The Great Gatsby, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, and Carey Mulligan, mostly disappointed viewers. The film has been long awaited, and perhaps in that span of time, been talked up beyond reasonable expectation. The release date was pushed back, giving eager Baz Luhrmann (and F. Scott Fitzgerald fans) even more angst in their wait for the great film adaptation. This version of the novel is actually the fourth film version. The first, released in 1926, was a silent film, and has since been lost, save the trailer.

This version, while not wowing audiences everywhere, was reminiscent of Luhrmann’s adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, employing lavish lighting, scenery, costumes, and music– giving an all over, over the top, sensory overload of culture to eager viewers. While the film rating site Rotten Tomatoes gave The Great Gatsby only a 46% (out of 100), Leo DiCap delivered. His performance was described as “magnificent,” and “persuasive.”

One of my favorite reviews, from Connie Ogle of the Miami Herald read:

“Baz Luhrmann’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ is a failure that should have at least been a magnificent mistake, a risky endeavor that showed a daring intent even if its brash vision didn’t quite succeed. Instead, the movie leaves you cold and weary and vaguely disgusted, like you’ve just spent a night of debauchery at Gatsby’s mansion, and now the sun is up, and it’s time to fish the cigarette butts and champagne bottles out of the pool.”

And another, from Philadephia Inquirer’s Mike Bertha:

“Here I am, disappointed with Luhrmann’s film, in part because I refused to quell my own anticipation. But, also, because the latest interpretation of Gatsby seemed to distort the values fans of the story hold so dearly.”

From an avid reader and teacher of literature, who finds the pen to be mightier than the sword, consider yourself informed.

The location of choice for the famous family is aboard a yacht anchored outside the coast of Mykonos. The yacht, known as Oceanos, is spacious (161 feet long), and the cream of the crop when it comes to water-based vacation spots. The yacht is actually a rental, specifically designed for vacationing, and can be utilized as such for a whopping $195,000 per week. The yacht also boasts at least fourteen mahogany paneled sleeping cabins, a sprawling sundeck, a Jacuzzi, and a fully stocked bar.

The family is also taking advantage of local tourist attractions such as horseback riding on the beach, costing $85 per person, and chartered helicopter rides. When they aren’t staying on the yacht, the family enjoys the luxuries of the Casa Del Mar Mykonos resort, where rooms cost $2000 per night (or more). Somehow, amid all their sunbathing, horseback riding, Jacuzzi-ing, etc., the girls have found time to complain about the fact that their significant others were unable to come due to work obligations. We agree, work obligations are no fun… but somehow we think the expensive vacation will help the Kardashians overcome.

In preparation for the role, even big and bulky Johnson had to up his physical appearance by adding about fifteen to twenty pounds of muscle to his already-muscular physique. Reportedly, his caloric intake was the equivalent of about seven meals. After following a strict, protein heavy diet, Johnson binged on twelve pancakes, four pepperoni pizzas, twenty-one brownies, and a jug of milk.

Wahlberg followed a similar heavy eating pattern: “I was eating 10 meals a day and drinking mass gainers. It was a lot of work. A lot of getting up at 2 in the morning to eat another meal and I was still full from the meal at 10 o’clock.”

Despite the efforts that went into physically preparing for the role, the monetary investment was less than what most would anticipate for a Michael Bay film… a mere $25 million. To save money, Bay filmed on location at his house. And by house, I mean mansion.

One of the most interesting facts about the story line is that it’s actually based on a true story. While the film is labeled dark comedy, the elements of truth err more on the dark side. Marc Schiller, a victim of the real life gag that Johnson and Wahlberg portray, has said, “I was significantly tortured: tasered, burned, beatings, guns to the head, Russian roulette… there’s a whole list of things. And then obviously at the end they tried to kill me. And it wasn’t that funny when they tried to kill me.” Tony Shalhoub plays Marc Schiller in the film.

A home bar has become as much an integral part of the luxurious modern home as the extravagant media room or the fun gaming room. Why should your home be any different then? Building your own home bar is not as difficult as you might imagine it to be and most often the result is something you can truly toast to.

