ASUC Elections 2010

The ASUC elections are about to get into full swing as voting approaches April 6-8. So as you are walking down Sproul the next two weeks, make sure to look your best because there will be many people to impress. Plus, everyone wants your vote, so you will be guaranteed a few compliments from the eager candidates and campaign managers. If you think Sproul is crazy on a normal school day, think again. ASUC elections are a whole new level of chalk, hand bills, and poster boards.

Here’s a brief scoop on the ASUC executive slate for each party. The four executive positions are President, Executive Vice President (EVP), External Affairs Vice President (EAVP), and Academic Affairs Vice President (AAVP). Remember, you don’t have to vote for the whole slate. Just vote for each candidate individually. You will also be voting for Student Advocate and Senate; there are 84 students running for Senate, so choose carefully.

From left: Noah Stern, Nanxi Liu, Bundit Kertbundit, and Yoori Chung. Photograph courtesy of Student Action.

Student Action has selected a stylish bunch for their 2009-2010 executive slate. Noah Stern, a current ASUC Senator and the Student Action candidate for President, can often be seen in a snazzy button down shirt or stylish sweater. Nanxi Liu, the EVP candidate, always dresses the part. I tend to see Bundit Kertbundit, who is running for EAVP, in my economics class decked out in a suit, which is pretty sweet if you ask me. And Yoori Chung, candidate for AAVP, has a great smile, which perfectly complements any outfit. Fashionably, it seems you can’t go wrong with these four!

From left: Ricardo Gomez, Lean Deleon, Viola Tang, and Eunice Kwon. Photograph courtesy of CalSERVE.

CalSERVE is the other major ASUC party at Cal and has a highly experienced executive slate up for election this year. Eunice Kwon, a current ASUC Senator, is the CalSERVE candidate for President and looks quite stylish in a blazer. Lean Deleon, also a current ASUC Senator, is running for EVP and rocks his long locks. I am loving the tie on Ricardo Gomez, the candidate for EAVP. Viola Tang, another ASUC Senator, is running for AAVP and looks simply stunning in green.

From left: Rebecca Power, Max Ebert, Chad Kunert, Brett Hallahan, and Sarah Jeong. Photograph courtesy of The Daily Californian.

SQUELCH! provides the humor in the ASUC elections. With Chad Kunert for President, Brett Hallahan for EVP, Max Ebert for EAVP, Sarah Jeong for AAVP, and Emily Carlton, current ASUC Senator, for Student Advocate, there is sure to be a plethora of jokes and laughs. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

From left: Maria Belman, Talya Hezi, and Jonathon Brooks. Photograph courtesy of The Daily Californian.

DAAP, which stands for Defend Affirmative Action Party, are fighting for civil rights. The DAAP candidates are Talya Hezi for president, Maria Belman for EAVP, Damien Anderson for AAVP, and Jonathon Brooks for Student Advocate. The four are also all running for Senate. If elected, DAAP plans to take a more active role in student’s advocacy efforts. Jonathon, who is in my Theater class, recently acted in the school production of Slaughter City and was fantastic.

From left: Jessica Smith, Mandy Cohen, and Shane Boyle. Photograph courtesy of The Daily Californian.

The UCMeP, or UC Movement for Efficient Privatization, executive slate is made up of Berkeley grad students. It seems that Mandy Cohen, who is running for president, Shane Boyle for EVP, Brandon Woolf for EAVP, Jessica Smith for AAVP, and Daniel Marcus for Student Advocate, are trying to give SQUELCH! a run for their money. It appears there is no limit for jokes in the ASUC election.

Chris "FRO" Franco is one of several Independent candidates running for an ASUC position.

But the fun does not stop there, many students also run as Independent. These Independent candidates do not associate themselves with any party and therefore can vote and act freely if elected, instead of basing their decisions off of party standards. For President as Independent we have Josh “Abolish the ASUC” Weil. Running for EVP is current ASUC Senator Chris “FRO” Franco, who is easily recognized by this fro. Rebecca “MAX EBERT SUCKS” Power is running for EAVP. And for Student Advocate there are three students running independently; Kurt "Innovative Design" Pham, Kelly "Endorsed By CS and SA" Fabian, and Arezu Aghaseyedjavadi. Additionally, ten students are running for Senate as Independent.

