Jolie-Pitt twins!!!

The first photos of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's twins have hit the web. I think these photos were supposedly taken by the same photographer, but oddly, the People cover is much more "clean and soft" in terms of colors compared the Hello! cover, which is grainy and dark.

The babies are too young to look like offspring of mega-stars, but I can't wait to rifle through the pages of these mags, if only 'cause I just have an inexplicable fascination with Brad and Angie, as does the rest of the world. Something about the way they can live their lives so freely, jetting here and there, having a gazillion children but still looking like a young, loving couple, spreading humanity and grace around the world - there is a charm to that that is so attractive, and in some ways, enviable. They seem untouched by the worries that we every day folks have.

Anyhow, the only thing I'm jealous about is that they were able to have twins! If I ever have children, that was what I wanted, a boy and girl, at the same time. They are just so lucky...sigh...

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candid Angie

Is it me or does Angelina Jolie look very waxy here? I don't know if it's the photoshopping or maybe she got some major microdermabrasion, but she looks really fake, which is such a different look from her Vanity Fair photos, which ranged from wild siren to angelic nurturer, but at least she looked real there.


Anyhow, Angie gave a rather candid interview to Entertainment Weekly. She talks a lot about Brad, how they're raising their children, her role as an activist in real life vs. assassin on-screen; lots of nice tidbits for Angie fans.

The weirdest thing in this article is that machine gun pendant that you can see her wear above. Apparently, for Mother's Day, her son Maddox drew a machine gun (he's 6, so that's understandable), and Brad made it into a necklace for her, which I agree is very sweet (he seems to be ever attentive, huh?), but the fact that it's a machine gun makes it sort of ironic. At least it fits in with the theme of her new film "Wanted," right?

BTW, here's a short but high-quality trailer for the film she's been promoting. The effects look awesome, but I wonder how well James McAvoy will pull off the action hero star, since he's always comes off as a softie in films like "Atonement" and "Becoming Jane."



For the EW interview, read it here.

star wattage

Vanity Fair has an amazing pictorial of Angelina Jolie in its July 2008 issue. This woman just continues to astound me in terms of her beauty and grace.


You can also read the article here, which is a nice read, but a tad too analytical in terms of trying to tie in Angelina the movie star to Angelina the wild child, mother, wife. Sometimes, when I read these interviews, I wish you can just HEAR the interview, or even just read her responses, instead of the writer's projections. But, it's a very complimentary story nonetheless.

the look of love

I just adored this photo of Angelina and Brad, who look so much in love. :)

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when self-promotion rubs me the wrong way

I don't know why, but I hate it when designers or stores market their products with a "as seen on celebrity x" flyer or newsletter. I feel like it's the poor-man's marketing route, with a giant scream of buy-me-'cause-so-and-so-has-it-too. I have no probs if a celebrity was paid to actually endorse it legitimately, or on the other hand, if the celeb was walking around wearing/carrying items and the paparazzi catch it for the tabloids. (It's no secret that celebs get freebies all the time, so yes, that's also a sly way to endorse something, but I would imagine they'd have to like it somewhat to want to be photographed in/with it, correct? I digress...) That's fine with me, but it's when the celebs' paparazzi photo is used by the designer to endorse said product, then that really irritates me.

For instance, in the latest Anya Hindmarch newsletter I received, they attempted to sell me on the lovely attributes of their Cooper bag because Angelina Jolie was seen cavorting with it in high-style. You won't see this on their website, it's only an enticer by way of a "what's-in-style" newsletter, like they're sharing fashion advice, but it's super lame-o to me.


First of all, something is only cool if everyone's buzzing about it. Anya Hindmarch shouldn't feel compelled to tell us that Angelina was seen carrying their cool bag. It's not cool if you're telling us it's cool. That's the job of fashion mags, bloggers, etc. Something that characterizes this bag as having an It-factor is removed when it's being buzzed about by its own creator.

Secondly, if Angelina is the only celeb carrying this bag, then maybe it's not so cool? Was she the only A-list celeb to like it? Angie is hardly renowned for committing to any designer (I would definitely define her as classic, but one-designer-devotee she is not), so you see her carrying it a couple of times today, the next time she's carrying a brand new purse by someone else. What does that say about the real attractiveness of the product?

Lastly, the bag is not all that. It's a modified version of a standard hobo, with some metallic leather detailing. Big freakin' kahooey.


Am I short-sighted, or does this kind of marketing really pull at your wallet-strings? Do you jump at the chance to own something because a celebrity is seen with it? Even if that's the case, isn't it irritating if the designer themselves are promoting the products via this channel? Thoughts?

Anya Hindmarch Cooper bag - Smooth Calf in Cream - £675.00

scorpions and orchids

While I'm on the subject of Angelina's beautiful dress, she also wore another dress that really captivated my imagination. The stark image of an orchid and scorpion merged into one was both romantic and edgy. Thomas Wylde, designed by Paula Thomas, has several other styles of the dress, all utilizing this sinfully seductive pattern. Pregnancy certainly hasn't tamed Angelina's raw, wild side. I love that this design has edge without being creepy. Again, Angelina makes another gorgeous choice.


Thomas Wylde Belted Strapless Dress - White - $750 at eLuxury

Thomas Wylde Belted Strapless Dress - Black - $750 at Aloha Rag

Thomas Wylde Habotai Silk Dress - White - €819,00 at L'Inde

Thomas Wylde Orchid Scorpion Hooded Kaftan - Black - $900 at Net-a-Porter

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the dress the dress the dress...<3<3<3

Despite being über-preggers, Angelina Jolie just glows in this gorgeous green Max Azria Atelier gown. The pleating is perfect, providing texture to a very simple silhouette. The cut of the dress accentuates every curve in the most modest but flattering way.


This won't be the first time I've alluded to the "Atonement" dress, but doesn't this dress feel vaguely reminiscent of that, both in color and where the neckline is concerned? Absolutely exquisite.


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