• Start off by choosing the area of your home that you wish to turn into the home bar. High ceilings and ample space are not always a must. A lovely little corner next to the stairs can also be turned into a lavish and intoxicating delight!
• Once you have the setting in mind, think of the theme or the design that you want for the home bar. Remember that in case of the home bar, the theme need not be always coherent with the remainder of your home. A replica of your favorite hangout, something you saw on TV or a fantasy theme that you want to bring to life; pretty much anything that you choose can be used here.
• Pay a visit to some of your favorite bars and take note of the little additions, décor and accessories that they have which make them your preferred hangouts. Ask them about where they got that big bar rail or comfortable bar stool you like so much. It pays to do some research!
• Once you have the basic theme of your home bar picked, shop around for matching furnishings. If you are going for a custom design or a special theme, then finding matching décor will always be a touch harder. In case you are going for the ‘classic’ look, then we found a great online barstool store that has a wide selection of bar stools that fit the billing perfectly.
• Once you have the décor and the tacky accessories, it is time to fill in the home bar along with the addition of an entertainment unit and a dart board or two! Creating a stylish and lavish home bar is can be a rewarding experience and it definitely elevates the look of your interiors. The best part is that you will never have to worry about the drive back home after a few rounds with your buddies!

Regardless, the thirty-two year old socialite was further thrust into celebritism (the state of being a celebrity) when she wed basketball player Kris Humphries in August of 2011. The now-infamous marriage lasted only seventy-two days (just over two months), from August until October.

Good news! As we peruse the headlines today– disregarding the state of the union, you may see Kardashian’s name with some long awaited news: the divorce is FINALLY finalized. The divorce process lasted quite a bit longer than the actual marriage. Seven-point-four-repeating times as long, to be exact (secretly, I’m a math geek posing as a writer). After FIVE HUNDRED AND THIRTY SIX DAYS of divorce process, Kim and Kris have finally signed off.

Technically, the divorce will not be finalized until the judge has signed it, and believe it or not he has better things to do than tend to the wreckage that was their marriage. The expected date for the official, finalized paperwork in June 19th. Until then, Kim will be busy being pregnant with Kanye’s child, and Chris will continue being happier than ever, as he revealed via Twitter.

More to come!

1. After wearing your clothes out, let them air out. This means, don’t throw it in a heap of clothes, don’t hand it back in your closet. Those actions will trap the odors. Hand it up in a well ventilated area (open a window!) for forty-eight hours. This will let whatever odors you picked up disperse.

2. When you hang it, do not use a wire hanger. Wire hangers are thin, thereby creating unnatural angles in your clothing, and often putting too much strain in the shoulder areas of tops. This can have a warping effect. Opt for wooden hangers, or cushioned garment hangers.

3. Eliminate wrinkles. To avoid ironing, I hang up whatever fancy clothing I need ironed, in the bathroom while I take a hot shower. The steam from the shower actually eliminates a lot of the wrinkles! Don’t have time for a shower? Don’t like it that hot? Used a wrinkle-release laundry spray. Spray in sweeping motions, and pull the fabric taught until the wrinkles release. It’s all on the back of the bottle!

4. There are also home dry cleaning kits on the market, Dryel being widely popular (and successful– I use it).

Some people who were ware of the harsh travel restrictions surrounding Cuba questions if the mini vacation that Beyonce and Jay Z just had in Havana was properly sanctioned. Turns out, the couple that could do no wrong… has still done no wrong! The couple of five years and one child (and many, many musical hits) did have their trip appropriately sanctioned by the US Treasury. The trip was filed as a “people-to-people” visit. These types of visits promote”people-to-people contact” and “contribute to the development of civil society in Cuba.” Tourism is specifically prohibited, as stated in the guidelines.

Beyond that, travelers who have already been licensed and approved, Cuban Americans, and those with relatives on the island are the only citizens who can legally board a plane in Miami for the fifty minute flight to Cuba. Violating these laws can result in $250,000 in fines or ten years in prison.

