Monday, February 28, 2011

Orient Express: Into Eastern Europe and Dresden in Art Deco wartime bordello carriage

Eastern adventure: Tom and his girlfriend Emma board the Orient Express


Trainspotters in Eastern Europe, I can now say with some certainty, look just the same as the ones back home. Overnight we had rattled and creaked into Poland from the Czech Republic in our beautiful old Art Deco Wagon-Lit carriages, passing through dark forests that seemed to go on for ever.

We had started our unusual Orient-Express journey in busy, touristy Venice, but there we were the next morning, a long way from the canals and gondolas, blinking at the contrast as we rolled slowly past Zywiec.

A rust-coloured train was waiting at a platform covered with weeds. Walls by the ticket office were covered with indecipherable graffiti. The sun beat down (Eastern Europe was in the midst of a heatwave). And then we saw them - the trainspotters.

A scraggly haired fellow with a giant belly and an old baseball cap was holding up a camera and taking snaps. Next to him, a skinny man wearing black socks and sandals was squinting through old spectacles, capturing the train with a video camera. Another with a sleeveless jacket with pockets was scribbling in a notebook.

They smiled and waved, and we smiled and waved back - sitting at our little breakfast table in our tiny compartment, eating croissants and rolls, with cups of fresh coffee at a table with purple flowers in a silver vase.

It was a bizarre scene. It was also typical of the friendly reception the Orient-Express received as we moved deeper into Eastern Europe.

Locals, tipped off to the arrival of our shiny, navy-blue carriages, were waiting at platforms all the way. We were almost cheered past in places, especially as we moved on from our stop in Krakow towards Dresden - the first time the Orient-Express has ventured into the city that suffered such heavy bombing in the Second World War.

From Dresden we were travelling onwards, via a mini-stop in Paris, to Calais and buses into the Channel Tunnel to Folkestone, where another Orient-Express train was waiting to transport us to Victoria Station. The journey consisted of one night on the train, two in Krakow (at a plush Sheraton), another night on the train, two in Dresden (in an even plusher Kempinski), one more on the train, before returning home. Quite an adventure: it made London-to-Venice or Paris-to-Istanbul seem passé - we were travelling into the Orient-Express unknown.

So, via the Dolomites and long tunnels when the lights flickered (and we thought of Agatha Christie), Austria and the Czech Republic, we reached Poland. Along the way we dined on foie gras, fillet of beef marinated in dill and juniper berries, and dark chocolate cake ‘with Italian lemon zests’.


Former bordello: Tom's Art Deco Wagon-Lit compartment


We were dressed formally - a tie and suit for me (some wore black tie), a smart dress for my girlfriend Emma - as we listened to a tinkling piano. There were three dining carriages (each restored to Art Deco glory) as well as six sleeping carriages, all beautifully maintained. Ours dated from 1929. The mahogany panelled rooms were designed by Rene Prou – considered a master in this area. A sign also said that the compartment had been ‘used as a brothel in Limoges 1940-45’.

Our compartment had a funny sink in a cabinet in a corner. There was a bench-seat converted into bunks by a steward while you had your evening meal. There was a mini-fan in a corner, helping with the heat. But it was still pretty hot.

An American woman commented wryly: ‘Staying here is cheaper than a divorce.’ There was also no shower room – ‘This is authentic,’ explained the train manager, Bruno Janssens. Regarding the heat, he added: ‘We’re thinking of bringing in air-conditioning.’

In Krakow, we stayed by the Vistula river overlooking the 14th Century Wawel Castle. Krakow is easy to walk around, with a pretty old town encircled by a park renowned as a lovers’ promenade. We climbed the hill to the castle and took in the strange shoebox-like tourist boats on the river below and bathers on the small beach opposite. We walked on, passing a shopping mall selling every brand under the sun (Eastern Europe has come a long way since 1989) and had a coffee in the huge central square, where stalls had T-shirts bearing the slogan: ‘CK: City of Krakow.’

