Window Shopping: Marni x H&M

I must confess this has been an excruciating post to write. But there really isn't anything else to say apart from 'Behold: Marni x H&M. Cue: Apprehension'.

Ahead of the scrum on Thursday morning, the local H&M has helpfully filled their Orchard Road window with a selection of the collaborative offerings.  From what I could see (through the window pane, while avoiding the glare of security), I was mildly disappointed and wasn't entirely convinced of the quality of the silk dresses or the shoes/bags.

On the other hand, the bracelets were as a whole rather good value - two-toned just like actual Marni. A word of caution on the accessories: the white plastic used for the necklaces didn't look as expensive as the black. 

Also, the leaf necklace, despite its dreamy Lanvin-esque diamonte accents, still left me hankering for an actual Marni as the green variation had a distinct cellophane look to it from swopping flat translucent plastic for the shell usually used for the originals. Maybe graduated-tone plastic would have more successfully achieved true "luxe-for-less".

Which brings me back to my original dilemma - are the design, quality and price overnight queue-worthy? Or am I better off continuing my periodic expeditions to Club21's clearance sales to find original Marni bargains? 

A Surprising Find: Le Labo on Sale!

I've very recently realised that downtown Erin Wasson wannabe haunt Need Supply carries candles by the New York cult fragrance brand Le Labo. 

More pertinently, these handpoured candles are currently on sale - US$45.99 (down from US$60), and with the code 'EXTRA25' you'll receive a further 25% off (US$34.50 which is almost 40% of its RRP).  This also more or less makes them half the price of what their usual pricing in Singapore. 

 

There's no way my conscience would allow bulk buying to make up the US$250 needed to enjoy free shipping to these shores (though I am so tempted to, really), so the savings will be diminished by some shipping costs. Still a very good deal though. 

Scents (still) available: Calone 17 ; Pin 12 ; Petit Grain ; Fig 15

{pc: wrinkleintime; needsupply}

Defenceless: Net-A-Porter Final Reductions

Oh how I wish I was a foot taller (and several pounds lighter) and endowed with the guts to don this gorgeous Thakoon column gown as a contemporary wedding choice. I imagine a Anna Vyalitsyna rocking it or this Theksen's Theory slip down the aisle one day.  As I type this, Guy M squints dismissively at the dresses... clearly even with the mention of Anna V or the prospect of a £125 wedding gown fail to convince him.

After taking an eternity to hit final reductions, it seems like items are going in a flash. If only there wasn't a wedding to plan & renovations to save for, I would be all over this evergreen black Chloe (now £650.91 after 50% off).  Especially since it does bear some resemblance to the unattainable LV.

Here are some other gentle suggestions (grin):

 3.1 Phillip Lim dress (now £80 after a whopping 80% discount)

 Croc embossed Mulberry iPad sleeve anyone? (at £87.50 - it's a steal)

All Chained, All Gained: Fiona Paxton on Sale

Forgive the inactivity, I'm back from a week in Bali paradise!  

After years of lusting after a Fiona Paxton necklace, I couldn't resist when The Outnet offered this gunmetal chainmail stunner at an astonishing 55% off.  

These pretty much never go on sale at Quintessential (the local Paxton outpost) so as much I was hellbent on saving for the wedding I just had to get this.  It proved to be the perfect travel accessory - transforming simple jersey dresses & tees into an outfit worthy of beach club sundown cocktails.  The chainmail had a admirable weight - enough for the tubular mesh to drape properly rather than merely flop and collapse. This style is also far less bohemian than Paxton's previously de jour bead & chain pieces.  Get the gunmetal or gold (below) while they're still available; the rest of Outnet's selection is decidedly less timeless. 

Random aside: Is anyone else now unable to read the word 'paradise' without hearing Chris Martin & gang's melodical drawl?  TGI-No Longer Monday!

Cheap Thrill: Markus Lupfer

Is it too early to start shopping for the gals' Christmas gifts?  Each of them are such critical shoppers, I'm usually inclined to buy them something fun or handmade which they wouldn't usually get for themselves.  Markus Lupfer's alphabet pins are all kinds of collegiate glam perfect - which has *ahem* nothing to do at all with Net-A-Porter styling them with the evergreen breton top, jeans and blazer combination. 

If you're handy with a needle, you could try fashioning these with spare felt & sequins - which might well be the only option available to me since all my initials are already sold out!

