Thursday, 20 February 2014
Show your love for the slogan in Zoe Karssen
Slogans may have been
everywhere this year, but here Kate Beckinsale shows us that the
off-duty staple is still a hot commodity in her 'Army Of Lovers' design
by Zoe Karssen. The cool brand have gained quite the celebrity cult
following with everyone from Kristen Stewart to Alexa Chung to Mila
Kunis favoring their laid-back luxe pieces. But luckily you don't need a
designer budget to rock the trend.ick Grimshaw and BRIT Awards host James Corden shares a passionate kiss on stage as the presenter bows out in style after five years
He was taking his bow as BRITS host on Wednesday evening after presenting the annual show for the fifth and final time.
But while it was another polished performance from James Corden, his swansong was overshadowed by a memorable send-off from close pal Nick Grimshaw in the form of a French kiss.
The Radio 1 DJ enjoyed a comical frisson with Corden at last year’s event, when the presenter playfully perched on his knee, and the banter continued when he took to the stage to present Lorde with the award for International Female Artist.
Scroll down for full list of winners
'Hello everyone, it's tough coming on after Noel Gallagher and Kate Moss,’ he joked, adding: 'Can we have a round of applause for James Corden, everyone? Last year we made out, I'm hoping we can go to second base this year.'
But while it was another polished performance from James Corden, his swansong was overshadowed by a memorable send-off from close pal Nick Grimshaw in the form of a French kiss.
The Radio 1 DJ enjoyed a comical frisson with Corden at last year’s event, when the presenter playfully perched on his knee, and the banter continued when he took to the stage to present Lorde with the award for International Female Artist.
Scroll down for full list of winners
'Hello everyone, it's tough coming on after Noel Gallagher and Kate Moss,’ he joked, adding: 'Can we have a round of applause for James Corden, everyone? Last year we made out, I'm hoping we can go to second base this year.'
Lorde the teen queen hits another high note with BRIT award
She's the breakthrough act of the year.
And two-time Grammy winner Lorde proved she's still reigning supreme as she scooped the award for Best International Solo Female at the all-star Brit Awards in London on Wednesday night.
The 17-year-old singer showed that while her name might be in lights, her feet are still firmly on the ground, declaring the award was : 'A priceless surprise.'
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The
gorgeously gothic babe, who comes from New Zealand, took to the stage
in a dramatic black sequinned number saying: 'I'm still so new to
getting awards that my brain feels like it's exploding every time it
happens, so forgive me.'
And two-time Grammy winner Lorde proved she's still reigning supreme as she scooped the award for Best International Solo Female at the all-star Brit Awards in London on Wednesday night.
The 17-year-old singer showed that while her name might be in lights, her feet are still firmly on the ground, declaring the award was : 'A priceless surprise.'
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Lily Allen fluffs her lines as she announces winners of Best British Group at BRIT Awards
After years on the awards circuit, you'd expect Lily Allen to be an old pro at presenting - and of course accepting - accolades.
However, it appeared the singer may have been feeling a bit rusty after a couple of years out of the spotlight to focus on motherhood as she stumbled over her lines at Wednesday's BRIT Awards.
The mother-of-two, 28, appeared slightly confused by what part of her lines she should be reading first when she took to the stage at the O2 Arena.
Scroll down for a list of winners
Lily walked on stage in a green and blue Henry Holland dress to present the Best British Group Award.
Looking hesitantly to the side of the stage, she said: 'It's nice to be back … Do I just go straight into it? What? Announce it? No … the nominees for Best British Group are...'
However, it appeared the singer may have been feeling a bit rusty after a couple of years out of the spotlight to focus on motherhood as she stumbled over her lines at Wednesday's BRIT Awards.
The mother-of-two, 28, appeared slightly confused by what part of her lines she should be reading first when she took to the stage at the O2 Arena.
Scroll down for a list of winners
Lily walked on stage in a green and blue Henry Holland dress to present the Best British Group Award.
Looking hesitantly to the side of the stage, she said: 'It's nice to be back … Do I just go straight into it? What? Announce it? No … the nominees for Best British Group are...'
