Back in October, soon after the release of ?Cocktails Made Easy?, we were approached by the good folk at Fizz Software to convert the book into an application for iPhone. Seemed like a good idea and gave us the excuse to buy some swanky new phones. Thanks to their expertise you can now view all 500 recipes and accompanying photographs from the book on your iPhone (or iPod Touch if you?re trapped in a contract).

Being techies, the chaps from Fizz had some nifty ideas on how they could improve the functionality of the book and so this application allows you to search for cocktail recipes by their name, by their ?difford?s rating? or by their key ingredients. Our fourteen key ingredients (spirits and liqueurs) sit in the Cabinet ? where you can mark off what bottles you already have so you are only presented with a selection of recipes you can actually make without running off to buy more. All the drinks have our difford?s rating out of five but you can also add your own score and create your own favourites list. All the recipes have full colour photographs, which you can view full-screen to compare and contrast against the drink you have just made. And should you be in need of inspiration, just shake the phone and it?ll randomly select a drink for you.

The most recognized trophy in the world, the Oscar statuette has stood on the mantels of the greatest filmmakers in history since 1929.

Shortly after the formation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1927, the fledgling organization held a dinner in the Crystal Ballroom of the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles to set out its goals. Among the topics discussed that night was how best to honor outstanding moviemaking achievements and thereby encourage excellence in all facets of motion picture production.

Agreeing to institute an annual award, the group turned its attention to creating a suitably majestic trophy. MGM art director Cedric Gibbons designed a statuette of a knight standing on a reel of film gripping a crusader?s sword. The Academy tapped Los Angeles sculptor George Stanley to realize the design in three dimensions ? and the world-renowned statuette was born.

A Knight Called Oscar
Since the initial awards banquet on May 16, 1929, in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel?s Blossom Room, 2,701 statuettes have been presented. Each January, additional new golden statuettes are cast, molded, polished and buffed by R.S. Owens & Company, the Chicago-based awards manufacturer retained by the Academy since 1982.

Oscar stands 13½ inches tall and weighs in at a robust 8½ pounds. The film reel features five spokes, signifying the five original branches of the Academy: actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers. Although the statuette remains true to its original design, the size of the base varied until 1945, when the current standard was adopted.

Officially named the Academy Award of Merit, the statuette is better known by its nickname, Oscar. While the origins of the moniker aren?t clear, a popular story has it that upon seeing the trophy for the first time, Academy librarian (and eventual executive director) Margaret Herrick remarked that it resembled her Uncle Oscar. The Academy didn?t adopt the nickname officially until 1939, but it was widely known enough by 1934 that Hollywood columnist Sidney Skolsky used it in a piece referring to Katharine Hepburn?s first Best Actress win.

The Stuff that Dreams are Made Of
The statuettes presented at the initial ceremonies were gold-plated solid bronze. Within a few years the bronze was abandoned in favor of britannia metal, a pewter-like alloy which is then plated in copper, nickel silver, and finally, 24-karat gold. Due to a metal shortage during World War II, Oscars® were made of painted plaster for three years. Following the war, the Academy invited recipients to redeem the plaster figures for gold-plated metal ones.

Achievements in up to 25 regular categories will be honored on February 22, 2009, at the 81st Academy Awards presentation at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®. However, the Academy won?t know how many statuettes it will hand out until the envelopes are opened on Oscar Night®. Although the number of categories and special awards are known in advance, the possibility of ties and of multiple recipients sharing the prize in some categories makes it impossible to predict the exact number of statuettes to be awarded. As in previous years, any surplus awards will be housed in the Academy?s vault until next year?s event.

More than 80 years after that auspicious gathering in Hollywood, Oscar?s success as a symbol of filmmaking achievement would probably amaze those who attended the dinner, as it would its designer, Cedric Gibbons.

A 1920?s playground for the rich and famous is reborn as a magnet for trendsetters. Gansevoort South Hotel * Spa * Residences is the new southern outpost of New York City?s Hotel Gansevoort.

Gansevoort South boasts 334 guestrooms averaging over 730 sq ft. Sporting spectacular views of the ocean, bay, and shining city skyline, the guestrooms offer state-of-the-art technology, oversized bathrooms with separate shower and bath, and a blend of modern and dramatic design with suede walls punctuated by splashes of magenta and yellow, custom designed tables, sofas, lounge chairs and oversized mirrors in a range of materials from wood to leather.

Adding a playful air and a one-of-a-kind vibe to the spacious sun-filled rooms are custom 1930?s and 40?s style pin-up photographs. The 3,400 sq ft two master bedroom suite, the ?Sony Cierge? suite features two balconies with ocean views, a gourmet kitchen and dining room, an entertainment room equipped with Sony?s finest electronics, Italian pool and fooseball tables, oversized jacuzzi baths and hand-picked custom designed furnishings.

Gansevoort South?s landscape showcases three oceanfront pools including a 110-foot rooftop pool, an expansive infinity-edge pool on the plaza level, a family friendly south pool, a mezzanine with private cabanas, and an exclusive oceanfront beach club. The outdoor areas are adorned with Gandia Blasco furniture, cabanas, and tee-pees which provide a perfectly unique setting.

With fine boutiques, restaurants, lounges and the first ever DavidBartonGym+Spa spread over more than 100,000 sq ft of luxury retail space, few shopping, dining and entertainment experiences in Miami Beach compare to Gansevoort South. STK by The ONE Group and Philippe by Philippe Chow offer a combination of the sexy New York steakhouse and exquisite Asian cuisine, while the 50-foot long shark tank dramatically divides the hotel lobby and Opium Group?s exclusive VIP lounge, Louis

VICTORIA BECKHAM, LEONARDO DiCAPRIO and JOHN MAYER were among the stars who turned out to celebrate the opening of GIORGIO ARMANI's flagship New York store on Tuesday (17Feb09).