Now that you know a little bit about the different parties and who is running for the executive positions, you should vote! You can cast your votes from 9:00 AM on April 6th to 11:59 PM on April 8th. You can vote online or at various polling booths around campus. And heads up, if you plan on voting online, you cannot use AirBears.

Also, while the next two weeks of campaigning will be hectic, it’s also lots of fun and there are loads of free stuff. Keep your eyes out for free t-shirts and pins because the DIY projects are limitless! Represent your favorite candidate fashionably as you decorate your backpack and transform a campaign shirt into a masterpiece – I know I will.

Miraya Berke
BARE Reporter

Blogosphere's Week in Review

Images courtesy of Going West, Hel Looks, AsianCajuns, and Garbage Dress.

This week's BWR features vintage street style, minty clothes, and Patti Smith.

• Patti Smith -- style icon? How about amish chic: yay or nay?
• I spy A.F. Vandevorst for Lurve Magazine.
• Enviable blogger outfits from Unconventional Morning, Tripiko, and stylorectic.
• Weekly Street Style Round-up: London and Helsinki.
• Best of the blogosphere: vintage street style, saints and sinners, and minty fresh.

What blog posts did you like this week?

Brittany Curran

Blog Editor

Patterns :: More is More

From left: Balenciaga, Dries Van Noten, and Betsey Johnson embrace pattern-mixing. Images courtesy of Style.com.

I always thought that my animal print shoes went well with my plaid shirt, but did not have the courage to go out in mismatched patterns. However, those fears have left me since pattern play is all the rage this season. Balenciaga and Dries Van Noten flawlessly mix patterns of silky-looking pants and blouses. You can also take this beyond simple patterns and incorporate some textures, as Betsey Johnson does with a floral suit with a ruffled shirt. Still, one may wonder how much is too much. I think the main thing to keep in mind is the colors you are mixing more than the pattern. Make sure to keep it balanced and have fun with this trend!

Danielle Ciappara
BARE Reporter

Bay Area Dogs Gone GaGa

Lady Gaga, is that you?

Those who can't get enough of fashion generally can't get enough of Lady Gaga. Even in Berkeley, Lady Gaga has become a phenomenon that no one can escape. This is why "The Doggie Gaga Project" makes me so happy. Not only do I love fashion and Lady Gaga, but I love puppies (I often am scolded by my friends when I refer to a fully grown Great Dane as "puppy"). The Doggie Gaga Project is the brainchild of San Francisco based photographer Jessie Freidin. His specialty is to photograph dogs and this could not make me any happier. Given access to a pack of Polaroid film and 5 puppies, he photographed some of Gaga's most infamous outfits modeled on dogs.

A new take on a Gaga classic.

This outfit looks familiar. All images courtesy of Jesse Freidin.

There isn't much else to say as the work speaks--barks--for itself, but if you are interested in getting your puppy photographed, contact Freidin through his website.

Jordan Silver
Creative Director

Spring Hair Trend :: The Short Black Haircut

Celebs take on the short 'do. From left: Halle Berry's slightly long pixie crop with long fringe; Victoria Beckham's pixie with short fringe; Rihanna, the queen of both the pixie and all hairstyles. Image sources: 1, 2, 3.

So far I have been telling you all about the long hair styles and trends of Spring 2010 (see exhibits A, B and C). Today's post is dedicated to you girls who already love or want to experiment with short hair. The trend is the short black haircut. Whether it is a pixie crop or a bob with fringe or without, it should be black. I will tell you more about the pixie crop specifically because it's a great look for 2010.

Keep in mind that the pixie cut takes a lot of guts. It looks best with slightly wavy hair on an oval, square or heart-shaped face. Here are some tips for when you make your way over to your hairdresser:

1. Ask for a short, soft and wispy-layered cut.
2. Play with the fringe and remember to have fun with it. Although the pixie crop does not have to sport a short fringe, you can ask for a very short fringe or a longer, side-swept fringe that covers one of your brows.
3. Another fun tip is to shape the hair at the nape of your neck the way you like.

