I am still here!

My friend said I haven't been blogging. Having said that, it doesn't mean I stopped shopping.

I got my dream bag (in a few shades darker... Lol) on Valentine's Day. A memorable day indeed.

And a horsey companion too.

Also, a late reveal of my ultraviolet CDC in GHW. What a find!

YSL-ed

Yes, moving a inch away from the orange boxes, I embraced a couple of white boxes recently. But sigh, these things that lusted were not on sale. How can they be so cruel?

I present YSL Tribute and YSL Arty Ring.

Love.

New member to the Shoes Addict Club

I remembered I blogged about shoes obsession sometime back. That was just me. But you know what, I started to discover that obsessive shoe lovers tend to stick together. It's true!

In the female pantheon, the shoe's quasi-magical ability to empower and embolden and very much well-known, and may I add, a reality accepted by the man of the house.

This afternoon I decided to clear the shoes cabinet because of our new purchase, or rather his new purchase.

After sitting in front of the cabinet for a good one hour mentally deciding which pair to keep and which pair to dump, I arrived on a conclusion. I decided to discard or give away all the brand-less shoes while some were simply brand new, bought during my trips, bought on impulse and some did not even fit me! I set aside 12 pairs of shoes. 12! My mum would scream at me for sure, if she read this.

I was used to being allocated to 70% of the shoe cabinet to keep those shoes, now, I was only allocated 50% of the space.

Since when the man of the house need shoes in different designs? I thought the men need only one black shoes for all events? Since when there's a need for colors, style, shopping, dinner, work and whatnot? Well, at least for the man at home, he finally see the differences in the pinnacle of men's footwear.

Just like how he did not fathom the need for me to have various sizes of bags, I could not apprehend the need of having so many shoes when all he need was his walking shoes or sports shoes for work!

A snapshot of the bottom shelf allocation now. His sport shoes not included in the picture.

Oh well, I guess I should not complain too much, men have their rights too, as long as his feet are happy!

His fave brands: Ferragamo, Bally, and Prada.

What's up with life?

ob·ses·sionnoun /əbˈseSHən/ 
obsessions, plural

1.The state of being obsessed with someone or something
- she cared for him with a devotion bordering on obsession

2.An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind
- he was in the grip of an obsession he was powerless to resist

That's me, for now.
I was ensnared by his charm. His humble character. His everything.

I am contented with just two episodes of his drama per night and a cup of warm green tea, to go with the drama.

I am satisifed listening to his songs in the day, while I work in the office.

Love can be this simple. 2101.

Currently on the player - Snow Queen. Repeating this drama. I like him in that hairstyle, and some sadness in his eyes, and a little bit of warmth.



Ignore me for the next 480 days.

That's how much I love Secret Garden

To look for the quotes from the Internet.
The quotes are pretty touching.



“She drives like a car racer. If she witnesses someone’s purse being snatched, someone she’s never met in her life, she’ll throw fists. She has no money and her body is covered in scars, but she doesn’t want to spend even one second of one minute with people like us. She’s that kind of woman. I’ve never seen a woman as cool as her. That… is my answer.” – Joo Won



“There are things that are thought of as fantasies merely because they’re far away. Starry bodies are like that. Just as it is with people who are too beautiful, they readily disappear – In the books that I’d read to find out what he’s really like, this was a passage that had long settled in my heart. It’s now that I realize it, how beautiful a person he is. And therefore, how far away he is from me. He’ll disappear someday, too, like people do when they’re too beautiful.” – Ra-Im

“Where on earth is a woman who’ll jump at the chance to happily and beautifully cultivate a love that’ll just turn to bubbles? Nowhere in the world is there a woman who will start a love, giving up the ending. That’s why we’ll never work. We have no answer.” – Ra-Im

“The thing about women is, the most common of women can become a queen, and the most rarefied woman can become a maid – according to how she is treated by the person she loves.” – Seul

“Do you like decorating trees? I hate it – I hate making a ruckus on anyone’s birthday but my own. But… I thought that you would like it. You only like things that I hate.” – Joo Won



“Since what age did you become so pretty?” – Joo Won

“I’m thinking of doing everything now, including this stupid act of waiting for someone in front of their house so you should do the same. You have no thoughts of becoming the little mermaid, so that’s why I’ll be come the little mermaid instead. I’ll be right next to you as if I am not there and disappear like foam. So right now, I am the one shamelessly hanging on to you.” – Joo Won



“Are you that weak? Even if the distance seems far, run after him. Even if it feels like he isn’t next to you, grab on to him.” – Seul

“All around the world there are 230 countries, and among those people I can speak 5 languages. Nevertheless, I can’t find the exact word to define our relationship.” – Joo Won

“Open your eyes. You did something strange and stole my heart, you made me drink something strange and stole my body, showed up at someone else’s party and stole even my lips. If it wasn’t for that, there is no reason for you to look so pretty in my eyes.” – Joo Won

