Print Delicious: Shop The Singapore Museums

I am a sucker for dessert and unique stationery. I also love a good bargain - which makes these notebooks and wrapping papers from FARM (the online store for the National Museum of Singapore & the Singapore Art Museum) really delectable.  Ranging from S$10 for 3 pieces of wrapper to S$15 for a notebook, I want to line them up in a row on the shelf, give them away and frame the papers as art.  My imaginary shophouse home is bursting with these tasty prints! *wistful sigh*

If you need a further nudge, FARM is offering a apropos 20.11% discount on all orders placed before 12AM on 1 Jan 2011 (GMT+8). Just use the code "HELLO2011" at checkout. Oh and they ship internationally too - Happy Shopping!

'Ang Ku Kueh' (red turtle cake) is a tiny, turtle-shaped glutinous rice flour cake stuffed with bean paste or peanuts. Usually given away for baby's 1st month to symbolize wishes of longevity - how adorable would this motif be for a 1st month party! 

'Peng Kueh' is rice-filled glutinous rice flour cake associated with fertility. Eat the broad "head" of the cake and you'll give birth to a girl; have the "tail" and it'll be a boy. 

Mooncakes need no introduction. The Mid-Autumn Festival here is CRAZY... patisseries outdo each other trying to come up with new flavour concoctions.

Bride on a "Budget"

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No need for this *sigh* but it's comforting to know that one can wear Temperley London on The Big Day for under 800quid.  That may not sound cheap, but retail is over GBP1800 (which in shoptoomuch-speak means no more cash for the shoes... or anything really...)  

I've actually noticed a good number of wedding gowns popping up over Facebook albums with the same dramatic one-shoulder detail.  Whilst whimsical and very Academy Awards Red Carpet 2010, I'm quite sure they cost a pretty penny more than this original.  Plus, if you're into reselling the gown, you're likely to get more for a Temperley, no? 

For the aspiring designer brides, Net-A-Porter's end of season sales are also good hunting grounds for a discount gown. D&G's naughty, My Fair Lady ascot gown is now marked down to just under GBP600. Not that there's anything remotely bizarre about looking to a bunny for fashion inspiration, but Fifi Lapin's got this one on for Christmas Day - how fab!  Now, we'll just pretend Miley hasn't already worn it... just think of it as the reason for the dress' depreciation :)

Let's Remember: Jeanne Lanvin

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As a footnote to my previous post, I should add that one of the highlights of my November trip was an afternoon at the Musee D'Orsay, on Paris' Left Bank.  Nestled among the Degas, Ingress, Van Gogh and Renoir was this portrait of Madam Jeanne Lanvin by Édouard Vuillard.  It was such a warm surprise to be led through the halls to find this: a quiet and elegant classic - much like the design ethos of the House itself.  Though it may not be immediately apparent from this photo of the painting, one of the most striking aspects (for me) were the cloth samples, books and sketches; they were so very vividly detailed in real life. It reaffirmed my dream to have an office space modelled after the Lanvin workspace... plus, The Selby recently did an post on her private library!

I cannot recommend the Musee enough - please visit it on The Left when you're in Paris and don't forget to have some steak tartar at the Musee's Restaurant on the second floor, which gilded interiors and towering windows will make you feel like Marie Antoinette (in Sofia Coppola cool, of course).

Tis the Season of Lanvin

Oh my blog - how I've missed you! Work leading up to (AND during Christmas) was a heavy as the snowfall in Europe. What a disaster on that front! But oh how Lanvin cures all.

After a month of sitting in its pristine wrapper, I finally debuted my Lanvin Happy quilted shoulderbag over the Christmas festivities.  Not that any bag/shoes should ever make your life complete but this practically became my Inception-totem; Everytime work got a little too rough and hectic, I'd run my hands over the hardware, you know, just to make sure I wasn't in a nightmare. Unfortunately, in each instance, I wasn't dreaming.

Thankfully, reality can be sweet - especially when darlings like galpal E are willing to e-stalk this unbelievable gorgeous statement-piece-to-end-all-statement-pieces chandelier necklace from their H&M range!  Whilst I've heard the quality of the dresses still left something to desire, this did not disappoint at all.  For a moment, I briefly contemplated surgically attaching this necklace for all 12-days of Christmas. I lurve it!  Am wondering if I can get away wearing it to a meeting tomorrow... *plot, plot, scheme*

Seriously Marked Down

Mental note: Reed Krakoff goes to 60% off in their further reductions. Their black sharkskin and moss duffle Boxer II tote has dropped an astonishing US$900 (from US$2250!).  I still have my reservations about the Coach-origins of this label, but at that price I'm quite prepared to overlook them *blush*

Unfortunately, I do not stalk my emails 24/7 - contrary to what The Man might believe - and so have clearly missed the last pieces available. Till next year then, Mr Krakoff!