Honestly, there is no good do-it-yourself way for this cut; trust your hairdresser. Style your new 'do the way you like with wax or pomade on dry hair (make sure your hair is dry so it doesn't clump). Then, sculpt it, spike it, and make it funky. Use a little hairspray so that your hair remains in shape.

Ping Sicoravit
BARE Reporter

Recommended Viewing :: Part 2

Image courtesy of FASHIONAIR.

I love my street style blogs as much as the next person, but sometimes staring at pictures all day causes me to forget that the people in the photos can actually talk. Enter FASHIONAIR.com, a fashion and style website that, unlike its fellow compatriots, uses video to give us the full “Oh my god, I feel like I’m there!” experience.

Summary: FASHIONAIR programs range across a wide spectrum of topics, from following industry insiders as they describe their life’s work to decoding the latest runway trends. With over 100 videos, there’s bound to be something that catches your eye.

Highlights: Simon Doonan, Creative Director at Barney’s, talks SNL, Julia Restoin Roitfield declares it’s okay to mix navy and black, and women’s wear designer Thakoon, shows us around his beautiful NYC apartment.

Missed Part 1 of the Recommended Viewing series? No problem. You can catch up here.

Aimee Shimizu
BARE Reporter

SF Street Style :: Vintage Fashion Expo

Image source.

BARE Reporter Polina Polishchuk spent her Sunday exploring the Vintage Fashion Expo in San Francisco's Concourse Exhibition Center. Here are a few vintage lovers that she ran into at the event.

Ladies sifting through vintage jewelry that was only 25 cents each. It was almost impossible to find two matching pairs of earrings!

Stay tuned for more photos from Sunday's Vintage Fashion Expo in San Francisco.

Polina Polishchuk
BARE Reporter

Cal Street Style :: Franco

While lounging on Memorial Glade in the beautiful sunshine of spring break, I spotted Senator Christopher Franco cruising by on his hip specialized Allez bike. Despite the warm temperature, Franco maintains his signature look of a blazer. If you ever notice Franco around campus, you will most likely see him in a blazer, which makes sense because apparently he owns six! Today he matches his black Calvin Klein blazer with an ASUC t-shirt, black jeans, and patent leather slip-ons. The blazer, a classic piece, perfectly compliments Franco's permanent accessory - his fro, which seems to be at its full fluffiness. Who says politicians can't be stylish?

Miraya Berke
BARE Reporter

Blogosphere's Week in Review

Images courtesy of Obsessed with Shoes, Unabashedly Prep, Going West, and Juan Cocco.

This week's BWR features global street style, a yogurt recipe, and vintage Versace.

• It's time to go back to to the basics.
• Save $3: Do-It-Yourself Pinkberry.
• An enviable blogger outfit from Garbage Dress.
• Weekly Shoe Round-up: cheetah wedges, Nicholas Kirkwood Platform Booties, and Miu Miu Platform Heels.
• Weekly Street Style Round-up: Helsinki, London, Moscow, and Atlanta.
• Best of the blogosphere: equestrian chic, Pierrepont Hicks S/S 2010 lookbook, and vintage Versace.

What blog posts did you like this week?

Brittany Curran

Blog Editor

Spring Hair Trend :: The Messy Updo

Since the weather is getting warmer, it's a great time to put your hair in a messy updo. This spring trend has been seen on the runways of many designers, such as at Lanvin.

The messy updo at Lanvin, Spring 2010. Image courtesy of Refinery 29.

This hair style is definitely good if you're having a bad hair day. Even if you're not, you don't need to do anything special to get this look. Just follow these instructions:

1. Shampoo your hair, preferably if it gives your hair a nice shine.
2. Blow dry your hair using a nozzle on the hairdryer. This will make your hair shine to the max! Make sure it's completely dry.
3. Put your hair in a high ponytail.
4. Gently touch your ponytail and use some hairspray.
5. Wind up your ponytail around the crown, forming a puffy bun. Use hair pins to secure it at the base.

That was easy, right? You can also wear your updo lower and also use pretty bobby pins around the base of the pony tail.

Another gorgeous updo, from Chanel's Spring 2010 runway. Image source.

And here's a little toy I have for you. You can now see how the Red Carpet styles will look on you here.