“From now on, no matter what you do I’ll still like it, no matter what you do I’ll still forgive you, for the sole reason that you’re alive.” – Ra Im

“There are only two types of girls: the type that you marry and the type that you play around with and then break up with. But you’re somewhere in between.” – Joo Won

“It’s not because I love you, but because I only love you. If I don’t have you, then I won’t have any other choices.” – Joo Won

“Being unable to eat and sleep is the basic thing. Waking up in the middle of the night will become a daily routine. Because the one you love has turned into someone else, you also can’t whine to each other for the fear of being scolded by that person. So, you cry by yourself. But what hurts the most is that person doesn’t actually miss me like the way I do. It’s like that person has forgotten about me and is simply being happy alone. All you want to do is die, but you can’t die either… because you’re scared that you won’t see that person again.” – Seul

“Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. This is a mental illness. It is like looking through the wrong end of a pair of binoculars. It is as if you are living in a fantasy world of a fable. This is an interesting and sad syndrome. I’m sure that I have that syndrome. If it’s not it, then why the heck does my every moment with the ordinary girl feel like a fable?” – Joo Won

”If some man tells you that he’s fallen in love with you at first sight, just punch him. It’s just another way of saying that he wants to go to bed with you.” – Joo Won

“Don’t fall in love with another guy. For the rest of your life, live alone and think of me. This is perhaps the most selfish decision I’ve made in my life.” – Joo Won

“You just hang up the phone whenever you feel like it. When I come to find you, you get angry. When I try to buy you food, you get even angrier. Even worse than that, you hit me. You’re a completely strange woman… but that’s exactly the problem. You’re so strange that I find you, puzzling and amazing.” – Joo Won

“You’re really pretty when you’re mad.” – Joo Won

“Do you need more miracles? There was already a miracle. A woman with no decent family background, no money, no good looks, is someone very special to someone who has everything. Isn’t that a miracle? Be honest. When I was clinging on to you, I know you said “go away, disappear”, but inside you were going KYA!!! Right?” – Joo Won

“We still don’t have a single wedding photo. But we live every day, loving and being loved, living a magical life. Maybe being in love is a lot like swapping souls. May your soul have flowers that bloom, a cool breeze, a shining sun, and… once in a while, a magical rain that falls.” – Ra Im

“I hope you’ll see the things I see. You’ll stand at the window where I stand, and lie down in the bed where I lie down, and read the books I read. If we could be together, even in that way… then that’s enough. Let’s think of it as being together. That’s enough for us to consider ourselves as happy as other lovers.” – Joo Won

Gil Ra Im will always be stuck between two different worlds, when I’m done with you, you’ll disappear like foam on the sea.” – Joo Won

The Impromptu Korea Trip

It's always the work that makes me feel stressed out. And decided to do something bersek. Such as blogging at 2:30am.

Booked a flight to Korea an hour ago, extremely inspired after watching Secret Garden, and fell deeply in love again with Hyun Bin.
Flying off 10 days later, without accomodation (for now).

That's how crazy my life can be. Full of surprises and impromptu. I like my life this way, especially I dread planning.

Earlier this year, while on the flight back from Europe, I was already thinking where is our next holiday destination. However, I was told to go to China/HK for two weeks shortly after due to work.

And for the whole few months after the work trip, I was still thinking...

Revisit Bangkok? Bali? Bintan Banyan Tree?

Whatever it is, Korea never make it to my list. For a few reasons.
First, I hate my food cold. Second, I abhor ikan bilis. Third, what is there to buy from Korea?

Not until I watched Secret Garden for the umpteen time.

For those who watched Secret Garden, how can you not fall for Hyun Bin?

Who should I blame? Blame him. He is the root cause of my implusive holiday. I only started watching Secret Garden late last month.



It is this killer smile that changed my mindset and amend Korea to be under the must-visit country category.





If you ask me why I want to go Korea, really, I don't know what to expect.
May there be lots of shopping to do.

Can't wait for the Dec 2012 trip with G, hopefully we can catch a glimpse of Hyun Bin.

Didn't I say to stop at 2?

Its hard to resist a buying temptation. Especially when we are talking about the coveted Hermes Birkin bag? How many fortunate ladies manage to own one? Let alone two?

I admit that I bursted my quota earlier this year with a Goyard and another Hermes. But...

While the Birkin 35 of mine was sent to bag spa, all thanks to the extremely dim-witted construction developer. See what they have done to my precious bag.

Soaked in thick layers of dust.



I was missing it for quite a while now. Its been 8 weeks since she left home, and still no call from Hermes. The craftlady at Hermes must be overwhelmed.

I hope the bag spa is able to do magic on my poor bag.

So, here's another Birkin 30 Blue Jeans to come save the lonely days without Birkin. Got it earlier this week.

As I said, every bag has its own story, however, this hardly has one. Thanks to M, who bought this for me. Although, I paid a much much much higher price for it.

Hello, no. 2.



I am going to keep the Hermes bag I bought in Europe a mystery for the time being. Haven't really use it at all.

