THE GRAPEVINE - Prune Pout

Photo Credit: juliebee on flickr.com

According to OK magazine, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen have a secret weapon when it comes to posing for photographs. They say the word 'prune' to get the right pout.

What is wrong with the good old fashioned smile I wonder? I tend to always go for the smile, as I think that looks best for me. It also means that in photographs you appear to be either happy, or enjoying yourself. So long as you are convincing of course.

Which camp do you reside in... Pout? or Smile?

THE GRAPEVINE - Big Brother 9

Yes, it is here again. Even if you cannot stand to watch it, there will be no escaping Big Brother fever over the next few months, so I suggest we all get involved. Davina McCall I must say is looking fabulous, and is sporting a super svelte figure for the series. Expect numerous LBDs to be exhibited each week not to mention some flamboyant eviction outfits!

5 million people tuned in last night to check out the new housemates. Here are the motley crew and my initial impressions...

Alexandra - 23 year old accounts executive from Croydon. Perhaps somewhat overconfident and may clash with other prominent personalities.

Dale - 21 year old teaching student from Liverpool. Pretty boy who doesn't fancy having to work much, most definitely in it for the fame and girls.

Darnell - 26 year old songwriter from London. An albino who was raised in the US before being deported here after getting involved with gangs.

Dennis - 23 year old dance student teacher from Edinburgh. Fabulous and calls himself one in a million, I have to agree that he is.

Jennifer - 22 year old model and mother from Chester-le-Street. Opinionated to say the least, but I doubt her opinions are well founded which may cause debates.

Kathreya - 30 year old massage therapist from Kent. Self confessed cookie obsessed. How will she cope when the shopping budget plummets?

Lisa - 40 year old sales rep from Warrington. Bubbly other half of Mario, who will no doubt get a little jealous of Mario's fake relationship with Stephanie.

Luke - 20 year old student from Wigan. More than a little bit old fashioned for his years, he loves to wear suits.

Mario - 42 year old from Warrington. Boyfriend of Lisa who seems to be completely obsessed with looks.

Michael - 33 year old radio producer from Ayrshire. The first blind contestant to enter the house.

Mohamed - 23 year old toy demonstrator from London. Outgoing and seems like a bit of fun.

Rachel - 24 year old Trainee Teacher from Torfaen. Fitness fanatic who radiates happiness, will it last?

Rebecca - 21 year old nursery nurse from Coventry. Never have I heard someone scream quite so much, will be sure to irritate most of the housemates.

Rex - 24 year old chef from Hampstead. Quite fancies himself, lets hope he can cook a meal on the cheap for 16 people.

Stephanie - 19 year old student from Liverpool. Clearly a match for Young looker Dale, but how will she keep up the pretence of being Mario's girlfriend?

Sylvia - 21 year old student from Norwood. Likes to think she is a bit of a style icon, we will find out!

MOST WANTED - Eiffel Tower Bag

Eiffel Tower Bag - Timmy Woods - $450

Carrie Bradshaw is seen with this bag in the new Sex and the City movie, so of course everyone now wants one. The bag is by Timmy Woods in Beverly Hills and can be yours for $450. The ultimate cute and quirky accessory, you would have to agree that this little taste of Paris would not look out of place on the arms of the A list. If you ever get fed up of it, it would make a pretty good ornament!

Swarovski Encrusted Eiffel Tower Bag - Timmy Woods - $3000

Or how about the Swarovski encrusted version, at a mighty $3000. With over 6000 crystals this is a showpiece that is sure to stop traffic or at the very least, make you the envy of every woman around you.

THE GRAPEVINE - Best Dressed Women

Glamour Magazine's May issue featured the annual 50 best dressed females. Lets take a look at the top 5 and see if we agree...

1 - Kate Moss

Great because: the success of her TopShop range has been huge and is pretty wearable for the average woman. She almost single-handedly elevated 'stars' to become the biggest trend in ages after adopting the theme for her birthday celebrations.

2 - Sienna Miller

Great because: she is bringing back boho with a twist. Red carpet glamour is as easy a look for her to carry off, as the laid back hippy chic she is famed for.

3 - Scarlett Johansson

Great because: she flaunts her womanly curves and steers clear of the twig thin image that many strive for (yes that is you Posh!)

4 - Rachel Bilson

Great because: she keeps it natural, and looks absolutely effortless. Her look is not too contrived or over done.

5 - Jennifer Aniston

Great because: she looks amazing in jeans and a t shirt. She goes for simple comfort over faddy fashion trends which is quite refreshing.