Ping Sicoravit
BARE Reporter

Restaurant Review :: Gather

Gather is located at 2200 Oxford at Allston.

When Gather first opened, I remember walking by, thinking "What an odd name for a restaurant." Now that I've been there, I think it's a great name to describe a place that prides itself on its sustainability and basically "gathers" everything from its organic ingredients from local farms to its recycled decor. It is even a great gathering place for both omnivores and vegetarians to eat since their rotating menu is half vegetarian (with vegan and gluten free options) and half meat and fish.

The eclectic interior features many reused materials, like the netted lights above.

The restaurant found a new use for belts in its seat cushions.

As a person who loves creative reuse, I found the interior inspiring with its seat cushions made from 450 recycled belts and lights made with nets from Thailand. Gather also has an outdoor patio, which opens in April - just in time for the warm spring days.

Baby Escarole Salad with chicken.

The lunch menu featured salads, soups, pizzas, sandwiches, and desserts. Vegan and gluten free items were marked accordingly.

I ordered a Chai Latte and half of a Baby Escarole Salad with chicken (an optional add-on) that was topped with toasted nori, breadcrumbs, and garlic lemon tahini dressing. The breadcrumbs added a crunchy texture and the nori, or seaweed, added a subtle flavor to this unique salad. But what I loved most was actually the grilled chicken that I added, which was tender and flavorful.

Roasted Leg of Lamb sandwich with Split Pea Soup.

My friend ordered a half sandwich with soup combo. The sandwich she ordered was Roasted Leg of Lamb, which had arugula, onion, mint, pesto, and aioli, and Split Pea Soup, which had fried fennel seed and almond cream. The only downside to the combo was that the Split Pea Soup was the only soup on the menu, but since the menu rotates with the seasons, that probably won't always be the case. The presentation was nice and I enjoyed looking at the colorful roasted vegetables that came with her sandwich. I tried some of the sandwich, which was a little hard to do because of the hard bread, and I mostly got a piece of meat that, like the chicken, was tender and flavorful. I also had some of her soup, which was thick and had a very smooth texture.

Sesame, chocolate chip, chocolate walnut, and pumpkin cookies with almond milk horchata.

For dessert, we had vegan "Milk and Cookies," which included sesame, chocolate chip, chocolate walnut, and pumpkin cookies served with almond milk horchata. The horchata tasted spicy from the cinnamon and was great for dipping the cookies in. The assortment was unique and I enjoyed my first pumpkin cookie, which tasted great with the horchata.

Because Gather is committed to offering only organic foods, the menu may be a tad expensive for most college students. But for environmentally-minded students, this is a sure and tasty way to support local and organic farming. Visit Gather at 2200 Oxford Street just across from UC Berkeley for lunch (11am-2pm) or dinner (5-10pm) for a green and unique meal.

Xiaoqian Lim
BARE Reporter

Sparkling Quirkiness :: Swarovski's Alice in Wonderland Jewelry

Swarovski's Alice in Wonderland inspired jewelry line. Images courtesy of Swarovski.

Inspired by Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, Swarovski has designed an entire line of jewelry to commemorate the film. It features pieces inspired by the flower garden, Mad Hatter, tea party, and White Rabbit. Some pieces are silly and fun, like the tea party ones that feature delicious and crystal-accented treats. I was quite nostalgic upon seeing the flower garden pieces, which are wonderfully chic (the flower garden pendant would look amazing with an LBD) yet look like something that could have come out of my kindergarten coloring book. The Red Queen would definitely be “off her head” for her pieces that feature the heart-inside-a-heart design adorned with vibrant red crystals. There is definitely something for every fan who has ever dared to travel down the rabbit hole.

Danielle Ciappara
BARE Reporter

Cal Street Style :: Military-Inspired

I saw this stylish student wearing a military-inspired jacket, textured leggings, and vibrant Betsey Johnson shades in front of Dwinelle. I love how the different trends work so well together.

Danielle Ciappara
BARE Reporter

Blogosphere's Week in Review

Images courtesy of Imelda, calivintage, Unabashedly Prep, and Kingdom of Style.

This week's BWR features jail bird footwear, ravioli boots, and lace nails.

