By Abigail Peterson of Sunset

A day in the life of a houseboat

Not everyone needs to spend a couple of weeks earning their sea legs to feel at home. But that's what happened to Matt and Jennifer Harvey in January 2009, when they moved into a 1,000-square-foot modern prefab houseboat on California's Richardson Bay with their children, Jack and Grace.

The transition wasn't without trade-offs — including a major downsizing of belongings — but when the sun is shining and the tide is high, the family can't imagine living anywhere else. "We open all the windows and doors," Matt Harvey says, "the breezes come in, and it's instantly summer."



© Thomas J. Story

7 a.m. - Wildlife watch

Matt and Jack Harvey enjoy aquariumlike views from the living room window.

"Jack always says he's looking for sharks and jellyfish out his window, and it's true, he really is — it's not make-believe. Sometimes we even wake up at night to the heavy breathing of seals surfacing outside our bedroom window." – Jennifer Harvey

© Thomas J. Story

7:30 a.m. - Tide check

The Harveys live by the tide charts, their plans dictated by the bay's water level throughout the day.

"Out here, it's like we're in touch with a different measure of time. It's beautiful at high tide, when you're floating and the water is all around you, but then we appreciate the low tide too: The mud summons the herons and sandpipers out to look for food." – Matt Harvey

© Thomas J. Story

10:15 a.m. - Morning walk

Jennifer and Grace Harvey check for mail at the head of their dock, the neighborhood hub.

"We're definitely a community. In the city, you might know who lives next door, but your neighbor two or three doors down? Sometimes this much closeness can feel awkward, but it's better — and healthier — than the isolating urban alternative."– Jennifer Harvey

© Thomas J. Story

Noon - In to lunch

A superefficient kitchen means meals run smoothly.

"Ultimately, a tight kitchen is a huge advantage. I'm not running back and forth all the time from the fridge to the counter to the stove. I set up just what I need, and things go right in the dishwasher when I'm done. It just seems natural to me now, that this is the way I cook." – Jennifer Harvey

© Thomas J. Story

3:40 p.m. - Land errands

Everything from the outside world must be carried in or, more often, wheeled in via repurposed shopping carts from the marina parking lot.

"We live green by necessity. It's a long dock, so it's 'pack it in, pack it out.'" – Matt Harvey

© Thomas J. Story

5:10 p.m. - Friend by kayak

Jack Harvey thinks it's totally normal that his best friend arrives by boat for a get-together.

"Jack doesn't even need to put on his shoes to go over to his buddy's house — he just needs his life jacket." – Matt Harvey

© Thomas J. Story

7:30 p.m. - Evening paddle

Matt and Jennifer Harvey enjoy after-dinner escapes on the water near dusk, one of their favorite times of day.

"When dinner is finished and the kids are in bed, one of us will grab the kayak and take a quick paddle around the neighborhood. It's peaceful, but it's not exactly quiet. There are constant squeaks and creaks and knocking from the boats and the gangways. That was something we had to get used to when we first moved here." – Matt Harvey

© Thomas J. Story

8:35 p.m. - Impromptu soiree

With friends close by, impromptu gatherings are the rule.

"When the weather's warm, we do a lot of, 'Hey, we're opening a bottle of wine on the roof deck. Want to come over?' We'll sit and talk and enjoy the night sky. Because we're so far from the streets, there are no lights above and you can really see the stars." – Matt Harvey

© Thomas J. Story

Making 1,000 square feet work for a family of four

• Be strict about capacity. Reach a point of equilibrium with your stuff and stick with it. "Our kids know when they get a new thing, they have to say goodbye to something else," Matt Harvey says.
• Embrace imperfection. "I'm a cluttery person," Jennifer Harvey says. "It's when I stop pretending to be perfect and figure out a solution that the house works best."
• Store it where you use it. In the kitchen, oven mitts and spatulas are to the right of the stove, and the blender and mixer reside on the countertop where Jennifer Harvey bakes.
• There's always room for memories. "My grandmother's waffle iron lives permanently on our stovetop," Jennifer Harvey says. "I love it, so I make space for it, and we use it every day."

© Sunset

© Thomas J. Story

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Recipe courtesy Jason Parker, Windstar Cruises

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1/2 cup pretzels, finely crushed
• 1/2 cup graham crackers, finely crushed
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, melted

Filling:

• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/3 cup frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
• 2 tablespoon tequila
• 1 tablespoon orange liqueur
• Few drops green food coloring, optional
• 1 cup heavy cream

Garnish:

• Lime slices

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

To make the pretzel crust, combine the crushed pretzels, graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter. Once the mixture is combined, spread the mixture evenly into a 9-inch pie tin. Press the mixture in the tin onto the bottom and the sides to form a firm even crust. Bake for 5 minutes until the edges are lightly browned. Let shell cool until needed.

For the filling, use a large mixing bowl, and combine the sweetened condensed milk, limeade, tequila, orange liqueur, and food coloring if desired, until all ingredients are well mixed. In a medium size bowl, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the lime and tequila mixture. Spoon the filling into the pie shell, cover and freeze for 4 hours or until firm.

To serve, let pie stand for 10 minutes after coming out of freezer. Slice pie and garnish with lime slices.

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KERI HILSON in a white mokini in Complex magazine

HERVE LEGER bandage One-Piece

CHANEL Metallic Monokini

Naomi Campbell launches Milan with a monokini

Lindsay Lohan for GQ magazine

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L Space ocean ‘One Love Barbarella’ cutout monokini Kelly Rowland Turquoise Monokini

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A monokini is basically a bikini swimsuit where the top is attached to the bottom. It is an interesting concept and I think the best way to wear a monokini is to wear a solid color to keep it chic and not cheap. via [shoppingandinfo.com]

My favorite one I have seen around is the Roberto Cavalli black monokini. It is beautifully made and will look fabulous on.  

Celebrity Style Guide: Teairra Mari's Hot Pink Monokini

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GUESS Tribal Affair Cut-out One Piece

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Original ornament, stylish design of this monokini will make you the Queen of the summer beach or pool. Don’t miss!

GUESS My Cabana Cut-out One Piece swimsuit

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GUESS Chain Gang Cut-out One Piece

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Looks very feminine. Nice pink color.

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Swimwear with V plunge neckline will be on top next swim season too.

Deep V plunging neckline swimsuit at the Poko Pano 2010 fashion show

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Thursday, July 15, 2010

A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

the hipster puppies book has been turned in to our very patient and forgiving editors. we earned a break. the pupsters have stolen daddy’s credit card and are going on vacation.

we’ll be back on AUGUST 2.

have a safe summer and don’t do any drugs we wouldn’t do.

~C

[photo of teagan via brianna k]

Posted at 9:52am   49 notes Permalink ∞

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

good fashion means occasionally dipping your scarf in the water bowl.

[photo via sari d]

Posted at 11:41am   84 notes Permalink ∞

Monday, July 12, 2010

shelley has some strongly worded tweets for m.i.a.

[photo via noah]

Posted at 12:17pm   113 notes Permalink ∞

Friday, July 9, 2010

no, gary, i will not give you a ride to the fucking farmer’s market

[photo via lisa j]

Posted at 10:54am   347 notes Permalink ∞

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

if this is as loud as this thing goes, i honestly can’t be in a band with you

[photo via christine f]

Posted at 11:09am   126 notes Permalink ∞

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

lola is 40% sure she saw band of horses at the williamsburg waterfront, and 100% sure she took “a fuckload of drugs”

[photo via kara p]

Posted at 9:48am   253 notes Permalink ∞

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

after about six months of deliberation, pineapple finally decided to name her mp3 blog “altered bones”

[photo via candi k]

Posted at 11:41am   110 notes Permalink ∞

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

theodore is against the g-20, he assumes

[photo alison l j]

Posted at 9:56am   206 notes Permalink ∞

Monday, June 28, 2010

mattie once cut karen o’s hair back in oberlin, honestly

[photo via justin r]

Posted at 10:44am   85 notes Permalink ∞

Thursday, June 24, 2010

eegor has mixed feelings about wes anderson and made a flowchart to prove it

[photo via sonya p]

Posted at 10:22am   317 notes Permalink ∞

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

nothing at the farmer’s market tastes as good as licking yourself

[photo via alyssa c]

Posted at 10:55am   125 notes Permalink ∞

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

ugh, you own a car?

