03 February 2015

La BĂȘte et Sa Rose

Look there she goes that girl is so peculiar
I wonder if she's feeling well
With a dreamy, far-off look
And her nose stuck in a book
What a puzzle to the rest of us is Belle
- Belle

What's with French boys and their roses? I just realized that a pretty rose was central in both the Little Prince's and the Beast's stories. Sorry, even this tiny detail amazes me! So there, I used 'The Beast and His Rose' for my title.

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Top: Zara | Brooch: H&M | Skirt: Collab MNL (loved it too much, Ver!) | Shoes: Michael Antonio | Watch: Anne Klein

I wasn't supposed to watch Beauty and the Beast because I was trying to save my parents from spending some more on me this month (I watched it on the 31st January. The post before this happened on the same day) after covering all the expenses brought in by my birthday celebrations and because my musical buddy is currently in Australia with my cousins (Hello Lala!). But then at the last minute, the thought of not seeing this production in person saddened me. So I made the abrupt decision to pester my Mom into buying me a seat, even if I'd have to watch alone. Thankfully I have a very cool, very supportive, very reasonable, very open-minded, very kind, very beautiful Mom. More than buying me a ticket of my desired seat, she willingly accompanied me as well. (Hahahahaha you are super, Mommy!)

As my life has been altered once
It can change again
Build higher walls around me
Change every lock and key
Nothing lasts, nothing holds
All of me
- Home

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Don't believe me? Ask the dishes
They can sing, they can dance
After all, Miss, this is France
And a dinner here is never second best
Go on, unfold your menu
Take a glance and then you'll
Be our guest
Oui, our guest
Be our guest!
- Be Our Guest

Disney musical productions are more difficult to pull off because there's already a material to be compared to. Disney has always set the bar so high that imitation is highly undesirable. So who else can top off a Disney movie? Why, Disney of course! Have I mentioned that in all the interviews I've been to, both in school and possible work, I've always given Disney as my dream corporation to work for? I digress. I can't help singing along all the familiar songs because surely, anyone who's watched the Beauty and the Beast film would know parts, if not the entirety, of the songs. Even the dialogues were too familiar that I can spout them off. ("If it's not baroque, don't fix it") These were clear attempts to show how faithful to the movie the musical production is. As for the costumes, they were terrific! I'm particularly happy with Madame de la Grande Bouche's dress (Yes, the Wardrobe has been finally given a name in this version). All in all, I believe the production is a perfect showcase of what Disney has always stood for: an overall overwhelming experience that doesn't sacrifice any aspect of a good story.

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It's not because I'm vain (although really, how can anyone who has a blog all about herself not be vain right?) that of all the characters in the musical, my favorite is Adam Dietlein's Gaston. He's just so funny and unapologetically obsessed with himself that I can't help but believe he is indeed God's gift to women. He's a narcissist down to his core. I'm all about seeing a character respond to a catalyst that will change the way he looks at certain things but sometimes, a character is already so perfect that he doesn't need changes anymore. He's already in his optimum. Such is the case for Gaston. I deliberately didn't include lyrics from any of his songs because choosing only a few lines wouldn't do justice to his greatness. When he starts wooing Belle through his perfectly titled song "Me" which goes along the lines of "we shall be a perfect pair rather like my thighs", I can't figure why a sensible ambitious girl like Belle would turn down a he-man such as Gaston when she knows that "no one's slick as Gaston, no one's quick as Gaston, no one's neck's as incredibly thick as Gaston's". Gosh Belle, you're made of steel to not positively respond to the sweetest proposal I've ever heard. "On occasion, women can have their uses too; mainly to extend the family tree. Pumpkin, extend with me!" If his "Me" song wasn't enough to unfasten your resolve, how could you have still said No after hearing Gaston and the townspeople's uplifting "Gaston"? A he-man "built 6 foot 4" with special talents like expectorating (an inspiring talent if I must say so) who has two songs all dedicated to himself wants you for his wife. Okay fine, maybe he has faults too (very minimal though!) but even if "he plans to persecute harmless crackpots" (like, say, Belle's father himself) and admits to taking "cheap shots", isn't it enough that he has "biceps to spare"? Hahahhahahahaaha. Kidding aside, Gaston in the musical is just as villainous as in the movie's. Only, he's the type of villain whose stupidity and narcissism are endearing. Bad actions should not be rewarded, I know, but points for consistency I guess?

