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Happy Chinese New Year!

Wising everyone a prosperous and blessed new year in the YEAR of the RABBIT!

A February Favorite: The 2.55

It was love at first sight. The first time I laid eyes on a 2.55 quilted flap, I knew that we (The Bag and I) had the makings of an unrequited love. Named after the month and year it was issued (February, 1955), this purse remains to be one of the most iconic bags in fashion history. Its classic and timeless style comes with a hefty price tag I could ill afford- three grand. Yes, we’re speaking of US dollars. So until the time comes when I would be able to spare such amount, allow me to revel in its history and style.

It was said that the shoulder-strapped design was borne out of Mademoiselle Coco’s observation that women need to leave their hands free during social gatherings while eating canapés and /or drinking champagne. Her new design ushered in an era wherein a handbag was both convenient to tote whilst allowing its bearer to look as chic as ever. Clutches took to the backseat and the rectangular quilted flap purse with the chain shoulder strap took its place in the forefront. It was a piece that revolutionized the fashion world.

To commemorate it's 50th anniversary, Karl Lagerfeld had the brilliant idea to bring out the design once more. In February 2005, the "Reissue" was released. Today, Chanel continues to produce the 2.55 in various colors and materials. Despite the varied choices available, they still hold true to the classic and timeless style of the 1955 version.


What used to be a fashion item has now turned iconic. That is the genius of Coco. 

February!

EGYPT VS HOSNI MUBARAK

It has been a bloody week in Cairo and Suez. As Mubarak continues to resist the call for his resignation, the Egyptian civilians continue to flood the streets with protests. Government had already blocked social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, which played big roles in the assembly of anti-Mubarak supporters. The 82-year old dictator has already called out government change and promised reforms. But it seems that Mubarak fails to understand that the Egyptians will not be appeased until he steps down.

Civilians take on the streets as they call for Mubarak's resignation

It is difficult not to feel for the 80M people from Egypt calling for a change in government structure and leadership. It is not too long ago when the Filipinos were also under the same conditions of oppression under a dictator who led a nation to its downfall. In this time of instability, the most we can do is simply pray for a nation that is as broken as we were more than two decades ago. 

the 1986 PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION

Just like the Philippines, Egypt is also worth fighting for. 

The Spotlight is on James Franco

As I set Palo Alto Stories down, I give myself a moment to reflect on the man who authored such work. James Franco. He is not your run-of-the-mill Hollywood leading man. Through the years, he has proven to be a man of substance. And nowadays, he is a ubiquitous force that shows no signs of slowing down.

I’ve had a crush on this Palo Alto native for the longest time, probably even before he played Spider Man’s frenemy, Harry Osborn, in the movie that catapulted him to celebrity status. He is winsome, charming and unpredictable. But more than these, Franco sets the bar above hundreds of screen actors with his innate metabolism for creative learning and productivity. It is interesting to see his choice of works. He has gone mainstream with movies such as Eat Pray Love, Date Night, Tristan and Isolde, Flyboys, and the widely-acclaimed Milk, indie with Pineapple Express and Howl, joined daytime TV with a short stint in General Hospital, began directorial works in NYU and even Harvard and exhibited  art shows in LA’s Glu and NY’s Clockwater galleries. His performance in 127 Hours also won him a nomination in this year’s Oscars for Best Actor. And let us not discount his being the face of the men’s fragrance Gucci by Gucci.

I find it remarkable that between all these, Franco was able to finish not one but several post-grad degrees from some of the top schools in America. He was an English major with a concentration in creative writing from UCLA. He then moved to New York to simultaneously attend Columbia University’s MFA program, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts for film making and also finish a fiction writing degree in Brooklyn College.  He is now an English and Film Studies PhD student in Yale University. Not bad for a man of 32 years, eh?

I love the idea of a someone such as James Franco- actor, prolific artist and scholar, integrate himself in these different spheres of the Arts. Admittedly, not everyone has that ability to find such focus and drive - especially under the watchful eyes of Hollywood. Some critics even already liken him to the iconic Andy Warhol. So when Time picked Franco as the Coolest Person of the Year [2010], I could not help but wholeheartedly agree. He makes being a Thinker seem very very cool indeed. 

“[He] is the man who risked looking like an idiot over and over and yet never did. The man who was a movie star, a novelist, a soap-opera actor, a director, a visual artist, a Yale Ph.D. student in English, a Funny or Die video poster, a drag model on the cover of a magazine for transsexuals…”

 – Joel Stein on choosing Franco to be Time’s Coolest Person of the Year.

Under the lights of the Kodak Theatre on Feb 27, we will witness him add yet another to his roster of titles, that of an Academy Awards host, which he will be sharing with the equally fabulous Anne Hathaway. With their good looks and a penchant for comedy, they’re bound to bring in an unforgettable performance. The coolest person and company cannot be anything but awesome. :)

J'adore Leighton Meester!

Blake Lively might have graced more magazine covers than anyone in the last year. But it is Leighton Meester who wins it for me when it comes to fashion and the red carpet - simply for being unpredictable and still being fabulous!  

Leighton in Michael Kors for "The Roommate" premiere

Ellie Saab dresses Leighton for the Golden Globes

Leighton does the flapper in Louis Vuitton

Leighton as the face of Missoni S/S 2011

Leighton in Miu Miu for Glamour Espana

It's pure LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.♥