'S' for ShopTooMuch, perhaps?

Products of an Old School

For the past year, I've functioned without a "proper" camera.  Opting to snap at whim with my Sony Ericsson Xperia, it's been a tedious waiting game for Canon's S95 successor to launch *drop that price darn it*  Considering I have a blog going (some of the time, anyway), Guy M is convinced I have my priorities thoroughly muddled.  

Trust handmade leather accessories to be the tipping point for me - especially after spending a Spetember morning enthralled by Hermes' Festival des Metiers.  It brought me back to happy days in William Street, Sydney, where I diligently cut patterns, pleated leather and harnessed the sewing machine in the name of local cordwainer pride. 

Closer to home, the charm of cottage industry is precisely why the collaboration between Tiong Bahru babies Nana and Bird and the equally Singaporean J.Myers Company has all the natural earthiness you'd expect of bespoke merchandise.  The decision to keep the camera strap (S$150) untreated shouts out to the most famous untreated leather handles, but also promises a sentimentality that could only come from naturally aging a strap through years of globetrotting.  Cue: Garance ambitions. 

Also catching my eye is the Conway cuff (S$85) - their less-adorned take on Balenciaga wrap bracelet, which may be a more practical badge of honour if you're as keen to support these local artisans as I am.

{pc: nanaandbird; jmyer on fb}

The Box #1

{source}

It may be almost a whole year into the Arty ring craze but when a thoughtful galpal (and Yves Saint Laurent) gifts the Arty as a belated birthday present, who am I to refuse?  I'm glad this addition to my YSL accessories collection isn't one of the oft-imitated coral or turquoise variations which have pretty much worked its way down to Forever21 level.  Receiving this just before my Hong Kong trip reignited my shopping thirst - which isn't necessarily a bad thing because I feel like the world's most laxidasical shopping blogger.  More on my Hong Kong trip in posts to come...

In the meanwhile, who's seen 'I Don't Know How She Does It'?  I'm on the fence with that one - I already know Sarah Jessica Parker totes an Alexa everywhere in that film, and that girl could (just about) sell me a fanny pack.

Go, Sure Buy: Uniqlo +J vs. Club21 Accessories

When it rains, it pours.  New York and London may have their fashion night out, but over here it's just mulling over how to best spend an hour(ish) at lunchtime today.  It's a fashion face-off between the final Uniqlo +J range and Club 21's cheeky prep-school named 'ACS' Accessories Clearance Sale.

Maybe it's queue fatigue - I refuse, on principle, to queue to get into H&M on a weekday (yes, there are still queues in the evening) - but I'm slightly loathe to attempt the Club 21 sale after braving their Bazaar not so long ago. Still though, the siren call of Marni accessories at 60-80% off beckons rather persuasively.

On the other hand, having planned my possible plan of attack, I have one key item I'm eyeing from the +J range - more black long sleeved tees which during Fall 2010 were so well cut that people constantly asked if I'd lost weight when I donned it.  Permanent diet in a tee?  I'm there!

Which will you be going for?

Uniqlo +J

Only available at 313@Somerset

Club 21 'Accessories Clearance Sale'

01-28/29 Forum

9 to 11 September 2011

10.30am to 7.30pm 

(6pm on Sunday)

{pc: onesixtynotepad; club21; uniqlo}

Truth or Blair: Jennifer Behr Sample Sale

The defining Gossip Girl fashion trend has to be the ignition of the headband frenzy during Season 1 & 2, until it was summarily dismissed in Season 3 (the college season) and by Dan Humphrey no less.  It's perhaps timely and telling then that Jennifer Behr is now having a sample sale to clear out remnants of those preppier days of yore.  

Discounts range from a decent 40% to an excellent 70%.  So while it may be a tad late for Gossip Girl aspirational dressing, it's far from late for brides-to-be looking for an alternative to the 'obnoxiously aspirational' princess tiara. 

Smokey crystal braid, now US$162 (50% off)

Sailors knot headband in navy & taupe, now US$86 (50% off)

Oversized orchid silk hairband in snow white, now US$187 (50% off)

{pc: brooklynbride; sophiescloset; celebrityheadbands}

Strung/Slung: Ashley Olsen

How do you feel about Ashley Olsen's recent propensity to sling her pearls across her body - like a bag strap?

