Shopping Fatigue (Or at least I'd like to think so)

I think I have shopping fatigue. I kind of binged in the days before Christmas and right after New Year's (just when I had all these resolutions to be wiser financially and all that), but hey, I bought sensibly. Really, I did. (Or at least I'd like to think so.)

And now, as it happens occasionally, I have shopping fatigue. Which comes at a good time. New collections are coming in, and all the Christmas-themed displays and the blaring post-Christmas sale signs are starting to get replaced by fresh new campaigns and it's just so tempting to give in to that urge to buy more things. But honestly, I can't even be bothered to go in and have a look. I'm just too tired. And truth be told, I'm keeping myself busy so I don't have time to wander around the shops.

I did some banking during lunch today and passed by quite a few stores. Tiffany & Co. was calling out my name but I snubbed her. A few paces later though, I looked back and gave her that I-will-be-back look. :D

Look what I got in the mail ...

... in my email, that is. Hehe.

This is how the jacket looks like, close up. Kaloka! Damage: 299.00 AUD. (not bad for a leather jacket!) I trooped to the store straight away to have a closer look. Buttery soft leather in a yummy tan colour, with that leather scent. How can you resist?!?!

(Photos from Sportsgirl)

This can't come at a better timing because I've been obsessing about leather jackets for a while now. However, my shopping conscience tells me I have absolutely no right to make a single purchase that's more than 200 AUD given my latest purchases (inc. the bag) and the fact that we are moving house which means I have way too many gastos.

The solution? LAY-BY. :)

By definition, a lay-by is a convenient and inexpensive way of buying goods. It is offered by many traders and is an alternative to using credit cards or store cards. With a lay-by there are no credit charges to be paid. However, the consumer doesn’t receive the goods straight away. Consumers select the items they wish to buy and enter into an agreement with the trader to pay a deposit and the remainder of the cost in regular instalments. When the goods are completely paid for, the trader gives them to the consumer.

(Definition from here)

Not all stores offer lay-by. Needless to say, the premium designer stores don't do it. Layby terms and conditions also vary. Cancellation comes with a fee, and the layby period is anywhere from 6 weeks to months.

In Tagalog, this is our pa-hulugan. Yun lang nga, in Pinas you can only do "hulugan" with the alaheras and the byaheras who sell stuff sourced from Bangkok or Hongkong or the US factory outlets. Imagine being able to get a hulugan from Rustan's - what will you go for? La Perla? Juicy Couture? Betsey Johnson? Jimmy Choo? :D

I know I can charge the jacket straight to my credit card, but it makes more sense to delay it for a few more weeks. First of all, it's still summer in Australia so I won't be needing another leather jacket in my closet soon. And second, this way I have "secured" a very popular item (before it sells out) and still manage to be within my " shopping limits" for the month.

Kaya salamat na lang at may lay-by. :)

Best in Vest

Try saying that really fast several times.

I've always loved vests for their preppy look and the geeky chic factor. They're also very practical cos you can wear them across seasons (you just have to change what you wear them with), plus you can wear them in so many different ways - glam it up, dress it down.


I'm over knit vests though so I have been on the lookout for a good quality black vest that won't break the bank. Finally found a great one from Aussie local brand, Witchery. It looks really neatly done, and the lining is fabulous: white and blue striped satin!

(Pic from Witchery site)

For a casual look, it's nice with jeans + white top (a tee or a tank) + maybe a funky necklace. Like this ensemble on Ellen Pompeo.

For work, a business shirt would work just as fine. Personally, I'd wear it with black slim pants + business shirt + heels. I like how Charlize Theron's worked hers.

Too bad I'm working from home today so I can't work it! Ha! There'll be next week anyway. ;)

To Mini or Not To Mini?

I have always believed in the style/fashion rule that mini-skirts should not be allowed for women over 30. (Unless you are Uma Thurman or Elle McPherson.) And for selfish reasons: I have stumpy legs. Yes, even before I turned 30.

I tried on this outfit a few nights ago, thinking it might be an exception to the rule. After all, with leggings and knee-high boots, I'm hardly exposing my logs. (No, that's not a typo.) However, there is still that niggling doubt whether I can pull off a mini or not - given my tender age and that fashion rule.

And yes, I know, it's summer and I'm already trialing on autumn/winter clothes. It's not that I want summer to be over. The only real reason is that I scored some great gray leggings on sale in Kookai the other day, and I wanted to try them on with my Witchery 3-way boots that night.

So anyway, please do tell me: AM I TOO OLD FOR THIS LOOK? Be honest!