Bringing the Axe Down

Pardon me while I recover from a traumatizingly busy week just past, epic weekend and then (rather inevitably) a nightmare Monday... I yearn for frivolity again!

Water For Elephants: Candy for Friday

I must have watched the gorgeous trailer for Water for Elephants at least a dozen times last night.  Leaving aside Robert Pattinson's brooding, there's plenty to enjoy: 1930s glamour, vintage circus spectacle and Reese Witherspoon possibly making an elephant seem sensous. With trailer HQ screenshots this alluring, the cast (and set) are sure to turn up in a spread in Vogue or Vanity Fair come the April 2011 issue. TGIF everyone!!

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The Day The Music Died

Since getting back from Europe, I've been in a perpetual Celine / Lanvin bubble... so much so that I've been even laxadasical about cam-whoring it for the blog. Just last night, on the long trudge home in a terrible week, I was comforting myself that at least I had two bags that won't be turning up on every toetween/mother/aunt/distant relative (twice removed).

Cue: This morning. Over my humble bowl of muesli, I find the words 'Celine' and local discount website 'Reebonz' in the same email.

Maybe it's just random pieces no one wanted at the last 3 sales?  No such luck.  My heart sank faster than a boulder in a paddle pool when I sighted both the Mini and Large Shopper Tote brandished side by side with... er... BCBG watches... *shudder* 

Far be it for me to wish ill on others, but someone needs to "sort out" the Reebonz crew. I still hold them entirely responsible for the proliferation/deterioration of Balanciaga in Singapore.  Oh hell, I'm going to blame them for the increase in credit card debt amongst teenagers too.  Oh and global warming... Is NO bag sacred anymore?? What a way to start the day.

Hats Off

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I'm having a fashion dilemma - which is fun (in a Veronica Mars I-need-to-solve-something kind of way) but also rather frustrating!  A galpal is tying the knot this Friday and the theme is *breathe*: 'My Fair Lady goes to the Mad Hatter's Tea Party'. You got that?

Short of raiding the Ralph Lauren archives for a piece of his Gossip Girl-favoured "My Fair Lady"-inspired Spring/Summer 2008 collection, I'm strapped to find something appropriate.  I wish the invitation had 'Black Tie' or 'Cocktail Chic' in italics.  It's held at a country club, but it's dinner... so I could do Ascott perfection (fulfilling my Hepburn aspirations), but the gentlemen have been asked to come in colourful bowties!

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At least part of my apprehension stems from the wide-ranging sartorial options that present themselves with themed weddings, let alone one in Singapore.  To begin with, dressing for an evening wedding here is so incredibly unpredictable.  Guests opt for everything from bling & boufants to hobos & hipsters.  This could be the beginning of a trippy evening...

At least I've borrowed a bunch of fascinators from galpal M *phew* but coming up with the right balance between glam & whimsy will be a challenge. [stay tuned]  But, seriously, where is Kenley Collins when you need her??

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You Make Me Wanna

Leave the one I'm with 

Start a new relationship with you

This is what you do

Thinkin iPhone and the things that come along with 

You make me... yes, you make me...

*Galpal A, your buy is divine!!

Never Say Never: Balenciaga

And in an instant, I am just that little bit back in love with Balenciaga. Drat, I just googled 'navy Balenciaga'!  I have no resolve...  I am SO weak.

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Pausing For Thought: Reed Krakoff

I haven't quite worked out how I feel about Reed Krakoff. His Boxer I and Boxer II seem realistic alternatives to The Birkin, but they almost seem tainted by some of the other, er, elsewhere "inspired" designs.  Additionally, I'm not entirely wild about purchasing anything in that price range without having first checked out the quality of the leather and hardware.  

That said, if you are a fan of his duffle grey & black sharkskin Boxer II AND you can get past his Coach-roots, it's a decent 40% OFF online right now!

The Way We Wore

Mid-season breaks are now on so I thought I'd look back on television history.  Is there anything more utterly fabulous than the wardrobe in Gossip Girl (Season 1)?  I don't care who Leighton Meester pissed off, or who Blake Lively is bribing... Season 1 excellence must be reignited! 

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