Harry Styles leaves One Direction bandmates hanging live onstage at BRIT Awards as he runs in from the 'toilets'
arry Styles left his One Direction bandmates hanging live on stage at the Brit Awards on Wednesday to collect their award for Global Success.
Leaving Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and a hobbling Niall Horan to improvise in his absence.
Quick thinking Liam stalled for time, looking to the audience for clues to the whereabouts of their fifth band member, Harry.
k
Liam, 20, asked the crowd: 'Has anyone seen the curly lad? Right, there's four of us now.'
Looking dapper in a Dolce & Gabbana suit, he then continued: 'I want to say thank you to our international team, management, the fans.'
Leaving Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and a hobbling Niall Horan to improvise in his absence.
Quick thinking Liam stalled for time, looking to the audience for clues to the whereabouts of their fifth band member, Harry.
kLiam, 20, asked the crowd: 'Has anyone seen the curly lad? Right, there's four of us now.'
Looking dapper in a Dolce & Gabbana suit, he then continued: 'I want to say thank you to our international team, management, the fans.'
2014 BRIT Awards Big Winners: Arctic Monkeys and One Direction with two gongs each. Ellie Goulding is crowned Queen
Arctic Monkeys and One Direction were the big winners at the BRIT Awards - taking home two accolades apiece.
The Sheffield four-piece were named Best British Group and Album Of The Year for their disc AM during the star-studded ceremony at London's O2 Arena.
Meanwhile, manufactured pop quintet One Direction picked up Global Success Award and British Video Of The Year for Best Song Ever.
The Sheffield four-piece were named Best British Group and Album Of The Year for their disc AM during the star-studded ceremony at London's O2 Arena.
Meanwhile, manufactured pop quintet One Direction picked up Global Success Award and British Video Of The Year for Best Song Ever.
Northern lads done good: Arctic Monkeys accept their first award of the night - Best British Group
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Best Of BRITISH Awards 2014: The Blitz And Glamour In Pictures...Enjoy
Ellie, who is performing at the
ceremony, was one of the first to arrive at London's O2 Arena for the
biggest night of the British music industry calendar.
Comeback queen Lily Allen stood out in a contrast to some of the more revealing outfits by wearing head-to-toe navy sequins.
The mother-of-two went for an I Dream Of Genie-inspired haircut with a high ponytail and bright yellow hair extensions.
Comeback queen Lily Allen stood out in a contrast to some of the more revealing outfits by wearing head-to-toe navy sequins.
The mother-of-two went for an I Dream Of Genie-inspired haircut with a high ponytail and bright yellow hair extensions.
BRIT AWARD NOMINATIONS 2014
British Male Solo Artist:
David Bowie
Jake Bugg
James Blake
John Newman
Tom Odell...
David Bowie
Jake Bugg
James Blake
John Newman
Tom Odell...
Kim Kardashian plays peekaboo as she removes conservative jacket to show off her bra in raunchy sheer top
She was conservatively dressed by her usual standards in a tight white suit.
But Kim Kardashian reverted to her normal raunchy self when she took her jacket off to reveal a black see-through top that did nothing to conceal her bra and her ample cleavage.
The 33-year-old was on a shopping trip in New York on Tuesday when she bared her famous Kardashian curves.
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It was a frigid 40 Fahrenheit but it seemed the reality star wasn't feeling the cold as she walked into the Barneys New York store carrying her jacket over her arm. The outfit also featured a pencil skirt which she paired with knee-high black suede boots.
Kim was accompanied by her friend Jonathan Cheban, the founder and former CEO of public relations firm CommandPR.
But Kim Kardashian reverted to her normal raunchy self when she took her jacket off to reveal a black see-through top that did nothing to conceal her bra and her ample cleavage.
The 33-year-old was on a shopping trip in New York on Tuesday when she bared her famous Kardashian curves.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO...
It was a frigid 40 Fahrenheit but it seemed the reality star wasn't feeling the cold as she walked into the Barneys New York store carrying her jacket over her arm. The outfit also featured a pencil skirt which she paired with knee-high black suede boots.
Kim was accompanied by her friend Jonathan Cheban, the founder and former CEO of public relations firm CommandPR.