By the way, blue seemed to be my favorite color.

Europe Trip: Shopping Madness

Europe trip to me is not just about sightseeing, a good amount of the moolah is spent on you-know-what. I have to admit that Europe has good shopping.

Those who know me, I would add, really well, will know that I am an extravagant shopper. Despite telling myself to buy only one (item of each), I will often end up buying A FEW.

However, if you want me to point out a regret in this trip, it will definitely be the fact that I have no luck with Birkin or Kelly. I was hoping for a number 2!

Back to my shopping spree, a trip to the LaDuree restaurant is de rigueur. Kevin and I had brunch there and we did not forget to bring some back to my colleagues. Alas, I was told that we could only keep the macaroons for three days, so, I had finished up all eight of them!



We bought lots of chocolates, mainly from Switzerland. These chocolates come with free sore throat.


Bought Bally belts for my dad, in-law and Kevin from Italy. I didn't even use my wallet for the first few days in Italy and it was downright depressing! This was the only thing that I bought for the first few days. I couldn't wait to splurge!


Had crazy shopping at the Paris warehouse and Milan. Don't even want to brood on my encounter with the hunks at Abercrombie & Fitch in Milan.



Here comes our hefty purchases...
- 4 pairs of Ferragamo (each of us got 2)
- 1 Goyard bag
- 1 Hermes bag
- 1 Hermes bangle (My Vday Gift from Kev)
- 3 Panerai watches

These days, I am not so much into bags, because I had too many and at one point of time, I thought it was quite pointless because I usually stick to a few bags and the rest were often kept in the shelf. So for a while, I shifted the focus to shoes. And since last year, I bought a pair of Ferragamo, two pairs of Prada (and still intact). With the new addition of two more pairs of Ferragamo to the S family, I think I had enough.

I tell myself I need to alter my collection a bit, to be an "all-rounder" (for the wrong reason). Hereby, I am going to abolish the two bags per year target and amend it to two watches per year. That's my new hobby, which I share with Kevin.

Anyway, after this trip, I fulfilled both, two bags and two watches. All thanks to implusiveness. I was so out of control.


I love my Goyard bag. Because this is something not available in SG.


Kevin and I bought three panerais during this trip. And that means we have four in our collection. We prefer stealth luxury for watches, nothing too eye-catchy, showy, nothing too bling. The PAM 329, which uses the Panerai inhouse movement, was a perfect bday gift from Kevin because he knows that I have to deal with my colleagues in US and the GMT feature certainly comes in handy for me. Thanks to his generosity - the most pricey watch among the three. By the way, Panerai produced only 500 pcs of PAM 329 this year, so well, that explains the hefty price tag. Well, of course, price is not the key concern, even if it is a Swatch, it will still be priceless to me, since it is a gift from Kevin.

I liked my PAM 112 because I have a soft spot for simple watch. I liked the fact that no one can tell that it is an expensive watch, so that I can wear it on almost all occasions and won't feel "over wear" or "under wear". In addition, I love men watch. Despite having a very small wrist, I find watches with huge dial irresistible. Also, Panerai (unlike some of the other popular brands) is not a brand where you can walk to a shop and ask for a model and you will have it. Because some of the models are limited in production, hence, Singapore may not be allocated with the particular model that you are looking for. So, if you ever see a Panerai that you really like, you have to buy it. Serious, this is not an excuse for buying three watches, really.



My PAM 329 comes in metal strap and it was so chunky and cumbersome that I had to go and customize a strap when I returned to SG.

So that was about all of what I purchased during the trip.

At the end of the trip, on the plane, I tell myself that I am going to have bread and water for the rest of the year. And thanks to E, who gave me a Starbucks prepaid card so at least, I am going to enjoy better bread and coffee. Perhaps I should grow some sweet potato on my roof terrace, so at least I can have a change in the bread diet.

His Hefty Purchase

So, now I know. Buying me the Balenciaga bag was just a makeup for deception. Kev bought a new timepiece for himself yesterday. He just could not get a grip on himself and wait for our upcoming Europe trip during Chinese New Year to get his watch.

Nevertheless, may I present the Panerai contemporary range, Luminor Power Reserve PAM 90.

I could not fathom why these expensive watches often come in leather straps instead of steel straps – or whatever you people call it (same for Franck Muller).

And obviously, the gleeful man couldn’t care more about that. With that amount of money spent on this watch, he could actually get himself a decent Rolex or ahem… a lady Rolex with DIAMONDS.

He said he is going to get one for me during our Europe trip, we’ll see. Maybe it is just another excuse for him to splurge.

I am a fervent TVB fan!

I can't believe the number of TVB dramas I have watched since 2000. And not to mention those way before 2000. (I remembered Stephen Chow acting in some early days TVB dramas before 2000.)

In fact, I started on TVB dramas when I was 7-8 years old, thanks to my Mum, who is also an ardent fan of TVB. In fact, the TVB addiction was spread across the entire family clan, no one can be circumvented.

