Fag Ash Cole: Chelsea star snapped puffing away on a cigarette during LA holiday

By GEORGINA LITTLEJOHN

Don't let Abramovich see you! Ashley Cole takes a drag on his cigarette as he is driven through Beverly Hills to meet his friends for lunch


He's supposed to be one of the country's top professional sportsmen who is paid a phenomenally huge amount of money for his skills.

But clearly no one's told Ashley Cole that smoking is not only bad for his health but for his career too.

The Chelsea and England star was snapped puffing away on a cigarette as he enjoyed his summer break.

The 30-year-old defender was seen taking a deep drag as he sat in the back of a car as he drove through Los Angeles.

Wearing a Panama hat, he seemed oblivious to the cameras as he puffed away without a care in the world.


And exhale: Ashley blows out his smoke as he takes in the view from the car window


Ashley is in the Californian city on a boys' holiday as he enjoys some time off from his Premiership and European Championship duties.

And as the old adage goes, boys will be boys, none more so than Ashley and his buddies who have been making the most of their Golden State break.


Not quitting yet then? Ashley is snapped having another cigarette as he had lunch with friends at a poolside bar in Beverly Hills



Something funny, lads? Ashley holds on to Shaun Wright-Phillips as they share a joke with their group which also included Zat Knight (khaki shorts)


Soon after he was snapped in his car, he was seen hanging out with some friends at a poolside bar in Beverly Hills.

Among his pals joining him for lunch and vodka-based drinks was Bolton Wanderers star Zat Knight and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.


Got some gossip? Ashley and Shaun look at something on the Manchester City star's phone


Summer break: Ashley looked relaxed and happy as he laughed along with his mates


They ordered a huge round of food which included a large plate of chips, a Caesar salad, sushi and some crudités.

They larked about and shared a joke while chatting on their mobiles phones and sharing pictures and messages.


Say when: Ashley tops up Zat's drink with some vodka as they relax over their lunch


And they kept the merriment topped up as they ordered two bottles of Grey Goose Vodka with cranberry and orange juice to mix it with.

Ashley is staying with a friend and a few days ago he was seen playing the dutiful house guest as he took out the rubbish.


Just chilling: Stuffed from their lunch, Ashley and the boys head to a poolside bed to relax in the sun


The full-back got to know the city last summer when he fled there after suffering a humiliating World Cup defeat.

The ex-husband of Cheryl, who he has reportedly been calling to offer his support after her X Factor dismissal, was then snapped smoking a cigarette as he arrived at a beer party.



Time to kick the habit: Ashley was also snapped smoking on a trip to Los Angeles last July

source: dailymail

Now that's what you call a ball-gown! Tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands goes Gaga at pre-Wimbledon party in wacky yellow dress

By EMILY SHERIDAN

Flamboyant: American tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands makes an entrance at the WTA pre-Wimbledon party in a tennis ball dress


Bethanie Mattek-Sands has described herself as the Lady Gaga of the tennis world due to her flamboyant fashion taste.

So who better to dress the American tennis player than one of Gaga's own designers.

The 26-year-old made an attention-seeking entrance at the Women's Tennis Association pre-Wimbledon party in London last night in a tennis-inspired dress.


Wild thing: Mattek-Sands' dress was made using real tennis balls by London-based designer Alex Noble


The startling dress included a neon green corset made of parts of tennis balls, with matching shoulder pads.

More tennis balls were then attached to some neon green chiffon to create a Mohican-style hat.

Mattek-Sands, who is currently No.31 in the world rankings, commissioned British designer Alex Noble to create her flamboyant gown for the bash at the Kensington Roof Gardens.

Mattek-Sands is no stranger to breaking the style rules, who was fined for wearing a cowboy hat on the court in 2005.


Breaking the rules: Mattek-Sands is hoping to slip in a bit of her individualism to the court at Wimbledon this year


A lover of crazy fashion, Mattek-Sands knows she will have to tone down her wardrobe to adhere to Wimbledon's strict dress code.

So the pre-Wimbledon bash was the perfect opportunity for her to show her individualism outside the rigid rules of the South West London club.

She said last month: 'I don't think I can really challenge the colour rule right now.

'You know, I got to figure something out. Obviously the white, you got to work with a lot of the cuts. Obviously I'll be wearing my high socks. But yeah, it's always challenging to think of new things for Wimbledon.



Colour statement: American tennis player Serena Williams wore a figure-hugging jade Burberry dress, while Russian player Maria Sharapova wore a red skater dress


'I think the fans that come to Wimbledon appreciate everything I do. I think it's more probably the members and the people higher up that are tut-tutting me.'