Suki Waterhouse flashes a hint of sexy sideboob as she scoops Model of the Year prize at the 2014 Elle Style Awards
She enjoyed a rather successful Elle Style Awards in 2013 when she met her boyfriend of one-year, Bradley Cooper.
And
Suki Waterhouse continued her triumphant stint at the annual fashion
event by scooping the hotly-contested Model of the Year prize as she
joined the great and good of the sartorial world at London's One
Embankment on Tuesday night.
Kelly Brook feels 'hurt and humiliated' by ex-David McIntosh who says he'd have 'liked things to develop further'
Kelly Brook feels 'humiliated' following split from fame hungry ex-David McIntosh after a whirlwind romance, it has been claimed.
The pair had rarely been seen apart after getting together earlier this year, but the model reportedly called time on their relationship when she became aware he was after the limelight.
'Kelly thinks David has been using her. She felt hurt and humiliated when she realised he was more interested in fame than he was in her', a friend told The Sun.
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'He was desperate to be in the papers and she kicked him out as soon as she realised he was alerting the photographers to their whereabouts,' they added.
The pair had rarely been seen apart after getting together earlier this year, but the model reportedly called time on their relationship when she became aware he was after the limelight.
'Kelly thinks David has been using her. She felt hurt and humiliated when she realised he was more interested in fame than he was in her', a friend told The Sun.
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'He was desperate to be in the papers and she kicked him out as soon as she realised he was alerting the photographers to their whereabouts,' they added.
Winners of the Elle Style Awards 2014
British Designer of the Year: Christopher Kane
ELLE Model of the Year: Suki Waterhouse
UK Recording Artist Male: Tinie Tempah
Accessory Designer of the Year: Kate Hillier
ELLE Man of the Year: Tom Hiddleston
Red Carpet Designer of the Year: Emilia Wickstead
Contemporary Designer of the Year: Isabel Marant
Fashion Innovator: Nicola Formichetti for Diesel
International Recording Artist: Pharrell Williams
Actress of the Year: Emma Watson
Lifetime Achievement: David Bailey
ELLE Woman of the Year: Katy Perry
Katy Perry named Woman of the Year at the Elle Style Awards
Katy Perry was crowned Woman of the Year at the Elle Style Awards on Tuesday night.
The 29-year-old singer was presented with one of the main trophies of the night by The Voice coach Kylie Minogue.
The pop princess was clearly excited about handing the Roar hitmaker the accolade as she took to Twitter soon afterwards to congratulate the raven-haired beauty.
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She wrote: 'I presented the 1&only @katyperry with her @ELLEUK Woman of the Year award. Con-grats and con-kittens!!(sic)'
The 29-year-old singer was presented with one of the main trophies of the night by The Voice coach Kylie Minogue.
The pop princess was clearly excited about handing the Roar hitmaker the accolade as she took to Twitter soon afterwards to congratulate the raven-haired beauty.
Scroll down for video...
She wrote: 'I presented the 1&only @katyperry with her @ELLEUK Woman of the Year award. Con-grats and con-kittens!!(sic)'
Sam Faiers looks glum as she clings onto sister Billie after having a blood test to try to find out the cause of her mystery illness
Sam Faiers has been pictured looking
glum after having a blood test in her latest attempt to find out what
her mystery illness is.
The TOWIE star, who was rushed to hospital while in the Celebrity Big Brother house in January, was spotted holding onto her pregnant sister Billie Faiers after leaving a private hospital in Chelsea.
The siblings battled the elements as they walked along the road in the rain with Sam sporting a plaster on her hand following the blood test on Friday.
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The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant wore a white T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan 'Choose Life' on it and a white coat as she held onto her sister.
The TOWIE star, who was rushed to hospital while in the Celebrity Big Brother house in January, was spotted holding onto her pregnant sister Billie Faiers after leaving a private hospital in Chelsea.
The siblings battled the elements as they walked along the road in the rain with Sam sporting a plaster on her hand following the blood test on Friday.
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The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant wore a white T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan 'Choose Life' on it and a white coat as she held onto her sister.
