Update: YSL Chyc Tote Has Arrived!

It's finally HERE... Make way in your closet for the YSL Chyc Cabas Tote which is, to my mild annoyance, already being heralded as the latest bag de jour.  

Walk Run to your nearest YSL boutique for the black and bright blue versions (S$2560 - ouch).  I must confess the black was a tad sombre, but I have high hopes for the the tobacco or dark brown versions which are due to arrive in stores from September.  

In the current economic climate, I realise it's not a modest sum for a bag but this roomy tote - which is surprisingly lightweight when empty [Mulberry Roxanne, I am looking at you!] - will certainly find an evergreen place under your arm as the new, go-to carry everything bag, capable of toting small animals or office files in a single bound.  

{pc: apropos}

Ready for Resort: Rupert Sanderson

Still weaning myself off an intoxicating bag phase, it's been a rare pair of shoes to make to catch my breath.  So to realise these bright, brash "Caribbean meets Kenya" mix of print, saturated hue and texture come from Mr. Minimalism Rupert Sanderson is a surprise - a very good one!  

I usually find myself more drawn to his Fall/Winter work-appropriate styles - he does the most sublime pumps on the planet - but I absolutely cannot resist the Kibo open toe wedges (US$750).  

Nissa platform wedges (US$850) - perilously high, no less desirable

Apart from deciding which to go for - the teal or the hot pink - I've just booked a holiday villa in Bali.  If I hadn't already booked this untimely vacation, I'd probably get both colours and then celebrate by calling the girls over for some homemade mai tais.  If one is not headed to a beach resort, one might as well create an occasion to wear these stunners.  After all, glorious shoes deserve a celebration! 

A selection of Rupert Sanderson's Resort 2012 styles are available for pre-order exclusively on Moda Operandi until 12 August.  For other styles, check out R-A-W Shoes.

Alldressedup Sale: Could, Would, Should?

I knew there was some buried subconscious reason that a particular loose silk tee at alldressedup's sale jumped out at me.  Navy, round neckline with 3/4 taupe sleeves - and 50% off and available in an equally pleasing chocolate/taupe combination.  

Sure enough, when scrolling through La Garconne's new arrivals, the aesthetic dawns on me:  3.1 Phillip Lim.  My retail spider sense has clearly been weakened through lack of use.

Alldressedup's version from their Spring/Summer 2011 line is actually more luxe - full silk rather than the knit vest/silk sleeve combination done at Lim.  It's also only about S$179 after the discount which works out to be a third of the cost for a similar look.  I'm now racking my brain (and retail conscience) whether to attempt asking the store holding the blouse - if it's even still available.  Oh the pain, the pain!

Also available on sale are their black or brown skinny wraparound leather belts that are so classic and perfect for that "wraparound & knot" look - a steal at S$35.70 after 70% off.  I have the brown and I love it to death so this might be a good time to score its sister.

Going Great Lengths

Despite being slightly vertically challenged, I am completely enamoured with the delicate vintage feel of the ankle-length dress.  Yes, it may seem dated to some - but surely an appropriately stellar pair of heels would updated the look immediately (ala Karla)?  Also case in hand - fairly recent red carpet looks from Hailee Steinfeld and the petite (but perfect) Mila Kunis, and on two of my recent favourite formal/bridal looks.  

Is this look only for the willowy slim and celebrity-styled? Or can mere mortels carry the look? 

Hailee in Marchesa at the 2011 Oscars, via JustJared

Alessandra Rich via Net-A-Porter

Mila in Monique Lhuillier at the 2009 Emmys

The much adored Victoria Beckham wedding gown, formerly available at Net-A-Porter

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}

A Sale A Day Keeps The Savings At Bay: Weekend Sales

More crazy bargains abound from today until Sunday, including The Outnet's Clearance 'Flash' Sale and TriBeCa's Bazaar Sale.

With discounts up to 85% on The Outnet and over at TriBeCa up to 90% off on labels such as Matthew Williamson, Elizabeth and James (like the beaded t-shirt - main pic), Markus Lupfer, Alice&Olivia and Current Elliott, my wallet might be best secured by locked away for the next 72 hours.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Current/Elliott distressed boyfriend jeans

For the less faint hearted, The Outnet's sale starts sometime today - 29 July 2011 - so for first dibs on the best bargains, do remember to watch your inbox (or refresh their website constantly, if you're so inclined).  TriBeCa's sale is in Orchard Road so even window shopping in town may prove treacherous and should therefore be avoided entirely :)

TriBeCa 'Crazy' Bazaar

29 July - 2 August

10.30am - 9pm

#02-22 Mandarin Gallery

(New items added daily)

{pc: fashionstake; denimblog}

Baggu-ed, Borrowed... A Steal!

TGIF my lovelies!  Thanks to GOOP, Gwyneth and galpal M, the morning started off right with a spin around the rainbowed lala-land of Baggu for a handful of their hardy, environmentally-friendly bags at 20% off!  The promotion code 'baggugoop' can be used sitewise, which means the navy canvas backpack and fuchsia duck bag on sale are now absolute steals at US$13.20 and US$12 (usually US$28 and US$22), respectively.