[photo via alexandra v]

Posted at 11:01am   120 notes Permalink ∞

Monday, June 21, 2010

tobin lives in portland and his dj name is “diablo choady”

[photo via joy v]

Posted at 10:18am   149 notes Permalink ∞

Friday, June 18, 2010

bowie clearly liked more beers than bands at this year’s bonnaroo

[photo via jodi g]

Posted at 9:31am   74 notes Permalink ∞

Thursday, June 17, 2010

truffles doesn’t know who drake is but is livid pitchfork gave him an 8.4

[photo tatiana f]

Posted at 9:38am   258 notes Permalink ∞

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

gracie complained the devo reunion is a crass cash-in—and still pre-ordered two copies of the new LP.

[photographer: sonja pacho // stylist: meg allan cole // art director: jen ng // owner: meg allan]

Posted at 10:04am   119 notes Permalink ∞

Monday, June 14, 2010

when brooks met romy from the xx he was so wasted that he made her sign a st. vincent album

[photo via jamie-james medina]

Posted at 10:21am   120 notes Permalink ∞

Friday, June 11, 2010

buddah considers a broken A string an “alternate tuning,” thanks

[photo via jane f]

Posted at 8:14am   199 notes Permalink ∞

Thursday, June 10, 2010

rocky has this book on his ipad too—and has read neither

[photo via rb]

Posted at 10:13am   139 notes Permalink ∞

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

chilli just heard what ariel pink sounds like

[photo via courtney c]

Posted at 10:14am   93 notes Permalink ∞

Monday, June 7, 2010

muffin says fuck your coffee shop’s 60-minute laptop rule

[photo via danielle j]

Posted at 10:03am   235 notes Permalink ∞

Friday, June 4, 2010

gunther saved the pbr, and therefore saved the fucking day

[photo via anna h]

Posted at 10:08am   288 notes Permalink ∞

Thursday, June 3, 2010

louis is the fifth best harmonica player in portland. he’s considering moving to a smaller town.

[photo via marley p]

Posted at 11:22am   225 notes Permalink ∞

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

xochitl used his entire lunch break to complain to his uninterested coworkers about the national album

[photo via ana p]

Posted at 9:00am   66 notes Permalink ∞

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

benny says the marina abramović exhibit was “transcendent” even though he just went to look at boobs.

[photo via qousqous]

Posted at 10:30am   301 notes Permalink ∞

Thursday, May 27, 2010

che got high and just said “mstrkrft” for an hour

[photo via mike l]

Posted at 11:10am   105 notes Permalink ∞

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

beans has money for beer, shoes and food, in that order

[photo via james s]

Posted at 10:39am   152 notes Permalink ∞

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

tina is 30 and can listen to a band called “neon indian” with a straight face

[photo via emily f]

Posted at 12:20pm   60 notes Permalink ∞

Monday, May 24, 2010

diesel was all like, “yeah, more like the exile on mainSTREAM reissue” and got a pity laugh from his friends

[photo via courtney h]

Posted at 10:00am   62 notes Permalink ∞

Friday, May 21, 2010

Thursday, May 20, 2010

ruffles claims he make friends through his “extroverted nature and fearless attitude”; which sure is a fancy way to say “cocaine”

[photo via elena soler]

Posted at 10:46am   109 notes Permalink ∞

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

max asked a girl out in the brooklyn vegan comments section

[photo via marci r]

Posted at 11:59am   92 notes Permalink ∞

Monday, May 17, 2010

charlie has convinced himself that spending $11 a day at the whole foods salad bar isn’t exactly “eating out” since it’s technically a grocery store

[photo via charles c]

reminder! deadline to get your pup in the hipster puppies book is one week from today! learn all about it here.

Posted at 9:43am   447 notes Permalink ∞

Friday, May 14, 2010

maggi and molli’s band spent more time shooting promo photos than writing music

[photo via c]

Posted at 10:43am   521 notes Permalink ∞

Thursday, May 13, 2010

stan insists he only listens to “real rap”… but that pretty much entails a roots cd that his sister burned him

[photo via eric t]

Posted at 10:48am   98 notes Permalink ∞

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

enzo would usually throw a fit about the service but the bartender is hot

[photo via matthew m]

Posted at 8:48am   145 notes Permalink ∞

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

belle has been collecting indie rock on vinyl for about 23 months now and still doesn’t know that anti-static brushes exist

[photo via stephanie f]

Posted at 11:28am   120 notes Permalink ∞

Monday, May 10, 2010

picantita’s birthday is ruined after he asked for a subscription to the wire and got wired instead

[photo via maria a]

Posted at 9:02am   127 notes Permalink ∞

Friday, May 7, 2010

onion wants to cancel band practice this week because lost is on

[photo by nicole f]

Posted at 9:55am   244 notes Permalink ∞

Thursday, May 6, 2010

jasper puts on loft shows; his liquor license had been “pending” for roughly four years.

[photo via michael n]

Posted at 10:43am   85 notes Permalink ∞

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

sandy found the perfect scarf to sweat in for this year’s central park summerstage

[photo via jennifer i]

Posted at 10:35am   78 notes Permalink ∞

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

just a friendly reminder… i still need your photos for the hipster puppies book by MONDAY, MAY 24

pass this link around to all your photographer friends asap! reblog the shit out of this post! bang on the front door of your neighbor with the pug! all pups considered!

there’s still plenty of room for your adorable pup and his oversized ego. make this the most adorable activity on your to do list this week.

remember: tall photos/vertical/portrait photos!

learn more about how to submit here

[photo of lula via megan c]

Posted at 11:54am   49 notes Permalink ∞

Monday, May 3, 2010

Booger has “never heard a ke$ha song,” and thinks this is something to be proud of

[photo via kate b]

Posted at 11:34am   243 notes Permalink ∞

Thursday, April 29, 2010

penny called the new m.i.a. video “preachy,” but quickly changed the subject when asked exactly what it was preaching.

[photo via michelle p]

Posted at 9:49am   205 notes Permalink ∞

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

max bought new speakers and spent a solid hour figuring out which record to “christen” them with

[photo via paul m]

Posted at 11:03am   147 notes Permalink ∞

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

martin’s goodreads.com account is 80% books he picked up at flea markets and has no intention of actually reading

[photo via alison r]

Posted at 11:29am   372 notes Permalink ∞

Monday, April 26, 2010

phoenix has made a solemn promise to himself not to listen to the crystal castles leak until a FLAC version starts floating around

[photo via scottcha]

Posted at 9:56am   606 notes Permalink ∞

Thursday, April 22, 2010

haruki sure has opinions on treme

[photo via charles b]

Posted at 11:45am   249 notes Permalink ∞

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

alfie’s answer to everything is “more midrange,” why the fuck are we paying this guy?

