2011 HERE WE COME!!!

2010 has been a great year for me. I would like to thank all the people who have been following Gipetto Diaries. I believe the coming year will be good for everybody. All I can say is that I miss Mystery Man a lot. I can't wait to see him in New York. Happy New Year.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION- NEW CELINE BAG!!!

As a Taurus, I love beautiful things. I believe in quality versus quantity. I just cannot wait to get my hands on Celine's leather tote bag and clutch for Spring. I love the color combination of camel and orange. It reminds me of the late sixties and the start of the 70s era. Phoebe Philo is doing a good job at Celine. Simplicity at its finest. I am drooling. My hands are shaking right now. I need to go back to New York. 

VOGUE RECYCLES!!!

I adore Natalie Portman's beauty. She may be petite, but she is oozing with charm and appeal. My favorite movie that she did was V for Vendetta. I believe she did an amazing performance. Vogue magazine is known for being the FIRST to feature actresses with upcoming movies. Anna Wintour is STILL in control and directing the magazine to a different level. Yes, we cannot please all the readers. They just cannot. You gotta have taste to appreciate the magazine.

For the 2011 January issue, Vogue looked back into the archives of their cover shoot with Natalie Portman. The shot by Peter Lindbergh was inspired from Natalie's May 2002 cover. There is nothing wrong when we look for inspiration. The most important thing is that the magazine strives to improve every month. I believe it is working.

I love the Prada dress from her 2002 cover, but the J.Mendel was the perfect choice for the January issue. Designers look for inspiration from the past and magazines can do the same thing as well. Anna and her team are doing a good job. In my opinion, Vogue is still VOGUE... no matter what. Get the picture.

PS: Congratulation to my dear friend Gilles of J.Mendel for making the cover.

JANUARY 2011 IN J.MENDEL

MAY 2002 IN PRADA

THE BLACK SWAN'S FIANCE!!!

I am dying to see the movie the Black Swan when I get back to New York. Besides the amazing costumes designed by my friends Laura and Kate from Rodarte, I heard the movie was spectacular. Natalie had to undergo training for months in preparation for this movie. Her dance instructor, Benjamin Millepied, did an amazing job of making her a true ballerina in the movie. During the duration of their practice, they fell in love. Now, Natalie is engaged and is expecting to have a baby. 2011 is a lucky year for her. I would also fall in love witn my instructor, if we were practicing for months. Besides, Benjamin is a principal dancer and choreographer at the New York City Ballet. He may not be as handsome like Brad Pitt, but he does have CHARM... very important.

NATALIE PORTMAN

BENJAMIN MILLEPIED

LIBERTY GIFT!!!

I was not in my happiest mood during Christmas eve. From my previous post, I mentioned  that I acquired a facial rash because of drinking cocktails at the Manila Peninsula's Salon de Ning. My mother invited some people to our house. I just wanted to stay inside my room because of my facial dilemma. I had to dress up for the occasion. I wore my favorite Liberty of London shirt. It gave me temporary happiness. I was on my way to the pool area, until I spotted a black paperback. The bag was from Homme et Femme. To my surprise, the gift came from my youngest sister Nina. She and her husband knows my taste. It was the only gift I opened that night. Thanks to Mark Gonzales of Homme et Femme, I became a follower of Liberty of London. I guess I have more than a dozen shirts. I am loving it.

LARA CROFT STYLE!!!

Next year, my good friend and I are going to Cambodia. I have been dying to see the temples. I can't wait to spend time with my best friend from school, Marlon de Mesa. I told him to plan our trip. He is good in organizing things. We will spend a weekend together. Now, the two of us will feel how Angelina Jolie aka Lara Croft raided the tombs. It should be an outfit extravaganza.

This will be our time to bond with each other. I cannot wait. Angkor Wat here we come.

TOP OF THE CITI!!!

