Travel First Class, Baby!

I finally found some of my photos (they got buried in my iPhoto album. I seriously need to clean up the photo abyss I've created), and thought today would be a good day to post a few of the Airbus A380 First Class Suites of Emirates Airlines. I want to share this experience with you all :) *PS I will probably never be able to afford a First Class Suite so allow me to also enjoy this post and look back on it with the fondest memories haha*

You all know I had a rather unpleasant experience taking Etihad in the past, although we eventually took first class from London back to Abu Dhabi. No, Etihad did not upgrade me for free because of that malfunctioning business class seat going to Abu Dhabi and then that disgusting business class wet seat on our connecting flight to Milan. I had to use up my miles for that, and boy was it a struggle to even use it because I was on silver status and apparently they will NOT allow upgrades from business to first class if you don't have the gold status!! *Take note, that's even if you had more than enough miles for the upgrade. It's ridic!*

I will have to say that Emirates is still way better when it came to amenities and food in First Class. Etihad may have attempted to redeem itself with the service in First Class and they may boast that they got awarded for being "the best First Class" in the airline industry (it was good, but come on, how can one really have bad service in First Class, right? I mean if you had paid full fare for it, it would have set you back by at least US$8,000 and they owe it to you to give impeccable service!), but Emirates still won me over hands down. 

Requested for an upgrade when it became known that my flight going back to Dubai would be on the A380. The request was granted without question. I couldn't believe it! I was going to be in the First Class cabin of an A380- a la Sex and the City! The Suites! And a 7+ hour flight inside your own suite in the sky? Heaaaavennnn ;)  Come with me, I'll show you around :)

The door to my own "suite!" I was on the other side, checking everything else out LOL *ignoramus*

Ta-daaaah, welcome to my "crib in the skies" :D *hehehe*

Those doors open and close with the push of a button :) It's too cool. If there weren't flight attendants all over me, I'd have played with it. Open, close. Open, close :D  LOL *crap I'd be the reason why those doors broke haha. So NO I didn't play with the doors hahaha. I didn't want the next passenger to have a crappy experience. I'm considerate that way haha*

Ahhh the legroom. And enough space for my hand- carried bags too!  Check out my very own vanity mirror with surrounding lights :) 

Fully extended my legs already, and yet there's plenty more legroom!!

If you press the little compartment by the vanity mirror, you'd find your own little snuff" boxes which had "calm" or "energize" scents. (I took mine home hahaha souvenir!)

I even had my own mini bar! I also had my own can of pringles and other things to munch on. And if that wasn't satisfying enough, there is also a mini bar with lounging seats at the back of the plane. 

Now, let me tell you about the lavatories bathrooms. You can actually shower in them! The cabin steward asked me if he can prepare my shower for me as soon as we took off. I was like, huh? He laughed and said that there were shower stalls in the lavatories of the First Class cabin. EH?   I had to see it for myself! Indeed there was a shower stall in each of the 2 bathrooms, allowing First Class passengers to "freshen up" while they're 30,000+ feet up from the ground! 

Fiberglass Showerstall on the left, bathroom door on the right

I didn't attempt to try the shower (although the thought crossed my mind more than once-- for experience!). But I just couldn't imagine being 36,000+ feet above ground showering, and then hearing the dreaded announcement midst- showering that there will be some turbulence ahead *OMG*. LOL. Can you imagine having to scramble out of there as the plane starts getting bumpy?  Tsk! LOL disastrous comes to mind!!

Photo of the other bathroom. Same size, just different configuration

And then there was THE meal. FIVE choices for the appetizer, TWO different kinds of soup, and FIVE main course choices. Oh, not Six? *Thwaps self. Spoiled already?! LOL*

 And then the dessert selection

I decided on the Marinated Prawns. It was very fresh and muy delicioso!

Marinated Prawns

And then the Duck Confit. I looove duck confit.