[photo via christina v]

Posted at 10:14am   160 notes Permalink ∞

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

gatsby really “supported” record store day, but uses amazon the other 364 days of the year

[photo via pam s]

Posted at 8:39am   214 notes Permalink ∞

← Earlier Posts Page 5 of 14 Later Posts →

via [YouTube]

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*I notice a pattern emerging with black supermodels of today and the past, they tend to date and marry well and they also invest their money well. I once knew a black model (born in Compton) who didn't achieve supermodel status but worked on a regular basis on the European catwalks.

When she first started out, she had an edge, after spending considerable time working in Paris and Italy, she became polished, cultured and well traveled (she also learned languages) and became engaged to a millionaire doctor, despite the engagement, wealthy playboys and businessmen were in constant pursuit of her and she invested her money quite well after her modeling days ended.

NAOMI CAMPBELL:

Naomi Campbell has never had financial problems and she never will because she surrounds herself (like Halle Berry) with the right people. Not only does she continue to date rich but she also takes advantage of the money and investment tips given to her by rich boyfriends, wealthy associates and powerbrokers in the political arena.

Allegedly, like Baby (from Cash Money) and Condoleeza Rice (former Secretary Of State), Naomi also has her money invested in the oil industry (including oil rigs). This is how it works, according to a close friend who works in the oil industry. (Keep in mind, all investment opportunities are structured differently).

You or an investment group invest anywhere from $1.8 million to $2 million in the oil industry (including oil rigs) and you are guaranteed a "high" a of $56-$58 million over a seven year period. This isn't a ponzi scheme but an great investment opportunity that's available on a very rare basis.

Naomi also had an agency (not advertised) that represented stylists and makeup artists in the entertainment and modeling agencies on an exclusive basis.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell rarely drives, she's usually driven in a Rolls Royce or limousine by a chauffeur/bodyguard supplied by her boyfriend. Surprisingly, she was recently spotted in France (Champs-Elysees) departing from a blue Lamborghini.

Few people outside of Europe know the following: In the 90's, Campbell developed "The Design House of Naomi Campbell."

Through this house, Campbell has created seven fragrances for women, most of which were released and sold in Europe exclusively.

The following fragrances were created by Naomi Campbell: In 2000 Campbell dropped, "Naomi Campbell," and "Naomagic." In 2001, Campbell introduced her third perfume, "Cat Deluxe," and in 2003 released "Mystery." A year later a fifth fragrance was made, "Sunset," and in 2005 another fragrance was released, "Paradise Passion." Campbell's latest fragrance is a new version of her Cat Deluxe perfume called "Cat Deluxe at Night."

Campbell is paid between $25,000-$50,000 per runway show.

IN RELATED NEWS:

Former model/actress Maria McDonald used to have food (her favorite meals) flown in from Switzerland to New York via a private elite air cargo.

McDonald was also known to hop a private plane enroute to the Swiss Riviera to view the Montreux Jazz festival on Lake Geneva.

McDonald remains close friends with Iman and Beverly Johnson. She says Johnson was very generous and helpful to her in regards to her career. When McDonald was just starting out, one evening Johnson called and asked her would she like to replace her for a Harper's Bazaar fashion shoot?

When McDonald arrived in Los Angeles, Johnson called the top modeling agencies and asked them to consider signing McDonald.

Despite both of McDonald's parents having brown eyes, all of the McDonald girls (4) have green eyes and their one brother has brown eyes, all of the girls are model types and stand 5'9 and up, the brother stands 6'7.

In her prime, McDonald often ran into Gia at auditions (the model who died of AIDS). She said Gia was often withdrawn and kept to herself.

"MODEL TRIVIA & UPDATES"

(Stunning TV Couple)

When actress/model Maria McDonald appeared on "Miami Vice," off set, strangers would often ask her if she was related to actor Philip Michael Thomas because they share similar features (they're not related). Others told them, they were a stunning pair. Maria will be appearing in an upcoming Tennessee Williams play in New York. One of Maria's sisters is Suze Lane, she had a smash disco hit in the 70's "Harmony," which was recently voted the number #2 dance record of all-time.

Model Maria McDonald (above) once said that Iman is very business savvy and smart. Iman proved her business savvy when she launched a successful and lucrative makeup line aimed at women of color.

 

Black supermodel Mounia (above) attained her supermodel status overseas. She equaled Naomi Campbell on the runway and she was a favorite of designers Versace and Yves St. Laurent. They considered her exquisite, elegant and classy.

Early in her career, Mounia showed up for fashion bookings (she wasn't booked for), before the day was over, she had the booking!

She is extremely business savvy with solid investments and she frequently travels between Paris and Martinique (where she owns a fashion boutique).

(UPDATE!)

Black model Mounia (above) was the first African-American model to write a book on modeling, "Princesse Mounia."

Mounia's actual name is Monique-Antoine, she felt that the unusual combination had power, granting her a special connection.

She worked as the airport in Fort-de-France as an announcer and she was also an on-ground hostess at Orly airport in Paris.

It wasn't until 1976, when an important American client withdrew her patronage from Givenchy after Mounia had modeled a suit before her, that Mounia was slapped in the face by the ugly realities of racism in the modeling industry.

Suddenly, she was forced to see that history was not separable from the present and that she was part of them both.

As she developed her career, Mounia began to work with designers other than Givenchy. They included Emanuel Ungaro and Karl Lagerfeld.

Lagerfeld, an iconoclast who did "not detest provocation" hired her to do Chloe and his own line. When he took over the design responsibilities at Chanel, he hired Mounia for that house as well.

She became the first Black model to present the Chanel collection.

It was her connection with Yves St. Laurent, however, which was to prove the most fruitful and long-lasting of her career. Not only was Mounia his star runway model for almost a decade, she was also propelled by Saint Laurent's fame onto the pages of fashion magazines around the world.

Source: Barbara Summers

 

(PAT EVANS)

Black model Pat Evans was a trailblazer. Her bookings increased significantly when she shaved her head and went bald. During the late 70's and 80's, Evans was a top model. She appeared in all the major black magazines and she also received exposure in skin care and makeup ads.

Evans and Isaac Hayes caused a stir when they were often photographed walking down the street with gleaming bald heads in full length furs.

Evans also posed for album covers, most notably, the Ohio Players (above).

After Evans' retired from modeling, we heard she became a teacher.

A famous quote from Pat Evans that appeared in Essence Magazine: Evans herself was a bold as her personal style. She sent tongues wagging when she criticized the racist attitudes in the industry and predatory photographers. She said that modeling would never be an "open" profession for black people until there were more black owned agencies, products, magazines and above all "black owned minds."

Former Halston supermodel Alva Chinn was the first African-American woman to purchase a Ferrari (in cash) in the United States; her Ferrari was red.

Fashion designer Oscar De La Renta (3rd photo) is the godfather of black model Alva Chinn's son. De La Renta also adopted an African American son who is now his spokesperson.

(BLACK MODEL BREAKTHROUGH-VERSAILLES)

For black models, the defining moment of change took place at Versailles on a date to remember: November 28, 1973. For the first time ever, a group of Black American models-no longer isolated, individual stars-walked off an unusually opulent runway and onto the pages of history.

The scene was set: The stage of the Opera House at the Sun King's imperial chateau. Five American fashion designers were invited to show their work along with five French couturiers. The home team: Pierre Cardin, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent and Emanuel Ungaro. The American visitors: Bill Blass, Stephen Burrows, Halston, Anne Klein and Oscar de la Renta.

Although the numbers were even, the match seemed to favor the Europeans. They were, after all, playing on their own court.

But, the American designers had a secret weapon, Black women. African-American women were the surprise element, the shock troops on the runway. Billie Blair, Alva Chinn, Pat Cleveland (above), Norma Jean Darden, Charlene Dash, Bethann Hardison. Barbara Jackson, Ramona Saunders and Amina Warsuma.