Word of warning:  Their selection of regular sized bags have been whittled down to just a handful of colours still available, but you can "cheat" by ordering the 3-set or 5-set with still some savings on the regular prices.  Go forth and shop quick!!

{pc: roadtriptofinland, ihcd and sedoniasedden}

Final Reductions Nightmare

Sometimes too much of a good thing is bad for you.  Such truth when the final curtain call comes on summer sales.

Old faithful Net-A-Porter's international sale draws to a close with some bargains left like this Elizabeth & James navy trench for GBP95 after 79% off - perfectly styled (and priced) for fall!  

La Garconne tips the scales with an additional 15% off sale prices until midnight 11.59pm EST on Sunday 24 July.  Just use the code 'Weekend15'.  If I were in the market for yet another black blazer - not that one could ever have too many - this Proenza Schouler wool-silk one could be mine for US$413 (originally US$1620).  Another season-less sale score would be Repetto mid heels for just US$115.

Over at Rupert Sanderson (read: an evil big green shoebox in which all my savings flow), newsletter subscribers enjoy an extra 20% off sale prices until Wed 29 July with the promotion code 'TwentyBonanza'.   As we speak, I am staring at 3 neutral hued beauties - no doubt the product of subtle brainwashing from observing the Duchess of Cambridge's skin toned shoe tendencies.  With the extra 20% kick, this peeptoe, pump and wedge become vaguely justifiable - as do these art deco strappy wedding heels, which I've been coveting from Chloe Moretz! 

Where do you think my cash would be best spent?

Alive Again

If the inactivity and silence puzzled you, allow me to reassure you that like Jason & the Argonauts, I've faced many a perilous obstacle this past week.  


First, the apartment was deprived of the internet.  Although this may seem trivial in the age of smartphones, my thumbs are too large to deal with navigating hyperlinks for more than a 1/2 hour on my Sony Xperia.  More pertinently, navigating The Outnet's new arrivals is impossibly tedious on their mobile version (wail).


Secondly, I've been resting from some surgery.  I'm not going into any gory details - suffice to say "I'm baaccck" and able to sit & type again! (cheer)


Proper posts to come - stay tuned!  

{pc: Vogue Korea May 2010 c/o tfs}

Juicy & Delicious

Sundays are meant for eggs benedict, lemonade and breaking out the Wayfarers for its weekly main street parade.  It's a positively beautiful day outside - much to the chagrin of my work ethic.  

Instead of wordsmithing and drafting, I want to slice citrus fruits and fashion my own Stella McCartney cake!  Imagine the possibilities: Sliced banana on a chocolate cake in homage to Prada?  Bitter chocolate  buttons on a cream cheese frosting in a Marc Jacob for Louis Vuitton creation?

In the spirit of all things bright and beautiful, I've recently been drawn to Proenza Schouler's Keep All in the de jour mimosa colour.  The SA assured me I could carry it beyond this Spring/Summer, but I was dubious.  How many times had I stood in my room thinking "Oh I wish I had a yellow bag to go with this outfit"? Possibly never...

Bad enough my colleagues have glanced tentatively at my Chanel mimosa toes last dressed down Friday, I don't need another reason to make them question if I'm in the wrong office/profession.  I guess this is one bag which I'll have to put on the "Maybe" list.

{pc: stellamag; apollinas}

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}

Cheap Thrill: ASOS for Work/Play

There really isn't any real excuse for my tardiness in posting *hangs head*  I half expect "blog social services" to swoop in to investigate me for neglect... Forgive me?

At least the shopping urge is back!  I've recently felt the compulsion to add a couple of dresses to my dress down Friday wardrobe.  Too often it's been some variation or another of the breton with blazer look.  Not that there's anything wrong with that (or with this linen blazer with raw exposed lining), but I feel like I'm stuck in a mild style rut.

Perhaps ASOS' Prada-style print dress could inject that jolt of adrenaline to my wardrobe.  While being smart enough during the week with a cardigan, belt and kitten heels, its pricing (GBP50) is thankfully far more Peggy Olsen than Betty Draper.

Alternatively, this wriggle fabulous pencil skirt might likewise do the trick - though perhaps bordering (intentionally?) on that 80's sexy secretary vibe.

Or maybe I should save my cash for my work trip to Hong Kong at the end of the month?  As always, life's full of tough retail decisions.

Remedies To A Long Day

I resent that I'm resoundingly predictable when it comes to coping with stress at the office.  After limping through the door late last night, and instead of having an early night as possible, I found myself itching to renew my vows to the Celine Luggage Shopper Tote. That and shortlisting no less than FOUR pairs of Rupert Sanderson shoes from their online sale, and a couple of Maje dresses over at Net-A-Porter.  

Thankfully I was too exhausted to hit 'Checkout'... [my credit card breathes a sigh of relief]

Covet Covet: Carey with Alexander Wang

I would never have pegged English ingenue Carey Mulligan as an Alexander Wang girl, but here she is in East Village NYC with the burlap Large Emile Tote slung over her vintage print frock.  At once her casual air makes me re-evaluate my initial inclination toward the full-leather grey version.  Mulligan herself is hardly Kylie or Rachel B petite, so perhaps that that variation only works on the extremely statuesque.

The Small Emile Tote is now on sale - 30% off at Shopbop. Still tempted...

{pc: 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.