Then we went to Auschwitz. You can’t help wondering whether it is appropriate, having travelled in our sybaritic train on the very same tracks used by Hitler’s Holocaust wagons. But it would be wrong to visit this part of Poland without spending some time at this monument to man’s inhumanity.

We passed under the chilling sign that says Arbeit Macht Frei (Work Makes You Free) and entered the harrowing rows of red-brick compounds, overlooked by watchtowers and surrounded by barbed wire.

We saw pictures of inmates sentenced to death. We took in a courtyard where executions were performed against a brick wall. We visited the terrifying gas chambers, where a sign said: ‘Please maintain silence here: remember their suffering and show respect for their memory.’ A display explained that more than a million people died in Auschwitz and neighbouring Birkenau.

It gave us a lot to think about when we returned to the Orient-Express that night.


Masterpiece: The Zwinger in Dresden has an amazing art collection


We journeyed on to Dresden, passing great factories and Soviet-era housing blocks in the outskirts of the former East German city. There was music and dancing at the station before we were whisked to the Kempinski, a former palace built for a mistress of Augustus the Strong, who ruled Saxony from 1670 to 1733.

The hotel was rebuilt after being bombed in February 1945, and is next to the Royal Palace. We were soon being shown round the grounds of the Zwinger, another palace with a fabulous collection of Augustus’s porcelain and a gallery full of works by Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt and Vermeer.

Augustus, we learned, spent a fortune gained from mining silver near Dresden on his beloved art. Stalin had taken much of it to Russia, but it was returned by Khrushchev, who felt the works belonged in the city.

We were shown the marvellous domed Church of Our Lady, also destroyed during the war but rebuilt five years ago. Our guide said: ‘This is a symbol. I was five years old when this was destroyed. Now it is back, it feels as though the city is living again.’

Later, we visited a Volkswagen factory and the botanical gardens. Then we rejoined our train for the slow ride back via Paris to Calais – passing Eastern European trainspotters again on the way.

As we did so, the words of our guide came back to me: ‘For many years, living here was like living in a prison. Now we are free to go where we like. Now we can welcome the Orient-Express.’

With the piano playing in the dining car, we chugged out of Dresden on our very different (and extremely memorable) journey.

Travel facts
Orient-Express (0845 077 2222, www.orient-express.com) offers a seven-day Venice/Krakow/Dresden/London journey from £4,850pp including a cabin suite on the train with full-board, two nights at the Sheraton Hotel in Krakow and two nights in the Taschenbergerpalais Kempinski Hotel in Dresden, a special dinner in Krakow and excursions. It can also arrange flights to Venice, two nights’ accommodation and transfers from £475.

source: dailymail

Joakim Noah sisters hot. But not so fast my friend?








I mean by most people standards the bitch is a hot, tall mulatto. And i want to pin her ankles behind her ears and make her dreams come true for 90 seconds. But i fear the situation will be similar to the scene from the devils advocate where the face of the chick keanu is fucking keeps changing from his wife to the other hot chick. But in my situation it morphs from the hot young model to her mongloid 7ft foot brother who is on my favorite basketball team (especially that last pic right?). That being said I'd fuck her sans conny, and the bulls dominated the wizards despite around 16 turnovers. The score isn't important chief, we won.

Ed note: thanks to Tazer for the the heads up on Noahs sister. Ya tazer is one of my friends. No it isn't his last name. No it has never been his nick name before today. Today is the first day of the rest of your life tazer, congrats.

- les Anderson

Hasn’t Anne read the reviews? Hathaway celebrates like SHE won an Oscar

By SARAH BULL

A little early to celebrate: Anne Hathaway and James Franco ended their Oscars hosting gig triumphantly


Punching the air triumphantly at the end of the Oscars ceremony, it was clear that Anne Hathaway and her co-host James Franco were ready to pat themselves on the back for a job well done.

Anne was later seen partying up a storm at the Weinstein after-party, throwing back champagne and dancing animatedly with a borrowed Oscar statuette.