What I'm wearing here:

- Valleygirl mustard yellow bomber jacket (you wont believe how much I paid for this. It's one of my best bargains ever!)
- Express white tee (from Greenhills tiangge, this is the perfect white tee at 250 PHP)
- Topshop knit narrow scarf
- Sportsgirl grey denim mini
- Kookai gray ribbed leggings
- Witchery black leather boots

Anna and I

I've always loved shoes in the shades of camel/tan/nude/bone. At the moment, I have round-toe wedge pumps in bone colour, two pairs of pointy stilletos in camel, and a pair of black patent nude flats. None in mid-heels though, which is the most practical heel height. So when I saw this pair in Mollini, I had to buy it.

(shoes marked down from 138 AUD to 88 AUD)

... which reminds me of Anna Wintour's favourite shoes at some point. (I remember she was always photographed wearing those shoes all the time. Can't say I blame her though.)

I'm gonna wear these with my Oz Summer work wardrobe. ;)

2008's First Splurge

Today is the day I gave in to LV.

I finally went to the store today because I thought there was a correlation between my getting sick again and me not buying the bag when I was supposed to (two weeks ago). So at the slightest sign that I have recovered from my throat infection, I went to the LV store because I don't want to be sick anymore.

In there, I chose among:

Monogram Speedy 30

Speedy 35 (the biggest Speedy)

Monogram Neverfull GM (the biggest Neverfull)

Speedy 30 was the first one to be culled out because I thought he was too small. (Hahaha, freaky ba using "he" when referring to a bag? Well, Louis kasi. So "he".) Next to the two other bags, he seemed like a midget and I am no fan of small bags.

I had a tough choice between the Final Two. I liked the versatility of the Neverfull, he's a very good "city bag" and can fit work documents and would make a good travel bag also. The Speedy, on the other hand is, like I said, very iconic, a classic that even Zoe loves, and for that, he's a perfect choice for one's first LV.

I got out of the store with my Speedy 35 and I felt so healthy I can run a marathon even in my wedge heels.

:o)

LV Bandwagon: To Jump In or Run Away?

I've been contemplating for a loooooong time about getting my first Louis Vuitton. Somehow, even if I'd have the money, I still never got around to getting one.

At some point, I was so keen on getting my first LV after learning about the brand's history and the craftsmanship involved in the stuff they do (particularly the bags), that I went to the Sydney store to put my name on the waiting list for a Monogram Manhattan GM. After 3 weeks, I got a call from the store saying "my" bag has arrived, but I completely chickened out.

For my first LV, it makes perfect sense for me to go for the original Monogram Canvas line. I know it's the most copied, most overdone print - real or not - but I figured my first LV might as well be the iconic print, and in one of the most iconic shapes: the Speedy.

(Image from eLuxury.com)

For Christmas 07, I decided I'd take the plunge and buy this bag but the LV store sold out. They - again - put my name on their reservation list so that when the Speedy's arrive, I get notified. I got a call right after New Year's, but I found myself rationalising why I should not get this bag - my Christmas holiday expenses are way too high, I have travel plans, etc, etc. On the contrary, I planned one too many outfits around this bag, thinking I'd be getting it once it becomes available.

Obviously I still can't make up my mind.

There are so many other nice designer bags out there, I know that. Fabulous ones that are just as tempting, even without any logos splashed all over them. But admittedly, I haven't found one that comes with a history as rich as LV's.

The funny thing is, I think the fact that I'm blogging about it tells you and me something: that I haven't quite stopped thinking about this bag yet. So maybe instead of losing precious hours of sleep, I should just sleep right now, get up bright and early tomorrow, go to the LV store and get "my" bag?!?! Sounds like a good idea, yeah?

P.S. What do you think?

(The truth is, what I really want is a Chanel bag. No, make that Chanel bags: from the classic 2.55 to the Cambon to the Cabas to the 2.55 Reissue. I'd like to think that is more me. I can't however, justify the cost of this bag. I would feel insanely guilty about spending that much on a bag and until I have ridiculously excessive disposable income or I became a multi-millionaire overnight, I don't think I can step into the Chanel territory.)

Start of Something New

I thought I'd create a separate blog where I could pour out all my thoughts/wishes/ideas/opinions/reviews on anything that is style- and beauty-related. After all, I spend a considerable amount of time and even money on these things, and by "considerable", I mean not ridiculously *huge* amounts of money and time. I may be branded a shopaholic by many, but hey, I have progressed from an impulsive shopaholic to a not-so-impulsive one. (HA! You didn't think I'd do a complete 180-degree turn, did you?)

So here I'll share my shopping reports, current shopping obsession, lust-haves, stuff I've seen and either loved or made me go "WTF?!?!", skincare or makeup that I've used - what works and the C.W.O.T.A.M. (Complete Waste of Time and Money), bargains I've scored, and even purchases that I might need a second opinion on. After all, isn't that what girl friends do? (Well, we do consult guys every now and then, but we know how that often goes.)