The most dramatic moment came when Bethann Hardison stalked down the runway in a tight-fitting yellow silk halter by black designer Stephen Burrows. Hardison held a floor-length train by a tiny ring on her pinky, wrote reporter LaVerne Powlis. "When Hardison made reached center stage, she made a dramatic turn and haughtily dropped the train. The audience exploded in a frenzy of approval. They stomped, screamed and tossed their programs into the air.

According to NY Daily News photographer-Bill Cunningham: "The bejeweled Paris audience was stunned by the showmanship of the black models from America. The aristocrats were even thrilled."

Fashion was never to be colonized in the same ways again. And Black American models, who had moved over the previous 25 years from near invisibility to grudging recognition, now commanded center stage, never again to be ignored.

Alva Chinn described the Versailles gala as a gift from God. Our side was so simple. We didn't have props and things, we just had us.

Norma Jean Darden added, "Stephen Burrows stole the show. People were just clapping for days."

Charlene Dash said simply: "We killed them!"

The Black girls led the Americans to such and overwhelming uncontested victory that one important American socialite present at the gala enthused: "Not since Eisenhower liberated Paris have the Americans had such a triumph in France."

Source: Barbara Summers

"FASHION SENSE CONTINUED" (KHADIJA)

Khadija (above) originated from Nairobi, Kenya. She was a beauty queen (Miss Africa) and in 1985 she went to London to do the Miss World pageant where she selected as an finalist.

A photographer called her up and suggested that she go to Paris to meet fashion designer Yves St. Laurent.

Her debut with Saint Laurent led to the cover of Cosmopolitan (above). She received tremendous exposure and won an exclusive makeup contract with Saint Laurent cosmetics, the first transracial line to feature a Black model and the first to be named after an individual (Khadija).

Unfortunately, in the 1980's, people wrote nasty letters because a black woman represented this line. Sales went down and the line didn't last long.

At her peak, Khadija generated $350,000 per year in income.

In the 1990's, Sonia Cole (above) was a huge runway star in Europe, the United States and Japan.

Before her success, she worked at Caesar's Palace dressed as Cleopatra. She walked around handing out money to big winners, giving directions, greeting people and posing for photos with tourists.

While working a casino hosted-private party, Cole met Bill Cosby. He asked her what she really wanted to do and she told him: "I want to go to Paris to model."

Within two weeks of meeting Cosby, Cole was in Paris (with her husband) doing shows.

The rest is history!

 

BACKSTORY: (PAT CLEVELAND-RUNWAY QUEEN)

According to supermodel Janice Dickinson: "Pat Cleveland (above) was one of the greatest runway models ever!  When she moved, she painted the air around her with the clothes-a veritable riot of living color."  She was Halston's favorite model!

 

Author and former model Barbara Summers described Pat Cleveland (above) as the model who dominated the stage, "the stage belonged to her." Flights of fantasy were her specialty. Airy, winged spins and long, liquid gestures were standards in her repertoire. Impossibly ethereal, she could, as model Rene Hunter said, "tell a story in a dress."

Pat also spoke fluent Italian and liked to frequent outdoor European cafe's that served freshly squeezed orange juice.

Pat says, "My aunt was a dancer with Katherine Dunham. When I was five years old, I used to dance with her, too."

"My great aunt was Josephine Baker's Sunday school teacher. So I always heard these stories about this little girl who went away to Paris and never came back. And that's what my plan was."

"During my modeling years, I was looking for fun. I used to go out dancing at Le Club and Cheetah because I had the right clothes. If you want to get famous, dress up! Yes, fame was on my list. I had to get out and get famous because those people were the ones who were having all the fun."

Pat recalls of the more intense days spent traveling with the Ebony Fashion Fair in the mid-60's.

"I was in a bus in Arkansas not long after those little girls got killed in the church. People were throwing bombs around our hotel. Disgusting things would happen.

Another time we were pulling out of Arkansas, and the Ku Klux Klan were coming, and they were throwing things at our bus with flames and fire, trying to kill us. I'll never forget that.

They didn't want to hurt us, they wanted to kill us because of our color. People threw rocks at us because we were Black. They tried to rape this one girl. It's so awful to see what can happen.

PAT CLEVELAND & STERLING ST. JACQUES

Pat Cleveland (pictured above with late designer-Halston) and Sterling St. Jacques had become so popular and famous on the NY party scene; including Studio 54 that several magazines did interviews on them; including "After Dark," magazine. They also created a stir at the "Black & White," ball in New York with their sophisticated dance and runway moves.  They were also in demand on the European dance circuit and were very popular in Champs Elysees and they were a hit at Halston's masquerade ball.

After a fashion show in Paris, the legendary Josephine Baker was so impressed with Pat Cleveland that she went on record as saying, "If my story is ever brought to film, I want Pat Cleveland to portray me, she even resembles me."

In Paris, Pat was roommates with Donyale Luna (above), the first black women to grace the cover of Vogue. Luna became so popular in France. Four French boys would camp outside of her apartment each night and follow her throughout the day. When she wore a dress with a long train, the boys would walk behind her, carrying the train of her dress. Luna died in 1979 of an accidental pill overdose in Rome, Italy.

Pat would go on to marry a multi-millionaire Park Avenue executive. They have homes in Italy and Switzerland. In the summer, you can find them relaxing on their luxury yacht.

Pat has a son who stands 6'5 and her daughter is 6'0.

I left America the first time and said I wasn't coming back until I saw a Black model on the cover of Vogue. It took me a long time. In 1974, that's the year I went back.

Just living it up in the South of France or taking off with backpacks and going to Egypt. The opportunity to see the world is definitely there.

"You have to keep your fantasies alive. If you think you can be something, go for it. If you think you can go somewhere, try. You have to be a bit bold.

Darnella Thomas was the first African-American woman to model for the "Charlie," ad campaign. One day, while she was shooting a fashion catalog, she said to herself, "This is boring, I need something else, something that's really stimulating."

A friend on Wall Street was into coal tax shelters and he had coal mines in Kentucky. He told Darnella if she was looking to get out of modeling, he could set her up in business-brokering coal.

Darnella got a chance to go into some coal mines. She says, "You had to crawl down there. Some people went in and got scared, and they had to be taken out, but I was fine."

"It was really exciting. We even visited the Department of Defense. We got our first contract through the Southern Alabama Power and Light Company for 25,000 tons of coal."

Darnella did very well financially in this industry.

Source: Barbara Summers

Former model Grace Jones has defended infamous New York City nightclub Studio 54, insisting "moderation" was always practiced by its patrons.

During her modeling days, the singer was a regular fixture of the 1970s hot spot, which became known for sexual activity and rampant drug use that occurred after hours.

But Jones maintains the discotheque was a far more civilized place than its notorious reputation suggests.

Jones claims she had wilder nights at Big Apple gay bar the Paradise Garage-because venue bosses allegedly provided partygoers with drugs instead of serving liquor.

She adds, "At the Garage, there was a big bowl of whatever concoction they had there. The Garage was the club that opened at four, with a blend of juices or something and they used to spike it with acid and stuff. Because actually they didn't have a liquor license so you know, hey let's put acid inside!"

Renowned modeling scout Claude Mohammed Haddad had an exceptional eye for potential models.

"I went to New York," he says, "I found Grace Jones, the one black girl, in an elevator. She was coming down from an agency. She looked so angry.

She said, "They don't like black people in this country." I said, come to Paris.

Grace arrived in Paris and became a success!

(THE WOMAN WHO HELPED CREATE THE BLACK MODELING INDUSTRY)

Madame Ophelia DeVore (above-both photos) is an institution. She was not only the first model of color in the 1940's but she used the power of the media via her fashion column in the Pittsburgh Courier to showcase black models. Although the major New York City department stores had never done so before, they lent her clothes for Black models to wear in photographs in the paper.

