WHITE • BLACK • GREY

ph: Style Trove

Loving everything about these three looks. So clean + effortless!
Click below to find out how to get each look...


Look 1:
+ BA&SH Top with Piping Detail
+ Diane von Furstenberg New Boymuda Walking Shorts
+ Halogen 'Croco' Clutch
+ Alexander Wang Joan Leather Ankle Strap Pumps << The actual shoes from this look!
+ ASOS Leather Point Court Shoes with Cross Strap

Look 2:
+ Karen Walker Von Trapp Sunglasses
+ A.L.C. Muscle Tee
+ Forever21 Studded Envelope Crossbody
+ Stylestalker Titanium Sheer Metallic Skirt

Look 3:
+ AJ Morgan Feline Cateye Sunglasses
+ Sachin + Babi Anna Blazer with Faux Leather Collar
+ Vince Breton Striped Lurex Sweater
+ Forever21 Embossed Faux Crocodile Wallet
+ So Low High Waist Leggings
+ Aquatalia by Marvin K. Patent Boots

Celebrity Bag: Hermes Medor Clutch on Kim

I was just talking to a friend about the Hermes Medor Clutch over the weekend and had mentioned that not too many celebrities were seen with the said clutch when voila, I see who else but Kim Kardashian carrying it. 

Kimmie may not be hitting the right notes when it comes to her own design sense for their fashion lines (especially their bags, oof!), but the woman knows what bag to carry.

The Medor is a tad heavy for a clutch because of the hardware, but I love it! It is quite hard to get at the moment too!

P.S. Kanye, put your pants up, man! LOL

x
TheBagHag

BEACH EDGE

ph: Vogue Germany

Drooling over Guinevere's embellished Isabel Marant vest + Givenchy shark tooth necklace!
Click below to see more, including some AMAZE Balmain embellished pants.
Plus find out how to get the look...





Get the look...
+ Isabel Marant Wolf Embellished Cotton Vest
+ Givenchy Large Metal Shark Tooth
+ Girl. by Band of Outsiders Turtleneck Sweater
+ ASOS Limited Edition Double Spike Earring
+ Eberjey Allie Beach Glow Bikini Bottoms
+ A.L.C. Mini Shark Tooth Necklace
+ Topshop Metallic Snakeskin Leather Jacket
+ ASOS Long Metal Spike Earrings
+ Michael Kors Embellished crepe straight-leg pants

Bag Review: Rebecca Minkoff Flirty Neon Bag

Say what you want about neon as a trend that might not last until the next season but I still don't have my fill of neon bags. Nope, I have not yet had enough. Now, neon outfits might be taking it too far (although it's summer and it is acceptable) but neon bags are perfect for that pop of color. Nothing too overpowering. 

I am particularly liking this Rebecca Minkoff Flirty Bag because of the colors available (in either neon yellow or pink), the style, and the price!

Tufted leather with those cone- shaped studs (quite reminiscent of Alexander Wang rocco bags), in neon with the chain- leather strap? Very "bada$$" in a very good way (pardon the language). 

There is still something quite "classic" about the bag, perhaps the chain strap which exudes that Chanel classiness. This bag is definitely not a conventional everyday bag, but it does have character-- a very strong one! I can't decide on which is a better color-- pink or yellow. Both colors are really quite spectacular. I also think that you can tuck the straps in to use the bag as a clutch. Oh and the interior lining is thought of too-- polka dots! Quirky, right? :) This works so nicely as an evening bag or as a weekend bag.

I am happiest about the price of this bag-- at US $250, this is quite a steal. It's the perfect bag to carry for when you feel you are wearing a rather "blah" outfit. This piece alone can liven up your look instantly. And no need to break the bank to own it too!

Click HERE to buy the neon Rebecca Minkoff Flirty Bag now!

x
TheBagHag

Press Launch: Zalora

Last week, I went to the Zalora.com.ph press launch held at the company's headquarters in Makati.

I found the whole operations of this online retail "marketplace" of a company quite astounding. I was told that in just 56 days, they have already managed to set up the company (with about 200 employees) and have a good solid number of brands and merchandise.

www.zalora.com.ph

I'm not new to online shopping *haha* so being invited to shop online while at the Zalora headquarters was a breeze :) Was also able to chat with the directors of the company and see their vision for this online shopping site. I was very impressed with their growth and can see this company do incredibly well as more and more people take to the internet to shop. After all, internet shopping is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Congratulations, Zalora! I can see great things to come!

P.S. Thank you Fee, Ari, Celine, and the Zalora team for being so accommodating!

x
TheBagHag

SISTER JANE

1 | 2 | 3

Came across the cute line 'Sister Jane' over on ASOS + fell in love with these dresses.
Love the sweet lace + tweed accented with edgy metal, leather + studs.

