If not, what was Harry Morton doing in Harry Winston buying a ring?

(Splash News Online)

Must be nice. According to Lloyd Grove's Lowdown:

Celebrities big, small and not at all continued to rake in freebies yesterday in gift lounges set up all over town for tonight's MTV Video Music Awards - and this year the swag is taxable. R&B stunner Rihanna picked up thousands of dollars worth of Dior makeup, Lierac Paris skin care, Phyto hair care and Chantelle lingerie at the Sirius suite at the W Times Square and showed off her new tattoo - a small star on the cartilage of her upper left ear. (Lil' Kim was a no-show, but that didn't stop her manager from scarfing up everything that wasn't nailed down, including 10 Bratz DVDs for Lil' Kim's nieces.) Showing admirable restraint, rapper Method Man picked up a single pair of YSL shades at the Solstice Sunglass Boutique. "I ain't no Lindsay Lohan! I'm not gonna take a bunch of shades!" he declared, recalling a notorious incident during last year's television upfronts, when the starlet appropriated a dozen pairs.

I love the idea that there would be any risk whatsoever of someone confusing Method Man with Lindsay Lohan.

Written by Lisa Timmons

The photos are from Nick Lachey's VMA Pre-Party at the Celler Bar in the Bryant Park Hotel.

3AM of The Mirror reports that George Clooney's head over heels for his co-star of Oceans 13, Ellen Barkin. According to their website:

Gorgeous George Clooney has a new lady in his life - and he's crazy about the twice-married 52-year-old mother-of-two. The eternal bachelor usually dates much younger women - including TV presenter Lisa Snowdon, 34 - but he's stepping out with Oceans 13 co-star, Ellen Barkin. They have been inseparable since meeting on the Beverly Hills set - with 45-year-old George telling pals he's "electrified" by Ellen, despite the seven-year age gap. He has fallen for her stimulating conversation and they've bonded on fast rides on his motorbike. One of his friends says: "It's a match made in heaven."

Hmm. I'd like to believe that George is ready to settle down especially with a classy older gal like Ms. Barkin, but frankly, I'll believe it when I see it. And by "it," I mean my wedding invitation in my hand.

Written by Lisa Timmons

(Image source)

Say what you want about Angelina Jolie as a person, but no airbrushing people. She looks flawless. The kids are adorable as well.

(Original image removed.)

Written by Lauren Burch

The October 30th release date for Posh Spice's book, "That Extra Half An Inch - Hair, Heels and Everything In Between" is getting closer and The Mirror is hyping it yet again.

The book is dedicated to Posh's mom, Jackie:

"To my mum - my first fashion guru who taught me how to sew, showed me how clothes should fit and told me never to wear horizontal stripes and never to eat beetroot because it stains."

Well, I'm guessing it can't be any more terrible than "The Truth About Diamonds" or "Fabulosity."

Written by Lisa Timmons

(Image source)

• The police officer dude from the Village People is headed for rehab as part of his plea agreement stemming from a drug possession arrest. This is what happens when you spend too much time hanging out at the YMCA, kids. [ABC News]
• Arnold Schwarzenegger settled that pesky lawsuit initiated by the British TV host he may or may not have groped on air. [SG]
• Madonna's children celebrate being away from Mommie Dearest for a few hours by wilding in a Paris park. [TMZ]
• Zach Braff bragged he's "like the male Paris Hilton." Uh, yeah, that's not really something to be proud of, Zach. [Tabloid Whore]
• Rapper 50 Cent claimed he's the "George Bush of hip hop." Again, that's the type of information you should probably keep on the down-low. [Digital Spy]
• Jessica Simpson and her hairdresser/man servant, Ken Paves, model hair extensions while looking shiny and plastic. Very frightening. [Celebitchy]
• Dear Aretha Franklin: please put those things away. Please, for the sake of the children. [INO]

Written by Alyk

By J. Harvey

So The Learning Channel has this new show called Cover Shot. The premise is that people who are too busy or shy or have kids or anemia or hairy pits get their hair, makeup and clothes did by some professionals and then get their photo taken. TLC then throws it up on a huge billboard in Times Square to make them feel special and change their lives for five minutes. We here at A Socialite's Life TV snark department (uh, basically me) figured it fit into our demo - women and gay men who want to see dowdy people transformed into hot people. Or women and gay men who want to see dowdy people attempt to be hot and fail miserably. It's a double-edged sword, people. Anyway, here's what went on in the first two episodes I had to view. Before I fell asleep. Fell into a deep sleep. Frederique Van Der Wal will do that to you. Goddamn.

We meet 35-year-old Dori. She's the principal of a Hebrew school with a husband and three kids. And she fits the requisite dowdiness required for this exercise. Baggy dress and limp bangs. Hanukah has not brought her any spa makeover gift certificates. It's ok Dori, because the supermodel equivalent of balsa wood is on the way. Frederique! She's been in Vogue (once) and maybe Elle (once)? Somehow TLC was able to afford a limo to cart her and this week's victim around. Couldn't they have gotten a more interesting B-list "supermodel"? What about the chick with the dragon tattoo on her head? Or Shalom Harlow? She's not doing anything. Or who's that supermodel that shoplifts? I think I'm thinking of a one-time Miss America. Or Winona. God, this is boring so far and we're not even five minutes in.

After leaving a wife who stood by him through his battle with cancer for pop star, Sheryl Crow, to whom he subsequently became engaged until their recent split, one would assume that maybe Lance Armstrong might realize for a moment that his behavior is seeming dangerously similar to that of a man going through some kind of mid-life crisis.

But no, he continues to annoy me with news like this, from the New York Post's Page Six:

COULD it be that Lance Armstrong has taken a break from incessantly working out with his new best friend, Matthew McConaughey - to spend time with Paris Hilton? The two showed up to the Key Club in L.A. Tuesday night to catch the band the Vacation. "They came together, they hung out and left together," said our spy.

Tour de France, indeed. This shit ain't cute, Lance. Quit it.

Written by Lisa Timmons

(Image source)

I know, the title should have been, "Carolyn...you're fired!" but I figured it might be TOO obvious, even for me. From The Showbuzz:

Portrayed as an icy blonde on the NBC reality show, which debuted in 2004, Kepcher, 36, who worked for Trump for 10 years, "became a prima donna," following the success of the show, one insider told the newspaper. "Being on 'The Apprentice' went to her head. She was no longer focused on business. She was giving speeches for $25,000 and doing endorsements."

But the Donald doesn't seem to be harboring a grudge and, "He wishes her well," Trump's assistant Rhona Graff told The ShowBuzz on Thursday.

I hope her resume's up-to-date.

Written by Lisa Timmons

Not together. These celeb sightings were sent in by a few of our readers.

I was in Rome last weekend for a vacation, and did INDEED see Hillary Swank with this guy walking around the cobbled streets.  She kept on glancing at me as much as I her... perhaps suspicious I would tell her secret?  In any case- they were DEFINITELY romantically involved because she was frolicking around, they were both very touchy-feely, laughing, kissing, and he kept on putting his hand on/UP her butt! 

OJ walked past us last night at the SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO in Ft. Lauderdale.  He was wearing a gray polyester type jogging suit, and he was limping.  He was using a medical type cane that he really leaned on to help him walk.  He was smiling from ear to ear as people were recognizing him as he headed towards the Oaks Restaurant and Club all by himself.  I did not realize how large his head is...  who eats at a casino with out stopping to gamble..  I thought he was broke?