And I think, TVB played an important part in knitting us together as a Family. We circulate DVDs and many often, we have to call different families to 'coordinate' the circulation. There are also times whereby we had to call the 'HQ' to check for availability. During large family gathering, we speak the "TVB language", confab over the dramas we watched yesterday and chuckle over some silly plots (they do have some silly plots once in a while). Because of that, Kevin always says that our family gatherings are always full of laughters and joy.

I still remembered vividly that I succeeded converting a Channel 8 addict into a TVB fan with A Step Into the Past (尋秦記) by Louis Koo. Guess who did I convert?

Kevin.

I managed to convince him for the fact that Channel 8 dramas are mediocre dramas and if one is really look for some kick-ass dramas with 'substance' that should only be TVB and nothing else! And he did, he is a TVB fan since 2001. From then on, he never tune in to Channel 8.

As a fervent TVB fan, I have watched... (I can't imagine I watched this much of dramas over the years!)

(I marked those which I really liked with asterisks.)

2000

When Dreams Come True (夢想成真)
War of the Genders (男親女愛)*
At the Threshold of an Era II (創世紀II天地有情)*
Armed Reaction II (陀槍師姐II)
Return of the Cuckoo (十月初五的月光 (or 澳門街))
The Legendary Four Aces (金裝四大才子)
Street Fighters (廟街•媽•兄弟)
Incurable Traits (醫神華佗)
Crimson Sabre (碧血劍)
Healing Hands II (妙手仁心II)

2001

Reaching Out (美麗人生)
The ICAC Investigators 2000 (廉政追擊)
On the Track or Off (勇往直前)
Armed Reaction III (陀槍師姐III)
Seven Sisters (七姊妹)*
In the Realm of Success (公私戀事多)
Virtues of Harmony (皆大歡喜)
The Awakening Story (婚前昏後)
A Step Into the Past (尋秦記)*
Country Spirit (酒是故鄉醇)

2002

Love is Beautiful (無頭東宮)*
A Herbalist Affair (情牽百子櫃)
Let's Face It (無考不成冤家)
Family Man (絕世好爸)
Legal Entanglement (法網伊人)
A Case of Misadventure (騎呢大狀)
A Trust of a Life Time (情事緝私檔案)*
Burning Flame II (烈火雄心II)
Square Pegs (戇夫成龍)
Golden Faith (流金歲月)*
Take My Word For It (談判專家)*
Love and Again (駁命老公追老婆)

2003

The King of Yesterday and Tomorrow (九五至尊)*
Back to Square One (撲水冤家)
Point of No Return (西關大少)
Witness to a Prosecution II(洗冤錄II)*
Ups and Downs in the Sea of Love (十萬噸情緣)
The 'W' Files (衛斯理)*
Survivor's Law (律政新人王)
Not Just a Pretty Face (美麗在望)
Triumph in the Skies (衝上雲霄)
Riches and Stitches (鳳舞香羅)

2004

Dream of Colours (下一站彩虹)
A Handful of Love (一屋兩家三姓人)
Shine On You (青出於藍)
The Vigilante in the Mask (怪俠一枝梅)
Armed Reaction IV (陀槍師姐IV)
Angels of Mission (無名天使3D)*
To Get Unstuck In Time (隔世追兇)*
To Catch the Uncatchable (棟篤神探)*
War and Beauty (金枝慾孽)*
Split Second (爭分奪秒)*
The Last Breakthrough (天涯俠醫)
Shades of Truth (水滸無間道)

2005
The Prince's Shadow (御用閒人)
Scavengers' Paradise (同撈同煲)
Just Love (老婆大人)
The Gâteau Affairs (情迷黑森林)
Fantasy Hotel (開心賓館)
Hidden Treasures (翻新大少 (or 鴨寮街的金蛋))
The Charm Beneath (胭脂水粉)*
The Herbalist's Manual (本草藥王)
My Family (甜孫爺爺)
Love Bond (心花放)
The Academy (學警雄心)
The Gentle Crackdown (秀才遇著兵)
Wars of In-Laws (我的野蠻奶奶)*
Revolving Doors of Vengeance (酒店風雲)*
Into Thin Air (人間蒸發)*
Life Made Simple (阿旺新傳)
When Rules Turn Loose (識法代言人)
Healing Hands III (妙手仁心III)
Always Ready (隨時候命)

2006
Under the Canopy of Love (天幕下的戀人)
The Biter Bitten (人生馬戲團)
When Rules Turn Loose (識法代言人)
Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion (覆雨翻雲)
A Pillow Case of Mystery (施公奇案)*
Safe Guards (鐵血保鏢)*
Bar Bender (潮爆大狀)
La Femme Desperado (女人唔易做)
Trimming Success (飛短留長父子兵)
Men in Pain (男人之苦)
Maidens' Vow (鳳凰四重奏)*
At Home With Love (樓住有情人)
The Dance of Passion (火舞黃沙)
Forensic Heroes (法證先鋒)*
Love Guaranteed (愛情全保)
Land of Wealth (滙通天下)*
To Grow with Love (肥田囍事)
Dicey Business (賭場風雲)
Face to Fate (布衣神相)
The Price of Greed (千謊百計)*