Duck Confit a la restaurante :)

It was superb. I didn't even feel like I was having airline food at all! All the time while having my meal, I was already thinking to myself " So thiiiis is how the rich people travel... I want this life! Gimme, gimme!"  LOL *ambitious much?*

After the meal, my seat was turned into a bed (and the flight attendant placed a thin mattress on top of the chair) to ensure a restful sleep.  So this sleepyhead woke up rejuvenated :)

Sigh I wish I can travel like this all the time! 'Tis the life!! *ahhhh dream on!*

(I became shameless with taking photos. I mean, come on, how often will I get to travel like THIS?!?! I need souvenirs and proof I did travel like this once!  For my kids and grandkids to see LOL!! So please humor me as I cam whore on this post :D )

I took this photo shortly after I woke up, just to show how big the space is inside the bathroom. I didn't think of doing it before I slept (I was still shy then and had wanted to act like this First Class travel is "normal" for me hahaha *poserrrr!!!*). I woke up with a different mindset though, thinking about when I can travel this way again (answer: unless I won the lottery... in other words, not in a thousand million years? LOL), so I grabbed the camera and started camwhoring without brushing my hair LOL, hence the disheveled look :D. (Redeeming item: Sunnies. Covered them eyebags hahaha)

I can throw a cocktail party inside this bathroom! Could probably fit 7 people in here :D

And of course when we landed, we took the stairs. So wide!

This is twice the width of the average airline stairs

It was an incredible experience. It's true what they say, once you've traveled First Class, you wouldn't want to travel in any other class (well maybe except if you have your own plane already... hahaha). But boo, reality has slapped this baghag's face (especially after I stole a glance at my bank book! Lol Afraid!) I still can't stop dreaming about traveling like this again one day although I have to constantly pinch myself that this will remain a dream unless I get sponsored by a generous soul *or this airline company hahaha*. Whichever comes first though, I welcome with open arms :) *beams*

Hope you enjoyed this little tour of the A380 First Class Cabin :)

x
TheBagHag

Royal Watch: Wedding of Zara Phillips to Mike Tindall + Tiara Lessons :)

Another royal wedding happened while we were sleeping :) Princess Anne's daughter, Zara Phillips has wed rugby star Mike Tindall in a simple Stewart Parvin (the Queen's couturier) gown which accentuated her waist.

Ooh poor gown already got dirty before she went into the church! :(

She wore Princess Anne's Greek Key Tiara, a gift from the Queen to Zara's mother back in 1972.

She's a pretty bride, and that tiara suits her well!

There was one thing I noticed about the wedding (no, it was not how "private" this was compared to Prince William's *natch, Zara is also not really officially considered a royal as Princess Anne had refused the HRH title for her when she was born*). It was something about what the guests wore.

Practically every other guest wore nude patent pumps! :) Look! *And a silly commentary on who wore what from the legs up-- please, don't take them seriously. The guests were really all lovely :D*

Zara Phillips asks: "Woop! Where's my bouquet?"  (Hmm I think Camilla walked away with it on her head :D *hehehe* )

Duchess of Cornwall in manageable heels. Nude! The hat looks great on Camilla, to be honest :)

"Please return the dinner plate back to the Palace Kitchen after use". :D The Duchess wore a rather large hat :)

The Duchess of Cambridge who smartly recycled her dress and her favorite nude patent pumps

The Queen to Butler: "Whatever happened to those new curtains I ordered for the drawing room?" (Princess Anne made a jacket out of it, mum!)

Princess Anne wore nude patent court shoes

Ahh no more toilet seat for a hat! :) Mom Sarah Ferguson apparently hired a stylist for £1,500 a day for Bea and her sister (is this really true?)

A very svelte Princess Beatrice with nude patent platform pumps :D

Princess Eugenie also in patent pumps!

A mutant butterfly landed on the hair :)

Natalie Pinkham in nude patent pumps

Kirsty Gallacher in sky high nude open toe patent pumps

"I was trying to catch that butterfly on Natalie Pinkham's head with this net (on my head)" :)

Amy Williams in nude patent platform pumps

I'm sure a lot of guests have worn nude patent pumps to weddings in the past. But I obviously didn't notice them back then. Now, I noticed-- also thanks to the Duchess of Cambridge wearing her favorite pair often during their Royal tour of Canada and the US. :)

Now,  I am posting this particular photo below because I wanted to show Zara's profile with the tiara.

She's lovely!

A LOT of hairdressers make a mistake with how to properly secure (and "seat") the tiara if the bride's wearing one. The tiara's supporting "sides" (a thinner metal that goes to the back of the hair to secure it) should NOT be visible. I often attend weddings and see a lot of tiara- wearing brides with that ghastly metal sticking out, for everyone to see.  

