And Sew It Goes - Christmas In July

It may be sizzling outside, but that doesn't prevent winter haute couture from gracing the Paris catwalks in July. Karolina Kurkova kicked off Elie Saab's show, while burlesque artist Dita von Teese titillated on Jean-Paul Gaultier's kitty ramp. Gossip Filles, Blake Lively and Leighton Meester, along with Jessica Alba and Milla Jovovich, generated a lot of, well, gossip, at Karl Lagerfeld's celebfest show for Chanel. Elle show pony, Olivia Palermo, was snapped on the red carpet at Hugo Boss, looking annoyed. (Hmm... did she just bump into Erin or get caught on the red carpet committing another faux pas? Guess we'll have to endure another season of The City to find out. Cross your legs that Joe will muster the nerve to chew her out again.)

Yes, The Last Emperor has retired, but Valentino capitalized on fashion week by throwing a fête champêtre on the opulent grounds of his Louis XIII chateau, Wildville. Liz Hurley, Gwyneth Paltrow, Claire Danes, and other lovelies, joined the glam gala to commemorate the launch of his archives.

Sew... want to see how some designers work? Project Runway struts into it's 8th season tonight on Lifetime. Plus, you could win $10,000 in their You're In Or You're Out Sweepstakes. That ought to cover a trip to the next fashion week and The Valentino Garavani Archives. Ramp it up and enter.

Voilà - the link to the You're In Or You're Out Sweepstakes:

http://www.mylifetime.com/sweepstakes/project-runway-youre-in-or-youre-out

Getting Beached at Paris Plages

Traveling may be considered expendable, but not for someone who thrives on adventure. Another possible expendable? Paris Plages. Along the Seine near the Pont Neuf, two miles of the riverbank become Paris Plages from July 20th to August 20th this year. Imagine a crowded beach complete with white sand, colorful umbrellas, and comfy deck chairs in the heart of the City of Light. Play pétanque, take tai-chi, learn how to ballroom dance, listen to some music, or jump in the pool. Everything is free! So is entering the Expendables Sweepstakes, where the grand prize is a $2,000 American Express card. That's enough to hit the beach anywhere! Check out Stallone's new thriller and enter.

Voilà - the link to the Expendables Sweepstakes:

http://www.movietickets.com/contests/contest_default.asp?cid=10019&cxr=0

Summer Celebrity Scene In France

Jessica Biel has been spotted strolling around Paris this summer, while ex-beau, Justin Timberlake, popped up in the same city for lunch. Woody Allen and Owen Wilson have been shooting Midnight in Paris by the banks of the Seine... during the day, while Woody ducked into La Stresa with Soon Yi for dinner one night. Even Ed Westwick, whose wealthy Chuck Bass character must have survived that bloody gunshot wound in the Gossip Girl finale, has been seen shooting scenes for, yes, Gossip Girl, with Blake Lively and french hottie, Clémence Poésy.

In the South of France, it's more of a family affair. Victoria and David Beckham celebrated their 11-year anniversary there, when Becks wasn't hanging out with chef Gordon Ramsay and his brood. (Hmm... wonder if Gordon gave Becks hell in the kitchen?) Now comes word that Jude Law and Sienna Miller's relationship is about to be all tied up... in a knot. Yup, the happy couple who made headlines with their rollicking affairs is finally getting married in France this summer.

Want to visit the star-crossed city? Honda is giving away $7,500 in their Honda Clearance Sweepstakes, which ought to cover a plane ticket and a meal or two at La Stresa. Drive on over and enter.

Voilà - the link to the Honda Clearance Sweepstakes:

http://honda.promo.eprize.com/clearance10/

Feeding Your French Addiction

Still haven't made it to Paris? Whenever I need a French fix, I'll pop into a local French restaurant loaded with ambience. Anisette Brasserie in Santa Monica harkens back to la Belle Époque with dark wood paneling and red banquettes, easily transporting me back to Paris the moment I enter. Thomas Keller's Bouchon in Beverly Hills reminds me of La Cupole, while Maison Maurice conjures up a neighborhood bistro in the lst arrondissement. Partial to pain au chocolat? La Provence Pâtisserie and Café is the perfect antidote. Sometimes, a croissant, a little Edith Piaf, a glass of vin, some moules frites, or a slice of Beaufort is all you need until you get on a plane. So, the next time you're craving foie gras, explore your own city. Cheeses of France encourages you to do just that by giving away dinner for two at a fine French restaurant in either Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, District of Columbia, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, or Seattle. Stop salivating, and enter.

Voilà - the link to the Cheeses of France "Perfect Dinner for Two" Sweepstakes:

http://www.cheesesoffrance.com/sweeps.html