Doing what no others had done before on such an ambitious level, she took it a step further by refining skills and expanding into public relations, fashion shows and television. She took the black modeling industry to its zenith.

"I started putting on contests so the models could get experience walking on a runway and on stage to develop stage presence."

DeVore was the teacher, agent and promoter.

In 1959, and again in 1960 and 1961, her protege's were crowned Queen of the International Film Festival in Cannes. Cecilia Cooper was the first Black woman to win. When she won, she had the seat of honor over all the top movie stars. According to Madame DeVore, "UPI (the wire service) almost died because a Black American had won the title." Devore models LeJeune Hundley and Emily Yancy won in succeeding years.

Source: Barbara Summers

BACKSTORY:

Madame DeVore began modeling at the age of 16. As a fair-skinned African American, Madame Devore gained contracts throughout Europe. In 1946, determined to create a new market for non-White women in the U.S., Madame DeVore would establish The Grace Del Marco Agency.

In the agency's early days, it was a stepping stone for countless household names; Diahann Carroll, Helen Williams, Richard Roundtree, Barbara McNair, Cicely Tyson and others. Racism was rampant in New York’s fashion business and the Grace Del Marco Agency was one of the few places non-White models could gain work.

Her agency's shows took place in churches, college campuses, and in the ballrooms of the Diplomat and Waldorf-Astoria hotels. Like many non-Whites in the mid-twentieth century, DeVore’s breakthrough came in Europe; specifically through the French fashion world.

The initial impact took place at many of the Cannes Film Festivals during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Madame Devore also seized media for business equity by co-hosting ABC’s Spotlight on Harlem. Her intensity to "make it" demanded relentless dedication and work ethic; enough to cause her a heart attack while still in her twenties.

In the agency's later years, it was renamed Ophelia DeVore Associates, and then the Ophelia DeVore Organization. In 1985, DeVore broadened her enterprise globally to include Swaziland as a client, and published her late husband’s newspaper The Columbus Times.

"Her specialty is polishing black diamonds (models)," declared one newspaper article.

Due to her business acumen, she has served as consultant to many of America's Fortune 500 corporations. DeVore has received more than 200 awards and honors from corporate, political, educational, governmental and social agencies.

It was already bad enough that the Ford Modeling agency was nicknamed "The White House," but agency head Eileen Ford put her foot in her mouth when she told the author of "Skin Deep," that a book about Black models would be a short one.

Barbara Summers' is a former Ford model who proved Eileen Ford wrong. Summers traveled to three continents to do research for this book and she doesn't disappoint.

Summers' also provides interesting and insightful information on black model Donyale Luna.

By the end of the 60's, Naomi Sims (who we featured last week) was earning $1,000 per week and now Sims wasn't alone.

When Donyale Luna (above) was asked where she hailed from, she answered, "I'm from the moon darling."

Her feline looks and wild behavior made her a sensation in London and Paris.

Although she was the first black model on the cover of British Vogue, her career was cut short. She died in a clinic from an accidental pill overdose in 1979. She was 33.

Source: "Model," by: Michael Gross

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NEW Cocktail: Real 'True Blood' Beverage for Humans: Wanna Sip?

Image via sookiebontemps/Flickr

Vampires are everywhere these days -- sexy bloodsuckers are haunting endless books, television shows, and films.

If the popularity of True Blood and the most recent Twilight film, Eclipse, is any indication, vampires are here to stay -- for eternity (cue the eerie music).

The whole vampire frenzy (which I am totally on board with, by the way) got me thinking about drinking blood -- NOT curious enough to do it, but curious enough to get some insight about it.

Here's what I found out about drinking blood.

There's a product called Blood Energy Potion that costs about $5 a bag. It's supposedly the world's first synthetic blood beverage, has a fruit punch flavor, and features "four hours of energy" via the iron, protein, caffeine, and electrolyte cocktail. The makers say Blood Energy Potion has a similar nutritional makeup to real blood, as well as the same color, look, and consistency of blood. It's even sold in a resealable transfusion bag style pouch.

For those who like the real stuff, enter human hematophagy, or the drinking of blood and the manufacturing of foodstuffs and delicacies with animal blood. Of course, some people consider drinking (or eating) blood to be taboo.

Then there are Sanguinarians ("Vampiric people"), who describe themselves as "human beings with a compulsion, or need, to consume blood." Most Sanguinarians say they have a physical craving for human blood exclusively, and go so far as to arrange for human "donors" who voluntarily supply them with fresh blood.

According to a self-proclaimed Sanguinarian, human blood "tastes like human blood," lamb blood tastes like human blood but milder, deer blood is midway between cow and human blood, cow blood tastes like human blood but bolder, and duck blood is milder than lamb blood. Got that? Or should I say, "Got blood?"

If you aren't as disgusted as I am and therefore still curious about drinking blood, please remember that doing so poses risks, especially regarding drinking human blood (just a drop can carry and transmit hepatitis, AIDS, malaria, and/or STDs).

Would you ever try drinking blood?

Written by Juliet Farmer for CafeMom's blog, The Stir.

Every bombshell has their guilty pleasures. One of mine is the thoroughly entertaining, campy, and (of course) sexy HBO series, “True Blood.” Sunday was the season finale of Season 2 and all weekend I was in full-blown party mode.

I wanted to post about the potential inspiration drawn from the series. I decided to go for the obvious ghoulish, red, bloody theme for a True Blood Party.

However, I could have always done something campy and unique like a maenad inspired, Dionysian feast. Inspired by the mysterious mischief-maker Maryann who throws one raging party.  Back when we first met the beautiful Mary Ann, we knew she was up to something but we didn’t realize it was no good. She lived in a palatial home with a spectacular pool, she was always chopping up exotic fruit and she rolled a mean joint. She took in Tara and Eggs, saying that she was just trying to help get them back up on their feet, but soon she began throwing raging parties with orgiastic results.

Very evil, but sexy Greek God worshipper Maryann

Maryann whips customers in Merlotte’s bar into a writhing, dancing froth.

“Greek Mythology defines Maenads as the female followers of Dionysus.  A literal translation of the name means “raving ones” In Wikipedia the Maenads are said to be inspired by Dionysus “into a state of ecstatic frenzy, through a combination of dancing and drunken intoxication. In this state, they would lose all self control, begin shouting excitedly, engage in uncontrolled sexual behavior, and ritualistically hunt down and tear animals (and sometimes men and children) to pieces, devouring the raw flesh.”

Maryann’s Dance: Get inspired

The menu would be tons of booze and lots of exotic fruit…

But I digress, big time! I promise to come up with a theme inspired by Maryann some other time. The pressing question is how do you have a classy Vampire-inspired viewing party?

I was inspired by this blog’s take on a Twilight theme party. I’m personally not a fan of the books, but I was taken with their romantic theme and featuring candle light as one of the focal points of their tablescape. As any Bombshell knows, mood lighting is key.

Again, not a huge fan of the books, but gotta love the sexy red theme.

Candles as the focal point

I’d probably go for red, white, and a couple of black candles thrown in.

You could make “blood drip candles” by drizzling melted was from a red candle on top of a white taper candle, then displaying them in cool candelabras.

Playing on the red theme, check out this tablescape* from Social Couture:

*A tablescape is the overall look of your table, and the area around the table. It includes the table centerpiece , the place settings, napkins, decorations, chairs, and anything else used to set the mood of the table. The tablescape can set the tone for the whole party, or gathering.

Now what to serve at a True Blood party? You could always get inspired by Merlottes and flip some Lafayette-inspired burgers and serve some of Sam Merlotte’s special chili.