Note the metal on the side of the tiara sticking out for all to see. It's unsightly

Hairdressers (and brides) should take lessons right here. Hide that metal, please! It'll make the bride look a lot prettier and it won't look like the tiara was just hastily placed on the crown of the head (like the bride in the above photo)

Another thing to note about tiaras: a handful of them (at least the ones I've seen on royalty) have extenders to increase height of the tiara, but what they do to hide them is to wrap them with pipecleaners that are close in color to their hair.

Here's Princess Diana wearing the Spencer Tiara

Notice the pipe cleaner wrapped around the base

 Princess Letizia

I love this tiara on Princess Letizia

So if you are to be given or loaned a tiara for your wedding by either your parents or your inlaws, do check if the tiara has a height extender with which you should wrap in pipecleaners close to your hair shade :) And instruct the hair stylist on not to show the metal sides :) Then you're all set on your wedding day :)

And now going back to Royal Bride Zara Phillips, congratulations are in order for the new couple, from your lowly commoner fan on the other side of the world :)

x
TheBagHag

Anthropologie: Excellent "Curators"!

I cannot commend the buyers of Anthropologie enough. They really know what they're doing. Season after season, Anthropologie is only one of the few specialty stores (without premier designer brand price tags) I truly enjoy, and proof lies in the amount of time I spend inside it-- from 2 to 3 hours. Doing what? Going through practically every single piece of merchandise in the store! :)

Initial mugs, Initial paperweights, notebooks, notepads...

Look at this wall full of kitchen towels! All so colorful!! 

So precious!!!

Printed cups guaranteed to liven your kitchen

I want these doorknobs! I didn't bother buying them yet because I have no new doors for them yet. But hopefully when the time comes, I'd still be able to find these! 

And knobs for cabinets and drawers. Sigh, it's really easy to lose yourself in this store and buy everything *hoarders, pay attention!*

 How would you like to wear a Van Gogh- inspired dress? Walking around like there's a piece of artwork wrapped around you... Hmm... I might just consider! :D

Oh how clever! Eyeglasses chandelier!!

I can think of other things to hang here hehehe... Can you imagine an earrings chandelier? :D

And now, the bags at Anthropologie:

The ode to the "brief":

Priced at US$278

I like this pebbled taupe leather with patent yellow trim brief. We already know the pros and cons of carrying a briefcase satchel, so let's just judge this bag based on color choice. I approve! Very much!!  :)

It seems Anthropologie bags take inspiration from Proenza Schouler (above is PS1 inspired). This bag below reminds me of their other bag.

This tote is big and really holds all. Of course the PS tote is much nicer *hence the ouch price haha*, but this is a good alternative. The leather is quite nice and workmanship isn't shoddy :)  

I can't articulately describe Anthropolgie although here are the words that come to mind: unique, clever, bohemian, shabby chic, innovative, happy, light and airy (haha like milk foam haha). Check out Anthropologie if you haven't already, and see for yourself exactly what I mean :)

x

TheBagHag

The BagHag in The Hat!

So my vacation is doing well for me. But while I tried to escape the heat in the Philippines, it seemed the heat had other plans for me. San Francisco is still cool, but when the sun is out, it is HOT! So when I saw that the wide brimmed hats at BCBG were on sale, I couldn't resist getting one. Even if I knew it would make me look silly :D  At this point in my life, I think it's more important to make sure I don't get any more sun spots on my face than I not look silly *I often do anyway, silly has become normal hahaha*. Besides, those new face creams I bought didn't seem to do anything to lighten the sun spots. Boo! *thank goodness I'm not yet in that stage where I have to fork over my money to La Mer hahaha I am still fairly low maintenance when it comes to skin care*

Today, I decided to just wear a Danskin tank top with my Reiss birkin jeans to stay cool. And I topped the outfit with the large BCBG hat, and my favorite clutch by Mark Cross :)

The vacation has added some serious poundage, I know :D *I plumped up lol*

Here's a close-up of the Mark Cross Maddox Clutch.

It's almost the size of a medium Chanel classic flap bag but unlike the Chanel, this bag is thinner, making it perfect as a clutch

LOL so this was so funny. I went to Chevron to fill up our car with gas in this hat. Thinking I would look cool with this hat on while driving, I didn't take it off. *Hahaha stupid move, woman*. Why? Because I couldn't merge into another lane-- I couldn't see anything!!!  LOL. The hat is a serious driving hazard!!!