2007
Welcome to the House (高朋滿座)
Ten Brothers (十兄弟)
A Change of Destiny (天機算)
The Family Link (師奶兵團)
The Green Grass of Home (緣來自有機)
Devil's Disciples (強劍)
Fathers and Sons (爸爸閉翳)
Steps (舞動全城)
Men Don't Cry (奸人堅)*
Word Twisters' Adventures (鐵咀銀牙)*
The Building Blocks of Life (建築有情天)
Dicey Business (賭場風雲)
The Brink of Law (突圍行動)
Life Art (寫意人生)
Heart of Greed (溏心風暴)*
On The First Beat (學警出更)
The Drive of Life (歲月風雲)*
The Ultimate Crime Fighter (通天幹探)*
Survivor's Law II (律政新人王II)

2008
Wars of In-Laws II (野蠻奶奶大戰戈師奶)*
A Journey Called Life (金石良缘)
The Money-Maker Recipe (師奶股神)
When a Dog Loves a Cat (當狗愛上貓)
Your Class or Mine (尖子攻略)
The Four (少年四大名捕)
When Easterly Showers Fall on the Sunny West (東山飄雨西關晴)
Pages of Treasures Click (入黃金屋)
The Gentle Crackdown II (秀才愛上兵)
The Seventh Day (最美麗的第七天)
D.I.E. (古靈精探)*
Catch Me Now (原來愛上賊)*
Forensic Heroes II (法證先鋒II)*
Love Exchange (疑情別戀)*
Moonlight Resonance (溏心風暴之家好月圓)*
Last One Standing (與敵同行)*
The Gem of Life (珠光寶氣)

2009
The Winter Melon Tale (大冬瓜)
Just Love II (老婆大人II)
Sweetness in the Salt (碧血鹽梟)*
You're Hired (絕代商驕)*
Beyond the Realm of Conscience (宮心計)*
A Watchdog's Tale (老友狗狗)
E.U.(學警狙擊)
The King of Snooker (桌球天王)
Rosy Business (巾幗梟雄)*
Burning Flame III (烈火雄心III)
D.I.E. Again (古靈精探B)*

2010
In the Eye of the Beholder (秋香怒點唐伯虎)*
The Season of Fate (五味人生)
My Better Half (老公萬歲)
A Fistful of Stances (鐵馬尋橋)*
Fly with Me (飛女正傳)
The Mysteries of Love (談情說案)* - In progress
Can't Buy Me Love (公主嫁到)* - Accquiring DVD
Cupid Stupid (戀愛星求人)

Now, that adds up to about 140 dramas! Apart from sleeping, I guess I also spent a great amount of time watching dramas!

Next up, a list of dramas watched before 2000. And tell me how many have you watched?

Ensnared by A Fistful of Stances

Here I am jaded and absolutely hooked on to Kevin Cheng and 'A Fistful of Stances' (鐵馬尋橋) slavishly. So much so that I have to remain awake for the midnight series at SCV, whenever I missed the first telecast at 9pm.

TVB series are known for intrigue plots and this story was put together by the same team who worked on 'Rosy Business' (one of my favorite!). 'A Fistful of Stances' was about Kevin Cheng enacted two roles in this series. He was both the father (i.e. the owner of a martial arts training school) and the son. The first episode was already captivating as the poor family underwent lots of casualties; death of the grandparents, father went missing and the young Kevin Cheng was kidnapped and separated from his family members. Many years later, the young Kevin Cheng who was already an adult reunited with his family. He vowed to revenge for his grandparents and his father. And that is also where the excitement begins.

And that is also when my sleepless nights begin. *Yawn*

I am going to search for that DVD from my aunt to end the misery of waiting for one episode after another. And, Kevin Cheng is soooo charming, I can't believe he is already 41?!

Luxurious bags price hike, sting or stipulation?

I heard outcry of many. Hues and cries of those who did not manage to seize the last Chanel bag that bears the former (aka easier on the pocket) price tag in the Paris boutique.
As for whether it is a sting or stipulation? I vote for stipulation. And that is based on my selfish reasons.

Here’s why?

I kept thinking to myself, how wonderful is it to have a Chanel bag on my shoulder and with no one carrying the exact same bag as me when I walk from Wisma to Takashimaya? Fat hope!

It dawn on me that for the past few years, even Pierre, Paul ou Jacques can own a Chanel bag, of course not taking into consideration if the ones they are lugging are the real McCoy. On several occasions, I noticed that there were queues outside the Chanel boutique at Takashimaya, and mind you, they are not subtle queues. So, does that signify that Chanel begins to lose its exclusivity and that the brand eventually degrades itself just like Louis Vuitton or Gucci? I seriously hope the day will not come, but think, wouldn’t you want your bag to be exclusive when you spent $5k and above for it?