But as the actress toasted her hosting gig, critics were already writing up scathing reviews of her and co-host James Franco's 'clumsy and downright painful' skits.


Party time: Anne parties with boyfriend Adam Shulman and The Kings Speech producer Gareth Unwin


It had been hoped that employing Anne and James as hosts for this year's Academy Awards would give the ceremony a young and fresh feel.

But despite bringing their considerable comedic talents to the plate while presenting the Academy Awards, using skits and montages to add to their hosting duties, the pair's performance was met with mixed critical reception.

The 83rd Academy Awards opened with a montage of Hathaway and Franco delving into the mind of former Oscar winner Alec Baldwin in an Inception-inspired moment, narrated by the smooth-voiced Morgan Freeman.

And things continued to get more and more surreal, as the pair poked fun at The King's Speech, which took home four Oscars, The Fighter and True Grit, as well as The Social Network and Back to the Future.


I like the feel of this: Anne borrowed an Oscar statuette to take for a spin on the dance floor at the Weinstein party


Having a good time? The actress appeared incredibly animated as she arrived at the Weinstein Oscar party


Perhaps the funniest moment of the opening montage, however, was Hathaway and Franco both donning leotards and tutus to join Natalie Portman in Black Swan.

The pair attempted to impress the hard-nosed Vincent Cassel with their dancing abilities, and left Portman looking flustered with their 'talent'.
Hathaway also returned to her former duty at the Oscars in 2009 when she joined then-host Hugh Jackman for a duet to open the show.



'Downright painful': Anne and James's presenting skills received a mixed reception at this year's Oscars


James Franco and Anne Hathaway Opening Number (83rd OSCARS 2011)



Oscars 2011- James Franco in Drag & Anne Hathaway's 'On My Own' Spoof


source: dailymail

Hasn’t Anne read the reviews? Hathaway celebrates like SHE won an Oscar

By SARAH BULL

A little early to celebrate: Anne Hathaway and James Franco ended their Oscars hosting gig triumphantly


Punching the air triumphantly at the end of the Oscars ceremony, it was clear that Anne Hathaway and her co-host James Franco were ready to pat themselves on the back for a job well done.

Anne was later seen partying up a storm at the Weinstein after-party, throwing back champagne and dancing animatedly with a borrowed Oscar statuette.

But as the actress toasted her hosting gig, critics were already writing up scathing reviews of her and co-host James Franco's 'clumsy and downright painful' skits.


Party time: Anne parties with boyfriend Adam Shulman and The Kings Speech producer Gareth Unwin


It had been hoped that employing Anne and James as hosts for this year's Academy Awards would give the ceremony a young and fresh feel.

But despite bringing their considerable comedic talents to the plate while presenting the Academy Awards, using skits and montages to add to their hosting duties, the pair's performance was met with mixed critical reception.

The 83rd Academy Awards opened with a montage of Hathaway and Franco delving into the mind of former Oscar winner Alec Baldwin in an Inception-inspired moment, narrated by the smooth-voiced Morgan Freeman.

And things continued to get more and more surreal, as the pair poked fun at The King's Speech, which took home four Oscars, The Fighter and True Grit, as well as The Social Network and Back to the Future.


I like the feel of this: Anne borrowed an Oscar statuette to take for a spin on the dance floor at the Weinstein party


Having a good time? The actress appeared incredibly animated as she arrived at the Weinstein Oscar party


Perhaps the funniest moment of the opening montage, however, was Hathaway and Franco both donning leotards and tutus to join Natalie Portman in Black Swan.

The pair attempted to impress the hard-nosed Vincent Cassel with their dancing abilities, and left Portman looking flustered with their 'talent'.
Hathaway also returned to her former duty at the Oscars in 2009 when she joined then-host Hugh Jackman for a duet to open the show.



