Club Monaco Christie Skirt

After yesterday's great Club Monaco finds, I decided to try my luck at the next closest store to my workplace and I got myself the skirt with lace which happened to be the Christie skirt at 75% off!  Whoohoo!!!  I was initially ready to buy it at 55% off, but it turned out to be further discounted at the cashier.  YAY.

I realized recently I have way too many bras!  So I will go and return one of the five I got last month. -___-  I may also go back for the Max blazer... which is at a little over 60% off... I have it on hold!  Eeks!  Right now is the best time to shop for seasonal clearance items!

As a side note, I really wished those pants looked good on me.  I'd really liked the plaid version but no matter how many times I try them on they just don't fit very well.  It's a little bit different, though I feel like it makes me feel fat (though it probably doesn't and I'm just not used to it!). 

UPDATE: So I got the Max blazer at 70% off! What to do? Keep or return? I brought too much this month :(

This is very tempting

I really want a plain black pencil skirt and this would be perfect (in black), which is available, on sale for $79.99!  If only I lived in the states and did not have to pay duties for buying Jcrew online!

Club Monaco Tulle!!

Since I first saw Club Monaco's Fall Winter 2010-11 collection, I'd really liked the tulle dress, except at the time I was buying a lot of the H&M x Lanvin dresses so I passed it over.

It's so pretty! When would I be able to wear it though?

Today, I got myself the Olga skirt (on sale!) which is just as good as the tulle dress, except it's in skirt form. Hurray!  Although I did buy this in the month of February... which means my shopping for budget for March is a little less now.

A nude tulle to add to my black tulle collection

I kind of wished I'd gotten the plaid jacket.... it would've been nice now that Spring is coming up!

The coat was on sale and before more markdowns could happen, it disappeared!

Aritizia S/S 2011

Oh my god... there are seriously endless things to buy and not enough money or time.  I love so many things from Aritizia's Spring/Summer 2011 collection, I don't know where to start.  My problem with Aritizia is that they tend to recycle their key items with slightly different colours every year.  Maybe I am hallucinating, but this year feels fresher to me than others.

Spring is here!

I need to think about my "needs" and "wants" though... buying all of this would put me into bankruptcy!

BHLDN

On Monday, Anthropologie's bridal line, BHLDN officially launched its site for online shopping!  I have been a fan of Anthro (as I like to call it) since I discovered it a few years back.  I love their dresses, their attention to details, and it would be one of my first stops where shopping for a special occasion dress.  They are perfect for parties, going out, for work, anywhere.

In fact, if I were to get married, I would definitely consider Anthropologie dresses for my bridesmaids - they are cute and generic enough (does not scream WEDDING!) to re-wear for many future occasions.

Lo and behold, the bridal line is launched and it does not disappoint.  I love the silk, cotton, tulle and taffeta materials and the intricate detailing.  All things in consideration, they are not that expensive in the grand scheme of the wedding planning world.  Have you seen the ridiculous amounts people pay for their dresses on "Say Yes to the Dress"?

The collection includes bridal gowns,  bridesmaid dresses, accessories, shoes, jewelery, and even lingerie!

Here are my favorites of the collection!

I really like the crochet flowers and the asymmetrical bow on the back

I love the tulle and the pinwheel appliques add a nice touch.  Again, I love the asymmetrical bow!

I love the butterfly details!

A fun take on modern wedding dress

This is one of my more mature selections, but how could I not like the flower details and the button up back?

This is one of my favourites!  The flower print is irresistibleand would be perfect at a garden party. 

This one gives me a retro feel, in a good way.  Plus I like the back cutout.

Even the shoes are gorgeous!

Exam Motivation

It is really important to be motivated in order to achieve your goals, and frankly sometimes you have to create that motivation.  I have been procrastinating with my exam studying, but I have come up with a wonderful solution.  Think of my post-exam reward purchase as motivation!

New stuff just got added to Anthropologie's sale section!  Time to go check it out!

My picks of the sale section:

This may be a nice addition to my dress closet

The belt is pretty cute

I could use another pair of skinny jeans

Liz Lisa Cravings

So my lovely flowery dress I ordered from Liz Lisa from a while ago has finally arrived! HURRAY! I can't wait for summer/spring to arrive to wear it!  It turned out it was a dress vs. a skort, but I suppose that may be for the best.  It would be much easier to go to the washroom.

