~The Sky is the limit, Carla Bruni Sarkozy for Vanity Fair~

1. SHE CONQUERED WITH ELEGANCE – MISS ELLIETTE: THE STORY OF AMERICA’S FIRST LADY OF FASHION DESIGN

Image of Carla Bruni Sarkozy, the First Lady of France, brought to you by le Clafloutis Restaurant, 8630 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069. A restaurant on the Sunset Strip where stars dine.

2. BILLY RAY SPINS TISH CYRUS INTO A HOLLYWOOD FILM PRODUCER 

3. ROBERT PATTINSON – INSPIRING BY TWILIGHT

4. DONATELLA VERSACE TALKS UP GIANNI VERSACE’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE CULT OF CELEBRITY

5. MICHELLE FORBES RESPONDS TO THE EMMYS TRUE BLOOD SNUB

6. THIERRY MUGLER’S SUPER HERO, JAGUAR WOMAN BEYONCE

7. BRITNEY SPEARS IS A MOM-TREPRENEUR: SPEARS PERFUME SALES TOP $1 BILLION

8. CHRISTIAN DIOR BRINGS STOCKINGS BACK AS CITED BY DITA VON TESSE

9. SUPERMODELS AS MUSES – LESLIE M. M. BLUME’S GUEST STYLE COMMENTARY

10. SHIRLEY MCLAIN GETS COCO CHANEL READY FOR THE EMMYS

TEN  BONUS POSTS: 11. POSH FASHION IS SO ELLE-GANT

12. KATE MOSS IS THE NEW FACE OF YVES ST LAURENT’S NEW FRAGRANCE

13. VANITY FAIR WANT A PIECE OF SHAKIRA’S ECLECTIC TASTE & STYLE

14. ART: FASHIONISTA WOLF’S BLOOD OF  THE LAMB  AT NEW MOON RISING

15. KEVIN WILLIAMSON’S VAMPIRE DIARIES SCREAMS #1 TV RATINGS

16. FASHION POP PRINCESS RIHANNA’S BOLD FASHION STATEMENT TO LADY GAGA, FASHION NIGHT OUT, NYC

17. THE BEST HOLLYWOOD COUTURE FASHION LABEL IS MISS ELLIETTE

18. ANGELINA JOLIE REIGNS AS QUEEN OF MAGAZINE COVER GIRLS

19. AMERICA’S FIRST LADY OF FASHION COUTURE, MISS ELLIETTE  HAS THE BEST HEIRLOOM TOMATOES IN THE WORLD

20. FHM’S TOP 50 MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMEN IN THE WORLD

~Gisele Bundchen by Sølve Sundsbø, photographer for Yves Saint Laurent~

#21: imdb: VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR IS A MOVIE YOU MUST SEE!

We’re on assignment. My boyfriend is also a travel writer, so most people would call this a vacation. Kathryn, the local PR woman here in Coos Bay, Oregon is a lovely woman who took us to dinner at a local Italian restaurant. It has been years since I’ve been to a family style Italian restaurant. Maybe even a year since I’ve been to an Italian restaurant at all.

Italian restaurants are jovial places. Wine and food abound. They give you lots and lots of food. Accompanied by lots and lots of wine. And lots and lots of cream sauces, cheese, and of course garlic. The flavor and sensory overload and sheer fun of it all sweeps me away.

I wish this could be a post of how to eat on a diet when at an Italian restaurant (come back in a couple weeks and I really hope it will be). But it’s not. While I did better than I might have before I was conscious of my eating, and I didn’t overstuff myself, I still know that I’ve undone a lot of the progress I was making.

I did only eat one piece of crab stuffed portabello, a couple of teaspoons of soup, all of my salad and only half of my veal piccata (sorry, I have it so rarely), and half of my pasta. Only 2 bites from my garlic bread. At least I didn’t have the New York steak smothered in gorgonzola. But I did have the dessert. Banana and chocolate layered and covered with brownie bits. But hey, I even shared that!

And we went for a walk through Coos Bay after dinner. A leisurely walk for about 2 miles.