Mattek-Sands and Noble met up in Madrid and Copenhagen earlier this month and was open to his idea of making the gown out of tennis balls.

In an online video following the making of the gown, Mattek-Sands said: 'Fashion has always been super-interesting for me.'


Lady Gaga designer Alex Noble designs a dress for Bethanie Mattek-Sands


source :dailymail

What a covert operation: Frank Lampard spent three months planning his £150,000 proposal to Christine Bleakley

By LIZ THOMAS

'Off in our own bubble': Christine Bleakley and her new fiancé Frank Lampard are in high spirits as they leave Soho House in West Hollywood last night


It took three months of secret planning and cost as much as £150,000 but Christine Bleakley has insisted fiancé Frank Lampard’s proposal was 'not very fancy'.

The couple are holidaying in America on a trip estimated to be costing £30,000 taking in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

The Chelsea footballer is understood to have lavished in excess of £120,000 on the ring and arranged for one of his friends that worked in America to fly out ahead with it - to make sure that the proposal remained a surprise.


No wedding plans just yet: Bleakley told her Daybreak colleagues the pair were just enjoying the engagement before thinking about the actual nuptials


Lampard, 32, got down on one knee after a romantic beach side lunch in Los Angeles where the couple have spent the last few days.

Miss Bleakley, also 32, confessed she 'cried for ten minutes' after he proposed.

The couple have been on a two week break staying first at the Wynn Encore five star luxury resort in Nevada for almost a week, which costs £400 a night, and boasts its own golf course, private cabanas, four pools and a spa.


'It was a military operation': Bleakley and Lampard step out for dinner to celebrate their engagement in Beverly Hills


They travelled to California last weekend and it is understood they have been staying at the the £350-a-night SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, which is a favourite with Hollywood biggest names.

Club class flights cost in excess of £8,000 return each at this time of year.


On cloud nine: The couple's happiness was clear to see following the proposal, with Christine saying that 'it all feels a bit surreal'


'He got a bit lovey-dovey': Frank's affectionate behaviour this week in Las Vegas did not go unnoticed by the UK media, and Christine now admits he did shower her with love in the lead up to the proposal


source: dailymail

Fag Ash Cole: Chelsea star snapped puffing away on a cigarette during LA holiday

By GEORGINA LITTLEJOHN

Don't let Abramovich see you! Ashley Cole takes a drag on his cigarette as he is driven through Beverly Hills to meet his friends for lunch


He's supposed to be one of the country's top professional sportsmen who is paid a phenomenally huge amount of money for his skills.

But clearly no one's told Ashley Cole that smoking is not only bad for his health but for his career too.

The Chelsea and England star was snapped puffing away on a cigarette as he enjoyed his summer break.

The 30-year-old defender was seen taking a deep drag as he sat in the back of a car as he drove through Los Angeles.

Wearing a Panama hat, he seemed oblivious to the cameras as he puffed away without a care in the world.


And exhale: Ashley blows out his smoke as he takes in the view from the car window


Ashley is in the Californian city on a boys' holiday as he enjoys some time off from his Premiership and European Championship duties.

And as the old adage goes, boys will be boys, none more so than Ashley and his buddies who have been making the most of their Golden State break.


Not quitting yet then? Ashley is snapped having another cigarette as he had lunch with friends at a poolside bar in Beverly Hills



Something funny, lads? Ashley holds on to Shaun Wright-Phillips as they share a joke with their group which also included Zat Knight (khaki shorts)


Soon after he was snapped in his car, he was seen hanging out with some friends at a poolside bar in Beverly Hills.

Among his pals joining him for lunch and vodka-based drinks was Bolton Wanderers star Zat Knight and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.


Got some gossip? Ashley and Shaun look at something on the Manchester City star's phone


Summer break: Ashley looked relaxed and happy as he laughed along with his mates


They ordered a huge round of food which included a large plate of chips, a Caesar salad, sushi and some crudités.

They larked about and shared a joke while chatting on their mobiles phones and sharing pictures and messages.


Say when: Ashley tops up Zat's drink with some vodka as they relax over their lunch


And they kept the merriment topped up as they ordered two bottles of Grey Goose Vodka with cranberry and orange juice to mix it with.

Ashley is staying with a friend and a few days ago he was seen playing the dutiful house guest as he took out the rubbish.


Just chilling: Stuffed from their lunch, Ashley and the boys head to a poolside bed to relax in the sun


The full-back got to know the city last summer when he fled there after suffering a humiliating World Cup defeat.