As for me, I tell myself that I will not (note that I did not say ‘never’ because ‘never say never’) buy another Chanel bag anymore, because they are way too ordinary. If I need a bag now, I would rather buy a Mulberry or Chloe because they are still tastefully unique at this point of time.

In fact, I was proud of myself that I did not buy any bag (did I miss out any purchase? I don’t think so...) this year despite having a quota of two bags per year.
I am looking forward to a Kelly next year. I am hopeful.

With all due respect to Louis Vuitton or Guicci fans, the above article is based on my personal views. I know some people may feel like kicking me for this article or even plan to assassinate me, call me callow if you want. And yes, some of you may argued that I can go for the limited edition Chanel that cost about $60k and be different from the rest, but ask yourself, is it worth it or not? You don’t need to buy super duper expensive branded bags to stand out from the rest or be different; a coveted Mulberry will just do a clean job for you.

World Cup 2010 - Japan

It is during the half time of Japan vs Denmark match that I decided to blog. Am in a relaxed mood now, because Japan is leading by two goals. TWO WONDERFUL GOALS, may I assert. Free kick goals, one of them by Honda. I have to admit that was the nicest shot ever in this World Cup.

I am always proud of being an Asian and I can blatanly affirmed that I have never attempted to pull off a ABC by yakking queer accents. I know alot of people do that and I can never tolerate that sort of self denial act. Alas, I realized that there is an increasing number of Singaporeans like to speak with certain accents with their limited vocabulary. All I can say is, sorry dearies, speaking with limited vocabulary doesn't qualify you to be a blonde or bring you to a different status. You are only degrading yourself and displaying your low self esteem as someone who refused to accept who you are. Sad and pathetic isn't it?

Back to the topic of football, I support Asia teams, by and large. Because I hope for the world to see that football is NOT a game that is strictly dominated by the Westerns, and Asians, given the disadvantage in termss of their height, size and experience are still able to perform and score better than the English league or international players. And as I always remember, undisputingly, football was first invented by the Chinese back in China, and hence, all the more, we, Asians must display to the world that we can tackle a ball just as well as any other players, because we INVENTED it!

Of course, having Japan, N Korea or S Korea to enter to the world cup was already a dream came true for me, and perhaps to get into the final 8 of world cup may deem tough at this point of time. But I verhemently believed that time will change, and with that, and I hope to see more Asian teams such as China to get into world cup and go into the finals.

My fave players from the Japan team. (Photos obtained from FIFA website)

Eiji KAWASHIMA - the goal keeper, it is a pleasure to see him catching all the balls, I rarely see him miss a ball.


Keisuke HONDA - the star player of the team who scores twice for Japan for this world cup.


Makoto HASEBE - eye candy and I am not ashamed to say that. The captain for Japan.

The match hasn't end. And I am hopeful.

Just a conversation

As i was titivating myself in the mirror this morning Kevin walked past me, took a glimpse of THE bag.
Kevin: So, you've gotten your Birkin for the coming birthday. Don't expect anything from me next year. (my birthday is actually next year)
Me: (in absolute disbelieve) What?! Who told you this is THE present? (shake my forefinger rigolously) Uh uh! No!

Readers! Tell me!

Do you remember I said Birkin is going to be my birthday present?
A) I remembered, you blog about it!
B) Nah! No such thing!

If your answer is (A), i take it that you are sleep-talking. Answer again.
If your amswer is (B), you are the most honest person i ever know. BFF!

The Broken Promise

... but please la... it is HERMES ok!

Shattered.
Crushed.
Burnt.

Whatever you want to call my broken promise. I think some may recall that I made a pact, one to set a limit of 2 bags per year and well over the years, the total value of both bags increased by 1 to 2 folds. So, perhaps deciding on a number of bags just doesn’t work and restricting a maximum credit will be a better way to deter over-spending.

We’ll leave it to next year because it is all too late now.

Thinking that I am giving myself excuse to splurge? Alright, let’s talk about facts. So tell me, which IT bag victim will leave Paris, the birth place of Hermes without a birkin (provided there is stock available)?

No way! Over my dead body! Siao ah?

It is not like you enter Hermes one rainy day to seek shelter and since you are there and you nonchalantly asked, “Any Birkin?” and Voilà! The sales shoved you one and even ask the color you prefer.

The above situation will NOT and NEVER happen.

Let me explain myself why it is worth to break a promise for a Birkin.

It is often when you enter the shop and asked the same old question and classically 9 out of 10 times the sales will snort, “No stock for the day”, when probe further about the availability, the sales will not look into your eyes but somewhere else and snap, “ I have no idea.”

Now, get it? This is how covet a Birkin is.

It is bananas to say this but I m not possessed when I m typing this.

Listen.

Each Hermes Birkin has their own story on how each find the owner, its true and this is my story.