'Downright painful': Anne and James's presenting skills received a mixed reception at this year's Oscars


James Franco and Anne Hathaway Opening Number (83rd OSCARS 2011)



Oscars 2011- James Franco in Drag & Anne Hathaway's 'On My Own' Spoof


source: dailymail

Hasn’t Anne read the reviews? Hathaway celebrates like SHE won an Oscar

By SARAH BULL

A little early to celebrate: Anne Hathaway and James Franco ended their Oscars hosting gig triumphantly


Punching the air triumphantly at the end of the Oscars ceremony, it was clear that Anne Hathaway and her co-host James Franco were ready to pat themselves on the back for a job well done.

Anne was later seen partying up a storm at the Weinstein after-party, throwing back champagne and dancing animatedly with a borrowed Oscar statuette.

But as the actress toasted her hosting gig, critics were already writing up scathing reviews of her and co-host James Franco's 'clumsy and downright painful' skits.


Party time: Anne parties with boyfriend Adam Shulman and The Kings Speech producer Gareth Unwin


It had been hoped that employing Anne and James as hosts for this year's Academy Awards would give the ceremony a young and fresh feel.

But despite bringing their considerable comedic talents to the plate while presenting the Academy Awards, using skits and montages to add to their hosting duties, the pair's performance was met with mixed critical reception.

The 83rd Academy Awards opened with a montage of Hathaway and Franco delving into the mind of former Oscar winner Alec Baldwin in an Inception-inspired moment, narrated by the smooth-voiced Morgan Freeman.

And things continued to get more and more surreal, as the pair poked fun at The King's Speech, which took home four Oscars, The Fighter and True Grit, as well as The Social Network and Back to the Future.


I like the feel of this: Anne borrowed an Oscar statuette to take for a spin on the dance floor at the Weinstein party


Having a good time? The actress appeared incredibly animated as she arrived at the Weinstein Oscar party


Perhaps the funniest moment of the opening montage, however, was Hathaway and Franco both donning leotards and tutus to join Natalie Portman in Black Swan.

The pair attempted to impress the hard-nosed Vincent Cassel with their dancing abilities, and left Portman looking flustered with their 'talent'.
Hathaway also returned to her former duty at the Oscars in 2009 when she joined then-host Hugh Jackman for a duet to open the show.



'Downright painful': Anne and James's presenting skills received a mixed reception at this year's Oscars


James Franco and Anne Hathaway Opening Number (83rd OSCARS 2011)



Oscars 2011- James Franco in Drag & Anne Hathaway's 'On My Own' Spoof


source: dailymail

Oh, mother! Madonna embarrasses Lourdes as she brandishes her bottom on red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscars party

By BAZ BAMIGBOYE

Spot the teen: Lourdes Leon, 14, was out with her mother Madonna at the Vanity Fair Oscar party last night - and guess who was dressed the most outrageously...


It's every 14-year-old's worst nightmare. You get a ticket to the coolest party in town, but then your mother spoils it by tagging along wearing inappropriate clothing and what's worse, exposes her behind to all and sundry.

On the red carpet, that's just what happened when 52-year-old Madonna left daughter Lourdes blushing with embarrassment on the red carpet of the Vanity Fair party last night.

The Material Girl had gone out wearing little more than a black leotard and a few scraps of lace and the mortified teen was heard pleading: 'Mum, do you have to?!’ every time her popstar parent struck a pose and poked out her posterior for the waiting cameras.


All smiles: Raven-haired Lourdes appeared to have beaten her embarrassment as she grinned for the photographers


'Is that my mom's butt..? I hope my dress isn't that short': Lourdes catches sight of her mother's behind before self-consciously pulling her own dress down


She told Access Hollywood: '(My mom) does actually (borrow my clothes). I go into her closet - I'm not supposed to take things without asking, but she's always taking things without asking.

'I mean, she gets mad at me when I take things without asking her, but... she has such amazing like clothes, so it's like kind of annoying sometimes... She wears my shoes a lot and she wears my accessories.'


