Little Joys in the Midweek

I've shamelessly re-posted this adorable video after falling in love with it over at Black Eiffel.  On the days you need it the most, the universe finds little ways to cheer you. Can you believe it's an advertisement for a language school?

Caution: Endlessly re-running this video will make you want to stroll a market and order a brown paper bag of avacadoes, pick the first macaron from a box of rainbows, daydream on a balcony in a white men's shirt or just smell some warm bread. Oh the life!

Want. Need. CELINE Pre-Fall 2011

{pc: style}

Did I mention that this is meant to be the year I shop less?  Phoebe Philo, O Triumphant Architect of Celine, you will be the death of my credit limit!  Denim duty and leather seem here to stay;  I am already regretting passing on the black leather Maje blouse in Paris (now sold out at NAP) so this heavily discounted Alexander Wang leather trimmed tee might be the practical solution if I still plan buy an apartment next year.

Further Reductions, Further Down the Rabbit Hole

One of the only things worth looking forward to as New Year's Eve rolls past and everyone tries to get back into that "working" mindset is the prospect of bargains at the further reductions.  Personally, none so eagerly anticipated (at least, on my part) than Net-A-Porter's. 

What I adore (read: fear) about their further reductions is that there gorgeous classics abound;  I could build an entirely new wardrobe from the offerings!  If you aren't completely cleaned out by Christmas and are in the mood to pick up something to east the pain of the new year, these are my favourites:

Slouchy charcoal grey suede and SO-Serena van der Woodsen - these Elizabeth & James boots are fantastic for city living (well not in Singapore, but perhaps in a Melbourne winter?).  These also share a brilliant hidden heel design feature with my new favourite and revered label for flats: Lanvin.  I absolutely could not imagine going back to Repetto & normal ballerinas after wearing my Lanvins! So much so I've scooped up the last chocolate, patent leather 36.5s at the further reductions! *sorry ladies*

I had a difficult moment deciding between these olive courts from Marc Jacobs and the Lanvin ballerinas (now £163.83).  Marc's mainline shoes are so much better constructed than the MBMJ ones; I could walk a marathon in my peeptoe flats, which themselves are a bargain still yet to be beat.  Still, the neutral tone is a luscious alternative to the usual brown/black work pumps.  I'd say they're a softer alternative to navy. 

Equally tempting - but far more galpal M than I - were these two Hervé Léger skirts - both at a 70% discount AND in eternally chic black and monochrome black/white!  Oh wait there's more... Check out Maje bargains going at 60-70% off: black silk-chiffon dress (now £40); cotton blend blouse (now £32, but only available in a Medium or Large) and a silk with black lace blouse (now £56).


Keep Calm & Carry on Shopping! 

Parisian Pick-Me-Up

You will not believe the craziness that the Lanvin x H&M collaboration is turning up - the website in the UK was down even before the shopping began! And now eBay is flooded with ridiculously marked up wares... what a bust up! I can't say I'm entirely disappointed - galpal E and I had a VERY productive time with French labels over the last fortnight, including *ahem* actual Lanvin. More on that very soon!

In the meanwhile, I'm consoling myself that the H&M shoes and dresses were apparently more "prom" than "pompe" and I already have this charming souvenir from the land of Maje! 

Parisien knitwear designer Sonia Rykiel is well-known globally for her bright, fun sweaters (and more recently, for her H&M tie-up) but those have always been all too Rainbow Brite on me.  You can imagine then my elation in finding a bale of wool knit at her concession at Printemps - the bale's sold by the metre and in done in an annual, unique, stripe combination! Imagine have a stack of striped scarves from each trip to Paris? Tres bien, no? I literally felt like a kid on Christmas Day watching them measure and cut the scarf out... the feel-good factor to this buy is immeasurable! In fact, I highly recommend this as a joyful alternative to the cookie-cutter Hermes/Longchamp gift if you're shopping for a gift from Paris for a girlfriend!

Mad about Maje

Being styled like Clemence Poesy has just become a little easier - if you're in a country with Maje anyway :) Brainchild of Judith Milgrom, this label has its humble roots in the Saint Germain area of Paris and is an effortless way to achieve a look that cosmopolitan, modern French chic. Although Net-A-Porter has signed the label on and Harrods has a concession, the London mecca is their King's Road boutique. I must have spent an hour trying on various pieces there...

This season, loads of pieces have leather detailing which, by the way, I am OBSESSED with right now. Although justifying the practicality of select pieces home in Singapore frustratingly eludes me (camel leather dress, I'm looking at you!), I've opted for a practical, snug fit wool blazer with leather trim on the pockets. The leather adds some edge to the corporate dress code, don't you think? All the better with Harrod's 10% off weekend that just passed. I've already earmarked even more pieces to check out this weekend when me and Ez hit Paris... now just to earmark the funds too :)

{pc: boutique shots from maje facebook}