The man behind the infamous beard, Quigi Theodore, is also the man behind the incredily stylish store/website, Bk Circus (The Brooklyn Circus). Have you ever seen/read about something and then all of a sudden it seems like you're seeing it everywhere? For me, the Bk Circus is one such example. Since the first store's 2006 opening in Brooklyn, New York, "The Bearded Man" has reached many with his well curated clothing and accessories collection. It is quickly becoming a sharply edited lifestyle for many; from the U.S. to Japan. Check out this article on The Bk Circus)

Bk Circus' "Attitude" Varsity Jacket $480.00

Similiar looking, but less expensive letterman jackets,
can be found at The Jacket Shop.

Foreign Films are, by far, my favorite type of films. Even in their simplicity and handling of even the simplest of storylines, they often still prove more cerebral than most American fare. The only real problem I tend to run into when trying to see one, is convincing someone to go with me. Next week, Cal State University (Los Angeles) will be offering a mini festival of a few films that I'm quite interested in seeing. 

With each preview below, is a review by The New York Times film, Critic, A.O. Scott. Since, I've never seen any of the films, I thought you, like myself, would enjoy a quick synopsis of each one.

“La Princesse de Clèves,” Madame de Lafayette’s 1678 novel of forbidden passions among the aristocracy, long a staple of high school French classes, has been adapted, loosely but conscientiously, into “La Belle Personne,” a film about present-day French high school students. The translation of classic works of literature into movies rooted in the idioms of modern adolescence is perhaps surprisingly a fairly common practice. Shakespeare begot “10 Things I Hate About You” (based on “The Taming of the Shrew”) and Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo and Juliet,” for instance, just as Jane Austen’s “Emma” inspired “Clueless.” Like those films “La Belle Personne,” directed by Christophe Honoré (who wrote the script with Gilles Taurand), combines an earnest respect for literature with a romantic, pop sensibility, though its mood is more fretful than playful. — A. O. Scott, The New York Times

Luckman Fine Arts Complex
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, Ca  90032
323-343-6600
http://www.luckmanarts.org/cinema

Since signing up in 2003, I've purchased tickets for over 120 events from the discount website, Goldstar Events. I realize that GROUPON is all the rage now, but GoldStar has been providing equally impressive services, at discounted prices, for quite some time. They offer reduced-priced tickets in adult, children and family entertainment for everything from sporting events and live theatre to movies, comedy shows and concerts, etc. Registration is free, with average savings of 35-60%, and some events are even offered gratis. If you're dating quite a bit (or with  family), this site is definitely a must. Sign up here, today!

The good thing about purchasing items post-season is the favorable reduction in pricing. These White Buck Wing Tips, primarily reserved for the summer months, are from Brooks Brothers  and  are, by far,  the most beautiful looking bucks that I've ever seen; gently reduced from $488.00 to $195.00. Of course, they'll look great with a seersucker suit, but I'd like to see them with a very dark pair of denims and a blazer, for a change. (The upkeep can be maddening, though. Quite possibly tempting one to jump off the Tallahatchie Bridge.) I know that many gentlemen prefer a plain, basic buck, but the intricate perforation work on the pair above is unsurpassed. A wonderful addition to any man's shoe collection, but particularly a southern, sophisticated gentleman's wardrobe; a must have! Hopefully, these beauties will prove as comfortable as they are timeless. Living in California, I may have a chance to wear them before next summer.

A casual pair of white bucks; perfect for a seersucker suit.

This photograph of a young Candace Bergen was taken at Truman Capote's 1966 Black & White Ball at New York's Plaza Hotel. At the time, it was touted by many as the "Party of The Century." Even though it's not a picture of a new year's eve celebration, I really like this photograph. (Maybe its just the thought of how Miss Bergen probably looked with the bunny-eared mask on - Sexy & Chic.) I spent New Year's eve in New York a few years back and not that there's anything wrong with watching a ball drop in Times Square, but who could resist a masked ball, given the choice? Hopefully, you spent last evening dancing cheek-to-cheek with someone very special. (As luck would have it, I believe I went to sleep last night at 11:59!) A Blessed & happy 2011 to you and yours!