Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's big fat Florentine wedding 'will not include a legally binding ceremony'

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s big fat Florentine wedding will not include a legally binding ceremony, Italian officials have said.

Florence City Council spokeswoman Elisa Di Lupo said the authorities had received no request for a civil contract, which under Italian law has to be registered with the government authorities well in advance.

The wedding couple are bringing their own Protestant pastor from the US, she said. The news will fuel rumours that the two have already tied the knot in California.

Their big day: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's big fat Florentine wedding will not include a legally binding ceremony, Italian officials have said

  

The event will be an intimate party as the city has given permission for a maximum of 200 guests, Miss Lupo said.

Event organisers met at Fort Belvedere this morning for final preparations. Safety and security are paramount as the venue has already seen the tragic deaths of two young people in 2006 and 2008.

Access to the fortress, which has stunning views of the Renaissance city, but is nearly impossible to glimpse from street level or the adjacent Boboli Gardens, will be completely cut off to visitors.

Secluded: The Belvedere Fortress, which has stunning views of the Renaissance city, but is nearly impossible to glimpse from street level or the adjacent Boboli Gardens, will be completely cut off to visitors

Tourists were this morning scouring the gardens for a viewpoint of the fort which is set behind 10 metre walls.

Two large cranes were today being set up at the rear of the imposing 16th century fortress. Organisers are expected to begin hoisting lighting, stages and tents for the wedding over the walls from Sunday.

The couple are paying the city of Florence 300,000 euros $400,000 to reserve the fort for their special day and week-long preparations.

Leaving so soon? On Saturday Kim Kardashian was seen arriving at LAX ready for Paris

Keeping Up With Kim and Kanye: The pair have left people guessing as to whether they would be tying the knot in Paris or Florence

Miss Di Lupo said the funds would  be used for cultural projects in the city.

The fort was closed for five years from 2008 to 2013 after a tragedy in which a 37 year old Italian woman died when she fell from the ramparts.

A 20 year old man from Rome died two years before when he fell from the bastions.

After a lengthy court case the council put new safety and security measures in place. The fort was reopened to the public in 2013 but is only open in the summer months between July and September.

Read More »

The amzing technique used by doctors when tiny 1lb 3oz miracle baby was born three months premature

Emily Cressey should not even be here. Her tiny, birdlike body should still be safely encased in her mother’s womb, 36 weeks into the gestation process, 18-inches long and gaining the weight she needs to thrive.
Instead, she is officially three months old, weighs just 4lb 8oz,  and is alive only thanks to a supermarket sandwich bag that replicated the warmth and safety of her  mother’s body.
Weighing little more than 1lb and born 16 weeks before her due date, Emily is one of Britain’s youngest surviving premature babies.

Claire Cressey cuddles her daughter Emily who was born 16 week premature. Born that early, babies are deemed 'on the edge of life', and less than half survive

Pictured this week clinging to her mother’s finger, Emily’s battle for life touched the hearts of anyone who saw it.
And now The Mail on Sunday can reveal the incredible technique that doctors used to save Emily’s fragile life – and her mother’s own devastating account of watching her daughter struggle to survive.
Her fight for life has astounded medics at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh who delivered her.
The instant Emily was born, doctors delicately placed her inside a resealable plastic bag, identical to those sold in supermarkets.

It was an ingenious measure. ‘The bag acts as a micro environment,’ explains consultant paediatrician Dr Andrew Gallagher.
‘At this age she was too tiny for an incubator, which is designed for full-term babies.’
This week her exhausted but exhilarated parents, Claire Cressey and Alan Coultas, were given the news that on June 16, the day she was due to be born, little Emily will finally be allowed home.
Cradling her daughter, Claire, 34, said yesterday: ‘It’s been an emotional journey. Our world has been turned upside-down and what should have been every new parent’s happiest moment became our worst nightmare, delivering our beautiful daughter at 24 weeks.’

Latest UK statistics show that babies born at 24 weeks have between a 42-46 per cent survival rate. They are highly susceptible to losing body heat, so hospitals are putting them into sandwich bags to stave off death from hypothermia.
Ms Cressey, a former care assistant who lives in Coldstream in the Scottish Borders, added: ‘Emily’s finally out of the woods.
'It’s such a relief after everything we’ve been through. My little lady is on a roll now and there’s no stopping her.’
Here, in her own words, Claire, who has three older daughters, Caitlin, eight, Millie, four, and Brooke, 17 months, with long-term partner Alan, 47, describes the traumatic moments leading up to Emily’s birth on February 27 and the desperate battle to save her life.