I was finally able to get to the gas station in one piece. And the gas attendant (named Adam) started teasing me with it because apparently he saw my car rolling into town (below speed limit) and getting overtaken by 2 other cars *because hello, Driving Miss Daisy on the wheel*. When I got out of the car, I heard a huge guffaw, and saw the gas attendant laughing! I suddenly got self- conscious hahaha. But NO. I needed to own this hat. Like OWN it. So I walked over to the pumps and started taking care of my car. That's when the attendant walks over to tease me. LOL

• Adam: "Did that bright large hat of yours prevent you from driving properly?" *points to my hat while laughing*. 
• Me :  "Errr... Noooo, why?". *looks innocent and hehehe... confident*
• Adam : "I'd never drive 5 below speed limit in a 25 mile zone. That's far too slow even for an old lady!" *continues his laugh*
• Me: "Ahhh, well my slowing down had absolutely nothing to do with my hat. I was fiddling with the radio."  *Oh shit, he saw me get overtaken LOL*
• Adam : "Uh huh sure." *smiling widely and not looking convinced with what I said*
• Me:  "Seriously!" *starts to laugh*

So as I was in my good "gas- pumping form" (ok that didn't sound so right did it hahaha. I'm not very articulate so bear with me here), a strong wind came on and BLEW MY HAT OFF MY HEAD!!!

LOL!!!

So you know what happened next. I ran after the hat. In heels and all! *EMBARRASSING!!* And natch, Adam started laughing out loud again!  Tsk. Hehehe. I'm glad the hat didn't go far (haha I think it's too heavy to fly far). I caught my hat, and I repositioned it on my head. Again. *Hahaha so I'm stubborn and really want my hat on my head*.

• Adam: "You must reallllly love this hat." *laughing a lot harder now*
• Me: "Ok fine, yes I do. Now will you stop making fun of it?" *stifling a laugh*
• Adam: "Do yourself a favor already, don't wear the hat when you're driving! Seriously, it's a driving hazard, and I'll stop laughing, promise."

So I was laughing but I gave him a dirty look anyway for making fun of my hat which I love. I couldn't take off the hat. So I drove off *in my hat* with him still laughing. When I was out of his sight, I finally took the hat off. LOL

I love my hat, but wow, I really lost my "form" today hahaha!  I'll wear the hat again later. Just not while I'm driving!

x

TheBagHag

I Am Seeing Red... Red = Love :)

A few days ago, a package came in the mail for me from New York. It was from the wonderful people of Mark Cross.

I was sent a Maddox Clutch! *Jaw drops* THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!! This was the very clutch that I was lusting after just a few posts ago! I really, really, really wanted this clutch but Saks Fifth Avenue San Francisco does not yet stock Mark Cross bags *they ought to already!* 

So now that I was given this beautiful clutch, I am still grinning from ear to ear as I write this post :D

I was able to take a nice photo of the Maddox clutch yesterday before I headed out. Here's the result of that "shoot" :)

This all-red Mark Cross Maddox Clutch looks even better in person :)

I am truly beyond impressed with this bag because:

1. It's larger than what I had originally imagined it to be, making it the Perfect clutch (because you can actually store more inside!)
2. The interior of the bag has compartments-- one for the phone, one for lipstick, one for your business cards, and even for your keys.
3. There is a back pocket to this bag-- you can slip your parking ticket or business cards of other people without needing to open your bag anymore!
4. A chain strap is hidden inside the bag, ready to be whipped out whenever the need arises (like when you are offered a glass of wine and you need your hands free)

I will be taking photos of the back and the interior again soon. Silly me for completely forgetting to do so. But in case you are interested in the Mark Cross Maddox Clutch (as well as other Mark Cross bags), you can find them at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores :)

I was told that A LOT of exciting things are coming up at Mark Cross, and I can't wait :) Remember, Mark Cross IS bag royalty, with the brand having been around since 1845!

x
TheBagHag

I Profess My BNY Love

This afternoon, I went downtown and headed straight for BarneysNY. I cannot not go into Barneys. If there is one thing I have to check out, it's the bag and jewellery section. (Yes, the shoes have to take a backseat).