Coleen Rooney shows that motherhood won't dampen her style as she frolics in Barbados in snake-print bikini
Her husband Wayne Rooney is rumoured to be getting a bumper payrise to stay on at Manchester United.
So while he is unable to mark it in style due to the ongoing football season, his wife Coleen has been able to celebrate it on his behalf on holiday in Barbados.
With Wayne busy training, Coleen took their sons Klay and Kai to the Caribbean for a half-term break with her parents.
So while he is unable to mark it in style due to the ongoing football season, his wife Coleen has been able to celebrate it on his behalf on holiday in Barbados.
With Wayne busy training, Coleen took their sons Klay and Kai to the Caribbean for a half-term break with her parents.
Bronzed: Coleen Rooney shows off her figure in a Melissa Odabash bikini on holiday in Barbados
Mel B and daughter Phoenix celebrate her 15th birthday in tall heels
She's fast becoming a permanent fixture on Australian TV with appearances on Australia's Got Talent and Voice Kids.
But Mel B showed she was first and foremost a mum when flew back to the States to take teenager daughter Phoenix to Mr Chow's restaurant in California to celebrate her 15th birthday on Tuesday night.
The 38-year-old singer was spotted leaving the popular Beverly Hills restaurant for a bite to eat with her daughter and she did so looking chic in a flesh-coloured vest and skintight leather trousers.
She added a splash of colour with some eye-catching sky-blue nail varnish.
But while Mel, a Los Angeles resident, is a common enough sight in and around West Hollywood, glimpses of first Phoenix are rarer.
But Mel B showed she was first and foremost a mum when flew back to the States to take teenager daughter Phoenix to Mr Chow's restaurant in California to celebrate her 15th birthday on Tuesday night.
The 38-year-old singer was spotted leaving the popular Beverly Hills restaurant for a bite to eat with her daughter and she did so looking chic in a flesh-coloured vest and skintight leather trousers.
But while Mel, a Los Angeles resident, is a common enough sight in and around West Hollywood, glimpses of first Phoenix are rarer.
Cara Delevingne and Michelle Rodriguez bursts into fits of giggles as they battle their way out of the Elle Style Awards
Another day, another date night for
Michelle Rodriguez and Cara Delevingne who were spotted leaving the Elle
Style Awards and heading for a central London bar, on Tuesday evening.
The couple, who only confirmed their blossoming relationship earlier this week, laughed hysterically as they jumped into a waiting car and made their way to Firehouse bar in Kensington.
Both Cara, 21, and Michelle, 35, looked a little worse-for-wear as they sat in the back of the taxi after being helped out of the Elle Style Awards by several bouncers.
The lovebirds sat close together as they drove away from their first event of the evening, with model Cara shuffling into the middle spot in the back seat of the car to be closer to Hollywood movie star Michelle.
The couple, who only confirmed their blossoming relationship earlier this week, laughed hysterically as they jumped into a waiting car and made their way to Firehouse bar in Kensington.
Both Cara, 21, and Michelle, 35, looked a little worse-for-wear as they sat in the back of the taxi after being helped out of the Elle Style Awards by several bouncers.
The lovebirds sat close together as they drove away from their first event of the evening, with model Cara shuffling into the middle spot in the back seat of the car to be closer to Hollywood movie star Michelle.
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Review: This old pals' act is a riotous reunion DONKEYS' YEARS
DONKEYS' YEARS (Rose Theatre, Kingston-on-Thames)
Verdict: A tour de farce
Rating:
There used to be a cricket writer, Alan Gibson, whose despatches invariably included a description of his calamitous train journey to the county ground from which he was reporting. I thought of Gibson on my way to see Michael Frayn’s ace 1976 farce Donkeys’ Years.
Farce preceded the farce. My head full of politics and cobwebs, I clambered aboard the wrong train, which then crawled at the pace of a slug. When I finally realised my error, it took a while to find a connecting train. That, too, made slow progress.
On reaching Kingston I found no taxis to speed me to the Rose Theatre, so had to run. I arrived with a stitch, bathed in sweat. And I had missed the start.
No matter! Director Lisa Spirling has come up with such a cracking production, I was laughing within a minute. What with my stitch, this hurt. It also brought on a threat of asthma.