• The sky-high shoes behind Lady Gaga and Beyoncé's "Telephone" music video.
• An enviable blogger outfit from Darling Darling.
• Weekly Street Style Round-up: New York, Paris, Copenhagen, and Helsinki.
• Best of the blogosphere: lace nails, cake rings, and spring wardrobe essentials.
• Weekly What-The-Feege: ravioli boots and zipper-happy boots.

What blog posts did you like this week?

Brittany Curran

Blog Editor

Recommended Viewing :: Part 1

Now that midterm season is finally behind us (at least for a lucky few), we now have a chance to finish knitting that scarf from winter break, read that book from Oprah’s Book Club, clean all that dirty laundry piling up in your room…oh forget it, we all know that once the books are packed up, the only thing we have energy for is watching reruns of Friends. But if you feel that just getting up from your seat in front of the computer requires more effort than you’re willing to give, then here are some fantastic videos which will surely entertain the fashionista in you.

1.) Sundance Channel Full Frontal Fashion + Mademoiselle Agnes


If you've never heard of Mademoiselle Agnes, you’re really missing out. Mademoiselle Agnes is a bonafide fashion star in France, but not in the way Rachel Zoe or Mary Kate Olsen is here in the U.S. Instead, Mademoiselle Agnes combines two seemingly paradoxical positions—investigative journalist and TV personality—to make a winning combination of smart, quirky fashion reporting.

Summary: In this six-part special from the Sundance Channel, Mademoiselle Agnes sets out to find the fresh new crop of designers in the fashion capital of the world, Paris. Will she succeed, or will the Minister of Culture and his army of established fashion houses (Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior) triumph once again?

Highlights: Appearances by Alexander Wang, Alber Elbaz (Lanvin), Phoebe Philo (Celine), Marc Jacobs, and more; Anna Wintour (Vogue US editor) “dissing” Carine Roitfeld (Vogue Paris editor); and of course beautiful, beautiful clothes.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Recommended Viewing series, which is perfect for chasing away the midterm blues.

Aimee Shimizu
BARE Reporter

Talented? Sign Up for Cal's New Talent Database

Are you a talented Cal student? Do you want your work to be discovered and then published in BARE Magazine or any other UC Berkeley publication? If so, you should register for UC Berkeley's new Talent Database.

Here is the down-low: this is a win-win initiative for both Cal students and publications. It gives students who are talented in writing, modeling, photography, layout design and more, a better chance to have their work discovered and published by any of the 50+ publications on campus. While this is a great way for students to build up their portfolios, it also benefits the publications, which are always in need of contributors and new talent. Starting in April, the editors of these publications will have access to the database, allowing them to begin recruiting new talent.

If you're interested, you can either submit your information into the database below or by following this link. It takes no longer than a minute or so to complete.



This initiative is brought to you by the Cal Publications Coalition, a meeting of ASUC-sponsored magazines and journals. Find out more information about the coalition here. Hope to see you in the database!

Doreen Bloch
BARE Magazine Founder

Calling All Vintage Fiends!

Image source.

Indulge in your vintage addiction at the 2010 Vintage Fatshion Expo at the Concourse Exhibition Center in San Francisco on March 20th and 21st.

According to goldstar.com: "The Vintage Fashion Expo features 85 dealers of vintage clothing, accessories and textiles, attracting clotheshorses, fashion designers, costumers, celebrities and fashion editors from all over the globe. Browse a wide range of time periods, from 1850 to 1980, from belle epoque to bell bottom jeans, European classics like Chanel and Schiaparelli, American designs by Bill Blass, Bonnie Cashin and much, much more."

Tickets are only $10, so get yours before they sell out!

Polina Polishchuk

BARE Reporter

Cal Street Style :: Yining and Jenn

This is Yining Chou (left), an American Studies major, and Jenn Kung, a Social Welfare and Psychology major. They were seen outside of Kroeber. I love how Jenn's scarf perfectly accents her dress, and how Yining pulls off my current favorite color combo of blue and cognac leather.

Danielle Ciappara
BARE Reporter

RACE: Are We So Different?

Just one of the many questions asked at the RACE exhibit at the Lawrence Hall of Science.

