Frank Tapoli Blog: February 2007

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Mary-Kate and Ashley still raking it in

No surprises here - Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have been named the richest Hollywood stars under 21 by Forbes mag. Dualstar, the twins's company, pulled in close to $40 million in 2006. Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe landed in second place on the list, earning an estimated $13 million last year, and rounding out third was tabloid fav Lindsay Lohan. Also in the top ten were Dakota Fanning, Amanda Bynes, Hayden Panetierre, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Abigail Breslin, Tyler James Williams and JoJo Levesque.

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Jeff Goldblum takes stalker to court

Igby Goes Down actor Jeff Goldblum has filed for a restraining order against a 44-year-old female stalker. Goldblum filed documents in LA Superior Court Wednesday claiming the woman has "sent harassing and threatening letters, stalked me at various locations, physically attacked my employee and accosted me." The woman met Goldblum at an LA acting school where the actor is a teacher, started showing up at his gigs with his jazz band, and eventually showed up at Goldblum's house "unannounced and uninvited 20 times within the past month and over 50 times in the last three months," according to papers filed in court.

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Are Heath and Michelle having problems?

Trouble in paradise? According to the New York Daily News, cute couple Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams are having problems. "They had a huge fight, and they're not speaking," an insider said last week after Ledger was spotted at Hollywood hotspot Teddy's on Valentine's Day with a group of girls - that didn't include Williams. The Dawson's Creek alum and mom to 17-month-old Matilda also responded "frostily" when asked about her relationship with Ledger at a Fashion Week event. It seems, however, that the couple smoothed things over before appearing at the Independent Spirit Awards last weekend.

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Paris Fashion Week FW07 Wrapup I

Yay! It's Paris time. Paris is really where creative force of fashion is, although one must be actually interested and open-minded about fashion to appreciate this kind of fashion. On we go...

Balenciaga
THE show that we've been all waiting for. OK, so at first glance it wasn't as stunning as the FW06 collection or as directional and cool as the SS07 collection, but after looking over the photos many times, I am in love with this collection, which is odd coming from me considering I usually hate any folk-feeling clothes. There is SO much to love and learn from this collection -stare at the photos many times for awhile and you'll get what I mean. Maybe I'm biased because the a large part of the collection feels so young and has got that effortless-styled look.

Scarves were the accessory of the collection. There were so many different designs and ways they were used to style an outfit. With the folk-looking dresses, the scarves were wrapped around the models; with the more military looks, the scarves had gold and royal red strands spread out from the scarf, set out like a handkerchief at the neck; and then there are the simple scarves.

There were many folk-printed or seemingly tie-dyed dresses. Not usually my style since this kind of dresses are usually just bright and cheap looking, but I can't stop looking at these, especially the brilliant yellow one (in the middle). Maybe the reason I'm loving these folk dresses is because of the styling -grey stockings and cool sandals.

More to take note: bright blue stockings, skinny sports pants. That outfit in the middle is just way cool. Love all the layers and simple colours.

Christian Dior
OK, I'm probably in the minority in this, but I'm not a big fan of this show. Yes, I can appreciate the idea of going back to the 60s and making everything very original and vintage Christian Dior. Everything was absolutely beautiful; it was like a ready-to-wear version of the much-loved haute couture show.

Fur coats. Some huge and swinging, others were furry at the hems and more body-fitting.

The show did start off with some real-life (for more mature women) clothes.

Then there were many and many gorgeous dresses and party hats.

Look through the show, it's like all the colours are there. The purple dress Lily Cole is wearing is one of my favourites from the show.

This black and white dress is another one of my favourite.

BUT, what is the fashion direction; what is the show trying to say? At the end, I just can't get myself excited or inspired by anything from this show.

Viktor & Rolf
OK, so the reviews I (and all of you) have read so far from websites have so far, gone on and on about how worried the fashion editors were worried about the models, and feared that they would just tumble down the runway. To be honest, I didn't find the whole concept too shocking -remember that horrible sleeping-in-the-bed concept from a few seasons ago?

OK, those clogs are just hideous, absolutely horrendous. But try to look past the clogs, and the lights, if you can...

and you'll see that there are actually some pretty prints there.

Anyways, I'm off to stare at the Balenciaga collection again. Hope you have as much fun as I am!
Photo source: Style.com

Pre-rehab Britney in a borrowed bikini

New details have emerged about Britney Spears's pre-rehab afternoon at the Mondrian Hotel. Us mag is reporting that the popstar arrived at the hotel early Saturday morning, just hours after shaving her head. Spears allegedly had no credit cards or cash and was denied a room - so she stripped to bra and panties and set herself up by the pool. "It was sad," a source told the mag. "It looked like she really needed a friend." Close to noon, Spears (in a wig and hat) struck up a conversation with a girl in the pool bathroom, who offered the loan of a bikini. After changing in the girl's room, Spears reportedly "grabbed four or five bottles" out of the minibar "and just started mixing everything and drinking them," according to the insider.