Still, this isn’t a diet. But I have to look at ever so slight progress. And stay away from Italian restaurants until I hit my ideal weight.

Last night we went to see “Julie & Julia.” Gotta say, looking at all that sumptuous food…calling to me from the screen…the popcorn seemed to turn to cardboard in my mouth.

It reminds me all that I love about food–especially fresh food and sumptuous gourmet food:

-The rich colors and artistic presentation.

-The variety of textures from slippery with oil, to thick with cream, to soft & flakey fish, to tough crusted bread.

- those textures as they touch my tongue. Chewing through that hard crust, swirling around the thick cream, the slippery butter pooling and sliding past my tongue.

I swear, some of the meals on screen I could practically smell (they should have had smello-vision). There was a fish at the beginning of the film that I tickled the imagination of all my senses. The crispiness of the skin, the smell of fish sauteed in butter, the creamy softness of the flesh on my tongue.

Does this mean that food is an addiction for me? A fascination? Or a guilty sensuous pleasure? (yeah, I opt for the latter).

I think the best cure would be for me to go in search of healthy, non-fattening cuisine that satisfies my senses and love of food.

I’ll let you know what I find.

My boyfriend reminds me that wine is healthy and helps with digestion. What’s more there’s nothing like fresh fine cuisine with its multitudes of flavors bursting on your tongue and followed by a swish of a fine wine that has just the right bite and smoothness to compliment the flavors. A true party in my mouth, absolutely sensuous.

Still, a glass or two later loosens not only the palate but the self-control and I want every sensuous taste in the house (in this case, in the tent since I was at a wine festival).

Chocolate and a full bodied red. Crab cakes with cream sauce and a white with a bite. A great cabernet and Blacksmiths’ beef with their new Chocolate and spicy rub (Choco-Loco–got to get me some of that!)

My brain and body says “yum” and I want a repeat, dare I say like having multiple orgasms? Lubricated by a couple of glasses of wine, I am easily seduced.

They say that moderation is the key to any diet. I just don’t think that there is anything middle of the road about a Bacchanalia. Maybe the moderation is how many food and wine-fests that I attend, because certainly while I’m there, I refuse to hold back!

Robert Pattinson and Megan Fox may be the pick for hottest actor and actress by American teens at The Teen Choice Awards, this week, but it’s your own choices on Horiwood.Com tonight that show your eclectic tastes in entertainment and celebrity news. Love it!

These results, perhaps shows we have a very diverse global audience going on in Hollywood on this website tonight. Namste India! Welcome.

1. DAVID BECKHAM’S NEW DO

2. BOLLYWOOD’S MALLIKA SHERAWAT COMES TO HOLLYWOOD

3. BRAD PITT AND ANGELINA JOLIE AT THE CHAPEL

4. AT 51, SHARON STONE TRUMPS MADONNA ON THE COVER OF FRENCH MAG, PARIS MATCH

5. MEGAN FOX RESENTS HOLLYWOOD STEREOTYPING

6. VANESSA HUDGENS GROWS UP IN HER FILM ROLE CHOICES

7. LADYHAWKE CONTINUES THE BLONDE POP TRADITION OF NEW ZEALAND’S SHARON O’NEIL

8. THE OBAMA GIRLS ARE TARGETED FOR A NUTRITION ACT CAMPAIGN

9. TWILIGHT ECLIPSE’S SHOCKING CASTING NEWS: Q’ORIANKER KILCHER LUCKS OUT ON THE LEAH CLEARWATER ROLE TO JULIA JONES

10. KIM KARDASHIAN’S JLO TRANSFORMATION IS COMPLETE

horiwoodlatest tweet is: “Was in the valley today. Woah! Heat. Couldn’t wait to get to the top of Mulholland and feel the breeze of Hollywood cooling my hori head!less than 5 seconds ago from web

This nutrition act campaign is all kinds of wrong.

It’s simply not true, that the Obama girls have the healthiest school lunches in America. They do not have Miss Elliette’s best heirloom tomatoes in their school lunches yet, so how can they possibly have the best nutrition at all over other kids?