Verdict: A tour de farce
Rating:
There used to be a cricket writer, Alan Gibson, whose despatches invariably included a description of his calamitous train journey to the county ground from which he was reporting. I thought of Gibson on my way to see Michael Frayn’s ace 1976 farce Donkeys’ Years.
Farce preceded the farce. My head full of politics and cobwebs, I clambered aboard the wrong train, which then crawled at the pace of a slug. When I finally realised my error, it took a while to find a connecting train. That, too, made slow progress.
On reaching Kingston I found no taxis to speed me to the Rose Theatre, so had to run. I arrived with a stitch, bathed in sweat. And I had missed the start.
No matter! Director Lisa Spirling has come up with such a cracking production, I was laughing within a minute. What with my stitch, this hurt. It also brought on a threat of asthma.
Kate Moss wears towering platform heels as she leads a star-studded guest list at intimate Prince gig
She’s been a regular fixture at
London Fashion Week, but supermodel Kate Moss took a break from the
front row on Monday evening for a night out in central London.
The
40-year-old clothes horse was accompanied by husband Jamie Hince at
legendary Soho jazz club Ronnie Scott’s, where they took in an intimate
performance from Prince.
Review: THE HOTEL PLAYS
THE HOTEL PLAYS (Langham Hotel)
Verdict: Suite ideaRating:
Three Tennessee Williams playlets, with all set in hotel rooms, are being performed at a central London hotel, the Langham (opposite the BBC).
This is a neat little effort. Each scene lasts less than half an hour and is staged in a different bedroom suite.
The audience is limited to about 30 (it is surprising how many you can squeeze on to benches in a small room) but there are three ‘sittings’ a night.
Playwright Williams had a thing about hotels — he even died in one. Hotels capture a certain transient glamour, a suggestion of the flaky rendezvous. Yet intimate. Sitting in these rooms, watching actors play characters in their night clothes, one feels almost voyeuristic.
The Pink Bedroom features an adulterous couple having an argument. She (Helen George) is in a pink nightie. He (Gyuri Sarossy) has come from his bickering wife, only to find yet more grief. He becomes oppressed by the pinkness of the room. Does she want him to stay or is she playing emotional games?
Strictly Come Dancing Live combines twangable thighs and ivory smiles for a night of spangly fun
STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE (Wembley Arena and touring)
VERDICT: Cha-cha-charming!
Rating:
Sequinned hyperbole is the order of the night at Strictly Come Dancing’s road show.
From the blasting music to the judges’ scripted putdowns, from rugby player Ben Cohen’s biceps to knicker-model Abbey Clancy’s almost twangable inner thighs, everything is madly, merrily exaggerated.
The glitter ball hanging over the ballroom is bigger than a Nasa space pod. The singers who come prancing on are noisier and warblier — and fatter — than Christmas turkeys.
They smack their palms together till the things must sting, such is their determination to agitate the crowd of crisp-munching family groups and hen parties.
Some audience members (ladies, refreshed) scream at the contestants, declaring undying love for beefy Ben or newsreader Susanna (Reid) and her bespectacled partner, Kevin from Grimsby.
In the middle stands the compere — not Sir Bruce Forsyth, who like the Queen’s older Rolls-Royces is nowadays reserved for state occasions, but bouncy, bubbly, cartoon-Mancunian chubby chops Lisa Riley. She is wearing a spangled housecoat like a cross between Norah Batty and Dame Edna.
VERDICT: Cha-cha-charming!
Rating:
Sequinned hyperbole is the order of the night at Strictly Come Dancing’s road show.
From the blasting music to the judges’ scripted putdowns, from rugby player Ben Cohen’s biceps to knicker-model Abbey Clancy’s almost twangable inner thighs, everything is madly, merrily exaggerated.
The glitter ball hanging over the ballroom is bigger than a Nasa space pod. The singers who come prancing on are noisier and warblier — and fatter — than Christmas turkeys.
They smack their palms together till the things must sting, such is their determination to agitate the crowd of crisp-munching family groups and hen parties.
