Pictures From the 2008 Venice Film Festival

Jury president Wim Wenders at the 65th Venice Film Festival

Actress Charlize Theron, star of The Burning Plain, arrives at the Venice Film Festival.

Charlize Theron on the red carpet.

French actress Emmanuelle Béart, star of Vinyan, at the 65th Venice International Film Festival

Actresses Huang Yi and Taina Muller, stars of Dangkou (Plastic City), on the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival.

Italian actress Isabella Ferrari is in Un Giorno Perfetto (A Perfect Day).

Japanese actress Lika Minamoto, star of Inju, La Bete Dans L’Ombre (Inju: the Beast in the Shadow) poses on the red carpet.

Brad Pitt and George Clooney at the Film Festival in Venice.

Italian actress Claudia Cardinale on the red carpet of the Film Festival in Venice.

Brad Pitt and George Clooney signing autographs.

In Honor of Labor Day

Curious C has an interesting post listing every job she’s ever had. It’s quite a list. So I think I’ll do it, too, just to see how it turns out.

I’m listing every little job I’ve ever done starting in chronological order:

1. cook (my Dad’s sandwich shop)
2. movie projectionist (in college)
3. film research (college work/study)
4. retail sales (department store)
5. telephone sales (clothing catalog)
6. home security alarm dispatcher
7. secretary
8. receptionist
9. executive assistant
10. props mistress
11. stage manager
12. actress
13. voice-over actress
14. Web site quality assurer
15. HTML coder
16. project manager
17. journalist/editor

How many jobs have you had?

Quote of the Day: Politicians

Politicians talk themselves red, white, and blue in the face.

–Clare Boothe Luce

Covet: Salvatore Ferragamo Nord Shootie

Salvatore Ferragamo Nord Shootie – $820.00

These pumps have an air of Hollywood glamour. Can’t you picture them on Rita Hayworth or Carole Lombard or me?

Black satin with ruched detail at heel and open toe. Covered heel. “Nord” is made in Italy.

In the Style of Chuck Bass

I’ve been watching the first season of Gossip Girl on DVD. I know, but you must allow me this guilty pleasure.

My favorite characters are Blair and Chuck. I’m sure I’m not alone in this.

Whenever I see argyle now, I think of Chuck Bass. So here’s a sweater for you, Charles. You know you love it.

XOXO

Gio Ferrari Men’s Argyle Wool Crewneck Sweater – $146.00

Gio Ferrari’s classic crew-neck gives the argyle print a fresh spin mixing sky blue, cream, beige and gray hues over a soft wool blend. Made in Italy.

Available at Forzieri.

New American Idol Judge

American Idol Judges: Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson

“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” — Michael Corleone

I was just telling my friends that I’m not going to watch American Idol this year. I’m tired of it. Plus, I get all wrapped up in one or two contestants, and then the most mediocre person always wins.

So, I’m through, I said.

Then I see a news report that they will be adding a fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi. Now I have to watch just to see what this new person is like. Then I’ll get all wrapped up in it again and I’ll start to favor one or two singers. Then I’ll start fantasizing that I’m young enough to audition myself and I’ll spend days dreaming about what song I would sing.

Why, oh why, can’t they just leave me alone?

Ooh, Pretty

For a subtle eye look with a little extra pretty mixed in, try:

Bobbi Brown Shimmering Nudes Limited Edition Palette – $50.00

This season’s makeup must have, featured in Bobbi’s new Shimmering Nudes Look. The Shimmering Nudes Palette offers nude shadows that flatter all complexions – a combination of high-shimmer Metallic and soft, pearlized Shimmer Wash Eye Shadows – and Espresso Eye Shadow to line eyes and add drama. Includes a dual-ended Eye Shadow/ Eye Liner Brush for professional application.

Available at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Stuffed Peppers

In my search for vegetarian meals, I’ve adjusted a recipe that my mother used to make: stuffed peppers. She would fill green peppers with a mix of rice and ground beef. I substituted the beef for cannelloni beans and I used brown rice instead of white. The meal came out really well, so I thought I’d share it with you.

Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:
4 large green peppers
1 can of cannellini beans
1 cup cooked brown rice
2 Tbsp seasoned bread crumbs

Clean out center of green peppers and rinse. Par-boil until softened but still firm. Alternate adding layers of cooked brown rice and cannellini beans. Top with bread crumbs to seal. Spray a pyrex dish with non-stick cooking spray. Place the four peppers standing up. Cook uncovered in 400-degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until the tops start to turn brown. Serve with marinara sauce. Serves 2.

Notes:
-Select peppers that have an even bottom so they will stand up in the pan.
-I heat leftover spaghetti sauce to pour over the peppers after I remove them from the oven.

Rock Me, Bare Escentuals

Bare Escentuals Tutorials – Rocker Eye

What it is:
A complete kit for creating a glam makeup look.

What it does:
Bare Escentuals bareMinerals® Tutorials Rocker Eye is your ticket to the bold, rebellious look of iconic rock stars and their edgy fans. With Tutorials, Bare Escentuals instructs you, in simple steps, how to achieve the makeup styles you’ve always admired but were never taught. Just follow the simple instructions on the detachable tip card and box and in no time at all you’ll have the most intense, feminine, rocker chick eyes for a look with pure attitude. With Tutorials, you’ll learn at home all the beauty lessons they didn’t teach in school.

Set includes:
- bareMinerals 1980s Eyecolor (metallic gray)
- bareMinerals Rock Star Eyecolor (sparkling smoke)
- bareMinerals Black Leather Liner Shadow (glistening blackest black)
- Double-Ended Rock ‘N’ Roll Brush.

Release Your Inner Rock Chick for $38 at Sephora

Covet: Ferragamo Patent Boot (for him)

These could be the perfect boot. Dress them up or down. I could definitely see these with a pair of jeans or flat-front pants.

Salvatore Ferragamo Patent Boot – $650.00

Toro (brown) patent leather. Elastic gusset; tonal topstitching. Stacked heel. Made in Italy.