Online paper dolls, Pirelli and it's Vanity Fair Hollywood issue time!

You may be familiar with those Tom Tierney paper doll books (Hollywood movie stars, great fashion designers, Marilyn Monroe-we have that one). It is 2008 and, while you might think that no one is playing with paper dolls anymore, they are but they are doing it online at http://www.stardoll.com/ Just click on the celebrity of your choice and you are taken to their closet where you can click and drag clothes and accessories. You can make your own album and even create your own MeDoll. While it might sound like another wasteful time sucker of a website, your inner 7 year old just might still find it fun dressing up paper dolls.

This website was brought to our attention by the Vanity Fair Hollywood issue. This issue is generally worth your attention for several reasons. The first reason is the Annie Leibovitz fold-out cover. Even though you might not know many of the "up and coming" actresses, the cover is gorgeously shot with the ladies swathed in pastel Dior gowns. Secondly, there are always some articles about the old Hollywood that we love. What other current magazine is going to have an article about Joan Crawford? Lastly, there is usually an amazing pictorial with current stars paying homage to classic Hollywood. This year, they are re-enacting scenes from Hitchcock movies. It is a $4.95 well spent.

Vanity Fair also alerted us of The Complete Pirelli Calendars book that is released on March 11th. If you aren't one of the the world's elite customers or VIPs of the Pirelli Tire Company, chances are that you haven't had the pleasure of seeing these images. They started making their calendars in 1963 as promotional pieces but they have taken a very high end approach to the traditional pin-up calendar. World renowned photographers such as Richard Avedon, Herb Ritts, Annie Leibovitz, and Mario Testino shoot beauties such as Sophia Loren, Penelope Cruz, Naomi Watts, and Kate Moss. We've heard about these photos for years and are looking forward to seeing them although, at $53.55 at www. amazon.com, we are hoping that Borders has an unsealed copy or our library carries it.