But what about a romantic True Blood party? Let’s stick with the theme of red, finger food, and most importantly, drinks, and lots of them.

~Menu~

• Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

• Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

• “Cherry Gore”

Courtesy of the True Blood Wiki page

-Get ample Pitted cherries ( figure 1 cup per expected guest)
-Pit them
-Run through a food processor or blender until just chapped and mangled
-Get a baking tray (like for brownies or sheet cake)
- Spread cherry mash out in tray
- Put in freezer (not long enough to freeze them HARD – Just STIFFEN)
- Put in glasses and serve w/ spoon

This is also good with a variety of alcohol, ice cream, yogurt, etc. Its icy and it looks like bloody vampire viscera.

• Chocolate fondue / Chocolate fountain

Featuring white chocolate that’s been dyed red to look like blood, of course!

Just add red food dye to the white chocolate!

• Red Velvet Cupcakes that look like they’ve been splattered with blood

Just like these fabulous creations from Retro Bakery in Las Vegas

~Drinks~

• Vampire Kiss Martini

1 part vodka (chilled), 1 part champagne, 1 part Chambord

Pour vodka, then top off with Champagne.

Finish up with the “blood”:  pour some of the Chambord

over the back of a spoon to make it float

White candles, dripped red melted candels on top

• Pina Gouhlada

A frothy drink is tempting enough, but one served in a red-rimmed glass is particularly enticing to monsters who drink blood. Corn syrup with food coloring tinges the classic pina colada with a devilish sweetness. Dip the rim of each glass into the red mixture, spinning slowly to coat. Turn glasses upright; the red liquid will drip slightly, then set. Pour drinks, and serve. Drinkers’ lips may be stained pink — much like those of a sated vampire.

• Strawberry Margaritas (throw in some extra red food dye)

• Blood Thirsty Marys

How to make a bloody rim for all of your seductive drinks:

From Hostess With The Mostess Blog

The “blood rim” is made from the same kind of mixture as you’d use to make hard candy. It’s actually pretty easy, but you will need a candy thermometer (which you can find at most grocery stores).

Ingredients:
1 c. Sugar
1/2 c. Karo Syrup
1/2 c. Water
Red Food Coloring
Cinnamon (optional)

Directions:
Combine sugar, syrup and water. Cook without stirring to hard crack stage – which is 300 degrees F. Add food coloring. (Optional: Cinnamon may be added for flavor.)

Turn off heat. While the mixture is still hot, dunk the top of the cocktail glass into the mixture to create the red rim. If you need to do several glasses, keep the mixture hot so it lasts longer (instead of turning heat off, just reduce slightly).You can go anywhere from just along the very tip of the rim to part way down the glass – whichever you prefer. Flip the glass right side up to cool. The thick consistency of the mixture will cause “drips” as it hardens on the glass!

~Non-alcoholic Drinks~

• Blood-Red Hot Chocolate
  

Those who want to sink their teeth into blood-red drinks will enjoy cups of hot chocolate, tinged scarlet with food coloring.

• Shirley Temples

~Party Invites and Favors~

The True Blood Wiki has posted some awesome pdf’d party invites and labels to create your own True Blood bottles.

Print them out and stick them on Sobe or Jones Soda bottles.

For more inspiration, please check out this fantastic True Blood-inspired Birthday Party!!!

By Zach Dionne

Pop-Ed: I listened to the first rant and cringed. I listened to the second one and never wanted to hear another thing about Mel Gibson again. Immediately vowed, in fact, from the heart, to never watch another Gibson flick, new or old.

I also spoke with three disenchanted New Yorkers who had some serious words for Mel -- click through for the video and to hear me out.If it's ever made sense to go ahead and lump together a celebrity's personal life and their professional body of work, it's now. Mel Gibson's rant at ex-girlfriend and baby mama Oksana Grigorieva began as a private conversation, yes. But once everyone heard it, scanned the N-word-dropping headlines and the angry, hollered sex demands, it couldn't be unheard or unread. Gibson flashes ignorance and prejudice in 2006 in a drunk, anti-Semitic outburst, and as early as 1991, railing against homosexuals. Now he's shattered his image as hard as humanly possible. Mel is a madman, and there's no forgetting it.

If it's ever made sense to go ahead and lump together a celebrity's personal life and their professional body of work, it's now. Mel Gibson's rant at ex-girlfriend and baby mama Oksana Grigorieva began as a private conversation, yes. But once everyone heard it, scanned the N-word-dropping headlines and the angry, hollered sex demands, it couldn't be unheard or unread. Gibson flashes ignorance and prejudice in 2006 in a drunk, anti-Semitic outburst, and as early as 1991, railing against homosexuals. Now he's shattered his image as hard as humanly possible. Mel is a madman, and there's no forgetting it.

One PopEater commenter wrote: "I just go to the movies. We would never go to the movies again if we stopped and looked at everything that everyone did. Drugs? Is that good? Cheating? Drunk driving? I would not act like Mel, but he makes some good films." That's like saying, "I wouldn't beat a woman, but I'm cool with Chris Brown 'cause he's got that song I like." C'mon.

And what about Whoopi? Yes, Ms. Goldberg, I understand Mel Gibson's casual use of the N-word does not, in your opinion, qualify him for the Racist Hall of Racism. But you skewed the situation drastically by pointing into one dim corner and saying, "Mel's not a racist! He's been to my house!" I fully acknowledge, per your second wrongheaded speech/diatribe against bloggers, that you didn't defend Mel. What you did do was ignore the rest of a brightly lit room bursting with your pal Mel's insensitivity and inhumanity. I won't waste words addressing Gibson's instances of misogyny or racism or anti-Semitism or violence when these tapes so strongly show Mel to simply be a vile, self-centered, despicable creature. Why go to such pains, Whoopi -- and dedicate not one but two segments on 'The View' -- to saying he's not a racist? The point is, he sucks!

Owen Gleiberman at Entertainment Weekly makes a spot-on assertion that regardless of how producers and audiences react to future Gibson projects, this star of many movies I will never watch again has shotgun-blasted himself in the foot when it comes to roles. "If he tries to play someone smiley and nice, it would look like a bad joke," Gleiberman writes. "But if he takes on the role of someone brutish and mean, a walking-tall cauldron of righteous payback -- in other words, a typical Mel Gibson character -- it will put the scandal of his domestic explosion front and center all over again." Ditto for directing -- how can Mel helm one of his patented gorefests like 'The Passion of The Christ' or 'Apocalypto' without drawing comparisons to how he, y'know, punched Oksana in the face and told her she deserved it?

It's tough to tell what Mel is flipping his lid over in these tapes. Maybe Oksana truly did "ruin his life" in some way. Maybe she tried to extort millions from him. But no matter who did what, Gibson's stance in the limelight gave millions a chance to see how to conduct oneself as a cool customer. Instead, they witnessed a lesson in boiling over to volcanic proportions and completely losing control.

After Chris Brown's abusive explosion on Rihanna, I subbed in 'Love in This Club' any time I considered listening to 'Forever.' Moving on to Mel, has he ever starred in or directed anything classic enough that a boycott is so heinous to imagine? When Hollywood has a bottom line to meet and coffers to fill with a proven star, rebuking Gibson's actions isn't guaranteed. Do what you can as an individual to say any person treating another person this way -- regardless of race, gender, status in society, and doors closed or open -- isn't any kind of acceptable. Watch '300' even if you think it pales next to 'Braveheart.' Put in your 'Die Hard' DVDs when 'Lethal Weapon' pops up on TV. Watch the Home Shopping Network instead of 'The Passion.' Just don't give Mel any more of your time, money, or respect.