I've never, ever been disappointed each time I pop by Barneys in San Francisco (that said though, I do miss Fred's at Barneys NY so not having Fred's here in SF is a wee bit of a disappointment- but hah, more reason to visit NYC again).

First things first. What caught my eye when I took the first steps into the floor?

CELINE bags. Wild!!!

*Drools* Serious Arm and Eye Candy!!

I am going loco for leo! I am loving the leopard ponyhair box bag too, but oh Lawrdy I really don't need another bag after my luggage tote. So I am posting this photo here in the hopes someone out there who's been looking for the box bag in ponyhair leopard print can finally snap these up (they come in 2 sizes).   

Oh and do you also see the mini box bag in cobalt on the far left? *palpitates*

Celine also has the trapeze bag in black. I'm not sold on the style yet. Perhaps it will grow on me. Perhaps it won't. It is pretty, but it's just not something I would buy without hesitation even if I have the money for it *ahem, which I don't*.

The trapeze, and the phantom luggage (above the trapeze)

Barneys SF also has the Celine phantom luggage tote in black (shown in photo above the trapeze), if anyone's interested in that. As for the mini/ micro luggage totes, they have a smooth black one, one in pebbled burgundy leather, and a caramel colored one (I could be wrong but it looked like caramel-- sorry I was too distracted with the leopard ponyhair box bag to notice hahaha). 

And after Celine, was Alaia. Sigh... *Dreamy look*  I love Alaia shoes...

The bags aren't too bad either. The black carryall below is pretty basic (read: timeless), and the perforated leather tote is made very well.

I had fallen in love with one of Alaia's leopard print ponyhair totes not too long ago but when I carried the bag, it was just too heavy so I didn't make the purchase *saved me some moolah too-- for my Celine leo luggage!*

After Alaia were the jewels. Oh my *counts the coins in my wallet... nope, can't afford anything in the store, crap* hehehe...  I was temporarily paralyzed staring at the new Sevan pieces. I'm such a fan of Sevan but wow, the prices are stratospheric! It's really like paying for an important piece of art. Better than traditional art though, this one looks better on the neck and not on some wall in your house :)

Olivia Collings also has some nice antique locket necklaces on display, plus there were some very wearable Irene Neuwirth pieces (moonstones in particular were calling out to me... tsk). Such a treat to be surrounded by these baubles at Barneys :)

Oh, oh! Speaking of Barneys, The Row finally launched its first bag collection-- the Olsens have been seen around town carrying croc bags from their line  (gotta love your own, right? :D)

Beautiful colored croc bags!

I love that their younger sister looks like both Mary Kate and Ashley- combined :D

 And of course this takes the cake for being the priciest of the lot:

Ashley Olsen and The Row's croc backpack

A crocodile backpack to the tune of ... *get ready for this*...  US$39,000!! Pretty awesome how Ashley can casually sling that bag on her shoulder *that woman really pulls off just about anything and everything!* ;) By the way, the backpack's shape (not including the tassle and the handle of course) somewhat reminded me of the Hermes SO Kelly. 

But wolfwhistle on the price of The Row's crocodile backpack again. Even if the bag's quite a looker, I still couldn't keep myself from asking, "Really?" *Ok, if I were billionairess Tamara Ecclestone, I'd not have hesitated haha*

Somehow, Nancy Gonzales exotic bags just got cheaper after The Row's release of their exotic line ;).

Boo, I didn't have enough time to go through all the floors of Barneys so it looks like I will have to revisit Barneys again this week :D

x

TheBagHag

All Print That's Fit to Carry

Bags that have bright prints are not easy to carry.

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Tory Burch cherries print tote

I think it would be difficult to carry printed bags unless you have a closetful of solid colored clothes. While many printed bags border on tacky, there are still some that are quite striking and are designed and executed tastefully. Printed bags are all about pairing them with the right outfit. A pretty printed bag will look bad with an equally busy (printed) outfit. So it's really all a matter of pairing it with the right outfit. Out of the three bags above, I can only see myself carrying to Tory Burch cherry tote. I think it would look cute to carry that tote the beach, and or perhaps with my kids during weekends ;) It is a fun tote! :)

All bags photographed are from Nordstrom Rack (Nordstrom).

x

TheBagHag