Without having access to Miss Elliette’s finest tomatoes Malia Obama and Sasha Obama are under nourished American girls too, just like everyone else’s kids in America.

Leave the Obama girls alone!

ps: Desirae Rogers, please ensure that Malia and Sasha Obama get some of Miss Elliette’s home grown Beverly Hills tomatoe seeds put into Michelle Obama’s Victory Garden at the White House. Thank you.

Hollywood producer, Kevin Williamson is having a big year. He’s the brains behind Scream and The Vampire Diaries debut next month on the CW. Scary guys who write and produce are the architects of Hollywood.

From the city of Hollywood and your favorite Kiwi blogger in LA (I’m the only one, LOL!), here’s the top 10 entertainment news topics of interest that you chose today worldwide. Enjoy! Happy Saturday:

1. HAYDEN PANETTEIRE PIC

2. NIKKI REED AND TAYLOR LAUTNER PIC

3. DIVA SIDEKICK AMBER ROSE

4. THE GLOBE CLAIMS PRESIDENT OBAMA’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE IS A FAKE

5. NAKED PICS OF VANESSA HUDGENS ARE EVERYWHERE

6. WHAT DOES A NEW YORK TIMES #1 BEST SELLING AUTHOR LOOK LIKE?

7. POOR JILLIAN HARRIS: BETRAYAL ALWAYS SUCKS

8. HEIDI MONTAG IS IN PLAYBOY: YAWN… THE DEVIL MADE HER DO IT

9. FARRAH FAWCETT COVERS PEOPLE MAGAZINE

10. AMERICA’S FIRST LADY OF FASHION DESIGN, MISS ELLIETTE, HAS THE BEST HEIRLOOM TOMATOES IN THE WORLD

TWILIGHT’S BONUS POST: 10 TWILIGHT SAGA ECLIPSE NEWS POSTS ON HORIWOOD.COM 8.8.09

Horiwood is a Maori New Zealander living in Hollywood. We call Maoris horis back in New Zealand. To travel to New Zealand,  one of the prettiest adventure tourism destinations on the planet on your next vacation, go here.

New Zealand is so pretty. Get there at least once in your lifetime.

Brad Pitt is #9

She’s beaten out The Pope and Barack Obama today as a news topic of interest. Q’orianka Kilcher, the actress who is perhaps best suited to play Leah Clearwater in the Twilight Saga’s Eclipse film is smoking hot news in Young Hollywood today on Horiwood.Com. There’s just no stopping her. Amazing!

As voted by you, worldwide, here’s your Top 10 news picks today. Enjoy!

1. TWILIGHT ECLIPSE’S SHOCKING CASTING NEWS: Q’ORIANKA KILCHER  VS JULIA JONES FOR TWILIGHT ECLISPE’S LEAH CLEARWATER CASTING

2. IS THE POPE THE NEXT MICHAEL JACKSON OF MASSIVE GLOBAL ALBUM SALES?

3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR PRESIDENT: BARACK OBAMA TURNS 48

4. NAKED PICS OF VANESSA HUDGENS ARE EVERYWHERE 

5. EAT. PRAY. LOVE SAY JAMES FRANCO & JULIA ROBERTS

6. AMERICA’S FIRST LADY OF FASHION DESIGN, HAS THE BEST HEIRLOOM TOMATOES IN THE WORLD

7. ROBERT PATTINSON ONCE WAS A GANGLING BOY

8. KANYE WEST MORPHS INTO AMBER ROSE IN THE FUTURE OF STEM CELL RESEARCH

9. BRAD PITT PARADES HIS MARRIAGE EQUALITY INTENTIONS WITH ANGELINA JOLIE

10. JODELLE FERLAND JOINS ECLIPSE

BONUS POST: XENA & HERCULES TYPES: HAVE YOU EVER BEEN HIKING IN THE WAITAKERE RANGES?

horiwood’slatest tweet is: “Vanessa Hudgens is a trending topic on twitter today. i can only think of 2 reasons why?”half a minute ago from web

Whoever would have thought that homegrown, heirloom tomatoes would rate on Horiwood.Com? Not me! Miss Elliette’s tomatoes have the magic touch. 

