The Luxe Chronicles

Ab Fab For Alexis Bittar? Well Why Not Sweetie?!

I love that rather than enlisting a celebrity to front her ad campaign, New York-based accessories designer Alexis Bittar has chosen the beloved Ab Fab characters "Edie" and "Patsy" in all their obnoxious, politically incorrect, drunken fabulousness to do the job. I love the statement it makes about the Alexis Bittar brand even more: Humour. Most brands have too little of it. Kudos to you for taking the risk Ms. Bittar!

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Here's To You Facebook Users!

To all those Facebook users out there (especially women who drive 62% of activity on the site) who freely share links, stream music, read the news, play virtual games, click on Facebook’s “like” buttons, express political views, meticulously update your relationship status, upload family pictures and other deeply personal information about yourselves, congratulations! You are about to collectively make Facebook, its founder Mark Zuckerberg, his early investors and key executives of his company very wealthy. Or, more accurately, you're about to make them wealthier still.

Top Ten Reasons Why Madonna Remains The Undisputed Queen Of Pop!

If the untimely demise of Michael Jackson cemented his title as the King of Pop, then Madonna's Super Bowl extravaganza this past weekend cemented her title as the Queen of Pop. At 53, and in just under 13 minutes, she managed to wipe away any doubts as to her ability to reign supreme over the fickle, sexist and ageist industry that is pop music. Here are the top ten reasons why she deserves our respect.

Change Is Good But ...

I think I'll just stand still for a little while.

I often hear the expression "change is good for you." While I agree with this sentiment (in principle), I feel strongly that a caveat is required. I would add that change is good for you in a "whatever doesn't kill you will make you stronger" kind of way and as far as I'm concerned, I've embraced just about all the change I can take for a while.

Bonjour Paris!!

Well, today is the day I begin my new life in Paris. In actual fact, I will be splitting my time between London and Paris but my primary residence will be in Paris which I believe makes me a proper Parisienne (in heart if not quite in style).

All I Want For Christmas This Year ...

Dear Readers:

The world seems like an increasingly harsh place right now. The holidays are going to be painful for a great many people as Western economies continue to stagnate and austerity measures begin to bite in earnest. To be honest, I'm finding it rather difficult to enjoy my good fortune when there is so much misery around me. This year, as you prepare to spend the Christmas holidays warm and safe amongst friends and loved ones, please have a kind thought or prayer for those less fortunate. Better yet, make a contribution to your favorite charity. It doesn't matter what worthy cause you ultimately choose to give to or the size of your contribution so much as the act of giving itself. I wish you all a merry Christmas and all the very best for the new year ahead. Don't forget to count your blessings.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

I Just Don't Get It.

Am I a little conflicted about moving to a country that would elect as "Woman of the Year" Anne Sinclair, wife of disgraced IMF head and serial sleezeball Dominique Strauss-Kahn, for standing by her man over Christine Lagarde, the woman who took over his post at the IMF? Hell yes. I foresee many socially awkward moments in my future.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Time To Come Clean ...

Bonjour Paris!

It's finally time to come clean with you dear readers. As you may have noticed over the past few weeks, I haven't had a lot of time to dedicate to The Luxe Chronicles and it shows. My postings have been sporadic and in some instances rather brief. For this I offer you my most sincere apology. The truth is that I'm about to uproot myself once again and the process has been rather overwhelming at times.

Digital Privacy: The 'David v. Goliath' Effect.

Are you tracking me?

The belief that the steady erosion of our online privacy is the inevitable by-product of digital progress is probably one of the biggest obstacles to protecting our privacy. It undermines efforts to educate end users about the perils of privacy erosion by suggesting that there is little anyone, including lawmakers, can actually do to stop it. In actual fact, privacy erosion is neither inevitable nor irreversible (at least not entirely).

Social Media: Re-Living History One Tweet At A Time.

I must admit, while I don't love all social media platforms, I do have a particular affection for Twitter. Beyond it's accessibility and ease of use, I especially love how it enables you to become a witness to events unfolding half a world away. Whether the Arab Spring or the community clean-up efforts following last August's riots across London, Twitter allows you to engage and take part, either actively as participants or passively as witnesses, in events as they take place.