GWEN STEFANI

ph: Just Jared

Gwennie Gwen Gwen! Love this woman, her cute peplum look + messy top knot ♥

Press Launch: Nescafé's Dolce Gusto

Over the week, I had the pleasure of having lunch at Beso with the Nestlé team as they introduced their newest baby, the Nescafé Dolce Gusto personal coffee vendor.

 I am a heavy coffee and tea drinker, and if you know me, I'd rather buy my coffee than make it myself because I have always been daunted by the prospect of learning how to operate very complicated machines. I am pretty helpless when it comes to gadgets-- just ask my husband (who has the most frustrating task of troubleshooting and helping me with my iPhone and laptop when I can't get them to work). 

When my friend Ram mentioned that there's now a coffee machine that is extremely simple to operate (that even I would not have a difficult time using it), I sat up straight and listened. I need my coffee daily without having to do a coffee run to the nearest place that serves it good. 

The Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine! The design alone is already friendly :) It's a Penguin :) 

To complete the Nescafé Dolce Gusto experience, we were invited to a wonderful lunch at Beso at the Fort which paired food with Nescafé, brewed by the Dolce Gusto machine-- yes, that little guy in red  :)

For starters, it was the Nescafé Dolce Gusto Lungo. This was the perfect starter to the day! I nearly drank everything in the cup, that was until I saw that cappuccino was to be served next :)

Loved the floral arrangements-- in coffee cups!

Ahhh cappuccino!!  My drink of choice. In the mornings, or after dinners!

I was already imagining how happy I was if I had this coffee machine. But exactly how easy was it to work this machine to produce these fantastic cups of coffee? Jiggy Cruz showed us how-- there were just three unbelievably easy steps to it! Pop, lock, and drop! And then voila, a frothy latte Macchiato or a simple cup of aromatic coffee with a thin cream layer!

  

Everyone had a fantastic lunch, and was completely energized with the different types of coffee brewed by the Nescafé Dolce Gusto machine. I'm so happy to have taken part in this incredible dining and coffee drinking experience!

Thank you, Nescafé! You just made my mornings and late nights so much better with my new Dolce Gusto :) Coffee drinkers who can't operate complicated machines like myself should get it. It's definitely worth having in your home, or in your office! :)  And P.S. if you can handle working the Dolce Gusto,  you will most likely be able to handle this machine too (and it looks good in the kitchen :D)

Drink up, peeps :) 

x

TheBagHag

The Duchess in Regal Blue

Woohoo! I do miss seeing big bags on Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, but seeing her carrying a colored clutch other than black makes me beam!

I think she looks gorgeous in this regal blue Rebecca Taylor tweed suit which she accessorized with a gorgeous Anya Hindmarchpython minaudiere. 

Net-A-Porter has this exact Anya Hindmarch Minaudiere but in stingray and in a beautiful pastel shade of lilac right now. It is a very dainty clutch, very feminine, and for sure it can fit a phone, lipstick, and some mad money. So it's really great for a night out, and in Catherine's case, an official day function.

I would love to see this lilac stingray clutch on Catherine as well and am interested to see what she will pair it with. I can't help but wish the Duchess would wear more color (I've been seeing a lot of grays on her of late). But no matter, gray or another somber colored outfit aside, I think she still looks fantastic!

On another note, are you as curious as I am to know what Catherine packs inside her bag? :) *I wonder if she has an iPhone tucked in there somewhere :D*

The Anya Hindmarch Marano Stingray Clutch is available for purchase at Net-A-Porter.

x
TheBagHag

BRIGHT SPOT

ph: Olivia Finland

This makes me want to run away to the country, wearing nothing but Isabel Marant ♥
Click below to see the rest + to find out how to get the looks...





Get the looks...
· Madewell Metallic Crew Neck Sweater
· Blank Denim The Legacy Jeans
· Marc by Marc Jacobs Pipe Dreams Triplet Necklace
· River Island Foil Crop Sweater
· Current/Elliott The Leather Skinny Pants
· River Island Neon Aztec Sweater
· Minnetonka 3 Layer Fringe Boots
· GAR-DE Oleshky Sweater
· River Island Aztec Pink Cardigan

Chanel... More Than a Pretty Penny!

This canvas tote from Chanel costs more than a pretty penny (and then some).

Spring 2012  Pre-collection

 This tote above reminded me of the older all- leather Chanel shopping bag  circa 2009.

Chanel SS2009

I remember going crazy over that leather shopping tote because it was the first of its kind from Chanel. Obviously I got over it LOL. You know what these bags do to us sometimes :) Reality actually bites hard when you receive your credit card bill LOL *You know what I mean?? :D*.