Read #6. Too funny!

Shreveport will now have to find another place to stumble into after the bar.

[As Seen on Kings and Youree]

Disney’s Ashley Tisdale and Twilight Saga’s Ashley Green both enjoyed their downtime this weekend on both US coasts.

Horiwood’s Top 10 today in Hollywood as voted by you the people worldwide are:

1. TWILIGHT ECLIPSE’S SHOCKING CASTING NEWS: JULIA JONES III VS Q’ORIANKA KILCHER FOR LEAH CLEARWATER

2. KRISTEN STEWART & ROBERT PATTINSON HAVE CRAZY LOVE

3. KATY PERRY TELLS MILEY CYRUS, “NO MORE EMO TWEETS”

4. SUSAN BOYLE SHOULD RECORD A DUET WITH THE POPE

5. OMER BATTI IS MICHAEL JACKSON’S SON SAYS JOE JACKSON

6. HAYDEN PANETTIERE HAS A DATE WITH BOB…

7. NEW TAYLOR LAUTNER, NEW MOON: JACOB BLACK SMOULDERS

8. THE VAMPIRE LIST: THE 20 TOP VAMPIRES OF ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY

9. OH DEAR… DRAKE IS NO CHRIS BROWN!

10. JON GOSSELIN GETS A NANNY HAWAIIAN STYLE

BONUS POSTS: 11. AMERICA’S FIRST LADY OF FASHION DESIGN, MISS ELLIETTE, HAS THE BEST HEIRLOOM TOMATOES IN THE WORLD

12. DALE’S TRIP TO LA

horiwood’s last twitter pick was from dale who is back in NZ Here it is: “@horiwood Definitely home – nothin like singing the Lord’s Prayer in Maori this am at Te Ataakura’s christening & crying over the AB’s loss.”9:50 PM Aug 1st from web in reply to horiwood

Hi people. Meet Miss E. She’s 86 and has possibly the finest heirloom tomatoes collection in the world. In her youth she blossomed with artistic genius as a fashion designer (on a budget) and was America’s version of France’s Coco Chanel.

Coco of course, has long since faded and passed on (in fact, Emmy awards are about to be given out in her postumous honor in LA), but this American butterfly of fashion design, who soared and conquered the great heights of fashion sales in America nationwide, still walks in life’s garden among us in this great city of Los Angeles.

Miss Elliette is an angel of LA. Our living Emmy of all Angelinos who are blessed to know and love her.

She is so underrated for her contributions to America and having being honored with the presence of her company and perpetual spirit of hope at her dinner table on many occasions, I just adore her. She’s an American eagle of the finest order if ever I have met one or have shared the company of one in America to date.

I think, I would have to say, that Miss Elliette is my most favorite American celebrity. But you can’t have favorites because her entire family  all rank pretty ‘up there’ too. They are all nice people. Perhaps proof, that the tomatoe never falls too far from the vine.

One day, the men of LA stopped to honor this woman’s genius when she was given the keys to the city of LA for her contributions to the fashion industry, to business in America and of course; her inspiring business development for the City of LA in the fashion world. Her dresses are masterpieces of heirloom chiffon, and they still sell on e-bay today.

As you can see, Miss E is still blossoming with her creative hands and extraordinary vision, more stronger than ever. Her life stories are as fascinating and entertaining as an Oscars Awards show! But, for today, let’s just talk about her amazing tomatoes!!!

These tomatoes she has lovingly hand grown on her Beverly Hills 90210 property. They are the best, sweetest and tastiest tomatoes in America. They are grown with love.  When you talk to Miss E, her tomatoes are like her family. She adoringly loves them, like they are people. It’s as if her garden is an extension of her family!

She makes no distinction between those who produce copious amounts of fruit and those who don’t –in both the plant kingdom and the people she knows, nurtures and loves. Just be productive,  is her life’s message.