My journey up to the Lawrence Hall of Science, which sits in the Berkeley Hills just above the Botanical Gardens and our famous Cal Stadium, took me past countless roll-call lines of squealing elementary school kids into a surprisingly intellectual science exhibit. My forays into anything labeled scientific are few and far between but the RACE: Are We So Different? Exhibit makes science personal.

Developed by the American Anthropological Association, RACE presents a view of cultural and ethnic history that allows the viewer to draw their own conclusions about race, how it is defined and how it manifests itself in our everyday lives. From an interactive station prompting the viewer to listen to random voices and assign them to a race (almost all of which I got wrong) to world maps with all types of buttons and lights indicating human migration, the exhibit makes the viewer the subject. Like the recent UCB and UC-wide protests regarding race and misconception, the exhibit certainly emphasizes the importance of thinking about race critically and personally. Here are a few photos of the exhibit:

Decisions, decisions: the exhibit was very interactive. The viewer often became part of the exhibit.

A wall was lined with several photos like the one above.

This is another question posed at the exhibit.

High-blood pressure and racism explored. Photography by the author.

Entry to the museum is free with your handy Cal 1 Card and the exhibit will remain until May 2, 2010. Lawrence Hall of Science is open everyday from 10am to 5pm and even has nightlife activities to satisfy the science nerd in all of you.

Marissa Rosemblat
BARE Reporter

Thrift Store Review :: The Cellar Thrift Shop

The Cellar Thrift Shop is located on the corner of Channing and Dana.

Although the store is small and only open two days a week, it is indeed a real thrift shop with super cheap prices and some really great finds. Located just one block away from Unit 3 and connected to the First Congregational Church, the Cellar Thrift Shop can be easily passed by. Walk down the steps and you will enter a quaint shop filled with knick-knacks, furniture, accessories, clothes, books, and records. Run by volunteers, the shop sells donated items to benefit the outreach work of the church, supporting organizations such as the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant and the UCC Coalition for LGBT concerns for 25 years.

One rack of clothes where you're sure to encounter some interesting finds.

We asked the volunteers if many students shop at Cellar Thrift Shop and they said some, but not too many. This is a surprise considering all the cheap deals: you can find so many items for less than $1. There is a whole selection of belts for 50 cents, records for 50 cents, 10 cent vintage sewing patterns, $1 ties, and books and movies for around 50 or 75 cents. There is even a “special today” 25 cent item table that is very popular. While there are not too many clothes in the shop – only three racks – there is a nice selection of cheap items. Only long dresses and more conservative clothing are available. Outside are piles of free clothes and books, which are added to regularly. So you can go shopping without spending a cent!

Just one of the ways you can save a bundle at this thrift store.

While the store only accepts cash, they offer a great system where customers can put items on hold for a week. So if you find something you love but do not have any cash, just put it on hold and pick it up a week later. They are always looking for more donations, so if you have some old items you do not need anymore and are in the mood of giving, drop them off at the shop. They put out new items on Tuesday and there is always a line of customers on Wednesday mornings before 10am, eager to check out the latest items. If you are a thrifting pro and aren’t afraid to battle a crowd, Wednesday mornings are the time for you to shop. But even if you go on a Saturday afternoon, there will still be many deals awaiting you.

Books range from only 50 to 75 cents. If only textbooks cost the same.

Belts go for only 50 cents; quite a deal. Photography by the authors.

What Miraya liked/disliked most:
- 50 cent belts (I bought two!)
- Awesome purses (I found a sweet $3 vintage handbag)
- The vintage patterns were really cool, if only I could sew…

What Xiaoqian liked/disliked most:
- Cheap accessories
- All proceeds donated to help support various organizations
- Small show selection, but had some good quality vintage heels

The Cellar Thrift Shop is located at 2345 Channing Way, between Dana and Ellsworth. They're open Wednesday 10am – 4pm and Saturday 10am – 2pm.

Miraya Berke & Xiaoqian Lim
BARE Reporters

Film Review :: Everlasting Moments

Image source.