Some audience members (ladies, refreshed) scream at the contestants, declaring undying love for beefy Ben or newsreader Susanna (Reid) and her bespectacled partner, Kevin from Grimsby.
In the middle stands the compere — not Sir Bruce Forsyth, who like the Queen’s older Rolls-Royces is nowadays reserved for state occasions, but bouncy, bubbly, cartoon-Mancunian chubby chops Lisa Riley. She is wearing a spangled housecoat like a cross between Norah Batty and Dame Edna.
Pictures: Lady Gaga wears just a fishnet bodysuit in New York
She is known for her outrageous ensembles.
But Lady Gaga appeared to be made of steel as she stepped out in the freezing -5C New York on Monday night wearing just a fishnet bodysuit.
The 27-year-old singer's eye-popping black fishnet bodysuit showed off her fit frame as she left the television studios and headed to her car following an appearance on Jimmy Fallon's new show.
Gaga also courted attention with her almost floor-length, icy blonde wig, which nearly dragged along the ground as she made her way to her waiting vehicle.
But Lady Gaga appeared to be made of steel as she stepped out in the freezing -5C New York on Monday night wearing just a fishnet bodysuit.
The 27-year-old singer's eye-popping black fishnet bodysuit showed off her fit frame as she left the television studios and headed to her car following an appearance on Jimmy Fallon's new show.
Gaga also courted attention with her almost floor-length, icy blonde wig, which nearly dragged along the ground as she made her way to her waiting vehicle.
'I don't wear a bra': Rihanna reveals to US Vogue
Rihanna likes to shock and for her third cover of US Vogue she hasn't broken the habit.
The Barbados beauty told the March issue of the fashion bible, 'If I'm wearing a top, I don't wear a bra. If I'm wearing a bra, I just wear a bra.'
The 25-year-old also revealed to the massive 648-page monthly - in which she modeled suits, sequined slacks and slinky dresses - she dressed like a boy as a child.
The cover girl explained she didn't take to girlish clothes because she really wasn't around her gender growing up.
'When I was 13 or 14, I didn't want to wear what my mother wanted me to wear,' she shared.
The Barbados beauty told the March issue of the fashion bible, 'If I'm wearing a top, I don't wear a bra. If I'm wearing a bra, I just wear a bra.'
The 25-year-old also revealed to the massive 648-page monthly - in which she modeled suits, sequined slacks and slinky dresses - she dressed like a boy as a child.
The cover girl explained she didn't take to girlish clothes because she really wasn't around her gender growing up.
'When I was 13 or 14, I didn't want to wear what my mother wanted me to wear,' she shared.
THE BLOG FROM BRAZIL: Big Phil's pursuit of a big man, Neymar's ups and downs and Hodgson turns smooth operator
Never mind what loudmouth Texans might say, everything is actually bigger in Brazil. And right now, a mere four months out from hosting football's biggest party in their big ol' back yard, the country has a problem. A big one.
It's not unfinished stadia or the protest movements that show no sign of slowing down. Instead it's the chronic shortage of big men.
See, Luiz Felipe Scolari (Big Phil, see a pattern?) loves a big man. Always has, always will. His plan to ensure that the only ending natives can countenance - a glorious triumph - comes to pass, is centred on a big man.
'I like a centre-forward who has a presence in the box, who gets stuck in, who is strong in the air,' Scolari said seven days ago when he named his squad for a friendly with South Africa.
The man who usually gets 'stuck in' is Fred, the Fluminense frontman beloved by Scolari and scorer of nine goals in 10 internationals last year.
The problem is that's when he last scored any goal - last year, August to be exact. It hasn't helped that he's spent a lot of the intervening time injured, and - to the media's dislike - some of it sunning himself on Rio's beaches.
Alternatives include Leandro Damiao or Manchester City misfit Jo, but they boast just eight international goals between them and neither are particularly considered as the fitting foil for Neymar.
Amid this mess, the name that is seemingly on the lips of every chairman in the Premier League's top four, is the one who shall not be mentioned on Brazilian soil - Diego Costa.
While Fred was busy missing another penalty in the Rio state league this weekend, the Atletico Madrid powerhouse continued his remarkable goal-scoring form in La Liga.
