the buried life

The Buried Life - MTV Shows

Thank god! I finally have something a bit more substantial to watch than Jersey Shore. I saw the trailer for The Buried Life a few weekends ago and really wanted to see it. Basically, it's about four guys who made their own version of the Bucket List and are driving through the country trying to do it all. For every task they cross off, they help a stranger do what he or she would like to do before kicking the bucket. Pretty good premise huh?

I just watched the first episode on MTV.com (being the TV-less, cable-less pauper that I am) and was thoroughly entertained. In this episode, the boys try to cross of task #6 on their list: Attend a Playboy Mansion party. It's pretty funny. And it doesn't hurt that they boys are kinda cute. Ben, who tried to disguise himself as Cristiano Ronaldo to get in, looked pretty cute with that extra dark tan actually.

I walked past this on Fifth Avenue the other day. Basically, you get to type in what you'd like to do before you die. Hmm ... I would have a pretty long list. Something to think about on today's drive to PA.

What would be on your list?

today i'm loving: naomi campbell tearing it up to tina turner

A surefire way to get you going on a lazy Saturday: watch Naomi Campbell tear it up in 6-inch stillettos to Tina Turner. It's enough to endear a cellphone-throwing b*atch to anyone!

Have a great Saturday!

how to ... channel mrs. robinson

I hummed Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson" all day Tuesday, a compulsion brought about by the scandal rocking North Ireland over the first minister's wife, who is also a Parliament member, and her reported affair with a then 19-year-old lad. She purportedly raised thousands of pounds to help her young lover open up a business. Don't get me wrong here; I fully acknowledge that what she did was completely wrong. Adultery is never excusable, and neither is wielding publicly bestowed power for personal gain. But I can't help but get annoyed over how she's being reviled over her having a relationship with a much younger man. Men do this ALL THE TIME, and they're given a pat on the back rather than being made a pariah. Again, I am NOT saying what she did is right, but I do so despise double standards.

In any case, this is a style blog, definitely not a political one, so that's all I'm gonna say about that. What I will do is look back on the most fabulous and unforgettable cougar to grace the silver screen: Anne Bancroft as Mrs. Robinson.

"Would you like me to seduce you? Is that what you're trying to tell me?" BEST. LINE. EVER.

How to channel a bit of Mrs. Robinson in your wardrobe? A little bit of leopard and a lot of lace. Ooh, and thigh-highs are of utmost importance.

Demi push-up bra by Victoria's Secret; Silk sheath by Ann Taylor; Sunglasses by Jimmy Choo at Bloomingdales; Babydoll and thigh-highs at Victoria's Secret; Elizabeth & James pumps at Bloomingdales;

I had to look up my favorite scene from The Graduate: the seduction scene of course! Dustin Hoffman's bumbling and almost hysterical reaction to Mrs. Robinson's attempts to ensnare him are just hilarious.

If you've never seen this movie, or would just like to be reminded of what a great film it is, take a look at this review by A. O. Scott for the New York Times:

Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson!

derek ramsey

So yesterday a bunch of us girls went to watch I Love You, Goodbye over in Jersey City. For the most part, I loved the movie but I was not crazy about the ending. I don't think it makes sense. It's just the Filipino penchant for happy endings at work, I suppose, but it just seemed so forced.

I loved the movie largely because of the extremely hot Derek Ramsey. I never fancied him before but in this movie he's just WOW. So intense and, in the words of his namesake Derek Zoolander, really really good-looking. My friend Abby told me to look up Derek Ramsey's Lucky Me commercial. She said and I quote, "Sana ako na lang yung sabaw", which roughly translates to, "I wish I was the soup." You'll see what I mean ...

Me being a Filipina living away from the motherland though, I was torn for a few seconds. Did I want him or did I want the soup? I haven't eaten lomi in YEARS! That's pretty yum too ...

It's another freezing day in New York. I only braved the cold for a bagel and coffee (seems to be my new morning routine—and yes I'm aware of how fattening bagels are but it's my breakfast and lunch), and am now just gonna spend the afternoon catching up on my favorite blogs and lazing about. Hope you're enjoying a chill Sunday!

jersey shore

If you were previously living blissfully unaware of this show, I apologize for unleashing this on you. But if I'm gonna go down, I'm gonna take people with me. Jersey Shore just cracks me up! Between the guy who calls himself "The Situation" to "Snooki" whose dream in life is to marry a guido, I am hopelessly addicted to this show.