THE BEGINNING OF OUR NIGHTMARE

To this day, I will never know why I went into labour early, throwing us into a nightmare.
Our much-wanted fourth child was supposed to arrive on June 16 but, instead, she had other plans. My waters broke without warning on Sunday, February 23, sending me into a state of panic.
I was aware that babies born before 24 weeks, and so still within the legal abortion stage, are labelled on the ‘edge of life’, as their lungs and other vital organs are not developed enough. As a result, not all hospitals are keen to intervene. 
I remember counting in fear, wondering what would happen if the baby was born that day.
I now understand the despair that some parents must go through when their baby is born at 23 weeks or earlier and is allowed to die.
It was with relief I counted she was exactly 24 weeks that day and at least my baby would be given a fighting chance, whatever was about to happen. A day earlier, and it might have been different.

A FRANTIC DASH TO HOSPITAL

In the end, it would be another four days before Emily arrived on Thursday, February 27 – the day before my birthday.
I’d been given a series of steroid injections on the day my waters broke, in an attempt to help accelerate the baby’s lung development. But with no sign of contractions starting, I was allowed to return home to rest.
It was a horrible waiting game, but when my contractions finally came, everything happened terrifyingly quickly.
We’d known that Emily was in the breech position, and by the time we reached the hospital 50 miles away one of her feet was sticking out.

THE DRAMA OF THE DELIVERY

Incredibly, they delivered Emily one-and-a-half minutes after we arrived in the labour suite.
To all intents and purposes, it was a ‘normal’ birth, except my baby was coming far too early.
But there she was, my little Emily Grace, weighing just 1lb 3oz, and our lives would never be the  same again.

'She was put into a sandwich bag straight away. It's like a little insulation jacket that helps them maintain body temperature because they lack the body fat to stay warm'

To my surprise, she was put into a sandwich bag straight away. It was just like any one you would get in  a supermarket. But it apparently simulates the protective environment they’ve just come out of.
It’s like a little insulation jacket that helps them maintain body temperature because they lack the body fat to stay warm.
I didn’t have time to see her or touch her before she was taken away to the neonatal intensive care unit. I was sick with worry, not knowing if she would live or die.

SHOCK ON FIRST SIGHT

It would be an hour before I saw my daughter for the first time – and instead of that feeling of instant, overwhelming love, I felt panic and horror that she was so small.
Surrounded by tubes and on a ventilator, I prayed she would be OK. But it was impossible for anyone to know what would happen next.
The medical staff didn’t give us a prognosis and we didn’t dare ask the question, ‘How long will she live?’ I saw her for 20 minutes before I was taken back to the maternity ward and put into a side room. I could hear the happy sounds of other mums with their babies all around me.
It was horrendous.

THE FIGHT BEGINS

The next day I managed to see Emily around lunchtime.
Seeing her lying there was every mother’s worst nightmare. Her skin was transparent, her eyes were fused shut and her little hands and feet were still webbed.
We couldn’t touch her and spent hours sitting by her incubator. As she made it through the first 24 hours, then the first week, we began to allow ourselves to think that she might pull through.
By two weeks, Emily had already needed two blood transfusions. Still nervous, we decided to have her baptised, in case the worst happened.
It was a beautiful service, carried out at the side of her incubator. And still Emily fought on.
As the days passed, everyone kept saying to us, ‘That’s her through the danger point.’ But that’s not always the case with premature babies. It’s not unusual for their little bodies to become tired at three weeks and they die.
I was allowed home but I slept beside the phone with my clothes on, in case the call came to say she was deteriorating.

OUR FIRST CUDDLE

Emily would be one month old before I could finally hold her – a moment which coincided with Mothering Sunday and proved the perfect present.

'We are incredibly proud and in love with her. Her strength and determination are nothing short of amazing'

She’d finally opened her eyes and I was getting to hold her for the first time. I enjoyed the wonderful moment I never thought I would see. It was an absolutely amazing feeling.

