Akon ready to party

Last time we caught up with hip-hop star Akon, he was in Miami recording songs for his new album, Stadium.

He calls the record, which is slated for an April or May release, ``high energy.''

``It's going to be big,'' he says. ``I'm on a whole other level right now. My life is bright, and you'll hear it on the album.''

SPOTTED

Grammy Award winner Robin Thicke and wife, Precious actress Paula Patton -- who is pregnant with the couple's first child -- help celebrate the opening of the Roger Vivier boutique at Bal Harbour Shops Tuesday night.

Razorba 'War Hammer' Back Razor

$69.95 plus shipping and handling from Razorba/Swamiware LLC, Ann Arbor, Mich., 888-755-6386; www.razorba.com

Suggested by Gail Orsillo of Lynnwood, Wash.

Here, at long last, is a gift that communicates the heartfelt holiday message: ``From the back, with your shirt off, you look like a yeti.''

Big house for Lil Wayne?

Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to attempted weapon possession Thursday and expects to receive a one-year jail sentence.

The Grammy-winning rapper -- who was just in town to party at the W South Beach had previously pleaded not guilty to illegal gun possession charges that carried at least 3 ½ years in prison upon conviction.

In New York, he entered his plea to second-degree attempted weapon possession, a felony, and acknowledged he had a .40 caliber semi-automatic loaded gun on a tour bus back in 2007.

Pakistani pudding is good anytime

Thanks to helpful readers, we've found just the recipe for M.W., whose Pakistani son-in-law wished to taste again a dish his late mother made for breakfast with rice, milk, carrots, raisins and pistachios.

``This sounds like carrot halavah, which I first met in India in the '50s,'' wrote Kay Carpenter of Cudjoe Key. ``We ate it as a dessert but why not breakfast, too?''

A reader named Pam contacted a friend in Pakistan who identified the dish as gajraila, and said it can also be served as dessert. Basmati rice, carrots, milk, cardamom pods and sugar are cooked until very soft. Just before serving a few drops of warm rose essence (kewra) are added along with grated almonds, coconut and pistachios.