Vulture’s Stupidest Things of Summer: The Week Mel Gibson Showed Everyone How It’s Done

So, six weeks in, we find ourselves in the midst of the first real developing stupid story of the summer. Two weeks ago, Mel Gibson and his deranged, racist, potty mouth debuted on this list at No. 4. Last week he dropped to No. 5, despite the release of his first single, "I Am a Maniac With a Breathing Disorder, Part 1." Then this week, the whole thing started to snowball. It was a group effort. First, there was the release of "I Am a Maniac With a Breathing Disorder, Parts 2–5," a.k.a. The Lost Jacuzzi Tracks, which, are awful, crazy, terrible, and not that soul crushing to listen to! (Credit goes to Mel's baby mama Oksana for this, as her unruffled calm on the audio stops the tapes from tipping over into being just a sad commentary on lost humanity, and keeps them squarely in the category known as, "rantings of a crazy guy who failed to learn the best way to be loved, appreciated, and receive blowjobs, is not to threaten violence while screaming about how much you deserve to be loved, appreciated and receive blow jobs.")

Mel Gibson's On-Set Pranks Not So Funny In Hindsight: A Look Back

• by Piper Weiss, Shine staff
  

Scrolling through Mel Gibson's Wikipedia page, we noticed underneath the various allegations of racism, sexism, alcohol abuse etc., was the entry "Prankster." Before he was known for tirades, Mel Gibson was famous for his practical jokes.

During his ten year reign over Hollywood in the 90's and early 2000's, directors and leading ladies, in particular, came to anticipate Gibson's antics. Helen Hunt even claims she "begged" him to spare her on the set of "What Women Want."  That's because his "jokes" were not of the Saran-wrapped toilet seat variety. Designed for a scare more than a laugh, his largely female targets rarely seemed to laugh as hard as the movie star himself. In a 1995 interview, Mel explained his penchant for pranks: "A practical joke is based on making people believe the worst, or finding out their greatest fear is and then playing on it."

In an effort to dig up some of his old pranks, we searched archived articles from his heyday. What we found was pretty disturbing. "Every one of his pranks are cruel, insensitive and extreme," says Dr. John Sharp, medical director at Bridges to Recovery mental health clinic and faculty member at Harvard Medical school. While he hasn't treated Mel, he has treated similarly high-profile patients in the past.
"The pranks Mel pulled suggest getting pleasure in other people's pain. It's consistent with what he's allegedly been saying on those taped phone-calls."

We gathered a list of practical jokes reported in press interviews, profiles and other articles between 1992-2002. It appears that over a period of 10 years, Mel's pranks got increasingly darker and more fragmented. "There is clearly an extreme addictive quality in his pranking," says Sharp. "like he's chasing a high and needs to do crueler things to get that same buzz."  Mel might say we're just missing the joke.

THE PSYCHO-KILLER
VICTIM: Jamie Lee Curtis
In 1992, on the set of "Forever Young", Mel found himself in the role of executive producer for the first time. It was then, that he launched one his early pranks on leading lady Jamie Lee Curtis. According to the South Carolina newspaper The State:  "Making "Forever Young" with horror star Jamie Lee Curtis, he appeared at her door in a hockey mask and carrying a knife." The slasher bit, though bizarre, still seemed innocent enough considering Curtis was famous for playing a horror movie star in the 70's and 80's.

THE FALSE ARREST
VICTIMS: Two Unidentified Women
Then, in 1993, it was reported that Mel played a "Punk'd" style prank on two female friends. The Herald Sun reported: "Gibson had been enjoying a quiet lunch with two unsuspecting women at Warner Bros where his Icon Productions has offices. But when Mel and the women were walking out they were stopped by the head waiter (who was in on the gag set up by the superstar). The maitre d' insisted on searching the handbags of Gibson's lunch guests claiming they had something 'that belongs to us'. The women were even more shocked when the waiter pulled out six pieces of silverware and some salt and pepper shakers." The article continues:  "They were pleading their innocence when jokester Gibson could no longer contain himself and broke into fits of laughter." Making people think they're going to jail is not that funny, but at least no one was wielding a knife this time.

THE RANSOM NOTES
VICTIM: Rene Russo
By 1996, during the making of "Ransom"-- a graphic movie about a kidnapped child-- Gibson had upped the ante on his pranks extending their lifespan over a series of days. In an article in the Richmond Times Dispatch, co-star Rene Russo shared her experience: ''Mel worked with a photographer, an old friend of mine, who took nude pictures of me when I was 17, he blew it up and he put bits and pieces of it -- a breast, a finger, a knee -- and he put them up on the bulletin board every day. And he left ransom notes: 'If you want to see her in one piece again . . . ''' For perspective: in a normal work environment, this is the kind of "joke" that gets you fired.

THE DEAD RAT
VICTIM: Julia Roberts
In 1997, Mel was shooting "Conspiracy Theory" with Julia Roberts, then Hollywood's most famous actress, and as big a star as Mel himself. Again he hatched an involved prank that would continue long after the initial joke was made. In an article published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Julia Roberts recounts the affair.  "Mel, on the first day of shooting, gave me a rat, wrapped up very nicely with a lovely card...It was like a real rat that was taxidermied. " Despite taking the prank like a champ and disposing of the rat, Julia was continually harassed. Mel would remove the rat from the trash or replace it with a new one, in order to elicit more reactions from his co-star.

Mel giddily explained his process, in a Herald Sun article:  "I found a place where they sold freeze-dried rats. I wrapped it up and left it for her in her dressing room. I knew she had opened it because you could hear her screams for miles.''

During press events, both Julia and Mel chummily shared the story, but in an interview with the CBS Morning Show, the actress' discomfort surfaced: "I get a little paranoid when he's around. Yesterday I felt convinced that he was going to come into my room during an interview and do something dastardly behind me. So I kept getting this bad feeling on the back of my neck. But he's--he's really the only thing on this planet that makes me paranoid." 

She had good reason for her paranoia, after the rat was long gone, Mel continued his tirade, "pressing a live cockroach into her hand while she was trying to deliver an emotional speech," according to the Sunday Mirror.

THE STALKER
VICTIM: Nancy Meyers
By the time he started filming "What Women Want" in 2000, Mel was infamous for playing practical jokes on his leading women. His co-star Helen Hunt, told the website Mr. Showbiz, "I threw myself at Mel's mercy and said I can't handle it." So the actor spared Hunt and preyed on another powerful woman on-set: director Nancy Meyers. The website reports that he played the old freeze-dried rat trick on her. But that didn't satiate him. 

Next, he played on every woman's vulnerability by planting a ruse about a dangerous stalker lurking around the Paramount lot.  In an article in the the Columbus Dispatch, Mel says: "I got a memo printed up from the security office at the studio that there was a maniac loose, with a description. We put the memo up around the film set and stuff and had people corroborate the story, and promptly at 6 o'clock I made myself unrecognizable and approached Nancy as the maniac. She started screaming and stabbing me with her pencil. She then chased me out of the soundstage, and I ran atop the makeup trailer and stood there laughing like a hyena. . . . It was a cruel prank -- but I certainly enjoyed it.''

Not everyone was laughing with Mel this time. "He was lurking behind things and watching people," a source told MSNBC Online. "He got a big laugh out of it, but some people didn't think it was so funny. Stalkers aren't funny."

THE GERMAN ALTER-EGO
VICTIM: Randall Wallace, anyone in earshot
In 2002, two years from the release of "The Passion of the Christ" and four from his drunken Malibu arrest, Mel's sense of the absurd was getting more disconnected from reality. One particular "prank", played on "We Were Soldiers" director Randall Wallace, played out more like a personality disorder than a joke.

