McQ Grocery Tote

hen I first saw this bag at McQ boutique in Starhill Gallery, I immediately thought of  the Surrealism painting of Salvador Dali.  Lee Alexander Mc Queen, four-time winner of British Designer of the Year surely had a style uniquely his own. In 2006 he launched McQ, a younger, more renegade lower priced line for men and women (unfortunately I don’t find this range as affordable as, let’s say: Marc by Marc Jacobs).
This tote has a shoulder sling as well so you can use it both ways. I love the ‘humble’ material of this bag so it brings a rugged, low-key appearance despite the huge McQ print.  Retailed at RM 504, but I got it for only RM 352.80 as they were having 30%  sale. (Who doesn’t love discount?!) The staff there are really friendly and they let me try as many clothes and bags as possible and they even do reservation. I picked up a few other items from McQ so I will publish them soon. Watch out Girls..All hail the (Mc) Queen!!!

Merci beaucoup!

Fendi Voodoo Zucca Sneakers

I love monogrammed shoes. I do. Perhaps because most of my clothes and bags are usually mono-colour.  Lady Gaga said in Fashion "A girl is as hot as the shoes she choose" . Well, I'm not a girl, but I know the importance of well-made, clean shoes.

So I went to Fendi KLCC to check out men's shoes. Guess what, they only have one pair. Yes, ONE pair...it's not the last pair, it's the only pair they bring into Malaysia...and it's 'almost' my size. I tried them on and knew this limited-edition Zucca Voodoo will be discontinued in Europe by now.

I felt a bit guilty to spend so much on shoes..so I asked to see men's pochettes. The SA politely showed me all the (not many) bags they have and there was a little chit chat:

Me: Hmm, almost same price, shoes or bag?
SA: Buy bags better, shoes no need so expensive. Bags better value!
Me: Then I won't have nice shoes.
SA: Just wear Nike or Adidas good enough. Waste your money to buy so expensive.
Me: Oh..OH KAY!! ( I tried so hard not to laugh. Karl Lagerfeld will be so horrified to see anyone with Fendi pochette+Nike trainers!!!)

Perhaps the same mindset explains why I see so many people who look soi proud with their Gucci or LV bags but when I see their shoes, they really don't represent the value of the bags they carry. I mean, even if the shoes are cheapo meapo, at least they should be clean, right?

Now let me introduce you my first Fendi  acquisition. Retailed at RM1430 but I was offered 10% discount so it became RM 1287. I love the slightly raised in-sole the shoe has, and the slim,longish cut.

..as I unpacked my shopping bag at home, I realized the staff discreetly added free gifts: 3 beautiful document holders!! Yeayyy!!

Updated 28th May 2010
Shocking! I was in Paris at Fendi Avenue Montaigne and was informed that the men line has been suspended and will only return next year 2011! Thank goodness I bought these in KL.

Topman Skinny Jeans & Shirt

I was so frustrated with the cancelled flight I needed a quick shopping fix to make my day better. So right after changing the flight date at Qatar Airways ticketing office in Jalan Sultan Ismail, I went straight to Pavillion (and then later on KLCC)..

The last purchase I made from Topman was so many years ago! Yes, it was a suit. So this time I thought maybe I should get some nice shirt because I don't really have that many shirts. I love the form-fitting cutting of Topman shirts, they fit just fine. Normally I would have problem with either: Big shoulders but short hands or: Small shoulders but long hands. Retailed at RM 166, I rewarded myself with 2. Then I saw a pair of black skinny jeans..and it's reduced from RM165 to RM129. I've never bought any skinny jeans before ( I thought it would look horrible on me).. then after trying in on I knew I had to get them. I also found a pair that has the same cutting but in blue but unfortunately not on sale (RM233), so trying to cheer myself up, I grabbed it still. I got 10% off with my membership card so that pretty made my day.

 

Striking red and blue to cheer me up:-P

 Upon checkout I was surprised with a free RM 10 voucher! Tadaa..

My Flight Was Cancelled

After so many months of planning, e-shopping and researches up to the very few days before the departure, the news broke:

There are currently flying restrictions in European airspace due to a volcanic eruption in Iceland, which is affecting flight departures and arrivals to selected destinations.