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Can you just imagine how much more perfect Gaston would have been to me had I seen Hugh Jackman's performance? I would willingly pay for another ticket just to see Gaston again.
from For the Love of Broadway Musicals

Long ago I should have seen
All the things I could have been
Careless and unthinking, I moved onward 
- If I Can't Love Her

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Beast: I never knew books could do that
Belle: Do what?
Beast: Take me away from this place
Make me forget for a little while
- Something There

I intentionally wore blue and white since they're the colors in Belle's town dress. The brooch was more symbolic rather than an ornamental piece as well. To represent the Beast's rose, I wore the only flower brooch I have. Probably the only article I donned that was inconsistent of Belle's outfit was my pair of shoes. I should've worn black but hey it didn't look as complementary to my outfit as my blue ones. Oh no, I'm not a mental dresser who always injects symbolisms in what she's wearing. I'm just desperately salvaging my image after admitting to liking Gaston. Haha! Anyway, I'm so jealous of the kids who were seated near us. Some were wearing fur capes like what Belle was wearing! I wish I have the same guts to wear mine as well in public. (There goes the usual shallow babble).

When I'm human again
Only human again
When the world once more make sense
I'll unwind for a change
- Human Again

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Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly
Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast
- Beauty and the Beast

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01 February 2015

I Know What We're Going to Do Today!

Whoever thought they'll eventually outgrow their fixation on children shows should un-think this resolution. It's impossible. Probably they may lessen their daily serving because the show has finished its run or because they do not approve of the new changes or their schedule doesn't allow them to catch the shows on TV  but one day, when they stumble upon remnants of it, they will immediately fall back into its claws once more. I know so because even though I'm already in my early twenties, I have to have a fix of Phineas and Ferb.

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Dress: River Island | Shoes: Mango | Flower headband: Forever21 | Necklace: Ever New (thanks S!)

My cousin Jesse (Isabella's nickname is Jesse because she's born on December 25th) flew all the way from Australia to Manila to celebrate her first birthday with her family and relatives here. That is, after she celebrated plenty of times back home. (Tsk tsk. Kids these days are dethroning me in my birthday-associated spendthrift ways Hahahaha) Her party here was held in One Corporate Centre function room which the management, headed by one of my mom's best friends Tita Weng, decorated very appropriately. Hence, I couldn't stop from gushing about my admiration for the well-detailed party. I was wearing a floral headband when I entered the room which proved to be a wise choice since there were lots of accessories to choose from to be in one with the theme. One of which is the array of floral headbands and hair ties.

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with cousin Jesse and her mom, Tita Imee

I've been watching Phineas and Ferb since I was in High School. I was gripped the moment Phineas reasoned, "The Stone Age was once the future, as was the Middle Ages. Creativity and inventions never end!" The word play in the dialogues, the tactful insults, and the musical productions (oh where do I even begin with the beautiful and melodious musical productions?!!) - I'm in awe of all of them. As Baljeet said in one episode, 'it is gratifyingly erudite.' I figured, it would've been a really fun life if you're surrounded by people whom you can constantly exchange witty remarks with.

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Weeks ago, I was in Disneyland with my family, grandmom, and my cousins and their family. I successfully convinced myself to not buy anything from the stores save for gifts to give for my goddaughters Paris and Martina but along the way, I saw this Perry the Platypus hat. It's non-negotiable, I had to have it! (Oh yeah, remember this place from this POST?)

On that note, hearing news about Phineas and Ferb's new look is making me anxious but definitely in the most positive way!


video source

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Trust my words, this won't be the last time I'll post about Phineas and Ferb and their friends. I would've written more but I'm in a hurry. I only have 30 minutes to change and dress up for tonight's Beauty and the Beast show! I can go there wearing this outfit but I've prepared a more suitable Belle outfit. The shallow person in me is grinning Hahaha Ta-ta for now!

Title's Phineas' famous line.
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