Impulse Buy? Alexander Wang's Daria bag

Hello!! Am back from my annual trip back to Malaysia and am right on time for The Outnet's Tuesday update! Top of the list is Alexander Wang's Daria bag which I've been of two minds about.  It's less classic and more casual than M's favourite LV - but at 50% off (now £327.66), it's a tempting alternative, no?

I've always had an issue with the feel of the leather used by Wang for the Rocco bag - it felt too rugged and (gasp) even a little cheap. But the Daria doesn't seem to be plagued by the same symptoms.  I must be getting more circumspect in my purchases if I'm deliberating a full leather, all-purpose, black bag... Fastest fingers first? 

(Chinese) New Year Resolution: Stalk Uniqlo x Jil Sander

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With the weather as dreary as it is these days, it's a relief to know that Uniqlo will be launching their latest +J collection online first!  You can shop the +J Spring/Summer collection 2011 in your pajamas or (for me) on the move after hijacking my sister's smartphone at UNIQLO.com from 1am on Wednesday 3 February 2011 (GMT).  That's 9am tomorrow for us in Singapore!


I don't suppose it's inauspicious to buy a crisp white shirtdress or a black coatdress? You will be mine! 

*Galpal M, you know what to do with your iPad :) 

Chance Find: Beatrix Ong on the Cheap

Sorry for being such a recluse for the last week (or so), the manic office has drained me of all that is frivolous and cheerful.  But talk about an awakening!  An unboring pair of classic Beatrix Ong pumps for only £75 (usually £260) and in almost a full range of sizes across 3-colourways.  Oh if only I wasn't on a shoe ban...   

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Killing Me Softly: Jil Sander @ Club 21 Collectibles

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Whomever at Club 21 first thought of drawing their Bazaar Sale out over a month is devious, brilliant and deserves a major raise.  Navigating (away) from sales are tough enough, but forcing me to attempt to avoid early Orchard Road is just impossible.  Let alone the wonderous possibilities of Jil Sander at (hopefully) +j...  So I've thrown in the towel and decided to head down there with galpal M tomorrow after work... needless to say, the pre-condition is that I'm leaving all my credit cards at home.  Here's hoping there's safety in numbers! 

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The Original: Bill Cunningham New York

Decades before Schuman, Rodic and Ton or even the concept of a blogger, there was Bill Cunningham.  Wheeling his way around New York and showing the world what who wore when, everyone else is just chasing a shadow.  We certainly have Vogue and (The) Anna to thank - without the commercial success of The September Issue, I doubt we would have the opportunity to peer into the lives of Cunningham or Sassoon.  Someone needs to make sure they screen it here!

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Transformation Complete: Rooney Mara is Lisbeth Salander

No matter what Ms Lively's publicists tell us, Blake's glassy junkie still bore the self-awareness of a Upper East Side socialite.  The Social Network's Rooney Mara, on the other hand, has plunged into her latest role as Lisbeth Salander for the remake of The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo with the fearlessness of a skydiving nudist.  If this W photoshoot is anything to go by, it will be a rare joy to find this Hollywood remake more compelling than the Swedish original. 

Planning Ahead: Uniqlo +j Spring/Summer 2011

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I'm quite comfortable being marginalised as part of the miniscule minority who kinda loved Tilda Swinton's choice of Jil Sander for yesterday's Golden Globes.  It was the androgynous answer (well, more than a decade later) to Sharon Stone's Gap-shirt-at-Oscars moment.  Although she frequently ends up on the Worst Dressed Lists, it is undeniable that she is one of the most intriguing dressers in Hollywood.  

Needless to say, I was thrilled to notice that a certain white shirtdress from Uniqlo x Jil Sander's latest +j range is a footnote to Sander's runway (now Golden Globes) look.  Can't wait to try this on at the shops - one for a crisp all-white look to take me through the year! 

Drag Me Back To Hell: Dries Van Noten @ Club21 Collectibles

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So I browsed the Marni sale and emerged unscathed (70-80% off notwithstanding).  But now the shops are back to tempt me with Dries Van Noten at up to 80% off!  Club21 has clearly decided that these dignified Collectibles pop-ups are the way to go instead of the hot, sweaty mess of a Bazaar Sale.  And who am I to complain? See you there after work tomorrow! xx

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Want. Need. CELINE Pre-Fall 2011

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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.

Paved with Good Intentions: MARNI @ Club21 Collectibles

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Just what I needed, more sale news right up my alley.  If it's any consolation, the discounts at Club21's Marni sale are only for womenswear.  Still, this might include a Chinese New Year appropriate floral skirt or the odd bejewelled collar that I missed out on at a sale a year ago (and on Net-A-Porter).  Hmm... is a lunchtime hopover to Forum Shopping Mall due?

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Say It Ain't So: Gossip Girl

I just have to put it out there: if The Powers that Be hook up Blair and Dan, I might be forced to excommunicate this show.  Maybe they're just taunting us by releasing stills of the pair randomly sitting on the floor of magazine publisher (Dan, in fashion, really...?) or chatting whilst in cocktail dress.

 

Bl-an? Da-ir? Ugh - Pass the brain bleach, s'il vous plaît... The mere prospect of this trainwreck has forced me to take dire measures. Cue: Blake Lively (you know how I "adore" her) showing skin. Stat! 

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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! 

New Year, New Look: Leighton Meester

Good Morning, Singapore-islanders! What would the first Friday of the new year be without some Gossip Girl?  Whilst Blake Lively is cosying up with the Kaiser and all set to charm the credit cards off teens around the world, I'm looking to Leighton Meester's renewed sense of style at the People's Choice Awards. She may adore pushing the boundaries, but she really does look her best when dressed more 'Blair'. Keep it up my dear - looking forward to the Vera Wang campaign! xoxo 

p/s: if Blair were ever to have a cousin/sister emerge from the womb/grave/West Side/Europe (who really knows on this show), Minka Kelly would make an excellent addition to the cast! 

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Go, Sure Buy: Blackjack Bazaar

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It's been 15 years and many a wistful/fruitful shopping trip - at least the curtain is coming down in style from 7-9 January 2011 for Club21's Blackjack boutique.  I'm now wrestling with my shopping conscience - the prospects of McQ by Alexander McQueen, Helmut Lang, Tsumori Chisato, Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair and Twenty8Twelve at up to 80% off may be too much for my TGIF-soul to bear! 

Fear of Finances & Self-Loathing in Singapore

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Just when I've decided that this year I'm going to shop (a little) less, Club 21b aka. the store formerly known as Blackjack has decided to start welcoming worshippers at Forum The Shopping Mall from mid January 2011.  What this means to me is quite simple: Theyskens' Theory. In Singapore. Where/when can I start the queue...?

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