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}

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)

Today I Eat, Tomorrow I Shop: Weekend Sales

Club 21's May Madness is back from 29 April to 2 May for Club 21 cardmembers - but this time it's 10% off any 2 items, and 15% off for 3 or more items. 

Unfortunately, a big fat sticker on the reverse of the pre-printed postcard clarifies that the promotion is not valid for Comme des Garcons Pocket, on CDG Play or Black products, or Balenciaga bags and small leather goods. Right - so that basically scrapped most of the shopping list which ran through my head when I first sighted the card.

I might still pop by Tsumori Chisato (cute little scarf, you are mine!) especially since the Inhabit Bazaar Sale is happening in town too - Alexander Wang and Phillip Lim at up to 90% off may be too good a bargain to pass on.

And to top it off, The Link is offering 30-50% off selected items at Bagbar, The Paragon. I scored a gorgeous leather cuff there during their last clearance sale, so I'm hoping the trip into town will be fruitful.

Disaster Movie: Celine on Reebonz (Again)

{source}

After the tragic fate that befell Balenciaga and the motorcycle bag, the writing was on the wall for Celine after their first appearance on local discount (read: installment plan) website Reebonz.  

Is it just me that uses Reebonz as a barometer of when a brand/bag might have hit its saturation point in Singapore?  Add to the fact their prices aren't really discounts; they're often still pricier or match the full retail price in Europe.  I guess the appeal is the ever available installment plan, which contradicts the point of these beauties  being aspirational luxury. 

{fashionising}

Nowadays, apparently Celine Shopper Totes sell out on their site over lunchtime and galpal J reports at least 4 in Raffles Place plus another handful in her office building.  I haven't noticed a similar proliferation in my area but then I might be living in denial *wail* 

My only consolation is the fortuitous availability of the limited edition envelope style.  It may not have the same curves, but baby it's mine (just mine)!

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.

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.

{pc: stockholmstreetstyle}

Actress Off Duty

I might have developed an mild fascination with observing several actress' off-duty looks. The less they look like they've been touched with a stylist's hand, the more I'm intrigued with what clothing or bag they'll turn up in. It's not necessarily about "following" their style - it's more of a healthy dose of self-confidence when you realise you're dressed like Rachel Bilson :)

Then again, there are moments of true actress-envy: witness Clemence's single-handed ability to entice me back into Balenciaga motorcycle bags. If there was a Facebook group endorsing slinging your City strap over the shoulder - hereinafter 'Clemence-style'- instead of having the handle hooked on your inner arm, sign me up!

{pc: tfs}

Return to Sender: Balenciaga Messenger

I very much want to continue to like Balenciaga, but bags like this make it rather excruciating to. I'm even grasping to find a derisive but witty way to convey how underwhelmed I feel about their attempt at a messenger. Perhaps a memo fell on the design teams' lap demanding they apply the motorcycle style to a satchel/messenger to meet the Alexa effect? Oh I give up - I think the word is 'MEH'. Available at Farfetch.

Weekend Summer Chic: Bensimon, Bags & Brunch

Sometimes the humidity is unbearable, other times the rain pelts down punishingly. Screwball weather notwithstanding, it's Sundays like yesterday that make me thankful for living in the tropics. I want it to be the weekend forever! Maybe if I could wear floral sundresses and Bensimon shoes everyday then the grind would be ever so much more tolerable?

In the spirit of curing Monday blues, cue: completely random and unabashedly gratuitous shot of brunchmates - my beloved Ps1 with cousin C's rare indulgence of a City, which for all my personal reservations about the style at the moment, was truly rather stunning... possibly due to the large covered hardware.

{Bensimon via Red Glasses; Love You Baby; Marie Claire}

Chloe Paraty vs. Balenciaga City

So rich a red, so much less prolific right now than the Balenciaga City, so low is the Euro... could the universe be instigating me trade-in my poupre City for the burgundy Paraty from Chloe's Fall Winter 2010 collection (now available for pre-order at Luisaviaroma)?

Don't get me wrong - I love my City, but is it cheating or buyer's regret when my heart sinks a nano-fraction every time a trashy tween or heartland "auntie" strolls past with their Balenciaga? The City is evidently becoming the new LV Speedy!

Sigh... I would trade-in (and trade-up) if I could, but I should save my any shopping for the next 2 quarters for London - a year's end trip which certainly take more than a handful of posts to properly capture.

{pc: Chloe; Bag That Style}

The Currency of Temptation

Notwithstanding Bagsnob's recent dressing down of the City, I am this close to selling my Mulberry A4 Tote for another Balenciaga.  It doesn't help that Koodos was giving away the City!  I Lie... though at GBP550 (on the current exchange rate) they might as well have... (Temptation c/o Stockholm Street Style)

The Universe Is Having a Laugh

"In the magical universe there are no coincidences and there are no accidents. Nothing happens unless someone wills it to happen." - William S. Burroughs

I'm back from my Chinese New Year sojourn in Malaysia and knee-deep in my Lenten shopping ban! Plus the best bargains in the Outnet's weekend 'party dress' shop-in are already gone (boo).

But that's far from the coincidence that came to mind. Just yesterday, cousin C jetsetted off for her long awaited annual holiday whilst wistfully bemoaned the end of same, as it would mean severe post-holiday retail restraint. The only possible exception? An Anthracite Balenciaga City bag, which usually gets snapped up as quickly as a $1 beer in a sports bar.

Cue: HGbag's latest email update and the Universe having a laugh.

I feel like I should bring this serendipitous listing to her attention, but I wouldn't want to send her on a retail rampage if it were to be sold by the time she clicks the link. Decisions, decisions.

Balenciaga: Is the Coast Clear?

Did you survive Reebonz's Balenciaga 12noon pop-up sale last week?  The 40% discount was particularly alluring, but I resisted and then proceeded to give my Poupre City a little stroke (or two) at 12.15pm when everything had sold out.  

Now all I need to do it exorcise dreams of a GSH Pom or a GGH City/Work; the latter in black so, really, I'm beyond unfulfilled dreams and in the realm of questing The Holy Grail. Thank goodness Lent is round the corner to assist. Resist! Resist. Resist?

Pourpre: The Colour of Desire

Took the Balenciaga out on Orchard Road over the weekend - I love the City!  As moaned about previously, I am experiencing some weight issues at the moment so only bag / none-body pics for now.  Needless to say, I was rather distressed when the following shot managed to make my wrists look fat :(  

Breaking The Bank (Breaking The Ban)

I'm having one of those weeks where works absolutely killing me. I'm positive my woeful state is in no small part due to the fact that I had, comparatively, a glorious weekend away. Needless to say, the post holiday glow is gone.

Cue: Balenciaga. These bags certainly can't make me stop loathing work, but (my goodness) it IS making me feel better already. I cannot convey how tempting it is to bump the Alexa down on the wish list in favour of my inaugural First/City!