A Good Bag

I am obsessing on what handbag to buy for Fall/Winter. Summer is easy. Straw/cloth/ canvas bag, flip-flops, cotton dresses, sunscreen and your out the door.  But soon very soon, like yesterday I’ll have to put them all away. So I am relentlessly searching stores and websites for a “Good” bag.  Now a good bag is very different but not exclusive of an “It” bag. An “It” bag donates status, wealth and power.  My friends Moon and Rae Kim came by with matching orange Celine handbags.  Sadly there was fawning and envy from me but not only because it’s an “It” bag but also a “Good” bag. The whole point of a “Good” bag is functionality. A “Good” bag has to carry my wallet, PDA, makeup, nail kit, gym lock, extra shoes, glasses (sunnies and readers), pens, stamps, e-reader, keys, passport, vitamin packs, water, pashmina, toothbrush, snacks, hair brush, pack of scrunchies (lose them all the time), perfume vial and maybe a yoga mat. Also I have to be able to spill coffee or wine on my bag on a weekly basis. Real talk it happens to me all the time. I have to be able to reach in my bag and get what I need but not be so open a mugger can get anything. Frankly zippers are a disaster waiting to happen especially after a manicure. Snaps and buckles on a bag are good but magnets are a joke. My personal preference is a bag without any logos or initials. I agree with Bottega Venetta, “My own initials are enough”. Another great bag. Or Hermes Kelly bag with a discreet logo carried by the ever fashionable Lisa Santiago. I love all the beautiful colors each season. I’ve got no time to be coordinating, color blocking or any other chic jurshing with my outfit (which can be anything to a wrap dress or yoga pants or jeans). My good bag is a workhorse in brown or black. So what’s out there that’s caught my eye.

The Ralph Lauren “Ricky bag, yes please. I covet the Hermes "Birkin" bag. J’adore the Tom Ford's “Petra” bag. The Coach “Madison Caroline” bag is a classic to love. Now I am ready to hit it.

Indian Movie Stars

In “My Horizontal Life” Chelsea Handler chimes, “I don't know what it is about accents that makes me want to get undressed and high-five myself.” Now replace accents with handsome, sexy and talented Indian actors; Shah Rukn Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Naveen Andrews. If these names are not familiar except to their loyal Bollywood and “LOST” fans they should be. Shah Rukn Khan is “The King”of Bollywood. Abhishek Bachchan is Bollywood royalty. Master thespian Naveen Andrews was named as one of People’s 2006' World's Most Beautiful. A definite see "My name is Khan"is a thoughtful film about prejudice after 9/11 starring Shah Rukn Khan. According to Anne Thompson in Indiewire, Shah Rukn Khan’s latest film “Chennai Express” has shattered that film’s box office record. Married to the world’s most beautiful woman, Abhishek Bachchan is part mogul, action star and hip hop artist. Abhishek’s father Bollywood legend Amitabh was in Baz Luhrman ‘s “The Great Gatsby” remake starring Leonardo DiCaprio. I hope we won’t have to wait as long for Abhishek to make his Hollywood debut. I predict Abhishek Bachchan will be the new George Clooney. We all love Naveen Andrews as Sayid from “LOST”. But it’s been too long since he’s had a leading man role in a love story as memorable as “The English Patient” with Juliette Binoche. Perfectly cast Naveen’s in the new film, “Diana” as surgeon Doctor Hasnat Khan who was Princess Diana’s great love.

OK Hollywood let’s look at it from a monetary standpoint. The global cultural market is too huge to ignore.  Deadline has been on watch for showbiz in India cross over. Citing stats from MovieMojo.com, Times of India has ranked “Chennai Express” #13 at the U.S. Box Office. Starring these talented actors in mainstream films will make it rain at the box office.