My brain is so numb I am still digesting this information. I've booked a Qatar Airways flight scheduled to depart on the 18th April 2010 to Paris via Doha, returning KL the 28th April. Then I bought a separate ticket from Aer Lingus to go to New York from Paris (via Dublin) on the 21st April, returning Paris the 25th. And all these accommodation bookings,tours and stuff that are non-refundable.Irks! This is so annoying! The worst part is, there's no definite clear date to fly, and these airlines don't allow me to cancel the flights until they cancelled me. Once they cancelled, then I can get refund or rebook another date. I had to check their websites religiously for flight status, and I only knew the status like 6 hours before my flight departure. Since my KL-Paris flight has been rescheduled to 23rd April (and that's uncertain), I risk of losing my NYC flight, should the air is clear and here I am stuck in the third world! That's RM 2.5k and that's a lot of money to lose.Sob.Sob.

P/S: I've skipped a lot of dramas in this story so not to bore you. Please pray that all will go smoothly this time. 

Gucci Continental Wallet

This is the very first Gucci  I have ever bought (The Gucci Envy perfume doesn’t count!).  For many many years I’ve been using my old Zara leather wallet ( yes people, Zara! ) that I bought in Paris in 2006. On my recent trip to Grand Indonesia Mall, Jakarta, I really wanted to get ’something’ Gucci. Just a little something,so I thought. So what better excuse than to buy a wallet, right? There were a few designs that I like and within my budget, but this particular one tickled my fancy. I have never had a continental wallet so I thought it would be cool to have one.
So far I’m loving it, especially now that all my notes can be inserted without having to be folded. Plus it has 6 slots for my cards. I love the GG Guccio Gucci’s Monogram and wonder if I should get a matching GG Pochette as well?
At 2.8 mil Rupiah (RM 995), this is considered very reasonable compared to KL’s price, right?

Paul Smith Holdall Bag

Paul Smith caught my attention with his Blue Content Holdall Bag. I love love the quirky canvas print on this bag. Perfect for a weekend getaway to carry all your clothes, and bags and 2 pair of shoes etc (hence the name: holdall, duh). I went to Paul Smith store in KLCC and the blue bag was retailed at RM 1800! The SA told me they only brought in 3 bags into Malaysia. I checked Paul Smith online UK store, the bag is selling for only 240 Pound (RM1200). I also checked Galleries Lafayette Paris e-store and the price is 350Euro (RM 1500). Not fun.

However this could be a great investment bag since the print is  seasonal, so once it's gone, bye-bye! So which one do you prefer?Me? But of course, le bleu.

Source: Paul Smith

Fendi Unzip Bag Launch

Time: 3pm,  1st April 2010.
Venue: Fendi, Starhill Gallery.

I was invited to attend this small launch event and decided to come along and brough my little camera to have some snaps.  Free-flowing champagne and non-alcoholic drinks, canapes and Fendi merchandise everywhere, I wouldn’t wish to be anywhere else. My best friend Eelar came along with me and she had a good time trying all the fabulous goods. The Singapore-based Fendi staff, Ms. Clara was especially hospitable and friendly towards the little crowd of about 20 people. However they hardly have any stuff for guys, so I only get to try the one and only pair of shoes they have ( I was even offered 10% off so at RM1400 a pop, that could be some saving).

Back to the bags (for girls),they look definitely fabulous especially when 4 gorgeous models strutting and posed in front of us. The ever glamorous supermodel Tinie (who was chosen by Chanel to be photographed in their Rue Cambon atelier) was one of the model there.
Here are some snaps of the event.

Coach Messenger Bag

This is my very first Coach bag. I have always thought that Coach only caters to women clientele until I walked into Coach store at Pavillion with my female friends and realized that they DO have nice men stuff and they’re not overpriced. Ah well, I have never heard Coach or seen any when I was studying in France so pardon my naivety.  So I fell in love with this bag, although the sale was running in-store but not for this bag. Perhaps it’s a classic ( hence the name Coach Heritage Stripe ). It was selling for RM 1325 although I know for a fact that in the US it’s only RM 877 (USD 258) but oh well, I couldn’t resist and voila me and my first adult man bag.
I know some people play double standard with Coach, to me it’s not about getting the best all the time. The fact that the best is subjective these days anyway.. Coach is good for daily use, plus so far I haven’t bumped into any guy with the same bag..and I walked into LV and Fendi and still get equal non-substandard service from the SA. Coach to me has young design yet respectful , quality goes well with it’s price ( although it’s carefully crafted in China).
Love the many compartments it has and sturdy,solid feel of the bag.