself, and still occasionally having one once in a blue moon when I have too much to drink. But surely the fact that you are carrying and therefore responsible for a life inside of you, is incentive enough to give up? The closest I can come to imagining what a fetus must experience, is having bronchitis or asthma and being stuck in a car with a smoker with the windows wound up. Something I've in fact experienced while traveling by taxi in Athens during a snow storm.

Photo c/o here

Tyler's back

After just over a week's absence we can all breathe a huge sigh of relief - wwtdd.com (What Would Tyler Durden Do) is back with a sexy new look. It's my favourite celeb goss source (up there with The Superficial) not least of all, because they post huge, great quality pictures with most entries. They also don't slap annoying watermarks all over their photos like Splash News. In fact, I avoid using photos from Splash not because I want to claim that the photos are mine (as if!), but because the watermark obscures the picture and is annoying. Give us some credit guys, I for one do my best to link to my source whenever I use and image or qoutation, you don't need to brand the crap out of things with your name.

Welcome back Tyler Durden!

PS: They are having a few teething problems with their new server so the site's a bit slow at the moment.

Photo c/o endevil.com

The Body

There's a 'dispute' between Heidi Klum and Elle MacPherson at the moment over who rightfully owns the title, 'The Body.' According to people.aol.com in the latest Victoria's Secret commercial, Klum states:

"They call me The Body - and now I have a bra named after me."

MacPherson's camp responded with:

MELISSA EDWARDS, spokesperson for MACpherson's underwear company Elle MACpherson Intimates, tells the New York Daily News, "We saw that and were like, 'Oh my god!' We were initially flabbergasted. "We have numerous press clippings in the office referring to her as 'The Body'. Everything from Harper's Bazaar to Vogue to the recent Sports Illustrated calls her that. In terms of public record, that name belongs to Elle." The 43-year-old Aussie is particularly riled because she uses her moniker on a range of products, including skin-care line Elle MACpherson The Body, her lingerie brand and a fitness video. Source

I'm not a big Elle MacPherson fan, not because I have a beef with The Bod, but she doesn't really register on my celeb radar. I am however a huge fan of Heidi Klum's - mostly because I think she is fantastic on Project Runway - smart, likeable, and more than anything, she comes across as being genuine. But Heidi, as much as I think your body rocks, and your hair, and your dress sense, I think Elle's right on this one; as long as I've been reading Cosmo and following the super model craze (a long long time - sad I know), the term 'The Body' was coined for Elle.

More photos of Heidi showing off her great body here.

Photo of Heidi Klum c/o wwtdd.com

Before & After

I love a good before and after shot showing the power of Photoshop. A good reminder to all of us, that when something looks too good to be true, chances are, it is. Herewith my latest finds (click on photos to enlarge):

Laila Rouass, from the TV series Footballers' Wives. Thanks to Louise for the tip.

Victoria Beckham. The pic on the left was a pap snap taken in the last week, when VB unveiled her new pob (posh bob). The pic on the right appeared on a recent cover of OK! magazine.

I found this before and after on a graphic design Photoshop tips site. More here.

And finally, this re-touched portfolio pic I found here.

See here for more on photo manipulation from wikipedia.

Kosher restaurants and dodgy old photos

Well it's Friday morning, and having drunk wine for the first time in about two weeks last night, I'm feeling a little hungover today. We ate in a kosher restaurant with Greg and Zoe last night, called Six-13 and the food was great. Usually these guys have to stick to fish or vegetarian options when we eat out, and it was nice to be able tuck into some really delicious rib-eye steaks along with them, and for once not feel guilty they couldn't do the same.

I was a little worried about going to what is effectively my first kosher restaurant - aside from a place I had lunch at years ago in South Africa. Could I show cleavage? Did Robert have to wear a yarmulke? Would they do steak? (I was dying for a steak).