THE ROCKY ROAD TO RECOVERY

By six weeks, Emily still remained in an incubator but her weight was up to 2lb 5oz and she could be dressed for the first time.
I could see small but significant changes as her tiny hands and feet developed properly. Her condition continued to improve so much that, by nine weeks, Emily was finally transferred to Borders General Hospital, just half an hour from our home.
But we were brought down to earth with a bump again soon afterwards and reminded how long the road ahead of us is when Emily’s consultant told us she has a heart murmur that will require surgery at some point in the future.
The reality of being born at  24 weeks is starting to kick in.
The worry of long-term effects and wondering what the future holds for Emily is frightening.
But, ten days ago, in another first, I was able to bottle-feed Emily and, last weekend, give her a bath.
Those were beautiful moments most mothers take for granted, but after fighting for so long to keep her alive, it was a very precious time for me.
Slowly, the equipment has disappeared from my daughter’s room and she is now in a cot, rather than an incubator. It’s very scary seeing it go and will take a bit of getting used to.
We are incredibly proud and in love with her. Her strength and determination are nothing short of amazing.
She has fought amazingly hard to stay with us.

Read More »

Kourtney Kardashian beats the heat in an all white ensemble in LA... as entire family prepare for Kim's European wedding

Her sister Kim will be the one wearing white at her wedding next week.

But Kourtney Kardashian looked chic in a casual outfit in the same colour on a trip to a recording studio in Studio City in Los Angeles on Friday.

The 34-year-old wore a light cotton top with spaghetti strings and a pretty lace detail around the hem and across the cleavage paired with white skinny jeans and blue canvas flats.

A bit of all white: Kourtney Kardashian wore white on a trip to a studio in Studio City, California, on Friday

The brunette left her hair loose around her shoulders as the temperature in the neighbourhood hit 96F as Los Angeles continued to sizzle in a heatwave.Despite the heat, she was in full make up.

Kourtney was on her own, probably because sisters Kim and Khloe were resting after their trip to New York to promote their show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, at the E! upfronts, where TV channels debut their content to woo advertisers.

Kim may also have been preparing for her nuptials. The 33-year-old is due to marry rapper-entrepreneur Kanye West in a multi-million-dollar fairy tale wedding on May 24.

Going solo: The 34-year-old looked cute in a white blouse with lace detail and matching skinny jeans

Home alone: The brunette stayed in Los Angeles while sisters Kim and Khloe went to New York to promote Keeping Up With The Kardashians at the E! upfronts this week

The location is still unconfirmed after competing rumours erupted on Friday.

On Thursday E! reported that Kanye had booked Forte Belvedere, a 16th century castle in Florence, Italy, for the glittering event. The news was even confirmed by the Mayor's office.

Kanye knows the city well because he has clothes for his label made in the local garment district and the couple holidayed there in 2012 to celebrate Kim’s 32nd birthday.

Read More »

Rihanna changes her style and embraces feminine florals to match her new hairstyle

It is Rihanna as you have never seen her before - dressed sweetly and covered up.

Known as a style chameleon, the 26-year-old usually switches between high fashion, to androgynous street clothes to ensembles that barely count as clothes, but on Friday the pop star decided to really change things up.

Taking inspiration from her new ink pixie 'do, the Pour It Up singer donned a very lady-like floral dress in West Hollywood, California.

Springtime shopping: Rihanna headed out to the trendy Melrose Avenue shopping area in West Hollywood, California, on Friday

The style maven stepped out in the trendy Melrose Avenue area looking as if spring had sprung in her wardrobe.

For her day of shopping, the star donned a pale blue dress with yellow and pink roses.

The short dress, which featured a crew neck top with cap sleeves and a circle skirt, showed off the Barbadian beauty's toned legs.

While the feminine and seemingly a diversion from her usual street chic style, the frock was by famed street label Joyrich.

Favourite spot: The 26-year-old stopped by street boutique Wild Style

Floral and feminine: For her day of shopping, the star donned a pale blue dress with yellow and pink roses by Joyrich which showed off her toned legs

 

Rihanna is a big fan of the label - which is located on Melrose -- and has been spotted wearing the brand's signature bucket hat of late.

However, on Friday the singer decided not to stop in at the store, perhaps because she already has an assortment of their latest looks, and instead went to their label's sister store Wild Style.

But of course Rihanna could not just wear a floral dress like the rest of the world, so gave the look an edge by wearing it with black trainers.

The now pink haired star accessorised her look with a leather backpack, vintage black and white sunglasses and layers of necklaces including a R pendant on a chain.

Point of difference: But of course, Rihanna could not just wear a floral dress like the rest of the world, so gave the look an edge by wearing it with black trainers

Rihanna debuted her new pink look on Thursday, saying she had taken the wig from Nicki Minaj.

