Light Trails [Photodump]

What I am loving right now are light trails in photographs. Above was taken at the Anderson Bridge in Singapore. One more after the jump and the day version from the same spot.

Links of London Sweetie Bracelet

Links of London Sweetie Bracelet with a Thistle Charm
Finally caved and bought myself a Links of London Sweetie Bracelet. And since I got it when I was over in Edinburgh, there wasn't a more fitting first charm than the Scotland-exclusive Thistle charm.
More after the jump...

Three Layers and Shivering

 Currently enjoying the cold (and wet!) weather in Edinburgh and the chance to bust out the coats, beanies and boots! Such a refreshing change from Singapore's hot and humid weather.

H&M Opening Day in Singapore

Testing the new Blogger iOS app so posting this through my iPhone. Let's see if this works..

Here's a photo my sister took of the opening day queue at H&M Singapore along Grange Road. There was some vouchers given away to the first 5 and first 200 customers that day so some actually spent the night in queue:

H&M Singapore Opens September 3rd

The wait is almost over! I posted late last year about H&M opening in Singapore and it's now just around the corner. The 3,000 square metre store will be in Orchard Building along Orchard Road (of course!) near 313@Somerset.

Here are some looks in stores now. Don't know if these items will still be available come September but I'm sure you'll find something you'll like. And from the price points I've seen on their billboards and mobile app, some items are definitely affordable. Somewhat similar to what you'll find in other stores in Asia. 

Left: Top $17.90 / Jeans $59.90 / Boots $79.90 / Bag $59.90

Right: Trousers $39.90 / Boots $79.90 / Necklace $14.90

Left: Blazer $79.90 / Shirt $39.90

Right: Skirt $39.90 / Shoes $79.90

While I'm looking forward to H&M's opening on September 3rd, I think I'll avoid the crowd and wait for a couple of days (or weeks?). We'll see. Advance happy shopping everyone!
Images from H&M's mobile app.

The Elle Effect

Currently loving these photos of Elle Fanning in the July 2011 issue of Marie Claire. Photographed by Tesh. More after the jump...

Dolce & Gabbana Slingback Suede Wedge vs Aldo Trentinara

Saw these wedges at Aldo ION a couple of days ago. Just had to take a picture because it reminded me of Dolce & Gabbana's slingback suede wedge platforms.

Dolce & Gabbana

These Aldo's are called Trentinara and retail at SGD199. A bit pricey but definitely more affordable than the D&G.

Skirt Season

Zara Accordion Pleat Skirt | Asos Pleated Maxi Skirt | Mango Skirt Plis Plis

Mango Loose Fit Pleated Skirt | Zara Frill Mini Skirt | Zara Skirt with Tulle Frill


All these lovely skirts in stores this season may be slowly easing me off my dress-buying phase. Loving all the pleats, tulle, frills and the pretty prints on skirts of all lengths.

Although I got myself the Asos black pleated maxi, I still want to check out the Mango or Zara version of pleated skirts. Funny that I haven't seen them in stores here since they seem to be 'available' on their site -- not that the Mango Singapore site has an online shop, they don't.

Some other items I'm loving after the jump...

Imagine, Believe, Namaste

I was supposed to meet a friend for a jog but we got rained in. Boo! Since I had no choice but to stay in, I decided to shoot some things around the house which ended up to be some of my favorite accessories.

I don't buy a lot of accessories but what I do have I absolutely love. The ones above I got from a shop in the Philippines called The Bead Shop -- leather bracelets with words engraved on metal plates and a turquoise bead bracelet with a money tree charm (whatever helps!). More of my favorite bling after the jump...

Céline Boston Tote and Classic Box Bag

The Céline Boston Tote and Céline Classic Box Bag. So pretty.

The Boston Tote wasn't something I liked at first... until I saw it in person. I was in a queue for a cab and the lady in front of me was carrying it. It was lovely. *sigh* 

(Just read on a thread online that it looks like a face: two eyes and the zipper mouth plus the zip tab look like a tongue. The commenter didn't like it but I find it cute for some reason. LOLz.)

The Boston Tote retails at around US$1,800 to US$2,500. Thank heavens it's sold out everywhere? I don't know how much the Classic Box Bag retails for and at this point, I don't think I want to know. ;-)

Update 12 Jan: Removed some photos since the original pages are no longer there. :-(

Images from The Blonde Salad

Inspiration Street Style

The skirt, the bags, the shoes, the coats... what's not to love?

Images from Sartorialist, GaranceDore, CarolinesMode and StreetPeeper

Zazie by Seventy Eight Percent

Zazie by Seventy Eight Percent in Pink/Dark Brown and Yellow/Dark Olive

This pink/dark brown version of this bag caught my eye as I was walking past Cumulus at Wheelock Place, Orchard. The gorgeous pink leather is nice and vibrant against the dark brown canvas and really popped out among the mostly black display of bags at the window.