And the winner is...Natalie Portman hands over her Oscar for Best Actress to get engraved with her name at the Governor's Ball


Grub's up: Wolfgang Puck arrives with a tray of Oscar-themed food that was being served at the ball


Across town meanwhile, the official Academy Awards afterparty, the Governor's Ball was taking place.

The catering meanwhile was being delivered by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, who's been in charge of the menus there for the past 17 years.

Puck said ahead of the event: ‘For the main course, we have English sole with a confit of tomatoes and a paella. This is a vegetarian paella because I know Natalie Portman is a vegan – so she’s going to have a big bowl of that!'


Proud: Colin Firth poses with his Best Actor Oscar at the Governor's Ball


Say hello to my little friend: Firth has no qualms about letting fans hold his Oscar as he parties the night away


However, before the pregnant star could tuck into her dinner, there was the important job of getting a certain gold statuette inscribed with her name...

She wasn't the only winner making a beeline to the inscription table either.

Best Actor winner Colin Firth was one of the first inline and after graciously posing for photos with his, got out his own phone to take a few snaps of it.

Kathryn Schwarz, the Academy's official keeper of the Oscars, said: 'It's a little something special to have your name on it.'


Take your mama out: Russell Brand took hus mother Barbara to the Governor's Ball


Couple's night: Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter had scrubbed up well for their night out too


Awards regulars: Oscar winner Helen Mirren was also at the ball with her film producer husband Taylor Hackford



Touching: Amy Adams, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, cuddles up to fiance Darren Legallo


Madonna Bares Bum at Oscar Bash


source: dailymail

Oh, mother! Madonna embarrasses Lourdes as she brandishes her bottom on red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscars party

By BAZ BAMIGBOYE

Spot the teen: Lourdes Leon, 14, was out with her mother Madonna at the Vanity Fair Oscar party last night - and guess who was dressed the most outrageously...


It's every 14-year-old's worst nightmare. You get a ticket to the coolest party in town, but then your mother spoils it by tagging along wearing inappropriate clothing and what's worse, exposes her behind to all and sundry.

On the red carpet, that's just what happened when 52-year-old Madonna left daughter Lourdes blushing with embarrassment on the red carpet of the Vanity Fair party last night.

The Material Girl had gone out wearing little more than a black leotard and a few scraps of lace and the mortified teen was heard pleading: 'Mum, do you have to?!’ every time her popstar parent struck a pose and poked out her posterior for the waiting cameras.


All smiles: Raven-haired Lourdes appeared to have beaten her embarrassment as she grinned for the photographers


'Is that my mom's butt..? I hope my dress isn't that short': Lourdes catches sight of her mother's behind before self-consciously pulling her own dress down


She told Access Hollywood: '(My mom) does actually (borrow my clothes). I go into her closet - I'm not supposed to take things without asking, but she's always taking things without asking.

'I mean, she gets mad at me when I take things without asking her, but... she has such amazing like clothes, so it's like kind of annoying sometimes... She wears my shoes a lot and she wears my accessories.'


And the winner is...Natalie Portman hands over her Oscar for Best Actress to get engraved with her name at the Governor's Ball


Grub's up: Wolfgang Puck arrives with a tray of Oscar-themed food that was being served at the ball


Across town meanwhile, the official Academy Awards afterparty, the Governor's Ball was taking place.

The catering meanwhile was being delivered by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, who's been in charge of the menus there for the past 17 years.

Puck said ahead of the event: ‘For the main course, we have English sole with a confit of tomatoes and a paella. This is a vegetarian paella because I know Natalie Portman is a vegan – so she’s going to have a big bowl of that!'


Proud: Colin Firth poses with his Best Actor Oscar at the Governor's Ball


Say hello to my little friend: Firth has no qualms about letting fans hold his Oscar as he parties the night away


However, before the pregnant star could tuck into her dinner, there was the important job of getting a certain gold statuette inscribed with her name...

She wasn't the only winner making a beeline to the inscription table either.

Best Actor winner Colin Firth was one of the first inline and after graciously posing for photos with his, got out his own phone to take a few snaps of it.