Yes, the title is right. It is the name of the restaurant in Manila, Philippines. Why? It is the exclusive place to dine on top of the building of Citibank. Last December 18, my youngest sister exchanged vows with her husband Fergus Lao. It was a very intimate wedding.  My sister was telling me that it was so difficult for her to edit guests to 150. To my surprise, she and her husband did a phenomenal job. The wedding ceremony was held on the terraces of the restaurant. Nina wore a vintage inspired gown by Angel Sanchez. The veil added the whole glamour to the dress. To my excitement, it was a sit down dinner. Fergus and Nina served their guests with Foie Gras Salad, French Onion Soup, Sea Bass, Grilled Steak, and assortment of desserts. Champagne and wine were overflowing that evening. It is tradition that both the bride and the groom show their pictures in the form of a video to their guests. Laughter and tears filled the room. After the cinematic display, it was time for me to make a speech. The room was silent. I had to deliver a spontaneous speech to the couple. It was a success.

In the end, I was very proud for both of them. It was a memorable trip indeed.

CHRISTMAS ALLERGIES!!!

Last Thursday night, I went to the new bar of the Manila Peninsula. I had a couple of drinks with my friends from New York. After a couple of cocktails, I developed a rash on my face. What a way to celebrate Christmas eve with red spots on my precious face? I was not in the mood to open any gifts. I guess this is an eye opener for me that I have to STOP drinking for a while. I am annoyed by it, but what can I do? Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Avoid the allergies. Well! I got the holiday rash. Hahaha!!!

THE SLEEPING GIANT IS TOTALLY AWAKE!!!

China is the strongest nation in the entire world. With more than a billion people, China's working soldiers are ready in full force. The fashion industry saw China's potential a couple of years ago. Now, it was time to make a visit to the land of the super powers. Anna Wintour and her team visited China for the first time. Next year, Miuccia will stage her Spring 2011 collection. It proves to show that no matter what they criticize about China, they know that the money starts from there. Every industry is paying homage to the GIANT himself. I love the city.

THE SUPREME- ANNA DELLO RUSSO!!!

It was so difficult to narrow down  the ultimate stylish woman of 2010. A woman who is fashionable is NOT afraid to express herself. She considers dressing up as an ART. Most websites have their top ten favorites. For this blog, there is only ONE lady for me. The crowning glory belongs to VOGUE NIPPON'S ANNA DELLO RUSSO. She is the epicenter of FASHION nowadays. She morphed herself to become a fashion editrix icon. She makes runway looks come to life by making it her everyday wardrobe. She can wear any designer and make it her own. I can imagine how big her closet is. She deserves this year's recognition. She is a walking piece of ART.

NICOLE RICHIE'S TAKE ON GRACE KELLY!!!

Nicole Richie deserves only the BEST in the world. After having 2 children with musician Joel Madden,  she decided that it is time to tie the knot. Her favorite formal wear is non other than Marchesa. I love Marchesa. I believe wearing Marchesa to your own wedding date is just MAGICAL. The inspiration of the dress was from Grace Kelly's wedding. Indeed, she the modern bride for this yuletide season. She looked stunning.

PARTYING WITH THE BUTTERFLIES!!!

This past Sunday, I was invited by Tessa Prieto Valdes for her Christmas Holiday Party. The theme was nature. Most of the guests came in floral print shirts, including myself. Everybody had to bring an exchange gift. Queenmelo told me that they were giving away small bunnies. I am not a big fan of little rabbits. I just do not like touching them. One of the guests handed envelopes with live butterflies inside. We all had to release all the butterflies and make some wishes. The party did not stop from there. Rajo Laurel and Malu Gamboa started the singing session. To my surprise, my good friend Anton San Diego sang so well. He sang like a pro. I went to the pool area to smoke. I thought Tessa hired a fire truck to have the rain effect. One of the men told me that it was real rain. At the end of the night, it was a fun party. Thank you Tessa for a magical evening.