This show is blowing up! "The Situation" and "Snooki" have even been on Conan O'Brien. "The Situation" gave Conan his very own Jersey shore nickname, which he was thrilled about. Check it out:

Want to get your own Jersey Shore nickname? Click here. I will henceforth be known on the Jersey Shore as Celine "The Opportunity" Novenario. Sweet.

Again, I'm very sorry for involving you good people in this ...

i love you goodbye

My dear Filipino readers, especially ones like me who are living away from the motherland, please indulge me for a second with this post as I have been watching nothing but TFC for the last four days ... have you seen the trailer for I Love You Goodbye? Are you dying to watch it as much as I am?

Can't believe what a gorgeous young woman Angelica Panganiban turned out to be. Still can't help but think of her as this wide-eyed child star and now she's acting in roles like these! I have to say though, I am still thoroughly creeped out by her pairing with Gabby Concepcion. She must be even younger than his real-life daughter KC! Gah! Kinikilabutan ako. But then again, I guess that's what the plot is right? Girl falls in love with much older man, then falls harder for a man her age who lets her go because he feels inferior to the much more successful older man, older man proposes to girl who accepts, girl meets older man's daughter who's just about her age, and then meets daughter's beau who is ... gasp! Her lost love who is still madly in love with her! Did you follow that or did I lose you? Oh the twists and turns of Philippine cinema ...

I wish I could see this movie as soon as it comes out! The pittfalls of being overseas sometimes ...

byebye tai

I wouldn't call myself a big Brittany Murphy fan but Clueless has always been and always will be one of my favorite movies ever, and it would not have been the same without her. You just had to fall in love with her innocent and unassuming portrayal of Tai. Never saw her like that again in her succeeding movies and was truthfully sad about how she seemed to have turned into a completely different person after Clueless. This hilarious scene from the movie is a great way to remember her by.

burlesque queen

I grew up in the Philippines where the word burlesk is part of the vernacular and has unpleasant connotations. To Filipinos, burlesk simply means taking off one's clothes in public, usually in a lurid strip club of some sort. An iconic movie filmed in the late 70s was called Burlesk Queen, and I originally thought it was just about plain old dancing in a stripclub. But from reading reviews and synopses online, I learned it's quite a cinematic masterpiece. Shame on me because I haven't seen it yet, but that'll definitely be on my Netflix list!

Burlesque has been on my mind for quite awhile now. I've been wanting to take classes just because they seem so fun and saucy. I don't know that I have the nerve to actually perform onstage but it seems like something fun to know for one's own personal pleasure. I've watched a few burlesque performances here in New York and have always been amazed at how alluring the women appear even when they're not necessarily everyman's definition of what is sexy. It's a celebration of a woman's body and sensuality, whatever their shape may be. Last Saturday, I was at Duane Park with Zoe and her swing dance friends celebrating Repeal Day, which had to be explained to my little expatriate self. If you're not American, Repeal Day is when the Prohibition ended (look it up on Wiki here). In Duane Park's Southern manor-esque space, we drank cocktails and watched sultry jazzy singers and daring burlesque performers and my interest was all stirred up again. Zoe's friend, who goes by the name Isabella Minx, does burlesque and we begged her all night for lessons. In our drunkenness there was some talk of burlesque lessons in the snow in Central Park with feathery fans. I hope that was a joke. In any case, I'm crossing my fingers that I'll get to channel Ms. Von Teese one day soon.

I've never seen an Asian-themed burlesque performance. Could I be sitting on a goldmine here? Stay tuned ...

gossip girl does polo!

Oh it was bittersweet to see Blair running around in the same polo field I was at yesterday, even watching the same polo player, Ralph Lauren hunk Nacho Figueras. On one hand, I was giddy that I was there too! But ugh, stake in the heart at how I failed outfit-wise. There will be a wonderful hat and dress on me next year on those fields if it kills me!

But back to Gossip Girl ... I am so happy that the new season has finally started!