I wished more new stuff would be out for North American purchase!  I would totally order:

I love the ruffles on the bottom of this dress!

The top is pretty, and the polka dot jean shorts are so cute!

I also like the shorts, the top, and the dress!  Heck, I also like the picnic basket doubling as a purse.

I love the sheer sleeves of the white dress, and I love the floral print skirt!!!

Minnie Mouse Hat

I was surfing the internet, and I found the cutest Minnie Mouse hat!  I think it's what they sell in Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea in Japan!  I would totally buy something like this to wear if I went there!

It's a little tempting to be my new winter hat... even though I don't even wear hats!

 

Dior Lady Di

I went shopping with a friend on Friday, and I just realized the beauty of the Lady Di Dior purse.  It is gorgeous, lady like, and the leather is so soft!  I never really attracted to Dior, mainly because it's out of my price range, but a girl can always dream right?

The strap extension is very handy and practical too!  Although my only complaint is that the opening is a little small, but that's partly due to the size of the bag.  Maybe one of these days...when I have $3,000 to spare, but by that time maybe there'd be even newer and better things.

Fujifilm Instax Mini

I finally got an instant camera! The Fujifilm Instax Mini courtesy of the boyfriend.  I've always always wanted my own instant camera, especially after seeing how fun it was taking photos while in Cuba!

I got the 25S model, in the Hello Kitty version (which makes is super cute)!  I suppose in the grand scheme of things, they added the Hello Kitty as a print-on to jack up the price as the camera works just as well with or without the Hello Kitty part.  One of the major benefits of the 25S over the Mini7 or the Mini7S is that it has a mirror in the front beside the lens for self shots, though you can buy an add-on for the latter.

Now I need to go buy some super cute Hello Kitty/Winnie the Pooh/Mickey Mouse film!

I also have my UNI Posca markers that I got from Japan, which are awesome for doodling on photos (amongst other things)!  I have the plain colours as well as the sparkly ones! Japanese people make the most amazing things!

Plain Posca markers!

Sparkly Posca markers!

I reached my monthly limit already!

So... with my new budget of $500 per month for shopping, it's funny how fast the limit is reached.  In my case, 3 days, on two items.  I got the necklace from Links of London and of course, the aforementioned money clip from Tiffany & Co.

Links of London has such a good marketing scheme, it's amazing.  There is the "friendship" line, consisting of friendship bracelets upon which you can engrave meaningful things on it, and trade with friends.  Then, there's the sweetie line in relation to their charm bracelets.  For my necklace, I got one from the a flutter and wow line.  From their website description of my necklace:

A new addition to our immensely popular Flutter & Wow collection, this sterling silver pendant features two interlocking, graphic hearts on fine chain, symbolising the bond between two people in love.

The name is a play on the musical term ‘wow and flutter’, which describes the quivering pitch that occurs when a vinyl disc is played. It’s an apt metaphor for the rush of romance - a hint of what this collection is all about.

They've now discontinued this ring, but I'd really liked it when it was around

I was really close to buying this last year. Haha

I fell for the "symbolizing the bond between two people in love" scheme :(

I found out that I missed the Links sale last month :(  I was really hoping to catch it this year like I did last year, but alas it's not meant to be.  Maybe next year, or next season.

Until then, window shopping next month's pocket money!

I'm pretty proud of my January credit card bill.  It's been a while since I've had one with less than 4 figures.  Also, I spent close to 75% less than each of the months before.  YAY.  Very pleased with myself.

Valentine's Day

The past few days, I've been obsessing what to buy my boyfriend for Valentine's.  We have pretty different tastes, so a lot of things I would wear if I were a boy is very different than what he wears as a boy himself. I've been on the hunt for a money clip.

My first instinct was go to the mall, of which I visited all the jewellery and watch specialty stores, as well as Harry Rosen (a luxury men's chain store), but nothing really caught my eye.  I think it's a particularly hard time to go shopping right now because all the stores are in the midst of changing seasons.  There's limited inventory leftover from last season, but not much yet out for the new season.

I was looking for luxurious, nice, simple and slim.  Getting a cheaper one did cross my mind, but they weren't very slim, and the design not very chic.  I ended up settling on Tiffany and Co.  Funny thing is, I myself have never received Tiffany's from him yet.  A little ironic.  I was looking for the plaid design, but they didn't have it in stock in store!