This of course, is the way of the wise,  building on the most fruitful examples, and culling the nonproductive things in her garden and life. To be honest, her spirit and world view is perfect for America rising above recession faster. Her tomatoes trajectory of being the world’s finest hold a philosphical framework for the American economy to do better quicker. They are more than just the best tasting tomatoes in the world, they embody her life’s work for the better future of the world’s advanced progress. I can see her heirloom tomatoes growing in Africa one day. Feeding the hungry we all so rarely give a thought to. Her tomatoes hold that magic.

Miss E is such an inspiring example of how we should respect nature and our environment.

I just wanted to share the joy for America today, from the garden produce of my favorite First Lady of American Fashion and Growth in Beverly Hills. Look at that smile! Priceless!

It’s the visionary talent of a dreamer to dream a new American dream, that is humbly disguised as green-finger talent, like Miss E’s tomatoe growing passion shows and her endless creativity demonstrates in these amazing tomatoes that embodies and reflects anything she sets her heart, soul and mind to grow.

Her spirit keeps newbies and young fellahs like me in Hollywood, totally inspired. She rocks!

If you’d like to get in touch with Miss E, for the best tomatoes in the world, (that are also organic of  course!) she might be kind enough to share her knowledge of growing the world’s most tastiest heirloom tomatoes in your own back yard towards the betterment of enhancing the palate of food and cuisine worldwide.

She can also talk about how to grow the economy faster too in America towards a full recovery; but today we are making it about her tomatoes. They are the tastiest tomatoes in the world.

If you are a gardener, a foodie, or a master chef and you must must have the best tomatoes in the world, then you’re welcome to leave a comment on this post for Miss E to read.

If you’re an economist and want to know what she knows about growing an economy, please disguise yourself as an avid heirloom tomatoe grower and perhaps she might share her insight into America’s economic growth potential too.

First Lady, Michelle Obama definitely needs some of Miss E’s (The First Lady of American Fashion’s) finest tomatoes in the world for her own Victory Garden at The White House in Washington D.C.

The Obama girls (Malia and Sasha) deserve to grow up strong eating Miss E’s finest tomatoes in the world in their school lunches.

ps: Thanks Desirae Rogers for helping to ensure that these girls do. I’ll email you on Monday.

D.C. “Fete Select TV” Crenshaw, NBC Chicago Street Team

Perennial Chicago

They say that three is a charm, but that’s not necessarily true for Chicago restaurateurs Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm.  That’s because the dynamic duo have already been successful opening two of the best and hottest restaurants in Lincoln Park, BOKA and Landmark Bar & Grill.  Both restaurants have received critical acclaim from local and national publications and continue to be considered two of the more popular spots for great cuisine, cocktails and atmosphere.  However, Katz and Boehm just weren’t satisfied with their two gems and decided to open a third restaurant about a year ago.  Perennial, has lived up to its name and Executive Chef Ryan Poli was added to bring a new casual dining experience to Chicago. 

Perennial’s menu boasts a plethora of approachable dishes such as the Soft Shell Crab” and the “Brown Butter Gnocchi” appetizers.  Both starters are prepared with flavors that are succulent and a presentation that differs from similar type dishes.   The entrees are a perfect mix of seafood, meat and pasta selections, which makes it a difficult task to choose.  However the “Grilled Salmon”, “Alaskan Halibut”, “Compart Duroc Porkbelly” and “Sea Scallops” are all popular dishes that won’t disappoint.  The “Perennial Mac and Cheese” side dish holds it own when compared to other mac and cheese dishes in the city.  An attractive array of desserts and cheeses complements the menu, but the standout is the warm chocolate brownie served with coffee ice cream.

Their specialty cocktail menu is also seasonal and the wine list is manageable.  The service was attentive, but not overbearing and the waiter was knowledgeable about the cuisine, cocktails and wine.  The vibe and crowd is casual elegance and atmosphere is loud enough to enjoy a dinner conversation.  As the summer weather heats up Chicago expect Perennial to be even hotter during the months to come. 

Coffee and Baileys Dessert

Perennial is located at 1800 N. Lincoln Ave in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  For more information log onto www.perennialchicago.com.  Visit www.efete.net to check out more reviews and to get an inside look at the newest hottest restaurants on Fete Select TV.