This bag is called the Zazie made by a company called Seventy Eight Percent. Interestingly enough the Zazie is under their briefcase category. But, according to their website -- "can act as a stylish handbag". Maybe because it was created to be a briefcase, the bag is structured very well and holds its shape without anything inside. The leather flap is made of very soft leather. It also comes with a detachable strap. Here's the write up about the materials from their site:

• Japanese wax coated canvas, produced from Egyptian cotton. It is beautiful, durable and water repellent
• Italian top-quality vegetable-tanned leather. No two skins are alike, giving an expression of individuality and character to each of our briefcases

Other than being pricey, the thing I didn't like about the bag was the fact that the straps were attached at the back (see metal hoops on the yellow/dark olive version pictured above) and not where straps are usually found -- at the sides. You know how it is when the straps are at the back, the bag kind of tips forward when used as a shoulder bag. That's exactly how it looked in the store as it hung from the display.

The Zazie retails at US$325 based from their online shop. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to ask for the local price in Cumulus.

Check out their site for more colors -- comes in a dozen color combinations.

Images from SeventyEightPercent.com

John's Phone

With iPhones, Blackberrys, and all the smartphones we have now, it's hard to remember a mobile phone that didn't do anything but allow you to call.

John's Phone is just that. Like their website says: "It's a no-nonsense mobile phone, it doesn't pretend to be anything more. no bullshit, just a phone to call, talk, and hang up."

Can I just say I love the call and end call buttons? Each model looks to have a different design. Aside from the black (Business), white (Snow), and pink (Sweet) pictured above, it also comes in gold (Bar), brown (Tree), and green (Grass). The back of the phone also has a flap containing an address book and a pen. Don't know about the lack of a screen though, it helps that you can double check the numbers dialed before you actually press call.

Retails €79.95 to €99.95 depending on the model. The phone is designed by John Doe Amsterdam and manufactured in China.

While I don't know if I can make do without the entertainment my iPhone provides (it's very useful when you're stuck in traffic or in a long commute), design-wise it's a pretty cool phone.

(via AfterDrk)

Images from www.johnsphones.com

Sweatshirt Satchel

How adorable is this? It's the sweatshirt version of the Mulberry Alexa. Cute.

Found this bag at a Portuguese site, Amomuito.com. The bag is called "Bolsa de Moletom Cinza" (R$179) which loosely translated means "bag gray sweatshirt". And like the name says, it is made out of sweatshirt material with gold hardware and a floral print interior.

It's not the real Alexa but it's so darn pretty. It would be such a treat carrying this around. I probably won't stop running my hands all over. Might be a headache to keep clean though.

It's currently sold out on the site and can't really figure out if they deliver internationally.

Images from Amomuito.com

Bill Cunningham New York

Looks like an interesting film.

(via Chuvaness.com)

Last Holiday [Photodump]

More after the jump...

Essex Scout by Kate Spade

Kate Spade SS2011 Ad

I was reading Bagaholicboy's blog when I came across this image on his Spring-Summer 2011 Kate Spade Ad Campaign post. At first glance I thought they were using bags from The Cambridge Satchel Company for their ad. But then I thought, Kate Spade does bags so why would they use another brand in their campaign?

Reading through the post more -- those bags are actually Kate Spade bags called Essex Scout. Here's a close up of the smaller version:

Essex Scout in Orange ($395)

You have to admit, it may not look exactly the same but likely inspired by CSC's Satchel?

11" Pink Satchel by The Cambridge Satchel Company (£74.00)

Images from Bagaholicboy.com, KateSpade.com and CambridgeSatchel.co.uk

Longchamp Planètes

Longchamp Planètes, 12" version in black and clay (USD168)

Longchamp's more "famous" line, the Le Pliage is a love-it or hate-it kind of bag. Some of my friends love it while some find it too "shopping-bag" looking. I am definitely for the former. 

I personally love it's simplicity and the fact that it is so lightweight and storable. The weight factor is really the plus for me. With the amount of stuff I lug around all day, I need a bag that doesn't add on more weight to the already shoulder-breaking pounds my stuff totals to. Plus it's weatherproof (... I think), I don't worry if it gets rained on because it dries up quickly and doesn't leave a mark.

Anyway, the Le Pliage's signature look is the brown flap and straps. The Planètes by Longchamp series seems to be a step up. It has the same structure as the Le Pliage but it gives you a tone on tone design -- same color for the body, flap, and straps. 

The Planètes line uses a thicker coated canvas so unlike the Le Pliage, it is not foldable. But, like the Le Pliage, it has 1 main compartment with zipper opening and 1 small pocket on front in the interior.

I fell in love with the all black Planètes when I saw it at a Duty Free shop. And I now regret not buying it because I can't find it any store in the city (buying online is really a last option).

Images from  Longchamp.com