Well, the good news is, for one thing - it looks just like any new, stylish, modern restaurant. Secondly, you do not have to be Jewish or have to wear a yarmulke to eat there. And last, but certainly not least, the food is modern-European and you can eat pretty much anything you would anywhere else. The difference lies, and Zoe really is the one to ask about this in more detail, in how the food is prepared, and that you do not mix meat and diary together. But I haven't really wanted a glass of milk with my food since I was about 10, so it wasn't really an issue. Seriously though, a lot of sauces are made with diary products - things like cream, butter etc, and I think it was a relief for those guys not have to check everything, and just be able to sit back and enjoy their meal.

Right, and onto the land of celebrity:

The picture at the top is non other than George Clooney as a kid. Yup, I thought Friday was a perfect day to provide a link to dodgy celeb photos. I mean, if George can go from that to being voted one of the hottest men alive, it gives the rest of us a bit of hope - no? There's also a great one of Angelina as a teenager - who'd have thought it?

And for those of you struggling with post-baby weight, Gwyneth Paltrow has some incredibly sage and revolutionary advice. Wait for it folks...she says you need to... work out. *Gasp* I don't know about you, but I was astounded. Work out? Who'd have thought it?

"It's all lovely when you are pregnant; but when you are not pregnant and you haven't been for a couple of months and you are still carrying tons of extra weight and everything's all hanging and sagging, you think, How is this ever going to go back? But it does. If you do a lot of working out." Source

And finally, it looks like Lindsay Lohan is getting herself into even more trouble. Firstly, her digs, the Chateau Marmont, is apparantly fed up with the noise and constant stream of mates coming and going from her room. And secondly, someone who worked with her on Herbie: Fully Loaded has issued an anonymous statement about what a nightmare she was to work with, not unlike those made by Morgan Creek.

These young actors just don't appreciate what a saturated market they exist within. In the old days you could be a lot more rock n' roll, these days you mess up - you get fired, and when people stop seeing your face in movies and on the red carpet they forget all about you, and move onto the next best thing. It really is a matter of 15 minutes of fame in the broader scheme of things.

Photo c/o people.aol.com

Before you fly

I received an email from Virgin Atlantic last night and this is what they have to say about the current hand-luggage/luggage and security proceedures when you fly:

Flights Departing From UK Airports
Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets:

• pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags)).
• travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets).
• prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g., diabetic kit) However liquid medication e.g. insulin may only be carried with supporting documentation from the owners Doctor that verifies it as authentic.
• spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.
• contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.
• for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags).
• female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (e.g. tampons, pads, towels and wipes).
• tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs.
• keys (but no electrical key fobs).

In addition to this please note:

• All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened.
• Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.

Flights Departing From US Airports
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be implementing a series of security measures. Although the TSA is not restricting the carriage of hand luggage all items are being hand searched at the departure gate and this is causing significant delays. It is therefore strongly recommended that you carry only the most essential items to speed up the security process and minimise flight delays. \

The TSA have advised that the following measures are to take place with immediate effect: \

No liquids or gels are allowed past the airport security checkpoint and they are not allowed to be carried either in hand luggage or on your person, except:

• Baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is travelling.
• Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket.
• Insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines.

In addition, customers may not bring liquids and gels purchased inside the airport onboard the aircraft. Examples of liquids and gels include beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and items of a similar consistency.

Virgin Atlantic advises its customers to ensure that only items complying with these requirements are carried on board aircraft. All other items must be placed in checked baggage or left behind.

General Information for all passengers
Excess baggage charges will be waived to facilitate the carriage of additional checked baggage that would otherwise have been carried in the cabin.

We have been advised that customers in possession of non-compliant items will be stopped at the security checkpoint and re-directed back to the check in hall. With the additional security measures applied at the security checkpoint and the departure gates, passengers are advised to make their way quickly through security and arrive as early as possible at the departure gate.

Customers are advised not to carry personal belongings, which are valuable, or fragile without ensuring it is covered for loss or damage under their own personal possessions/ travel insurance. We cannot accept any liability for such items including laptops or cameras should passenger still wish to carry them.