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Christie's emergency back surgery

Christie Brinkley was rushed into emergency surgery last night for a back injury she sustained on a recent ski trip with her children. "She needed surgery, and thank god she got it," said the former model's rep. "She sounds great. She's feeling a million times better... The surgery was successful, and she will be out of the hospital Friday." The details of Brinkley's injury have not been disclosed. The model mom will miss daughter Alexa Ray's Manhattan concert tonight. "I wish that my mom could be there for the show but the most important thing right now is for her to get well," said Alexa Ray, whose famous dad is Billy Joel.

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United nations

More pics of baby Shiloh! Out with Maddox and Grandma Pitt - Popsugar

Jennifer and Cameron gossip about their nose jobs - A Socialite's Life

Is KFed coming out on top? - Defamer

Paternity of Anna Nicole's baby still not resolved - Us mag

ICYDK clears up the Grey's Anatomy news

Just Jared has Owen Wilson and Kate Hudson out biking together

What happened to Keira Knightley? - Dlisted

The Enquirer has published fake photos of a dead Anna Nicole - I'm Not Obsessed

MollyGood has some scoop on the Hugh Grant/Jemima Khan split

A new trend in advertising - The Skinny Website

Ben Affleck satisfies a Mac attack - TMZ

Dresses (And More) *to Die For

Let's jump to it, okay? Listed in the order in which I covet:

($795, Moschino Cheap and Chic, Saks)
Oh. My. God. Giraffes!!!! Oh. My. God. $795!!!!

($242, L.A.M.B.)
If loving Gwen Stefani is wrong, I don't wanna be right. I don't know exactly how to Holla Back, but I'd be more than willing to learn in exchange for this dress.

($438, Issa, BlueBee.com)
Issa makes just absolutely gorgeous dresses. More here, for lotsa paper stacks.

(Price upon request, Vintage James Galonos, Decades in L.A.)
LOVE this. It's so "Dallas" and SO delicious. And my size (if I blow my nose a few times and then suck in really hard).

(Price upon request, Vintage Pierre Balmain, Decades in L.A.)
I know it's ridiculous, but I would make it work. I'd wear it to the supermarket and the bank in hopes of being 'razzi stalked.

($299, Tufi Duek, Bluefly)
Oh Tufi Duek. Oh I love you. Love the Deco-meets-ethnic situation here.

($179, Abate, Bluefly)
I don't often go mad for Mod (har), but this is lovely and elegant. Prada-esque for the working girl. The working girl who DOESN'T work at Vogue, that is.

($290, Betsey Johnson, HouseofStyle.com)
LOVE this! It's very Jan-Brady-Goes-To-School-But-Forgets-Her-Pants. Um, seriously, could you spare us and put on a pair of tights, or even LEGGINGS if you must?

($82, Betsey Johnson, Vibetheboutique.com)
A-dor-a-blay. House of Style (WTF is that, by the way??)has 'em but for way way more.

($89, Stop Staring, Modcloth.com)
Very "Looo-Seeee?? I'm HOOOoooo-M!" Love the waist action.

($89, Jenny Han, Modcloth.com)
Super cute. Picnic-perfect!

($253, Erotokritos, Shopatmilk.com)
Better in theory than practice??

($305, BCBG Max Azria, Bluefly)
Also cute only in theory? Too Vanna-White-And-Nancy-Reagan-Circa-1984-Play-Dress-Up?

($109, BCBG Max Azria, Bluefly)
The cutesiness of the ribbon situation is offset by the sexiness of the keyhole peekaboo action. And I like that the color is referred to as "Napa wine." I've never been to Napa, but I do enjoy wine, like, a lot, so, I'll drink to that!

OK. Time to discuss kimonos, k? Do we love 'em or not so much? Of course my first pick of the litter, if i HAD to own one, would be a Kara Janx kimono dress:

($185, Kara Janx, greenapple.com)
My fave's totes the black and green one, sadly out of stock, but I'm sure she'll be whipping up more. I also like the grey (doy) dress on this site. Too lazy to post yet another photo, so here you go. It looks weeyahd at first, but zoom in, and I assure you, additional cuteness will become apparent.

Now, here are some expensive kimono items:

1.

($260, Single Dress, Bloomingdale's)
Super pretty, but pretty pricey.

2.

($148, Abby Z, Nordstrom)
Pretty and plus-sized, but with a plus-sized price tag too. Boo.

3.

($216, Harkham, CoutureCandy.com)
I know it's not a dress, but it falls neatly into the kimono sub-genre, so deal.

NOW... FOUR AFFORDABLE kimono situations, all under $40:
1.

($39, Giannascloset.com)
The whole no-brand thing is suspect, but who cares? It's a $40 no-brainer.

2.

($32.18, asos.com)
Another no-brander, but again, who cares?

3.

($38.50, Lulusfashionlounge.com)
I'm loving this because it LOOKS really 'spensive. Also comes in a red situation.