But after choosing to represent Spain over his homeland last October, Costa's name is dirt with Big Phil, no matter how badly needed he might be. 'He is turning his back on a dream of millions,' Scolari spat at the time.
As they like to do, the fixture gods have ensured that Spain and Brazil are on a collision course that could see them meet as early as the last 16, raising the terrifying spectre of Costa bringing the hosts down at the second hurdle.
A Brazilian dashing the nation's dreams on home soil? That really would be a big problem.
Fashion conscious Hodgson smooths things over
Roy Hodgson's attempts to bring a flash of London Fashion Week to Manaus with this splendid shirt, slacks and trainers ensemble on Monday grabbed plenty of online attention.
The fact that it didn't create a ripple locally shouldn't surprise as the Amazon, to be fair, has never been a hotbed of sartorial style.
What did register, though, were the England manager's diplomacy skills. The FA's decision to stop off and smooth things over with the locals - even signing a shirt (but, lamentably, no accompanying slacks or trainers) for outspoken Mayor Arthur Virgilio Neto - has to go down as one of the better thought-out PR moves from the association.
Good week: Neymar
Brazil's darling eased national worries as he returned from an ankle injury with a sumptuous goal in Bracelona's thrashing of Rayo Vallecano on Saturday night.
Bad week: Eh, Neymar
It wasn't all sweetness and light though as his year-long relationship with actress Bruna Marqeuzine, currently starring in a soap where she plays both a mother and the same mother's daughter (confused? Us too), came to an end.
He'll just have to console himself with that €8.8million annual wage packet. Tough life.
Remember me? Mauro Boselli (Leòn, Mexico)
Well done if the name does ring a bell because, apart from Dave Whelan and Roberto Martinez, not a lot of people can recall Mauro Boselli's contribution to English football.
That's probably because he never made one. Wigan Athletic shelled out £6.5million on the Argentine back in 2010.
He duly played 15 league games, never scored and was never seen again.
This week though he was busy putting Brazilian giants Flamengo to the sword for Leon in the Copa Libertadores.
There was a flash of his Latics form though when he conjured up one of the worst chip penalties we've seen in some time.
Quote of the week:
'We are expecting a quiet World Cup' - FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke, blissfully ignoring the protests that are sure to pop up come June, or alternatively is just relieved to be in a host country where every citizen does not carry a vuvuzela. You decide.
Travellers tip:
Keep your cards in your pocket. Toasting triumph or drowning sorrows, either way fans are going to find their way to a late bar where they'll experience another bizarre Brazilianism.
Instead of paying cash at the bar, you're given individual consumption cards that are marked every time you order a drink. You pay on your way out.
Lose the card, though, and you've to settle a hefty fine before you're allowed out of the joint - upwards of £50. We found out the hard way.
Amazon forecast: How's the weather up in Manaus?
A week of thunderstorms, daily highs around 30-33c and humidity checking in around 85%.
But, hey, at least there's a sunnier outlook between city chiefs and the England management team.
Follow Joe's exploits in Brazil on Twitter
Read More »
It's not unfinished stadia or the protest movements that show no sign of slowing down. Instead it's the chronic shortage of big men.
See, Luiz Felipe Scolari (Big Phil, see a pattern?) loves a big man. Always has, always will. His plan to ensure that the only ending natives can countenance - a glorious triumph - comes to pass, is centred on a big man.
Little short up front: Big Phil (Felipe Scolari) lacks the big man up front he believes his Brazil team need
Injured: Scolari's first-choice 'big man', Fluminese's Fred, has struggled with goals and injury in recent months
Peripheral: Fred alternatives Jo (left) and Leandro Damiao aren't considered up to partnering Neymar
Bad press: Fred has irritated the Brazilian public by being photographed lounging on the beach while injured
'I like a centre-forward who has a presence in the box, who gets stuck in, who is strong in the air,' Scolari said seven days ago when he named his squad for a friendly with South Africa.
The man who usually gets 'stuck in' is Fred, the Fluminense frontman beloved by Scolari and scorer of nine goals in 10 internationals last year.