The Daily Record printed a profile that detailed an alter-ego Mel had developed on-set named Klaus. As Klaus, he would sneak up behind Randall with a megaphone and blurt insults in a thick German accent. Mel described his impulse in the article: "I became this German character Klaus, who was a man who only lived at night. He was pale, and probably some kind of sexual deviant, and he probably liked being whipped and stuff. "So he'd say stuff like 'Vy are you even bothering to attempt zis?'"

Mel continues, going deeper into the persona: "He was the harbinger of doom, the voice of negativity, your inner voice of your inner doubt. Everyone has that inner voice of doubt - and Klaus is mine. I'd like Klaus to surface as a character in a film somewhere along the line."  It looks like he has surfaced, though not in the safe confines of a movie.

Whoopi Goldberg defends herself for defending Mel Gibson

Before we discuss Whoopi Goldberg any further, let's get one thing straight -- she didn't defend Mel Gibson's alleged rants, she says, but rather on Monday made a personal observation, based on her time with him, that he's not a racist. 

An important point, and one she made again Wednesday on "The View" as she went after the "cowardly piece of dog mess" and others like Mr. Dog Mess who have come after her on blogs, in comments and in anonymous phone calls to her office.

"Being a black woman, you think you would give me a little bit of leeway to have some feel if I was around a racist," she said.

"OK, I understand that, but that people called my office and went off on the young lady that works there -- you're gonna call cause you think that I'm doing something wrong, and you do the same thing to this young lady, that you don't even know, that Mel Gibson supposedly did?"

Watch the whole thing for the full effect -- including the end where, with humor, she self-identifies as a racist. Then vote in our nonscientific online poll.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

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NEW Mel Gibson Audio Tape Rant: 'I Deserve To Be Blown!'

The fourth segment of Mel Gibson tape, in which he demands oral sex and threatens to burn the house down afterwards, is out. Listen to it at Radaronline.com.

 

 

 

The fourth segment of Mel Gibson tape, in which he demands oral sex and threatens to burn the house down afterwards, is out. Listen to it at Radaronline.com.

"How dare you act like such a b**ch, when I've been so f**king nice?" Mel screams at his ex, Oksana Grigorieva, before raging at her for falling asleep before he could get a blow job in the jacuzzi.

"I let you sleep, I shouldn't have woken you up and said 'f*cking blow me! That was my goddamn mistake," Mel screams. His panting and screaming gets more out of control from there.

"I deserve to be blown first! Before the f*cking Jacuzzi! Ok, I'll burn the goddamn house up, but blow me first! How dare you!??!"

Previously released tapes include a slur against Hispanics, the n-word and death threats.

mel gibson racist rant 3 burn house up techno remix song

via [YouTube]

The 20 Worst Mel Gibson Rant Quotes (Presented By Kittens)

In case you haven't heard the vitriolic taped phone calls between Mel Gibson and his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, here's your chance to experience all the hate and anger in a more palatable way: WITH ADORABLE KITTENS! [Update: There was a 3rd call released today. BONUS KITTENS!]

Tanner Ringerud

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BONUS***

Ranking the Inevitable Christian Bale/Mel Gibson Rant Mash-Ups

It was only a matter of time before some enterprising* individuals got some Christian Bale in their Mel Gibson — one big supercollider of alpha-male angst, venom and decibels headed for the ultimate explosion. YouTube Nation has wrought at least six to date, with surely more to come; Movieline, meanwhile, has gathered and judged them like the trailblazing (if predictable) pop artifacts they are. Your mileage may vary; tell me if so. Need I say they’re all NSFW?

via [YouTube]

  By Stacy Cowley, tech editor 

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Proving that even a seemingly frivolous lawsuit can throw a wrench in the corporate works, Facebook is fending off a New York restraining order temporarily preventing it from transferring or selling any of its assets.

The order stems from a case filed in late June in New York's Allegany County state court by Paul Ceglia, a local resident who claims that in 2003 he paid Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg $1,000 to build a website "designed to offer the students of Harvard university access to a wesite [sic] similar to a live functioning yearbook with the working title of 'The Face Book.'"

In return, Ceglia was to receive a 50% stake in the site, according to a contract he filed with the court. Based on the contract's details, he is now seeking 84% ownership of Facebook -- a Palo Alto, Calif., company that investors have valued at $15 billion. "Time is of the essence as I have not received any remuneration from the Defendants," Ceglia said in his affidavit to the court. (To see Ceglia's legal filing, including the alleged contract, click here.)

His complaint prompted Judge Thomas Brown to slap Facebook with a restraining order preventing any asset sales -- though Brown struck down a proposed clause that would have blocked Facebook from accessing any money stashed in its bank accounts.

Facebook fired back by having the case transferred to federal district court in Buffalo, where it is currently pending. In a motion filed Friday, Facebook asked the federal court to dissolve the restraining order. Ceglia "has utterly failed to meet the procedural and substantive requirements for such drastic relief, and the order issued by the state court is similarly flawed and woefully inadequate," the company wrote.

A law suit in New York claims that Mark Zuckerberg was paid $1,000 to develop Facebook Photo: BLOOMBERG

"We believe this suit is completely frivolous and we will fight it vigorously," a Facebook spokesman said in response to the lawsuit. "The order will not affect our ability to do business, but we do not believe it is legally supported and we have moved to have the it vacated."

Facebook's legal filings document a laundry list of objections to the state court's action, which was issued without any notice to Facebook. The company also notes that New York's six-year statute of limitations almost certainly bars Ceglia's attempt to take action on a seven-year-old alleged contractual breach.

Ceglia has a checkered legal past. In 2009, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo sued Ceglia for allegedly defrauding customers of a wood-pellet fuel company he owned. Cuomo won a restraining order binding the assets of Ceglia's Allegany Pellets after he charged the company with taking $200,000 in advance payments from customers and then failing to deliver the goods.

Cuomo's office said that an investigation into Paul Ceglia and his wife Iasia turned up evidence of "extensive real estate holdings, including 75 acres of oceanfront property in Nova Scotia; 30 acres and 70 rental properties in Wellsville; and their own residence on 2 acres in Wellsville."

via [YouTube]

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This is a three layered cake, with whipped dark chocolate ganache in the centre layered with sliced strawberries. On top, I poured over dark chocolate ganache, piped some whipped chocolate ganache to hold the ganache dipped strawberries... and I diced up a few strawberries to throw around the base and the centre

I've been getting a few requests for recipes, so here goes some pretty basic instruction on how to do it...

Bake your favourite chocolate cake, enough to make 3 layers in a 9 inch, round cake pan. You can make it 2 layers if you like
Slice up a lot of strawberries... I don't know exactly how many I used because it was such a long time ago, but too many strawberries is never a problem, since they're very nice for snacking!
The outer layer of chocolate is simply ganache. Ganache is melted chocolate mixed with whipping cream. The inner layer of the cake is also made of the ganache, but I divided my recipe of ganache into two bowls. I whipped one of the portions, and used that to pipe around the cake as well as layer the strawberries on inside the layers.
Assemble! You can see from the bottom right picture what I've done. Cake, whipped ganache, strawberries, repeat!
I filled in the sides that were exposed strawberry with some more whipped ganache so that the ganache can pour over and spread evenly (or helped along with a spatula!) any left over regular ganache was used to dip the strawberries in. Note that the chocolate won't fully set up and harden, since it is not tempered chocolate. I piped some whipped ganache as a border along the bottom of the cake and diced some strawberries to garnish.

and that's the general gist of what I did... you can find pretty good chocolate cake recipes in books, online, etc... and a recipe for ganache can be easily found online. But if you want to whip the ganache, you're going to have to suck it up and use whipping cream! NO CUTTING CALORIES ON THIS ONE!!! haha

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