Posting on Instagram, the star said: 'We raided Nicki's wig closet for the summer! Bad gals just wanna have fun.'

Clearly loving the new shade, Rihanna has also had her stiletto shaped nails painted a soft pink to match.

While only new, the pink may be here to stay for a while with Rihanna changing her Twitter profile picture to a cartoon drawing of herself with pink hair.

New look: The pour it up singer debuted her new pink look on Thursday, saying she had taken the wig from Nicki Minaj

Read More »

Solange Knowles escapes difficult 'family problems'

Just a few days ago footage emerged of her lashing out at her brother-in-law Jay Z in an elevator at the Met Gala in New York.
And it appears that Solange Knowles was seeking some Southern comfort in the Big Easy as she was spotted for the first time since the incident in New Orleans.
The 27-year-old was enjoying some downtime in the easygoing state of Louisiana with her partner Alan Ferguson on Wednesday, no doubt relishing some respite from the media hoopla.

Southern comfort: Solange Knowles took to New Orleans on Wednesday with partner Alan Ferguson following media furore over her elevator incident with Jay Z

Solange keeps cool in HOT yellow dress as she avoids questions

The singer and younger sister to superstar Beyonce was dressed in a flowy lemon yellow muumuu, as she walked around the humid streets in white leather boots.
Sporting a dark pair of sunglasses, Solange let her hair relax with a funky afro as she carried a yellow purse slung over her shoulder.
The star certainly looked to be thriving in the relaxed Southern city as she smiled happily throughout the stroll with her beau.

Louisiana state of mind: The 27-year-old enjoyed some southern relaxation

Helping hand: Solange clasped onto her beau as they descended some stairs

Thrilling: The Mississippi wind picked up, bathing the pair in its warmth

Read More »

Hit the beach in a floral print bikini

Aussie surf brand Mambo has come of age and hit the big three oh! And what better way to celebrate than shooting a campaign on the Sydney beach with super hot model Nina Agdel.

Fashion finder is most enamoured with Mambo's sporty shapes. A bit of underwiring gives every girl some added confidence on the beach and a decent halter neck strap means your top will not come a cropper when swimming surfing etc.

Ever tried riding in the waves in a loose-fitting bandeau? Fashion Finder has and trust us, the results can be a tad embarrassing.

A pretty floral pattern also looks great with a tan. We especially love the Sunseeker Splash Floral bikini at ASOS - it's great for sporty shapes and we're suckers for that vibrant blue. Now go forth and catch some waves!

Read More »

Kylie Minogue is a good sport. Check her out messing around on Alan Carr's show.

And as always the tiny popstar looked totally gorgeous even whilst working out on a Swiss ball... Kylie surprised us with this look because we're more used to her sticking solely to designer labels, particularly Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy and Gucci.
But here she is sporting a totally adorable playsuit from Kate Moss' new collection for Topshop. Kylie does high street! Yes! Of course it's the kind of high street that demands A-list attention being designed by the world's most famous supermodel but still.
Despite the mad dash to buy the whole line, unbelievably there are still loads of pieces left, both at Topshop and Net-a-Porter where it's also stocked. And happily for those of us that are fans of this cute heart print playsuit, this is one of those pieces.
Click the link (right) to buy it now. This will be perfect for a girls' night or a date night and styled with sky high heels your legs will be lengthened to supermodel proportions.

Read More »

Live in the fashion fast lane with a chic biker jacket

Fact: the black leather jacket is one of the hardest working pieces you'll ever own. The trusty topper is a year-round style rejuvenator that will always add a heavy dose of cool to your ensemble, just take a look at Kim Kardashian who is channelling glam grunge perfectly here.

Her pared-back ensemble of grey skinny jeans, black top and tan Saint Laurent pumps has been given the sleekest of finishes with this achingly desirable BLK DNM jacket which is available to buy from Selfridges (right) for £600.

After a biker jacket that acts a second skin but on a more purse-friendly budget? See our pick of must-have styles below from the likes of Topshop and ASOS.
You can of course wear yours like Kim and team with your favourite skinnies, but did you know they look just as great when worn with dramatic evening dresses too? The luxe leather will instantly make your look a little more edgier and sexier.