Anyway, I wouldn't buy the Canvas tote with Woven Jacquard Chanel signature  even if I did find it cute. Why? Simply because it is too expensive. I am so baffled by the astronomical price increase on most Chanel bags-- especially on the classic flaps. The demand exceeds the supply and I suppose the company is smart in capitalizing on that. Women are still buying-- the price has not stopped them from doing so! Women have been wanting to get their hands on a Chanel bag and it's become a rather addictive "want" than a "one-time-deal" purchase. I know of women who have more than 10 Chanel classic flap bags in different colors and sizes-- crazy, right? I don't blame them though, Chanel is one of the few brands that makes classic flap purses that remain timeless in terms of style. So yes, they are good investment bags.

I would rather pay for a leather bag than for a canvas tote (value for money). I wouldn't be buying all leather classic flaps though. I'd go for variety-- something that doesn't deviate too far from the classic flap style which has obviously worked so well for Chanel (and for the women who continue to buy them). 

I'd go for this Double Flap Lambskin Mini CrossBody Bag from the older Cruise 2011-12 collection.

But hah, unless Bernie Ecclestone is my fairy godfather, I will never see a Chanel bag "collection"  come to fruition and multiply like rabbits. 

Oh Chanel, when will I ever afford another one of you again (without having to panic each time I receive my credit card bill)? *Sigh* :)

x

TheBagHag

PUMPED UP KICKS

ph: Vogue España

Poppy Delevingne is such a beauty! Love the edge her sneakers give to the look.
For a similar take, try this dress with one of these studded sneakers...

+ KG by Kurt Geiger Lucciano Studded High Top Sneakers
+ Ash Vibration Bis Studded Sneakers
+ Bed Stu Studded Muddy Waters Sneakers

*EDIT* You can get the grey/silver studded version of Poppy’s Gienchi sneakers HERE.

THREE THINGS

ph: my own

1. Céline Metal Heel Sandals >> I had been searching for the shorter version of these sandals forever + finally found them at Cahier d'Exercices! The store is a DREAM filled with sooo many goodies- Plus, they are offering free shipping to the US until the end of the month!

2. ASOS ID Plaque Bracelet >> Really into simple chunky chains lately. This one's Céline-inspired without breaking the bank + comes in silver as well.

3. ASOS Ear Cuffs >> Yes, yes, yes! I am obsessed with ear cuffs + these are my best find yet.

Click below to see more pics...

Ralph Lauren Big Pony #2 and Exotics!

Yay! I'm back to discovering the scents of Ralph Lauren's Big Pony Fragrances. The last bottle I opened is #2. Sensual, seductive, with fruity- floral notes of cranberry and tonka.

You know what, suddenly I have trouble picking just one favorite scent out of all 4. Seriously! I think this is what Ralph Lauren's Big Pony Fragrances is really all about-- it's not about one particular scent that you grow with. It's actually all-- because the fragrances are very reflective of one's different moods. It's really all about "living in color"! 

And while we were in Bali, we really did embrace this concept of living in color! We have done all the possible fun things to do in Bali-- there was never a dull moment even until 2am! I wish I had opened Big Pony #2 sooner because this would've been the scent that was befitting during our shopping trip along Seminyak Road. 

The Seminyak Shopping trip was a big "SCORE" for us all! Look at what we discovered in the shops! Exotics heaven! 

Yes-- it is a python jacket! It may not be a great silhouette, but can you imagine the material used? And more importantly, THE PRICE!!! It's in the local currency, but converted, the price is US$440. If this jacket were hanging on the rack of some swanky shop in America or Europe, it'd cost like US$5,000 at least !!

So just imagine how much the clutches are!

I wish I got these! 

 The big bags-- in multi- color python!

And then you've got wallets in python as well. There were so many colors to choose from! It was hard to walk away!

 I ended up with one of these bags. I was so in love with the way it was made, and the colors were fantastic as well! The price? Under US$300!!

Envelop clutches were really their best sellers. Priced at US$50 up. Yes, US $50 each. I'm just glad no one kept score of how much python clutches we were all hoarding LOL.

I do like this style as well. I didn't think of getting a multi- colored python clutch and now I am wishing I did! Isn't that colored one beautiful? I could do without the chain though.

And this was also a favorite style, although I was not too keen on the color of the python skin.

The python skins came from Java, Indonesia. Almost every other shop in Seminyak had the basic envelop clutches (a must- have, really)!  Python skin, compared to lizard and crocodile, is sexier and more "sensual" perhaps because of the texture. This particular skin takes a little bit of getting used to and it may seem rather sensitive, but it is really an incredible material for clutch bags!

With all that shop- hopping for python bags on a hot day, wouldn't it have been fabulous to stay fresh with a few spritzes of Big Pony #2? The next time I head back out to Seminyak Road for python bag shopping, I will remember to do just that!

Thank you so much to the Ralph Lauren Big Pony Fragrance Team and The Event Architects (TEA) for taking us on this incredible bag shopping trip-- you have no idea how happy you made this bag hag :) 

So peeps, if you do go to Bali, you cannot not shop along Seminyak Road for these python bags!

x

TheBagHag