The problem is that's when he last scored any goal - last year, August to be exact. It hasn't helped that he's spent a lot of the intervening time injured, and - to the media's dislike - some of it sunning himself on Rio's beaches.
Alternatives include Leandro Damiao or Manchester City misfit Jo, but they boast just eight international goals between them and neither are particularly considered as the fitting foil for Neymar.
Marksman: Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa has pledged his future to Spain, much to Scolari's frustration
Perfect fit: Costa is exactly the sort of player Scolari wants to lead his attack, but Costa has opted to play for Spain
Amid this mess, the name that is seemingly on the lips of every chairman in the Premier League's top four, is the one who shall not be mentioned on Brazilian soil - Diego Costa.
While Fred was busy missing another penalty in the Rio state league this weekend, the Atletico Madrid powerhouse continued his remarkable goal-scoring form in La Liga.
But after choosing to represent Spain over his homeland last October, Costa's name is dirt with Big Phil, no matter how badly needed he might be. 'He is turning his back on a dream of millions,' Scolari spat at the time.
As they like to do, the fixture gods have ensured that Spain and Brazil are on a collision course that could see them meet as early as the last 16, raising the terrifying spectre of Costa bringing the hosts down at the second hurdle.
A Brazilian dashing the nation's dreams on home soil? That really would be a big problem.
Fashion conscious Hodgson smooths things over
Roy Hodgson's attempts to bring a flash of London Fashion Week to Manaus with this splendid shirt, slacks and trainers ensemble on Monday grabbed plenty of online attention.
The fact that it didn't create a ripple locally shouldn't surprise as the Amazon, to be fair, has never been a hotbed of sartorial style.
What did register, though, were the England manager's diplomacy skills. The FA's decision to stop off and smooth things over with the locals - even signing a shirt (but, lamentably, no accompanying slacks or trainers) for outspoken Mayor Arthur Virgilio Neto - has to go down as one of the better thought-out PR moves from the association.
Sartorial elegance? England manager Roy Hodgson caused quite a stir with his shirt, slacks and trainers combination
Good week: Neymar
Brazil's darling eased national worries as he returned from an ankle injury with a sumptuous goal in Bracelona's thrashing of Rayo Vallecano on Saturday night.
Back in the goals: Neymar scores on his return from injury for Barcelona, pleasing people back in Brazil
Bad week: Eh, Neymar
It wasn't all sweetness and light though as his year-long relationship with actress Bruna Marqeuzine, currently starring in a soap where she plays both a mother and the same mother's daughter (confused? Us too), came to an end.
He'll just have to console himself with that €8.8million annual wage packet. Tough life.
Remember me? Mauro Boselli (Leòn, Mexico)
Well done if the name does ring a bell because, apart from Dave Whelan and Roberto Martinez, not a lot of people can recall Mauro Boselli's contribution to English football.
That's probably because he never made one. Wigan Athletic shelled out £6.5million on the Argentine back in 2010.
He duly played 15 league games, never scored and was never seen again.
Rediscover: Wigan flop Mauro Boselli is back on form for Leon after a miserable spell in the Premier League
This week though he was busy putting Brazilian giants Flamengo to the sword for Leon in the Copa Libertadores.
There was a flash of his Latics form though when he conjured up one of the worst chip penalties we've seen in some time.
Quote of the week:
Mark your card: Visitors to bars in Brazil keep a tally of their drinks and pay at the end
'We are expecting a quiet World Cup' - FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke, blissfully ignoring the protests that are sure to pop up come June, or alternatively is just relieved to be in a host country where every citizen does not carry a vuvuzela. You decide.
Travellers tip:
Keep your cards in your pocket. Toasting triumph or drowning sorrows, either way fans are going to find their way to a late bar where they'll experience another bizarre Brazilianism.
Instead of paying cash at the bar, you're given individual consumption cards that are marked every time you order a drink. You pay on your way out.
Lose the card, though, and you've to settle a hefty fine before you're allowed out of the joint - upwards of £50. We found out the hard way.
Amazon forecast: How's the weather up in Manaus?
A week of thunderstorms, daily highs around 30-33c and humidity checking in around 85%.
But, hey, at least there's a sunnier outlook between city chiefs and the England management team.
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