Read More »

Supermodel Cara Delevingne among the 17 bridesmaids as her sister weds in star-studded ceremony

Model Poppy Delevingne was joined by a host of her showbiz pals as she tied the knot to long-term partner James Cook today.
The bride wore an unusual white gown which looked like a lacy, mini dress with sheer fabric attached to make it full-length. Sticking with tradition, she wore a veil in her blonde, curled hair.
After getting ready at Claridge's Hotel in London's Mayfair, she was helped into a car to be taken to her nearby church venue by her supermodel sister, Cara, who also wore white. 

Newly weds: Poppy and new husband James emerge from the church

You may kiss the bride: The couple puckering up for the cameras

Mr and Mrs: The couple were all smiles as they made their way to their reception

Let's party! Sisters Cara and Chloe are driven from the ceremony

Here comes the bride: Poppy Delevingne pictured on her way to the church

One of the 17 bridesmaids: Supermodel sister Cara also wore white

Last journey as a single lady: Poppy is driven to the church in Knightsbridge

Bridesmaid duties: Cara marvels at her sister's dress as she helps her with her train into the church

The groom: James posed on the church steps before heading inside to await his bride

Support: James (centre) surrounded by his male friends and family

Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and TV presenter Trinny Woodall were among the guests seen arriving at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge, London, this afternoon.
Earlier this week, Sebastian Shakespeare revealed in the Daily Mail that the 27-year-old had selected 17 bridesmaids to join her walk up the aisle.
Her sisters Cara, 21, and Chloe, 29, were undoubtedly among them, as well as a number of little girls who arrived in pretty white dresses with pale blue sashes and flowers in their hair. There were also a number of page boys dressed in white and blue and one little boy who appeared to be dressed as a teddy bear.
Pregnant Chloe wore a pale blue dress over her blossoming baby bump.
Although the bridal party wore white or blue, Geri also appeared to be in bridesmaid attire in her choice of a long, sleevesless gown in a shade of pastel pink.

Walking tall: The bride wore white shoes with a transparent high heel

Cara was on hand to help Poppy with her long veil and repositioned it ahead of the ceremony

Beautiful day: The sun shone as the family arrived at the Knightsbridge church

Cara wore her hair in a bun which exposed the tattoo on the back of her neck

Read More »

Natalie Cassidy shows off some leg as she embraces the warmer weather in drop hem dress

It’s a well-known fact that when it starts to heat up in the UK, the clothes start to come off.

And on Friday Natalie Cassidy decided to do just that as she popped out for lunch during a break from filming EastEnders.

The 31-year-old gave passers-by an eyeful of her rather pasty legs wearing a black minidress which featured a drop hem.

Break time: Natalie Cassidy was seen picking up some lunch during a break from filming EastEnders

Clearly feeling the heat the actress picked herself up an ice coffee which she sipped on as she walked, after paying a visit to Boots.

The mother-of-one wore her hair off her face, shades and a pair of flat shoes to complete her off duty look.

Natalie, who recently made a return to the BBC soap reprising her role as Sonia,  currently at the centre of a lesbian love affair, despite previously quitting the soap over a gay storyline back in 2007.

Summer loving: Natalie was clearly enjoying the weather as she slipped in to a black minidress

In the cut: Natalie's skirt featured an interesting hemline that was long at the back

Sonia, who is married to Martin Fowler, has been getting close to gay pal Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White) in recent weeks and the pair kissed after Tina comforts Sonia over her mum Carol's cancer.

This change in sexual orientation for Sonia may come as a surprise to viewers considering Natalie quit the soap in 2007 over a similar plot.

However, BBC bosses have assured Natalie her new lesbian storyline won't be salacious for the sake of it, and indeed, viewers have seen a genuine friendship grow between Sonia and Tina in recent weeks.

Cool customer: Natalie wore a pair of sunglasses and carried an iced coffee to keep herself cool

And speaking last month Natalie admitted that her decision had been 'a little bit naive' during an interview with BBC Breakfast.

Speaking about the soap, she said: 'I don't know where it's going to go, but at the time it felt right for Sonia to do that. Sonia's dabbled with women before in the past.

'When I was younger actually - I think it was a little bit naive, but when I was 21, 22, I was a bit like, "Oh Sonia wouldn't do that, Sonia wouldn't do that". As an actress and as the character I thought, "Well actually, I'm not sure if Sonia would do this".'

'Now, funnily enough, lovely Dominic Treadwell-Collins has invited me back - the exec producer of the show - and really it's lovely, because I've had that past and I've got that background, so that's why this works.'

Read More »