The iconic Italian fashion designer revealed his new 42,000 square foot store on the Big Apple's 5th Avenue and invited a host of Hollywood's most famous faces to kick of the shop's unveiling with style.
Other attendees at the exclusive party included Alicia Keys, Ricky Martin, Mira Sorvino, Liam Neeson, Josh Hartnett and Solange Knowles.

But it was style icon Beckham who garnered the most attention, gracing the red carpet in a revealing silver dress, despite the city's freezing temperatures.
And the former Spice Girl, who is the body of Armani's latest lingerie campaign, couldn't help but gush over the designer - confessing she'd love for her own designs to be as desirable as his.

She told reporters, "I have so much respect for Mr. Armani - you know, I can dream."

With a career that spans from the glamour of modeling and films to the positive efforts of active charity work, Patricia Velasquez is far from just a pretty face. Embodying all that is beauty and strength of mind, Patricia has a heart of gold, having never forgotten where she came from and always eager to spread messages of encouragement to young Latinas around the world.

Born in Venezuela, Patricia climbed to the top of the fashion world becoming the first Latina Supermodel working on the runway for Chanel, Gucci, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Carolina Herrera to name a few.

Patricia?s exotic features have graced the covers of countless magazines such as Vogue, Bazaar and Marie Claire, and she has starred in several commercials campaigns including Allure, Pantene and New York & Co.

As an actor, Patricia has worked in countless films and TV shows, including: Le Jaguar, Zapata, Mindhunters, Fidel, Committed, CSI: Miami, Arrested Development, Rescue Me, Ed and American Family, but she is most recognized for her role as ?Ank Su Namun? in the films The Mummy and The Mummy Returns.

Her debut stage in the leading role of School of The Americas, produced by Philip Seymour Hoffman and written by Jose Rivera, for the Public Theater in New York City was critically acclaimed

Patricia Velasquez is a UNESCO Artist for Peace and is and active charity worker. Her Wayuu Taya Foundation is dedicated to improving the living conditions of Latin American indigenous groups while respecting their culture. For more information log on to www.wayuutaya.org .

Because of her talent, beauty and social conscience Patricia has been a guest on Oprah, a frequent judge at the Supermodel of the World contest sponsored by Ford Models and has been featured countless times in the main stream media as a Latina celebrity.

Will Smith leads the pack of Hollywoods best-paid actors, banking an estimated $80 million over the course of the year. Frequently called the hardest-working man in Hollywood, Smith has proved that no matter the genre--be it sci-fi thriller (Warner Bros. I Am Legend) or sappy drama (Sonys The Pursuit of Happyness)--he can deliver an audience.

The former Fresh Prince of Bel Air star also set a theatrical record this year. Thanks to the commercial success of this summers anti-superhero flick Hancock, Smith is the first actor in Hollywood history to have eight straight movies eclipse $100 million at the box office.

Data released today from Compete.com supports what will not be a surprise to most. Facebook is the most visited social network, with nearly 1.2 billion visits in January 2009. This also represents significant growth, with visits to Facebook up 36% on December, and 256% over the previous twelve months.

Facebooks continued growth is certainly impressive, and their success in 2008 is probably due, at least in part, to their continued innovation during the year. They made some significant changes to the user-interface and continue to roll-out significant changes on a fairly regular basis (such as the recent introduction of the ?I like this? feature). Innovation is important. As more users join the social network their needs will change and the way they want to use the site will change. With a 256% increase in visits over the last 12 months, there is no doubt that the use people want from Facebook is changing and constant innovation helps them to react and respond to this.

Israeli model Bar Refaeli has been chosen to be the cover girl for this years Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, considered one of the most lucrative contracts for models in the fashion industry.

The 23-year-old Refaeli, who is the girlfriend of actor Leonardo DiCaprio, has appeared in the last three editions of the popular special annual edition of the American magazine, but this is her first cover for it.

The Hollywood Reporter, which compiled the list, claimed Jolie, 33, earned $15 million (£10.2m) for the action movie "Wanted" this year and could make $20 million (£13.6m) to star in a possible sequel.

She also had high-earning roles in 2007's "A Mighty Heart" and in this years "Changeling" and was paid $15 million-plus for her upcoming film "Edwin A. Salt".

However, the mother of six, who finished in second spot last year, could be preparing to walk away from her impressive pay packets. Last month she talked about eventually fading away from acting to spend more time with her family

Updown Court is a private residence in windlesham, Surrey, England and is the most expensive private residence that is currently on the market. It is the largest private residence to be built in the United Kingdom since the 19th century and is currently still listed with Savills and Hamptons International, UK. It was launched on the market in 2005 for £70,000,000.

Entered by a $3million heated marble driveway, Updown Court has 103 rooms, of which the 24 bedrooms each has its own marble en-suite bathroom. Among other features, it has a two lane bowling alley, five swimming pools, squash court, floodlit tennis court, wine cellar, and panic room in the event of a terrorist attack, 5 acres (20,000 m2) of more than 30 different types of imported Italian marble, expansive terraces, and a 50-seat cinema. It also features an underground garage, with granite flooring, that has enough room to harbor eight limousines. The first floor is the main residential area, featuring 8 generous bedroom suites. The penthouse floor contains two separate penthouses, each with 2 bedrooms and occupying an entire wing of the property.

The estimated cost for upkeep alone is over £250,000 (Over $360,000 USD) per year. Reference: See Press Release on Updown Court Website.