Regular updates on the situation will be available on our website. However, if you feel that you need to speak to our Contact Centre, please expect delays.

Further information may be found at
http://www.dft.gov.uk
http://www.tsa.gov/

Victoria Beckham's new haircut

I'm feeling pissed off today, though probably not nearly as pissed off as the thousands of people stuck at some or other airport, or those who've had their flights cancelled due to the latest terrorist threat.

Robert and I are due to travel to New York for a few days this month, among other things to visit with close friends who cannot make our wedding, and now this happens. It upsets me because more than it being inconvenient, it's worrying. It scares me to think that there are some stupid fucks out there who board a flight with every intention of killing everyone on board - including themselves. Like I wasn't already afraid of flying, now I have this to worry about.

I guess we can be relieved they managed to stop it from happening - we hope. Right now they are saying no hand luggage at all. Does that include handbags? Robert tells me it does. And what if you chuck your purse, keys, and everything else into your check-in bags, and they lose them? I don't even want to think about it.

What about tampax? Robert tells me apparently you can take that along in a clear plastic bag. Gee, great. In the old days when my grandparents traveled, they actually had clothes made or bought for a flight /cruise - people dressed up back then. I still like to wear something relatively smart when I fly, but without the ability to refresh my makeup, why bother? Anyway, I know there are more important things in life than whether or not you can reapply lipstick at 30 000 feet, or be able to disguise your tampax in a suitably attractive handbag, but I'm not running for office dammit, I'm just a woman who wants to travel safely to New York with her fiancé, and likes to be presentable.

In other news:

Looks like we may be getting a glimpse of baby Suri. Reports have it that Annie Leibovitz (my favourite celeb snapper) is shooting pics of the little one, and they will appear in Vanity Fair magazine this autumn. Most babies look like scrunched-up little old men when they are born, so maybe it's a smart plan on their part to have waited. I'm sure their little girl (wow, perhaps she does exist!) is going to be very cute, though I sincerely doubt she will be as beautiful as the most beautiful celeb baby ever - Junior Andre (Katie Price and Peter Andre's baby).

Britney Spears reveals she has in fact lost it completely, and according to In Touch Weekly magazine, has given Feders a black Amex card with no limit. According to the mag it's “to prove how much she trusts him.”

I can think of a hell of a lot of other ways you can show the world you are happily married and trust your partner, other than committing financial suicide. Like, why not pose in innumerable severely airbrushed pictures on the cover of OK! magazine? If it's good enough for the Beckhams ... .

And on the subject of Victoria Beckham, she revealed a new hair do this week, and I have to say, I like it. Its modern and edgy, and its probably giving her scalp a well-deserved break from all those horrid extensions. Not to be bitchy or anything (who, moi?) but her skin looks kind of weird in the above image - almost painted. Is she taking to airburshing her skin with makeup now?

Photo c/o Now Magazine, 16 August 2006.

And so it begins

Looks like Heather Mills McCartney had one of her security guys break into Macca's house because he had changed the locks - and the police were called out. Asked to comment her rep said:

"She (Mills-McCartney) said it was hilarious. It was just a complete mix-up." McCartney had frozen the couple's joint bank account and sent Mills McCartney a letter complaining about three bottles of cleaning liquid that were taken from his home to her office. Source

It's not entirely clear what (a) the frozen bank account, (b) the nicked cleaning fluid, and (c) the alleged break-in had to do with each other. Did Mills break in to steal the cleaning fluid? Did she break in because he froze their bank account and then stole the cleaning fluid as retribution? Are any of these things related at all, or was her rep merely mentioning them to show what a mean old so and so Macca is?

What is however clear, is that when a man as rich as Paul McCartney starts writing disgruntled letters because of cleaning fluid, then you must know this divorce is going to get very, very ugly.

Photo: c/o the superficial.com