Kathryn Schwarz, the Academy's official keeper of the Oscars, said: 'It's a little something special to have your name on it.'


Take your mama out: Russell Brand took hus mother Barbara to the Governor's Ball


Couple's night: Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter had scrubbed up well for their night out too


Awards regulars: Oscar winner Helen Mirren was also at the ball with her film producer husband Taylor Hackford



Touching: Amy Adams, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, cuddles up to fiance Darren Legallo


Madonna Bares Bum at Oscar Bash


source: dailymail

Back down to earth: Pregnant Natalie Portman dresses for comfort in flat shoes after Oscars win

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Low key: Natalie Portman and her fiancé Benjamin Millepied enjoyed breakfast in LA today following her best actress win at the Oscars


Natalie Portman swapped red carpet glamour for practical maternity wear today following her triumphant night at the Academy Awards.

The 29-year-old, who is pregnant with her first child, kicked off her high heels for comfortable flats as she celebrated her best actress win with a low-key breakfast in Los Angeles.

She was joined by Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied at Square One Dining in Los Angeles.

The star admitted this week that she was looking forward to putting her feet up after the awards season.

'Staying at home with messy hair in sweats... is the biggest luxury of all,' she said.

Last night Portman paid tribute to her fiancé for giving her the 'most important role of her life' during her acceptance speech.

During a tearful moment, the actress paid tribute to her friends, family and co-stars and described her win as 'insane'.


Comfortable: The Black Swan star wore flats and a casual outfit for her post-Oscars outing


Fighting back tears, Portman thanked her parents, Avner and Shelley Hershlag, for 'giving me my life, the opportunity to work from such an early age and showing me how to be a good human being by example'.

She also honoured Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky, who she described as a 'fearless leader and visionary', and her friends 'who are everything to me, no matter what's going on in my career'.

Looking lovingly at Millepied, a ballet dancer, she thanked her 'beautiful love' and said he had 'given me the most important role of my life'.


Easy does it: Natalie's fiancé held the door as she got into their car


Celebrities Attend Vanity Fair Oscars Party, Part 1: Natalie Portman, Sandra Bullock And More!



source: dailymail

Back down to earth: Pregnant Natalie Portman dresses for comfort in flat shoes after Oscars win

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Low key: Natalie Portman and her fiancé Benjamin Millepied enjoyed breakfast in LA today following her best actress win at the Oscars


Natalie Portman swapped red carpet glamour for practical maternity wear today following her triumphant night at the Academy Awards.

The 29-year-old, who is pregnant with her first child, kicked off her high heels for comfortable flats as she celebrated her best actress win with a low-key breakfast in Los Angeles.

She was joined by Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied at Square One Dining in Los Angeles.

The star admitted this week that she was looking forward to putting her feet up after the awards season.

'Staying at home with messy hair in sweats... is the biggest luxury of all,' she said.

Last night Portman paid tribute to her fiancé for giving her the 'most important role of her life' during her acceptance speech.

During a tearful moment, the actress paid tribute to her friends, family and co-stars and described her win as 'insane'.


Comfortable: The Black Swan star wore flats and a casual outfit for her post-Oscars outing


Fighting back tears, Portman thanked her parents, Avner and Shelley Hershlag, for 'giving me my life, the opportunity to work from such an early age and showing me how to be a good human being by example'.

She also honoured Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky, who she described as a 'fearless leader and visionary', and her friends 'who are everything to me, no matter what's going on in my career'.

Looking lovingly at Millepied, a ballet dancer, she thanked her 'beautiful love' and said he had 'given me the most important role of my life'.


Easy does it: Natalie's fiancé held the door as she got into their car


Celebrities Attend Vanity Fair Oscars Party, Part 1: Natalie Portman, Sandra Bullock And More!



source: dailymail

Oh, mother! Madonna embarrasses Lourdes as she brandishes her bottom on red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscars party

By Jody Thompson and Baz Bamigboye In Los Angeles


Spot the teen: Lourdes Leon, 14, was out with her mother Madonna at the Vanity Fair Oscar party last night - and guess who was dressed the most outrageously...