I went to Paris with an idea what I which Birkin I want to buy. The color, the material, the size, I know what I want. But as days go by, towards the 3rd day of my stay in Paris, my instruction to Kevin is really easy as pie. Just get me a Birkin of any size. Or a Kelly is fine too. Any color is cool too.

Because each time, the answer to the availability is ‘No’, ‘Sorry’, and refusing to take NO for an answer, Kevin starts to believe they don’t sell to Asians. Well that’s ‘a silly thought’ and I assured him, there’s simply no stock. Seriously, I m not sure about that but I just wanna make sure that Kevin still believes in the possibilities of getting a Birkin over the counter.

My first day of Hermes was disastrous. It was elbow-to-elbow in both shops and I couldn’t even get someone to attend to me. Finally I found one and the answer was standard.

You know what, the sales at Hermes are so fortunate, they work shorter hours than me, they open at 1030am and close at 6pm. And I cannot make it to the store on time since I work on 9am to 6pm. I was lucky to have Kevin, my Hermes broker to pay the both shops a visit, twice a day to ask for stock. I know it has been hard on him, but he knows I LIKE IT A LOT and so, sorry, no choice.

On the 5th day, which is a Friday, I almost give up, cause I know it is impossible to get one so last minute, however, at 3pm, I received a call from Kevin. He asked me to look down my office. OH MY GOSH, I nearly swooned at the sight of the orange paper bag. Couldn’t contain my excitement when I see him carrying a super big orange bag with a super big orange box in the bag. So I am a proud owner of Birkin. Come to think of it, I didn’t ask the color and size not to mention the amount.

I rushed back to hotel after work and opened it up. Not my ideal color and material, but its Birkin, so who cares.

Kevin told me that there was someone ahead of him, contemplating if he should buy the bag for his wife, but he feared that the material is not scratch resistance and so he gave it up. At that time standing around the guy waiting for him to make a decision is like having stomach cramp. He tried to act cool, so that the guy ahead of him will not buy because knowing that someone is going to buy it straightaway after him.

So once they guy breathed, “No.” Kevin immediately tells the sales to PACK ignoring the color and the price totally. He only knows it was size 35.

Actually I feel sorry for Kevin to put him under so much pressure, it is worse than buying stocks…

Anyway, I never see that a bag comes with air bags and specially designed raincoat. Anyway, for those who are interested in Hermes, the tax rebate is only 10%. I am not sure why it is so special.

So may I present…
The raincoat, lock and whatnot.

Blue not my ideal... but its fine.

Chanel-ed Yet Again

Warm welcome to my Chanel Jumbo Caviar (Silverware) all the way from London.




Must really thank Kevin and two wonderful ladies, Melissa and Erica.





Alas, I hit my quota of 2 bags per year with 2 Chanel as of May 2009. "So no more bags...", Kevin warned.

When is 2010 going to come?

Shoes

Many ladies fall head over heels for hot heels or pumps. But not me. Shoes are never on my priority list and even the coveted Manolo Blahniks are never on my wishlist (even if they come for free). I can never comprehend the joy and rapture that some ladies get when buying shoes.

I don’t have pressurized soirees to attend; I don’t have fellow tai-tais to compete about (shoes). But what I think vital about shoes is, they must be lasting.

Some years back, I too, was a shoe-fanatic; I went for the popular and low-priced M-brand. Although their shoes are inexpensive, but wearing them will still make me looked every inch chichi, furthermore, purchasing 4-5pairs at one time cost less than 200bucks. Soon, I learnt “cheap doesn’t mean it is good”.

Soles of the heels just came off cruelly at the wrong time and wrong place. It can be in the middle of the road, it can be at the most inconvenient place to get a replacement (shoes), it can embarrassingly happen in the office. And you have to excuse yourself for lunch for whatever reason you can cook to convince your colleagues that “IT IS NOT THE SHOES”.

And sometimes, I still have to continue to walk in them (of course cursing and swearing in my heart) and yet have to walk with grace, especially in Orchard Road.

So here comes the best part, try bringing those shoes to the cobbler and I bet the repair cost is just as expensive as or cost half the price of the pair of shoes. I have tried asking home-grown cobbler, aka Kevin for help, it was even worse, after a day, the sole came off again. He set me thinking when he asked, “Why are there extra soles for the heels, does that mean they drop off easily?” Sadly, but it is the truth. They just came off without a reason.

I have had enough of such shame and fear of “when-is-my-shoes-going-to-betray-me?” thoughts and decided to invest in some reasonably priced shoes once and for all.

I did a shoe-robe face-life and instill new blood to it. And now, I am a proud and confident Nine-West-ian. First, Nine-West, unlike some other brands that are overpriced and grotesquely ugly, best part is, they last you for pretty long even if you wear it everyday and most importantly, they are incredibly comfortable even the heels can be 3-4inch high. I don’t have the habit of changing shoes variety everyday; therefore, these shoes are just perfect for me. No matter how you wear it, the sole of the heels will never give up on you. Compliments are often earned from these shoes rather than those cheaper ones.