The screening of Jan Troell's Everlasting Moments brought a packed house this past Friday at the Pacific Film Archive. Jan Troell uses his own creative cinematography in order to achieve the setting of the simplicity of Sweden in 1907. With the use of normal sunlight, grainy film, and beautiful nature shots, rural life—though difficult—encompasses the simple things in life: family, love, and creativity. The film is an engaging portal into the life of the main character, Maria, who fights to keep her family together despite an abusive and unfaithful husband and finds relief in the magic of photography.

Image source.

Set in Sweden in 1907, Jan Troell exposes the brutal realities of the time period through his characters in Everlasting Moments. The film is centered around Maria, the mother of seven children and the wife of an incessantly drunk husband, Sigge, who refuses to end his abusive and disheartening habits. Through the daily work of attempting to keep the children fed with the little money Sigge makes working in a coal laboring company, Maria ties her family together even while being beaten by her husband. Because of Sigge's drunken habits, the family is ridiculed by the town and looked down upon by everyone, even children. When Maria is beaten tortuously, she turns to her dying father who advises her to stay since the union of marriage remains intact until the day of death. Because of this she endures being beaten almost to death, raped by her own husband, and cheated on continuously.

Amidst the daily struggles Maria endures, she finds relief in taking photography with a camera she won in the lottery but never used. She attempts to sell it at the local camera shop, but the owner, Mr. Peterson urges her to keep her camera and has a moment of romantic connection in admiring a butterfly in the window. At that point on, Maria is consumed with taking photographs of people in her town, from taking pictures for Christmas, to taking a picture of a little girl on her death bed, to taking pictures of her family. She repeatedly returns to Mr. Peterson's shop and shares innocent moments of love and admiration, exposing the true nature of what love can be, without engaging in adultery herself. In the end, Mr. Peterson moves away in a tear-jerking moment as they say their final goodbyes. Sigge and Maria stay together despite their conflicts and abuse in order to keep their family together and be true to the promise of marriage. As her daughter says in the last line of the film, “Perhaps it was love.” I suppose you’ll have to see the movie in order to find out what Jan Troell really believes is love.

Amaris Montes
BARE Reporter

Movie Street Style :: Alice in Wonderland

I spotted these ladies on my way to the concession stand at the 3D premiere of Alice in Wonderland, which was playing at United Artists theatre on Shattuck.

I love the dedication of these ladies, as they depicted Alice and her classic blue dress.

Parris McKenley
BARE Reporter

The Broach :: The Forgotten Accessory

Add a broach to a cardigan, blazer, or shirt for some extra flair. Images courtesy of Forever 21.

Chunky necklaces and bracelets have always been my never-failing approach to adding some pizazz to any outfit. You can never underestimate the power of five bucks and a trip to Forever 21 for some praise-worthy flair that pops. However, I would like to also shed some light on an age-old trend that has been resurfacing: the broach. Although this trend was thought to be a sure goner after the 1980's, the broach has definitely resisted complete extinction from the fashion-forward. Yet, they are no longer for the top of your button-up’s collar. Broaches can be worn to adorn cardigans, skirts, jackets, and even purses. And for the crafty, you can add a bobby pin to the back or attach it to a headband for some hair flair. You can even stick it to a large bow if you are in real need of some dynamic snazziness. This vibrant little trend often comes to us incognito. I bet that most people already own broaches that are attached to many pieces they have bought and haven’t realized the little bauble’s potential in other facets of their wardrobe. Either that or they simply need to make a little trip to their mother’s or grandmother’s jewelry box. So, go broach it up!

Danielle Ciappara
BARE Reporter

Blogosphere's Week in Review

Images courtesy of Cheap Thrills, I've got a lust for life, fazed-girl, and Juan Cocco.

This week's BWR features gilt brows, James Franco's recent ad campaign, and a new take on the iconic Lennon/Ono Rolling Stone cover.

• You know you're a style/fashion blogger when...
• Introducing James Franco, the new face of Gucci by Gucci Sport fragrances.
• An enviable blogger outfit from I've Got a Lust for Life.
• Best of the blogosphere: Juan Cocco does John Lennon/Yoko Ono, red times two, and marshmallow cupcakes.
• Weekly What-The-Feege: Balenciaga's Fall 2010 shoe collection and gold glitter brows.

What blog posts did you like this week?

Brittany Curran

Blog Editor