The gallery known for contemporary realism and color, Smith Killian Fine Art is located in the heart of downtown Charleston’s French Quarter District. The gallery, which has been recently featured in AmericanStyle Magazine, Coastal Living and Southern Living, features works by Charleston artist Betty Anglin Smith and her triplets — painters, Jennifer Smith Rogers, Shannon Smith and photographer Tripp Smith. In addition to these artists, the gallery represents sculptor Darrell Davis, works in oil by renowned artists Kim English and Susan Romaine, and photographs by Tom Blagden, Jr.

At this year’s art and culinary affair, Smith-Killian collaborates once again with McCrady’s. A strong supporter of Charleston’s art scene, McCrady’s Restaurant features works in oil depicting Charleston life from Smith-Killian featured artists, including works by Betty Anglin Smith titled Lemon Light I & II; Jennifer Smith Rogers’ West of State Street and Roof Tops at Twilight; Shannon Smith’s Trio, End of the Road, and By Moonlight.

One of Charleston’s youngest and most celebrated chefs, Sean Brock stands on the forefront of the modern cuisine that uses fresh, locally grown ingredients. Nominated for the 2008 James Beard Award for “Raising Star Chef”, Brock captures a field-to-table experience that brings familiarity to the palate but is presented in an unexpected way. 

After graduation from Johnson & Wales and apprenticeships with Chefs Rick Tramanto, Gale Gand, Grant Achatz and Paco Roncero of La Terraza del Casino in Madrid, Chef Sean Brock began his professional career as Chef Tournant under Chef Robert Carter at the Mobil Four-Star / AAA Four-Diamond award-winning Peninsula Grill in Charleston, . After two years at Peninsula Grill, Chef Brock earned the position of Executive Sous Chef under Chef Walter Bundy of Lemaire Restaurant at the AAA Five-Diamond Award / Mobil Five-Star Jefferson Hotel in South CarolinaRichmond, . His success in Richmond led to his promotion within the Elite Hospitality Group in 2003 to Executive Chef at the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Chef Brock spent just under three years fine-tuning his craft in VirginiaNashville before accepting a position as Executive Chef at McCrady’s Restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina.

Shortly after his return to Charleston, Chef Brock began the development of a 2.5 acre farm on Wadmalaw Island. Rather than rely on others to fulfill the voluminous needs of the kitchen and the demands of an increasingly sophisticated food community, Chef Brock wanted to create a true field-to-table experience, not only for his guests, but for his staff. The McCrady’s culinary service and management teams work the farm together to produce 90% of the vegetables for the restaurant. The personal relationship to the food grown on the farm serves as inspiration for everyone working at McCrady’s, from the front door to the back. Slated to be biodynamic by mid-2008, heirloom seeds from plants that are at risk of extinction are harvested from family, friends and farmers throughout the Southeast and planted with care by the same people who are preparing and serving the fruits of the collective labor to the guests.

Source: Black Enterprise

Everything is better with bacon right?

Link to More Squeeze Bacon

Thanks to Justin Mayo for the find.

The Boom Food concept is one that integrates the the feel of music and the essence of artful cuisine. As you can see, this idea is one of a kind and is truly state of the art. Peep it!!!

MORE INFO AND PICS AFTER THE JUMP…

BOOM FOOD CONCEPT!!!!

The SKY+ box is filling up with hundreds of episodes of MasterChef. Bring back Loyd Grossman I say.

Anyway, I have decided to share my recipe for MushyPeas Soup with you.
You lucky lucky people.

Pour a healthy amount of Worcester Sauce into a bowl, along with a hefty shake of white pepper.
Pour in one 300g tin of Batchelors Mushy Peas (Chip Shop style if possible). Mix together.
Pop into the microwave for two and a half minutes.

Whilst waiting put 4 heaped teaspoons of Bisto Roast Beef gravy granules into a jug.
Add 280ml of boiling water and stir.

When the Mushy Peas are “cooked” fill the bowl with the gravy and mix well.

And there you have it. A quick warm meal that would make MasterChef contestants green with envy

Magic Peas

(Disclaimer: All measurments are “Man-Measurments”. This recipe should not be attempted by Lady Folk)