It's every 14-year-old's worst nightmare. You get a ticket to the coolest party in town, but then your mother spoils it by tagging along wearing inappropriate clothing and what's worse, exposes her behind to all and sundry.

According to Mail Online spies on the red carpet, that's just what happened when 52-year-old Madonna left daughter Lourdes blushing with embarrassment on the red carpet of the Vanity Fair party last night.

The Material Girl had gone out wearing little more than a black leotard and a few scraps of lace and the mortified teen was heard pleading: 'Mum, do you have to?!’ every time her popstar parent struck a pose and poked out her posterior for the waiting cameras.

Cheeky: Madonna was wearing a black leotard covered in see through black lace and a black fur waistcoat


In an attempt to shame her mother into being less shameless, Lourdes was also heard to cry: 'But you tell me to behave like a grown-up' everytime her bottom got brandished again.

Still, when your mother has released a book called Sex, we guess that her going out without a skirt is the least of your worries.

Madonna was wearing the wacky outfit - finished off with fishnets and black platform stilettos - to the bash at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood, Los Angeles.

All smiles: Raven-haired Lourdes appeared to have beaten her embarrassment as she grinned for the photographers

Pert: The popstar's posterior was still pretty peachy however - as displayed at the post-Oscars party


The star was rumored to be have been hosting her own post-Oscars party, boasting a royal theme with music provided by British DJ Paul Oakenfold.

Lourdes meanwhile was wearing a tiny Aztec-inspired print mini-dress, thought to be from the fashion range she's launched with her mother, Material Girl.

Kelly Osbourne was recently announced as they label's new face, replacing Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen.

In her sixth decade: The star is refusing to grow old gracefully and still likes to shock

Stepping out: Lourdes and her mother have also branched out together with their fashion label Material Girl


And while the pair run the label together, we doubt that Lourdes will be wanting to borrow her mother's outfit anytime soon however.

In fact, the teen says it's the other way round.

She told Access Hollywood: '(My mom) does actually (borrow my clothes). I go into her closet - I'm not supposed to take things without asking, but she's always taking things without asking.

'I mean, she gets mad at me when I take things without asking her, but... she has such amazing like clothes, so it's like kind of annoying sometimes... She wears my shoes a lot and she wears my accessories.'

And the winner is...Natalie Portman hands over her Oscar for Best Actress to get engraved with her name at the Governor's Ball

Grub's up: Wolfgang Puck arrives with a tray of Oscar-themed food that was being served at the ball


Across town meanwhile, the official Academy Awards afterparty, the Governor's Ball was taking place.

The catering meanwhile was being delivered by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, who's been in charge of the menus there for the past 17 years.


Puck said ahead of the event: ‘For the main course, we have English sole with a confit of tomatoes and a paella. This is a vegetarian paella because I know Natalie Portman is a vegan – so she’s going to have a big bowl of that!'

Proud: Colin Firth poses with his Best Actor Oscar at the Governor's Ball

Carve it with pride: Colin takes a photo of his Oscar getting the personalised treatment


However, before the pregnant star could tuck into her dinner, there was the important job of getting a certain gold statuette inscribed with her name...

She wasn't the only winner making a beeline to the inscription table either.

Take your mama out: Russell Brand took hus mother Barbara to the Governor's Ball

Couple's night: Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter had scrubbed up well for their night out too


Best Actor winner Colin Firth was one of the first inline and after graciously posing for photos with his, got out his own phone to take a few snaps of it.

Kathryn Schwarz, the Academy's official keeper of the Oscars, said: 'It's a little something special to have your name on it.'

Awards regulars: Oscar winner Helen Mirren was also at the ball with her film producer husband Taylor Hackford

Touching: Amy Adams, who was niominated for Best Supporting Actress, cuddles up to partner Darren Legallo


Source;dailymail