The Verdict

There is no denying that these are all stylish ladies. I personally think that a lot of the clothes that Kate Moss wears would not suit the average person. She is an industry icon rather than a real fashion role model and for that reason she would not be my number 1. Yes she helps set the trends, but there are others that look better wearing them.

Who I would have liked to see in the top 5

Lucy Liu - this year she has looked absolutely spot on, hitting all the trends but never at the expense of style. She picks garments that flatter her body perfectly.

Katie Holmes - her grown up and extremely polished persona is one that I just love. She has had a few mistakes over the years, but has stepped up her game and should be much nearer the top of this year's list.

THE GRAPEVINE - Celebrity DUI

Photo Credit: oziosamarti

Yet another Hollywood face was facing court this week for charges of drunk driving. Mischa Barton will be charged with drunk driving, possession of marijuana and for driving without a valid license. She follows Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan, Kiefer Sutherland and Mel Gibson who have all been in trouble with the police.

This seems to be a more and more regular occurrence and something that needs to be seriously addressed. These individuals have plenty of money to arrange alternative transport and trying to keep away from paparazzi cannot be used as an excuse. Getting behind the wheel of your car whilst drunk is a conscious choice and anyone who thinks they may make the wrong choice should leave the car keys at home. What happened to DES?

Perhaps it is a case of 'any publicity is good publicity'. Column inches for IT girls in particular are a means of staying in the public eye. Its just a shame that we have to hear more about celebrities behaving badly than doing something positive. But that is also down to news values and those will probably never change.

THE GRAPEVINE - The Price of Healthy Eating

Photo Credit: khancafee at flickr

A survey conducted by the food standards agency revealed this week that over 40% of people are still not getting the recommended 5 fruit and veg portions a day. The figures revealed a slight improvement on last year. Yet 70% of people in the highest social brackets managed to get theirs.

Those who find it hardest are from poorer backgrounds and I can see why. In most supermarkets 6 plums can cost around £3 and one pepper about 70p. A single income family with several children is likely to scrimp on more expensive items and opt for cheaper foods that will fill bellies. Not everyone can put nutritional value at the top of their list, some are lucky to be able to feed their families at all. In the UK food and utility costs are rising, so 5 a day is likely to slip down the list of priorities somewhat.

Delia Smith this week criticised Celebrity chefs who force the organic lifestyle;

“I certainly don’t like the way battery chickens are reared – I have put in my book to use free-range chicken – but on the other hand I am aware that we still have a lot of poverty, particularly among children in this country and I feel that is a disgrace, and somehow we’ve got to get everybody to have enough nutritious food in the first place.”

Delia certainly has a point. Organic and fairtrade foods are still more expensive than 'normal' foods. Celebrity chefs seem to try and make people feel guilty if they cannot afford to make the most ethical choices when it comes to what food they buy. Perhaps they should give the preaching a break, and help people feed their families healthy meals, on a modest budget.

TRENDS - Seeing Stars

Photo Credit: ABC News

The stars trend has suddenly crept up and gone boom The high street is packed with the print making us all starry eyed. Stars on scarfs are great, as is substituting polka dots for stars. There are some great chiffon star blouses and dresses around too. Kate Moss, and Alexa Chung have been sporting the print, so get yours quick while they are still a key trend.

Here is some inspiration...

Deep V-Neck Star Print Dress - ASOS - £35

Grey Star Flutter Top - Dorothy Perkins - £25

New Star Tiny Umbrella - Cath Kidston - £20

Star Woven Shemagh Scarf - Dollydagger - £10

Star Print Sweater Cardigan - ASOS - £25

STYLE AWARDS - Back to Black

This week the stars keep it simple with elegant black gowns and here are those that get a big thumbs up from The Style PA...

Photo Credit: Daily Mail

Kate Winslet looks fabulous in this little black strapless dress with over sized bow. Absolutely the picture of health with enviable natural curves, Kate is a role model to women everywhere. Its proof that celebrities don't have to spend a fortune on surgery and fad dieting to look great.

Photo Credit: Marie Claire

Selma Blair's choice of a flower embellished black dress is simply gorgeous. It shows off a svelte figure and the gown is understated yet still exciting.

Photo Credit: Marie Claire

Zoe Saldana opts for a timeless design at the Cloverfield premiere.