In the spirit of investigation, I tried this (and failed). So no pics for you.  Still, the experiment was not entirely fruitless - I merely added another illustration of how when it comes to most trends Olsen, few could pull their looks off with equal panache.  Fortunately, I am pleased to report that her Comme des Garcons skirt is a far easier look to wear :)

 {olsensanonymous; tfs}

On The Fence: Further Reductions

The lacklustre Net-A-Porter (International) Sale has left a big scar on my retail horizon - so much so I found myself back at the USA sale site on several days scrolling for sizes and wondering where it all went wrong.  I should have known better - nary a day before the International sale and suddenly half my prized wish list was sold out. Conspiracy? Or just shrewed shoppers purchasing, then returning the items (only to buy them again on sale)?

I'm hardly about to throw the baby out with the bathwater.  In fact, my recent shopping experience with Mr Porter has converted me to The Guy Side for their speedy shipping, gorgeous packaging (hello, embossed ribbon) and personalised gift sticker (all complimentary). Coupled with their truly male approach to sale previews, I'm so crushing on NAP's younger brother right now.  Go check out their further reductions at up to 70% off - including this Marni leather blackberry holder for only GBP22!

Other shops/websites on further reductions now: Luisaviaroma, Club 21 (Lanvin blanc, I die!), Net-A-Porter USA (on final reductions) and Alldressedup.

Not Just For The Boys: Mr Porter Sale Preview

Nothing like warming your credit card like a caramel waffle over a skinny latte.  Mr Porter, Net-A-Porter's male cousin, clearly operates the way men shop: None of these teaser discounts, followed by further reductions... they go straight for the good stuff.  Founding members enjoy a sale preview of 50% off all items (excluding 'wardrobe staples' and 'new arrivals') until 10PM (GMT) tomorrow, 15 June!

What's rather brilliant about the sale is the fact that Mr Porter's merchandise aesthetic is as classic as Net-A-Porter is trendy.  You'll find nothing particularly heinous - instead, Mulberry billfold wallets in classic Chocolate and Black, slate grey Marc by Marc Jacobs messenger or this blue accented Paul Smith belt are available for The Guy (usual £133.33 to Singapore), and taupe Marni iPad case or smartphone sleeve for you... Just use this link!

Other unisex options:

Aubin & Wills merino wool breton scarf (usual £45.83)

Balenciaga Studded Laptop Case (usual £334)

Seasons of Change: Celine Sale

In case you're wondering how to spend your lunchtime/evening, do not go to the Celine sale at Takashimaya S.C.  I mean that genuinely and without any irony.  Over the weekend, when I gently enquired if they'd be participating in the Great Singapore Sale, the SA informed me that clothing & selected accessories were 30-40% off, selected bags were 30% off.

As always, the devil is in the details:  None of the Cabas bags (plain or bi-coloured) are on sale, neither are the leather wallets.  When pressed, this was rationalised on the basis they were 'classic items' - which I personally felt was a dubious response.  They were, admittedly, classic Celine shapes but the colourways were definitely (and mostly) seasonal.  Neon yellow python? Peach with Taupe? Navy with Neon Yellow? I was miffed.

Perplexingly, this applied to their belts too - the same tune was sung and I was reminded that 'classic styles' apparently never go one sale, which was another dubious statement considering I picked up the identical style - a deep red "classic" belt - on a very decent 50% discount last year!

What a change of attitude... I guess Celine has finally hit IT-status in Singapore.  And a sad day it is.

Hello Sunshine: More Kate Spade on Sale!

My neighbourly US contact has returned triumphant with the family's Kate Spade loot from before Lent (which I hear arrived in the biggest box known to man).  Nestled in a Santa-sized sack was mum's (and mine) great white Melinda.

Although my choice was a classic neutral, that shouldn't stop you from injecting some preppy cheer into your weekend.  Bryce Dallas Howard's campaign is so indubitably cheerful, I wouldn't be surprised if park fauna spontaneously animate to the tune of 'That's How You Know' if you stepped out in this Prada SS11-esque skirt.

There's still time to grab your own burst of green grass, sunshine or candy at Kate Spade's 'Friends & Family' promotion online and in-store [c/o the merry shoppers at Madison Avenue Spy] promises an extremely satisfying 25% OFF absolutely everything including sale items *swoon*  Go forth and shop, my darlings!

{source: brycehowardfan; katespade-aholic}