Property from the Collection of Sir Gawaine and Lady Baillie
Sotheby’s London
May 1st 2013

A truly spectacular auction, this sale is one that really is distinct. In the 1930s, Lady Baillie began what has now become a fantastic collection of eighteenth century Meissen porcelain animals and birds.
Her passion was inherited by her son Gawaine, who, along with his wife Margot, continued to add and develop the collection. It is rich, diverse and utterly arresting, with items ranging in price from £1,000 to £150,000.

This includes a sumptuous Louis XIV gilt-bronze banded and stained walnut writing table and a magnificently crafted rare figure of a monkey, two objects that are very desirable.

Arte Moderna e Contemporanea
Sotheby’s Milan
May 22nd to 23rd 2013

This is a fantastic auction of a quite wonderful selection of twentieth century Italian art that is an absolute must for collectors looking to give their collection a much needed boost.
For fans of Giuseppe Capogrossi, this is umissable.  Two highlights include his Superficie CP/505 (estimate £8,716 to £13,074) and Superficie CP/575 (£6,975 to £10,465).

Capogrossi recently underwent a retrospective at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which helped put his work into greater context.

British & Irish Art
Sotheby’s London
May 23rd 2013

Some of the best works of art from the nineteenth and early twentieth century have been lined up for this brilliant auction.

Focusing on British and Irish art, the sale has some monumental pieces available for purchase, suitable for investors keen on adding such works to their collection.
This includes Harold Harvey’s Tulip Pickers (estimate £40,000 to £60,000); Roderic O’Conor’s Red Rocks and Sea (£200,000 to £300,000); and Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell’s reflection (£300,000 to £500,000).

Both Horst and Newton were two of the most renowned fashion photographers the world has ever known. The former was a master of black and white portraiture and the latter for his ability to produce a wide range of editorial.

Photographies
Sotheby’s Paris
May 29th 2913

Man Ray was an exceptional artist who transcended the boundaries of high art. He was just at home snapping fashion shoots as he was with his work with photograms, which he dubbed “rayograhs”.

Work from the great surrealist is available at auction, which always makes for an interesting and engaging item in any discernable individuals’ collection. Also going under the hammer are prints by the master Henri Cartier-Bresson and Helmut Newton.

Standout photographs include Horst P. Horst’s Barefoot Beauty (estimate £4,361 to £6,106) and Newton’s Woman Being Filmed (£15,702 to £20,061).

The seventeen-year old signed with Two Management and IMG Models just two weeks ago. She just did her first photoshoot. The shoot took place on a yacht in New York’s Hudson River, in forty degree weather. Young Baldwin was posing provocatively in a bright bikini. Mother Kim Basinger (a former model) was there to give her professional opinion. Ireland didn’t bat an eye at the less-than-tropical weather, and was appreciative of her mother’s advice: “My mom’s very happy she can finally give me tips. She’s always there so she’ll stand in the back and say, ‘Turn your head this way’ or ‘Do this!’”

While she seems to be a natural at it, Ireland has other ambitions as well. She looks up to funny-woman Tiny Fey, and hopes to have fame like hers someday. Ireland also expresses an interest in working her way to that point. She does have a few jobs lined up already (mostly in the modeling industry), including an “It Girl” spread for W magazine, which will be shot by the world renowned Patrick Demarchelier. Ireland has also reported that her management agency wants her to model for Guess, Sports Illustrated, and Victoria’s Secret.

To celebrate five years, the musically inclined couple flew to Cuba– a destination restricted from many due to US travel restrictions, but open to artists, journalists, dignitaries, and educators. Beyonce’s mother Tina joined them, as well as a fair amount of security, although they didn’t stop the couple from being mobbed while eating. The two are soaking up their time in Havana as the next coming months are busy ones. Beyonce has an international tour beginning this summer, entitled The Mrs. Carter Show. Jay Z isn’t going quite as big (it’s hard to out-do Beyonce), but he will be touring with Justin Timberlake in The 20/20 Experience.