• I am liking Serena's bad girl ways because that Dan romance crap was boring enough to make me switch off.
• It's interesting to see the Humphreys newly rich.
• I am super excited to see Blair's first day at NYU!
• I am a little weirded out by the profusion of brunette boys on the show this season.
• I am liking the new hair on the boys, especially Nate. I used to find his floppy blond hair totally blah but this is working for me:

You'll do until New Moon comes out in November, Mr. Archibald ...

to watch or not to watch?

Jude Law is coming to Broadway! Hamlet will be showing for 12 weeks starting September 12. I was kind of late in the game, but I've gotten to really like Jude Law. The reviews of his West End performance seems to be pretty good. I hope it doesn't sell out before I make up my mind ...

the talented mr. ripley

I watched The Talented Mr. Ripley for the first time last night (yay, DVR!). While the story left me profoundly disturbed, I did find myself quite inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow's island attire. I particularly loved the breezy femininity and the lovely combination of florals mixed with gingham or chevron stripes.

Wouldn't we all love to go on a permanent vacation in Italy's islands with her character's trust fund and wardrobe? A tanned hunk like Jude Law's character Dickie Greenleaf wouldn't be a bad accessory either.

Budding romance skirt at Anthropologie ($238), Cotton-silk poplin solid perfect shirt at J.Crew ($64), Seaside seersucker ring bandeau top at J.Crew ($29.99), Chatham Roslyn bag at Kate Spade ($296), Camellia Espadrilles at Anthropologie ($368)

american psycho

I watched this movie last night, and found myself simultaneously horrified and doubling over with laughter. It's so overdone it's perfect. Don't you think that Patrick Bateman is just the original metrosexual? He wears ice packs when he does crunches, has a penchant for Valentino suits, uses scrubs and exfoliants in the shower, and gets panic attacks over businesscard type and dinner reservations. Love it!

The men are so well dressed in this movie. I'm all about French cuffs and suspenders. The women though were just a hot 80s mess (It is set in the 80s so that's the point, I know). But I mean seriously, check out Reese Witherspoon getting swallowed up in her fur, and Samantha Mathis with those linebacker shoulders. Eeeks.

Chloe Sevigny did good in this scene though. Love that dress. I wanna look that fat-free. I've always thought about how I've never seen Chloe Sevigny in anthing, but I guess I have after all. She looks good.

Ok, moving along with my life ...

saturday night

I'm sitting on my couch on a Saturday night with a silly little smile on my face because I'm just so darn happy. After an eventful week, all I wanted to do with my Saturday night was to sit at home and veg, so I'm very happy to be doing that. But I'm also all smiles because I decided to treat myself and get some beautiful pink peonies to stare at. It never ceases to amaze me how much happiness a few blooms bring.

As if I wasn't already beaming uncontrollably, I also got in Serendipity from Blockbuster. It had been awhile since I last saw the movie so I'd completely forgotten the story. It was like watching it for the first time all over again. OH. MY. GOD. It is such a good movie! It was extra special watching it now that I live in New York—especially since I live about 4 blocks from Serendipity! Unbelievably, I've lived in this apartment for almost 2 years now and I've still never stepped in there. That movie has given me an incredible urge to go now. One last thing Mika and I will have to do before the big move!

monday night tv

I must really be out of it. Tonight I found The Hills loooooads more interesting than Gossip Girl, which I finally caught after oooh maybe 3 months. Is it just me or was the Ponzi scheme storyline just bloody dull? Or am I just tired of Blair and Chuck's super drawn out, unrequited love story?

Or maybe it's cos The Hills really was just way more entertaining tonight. I mean there was classic boyfriend-stealing going on left and right; catfights between blondes and brunettes, Playmates and wannabe Playmates ... and tonight I got a good look at Brody's girlfriend, Jayde. Holy hell she is gorgeous! I was stymied for a second though with the thought that Brody's "THE ONE" is a Playmate of the Year. But then again, it's not like Brody has cured cancer or won an Oscar so why shouldn't his "THE ONE" be a Playmate?

And can I just say for the record, that even if she is a Jager-chugging boob-baring chick, I would never pick Ceiling Eyes over her! Makes no sense. Just goes to show what a one-track mind men can have.