So far, I have 5 pairs of them and still counting to more “new members” joining. I have since then bid goodbyes to the M-brand, the no-brand brands and those shoes which only looked good only when they are on display.

Wanted Men in Singapore Grand Prix

Faces to lookout @ Grand Prix!

F1 Driver: Nico Rosberg

AND

David Beckham -

According to different sources of reports, he will be coming to Singapore Grand Prix.

Bling Bling

Diamonds are every woman’s best friend. And I think, the bigger they are, the closer they are to the hearts of the women.

Callow me.

About 2 years ago, Kevin bought me a diamond ring 0.73 carat, for our wedding. And now, its time to upgrade. I have to upgrade the ring within 2 years in order to obtain a full value for trade-in and if I decided to only upgrade 2 years later, it will be about 40% of the price.

So whoever who knows how to do Math will obviously go for the upgrade within 2 years. Jewelers are smart. Why? The 0.73 carat diamond ring was bought at around $3600. It is natural for the next upgrade to be around 1 carat or around that size. And guess how much is that?

Size: 1.01 carat
Color: E (2nd best color of diamond)
Clarity: VS1
Whopping price of $11,575 (after discount)

I have got no choice, but to top up the remaining value and go for the upgrade.

When I trade-in my old diamond ring to the staff, she was looking at the dust and dirt accumulated in the ring. What to do? I am no tai-tai, I bath with that ring, clean poo with that ring, cook with that ring, sleep with that ring…

This is so far, the most expensive accessories I have on my body.

Side Note:
Clarity Scale:
Range 1: FL – Flawless, IF – Internally Flawless
Range 2: VVS1, VVS2 – Very Very Slightly Imperfect
Range 3: VS1, VS2 – Very Slightly Imperfect
Range 4: SI1, SI2 – Slightly Imperfect
Range 5: I1, I2, I3 – Imperfect

Color Scale:
Range 1: D, E, F – Colorless
Range 2: G, H, I, J – Near Colorless
Range 3: K, L, M – Faint Yellow
Range 4: … all the way till Z

Bags Fetish

I once heard a saying goes like this, "Accessories are what separate us from the animals." In fact, in Singapore, designer handbags are what differentiate us from -- no one. Everyone seems to be lugging some sort of designer bags down the street of Orchard Road, of course, giving them the benefits of doubt that they are AUTHENTIC.

Walking down Orchard Road, I’ll see jeans-clad women of all ages carrying the latest ‘Neverfull’, classic ‘Speedy’ from Louis Vuitton, the zero-value Gucci (since they have sales yearly), and for-aunties-only Coach -- and we're not talking knockoffs. Price tags of $800 to well over $1,000 don't seem to faze even the youngest bag-crazed fan.

Me? I always have a soft spot, a super duper soft one for designer handbags.

How do I know?
Here are some typical symptoms:
1. sleepless nights, keep thinking about the bag which you intend to buy
2. all your existing bags seems to be of the wrong size, you swear you need the bag of that size
3. suddenly your clothes can't go well with your existing collections
4. any ‘important’ function is coming, and you have got no bags! ‘Important’ function can be a simple gathering with ex-classmates, or even visiting the vet.
5. always thinking, “But, I just might need this one…”

Sometimes, it's more likely I'd be looking at someone else’s bag and I thought it really tells me who this person is.

What is wrong with me?

The story goes all the way back to about 13 years ago. I remembered I got my first so called designer bag from my Mum; it was the ELLE school bag, the staple brand for all school gals, and which I simply had to have. I was absolutely fascinated. I walked into school lifting my head up.

Of course, no one will stop at one designer bag. Eventually my bag closet started to welcome ‘new members’ bi-monthly or every half a year, there were more ELLE then JPG and then famous Sonia Rykiel. I was so infatuated that I almost wanted to alter my name to Rykiel Wong (how cool?).

Of course when I came out to work, naturally that would mean more spending power. I started teaching tuitions since secondary school days and I bought my first LV sling bag during poly year 1. I swear I was possessed by some LV genies. But hey, LV bags actually appreciate after so many years, at least this assured me that spending on LVs are not sheer waste of extravagant splurging.

A decade of frivolity of shopping, resulted in one LV after another, about 5 Gucci bags (some of which are thrown away cause they are beyond ‘cleaning’), a Chanel Cambon, a Burberry’s etc. Recently, the obsession got out of control again. Bags of hundred over bucks did not satisfy me any more. I started looking at bags that falls into the thousands categories.

It’s never easy to live with an obsession. From time to time you’ve got to give in. Yes, there are times when I am weak and…

Latest in stock (check out my valid reasons too):
Gucci (for my part time degree), Fendi Mini Spy (for work), LV Speedy (cheaper alternative for daily work), Prada (for lugging Ziv’s stuff) and Chloe Paddington (to fulfill my dream of having one).


I can have a bad hair day, a fat day, or just a sad day but I can never go wrong with the perfect bag and I can never have too many.