4.

($29.99, Meron, targs)
Just another reason to <3 Targs. I'm not positive I'd wear this, but it's a great deal, and it's good for work.

Now back to non-kimono stuff...

($26.50, Lush, Lulusfashionlounge.com)
How cute is the blue-and-pink color combo? Lulu, whoever you are, ya done good.

($34, Soundgirl, Lulusfashionlounge.com)
You don't have to be rockabilly or emo or "scene" or whichever ebay descriptor you identify with to love lil cherries. Yay, again, Lulu! And I'm a fan of about 90% of what Soundgirl does. (The music on their site is always right on, too.)

And finally...

($43, Scrapbook, Modcloth.com)
I think I'm gwongo buy this, though I fear it may look like overwashed cotton in person. I'll report back.

Oh wait... here's the "and more" section:

($116.40, Dreamland by Joystick, Playhouse Clothing)
I know this is super young, but it's so cuters.

($66, Dreamland by Joystick, Shoprumor.com)
And here it is in t-shirt form. Cute cute!

Donations gladly accepted for any or all of the above.

*Remember kids: fashion is NOT worth dying for. It's just a turn of phrase

More trouble for Grey's Anatomy

There is more drama on the set of Grey's Anatomy. Sources say most of the cast are upset by the news that a spinoff series is in the works that would follow Kate Walsh's character, Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd. "The rest of the cast seemed instantly resentful of [Walsh]," says an insider. "They each thought they'd be the one chosen to get their own show, and now they're giving Kate the cold shoulder." Lead actress Ellen Pompeo "seemed particularly peeved because she felt that, as the star, she should have been consulted," adds the source. People mag is reporting that Katherine Heigl has now dropped out of contract talks with show producers over salary issues. "Katie is disappointed and hurt that [producer] Touchstone doesn't value her as much as her other co-stars, especially Sandra Oh and Isaiah Washington," an insider told the mag. A rep for ABC Touchstone had no comment.

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Is Nick helping Vanessa put out an album?

What is Vanessa Minnillo planning to do when her tenure at MTV's TRL ends later this year? Sources say she wants to enter the world of beau Nick Lachey by recording an album. "Vanessa has always loved entertaining, and making a record would be a dream come true," says a friend of the couple. "Now she's asking Nick to help her get started." The former pageant queen has reportedly hired a vocal coach and met with a few industry bigwigs at Clive Davis's pre-Grammy party a few weeks ago.

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Angelina issues plea

In an article for the Washington Post, Angelina Jolie has issued an urgent call for relief funds on behalf of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. After a tour of refugee camps close to the Sudanese border, Jolie warned that the UNHCR and NGO aid agencies are in "a race against time before the rainy season comes" later this month. "There has been a groundswell of public support for action," the actress writes. "People may disagree on how to intervene - airstrikes, sending troops, sanctions, divestment - but we all should agree that the slaughter must be stopped and the perpetrators brought to justice... It has become clear to me that there will be no enduring peace without justice. History shows that there will be another Darfur, another exodus, in a vicious cycle of bloodshed and retribution. But an international court finally exists. It will be as strong as the support we give it. This might be the moment we stop the cycle of violence and end our tolerance for crimes against humanity... What the worst people in the world fear is justice. That's what we should deliver." Read the full article here.

Marky-Mark passed on Brokeback role

Mark Wahlberg and Joaquin Phoenix were offered the Brokeback Mountain roles eventually portrayed by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. Wahlberg admits he was relieved not to get the part because he was uncomfortable with the sex scenes. "I met with Ang Lee on that movie, I read 15 pages of the script and got a little creeped out," the Departed actor said. "It was very graphic, descriptive - the spitting on the hand, getting ready to do the thing. I told Ang Lee, 'I like you, you're a talented guy, if you want to talk about it more...' Thankfully, he didn't." The former underwear model hasn't actually seen the finished film, and says, "I didn't rush to see Brokeback, it's just not my deal... Obviously, it was done in taste - look how it was received."

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Royal welcome for the Queen

Helen Mirren received another standing ovation for her Oscar-winning performance in The Queen - this time at London's Heathrow Airport. "I've just had the most incredible welcome to my country. It's very, very sweet," Mirren said after spending twenty minutes signing autographs in the baggage claim area. Applause followed the actress even as she left the terminal and climbed into her car.

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Another driving infraction for Paris

Paris Hilton is in trouble with the police again after being stopped for speeding and driving without her headlights late yesterday. The socialite was nabbed leaving the West Hollywood Virgin Megastore last night and cited for driving with a suspended license. Hilton's rep said his client was leaving a parking garage that "is brightly lit so she had not noticed that her headlights were not activated." Though police say the heiress was driving too fast, Hilton says she was not told she was speeding and was not aware of her license being suspended. "When she called me, she asked if her license was suspended," said her rep. "If that's the case, she and I are unaware of it."

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