The ex-husband of Cheryl, who he has reportedly been calling to offer his support after her X Factor dismissal, was then snapped smoking a cigarette as he arrived at a beer party.



Time to kick the habit: Ashley was also snapped smoking on a trip to Los Angeles last July

source: dailymail

Now that's what you call a ball-gown! Tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands goes Gaga at pre-Wimbledon party in wacky yellow dress

By EMILY SHERIDAN

Flamboyant: American tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands makes an entrance at the WTA pre-Wimbledon party in a tennis ball dress


Bethanie Mattek-Sands has described herself as the Lady Gaga of the tennis world due to her flamboyant fashion taste.

So who better to dress the American tennis player than one of Gaga's own designers.

The 26-year-old made an attention-seeking entrance at the Women's Tennis Association pre-Wimbledon party in London last night in a tennis-inspired dress.


Wild thing: Mattek-Sands' dress was made using real tennis balls by London-based designer Alex Noble


The startling dress included a neon green corset made of parts of tennis balls, with matching shoulder pads.

More tennis balls were then attached to some neon green chiffon to create a Mohican-style hat.

Mattek-Sands, who is currently No.31 in the world rankings, commissioned British designer Alex Noble to create her flamboyant gown for the bash at the Kensington Roof Gardens.

Mattek-Sands is no stranger to breaking the style rules, who was fined for wearing a cowboy hat on the court in 2005.


Breaking the rules: Mattek-Sands is hoping to slip in a bit of her individualism to the court at Wimbledon this year


A lover of crazy fashion, Mattek-Sands knows she will have to tone down her wardrobe to adhere to Wimbledon's strict dress code.

So the pre-Wimbledon bash was the perfect opportunity for her to show her individualism outside the rigid rules of the South West London club.

She said last month: 'I don't think I can really challenge the colour rule right now.

'You know, I got to figure something out. Obviously the white, you got to work with a lot of the cuts. Obviously I'll be wearing my high socks. But yeah, it's always challenging to think of new things for Wimbledon.



Colour statement: American tennis player Serena Williams wore a figure-hugging jade Burberry dress, while Russian player Maria Sharapova wore a red skater dress


'I think the fans that come to Wimbledon appreciate everything I do. I think it's more probably the members and the people higher up that are tut-tutting me.'

Mattek-Sands and Noble met up in Madrid and Copenhagen earlier this month and was open to his idea of making the gown out of tennis balls.

In an online video following the making of the gown, Mattek-Sands said: 'Fashion has always been super-interesting for me.'


Lady Gaga designer Alex Noble designs a dress for Bethanie Mattek-Sands


source :dailymail

What a covert operation: Frank Lampard spent three months planning his £150,000 proposal to Christine Bleakley

By LIZ THOMAS

'Off in our own bubble': Christine Bleakley and her new fiancé Frank Lampard are in high spirits as they leave Soho House in West Hollywood last night


It took three months of secret planning and cost as much as £150,000 but Christine Bleakley has insisted fiancé Frank Lampard’s proposal was 'not very fancy'.

The couple are holidaying in America on a trip estimated to be costing £30,000 taking in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

The Chelsea footballer is understood to have lavished in excess of £120,000 on the ring and arranged for one of his friends that worked in America to fly out ahead with it - to make sure that the proposal remained a surprise.


No wedding plans just yet: Bleakley told her Daybreak colleagues the pair were just enjoying the engagement before thinking about the actual nuptials


Lampard, 32, got down on one knee after a romantic beach side lunch in Los Angeles where the couple have spent the last few days.

Miss Bleakley, also 32, confessed she 'cried for ten minutes' after he proposed.

The couple have been on a two week break staying first at the Wynn Encore five star luxury resort in Nevada for almost a week, which costs £400 a night, and boasts its own golf course, private cabanas, four pools and a spa.


'It was a military operation': Bleakley and Lampard step out for dinner to celebrate their engagement in Beverly Hills


They travelled to California last weekend and it is understood they have been staying at the the £350-a-night SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, which is a favourite with Hollywood biggest names.

Club class flights cost in excess of £8,000 return each at this time of year.


On cloud nine: The couple's happiness was clear to see following the proposal, with Christine saying that 'it all feels a bit surreal'


'He got a bit lovey-dovey': Frank's affectionate behaviour this week in Las Vegas did not go unnoticed by the UK media, and Christine now admits he did shower her with love in the lead up to the proposal


source: dailymail

She really HAS made it! Carole Middleton arrives by carriage in Royal procession with the Queen as she attends Ladies' Day

By MAYSA RAWI

Carole Middleton arrives as part of the royal carriage procession for Ladies' Day at Ascot


Carole Middleton was lying low while the Royal Family have had a busy couple of weeks attending official engagements.