STYLE AWARD - Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba is yet another Red Carpet beauty. Outfit after outfit, she consistently dazzles and outshines her fellow celebrities. Jessica recently topped a poll of the girl men would most like to have as their girlfriend. Its pretty easy to see why. The girl sure knows how to pose, and soon she will be posing for 2. Her now confirmed pregnancy will only heighten the press attention she gets, and I am sure she will deliver great maternity outfits for the photographers too...

Photo Credit: becausetheydeserveit.blogspot.com

I love the glam up-do in the pic above. This is a killer pose too, completely showstopping.

Photo Credit: msnbc

This hairstyle is something I would see myself having. The gentle flicks are really cute, and wow... the teeth must be whitened!

Photo Credit: bagbliss.com

Jessica shows she can do casual just as well with this strapless dress. Loving the bag too, there is nothing like an over sized metallic bag.

Photo Credit: teenmusic.com

This look is really natural, gentle waves and neutral make up mean the Bright red dress gets most of our attention.

STYLE AWARD - Diane Kruger

DIANE KRUGER

Diane's face has recently become a regular appearance in fashion magazines. Partly due to the fact that she cannot be faulted for her Red Carpet outfits . Her one-off Chanel Gown below is absolutely beautiful.

Photo Credit: lizblog

This white Grecian dress shows off her golden tan and creates a great silhouette, with a tiny nipped in waist that we can all but envy.

Photo Credit: iloubnan.info

The choice below was slightly braver, but I love it none the less. It is a fun look with on-trend tassles.

Photo Credit: entamehollywood

I love this loose ponytail which looks as if it took 2 minutes, but in reality is likely to have taken far longer. I also love the simplicity of her make-up with an emphasis on creating rosy cheeks.

Photo Credit: hpfgdr.forumcommunity

This daytime outfit is something that any of us could copy at high street prices, which is why I think it is so great. Diane can go from one-off Chanel gowns, to everyday simple dresses without losing an ounce of style.

Photo Credit: svensktmode

STYLE AWARD - Kate Bosworth

Kate Bosworth

Photo Credit: modelvolume.wordpress.com

Kate Bosworth has a style which appears simple and effortless, yet at the same time she is groomed to perfection. She has a great bone structure with high cheek bones, which she shows off with creamy blusher.

Photo Credit: javno.com

In the photo above, Kate masters many trends all at once. The hair and make up are in the twenties style and the hairstyle really suits her. I love the metallic heels which compliment her amazing satin, bubble hem dress. She wears very little jewellery which adds to the simplicity of the look, and shows off the dress. Just some vintage inspired earrings is all that is needed.

Photo Credit: Evilbeetgossip.film.com

The vibrant strapless bandage dress above is the perfect colour for Kate, and with her enviable figure she easily carries it off. Again the jewellery is simple in silver, as are the black accessories. The eye is drawn to the dress and Kate's peachy complexion and smile. She even has a trade mark stance for photographers which she knows, best shows off her figure.

STYLE AWARD - Rihanna

RIHANNA

Rihanna is young, modern and fashionable. She consistently gets her make up spot on and it is not by playing safe. She tries lots of different looks, and often quite wild colours. She does have a perfect skin tone to carry it off and others would struggle to copy the looks that she seems to manage so effortlessly. Below, Rihanna was an early trend setter for the body con / bandage dress look.

Photo Credit: rihannaweb.org

As for fashion sense I love the way she adopted the metallics trend early on, with skyscraper silver heels and wide waist cinching belts. She is a care free female and her look reflects this. Not only that, she has a body to die for and this enables her to wear outfits much skimpier than many other celebs could get away with. She is not afraid to go for the boldest of colours but knows to keep the make up toned down when she does, as below.

Photo Credit: rihannaweb.org

Check out the 'Shut up and drive' video below and look out for some killer heels. I am not a fan of the big gold hoops but apart from that she epitomises the sexy look.

Style Award - Katie Holmes

STYLE AWARD . . . . Katie Holmes

Photo Credit: Marie Claire

Katie Holmes has in the past few months stepped out of husband Tom Cruise's shadow and come into her own. The new sleek haircut she recently unveiled is gorgeous and even cuter than daughter Suri's! The fringe is back in the limelight with celeb's such as Kate Moss and Cheryl Tweedy opting for the chop yet Katie's version is the best of the bunch.

Photo Credit: American Girl

Katie Holmes always seems to get her make up spot on. She consustantly appears both natural and glamourous. Family life has obviously been good for her but I guess being blessed with that bone structure helps too.

Photo Credit: Daily Mail

As for Katie's wardrobe, I just love this leopard print chiffon dress. She usually tends to opt for plain blacks and creams but this bold design really suits her.