Next, I thought about the plain one, but to be honest it didn't look that amazing with some money clipped to it.  Plus, it looks so plain so why would I buy a Tiffany one?  I could get the plain one from anywhere and it would be just the same.

So in the end, I settled for the T&CO with initial engraving in the back.  Simple, but with a little touch of "I am Tiffany" without being too noticeable.  Suddenly, I realized the appeal of engraving initials.  It actually makes a huge difference in the feeling of ownership of the item.  With his initials on it, it almost felt like it fits him perfectly!  Why didn't I think of it before?  As a side note, I found "Tiffany Font" which is simply just what I was looking for!

I hope you like it :) 

There goes half of my February shopping allowance!  

Longchamp - Le Pliage

My trusty everyday pliage! <3

I've used my Longchamp large Pilage with long handles in black, almost every day for the past 3 years now.  I love the fact that it's trendy, yet lightweight and big enough to fit all my everyday needs - to the gym, beach, work, you name it.  The range of colours are so fun, and the leather detailing adds a little bit of luxury.  I loved it so much, I got the horse print pattern 2 years ago.

My vacation pliage

It's funny though because I found they had suddenly become much more prominent 1-2 years ago, to the point where it seemed like EVERYONE on the subway had it.

I was a little disheartened though, when I went a Beijing shopping market to discover that replicas were everywhere!  I suppose this is not surprising given it costs $145 USD for a nylon tote with leather straps.  Longchamp probably makes a killing anyways.  I guess it's just the principle of the matter (that and I brought the real one at full price).  Mind you, the copies do no contain real leather and the material is slightly different if you look closely.  Also, the zipper is of lower quality.  Nowadays, I look twice when I see one, and my suspicions were confirmed - fakes are everywhere!

As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

A few months back, there was a limited world edition Longchamp city pliage bags.  There were several cities and landmarks involved, including the Statue of Liberty of New York, the Great Wall of China, and the Galleries Lafayette of Paris. I wished I got the Miyajima of Japan one.  Is it too late?

It is so gorgeous!  I should've hunted it down while I was in Japan in September 2010 :(

Miyajima is definitely somewhere I'd want to go the next time I go to Japan. The scene at the Itsukushima Shrine is simply breathtaking.  My heart feels fluttery thinking about it!

Stressed? Go shopping!?!>

I find that whenever I feel stressed, it seems that I can magically be revitalized (at least in the short term) to go shopping.  Mind you, this can lead to purchases you may regret later on upon realization that buying physical items doesn't exactly make the pain go away.  I remember an especially sad day I had last year when I found out my old friend/rival had surpassed me in terms of job title. I went to the mall the day of and brought myself a gorgeous Mango sweater that was on final sale.  Ironically, after the initial numbness, I discovered the pain did not go away.

I have been eying the Proenza Schouler PS1 bag for awhile now.  Although the fashion house started not too long ago, its popularity has grown quickly and this has become what I believe as the new IT bag.  Also, the Olsen twins have been spotted with it (I love the Olsens!).

Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez met in 1998 at New York's Parsons School of Design and together they designed a senior year show that was so highly acclaimed, Barneys bought the entire collection - and so, Proenza Schouler (a combination of their mothers' respective maiden names) was born. Known for its skilful tailoring, expect cool-girl cocktail dresses and covetable standout accessories.

In my opinion, it looks a lot like the Mulberry Alexa bag but maybe even better since there are more pockets both in the front and in the back.  If my savings plans go well, perhaps I will award myself with the PS1 in a few months (maybe in brown or pink?) ;)

I think I feel better already!

Things to buy for this month

In the theme of budgeting and saving, I will create a monthly shopping budget for myself and be limited to that list only (or so I hope).  This includes:

1.  Upgrade my Tiffany necklace from Christie to a ring/Valentine's present to myself?.

2. Use my gift card from Fran/Mimi from Holts on something.  I'm thinking either Links of London or a Shu Uemura makeup palette.  Over the summer, I got Shu's travel palette and the colours are so wonderful, with the palette so versatile!  This is a secondary valentine's present to myself.

I really love their flutter and wow line <3

3. It may be time to change my concealer.  It's "almost" done, that and I think I need a new colour to better match my skin tone.