But not one to be left out, she stole the limelight when she arrived at Ascot today in a horse-drawn carriage, as part of the Royal procession, for Ladies' Day.

Kate's mother wore a champagne-coloured suit, teamed with a relatively demure hat given the occasion.

Despite painstaking efforts though, racegoers spent the majority of the morning covering their heads


High drama: One racegoer wears a 1920s inspired dress while another opts for a more modern serpent theme


Super injunction chic: A hat puns on the latest cheating footballer scandal
But the pouring rain saw colourful umbrellas come out in full force, as the event continued for the third day.


Ladies Day is the highlight of the week and luckily the weather didn't seem to dampen punters' spirits as they attempted to enjoy the afternoon, come rain or shine.



Umbrellas away: The weather brightens up


Washout: Racegoer Jenny Munklik wears a black swan style hat and a positive umbrella at Ascot today


Brolly follie: Punters wore their brightest umbrellas as one Japanese punter wore traditional dress for Ladies' Day on day three of the Berkshire event


Opened in 1711,Queen Anne first spotted its potential when riding in the forest near Windsor Castle.

Long gone are the days when the Royal enclosure at Ascot was so exclusive that divorcees were banned from its sacred lawns and women had to wear gloves.

Aristocrats once reigned supreme but now X-Factor supremo Simon Cowell has a box.


Soggy morning: Guests head into the Royal Enclosure


Singers Shirley Bassey and Bryan Ferry are handing out racing trophies this year although the honour of giving the prize to the winner of Thursday's Ascot Gold Cup always goes to the Queen.

And paparazzi on the hunt for the most outrageous hats on Ladies Day will not have to look far.

Publicity seekers sashay about in over-the-top concoctions in the daily fashion parade that was immortalised by flower girl Eliza Dolittle in the musical "My Fair Lady.


Never off duty: Model Aimee Nazroo poses in a Modern Milk hat and another model raises awareness for Malaria with a mosquito-themed hat



Cacophony: Racegoers are determined not to let the weather dampen their spirits


'You cannot think of Ascot without thinking fashion in the same sentence' said designer Amanda Whateley who is showing her collection once more at Royal Ascot 2011.

The ever elegant Bryan Ferry, lead singer of Roxy Music, sported top hat and tails to present one of the trophies.

'Fashion has always been a great interest for me. It is nice to see people dressing up. The British do it very well. Just look at the royal wedding,' he said.


Colour blocking: The fashion paraded included this season's hottest colour combination, orange and purple


Exuberant Italian jockey Frankie Dettori, known as 'Mr Ascot' for his many triumphs on the great course, leapt from the saddle in his trademark flying dismount after landing the Prince of Wales's Stakes on Rewilding on Wednesday.

He had no doubt about the thrill of riding here.

'I'm overwhelmed. It doesn't get better than this.'

But a look into the Ascot archives shows that racing at the big meeting has been distinctly racey at times over the past three centuries.

In 1777, a boxing bout was held on the course with a giant prize presented to a winner who beat his opponent so badly that he lost an eye.


Birds of a feather: A monochrome head piece, left, and bird creation


Mad hatter tea party: Ladies Day always sees racegoers go to great and creative efforts with fashion


Today, racegoers congregate for a communal singalong around the bandstand after racing. It's a far cry from the days when cockfights were staged and 10 marquees set up for card games and EO, a forerunner of roulette.

In 1799, a full-scale riot erupted over accusations of fixing in a card game. The Light Brigade had to be summoned from Windsor Castle to quell the chaos.

Highwaymen preying on wealthy racegoers also held up coaches on the way to Ascot.


Colour coordinated: Women even matched their umbrellas to their outfits


Snobbishness abounded when the introduction of a rail line to Ascot meant that the masses could now enjoy a day at the races.

Nineteenth century reporter Pierce Egan feared Ascot could no longer be protected from 'the pollution of sheer cockneyism,' a blunt dig at working-class racegoers from the East End of London.

Ascot racecourse manager Charles Barnett, who welcomes 300,000 fans to the course over the five-day racing extravaganza, clearly revels in the rich history of the picturesque track.

'It is as stylish and elegant as it has ever been. It is only our first 300 years and hopefully we will go on as long as that again,' he said.


Happy birthday Ascot: Course officials with 300th anniversary umbrellas

source: dailymail