Okay, now that I've indulged my inner 18-year-old, back to more adult concerns like finding a place to live ...

bonnie & clyde

I rented Bonnie & Clyde and found myself more enthralled by the wardrobe than by the story. Not that the movie's not great, but if I could raid a movie character's wardrobe it'd have to be Bonnie's. Hats off to costume designer Theadora Van Runkle, who pulled together a crisp and slick wardrobe for the movie. The tailored knee-length skirts, delicate body skimming blouses, that iconic scarf, the berets and the fedoras—it's all every bit as chic today as it was then.

they're baaaaack ...

I've never been a huge fan of The Hills. I never really got it. But tonight I tuned in for the first episodes of the new season and was actually pretty enthralled with all the dramz. I was pretty fascinated with the seeming LC-Heidi reunion followed by LC just being pissed off the morning after that Heidi was there. So was the tearful reunion just a result of martini-stirred emotions? I can definitely relate to that as my poor sweetie has been the victim of many of my teary drunken episodes.

Anyway, The Hills is definitely entertaining. I'm endlessly distracted though by how much of a Barbie doll Heidi looks like now. It's kinda freaky.

I might be in danger of getting hooked on this though. I mean hey, they've been doing this show for yeeeears now so these people are getting to be pretty good actors! The season seems pretty entertaining. Or is my absolute lack of sleep making me think things? Ok enough, turning off the drama and going to bed now ...

Blast from the past!

Dionne: Dude, what's wrong you suffering from buyer's remorse or something?

Cher: No, nothing like that.

Clueless is on TBS! I love this movie. Those were the days when Marky Mark still dropped his pants, Ren & Stimpy was essential TV, and plaid minis and Maryjanes were all the rage. What a fun blast from the past to start the weekend with.

Saturday in bed ...

I love lazy Saturdays. I'm determined to spend the whole weekend lazing in the apartment. God bless Blockbuster, I had the DVD of Amelie to keep me company today. What a beautiful movie! So quirky, fun, and just heartwarming. I totally fell in love with Amelie for the funny way she prodded on those around her to really live, whether it was tracking down the man whose childhood time capsule she discovered to tormenting her father with the mystery of the traveling gnome. The culmination of her own life finally beginning was just beautiful, too. What a wonderful thing to see on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

Seeing the movie did make me start itching to clean up the apartment. What a cozy and colorful apartment Amelie had! Makes me look around the mess I've allowed to accumulate around myself and feel ... ew. Ok, lazy today but definitely a good cleanup tomorrow!

Surprisingly Great!

I think I speak for every chick who stormed the theaters yesterday to watch "He's Just Not That Into You" when I say that it was a surprisingly great movie. The book and the concept are fantastic of course, but you never really expect such things to translate into a really good movie.

At 10AM when we were trying to book tickets at Fandango, we sat with mouths agape at how quickly shows were selling out. The theater we went to a 7PM show in Union Square was shockingly packed with women. But you know what, there's nothing better than watching a movie like this with a theater full of chicks. You all laugh, sigh, gasp, and mutter "Bitch" at Scarlett Johansson in unison (okay, not at her, but the character she plays).

Such a great movie. Watch it with your girlfriends then head for the nearest wine bar to dish over a glass of Pinot.

no tears. not for us.

Blockbuster has been messing with me. First I get a broken DVD of Love, Actually, then yesterday I got the original Thomas Crown Affair rather than the new version (starring Pierce) that I ordered. It was the right sleeve paired with the wrong DVD. I was pleasantly surprised by the second "mistake" though. In my mind, I imagine there's a movie junkie working at the Blockbuster distribution center who's on a mission to show clueless customers like moi what they're missing by not ordering the originals. This sneaky connoisseur could be swapping An Affair to Remember with Love Affair, and switching Infernal Affairs with The Departed.

I was enchanted by Faye Dunaway in this movie. Proof that you don't need to be super skinny with implants to be sexy. I wasn't too keen on the super mod dresses or the elaborate hairstyles, but was blown away by how elegant she looked in every scene. Such a beautiful woman.

Steve McQueen was so dapper in the movie too. I especially love the look of the bank robbers. Suits, sunglasses, and those hats! Very cool.

I love this still from the movie, which has such a la dolce vita feel.
And I love the coat that Faye Dunaway's wearing in this scene:
Thanks for the gift of the unexpected, Blockbuster. You got away with it this time.